Prior to reading It Only Happens In The Movies, I’d never heard of Holly Bourne nor had I been a fan of YA fiction. However, after capturing the true essence of what a brilliant YA book should be about, I’m definitely going to give more of Holly’s books a go in the future. I’m also excited to know that she will be releasing her first adult novel, How Do You Like Me Now?, next year. Hi everyone, welcome to my review of It Only Happens in the Movies. I read Am I Normal Yet by Holly Bourne last year and immediately felt a deep connection with it, due to it featuring a main character with both anxiety and OCD, both of which I have been through myself. Reading this book actually relieved a lot of the stresses I had bottled up, mostly because there was somebody else “like me” in YA literature! This is exactly the type of book young girls should be reading and I love that Holly Bourne always challenges particular notions that are problematic in our society and dissects it, by putting forth real-life situations that we're all familiar with and/or experienced and calling it out. Because what I’d learned was, love isn’t just a feeling. Love is a choice too. And you may not be able to help your feelings, but you’re responsible for the choices you make about what to do with them.

So I’m gonna be brutally honest and say that this book right here was a cover buy, for the simple fact that I didn’t have very many yellow books for my Bookstagram rainbow pictures and it was low-key stressing me out. I devoured It Only Happens In The Movies within a few hours. With each chapter, I found myself being unable to put the book down for even a minute. What stands out the most about the book is how different it is from most Young Adult fiction. Holly has managed to turn your typical YA book on its head, going against stereotypes and covering topics which are normally avoided in a realistic yet humorous manner. Just published my October Book Vlog and whew! It was a lot of reading but so worth it! The Written Review Audrey has sworn off romance - and NO not in a "totally swears it off but is secretly looking for love" - she actually means it.

Whilst I love reading, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve read very little over the past few months. Having been super busy in my working life, I haven’t really had time to read much nor have I been particularly enticed by any book. Witnessing an average heroine’s turning into a badass one who stands for herself including asshole cheating father like a rabbit’s transformation into a roaring lion✅ It’s clear to see why Bourne’s novels have been successes in their own right – they’re uplifting, funny, and deal with real, complex issues that youngsters face while presenting believable characters and scenarios – must readers young and old, everywhere. Plus, I'm not happy with the whole Harry thing at all- can you tell? He felt so, so, so fake. He was irritating and I couldn't stand the fact that in their first date, he forces Audrey on a stupid ride when she clearly didn't want to go on. (It felt obvious I tell you.) And yes she told him off but I'm still not happy.

It was so fun to see how the romantic tropes worked in this one. I feel like so many books focus on "finding love" and this one took that but also made things grounded. It Only Happens In The Movies is a a very mature, true-to-life book – romance isn’t always sunshine, glitter, and happy endings. Relationships require a lot of hard work and for the most past, things will be difficult. The book reminds us of that in an engaging manner, and will make you think twice the next time you watch a rom-com.The chance encounter: “Everyone is always bumping into everyone. Forget statistical probabilities. Nope. Their love beats mathematics.” I'm changing my rating to a 5 stars simply because as soon as I woke up this morning, my first thoughts were of this book! I am in love!