Can't Say it Went to Plan

Gabrielle Tozer — 2021

From the award-winning author of The Intern, Faking It and Remind Me How This Ends. School's out. Forget study, exams and mapping out the future. For the next seven days, the only homework is partying with friends, making new ones and living in the moment. There are no parents or curfews - and no rules. Zoe, Samira and Dahlia are strangers, but they have something in common: their plans for a dream holiday after their final year of school are flipped upside-down before they even arrive at the beach. From hooking up and heartache, to growing apart, testing friendships and falling in love, anything can go down this week. PRAISE 'This novel is Tozer at her best-it has the humour of The Intern paired with the emotional depth of Remind Me How This Ends, on top of a diverse cast of characters. Can't Say it Went to Plan provides a cinematic read with movie-like moments in which you can practically hear the soundtrack swell.' — Books + Publishing 'In Can't Say it Went to Plan, she's taking rites of passage in teenagerdom and giving them a hilarious and honest platform, and there's something here for everyone. It is tender, true and wonderful - as all of Tozer's coming-of-age stories are.' — Danielle Binks, author of The Year the Maps Changed and editor and contributor to Begin, End, Begin 'A delightful romp with such relatable and poignant characters. I had a blast spending the week with Zoe, Samira and Dahlia.' — Wai Chim, author of The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling 'Gabrielle has written a story with so much joy, humour and heart. It was a holiday in the very best way.' — Kirsty Eagar, author of Summer Skin 'Gabrielle Tozer vividly brings to life the magic and madcap mishaps of the infamous rite-of-passage that is schoolies.' — Tara Eglington, author of My Best Friend is a Goddess and The Long Distance Playlist 'An ode to schoolies with a great big heart. I loved it. Absolutely nails the rollercoaster of emotions that is being eighteen.' — Jenna Guillaume, author of What I Like About Me and You Were Made for Me 'Nobody captures what it's like to stand on the edge of the rest of your life quite like Gabrielle Tozer. Can't Say it Went to Plan is honest and affirming, and an absolute joy to read.' — Will Kostakis, award-winning author of The Sidekicks and Monuments 'Tozer rejects the moral panic surrounding schoolies. Instead, this novel serves up a heart-warming celebration of the power of sisterhood and chosen family.' — Dannielle Miller, CEO Enlighten Education, parenting author and columnist 'This book perfectly captures the momentousness of finishing high school - the love, grief, fear and giddy joy of it all. It's Gabrielle Tozer at her finest, deftly painting complex characters and tugging on heartstrings. I loved every moment.' — Lili Wilkinson, author of After the Lights Go Out and The Erasure Initiative

Reviews

Samia Elashry@samias_reads

Jul 3, 2022

I received this book from Harper Collins Publishing!! I was so ecstatic when I got the book, so I just want to thank Harper Collins and Gabrielle Tozer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book! To be honest, I really was not sure what I was getting into when I started this book. I didn’t think of it as something I would typically pick up at the library or at a book store, but it blew me away! I went into the book, thinking it would just be a lighthearted story about a couple of teenagers and their summer after senior year. I thought it would be very surface level and not too interesting. But once I started the book and read the author’s note, I knew this story would draw me in and really make me connected to the characters. From the moment I started the first chapter to the end of the book, I was really captivated by the characters and the feelings they were dealing with and the ordeals they faced through the book! The characters were so well developed and interested! The novel really gave each of the characters a chance to grow and change over time. I love how the story followed each of the characters’ journey to find out who they truly are and who they will be in the real world, outside of high school!! I honestly loved seeing how each of the characters were connected throughout the novel! The writing was beautiful and I felt connected to multiple quotes! I loved the chance to read this ARC and would love to read anything else written by Gabrielle Tozer!

caro(lee)na@cisbusyreading

Aug 25, 2021