She has always been drawn to the sea. When in the water, she feels at ease more than anywhere else and can stay underwater for longer than should be possible. She has few memories of her mother, but knew she too was drawn to the water. The chest her father promises to open every year, but never does, beckons to her as she knows it could hold the answers she seeks.

With her special skills, Mira is one of the Seven. These seven people swim out into the sea along a rope held by her father and others on the beach. But not before they have lit fires which lure unsuspecting ships onto the island’s rocks and hidden reefs. This is how the people of Rosevear live – plundering the sinking ships, but always vowing to save as many sailors as they can. One stormy night, Mira saves a man not much older than herself from the swirling waters around his sinking ship. She doesn’t give him much thought afterwards except that his survival helps tip the scales of their treachery in the right direction.

It is well known among the archipelago what Rosevear does, and there is a ruling force called The Watch who want to stop them. A new leader of The Watch is more determined than anyone ever before him, to stop this practice and anything else he deems against the law.
When he raids their island looking for evidence, he arrests two people close to Mira – one of them being her beloved father. Mira knows she must leave everything she knows behind and venture out into the world to save them – something she’s always wanted, but now is apprehensive to do. The young man she saved from the sinking ship offers to help her.

Mira discovers the world outside Rosevear is much more than she imagined. Full of noise and sights and people and even the magic she’d heard spoken of. It brings unexpected longings and romance, new friendships and rivals. There is also treachery, betrayals, battles and heartbreak, as she discovers her mother’s past, the secret of her underwater skills, and the trajectory of her future. Almost broken, she vows vengeance and now has the anger and help to wreak it.

From the very first page, in fact the very first sentence… The thunder sends me running.

I was captured by main character Mira and the way of life on her island. Sure it was nefarious, but it was also the only way of survival for her people. Growing up sheltered from the world made Mira’s relationships with fellow islanders loyal and very close. Relationships with anyone new were fraught with danger, uncertainty, longing or mystery. This constantly had Mira and me on edge, wondering who to trust as she does everything she can to save her kin from the gallows.

Although this cover IS beautiful, I really don’t think it does this story, justice. Yes, there is the sea, a young woman searching for meaning and the truth about her life, and much maritime action, but Compass and Blade is so much more!

Deemed YA Romantasy, there is also heaps of action, hand to hand combat, courage and a quest for this character. There are two men who capture young Mira’s interest – one with a connection to her island, and one a shadowy but extremely handsome enigma.
The ending had me online checking if there was more – indeed, it is the 1st book of a trilogy, and I can’t wait to see Mira in full revenge mode with her new found courage, and skilled and powerful friends at her side.

Author – Rachel Greenlaw

Age – 14+

(2024, Harper Collins, Series, Trilogy, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Revenge, Betrayal, Romance, Historical, Friendship, Courage, Magic, Islands, Power, Hand to hand combat, Fighting, Sea, Ocean, Sirens, Magical Creatures, Blood, Ships, Boats, Hanging, Retribution, Control, Fear)

The post Compass and Blade (1) Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

It’s only when her enemies attack her island of Rosevear, killing members of her village; that Elijah appears in her life again. With no home left standing, Mira travels with Elijah through the shadows to his castle home.

She learns that despite his grand home and title, Lord Tresillian is well-liked and respected and kind to his people. Saving many from her island home, she is in his debt. Not that he reminds her of it. In fact, she begins to see and admire this other side to him.

Mira is still struggling with her Siren heritage, especially after summoning a storm to save her island, then again in a dream. She feels she has little control over this power and is desperate to know more. Learning that Elijah has his own troubles with his past and power, brings them closer together.

Tension is rising however as Mira’s enemies have put a hunter on her tail, vowing what’s left of her island will be sacrificed if she doesn’t hand herself in. Elijah and his family and friends vow to fight for her and her people, knowing The Watch, Captain Renshaw and a Monster Hunter from a powerful witch coven must be stopped.

Mira increasingly struggles with her rising powers, her constant fight training and her feelings for Elijah whom she now calls Eli. But her island must always come first.

The 2nd in this trilogy, Shadow and Tide allows us to learn more about Mira’s powers and her past, and Lord Tresillian’s struggles with his own problems. The building tension between them is sizzling and the battle scenes exhilarating.

There are many characters to keep track of, but worth doing so as loyalties bend and snap, and the body count builds. I feel this falls in the ‘necessary middle book’ category for a series because besides the many battles and creatures leaping off the pages, the plot starts and finishes in the same place – vowing vengeance, albeit with new forces on their side.

Much looking forward to the conclusion novel though. If Shadow and Tide is anything to go by, it will be a powerful, angst ridden, racing romance, battle scared, monster screaming read!  

Author – Rachel Greenlaw

Age – 14+

(2025, Harper Fire Books, Fantasy, Series, Magic, Romance, Love, Family, Murder, Crime, Ocean, Sea, Sirens, Witches, Kraken, Monsters, Battles, Shadows, Revenge, Hand to Hand Combat, Fight, Fires, Arson, Monster Hunter, Loyalties, Choices)

The post Compass and Blade (2) Shadow and Tide Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

A 17 year old girl moves back to the place her father killed 6 women, including her own mother. Hiding her identity from all but her aunt and uncle, she aims to stay under the radar until graduation and turning 18. However, this small town refuses to forget the crimes of the serial killer who lived among them.

Plot summary of Thornbird (No Spoilers)

Ryan Shipley (real name Gabrielle Thorn) moves back to the small town of Sparling, Tennessee, where she lived until she was 7 years old. That’s the age her father killed her mother and was arrested for six murders.

She went to live with her grandmother, taking a new name and trying to forget what her father did. Now 10 years later, she is living with her aunt, uncle and twin cousins.

Starling has never forgotten what Gabriel Thorn did, even now as he sits on death row with his execution pending. Ryan begins high school among them, keeping her secret identity close, as everyone knows she’s the new girl in town. She wants to live a normal life with her new family, go to school and graduate.

To her surprise, she attracts the interest of the handsome cliche quarterback and also the bad boy in town, no matter how much she tries to avoid them.

When the families of the slain women put up a million dollars for any clues that lead to the bodies of the missing women, Sparling true crime buffs and podcasters begin to investigate the crime themselves – trawling through the sparse facts from the last 10 years.

Filled with guilt, Ryan wants to find them herself to ease the pain in this town, and prevent anyone else getting hurt.

