Let’s Never Speak of This Again (Megan Williams, Text)

Sixteen-year-old Abby’s life may not be perfect, but it is manageable. With a best friend like Ella, it doesn’t matter that there’s tension between Abby and her mum, or that she recently kissed her cousin’s cousin. Ella’s brother Will has always been there for Abby, and lately, she feels like maybe there’s a spark there. Then the new girl Chloe arrives. At first, Abby is pleased she’s been chosen to help Chloe. But when Chloe slots into their friendship group with ease, anxiety rears its ugly head for Abby, and she begins to doubt her friendship with Ella. For just a moment, she wishes something bad would happen. But then it does happen, and Abby must face the emotional turmoil of the aftermath. Let’s Never Speak of This Again went in a different direction to the one I expected, and I love the story more for it. Abby’s voice always feels authentic, and Megan Williams has done a wonderful job of showing the subtleties of teenage emotion and juxtaposing the mature with the immature. The novel never feels preachy but still follows Abby as she learns about friendship and the ups and downs of life that test it. The quality of the story is never sacrificed for drama, and although tragedy strikes, everything still feels realistic. Let’s Never Speak of This Again is a must-read for teens struggling with self-doubt; it has broad appeal and is perfect for fans of Nina Kenwood and Melina Marchetta.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Anneliese Gates is a writer and works in a primary school library. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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