Book Review #8 Think Again by Jacqueline Wilson 2/5
Easy Fiction, Romance Genre
Whatever happened to beloved Girls series characters Ellie, Magda and Nadine?
They're all grown up now - but if they think they know what's coming, they'd better think again...
Adulthood isn’t quite what Ellie Allard dreamed it would be when she was fourteen years old. Though she’s got her beautiful daughter Lottie, her trusty cat Stella and life-long best friends in Magda and Nadine, her love life is non-existent and she feels like she’s been living on auto-pilot, just grateful to be able to afford the rent on her poky little flat.
But this year on her birthday, it seems it’s time for all that to change – whether Ellie wants it to or not. As she navigates new, exciting and often choppy waters, she’s about to discover that life will never stop surprising you – if only you let it.
Jacqueline Wilson, known for her beloved children's books, steps into adult fiction with Think Again. While this book is classified as an adult novel, its writing and plot structure is more in the realm of young adult fiction. If you like this style (Beth O’Leary, Emily Henry etc.) then you may enjoy this. I’ll be honest, it’s not my cup of tea but I panic bought it (as the store was closing and I needed something to accompany me on my journey home). As the teller rang it up, I knew it was a mistake but I hoped for the best.
The Story
This book centres around three very different women—Ellie, Magda, and Nadine—who, despite their differences, are best friends navigating the complexities of adulthood. Our main protagonist Ellie is an art teacher and single mom turning 40 who finds herself romantically involved with an old school teacher (who seems perfect on paper, but in reality is overly controlling). Magda, who’s been married and divorced is now pregnant with a new partner’s child and struggling to connect with his existing brood. And then there's Nadine, the enigmatic singleton living in a posh flat, who has a casual arrangement with a wealthy man and is perfectly happy with that. The book is supposed to be an exploration of their lives, relationships, and self-discovery in their 40s. Whilst the idea has potential, the story left me wanting more.
Fluffy books like this usually need a plot to keep you engaged until the end. Whilst there were many plot points in this book, there wasn’t anything that held it all together apart from the main character. I suppose Ellie’s journey is the point of the novel but then it needed much stronger writing and a better planned ending to really deliver. Instead of honing in on a few truly important moments, Wilson batters us with everything that millennial women are supposed to be experiencing. It actually reminded me of the Sex and the City series reboot. In the first episode they attempted to “fix” all of the sexist, racist and other politically incorrect things that the original show glossed over. Whilst addressing wrongs of the past isn’t a bad thing, cramming too much in feels artificial and more of a box ticking exercise. That’s how I felt here, Wilson had a list of “things” that women are going through and she wanted to pop them all without properly tackling the issues and structures that perpetuate them.
The Writing Style
The story unfolds through Ellie’s viewpoint with a linear style where you start in one place and continue until the end. Wilson’s writing is overly simplistic and generic. The dialogue feels artificial—everyone's calling each other "darling" or "sweetie," and a reference to “womanly curves” which prompted a huge eye roll and ultimately doesn't resonate with me or any of my friends. It’s a bit too saccharine, and the character interactions often feel forced and unrealistic. I am slightly biased however and this gushy overly sweet style is a bugbear of mine generally with these types of books. That being said, there are some books which definitely fall in this sweet romancey genre but strike the right balance - the Authenticity Project by Claire Pooley is a great example. I promise I’m not a complete hater for this genre.
The Good Bits
Wilson touches on an important theme: the idea that it’s never too late to start over and embrace new adventures and new friendships, even in your 40s. Ellie’s journey of personal growth and her efforts to maintain her friendships and independence offer some insight into the challenges of aging and change, something all millennial women are navigating right now. Stagnating jobs, managing children, managing friends who have children whilst your biggest commitment is your mobile contract, parents getting on, divorce, sexual exploration and the struggle of making new friends. It’s all in there (and arguably is too much for this book to cover).
There’s also the nostalgia for fans of Wilson’s earlier works, as Think Again includes some elements of the characters' pasts from the earlier YA series which fans may enjoy.
Any Negatives?
It will come as no surprise that this fell flat for me. The relationships felt hollow, and the character development is minimal relying on stereotypes instead of creating fully formed and nuanced characters. I found myself knowing where the story was headed from early on, which took away any suspense or surprise. It's certainly an easy read, but not one that sticks with you or leaves a lasting impact.
I suppose I should’ve at this point accepted the book for what it was. A superficial foray into millennial woes with a happy ending. I need more grit though and there were many missed opportunities to give us something to really sink our teeth into. For example Ellie’s relationship with her daughter, who is now at University. Ellie had her as a teenager, and it could have provided a deeper exploration of what it’s like to raise a child when you’re practically still a child yourself. Unfortunately, this is touched on only briefly. A related note, Ellie’s daughter wants to meet her father, who has been absent for her entire life. When the two reconnect, Ellie is startled by how easily her daughter seems to accept him—he's suddenly interested in becoming a part of her life, which, in reality, would likely be far more complicated. This could have added layers of complexity to the book, but instead, the plot is dismissed quickly with a few cursory lines and no meaningful consideration.
There is one other big part of the story (no spoilers) that does not give the reality of the situation the gravitas and emotion it properly deserves. It feels tacked on and whilst I don’t want to be a moaning myrtle, it’s a serious topic and I don’t think it’s was a relatable portrayal.
Maybe Wilson felt it would be too dark to open up these topics properly but I think it could’ve been managed in a lightly humorous but poignant manner. Writers like Emma Gannon and Dolly Alderton show us that its possible.
In summary…
If you’re a millennial woman looking for something light and easy, Think Again could scratch that itch, especially if you have a soft spot for Jacqueline Wilson’s earlier works. I liken it a bit to Sweet Valley High. I loved the series when I was a child and if they bring out a movie or book about the Wakefield twins in their 40s/50s, I am without a doubt going to read it- but I know not to expect any great literary works. Much like this, if you’re expecting a deep or thought-provoking exploration of life in your 40s, this won’t deliver.
In the end, I wouldn’t rush to buy it, but it might make for an enjoyable, if forgettable, read if you’re in the right mood.
L
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