How Hard Can Love Be? (Normal #2)
by Holly Bourne
Publisher – Usborne
Release Date – TODAY – Go buy it!!!
Buy – Amazon | Book DepositoryAll Amber wants is a little bit of love. Her mum has never been the caring type, even before she moved to California, got remarried and had a personality transplant. But Amber’s hoping that spending the summer with her can change all that.
And then there’s prom king Kyle, the guy all the girls want. Can he really be interested in anti-cheerleader Amber? Even with best friends Evie and Lottie’s advice, there’s no escaping the fact: love is hard.
I finished this book well over half an hour ago and I feel like I have book hangover, or some sort of book ecstasy. I don’t know if I can put this into words but I will try my best. As you all know as I probably forced it down your throat by now – that I am a HUGE fan of Holly Bourne’s work from her Soulmates to the latest Normal series. And well she hasn’t disappointed at all. She has soared her way through this sublime sequel.
We are back with the Spinster Ladies, first Evie in Am I Normal Yet? and now we have Amber’s story. This is a love story, one that doesn’t end in catastrophic weather events or the earth keeping them apart. Yay! You’ll know what I mean if you’ve read Soulmates. Amber was the girl that created the Spinster’s Club in the first place, she felt empowered and inspired by the girls around her, Evie and Lottie. Amber has anger/control and insecurity issues, she has always hated her ginger, wild hair, her freckles and the fact she is freakishly tall. She lives with her dad and her horrible step-mum – Penny and her son, Craig! He is a complete toe- rag basically both of them are really. Her mum left her 2 years ago with Bumface Kevin, and never seen her since, not even a thought. Now Amber is going to visit her and she never really realised what she was getting herself into.
The Spinster Club and it’s girlies have never been more strong. Amber having her girlfriends, Evie and Lottie, reminding me what true friendship is is like and to this day couldn’t be without. I wish we could’ve have created a call Spinster Club, we did create various other membership related clubs though. Their friendship is emotional to take and I love how no matter what, across the miles they will get up at the crack of dawn and talk to her on Skype. Evie, hasn’t changed, she grown a stronger woman, a Evie 2.0. Her relapse has me feel incredibly proud, which is so inspiring. Lottie isn’t afraid of her ranting, and that’s what I love about her, and I can’t wait get to know her story.
I can’t pin point the emotional impact of this novel but I think it has a lot to do with reminding me of being a teenager and being me as well. When I was at school, I was your classic bookworm, reading a different book every couple of days and I loved that! It was better than the reality. I stayed true to myself and what I enjoyed doing the most. How Hard Can Love Be is my favourite book out of the entire series (so far). Amber and Holly got me! I am not freakishly tall, I’m an average 5’5, which I like by the way, I do have some freckles, which I like too but most of all I have insecurity issues especially when I was younger and maybe still now slightly too. I’m not saying I’m the only one, everyone will have their own insecurities and I found that Holly really tried to own that with being the best you can be with who you are.
When Amber meets Prom King Kyle, he is your cliche of a boyfriend, the looks, the hottest girl after him, the expectation of him being that boy. But he doesn’t know how to act, how to be more than those expectations or how to find himself and I think Amber unravels him as well as learning for herself. Holly wanted us to know that in fact we should look beyond the cliches and find love and solace because at the end of the day, you fall in love with the person not with the cliche or insecurities.
This teen love story made me think of what I’ve got today, I found my feet, I found myself and I found my soulmate on my own terms, owning my life and being who I am! I fell in love a little late too but that never bothered me when it’s about the person and spending as much time with them as possible. As Lottie said: “Just be yourself. Just be happy being you.” Oh an remember that “Whinnie the Pooh is the answer to happiness” too.
I can’t quite believe I’ve written this much for my review too. Told you it would be hard. After reading this book I felt awed and inspired by my own realisation of my own life. Holly isn’t afraid of writing what she thinks, she owns her writing and that comes through loud and clear. I wasn’t wrong when I said she is the pure, real honest voice of YA, she’s made that her life’s mission. Holly Bourne has become a true feminist legend of YA! I can’t wait to really get to know Lottie’s story because I have feeling she is more like Holly out of all of them.
Rating – 5 Cheesy Snacks!!
Wow. This seems like such a deceptively simple story so I'm amazed that it had such a profound impact on you, really making you think back on your own life. I adore books that do that and I'm glad this was so special for you. I'll definitely have to try and pick up a copy soon. Wonderful review!
Yes please do go and pick up a copy. I really do love this series and it does have an impact on you! Thank you! 🙂
I have not heard of this book or author but it sounds absolutely adorable – these are the kinds of YA stories I love the most! I must go check it out immediately 🙂
You must – Yes! If you haven't heard about this author then you seriously need to check it out! 😉
I do love my books which have me thinking about them for days afterwards, this book does sound like a beautiful read, I've actually had one of Holly's book for the longest time, but still not got around to reading it. I really need to rectify this immediately! Gorgeous review Emma!
You need to get reading that Holly Bourne book definitely! Thanks Jas!
I love that this was such a great read, I need to add this to my pile for sure, I love reads like this one!
Yay glad your adding it to your pile. Make it the top one! 🙂
I really enjoyed this! I loved Am I Normal Yet? slightly more but I still really enjoyed it. I can't wait for Lottie's story! 🙂 Great review!
I can't wait for Lottie's story too! 🙂
First time ever hearing of this author and her books. Since she made such an impression on you, I'm a little curious now, myself.
She is an amazing author! I would really recommend it! 🙂
Thanks for sharing! I don't know this author, but that's great her books really impacted you, especially with this one. I do like books that make me think a bit about being in high school and how things change and get better as you grow up.
-lauren
I love stories that make you reflect and connect with the characters about your life! 🙂
wow si many things for this one and I totally get the feeling you had at the end og the novel! It's great to see you felt so much and that you had such a great time with the whole! thanks for the discovery!
I hope you discover some of her books! Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Sounds emotional and particularly well written. I love when books leave their mark on the readers in this way 🙂 Now I'm quite curious about this one too!
It has all the feels believe me! 🙂
Wow Emma! I obviously need to add this book to my TBR list immediately! I love that this story had a lot of positive messages about being yourself while at the same time giving us a swoony love story:) MUST READ!!!
You do Jenny – you do!!!!!