Plot: It's a year and a half on from Paper Aeroplanes, and Renée is now living with her Aunty Jo. They even have geese, and Renée likes to sit and watch them, wondering if she'll ever find 'the One' - someone who will love her no matter what, and be there for her no matter how bad things get. She and Flo are in their final year at school, and they've got some tough choices to make - like will they go to university? And if so where - and will they go together? Renée's usual ambivalence on the matter shocks Flo, who had assumed they'd continue as they were, the best and closest of friends, forever. She feels as though she needs Renée's support more than ever, so when a handsome young boy enters Flo's life, she finds herself powerfully drawn to his kindness, and his faith. Renée and Flo's friendship will soon be tested in a way neither of them could have expected - and if Paper Aeroplanes was a book about finding friendship, Goose is the novel that explores whether it's possible to keep hold of it.
Review:
Thank you to Hot Key Books for sending my this review copy in exchange for my honest review. I loved Dawn O' Porters first novel Paper Aeroplanes and it was one of the best books I read last year. I was so excited to receive this copy in exchange for review as I love the characters and story of the first novel.
After the events of Paper Aeroplanes I was so eager to find out what was in store next for Renee and Flo. I really enjoyed the character progression in this novel. I felt that every character had a great development . Renee and Flo's friendship was tested in this novel . I really enjoyed the way Dawn O'Porter described the feelings they felt when they were in this rough patch as I think many people can relate to both the ups and downs of their friendship. I feel that now they are older, I can relate more to their attitudes and actions as they are now closer to my age.
Renee is a great character. In Paper Aeroplanes we were introduced to her as a bad girl type of character with a vulnerable side beneath the facade. In Goose we really see this more vulnerable side that needs attention a lot. She is a character who although makes silly choices and mistakes, is forgiven because you can relate to some of her reactions to the chain of events that is her life. She is such a fun and wild character. I think she is much more mature in this novel than in the first one, especially in terms of her friendships and relationships.
Flo is another great character. Her and Renee have such a deep emotional connection in their friendship. I could identify with her search for meaning, although she turned to religion and I am in no way religious. I could understand her desire for a higher being in order to guide her especially at that time of stress in her life. I liked seeing Flo become a little more independent of Renee as I felt she was the more clingy friend in the relationship in the first novel. She has become a very independent girl who knows what she wants. She is really smart and caring and funny.
Another aspect of the novel I enjoyed was Renee & Flo trying to decide what they want to do with their lives when they finish school. I am also in my last year of secondary school and so I could identify with a lot of their thoughts and anxieties about going to college. Where Flo is very much set on college and getting a career, Renee is more focused on being happy first and putting everything second. I feel I am a mix of the two at times. I really enjoyed reading their worries and thoughts on college next year.
The writing style of the novel was great. Although I felt the plot was not as fast paced as Paper Aeroplanes, it definitely kept my attention. I really liked the way Dawn O'Porter wrote about the effect boyfriends have on relationships. She writes these novels in such a realistic way and does not idealise any of the details about sex, school, friendship etc., Sometimes I feel authors writing about high school have a tendency to over romanticise their characters time at school but Dawn O'Porter does not do this. She also writes really compelling dialogue that is both witty and serious.
Overall a great novel. This series / duology is probably one of my favourites and I look forward to reading any other books Dawn O'Porter writes in future. Please pick up this series, you will not regret it !
Rating :
Four Star Novel
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