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Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Defined by Destiny is the first book in The Destiny Duology series by Hermione Lee. Kathleen Bell is heartbroken after her date, Weston Stevenson, leaves her stranded at Magneta High's fall dance. Soon, Kathleen realizes that it was the most popular girl in school, Marjorie Nguyen, who changed Weston's mind by telling him stories about Kathleen's mother, who killed herself years ago. Kathleen goes into a depressive state but finds solace in her best friend, Jenni Craig, a talented artist, and her blossoming friendship with Ryan Harte. After an encounter with her maternal grandparents, Kathleen learns about her mother's struggles with mental illness and starts doubting herself. Meanwhile, her relationship with Ryan continues to evolve, and she discovers something about Marjorie's past that creates an unexpected bond between them.
Defined by Destiny is a heartwarming romance for young adults. Author Hermione Lee tells a captivating tale about a teenager trying to navigate high school, love, and family secrets while dealing with her own depression, anxiety, and self-doubt. The novel touches upon issues related to mental health, bullying, and family pressure among adolescents who are going through transformational changes in their lives. Lee's characters act and talk like real-life teenagers, and it adds a certain authenticity to the narrative, which makes the story all the more immersive for the YA reader. I absolutely adored Kathleen and Jenni's friendship and was rooting for Kathleen and Ryan as a couple. All in all, this is a sweet romance that highlights a few relevant social issues. Young adult readers are in for a treat!
