Sad Girl Hours

by Anna Zoe Quirke

Saffron struggles with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and is dreading autumn and winter. She took time off in her first year at university and can’t afford to do the same this year if she’s going to achieve her dream of being an astrophysicist. She’s managed to keep it a secret from her friends – fearing that they won’t want to spend time with her if they see her at her lowest – but it’s getting harder. Especially when she meets Nell.

Nell – wannabe poet, autistic and proud, and lover of autumn and winter – is determined to show Saffron everything these seasons have to offer. The two grow close, and when Saffron confides in Nell, romance blooms. But with Saffron struggling to keep a lid on her mental health and Nell figuring out her own sexual identity, things soon spiral out of control.

A dual-perspective sapphic rom-com perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alice Oseman.

Genres: Queer, Lesbian, Romance, Young Adult, LGBT, Contemporary, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

432 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2025

About the author

Anna Zoe Quirke is a queer and autistic author. They live in Manchester with their wife and very angry tortoise, Sheldon, where they also work as a high school librarian and write about mental health, neurodivergence and everything LGBTQ+.

Their debut novel Something to be Proud of was published with Little Tiger in June 2024 and nominated for the Carnegie Award. Their second novel, Sad Girl Hours, was published in 2025.

They’re at their happiest writing stories about queer and disabled people finding love and claiming their place in the world, but they also enjoy exploring cool places, cooking new recipes, and generally being a huge nerd about books, art, and anything else where they can find a story.

Reviews

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars! This is a stunning story that discusses so many relevant topics. Everyone should read it.

Perfect if you enjoy:
- Sapphic romance
- Young adult romance
- Mental health representation
- Disability representation

This story follows Nell and Saffron, two college students that have recently become friends.
Nell is autistic and suffers from a chronic illness called POTS.
Saffron suffers from seasonal affective disorder.
Nell is a lover of the fall and winter seasons, so when she discovers Saffron doesn’t like them (although she isn’t yet aware the reason), she creates a bucket list of activities for them to do together- to try and change her mind.
As the girls grow closer, they must both face their fears and come clean to the other about a multitude of problems that each of them is challenged with.
Life seems to be trying to tear Nell and Saffron apart- but they are determined not to give up on each other.

I loved every second of this. Ate it up and left no crumbs.

Nell and Saffron are just an adorable couple.
I mean they are so sweet, so supportive, and so gentle with one another. I could not ask for anything more wholesome than this.
I was rooting for them so much. I desperately wanted them to get their happy ending, especially given that they’d both been through so much.

I felt so deeply for both characters, but especially for Saffron.
She went through so much trauma with her parents, and they were so horrible. She really did deserve a hug.
Side note: while it is not “good”, I do appreciate how the story between saffron and her parents ended. It showed that things don’t always work out- but sometimes that can be for the best. Sometimes letting go is better than holding on.
I think stories sometimes focus so much on the happy ending- that they lose some of their realism. But this, this was very real.

Nell’s questioning of her identity, and her place on the ace spectrum was great. I was so glad she had such supportive friends that gently guided her to finding herself.
Who doesn’t love a little self-discovery in a young adult book? I certainly love it.

Fantastic story overall. I am super excited to read more from this author in the future!

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Little Tiger Publishing and author Anna Zoe Quirk for providing me with the eARC of “Sad Girl Hours”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: September 4th, 2025

[Wyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

i’ve taken a day to process my thoughts on this book and i might sound very sensitive in this review. however i have to say: if you have both of your sapphic main characters explicitly call a nonbinary lesbian character (evie) “pushy”, “intense” and “unable to take a hint” when nell doesn’t TELL evie that she doesn’t want to dance/be flirted with, you are straying dangerously close to the predatory lesbian trope.

additionally, nell is autistic and her internal monologue thinks that evie should just “read her (nell’s) body language and get the hint” despite nell NEVER saying no to anything evie suggests. you’ve made a character with the ‘struggles with social cues and nonverbal communication’ disorder denigrate a character for not reading her nonverbal cues.

these characters are 20, they should know that you can’t sit in discomfort and blame a person for making you that way whom you have not TOLD that you are uncomfortable. this happens all the time to autistic people, and it feels hurtful to include this in a so-called ‘sapphic and neurodivergent romance’.

nell’s autism also isn’t something that comes up in her actual interactions too. her struggles are talked about off-screen, and her general behaviour with her friends and other characters doesn’t (to me, an autistic person myself) suggest she:
- struggles with social cues
- masks
- stims
- ruminates/gets caught in fixation loops
- self-isolates/elopes
- experiences any overstimulation/meltdowns/shutdowns

i’m not anticipating agreement here, since people do seem to really like this book. but these factors meant i couldn’t enjoy it the same way.

[Emily Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cosy YA sapphic romance, perfect for autumn reading. Nell and Saffron’s blossoming relationship, set against orchard visits and pumpkin carving, is tender and endearing. Anna Zoe Quirke doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, and this offers an honest and heartfelt exploration of mental health, friendship and identity.

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

(rounded up from 4.5)

CW: minor mentions of self-harm

This was just delightful (and funny! And also moving and relatable!). A delightful group of friends, wisecracking and figuring out life, together and possibly even coupling up!

There's a lot of discussion about mental health and emotional abuse from parents, but also lots of laughter, banter amongst friends and family who genuinely love each other, and some super sweet and wholesome couples.

I laughed, I cried, I wanted to beat the shit out of some terrible parents. The full package!

[Ashli Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book had a lot of representation throughout, so I’m going to put them here: lesbian main character with SAD, demisexual main character with autism and POTS, side characters who are: bisexual, pansexual, trans and gay.

i liked the wide ranging representation and the almost queer normative world found here where the main characters struggles are unrelated to their queerness and the plot is furthered by things existing outside of their gender and sexuality. as much as i love books that focus on this, it’s nice to read books where characters are gay without that being the driving force.

however. the book is supposedly with main characters in their second year of university, 20 years of age, and it read more like a YA book. the ways in which they’re written and interact with one another felt like I was watching a friendship group in sixth form bond than grown adults. this was a weird tone issue for me bc the plot was them drinking at parties stressing over assignments with language and emotional developments appearing more 15-16 so I couldn’t quite gel with the world in the way I wanted.

I think there was some pretty good rep, although the main focus is saffs SAD so you don’t truly get to touch upon nels autism much which I think lost a lot of opportunities.

overall it was a quick book to read that I think had great potential, I can see others enjoying this more than I.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Little Tiger and Pride Book Tours for an advanced copy of this book.

Saffron struggles with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and is dreading autumn and winter. She took time off in her first year at university and can’t afford to do the same this year if she’s going to achieve her dream of being an astrophysicist. She’s managed to keep it a secret from her friends – fearing that they won’t want to spend time with her if they see her at her lowest – but it’s getting harder. Especially when she meets Nell. Nell – wannabe poet, autistic and proud, and lover of autumn and winter – is determined to show Saffron everything these seasons have to offer. The two grow close, and when Saffron confides in Nell, romance blooms. But with Saffron struggling to keep a lid on her mental health and Nell figuring out her own sexual identity, things soon spiral out of control.

Saffron is such a sweetheart. She cares so much about everyone else, even if it is to her detriment. Seeing how her SAD affects her hit me hard because I could relate to her. I don’t have SAD, but I do have depression that feels as if it sucks the soul out of me. Seeing such raw and unguarded thoughts in her POV chapters made me incredibly emotional but I could sympathise with her and at least try to understand what she was going through. The masking was incredibly familiar too and I so appreciate Quirk including it. I think Saff is just a stunning character and I adore her.
Nell is certainly a bright star on a gloomy day. A delight to be around and so supportive of her friends. I love that she has this whole witchy vibe going on - I was living for it! The way she leant on Saff whilst still working out her own struggles was brilliant. She could very well be a lone wolf. Incredibly strong and independent, she could very well have leant that way. But the fact she was open and honest melted my heart. She is one of a kind, dear Nell. Anyone would be lucky to have her in their life.

I knew this book would be special - just from reading the blurb, it was one I wanted to read. But I didn’t expect to fall in love at the very beginning and absolutely cherish the story. There is such a fantastic pace here that you scarcely notice time passing. We get to see so much in these pages that we truly are taken on an adventure. But the highlight of it all for me were two main things. First, the fact that this story is set in a queer normal world - better yet, queer accepting. I so wish the real world was this way, that were accepted people for exactly who they are and don’t force them to conform into strict boxes or give them labels they don’t want. The fact these characters are happy and free being who they are honestly made me so happy. Second, perhaps the thing that moved me most, was the stark and honest inclusion of mental and chronic illness. As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, and also have PoTS mentioned here too, I felt so incredibly seen by the characters and massively related to them too. These things are so common and yet are seen as taboo subjects. Why would someone struggling be taboo? Because you can guarantee any person with a condition that requires assistance merely wants that - assistance. We don’t want everything changed for us and have someone cater to our every whim. We want to be seen as a human being and be treated as such. Quirke did such a fantastic job here regarding that. I absolutely adored the characters too. What a fantastic bunch of personalities to put together. I adore my friends and the group we have formed and the group that Nell and Saffron are part of reminded me of that so much! To be honest, there wasn’t a huge amount of romance here but IT WORKED! The romance is not the focus of the story, it is one small cog in the machine. I loved that there was this attraction undertone to things but I so appreciated that it was kept more to the background and the - dare I say it - far more important topics remained in the forefront. The way this story ended was everything I hoped it would be. These characters and their journey are certainly going to hold an incredibly special place in my heart. Thank you Quirke for such an outstanding story!

Overall, Sad Girl Hours is such a vital book people need to read, in my opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Little Tiger and Pride Book Tours for an advanced copy of this book.

[Riemmelth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very conflicted about what to rate this. I read it in three days so I obviously enjoyed it, but there were some iffy aspects and I wouldn't really recommend it to others. So two stars it is.

What I feel like this book did right is nail the cosy/Holiday season vibes. Most of it felt very autumnal, soft and loving. (Actually, now that I think of it, the winter aspect could have been worked out more, but whatever.) I also liked the way the asexuality spectrum was discussed/brought up. It felt like it was done in a deliberate order that really worked.

The most mild thing I disliked was the way that the inclusive elements (mostly on the topic of mental health) could have been shown more, instead of just told. Even Saffron's SAD should have been given more showy moments, in my opinion.

There is a scene including dislike for a character (you can find more detailed description of this in other two star reviews) which felt very ungrounded and just unnecessary?

Lastly, whenever people say "there are too many pop culture references" I take it with a grain of salt as I don't mind those that much, but oh boy, was this book BAD on that front. I genuinely feel like this book will be hard to comprehend if you aren't chronically online and it kind of gave me the vibe of bad (or unpracticed) writing where a normal word would have served the purpose but a reference was thrown in anyway. As a lover of the sprinkle of pop culture, this one pissed me off.

As I'm writing this I also realise the ending felt very rushed and unsatisfying?

This book wasn't it.

[Anya Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An endearing and cosy YA sapphic romance with brilliant representation, perfect for autumn. Much of the representation in this book was healing; it was heartwarming to see so many of my own experiences reflected in these characters (especially Nell).

One main character, Nell, is a queer, ace-spec (demisexual), autistic woman with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). Saffron is a lesbian with SAD (seasonal affective disorder).

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

representatie op zoveel vlakken én cozy!! ik heb gelachen, gehuild oh en ben tot de conclusie gekomen dat als ik een boek zou kunnen laten tatoeëren, het dit boek zou zijn

[jaci · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book had 3 things i absolutely dislike:

1. too many pop culture references
2. a hispanic character who randomly speaks spanish in the most unnatural way (seriously. no one talks like this)
3. an unnecessary third act break up

i kept hoping it would get better but the best part about this book was when i got to the acknowledgments and knew i was done!

cover art is pretty and the SAD rep was good imo

2.5 ⭐️

[Juniper · Rating 2 out of 5]

★★☆☆☆ — If I were going by enjoyment, this would be a one star

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.

If I were going based purely on enjoyment, this would be a one-star read. But I also know I’m not the target audience, and I don’t think it’s an objectively bad book, so I’m giving it two stars and doing my best to recommend it to the right readers.

