Soulmates

By Holly Bourne

5/5

This book will make you cry. A lot. And by a lot I mean it will leave your heart hurting, your nose running and you will most likely be thinking back on it days later and crying again. This is Holly Bourne’s debut novel and for a debut novel I think it is outstanding. Unfortunately I have not yet read any of her more recent books so I cannot comment on whether her writing style has changed or improved but I can tell you from experience of reading some rather poor debut novels that this is fantastic. It’s a love story, as you probably guessed by the title but it’s also a story about friendship, family and loss. I’m not going to give too much away because the element of surprise is what makes this book so special. This is the second time I have read it and I found it just as enjoyable but also just as heartbreaking as the first time. Holly creates the voice of 17 year old Poppy so perfectly that sometimes I feel as if I am reading a book about myself because she shares the same insecurities that we all do. The character of Noah makes me want to give up on love because I am never going to find anyone as perfect as him; he is arrogant and charming yet vulnerable and caring, and the relationship between him and Poppy is utterly beautiful. The ending to this novel is what makes the book so special and I almost wish there was a sequel because it is a story that I never wanted to end.

I would highly recommend this book to hopeless romantics and for those of you who love a good cry (or if you just need a bit of Noah in your life).