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amieg17's review against another edition
3.0
This book was so much more than I was expecting. An honest and heart wrenching portrayal of mental health unlike anything I have ever read before. The message of kindness is a beautiful one and I think we could all do with a little more kindness and compassion. #KindnessIsContagious.
That being said, I think the book didn't feature as much characterisation for the more minor characters. This was kind of the point with Olive's 'selfishness' but I would have liked to have seen these fleshed out a little more. It's not a romance per say as obviously, that is not the main focus of the book but I didn't feel the connection on Olive's part.
Overall though, I recommend this book.
That being said, I think the book didn't feature as much characterisation for the more minor characters. This was kind of the point with Olive's 'selfishness' but I would have liked to have seen these fleshed out a little more. It's not a romance per say as obviously, that is not the main focus of the book but I didn't feel the connection on Olive's part.
Overall though, I recommend this book.
_marcied's review against another edition
4.0
i did really like this, and i love holly bourne’s story telling. the only reason this is not a five star for me (it’s probably a 3.5 but i’m not allowed to do a bloody half star) is because some of the things they said to each other are highly unrealistic of people our age, regardless of their mental health situation. calling each other the ‘prime numbers’ so casually just feels a bit unrealistic and cringe? and when olive was talking about how everyone is in love with her and confessing their love to her is a bit weird, especially since she mentions not putting a lot of effort into her appearance.
on the other hand, i did love this. i liked the characters and i liked the ending + the message it got across
on the other hand, i did love this. i liked the characters and i liked the ending + the message it got across
libbysbooks_'s review against another edition
4.0
This book was so relatable!! I really enjoyed it. I loved Olive as a character, even though she really frustrated me at times. I felt the dynamics between the characters were well developed and I really enjoyed them coming together and trying to spread kindness. The ending was perfect. It didn’t tie anything up neatly in a bow and that resonated with me because mental illness doesn’t often have endings like that and it was really good to see that she didn’t have some random epiphany and wasn’t suddenly cured because that can be really annoying in stories about mental illness. I really liked Sophie, Jamie and Lewis as characters and I loved how they supported Olive. Overall I really enjoyed the book!!
mia_dp's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
t_dolezalova's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
chaneoosthuizen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Actually helped me a lot with my own mental health. Didn't love the main character though. Still a great read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Addiction
maryqueenofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chyna's review against another edition
4.0
Made me happy and laugh a lot of times becayse it was actually funny and not a corny moment in sight. I even cried at one point. This book has given me the most amount of lessons and quotes I have ever read from any other book so far. ♥
colette_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Mental health honesty for teenagers, an engaging story and heroine.
Holly Bourne has been on my radar for several years, but this is my first. It's refreshing to read teenage-aimed books that put a spotlight on mental illness.
We meet a youth, Olive, who clearly isn't mentally well, but who refuses to know her diagnosis, though accepting she needs help after one of many increasingly disturbing episodes. From the description of her behaviour and symptoms, it feels fairly obvious what 'may' be the problem, but it doesn't matter overly. The story moves to a rehabilitation 'camp' for teenagers suffering a multitude of mental issues.
Here Olive is encouraged to join in, to talk to other residents, to look in depth at her problems. Never one to give in easily to authority, Olive tries to find her own way into understanding herself and solving her issues.
There is an enjoyable range of characters in Camp Reset, who are all recognisable as individuals, a sign of good writing. I felt a few times that this was reminiscent of Juno Dawson's 'Clean' but the premises are not the same at all.
Olive is highly likeable, though you can see her problems coming. She's funny, aware of her charms, though less so of her mental health, and keen to make a difference. It's good to see her move from examining herself to seeing the bigger picture.
Though we did get glimpses into the mental issues of the other camp residents, it was the Olive Show, despite some realistic teenagers in there.
Some uplifting ideas in here, some powerful scenes of adolescents struggling to cope with modern life and their own internal disturbances. The focus on teamwork and helping each other was a good one and there's a warm feeling awaiting you at the end...
Some slightly graphic sexual content, frank discussions on mental health and relationships, make this a book best suited to older teens.
One for ages 14 and above.
Holly Bourne has been on my radar for several years, but this is my first. It's refreshing to read teenage-aimed books that put a spotlight on mental illness.
We meet a youth, Olive, who clearly isn't mentally well, but who refuses to know her diagnosis, though accepting she needs help after one of many increasingly disturbing episodes. From the description of her behaviour and symptoms, it feels fairly obvious what 'may' be the problem, but it doesn't matter overly. The story moves to a rehabilitation 'camp' for teenagers suffering a multitude of mental issues.
Here Olive is encouraged to join in, to talk to other residents, to look in depth at her problems. Never one to give in easily to authority, Olive tries to find her own way into understanding herself and solving her issues.
There is an enjoyable range of characters in Camp Reset, who are all recognisable as individuals, a sign of good writing. I felt a few times that this was reminiscent of Juno Dawson's 'Clean' but the premises are not the same at all.
Olive is highly likeable, though you can see her problems coming. She's funny, aware of her charms, though less so of her mental health, and keen to make a difference. It's good to see her move from examining herself to seeing the bigger picture.
Though we did get glimpses into the mental issues of the other camp residents, it was the Olive Show, despite some realistic teenagers in there.
Some uplifting ideas in here, some powerful scenes of adolescents struggling to cope with modern life and their own internal disturbances. The focus on teamwork and helping each other was a good one and there's a warm feeling awaiting you at the end...
Some slightly graphic sexual content, frank discussions on mental health and relationships, make this a book best suited to older teens.
One for ages 14 and above.