Gym Junky by Brentom Jackson

This was a fantastic verse poetry style written story about the dangers of steroid use in young men and boys especially. Showing how in the social media age we live in and how it can pressure young guys to view themselves and others in an unhealthy way wanting to be seen as 'bigger' or more 'manly' and muscular. The story developed flowing excepionally well, touching on health, relationships and friendships and feelings of feeling inadequate to others older and the danger on mental and physical health of bulking and steroid use and pushing your body into unhealthy habits from outside pressure not of focusing on what makes you happy deep inside. The book also had plenty of shocking twists and turns along the way and the title was a clever play on words too. An eye opening read on the complex dangers of steroid use and eating/training disorders that can effect men and women equally.

Painting Through The Rough by David Aro

Dex is a student with a strong work ethic instilled by his parents to strive for the best grades and high athleticism to achieve whatever career he desires in future, if only he can learn to control his temper which gets him into trouble risking his future achievements. However, whilst being banned from golf due to his temper, he meets artistic Hazel who together, they discover a passion for an art project that can benefit them both and brings two people unexpectedly closer together in a slow burn bond of understanding. Seeing the characters building up their trust in each other was beautiful and so realistic too especially as teenage life can be a tricky time emotionally to navigate as we see in the characters separate issues throughout the book. Also, as a girl who grew up playing golf myself as a kid and always drawing or reading I really loved the book for engaging us in thinking and appreciating the sport of golf not regularly used in children's or teen fiction and the book being written in a good flowing verse style too was engaging and more interesting to read as mini poems supplying the storyline to unfold that way too, a fabulous book to review!

Kimmy Carson Is Not Scared by C.H. Williams

Kimmy was looking forward to her school's Halloween event, only, upon announcement of a horror maze, she's filled with the dread of being unable to partake due to her heart condition. Used to a life of safety with her over protective mum using guidelines as hard set rules you have to comply by to stay feeling fine, instead, Kimmy starts feeling suffocated and explores painting and skating with friends over her mum's safety hobbies of ballet and chess. This book was all about compromise at the heart of wanting to just explore your own passions fearlessly embracing the opportunities and learning to compromise in trusting each other having good intentions in your best interest.

This Trauma Is Sponsored by Anna Lindwasser

Rosalie's family is a family of mum, dad Rosalie and her younger sister, altogether, a part of a family vlogger channel, a very well know one too. The novel shows the impact sadly probably in many vlogging families keeping up the facade of all being happy on camera just for monetisation and makes you reflect on the impact of modern social media culture being told in a verse format hits all the more deeper as it explores the impact on the family dynamic, their relationships, mental and physical side effects in trying to achieve a so called standard of perfection and the danger of strangers watching and knowing every detail of your lives, which can lead to dangerous encounters. I was also happily surprised in the novel of a friend Rosalie makes, Stella, who raised awareness of the impact of fibromyalgia all the more relatable to a reader like me who also have the condition, yet, I've never read a novel with it mentioned. The novel also explored young people feeling stifled in revealing their sexuality too for fear of judgement a very relatable situation for many people still I imagine too. It was a powerful novel about the highs and lows of internet fame and what you gain and lose.

You Left Me On Read by Akhira

A sweet potry book, told in a mix of verse and actual text messages printed depicting a relationship between a couple in love exploring the start and growth of their relationship. I found this book a really sweet and delightful look firstly, into how a relationship can be enlightening and feel full of hope and joy and the less lovely part if a sudden fade in contact leaving the writer questioning everything and overthinking the relationship completely. A relatable and emotional read.

Handle With Care by Louisa Reid

Ruby has a baby, unexpectedly and leaving Ash her best friend shocked especially ehen the truth comes out about the baby more so, no spoilers here. It explores the hard hitting subject or teenage motherhood and all the challenges a baby in someone's life can bring up, let alone coping with raising a baby unexpectedly for both wider families involved and the mental health of a young struggling mum. There were many tough situations faced in this book written beautifully from both main character best friends perspectives as they come to terms with what the baby brings up and into their lives it was both beautiful in verse and gut wrenchingly honest and utterly gripping to me I really enjoyed exploring the worlds of Ash and Ruby and had me questioning, how would I feel in either girls situations.

One Too Many Lies by L A Bowen

Paige along with Kate and Abby her best friends skip school where she meets Morgan at a party where they take part in drinking, trying drugs and playing party games while still having a crush at school on Alex.

Am while lying to their parents about w where they're going and staying out late after sneaking out first...

Told in verse this is a powerful tale of growing up and struggling to fit in and find love as well as acceptance with their friends about their lifestyle. As the lies build up we see how they have to deal with the consequences which teaches us the lesson about karma and never assume everything will be fine. It was hard hitting and real dealing with issues teens will probably come across.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara is a young girl who lives in a religious house judged by her fierce mother. Hating her home life for them being forced into prayer and having their parents beliefs forced as their own, she struggles to hide her growing relationship with Aman who she falls for and starts to explore her feelings more fully.

