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Skylarks
We watch the bird as it flies high above us, singing like it's the only thing in the world that matters.
And I feel it - that life can be beautiful. That there are possibilities.
Keep your head down and don't borrow trouble is the motto Joni lives by, and so far it's seen her family through some tough times. It's not as if she has the power to change anything important anyway. Like Dad's bad back, or the threat of losing their house.
So when Annabel breezes into her life, Joni's sure they're destined to clash. Pretty, poised, privileged - the daughter of the richest family in town must have it easy.
But sometimes you find a matching spirit where you least expect it. Sometimes love can defy difference. And sometimes life asks you to be bigger and braver …
And I feel it - that life can be beautiful. That there are possibilities.
Keep your head down and don't borrow trouble is the motto Joni lives by, and so far it's seen her family through some tough times. It's not as if she has the power to change anything important anyway. Like Dad's bad back, or the threat of losing their house.
So when Annabel breezes into her life, Joni's sure they're destined to clash. Pretty, poised, privileged - the daughter of the richest family in town must have it easy.
But sometimes you find a matching spirit where you least expect it. Sometimes love can defy difference. And sometimes life asks you to be bigger and braver …
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2018
19 people are currently reading
1332 people want to read
About the author
Karen Gregory
9 books85 followersKaren is the author of the YA novels Countless, Skylarks and I Hold Your Heart. She wrote her first story about Bantra the mouse at the age of twelve, then put away the word processor until her first child was born when she was overtaken by the urge to write. Karen lives in Wiltshire with her family and is represented by Claire Wilson at Rogers, Coleridge & White.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
April 24, 2018
4.5/5
This book is honestly beautiful! It was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, and I loved every bit of it.
It shows a relationship between two girls from very different social/economic backgrounds, the struggles of class divides and social / political activism of young people.
I really loved Joni's perspective, it was such a joy to read, and I loved how her relationship with Annabelle developed over the book. It was just so natural and normal and not rushed which seems to happen quite often in YA contemporaries.
It was lovely to see this kind of WLW relationship in YA because tbh, i've not really come across many Lesbian relationships in books, and this book was just so refreshing. Most LGBT representation in YA is M/M and as great as it is, having that representation, there really needs to be more books like this, showing W/W relationships too.
The story was so raw and real, showing how harsh and hard it can be to make a living when you're from a working class family. It really struck a chord with me, being from a working class background myself. It was so nice to see themes of poverty and social injustice and activism explored in UKYA.
The writing just flowed so well and was it was written so beautifully, I read the majority of the book in one evening and only stopped because I had to sleep haha
Even though it's unlikely, I would love to see more of Joni & Annabelle, and all of Joni's family. Her family was so loving and tight-knit and supportive and it was wonderful.
I honestly cannot recommend this book enough.
This book is honestly beautiful! It was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, and I loved every bit of it.
It shows a relationship between two girls from very different social/economic backgrounds, the struggles of class divides and social / political activism of young people.
I really loved Joni's perspective, it was such a joy to read, and I loved how her relationship with Annabelle developed over the book. It was just so natural and normal and not rushed which seems to happen quite often in YA contemporaries.
It was lovely to see this kind of WLW relationship in YA because tbh, i've not really come across many Lesbian relationships in books, and this book was just so refreshing. Most LGBT representation in YA is M/M and as great as it is, having that representation, there really needs to be more books like this, showing W/W relationships too.
The story was so raw and real, showing how harsh and hard it can be to make a living when you're from a working class family. It really struck a chord with me, being from a working class background myself. It was so nice to see themes of poverty and social injustice and activism explored in UKYA.
The writing just flowed so well and was it was written so beautifully, I read the majority of the book in one evening and only stopped because I had to sleep haha
Even though it's unlikely, I would love to see more of Joni & Annabelle, and all of Joni's family. Her family was so loving and tight-knit and supportive and it was wonderful.
I honestly cannot recommend this book enough.
September 28, 2020
↠ 4.5 stars
This was DELIGHTFUL. Like, really, really awesome and sweet and heartwarming and thoughtful and fun. This is an absolutely charming contemporary sapphic romance, and I really hope there's much more stuff like this in future. YA LGBTQ+ is heavily skewed towards m/m lit, and you don't see much f/f stuff and I really hope this will change.
In Skylarks, the main theme is this idea of class dichotomy between working class and upper class. Jodi, the heroine, and Annabel, the love interest, are from two different social situations. And what is nice about Skylarks is that rich girl Annabel is the love interest and not the rich-bitch antagonist that well-off girls tend to be in YA books. Both girls had their situations displayed carefully, showing the positives and negatives of each and that nothing is ever as it appears on the surface.
Annabel and Jodi's romance was well-built and they were really cute together! Annabel was actually a sweetheart most of the time, and you could see her trying so hard to make it work though sometimes those intentions were misinterpreted.
Another thing I wasn't expecting from this novel but did enjoy was the presentation of politically active youths, which is something that is relevant today, and as such was welcome in Skylarks.
TL;DR: A delightfully sweet f/f contemporary YA novel about a love strained by class divides that really deserves to be loved and read by everyone.
*
SAPPHIC READS 2018 yes you heard me right
This was DELIGHTFUL. Like, really, really awesome and sweet and heartwarming and thoughtful and fun. This is an absolutely charming contemporary sapphic romance, and I really hope there's much more stuff like this in future. YA LGBTQ+ is heavily skewed towards m/m lit, and you don't see much f/f stuff and I really hope this will change.
In Skylarks, the main theme is this idea of class dichotomy between working class and upper class. Jodi, the heroine, and Annabel, the love interest, are from two different social situations. And what is nice about Skylarks is that rich girl Annabel is the love interest and not the rich-bitch antagonist that well-off girls tend to be in YA books. Both girls had their situations displayed carefully, showing the positives and negatives of each and that nothing is ever as it appears on the surface.
Annabel and Jodi's romance was well-built and they were really cute together! Annabel was actually a sweetheart most of the time, and you could see her trying so hard to make it work though sometimes those intentions were misinterpreted.
Another thing I wasn't expecting from this novel but did enjoy was the presentation of politically active youths, which is something that is relevant today, and as such was welcome in Skylarks.
TL;DR: A delightfully sweet f/f contemporary YA novel about a love strained by class divides that really deserves to be loved and read by everyone.
*
SAPPHIC READS 2018 yes you heard me right
May 17, 2018
So, I read this book in one sitting, and as soon as I finished I wanted to go straight back to the beginning, and read it all over again because it was perfect!
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Wiltshire (woo west-country!), Joni and Annabel are falling in love despite being from completely different financial backgrounds. Annabel's never had to worry about money, and her parents have far too many expectations of her, and Joni's constantly having to consider the price of petrol or a loaf of bread, while trying to work out what she wants to do with the rest of her life.
The conversation about poverty and grassroots political activism, made this book incredibly special. Too often we read about characters where money is of no concern to them. Becky Albertali's 'Leah on the Offbeat' touches on this a bit, but nowhere near as much as 'Skylarks', and as a student who has had to be very money conscious the last three years while doing my degree, in particular, I loved that Joni had these 'adult' concerns, because the reality is that teens care/need to about money.
The f/f romance was also perfectly paces, if a little predictable - like any Romeo/Juliet star-crossed lover plot is, really - but it's not often you see f/f in UKYA, so literally this book was special and dear to me in every aspect.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Wiltshire (woo west-country!), Joni and Annabel are falling in love despite being from completely different financial backgrounds. Annabel's never had to worry about money, and her parents have far too many expectations of her, and Joni's constantly having to consider the price of petrol or a loaf of bread, while trying to work out what she wants to do with the rest of her life.
The conversation about poverty and grassroots political activism, made this book incredibly special. Too often we read about characters where money is of no concern to them. Becky Albertali's 'Leah on the Offbeat' touches on this a bit, but nowhere near as much as 'Skylarks', and as a student who has had to be very money conscious the last three years while doing my degree, in particular, I loved that Joni had these 'adult' concerns, because the reality is that teens care/need to about money.
The f/f romance was also perfectly paces, if a little predictable - like any Romeo/Juliet star-crossed lover plot is, really - but it's not often you see f/f in UKYA, so literally this book was special and dear to me in every aspect.
July 19, 2018
A really sweet and eye opening f/f romance that I'd love to see more of in YA. Karen Gregory's treatment of different social backgrounds is so interesting, necessary, and gave a unique spin to a contemporary I'd never seen before.
March 31, 2018
BOOK HANGOVER ALERT.
Also I'm a blubbering mess of tears.
Also I'm a blubbering mess of tears.
September 7, 2018
Skylarks is a standalone YA F/F Romance novel that was heartbreakingly beautiful but really tackled a lot of difficult topics very well. The main character Joni lives on an estate with her family and could be evicted out of their home. She also works a Saturday job at the local library as well as studying a-levels in Sixth Form. When a new girl called Annabel starts working at the library, their connection is tested in lots of ways. Annabel is from a wealthy background and can almost anything she wants. This novel not only discussed about love, it also included family life, political activism and sexuality. There were moments in which I smiled hard and others that made me physically gasp. The writing style was easy to read and would happily read another Karen Gregory story!
July 15, 2018
This was a quick and easy read which dealt with some pretty serious topics. I really enjoyed the story and relationships between all of the characters, especially the two contrasting family dynamics in the book.
My only dislikes about this book are that I didn’t particularly care very much about Joni and Annabel’s relationship and to me it felt too instalovey in places. I also saw the twist about Annabel’s Dad being behind to buyout pretty quickly.
But overall this was an interesting and definitely thought provoking read. Definitely glad I picked this one up!
My only dislikes about this book are that I didn’t particularly care very much about Joni and Annabel’s relationship and to me it felt too instalovey in places. I also saw the twist about Annabel’s Dad being behind to buyout pretty quickly.
But overall this was an interesting and definitely thought provoking read. Definitely glad I picked this one up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2018
Skylarks is a sweet and somewhat confrontational read about the relationship between two girls. It delves into the main character's family life, which is very dependent on money. Joni is constantly worrying about how her family is going to stay afloat, and her job at the library is necessary in helping out with the finances. At the library, a girl named Annabel starts volunteering, and Joni is initially struck by how privileged she is.
The main character, Joni, has qualities about her that felt very real and refreshing. Poverty is a big issue and it is something that effects many teenagers, so to see that in a young adult novel was impactful. Joni's family are all very different and they are clearly an important part of her life, so I enjoyed reading about all their personalities. It was also good to see how the lack of money affected them all.
The relationship between Joni and Annabel was very sweet. The overall theme of the book covered the divide of wealth within small communities, so this heavily impacted on their relationship. It was interesting to realistically see how this may affect one's relationship and I was able to feel empathy for both of them. Joni's stress about her family's poverty was heartbreaking, but a reality that is true for many people. There was also sadness within Annabel's situation, which is something that many don't realise when they think about wealthy people. It is a good message to give to young people; recognising that everyone has personal struggles is important. I was not expecting this book to be so heavy, but it worked really well in this case.
The novel is set in the UK. I don't often read young adult books set in the UK, so it was a great experience for me to be able to understand more of what the culture is like. I loved the setting and could easily picture it in my mind – the whole concept read like two star-crossed lovers in a modern setting, while also battling a political crisis within their community. I love these kind of tropes and it was unique seeing it in an f/f young adult book.
I mostly liked Joni, but one thing that I didn't like about her was that she was rather judgemental to Annabel and would even be a bit contradictory with her opinions. It would have been nice if she didn't go back and forth with what she thought about Annabel's wealth.
Skylarks is a beautiful novel that captures how wealth can impact the relationship between two teenagers. I would recommend it to those interested in the premise and/or those who like f/f books.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the advanced reader copy that I received in exchange for an honest review.
The main character, Joni, has qualities about her that felt very real and refreshing. Poverty is a big issue and it is something that effects many teenagers, so to see that in a young adult novel was impactful. Joni's family are all very different and they are clearly an important part of her life, so I enjoyed reading about all their personalities. It was also good to see how the lack of money affected them all.
The relationship between Joni and Annabel was very sweet. The overall theme of the book covered the divide of wealth within small communities, so this heavily impacted on their relationship. It was interesting to realistically see how this may affect one's relationship and I was able to feel empathy for both of them. Joni's stress about her family's poverty was heartbreaking, but a reality that is true for many people. There was also sadness within Annabel's situation, which is something that many don't realise when they think about wealthy people. It is a good message to give to young people; recognising that everyone has personal struggles is important. I was not expecting this book to be so heavy, but it worked really well in this case.
The novel is set in the UK. I don't often read young adult books set in the UK, so it was a great experience for me to be able to understand more of what the culture is like. I loved the setting and could easily picture it in my mind – the whole concept read like two star-crossed lovers in a modern setting, while also battling a political crisis within their community. I love these kind of tropes and it was unique seeing it in an f/f young adult book.
I mostly liked Joni, but one thing that I didn't like about her was that she was rather judgemental to Annabel and would even be a bit contradictory with her opinions. It would have been nice if she didn't go back and forth with what she thought about Annabel's wealth.
Skylarks is a beautiful novel that captures how wealth can impact the relationship between two teenagers. I would recommend it to those interested in the premise and/or those who like f/f books.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the advanced reader copy that I received in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2018
"I guess that's what happens when you don't say the stuff you really want to; it builds up inside until it comes crashing out whether you like it or not"
* * * *
4 / 5
Skylarks is a cute, thoughtful, contemporary f/f YA romance centred around British class struggles. There's two sides to this book: the enemies-to-lovers romance with the rich girl on one side, and the difficulty of being a poor working-class family on the other. Skylarks is full of emotion and a quick, engaging read.
"I know we're moving more and more each day to a point we're not going to come back from and still be the same people"
Our main character is Joni, a realistic teenage girl who is doing her A levels and worrying about how her parents are going to make ends meet. Her older brother is involved in "the cause" and "being woke", fighting for the little man, but Joni is just worried about making sure her family is alright and that her little brother doesn't feel isolated from his peers. At least until the housing estate her family lives on is bought out and the rent jacked so far up they can't afford to live there any more.
Working at the local library, Joni meets rich girl Annabel. Annabel who is only there for something to write on her UCAS form, who doesn't need to give her spare money to her parents, who doesn't need to schedule her shopping habits around sales and coupons. Their relationship develops in a rather predictable don't-like-each-other to tentative-friendship to will-you-be-my-girlfriend territory. Just as your heart starts to feel all warm and light, the reality of Joni's life comes crashing back in. Right in the heart.
"I know this seems mad, but there's something in the stillness in the water, the way she seems lost"
One of the things I really loved about Skylarks is that it isn't about the struggles of being gay. Don't get me wrong, I've read and loved lots of those kinds of books (The Miseducation of Cameron Post!), but sometimes it feels like all f/f romances are either pure steamy romance or they have all their conflict around the difficulties of coming out. Instead, Skylarks' tension is derived from the conflict of wealth and social class. Yes, there is a little bit about how Joni's friends and family reacted to her sexuality, and how she wonders about Annabel, but it isn't a key element of the book. It was refreshing!
Skylarks is a thoughtful f/f romance novel that is really, delightfully, British. I don't read a lot of books that are so obviously (in terms of class and politics) set in the UK, that Skylarks was an absolute delight.
My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of Skylarks
Read this review and more on my blog: https://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.co...
* * * *
4 / 5
Skylarks is a cute, thoughtful, contemporary f/f YA romance centred around British class struggles. There's two sides to this book: the enemies-to-lovers romance with the rich girl on one side, and the difficulty of being a poor working-class family on the other. Skylarks is full of emotion and a quick, engaging read.
"I know we're moving more and more each day to a point we're not going to come back from and still be the same people"
Our main character is Joni, a realistic teenage girl who is doing her A levels and worrying about how her parents are going to make ends meet. Her older brother is involved in "the cause" and "being woke", fighting for the little man, but Joni is just worried about making sure her family is alright and that her little brother doesn't feel isolated from his peers. At least until the housing estate her family lives on is bought out and the rent jacked so far up they can't afford to live there any more.
Working at the local library, Joni meets rich girl Annabel. Annabel who is only there for something to write on her UCAS form, who doesn't need to give her spare money to her parents, who doesn't need to schedule her shopping habits around sales and coupons. Their relationship develops in a rather predictable don't-like-each-other to tentative-friendship to will-you-be-my-girlfriend territory. Just as your heart starts to feel all warm and light, the reality of Joni's life comes crashing back in. Right in the heart.
"I know this seems mad, but there's something in the stillness in the water, the way she seems lost"
One of the things I really loved about Skylarks is that it isn't about the struggles of being gay. Don't get me wrong, I've read and loved lots of those kinds of books (The Miseducation of Cameron Post!), but sometimes it feels like all f/f romances are either pure steamy romance or they have all their conflict around the difficulties of coming out. Instead, Skylarks' tension is derived from the conflict of wealth and social class. Yes, there is a little bit about how Joni's friends and family reacted to her sexuality, and how she wonders about Annabel, but it isn't a key element of the book. It was refreshing!
Skylarks is a thoughtful f/f romance novel that is really, delightfully, British. I don't read a lot of books that are so obviously (in terms of class and politics) set in the UK, that Skylarks was an absolute delight.
My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of Skylarks
Read this review and more on my blog: https://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.co...
July 22, 2018
Review also on my blog • Bookstagram
Rep: lesbian mc, f/f romance
I received an arc from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review
What drew me into this book 100% was the cover. And can you blame me? It's beautiful. So to find out if was an f/f book I was even more excited.
So this book follows a girl named Joni. She's not in the best situation with her family as they're struggling a lot financially. She's worrying a lot about it and works a low wage job at a library. A girl named Annabel starts to volunteer there and she's the daughter of a right wing politician. Initially Joni doesn't like her because she's really posh but for no real reason. I think it's meant to stem from her being bitter and judgmental because she's so poor and Annabel is so rich but it was more so poorly written hate to love.
This was overall pretty disappointing. I was pretty bored most of the way through. I found the romance to be pretty rushed, and the book isn't too much like its blurb. It was really slow to get to the romance. I think it was attempting to be a hate to love, slow burn, Romeo and Juliet sort of thing but it wasn't really executed too well.
There was also this moment of ableism. Joni is mad her dad isn't getting a lot from his disability pension and to elevate this point she says another person gets more when she 'seems fine'. This is horrible, invisible disabilities exist. If she was mad she didn't need to do it this way.
It was mostly just dull though. It wasn't terrible but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.
September 10, 2018
Karen Gregory creates such wonderfully realistic narratives about life and human struggles. The honest, working class family on the verge of financial ruin due to big corporation purchasing their small, low income housing estate with plans to raise the rent beyond the means of residents. Working parents with young families, single parents on pensions and the elderly that call Cherry Tree estate home. Including the Cooper family.
To help make ends meet, Joni Cooper works at her local library over the summer holidays alongside Annabel Huntington, a girl from the wealthy side of the tracks. I loved their tentative friendship as they begin to understand one another, those uncertain moments of whether their friendship is venturing into romantic love. It was so lovely and gentle, one of my favourite aspects of the storyline.
While it's often easier to deny the inevitable for Joni's parents, older brother Jamie is determined to fight against the injustice of eviction. The central focus is on the socioeconomic repercussions of the small estate takeover will potentially leave hundreds of families homeless, it's a David verses Goliath battle that begins to unite the community. I enjoyed the political activism and grass roots campaign that Joni involved herself with, although it placed further strain on her family, relationship and also employment.
Overall, it was a quick yet satisfying read. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
To help make ends meet, Joni Cooper works at her local library over the summer holidays alongside Annabel Huntington, a girl from the wealthy side of the tracks. I loved their tentative friendship as they begin to understand one another, those uncertain moments of whether their friendship is venturing into romantic love. It was so lovely and gentle, one of my favourite aspects of the storyline.
While it's often easier to deny the inevitable for Joni's parents, older brother Jamie is determined to fight against the injustice of eviction. The central focus is on the socioeconomic repercussions of the small estate takeover will potentially leave hundreds of families homeless, it's a David verses Goliath battle that begins to unite the community. I enjoyed the political activism and grass roots campaign that Joni involved herself with, although it placed further strain on her family, relationship and also employment.
Overall, it was a quick yet satisfying read. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 13, 2018
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
I have to admit, initially I really struggled with this book, it took me a while to get through it and I am struggling to write this review.
Joni was a character I felt I could connect with but then she would do things that really frustrated me and made me start to dislike her. However, by the end of the novel I did find some common ground with her.
The themes within this novel, love, poverty, rich vs the poor and family values are very strong and carry powerful messages.
The relationship between Annabel and Joni was sweet, it was a young romance and they really did make each other happy most of the time. The good thing about their relationship was that it was real. It wasn’t pixie dust and unicorns the whole time, they had their differences and it made the relationship realistic.
Joni’s family was also a main point of focus in this novel – they do it really tough but they all love each other unconditionally, even when they want to strangle each other. They’re a family who don’ have a lot but they do have each other and at the end of the day that’s all that matters.
Joni learnt a lot in this novel, especially that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side – just because people have money it doesn’t mean they are happy. She learnt to have the courage to stand up for what she believes in and not to be belittled by people with power.
It was empowering reading Joni “stand up to the man” and put the politicians back in their place.
This book was about showing that they, the little guys, matter and they have a voice that needs to be heard too, it is a book about personal growth, growing up and making your own choices, whether they’re good or bad.
I have to admit, initially I really struggled with this book, it took me a while to get through it and I am struggling to write this review.
Joni was a character I felt I could connect with but then she would do things that really frustrated me and made me start to dislike her. However, by the end of the novel I did find some common ground with her.
The themes within this novel, love, poverty, rich vs the poor and family values are very strong and carry powerful messages.
The relationship between Annabel and Joni was sweet, it was a young romance and they really did make each other happy most of the time. The good thing about their relationship was that it was real. It wasn’t pixie dust and unicorns the whole time, they had their differences and it made the relationship realistic.
Joni’s family was also a main point of focus in this novel – they do it really tough but they all love each other unconditionally, even when they want to strangle each other. They’re a family who don’ have a lot but they do have each other and at the end of the day that’s all that matters.
Joni learnt a lot in this novel, especially that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side – just because people have money it doesn’t mean they are happy. She learnt to have the courage to stand up for what she believes in and not to be belittled by people with power.
It was empowering reading Joni “stand up to the man” and put the politicians back in their place.
This book was about showing that they, the little guys, matter and they have a voice that needs to be heard too, it is a book about personal growth, growing up and making your own choices, whether they’re good or bad.
March 14, 2018
This is such an important book. Not only because it normalises f/f relationships, but also because it represents working class families and their unique struggles accurately. I honestly have only seen my situation represented with accuracy and honesty one other time: in Angie Thomas’ The hate u give. I adore how real Joni’s family’s struggles are, how there are no easy answers; I genuinely felt the impotence of knowing I myself have been in such a dark place before.
I also really like the fact that teenagers and young adults in this book are activists. Against what many sadly believe (although probably not as much now that Parkland students are fighting to make their voices heard), teenagers nowadays are much more politically active than they were 10 years before, and much much more than they were 20 or 30 or 40 years ago, and for a good reason. Skylarks beautifully and truthfully represents Gen Z and I am immensely grateful to Karen Gregory for that.
The only ‘but’ I find in this outstanding novel is the closure of Joni and Annabel’s relationship. I usually like the freshness and realness of two characters not staying together because that’s life and in life not everything ends the way we hoped, but the issue is that when LGBT characters are represented our pain is usually the focus for cisheterosexual readers to consume. LGBT people face hardships, we surely do, but there’s so much more to our experience (and I must say the novel generally does us favor in that front) than pain. The times a LGBT character ends up dead in fiction and the times a LGBT couple ends up parting ways in fiction is overwhelming. I for once would like our joys to be as represented as our pain is.
I also really like the fact that teenagers and young adults in this book are activists. Against what many sadly believe (although probably not as much now that Parkland students are fighting to make their voices heard), teenagers nowadays are much more politically active than they were 10 years before, and much much more than they were 20 or 30 or 40 years ago, and for a good reason. Skylarks beautifully and truthfully represents Gen Z and I am immensely grateful to Karen Gregory for that.
The only ‘but’ I find in this outstanding novel is the closure of Joni and Annabel’s relationship. I usually like the freshness and realness of two characters not staying together because that’s life and in life not everything ends the way we hoped, but the issue is that when LGBT characters are represented our pain is usually the focus for cisheterosexual readers to consume. LGBT people face hardships, we surely do, but there’s so much more to our experience (and I must say the novel generally does us favor in that front) than pain. The times a LGBT character ends up dead in fiction and the times a LGBT couple ends up parting ways in fiction is overwhelming. I for once would like our joys to be as represented as our pain is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2019
Representation: poverty, f/f romance, sapphic, lesbian main character
Skylarks is pushing back on privilege and the idea that people deserve the poverty they find themselves in.
Skylarks follows Joni as she finds her childhood home at risk of being taken away when a company decides to buy the estate and raise the rent. In the midst of facing probable homelessness, Joni is forced to work with a rich girl and have to face the bitterness of seeing what having all that money can buy you . . . and what it can’t.
There are a lot of things Skylarks gets right.
As someone who has lived in poverty—who still has to regularly face the fact that one financial tumble could put me back there—I can say with great certainty that there is a weight the poverty-stricken must carry that people who have always had money will never understand.
Skylarks does a great job at capturing this. It shows the stark comparison of Joni’s and Annabel’s lives with sensitivity, but without losing any of the truth of the matter.
It also encapsulates the hopelessness of living in poverty.
Everytime you think you’ve got a foot in front of the other, you’re pushed several steps back. To save money, you have to spend money, and to spend money, you have to have money in the first place.
Once you’ve reached the point of poverty, it’s near impossible to become financial stable again. It’s a fact of life. But it’s a fact of life we shouldn’t accept.
I enjoyed the activism and campaigning side of this story but I wish there had been more? And I didn’t particularly like how much the violent side of protesting was frowned upon.
Look, I’m not going to say violence is always the answer, but I also don’t believe that it never is. Let’s be honest; if you look at any great change in history, it happened because people got angry, tired and sick of accepting less than they deserved and fought for more.
People in power can try and brush the effectiveness of violent protesting under the rug all they want but it fucking works and they sure as shit don’t want you to believe it. Sure they might only do negotiating with the peaceful protestors but its the violent ones that pushed them into negotiating in the first place.
I will say that I am glad Gregory showed how easy it is for a peaceful protest to turn into a violent one and that the characters who got washed up in the tide weren’t demonised for it.
Despite all the campaigning and protesting, I did find the pacing of the story a little slow, and a little boring, at times. But this is a generally quiet book so I’m not surprised I struggled with it in that regard.
Skylark is a great examination of what it’s like to live in poverty and have to fight every step of your life in order to just survive, but it might not be for you if you’re looking for something with more bite.
—
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
___
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Skylarks is pushing back on privilege and the idea that people deserve the poverty they find themselves in.
The eight richest people in the world own the same amount as the bottom half of everyone else. Like, over three billion people or something. More, I think. Eight people, Joni.’
Skylarks follows Joni as she finds her childhood home at risk of being taken away when a company decides to buy the estate and raise the rent. In the midst of facing probable homelessness, Joni is forced to work with a rich girl and have to face the bitterness of seeing what having all that money can buy you . . . and what it can’t.
‘You’re not thinking wide enough. This could be a catalyst for something much bigger,’ he said, but I’m not convinced.
I’m not bothered about saving the world or anything, I just don’t want to be homeless.
There are a lot of things Skylarks gets right.
As someone who has lived in poverty—who still has to regularly face the fact that one financial tumble could put me back there—I can say with great certainty that there is a weight the poverty-stricken must carry that people who have always had money will never understand.
Skylarks does a great job at capturing this. It shows the stark comparison of Joni’s and Annabel’s lives with sensitivity, but without losing any of the truth of the matter.
It also encapsulates the hopelessness of living in poverty.
Everytime you think you’ve got a foot in front of the other, you’re pushed several steps back. To save money, you have to spend money, and to spend money, you have to have money in the first place.
Once you’ve reached the point of poverty, it’s near impossible to become financial stable again. It’s a fact of life. But it’s a fact of life we shouldn’t accept.
The earth could crack apart and send this whole beautiful, horrible town plunging into the gap for all I care right now. Because it’s only ever beautiful for some people, not the ones like me.
I enjoyed the activism and campaigning side of this story but I wish there had been more? And I didn’t particularly like how much the violent side of protesting was frowned upon.
Look, I’m not going to say violence is always the answer, but I also don’t believe that it never is. Let’s be honest; if you look at any great change in history, it happened because people got angry, tired and sick of accepting less than they deserved and fought for more.
People in power can try and brush the effectiveness of violent protesting under the rug all they want but it fucking works and they sure as shit don’t want you to believe it. Sure they might only do negotiating with the peaceful protestors but its the violent ones that pushed them into negotiating in the first place.
I will say that I am glad Gregory showed how easy it is for a peaceful protest to turn into a violent one and that the characters who got washed up in the tide weren’t demonised for it.
Despite all the campaigning and protesting, I did find the pacing of the story a little slow, and a little boring, at times. But this is a generally quiet book so I’m not surprised I struggled with it in that regard.
Skylark is a great examination of what it’s like to live in poverty and have to fight every step of your life in order to just survive, but it might not be for you if you’re looking for something with more bite.
Kelly starts up a song and we all join in and we’re singing together and laughing, high on adrenaline and this feeling like all the rules we got told were for us and not them might be breakable after all.
—
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
___
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March 4, 2018lesbians! working class rep! (the MC has, shocker of shockers, a JOB!) politics! kissing! birds! this was good, full review to come
August 10, 2018
I received this book via NetGally in exchange for an honest review
Actual rating 4.5
I loved this, it was refreshing and deeply political all at once. This is a book not only about love but also about poverty, wealth and how they interact along with the importance of living for yourself and not just to be what others may expect from you.
Joni's POV was brilliant, we saw so many problems through her eyes and she was a genuinely likeable character too (most of the time). I don't think I've often read about really poor characters and I loved the way Gregory made this integral part of the story exactly the right amount of heartwarming and heartbreaking. Joni and her family were brilliant and genuinely so 'rich in love' it broke my heart to see their struggles- so many people live day to day like this that I really wish there was more of it in YA fiction.
I also enjoyed Joni's frustration at Annabelle's wealth and her (very realistic) misunderstanding that money must equal some form of happiness. Annabelle's story hit me hard (I'm somewhere in the middle of both of the characters financially) but her desperation for a family who really loved her for who she is was really well explored and beautifully dealt with. This along with Joni's confusion and the sometimes excessive arguments they have about what money really means to everyone were so important to the story.
I love a political book and this really is one, there is discussion about the way the government is treating the NHS and how important it is to all of us, but especially the poorer among us, and how poverty is treated in schools as well as the staggering rich/poor divide. All of these issues were handled beautifully. Nothing was heavy handed but the book makes a really powerful, positive political impact on the reader.
I've knocked half a star off because so much of the conflict between Joni and Annabelle near the beginning of the book felt really contrived and was just due to a lack of communication, which is one of my least favourite things about YA in particular. Examples include their argument in front of the library and Joni's initial attitude towards Annabelle's friends which was never acceptable to me.
Actual rating 4.5
I loved this, it was refreshing and deeply political all at once. This is a book not only about love but also about poverty, wealth and how they interact along with the importance of living for yourself and not just to be what others may expect from you.
Joni's POV was brilliant, we saw so many problems through her eyes and she was a genuinely likeable character too (most of the time). I don't think I've often read about really poor characters and I loved the way Gregory made this integral part of the story exactly the right amount of heartwarming and heartbreaking. Joni and her family were brilliant and genuinely so 'rich in love' it broke my heart to see their struggles- so many people live day to day like this that I really wish there was more of it in YA fiction.
I also enjoyed Joni's frustration at Annabelle's wealth and her (very realistic) misunderstanding that money must equal some form of happiness. Annabelle's story hit me hard (I'm somewhere in the middle of both of the characters financially) but her desperation for a family who really loved her for who she is was really well explored and beautifully dealt with. This along with Joni's confusion and the sometimes excessive arguments they have about what money really means to everyone were so important to the story.
I love a political book and this really is one, there is discussion about the way the government is treating the NHS and how important it is to all of us, but especially the poorer among us, and how poverty is treated in schools as well as the staggering rich/poor divide. All of these issues were handled beautifully. Nothing was heavy handed but the book makes a really powerful, positive political impact on the reader.
I've knocked half a star off because so much of the conflict between Joni and Annabelle near the beginning of the book felt really contrived and was just due to a lack of communication, which is one of my least favourite things about YA in particular. Examples include their argument in front of the library and Joni's initial attitude towards Annabelle's friends which was never acceptable to me.
February 10, 2019
3.5🌟 (maybe? or 4? still deciding)
This YA book is a cute f/f romance (they meet while working together at a library!) mixed with a book about financial inequality and the realities of doing your best to make your voice heard against a more powerful force.
The f/f storyline wasn’t just your standard YA romance! Yes, there were familiar elements, but there were also unexpected parts to the story, which kept it feeling fresh.
The inequality storyline was woven in nicely. Hard to read but for the right reasons - it felt realistic. And it’s hard to read about real struggles. It forced me to think about all of the families in the same situation as Joni’s family. Everything from having a constant bank of knowledge about food and gas prices... to the stereotypical media portrayal of people on welfare.
I’m hovering between a 3.5-4🌟 rating (rather than something higher) for two reasons: characters and clunkiness. I found the main character frustrating and a bit too emotionally extreme & unstable, personally. The romantic interest had a barely-there personality. And the rest of the characters felt a bit flat. The writing was a little clunky, but it felt like the kind of clunkiness that sorts itself out as the writer gains more experience, not something inherently flawed about the voice.
Overall, I think it’s worth a read! And I’ll likely pick up more Karen Gregory books in the future!
This YA book is a cute f/f romance (they meet while working together at a library!) mixed with a book about financial inequality and the realities of doing your best to make your voice heard against a more powerful force.
The f/f storyline wasn’t just your standard YA romance! Yes, there were familiar elements, but there were also unexpected parts to the story, which kept it feeling fresh.
The inequality storyline was woven in nicely. Hard to read but for the right reasons - it felt realistic. And it’s hard to read about real struggles. It forced me to think about all of the families in the same situation as Joni’s family. Everything from having a constant bank of knowledge about food and gas prices... to the stereotypical media portrayal of people on welfare.
I’m hovering between a 3.5-4🌟 rating (rather than something higher) for two reasons: characters and clunkiness. I found the main character frustrating and a bit too emotionally extreme & unstable, personally. The romantic interest had a barely-there personality. And the rest of the characters felt a bit flat. The writing was a little clunky, but it felt like the kind of clunkiness that sorts itself out as the writer gains more experience, not something inherently flawed about the voice.
Overall, I think it’s worth a read! And I’ll likely pick up more Karen Gregory books in the future!
October 19, 2018
3.5/5 STARS. This review can also be found on my BLOG!
Hey Guys! Hope you're all doing well. First of all, thank you to the lovelies at Bloomsbury Publishing for kindly sending me a copy of Skylarks in exchange for an honest review. This review is definitely honest, especially since this was not my favourite Bloomsbury book but it was still a great read.
Review Time!
Writing Style
This book was written pretty well. It was definitely an easy read although it had its small downsides. I didn't like the protagonist's way of speaking, dialogue-wise. It sounded very stereotypically uncouth (or bogan for my Aussie readers) and sometimes lacked intonation. It was written very well in terms of expressing emotion. I felt angry and depressed a lot at the right times when reading it and I empathised a lot with the main character. It almost made me cry, not just of frustration from Joni's decisions but from general emotional turmoil. Shitty situations are sad. The romance was definitely cute. It was a slow burn with tentative developments and I loved how the author created their friendship through light humour.
Plot
I, unfortunately, don't enjoy reading about characters who are financially struggling. Although it's a great realistic concept to write about, I just don't feel as comfortable reading about things like that because I've been through it, and I'd rather not experience it again through someone else. The plot develops in that the main character Joni, and her brother start a campaign to protest against their increase in rent after a company buys their estate. The whole concept of protesting and letting people fight back against corporate oppressors was definitely a great thing to read about. It showed the great solidarity created by the community through their campaign. It incorporated well into Joni's character development of working to become brave enough to take a stand and speak out about what she feels and thinks about.
It was unfortunately bittersweet in that some of the protest themes developped into almost ulterior motives for hating on the rich. I don't personally like the trope of the rich always hating on the poor and vice versa, I guess I'm partly Hufflepuff too. It also felt very stereotypical that the love interest comes from a rich family. I feel like I've read so many books and seen so many movies where the 'rich' character is learning the ways of the poor and how to sympathise with their situation. Bear in mind that there are also different levels of wealth, Annabel's family seems to be clearly described on the high end of the spectrum with servants and so on, whereas Joni is always emphasised too clearly be struggling to make ends meet working to help her family pay the bills. Meanwhile, Joni's best friend Kelly is definitely in the middle to upper class but we weren't really exposed to her character as much unless Joni felt jealousy for her. Annabel's character development in terms of the plot was also a bit stereotypical but it was still a very important and powerful message. The message is that no matter how much money you have, you can't always buy happiness in that while Annabel didn't lack in finance, she lacked in other things Joni always had. This again was highlighted by that extreme gap in dichotomy and class explored in this novel, where both Joni and Annabel began to understand a little bit of what it's like to live in a different world and class in today's modern society. There were some other trope aspects I also didn't love but I'm not going to spoil.
Characters
I think this book was particularly interesting because these characters weren't very appealing. I didn't love them, but as I read on I began to care for them more. It was that building emotion and feeling that I got as I slowly learnt more about Joni, her family, her friends and Annabel and how their relationships intertwined. I wish that there had been more character development for sub characters like Kelly, Peter, Jamie and Deal. It felt a little too much like typical high school drama at times and I wish I could've seen more sides to these characters than the one shown.
Overall
Overall, I think this was a great book with very strong concepts and ideas that should make anyone reconsider certain things about themselves, others and society. This book definitely made me more grateful for many things in my life. It was also super refreshing to read an f/f novel. I can't remember for the life of me of another f/f novel I've read except for Leah on the Offbeat. I feel like there needs to be more exploration and more hype for f/f novels, I hope that more are coming out. Thanks to Amber for getting me on the hype train because these books are definitely not seen as often as they should be despite their great diversity and open discussion topics. Ultimately this book explored so many concepts, including growing up, learning different perspectives, finding the courage to speak out and more. I'd definitely recommend it. Just because it wasn't totally my cup of tea, doesn't mean if it won't be for you either :)
Until next time,
xx Tracy
BLOG | INSTA | TWITTER
Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hey Guys! Hope you're all doing well. First of all, thank you to the lovelies at Bloomsbury Publishing for kindly sending me a copy of Skylarks in exchange for an honest review. This review is definitely honest, especially since this was not my favourite Bloomsbury book but it was still a great read.
Review Time!
Writing Style
This book was written pretty well. It was definitely an easy read although it had its small downsides. I didn't like the protagonist's way of speaking, dialogue-wise. It sounded very stereotypically uncouth (or bogan for my Aussie readers) and sometimes lacked intonation. It was written very well in terms of expressing emotion. I felt angry and depressed a lot at the right times when reading it and I empathised a lot with the main character. It almost made me cry, not just of frustration from Joni's decisions but from general emotional turmoil. Shitty situations are sad. The romance was definitely cute. It was a slow burn with tentative developments and I loved how the author created their friendship through light humour.
Plot
I, unfortunately, don't enjoy reading about characters who are financially struggling. Although it's a great realistic concept to write about, I just don't feel as comfortable reading about things like that because I've been through it, and I'd rather not experience it again through someone else. The plot develops in that the main character Joni, and her brother start a campaign to protest against their increase in rent after a company buys their estate. The whole concept of protesting and letting people fight back against corporate oppressors was definitely a great thing to read about. It showed the great solidarity created by the community through their campaign. It incorporated well into Joni's character development of working to become brave enough to take a stand and speak out about what she feels and thinks about.
It was unfortunately bittersweet in that some of the protest themes developped into almost ulterior motives for hating on the rich. I don't personally like the trope of the rich always hating on the poor and vice versa, I guess I'm partly Hufflepuff too. It also felt very stereotypical that the love interest comes from a rich family. I feel like I've read so many books and seen so many movies where the 'rich' character is learning the ways of the poor and how to sympathise with their situation. Bear in mind that there are also different levels of wealth, Annabel's family seems to be clearly described on the high end of the spectrum with servants and so on, whereas Joni is always emphasised too clearly be struggling to make ends meet working to help her family pay the bills. Meanwhile, Joni's best friend Kelly is definitely in the middle to upper class but we weren't really exposed to her character as much unless Joni felt jealousy for her. Annabel's character development in terms of the plot was also a bit stereotypical but it was still a very important and powerful message. The message is that no matter how much money you have, you can't always buy happiness in that while Annabel didn't lack in finance, she lacked in other things Joni always had. This again was highlighted by that extreme gap in dichotomy and class explored in this novel, where both Joni and Annabel began to understand a little bit of what it's like to live in a different world and class in today's modern society. There were some other trope aspects I also didn't love but I'm not going to spoil.
Characters
I think this book was particularly interesting because these characters weren't very appealing. I didn't love them, but as I read on I began to care for them more. It was that building emotion and feeling that I got as I slowly learnt more about Joni, her family, her friends and Annabel and how their relationships intertwined. I wish that there had been more character development for sub characters like Kelly, Peter, Jamie and Deal. It felt a little too much like typical high school drama at times and I wish I could've seen more sides to these characters than the one shown.
Overall
Overall, I think this was a great book with very strong concepts and ideas that should make anyone reconsider certain things about themselves, others and society. This book definitely made me more grateful for many things in my life. It was also super refreshing to read an f/f novel. I can't remember for the life of me of another f/f novel I've read except for Leah on the Offbeat. I feel like there needs to be more exploration and more hype for f/f novels, I hope that more are coming out. Thanks to Amber for getting me on the hype train because these books are definitely not seen as often as they should be despite their great diversity and open discussion topics. Ultimately this book explored so many concepts, including growing up, learning different perspectives, finding the courage to speak out and more. I'd definitely recommend it. Just because it wasn't totally my cup of tea, doesn't mean if it won't be for you either :)
Until next time,
xx Tracy
BLOG | INSTA | TWITTER
Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2018
No tenía muchas expectativas con este libro pero me ha encantado de principio a fin. Una historia que emociona y llega por lo real que es.
April 22, 2018
I got a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. You can also check out this review on my blog.
I think this is an important book. For one, it normalizes f/f relationships in a context that's for once not necessarily about homophobia and coming out (although we need those books, they just need to be not the only books about LGBTQ+ people). It's important to have stories with f/f and m/m relationships that aren't always about the struggle with the sexuality itself, but just about the struggle of being in a relationship (you know, like straight people in almost all books). And this book really depicted this teenage relationship as just that, a teenage relationship, and all the drama that comes with it. Of course, there were mentions of homophobia and coming out and how they might be problems, but those are not at the heart of this story, and that's refreshing to read.
But what is most prominent in this book is the class dichotomy of working class and upper class. It's about how the rich want to get richer, while the poor struggle to get by, to not be homeless, even when they work more than full time, even when multiple family members have jobs. This book is a great portrayal of that struggle, that constant anxiety that it creates and how hard it is to get out of it (if at all possible, as the rich profit from the poor being kept poor). It really makes you realize how the worries seep into a person, till it can become everything they think of. And how shit just isn't fair, while it should be. This is something that needs to be talked about more.
Besides that, it's also a cute, fluffy love story about standing up for yourself and becoming who you really are. It's about finding strength and voice and courage to do what you believe is right. It's about first love and figuring out how to be in a relationship with someone, especially when your lives are so incredibly different. The romantic moments are so sweet and cute it'll make you feel all gooey inside.
However... I didn't like Skylarks as much as I wanted to. What made me get impatient with this book was the writing. It felt odd and illogical and jumpy at times. It made me want to skim pages just to get through it. I didn't feel like the characters came to live and they kept feeling a little flat and predictable. They just didn't really became real. And I'm a big fan of character driven novels, and perhaps this wasn't really, but I felt like this book could've been better. Dialogue felt sometimes odd and unnatural, the plot felt in many ways very predictable. Nothing seemed really surprising, except perhaps the ending a little. I really got the idea like the plot and the characters were not really a story or people, but rather vehicles to show this really important societal issue. And yeah, it's really important to write about these things and have people read about these things, but I still feel this book could have been done better technically.
All in all a cute, emotional love story about important subjects, but I feel like it could have been done better.
I think this is an important book. For one, it normalizes f/f relationships in a context that's for once not necessarily about homophobia and coming out (although we need those books, they just need to be not the only books about LGBTQ+ people). It's important to have stories with f/f and m/m relationships that aren't always about the struggle with the sexuality itself, but just about the struggle of being in a relationship (you know, like straight people in almost all books). And this book really depicted this teenage relationship as just that, a teenage relationship, and all the drama that comes with it. Of course, there were mentions of homophobia and coming out and how they might be problems, but those are not at the heart of this story, and that's refreshing to read.
But what is most prominent in this book is the class dichotomy of working class and upper class. It's about how the rich want to get richer, while the poor struggle to get by, to not be homeless, even when they work more than full time, even when multiple family members have jobs. This book is a great portrayal of that struggle, that constant anxiety that it creates and how hard it is to get out of it (if at all possible, as the rich profit from the poor being kept poor). It really makes you realize how the worries seep into a person, till it can become everything they think of. And how shit just isn't fair, while it should be. This is something that needs to be talked about more.
Besides that, it's also a cute, fluffy love story about standing up for yourself and becoming who you really are. It's about finding strength and voice and courage to do what you believe is right. It's about first love and figuring out how to be in a relationship with someone, especially when your lives are so incredibly different. The romantic moments are so sweet and cute it'll make you feel all gooey inside.
However... I didn't like Skylarks as much as I wanted to. What made me get impatient with this book was the writing. It felt odd and illogical and jumpy at times. It made me want to skim pages just to get through it. I didn't feel like the characters came to live and they kept feeling a little flat and predictable. They just didn't really became real. And I'm a big fan of character driven novels, and perhaps this wasn't really, but I felt like this book could've been better. Dialogue felt sometimes odd and unnatural, the plot felt in many ways very predictable. Nothing seemed really surprising, except perhaps the ending a little. I really got the idea like the plot and the characters were not really a story or people, but rather vehicles to show this really important societal issue. And yeah, it's really important to write about these things and have people read about these things, but I still feel this book could have been done better technically.
All in all a cute, emotional love story about important subjects, but I feel like it could have been done better.
April 25, 2018
This is my first ever f/f book and it was wonderful! Such a lovely story. Annabel is a fab character.
September 13, 2018
What a beautiful gut-wrenching and thought-provoking story! This is the contemporary I didn’t know I needed in my life!
“The future is like that great white sky above me- I don’t have a clue what I’m supposed to write on it. What I’m allowed to.”
In this novel we follow Joni, a seventeen-year-old girl trying to help her family deal with their financial issues and juggle schoolwork and her jobs. We learn she is an openly gay character in the beginning of the book, and while I was glad to read about an LGBTQIA+ representation we don’t often see portrayed in literature, I was even more pleasantly surprised when I realized that the book was not just about that, because I didn’t want to read a book primarily focused on romance and romance alone. This is more of a personal preference matter, but I usually read romance books in between other hefty novels to keep me out of a reading slump, and I honestly didn’t want this book to be a filler. Well, rest assured it was anything but that!
“I guess that’s what happens when you don’t say the stuff you really want to; it builds up inside until it comes crashing out whether you like it or not.”
So what could be special about another coming-of-age story, one might ask? In my opinion, this was a plot-driven book that managed to create a crystal clear image of who the characters in it are, what role they play in the events of the story and in the protagonist’s actions, which is a rare commodity in young adult literature. Furthermore, I really appreciated that fact that the main character is unapologetically her own person, but because of the events taking place she sort of loses herself and has to deal with the repercussions of such a drastic change, I thought it made the whole book stand out and introduced something new to the genre. Joni might not have money, and that causes her to think that’s the source of all her problems, but she has a great relationship with her family, a tightly-knit group of friends who are really there for her and appears self-driven and personality-oriented because that’s how she was raised to be, and money certainly can’t buy those qualities. Most of these attributes are accentuated when compared to the life of her love interest, which the author handled really well.
“…people are harder to work out than you think. Maybe you’re not supposed to know everything about someone.”
But this book is not just about Joni’s story. The side characters compliment the main plot of the book and vice versa, allowing everyone to speak their truths. They all have stories to tell, overflowing emotions, thoughts and aspirations. I loved how the youngsters in this novel decided to act, to do something for themselves and their people, thus makeing the message of faith in the new generation and the importance of the sense of community shine through all the characters. Now, this is not the type of book that will tie everything up with a nice fancy ribbon on top, and that’s the reason I adored it; life doesn’t work that way, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be happy or whole if you don’t have everything handed to you in a silver platter. It is that bitter-sweet message that I found invaluable. In addition, the writing style was exactly how I wanted it to be, distinctly British, which makes it different from other contemporaries out there, with words and phrases I hadn’t heard before. At first it took some getting used to, but I absolutely loved it and think it adds to its charm. It was the same feeling I got when I read Holly Bourne’s books, which is saying a lot!
“…perhaps nothing will come of this, but now I can feel that belief is there, soaring just like those birds in the sky. Maybe I can believe there’s hope. And that’s worth standing up and fighting for ourselves.”
I would definitely recommend this book to teenagers and adults alike, it was a great read with an ending just like I wanted, a mixture of realistic portrayal of life with a sprinkle of hope and a drizzle of sadness. You will laugh and you might shed a tear or two, but in the end you will be left with hope and wonder, because as the author put it: When you finally get up the courage to shout the truth, people listen.
Here’s my review system in short:
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing Style: 4.5/5
Originality: 4.5/5
Sense: 4/5
Value: 4.5/5
Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Overall reading experience: 4.5/5 stars
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“The future is like that great white sky above me- I don’t have a clue what I’m supposed to write on it. What I’m allowed to.”
In this novel we follow Joni, a seventeen-year-old girl trying to help her family deal with their financial issues and juggle schoolwork and her jobs. We learn she is an openly gay character in the beginning of the book, and while I was glad to read about an LGBTQIA+ representation we don’t often see portrayed in literature, I was even more pleasantly surprised when I realized that the book was not just about that, because I didn’t want to read a book primarily focused on romance and romance alone. This is more of a personal preference matter, but I usually read romance books in between other hefty novels to keep me out of a reading slump, and I honestly didn’t want this book to be a filler. Well, rest assured it was anything but that!
“I guess that’s what happens when you don’t say the stuff you really want to; it builds up inside until it comes crashing out whether you like it or not.”
So what could be special about another coming-of-age story, one might ask? In my opinion, this was a plot-driven book that managed to create a crystal clear image of who the characters in it are, what role they play in the events of the story and in the protagonist’s actions, which is a rare commodity in young adult literature. Furthermore, I really appreciated that fact that the main character is unapologetically her own person, but because of the events taking place she sort of loses herself and has to deal with the repercussions of such a drastic change, I thought it made the whole book stand out and introduced something new to the genre. Joni might not have money, and that causes her to think that’s the source of all her problems, but she has a great relationship with her family, a tightly-knit group of friends who are really there for her and appears self-driven and personality-oriented because that’s how she was raised to be, and money certainly can’t buy those qualities. Most of these attributes are accentuated when compared to the life of her love interest, which the author handled really well.
“…people are harder to work out than you think. Maybe you’re not supposed to know everything about someone.”
But this book is not just about Joni’s story. The side characters compliment the main plot of the book and vice versa, allowing everyone to speak their truths. They all have stories to tell, overflowing emotions, thoughts and aspirations. I loved how the youngsters in this novel decided to act, to do something for themselves and their people, thus makeing the message of faith in the new generation and the importance of the sense of community shine through all the characters. Now, this is not the type of book that will tie everything up with a nice fancy ribbon on top, and that’s the reason I adored it; life doesn’t work that way, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be happy or whole if you don’t have everything handed to you in a silver platter. It is that bitter-sweet message that I found invaluable. In addition, the writing style was exactly how I wanted it to be, distinctly British, which makes it different from other contemporaries out there, with words and phrases I hadn’t heard before. At first it took some getting used to, but I absolutely loved it and think it adds to its charm. It was the same feeling I got when I read Holly Bourne’s books, which is saying a lot!
“…perhaps nothing will come of this, but now I can feel that belief is there, soaring just like those birds in the sky. Maybe I can believe there’s hope. And that’s worth standing up and fighting for ourselves.”
I would definitely recommend this book to teenagers and adults alike, it was a great read with an ending just like I wanted, a mixture of realistic portrayal of life with a sprinkle of hope and a drizzle of sadness. You will laugh and you might shed a tear or two, but in the end you will be left with hope and wonder, because as the author put it: When you finally get up the courage to shout the truth, people listen.
Here’s my review system in short:
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing Style: 4.5/5
Originality: 4.5/5
Sense: 4/5
Value: 4.5/5
Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Overall reading experience: 4.5/5 stars
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2018
Disclaimer: I received this free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Joni and her family have been living paycheck to paycheck for as long as she can remember. With a Dad who can’t work due to a back injury, Joni and her family have to pull together and support each other to keep afloat. Then Joni meets Annabel, rich and privileged – everything Joni isn’t. But, there is something undeniably between them. A spark. The closer they become, the more Joni thinks she might be falling in love. However, when Annabel’s parents find out about them, there are some differences that can’t be overcome. The odds are stacked against them.
Skylarks is going to be one of those books that I will be gushing about and be recommending for a while. It is elegantly written, with a heartfelt and heartwarming story. It is a story that, at its heart, is about love. A book that is beautiful both inside, and out.
Skylarks is a book that is so desperately needed in UKYA. It features a working-class main character where money struggles are a prevalent worry. Her family lives paycheck to paycheck and worries how they will do their next food shop. They live on an estate that is being sold to a private company that is hiking up their rent and forcing them, and their neighbours, out. It is an estate that is looked down on, they live in the same town as the wealthy and yet their town is different. As someone who grew up on a council estate, whose mum did all sorts of hours to put food on the table, and as someone whose family survived off the weekly car boot sale, I appreciated this representation and it is so sensitively done. Skylarks is a book that discusses poverty, class divide, social inequality, and protest in a really great way.
Another one of my favourite things about Skylarks was also the family dynamics. I loved the sibling relationships, and I loved Joni’s relationship with both her parents. So often when working-class families are portrayed in fiction it is usually in such a negative light, with absent parents who don’t seem to care about their children. So, it really means a lot to see a working-class family shown in such a positive light full of mutual support and affection.
Skylarks also had an adorably awkward romance between Joni and Annabel. I loved it and it felt realistic given their situations. Joni and Annabel had some really great chemistry but also had a lot of conflicts because Joni is working class living on a poor estate where she and her family think constantly about money, living paycheck to paycheck. Whereas Annabel comes from a wealthy family where she gets whatever she needs, and a lot she doesn’t. However, we soon learn not to judge based on first impressions as Annabel’s life isn’t all that is seems BUT I like how it didn’t totally try and persuade us that ‘money doesn’t buy happiness’ because it can do for a lot of poor families.
So, yeah, Skylarks is a book that you will see me gushing about for a while so PLEASE do yourself a favour and pick up a copy.
Joni and her family have been living paycheck to paycheck for as long as she can remember. With a Dad who can’t work due to a back injury, Joni and her family have to pull together and support each other to keep afloat. Then Joni meets Annabel, rich and privileged – everything Joni isn’t. But, there is something undeniably between them. A spark. The closer they become, the more Joni thinks she might be falling in love. However, when Annabel’s parents find out about them, there are some differences that can’t be overcome. The odds are stacked against them.
Skylarks is going to be one of those books that I will be gushing about and be recommending for a while. It is elegantly written, with a heartfelt and heartwarming story. It is a story that, at its heart, is about love. A book that is beautiful both inside, and out.
Skylarks is a book that is so desperately needed in UKYA. It features a working-class main character where money struggles are a prevalent worry. Her family lives paycheck to paycheck and worries how they will do their next food shop. They live on an estate that is being sold to a private company that is hiking up their rent and forcing them, and their neighbours, out. It is an estate that is looked down on, they live in the same town as the wealthy and yet their town is different. As someone who grew up on a council estate, whose mum did all sorts of hours to put food on the table, and as someone whose family survived off the weekly car boot sale, I appreciated this representation and it is so sensitively done. Skylarks is a book that discusses poverty, class divide, social inequality, and protest in a really great way.
Another one of my favourite things about Skylarks was also the family dynamics. I loved the sibling relationships, and I loved Joni’s relationship with both her parents. So often when working-class families are portrayed in fiction it is usually in such a negative light, with absent parents who don’t seem to care about their children. So, it really means a lot to see a working-class family shown in such a positive light full of mutual support and affection.
Skylarks also had an adorably awkward romance between Joni and Annabel. I loved it and it felt realistic given their situations. Joni and Annabel had some really great chemistry but also had a lot of conflicts because Joni is working class living on a poor estate where she and her family think constantly about money, living paycheck to paycheck. Whereas Annabel comes from a wealthy family where she gets whatever she needs, and a lot she doesn’t. However, we soon learn not to judge based on first impressions as Annabel’s life isn’t all that is seems BUT I like how it didn’t totally try and persuade us that ‘money doesn’t buy happiness’ because it can do for a lot of poor families.
So, yeah, Skylarks is a book that you will see me gushing about for a while so PLEASE do yourself a favour and pick up a copy.
May 26, 2018
I got sent this book in exchange for a honest review, all my opinions are my own and thank you so much to the publishers for sending me this book!
I had no idea what to expect when I started this and it definitely was something. This book follows our main characters as she struggles with her sexuality and her feelings for a girl, this causes a lot of problems with her family and their approval of the relationship. Aside from that her family are getting evicted from their home.
The book was really realistic and moving. I've never been in a situation where our main character has been but I found myself invested in her journey.
The story was really good although I didn't think the writing was a masterpiece and that was okay, it just let me down from being a higher rated book.
This book is currently out in the U.K and I think maybe coming soon In U.S.A but definitely give it a try when you get your hands on it.
I had no idea what to expect when I started this and it definitely was something. This book follows our main characters as she struggles with her sexuality and her feelings for a girl, this causes a lot of problems with her family and their approval of the relationship. Aside from that her family are getting evicted from their home.
The book was really realistic and moving. I've never been in a situation where our main character has been but I found myself invested in her journey.
The story was really good although I didn't think the writing was a masterpiece and that was okay, it just let me down from being a higher rated book.
This book is currently out in the U.K and I think maybe coming soon In U.S.A but definitely give it a try when you get your hands on it.
August 11, 2018
Was this supposed to be a story or an essay on the rich/poor divide? I wanted to write SHOW, DON'T TELL in the margins in red pen because it was all so mundane and boring -- they do the washing up but there's no hot water, Joni shops at Lidl because they're out of toilet paper. (THIS SCENE HAPPENS TWICE. Does she only buy one roll at a time??? Also it's not just poor people who shop at Lidl?) I was also frustrated by the pretty unsubtle foreshadowing about who Mason Deal really is -- I was convinced he was going to turn out to be the son of the MP, or at the very least secretly from a rich upper-class family -- but no, that thread is dropped and there's no explanation of where he came from or who he is.
I only finished this one because it was a buddy read, otherwise it would have been a DNF after 50 pages.
I only finished this one because it was a buddy read, otherwise it would have been a DNF after 50 pages.
June 19, 2018
Skylarks is a beautiful f/f contemporary that tackles class divide, poverty and political activism with nuance and a side of romance.
Joni works hard to support her family but there's never quite enough and now the estate they live on has been sold so that it can be redeveloped to jack up the rent and kick out long time residents. Working at the library, Joni properly meets Annabel for the first time. Annabel comes from a wealthy family, the kind that has their name on the sides of buildings. She certainly has never had to help her parents put food on the table. Soon enough neither can stop themselves falling in love.
I really enjoyed Skylarks and it balanced the two main themes, injustice and the romance, well. Neither one was lost as the other progressed. We see Joni and Annabel slowly fall in love and learn to be together alongside Joni's journey to standing up and fighting the injustice her family is experiencing. The social divide between Joni and Annabel was conveyed really realistically and Skylarks provides some much needed representation of poverty in YA. Joni has a job because she and her family can't afford not to as opposed to just having it for some spare pocket money/something to do in the summer.
One of the other points I loved about Skylarks was that there wasn't any gay angst. Joni is out to her family and friends and though Annabel isn't, the stresses in the relationship don't come from that but rather from the financial differences between the two.
The one element I had a bit of an issue with was when Joni was thinking about how her father can't get disability benefits (he has a back injury that prevents him working and spends a lot of time in bed because of the pain) but the neighbour next door could even though her disability didn't seem as bad. Whilst I understand where Joni's frustration is coming from, it's not okay to assume the severity/nature of someone's disability.
Overall, Skylarks was a wonderful read, bringing some much need representation of poverty and a sweet romance that may have its up and downs but it nevertheless lovely.
*I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
This review and more can be found at https://wildheartreads.wordpress.com/
Joni works hard to support her family but there's never quite enough and now the estate they live on has been sold so that it can be redeveloped to jack up the rent and kick out long time residents. Working at the library, Joni properly meets Annabel for the first time. Annabel comes from a wealthy family, the kind that has their name on the sides of buildings. She certainly has never had to help her parents put food on the table. Soon enough neither can stop themselves falling in love.
I really enjoyed Skylarks and it balanced the two main themes, injustice and the romance, well. Neither one was lost as the other progressed. We see Joni and Annabel slowly fall in love and learn to be together alongside Joni's journey to standing up and fighting the injustice her family is experiencing. The social divide between Joni and Annabel was conveyed really realistically and Skylarks provides some much needed representation of poverty in YA. Joni has a job because she and her family can't afford not to as opposed to just having it for some spare pocket money/something to do in the summer.
"Maybe I can believe there's hope. And that it's worth standing up and fighting for ourselves."
One of the other points I loved about Skylarks was that there wasn't any gay angst. Joni is out to her family and friends and though Annabel isn't, the stresses in the relationship don't come from that but rather from the financial differences between the two.
The one element I had a bit of an issue with was when Joni was thinking about how her father can't get disability benefits (he has a back injury that prevents him working and spends a lot of time in bed because of the pain) but the neighbour next door could even though her disability didn't seem as bad. Whilst I understand where Joni's frustration is coming from, it's not okay to assume the severity/nature of someone's disability.
Overall, Skylarks was a wonderful read, bringing some much need representation of poverty and a sweet romance that may have its up and downs but it nevertheless lovely.
*I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
This review and more can be found at https://wildheartreads.wordpress.com/
May 2, 2018
*Thank you NetGalley and Karen Gregory for the free copy of this book in exchange with an honest review*
This is the first LGBTQ+ novel I've ever read and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was pretty fresh and it really dealt with the struggles gay people encounter when their close ones and society in general, doesn't approve of their relationship.
The way the divide between middle and upper classes was portrayed was pretty nice and well thought out. Nothing was exactly as it appeared, every situation had more than one layer and the girls' perspectives were very well examined and explained. Also, what I liked bout this book is how organically everything unfolded. It didn't feel rushed and on the same time, it didn't fell like it was taking ages for the story to progress.
Lastly, I loved the love story a lot! I think this book paves the way for f/f relationships, as it portrays Joni and Annabel's relationship in a sweet, yet realistic way. The author doesn't shy away from the hardships gay people experience and how they are not able to live freely and love whoever they want. I think it's important to have more books like this out there, that not only are a comfort to gay people, but also act as an information source to everyone who's interested to familiarize himself with that topic.
This is the first LGBTQ+ novel I've ever read and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was pretty fresh and it really dealt with the struggles gay people encounter when their close ones and society in general, doesn't approve of their relationship.
The way the divide between middle and upper classes was portrayed was pretty nice and well thought out. Nothing was exactly as it appeared, every situation had more than one layer and the girls' perspectives were very well examined and explained. Also, what I liked bout this book is how organically everything unfolded. It didn't feel rushed and on the same time, it didn't fell like it was taking ages for the story to progress.
Lastly, I loved the love story a lot! I think this book paves the way for f/f relationships, as it portrays Joni and Annabel's relationship in a sweet, yet realistic way. The author doesn't shy away from the hardships gay people experience and how they are not able to live freely and love whoever they want. I think it's important to have more books like this out there, that not only are a comfort to gay people, but also act as an information source to everyone who's interested to familiarize himself with that topic.
August 2, 2018
This book started off super cute but I just found it dragged a little bit at the end. Straight away I knew And I was still pleased for it.
I think it just took me that little bit too long to read. I loved the cuteness of the relationship, and also the deeper aspects to the story. I actually though that
I liked the protest side of the story, it wasn't just a romance story. There was a plot. I'm glad I read this book, a cute filler :)
I think it just took me that little bit too long to read. I loved the cuteness of the relationship, and also the deeper aspects to the story. I actually though that
I liked the protest side of the story, it wasn't just a romance story. There was a plot. I'm glad I read this book, a cute filler :)
October 10, 2024
soo cute!
May 15, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
"When she was little, Joni used to have dreams that she could fly. But these days her feet are firmly on the ground – they have to be when money's tight and her dad can't work and the whole family has to pull together to keep afloat.
Then she meets Annabel. Annabel is everything Joni isn't, and yet there's a spark between them. Though Joni barely believes it at first, she thinks they might be falling in love.
But when Annabel's parents find out about the relationship, it's clear they believe there are some differences that are impossible to overcome"
Skylarks is a cute, thoughtful, contemporary f/f YA romance centred around British class struggles. There's two sides to this book: a sort of hate-to-love romance with the rich girl on one side, and the difficulty of being a poor working-class family on the other. Skylarks is full of emotion and a quick, engaging read.
We follow our gay main character, Joni who works in the local library part-time, while she takes her A-levels. Enter Annabel. The posh, rich and privileged girl who also starts working there, only for something to write on her UCAS application. At first glance, they seem an unlikely pair but sparks begin to fly and they begin their relationship while trying to negotiate their completely different lifestyles. I really enjoyed Joni's perspective. At times, she felt a bit irritating and I questioned some of the things she said and done but I feel like any teenager in her situation would do the same. She is very realistic and relatable. I definitely liked Annabel more. On the surface, it would appear that she has everything she could ever want, but all she desperately wants is love and affection from her parents which she never seems to get. I really felt for her, especially when Joni was making all these assumptions about her.
One thing I loved about this book is that it is not about the struggles of being gay. There are no awkward coming out scenes or unsupportive friends/ family. It is touched upon briefly but it does not take up much of the book. If you enjoyed Simon Vs the Homosapien's Agenda, then I think you will really enjoy this one too.
Karen Gregory definitely has a beautiful writing style. It flows well and you get through her books so quickly. I love how she tackles such sensitive subjects with grace and they never feel irrelevant or forced. The characters are natural and it feels like there has been a lot of research done surrounding the topics that are discussed. It's so refreshing to see.
I think this is the first 4-star rating I've ever given to a YA romance novel, so that in itself is testament to what a great book this is. Bravo.
"When she was little, Joni used to have dreams that she could fly. But these days her feet are firmly on the ground – they have to be when money's tight and her dad can't work and the whole family has to pull together to keep afloat.
Then she meets Annabel. Annabel is everything Joni isn't, and yet there's a spark between them. Though Joni barely believes it at first, she thinks they might be falling in love.
But when Annabel's parents find out about the relationship, it's clear they believe there are some differences that are impossible to overcome"
Skylarks is a cute, thoughtful, contemporary f/f YA romance centred around British class struggles. There's two sides to this book: a sort of hate-to-love romance with the rich girl on one side, and the difficulty of being a poor working-class family on the other. Skylarks is full of emotion and a quick, engaging read.
We follow our gay main character, Joni who works in the local library part-time, while she takes her A-levels. Enter Annabel. The posh, rich and privileged girl who also starts working there, only for something to write on her UCAS application. At first glance, they seem an unlikely pair but sparks begin to fly and they begin their relationship while trying to negotiate their completely different lifestyles. I really enjoyed Joni's perspective. At times, she felt a bit irritating and I questioned some of the things she said and done but I feel like any teenager in her situation would do the same. She is very realistic and relatable. I definitely liked Annabel more. On the surface, it would appear that she has everything she could ever want, but all she desperately wants is love and affection from her parents which she never seems to get. I really felt for her, especially when Joni was making all these assumptions about her.
One thing I loved about this book is that it is not about the struggles of being gay. There are no awkward coming out scenes or unsupportive friends/ family. It is touched upon briefly but it does not take up much of the book. If you enjoyed Simon Vs the Homosapien's Agenda, then I think you will really enjoy this one too.
Karen Gregory definitely has a beautiful writing style. It flows well and you get through her books so quickly. I love how she tackles such sensitive subjects with grace and they never feel irrelevant or forced. The characters are natural and it feels like there has been a lot of research done surrounding the topics that are discussed. It's so refreshing to see.
I think this is the first 4-star rating I've ever given to a YA romance novel, so that in itself is testament to what a great book this is. Bravo.
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