Leanne Egan, Lover Birds, HarperCollins Publishers, July 2024, 400 pp., RRP $17.99 (pbk), ISBN
9780008626570

Leanne Egan’s Lover Birds is a beautiful debut with an enemies-to-lovers romance and an authentic portrayal of ADHD. At its core, the novel is a heartfelt journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and learning to open up and trust others.

The story follows two high school students, Eloise Byrne and Isabel Williams. Eloise, with her bold personality and striking blue hair, is unfiltered and unapologetically herself while Isabel seems to be her complete opposite. Poised, aloof, and polished. Having recently moved to Liverpool, Isabel is immediately seen as an outsider, and it isn’t long before she and Eloise clash. But with Eloise’s unmedicated ADHD and slipping grades the pair soon find themselves together, assigned as study partners by their English teacher.

As their relationship grows, it’s clear that their feelings are more complicated than they first appear. As Eloise and Isabel’s rivalry shifts into something more, they must confront their own biases while navigating the secrets and struggles of their own friend groups. The romance itself is a slow burn that’s filled with tension and emotional weight.

Lover Birds is a relatable novel that unpacks friendship, feelings, and identity struggles. Ideal for readers aged 17 and older due to strong language and themes including sexual harassment, homophobia, and underage drinking. Fans of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper and Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda would enjoy this modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice with a lesbian twist.

Reviewed by India Boon