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Thank you so much to Harper Fire for sending me a proof copy of 'Lover Birds', the swoon-worthy queer enemies-to-lovers debut by Leanne Egan!
Here's a quick synopsis:
When Isabel Williams moves to Liverpool, she criticises seemingly everything in Eloise 'Lou' Byrne's life- her city, her accent, her trademark boldness- so if, when she catches Isabel staring, Lou feels her pulse race, it must be because they hate each other. It surely couldn't be for any other reason, could it?
Lou needs to get her ADHD under control in time for A-Levels, but when she meets Isabel, school becomes the least of her concerns.
What begins at outright contempt turns into an oddly satisfactory rivalry, but for their rivalry to shift further into romance, their relationship must withstand Isabel's classism, Eloise's distrust, and whatever secrets their friends are hiding from them.
Leanne Egan is an extremely talented writer, and 'Lover Birds' is the perfect introduction to their moving and beautiful voice.
Lou is an amazing central protagonist, with a big heart, hilarious one-liners and a trademark boldness. Her journey of growth is really powerful to read, and she epitomises the joy, nuance and hardships of being neurodivergent. Although I'm very different from Lou, it was really special for me to read about another neurodivergent girl, reclaiming her identity and redefining all of the negative labels placed on her by other people. It was really powerful to read about the way in which Lou defies stereotypes whilst still being allowed to just exist in the pages of the book without becoming 'inspirational' or buying into the patronising 'superpower' tropes. Lou's story is both moving and funny, encapsulating those moments of validation, self-discovery and re-discovery which come with a diagnosis, without ever feeling heavy-handed. She is allowed to struggle without her story becoming a tragedy, and she is allowed to succeed without becoming an inspiration, and she is allowed to feel frustrated by life without being labelled 'hysterical', all of the things that neurodivergent women in particular aren't supposed to be or do.
Lou's journey perfectly captures the feeling of living life on a harder setting, and the injustice of still having to be the one to conform, regardless of the support and self-understanding you have.
Reading the mother-daughter relationship between Lou and her mum was really special; a lot of YA fiction often presents parent/child relationships as difficult, or not really there. It was really lovely to read about a supportive home environment, and see a genuine connection between Lou and her mum. I think it will give a lot of hope to (especially) neurodivergent young people, showing that support and neuro-affirming relationships of many kinds do exist, and that parents can be great people to talk to if you need to reach out. It was really touching to see them learn together about how best to enable Lou to thrive, and that her mum loves her because of, not in spite of, who Lou is.
The romance between Lou and Isabel is beautifully rendered; at once tender, complicated, exciting and tense, it feels both authentic to real life and the kind of relationship many people dream of. I've never read an enemies-to-lovers book before, and the rivalry between the girls is just as fun to read as their romance. There are some really poignant moments where the girls gradually tune in to one another, and learn more about each other; these scenes never feel cringey, just like really well-observed vignettes.
I found it really refreshing that the main obstacles in their relationship come from their different values and communication styles, rather than the fact that they are in a queer relationship.
Linking into this, I also really liked the portrayal of Lou's realisation about her sexuality. It was refreshing and affirming to read about someone having that realisation as an older teenager, and as an neurodivergent person.
The love letter to Liverpool element was really moving to read. It definitely changed the preconceptions that I held about it as a city; in 'Lover Birds' Liverpool becomes this cool, colourful and calming place where Lou and Isabel can learn to let their guards down and fall in love. Lou's speech about what the city means to her is really powerful, and was one of the stand out moments of the book for me.
The epilogue really captures the bright, hopeful energy of the book, showing the characters as their most authentic selves, their lives at a point of future change and new challenges, but in a happy and secure place with one another. It gives the platonic love stories in this book their moment to shine, demonstrating love in all its forms, no kind less powerful than another.
'Lover Birds' is a stunning debut novel, perfectly depicting the nuances, frustrations and heartbreaks of being a teenager. Unapologetic, messy and real, Isabel and Lou's romance reads like a breath of fresh air, balancing powerful connection and conflict with a sweet, supportive romance. This story, at its heart, demands love without conditions, caveats or changes to yourself, and lets the world know that queer, neurodivergent love stories do exist, and won't be made smaller, quieter or any less visible.
Fall in love with Isabel, Lou and Liverpool this July 4th with 'Lover Birds', out now!