(The Leeza McAuliffe Stories Book 3)
Author : Nicky Bond
Genre : Young Adult & Coming-of-Age Fiction
My rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Brief :
Leeza is turning thirteen. That’s grown up, right? Annoyingly, the real grown-ups don’t agree. Mum is forever on her back, Cait’s sudden personality change is winding everyone up, and even Grandma’s been keeping secrets.
Between her eldest-daughter responsibilities, being a (mostly) conscientious student, and spending time with her bestie, Jake, Leeza’s got a lot going on. Teenage life isn’t easy. Still, there are questions to ask and mysteries to solve, a school holiday she can’t afford, and the fizz of her first crush. As the year pans out in the most surprising of ways, Leeza learns she needs to be brave, take control, and make the best of whatever gets thrown her way.
As the third installment in this wonderful series, the book offers a rich, deeply personal look into Leeza’s journey as she steps through the tumultuous gateway of early adolescence.
My opinion :
“I was just trying to make my outsides match how my insides feel.”
There is an astonishing amount of raw depth, vulnerability, and psychological truth packed into that single statement. It perfectly encapsulates the quiet, overwhelming struggle of navigating early adolescence: that deep-seated desire to bridge the divide between internal identity and external perception. It touches on self-expression, identity, and the desire to be understood on one’s own terms rather than categorized by adults or peers.
What impressed me most about this novel is how flawlessly the author captures the voice, cadence, and internal logic of a 13-year-old girl. The writing feels so natural, perceptive, and grounded that I repeatedly forgot the book was written by an adult. Rather than viewing teenage life from a distance or writing down to younger readers, the narrative immerses you directly inside Leeza’s mind. The reflection of her age through her personality, decision-making, and emotional reactions is done with absolute perfection.
The book shines brightest in its portrayal of the subtle coming-of-age thinking process. As the eldest daughter, Leeza carries a unique weight of domestic and emotional expectations, balancing school responsibilities with complex household dynamics. Watching her navigate shifts in her family (from her mother’s pressure and Cait’s sudden behavioral changes to Grandma’s unraveling secrets) feels immensely realistic and nuanced.
At the same time, the story captures the lighter, thrilling milestones of being thirteen: the solid comfort of close friendship with her bestie, Jake; the practical stresses of wanting to participate in a school holiday she can’t afford; and the sweet, lingering “fizz” of a first crush. The narrative weaves these everyday adolescent realities alongside broader family mysteries, showing Leeza learning to claim agency, build courage, and adapt when life takes unexpected turns.
In many ways, this book transcends traditional YA tropes and reads like high-quality literary fiction. It offers a masterclass in character development, emotional intelligence, and empathetic storytelling.
An absolute gem of a coming-of-age story that treats adolescent growth with dignity, honesty, and deep affection. It is an insightful, fun, and emotionally resonant read that I highly recommend to all YA readers and lovers of realistic, character-driven fiction!
Thank you to the author and LoveBookTours for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
Ekaurbook 