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Chelsea High #1
Chelsea High
For all fans of Jenny Han, Holly Bourne and The Kissing Booth comes the must-have teen read from bestselling fiction author, Jenny Oliver!
Norah Whittaker has grown up on a houseboat, spending lazy days swimming in the river and helping on her mum’s vintage market stall. But when her chaotic dad’s latest get-rich-quick plan ends up getting him arrested, Norah’s life is turned upside down.
Norah Whittaker has grown up on a houseboat, spending her days fishing and helping her mum out at her vintage clothing market stall. But when her dad’s latest get-rich scheme ends up getting him arrested, Norah’s life is turned upside down.
Grandparents (incredibly rich ones) that Norah never knew had existed enrol her at exclusive Chelsea High School. There are polo lessons, ski trips and parties photographed by glossy magazines. Norah has never felt so out of place. And everyone else there thinks so, too.
But at Chelsea High, the path of true love never runs smooth . . .
Norah Whittaker has grown up on a houseboat, spending lazy days swimming in the river and helping on her mum’s vintage market stall. But when her chaotic dad’s latest get-rich-quick plan ends up getting him arrested, Norah’s life is turned upside down.
Norah Whittaker has grown up on a houseboat, spending her days fishing and helping her mum out at her vintage clothing market stall. But when her dad’s latest get-rich scheme ends up getting him arrested, Norah’s life is turned upside down.
Grandparents (incredibly rich ones) that Norah never knew had existed enrol her at exclusive Chelsea High School. There are polo lessons, ski trips and parties photographed by glossy magazines. Norah has never felt so out of place. And everyone else there thinks so, too.
But at Chelsea High, the path of true love never runs smooth . . .
Paperback
Published May 1, 2020
14 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Oliver
24 books253 followersJenny Oliver is the bestselling author of The Summerhouse by the Sea - the PERFECT book for your summer reading! Out May 18th.
Her book The Sunshine and Biscotti Club, set in sunny Tuscany, was nominated for the Best Contemporary Romantic Novel at the RONA awards.
Jenny wrote her first book on holiday when she was ten years old. Illustrated with cut-out supermodels from her sister's Vogue, it was an epic, sweeping love story not so loosely based Dynasty.
Since then Jenny has gone on to get an English degree and a job in publishing that's taught her what it takes to write a novel (without the help of the supermodels). She wrote her first book The Parisian Christmas Bake Off on the beach in a notebook that would end up covered in sand each afternoon and damp from the sea. Nowadays her inspiration comes from her love of all things vintage, a fascination with other people’s relationships and an unwavering belief in happy ever after!
If you are looking for some bite-size reads why not try her Cherry Pie Island novella series. The first five books - The Grand Reopening of Dandelion Cafe, The Vintage Ice Cream Van Road Trip, The Great Allotment Proposal, One Summer Night at the Ritz and Four Weddings and a White Christmas are out NOW! Mouthwatering, feel-good and the ultimate escapism!
Follow her on Twitter @JenOliverBooks, Instagram jenoliverbooks or go to the website jennyoliverbooks.com to find out more about Jenny, her books and read her blog!
Her book The Sunshine and Biscotti Club, set in sunny Tuscany, was nominated for the Best Contemporary Romantic Novel at the RONA awards.
Jenny wrote her first book on holiday when she was ten years old. Illustrated with cut-out supermodels from her sister's Vogue, it was an epic, sweeping love story not so loosely based Dynasty.
Since then Jenny has gone on to get an English degree and a job in publishing that's taught her what it takes to write a novel (without the help of the supermodels). She wrote her first book The Parisian Christmas Bake Off on the beach in a notebook that would end up covered in sand each afternoon and damp from the sea. Nowadays her inspiration comes from her love of all things vintage, a fascination with other people’s relationships and an unwavering belief in happy ever after!
If you are looking for some bite-size reads why not try her Cherry Pie Island novella series. The first five books - The Grand Reopening of Dandelion Cafe, The Vintage Ice Cream Van Road Trip, The Great Allotment Proposal, One Summer Night at the Ritz and Four Weddings and a White Christmas are out NOW! Mouthwatering, feel-good and the ultimate escapism!
Follow her on Twitter @JenOliverBooks, Instagram jenoliverbooks or go to the website jennyoliverbooks.com to find out more about Jenny, her books and read her blog!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
November 28, 2020
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
This young adult read from Oliver really focuses on the importance of being yourself, not caving in to fit with everyone else’s expectations. It is a hard lesson for teenagers to learn and the significance of accepting who you are is really emphasised in this book.
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
This young adult read from Oliver really focuses on the importance of being yourself, not caving in to fit with everyone else’s expectations. It is a hard lesson for teenagers to learn and the significance of accepting who you are is really emphasised in this book.
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
December 18, 2019
Norah Whittaker has lived on The Island for the entirety of her life, living in a houseboat with her parents and attending the same school as her best friend, Jess. After making a film set to make them millions, Norah's dad thinks they're all set... until it turns out the makers were fraudsters, and haven't got the money to pay back the investors of the film; the entirety of The Island's residents. Her father becomes involved in a court case, attempting to prove his innocence, but with the court case comes many changes for Norah and her family. Her father's parents are paying for the lawyer, and in order to keep them sweet, the whole family has had to up and move their houseboat to Battersea, and Norah has been enrolled in the prestigious Chelsea High (for the Posh and Rich). She tries to fit in with her fellow students, but they're worlds apart, and it doesn't help either that they all know about the Whittaker court case. One student in particular seems untouchable: the instagram sensation and lifestyle guru Coco. It's enough for Norah to deal with without Coco's superiority; Norah is having to spend time with the grandparents she never knew existed, she has the constant worry of her father, and the trial is tearing her family unit apart. Maybe auditioning for Chelsea High's play will make things look up, but is even that too good to be true?
I picked an ARC up of this at YALC this year, and I was so excited to start it!! Luckily, my first ARC lived up to my hype, and I really enjoyed it, giving it an 8/10! There were, of course, many punctuation errors, as well as some errors with paragraphing. Probably due to the fact it's an ARC, so I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. It was silly little things that an editor would be able to pick up on, like (no spoilers) Norah knowing one of the teachers' names to be Mrs Pearce without being introduced to her first. Silly little things. The actual characters, perhaps due to the fact they are so similar in age to myself, are easy to relate to (if only in personality, not being able to throw the money around!) and I felt that I could be standing with Norah, sympathising with her. The school setting seemed very realistic, with its own curriculum set in place, its own clubs and its own teachers. All of which, like the rest of the characters were very well realised, and all of them seemed to stick to their guns; there were no sudden changes of heart, there were only realistic character arcs. It's quite difficult to know what to say about a book that hasn't been released without spoiling it, so I'll leave this review with a simple 'read it'!
I picked an ARC up of this at YALC this year, and I was so excited to start it!! Luckily, my first ARC lived up to my hype, and I really enjoyed it, giving it an 8/10! There were, of course, many punctuation errors, as well as some errors with paragraphing. Probably due to the fact it's an ARC, so I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. It was silly little things that an editor would be able to pick up on, like (no spoilers) Norah knowing one of the teachers' names to be Mrs Pearce without being introduced to her first. Silly little things. The actual characters, perhaps due to the fact they are so similar in age to myself, are easy to relate to (if only in personality, not being able to throw the money around!) and I felt that I could be standing with Norah, sympathising with her. The school setting seemed very realistic, with its own curriculum set in place, its own clubs and its own teachers. All of which, like the rest of the characters were very well realised, and all of them seemed to stick to their guns; there were no sudden changes of heart, there were only realistic character arcs. It's quite difficult to know what to say about a book that hasn't been released without spoiling it, so I'll leave this review with a simple 'read it'!
August 18, 2020
I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Chelsea High is Norah's story. Norah moves from a little island in England to London after her father is mixed up in an embezzlement case. She enrolls at Chelsea High, a private school for the rich and fabulous.
