No Filter

The perfect summer romance, there was no need to think it through, it took you by the hand and led you through to the happy conclusion. Don't get me wrong there were some surprises but if you've to spend your days analysing Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies or A Christmas Carol then this is perfect escapism, it's gentle summer romance, it's easy reading. An initial chance meeting on the beach introduces our two main characters: Liam, awaiting exam results and working in the Metro Service Station in order to save for college; and Emerald, heading home for the holidays after her GCSEs. Both had plans for the summer that included spending time with friends and making memories. But that's not quite what happened. After finding her mother following what we assume is a suicide attempt, Emerald is packed off to spend summer with her Grandmother in Ireland, away from her friends and away from the summer she had planned with her friends. Even now Emerald masks her mother's drinking and her father's increasing detachment. She lies to protect this perfect image of her perfect family. The lies are like her favourite Instagram filters, presenting everything in a favourable light, hiding and disguising how she really feels, what things really look like. But when she meets Liam she begins to see her life without a filter, she can stop pretending and she's OK with that. Liam on the other hand is feeling pushed toward a college course and a future in construction that will please his father, unfortunately this is a different path fromo the one he'd really like to follow in music production. He doesn't want to disappoint his father but he also doesn't want to drop his dreams. Both are likeable characters sharing the narrative in alternating chapters making this an easy romantic read with obligatory family angst to keep you on your toes! 368 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Catherine Purcell.

Suggested Reading Age 11+