Bobby's Girl by Bernie Morris

Book Blurb

A teenage romance, set in the 50s-60s. A profile of the ‘baby boomers’ generation in UK. An insight into teenage angst from anywhere in the world. A reminder of how we all once felt in the days of our youthful ignorance and innocence.

Best Book Editors Review

This story is a delightful romp back in time to the nostalgic era of the nineteen 50s and 60s. It’s filled to the brim with all the angst and innocence of young people. And it captures the universal experience of first love with so much authenticity and charm that it’s immersive and pacey. The story, while nostalgic, manages to remain timeless and will resonate with readers of all ages. But for us oldies, it’s a heartwarming reminder of that time and the tender emotions and carefree spirit that define youth.

And that’s what makes this book stand out. We’ve all been there. We know the author felt every one of those raw emotions and was taken back to her youth as she wrote it. And we are right there with her. I was jolted, a little shocked even, by how adult some of Sarah’s referencing was as a child of eleven, she came across as older—but then I remembered, I had my first proper kiss with a boy at eleven—but like Sarah, clung doggedly to virginity for years after that. This story is innocent and sweet—but that doesn’t mean that adult feelings and emotions aren’t emerging from eleven years old. Their emergence comes with confusion, and young people aren’t equipped to deal with the brutality of them. The author got it bang on the nail and was so, so right.

She writes about the complexities of teenage relationships with sensitivity and depth. The characters are real and recognisable. Their hopes, dreams, and insecurities are palpable as they fight with adolescence.

Bobby’s Girl is a timeless coming-of-age tale that will leave readers smiling, reminiscing about their own youth, and longing for the simplicity and innocence of that time. No spoilers but there’s a lovely surprise during the final scenes that I didn’t see coming. And the whole thing knits together with a great soundtrack, and the pop culture of the time, from leather jackets to Ford Cortina.

I loved this book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About Bernie Morris

I was born in June 1946, one of the first ‘Baby Boomers’. I always wanted to write, ever since I first learned to do it, by which time I joined the library at the age of 6 and read myself silly.

I grew up in East end of London 1950-60s. Now married, semi-retired and living in Berkshire, UK. Have no formal qualifications apart from a few ‘O Levels’. Always wrote poetry. Started writing fiction 1987.

Avid reader, quizzer and crossword compiler. I love books in any shape or form and sincerely hope that the gift of reading and writing will never be lost to humanity.

J. Jonas

Enchanting book, excellent style

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 February 2017

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At first read of a few pages this appeared to be a sweet boy-girl romance set in the East End of a London still recovering from World War Two, but appearances are deceptive. This tale has grit and reality at its heart, and the depiction of hard times is excellent.

We see the world through the eyes of Kate Keegan, who is eleven when the tale begins. We follow her through times of exquisite love and exquisite pain as she experiences the first romance of her young life, as deep and meaningful as any adult romance. She and her friends play among the ‘bommies’ – bombed out buildings left after the war – and as she matures the reader is led into the depths of her relationships with the Alley cats gang, one of many gangs that arose in that era. There is tension between them and the Hellcats from a nearby area.

Although told from a simplistic viewpoint appropriate for a young teenager, the book displays a complexity of emotions little understood by the characters who feel them, but portrayed well by the author. An enchanting book, especially recommended for a young adult readership and for those who want to know what London was really like in those times.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Karl Wiggins

Dreamboats and Petticoats

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 October 2015

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Possibly inspired by a compilation album of British and American hits of the late 50s and early 60s, this is a cracking read. I’m not really one for enjoying YA books or reading about young love. I normally couldn’t care less. But I found myself caught up in the story of Kate (Kitty), Jon and Bobby, and not forgetting Adam, my favourite character in the book – hard as nails with dark, silent eyes.

Bernie Morris has managed to string together a story about East End kids coming of age and threaded it through with songs from the 50s and 60’s. In fact Chapter 1 sets the scene with, “Gene Vincent was singing ‘Be Bop a Lula’ about the time it all began …..,” and I suspect that no small measure of this tale is auto-biographical.

Morris cleverly draws us into the story as Kate’s vulnerability attracts one tough guy after another, and without throwing any spoilers in to this review I couldn’t make up my mind whether I wanted her to wait for Jon, to romance with bruiser Bobby, who truly loves her or what! Adam takes on the role of brother, but is flippant and ballsy, and even though Bobby’s sister is pregnant by him he still tries to steal a kiss every chance he gets

Add to the mix a violent street gang of rivals who have Kate in their sights, and sooner or later things are going to go dreadfully wrong for her. The reader genuinely fears for her safety and wishes she’d allow Bobby to take her under his wing.

But where’s Jon?

All in all, this is a top read and I highly recommend it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DaveCStockport

Remember the magic of young love?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2012

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This book captured perfectly the passion and pain of young unrequited love in a time of rigid standards and codes of conduct. The frustration of growing pains coupled with the restrictions imposed by domineering parents, rival gangs and a healthy dose of raging hormones thrown in, flows through the story with each turn of the page.
Set in and around the crumbling houses and ‘bommies’ playground of East London after WW2, the storyline is so cleverly written that the reader is hooked throughout the chapters, each one ending on a need to know, ‘what happens next?’ basis.
‘Faint heart never won fair lady’ rings true for this intriguing well thought out teenage love story.
If you were ‘lucky’ enough to be a teenager growing up in the fifties and sixties, you will love this excellent book.
This story would make a great film. The end is the beginning. I hope they made it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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