ARC Review: Beautiful Broken Things
19:16
By Sara Barnard
Source: Netgalley
Release date: 11th February 2016
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mental Illness,
Goodreads Synopsis:
Best friends Caddy and Rosie are inseparable. Their differences have brought them closer, but as she turns sixteen Caddy begins to wish she could be a bit more like Rosie – confident, funny and interesting. Then Suzanne comes into their lives: beautiful, damaged, exciting and mysterious, and things get a whole lot more complicated. As Suzanne’s past is revealed and her present begins to unravel, Caddy begins to see how much fun a little trouble can be. But the course of both friendship and recovery is rougher than either girl realises, and Caddy is about to learn that downward spirals have a momentum of their own.
I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I expected (and desperately hoped!) that it would be amazing, but I really didn’t imagine it could be so hard-hitting and emotional. I had no idea that it would destroy me in the ways it did, and shatter my poor heart into a million pieces. I am beyond words (though I will try to make a decent review!), because this book has rendered me utterly speechless.
This is one of those books where I can never words say just how amazing it is. I don’t know if I’ll be able to encourage you enough to go and buy this book when it comes out, because I just loved it so much. Loads of people have said that a book you love is always the hardest to write a review for - this one definitely takes the lead for hardest review! You just need to read the book.
There’s no romance at all, which I loved. As soon as I heard it would be a book entirely on female friendships, I requested it from Netgalley straight away. It’s so refreshing to see a book that doesn’t need romance to make it interesting. This was probably my favourite element because I hate romance it was so original, which was one of the reasons it was so hard-hitting. It captured the essence of true friendship so realistically so it’s definitely the best portrayal I’ve ever read.
I raced through this book, because I was enjoying it so much. There were parts in which I was welling up, and parts when I was breathing heavily because of how nervous I was, but overall, it was such a fun read. Sure, the ending wasn’t fun at all (I am broken!), and there were plenty of chapters that were tough, but it wasn’t all doom and gloom. There were lots of fun scenes, which really made me smile, and love the characters even more. There was loads of light-hearted bits to balance out all of the sadness, which just made me adore it even more.
It was perfectly paced, and beautifully written. When this book comes out in February, I’ll definitely be buying a physical finished copy because the cover is so pretty it’s such an exquisite book. I definitely want to read this again, and I know that everyone will love it when it’s released. I know this enchanting story will stay with me for a long time (que major book hangover), and it’s become one of my all-time favourites. I’d highly recommend (as you can tell by this gushing review!) picking this up next February - don’t forget about it, because it’s truly amazing!
Hello! I'm D - a dog-loving feminist from the UK. You'll probably find me with my nose in a book or playing my clarinet
18 comments
Even though writing a review is hardest when you love something, you totally sold me on this one! A book all about female friendships? Count me in! I hate how young adult books always focus on romance more than familial relationships or friendships. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteGenni @ Ready, Set, Read!
Yay! You should definitely read it! I hate that too - this book had loads of family themes as well, so it made it even better! I really hope you get to this, Genni. Thanks for the comment ♥
DeleteThat's great news! It is definitely on my TBR. Hopefully my library will get it soon! And you're welcome! :)
DeleteIt's not out until February 2016 so you might have a while to wait! It's on Netgalley though (or was, not completely sure...) if you request from there :)
DeleteOkay, you've sold me. I've actually never even heard of this book before but wow, I'm glad I know about it now! The friendship dynamics and connections sound so nice to read about. And no romance would definitely be refreshing! Nice review!
ReplyDeleteAhh, yay, I really do hope you read it! It's such an amazing read, I'd highly recommend (as you can tell!). Thanks for the comment ♥
DeleteSounds like such a great book! I'd totally recommend 'My Sister's Secret' by Tracy Buchanan, as it's got similar features to this novel! Fab review! X
ReplyDeletewww.gabriellaloves.com
Ooh, I haven't heard much about that one, but now I'll definitely have to check it out. Thank-you! ♥
DeleteSuch a great review! I'm so glad to hear about a book that focuses on friendship instead of romance, and this one seems to be doing it very, very well. I really want to read it, so thank you for that!! :D
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I really hope you get to it when it's released :)
DeleteRendering one speechless, to me, is the best compliment a book can get, ever - because you were so touched there are no words to describe it! :D And the fact that this doesn't have any romance at all - LOVE IT! Oftentimes, I wish my books didn't have romance as well because it feels like everything is built-up JUST FOR THAT ROMANCE which pisses me off. Female friendships for the win!
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
Yes definitely! Especially coming from us book bloggers who never seem to shut up, haha! :D Yes definitely - I'm really not a fan of romance so it's one of the reasons why I loved this book so much. Completely agree with you on this one ♥
DeleteThanks for the comment, Faye!
I haven't heard of this book before, but holy cow this cover is gorgeous!! I'm happy to hear you loved this! I usually love romance in books but awesome female friendship is always a win! Will definitely have to check this guy out! I'm glad books about mental health is more prominent now (:
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Denise!
Gosh yes, I definitely agree with that! I think it'll be all shiny... so beautiful! Thank you - I honestly don't think you'll miss the romance in this book, because the female friendships are done so well. I really hope you get to it when it comes out, Cyn!
DeleteThanks for the comment :)
I also dislike romance! If it is done well and adds something to the plot, then I am all for it...but it is just shoved into so many books that don't need it. So this one sounds just perfect. Also I may be a bit of a masochist, because I really, REALLY like sad stories. You've got me convinced--I cant wait until this comes out! ♥
ReplyDeleteYes, I completely agree with this. Sometimes it can be enjoyable, but often it just feels forced. This one is for you then! It sounds right up your street. I really hope you manage to pick this up next February, Erin! Thanks for the comment too ♥
DeleteI hadn't heard of this book until now, so I am definitely going to have to make time to read it and check it out further, especially if you loved it this month! When books utterly destroy and consume you like this it becomes crazily difficult to write a decent review. You did a lovely job! I also love romance free books :D
ReplyDeleteYay! I really do hope you manage to get to it when it's released next year. It definitely does - thank-you so much! So do I, so this will be perfect for you (like it was for me) ♥
DeleteThanks for commenting! I read and respond to every comment, so make sure to check back to see my reply. Have a nice day! ☺♥