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Love, Heather
What you see isn't always what you get.
Stevie never meant for things to go this far. When she and Dee--defiant, bold, indestructible Dee--started all this, there was a purpose to their acts of vengeance: to put the bullies of Woepine High School back in their place. And three months ago, Stevie believed they deserved it. Once her best friend turned on her, the rest of the school followed. Stevie was alone and unprotected with a target on her back. Online, it was worse.
It was Dee's idea to get them all back with a few clever pranks, signing each act Love, Heather--an homage to her favorite 80's revenge flick. Despite herself, Stevie can't help getting caught up in the payback, reveling in every minute of suffering. And for a while, it works: it seems the meek have inherited the school.
But when anonymous students begin joining in, punishing perceived slights with increasingly violent ferocity, the line between villain and vigilante begins to blur. As friends turn on each other and the administration scrambles to regain control, it becomes clear: whatever Dee and Stevie started has gained a mind--and teeth--of its own. And when it finally swallows them whole, one will reemerge changed, with a plan for one final, terrifying act of revenge.
Stevie never meant for things to go this far. When she and Dee--defiant, bold, indestructible Dee--started all this, there was a purpose to their acts of vengeance: to put the bullies of Woepine High School back in their place. And three months ago, Stevie believed they deserved it. Once her best friend turned on her, the rest of the school followed. Stevie was alone and unprotected with a target on her back. Online, it was worse.
It was Dee's idea to get them all back with a few clever pranks, signing each act Love, Heather--an homage to her favorite 80's revenge flick. Despite herself, Stevie can't help getting caught up in the payback, reveling in every minute of suffering. And for a while, it works: it seems the meek have inherited the school.
But when anonymous students begin joining in, punishing perceived slights with increasingly violent ferocity, the line between villain and vigilante begins to blur. As friends turn on each other and the administration scrambles to regain control, it becomes clear: whatever Dee and Stevie started has gained a mind--and teeth--of its own. And when it finally swallows them whole, one will reemerge changed, with a plan for one final, terrifying act of revenge.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2019
About the author
Laurie Petrou
4 books139 followersAuthor, Professor, PhD, drinker of tea.
Most of my adventures take place inside books.
Most of my adventures take place inside books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
November 5, 2020
Four hating the guts of every kind of bullying, darkest, agitating, nail biter, disturbing but also educative, complicated, emotions all over the place, cannot gather my thoughts, I’m mumbling strange words, I think this book made me learn Gibberish stars!
“The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.”
I think this might be the best book which should be read by not only YAs but also by their parents as well. It’s provocative, unconventional, realistic, harsh, painful, gut wrenching but definitely each word is written on those pages hits harder than fists. They’re effective, emotional, strong, transforming, embracing.
If you watch Michael Lehmann’s movie Heathers, you may remember J.D. ‘s line( the character who played by Christian Slater): “ The only place different social types can genuinely get along with each other is in heaven”.
That’s the great summary about dealing differences with the others and learning to live peacefully together. But as humans, our first trial at high school doesn’t teach how to behave, learn to respect our peers’ rights and communicate with them with words instead of fists or any kind bullying ( from cyber to verbal), it means we failed at the beginning.
On this book, we’re firstly introduced to Stevie who seems like a high school student, but she’s more looking like a survivor in the jungle where is full of wild, disrespectful, furious animals in human form. First she started to drift apart from her best friend Lottie. Then she fast-friended with Dee.
Both of them know that turning their faces other way around when you’re witnessing bullying makes you the partner of crime so they decide to take an action. And they come up with a plan to solve their problem which goes viral and gets out of control, drag them to the dangerous place.
Mostly this book froze my blood, sobered me up, frightened me a lot because it was not the fiction, there are so many real life articles telling us stories like that ( some of them may be more terrifying)
It was an amazing, fast-pacing, attention capturing reading. I consumed it at one seat.
Only two things I didn’t like too much:
Too much teenage drama parts repeat themselves and the FAMOUS, MERCILESS, WTF TWIST! Yeap, my mouth still open, I never ever see that coming so the author did a great job. But I wish she did that a little before. Because there are so many juicy elements over there and you want to read more about them.
Laurie Petrou is definitely a talented, well-rounded author who brings our attention to one of the most terrible facts about bullying, mental health, destructive effects of technology and rape culture.
She did a great job and I’m so satisfied to read her words and witness her gifted writing.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley to share this brilliant book with me in exchange my honest review.
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“The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.”
I think this might be the best book which should be read by not only YAs but also by their parents as well. It’s provocative, unconventional, realistic, harsh, painful, gut wrenching but definitely each word is written on those pages hits harder than fists. They’re effective, emotional, strong, transforming, embracing.
If you watch Michael Lehmann’s movie Heathers, you may remember J.D. ‘s line( the character who played by Christian Slater): “ The only place different social types can genuinely get along with each other is in heaven”.
That’s the great summary about dealing differences with the others and learning to live peacefully together. But as humans, our first trial at high school doesn’t teach how to behave, learn to respect our peers’ rights and communicate with them with words instead of fists or any kind bullying ( from cyber to verbal), it means we failed at the beginning.
On this book, we’re firstly introduced to Stevie who seems like a high school student, but she’s more looking like a survivor in the jungle where is full of wild, disrespectful, furious animals in human form. First she started to drift apart from her best friend Lottie. Then she fast-friended with Dee.
Both of them know that turning their faces other way around when you’re witnessing bullying makes you the partner of crime so they decide to take an action. And they come up with a plan to solve their problem which goes viral and gets out of control, drag them to the dangerous place.
Mostly this book froze my blood, sobered me up, frightened me a lot because it was not the fiction, there are so many real life articles telling us stories like that ( some of them may be more terrifying)
It was an amazing, fast-pacing, attention capturing reading. I consumed it at one seat.
Only two things I didn’t like too much:
Too much teenage drama parts repeat themselves and the FAMOUS, MERCILESS, WTF TWIST! Yeap, my mouth still open, I never ever see that coming so the author did a great job. But I wish she did that a little before. Because there are so many juicy elements over there and you want to read more about them.
Laurie Petrou is definitely a talented, well-rounded author who brings our attention to one of the most terrible facts about bullying, mental health, destructive effects of technology and rape culture.
She did a great job and I’m so satisfied to read her words and witness her gifted writing.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley to share this brilliant book with me in exchange my honest review.
blog
September 26, 2019
The bullied become the bullies in this dark and timely drama.
“It’s people like us against the world, Stevie.” I roll my eyes and mutter, “You don’t even know me.” “Sure I do. You and me? We’re the same.”
Omggggg I hate not being able to say anything that would spoil this book. It's like holding onto a secret you've been told, just waiting for it to inevitably get out so you have others to say omggggg with.
The author has done a stellar job at capturing the gut-wrenching toll that bullying takes on a freshman girl named Stevie, both at school and on social media.
Stevie is relatable and likable, her thoughts are realistic, her pain is palpable. Everybody in her life lets her down leading to a downward spiral into desperation and despair.
This is a fast read, a one-sitting type of book. It's easy to get wrapped up in Stevie's life. The pacing of a story can make or break a book for me and Petrou has mastered the art.
If the book is so good, why not five stars? I'm glad you asked.
I felt like the ending was rushed. Very rushed. This book could easily take on another 50 pages and give the readers a deeper delve into the psyche of Stevie as she is propelled towards the dramatic ending.
Additionally, the story wraps up too neatly. This book sorta kinda might maybe glamorize revenge and suggest that the effect of such actions results in negligible consequences. Not just for the MC but for the peripheral characters as well.
I cannot imagine growing up in the current digital age. I've no doubt I would have been lured and kidnapped by a perv posing as a hot guy.
* Note to the Author: Sally Field wasn't in the movie Terms of Endearment. That's Shirley MacLaine.
** I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
“It’s people like us against the world, Stevie.” I roll my eyes and mutter, “You don’t even know me.” “Sure I do. You and me? We’re the same.”
Omggggg I hate not being able to say anything that would spoil this book. It's like holding onto a secret you've been told, just waiting for it to inevitably get out so you have others to say omggggg with.
The author has done a stellar job at capturing the gut-wrenching toll that bullying takes on a freshman girl named Stevie, both at school and on social media.
Stevie is relatable and likable, her thoughts are realistic, her pain is palpable. Everybody in her life lets her down leading to a downward spiral into desperation and despair.
This is a fast read, a one-sitting type of book. It's easy to get wrapped up in Stevie's life. The pacing of a story can make or break a book for me and Petrou has mastered the art.
If the book is so good, why not five stars? I'm glad you asked.
I felt like the ending was rushed. Very rushed. This book could easily take on another 50 pages and give the readers a deeper delve into the psyche of Stevie as she is propelled towards the dramatic ending.
Additionally, the story wraps up too neatly. This book sorta kinda might maybe glamorize revenge and suggest that the effect of such actions results in negligible consequences. Not just for the MC but for the peripheral characters as well.
I cannot imagine growing up in the current digital age. I've no doubt I would have been lured and kidnapped by a perv posing as a hot guy.
* Note to the Author: Sally Field wasn't in the movie Terms of Endearment. That's Shirley MacLaine.
** I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
February 12, 2020
And then, finally, in the late afternoon, she agrees to come to my house after school, something she’s never done before, but I offered up as a last resort. She looks at me, her face hard, and says, “Yeah. Okay, it’d be good too see where you live.” Something prickles in my mind, but I push it away
Love, Heather by Laurie Petrou
MY REVIEW:
"Why is it such a big deal?"
"Get over it".
"grow up. Life's hard."
"Put on your big girl panties".
"It's not all about you, you know".
"is it REALLY that bad"?
If any of you, have heard those words, directed at you..or someone you care about..you need to read this book.
Some things are pretty bad. LIFE can be really bad sometimes.
And for Stevie things are bad and spiraling downhill fast. Does anyone care?
I found this book to be a bit of a masterpiece. I have read many dark YA books on Bullying. So, I am sure, have many of you. I read "Some girls are" this year which was an incredible read. Then there is of coarse "Nineteen minutes" which I did not love and the amazing and tragic "Reconstructing Amelia" And who could forget Judy Blume's "Blubber" written so long ago and a book I still think about?
One of my favorite all time books is called "Daughters of Eve" by Louis Duncan and that is the book this most reminded me of because not only is it about bullying..and human pain..but it is also about group behavior and the revenge mentality..an eye for an eye..but inadvertently with this type of thinking, things always go to far.
Love, Heather is also an ode, if you will, a labor of love, toward eighties movies. Being I grew up in the eighties and saw all or most of them..it was a pleasure to read about them.
Stevie is in pain..so much pain..not just about being picked on. But about so much more. And she has nobody to talk to until she meets Dee. Dee is as different as Stevie as one can get and Dee does not like the social hierarchy of the way it is in high school. And she wants to do something about it..
I can say no more. I do not want to give anything away and this book does NOT go in the direction you maybe thinking it does.
Trigger warnings for anyone who has trouble reading about bullying. This book gets down into the weeds on that subject and much of the content maybe triggering. Just a warning. Also trigger warnings for rape.
I was picked on as a kid. Heck, I bet many of you were. If you like me, had your head in a book, or were timid or were different in any way you know what I am talking about. High school can be a cesspool. I do not remember my high school days fondly.
And even as adults, we, as people ar so many times, told to "get over" things. I think for many
people the human instinct is to back away from pain. When life..and friendship s..get to hard..it can be daunting.
I have never understood nor felt comfortable with the type of person who makes those comments I listed above. I find those types of people lacking something and now go out of my way simply not to be around them. That might sound harsh but I have learned to look for people who can give and receive compassion. It makes for a better life when you surround yourself with people who see the worst of you and love you anyway.
What happens to Stevie in this book and where her smoldering anger takes her is painful to watch. There is so much angst in this book. And it is so realistic. It will haunt you.
The author takes us into Stevie's mind. You will love her, you will dislike her perhaps, you will scream silently "no no do not DO that". But one thing for sure. You will be unable to put this book down.
Five stars for one of the most incredible YA books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Love, Heather by Laurie Petrou
MY REVIEW:
"Why is it such a big deal?"
"Get over it".
"grow up. Life's hard."
"Put on your big girl panties".
"It's not all about you, you know".
"is it REALLY that bad"?
If any of you, have heard those words, directed at you..or someone you care about..you need to read this book.
Some things are pretty bad. LIFE can be really bad sometimes.
And for Stevie things are bad and spiraling downhill fast. Does anyone care?
I found this book to be a bit of a masterpiece. I have read many dark YA books on Bullying. So, I am sure, have many of you. I read "Some girls are" this year which was an incredible read. Then there is of coarse "Nineteen minutes" which I did not love and the amazing and tragic "Reconstructing Amelia" And who could forget Judy Blume's "Blubber" written so long ago and a book I still think about?
One of my favorite all time books is called "Daughters of Eve" by Louis Duncan and that is the book this most reminded me of because not only is it about bullying..and human pain..but it is also about group behavior and the revenge mentality..an eye for an eye..but inadvertently with this type of thinking, things always go to far.
Love, Heather is also an ode, if you will, a labor of love, toward eighties movies. Being I grew up in the eighties and saw all or most of them..it was a pleasure to read about them.
Stevie is in pain..so much pain..not just about being picked on. But about so much more. And she has nobody to talk to until she meets Dee. Dee is as different as Stevie as one can get and Dee does not like the social hierarchy of the way it is in high school. And she wants to do something about it..
I can say no more. I do not want to give anything away and this book does NOT go in the direction you maybe thinking it does.
Trigger warnings for anyone who has trouble reading about bullying. This book gets down into the weeds on that subject and much of the content maybe triggering. Just a warning. Also trigger warnings for rape.
I was picked on as a kid. Heck, I bet many of you were. If you like me, had your head in a book, or were timid or were different in any way you know what I am talking about. High school can be a cesspool. I do not remember my high school days fondly.
And even as adults, we, as people ar so many times, told to "get over" things. I think for many
people the human instinct is to back away from pain. When life..and friendship s..get to hard..it can be daunting.
I have never understood nor felt comfortable with the type of person who makes those comments I listed above. I find those types of people lacking something and now go out of my way simply not to be around them. That might sound harsh but I have learned to look for people who can give and receive compassion. It makes for a better life when you surround yourself with people who see the worst of you and love you anyway.
What happens to Stevie in this book and where her smoldering anger takes her is painful to watch. There is so much angst in this book. And it is so realistic. It will haunt you.
The author takes us into Stevie's mind. You will love her, you will dislike her perhaps, you will scream silently "no no do not DO that". But one thing for sure. You will be unable to put this book down.
Five stars for one of the most incredible YA books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
August 14, 2019
4.5 stars
Wow.
Wow.
Oh my wow!
Laurie Petrou's main protagonist, Stevie, is a contender for best literary character of 2019. Few books literally break my heart but Love Heather may just have completely destroyed it forever. I am not really sure that I can just pick up another book and leave Stevie by herself. That's how special this book was to me.
I don't want to say a lot about the book because the less you know, the more I think the book will make you react. It doesn't mean that you and I will reach the same conclusion but it's definitely a book we're all going to be talking about this fall.
So I will just say it's spot on about the social society of high schools today, it was a little slow in the beginning but I did quickly lose myself in the narrative. I took a .5 off because I felt it was a bit rushed in the end. Overall, it was fantastic!
Goodreads review published 13/08/19
Publication Date 08/10/19
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review
Wow.
Wow.
Oh my wow!
Laurie Petrou's main protagonist, Stevie, is a contender for best literary character of 2019. Few books literally break my heart but Love Heather may just have completely destroyed it forever. I am not really sure that I can just pick up another book and leave Stevie by herself. That's how special this book was to me.
I don't want to say a lot about the book because the less you know, the more I think the book will make you react. It doesn't mean that you and I will reach the same conclusion but it's definitely a book we're all going to be talking about this fall.
So I will just say it's spot on about the social society of high schools today, it was a little slow in the beginning but I did quickly lose myself in the narrative. I took a .5 off because I felt it was a bit rushed in the end. Overall, it was fantastic!
Goodreads review published 13/08/19
Publication Date 08/10/19
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review
February 14, 2020
Wow!
I am a bit blown away but probably shouldn’t be. In some ways you could see the ending to this coming a mile away and in others it was completely unexpected. I was actually pretty much bawling by the end of the book. But I really liked it also because of that. It definitely made me think and feel.
The book is about a girl named Stevie, who, over the course of a year gets bullied by the popular kids in school after her and her best friend start hanging out with them for a while. Though they like her friend better and she does something that makes one of them mad which gets her on the outs with them and makes her a target. She then meets a new girl who, like her, has a love of old movies. They decide to get back at some of the bullies by pulling pranks and leaving them signed “Love, Heather” in regards the movie Heathers from the 90’s where two kids get back at all the popular kids by killing them off.
Soon other bullied kids are pulling “Love, Heather” pranks and things begin to get out of hand at the school. There are a lot of side characters and most of the story revolves around things that go on In Stevie’s life and how everyone reacts to her. The thing about the book and these high school bully situations is that we all really like to see the bullies get their due. Because in real life we have all seen bullying and really the bullies almost never get their due, or at least as far as we can see (we can only hope for karmic retribution at some point in their future).
That is why movies like Heather’s are so popular and why the pranks take on a life of their own. But in the book as in life, the bullies don’t ever just take things lying down. You always hear about standing up to a bully and they will back down, but really, chances are if you do in real life, you will be the one that ends up with a black eye.
It all comes to a head and like I said, it is expected but unexpected and overall it was really worth reading. It wasn’t like anything I have read before and it did surprise me in the end. I know that is a bit wishy washy, but I really don’t want to give away too much. But I really did like it and it held my interest throughout the entire book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I am a bit blown away but probably shouldn’t be. In some ways you could see the ending to this coming a mile away and in others it was completely unexpected. I was actually pretty much bawling by the end of the book. But I really liked it also because of that. It definitely made me think and feel.
The book is about a girl named Stevie, who, over the course of a year gets bullied by the popular kids in school after her and her best friend start hanging out with them for a while. Though they like her friend better and she does something that makes one of them mad which gets her on the outs with them and makes her a target. She then meets a new girl who, like her, has a love of old movies. They decide to get back at some of the bullies by pulling pranks and leaving them signed “Love, Heather” in regards the movie Heathers from the 90’s where two kids get back at all the popular kids by killing them off.
Soon other bullied kids are pulling “Love, Heather” pranks and things begin to get out of hand at the school. There are a lot of side characters and most of the story revolves around things that go on In Stevie’s life and how everyone reacts to her. The thing about the book and these high school bully situations is that we all really like to see the bullies get their due. Because in real life we have all seen bullying and really the bullies almost never get their due, or at least as far as we can see (we can only hope for karmic retribution at some point in their future).
That is why movies like Heather’s are so popular and why the pranks take on a life of their own. But in the book as in life, the bullies don’t ever just take things lying down. You always hear about standing up to a bully and they will back down, but really, chances are if you do in real life, you will be the one that ends up with a black eye.
It all comes to a head and like I said, it is expected but unexpected and overall it was really worth reading. It wasn’t like anything I have read before and it did surprise me in the end. I know that is a bit wishy washy, but I really don’t want to give away too much. But I really did like it and it held my interest throughout the entire book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
November 17, 2019
Eye-opening, timely, emotional, with jaw-dropping twists!
When fourteen year old Stevie is ostracised and bullied by the popular crowd, her best friend since childhood, Lottie, turns her back on her and sides with them. Unhappy and alone, Stevie is taken under her wing by fierce, fearless, loner Dee, and the two hatch a plan to strike back – give the bullies a taste of their own medicine. But when other students decide to exact their own revenge, things soon escalate into violence and vigilantism. Stevie is helpless to stop it, and does she really want to?
Love Heather accurately portrayed a wide range of serious relevant social issues that teenagers will unfortunately likely encounter more than one of in their high school setting, and/or home environment. Covers everything from vicious physical, verbal, and cyber bullying, targeted exclusion from a clique and the sudden cessation of a long term friendship, hate crimes and harmful pranks, sexual harassment and assault, transitioning and gender identity, divorce and adjusting to a parent's new partner, mental illness, attempted suicide, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and feelings of isolation and abandonment. Whew! This may sound like a lot to process, but the author handled, and weaved together, all the topics seamlessly.
The biggest twist, and the ending, threw me for six. My immediate reaction was dissatisfaction that some elements weren't fully realised/explained, but I've since done some research, and concluded that A: I'm wrong, and B: am far too influenced by dramatic portrayals in pop culture.
Laurie Petrou did a masterful job of not only showing the effects of Stevie mourning a breakup with a friend she considered a sister, but also the loss of closeness and family unity she shared with Lottie's parents. The Sherman's was a second home for Stevie, a sanctity she often escaped to when her own parents were in the midst of divorce.
I had no trouble identifying with the subject matter. When I was twelve I was ditched by my best friend of two years, and I think most of us have experienced this, and the feelings of loneliness, shame, anger and embarrassment associated with being betrayed by someone you care about. I am also a teenager of divorce, so can completely relate to what Stevie was going through having to deal with her parents new relationships. Stevie had my upmost sympathy from the beginning, and I was fully invested in her well being, and happiness. On a lighter note, we both shared an interest in teen movies from the 80’s and 90’s. The title Love Heather pays tribute to the cult 1988 movie Heathers, a teen staple during my high school years.
I felt the adults in Stevie's life were an accurate portrayal. Yes they made mistakes, and failed to see the warning signs, but just like teenagers, adults have numerous worries, responsibilities, and issues, and furthermore, they aren’t perfect. This novel would be an excellent opportunity for adults and teens to read this together, open up discussion, and compare notes of instances Stevie and the adults surrounding her could've breached the gap, and reached out to one another. And also suggest things they could've done differently along the way.
Content wise, there's strong language, name calling and slurs of a sexual nature, as well as all the trigger warnings laid out in paragraph two. It's written, and marketed for a YA audience, Stevie was only fourteen, and above are things teenagers are exposed to on a daily basis (I don't like it any more than you do, but that's the reality), so 12 plus.
I'd like to thank Netgally, Crooked Lane Books, and Laurie Petrou for the e-ARC.
Love Heather is available now!
When fourteen year old Stevie is ostracised and bullied by the popular crowd, her best friend since childhood, Lottie, turns her back on her and sides with them. Unhappy and alone, Stevie is taken under her wing by fierce, fearless, loner Dee, and the two hatch a plan to strike back – give the bullies a taste of their own medicine. But when other students decide to exact their own revenge, things soon escalate into violence and vigilantism. Stevie is helpless to stop it, and does she really want to?
Love Heather accurately portrayed a wide range of serious relevant social issues that teenagers will unfortunately likely encounter more than one of in their high school setting, and/or home environment. Covers everything from vicious physical, verbal, and cyber bullying, targeted exclusion from a clique and the sudden cessation of a long term friendship, hate crimes and harmful pranks, sexual harassment and assault, transitioning and gender identity, divorce and adjusting to a parent's new partner, mental illness, attempted suicide, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and feelings of isolation and abandonment. Whew! This may sound like a lot to process, but the author handled, and weaved together, all the topics seamlessly.
The biggest twist, and the ending, threw me for six. My immediate reaction was dissatisfaction that some elements weren't fully realised/explained, but I've since done some research, and concluded that A: I'm wrong, and B: am far too influenced by dramatic portrayals in pop culture.
Laurie Petrou did a masterful job of not only showing the effects of Stevie mourning a breakup with a friend she considered a sister, but also the loss of closeness and family unity she shared with Lottie's parents. The Sherman's was a second home for Stevie, a sanctity she often escaped to when her own parents were in the midst of divorce.
I had no trouble identifying with the subject matter. When I was twelve I was ditched by my best friend of two years, and I think most of us have experienced this, and the feelings of loneliness, shame, anger and embarrassment associated with being betrayed by someone you care about. I am also a teenager of divorce, so can completely relate to what Stevie was going through having to deal with her parents new relationships. Stevie had my upmost sympathy from the beginning, and I was fully invested in her well being, and happiness. On a lighter note, we both shared an interest in teen movies from the 80’s and 90’s. The title Love Heather pays tribute to the cult 1988 movie Heathers, a teen staple during my high school years.
I felt the adults in Stevie's life were an accurate portrayal. Yes they made mistakes, and failed to see the warning signs, but just like teenagers, adults have numerous worries, responsibilities, and issues, and furthermore, they aren’t perfect. This novel would be an excellent opportunity for adults and teens to read this together, open up discussion, and compare notes of instances Stevie and the adults surrounding her could've breached the gap, and reached out to one another. And also suggest things they could've done differently along the way.
Content wise, there's strong language, name calling and slurs of a sexual nature, as well as all the trigger warnings laid out in paragraph two. It's written, and marketed for a YA audience, Stevie was only fourteen, and above are things teenagers are exposed to on a daily basis (I don't like it any more than you do, but that's the reality), so 12 plus.
I'd like to thank Netgally, Crooked Lane Books, and Laurie Petrou for the e-ARC.
Love Heather is available now!
June 5, 2019
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Stevie is trying to survive in the jungle that is high school. Her oldest and dearest friend, Lottie, is pulling away from her; her mother is dating a new guy and does not spend time with her anymore; and her close relationship with Lottie’s family is falling apart. The only thing she still enjoys is her deep passion for movies, especially 1980s and 1990s female revenge flicks, like “Carrie” or “Heathers”. When she finally meets a kindred spirit in Dee, the two become fast friends. Eventually though, Stevie and Dee decide they no longer want to tolerate the bullying in their school anymore, they are tired of being the butt of jokes and watching other people suffer at the hands of a select few. So Stevie and Dee concoct a plan, which quickly picks up speed and “goes viral”…….until it gets dangerous.
“Love, Heather” by Laurie Petrou is a modern coming-of-age tale, immersing a reader in the lives of today’s teenagers, and the challenges they face that are only amplified by the wonders of modern technology.
Laurie Petrou is award-winning, educated and super talented. She is also Canadian (her Canadiana in this book touched my heart, the protagonist taking trips to my current town of Niagara Falls, and traveling to Sherkston Shores which is the beach where I grew up) which automatically gives her bonus points.
This novel is rife with teenage drama. Like, over the top, “extra” “bear” teenage drama (thanks to my high school students, I can use the lingo) which can sometimes get repetitive and drama (even more so when you have to deal with it all day long) but the reality in it is powerful and almost uncomfortable. For those of us around teenagers on a daily basis, it is very evident that Petrou has portrayed these struggles with honest humanity.
When the twist in this novel happened, it hit me like a ton of bricks. After chapters and chapters of teenage angst and drama, the climax of the novel came and went so quickly, it left me disappointed. I wanted this part to start earlier, I wanted more, and I wanted the dirty details. That being said, it completely upended my opinion of this novel, and this author (in a great way). This twist will STICK WITH YOU.
Props to Petrou for a creative, intense and uncomfortably honest novel in “Love, Heather”. Full of 80s and 90s movie references, and rife with modern societal issues and karmic revenge, “Heather” is a novel that will stick with you.
Stevie is trying to survive in the jungle that is high school. Her oldest and dearest friend, Lottie, is pulling away from her; her mother is dating a new guy and does not spend time with her anymore; and her close relationship with Lottie’s family is falling apart. The only thing she still enjoys is her deep passion for movies, especially 1980s and 1990s female revenge flicks, like “Carrie” or “Heathers”. When she finally meets a kindred spirit in Dee, the two become fast friends. Eventually though, Stevie and Dee decide they no longer want to tolerate the bullying in their school anymore, they are tired of being the butt of jokes and watching other people suffer at the hands of a select few. So Stevie and Dee concoct a plan, which quickly picks up speed and “goes viral”…….until it gets dangerous.
“Love, Heather” by Laurie Petrou is a modern coming-of-age tale, immersing a reader in the lives of today’s teenagers, and the challenges they face that are only amplified by the wonders of modern technology.
Laurie Petrou is award-winning, educated and super talented. She is also Canadian (her Canadiana in this book touched my heart, the protagonist taking trips to my current town of Niagara Falls, and traveling to Sherkston Shores which is the beach where I grew up) which automatically gives her bonus points.
This novel is rife with teenage drama. Like, over the top, “extra” “bear” teenage drama (thanks to my high school students, I can use the lingo) which can sometimes get repetitive and drama (even more so when you have to deal with it all day long) but the reality in it is powerful and almost uncomfortable. For those of us around teenagers on a daily basis, it is very evident that Petrou has portrayed these struggles with honest humanity.
When the twist in this novel happened, it hit me like a ton of bricks. After chapters and chapters of teenage angst and drama, the climax of the novel came and went so quickly, it left me disappointed. I wanted this part to start earlier, I wanted more, and I wanted the dirty details. That being said, it completely upended my opinion of this novel, and this author (in a great way). This twist will STICK WITH YOU.
Props to Petrou for a creative, intense and uncomfortably honest novel in “Love, Heather”. Full of 80s and 90s movie references, and rife with modern societal issues and karmic revenge, “Heather” is a novel that will stick with you.
July 30, 2019
"How bad does it have to be for us to do something? How much bad? How bad can we be in return? Can anything be evened out?"📚 Series: No.
📚 Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller.
📚 POV: First person.
📚 Cliffhanger: No.
⚠ Content Warnings: Bullying. Transphobia on a support character. Sexual Harassment. Gun Safety. Cyber bullying. Toxic female friendships.
⚠ Read if: you are a teen movie and mystery fan. Also, just read it if you are a parent or a guardian, as well as a teen.
Love, Heather was a read that drew me in because of the cover, but I was surprised with how the book turned out. It actually took me a few hours to write this review because I felt like I needed an exhale and clear my mind.
This book talks about many issues that young adults face in this contemporary world, especially in high school. To be honest, it still amazes how teens can be so mean and cruel. Where do they get all that angst and anger?
Stevie, the main character, is childhood bestfriends with Lottie, but finds they are drifting apart after they were suddenly adopted by a cool Mean Girls-ish clique and school. Stevie struggles with maintaining a friendship without being overtly clingy, and spectacularly fails.
Things only get worse when Stevie gets bullied in school, which even gets worse online. Her former friend, Lottie, turned her back on her and she had no one else.
Stevie finds herself with a new friend, Dee, who is cool, mysterious and doesnt give a flying f*** about what other people think. They started talking about their small world's messed up sense of justice, and were eager to bring it to their own hands, 80s revenge flick style.
It started innocently with small pranks and a signature Love, Heather signature a la the film, Heathers. Suddenly, people in school saw them differently even though things were supposed to be anonymous. Then, slowly, other people joined in. Love, Heather became a series of anonymous instensifying pranks because of their twisted sense of justice.
But this is not the book's entire story. Suddenly, there was a plot twist that blew me away. Everything at the 75% mark until the story's conclusion was so intense that I was really in shock afterwards.
This book teaches so much of the value of mental health, the complexity of friendships and parent-child relationships, and how they can actually mess up a person and the life of people around them.
Kudos to author for that great build up as well as the writing style. Also, it was amazing how she showed that things are not always black and white. That humans, really, are complex and emotional beings.
This book is a strong recommendation for required reading for teenagers, even their parents and guardians. The unique insights are very valuable.
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌼 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Significant Other: N/A
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Thrill Factor:⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Pacing:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Ending:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Unputdownability:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☁FINAL VERDICT: 4.1/5 ☁
Much thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and opinions are fully my own.
Review also appears on my blog.
February 8, 2022
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Love, Heather is one of the most disturbing YA novels related to bullying I have read!
Please be aware that this book has bullying and assault triggers.
Stevie and Lottie have been friends since they've known about each other. And when Lottie starts to hang out with the popular kids, Stevie wants to fit in too. One thing leads to another, and Stevie gets bullied by them, which quickly leads to the whole school avoiding her.
Then Stevie becomes friends with Dee, and they start plotting a revenge on the popular kids, which very quickly gets out of hand. The " Love, Heather " pranks are now spreading without anyone being able to stop them.
Stevie's family is a bit of a troubled one. Her mum and dad are divorced, and her dad doesn't have the interest to see her often, being busy with his new missus. Her mum is starting to date other men too, often not spending time with Stevie. Lacking her family love, Stevie sees Lottie's family as hers. Very understandably, given the fact she has spent countless days and nights there. Lottie's family is not perfect either though. They have their own problems, and the most recent one is Lottie's mum transitioning into a man.
Stevie as a character
Stevie is a person that makes you want to feel for you, but you can't. She is supposed to be sympathetic and she is supposed to be a victim. However, most of the time I found her quite annoying and attention seeking. It is also important to mention that she is not alone and could reach for help, but she didn't, despite people often asking her whether she is feeling okay and if there is anything they can do to help.
The world was always revolving about Stevie, and she couldn't understand how other may feel as well. A scene where she tells Lottie how to accept her mum's transition comes to mind. We all know that Stevie cares about Lottie and her mum, but Lottie is way closer and more affected in this situation. There are times where it's not our place to say things, and leave people to cope in their own way, and Stevie was not able to achieve this state of mind.
Powerful!
While I couldn't connect to Stevie on many levels, I absolutely cherish this book because it brings up bullying in a very powerful way. It is very emotional and very intense, every bit of reality hits hard and makes me angry for all the children out there that are getting bullied every day. I was once that kid. I was a Stevie too! And it sucks to see it happen again and again, and realise how cruel life and people can be sometimes, when no one gets punished for what they have done.
I loved how this book showed how small things done in consecutive way can have enormous effect to a person, or a group. How the small things we say today can hurt us badly. And I hope people will read this book with the hope of spreading the knowledge and standing up to bullies, before things go out of hand.
Thank you to the team at Netgalley and the publishers at Crooked Lane Books, for sending me an e-copy of Love, Heather in exchange for an honest review.
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Love, Heather is one of the most disturbing YA novels related to bullying I have read!
Please be aware that this book has bullying and assault triggers.
Stevie and Lottie have been friends since they've known about each other. And when Lottie starts to hang out with the popular kids, Stevie wants to fit in too. One thing leads to another, and Stevie gets bullied by them, which quickly leads to the whole school avoiding her.
Then Stevie becomes friends with Dee, and they start plotting a revenge on the popular kids, which very quickly gets out of hand. The " Love, Heather " pranks are now spreading without anyone being able to stop them.
Stevie's family is a bit of a troubled one. Her mum and dad are divorced, and her dad doesn't have the interest to see her often, being busy with his new missus. Her mum is starting to date other men too, often not spending time with Stevie. Lacking her family love, Stevie sees Lottie's family as hers. Very understandably, given the fact she has spent countless days and nights there. Lottie's family is not perfect either though. They have their own problems, and the most recent one is Lottie's mum transitioning into a man.
Stevie as a character
Stevie is a person that makes you want to feel for you, but you can't. She is supposed to be sympathetic and she is supposed to be a victim. However, most of the time I found her quite annoying and attention seeking. It is also important to mention that she is not alone and could reach for help, but she didn't, despite people often asking her whether she is feeling okay and if there is anything they can do to help.
The world was always revolving about Stevie, and she couldn't understand how other may feel as well. A scene where she tells Lottie how to accept her mum's transition comes to mind. We all know that Stevie cares about Lottie and her mum, but Lottie is way closer and more affected in this situation. There are times where it's not our place to say things, and leave people to cope in their own way, and Stevie was not able to achieve this state of mind.
Powerful!
While I couldn't connect to Stevie on many levels, I absolutely cherish this book because it brings up bullying in a very powerful way. It is very emotional and very intense, every bit of reality hits hard and makes me angry for all the children out there that are getting bullied every day. I was once that kid. I was a Stevie too! And it sucks to see it happen again and again, and realise how cruel life and people can be sometimes, when no one gets punished for what they have done.
I loved how this book showed how small things done in consecutive way can have enormous effect to a person, or a group. How the small things we say today can hurt us badly. And I hope people will read this book with the hope of spreading the knowledge and standing up to bullies, before things go out of hand.
Thank you to the team at Netgalley and the publishers at Crooked Lane Books, for sending me an e-copy of Love, Heather in exchange for an honest review.
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September 6, 2019
3.5/5 stars
This review will be very brief because it reflects bullying and can be triggering for those who suffered in high school from it. I think it left me feeling a bit raw and emotional, as I was bullied as a kid as well. It's a very quick read, and I think it's eye-opening at times. Love, Heather initially comes off as a Mean Girls-esque type of read, but as you dive into the story, it is much, much deeper. Love, Heather is a very fast read, and you can definitely finish it in one sitting. Be prepared for some shocking events to unfold—this "young adult" book is not for the faint of heart.
This review will be very brief because it reflects bullying and can be triggering for those who suffered in high school from it. I think it left me feeling a bit raw and emotional, as I was bullied as a kid as well. It's a very quick read, and I think it's eye-opening at times. Love, Heather initially comes off as a Mean Girls-esque type of read, but as you dive into the story, it is much, much deeper. Love, Heather is a very fast read, and you can definitely finish it in one sitting. Be prepared for some shocking events to unfold—this "young adult" book is not for the faint of heart.
September 22, 2019
This struck me as some wonderful modern version of the movie Heaters.
A movie I LOVE!!!
The author puts her own twist on it and it's a good one ;)
I'm positive she was aware of this comparison since she references the movie several times throughout the book and even ties it into the title.
I do wish the ending had been a bit more drawn out since I feel like there was more that could have been addressed or just in more detail.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my ARC.
A movie I LOVE!!!
The author puts her own twist on it and it's a good one ;)
I'm positive she was aware of this comparison since she references the movie several times throughout the book and even ties it into the title.
I do wish the ending had been a bit more drawn out since I feel like there was more that could have been addressed or just in more detail.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my ARC.
January 31, 2023
Being a woman of a certain age, as soon as I saw this title was truly in reference to one of my favorite movies as a kid I was all like . . . .
The premise here is freshman Stevie is having a hard time adjusting to high school life. While her BFF was taken under the wing of the resident HBIC, Stevie was not simply left in the dust, but bullied by the popular crowd too. Enter Dee and her plan to shake things up, taking the queen (and king) bees down a notch. Strategically placed photos and pranks, all signed “Love, Heather.” It isn’t long before the school looks a little something like this . . . .
Soooooo, the problem with being a certain age as mentioned above is this wasn’t really written for me. I’m not sure of the author’s age, but it absolutely came off at times that she had taken a page out of Uncle Stevie’s playbook by trying to write youngsters only to come off like . . . .
As seems to be the trend of late, this simply had too much going on. The bully story was solid and I never saw the twist coming. And while I’ve complained plenty about absentee parents in YA stories, I have now discovered the only thing worse is when they are on page too much. I don’t even know how to address the entire Pete storyline. Inclusion is great . . . until it’s presented as an insulting stereotype. Once again – keep it simple. Want to write a story/book about gender? Then write THAT book – don’t throw it in as some bizarre add-in just to get more hashtags assigned to your current release. This was a two star “it was okay” read for me pretty much throughout (despite Stevie being a character I felt for), but with the ending and the fact that I am not the target demographic for this one I’m going to go with a three.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
The premise here is freshman Stevie is having a hard time adjusting to high school life. While her BFF was taken under the wing of the resident HBIC, Stevie was not simply left in the dust, but bullied by the popular crowd too. Enter Dee and her plan to shake things up, taking the queen (and king) bees down a notch. Strategically placed photos and pranks, all signed “Love, Heather.” It isn’t long before the school looks a little something like this . . . .
Soooooo, the problem with being a certain age as mentioned above is this wasn’t really written for me. I’m not sure of the author’s age, but it absolutely came off at times that she had taken a page out of Uncle Stevie’s playbook by trying to write youngsters only to come off like . . . .
As seems to be the trend of late, this simply had too much going on. The bully story was solid and I never saw the twist coming. And while I’ve complained plenty about absentee parents in YA stories, I have now discovered the only thing worse is when they are on page too much. I don’t even know how to address the entire Pete storyline. Inclusion is great . . . until it’s presented as an insulting stereotype. Once again – keep it simple. Want to write a story/book about gender? Then write THAT book – don’t throw it in as some bizarre add-in just to get more hashtags assigned to your current release. This was a two star “it was okay” read for me pretty much throughout (despite Stevie being a character I felt for), but with the ending and the fact that I am not the target demographic for this one I’m going to go with a three.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
August 11, 2019
I gave myself some homework to complete before I would allow myself to pick up this book. I watched Heathers for the first time and it really helped having it fresh in my mind when I began reading. I understood references that likely would have whooshed over my head unnoticed otherwise and having just watched a revenge fantasy story, I had some idea of what was to come.
These acts of “mischief” soon take on a life of their own. The stakes are raised exponentially, with creative and sometimes brutal acts of revenge being played out across the school and beyond. What began with bullies being targeted becomes something where it’s harder to draw a line between bully and victim.
After establishing the history of Stevie and Lottie’s friendship and Stevie’s sudden social pariah status, I felt this book then took off like a rocket. I was immersed in the acts of revenge and am fairly certain teenage me would have imagined some creative vigilante themed fantasies if I’d read this book then, much like when I conceived (but never acted upon) my own versions of poetic justice as I cheered Matilda on from the sidelines. Revenge fantasies are always fun, with their drama and the opportunity to cheer on underdogs.
If nothing else, this book reinforced my gratitude that I didn’t grow up surrounded by social media. Bullying is horrific enough when it’s physical and/or verbal. I can’t even imagine how the effects are compounded now that it follows you into your home, on your phone and spreading like a virus on the internet, where strangers can add fuel to the fire. Besides bullying, this book also delves into other complex and emotionally charged areas, including rape culture and gender identity.
Because I’m old now I have seen, or at least knew the general plot of, most of the movies referenced in this book but I’d be surprised if most young adults would have heard of the majority of them, unless their parents have introduced them to the movies they themselves grew up with. The lack of familiarity with these movies could potentially lead to the target audience not understanding some of the references to them in this book.
I found Lottie and Stevie’s friendship relatable and empathised with Stevie as she was bombarded with bullying and dealing with isolation. I ached for her as she was consistently let down by . I kept wanting to read more about Pete and couldn’t decide if I was more interested in having them as my friend or teacher. I had problems with the character of Dee but can’t be specific because … spoilers.
I really enjoyed the majority of this book but I had a couple of fairly significant problems with it. When I got to the twist, my reaction pretty much mirrored this:
Variations of this particular twist have been done so many times before in so many other books and movies. Because I’ve come across it too many times I’m desensitised to it and I expect I probably even have a bias against it now. It would take something remarkable to occur in conjunction with that particular twist for me to not groan or roll my eyes when I encounter it. My main problem with that twist being in this book was that the psychology of it just didn’t sit right with me. However, to partially undo this entire paragraph, I need to acknowledge that because this book’s target audience are young adults, (i.e., not me) this may well be the first time some readers encounter this particular brand of twist and I hope they are blindsided by it.
My biggest problem with this book was its ending. It felt rushed and too neat. All things considered, the consequences seemed minimal and peoples’ responses to the character in question were too easy. After spending sufficient time setting up the important aspects of the friendships, bullying and pranks, the finale fizzled for me. This was quite a dark book in places and the end felt much too polite. Where was the rage and all of the other complicated feelings that would be expected after what happened?
Sidebar: Had I known before reading this book
Content warnings include .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.
N.B. Quotes included in this review have been taken from the ARC and may be subject to change prior to publication.
No one knows what she can do. No one has ever known.Lottie and Stevie have been best friends all their lives. Stevie spends so much time at Lottie’s house she’s practically family and Lottie’s mother, Rhonda, is like a second mother to her. Lottie is a bookworm and Stevie loves movies (primarily those made between 1975 and 1995) so much that she’s had her own YouTube channel, FlickChick, since she was twelve.
Woepine High is like every other school: there’s a hierarchy.The popular kids in their year have an undisputed leader - Athlete Barbie, A.K.A, Breanne. Then there’s Paige, Breanne’s “second in command”, and Paige’s boyfriend, Aidan. Lottie and Stevie have recently and quite accidentally become friends with them.
Some kind of wall went up when we started hanging out with all of them, and I’m not sure where the door is.When a series of events results in Stevie being relentlessly bullied by ex-friends, other students and even complete strangers, her entire world comes crashing down and she has no one to turn to. Except Dee, the new girl.
“It’s people like us against the world, Stevie.”Dee, who understands what Stevie’s going through. Dee, who decides it’s time the bullies were taught a lesson. Anonymously, of course. Each prank is accompanied by a message written in red lipstick: “LOVE, HEATHER”, an homage to teen revenge movie Heathers. How very!
These acts of “mischief” soon take on a life of their own. The stakes are raised exponentially, with creative and sometimes brutal acts of revenge being played out across the school and beyond. What began with bullies being targeted becomes something where it’s harder to draw a line between bully and victim.
I mean, it’s hard to know who to root for, isn’t it?I’ve agonised about what to write in this review for a couple of days. There was so much I loved about this book but there were also a couple of key points in the story that didn’t ring true and/or disappointed me. Please keep in mind that while yes, I had some niggles, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will agree with me.
After establishing the history of Stevie and Lottie’s friendship and Stevie’s sudden social pariah status, I felt this book then took off like a rocket. I was immersed in the acts of revenge and am fairly certain teenage me would have imagined some creative vigilante themed fantasies if I’d read this book then, much like when I conceived (but never acted upon) my own versions of poetic justice as I cheered Matilda on from the sidelines. Revenge fantasies are always fun, with their drama and the opportunity to cheer on underdogs.
If nothing else, this book reinforced my gratitude that I didn’t grow up surrounded by social media. Bullying is horrific enough when it’s physical and/or verbal. I can’t even imagine how the effects are compounded now that it follows you into your home, on your phone and spreading like a virus on the internet, where strangers can add fuel to the fire. Besides bullying, this book also delves into other complex and emotionally charged areas, including rape culture and gender identity.
Because I’m old now I have seen, or at least knew the general plot of, most of the movies referenced in this book but I’d be surprised if most young adults would have heard of the majority of them, unless their parents have introduced them to the movies they themselves grew up with. The lack of familiarity with these movies could potentially lead to the target audience not understanding some of the references to them in this book.
I found Lottie and Stevie’s friendship relatable and empathised with Stevie as she was bombarded with bullying and dealing with isolation. I ached for her as she was consistently let down by . I kept wanting to read more about Pete and couldn’t decide if I was more interested in having them as my friend or teacher. I had problems with the character of Dee but can’t be specific because … spoilers.
I really enjoyed the majority of this book but I had a couple of fairly significant problems with it. When I got to the twist, my reaction pretty much mirrored this:
(Yes, I am binge watching Hart of Dixie at the moment.)
Variations of this particular twist have been done so many times before in so many other books and movies. Because I’ve come across it too many times I’m desensitised to it and I expect I probably even have a bias against it now. It would take something remarkable to occur in conjunction with that particular twist for me to not groan or roll my eyes when I encounter it. My main problem with that twist being in this book was that the psychology of it just didn’t sit right with me. However, to partially undo this entire paragraph, I need to acknowledge that because this book’s target audience are young adults, (i.e., not me) this may well be the first time some readers encounter this particular brand of twist and I hope they are blindsided by it.
My biggest problem with this book was its ending. It felt rushed and too neat. All things considered, the consequences seemed minimal and peoples’ responses to the character in question were too easy. After spending sufficient time setting up the important aspects of the friendships, bullying and pranks, the finale fizzled for me. This was quite a dark book in places and the end felt much too polite. Where was the rage and all of the other complicated feelings that would be expected after what happened?
Sidebar: Had I known before reading this book
Content warnings include .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.
N.B. Quotes included in this review have been taken from the ARC and may be subject to change prior to publication.
November 23, 2019
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Basic Plot: Young Stevie is hounded by bullies both physically and online. What to do? What to do?
She and her new friend Dee devise a way to get back at the bullies, but the entire project takes on a horrifying life of its own. This book gets better the further you get into the story = and the conclusion of this novel was truly riveting.
These type of stories need to be told: we must never become complacent. It seems to me that we need to curb that part of human nature that immediately capitalizes in a shift of power. We need to be teaching empathy, tolerance and compassion to school children at an early age - especially if we want to evolve into a humane, and not just a human, race.
Very well written, and yet another story set in Ontario, Canada and written by a fellow Canadian. Highly recommended.
Basic Plot: Young Stevie is hounded by bullies both physically and online. What to do? What to do?
She and her new friend Dee devise a way to get back at the bullies, but the entire project takes on a horrifying life of its own. This book gets better the further you get into the story = and the conclusion of this novel was truly riveting.
These type of stories need to be told: we must never become complacent. It seems to me that we need to curb that part of human nature that immediately capitalizes in a shift of power. We need to be teaching empathy, tolerance and compassion to school children at an early age - especially if we want to evolve into a humane, and not just a human, race.
Very well written, and yet another story set in Ontario, Canada and written by a fellow Canadian. Highly recommended.
October 8, 2019
Nothing’s a big deal until everything is.
*there are some assault/bullying triggers in this one.*
Stevie is a fourteen year old girl who is trying to fit in, stay close to her long time best friend, and just make it through her teen years and high school. Seems simple enough, but when you’re unexpectedly dragged into the popular crowd and then kicked out just as quickly, dealing can be a struggle. On top of that her home life is rather lonely, and in the loving bubble she found with her best friend’s family she feels suddenly placed on the outskirts.
She’s just trying to be herself and be apart of the things she loves with the people she loves, but not everyone is taking her eagerness to fit in well. Honestly once she starts getting bullied it’s so abrupt and blunt that it made my stomach roll, but honestly that’s real. It can take nothing but a whisper and then gang mentality and lies roll out from the high school telephone game.
Although this book does start off rather slowly it eventually picks up halfway through. I want to say that I enjoyed this one, but honestly I was cringing nearly the entire time I read it. Not because it’s a “bad book” but more so because almost everything that happens in it is cringe. I was bracing myself for what would come next. That being said, it feels that way, because half the things in this book are what teens and even younger experience every day in schools and online. It’s shocking and just a reminder that it’s tough out there. We need to do better. We need to pay attention.
Love, Heather is a very real take on the high school experience from one person’s perspective. How you are in the mindset that things revolve around you, even if you’re not truly a self centered person. You’re still in the mindset of how what everyone else is doing plays into YOUR life. How someone who is your very best friend can also be your very worst enemy. Or at least seem like it. The small intimacies you share with someone can become their greatest weapon against you. How someone can be lonely and sad and no one really notices it, because they are focused on themselves. How bullying really does break someone down, and how people react in different ways to bullying. How social media can make you feel loved, but also destroy you as well. How people can take their insecurities and jealousy and turn it into something vicious and cruel. How things can be going one way, but the script can flip almost instantly, and then back again. How the bullied become the bullies, and that isn’t the answer either.
I think that this book is filled with lessons and morals. They are just weaved into a story that is hard to read at times, with characters that you want to cheer for, but also want to shake a bit.
https://instagram.com/p/B27joA8gVgO/
^reader art on IG!
AVAILABLE NOW!
*ARC provided by NetGalley
*there are some assault/bullying triggers in this one.*
Stevie is a fourteen year old girl who is trying to fit in, stay close to her long time best friend, and just make it through her teen years and high school. Seems simple enough, but when you’re unexpectedly dragged into the popular crowd and then kicked out just as quickly, dealing can be a struggle. On top of that her home life is rather lonely, and in the loving bubble she found with her best friend’s family she feels suddenly placed on the outskirts.
She’s just trying to be herself and be apart of the things she loves with the people she loves, but not everyone is taking her eagerness to fit in well. Honestly once she starts getting bullied it’s so abrupt and blunt that it made my stomach roll, but honestly that’s real. It can take nothing but a whisper and then gang mentality and lies roll out from the high school telephone game.
Although this book does start off rather slowly it eventually picks up halfway through. I want to say that I enjoyed this one, but honestly I was cringing nearly the entire time I read it. Not because it’s a “bad book” but more so because almost everything that happens in it is cringe. I was bracing myself for what would come next. That being said, it feels that way, because half the things in this book are what teens and even younger experience every day in schools and online. It’s shocking and just a reminder that it’s tough out there. We need to do better. We need to pay attention.
Love, Heather is a very real take on the high school experience from one person’s perspective. How you are in the mindset that things revolve around you, even if you’re not truly a self centered person. You’re still in the mindset of how what everyone else is doing plays into YOUR life. How someone who is your very best friend can also be your very worst enemy. Or at least seem like it. The small intimacies you share with someone can become their greatest weapon against you. How someone can be lonely and sad and no one really notices it, because they are focused on themselves. How bullying really does break someone down, and how people react in different ways to bullying. How social media can make you feel loved, but also destroy you as well. How people can take their insecurities and jealousy and turn it into something vicious and cruel. How things can be going one way, but the script can flip almost instantly, and then back again. How the bullied become the bullies, and that isn’t the answer either.
I think that this book is filled with lessons and morals. They are just weaved into a story that is hard to read at times, with characters that you want to cheer for, but also want to shake a bit.
https://instagram.com/p/B27joA8gVgO/
^reader art on IG!
AVAILABLE NOW!
*ARC provided by NetGalley
February 24, 2021
Review coming soon.
October 10, 2019
Full Review on The Candid Cover
Love, Heather by Laurie Petrou is a book about bullying that has an interesting concept. There are some entertaining aspects to this story, and the problems that arise for the main character are terrifying. However, the novel tries to tackle too many teen issues all at once, and there are numerous plot holes that affected my enjoyment of it.
At first glance, the book seems to be a spinoff of the 80s teen movie, Heathers. There are some ties to the movie, as it is directly referenced a few times, and it has a theme of retribution. Although, Love, Heather is very far from the original dark comedy film. The bullying that takes place in this book is very serious and reflective of the impact social media has on our society today.
❀ TRIES TO ADDRESS TOO MANY TEEN ISSUES
The first half of the story is quite entertaining and I really loved getting to know Stevie and reading about her relationship with her best friend and her family. It is the second half of the book that really takes a turn, and the reader is hit with all sorts of issues. Discussing each one will give away too much of the story, however there are a multitude of issues in this book. Teen sex, underage drinking, drug use, bullying, sexual violence, gender identity, eating disorders, social media, and the list goes on.
❀ VERY UNLIKELY SERIES OF EVENTS
A few of the events in the story seem very unlikely in my opinion. Having a personal understanding of the high school setting and the region the story takes place in, some things just don’t add up. There are cameras located in various locations in our Ontario high schools and access to the schools by students outside of school hours is very controlled. Some of the events in the story would not be missed by school staff, and a student would certainly not be able to enter a school independently after hours. Also, the twist at the end of the story is not original and is poorly executed.
While there are some entertaining aspects to this book that tackles the issues of bullying, it tries to take on too much, and parts of the story seem very unrealistic. Social media has certainly added to the problem of bullying, and it is something that is increasingly important to address. In my opinion, it would have been more effective to have seen some positive ways to deal with bullying in this novel.
Love, Heather by Laurie Petrou is a book about bullying that has an interesting concept. There are some entertaining aspects to this story, and the problems that arise for the main character are terrifying. However, the novel tries to tackle too many teen issues all at once, and there are numerous plot holes that affected my enjoyment of it.
At first glance, the book seems to be a spinoff of the 80s teen movie, Heathers. There are some ties to the movie, as it is directly referenced a few times, and it has a theme of retribution. Although, Love, Heather is very far from the original dark comedy film. The bullying that takes place in this book is very serious and reflective of the impact social media has on our society today.
❀ TRIES TO ADDRESS TOO MANY TEEN ISSUES
The first half of the story is quite entertaining and I really loved getting to know Stevie and reading about her relationship with her best friend and her family. It is the second half of the book that really takes a turn, and the reader is hit with all sorts of issues. Discussing each one will give away too much of the story, however there are a multitude of issues in this book. Teen sex, underage drinking, drug use, bullying, sexual violence, gender identity, eating disorders, social media, and the list goes on.
❀ VERY UNLIKELY SERIES OF EVENTS
A few of the events in the story seem very unlikely in my opinion. Having a personal understanding of the high school setting and the region the story takes place in, some things just don’t add up. There are cameras located in various locations in our Ontario high schools and access to the schools by students outside of school hours is very controlled. Some of the events in the story would not be missed by school staff, and a student would certainly not be able to enter a school independently after hours. Also, the twist at the end of the story is not original and is poorly executed.
While there are some entertaining aspects to this book that tackles the issues of bullying, it tries to take on too much, and parts of the story seem very unrealistic. Social media has certainly added to the problem of bullying, and it is something that is increasingly important to address. In my opinion, it would have been more effective to have seen some positive ways to deal with bullying in this novel.
August 19, 2019
update: 8/19/19
Calling it a DNF 42% in. Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.
This made me a bit uncomfortable. The writing was fine, though the characters just felt like your basic high school bitches who think they're better than everyone. I feel like instead of channeling the bullying into a positive way with the girls standing up for themselves, it's just toxic.
There was at one point, about 37% in, something about the sun shining like an attention whore? It was... a bit much for my taste.
Overall, I feel like this is one big potential trigger for a lot of people.
I don't usually rate books I don't finish, but I'm okay with this one because I can justify it.
2 stars. One for the cover, one for the trans rep.
----------------------------------
Netgalley came through and approved an ARC of this for me! Can’t wait to start it! 🙌
Calling it a DNF 42% in. Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.
This made me a bit uncomfortable. The writing was fine, though the characters just felt like your basic high school bitches who think they're better than everyone. I feel like instead of channeling the bullying into a positive way with the girls standing up for themselves, it's just toxic.
There was at one point, about 37% in, something about the sun shining like an attention whore? It was... a bit much for my taste.
Overall, I feel like this is one big potential trigger for a lot of people.
I don't usually rate books I don't finish, but I'm okay with this one because I can justify it.
2 stars. One for the cover, one for the trans rep.
----------------------------------
Netgalley came through and approved an ARC of this for me! Can’t wait to start it! 🙌
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 3, 2019
I am throwing in the towel on this one at 50% It just isn't holding my interest at this point. 
October 7, 2019
3.5 star rounded to 4.
Well, I wasn't expecting THAT! This starts out like your usual YA book where the friends start getting mean and ostracizing one of their own. But the repercussions from this is where this read takes a darker turn and you realize this book is so much more than you thought it would be.
Taking from the Heathers and Veronicas (CORN NUTS!) view of revenge against the popular, we see how one remark, one rumor, one little shove can snowball into the retaliation of those who have been pushed to the point of no return. The sheep mentality where, especially at this age, it's hard to find your own path or stand up properly for what you believe in. What I love though, is that it also showcases that even the bullies have their issues - there's usually a reason why someone is the way that they are.
I am so grateful that I didn't grow up in the digital world. At least when I had a rough day at school, I could leave it at school when I got home and had a bit of a reprieve. These days, you can't escape it and I fear for our youth. Kids can be mean, but put them behind a screen and WOW.
There was a certain point in the book where there was a bit of a revelation about Stevie, and while I understood where this came from and why, I also groaned a bit internally as it reminded me so much of a movie I had seen once... I think you'll know what I mean if you've read this yet but I won't spoil anything here.
Overall, this is a bit of a harrowing but timely read. The author really gives us the full emotional gauntlet through Stevie and everything she's going through at home, at school and internally.
Well, I wasn't expecting THAT! This starts out like your usual YA book where the friends start getting mean and ostracizing one of their own. But the repercussions from this is where this read takes a darker turn and you realize this book is so much more than you thought it would be.
Taking from the Heathers and Veronicas (CORN NUTS!) view of revenge against the popular, we see how one remark, one rumor, one little shove can snowball into the retaliation of those who have been pushed to the point of no return. The sheep mentality where, especially at this age, it's hard to find your own path or stand up properly for what you believe in. What I love though, is that it also showcases that even the bullies have their issues - there's usually a reason why someone is the way that they are.
I am so grateful that I didn't grow up in the digital world. At least when I had a rough day at school, I could leave it at school when I got home and had a bit of a reprieve. These days, you can't escape it and I fear for our youth. Kids can be mean, but put them behind a screen and WOW.
There was a certain point in the book where there was a bit of a revelation about Stevie, and while I understood where this came from and why, I also groaned a bit internally as it reminded me so much of a movie I had seen once... I think you'll know what I mean if you've read this yet but I won't spoil anything here.
Overall, this is a bit of a harrowing but timely read. The author really gives us the full emotional gauntlet through Stevie and everything she's going through at home, at school and internally.
January 1, 2020
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, via Netgalley for an honest review.
“The high school cafeteria. The great leveler of high school movies. It's where the entire mass of beauties and weirdos come together to eat and do so much more: try to fit in, wish lunch would end, laugh with friends or stare at people they have crushes on. It is universally different and the same...”
…
“Nothing really seems to be happening, but everything matters.”
Things at Woepine high school have gotten out of control. What started as a few harmless pranks to get back at few bullies and ruthless popular kids, quickly turned into a full-on war where anyone could be next. It wasn't just the Haves vs. the Have Nots anymore, anyone can be a target and anyone could be taken down. But things weren't supposed to go this far. Dee said that they just needed to be taught a lesson. That once they knew what it felt like to be cast aside and stepped on, that it would end. But Dee took things too far, and Stevie let her. But when Stevie finally becomes the target of a callous prank at a party, it is everyone who will feel the force of this final act of revenge.
“No one will tell. No one says anything.
I didn't do anything, they're thinking.
They did everything.
They did nothing.”
This Heathers re-imagining shares a theme with the 1988 film of taking down bullies and giving them a taste of their own medicine, but that's where the similarities end. Love, Heather is a gritty story about the complicated workings of teenage life in high school, and what drives a human to unspeakable acts when threatened or cast out by their peers. It touches on incredibly important issues of bullying, rape culture, social media witch hunts and the effects of social isolation. I came into this story expecting a lighthearted contemporary packed with drama and some epic payback, but what I got was a punch to the gut and a wicked threat to my tear ducts.
“The only thing this school has ever made me feel is different. Weird. A Freak. I tried to fit in, and then I tried to change that place, and neither worked. And so, I'll do things my way. I am an artist. A Maker. I'm not like anyone else. I am different.”
For most of this book, I was reveling in the creative pranks that went from juvenile to borderline felony-worthy. I love an underdog story. One where a quiet or less socially-inclined individual (or individuals) rises up to put an arrogant bully in their place. To show them what it feels like to have their physical and spiritual identity shredded to pieces because it doesn't fit into a specific social construct. It's a feeling most of us can identify with and have experienced, so naturally, I love when the “Weirdo” or “loner” rises up.
But let me tell you, this book goes from “Tuesday afternoon read” to “sitting in your room alone, staring off into the darkness for hours contemplating your feelings” really quickly.
Throughout the story there are little hints as to how our main character, Stevie, feels about her friends and her home life. Her parents are divorced and she lives with her mother, who she feels is a close friend to her. They would spend so much time together watching movies and talking, and when her mother suddenly gets a new boyfriend, Stevie is brushed to the side. At home, she feels forgotten and isolated. Gone are her coveted mother-daughter moments of bonding. But to make matters worse, Stevie's best friend turns on her as well. Lottie and her go from being inseparable, to barely speaking, in yet another case of Stevie being left behind. Lottie is inducted into a crowd of more popular kids, but they deem Stevie to be less than worthy of a position among them. They begin to bully Stevie, and Lottie sits back and does nothing to defend her friend. Stevie is left alone with no one to turn to, and no one to have her back.
“I try to be myself, but no one wants that.”
But when Dee enters the picture, everything changes. Dee is everything that Stevie isn't. She is sure of herself and her beliefs. Her convictions are strongly rooted inside her and she speaks her mind. She is fearless, strong, assured, alluring and infectious. And she sees Stevie and takes her under her wing, giving her a hand to hold onto. A voice to speak through and a friend to confide in.
“I hid from you, but you found me.”
She gives Stevie the confidence to take charge and make a difference in her life, and so together, they begin the “Love, Heather” movement: a series of pranks that are left with a message saying “Love, Heather”, to those who have hurt others or deserve a little payback. And just as fast, other kids in the school begin adopting the signature and performing their own acts of rebellion against the people who have wronged them. Eventually, the entire school is flipped upside down and nobody is safe.
It feels like this author dipped their hands into my heart and head and pulled out every spec of heartbreak, fear and social guideline that I ever found myself in. Laurie Petrou perfectly showcases the strange nuances in teenage life. The pressure to feel included and seen by your peers. The irrational importance of high school etiquette of what to say, think, and wear. She highlights the minuscule things we would latch onto and obsess over – a strategically placed period in a text or seeing someone from your school and pretending you don't know each other. The struggles to fit in and the awkward encounters in this story feel so real and raw, and it left me feeling anxious with flashbacks from my own experiences in high school.
Even if you have never seen or heard of the movie Heathers, I beg you to read this book. Give it to a teenager or a sibling, or just read it yourself and basque in the memories of how torturous teenage life was. But above all, remember this message and speak up when others are being bullied.
Sometimes all someone needs is a knowledge that they matter.
“The high school cafeteria. The great leveler of high school movies. It's where the entire mass of beauties and weirdos come together to eat and do so much more: try to fit in, wish lunch would end, laugh with friends or stare at people they have crushes on. It is universally different and the same...”
…
“Nothing really seems to be happening, but everything matters.”
Things at Woepine high school have gotten out of control. What started as a few harmless pranks to get back at few bullies and ruthless popular kids, quickly turned into a full-on war where anyone could be next. It wasn't just the Haves vs. the Have Nots anymore, anyone can be a target and anyone could be taken down. But things weren't supposed to go this far. Dee said that they just needed to be taught a lesson. That once they knew what it felt like to be cast aside and stepped on, that it would end. But Dee took things too far, and Stevie let her. But when Stevie finally becomes the target of a callous prank at a party, it is everyone who will feel the force of this final act of revenge.
“No one will tell. No one says anything.
I didn't do anything, they're thinking.
They did everything.
They did nothing.”
This Heathers re-imagining shares a theme with the 1988 film of taking down bullies and giving them a taste of their own medicine, but that's where the similarities end. Love, Heather is a gritty story about the complicated workings of teenage life in high school, and what drives a human to unspeakable acts when threatened or cast out by their peers. It touches on incredibly important issues of bullying, rape culture, social media witch hunts and the effects of social isolation. I came into this story expecting a lighthearted contemporary packed with drama and some epic payback, but what I got was a punch to the gut and a wicked threat to my tear ducts.
“The only thing this school has ever made me feel is different. Weird. A Freak. I tried to fit in, and then I tried to change that place, and neither worked. And so, I'll do things my way. I am an artist. A Maker. I'm not like anyone else. I am different.”
For most of this book, I was reveling in the creative pranks that went from juvenile to borderline felony-worthy. I love an underdog story. One where a quiet or less socially-inclined individual (or individuals) rises up to put an arrogant bully in their place. To show them what it feels like to have their physical and spiritual identity shredded to pieces because it doesn't fit into a specific social construct. It's a feeling most of us can identify with and have experienced, so naturally, I love when the “Weirdo” or “loner” rises up.
But let me tell you, this book goes from “Tuesday afternoon read” to “sitting in your room alone, staring off into the darkness for hours contemplating your feelings” really quickly.
Throughout the story there are little hints as to how our main character, Stevie, feels about her friends and her home life. Her parents are divorced and she lives with her mother, who she feels is a close friend to her. They would spend so much time together watching movies and talking, and when her mother suddenly gets a new boyfriend, Stevie is brushed to the side. At home, she feels forgotten and isolated. Gone are her coveted mother-daughter moments of bonding. But to make matters worse, Stevie's best friend turns on her as well. Lottie and her go from being inseparable, to barely speaking, in yet another case of Stevie being left behind. Lottie is inducted into a crowd of more popular kids, but they deem Stevie to be less than worthy of a position among them. They begin to bully Stevie, and Lottie sits back and does nothing to defend her friend. Stevie is left alone with no one to turn to, and no one to have her back.
“I try to be myself, but no one wants that.”
But when Dee enters the picture, everything changes. Dee is everything that Stevie isn't. She is sure of herself and her beliefs. Her convictions are strongly rooted inside her and she speaks her mind. She is fearless, strong, assured, alluring and infectious. And she sees Stevie and takes her under her wing, giving her a hand to hold onto. A voice to speak through and a friend to confide in.
“I hid from you, but you found me.”
She gives Stevie the confidence to take charge and make a difference in her life, and so together, they begin the “Love, Heather” movement: a series of pranks that are left with a message saying “Love, Heather”, to those who have hurt others or deserve a little payback. And just as fast, other kids in the school begin adopting the signature and performing their own acts of rebellion against the people who have wronged them. Eventually, the entire school is flipped upside down and nobody is safe.
It feels like this author dipped their hands into my heart and head and pulled out every spec of heartbreak, fear and social guideline that I ever found myself in. Laurie Petrou perfectly showcases the strange nuances in teenage life. The pressure to feel included and seen by your peers. The irrational importance of high school etiquette of what to say, think, and wear. She highlights the minuscule things we would latch onto and obsess over – a strategically placed period in a text or seeing someone from your school and pretending you don't know each other. The struggles to fit in and the awkward encounters in this story feel so real and raw, and it left me feeling anxious with flashbacks from my own experiences in high school.
Even if you have never seen or heard of the movie Heathers, I beg you to read this book. Give it to a teenager or a sibling, or just read it yourself and basque in the memories of how torturous teenage life was. But above all, remember this message and speak up when others are being bullied.
Sometimes all someone needs is a knowledge that they matter.
September 6, 2022
Spoiler is at the very bottom because I am genuinely confused by something at the end.
Okay, WOAH. That took a very dark turn that I was not expecting based on all of the cliche stereotypes throughout the book. I assumed it would continue in that fashion. In the middle, pity for the bullies kept happening which I don't love but I understand what the author was trying to say. The good and evil within us and such. I don't like to cut them much slack though, even young bullies.
This was really interesting to me but I would definitely not recommend it to a younger audience. I'm in my 30's still carrying emotional scars from high school deep down and I wouldn't want a kid to get the wrong idea or inspiration from this. I think most of us who read this will remember the fear and the hurt of being a teen girl. I do not miss it.
But yeah it was just kinda goofy teen stuff then at the end I'm like WTF??
I'm confused about whether Dee was a figment of her imagination or not? What about the other friends?
Okay, WOAH. That took a very dark turn that I was not expecting based on all of the cliche stereotypes throughout the book. I assumed it would continue in that fashion. In the middle, pity for the bullies kept happening which I don't love but I understand what the author was trying to say. The good and evil within us and such. I don't like to cut them much slack though, even young bullies.
This was really interesting to me but I would definitely not recommend it to a younger audience. I'm in my 30's still carrying emotional scars from high school deep down and I wouldn't want a kid to get the wrong idea or inspiration from this. I think most of us who read this will remember the fear and the hurt of being a teen girl. I do not miss it.
But yeah it was just kinda goofy teen stuff then at the end I'm like WTF??
I'm confused about whether Dee was a figment of her imagination or not? What about the other friends?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2019
I feel privileged to have been allowed to read and review an advanced copy of this book thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Crooked Lane Books.
Simply put, I adored it.
"Why doesn't anyone ever stop these guys? How different would the school be if they were as afraid as I am, if there were actual consequences for their actions, if they were somehow kept in line?"
When Stevie's best friend turns on her and everyone in school follows, school becomes a nightmare for her. In her new found isolation and loneliness, she meets the confidently individual Dee, and together they decide to take revenge on the bullies who are making her life hell.
For anyone who's ever been the victim of bullying, this book will resonate. It is an incredibly honest and insightful story, and at times uncomfortable to read. The book addresses so many issues that young people today face - bullying on social media, mental health, rape culture, gender identity etc. - and it does this with intelligence and respect.
I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of YA contemporary novels. It was genuinely fantastic and I can't wait to read more by Laurie Petrou!
Simply put, I adored it.
"Why doesn't anyone ever stop these guys? How different would the school be if they were as afraid as I am, if there were actual consequences for their actions, if they were somehow kept in line?"
When Stevie's best friend turns on her and everyone in school follows, school becomes a nightmare for her. In her new found isolation and loneliness, she meets the confidently individual Dee, and together they decide to take revenge on the bullies who are making her life hell.
For anyone who's ever been the victim of bullying, this book will resonate. It is an incredibly honest and insightful story, and at times uncomfortable to read. The book addresses so many issues that young people today face - bullying on social media, mental health, rape culture, gender identity etc. - and it does this with intelligence and respect.
I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of YA contemporary novels. It was genuinely fantastic and I can't wait to read more by Laurie Petrou!
September 21, 2019
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
Trigger warnings: Transphobia and sexual assault.
So this book I thought was a very good look at how bullying can lead to actions that none of us would like to see happening in high schools today. The main character Stevie is being raised by her mother in a small town in Canada. Her father has left some time ago (the timeline issue I had will be discussed further below) and barely stays in contact with her. So Stevie has thrown herself into the family life of her best friend Lottie. I thought though that some key aspects of the book that were shown Petrou ignores later on. I wish that it had been brought up later on, but it seems like there was a rush to get to the ending. Petrou does a great job of showing the terrors of high school, how those who "don't fit in" can be bullied, and how many adults just either ignore it or think that it's something that kids need to get through.
"Love, Heather" follows 14 year old Stevie. Stevie feels a bit unmoored due to her best friend Lottie now being pulled into the cool crowd at school. Stevie at first is grudingly accepted along, but due to a faux pas and her need to be part of everything, she starts to turn off one of the Queen Bees and then Lottie. Soon she is being bullied and harassed via social media and has no one to turn to except for a girl named Dee who seems just as sick of the Queen Bees of Woepine High School as Stevie does. Taking inspiration from the movie "Heathers" the two girls soon start to get back a those who have overlooked them, harassed them, and bullied them by leaving their calling card, "Love, Heather".
Stevie pulls at your heart strings. She just wants to fit in. A girl who loves movies, who misses her father, and wishes that her mother was there for her more, you can see why she envies Lottie's family and pushes her way in there, even when she is not wanted at times. When Lottie's family goes through a big upheaval, Stevie still pushes her way in and doesn't read the nonverbal and even verbal cues from Lottie to just let things be for a bit. That said, at times I wanted to take Stevie aside and tell her to relax, to not try so hard. Throughout the book you can feel her anxiety at being left out of things, at Lottie getting new friends, and even a guy she may like. She wants to keep them looped into one another and she doesn't understand why Lottie is trying to pull away from her. And then of course that loops back to Stevie's father who in essence abandoned her, and her mother who is focused on finding love again.
The other characters in the book needed some development I thought. Maybe if Petrou had shown Lottie and Stevie prior to this time period it would have worked. But since we just get Stevie's POV, we get the sense that Lottie was pulling away from Stevie long before now. I wish we had gotten Lottie's POV at times since I can see why she gets frustrated with Stevie. It's hard to be responsible for someone else's happiness.
We get Lottie's mother who is going through something big that Stevie feels close to.There is a whole plot dealing with this so I won't spoil, but it makes things more complicated for both girls.
The other girls in this story, Dee, Paige, and Breanne are all different, but yes, you can see that Breanne is the typical Queen Bee who slaps down at anyone that she perceives as weak. Paige at first seems a little nicer, but just seems eager to go after anyone in order to keep Breanne out of her face. Dee reminds me of JD from Heathers. Looking to cause chaos in anyway that she can. I can see why though Paige pulls away from Stevie, Breanne is just a nasty piece of work though.
I thought the writing was good, Petrou obviously thinks that her readers will be familiar with the movie Heathers and get the references to that in her book. I do think though that the "twist" should have been discussed or analyzed. It seems to have been largely ignored after readers get the reveal about it and I honestly then went back to certain scenes. The flow was up and down and I do think that is because sometimes things are discussed and I would get confused about the time period. For example, there is reference to Stevie's father leaving and her mother having to be a single mother. Then it's inferred he must have left years ago which made no sense based on what was said. It was little stuff like that which threw me. Petrou does showcase the months that are passing in the story though so you can see how long it has been between incidents.
Though the book takes place in Canada, it of course has similarities to schools in the United States. We have Stevie going through the motions of the day and dealing with the never ending onslaught of bullying and you can see the toll that takes on her. Lottie's mother
I thought the ending wrapped things up too neatly. Though I don't know Canadian law, I would still wonder at the lack of consequences for things that go down in the book. I can't complain though since I think the American justice system at times has too harsh of a sentence instead of trying to address a problem.
Trigger warnings: Transphobia and sexual assault.
So this book I thought was a very good look at how bullying can lead to actions that none of us would like to see happening in high schools today. The main character Stevie is being raised by her mother in a small town in Canada. Her father has left some time ago (the timeline issue I had will be discussed further below) and barely stays in contact with her. So Stevie has thrown herself into the family life of her best friend Lottie. I thought though that some key aspects of the book that were shown Petrou ignores later on. I wish that it had been brought up later on, but it seems like there was a rush to get to the ending. Petrou does a great job of showing the terrors of high school, how those who "don't fit in" can be bullied, and how many adults just either ignore it or think that it's something that kids need to get through.
"Love, Heather" follows 14 year old Stevie. Stevie feels a bit unmoored due to her best friend Lottie now being pulled into the cool crowd at school. Stevie at first is grudingly accepted along, but due to a faux pas and her need to be part of everything, she starts to turn off one of the Queen Bees and then Lottie. Soon she is being bullied and harassed via social media and has no one to turn to except for a girl named Dee who seems just as sick of the Queen Bees of Woepine High School as Stevie does. Taking inspiration from the movie "Heathers" the two girls soon start to get back a those who have overlooked them, harassed them, and bullied them by leaving their calling card, "Love, Heather".
Stevie pulls at your heart strings. She just wants to fit in. A girl who loves movies, who misses her father, and wishes that her mother was there for her more, you can see why she envies Lottie's family and pushes her way in there, even when she is not wanted at times. When Lottie's family goes through a big upheaval, Stevie still pushes her way in and doesn't read the nonverbal and even verbal cues from Lottie to just let things be for a bit. That said, at times I wanted to take Stevie aside and tell her to relax, to not try so hard. Throughout the book you can feel her anxiety at being left out of things, at Lottie getting new friends, and even a guy she may like. She wants to keep them looped into one another and she doesn't understand why Lottie is trying to pull away from her. And then of course that loops back to Stevie's father who in essence abandoned her, and her mother who is focused on finding love again.
The other characters in the book needed some development I thought. Maybe if Petrou had shown Lottie and Stevie prior to this time period it would have worked. But since we just get Stevie's POV, we get the sense that Lottie was pulling away from Stevie long before now. I wish we had gotten Lottie's POV at times since I can see why she gets frustrated with Stevie. It's hard to be responsible for someone else's happiness.
We get Lottie's mother who is going through something big that Stevie feels close to.There is a whole plot dealing with this so I won't spoil, but it makes things more complicated for both girls.
The other girls in this story, Dee, Paige, and Breanne are all different, but yes, you can see that Breanne is the typical Queen Bee who slaps down at anyone that she perceives as weak. Paige at first seems a little nicer, but just seems eager to go after anyone in order to keep Breanne out of her face. Dee reminds me of JD from Heathers. Looking to cause chaos in anyway that she can. I can see why though Paige pulls away from Stevie, Breanne is just a nasty piece of work though.
I thought the writing was good, Petrou obviously thinks that her readers will be familiar with the movie Heathers and get the references to that in her book. I do think though that the "twist" should have been discussed or analyzed. It seems to have been largely ignored after readers get the reveal about it and I honestly then went back to certain scenes. The flow was up and down and I do think that is because sometimes things are discussed and I would get confused about the time period. For example, there is reference to Stevie's father leaving and her mother having to be a single mother. Then it's inferred he must have left years ago which made no sense based on what was said. It was little stuff like that which threw me. Petrou does showcase the months that are passing in the story though so you can see how long it has been between incidents.
Though the book takes place in Canada, it of course has similarities to schools in the United States. We have Stevie going through the motions of the day and dealing with the never ending onslaught of bullying and you can see the toll that takes on her. Lottie's mother
I thought the ending wrapped things up too neatly. Though I don't know Canadian law, I would still wonder at the lack of consequences for things that go down in the book. I can't complain though since I think the American justice system at times has too harsh of a sentence instead of trying to address a problem.
October 28, 2019
Laurie Petrou writes a hugely engrossing and hard-hitting novel that deals with some very serious issues in this gripping YA tale of bullying and evil.
Protagonist and young teen Stevie is, at the outset of this novel, secure in her life and beliefs. She has her childhood best friend, Lottie, along with Lottie's parents who are like her second family. Stevie is doing well at school but then things go downhill for her and she finds herself ostracised and targeted by bullies every day.
I felt so much empathy for her especially regarding her home life and her self-centred mum who was totally oblivious to the pain Stevie was experiencing. While I definitely don’t support Stevie's actions in the later part of the novel and at the end, it’s clear to see that a culmination of events resulted in such an awful final act.
Laurie Petrou delivers an unrestrained and exuberant story of teenage life with a toxic concoction ranging from bullying, depression, eating disorders, trolling on social media to sexual harassment and assault. Everything eventually crash-lands around Stevie in this powerful portrayal of high school experiences.
Love, Heather is a cracking story and a book that I revelled in all the way through. It brought no disappointments and everything was effectively wrapped up in the fulfilling finale. A riveting, though heartbreaking tale of teenage angst, harassment and acts of vengeance, I'm very happy to recommend this book which is still lingering in my mind even though I finished reading it.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Protagonist and young teen Stevie is, at the outset of this novel, secure in her life and beliefs. She has her childhood best friend, Lottie, along with Lottie's parents who are like her second family. Stevie is doing well at school but then things go downhill for her and she finds herself ostracised and targeted by bullies every day.
I felt so much empathy for her especially regarding her home life and her self-centred mum who was totally oblivious to the pain Stevie was experiencing. While I definitely don’t support Stevie's actions in the later part of the novel and at the end, it’s clear to see that a culmination of events resulted in such an awful final act.
Laurie Petrou delivers an unrestrained and exuberant story of teenage life with a toxic concoction ranging from bullying, depression, eating disorders, trolling on social media to sexual harassment and assault. Everything eventually crash-lands around Stevie in this powerful portrayal of high school experiences.
Love, Heather is a cracking story and a book that I revelled in all the way through. It brought no disappointments and everything was effectively wrapped up in the fulfilling finale. A riveting, though heartbreaking tale of teenage angst, harassment and acts of vengeance, I'm very happy to recommend this book which is still lingering in my mind even though I finished reading it.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 22, 2019
That was completely eye-opening and sobering. Bullying is so very wrong and destructive. Never more so than in today's age of social media where everyone feels they are entitled to a platform and the whole world is just hanging on them to weigh in on things. It is so much easier to sit behind the protection of a screen and tear apart someone else's life without having to consider the consequences...but I digress. This is a supposed to be a book review. Our heroine, oddly NOT named Heather, is your typical awkward young teen. Stevie is just out of reach of being one of the popular kids, but she isn't quite part of the geek squad either. She's the subject of some bullying, because teenagers can be awful, mean-spirited mini-arseholes!! Enter Dee, who convinces her that these people deserve a little payback. Thus the beginning of Love, Heather, a series of pranks against those most deserving, with each act sealed with the Love, Heather signature. But soon, things spiral out of control. More people become involved and the acts of revenge become more hateful and damaging, leading to a final act that has enormous consequences for so many. This book tells the story of why we all need to do our part to be a little kinder and accepting of one another - and the lesson needs to start early in life.
April 21, 2019
I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Holy shit...this was fantastic.
I read this in one sitting. Couldn't put it down.
The premise is a modern coming of age story inspired by various 80s and 90s teen films, but most significantly Heathers. This book hits all the big issues: bullying, rape culture, mental illness, LGBT, growing up on social media...and more.
The story is fast paced. The characters feel authentic. You know these people. You feel their emotions.
This is a must read for fans of teen thrillers, but also for anyone with kids coming of age in today's society.
Very highly recommended.
Holy shit...this was fantastic.
I read this in one sitting. Couldn't put it down.
The premise is a modern coming of age story inspired by various 80s and 90s teen films, but most significantly Heathers. This book hits all the big issues: bullying, rape culture, mental illness, LGBT, growing up on social media...and more.
The story is fast paced. The characters feel authentic. You know these people. You feel their emotions.
This is a must read for fans of teen thrillers, but also for anyone with kids coming of age in today's society.
Very highly recommended.
May 1, 2019
wow! holy amazing!
i kind of want to read this a second time to pick up on anything missed now knowing what I know. This was a very dark book and i will admit I had a lot of emotions. I became so attached to Stevie and wanted to hug her and tell her high school isn’t forever. I had genuine tears in my eyes a few times. The author did a beautiful job at portraying High School Mean girls and the other side of it: the victim.
I also loved the 80s movies references. Having grown up watching Heathers, this book packed a punch for me.
well deserving of 5 stars.
thank you #NetGalley, the author and the publisher for me free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
5 star cover too.
i kind of want to read this a second time to pick up on anything missed now knowing what I know. This was a very dark book and i will admit I had a lot of emotions. I became so attached to Stevie and wanted to hug her and tell her high school isn’t forever. I had genuine tears in my eyes a few times. The author did a beautiful job at portraying High School Mean girls and the other side of it: the victim.
I also loved the 80s movies references. Having grown up watching Heathers, this book packed a punch for me.
well deserving of 5 stars.
thank you #NetGalley, the author and the publisher for me free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
5 star cover too.
July 25, 2019
What made Love, Heather so harrowing is how realistic the events are that lead Stevie to do what she did. How quickly things amongst a group of friends can spiral out of control and how quickly one can find themselves as the outsider, as the bullied one.
And the books also shows what constant bullying and harassing can do to (young) people and this is what made this a really heartbreaking read.
I just didn't completely warm to the writing style and the dialogues - they were sometimes a little too plain for my liking.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ebook!
And the books also shows what constant bullying and harassing can do to (young) people and this is what made this a really heartbreaking read.
I just didn't completely warm to the writing style and the dialogues - they were sometimes a little too plain for my liking.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ebook!
April 19, 2019
I devoured this book! Laurie Petrou truly understands the darkness of the high school experience and heightens it to a delightful degree. This one is a must-read for any fans of the genre.
Full disclaimer: I got a free copy because Author Privilege, but I will buy one too. A great time for a teen thrillery person, which is very literally all of me.
Full disclaimer: I got a free copy because Author Privilege, but I will buy one too. A great time for a teen thrillery person, which is very literally all of me.
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