Thank you Penguin for this book in exchange for an honest review
Synopsis:
Neena’s always been a good girl – great grades, parent-approved friends and absolutely no boyfriends. But ever since her brother Akash left her, she’s been slowly falling apart – and uncovering a new version of herself who is freer, but altogether more dangerous.
As her wild behaviour spirals more and more out of control, Neena’s grip on her sanity begins to weaken too. And when her parents announce not one but two life-changing bombshells, she finally reaches breaking point.
But as Neena is about to discover, when your life falls apart, only love can piece you back together.
Review:
Penguin has delivered another powerful story and Smith-Batron wrote it compellingly.
The Million Pieces of Neena Gill is a story about grief, loss and hits home with a strong and important argument of mental health.
We meet Neena, a young girl who is heartbroken and mentally destroyed over the disappearance of her brother.
The start of the story is a bit repetitive and muddled in a way, but as you continue to read the story you find that this is reflecting of Neena’s mind, and is a well written example of mental health and the battle going on inside her mind.
This book covers a lot of mature themes such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse and it isn’t fluffed up for the audience, it is written brutally leaving the reader with an eye open experience and insight to what others can be facing.
The only thing that I didn’t enjoy about this book was the try-hard romance that was happening. I found Neena’s deep yet childish love for Josh, her boyfriend, actually took away from the importance of the book. Their love was childish, cheesy and disappointing.
Overall this was a great read and was wonderfully written. If you are after a heard hitting book about mental health than this is the kind of book you should be picking up and reading.
Rating: 4/5
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9780241363317