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A review by rosieclaverton
Jasmine's Story by Lucy V. Hay
4.0
Jasmine's Story takes a group of girls in a small seaside town and plays out many possible ways one event could go down. Like Lizzie's Story, the story focusses on one particular girl - Jasmine - and her decision about whether or not to go to a party. Compared to the decision faced by Lizzie - over the outcome of a pregnancy - this one at first seems more trivial, but wow, nothing could be further from the truth.
What I like about Lucy's writing is that she never pulls her punches. These characters are MAULED by their circumstances, confronted with the harsh consequences of their mistakes. The first scenario is particularly harrowing, especially if you have personal experience of mental health problems, and each and every choice leads to a different punch in the gut.
The characters are very well-realised - I was particularly fascinated by Olivia and Jenny, but the extended cast are memorable and flesh out the little town of Winby. Growing up in a small, seaside town, in the shadow of a modest city, I can attest to the accuracy of that claustrophobic atmosphere!
The issues surrounding teenage life are sometimes on-the-nose, but that doesn't detract from a well-written, captivating story about this one fateful party invitation.
Trigger Warnings:
What I like about Lucy's writing is that she never pulls her punches. These characters are MAULED by their circumstances, confronted with the harsh consequences of their mistakes. The first scenario is particularly harrowing, especially if you have personal experience of mental health problems, and each and every choice leads to a different punch in the gut.
The characters are very well-realised - I was particularly fascinated by Olivia and Jenny, but the extended cast are memorable and flesh out the little town of Winby. Growing up in a small, seaside town, in the shadow of a modest city, I can attest to the accuracy of that claustrophobic atmosphere!
The issues surrounding teenage life are sometimes on-the-nose, but that doesn't detract from a well-written, captivating story about this one fateful party invitation.
Trigger Warnings: