All the Money in the World by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

Fifteen-year-old Penny longs for something better. Better than a small, damp flat. Better than her bullying classmates and uninterested teachers. Better than misery and poverty day in day out.

An unlikely friendship and a huge sum of money promise a whole lot of new chances for Penny, and she realises that not only can she change her life, she can change herself.

But at what cost?  

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Penny lives in a tenement flat in what used to be a gorgeous old house. The landlord refuses to make repairs or change anything, even as damp is growing in all the rooms, even as people are getting sick and catching rats. Still, Penny loves her neighbours and her friends. They make the best of things together.

They've been afraid of the old woman next door for as long as they've lived there, but when an accident forces Penny next door for help, she realises the woman isn't mean at all; she's lovely, and lonely. A friendship begins that will end up changing Penny's life in ways she can't imagine - as long as she doesn't lose herself along the way.

Rags-to-riches is one of the most popular tropes around, and this book explores it beautifully. Penny is among the poorest of the poor, and - apart from one act of vengeance I can't blame her for - she uses the money she receives to do good things, to buy presents for her friends and repair their crumbling home. I can't be sure I'd be as generous in her place.

It's true that she loses her way a bit in the new school, but that's real life too; many of us, whether we want to admit it or not, lie or exaggerate to impress other people. Penny meant well and she tried to make reparations to the people she hurt; that says a lot about her.

I cried over the cat, and over a scene later on on the pier. Let's move on... (Highlight for spoiler: the cat does not die.I still cried.)

This is a lovely, tender, well written novel that I absolutely sped through (I may have been late back to work from my lunch because I was finishing it...) Really brilliant. I'll be recommending it whole heartedly.

All the Money in the World publishes on the 8th July, 2021. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.