Book Review: The Boy Who Live In The Ceiling by Cara Thurlbourn

Title: The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling
Author: Cara Thurlbourn
Genre: Contemporary YA
Format: E-Book
Length: 302 pages
Publisher: 
Publication Date: 22nd July 2019

My Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)

Goodreads | Storygraph

Synopsis:

A coming-of-age story full of love, mystery and sparkle.

Freddie’s life isn’t like it used to be – he’s alone, homeless, and carrying a secret that threatens to swallow him up. Every day is a struggle. Until he meets Violet Johnson.

Violet’s life is going down-hill. Her parents argue, her little brother’s stopped speaking, and she’s about to move schools. She used to be popular, she used to be happy, but now every day is a struggle. Until Freddie enters her life.

Despite their differences, Freddie and Violet grow closer. Freddie’s nightmares begin to fade. He stops having panic attacks. And he can’t believe that Violet Johnson actually likes him back.

But Freddie’s past is catching up with him, and what will happen when Violet finds out what he did?

My Review:

This book! I absolutely loved this novel. It is a story about love, loss and the effects it has on people. When I first started the novel I wasn’t sure how the concept would work, but Cara skilfully created a novel where the events seem believable.

The main characters were relatable and really well developed. The plot is unique and keeps you hooked. I desperately wanted to know the tragedy that had happened to Freddie, but at the same time, I didn’t. When it was revealed my heart broke for him.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like Violet, but I found myself relating to her and the experiences she had in her new school. The dynamic between Freddie and Violet is well defined and I loved watching their relationship grow.

The novel covers a wide range of topics delicately. Freddie is homeless through no fault of his own, and Cara shows how people perceive you. Through Freddie’s eyes, we get to see the different reactions to his situation. He is desperate to get back on his feet, but he faces the obstacle of social judgment.

The other topic which I think is handled really well in the novel was grief. Both characters have experienced the loss of a loved one and Cara shows the different reactions to it sensitively. Freddie feels immense guilt over what happened and doesn’t allow himself to grieve whereas Jamie (Violet’s little brother) stopped speaking.

The only gripe I had was with Ailsa. I was a little sceptical of the way her character was portrayed, and I wasn’t sure I fully understood the shift in the friendship between her and Violet, even when they talk later in the novel.

This is a lovely compelling story that deals with real, devastating issues. This story will make you laugh, smile and cry and I would happily go through it again for Freddie and Violet.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.