I am so excited to be part of this celebration of the new and upcoming novel, Paper Avalanche by Lisa Williamson. My review was meant to go up way before Christmas but due to end of term I was unable to read it time. So I read this book in two days over Christmas and it was the highlight of my reading that week. Rather than posting it quickly straight after reading it, I want this review and this book to have maximum coverage, because it needs to be heard and praised for how brilliant this book is. So I end 2018 with this beauty of a review.

Paper Avalanche
by Lisa Williamson
Publisher – David Fickling Books
Release Date – January 1st 2019
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository

‘Bonnie. Never Mum or Mummy or Mother. Just Bonnie.’
When it comes to flying under the radar, Ro Snow is an expert.
No friends.
No boys.
No parties.
And strictly NO VISITORS.
It may be lonely, but at least this way the truth remains where it should – hidden.

Then Tanvi Shah, the girl who almost died, comes tumbling back into her life, and Ro finds herself losing control of her carefully constructed lies.

But if Ro’s walls come crumbling down, who’s going to take care of Bonnie…

My absolute favourite book from Lisa Williamson. Get a box of tissues because you will need it. It’s good tears, tears of joy and the honest love you have for these characters. I’m going to be very brief with what this book is about because for the main the important part of the book was Lisa beautiful story of two girls, Ro and Tanvi, they each have their own story but together they are an unstoppable force of pure friendship, love and affection of what it’s like to have a friend that is there for you no matter what.

Ro Snow likes to be invisible, to blend in with the rest of the crowd. Because Ro has a secret. Her mum, Bonnie is ahoarder of everything. Their house looks like something of a haunted house, they are constantly in overdraft, and Ro is constantly finds herself playing the adult in their relationship. Her mum irresponsible and immature to say the least and Ro has the whole world is on her shoulders. A family pulled apart, she is alone, segregated by paper avalanches and new families. Her father, has a new family and doesn’t see past them to help Ro. Grrrr. Then, one day at the beginning of a new term, a girl called Tanvi sits next to Ro and they are inseparable, whether they want to be or not, this sparks a friendship like no other.

Tanvi has to be my favourite character of the book. Her story of surviving cancer, how she never gives up and takes on everything. But we see past that, this story isn’t one of sympathy but actually seeing who Tanvi really is. I love how her character shines with such vibrancy, she radiated in colour with each page you turn. I laugh at how blunt and unapologetic she is about everything, she is honestly a breath of fresh air I love how no matter what she will just chat and chat. I loved how she never stopped giving up on Ro, she tried to break those layers off one by one.

Ro Snow is embarrassed where she lives and she doesn’t want to get too close to people, to find out the truth about her. When she meets Tanvi, she’s stubborn, she doesn’t understand why she wants her to her friend, she wants to be left alone, she feels she can’t truly be her friend when she has so many secrets. If it wasn’t for Tanvi she wouldn’t be able to unleash the voice that she has in her, be part of choir or just live and look after herself first. Living at home is hard, no one wants to live next to her until someone moves in, a boy called Noah. I loved how Lisa didn’t entirely focus on the romance between Ro and Noah, it was a sweet sideline storyline, in a way I felt it was a lovely way to see how Ro really tried to open up to others a bit more and allowed more people in her heart.

When I saw this book in my local Waterstones, I can tell you that this digital copy of the cover does nothing to the physical book, because when I saw it, it was utter perfection as it stands out just like it’s characters and storyline. This is honestly the most heart wrenching and emotional rollercoaster of a story. Lisa has really created something special. Her writing is something that continues to grow, the themes of her stories really fits with the current times. A special story that really will break you for the tissues with tears of joy and happiness. Tanvi and Ro’s friendship is inspiring and beautiful. Everyone will want to read their story.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to David Fickling Books for a proof copy in exchange for an honest review.