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Paper Avalanche
Bonnie. Never Mum or Mummy or Mother. Just Bonnie . . .When it comes to flying under the radar, Ro Snow is an expert. No friends. No boys. No parties. And strictly NO VISITORS.It may be lonely, but at least this way the truth remains where it should - hidden.Then Tanvi Shah, the girl who almost died, comes tumbling back into her life, and Ro finds herself losing control of her carefully constructed lies.But if Ro's walls come crumbling down, who's going to take care of Bonnie . . .
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
13 people are currently reading
1147 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Williamson
12 books533 followersLisa was born in Nottingham in 1980. She spent most of her childhood drawing, daydreaming and making up stories in her head (but never getting round to writing them down). As a teenager she was bitten by the acting bug and at 19 moved to London to study drama at university.
Following graduation, Lisa adopted the stage name of Lisa Cassidy and spent several happy and chaotic years occasionally getting paid to pretend to be other people. Between acting roles she worked as an office temp and started making up stories all over again, only this time she had a go at writing them down.
Lisa lives in London, where she is lucky enough to split her time between writing and acting. In her spare time she reads a lot of books, continues to daydream and eats way too much ice cream.
Following graduation, Lisa adopted the stage name of Lisa Cassidy and spent several happy and chaotic years occasionally getting paid to pretend to be other people. Between acting roles she worked as an office temp and started making up stories all over again, only this time she had a go at writing them down.
Lisa lives in London, where she is lucky enough to split her time between writing and acting. In her spare time she reads a lot of books, continues to daydream and eats way too much ice cream.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
January 2, 2020
If you know me, you know that YA contemporary is a bit of a sweet spot but none more than those set in the UK. I find it so identifiable, the language, the nuances, the culture. Sarcasm abounds, no-one is ‘awesome’ and life is generally a bit grittier than we see in the average YA set in the US.
PAPER AVALANCHE was all those things from the first few pages, utterly engaging and heartachingly provoking. The protagonist, Ro was 14 years old, so in some ways, this was a young YA; but it wasn’t. Ro was a carer, certainly a caretaker and a provider in her house. She was an old soul, but a jaded old soul. She wasn’t experiencing a childhood, she hadn’t for a long time and it hurt to read sometimes.
The story of living in the house of a hoarder was certainly unique to my reading experiences. The whole context and narrative voice felt incredibly fresh. Ro’s reluctant maturity and survivor mode had my own parenting instincts on full alert. I hated both her parents with a passion and I think I hated the father more.
Bonnie’s hoard no longer encroaches on my space, but I still feel the weight of it all around me.
In the midst of this mess (excuse the pun), some new experiences were waiting for Ro in the form of friendships, a crush and self-belief. It felt so good to cheer for Ro as she navigated a little good along with the bad.
This is a book worth reading and not only that, it is a book worth shouting about. The writing had such an ease to it, that I slipped into the story and the characters which were rich and unusual. I loved everything about the reading experience with PAPER AVALANCHE and I’m wondering why I never picked up the heralded first book by this author; I will do now.
I highly recommend this contemporary YA set in Brit-land for a slice of the grim and a lack of cookie-cutter. Lisa Williamson keeps it real, advocating with her story for some of the difficult lives that young people navigate with integrity and bravery. I’m a fan.
Thank you to David Fickling Books and Ed PR for this review copy.
PAPER AVALANCHE was all those things from the first few pages, utterly engaging and heartachingly provoking. The protagonist, Ro was 14 years old, so in some ways, this was a young YA; but it wasn’t. Ro was a carer, certainly a caretaker and a provider in her house. She was an old soul, but a jaded old soul. She wasn’t experiencing a childhood, she hadn’t for a long time and it hurt to read sometimes.
The story of living in the house of a hoarder was certainly unique to my reading experiences. The whole context and narrative voice felt incredibly fresh. Ro’s reluctant maturity and survivor mode had my own parenting instincts on full alert. I hated both her parents with a passion and I think I hated the father more.
Bonnie’s hoard no longer encroaches on my space, but I still feel the weight of it all around me.
In the midst of this mess (excuse the pun), some new experiences were waiting for Ro in the form of friendships, a crush and self-belief. It felt so good to cheer for Ro as she navigated a little good along with the bad.
This is a book worth reading and not only that, it is a book worth shouting about. The writing had such an ease to it, that I slipped into the story and the characters which were rich and unusual. I loved everything about the reading experience with PAPER AVALANCHE and I’m wondering why I never picked up the heralded first book by this author; I will do now.
I highly recommend this contemporary YA set in Brit-land for a slice of the grim and a lack of cookie-cutter. Lisa Williamson keeps it real, advocating with her story for some of the difficult lives that young people navigate with integrity and bravery. I’m a fan.
Thank you to David Fickling Books and Ed PR for this review copy.
August 26, 2019
This took me pleasantly by surprise! I have loved Lisa's previous works and expected to enjoy this one too, but because I didn't know too much about it I didn't anticipate to love it as much as I did.
This review does have some spoilers here and there; larger ones are marked, but some slight ones may still be present.
This story is essentially about a teenage girl attempting to navigate the dreaded teenage years whilst putting up with a father who prefers his step-daughter, a mother who hoards paper within an inch of her life, abandonment issues, trust issues and of course: boys!
- Though the boyfriend storyline was a little predictable, I still found it thoroughly enjoyable and they were completely adorable with one another. They were adorable, sweet, cute, and their relationship wasn't built on arguments, differences and dislike which was an infinitely nice change. I'm so used to reading books where they bicker a lot and whilst I love that, I thought it was a really nice touch for them to get on with one another straight away.
- I loved the Diwali element. I really, really enjoyed that. I loved the way the two cultures came together and had an amazing evening with one another; there wasn't any negativity; just family and friends getting along together. I just... really loved the union of Ro and Tanvi, and really adored Tanvi's representation throughout.
- I wish there'd been a better resolution to the Youth Choir that Ro signed up for? I feel that was sort of neglected after a while.
- Bonnie's hoarding. Oh, Bonnie, Bonnie Bonnie Bonnie. I found the representation to be accurate in regards to hoarding. I do have some issues with hoarding or "collecting" as I prefer to call it, and felt it was handled extremely sensitively and realistically. Ro does shout at Bonnie sometimes and I also found that to be incredibly realistic. I liked both perspectives being portrayed - both Ro's and Bonnie's.
- Bonnie's character development is amazing. You truly can see her character go through a massive switch as the novel progresses and it is really heart-warming to read such sweet character development and such determination in a character. Love! She annoyed me at the start and I loved her at the end; and that to me is the sign of a great character.
- Ro's character development!!!!!! RO. Ro, Ro, Ro. I really loved how she grew as a character. She annoyed me so much with how closed off she was in the start, but as the novel progresses it becomes more and more obvious as to why she is so closed off. By the end, I loved her character and had a huge soft spot for her.
- Tanvi and Ro's friendship was second to none. They had their disagreements, but communicated and sorted them out. They accepted that each other had faults, issues and things they were going through and it was sweet to see them there for one another! They have a wonderful bond with one another, that much is clear, and I would adore to see more from them. In fact, I would love to read a novel from Tanvi's POV!
- The singing aspect was a lot of fun. It was described in such an immersive way that when reading, you felt like you were there listening to hear sing and feeling the passion behind the lyrics. It was written so stunningly, and I really loved it!
- Her dad is an arse. Let's just leave it at that?!
- Rated 4 stars because there was a tiny bit in the middle where I struggled to get into the book because it felt like that section didn't really need to be there; but the more I think about it the less I feel taking a star off is deserved! So I'm going to sit my rating at 4.5.
Trigger warnings: cancer, death, abuse, mention of sexual abuse, hoarding, anxiety,
This book is an amazing story. Really, really heartwarming. I would suggest it to teens, young adults and adults alike because it has qualities that each age group would find beneficial, enjoyable and a lot of fun (with the right amount of tugging at your heartstrings!)
This review does have some spoilers here and there; larger ones are marked, but some slight ones may still be present.
This story is essentially about a teenage girl attempting to navigate the dreaded teenage years whilst putting up with a father who prefers his step-daughter, a mother who hoards paper within an inch of her life, abandonment issues, trust issues and of course: boys!
- Though the boyfriend storyline was a little predictable, I still found it thoroughly enjoyable and they were completely adorable with one another. They were adorable, sweet, cute, and their relationship wasn't built on arguments, differences and dislike which was an infinitely nice change. I'm so used to reading books where they bicker a lot and whilst I love that, I thought it was a really nice touch for them to get on with one another straight away.
- I loved the Diwali element. I really, really enjoyed that. I loved the way the two cultures came together and had an amazing evening with one another; there wasn't any negativity; just family and friends getting along together. I just... really loved the union of Ro and Tanvi, and really adored Tanvi's representation throughout.
- I wish there'd been a better resolution to the Youth Choir that Ro signed up for? I feel that was sort of neglected after a while.
- Bonnie's hoarding. Oh, Bonnie, Bonnie Bonnie Bonnie. I found the representation to be accurate in regards to hoarding. I do have some issues with hoarding or "collecting" as I prefer to call it, and felt it was handled extremely sensitively and realistically. Ro does shout at Bonnie sometimes and I also found that to be incredibly realistic. I liked both perspectives being portrayed - both Ro's and Bonnie's.
- Bonnie's character development is amazing. You truly can see her character go through a massive switch as the novel progresses and it is really heart-warming to read such sweet character development and such determination in a character. Love! She annoyed me at the start and I loved her at the end; and that to me is the sign of a great character.
- Ro's character development!!!!!! RO. Ro, Ro, Ro. I really loved how she grew as a character. She annoyed me so much with how closed off she was in the start, but as the novel progresses it becomes more and more obvious as to why she is so closed off. By the end, I loved her character and had a huge soft spot for her.
- Tanvi and Ro's friendship was second to none. They had their disagreements, but communicated and sorted them out. They accepted that each other had faults, issues and things they were going through and it was sweet to see them there for one another! They have a wonderful bond with one another, that much is clear, and I would adore to see more from them. In fact, I would love to read a novel from Tanvi's POV!
- The singing aspect was a lot of fun. It was described in such an immersive way that when reading, you felt like you were there listening to hear sing and feeling the passion behind the lyrics. It was written so stunningly, and I really loved it!
- Her dad is an arse. Let's just leave it at that?!
- Rated 4 stars because there was a tiny bit in the middle where I struggled to get into the book because it felt like that section didn't really need to be there; but the more I think about it the less I feel taking a star off is deserved! So I'm going to sit my rating at 4.5.
