Take a photo of a barcode or cover
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
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
I enjoyed reading this. I don't remember the Girls series if I ever did read them, but always liked Jacqueline Wilson books as a kid. I didn't feel massively invested in the characters/ plot, but it was fun an interesting. I particularly liked that the main character was presented as not being 'perfect' and having a lot of relatable insecurities / not feeling like an 'adult' even at 40. The ending felt a bit sudden and that there quite a few ends not tied up (I would have liked to see Alice and her relationship develop more... it just didn't feel that convincing, and also her new graphic novel and Lottie's father). And it would also have been nice to see Ellie more empowered by the end. In all, it was a lovely book about growing older, friendships and facing our feelings.
Perhaps because I'm Australian and now living in the UK, I hadn’t heard of the Girls In Love series or this author. However, seeing the book everywhere influenced me to give it a try. For anyone who loved Jacqueline Wilson's books growing up, this one is for you.
Styled as her first adult novel, the book explores mature themes with the main character, Ellie, who has just turned 40. Despite the adult subject matter, it's written in a manner similar to her children’s and young adult books. This isn’t to say it’s poorly written, but it may not feel as mature as some readers might expect.
Following the *Girls in Love* series, which featured schoolgirls Ellie, Nadine, and Magda, this novel follows Ellie's life as she navigates turning 40. She has a daughter, Lottie, who is now grown, and Ellie is fumbling through her dating life and career. While she remains best friends with Nadine and Magda, they aren’t central to the story.
The plot is predictable but offers a comforting and nostalgic feeling. However, the characters aren’t as developed as I would have liked. Mr. Windsor, Ellie’s former school teacher crush, makes an appearance, and I was somewhat annoyed that his inappropriate behavior toward 13-year-old students was still glossed over.
Some reviews mention that Ellie’s character is immature and still acts like a child. Personally, I found her quite relatable—many people are affected by their school experiences long into adulthood.
Overall, I was entertained while reading, but there are some issues with Jacqueline Wilson’s first adult novel. The nostalgia makes it worth reading, and I wasn’t expecting (or seeking) a literary masterpiece anyway!
Styled as her first adult novel, the book explores mature themes with the main character, Ellie, who has just turned 40. Despite the adult subject matter, it's written in a manner similar to her children’s and young adult books. This isn’t to say it’s poorly written, but it may not feel as mature as some readers might expect.
Following the *Girls in Love* series, which featured schoolgirls Ellie, Nadine, and Magda, this novel follows Ellie's life as she navigates turning 40. She has a daughter, Lottie, who is now grown, and Ellie is fumbling through her dating life and career. While she remains best friends with Nadine and Magda, they aren’t central to the story.
The plot is predictable but offers a comforting and nostalgic feeling. However, the characters aren’t as developed as I would have liked. Mr. Windsor, Ellie’s former school teacher crush, makes an appearance, and I was somewhat annoyed that his inappropriate behavior toward 13-year-old students was still glossed over.
Some reviews mention that Ellie’s character is immature and still acts like a child. Personally, I found her quite relatable—many people are affected by their school experiences long into adulthood.
Overall, I was entertained while reading, but there are some issues with Jacqueline Wilson’s first adult novel. The nostalgia makes it worth reading, and I wasn’t expecting (or seeking) a literary masterpiece anyway!
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
Interesting to see what the characters are like now they’re grown up, but overall was disappointing and predicable.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I loved this !!!!!! I really hope Jacqueline Wilson writes more books for adults, I think her writing style really works well for older characters; she still gives them a lot of playfulness which I think is more realistic than when adults are written super seriously. I don't remember well/didn't read all of the Girls book series when I was younger but you definitely don't need to have read them to enjoy this book. I didn't even realise until after finishing it that these characters already existed in other books.
I listened to the audiobook on borrowbox. It was read by Carrie Hope Fletcher!! There was also an interview with Jacqueline Wilson at the end which was awesome.
A couple of notes, light spoilers ahead:
• Gary got so annoying by the end I couldn't stop rolling my eyes and groaning but I know that's the point 😭😭
• It really stressed me out when Ellie went swimming a week after getting her tattoo!! 😭 And also it was weird to me that she never mentioned tattoo aftercare.
• Nicola Sharp is SUCH a fun play on Nick Sharratt and it's honestly so sweet how much Jacqueline Wilson must respect him and his work.
• Does the print version of the book have illustrations in it of Myrtle Mouse in it? If so I need to see them 🥹
I listened to the audiobook on borrowbox. It was read by Carrie Hope Fletcher!! There was also an interview with Jacqueline Wilson at the end which was awesome.
A couple of notes, light spoilers ahead:
• Gary got so annoying by the end I couldn't stop rolling my eyes and groaning but I know that's the point 😭😭
• It really stressed me out when Ellie went swimming a week after getting her tattoo!! 😭 And also it was weird to me that she never mentioned tattoo aftercare.
• Nicola Sharp is SUCH a fun play on Nick Sharratt and it's honestly so sweet how much Jacqueline Wilson must respect him and his work.
• Does the print version of the book have illustrations in it of Myrtle Mouse in it? If so I need to see them 🥹
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Minor: Sexual content
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Ellie, Magda and Nadine are now in their forties and while life is vastly different for them now compared to when they were teenagers, they are still fast friends. Ellie has a daughter who is all grown up, Magda has been married a couple of times, and Nadine is a free spirit, not wanting to settle down. It's Ellie's birthday and she finds herself back on the dating scene as well as making new friendships while her old ones are as strong as ever.
I was super excited when this book was announced because I loved the original series as a teenager and I so wanted to like this book, but sadly it really didn't deliver for me. It ended up being a massive let-down with a feeble main character, a boring plot and an off-putting 'romance'.
This book felt so juvenile and Ellie has not developed a backbone in all her years since we last saw her. She just goes along with things in this book even though she doesn't really want to, and doesn't actually voice her opinion properly. She comes across as meek and spineless and I hated it! Where is the character development I was hoping for? Where is this confident woman who is decisive and honest in her relationships? Has she grown at all?
What few decisions Ellie makes, they are awful. We see a character from the original series that she starts dating and it was such an ick - I can't believe this was the love interest for the story. Ellie makes a new friend and it was quite obvious what would eventually happen, but this was glossed over all throughout the book until right at the end where suddenly something happens, but it felt forced and just tacked on. This could have been a wonderful story of exploration of sexuality and a gorgeous slow-burn romance, but no, it was a weird and nauseating relationship with someone from her past that was pretty dreadful to read about, with a sudden 180 at the end.
We don't get to see much of Nadine or Magda in this book sadly but I'm glad we did at least find out what they're up to. Ellie's daughter, Lottie, seemed all right but when she discovers more about her father who tells downright lies to her, again Ellie doesn't call this out and just submissively stands by passively, lest she actually do or say anything of consequence.
It was easy to read and quick, but I was so disappointed in the storyline and plot, of which it's just Ellie dating someone, finding out she doesn't want to date them anymore but never having the courage to do anything about it, and then ending it in such a bland way. She never addresses the issues they had or explains why they aren't compatible, she doesn't talk honestly to her daughter about her father - she is pusillanimous. There is a lack of closure over these points too and the last two chapters whizzed by - it was rushed and the ending felt completely random given the lack of build up. Overall, a big disappointment.
funny
lighthearted
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:
Complicated