P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Author: Jenny Han
Published: May 26th 2015
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genres/age group: Contemporary, romance, young adult
External links: Goodreads • Amazon

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter. She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever. When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once? In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.

My heart is broken, but my heart is true. Forgive me if this review makes little to no sense as I feel so ambivalent right now.

P.S. I Still Love You begins where To All the Boys I Loved Before ended. Whilst I adored To All the Boys (you can read my review here), P.S. I Still Love You lacks the lightheartedness and sheer adorable was of the first book. As always, it entails the story of an emotionally involved - and rather naive - Lara Jean Song as she documents her blossoming feelings for Peter Kavinsky, everyone's favourite bad boy. Undeniably, as a couple Lara Jean and Peter experienced many setbacks (like that infamous hot tub video) and in all honesty I felt that their relationship was particularly problematic from the start.

My main issue with the book was definitely Peter and Lara Jean's relationship - and the fact that I loved John as a character and secretly 'shipped' Lara Jean and him together. John was a total romantic and such a genuine guy. It was hard to wrap my head around as to what Lara Jean actually saw in Peter; a hormonal teen who's way too close to his ex. Peter and Genevieve's relationship was far too close for comfort in my opinion, and it left me feeling frustrated when Lara Jean just allowed it to happen. I will admit though, Peter was very sweet to Kitty, so I guess that kind of justifies it (kind of).

Unlike the first book, Lara Jean becomes a massive pushover in the second. On numerous occasions, she allowed people to manipulate her and push her around (such as Chris her apparent "best friend" I still don't understand their friendship, Genevieve, Peter, Kitty, and even the old woman at the care home, Stormy). I was so disappointed when it was unveiled as to who shared the hot tub video, a main scandalous event for half the book, as I thought Lara Jean would handle it well. But she didn't! In fact, it just kind of slipped away, as if nothing ever happened in the first place.

As Judith points out in her review, the story at times felt quite immature for the young adult audience. For me, the way some of the characters acted at times teamed with the necessary drama felt childish. On the other hand, however, there was also a few older scenes scattered throughout the book and ultimately I just felt there was a total lack of coherence.

I did, however, finish the book and regardless of everything I've just stated, I did enjoy it. For me, Lara Jean's family truly made this story worthwhile. Kitty has grown up a little since the last book and is waaaaay too inappropriate for a ten year old. As you can imagine, this only amounted to sheer comedy and I found her scenes hilarious. Margot, as always, is still in Scotland and is absent from most of the book. I missed seeing Josh but John made up for it. I think the absence of main characters from the storyline really showcased how much Lara Jean had to think independently and discover what she wants and who she really is. I'm not quite sure if she's discovered what she really wants by the end of the novel, or if she's just "going with the flow", but I'm glad I have read this book as the cliffhanger at the end of the first one was unbearable.

My rating: ★★★½

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

My edition: Speak Paperback
First published: 2014
Pages: 339
Source: Own book

Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last? Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart. Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series. 

Thoughts: A light, cute, summer read that somewhat lacks the character dimension we've previously seen in the Anna and the French Kiss trilogy.

I’ll admit it, this book disappointed me – mainly because of the characters, but also because of the rapid pacing of the plot. For example, almost immediately into the novel, after Josh offers to sketch her in a coffee shop, Isla claims to “love” Josh. She recounts how Josh and his ex girlfriend broke up only a month ago and starts comparing herself to his ex, reaching the conclusion that “His ex was tenacious and outspoken. My opposite.” Isla also admits they’ve “rarely spoken to each other at school and never outside of it”. This was perhaps my biggest annoyance with the novel; the pacing and the sheer dramatic nature of it all. Undoubtedly, Isla has admired and adored Josh from afar, a “love at first sight” kind of romance and honestly, I was sceptical of this almost false relationship she had created within her own head.

Isla as a narrator was dreary and bleak, her thoughts consisted of Josh and only Josh – a Josh, it should be noted, she has pretended to know for years and consequently “Googles” to keep up to date with his life. In all honesty, Isla’s obsession portrayed as childish and somewhat bizarre to me. Isla knew of Josh, his goals, family, friends, exes, (and even his home) before speaking a single word to him. Additionally, as an individual character, Isla remained flat and boring. Even after finishing the novel all I know of Isla is that she has two sisters and a best friend with asperger’s.

Kurt, Isla’s best friend, was by far my favourite character. I definitely believed he provided the voice of rationality in this book and reminded Isla throughout to stop living with her head in the clouds. However, I do believe his relationship with Isla narrowed towards the end of the novel where he was more of an old friend than a so-called “best friend”. I felt, although Isla stuck up for Kurt and stressed multiple times that the two were only best friends, he was replaced with Josh and forgotten.

As for Josh, he (alike Isla), was also somewhat boring and flat. I didn’t really fall for his character like I did with Etienne in Anna and the French Kiss and Cricket in Lola and the Boy Next Door. 

Overall, I am ambivalent about Isla and the Happily Ever After. Perkins’ fast-paced prose teamed with Isla and Josh’s whirlwind of a romance was highly intriguing but ultimately, I was left feeling disappointed with this novel and in most cases, aggravated and confused. Isla and the Happily Ever After turns all aspects of a beautiful love story on its head, and I’m unsure as to how I feel about it. There was some cute moments, and some no-holding-back moments which you don’t really see in Young Adult/Contemporary novels and I adored these scenes. But, the thing that ruined this novel was definitely Isla and her stalker tendencies and her rather rushed relationship with Josh; the quick pacing and lack of character development were a huge part of this story and thus, unfortunately, I can only rate this book 3 stars. I am, however, glad to have read and finished the Anna and the French Kiss trilogy and I will probably still recommend this book.

My rating: ★★★½

Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

My edition: Simon & Schuster Children’s Books Paperback
First published: 2014
Pages: 368
Source: Own book

New Year’s Eve ended with a bang and Mary, Kat and Lillia may not be prepared for what is to come. After Rennie’s death, Kat and Lillia try to put the pieces together of what happened to her. They both blame themselves. If Lillia hadn’t left with Reeve… If Kat had only stayed with Rennie… Things could have been different. Now they will never be the same. Only Mary knows the truth about that night. About what she is. She also knows the truth about Lillia and Reeve falling in love, about Reeve being happy when all he deserves is misery, just like the misery he caused her. Now their childish attempts at revenge are a thing of the past and Mary is out for blood. Will she leave anything in her wake or will all that remain be ashes? 

Thoughts: The astonishing final instalment in the Burn for Burn series left me vulnerable and confused. I’m an avid lover of the Burn for Burn series, and of Jenny Han’s writing as a whole, so when I finally got around to reading Ashes to Ashes I was more than excited to see how Kat, Lillian and Mary would cope with the enormous cliffhanger at the end of book two.

As always, I liked this novel and devoured the book within a couple of days, and it would have deserved all five stars, but in all honesty I think the book needed to be a little longer to properly cover everything in the right amount of detail. I had a little bit of an issue with the pacing of this book because the beginning was slow in an attempt to pick up from where the prequel ended. Consequently, the ending was rushed and I kind of felt cheated out of some character development because of that. My main issue especially, was with what unfolded in the last three pages of the epilogue.

A little disappointing but nonetheless, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. Jenny Han is an immaculate young writer whose novels I always enjoy, and as a duo with Siobhan Vivian, their writing intertwined flawlessly. After completing this novel, adoring the series, and falling in love with the characters, I am thoroughly excited to read some of Siobhan Vivian’s individual work in the near future and, of course, more of Jenny Han’s books.

My rating: ★★★½

Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

My edition: eBook
First published: 2014
Pages: 352
Source: Harlequin UK via Netgalley, thank you!

Five strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost. Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named LEILA. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most. There’s HUDSON, a small-town mechanic who is willing to throw away his dreams for true love. And BREE, a runaway who seizes every Tuesday—and a few stolen goods along the way. ELLIOT believes in happy endings…until his own life goes off-script. And SONIA worries that when she lost her boyfriend, she also lost the ability to love. Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila’s own 4,268-mile journey that she discovers the most important truth— sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you’re looking for is to get lost along the way.“ First line: “Hudson could hear the car’s engine from blocks away.

Thoughts: “I’m going to see the northern lights” expresses Let’s Get Lost’s main protagonist, Leila. Travelling in her bright red car, Leila’s strong desire of wanderlust inevitably leads her into the lives of four strangers; aspiring doctor Hudson, rebellious and edgy Bree, down on his luck Elliot and bewildered Sonia. Quick, sharp, and an engaging read, Let’s Get Lost teaches the importance of: fate, young love, and most importantly, discovering yourself. 

Beginning in Vicksburg, Mississippi, free-spirited Leila runs into mechanic and also aspiring doctor Hudson, who takes great pride in his hometown and it’s sheer beauty. Similarly, in the eyes of Hudson, Leila is beautiful but also mysterious and “a jumble of contradictions”. Captivated by Leila’s good lucks, Hudson asks why Leila is planning to travel so far, to which Leila explains: “I’m going to see the Northern Lights… I’m going up as far north as I can”. In collaboration with Hudson’s character, Leila and her motivation to travel so far alone intrigued me. Almost a developing mystery case, the beginning of this book had me hooked to its storyline: where will Leila’s journey eventually end? Why is she travelling so far north? Who will she meet on the way? All these questions swarmed through my head and I couldn’t wait to find out the answers.

As aforementioned, there is a recurring theme in Let’s Get Lost of self-discovery. Quickly into the novel we realize that each stranger Leila meets on the road, has his or her own personal and emotional crisis. Often we’re informed that love, or lack of, is the motivation to most of the characters problems. But Leila sympathizes nonetheless and tries to solve any issues these strangers may have, imitating the role of a fairy godmother or in some cases, a partner in crime (literally).

Initially Leila’s character interested me the most, but Hudson soon became my favourite. His story was real but not exaggerated, which I found with some of the other characters of this novel. Although he made a completely vacuous mistake, he was sweet, honest and loyal and I really warmed up to him. His point of view was the first of the novel, and his section definitely provided a solid foundation for Let’s Get Lost’s overall direction of plot.

Unfortunately, as more characters were introduced, the less realistic this book became. Without going into specifics, I found that some major events of the novel were left unresolved, and therefore, forgotten. Also, I had a hard time believing that everyone in this novel was so openly trusting – especially Leila who allows four strangers into her car. Similarly, it appears as if the male characters of this story only trusted Leila in the first place because she’s was ‘good lucking’ which highly aggravated me.

Although Let’s Get Lost can be slightly implausible, it was also sweet, quirky, and definitely an engaging read, regardless of the character’s shallow attitudes. I particularly liked the evenly divide of the characters stories and therefore, it read more like a collection of novellas rather than a whole novel. The focus of the characters own personal journeys was intimate and fascinating, and Alsaid’s writing style heavily reminded me of one of my favourite authors, John Green (especially his novel Paper Towns). This may not have been a five star rating from me, but I know many people have adored this book, and I’m intrigued to see which direction Alsaid takes his writing next (pun intended).

Overall rating: ★★★½

Stupid Girl by Cindy Miles

My edition: eBook

First published: 2014

Pages: 332

Source: TKA Distribution via Netgalley (thank you!)

Only fools fall in love... After her senior year of high school leaves behind nothing but heartache, Olivia Beaumont is sure of this: She’s no stupid girl. She sets out for Winston University, promising herself that she will remain focused on her first and only love – astronomy. But all it takes is cocky sophomore Brax Jenkins and an accidental collision with a football, to throw her entire year off course. A quick-tempered Southie who escaped the inner city streets of Boston to pitch for Winston, Brax is known to play way more fields than just the baseball diamond. So, when his name is drawn to take part in his fraternity’s hazing dare, Brax eagerly accepts the mission to take Olivia’s virginity. But he doesn’t plan on falling hard for the sweet and sassy Texas girl who sees right through his bad-boy persona. As Olivia and Brax battle their feelings for each other, echoes of the past year begin to surface. A boy who once turned Olivia’s whole world upside down reappears, and “harmless” pranks wreak havoc. Pretty soon the aspiring astronomer is on the verge of revealing her most difficult, heartbreaking secret. All the while, Brax must wrestle with the irrevocable dare, and Olivia struggles against all logic as she does the one thing only a stupid girl would do: fall in love.

Thoughts: "These people don't know me, they don't know what happened to me" concludes Stupid Girl's vigilant narrator, Olivia Beaumont. Guarded and scarred, Olivia is adamant that enrolling in Winston College will help her move forward and erase her dark history. However, within minutes of stepping foot on campus, Olivia intimately - and accidentally - collides with Brax. Braxton Jenkins, dangerous sophomore with the charming qualities of a typical 'bad boy' and a reputation to match.

Beginning page one, Cindy Miles' fast-paced and concise prose is effective yet essential to the tragedy being told. I loved the first chapter. Not only does its significance help develop and form Olivia's character but ultimately, my heart ached for Olivia. I adore tragic twists in contemporary fiction and combined with Olivia's new experience of starting college, I was hooked on the developing storyline. But my admiration for this novel was only temporary.

As Olivia introduces herself to the reader and also the characters of the novel, inconsistencies begin to develop. Because of the tragedy that was inflicted onto Olivia, she prides herself on wearing a pledge ring (“Jesus Christ, you’re a fuckin’ nun?” Brax asks bluntly the first time he sees it) as well as not judging others. Olivia states they are: 'something I believe in personally'.

Olivia's honesty was humble, refreshing and rare. But her vow to not judge others was false. Within a couple of pages, Olivia judges Brax (the bad boy who had thrown himself onto her) continuously:

• "Brax was borderline pushy. An irrational, irritating, irresistible kind of pushy."
• "You’re a kappa phi sophomore man slut, for starters."
• "He was pushy and flirty and definitely not my type." 

In comparison to Olivia's shy nature, her contrasting roommate Tessa is outgoing, unreserved and confident. Most importantly, it is Tessa who warns Olivia's of Brax's tendency to use women for his advantage. I majorly disliked Brax. I disliked the way his stalker tendencies were excused as being 'keen'. I disliked his toxic attitude, and obsessive nature. I disliked how he couldn't take Olivia's obvious hints when she rejected him due to his enormous narcissistic ego. But most of all, I disliked how because Brax was a popular good-looking guy with his ’startling blue eyes’, he felt he was obliged to kiss Olivia without her permission. ‘Dislike' is an understatement. I hated Brax's character and everything about him, from his black eye to apparently 'sexy' southern accent, which made 'forget' sound like 'faghet'. Um...

Overall, I am ambivalent about Stupid Girl. Miles' fast-paced prose teamed with Olivia's backstory were highly intriguing but ultimately, I was left feeling disappointed with this novel and in most cases, aggravated. Stupid Girl has all aspects of a beautiful love story; the damaged girl, the obnoxious boy, placed in a new environment with new experiences, but this book wasn't for me. Preferring a normal or geeky guy to the typical ‘bad boy', Brax's character, attitude and presence slightly ruined the book for me. Nonetheless I would still recommend this book, I enjoyed reading Olivia's passion for astrology and although I don't feel this way myself, I do understand the fascination with the typical 'bad boy' persona. 

My rating: ★★★

This review originally featured on BloggersBookshelf.

Tape by Steven Camden

My edition: eBook

First published: 2014

Pages: 363

Source: HarperCollins UK via Netgalley (thank you)

Record a voice and it lasts forever… In 1993, Ryan records a diary on an old tape. He talks about his mother’s death, about his dreams, about his love for a new girl at school who doesn’t even know he exists. In 2013, Ameliah moves in with her grandmother after her parents die. There, she finds a tape in the spare room. A tape with a boy’s voice on it – a voice she can’t quite hear, but which seems to be speaking to her. Ryan and Ameliah are connected by more than just a tape. This is their story.

Thoughts: A modern story with a nostalgic edge, Tape perfectly intertwines the lives of two thirteen year olds; Ameliah and Ryan. Living decades apart, the two tweens have more in common than what you initially expect - both are united by tragedy and consequently, are tied by a tape. 

Starting chronologically in 1993, we meet introvert Ryan who has recently started living with his dad, new step-mother and obnoxious step-brother, Nathan. Due to the loss of his mother, Ryan is left feeling lost and turns to a tape-recorder in order to help voice his feelings. It is during his intimate recordings that Ryan also confirms his attraction for Eve, a slightly older girl who he admires from afar. The tapes remain untouched until 2013, when Ameliah moves into her Nan's after her parents are killed in a car crash.

Ameliah finds the tapes among her parent's old belongings, including her mother's old guitar, and ultimately becomes engaged in the young boy's recorded life. While Ameliah settles into her new life at her Nan's, we witness her struggles as the pressure of upholding friendships, while juggling the loss of her parents and growing up in modern times is placed onto her. Due to her feelings of isolation and alienation, Ameliah finds comfort in her precious tapes.

