This book hit me like a ton of bricks had my emotions everywhere , I've suffered with anxiety low self esteem so I could really relate to this story . Llewella character has everything going for her straight A student , her own blog , but here the problem or so she thinks she chubby and at school full of skinny white girls who are very much above there self's if you as me, she never had a best friend , so when she meets Anentha she things her lucks in , I found her very manipulative I don't want to give to much away I really feel that as a young girl in society these days should read this I think it open many young girls eyes , I felt that Natasha was trying to get across that you need to be your own person find your happy and the right people will find you. that you can be your own hero and never let someone push you into anything you don't want to do be happy in you own skin . can not recommend this book enough

I was totally gripped by this book, rooting for the narrator/main character, Llewella Williams (aka Loo), all the way through. Loo had previously overcome a mental health issue, only for it to re-emerge when she forms a friendship with a new girl at her school, Aretha. It very quickly becomes an unhealthy relationship and results in a decision Loo deeply regrets afterwards. Loo's internal struggle to assert her own identity and find her own path is one we could probably all recognise to some degree from our teenage years. It's part and parcel of growing up. Having the mental health issues exaggerates the challenge however. Luckily, Loo has people around her who care and help her come to terms with past events and chart a way forward and out of the toxic relationship with Aretha. Note to other readers: there is a little swearing and drug use - but the latter is one thing Llewella does have strong and steadfast views on and is not tempted! There is a helpful list of organisations that support people with the mental health issues that Llewella has at the end of the book.

I couldn't put this book down. I was mesmerised by how Natasha Devon wrote loos perspective of toxic friendship, and the realisation at the end.

As the parent of a teenage girl, I found Toxic disturbing. Poor Llewella has self esteem issues that new girl Aretha ruthlessly exploits out of jealousy. It's wonderfully written and the author clearly remembers what it was like to be a teenager herself. I loved the Welshness in the books. It's been a long time since I heard the words nain and taid. My nain got me through my difficult teenage years single-handedly. I recommend this book to anyone with friendship group issues and everyone who feels that they aren't enough.

This was such a wonderful story involving so many important themes, the main one was the impact of a toxic friendship but the author also explored mental health in general and race issues. The story follows young LLewella (Loo) who has been recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and she also finds it hard to make friends. Loo is smart so she does very well at school and is an aspiring writer, she has a very successful blog where she reviews restaurant toilets. When Aretha comes along she is like a sparkly object full of charisma but is not all she seems and soon the relationship spirals into something altogether more toxic! Stories about toxic friendships are so important for teenagers so they can spot the red flags, this book also helps them understand what true friendship looks like. It also offers food for thought on how to respond to friends who have mental health problems and fosters empathy by allowing you inside Loo's mind as she learns to live with anxiety. I also found the conversations about race and privilege really interesting and it’s another important topic that people should be aware of. On a personal note I really loved the fact Loo was half Welsh as I too am half Welsh, I also grew up in England and had a Nain and Taid back in Wales. Would definitely recommend this book it’s well written and the characters were so real to me I was sad to let them go at the end.