A review by lennie_reads
The Split by Laura Kay
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
I ADORED Ally. She was imperfect and slightly delusional but she was also so strong, body positive and hilarious.
I loved that she was from Sheffield and that most of the book is set there, I'm from Lincolnshire which isn't quite the same as Yorkshire but as our neighbours we share a lot of things like slang and attitudes. Ally even mentions Cleethorpes at one point (where I grew up) so it felt very relatable to me.
I appreciated the realistic aspect of coping with depression & a harsh lifestyle change; how you might not shower for days, might not get out of bed, might just eat junk food constantly (I've been there).
Ally's rekindled friendship with Jeremy was a wonderful aspect of the book and I loved how they supported each other through their break ups and bolstered each other to complete the marathon even though they were woefully under prepared.
Ally finding her passion and very much landing on her feet was great, if maybe a little unrealistic at the end of the book but I loved that she found some great friends who supported her and believed in her enough to help her follow her dreams.
I really wasn't sure if this was going to be a romance or not and as much as I love a romance, I appreciated how this story went and the mistakes Ally made along the way. This is more a story of self discovery and acceptance and I was here for it!
Ally's relationship with her Dad was wonderful and I think the book handled their grief well. I also loved how supportive he was of her being gay.
I would definitely recommend this book if you need a pick me up.
CW: alcohol, depression, infidelity, death of a parent, cancer
I loved that she was from Sheffield and that most of the book is set there, I'm from Lincolnshire which isn't quite the same as Yorkshire but as our neighbours we share a lot of things like slang and attitudes. Ally even mentions Cleethorpes at one point (where I grew up) so it felt very relatable to me.
I appreciated the realistic aspect of coping with depression & a harsh lifestyle change; how you might not shower for days, might not get out of bed, might just eat junk food constantly (I've been there).
Ally's rekindled friendship with Jeremy was a wonderful aspect of the book and I loved how they supported each other through their break ups and bolstered each other to complete the marathon even though they were woefully under prepared.
Ally finding her passion and very much landing on her feet was great, if maybe a little unrealistic at the end of the book but I loved that she found some great friends who supported her and believed in her enough to help her follow her dreams.
I really wasn't sure if this was going to be a romance or not and as much as I love a romance, I appreciated how this story went and the mistakes Ally made along the way. This is more a story of self discovery and acceptance and I was here for it!
Ally's relationship with her Dad was wonderful and I think the book handled their grief well. I also loved how supportive he was of her being gay.
I would definitely recommend this book if you need a pick me up.
CW: alcohol, depression, infidelity, death of a parent, cancer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent and Infidelity