On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Lizzie finds herself pregnant: she’s literally days away from her exam results and university beckons around the corner. The bright Lizzie has big plans, but can she have the life she wanted, with a baby in tow? What will her family and friends say? And what will the baby’s father choose to do: stay out of it, or stand by her?
An exciting "What if..." journey in the style of "Run Lola Run" and "Sliding Doors".
I'm so pleased to be hosting the blog tour for Proof Positive today. Many thanks to the author, publishers and Rachel Gilbey from Random Things Tours for inviting me and for my ecopy of the novel.
Proof Positive is compared to Sliding Doors but where Gwyneth Paltrow's character only lived through two alternate realities; as Lizzie weighs up her options following a positive pregnancy test, we see several different potential scenarios as a result of her decision. Her plans to leave her tired seaside town and head to university are thrown into disarray - should she still go to university with the baby, go through with the pregnancy but defer or even give up on her university dreams or should she decide that an abortion would the the best choice for her? The word 'paradox' is used several times in the novel and so it is that each decision could simultaneously result in either the best or worst outcome for her. Each choice is explored depending on who Lizzie tells first - one of her sisters, her Mum, Dad, best friend or boyfriend. Though the advice and support she is offered varies, there is still the sense that she is a leaf carried along by the wind rather than fully in charge of her decisions. Eventually of course, she must make her choice and it is though these different options being played out that she is able to gain the inner strength to finally decide for herself.
Each scenario is completely believable and it wasn't difficult to become engrossed in the varying narratives, each one would have resulted in a thoroughly enjoyable, albeit more straightforward novel. The real strength of the book lies in its superb characterisation, Lizzie herself is an engaging lead character. She is a bright and thoughtful young woman but isn't averse to making some decisions that are decidedly unwise, not least when it comes to her boyfriend, the far less likeable, Mike. Her family dynamics are rather unusual but as the book progresses and we learn more about them - particularly her parents - it becomes clear they are a warm and loving household despite their atypical set up and the not infrequent arguments and tears.
Lucy V. Hay's own experience of being a teen mother has meant she is the ideal person to write about the themes in Proof Positive. This is a refreshing portrayal of teen pregnancy, far away from those ridiculous tabloid headlines which accuse young mothers (never the fathers!) of a cynical decision to become pregnant for the benefits and a council house, tabloids. There's a justifiable sense of anger here as Lizzie reflects on the truth, that mums and babies instead end up in unsuitable B&B accommodation for years.
Proof Positive is a touching and honest book which will resonate with many teenagers, whether they have personal experience of a teen pregnancy, have supported a friend or just wondered what decision they would make if they had to. Meanwhile older readers will undoubtedly be able to relate to Lizzie's parents but also to the teenager they once were, for I'm sure many of us can remember the what if? scenarios playing through our heads at some point in our pasts. I really enjoyed Proof Positive, it's a fairly quick and very engaging read and I have recommended it to my own sixteen year old daughter - which I don't do with every YA book I review!
Proof Positive is the first book in the Intersection Series. It is published by Littwitz Press and can be purchased here. Don't miss the other stops on the blog tour, details are below.
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