Whatever it was about Tilly in Technicolor that captivated so many reviewers honestly didn't land for me. For one thing, Tilly and Oliver spent so much time educating the reader about ADHD and autism that it felt more like I was being educated on these conditions than that I was reading a romance novel. Don't get me wrong, that will be GREAT for plenty of readers, but for me was too much. And it's like the book focused so much on their neurodiversity (I think mainly Tilly) that I didn't get a great sense of who they were as people aside it. There also wasn't a compelling plot and I never felt totally hooked by it. Like, it was more vibes than plot (and there really weren't that many vibes, actually).

At the end of my list of gripes...for a book that takes place during a trip across Europe, I feel like the European settings should have really enhanced the plot and brought the book to life, but they did not. A romance across Europe is a premise with a ton of potential, and for me the book really didn't meet it. It did more or less sell me on the romance though and I could feel Tilly and Oliver's feelings for one another the whole time. The way their feelings for one another were depicted was very sweet and innocent and I loved their interactions.

There's no way I can review this without mentioning the things I did like, and I did enjoy certain aspects of the book. I LOVED the chapter titles and this book nailed the use of Gen Z slang. I've seen plenty of authors use young people slang in a very "how do you do, fellow kids?" kind of way, but Tilly in Technicolor integrated it seamlessly. I also have to give kudos to the author for the diversity in the book. There are its neurodiverse MCs, of course, of which the YA lit genre is sorely lacking. Tilly in Technicolor will help many young readers to better understand and accept autism and ADHD, which is wonderful. It also has various LGBTQ side characters, including Oliver's two mums and Tilly's lesbian sister. A book portraying and normalizing love and acceptance within families is always, always an excellent thing. You can never have too much of that.

Despite its mediocre reception from me, I have no doubt that this book will resonate with many neurodiverse folks and that many readers will find the romance captivating! For me it just didn't hit the mark.

Thank you to Mazey Eddings and St. Martin's Press for the eARC, which I received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mazey Eddings has written a wonderful young adult novel in Tilly in Technicolor. I was hooked from the first chapter. This is the story of Tilly and Oliver, two neurodivergent teens who have an exceedingly awkward meet up and then find each other again in the circumstance of a shared summer internship.
The story is told in alternating in Tilly and Oliver's alternating POVs and both characters are well written, engaging, interesting and made my heart ache.
I appreciated the details that both POVs provided--insight into Tilly and Oliver as truly three dimensional, well-created characters, but also into their own unique experiences with neurodivergence and where their experiences connected and diverged.
The way their relationship evolved felt very realistic and natural and organic. They recognize something in each other and find a connection, even as their outward personas seem so dissimilar, they understand and appreciate each other in such a boundless and supportive way. You can feel how much they cherish each other and how much they appreciate the qualities that make them who they are, qualities that perhaps others have not appreciated,
I think having the narration be first person made it so immediate, so immersive, so personal.
The story had interesting side characters and plot but really what this story centered on was Tilly and Oliver and their relationship and it was perfectly structured for that.
There were parts that made me laugh, others where I was anxious for the MCs, and parts that gave me some very thought-provoking moments to think about parenting and how we speak and react to our kids. And then there were wonderful moments of a budding teen romance.
Misunderstanding happen but they felt very organic and real here, not plot contrived but more based on how the characters interpret interactions and how they react to those interpretations.
This book was well-conceived, well-written, and definitely something that is an appealing read for teens and adults. Representation of kids with neuroatypia is needed and lacking in general YA and this book did an excellent job providing not only representation but a nuanced and complex examination of it.
Highly recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. This is my unbiased review.

This was the cutest most wholesome romance I have read in a while!

I was gripped by this book from page one and had difficulty putting it down. I think I devoured it in two days.

I am diagnosed with ADHD and found myself relating so much to Tilly and many of the ways she navigates her ADHD, as well as the obstacles she faces in her day to day life. Oddly enough - I also related to Oliver & some of his autistic traits even though I am not known to have autism. This is showcased in the novel as well, with these two young adults realizing that they have a lot in common and can understand each other better once they communicate. Speaking of, I loved the topic and overall theme of encouraging communication of your feelings, even if it may be challenging. The only way for people to understand how you’re feeling is to be open and vulnerable.

It was also incredibly refreshing reading about these neurodivergent young adults. I strongly feel this book will be validating to those who either have autism & ADHD, or maybe those who might think they have one or the other. I self diagnosed myself before I was clinically diagnosed and I feel we as people are very good at knowing ourselves and our minds.

I will forever be recommending this book. It made me laugh, it made me tear up, it made me smile with glee. Tilly and Oliver - and all of the side characters are full of color (pun intended). This story needs to be up there with the best rom coms of 2023!!

This is only my second book by Mazey Eddings but truly she's already one of my favorite authors. Two 5 stars already. And this is even her YA debut. This story is so wonderfully fantastic, following two characters who seem so wildly different but really have so much in common. We have a main character with ADHD and an autistic love interest, and both of those are own voices! The way these two characters fit with each other makes me so wildly happy and I'm already planning on picking up everything Mazey writes!!

Things I loved:
👏 Neurodivergent representation👏
👏LGBTQ representation👏
✨ European travels
✨Romance
✨Dual perspectives

Such a delightful YA read 📚

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was witty and hilarious, Tilly and Oliver were magnetic and I couldn’t help loving them together! The first half of the book hooked me in and the second half was even better, i mean is there anything better than a romance set in Europe?💕
also, the way Oliver and Tilly let it each other in and talked about their autism and ADHD (respectively) was *chefs kiss*!
although A Brish With Love is still my favourite Mazey Eddings book, this might be close second!

thanks @netgalley for the arc!

I loved this. I’ve never read a book with nuerodivergence so at the forefront. I thought it was well done. There was an authenticity about it. And the romance and honestly all the relationships were very heartwarming and well paced. I’m so glad books like this exist now and I thought it was well done.

title: Tilly in Technicolor

author: Mazey Eddings

publisher: Wednesday Books

publication date: August 15, 2023

pages: 320

peppers: 2

warnings: puke

summary: After her high school graduation, Tilly's parents send her on a European trip as intern to her successful sister, who's starting an environmentally friendly nail polish line. While her parents want Tilly to understand the importance of a college degree and a corporate job, Tilly wants to write. The other intern hired by the fledgling startup is Oliver, who sees the world through his Pantone palette lens. Both neurodivergent main characters can't seem to get things right with each other or with the world.

tropes:

one bed
neurodivergence
twin sister


what I liked:

great humor
fun side characters
food around Europe
good interior monologues

what I didn’t like:

really, nothing to put here

overall rating: 5 (of 5 stars)

For those of you who've been waiting for a 5-star review to see if you would like to read a romance novel, try this one. It gave me all the feels and the sex scenes won't be too embarrassing to read if you're not used to the hot peppers.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I am convinced Mazey puts something in her books because I am addicted! They’re just so good! I flew through this and I can’t even get over how good it was! Another phenomenal book from Mazey! And to think, this is her YA debut. I loved it so much I already have it pre-ordered. You won’t want to miss this!

Tilly in Technicolor 🤍
Pub date: 08/15/23

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Being around you— seeing the way you shine— is like discovering a new color of the rainbow every single day.”

I absolutely loved this book. Tilly and Oliver are two of the loveliest characters I have ever fallen in love with. both radiate so much love and kindness and sunshine and happiness. they show their love for each other in their most true and authentic ways that are lovely testaments to the multitude of ways people can love one another.

the neurodiverse representation was so special to read. I love stories that showcase the beautifully honest and unique way people live and love. this story was so special, full of love and understanding between Oliver and Tilly, as well as their friends and family.

the familial love here was so abundant and everchanging— showing how love doesn’t always mean we fully understand, but that we will always show up and keep learning 🤍

thank you for the ARC!!!! :)

I've read all of Mazey Edding's books that have been released and Tilly in Technicolor is my favorite. I loved everything about it. It was so full of life and emotion. I know it's categorized as a YA, but it was almost NA with the characters recently having graduated from high school, being over 18, and moving forward in life past that high school experience.

Tilly gave this book a special energy. Learning how her ADHD affected her life and her relationships with people was fascinating. I couldn't help feeling sad for her over her relationship with her parents. They didn't get her, and it actually inspired me to look at my relationship with my daughter. I loved how her relationship with her sister changed throughout the book and how Tilly was able to blossom under her experiences with Mona's company. My favorite relationship was her ever changing relationship with Oliver.

Oliver had his own point of view in this book, and I couldn't have been happier about that. His voice was so important to understanding him and his relationship with Tilly. How his autism affected him was just as interesting as how ADHD had an impact on Tilly. I loved seeing Oliver's world of color. I was just as fascinated by his character as I was by Tilly's. His friendships and relationships with his sister added some extra fun to the book.

Tilly and Oliver were such a great pairing. They had a hilarious, disastrous first meeting that I'm unlikely to forget. I loved how their annoyance with each other turned to understanding. The things they learned and understood about each other were so important and precious. The moments they spent together gave me so much to smile about.

Everything about this book was just so good. I am not doing my best getting across how I feel about it or what it was about because I am still so wrapped up in the emotion of it all. This was one of those books that I loved from the first to the last page. It's such a special read. I highly recommend it.

First loves can be quite challenging - how do you know they like you back if not ripping petals off of daisies or asking them straight out if the feelings are being reciprocated?
A crush can be even more challenging if the person finds themselves on the spectrum or with other neurological challenges.
Tilly has ADHD and, after graduating, is being sent to Europe to intern for her sister. Her parents are hoping that this trip will knock some sense into her and that Tilly will decide that she wants to attend college, after all.
All Tilly wants is to write and to navigate the world and how she sees it the best she can.
On her flight to London she is seated next to Oliver, who has autism and finds Tilly loud and challenging.
The plane ride is anything but smooth and at the end Tilly and Oliver are happy to never see each other again - that is until he shows up in Tilly’s sister’s hotel room and is being introduced as the other summer intern.

The story follows Tilly and Oliver in changing POVs around Europe and does a great job at educating the reader about the challenges people on the spectrum may face.
Tilly in Technicolor is a great YA read with no spice and definitely made me want to visit all the cool sights our main characters visited

I really enjoyed Tilly in Technicolor. One, I love the title. Two, great cover! It is an adorable YA novel that includes two teens with challenges interpreting signals from others and/or ADHD.

One thing bothers me about the book; in a nutshell ... the sleeping arrangements. I will include in the notes to publisher. But besides that, I adored Tilly in Technicolor!

Thank you to NetGalley ... for yet once again ... introducing me to a "new to me" author! Mazey Eddings did a great job bringing this book into Technicolor for me. Loved the imagery of Oliver's blog/website linking specific colors from different photos.

Really wonderful how the author captures unique talents from these young folks.

Thank you to the author Mazey Eddings and the publisher St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review Tilly in Technicolor in exchange for an honest review.

Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings is about two neurodivergent teens who have a disastrous meet-cute on a plane and then fall in and out of love and in love again.

Teens are going to love this book. It captures the energy of young teen romance ad the appeal of being in a foreign country. Oliver is such a sweet character, and I love his adoration of color. Furthermore, Eddings is able to give insight into what it is like to have ADHD, especially a girl. There are not many books featuring neurodivergent female protagonists, and even the science and therapy are skewed for males.

That being said, I really wanted to like this book, but Tilly frustrated me. Her chapters made me tense, especially the early chapter of her plane ride to England. She invades Oliver's space ad body throughout the entire plane ride and requires a copious amount of ketchup. There was so much ketchup being used and descriptions of ketchup and after all of the ketchup talk, she ends up getting it all over herself and Oliver. I wanted to scream, but I also realize that this is Tilly's world.

Overall, a solid three stars even though Tilly and I did not vibe

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Tilly in Technicolor was such a joy to read. The story is light hearted, funny, and shows sides of ADHD and Autism that everyone should know. Mazey Eddings writing is great and I really enjoyed this novel, I wanted to know what was going to happen to Tilly and Oliver. I was sad when they were sad, and happy when they were happy. She writes in a way that you can connect with the characters. I liked the raw emotion she incorporated into all of the characters. There was everything from sister rivalry, friendships, LGBTQ+ relationships, mother and daughter issues, this book really has a little bit of everything!

This book and its lead characters are neurodivine! I love all of author Mazey Eddings' neurodiverse characters, but Tilly and Ollie are my favorite. Messy, larger-than-life Tilly is vibrant and practically vibrating out of her skin as her mind swirls and runs laps and is never calm. Oliver is quiet, tidy, and meticulous. They are (seemingly) total opposites thrown together for a summer internship involving frequent travel and a shared hotel room.

Their neurodivergence brings them together, via mutual sensory overload in a loud and crowded town center. As they each stim to self-regulate, they see parts of themselves reflected in each other, and their slow-burn romance takes off from there. They are so sweet and caring with each other, it's truly beautiful to watch their relationship bloom.

I hope this wonderful book reaches each and every single neurodiverse reader of YA Contemporary books.

What a sweet, powerful read. I adored Tilly & Ollie’s characters & their journeys. I appreciate how Mazey represented these characters & their neurodiversity’s. I really enjoyed reading Tilly’s blog posts! This was just a read!

This is apparently the year for amazing Adult Romance Writers to write YA. I love this trend because it allows me to have books from authors I love, that I can share with my students. Mazey Eddings, new YA, Tilly in Technicolor, is one such book. I went into it already expecting to love it, because I have enjoyed her other books. I did love this one, and full disclosure, I think it may be my new favorite book by Eddings. The premise is an exciting one, with the protagonists spending the summer as interns traveling through Europe. Tilly, the female protagonist, has ADD while the male protagonist, Oliver, has autism. Both, feel like they don't fit in. For Tilly, this means feeling like people, especially her family, consider her a too loud and too much. While Oliver, with a more supportive family, has difficulty making connections with others. The way these two characters come together was romantic and sweet, but also seeing them embrace each other wholeheartedly was reaffirming. The plot of the story itself was a rollercoaster with some great travel woes and descriptions of some amazing locations. So, if you are looking for a phenomenal YA romance with great ADD/Autism representation, read this book. I definitely plan to recommend this one to my students. (Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the ARC)

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC!

I’m going to try to articulate my thoughts on this book as best as I can because I have a lot of them. So let’s jump in first with what I liked!

Oliver. I really enjoyed reading his chapters for most of the book. I liked his take on color and his passion for it; it was fun and interesting to hear his long in-depth descriptions. ❤️ And I enjoyed how she wrote his autism - how it manifested within the conflicts of the story. It all was very beautifully done.

Some aspects of Tilly. I liked again how her ADHD was a part of the story; I liked how she was portrayed and it was enlightening for me. Most of the time, I just wanted to give both of these little babies biiiiig hugs. And I think that was a huge win for Eddings.

The romance. It was tender and sweet and a cute little slow burn for these two. I enjoyed a lot of the middle of this book from like 10/15% to 70% - where the slow burn was happening. These two darlings were growing and learning more about each other and it was sweet and wholesome! ❤️

Okay, moving on to what I didn’t like:

Tilly’s parents. First, they are only in the book for a total of maybe 8-10% and they are the worst people ever. I get having the juxtaposition of her awful parents with Oliver’s understanding ones but it was overwhelming every single time her mom was present. And the worst part about it all was the underwhelming wrap up of this issue. Her mother reads Tilly’s blog posts and suddenly has this revelation and all of her horrible ways are behind her…. 🤔 Um huh? It was so weird to read that ending portion and I was very confused. So we’re implying that her completely disrespected her daughter and calling her Tornado Tilly was her way of protecting her? I’m sorry; you can’t throw in horrendous parents who just don’t listen to their daughter and then wrap it up in four pages. I don’t buy it.

Next… and this will be controversial. It felt like a LOT of the talking about ADHD and autism was just that: talking, being told, explanation. It was a LOT of explaining. There were times when I felt like I was reading a memoir instead of a fictional YA romance. And I had this same problem with Ophelia After All. This felt like a book where we are being taught what neurodivergence is. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this and honestly it may help a lot of young readers understand Tilly and Ollie. But it’s just not my cup of tea.

Following up on that, at times this book felt like it was focusing SO much on these two characters and their neurodiversity that the plot was mainly that. It didn’t feel like there was much plot besides this. These four people traveled across Europe and I remember very little of any of their experiences (except for those $200 clogs…) and I don’t know much at all about Tilly’s sister and zip about Amina. They felt like plot devices instead of characters. The reason for Tilly and Oliver to hang out. 🤷‍♀️ So if you want a book with so much characterization that it overshadows everything else, this is it.

Finally…. I can have some suspension of disbelief in YA. A kid having 120,000 followers on his COLOR INSTAGRAM? (For reference, Brandon Sanderson, who writes YA and Adult books has 188,000 followers so like…. WHAT?)
Yeah, sure, I’ll let that slide for the purposes of this particular plot.
But an 18 year old girl with zero prior experience writing except for her 2 month old blog and no college education and nothing mentioned about school-related clubs or magazines - getting a writing job with a magazine in PARIS?? 😱 I’m sorry. What? What? WHAT? I can’t even be happy for her because I don’t believe that AT ALL. And these types of superfluous things irk me in YA because you’re molding young minds. I actually liked her sister offering her to stay in to help with the nail polish company for a while. I wish she had maybe done a 6-8 months or 1 year later of maybe then she gets some kind of writing thing? After maybe her blog gets bigger? It just… didn’t make sense to me how it happened. Congratulations- you’re a lucky person? 🙄

All in all, I’m ending up with a 2.5 / 3 rating. I may lower this if my brain decides later…. But I think it’s fair. There were good points to this book and things that didn’t work for me. And I think those things could work for other people. :) I have one of Edding’s adult books still to read but I will probably refrain from buying more until I get a better idea of her style. I am willing to give her books another go at least!

This book, simply put, is phenomenal. I loved all of the characters but obviously mostly Tilly and Ollie!

I thought the independence that Tilly gained throughout this book was really lovely! Oliver's understanding of her was also just so freaking cute!! He had multiple quotes that I wanted to highlight that were honestly just beautiful.

Mazey has this way of writing characters and stories that are so realistic to me and it keeps me coming back for more - I really will read anything she writes. I don't typically read a lot of YA but I found myself absolutely loving this book (honestly I devoured it in a matter of hours) and eagerly anticipating Cubby's book!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/ Wednesday books for the eARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.