Surfing is sixteen-year-old Iris's world, and when the ultra-talented Zeke walks into her life, it soon becomes her passion.
Over one amazing summer, as she is drawn into his sphere, she experiences love, new friendships, but also loss, with an intensity she never dreamed of.
But is Zeke all he seems? What hides beneath his glamorous and mysterious past? When Iris decides to try for her own surfing success, just as her ex-boyfriend comes back into her life, she will test her talent, and her feelings for Zeke, to the limit...
Selected praise for BLUE (and scroll down for more complete reviews on the whole trilogy:
"It's rare that a YA romance this good ends up being written by a UK author - the US always seem so much better at this genre of fiction - but Blue completely made me eat my words and is quite possibly the best British book of its kind. It reminds me of Julia Green's novels, with the summery settings and layered, deep characters." Wondrous Reads
"I adored this book... I adored both Iris and Zeke from the first page and found myself completely and utterly absorbed in their story... I love that this book was a UKYA novel set in Newquay which made it feel that bit more real and relatable... All in all a fabulous offering from a new UKYA author and perfect reading for the summer holidays. I can't wait for the sequel." Overflowing Library
"This book took me on a journey of different emotions. I loved the kindness and sadness I felt with nanna, the anger I felt with Daniel and the love I felt with Zeke. This is a perfect all round novel that will capture all your emotions."
Mrs B Books
"I loved the surfing, I swooned over Zeke and I had a wonderful adventure with Iris... Full of love, emotion, friendship and surfing – Blue is a STUNNING read for the summer!" Reading in the sunshine
"Adorable... an ideal beach companion" Daisy Chain
"Such a fun and romantic, summery beach read" Fluttering Butterflies
"Hypnotic... Made me yearn to be in the water. I fell hard for this book and Iris and Zeke and their story... A true summer read" Actin' up with Books
Over one amazing summer, as she is drawn into his sphere, she experiences love, new friendships, but also loss, with an intensity she never dreamed of.
But is Zeke all he seems? What hides beneath his glamorous and mysterious past? When Iris decides to try for her own surfing success, just as her ex-boyfriend comes back into her life, she will test her talent, and her feelings for Zeke, to the limit...
Selected praise for BLUE (and scroll down for more complete reviews on the whole trilogy:
"It's rare that a YA romance this good ends up being written by a UK author - the US always seem so much better at this genre of fiction - but Blue completely made me eat my words and is quite possibly the best British book of its kind. It reminds me of Julia Green's novels, with the summery settings and layered, deep characters." Wondrous Reads
"I adored this book... I adored both Iris and Zeke from the first page and found myself completely and utterly absorbed in their story... I love that this book was a UKYA novel set in Newquay which made it feel that bit more real and relatable... All in all a fabulous offering from a new UKYA author and perfect reading for the summer holidays. I can't wait for the sequel." Overflowing Library
"This book took me on a journey of different emotions. I loved the kindness and sadness I felt with nanna, the anger I felt with Daniel and the love I felt with Zeke. This is a perfect all round novel that will capture all your emotions."
Mrs B Books
"I loved the surfing, I swooned over Zeke and I had a wonderful adventure with Iris... Full of love, emotion, friendship and surfing – Blue is a STUNNING read for the summer!" Reading in the sunshine
"Adorable... an ideal beach companion" Daisy Chain
"Such a fun and romantic, summery beach read" Fluttering Butterflies
"Hypnotic... Made me yearn to be in the water. I fell hard for this book and Iris and Zeke and their story... A true summer read" Actin' up with Books
Reviews of the whole trilogy:
"Once again, I appreciated the subtle diversity that wasn't done in a way that made it feel 'other', and I love how many themes Glass can cover in one book. Honestly, if my writing is ever half as good as hers, I'll be happy. Plus, this trilogy is set in my favourite place (Newquay, Cornwall) and the characters are so warm and real and... I love them a lot. You know when you like a book so much that whatever you say just isn't doing it justice? That's me right now. *sighs*
If a fun, summer-y read full of sand and surfing expertly interlaced with more serious topics is your thing, you will LOVE this, and I recommend the entire trilogy. It's ridiculously gorgeous and will make you want to book a holiday to Newquay now. Glass is one of the best UKYA authors out there, and her books will liven up your life. Must-reads!"
The Mile Long Bookshelf
"In the last book of the trilogy, the action moves from gnarly waves to restless hearts. After the action-packed first two books that were real roller-coasters of emotions, Ride does't disappoint either. The way Iris struggles with her decision to leave Zeke sounds real and heartbreaking. Her search of her true self and the road to realizing what she wants to do with her life were gripping from the beginning to the end.
I thought the characterization of Iris was beautifully executed. When she went through so much pain and guilt that I thought she wouldn't be able to take it any more, she picked herself up and went on to becoming an even stronger person. Something similar could be said about Zeke. Both of them learned that recognizing their frailty was what made them stronger, happier and more successful.
I liked the unexpected events at the end as they kept the story suspenseful to the very last sentence. There were so many great characters we had to say goodbye to with this book and I wish the series continued on. Alas, I'll just have to re-read it again and again for another dose of the authentic surfing slang and to 'meet up' with old friends from Newquay again." The Write Thing
"Ride is another perfect summer read from Lisa Glass - I was instantly transported to the beaches at Fistral, Tolcarne and Lusty Glaze in Cornwall. I was impressed at the way Cornish dialect rolls off the page too - not in an intrusive way; readers might not even notice if they don't know the speech rhythms and phrases, but for me it gave the story an added layer of authenticity. I heard Cornwall in every bit of dialogue. The delicious Zeke is absent for most of the story, but he's written in so cleverly in flashbacks and conversations that I felt he was just off the page, ready to walk in at any moment. Iris herself is a fabulous strong MC and I loved seeing her grow and change.
This book is also very much about the value of friendship and I enjoyed the way these were shown: I especially want a best friend like Kelly! Ride doesn't shy away from physical relationships; there's more sex than ever, which is only right as Iris matures and grows up. It's not all romance - there's plenty of drama and of course lots of fantastic surf detail. Be warned, though; the climax of the book will have your heart racing for an entirely different reason - it had me on the edge of my seat. Lisa Glass certainly knows how to end a chapter on a cliffhanger!
I would recommend this YA book for 14+. Published by Quercus, available now!"
Tamsyn Murray, An Awfully Big Blog Adventure
"Hilary: I LOVE the supportive female relationships portrayed here – even in competitive situations, and also between the generations. It’s always a big positive point for me to see fictional characters modelling respect and mutual regard, of which there cannot be too much in this world.
Moira: Absolutely right – and kindness, which is a hugely underrated quality. When push comes to shove, they’re all decent people: screwed up and wrong-headed at times, but decent … In fact the trilogy, although firmly rooted in the here and now has a quite touchingly old-fashioned heart.
Eve: I have to admit that this is my absolute favourite series ever and I will very much miss spending summers in Newquay with my adopted family, (if only!). I really hope that everyone making summer reading lists puts all of these books on it, right at the top because they are undoubtedly made for sun lounger binge-reading."
Vulpes Libris (three reviewers, discussing the three books together)
"Once again, I appreciated the subtle diversity that wasn't done in a way that made it feel 'other', and I love how many themes Glass can cover in one book. Honestly, if my writing is ever half as good as hers, I'll be happy. Plus, this trilogy is set in my favourite place (Newquay, Cornwall) and the characters are so warm and real and... I love them a lot. You know when you like a book so much that whatever you say just isn't doing it justice? That's me right now. *sighs*
If a fun, summer-y read full of sand and surfing expertly interlaced with more serious topics is your thing, you will LOVE this, and I recommend the entire trilogy. It's ridiculously gorgeous and will make you want to book a holiday to Newquay now. Glass is one of the best UKYA authors out there, and her books will liven up your life. Must-reads!"
The Mile Long Bookshelf
"In the last book of the trilogy, the action moves from gnarly waves to restless hearts. After the action-packed first two books that were real roller-coasters of emotions, Ride does't disappoint either. The way Iris struggles with her decision to leave Zeke sounds real and heartbreaking. Her search of her true self and the road to realizing what she wants to do with her life were gripping from the beginning to the end.
I thought the characterization of Iris was beautifully executed. When she went through so much pain and guilt that I thought she wouldn't be able to take it any more, she picked herself up and went on to becoming an even stronger person. Something similar could be said about Zeke. Both of them learned that recognizing their frailty was what made them stronger, happier and more successful.
I liked the unexpected events at the end as they kept the story suspenseful to the very last sentence. There were so many great characters we had to say goodbye to with this book and I wish the series continued on. Alas, I'll just have to re-read it again and again for another dose of the authentic surfing slang and to 'meet up' with old friends from Newquay again." The Write Thing
"Ride is another perfect summer read from Lisa Glass - I was instantly transported to the beaches at Fistral, Tolcarne and Lusty Glaze in Cornwall. I was impressed at the way Cornish dialect rolls off the page too - not in an intrusive way; readers might not even notice if they don't know the speech rhythms and phrases, but for me it gave the story an added layer of authenticity. I heard Cornwall in every bit of dialogue. The delicious Zeke is absent for most of the story, but he's written in so cleverly in flashbacks and conversations that I felt he was just off the page, ready to walk in at any moment. Iris herself is a fabulous strong MC and I loved seeing her grow and change.
This book is also very much about the value of friendship and I enjoyed the way these were shown: I especially want a best friend like Kelly! Ride doesn't shy away from physical relationships; there's more sex than ever, which is only right as Iris matures and grows up. It's not all romance - there's plenty of drama and of course lots of fantastic surf detail. Be warned, though; the climax of the book will have your heart racing for an entirely different reason - it had me on the edge of my seat. Lisa Glass certainly knows how to end a chapter on a cliffhanger!
I would recommend this YA book for 14+. Published by Quercus, available now!"
Tamsyn Murray, An Awfully Big Blog Adventure
"Hilary: I LOVE the supportive female relationships portrayed here – even in competitive situations, and also between the generations. It’s always a big positive point for me to see fictional characters modelling respect and mutual regard, of which there cannot be too much in this world.
Moira: Absolutely right – and kindness, which is a hugely underrated quality. When push comes to shove, they’re all decent people: screwed up and wrong-headed at times, but decent … In fact the trilogy, although firmly rooted in the here and now has a quite touchingly old-fashioned heart.
Eve: I have to admit that this is my absolute favourite series ever and I will very much miss spending summers in Newquay with my adopted family, (if only!). I really hope that everyone making summer reading lists puts all of these books on it, right at the top because they are undoubtedly made for sun lounger binge-reading."
Vulpes Libris (three reviewers, discussing the three books together)