I really enjoyed this book, a great coming of age story about “Trick” the only black boy in a small, dead end town. While his friends seem like no hopers leading him astray, you really feel for the main character who as many teenagers do hides his true thoughts and emotions whilst trying to appear cool. I could see this being adapted into a tv drama or film.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fantastic read! I was into this book from the very start. The writing was wonderful, the story moved, and everything felt fresh. I truly appreciated this book and have so many great things to say. In the last 2 chapters, I could tell the final plot points, but I am not upset that I was able to figure it out--the story was told well, and I did not feel like anything was overly predictable, especially since I did not figure out all the steps of the ending, meaning the author was able to flesh out the story a bit more than what one may predict. I have nothing negative to say, I really enjoyed this book and am SO happy to give it my first 5 star review of 2021.

Sean Hancock puts you in the shoes of Trick, the only black guy in a small town in England during the 90's and lets you get a glimp of what it's like to be 15, different and trying to figure out what you can get out of life.
Trick and his mates come up with a plan to rob the local supermarket, miraculously this works and the money they get is a lot more than they were expecting. This sets a chain of events in motion that makes Trick wonder about what is right, wrong and how can he get that good future he wants.
You sometimes want to kick him in the butt for the decisions he makes, but you also understand why he makes them. Hancock does a good job of making you go back in time to when you were 15, 16, 17 and maybe making stupid mistakes yourself. The way the boys are speaking feels authentic and I had fun seeing where it would lead.
I didn't feel like the story was done when I closed the book, but that was alright...I was taken for a nostalgic trip down memory lane and I get the feeling Trick will be okay. Good book!

*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review ***

A great YA debut about growing up as an outsider in a small village in the 90s; well written and good to read. Addresses issues of race, fitting in, teenage angst amongst others.