In this contemporary coming-of-age YA novel, a teenage girl navigates a romance with an older boy when they're cast as the leading roles in their drama group's production of Romeo and Juliet.
When Brooke and Matt are cast as romantic leads in their drama group's theatre performance of Romeo and Juliet, they don’t mean to actually fall in love.
Secrets and lies seem a small price for Brooke to pay for her first real boyfriend, until they take their relationship to the next level one night in an empty auditorium. After she learns of the illegality of Matt’s actions, Brooke’s anxiety reaches breaking point and she makes a decision that changes her life for ever.
Years later, Matt is reunited with Brooke, desperately seeking redemption. But what sense can they make now of a love that never did run smoothly?
Exploring mental health, co-dependency, and the blurred lines of sexual consent, this captivating debut recounts a young woman’s journey to independence as she strays beyond all she has ever known to confront her traumatic past.
Previously published as Can I Stray.
This Is Me Trying
Jenna Adams
Signed Paperback£13.99Paperback copy of the book signed by the author.
- Paperback£8.99
Paperback copy of the book.
Ebook Download£5.99Ebook download of the book.
In this contemporary coming-of-age YA novel, a teenage girl navigates a romance with an older boy when they're cast as the leading roles in their drama group's production of Romeo and Juliet.
When Brooke and Matt are cast as romantic leads in their drama group's theatre performance of Romeo and Juliet, they don’t mean to actually fall in love.
Secrets and lies seem a small price for Brooke to pay for her first real boyfriend, until they take their relationship to the next level one night in an empty auditorium. After she learns of the illegality of Matt’s actions, Brooke’s anxiety reaches breaking point and she makes a decision that changes her life for ever.
Years later, Matt is reunited with Brooke, desperately seeking redemption. But what sense can they make now of a love that never did run smoothly?
Exploring mental health, co-dependency, and the blurred lines of sexual consent, this captivating debut recounts a young woman’s journey to independence as she strays beyond all she has ever known to confront her traumatic past.
Previously published as Can I Stray.
I started writing This Is Me Trying as a fourteen year old, so I kind of grew up with it – with the protagonist Brooke, especially. As I got older, my perspectives on mental health, consent, and healthy relationships became more informed, and took the book from an attempted love story to what it is now. Though I think it still is a love story – just one between Brooke and herself. When writing This Is Me Trying, I wanted to encourage people – especially teenage girls – to reach out and ask for help, especially when it comes to mental health. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse, and the quicker you get support, the quicker you can be happier and healthier. With help, Brooke is able to get better, make healthier choices, and ultimately pursue a happier life. And that’s something everyone deserves.
