Northern Soul by Phil Earle is a delightful, comedic middle-grade novel that captures the essence of a fourteen-year-old's first experience with love.

Really clever and sweet tale of a boy with his first crush, but also about falling in love with music and how music can play such a significant part in our lives. Love the writing, Earle is such a talent. It's funny, easy to read and heartwarming.

Short and sweet, but packed with a toe-curling sense of teenage embarrassment and awkwardness.
Phil Earle has managed to deliver a slice of unrequited love and a world of imagination where anything might just be possible, given the belief in yourself.

A charming analysis of teenage angst and first love.

Great little teen fantasy that could have been a full-length novel as well.

Wonderful Barrington Stoke title that I really wanted to see expanded into a full novel, it could have managed it.

This slight book feels complete in itself, from the opening where Marv is trotting through his teenage years, playing football and messing around with his best friend, to the 'Romeo' moment where he sees the girl of his dreams across the crowded room... and on to, of course, where he starts seeing Otis Redding in his bedroom who wants to dole out relationship tips to his lovelorn heart.

What follows is very entertaining ghostly shenanigans as Marv tries to take his new mentor's advice where he can, adding his own Marv-y signature. But will the godfather of soul be enough to win Marv his girl?

Realistic within the confines of the fantasy, the teenage characters felt pretty human and as if they could be kids you know. Loved the Otis idea, and Marv's dad felt very sympathetic (shows I'm nearer his age than Marv's!).

A great title and perfect format for the market.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

Two things happen on the same schoolday for our hero Marv. First, he checks out Carly, the latest newbie into the environment, who has actually recently moved into his road, but he hasn't realised just how drop dead hummina hummina she actually is. Second, he gets home to find his record dealer dad blasting out Otis Redding, and Marv finds the lyrics of the soul legend the ideal thing to convey just how perfect a life with Carly would be. Oh, and one thing happens that night – Otis wakes Marv, and proceeds to eat as much fast food as humanly (or ghostly) possible, and tries to match them together.

This then is a distinctive comedy of embarrassment for Marv – not only does he (and the ghost of Otis) have the most cringe ideas about wooing her, but nothing at all goes right. I think the piece gets it balanced perfectly, as well, as it's not too soppy or sickly-sweet, but you certainly can get to feel for Marv, remembering the days when pop music was telling you how you felt, and wishing all the best for him.

Or you would if you were an adult coming to this, like me – in fact you ought to be something like a fourteen year old with the reading skills of an eleven year old, for that is the specific judgement placed on this by Barrington Stoke, the specialists in dyslexia and other reading issues. It's to look like a decent, hard-hitting teen comedy, but ease the reluctant or 'this is awkward'-declaring reader into the hobby with a more comfortable and appropriately presented publication. That will work, as B Stoke know what they're doing, and the story will work too, as it's got a great sense of what will make teens and tweens cower and cringe, and laugh in response. Four and a half stars.

I had no idea what to expect from this quick, quirky read. I thought it would be a slice of a Northern Britishness and I guess that is exactly what it is -with a bit of a twist!

Marv’s life is pretty uneventful until a beautiful new girl named Carly arrives at school. Now, his whole life revolves on getting Carly to notice him but he knows that she’d never really be interested in him. But could the spirit of a musician and love expert be of help?

I think we’ve all been a teenager and had a crush like the one that Marv has on Carly. It’s instant and intense and you become convinced that no one else has ever felt ‘love’ quite like it. Marv absolutely idolises Carly and it was actually really refreshing to see a teen boy behave the way that so many people perhaps expect teenage girls to behave. It’s Marv doing all the chasing here and I really enjoyed that.

The story also touches on the nature of teenage boys’ friendships. They have a tendency not to talk about feelings and romantic interests. This is perhaps why Marv feels so alone in his first experience of romance.

Marv hears an Otis Redding song and relates to the lyrics in a very deep way. It’s unclear whether it’s his strong connection to the words or whether he actually does have a spirit guide but this aspect provided much of the comedy. This part of the story felt quite random while I was reading it but thinking about it, it wouldn’t have been the same light-hearted silliness without it.

Northern Soul is a quick burst of fun that touches on so many real, recognisable thoughts and feelings. It captures the essence of having a first crush and the doubts and heartache that come with that. I wasn’t expecting the ending and I’m not sure if I’d really class it as a happy one but it was certainly a realistic one.

I love Phil Earle's books as much as I love Barrington Stoke books and I really enjoyed the story of 'first love' which was funny , heartbreaking, really well captured and authentically written. However, for me, the gluttonous ghost of Otis Reading just didn't work, although it did add a lot of humour and is probably a personal thing. Without this character, I would have enjoyed the book far more but I am fully aware that a teenage audience will probably think differently.

First love is never easy. 14-year-old Marv is head over heels for new girl Carly. He doesn’t know what to do or where to turn – should he ask his best mate Jimmy or his croc-wearing dad for advice? He’s completely out of his depth and not sure either will be much help. Just when he’s worried about looking like a loser, an unexpected “love genie” drops into his life – in the form of music legend Otis Redding.

What follows is a hilarious series of plans (A, B, C, D…) to get the girl that keep ending in disaster. Can the power of music, the king of soul and a whole lot of bravery make Marv’s dream come true? Will he find his “soul” mate in the end?

Phil Earle has teamed up with Barrington Stoke to create the perfect book for teens trying to navigate those awkward first steps into romance. Completely charming and real (apart from the ghost of Otis Redding dishing out relationship advice and cheesy one-liners), Northern Soul will give young people a chance to laugh at themselves and realise everyone goes through these difficult moments of growing up. References to Otis Redding’s music provide a fantastic additional dimension to the story.

Recommended for age 11+, Northern Soul is one of Barrington Stoke’s brilliantly accessible books for teens. This is just the type of book Key Stage Three teachers and librarians are looking for – something a bit more grown-up but with manageable vocabulary and length. Everyone will enjoy this book, whether they need added accessibility or not.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for an early copy of this fun book!

A humorous story of a 14 year old boy looking for his first romantic encounter. Marv falls for the new girl and finds himself a mentor in the form of a deceased soul singer. As Marv follows the advice from his mentor, things don't go to plan leading to some embarrassing situations.
A lovely, not too long, read from an author who gets teenage boys.

A perfectly pitched short read about the agonies of first love, and the power of music. 14 year old Marv has never noticed girls before until bam -Carly walks in to his class. He’s dumbstruck, love at first sight. Can’t speak, can’t move, can’t do anything
His soul music loving dad introduces him to the music of Otis redding, whose heartfelt lyrics and music sum up Marvs feelings perfectly
Phil Earle handles the embarrassment and emotions that ensue absolutely perfectly.

A very sweet and charming little story about young love and family relationships. I thought this story was really cute, and I liked the characters a lot, it felt very realistic and relatable.

This is a hilarious book about a teenage boy (Marv) who has spent his life so far being interested only in football, suddenly getting a crush for a new girl in his school. He did not know how to pursue her and he had no one to turn to but his single father who wears Crocs everywhere he goes and owns an alternative CD shop. Marv develops a liking for the songs of a dead singer and calls him the King of Soul. He wishes he were still alive to give him advice on love. Be careful with what you wish for and the course of true love never runs smooth are two sayings that come to my mind.

This was so lovely. It made me laugh, it made me cringe, it made me smile! We’ve all been there - falling in love and having it not QUITE go right! Phil Earle writes gorgeous stories full of heart and I loved how much of an homage to music this is! Just gorgeous!

What's not to love? Phil Earle, Otis Redding? Northern Soul? Sold.

A highly entertaining and hilarious read about that absolutely all consuming first crush. The multi-faceted and relentless embarrassment that this entails as you try to navigate how to handle the first step of speaking to said crush, let alone the thought of a first kiss (not even going to reveal what this entailed in Northern Soul!) is one absolutely everyone will identify with. Especially how mortified you are when your parents dare to even breathe in front of your crush (parents, please, if you value any form of relationship with your teen, don't sing and wear crocs on these occasions!).

Phil has written such a great touching and utterly hilarious account of this, it's a must-read. The ghost of Otis Redding with a Barnsley accent and his seemingly never satisfied craving for awful takeaway food is a stroke of genius. Top read for secondary age +.

