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joanna1905's review against another edition
2.0
I have mixed feelings about this book - overall I really liked the rep we see. It's unusual to see a book told from the pov of a neurodivergent individual and this kind of rep is much needed. It also provided some real insight into the struggle to behave 'normal', as well as how flippancy can cause damage.
I really loved the relationship between Peta and Ant, we love a beautiful found family moment, as well as the friendship between Peta and Jeb and how they all became a family in the end.
Surprisingly, my least favourite part was the relationship. The only thing I liked about Sam was her vibrant family background. Overall, she came across quite unsympathetic to the way Peta sees the world and its not even clear if she even understands Peta's diagnosis. The relationship itself was so abrupt and came out of pretty much nowhere (had it not been for the rainbow on the over I would have been very shocked). It seems like a relationship that will end in heartbreak due to Sam's immaturity and the fact that she's in a relationship with someone she didn't seem to really try to understand.
Honestly, while I like the platonic relationship between Peta and Jeb if we had to have a romance I wpuld have prefered it was between them.
I really loved the relationship between Peta and Ant, we love a beautiful found family moment, as well as the friendship between Peta and Jeb and how they all became a family in the end.
Surprisingly, my least favourite part was the relationship. The only thing I liked about Sam was her vibrant family background. Overall, she came across quite unsympathetic to the way Peta sees the world and its not even clear if she even understands Peta's diagnosis. The relationship itself was so abrupt and came out of pretty much nowhere (had it not been for the rainbow on the over I would have been very shocked). It seems like a relationship that will end in heartbreak due to Sam's immaturity and the fact that she's in a relationship with someone she didn't seem to really try to understand.
Honestly, while I like the platonic relationship between Peta and Jeb if we had to have a romance I wpuld have prefered it was between them.
luckies_universe's review against another edition
4.0
Love. Adore. Screaming. Crying. Throwing up.
The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is because I'm still a fantasy girl at heart and contemporary romance just doesn't give me the same feeling.
Still, Peta's character is so hilariously relatable and her arc is beautifully constructed. I love that Peta learned something new, but also didn't have to change herself to fit in with everyone else at the end. There's a big emphasis on just being who you are, and anyone who doesn't like it can just close their eyes.
I took a minute to warm up to Sam, but soon enough, she had my heart.
This book gives you all the smiles and giggles in the world.
The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is because I'm still a fantasy girl at heart and contemporary romance just doesn't give me the same feeling.
Still, Peta's character is so hilariously relatable and her arc is beautifully constructed. I love that Peta learned something new, but also didn't have to change herself to fit in with everyone else at the end. There's a big emphasis on just being who you are, and anyone who doesn't like it can just close their eyes.
I took a minute to warm up to Sam, but soon enough, she had my heart.
This book gives you all the smiles and giggles in the world.
abi_gq's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cec_loves_to_read_books's review against another edition
4.0
Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal is another fabulous #LoveOzYA novel by @annawhateley_writer
This book is Anna’s debut #ownvoices novel about a teen named Peta who is coping with the many letters she’s been labelled with and understanding all the rules she should be following to ‘pass as normal’ as well as the other things life can throw at you when you’re young and finding your way in the world - First loves, friendship dynamics and finding family that may or may not be bound by blood.
I loved the relationship between Peta and her best mate Jeb and the ‘alternative’ QLD school setting where some of the story is based. New girl Sam brings romance and complications to Peta’s life but also allows her to discover what and who she wants.
This is another book, among a great growing list, that looks at the modern Australian experience of being neurodiverse in an authentic and charming way that allows the reader to learn and grow alongside the thoroughly loveable characters in the novel.
A highly recommended read! I hope you love it as much as I did.
***Some people may like to know in advance that the book touches upon themes of domestic abuse and parental neglect.***
This book is Anna’s debut #ownvoices novel about a teen named Peta who is coping with the many letters she’s been labelled with and understanding all the rules she should be following to ‘pass as normal’ as well as the other things life can throw at you when you’re young and finding your way in the world - First loves, friendship dynamics and finding family that may or may not be bound by blood.
I loved the relationship between Peta and her best mate Jeb and the ‘alternative’ QLD school setting where some of the story is based. New girl Sam brings romance and complications to Peta’s life but also allows her to discover what and who she wants.
This is another book, among a great growing list, that looks at the modern Australian experience of being neurodiverse in an authentic and charming way that allows the reader to learn and grow alongside the thoroughly loveable characters in the novel.
A highly recommended read! I hope you love it as much as I did.
***Some people may like to know in advance that the book touches upon themes of domestic abuse and parental neglect.***
emily2348's review against another edition
3.0
the lesbian relationship appeared out of nowhere i was shocked 😭
3lf0nth3sh3lf's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
this is it. the book that has cemented my hatred for third act breakups. everything was going soooo well until the 150-or-so page mark and then things went downhill. i also think i went into this expecting it to be about like... a 16 year old? i really didn't expect all the drinking and drugs and um... adult activities. some of the things that happened kind of threw me for a loop. i also wish there was more of an emphasis on peta and sam rather than peta and jeb. i also am appalled at the name jeb. i wish this had been a 5 star book but unfortunately there were just too many curveballs. i did really enjoy peta and sam's relationship though.
this is it. the book that has cemented my hatred for third act breakups. everything was going soooo well until the 150-or-so page mark and then things went downhill. i also think i went into this expecting it to be about like... a 16 year old? i really didn't expect all the drinking and drugs and um... adult activities. some of the things that happened kind of threw me for a loop. i also wish there was more of an emphasis on peta and sam rather than peta and jeb. i also am appalled at the name jeb. i wish this had been a 5 star book but unfortunately there were just too many curveballs. i did really enjoy peta and sam's relationship though.
vegetal's review against another edition
4.0
Great representation of neurodivergence and a beautiful story of a young girl struggling to figure out the world.
polina12357's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lawbooks600's review against another edition
3.0
Representation: Main character with autism, sensory processing disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Trigger warnings: Ableism
6.5/10, I don't know about what to think of this book, the writing style felt very formulaic and robotic, I did like all the disorder representations though Peta's thoughts detract away from the main story and I hated Peta's self-critical voice which is telling her to be "normal" (since she has 3 mental disorders), it was kind of a struggle to read that. There was a relationship with Peta and Sam, but Peta cheated on a man which I found it to be a very strange decision by her. As I read this book, Peta's character turned into a miserable person who sulks all the time and she was redeemed way too quickly however I'm glad her self-critical voice is gone now. The only interesting thing about this was the normal scale out of 10 made by Peta at the end of each chapter which was interesting. I recommend A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll, if you want a better book about autism which I really enjoyed. On the plus side it's authentic so there's that.
Trigger warnings: Ableism
6.5/10, I don't know about what to think of this book, the writing style felt very formulaic and robotic, I did like all the disorder representations though Peta's thoughts detract away from the main story and I hated Peta's self-critical voice which is telling her to be "normal" (since she has 3 mental disorders), it was kind of a struggle to read that. There was a relationship with Peta and Sam, but Peta cheated on a man which I found it to be a very strange decision by her. As I read this book, Peta's character turned into a miserable person who sulks all the time and she was redeemed way too quickly however I'm glad her self-critical voice is gone now. The only interesting thing about this was the normal scale out of 10 made by Peta at the end of each chapter which was interesting. I recommend A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll, if you want a better book about autism which I really enjoyed. On the plus side it's authentic so there's that.
libraryloverlea's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
As a late identified Autistic ADHD this book was at times challenging to read, seeing all the ways Peta’s “support team” had failed her by providing her with services that were far from neuro affirming and knowing that this is the reality for many autistic ADHDers. A wonderful read for neurotypical folk to understand the damage this can cause and why it isn’t ok. Great read.