A beautiful, raw, and heartbreaking book. Kathleen Glasgow writes about addiction with such care, compassion, and nuance, without ever glamorising it or shying away from its realities. This is going to be such an important read for a lot of teens.

Bella is a 15 year old who has many stress-factors in her life and abuses alcohol to cope with them. It’s impossible to be a perfect teenager, managing school work, a social life, a part-time job, taking care of her younger sister and flitting between mum’s and dad’s. It’s no wonder Bella wants something to take the edge off things.

The Glass Girl is a hard-hitting and raw read with many moments of truth and honesty that make it difficult to put down. It’s a tough one because many of the challenges Bella faces are so common nowadays, even if her coping-mechanism isn’t typical for a teenager. However, it ends with hope and this well-written YA novel is one to add to your tbr list if you haven’t already.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook.

It’s been a while since I’ve been so invested in a protagonist as I was with Bella. She is incredibly well-written and the reader cannot help but become immersed in her world. The plot is gently paced but deeply emotional. A triumph of a novel!

A poignant, thought provoking book about the perils of addiction. As mother of a teenager this was a somewhat challenging read addressing alcholicism, drug abuse, cutting and the complexities of adolescence.

Kathleen Glasgow has done it again. Bella is a wonderfully normal your girl, who has fallen into the trap of alcohol. Her family love her but also are filled with grief and can’t see the problems that they are causing not only Bella but themselves. Amazing again.

A really raw and honest view of the issues teenagers face today and the struggles they have. I thought the subject was handled really well and it gave a great insight into rehab. Highly recommended.

Bella's story is one that will stay with me for a long time. Despite the heavy subject matter, reading it was a profound pleasure. The narrative delves deeply into complex issues and raises numerous questions, making it a thought-provoking experience.

What stands out the most is how the author masterfully handles difficult themes with sensitivity and insight. Bella's journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, prompting readers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them. Her character is richly developed, and her experiences resonate on a deeply emotional level.

The book tackles topics that are often uncomfortable but necessary to discuss, encouraging conversations about things we might otherwise avoid. This aspect makes it not just a story, but a catalyst for important dialogue.

I will be recommending this book to all my friends because I believe it is something everyone should read. It's the kind of story that sparks discussions and stays with you long after you've turned the last page. Bella's story is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to enlighten and move us, and I feel grateful to have encountered it.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I really liked this, this author does trauma/addiction in such an authentic and respectful way.

I really felt for the FMC, she was just young and overwhelmed, she seemed lost and vulnerable. It was like no one really saw until it had gone too far and by then a few characters were done with the FMC and werent prepared to stick by her later in the book. It’s a very hard and raw story but I thought it was very well done.

Shocking. Tragic. Moving.

It’s been a while since I’ve shouted out loud at a character in a book. A while since I’ve had to put a book down and do something else for a few minutes because it’s all too stressful. But that’s what reading this book has been like.

15 year old Bella has a drink problem. She and her friends get hold of alcohol by whatever means and enjoy getting drunk together. Bella’s having a tough time. Her parents are divorced and still arguing; her beloved grandmother just died; her boyfriend dumped her and has a new girlfriend. Alcohol helps. Until it doesn’t. Until everything goes horribly wrong.

This story follows Bella to rehab and everything that happens after that. It pulls no punches… though I suspect rehab in the UK feels a lot less exotic than Sonoran Sunrise sounds!! The sad reality that most families probably can’t afford anything like that provision makes me even more concerned for our young people going through addiction.

I’m not aware that I know any young people struggling with addiction… but the likelihood is that I do. I just don’t realise it.

It’s hard to know who I think should read this. Adults who might be contributing to young people’s addiction issues, either by causing the stress or facilitating their access to alcohol etc.
Teens who might need to be the good friends who call out their friends before things get serious.
Teens on the verge who need help to recognise the danger they’re in?

As a school librarian, I’d want to make sure potential readers are aware of the content of this book. I will add a trigger warning. But it’s also the kind of book you need to read before it’s too late.

Grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-ARC.

This book follows Bella, a teenager who is overwhelmed with everything going on in her life (the recent loss of her grandmother, her parents’ divorce and the pressures of school). She turns to alcohol to get through and this escalates until one night after a party, she blacks out and her friends leave her on her mom’s porch where she passes out.

After being treated in hospital for alcohol poisoning and a broken cheekbone, Bella agrees to go to rehab although she doesn’t really believe she has a problem. You follow her through her stay in rehab, and then the struggles returning to “normal” life after she leaves too.

This was such a hard read but I absolutely could not put it down. There were a lot of relatable thoughts and feelings described in this story and I felt that it did a really good job of showing how things can get out of hand before you even realise. All of the characters were so well written. I loved Bella and really wanted her to come out of this with a happy ending. I also loved her sister Ricci, and Holly, a girl that she meets in rehab.

This isn’t the first book by Kathleen Glasgow that I’ve read and as per usual, she writes about really difficult topics very well – it was a tough read but I flew through it. She has a way of making you feel like you’re part of the story. I’d recommend this to anyone honestly, I think it’s the best book I’ve read so far this year.

This gives a blunt and raw depiction of the life of an alcoholic teen. The book is written with true care and compassion and I was completely drawn into the character.
It’s a book that will definitely stick with me for a long time and I will certainly be recommending it to others.

Four stars - An unfiltered portrayal of alcoholism and the journey to recovery through the eyes of a fifteen-year-old girl named Bella.

My thanks to Kathleen, her publishing team and Netgalley for the eARC

This is such a raw and unflinching depiction of what living with alcoholism looks like. Glasgow has once again broken my heart only to put it back together again.

Bella's story is one I will think about for a long time and it was a pleasure to read this despite the heavy subject matter. There are so many questions raised and it's definitely one I will shout about to all my friends because I think everyone should read it.

Unflinching and honest, this book felt like a slap to the face. Addiction and alcoholism is something that everyone seems to know about, but no one actually understands its impact. Glasgow writes about these issues with so much care, while still revealing the raw and ugly truth. While I can admit that I am probably a few years over the intended audience, the story still had a punch and had me feeling for Bella. I was rooting for Bella and her healing, even when she wasn’t rooting for herself. There were so many moments that were uncomfortable to read, but it only drove home the message further, the real struggle with addiction. Emotionally balanced and well written, this book is a real eye opener, especially for younger audiences, to addiction.

A really affecting and blunt look at the life of an alcoholic teenager, how she got to her breaking point, and her time in rehab and after. A really brilliant structure, before, during, after, and beyond. Some really good familial and friendship exploration too. I'll think about this one for a while.

The Glass Girl By Kathleen Glasgow
Rating:4/5
Release Date: 1 October 2024

Bella finds herself at a breaking point, feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands from everyone in her life. Seeking solace, she turns to alcohol, believing it eases her pain and makes everything more manageable. After all, doesn't everyone drink? And Bella assures herself she can stop whenever she chooses.

However, one reckless night alters everything. Excessive drinking leads to Bella being found unconscious on her mother's doorstep, her cheekbone fractured and her memory blank. Confronted with the harsh reality of her situation, Bella realises it's time to face the truth. For her, that means seeking help and confronting her struggles head-on by entering rehab.

This poignant and powerful story delves into the harrowing realities of teenage addiction and the arduous journey towards recovery. Through the eyes of Bella, a seemingly ordinary teenager grappling with extraordinary challenges, we witness the heartbreaking struggles, inner turmoil, and eventual path to healing.

The author skilfully crafts a raw and authentic portrayal of addiction, shedding light on the complexities of coping and the daunting transition from the safety of rehab back into the real world. Despite being a fictional character, Bella's journey resonates deeply, evoking a sense of empathy and genuine concern for her well-being.

