Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine
The First Move is a refreshing new
contemporary YA romance and debut novel for Jenny Ireland.
Set in urban Northern Ireland, it follows
two protagonist’s, Juliet/Jules, a cynical romantic who lives with inflammatory
arthritis and Ronan; new boy at school, good looking, smart, he is hiding a massive
family secret that he is struggling to cope with.
We meet Juliet, her mood, downcast and in
pain, feeling like a burden to everyone around her. She is consumed with
insecurities as she now faces school needing crutches for the foreseeable.
Ronan is trying to start a fresh,
attempting to put distressing events of the past behind him. However, being incredibly
aloof, it makes him a natural point of interest and intrigue to everyone at his
new school.
Juliet and Ronan both love chess and as a
means of escapism they sign up to an online chess gaming app called ‘Chesslife’.
Unknowingly they connect anonymously on the platform and eventually the
relationship spills out into real world. Both Jules and Ronan have struggles they
are grappling with and ideations to overcome making this a satisfying full
circle journey to read.
The First Move is thoughtful and
heartwarming with characters you will find yourself totally invested in. At its
core, it’s essentially about being young, falling in love, expectations,
friendships, grief, guilt, and an insight into living with chronic pain. It challenges
the way the reader sees himself/herself and others, being accepting and
deserving.
Recommended for a young adult audience
including upper middle grade readers.
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