Zwyczajna opowieść o miłości

by Steven Camden, Maria Zawadzka (Translator)

Prawdziwe życie kryje czasem więcej niespodzianek niż najlepszy film. Zaskakująca powieść Stevena Camdena.

On ma na imię Luke, a ona Leia. Tak jak w Gwiezdnych Wojnach – są stworzeni dla siebie. Chodzą na ten sam kurs filmowy, mają inne pochodzenie i mieszkają na dwóch przeciwnych krańcach miasta. Tylko że to nie jest film. To prawdziwe życie, w którym demony przeszłości wracają, by się zemścić, w którym czasem… to ty jesteś demonem.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Young Adult Romance, Unfinished, Summer

300 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2015

About the author

Steven Camden is one of the most acclaimed spoken-word artists in the country. As Polarbear, he has performed extensively around the UK and internationally. He also writes plays, teaches storytelling in schools, and was a lead artist for Ministry of Stories and The Roundhouse poetry collective.

Reviews

[Kyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an e-arc from Edelweiss, but this does not, in any way, have an impact on my review.
More like a 2.5 stars, but a three.

First of all, thank you to HarperCollins 260 for sending me an e-arc. I really appreciated it and squealed and squealed because it was my very first approved e-arc on Edelweiss (my account was just, an hour old? anyways.) Thank you so, so much.


Yes, thank you, my brethren. Now on with the review.

THINGS THAT BOTHERED ME
1, Luke's kaartehan (Filipino term, guys. Search it up if you're interested because I'm not really familiar with the FIlipino translation of things. If my Filipino teacher is reading this, patawad nalang po ehehez.)

Luke always overreacts and I always hate that. He causes a scene when things are alright just the way they are. Like that scene when he just stormed out of the kitchen? Overreaction. And shouldn't he be happy that his brother .... ? I'd be even be happy if it was my nuthead brother who .... !

And his moody ways? Eh, not kool.

2. WHY THE BOOK IS SO LONG BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY MAKE IT SHORT.
It actually took me four days to finish this. And surprise guys: I didn't actually finish it. It was a 'dnf', because it got really boring at one point and not even sitting for four hours in the doctor's office would make me read this as a last resort.

THINGS I LIKED

1. The humour
Yes, the humour. Only the humour,

This doesn't actually conform to my reviewing standards, buttttt I promise I'll write a more coherent review in the near future (like long weekends).

BAI SENPAIS I MISS YOU SO MUCH

[Helen Stower · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that based on the title and the cover, I would have never read this book. However, the girls in my student book club convinced me to read it and I really have to thank them - it’s great. This book oozes menace and tension and from the beginning, the reader is gripped by the fear of what has happened in the past and what that will bring to play in the present.

This is a coming of age story that is difficult to label. The reader is warned about this complexity of plot and theme in chapter 1 when, Luke the protagonist of the novel, debates the central premise of his favourite movie with a girl in his film class.

“It’s a love story, you know …..
“No it’s not”
“Course it is,” she says, “Not a conventional one, but it’s a story about love.”
The fact that she’s even seen it make me like her, but it’s not a love story.
It’s about revenge,” I say (p.11)

The characterisation of Luke, the protagonist, is a strength of the novel. As a reader, you really like him but are often puzzled and devastated by his inability to articulate his feelings and his poor reactions to people and situations. Steven Camden has mastered the ability to bring the gritty reality of the tough neighbourhood of Bearwood, Birmingham where Luke lives into focus. Luke is a “fish out of water” when he starts at film school on the other side of town. At home, the return of his brother from prison is the catalyst for family and neighbourhood tensions that will climax on the night of Luke’s 17th birthday.

The author also uses an interesting structural device in this novel by interspersing the story with fragments of hand-written notes describing snippets of memories, thoughts and dreams. Additionally, he also uses small inserts that read like film directions or play scripts. Together with countless references to modern films, this structural device compliments the central motif of film study.

I highly recommend this book for YA readers who love gritty reality, love stories, character books and movies.

One last thing …. This book is full of great quotes, here are four of my favourites:

“Because nobody’s one thing, Lukey. You make a person one thing and you’ll miss out on everything else that they are. That they could be. And they’ll always let you down.”

“I repeat the words in my head. Whoever’s writing this script is giving all the best lines to everyone else.”

“The best ducks can swim in any pond.”

“You are what people think you are. Youmake a reputation, then it makes you.”

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

*I received this book from the publisher through Edelweiss to review honestly*


First, I have a gripe with this book, it doesn't really matter overall, but it annoyed me. Here it is: WHY LUKE AND LEIA???? Why!? They're brother and sister in Star Wars, dang it! Yes, there's that confusing scene where they kiss, but they're brother and sister! Let me be clear, the characters in this book do point that out, it's not as if the author completely ignored it, but it still annoys me. Mostly because this isn't the first time I've seen it and it's just a pet peeve.

On to the real review!

It's About Love follows Luke, a seventeen-year-old film student who wants nothing more than be a scriptwriter and make his own movie. Luke has a..completcated past involving a brother, Marc, in prison and a scar across his face.


Let's break it down, shall we?

The Writing:

Okay, I am in love with the writing in this book! It's amazing and unique and all the other words. Bits are written like an actual screenplay, which I loved. And so many quotable parts. *sigh*

The Plot:
There was a lot going on in this book. I loved all the side plots, with Luke's parents who are separated, Leia's brother who has a history not unlike Luke's, Luke's brother who's about to get out of prison. They were all done so well.

Then you have the main plot, you have Luke and Leia's romance, Luke's history, the screenplay they're writing together, and their awesome film teacher. Basically, this isn't your normal love story, there's so many little things going on, some much painful history and it's so well written! This book is about love - many different forms of it - but it's also about everything else.

The Characters:

This is where things took a turn for the worst for me. I didn't find myself drawn to really any of the main characters. So, Luke and Leia, I didn't like either, though I preferred Luke to Leia. There was just so much drama with them. Luke kind of flipped flopped and wasn't very likable, pushing away his friends and family. Leia was dramatic, and not in the book nearly enough.

The side characters, though! I loved them. I connected with them, I felt for them. Not for Luke and Leia. I loved Marc(Luke's brother) most of all, but also Luke's best friends and I wanted more of all of them. Less Luke and Leia.

The Ending:

The thing is, the "message", It's About Love and all that, kind of fell flat. The whole end did. The romance just wasn't...romance-y enough. I didn't really like Leia, she was too "the perfect girl" and kind of moody, if you ask me. I never really understood what they saw in each other which ruins romance for me and by default, the whole "It's About Love" point of the story.

There were twists though! What with Luke's brother, who just got out of prison for something that involved Luke(no spoilers here!), and the backstory wasn't something you see a lot, which I loved. I loved the side characters, I loved the family dynamics, and how that all ended. It was perfect. The romance is what really made the book drop in my opinion.

The Romance:

SO MUCH DRAMA. Luke doesn't want to like Leia at first, then they kind of do, then things happen and she won't talk to him. Which, I understood, a smidge, but really? It felt like she was overacting. And the end fell short because of it. I mean, why was Luke even trying so hard to get her back, she wasn't that great!


Overall: This was a good read, I fell for the writing and side characters. Unfortunately, I didn't fall for the main characters which impeded my enjoyment of this one.


Would I Recommend This? Sure.
To Whom? People who love a good story but don't need compelling romance and characters in contemporary.
Will I read more from this author(or series)? Probably.

[Michelle (Fluttering Butterflies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars Proper loved this. Had me crying several times because it felt really honest and painful.

I really loved It's About Love by Steven Camden. I had heard of the book when it was first published at the beginning of the year but I always felt a little bit on the fence about reading it. I knew it was about two characters, Luke and Leia, and that they meet on a film studies course at college, but nothing else apart from that.

It wasn't until I attended YALC in July that I changed my mind. I heard the author, Steven Camden, do a performance poem about this novel and that made me really sit up and take notice. This piece of poetry was amazing and his delivery of it made me incredibly intrigued. So when I saw It's About Love on a library shelf recently, I snapped it up immediately. It isn't the first or last book that I've read because of YALC. And with It's About Love I'm really glad that I did give this book a chance.

It is about two characters, Luke and Leia, and they do meet on a film studies course. That is true. But this novel felt like much more than that as well. It felt like a journey towards creating something wonderful and about identity and friendship and family and love and how all of those things can be messy and complicated and painful and beautiful. This book was filled with so many honest truths that I cried several times at the beauty of it. There was one particular bit about tears and how there are only two types of tears and reading it brought tears to my eyes so quickly that it took me really by surprise.

