What do you think?
Rate this book
In Bloom
The Bastards aren't afraid of anything.
It's the mid-nineties, and in the small, shitty coastal town of Vincent, four girls - each hailing from single-mother, multi-sibling families, form a band. Friends since they were children, they consider themselves 'forgettable girls' - poor, not particularly clever, distracted at school, disengaged and disillusioned from the other kids, and desperate to escape the fates of their mothers, who seem locked into a life of minimum-wage jobs and domestic drudgery. Winning the Battle of the Bands is their ticket out - they might not have talent, but they can play three chords and scream until their vocal folds burst out of their throats - and nobody wants it more than them.
But when lead singer Lily Lucid quits, and accuses their idolized music teacher of sexual assault, the three remaining girls are left with nothing. They'll do anything to keep their dream alive, even if it means sacrificing school, Lily and their mothers. But how far out of control can they spin before there's no turning back?
Brash and bold, grunge-inflected and straight-forwardly compelling, In Bloom is a novel about class and coming-of-age, young womanhood in precarious circumstances, and how to build a sense of self when the foundations of tight female friendship fail.
It's the mid-nineties, and in the small, shitty coastal town of Vincent, four girls - each hailing from single-mother, multi-sibling families, form a band. Friends since they were children, they consider themselves 'forgettable girls' - poor, not particularly clever, distracted at school, disengaged and disillusioned from the other kids, and desperate to escape the fates of their mothers, who seem locked into a life of minimum-wage jobs and domestic drudgery. Winning the Battle of the Bands is their ticket out - they might not have talent, but they can play three chords and scream until their vocal folds burst out of their throats - and nobody wants it more than them.
But when lead singer Lily Lucid quits, and accuses their idolized music teacher of sexual assault, the three remaining girls are left with nothing. They'll do anything to keep their dream alive, even if it means sacrificing school, Lily and their mothers. But how far out of control can they spin before there's no turning back?
Brash and bold, grunge-inflected and straight-forwardly compelling, In Bloom is a novel about class and coming-of-age, young womanhood in precarious circumstances, and how to build a sense of self when the foundations of tight female friendship fail.
- GenresFictionAdult Fiction
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 27, 2026
14 people are currently reading
9075 people want to read
About the author
Liz Allan
2 books43 followersDr Liz Allan is an Australian writer and teacher currently living and working in the UK. Her short story, 'Our Voices, Fierce' was awarded the Rachel Funari Prize for fiction in 2018 and her fiction has been shortlisted and longlisted for numerous other awards.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
December 9, 2025
Super-fast-paced story of four working-class teen girls who form a band in mid-90s suburban Australia. They call themselves The Bastards: ‘without fathers, we are free.’ When one of their number, Lily, splits off from the group following a rumoured sexual assault, they become obsessed with nailing the culprit – it must surely be Lily’s mum’s dodgy boyfriend, and not, as everyone else claims, their beloved music teacher Mr P. In Bloom is narrated in first-person plural, not generally my favourite, but this is one of the most effective uses of it I’ve ever read. Although it comes slightly unstuck towards the end, it’s a fierce, punchy, evocative novel, a junior Scabby Queen.
November 4, 2025
"‘Freaks!’ Ryan calls us, but we don’t care. Kurt Cobain says that fitting in is for losers, so we’re proud to be freaks."
The Bastards aren't afraid of anything.
Without even reading the synopsis, I knew that this book would bring me back to my childhood as a grungy riot grrrl. It did that and so much more.
"In Bloom" is a coming-of-age novel that catches you by surprise. It is filled with grunginess and heart, and it delivers quite an emotional punch. The ending was unexpected and stopped me in my tracks. I never imagined it would unfold that way. It left me feeling emotional.
I loved all of the girls in the band. They each held their own and made me feel every emotion they experienced. I'm in awe of it. Typically, you might connect deeply with one character, but I felt that way about all of them, even Lily.
"In Bloom" is that coming-of-age story that will stop you in your tracks and demand your attention. I'm glad I gave it a chance because it's going to be one of my favorite reads of the year. Don't hesitate to pick this one up!
The Bastards aren't afraid of anything.
Without even reading the synopsis, I knew that this book would bring me back to my childhood as a grungy riot grrrl. It did that and so much more.
"In Bloom" is a coming-of-age novel that catches you by surprise. It is filled with grunginess and heart, and it delivers quite an emotional punch. The ending was unexpected and stopped me in my tracks. I never imagined it would unfold that way. It left me feeling emotional.
I loved all of the girls in the band. They each held their own and made me feel every emotion they experienced. I'm in awe of it. Typically, you might connect deeply with one character, but I felt that way about all of them, even Lily.
"In Bloom" is that coming-of-age story that will stop you in your tracks and demand your attention. I'm glad I gave it a chance because it's going to be one of my favorite reads of the year. Don't hesitate to pick this one up!
Read
January 27, 2026⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is one of those books that, on the surface, you head into thinking Hells yeah, good time riot grrrl 1990's grunge era rock & roll battle of the bands quest and it is that but, yep, there is a but, there is also a deeply sad undercurrent that slowly builds in intensity as the tale unfolds. Found this to be a compelling debut, the story is well constructed with a ton of very short chapters and cleverly told using the collective voice to narrate the shared experiences of the 3 bandmates. Readers should be aware that the plot does involve sexual abuse and there is some vicious bullying. Can't share much more than this without spoiling things for others.
