Lover Birds

 LOVER BIRDS is told from the point of view of Eloise Byrne, otherwise known as Lou. Recently diagnosed with ADHD, Lou knows that she needs to get it in control before A-Levels come around or her grades are going to suffer. But with the arrival of a new student, that suddenly doesn’t seem as important. Isabel has recently moved to Liverpool and she makes Lou’s pulse race. Lou is sure that her pulse races because she hates Isabel, but when she’s forced to spend time with Isabel, will she discover there is more to it than that?

What I Loved:
The bonds between the characters were shown with great details and given a lot of room to develop. The relationship between Lou and Isabel is a major plot point and the time dedicated to it was perfect. But Leanne Egan also did an exemplary job showcasing the bonds between friends as well. The bickering, the love, all of it. None of the bonds felt fake and they added depth to Lou and to the world as a whole.

The book managed to explore some deeper topics, especially around Lou and her recent ADHD diagnosis, with grace. Details were given about the diagnosis itself for a more medical side, but readers also get to see Lou’s reaction to it. The parts that she wants to fight against and why she doesn’t want to have to rely on medication. It’s nice to see a frank portrayal of ADHD in a young adult book.

This is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Readers familiar with this classic work may note some of the similarities between the two texts, but there are also differences as well. This book replaces some subplots with subplots that fit in a more modern age. Some of the tropes are still the same, especially the “enemies to lovers” approach to the romance.

What Left Me Wanting More:
The beginning of the book was more slow-paced than I had been expecting. Eventually the plot picked up steam and became much more irresistible, but readers may struggle to stick with the book long enough to discover that it is a hidden gem.

Final Verdict:
LOVER BIRDS is a delightful book with an interesting setup and a good payoff. The author’s attention to details allows the setting to feel realistic and allows readers to be sucked in. At the same time, readers are presented with a frank discussion about a teenager’s view of her ADHD diagnosis as well as her crush on the new girl. It’s cute at times, but it doesn’t shirk the more serious moments.

For readers who want a light sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance, LOVER BIRDS is a great choice. With characters and a setting that breathe life into the book, this is a great modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice.