What do you think?
Rate this book
Ellie Pillai is (Almost) in Love
Everyone's favourite confused heroine Ellie Pillai is back in the perfect summer romance!Note to what is falling in love, and am I really sure I want to do it?Ever since Ellie and Ash got together, Ellie Pillai has been discovering kissing and . . . questions . . . so . . . many . . . questions. When Ellie goes to New York, she has to say goodbye to sexy Ash after only having just got together with him. As Ash's text messages get more and more cryptic and annoying, Ellie meets Dirty-Blond stranger, a boy from school who wants her to join his band . . . And suddenly everything feels a bit more complicated as well as more exciting - because what happens if you're on cloud nine, but not actually sure who you should be falling in love with?Praise for Ellie Pillai is adored this.' Simon James Green'I loved the fresh and original voice.' Bookseller
- GenresYoung Adult
432 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2023
6 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 9, 2023
This book was such a rollercoaster but I enjoyed every second of it! It was written very easily which made it a quick book to get through! Literally every chapter kept me on the edge of my seat and I would definitely say that this book was even better than Ellie Pillai #1! It was also very realistic and you could tell the author did her best to get into the mind of a 15/16 year old.
I highly recommend this book if you are in the mood for a feel good romantic young adult book or if you are in a reading slump. Read book #1 first tho (obviously…).
Thanks to the publisher and author for an ARC!
I highly recommend this book if you are in the mood for a feel good romantic young adult book or if you are in a reading slump. Read book #1 first tho (obviously…).
Thanks to the publisher and author for an ARC!
June 4, 2023
I loved the first book in this series, Ellie Pillai Is Brown, and felt it was easily comparable with Heartstopper. This book though... it felt more like a wild series of Skins, bringing a confusing mess of relationship drama and multiple hospital visits.
It got to the point where the story was barely believable, with Ellie and Ash starting to really irritate me by the half way point of the book. This story didn't really need the introduction of so many new background characters that I cared little for either.
It got to the point where the story was barely believable, with Ellie and Ash starting to really irritate me by the half way point of the book. This story didn't really need the introduction of so many new background characters that I cared little for either.
April 7, 2023
Ever since Ellie started dating the hottest boy in school, trouble seems to be attracted to her. What feels like (almost) love with her boyfriend Ash, confused her after meeting the stranger "Dirty-Blond" in New York.
Ellie Pillai is (almost) in love - A beautiful love story between friends, family, lovers and eventually herself?
Ellie Pillai is brown is one of my favourite books and it made me so incredibly happy when the sequel was announced.
It may have been an emotional rollercoaster because I felt every emotion there is, but that means it's a good book. During the last part of the book, I just sat there with my mouth wide open because I was so shocked. Never would I have thought that something like this would happen, but luckily everything turned out fine.
I liked how all kinds of relationships developed and how the characters treated each other. The characters are wonderfully written and it was nice to watch them develop over time. Also, I thought the ending was so so beautiful and couldn't have asked for a better one.
I'm really a fan of the writing style because it's easy to read, but the words are still so meaningful and have depth. I’m so intrigued by the way the words are linked together.
The way the book is structured and designed also appeals to me. The colourfulness, the small doodles and the songs! I’m fascinated by the songs. They not only sound beautiful, but also have profound lyrics.
I’m so grateful for both books and hope there are more to come.💕
Ellie Pillai is (almost) in love - A beautiful love story between friends, family, lovers and eventually herself?
Ellie Pillai is brown is one of my favourite books and it made me so incredibly happy when the sequel was announced.
It may have been an emotional rollercoaster because I felt every emotion there is, but that means it's a good book. During the last part of the book, I just sat there with my mouth wide open because I was so shocked. Never would I have thought that something like this would happen, but luckily everything turned out fine.
I liked how all kinds of relationships developed and how the characters treated each other. The characters are wonderfully written and it was nice to watch them develop over time. Also, I thought the ending was so so beautiful and couldn't have asked for a better one.
I'm really a fan of the writing style because it's easy to read, but the words are still so meaningful and have depth. I’m so intrigued by the way the words are linked together.
The way the book is structured and designed also appeals to me. The colourfulness, the small doodles and the songs! I’m fascinated by the songs. They not only sound beautiful, but also have profound lyrics.
I’m so grateful for both books and hope there are more to come.💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2023
Characters : Ellie, Hayley, Jessica, Ash, Elina, Kyra, Hope, Shawn, Rebecca, Hannah.
I think the fact I finished this book within the space of a singular evening speaks for itself. I like how the ending set it up for another book (please Christine I need another book in this series.) I also love how Ellie matured in this book, she learnt to put herself first and understood that she should not have to put up with boys who play with her feelings or allow others to speak to her in a disconcerting manner. Will just say a trigger warning that discussions about eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are featured in this book so if you are struggling it may not be time to read it.
