A little dark, but really quite good. Thank you to the writer, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book.

This is a good YA book that describes the dangers of any addiction but, more particularly in the case of Bella - drinking.

Bella and her little sister Raffi live between homes since their parents acrimonious divorce. Bella is struggling to stay afloat emotionally as her parents argue, criticise and scream at each other while using Bella as a GP between and ersatz carer for Raffi. As Bella tries juggle caring for her sister, schoolwork, adjudicating her parents fights, she is also suffering grief from the loss of her beloved grandmother, Laurel, and the disintegration of her relationship with boyfriend Dylan.

She uses alcohol to "disappear" and numb the pain but it soon becomes apparent to everyone but Bella that it is taking over her life. One night everything comes to a head when Bella ends up in hospital then rehab.

This is a well written and thoughtful book about the destructive effect addiction can have plus the power that it has over the lives of those unable to say no. Bella has a steep learning curve which is masked during rehab. The part of the book I liked best was when she returns to her life and learns who her real friends are and how easy it is to slip back into self-abusive ways.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone. Despite the YA tag it could apply to any age. A salutory tale with a clear message without preaching.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Oneworld Publications for the advance review copy.

This was darker than previous books - at times I found it difficult to read however it was really good . You evoked emotions that I haven’t had before from a book . The rawness of being out of control turning to alcohol , that moment where you have endangered yourself and it’s that moment where you realise something has to give … superb !!

This is the best book I've read in quite some time. I've had really bad luck when it's come to what I've read lately, but I think that this may have pulled me out of a painfully long slump. I've never read a Kathleen Glasgow book before so I had no idea what to expect, but after finishing this one, I think I may have to back track and look into her previous ones. She has clearly taken so much care when it came to telling this story for such a young main character, and it never felt like an ignorant portrayal when I was reading.

Make sure to look up trigger warnings as I never!

4.5

"The Glass Girl" by Kathleen Glasgow is a beautifully written and emotionally gripping novel that tackles the complexities of addiction with empathy and authenticity. Glasgow's storytelling is raw and powerful, capturing the harrowing reality of addiction while also shedding light on the resilience and strength it takes to fight one's demons. The protagonist is intricately drawn, a character whose struggles and vulnerabilities are portrayed with such honesty that you can't help but root for her every step of the way. Glasgow does an exceptional job of balancing the darkness of addiction with moments of hope and redemption, making this novel not only a compelling read but also an important one. The prose is lyrical and haunting, drawing readers into a world that is both painful and profoundly human. "The Glass Girl" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a story that is both heart-wrenching and ultimately uplifting, offering a moving exploration of the human spirit's capacity to heal and recover.

Stunning. Heartbreaking. Honest.
Right from the introduction, I got the feeling that this may be less fictional than first thought. By no means is this an easy read, but it's absolutely worth every moment.

Alcohol is one of those things that can sneak up on you, much more so than drug use or a few extra painkillers than you strictly need. It starts small and casual but before you know it, it's all you can think of and complete second nature to reach for a drink at any and all hours. Even identifying that you have a problem is an uphill battle but recovery is a seemingly insurmountable beast.

The Glass Girl tells a perfect and authentic feeling tale about one of the most pervasive addictions someone can go through, made even worse by having it happen at such a young age. I really felt deeply for Bella, it's been a long time since I've connected so intensely with a fictional character. From the reasons she lost herself in drinking, to almost dying after overdoing it and embarrassing herself at a party... I can't blame her for a single second, it all felt so real.

A rare 5/5 stars, no notes. I'd even love a small follow up novella to check in on Bella a few years later and see how things turned out.

Thank you, NetGalley & Rock the Boat for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kathleen, you've done it again. My face was red from tears as I approached the ending - all from one bloody letter. And honestly, it might've been the best-structured ending of her solo work so far.

My only criticism of the book focuses mostly on the dry start of the story - which is something that seems to happen in every single one of her books (excluding The Agathas since I haven't read them yet). Up until the 30% mark I didn't like Bella, nor did I care about her story. I'm not someone who has ever had to deal with addiction and her pre-rehab days left me feeling close to nothing. But once she started her recovery journey, and I began to understand her as a character more, my attachment grew seemingly overnight. She was such a loving and caring kid, who had to deal with so much pain, and stress, and loss - it's no wonder she tried to detach from her problems in a way that, at first, seemed like a normal outlet.

The rehab arc made it so clear how different she was compared to some of the rest. How good of a kid she was... I'm not even surprised that when two others tried to destroy all of her progress I wanted to throw my book across the room. I wanted her to be well, to be able to control her life, to grow. But those kinds of destructive characters were needed to showcase the journey of an addict, that relapses could happen for reasons out of your control, even when you are trying your best to fight every living second for a better life.

Her relationships with other characters - her mother, grandmother, sister, and Vanessa - were beautifully developed, but the one that will stay with me the most will definitely be the complexity of her relationship with her dad.

I am so proud of Bella for who she became at the end of the story. For the boundaries she set, unapologetically. Which feels a bit weird to say, I know, but, as Kathleen always does in her emotional works, she's way too real to see her as anything other than a real living person.

The first part of this book dragged and wasn't particularly engaging. I almost didn't finish it. However it did pick up and turned into something rather sad and thought provoking.

A raw and heart-wrenching novel about teenage addiction. Bella, a 15-year-old dealing with school pressures, family issues, and the loss of her grandmother, turns to alcohol to cope. After a life-changing night, she ends up in rehab.

Bella's journey through rehab and her struggle to return to normal life are compelling and relatable. The characters are well-developed, especially Bella, who is vulnerable yet resilient.

A thought-provoking read that encourages important conversations about mental health and substance abuse.

A beautiful, raw, and heartbreaking book. Kathleen Glasgow writes about addiction with such care, compassion, and nuance, without ever glamorising it or shying away from its realities. This is going to be such an important read for a lot of teens.

Bella is a 15 year old who has many stress-factors in her life and abuses alcohol to cope with them. It’s impossible to be a perfect teenager, managing school work, a social life, a part-time job, taking care of her younger sister and flitting between mum’s and dad’s. It’s no wonder Bella wants something to take the edge off things.

The Glass Girl is a hard-hitting and raw read with many moments of truth and honesty that make it difficult to put down. It’s a tough one because many of the challenges Bella faces are so common nowadays, even if her coping-mechanism isn’t typical for a teenager. However, it ends with hope and this well-written YA novel is one to add to your tbr list if you haven’t already.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook.

It’s been a while since I’ve been so invested in a protagonist as I was with Bella. She is incredibly well-written and the reader cannot help but become immersed in her world. The plot is gently paced but deeply emotional. A triumph of a novel!

A poignant, thought provoking book about the perils of addiction. As mother of a teenager this was a somewhat challenging read addressing alcholicism, drug abuse, cutting and the complexities of adolescence.

Kathleen Glasgow has done it again. Bella is a wonderfully normal your girl, who has fallen into the trap of alcohol. Her family love her but also are filled with grief and can’t see the problems that they are causing not only Bella but themselves. Amazing again.

A really raw and honest view of the issues teenagers face today and the struggles they have. I thought the subject was handled really well and it gave a great insight into rehab. Highly recommended.

Bella's story is one that will stay with me for a long time. Despite the heavy subject matter, reading it was a profound pleasure. The narrative delves deeply into complex issues and raises numerous questions, making it a thought-provoking experience.

What stands out the most is how the author masterfully handles difficult themes with sensitivity and insight. Bella's journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, prompting readers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them. Her character is richly developed, and her experiences resonate on a deeply emotional level.

The book tackles topics that are often uncomfortable but necessary to discuss, encouraging conversations about things we might otherwise avoid. This aspect makes it not just a story, but a catalyst for important dialogue.

I will be recommending this book to all my friends because I believe it is something everyone should read. It's the kind of story that sparks discussions and stays with you long after you've turned the last page. Bella's story is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to enlighten and move us, and I feel grateful to have encountered it.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I really liked this, this author does trauma/addiction in such an authentic and respectful way.

I really felt for the FMC, she was just young and overwhelmed, she seemed lost and vulnerable. It was like no one really saw until it had gone too far and by then a few characters were done with the FMC and werent prepared to stick by her later in the book. It’s a very hard and raw story but I thought it was very well done.

Shocking. Tragic. Moving.

It’s been a while since I’ve shouted out loud at a character in a book. A while since I’ve had to put a book down and do something else for a few minutes because it’s all too stressful. But that’s what reading this book has been like.

15 year old Bella has a drink problem. She and her friends get hold of alcohol by whatever means and enjoy getting drunk together. Bella’s having a tough time. Her parents are divorced and still arguing; her beloved grandmother just died; her boyfriend dumped her and has a new girlfriend. Alcohol helps. Until it doesn’t. Until everything goes horribly wrong.

This story follows Bella to rehab and everything that happens after that. It pulls no punches… though I suspect rehab in the UK feels a lot less exotic than Sonoran Sunrise sounds!! The sad reality that most families probably can’t afford anything like that provision makes me even more concerned for our young people going through addiction.

I’m not aware that I know any young people struggling with addiction… but the likelihood is that I do. I just don’t realise it.

It’s hard to know who I think should read this. Adults who might be contributing to young people’s addiction issues, either by causing the stress or facilitating their access to alcohol etc.
Teens who might need to be the good friends who call out their friends before things get serious.
Teens on the verge who need help to recognise the danger they’re in?

As a school librarian, I’d want to make sure potential readers are aware of the content of this book. I will add a trigger warning. But it’s also the kind of book you need to read before it’s too late.

Grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-ARC.

This book follows Bella, a teenager who is overwhelmed with everything going on in her life (the recent loss of her grandmother, her parents’ divorce and the pressures of school). She turns to alcohol to get through and this escalates until one night after a party, she blacks out and her friends leave her on her mom’s porch where she passes out.

After being treated in hospital for alcohol poisoning and a broken cheekbone, Bella agrees to go to rehab although she doesn’t really believe she has a problem. You follow her through her stay in rehab, and then the struggles returning to “normal” life after she leaves too.

This was such a hard read but I absolutely could not put it down. There were a lot of relatable thoughts and feelings described in this story and I felt that it did a really good job of showing how things can get out of hand before you even realise. All of the characters were so well written. I loved Bella and really wanted her to come out of this with a happy ending. I also loved her sister Ricci, and Holly, a girl that she meets in rehab.

This isn’t the first book by Kathleen Glasgow that I’ve read and as per usual, she writes about really difficult topics very well – it was a tough read but I flew through it. She has a way of making you feel like you’re part of the story. I’d recommend this to anyone honestly, I think it’s the best book I’ve read so far this year.