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If Only
Kayla isn't sure about breaking the rules, and her first try was a disaster. If only she'd chosen differently.
This is a tale of love - the love of an Aunty, a friend, a boy, and the love of whales that brought them all together - and may yet pull them all apart.
Published in support of the work of Project Jonah NZ.
This is a tale of love - the love of an Aunty, a friend, a boy, and the love of whales that brought them all together - and may yet pull them all apart.
Published in support of the work of Project Jonah NZ.
285 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2020
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 15, 2020
Oh, Kayla totally has the same definition of lying as teenage Stephanie did. Apparently neither of us know/knew about lies of omission! Sneaky girls. I found this a really realistic portrayal of teenage life in a protective family, with changing friendships.
February 26, 2020
Kayla is fifteen and life-long best buddies with Tam. But Tam’s priorities have suddenly changed. She wants to see what all the fuss is about with boys and parties. Kayla is not so keen, but she is a loyal best friend, and when their first party doesn’t end well, and Kayla is forced to lie to her parents, it strains the relationship between these two besties to breaking point. There’s a boy, Alex, and stranded whales, and tragedy strikes on several fronts. There are mysteries swirling around Kayla’s adopted grandmother, Auntie Mae, and around Tam too, and lies and things left unsaid from both past and present start to interfere dramatically in Kayla’s life.
First and foremost this is a romance – and with all good romances there are misunderstandings and setbacks. But this is also a story about friendship and trust. Kayla discovers life is full of ‘if only’s’ and that a big part of the teenage years is about working out what to do next with the fall-out from the choices you’ve made, and some of these choices are serious ones. Although the issues raised are not new, each fresh cohort of teens deserves to have them presented in a contemporary story.
Kayla does her fair share of jumping to conclusions and I wanted to tell her to slow down and think things through a few times, but in the end her uncertainties, and impulsiveness come across as realistic, and are well balanced by her other qualities. Paramour Alex is a little too saintly – even his transgressions seem noble – but he’s certainly not boring.
Broadbent has also managed to slip in some helpful information on helping stranded whales; sadly all too useful in New Zealand where our coastlines are long and strandings happen all too often. If Only is published in support of the work of Project Jonah NZ.
First and foremost this is a romance – and with all good romances there are misunderstandings and setbacks. But this is also a story about friendship and trust. Kayla discovers life is full of ‘if only’s’ and that a big part of the teenage years is about working out what to do next with the fall-out from the choices you’ve made, and some of these choices are serious ones. Although the issues raised are not new, each fresh cohort of teens deserves to have them presented in a contemporary story.
Kayla does her fair share of jumping to conclusions and I wanted to tell her to slow down and think things through a few times, but in the end her uncertainties, and impulsiveness come across as realistic, and are well balanced by her other qualities. Paramour Alex is a little too saintly – even his transgressions seem noble – but he’s certainly not boring.
Broadbent has also managed to slip in some helpful information on helping stranded whales; sadly all too useful in New Zealand where our coastlines are long and strandings happen all too often. If Only is published in support of the work of Project Jonah NZ.
February 17, 2021
A believable story of teenagers, lies and friendships.
August 9, 2020
Can you marry teenage woes with ecology? Yes you sure can, a match made in heaven. Never just believe in what you are told, feel what is actually the truth.
April 6, 2023
*SPOILER ALERT*
A character that changed by the end of the book was Tam because initially, she prioritised popularity over her friendships and began to distance herself from her best friend Kayla, the main character and her best friend for years. An example of this is when Kayla thinks “Tam and I used to laugh about it, calling them the ‘Gardening Girls’, and now she’d become one of them,” after she sees Tam wearing makeup with the ‘popular’ girls. She was willing to do anything to gain more popularity, even if it meant going against Kayla's wishes. This included sneaking out, going to parties and drinking. Over time, Tam completely ignored Kayla's attempts to communicate with her. As the story progressed, it became clear why she was behaving this way, and the two friends eventually reconciled. The reason being Kayla was in a relationship with someone who Tam thought had done bad things to her, but it was later revealed that he was actually helping Tam from someone else. Through Tam's character development, the author highlights the social pressures that teenagers face to conform to the norm and the importance of loyalty and trust in friendships. This theme is relatable to many, as some individuals have abandoned their friends in pursuit of popularity or acceptance. By being mindful of their relationships, people can avoid unnecessary drama and promote a fairer, more harmonious world. A drama-free world would allow us to focus on important issues, healthy relationships, and build a more cooperative society.
A character that changed by the end of the book was Tam because initially, she prioritised popularity over her friendships and began to distance herself from her best friend Kayla, the main character and her best friend for years. An example of this is when Kayla thinks “Tam and I used to laugh about it, calling them the ‘Gardening Girls’, and now she’d become one of them,” after she sees Tam wearing makeup with the ‘popular’ girls. She was willing to do anything to gain more popularity, even if it meant going against Kayla's wishes. This included sneaking out, going to parties and drinking. Over time, Tam completely ignored Kayla's attempts to communicate with her. As the story progressed, it became clear why she was behaving this way, and the two friends eventually reconciled. The reason being Kayla was in a relationship with someone who Tam thought had done bad things to her, but it was later revealed that he was actually helping Tam from someone else. Through Tam's character development, the author highlights the social pressures that teenagers face to conform to the norm and the importance of loyalty and trust in friendships. This theme is relatable to many, as some individuals have abandoned their friends in pursuit of popularity or acceptance. By being mindful of their relationships, people can avoid unnecessary drama and promote a fairer, more harmonious world. A drama-free world would allow us to focus on important issues, healthy relationships, and build a more cooperative society.
June 7, 2025
🌟 4.5 Stars – If Only by Adele Broadbent 🌟
Another fantastic read! 📚 Kayla, a young high school student, attends her very first party—an event that sets off a chain reaction of discoveries she never saw coming. From navigating new romances 💕 and a rocky friendship 💔 to uncovering long-buried secrets 🕵️♀️, Kayla finds herself caught between the past and the present.
In just a short time, I was completely transported into Kayla’s world. 🌍 The story captures the essence of teenage life—balancing academic pressure 📖, friendship drama 👯♀️, and the weight of parental expectations 👨👩👧. It felt nostalgic, raw, and incredibly real.
This coming-of-age novel was absolutely brilliant—I loved every moment! 🙌 The inclusion of Project Jonah added a meaningful layer of environmental awareness 🌊, all while keeping the pace with a steaming dose of teen drama 🔥.
⚠️ Content Warning: The story does explore darker themes, including potential sexual assault, so please read with care.
What stood out most were the powerful messages woven throughout—from sustainability 🌱 and digital responsibility 📱 to the importance of safety and self-awareness as a young woman. This book sure is a great conversation starter. 💬
✨ Highly recommend for fans of heartfelt, thought-provoking YA fiction!
Stay safe and keep on reading,
Ellie
Another fantastic read! 📚 Kayla, a young high school student, attends her very first party—an event that sets off a chain reaction of discoveries she never saw coming. From navigating new romances 💕 and a rocky friendship 💔 to uncovering long-buried secrets 🕵️♀️, Kayla finds herself caught between the past and the present.
In just a short time, I was completely transported into Kayla’s world. 🌍 The story captures the essence of teenage life—balancing academic pressure 📖, friendship drama 👯♀️, and the weight of parental expectations 👨👩👧. It felt nostalgic, raw, and incredibly real.
This coming-of-age novel was absolutely brilliant—I loved every moment! 🙌 The inclusion of Project Jonah added a meaningful layer of environmental awareness 🌊, all while keeping the pace with a steaming dose of teen drama 🔥.
⚠️ Content Warning: The story does explore darker themes, including potential sexual assault, so please read with care.
What stood out most were the powerful messages woven throughout—from sustainability 🌱 and digital responsibility 📱 to the importance of safety and self-awareness as a young woman. This book sure is a great conversation starter. 💬
✨ Highly recommend for fans of heartfelt, thought-provoking YA fiction!
Stay safe and keep on reading,
Ellie
July 15, 2023
Recently finished this. Adele Broadbent is a HB author and this is her first teen book, she usually writes for tweens. Yes ‘tweens’ that’s a thing.
The book is great! Addresses all those teen issues, friendships, boys, parties and lies. Little white lies that get out of hand. The guilt that lying can bring and the many big lies made to cover the first little one.
The story is great in that it has an adult story and grown up issues intertwined with great messages around environmental responsibilities, conservation and whales. Looking after the sea, our environment, volunteering, giving back and being confident to do what feels right, not what is cool.
Lots of the good stuff we want for our kids.
Great messages for teens, a great (but appropriate) love story. Well written, a very easy read, great characters you can relate to and a great plot.
Support our local authors and buy this book for your teen. Get it at Wardini in Napier and Adele will even sign it for you.
The book is great! Addresses all those teen issues, friendships, boys, parties and lies. Little white lies that get out of hand. The guilt that lying can bring and the many big lies made to cover the first little one.
The story is great in that it has an adult story and grown up issues intertwined with great messages around environmental responsibilities, conservation and whales. Looking after the sea, our environment, volunteering, giving back and being confident to do what feels right, not what is cool.
Lots of the good stuff we want for our kids.
Great messages for teens, a great (but appropriate) love story. Well written, a very easy read, great characters you can relate to and a great plot.
Support our local authors and buy this book for your teen. Get it at Wardini in Napier and Adele will even sign it for you.
August 31, 2022
Realistic, full of teenage thoughts, lots of issues that teenagers face.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews