Zoe is a sixteen-year-old shut-in, while Jackson is seventeen and homeless. She never leaves her house, while he doesn’t even have a house. They are total opposites, but they find each other through an online chess game, where they tell each other their most intimate secrets, not thinking that they could ever meet. Little do they realize that they already know each other. What will happen when Jackson discovers Zoe’s secret identity? Can a relationship be built on lies? And what will happen when the truth eventually comes out? Will Zoe forgive Jackson? Will she ever be able to conquer her fears and live a life in the real world? These questions, and more, will be answered in this cute romance with serious undertones.

The story is told from the points-of-view of Zoe and Jackson, interspersed with their online chess chats. They’re both extremely likable characters in heartbreaking situations. But you just can’t help but feel optimistic that these two damaged souls with help each other heal. I loved the part Gina plays in Zoe’s recovery, especially when we find out why she does what she does.

Warnings: mental illness, alcoholism, drug abuse, child abuse.

This book was a real page-turner. Both of the characters were really developed in a way that you felt all of their pain and anxiousness. I know that I was rooting for both to figure out that the other was actually their anonymous chess partner online, but until they did, it was very interested to see just how much they'd share. Reading the descriptions of Zoe's paper galaxy made me want to actually see pictures of it. I did my best to picture them in my head, but I'm sure I had nothing anywhere close to what it actually should have been. Jackson's life was a hard one. It was very sad to read about him living in his car. But I guess even sadder is that there are actually kids probably doing that all the time. I was glad to see what happened with his dad went the way it did. Once in a while it is nice for there to be happy endings all around if possible. I loved Zoe's mother, she was such a fun character. Her sister Mae, definitely made me mad at times, but that was because she was so realistic, just like a real sister probably would be. I feel like this book did a great job with showcasing so many different types of issues that teens today might deal with, and it kept me reading and wishing and hoping for the HEA. This is one I will definitely put on my list of books to order for my library with budget money in the future.

Rogue and BlackKnight have progressed from just playing online chess matches to chatting on a regular basis. They hide behind their usernames, sharing more about themselves than they'd willingly share to friends offline. At the same time, at just seventeen Zoe battles agoraphobia and a panic disorder, leaving her unable to leave her home and incapable of maintaining personal friendships. Her older sister's friend, Jackson, is the one she misses the most. He thinks of the quiet, smart girl often, wondering what has pulled her from school and away from his curious eyes. She presents a welcome distraction to his difficult days outside of school, spent wandering from location to location as he fights to survive on his own away from his addicted father. Tutoring and therapy bring the two together and they discover that the crushes they harbored are not unrequited. Together they work together to get Zoe outdoors, but Jackson continues to keep his secrets quiet, including the one that could change everything about their relationship.

Paper Girl isn't your typical young adult romance; Zoe hides behind the paper planets she obsessives over and Jackson attempts to call his homelessness anything but what it really is. And each relies on their internet personas for honest human connection.The story primarily focuses on the difficulties each teen is facing in their lives and the steps they both take to tackle them and to avoid them. The pacing is slow, but the story is definitely more about their personal development rather than the romance they find in one another. It's funny, sad, heartwarming, and complicated all at once. It's a complex story about the baby steps, the leaps, the setbacks, and the people you need rooting for you along the way.

Paper Girl is one of the most realistic novels I've read in a while. I could picture Zoe's paper projects, her nearly obsessive organization, and feel her terror seeping from the pages as she struggled to take even just a few steps out of her apartment's elevator. Her struggles with anxiety are very accurate and I really appreciated the time Cindy R. Wilson gives to Zoe and her therapist and the dialogue they share. There's a lot of growth in the novel and there's space for Zoe to challenge herself, to set goals and to make them happen. It isn't a novel about fixing the illness, but rather about facing it and fighting for a life that is filled with experiences. Jackson, on the other hand, deals with a situation that I do not personally relate with, but understand is becoming more common than we'd like. At such a young age he must care for himself, left mourning alone as his father chases his demons. He's very mature, but at the same time his family life has shaped him and he doesn't even realize he must tackle those feelings until he walks alongside Zoe as she faces her own.

Is it too much to say I think this is a book that should be required reading for every teenager? Cindy R. Wilson tackles topics that are difficult to discuss and often portrayed incorrectly in media. I do think it could be triggering, but at the same time I think that many youth are unaware of the prevalence of mental health issues and the way it shows itself in individuals. Just as Paper Girl touches on, those who suffer from anxiety and panic disorders are afraid of the judgement, they build it up so much in their mind that they never believe another could be there for them. Paper Girl made me cry, but it also made me feel hope. The story is sweet, funny, and features two characters with so much passion for life that their setbacks can't hold them down. I highly recommend Paper Girl and am so glad I had the opportunity to read it.

Cindy R. Wilson's Paper Girl is a thought-provoking take on anxiety and how it can literally control your life if you let it. It's a novel of learning to trust yourself and believe in yourself as well as a sweet plot between two teens coming into their own.

I was hooked instantly from the synopsis and pulled in immediately once I had the book in my hands. I could relate so intimately with Zoe a times it was almost scary. I believe anxiety is a brutal beast of a demon and Wilson displayed it brilliantly within Paper Girl. Zoe is a girl who has let anxiety rule her for quite some time; she hasn't left her home in over a year...forcing her to be homeschooled and contained within the walls of her apartment. I found Zoe to be strong in her own way and I connected with her easily.

Jackson is a boy without a home. His childhood hasn't been easy but he's determined to make a way for himself. His story captivated me and pulled at my heart strings. He's a genuinely good kid that has been dealt a crappy situation.

Together Zoe and Jackson find themselves connected without even realizing it. I loved watching their relationship play out through their knowledge of one another and their anonymous online relationship.

Overall, I loved the plot. It was light and quick to read. There weren't many twists and turns, but I felt like this book didn't really need any of that. I really enjoyed it!

I found the story to be very relatable. There will be a point in our lives that we feel like a paper girl or paper boy, where every little bit feels like your being ripped apart.

Both characters have their struggles they face everday but there are still the moments that were humorous.

I love the fact the Zoe's parents tried to be supportive and helped her thru her anxiety.

ARC provided in exchange of a review.

It has been quite some time since I have indulged in a contemporary YA novel, and this one was the PERFECT choice. Paper Girls is a poignant and beautiful story, one that had me engaged and, at times, dabbing my eyes, as I read this story about Zoe and Jackson. It is amazing how a book can be so relevant yet not high handed. Paper Girls is about finding yourself, being kind to yourself, and learning who you are in the face of impossible obstacles. It is filled with hard situations, unforgiving problems, and a world that is broken. But the beauty of this story is that human nature gives each person a choice: to rise above and overcome. 

Zoe was not what I was expecting. Her innocence is stunning because it is balanced by real issues. Nothing about her is contrived and who she was and the life she lead hit me right in the feels (so to speak). As someone who deals with anxiety, this story shares the realities and the fears so well. It sheds a light on the frustrations of everyone, those who struggle and those who love them. It was amazing to watch her fight for more and slide back, only to rally and take another step. Readers find themselves obligated to cheer this young girl on, knowing she is the true heroine of her story. 

Jackson was not what I expected. The more his character grew, the more you want to get in the ring and fight for him. The pure tenacity of this young man is so well represented in this story. He is lively and determined, despite the hardships he has faced and continues to face. Zoe and Jackson are drawn to each other, in a way that is wholly innocent and sweet. Their desire to support one another is selfless, and the realization that they alone can overcome their problems is profound. 

Cindy R Wilson, you are a genius. If all contemporary YA stories were like this, I would have  new favorite genre. Paper Girls is a story that will touch your heart and leave you filled to the brim with hope, love, and perspective. This book is NOT to be missed!

First off, I would like to say that I love the cover for this book so much. It really stands out to me, and sometimes with young adult books, the covers kind of blur together because they're very similar. This one has no problem being unique. A debut novel from author Cindy R. Wilson, I think it's a perfect start to her career, and a really good insight to her writing. If you see this book, you'll have to check it out.

Zoe is a young teenage girl who has crippling social anxiety. She's left school, and been homeschooled for quite some time now. Mae misses going places with her sister, because Zoe has chosen not to leave her apartment for just over a year now, to avoid feeling nervous or anxious. This is a book about not only learning more about yourself, but overcoming that anxious feeling, tossing it aside, and living your life no matter what. Even if something stands in your way.

Her favourite thing at the moment is paper crafts, and she's covered her entire room with them. She also is really into chess, and holds the top spot in her online chess league. That's where she talks to her best friend, someone she never expects to meet, but holds very deep in her heart. Little does she know it's the last person she expects it to be.

The story alternates perspectives between Zoe, and Jackson, a homeless teenager who's about to graduate and head off to college. He has a rocky relationship with his drug addicted and alcoholic father, and has had a hard time at home since his mother died. He left because he thought it would be better for both of them, and though it's made life harder for him, he seems to adapt well to big changes.

This book is very well written, and I didn't feel at all like I was too old to be reading this, even though I'm not a teenager anymore, and the characters are younger than me. My favourite character would have to be Jackson, because he seems to push through anything he can so that he can get what he wants, no matter what. He's optimistic when other people would be depressed, and he just seems like that kind of person that's always happy and smiling. The world they live in is exactly like our own, so there's no problems there.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this novel, and it was really easy to slip into the story and really take a lesson from it. The lesson here is, don't let things stand in the way of you living your life. I think that's really important, because you never want to let your life pass you by. If you're a fan of young adult novels of any kind, or really just any feel good books, you're going to love this one. Definitely check it out if you get the chance.

Thanks for reading!
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress,com)

Zoe is sure that she was born to be many things in real life, but none of them will come true thanks to her panic to leave her home. Confined to her penthouse, she spends her days counting footsteps, doing origami and playing chess at online game Chess Challenge where she met a certain blackknight who accompanies her on her "what if" journey. Between confessions and importants moves, she creates a parallel life for herself .







Her family even worried about her situation supports her in everything from hiring psychologists to replenishing her paper stock. When her mother decides to hire a tutor and this tutor ends up being her crush, she will have a new perspective on life when she realizes how she can be stronger than she thinks she is. She will find in Jackson a safe haven and a strong love capable of shaking her life controlled by fear.







Jackson is a struggling boy who dreams of fulfilling his mother's wish and going to college. With all possible effort with condition of life not easy, he tries everything to avoid disapoint his mother. When he ends up hired to help Zoe in her math difficulty, he did not imagine that a new world would open up in front of him, provoking a revolution in his life as well.







I confess that I could not imagine what was waiting for me when I took this book, I really liked the synopsis and the cover, but it surprised me in such a strong way that I found myself immersed deeply in the plot, hoping that in the end everything would work out. It is a book with a different and very engaging plot, a great love story very well written and well tied up where two teenagers end up falling in love and finding a lot of strength within themselves.







Both Zoe and Jackson face their dilemmas with their head held high and in a very real and human way, I fell in love as the writer led the whole story showing that we need support, yes, at various moments in life, but that we also have to do things for us without depending on another person.





I am an incorrigible romantic and I loved the fact that the book had enough romance and overflowing with affection and cuteness, I spent much of the book sighing with the couple and the way they connected more and more with each encounter.


So So So Lovely!

<i>I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

<b>*4.25 Stars*</b>

Zoe hasn't been outside in a year. A series of things happened and now, when she thinks about leaving her apartment, she gets panic attacks. So she doesn't. And she doesn't like it but at least she can escape through chess and her paper art. Everything changes when she gets a new therapist and when Jackson, a friend of her sister starts spending more time at their place.

I really enjoyed this. The character were layered and interesting. The dynamics between them were captivating and I really loved the whole chess thing.
The plot was simple but effective and I felt for both our main character. I was a bit more involved in Zoe's side of the story though because I could relate with her more than I could with Jackson.
I really enjoyed seeing the main characters interacting with their family and friends too, I found that side of the story just as strong as the love story parts.
I read this pretty fast and enjoyed it a lot. I do really love short chapters and also loved the chapters that were chats only from the chess website.

Basically, it was a very strong debut novel and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

meet zoe king: chess champion; origami master; sister to mae; completely and utterly afraid to leave her house.

then there's jackson: homeless, but driven; smart about math and physics; wants to get a degree in astronomy; totally into zoe.

when jackson is hired to be zoe's tutor, he's thrilled to finally have an in to talk to her. zoe, on the other hand, is trying not to have a panic attack. but jackson wants to help zoe. as he begins to get a fuller picture of her issues, he wants to assist her in overcoming them. and he does provide a lot of motivation for her.

paper girl explores these really interesting characters in a really engaging way. i loved jackson and zoe. homeless and homebound, they should seem like total opposites, but they fit each other in just the right way.

**paper girl will publish on december 4, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (entangled teen) in exchange for my honest review.

Nothing less than special and encouraging and romantic

What a sweet, touching story. I've never met such a cute book boydriend as Jackson with his patient nature, focused loyalty to the memory of his mum, and generous, comforting, loving bond with Zoe, the paper girl who is too fragile to face the outer world. She has fabricated a whole galaxy inside four walls to protect her fom the weight of reality. The bittersweet and funny narrative really conveys, in a light but heartfelt manner that mental jail we could all carry inside made of hurtful thoughts.

Zoe's anxiety cripples her in infinite ways, incomprehensible perhaps to an outgoing and sunny personality which her sister is, and the rapport between them was so authentic. Yet it's simply, remarkably framed in very normal circumstances that anyone could relate to. And in the middle of opposites, two teens cross and burn like shooting stars. Many issues are raised like social standing, family, trust, college and freedom to truly live.

I fell in love with the tender relationship that develops between this young couple as their past and present mingle with a looming secret that threatens to pop the bubble around them. It's very interesting to watch their roles reverse a little bit when their story progresses.

The conversations are addictive, utterly sweet too, both in person and online as they alternate from their respective points of view.

You can see them struggle with their own truths and fears, finding a shelter in their interactions as well as a boost.

There are a lot of painful lessons, eye-opening too, before Zoe finds courage within herself and Jackson faces his own demons. It is a delicious romance with heart and hope. I loved it!

A wonderful book, Paper Girl by Cindy R Wilson is the story of Zoe. At 15 she is home schooled following a severe anxiety attack , and never leaves her house. Her room is her sanctuary, and she has turned it into a replica of the galaxy created from paper, but all it will take is one spark to burn it down. Could that spark be Jackson? Hired by her parents to tutor Zoe, he is a classmate of Zoe's older sister, and the object of Zoe's crush, and he is relying on tutoring not just for money, but also as part of a scholarship application for college.
As the two bond, and become close, Zoe is slowly drawn out of her comfort zone, but could a secret that Jackson has been keeping be enough to send her into retreat?
As well as a cute love story, this book has a strong handle on the difficulties and struggles faced by people with anxiety disorders. Even something as simple as checking the mail is enough to distress Zoe , and her gradual improvement as the book continues is great to see, but the most important aspect of her recovery is her realisation that while she needs to do this for herself, she does not have to do it by herself. All the secondary characters, but especially Zoe's sister, are well developed. The pacing is gentle as befits the story being told ,and my only fault with the book is that an early decision by Jackson not to revel his secret, once he figures things out, seems out of character for a guy as smart as he supposedly is. I also think it took slightly too long for the author to allow him to put two and two together, and this made me feel that the book was a little less believeable.. However overall I loved both the characters and the story, and was completely satisfied with the ending.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I’ve heard about this book a while ago and after reading the synopsis I thought this book was something I would definitely enjoy to read. After seeing the cover I was even more intrigued, I think it’s beautiful and after reading the the book I think it captures the essence of the story perfectly.

In this story we get to meet two main characters. Zoe, who never leaves her house because she’s afraid that something bad could happen and likes to spend her time in her safe space which is her study where she creates amazing art with paper. And then we have Jackson, a boy who ever since her mother died, has been having problems with his dad until one day he decides to leave his dad and home for good and starts to get jobs to be able to go to College, something his mother wanted for him, but now he’s homeless and it’s getting difficult for him to keep that secret from everyone else….

There are a lot of things that I like about this book. The first one is the fact that we get two POV’s, thanks to that I was able to understand what both characters were going through.
Zoe and Jackson have more than just one thing in common, like the fact that while they used to know each other in school before Zoe left and haven’t spoke to each other ever since, they now play Chess Challenge on the computer under different names.

I loved to read the messages they send to each other while they were playing, they made me laugh a lot, and it was nice to see how they could be themselves when they were around each other.

This is a book that will make you laugh and swoon when you least expect it, it’s hopeful and it’s about not giving up and fighting for your dreams. It is definitely an amazing book that I really can’t wait to read agin soon!

The idea of a story about Agoraphobia has always intrigued me and when I read the synopsis for Paper girl I knew I had to get my hands on it. I’m so glad it didn’t disappoint.

Zoe is our paper girl. She likes crafting with paper and has made an out of this world solar system. She also likes playing chess. All her hobbies can be done in the home. In fact, everything she does can be done in the home. Zoe hasn’t left her house in over a year. Her anxiety has taken over her life. She is missing out on a normal life. She is homeschooled. Her sister desperately wants her to attend her graduation. Zoe wants to play online chess with Black knight and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.

Jackson is the top of his class. He’s a good kid and keeps his head down. After his Mum died, Jackson’s Dad lost control of his life. He started a downward spiral of alcohol and drugs. Jackson needed to get out of the situation and now lives in his car. He spends most of his days in the library when he’s not at school. His life isn’t perfect but he’s trying his best to get a college scholarship with maximum funding. He tutors for extra cash and plays online chess for fun.

These two have lots in common but they are also opposites. Ones a math genius the other needs a tutor. Ones homeless the other never leaves her home. They both love chess and have taken up each other’s interests. They have two relationships. They know each other but they also have an anonymous online relationship. Both need to be brave and change their lives. This is a story of struggle but also romance. The story is intriguing and touching. This book for me was perfect. The story was something I wanted to read about and the author executed it beautifully.

5 stars out of 5. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a great romance for modern times. Zoe suffers from agoraphobia and Jackson is homeless. The both of them have each other to rely on, even when they have no idea they're speaking to each other online. Their attraction continues in real life and I flew through the pages to see what happened next. I enjoyed the uniqueness of Zoe's paper crafts, and the online chess game. For fans of YA romance, this is one to add to your TBR shelf.

The story begins with the online dialogue between blacKNIGHT and Rogue 2105. They are playing an anonymous online game of chess.

The story is told alternating between the plights of Zoe and Jackson. Zoe suffers with social anxiety and agoraphobia which prevents her from leaving her Penthouse apartment in over a year. She spends her days working on her paper galaxy in her room and reading her comics and studies.

I absolutely adored our main characters; there wasn’t any insta-love, as they knew each other school, and their interactions were so cute. I loved seeing Zoe go from being nervous around Jackson to speaking her mind and feeling comfortable with him. And Jackson is just perfect; he’s sweet and caring and supportive, and is the boyfriend material I dream of.

Jackson, has tenuous relationship with his father now that his mother has died. His father is wrapped up in alcohol and drugs. The situation has rendered 17 year old Jackson homeless, and desperate for money. He is a straight A student in school and plans to honor his mother by going to college. This requires money so Jackson tutors between attending school and trying to survive in his own. He is a math and physics whiz. Jackson is friends with Mae, Zoe’s older sister and occasionally has visited the penthouse. Mae is lively and outgoing. Quiet Zoe is homeschooled and failing at Math so Mae suggests Jackson be her tutor. Jackson jumps at the chance. The family is wealthy and living in an upscale penthouse in Colorado, where the breadwinner is the Car King.

This is where our story begins to blossom, bloom and then nearly fades to black. It takes a village and this is what happens here with the many and various needs of our characters.

You might even find a little sweet romance within the covers of the book.

As Zoe and Jackson drew close during tutoring sessions and the relationship became more intimate, Zoe recognized that she couldn’t and shouldn’t rely on Jackson for everything. Rather she must push beyond her comforts so she would become a self reliant young woman. I think that’s a really smart thing to advocate, otherwise a relationship could become unhealthy.

Oh, the online chess game dialogues throughout the book? Thats fun for you, reader, to discover.

When I saw that Paper Girl was about a teen with terrible anxiety, I knew I had to request it. I'm not as bad as Zoe because I leave my house. But my anxiety and panic attacks do effect my life and prevent me from doing everything I want to do.

Zoe had a panic attack over a year ago at school and hasn't left the house since. She has therapists that come to her, but no one has really been able to help her. She home schools while her sister, Mae, still attends their old school. Zoe started creating a paper universe. She does paper art as an escape. She starts seeing a new therapist, Gina, because her goal is to attend Mae's graduation. Zoe also plays chess online and confides a little bit to a stranger she plays with.

Jackson is a friend of Mae's. Zoe has had a crush on him for awhile, but she generally avoids all of Zoe's friends when they're over. Jackson lost his mom and his dad became addicted to drugs and alcohol. So Jackson started living in his car. He works to pay his insurance and phone bill, but mostly to save for college. He spends a lot of his time at the library where he plays online chess with a girl he can confide in. It's likely that this is someone that lives far away, so it's ok to tell her that he has no place to live.

Zoe's mom hires Jackson to tutor her. Zoe and Jackson start getting closer and they both have feelings for each other. Gina has been giving Zoe little goals to meet. Zoe starts spending time with Mae's friends when they come over. She goes to get the mail. And she finally leaves the house with help. But she also realizes that she is depending on Jackson for everything and that she needs to make goals to do things by herself in order to become truly independent.

This is a cute love story, but it also deals a lot with mental health and addiction. I really enjoyed reading about Zoe's steps and how she grew throughout the book. She had lots of setbacks, but she was a strong, determined girl.

I gave this book 4 stars. Thank you to Entangled Teen and Netgalley for my copy for review.

Zoe is trapped inside her home, suffering from agoraphobia. She finds solace in her paper making and her online chess game. Jackson is a homeless teen who is doing the best he can while dealing with his living situation and his father who has checked out of parenting after the death of his mother. Jackson and Zoe have been playing chess and developing a friendship, while being unaware of who each other is in real life. This is a sweet story of their coming together IRL to help each other work through their issues. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I felt it had some depth and layers to it and the way the author wrote about agoraphobia is a way I feel my students would be able to grab and understand. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Paper Girl is a young adult novel about Zoe, a wealthy girl who has agoraphobia and panic disorder. She falls for Jackson, who she has had a crush on for ages, and who is homeless because of his addict father. While there is nothing objectionable about the book, there's nothing memorable about it either. There's no real conflict, Zoe gets better, Jackson is able to return home. Ta da! If this was 1995, it would be right at home. In 2018, the characters and plot are both embarrassingly thin, and Paper Girl is an insubstantial as its title.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Jackson homeless, and Zoe never left her home. When their online lives clash with their real world lives, they both may find the courage they need to tackle their respective issues.

• Pro: I really liked Jackson. He was forced to take on grown up responsibilities sooner than he should have due to his mother's death and his father's alcoholism. This could have made him jaded or bitter, but he didn't let it get him down. He kept his focus on his future and kept pushing ahead.

• Pro: This book was pro therapy, but it didn't show it without any shortcomings. Zoe was on her 6th therapists, and she made a game out of how many times they used the word "cope". But, when she found the right therapists, changes started happening.

• Pro: Zoe's family was very present in this book, but they were not perfect. I thought their imperfect reactions and responses to Zoe's agoraphobia were realistic. It's a difficult thing to see your loved one withdraw from the world, but at least they were there for her, and they never gave up on supporting her. I also liked that Zoe's agoraphobia wasn't the result of some BIG trauma. It just slowly grew from everyday things.

• Con: Oddly enough, as Zoe sort of took charge of things, I felt like the pacing was off. I am not sure about what happened, but it did get better towards the end.

• Pro: I enjoyed the chats between BlackKNIGHT and Rouge2015. Their banter was fun and honest as they hid behind their screen names, and it was great seeing the relationship between those two grow alongside the IRL relationship of Zoe and Jackson.

• Pro: The romance was pretty adorable. These two had been mutually interest in each other prior to Zoe's dropping out of school. Jackson was very sweet and patient with Zoe, and they both gave each other little nudges in positive directions.

• Pro: Jackson's story was heartbreaking, and we got peeks at the emotional toll it was taking on him, but thank you, Cindy Wilson, for giving him such a hopeful resolution.

Overall: A thoughtful look at two struggling teens, who were able to find the strength and courage to overcome their obstacles.