A new book to look out for:
IF ONLY BY BETHANY LUNNEY is publishing early in 2025 by Book Chief Publishers
If Only is a raw, emotionally charged novel that delves into the lives of two young girls, Zoe and Ellen as they navigate their troubled lives filled with trauma anxiety, and social isolation. Both girls face different challenging realities: Zoe struggles with severe social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and a constant feeling of being out of place among her peers. Ellen, on the other hand, is thrust in an unstable home environment where she must take on adult responsibilities while caring for her neglectful and abusive mother and her younger daughter, sister Mabel.
This novel offers a poignant look at the effects of mental illness, social rejection , and family dysfunction on young lives and will suit an age range between 14-25 although it’s a fantastic and intriguing read for any age.
MY Review
I am amazed that Bethany would you believe wrote this fantastic novel If Only, at the age between 12 and 14 years old. Honestly this is a marvellous story, splendid storytelling, I just can’t believe Bethany was so young writing this amazing story. I loved how different themes were interwoven through different chapters. A young girl Ellen, has deal with her mother, neglecting her and the new-born baby daughter, sister Mabel. Sadly its up Ellen to care for her baby sister, until tragedy strikes. Then there’s cruel, so-called friends at school, who don’t want to mix in with Zoe, and they don’t understand that Zoe suffers severe social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder. It’s so cleaver how young, author, Bethany, has weaved the story to that Zoe’s family foster Ellen, who has never been to school. If Only is a must read for all readers what ever your age.
About Young author Bethany Lunney
Bethany also has ASD, and had the character Zoe, in her mind since she was in year 7. Bethany developed it, and edited it all by herself. I would like to give Young author Bethany a very big hug for sending the manuscript to read and review. You can find author Bethany Lunney on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/buzzybeewrites
Amazon link to Bethany Lunney’s first book Goodbye Granny Rose,that was sold for charity, but readers can still buy it.
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