A review by hayleyslibrarycard
Ink and Ivy by Sara Martin

2.0

2.5 stars out of 5
I didn't hate this book but I didn't overly enjoy it either. I found the writing style slightly amateurish as they used big words and metaphors to try and make the writing more lyrical than it actually was. (Also teenagers don't talk like that at all, there are other ways to make your writing lyrical and quotable than to make your characters sound snobbish..)

Loved the theme of following your own dreams despite what people think especially the law career vs creative career as I think that is something lots of teenagers can relate to, and will find some consolation in, however it is the classic "I want my own dreams, not yours *insert parent here* trope that we see a lot in movies and television so theres nothing really new here.

Everything wraps up in a pretty little bow at the end, she gets the guy, she gets to do what she wants to do, the college of her dreams wants her to come and study with them once she gets life experience, she gets to live in a beautiful space to allow her some creative freedom so she can get better at writing to get into said college and has pretty much no responsibilities because she is working for her grandparents. Not entirely relatable - taking a gap year isnt all rainbows and creativity and being able to do what you want.

The romance isn't entirely relatable or believable but it is something younger me probably would've lusted after and LOVED.

Overall this definitely read like a first novel but I would look forward to reading more of this author (I love to support New Zealand authors where I can)