Tearing Myself Together

Hilzy's life is forever coming undone - and so is her body. Friendship is just one more thing she can't count on...until she has to. A wonderful YA novel that explores found family and forgiveness from the CBCA shortlisted author of Peta Lyre's Rating Normal.

'It is candid, raw and will tug on the heart like few other novels. Gorgeous; in every sense of the word.' - Good Reading

It's Year Twelve exam time, and Hilzy has a lot on her plate. She's just lost her job, she and her sister Max are struggling to make ends meet, and her childhood best friend Imogen recently dobbed them in to child services. The friendship is over.

There's a new spark of joy when Hilzy grows closer to Dawn, the hippy girl who's had a crush on her for ages. But when Hilzy ends up in hospital with a busted knee, it's only Imogen who understands what it's really like living with an invisible disability. Things are falling apart, but maybe it's not all on Hilzy to put them back together again.

A smart, funny and profound exploration of the messiness of love, friendship and bodies from the author of Peta Lyre's Rating Normal.

'Gripping, emotionally resonant, and really, really beautiful.' - Kay Kerr, author of Please Don't Hug Me

'... deeply moving and life-affirming.' - Books & Publishing

Perfect for:
- Readers seeking authentic, contemporary teen experiences
- Lovers of coming-of-age and found-family stories
- Empathetic depiction of disability and neurodivergence