What is your opinion?
Beautiful, Brutal And Painful!
"First and foremost, a nod of recognition to the author, Pip Spencer! 👏🏻 Inkitt, Wattpad and numerous other story platforms are saturated with cliché-filled tropey tales these days due to the skewed algorithm, so it was really nice to find a story with such a compelling plot, excellent writing, and genuine emotion, a true breath of fresh air. Let's start with the protagonist of the story, Amy, she is this shy, reserved girl, trying to be the perfect daughter, but life wasn't easy for her, the bullying, and being left out and isolated, because she didn't fit the status quo, we all been there once in our lives, I have lived it too, and it absolutely sucks, so I can relate to Amy and my heart really hurt for her. But then her life gets thrown into a complete chaos, when Skye walks back into her life, dragging her down into a rabbit hole and from that point on, we witness Amy's growth and transformation, but change isn't always for the better. As she spends more time with Skye, she develops a one-sided sense of codependency, becoming so fixated on impressing Skye and appearing cool in her eyes that she loses her sense of self. Her identity becomes entirely tied to Skye, and even as situations turn dangerous and events spiral out of control, I kept hoping she would find the courage to set boundaries and stand her ground. But then again, she was just a teenager in the 1980s. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the story was the pain Liz endured. Despite her efforts to be a good mother, especially following the divorce, she tried her best to support Skye and get her help until the very end. Reading the section about why Liz wanted to maintain contact with Amy was particularly heart breaking, it revealed the depth of her grief, which lingered even years, possibly decades, later. 😢💔 Overall, this was such a fantastic and emotional read. The writing was so beautiful, brutal, and painful all at the same time. Mia Vita!"
a journey
"Two Years is more than a coming-of-age story. it feels like a journey through youth, identity, and the difficult choices that shape who we become. The premise immediately caught my attention: a shy teenage girl in 1985 Christchurch longing to reinvent herself, only to be drawn into a world that is both thrilling and increasingly dangerous. The setting gives the novel a nostalgic atmosphere, while the characters make it feel personal and emotionally grounded. I especially appreciated that the story doesn't seem interested in offering easy answers. Instead, it explores friendship, belonging, and the consequences of the paths we choose. Amy's growth feels like the heart of the novel, and it kept me wanting to see where her journey would lead next. If you enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth, strong coming-of-age themes, and a touch of nostalgia, this is definitely worth picking up. Highly recommended. — The Inn Keeper ✨"
Gripping and beautifully told
"When you know how the story ends from the beginning, the author has a big job ahead of them to make you invest in the characters. I have to say that without a doubt, this story, told from the narrative perspective of Amy, an adult looking back on her early teenage adventures with her rebellious best friend Skye, hooked me hard and got me caring about these two girls, living vicariously through them but also worried sick about the both of them, rooting for them at every turn. Skye is like a mythical creature - enticing and addicting, but also cruel and infuriating. When her light shines on Amy, she experiences a high that beats any drug. But it’s cold in the dark of Skye’s shadow. Nearly every chapter of this story leads Amy and Skye closer to the inevitable, testing Amy’s boundaries and limits as to how far down the rabbit hole she is willing to follow Skye. Watching “good girl” Amy live this double life her family and school people know nothing about was gripping and managed to keep me in suspense, biting my nails at what was going to happen next. And for the end of the story to still be surprising, that’s an impressive feat. The story is told without prejudice or irony, and with a straightforward and earnest tone that feels authentic. It’s descriptive in a way that pulled me right into its vivid imagery, and made me wish to experience the sights and sounds of the scene and time period. If this was a film or a tv series (and it totally could be, in a PEN15 meets Christiane F. kind of way with a FMC relationship that has strong Susanna and Lisa vibes from Girl, Interrupted) it would have some epic psychedelic visuals and a killer soundtrack. All of this is to say, this was a fantastic, emotional and compelling read. I loved it."
Poignant
"It took me a while to think of how to review this as it struck close to home for me. I live a short drive from where the story is set so everything felt that extra bit vivid and real. The story of someone feeling like an outcast and finding a place with other people who she sees as outcasts also resonated and while my path didn't go as dark and dangerous as hers it does kind of ring like a sign of what could have been. The only negatives I have which honestly don't hamper the story that much are there does seem to be a few threads that just taper off, which on one hand lends to that vivid realism but in a story it can be a bit distracting wondering where a character went or what the story was with something. Also there are a couple of statements towards the end which I'm not sure land the way they are meant to. In the end though I really enjoyed this and would thoroughly recommend it!"
A Quietly Devastating Coming-of-Age Tale – Haunting and Beautiful
"A Quietly Devastating Coming-of-Age Tale – Haunting and Beautiful *Two Years* by Pip Spencer is a deeply atmospheric, emotionally layered novel that lingers long after the final page. What begins as a teenage girl’s yearning for belonging in 1980s Christchurch quietly transforms into a haunting meditation on memory, loss, and identity. The way the story drifts between timelines—Amy’s youth and her reflective adulthood in 2017—creates a dreamlike, almost ghostly resonance. Spencer captures the confusion and thrill of adolescence with heartbreaking clarity. Skye, the wild and enigmatic friend, becomes more than just a character—she’s a force, a temptation, a shadow Amy never quite escapes. What makes this book stand out is its authenticity. The writing is restrained yet poetic. There’s no need for melodrama—the emotional power comes from subtlety: a remembered street on Google Maps, an awkward condolence email, the feeling of walking through your past and realizing it's never really left you. This is not a fast-paced thriller, but rather a slow burn of recollection and revelation. It’s perfect for readers who appreciate literary fiction with emotional honesty and quiet intensity. *Two Years* aches in all the right places. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Profound, nostalgic, and exquisitely written. "
