4.5 Stars It’s an absolutely incredible coming of age YA, that deals with a lot of important issues (mental health, dysfunctional family relationships, bullying and body image.) Honestly if you’ve ever struggled with your weight or had self-esteem issues about your size then your gonna absolutely love Lori, who is an incredibly realistic, relatable and lovable character. Since I don't read a lot of YA anymore, it takes a lot to really wow me and this one did. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars It’s an absolutely incredible coming of age YA, that deals with a lot of important issues (mental health, dysfunctional family relationships, bullying and body image.) Honestly if you’ve ever struggled with your weight or had self-esteem issues about your size then your gonna absolutely love Lori, who is an incredibly realistic, relatable and lovable character. Since I don't read a lot of YA anymore, it takes a lot to really wow me and this one did. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this. All opinions are my own.

The story begins in "barbie bikini hell" that is Cape town, our protagonist words not mine! Lori Palmer is used to Johannesburg where she seems to have had a happy life up to the age of 17.  She has a very close bond with her younger brother Zac, who happens to have autism they have moved here to get him into the best special school "when you have a sibling with special needs you really celebrate the small things". Also so her mother can get over her divorce after "irreconcilable differences" after the divorce from Lori's father. Sometimes Lori is left as the mother figure in Zac's life. She soon meets Jake who has a sister at the same special school as Zac and also goes to Lori's new high school, they form a bond as "it's good to talk to someone my age who gets this stuff...never spoken to anyone like this before...sometimes I feel lonely ". Lori is an amazing artist but not many people know. She does not feel happy at her new school "i started to feel claustrophobic and overwhelmed ". She has no one to confide In but Jake, and we learn how the relationship changes over time. Her therapist tells her to love herself and tell her to write a list of all her good points. She also befriends Thembi towards the end of the novel, who unlike most of the other 'popular girls' really begins to open up to Lori. Following this there is a grand ending which was well worth the wait! I really enjoyed this book with all its twists and turns and different elements thrown in for more depth and excitement. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a digital copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

It’s an absolutely incredible coming of age YA, that deals with a lot of important issues (mental health, dysfunctional family relationships, bullying and body image.) Honestly if you’ve ever struggled with your weight or had self-esteem issues about your size then your gonna absolutely love Lori, who is an incredibly realistic, relatable and lovable character. “Can you truly be yourself in a one-size-fits-all world?” Lori Palmer is the new girl at Baywater High, which prides itself on the beauty and athleticism of it’s student body (and in which school spirit is mandatory!) she misses her old school, where her talent for art pulled more weight than she does—and longs for her old life, before her parents divorced and forced her to move from Johannesburg to Cape Town (leaving everything she knows and loves behind.) To survive Lori plans to fade into the background, but those plans are ruined when her brother befriends the sister of the most popular (and most attractive) boy at her school. Now Lori is thrust into the unfamiliar though exciting world of Waterpolo, Parties and Stargazing. As her old anxieties begin to resurface, Lori discovers a new artistic outlet for her emotions that ignites (and inspires) a powerful movement. But when the authorities start asking questions—Lori realises finding her voice may land her in a world of trouble. But sometimes standing up for what you believe in is just a important as standing up for yourself... I loved everything about this, it’s truly a phenomenally written, inspiring and relevant story that I feel will resonate with a lot of people. Personally, I feel that awkward teenage me would’ve loved this and benefitted from seeing herself reflected in a character like Lori- a big girl who suffers with self esteem issues but learns to accept herself for who she is. Several issues were highlighted throughout and they really added depth and realism and were both enlightening and at times, extremely thought provoking. Aside from one stereotypical ‘Mean Girl’ all the characters were incredibly well written;with a subtlety of emotion (and motivations) that made them feel like real people—particularly Thembi,Jake and Lori’s mother. As it is told from the perspective of a bigger person, navigating a world that stigmatises people for being ‘fat’ I expect there will be people who won’t resonate or enjoy this. But, I personally really loved this and would definitely recommend to fans of Coming of Age YA or for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider—honestly, it’s wonderful and has such a powerful message! Also thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

Lori is very much feeling like a (too) round peg in a square hole at her new school and is struggling to deal with her parents break up, looking after her autistic younger brother and her own body issues and mental illness. A great body positive story but what I also liked was the portrayal of how having family members who are neuro diverse can have an effect on teens, and Lori’s caring, protective relationship with her brother.