5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING

A.C. · 12 October 2020

AMAZING!!really loved this, read it all at once!

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Summer Read ☀️

J.H. · 27 August 2021

Lily's Just Fine is a nice summer romance story about Lily who seems to have the perfect life and likes to keep busy and Tom who has a less perfect life and often gets caught up helping his sister with her illness. When a gala brings the town together they find they have more in common than they first thought.This story is written from both perspectives with a lot of the book alternating between chapters of Lily's and chapters of Tom's. I'm not usually a fan of books written in this way but for this book it worked really well.The characters are great and it did take a while to get to know them but I like how the storyline includes some of the more challenging aspects of their family life into the story as it brings awareness to the issues. With all the family issues and gala events being organised it leaves a very busy book and it seems Lily's always adding more to her agenda. This works for the character though and makes it an interesting read.The way we get to see Lily and Tom's relationship change throughout the book is nice and I like how it seemed to move at a realistic pace considering they weren't fans of each other at the start! This is a good read that I'm sure teenagers would enjoy, a light easy Summer read with some important topics covered too.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for girls aged 15+

H.G. · 18 November 2019

I really liked this first book in the Galloway Girls series. Lily is energetic, hands-on, a force to be reckoned with, and not used to taking "no" for answer. Yet her life is far from perfect, and her personal circumstances, as well as those of her friends, are slowly teased out, leaving the reader craving more. And all done with a beautifully light and elegant touch!I'll definitely read more by this author.

4.0 out of 5 stars An easy enjoyable read for anyone young at heart

A.C. · 17 February 2020

Lily’s Just Fine This is an easily read story with short chapters, each one named so there is no confusion about point of view. The characters are well drawn and the sort of young people we all know - or have known. There is the talented person who lacks self-confidence, the quiet one who proves capable and reliable in a crisis, the organiser who always knows best until a near calamity teaches a lesson, and of course the superior person who is always the best, but is a pain in the butt.Although the book is aimed at young adults I read it as a grandparent with young adults in my family and I enjoyed it. Some things may have been different in my youth but the characters have the same human strengths, weaknesses and uncertainties.

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed this

M. · 3 December 2019

Lily is a fabulous character – not the easiest person to be around in some ways because she is, to put it mildly, a bossyboots, but she's so enthusiastic and wholehearted you can't help but be swept along with her. The other characters really come alive too. Lily's has a sweet, burgeoning romance with Tom but there are some very gritty subjects here, all done with a light hand though so that they don't make this an 'issues' book. A lovely sense of place too, in a corner of Scotland (the far south-west) which doesn't get much written about. Look forward to reading more about the 'Galloway girls'.

3.0 out of 5 stars Younger than intended

T.K. · 11 July 2019

I didn’t really enjoy this, there was nothing wrong with the writing at all I just think it was aimed at a much younger target audience, although I enjoy YA this just felt far too youngThanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

4.0 out of 5 stars An easy, summery read.

K. · 29 July 2019

There’s just so much to like about this book. It’s an easy reading YA novel, it’s based in my home country of Scotland (Always a bonus when I’m picking my next read!) and it touches on a variety of tough topics. From various mental health issues and chronic illnesses to LGBT rights. All taking place in a sleepy little town in Dumfries & Galloway on the Scottish west coast.Lily is a complete busy body; she’s involved in anything and everything, whether others want her there or not. Taking the leap from prom committee to gala committee, she pushes her way in with big dreams of turning the towns usual dull gala into the most exciting event the residents have ever seen. All the while dragging her friends into the mess with her: Gemma, who is riddled with anxiety over everything life throws at her, and Tom, who is so caught up with his sisters mystery illness that he’s keen to keep away from Lily and all her grand plans if he can.The book was entertaining to read, following this mismatched group of friends through part of their summer. I could see a bit of myself in a lot of the characters. Lily’s need to keep eternally busy, if she’s worrying about a dozen little projects she has on the go, then she won’t have time to worry about the big issue that is staring her in the face. Lily’s Mum, who’s depression sinks her so low that she can’t even bring herself to talk or get out of bed. Gemma with her anxiety, even over things that seem so simple to others – Such as Tom suggesting at one point that the two of them stop by Lily’s house as she isn’t answering her phone, this stresses Gemma out as they ‘Never go round unannounced, we always prearrange our visits’.And lastly, Sarah, Toms sister. I would have loved to have seen more of her in the book, from her illness point of view. As someone who’s been there, with the constant doctors appointments with no answers, I can really empathise with Sarah and her family as they struggle with hr illness and lack of diagnosis. It was interesting to read the parts that were there, though, as they were from both sides of the coin; Sarah herself getting frustrated at her both her illness and her family being overprotective because of it, but also seeing her family cope with her being sick, worrying if she’ll ever get better, worrying about everything, worrying every day. It gives a small but accurate view into the world of living with a chronic illness.Overall I do wish there had been more content in regards to both the chronic illness and the mental health issues, as I feel they were fairly important to the plot and could have been brought to the foreground more. That being said, I did enjoy the read, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for book two!