joareads 's review for:

Think Again by Jacqueline Wilson

2.0

lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

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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.