It Only Happens in the Movies

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Being a teenager is difficult. For most of us reading this, we’ve been there, done that and got umpteen t-shirts to show for it. Audrey is also a really good main character - her feelings are complex and often conflicting, and they’re so totally real. Her worries about her body and her feelings are real, and are things that are often glossed over or sugar coated in many films and books. I liked how, after her failed attempt at sex with her ex, sleeping with Harry didn’t suddenly make singing angels descend from the heavens, blow Audrey’s mind and making her a Changed Woman. Sure, she liked sex, but it wasn’t life changing; it didn’t complete her. Honestly, I didn’t love either of the main characters. Both of them are fine, but not stellar. There are aspects I loved about Audrey, such as her strength and her ability to call out misogyny (both in the movies and in society), but also, something about her didn’t sit right with me. She seemed whiny to me at times, but I also feel like she expects too much from Harry. Before they got together, multiple people warned her about him, and she knew he did certain things she didn’t like. Yet, she still had expectations that Harry would never have been able to meet. I was also put off by a scene near the end of the book, which I won’t spoil, but to me, it contradicted everything Audrey stood for earlier, especially about consent. I never really felt a spark in Harry and Audrey’s relationship, and I had trouble connecting with them. ❀ Feminist Message

Audrey is over romance. Since her parents’ relationship imploded her mother’s been catatonic, so she takes a cinema job to get out of the house. But there she meets wannabe film-maker Harry. Nobody expects Audrey and Harry to fall in love as hard and fast as they do. But that doesn’t mean things are easy. Because real love isn’t like the movies…

amyjanealice

It was so fun to see how the romantic tropes worked in this one. I feel like so many books focus on "finding love" and this one took that but also made things grounded. What I liked so much is how it challenges the representation of romance throughout films (I'm also going to include books as well) and how it's not always perfect and happy. There's such a sense of realism to this book and it is so relatable I was actually amazed! Now chances are if you would describe yourself as a YA fan in 2018, you’ve heard of Holly Bourne. Maybe you haven’t read her, but you’ve heard all about this contemporary, feminist goddess, right? But, whatever you're going through, I can promise it’ll be one of those books that make you forget your life for a little bit.

Talented actress Audrey (named after Hepburn) has just started working in an indie cinema where she begrudgingly serves gourmet hotdogs to the well-heeled inhabitants of Bridgely-upon-Thames alongside zombie-movie-maker and “player” Harry. When set a Critical Research project by her media studies teacher, Audrey decides to write about “why love is never like the movies”, and boy does she know about the devastating disappointments of real-life love, what with her mum seeking solace in alcohol as a result of her dad starting a new family with someone else, and her own experience with an ex who dumped her a week after she lost her virginity to him. No wonder, then, that Audrey’s left wondering what the point of love is, and the project excerpts that appear as chapter intros wittily expound her views. But this hard-held conviction is put to the test when Audrey agrees to play a “feminist freedom fighter zombie bride” in Harry’s new movie, and finds that she might just be falling for him. This is exactly the type of book young girls should be reading and I love that Holly Bourne always challenges particular notions that are problematic in our society and dissects it, by putting forth real-life situations that we're all familiar with and/or experienced and calling it out. I am literally standing up right now, wildly clapping my hands in frenzied adoration and reverence to that most wonderful, powerful conclusion to a supposedly romantic story. Seriously. I could still feel goosebumps all over. Just *sighs* You can’t help but root for Audrey throughout and I loved reading about a main character that I was constantly supportive of. I wish I’d had this book and Audrey to look up to when I was growing up and experiencing my first relationships; hats off to Holly for writing another incredible book! Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical MomentsIt Only Happens In The Movies is a a very mature, true-to-life book – romance isn’t always sunshine, glitter, and happy endings. Relationships require a lot of hard work and for the most past, things will be difficult. The book reminds us of that in an engaging manner, and will make you think twice the next time you watch a rom-com. In addition to the main theme of romance, there were also engaging sub-plots surrounding family, friendship and heartbreak. I also loved the use of modern references throughout. At 26, I’m not Holly’s usual target audience. However, living in the digital age makes it impossible not to relate to the references used. One of my favourites was the list of common dates in movies, such as night-time picnics in empty parks, verses common dates in real life: Nando’s. This is literally one of the best representations of sex I've seen in a book. The way characters in this book deal with it are SO well done, not only boyfriends but friends offering support. AMAZING Harry, the love interest, is the typical “bad boy charming romantic”. You know he’s trouble from the beginning but you can’t help but warm to him as the story goes on. Despite Harry and Audrey falling in love with one another, Audrey calls him out on his shit repeatedly, and I think it’s refreshing to see that it’s ok to love someone and disagree with their views and actions at the same time in a YA contemporary novel. I liked Audrey and Harry's relationship while they were working at the cinema. They were really cute together, lots of playful banter and it was easy to see them as a couple. However, their relationship outside of the cinema didn't work, with Harry being either full on or distant with no in-between, constantly hanging out with his friends, getting wasted and smoking weed.

Because what I’d learned was, love isn’t just a feeling. Love is a choice too. And you may not be able to help your feelings, but you’re responsible for the choices you make about what to do with them. A feast of feel-good funniness and feminism that cleverly contrasts the impossible magic of movie romance with the heady complexities of real-life love. Overall, I LOVED THIS BOOK! I can't praise it enough, this is my first Holly Bourne book I've read, but if her other books are like this, sign me up! Prior to reading It Only Happens In The Movies, I’d never heard of Holly Bourne nor had I been a fan of YA fiction. However, after capturing the true essence of what a brilliant YA book should be about, I’m definitely going to give more of Holly’s books a go in the future. I’m also excited to know that she will be releasing her first adult novel, How Do You Like Me Now?, next year. I LOVE Audreys friends, I feel like we all need them friends, I think at times we tend to move away from people, but it's always refreshing to see that just because something happens you've still got friends support.

Christmas Gifts

But I can assure you - as an Italian that grew up with romantic movies - Nuovo Cinema Paradiso is one the best movie you can see in your life, and I was astonished when Harry described it as one of the best films ever because no one ever remembers it. Holly actually created the “Wormtail theory”. Next time you think a character is being totally hot and romantic, replace them with Wormtail. Ryan Gosling grabbing somebody’s face and kissing them to shut them up? “Ok we think this is kind of hot.” Wormtail? “No, this is disgusting, I didn’t give you consent to kiss me?!” Add in newly divorced parents, a brother you never see, mounting schoolwork, and a UCAS application, all while dealing with a break-up from the boy you thought you’d marry, it’s easy to see why overworked schoolgirl Audrey Winters is feeling the strain. With faithful and straight-talking compan`ion, Leroy, at her side, she sets about trying to rebuild her life, her emotions and her attitude towards the ever complex topic of love. a takedown of the bit in The Fault in Our Stars when the characters' steamy makeout happens in the Anne Frank House