Amazing book, gripping and gritty. It deals with some serious issues that might be difficult for some to read about. I found it utterly compelling and thought about the characters long after finishing the book. Juno Dawson is seriously heading for the title of My Favourite Author.

Juno Dawson is well known for writing thoroughly captivating and yet brutal books, and this is no different.

Great YA which doesn't pull any punches as rich girl Lexi finds herself in rehab. I love having a protagonist who, you may not particulary like. However, as the novel progresses, as Lexi faces her demons and herself - she opens up more and the sharp edges become softer!

I couldn’t finish this book as unfortunately I just didn’t enjoy the writing or the characters. Because of this I didn’t put a review up on my platforms. Thanks

As always a great read by Juno Dawson. A blunt, honest and raw account of addiction and the withdrawal.

I read this novel in 2018 and definitely added a review but it doesn't seem to have uploaded.

I really enjoyed this book by Juno Dawson and thought it was a like a breath of fresh air for mature YA readers. It was detailed in its approach to body image, drug use and reminded me strongly of Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes but for a new generation.

Amazing to find something unique like this and I also requested Juno Dawson's Meat Market which was wonderful also.

17-year-old wealthy socialite Lexi Volkov is sent to an exclusive island rehabilitation centre by her brother after she passes out during a drug binge. Lexi is certain she doesn't have a problem - everyone does it, right?

At the centre she will not only have to face the physical and mental challenges of overcoming her addiction, but she will also have to learn to face events in her past and overcome her guilt.

We meet several other young people being treated for all sorts of addiction, reminiscent of Girl, Interrupted or the movie 28 Days. I really enjoyed this book, I thought all the characters were really interesting and it's a story that needs to be told continuously in order for people to realise that there is hope and help out there. I liked that Lexi acknowledged her privilege, and I liked that the author didn't shy away from the grittiness of what recovery can mean.

Recommended

I particularly enjoyed the tone of this novel, no punches were held in terms of character opinions and vocabulary used, but such crass language was vital to reflect the resistance of the characters in admitting their problems, and the laissez faire attitude which got them addicted in the first place.

However, even if you put aside the fact that these characters are addicts, they are wholly unrelatable to. Each one of them was so overly privileged that they became addicted due to a loss for what else to do with their time - if only we were all rich enough for such a luxury! Unless you can spend £1000 on a dress you will only wear once, have enough money to never work a day in your life, or casually name drop the Russian mob to scare your enemies, then these characters are not ones you’re likely to relate to. They’re more of a gossip intrigue; semi-ironically seen as Lexi does spend a lot of time in the socialite gossip magazines.

I highly enjoyed the story, and it’s definitely the ‘older’ version of young adult which is needed in the mix now that young adult seems to be more pre-teen than ever. It’s the type of book which grips you from the opening and doesn’t let go until you’ve made it all the way through.

I was intrigued by Clean as soon as I first heard about it and I was so excited when I got approved for it on NetGalley. I have read two of Juno Dawson’s non-fiction books -This Book Is Gay and Mind Your Head- and adore her quirky chatty style as she turns it to incredibly serious topics. Although this was my first foray into her fiction, I knew that Clean would be no different.

Lexi Volkov is the 17-year-old hotel heiress who loves her socialite lifestyle. She is into exclusive parties, boys she shouldn’t be and drugs. When she overdoses on heroin, her big brother Nikolai steps in and whisks her to Clarity, a rehab centre for troubled rich kids on a remote island. On arrival, Lexi is a state who has no idea she even has a problem. But as she begins her therapy and integrates with the other residents, she soon realises that she has a long journey to go on to get clean. 

I wouldn’t say I ever really warmed to Lexi. Her life and attitude is just so vastly different to my own and that made connecting with her difficult. However, I was intrigued by her story and I was really interested in watching her grow. That growth turned out to quite dramatic without it feeling too sudden and unrealistic. All credit goes to Dawson for developing her character ever so slowly, thereby reflecting the true nature of recovery. Although I still didn’t like Lexi, I felt a sense of pride for her particularly during events at the very end. She finally took ownership of her problems and did what was best for herself.

There was one thing about Lexi that I could relate to and that was her apparent penchant for picking guys she clearly shouldn’t. At one point, she is recalling when she met her boyfriend Kurt, a fellow junkie. Although he’s obviously not good news, she makes him sound incredibly intriguing and it’s easy to see how she got addicted to him and his world. As we learn more about their relationship, it becomes clearer that Lexi needs to get away from him. Blinded by love, she doesn’t see this at first and it’s quite frustrating to watch her still hanker after him while she’s supposed to be focusing on getting better. 

I wasn’t expecting a mystery element to this book but I got one in the form of the Antonella story. As part of her recovery, Lexi is exploring her past and she repeatedly refers to her schoolfriend Antonella, who appears to be the source of a huge amount of guilt. Lexi adored Antonella but she appears to no longer be in her life. It’s not until quite close to the end that we find out what happened to her but I loved the guessing game that Dawson played with us. 

There is a fantastic array of characters in Clean. From the beautiful Kendall, a transgender anorexic to the fierce and loyal overeater Ruby. The passionate fiery sex addict Brady to quiet, mild-mannered obsessive Guy. The tragic, mysterious Arabian prince Saif and the wild, erratic Sasha. I genuinely loved getting to know each of them and seeing them laid so bare. I often think that you can only truly know someone when you’ve seen them face their deepest fears and all of these kids are certainly doing that. 

Brady was the character I related to most. The more I learnt about his struggle, the more my heart swelled. Finally, a book featured accurate positive representation of being incapable of not falling madly in love. I’m certainly not a sex addict but in the above quote, Brady perfectly describes what it’s like when I fall for someone. It’s always incredibly fast and incredibly strong and I am completely powerless to stop it. I’ve always thought that it probably isn’t exactly normal and considered myself quite strange and juvenile for feeling that way. I loved that Brady was taken seriously as an addict. The fact that I could see a dark and confusing part of myself in such a lovely, brave boy empowered me, so I’m so grateful to Dawson for that.

Ultimately Clean is a story about one girl’s journey from rock bottom to a place of serenity and prospects. However, it is actually a lot more than that. The message at its heart should be related in every YA book ever -you’re not less valid if you’re ‘damaged’. Honour the scars from the battles you’ve won because they’re a sign of true strength and bravery. Clean really hammers this message home and it’s probably the main reason that I think everyone should read it.

As well as the unique setting and amazing memorable characters, Clean will teach and inspire you. Although it is marketed as a YA book (because Lexi and her friends are all teenagers), please be aware that there is frequent swearing as well as graphic depictions of sex and (obviously) drug use. I cannot recommend it enough to those looking for a very unique take on YA contemporary.

I've been a long term Juno fan now, since the days Hollow Pike was released, way back in 2012 (has it really been 6 years? YIKES! Time flies!) and haven't been able to get enough since. From witches, to hauntings, from murders by the poolside, to tattoos that take over the mind, Juno is in a league of her own and in Clean she really shines. In what is, in my humble opinion, her best book yet, Juno tackles the tricky world of addiction and recovery. 

Featuring a cast of the rich and privileged. A sharp protagonist in the form of Lexi who is used to having everything handed to her, so when we meet her, waking up in the back of her brothers car with no idea where she is going we know that things are about to kick off. Forced into a rehabilitation facility against her will, Lexi is furious and the language and thoughts of someone being forced into something they really do not want to do were perfectly captured and Juno did an excellent job of showing Lexi's anger without it going o.t.t, but still being a explosion of feelings. Whilst she may seem, on the surface as the stereotypical spoilt child of a multi-millionaire (think Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton...) as the book progresses we see that Lexi is actually an incredibly three-dimensional character and I loved her back story. By the end of the book I actually found myself really rooting for her, despite hating her in the first few chapters of the book. 

The book itself deals with many different forms of addiction. Drugs. Food. Sex. All have addictive qualities and all are explored in the book with varying scenarios and outcomes. It was fascinating to see inside the mind of someone who is addicted to something and then to see them work through their recovery. The book is split into ten sections, steps, each one dedicated to a step in a recovery programme and this really added to the feel of the book and I looked forward to the next one popping up to see what the next step was.

The exploration of mental health was also expertly done. So often, mental health is swept under the carpet and ignored, but here it is front and centre and dealt with so well that many teens, and indeed adults, who will read Clean will find themselves a place  of understanding in this book that made me, for one, feel as though I'm not alone.

Something this book also does incredibly well is trans reputation! And it is about damn time! Kendall is trans but it's all so natural. It's just a fact. It isn't something that is questioned, the interactions between Kendall and the other characters are so fluid and natural and real, just the way it should be in real life with any human being. Hopefully trans readers who have never seen themselves represented in any way shape or form before may come to Clean and see that, yes, while Kendall has her problems, she's real and human and has just as much right to live her life as anyone else. Bravo, Juno!

AND THAT COVER!!!! LORD THE COVER!!!! Rose gold! I have the proof (with a finished copy on pre-order, obvs...) which is a little different with a white cover, rose gold text and words written in this glossy effect that you can only see in certain light, but the cover for the finished book is rose gold foil and I can't wait to see it for myself, because you know it's going to be STUNNING!

As ever with Juno, her writing is witty, sharp and encapsulating. I found myself unable to put the book down. Pardon the pun, but it's an incredibly addictive read that will have you glued to the page. Thank you so much for sharing another awesome book with us. Here's to many, many more!

I loved Juno Dawson’s other book, Meat Market so i was really excited about this one. It dealt with some heavy issues. Lexi was a really likeable character as well so that helped with the overall plot. It was a really compelling read but does need to come with trigger warnings.

I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down. It's a gritty and hard hitting book. I love how Juno doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of what it is like to be a drug addict, and the experience of recovering from that. 

I love how Juno doesn’t end the book all tied up and complete with Lexi all better and recovered - as it shows the unpredictablity of drug addiction and recovery.

One of the best books I've read in a long time, the writing is so good and the story is gripping.  A must-read for all young adults!

I absolutely loved Clean. Lexi is very relatable, and despite going through issues I’ve never encountered myself I was very able to picture the situations. Clean was raw and unflinching, certainly an uncomfortable read but one I’m glad I chose.

Clean by Juno Dawson is a young adult comtemporary novel focussing on addiction, substance abuse and trauma. This is a well executed novel following a journey from rock bottom to redemption. You should be aware of the above trigger warnings, as some of the descriptions were personally quite graphic for me. The character portrayals were complex and interesting. You really do get to know the characters inside and out. For that I am grateful as we are following their journey throughtout the process of healing. The main part of the story takes place in a rehab centre, which has some lovely nature descriptions. This was a lovely calming addition to the story.

I have a confession to make: Clean is the book that sent me into a massive blogging slump months ago. I just couldn’t figure out how to review it, and I felt guilty for not writing a review of a book I very much enjoyed, by an author I like a lot. So I just ended up not writing anything at all, apart from blog tour commitments. I’m not sure anything has changed really. I still have no idea how to review it! Clean is the story of Lexi, the daughter of a London-based Russian oligarch, who’s been left to her own devices for most of her life. Aged 17, she accidentally overdoses on heroin and her brother decides enough is enough and packs her off to a very exclusive rehab. There, she tries to put her life back together and meets a group of people who all have their own demons to fight. It’s an excellent book, which doesn’t pull any of its punches when it comes to the effects of addiction – any addiction, although the focus is obviously on Lexi. I definitely recommend it, but it’s a hard book in many ways, and if you’re going to pick it up, I’d absolutely recommend a bit of research into its contents to make sure you’re ok with it.

I received a copy of this book to review from NetGalley.

What appealed to me about the book was the tag that it was a mix of Girl Interrupted and Gossip Girl. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a big fan of Young Adult fiction, and it felt like an age since I last immersed myself in the Gossip Girl world so I thought I’d give it a whirl. Did it live up to the tag? Well, yes - it does have its similarities to both books, although it wasn’t as gritty as I was expecting. So, maybe more Gossip Girl than Girl Interrupted. The constant contemporary references to Uber, Social Media and celebrities - not to mention the frequent use of current slang words e.g. ‘that’s so basic’ irritated me slightly - but perhaps that’s just my age speaking? Personally, it made me feel like the book would date quickly.

The main character, Lexi is pretty unlikeable - I wouldn’t expect to warm to her much. There’s not a huge amount of depth to her - but I did want to find out what happened. Without giving too many spoilers, the plot continues as you would expect - there are no big surprises.

However, the book was very readable. It’s nice to have a easy read to lose yourself in. When she begins to realise that actually the world doesn’t revolve around her it’s pretty refreshing I guess.

If you like reading about teenage girls, horses and love stories then it’s a good read. I guess that’s what I was promised and it lived up to what I was expecting. If you want something grittier - like the references to the Bell Jar and Girl Interrupted suggest - this isn’t the book for you. I’m going to give Orange is the New Black a shot next!

Really cracking character that's hard not to love and get exasperated by in equal measure! Great gritty read that doesn't shy away from difficult issues  & really engages

An excellent book and very well written. It takes us through a teenagers perspective about life in a humouirous manner. YOu cant help but get attached to the main character. Loved it.

A truly visceral and honest depiction of the true lows of many types of addiction and the difficult steps that need to be taken to fully recover. A growing number of the world’s teenagers suffer from drug dependancy which means, now more than ever, we, as a society (no matter if we are young adult or otherwise), need to be informed about the real life consequences. Clean is so much more than the limitations that many people place on the Young Adult age-category and in it, Juno Dawson tackles the subject in a frank and realistic way, and cements herself as a writing tour de force for at least the next decade. Gossip Girl meets the London It-Girl Scene meets the book I wish I had written.