This book is real, relatable and very human. The main character, Danny, narrates the story in his Geordie accent, which gives it just that bit more; like your pal is telling you the story in confidence. His accent annoyed me a bit at first, but I quickly got used to it and I even grew fond of Danny and his accent.

It is more of a Middle Grade than a YA, which is what I usually read, but I think it was mature and real and could really help and inform Middle Grade children. It portrays the helplessness that kids in domestic violence situations experience and deals with this in a mature, but humorous way. Danny messes up but he grows and learns, and I think he is a relatable character to people his age.

The story itself is realistic and does not just explain Danny's point of view, but his parents' too, and even Callum's. It humanises every character in the story and gives them their own voice. It is clear where their portrayal is influenced by Danny's narration and where it is accurate and true to what is actually happening. This explains to us why Danny does what he does, but also why other characters do as they do.

Me Mam, Me Dad, Me is unique and real, and I hope it will become as influential as it has the potential to be.

Thanks to Head of Zeus/Zephyr for the ARC, which was provided for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A raw, honest story about a boy who struggles with the knowledge that his mother is in an abusive relationship. A strong Geordie voice brings Danny to life, and although his initial wish - for his biological father to return and kill his mother's boyfriend - is far-fetched, it's understandable and relatable, as Danny so obviously loves his mother and wants to protect her but can't. The characters are well-drawn and realistic, and soon you will find yourself hoping for Danny's extraordinary dream to come true. A lovely debut with a unique voice.

Really sweet book with interesting characters and good messages, by and large. I liked the northern setting too.

The narrator is 14 year old boy from Newcastle (a northern town in England), which alongside the majority of the book's characters narrates with a Geordie accent. Personally I'm familiar with the accent so it wasn't a problem but a warning for readers who aren't familiar, it might take a bit of getting used to.

I did feel that some of his thoughts and reactions would have been from someone a bit younger than 14 and while the difficult issues we're handled well and captured a lot of helplessness of the situation, it perhaps didn't offer many solutions for children facing family domestic voilence issues.

While the book is about a difficult subject, it is an easy read with a some great humour and warmth and a great character I thoroughly enjoyed reading about.

A heartbreaking and heartwarming story told from the point of view of a young Geordie boy. There are some epic twists in this book and I had my heart in my mouth for so much fo it.

This book really tugged atthe heartstrings and will stay with me for a long time. It’s a gut wrenching story about the lengths a boy will go to to save his mam and the bond between a single parent and their child. I loved how authentically it was written in a young Geordie voice and how sensitively the subject of domestic violence as viewed by a child was treated.

A very thought-provoking read about an issue young adults must deal with that is probably well hidden within our schools. It was nice to read a local book and, for me, the voice was one I could hear vividly as I read. I wonder how this will translate across regions? I think this raised issues kept buried with sensitivity and without over-dramatisation which was very effective. A range of important issues to be discussed in a classroom.

Danny is a 14 year old boy living in Newcastle with his Mum. Life isn't perfect but it suits Danny just fine! Along comes, Callum, Mum's new boyfriend and from the outside it looks like everything they could wish for but truly isn't.
This book is moving and we feel all the angst and fear of the teenage Danny as he watches his Mum allow herself to be manipulated. Danny makes mistakes - as you might expect - but he is crafted with such warmth that you cannot help but take him into your heart and you want to reach out and give him the hug you know he needs.
Some difficult topics are dealt with here and so whilst it might not always be a comfortable read, it is engaging and I hope will encourage its young readers to empathy whilst still enjoying meeting a great character.

A really great family read, Danny is a lovely character who just wants to play football and look after his Mum, a hard subject dealt with very well in a sensitive manner.

A moving coming-of-age story about a teenage boy in the North of England.

Me Mam... handles difficult issues with aplomb and I think, while perhaps not offering many solutions for the children of families with domestic violence issues, it at least captures a lot of the helplessness they feel. I would definitely recommend this book for young men and boys as I think it would offer a great chance to see themselves in the characters.

I was looking for a really human and relateable novel when I came across this one and I feel that’s exactly what I got.

It’s told from the perspective of a teen boy, which the prose reflects perfectly in his inner thoughts, short answers and outlandish ideas.

The novel itself deals with some pretty tough issues that too many people face in childhood and in adulthood, but it handles them well.

I don’t want to give too much away but the ending is almost fairy-tale like but in a harsher and more gritty way. This novel would be great for a young-adult library.

I’m looking forward to more by Duffy!

Me Mam. Me Dad. Me. is a sad and funny young adult novel about a teenage boy trying to protect his mam from domestic violence. Danny lives in Newcastle with his mam and his mam’s new boyfriend Callum, who at first seems great, with a fast car and big house. But soon Callum’s anger starts to show, and Danny can think of only one solution: to hunt down the dad he’s never known, and get his dad to sort out Callum. Hiding his plan from his mam and his girlfriend Amy, he sets off for Edinburgh to try and make things better.

The first person narrative shows the difficulties Danny has with telling people what is wrong and finding ways of helping his mam, having to take advice based on surreptitious questioning. Written in a Geordie accent, the book shows Danny’s thought processes and logic as he decides to hunt down his dad to help. The novel’s subject matter is of course important, but what is also significant is the fact this story is told through a typical football-loving teenage boy also going through the ups and downs of having a first girlfriend, a character who feels very realistic and grounded.

Me Mam. Me Dad. Me. is a fresh reminder that young adult books don’t have to be quirky romances and unlikely indie scenarios, but can also be based in real issues and locations whilst still having humour.