It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood
Genre: Contemporary #LoveOzYa
Publication: August 6th, 2019
Publisher: Text Publishing
Source: Review copy from publisher – Thank You
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Rating: ✵✵✵✵✵
When her parents announce their impending separation, Natalie can’t understand why no one is fighting or at least mildly upset. And now that Zach and Lucy, her two best friends, have fallen in love, she’s feeling slightly miffed and decidedly awkward.
Where does she fit in now? And what has happened to the version of her life that played out like a TV show—with just the right amount of banter, pining and meaningful looks?
Nothing is going according to plan.
But then an unexpected romance comes along and shakes things up even further.
It Sounded Better in My Head is a tender, funny and joyful novel about longing, confusion, feeling left out and finding out what really matters.
It Sounded Better in My Head is a new #LoveOzYA Contemporary YA Romance that is adorable, entertaining, relatable and warmed my heart. And while it may be a romance, there is also a heavy focus on friendship – which is always a winner for me.
The story begins: Natalie’s parents are getting divorced, her two best friends are hooking up, she’s just finished high school – Her whole world is changing at a rapid speed and she struggling to keep up.
Cue a kiss from a cute boy, who in her mind is way out of her league, and she is foundering all over the place. Natalie has no idea what the kiss meant. We the reader know right away. But it’s fun watching all the adorable awkwardness of Natalie trying to figure it out.
18-year-old Natalie is an easily likeable protagonist. Natalie spent her early teens with serious skin problems that needed a lot of heavy medication to get under control, thanks to those years she has zero self-esteem, endless anxieties and still sees herself as “gross”.
This is a story that deals with figuring out what to do once high school is over, a story of navigating first loves and how friendships change and grow. It also deals the fallout of parental divorce. The romance is soft and beautiful, and keeps the story feeling light while some heavier things are dealt with.
It sounded better in my head is an adorkable, fast flowing, easy to read, heart-warming story that I can see myself picking up again if I’m in need of a pick me up.
Who would like it: any #LoveOZYA aficionados. Fans of Rainbow Rowell and Jenn Bennett. Lovers of soft and sweet getting-to-know-myself-while-getting-to-know-you romance.
Five out of five.
Nina Kenwood is a writer, who lives in Melbourne. She won the 2018 Text Prize for her debut young adult novel, It Sounded Better in My Head. You can find Nina via Twitter | Instagram | her Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Booktopia.
RIOT’S REDEMPTION 
I love your reviews, Sarah. They’re always so refreshing.
I’m so glad you loved this book, too! It was definitely adorkable.
💜
Nawwwww ❤ thank you *heart explodes with happiness*
I absolutely cannot wait to pick this up Sarah and plan on reading it next. I love that it sounds so relatable, even the most popular teens go through those periods of self doubt, feeling lost and lacking in confidence. The romance sounds so delicate and lovely. Wonderful review Sarah and so glad you enjoyed it!
I’m sure you’ll love it, when you get the chance to read it. It is super relatable. It’s warm and fluffy, without being too fluffy, ya know ❤ a super cute and refreshing read.
Glad you enjoyed this one, Sarah! It sounds like it was cute but also dealt with bigger life issues at the same time. I always love a romance that focuses on friendship, as well! Because life doesn’t exist in a vacuum of romance. Also, I love that this is set just after high school! Teens don’t suddenly become adults because they’ve graduated high school so I definitely think we need more stories set at this time in their lives. Lovely review, dear ❤
It was Chiara, super cute and relatable ❤ I feel like there isn't many #LoveOZYA titles covering that in-between time of high school to uni, it was refreshing 🙂