LITERATURE
July Book Club As the school holidays begin, Charlotte Griffiths recommends some brand-new books for young adults
Your Favourite Fake Girlfriend BEA INGALLS
It’ll hardly be a surprise to learn that this novel (the second from local author Bea Ingalls) revolves around a faked relationship, but what’ll have you turning the pages are the characters who can’t quite believe they’re actually playing out this well-used romcom trope. Claudia and Wilf have been friends forever, finally dating for three years through sixth form and into Wilf’s first year at Bridgemere University, so when he ends their relationship out of the blue, Claudia is devastated. What actually happens when the boy next door breaks your heart? I can’t imagine the answer is often ‘pretend to be the girlfriend of the boy’s slightly odd university neighbour (Arthur), and attend his sister’s wedding’ but, brilliantly, neither can the characters, who experience this unlikely set-up in such a convincing fashion that you won’t be able to put this novel down until you find out if they pull it off. There are so many well-observed moments. Claudia’s friend Nell advising her to ‘do it for the plot’; Claudia’s mother asking about the wisdom of her daughter rushing off to attend a wedding with a boy they’ve never met; Arthur asking if Claudia’s ‘having an Elizabeth Bennet moment’ when she first sees his beautiful family home: “You know… when Elizabeth sees Darcy’s house and decides she likes him a little better for it.” This is a great reminder of the brilliance of YA novels: it’s fun, tightly written, unexpectedly relatable and well worth a read.
Lies We Told This Summer EMILY BARR You know you’re in good hands when
at Sophie’s glowing Instagram updates from the French resort city, Cat knows what to expect. Or does she? Cat’s arrival in Antibes is a whirl of stunning interiors, breathtaking views, mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine, beautiful people and a bit more alcohol than she’s used to – and while her family group chat is popping off with envious emojis, her mum is maintaining a chilly silence. Yet when tragedy strikes and an old friend of Sophie’s is pulled lifeless from the harbour, Cat just wants her mum – and the shimmering world of Antibes has only just started to reveal its shadow side. A brilliant read that will transport you straight to the French Riviera and that feeling of infinite possibility presented by post-school summer.
Emily Barr’s name is on the cover, and this paperback is no exception. In Truro, young podcast-lover Cat has finished her A-levels and that magic pre-university summer beckons, yet she’ll be spending it helping her mother and stepfather with her newest, unplanned siblings – a second set of young twins for the busy blended household. Her mother’s school friend Sophie, a star radio producer, arrives unexpectedly with her husband Owen and a life-changing suggestion: Cat should travel to Sophie’s house in Antibes and spend the summer learning to make podcasts. Sophie’s even arranged for someone to help Cat’s mum with the babies, so there’s no need to feel any guilt, and as Cat and her stepsister Kitty already spend their summers gazing
A brilliant read that will transport you straight to the French Riviera and that feeling of infinite possibility
28 JULY 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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