It’s that time of the year when school is out and there are no more exams. For seven blissful days there are no curfews, rules or parents telling them what to do.

This coming of age novel introduces us to Zoe, Samira and Dahlia – all strangers with one thing in common. All their perfectly laid plans to celebrate and enjoy a dream holiday do not go to plan.

Zoe is destined to be a doctor and has her sights set on a University on the other side of the country. After working extra shifts to save every penny for her long-awaited trip, her parents change their mind and forbid her to go away with her friends.

Samira has organised this whole trip for her friends – the week is going to be the best time ever. That is until her boyfriend Zain dumps her just as they are leaving with the rest of their group of friends.

Dahlia is on this trip under protest after the death of her best friend. Dragged along by her other friends they are doing this in honour of their dead friend.

Chaos ensues; lost luggage, spiked drinks, nights spent in jail cells are certainly not part of the plan.

Friendships are tested and discovering who your real friends are can be brutally heartbreaking. Growing apart, falling in love and finding your true self are all emotions teenagers experience. The grappling with adult issues, making decisions that have repercussions and allowing yourself to be seen by standing up for what you believe in are captured by author Gabrielle Tozer.

The story stays true to the characters and highlights the angst and raw emotions that being a teenager means. There are no perfect endings and, in this book, the messy solutions that life presents certainly makes the title true – you certainly can’t say it went to plan but then true life never does.

Title: Can’t Say It Went To Plan
Author: Gabrielle Tozer
Publisher: HarperCollins, $19.99
Publication Date: 5 May 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781460758533
For ages: 14+
Type: Young Adult Fiction

June 3, 2021 at 12:30AM DimbutNice