by Laura Taylor Namey
ISBN: 9781665915335
Published: September 26, 2023

**I received a copy of the book through NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.**

A death in the family and facing significant life decisions serve as the impetus for Flora to leave Winchester, England, and spend the summer in Miami, Florida. Like a hurricane, she simply takes what she needs and leaves everything else behind.

Flora’s trip across the ocean only somewhat mirrors Lila’s visit to Winchester in A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. Momentous changes in their lives push them to seek out different environments. While Lila is forced to go to Winchester, Flora makes the decision alone. Where A Cuban Girl’s Guide radiated warmth with its cover and Lila’s love for cooking, A British Girl’s Guide is cooler with the use of color on the cover as well as Flora’s desire to be behind the camera, observing and keeping a distance. It reflects Flora’s confusion as she searches for who she is and what her path might be. 

While she may be unsure about many things, the importance of taking pictures remains a constant. Flora expresses herself through photography, which allows her greater control over what she focuses on or includes. This is the same kind of control she is searching for in her life. Namey brilliantly incorporates the analogy of framing throughout the novel as Flora begins to not only understand herself better but to shift her mindset away from what she lacks.

The book description alludes to a potential love triangle. I was hesitant to pick this one up because of it, but it becomes pretty obvious that it is less a love triangle and more Flora trying to understand what it is she wants and be willing to pursue it. If you’re averse to love triangles and thinking about skipping this one because of it, be assured that this one only ever has potential.

Flora’s story is one of healing. Just as she learned to reframe and allow the light in, I was able to do the same thing alongside her. A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricane and Heartbreak arrived at the perfect time to allow me to reflect and refocus. Laura Taylor Namey is becoming one of my favorite contemporary YA authors.