Today I am unequivocally delighted to be sharing my review of Unapologetic Love Story by Elle McNicoll, whose work I have enjoyed for a while now. When I heard she was writing an adult romance, I knew I had to pick it up. Thank you to the lovely team at Pan Macmillan for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review originally appeared on The Nerd Daily.
Enter Raina Lewis, London’s hottest It Girl – effortlessly cool, endlessly intriguing, and beloved for her smash-hit podcast spotlighting autistic women. But not everyone’s convinced by the hype. Investigative journalist and ‘King of Cancel Culture’, Tom Branimir is sure there’s more to Raina than meets the eye. He’s determined to uncover her secret. . . if he can just manage not to fall for her first.
CW: death, grief, ableism
My Thoughts:
Unapologetic Love Story will make you swoon. This is the joyous celebration of love that the world needs right now.
This blew every last expectation I had out of the water. Elle McNicoll is a force to be reckoned with. Having achieved stellar success in the world of Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, this marks her adult fiction debut and she smashes it out of the park yet again. This is the type of book that brings a smile to your face and that warm fuzzy feeling to your heart. It is dramatic and all-consuming with a love story for the ages.
With McNicoll’s previous work, you know the characterisation will always be strong. Her characters are so well-drawn and three-dimensional, jumping off the page and straight into your heart. Raina and Tom continue that trend as they are phenomenal protagonists. Raina is the bold, fierce woman who will be such a hero for so many readers. She is wholly herself and refuses to let the world try and shrink her. That level of empowerment is heart-warming and awe-inspiring. However, McNicoll works to show the vulnerability and the sheer effort it takes for Raina to push against the constant ableism and grinding down of herself by the world. She is loud and dramatic and deeply caring. Tom, on the other hand, is more reserved and cynical in a different way. His work reflects his perceptiveness and drive to pursue the truth at all costs. That has earned him a fearsome reputation and possibly altered his outlook on the world.
Also, the chemistry and tension were palpable, ebbing and flowing excellently. The dialogue crackled with that intangible quality that just works. As a reader, it felt exciting and believable as their dynamic shifts and evolves. It is just funny and sweet, but also sexy and full of passion. For me, it was a truly great love story because I rooted for these characters so strongly. It is a book that sets your heart aflame.
There are big thematic topics explored within the story in considered and nuanced ways. For example, McNicoll explores grief in such a layered and beautiful way in this book. It sinks under your skin and does truly change who you are in some respects, as you do suddenly have to navigate a world that has been reshaped. Both of these characters are so believable because they are authentic and given space to be messy and complicated and flawed. They make mistakes and face the consequences as they come. Also, I loved the grumpy versus sunshine trope and how it comes into play here, with nuance and layers and exploration into class, disability and gender. There is a keen consideration of how people’s existence is not defined solely by one aspect but one aspect can often be all that is seen of them.
A crucial component of this story is the neurodivergent representation. Raina is autistic and that massively feeds into the way people perceive her and the way she navigates the world. By inviting Tom into her story, she teaches him about the ableism integrated into every part of our society. He struggles with something she has had to deal with every day. That aspect of their dynamic adds texture to the book and is an impactful storyline that will land with readers. McNicoll’s work has always strived for unapologetic representation and actually unpicking that language is key. Neurodivergent people should not have to apologise for existing and asking the world to provide basic accommodations for those who navigate in a different way. Raina’s podcast is a shining light because it spotlights disabled people and celebrates them that is rarely seen in society. That continues off the page and is partially why this book is so groundbreaking. It is sad that this representation is still rare and accolades like groundbreaking get used, but it still brings joy and brilliance to have more writers in this space that offer it.
Unapologetic Love Story is the type of book that makes you believe in love again.
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