I am reposting this review as Marked as Read without a star rating and will add GR stars once the book is published and use my own in the meantime.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those books that, on the surface, you head into thinking Hells yeah, good time riot grrrl 1990's grunge era rock & roll battle of the bands quest and it is that but, yep, there is a but, there is also a deeply sad undercurrent that slowly builds in intensity as the tale unfolds. Found this to be a compelling debut, the story is well constructed with a ton of very short chapters and cleverly told using the collective voice to narrate the shared experiences of the 3 bandmates. Readers should be aware that the plot does involve sexual abuse and there is some vicious bullying. Can't share much more than this without spoiling things for others.
I am reposting this review as Marked as Read without a star rating and will add GR stars once the book is published and use my own in the meantime.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2026
Let me tell you, when you write Kurt Cobain into your story you better be damned careful about it around me. Well done Liz Allan you passed! I knew I was going to relate to these little grunge girls, and I did, in so many ways.
The Bastards are a cover band looking to make the big goal of a band battle, their music teacher has shown a keen interest in helping them get there, but Lily has left them in the lurch, the girls can’t understand why, she’s even accused their beloved Mr. P of sexual assault and the girls just don’t buy it. Amid the goal of keeping the band together they are in a bid to discover the truth even if it means they burn down everything around them.
Rammed with nostalgia, relatable and heart wrenching. Could have benefited from a trigger warning in the intro but the synopsis alludes to the content.
A solid 4 ⭐️ all round for writing, storyline, characterisation and narration.
Huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to to review this ALC 🎧
The Bastards are a cover band looking to make the big goal of a band battle, their music teacher has shown a keen interest in helping them get there, but Lily has left them in the lurch, the girls can’t understand why, she’s even accused their beloved Mr. P of sexual assault and the girls just don’t buy it. Amid the goal of keeping the band together they are in a bid to discover the truth even if it means they burn down everything around them.
Rammed with nostalgia, relatable and heart wrenching. Could have benefited from a trigger warning in the intro but the synopsis alludes to the content.
A solid 4 ⭐️ all round for writing, storyline, characterisation and narration.
Huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to to review this ALC 🎧
October 27, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
In Bloom is the kind of coming-of-age story that hits you with both nostalgia and heart. It’s grungy, emotional, and full of that fierce teenage energy that’s impossible to forget. Liz Allan captures the raw spirit of the ’90s perfectly—loud music, loyal friends, bad choices, and all—creating a story that feels both heartbreakingly real and beautifully alive. I truly relished in Allan’s debut novel and the way she brought these flawed, passionate characters to life.
This coming of age story follows four teen girls in a 1990s Australian town who start a grunge band to escape their hard lives. When their singer accuses a teacher of assault and disappears, the others must decide who to believe and what kind of people they want to be. It’s a raw, emotional story about friendship, truth, and finding your voice.
In Bloom by Liz Allan really surprised me—in a good way. It’s gritty, emotional, and has this raw 1990s vibe that feels both nostalgic and real. I loved how it captured that messy in-between stage of being a teenager—when friendships mean everything and the world still feels unfairly stacked against you. The bond between the four girls felt authentic, full of loyalty, jealousy, and that wild mix of courage and fear that comes with growing up. I also liked the way Allan used music as an outlet for their frustration and hope—it gave the story a pulse and made it stand out from other coming-of-age books.
Yet, this isn’t a light read. The tone can be heavy, and some of the subject matter—especially the accusation against the teacher—hits hard. A few parts felt a little drawn out, and the intensity might not be for everyone. But overall, In Bloom is a powerful, character-driven story that hits on friendship, truth, and what it means to find your voice in a world that keeps trying to silence it.
Liz Allan’s writing style is raw, vivid, and emotionally charged—blending moody lyricism with sharp psychological insight and a rhythmic, music-driven flow that perfectly captures the messy beauty of girlhood. Allan’s writing style appealed to me as it feels authentic and unpolished in the best way, pulling me right into the emotions and imperfections of her characters’ world.
Thank you Net Galley and Simon & Schuster for an advance copy of In Bloom in return for my feedback.
In Bloom is the kind of coming-of-age story that hits you with both nostalgia and heart. It’s grungy, emotional, and full of that fierce teenage energy that’s impossible to forget. Liz Allan captures the raw spirit of the ’90s perfectly—loud music, loyal friends, bad choices, and all—creating a story that feels both heartbreakingly real and beautifully alive. I truly relished in Allan’s debut novel and the way she brought these flawed, passionate characters to life.
This coming of age story follows four teen girls in a 1990s Australian town who start a grunge band to escape their hard lives. When their singer accuses a teacher of assault and disappears, the others must decide who to believe and what kind of people they want to be. It’s a raw, emotional story about friendship, truth, and finding your voice.
