I’m a huge Holly Bourne fan. I first picked up The Manifesto Of How To Be Interesting whilst I was on holiday, and pretty much finished it in one sitting. Am I Normal Yet was the most true to life story with an OCD-suffering main character I’ve read, well, ever – and then this one came along and I was desperate to read it. Helpful tip for you: if you’re desperate to read a book, probably don’t order it online – it might be cheaper but is it worth the wait?
Amber’s jetting off to California for the summer, to spend time with the mother who left her, remarried and moved to California, changing her personality at the same time. What’s she to do when all she wants is a little bit of love? Especially when Prom King Kyle arrives, the guy all the girls are after. Is he seriously after Amber? And if so, should she follow Evie’s advice and take it carefully, or should she listen to Lottie, “mount him and worry about it later”. Nobody can deny it: love is hard.
After being completely blown away by Holly’s past novels, I expected nothing less from this novel, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Holly’s got a really unique writing style that’s both hilarious and serious, one that knows when to be serious but also can lighten up, which is perfect for this book. It’s one you can read and laugh about, but you can also expect some really serious themes about family troubles, relationships and feminism from.
I was also really impressed by how Evie’s story (Am I Normal Yet?) ties in with this new novel; Evie’s presence is clearly baked into this story but not so much that it’s just a byproduct of the first novel.
Amber and Kyle are both really well described characters as well. We know so much about the two of them, as well as all the other characters, and the book is written in a realistic and accurate manner. I loved seeing how these two seemingly incompatible characters’ stories intertwined with each others, and it really made this book.
I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for their next book to read. Holly’s an amazing writer, and she’s only gone and done it again with How Hard Can Love Be?
Plus, she’s got at something too with that question; love’s complicated.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
