This book is the kind of book I wish I had when I was a teenager. It was mature, simple, easy to understand, relatable and (if you’ll pardon the pun) honest.

Milly Evans, you should be proud of yourself. Thank you so much for writing this book.

Good resource for younger people, considering its peer-education format. Unfortunately, the content is quite repetitive vis a vie what's already available on the market. There's nothing new or original in "HONEST...". It's great that younger generation has so many sex ed options to choose from but the market becomes oversaturated with this type of publication that goes over the information that's been delivered so many times before.

I am so glad this book exists, I wish I'd had something like this when I was growing up.
I love seeing accessible and informative sex, relationships and bodies books available for young people!!

I really enjoyed this book. It was honest, fun, informative and the cover is really eye catching. Would definitely recommend.

I have conflicting thoughts. The book is like someone hand holding you through Mind the Gap by Dr Karen Gurney and the Vagina Bible by Dr Jen Gunter.

It's not a surprise, given the youth of the author - she knows how to target a new audience who quite frankly have needed this access for a while and even older readers could benefit taking a glance to check they know everything.

That said. Health and body books from an unqualified professional, given the rife issues of misinformation on Tik Tok that already exist, opens a door to further accidental spreads. I like the content, I'm not sure though whether traditional publishers endorsing it isn't a slippery slope that could end in more harm than good.

DNF at 44%

Sadly I just wasn’t clicking with this and had absolutely no inclination to pick it up.

Definitely insightful for its age group. Maybe I’m just a bit too old for it.

Average rating as I cannot give a full review

I could and would have so appreciated this in my teens when I was younger.
The book is informative, but it is so not preachy and it doesn't gloss over things that make us feel uncomfortable to be talked about in large groups of people, yet which we all know goes on, like orgasms and masturbation.

My mom was always very open about periods, contraception, sex and not getting pregnant, I never felt I couldn't tell her things in my later teens but I would want my step kids and perhaps even my children when they come along to feel like they could come to me and if they couldn't I'd be getting this book for all of us, especially useful for children but also from an adults point of view in learning how to approach these rather awkward subjects, this book becomes a tool for all.

I really didn't know what to expect with this book, but I've really enjoyed it and it's made me wish more than ever that my education had had a bold and educational book like this. It's not just about the education though, we were taught about sex as teenagers, fifteen and the boys watched a video and the girls were drilled about not getting pregnant, where to buy condoms etc, obviously I don't feel that's very fair and so I really liked the part about where the author talks about why she campaigned for sex education and I feel that is so REFRESHING.

The chapter on anatomy was by far something I thought was so important, down to the labeling on the organs to the importance of checking and looking for signs of ill health. I really liked how the author included disability, something which affects a vast majority of people, mental health, anxiety and transgender, including discrimination within and against the community, coming out and more.
I also really appreciated the chapter about consent and having the ability to say no, sexual assault and also about the importance of relationships and boundaries, and how to cope with break ups. Such a handy book, I will definitely be getting a copy of this for when those turbulent years approach, its something I want to be very open about in my house and I want everyone to feel comforted and like their is no shame, having sexual feelings, or wanting sex - isn't dirty, its a natural thing.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review

Honest is the book that every teen needs in their life. I loved how inclusive it was, especially compared to similar books that have been published in the past. As an autistic queer reader, it can often feel as though books like this aren't for me; but it's clear how much time and attention has gone into making sure everyone sees themselves reflected on the page.

Reading Honest feels like you're chatting to your best friend. I'll certainly be recommending this lots!

thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. i typically only stick to fiction books, but ive seen Milly on tiktok and knew that i needed to read this. i absolutely loved it, very informative and easy to read but never boring; i believe all teens and young adults, or anyone really, should read this book. an easy 5/5 stars!

Wow, this book covers so much. Super informative and presented in a way that makes this information easy for readers to digest. You can tell a lot of thought and care has been taken to write this book so that it is accessible for anyone and everyone. I also really liked the illustrations and appreciated the diversity.

This book is going to benefit anyone who reads it and would be the perfect resource to use in secondary schools.

The is a fabulous book for teenagers and young adults about bodies, sex and relationships. It’s written in plain language without being condescending, and even though I’m in my twenties and had a fairly comprehensive sex education, I learned some things, so I think it’s a great resource to fill in knowledge gaps. I highly recommend!
The chapter on anatomy covers genitals in an affirming and inclusive way, with labelled diagrams, a discussion of functions, common health issues and signs of cancer, with links to extra resources and an account by an intersex activist.
The chapter on sex covers a range of things under the ‘sex’ umbrella, which again is inclusive and doesn’t centre penis-in-vagina intercourse. It discusses orgasms, the emotional components of sex and non-sexual intimacy, boundaries and consent, aftercare, and practicalities like lube. As a Disabled person on the asexuality spectrum, I really appreciated the inclusion of both disability and ace identities in the discussion around having sex (and the account from the fabulous Black ace activist Yasmin Benoit).
There is another chapter specifically devoted to consent and boundaries. It covers useful language for consent, setting boundaries and saying no. It also talks about cultural issues around consent and sexual assault (there is a trigger warning included just before this section) with info about victim support organisations.
The chapter on health talks about the symptoms of common STIs and getting tested (with lots of extra resources listed), intimate hygiene products, contraception and barrier protection. The chapter on masturbation is kind and pragmatic; the chapter on relationships covers ‘green flags’ as well as break ups and navigating power dynamics.
There is a chapter discussing sexuality and gender which is trans- and non-binary inclusive. It covers choosing (or not) and using (or not) labels, coming out, and discrimination against and within LGBTQ+ communities. There’s another chapter that covers gender (identity, expression, pronouns, sex, dysphoria), stereotypes and equality. The book rounds off with online issues like internet dating and pornography, and mental health awareness.

Not at all my type of book, like, AT ALL. But…. this was pretty good? Informative without being textbook-ish?

I’d like to start by saying I am the target audience for this book, age wise. And to be HONEST (worst pun ever ik) if teens do pick up this book, this will be great and informative…but no teen is going to walk into a bookstore and willingly buy this. Because if one thing defines the teen experience more than changing bodies-it’s embarrassment.
Still, I would recommend this book to any teen with questions, because JEEZ does it answer them. AND if it doesn’t, it has a bunch of resources that will.

The only problem with this book is the lengths it went to be inclusive with everything. And I don’t mean using ‘vagina owners’ over female, I meant how soooo many times it said this is the normal, but don’t worry if you aren’t. It felt like pity! Books should not pity me…

‘Honest’ Review - #AD
I was very kindly gifted a copy of this book by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence or alter my opinions of this book.

In this book, sex educator Milly Evans discusses the topics that most school sex educations (I’m looking at you, UK sex ed curriculum) don’t cover sufficiently, or at all, from safe sex to sexual health, from puberty to pleasure.

As a young adult myself, who is extremely passionate about safe and accessible sex education for all, being given this opportunity to receive an ARC of this book was incredible.

It is also written in a peer-to-peer format by “someone who isn’t thirty years older than you”, which means it doesn’t come across as being condescending or overly distant from real teenage experiences. It was also so refreshing to hear active conversation about disabilities and neurodivergencies within the context of sex and relationship education resource, especially from an ND author. Lastly, each chapter is full to the brim with contact information and external resources for those wanting to research further, or require any support or help.

Overall, I would recommend this book to any young person looking to educate themselves on sex and relationships. However, as Milly herself states in the book’s conclusion “this book is a good starting point, but shouldn’t be - and can’t be - your entire sex education.”

Wow am I glad I requested this book. It’s the book I wish I had when I was a teenager with all these unvoiced questions and anxieties. It’s certainly a resource I am going to be glad to have when my kids approach the teenage years. It’s a really thorough, comprehensive guide to the physical, societal and mental health issues teenagers face during puberty. Yet it’s written in an approachable, casual and friendly way.
It’s a great book for giving me hints on how to broach topics with my children as well as having them read independently on the subject too. It belongs on the bookshelf of every family home.

This is a great book for teenagers, young people and those who a generally interested in the human body, sex, relationships and keeping healthy. This is a book I wish I had when I was younger as I had so many questions about, well, everything! School doesn’t even skim the surface and leaves many teens having to seek out the information for themselves despite not knowing where to look.

The book offers so much information and further resources regarding any questions or concerns you might have.

If you have questions about sex, anatomy, gender, relationships, consent, self pleasure, sexuality or sexual health, this book is for you. I cannot stress how this book is for everyone. EVERYONE.

I read this book really quickly, it is well written in a informative manner without making it seem like it is preaching or like a textbook, which I think is imperative for the teen market. Every question I would have had in my teens, and more, were answered in this book. It is a great read for teenagers and I wish I had this book when I was a teen and to be far it helped me with certain things even now. I will definitely recommend and get a physical copy.