Bad Habits, blog tour

Hello loves!

I am bringing you another blog tour this week, I have been a very busy bee trying to get it all read and just managed it lol. I don’t know why I decided to over exert myself in February but there you go.

This time, I am presenting you with my review for Bad Habits, by Flynn Meaney for the blog tour hosted by the incredible Dave over at the The Write Reads on twitter and let e just tell you I loved this book so much. I do have a physical copy either in the post or waiting for me in Edinburgh so as soon as I get my hands on it I will post a picture on my Instagram so you can all get a close look at the wonderful cover it has.

As always, I would like to thank the publisher (Penguin) for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. With that out of the way, let’s get into the review.

Summary

Hilarious, bold, sparky and surprising, this is the funniest feminist book you’ll read all year.

Alex is a rebel from the tip of her purple fauxhawk to the toes of her biker boots. She’s tried everything she can think of to get expelled from her strict Catholic boarding school. Nothing has worked so far – but now, Alex has a new plan.

Tired of the sexism she sees in every corner of St Mary’s, Alex decides to stage the school’s first ever production of The Vagina Monologues. Which is going to be a challenge, as no one else at St Mary’s can even bear to say the word ‘vagina’ out loud . . .

summary from goodreads

Rating

ESCAPE score: 55

Thoughts

I loved this fun, feisty, feminist book so much! It is just absolutely incredible and had me laughing at least one almost every page. Combined with the message of the book, Alex’s rebellious and punk attitude make such a wondrous mix. I have a feeling that this book is going to be huge.

The characters were so well written and were all so diverse. Alex and Mary Kate, two of the main characters are so different from each other but make the sweetest friendship of two girls who Amy not always agree with what the other wants but will support each other no matter what and that is the type of female friendship that should be represented in more books for young adults. I just loved the two of them so much, and while Alex’s wise cracks had me laughing out loud and as much as I wanted to be her I am definitely more of a Mary Kate. I just loved all of the characters so much, even Father Hughes!

The plot was original while following a fairly well established trope and that was something I really enjoyed. A rebellious teen taking on the system in a catholic boarding school by trying to raise awareness of female empowerment is something I never knew I needed in my life lol. It is just perfect as a concept and so well executed. I also really liked how it took place from September to December because those are some of my favourite months at university in Edinburgh. Anyways, this book is just incredible and you should all read it if you haven’t already.

The writing of course was witty and wonderful. The jokes were funny and the emotional moments poignant without it all being cheesy, it really was the perfect blend. I really loved the description of the setting too, because I could really St Mary’s as Alex walked around the quad with her friends and tried to introduce radical change against all odds. It was just so good!

I think that is enough gushing for one day!

If you want a copy of this incredible book, you can find it here (some links are affiliate)

Blackwells / Waterstones / Amazon

Author Bio

Flynn Meaney is the author of The Boy Recession and Bloodthirsty. She studied marketing and French at the University of Notre Dame, where she barely survived the terrifying array of priests and nuns, campus ghosts, and bone-crushing athletes who inspired Bad Habits. Since completing a very practical MFA in Poetry, she works for a French company and travels often between New York (when she’s in the mood for bagels) and Paris (when she’s in the mood for croissants).