Rachale's Reads

Nina is Not OK by Shappi Khorsandi

I got recommended this book by a friend and was so happy to find this on my library’s audiobook app, and was made even happier when I started listening to it, knowing almost instantly that I would love it.

The book is written so well, Nina is such a typical teenager, the attitude and mannerisms are spot on. It is clear to see she has a problem with alcohol. Not just from what happens when she gets drunk at the club and other occasions, but the miniatures in college rang alarm bells. The way things turn out for her, t’s easy to see why she turns to drink, but seeing her do so after every single blow to her was hard to see.  

Nina’s mother was so, so infuriating. I know addicts hide their habit, but surely repeatedly seeing Nina in a complete state and noticing alcohol in the house go missing would be really suspect, especially as Nina’s father was an alcoholic, surely there must have been a sign sooner than when it finally sinks in to Nina’s mum. Maybe she was in denial, it must have been tough for her I realise. It’s also not just that though, there’s multiple times where I’m just like WTF with Nina’s mum, to me it seemed that Nina was part of her mum’s past, which was obviously painful, therefore Nina’s mum concentrated on her new husband and daughter, leaving Nina out. It’s easy to see why Nina was so upset at times.  

I loved Nina’s relationship with Katie, they clearly adored each other, and every scene between them was a joy.  

This book has it all. Dark depth a lot of the time, light humorous moments to balance it all. I absolutely loved this book and can’t recommend it enough!  

Published by: Ebury  

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Order on: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository