It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood

​It Sounded Better in My Head is a tender, funny, and at the same time totally awkward novel about first love and its confusions. The characters are all so real and have real-life problems with anxiety, lack of confidence, skin issues, heart-break and awkward romance. I immediately rooted for the protagonist Natalie, but oh my, there were so many times I blushed and squealed at all the embarrassing things she did. I’m so glad though that she was allowed to completely be herself that way; she’ like the introvert, insecure yet incredibly brave and honest heroine that we didn’t know we all needed.

 
18-year-old Natalie has just graduated from high school and is about to find out where her future is headed, when her parents announce their impending divorce and her best friends Zach and Lucy are dating and making all kinds of big plans, leaving her feeling like the loser third wheel. It doesn’t help that Natalie is already extremely self-conscious and struggles with her confidence after having had severe acne problems for many years. So yes, she is socially weird, shy and insecure. And you may guess that she’s never been kissed and had a romantic relationship. But that is about to change...

“Every second of this is terrible and confusing and wonderful, and I love it and hate it in equal measures.”

I don’t want to make any spoilers, but all I can say is that the romance is not a cliché one, it’s just as raw, realistic and gloriously awkward as the rest of this wonderful book. It’s a must read about the vulnerable state of finding yourself and taking the first step to adulthood. The characters are all amazing and so believable in their challenges, their questioning minds and their way of embracing the life.

All in all, I love how authentic, witty and awkward this gem of a book is and I can’t wait to read more from Nina Kenwood!

Find out more about the book and the author here: Nina Kenwood