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Handle With Care
A stunningly powerful YA novel from a master storyteller told in both prose and verse.
No one knows Ruby is pregnant - not even Ruby herself. So when she gives birth at school on a miserable February morning, her world is thrown into chaos. Keeping the baby isn't an option, but keeping quiet about who the father of her child definitely is; because if Ruby's best friend Ashley finds out the truth, then she'll lose her too.
When Ruby finally realises what she and her baby need, somehow that doesn't seem to matter any more. So Ruby must take matters into her own hands, with tragic consequences...
Shortlisted for the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2025
Longlisted for the SLA Award 2026
No one knows Ruby is pregnant - not even Ruby herself. So when she gives birth at school on a miserable February morning, her world is thrown into chaos. Keeping the baby isn't an option, but keeping quiet about who the father of her child definitely is; because if Ruby's best friend Ashley finds out the truth, then she'll lose her too.
When Ruby finally realises what she and her baby need, somehow that doesn't seem to matter any more. So Ruby must take matters into her own hands, with tragic consequences...
Shortlisted for the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2025
Longlisted for the SLA Award 2026
416 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2024
4 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 11, 2025
After loving The Poet by this author, I was so excited to see this next book. I still really enjoyed it, and it gave me a lot to think about, but it just didn't have the same emotional impact on me as The Poet had.
October 15, 2024
Well that was heartbreaking
October 11, 2024
Blimey, it takes a lot to make me cry whilst reading, but this one has just blooming well destroyed me.
Told in dual POV, Ashley in prose and Ruby in free verse, the books tells of the fall out from an unexpected event at the start of the book.
How failures occur, how people slip through, and how friendship and relationships can change and bend.
This was a tough one to read. It took me a long time despite the short form writing, but it really hit hard, I had such strong feelings throughout and again it shows how with few words you can make something so powerful.
It had me angry and sad in equal measures and reminds me how brilliant a writer Louisa Reid is.
Highly recommend.
Told in dual POV, Ashley in prose and Ruby in free verse, the books tells of the fall out from an unexpected event at the start of the book.
How failures occur, how people slip through, and how friendship and relationships can change and bend.
This was a tough one to read. It took me a long time despite the short form writing, but it really hit hard, I had such strong feelings throughout and again it shows how with few words you can make something so powerful.
It had me angry and sad in equal measures and reminds me how brilliant a writer Louisa Reid is.
Highly recommend.
March 1, 2025
gripping but heartbreaking read which I couldn’t put down! read the whole book in one sitting at the Barbican. bit difficult to read at the start as the tone is written from the POV of 16 yr old girls but sticking with it does allow the reader to follow the same emotional rollercoaster of a journey as the main character and feel all the tragic feelings, as she does too.
March 15, 2025
Wow! Louisa Reid does it again. Compulsive reading. Grips you from the start & doesn't let go. A heartbreaking story, written so well with so much thought & empathy. I'll be passing this one to my 14yr old daughter to read & will look forward to our book chat after.
October 31, 2024
A stunning book, written with such care. As a reader you’re thrown in right from the start. What a privilege to have been on this heartbreaking emotional rollercoaster of a novel. Highly recommend
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book
September 12, 2024
3.5 rounded up to a 4 as I found some aspects didn't ring true but I loved the mix of prose and verse and thought it woukd be a great choice for teen book club.
October 23, 2024
Handle With Care by Louisa Reid
Oh My Goodness, What a Book!
You know those books that just grab you by the heart and don't let go? "Handle With Care" is exactly that kind of story. Louisa Reid has done something incredible here - she's written a YA novel that's both gut-wrenching and beautiful, telling it through both regular storytelling and poetry in a way that just... works.
Here's what makes this book special: we get two different voices telling the story. There's Ashley, whose parts read like a story you can't put down, and Ashley, whose story unfolds like a gorgeous poem. And trust me, there's a reason for this split - it's not just the author showing off.
The story kicks off with a moment that'll knock the wind out of you: Ruby, who had no idea she was pregnant, gives birth in a school classroom. I mean, can you imagine? Your whole world turned upside down between first period and lunch? But it gets even more complicated - Ruby's keeping a massive secret about who the baby's father is, because if her best friend Ashley finds out... well, everything will fall apart.
Look, I've watched my fair share of "Teen Mom" and "16 and Pregnant" (no judgment, right?), but this book hits different. Reid isn't here to give us some after-school special about teenage pregnancy. She's diving deep into how one decision, one moment, can send ripples through so many lives. It's messy and complicated and real - just like life.
What really got me was how real Ruby and Ashley feel. These aren't just characters in a book - they feel like people you might actually know. Ruby's sections especially... wow. The confusion, the denial, the anger, the fear - it's all so raw that sometimes I had to put the book down just to catch my breath. Even though I've never been in Ruby's situation, somehow Reid made me feel like I was right there with her, feeling everything she was feeling…and let me tell you, it hurt so bad.
Now, let's talk about how clever this book is with its setup. The way it switches between Ashley’s regular storytelling and Ruby’s poetry isn't just for show - it actually tells us so much about how these two best friends see the world differently. It's like getting two different songs that somehow make perfect harmony together.
Fair warning: this book will mess with your emotions. Big time. It's the kind of story that keeps you up at night, thinking about what you would do in these characters' shoes. Reid doesn't give us any easy answers because, let's be real, there aren't any in situations like this. Sometimes doing the "right" thing isn't actually the best thing, and sometimes being a good person means making really hard choices.
