Shelf Indulgence by JCG

Not Going To Plan
Not Going To Plan is an enlightening book which is written in a fascinating format of verses where you are able to read from the perspective of different characters and how they may view a situation differently to another. It tackles societal expectations and stigmas, tough situations and the realities of life as a teenager. The book is incredibly moving whilst being entertaining and fun to read as it keeps you guessing what might happen next. Reading the events unfold is a brilliant experience and Tia Fisher did a great job at realistically capturing the characters' emotions and struggles.

Iris

The Boy I Love
’The boy I Love’ is a heart-breaking yet beautiful story of two young men’s forbidden love. It is set during World War 1 and both young men are fighting for their country, Great Britain. Follow Stephen and Danny through heart stopping twists and turns, navigating marshy trenches and worrying decisions. As their relationship develops, flourishes and becomes more than just one between lieutenant and private, so does the danger they find themselves in. I would definitely give this book a 10/10!

Maddie

Wolf Siren
Wolf siren was an excellent book filled with lots of plot twists and a heartwarming meaningful story about acceptance and change. The book is very sad at the end and quite an emotional read.

Indi

Wolf Siren
I really enjoyed reading 'Wolf Siren'. I thought it was really interesting to understand the world from the viewpoint of someone who struggles with visual disabilities. Their reality is conveyed through vivid descriptions using colours. For example: what it is like having your period or losing someone you love. I was also able to connect with the story more deeply because it's in first person narration and everything felt more immediate. For me, this narrative style also gave me a better insight into Red’s thoughts. Overall a great read!

Philippa

Twenty Four Seconds from Now
'Twenty Four Seconds from Now' was an easy, enjoyable and worthwhile read. The opening felt quite detached as I felt like it didn’t have enough context. But as the story progressed, it became more engaging and interesting. I particularly liked the backwards structure, as it revealed the main characters’ relationship over time in a way that felt honest. The author doesn't just focus on romance but also on friendships, family, and the pressures that come with growing up.

Viktoria

The Boy I Love
'The Boy I Love' is, overall, a well written book with vivid imagery. However, I believe that the romance progressed too quickly, resulting in a lack of emotional depth and connection between the characters. I felt like we moved too quickly past significant character deaths, as well as the world war two setting got relegated to the background and not given its due; it was completely overshadowed by the romance. Therefore, I couldn’t fully relate to the characters or be immersed in the setting. Having said that, I still found the book interesting and totally worth the read.

Evie

Not Going To Plan
Not going to plan is an incredible book that discusses a sensitive topic with lots of maturity but also makes it entertaining for the reader. I love how in the back of this book, the author has included extra material for people experiencing similar situations to find comfort, support and help. To me, this book is really important as it talks about something that may be considered shameful so it isn’t spoken about enough. I love how the characters Marnie and Zed are so completely different and yet they still become best friends. I think that Tia Fisher is an inspiring author and her style of writing is amazing!

Jess

Twenty Four Seconds from Now
This book by Jason Reynolds was a fabulous read. It contains a perfect blend of humour and meaningful writing with a unique form of story-telling as the events unfold at different points in time such as 24 minutes earlier or 24 days earlier. This creates a fascinating atmosphere which was very enticing and makes it difficult to put the book down! The main character, Neon, is a 17-year-old boy who is a realistic and relatable character for many teenage readers alike. Throughout the book, we learn more about Neon and how he may try to appear confident but carries anxieties about his relationship with his girlfriend, Aria. His family attempts to help him with his struggles; his mother offers her advice on romance over a meal and his grandma shares humorous personal accounts to ease his nerves. The plot is a simple yet exciting one which sparks readers’ curiosity with each turn of a page.

Iris

Not Going To Plan
This book was excellent! I believe a good writer is one who conveys their message in such a way that it is both authentic and effective. This is exactly what Tia Fisher did. She taught me something new, allowing me as a reader to connect deeply with the story and understand the emotional reality behind it. I have read Tia’s work before and like the way her novels are written in verse. It helps the reader connect to the story in an intensely emotional way because the language is concise and therefore more hard-hitting. I felt as though I was in Marnie’s thoughts. I admire how Tia has handled such a sensitive topic with honesty and care, never romanticising the situation but instead showing the true challenges and consequences the characters face. This made the story feel powerful. The characters were also very well developed and both Marnie and Zed’s journeys felt genuine. This book is moving and leaves a lasting impression. I would highly recommend it.

Priyanshi