"Cuts Both Ways" chronicles the journey of Cynthia, a young woman who finds herself navigating the privileged corridors of a private school. Braithwaite delves into the challenges faced by individuals of Black British heritage in predominantly white, elite environments. Braithwaite's message is that every individual is a unique tapestry; our lives are shaped not just by our personal choices and assumptions but also by external factors beyond our immediate control.

Thought provoking YA read that I know I would've devoured as a teen. Deals with some big issues in a sensitive way and without hammering home the point, very clever twist and would definitely recommend.

Cuts Both Ways is an original read that draws you in from the first page. With engaging characters and a plot that really shows them off and makes you just read and read until there is nothing left.

This is a good YA book with difficult topics being brought up and discussed but not in too much detail that distress may be caused in younger readers. The characters are likeable and the concept is very interesting and sparks thoughts on our society and institutional racism. I would say however that there wasn’t much of a story line so I would only recommend it if you want to learn about what it is often like growing up black in the UK but not if you want a strong, unpredictable and satisfying plot (so perhaps is best for young teenagers).

This story follows Cynthia, as she comes to terms with the murder of her brother and moving away from her friends into a very white and suburban area and falls into a tricky Romeo/Juliet situation. The twist was very effective (didn't see it coming!) and difficult subjects & themes were handled intelligently and sensitively.

Unfortunately, the pacing felt a little off, and the last few chapters happened way too quickly - it seemed a bit rushed and as a result, the closure/ ambiguity was less effective than it could have been, in my opinion.

For me personally, it's a 3* - 3.5*, but if I'd had this as a teen, it would have been a 4 0r 5 stars, so it's hard to do a simple star rating.
I'm not sure I would use it in the curriculum, but I would definitely recommend it to students. Mature Yr 8+,
CW: racism, sexism, classism, murdered family member, loss

Brilliant author!!! Loved this read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access this book in exchange for my feedback.

Cuts Both Ways is an engaging coming of age story following the life of Cynthia as she finds herself relocated to suburbia and thrust into the elite world of private school. Examining the problematic expectations of being Black and British in a more exclusive white setting, Braithwaite cleverly uses a love triangle to manipulate the narrative into a discussion of societal expectations.

At times the plot is a little too neat, but the twist is clever and exposes again the truth that we are all individuals with past and present baggage and futures yet to be written, affected by both our own assumptions and choices beyond our control..

Candice Brathwaite has written a beautiful, searing novel on the impacts of society's prejudice against Black boys on their families and the aftermath. The novel deals with topics such as knife crime, grief, and navigating a society that seems intent on wearing you down. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to younger readers who may not be aware of certain topics.

Following the murder of her brother, teenager Cynthia starts at a new private school where she tries to get over the past and develops a romance with a fellow pupil. It seems at first as if she may be 'caught between' two brothers fighting for her attention but this isn't really the crux of what's going on, as she develops strong feelings and an attraction for Thomas, the adopted Black brother of Isaac, who really just introduces her to life at school. She finds out that Thomas is the brother of one of her own brothers' murderers, who is protesting his innocence as he was part of a group attack on her brother which transpires to have been part of a botched drug deal. The story is gripping in some aspects with a great lead character that' really engaging and a nuanced story that's a bit more than a 'fish out of a water' scenario as Cynthia negotiates life at the prestigious private school. Only criticism is the plot does meander at times & the central romance fails to grip although by the ending it all ramps up to a decent conclusion.

Book:

I was intrigued by the story but felt that the relationship between two certain characters developed way too quickly and that, ironically, apart from that relationship, everything else around it evolved rather slowly until the last 15% of the book, by which I had sadly lost interest already. There wasn't one character I was 100% invested in and I wasn't really satisfied with how the book ended either. After the rather slow pace of the overall story, I felt that the end was a bit rushed.

Cover:

Love it! I think it turned out great.

I am a big fan of Candice Brathwaite and so I had high hopes for this book - let me tell you, it exceeded every expectation! Absolutely gripping, everything felt completely real to me and I was so invested in the characters, particularly Cyn. I think that’s probably because the voice is SO STRONG. - it just felt like effortless, emotive YA fiction at its best. WHEN IS THE NEXT ONE???

Wow. Where do I even begin with this book. Cuts Both Ways is like an onion. There are layers. On the surface level it is about a boy and a girl who fall in love. On a deeper level it is a Romeo and Juliet tale with a basis in crime. On a deeper level it is about the socio-political and economic values and expectations that the BPOC community face on a daily basis.

It is the story about Cynthia. She is starting a new school and leaving her old life in London behind. The murder of her older brother has had her family moving away from the living memory of the crime but Cynthia struggles when it comes to her new way of life.

In her school she meets a plethora of new people some kind and some not so much. However, it is when she meets brothers Thomas and Isaac that things really start to unravel.

When Cynthia discovers a shocking secret about one of the brothers her whole new life begins to unfold once again. Cynthia is torn between feelings of love and feelings of loyalty.

Cuts Both Ways was a really powerful read and its ending - whilst not ambiguous - certainly allows for more of the story to be told and I really home that Candice Braithwaite turns it into a series.

Cuts Both Ways by Candice Braithwaite is available now.

For more information regarding Candice Braithwaite (@candicebraithwaite) please visit her Instagram account.

For more information regarding Hachette Children's Group (@HachetteKids) please visit www.hachettechildrens.co.uk.

This book started by very promisingly. However, it lost focus part way through and didn't recover. There were parts that I couldn't find believable and were unrealistic. The ending was also very abrupt without any firm conclusion. I had been looking forward to reading this book but it didn't deliver unfortunately.

After Cynthia’s brother Mike is murdered, her parents leave London and the ends where she grew up to a leafy suburb where she is sent to private school. This book is an interesting exploration of growing up black in the UK but ended very abruptly and unsatisfactorily.

Cynthia is moved by her parents to a quieter town and sent to the local private school after the death of her brother, where she is one of the few black children. Cynthia finds herself in a love triangle with two brothers but both are holding onto secrets that will change her life. Fabulous ya book by Candice Braithwaite

Having read IANYBM I already had a feel for and liked Candice Brathwaite's writing but admittedly was a little apprehensive about how her style would feel within a fiction novel. However, I needn't have been worried. The way Candice writes has such great pace and energy that you're immediately sucked in and running through the story. With the youthful tone and flare in how this is written, you can really feel Cynthia's personality and attitude coming through. Being a romance reader first and foremost, the cute moments of this first love experience were very cute and had me thinking back to being a 16yo and falling hard and fast.

There is so much within this story and, for me, all of it was done very well. Candice's commentary on class, race, prejudice, racism, growing up black in britain and the stigma of knife crime and gangs are done so well and have you checking your privilege at the door. Along with this, her explorations on grief, relationships and young love make this a well rounded novel and a great first step into fiction for her.

I feel like there are still questions to be answered so would love to see a sequel but I also appreciate and respect the idea that not every story has a happy ending and sometimes we are left without annswers. I would love to see a HEA though 🌚

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I thought this was a really good exploration of the complexities of growing up black in Britain. Even though the main premise is slightly contrived, it rings true and the books explores both the joys and difficulties of being a black teen. Brathwaite's writing is warm and intimate, inviting you into the world. Some elements are a little underdeveloped (I'm thinking of the motives for Thomas's actions) but I really enjoyed it and liked that it didn't try to solve every problem.

Love is never easy, is it? Especially not when your love interests are adopted brothers from different cultures, each of whom you relate to on a different level, each of whom seems to be lying to you about different things, neither of whom you can really trust...

This is a fantasically written read. I didn't want to put it down. Candice has caught the feeling of current teens - at least as far as I, a mumble years old bookseller, can tell! The twists aren't exactly twists, but that's not the point; the point is how the characters react to them, not we humble readers.
I think this is going to go really well - it speaks to issues that teens are going through right now, and it's so well written to boot. It's definitely one I'll be recommending.

Wow, what a book, I finished it over the weekend as I was immediately hooked.

Cynthia and her family are relocating to the country from London after the tragic killing of her older brother. She is faced with the prospect of transitioning into private school and a new way of living. She has the support of head boy Thomas and his adopted brother Isaac, the only other black kid at their school.

This book is an exploration of race, tragedy, class and love. It shines a light on the complexities of growing up as a black British teen. The way hateful ideologists are woven into the fabric of elite institutions and society are highlighted and leave you raging.

This is a very important book that will challenge and empower you as a reader.

Thank you @netgallery and @serpentstail for this advanced copy.

Cynthia’s brother has been killed so her family decide to move out of London and enroll her in a private school in the countryside where she will be “safe”. She expects to be the only black girl there but is surprised to meet Isaac, brother of the head boy. The head boy is white but Isaac is black - adopted at a young age by the wealthiest white family around.

The story explores the expectations of being a black teenager in Britain and touches on the way back and white are treated differently. In order for the story to work there are a few contrived coincidences but lend it an air of unreality at times, but on the whole the story was enjoyable. I wasn’t expecting the twist towards the end.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.