New friends Agnes, Hattie and Jake take a trip to Weston Super Mare for the Easter holidays, all with their own reasons for going. 

This was a super cute read that I finished in one sitting. Perfect read for a sunny day.

Kate Mallinder's debut novel - Summer of No Regrets - was a total pleasure to read, alternating between the povs of four close friends during the summer just after GCSEs. This is as equally wonderful, using similar structure of multiple perspectives (this time three fairly new friends) to explore some truly important issues (that don't often get covered in YA) in a manner that is wonderfully accessible and relatable. The three friends escape to Weston as each has something they are running away from. Agnes is spend time with her older sister who moved away, as Rose is one of the few people who understands Agnes' Aspergers. Hattie has been ghosted by her supposed friends after being accused of something she didn't do. Jake has found a lump and is terrified about what it could mean. 
Kate's books are seamlessly inclusive and diverse, with something that is truly for everyone. An uplifting feelgood story about friendship that is perfect for the summer.

Agnes has aspergers and is missing her sister who has moved to Weston, Hattie friends are ignoring and Jake is worried about a lump he has found. They travel on the same bus but don’t really know each. They start to talk and decide to go on a trip to Weston before their exams. They slowly learn things about each other on this trip. 

This book is full of heart. 

There are various topics addressed in this book from bullying to illness. The author writes about these with the care.  

These three characters start off not knowing everything about each but slowly develop a friendship that none of them expected. 

A shorter read that has real life issues that any person can or could go through in their life. 

I received ARC from Netgalley and Firefly Press for an objection review,

Asking for a Friend is a heart-warming story, that tackles some quite sensitive subjects beautifully. The book is a thoughtful and caring exploration of friendships, bullying online and Asperger's syndrome. It reminds you to not judge people. It's a wonderful read and extremely relevant.

Agnes has aspergers and hates change, so when her sister moves out and away to Weston Super Mare she wants to go see her.

Besides her, Hattie comes along after being roped in as her bus buddy and has an aunt with a b and b there they can stay at.
She also wants to escape after an incident at a party outcasts her from her friends as they spread vicious lies around online.

Meanwhile Jake tags along too, wanting to escape for a very serious reason, finding a lump, down there and not feeling comfortable enough to get it seen too by anyone.

Kate is an exciting new author in YA fiction and tackles such sensitive topics extremely well making the story flow and develop perfectly with plenty of group drama and self drama for each individual character in turn. I love how the group became friends during the course of their journey together and it shows you can't judge a person on looks alone for sure and how we each can hide a problem from others easily too, it was a relatable read for the bullying issue online as we hear so much about happening in real life as well as of course showing an in depth look at life living with Aspergers and how it can seriously effect life for the person with it too.

If you want an adventurous, bold new read, this book certainly won't disappoint!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!