Reviews

Unnecessary drama by Nina Kenwood

Brooke is an over-thinker, someone who must have every i-dotted and t-crossed before proceeding with the messiness of life. She is on the precipice of University life and moving into shared housing with strangers – a leap for someone who has mastered anxiety and list-making, but not yet learned what to do with her mountain of emotions and fears. Her new home has few rules and there will always be uncertainties for Brooke. Harper is the established tenant (who is romantically connected to Penny), but it is when Jesse (aka Jeremy) the third housemate arrives that Brooke is thrown into a maelstrom of emotional turmoil because of their shared teenage history. When Brooke was 14, Jesse rocked her equilibrium and her sense of self and left her constantly second-guessing her every move. Learning to live in close proximity to someone who deeply angers you, reminding you of your unworthiness, and yet stirs every tingle of desire is not going to be easy. And in the true tradition of Rom-coms Brooke does everything wrong before things are righted.

This is an absolutely charming story of teen romance and living with the burden of anxiety. Brooke is the voice-inside-the-head of every teen who doubts themselves, has been hurt in the relationship arena, and who is struggling to learn how to self-analyse and then manage their own insecurities before stepping out in the social world. I loved every minute of the story. Brooke and Jesse both have family histories with painful implications for their lives, so there is depth to the characters as well as comedic insights into Brooke’s self-talk that is always far too ‘plan’ oriented for the influence of chaotic romance. The new life of a University student with assignments, housework, house parties and friendship pathways to navigate are all presented with Brooke’s overly anxious view of the world. It is a hilarious and yet thoughtfully concerned journey for the reader. Nina Kenwood has got it just right. Teaching notes are available.

Themes Romantic comedy, Anxiety, Shared housing, Relationships.

Carolyn Hull

It sounded better in my head by Nina Kenwood

Text Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9781925773910.
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Winner of the Text Prize. In her debut novel, Nina Kenwood tells the story of Natalie, a seventeen-year-old whose world is turned upside down when she learns that her parents are getting a divorce. Still getting used to the fact that her two best friends, Zach and Lucy are a couple, Natalie is understandably lost and struggling to understand where she fits in this new dynamic and just where her life strayed from her plan. Then, when Zach's older brother Alex starts paying her a little more attention, she finds herself caught in a new world of change that she must learn to navigate one step at a time. A relatable, moving and achingly vulnerable depiction of the challenges that life throws in our way and the power of learning who you are and growing into the person you're meant to be, Kenwood's first novel is an absolute delight. Her rich characters and world truly touch the reader to the core and make this a novel that you'll immediately want to share with anyone and everyone you know. This book is perfect for high school students, especially those that are nervous or unsure about the big wide world they're about to experience as they leave school and continue to University or beyond. Natalie, Alex, Zach and Lucy will hold their hand, hug them and remind them that no matter what life sends you, you are more than capable of handling it. Warning: sexual references and mentions of alcohol and drug use. Book club notes and teaching notes are available.
Daniella Chiarolli