I really loved the unusual format of the story. It's told from Luke's perspective and it has his narration, but there are also hand-written journal entries of his memories or thoughts or dreams. There are also some bits that read like a film script with scene headings and descriptions. It really worked and the whole film motif really worked throughout the story. I loved all the film mentions and particularly the creative process Luke and Leia writing their own screenplay for the film studies class. I loved the idea of Luke taking inspiration from his friends and family for ideas and how these little bits of conversation help shape both his writing but also his identity.

This book, as I said, is many things. It's a bit of a love story between Luke and Leia. But it's also about Luke adjusting to a new school and a different setting and social circle and trying to reconcile this new part of his life with his old friends. It's also about Luke's brother, Marc, coming home from prison and Luke and his family adjusting to life with him home again. I loved some of the scenes between Luke and his father especially in which it felt like more was said in their silence than in their words. It's also a book about film and about telling stories in different ways. And I really, really enjoyed it.

[Klinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley, HarperCollins UK and the author – Steven Camden for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The story is about Luke, he is going to college and meets Leia for the first time – yeah, Star Wars! He feels something in there, but he’s uncertain about what she thinks and feels. He is bouncing between his current college life, his current life with friends and his past life in the shade of his brother Marc, who is returning to his life after two years of absence.

I feel like this book is a must read for Rainbow Rowell fans, I can’t really put my finger on what is so similar about this book (it gives a similar feeling?) and, for example, Eleanor and Park, but I feel like they just have to read it.

The language and setting is very, very British, be ready.

This book touched me. I cannot tell, if liked the story or not, I stand somewhere in the middle as I wasn’t a fan of the actually story line, but it really left me with a lot of for for thoughts. And sometimes brought me back to my teenage years. Somehow it feels personal – Luke writes about real events, but perhaps it is actually Steven who writes about real things.

I remember reading the book and wondering that it just doesn’t make sense – the red cover, the name of the book, it is just wrong, because the I felt like there’s more to see and feel about Marc than there’s about Leia, but then… at the end of the book, it fall into places, it was all about love. All because of love.

For a full review, please check my blog: https://bookowly.wordpress.com/2015/0...

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a real thinker for me. I knew I liked Steven Camden's work before I started it but wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this novel. I am glad to report that it was as good as I had hoped it would be and left me with loads to think about.


I loved the way the story was told. It was a mix of traditional narrative and screen play notes which makes sense when you know the two main characters meet during their film studies class. The way in which it is told gives you a real chance to get inside the head of the main character Luke and see what drives him to do what he does. For me he was a really interesting character caught between where he came from and his past experiences whilst striving to be his own person and make something of himself on his own without relying on his family connections or thuggish mates.


I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Luke and Leia, the girl he meets in his film class. The was it developed felt really real and therefore I felt like the chemistry was spot on. I loved seeing how things weren't straight forward them and this added to the realism for me as the story explored the many forms love can take and the role in can play in the lives of people.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via Maximum Pop. This in no way impacted on my view.

This book was something different, and it's proving hard to rate. I think it's a 3 star read, as I quite enjoyed it, but at the same time didn't, if you know what I mean? It's About Love follows the life of Luke Henry, a 16 year old coming to terms with his brother's return after two years in prison, a new college, and balancing his old friends with his new. Luke struggled with his anger a lot during this book, and that aspect of the novel was something I'm not sure how I felt about.

Luke and Leia, the main characters, were quite enjoyable, especially together. Leia was different and quirky, but not in an over the top way. Both were hiding facts about themselves from each other, mainly about their brothers, and I liked the way they worked through their college assignment by giving little hints into their own lives.

To return to Luke's anger, I felt as though anger was one of the main themes of the book. His brother, Marc, went to prison for ABH (Actual Bodily Harm), he, himself, was the victim of violence, and then he attacks someone else later on in the book. I know this was used to show not everything is perfect, and that there is a gritty underbelly of British society that tends to be overlooked in UKYA. Perhaps it was because it's not often mentioned that I found it a bit abrupt, but it was sort of enjoyable to read about at the same time, if enjoyable is the right word.

One aspect of the book I really enjoyed was how it was split between typed text, handwritten text, and screen directions. These different looks split the action between past and present, and personal thoughts. I definitely changed the pace of the story, and for the better. Rather than learning about what actually happened with Marc, and with Luke's scar in one big chuck of text, it was interspersed throughout the entire story, making you learn just enough to keep you aching for more.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read, but at the same time wasn't. It was more of a 'meh' read, to be honest, and though I'm really happy I read the book, I don't think it's one I'd return to in the future. I would recommend it, as it is one of those UKYA reads that you aren't expecting, and is quite different from what you've read before.

[Hazel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

It’s About Love is not a typical love story. The author of Tape, Steven Camden, has written a story from the point of view of a sixteen-year-old boy named Luke. In his first week of college he meets a girl in his film studies class. Her name is Leia and, ignoring the Star Wars connection, their passion for film makes them the perfect partners.

Luke, however, comes from a very troubling background. He has purposefully chosen a college two bus journeys away in order to escape his past. He can try to hide his relation to his brother due to be released from prison, but he cannot cover up the scar on his face. Initially Luke wants as little attention as possible, although once he starts developing feelings for Leia he enjoys being around her and her friends.

Yet everything changes when Luke’s past life and friends collide with the new. Believing he has ruined everything with Leia, Luke needs all the encouragement he can get from his film studies tutor, Noah, to keep on going.

Camden writes the story through first person narrative, film directions and ideas in Luke’s notebooks. This is an interesting method and helps to create a clearer picture of Luke’s personality. He is a teenager with potential and the ability to think for himself. It is his past history that makes him feel like he does not deserve happiness or success.

Although I liked the concept I did not care for any of the characters. Many could be described as thuggish and a lot of violence was involved. I understand that Luke needed to be involved with these types of people for the storyline to work, but it was not for me.

Despite the title, It’s About Love is more suitable for young adult males than it is females due to the nature of the story and the main character. Whether a boy would happily be caught reading a book with ‘love’ written on the cover is another matter. Steven Camden clearly has the young adult audience in mind as he writes and, even though I did not think it anything special, I am sure there will be many readers who will love this book.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Steven Camden, and it certainly won't be the last, judging on the quality of the writing in It's About Love.

It is a love story, but it's also so much more than that. Like many YA books, it doesn't fit neatly into a pigeon hole. Yes, it's about love, but it's also about family, friends, growth, and generally being a teenager with secrets and angst and terror and wonder. I confess, I had a mini cry in this book, but not in a place I expected. What affected me was a moment of pure joy and happiness, that made me well up and feel as emotional as the characters. It's rare that a book can do that.

The characters have strong voices. Luke speaks to us not only in first person throughout the book, but we also hear his thoughts, which I love as it helps to add depth to the character. I did find the whole Luke / Leia / Star Wars thing a bit cheesy, but also quite sweet, and it added to the sense of destiny that the author is trying to convey.

Strong characters, secrets to discover and so much life hide between the covers of this book. Overall, I would highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: I was provided with this ebook for free via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[asjabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

2🌟
chwilami nie podobał mi się styl pisania, a opowieść przynudzała
ale niektóre momenty były po prostu rel i fajnie, że fabuła nie skupiała się wyłącznie na miłości
+ The Goose (peace was never an option)
edit: przepraszam ale przypomniałam sobie że to było naprawdę n a p r a w d ę nudne

[Ania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bardzo podobał mi się styl w jakim została napisana. Wciągnął czytelnika w świat bohaterów pisząc ja w taki sposób jak oni. Opisy sytuacji i odczuć głównego bohatera, szczegóły na które zwracał uwagę autor. Samo zakończenie z małym zwrotem akcji jednak dla mnie ostatnie strony za krótkie, za szybko zakończone.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Luke and Leia both have Dads who are massive Star Wars fans. They are in the same film studies course. They work on a project together and their ideas fit perfectly. It's like they're meant for each other. It's like in the movies. Only it isn't. It's real life, and sometimes, the past gets in the way.

This was a wonderful novel. I admit that it was cliché in many points - the film aspects, the ideas they had about their film sometimes were really, really cliché and pretentious, but I ended up actually kind of liking that. When it comes to creative things like that and inspiration, I admit I am kind of a sucker for prose and cliché descriptions. I really liked the film aspect of this novel, I liked the mystery aspects about the family background, and I thought Luke and Leia had a really nice chemistry as characters. It made the story flow nicely and work out really well. I had a great time reading it, and if you're into a cutesy story full of inspirational and slightly pretentious elements, I'd say this is the book for you. I'd recommend it to people who like The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Eleanor & Park.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from a very awesome book blogger friend after meeting Mr Camden at an author event last year and talking to her at length about him and his first novel, Tape.

I really enjoyed the way this book flowed. Reading almost like a screenplay, the main character's story slowly unfolded, teasing early on then answering questions the earlier chapters raised towards the middle, this book is definitely an interesting read. Despite being written from the perspective of a somewhat typical teenage boy, the story is relatable and easy to read and surprisingly touching at times! The references to film are frequent but not in a way that you feel as though you're being beaten over the head with the idea and the 'scene directions' add to the imagery without limiting the reader's imagination. I was surprised by how quickly I came to the end of this book and now having finished, I look forward to reading more from SC!

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd heard mixed things about Camden's Tape, so I was wary about this going in to it, but I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the general premise, of a romance formed due to a film studies class at sixth-form because it seemed like something I could easily visualise, and I did really like how realistic it was, how something similar has probably happened many times. I enjoyed reading from Luke's POV, and how he didn't have the best background. A good book.

[Kashish · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was one of those "read because I had nothing else to do" reads. So I had no expectation how it would turn out and it turned out okay.

Story was simple, characters were okay and some of the one-liners were quote worthy.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love looooved this book!!! I loved it. I loved the characters and the backstory and just the way the main character Luke's train of thought was like a movie/script. I want more from this author, he is fantastic.

We live our choices.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book. I was surprised at first, because I haven’t read many (or any) coming-of-age and/or romantic comedy books with a male main character and being written from a male POV.
I thought, because of this, I would find it difficult to connect with Luke and enjoy the story. However, I actually found it the opposite. I found it quite refreshing and I enjoyed reading about a character, and a world, who had so many differences to me, yet was really relatable at the same time.
I felt like I understood Luke, but at the same time didn’t know him at all; his inability to articulate and share his inner dialogue and thoughts really resonated with me, yet there were many of his actions and behaviours that I wasn’t expecting. This book is very character focused, which I found really easy to read.

Steven Camden’s style of writing is really unique as well. I enjoyed the erratic and flashback/ flash forward style of Luke’s thoughts, script ideas and memories that seemed to intertwine really well throughout the story; it created energy and kept the pace flowing throughout. The way it was structured, with Luke’s film directions and handwritten notes, was actually really interesting and allowed me to think about and picture the scene more than I usually would.

Although kind of unrealistic, I appreciated Luke and Noah’s growth of relationship throughout the story; I wish there had been a stronger ending to their story. Most of us have (hopefully) have been lucky enough to have had that teacher or mentor in our life that we’ve really been able to connect with and see ourselves in; so for that reason, I respected that storyline.

I do wish we got to know Leia’s background a little bit better, even though I know that wasn’t the focus of the story. Additionally, I did think there was going to be a link between Toby and Marc’s history; but it didn’t seem that way; although unlikely, I guess it was left open for potentially that interpretation.

I feel as though, similar to many books I have read recently, the ending seemed a bit rushed and I wanted a stronger finale for all the characters; it seemed to fall a bit flat at the end for me.

I would recommend this book to YA readers. Yes, it’s a bit overly dramatic and not completely realistic in some places, but it is a good twist on the classic style of writing and POVs we see in coming-of-age books.
I look forward to reading more of Camden’s books in the future.

[Fangirlalert_07 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amazing. A little cheesy if you're not into contemporary, but amazing. It was so perfect, the way the plot was built and the story it was a magical combination of beautiful words and a strong plot.
Different from the cliché romance novels. A book about two people who love movies more than anything.
"He's Luke. She's Leia. Just like in Star Wars. Just like they're made for each other."
Steven Camden has written this entire book so well, that every line to me sounded like the best quote ever. Am definitely not exaggerating but not everyone would share the same opinion as me.
A book about love, when I received this I did not expect anything more than a normal college romance. But it was so much more in every way. I partially enjoyed it so much, because of the fact that it revolved around the love for movies and well, I absolutely love movies. The story was uniquely written as a script and I loved that. This is the second book I've read of Steven Camden and I completely am in awe of his writing.
Two people bonded over their common interest of films. Friendship turned to love. But that wasn't the only thing in the book. It spoke about family, beginings, revenge and love. The bond of brothers. The difference between right and wrong. About exploring, understanding and a fresh start.
Character development was good. Plot and story was excellent. Writing was the best. I ended up liking this book lot more than I had expected. And I feel like I enjoyed this a little extra because i had only been reading very straight and non-contemporary books, that this one turned it around for me. I do enjoy non-YA books but sometimes I just gotta have that little change.
Not saying that this book was perfect, because nothing ever is. The starting was a bit difficult for me to grasp because of the different way of writing, but soon I got the hang of it and enjoyed it. The start was a bit monotonous too, but the plot soon had unexpected twists that kept me hooked.
On the whole a beautiful book and I would personally reccomend this to everyone. If you think after reading the title that its some boring love story, well no its not. Its lovely. A huge thanks to the publishers for a review copy.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this book at first because I wasn't swept in straightaway, but after a while I really started to enjoy it.
It follows the story of Luke, who enjoys scriptwriting and takes Film Studies at college. He is constantly filling his notebooks with ideas based on his personal life and the problems he is currently facing. He is partnered up with a girl called Leia, and it seems they are meant to be - but when Luke's older brother is released from prison, secrets from the past might come back to haunt him...

The book is written well and the writing is easy to read. The characters are likeable, and although I didn't really like the main character Luke at first, by the end he'd really grown on me. The romance was sweet and flowed nicely, however I feel like we didn't really get to learn much about Leia's personal life, apart from what happened to her brother I don't think I know anything about her? I did really like the family unit explored in this book, particularly the relationship between the two brothers. I also liked Luke's friends. The friendships and the way the teens interacted with each other felt real. Overall, the book can be quite heavy at times, but I like how it dealt with issues prominent in today's society, and it's a book that does get you thinking. For this reason I might read it again in the future.

Recommended for: ages 14+. Violence, some moderate swearing and mild sexual references.

[Jess Wadey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️ This book really wasn’t what I expected. I’ve never read anything by Steven Camden before so I didn’t know what to expect. It took me a while to get into the book (about 70 pages) and I didn’t understand what some paragraphs were for. However, once I got to the end it all made sense.

I have never been shocked by the ending of a book but this really did shock me! It’s About Love follows the story of Luke Henry, a 16 year old from a ‘rougher’ part of town who goes to a college in the posh part. It follows his love for film His older brother has been in prison and only towards the end of the book do we finally understand why. We get to see how his friendships and relationships change throughout the book. I found it really interesting to see that we get to read his thoughts. I have never seen this before so though it was great! Overall I did like Luke as a character but it was difficult to like them all.

Ultimately this was a great book that touched on some important themes of friendship, romance, anger and all other sorts of emotions and how to deal with them. If you’re looking for a YA book that’s different to the average romance or social issues novel, this is for you!

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars

“There are only two types of crying. Think what you want. I don’t know you, or where you’re from, but where we’re from, there’s two kinds of tears.

There’s the tears that come for someone else. Tears you cry because you’re watching something bad happen to somebody you love, or something coming to an end. Those tears come quickly. They start right at the moment - usually a goodbye, for a while or forever - and they belong to whoever’s leaving. They are the feeling that colours the picture that person gets to take with them. That ones kind.

The other kind are the ones that come for yourself. They take longer. Tears that come when a moment cracks the fam of you, who you are, the wall that you’ve built and kept up since you can remember and when that wall cracks, and the pressure’s released, the tears that come carry everything. Every mistake. Every promise. Every lie. Every cold shoulder. Every bite. Every tiny death that you’ve ever felt floods out, over you. Through you. The tidal wave crashes and the edges blur as you fall to the floor, feeling the power of what you’ve started and can’t control.
And when they’re done, those tears, when you come up for air, your clothes sodden, and the waves have soaked into the floor and the walls and all the rubble they’ve left, you slowly life your head, and the whole world is different.”
-335 & 336

I just had to save this quote cuz I love it so much. 😍

[Readingee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I really liked the concept of the novel, but I think it could've been executed better. I liked the contrast between life in a film, and life in the present. It put things into perspective and really let you see how movies are never really like real life. I enjoyed the fact that Steven Camden kept alluding to the idea that life is never a film, and it's not all sunshine and rainbows, and it's things like this that we don't see in the movies.

I liked the level of insight we got into each character, to enable us to understand each of their motives. I would've given this book more stars, but for me to do that I need to be able to connect to the characters and relate to them, to ensure that the story speaks to me, and it just didn't.

