UKYA

REVIEW: Diary of a Mall Girl by Luisa Plaja

Published By: Curious Fox
Publishing Date: 15th March 2013
Number of Pages: 272
Format: Paperback
Source: Received for review from the publisher

Summary from Goodreads

The mall is the heart of the fifteen-year-old Molly’s suburban town. Most teens hang around with friends there, get their first job there, and experience their first kiss there. And Molly? She actually lives there, in the complex’s residential wing, where she navigates the dramas of teenage life, falling out with her friends and falling for the dark, mysterious boy-next-door.

But is living in a massive shopping centre as much fun as it sounds? Well, yes… and no. Find out the whole truth in Molly’s private diary!



Written in the voice of Molly, a typical teenage girl, this is a novel that girls will be able to relate to and enjoy. Plaja has created a fun and realistic environment in which teens can read about and escape into this world full of both hilarious and cringe-worthy moments.
Lets face it: teenagers have a hard life. The teen years are all about discovering yourself and this is what is happening to Molly. At the start of the novel we see her fuming over a fight with her best friends and this is the first hint we get at her character. Although not the most commanding person, we gradually see her confidence build and she then turns into a character that the reader feels comfortable getting to know. 
This is a story all about discovery and it becomes a major theme. Molly’s life is changing and a lot of the other, secondary characters’ as well. 
Molly lives in a shopping mall and it’s easy to conjure up the image of her surroundings. It’s a very clever idea and I’m sure many people dream of living in a place where they can walk out of there front door and come face to face with hundreds of shops. Yet Plaja has flipped these images and created a contrast where Molly begins to regret living where she does. 
This was a light-hearted and exciting novel that I greatly enjoyed. After reading I definitely felt like finding a shopping mall and seeing if I could find some of the characters for myself! Maybe not…

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9 Comments

  • Reply
    Sarah (TotalTeenFiction)
    15 March, 2013 at 11:40 am

    This book sounds so cute! I think shopping centres are great places for people-watching so it sounds like a fantastic concept. I love the sound of the theme of discovery so from your review I think this book has a lot going for it! I’ll definitely have to check it out 🙂 lovely review Lucy. Have a great weekend!

    Sarah @ TotalTeenFiction

  • Reply
    Bookaholic 007
    15 March, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    Wonderful review! I haven’t read a Luisa Plaja book, yet I have Kiss Date Love Hate, which I will read soon. This looks like a really cute book and I’ll have to buy it soon! 🙂

  • Reply
    So Many Books, So Little Time
    15 March, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    I can’t wait to start this – I love Luisa’s books.

  • Reply
    Cassy Wrage
    16 March, 2013 at 1:35 am

    I haven’t heard of this one but everything about it looks cute and right up my alley!

  • Reply
    Pink Lady 631
    16 March, 2013 at 3:29 am

    Sounds Great, Can’t wait to read it.

  • Reply
    Zoe Crook
    16 March, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    I love this book too! Luisa Plaja’s novels are so much fun to read. Don’t you just love Jasper too? 🙂 I need to a post a review of this soon. Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    Georgia
    19 March, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    Thanks so much Lucy for this fab review. And thanks to everyone who has commented too – if you’re a blogger and you like the sound of Diary of a Mall Girl drop me a line at georgialawe(at)gmail(dot)com and I can send you a review copy.

  • Reply
    Alisha Kiao
    21 December, 2018 at 3:42 pm

    I think that there should include quizzes with this website
    overall it has been fantastic

  • Reply
    Alisha Kiao
    21 December, 2018 at 3:43 pm

    loved this book so light-hearted

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