Review

This YA Thriller grabbed me in the first few pages. Secrets, serial killers and returning to the scene of the crime? Bring it on!

I really felt for main character Ryan who was only 7 when her father was revealed as a serial killer. The horror of losing her mother at such a young age, mixed with her confusion at missing her father, even though she knew he was a monster, is emotive. I want her to be happy in her new family, but know along with her that if her cousins find out who she really is – the fallout will be horrendous.

The tale is perfectly timed, gripping me more tightly at each plot hook or secret revealed, and then even more surprises are to come.

With letters from her serial killer father, FBI agents pressuring her and her emotions constantly swirling just below the surface, Thornbird is a captivating read.

Book Style

431 Pages / 145 Chapters Each chapter has a descriptive heading, and podcasts and texts are sprinkled through the narrative.

FAQ’s

What age is it for?

14+

Where & When is it set?

A fictional town named Sparling in Tennessee, USA

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

1st person / Present tense

Is there Violence?

Details of crime

Is there any sex in the novel?

Yes

What genre is Thornbird?

Young Adult Thriller

Themes

Family / Crime / Secrets / Guilt / Romance / School / Real Life

Is it part of a series?

No

Author

E Kennedy

Publisher

Electric Monkey / Harper Collins

If you liked this, you’ll love this

Find more YA Thriller Reads here

(2026, Harper Collins, YA Thriller, Family, Crime, Real Life, Secret, Romance, School, Tennessee, Cousins, Identity, Serial Killer,

The post Thornbird Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

It’s all an exciting adventure, and during the few weeks left before she begins her new school, Jet is kept busy helping her family, getting to know the area around them, and jotting down ideas for her stories. All the while she is emailing and messaging her best friend from forever, who now lives in Singapore. She loves sharing all her excitement about her new home, but keeps one secret to herself.

Jet has discovered, talked to, argued with and worried about… a ghost. To make things even more complicated, she has also met the most gorgeous boy she’s ever seen, which makes the ghost jealous!

She’s dying to share it all, but who would believe her? Things go from intriguing to infuriating to positively dangerous, when she ventures next door to an abandoned chateau. First it is with her ghost friend, and then with the gorgeous French boy. But it is once too often, and suddenly both their lives are in danger!

Such a captivating story! A run down chateau. A ghost hidden deep in a wardrobe. A gorgeous boy from the local bakery, and something not quite right happening right next door. The Girl and the Ghost has just the right amount of everything to kick off a brand new series for readers of 9+

There is a mystery, a secret to keep, emails back & forth from a close friend and possible disasters within their new home. A first crush gives just the right amount of stomach swirls, and then terrible danger all but swallows up the main characters.

I’m definitely keen to grab the next in the series.

Author – Jacqueline Harvey

Age – 10+

Read an Extract here 

Find Teacher’s Notes here

Find the next book in the series here

(2025, Penguin Books Australia, Adventure, Animals, Crime, Family, Friendship, Ghost, Growing up, Mystery, Secret, Series, France, Chateau, Rebuild, Renovations, Refurbishment, Dog, Marie Antionette, Royal, Art, First Crush, Young Romance)

The post The Girl and the Ghost appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

Life quickly returns to normal with Josephine looking forward to her best friend coming to stay, her crush deepening with local boy Gabriel, and her friendship with Louis the ghost of French royalty stronger every day.

Louis is a little jealous of Gabriel. Josephine loves spending time with them both, but Gabriel is finding Josephine’s behaviour more strange every day, and she considers telling him about the ghost that follows them everywhere. Will he think she’s mad?

The reward money has helped speed up the renovations of their chateau, just in time for Josephine’s bestie, Hattie to arrive, and they are all soon enjoying the countryside of the town. A discovery of possible huge national significance has them excited, along with more clues about Josephine’s mother surfacing.

All the while, Josephine feels as if she is being followed. The police assure her family that the art thieves are in jail, but news of the leader’s escape has Josephine jumpy. Is she being paranoid?

Another great episode in this thrilling series. It is perfect for tween readers looking for a little romance mixed in with a ghost, a mystery and the beautiful country of France.

Historical fact is effortlessly threaded through the story and more about it is in the back of the book. Josephine’s worries about being followed builds the tension deliciously, as the key villain in the first book escapes from custody.

Clues to her mother’s life in the area begin to emerge with equally heartbreaking and wonderful results.

Definitely looking forward to reading more of The Girl and the Ghost series.

Author – Jacqueline Harvey

Illustrator – A Yi

Age – 10+

Find the first in the series here

Publisher – Penguin Books Aust

Set – France (present)

Viewpoint – 3rd person

Violence – No

Real Life – Yes

Fantasy – Yes – Ghost

Blend – Real Life fiction / Ghost / Historical Fact/ Mystery

(2025, Family, Humour, Ghost, Crime, Friendship, Romance, Ghost, Mystery, Crush, France, French Chateau, Refurbishing, Building, Prize, Paranoia, Belief in ghosts, Series)

The post The Girl and the Ghost (2) Family Secrets appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

Josephine (Jet for short) is helping her family refurbish a French Chateau. The Grand Opening is approaching, and things begin to go wrong. Her locket that holds her ghost friend Louis the seventeenth of French Royalty has been noticed by a jeweller, which causes even more problems. What’s even worse is that her French boy-crush Gabriel is spending a lot of time with a pretty new girl at school.

Has Gabriel forgotten her? Will the chateau fail before it begins? Could it have anything to do with the escaped villain Anastasia?

Plot summary of The Girl and the Ghost (3) Grand Opening (No Spoilers)

The Grand Opening of the chateau Jet’s family have been refurbishing is fast approaching. It has been sped up with money Jet received after helping foil a neighbour and sophisticated art thief named Anastasia. Many treasured pieces of art were saved, but the villain herself escaped capture.

New neighbours moved in after Anastasia went on the run, but Jet finds them a little strange too. When they bring her a kitten as a gift, she is surprised and enchanted by the small bundle of stripes she soon calls Tiger.

With her step mum’s 40th also approaching, Jet visits a jeweller with her dad to help choose a ring. When the jeweller sees her locket he is intrigued. Jet is upset about leaving it with the jeweller for an appraisal, but of course cannot tell her father that her ghost friend Louis XVII lives in it!

When news of the locket hits the papers, Jet worries for its safety. The jeweller believes it could have been purchased many years before by French royalty in the very same store. All she wants is to have it back safely around her neck, but things keep getting in the way.

The same is happening at the chateau. The birthday celebrations don’t quite go to plan and the preparation for the Grand Opening is troubled by a continuous barrage of problems. Credit cards go missing. A load of rocks are delivered on the driveway and the wrong size beds are delivered. More and more problems arise, until Jet believes it can’t be a coincidence.

All the while, Jet is worried that her wonderful summer with gorgeous Gabriel is never to be repeated, as another girl takes up all of his time.

Who is responsible for the problems at the chateau? Will they open, only to receive terrible reviews? Will Gabriel ever kiss her again?

Review

More mystery is served at Jet’s new chateau home. Add a stripy new kitten, a beautiful classmate, and disaster after disaster as the grand opening approaches and tension is rife. When both her parents are physically injured and arson is added too, Jet is really beginning to worry.

The constant knowledge that Anastasia is still out there, and with her final threat still fresh in Jet’s memory, no one knows what is going to happen next. Red herrings swim everywhere, leaving me wondering who is causing the problems? The new housekeeper, the gardener or the tradies working on the property?

Another great episode of this series with just the right mix of romance, growing up, mystery and the through line of malice from the threat of Anastasia still out there….

Book Style

368 Pages /  38 Chapters / Epilogue

FAQ’s

What age is it for?

11+

Where & When is it set?

In a chateau in South western France / Present

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

Third Person / Past Tense

Is there Violence?

No

What genre is The Girl and the Ghost (3) Grand Opening?

Middle Grade Mystery

Themes

Real Life / Ghosts / Romance / Friendship / Mystery / History

Is it part of a series?

Yes – The Girl and the Ghost Series

1. The Girl and the Ghost
2. Family Secrets
3. Grand Opening
4. ?

Author

Jacqueline Harvey

Illustrator

A Yi

Publisher

Penguin Books Australia

Find the previous books in the series here

(2026, Penguin Books Australia, Series, France, Family, Humour, Ghost, Crime, Friendship, Romance, Ghost, Mystery, Crush, France, French Chateau, Refurbishing, Building, Prize, Jealousy, Belief in ghosts, Grand opening, Hotel, Locket, Secrets)

The post The Girl and the Ghost (3) Grand Opening Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

A trained hunter hunts down and captures reapers in her city. Reapers follow their addiction for stolen magic – siphoning it from children which usually results in death.

This reaper hunter has a painful past which comes back to meet her in the shape of a family member who has become a reaper.

But he’s not who or what she believes him to be.

Plot summary of Shadow Reaper

Viridian Solace is an accomplished Reaper Hunter. When one of the most hunted and powerful reapers is arrested – she knows she must speak with him.

She has been seeking retribution and answers about her parent’s death by reapers 7 years before. But what she uncovers is even worse. Children are going missing from her city and no-one seems to have noticed.

The more she digs, the more she discovers about the captured reaper, the past 7 years, and her own past.

Myth and magic are in the mix, and a simmering attraction builds between her and an enemy – even after she learns the truth about his connection with her parent’s deaths.

The tension mounts as an age old plan for power approaches with the coming of a comet. This plan might begin with missing children, but could end in a citywide catastrophe.

Review

Shadow Reaper is a fast-moving, YA fantasy with tons of action, twists and a simmering romance between enemies. There were several times throughout the novel where I exclaimed “No way!”, out loud, and lots of fight scenes where I held my breath.

This novel is cleverly constructed within great world-building and finishes with a humdinger of an ending.

Book 2 cannot come fast enough.

Book Style

Beginning with a map showing the City of Aravell and its surrounds, it is followed by a glossary of terms used in this YA fantasy world.

Dispersed between the chapters of this nearly 500 pages of magic and enemies-to-lovers adventure, are sections of a journal written by an ancient mage of Aravell.

FAQ’s

What age is it for?

14+

Where & When is it set?

A fictional fantasy city of Aravell in the isle of Elverdine

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

Third person / Past Tense

Is there Violence?

Yes

What genre is Shadow Reaper ?

YA Fantasy

Is there any sex in the novel?

No

Themes

Fantasy / Magic / Romance / Action / Family / Power

Is it part of a series?

Yes. Shadow Reaper is No. 1 in a duology.

1. Shadow Reaper
2. ?

Author

Lynette Noni

Publisher

Penguin Australia

(2026, Penguin Australia, Fantasy, Magic, Power, Romance, Tension, Family, Kidnapping, Comet, Tension, Friendship, Secrets, Adventure, Action, Grief, Addiction, Series)

The post Shadow Reaper Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

The life of war hero Nancy Wake from age 16 in Australia, to the end of WWII. This YA novel takes the reader from Australia, to England then France. It shares Nancy’s exciting, but death defying journey from a junior journalist to being an important part of the French Resistance.

Plot summary of A Flame in the Dark (No Spoilers)

Nancy Wake knows she cannot live with her mother any longer. At 16 years old she yearns for more. Setting out on her own, she longs for adventure and has a strong belief that she has something important to achieve.

With an unexpected gift, Nancy can finally venture out into the world and she makes her way to London and then her dream city of Paris. Becoming a journalist, she meets many interesting people and even someone she can love for life.

When Hitler rises to power and she sees first hand the punishment of innocent German citizens, she wants to fight back, but isn’t sure how. When France is in Hitler’s sights, Nancy steps up again and again as the French Resistance forms, grows, and battles the invading forces.

Nancy’s courage grows exponentially as she aids in escapes and then must make her own. She endures endless dangerous situations, interrogations, and constant harsh conditions as she performs small tasks, right up to leading men in and out of battle.

Her famous bike ride is portrayed with all the terror, pain, and determination it would have needed to succeed, and help bring the freedom of her beloved France.

(The rear of the book has photos of all the important people in Nancy’s life and many of her. There is also a glossary of French and Spanish words used in the text.)

My thoughts

Wow! I didn’t know much about Nancy Wake beyond that she was a kiwi war hero and worked in the French Resistance. A Flame in the Dark has filled all the blanks in my knowledge with bold colour, and a plethora of emotions along the way.

Beginning with a captivating first page in Chapter 1, I was hooked. Maria Gill took me on a journey with Nancy from family in Australia, to love and terrible danger in France. Nancy Wake was a supremely courageous, determined, and intelligent woman who often proved herself more skilled than the fighting men that constantly surrounded her. But she still craved sleeping comfort, clean and tidy clothing, and her beloved red lipstick.

Each chapter heading has a title indicating what’s next and a newspaper snippet which also includes a date. This allows readers to place Nancy in this important time in history.

The settings are rich without too much exposition, the characters thrive on the page, and Nancy’s thoughts and feelings are portrayed realistically.

Maria Gill’s extensive research, including walking in Nancy Wake’s footsteps and riding a bike on the very French roads Nancy did, is woven expertly into her first YA novel.

Both Teen and Adult readers will enjoy this portrayal of this amazing woman who saved so many lives while constantly endangering her own.

I’d be surprised if A Flame in The Dark isn’t in future Award lists.

(Thanks to OneTree House for my ARC)

Writing Style

A short prologue begins the story.

Each following chapter has a title and an image of a torn out newspaper headline also showing the date. This is historically accurate based on true events.

An epilogue, photographs, a glossary and author’s note finish the novel.

What age is it for?

Age – 13+

Where & When is it set?

Australia / England / France – 1932-1944

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

First person / Past tense

Is there Violence?

Yes

What genre is A Flame in the Dark?

Historical Narrative Non-Fiction

Themes

War / Courage / Historical / Real Life

Is it part of a series?

No

Find Teacher Notes and see the Book Trailer here

If you liked this, you might like…

The Secret Sparrow

Author

Maria Gill

Publisher

Onetree House NZ

(2026, Onetree House, Aotearoa New Zealand, War, Courage, Historical, Romance, Love, Animals, French Resistance, Nazis, World War II, WWII, Prejudice, Racism, Journalism, Fighting Back, Violence)

The post A Flame in the Dark Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

High achiever Amy Middleton is the head of the School Ball Committee and after much before-ball preparation on the actual event, dress, makeup and hair, she is expecting a night she will never forget. This comes true for her and her classmates, for completely the wrong reasons.

Plot summary of My Wonderful Disgrace (No Spoilers)

Amy is ready! She has worked very hard with her Senior Ball Committee and the night is approaching fast. There is only one flaw in her plans. She doesn’t have a date.

Much to her sheer delight, this is soon rectified. Amy and her friends dress, apply makeup, prepare their hair updos and drink champagne while waiting for the event opening.

Soon after arriving on a dream-like high, Amy’s perfect plans begin to crumble, then plummet into impending doom. Others are also caught up in the destruction of her dream, ball experience.

A forbidden tryst, a silent protest action, a bomb exploding on social media and the death of an innocent but borrowed goat, turn Amy’s night to remember into a horror story of epic proportions.

My thoughts

This YA novel began predictably with a girl wanting her Senior School Ball to be a life-changing experience and a doorway to adulthood. Amy achieves the life-changing experience and memories that are seared into her brain forever, but anything beautiful about it is very short-lived.

My Wonderful Disgrace is all of that and more. It made me laugh out loud, gasp in horror, and cringe in anticipation of the shocking, funny (shouldn’t laugh) things that were about to happen.

Intrigue is achieved early as Amy’s diary of excitement is soon followed by her school principal’s reports and police interviews. Suddenly I was thinking…. “Hang on a minute. What happened at the ball!?”

This is a quick read, but mostly because I couldn’t stop reading as things went from bad to worse, to gob smacking to funny.

Loved it.

Main Characters

Amy – Head of the School Ball Committee. Has spent a lot of money on a designer dress, spent hours and hours on preparation and planning, and dreaming of a night of bliss, attention, and romance. After her beautiful bubble is popped beyond repair, she tries to sort out the nightmare of the evening. I couldn’t help but like her as she goes in damage control and finally concedes defeat for the dream.

Leo – Completely unaware of Amy’s feelings for him. He’s happy to go along with her and her friends to the Ball, but is distracted constantly with his phone. He too is a likeable guy as he tries to fix his part in the disaster of the evening. He is trying to keep others out of trouble but must concede he isn’t at fault.

Gabby – Amy’s best friend, who inadvertently does the most embarrassing damage. Not once but twice. She also means well, which makes the mistakes she makes even more cringe worthy.

Many other characters add to the comedy of errors.

Writing Style

Told in many formats from different points of view.

There are:

• Amy’s Journal entries
• The School Principal Community Newsletters
• Police Interview Transcripts
• Mobile Texts between students
• Emails
• Police Statements
• Letters
• Incident Reports
• and Group Chats

These are clearly set out in different styles and fonts – suited to the source.

They all connect brilliantly to give readers a complete picture of the mayhem. There are also two maps included in the novel to help readers view where the action happens.

FAQs

What age is it for?

Age – 14-18 years

Where & When is it set?

Mainly in a fictional city event venue (The Pacific Crest Hotel) and surrounding area / The present

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

Mostly 1st person / Present Tense

Is there Violence?

Minor (except for the unfortunate, accidental fate of a goat)

What genre is My Wonderful Disgrace?

Young Adult Humour

Is there any sex in the novel?

Actual? No

Themes

Humour / School / Social Media / Friendship / Expectations

Is it part of a series?

No

If you liked this, you might like…

The Worst Perfect Moment

Slowcoach

Catherine, Called Birdy

For more Real Life Reads, find them..

here

Authors

Angourie Rice & Kate Rice

Publisher

Walker Books Australia

(2026, Walker Books Australia, School, Senior Ball, Dreams, Social Media, Disasters, Plans go Awry, Humour, Funny, Crushes, Friendship, Goat, Mishaps, Inappropriate Relationship, Real Life, Secret)

The post Book Review – My Wonderful Disgrace appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

Theo has an ability to see how long a person will remain in his life by a number he sees when he looks in their eyes. He must learn how to deal with this gift/curse and overcome the all encompassing fears and worry they cause him.

Ultimately this YA novel is a beautiful love story with a twist, with a boy taking the chance to love a girl, with all the risk that might entail.

Plot summary of Counting Down with Theodore Brown (No Spoilers)

Theo is 19 and is studying Creative Writing at Community College. He has been told by his tutor to get some life experience to help flesh out his characters and writing itself.

He sets out (warily) to do just that, but has some hurdles to face along the way. He tells it like it is, with all the feelings he experiences from dark to light, hate to love.

He begins with how his gift affects him around about losing people close to him, then the reader follows him in his journey of first love and all it entails. This is all while he still sees numbers in loved one’s eyes.

Review

The intriguing premise attracted me to this book and the fact that the author is a fellow bookseller in Aotearoa New Zealand. I tried to imagine what it would be like facing the numbers in friend’s and loved one’s eyes and how I would possibly deal with that. This was especially true when Theo was young and didn’t know whether the number was a death sentence or not.

I enjoyed his personality, even when he was going through the hard stuff and was awful to his mum, as their mutual love soon shone through again. I also enjoyed meeting HeyJude, (Theo’s therapist) with his calm, wise advice, whether he believed Theo about the numbers or not.

Theo and Lil’s love of retro music and movies is fun, which also star in the novel’s Chapter Headings.

Counting Down with Theodore Brown is a beautiful love story with an intriguing twist. The end result is something we all should think more about.

Characters

Theo – 19 years old. He’s always been seen as a weirdo by others because he would avoid looking people directly in the eye at any cost. Discovering that wearing sun glasses helped what he was trying to avoid was a game changer, but didn’t change his weirdo status much.

He learnt what the numbers he saw in people’s eyes really meant the hard way, when he lost his father. They were very close and it affected him deeply, further moulding his character. Theo loves his mum and appreciates her support, even though she doesn’t believe what he sees.

He loves retro music and movies.

Theo is a sheltered teen with little life experience with girls or many friends. This makes his first romance all the more sweeter to experience along with him.

Theo meets his first love on an online game, and finally arranged to meet up in person.

Lil (Fly)

A talented artist, a straight talker and daughter of wealthy Mexican parents who don’t really understand her. They are tidy, driven and business minded. She is messy, fun-loving and also a talented gamer.

She shares Theo’s love of retro movies and music – especially Dolly Parton, which helps the early stages of their relationship. She also loves any movies with Jeff Goldblum starring in them.

Writing Style

Theo talks directly to the reader explaining his ability to see numbers in people’s eyes. eg. (I shit you not – this is my unfortunate truth).

FAQs

What age is it for?

12 – 18 years

Where & When is it set?

A small town called Fairview, Indiana, USA.

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

First person / Past tense

Is there Violence?

No. There is bigotry and homophobia without physical violence.

What genre is Counting Down with Theodore Brown?

Coming of Age / Romance

Is there any sex in the novel?

Yes

Is there any swearing in the novel?

Yes

Themes

Family, Love, Loss, Becoming an adult

Is it part of a series?

No

Author

Daniel Devenney

Publisher

Allen & Unwin NZ

(2026, Allen & Unwin NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand Author, Humour, Love, Romance, Coming of Age, Growing Up, Grief, Loss, Therapy, Bigotry, Family, Gaming, Fear, Road Trip, Retro Music, Retro Movies)

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She is reeling with this realisation. Until a few days ago, all she wanted to do was find a quiet spot in her home and get lost in a book. Home is surrounded by the beauty of nature, forest, birds and wildlife, but she still prefers to be inside and away from most people.

Ever since her mum left when she was 12, she has been trying to fill the gap inside herself, and still wonders why.

Her younger sister Opie loves the woods, and is becoming an expert on food for medicine, using herbs and plants. She talks Dusty into a mushroom finding walk before school one morning, but even with years of survival training by her grandparents and father, they get lost.

Finding themselves far from home which shouldn’t be possible in the time they’ve been outside, Dusty can’t figure it out. Soon she comes down with a terrible illness, and is in bed for days. When she wakes, she is… different.

Food smells weird, and she can suddenly see people’s auras. Confused, she bunks school with a guy named Will from her class. He is just what she needs – calm and quiet. This is also clear in his aura of blues and pinks.

But calm is the last thing her life turns into. When she sees a fight break out at a party, and blood is spilt – her own blood roars along within her body, and she knows that she isn’t alone in her feelings. Someone else at the party wants that blood too.

Trying to figure out what has happened to them, and then learning there are others like them, Dusty tries to navigate home and school life with the new knowledge she has of herself. Her bloodlust has caused a burden of guilt and disgust, but also feelings of wonder and heightened emotions.

What has happened to her and the others living on White Mountain, in the small town of Black River?

The beautiful cover of Black River doesn’t scream vampires, so I didn’t expect it to head that way. I love any vampire story, and yes, the characters want blood, but this is not like any other blood-sucker story.

The character’s confusion about what’s caused the changes in them is intriguing, because there are no bats, slinking shadows ready to bite them or howling wolves like in a standard Vampire novel. Each character who is changed is affected in different ways, which makes them even more interesting, as I didn’t know what their special abilities would turn out to be.

A romance thread is simmering throughout the novel, with the added pressure of life over blood lust – an attraction that is so strong, but with the threat of giving in to it, and maybe killing the love interest in the process.

The ending of Black River sets up the next book – White Mountain, which I hope is soon on the horizon.

A fascinating read.

Author – Ruby Jean Cottle

Age – 14+

Publisher – Atria Aust / Simon & Schuster Aust

Set – Present / Small rural town / Upstate New York

Viewpoint – 3rd person

Violence – Yes

Sex – No

Real Life – Present

Fantasy – Fantasy / Paranormal

Blend – Family / Paranormal / Real Life

(2025, Animals, Courage, Crime, Family, Fantasy, Friendship, Romance, Horror, Mystery, Secret, Series, Vampires, Blood, Thirst, Strange Illness, High School, Murder, Longing, Colours, Auras, Mind Control)

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What she has brought throughout her life from that time is her skill at drawing and now, painting. Now back in a rebuilt Highmoor and living with her eldest sister Camille (the Duchess of the Salaan islands) Verity spends her time looking after her nieces and nephews. The older she gets the more she yearns for a life her elder sisters have had. Balls and parties, meeting people and finally beaus and suitors and hopefully marriage.

But Camille seems to be set on keeping her youngest sister at Highmoor, making excuses every year for not attending the events that would introduce Verity to Society.

There is a reason, and Camille is finally forced into admitting it. Verity is shocked and can scarcely believe it, and when an opportunity to finally leave arises, she flees her family home.

She has been offered a place in the home of Duchess Bloem, while she paints the Duchess’ son’s portrait. His father the Duke of Bloem is an accomplished botanist, producing flowers unique to the world, and in Bloem, flowers and plants rule as much as the sea and salt rule in Verity’s world.

The son (Alexander) is charming, handsome and thoughtful, and Verity warms to him quickly. Spending time with him helps push aside her worries about what Camille must think after she ran away. The Duchess is incredibly generous with her time and wealth, and Verity begins to love her time in their grand home.

The only thing Verity struggles with is her broken sleep almost every night. Peacocks are said to roam the grounds, and their screams constantly pull Verity from her dreams. Soon, the very thing she fled from shows itself at her new surroundings. Was her sister Camille right? Is she going mad?

The preliminary sketches of the portrait are going well, and she’s enjoying Alexander’s easy ways immensely. In fact she believes he might have feelings for her. But the deeper their romance develops, the more eerie Alexander’s home becomes. There’s something not right at the Bloem estate. In fact, there might be something truly terrible behind the facade of flowers and fragrances…

A gripping sequel to House of Salt and Sorrows!

Although a key character in House of Salt and Sorrows, Verity was only 5 years old. Now she is 17 and in charge of her own destiny – whether her sisters like it or not. It does take some time to get into the thick of things in House of Roots and Ruin, but the world building behind this new way of life away from the sea is an enjoyable journey.

It is a rich world of flowers, fragrances, herbs, gods, customs, practices and foods that Verity must learn while she stays with her employer, to complete a portrait of their son. It certainly helps that he’s handsome, kind and funny, and Verity feels she may have found what she’s been yearning for for years.

The gradual getting to know this family sets up the shocking reveals that are to come for Verity and the reader, and the fallout becomes more gruesome the deeper and further you read.

Learning of a third book in the Sisters of the Salt series (2027?) is incredibly exciting! Can’t wait!

Author – Erin A Craig

Age – 15+

Not read the first book yet? Find a review here

Find more retellings tales here

Publisher – Bloomsbury

Set – Highmoor Estate on Fictional Selkirk Island

Viewpoint – 3rd person

Violence – Yes

Sex – No

Real Life – Historical

Fantasy – Fantasy

Blend – Fantasy / Romance / Fairytale Retelling sequel

(2023, Bloomsbury, Series, Fantasy, Love, Romance, Historical, Sibling Rivalry, Revenge, Murder, Ghost, Family, Betrayal, Flowers, Experiments, Secrets, Reveals, Mistresses)

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Evelyn has lived multiple lives across the centuries. She has experienced first hand the 1472 ottoman Empire, the Western Front trenches, and the time of the Witch Trials.

In 1290 she travelled across the Sahara in a camel caravan that trades across the sands, lived in Athens in its historical prime, and been an inmate at a horrific insane asylum. She was incarcerated for speaking the truth of her existence. She and her beloved named Arden are doomed to the fate of living their lives over and over and over – reborn near each other, to enable Arden to find her and kill her before she turns 18.

They are born in both girl and boy existences, sometimes at the same time, drawn to each other regardless of time or gender. Evelyn wants to know why Arden does what he does. She yearns to live her life to the full, to age, have a big family and wrinkle and love them all, even as she loves desperately the one who kills her again and again.

This fate was struck at the beginning of time, and Arden will not tell Evelyn the answer she’s desperate to know. Why?

Now living in Wales in 2022, she just needs to stay alive until she can give the hospital the stem cells her sister needs to survive. Each time she is reborn, she doesn’t remember her fate at first, but when she does, she is hyper aware of those around her as she ages.

Could her work colleague at the bookstore be Arden? Watching. Waiting.

Could it be the cute boy at a nearby cafe? All she needs is a few more days to save her sister.

Such a fascinating premise, and written beautifully – Our Infinite Fates is an intriguing read!

Much of the novel is set in 2022 Wales, where main character Evelyn lives on a small farm, and works in a bookstore. Needing to stay alive for her younger sister with the imminent threat of her coming murder at age 18, Evelyn is constantly on edge. This amps up the tension as she does everything to stay alive.

She and a guy named Arden are inextricably linked in love and murder as they live their lives over and over, magnetically attracted to each other, but also in Evelyn’s case, trying to stay apart. The secret of why this must happen every 18 years is a jaw-dropping one which I much enjoyed.

I also loved the way their past lives were sprinkled throughout the story, showing Arden’s love for her even as he knew he had to kill her, and Evelyn’s love for everyone around her. Love in fact, despite the continuing murders through time, is a huge part of this tale.

“I love you. I have loved you. I will love you.”

Great read.

Author – Laura Steven

Age – 15+

Publisher – Penguin UK

Set in – Across 1000 years

Orphan – Lives multiple lives

Violence – Yes

Real Life – Yes

Fantasy – Yes

Sex – Yes

Blend – Romance / Determined Fate / Fantasy

(2025, Love, Betrayal, Family, Fantasy, Grief, Historical, Romance, Secret, Star-Crossed Lovers, Doomed, Murder, Deal, Leukemia, Hospital)

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She finds herself in a carriage with a stranger, who can instantly see she looks lost. She’s wearing summer clothes for a start, when it’s freezing outside. The ticket she holds means nothing to him, and when a weird looking train guard approaches them, the stranger jumps into action.

He is a salesman in this world. A world called New Davia. His job allows him to use the trains to travel within worlds. Worlds that don’t include Margo’s. So where did she come from? He bribes the guard, taking responsibility for this lost girl.

Margo is grateful, but frightened. Still, she’s intrigued by this salesman who looks only a year or two older, with a crescent moon scar down his face. She shudders when he tells her it did hurt, and the tattooist did it with malice. This salesman is called Moon – because of this very scar.

Off the train, and meeting more strangers, Margo is more and more confused. When she sees Police-like authorities, she tries to flee Moon and his friends, but changes her mind when she witnesses their brutality on another.

She’s soon swept up in a world made of multiple worlds, attached by train lines like no other. These worlds have different time zones and levels. Margo is used to a 24 hour day, but some of the places in Moon’s worlds have much less, down to even less than 5 hr days. This time change from one world to another messes with Margo’s mind and body, resulting in Skipshock. The more you travel between worlds, the more Skipshock will affect you. Until it finally kills you.

Worried about her mother who will be frantic at her disappearance from her world, she’s grateful for Moon’s help to get home again. But can she trust him? On her way, she hears about the inequalities of Moon’s world. Especially against his people. Some places in New Devia have much more than others, and the ruling authorities are squeezing more and more out of poorer places, for their own use.

Learning there is an opposing force to this power, greed and treachery doesn’t surprise Margo, but it does when these revolutionaries tell her that she is the key to their success. She can help them fight back, and get back what once was theirs. Their homes, their way of life and in Moon’s case – his very life.

Rich and imaginative worldbuilding,

a simmering romance,

a villain to despise

and a twist I never saw coming.

Skipshock is a scintillating read!

This novel’s world is original, intriguing to get your head around (and I did wrangle with it in the beginning), but well worth it, as we meet main characters Margo and Moon and we learn their back stories.

Margo grows up over the month or so she is in this parallel world to ours, as the time zones shorten and lengthen and her body changes with it. There are parallels to our own world with terrible prejudice against Moon’s people, and the growing gap between rich and powerful (with plenty of time), and the struggling poor (with little time in their days.)

Clever – and I can’t wait for the next book after a truly shocking ending!

Author – Caroline O’Donoghue

Age – 15+

Find another great read by this author here

Publisher – Walker Books

Set – New Davia, a dystopian, interconnected world of varying time-zones.

Viewpoint – Two persectives / 1st person & 3rd

Violence – Yes

Sex – Yes / Alluded to

Real Life – No

Fantasy – Yes – Time Travel Trains

Blend – Dystopian / Revolution / Romance

(2025, Fantasy, Romance, Courage, War, Action, Betrayal, Grief, Time travel, Trains, Parallel Worlds, Danger, Gunfire, Loss, Watch, Prejudice,

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Travellers along the way seem shocked he is going to Count Dracula’s castle home, and out of politeness, Jonathan accepts a strange gift of a crucifix on a chain.

Meeting the Count himself is unnerving with his pale skin, hairy palms and long sharp fingernails. Business and talk of London soon fills many night hours over the next few days as the Count is away during the day.

It’s only when the Count insists Jonathan stay for another month, that he really begins to worry. He has a fiancé waiting for him in London.

Meanwhile Mina, waits for her beloved to return. Spending time with her friend Lucy in a seaside town called Whitby, is a wonderful way to spend the time while Jonathan is away. But the longer she waits without word from him, the more she worries. When Lucy becomes unwell, Mina’s worries are doubled.

Finally she gets word and they are reunited. Jonathan however, is not the man she bade farewell months before. Lucy is changing too, and with their mutual friend’s help and advice, Mina endeavours to heal them both.

The connection is none other than Count Dracula, and no-one would ever believe what they all come to know.

This Dyslexic friendly retelling of Bram Stoker’s Dracula is true to the original in only 102 pages.

The most famous vampire story of them all, reluctant readers will also enjoy this classic in a shorter, accessible format, without the language of the 1800’s. But it’s just as enthralling.

No doubt the original holds all of the tension and thrill of the horror and chase of a monster, but this version is a perfect way to introduce a story told in a plethora of ways over the past century or more.

All the characters appear including Dr Van Helsing, who has his own stream of stories, movies and modern followers.

Part of a Dyslexic Classic selection from the Dyslexic Publishing Specialists – Barrington Stoke (Harper Collins Imprint), this version of Dracula is also retold by the Carnegie Award Winning Author, Tanya Landman.

Author – Bram Stocker

Retold by – Tanya Landman

Dyslexic Title – Reading Age 9 / Interest Age 13+

Find other Vampire Tales here

Find more Tanya Landman Dyslexic friendly Classics here

(2025, Barrington Stoke Publishing, Dyslexic Read, Reluctant Read, Horror, Love, Romance, Friendship, Action, Courage, Murder, Historical, Fantasy, Secret, Vampires, Classic, Castle, Blood, Terror, Whitby, London, Transylvania)

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There are so many memories in this town, both good and bad. Her best friend Callum is the first person she contacts – telling him she’s moving back. She hasn’t spoken to him over those three years and tries to push away the memory of why that was. Now she’s a different person after Wellington, and the past a different life. How is she going to deal with all she left behind?

Callum – Zelle’s timing couldn’t be any worse. Callum is an anxious person at the best of times, so learning Zelle is back in town just before an important interview at Broadcasting School is a disaster.

Why now? Why is she back? What will he even say to her? They were incredibly close from primary school to the day she left, even if it was after something terrible happened. Telling their friends she’s back doesn’t go well as the anger how she left rears up again after those three years. There’s only a few months left of their final year. How will he face Zelle at school?

Winner of the Storylines Tessa Duder YA Prize 2024, and a Storylines NZ Notable Book, this young adult novel is well deserving of its accolades.

Told in two points of view, Zelle and Callum are polar opposites but that’s what made them such close friends since the age of 9. They have a close shared history, along with three others from school, but as they grew up, they began to hold secrets from each other which helps their relationship spiral downwards into anger, confusion, guilt and a three year gap of no communication at all.

It’s a Bit More Complicated Than That is the perfect title for this award winning novel as the relationships portrayed are messy, awkward, and complicated with all that came before. Guilt compounds everything, but the friendship between the two characters is also the glue of the novel as they try to put the pieces back together. This is far from smooth and a difficult journey, making it an engaging read.

So good to have a Real Life Teen novel amongst the plethora of Fantasy. Something Real Life readers can get their teeth into.

Author – Hannah Marshall

Age – 14+

Publisher – Allen & Unwin

(2025, Allen & Unwin, NZ, Friendship, Romance, School, Betrayal, Conflict, Family, Grief, Real Life, Wellington, Small Town NZ, Alcohol Problem, Relationships, Loss, Guilt, Tessa Duder Award Winner)

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The showdown with a family member who created this monstrous timeline into being was massive. It killed powerful beings, but with Joan’s own powers, saved her and her friends. Now they must hide as they work out a way to combat the ruler of the new timeline. Red uniformed guards are everywhere, and so are wanted posters for Joan and others.

As they plan, Joan must deal with the choice Nick made, damning them all to this new reality. They also learn that their arrival cancelled their counterparts and their own timeline plans.

The ramifications of everything build as Joan struggles with her love for both Aaron and Nick, and what their possible futures might be, no matter what happens with their plans.

Discovering all the blocks and disruptions the new ruler has put in place to counteract any acts of rebellion depletes Joan’s hopes at repairing and regaining all that has been lost.

But the longer they wait to strike, the more peril they are in as the new timeline is fracturing every minute. Will they work out a way to strike back, and will it be in time to save everyone they’ve ever known including themselves?

A spectacular finale to this riveting monsters vs humans, time-travel romance series!

Once A Villain starts exactly where Never A Hero left off. I reread the ending of Never A Hero to be ready to dive into this final book in the Only A Monster series.

There were so many threads to hold in my mind as a gobbled up this young adult novel. Timelines, romance, and obstacles defeating the protagonists at every turn. Choices to be made and heartbreaks to survive. Powers to control and grief like no other. Tumbling, page-turning, time travel conundrums.

All in all, Once A Villain gathers together the narrative to a pulse pounding finale, leaving a squeak of an opening to possibly see the characters again in the future.

Author – Vanessa Len

Publisher – Allen & Unwin

Age – 15+

If you liked this series, you will like the Six of Crows series here

(2025, Allen & Unwin, Australian Author, Third Person, Action, Conflict, Courage, Family, Fantasy, Grief, Love, Time travel, Romance, Series, Love Triangle, Time Lines, Sisters, Gladiators, Murder Plot, Monsters vs Humans, Control, Allies, Enemies)

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At home, there’s no time to think about it, let alone tell anyone. Her parents are preparing for visitors, wanting to make a good impression. They are the parents of Beth’s sister’s boyfriend Rik, and her sister has some news.

Beth knew the secret, but a pregnancy announcement is far from what both sets of parents were expecting. Beth is left alone with her own shocking news, as her homelife suddenly gets a whole lot more complicated.

Her family has noticed a different change in her. She’s grown taller over the summer break, her arms longer too. Is this why she’s being catching falling items at home? Boys at school look at her differently too, along with her sister’s best friend, Etienne.

She’d be able to enjoy the attention if it wasn’t for the strange nausea that creeps up on her. Then a strong feeling deep in her gut. A desperate need to be somewhere. She doesn’t know just where that is at first, but follows the feeling, breaking school rules on the way. It happens again. She stops underneath a window and the school caretaker falls into her arms.

Terribly confused and a little freaked out, she knows she has to tell someone. Maybe her best friend Lin will understand. Over the following weeks, it happens again and again. But it is taking over her life at school and home, and most importantly coming between something wonderful and new with Etienne.

Although being able to Catch, saving lives over and over; Catch is more about main character Beth’s relationships. There is no way she can ignore the feeling to run and save someone, but it comes at all times of the day and night.

This has detrimental effects all around her, but explaining herself is even harder. Catch is about responsibility, new love, family bonds and friendships, all within an astonishing premise.

Basketball is a background thread which is also new to Beth, as she has never been into sports. The court setting is yet another place she has to try and be ‘normal’, but must come second to her urge to Catch. Each Catch saves a life, but adds tension to Beth’s.

Intriguing read.  

Author – Sarah Brill

Age – 13+

Publisher – Allen & Unwin

(2025, Allen & Unwin, Australian Author, First person, Special ability, Superpower, Teen pregnancy, Family, Relationships, School, Encompassing, Friendship, Growing up, Romance, Secret, Catching jumpers)

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Dani is facing something even harder. The cancer that took her grandmother and her mum, is back. Dani’s beaten it before when she was younger, but this time it’s terminal. Only her father knows, as she needs time to come to terms with it on her own.

One day at school, Alfie sees her crying and asks if she is okay. Alfie finds her prickly but is glad to go with her that day into the Christchurch sealed-off city cordon. Dani’s favourite place is among the broken buildings and behind the fences, but they find a way in – and after a couple of times going there together, discover something incredible.

It’s a place they get to know each other, have fun and fall in love. It’s a place where time means nothing, Dani feels amazing, and Alfie knows he wants to be with her every moment. Moments are finite however, and they must find a solution to be with each other – Evermore.

Set in 2011, Christchurch NZ, Beneath Our Feet is a gorgeous love story. Alfie has got another chance at life, and Dani’s life is going to be cut short.

Jack Hartley has summoned realistic teenagers onto the page – boy banter, parties, alcohol and larks in the mix, and a staunch nearly-18-year-old woman with loss in her life, and her own mortality staring her in the face.

Told in two viewpoints, a moment of kindness brings these teens together to become something tentative, fun, and finally, beautiful. I challenge you not to have tissues nearby as you read their story.

The author was fifteen when the Feb 2011 earthquake struck, so personally knows the horror of that time, and the emotions that it triggered among the people of Christchurch. He has captured them within the struggles of two teens facing things far beyond their years.

Creating a place where they can just be together is the sunshine in this novel. The truth outside of it is well written and heart wrenching.

Time stops – to live and fall in love.

Author – Jack Hartley

Age – 14+

(2025, Scholastic NZ, First Person, New Zealand, NZ Author, Aotearoa Love, Romance, Grief, Loss, Secret, Real Life, Fantasy, Historical, Courage, Christchurch, Earthquake, Cordon, Time, Making the most of life, Heart transplant, Cancer, Friendship, Growing Up, Firsts, Two viewpoints)

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She doesn’t resent their mother being holed up in her room all day. Leah knows it is pure grief at losing the love of her life, and she tries to protect her mum by being strong for them all. But there is one thing Leah has for herself – Alex.

He makes her feel like a goddess, and she can’t stop thinking about him. He’s handsome, owns an Art gallery, and makes her feel alive. So what if he is older than her? And married. With a baby.

Charlie wants to help Leah more at home. He can pick up their little sister from school, but whenever he tries to cook something, it’s a disaster. He’s worried what life will be like when Leah goes to university in Edinburgh. How will they cope without her? He marvels at the way Leah seems so strong and capable after their father’s death, when all he could do was hide in his wardrobe, or under his duvet.

Charlie’s escape from his own grief is in drawing. He’s a talented artist, and pours himself and his feelings into his sketchbook. But drawings aren’t helping anyone at home. He longs to feel more in control. When a stranger offers to help, Charlie is wary at first. Soon, it seems that this is all he needed. In fact, it was the worst possible solution.

Each with their secrets, things begin looking up for Leah and Charlie. Or so they think. The secrets find each other and the result is heartbreaking for all.

Written in two viewpoints by two separate authors, the essence of the characters is raw on the page. A brother and sister, still grieving for their father, and without the guidance of their devastated mother – try to navigate the world around them the best they can.

An inappropriate affair, and a deepening spiral of debt threaten to swallow them whole as they keep their secrets close their chests. There is so much heart in this novel as the characters try to do their best by their loved ones, and try to tackle their worries alone.

Let the Light in, refers to so many threads of this story. Mental heath, relationships, money worries, being young carers, and grief, consume these young characters, and it’s only when they let others around them know what is going on, that help can arrive.

Beautifully written and with a positive future for all, Let The Light In is a powerful read.

Authors – Louis Hill & Jenny Downham

Age – 15+

(2025, David Fickling Books, Bullies, Conflict, Crime, Real Life, Family, Grief, Growing up, Love, Romance, Secret, Older guy, Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Art, Drawing, Loan Shark, Community)

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