Grapefruit Moon

by Shirley-Anne McMillan

Wealthy, popular Charlotte and quiet, working class Drew couldn’t be more different, but both face a common enemy at Cooke’s Academy in the form of the Stewards – an elite group of students whose power to manipulate school culture is feared by pupils and teachers alike. Drew, a newcomer to Cooke’s, must navigate the strict codes of masculinity laid down by the Stewards in order to have a hope of moving on to university, while Charlotte dreams of speaking freely about the constraints and abuses of the culture which is propelling her towards a life she’s not sure she wants. Through drag art and poetry the unlikely pair follow a dangerous trajectory which will lead them closer to one another and further away from the paths laid out for them.

Genres: Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Irish Literature

264 pages, Paperback

Published August 3, 2023

About the author

Shirley-Anne McMillan was born in 1975 in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. She has studied at Queen’s University, Belfast and Manchester Metropolitan University. Shirley-Anne writes stories for children and young adults, and she has written and performed with Belfast-based arts collective, Ikon, for several years. She lives in South Down where she spends her time as a writer and schools worker.

Reviews

[Saishree · Rating 4 out of 5]

my jaw is still on the floor

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Little Island Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Shirley-Anne McMillan's "Grapefruit Moon" is an engaging YA story that demonstrates the complexities of teenage life, bringing together raw emotion, gripping storytelling, and thought-provoking social commentary. Set against the backdrop of an exclusive Belfast school fraught with power struggles and privilege, McMillan's story delves deep into the lives of Charlotte and Drew, two vastly different individuals whose paths converge amidst the chaos of academic life.

Through McMillan's vivid prose, you are transported into the heart of a world where fitting in comes at a cost, and navigating social codes can be a treacherous endeavor. From the chilling realities of online stalking and bullying to the insidious influence of toxic masculinity, "Grapefruit Moon" confronts the harsh realities of teenage life, shining a light on issues that are often swept under the rug. I really appreciated the raw details that McMillan included in the story; the author never shied away from discussing the truth about teenage life, especially in the power-hungry academic life setting. McMillan’s writing made me feel extremely connected to the characters, especially Charlotte. While some of the topics in the book can become quite heavy and you may sometimes have to take a break while reading, McMillan is still able to infuse the story with heart, humor, and compassion, even in the darkest of moments. The characters and their pain/experiences felt so realistic. I’m sure many teen readers can relate to them, especially with the overall message of hope shown throughout the book. Through the characters' day-to-day struggles and triumphs, McMillan paints a vivid portrait of resilience, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, there is hope. I was rooting for Charlotte and Drew throughout the entire book, and I felt very satisfied with the ending.

Overall, "Grapefruit Moon" is a powerful exploration of the human experience, offering a timely commentary on the complexities of teenage life and the enduring power of resilience and truth. McMillan's masterful storytelling and insightful commentary make this novel a must-read for readers of all ages, especially teens who can better connect with the characters.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drew has gained admission to the prestigious Cooke School, and is immediately groomed to be a member of Stewards, a sexist, homophobic boys’ club at the school. The Stewards’ defacto president is a controlling boy named Adam, who quickly starts directing Drew’s social life. Drew is attracted to a group of kids who are into poetry slams and Lorca, and Charlotte is one of them. Charlotte happens to be Adam’s ex, and Adam wants to get back with her. Charlotte wants nothing more to do with Adam, but he has sent her a video he made without her knowledge of them having sex. If she doesn’t agree to go out with him again, he threatens to send it to the whole school.

This tense character-driven novel, which takes place in Belfast, Ireland, touches on themes of bullying, homophobia, class, the pressure to have sex, and poetry as a conduit for big emotions. As Drew gets drawn into the drama, he finds that the only way he feels safe expressing himself – his growing feelings for Charlotte and his worries that his new friends at this posh school will find out he’s from a poor family – is through writing poetry in Spanish. Charlotte also finds a release in poetry, especially going in male drag to poetry slams. Drew and Charlotte have alternating narratives that follow their friendship and their despair over the toxic atmosphere at the school. Readers who like realistic school dramas will be hard pressed to put down the book because of the suspense about who will challenge Adam and how they’ll do it without hurting Charlotte.

There is a lot of contemporary Irish slang in the language, and I had to look up a bunch of words to get the gist of what was going on. This could be a challenge for some readers.

[karla_bookishlife · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible and hard-hitting novel set in an exclusive Belfast School dominated by male class and privilege. The Stewarts are a society of wealthy men born of wealthy men who have been allowed to control and dominate, to take and abuse without fear or consequences. Popular Charlotte finds herself at the mercy of her ex-boyfriend, a prominent Stewart member, as he attempts to control and coerce her by threatening to unveil sexual images and video of them together. Meanwhile, new student Drew from the local council estate is given the opportunity to join this exclusive gang and enjoy the perks of its membership, but the costs to join are morally high. Charlotte and Drew are so different, but find they are similarly being controlled by Adam. They find connection through their love of Spanish class and poetry. This book sees the teens and their friends embark on journeys of discovery at local poetry slams with a local drag artist and during a school trip to Granada. The protagonists face challenges, and both Charlotte and Drew make silly choices that lead to upsetting consequences, but they are realistically flawed and likeable, and there is character growth, unlike the despicable Adam. The connections made to Lorca are wonderfully poignant , including the books title Grapefruit Moon. I binged this book in one sitting; it had me gripped in its power #GrapefruitMoon #Shirley-AnneMcmillan #littleislandbooks

[Jacqui Ruddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exciting, gripping and so real! The characters’ voices are strong. I was both disgusted and convinced by the Stewards power over the school, and I despised Adam as much as I adored Drew, Charlotte, Lucy and Artie. Each character is flawed and they often make terrible decisions with messy consequences. However, the author cleverly makes the distinction between sensitive Drew, who makes some hurtful decisions, and nasty Adam who deliberately bullies and harasses people. Difficult and complex themes such as toxic masculinity, teen pregnancy, and marriage are explored. Indeed, Karen, Drew’s pregnant ex from his estate, is a character who quietly and deeply moved me.

‘Grapefruit Moon’ is full of poetry slams, drag acts, gender fluidity and dancing in Granada! It is breathtaking and brilliant!

This is another page turner from Shirley MacMillan, with convincing teenage characters, messily trying to navigate a messy world! I loved it!

[Alice Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was a bit confusing when every chapter the perspective switched between Drew and Charlotte. But I feel like the book is pretty realistic in how kid’s act and talk to each other. There was a lot of slang I didn’t know and had to search up. I loved the book itself though it does a really good job showing the struggle of teenagers trying to fit in but trying to keep their own self identity. Especially Drew who came from a much poorer area trying to fit into a rich area.

[Helen Tamblyn-Saville · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The worst has happened. Nothing will be worse than this."

A character driven young adult novel set in Northern Ireland that will leave you with your heart in your mouth. Trigger warning for emotional and image based sexual abuse.

[Amy McAuley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely story highlighting modern day struggles faced by young people. Set in Northern Ireland, it is well written with good character development. Losing one star as I feel more could have been done with the ending.

[Angeline McBurney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping from the very first page,

[Mary Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving, sometimes provocative, very clear portrait of the final years of secondary school that is utterly consuming. It speaks of “fitting in”, navigating social codes, how power gets placed (frequently into the wrong hands) and used/abused, secrets, lies and coming to the truth…and it does so while laying bare everything we already know about this time in life, but don’t want to talk about. Add to this very prevalent and contemporary social issues like online stalking and bullying, sexual predation and manipulation, toxic masculinity, shades and nuances of homophobia and transphobia, class distinctions and assumptions…and we have a very powerful commentary on teenage life. Through the day-to-day journeys of Charlotte and Drew, two young people from very different backgrounds, we watch them grow to lean on each other for support, see common ground emerge and learn much about how, in essence, they are quite similar. Each is put on track for a life not of their making and are struggling to follow their own paths while keeping lifes’ chaos at bay. They really don’t want to be the people they are being tracked into being. This requires hiding things from friends, parents and school colleagues who are in strange, undeserved positions of power…and it all rings true. Every. Single. Aspect. A trip to Spain, a love of poetry and an incredible drag queen bring Charlotte and Drew closer and help them find the courage to seek out those who can help and support each other in an truthful and forthright way. What finally emerges in the end is a small glory. Looking forward, the future might not be easy, but it will be honest.
And like I said, it is told very simply, very clearly and with heart, with humour and with compassion. Brilliant, bold, eloquent, stirring, heartfelt and REAL.

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

We do get a lot of school stories among the books in our postbag but I can say with every certainty that none of them are anything like Shirley-Anne McMillan’s Grapefruit Moon, and I don’t suggest anyone younger than 14 reads this. It is hard-hitting, brutally honest, and incredibly emotional. Beautifully written it is also a story that you want to read no matter that the subject matter is not easy to accept. There is good reason for this, among other topics teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, revenge porn, consent and peer pressure are covered. This is a book in which Shirley-Anne McMillan explores the division of young people by gender and class (as well as, in Northern Ireland) religion. She shows us how much toxic psychological power one person can control in closed societies such as the one she has created.

Charlotte is wealthy and popular. Drew is quiet and comes from the council estate. It doesn’t stop there, they really have very little in common, except that is, for Adam. Adam is Charlotte’s ex and also leader of the Stewards Club, a club which Adam belongs to and struggles with. It’s toxic. It has worsened too. Adam is now terrorising Charlotte with a video of them having sex and when the school takes a group of them to Spain for a poetry slam events become even more complex. Charlotte and Drew become closer whilst moving further away from who they used to be, more people are being drawn in to the web that Adam is weaving and we wonder if poetry can be their outlet and their refuge or if there is more at stake than they could have ever realised.

Merged review:

We do get a lot of school stories among the books in our postbag but I can say with every certainty that none of them are anything like Shirley-Anne McMillan’s Grapefruit Moon, and I don’t suggest anyone younger than 14 reads this. It is hard-hitting, brutally honest, and incredibly emotional. Beautifully written it is also a story that you want to read no matter that the subject matter is not easy to accept. There is good reason for this, among other topics teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, revenge porn, consent and peer pressure are covered. This is a book in which Shirley-Anne McMillan explores the division of young people by gender and class (as well as, in Northern Ireland) religion. She shows us how much toxic psychological power one person can control in closed societies such as the one she has created.

Charlotte is wealthy and popular. Drew is quiet and comes from the council estate. It doesn’t stop there, they really have very little in common, except that is, for Adam. Adam is Charlotte’s ex and also leader of the Stewards Club, a club which Adam belongs to and struggles with. It’s toxic. It has worsened too. Adam is now terrorising Charlotte with a video of them having sex and when the school takes a group of them to Spain for a poetry slam events become even more complex. Charlotte and Drew become closer whilst moving further away from who they used to be, more people are being drawn in to the web that Adam is weaving and we wonder if poetry can be their outlet and their refuge or if there is more at stake than they could have ever realised.

[Emma Siemer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grapefruit Moon gave me big Sex Education vibes. If you like that television series, you will like this book. It is a bit of a slow starter, but if you stick with it, the payoff is worth it! While I enjoyed this title, I wish the plot had a more even pace.
(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)
(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)