Thanks to Entangled Publishing LLC for the ARC!

I'm so in love with these characters. Zoe suffers with anxiety and panic attacks. She can't bring herself to leave the house or have any contact with people besides her family members and a few friendly faces. Her world is limited to playing chess online, walking around her apartment and playing with paper.

When Jackson begins tutoring her, he has no idea that she's the same girl who plays chess with him online. Little by little, they discover how much they have in common and fall in love. It's a very complicated situation, because he's afraid of telling her who he actually is. He doesn't want to pressure her in any way, but he really wants to help. Sometimes he just can't understand why this wonderful girl just wants to hide herself from everyone else... And sometimes he just wants to stay there hidden with her in their happy bubble.

I really loved to see how brave Zoe is. She has a great character development, one step a time. Jackson is also such a great guy. I was mad at him a few times, but I know his intentions were good. I think this story will definitely insipire young people who might be feeling the same way and will make them want to live more too. Great read!

This book was so well written. From the first page it had me hooked. I know all too well this girls feelings as I too have social anxiety. I very seldom leave the house at all. Paper Girl had me all in my feels! WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!

The Quick Cut: An anxiety ridden girl (who doesn't leave the house) plays online chess with a secretly homeless boy. Chaos ensues when girl is pushes out of her bubble and worlds collide.

A Real Review:
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Anxiety is this overwhelming feeling that every one of us lives with, but for a few of us... that clawing, panicked state is a continued mind trap we wish we could escape. It can keep you from taking chances, pursuing your dreams, or even leaving the house. This is the reality that Zoe lives with in "Paper Girl".

The book starts with two screennames talking back and forth about a chess game they're playing together. What you as the reader discover right away is that Rogue2015 is Zoe: A homeschooled teenage girl who loves chess, hates math, and never leaves the house (or over a year now). She's the younger sibling to her older sister, who is in cheerleading and lives a more typical lifestyle.

The anxiety that Zoe feels causes her to never leave home, refuse to make eye contact with people, and nervously stutter during conversations sometimes. Her safe place? Her room filled with paper planet's that she created and posted all over her room in their penthouse apartment.

BlackKNIGHT is Jackson, a boy who keeps far too many secrets from the people in his life. His mom is gone and his dad is a mess, so for all intents and purposes... he's homeless. Only going to his dad's place to grab his mail, Jackson has learned to care for himself while finding moments of joy by playing chess online with Rogue2015. Any place that has free WiFi is a moment of escape for chess and banter.

Seems fairly straight forward, but everything gets turned on it's head when Zoe's goals to make it to her sister's graduation force her outside and into dealing with her reasons for her isolation. Will emotions affect her relationship with BlackKNIGHT?

This book hooked me from the start and didn't let go. Within hours of starting, I finished it because I had to know what happened to both Zoe and Jackson. The struggles Zoe goes through anxiety wise very much felt real and quite similar to what I go through with anxiety disorder. That tightening, panicking and all you want to do is hide? Plus, you watch Zoe and Jackson's online conversations evolve as time goes on from more game oriented and formal to casual and caring.

Chapters here have a format cycle: Chess Challenge Chat, Zoe's perspective, and then Jackson's perspective. All of these are very important to understanding what's going on with both characters and how they begin to mature. Zoe's evolution in particular made me tear up (in a happy way).

With a truly gripping story about two people and a raw portrayal of anxiety, this read will leave you hooked!

My rating: 5 out of 5

I received Paper Girl as an ARC from NetGalley. This was the first book I've read by Cindy Wilson and it tells the story of Zoe a junior in high school who suffers from social anxiety and agoraphobia. I absolutely loved this book!! I enjoyed the characters and I identified with Zoe because I suffer from social anxiety. I highly recommend this book because it as very well written and I would love to read more by Cindy Wilson.

3.5
Zoe and Jackson are great characters and the story was a good one. I admit I hesitated when it was revealed that even though they know each other (only very casually) through the sister, Mae they both already enamored with each other. I would have preferred that they weren’t associated and the chess thing was a fluke. Speaking of, both into chess, comics and astrology - give them a little individuality...

That aside, I liked their story. Both characters had serious challenges they were facing. Jackson, in particular, was endearing as he thrived in such a horrible situation. Zoe and Dr. Price were a good combination, especially when you find out the doctor’s history.

There are going to be the people that dislike this story because it seems too easy, the homelessness, the curing of mental illness, addiction resolution... Don’t get me wrong, it does wrap up in a neat bow but there were some real struggles and a lot of therapy along the way too. The story was enjoyable, would recommend.

Thanks NetGalley, the author and Entangled Publishing, LLC for a copy in exchange for a review.

OMG how annoying was the fact that Jackson and Zoe didn’t know who they were talking to each other online?!
I just wanted to break through the phone and into the book and tell them the truth!
This novel deals with anxiety and the affects it has on family and friends, not just on the individual.
I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Paper Girl appealed to me from the cover – it showed a paper chain of dolls and one burning. It looked intriguing and happily I was sent my copy. Paper Girl tells the story of Zoe – a girl suffering with extreme anxiety who has not left her house in years. She spends her time in there making objects from paper – she is working on the solar system for quite a significant chunk of the book – and it is here she feels safe. The paper is as fragile as she is yet she can work it into beautiful things; something she hopes she can do for herself. Zoe plays chess online under the guise of the name Rogue and is very good at it. Online she can be someone else, she can escape her anxiety and she can be in control. Rogue plays chess against BlackKnight, who becomes her confidante and best friend.
In the real world, Zoe is desperate to be able to attend the graduation of her sister Mae. Mae is a cheerleader and popular but, happily, is not someone who mocks or berates her sister. She wants her sister back and she wants to help her get there. Refreshing, no? I half expected to have a popular sister who doesn’t care what her younger sister does and enjoys mocking her – but no. Instead we have someone who cares, someone who wants to help, and someone who often feels anger about the situation her sister is stuck in and not actually at her sister. With the help of her therapist Zoe is determined to get there.
In the midst of all this we have Jackson. Jackson is homeless; he lives in his car. His mother passed away and his father was an alcoholic who was too difficult to live with. Hence Jackson would rather live in his car. He is planning on going to college after graduation and is funding this by tutoring other people in maths – his services are soon employed by Zoe’s parents to help her. They know each other anyway, but their relationship develops through his tutoring of Zoe and his hope of helping her. Of course, they both fancy the pants off each other but are far too shy to admit it! In order to ease both of their shyness, they consult with their online support and wish they could be more like them in real life.
This is a lovely book and it is so easy to read. The characters have their problems and difficulties but nothing ever gets too bad. It resolves itself well enough and easily enough which makes the book flow along nicely. You never hit massive barriers. Sure, Zoe struggles and has hardships as her therapy goes along but they work themselves out. Jackson also has his problems but remains so positive throughout you never really worry about him too much.
One thing I really liked was how the chapters went between Jackson, Zoe and then the conversations between Rogue and BlackKnight. I am a big fan of multiple narratives and how they pull things together or show a different perspective so again this helped reading through it.
Did it blow my mind? No. Did it leave me shocked and in awe and breathless for the next chapter? No. Did I enjoy it very much? Yes. It’s a good read with very likeable characters and a believable story. Zoe has that mum who constantly bakes and cooks and feeds everyone when they come round – she is such a fab character! You’re rooting for these guys throughout. If you’re looking for a gentle read that won’t tax you too much, but will leave you smiling, then this is the one for you.

This book starts off edgy and compels the reader to keep going to find out what will happen to this girl. You find out why she hides from others and along the way you find yourself cheering alongside her struggles and successes, I was worried this book might end up losing my interest as the girl lives in one place. However, once I started learning about her world I realized there is a lot more to it than what I expected! I loved everything about her story and the romance that bloomed from her journey. This story captured from the beginning and kept me hooked till the end. I loved it!

Beautiful story about the strength we all have deep within us to overcome even the most debilitating on obstacles. I love seeing the topic of agoraphobia in a book for teens. I love that the heroine realizes she cannot rely on anyone but herself to get better ani love the beautiful and supportive relationship she has with her sister. I liked that the characters had a mixed ethnic and cultural background and felt it added much to the story. I highly recommend this book to readers.

The issue I had with Paper Girls were the characters of Zoe and Jackson. The plot was fine and the idea of a girl battling her agoraphobia was also fine. What broke this story apart was how much Zoe and Jackson depended on each other. At first they only know of each other. They've seen each other at school when Zoe used to go. Jackson talked to Zoe once and despite being Zoe's sister's (Mae) friend, he never sees her when they hang out at Zoe and Mae's apartment. Both of these characters are obsessed with one another and love one another despite not knowing anything about each other. Each chapter was a different view point and right from the beginning Zoe and Jackson were always thinking of each other and wishing they could date each other, but equally deciding that the other person didn't like them.

Eventually Jackson weasels his way into Zoe's life as her physics and math tutor. He doesn't even know Zoe has agoraphobia. He just assumes she's very shy. He crossed the line with Zoe multiple times without caring about her boundaries and mental state. As a person with anxiety, this is something you don't do. You don't manipulate a person just because you have a crush on them in order to satisfy yourself.

Because of how Jackson implanted himself into her life, Zoe decided to get better for him. She labeled Jackson as her reason to breathe, and Jackson did the same with Zoe. These characters manipulated and withheld words and feelings when they wanted the other person to change and they wouldn't. Zoe wanted Jackson to give his dad a chance and move back home. Jackson wanted Zoe to be free of her agoraphobia and leave her apartment so they could go on dates. They have no right in demanding the other person to change. If Jackson doesn't want to make up with his dad then leave it at that. If Zoe doesn't want to leave the apartment then who cares? They guilt tripped each other into changing into the perfect versions they created in their heads.

The more I think about this story, the more it frustrates me because of how toxic these characters were portrayed. I wish a romance hadn't been included that way Zoe could grow on her own and learn to love herself by being independent.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This book focuses on two main character each with their own problems. Zoe is your average teenage girl however she suffers from agoraphobia and finds it extremely difficult if not impossible to leave her own room. She gets most of her social interactions playing games online with strangers. Enter our other main character, Jackson. Jackson is having a hard time with things in school and his family and to make matters worse he is homeless. To try to make some extra cash Jackson tutors other students, in hopes of making a better life for himself. He takes solace in gaming as well and the two meet up in the virtual world. The two connect instantly and form a close friendship. I really liked how the author made it very clear when the two were talking online, it gave you a nice break and really got to understand how the characters felt as they divulged their secrets to each other as they got to be better friends. It was nice to see the two of them open up and lean on each other. Very good story, and I really enjoyed reading it. A simple story but a very compelling one at the same time.

**3.5 Stars**

I have developed a love for books about people with mental illnesses lately. I love reading about the thought processes of the characters and how they cope and sometimes overcome their illness. This book ALMOST hit the mark for me.

The writing was awesome. Very descriptive and well thought out. There were a few moments where I felt like emotions went from zero to HUH?, but not overly so. I liked all of the secondary characters with Mae being my favorite, as the super supportive, caring, yet frustrated older sister.

My issues with this book came from the way Zoe's agoraphobia was addressed and how quickly she seemed to get over it. She hasn't left her house in over a year and a week or two after switching her therapist and getting a friend she's already ready to leave the house? It doesn't seem realistic. Not to mention, people acted like a small step would be something like re-enrolling in public school instead of simply taking a walk. To me, it seems like the author has no personal experience with agoraphobia and wrote it like any person who just has minimal understanding of it would write it. While I don't have any experience whatsoever with it, I have read another book about it written by someone who has suffered from it (Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall) and after finishing it I felt like I had a bigger understanding of what goes through an agoraphobic's head.

That being said, the book was entertaining and I definitely devoured it pretty quickly. The story flowed and the romance between Zoe and Jackson was really sweet. I liked Jackson's story line and I liked the way everything turned out. This is a really clean YA novel with the worst curse word being "Damn" and nothing more than kissing happening.

Overall, yes I do recommend this book. It was entertaining and it's a nice change of pace from the usual nerdy girl/popular guy YA trope.

Paper girl by Cindy R. Wilson is a beautifully told story about Zoe King who struggles to leave her apartment do to fears. This book is a cross between You've Got Mail and Everything Everything and I loved every minute of it. You'll fall in love with Zoe and root for her as she goes step by step and reenter the world.

The cover of this book was the first thing that caught my attention. It implies that the 'Paper Girl' is fragile and that her life could turn to ash at any moment. I thought it captured the essence of the book really well.

The 'Paper Girl' is Zoe, an almost-seventeen-year-old who hasn't left her apartment in over a year. After a socially painful incident at school, she has her first panic attack and becomes trapped in her apartment, unable to face the world. Paper becomes her comfort blanket. She creates a new world out of paper and lives in her paper room. Though she has visits from a number of therapists, none are able to encourage her to live her life outside of her paper walls. That is until Gina and Jackson enter her life. Gina, her new therapist, is different to the others. Though she doesn't tell Zoe straight away, she's lived through a similar scenario and understands the crippling fears that the outside holds. She works with Zoe as an individual rather than an anxiety-ridden patient. And then there's Jackson. Her sister's friend who is hired as her tutor to help with her math and physics work. The boy she's been crushing on but has always been too afraid to pursue. After spending more time with Gina and Jackson, Zoe begins to realise there is more to life than her paper creations and vows to do whatever it takes to gain back her independence. The only question is how, when the outside world absolutely terrifies her.

Compared to other similar books in this genre, 'Paper Girl' was unique in the way other elements were explored so that the whole story wasn't just focused on teenage anxiety. Zoe enjoys origami and chess, and these interests helped distract her. It also gave her something to work towards - going to the art museum for the paper exhibit for example. I think it's important that people with anxiety that read this book understand the importance of interests to help work towards their own steps and goals.

I thought Jackson's character was constructed well as he was battling his own problems but still made time to help Zoe combat hers. His compassion and understanding was great to see, as it showed that Zoe needn't have worried so much about what people thought of her anxiety. Opening up to people is the best way to work towards fighting your fears. Zoe was afraid, but Jackson helped her tackle the issues and this even led her to her own decision to try doing things on her own without protection from another person.

Overall, the book was easy to read and enjoyable. The teenage anxiety theme was covered without being too heavy. The relationships tame as opposed to overly sexual and this was also refreshing to see (many books would have taken this further and there was no need in this story). There were only a handful of characters which prevented the book from being overwhelming. The chapters were set out well, switching perspectives between Zoe, Jackson and an online chess conversation, giving the book a good pace. It is definitely a YA book I would recommend.

When I first recieved this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review I was beyond excited. For weeks I’ve been denyed every single request. I absoulety love the cover for this book it fits perfectly.

Zoe has suffered a panic attack that has forced her to become a shut in. Why? Because the real world is scary. She spends most of her time playing online chess and transforming her study into a galaxy made from paper.

Jackson has a troubled relationship with his father. In all terms that matter he’s homeless and has been for a while. He tutors to earn money to save up for college in the fall.

I personally loved how cute this book was. The characters were so adorable as well was the relationship between Zoe and Jackson. I could connect with Zoe the best. I suffer from anxiety and depression one single thing can send myself in a downward spiral of self doubt and be fooled that I have no future. While Zoe’s coping mechanism is folding paper into planets and astriods mine is reading.

I love how Zoe’s family was so supportive they wanted her to get better and was doing everything they could to help her move on and tag a step towards going to her sisters graduation.

Mae is such a loving character and she’s the most real one in this story. Despite understanding her sisters situation she understands that Zoe has to push her self out of her comfort zone or she’ll get no where. She gives her sister the tough love that she needs.

The one thing I didn’t like was how quickly Jackson and Zoe formed a relationship. I wish they would have been a little bit more slower and built up on their friendship.



RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Highly recommended to anyone that like YA contemporary novels.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this great YA read!

Zoe is home schooled. She has not left the house in a year. In that time, she's created a world made out of paper. In addition to the paper, she finds an escape playing chess online with a dude. They open up to each other.

Jackson is super smart and on track to becoming valedictorian. His mom passed away, and he can't live at home because his dad has turned to alcohol. He finds an escape playing chess online...

Jackson is friends with Zoe's sister. When Zoe needs a tutor, he's available. Zoe starts to feel things and wants to try to get out of the house for Jackson. For her family. And for herself.

I LOVED this book. It's a really sweet story, and I loved how pro-therapy it is. I really appreciated Zoe trying to cope with her social anxiety and working through it with her therapist. Everyone in this book seemed like a good character, even when they had flaws. What a feel good story it was, and I enjoyed reading it.

Zoe hasn't left her house in over a year. Severe social anxiety leaves her in constant fear. Zoe made a promise to her sister that she would come to her graduation, but first Zoe must face her fears and step outside. Jackson has a rough home life, afraid to let anyone know he hides this life from his friends. When Jackson is asked to help Zoe with tutoring he finds that he wants to also help her face her fears. Zoe and Jackson are just what each other may need to help one another step outside their comfort zones.

Zoe has a hard time leaving her home, so afraid of what strangers may think about what she says and does. This crippling social anxiety is keeping Zoe from experiencing life. To cope with not leaving home Zoe occupies herself with some hobbies like paper origami and chess, but she longs for more. I liked seeing Zoe try and break out of her comfort zone and start taking small steps towards achieving her goal. Zoe has a good support system in her family, friends, and therapist all of which want to help Zoe move past her anxiety. I liked reading about the tasks that Zoe engaged in to keep herself occupied like recreating the solar system out of paper and playing online chess matches. I especially enjoyed her matches with a fellow player that she always plays with and seeing their playful bantering back and forth through the IM chats.

Jackson is dealing with his own troubles after his mom dies and his father starts having trouble with addiction causing an unstable home life. Unable to cope with that Jackson leaves home, something that he wants to keep a secret. When Jackson starts tutoring Zoe the more her realizes he wants to spend time with her and help her break free from her social anxiety. Jackson was a good friend to Zoe and tried hard to help her, but he was also very resistant to accepting the same help for himself. He didn't want to believe his father could change and was determined to keep him out of his life. Jackson became so self-reliant that he didn't know how to accept help. I was glad to see that he was able to work through his issues and work on mending his relationship with his father. Zoe and Jackson both had their trouble accepting help and each wanted to try to work things through on their own. They each wanted to support one another and help break through their own lifes obstacles. I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow to more.

This was a fun read about learning to overcome your fears and anxieties and the help you can receive from friends and family if you are open to accepting it.

Zoe is an adolescent with agoraphobia and social anxiety who loves chess and constructing amazing things with paper. She uses an on-line chess app where she plays under another name, and there she meets a guy who also loves chess and talking to her, and in their on-line world they can trust each other without judging, and bit by bit they open up to each other.
This guy she plays chess with turns out to be Jackson, a guy from school who also is gonna began tutoring her and who used to care for her, and still does.
We have these two main characters, Zoe and Jackson, with their lives and their problems. They are more or less rounded, but I didn't end caring particularly for either of them. The only character that called my attention was Mae, Zoe's sister, as she appeared to be full of potential. Another one that did show some promise was the psychologist. Outside of this trio plus the psychologist, the other characters fell somewhat flat and where only there because the story needed parents and friends for the main characters.
The story began strong enough, but I got the feeling it lost momentum, and while the goals and marks Zoe sets for herself (or has asked of herself by her therapist) seems like reasonable and a way to keep moving the story forward, and so do the plot of Jackson homelessness and his dad's story, I didn't end up caring for them...

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of PAPER GIRL by Cindy R Wilson in exchange for my honest review.***

Zoe, who has agoraphobia and Jackson, who is homeless play online chess under screen names. Unbeknownst to either, they were schoolmates before Zoe’s anxiety escalated and she stopped leaving the house. When Jackson becomes her tutor and figures out Zoe is his online friend and opponent he struggles with disclosing the relationship and having the girl he likes realize he’s homeless.

My favorite part of PAPER GIRL was that Wilson stayed away from the trope love cures mental illness. Zoe worked with a therapist and set treatment goals. Her recovery wasn’t entirely realistic in the speed or activities she tried. Prom and a stadium full of people watching graduation gives people who aren’t agoraphobic anxiety.

I also enjoyed the arc with Jackson and his father, although Jackson’s homelessness made not having a place to live seem easier than the reality those without a place to live experience.

Wilson made me care about the major and minor characters, root for their successes. I read PAPER GIRL in one sitting. I look forward to more Cindy R Wilson books.