The depiction of the rehab setting, with its emphasis on outdoor activities and the poignant Polaroid picture motif, adds depth and captivation to the narrative. The interactions Bella has with fellow patients, particularly the compelling character of Holly, further enrich the story, drawing readers into their shared experiences and struggles.

Ultimately, while Bella's journey is fraught with challenges, her resilience and determination leave readers rooting for her success and hoping for a brighter future ahead.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Oneworld Publications, and the author, Kathleen Glasgow, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

5 stars - a raw depiction of alcoholism and recovery from the pov of a 15 year old girl.

Bella is struggling due to the recent loss of her grandmother Laurel, her parents divorce and the pressures of school. The only thing that helps Bella get through this, is alcohol, or Vodka specifically. After a night of drinking and partying, she blacks out and her friends leave her on her mom’s porch to basically die. After being treated in hospital, her mom sends her to a rehab despite Bella’s protests, that she doesn’t have a problem. We follow Bella as she meets her fellow patients and her 30 day rehab stay, and also how she copes when her stay ends.

A beautiful but hard hitting and story that shows the consequences of teenage addiction and the road to recovery. The character of Bella is just a typical teenager who is just dealing with a lot of things teenagers shouldn’t have to deal with. This makes the story all the more heartbreaking as we learn all about her inner thoughts and feelings, and the build up to her drinking problems and her road to recovery.

I felt the author portrayed an honest and real depiction of addiction and how people cope when they leave the safety of rehab. Even though she is just a character I really wish Bella well for the future.

I liked the rehab setting of getting outdoors, the Polaroid picture aspect and I felt captivated by all of the other patients Bella meets, especially Holly.

If you liked this book or vice versa you may also enjoy Clean by Juno Dawson with a similar addiction and rehab story.

Title: The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow

Release Date: October, 1st, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Bella's journey offers a raw and honest look at the struggles and triumphs of overcoming personal demons.

Bella is at her breaking point. Everyone in her life seems to need something from her, and she turns to alcohol to dull the overwhelming pain and pressure. It smooths out the rough edges and makes everything seem more manageable. Besides, everyone drinks, right? And Bella is convinced she can stop whenever she wants.

But everything changes one fateful night. After one too many drinks at a party, Bella finds herself unconscious on her mother’s front steps with a fractured cheekbone and no memory of what happened. This terrifying wake-up call forces Bella to confront her reality, leading her to a path she never thought she'd take: rehab.

Why I enjoyed It:

🌟 Relatable Protagonist: Bella is a character many will find themselves rooting for. Her struggles with addiction and the pressure of others' expectations are portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity.
🌟 Emotional Depth: Kathleen Glasgow doesn't shy away from the hard truths. Bella's journey is filled with heart-wrenching moments that will make you feel deeply connected to her story.
🌟 Hope and Redemption: Despite the dark themes, the book is ultimately about hope and the possibility of redemption. Bella's path to recovery is inspiring and beautifully portrayed.
🌟 Powerful Message: The Glass Girl delivers a powerful message about the dangers of addiction and the importance of seeking help, making it an important read for both teens and adults.

The Glass Girl is a gripping and poignant novel that draws you in from the first page. Bella's descent into addiction and her subsequent journey to recovery are depicted with unflinching honesty and raw emotion. Kathleen Glasgow’s writing is both beautiful and haunting, capturing the pain and hope that define Bella’s experience.

Bella’s character is incredibly well-developed, making her struggles and triumphs feel real and impactful. The supporting characters, from her family to her friends in rehab, add depth to the narrative and highlight the complexities of addiction and recovery.

The book's pacing keeps you hooked, with each chapter revealing more about Bella's inner world and the events that led to her breaking point. The journey to rehab and the challenges Bella faces there are portrayed with realism and empathy, making her eventual steps toward healing all the more rewarding.

The Glass Girl is not just a story about addiction; it’s a story about finding oneself amid chaos and pain. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys deeply emotional and thought-provoking YA fiction.

Thank you to The Publisher Oneworld Publications | Rock the Boat ,The Author Kathleen Glasgow & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.