Handle With Care

By Louisa Reid

What it’s about?

A stunningly powerful YA novel from a master storyteller told in both prose and verse.

No one knows Ruby is pregnant – not even Ruby herself. So when she gives birth at school on a miserable February morning, her world is thrown into chaos. Keeping the baby isn’t an option, but keeping quiet about who the father of her child definitely is; because if Ruby’s best friend Ashley finds out the truth, then she’ll lose her too.

When Ruby finally realises what she and her baby need, somehow that doesn’t seem to matter any more. So Ruby must take matters into her own hands, with tragic consequences…

What I think:

Oh my goodness! What a book!

This is absolutely wonderful and completely broke my heart.

The dual narrative, tells the story of Ruby and Ashley. Bright and brilliant, they are both ambitious and hard working. Despite their differences, they have been best friends for years and share everything.

All of this changes the day Ruby goes into labour and gives birth to her daughter in the middle of a GCSE history lesson. Ruby did not know she was pregnant and she has not revealed who the father is.

The truth changes her relationship with Ashley and her family beyond all recognition.

Ruby’s story is utterly heartbreaking. Despite living in a gated community and having luxury holidays, she is incredibly neglected by her mother, a woman who seems to resent the fact that she is a single mother. Her mother’s career comes first. After the birth of her baby, Ruby has no emotional support.

Ruby is let down by everyone who could help her, family, friends and professionals fail to notice what is happening her. Those closest to her are so busy coping with their own responses to the events.

While Ashley’s side of the story is told in prose, Ruby’s is told in verse, which is the perfect format to explore her confusion and emotions.

The book is poignant and beautifully written and I could not put it down.

Thank you to Kaleidoscopic Tours for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour and gifting me a copy of the book.

About the author:

Louisa Reid is the author of the YA verse novels Gloves Off, nominated for the Carnegie Medal, Wrecked, which was selected for both the Read for Empathy collection and National Poetry Day and Activist. Her debut adult novel, The Poet, was published to critical acclaim. Louisa Reid has spent most of her life reading. When Louisa’s not reading she’s writing stories, or imagining writing them at least. As an English teacher, her favourite part of the job is sharing her love of reading and writing with her pupils. Louisa lives with her family in the north-west of England and is proud to call a place near Manchester home.

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