Absolutely loved this story. Phil Earle writes amazing stories!
I love that Marv has help from Otis Redding when he first notices a girl, Carly. Before that he and Jimmy are football crazy. Marv lives with his Dad who he thinks is odd too (he wears Crocs). Dad however thinks Marv's new taste for Otis is a good thing!
Carly however, has eyes for someone other than Marv! Not only that Otis' makes life very difficult for Marv (especially as only he can see him) and Marv becomes the school meme!
Then comes that bus ride home....

Brilliant story from Phil Earle and Barrington Stoke. Aimed I guess at High school, but this would be ok for UKS2 as well. They'll certainly find it funny.

Northern Soul is a great, humorous read aimed at young teenagers. The story is narrated by Marv who is blindsided by his first romantic crush, having previously been mostly preoccupied with football and larking about with his mate Jimmy, The object of Marv’s affections are new-to-the-neighbourhood/school Carly. After a less than successful initial encounter with Carly on the way home from school, Marv arrives home where his record shop owning and Croc wearing dad is listening to Otis Redding. Moved by the King of Soul’s voice and music and amazed that someone had been able to put exactly how he was feeling into words, Marv frustratedly asks for Otis’s help in winning Carly’s heart. To his surprise - albeit a northern rather than American - Otis appears and offers to help him in his quest. What follows is a series of cringe-inducing and funny incidents - culminating in a meme-worthy game of spin the bottle.

This book is genius and will connect with so many children and adults. Love the appearance of Otis Redding in the story. First love is hard and this book will open up lots of conversations. Would lead to some excellent work in PSHE. This is going to be so popular and I am already jealous of the teachers who will be able to read it to their classes aged 11+. Top book.

Northern Soul: A Heartwarming Ode to Teenage Awkwardness

Phil Earle's "Northern Soul" is a heartwarming and humorous teenager novel that takes readers on a journey through the hilarious and awkward escapades of fourteen-year-old Marvin as he navigates the unpredictable world of young love.

The story revolves around Marvin, an ordinary teenager with an uneventful life cantered around football and his eccentric, croc-wearing single dad. Everything changes with the arrival of Carly, the new girl at school. Marv, captivated by Carly's presence, embarks on a quest to win her heart, seeking guidance from an unexpected source – the soulful voice of Otis Redding, who magically appears to offer advice.

"Northern Soul" is a perfect read for those aged 11-15. Phil Earle successfully captures the essence of adolescence, infusing the story with heart, humour, and relatability. The incorporation of music and imaginative elements enriches the reading experience, making it not just a tale of teenage awkwardness but a delightful exploration of friendship, love, and the unexpected guidance one can find in the soulful notes of Otis Redding. Overall, "Northern Soul" proves to be another winning addition to the Barrington Stoke book collection, offering a perfect blend of entertainment for reluctant readers and those who appreciate the magic of a well-crafted story. I loved listening to Otis Redding while I read the book too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barrington Stoke for the ARC copy of 'Northern Soul'.

Northern Soul by Phil Earle is a delightful, comedic middle-grade novel that captures the essence of a fourteen-year-old's first experience with love.

The story revolves around Marv, whose world takes a turn with the arrival of Carly, a new girl at his school. In his earnest pursuit of winning her heart, Marv embarks on a series of humorous escapades. His Crocs-loving dad introduces his to the the soulful music of Otis Redding. This musical influence, coupled with the imaginative appearance of Otis Redding himself, adds a unique and entertaining dimension to Marv's quest for Carly's affections. Alongside his friend Jimmy, Marv finds himself in laugh-out-loud situations.

Overall, this was short and fun middle-grade novel that I would most recommend to teenage boys, who are going through similar things our main character is. I would definitely read more from this author. Also, this book made me listen to Otis Redding, that is always a win.

An absolutely brilliant story by Phil Earle teamed with Barrington Stoke publishers to that it is accessible to many in terms of it not being too long, easy to read but high interest. Capturing perfectly the anguish of the first teenage love and Marv develops a crush on new girl Carly. He is not as cool as his best mate Jimmy who is good at everything and he gets the unlikely hep from the Northern Soul of Otis Redding. But it is Otis Redding like you have never known him. Funny, heartwarming and so true to life.