Seriously loved this book! This is an emotional story following the perspectives of two young people, Violet and Freddie. It covers a wide variety of sensitive subjects including homelessness and drug taking. Was sad when it came to an end. Definitely going to purchase this book as a gift for friends.

A great book for YA. The storyline was inventive. I liked both the main characters and felt they acted and spoke how teens often do. A good balance of humour, sadness and coming-of-age issues. Recommended.

The story of Freddie and Violet.

Freddie being homeless was hard to read. Seeing how he suffered with being invisible to everyone when he was seen as unkempt. Then learning how and what it took to be seen.

Violet sacrificing for her brother and finding out relationships are not always what they appear to be.

This book was heartbreaking to me. It is tough knowing there are people out there similar to Freddie that needs a Violet in their life. I would recommend reading this book.

This is a wonderful book. I finished it in almost one sitting, reading late into the night. It tackels themes of grief and kindness well, and also gives some valuable insight into homelessness, (in particular, how people see - or don't see- the homeless, and how reactions vary according to perception). The two main characters, Freddie and Violet are beautifully created and despite some minor implausibilities, the story is nonetheless easy to fall into and believe in. I was rooting for both characters from early on in the story, (I initially expected Violet to be an unlikeable character and was pleasantly surprised by her) and was impressed by the strong role models both characters present without being stereotypically good. Violet lies; Freddie steals, but both do it for good reason and I was on their side throughout. Their is much sadness in the book, but the overwhelming message is friendship. love and compasion, kindness of strangers, and understanding. I highly recommend this book and it should be given shelf space in every school library.

What a beautiful story.
It's been a while since I read any YA and well, I enjoyed every second of this.

Freddie's story is heart-wrenching and touching and warm and just... ooof I want to give him a cuddle! The relationship he builds with Violet and her family is so sweet. I genuinely would read a sequel to this because I so want to see them living a happy life.

Written in 3rd person narrative, but with a dual POV (alternating chapters), we get to see how both Freddie and Violet develop and help each other grow. Freddie learns to open up and accept help. Violet (who comes from a wealthier background) learns to see past outward appearances and the meaning of true friendship.

"Being homeless, that's kind of what you become: invisible. In a way, that's the worst thing about it."

Although not going into too much detail, the book accurately and honestly tackles the issues of homelessness, depression, grief, and bullying. Not something I would usually pick up, but I'm so glad I did. Thurlbourn's style of writing is clear with steady pacing, wonderfully descriptive (she picks out little details from everyday scenes), and emotive.

"Surely, people wouldn't give more money to someone who looked as if they needed it less?"

A definite recommendation from me!

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC copy.

With raw emotion from the first page The Bot Who Lived in the Ceiling is a poignant examination of grief and how it manifests in different ways.

Freddie, abandoned by his father and step mother, is living on the streets just trying to scrape by while shouldering an unknowable pain. In a chance encounter he witnesses the Johnson family leaving for vacation. When Violet Johnson’s notebook stops the door from closing properly Freddie only means to close the door but is easily tempted by the warm empty house. What follows is a heartbreaking story of people coming together and falling apart. Thurlborn does an excellent job at painting the intricacies of grief, homelessness, depression, and addiction.

This is an emotional story following the perspectives of two young people, Violet and Freddie. Violet is a girl who recently moved schools and has parents who argue quite frequently. Freddie is a homeless boy who finds himself living in Violet’s house while she and her family are on vacation. When they come back sooner than expected, Freddie becomes trapped in the attic. The two grow close after Violet discovers Freddie.

Due to its short length, this was a quick read. However, this doesn’t mean it was completely lighthearted. As mentioned before, this story does deal with homelessness, but sexual assault and grief were also topics discussed in this novel. What I loved about this book is the importance it placed on such topics, the lovable characters, and the relationship between them.

I thought this book was lovely. Freddie was my favorite POV because he was the underdog and I related to that. The only thing that I did not like was the narration. I just couldn’t fully get into it because of it. But the storyline was really cute and I would probably try to read again but in physical form because I might be able to get into it better. But overall it was a lovely book.

Freddie is a homeless teenager whose family has rejected him. He feels hopeless and unworthy. Violet had been happy and popular until she had to leave her friends and go to a new school and is bullied. Due to circumstances that you can read about, Freddie winds up living in Violet's attic, although she and her family are not aware that he is there. When they do meet, they slowly become friends and help each other with their problems. The story is heartwarming and it takes on the issues of bullying and homelessness.

I got to read this as my first e-book ARC from NetGalley and honestly, it may be one of my favorite reads of 2021 so far. It’s such a wholesome, heart-wrenching book. The characters, their developments, their relationships, the plot, the writing, all of it comes together to create this beautiful story showing us the hardships that we can be faced with at any age, and how they could be overcome by chance, meeting that one right person at the right time.  

Freddie is just the most adorable, caring character that your heart goes out to as he struggles with some inner demons of his own. Violet is a sweet and compassionate teenager, juggling a new school and trying to keep her family from falling apart while also trying to give the boy in the ceiling something that resembles a normal life, a home. 

This book deals with a lot of issues; homelessness, family, friendship, bullying, trauma, grief, mental health. It makes you feel for the characters and aware of these things that people face on a daily basis, that the suited person you pass on the street could have a huge amount going on in their lives, be really struggling, and hiding it all behind a smile.
It’s both heart-warming and heart-breaking, I cannot recommend it enough!

Thank you NetGalley for letting me discover this beautiful book!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read. Very interesting story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved Freddie and Violet and the way their friendship and relationship developed. I love that the way they really began communicating was through books.

I loved the themes of friendship, love, hope, forgiveness and new beginnings.

Loved this book about being homeless, loss, grief, family, friends, and new beginnings. Told from alternating point of views, Freddie and Violet, we find Freddie is homeless after being kicked out of his house, and Violet, whose house Freddie ends up in accidentally when he sees the family leave for vacation. When the family comes back, Freddie finds a spot to live in in the ceiling. Eventually Violet finds out he’s up there and makes it easier for him to live there and tells no one. Violet and Freddie become friends! and they help each other through time times. Can Freddie turn his dream of being a carpenter apprentice into reality and find his own place?

Freddie is homeless and ends up accidentally living in Violets house when he sees their family leave on holiday but leave the front door open. He continues living there in the attic when they come back early. After saving Violet from a boy pushing himself on her, violet and Freddie become friends. This book follows their friendship and blossoming relationship.
I think it's a great portrayal of homelessness especially in youth. It really made me aware of how I treat homeless people, and what I can do to be better. I loved both main characters and the development of Violet's family, I loved that the family had their own issues with Jamie's speech problems and her dad's issues (no spoilers!)
Yes, the ending was predictable, but I'm happy it ended how it did.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily