It Only Happens in the Movies

Product Information

I am literally standing up right now, wildly clapping my hands in frenzied adoration and reverence to that most wonderful, powerful conclusion to a supposedly romantic story. It’s very compelling, watching her struggle to hold on to some sense of normality in her family ties, even as her definition of family fluctuates and might implode.

It's said by Audrey's friends that he had a relationship with a girl that goes to his church, it didn't work out for mysterious reasons, and later that he's separated from his religious parents for other mysterious reasons. The next few lines are spoilers for the end of the book, but I can't in good conscience not mention something that is so deeply problematic to me: Audrey and Harry's relationship is very off again, on again, and what finally kills it is when she found out that he got a blow job by a girl Audrey was jealous of, and they split up. I don’t care what you sleep in or what you eat or how big your thigh is, nobody who cares about you is going to unless it’s regarding your health. Audrey gets a job in her local cinema and meets the movie-cliché-filled Harry who goes against every rule she’s made against dating guys.

No wonder, then, that Audrey’s left wondering what the point of love is, and the project excerpts that appear as chapter intros wittily expound her views.

regardless, theres just something that kept me from truly connecting with the story, the writing, and the characters. I think this was put in to have young girls who aren’t comfortable in their skin to feel better about themselves - but it feels like we’re putting other girls down to do it.I also want to acknowledge how Audrey yells about how she’s DAMAGED and emotionally traumatised and not CUTE. However, I didn’t love this as much as I’d anticipated and to be honest, I can’t quite put my finger on why just yet. Holly started her writing career as a news journalist, where she was nominated for Best Print Journalist of the Year. It’s quite a different read from anything I’ve read as Olive’s mood changes which is reflected in the writing. Bourne tackles themes in the book head on a doesn’t skirt around any of the topics she wants to talk about wether that’s the realities of sex or periods.

But in this funny, insightful, and ultimately empowering novel, love—and life—isn’t what it’s like in the movies.There aren’t enough books set in UK high schools and sixth forms and I so enjoyed reading a book with a setting that I could relate to more than the typical US high school stories. Sharp, honest and laugh-out-loud funny, Holly Bourne's radiant novel offers a welcome twist on a regular YA romance. She’s helped create online apps that teach young people about sexual consent, works with Women’s Aid to spread awareness of abusive relationships, and runs Rethink’s mental health book club.