A review by drinkthefloor
Baby Love by Jacqueline Wilson

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

when i got a new brum library card and stepped foot into my local library for the first time in years, it seemed like a new world to me despite feeling so comforting and familiar; it was almost a second home when i was a child. this is a similar way i felt about this book. i remember loving wilson for her rather traumatising children’s books and this one (aimed at older readers) really hit the spot. i think that her writing has aged like fine wine; her newer books are just better and better. it is highly likely that i am extremely biased because of my already being a die hard wilson fan but that’s not the point. this was superb and i read it all in one sitting because i’ve been without sleeping meds for about a month now. could barely move in the afternoon when i eventually woke up. it was such a wild ride. i felt my heart going pitter patter pitter patter and me holding my breath when i anticipated conflicts but still reading on at breakneck speed because i just wanted to know what came next. the protagonist was so endearing and this historical novel set in a world familiar to wilson felt so real too. the themes of gendered violence, gendered labour, class, motherhood, adoption, family, friendship, and education were divine. i especially enjoyed comparisons of social class between the protagonist and her friend which felt extremely relatable. also, the topic of consent which is also a massive theme is so important and good for young people who are still overwhelmingly failed by the state of sex education today. 
overall this book was a fantastic read and i would recommend it to anyone who liked wilson in their childhood and to anyone else who wants a fast paced easy to read (due to it being ‘middle grade/young adult’. idk how classifications work) but still compelling and gripping story that will leave you breathless. 
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