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Beautiful Broken Things #3
Something Certain, Maybe
A powerful novel about first love, friendships and embracing the uncertainty of an unknowable future, from Sara Barnard, winner of the YA Book Prize.
Rosie is ready for her life to begin, because nothing says new life like going to university. After years of waiting and working hard, she's finally on the road that will secure her future.
Except university turns out to be not what she hoped or imagined, and although she's not exactly unhappy – really – she might be a little bit worried that she doesn't really like her course much. Or her flatmates. Or, really . . . anything? But it's normal to be homesick (right?) and everything will have settled in a month or two, and it's totally fine that her friends seem so much happier than she is, and that the doctors don’t seem to know what’s wrong with her mother.
And then she meets Jade, and everything starts to look a little brighter. At least, it does if she’s only looking at Jade. But is first love enough when everything else is falling apart?
Rosie is ready for her life to begin, because nothing says new life like going to university. After years of waiting and working hard, she's finally on the road that will secure her future.
Except university turns out to be not what she hoped or imagined, and although she's not exactly unhappy – really – she might be a little bit worried that she doesn't really like her course much. Or her flatmates. Or, really . . . anything? But it's normal to be homesick (right?) and everything will have settled in a month or two, and it's totally fine that her friends seem so much happier than she is, and that the doctors don’t seem to know what’s wrong with her mother.
And then she meets Jade, and everything starts to look a little brighter. At least, it does if she’s only looking at Jade. But is first love enough when everything else is falling apart?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2022
18 people are currently reading
1048 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
February 12, 2023
One of my faves of the year so far!
Read
February 14, 2022Coming July 7th 2022 :)
May 23, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Sara Barnard is one of my favourite authors and I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to read her latest book ahead of its release! The trouble with loving this author and her book 'A Quiet Kind of Thunder' so much, is that I end up comparing everything else she writes to that book, and nothing quite matches up in my head, BUT this book is still fantastic!
Something Certain, Maybe is a companion to her other books, Beautiful Broken Things and Fierce Fragile Hearts, and it follows Rosie, the final member of the trio. She's off to university, and straight away I could tell that she was attending UEA, which was so funny and also worrying to me because I have spent lotsssss of time at UEA due to my boyfriend being a student there, so I was excited and nervous to see how accurate it would play out. But it was so accurate, and I was thrilled to see that the author is actually an alum of UEA! It was completely accurate down to the descriptions of the Ziggs (if you know, you know), even down to the road names (shoutout to literally the road over from my boyfriend's house). The accuracy made it even more enjoyable to me, because I could feel completely immersed in the story and picture myself in every single scene.
I really enjoyed the more realistic take on university that this book offers. The idea of not enjoying it, regretting your course choice, changing your mind, struggling to make friends, not knowing if you're doing the right thing.... I felt all of that SO HARD, and it felt so nice to not feel alone in those thoughts, even if this character is fictional. We're shown that university is not for everyone, and how okay that is, and I think so many people need to hear that sometimes. It's so, so, SO relatable and definitely something that needs to be talked about more in books, and in real life for that matter. Sara Barnard has a really lovely, easy style of writing and I read this start to finish in a day, so that's always a good sign to me.
Sara Barnard is one of my favourite authors and I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to read her latest book ahead of its release! The trouble with loving this author and her book 'A Quiet Kind of Thunder' so much, is that I end up comparing everything else she writes to that book, and nothing quite matches up in my head, BUT this book is still fantastic!
Something Certain, Maybe is a companion to her other books, Beautiful Broken Things and Fierce Fragile Hearts, and it follows Rosie, the final member of the trio. She's off to university, and straight away I could tell that she was attending UEA, which was so funny and also worrying to me because I have spent lotsssss of time at UEA due to my boyfriend being a student there, so I was excited and nervous to see how accurate it would play out. But it was so accurate, and I was thrilled to see that the author is actually an alum of UEA! It was completely accurate down to the descriptions of the Ziggs (if you know, you know), even down to the road names (shoutout to literally the road over from my boyfriend's house). The accuracy made it even more enjoyable to me, because I could feel completely immersed in the story and picture myself in every single scene.
I really enjoyed the more realistic take on university that this book offers. The idea of not enjoying it, regretting your course choice, changing your mind, struggling to make friends, not knowing if you're doing the right thing.... I felt all of that SO HARD, and it felt so nice to not feel alone in those thoughts, even if this character is fictional. We're shown that university is not for everyone, and how okay that is, and I think so many people need to hear that sometimes. It's so, so, SO relatable and definitely something that needs to be talked about more in books, and in real life for that matter. Sara Barnard has a really lovely, easy style of writing and I read this start to finish in a day, so that's always a good sign to me.
February 26, 2024
read my review on reads rainbow
Rep: bi mc with anxiety, British Iranian Spanish lesbian li, side character with MS
CWs: mentions of attempted suicide, biphobia
Rep: bi mc with anxiety, British Iranian Spanish lesbian li, side character with MS
CWs: mentions of attempted suicide, biphobia
August 17, 2022
i wanted to love this but idkkkk i really didn’t like the lesbian rep and it kinda put a downer on the rest of the book??
* edit
the more i think about it the more this is more of a 2 and a half starts rating for me which is so not like me!! but idk i’m tired of trope of lesbians being biphobic or calling themselves “pure lesbians” like jade did, it’s a dangerous thing to include in a YA
* edit
the more i think about it the more this is more of a 2 and a half starts rating for me which is so not like me!! but idk i’m tired of trope of lesbians being biphobic or calling themselves “pure lesbians” like jade did, it’s a dangerous thing to include in a YA
September 28, 2022
Four years ago feels almost like a lifetime for me, but that’s when Sara Barnard published
Beautiful Broken Things
and kicked off this loose trilogy. From Caddy to Suzanne to Rosie, we’ve come full circle. Now the three girls are on the cusp of womanhood, two of them university-bound, the other working a full-time job. Told from Rosie’s perspective, Something Certain, Maybe embraces the uncertainty inherent in youthful transitions and coming of age. It’s a story of slow, simmering upset and long-term, lingering emotions. Barnard is just so good at writing from the heart, and this novel is no exception.
Rosie Caron has made it, or so she thinks. The pharmacy program. A vocation. But her time at uni quickly descends into disappointing doldrums of unsympathetic housemates, difficult coursework and long hours of classes, and the gulf of distance from her best friends. Only Jade offers a bright light in all this: Jade, older and more confident in her queerness, her role in life, seemingly her everything. Rosie latches on to Jade like a romantic life preserver. Except not everything is OK in Rosie’s life—not her mum, not her friends, not her housemates, not even the once-bedrock certainty of her choice of career. Soon, things feel like they are all spinning out of control, and Rosie has to decide if she wants to confront the one constant amidst this upset: herself.
I get Rosie quite a bit. It has been several years since I spent time with her, Suzanne, and Caddy, but suddenly it feels like I’m back with friends. The way she wants to be part of a group but doesn’t really know how. The awkwardness she feels. The desire to have a plan. Oh, yeah. Not bi, myself, didn’t drink in university (don’t drink now)—but I get it.
Barnard is very good at deciding which events to highlight, which ones to mention in passing versus drawing out. Often, young adult and new adult books focus on telling grand coming-of-age stories, with pivotal scenes happening as the protagonist experiences a party, has a fight with her bestie, etc. Don’t get me wrong—such storytelling is immensely valuable. But I also find value in the big quiet that Barnard demonstrates here. The way Rosie just casually drinks and goes to these parties and gets her first girlfriend (go, girl). I though Jade’s initial erasure of Rosie’s bisexuality might be the sign of a biphobic subplot, but in reality this book is just a great big slice of queer acceptance.
No, the conflict here comes from the most mundane and ordinary moments of drama. A lot of it is manufactured by Rosie herself—not on purpose, of course, but in that unfortunate way we all have of making our lives harder on ourselves. As Rosie’s dissatisfaction turns into depression, she naturally responds with denial. Now, I’ve never experienced chronic depression myself, so I won’t comment on how accurate a portrayal this is—but it feels very real to me, because it feels so unremarkable. Rosie is living with a mental illness, just getting by, but every little hit is a little harder as a result. From conflicts with Suzanne and Caddy to spats with Jade and finally her mother’s issues, Rosie struggles more because she already has a great weight on her.
It’s really tough to admit to yourself that your plan isn’t what you wanted after all.
Another quirk? Throughout the entire story, Barnard throws us character after character who delivers compassion. At one point, Rosie meets with her adviser about finishing out her first year. Some books would make this character a mouthpiece for an unsympathetic university establishment—after all, the more cynical among us might point to all the examples of universities hearding students through like cash cows and not caring about their mental health. While there is truth to that systemic story, there are also people doing their best for students, like this adviser does for Rosie, and it’s heartening to see that.
The same goes for Rosie’s relationship with Jade. It gets rocky, of course, and I won’t reveal how it ends. But the best part of it is the gentleness throughout. It’s a healthy relationship, one in which they allow each other space to recover from arguments, then they talk it out. I loved seeing this portrayal.
You’ll notice that unlike my reviews of Beautiful Broken Things and Fierce Fragile Hearts , I haven’t quoted extensively while praising this book. Partly that’s because autumn and a new school year caught me unawares, and so I’m writing this review two weeks after finishing the book, oops. Partly it’s because, while I enjoyed this book a great deal, and I get Rosie, the book didn’t speak to as much as Fierce Fragile Hearts did. For one thing, the friendship elements were less in the foreground, and we all know that’s ultimately where my interests lie.
Nevertheless, Something Certain, Maybe is yet another solid novel from Sara Barnard and only reaffirms my desire to read everything she ever publishes. This is a comfy type of new-adult fiction that I love.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews, where you can easily browse all my reviews and subscribe to my newsletter.
Rosie Caron has made it, or so she thinks. The pharmacy program. A vocation. But her time at uni quickly descends into disappointing doldrums of unsympathetic housemates, difficult coursework and long hours of classes, and the gulf of distance from her best friends. Only Jade offers a bright light in all this: Jade, older and more confident in her queerness, her role in life, seemingly her everything. Rosie latches on to Jade like a romantic life preserver. Except not everything is OK in Rosie’s life—not her mum, not her friends, not her housemates, not even the once-bedrock certainty of her choice of career. Soon, things feel like they are all spinning out of control, and Rosie has to decide if she wants to confront the one constant amidst this upset: herself.
I get Rosie quite a bit. It has been several years since I spent time with her, Suzanne, and Caddy, but suddenly it feels like I’m back with friends. The way she wants to be part of a group but doesn’t really know how. The awkwardness she feels. The desire to have a plan. Oh, yeah. Not bi, myself, didn’t drink in university (don’t drink now)—but I get it.
Barnard is very good at deciding which events to highlight, which ones to mention in passing versus drawing out. Often, young adult and new adult books focus on telling grand coming-of-age stories, with pivotal scenes happening as the protagonist experiences a party, has a fight with her bestie, etc. Don’t get me wrong—such storytelling is immensely valuable. But I also find value in the big quiet that Barnard demonstrates here. The way Rosie just casually drinks and goes to these parties and gets her first girlfriend (go, girl). I though Jade’s initial erasure of Rosie’s bisexuality might be the sign of a biphobic subplot, but in reality this book is just a great big slice of queer acceptance.
No, the conflict here comes from the most mundane and ordinary moments of drama. A lot of it is manufactured by Rosie herself—not on purpose, of course, but in that unfortunate way we all have of making our lives harder on ourselves. As Rosie’s dissatisfaction turns into depression, she naturally responds with denial. Now, I’ve never experienced chronic depression myself, so I won’t comment on how accurate a portrayal this is—but it feels very real to me, because it feels so unremarkable. Rosie is living with a mental illness, just getting by, but every little hit is a little harder as a result. From conflicts with Suzanne and Caddy to spats with Jade and finally her mother’s issues, Rosie struggles more because she already has a great weight on her.
It’s really tough to admit to yourself that your plan isn’t what you wanted after all.
