Emma Mills (1) (1989–)
Author of Foolish Hearts
For other authors named Emma Mills, see the disambiguation page.
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Image credit: via Macmillan Publishers
Works by Emma Mills
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I’ve enjoyed Mills’ contemporary YA and I was eager to read this. Seventeen year old Aurelie is an unpaid baker’s apprentice who is approached by an unconventional young woman and asked to use her magical Seeking ability to track down a missing person. In the Underwood they cross paths with Prince Hapless, the king’s younger brother, who is under attack by men dressed as palace guards.
This was absolutely delightful. I liked the friendships and the banter, and the way elements of show more Cinderella are woven into the story but there’s a whole lot more going on than just the Cinderella plot points.
This was absolutely delightful. I liked the friendships and the banter, and the way elements of show more Cinderella are woven into the story but there’s a whole lot more going on than just the Cinderella plot points.
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“So one either has it or they don’t.”
“I…” Aurelie thought of the time Mrs Basil went to the opera, how she spent the weeks that followed warbling arias in an uneven soprano. I think it’s like how some people are naturally good singers. And some people can take lessons.”
Hapless looked chagrined. “You could train me for a thousand years and I’d never be able to sing Faustival from Fugue and Fury. Some people are just hopeless.” He shook his head. “I may in fact be the worst magic scholar who ever existed.”
Aurelie smiled a little. “Well. At least you exist.”
Nina is in her final semester of high school and her radio broadcasting elective is not going as expected. She’s ended up in the same group as her childhood friend Jamie, who Nina has spent all of high school avoiding, and in an effort to improve their group’s weekly show, Sounds of the Nineties, they are dropping hints about a future mystery guest, but now their listeners are now expecting someone much more famous than Nina’s dad…
This book made me laugh. I enjoyed the camaraderie of show more the Sound of the Nineties team, and Nina’s close bond with her sisters. The way Nina processes her mother’s forthcoming remarriage is interesting. And I like the way Jamie is part of her life, quiet yet important -- he’s a classmate, a colleague, a childhood friend, a crush and a neighbour.
Often I’ve found contemporary YA set in the US harder to relate to, presumably because the context, culture and schooling system differs somewhat from what I experienced as a teenager. But I find Mills’ novels very relatable, even though her protagonists’ circumstances and personalities differ from mine. I think it’s the way these stories are about friendship, family, fandom and facing change.
“And my mom told me that part of growing up is just... learning that people come in and out of your life, and that there are all kinds of levels of friendship, all different types. And maybe you’ll make a friend, and you won’t see them again, but it doesn’t devalue what you had with them or the time you spent together. That’s still valid, even if it wasn’t built to last. It’s not any less… significant, you know?” show less
This book made me laugh. I enjoyed the camaraderie of show more the Sound of the Nineties team, and Nina’s close bond with her sisters. The way Nina processes her mother’s forthcoming remarriage is interesting. And I like the way Jamie is part of her life, quiet yet important -- he’s a classmate, a colleague, a childhood friend, a crush and a neighbour.
Often I’ve found contemporary YA set in the US harder to relate to, presumably because the context, culture and schooling system differs somewhat from what I experienced as a teenager. But I find Mills’ novels very relatable, even though her protagonists’ circumstances and personalities differ from mine. I think it’s the way these stories are about friendship, family, fandom and facing change.
“And my mom told me that part of growing up is just... learning that people come in and out of your life, and that there are all kinds of levels of friendship, all different types. And maybe you’ll make a friend, and you won’t see them again, but it doesn’t devalue what you had with them or the time you spent together. That’s still valid, even if it wasn’t built to last. It’s not any less… significant, you know?” show less
I'm newer than many to Mills, but I swear she has a direct line to high school brain.
I don't know why the title didn't clue me in to a football themed romance, but here we are. There's still something very high school about Friday night football, the football after parties and dashed homecoming dances. Let's be honest, were those ever what you thought they'd be? (Okay, honestly, I have had the best meet cute at a high school football party, could've been a verbal exchange right out of this show more book, but other than that)
We have Devon, slightly judgmental and in an unrequited love situation. She loves Jane Austen, is totally ordinary, and that is where I kind of love-love Mills's books- her characters are just high schoolers being high schoolers. Not surface, but not really bogged down either.
There's no doubt this smacks of a nod to P&P, slightly judgmental heroine included. Swoony broody running back too.
But what makes this book is the humor, the accessibility of the characters, the fact that you probably knew them all in high school. And I appreciate this little nod to intense leads, I feel seen. show less
I don't know why the title didn't clue me in to a football themed romance, but here we are. There's still something very high school about Friday night football, the football after parties and dashed homecoming dances. Let's be honest, were those ever what you thought they'd be? (Okay, honestly, I have had the best meet cute at a high school football party, could've been a verbal exchange right out of this show more book, but other than that)
We have Devon, slightly judgmental and in an unrequited love situation. She loves Jane Austen, is totally ordinary, and that is where I kind of love-love Mills's books- her characters are just high schoolers being high schoolers. Not surface, but not really bogged down either.
There's no doubt this smacks of a nod to P&P, slightly judgmental heroine included. Swoony broody running back too.
But what makes this book is the humor, the accessibility of the characters, the fact that you probably knew them all in high school. And I appreciate this little nod to intense leads, I feel seen. show less
Once again, I adore this sweet Emma Mills writing for its slow-burn, gentle dose of romance, and great exploration of friendship and family. Sloane has just moved from New York to Florida, and is struggling to make friends. When she defends a boy from being bullied at a party, she finds herself adopted by a group, as well as immediately embroiled in their history. I loved the friendships here, the relationship between Sloane and her dad, especially, and also TheQuest!
The issue of parent show more remarriage was explored, and I like the way it was touched on in a gray way… very obviously an unideal situation when a parent marries a 22-year-old and promptly gets her pregnant when his kids are 18 and freshly grieving their mom, but the author wrote no one in this situation as entirely good or bad, which was a refreshing change.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader. show less
The issue of parent show more remarriage was explored, and I like the way it was touched on in a gray way… very obviously an unideal situation when a parent
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader. show less
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