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Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans
Plan for the perfect summer before year 12:
* Do a life-drawing course at the Australian Art School. (Try not to freak out the first time you have to draw a naked man.)
* Find your friends. (Your real ones.)
* First kiss?! (Only if it's with the right person.)
* Try not to wish your sister were still here. (Impossible!)
A warm and funny novel about finding yourself . . . in a room full of strangers, drawing naked people.
'A vivid sense of place pulses through this novel with a heartfelt core and a glimpse of how imagination
can illuminate truth and connect us to others.' Melina Marchetta, bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi.
* Do a life-drawing course at the Australian Art School. (Try not to freak out the first time you have to draw a naked man.)
* Find your friends. (Your real ones.)
* First kiss?! (Only if it's with the right person.)
* Try not to wish your sister were still here. (Impossible!)
A warm and funny novel about finding yourself . . . in a room full of strangers, drawing naked people.
'A vivid sense of place pulses through this novel with a heartfelt core and a glimpse of how imagination
can illuminate truth and connect us to others.' Melina Marchetta, bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi.
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Published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 8, 2026
Cleo has a plan for this summer before she begins Year 12. She’s been accepted into a life drawing workshop at the Australian Art School and she just needs not to freak out the first time she has to draw a naked man. She also hopes to find her people and maybe even have her first kiss. All of this while trying not to wish her sister was still here.
Zoe has written such an authentic and heartwarming novel, which is at once emotional and humorous. It deals with big themes including finding your place in the world, first love, friendship and grief and Zoe has written them all in such an authentic and relatable form. I absolutely loved Cleo and joining her journey navigating new things was so joyful and nerve wracking at the same time. I loved the letters/plans from her sister sprinkled throughout. The relationship between them was obviously so close and beautiful.
As well as Cleo, I loved Mattias and Remi. They were both so supportive and lovely right from the first day of class and I loved seeing their growing friendship.
Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans is a wonderfully warm and uplifting novel which will resonate with teens and adults alike.
Zoe has written such an authentic and heartwarming novel, which is at once emotional and humorous. It deals with big themes including finding your place in the world, first love, friendship and grief and Zoe has written them all in such an authentic and relatable form. I absolutely loved Cleo and joining her journey navigating new things was so joyful and nerve wracking at the same time. I loved the letters/plans from her sister sprinkled throughout. The relationship between them was obviously so close and beautiful.
As well as Cleo, I loved Mattias and Remi. They were both so supportive and lovely right from the first day of class and I loved seeing their growing friendship.
Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans is a wonderfully warm and uplifting novel which will resonate with teens and adults alike.
July 7, 2026
I miss summerrrrrrr but a great story
May 19, 2026
3.5 stars
Cleo… my love… my sweet summer child… are you maybe autistic?
This is such a sweet, quintessentially Aussie coming-of-age contemporary story about grief, belonging, friendship and struggling to find your way, set against a backdrop of a summer art school in Sydney. It’s giving Dance Academy vibes but for drawing nudes (lol). An overall lovely, heartwarming story.
Cleo… my love… my sweet summer child… are you maybe autistic?
This is such a sweet, quintessentially Aussie coming-of-age contemporary story about grief, belonging, friendship and struggling to find your way, set against a backdrop of a summer art school in Sydney. It’s giving Dance Academy vibes but for drawing nudes (lol). An overall lovely, heartwarming story.
June 6, 2026
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the ARC
If you're looking for a young adult novel that everyone can enjoy, look no further. The writing was heart warming while tackling some heavy themes (grief, anxiety etc) with a lot of care. The side characters lent a lot of substance to the story and helped Cleo open up. My highlights were the life advice checklists from her sister and seeing the family navigate their grief in different ways (the shampoo bottle scene got me good 😥) It's a short read so I don't want to give too much else away but overall this was such a beautiful, sad and heartwarming read.
4.5 ⭐
If you're looking for a young adult novel that everyone can enjoy, look no further. The writing was heart warming while tackling some heavy themes (grief, anxiety etc) with a lot of care. The side characters lent a lot of substance to the story and helped Cleo open up. My highlights were the life advice checklists from her sister and seeing the family navigate their grief in different ways (the shampoo bottle scene got me good 😥) It's a short read so I don't want to give too much else away but overall this was such a beautiful, sad and heartwarming read.
4.5 ⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2026
Thank you so much Penguin Australia for the gifted physical copy in exchange for an honest review!
2.5 ⭐️
Fast-paced, fun and sweet.
Cleo is trying to figure out what she wants to do with her art major work for year 12. So when her teacher suggests she attend a course over the holidays with other students her age, she leaps at the opportunity - despite being nervous and anxious about what might happen - desperate for inspiration to strike.
Cleo tries to hold her head high and hope for the best, but it’s not as easy as it seems. A girl who overthinks literally everything, Cleo struggles to let go of her insecurities and let the art speak for itself. But with the help of unexpected friends - and an unexpected boy she starts to like - the course goes better than expected, with a few bumps along the way. And with her sister’s plans for how to get through awkward situations and advice on everyday things, Cleo thinks she may just survive. Is the course just what Cleo needs to get inspiration and finally move on from a devastating event that has changed her life forever?
While this one was somewhat enjoyable, I feel like I’m almost past the young adult novels now. I found myself cringing at Cleo’s interactions with literally everything, and desperately wanted to tell her everything that is going to be okay, and that she doesn’t need to overthink literally everything. I think a big issue as well was being inside her head the whole time and having every single thought she had laid out on the page. I can definitely see that younger readers would enjoy and be able to relate to her. Overall, it was sweet but too immature and young for my liking.
Perfect for fans of a light-hearted young adult romance!
2.5 ⭐️
Fast-paced, fun and sweet.
Cleo is trying to figure out what she wants to do with her art major work for year 12. So when her teacher suggests she attend a course over the holidays with other students her age, she leaps at the opportunity - despite being nervous and anxious about what might happen - desperate for inspiration to strike.
Cleo tries to hold her head high and hope for the best, but it’s not as easy as it seems. A girl who overthinks literally everything, Cleo struggles to let go of her insecurities and let the art speak for itself. But with the help of unexpected friends - and an unexpected boy she starts to like - the course goes better than expected, with a few bumps along the way. And with her sister’s plans for how to get through awkward situations and advice on everyday things, Cleo thinks she may just survive. Is the course just what Cleo needs to get inspiration and finally move on from a devastating event that has changed her life forever?
While this one was somewhat enjoyable, I feel like I’m almost past the young adult novels now. I found myself cringing at Cleo’s interactions with literally everything, and desperately wanted to tell her everything that is going to be okay, and that she doesn’t need to overthink literally everything. I think a big issue as well was being inside her head the whole time and having every single thought she had laid out on the page. I can definitely see that younger readers would enjoy and be able to relate to her. Overall, it was sweet but too immature and young for my liking.
Perfect for fans of a light-hearted young adult romance!
July 17, 2026
4.5 stars.
This charming novel follows a rising Year 12 student with a specific plan for the perfect summer. The checklist: find her real friends, land a first kiss with the right person, tackle a life-drawing course without freaking out over a naked model, and try not to constantly wish her sister were still there... in a room full of strangers, drawing naked people.
The premise of this book captured my attention straight away. There is something poetic about associating the raw vulnerability of a coming-of-age journey with drawing live models.
I absolutely adored Cleo and her new group of friends. These youngsters, each bringing their own distinct backgrounds and life situations to the table, were surprisingly kind and deeply compelling. I didn’t expect the deeper theme of grief, but it beautifully grounded the story and lent Cleo a more sophisticated, mature edge.
I truly enjoyed following Cleo on her journey to find herself, shape her future, and perhaps fall in love in the process. I practically exhaled right along with her as she slowly shed her emotional baggage with each step she took. I also loved the art class setting, especially how her teacher guided her drawing style while metaphorically helping her organise her own inner thoughts.
The story left me feeling entirely warm all over. This was a fantastic, comforting summer read, and I’d highly recommend it!
(Thanks to Penguin Australia for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
This charming novel follows a rising Year 12 student with a specific plan for the perfect summer. The checklist: find her real friends, land a first kiss with the right person, tackle a life-drawing course without freaking out over a naked model, and try not to constantly wish her sister were still there... in a room full of strangers, drawing naked people.
The premise of this book captured my attention straight away. There is something poetic about associating the raw vulnerability of a coming-of-age journey with drawing live models.
I absolutely adored Cleo and her new group of friends. These youngsters, each bringing their own distinct backgrounds and life situations to the table, were surprisingly kind and deeply compelling. I didn’t expect the deeper theme of grief, but it beautifully grounded the story and lent Cleo a more sophisticated, mature edge.
I truly enjoyed following Cleo on her journey to find herself, shape her future, and perhaps fall in love in the process. I practically exhaled right along with her as she slowly shed her emotional baggage with each step she took. I also loved the art class setting, especially how her teacher guided her drawing style while metaphorically helping her organise her own inner thoughts.
The story left me feeling entirely warm all over. This was a fantastic, comforting summer read, and I’d highly recommend it!
(Thanks to Penguin Australia for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
August 27, 2026
Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans was a heartwarming coming-of-age novel. Cleo was an easy character to like, and I think many teens will be able to identify with her as she navigates friendships, grief, and the challenges of growing up. Her insecurities and experiences felt authentic, making it easy to become invested in her journey.
One of my favourite parts of the story was the sisterly bond between Emmy (Emmaline) and Cleo, and I especially enjoyed the practical how-to guides Emmy wrote for Cleo to help her navigate new situations. They were touching and highlighted just how much Emmy cared for her younger sister.
The novel also had plenty of humour, particularly the descriptions of the summer art classes Cleo attended before starting Year 12. Those scenes brought back memories of the life drawing classes I took at university, which had me chuckling at Cleo’s insecurities.
I also loved the friendships Cleo formed through the art classes. Mattias was such a sweetie, and Remi was equally delightful. It was lovely watching those friendships develop over the course of the summer. I was also liked Lachlan throughout most of the novel, although my opinion definitely changed once he showed his true colours.
Overall, this was a warm, engaging, and relatable story about family, friendship, first relationships, and finding your place in the world.
One of my favourite parts of the story was the sisterly bond between Emmy (Emmaline) and Cleo, and I especially enjoyed the practical how-to guides Emmy wrote for Cleo to help her navigate new situations. They were touching and highlighted just how much Emmy cared for her younger sister.
The novel also had plenty of humour, particularly the descriptions of the summer art classes Cleo attended before starting Year 12. Those scenes brought back memories of the life drawing classes I took at university, which had me chuckling at Cleo’s insecurities.
I also loved the friendships Cleo formed through the art classes. Mattias was such a sweetie, and Remi was equally delightful. It was lovely watching those friendships develop over the course of the summer. I was also liked Lachlan throughout most of the novel, although my opinion definitely changed once he showed his true colours.
Overall, this was a warm, engaging, and relatable story about family, friendship, first relationships, and finding your place in the world.
August 5, 2026
💜Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans by Zoe Gaetjens💜
This book was such a sweet, heartfelt coming-of-age story that perfectly captured all the awkwardness, uncertainty and excitement of being on the edge of adulthood (what a time!) 🙈
I adored how messy and realistic the characters felt. Nobody had everything figured out, friendships shifted, family dynamics were complicated, and every decision felt like the biggest one in the world! It really reflected exactly how being a teenager can often feel. The romance was sweet without overshadowing the bigger journey of self-discovery, which I really appreciated 🥰
This is the kind of YA that feels effortless to read. The pacing was easy, the writing was warm and engaging, and I flew through this one in just one sitting. It is funny without trying too hard, emotional without becoming overly heavy, and full of relatable moments that reminded me what it felt like to be sixteen and trying to figure my whole life out (lol) 🤣
If you are looking for a wholesome Aussie YA with heart, humour and plenty of awkward charm, I would definitely recommend picking this one up!
Thank you so much to @penguinteenaus @penguinbooksaus for sending me a copy to review, I am so grateful as always 🙏🏼
#drawingnudeswhilemakingotherplans #zoegaetjens #penguinbooksaus #bookreview
This book was such a sweet, heartfelt coming-of-age story that perfectly captured all the awkwardness, uncertainty and excitement of being on the edge of adulthood (what a time!) 🙈
I adored how messy and realistic the characters felt. Nobody had everything figured out, friendships shifted, family dynamics were complicated, and every decision felt like the biggest one in the world! It really reflected exactly how being a teenager can often feel. The romance was sweet without overshadowing the bigger journey of self-discovery, which I really appreciated 🥰
This is the kind of YA that feels effortless to read. The pacing was easy, the writing was warm and engaging, and I flew through this one in just one sitting. It is funny without trying too hard, emotional without becoming overly heavy, and full of relatable moments that reminded me what it felt like to be sixteen and trying to figure my whole life out (lol) 🤣
If you are looking for a wholesome Aussie YA with heart, humour and plenty of awkward charm, I would definitely recommend picking this one up!
Thank you so much to @penguinteenaus @penguinbooksaus for sending me a copy to review, I am so grateful as always 🙏🏼
#drawingnudeswhilemakingotherplans #zoegaetjens #penguinbooksaus #bookreview
June 21, 2026
This is an absolutely delightful YA rom-com set in Sydney, Australia.
Chloe is approaching her last year of high school and is attending a 4-week life drawing course at the encouragement of her parents. She relies on the handwritten notes from her older sister, Emmaline, to help her cope with the challenges of life, and following her journey with the friends she makes (Remi, Lachlan and Matthias) is a beautiful arc. The story feels so genuine as it gets to the heart of all the awkwardness of teenage life, romance, consent, friendship, loss and grief, and how difficult it is to navigate it all. I had some genuinely laugh out loud moments. The characters are real, they feel true to life. What I liked at the end of the story (without giving away anything) that Chloe becomes so much more aware of herself, and of her parents, because they have shared the same experience but teenagers lack the emotional intelligence and vocabulary to parse their own feelings. There is a beautiful scene with Chloe and her mum in the supermarket that is emotionally truthful and resonant.
Chloe is approaching her last year of high school and is attending a 4-week life drawing course at the encouragement of her parents. She relies on the handwritten notes from her older sister, Emmaline, to help her cope with the challenges of life, and following her journey with the friends she makes (Remi, Lachlan and Matthias) is a beautiful arc. The story feels so genuine as it gets to the heart of all the awkwardness of teenage life, romance, consent, friendship, loss and grief, and how difficult it is to navigate it all. I had some genuinely laugh out loud moments. The characters are real, they feel true to life. What I liked at the end of the story (without giving away anything) that Chloe becomes so much more aware of herself, and of her parents, because they have shared the same experience but teenagers lack the emotional intelligence and vocabulary to parse their own feelings. There is a beautiful scene with Chloe and her mum in the supermarket that is emotionally truthful and resonant.
May 29, 2026
This book brought me back to what it was like reading in high school and reminded me a little of books like Looking for Albrandi and Queen Kat, Carmel and St Jude Get a Life. I can honestly see this being a HSC text at some point in the future.
There was a lot to enjoy about this book with Betty and the art classes, Cleo's 4pm ritual, her friendship with Remi, the dynamic with Cleo's parents and Cleo finding a way to be herself. I honestly wasn't sure about the chemistry with Mattias and Cleo at first but I was on board by the end. There was a small part of me that didn't understand why Mattias liked Cleo at one point but I think this made the book more real because of it.
This is a beautifully written book and teenage me would have smashed this in one sitting but alas, being the responsible adult that I sometimes am, I had to put it down to sleep/eat/work. This book did make me laugh (I really enjoyed Cleo's wit) but also made me cry (as a parent, the shampoo bottle scene got me right in the feels).
If you got this far into the review, take it as your prompt to read this book - teenage you will thank me.
Speaking of thanks, the wonderful people over at Penguin for the ARC and even though I slightly missed the release, I have given an honest review
There was a lot to enjoy about this book with Betty and the art classes, Cleo's 4pm ritual, her friendship with Remi, the dynamic with Cleo's parents and Cleo finding a way to be herself. I honestly wasn't sure about the chemistry with Mattias and Cleo at first but I was on board by the end. There was a small part of me that didn't understand why Mattias liked Cleo at one point but I think this made the book more real because of it.
This is a beautifully written book and teenage me would have smashed this in one sitting but alas, being the responsible adult that I sometimes am, I had to put it down to sleep/eat/work. This book did make me laugh (I really enjoyed Cleo's wit) but also made me cry (as a parent, the shampoo bottle scene got me right in the feels).
If you got this far into the review, take it as your prompt to read this book - teenage you will thank me.
Speaking of thanks, the wonderful people over at Penguin for the ARC and even though I slightly missed the release, I have given an honest review
June 8, 2026
Wow. Practically perfect YA novel.
I absolutely devoured this fantastic story in a few hours.
I loved the bravery of the main character Cleo, as she struggles to find her new “normal” after the death of her older sister and best friend, Emmaline.
“Encouraged” by her parents to take a summer school art class, Cleo is anxious about most things and embarrassed by observing the bodies in her life drawing classes. The story follows Cleo as she makes friends and works through plans left to her by her sister.
Having read a lot of YA for my job, I loved how natural the dialogue sounded, and how believable were the actions and reactions of the characters. I was also so relieved at the low “spice” level of the book, so I would happily recommend it to high school students.
Well done Zoe- can’t wait for more where this came from!
I absolutely devoured this fantastic story in a few hours.
I loved the bravery of the main character Cleo, as she struggles to find her new “normal” after the death of her older sister and best friend, Emmaline.
“Encouraged” by her parents to take a summer school art class, Cleo is anxious about most things and embarrassed by observing the bodies in her life drawing classes. The story follows Cleo as she makes friends and works through plans left to her by her sister.
Having read a lot of YA for my job, I loved how natural the dialogue sounded, and how believable were the actions and reactions of the characters. I was also so relieved at the low “spice” level of the book, so I would happily recommend it to high school students.
Well done Zoe- can’t wait for more where this came from!
May 2, 2026
Thank you Penguin Australia for sending me a copy of this one. All thoughts are my own.
This was a beautiful story, heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure.
Cleo’s grief is palpable for the whole book. It clings to everything she does, dictates so many of her decisions, steers her wrong just as often as it steers her right.
But I loved how much joy she experienced, too. The way that joy went hand in hand with her grief. I loved the friendships she made, her connection to Mattias, her relationship with her parents. I loved that her relationship with herself developed, too. It was great to watch her confidence grow.
A really great coming of age story.
This was a beautiful story, heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure.
Cleo’s grief is palpable for the whole book. It clings to everything she does, dictates so many of her decisions, steers her wrong just as often as it steers her right.
But I loved how much joy she experienced, too. The way that joy went hand in hand with her grief. I loved the friendships she made, her connection to Mattias, her relationship with her parents. I loved that her relationship with herself developed, too. It was great to watch her confidence grow.
A really great coming of age story.
July 2, 2026
The story revolves around Cleo’s life as she is about to enter year 12 while navigating the loss of her older sister Emmy. Confident Emmy had been a guide and mentor to her less confident little sister. The story deals with relationships between teen peers, consent, and family loss. A great book for YA’s.
Read
June 2, 2026Lovely, sweet read. I think perfect for an actual YA person, rather than for me, middle-aged librarian.
I have inadvertently read so many Australian YA books in the last year that deal with grief and first love. It’s starting to feel like there’s nothing else!
I have inadvertently read so many Australian YA books in the last year that deal with grief and first love. It’s starting to feel like there’s nothing else!
May 29, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
June 1, 2026
:DD This was so lovely, and strangely resonated. Cannot wait to see zoe gaetjens do more
June 17, 2026
lovely, touching, and real <3
August 11, 2026
3.75 stars out of 5.
September 15, 2026
Good little book
September 21, 2026
Insightful exploration of grief, intertwined with Art, Love and feminism.
Made me think.
Made me think.
July 7, 2026
With thanks to ‘Good Reading Magazine’ (Australia) for the ARC and the opportunity to review.
Full disclosure: I’m a planner – so, the first page of Gaetjen’s debut YA novel had me hooked. It features a ‘how to’ guide, written by Emmaline Markson for her younger sister Cleo, about how to plan for your final year of high school.
This story is peppered with such plans and lists across a variety of everyday life scenarios, to which Cleo regularly refers. They keep her grounded and connected to her absent sister. Set in Sydney during the summer holidays before Year 12, this swiftly-paced, character-driven contemporary novel is narrated by Cleo, who attends a four-week life-drawing art class, where she meets like-minded creatives her own age, makes new friends, unexpectedly learns to find her own identity, while acknowledging that she must begin to ‘move on’ from her grief. The death of her sister is not explicitly mentioned until midway through the novel, but through Cleo’s first-person perspective, readers feel her constant presence.
There is a lot of fun banter between all the richly-drawn characters, humour during class, and in Cleo’s introspections; but this light touch in no way minimises the seriousness of the very real, sad and emotional feelings of grief that she is living and coping with. Through her interactions with her parents and classmates we see she is warm, likeable and full of heart. Trying new things causes mild anxiety, but she pushes herself forward, always deferring to her sister’s advice. Full of personal challenges, positive energy, and a blossoming romance, this page-turner’s conclusion is very satisfying (though marginally rushed). And Cleo’s full-circle ‘updated’ final year of high school plan brought a smile to my face.
Original review here: https://goodreadingmagazine.com.au/fi...
Full disclosure: I’m a planner – so, the first page of Gaetjen’s debut YA novel had me hooked. It features a ‘how to’ guide, written by Emmaline Markson for her younger sister Cleo, about how to plan for your final year of high school.
This story is peppered with such plans and lists across a variety of everyday life scenarios, to which Cleo regularly refers. They keep her grounded and connected to her absent sister. Set in Sydney during the summer holidays before Year 12, this swiftly-paced, character-driven contemporary novel is narrated by Cleo, who attends a four-week life-drawing art class, where she meets like-minded creatives her own age, makes new friends, unexpectedly learns to find her own identity, while acknowledging that she must begin to ‘move on’ from her grief. The death of her sister is not explicitly mentioned until midway through the novel, but through Cleo’s first-person perspective, readers feel her constant presence.
There is a lot of fun banter between all the richly-drawn characters, humour during class, and in Cleo’s introspections; but this light touch in no way minimises the seriousness of the very real, sad and emotional feelings of grief that she is living and coping with. Through her interactions with her parents and classmates we see she is warm, likeable and full of heart. Trying new things causes mild anxiety, but she pushes herself forward, always deferring to her sister’s advice. Full of personal challenges, positive energy, and a blossoming romance, this page-turner’s conclusion is very satisfying (though marginally rushed). And Cleo’s full-circle ‘updated’ final year of high school plan brought a smile to my face.
Original review here: https://goodreadingmagazine.com.au/fi...
June 22, 2026
“Pain does not last forever, and confidence grows each time we choose courage.”
3.5 ⭐️
Still on my journey to read more YA fiction - and this was a gorgeous coming of age tale! The Australian setting made it even more enjoyable! Overall, a heartwarming read about grief and the awkwardness of growing up!
3.5 ⭐️
Still on my journey to read more YA fiction - and this was a gorgeous coming of age tale! The Australian setting made it even more enjoyable! Overall, a heartwarming read about grief and the awkwardness of growing up!
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