To me, this was just okay. The story didn't really grab my attention and I didn't love the characters. I liked the main one okay most of the time but all the bullying just made me so angry. And I also felt like the side characters were forgiven too easily. Standing next to the person bullying and saying nothing is also bullying (or at least supporting bullies) and that makes you a shitty friend (if a friend at all)... Even though it was ingrained into the school, it just felt so wrong all around.
I don't know, it just wasn't really for me I guess.
Chelsea High is Norah's story. Norah moves from a little island in England to London after her father is mixed up in an embezzlement case. She enrolls at Chelsea High, a private school for the rich and fabulous.
To me, this was just okay. The story didn't really grab my attention and I didn't love the characters. I liked the main one okay most of the time but all the bullying just made me so angry. And I also felt like the side characters were forgiven too easily. Standing next to the person bullying and saying nothing is also bullying (or at least supporting bullies) and that makes you a shitty friend (if a friend at all)... Even though it was ingrained into the school, it just felt so wrong all around.
I don't know, it just wasn't really for me I guess.
January 1, 2021
Chelsea High is a contemporary young adult story set in London. Nora Whittaker is about to start the new school year at a secondary school for the rich and famous. Forced to leave her home and the comfortable small run-down school she’s been used to, she is thrust into a world where she doesn’t belong.
As Nora struggles her way between the polo fields and the state-of-the-art facilities, her family life is falling apart. Her grandparents were behind her change of schools, wishing the best for a granddaughter they have only just discovered.
Nora’s first love is acting; here she can shake off who she is and become anyone she wants. But when she lands the star role in the school production of Grease , one of the ‘Pink Ladies’ is out to make trouble for her.
The English setting was refreshing for this style of high school drama, and the author’s love of the musical Grease shines through. I also saw parallels with Hogwarts with the teachers wearing black cloaks and one of them having an instant dislike for Nora because of who her father was.
This is an easy read, and one for fans of a high school romance.
As Nora struggles her way between the polo fields and the state-of-the-art facilities, her family life is falling apart. Her grandparents were behind her change of schools, wishing the best for a granddaughter they have only just discovered.
Nora’s first love is acting; here she can shake off who she is and become anyone she wants. But when she lands the star role in the school production of Grease , one of the ‘Pink Ladies’ is out to make trouble for her.
The English setting was refreshing for this style of high school drama, and the author’s love of the musical Grease shines through. I also saw parallels with Hogwarts with the teachers wearing black cloaks and one of them having an instant dislike for Nora because of who her father was.
This is an easy read, and one for fans of a high school romance.
August 16, 2020
3 stars!
As a coming of age story, I think this book fits the part. As a YA contemporary romance, not so much.
Chelsea High follows Norah Whittaker just as her whole entire life has changed. Having been caught in a "get rich quick" scheme, Norah's father is now on trial and the everyone back on the island Norah grew up in hates her family. Norah's mysteriously wealthy grandparents take over the family and enrolled Norah in Chelsea High, the exclusive, rich-filled school that Norah knows she won't belong in.
There was something really disappointing about this book that's hard to pinpoint. Toward the end, it becomes really well paced and we get to see Norah grow into herself and have a deeper understanding of the world and what it's like to be alive. The journey of reading this book is worth it just to see the person Norah becomes and how she develops from the very closed off girl we meet at the beginning.
However, everything else about this was unfortunately average. There was a lot of telling rather than showing and the first half of the book goes by incredibly slowly.
This isn't to say that it is not an enjoyable read, because it is. Norah is a wonderful character and the concept of Chelsea High is intriguing. This unfortunately just left me longing for a bit more.
As a coming of age story, I think this book fits the part. As a YA contemporary romance, not so much.
Chelsea High follows Norah Whittaker just as her whole entire life has changed. Having been caught in a "get rich quick" scheme, Norah's father is now on trial and the everyone back on the island Norah grew up in hates her family. Norah's mysteriously wealthy grandparents take over the family and enrolled Norah in Chelsea High, the exclusive, rich-filled school that Norah knows she won't belong in.
There was something really disappointing about this book that's hard to pinpoint. Toward the end, it becomes really well paced and we get to see Norah grow into herself and have a deeper understanding of the world and what it's like to be alive. The journey of reading this book is worth it just to see the person Norah becomes and how she develops from the very closed off girl we meet at the beginning.
However, everything else about this was unfortunately average. There was a lot of telling rather than showing and the first half of the book goes by incredibly slowly.
This isn't to say that it is not an enjoyable read, because it is. Norah is a wonderful character and the concept of Chelsea High is intriguing. This unfortunately just left me longing for a bit more.
August 20, 2020
I got this book as an Uncorrected Proof Copy at YALC. Therefore, comments on contradictions\typos, etc. won't happen.
And let me tell you, you guys, this book is HEARTBREAKINGLY DISAPPOINTING.
It's okay.
It's just... okay.
It has some interesting moments, some nice female friendship, a good message about how sometimes, no matter how much you love someone you have to just let them take the consequences.
Other than that... it's nothing like the blurbs or promo material promises you.
I was close to selling my soul for a copy of this book, and, by some holy miracle, I managed to get my hands on one on the last day of the event. All of the promo was about how Chelsea High was this exclusive amazing school, and how our poor heroine was a scrappy go-getter who would go against the elites and (hopefully) thrive.
The inside cover of my copy is a list of the things that you need to fit at Chelsea, including being driven in a Rolls Royce, being a multi-millionaire influencer, playing Polo, etc. I swear I was expecting something in the lines of S.T.A.G.S and OMGOD you guys, I was SO ready for this.
Unfortunately, what it felt is that the author was asked to write a story about a teenager. The author wrote a little tale about a girl whose dad got in trouble with the law, and she is trying to deal with it, while the people around her (defrauded by her dad) who once had been their friends, turn on her and her family.
And then her agent told read it, and said "Hey, you know what would be a good idea? A book about a posh British private school". So, suddenly, the poor author needs to take Chelsea High and hammer it into London, turn it into a really posh school, then twist and bend things so they fit... but somehow, they really don't.
There are petty powerplays that make no sense. The super rich apparently ride bikes to school through the mad traffic of London. A traditionalist British school puts on "Grease" (yes, the musical) as their school play.
And Chelsea high is, throughout the entire thing, a mere afterthought. We barely hear about it, more than just the clichés: it's old, it's big, it's posh, and everyone's parents\siblings\relatives went to it, and it has some weird sports like hockey and polo. But if you remove that thin veneer, you get a movie-cliché American high school, reliving some of the Mean Girl clichés. I swear, the fact that it had a "Queen Bee" should have tipped me off that this was not the book I was expecting.
The secondary teen characters were also fairly boring and lackluster - the author clearly excelled in the portrayal of the adults, as they were in general complex and multidimensional. But I couldn't feel that with any of the teens.
While she obviously doesn't fit at the school, the protagonist is hardly challenged in a meaningful way other that "I have no friends" and she seldom interacts with anyone except her (boring) love interest.
So, if you were going to be reading this for the delicious cheese, for the romance or location porn (with an amazing complex school), you'll be disappointed. Give it a pass, and pick up something like STAGS.
And let me tell you, you guys, this book is HEARTBREAKINGLY DISAPPOINTING.
It's okay.
It's just... okay.
It has some interesting moments, some nice female friendship, a good message about how sometimes, no matter how much you love someone you have to just let them take the consequences.
Other than that... it's nothing like the blurbs or promo material promises you.
I was close to selling my soul for a copy of this book, and, by some holy miracle, I managed to get my hands on one on the last day of the event. All of the promo was about how Chelsea High was this exclusive amazing school, and how our poor heroine was a scrappy go-getter who would go against the elites and (hopefully) thrive.
The inside cover of my copy is a list of the things that you need to fit at Chelsea, including being driven in a Rolls Royce, being a multi-millionaire influencer, playing Polo, etc. I swear I was expecting something in the lines of S.T.A.G.S and OMGOD you guys, I was SO ready for this.
Unfortunately, what it felt is that the author was asked to write a story about a teenager. The author wrote a little tale about a girl whose dad got in trouble with the law, and she is trying to deal with it, while the people around her (defrauded by her dad) who once had been their friends, turn on her and her family.
And then her agent told read it, and said "Hey, you know what would be a good idea? A book about a posh British private school". So, suddenly, the poor author needs to take Chelsea High and hammer it into London, turn it into a really posh school, then twist and bend things so they fit... but somehow, they really don't.
There are petty powerplays that make no sense. The super rich apparently ride bikes to school through the mad traffic of London. A traditionalist British school puts on "Grease" (yes, the musical) as their school play.
And Chelsea high is, throughout the entire thing, a mere afterthought. We barely hear about it, more than just the clichés: it's old, it's big, it's posh, and everyone's parents\siblings\relatives went to it, and it has some weird sports like hockey and polo. But if you remove that thin veneer, you get a movie-cliché American high school, reliving some of the Mean Girl clichés. I swear, the fact that it had a "Queen Bee" should have tipped me off that this was not the book I was expecting.
The secondary teen characters were also fairly boring and lackluster - the author clearly excelled in the portrayal of the adults, as they were in general complex and multidimensional. But I couldn't feel that with any of the teens.
While she obviously doesn't fit at the school, the protagonist is hardly challenged in a meaningful way other that "I have no friends" and she seldom interacts with anyone except her (boring) love interest.
So, if you were going to be reading this for the delicious cheese, for the romance or location porn (with an amazing complex school), you'll be disappointed. Give it a pass, and pick up something like STAGS.
December 14, 2020
The story follows teenager Norah as she and her parents leave their island home under a cloud of confusion and disgrace. Having lost the savings of every friend and acquaintance the family had, Norah’s father attempts to prove his innocence while all his bills are paid for by his lordly parents, who live out the back of Harrods.
Starting at a new, fee-paying school, with utterly beautiful students, and her family’s reputation in tatters, finds Norah struggling to make friends and fit in, while vehemently defending her father. However, when the school’s drama department puts on a production of the musical Grease, Norah just knows she has to play Sandy. But is social media influencer and queen of the bullies, Coco, ready to share the spotlight?
There’s a lot to like in this brand new and shiny, New Adult novel. The characters are crisp and clear and the story is strong. I didn’t need quite so much detail on what every character was wearing, but it did fit in with the general, money doesn’t equal class theme.
It’s a bit tricky, when the narrator is the teenaged protagonist, to highlight instances of hit-and-miss English because who’s to say that’s not the way the character speaks, especially at that age? For example:
“I did the washing up before I left, arms in soapy suds, wondering who would be in the gallery at the court. Would all my old friends’ parents be crowded in? People who I spent my childhood playing round their houses, picking strawberries with, eating their crisps at pub tables, swinging from ropes across the river. All of them now broke."
page 102, Chapter Nine, Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver
However, moments of patchy fluency were more than balanced out by some stunning observation. Especially here, where Norah has to improvise flirting with the boy she rather likes…
“I made a face. I have no idea what it looked like. It was meant to convey nonchalance but it definitely didn’t.”
page 159, Chapter Thirteen, Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver
There are times, of course, when you read something and think, ‘I’m going to have to remember that line for use in times of crisis’. I’m avoiding every line around it because - spoilers - but this is one of them:
“‘What you have to remember is that you don’t just get one shot.’"
page 252, Chapter 24, Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver
I’m hanging onto that line for the rest of my life. Brava.
Starting at a new, fee-paying school, with utterly beautiful students, and her family’s reputation in tatters, finds Norah struggling to make friends and fit in, while vehemently defending her father. However, when the school’s drama department puts on a production of the musical Grease, Norah just knows she has to play Sandy. But is social media influencer and queen of the bullies, Coco, ready to share the spotlight?
There’s a lot to like in this brand new and shiny, New Adult novel. The characters are crisp and clear and the story is strong. I didn’t need quite so much detail on what every character was wearing, but it did fit in with the general, money doesn’t equal class theme.
It’s a bit tricky, when the narrator is the teenaged protagonist, to highlight instances of hit-and-miss English because who’s to say that’s not the way the character speaks, especially at that age? For example:
“I did the washing up before I left, arms in soapy suds, wondering who would be in the gallery at the court. Would all my old friends’ parents be crowded in? People who I spent my childhood playing round their houses, picking strawberries with, eating their crisps at pub tables, swinging from ropes across the river. All of them now broke."
page 102, Chapter Nine, Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver
However, moments of patchy fluency were more than balanced out by some stunning observation. Especially here, where Norah has to improvise flirting with the boy she rather likes…
“I made a face. I have no idea what it looked like. It was meant to convey nonchalance but it definitely didn’t.”
page 159, Chapter Thirteen, Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver
There are times, of course, when you read something and think, ‘I’m going to have to remember that line for use in times of crisis’. I’m avoiding every line around it because - spoilers - but this is one of them:
“‘What you have to remember is that you don’t just get one shot.’"
page 252, Chapter 24, Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver
I’m hanging onto that line for the rest of my life. Brava.
August 28, 2020
The first thing I have to do is apologise for starting this in the expectation that I was going to get a fluffy cute read that would entertain me for a while and that I would probably then forget about. The cover and blurb had me begin it thinking one thing, when what we got was more than that.
The basic story is straightforward. Our main character has a somewhat bohemian lifestyle living with her parents on a houseboat and living in a very close-knit community. She helps her mum run a vintage clothes stall and is, generally, pretty happy with her lot. Her big dilemma here is that her father has got caught up in a money-making scam that has resulted in many people losing their savings. He is about to face trial, and the family are being uprooted. That would be unsettling...but we learn that her father’s family are very wealthy and come from a background of privilege. They are paying for lawyers and are paying for Norah to attend the exclusive Chelsea High.
Our story is about Norah coming to terms with her father’s actions and the impact it will have on their family and friends, but it’s also a ‘fish-out-of-water’ story as Norah has to navigate this new environment and the people within it. There’s the stereotypical mean girl queen, Coco, who is just as insecure as any teenage girl could be but is better able to hide it with her money and influence. There’s the hangers-on in Coco’s group who have to decide whether to follow what they’ve always done or to act for themselves. Of course there’s a love interest, and there’s the expected dramatic scenes so beloved of this kind of story to help people grow and develop.
While there’s a lot in this book that can be found in other books/films, the development of Norah was more subtle than I expected. She made mistakes, but she wasn’t too stubborn to admit them. The adult characters were also more intriguing than I expected, and I definitely think there’s more stories to come.
I was excited to see there’s a second part to come for this, and I look forward to catching up with Norah and cast in the not too distant future. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for letting me read this prior to publication.
The basic story is straightforward. Our main character has a somewhat bohemian lifestyle living with her parents on a houseboat and living in a very close-knit community. She helps her mum run a vintage clothes stall and is, generally, pretty happy with her lot. Her big dilemma here is that her father has got caught up in a money-making scam that has resulted in many people losing their savings. He is about to face trial, and the family are being uprooted. That would be unsettling...but we learn that her father’s family are very wealthy and come from a background of privilege. They are paying for lawyers and are paying for Norah to attend the exclusive Chelsea High.
Our story is about Norah coming to terms with her father’s actions and the impact it will have on their family and friends, but it’s also a ‘fish-out-of-water’ story as Norah has to navigate this new environment and the people within it. There’s the stereotypical mean girl queen, Coco, who is just as insecure as any teenage girl could be but is better able to hide it with her money and influence. There’s the hangers-on in Coco’s group who have to decide whether to follow what they’ve always done or to act for themselves. Of course there’s a love interest, and there’s the expected dramatic scenes so beloved of this kind of story to help people grow and develop.
While there’s a lot in this book that can be found in other books/films, the development of Norah was more subtle than I expected. She made mistakes, but she wasn’t too stubborn to admit them. The adult characters were also more intriguing than I expected, and I definitely think there’s more stories to come.
I was excited to see there’s a second part to come for this, and I look forward to catching up with Norah and cast in the not too distant future. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for letting me read this prior to publication.
September 23, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and Egmont Publishing for providing me with a copy of Chelsea High in exchange for an honest review.
Chelsea High was a really cute read, but also had a lot more substance to it than I first thought it would. Norah is such a character! She has many sides and a lot of growth and I really enjoyed that about her. She is stronger than she would like to think, especially given the circumstances and the complete flip as her whole life is turned upside down.
BEWARE THERE MAY BE SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT!!
This was really enjoyable and a breeze to read! If you're looking for a story about a girl whose life is turned completely upside down and you love the fantasy of rich, uber posh private schools then I would definitely recommend this book.
Chelsea High was a really cute read, but also had a lot more substance to it than I first thought it would. Norah is such a character! She has many sides and a lot of growth and I really enjoyed that about her. She is stronger than she would like to think, especially given the circumstances and the complete flip as her whole life is turned upside down.
BEWARE THERE MAY BE SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT!!
This was really enjoyable and a breeze to read! If you're looking for a story about a girl whose life is turned completely upside down and you love the fantasy of rich, uber posh private schools then I would definitely recommend this book.
May 13, 2021
A lot of fun! Nice to read a story set in a London private school with all the British-ness that that entails. Strong tones of Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl too. Will be reading the sequel for sure!
December 29, 2020
3.5 stars. ARC received though a lucky dip draw at YALC.
This was not necessarily the book I expected it to be - I pictured something a little more 'duck out of water' at a fancy private school, with much more focus on the day to day life of school. Whilst there were definitely elements of that (and the slightly cliched tropes that come with it), this definitely felt like more of a family drama at the true heart of it. Ironically, I found myself enjoying those sections more despite not anticipating that they would be there.
The book definitely reflects a coming of age story that I enjoyed reading (hence why I got through it so quickly), but more so about that stage in life when those with a stable family environment and parent(s) they may have idolised are in fact still only human and all the emotional challenges that can come as a consequence.
This was not necessarily the book I expected it to be - I pictured something a little more 'duck out of water' at a fancy private school, with much more focus on the day to day life of school. Whilst there were definitely elements of that (and the slightly cliched tropes that come with it), this definitely felt like more of a family drama at the true heart of it. Ironically, I found myself enjoying those sections more despite not anticipating that they would be there.
The book definitely reflects a coming of age story that I enjoyed reading (hence why I got through it so quickly), but more so about that stage in life when those with a stable family environment and parent(s) they may have idolised are in fact still only human and all the emotional challenges that can come as a consequence.
September 26, 2021
4.5/5⭐
A really enjoyable YA read, with lots of heart.
A really easy and fast-paced read. I finished this is one sitting, and was so glad I could start the sequel; Forever Summer straight away!
Really pleasantly surprised, and would definitely reccomend for fans of Holly Bourne and books like Only Mostly Devastated, and The Kissing Booth!
Full review to come.
*A huge thank you to Tandem Collective & Electric Monkey for the gifted copy from the Electric Monkey Live Showcase.*
A really enjoyable YA read, with lots of heart.
A really easy and fast-paced read. I finished this is one sitting, and was so glad I could start the sequel; Forever Summer straight away!
Really pleasantly surprised, and would definitely reccomend for fans of Holly Bourne and books like Only Mostly Devastated, and The Kissing Booth!
Full review to come.
*A huge thank you to Tandem Collective & Electric Monkey for the gifted copy from the Electric Monkey Live Showcase.*
June 26, 2021
http://www.esmeraldaviaggielibri.it/b...
Belle, ricche, cattive di Jenny Oliver, young adult in uscita oggi, 25 maggio, grazie a DeA.
Quanto vorrei che da questo libro venisse tratta un serie tv o un film, ha tutto ciò che io amo trovare nel genere young adult: una protagonista a cui affezionarsi immediatamente e in cui rivedersi, un’antagonista che vorresti prendere per i capelli fin dal primo momento, due genitori che si amano tantissimo e una situazione familiare che va via via evolvendosi, due nonni da conoscere pagina dopo pagina, una scuola elitaria in cui tutti sembrano avere la puzza sotto il naso e un protagonista per cui perdere la testa. Devo dirvi altri motivi per convincervi che se amate il genere young adult dovete correre a comprarlo? Non credo ma cercherò di approfondire maggiormente le varie dinamiche e darvi in pasto qualcosa di più succoso.
Norah Whittaker sta vivendo un momento particolarmente complicato, il padre è accusato di aver truffato i suoi concittadini di Mulberry Island e deve prendere parte al processo che potrebbe condurlo dietro le sbarre. Vivere nel luogo in cui è cresciuta è fuori discussione, troppo difficile avere a che fare ogni giorno con le occhiate dei compagni e con gli insulti che le vengono rivolti così, i nonni paterni, che Norah non conosce affatto, decidono di far spostare tutta la famiglia e la loro casa galleggiante per portare la nipote lontana dalle dicerie e farle frequentare una scuola super esclusiva, il Chelsea High.
Norah fin dal primo giorno capisce di essere capitata in un posto che non fa per lei, lei che vorrebbe solo essere invisibile in mezzo a tutti quegli studenti che risplendono come se fossero stati bagnati nell’oro e a risplendere più di tutti c’è lei, Coco Summers, modella e influencer, queen bee del liceo, tutti la idolatrano e ottiene sempre ciò che vuole.
Come può una ragazza abituata a vivere su una casa galleggiante trovarsi a proprio agio nell’opulenza di questa scuola in cui tutto è apparenza, in cui tutto è portato all’eccesso? Ci sono due modi per passare inosservati, rendersi invisibili o cercare di uniformarsi. Decidere quale strada intraprendere non è semplice quando hai sedici anni e ti senti in fondo alla scala sociale. La scelta iniziale è provare a passare inosservata e ammirare chi si trova in cima alla scala sociale, pensare a cosa si prova a essere così in alto. Diventare amica di Coco è fuori discussione, non hanno nulla in comune a parte un interesse per lo stesso ragazzo e si sa che questo non è mai un legante.
Norah inizia a capire che i suoi genitori le hanno nascosto molto del loro passato e che entrambi hanno frequentato quella scuola, sono molti gli interrogativi che si affollano nella sua mente e vorrebbe avere risposte dai nonni che sta iniziano a frequentare e imparando a conoscere. In passato deve essere successo qualcosa che li ha fatti allontanare e sembra che nessuno sia disposto a metterla al corrente di cosa si avvenuto. Come si suol dire ‘tempo al tempo’ l’autrice snocciolerà le informazioni nel giusto momento e saranno rivelazioni parecchio scottanti che getteranno tutti sotto una luce diversa, chi nel bene e chi nel male.
La svolta nella permanenza di Norah al Chelsea High arriva quando si presenta l’occasione di prendere parte al musical Grease, lei ama cantare ed è molto brava, peccato che la parte di Sandy debba contendersela con Coco. L’ape regina crede di essere l’unica scelta possibile, lei è una star e può portare alla prima le testate giornalistiche più importanti, Norah al massimo può destare interesse per le vicende del padre. Norah però non ha intenzione di arrendersi senza lottare anche perché il protagonista sarà Ezra il ragazzo che le fa battere forte il cuore.
Ezra è un personaggio molto interessante, così schivo e taciturno da non sembrare nemmeno reale. Lui fa parte di quel mondo da sempre, è cresciuto con quei ragazzi così snob ma non ostenta la sua ricchezza, non fa battute idiote, non segue Coco come un cagnolino e sembra affascinato dalla nuova arrivata. È bello poterlo scoprire piano piano e comprendere le ragioni dietro al suo comportamento, le prove dopo scuola li porteranno ad avvicinarsi e a Ezra verrà naturale confidarsi con Norah parlandole dei demoni che lo perseguitano da questa estate e che non riesce a mettere a tacere.
Menzione speciale a Daniel, il mio personaggio secondario preferito, lui è molto divertente e il suo essere sopra le righe me lo ha fatto apprezzare fin dalla prima apparizione.
Insomma smeraldi se siete alla ricerca di un libro che abbia le vibrazioni di Gossip girl ed Élite, in cui la protagonista compia un importante percorso di crescita Belle, ricche, cattive di Jenny Oliver è perfetto per voi. Norah ha tanto da capire di se stessa e questo ambiente così competitivo e feroce le darà modo di mettersi alla prova e di tirar fuori una grinta che non pensava nemmeno di avere. Un bell’esempio per tutte le ragazze che almeno una volta nella vita hanno dovuto vedersela con la loro personale Coco Summers.
