A page-turning and immersive YA novel in verse, telling the story of Lily who is mercilessly bullied at school and who turns to boxing in an attempt to fight back; a story of hope and resilience breaking through even the most difficult situations.

A page-turning and immersive YA novel in verse, telling the story of Lily who is mercilessly bullied at school and who turns to boxing in an attempt to fight back; a story of hope and resilience breaking through even the most difficult situations.

Lily turns sixteen with two very different sides to her life: school, where she is badly bullied, and home with her mum and dad, warm and comforting but with its own difficulties.

After a particularly terrible bullying incident, Lily's dad determines to give his daughter the tools to fight back.

Introducing her to boxing, he encourages Lily to find her own worth. It is both difficult and challenging but in confronting her own fears she finds a way through that illuminates her life and friendships.

Meeting Rose, and seeing that there is another world out there, enables her to live her own life fully and gives her the knowledge that she is both beautiful and worth it.

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'Stunning … Gloves Off punches in the guts' – Nicola Morgan, author of Blame My Brain

Shortlisted for the Bristol Teen Book Award
Shortlisted for the Hounslow and Ealing Teen Read
Shortlisted for the Warwickshire Secondary Book Award
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2021

"Gloves Off is a verse novel a girl who learns to fight back – literally and metaphorically. Reid tackles self-image, bullying and mother/daughter relationships in a way that will have you aching to finish the story. Reminiscent of Sarah Crossan and Jason Reynolds, this novel is a stunning achievement." - The Bookseller

"However hard she tries to fit in, Lily is constantly bullied and even beaten up because of her weight. But when her dad hangs up a punch bag for her, she begins, gradually, to discover her own strength, until eventually she stops trying to hide, and starts trying to win. Gloves Off is an intense, original and profoundly moving verse novel, filled with the fierce, hard joy of finding your power." - Guardian

"A beautiful, lyrical read. Buy it for your daughters - and your sons." - The Sun