Review by Alissa, Riverside School 
'Birdy Arbuthnot’s Year of ‘Yes’’ by Joanna Nadin is an amazing book. The epistolary form made me feel like Birdy trusted me with her deepest secrets and that made it so immersive for me; it felt like I was being brought along with all the drama. Getting to know new characters and a new environment felt like I personally knew them and they were my very own friends on my very own adventure. For example, watching Charlie finally allowing herself to accept help and advice after going through many hardships-one being miscarriage-made me feel like a proud mother but also inspired me to not be afraid to ask for help. Watching Birdy (Margaret) gain independence and earn her freedom in SoHo showed me that nothing is impossible if you really want it. Not only that, but the 60s isn't explored very often so being able to see the struggles of different groups of people, during a time that people nowadays assume was accepting of diversity, helped me realise how long people fought for acceptance and rights. It was a new experience that showed the hardships people faced in their daily lives for who they were or even what they wanted to do; they had to take the safe and/or easy option because they didn't have many opportunities. But the characters in the book persevered and showed me that anything is possible. It was uplifting. It was comforting. It was excellent. And I really love it and will never stop recommending it to people. 

Review by Clara, King Edward’s School, Witley 
Birdy Arbuthnot's Year of 'Yes' is my new favourite feel-good book! It had everything you would want from a comforting, cosy and charming novel. From the witty, interesting characters who surround Birdy on her journey to the real, human emotions she conveys through the diary-style writing that is so perfectly appropriate for her as a person. 

The characters in this book had to be my all-time favourites! In this lively, unconventional household, no one is ordinary. From the loud, charismatic and bubbly Charli to the reserved, loving and wise Rollo, who guided Birdy to make the right decisions and helped her through some of the lowest moments of her life.  

Birdy was a youthful, energetic chatterbox with a kind soul and good heart. Although she often messed up, she always tried to do what was best for the people she loved and always tried to help them in whatever way she could (even if it meant for big arguments from time to time). Her witty insights into the lives of those around her led to a fun, light and cheerful book where time slowly slipped away from me as I read for hours on end.  

Through her mistakes and successes, you see her develop, not only as a character, but as a friend, daughter and housemate. She embodies what it means to find your place in the world. Through navigating friendship problems, family issues and grief, she shows the unfiltered side of growing up, making mistakes and finding where you belong in the world.  Overall, this is a great choice for readers looking for a heartwarming story that will make you laugh, cry and smile in this coming-of-age novel. Because in Soho anything can happen (and frequently does).