Having been absolutely gripped by Louisa's debut novel Black Heart Blue, the bar had been set for her second offering. Fortunately, her writing prowess remains for this tale of a teenager battling with mental illness.
When she moves to a new home with her mother and young brother, teenager Audrey is hoping it will mean a new start for her family. She just wants to be normal, to do normal teenage things. When she meets her slightly older neighbour Leo, she discovers there might just be a kindred spirit out there for her.
Though the teenage romance is a large part of the story, it is the relationships Audrey has with her younger brother Peter and her mother which really form the base for this incredibly compelling and powerful story. She is so caring towards her younger brother, wanting to hide the reality of her illness from him and putting on smiles when she can in order to keep him in the dark. Her mother is wary of her new relationship, fearing it will lead to a relapse in her mental state but Audrey struggles to stand up to her.
As the doctor visits pile up and the collection of pill bottles increases, will Audrey ever be able to be truly 'normal' and lead the life she wants? Thanks to Louisa Reid's engaging writing style, the need to find out the answer will have you devouring Lies Like Love as quickly as possible. A real page-turner and insight into the attitudes and preconceptions around mental illness.
8/10