The Split by Laura Kay

SYNOPSIS

Wounded and betrayed, after being dumped by her girlfriend, Ally makes off to her dad's in Sheffield with the one thing that might soothe the pain and force her ex to speak to her again: Emily's cat, Malcolm.

Back home and forced into a 'date' by their parents, Ally and her first ever beard, Jeremy, come up with a ridiculous plan to win their exes back... to revenge-run a half marathon. Given neither of them can run, they enlist the support of athletic, not to mention beautiful, Jo. But will she have them running for the hills... or will their ridiculous plan pay off...?

REVIEW

One of the best ways to describe this book would have to be discovering yourself again by going back to your roots. That sometimes what we have come to know and live with is not always the best option for us, so it would make sense to reboot and see what else is out there. It seems this way with Ally as she clearly has been diluted by her way of living with her ex and now she finally has this chance to understand herself again, make her own decisions and meet new people who aren't just friends of her ex.

However, in order for Ally to truly discover herself again she has this journey of self-appreciation and confidence that she probably forgot that she had all this time. This is obviously with the help of her dad, Jeremy and Jo.

However, it did feel as though Ally became too hung up on her ex rather than seeing the future that is now in her sight. It kind of gets a little frustrating, so when trouble comes knocking on her door, I'm not at all surprised but also don't really care that she had been knocked down a few pegs. She kind of deserves it. Especially, when she begins to blame her problems on other people. They may have been influences in her decisions, but ultimately she had the rational belief to make them.

I also feel like Jo didn't really get her moment to shine in all of this. She seemed like a lovely lady and I feel like she got a bit cheated by both Ally and Jeremy. It would have been quite interesting to hear a little bit more of her story, rather than the other two always giving their sob story. They both don't deserve Jo's friendship. She put up with a lot and she was always the one giving it seemed.

Charlie and Sophie seem great, the best cheerleaders anyone can hope for. I really wish that I met people like them in real life, as it feels like anyone around these people feel invincible. They had a great sense of humour which I think was missed throughout the rest of the book. But I think that I might just go back to those pages with them in and read all about them again. Because why not?

This book had so much potential, but I guess it didn't really live up to the hype. However, I don't overwhelmingly hate it either. It was just ok.

RATING: *** (THREE STARS)

BUY LINKS

Amazon: The Split: Amazon.co.uk: Kay, Laura: Books

Waterstones: The Split by Laura Kay | Waterstones

Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9781529409819

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