Soulmates by Holly Bourne

Every so often, two people are born who are the perfect matches for each other. Soulmates. But while the odds of this happening are about as likely as being struck by lightning, when these people do meet and fall in love…thunderstorms, lightning strikes and lashings of rain are only the beginning of their problems.

Enter Poppy, the 17-year-old cynic with a serious addiction to banana milk, and Noah, the heart-throb guitarist; residents of mediocre Middletown, sometime students, and…soulmates. 

After a chance meeting at a local band night, Poppy and Noah find themselves swept up in a whirlwind romance unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before. But with a secret international agency preparing to separate them, a trail of destruction rumbling in their wake, (and a looming psychology coursework deadline), they are left with an impossible choice between the end of the world, or a life without love…

The story of Poppy and Noah was romantic but realistic; you know, apart from the creepy Big Brother anti-love thing. But more on that later. Poppy had no interest in boys so when there is news of a band with a hot guitarist, she spares barely a passing glance. But when she and her friends go to the gig, Poppy faints. Nothing new, she has this thing but seeing Noah seems to make it worse. Confused and conflicted, Poppy acts like a bit of a bitch the first time they speak, not surprising considering so-called friend Ruth is being rude, and she storms off. 

After that, they bump into each other a few more times and their strange spark is growing stronger. Ever the romantic, I found their story and growing attachment so very sweet and more importantly, entirely possible. The science behind the attachment is explained later, so in the middle of their love story, all you see is them understanding and bettering each other. But there were some interruptions, hinting at something much bigger and dangerous than two teens falling in love. 

I couldn't really fault Poppy; even though she was too young to be cynic, she was friendly and funny, talked her mouth off which was adorable. Oooh, and Noah! I think I've got a new book boyfriend! A bit of a self-assured douche at first, he melted with Poppy's interactions and the longer she knew him, the more layers he pulled back. The trust and understanding between them was heart warming, so much it hurt when I knew they were going to be pulled apart. 

The narrative and the characters were so very English, I loved it! Cups of teas, complaining about the weather and the "cheers m'dears" reminded me of everything I love and recognise. But the danger that lurked beneath the surface bubbled closer; the scientists across the pond watching with clinical fascination to their encounters, the weather going mad every time they touched and gradually getting worse. Which was scary-reading in the middle of a very real storm outside the window, let me tell you! 

I cannot rave about this book enough! The story was perfect, the characters were perfectly flawed and interesting and annoying, the narrative almost breaking the fourth wall with Poppy's whole 'I don't want to be a cliché!', and the love story broke my heart. I laughed, I cried, and I really want you to go read this! Now please!

Published 1st September 2013 by Usborne Publishing.