In Bloom by Liz Allan really surprised me—in a good way. It’s gritty, emotional, and has this raw 1990s vibe that feels both nostalgic and real. I loved how it captured that messy in-between stage of being a teenager—when friendships mean everything and the world still feels unfairly stacked against you. The bond between the four girls felt authentic, full of loyalty, jealousy, and that wild mix of courage and fear that comes with growing up. I also liked the way Allan used music as an outlet for their frustration and hope—it gave the story a pulse and made it stand out from other coming-of-age books.
Yet, this isn’t a light read. The tone can be heavy, and some of the subject matter—especially the accusation against the teacher—hits hard. A few parts felt a little drawn out, and the intensity might not be for everyone. But overall, In Bloom is a powerful, character-driven story that hits on friendship, truth, and what it means to find your voice in a world that keeps trying to silence it.
Liz Allan’s writing style is raw, vivid, and emotionally charged—blending moody lyricism with sharp psychological insight and a rhythmic, music-driven flow that perfectly captures the messy beauty of girlhood. Allan’s writing style appealed to me as it feels authentic and unpolished in the best way, pulling me right into the emotions and imperfections of her characters’ world.
Thank you Net Galley and Simon & Schuster for an advance copy of In Bloom in return for my feedback.
October 4, 2025
This was a fantastic coming of age story that really put me in the mindset of these kids. Loved the mid 90s setting and references to the music back then. The girls wanted to investigate allegations against their favorite teacher and the innocence of their minds really show. This was such an addicting, gritty book that had so many relatable themes from friendship drama to class and simply just growing up as a girl. I SO enjoyed this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 31, 2025
In Bloom by Liz Allan. Thanks to @simonandschuster for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Four girls know their band, The Bastards, can win Battle of the Bands and get them out of their small town and fate as minimum wage jobs and single motherhood. When their lead singer quits and their music teacher is accused of sexual assault, they’re left to make their own dreams come true.
Not only was this a great story, it was so cleverly done. I ended it bawling and in shock with how the author did this. Mostly the entire story is told with the girls as one. We get a glimpse of their individuality at the end after certain events occur and truth is revealed. The girls are mostly ignored and neglected throughout, but will they finally be heard and view themselves and each other how they deserve to be seen? Major bonus points that the story is built upon Nirvana, Kurt Cobain’s philosophies and lyrics. Any woman that grew up in the 90’s, obsessed with Nirvana, resonating with their acceptance of loners and freaks will absolutely feel seen from this book. This may be one of my favorites this year!
“Nirvana said they always had a need not to belong because their music came from the edge of things, the place outsiders inhabit. We, too, are artists at the edge of things.”
“We had small, insignificant lives. But we knew our music held the chance for something big.”
Read this if you like:
-Coming of age stories
-Music fiction
-Nirvana
-90’s settings
-Adolescent female friendships
In Bloom comes out 1/27.
Four girls know their band, The Bastards, can win Battle of the Bands and get them out of their small town and fate as minimum wage jobs and single motherhood. When their lead singer quits and their music teacher is accused of sexual assault, they’re left to make their own dreams come true.
Not only was this a great story, it was so cleverly done. I ended it bawling and in shock with how the author did this. Mostly the entire story is told with the girls as one. We get a glimpse of their individuality at the end after certain events occur and truth is revealed. The girls are mostly ignored and neglected throughout, but will they finally be heard and view themselves and each other how they deserve to be seen? Major bonus points that the story is built upon Nirvana, Kurt Cobain’s philosophies and lyrics. Any woman that grew up in the 90’s, obsessed with Nirvana, resonating with their acceptance of loners and freaks will absolutely feel seen from this book. This may be one of my favorites this year!
“Nirvana said they always had a need not to belong because their music came from the edge of things, the place outsiders inhabit. We, too, are artists at the edge of things.”
“We had small, insignificant lives. But we knew our music held the chance for something big.”
Read this if you like:
-Coming of age stories
-Music fiction
-Nirvana
-90’s settings
-Adolescent female friendships
In Bloom comes out 1/27.
December 10, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.
I was first attracted to this book by the 90's grunge angst theme.
This is an excellent rock-solid novel that uses a crime narrative to explore serious themes like class, trauma, and justice through the eyes of its fierce protagonists.
It tackles working-class small-town life in Australia, focusing on "forgettable girls" desperate not to repeat the cycles of minimum-wage jobs and difficult relationships that trapped their mothers.
The story is told through the perspectives of three girls functioning almost as a single, collective voice as they navigate shared anger and a desperate desire to escape their town's limited opportunities.
The plot has a "who dunnit" feel, and while child abuse is an element related to the core conflict, the narrative focuses on the fallout and the girls' investigation rather than explicit depictions.
It is a fast paced novel, and the short chapters led me to constantly wanting to read more.
It accelerated to a climatic ending, and i thoroughly enjoyed the whole book.
I was first attracted to this book by the 90's grunge angst theme.
This is an excellent rock-solid novel that uses a crime narrative to explore serious themes like class, trauma, and justice through the eyes of its fierce protagonists.
It tackles working-class small-town life in Australia, focusing on "forgettable girls" desperate not to repeat the cycles of minimum-wage jobs and difficult relationships that trapped their mothers.