I love Christine’s work the first novel was sensational and this second novel is spectacular.
Will just put this out there- I fully sobbed when her dad had a heart attack. Even though he recovered I sobbed my heart out.
I think the fact I finished this book within the space of a singular evening speaks for itself. I like how the ending set it up for another book (please Christine I need another book in this series.) I also love how Ellie matured in this book, she learnt to put herself first and understood that she should not have to put up with boys who play with her feelings or allow others to speak to her in a disconcerting manner. Will just say a trigger warning that discussions about eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are featured in this book so if you are struggling it may not be time to read it.
I love Christine’s work the first novel was sensational and this second novel is spectacular.
Will just put this out there- I fully sobbed when her dad had a heart attack. Even though he recovered I sobbed my heart out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2023
I just finished the book, and… I really, really, loved it! As a reader who had read the first book—Ellie Pillai is Brown— last year and waited since then for the sequel to come out, I can say that my expectation for the second book was super duper high. But despite of my ever-high expectation, I am so satisfied with this book.
First of all, I really liked all the tracks in the album (music). One of the main things I liked about the first book was music, and I think this is what makes Christine Pillainayagam so special and different to other authors. I liked how each track has its own background to it, so that readers can enjoy the book more efficiently.
And… As a person who immigrated from my home country to overseas and has own culture that is quite different to where I currently live, I could relate to the Pillais so well, especially to Granny’s attitude about not being able to move forward and only sticking to her tradition.
“When the world’s moved on, but she hasn’t . . . [But I get Granny] because I understand that feeling of not being able to move on. Of the world changing, and always being that bit behind. “ —Ellie, page 163–
Also, I could also relate to Ellie and Shawn about their attitude to sing publicly, especially the time when Ellie was determined to sing in front of the crowd for the first time and how she reversely used her fear and all kinds of terrifying emotions just for her to just immerse in her music.
I am also a singer and sometimes it feels so difficult and hard for me to just even expose myself to people. And I always question myself: “am I good enough? What if I’m not and I make a terrible mistake? Or “what if people think I am bad and won’t acknowledge me?” I always get nervous and I hate this, because I know that it makes my situation worse. So what Shawn said to Ellie when she was afraid of other’s judgement and standing up and singing, it really touched me and gave me a new vision to take it:
“I didn’t [get over it]. I just let myself feel it. And I try to use it. The fear. To be better. To not be afraid of being afraid.” —Shawn, page 89–
“I can feel my breath catching in my throat, my chest heavy with the fear I carried here. The fear that tried to choke me, which I swallowed, and I used. The fear I know I feel, but which is no longer in charge of me.” —Ellie, page 94
Lastly, ending was literally the all-time best. I especially loved how Ellie chose herself and not others, that she thinks she has to take care of herself first before putting anyone before her. I think her decision was the wisest thing she could ever make (deciding to just go on her own) considering what happened to her friends and her family but Ellie not capable of catching them sooner as she was so absorbed in her relationship with Ash. Acknowledging and being honest to Ash that she was insecure and jealous when she was going out with him and how she has now to take care of herself first… Was incredibly brave and admiring, too.
“I care about you so much, but I was insecure, and jealous, and I stopped noticing things when we were together. I stopped noticing my family and my friends, and when people needed me — and I don’t want to be that person any more. I need to be someone else. Someone better. Someone’s that’s enough on their own. I need to be on my own right now. I’m not ready for anything else.” —Ellie to Ash, page 419–
“. . .Suddenly thinking of Hayley and the whole James thing, and how she said she had stuff to deal with. How she knew she had to be there for her before she could be with anyone else. And that’s me. I’m her. I get it. Finally. That you need to sort out you before you can be anything more, with anyone more.” —Ellie, page 416–
“And I let myself feel the mess of it all. The mess that I am; the mess that will one day make me into the person I know I deserve to be. Because I’m a million strings tied in a million knots, I’m a story I haven’t written; and the glory in that, the beauty in that, the joy in that, is right here, in all that chaos. In not knowing who I am yet and putting it together piece by piece. Because I get to choose.” — Ellie, page 420–
——-
I’m really really looking forward to the third book (if there is one, which I assume there will be) and I can’t wait to see the love triangles between Ellie, Ash, and Shawn 😊 I really want this series to be known by people more so they can find the true beauty of them.
First of all, I really liked all the tracks in the album (music). One of the main things I liked about the first book was music, and I think this is what makes Christine Pillainayagam so special and different to other authors. I liked how each track has its own background to it, so that readers can enjoy the book more efficiently.
And… As a person who immigrated from my home country to overseas and has own culture that is quite different to where I currently live, I could relate to the Pillais so well, especially to Granny’s attitude about not being able to move forward and only sticking to her tradition.
“When the world’s moved on, but she hasn’t . . . [But I get Granny] because I understand that feeling of not being able to move on. Of the world changing, and always being that bit behind. “ —Ellie, page 163–
Also, I could also relate to Ellie and Shawn about their attitude to sing publicly, especially the time when Ellie was determined to sing in front of the crowd for the first time and how she reversely used her fear and all kinds of terrifying emotions just for her to just immerse in her music.
I am also a singer and sometimes it feels so difficult and hard for me to just even expose myself to people. And I always question myself: “am I good enough? What if I’m not and I make a terrible mistake? Or “what if people think I am bad and won’t acknowledge me?” I always get nervous and I hate this, because I know that it makes my situation worse. So what Shawn said to Ellie when she was afraid of other’s judgement and standing up and singing, it really touched me and gave me a new vision to take it:
“I didn’t [get over it]. I just let myself feel it. And I try to use it. The fear. To be better. To not be afraid of being afraid.” —Shawn, page 89–
“I can feel my breath catching in my throat, my chest heavy with the fear I carried here. The fear that tried to choke me, which I swallowed, and I used. The fear I know I feel, but which is no longer in charge of me.” —Ellie, page 94
Lastly, ending was literally the all-time best. I especially loved how Ellie chose herself and not others, that she thinks she has to take care of herself first before putting anyone before her. I think her decision was the wisest thing she could ever make (deciding to just go on her own) considering what happened to her friends and her family but Ellie not capable of catching them sooner as she was so absorbed in her relationship with Ash. Acknowledging and being honest to Ash that she was insecure and jealous when she was going out with him and how she has now to take care of herself first… Was incredibly brave and admiring, too.
“I care about you so much, but I was insecure, and jealous, and I stopped noticing things when we were together. I stopped noticing my family and my friends, and when people needed me — and I don’t want to be that person any more. I need to be someone else. Someone better. Someone’s that’s enough on their own. I need to be on my own right now. I’m not ready for anything else.” —Ellie to Ash, page 419–
“. . .Suddenly thinking of Hayley and the whole James thing, and how she said she had stuff to deal with. How she knew she had to be there for her before she could be with anyone else. And that’s me. I’m her. I get it. Finally. That you need to sort out you before you can be anything more, with anyone more.” —Ellie, page 416–
“And I let myself feel the mess of it all. The mess that I am; the mess that will one day make me into the person I know I deserve to be. Because I’m a million strings tied in a million knots, I’m a story I haven’t written; and the glory in that, the beauty in that, the joy in that, is right here, in all that chaos. In not knowing who I am yet and putting it together piece by piece. Because I get to choose.” — Ellie, page 420–
——-
I’m really really looking forward to the third book (if there is one, which I assume there will be) and I can’t wait to see the love triangles between Ellie, Ash, and Shawn 😊 I really want this series to be known by people more so they can find the true beauty of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2023
As always, take these reviews with a grain of salt due to dissertstion stress and having to speed read and dissect them in a very specific way. Anyway…
Ellie Pillai is (almost) in love but I wasn’t. I had hopes that this book would be better than the first one and I was right. It was better. There were some beautiful moments of family bonding and fear of loss and retrauma — Death being a constant reminder of the characters’ pasts as always. I thought this books stayed away from the constant cliche dumb of the first book and the evolution of the writers writing really shined through.
However, I found this book to be completely incoherent. Twists and turns happening for the sake of shock value and REALLY traumatic(I MEAN REALLY) events happening to characters that have NO consequence to them or the people around them (spoiler: im sorry but if you literally die and have to be resuscitated then things won’t be okay in 2 chapters) and I get it right. It’s fiction. It doesn’t have to be realistic but there’s is realism and there’s “this book felt like it wasn’t throughout well and wanted something to happen to have the main character break up with her boyfriend. Even in this book, the side characters felt more interesting than the main character. I cared more about (Spoilers) Hayley and her fight with an ED, Jess with her mum, Hope with her self-esteem and Kitty fighting with her mother on the basis of racism within oppressed communities.
I’ll give the writer this though, I am so happy the book ended with Ellie being single and now caving into the “who will she choose” trope. I liked the highlighting of “Ellie is 16 and deserves to find herself before getting into a relationship” so props to that and also the fact that the book continues to be multi-media central with some beautiful song (written and sung by the writer) linked throughout the work.
I am genuinely looking forward to reading more from Christine and can see there is so much there for a great book.
Ellie Pillai is (almost) in love but I wasn’t. I had hopes that this book would be better than the first one and I was right. It was better. There were some beautiful moments of family bonding and fear of loss and retrauma — Death being a constant reminder of the characters’ pasts as always. I thought this books stayed away from the constant cliche dumb of the first book and the evolution of the writers writing really shined through.
