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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
There's something about Holly Bourne's books that instantly makes me feel 16 again. Her portrayals of teenage life always seem relatable and realistic. I adored the strong female friendship
This was a hard, but intimate perspective into OCD and mental health. Made me really think about the dichotomy of mental health awareness and the generalizations/lack of knowledge/sensitivity that is still present in society. Also, loved the reclaiming of “Spinster.”
A very important book and a very relatable one. Not only is it written in such a convincing way but also how Holly Bourne writes the brutal truth of what it is like to live with a mental illness, especially OCD, with a level of understanding that is not seen enough. How she has shown the ups and downs, without sugar coating and romancing Evie's illness is something I am glad to see in this book. I also love how the importance of female friendship is shown throughout the book and encouraging people to not suffer in silence but to know that there are people who care about you and your health.
This is a book more people should read. The way Holly Bourne managed to depict what its like trying to live your life with OCD but also the way she wrote a teen in college desperately trying to fit in is amazing. It opened my eyes to things I thought I knew and then changed it. There is so much talk on feminism, it almost makes the characters seem older than they are, which in my opinion isn't a bad thing. The friendship is also written brilliantly, and I connected with the main character more than I expected. After the first few pages I found it difficult to put down. I loved and hated and wanted to scream at Evie in the best way possible. The reason why it isn't a five star is because in the second half I found Evie started to get a tiny bit annoying and stupid because she wasn't listening to anyone, even though I understand why she was written like that.
The book made me laugh and I even shed a tear at the end, so it is really worth a read.
Spoiler
Also at some points Evie was really mean, the way she acted around Oli and at the party when she told everyone about it, and then the way she spoke to Amber and Rose but she still regret what she did later and made up for it.The book made me laugh and I even shed a tear at the end, so it is really worth a read.
Crikey - this book is amazing! Holly Bourne just gets what being a girl and a teenager is like, and more importantly, how to put it in words.
The story paints a very realistic portrayal of teenage girls, while simultaneously tackling difficult topics like mental health and feminism with an appropriate approach. Yeah, the main character struggles with mental health problems, but what I loved most about the way this book treated it was that, firstly, the OCD and anxiety weren't what defined Evie's character, at all. They were part of her, yes, and part of the story, but they weren't what made her Evie. And secondly, it wasn't treated like this big, bad elephant in the room that no one dares talk about. It was part of Evie's life and treated by her as what it was, and yes, that means sometimes even with a pinch of dark humour. And it was allowed to laugh about it without feeling bad.
And Gosh, I love Evie. She is an amazing character. Even though she has many flaws and at times I wanted to grab her and shake her to get her to realize her stubborn stupidity, it was just so relatable - because I was the exact same when I was a teenager.
Frankly, I liked all of the characters. Bourne created a diverse cast of characters, all of them with their own pros and cons, loveable but flawed and just oh so realistic. Seriously, all of us knew a Jane or an Amber when we went to college, right?
This book hit very close to home a loooot of times. At least for me. I recognized myself in each of the girls - Evie, Jane, Lottie and Amber, and even Rose. And that was what made the book extra special to me.
Also, the feminism. Oh Lord, the feminism!
The story paints a very realistic portrayal of teenage girls, while simultaneously tackling difficult topics like mental health and feminism with an appropriate approach. Yeah, the main character struggles with mental health problems, but what I loved most about the way this book treated it was that, firstly, the OCD and anxiety weren't what defined Evie's character, at all. They were part of her, yes, and part of the story, but they weren't what made her Evie. And secondly, it wasn't treated like this big, bad elephant in the room that no one dares talk about. It was part of Evie's life and treated by her as what it was, and yes, that means sometimes even with a pinch of dark humour. And it was allowed to laugh about it without feeling bad.
And Gosh, I love Evie. She is an amazing character. Even though she has many flaws and at times I wanted to grab her and shake her to get her to realize her stubborn stupidity, it was just so relatable - because I was the exact same when I was a teenager.
Frankly, I liked all of the characters. Bourne created a diverse cast of characters, all of them with their own pros and cons, loveable but flawed and just oh so realistic. Seriously, all of us knew a Jane or an Amber when we went to college, right?
This book hit very close to home a loooot of times. At least for me. I recognized myself in each of the girls - Evie, Jane, Lottie and Amber, and even Rose. And that was what made the book extra special to me.
Also, the feminism. Oh Lord, the feminism!
It started out so promising and I loved the friendship but I dropped a star because my interest waned when Evie started making wrong decisions past the halfway mark.
Still is a good YA book to read on “madness” and the pressures we place on ourselves to become just like everybody else.
Still is a good YA book to read on “madness” and the pressures we place on ourselves to become just like everybody else.
This was just perfect. I loved every word. I loved the mental illness representation. I adored the friendship between Evie, Amber and Lottie. I loved how it tackled important issues like feminism. I just loved this book. Would recommend to literally everyone. Just read it!
Wow. Just wow. if I could give this 10 stars I would
“Everyone's on the cliff edge of normal. Everyone finds life an utter nightmare sometimes, and there's no 'normal' way of dealing with it... There is no normal, Evelyn.”
This book should be a mandatory read for any young adult out there, especially teenagers. The story line tackles so many important issues in so many ways. It's informative, interesting, and realistic. It takes on the stigma and misunderstanding of mental health while incorporating Gender Equality/Feminism.
It is the story of a girl reclaiming her identity with new found support.
You feel the stigma that Evie feels about her mental health. you feel her anxiety and her every thought process. you feel how sometimes you just do the wrong thing, you trust the wrong people, you trust yourself when you shouldn't.
What I love most about this book is that It's not around a guy fixing a girl and kissing her scars, it's a bout a girl learning to fight her own demons.
"That’s the thing about anxiety. You can worry about anything and everything, dream up all sorts of weird and wonderful situations to be terrified of in the hope your fear will control the world somehow…and yet the world remains uncontrollable. Nothing you can imagine is ever as weird and wonderful as reality and what it chucks at you."
“Everyone's on the cliff edge of normal. Everyone finds life an utter nightmare sometimes, and there's no 'normal' way of dealing with it... There is no normal, Evelyn.”
This book should be a mandatory read for any young adult out there, especially teenagers. The story line tackles so many important issues in so many ways. It's informative, interesting, and realistic. It takes on the stigma and misunderstanding of mental health while incorporating Gender Equality/Feminism.
It is the story of a girl reclaiming her identity with new found support.
You feel the stigma that Evie feels about her mental health. you feel her anxiety and her every thought process. you feel how sometimes you just do the wrong thing, you trust the wrong people, you trust yourself when you shouldn't.
What I love most about this book is that It's not around a guy fixing a girl and kissing her scars, it's a bout a girl learning to fight her own demons.
"That’s the thing about anxiety. You can worry about anything and everything, dream up all sorts of weird and wonderful situations to be terrified of in the hope your fear will control the world somehow…and yet the world remains uncontrollable. Nothing you can imagine is ever as weird and wonderful as reality and what it chucks at you."
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An involving look at feminism, friendship and the secrets we hide.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness
About a teen girl suffering with OCD.