The Yearbook - Holly Bourne

Genre: Young Adult | Fiction

Release Date: 13th May 2021

TW: Bullying, Abusive Relationships, Mental Health Issues, Illness, Mentions of Cancer and Cancer Recovery.

Most likely to be forgotten: Paige Vickers.

Paige is the quiet one. The one you never really notice, but who notices everything. She knows all the secrets and lies you've told but never tells anyone. Not a word to the bullies in the classrooms, to her agressive father or her passive mother. But now, that's all going to change.

One day she does the unthinkable and makes a scribble in the margin of a library book; just a small reminder that she existed in this place, in this time. But there, in bright red ink, someone has done the same and they begin a journey through the library with their secret notes. When her new confidant comes into the real world, she realises that books are always the perfect place to tell her story - the yearbook maybe?

Oh, look, I gave five stars to a Holly Bourne book again. But she is the Queen of UK YA for a reason and her tenth YA novel is no exception. From the first page, I was pulled back in time to the 'best years of my life' and right away felt myself connected with Paige. For anyone who looks back on their formative years miserably like me, this hits hard. Dealing with the things we turn a blind eye to, the systemic bullying that never seems to stop, the women trapped in miserable relationships because they don't know how to leave, the way a simple rumour can change everything.

It was a perfect journey of self-discovery and self-worth, and as the former quiet kid in school I felt every single thing. Bourne always manages to bring beautiful inclusivity and a feminist streak to her work in such a natural way that makes my heart ache every time.

And the romance? This is any book lovers dream romance. Leaving a note in a book for nobody in particular, and journeying through your favourite books until you can finally meet in reality - even though you both existed in each others lives long before you even knew each others names. But this didn't take over and stifle the plot, we see everyone go on their individual journeys just as clearly as their journeys together.

The Yearbook is a YA masterpeice; an inspiring and witty story for women who are quietly angry in the world finding their voices.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Holly Bourne and Usbourne Publishing for an ARC in return for an honest re. view.

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