Lily's Just Fine

by Gill Stewart, Lucia Types (Illustrator)

Overview

In the first instalment of Gill Stewart’s Galloway Girls, the readers follows Lily Hildebrand. After a breakup with the most popular guy in school, Lily Hildebrand dedicates her time to proving to everyone she is just fine. She has her hands full with organizing the biggest event of the year – the gala – where she meets mysterious sailor, Tom Owen.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781802635508
Publisher:	Sweet Cherry Publishing
Publication date:	09/24/2024
Series:	Galloway Girls , #1
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.05(w) x 7.80(h) x (d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Gill Stewart============Talented YA and romance author Gill Stewart has nine adult and teen novels to her name. She is a longstanding member of The Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Her romance novella, Rachel’s Coming Home, was shortlisted for the Joan Hessayon Award in 2009. Young readers described Gill’s YA series as “really wonderful” and recommends her stories to “anyone who loves contemporary YA”.

Editorial Reviews

2024-07-04
Lily Hildebrand, 16, wants to “take life by the scruff of the neck,” and over a summer in Newton St. Cuthbert on the coast of Scotland, she endeavors to do just that.

After Lily’s boyfriend breaks up with her on their way home from prom, she decides that she needs something new to do and joins the town’s annual Gala Week planning committee. With Lily’s fresh ideas there’s plenty to organize, including flyers, a parade, and a regatta. Retiring classmate Tom Owen is also helping out, and strong-willed Lily at first underestimates him before recognizing that a special boy has been right there all along. As the summer unfolds, she learns that she can’t lead or plan her way out of every situation, and that uncertainty is OK—listening and asking for help aren’t weaknesses. This novel, written at a level that’s accessible to reluctant readers, touches on themes such as friendship, chronic illness, mental health, and allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. Plentiful details describing the coastal Scottish setting, good pacing, and a robust plot will keep readers engaged. Other strengths include the universally recognizable aspects of small-town life. Sarah, Tom’s sister who’s struggling with an undiagnosed illness, is particularly well drawn. While this series opener is narrated by both Lily and Tom, her character development is stronger; readers may be left wanting to know more about Tom. Main characters are cued white.

A breezy summer romance and journey toward self-discovery, buoyed by important themes.(Romance. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews

‘Entertaining and witty with real emotional depth.’ - Katy Haye, USA Today best-selling author

‘A lovely read with well developed characters and a storyline that embraces some challenging subjects.’ - Bella Osborne, best-selling author shortlisted for RNA Contemporary Novel of the Year

'All the best books captivate us and make us think. Gill Stewart’s ‘Lily’s Just Fine’ ticks every box.’ - Christie Barlow, Amazon best-selling author

YA book that feels truly “real” – the characters are amazing! I swept through it in one sitting.’ - Pia Fenton

'Lily's Just Fine has all the ingredients of a perfect summer read for young adults' - Dumfries and Galloway Life

From the Publisher