VBT# Dirt - Laura Baggaley

Review: Dirt - Laura Baggaley - May 2025

Every so often, a book comes along that feels like a breath of fresh air – the kind of story that reminds us why we love curling up with a good read. Laura Baggaley’s Dirt was one of those surprises for me. Though set in a dystopian world where food is scarce and life feels controlled, the story has a warmth and tenderness woven through it that makes it hard to put down.

In Newbeck, survival is simple but stark. Families live off small government-allotted Squares of land, where they grow what they can using seeds and soil purchased from the mysterious Green Cultivation Corporation. It’s a bleak setting in some ways, yet there’s also a quiet resilience in how people adapt to their circumstances – something I found both believable and relatable.

Enter Avril, a curious and mysterious girl who literally rides into town one hot day, her enormous sunhat catching everyone’s attention. She’s different, she’s full of questions, and she’s not afraid to see the world a little differently. For Sam, a local boy tied to his family and his Square, she is both a puzzle and a spark. Why won’t she talk about her past? What is it about their way of life that fascinates her so much? And most of all, why can’t Sam stop thinking about her?

Their story is tender and thoughtful, with just the right amount of romance to make you smile while still exploring deeper questions about identity, trust, and hope in the face of hardship. 

For me, Dirt felt like planting a seed in rough soil – you don’t expect much, but slowly, something beautiful and strong takes root. It’s a story that lingers after the final page, especially for readers who love eco-fiction, gentle dystopias, or YA romance with heart.

Warm, thought-provoking, and quietly inspiring, Dirt by Laura Baggaley shows us that even when the world feels uncertain, hope has a way of breaking through.

 Reading Dirt made me think about my own little corner of the world, the small gardens, the simple moments of kindness and curiosity that keep life feeling full. Sometimes, the tiniest spark – a question, a smile, a new friendship – is enough to remind us that even in hard times, hope can grow. I finished this book with a soft smile and a heart a little lighter than when I began, and I hope it leaves you feeling the same.

 Amazon: https://amzn.to/46oRIKm