Belle, ricche, cattive di Jenny Oliver, young adult in uscita oggi, 25 maggio, grazie a DeA.
Quanto vorrei che da questo libro venisse tratta un serie tv o un film, ha tutto ciò che io amo trovare nel genere young adult: una protagonista a cui affezionarsi immediatamente e in cui rivedersi, un’antagonista che vorresti prendere per i capelli fin dal primo momento, due genitori che si amano tantissimo e una situazione familiare che va via via evolvendosi, due nonni da conoscere pagina dopo pagina, una scuola elitaria in cui tutti sembrano avere la puzza sotto il naso e un protagonista per cui perdere la testa. Devo dirvi altri motivi per convincervi che se amate il genere young adult dovete correre a comprarlo? Non credo ma cercherò di approfondire maggiormente le varie dinamiche e darvi in pasto qualcosa di più succoso.
Norah Whittaker sta vivendo un momento particolarmente complicato, il padre è accusato di aver truffato i suoi concittadini di Mulberry Island e deve prendere parte al processo che potrebbe condurlo dietro le sbarre. Vivere nel luogo in cui è cresciuta è fuori discussione, troppo difficile avere a che fare ogni giorno con le occhiate dei compagni e con gli insulti che le vengono rivolti così, i nonni paterni, che Norah non conosce affatto, decidono di far spostare tutta la famiglia e la loro casa galleggiante per portare la nipote lontana dalle dicerie e farle frequentare una scuola super esclusiva, il Chelsea High.
Norah fin dal primo giorno capisce di essere capitata in un posto che non fa per lei, lei che vorrebbe solo essere invisibile in mezzo a tutti quegli studenti che risplendono come se fossero stati bagnati nell’oro e a risplendere più di tutti c’è lei, Coco Summers, modella e influencer, queen bee del liceo, tutti la idolatrano e ottiene sempre ciò che vuole.
Come può una ragazza abituata a vivere su una casa galleggiante trovarsi a proprio agio nell’opulenza di questa scuola in cui tutto è apparenza, in cui tutto è portato all’eccesso? Ci sono due modi per passare inosservati, rendersi invisibili o cercare di uniformarsi. Decidere quale strada intraprendere non è semplice quando hai sedici anni e ti senti in fondo alla scala sociale. La scelta iniziale è provare a passare inosservata e ammirare chi si trova in cima alla scala sociale, pensare a cosa si prova a essere così in alto. Diventare amica di Coco è fuori discussione, non hanno nulla in comune a parte un interesse per lo stesso ragazzo e si sa che questo non è mai un legante.
Norah inizia a capire che i suoi genitori le hanno nascosto molto del loro passato e che entrambi hanno frequentato quella scuola, sono molti gli interrogativi che si affollano nella sua mente e vorrebbe avere risposte dai nonni che sta iniziano a frequentare e imparando a conoscere. In passato deve essere successo qualcosa che li ha fatti allontanare e sembra che nessuno sia disposto a metterla al corrente di cosa si avvenuto. Come si suol dire ‘tempo al tempo’ l’autrice snocciolerà le informazioni nel giusto momento e saranno rivelazioni parecchio scottanti che getteranno tutti sotto una luce diversa, chi nel bene e chi nel male.
La svolta nella permanenza di Norah al Chelsea High arriva quando si presenta l’occasione di prendere parte al musical Grease, lei ama cantare ed è molto brava, peccato che la parte di Sandy debba contendersela con Coco. L’ape regina crede di essere l’unica scelta possibile, lei è una star e può portare alla prima le testate giornalistiche più importanti, Norah al massimo può destare interesse per le vicende del padre. Norah però non ha intenzione di arrendersi senza lottare anche perché il protagonista sarà Ezra il ragazzo che le fa battere forte il cuore.
Ezra è un personaggio molto interessante, così schivo e taciturno da non sembrare nemmeno reale. Lui fa parte di quel mondo da sempre, è cresciuto con quei ragazzi così snob ma non ostenta la sua ricchezza, non fa battute idiote, non segue Coco come un cagnolino e sembra affascinato dalla nuova arrivata. È bello poterlo scoprire piano piano e comprendere le ragioni dietro al suo comportamento, le prove dopo scuola li porteranno ad avvicinarsi e a Ezra verrà naturale confidarsi con Norah parlandole dei demoni che lo perseguitano da questa estate e che non riesce a mettere a tacere.
Menzione speciale a Daniel, il mio personaggio secondario preferito, lui è molto divertente e il suo essere sopra le righe me lo ha fatto apprezzare fin dalla prima apparizione.
Insomma smeraldi se siete alla ricerca di un libro che abbia le vibrazioni di Gossip girl ed Élite, in cui la protagonista compia un importante percorso di crescita Belle, ricche, cattive di Jenny Oliver è perfetto per voi. Norah ha tanto da capire di se stessa e questo ambiente così competitivo e feroce le darà modo di mettersi alla prova e di tirar fuori una grinta che non pensava nemmeno di avere. Un bell’esempio per tutte le ragazze che almeno una volta nella vita hanno dovuto vedersela con la loro personale Coco Summers.
August 16, 2020
Chelsea High reminded me of a mix of Gilmore Girls and The Princess Diaries but with a much more realistically flawed heroine and darker storyline.
The first thing that got my attention when Electric Monkey kindly asked me to be part of their blog tour was the cute, cartoonish cover that made me think "Oh, a light-hearted YA romance! I really need one of those." And then hit me on the head with a hammer and threw me off a bridge. And after realizing what had happened, I want another go.
I was really taken by surprise by how much the author's writing and treatment of class and privilege touched me. Norah was not only a smart, capable, observant young girl, she is made so much the better for her flaws and how hard she clings to what she wants to be real.
At the same time, she is extremely capable of using her ability to deconstruct social hierarchies to identify possible friends and incapacitate her enemies.
What I liked the most about Norah is how three dimensional she feels and how her biggest qualities are also her biggest faults. How she tries to put herself in other people's shoes and mince her words until she believes what she feels is justified, how she takes time to process her feelings but at the same time, she can also be blind to her own privilege and how people can't let go of their hurts.
The only flaw I saw in this book was that it never discussed race and privilege and how those connect when faced with a criminal sentence directly. Yes, it's inferred but most of the characters in this book are not only white and rich but some even part of English nobility and those are the characters we are supposed to pity and feel for. At the same time, there is never a thought of how different everything about what her father did would be if he had been poor or a person of color. I would have really loved to see Norah consider how her father being a white-collar criminal able to afford the best lawyers while herself and her mother are taken away from the people he injured and given money and a chance to get to an elite private school is a privilege available to a select few.
There is some romance in the book but the love interest was just another dark-haired boy with high cheekbones and tortured past and it was the only part of the book that felt superfluous. I would be perfectly happy reading about Norah alone.
This book is on its whole a very well done story about a young girl that loses her infancy, her home, and her family due to her father's crimes but she is the one dealing with the consequences and has to cling to every shred of the agency she has to deal with the aftermath and come to terms with her new reality. I couldn't close this book until I finished it and I'm so glad we know for sure there is going to be a sequel.
Thank you so much to Electric Monkey for not only sending me a copy but inviting me to be part of the blog tour.
The first thing that got my attention when Electric Monkey kindly asked me to be part of their blog tour was the cute, cartoonish cover that made me think "Oh, a light-hearted YA romance! I really need one of those." And then hit me on the head with a hammer and threw me off a bridge. And after realizing what had happened, I want another go.
I was really taken by surprise by how much the author's writing and treatment of class and privilege touched me. Norah was not only a smart, capable, observant young girl, she is made so much the better for her flaws and how hard she clings to what she wants to be real.
At the same time, she is extremely capable of using her ability to deconstruct social hierarchies to identify possible friends and incapacitate her enemies.
What I liked the most about Norah is how three dimensional she feels and how her biggest qualities are also her biggest faults. How she tries to put herself in other people's shoes and mince her words until she believes what she feels is justified, how she takes time to process her feelings but at the same time, she can also be blind to her own privilege and how people can't let go of their hurts.
The only flaw I saw in this book was that it never discussed race and privilege and how those connect when faced with a criminal sentence directly. Yes, it's inferred but most of the characters in this book are not only white and rich but some even part of English nobility and those are the characters we are supposed to pity and feel for. At the same time, there is never a thought of how different everything about what her father did would be if he had been poor or a person of color. I would have really loved to see Norah consider how her father being a white-collar criminal able to afford the best lawyers while herself and her mother are taken away from the people he injured and given money and a chance to get to an elite private school is a privilege available to a select few.
There is some romance in the book but the love interest was just another dark-haired boy with high cheekbones and tortured past and it was the only part of the book that felt superfluous. I would be perfectly happy reading about Norah alone.
This book is on its whole a very well done story about a young girl that loses her infancy, her home, and her family due to her father's crimes but she is the one dealing with the consequences and has to cling to every shred of the agency she has to deal with the aftermath and come to terms with her new reality. I couldn't close this book until I finished it and I'm so glad we know for sure there is going to be a sequel.
Thank you so much to Electric Monkey for not only sending me a copy but inviting me to be part of the blog tour.
May 28, 2020
Norah knows she doesn't belong at Chelsea High. This is a school for the uber rich; she grew up on a houseboat in perpetual dock. But once her father clears up this whole misunderstanding of a law suit, they can go back home, where she fits in.
Chelsea High is a beautiful book. I thought this was going to be a standard 'girl tries to fit in by changing herself, girl realises she's fine just the way she is' and on the surface, that is what this story is about. Underneath, though, there's a lot of other things going on. It's about Norah learning not to judge people, to make new friends even though she only wants to go back to her old ones, about learning that good people can make mistakes and that she can love someone and be angry at them and hate them all at the same time. There's a lot going on here, and Jenny makes it all work.
You'll recognise a lot of the characters here; there's the Mean Girl, the Mysterious Boy, the Mean Girl's Followers, the Other Outsiders Who Welcome The Newcomer - the characters aren't new, but Jenny weaves a compelling story out of them, and I really enjoyed one scene in particular near the end. I won't spoil it, but swimming pool.
I don't know if Jenny plans to make a series out of this, but I'd love to read more of Norah's adventures. I think there's a lot more for her to accomplish. But if this is what we get, it's a great ending and I really enjoyed it.
I picked up my hot chocolate. Thought about the fact I was no longer allowed my phone. Even if all this blew over, could any of us really forgive each other? Could I really gloss over what people - my friends - had written in the heat of the moment? Could they forgive us for leaving? For running away to save our own skins and leaving them with nothing? Would anyone ever forget? They had to. I had grown up with the people of Mulberry Island. There were my memories, we were theirs. They couldn't blank us out of their history. We had all shared too many things, good and bad - births and deaths, parties and marriages. I had sheltered from thunderstorms in their houses, fed their cats, babysat their children, borrowed their pumps when our boat flooded, been taught by them, eaten picnics with them, danced with them, cried with them, sang with them. Surely, that was worth more than one mistake.
Chelsea High is a beautiful book. I thought this was going to be a standard 'girl tries to fit in by changing herself, girl realises she's fine just the way she is' and on the surface, that is what this story is about. Underneath, though, there's a lot of other things going on. It's about Norah learning not to judge people, to make new friends even though she only wants to go back to her old ones, about learning that good people can make mistakes and that she can love someone and be angry at them and hate them all at the same time. There's a lot going on here, and Jenny makes it all work.
You'll recognise a lot of the characters here; there's the Mean Girl, the Mysterious Boy, the Mean Girl's Followers, the Other Outsiders Who Welcome The Newcomer - the characters aren't new, but Jenny weaves a compelling story out of them, and I really enjoyed one scene in particular near the end. I won't spoil it, but swimming pool.
I don't know if Jenny plans to make a series out of this, but I'd love to read more of Norah's adventures. I think there's a lot more for her to accomplish. But if this is what we get, it's a great ending and I really enjoyed it.
I picked up my hot chocolate. Thought about the fact I was no longer allowed my phone. Even if all this blew over, could any of us really forgive each other? Could I really gloss over what people - my friends - had written in the heat of the moment? Could they forgive us for leaving? For running away to save our own skins and leaving them with nothing? Would anyone ever forget? They had to. I had grown up with the people of Mulberry Island. There were my memories, we were theirs. They couldn't blank us out of their history. We had all shared too many things, good and bad - births and deaths, parties and marriages. I had sheltered from thunderstorms in their houses, fed their cats, babysat their children, borrowed their pumps when our boat flooded, been taught by them, eaten picnics with them, danced with them, cried with them, sang with them. Surely, that was worth more than one mistake.
October 20, 2020
This is Norah's new school, her new journey, her story. After her father was involved in an embezzlement scheme, the entire family moved from their little island where community is tighter than your old pants to London. Big city, big changes. Norah studies at the exclusive Chelsea High where the entitled children of the rich and glam attends. As an average country girl, she finds herself taken by the luxury and new set of standard set by her peers from a higher social class. She couldn't help but want to fit in with them. And as the story goes, there's a mean rich girl and her clique out to get her plus a cute boy.
We've read this type of story many times. Sometimes the outcome surprises us, sometimes it was a dish served cold. I have to say that this one was cold for me. I almost DNF the book as I felt that it was getting nowhere. I slipped several chapters and nothing significant happened. There was bullying involved in the story. And a friend of Norah's didn't stand up for her, she just watched from the sidelines. I think that if you don't speak up for the bullied then you're no better than the bully themselves. To quietly watch as your friend suffers is no friend at all. There was a lot of explaining and telling in the author's writing, not much of actual doing and showing. The begining pace was too slow for me. 100 pages in and I'm bored. I couldn't really empathise with Norah's situation and the bullying from the fabulous instagram influencer Coco was a tale of the old set in modern time.
Overall, points to the subject of bullying and how a court case tests the stability of a family. Other than that, this was a miss to me. I think this book would be suitable for reading looking to branch out from Middle Grade to Young Adult as Chelsea High is a book that fits the sliver line between the two genres.
Thank you @definitelybooks for sending me a copy to review. This book is available in all good bookstores now. #pansing
We've read this type of story many times. Sometimes the outcome surprises us, sometimes it was a dish served cold. I have to say that this one was cold for me. I almost DNF the book as I felt that it was getting nowhere. I slipped several chapters and nothing significant happened. There was bullying involved in the story. And a friend of Norah's didn't stand up for her, she just watched from the sidelines. I think that if you don't speak up for the bullied then you're no better than the bully themselves. To quietly watch as your friend suffers is no friend at all. There was a lot of explaining and telling in the author's writing, not much of actual doing and showing. The begining pace was too slow for me. 100 pages in and I'm bored. I couldn't really empathise with Norah's situation and the bullying from the fabulous instagram influencer Coco was a tale of the old set in modern time.
Overall, points to the subject of bullying and how a court case tests the stability of a family. Other than that, this was a miss to me. I think this book would be suitable for reading looking to branch out from Middle Grade to Young Adult as Chelsea High is a book that fits the sliver line between the two genres.
Thank you @definitelybooks for sending me a copy to review. This book is available in all good bookstores now. #pansing
July 9, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book!
When I started reading this book, I wasn’t entirely sure; the stereotypical private school setting normally annoys me, but it was Norah’s backstory that drew me in. She wants everything to go back to the way it was, when she was happy, before her Dad conned a lot of money out of their friends. When she arrives as Chelsea High, she doesn’t fit in... especially with the likes of Regina George-esque Coco Summers, the influencer brat, and her mean girl acolytes. Her Grandparents are also unchartered waters for her, and I always felt bad for them - especially when Norah’s mother was so dismissive, and when her Grandfather admitted that he cut her father off; as he said, he’s not a bad person, but easily led with dire consequences. I was ready to dismiss Ezra as just someone who is that /guy-who-falls-for-the-underdog/ but his story hurts to read too. I felt myself tearing up when Norah loses her part in the school play because of Coco (& her awful father), and also when it’s revealed that her dad knew about the Ponzi scheme after she had so wholeheartedly supported his innocence. What was also good about this book is the fact that a resolution is never quick; Coco doesn’t get torn to shreds by her friends, Norah’s father gets jail time, Ezra realises Rollo is really just a selfish airhead. But what Norah receives instead is peace of mind. Her mistakes are not her father’s, and when she stops shouldering that’s blame, she feels she can be freer. It’s a good thing to remember for all of us; we are not the sins of those closest to us. Her grandparents’ actions are good testament to that - they saw hope in Norah. I see there’s a CH2, where I hope upon hope that Coco gets her comeuppance. And so does Mr Watts.
