The Truants by Kate Weinberg

According to Stylist magazine, The Truants by Kate Weinberg was one of the standout books for the summer”, so when Kate contacted me to offer me a copy I jumped at the chance to read it.

Jess Walker arrives at University and meets Georgie and they quickly become friends, soon they meet Alex and Nick and together they form a tightly knit group of rule breakers.

When Jess meets Lorna Clay, maverick teacher and the reason Jess applied to that university, she soon finds herself experimenting with a new version of herself. The dynamic of the friends begins to darken as they share secrets, lovers and finally a tragedy.

Normally, I like books that are fast paced, this one moved along at a gentle pace, which I actually loved. There is a lot to take in and think about with the characters, in particular Lorna. I finished this book a week or so ago and I’m still trying to decide whether I liked her. She’s nonconformist and pushes the boundaries with her students, definitely a character that will play on my mind for a while to come.

The Truants is a very a compelling read and I found myself on edge for a large part of the book, I knew something was going to happen but I couldn’t work it out. Agatha Christie mysteries are weaved into the plot which added a brilliant dimension to it and kept me wondering what dark turn it would take.

The Truants is a gripping coming of age novel, that has a brilliantly unique plot with some very unexpected twists. I have seen lots of reviewers comparing Kate Weinberg’s writing to Donna Tartt (whom I’m embarrassed to admit I still haven’t read, and I call myself a bookstagrammer!). I loved Kate’s writing and can’t wait to see what she’ll do next.

While Stylist magazine picked it as a top summer read, I would say it’s perfect autumn read, it would be such a great book to curl up on the sofa with. Thank you so much @kateweinberg and @bloomsburypublishing for sending me a copy.

Now that I’ve confessed to never having read a Donna Tartt, can you make me feel better and share a bookish confession with me?