Sad Girl Hours is a young adult contemporary romance between two college students, Saffron and Nell. It’s best suited for younger readers looking for something soft, reassuring, very direct, and emotionally validating. If you're new to conversations around mental health or identity, this book presents those themes in an extremely accessible, easy-to-understand way.

While this book features two 20-year-olds, it feels targeted at a much younger audience who might need help putting words to feelings.

You might like this book if:
- You're a young teen exploring sexuality and want a book that has a diverse cast of characters who talk about it very clearly
- You're a young teen learning about mental health and want a book that discusses depression, anxiety, autism (not a mental illness, but you know what I mean), and self-harm (but not in an explicit or triggering way)
- You're an adult and don’t mind having your hand held through those conversations or if you get fuzzy feelings reading a book you wish you had as a teen
- You don’t mind extremely modern vocabulary with pop culture references and references to somewhat obscure internet memes that'll be forgotten in a year or two
- And if you find the Pinterest quote “I care. I always care. This is my problem.” deep and emotional, because the author uses it almost word for word near the end. (Sorry for the sass)

Now, if I were the target audience, I might have enjoyed this a lot more. Alas, I'm an autistic adult who has gone through my fair share of mental illness and has gotten past sexuality 101, so this wasn't my cup of tea. I also can't stand pop culture and meme references in my books.

But even if I had enjoyed it, I would still knock it down a star for that third act breakup. It was nonsensical. I thought I'd missed a page or two when I read it because... what? But no, I reread the conversation three or four times and still don't get it, beyond “we need them to break up because that's the genre convention.” I don't mind well-done miscommunication, but this... this wasn't it.

[Simari · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay, this is probably my new favourite saphic book🤭

[Bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might just be the perfect book.

Sad Girl Hours has everything I could want: lighthearted banter, serious and introspective representation of mental health and sexuality, found family, slow burn and organically formed romance, and quirkiness up the wazoo. I loved every single second.

Nell is a lover of all things autumnal, is autistic, and is a promising poet who loves dressing like Mr. Darcy. Saffron's dream is to study space and has a picture perfect TikTok image she rigorously maintains. When the pumpkin spice queen hears that her friend doesn't like these cozy seasons, she vows to show off all the best features and creates a list of activities to win the summer girlie over. Unfortunately, things aren't quite so simple, and Saff has a very good reason for her rejection of Nell's favourite time of year...

The story switches between these two points of view as the girls work through all the stresses and joys university brings. The story slowly uncovers heavy secrets, but it also forges beautiful friendships that left me feeling incredibly positive and hopeful. I loved seeing the relationships between not just Nell and Saff, but Casper, Jenna, and Vivvie. Everything just feels so true and heartfelt that I found myself entranced by these characters and unable to put the book down.

The book deals with a variety of themes and important topics, including depression, SAD, chronic illness, neurodivergence, neglect, academic pressures, toxic relationships, queer identities, anxiety, racial stereotypes, and the importance of support systems. I thought it represents these issues thoughtfully and honestly, and I think the book offers hope in so many ways.

I often find endings of books unfulfilling or rushed, but Sad Girl Hours didn't leave me feeling like I was missing out. It was tightly knit, and each character had a moment to shine. For me, this is an easy five stars and I will continue to pick up anything Anna Zoe Quirke writes!

[Eloise · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - Sad Girl Hours by Anna Zoe Quirke is such a sweet contemporary YA.
It has the cutest sapphic romance between two of the most caring and adorable girls: Saffron who has Seasonable Affective Disorder (SAD), meaning autumn and winter are particularly difficult times for her and her depression, and Nell, an autistic poet living with PoTS, who is questioning her sexuality as she feels attraction towards someone for the first time (Nell isn't sure of how to label herself yet so sticks with "queer" thought definitely talks about being on the ace spectrum), and who loves autumn so much she wants Saffron to experience it through her eyes (without knowing that Saffron actually has SAD).
I love that this isn't a "love cures mental illness" kind of story. These girls falling in love is beautiful and very sweet but you clearly see that their struggles aren't solved thanks to their partners. It takes friends, family, professional help for Saffron to start realising that coming to terms with being mentally ill is okay and you can seek help.

Thank you to Little Tiger Press for sending me an early copy of this book!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute little book that was! Sad girl hours is the story of Saffron and Nell, two girls sharing the same friend group and not-so-subtly crushing on each other. They navigate life with its challenges and their differences as fall slowly creeps in—bringing with it seasonal depression and its many forms.

I loved this book. It’s cozy, and cute, and serious when needs be. As a neurodivergent person, it feels so refreshing to read about characters sharing the same struggles and get to experience the inner thoughts of fictional characters going through the same experiences we have all pushed through in our teenage years.

if you like;
* cosy romance
* YA reads with serious themes
* autistic representation
* fall vibes 🍂
* sapphic characters
* longing
this read is for you!

Thank you so much Little tiger for the ARC copy 🧡
3.5/5 ⭐️

[Bookish Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

Sad Girl Hours follows Nell and Saffron as they navigate university life, friendship and romance. The book explores mental health, identity, and the importance of having people who support you.

I really enjoyed the discussions around mental health and the positive light the book shines on speaking up and asking for help when it’s needed. The group of friends is amazing (true ride-or-die!) with fantastic queer representation, including ace, lesbian, trans, and a queer character with no defined label. I also adored the super sweet sapphic romance and the inclusion of the poetry collection. I'm not even much of a poetry person, but found Nell's poems extremely charming.

Sad girl hours took a little while to fully get going and capture my interest, but once it did, I was completely invested.

I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy contemporary YA with thoughtful mental health themes, strong friendships, and inclusive queer representation.

[that girl who reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Oh this is such a perfect Autumn and Winter read!! The Queer representation was fantastic, the themes of sexual/romantic attraction and mental health were handled so beautifully. I felt so understood and related to many of the characters in different ways. It also perfectly encapsulated some of the struggles of university life in Britain which I also related to. My only slight criticism was that some of the contemporary pop culture references and humour were a bit overdone and I can't see the book aging well because of that. it feels very relevant now but became a bit tiresome after a while. But overall it's just a wonderful read with so many important messages we can all learn from.

[mika · Rating 4 out of 5]

please give me a about a thousand more books filled with these little guys' shenanigans and no plot whatsoever and my heart will be content !

the main feeling i got from this book was, like nell, wanting to poke saffron's brain because she deserves the world and needs to realise it !

anyway i loved everything about this story and will remember it very fondly !

[Ama Prema · Rating 3 out of 5]

J’aurai jamais lu ce type de livre de mon plein chef mais l’histoire était grave mignonne ! Un beau reccueil sur l’amitié, l’amour et la santé mentale
Très automne comme lecture donc bien dans le thème. En anglais mais ok à lire et rigolo par moments. Personnages assez bien développés mais vers la fin ça devenait trop redondant

[Kourtney York · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! Something about it just made it feel so special and wholesome while also touching on subject of mental health and identity. It felt like the perfect book to cosy up to while trying to get through the tough winter months. Very Alice Oseman vibes!

[meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a heartwarming and cosy read, whilst also tackling really important topics! i loved the characters so much and had a really good time reading this <3

[gifted book but all opinions are my own!!]

[Kia Westley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

[Caitlin Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! Sad Girl hours is a beautiful novel about love in all forms:platonic,romantic and familial. Love bleeds from every page and it truly feels like a warm hug within a book despite its darker themes of mental health, parental neglect and discovering yourself. 🥰

It follows two beautifully written, complex queer female characters and their wonderfully supportive and funny queer friend group. It is written as a dual-pov which works perfectly for this story! It’s like being inside the minds of the characters and unlike in most dual-pov books I love and related to both characters equally. Saffron is a huge people-pleaser like me and hides her negative emotions in order to not burden those around her and Nell is an autistic creative (like me!!!) who is passionate about autumn and winter and a very kind empathetic friend.

It means a lot to me how Nell being autistic is such an integral part of her character and isn’t shied away from or treated like a ‘superpower’ (Which makes sense as the author is also autistic). I see myself a lot in her as an also autistic person and it feels euphoric to have a character like me represented in a romance novel, making me feel like I deserve a love story too.

I love both Saffron and Nell SO MUCH!! They are beautifully written characters and I was rooting for them both the whole way through! Although not necessarily just rooting for them to end up together (although they are adorable and I ship them so hard!!!) but rooting for them to grow as characters. They both feel so fleshed out and real and even if this book had no romance element I would still have loved the story. I feel like this book accomplished what not a lot of romance books do-creating a love story that isn’t centred around romantic love. Nell and Saffron just work, they just understand each other and everything that plays out between them feels so natural. The love between them and their friends, Nell’s beautiful relationship with her dads and Nell and Saffron’s friendship (which of-course eventually turns into lovers) is just as important!

It puts into words all the complexities of loving someone (both platonically or romantically) better than any book I have ever read.

The message is also so important for anyone who is neurodivergent or struggles with mental health:
everyone deserves to be loved even in their darkest moments, even when they feel too much or not enough. Love isn’t something you should have to earn by being good enough or hiding yourself and your feelings the right people will love you for who you are and make life feel worth living. 💕

The romance between Saffron and Nell is very slow-burn (partly because Nell is Aces-spec like me) but it is worth the wait!!!! The first kiss scene had me squealing and kicking my feet lol 🤭

I’m so glad I took a chance with this book as I had never heard of it before I saw it recommended online as the perfect cozy sapphic book for autumn!🍂
And IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
I try not to judge a book by its cover but in this case the cover was beautiful and so was the story! I could not recommend this book enough and I Will 100% be rereading it next autumn 🤩

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (wish I could give it more)

[Becca ♡ PrettyLittleMemoirs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in dual POVs between University-age Saffron, who is struggling with seasonal affective disorder and a turbulent home life, and Nell, who is autistic and has POTS and dreams of being a fully-fledged poet. Unlike Saffron, Nell loves the autumn and winter months. When they connect, Saffron tries to keep her struggles away from Nell, since some of her old relationships have been hindered by knowing of her disorder. None the wiser, just thinking Saffron doesn’t like the seasons, Nell comes up with a vast list of seasonal activities for them to do together.

Through chilly visits to orchards, carving pumpkins and growing closer amongst the backdrop of their wildly kind and caring friendship group, Saffron wonders what life could be like if she was upfront with Nell. What does she have to lose when it seems like Nell really likes her and is different from the others? Maybe she won’t have to wait until Spring to finally feel like herself when Nell is the person to be honest with. Soon, the pair are bonding over more than just poems and astrophysics, but connecting on new and deeper levels that blossoms into romantic territory. But when push comes to shove, being honest is sometimes a hard thing to get right, and with suddenly so much to lose in Nell, Saffron has to make a choice. Only, Nell is holding things back too. If only they could see that they are already breaking old patterns and heading toward something beautiful.

Sad Girl Hours is, at it’s heart, a gorgeous coming-of-age story with found family and cosy, seasonal vibes. It definitely reads more toward standard YA age than for University age or older YA readers, but I can see why Anna wrote the characters this age as the dynamic of setting and conversations suit that era better. I was really looking forward to being able to see lots of the SAD representation and discussions as I haven’t read about it much in YA, but it does end up being more of an on-and-off talked about topic than a main focal point. That being said, I did love many more things about how readers will be able to see themselves in Saffron, a lesbian, and Nell, who is Queer, as well as chronic illness and neurodivergence representation, throughout. The tightly-knit friendship group and overall vibe of how the book made me feel was my highlight, a cosy hug of a story, whilst still having those hard conversations, too. A simply beautiful book that made me smile.

[Eilidh Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Something To Be Proud Of by Anna Zoe Quirke so as soon as I heard about this book I knew I was going to have to read it and now I have read it, it easily is a new favourite YA contemporary book and I am really looking forward to more from Anna Zoe Quirke.

Sad Girl Hours follows Saffron who struggles with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and after being off for a period in her first year of university she is aware that to complete her degree she can’t do the same thing this year and keeping it hidden from her friends is becoming harder and harder. And Nell, an autistic poet, who is determined to show Saffron everything she loves about autumn and winter all while discovering her own sexual identity.

There were quite a few parts of this book that made me keep reading including the characters, representation and romance. It took me a little bit of time to get into this story, however I binged 200 pages in one day.

This book is full of fantastic representation that I really appreciated reading about. The friend group was really diverse in a really natural way and the discussions surrounding mental health and sexuality were things that to me grounded the book in the YA age range which I love. I am someone with some experience of living with people with SAD however it is not something I have much knowledge of, and so because of that I found the discussions of this really interesting to read. I also loved seeing an autistic character who knew who they were and were proud of it.

This romance was quite slow developing which I really liked as it gave all of the other parts of the book the time that they needed and I think if this hadn’t been the case I wouldn’t have enjoyed the book as much at all. I think that all the elements were given equal time and care which definitely helped strengthen this book.

Saffron and Nell were both strong characters that I really wanted to read about individually and together. Their autumn bucket list was so cosy to read about and while I did love reading the ARC of it I also would have loved to have read it during the cosy autumn season with a hot chocolate and blanket.

I am so happy I decided to continue reading Anna Zoe Quirke because I loved this one in a way I didn’t quite Something To Be Proud Of and highly recommend picking it up when it releases in less than a month.

Thank you to Little Tiger and Netgalley for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[rachೃ⁀➷ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to kick off my autumn reading. I adored every second of it, and I genuinely think it deserves a spot on everyone’s ever-growing TBR.

The story follows Saffron and Nell, two girls who meet at university, along with their lovely group of friends. Spanning the course of their second year, the novel captures the joys and challenges of student life. Nell writes poetry, while Saffron creates social media content. Together, they come up with a bucket list of autumnal and festive activities, both for creative inspiration and a way to make memories. The list itself was such a lovely touch, and it naturally brings the girls closer as the year unfolds.

At the heart of the story is Saffron’s struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Known as the sunshine of her group, she feels pressure to keep up this persona, even while privately struggling. Coming from a difficult home where she isn’t fully appreciated only adds to the weight she carries. Nell, her opposite in nearly every way, becomes the person who helps her open up, reminding her that she doesn’t always need to shine for others to love her.

The whole book felt tender, raw, and genuinely beautiful. The inclusion of Nell’s poetry throughout gave it a lyrical quality that made the story feel so much more intimate. Anna Zoe Quirke’s talent shines through every page!

And then, of course, there’s Saffron and Nell’s relationship, the realisation that they didn’t just love each other as friends completely warmed my heart. The way they saw and supported each other down to the smallest detail was so, so beautiful. This was truly the sweetest romance, and without a doubt, Anna Zoe Quirke has become a new auto-buy author for me.

Read this if you’re looking for a book that has:

✧.* University Setting
✧.* Sapphic Romance
✧.* Mental Health, POTS, and Autism representation
✧.* Bucketlists.
✧.* YA Romance

my bookstagram!

[rameenlovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Little Tiger Group for sending me an e-arc of this book!

The story follows Saffron, a university student struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and Nell, an autistic aspiring poet who sees the beauty in the same long, grey days Saffron dreads. What starts as a slow, tentative friendship grows into something much more intimate and complicated, as both girls navigate love, identity, and the parts of themselves they’d rather keep hidden.

This book does mental health representation incredibly well. It’s not glamorised, not the simple I’m all better now after finding love shtick just the pain, the exhaustion, the guilt, the fear of being a burden.

Saffron’s voice feels raw and relatable in her voice. And Nell! She’s bright and brimming with empathy, her perspective giving the story balance and light. The two person POV works beautifully here, letting you see both sides of their miscommunications and quiet heartbreaks.

The writing is lyrical and atmospheric, soaked in the feeling of winter — that sense of time stretching and folding, where every moment feels both fleeting and endless. Quirke captures that so well I loved it

There are definitely some heavy themes (depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts), so I’d recommend checking trigger warnings before going in. But there’s also warmth here, humour, friendship, small joys, and the fragile hope that comes with learning to let yourself be loved.

If I had any small criticism, it’s that the pacing can feel uneven at times, some sections linger maybe a bit too long in introspection, but honestly, it fits the tone of the book. Healing isn’t a straight path, and neither is this story.

Overall, Sad Girl Hours is tender, brave, and deeply empathetic. A love story, yes, but also a story about survival, identity, and learning that vulnerability doesn’t make you weak.

Definitely good read for Alice Oseman fans!

3.5/5

[Doe Is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC on Netgalley, however all opinions are my own

So the reason I wanted to read this is because I read "Something To Be Proud Of" by Anna earlier this year and loved it, so when I saw this on Netgalley I knew I wanted to apply for it. Friends, I'm actually so happy that I got to read this one. This book is everything that I want in a queer book and more. First of all, as there was with their last book "Sad Girl Hours" truly has such a diverse cast of characters and there genuinely is something for almost everyone. I felt like there was so many characters I could relate to as a disabled, asexual queer girly, and I loved knowing that there would definitely be something for others too. The found family in this book was incredible and I genuinely laughed so much with this book as the banter between the friends was incredible, but I also cried because of how beautiful the friendship was between them all and how important the author put across that it was to have friends like these. I loved the dual perspective because it truly let us know how the characters were actually feeling compared to how they were seeing each other, and it gave us a much more deeper understanding of their relationship with not only each other but the others in the group. This book hit on so many heavy topics but did so with such a softness which made it easier for people who might not deal with these topics in real life easier to understand and empathise with the characters. I genuinely would recommend this to anyone and everyone who wants a good, cute sapphic romance, but especially younger queer people to give them a sense of what relationships/friendships should really be like. I'm so excited to see what more Anna will write about, and hope that they never stop writing books like this for the queer community.

[Beth Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Massive thanks to the lovely people at Little Tiger for this book.

Two things you need to know about me that inform this review. I went to Lancaster Uni. I have SAD.

Just like Saffron, aspiring astrophysicist in her second year at Lancaster, after taking time off in her first year, she can’t afford to do it again this year if she wants to pass the year, let alone achieve her dream. She’s living in fear hiding her mental health from her friends, terrified they’ll reject her like her parents and college friends.

Nell is a poet, autistic, and a lover of everything autumn and winter. She’s determined to show Saffron the darker months have so much to offer. As they spend time together and Saff starts to confide in Nell, romance blooms; but with Saffron struggling to keep a lid on her mental health and Nell struggling to figure out her own sexual identity, things soon start to spiral.


I loved this book. The friendship group is so vibrant so alive and the romance is so gorgeous. It’s funny, sharp and insightful. It was a slow read because it made me so emotional. It took back to my own very dark SAD days in second year at Lancaster (a couple of years before the ice rink and ferris wheel on Dalton Square) I tried very ADHDly to keep going and organised so many fun things with my friends just like Nell does with Saffron and when I eventually completely collapsed my friends were just as brilliant as Saff’s. (Seriously though October picnics in Williamson Park are excellent.)

This is such an uplifting winter warmer of a book and will make any SAD sufferer feel slightly less alone. It’s a warm hug of a book and whilst it might not be quite so nostalgic for every reader, Quirke has such talent the characters will linger long after and you might find yourself suddenly very interested in the night sky.

[Evita · Rating 4 out of 5]

“That’s the thing. I don’t want anyone to really see me. So I make sure they’re only looking when I tell them to.”

I adored Something To Be Proud Of by this author, so obviously Sad Girl Hours was an autobuy for me. This book is about Saffron and Nell who are just starting out at uni and become friends. Nell loves autumn and Saffron, suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), absolutely hates it. Yet she agrees to join Nell in completing the ultimate autumn/winter bucket list.

This is a perfect book to read in in the months leading up to Christmas. It is full of fun fall activities and lots of silly banter and general fun. At the same time, it examines the thoughts and feelings of a person with SAD. Saffron’s POV was both frustrating, depressing, and painful to read. She was so afraid of letting people see that she struggled, largely due to her upbringing and terrible past experiences. Nell was her exact opposite, coming from a loving home and with friends she could speak to about anything. Seeing these two characters become close and learning to trust each other was truly a wholesome experience. There was also a really fun friend group at the centre of this story and I enjoyed how they all interacted with and cared for each other.

The book is an exploration of friendships and learning to let yourself be seen as you truly are. It is also a slow exploration of love and figuring out your own sexuality. Yes, there were moments where I wanted to knock everyone’s heads together and beg them to COMMUNICATE, but overall this was a really good read.

If you’re looking for funny, frustrating, fall vibes, this is the one for you.