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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Trigger warnings: alcohol abuse, fatphobia, fat shaming, homophobia, cheating.
Well this was fucking adorable. I literally read it cover to cover in a couple of hours while watching Die Hard and I have zero regrets. Lily is a delightful character and I loved that this features a protagonist who's realising that going straight from high school to university isn't something she's ready for. It's a quiet story about realising who you are and what's important to you, and being comfortable with yourself. And I loved it.
Well this was fucking adorable. I literally read it cover to cover in a couple of hours while watching Die Hard and I have zero regrets. Lily is a delightful character and I loved that this features a protagonist who's realising that going straight from high school to university isn't something she's ready for. It's a quiet story about realising who you are and what's important to you, and being comfortable with yourself. And I loved it.
Firstly, I have to say that Rutter crafts amazing, very believable teenage characters that I never struggle to engage with and just utterly fall in love with. Her books are just filled with gorgeous romance and thought-provoking discussion of incredibly relevant issues for myself and my peers. She has such a gift for bottling the sunshine-soaked feeling of summer love in this feel-good YA contemporary about love, family and finding yourself & your path.
The setting was just perfect for me, in that it’s set in the summer after A Levels, with that mix of endless possibilities, limitations and conflicting ideas. That stretch of time often feels infinite and Rutter explores the effect this has on Lily really well. She’s not entirely sure where she wants her future to go and a lot of the story revolves around her being able to find her own path. She’s also majorly impacted by the constant comparisons between her and her twin sister Daisy and the hurtful words Daisy sometimes uses towards her. Melt My Heart is very character-driven, showing how Lily moves beyond her sister’s shadow and into her authentic, true self.
Mixed with this is a beautiful exploration of identity and sexuality, which meant so much to me and will do for so many other readers out there. Rutter ensures that while her discovering her sexuality is hugely significant, it is just one part of her, rather than the sole focus of her character. This is also reflected with her being plus size, as the effect that fatphobic society has on her is discussed, but she is not just relegated to the role of being the ‘big girl’. These are just facets of her brilliant, talented and effervescent self.
Melt My Heart is a feel good, heart-warming story of finding your identity, family and love from an impactful author to watch.
The setting was just perfect for me, in that it’s set in the summer after A Levels, with that mix of endless possibilities, limitations and conflicting ideas. That stretch of time often feels infinite and Rutter explores the effect this has on Lily really well. She’s not entirely sure where she wants her future to go and a lot of the story revolves around her being able to find her own path. She’s also majorly impacted by the constant comparisons between her and her twin sister Daisy and the hurtful words Daisy sometimes uses towards her. Melt My Heart is very character-driven, showing how Lily moves beyond her sister’s shadow and into her authentic, true self.
Mixed with this is a beautiful exploration of identity and sexuality, which meant so much to me and will do for so many other readers out there. Rutter ensures that while her discovering her sexuality is hugely significant, it is just one part of her, rather than the sole focus of her character. This is also reflected with her being plus size, as the effect that fatphobic society has on her is discussed, but she is not just relegated to the role of being the ‘big girl’. These are just facets of her brilliant, talented and effervescent self.
Melt My Heart is a feel good, heart-warming story of finding your identity, family and love from an impactful author to watch.
This seemed fitting, given that I am currently MELTING
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
It’s a mix of Leah on the Offbeat and The Upside of Unrequited but a bit worse
A fat-positive-coming-of-age-self-discovery-queer romance? Yes bloody please. Book of the month for January no question. I loved everyone in it, I loved everything they did, I wish I'd had this book when I was a teen but I'm glad I could read it now at least.
Wow. Just wow. Bethany rutter really knows how to write a 3 dimensional fat character. For too long the fat girl in the story has been there to lose weight or by the funny side character but Lily is amazing. I saw a lot of myself in here and please please please let there be a sequel because I am not ready to let these characters go!
emotional
funny
hopeful
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