Final Verdict: If you're looking for a book that's going to stick with you (and I mean really stick with you), pick this one up. It doesn't matter if you usually read YA or not - this story goes way deeper than any age category. It's about friendship, it's about choices, it's about how sometimes life throws you curveballs that change everything.
And yes, while it deals with some heavy stuff, Reid handles it all with such care (pun totally intended) that you never feel like you're being preached at. Instead, you're just being told a really important story about real people dealing with real problems.
Trust me on this one - clear your schedule before you start reading. You're not going to want to put it down.
*Pro tip: Maybe keep some tissues handy. Just saying.*
Oh My Goodness, What a Book!
You know those books that just grab you by the heart and don't let go? "Handle With Care" is exactly that kind of story. Louisa Reid has done something incredible here - she's written a YA novel that's both gut-wrenching and beautiful, telling it through both regular storytelling and poetry in a way that just... works.
Here's what makes this book special: we get two different voices telling the story. There's Ashley, whose parts read like a story you can't put down, and Ashley, whose story unfolds like a gorgeous poem. And trust me, there's a reason for this split - it's not just the author showing off.
The story kicks off with a moment that'll knock the wind out of you: Ruby, who had no idea she was pregnant, gives birth in a school classroom. I mean, can you imagine? Your whole world turned upside down between first period and lunch? But it gets even more complicated - Ruby's keeping a massive secret about who the baby's father is, because if her best friend Ashley finds out... well, everything will fall apart.
Look, I've watched my fair share of "Teen Mom" and "16 and Pregnant" (no judgment, right?), but this book hits different. Reid isn't here to give us some after-school special about teenage pregnancy. She's diving deep into how one decision, one moment, can send ripples through so many lives. It's messy and complicated and real - just like life.
What really got me was how real Ruby and Ashley feel. These aren't just characters in a book - they feel like people you might actually know. Ruby's sections especially... wow. The confusion, the denial, the anger, the fear - it's all so raw that sometimes I had to put the book down just to catch my breath. Even though I've never been in Ruby's situation, somehow Reid made me feel like I was right there with her, feeling everything she was feeling…and let me tell you, it hurt so bad.
Now, let's talk about how clever this book is with its setup. The way it switches between Ashley’s regular storytelling and Ruby’s poetry isn't just for show - it actually tells us so much about how these two best friends see the world differently. It's like getting two different songs that somehow make perfect harmony together.
Fair warning: this book will mess with your emotions. Big time. It's the kind of story that keeps you up at night, thinking about what you would do in these characters' shoes. Reid doesn't give us any easy answers because, let's be real, there aren't any in situations like this. Sometimes doing the "right" thing isn't actually the best thing, and sometimes being a good person means making really hard choices.
Final Verdict: If you're looking for a book that's going to stick with you (and I mean really stick with you), pick this one up. It doesn't matter if you usually read YA or not - this story goes way deeper than any age category. It's about friendship, it's about choices, it's about how sometimes life throws you curveballs that change everything.
And yes, while it deals with some heavy stuff, Reid handles it all with such care (pun totally intended) that you never feel like you're being preached at. Instead, you're just being told a really important story about real people dealing with real problems.
Trust me on this one - clear your schedule before you start reading. You're not going to want to put it down.
*Pro tip: Maybe keep some tissues handy. Just saying.*
October 19, 2024
Well this made me cry! I loved the friendship angle of narration, and some scenes were visceral and heart-wrenching. Some elements I found were too exaggerated, and it seemed like a girl who was struggling with postpartum mental health issues completely ignored by all in her life. But I liked the overall message and I was gripped throughout.
November 21, 2024
This book is a mix of verse and prose that completely pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It’s both gripping and extremely frustrating to read—in the best way.
The story follows a young girl who’s been through a massive shock, only to find herself caught up in a system that feels cold and inflexible. The adults around her seem to be making all the decisions, often rash ones, often based on their own past experiences and it’s hard not to feel angry at how little say she has in her own life.
The book shows the flaws in “just following the rules.” You question whether the people involved are really doing what’s best for her or just ticking boxes, however that being said they do believe they’re acting in the best interest. It’s the kind of story that gets under your skin and makes you think long after you’ve finished it.
This is a perfect choice for a book club. There’s so much to debate—who’s right, who’s wrong, It’s raw, thought-provoking, and emotionally intense.
Honestly, I haven’t been this wrapped up in a book in ages. The mix of verse and prose works so well to capture the emotion and urgency of the story. It’s heartbreaking, maddening, and I highly recommend.
The story follows a young girl who’s been through a massive shock, only to find herself caught up in a system that feels cold and inflexible. The adults around her seem to be making all the decisions, often rash ones, often based on their own past experiences and it’s hard not to feel angry at how little say she has in her own life.
The book shows the flaws in “just following the rules.” You question whether the people involved are really doing what’s best for her or just ticking boxes, however that being said they do believe they’re acting in the best interest. It’s the kind of story that gets under your skin and makes you think long after you’ve finished it.
This is a perfect choice for a book club. There’s so much to debate—who’s right, who’s wrong, It’s raw, thought-provoking, and emotionally intense.
Honestly, I haven’t been this wrapped up in a book in ages. The mix of verse and prose works so well to capture the emotion and urgency of the story. It’s heartbreaking, maddening, and I highly recommend.
December 10, 2024
Wasn't sure what rating to give this book.
