How Hard Can Love Be is interesting and emotionally charged young adult novel written by Holly Bourne. This book follows the life of Amber, a witty and relatable star. She fights the complexities of love, family, and personal growth.

This second book of Spinster Club Series follows Amber, Evie’s friend from Book 1. She travels to America for a summer, on the condition she works at the summer camp her mum – and mum’s new partner Kevin who run for rich American children.

Furthermore, her friends Evie and Lottie have been there for her over occasional Skype calls. I enjoyed having that friendship kept present. Amber’s dad is only present at the very opening of the book. I was really touched by how Amber appreciated certain things about her dad away from the distractions of her stepmother and stepbrother.

Amber’s relationship with her mother is the major theme of the book, whom she hasn’t seen for two years. The story deals largely with the conflict between who her mother actually is, and who Amber wants her to be.

“Be you. It’s all you can ever be anyway. But own being you. It’s a fab thing to own.”
― Holly Bourne, How Hard Can Love Be?

I adore Holly Bourne as a writer and also her characters. Her works are highly realistic and cover feminism. This book strikes the ideal balance between humor and serious subjects such as coping with alcoholic mother and realizing that pain is a necessary part of life.

You cannot really live if you attempt to escape pain at all costs. It essentially a large-scale version of expectation vs reality. While keeping her work entertaining, new and educational she is addressing many other difficult issues.

I can’t recommend her books enough. Although the language does suggest that her works are intended for teenagers. But by no means does it take away from the story.