The story is told through the perspectives of three girls functioning almost as a single, collective voice as they navigate shared anger and a desperate desire to escape their town's limited opportunities.
The plot has a "who dunnit" feel, and while child abuse is an element related to the core conflict, the narrative focuses on the fallout and the girls' investigation rather than explicit depictions.
It is a fast paced novel, and the short chapters led me to constantly wanting to read more.
It accelerated to a climatic ending, and i thoroughly enjoyed the whole book.
December 19, 2025
A great novel about growing up being poor and outcasts and wanting to be seen, to be special. Also, how to be and behave as adolescent girls when men pay attention to you (or prey on you).
Allan uses the plural ‘we’ to tell the story and only near the end gives each of the four girls her own voice, thereby showing that this story (sadly) is one of girls everywhere.
Impressive, emotional, fast paced and better than I had expected.
Thank you Simon & Schuster US and Edelweiss for the ARC.
Allan uses the plural ‘we’ to tell the story and only near the end gives each of the four girls her own voice, thereby showing that this story (sadly) is one of girls everywhere.
Impressive, emotional, fast paced and better than I had expected.
Thank you Simon & Schuster US and Edelweiss for the ARC.
November 2, 2025
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of In Bloom by Liz Allan.
This book was an absorbing, fast paced, coming of age story set in the mid nineties in Australia.
Nostalgic, sad and completely wild. A brilliant read.
This book was an absorbing, fast paced, coming of age story set in the mid nineties in Australia.
Nostalgic, sad and completely wild. A brilliant read.
November 9, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for gifting me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but holy cow... this book was a ride. A coming of age novel based in mid-nineties Australia about a group of misfit teen girls who don't care about anything except proving themselves in an upcoming Battle of the Bands. Suddenly, their lead singer drops out of the grunge band after accusing their band teacher of sexual assault. The remaining three girls are left to decide whether or not they believe her and figure out who exactly they are going to be.
This book was so raw and real, and I was genuinely shocked with the ending. You can see just how close and loyal the girls are to one another, even when they haven't been dealt a fair hand in life. You want these girls to be able to prove themselves to others and also wanting justice for them as well as Lily as the story continues to unfold. They are written as one, slowly unraveling apart from one another as we find out more. I truly did think this
was an amazing read.
I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but holy cow... this book was a ride. A coming of age novel based in mid-nineties Australia about a group of misfit teen girls who don't care about anything except proving themselves in an upcoming Battle of the Bands. Suddenly, their lead singer drops out of the grunge band after accusing their band teacher of sexual assault. The remaining three girls are left to decide whether or not they believe her and figure out who exactly they are going to be.
This book was so raw and real, and I was genuinely shocked with the ending. You can see just how close and loyal the girls are to one another, even when they haven't been dealt a fair hand in life. You want these girls to be able to prove themselves to others and also wanting justice for them as well as Lily as the story continues to unfold. They are written as one, slowly unraveling apart from one another as we find out more. I truly did think this
was an amazing read.
December 14, 2025
Yikes. Looks like I’m throwing out an unpopular opinion, but this book just did not do it for me and I feel horrible about it but what can you do? Nirvana, grunge, and coming-of-age and a little bit of who dun it. This seemed like it would be right up my alley. It just didn’t grab me like it clearly did for other reviewers so far.
Thank you to Kelly and the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest opinion
Thank you to Kelly and the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest opinion
November 17, 2025
Four long-time teen friends form a band, hoping to win a contest that will get them out of their hardscrabble small town in Australia, only to see their dreams derailed when their music teacher is arrested for a sexual assault. In Bloom details the girls’ struggles growing up poor in one-parent homes, a steady stream of men parading through their lives, and this lifestyle bonds the girls, until one of them accuses their music teacher, breaking up the band, and the remaining girls set out to prove his innocence. The book consists of short chapters and an interesting “stream of consciousness” type writing style, but suffers from repetitive passages, and one too many Nirvana references. It’s a gritty book, but it feels like it’s stuck between a YA and adult novel, with the girls’ behavior way below their ages, and a subject matter a little mature for YA novels. While I understood the book’s message, the style just wasn’t for me. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2026
“Or maybe he just saw our desperation to be noticed, to be given an escape route from our own fate.”
Liz Allan serves up a fast paced, vibrant, coming of age story that is full of grunge, heart, adolescent rage and a deep nostalgic feel. It’s a raw piece of art, fierce, punchy, evocative. Culminating in an emotional, disturbing and unsettling ending that I wasn’t expecting.
In Bloom — is an uncomfortably, unexpectedly honest portrayal of life as young girls in a poor social and economic Australian town, fatherless homes with struggling single mothers, abusive step-fathers, school peers and teachers viewing them as disposable, invisible and feral.
Despite everything being up against them “The Bastards” carry themselves with a wild sense of freedom, humour, loyalty, confidence and ferociousness that just blew me away and had me feeling an incredible sense of kinship to them.
Truly above all I think what stood out to me the most is the fierce, powerful spirit of the girls and their friendship — 4 stars, fantastic read 🌟
Some highlights —
“We scream it together, and it's like that moment in the ocean when you swim up to the surface and take your first gulp of air.”
“There was not one dad between us, and a brood of siblings who looked nothing alike, except for the shared beakiness of hunger. We wore handmade t-shirts and op-shop jeans, canvas trames with holes in the toes. We rode around in our mother’s secondhand sedans, which would break down in car parks and force us to walk home. We knew that no matter how nice we were to the other kids, we were never getting an invite to the camping trip or the pool party. The only thing that could ever wash the stain off us was money.”
“Mr P saw something in us. Our talent and passion for music, our ability to give everything to it.
Or maybe he just saw our desperation to be noticed, to be given an escape route from our own fate.
We'd like to believe it was talent.”
Liz Allan serves up a fast paced, vibrant, coming of age story that is full of grunge, heart, adolescent rage and a deep nostalgic feel. It’s a raw piece of art, fierce, punchy, evocative. Culminating in an emotional, disturbing and unsettling ending that I wasn’t expecting.
In Bloom — is an uncomfortably, unexpectedly honest portrayal of life as young girls in a poor social and economic Australian town, fatherless homes with struggling single mothers, abusive step-fathers, school peers and teachers viewing them as disposable, invisible and feral.
Despite everything being up against them “The Bastards” carry themselves with a wild sense of freedom, humour, loyalty, confidence and ferociousness that just blew me away and had me feeling an incredible sense of kinship to them.
Truly above all I think what stood out to me the most is the fierce, powerful spirit of the girls and their friendship — 4 stars, fantastic read 🌟
Some highlights —
“We scream it together, and it's like that moment in the ocean when you swim up to the surface and take your first gulp of air.”
“There was not one dad between us, and a brood of siblings who looked nothing alike, except for the shared beakiness of hunger. We wore handmade t-shirts and op-shop jeans, canvas trames with holes in the toes. We rode around in our mother’s secondhand sedans, which would break down in car parks and force us to walk home. We knew that no matter how nice we were to the other kids, we were never getting an invite to the camping trip or the pool party. The only thing that could ever wash the stain off us was money.”
“Mr P saw something in us. Our talent and passion for music, our ability to give everything to it.
Or maybe he just saw our desperation to be noticed, to be given an escape route from our own fate.
We'd like to believe it was talent.”
February 1, 2026
Set in Australia during the mid- 1990’s, three teenage girls, self-proclaimed The Bastards, are desperate to escape their small, impoverished lives. Their way out is to win the Battle of the Bands. But their former best friend has just accused their beloved music teacher of sexually assaulting her. Do they believe in his innocence or are they just that desperate to believe in the one person who thinks they’re talented and can make it out?
Told in first person plural, we follow the girls as they try to discover what happened, find a replacement person to get them to Battle of the Bands, and live their lives.
This was a unique way to tell this story and it absolutely worked for me. These teens lived and breathed as a single unit. Their families, teachers, and townspeople viewed them as such. I hope you’ve had that shared experience of being a part of a group inseparable from each other.
Recommended for lovers of grunge music, riot grrrls, hardscrabble lives, and the unflinching fierceness of friendship.
I received this eARC via @netgalley and @simonandschuster. Allison thoughts are mine alone.
coming of age | novels | books | reading | In Bloom | Liz Allan | book recs | recommendations | book reviews | bookstagram
Told in first person plural, we follow the girls as they try to discover what happened, find a replacement person to get them to Battle of the Bands, and live their lives.
This was a unique way to tell this story and it absolutely worked for me. These teens lived and breathed as a single unit. Their families, teachers, and townspeople viewed them as such. I hope you’ve had that shared experience of being a part of a group inseparable from each other.
Recommended for lovers of grunge music, riot grrrls, hardscrabble lives, and the unflinching fierceness of friendship.
I received this eARC via @netgalley and @simonandschuster. Allison thoughts are mine alone.
coming of age | novels | books | reading | In Bloom | Liz Allan | book recs | recommendations | book reviews | bookstagram
February 2, 2026
"We had small, insignificant lives. But we knew our music held the chance for something big."
Mid-90s. A shitty coastal town in Vincent, Australia. 🌊
Four Nirvana-obsessed teens start a grunge band with one goal: get out.
The Bastards see the Battle of the Bands as their one-way ticket to escape the same small-town fate as their mothers. But when their lead singer, Lily Lucid, suddenly disappears, and serious accusations ripple through the town, the dream implodes. Left behind, the three remaining girls cling to their friendship (and some very amateur detective work) to uncover the truth and protect the one adult who ever believed in them.
What makes In Bloom hit so hard is the voice. Frantic, raw, and electric, perfectly mirroring teenage desperation and devotion. The band members remain a collective “we” until the very end, when they finally split into three distinct POVs. The reverence for Kurt Cobain and Nirvana is beautifully done, weaving grunge philosophy straight into the bones of the story.
In Bloom is a coming-of-age novel about girlhood under pressure, power, loyalty, and the hunger for freedom. Loud, messy, and unforgettable. 🎸🔥
Perfect for lovers of 90s grunge, riot-girl energy, and stories that feel like feedback through a broken amp.
Mid-90s. A shitty coastal town in Vincent, Australia. 🌊
Four Nirvana-obsessed teens start a grunge band with one goal: get out.
The Bastards see the Battle of the Bands as their one-way ticket to escape the same small-town fate as their mothers. But when their lead singer, Lily Lucid, suddenly disappears, and serious accusations ripple through the town, the dream implodes. Left behind, the three remaining girls cling to their friendship (and some very amateur detective work) to uncover the truth and protect the one adult who ever believed in them.
What makes In Bloom hit so hard is the voice. Frantic, raw, and electric, perfectly mirroring teenage desperation and devotion. The band members remain a collective “we” until the very end, when they finally split into three distinct POVs. The reverence for Kurt Cobain and Nirvana is beautifully done, weaving grunge philosophy straight into the bones of the story.
In Bloom is a coming-of-age novel about girlhood under pressure, power, loyalty, and the hunger for freedom. Loud, messy, and unforgettable. 🎸🔥
Perfect for lovers of 90s grunge, riot-girl energy, and stories that feel like feedback through a broken amp.
November 30, 2025
‘In Bloom’ is brilliant. A grungy, raw, and propulsive coming-of-age story with an element of mystery and a literary bent, it uses the 1st person plural voice to stunning effect. Going into the novel, I didn’t know quite what to expect, and I certainly didn’t think it would be as affecting as it is, but when the riot of words finally fell silent at the end, I found myself blown away, able only to sit in that silence—and everything it contains—and reflect on the novel and the feelings it conjured. A day later, and I’m still processing. This is a novel that I will continue to think about for a long time, and the sort of novel where I want to immediately return to page one and begin again.
The story is told through a series of short chapters that weave back and forth between past and present, most vignettes, but some a poem or even a single sentence. The shortness of the chapters and the glimpses they give create an urgency that is almost addictive—whilst reading, I kept finding myself insisting, ‘Just one more chapter, just one more chapter,’ unwilling to put the book down. The other most notable feature of the novel is its use of the 1st person plural; I wondered what led the author to choose this unconventional voice, but as the end drew near, it made perfect sense, and it became clear that a lot of thought went into every aspect of this novel, despite it feeling so fluid and effortless.
What I appreciated most about ‘In Bloom’ is the sensitivity and authenticity with which the author tackles the subject of grooming and sexual assault. It rang true to me, a realistic portrayal of the causes as well as the complex feelings victims experience and the ways in which they deal with it. I particularly liked how this linked to the collective ‘we’ voice, and its fragmentation at the end.
In terms of who will enjoy this book, its unconventional voice and structure make it suitable for readers of literary fiction; however, it remains highly accessible, unlike some literary works, and it has a thriller-like momentum, so is perfect for other readers who are wanting to veer away from genre and try something towards the more literary end of the spectrum.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Liz Allan and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
⚠️ Sexual abuse, hebephilia, bullying, child abuse, domestic abuse, animal cruelty, homophobic slurs, racism, misogyny, cursing, alcohol, drug use
The story is told through a series of short chapters that weave back and forth between past and present, most vignettes, but some a poem or even a single sentence. The shortness of the chapters and the glimpses they give create an urgency that is almost addictive—whilst reading, I kept finding myself insisting, ‘Just one more chapter, just one more chapter,’ unwilling to put the book down. The other most notable feature of the novel is its use of the 1st person plural; I wondered what led the author to choose this unconventional voice, but as the end drew near, it made perfect sense, and it became clear that a lot of thought went into every aspect of this novel, despite it feeling so fluid and effortless.
What I appreciated most about ‘In Bloom’ is the sensitivity and authenticity with which the author tackles the subject of grooming and sexual assault. It rang true to me, a realistic portrayal of the causes as well as the complex feelings victims experience and the ways in which they deal with it. I particularly liked how this linked to the collective ‘we’ voice, and its fragmentation at the end.
In terms of who will enjoy this book, its unconventional voice and structure make it suitable for readers of literary fiction; however, it remains highly accessible, unlike some literary works, and it has a thriller-like momentum, so is perfect for other readers who are wanting to veer away from genre and try something towards the more literary end of the spectrum.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Liz Allan and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
⚠️ Sexual abuse, hebephilia, bullying, child abuse, domestic abuse, animal cruelty, homophobic slurs, racism, misogyny, cursing, alcohol, drug use
dnf
January 18, 2026DNFing at 32%
I was invited to read an eARC of this book by the publisher, and unfortunately I do not think this book is for me. I found the reading style hard to follow, the short chapters to be a little jarring and difficult to make the story feel cohesive. Additionally, I found it hard to like the characters or relate to them in a meaningful way.
I was invited to read an eARC of this book by the publisher, and unfortunately I do not think this book is for me. I found the reading style hard to follow, the short chapters to be a little jarring and difficult to make the story feel cohesive. Additionally, I found it hard to like the characters or relate to them in a meaningful way.
October 27, 2025
DRC from Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster
A heartwarming and powerful story about friendship, being a teen girl in a small town, and voice. Four girls, friends since they were old enough to play, form a band. It is their ticket out of the small, poor, town and become more than what their single, broke, worn-out mothers are. When Lily, their lead singer quits, they are stuck. Lily is also accusing their music teacher, the one who allows them to practice and is their transportation to the contest, of sexual assault. Did the friends really know what was going on? Are they putting tier dreams ahead of their friend? Is the music teacher really guilty? The three friends do some detective work as well as try to come up with a way to still get to the contest. The story flashes back multiple time to show how the four have gotten to this point in the present.
