BOOKS | Review: Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

Name: Under Rose-Tainted Skies
Author: Louise Gornall
Publisher: Chicken House
Date published: 2016
Genre: Contemporary, young adult, mental health, romance
Pages: 275
Rating: 4/5

Agoraphobia confines Norah to the house she shares with her mother.
For her, the outside is sky glimpsed through glass, or a gauntlet to run between home and car. But a chance encounter on the doorstep changes everything: Luke, her new neighbour. Norah is determined to be the girl she thinks Luke deserves: a ‘normal’ girl, her skies unfiltered by the lens of mental illness. Instead, her love and bravery opens a window to unexpected truths …

- From Goodreads.

Under Rose-Tainted Skies was a wonderful story to read, and about an area of mental health I had not read very much about before. I thought Norah's condition was portrayed in a very thoughtful, respectful and emotional way that gave real insight into what a life like hers would be like.
I thought it was so fascinating to read a story that really focused on one setting and very few characters. It meant you could really come to understand the characters and their feelings, and the close examination gave an opportunity to make everything feel very real.
In terms of plot, there was a twist in the story towards the end of the book that I did not see coming, but that was very well set up and helped bring a satisfying conclusion to the novel.
The romance in the story was very heartwarming and although both characters made mistakes with each other, those mistakes were understandable and they tried to work through problems and actively worked to act kindly and thoughtfully towards each other.
Overall, although of course some parts of the book made me feel anxious and emotional, I finished the book feeling happy and hopeful, and when I think back to the book I am very glad I read it.