Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

• May 2026
• ISBN: 9781761358012
• Imprint: Penguin
• $19.99

Sometimes it’s just so refreshing to read something that’s different and this was one of those. It’s not that I don’t enjoy reading the YA cosy murder mysteries and so on, but when you get a book that gives you a slice of real life set in your hometown that combines self-belief, friendship, romance, humour and grief in a wonderfully engaging and quite unexpected setting, it’s just an absolute joyful experience.

Year 12 for Cleo is not what she expected it to be. It’s not that she’s struggling with school work or even life in general, but she did always expect that her big sister Emmy would still be around, writing her ‘plans’ as usual. From how to start a conversation to what to expect and aim for with your first kiss, Emmy was the one to bolster Cleo’s confidence, answer her questions and give her guidance. But Emmy is not here anymore and Cleo flounders just a little when she sets out on a new experience – a holidays short course for senior art students at the Art School in the city.

For Cleo, coming in all the way from Camden it’s quite a trek but it will be something different and it will challenge her. What she doesn’t reckon on precisely is that it will lead her to new friendships and her first romance. Drawing from life – including all those awkward bits – is a real eye-opener [sorry, not sorry!] for Cleo but really it doesn’t take long at all for her to start to feel comfortable in this new setting especially with Remi and Lachlan both warm and welcoming – even if Lachlan is too OTT. Mattias seems a little trickier, but perhaps that means that he’s the one who’s worth the investment of time and interest.

The narrative moves along easily and the characterisations are skilfully done. The reader picks up very quickly that Lachlan’s overly confident behaviours make him stand-out as the one to watch – and avoid.

It made me homesick to hear these guys talking of where they live, especially Remi from Bexley and even Lachlan from Caringbah. That’s my neck of my woods – my childhood, teens, early adult life all in the same vicinity. And when they all meet up for the Bondi markets I’m immediately transported to the last time I was there, with a certain special friend.

As Cleo allows herself to relax and go with the flow of this new experience, these new friendships, new confidence in her artistic abilities and the growing connection with Mattias, she starts to come to terms with her loss, realising that while you still grieve the person who has died, that you can indeed move on with your life without feeling guilty.

It’s a hard lesson to learn, I know only too well, and the grief never leaves you altogether but yes, you do gradually rebuild your ability to connect with people, to laugh, to enjoy activities and to create new bonds. I read this over two sessions and was utterly captivated by it.

It is very suitable for any readers from around 12 or 13 years upwards and that cover art – sublime, don’t you think?? I give it a 5 🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨rating with no naked bits.