Leaving Jetty Road

Reader reviewed by Khy

This is the year that Natthe go-between, the peacemakergets a job and meets a drop-dead gorgeous chef named Josh.

This is the year that Lisequiet, shy, and solitary Lisedecides to take control of her life by taking control of her weight.

This is the year that Sofiathe ultimate guy magnetgets her nose pierced and falls seriously in love for the first time in her life.

This is the year that will change each of them forever.
---
I thought this was an enjoyable book. The characters were well developed and realistic, but at the same time I felt the main characters were a little cliche. There was the overachiever who had all sorts of hidden problems and no real life, the rebel who hasn't been friends with the other two at long and who constantly disagrees with the overachiever, and the average girl who acts as a mediator for the other two girls and when finally getting a boyfriend becomes slightly obsessed with him. But other that and the fact that Nat, one of the two narrators, and a few minor characters are extremely annoying I thought that the characters were really great.

I loved how Lise actually had strong reasons for becoming anorexic and explained them. She also explained how she felt after her condition worsened. It made it much easier to get into her head, and I really liked that.

I only have a couple more things I didn't like.

1. Based on the book's description, I thought that Sofia would be a bigger character. The book was narrated by Nat and Lise, but not Sofia. She was friends with both of the narrators but she played a minor role in the story. It wasn't that big of a problem, but I was really expecting her to play a major role and I didn't get that.
2. There were so many unnecessarily italicized words it wasn't even funny. They were EVERYWHERE. There were so many words that were italicized that didn't need to be. It got so annoying. This probably wouldn't bother normal people, but it really bugged me.

All in all, I liked the book and thought it was good, but I've read better books about anorexic girls and the people around them.

Reader reviewed by Thuy

Leaving Jetty Road revolves around the themes of friendship, teenage issues and the pressures of school. I consider it to be a 'chick flick' in textual form and seeing as enjoy 'chick flicks' i definitely enjoyed this book!

Leaving Jetty Road follows three friends, Nat, Lise and Sofia, as they journey through the hectic year that is year 12. Through the New Year holidays, they decide a joint resolution: to become vegetarians. Lise works extra hard to fulfill this resolution which helps her to lose a weight (maybe a little too much) all the while preparing for her HSC exams- something that leads to too much stress. Her problems are unknown to Nat and Sofia who've met boys and fallen in love. Or is it lust?

I think this book is a great read for a breezy afternoon! I especially enjoyed how the author, Rebecca Burton, told the story from the perceptions of Nat and Lise to add a bigger dimension to the story. I believe many girls will be ale to relate to this story which makes it even better to read!

Reader reviewed by Romany

To fully enjoy the themes in this book you have to be over the age of 13. It discusses the issues that teenagers go through, being school, work, romance and self esteem.

3 girls, totally different from one another and yet best friends. They have their conflicts but at the end of the day they are always there for one another.

Overall a very moving book, a great read.