Open Heart by Emlyn Chand

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gosh I don’t know where to begin! I usually start by mentioning that I never read YA books and therefore never feel particularly qualified to offer an opinion on them, but considering the amount of YA books that I have read in the last six months I think it is safe to assume that this is no longer true.

I read Farsighted #1 last year and liked it just fine…but you know what I love about THIS particular book? I just can’t stop thinking “Damn Ms Chand – you’ve outdone yourself!” Simmi’s character is so well-rounded (and no I don’t mean fat!), so acutely observant and so brutally honest that you cannot help but applaud Emlyn Chand’s efforts. There is no shying away from tough subjects like bulemia or betrayal – it all just hangs out. And I think the best part is that all the insecurity is presented in such a way that instead of relating to it you recognize it. I don’t know how else to put it. Simmi does things and thinks things that make you go “oh you silly little girl stop being so hard on yourself!” but then you have to admit that you – another silly little girl! – like to be just as hard on yourself.

I know Simmi has gotten a lot of flak from others for her weaknesses, but I truly do love her. It’s so refreshing to be presented with a non-perfect character who isn’t prancing around in her blonde ambitious glory trying to convince you that she is too thin…

Thanks Emlyn! Looking forward to the next one



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