As a YA novel it ticks all the boxes, teenage pregnancy, giving birth in the middle of a history lesson (don't worry, no spoilers as it tells you this on the blurb), friendships, boyfriends, family, it's very emotive and I did plough through the book so I'm sure it would be popular with its intended target market.
BUT ... it left me feeling rather angry. Although perhaps that's what the author intended ....
SPOILER ALERT
What's made me angry is the way Ashley's brother seems to have got off totally free out of all this. He has a long-term girlfriend, they've bought into the family's "no sex before marriage" as it's against their religion (though a comment from his sister seems to imply they're having a physical relationship) so he decides to have sex with his sister's best friend, Ruby, and then ghost her - somebody who has been around for so long she's like family, somebody who has an emotionally distant mother so is looking for affection. When it all comes out he's the baby's father, he starts laying down the law around "I'm her father, I get to say when Ruby can see her, etc." There's a lot more rejection going on too which is very sad.
But ... when Ruby takes off with the baby, I'm totally surprised that the mum lets the brother head off with everyone to find her, knowing how angry he was - he should have stayed behind with his younger siblings. So I completely blame Matthew/Moose/Ashley's brother for Ruby's death. If he hadn't grabbed the baby from her, the accident wouldn't have happened.
And none of this aspect has a satisfactory conclusion - he ends up playing happy families with the baby and his girlfriend. No comeback whatsoever. His parents are around to support him and his life can just go on as normal.
But, as I said, maybe this patriarchal and misogynistic side of the tale was deliberate. I just hope that the YA readers will see this too.
As a YA novel it ticks all the boxes, teenage pregnancy, giving birth in the middle of a history lesson (don't worry, no spoilers as it tells you this on the blurb), friendships, boyfriends, family, it's very emotive and I did plough through the book so I'm sure it would be popular with its intended target market.
BUT ... it left me feeling rather angry. Although perhaps that's what the author intended ....
SPOILER ALERT
What's made me angry is the way Ashley's brother seems to have got off totally free out of all this. He has a long-term girlfriend, they've bought into the family's "no sex before marriage" as it's against their religion (though a comment from his sister seems to imply they're having a physical relationship) so he decides to have sex with his sister's best friend, Ruby, and then ghost her - somebody who has been around for so long she's like family, somebody who has an emotionally distant mother so is looking for affection. When it all comes out he's the baby's father, he starts laying down the law around "I'm her father, I get to say when Ruby can see her, etc." There's a lot more rejection going on too which is very sad.
But ... when Ruby takes off with the baby, I'm totally surprised that the mum lets the brother head off with everyone to find her, knowing how angry he was - he should have stayed behind with his younger siblings. So I completely blame Matthew/Moose/Ashley's brother for Ruby's death. If he hadn't grabbed the baby from her, the accident wouldn't have happened.
And none of this aspect has a satisfactory conclusion - he ends up playing happy families with the baby and his girlfriend. No comeback whatsoever. His parents are around to support him and his life can just go on as normal.
But, as I said, maybe this patriarchal and misogynistic side of the tale was deliberate. I just hope that the YA readers will see this too.
October 30, 2024
Book Information
Handle With Care
by
Louisa Reid.
Genre - Fiction.
Pages - 398 Pages.
Tropes -
Teenage pregnancy.
Mental health.
Available on Kindle Unlimited - Not available on kindle unlimited.
Available Formats - Kindle and Paperback.
Publishing Information -
Published on 10th October 2024 by Guppy Books.
Format in Which i Read - Paperback.
Where my copy come From - Kaleidoscopic Tours.
POVs - Dual POV - Ashley and Ruby.
Dual Timeline - Single timeline.
1st or 3rd Person - 1st Person.
HEA, HFN or Cliffhanger - The ending is final.
Series or Standalone - This is a standalone.
Trigger Warnings - There is of course content warnings for this, and they are quite triggering, so please do check before reading.
My Initial Thoughts
I knew before I even started reading this, it was going to be an emotional ride. The cover and blurb alone prove that. The narrative is written in two different formats and it makes you feel straight away the difference in emotions and just how much they and rightly so, affect Ruby, and what Ashley sees it as rather than what it is.
Plot
The plot is not set out in chapters, it is set out in five parts. As each part progresses the plot gets thicker with emotions, regret, disregard of how others might be feeling. The plot had me in a chokehold though-out, split my heart into two, and this most certainly will be a book that stays for me for a long time.
Characters
The characters are young, they fully grasp their own feelings and that makes it more of a struggle for them to grasps others. Their thoughts are selfish and of their own need, rather than the need of a baby and Ruby. My heart broke for Ruby and I so wish she had the support and love that she needed, maybe then this story would have been more positive and without so much heartache.
Recommend
This is a very complex emotional read, that although aimed at YA, I think its more the upper half. If you read this, I would check all the triggers before hand, so you know what are you going into, as I was fully aware and still heartbroken by words on a page.
Favourite Quotes
"....sometimes you have to go with your gut. To be loyal to the people you love and who need you the most. To speak up for them when their voice is silent."
Favourite Chapter/s
N/A
Summed up in one sentence
A plot fuelled on shock, tears and heartache.
Overall Wrap up
This is truly an eye opening novel, that raises awareness of not only cryptic pregnancy, but the mental health of mothers, regardless of age and situation, it can happen to anyone. The author does an amazing job at bringing tough/ taboo subjects to light.
I found this book completely heart-breaking, but I had hope until the very end. "Even in the dark times, you should always for look for the light."
Stars.
5
Handle With Care
by
Louisa Reid.
Genre - Fiction.
Pages - 398 Pages.
Tropes -
Teenage pregnancy.
Mental health.
Available on Kindle Unlimited - Not available on kindle unlimited.
Available Formats - Kindle and Paperback.
Publishing Information -
Published on 10th October 2024 by Guppy Books.
Format in Which i Read - Paperback.
Where my copy come From - Kaleidoscopic Tours.
POVs - Dual POV - Ashley and Ruby.
Dual Timeline - Single timeline.
1st or 3rd Person - 1st Person.
HEA, HFN or Cliffhanger - The ending is final.
Series or Standalone - This is a standalone.
Trigger Warnings - There is of course content warnings for this, and they are quite triggering, so please do check before reading.
My Initial Thoughts
I knew before I even started reading this, it was going to be an emotional ride. The cover and blurb alone prove that. The narrative is written in two different formats and it makes you feel straight away the difference in emotions and just how much they and rightly so, affect Ruby, and what Ashley sees it as rather than what it is.
Plot
The plot is not set out in chapters, it is set out in five parts. As each part progresses the plot gets thicker with emotions, regret, disregard of how others might be feeling. The plot had me in a chokehold though-out, split my heart into two, and this most certainly will be a book that stays for me for a long time.
Characters
The characters are young, they fully grasp their own feelings and that makes it more of a struggle for them to grasps others. Their thoughts are selfish and of their own need, rather than the need of a baby and Ruby. My heart broke for Ruby and I so wish she had the support and love that she needed, maybe then this story would have been more positive and without so much heartache.
Recommend
This is a very complex emotional read, that although aimed at YA, I think its more the upper half. If you read this, I would check all the triggers before hand, so you know what are you going into, as I was fully aware and still heartbroken by words on a page.
Favourite Quotes
"....sometimes you have to go with your gut. To be loyal to the people you love and who need you the most. To speak up for them when their voice is silent."
Favourite Chapter/s
N/A
Summed up in one sentence
A plot fuelled on shock, tears and heartache.
Overall Wrap up
This is truly an eye opening novel, that raises awareness of not only cryptic pregnancy, but the mental health of mothers, regardless of age and situation, it can happen to anyone. The author does an amazing job at bringing tough/ taboo subjects to light.
I found this book completely heart-breaking, but I had hope until the very end. "Even in the dark times, you should always for look for the light."
Stars.
5
December 3, 2024
No one knows Ruby is pregnant - not even Ruby herself. So when she gives birth at school on a miserable February morning, her world is thrown into chaos. Keeping the baby isn't an option, but keeping quiet about who the father of her child definitely is; because if Ruby's best friend Ashley finds out the truth, then she'll lose her too.
When Ruby finally realises what she and her baby need, somehow that doesn't seem to matter any more. So Ruby must take matters into her own hands.
I am not a cryer, I’ve had the odd tear when finishing a book before but this book absolutely destroyed me. I’ve never read anything so visceral before.
The book is told in dual point of view between Ruby and her best friend Ashley. Ashley’s pov is told in prose and Ruby is in free verse. It worked so well as with Ashley’s chapters we got to see how things were playing out yet with Ruby we could hear what she was thinking. These two girls jumped off the page and straight into my heart.
The story documents what happens following Ruby giving birth unexpectedly at 16. It perfectly depicts how a young girls life changes and how relationships around her are thrown into turmoil. What I got mostly was how Ruby was let down by every single person in her life, she just slipped through the net. It made me think of other young mums that don’t get the support they might need or crave.
There are some real tough topics within the story but the author handles them with such care (pun intended) that you feel so attached to the story. This will stick with me for a long time, I imagine even more so if you have your own children.
It’s utterly brilliant, heartbreaking, sad, anger inducing perfection. Please read this one, you won’t regret it 🥰
When Ruby finally realises what she and her baby need, somehow that doesn't seem to matter any more. So Ruby must take matters into her own hands.
I am not a cryer, I’ve had the odd tear when finishing a book before but this book absolutely destroyed me. I’ve never read anything so visceral before.
The book is told in dual point of view between Ruby and her best friend Ashley. Ashley’s pov is told in prose and Ruby is in free verse. It worked so well as with Ashley’s chapters we got to see how things were playing out yet with Ruby we could hear what she was thinking. These two girls jumped off the page and straight into my heart.
The story documents what happens following Ruby giving birth unexpectedly at 16. It perfectly depicts how a young girls life changes and how relationships around her are thrown into turmoil. What I got mostly was how Ruby was let down by every single person in her life, she just slipped through the net. It made me think of other young mums that don’t get the support they might need or crave.
There are some real tough topics within the story but the author handles them with such care (pun intended) that you feel so attached to the story. This will stick with me for a long time, I imagine even more so if you have your own children.
It’s utterly brilliant, heartbreaking, sad, anger inducing perfection. Please read this one, you won’t regret it 🥰
January 12, 2025
last few pages definitely still have tear stains omds, do not read if you want to be happy
August 4, 2024
A gloriously emotional journey in verse and prose, with an authentic tragedy at its heart, Louisa Reid's YA novel #HANDLEWITHCARE (Guppy Books, October 2024) opens with a shockingly visceral, empathic and emotive scene.
Ruby starts moaning in history class, and to everyone's surprise - including her own - turns out to be in the final stage of labour. She actually has the baby in classroom, supported by her loyal, strong, friend Ash. But Ash's loyalty is tested to the hilt when Ruby eventually reveals the identity of the baby's father.
I know Louisa Reid as a brilliant story-teller in verse (Wrecked, Gloves Off, The Activist), and it's interesting to see how, with this dual voiced, verse/prose mashup, Ashley's prose provides the wider context and fills in the gaps left in Ruby's sparse, heart-rendingly emotional verse.
It's also apparent also how much the author - by day, a secondary school English teacher - cares about her characters and their situations. Louisa is as strongly feminist as always, and Handle with Care deals with issues of toxic masculinity, the bonds of friendship, broken families and the lack of professional support offered to adolescent mothers and those with health problems. The English curriculum surfaces with clever allusions to set texts, including a homage to a closing scene speech in an Inspector Calls.
You will love the flawed, nuanced humanity of these characters - but a warning. You WILL cry.
Thanks so much to to @louisreid, @guppypublishing and LizScottPR for my advance proof copy.
Ruby starts moaning in history class, and to everyone's surprise - including her own - turns out to be in the final stage of labour. She actually has the baby in classroom, supported by her loyal, strong, friend Ash. But Ash's loyalty is tested to the hilt when Ruby eventually reveals the identity of the baby's father.
I know Louisa Reid as a brilliant story-teller in verse (Wrecked, Gloves Off, The Activist), and it's interesting to see how, with this dual voiced, verse/prose mashup, Ashley's prose provides the wider context and fills in the gaps left in Ruby's sparse, heart-rendingly emotional verse.
It's also apparent also how much the author - by day, a secondary school English teacher - cares about her characters and their situations. Louisa is as strongly feminist as always, and Handle with Care deals with issues of toxic masculinity, the bonds of friendship, broken families and the lack of professional support offered to adolescent mothers and those with health problems. The English curriculum surfaces with clever allusions to set texts, including a homage to a closing scene speech in an Inspector Calls.
You will love the flawed, nuanced humanity of these characters - but a warning. You WILL cry.
Thanks so much to to @louisreid, @guppypublishing and LizScottPR for my advance proof copy.
January 2, 2025
I have read, enjoyed and would recommend a couple of Louisa Reid's books before, specifically Wrecked and The Poet. Unlike the aforementioned two, Handle With Care is only partly written in verse; half of the chapters, from the primary protagonist's (Ruby's) POV, are structured in verse and were familiar to what I was used to from Wrecked, but the other half, from the POV of the protagonist's best friend (Ashley), are written in prose. I enjoyed this variety of structure and felt that it successfully allowed me to empathise with both Ruby and Ashley.
The book is wonderfully plotted so that I was very invested in the characters and felt the stakes really raising as the story progressed. One of the cover reviews describes the book as a “gut-punch of a novel” – I don’t find this to be an exaggeration, and was nearly in tears as the book concluded.
My favourite element of this book is that it offers no easy answers. Every one of the characters is flawed and at times treat their friend(s) and/or family poorly – some with better excuses for doing so than others, but mostly because they are human, and Reid places them in challenging situations where the “right” response is elusive and debatable. At no point does Reid lecture her young readers; instead, she invites them to think, and this is perhaps what makes the book particularly successful as a YA work.
I did put this book down, but only to compose myself when it was all getting a bit much! A novel well worthy of five stars.
The book is wonderfully plotted so that I was very invested in the characters and felt the stakes really raising as the story progressed. One of the cover reviews describes the book as a “gut-punch of a novel” – I don’t find this to be an exaggeration, and was nearly in tears as the book concluded.
My favourite element of this book is that it offers no easy answers. Every one of the characters is flawed and at times treat their friend(s) and/or family poorly – some with better excuses for doing so than others, but mostly because they are human, and Reid places them in challenging situations where the “right” response is elusive and debatable. At no point does Reid lecture her young readers; instead, she invites them to think, and this is perhaps what makes the book particularly successful as a YA work.
I did put this book down, but only to compose myself when it was all getting a bit much! A novel well worthy of five stars.
July 24, 2024
Handle with Care involves all the hallmarks which make Louisa Reid’s YA novels truly great, evoking intense emotional responses in her readers as she explores painful challenges young people face in our society today.
Narrated by two sixteen-year-old girls, Ash in prose and Ruby in verse, this is a book which on page one, in a history lesson no one will forget, takes hold of your heart and won’t release it until long after you’ve reached the end; a story which you are quite simply compelled to keep reading, so immediate and excruciating is the situation these two best friends find themselves in.
Ruby’s circumstances seem all too real; the inadequacies of the adults around them all too believable; yet still we can’t believe someone won’t step in to offer her the support she and her baby so urgently needs. We yearn for reconciliation between Ruby and Ash, for a happy ending for mother and baby.
But this is a world in which empathy is tragically lacking: at the end of the novel, as Ash takes her English GCSE without Ruby, she longs to write about ‘kids who just want to be loved by their parents, who just need someone to care.’
Handle With Care is a crucial story with an impact that couldn't hit harder. Not to be missed.
Narrated by two sixteen-year-old girls, Ash in prose and Ruby in verse, this is a book which on page one, in a history lesson no one will forget, takes hold of your heart and won’t release it until long after you’ve reached the end; a story which you are quite simply compelled to keep reading, so immediate and excruciating is the situation these two best friends find themselves in.
Ruby’s circumstances seem all too real; the inadequacies of the adults around them all too believable; yet still we can’t believe someone won’t step in to offer her the support she and her baby so urgently needs. We yearn for reconciliation between Ruby and Ash, for a happy ending for mother and baby.
But this is a world in which empathy is tragically lacking: at the end of the novel, as Ash takes her English GCSE without Ruby, she longs to write about ‘kids who just want to be loved by their parents, who just need someone to care.’
Handle With Care is a crucial story with an impact that couldn't hit harder. Not to be missed.
August 25, 2024
Ruby and Ash are best friends. They’ll always have each other’s back, whatever happens, so when Ruby starts moaning and doubling over in pain in the middle of history, Ash is there to hold her hand and shout for the nurse. When it becomes apparent that Ruby is, impossibly, giving birth, Ash keeps her head and empties the room as Ruby’s tiny baby is born.
What follows is shock, accusation, denial, and pain. Before long Ruby is signing adoption papers, but life doesn’t return to normal. Anything but. She is the subject of gossip, memes (yes, they filmed her trauma), derision, and endless, endless questions about who the father is.
Ash’s perfect family steps in to “help”, while Ruby’s mother becomes colder and harder. Soon Ruby is living a nightmare existence and her best friend is getting sick of her attitude. Compassion, it seems, comes with an expiry date.
No spoilers, but Handle with Care is a masterclass in how what we do affects others, and how taking responsibility isn’t always enough. The main characters are living, breathing, people with complex inner lives and motives. There are no neat answers here, where what is best isn’t always the best thing to do.
Heartbreaking, important, compassionate - phenomenal.
December 31, 2024
★彡[ʜᴀɴᴅʟᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴄᴀʀᴇ]彡★
By Louisa Reid @louisareid
No one knows Ruby is pregnant - not even Ruby herself. So when she gives birth at school on a miserable February morning, her world is thrown into chaos. Keeping the baby isn't an option, but keeping quiet about who the father of her child definitely is; because if Ruby's best friend Ashley finds out the truth, then she'll lose her too.
When Ruby finally realises what she and her baby need, somehow, that doesn't seem to matter anymore. So Ruby must take matters into her own hands, with tragic consequences...
This is such a powerful story about a young girl, Ruby, who is one minute living a normal teenager life. Then, the most unspeakable thing happens. She gives birth to an unexpected baby in her history class.
The shock of creating a life sends Ruby into a spiral of self-loathing and depression. She feels completely alone, unsupported, out of control, pushed out, isolated, and most of all unloved.
This tale had me in tears 😢
I loved the way it was written in prose and verse. It reminded me of Sarah Crossans' writing style.
It's a wonderful book! I'd highly recommend it!
❤️ Stunning/Powerful YA novel
✍️ Told in both prose and verse
🖤 Heartbreaking
☕️ Loneliness
A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! 🤓
By Louisa Reid @louisareid
No one knows Ruby is pregnant - not even Ruby herself. So when she gives birth at school on a miserable February morning, her world is thrown into chaos. Keeping the baby isn't an option, but keeping quiet about who the father of her child definitely is; because if Ruby's best friend Ashley finds out the truth, then she'll lose her too.
When Ruby finally realises what she and her baby need, somehow, that doesn't seem to matter anymore. So Ruby must take matters into her own hands, with tragic consequences...
This is such a powerful story about a young girl, Ruby, who is one minute living a normal teenager life. Then, the most unspeakable thing happens. She gives birth to an unexpected baby in her history class.
The shock of creating a life sends Ruby into a spiral of self-loathing and depression. She feels completely alone, unsupported, out of control, pushed out, isolated, and most of all unloved.
This tale had me in tears 😢
I loved the way it was written in prose and verse. It reminded me of Sarah Crossans' writing style.
It's a wonderful book! I'd highly recommend it!
❤️ Stunning/Powerful YA novel
✍️ Told in both prose and verse
🖤 Heartbreaking
☕️ Loneliness
A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! 🤓
April 21, 2025
This was a powerful read! The two protagonists tell the story in an alternating point of view. Ashley's POV is in prose and Ruby's is in free verse. Ashley and Ruby, 16 year old British school girls, have been best friends since they were little. Ruby is a girl who would be considered "most likely to succeed" because of or despite? her emotionally stunted mother. Ashley is also driven - her aim is to be a star runner and her family is super supportive. When Ruby gives birth during a history session (nobody knew she was pregnant, including her) both their lives (and their families) are changed irrevocably. I won't go any further with the story as it would contain spoilers but I will warn that it is traumatic. I recommend reading it before promoting it to young secondary school students and warn that it deals with traumatic events which will be upsetting. I think Reid did a great job showing how everyone is fallible and even those trying their best to be loving and kind can make mistakes that can cause harm. She also masterfully portrays the depths of Ruby's emotional pain and the... spoiler alert... the disintegration of her mental health.
October 28, 2024
It may seem odd but I'm m going to start at the ending, no spoilers, but OMG what an ending!!
Well, the whole book actually, but the ending more than ever. I did not see that coming!
This book was the beautifully written, heart-wrenching tale of Ruby, who gives birth in the middle of her classroom.
Ashley, her best friend. And both their families as they deal with the impact of a child.
I 'loved' this one. Though it feels odd to say that about a book with so many emotive, thought-provoking moments.
There are some heavy TW in this one, so do check.
From dealing with relationships, friendships, teenage pregnancy, neglect, adoption, abuse, and depression this book was a rollercoaster of a read.
A truly tragic reminder of the importance of life, family, friendship and being their for someone.
In part, told in prose format, which I found really interesting. It was the perfect medium for the characters emotions and POV.
One I'd recommend, but sit with a box of tissues because you need it for sure.
Thanks to Kaleidoscope book tours and Guppy Publishing for my gifted copy of this. All thoughts are my own.
Well, the whole book actually, but the ending more than ever. I did not see that coming!
This book was the beautifully written, heart-wrenching tale of Ruby, who gives birth in the middle of her classroom.
Ashley, her best friend. And both their families as they deal with the impact of a child.
I 'loved' this one. Though it feels odd to say that about a book with so many emotive, thought-provoking moments.
There are some heavy TW in this one, so do check.
From dealing with relationships, friendships, teenage pregnancy, neglect, adoption, abuse, and depression this book was a rollercoaster of a read.
A truly tragic reminder of the importance of life, family, friendship and being their for someone.
In part, told in prose format, which I found really interesting. It was the perfect medium for the characters emotions and POV.
One I'd recommend, but sit with a box of tissues because you need it for sure.
Thanks to Kaleidoscope book tours and Guppy Publishing for my gifted copy of this. All thoughts are my own.
November 25, 2025
4.5
Honestly heartbreaking, but judging by the rest of the reviews that’s not an original take on this story.
Handle With Care follows Ruby, who gives birth on the floor of her history classroom. She didn’t know she was pregnant, and is petrified at the whole situation. It’s a dual narrative between Ruby and her best friend Ashley, with a significant theme of a deep friendship bond being pushed to its limits. A combination of secrets and diametrically opposing perspectives means we never quite know how their friendship will progress.
It’s quite rare as a ‘proper’ adult that a book causes you to feel the same level of intense emotion you would have felt for the characters and situations in your teenage years. Handle With Care captured my attention and had me feeling furious, devastated and hopeful in equal amounts. The author has provided such an authentic portrayal of postpartum trauma, toxic family dynamics and the complete lack of power teenagers have over their lives and decisions. I would 10000% recommend this book.
Honestly heartbreaking, but judging by the rest of the reviews that’s not an original take on this story.
Handle With Care follows Ruby, who gives birth on the floor of her history classroom. She didn’t know she was pregnant, and is petrified at the whole situation. It’s a dual narrative between Ruby and her best friend Ashley, with a significant theme of a deep friendship bond being pushed to its limits. A combination of secrets and diametrically opposing perspectives means we never quite know how their friendship will progress.
It’s quite rare as a ‘proper’ adult that a book causes you to feel the same level of intense emotion you would have felt for the characters and situations in your teenage years. Handle With Care captured my attention and had me feeling furious, devastated and hopeful in equal amounts. The author has provided such an authentic portrayal of postpartum trauma, toxic family dynamics and the complete lack of power teenagers have over their lives and decisions. I would 10000% recommend this book.
September 11, 2024
This was both a tough and an emotional read.
It is narrated by two teenage girls who are best friends, Ruby and Ash.
When Ruby starts to moan in pain in history class Ash is the first to go to her and to ask for the nurse to be called. However it is very quickly evident that Ruby is actually giving birth which raises many questions.
Ruby signs adoption papers quite quickly but things don't go back to normal as she had hoped. She is the subject of rumours, teasing and the video in the history class being shared. Everyone is also constantly asking her who the father is much to her dismay.
Her "perfect" family try to "help" but her mum just becomes more distant and cold. This isn't helped when Ash is no longer there for her as she is becoming sick of Ruby's attitude.
This is an emotional story which shows that some things in life aren't easily forgotten about and they aren't always nicely summed up.
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc of this book.
It is narrated by two teenage girls who are best friends, Ruby and Ash.
When Ruby starts to moan in pain in history class Ash is the first to go to her and to ask for the nurse to be called. However it is very quickly evident that Ruby is actually giving birth which raises many questions.
Ruby signs adoption papers quite quickly but things don't go back to normal as she had hoped. She is the subject of rumours, teasing and the video in the history class being shared. Everyone is also constantly asking her who the father is much to her dismay.
Her "perfect" family try to "help" but her mum just becomes more distant and cold. This isn't helped when Ash is no longer there for her as she is becoming sick of Ruby's attitude.
This is an emotional story which shows that some things in life aren't easily forgotten about and they aren't always nicely summed up.
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc of this book.
October 30, 2024
Ruby is a sixteen-year-old school girl. During a History lesson with her best friend Ashley, her whole life changed in the matter of minutes. Unexpectedly Ruby gives birth to a baby, she didn't even know she was pregnant. With help from Ashley and Ashley's mam, Ruby has a lot to think about, both mentally and physically. All this while keeping the identity of the baby's dad a secret from everyone.
The story is told through Ruby and her best friend Ashley. This is a beautifully wrote story, filled with emotions and very raw at times. Teenage pregnancy is something that isn't talked about much as it should be. Many have a negative view before even knowing everything about it. I have seen and been through this with my family and seen how people judge so quickly. This would be a great book for schools, to read both as a class as well as at home.
The story is told through Ruby and her best friend Ashley. This is a beautifully wrote story, filled with emotions and very raw at times. Teenage pregnancy is something that isn't talked about much as it should be. Many have a negative view before even knowing everything about it. I have seen and been through this with my family and seen how people judge so quickly. This would be a great book for schools, to read both as a class as well as at home.
May 3, 2025
Ruby has a baby, unexpectedly and leaving Ash her best friend shocked especially ehen the truth comes out about the baby more so, no spoilers here.
It explores the hard hitting subject or teenage motherhood and all the challenges a baby in someone's life can bring up, let alone coping with raising a baby unexpectedly for both wider families involved and the mental health of a young struggling mum.
There were many tough situations faced in this book written beautifully from both main character best friends perspectives as they come to terms with what the baby brings up and into their lives it was both beautiful in verse and gut wrenchingly honest and utterly gripping to me I really enjoyed exploring the worlds of Ash and Ruby and had me questioning, how would I feel in either girls situations.
It explores the hard hitting subject or teenage motherhood and all the challenges a baby in someone's life can bring up, let alone coping with raising a baby unexpectedly for both wider families involved and the mental health of a young struggling mum.
There were many tough situations faced in this book written beautifully from both main character best friends perspectives as they come to terms with what the baby brings up and into their lives it was both beautiful in verse and gut wrenchingly honest and utterly gripping to me I really enjoyed exploring the worlds of Ash and Ruby and had me questioning, how would I feel in either girls situations.
October 20, 2024
Oof! Emotionally exhausted after reading this.
Ruby doesn’t even realise she’s pregnant until the day she gives birth…in the middle of a history lesson!
Ashley is Ruby’s best friend, and if she finds out who the baby’s father is, it’ll destroy their friendship.
Ruby doesn’t want to even know about the baby and gives her up for adoption… but that’s only the start of more troubles.
Shocking, and so so sad on many levels.
Lots about emotional neglect here and about what true friendship looks like.
An important book and one I’ll be adding to my school library. More suitable for Y9+. Strong language (but doesn’t feel gratuitous). A little bit about sexual relationships but with the emphasis more on waiting than rushing.
Ruby doesn’t even realise she’s pregnant until the day she gives birth…in the middle of a history lesson!
Ashley is Ruby’s best friend, and if she finds out who the baby’s father is, it’ll destroy their friendship.
Ruby doesn’t want to even know about the baby and gives her up for adoption… but that’s only the start of more troubles.
Shocking, and so so sad on many levels.
Lots about emotional neglect here and about what true friendship looks like.
An important book and one I’ll be adding to my school library. More suitable for Y9+. Strong language (but doesn’t feel gratuitous). A little bit about sexual relationships but with the emphasis more on waiting than rushing.
October 31, 2024
Handle With Care is emotional, it's heartbreaking, it's powerful, and will deliver gut punch after gut punch as you read along.
We follow 16 year old Ruby, who, during a history lesson, unexpectedly gives birth. Ruby's mother is very unsupportive, so she's left navigating this new world mostly by herself, with some help from her best friend, and her best friend's mother.
The author deals with the quite difficult subject of childhood pregnancy in a beautifully, passionate way.
It's a poignant read, full of love, heart and respect to the situation Ruby found herself in.
Not my usual type of read, but i'm glad I gave it a go, as I really did enjoy it.
I read this in three sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
We follow 16 year old Ruby, who, during a history lesson, unexpectedly gives birth. Ruby's mother is very unsupportive, so she's left navigating this new world mostly by herself, with some help from her best friend, and her best friend's mother.
The author deals with the quite difficult subject of childhood pregnancy in a beautifully, passionate way.
It's a poignant read, full of love, heart and respect to the situation Ruby found herself in.
Not my usual type of read, but i'm glad I gave it a go, as I really did enjoy it.
I read this in three sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
August 4, 2024
Handle with care by Louisa Reid.
I experienced many strong emotions whilst reading ‘Handle with Care’ and there were times I was utterly furious. This is no doubt down to the skill of Louisa Reid at crafting stories and characters that felt vividly real.
Not only is the book split in to two perspectives. Both Ruby’s and her best friend Ash’s. But Ruby’s story is told
In the style of a verse novel. For me, this style of writing really emphasised the trauma of Ruby’s experience and highlighted how two different people with a shared experience have a vastly different experience.
Handle with care is ultimately a lesson on the importance of kindness and empathy is everyday human connection.
I experienced many strong emotions whilst reading ‘Handle with Care’ and there were times I was utterly furious. This is no doubt down to the skill of Louisa Reid at crafting stories and characters that felt vividly real.
Not only is the book split in to two perspectives. Both Ruby’s and her best friend Ash’s. But Ruby’s story is told
In the style of a verse novel. For me, this style of writing really emphasised the trauma of Ruby’s experience and highlighted how two different people with a shared experience have a vastly different experience.
Handle with care is ultimately a lesson on the importance of kindness and empathy is everyday human connection.
October 7, 2024
This book will break your heart. A sixteen year old girl gives birth to the baby she didn’t know she was expecting in a school classroom, the result of having a one night stand with her best friend’s brother. The way she then unravels and gets no help from those around her is painful to read and I am still crying 10 minutes after reading the last line. Powerful, beautiful writing that will stay with me for a long time.
November 21, 2024
I gave this book 4.5 stars. This story immediately got me hooked. it's written in 2 different perspectives. One perspective is written in a strange way but very addictive. the story was very heartbreaking. The end had me bawling my eyes out for several minutes. I don't think I ever cried this hard over a book. It's such a sad and heartbreaking story but so worth it to read. This book made me stare at my ceiling and rethink my life decisions. I need a whole year to recover from this. 😭😭
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