Similarly, twenty years prior, Ryan's story parallel's Ameliah's whereby Ryan shows symptoms of isolation and confusion, mainly through his tape journals and inner thoughts; 'Ryan looked at Dad and wondered if he even remembered ever being thirteen'. Often, we find that both Ameliah and Ryan possess the same thoughts, questions and even the same events take place between the two tweens with some minor alterations:

From Ryan's story: 

- Is she naked?

- What are you doing?

- Answer the question, Mr Bond, was she naked?

- Who?

- The girly you were dreaming about.

From Ameliah's story:

- What time is it?

- It's nearly half nine. What were you dreaming about, was it that boy?

- In your dream, was he naked?

The analogous plot helps in creating a comfortable and warm relationship between the two characters yet it is mistakably overexposed in the blurb, leading to readers predicting the novels purpose and direction. Because of this, any initial surprises in the storyline are already outdated by the time we reach them in the novel.

Another flaw evident in this book is the writing style, which mimics the style of James Joyce. Seen in the example above, the dialogue between the characters is presented in a childish and simplistic way yet following it, in its merge with the character's thoughts, was difficult. Often I was left questioning who was thinking and who was talking? It is presented as if the reader should obviously know who's saying what. However, contrasting this confusion, the transition from Ameliah's point of view over to Ryan's was apparent through the use of past and present tenses, which I found entertaining and also helpful.

Tape was a unique and quirky novel loaded with well-developed characters with themes of loss, hope and love intertwining between the lives of the two main characters; Ameliah and Ryan. Camden successfully tells the story of these two tweens coming of age - their stories set decades apart - without slipping into the sci-fi genre. The difference in time helps particularly highlight the changes of communication via modern day technology without forgetting the importance of friendships and family. I particularly liked the nostalgic use of the tape recorder, which showcased how technology can be easily outdated yet it can still be used to communicate in years to come.

My rating: ★★★

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

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My edition: eBook
First published: 2014

Pages: 307

Source: Own book

A love letter to the craft and romance of film and fate in front of—and behind—the camera from the award-winning author of Hold Still. A wunderkind young set designer, Emi has already started to find her way in the competitive Hollywood film world. Emi is a film buff and a true romantic, but her real-life relationships are a mess. She has desperately gone back to the same girl too many times to mention. But then a mysterious letter from a silver screen legend leads Emi to Ava. Ava is unlike anyone Emi has ever met. She has a tumultuous, not-so-glamorous past, and lives an unconventional life. She’s enigmatic…. She’s beautiful. And she is about to expand Emi’s understanding of family, acceptance, and true romance.

Thoughts: A modern love story, Everything Leads to You follows Emi, a child of Hollywood and an intern set-designer who believes in the magic of cinema and the possibility of falling in love at first sight and being swept off your feet. At the start of the novel, the readers are shown Emi as a professional in her working place, behind the camera and working on the minor prop details, perfecting the environment she envisions as her role as an intern set designer. We know Emi is privileged to be in the position she holds as she is praised repetitively throughout the opening chapters on achieving this title at such a young age. Alongside her, her best friend Charlotte and older brother, Toby are also creating names for themselves in the film industry. So when Toby decides to pursue his career in London, he hands over the keys to his apartment to Emi and Charlotte under one condition; they have to do something epic while they're living there.

Before dropping this huge announcement on the girls, Toby declares that 'people were willing to spend mad cash to live here for a month' - which he doesn't accept and gives to his younger sister and her friend... for free. At this point of the novel, we've only just been introduced to the main characters and yet they already appear unrealistic. Another example of this flaw can be seen in Emi's character as she brags during the first few chapters about Laura, the girl who wanted to 'kiss and hold hands in the hallways' and make-out with Emi 'at parties in hot tubs while the other kids watched'. Laura remains an undeveloped and flat character throughout this novel but her existence and immaturity is highly significant in showcasing Emi's true personality perfectly. Following the uncovered truth of Laura's intentions, Emi later admits that she no longer talks to Laura but smiles at her in the hallways. This leads to Emi inappropriately declaring 'kissing you was really fun' - with an additional love heart and signature in Laura's yearbook - out of sympathy. Ironically, Emi believes that this attitude towards Laura is acceptable whereas when Morgan treats Emi the same way, Emi does nothing but complain. 

Regardless of it's glbt label, Everything Leads to You isn't a 'coming out story' but a love story between two girls, Emi and Morgan Ava, with a passion for cinema running parallel to the book's romantic plot. Emi's love for cinema and obsessive personality transfers to her personal life and is highlighted after we meet Ava, where Emi describes her perfect appearance, ranging from the way her hair shines in the natural light to the freckles that lightly dust her face. Furthermore, Emi's urging neediness to kiss Ava is present from the first time we meet her right to the end of the novel, Emi also notes that she can imagine which soundtrack's would play in key moments of her life. As a character, Emi's attention to detail is present in every aspect of her life, beginning with the perfect inanimate object, a couch Emi has found for the movie set, to eventually her love interest Ava. Although the character's can be obnoxious at times, the background for their personalities are built on solid foundations. 

I would recommend this book to those who adore cinema and romances. I'm a huge fan of contemporary novels but the character's in Everything Leads to You aggravated me to the point where I didn't want to finish the book. It's a quick and easy read, and if you can look past Emi's obsession and desperate need to love someone, alongside her narcissistic personality, this book holds a pretty interesting mystery case and the love of cinema brings a modern touch to the romance factor of the novel. 

My rating: ★★★½

The Isobel Journal by Isobel Harrop

My edition: eBook

First published: 2013

Pages: 208

Source: Capstone Young Readers via Netgalley, thank you!

THE ISOBEL JOURNAL is no ordinary snapshot of a contemporary teenage life. A charming and vivid narrative scrapbook of the eighteen-year-old author's sketches, mini-graphic novels, photographs and captions, it captures her wit, her observations and her creative talent as she takes us through the three central themes in her life: 'Love', 'Friends, Art and Otters' and 'Me'. Resonant of Laura Dockrill's MISTAKES IN THE BACKGROUND and with the powerful naïve illustrative style of cult Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara, this is a collector's gift for teenagers and all who have the teenage experience still in their hearts. Readers will emphasise with this witty and honest journal of a girl getting to grips with impending adulthood. A must-have for all hipster teenagers and anyone who appreciates the raw creativity of youth. Enchanting and poignant.

Thoughts: Growing up I loved the Clarice Bean book series by Lauren Child and to this day, the series is still one of my all-time favourites. One of the reasons why I loved the Clarice Bean books is because of the illustrations that are scattered throughout the novel. The multiple novels are illustrated from Clarice's point of view with pictures of characters, jokes, and funny quotes that are highlighted and randomly placed on the page.

Similarly, The Isobel Journal is an illustrated book full of random yet relatable illustrations and hilarious statements. The book is divided into three sections 'Me', 'Friends, Art and Otters' and 'Love'. Out of the three, I definitely preferred the 'Love' section because of it's drawings of couples, dealing with heartbreak, finding boys so cute that you want to squish them into a tiny ball to keep them in your pocket (see below), and getting over the fact that it's okay if you don't have a boyfriend.

As for the 'Me' and 'Friends, Art and Otters' sections, I did enjoy some of the doodles and illustrations found in these sections. 'Me' introduced the author, Isobel, who likes to shop for vintage clothing, loves tea and has an obsession with otters. 'Friends, Art and Otters' was a very broad section that included lots of illustrations of the aforementioned otters and doodles of faces and other miscellanious and random drawings. Regardless of the description of this book, I would label Isobel a typical teenage girl. I definitely do not agree that The Isobel Journal 'is no ordinary snapshot of a contemporary teenage life' because from just her 'Me' section alone I feel that the majority of teens can relate by substituting otters for another cute furry animal (my favourite is rabbits - see my point?).

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun and easy read that takes you back to those days in school doodling while in lessons (I'm not the only one right?). I also loved all the colours and textures of the pages, which varied from using cardboard as a canvas to notebooks and post-it notes. If I have one flaw, it's that there isn't really much of a plot going on, it's very random and the pages of the book don't flow together. But it's definitely an inspiring book that will make you want to doodle everything so that it can look as beautiful as the pages of this book.

My rating: ★★★½