I loved seeing how Holly Bourne put all those stereotypical Britishisms in the book whilst cleverly comparing the UK and the USA. One of my favourite things about this book was not long after Amber arrives in America and she is getting to know her new camp mates including the gorgeous Kyle and wonderful Whinnie. Whilst her relationship with her mother may have its problems, I was so glad to see a YA book talking so frankly about parent/child relationships as more often than not parents are the mythical unicorns of YA. I really felt for her and just wanted to wrap her in a big hug. We see the real effect of her mother’s abandonment and alcoholism when Amber finally breaks down and lets out all those years of tears and pent up emotions. This summer is supposed to be Amber’s chance to bond with her mum but it doesn’t take long before we see that things are not going to work out that way. Amber’s mum is an alcoholic, she abandoned Amber to move to America and they’ve had very little relationship since. This book doesn’t hold back on Amber’s inner turmoil or the emotions she has kept suppressed for so many years. We are already clued into there being something amiss with Amber’s mum when reading the first book but we never find anything out as it is Evie’s story. I have to say that I really loved that this book had such a focus on family dynamics and relationships. Then begins a summer of new friends, romance, alcohol and big decisions. Amber sets off to America with high hopes of reuniting with her mum and experiencing America for herself whilst helping out in the summer camp her mum and step father run.

How Hard Can Love Be? follows Amber on her American summer adventure. I am in love with Holly Bourne’s writing style and humour whilst still writing books that inform and evoke emotion. Holly Bourne does it again! I loved Am I Normal Yet? and had unrealistically high expectations for this second book in my series binge but it did not disappoint in the slightest.

Can he really be interested in anti-cheerleader Amber? Even with best friends Evie and Lottie’s advice, there’s no escaping the fact: love is hard.

But Amber’s hoping that spending the summer with her can change all that.Īnd then there’s prom king Kyle, the guy all the girls want. Her mum has never been the caring type, even before she moved to California, got remarried and had a personality transplant. Both hilarious and heart-rending, this is Amber’s story of how painful – and exhilarating – love can be, following on from Evie’s story in Am I Normal Yet?Īll Amber wants is a little bit of love. Amber, Evie and Lottie: three girls facing down tough issues with the combined powers of friendship, feminism and cheesy snacks.

How hard can love be by holly bourne