This Is Me Trying

by Jenna Adams

Overview

A contemporary YA romance novel exploring sexual consent, mental health, and co-dependency. 

When 14-year-old Brook and 17-year-old Matt are cast as romantic leads in their school's theatre performance of Romeo and Juliet, they didn't mean to actually fall in love. Brooke considers secrets and lies a small price to pay for a relationship with an older guy, until she discovers that Matt's role in taking their relationship to the next level one night was illegal. When her anxiety reaches breaking point, she makes a decision that changes her life forever.

Years later and now adults, Matt is reunited with Brooke, desperately seeking redemption. Can they both find the strength to forgive one other, or is it too late?

Told in three acts this captivating debut reveals a young woman’s journey for independence as she strays away from everything she has ever known to navigate her traumatic past.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781917275101
Publisher:	Neem Tree Press
Publication date:	05/13/2025
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	5.08(w) x 7.80(h) x (d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Jenna Adams is a London-based author. She began writing at the age of fourteen and now writes from her third-floor flat, which is full of houseplants. She has written for a variety of publications including The Book Network, Brook Charity, and The Content Wolf, and is passionate about exploring mental health, consent, and codependency in her writing.

Editorial Reviews

"A nuanced reflection on relationships, both with others and ourselves. This book is a stark reminder of the need for high quality, non-judgemental Relationships and Sex Education for all young people."—Brook Sexual Health & Wellbeing Charity 

"A testament to the importance of comprehensive and inclusive Relationships and Sex Education, Can I Stray proves to be a thoughtful and engaging read which captures the essence of the 2020s. I couldn't put it down."—Sexpression charity UK 

"Love, confusion, hurt, heartbreak, darkness, growth, compassion, loneliness...this story weaves in so much and I quickly became invested in each character and what the future might hold for them. Can I Stray should be in every school library."—Grace Alice O’Shea, sex & intimacy specialist and author of Sex Educated

“Thought-provoking, harrowing, and ultimately uplifting, this explores culpability, co-dependency, and coming to a state of independence in the wake of a traumatic teenage relationship.” —LoveReading

From the Publisher