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Red Ribbons: A Sequel to Just Perfect
As Christina's eighteenth birthday approaches, she finds herself struggling in recovery. Facing Filip's recurring depression and Miriam's increasing presence in her father's life, she attempts to take reigns over what she can control - food. It is thus that she starts eating less and less, again opening the door to her eating disorder. But can she get her life back on track a second time, and why is it so difficult to accept the help she is given? "Red Ribbons" is a heart-wrenching tale of acceptance and denial, love and loss, mental illness and the road to recovery.
- GenresMental Health
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2017
1 person is currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Hanne Arts
2 books64 followersMy name is Hanne and I'm an Eating Disorder Recovery Coach, Psychology graduate, and mental health fanatic.
I am also a recovered anorexic. I fully recovered from my eating disorder in 2015 and I’m delighted to now be helping others to do the same! Combining my own experiences with my passion for writing, I published my debut novel, Just Perfect, in December 2014, followed by its sequel, Red Ribbons, in October 2017.
Before publishing my books, I participated three times in Short Story Competition Hungary, for which I received the Short List Award in 2011, Honorable Mention in 2012, and Second Place in 2013. I was shortlisted in the Nancy Thorp Poetry Competition in 2013 and Junior Author Short Story Competition in 2014. I co-authored and translated "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" and contributed to the compilation "The Recovery Letters."
To buy my novels, find them on Amazon. To find out more about my eating disorder support options, check out my website: https://www.hannearts.co.uk
I am also a recovered anorexic. I fully recovered from my eating disorder in 2015 and I’m delighted to now be helping others to do the same! Combining my own experiences with my passion for writing, I published my debut novel, Just Perfect, in December 2014, followed by its sequel, Red Ribbons, in October 2017.
Before publishing my books, I participated three times in Short Story Competition Hungary, for which I received the Short List Award in 2011, Honorable Mention in 2012, and Second Place in 2013. I was shortlisted in the Nancy Thorp Poetry Competition in 2013 and Junior Author Short Story Competition in 2014. I co-authored and translated "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" and contributed to the compilation "The Recovery Letters."
To buy my novels, find them on Amazon. To find out more about my eating disorder support options, check out my website: https://www.hannearts.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 11, 2017
This captivating novel will engross you from the first page. It will drag you down to make you feel the dreary feelings of the protagonist, as well as helping you back up to experience the elation of love, care, and strength. This novel had me locked up in my room, reading it in one go from start to end.
It is honest, relatable, and direct, allowing the reader to understand Christina and simultaneously feel understood in his or her own struggles. The honest description of the ups and downs and the unexpected turns in recovery and events perfectly mirror the unpredictable situations that we are faced with in life.
I would highly recommend this novel. It proceeds and exceeds Just Perfect.
It is honest, relatable, and direct, allowing the reader to understand Christina and simultaneously feel understood in his or her own struggles. The honest description of the ups and downs and the unexpected turns in recovery and events perfectly mirror the unpredictable situations that we are faced with in life.
I would highly recommend this novel. It proceeds and exceeds Just Perfect.
July 18, 2018
Hanne Arts may be young in years, but she writes with the talent of a consummate professional.
RED RIBBONS is the sequel to her phenomenal debut book, JUST PERFECT. You can read my review of her first book by visiting my blog at:
https://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.co...
RED RIBBONS draws the reader back into Christina's world. Having reached out for help and getting treatment at the end of JUST PERFECT, we find that she has not lived happily ever after and that in fact, she is struggling more than ever.
Christina's depression and anorexia are once again severe and as her eighteenth birthday comes closer, she may not live to make it to age 19. She realizes that "{She} was a puppet to {her} weight's strings."
The story unfolds with such realism that it is impossible for the reader to remain aloof. I was once again drawn deeply into the emotions Christina was experiencing.
Mental illness is finally starting to be looked upon like other illnesses and the stigma attached to it is slowly abating, however, there is still a long way to go.
It is books such as JUST PERFECT and RED RIBBONS that are helping to let teens and young adults know that they are not alone in their struggles and that seeking help shows strength rather than weakness.
I rate RED RIBBONS as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and I applaud Hanne Arts for continuing to bring awareness to the topics of depression, anorexia and mental illness. I can't wait to read her next novel.
Follow my reviews here on Goodreads, on my blog, or on Instagram @Amiesbookreviews
RED RIBBONS is the sequel to her phenomenal debut book, JUST PERFECT. You can read my review of her first book by visiting my blog at:
https://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.co...
RED RIBBONS draws the reader back into Christina's world. Having reached out for help and getting treatment at the end of JUST PERFECT, we find that she has not lived happily ever after and that in fact, she is struggling more than ever.
Christina's depression and anorexia are once again severe and as her eighteenth birthday comes closer, she may not live to make it to age 19. She realizes that "{She} was a puppet to {her} weight's strings."
The story unfolds with such realism that it is impossible for the reader to remain aloof. I was once again drawn deeply into the emotions Christina was experiencing.
Mental illness is finally starting to be looked upon like other illnesses and the stigma attached to it is slowly abating, however, there is still a long way to go.
It is books such as JUST PERFECT and RED RIBBONS that are helping to let teens and young adults know that they are not alone in their struggles and that seeking help shows strength rather than weakness.
I rate RED RIBBONS as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and I applaud Hanne Arts for continuing to bring awareness to the topics of depression, anorexia and mental illness. I can't wait to read her next novel.
Follow my reviews here on Goodreads, on my blog, or on Instagram @Amiesbookreviews
August 25, 2018
I liked Red Ribbons even better than Just Perfect. The story felt so real. As someone who’s struggling with an eating disorder, I could recognize certain things that I’ve experienced myself, which made this story even more touching.
It’s made me feel a LOT of things. Throughout the book, I caught myself smiling sometimes, but mostly feeling very connected to the feelings of Christina.
The story is great, but Hanne’s writing skills are fenomenal. I love how she describes everything, inserts meaningful quotes and sayings,... it almost feels like reading poetry sometimes.
I want to insert a million compliments but my english is not that great, so I am sorry for this rather short review.
I would like to thank you for writing this book. You are so talented, Hanne!
It’s made me feel a LOT of things. Throughout the book, I caught myself smiling sometimes, but mostly feeling very connected to the feelings of Christina.
The story is great, but Hanne’s writing skills are fenomenal. I love how she describes everything, inserts meaningful quotes and sayings,... it almost feels like reading poetry sometimes.
I want to insert a million compliments but my english is not that great, so I am sorry for this rather short review.
I would like to thank you for writing this book. You are so talented, Hanne!
November 12, 2017
Being a teenager is not easy. Even a healthy teen has problems. But if a girl, or boy, has health issues, life can seem impossible. In Author Hanne Arts latest novel, RED RIBBON, Christina has anorexia, as well as other problems. She hates her body. She loves her boyfriend, Filip, who has his own life to deal with. Christina keeps a diary that allows the reader to see her emotions, to feel her challenges, and to hope that she finds herself, the girl that she can be.
RED RIBBON is a heartbreaking story that will have you wishing you could tell Chrissy that she’s beautiful, and her family loves her, and she can be healed. The author has written a book that young people who have self-image problems or eating disorders or other ideas that make them feel unwanted should read. This would be a great addition to middle grade and high school libraries.
The author sent me a copy of the book for my honest review.
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RED RIBBON is a heartbreaking story that will have you wishing you could tell Chrissy that she’s beautiful, and her family loves her, and she can be healed. The author has written a book that young people who have self-image problems or eating disorders or other ideas that make them feel unwanted should read. This would be a great addition to middle grade and high school libraries.
The author sent me a copy of the book for my honest review.
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October 23, 2017
When I read this book, its poignant story released innumerable emotions inside of me all at once.
I couldn't recommend this book any more than I do. I promise, you'll want to finish it in one sitting. You'll want to know how the story progresses and how it ends. It's been written in a fluent and comprehensible manner, allowing the reader to crawl into the skin of the protagonist and to feel her fears and face her struggles. You'll learn what it is like to suffer from an eating disorder, and how difficult it is not only for them, but also for their families and loved ones.
I couldn't recommend this book any more than I do. I promise, you'll want to finish it in one sitting. You'll want to know how the story progresses and how it ends. It's been written in a fluent and comprehensible manner, allowing the reader to crawl into the skin of the protagonist and to feel her fears and face her struggles. You'll learn what it is like to suffer from an eating disorder, and how difficult it is not only for them, but also for their families and loved ones.
February 19, 2018
This was even better than the first novel!! I really, really liked it a lot! If you have any problems with your mental state of mind, you should really concider to read this book. It may chance your life!
June 12, 2023
I preferred the sequel to the first book in this series, Hanne arts is such a young Author but portrays her recovery in such a beautiful way filled with hope and promise. While Definitely showcasing how her mental health effected not only herself but also her family.
Although it is made apparent in this sequel that Christina is struggling now more than ever. With the threat of not even reaching her 19th birthday she realises she is being held a puppet to her weights strings.
This book definitely made me emotional as the story unfolds with such realism.
Although it is made apparent in this sequel that Christina is struggling now more than ever. With the threat of not even reaching her 19th birthday she realises she is being held a puppet to her weights strings.
This book definitely made me emotional as the story unfolds with such realism.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews