Lauren Draper, Return to Sender, Macmillan Australia, August 2024, 384 pp., RRP $26.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761266515
When Brodie left the small town of Warwick behind her, a lot of questions remained unanswered-
Was she still friends with Levi?
Who were the kids involved in the Dead Letter office mystery?
Where was the Adder Stone?
When Brodie returns to stay with her grandmother, three years later, the past still hasn’t quite buried itself, and perhaps a more thorough investigation is necessary. Will her partners in crime join her once again? Can she trust those she left behind before…
Return to Sender is a perfect encapsulation of the teenage spirit, evident as Brodie and her friends navigate a life full of freedom, mystery and confusing emotions. The characters in this novel, each so individual and complex, increase reader engagement in the storyline. For example, Elliot’s secrecy surrounding the identity of his father and the emotion he experiences captured my attention, highlighting the different ways in which we all process grief. Brodie’s character development throughout the novel is also applaudable, as she slowly learns to trust those around her without fear of rejection. Return to Sender addresses issues such as abuse, loss, and grief, and serves as a poignant reminder that life must go on.
Overall, I would recommend this novel to a teenage audience, aged between 14 and 17. As a teenager myself I really enjoyed this novel, especially the comradery and humour surrounding Brodie and her friends.
Return to Sender has been included on the 2025 Book of the Year Notable list for Older Readers.
Reviewed by Emily Woolnough