Trigger warnings: cancer, death, abuse, mention of sexual abuse, hoarding, anxiety,
This book is an amazing story. Really, really heartwarming. I would suggest it to teens, young adults and adults alike because it has qualities that each age group would find beneficial, enjoyable and a lot of fun (with the right amount of tugging at your heartstrings!)
June 1, 2022
Wow, that was an unexpectedly brilliant read.
Despite the YA tag, this is a very good contemporary read about family, relationships, social and emotional turmoil. Written with unbelievable depth and insight.
The characters are complex, as are their interactions and issues. Ro’s family…what can I say? Definitely not only a YA read.
Despite the YA tag, this is a very good contemporary read about family, relationships, social and emotional turmoil. Written with unbelievable depth and insight.
The characters are complex, as are their interactions and issues. Ro’s family…what can I say? Definitely not only a YA read.
November 16, 2023
Very interesting story! I had never read a book about hoarding, so this was very insightful but also fun, cozy and romantic!
This is also the last book I'll borrow from the library, since I'm going to be old (too) soon 😔
This is also the last book I'll borrow from the library, since I'm going to be old (too) soon 😔
December 5, 2018
Before I start the review I would just like to thank Carolyn McGlone for inviting me to be a part of the blog tour and sending me a copy of Paper Avalanche to review.
Paper Avalanche is the story of Ro Snow. She is a loner who tries to be as small and unnoticeable as she can possibly be. She has no friends and she likes it that way. Friends would only complicate her life. When she is pursued by Tanvi Shah, a girl from school who just wants to befriend Ro, Ro begins to soften and actually enjoy the company of others.
But it does complicate things; especially when it comes to her mother, Bonnie.
I really don’t want to talk too much about the context of Paper Avalanche. I really just want to beg you all to read it and to get lost in this wonderful new novel from Lisa Williamson. It is truly a magnificent story. Williamson has taken a topic that is so far removed from anything that I have ever read before and she has packaged it up in a way that will truly touch her readership.
One thing that struck me whilst I read this book was that I genuinely hadn’t been angry at a character in a book since Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and the introduction of Delores Umbridge. Bonnie had me that incensed.
I really didn’t think that this late in the year that I would read another contender for my ‘Book of the Year’ but Paper Avalanche has done just that. It is truly special.
Paper Avalanche by Lisa Williamson is available from 3rd January 2018.
Paper Avalanche is the story of Ro Snow. She is a loner who tries to be as small and unnoticeable as she can possibly be. She has no friends and she likes it that way. Friends would only complicate her life. When she is pursued by Tanvi Shah, a girl from school who just wants to befriend Ro, Ro begins to soften and actually enjoy the company of others.
But it does complicate things; especially when it comes to her mother, Bonnie.
I really don’t want to talk too much about the context of Paper Avalanche. I really just want to beg you all to read it and to get lost in this wonderful new novel from Lisa Williamson. It is truly a magnificent story. Williamson has taken a topic that is so far removed from anything that I have ever read before and she has packaged it up in a way that will truly touch her readership.
One thing that struck me whilst I read this book was that I genuinely hadn’t been angry at a character in a book since Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and the introduction of Delores Umbridge. Bonnie had me that incensed.
I really didn’t think that this late in the year that I would read another contender for my ‘Book of the Year’ but Paper Avalanche has done just that. It is truly special.
Paper Avalanche by Lisa Williamson is available from 3rd January 2018.
November 12, 2018
I was thrilled to have a proof copy of this passed on to me by a kind librarian friend - I absolutely loved The Art of Being Normal.
Ro Snow has a secret that means no one can ever come to her house - her mother is a compulsive hoarder. Ro, terrified that Social Services will step in, tries so hard to keep things under control, but at a huge cost to herself. Basically friendless, with two dysfunctional parents, she has little that makes her happy. Until the return of Tanvi, who decides that Ro and she will be best friends - and go to choir. Ro slowly opens herself up to the possibility of happiness, friendships and maybe even a boyfriend, but with a parent like Bonnie, it's never going to be straightforward.
I very much enjoyed this - although Bonnie and Ro's dad are both infuriating characters, it's a sweet and optimistic story that I think will appeal to readers of Susin Nielsen's 'No Fixed Address'.
Ro Snow has a secret that means no one can ever come to her house - her mother is a compulsive hoarder. Ro, terrified that Social Services will step in, tries so hard to keep things under control, but at a huge cost to herself. Basically friendless, with two dysfunctional parents, she has little that makes her happy. Until the return of Tanvi, who decides that Ro and she will be best friends - and go to choir. Ro slowly opens herself up to the possibility of happiness, friendships and maybe even a boyfriend, but with a parent like Bonnie, it's never going to be straightforward.
I very much enjoyed this - although Bonnie and Ro's dad are both infuriating characters, it's a sweet and optimistic story that I think will appeal to readers of Susin Nielsen's 'No Fixed Address'.
April 14, 2019
This is really engaging and ultimately uplifting.
Will be a really easy sell to young people in my library.
Loved it.
Will be a really easy sell to young people in my library.
Loved it.
April 21, 2019
3.5 Stars
Paper Avalanche is a highly engaging YA contemporary read with likable characters. As with Lisa Williamson's previous title I was halfway through the book before I even realised. It's always nice to be that lost in a story that you don't notice the time passing as you read.