However, I found this book to be completely incoherent. Twists and turns happening for the sake of shock value and REALLY traumatic(I MEAN REALLY) events happening to characters that have NO consequence to them or the people around them (spoiler: im sorry but if you literally die and have to be resuscitated then things won’t be okay in 2 chapters) and I get it right. It’s fiction. It doesn’t have to be realistic but there’s is realism and there’s “this book felt like it wasn’t throughout well and wanted something to happen to have the main character break up with her boyfriend. Even in this book, the side characters felt more interesting than the main character. I cared more about (Spoilers) Hayley and her fight with an ED, Jess with her mum, Hope with her self-esteem and Kitty fighting with her mother on the basis of racism within oppressed communities.
I’ll give the writer this though, I am so happy the book ended with Ellie being single and now caving into the “who will she choose” trope. I liked the highlighting of “Ellie is 16 and deserves to find herself before getting into a relationship” so props to that and also the fact that the book continues to be multi-media central with some beautiful song (written and sung by the writer) linked throughout the work.
I am genuinely looking forward to reading more from Christine and can see there is so much there for a great book.
April 25, 2025
I found this a bit disappointing in comparison to the first in the series. This time the songs are a separate Spotify album, rather than being incorporated into the audiobook and I felt that took away some of what made the first book different. The first part of the book dragged and I kept looking at the time remaining thinking how much else can there be to fit into this story. Then it just went bonkers. There were so many dramatic events crammed into what seemed like a pretty short stretch of time. It was too unlikely and make the book seem more reality TV than relatably realistic. There were also too many questionable teenage decisions without addressing the risks, and just too much drama overall.
July 7, 2023
I could not get myself to finish this book for theeeee longest time. I realise Ellie is a teenager but she is more dramatic, fickle and irritable than any reasonable person would be at that age. The constant back and forth between her and Ash was exhausting and while I really loved the growth she went through, it was there only for the last twenty pages or so. The amount of people (almost) dying was also a little too high to be credible for anything other than to move the plot along. Mehhhh.
June 18, 2023
Please PLEASE let us have another Ellie book🥹
Both books were such comfort reads! I just loved the ending and it was perfect not to press a decision into the last pages. Well, except for the decision of choosing herself❤️
Both books were such comfort reads! I just loved the ending and it was perfect not to press a decision into the last pages. Well, except for the decision of choosing herself❤️
July 13, 2023
This is one of the most perfect young adult books I've read all year, and I need more people to realize how good it is. This book is like a soap-series-turned-book, and dear gods, I'm obsessed. The author has perfectly captured the feeling of being young; of being a teenager and thinking that the entire world revolves around you when really, truly, it doesn't, and that sometimes being a teenager in love means losing sight of all the things that truly matter. It's annoyingly good.
November 29, 2025
AMAZING
The vibes and the atmosphere of this book was incredible.
I can relate to Ellie Pillai and she makes me not feel insecure about myself
Yeah, I love love loved it so much and I'm currently reading the finale.
Christine Pillainayagam you have done it again.
The vibes and the atmosphere of this book was incredible.
I can relate to Ellie Pillai and she makes me not feel insecure about myself
Yeah, I love love loved it so much and I'm currently reading the finale.
Christine Pillainayagam you have done it again.
June 9, 2023
Do you remember Christine Pillainayagam’s Ellie Pillai is Brown? published by Faber. I hope so for now her next story featuring our favourite and very confused heroine is here in time for World Book Day and also ready for the perfect summer romance…
Ellie and Ash are together which means that Ellie has had the opportunity to discover kissing and love – well at least she thinks it might be love but she has questions, oh so many questions. For example she would like to know what happens when you feel your boyfriend fumbling around your back looking for that place where a bra should be but discovering something far more embarrassing after your dad shrank your bras in the wash?
The themes may be suited to the older teen but they are very funny and will have you laughing out loud – maybe just don’t tell your parents what is so funny! Now Ellie is off to New York to an annoying cousin, with cryptic texts from Ash and to a meeting with a very cute boy. Falling in love could be complicated. But it is funny too!
Ellie and Ash are together which means that Ellie has had the opportunity to discover kissing and love – well at least she thinks it might be love but she has questions, oh so many questions. For example she would like to know what happens when you feel your boyfriend fumbling around your back looking for that place where a bra should be but discovering something far more embarrassing after your dad shrank your bras in the wash?
The themes may be suited to the older teen but they are very funny and will have you laughing out loud – maybe just don’t tell your parents what is so funny! Now Ellie is off to New York to an annoying cousin, with cryptic texts from Ash and to a meeting with a very cute boy. Falling in love could be complicated. But it is funny too!
December 31, 2024
bit goofy but i still enjoyed it! better than the first one:))
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews