Publisher: Chicken House
Release: 5th June 2014
Genre: UKYA, Contemporary, Summer
Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Synopsis:
"Sam and Hannah only have the holidays to find 'The One'. Their lobster. But instead of being epic, their summer is looking awkward. They must navigate social misunderstandings, the plotting of well-meaning friends, and their own fears of being virgins for ever to find happiness. But fate is at work to bring them together. And in the end, it all boils down to love."
Review
Lobsters is a shining new gem in Contemporary UKYA. I only had to read the first chapter to know that I was going to love this book. When a book makes you genuinely laugh out loud several times during the first chapter you know you’re on to a winner! I haven’t laughed so hard over a book in a very long time.
Lobsters is told in alternating chapters between Hannah and Sam – two teens who are trying to lose their virginity, come out of their shells and find out who they are in the summer before university. Think Georgia Nicolson meets The Inbetweeners as we bounce from Hannah to Sam’s point of view as mishaps and misunderstandings lead to the couple meeting and parting throughout the summer.
Sam and Hannah have authentic teen voices and are two characters that teens will identify with as they discover that expectations don’t always meet reality when it comes to sex, friendship, first love and plans for the future. Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison ask the important questions when it comes to being a teen and aren’t afraid to give the brutally honest and often hilarious answers.
As well as Hannah and Sam there are a great cast of characters here and I loved them so much that I’d love to see them all get their own stories. Robin was a personal favourite of mine, he reminded me of Jay from The Inbetweeners in that he was completely full of it but in a strangely loveable and funny way. Although Lobsters is a cracking standalone the secondary characters are so well developed that they could definitely be the stars of their own stories.
Funny, rude and always honest Lobsters is the perfect read for fans of C.J. Skuse and Sarra Manning. It’s a firm favourite of mine for the summer and I can’t wait to see what teen dream team Lucy and Tom write next.