I enjoyed the ending how Leia and Luke connect, it made sense, and it was a nice way to end such a bittersweet novel.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's About Love by Steven Camden wasn't really what expected from the title. The book is broken down into five parts: Waiting., Facing., Breaking., Idiot vs Maker., Epilogue? The first quarter of the book was very vague and didn't show much background information. Although does show parts of Luke and Leia's relationship building and contributes to the plot. The rest of the book slowly brings in the plot the other characters of the book, such as Noah, Marc, and Craig. The older brother Marc who just came back from prison and Craig the person that put Marc in it. Noah, the film teacher, helps change Luke's perspectives and characteristics. In conclusion, the book title tells us that everything that we do and think about comes from a love of some sort and not the plot line of the story itself. I gave this book a 3 out of 5 because it didn't tell me as much background information as I liked about the characters and how slowly the characters developed.

[Milly Paris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit slow to start but overall I really enjoyed it. I got so frustrated with Luke for the first half of the story. He was moody for no reason and it drove me insane. Such a typical teenager (which is something I struggle to relate to now that I'm 24). It also annoyed me how none of the boys would talk about their feelings but I guess that's just true to the real world... That said however, I loved all the other characters. His parents, his brother, his friends. The second half of the story gripped me and I stayed up until 3.30am to finish reading it. I tend to get frustrated at books that have that "big secret that happened a year ago" but this one was alright, and we found out relatively quickly why Marc was in jail. Generally, I enjoyed it, and I'm glad to find something I could recommend for male teenagers to read.

[Blandean · Rating 3 out of 5]

J’ai esperé aimer ce livre, j’ai voulu l’aimer, mais malheureusement je suis un peu déçue par cette lecture.

J’ai eu beaucoup de mal à rentrer et donc accrocher à la façon dont s’est rédigé : on est plongé dans la tête et les pensées de Luke, et j’étais complètement perdue au début avec lui (si c’était l’effet voulu, alors c’est gagné !).
Pour autant, j’ai été touché par certains passages, je me suis reconnue dans certaines situations, j’ai apprécié les dernières pages et le joli message de fin.
Mais je reste mitigée, sûrement car l’histoire m’a trop rappelé celle de Eleanor & Park (de Rainbow Rowell), que je n’avais pas aimé, meme si cette fois c’est du point de vue d’un garçon que les choses se passent.

Finalement pas de grandes originalités, ni de surprises donc, dans cette romance qui reprend tous les codes du YA.

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke meets Leia in his media class where teacher Noah, was once in a film he wrote himself. As Luke and Leia work together, their world's collide as Luke's brother Marc gets released from prison after he caused ABH, Like finds himself questioning whom he truly is after a few brushes with fights himself and discovering why Leia suddenly goes quiet on him after they'd been getting along so well.



It was quite slow in places but the drama about violence and aggressive behaviour from siblings was intriguing to see how it influenced their families and how it impacted them. It could be realistic for people to read about I'm certain but despite that the two main characters seemed inevitable to come together due to their names and Star Wars link. Unexpectedly great and refreshing young adult fiction.

[Cathal Reynolds · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This was...fine. For the most part, it felt like an early YA, like the sort of YA that people who don’t read YA think YA is. I had my issues with it. The main character was kind of a dick, and not in the way he was written to be. There was the odd red flag, like when Luke labelled himself as ‘YOUNG MAN’ in the script but labelled Leia (who was the same age as him) as ‘GIRL’. Not a fan. I’m also not sure if the way violence was portrayed was particularly different or significant in some way because that shit just fucking scares me so I kind of skimmed over the more detailed aspects, but it felt like it tried to be.

[Sage Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I loved the tension and the unraveling of the plot. I loved that Luke was a character who tried but failed to express himself and was so confused that he lashed out at people he loved. Luke felt real. He was unsure and insecure and his life wasn’t perfect and there is every chance that not everything in his life will work out but that is ok because it made it real.

I loved Noah, he is a good friend and teacher and we all need someone with words as kind, understanding and wisdom filled as Noah’s always were. He was by far my favourite character.

I totally recommend this book!

[Weronika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read in a long time. It's real, raw and true - the emotions and characters are portrayed beautifully throughout. The book deals with the real life issues and problems and doesn't sugar coat them. Definitely one of my favourites. The references to Eminem, Blackpool and Star Wars had me smiling throughout.

[Anna Davies-Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if this was a children's book or an adult's book after finding it in a community library. I decided to give it a go and was not disappointed. Interestingly written with crossing between past and present, tying family throughout the book with a strong storyline echoing their character too. Would recommend to any ages