I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Published by Hodder & Stoughton on January 3, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction
Pages: 323
Format: Arc
Source: Publisher
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A spellbinding debut novel by an exceptional new young British talent.
This is a book about phobias and obsessions, isolation and dark corners. It's about families, friendships, and carefully preserved secrets. But above everything else it's about love. Finding love - in any of its forms - and nurturing it.
Miss Hayes has a new theory. She thinks my condition's caused by some traumatic incident from my past I keep deep-rooted in my mind. As soon as I come clean I'll flood out all these tears and it'll all be ok and I won't be scared of Them anymore. The truth is I can't think of any single traumatic childhood incident to tell her. I mean, there are plenty of bad memories - Herb's death, or the time I bit the hole in my tongue, or Finners Island, out on the boat with Sarah - but none of these are what caused the phobia. I've always had it. It's Them. I'm just scared of Them. It's that simple.
Told from the perspective of Greg from his diary entries, Alice and the Fly shows that he lives an isolated life, singled out as a ‘psycho’ by his peers and parents that seem to ignore him. The diary is Greg’s sanctuary, it contains his inner-most dreams, his secrets and his hopes.
There are so many emotions in this book that it is extremely difficult to not be charmed and engaged by Greg. You will be left a little emotionally drained, a little heart-broken, and wanting to give Greg a big hug at certain parts.
I loved the mystery from the transcripts, what had happened? Why had it happened? And more importantly when was I going to find out? They also allowed for the reader to have insight into the other character’s perspectives rather than just Greg.
This is a haunting debut, and I cannot wait to see what else Rice writes Alice and the Fly is a sweet and touching story which you find unforgettable.
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