I was very intrigued by the blurb of 'The Youngster' by Bibi Berki and was happy to be able to read this ARC. The mother-daughter-bond between Cherry and Georgie was interesting to read about, however I would have loved to find out more about Cherry as a person.
The book started off strong, I was drawn into the story up until I realised it was set during the pandemic. Personally, I don't really like reading about this era but I understand why it was important to the plot. I liked the mystery aspect of not knowing 'The Youngsters' intentions, overall the story fell a bit flat for me though. I have also been left confused by the ending.

While I enjoyed the themes explored in the book particularly the exploration of the bond between mother and daughter I found after a strong start it lacked the finial push to be a really really good novel. It is still very good with heartbreaking moments set among a much darker undercurrent but it fails to maintain the strong start, ending was unexpected which brought it up a bit but the journey getting there needed work. I suspect the writer will develop her skills and over her next books they will move from a solid 3.5 stars easily into 4/5 stars. On a footnote I loved the character of Cherry and would have liked to have heard a lot more about her both in the present day and past

I read the description of The Youngster and it caught my attention. Once I started reading, it took a little while to get into the story. It takes place during the pandemic so if you don’t want to be reminded of that time, you won’t really like this book as that is part of the plot.
It was interesting enough that I read the book. The plot was slow in areas. The main character seemed to overthink in places. The ending was a little confusing to me.
All in all, it was interesting enough that I wanted to know how it ended.

3.5 ⭐

There were times when I was SO frustrated with some of the characters in this book. That they did nothing. NOTHING.
the whole book started off strongly, really letting us in on the relationship between Cheryl and Georgie.
I spend a lot of the book wanting that back.
I'm not sure how I feel about the ending.
Not what I wanted or expected.
But that's not a bad thing.

[Disclaimer: It's a very intriguing book, brilliant in its narration and ability to elicit such strong emotions in me. So, written below is not a review but just my feelings about the *plot*.]

I hated this. I hated this so much. Not because it's a poorly written story (it's not). No. But because I wouldn't want this to happen even to my enemies. Even to people I loathe.

I hate Sam. I hate Alan. I hate the fact that the probability of this story happening to people in real life is actually not that slim. I hate it so much because it broke my heart into uncountable pieces. Oh god.

Georgie and her mother, Cherry, have always been a team. Growing up with each other, they have had their own share of fights and disagreements, but the way they love and understand each other, no one else can. But when the world suddenly comes to a standstill as a virus wrecks havoc everywhere (very reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic, even though the name isn't mentioned anywhere), the lives of this mother-daughter duo start falling apart in unimaginable ways.

Cherry is fast losing her memory due to the onset of vascular dementia and Georgie has caught the virus– both flickering at the edge between life and death, both in each other's thoughts continously but so far from each other physically.

It's the story of circumstances going as wrong as they could and people being monsters. My feelings might be too strong because this was a story that hit too close to home, but I don't care. I hate people like Sam and Alan who are so self-righteous that they often forget the people around them have brains and emotions and feelings of their own. I hated Sam for being so selfish when it concerned his mother-in-law. I hated Alan for being a literal manipulative maniac in a human's disguise. I hated it all so much that my heart hurts. For the first time, I don't want to engage in any empathy with these two characters. And I don't think I'd ever be able to forgive either of them.

"The Youngster" embodies a delicious balance of chaos, frustration and desperation. The novel is aptly devised with all the right emotional material to evoke a profound sense of existential crisis. It offers a precise and unflinching introspection into the strength of human connection, diving deeper into the complexities of relationships with remarkable depth. The fondness, resentment, and regrets we often reserve for those we love are beautifully portrayed here. "The Youngster" brilliantly captures the raw vulnerability of both being loved and loving someone. The writing is sharp, evocative and unflinching. The philosophical exploration of life added with a hint of mystery to reach an epiphany was absolutely brilliant.

Thank you, NetGalley for the copy of this book.

This book started off so strongly and I really thought this was going to be a 5 star for me. I thought that the relationship between Georgie and Cherry was so captivating.

Unfortunately, after the 50% mark it started feeling a bit flat for me. I wish Cherry was explored more as she was my favourite character.

Also just a personal thing for me, but I dislike books being set in the pandemic. I understand that without this setting, a lot of the plot wouldn’t have made sense, it’s just a very niche thing that I don’t really like reading about.

I can see what this book was trying to do, but I think there was too much going on at points and it was hard to understand the different aspects. Cherry, as a character, was so interesting and I wish we got to see more of her. I also found the inclusion of the Covid pandemic to be an interesting addition, especially with Georgie suffering from long Covid and all the other complications that came along with the pandemic. However, at a certain point I found myself disinterested and confused by all the various plot lines. The ending was also a little underwhelming, as was The Youngsters character as a whole.

In The Youngster, the roles of Georgie and her mother, Cherry, have been reversed due to the Cherry's deteriorating health in her advanced years. Once the caretaker, Cherry now finds herself dependent on her daughter. Georgie, who is married with a child of her own, consistently prioritizes her mother over her own family. This dynamic is clearly evident in the novel, with Georgie even voicing her dedication to Cherry at one point. This role reversal highlights the profound bond between mother and daughter.

However, as Cherry begins to experience memory loss and confusion, it becomes Georgie’s responsibility to care for her. Yet, in an unexpected twist, Georgie herself falls ill and is hospitalized for an extended period, leaving her unable to be there for her mother in her time of need. Enter The Youngster, a mysterious figure who suddenly becomes involved in Cherry’s life. Who is he? What is her connection to Cherry? Why has he appeared now?

The novel delves into themes of responsibility and regret, capturing the complexity of familial love and the weight of unmet obligations. Unfortunately, it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. I had anticipated a more suspenseful storyline. However, if you are into contemporary literature about confusion, delusions, illness, isolation, and the shifting nature of family, you can add this book to your list, too.

Thanks #NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.
(Pub day: july 2025)

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