Item: Under Rose-Tainted Skies
Rating: 4
Author: The Candid Cover

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Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall is an inspiring and believable story about life with a mental illness. The accuracy of the facts is evident and the main character has a great sense of humour. I especially enjoyed how the book doesn’t romanticize mental illness and Luke’s respectful personality. I would definitely recommend this book!

Review: Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

Title: Under Rose-Tainted Skies
Author: Louise Gornall
Publisher: Clarion
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Rating: four-stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

At seventeen, Norah has accepted that the four walls of her house delineate her life. She knows that fearing everything from inland tsunamis to odd numbers is irrational, but her mind insists the world outside is too big, too dangerous. So she stays safe inside, watching others’ lives through her windows and social media feed.

But when Luke arrives on her doorstep, he doesn’t see a girl defined by medical terms and mental health. Instead, he sees a girl who is funny, smart, and brave. And Norah likes what he sees.

Their friendship turns deeper, but Norah knows Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can walk beneath the open sky. One who is unafraid of kissing. One who isn’t so screwed up. Can she let him go for his own good—or can Norah learn to see herself through Luke’s eyes?

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃

Review: Under Rose-Tainted Skies

This book tells the story of a girl named Norah who struggles with agoraphobia and OCD. Although I do not have any of these conditions, I feel like I was able to grasp what it’s like to live when you can’t go outside because of the detailed internal monologues. Louise Gornall really knows what she’s talking about and is able to provide the reader with what I assume are accurate descriptions. I loved the way she doesn’t use the same old flat words to describe Norah’s feelings, but has a more three-dimensional approach that is difficult to explain, but is really satisfying.

❀ Norah is an Enjoyable Character

I really enjoyed Norah’s character. She doesn’t ask for pity or complain a lot and tries her best to take small steps. Norah is actually pretty funny and has some witty lines throughout the book that are refreshing. While I couldn’t relate to her, getting to know her character was really entertaining and interesting.

❀ Accurate Portrayal

One of my favourite things about Under Rose-Tainted Skies is the fact that it doesn’t romanticize mental illness. Norah’s friend, Luke, is respectful and so sweet. He knows that he can’t just make Norah’s fears go away and doesn’t push her to do anything that is too difficult for her. I believe this is the first time I’ve seen a character do research on another character’s illness in a book, and I found it so touching. It is important to understand that romance doesn’t cure everything, and this book does a good job of demonstrating that.

❀ Informative and Entertaining

Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall is a book about mental illness that is realistic. I loved the main character and her humour and the fact that her illness isn’t romanticized. I would recommend this to everyone as it is informative and entertaining at the same time.

Book Quotes: Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

“I don’t like this feeling of always messing up. I don’t like that scrutinizing has tripled in productivity since he moved in. I know it’s me, my issue, my problem, which is why I decide I’m going to avoid him from here on out.

About Louise Gornall

I’m a young adult author, mental health mouth, anxious agoraphobic, lover of cheese, film nerd, book bird, identical twin, and rumoured pink Power Ranger.

Website | Goodreads