The Pools
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Pub Date Oct 6 2026 | Archive Date Sep 1 2026
Allen & Unwin | A&U Children
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Description
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the We Were Liars series comes a love story full of simmering darkness and astonishing twists, following two teenagers whose lives are shattered by a shocking transformation.
Once, in a small New England town known for its hot springs, something terrible happened. Something that should have been a warning to stay away from the pools, if the stories were to be believed. But no one is afraid of the water anymore, even if they should be.
When new girl Lexie meets golden boy Chester, their chemistry is undeniable. She's running from a glittering life she won't speak about. He's hiding secrets of his own. Their connection feels bigger than both of them, despite their damage.
One frigid winter morning in that small New England town, five people go for a swim in the pools. Five people, including Chester. What happens there sends shock waves through the town - and changes life as Lexie knows it forever.
This sweeping love story is a modern literary tour de force told through short, poetic chapters that will take the reader to the edge of what's possible for true love.
Advance Praise
'Lexie and Chester's love story is unlike any you've ever read: a contemporary fairy tale of depression, anxiety, loss and the first love that consumes you. A stunning poetic achievement.' - Kathleen Glasgow, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces
'E. Lockhart writes with a courage that intimidates and inspires me. With The Pools, she's done it again!' - Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781761183317 |
| PRICE | A$26.99 (AUD) |
| PAGES | 384 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 5 members
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 1730399
This was a really short read but I’ve honestly never read anything else like it.
It was hauntingly beautiful in such a strange way. The story follows Lexi after her sister, her boyfriend and three other people from her town swim in the pools and turn into birds. Lexi spends the story trying to figure out how to bring them back, and in the end it was the one thing she feared the most that finally set him free.
The writing was really different too. The chapters are super short and parts of it read almost like poetry, which just added to the atmosphere.
It also touches on some heavier topics like self-harm, depression and small-town hysteria.
I also had no idea this was based on fairytale until I picked it up, I’d never heard the story before.
It is definitely a step away from the other stuff I’ve read from this author
Adele B, Bookseller
What is The Pools about?
Lexie has moved to a small New England town called Covington. She is going to be living with her aunt's home with her pain-riddled mother and depressed mother and her little sister Orly.
When Lexie meets Chester at the town's natural pools that are famous for their restorative powers, she knows he's someone special. But the pools are also famous for something else. Something that is hard to believe but woven into the historical fabric of this town many decades before. But could it have really happened?
Review
Wow - this is a beautiful modern retelling of the Wild Swans Fable, set in a small town in USA. Told in verse that often rhymes, or feels like song lyrics, The Pools sumptuously shares a budding love story, drawing on all your emotions.
I smiled, cringed and gasped out loud at the wonderful and the terrible, the love and the hate, and the truth that helped heal a portion of the pain.
Beautifully told, and one of the best YA verse novels I've ever read.
Book Style
369 pages / 11 Parts / Verse novel
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
13+
Where & When is it set?
A fictional small town called Covington, in New England, USA
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
Omniscient
Is there Violence?
Yes - Man vs Bird
Is there Sex in this novel?
Yes - not explicit
What genre is The Pools?
Verse novel / Modern Fairytale retelling
Themes
Myth / School / Fantasy / Family / Romance / Love
Is it part of a series?
No
If you liked this, you might like these:
House of Salt & Sorrows Duology
The House Saphir
Sleep Like Death
Victoria S, Bookseller
This is different to the other books I have read by E. Lockhart. This is a mysterious fairy tale-esque story that explores grief, mental health, and finding yourself. I did feel a bit confused throughout as I wasn’t quite sure what the meaning behind the birds was, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this. Will definitely keep me thinking about it for a while to come.
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