Ro is the main character, and her story dominates the book (as it should). Yet for me I loved Tanvi best. While Tanvi's overzealous optimism seems over the top at times her behaviour makes sense to me. I could relate to Tanvi not wanting to have people feel sorry for her and her using her bubbliness to mask things.
The story of Paper Avalanche is easy to follow. Admittedly it feels a little neat but because both Ro and Tanvi are so lovely you just flow with it.
I certainly recommend it as a captivating YA contemporary read.
Paper Avalanche is a highly engaging YA contemporary read with likable characters. As with Lisa Williamson's previous title I was halfway through the book before I even realised. It's always nice to be that lost in a story that you don't notice the time passing as you read.
Ro is the main character, and her story dominates the book (as it should). Yet for me I loved Tanvi best. While Tanvi's overzealous optimism seems over the top at times her behaviour makes sense to me. I could relate to Tanvi not wanting to have people feel sorry for her and her using her bubbliness to mask things.
The story of Paper Avalanche is easy to follow. Admittedly it feels a little neat but because both Ro and Tanvi are so lovely you just flow with it.
I certainly recommend it as a captivating YA contemporary read.
April 5, 2020
4.5 stars
I had been interested to read one of Lisa Williamson's novels a long time before but when I was asked to join the Blog Avalanche I was super excited as this one seemed super interesting to me. I was completely in love with the story and fully related to the character's journeys especially Ro's.
I have to admit that I had no idea what the story was when I first started it but when I read that it was about hoarding and the daughter's reaction to this I was definitely interested in this as this was something that I had no idea about. Although I don't know about hoarding I think that it was dealt with correctly but it might be good to check other reviews to see if this is the case. In fairness, I had not really thought of the effects that hoarding can have on children so I think that I enjoyed reading this. Enjoying is probably the wrong word but I did find it interesting reading about something that I didn't know about before.
With the hoarding comes the relationship with Ro and her Mum, Bonnie. This was definitely the best part of the book for me. Seeing the complexities of the relationship throughout and seeing it grow and change was just so good. I think that it is the most emotional part of the story for me as Lisa Williamson conveys the emotions of Ro so much and this just pulled on my heartstrings. By the end, this is so developed and I just loved it.
In response to the plot, I definitely did not see the final twist coming but I would be lying if I didn't predict some hardships coming Ro's way but this is the case of all books that follow the three-act structure so I can't really criticise this that much.
Another of the strong points of the book was definitely Tanvi. I love her as a character and this definitely fleshed and pulled out traits from Ro which I really loved. I just loved all of her and she was just so good. I also liked the relationship with Noah but I would really love to see more of this throughout but this was just because of the character's story which I also enjoyed.
Basically I loved a lot about Paper Avalanche and I'm a bit sad that many of you won't read it until January but trust me it is worth the wait.
The Verdict:
Paper Avalanche is a moving and touching storying detailing a teenager's struggle through adolescence and her Mum's hoarding disorder. It is a must read when released and I could not put it down.
I had been interested to read one of Lisa Williamson's novels a long time before but when I was asked to join the Blog Avalanche I was super excited as this one seemed super interesting to me. I was completely in love with the story and fully related to the character's journeys especially Ro's.
I have to admit that I had no idea what the story was when I first started it but when I read that it was about hoarding and the daughter's reaction to this I was definitely interested in this as this was something that I had no idea about. Although I don't know about hoarding I think that it was dealt with correctly but it might be good to check other reviews to see if this is the case. In fairness, I had not really thought of the effects that hoarding can have on children so I think that I enjoyed reading this. Enjoying is probably the wrong word but I did find it interesting reading about something that I didn't know about before.
With the hoarding comes the relationship with Ro and her Mum, Bonnie. This was definitely the best part of the book for me. Seeing the complexities of the relationship throughout and seeing it grow and change was just so good. I think that it is the most emotional part of the story for me as Lisa Williamson conveys the emotions of Ro so much and this just pulled on my heartstrings. By the end, this is so developed and I just loved it.
In response to the plot, I definitely did not see the final twist coming but I would be lying if I didn't predict some hardships coming Ro's way but this is the case of all books that follow the three-act structure so I can't really criticise this that much.
Another of the strong points of the book was definitely Tanvi. I love her as a character and this definitely fleshed and pulled out traits from Ro which I really loved. I just loved all of her and she was just so good. I also liked the relationship with Noah but I would really love to see more of this throughout but this was just because of the character's story which I also enjoyed.
Basically I loved a lot about Paper Avalanche and I'm a bit sad that many of you won't read it until January but trust me it is worth the wait.
The Verdict:
Paper Avalanche is a moving and touching storying detailing a teenager's struggle through adolescence and her Mum's hoarding disorder. It is a must read when released and I could not put it down.
November 10, 2018
I loved paper avalanche. I've been excited about this novel for ages because I love Lisa's novels and was not left disappointed because this was excellent.
What I found to be particularly excellent about this novel is the character voice. The main character Ro lives with her mother who hoards everything. The relationship they have is unconventional with Ro often trying to fulfill the adult role in the household while still in school. She worries about money and is desperately embarrassed about her home and enforced live style as a result of her mother's hoarding.
The thing that really hit home with this story was Ro's absolutely desperation about her living situation because as much as she tries there's little she can do to improve it because of mother's inability to accept that she needs help. She desperately wants someone to parent her and support her and finds herself just trying to pick up the pieces in an increasily hopeless situation which she can't see a way out of.
I loved her relationship with Tanvi which starts as one sided and develops over the course of the book because of Tanvi's sheer inability to take no for an answer.
All in all a perfect YA read. I thoroughly enjoyed it
What I found to be particularly excellent about this novel is the character voice. The main character Ro lives with her mother who hoards everything. The relationship they have is unconventional with Ro often trying to fulfill the adult role in the household while still in school. She worries about money and is desperately embarrassed about her home and enforced live style as a result of her mother's hoarding.
The thing that really hit home with this story was Ro's absolutely desperation about her living situation because as much as she tries there's little she can do to improve it because of mother's inability to accept that she needs help. She desperately wants someone to parent her and support her and finds herself just trying to pick up the pieces in an increasily hopeless situation which she can't see a way out of.
I loved her relationship with Tanvi which starts as one sided and develops over the course of the book because of Tanvi's sheer inability to take no for an answer.
All in all a perfect YA read. I thoroughly enjoyed it
December 29, 2018
Lisa Williamson has done it again! I felt so many emotions reading this whirlwind of a story and my heart ached for many characters. The story was different to your usual YA fiction and had multiple plot twists throughout which benefitted the overall story. The Character Of Ro was relatable to an extent but also allowed me to have emotions for her and get into her story. I love other characters such as Tanvi as they all had unique personalities who were all written fantastically.
I think this could possibly be my favourite read of 2018 as I was engaged throughout and just couldn’t put it down. I managed to finish it in 2 sittings!
I think this could possibly be my favourite read of 2018 as I was engaged throughout and just couldn’t put it down. I managed to finish it in 2 sittings!
January 12, 2019
I am so full of love right now. I’ve gone through them all: anger, sadness, panic, anxiety, love, laughter. This book and its characters are just exceptional. I love the way in which Ro and Bonnie have to deal with this massive problem: their roles reversed, while Ro still has to deal with being a kid. Massive shout outs to Tanvi, Mr Milburn and Noah. Excellent excellent book.
February 18, 2019
Really quite brilliant. I want a film adaptation of this story to be made, immediately.
Full review to come at almostamazinggrace.co.uk
Full review to come at almostamazinggrace.co.uk
September 13, 2021
I read this book in one sitting on a sick day, and really enjoyed it. While the main characters were very believable and I related deeply to the mc, some of the plot was unbelievable and far fetched. Overall a nice comfort read, likely to reread and definitely recommend as a nice easy book.
January 16, 2019
Loved this book! Polished it off in two days!
December 11, 2020
Although it took me two+ weeks to get into this book, that by no means reflected on the quality of the content. I fell into a reading slump with contemporary after reading so many high-stakes fantasy. So it took me a long time to read the first 100 pages but then I flew through the next 268 in one sitting, until 4am.
PAPER AVALANCHE is a beautifully quiet book with a tornado of anger waiting to spiral out of control, held exhaustingly in check every day by Ro Snow, a 14 y/o girl who lives with Bonnie, her mum, who is a compulsive hoarder. Their home is piled with papers, junk, unnecessarily-bought shopping and tidbits. Ro is at the end of a very long tether while being terrified of Social Services being contacted and splitting them up. While she feels very little compassion or empathy for her mum due to the way she has to live, Ro is scared of the alternative, mainly for her mother's sake of getting worse. But when she meets Tanvi--an annoying-at-first girl who quickly becomes a friend--Ro finds herself going down a new path towards singing--only to realise she finally has something for herself that her mum can't destroy, except she can.
This was the first read I've ever had of Lisa Williamson, and it did not disappoint. It had the feel of Sara Barnard's gritty portrayal of working class British life, poverty, worries about overdrafts and bills, and what it means to not live in a good social class area. Usually I stay away from books that have that portrayal of Britain, mainly because it hits close to home, but this book swept me in with intriguing characters, premise, and setting. With realistic content of being a teenager in British schools, a divorce child, "the other forgotten kid", and the frustration of being forced to grow up far too quickly, PAPER AVALANCHE was a highlight read of mine.
PAPER AVALANCHE is a beautifully quiet book with a tornado of anger waiting to spiral out of control, held exhaustingly in check every day by Ro Snow, a 14 y/o girl who lives with Bonnie, her mum, who is a compulsive hoarder. Their home is piled with papers, junk, unnecessarily-bought shopping and tidbits. Ro is at the end of a very long tether while being terrified of Social Services being contacted and splitting them up. While she feels very little compassion or empathy for her mum due to the way she has to live, Ro is scared of the alternative, mainly for her mother's sake of getting worse. But when she meets Tanvi--an annoying-at-first girl who quickly becomes a friend--Ro finds herself going down a new path towards singing--only to realise she finally has something for herself that her mum can't destroy, except she can.
This was the first read I've ever had of Lisa Williamson, and it did not disappoint. It had the feel of Sara Barnard's gritty portrayal of working class British life, poverty, worries about overdrafts and bills, and what it means to not live in a good social class area. Usually I stay away from books that have that portrayal of Britain, mainly because it hits close to home, but this book swept me in with intriguing characters, premise, and setting. With realistic content of being a teenager in British schools, a divorce child, "the other forgotten kid", and the frustration of being forced to grow up far too quickly, PAPER AVALANCHE was a highlight read of mine.
August 8, 2019
Den där sortens berättelse som man läst 100 gånger, minst, om "tonåring som har en hemlighet om sina hemförhållanden, men oops, det gick inte att hålla det hemligt!".
Språket var bra och jag ville veta hur det slutade, samtidigt var det förutsägbart, jag visste liksom när X och Y skulle börja bråka och om exakt vad redan 100 sidor innan det hände. Många statiska, rent igenom osympatiska karaktärer.
Språket var bra och jag ville veta hur det slutade, samtidigt var det förutsägbart, jag visste liksom när X och Y skulle börja bråka och om exakt vad redan 100 sidor innan det hände. Många statiska, rent igenom osympatiska karaktärer.
July 1, 2019
3.5/5 🌟
March 12, 2020
Another Lisa Williamson book finished in a day. Amazing, i couldn't put it down
April 5, 2025
4 stars ✰
╰┈➤ slight spoilers ahead!
This book was on my to be read for ages before I decided to give it a go.
I wish I'd read it sooner.
I wanted to scream, cry, and laugh with happiness throughout this book.
Ro Snow
At the start, I thought I was going to dislike her and get annoyed with her, but that didn't happen. I understood why she didn't want anyone to know and why she didn't want the Social Services coming in. Her character development was amazing.
Tanvi Shah
She annoyed me so much at the start.Just leave Ro alone! But she calmed down in the end. Ro and Tanvi's friendship was so grumpy × sunshine, and I really liked that. I wish there was another book that was just from Tanvi's point of view.
Bonnie Snow
I despised her. She was selfish, lazy, annoying, and a horrible mother to Ro. I liked it when Ro yelled at her and when Bonnie got her just deserves. She did get better by the end of it and was actually trying to help herself and actually acknowledged she messed up. She didn't end up being so bad in the end.
Noah
A gentle gentleman 🥹
I loved him. I loved Ro and Noah's friendship and relationship. I loved that he came to see her when she was in hospital, and he got her that magnetic chess set 🥺
↳ " ❝Got time for a game?❞ I ask. ❝Or will the boarding school police be after you?❞
Noah smiles. ❝Let 'em.❞ "
Dad, Melanie and Izzy
I couldn't care less about them. I volunteer to give Melanie and Ro's dad their just deserves! Their house should have been egged and toilet-papered that night. Ro's dad was such a pathetic wet blanket, and Melanie was a "delicate" spoiled brat just like Izzy. I'm glad Ro gave her a talking to.
Side characters
I didn't really care all that much for the side characters apart from Mr Milford, Jodie, Tanvi's family, and maybe Jamie. I didn't really care about Tanvi's romance with Emerson like I did with Ro and Noah. The bullies were horrible. I liked Cassie a little bit, though.
4 stars ⭐️ ✨️
Would recommend, would re-read a thousand times 🥹
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
You know a book is good when the character you despise ends up being likeable in the end.
Review to come.
╰┈➤ slight spoilers ahead!
This book was on my to be read for ages before I decided to give it a go.
I wish I'd read it sooner.
I wanted to scream, cry, and laugh with happiness throughout this book.
Ro Snow
At the start, I thought I was going to dislike her and get annoyed with her, but that didn't happen. I understood why she didn't want anyone to know and why she didn't want the Social Services coming in. Her character development was amazing.
Tanvi Shah
She annoyed me so much at the start.
Bonnie Snow
I despised her. She was selfish, lazy, annoying, and a horrible mother to Ro. I liked it when Ro yelled at her and when Bonnie got her just deserves. She did get better by the end of it and was actually trying to help herself and actually acknowledged she messed up. She didn't end up being so bad in the end.
Noah
A gentle gentleman 🥹
I loved him. I loved Ro and Noah's friendship and relationship. I loved that he came to see her when she was in hospital, and he got her that magnetic chess set 🥺
↳ " ❝Got time for a game?❞ I ask. ❝Or will the boarding school police be after you?❞
Noah smiles. ❝Let 'em.❞ "
Dad, Melanie and Izzy
I couldn't care less about them. I volunteer to give Melanie and Ro's dad their just deserves! Their house should have been egged and toilet-papered that night. Ro's dad was such a pathetic wet blanket, and Melanie was a "delicate" spoiled brat just like Izzy. I'm glad Ro gave her a talking to.
Side characters
I didn't really care all that much for the side characters apart from Mr Milford, Jodie, Tanvi's family, and maybe Jamie. I didn't really care about Tanvi's romance with Emerson like I did with Ro and Noah. The bullies were horrible. I liked Cassie a little bit, though.
4 stars ⭐️ ✨️
Would recommend, would re-read a thousand times 🥹
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
You know a book is good when the character you despise ends up being likeable in the end.
December 17, 2018
You’re fourteen, you should be thinking about school and hanging out with your friends.
But instead, you are being suffocated by a secret you’re trying to safeguard the best you can, one your mother is determined on feeding some more with an ever-growing pile of hoarded things that she buys and never uses. Her addiction is threatening to explode out of the windows of your house and tipping off social services.
The only person who could help, your Dad, only cared enough to save himself, escaped out of your life into a ready-made family out of Stepford Wives.
So, you keep your head down never drawing any attention to yourself. You do what you can to keep things under control at home, friends and parties aren’t for you and would only be a complication. No one can ever find out you live in that house, the one at number 48.
But then, Tanvi comes along. Tanvi who is now cancer free and full of life, and for some unknown reasons has decided to befriend you no matter how much you tried to push her away. So, you start living a little, you’re being a care free fourteen-year-old as you should be, even though the truth about how you live risk being exposed for the whole world to see.
I recall watching documentaries about hoarders and how they live, never thinking about the loved ones who had to live with it too, so Ro’s story was very compelling. No longer a child and not yet an adult, Ro found herself being a carer for her mum being left to deal with the consequences of her mother’s addiction to the point of letting it ruin her own life.
There is a mixture of deep joy and sadness in this book, a complex situation told with simple but effective words, in a very direct language. In her new novel, Lisa Williamson shows a side of hoarding through a young girl’s eyes, how it stops her from living and what it’s taken away already while risking to take even more. I found myself routing for Ro so many times during the story, and was moved by her determination to not ask for help, out of love for her mother.
This is a story which may not be familiar to many, but more people than you may think live with this reality. This is not only a tale worth telling but one that is worth reading, and I hope it makes your 2019 bookshelf.
Thanking team @DFB_storyhouse for providing me with an early copy of this title.
But instead, you are being suffocated by a secret you’re trying to safeguard the best you can, one your mother is determined on feeding some more with an ever-growing pile of hoarded things that she buys and never uses. Her addiction is threatening to explode out of the windows of your house and tipping off social services.
The only person who could help, your Dad, only cared enough to save himself, escaped out of your life into a ready-made family out of Stepford Wives.
So, you keep your head down never drawing any attention to yourself. You do what you can to keep things under control at home, friends and parties aren’t for you and would only be a complication. No one can ever find out you live in that house, the one at number 48.
But then, Tanvi comes along. Tanvi who is now cancer free and full of life, and for some unknown reasons has decided to befriend you no matter how much you tried to push her away. So, you start living a little, you’re being a care free fourteen-year-old as you should be, even though the truth about how you live risk being exposed for the whole world to see.
I recall watching documentaries about hoarders and how they live, never thinking about the loved ones who had to live with it too, so Ro’s story was very compelling. No longer a child and not yet an adult, Ro found herself being a carer for her mum being left to deal with the consequences of her mother’s addiction to the point of letting it ruin her own life.
There is a mixture of deep joy and sadness in this book, a complex situation told with simple but effective words, in a very direct language. In her new novel, Lisa Williamson shows a side of hoarding through a young girl’s eyes, how it stops her from living and what it’s taken away already while risking to take even more. I found myself routing for Ro so many times during the story, and was moved by her determination to not ask for help, out of love for her mother.
This is a story which may not be familiar to many, but more people than you may think live with this reality. This is not only a tale worth telling but one that is worth reading, and I hope it makes your 2019 bookshelf.
Thanking team @DFB_storyhouse for providing me with an early copy of this title.
January 10, 2019
4.5
Ro Snow is used to hiding her life away, keeping herself to herself, never making friendships or allowing people too close. However when Noah moves in next door and Tanvi comes back to school, Ro's life starts to change.
This story strongly follows the relationships within Ro's life and I loved that. There were some great parent figures for Ro within this book, who is only 14, that play a key role. But also some great friendships are made along the way. I've always loved Lisa Williamson's writing style but the way she writes relationship dynamics and makes them realistic is what I truly love and she hasn't failed in Paper Avalanche.
Ro undergoes some crazy character development and I just found her character so interesting to read about and watch grow. Although I loved many of the relationships within this book and I liked Noah as a character I feel like he was only placed in because it was a YA novel and Williamson felt it needed a romance. It didn't, Ro was strong enough by herself...go girls! And I felt the book would have been just as strong without Noah in it at all.
This book covers topics such as relationships, platonic and romantic, divorce and hoarding addictions. As well as cancer but this is barely touched upon and is only a side characters story we get to see a little off so it doesn't go into depth.
I would love a sequel to this book, maybe even a companion telling either Tanvi's story or Bonnie's. I think that would be really interesting.
Overall I throughly enjoyed this book. I knocked it down a 0.5 star because of the unnecessary romance between Ro and Noah that didn't really need to be there and feel was only placed in for the sake of it. However I love Lisa Williamson and will pick up anything she writes and will most probably love it. She hasn't let me down yet.
Ro Snow is used to hiding her life away, keeping herself to herself, never making friendships or allowing people too close. However when Noah moves in next door and Tanvi comes back to school, Ro's life starts to change.
This story strongly follows the relationships within Ro's life and I loved that. There were some great parent figures for Ro within this book, who is only 14, that play a key role. But also some great friendships are made along the way. I've always loved Lisa Williamson's writing style but the way she writes relationship dynamics and makes them realistic is what I truly love and she hasn't failed in Paper Avalanche.
Ro undergoes some crazy character development and I just found her character so interesting to read about and watch grow. Although I loved many of the relationships within this book and I liked Noah as a character I feel like he was only placed in because it was a YA novel and Williamson felt it needed a romance. It didn't, Ro was strong enough by herself...go girls! And I felt the book would have been just as strong without Noah in it at all.
This book covers topics such as relationships, platonic and romantic, divorce and hoarding addictions. As well as cancer but this is barely touched upon and is only a side characters story we get to see a little off so it doesn't go into depth.
I would love a sequel to this book, maybe even a companion telling either Tanvi's story or Bonnie's. I think that would be really interesting.
Overall I throughly enjoyed this book. I knocked it down a 0.5 star because of the unnecessary romance between Ro and Noah that didn't really need to be there and feel was only placed in for the sake of it. However I love Lisa Williamson and will pick up anything she writes and will most probably love it. She hasn't let me down yet.
March 19, 2019
Another amazing Lisa Williamson book 😍😍
Amazing story. Brilliantly written. Amazing characters, so well developed
Amazing story. Brilliantly written. Amazing characters, so well developed
August 7, 2019
Paper Avalanche is a good and interesting story and although I thought it was going to be a horror/thriller (because of the blurb) it did not disappoint. The only problem was that there were many (at least 10) mistakes in the books; from words spelt wrong to words being missed out, which considering that in the acknowledgements, Williamson says that the editor has almost forensic attention to detail, is quite surprising. It is unprofessional, especially since I’m sure many people checked this book before it was put on the shelves.
Just to clarify, I got this book from Waterstones so it’s not a fake copy or something like that.
Just to clarify, I got this book from Waterstones so it’s not a fake copy or something like that.
December 10, 2018
Read in one sitting. Loved the character of Rosie. A complex and interesting read.
December 19, 2018
Read & reviewed for The Bookbag
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...
January 27, 2019
Was delighted to be given a proof copy and read OT in three days what a awesome book a amazing tale of hoarders, talent and friendship I saw this about every book but this was actually a favorite
February 19, 2019
So many feels
July 20, 2024
'Sometimes I can go an entire day without speaking a word out loud. Some days, I'm OK with that. Other days my thoughts are so loud inside my head I want to scream.'
January 18, 2020
THE PLOT
I’m always looking for YA that tackles topics I don’t often see in fiction, so Paper Avalanche immediately called out to me. Ro Snow wants to be invisible to the world, resigning herself to the fact that she can’t have a normal life. She won’t allow anyone to get close to her for fear they’ll discover the truth about her mum and the home they live in. Bonnie is a compulsive hoarder, and Ro does everything she can to keep social services off their back. But then she meets Tanvi, and her whole world changes.
THE CHARACTERS
There’s nothing I love more than a story that focuses on the importance of friendship. The friends we make throughout our lives and the experiences we share with them all play a part in shaping who we are. Tanvi doesn’t force Ro to change anything about her life. She simply helps her to see what she should be doing, as a teenager making her way through high school. She’s been caring for her mum for so long that she’s become more like the parent than the child.
REASONS TO LOVE
⭐ Tanvi. Ro’s growing friendship with Tanvi is the most heart-warming part of this story. They’ve led completely different lives and have such contrasting personalities, yet they still manage to share a bond.
⭐ Eye-opening. Hoarding is a word that people throw around without understanding what it’s truly like to experience. What I loved about this story is that instead of focusing on the person who hoards, it shows us what it’s like to be a person who needs to live alongside it. Ro doesn’t have anywhere else she can call home, and she feels responsible for looking after her mum. There are so many young people who might not have the same home environment as Ro, but are in a situation where they feel trapped by their own home life. This story gives us a glimpse into that world.
⭐ Ro Snow. Everything about her growth throughout the book is inspiring to read.
⭐ Fast paced. Paper Avalanche manages to cover so much without feeling rushed. We get a good feel for what Ro’s life is like day-to-day whilst seeing how she deals with things long-term.
THE FINAL WORD
Stories like this are an important tool for shedding light on things we don’t often understand. Ro might be fictional, but young people like her deserve to know that there are people to support them and that their voices should always be heard.
Reviewed @ The Queen of Teen Fiction
I’m always looking for YA that tackles topics I don’t often see in fiction, so Paper Avalanche immediately called out to me. Ro Snow wants to be invisible to the world, resigning herself to the fact that she can’t have a normal life. She won’t allow anyone to get close to her for fear they’ll discover the truth about her mum and the home they live in. Bonnie is a compulsive hoarder, and Ro does everything she can to keep social services off their back. But then she meets Tanvi, and her whole world changes.
THE CHARACTERS
There’s nothing I love more than a story that focuses on the importance of friendship. The friends we make throughout our lives and the experiences we share with them all play a part in shaping who we are. Tanvi doesn’t force Ro to change anything about her life. She simply helps her to see what she should be doing, as a teenager making her way through high school. She’s been caring for her mum for so long that she’s become more like the parent than the child.
REASONS TO LOVE
⭐ Tanvi. Ro’s growing friendship with Tanvi is the most heart-warming part of this story. They’ve led completely different lives and have such contrasting personalities, yet they still manage to share a bond.
⭐ Eye-opening. Hoarding is a word that people throw around without understanding what it’s truly like to experience. What I loved about this story is that instead of focusing on the person who hoards, it shows us what it’s like to be a person who needs to live alongside it. Ro doesn’t have anywhere else she can call home, and she feels responsible for looking after her mum. There are so many young people who might not have the same home environment as Ro, but are in a situation where they feel trapped by their own home life. This story gives us a glimpse into that world.
⭐ Ro Snow. Everything about her growth throughout the book is inspiring to read.
⭐ Fast paced. Paper Avalanche manages to cover so much without feeling rushed. We get a good feel for what Ro’s life is like day-to-day whilst seeing how she deals with things long-term.
THE FINAL WORD
Stories like this are an important tool for shedding light on things we don’t often understand. Ro might be fictional, but young people like her deserve to know that there are people to support them and that their voices should always be heard.
Reviewed @ The Queen of Teen Fiction
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