The Reboot

by Clodagh Murphy

4 out of 5

Synopsis

Two old friends. One new beginning. And a secret that could tear them apart.

Ella and Roly have bright futures ahead of them when they meet as teenagers and strike up an unlikely friendship. She has her career in academia all mapped out, and his star is in the ascendant as member of a manufactured boy band.

But ten years later, neither is where they expected to be. A chronic illness forced Ella to abandon her studies and put her dreams on hold, while Roly got kicked out of the band and lost everything – all his money, his career in music, even the underwear-model girlfriend. 

When they cross paths again they’re both ready to start over, and they rekindle their friendship as they each try to get back what they lost.

But Ella didn’t tell Roly what really happened the last time they met. And if he finds out, will it be the end of their new beginning?

Review

Ella and Roly haven't talked in ten years, but they find they have so much in common, as both their lives are stalling, as their friends surge ahead.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The narrative is split between our two main characters.

Roly was once in the biggest boy band in the world, but was kicked out when his drinking and drugs problem became public. He did his stint in rehab, and stayed sober since; but has otherwise failed at everything, and has completely disappeared from the public eye.

His latest drama, is that his trusted accountant embezzled all his money, and died; leaving Roly in a financial pinch. He takes on his old friend Ella as a roommate, to get some income; but finds a like-minded girl - together they can rebuild their lives.

Ella is just your average girl, who happened to be friends with a guy at school who became a huge popstar.

She had her own plans - she was bright, and wanted to pursue a PhD, and she had the perfect intelligent boyfriend, with the same intellectual ambitions. But it all fell apart after uni, when she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (aka M.E.). For a long time, she didn't have the energy to leave the house, and has tried to get by working remotely, doing little odd jobs for clients. Her social interactions have dissolved, only existing on Facebook.

Now that she feels better, she is keen to get started with life; but it's so hard to work out how to catch up with her friends and her ex, when they are miles ahead.

Hmm... a story about a girl with M.E. who falls for her housemate - no wonder I was drawn to this book!

I thought the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was approached well. Everyone's experience with it is different (mine has never left me housebound like poor Ella). I thought it was realistic, and there were some authentic and varied reactions to those around her (especially the stark difference in how Roly and ex-Andrew treat her).

Roly is just a sweetie (for the most part). Despite his time with the band, travelling the world and experiencing so much at a young age; he's still so naive. He doesn't feel like he belongs anywhere, and doesn't connect with many people, because the fact he use to be famous hangs over his head.

I liked following Ella and Roly's story. They're not in the first flush of youth, and it was good to read about people who don't have the perfect lives they dreamt of as kids; but found their calling along the way.

The not-so-good.

I thought there were some very cheesy moments romantically, that just had the opposite effect on me. (Like the first time they get together...)

I also didn't like the casual drug use. I know that Roly is a ex-drug addict, and that it is traditionally part of 'sex, drugs and rock&roll'; but it featured in various scenes with nothing more of a mention that people are doing lines. Even Ella mentions coke being part of a school party.

Overall, this was a sweet book about letting go of old dreams and finding new ones.

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