When I started reading this book, I wasn’t entirely sure; the stereotypical private school setting normally annoys me, but it was Norah’s backstory that drew me in. She wants everything to go back to the way it was, when she was happy, before her Dad conned a lot of money out of their friends. When she arrives as Chelsea High, she doesn’t fit in... especially with the likes of Regina George-esque Coco Summers, the influencer brat, and her mean girl acolytes. Her Grandparents are also unchartered waters for her, and I always felt bad for them - especially when Norah’s mother was so dismissive, and when her Grandfather admitted that he cut her father off; as he said, he’s not a bad person, but easily led with dire consequences. I was ready to dismiss Ezra as just someone who is that /guy-who-falls-for-the-underdog/ but his story hurts to read too. I felt myself tearing up when Norah loses her part in the school play because of Coco (& her awful father), and also when it’s revealed that her dad knew about the Ponzi scheme after she had so wholeheartedly supported his innocence. What was also good about this book is the fact that a resolution is never quick; Coco doesn’t get torn to shreds by her friends, Norah’s father gets jail time, Ezra realises Rollo is really just a selfish airhead. But what Norah receives instead is peace of mind. Her mistakes are not her father’s, and when she stops shouldering that’s blame, she feels she can be freer. It’s a good thing to remember for all of us; we are not the sins of those closest to us. Her grandparents’ actions are good testament to that - they saw hope in Norah. I see there’s a CH2, where I hope upon hope that Coco gets her comeuppance. And so does Mr Watts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2020
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publishers, Electric Monkey, in exchange for my honest review.
This is the first book in a series and follows Nora, who having grown up on a houseboat and used to the community on the island that surrounds her is suddenly thrust into the world of the rich and privileged when her dad is arrested for being part of a fraudulent investment scheme that sees most of their friends and neighbours losing all their money. Suddenly finding herself at Chelsea High, her education now funded by her grandparents she wasn't even aware existed, Nora has to find her way in a world where she is an outsider all whilst coming to terms with her father's situation and her new crush.
This book gave me serious Gilmore Girls vibes and I AM HERE FOR IT. The plot pulled me in quickly and I honestly couldn't put it down. The intrigue built throughout following Nora's father's case as well as Nora's crush on Ezra and I had to keep turning the pages to see how it ended. I really liked the characters - even the spoilt, stuck up ones you love to hate and found myself picturing the posh corridors of Chelsea High in stark contrast to the Mulberry Island community that Nora grew up in.
Everyone knows what it's like to feel like you don't belong, to have to process things emotionally and continue with life when you want to shut yourself away and I was really rooting for Nora to figure it all out without losing her sense of self.
If you love Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl, you will honestly love this. A perfect summer read to get lost in - I cannot wait for the second book now!
This is the first book in a series and follows Nora, who having grown up on a houseboat and used to the community on the island that surrounds her is suddenly thrust into the world of the rich and privileged when her dad is arrested for being part of a fraudulent investment scheme that sees most of their friends and neighbours losing all their money. Suddenly finding herself at Chelsea High, her education now funded by her grandparents she wasn't even aware existed, Nora has to find her way in a world where she is an outsider all whilst coming to terms with her father's situation and her new crush.
This book gave me serious Gilmore Girls vibes and I AM HERE FOR IT. The plot pulled me in quickly and I honestly couldn't put it down. The intrigue built throughout following Nora's father's case as well as Nora's crush on Ezra and I had to keep turning the pages to see how it ended. I really liked the characters - even the spoilt, stuck up ones you love to hate and found myself picturing the posh corridors of Chelsea High in stark contrast to the Mulberry Island community that Nora grew up in.
Everyone knows what it's like to feel like you don't belong, to have to process things emotionally and continue with life when you want to shut yourself away and I was really rooting for Nora to figure it all out without losing her sense of self.
If you love Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl, you will honestly love this. A perfect summer read to get lost in - I cannot wait for the second book now!
July 9, 2020
When I started reading this book, I wasn’t entirely sure; the stereotypical private school setting normally annoys me, but it was Norah’s backstory that drew me in. She wants everything to go back to the way it was, when she was happy, before her Dad conned a lot of money out of their friends. When she arrives as Chelsea High, she doesn’t fit in... especially with the likes of Regina George-esque Coco Summers, the influencer brat, and her mean girl acolytes. I was ready to dismiss Ezra as just someone who is that /guy-who-falls-for-the-underdog/ but his story hurts to read too. I felt myself tearing up when Norah loses her part in the school play because of Coco (& her awful father), and also when it’s revealed that her dad knew about the Ponzi scheme after she had so wholeheartedly supported his innocence. What was also good about this book is the fact that a resolution is never quick; Coco doesn’t get torn to shreds by her friends, Norah’s father gets jail time, Ezra realises Rollo is really just a selfish airhead. But what Norah receives instead is peace of mind. Her mistakes are not her father’s, and when she stops shouldering that’s blame, she feels she can be freer. It’s a good thing to remember for all of us; we are not the sins of those closest to us. I see there’s a CH2, where I hope upon hope that Coco gets her comeuppance. And so does Mr Watts.
July 11, 2020
After her father gets arrested for being part of a get-rich-quick scheme, Norah is forced to move away from her normal life and to attend Chelsea High, a school full of posh, rich teenagers. Norah meets Coco Summers, an Instagram sensation and the most popular girl in school, and Ezra Montgomery, the mysterious, cute boy she sits next to. She has to learn to adapt to her new life at Chelsea High, where everyone knows about her father’s crimes, whilst also getting to know her grandparents who she has never met before.
This book was so well-written and a really quick read. I loved watching Norah adapt to her new surroundings and how she stood up for herself when Coco was being mean to her. My favourite part of this book were the scenes with Norah and her grandfather and I wish we were able to have more of those scenes, so we could see the development of the relationship between them. The relationship between Norah and Ezra was also really cute and I enjoyed the scenes between them and watching them fall for each other.
‘Chelsea High’ was a fun book to read and an amazing YA debut. It is a book about the importance of family and friendship and learning to accept a new normal.
Thank you to Egmont Publishing/Electric Monkey for sending me this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so well-written and a really quick read. I loved watching Norah adapt to her new surroundings and how she stood up for herself when Coco was being mean to her. My favourite part of this book were the scenes with Norah and her grandfather and I wish we were able to have more of those scenes, so we could see the development of the relationship between them. The relationship between Norah and Ezra was also really cute and I enjoyed the scenes between them and watching them fall for each other.
‘Chelsea High’ was a fun book to read and an amazing YA debut. It is a book about the importance of family and friendship and learning to accept a new normal.
Thank you to Egmont Publishing/Electric Monkey for sending me this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2025
Chelsea high - aka how Nora grew a backbone. A typical kid with rich grandparents is forced to live experience life in rich high school, where ever kid lives in a mansion, has an iPad, and only wears the most expensive clothing possible. Featuring the usual tropes, of the headteacher having taught Nora's parents, and enough mentions of diet coke you would think it was a sponsor, overall this book was pretty funny, Coco is an extremely hateable character, but there are some good ones like Daniel, Ezra and eventually emanaline.
Summary
When Nora's father is convicted of stealing money from island residents in order to produce a movie, she is forced to flee Mullberry island, and moor her houseboat on the banks of London, where her new life, courtesy of her grandparents, transports her to the a brand new high school. there she encounters coco and her followers, as she struggles between trying to blend in or fit in, she soon becomes close with a boy called Ezra, and suddenly Nora discovers a reason to belong, after all.
Summary
When Nora's father is convicted of stealing money from island residents in order to produce a movie, she is forced to flee Mullberry island, and moor her houseboat on the banks of London, where her new life, courtesy of her grandparents, transports her to the a brand new high school. there she encounters coco and her followers, as she struggles between trying to blend in or fit in, she soon becomes close with a boy called Ezra, and suddenly Nora discovers a reason to belong, after all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2025
The story was mediocre overall. The pacing was sooo slow that it annoyed me most of the time. (I started reading this in Jan 2025 and it bored me for half a year before I summoned my determination and finished it in the end of Oct 2025...)
It felt stuck in-between, repeating the same ideas over and over again with so little progress, especially Norah's dad's case that was very repetitious. Many scenes were also unconvincing and unrealistic, like a Barbie cartoon made for kids/teens.
Characters were pretty flat and predictable. Coco, Ezra, and their gang's behavior was too idealistic both in conflicting scenes and reconciliatory scenes.
One thing that I liked was the cozy, dreamy, romantic scene depiction. From time to time I could feel and visualize the ambience so vividly like I was standing there witnessing them. And that sparked a great satisfaction within me.
Besides that, I didn't feel much connected with the characters. Norah's story did leave several morals of the story but in a very repetitive and scarce manner compared to the book length.
It felt stuck in-between, repeating the same ideas over and over again with so little progress, especially Norah's dad's case that was very repetitious. Many scenes were also unconvincing and unrealistic, like a Barbie cartoon made for kids/teens.
Characters were pretty flat and predictable. Coco, Ezra, and their gang's behavior was too idealistic both in conflicting scenes and reconciliatory scenes.
One thing that I liked was the cozy, dreamy, romantic scene depiction. From time to time I could feel and visualize the ambience so vividly like I was standing there witnessing them. And that sparked a great satisfaction within me.
Besides that, I didn't feel much connected with the characters. Norah's story did leave several morals of the story but in a very repetitive and scarce manner compared to the book length.
March 27, 2020
*extract kindly given for review via Netgalley
Chelsea High is an interesting concept following Norah joining and elite private school after her father is involved in a fraudulent scheme that sees the family ousted from their small town, close knit community. I enjoyed the feel of the school and the contrast to Norah's old life and I also seeing Norah's point of view as she ventured into this new world. The extract fell a little flat for me when it came to the other school children in the book - they all seemed like caricature stereotypes that I couldn't gel with. I'd still be interested in reading the rest of the story when it's released as I think the story itself has some interesting topics to deal with.
Chelsea High is an interesting concept following Norah joining and elite private school after her father is involved in a fraudulent scheme that sees the family ousted from their small town, close knit community. I enjoyed the feel of the school and the contrast to Norah's old life and I also seeing Norah's point of view as she ventured into this new world. The extract fell a little flat for me when it came to the other school children in the book - they all seemed like caricature stereotypes that I couldn't gel with. I'd still be interested in reading the rest of the story when it's released as I think the story itself has some interesting topics to deal with.
August 2, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised by Chelsea High, it was a cute little book and was an enjoyable read, if a bit OTT and pretty silly at times. In particular the most silly notion is of a cute little island 20 minutes outside London with affordable living...
Norah was likeable enough, and she had a charming little life on her houseboat with two parents that she clearly adored. I know if I'd read this one as a teen I would have really enjoyed it, and there are some great messages to discover along the way, including be yourself and money isn't everything. Perhaps the cutest part of the story was Norah getting to know her grandparents slowly.
A quick and light read, that would be perfect for a summer holiday.
Norah was likeable enough, and she had a charming little life on her houseboat with two parents that she clearly adored. I know if I'd read this one as a teen I would have really enjoyed it, and there are some great messages to discover along the way, including be yourself and money isn't everything. Perhaps the cutest part of the story was Norah getting to know her grandparents slowly.
A quick and light read, that would be perfect for a summer holiday.
August 20, 2020
Urgh I absolutely loved the concept of this one!
Chelsea High follows Norah, a young girl living on a houseboat, leading a fun simple life with her parents. But after one of her dads get-rich-quick schemes goes wrong and he is arrested, Norah is sent to Chelsea High by her rich grandparents to get her away from all the drama.
Sounds pretty good right?! Throw in a Grease school play and we might just have a winner don’t you think?
I think that maybe this is too young a story for me, I feel like this should definitely be aimed at a younger crowd and it doesn’t quite fit into the YA category- maybe like 14/15yo?
I definitely enjoyed it and it was a quick light read for me but I think I expected something more detailed and in depth.
Chelsea High follows Norah, a young girl living on a houseboat, leading a fun simple life with her parents. But after one of her dads get-rich-quick schemes goes wrong and he is arrested, Norah is sent to Chelsea High by her rich grandparents to get her away from all the drama.
Sounds pretty good right?! Throw in a Grease school play and we might just have a winner don’t you think?
I think that maybe this is too young a story for me, I feel like this should definitely be aimed at a younger crowd and it doesn’t quite fit into the YA category- maybe like 14/15yo?
I definitely enjoyed it and it was a quick light read for me but I think I expected something more detailed and in depth.
August 6, 2020
Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver a fine five-star read. This is one of those stories that is very high school but tells a tale of life as old as time. Its well done and has some great characters, but it also has some that will push all of your buttons to the point I had to put this down before I threw it. Norah is a good character and she will surprise you with how mature she is, I don’t want to write the story as I won’t do I justice, this was a great story and even though I wanted to throw it a few times it still was very enjoyable.
August 10, 2020
Norah finds herself at Chelsea High after her family moved away due to her father's embezzlement court case.
I really enjoyed the story, I felt so bad for Norah, one with her family, and two with the mean kids at school. It threw me straight back to being in high school, wanting to fit in while struggling to figure out life itself.
There's a lot more to the story so I don't want to spoil any more, but I would reccomend it to people looking for a quick read, that's serious in themes but has a feelgood element too.
*thank you to netgalley and Electric Monkey for the eArc to review*
I really enjoyed the story, I felt so bad for Norah, one with her family, and two with the mean kids at school. It threw me straight back to being in high school, wanting to fit in while struggling to figure out life itself.
There's a lot more to the story so I don't want to spoil any more, but I would reccomend it to people looking for a quick read, that's serious in themes but has a feelgood element too.
*thank you to netgalley and Electric Monkey for the eArc to review*
January 7, 2021
I really did like this book despite the somewhat cliched characters and I’m looking forward to reading more about Norah in the future - BUT the one thing that really grated on me was the Americanism... they had “grilled cheese,” Norah talked about putting on “blush” and one character wore “lounge pants.” NO, just NO! It’s my pet hate in a British novel - if it’s set in Britain, then be British! Otherwise it just sounds as if you’ve read far too many American teen novels and emulated them. Would still recommend, though :)
May 24, 2021
Chelsea High is a fun light hearted read that’s perfect for the lower end of the YA scale.
Norah is a typical teen, her parents are a bit out there though. And her world is soon turned upside down when her dad gets himself arrested.
Queue the rich grandparents! They step in and send Norah to Chelsea High. Add into the mix typical high school relationships & even a school production of Grease & you have a really fun read on your hands!
Thank you to @netgalley & @electricmonkeybooks for my copy in return for my honest review.
Norah is a typical teen, her parents are a bit out there though. And her world is soon turned upside down when her dad gets himself arrested.
Queue the rich grandparents! They step in and send Norah to Chelsea High. Add into the mix typical high school relationships & even a school production of Grease & you have a really fun read on your hands!
Thank you to @netgalley & @electricmonkeybooks for my copy in return for my honest review.
September 3, 2022
This was fun and easy to fly through. I liked that the fraud plot brought something different to its high school drama. I feel like Norah's parents background was completely brushed over and we could have had some chapters uncovering that but the main plot that it set out to do (Norah navigating her new life) was more or less nailed. It wasn't too mean girl cliche and I appreciated that it steered away from being 'not-like-other-girls new girl falls in love with popular girls bf' by focusing on friendships more than romance.
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