AMELIA WESTLAKE WAS NEVER HERE

"Amelia Westlake Was Never Here"

By Erin Gough

 Today, I completed my monthly reading journey with "Amelia Westlake Was Never Here" by Erin Gough. Discovering this book during a visit to my nearby local Half Price Books was a steal. I had no idea that I would be stepping into a sharp-witted, queer romantic comedy that followed the journey of two initially incompatible girls who set aside their differences and collaborated to create a hoax to expose the flaws in their elite private girls school.

The novel is told in alternating first person point-of-views of both characters. Meet Harriet Price, the epitome of the ideal student – affluent, intelligent, and a high achiever. In contrast, Will Everhart is a rebellious spirit who confronts injustice head-on. When their swim coach's inappropriate behavior is hushed up, these unlikely partners begrudgingly join forces. Together, they embark on a mission to unveil his transgressions, employing daring pranks and conjuring the fictional persona of Amelia Westlake. This imaginative student becomes a symbol of resistance, aiding them in rectifying the numerous injustices within their privileged institution. They conceived Amelia Westlake as a catalyst for transformation within their school, a dynamic agent to confront sexism and inequality head-on. Allegedly, Amelia played a pivotal role in crafting incisive cartoons that called out teachers, masterminding intricate test score schemes, and shedding light on the unjust practices of the school administration. 

Will thinks Harriet is stuck up and Harriet thinks Will doesn’t care about anything, but thanks to their created pseudonym of Amelia Westlake, these girls ignite the flame needed to inspire their peers to confront the issues within the school. As their collective voices grow louder, genuine change starts to unfold. Moreover, the collaboration between Will and Harriet as Amelia not only drives meaningful progress but also strengthens the bond between them, that eventually leads to romantic feelings for each other. 

This book delves into a myriad of significant and profound themes. The protagonists, both of whom identify as queer, navigate a narrative where several members of administration, family and certain peers are not understanding with their open sexuality. The book further delves into a comprehensive examination of sexual assault, carefully scrutinizing its defining elements on this important and sensitive topic. 

 I would give the book a 4 out of 5-star rating. While I might not revisit it, I'm eager to delve into Erin Gough's other novel, "Amelia Westlake," and draw comparisons between the two. However, that adventure will have to wait for another day.