I loved the representation in this book and I can only imagine how Ellie feels, being one of the few people of colour in a predominantly white neighbourhood. However, it is through the challenges of teenage life that Ellie begins to find herself, making this an extremely relatable book for upper school students. It feels so real, and from a personal front as a British Asian, I would've felt so much less alone during my teenage years if Ellie Pillai was around. It was cute, and I have a feeling I would have liked it a lot more had I read it when I was younger. Maybe it’s the new boy at school who makes her brain explode into rainbows every time she sees him (and also happens to be going out with her best friend), or maybe it’s her new drama teacher, the one who seems to have noticed she exists.

Most days, Ellie Pillai is somewhere between invisible, and not very cool – and usually she’s okay with that.Home to William Golding, Sylvia Plath, Kazuo Ishiguro, Sally Rooney, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Max Porter, Ingrid Persaud, Anna Burns and Rachel Cusk, among many others, Faber is proud to publish some of the greatest novelists from the early twentieth century to today. Or maybe she does, as when she’s dancing around the room, constructing her playlists, or presenting backing groups in her imagination? Whilst reading I couldn't wait to come across another QR code so that I could listen to the music too. She’s pretty much the only brown girl in her school and she’s hiding a big secret from her first generation immigrant parents (they think she took computer science GCSE when really she’s doing drama, a subject she’s actually not doing even doing well in). It really did enhance the story and I am sure readers will absolutely love this element of the book.

There is cliches and then there’s a story that felt like you packed it up with cliches for the sake of having romance? Her friends are cool, but she’s not that girl, in fact most of the time she goes about her life invisible to the rest of the school. Your selection was perfect for our children and what really made the difference was your ability to engage with each child, discuss their interests and help them to choose a suitable book based on your extensive knowledge of the books you were selling. Ellie finds expressing her true emotions very hard, but by using music she can express her feelings more openly. They think she’s taking computer science when all along she’s been taking Mr Grange’s drama lessons….The author, Christine Pillainayagam, has written a cracking debut YA book threaded through with popular musical references which I particularly enjoyed. I loved the fresh and original voice of this coming of age debut, approaching big themes with a light touch. This funny, heartfelt, true-to-life, coming-of-age page-turner fizzes with emotional energy and the power of music. Ellie is such a great character and I do relate to her in many ways (I listen to music non stop and I express my feelings through writing) but I couldn't really get through this book.

Now Mrs Aachara’s leading the class and it seems she’s spotted something in Ellie’s ‘performance’ that even she doesn’t know is present. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. Friendships are getting complicated especially now she’s fallen in love with Ash, a new boy at school who she has a real connection with and who then immediately starts going out with her best friend. This is just a little young for me, which is no fault of the book (it is younger YA), hence the rating.

I don't think I read much of fiction with POC character so was quite delighted to receive this new debut with such main character.

I loved that the reader was able to experience Ellie’s character development in such a personal way as we get access to her thoughts. I never considered DNFing though, and I'm really looking forward to the sequel that's released next month! A fresh, funny, feel-good story and a powerful exploration of identity, friendship and family with music threaded all the way through. A beautiful tale about how those around you, especially during your fragile adolescent years, can enrich your life, shape your ambitions and ultimately, provide the love you haven’t managed to give yourself yet.I do think I started to loose interest in the middle of the book - nothing attention catching was going on. Although Jess is ‘the ‘it’ girl’ who has people watching her wherever she goes, Ellie’s happy to fall into her shadow.