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"Now is the time between birth and slaughter. Another Summer has arrived.”  Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth is one of those gut-wrenching, relatable coming-of-age stories that is impossible to put down. It is set in 1990s rural Ireland and explores the secret romance between two teenage girls, Lucy and Susannah, against the backdrop of conservative norms and religious expectations. Howarth fully immerses the reader into Lucy’s world: her small village in Ireland, and the societal expectations that eventually shape her future and identity. Throughout the novel, Lucy faces an internal conflict as she struggles to live between two worlds: the comfort of what she has always known and her newfound, passionate first love.     The most notable aspect of the novel for me is Howarth’s poetic and fluid writing style. This prose effortlessly transports the reader through the events of the book (which is set over multiple years), whilst also highlighting the teenage angst and over-dramatic nature of the typical teenage girl. The love letters written by Lucy and Susannah also provide more depth, allowing for a deeper exploration of their relationship and personal feelings. The exploration of queer identity is portrayed with nuance and emotional truth, avoiding cliché and stereotypes.    The burden of a mother’s love is a theme felt throughout the book. Lucy and Susannah grew up in the same town and environment; however, their attitudes towards the future of their romance are very different. This highlights the role that their mothers played in their teenage development and identity. Lucy’s mother embodies the religious and moral expectations of rural 1990s Ireland, and as Lucy begins to feel different, her craving to belong intensifies, leading to her greatest desire becoming her mother’s acceptance, which in turn means acceptance from her community. Susannah’s mother is emotionally distant and self-absorbed, which leads Susannah to crave her attention rather than her acceptance. It is easy to criticise the decisions that Lucy makes, but it truly emphasises that she believes her mother’s love is conditional, and yet it is what she craves the most. This concept exists side by side with the theme of belonging throughout the novel. One of the most underrated aspects of the novel is Howarth’s exploration of female friendships and how these impact your identity and development. Lucy has an obsessive need to be liked and wanted by her friends, even those whom she admits to not particularly enjoying, because she craves inclusion and acceptance.     Ultimately, Sunburn is a beautiful yet haunting novel about growing up, falling in love, and learning that sometimes love cannot conquer everything. It leaves you with the aching truth that the people we love most are often the ones we fear disappointing the most. Although love cannot overcome all obstacles, it can transform us in many ways. This is one of my favourite books I have read all year, and a perfect read for the beginning of summer. I am very excited for what Chloe Michelle Howarth has in store for us next.

Happy New Year!  The first book club meeting of 2025 was Wednesday, and what a way to begin the year!  The two picks for the month were: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden and Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. The Bear and the Nightingale , based on Russian folklore, is book 1 of the Winternight Trilogy. Perfect for the winter months, this book is an enchanting read, full of atmospheric prose and mystical imagery. Arden explores the complexities of family, identity and the power of tradition through the magical narrative. Overall, this book proved to be a delightful combination of fantasy and historical fiction.  Noughts and Crosses , book 1 in the Noughts and Crosses series, also received high praise. This dystopian novel has repeatedly proven itself to be a stable in the YA dystopian genre. The racial commentary remains as prominent, relevant and compelling as ever, exploring the alternative experiences through dual POVs. The various character dynamics and relationships Malorie Blackman formulated not only elevate the driving force of the plot, but allow for the bonding between character and reader, making those pivotal plot points ever more impactful.  After our discussions on this month’s picks, we decided to have some fun with what next month’s book would be. In order to choose our books, we named 6 books we wanted to read, spun a wheel and let the wheel decide. We will therefore be reading A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park and Legendborn by Tracy Deonn for next month’s book club on Wednesday 5th February. We hope to see some of you next month, Courtney.

With the festive season quickly approaching, what better way to celebrate than with a YA book club meeting in a cosy bookshop! This month’s meeting had us discussing two vastly different novels that although the stark contrast in approach, ultimately delivered a similar message. The books in question were: Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar, a thriller released this year (2024) by a debut author and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs,, a debut at the time of its release.  Overall, Silent Sister received great praise, proving itself to be an outstanding addition to the YA thriller genre, with its complex characters and multi layered plot, everyone felt immediately hooked. The pacing was also commented on, being praised for the gentle changes in speed to align with the text at that particular moment in the plot. This book is most certainly perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus but also those who are looking for a unique psychological YA thriller. Ransom Riggs’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children also proved itself to be a hit. This magical fantasy installs elements of the gothic genre to achieve a thrilling adventure, that although being only one in a series, quite comfortably sits as a standalone if desired. The addition of photographs also felt poignant in its exploration of the treatment of children considered different by society. Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and for those who enjoyed Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. We are very much looking forward to our next meeting in the new year (Wednesday 8th January) where we will be discussing Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman and The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden.  From everyone at Fourbears Books, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!