VeganYANerds: The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay by Rebecca Sparrow

Monday, 8 October 2012

The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay by Rebecca Sparrow

7:00 am | Posted by Mandee | | Edit Post

The Year Nick McGowan Came To Stay by Rebecca Sparrow
Published 2006 by UQP
Source: the library
Rating: 5 paws

From the blurb: It’s 1989 and seventeen year old Rachel Hill is the girl most likely to succeed. And the girl most likely to have everything under control... that is. Until her dad invites Nick McGowan, the hottest boy at school, to live with them. Rachel worries that it’s Blue Lagoon waiting to happen. Her best friend Zoe is convinced it’s a golden opportunity for lurve. But sparks fly for all the wrong reasons. Nick immediately labels Rachel as a spoilt, uptight Huey Lewis groupie. Rachel dismisses him as a lazy, beetroot-loving Ramones fan. But a secret from Nick’s past draws them together and makes the year Nick McGowan came to stay one that Rachel will never forget.

The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay by Rebecca Sparrow is set in Brisbane. The year is 1989, Rachel Hill is seventeen years old and is in the final year of high school. She has plans to study hard and win the clown award at her fast food chain job but when her parents offer to take in fellow student, Nick McGowan, her year gets turned upside down.

I've had this on my to-read list ever since I read another of Rebecca’s books, Joel & Cat Set the Story Straight, but I recently read Maggie’s review and knew I had to make this book a priority so I ran out and borrowed it from the library the same day.

Rachel is not the easiest character to like, she’s smart but she is also majorly bratty, rude and selfish. Although her conversations with best friend Zoe were hilarious (especially when they ask a psychic lettuce for advice) and the fact that she takes her clowning job seriously made me think of her as a mini Elliot from Scrubs, one of my favourite characters, ever. She’s not keen on popular Nick coming to stay because then he will know how dorky she and her parents are and tell everyone at school. She quickly decides to re-do her room and remove her Huey Lewis posters and replace them with Ramones posters but Nick sees right through that though he is never mean to her and I felt that Rachel should have given him a break but her lack of social skills was a little bit Bindy McKenzie-esque so she wasn't that good at being sensitive or nice.

I loved Nick, it was clear there was something going on with him yet he never took it out on Rachel and instead tried to be helpful to her parents. He’s also a smart little bugger and cleverly tricks Rachel into admitting something towards the end of the book. And I liked Rachel’s parents for taking him in and allowing him to do as he pleased. I also loved their family tradition of breaking bad news with some form of chocolate baked goods (chocolate crackles, brownies, jaffa pie, cupcakes) – at least Rachel gets a treat each time she gets told something she doesn't want to hear!

This book was so Eighties and I mean that in the best way, there were so many Aussie and Eighties references that just made this book for me, such as: Degrassi, working out your love score by counting the letters in your name and your crush’s, Holly Hobby, Felix the Cat, It’s a Knockout!, as well as mentions of classic daggy Eighties things like apricot chicken and shoulder pads.

This is a really quick book to read, so quick that I could see I was almost at the end but I didn't know how the story could get resolved in what little time it had left and while the ending wasn't what I expected or hoped for, I did appreciate it as it didn't feel forced or unrealistic. I desperately wished for a sequel right away and I am happy to know that The Girl Most Likely is a sequel, though it’s set ten years later.

The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay is an extremely funny and entertaining contemporary with lovable characters set to an Aussie/Eighties backdrop. I recommend it to all fans of contemp YA.

There are also lots of bands and songs mentioned throughout this book, in particular a couple of Huey Lewis tracks and I couldn't get them out of my head for weeks, so here are some links because I know you want them stuck in your head, too!

Labels: 5 stars, Australian, Australian Women Writers 2012 Reading Reviewing Challenge, aww2012, contemporary fiction, realistic fiction, Rebecca Sparrow, review, YA

32 comments:

YA Anonymous said...: Elliot + Bindy! That's perfect!! Great review, Mands. I'm so glad you liked it. I hope we ALL get Huey Lewis stuck in our heads. Muahahaha!; 8 October 2012 7:40 am
Adriana (BooksOnHerMind) said...: Are those cupcakes I see on the cover? Yum! ^__^
Hey! 1989 happens to be when my brother was born.
I like BOTH those bands. There is nothing wrong with Huey Lewis.
I like Nick already. Don't appreciate him labeling her as spoiled but she labels him too...
I usually like the guys more in the story and this seems to be a case where I'll be doing the same thing only because Nick gives her more credit than she does.
I honestly don't know how you got your cat to pose for you or even stay there. Cats can be tricky. Mine was rather mean but I loved her.
Her parents letting him do whatever he pleased isn't really realistic... maybe.
lol - psychic lettuce
That never happens! Having a sequel ten years later. I feel like I already know what's going to happen.
She’s Got Books on Her Mind; 8 October 2012 7:42 am
Sam said...: A psychic lettuce, you say? ;) Ha, this does sound like a fun book! 5 paws from you means instant add-to-list. I hadn't even heard of this book before, so thanks for drawing it to my attention. :); 8 October 2012 8:02 am
Ruby Ham :) said...: I'm new to this blog so this may sound stupid, but is that your cat? It's adorable! How did ya get it to sit still whilst you took the pic? I was going to take a picture of my cat for my blog but it started chasing it's tail the moment I put it next to the book :( Anyway, nice blog and I LOVE your blog button. If you ever get time could you perhaps pop round to my YA book blog and leave a comment or something? :P
Ruby - http://feedmebooksnow.blogspot.co.uk; 8 October 2012 8:21 am
Rachel said...: I read Maggie's review as well, and instantly added this to my TBR. I've read Joel and Cat Set the Record Straight and was cracking up through most of it so I know I need to get a move on and get my own copy with you and Maggie's recommend. Wonderful review. Didn't know there was a sequel but kind of nice to hear that, especially with your mention of how it didn't really end where you wanted it to. :); 8 October 2012 9:16 am
Kristen Evey said...: This sounds fantastic! I love when bloggers review older books that I've never heard of. This book is set in 1989? I'm already sold. Great review!; 8 October 2012 12:08 pm
Keertana said...: Yayy! K from The Midnight Garden and I are starting this one for a read-along tomorrow (Monday), so I am SO excited and thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this one so much, Mandee! It seems like such a cute, heartwarming, and light read which is exactly what I need, so I hope K and I love it as much as you did!(: Amazing review, hun!; 8 October 2012 12:43 pm
kit said...: I already had The Power of Love in my head as soon as I read "Huey Lewis"... ha! Sounds like a great book. I do like realistic endings, even if they aren't the ending I would have necessarily wanted. Great review!; 8 October 2012 7:26 pm
Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...: Oh, God, working out the love score, we used to do that too! (Like, 20 years ago.) I feel so darn old now.
I love the idea of bad news being softened by chocolate.. it's a tradition I might adopt.
Great review!; 8 October 2012 8:15 pm
Jo [Wear the Old Coat] said...: I love this review, Mandee! Maggie told me I had to read this one so, not one but TWO of my favourite reviewers recommended this one, who am I to refuse?

Also, ha, this book is set the year I was born. :); 8 October 2012 10:09 pm
Maree said...: Wow this sounds like so much fun! I shall save it for holidays when I need to give my brain a break hehe :); 8 October 2012 10:50 pm
Jennifer Messerschmidt said...: This sounds like a fun book! Definitely confused why Rachel wouldn't want a hot guy to move in?! LOL I am also wondering why he does have to move in? I'm guessing Nick has some problems but he suns really sweet and understanding. Curious what happens at the end that wasn't exactly what you wanted. I'm an HEA girl. Interesting that the sequel will take place 10 years later!; 8 October 2012 11:39 pm
Pooja. S said...: LOVED the Rachel-Elliot comparison! That was so spot on! I loved this book as well. It was so adorable. I want to read the sequel. I haven't gotten to it yet. Great review :); 9 October 2012 6:48 am
Leanne said...: Oh, this review is so full of win. :) I read Maggie's review and instantly knew that I had to read it, and five paws from you is no less encouraging. I love Aussie books set in the 80's (except for Preloved, there seems to be a lack of them, which is unfortunate) and the Psychic lettuce sounds ridiculously fun. :D; 9 October 2012 10:15 am
Jenn said...: This sounds really cool for all the 80s references. I'm glad that you enjoyed this one. :); 9 October 2012 10:52 am
Heidi said...: Mini Elliot from Scrubs!! I kind of love her neurotic nerdiness already. I love the 80s Aussie goodness...I especially love your inclusion of Phil Collins and Huey Lewis, bwahaha. This book just sounds like a lot of fun. I think if chocolate was always around when bad news was broken, I'd start having anxiety attacks every time I saw brownies. o.O; 9 October 2012 12:02 pm
Alex (A Girl, Books, OtherThings) said...: Sounds like a book I would really like! I think I might have to brave fishpond again, once my Quintana of Charyn gets here!

Thanks for the review, Rachel does sound a little bratty but I like the idea of Nick!

:D; 9 October 2012 4:10 pm
Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...: aww, it looks like your kitten liked the book too :) love the 80s theme; 10 October 2012 1:08 am
Magan @ Rather Be Reading said...: THIS SOUNDS SO GOOD! Added to my TBR list on Goodreads. Hopefully I can find a copy or order from The Book Depository. :); 10 October 2012 2:06 am
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...: Wow five paws! You have has some good ones lately, I am curious about the ending now....A sequel set ten years later that is different as well. I will definitely keep this on my radar!; 10 October 2012 4:55 am
Leanna (Daisy Chain Book Reviews) said...: I've never heard of this one before, but it sounds like a ton of fun! I'll be checking it out! :); 10 October 2012 6:53 am
Shooting Stars Mag said...: Oh sounds interesting. I like books that take place in the past...it's fun to see a different setting. I'm glad there is a sequel for you, kind of cool it takes place further in the future.; 10 October 2012 12:03 pm
Anna @annascottjots said...: Right, I am reading this one NEXT. It's decided. I adore Rebecca Sparrow. She's bloody hilarious. Brisbane books <3
Also, I now want to go and watch Back to the Future :); 12 October 2012 8:49 pm
speculatef said...: This sounds awesome! I checked with my library, and they have it! It's gone on my list :-)

Shaheen @ Speculating on SpecFic.; 16 October 2012 5:12 pm
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