3.5 stars;

Set in and just outside of Dublin, Snowflake follows 18-year-old Debbie as she starts university at Trinity. Commuting from her uncle’s farm, Debbie struggles with balancing uni life with her friend Xanthe and home life with her struggling uncle and mum.

Louise Nealon’s writing is absolutely stunning. The way she writes emotions, mental health, and relationships is just wonderful. I felt she really captured what it means to be 18 and struggling (although this was a little while ago for me!)

However, I didn’t love this. The chapters were short and a little bit jumpy between them, and I think this hampered the continuation of the story for me.

I know some people will love this one, it just wasn’t for me, so don’t let me review put you off trying this one!

⚠️ content warnings: mental health, suicide, blood, vomit, alcoholism and discussions of addiction

I was sent a copy of Snowflake by Louise Nealon to read and review by NetGalley. I absolutely adored this book! It was tender, beautifully written and, for me at least, totally engrossing. A beautiful, sometimes tragic coming of age story, written in the true Irish tradition. I don’t know what it is about Irish writing, but it always has the same effect on me. Always very readable, getting right into the heart of the characters, their thoughts and their lives. I can’t wait for the next offering from this very talented young author.

Snowflake was a delightful read that I sped through in one sitting on a sunny day. It reminded me of Normal People and had that Irish charm that made it such a delight to read. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I didn't know what to expect from this book, as Snowflake has become a pejorative term. However, it was nothing like I expected. It was a gorgeously written account of a family all with complications, struggles and unhealthy ways of coping with them.

Deb has just started at Trinity College but she feels displaced. Living on a dairy farm, with her uncle Billy in a caravan and a mother who has spent most of her life sleeping, she feels anxious and out of place. She's haunted by dreams that are glimpses into other people's minds - predicting tragedy that she somehow never prevents occurring. She copes by drinking til she blacks out. As does her uncle, himself haunted by demons from his past.

But a reconciliation with an old face, seems to work miracles on this warm, wonderfully and deeply scarred family. It said to me, that sometimes all we really need is to be truly seen and heard to begin healing.

There were wonderfully deadpan and dark one-liners of prose that I adored. Whilst heavy at times, this is not to detract from its brilliance. I really loved this book.

A beautiful work of coming-of-age fiction with a strong focus on mental health and figuring out who you are - exactly my cup of tea. Louise Nealon will undoubtedly be faced with many comparisons to Sally Rooney, particularly with similar themes appearing throughout Snowflake, but I found the characters in Snowflake to be wholly more likeable. I love Sally Rooney's work, but Louise Nealon's prose is grittier, with more power. Both are great, and I feel like fans of one will appreciate the other.

I didn't know what to expect with Snowflake, but it took me by surprise and I can't wait to read more by Louise Nealon.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

There are some great female Irish writers coming through at the moment, and Nealon is no exception. This book captures life in contemporary Ireland while also discussing deeper issues such as mental health and grief. The juxtaposition of Debbie and Xanthe shows the range of experiences of young Irish women, and the prose is sparse but eminently readable. If you like Sally Rooney, you'll love this.

I was beyond pleasantly surprised with this book. I was blown away.

Having read the description I thought it would be a standard Millennial narrative (I am a Millennial, I'm allowed to say that) a la Normal People, but it was so much more. At first it felt like a series of vignettes, as we slowly piece together Debbie's upbringing and learn that her life is nothing like anyone else's. The memories of her mother with her dream journal, her uncle Billy who lives in a caravan and reads the great philosophers, bringing her up build and build until we have a full picture of Debbie as a character.

Then it gets dark, in the most perfectly unexpected way. You're still in Debbie's mad world, but before you know it, the narrative is tackling some heavy topics: alcoholism and mental health. All while retaining the charm that made you fall in love with the pages in the first place.

The only irk I had is that the end felt abrupt, and I kept pressing for the next page, confused. But the rest is so good that I'm not going to lose a star over it.

This is my NetGalley book of the year so far.

Snowflake was the book I needed to break my reading slump. It was everything I wanted it to be and more.

I went in blind, simply knowing that it came highly recommended by Emily @thebreakfast.bookclub (and I trust her recommendations wholeheartedly!). I’ve thanked her previously, and am going to again for bringing Snowflake onto my radar.

Set in Ireland, Debbie navigates her life as a dark girl and university student, discovering who she should be, against who she wants to be.