Another quirk? Throughout the entire story, Barnard throws us character after character who delivers compassion. At one point, Rosie meets with her adviser about finishing out her first year. Some books would make this character a mouthpiece for an unsympathetic university establishment—after all, the more cynical among us might point to all the examples of universities hearding students through like cash cows and not caring about their mental health. While there is truth to that systemic story, there are also people doing their best for students, like this adviser does for Rosie, and it’s heartening to see that.
The same goes for Rosie’s relationship with Jade. It gets rocky, of course, and I won’t reveal how it ends. But the best part of it is the gentleness throughout. It’s a healthy relationship, one in which they allow each other space to recover from arguments, then they talk it out. I loved seeing this portrayal.
You’ll notice that unlike my reviews of Beautiful Broken Things and Fierce Fragile Hearts , I haven’t quoted extensively while praising this book. Partly that’s because autumn and a new school year caught me unawares, and so I’m writing this review two weeks after finishing the book, oops. Partly it’s because, while I enjoyed this book a great deal, and I get Rosie, the book didn’t speak to as much as Fierce Fragile Hearts did. For one thing, the friendship elements were less in the foreground, and we all know that’s ultimately where my interests lie.
Nevertheless, Something Certain, Maybe is yet another solid novel from Sara Barnard and only reaffirms my desire to read everything she ever publishes. This is a comfy type of new-adult fiction that I love.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews, where you can easily browse all my reviews and subscribe to my newsletter.
September 9, 2022
Headlines:
The first year of uni life
Trying to fit in
First LGBTQ+ relationship experiences
As a fan of Sara Barnard's previous books and in particular the two books related to Something Certain, Maybe (Beautiful Broken Things and Fierce Fragile Hearts), picking this book up was a no-brainer. But you don't have to have previous knowledge of Rosie, Caddy and Suzie, it can be read as a standalone. Content warnings at the bottom of this review.
This book focused on Rosie but with her two buddies there in the background. Leaving Brighton, her mum and friends behind was a bittersweet experience for Rosie but she had a plan. This story was all about that first year of her plan and it didn't play out how she expected.
Rosie spread her bisexual wings in this book and she dealt with some microagressions in relation to her bi-ness but any issues were dealt with really well on the page. Rosie's blossoming relationship with Jade was lovely reading and the positive focus of the plot. Rosie navigated some mental health challenges which felt authentic as well as deep family worries. Talking of authenticity this university lecturer (me) thought this first year at uni was written so darn well. Kudos to the real feels that were conveyed and the whole reason why I read and enjoy YA...it helps me connect with my students' experiences.
I loved seeing these three characters in an adult (young adult) light. Yes, there were dramatic moments and if you know these three, that felt just right. It felt like a sweet reward getting another book with these characters.
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Macmillan Children's Books for the review copy.
Content warnings: anxiety, panic attacks, discussion of previous suicide attempts, bi-erasure
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
The first year of uni life
Trying to fit in
First LGBTQ+ relationship experiences
As a fan of Sara Barnard's previous books and in particular the two books related to Something Certain, Maybe (Beautiful Broken Things and Fierce Fragile Hearts), picking this book up was a no-brainer. But you don't have to have previous knowledge of Rosie, Caddy and Suzie, it can be read as a standalone. Content warnings at the bottom of this review.
This book focused on Rosie but with her two buddies there in the background. Leaving Brighton, her mum and friends behind was a bittersweet experience for Rosie but she had a plan. This story was all about that first year of her plan and it didn't play out how she expected.
Rosie spread her bisexual wings in this book and she dealt with some microagressions in relation to her bi-ness but any issues were dealt with really well on the page. Rosie's blossoming relationship with Jade was lovely reading and the positive focus of the plot. Rosie navigated some mental health challenges which felt authentic as well as deep family worries. Talking of authenticity this university lecturer (me) thought this first year at uni was written so darn well. Kudos to the real feels that were conveyed and the whole reason why I read and enjoy YA...it helps me connect with my students' experiences.
I loved seeing these three characters in an adult (young adult) light. Yes, there were dramatic moments and if you know these three, that felt just right. It felt like a sweet reward getting another book with these characters.
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Macmillan Children's Books for the review copy.
Content warnings: anxiety, panic attacks, discussion of previous suicide attempts, bi-erasure
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
March 28, 2023
This was a bit heartbreaking
July 29, 2023
you know, sara barnard, if you enjoyed your university experience, you can just say that, you don't need to pretend you know what it was like for those of us who actually had a really shit time of it
(50% through:)
wow rosie your uni life sounds so hard with your (checks notes) degree that you're passionate about, instant girlfriend, multiple close friend groups, friendly flatmates, and supportive mother!
(50% through:)
wow rosie your uni life sounds so hard with your (checks notes) degree that you're passionate about, instant girlfriend, multiple close friend groups, friendly flatmates, and supportive mother!
May 12, 2024
3 Stars
After reading the first two installements in this series, Beautiful Broken Things, I finally dove into Rosie's story. I was so eager to find out more about her character, her life, and how her story continued after the reader got a small glimpse of her journey in Suze's book, Fierce Fragile Hearts.
What I like most about Barnard's books is that her stories are relatable to young adults as well as adults. To young adults as they might be the same age or close to the same age as the main characters and experience the same struggles. To adults as they might think back and reflect on their own young adult days and ask themselves how it was for them. That's how it was for me anyway.
In parts I could definitely see myself in Rosie. Is this really what I want to study? Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life? Just as Rosie I am not a quitter when it comes to education. I am an advocate for quitting things if it's really something you hate/not enjoy doing but I would never do it myself. Just like Rosie I would feel like a failure. We were really alike when it came to things like that.
I enjoyed seeing an accurate representation of a college student in this book. In most of the fictional books I read everyone loves their studies and is so enthusiastic about it. No one really dares to talk about the hart thruths and ugly sides of it.
I was mostly annoyed by Rosie's friends, Caddy and Suze. Reading their stories from this side was just tiresome.
I am glad to have finally been able to read Rosie's story but I am also glad that I can finally move on from their world. I wish them nothing but the best.
Now I am ready to dive into other worlds and get to know other characters that Sara Barnard created.
After reading the first two installements in this series, Beautiful Broken Things, I finally dove into Rosie's story. I was so eager to find out more about her character, her life, and how her story continued after the reader got a small glimpse of her journey in Suze's book, Fierce Fragile Hearts.
What I like most about Barnard's books is that her stories are relatable to young adults as well as adults. To young adults as they might be the same age or close to the same age as the main characters and experience the same struggles. To adults as they might think back and reflect on their own young adult days and ask themselves how it was for them. That's how it was for me anyway.
In parts I could definitely see myself in Rosie. Is this really what I want to study? Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life? Just as Rosie I am not a quitter when it comes to education. I am an advocate for quitting things if it's really something you hate/not enjoy doing but I would never do it myself. Just like Rosie I would feel like a failure. We were really alike when it came to things like that.
I enjoyed seeing an accurate representation of a college student in this book. In most of the fictional books I read everyone loves their studies and is so enthusiastic about it. No one really dares to talk about the hart thruths and ugly sides of it.
I was mostly annoyed by Rosie's friends, Caddy and Suze. Reading their stories from this side was just tiresome.
I am glad to have finally been able to read Rosie's story but I am also glad that I can finally move on from their world. I wish them nothing but the best.
Now I am ready to dive into other worlds and get to know other characters that Sara Barnard created.
April 29, 2023
this is a tough book for me to rate. on one hand, i found rosie’s story incredibly relatable, painfully so, and i really appreciate this story about university and friendship. on the other hand however, there were a few aspects that i couldn’t relate to which made the reading experience unenjoyable?
rosie doesn’t enjoy university (like me) yet she realises what’s best for her and decides what to do about this (not me). rosie doesn’t open up about any of these feelings and feels guilt about her situation (like me) but she then learns from this + does talk through her emotions (not me). rosie deals with the exact same situations i have / am still going through but she also has lots of happiness from meeting someone at uni — unlike me.
from these examples alone it makes it hard to digest my feelings about rosie’s story because i am still going through what rosie was during her most unhappy moments. i felt really distressed and upset whilst reading this because i simultaneously relate to so much of this book yet haven’t taken any of the positive actions rosie has in this book? leaving me feel even more aware of my regrets …
anyway - i did overall enjoy this story a lot, as i do with all sara barnard’s books due to their feeling of authenticity and would highly recommend checking out her books if you haven’t already.
probably wasn’t in the best place to read this but at the same time also really needed to read this to hopefully sort myself out ??? feel like i really overshared in this review, okay bye 🫡
—————
2022:
the description … totally not relatable at all … ahaha .
rosie doesn’t enjoy university (like me) yet she realises what’s best for her and decides what to do about this (not me). rosie doesn’t open up about any of these feelings and feels guilt about her situation (like me) but she then learns from this + does talk through her emotions (not me). rosie deals with the exact same situations i have / am still going through but she also has lots of happiness from meeting someone at uni — unlike me.
from these examples alone it makes it hard to digest my feelings about rosie’s story because i am still going through what rosie was during her most unhappy moments. i felt really distressed and upset whilst reading this because i simultaneously relate to so much of this book yet haven’t taken any of the positive actions rosie has in this book? leaving me feel even more aware of my regrets …
anyway - i did overall enjoy this story a lot, as i do with all sara barnard’s books due to their feeling of authenticity and would highly recommend checking out her books if you haven’t already.
probably wasn’t in the best place to read this but at the same time also really needed to read this to hopefully sort myself out ??? feel like i really overshared in this review, okay bye 🫡
—————
2022:
the description … totally not relatable at all … ahaha .
July 18, 2022
3.5 stars
Being a fan of Sara Barnard’s other books, in particular the ones in this series, I had to pre order this.
I know I went into the read with high expectations and hopes and it just fell a little bit short for me. I kept coming back to the feeling of wanting more depth from
Rosie and her interactions. I was left wanting just a bit more of something that wasn’t there.
I did really appreciate the wrap up of Rosie, Suz and Caddy and seeing how intertwined this book was with the other two in the series.
A fun, quick read, that leaves you thinking about friendships.
Being a fan of Sara Barnard’s other books, in particular the ones in this series, I had to pre order this.
I know I went into the read with high expectations and hopes and it just fell a little bit short for me. I kept coming back to the feeling of wanting more depth from
Rosie and her interactions. I was left wanting just a bit more of something that wasn’t there.
I did really appreciate the wrap up of Rosie, Suz and Caddy and seeing how intertwined this book was with the other two in the series.
A fun, quick read, that leaves you thinking about friendships.
September 7, 2023
It's the most boring book I have ever read. The cover and blurb looked good, so I bought it, but I suppose the saying 'never judge a book by its cover' is right.
July 26, 2022
it was really good and had a really strong start, but it did loose me towards the end but maybe that’s my fault for taking so long to read it😭… i think this book was absolutely incredible for setting up what university life is really like - especially with all the negatives to it that people sometimes brush over. it was really validating to read some of the issues that rosie experienced and i would definitely recommend this to someone who is just about to go to university, to remind them if they don’t like it then that’s okay!
February 19, 2023
Wow this is depressing. The struggle is real, I relate to it at some level (I didn't hate my majors and I took double majors) but yeah some classes can be depressing. Overall, it's a nice read, it's okay to give up if you don't love it either that or you will regret later on.
March 16, 2023
(2.5!!) this book started out really strong, then the middle was VERY boring and then the end surprisingly was beautiful ! still though, its a solid 2.5, because I was seriously contemplating not finishing it, which would've been really saddd, as I would've never read such a lovely ending :))
April 4, 2025
Randomly picked this up then realised this is the third in the series and I've already read the first one! I really enjoyed this one, I related a lot really to her struggling with uni and not enjoying it and wanting to drop out but not wanting to admit it for ages, and also with her home life with her mum and her illness.
December 28, 2022
2.5 ⭐️ i don’t think i was the intended audience for this book. i just found the mc annoying and most of her problems were easily fixable. she could also be mean to her friends.
March 31, 2023
Decent story with a cute romance, some character development and loads of inspirational speeches near the end of the book.
June 28, 2023
crying rn omg
January 7, 2024
cute uni sapphics that made me feel nostalgic
June 9, 2025
nothing much happened
June 22, 2022
I enjoyed this book a lot. Sara Barnard has done it again!
It was such an easy read, despite the sometimes more difficult subject matter.
I'm a sucker for a book about university - anything that takes me back to that care-free time!
I feel that the pacing was a little off at times. Sometimes very fast in pace, and then at others incredibly slow! I think this book could have done with 50-100 pages less, and I would have enjoyed it a bit more.
Overall it was a nice read, I enjoyed it - but not sure how long it will stay with me.
It was such an easy read, despite the sometimes more difficult subject matter.
I'm a sucker for a book about university - anything that takes me back to that care-free time!
I feel that the pacing was a little off at times. Sometimes very fast in pace, and then at others incredibly slow! I think this book could have done with 50-100 pages less, and I would have enjoyed it a bit more.
Overall it was a nice read, I enjoyed it - but not sure how long it will stay with me.
February 12, 2023
Trigger warnings:
Well this wasn't quite what I expected it to be. I loved following Rosie at her first year of university, found her to be a really relatable character and loved how the author perfectly captured the messy confusion of this new step in your life and what it can bring out. That being said, this ended up being a little more emotional than I thought it'd be. Still recommending it! :)
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Well this wasn't quite what I expected it to be. I loved following Rosie at her first year of university, found her to be a really relatable character and loved how the author perfectly captured the messy confusion of this new step in your life and what it can bring out. That being said, this ended up being a little more emotional than I thought it'd be. Still recommending it! :)
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bookstagram - Bloglovin'
March 4, 2025
I liked Rosie's sarcasm and sense of humour, but the rest of the book was pretty bleak. I also had a rough time at uni and if I'd read this back then idk if I would've found it validating or supremely unhelpful.
I hated the endless arguments Rosie had with Caddy and Suze, because they didn't resolve anything and sometimes it felt like they were deliberately misunderstanding each other? Like when Rosie says that she didn't want to tell them she was struggling at uni because she felt "stupid and embarrassed" and then Caddy is like "so you can't talk to me because I'm happy and I have friends?"
Uhhhhhhhh no that's not what she was saying?? It IS hard to talk to people when you feel like they wouldn't understand your personal experience, especially when you're ashamed! But Caddy (and also Suze, at times) made it all about her and ughhh it was just so irritating and pointless to read over and over again.
And why the fuck are Rosie and Caddy still judging Suze for not being able to tell Matt she loves him? Jfc get over it already. Her romantic relationship is HER business. All that talk of self-sabotaging and "driving him away" instead of trying to understand WHY she might find it difficult given the trauma in her past.
(Sometimes I think I would rather have no friends at all than friends like Rosie, Caddy and Suze, which is... probably not what I'm supposed to feel about these characters...)
I hated the endless arguments Rosie had with Caddy and Suze, because they didn't resolve anything and sometimes it felt like they were deliberately misunderstanding each other? Like when Rosie says that she didn't want to tell them she was struggling at uni because she felt "stupid and embarrassed" and then Caddy is like "so you can't talk to me because I'm happy and I have friends?"
Uhhhhhhhh no that's not what she was saying?? It IS hard to talk to people when you feel like they wouldn't understand your personal experience, especially when you're ashamed! But Caddy (and also Suze, at times) made it all about her and ughhh it was just so irritating and pointless to read over and over again.
And why the fuck are Rosie and Caddy still judging Suze for not being able to tell Matt she loves him? Jfc get over it already. Her romantic relationship is HER business. All that talk of self-sabotaging and "driving him away" instead of trying to understand WHY she might find it difficult given the trauma in her past.
(Sometimes I think I would rather have no friends at all than friends like Rosie, Caddy and Suze, which is... probably not what I'm supposed to feel about these characters...)
