Wealthy, popular Charlotte and quiet, working class Drew couldn’t be more different, but both face a common enemy at Cooke’s Academy in the form of the Stewards – an elite group of students whose power to manipulate school culture is feared by pupils and teachers alike. Drew, a newcomer to Cooke’s, must navigate the strict codes of masculinity laid down by the Stewards in order to have a hope of moving on to university, while Charlotte dreams of speaking freely about the constraints and abuses of the culture which is propelling her towards a life she’s not sure she wants. Through drag art and poetry the unlikely pair follow a dangerous trajectory which will lead them closer to one another and further away from the paths laid out for them.

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"Loved this book. So very real with characters to root for."

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"Emotional, gripping, and so, so real."

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"Real. Gritty. Heart-wrenching. Thought-provoking."

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"Particularly sharp observations on class in Northern Ireland."

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"McMillan depicts with clarity the aggressions, small and large, of the classism and patriarchy that wear down their spirits."

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"This excellent Northern Irish YA coming of age novel follows the two main character’s lives as they struggle to work out who they are and what they stand for." 

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"It is refreshing to read literature for young people coming out of contemporary Northern Ireland ... it is good to see that writers like McMillan are now continuing the canon."

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"A thought-provoking and extremely heartfelt read, well worth checking out."

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"An incredible and hard-hitting novel ... I binged this book in one sitting."

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"I loved this brilliant YA from the very first page ... I loved the sprinkling of poetry throughout this gripping story too."

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"A powerful exploration of the human experience, offering a timely commentary on the complexities of teenage life and the enduring power of resilience and truth. McMillan's masterful storytelling and insightful commentary make this novel a must-read for readers of all ages, especially teens who can better connect with the characters."

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"This is exciting, gripping and so real!" 

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"Just beautiful coming of age story."

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"A delicate and candid depiction of two teens’ efforts to shape their uncertain futures while navigating weighty issues."

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"Shirley-Anne McMillan's writing is bold, brave and full of integrity. Grapefruit Moon is an up-to-the-minute, but also timeless coming-of-age story -- heartfelt, gutsy and complex." 

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"The plot kept me turning the pages and whilst the book addresses some serious current social issues there is plenty of warmth and humour as well. I was moved, entertained and challenged. Highly recommended for young adults and oldies like me too!" 

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"The characters and the settings were so real and by the end I found myself feeling really sad that the book had come to an end. Everything was so believable and you could picture it as tv series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, read it under a day." 

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"Brilliant, well fleshed out characters and I can completely imagine it all happening in real life. Actually made me cry! It was so moving." 

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"A fantastic read."