Meanwhile her twin she calls simply, Twin, is gay and she helps him as she sees him with his crush or boyfriend and hides the matter from their would disapprove parents.

As Xiomara partakes in writing poetry she ends becoming involved in slam poetry despite everything she goes through she rises likes phoenix quite literally you will see...

Acevedo makes a fantastic debut. It's obvious she's a passionate poet both her and Xiomara I never enjoy religion mentioned in books not being religious myself but it was fine in this a lot but key to the story as it plays out. It was moving and compelling reading I can't wait to see what Elizabeth writes next!

The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan

Stevie likes Chloe a girl at school she has more feelings for than anyone or anything else before.

As she tries to bring it up with her mum as her dad isn't around, she winds up at the library where a kindly librarian helps her and tells her it'll all be ok.

I really enjoyed this novel being told in verse and focusing on a younger character coming to terms with their sexuality where as it's usually older teens or twenties when the subject of sexuality is raised. It showed how truly consuming and confusing it can be coming to terms with and wondering how your family and friends will react to you coming out.

Moonrise by Sarah Crossan

In this devastating story told in verse, we see how Joe suffers with his family, his sister Angela is always there for him however their drunk mum left them to travel and escape while their aunt Karen helped for a while but couldn't cope as their older brother Ed got sent to death row and is awaiting execution.

We see how Joe arrives to visit him during his brothers final months of life, appeals his case and finds a friend in Nell.

Filled with twists and sadness this is a powerful and devastating novel told in verse and once again is a brilliant book by Sarah Crossan.

In Paris With You by Clementine Beauvais

Tatiana and Eugene met years ago as teenageers, thanks to Tatiana's sister Olga and her boyfriend, Lensky.

For Tatiana it was love at first sight of the young man Eugene.

However years later after the crush has faded, Eugene is the one infatuated if not obsessed with Tatiana but as she is set to move for a new job, will the pair staying Paris or leave together?

A very different and emotive book, it was not what I was expecting and was more poetic than young adult novel like though the expressionism was appreciated and enhanced the novel greatly padding it out else it would simply be a love story with a tragedy partly reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, only in modern day. I did enjoy it but not the expected hype build up I'd seen online about it and it seemed more of an adult fiction that young adult fiction.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Some Girls Bind by Rory James

Jamie is gender queer binding her chest and hiding her secret from her friends Levi, Nora and Eric as well as her family and brother Steve in this novel told in verse.

Over the course of the novel we witness her friends come out to mixed reactions and approval as well as disapproval too.

Jamie is a good, bold and proud character whilst also being anxious over reactions she could face. The book raises issues straight to the point around gender and sexuality and the fluidity people can have freely now. It is a good bold read and will surely open eyes to the subject matters raised.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

One by Sarah Crossan

Told in verse this book is the story of conjoined twins Grace and Tippi. Aged sixteen they head off to normal high school after being home schooled but as their parents face losing their jobs and their dad relies on alcohol obviously spending money they don't have, the girls worry especially when they start collapsing...

The twins are regular in every way as they try drinking alcohol and smoking despite what is happening to their combined body.
They face a tough life decision for them which can literally lead to life or death and we see each girls dedication to the other as they prepare to face an uncertain future.

I liked they made a documentary and their sister was still driven to chase her dreams despite the twins being Grace for her.

The book was super unique being told solely on verse for the whole story, the unique concept of conjoined twin girls experiencing school for the first time and finding love and friendship many thing we take for granted with no challenges but for them we can see how everything effects them and the other one of them too. The issues are financial for the family, anorexia for their younger sister and we see the effects of them too.
It's a raw emotional read, prepare your tissues!

We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan and Brian Conaghan

In this book we meet Jess, caught shoplifting when out with her so called friends whom help to really put her in the mess she winds up in. Unhappy at home with her mum and stepdad whom seems a sleazy guy whom commits severe domestic abuse.

We also meet Nicu, escaped to Britain whilst his parents try to find him a wife back home for him who's suitable for which they'd return home eventually for them to marry after earning enough money.

As the pair both partake in an ordered community service charge of cleaning the community they meet, but both hide their secrets from the other until they start to hang out more, coming together before they get brutally ripped apart by a tragic act of self defence but too serious to ignore...

A tragic love story of right blooming out of wrong doing as the pair fall into their very short love story. Told in verse it was quick to read and the action flowed featuring an array of important topics from refugees, immigration, kleptomania, domestic abuse and general life wrong from right.

This book will haunt your memories of books you've read as you'll never find one like it again, I'm sure.