Member Reviews
Thank you to netgalley for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book and how it represented ADHD and Autism in the two main characters. I thought their relationship was a bit surface level but it was okay. I also was intrigued reading about Tilly's relationship with her mother. I felt like I could relate and see my brother in Tilly and the pressure her parents put on her especially comparing her to her sibling. Overall I enjoyed the book even though it was not perfect.
Mazey Eddings writing is so wonderful! Such amazing neurodivergent rep and this book was such a cuteness overload! Like so wholesome and so fun to read about!
I have enjoyed Mazey Eddings stories with neuro-diverse characters, so this venture into YA was one I wanted to try. Tilly Twomley doesn't want to go to university or college, but her parents, especially her mother, are adamant that she needs to. They have funded an internship with her sister who is launching a nail polish company. Tilly is excited about the travel, but not the job. Tilly has a serious case of ADHD and knows that business is not the way she wants to go, she wants to be a writer/author. On the plane to meet her sister, she meets Oliver Clark, a young man with autism. Oliver loves color and design and is working a summer internship before starting the prestigious design program his best friend got him in. Tilly and Oliver connect in an odd way on the plane and when they find out that both their internships are with Mona, Tilly's sister, they know that their feelings can only be friendship.
I really enjoyed watching Tilly and Oliver fight their feelings for one another. Oliver had no idea what he was feeling and had to call his friend for answers. I felt so sad for Tilly. She was constantly made to feel inferior to her sister and bullied to do things that were not natural to her. Her relationship with her parents was so strained. I think she enjoyed being a hand model, but her true desire was to write. Her blog about living with ADHD was her outlet and allowed people to see how this affected her life. Oliver was not just a secondary character, but one with his own POV dealing with his autism. His relationships with his family were so different from Tilly's and his twin sister was a hoot. I loved how they accepted Tilly unconditionally. As the story unfolded, I saw how things are not always how they look. I enjoyed seeing Tilly come into her own and how her and Oliver were able to figure out their relationship. This book had humor, a hilarious first meeting, great characters, heartbreaking moments, personal growth, acceptance and realization of how to treat others. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you enjoy stories with neuro-diverse characters. I was able to do a read/listen with Tilly in Technicolor and enjoyed the narration by Justis Bolding and Chris Nelson. They gave wonderful voices to Tilly and Oliver. I loved the deadpan voice Chris Nelson used for Oliver used until he loosened up a bit. I recommend either format, depending on your preference.
Loved the main character and her unique pov for those who have ADHD. I loved the relationship of neurodiversity and how that looks navigating this world. The only thing that put me off a little was the male narrator who gave the voices of the females as he was reading an almost a Mrs. Doubtfire tone rather than youthful, playful. But overall, the story and the characters were easy to love and follow.
Justis Bolding and Chris Nelson are awesome voice actors - they do a great job of bringing the emotions into the characters
Mazey has a way of building these characters so that you feel for them and only want them to succeed and find love. Tilly has ADHD and is attempting to be "normal" as her mom wants her to be. To be just like her sister go to college get those degrees and open her own business. Tilly wants to write but why not go to London and help her sister on a tour for her new innovative nail polish
Oliver loves colours and is on the spectrum - he has an internship for the summer with a new up-and-coming nail polish company. He has the most bazaar interaction with the person sitting next to him on the plane
Little does Tilly or Oliver know until day one that they will be working closely together
This story is super sweet and heartwarming. I adored every minute of it and as usual, I marveled at Mazey's brilliant storytelling
Mazey Eddings can do no wrong in my book and her first YA was an example of that. Chockfull of spot-on autism and adhd rep (the author herself is neurodivergent), I loved getting to experience a trip to Europe through Tilly’s eyes, and all that that entails in your youth, including the cutest vacation romance. And as someone who is an Aspie myself, I felt so seen in the character of Oliver.
Thank you Wednesday Books and Recorded Books for my gifted copies.
I absolutely ADORED this book. I don’t gravitate toward YA books often but was excited for this one just seeing mazey eddings’ name and she just delivers every single time. This was the most adorable, sweet, swoon worthy romance with such dynamic, honest, captivating, funny, bold, colorful, flawed, vulnerable, unique, creative characters that I will be thinking about forever. I feel like mazey eddings’ books always see straight into my soul and this was no different. Tilly voice and experiences and struggles felt so authentic and real and relatable, I think mazey eddings crawled into my brain to write this book. She speaks about neurodivergence in such a poignant, beautiful, honest, vulnerable way and I can’t emphasize enough I appreciate that. Oliver was so sweet and such a dream. The use of pantone colors as a reoccurring theme and talking point in the book was so unique and beautiful. Oliver describing Tilly as the entire rainbow brought me to tears.
I listened to this on audio and absolutely loved it. I appreciated that the narrators voices and performance felt very true to the characters ages of 18 (and that it didnt sound like grow adults reading teenagers lines). I thought that the narration made this book incredibly engaging and captivating and I didn’t want to stop listening.
While I usually don't read contemporary YA, I decided to read this book nevertheless because I like the author's adult books. I have to admit that this was a rather cute read.
I found both main chcaracters - Tilly and Oliver - very likable and found them both incredibly relatable in so many aspects. I couldn't keep but root for them because their romance was so sweet and tender. They were over the moon for each other and it was adorable to read about.
Some other things I liked:
- Capitalism critique
- The relationship between Tilly and her sister
- Queer folks
A note on the audiobook: I have no complains about Tilly's narrator, but I strongly disliked the voice for Oliver. It took me a couple of chapters to get used to it, but in the beginning it was rather bad. This is a personal preference though, so feel free to ignore my opinion here.
Overall this was a lovely read that I'd recommend even to cynical non-YA readers like myself.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for an advanced reader audiobook copy of Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings.
Tilly is headed to Europe for a summer internship with her sister, and she can't wait to get away from her judgemental parents who refuse to accept her as she is. Tilly has ADHD and feels entirely misunderstood by her parents AND her sister, but decides her sister has to be more tolerable than her parents. On the flight, she meets Oliver who is on the spectrum and VERY different from Tilly. Their disastrous meeting is a typical "meet-cute" that becomes a frenemies twist when they discover Oliver will also be working as an intern for Tilly's sister over the course of this same summer.
I really wanted to like this book...and while there were some very occasional bright spots, there were some things I could not get past. I think the narrator of Tilly made this character even more annoying than she might have been otherwise. While I understand her diagnosis makes her approach the world differently, I was disappointed that Eddings wrote this character to be a bit bratty and somewhat unapologetic for the way she behaves. While neurodivergent people should be allowed to be themselves, that does not give them a license to do whatever they want and be excused. Part of learning to live in the world with other people is being able to do just that - find and use strategies to help you live and function in a world with other people. Tilly was whiny and rude when her sister and parents tried to help her (as sisters and parents are wont to do). This storyline reinforces what society tells our youth today - no matter how you act, you are supposed to be applauded and accepted, no questions asked. I thought the portrayal of Tilly's ADHD was a disservice to the thousands of people who struggle with this very real diagnosis each day. Instead of showing how she could employ actual coping mechanisms and skills, Tilly mostly just pitched fits and complained that she was tired of being mistreated. Oliver (Ollie), on the other hand, was more well-written, in my opinion. His quirkiness and his very valid attempts at coping strategies made his character more real to me than the flighty Tilly. I did have an issue with the romance part, however. I felt Ollie's character would likely have been way more hesitant in real life to pursue an intimate relationship that involved touching and/or sex. And speaking of sex - I was very disappointed that Eddings even introduced this as a possibility, much less a go-ahead. This book is marketed to young adults, but the timing of this sexual encounter is definitely WAY TOO SOON in this relationship for this population. I know there is a big push in the markets right now to write "real life;" however, just because kids are having sex WAY before they are emotionally ready in "real life" does not mean it should be additionally glorified in the things they read. This could be a sweet and endearing part of the story - it did not have to become about that. ESPECIALLY, with two characters who are already at an emotional disadvantage.
Overall, I was not a fan of this book - maybe because I am a teacher of neurodivergent kiddos, or because I am a mama, or I have just outgrown YA romance, but I would not recommend this to the young people in my life.
Tilly is headed to London to intern with her sister's young company. On the plane she meets a handsome but exasperating young man who just happens to also be interning with her sister. This hits all the frothy and sexy notes of any coming of age romance. What sets it apart is that Tilly has ADHD and Oliver has autism. As they navigate their way towards one another they also figure out how to share their gifts with a world that isn't always welcoming to them.
Logo de cara já digo que, mais uma vez, tanto fui atraída pela capa do livro, quanto, até mais que ela, por descobrir sobre a abordagem de TDAH e autismo no enredo através dos protagonistas, Tilly e Oliver. Tem sido ótimo, pouco a pouco, ver mais dessa e outras representatividades PcD na literatura e isso por só já me agradou no livro.
Tilly in Technicolor é, quase tanto quanto sua protagonista, vibrante e enérgico por entre o clima de viagem a qual ela foi submetida nas férias antes de se decidir sobre a faculdade, e acompanhada da irmã gerenciando sua empresa em fase inicial e a presença de Oliver, que ela conhecera primeiro no voo até Paris, sem saber que o rapaz estava responsável por gerenciar as redes sociais da empresa da irmã naquele período, logo, precisando conviver com ele também. Entre alguns altos e baixos iniciais da garota lidando tanto a rotina nos lugares por onde passa quanto pelos dilemas do que fazer no futuro, principalmente dada a pressão da mãe em especial após seu diagnóstico de TDAH, encontramos um misto de tocante e diversão na narrativa enquanto acompanhamos Tilly, sobretudo, dar voz ao que ela sente dentro e fora do tema do TDAH e, mais ainda, sobre seu processo de amadurecimento ao se permitir, aos poucos, com a ajuda de Oliver, a reconhecer e abraçar de fato o que ela gosta de fazer e acreditar mais em si mesma no processo.
Oliver, por sua vez, já se vê um tanto mais resolvido, ainda que com eventuais altos e baixos no quesito social, os quais Tilly o acaba fazendo se soltar um pouco mais aqui e ali ou simplesmente encarar situações e pessoas por ângulos novos, juntando a mente criativa e animada dela, com a fixação dele por cores e arte. Sendo autista, o início de sua relação com ela não se dá muito fácil em meio à tanta extroversão, mas é lindo de ver como a autora desenvolve o relacionamento deles de forma a não apagar as individualidades deles, mas sim a somar e mostrar que, com certas pessoas, se quisermos, podemos fazer diferente do usual sem necessariamente ultrapassarmos o limite do confortável. Sobre o quão, por vezes, basta encontrar a pessoa certa em meio a uma multidão para com a qual se sentir capaz e mesmo até animado e encorajado a se abrir de formas que não se está acostumado.
Foi meu primeiro contato com um livro da autora e se, apesar de ter me irritado com um ou outro excesso/explosão dos personagens com palavrões aqui e ali, entre outros detalhes menores, mas o livro ainda conseguiu fluir, principalmente tendo sido em audiobook - a narradora da Tilly, aliás, combinou tanto, encaixando a exata animação e espontaneidade que o texto dela parecia requerir, o que tornou a experiência de ouvir a história bem bacana, mesmo com ressalvas. Além disso, o romance também foi fofo, desenvolvido na medida certa de forma a não se sobrepor ao que, acredito, tenha sido o foco do livro, falar sobre as dificuldades e estigmas em torno do TDAH e do autismo, em especial também em meio às relações familiares. As interações entre Tilly e a mãe me deixavam bem agoniadas em vários momentos, de tanto que era palpável a pressão sentida pela garota rumo a caminhos que não batiam realmente com o que ela queria para si, mas que a mãe julgava serem os únicos bons. Foi tocante acompanhar a cena do final do livro, diria que foi um dos pontos altos do livro após tamanha construção do tema e delicadeza e naturalidade da autora para com ele.
Então, apesar das ressalvas já citadas, Tilly in Technicolor é mais uma opção bem bacana para quem procura por histórias com mais diversidade, em especial no âmbito neurodivergente, e o faz de formas tanto sensíveis quanto envolventes no decorrer da trama, mostrando que um diagnóstico não resume ninguém, e que, mesmo dentro de uma ou outra limitação ou adaptação, podemos fazer muito!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed this YA coming of age story about a girl with ADHD navigating her post-high school life. Tilly joins her older sister in Europe as an intern for her sister's start-up company. On the way to London, Tilly experiences a meet-cute with an aloof boy her age, Oliver, who, of course, ends up being her fellow intern and is misunderstood due to his own neurodiversity.
I liked the first person narration from the POVs of Tilly and of Oliver. It was interesting and illuminating to hear how their brains work and how they experience the world around them.
𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫
𝐁𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟖.𝟏𝟓.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝒪𝓊𝓉 𝒩𝑜𝓌!
Thank you @wednesdaybooks @stmartinspress and @mazyeddings for a gifted copy.
Y’all know I’m all about great characters, right? Well, Tilly and Ollie are about as cute as they come!
Tilly and Oliver (Ollie) are both summer interns at Ruhe, Tilly’s sister’s nail polish business. After an awkward first meeting, Tilly and Ollie spend the summer working, traveling, and, practically living together.
Tilly has ADHD and is bright, energetic but a bit chaotic. While Ollie is autistic; he loves order, is literal and he studies color theory. It was so amazing to watch these two opposites find the perfect balance in each other, to be understood, to be loved for who they are.
I loved how brave both Ollie and Tilly were; they had goals for school and work, and they stayed true to themselves even overcoming self-doubt, fears, and lack of support from family or friends. In the end, many of the characters have great growth, and it's an overall sweet and delightful read.
Although this is a super fun YA romance, I think it’s an important one too, with wonderful neurodivergent representation and positivity.
Thank you @Recordedbooks for the gifted audiobook. I loved listening to the audiobook; I appreciated the different narrators, especially Ollie’s British accent.
I love the way Mazey Eddings write neurodivergent characters. Tilly and Ollie were both absolutely precious and the way the fit together was just perfect!
The setting of this was fun with them traveling around Europe in the summer.
There was so much depth to Tilly and her relationship with her mom and sister as well as her relationship with herself. Her growth and the way she was able to stand up for herself by the end was so heartwarming.
Ollie also had some excellent growth with letting people in and communicating.
I absolutely recommend this one to YA fans as well as people who have been fans of Mazey’s adult books. I would read 5 more books just about Tilly and Ollie!
When a girl with ADHD and a boy with autism end up thrown together to work for a start-up while traveling around Europe, they find love. And maybe their future.
What a cute neurodiverse rom-com! I really enjoyed it! I liked that Tilly had no idea where her life was going after high school. I think this is underrepresented in YA/NA books. I also liked that she stood firm on her choices.
<spoiler> Her mother in the end redeemed herself for her bad parenting. Which I was very glad for. </spoiler>
I loved the ending and how she found her own way to start her adulthood. I loved all of Oliver's family and friends and want some of them as friends for myself!
Overall, a great OWNVOICES romance!
The narration was pretty good, though the male narrator made Tilly's lines annoying, as his version of her voice was grating!
Cute YA read. Tilly will draw you in and you will enjoy her journey. Just be willing to take the ride.
I loved Tilly and Oliver. Theirs was a hilarious first meeting, and having to stay in the same seats for a long flight to London was so funny. Ollie was organized while Tilly was a force of nature. When they bumped into each other again, only to discover they'd be working together throughout the summer, Tilly was outraged 😂
What followed was a summer of touring Europe whilst working at Tilly's sister's start-up nail polish company. I loved Ollie's fascination with colours and how precise and technical he'd get with them. Falling in love was a novel concept to him. The involuntary touches, confusing feelings, it was all so wonderful to see.
These two were opposites; Tilly had ADHD while Ollie had autism, and while Tilly was not immaculately organized like Ollie, they both made for the cutest couple.
The narrators did a great job. I laughed at how the English narrator would do the American accents 😂 made for a very interesting listen.
Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ALC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the audio ARC! Wow, I never cease to be impressed by Mazey Eddings and she has topped herself with Tilly In Technicolor. This book is stunningly beautiful. I absolutely adored Tilly and Oliver and their sweet love story. Their growth and characterization is so endearing. If you somehow haven’t heard of Mazey Eddings then you simply must read one of her books, especially this one. Something else I’d like to note is that I’m not typically a YA fan, but this was wonderful and transcends genre with its pure beauty and relatability. Alright, I’ve done enough gushing, five stars.
*4.5⭐️
I related so much to this book. No one writes neurodivergence like Mazey Eddings! This entire book felt like she peered inside my head or looked into my soul or something. Tilly is straight up me when I was 18 and since my older sister is incredibly similar to Mona, I found myself spending most of the book thinking about when Maddy in Euphoria says “is this play about us?” The way Mazey Eddings wrote about Tilly navigating through a world where no one really understands her ADHD, especially her family, was something that could have helped 18 year old me feel more understood and less alone, despite my ADHD manifesting differently than Tilly’s. I think Tilly’s journey in finding her own identity was something that anybody in a transitional part of their life can really relate to. I also appreciated the highlighting of Tilly’s attributes that many would deem flaws, like her memory issues and time management, as moments where she just needs more support does a great job at proving that no brain is inherently wrong, just that all brains work differently.
I also loved Oliver so much. He was so funny and adorable! I mean, anyone as obsessed with colors as he is can’t be anything but adorable! I loved watching Tilly and Oliver gallivant through Europe, taking pictures. This book seriously has the best aesthetic imaginable.
I also loved the narrators! I’m semi-happy that I didn’t read this for the first time as an ebook simply because I would not have heard Oliver’s British accent in my mind on my own!
My only complaints are about the ending. I loved Tilly and Oliver’s relationship as it built up, but once they got together, something felt missing. And that last conflict…was really unnecessary and made the last 15% of the book feel choppy.
Overall, I’ll love anything that Mazey Eddings writes!
Mazey Eddings has solidified herself as one of my favorite authors, yet again!
Tilly is jet setting off to Europe to hang with her sister, Mona, and her business partner, Amina, as they promote their nail polish product. What everyone in Tilly’s family wants is for Tilly to see that she needs to grow up and take her life seriously (including college plans). Oliver Clark, Tilly’s seat mate on the flight to Europe, happens to be hopping on the media side for Tilly’s sister’s business. Oliver sees the world in colors and knows EXACTLY what he wants in life. When both start becoming friends through neurodivergent talks, they realize that the best people in life are free of society’s demands. But will that be enough for each other when the trip comes to an end?
As a neurodivergent reader, I ADORED Tilly in Technicolor and found the audio experience to be one that I plan to relive multiple times. Mazey’s writing spoke to me and I couldn’t stop from bookmarking multiple quote lines as I listened to her young adult ‘debut.” I loved the message that Tilly’s brain is beautiful, no matter her ADHD diagnosis; along with Oliver’s openness about his autism. Narrators Chris Nelson and Justin Bolding brought this beautiful story to life for me!