Tori Spring, a natural cynic, was leading a normal teenage life until everything changed. Now, she struggles to sleep and blogs to pass the time. Her life is further complicated when an online organization called Solitaire appears at her school, and Michael Holden suddenly wants to be her friend.

Alice Oseman, mostly known for her popular serie Heartstopper, first began her writing career with Solitaire. The novel has a darker theme and features characters that also appear in Heartstopper, taking place a year later after Heartstopper Volume 1.

As a fan of Heartstopper, I sought out Oseman's other works and was pleased with what I found. While the book may have a few beginner errors, it is still an enjoyable read. Tori is one of my favorite characters, and I love that she is a cynical girl who slurps her lemonade. Delving into her backstory was both humorous and intense. Tori might appear unaffected by the events of Heartstopper, this novel reveals that she secretly has a lot to deal with, including issues like self-harm, eating disorders, and dark thoughts.

Although the themes can be heavy, the novel maintains a light tone. Additionally, there are several cameos from Nick and Charlie, making it a great read for fans. Overall, Solitaire is a promising start, to what I hope, will be many more great works from Oseman.