Tart
by Beckl Jayne Crossley
Review by Lucille Rose
Tart by Beckl Jayne Crossley is a heart-felt, coming of age novel following the lives of two girls with one thing in common: Chipping Hollow. This little not-so-slice of heaven has been a source or torment for resident town pariah Libby Dixon ever since her popular boyfriend went into a coma the same night as someone posted a video of her cheating on him. In the weeks following the accident Libby’s been called every name in the book, and the people she’s grown up with – people who’ve treated her like she was invisible – have suddenly become very interested in making her life hell. On the other side of town Neha Gill, the new girl in school, is being suffocated after having been forced to push herself back in the closet for the sake of blending into the uber-religious town she now calls home. But its okay… sort of.
When it comes to diversity in Chipping Hollow, its non-existent. They think missing church one Sunday a year is progressive, so Neha’s not surprised by the casual homophobia that haunts the halls of the local high school. Doesn’t make it sting any less, though. When Libby saves Neha from a potentially disastrous night, the two form an unlikely friendship. But, after beach days and bonfires both girls are wondering if it could turn into something more. Will Neha work up the courage to make a move on the girl of her dreams? Will Libby overcome her guilt about her boyfriend, and accept a part of herself that she never realised was there? And most importantly, is Chipping Hollow the right place to try?
Tart is an infinitely bright, funny, solemn novel that explores the depth and complexities of teen love, all the while acknowledging the societal hardships faced by women and gay teens. The book addresses how herd mentality can lead to unfair ostracism for those who don’t deserve it. When people fail to look beyond social standing and the opinion of the popular masses, the victims of such persecution find themselves in dark places that they don’t deserve to be in, as proven by the protagonist, Libby Dixon. This also relates to the second major message regarding casual prejudices. Phrases, slurs, jokes and behaviours that become so normalised young people are unable to openly accept fundamental parts of themselves and instead internalise such ideas and forgo the experience of young love. Neha Gill illustrates the toll this can take on someone, and the struggle to continue loving yourself and those you choose when the world tells you it’s wrong.
The novel’s plot was enjoyable and entertaining, and while it lags in parts, I was hanging on with two hands to every word. There was laughter, tears, gasps, and all the things you expect in a great book, The author successfully kept several major truths hidden until the perfect moment, orchestrating the reveals not so obviously as to be boring, and not so unexpected as to slap you in the face. The ending was extremely satisfying. True love was found, toxic bonds were broken, and everyone thoroughly got what they deserved in the best way.
All characters fulfilled their roles to a t: the protagonists were witty, relatable, loving and strong in their individual ways; the antagonists never failed to send irritation simmering through me, which turned into full-blown hatred come the reveal of their true colours. Libby and Neha had a singularly beautiful connection, where their mutual love and understanding of each other blossomed into the perfect romance. Not only the romantic relationships are noteworthy, the platonic couples are at once uplifting and incomparable.
Recommended for readers aged fifteen to eighteen.
Warning: book contains homophobic and sexist slurs, mentions of extreme injury, drugs, and alcohol.
Bloomsbury 2025
