It Sounded Better in My Head

March 1, 2020

Gr 8 Up-Natalie's world is turned upside-down when her parents announce on Christmas day that they are separating. She is still adjusting to the shifting dynamics of her two best friends, Zach and Lucy, dating. Natalie is pulled even further outside her comfort zone when she begins a tentative romance with someone unexpected. Natalie is a refreshingly complex and relatable character. She is strongly affected by her experience of suffering from severe acne as a younger teen. Though she has undergone successful treatment, the scars, both emotional and physical, linger. As a result of years of hiding, Natalie is more sheltered and insecure than most 18-year-olds. Though she is smart and funny, with friends and family who love her, she still doubts her worth. Motivated by her blossoming romance and the changes in her family, she tries to explore new things and reveal more of herself to those outside her inner circle. It is rewarding to see her open up and become more confident throughout the book. Severe adolescent acne is not often covered in YA fiction and readers who have experienced this will feel seen within the pages of this book. VERDICT An authentic coming-of-age story that perfectly captures the awkwardness and self-doubt many young adults feel. Teens will see aspects of themselves mirrored in Kenwood's debut.-Kimberly Tolson, Millis Public Library, MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2020
An Australian teen embarks on romance in the wake of her parents' divorce. Natalie never knew anything was wrong with her parents' marriage, let alone that they were on their way to divorce. But here it is, Christmas Day, and Natalie's parents have sat her down and told her the honest truth: Their family is no more. Dad's moving out, Mum is selling the house, and Natalie will be on her own, off to university. She does her best to move forward, supported by best friends Zach and Lucy and buoyed by flirty exchanges with Zach's sexy older brother, Alex. Alex and Natalie's romantic involvement unfolds in a way that may feel familiar, but what sets this novel apart is the courage this requires on Natalie's part. Natalie's early adolescence involved extremely heavy periods and cystic acne on her face and body that caused physical and emotional pain and left scars. The constant anxiety this caused led her to avoid leaving the house and invited unsolicited advice from peers and harassment from strangers. Natalie's struggles with internalized self-hatred as well as knee-jerk judgment toward girls with flawless skin mean her physical relationship with cool, popular Alex depends on genuine trust. Young people, especially those who know the pain of feeling unattractive in an age of social media, will resonate with this sympathetically told journey. All characters seem to be white. A cute romance featuring a heroine who never before got to feel cute. (Romance. 13-16)

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April 20, 2020
Kenwood’s well-written, Melbourne-set debut follows Natalie, 18, whose life has improved since puberty, during which a growth spurt, heavy periods, and painful cystic acne had left her feeling “messy, leaking, uncontained.” Now, her acne is under control; she has two best friends, Zach and Lucy; and she’s waiting to hear from universities. But her parents are splitting up, and years of feeling awful about herself has left marks, both physical (acne scars pit her back) and psychological (she’s insecure, still a bit of “shut-in,” and has never had a romantic relationship). It’s both exciting and terrifying for her when a series of events nudge Natalie toward Zach’s older brother, Alex, whom she’s written off as the kind of popular guy it’s best to avoid. No one thinks Alex and Natalie should be together, but not for the reasons she assumes. Natalie conveys the difficulties not only of puberty but of moving past internalized negativity in a voice that’s sharp, funny, and self-aware, making it even more satisfying for readers to see her realize that she can be the star of her life, not just the sidekick. Ages 12–up.

July 1, 2020
At age eighteen, Natalie feels "light-years away from being an adult." For instance, she's only ever kissed one guy; she blames her lack of romantic experience on cystic acne when she was younger. Still embarrassed about her scars, Natalie prefers to spend time with her parents or with her best friends, Zach and Lucy. But as the novel opens, her parents announce they're separating -- amicably, but still -- and Zach and Lucy, a couple as of nine months ago, sometimes make Natalie feel left out. Enter cute, outgoing Alex, Zach's older brother. Alex's possible interest in Natalie terrifies her, but after a New Year's holiday in which they accidentally (at first) share a bed, Natalie realizes just how much she likes him back. This opposites-attract Australian import is sweet, and the romance is endearingly awkward, sometimes hilariously so (e.g., when Alex's mother discovers Natalie in his bed, prompting a cringeworthy family discussion). Natalie's deadpan narration is consistently funny, even when she's describing something as serious as her parents' breakup; she is a self-deprecating, self-sabotaging, and self-conscious protagonist. Alex makes a good match: not only does he accept her as she is but, as popular as he is, he has insecurities of his own. Of course, theirs is a happy ending -- albeit, perhaps, an uncertain one. "Probably everything will be terrible and we'll never last," Natalie acknowledges with characteristic cheer, "but right now...it feels like it could be something wonderful."

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2020
At age eighteen, Natalie feels "light-years away from being an adult." For instance, she's only ever kissed one guy; she blames her lack of romantic experience on cystic acne when she was younger. Still embarrassed about her scars, Natalie prefers to spend time with her parents or with her best friends, Zach and Lucy. But as the novel opens, her parents announce they're separating -- amicably, but still -- and Zach and Lucy, a couple as of nine months ago, sometimes make Natalie feel left out. Enter cute, outgoing Alex, Zach's older brother. Alex's possible interest in Natalie terrifies her, but after a New Year's holiday in which they accidentally (at first) share a bed, Natalie realizes just how much she likes him back. This opposites-attract Australian import is sweet, and the romance is endearingly awkward, sometimes hilariously so (e.g., when Alex's mother discovers Natalie in his bed, prompting a cringeworthy family discussion). Natalie's deadpan narration is consistently funny, even when she's describing something as serious as her parents' breakup; she is a self-deprecating, self-sabotaging, and self-conscious protagonist. Alex makes a good match: not only does he accept her as she is but, as popular as he is, he has insecurities of his own. Of course, theirs is a happy ending -- albeit, perhaps, an uncertain one. "Probably everything will be terrible and we'll never last," Natalie acknowledges with characteristic cheer, "but right now...it feels like it could be something wonderful." Rachel L. Smith

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

June 6, 2019
Natalie is caught in-between: between year 12 exams and uni results, between her parents’ slow-motion divorce, between her two best friends, Zach and Lucy, who have been dating for a while. Her self-confidence was shattered by a spate of acute acne when she was younger and, while her skin has cleared up, Natalie still bears the physical and emotional scars. Her refuge is writing stories, but even in her imagination she’s never the centre of attention. Cue some major life decisions, alongside a summer romance, and Natalie’s anxiety is off the charts! Winner of the 2018 Text Prize Nina Kenwood has created nuanced and authentic characters, each caught up in their trajectory towards adulthood. Natalie is a fun, if neurotic, narrator and the plot bounces along from cringe-worthy and sweet first experiences to the more serious navigation of friendships, dating and family. Ideas of consent and trust are particularly well broached, modelling sensitivity and awareness while keeping the book free of R-rated content. This is a gorgeous and funny coming-of-age novel that perfectly captures the awkward, liminal nature of adolescence. The seamless combination of humour and heart is reminiscent of Barry Jonsberg or Kate De Goldi and is recommended for readers aged 15 and above.

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