"The Places I've Cried in Public" by Holly Bourne, Review

"The Places I've Cried in Public" by Holly Bourne, is another book I acquired from my trip to Foyle's Bookshop in London, after a very eager-sounding teenage girl walked past and declared that this was one of the best books she'd ever read. Initially the pretty cover and it's lovely colour scheme drew me in. I had seen a couple of Holly Bourne's books at my local library, I'd even borrowed a few before, however I never finished reading them since I found it difficult to connect with her writing style. This book however, was very different.

"The Places I've Cried in Public" by Holly Bourne covers a topic I could never really picture myself reading about or enjoying; abusive relationships. I think one of the main reasons I was attached to this book, is because Amelie (the protagonist) and I are in the same stage of life - beginning our first year at a new sixth form. Amelie has moved across the country, away from her previous boyfriend, Alfie, and is feeling atrociously homesick. At this point I started to roll my eyes a little, fearing this book would be one big cliché of a teenage relationship that didn't work out. I'll admit the first couple of chapters were slow and a bit hard to read - nonetheless I kept on going. At Sixth Form, Amelie is enchanted by a new, shiny & exciting relationship. While at first she is thrilled, this relationship ends up causing her massive downfall, leaving her with trauma from abuse. The book is narrated in two separate time lines, the present and the past. Amelie takes us through her most painful moments, showing us the spots in her town that played an important part in her story. This book has a very unique way of storytelling - It's interesting to read 2 stories happening concurrently, as we flick from the past from the present through the use of foreshadowing. It's so cool! The fact that the font changes is a nice little attention-to-detail.

This book exposed me to a new reality I did not have much experience with beforehand. It's a meaningful insight into what it can feel like to be trapped in a wildly unhealthy relationship, that genuinely feels like love. It shows us how isolating that can be, and how easy it is to lose your sense of self. It also shows the reader what a relationship SHOULD be; sturdy, consistent, safe by paralleling the two boys Amelie has had to do with in her past. I'm so glad I gave this book a chance, the last few chapters were so dramatic and full of life and energy, that I literally found it hard to put the book down. It is totally not a teenage cliché, like I feared at first. It is a heartwarming story, that shows us that things can always get better, that it is not over until we give up. I highly enjoyed reading this, all the friendship, and teacher dynamics that were highly relatable in my own life. Looking forward, I might consider searching out for more of Bourne's writing.

Love,

Ann ❤️