Not Going To Plan
Age 14 +
28 August 2025Imprint: Hot Key Books
Synopsis
A powerful verse novel about sexual consent, unplanned pregnancy and the breaking of taboos.
MARNIE'S REALLY MESSED UP THIS TIME.
Expelled and forced to change schools, the only empty seat in Marnie's new school is next to Zed, a nerd with zero tolerance for mistakes. Marnie (skilled at art and Spanish, struggles with numbers) can't wait to lose her virginity. Zed (brilliant at maths and physics, loathes languages) is a loner who can't stand being touched. They couldn't be less alike, but they both need good grades in the subjects they hate.
What starts as a trade in tuition turns into an unlikely friendship - and after Marnie has sex with a boy who lies about using a condom, she needs Zed's help to make the hardest decision of her life.
MARNIE'S REALLY MESSED UP THIS TIME.
Expelled and forced to change schools, the only empty seat in Marnie's new school is next to Zed, a nerd with zero tolerance for mistakes. Marnie (skilled at art and Spanish, struggles with numbers) can't wait to lose her virginity. Zed (brilliant at maths and physics, loathes languages) is a loner who can't stand being touched. They couldn't be less alike, but they both need good grades in the subjects they hate.
What starts as a trade in tuition turns into an unlikely friendship - and after Marnie has sex with a boy who lies about using a condom, she needs Zed's help to make the hardest decision of her life.
Details
28 August 2025400 pages
9781471418372Imprint: Hot Key Books
Reviews
NOT GOING TO PLAN is a truly hilarious, moving and beautiful novel that captures teenagehood, its pressures and its complexities so perfectly; it's such a vital story that I hope will spark much needed and long overdue conversations about agency, consent and our right to choose, and I absolutely adore Marnie and Zed; they will stay with me for a very long time.Margaret McDonald, author of Glasgow Boys
Told from two perspectives, this poignant, powerful, often hilarious 14+ verse novel asks questions about respect, consent and how to hold it together when the plan falls apart.Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian
As in the very best YA fiction, Fisher explores a wide variety of sensitive topics whilst still crafting a narrative that feels honest, believable and character-driven. It never reads like a PSHE lesson but nonetheless imparts vital messages for young people. [...] It's also worth emphasising just how good Fisher's writing is. The verse is immediately engaging and accessibleJust Imagine
The visual verse format adds urgency and space to breathe, making it a powerful, relatable read for teens facing big questions. Highly recommended for KS4.The School Reading List