September 22, 2022
I can see why there were so many positive reviews about this book! It captures the uncertainty, unveiling the glamour of student life and the challenges socially and academically at the same time. Although I studied in a different profession and did not live on campus, I saw myself in Rosie struggling to make friends and keeping up to date academically. I related in her struggle of feeling envious and yet feeling like an outsider socially and the questions around whether her degree was right for her. This is my second queer book but first woman to woman relationship. I loved the simplicity, the natural building of their relationship and the common struggles of trying to find your identity in a new and unfamiliar territory. For someone who also experienced parental health problems, I feared this book would be triggering for me but I somehow got through it without being reminded of my own loss. I recommend this to everyone regardless of their sexual orientation because as a former student, I think everyone can find themselves in Rosie and her journey.
July 14, 2023
The first two books of this series meant *so* much to me when I was younger- an incredibly wholesome, tender and realistic portrayal of friendship, and honestly it still means a lot to me now I have read the final book as I am just about to start uni just as these characters have 🥲, which meant that this book brought up a lot of emotions and really made me think more deeply about what that experience will be like in a realistic way, and I honestly think it will be really comforting to return to if I’m having difficult moments- so I really thank Sara Barnard for that.
As someone who tends to not talk about their emotions enough 🫣 I really related to Rosie’s character and returning to this friend group felt like putting on a pair of comfy slippers again. The novel is not perfect structurally- the middle section drags a little bit in comparison with the beginning and end. But honestly I don’t even really care about that because I had a good time anyway and low-key don’t want to say goodbye to my Brighton besties :’)
As someone who tends to not talk about their emotions enough 🫣 I really related to Rosie’s character and returning to this friend group felt like putting on a pair of comfy slippers again. The novel is not perfect structurally- the middle section drags a little bit in comparison with the beginning and end. But honestly I don’t even really care about that because I had a good time anyway and low-key don’t want to say goodbye to my Brighton besties :’)
August 20, 2022
YA set at university about a bi student moving from Brighton to Norwich to study pharmacy. But what is uni is not all you hoped and dreamt.
I liked that this offers a realistic look at what uni can be like and how much some people struggle to keep going or decide against. The importance of honesty with friends and family, the need to get over your own ?pride or stubbornness.
The themes (feeling lost at uni, first relationships, diagnosis of chronic illness, trauma) were great but it just didn't grab me. Struggling to finish. Despite all their challenges, the main character seemed quite one dimensional. (See, I just finished the book and already forgot her name!)
But I say that 20 years after starting uni and maybe at that age people really don't reflect about their feelings as much?
Of course it's the mum I'm the story that had my favourite line 'Listen to your unhappiness; don't just ignore it.'
I liked that this offers a realistic look at what uni can be like and how much some people struggle to keep going or decide against. The importance of honesty with friends and family, the need to get over your own ?pride or stubbornness.
The themes (feeling lost at uni, first relationships, diagnosis of chronic illness, trauma) were great but it just didn't grab me. Struggling to finish. Despite all their challenges, the main character seemed quite one dimensional. (See, I just finished the book and already forgot her name!)
But I say that 20 years after starting uni and maybe at that age people really don't reflect about their feelings as much?
Of course it's the mum I'm the story that had my favourite line 'Listen to your unhappiness; don't just ignore it.'
May 18, 2022
Sara Barnard's latest YA release is moving, honest and really enjoyable. Exploring friendships, first love and the unpredictability of life Something Certain, Maybe offers a look at the university experience I've not read before. Gone is the romance of US Academia, the epic parties, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and finding the love of your life shares your student house, Barnard choses a more realist approach and shows the ideal as a fantasy.
The crux of the book is that University is not for everyone and that's okay. There are good parts, and bad - of course, but it's ultimately a personal choice rather than something that should be dictated by other people.
I imagine a lot of teens and young people need stories like this, heck I did when I was going through a hard time in my first year. If I had I might have been easier on myself for finding it difficult.
The crux of the book is that University is not for everyone and that's okay. There are good parts, and bad - of course, but it's ultimately a personal choice rather than something that should be dictated by other people.
I imagine a lot of teens and young people need stories like this, heck I did when I was going through a hard time in my first year. If I had I might have been easier on myself for finding it difficult.
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