The First Move
By Jenny Ireland Reviewed by Lucille Rose The First Move by Jenny Ireland is a YA romance starring Juliet, a cynical teen with inflammatory arthritis, and Ronan, a brooding bad boy with a secret, who meet disguised as online chess players.
Never a Hero: Only a Monster 2
By Vanessa Len Reviewed by Helena Never a Hero, written by Vanessa Len is the second in a three-book series, following Only a Monster. This fantasy-romance, set in England, tells the story of a high school girl named Joan Chang-Hunt, who is a
We Could Be Something
By Will Kostakis Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray We Could Be Something is the latest release from acclaimed YA novelist Will Kostakis, who is openly leaning into autofiction with this intergenerational love story. The book’s title and cover design position it within the
The Isles of the Gods
By Amie Kaufman Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amie is a New York Times bestselling writer adept at writing books that attract a loyal following. These include the Aurora Cycle and the Illuminae Files which she co-authored with Jay Kristoff. She tends to
The Cult of Romance
By Sarah Ayoub Reviewed by Jane Swinton The highly acclaimed Sarah Ayoub shines a light on cultural disconnection in this tumultuous love story. The heroine, Natalie Saab is a smart, young, university student straddling the expectations of being Lebanese or being Australian
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School
By Sonora Reyes Reviewed by Rose Hill First things, first this book deals with suicide ideation, mental health, and hospitalization along with many forms of discrimination, these issues are potential triggers for many people. I really enjoyed reading this book, the narrative about
How to Repaint a Life – CBCA Honours Older Readers
By Steven Herrick Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Brisbane born Steven Herrick has been writing fiction, poetry and verse novels for young people for many years. His latest, How to Repaint a Life is an honour book in the 2022 CBCA Older Reader
The Comedienne’s Guide to Pride
By Hayli Thomson Reviewed by Rose Hill As a fan of YA I was excited to be asked to review Hayli Thomson’s debut novel. I was hoping to love this book more than I did, the romance, coming of age story line
Love and romance for St Valentine’s Day
Binge on romance (and maybe some chocolate) on St Valentine's Day with some of these delightful love stories, suitable for young and not so young adults. Love and Romance Novels for High School
Blackout
By Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon. Reviewed by Yvonne Mes In this romantic anthology, written by 6 bestselling and award-winning African American YA authors, New York is plunged into a sudden blackout. The
The True Colour of a Little White Lie
By Gabriel Bergmoser Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Gabriel Bergmoser is a Melbourne-based author and playwright. In 2016 his first young adult novel, Boone Shepard, was shortlisted for the Readings Young Adult Prize. This is his second book for this age group. Fourteen-year-old, horror-movie-buff
The Austen Girls
by Lucy Worsley reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Jane Austen was and is, an enigma. Her first novels were written anonymously, published with the words ‘by a lady’ under the title. Given that many of her private letters were destroyed after her death,
Snow
by Ondine Sherman reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘Snow’ is the second book in Sherman’s ‘Animal Allies’ series, the first book is ‘Sky’ and the third, (coming out in 2020) is ‘Star’. Ondine is a life-long animal activist and the co-founder and MD of
The Valentines: Happy Girl Lucky
By Holly Smale Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Happy Girl Lucky, is the first in the new romantic-comedy series The Valentines by Holly Smale, author of the bestselling and critically acclaimed Geek Girl books. It is a book that is lots of bubbly
