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A review by alice_digest
Trouble by Non Pratt
4.0
I really enjoyed Trouble! For a book about unplanned teenage pregnancy and grief it was very entertaining. I zoomed through it in a few days, and times it was really difficult to put down. It’s funny and touching, with a heartfelt message about friendship that I didn’t find cringey. Although I did – as an adult – find all the teenage sex stuff incredibly cringey… But that’s because I’m old now, and they’re too young to be doing that! *tut tut*
Hannah Sheppard has a reputation and she’d be the first to admit that it isn’t unfounded. She and her best friend Katie wear too much make up, not enough clothing, drink in the park and give themselves away to boys cheap. Then she finds herself she is pregnant, at fifteen. And the question of who the father is both mysterious and complicated. Aaron Tyler is the preppy new boy who has trouble fitting in and carries a lot of guilt over a mysterious event in his past. Hannah needs a father for her baby to stop the school gossip and her parents asking questions; Aaron needs to do something to ease his conscience… so he offers to lie for her.
Hannah is an amazing young lady. I am a very different person to her with a very different experience of my teenage years (I’m sensible to a point that is painful to even me... sleeping around underage and drinking in the park are terrifying for me to even think about!), so it was difficult not to be judgement over her early behaviour. Nobody wants to watch somebody sell themselves that cheap, especially not a fifteen year old girl. However the more you read you begin to read between the lines on why she behaved like she did (this book doesn’t need to spell it out), and once she finds out she is pregnant she displays a strength that is admirable and really amazing. She might have made some ill-thought choices but you really can’t help who you fall for, and in the end I had a lot of empathy for her.
Aaron I also liked; he’s intelligent, knows his own mind and is a bit of a geek (although thankfully not in a way that is ever hammered home, just the odd reference). Although the whole ‘mysterious past’ thing was a bit overdone and dragged out when it is really an old cliché. The rest of the cast of characters were also well written generally and were believable teenager types. I only found Jay a bit sketchy but he is absent for most of the story and the rest of the characters tend to idealise him so I can forgive that.
The mystery of who the father is wasn’t much of a mystery for me, but I’m older and I’ve read/watched a lot of stories with similar things happening. It was pretty obvious from the off. I don’t know why that plot is so popular... Because it’s really creepy... But whatever, it seems to be a popular fantasy. The fact I found it a bit predictable is perfectly fine though because it is well written, well characterised and totally engaging. I was never bored reading this!
There are some genuinely sweet messages about friendship and how you know who your real friends are, and that is the support that really matters. Obviously there is also some pretty strong sexual content – just look at that book cover! – So it is for older readers. Non Pratt doesn’t shy away from telling it like it is!
A positive message and inspiring characters, definitely recommended.
Hannah Sheppard has a reputation and she’d be the first to admit that it isn’t unfounded. She and her best friend Katie wear too much make up, not enough clothing, drink in the park and give themselves away to boys cheap. Then she finds herself she is pregnant, at fifteen. And the question of who the father is both mysterious and complicated. Aaron Tyler is the preppy new boy who has trouble fitting in and carries a lot of guilt over a mysterious event in his past. Hannah needs a father for her baby to stop the school gossip and her parents asking questions; Aaron needs to do something to ease his conscience… so he offers to lie for her.
Hannah is an amazing young lady. I am a very different person to her with a very different experience of my teenage years (I’m sensible to a point that is painful to even me... sleeping around underage and drinking in the park are terrifying for me to even think about!), so it was difficult not to be judgement over her early behaviour. Nobody wants to watch somebody sell themselves that cheap, especially not a fifteen year old girl. However the more you read you begin to read between the lines on why she behaved like she did (this book doesn’t need to spell it out), and once she finds out she is pregnant she displays a strength that is admirable and really amazing. She might have made some ill-thought choices but you really can’t help who you fall for, and in the end I had a lot of empathy for her.
Aaron I also liked; he’s intelligent, knows his own mind and is a bit of a geek (although thankfully not in a way that is ever hammered home, just the odd reference). Although the whole ‘mysterious past’ thing was a bit overdone and dragged out when it is really an old cliché. The rest of the cast of characters were also well written generally and were believable teenager types. I only found Jay a bit sketchy but he is absent for most of the story and the rest of the characters tend to idealise him so I can forgive that.
The mystery of who the father is wasn’t much of a mystery for me, but I’m older and I’ve read/watched a lot of stories with similar things happening. It was pretty obvious from the off. I don’t know why that plot is so popular... Because it’s really creepy... But whatever, it seems to be a popular fantasy. The fact I found it a bit predictable is perfectly fine though because it is well written, well characterised and totally engaging. I was never bored reading this!
There are some genuinely sweet messages about friendship and how you know who your real friends are, and that is the support that really matters. Obviously there is also some pretty strong sexual content – just look at that book cover! – So it is for older readers. Non Pratt doesn’t shy away from telling it like it is!
A positive message and inspiring characters, definitely recommended.