Being in your late teens is HARD. I remember it well, and Louise Nealon perfectly captures this through Debbie.

Each and every character and scene is perfectly crafted and if I’m honest, there were moments I sat with the pages open in front of me, reluctant to continue reading because I just didn’t want to reach the end.

So, would I recommend this novel? Duh.
Would I pick up another Nealon novel? Without a doubt.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Manilla Press and Louise Nealon for my ARC copy of Snowflake.

This book was very different to any I have read before and particularly lately. It is the story of Debbie, who has grown up on a Dairy Farm in a small village, and is off to university in a big city. I related to this immensely as I too went to a big city from a place where everyone knows your name! Debbie tries her hardest to cope and befriends Xanthe. Slowly her world spirals out of control and a lot of this is placed on her “dreams” which are clearly a genetic hinderance. I did feel the dream side of it was not explored to the full extent it could have been and added a nice element to what was otherwise quite an ordinary life story. I felt the story was very well written and gave across a lot of different characters despite being written from one viewpoint mostly throughout. I enjoyed watching the characters develop and deal with different things which occurred in their lives but again I felt this could have been developed more. Although there was an ending to the story I do feel that the characters had more to give and I would have liked to see what happened to them next. Perhaps a sequel?
If you want an honest story of a family and how they help each other overcome each other’s difficulties, finding new people to help them and adopt into their circle, this book is perfect for you!

Debbie has grown up on a farm in rural Ireland that could be in another century. She does not know who her father is because her mother slept with all the men in the village. The mother spends most of her life having prophetic dreams and writing them down. Debbie has had to bring herself up with the help of her drunken uncle Billy, as her mother doesn't seem to care.
Debbie starts going to university in Dublin, and struggles to adjust. She drinks far too much and blanks out all her sexual exploits. Luckily for her, she meets Xanthe. Xanthe is beautiful and has grown up unloved and neglected. She really cares about Debbie.
Unbeknownst to Debbie, she is in danger of turning into her mother. She sometimes has the same types of dreams. There is a magical realism element to the story. It seems to be considered fairly normal that Debbie and her mother can dream the future. Overall, the story is both enjoyably bonkers and rather sad.

I’m not sure words are going to be able to describe how much I enjoyed this book or even begin to explain properly what it is about.
Debbie is part of the ‘snowflake’ generation. She’s 18 and lives on a dairy farm with her mum, whilst her uncle lives in a caravan next to the house. Debbie is starting university at Trinity in Dublin and is learning how to navigate all the difficulties that growing up throws at you. She has multiple family issues to contend with along with all the issues of being a young adult.
I knew from the first chapter that I would love the book. It blew me away. It’s so raw and relatable.
As Debbie navigates her way around Uni trying to make friends, I kept nodding, remembering experiencing the same thoughts as her. There are serious mental health issues in the story but they are approached with compassion and respect and truth. Loneliness and friendships are also main themes.
I enjoyed the short chapters. I felt they were a great portrayal of Debbie’s fast paced and often chaotic mind.
I laughed a lot. Humour was added in places at perfect moments. There may have been an awkward moment but it would be wrapped in tenderness and lightheartedness.
I could talk about this book for hours. The characters are flawed but so likeable. This is a brilliant, thought provoking, incredible read. I can’t wait to read more from Louise and actually get myself a print copy of the book.
Thank you to netgalley, bonnier books and Manilla press for the digital download.

This is a nice easy read that I know will be compared to another *Irish contemporary* novel that was released in the last five years a lot.

But, there's no need to compare. The stories are completely different and I enjoyed this story a lot! The biggest flaw in my opinion was the ending as it ended rather abruptly. There was something just missing in the second half for me; the plot haltered slightly and there was no real character development. However, saying that, this is a nice easy read and a fitting novel for 20-somethings interested in Ireland/UK culture.

As a big fan of Sally Rooney, John Boyne and - of course - Marian Keyes, I had high hopes for this novel.
Following Debbie as she ventures from her close farming community to the bustling streets of Dublin and Trinity College, we’re introduced to cast of flawed but likeable characters who show Debbie that we’re all more than what we show people from the outside.

I was expecting a coming of age story, but the real themes of the novel are mental health and self image. At home, Debbie’s mother, Maeve, believes in the power of dreams, whilst her uncle Billy works hard on the farm and tries to hide his real struggles with the pressure he feels to look after his family. Her new-found college friend Xanthe has her own issues, not least a rather strained relationship with her parents, and between all of these characters Debbie learns that there’s more to us all than the front we put on for the outside world.

On occasion I found Debbie a bit of a strange character - never quite being sure how convincing some of her actions were - but maybe we’re all enigmas at 18? Experimenting, struggling, pretending...
The references to dreams, and allusions to Debbie and her mother having some kind of ‘sixth sense’ around these felt a little out of step with the rest of the story; it isn’t explored in very much detail and feels like a slightly unusual footnote to some of the scenes.

There are some really touching moments - often between Billy and Debbie - and I enjoyed the way the author gave each character a really distinctive voice and personality. I didn’t feel the same emotional connection to them as I’d have hoped given their struggles, but this is a moving and thought-provoking book which makes you wonder if we’re all snowflakes in the most honest sense of the word - unique, beautiful and ultimately fragile.

Thank you to Bonnier Books UK / Manila / Net Galley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This felt like a really original take on a coming of age novel. Covering so many tough topics, Snowflake was tender, moving, funny at times, shocking.
Over all a good read.

I liked this book and I found it easy to read - the words flowed really well. I liked Debbie’s character and could relate to her. I also have 2 teenagers myself so I could relate to her worries.
I liked the short chapters and found that they kept me reading. I found the books had humour but also some serious themes.
I would recommend this book.

Snowflake is often used as a derogatory term so it was refreshing to read a book that spun that term on its head.

This book is so much more than a generalised coming of age story. Despite meeting lead character Debbie as she embarks on her university journey straight from living on a dairy farm, the timeline rarely focuses on this.

Nealon explores the impact of family, mental health and the strain this can have on an individual. Some tough subjects are discussed with a rawness that makes you sympathise with the characters.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this debut author.

I didn't know what to expect from this book but I was certainly pleasantly surprised. Debbie is 18 and lives on a dairy farm and is about to start University in the city which is a pretty big shock to the system. It is a wonderful coming of age novel with all the ups and downs you would expect from Debbie, including friendships, boys, the struggle of University and it also really highlighted the topic of mental health and there were some really important moments in the book which didn't shy away from the reality. The characters and the way it is set out reminded me slightly of Normal People by Sally Rooney (which I didn't enjoy at all) but this was a refreshing read with a story line that kept me entranced and I didn't want it to end.
Overall an excellent novel that should be a must read for many.

Fans of coming-of-age novels, particularly The Favour by Laura Vaughan and Dinner Party: A Tragedy by Sarah Gilmartin will enjoy this. Debbie is 18 and trying to figure herself out, now that she is going to university. Her uncle Billy is the real star of the story, with his troubled past and dry humour. Her mum is young and beautiful, but haunted by her intense dreams and bipolar disorder. Xanthe comes into Debbie’s life as a close friend, but stirs up feelings of jealousy, insecurity and rivalry. The significance of dreams is woven throughout this story, but it is not clear what the purpose of this is. Snowflakes are also mentioned occasionally throughout the story, and given that it’s the title of the book I felt as though it would have more significance or more relevance towards the end. There are some fantastic elements but it could afford to go a bit deeper.

I was provided with a free ebook of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review via NetGalley. Thank you to the author, the publishers and NetGalley for this.

This contemporary fiction follows a young woman, Debbie, who was raised on a dairy farm in rural Ireland by her mother and her uncle who lives in a caravan in the garden. Her childhood has not been easy, her mother suffers from mental health issues and frequently needed looking after.

The book begins as Debbie begins commuting into Dublin for university. She is overwhelmed by the city, university and struggles to make friends. She becomes friends with a glamourous student called Xanthe but is always quite jealous of her. I really enjoyed this book and I got sucked in pretty quickly. Debbie was overly naive and that was at times frustrating but otherwise, this is great fiction.

This look into modern millennial life, mental health and the feeling of belonging will make waves. Fans of Sally Rooney and Naoise Dolan will enjoy this.

I wont be the first or last person to compare this to Sally Rooney's writing but its fair to say that if you liked Normal People then Snowflake is a book for you. A coming of age story that tackles mental health across generations, and the guilt of freedom of leaving home. There have been countless rave reviews for this book and I am sure that its going to do spectacularly well