Millie McCarthy Review - Leona Forde

Millie McCarthy  by Leona Forde is a super fun, funny, and relatable book about growing up, friendship, and dealing with all the awkward and embarrassing situations that come with being a pre-teen. The story follows Millie McCarthy, a lively and often dramatic girl who is just trying to survive school, her friendships, and everyday life without getting into too much trouble—which, of course, is easier said than done.

Millie is a really realistic and likeable character. She overthinks situations, gets embarrassed easily, and sometimes makes decisions that don’t turn out the way she hopes. This is what makes her so relatable because almost everyone has felt awkward or unsure at some point in their life. Her inner thoughts are written in a funny and honest way, which makes the book feel like Millie is actually talking to you as you read. I loved the way the author captures Millie’s personality—it’s dramatic, funny, and completely believable.

A big part of the story is Millie’s friendship with her best friend, which faces some challenges as the story goes on. They have disagreements, misunderstandings, and moments of jealousy, which feel very realistic. The book does a great job of showing that friendships aren’t always perfect, and that people grow and change, sometimes in ways that can be difficult to navigate. It also highlights the importance of forgiveness, understanding, and communication in friendships, which is a really valuable lesson for young readers.

The book is full of humour and funny moments, which make it very entertaining. There are so many scenes where Millie ends up in awkward or embarrassing situations, especially around her crush or when trying to impress her friends. These moments are written in a way that makes you laugh out loud, and the way Millie reacts to things often makes situations even funnier. The humour is light and relatable, which makes the book easy to read and enjoyable for its intended audience.

Besides the humour, the book also talks about some serious themes in a way that feels natural. Millie learns a lot about herself, about being honest, and about the importance of staying true to who she is, even when others might pressure her to act differently. She starts to understand that it’s okay to make mistakes, and that sometimes the best way to deal with difficult situations is to be kind, thoughtful, and brave.

The supporting characters in the book are also well-written. Millie’s friends, family, and classmates all add depth to the story. Her interactions with them are realistic and help to show different aspects of Millie’s personality. You get to see her loyalty to her friends, her frustrations with people she doesn’t get along with, and her love for her family, which all make the story feel richer and more complete.

Overall, Millie McCarthy Is a Complete Catastrophe is a fantastic and relatable story about school life, friendship, growing up, and handling awkward situations. It’s funny, heartwarming, and full of moments that make you laugh, smile, and sometimes cringe at Millie’s hilarious predicaments. It is perfect for readers my age who enjoy realistic, humorous stories about everyday life.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes funny, relatable, and heartfelt stories. I would give it 4.5 out of 5 stars because it is entertaining, well-written, and full of moments that you can really relate to.