A heartwarming and powerful story about friendship, being a teen girl in a small town, and voice. Four girls, friends since they were old enough to play, form a band. It is their ticket out of the small, poor, town and become more than what their single, broke, worn-out mothers are. When Lily, their lead singer quits, they are stuck. Lily is also accusing their music teacher, the one who allows them to practice and is their transportation to the contest, of sexual assault. Did the friends really know what was going on? Are they putting tier dreams ahead of their friend? Is the music teacher really guilty? The three friends do some detective work as well as try to come up with a way to still get to the contest. The story flashes back multiple time to show how the four have gotten to this point in the present.
October 31, 2025
IN BLOOM was a story that could be written for girls of the past and present . It was intriguing, interesting, with strong willed characters, and situations that was Wow!
November 4, 2025
Maybe 4.5. I really enjoyed this book and appreciated its themes.
November 5, 2025
Sometimes being a teenage girl really is like being in a hive mind with your best friends.
November 28, 2025
A big thank you to Netgalley and Hachette AUS&NZ for an ARC of Liz Allan’s In Bloom. This was such a nostalgic read that really threw me back into my childhood - when the streetlights coming on meant it’s time to come home. Underneath the nostalgia and the familiarity of the Australian setting was a love of a grunge music I found myself at home with as well as the relationships the characters shared. One thing Allan got really right about I found is about the turbulent times and different dynamics you see as a kid, the friends you make and the music you listen to have such an impact because of the world around you at such as young age and I think this book does such an incredible job at making it stand out. The music choice Liz Allan chooses to theme the book around is such a beautiful choice as well! I haven’t even got into the main theme of this book, this truly was a great read.
A coming-of-age story, a major, major theme is the sexual assault accusations against the teenage characters music teacher, a teacher who they spend the book wholly adoring and tearing apart their former friend and the accuser of their teacher. It was a hard read in this way but still so so important.
If you loved my dark Vanessa but found it too difficult or too distressing I would maybe recommend this. It’s similar themed but not as in detail and a lot shorter.
A coming-of-age story, a major, major theme is the sexual assault accusations against the teenage characters music teacher, a teacher who they spend the book wholly adoring and tearing apart their former friend and the accuser of their teacher. It was a hard read in this way but still so so important.
If you loved my dark Vanessa but found it too difficult or too distressing I would maybe recommend this. It’s similar themed but not as in detail and a lot shorter.
November 26, 2025
If you’re a weird girl with grunge in your DNA, In Bloom is the book that is going to crawl under your skin and stay there. This is the brand of unapologetically intense feral girlhood I chase, all nicotine cloud, three-day-old underwear, outsider longing, and that raw, messy devotion between girls who refuse to fulfil the small town legacy handed down to them by their teenage mothers.
This is a love letter to the 90s, a candle still burning for Kurt, its unhinged and unplugged. It’s giving Penance by Eliza Clark. It’s giving We Pretty Pieces of Flesh by Colwill Brown. It’s giving CULT-CODED debut you will want to get in on early.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton, NetGalley and Liz Allan, for allowing me to read an advance copy of this in exchange for my honest thoughts. This is being published March 12, 2026 and I’m going to be first in line for a physical copy. I gave it 5 stars from my weird little heart.
This is a love letter to the 90s, a candle still burning for Kurt, its unhinged and unplugged. It’s giving Penance by Eliza Clark. It’s giving We Pretty Pieces of Flesh by Colwill Brown. It’s giving CULT-CODED debut you will want to get in on early.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton, NetGalley and Liz Allan, for allowing me to read an advance copy of this in exchange for my honest thoughts. This is being published March 12, 2026 and I’m going to be first in line for a physical copy. I gave it 5 stars from my weird little heart.
December 2, 2025
This was very stylish and the use of the first person plural was really effective at putting us in the head of these girls while maintaining a boundary from what they really think in an organic way.
Three schoolgirls discover that their former friend and band mate has accused their music teacher of sexual assault. We then follow them as they try to get to the truth as well as trying to escape being stuck in their small town all their lives.
The setting of the early nineties I found effective as it takes you outside of your own experience and back to when things seemed more simple and innocent, even though things don’t change that much over time in reality.
The ending felt very earned and gave the book more weight.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc
Three schoolgirls discover that their former friend and band mate has accused their music teacher of sexual assault. We then follow them as they try to get to the truth as well as trying to escape being stuck in their small town all their lives.
The setting of the early nineties I found effective as it takes you outside of your own experience and back to when things seemed more simple and innocent, even though things don’t change that much over time in reality.
The ending felt very earned and gave the book more weight.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc
October 7, 2025
A group of four teenage girls in mid-nineties Australia is coping with the loss of their lead singer and the charges she brought against their beloved music teacher. They’ve been preparing for the Battle of the Bands – the only way out of their small town and predictably bleak futures. Now that their teacher is accused, they fear they’ll miss out on the competition, so they decide to prove his innocence themselves.
The girls think themselves so utterly remarkable and interchangeable that the story is told from one viewpoint – the three girls as a group. It’s not until the end of the story that we even learn their names. Or, in my case, realized that we never did learn them. I think the author pulled that off spectacularly.
You really feel for these girls, whether you were just like them or not so much. I was almost their exact age at the time this story was set, so as soon as I saw the month and year, I knew these Nirvana-obsessed girls were in for a rude awakening soon enough. You root for them and want things to work out, yet you also feel that sense of disappointment and disillusionment that continually surrounds them, and it kind of swallows you as the reader, too.
The ending packs an emotional punch that lingers long after you’ve finished reading. I like to think that maybe the girls’ futures won’t be so predictable after all.
The girls think themselves so utterly remarkable and interchangeable that the story is told from one viewpoint – the three girls as a group. It’s not until the end of the story that we even learn their names. Or, in my case, realized that we never did learn them. I think the author pulled that off spectacularly.
You really feel for these girls, whether you were just like them or not so much. I was almost their exact age at the time this story was set, so as soon as I saw the month and year, I knew these Nirvana-obsessed girls were in for a rude awakening soon enough. You root for them and want things to work out, yet you also feel that sense of disappointment and disillusionment that continually surrounds them, and it kind of swallows you as the reader, too.
The ending packs an emotional punch that lingers long after you’ve finished reading. I like to think that maybe the girls’ futures won’t be so predictable after all.
November 19, 2025
I found this to be such an interesting coming of age story; the grungy 90s backdrop gave it an edge that I enjoyed despite the fairly dark plot. I would recommend fans of 'My Dark Vanessa' & 'Virgin Suicides' to pick this one up.
If you're needing a quick gripping read, this is worth trying— the chapters were unexpectedly short which meant I was racing through this & didn't want to put it down. I found the writing style also kept me hooked to this from the start, the way we're carried through most of the book in the minds of the girls as a whole rather than them as individuals felt different to most books of this genre & I thought it was well thought out, more so when it changes toward the end & we suddenly see them as separate girls. It all became strangely emotional because of this, more than I'd expected. All they wanted was to be listened to & this deeply resonated with me.
There wasn't any particular action in this but there didn't feel the need to be, it worked well with how it was written. I can imagine this may be a bit of a marmite book for some readers but I'm strongly on the love it side & if you're a big litfic reader I'd highly suggest picking this up for something a bit more deep, nostalgic & compelling.
Thank you Hachette & Netgalley for my free eARC!
If you're needing a quick gripping read, this is worth trying— the chapters were unexpectedly short which meant I was racing through this & didn't want to put it down. I found the writing style also kept me hooked to this from the start, the way we're carried through most of the book in the minds of the girls as a whole rather than them as individuals felt different to most books of this genre & I thought it was well thought out, more so when it changes toward the end & we suddenly see them as separate girls. It all became strangely emotional because of this, more than I'd expected. All they wanted was to be listened to & this deeply resonated with me.
There wasn't any particular action in this but there didn't feel the need to be, it worked well with how it was written. I can imagine this may be a bit of a marmite book for some readers but I'm strongly on the love it side & if you're a big litfic reader I'd highly suggest picking this up for something a bit more deep, nostalgic & compelling.
Thank you Hachette & Netgalley for my free eARC!
October 9, 2025
4 girls who want to be the next big thing in the mid nineties era of grunge.
These 4 are known as the “Bastards” the fact they truly are fatherless just makes the name fit,
The story goes back and forth from before Lily’s departure from the band and after.
The terrible reason Lily leaves the band is plain that their music teacher was inappropriate with her and so the story begins, the remaining members of the Bastards want their chance at fame and without their beloved music teacher they work at trying to get him reinstated as their teacher and get their shot at the Battle of the Bands.
This is from the perspective of the teenage girls, it’s hard to imagine what it would of been not to have someone they could trust and having each other’s backs was all they knew could be trusted.
4 stars of the grunge variety
These 4 are known as the “Bastards” the fact they truly are fatherless just makes the name fit,
The story goes back and forth from before Lily’s departure from the band and after.
The terrible reason Lily leaves the band is plain that their music teacher was inappropriate with her and so the story begins, the remaining members of the Bastards want their chance at fame and without their beloved music teacher they work at trying to get him reinstated as their teacher and get their shot at the Battle of the Bands.
This is from the perspective of the teenage girls, it’s hard to imagine what it would of been not to have someone they could trust and having each other’s backs was all they knew could be trusted.
4 stars of the grunge variety
October 12, 2025
What an amazing book! A group of girls formed a band and called themselves The Bastards, because, well in the non-PC world, that's what they all are. Told throughout most of the book from a group point of view and one voice, it was fascinating. As events become clear, the voices separate into individuals making the main event come into focus. This novel is engrossing.
October 8, 2025
Cleverly written from the collective perspective of three girls in Australia in the 90s. It’s a realistic coming of age story about their hardships and how they try to overcome their circumstances by obsessing over a band competition. The narrative centers on an investigation on an attack on their old friend, who used to be in the band, and the music teacher who was preparing them for the competition. Compelling and engaging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews