Description
Sometimes, you have to lose everything to find yourself. A swoony and moving novel about ending up in the most unexpected places, with the most unlikely people, and discovering it's exactly where you're meant to be.
Stevie Jones has always lived in the comfort of her best friend Bella's glorious shadow. But when Bella's suddenly gone, her absence casts a harsh light on everything Stevie's not. Who even is she without her best friend?
Unmoored, Stevie moves to Europe for a year in a desperate attempt to fulfill Bella's bucket list. As she checks off Bella's list, she begins to figure out who she is: the things she doesn't like, and the things she does . . . which would all be terrific, if one of those things wasn't way-off-limits Theodore, Bella's long-time crush.
As her time overseas draws painfully to a close, Stevie must decide whether she wants to go back to her old life or stay in the big, bright light of the new world she's building.
Review
Eighteen-year-old Stevie has always been happy living in the shadow of her more adventurous friend, Bella. Bella dreamt of travelling to London to meet her dreamy online friend, Theodore. So when Bella dies suddenly, Stevie decides to travel to London herself and try to tick off items from Bella’s bucket list, seeing famous paintings and galleries, visiting Paris and the Eiffel Tower.
It’s a big move for the normally introverted Stevie. But she lands on her feet and meets some great people. She meets Theodore and slowly their feelings for each other develop. Stevie realises that she cannot steal her friend’s boyfriend, so she cuts Theodore off. But when it’s time to go back to Australia, can she leave without acknowledging her true feelings for Theodore?
This is a wonderful story of a quiet Australian girl taking a leap and following a dream, even if that dream was really her best friend’s. It handles themes of grief, the tragedy of losing your best friend, travelling overseas on a wonderful adventure, forming friendships, and having the world open up to you. A great story that suits all teenage readers, 13 years and up.
Teacher notes prepared by the publisher are available on our website for this title.
