Trinkets by Kirsten Smith

In this book we read a split pov between:

Tabitha who is in an abusive relationship and feels she doesn't fit with her family.

Moe who has a bad girl reputation.

Elodie who is a kleptomaniac.

All the girls have in common is that they meet at shoplifters anonymous and become a misfit group of friends who steal together despite supposedly trying to get better at doing the opposite after getting caught!

It was a fun engaging read that had me intrigued from the start as to how the girls become friends as all they have in common is stealing making them a unique bunch of misfit friends however the topic isn't a usual seen plot point in any YA books I've read and I really enjoyed it as it played out throughout the book, fabulous read!

Salted Caramel Dreams by Jackie Nastri Bardenwerper

Jasmine and her best friend Kiera used to dream of opening an Etsy shop selling their unique designs together.

However as Kiara gets into basketball and begins to hang out with new friends then disses Jasmine, she decides her friendship is lost and when her mum pushes her to join drama club, she meets Courtney, Ava and Joseph. They soon become friends while her and Kiera drift until a need for new costumes arises and offers the girls a chance to reunite and share big news...

I liked the design passion and the clever link to her new friends being they too liked the same drink from the title which the girls had added and invented for the menu which they didn't know about.

All about friendship perils and perks a realistic teen story about going separate ways.

Something Like Happy by Sasha Greene

Nick tries to commit suicide driven by his depression and unfulfilling job, he climbs to the edge of a building...

Then Jade stops him, bearing the weight of her sister's suicide she wants to prevent anyone else going the same way.

Jade gets Nick to meet up with her and pursue her happy list from days out with Archie an old man
from an elderly folks home, to yoga and dinner dates together the pair find a unique kind of happy from such a horrible situation. But can it last?

This was a fantastic book all about the impact and choice of suicide. It was a deep and tearful read to get through but so much happened I flew through it in a day. A fabulous debut about an ever important topic.

Christmas At Rachel's Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts

Rachel, mum Jill, granny Ruth and daughter Maisie are back in a Christmas adventure in their pudding pantry.

As they begin a pudding club which builds in success, Rachel finds herself too busy to see Tom while she discovers her ex has a new girlfriend in tow when he decides to make a rare visit to see Maisie while she discovers Tom's ex is also back, but why?

As the joy of Christmas arrives, hard work and heavy snowfall threaten to make this Christmas a tough time, can Rachel find herself having a good Christmas and spending time with Tom at last too or will plans to awry?

I loved that characters from Caroline's other books made an appearance too while there was a snowdog line which won me over being a huge The snowman fan! The cast of characters really made the pudding club come to life and the time of each character shone through it was a fabulous easy Christmas read with plenty of drama to keep you hooked on reading more I just can't wait for the next one now after that final chapter too!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

My Mum's Growing Down by Laura Dockrill

Poems all about the kid being more grown up than the adult, these poems are brilliantly funny and tickle even the most serious adults! We hear about a mum who's reducing in age and a child playing the adult to their often embarrassing mum and all about the up's and down's they face too.

The poems are truly unique works of art and the rhymes are hilarious Laura has made a memorable book here anyone can enjoy and it's guaranteed to make you laugh!

One Day In December by Josie Silver

Laurie clasps eyes on a boy she can't forget.

A year later at her friend Sarah's Christmas party, she meets the boy from the bus and finds out his name is Jack and he's Sarah's boyfriend.

As the next year goes on, the pair waver with their feelings and not wanting to split up her best friend and her boyfriend, the following year she chooses to go on a trip to Thailand to escape from it all. While she's there, she can forget about the moments she shared with Jack and meets Oscar.

As the decade goes on, the girls each land their dream jobs, however one relationship falls apart and one progresses to heading for the aisle! A breakdown of a friendship, new job abroad and a new love around the world, each character winds up in the own ever after but are they all happy, read it to find out!

Told from Laurie's and Jack's perspectives, their stories collide in a unique and frankly harmless way until the drama ensues and forbidden love becomes an issue. They both go through the motions but drag Sarah through it with them all the while and later Oscar too. It was a great read and shows how life can present the most unique of meetings that can change your life for ever, this book is life changing for them and us as we share their story, a fantastic read for those who've been through tough love situations.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

A Winter Retreat At The Paris Cheese Shop: Part 1 by Victoria Brownlee

After living together as a happy couple in Melbourne for eight years Paul has decided to call it quits with Ella as he attempts to go off to Thailand and discover himself as inspired by Jessyka, his gym cross fit buddy.

Ella was expecting a proposal, not this and so was her mum too!

So post breakup, her friend Billie is there with wine and cheese as Ella recalls meeting Paul as a student in France and how he's changed into a high flying financial man since then but it inspires her to make a bold move and quit her job and live in Paris for a year. In her words, 'to drink wine and eat cheese!'

So she heads off to Paris where she explores all the little coffee shops and finds her dream cheese shop where she buys some great cheeses she falls in love with. Ella also looks for work and finds a cafe with an Australian server of all coincidences and finds a hot mystery man...

Who knows where Ella's journey will take her eventually? She is a headstrong and impulsive woman for sure taking on Paris alone and not a hundred percent certain of the language! She's hugely likeable and this book was a lovely easy read to immerse myself in, I could imagine walking Paris streets myself, I love it!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

The Little Bakery Of Hopes And Dreams by Kellie Hailes

Callan lives in his bakery with young daughter Mia as Christmas approaches, Josie find herself arriving at their bakery and applying for the job going as front of bakery assistant.

Abigail was Callan's wife who sadly passed away and left him to coepwith Mia and running the bakery, which it's obvious he's failing to manage as his bakes aren't up to much instead being hard and not the gorgeous delicacies his wife used to bake, which is where Josie comes in and changes things...

In a really sweet read Kellie has centred a whole story around a bakery that revives its Christmas spirit with renewed love and a new match made family thanks to Christmas spirit and magic. I loved the way the characters didn't fall for each other straight away but slowly and then suddenly especially little Mia as she comes to love and accepting Josie being around. I also love that Josie was the main characters name as my auntie Josie would've loved this book of she was here still and being nearly a year on since losing her, I encourage anyone who loves Christmas as much as she did to definitely give this book a read, it was quick and eventful but leaves you feeling happy and content with the story you've devoured and the sweet Christmas bakes you had too!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

The Bakery At Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke

Meg and Sam are a young couple engaged and soon to be married. Meg works part time in a cafe and the rest of the time in the old bakery as it awaits sale after the death of its owner.

Nathan whose overseeing the sale catches her eye and she starts to daydream about him much to the amusement of Cassie and Tilly her friends.

When she gets the chance to take part in Britain's hidden gems tv show she talks of never knowing her father and her mum's agoraphobia amongst things and soon the world or at least programme viewers learn their business.

Sam is too interested in Cycling and so she looks on Facebook and discovers George, a woman secretly in their cycling group. Whilst his family always seem to disapprove of Meg and judge her harshly.

Meg's mum suffers with agoraphobia and is also constantly pushing Meg to get pregnant ASAP as she is unawares of her daughter's growing unease and feelings about her situation.

So when Freya a rich local woman and her husband want to buy the bakery to become an ice cream parlour, Meg is unhappy but then an anonymous buyer appears...

Facing up to her relationship and work life woes Meg needs to turn her life around fast and make herself truly happy forever.

This book was a lovely chick lit, women's fiction read and was full of drama. The writing was engaging and there were some hilarious one liners at times in this book. Meg's story will probably be relatable to women out there suffering the same issues. I would've liked some different scenarios with whom the anonymous buyer turns out to be but you shall have to judge that for yourself!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Clementine For Christmas by Daphne Benedis-Grab

In this book, Josie and her bulldog Clementine visit kids at the hospital to cheer them up as Christmas approaches.

Oscar is having a bad time at home with his parents constantly arguing and not bothering with him

Gabby is secretly sick with epilepsy after being forced to move school after he ridicules her over it. Now with new friends at a new school, she finds herself facing the seizures as they come back full force...

Gabby is a strong character for dealing with epilepsy like she does and makes her a role model to other kids dealing with the issue as she learns not to let it rule her life. Oscar is a kid who's dealing with issues a lot of kids and teens do sadly but the pair together show how friendship can come from nowhere between two random people and to never rule anyone out of being a good possible friend.

Moonrise by Sarah Crossan

In this devastating story told in verse, we see how Joe suffers with his family, his sister Angela is always there for him however their drunk mum left them to travel and escape while their aunt Karen helped for a while but couldn't cope as their older brother Ed got sent to death row and is awaiting execution.

We see how Joe arrives to visit him during his brothers final months of life, appeals his case and finds a friend in Nell.

Filled with twists and sadness this is a powerful and devastating novel told in verse and once again is a brilliant book by Sarah Crossan.

Access All Awkward by Beth Garrod

In the final of the trilogy that has brought me many laughs as Bella's antics take many twists and turns, mostly embarrassing ones, we see how her along with best friends Rach and Tegan all look forward to the end of their GCSEs and head to a festival where they take on their once loved now most hated famous boy band, The Session as they treat their fans horrifically and sexist language slurs fly too.

But first Bella must meet her own boyfriend, Adam's parents!

However at the festival nothing goes straight forward from run ins with old boyfriend Luke along with his frankly odd singer girlfriend Ska, the girls they admire who they often see around turn out to be backstabbing bullies and Jo Bella's sister be their chaperone at the festival which surprises the group, this festival is full of drama not to mention starting their own petition against the session band and supporting Adam Bella's boyfriend and his band too! Full of feminism fuelled fighting young girls taking on sexism and showing what true friendship is all about!

I Hope My Voice Doesn't Skip by Alicia Cook

As a new poet to me, I really enjoyed this collection of work. I knew basics around the themes including mental health, death, beauty, acceptance, love and more.

The layout, part as poetry, black and white then switching to vinyl format of a tracklist followed by more emotional song lyrics.

For me, these subjects are relatable and drew me more into the power of Alicia's poetry. They start off as basic observations that become a mostly saddening reality which bred these beautiful, moving poems.

Each situation was imaginable and immersed me into a world through the art of Alicia's words, truly moving, captivating and inspiring.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Four Of A Kind by Kellie Bean

Reagan is one of four girls who are quadruples at a new school. Reagan may struggle at the new school but her sister's lives aren't as perfect as she first thought, Rhiannon, Reilly and Reece are all going through stuff, not being able to do their favorite activities like seeing old friends, boyfriends and clubs means finding new one's within a new community and as the family is news to moving to the area they're all feelings the pressure to keep up a good image for the whole family, especially their mum.

Reagan however finds herself chancing the brushes of love with Kent and throwing herself into the school's drama club as well as keeping up online with her old friend Nadine.

We really see how change impacts life as a teen and how much it changes us and the people we thought we knew. I enjoyed this book and it had a great Halloween section too. I recommend this if you can relate to the situations mentioned or just like a nice young adult fiction.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this for them!

Unraveling Rose by Brian Wray & Shiloh Penfield

This children's picture book comes with a twist, a necessary and useful message entwined in a cute story of having fun with friends.

Based around the life of a boy and his stuffed toy rabbit, Rose we see them play together until one day Rose's compulsions get too much for her and take over her life as she becomes fixated on a loose thread she has hanging off of her and it becomes all she thinks about.

The illustration's are so beautiful and Rose rabbit had such detail that children can fall in love with her cute raggedy design while engrossed in the tale.

There is a final note at the end of the book advising about OCD and traits to watch out for in children from early on but of course OCD can come on at any age.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

The Holiday Cruise by Victoria Cooke

After her husband charts on her and she loses her business too, Hannah up's from her life for a new spa job on a cruise ship after helping a client who works onboard one too!

Leaving Daniel and Tom the kind b & b owner behind for a new life onboard, she meets kind Kristy her coworker, Pete an attractive nice guy along with crazy and classy customers onboard for Christmas too.

Then she meets Ben onboard who's escaped his love and marriage woes to honeymoon alone but upon meeting Hannah, the two form a connection really strong that when he declines her offer of going travelling together to return home at the end of the cruise, Hannah is left heartbroken onboard until someone flies in to surprise her and help her realise things do come back together.

This book really fills you with feels for the two and I was rooting for them as their story played out through lovely things they did together and when bad times hit. I really recommend this book if you want to be on holiday or you are on holiday as it'll make you be jealous you're not there with them abroad too!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this for them!

Chocolate Cake by Michael Rosen and Kevin Walden

This book is a short picture book all about a boy's love of chocolate cake and having an insatiable appetite for it! Unable to get enough he tell of his a midnight chocolate cake feast, only not to clean up his mucky trail of it afterwards! Mum's always figure what happened after all!

Short and highly entertaining, it's a funny little book that will make young children giggle a lot as well as be drawn to the colourful drawings of his tale!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Carlos is the second eldest Fuentes brother, moving to live with Alex from the previous book and his girlfriend Brittany.

As Carlos lands himself in trouble in his new school with a guy called Devlin after being set up as a dealer, he is forced to move in with a Professor and his family as Alex knows them.

Carlos however didn't expect to fall for Kiara, the Professor's daughter. We see how the chemistry between them alike his elder brother and his girlfriend soon turns from hard to playful lust and love as the passion and tension heats up despite all the obstacles that Carlos faces, we see how Kiara and her family care and help him. A moving passionate book once again full of drama and gangs.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

It this book, Brittany and Alex know of each other before being forced to be chemistry class partners for the next year.

Popular queen Brittany and gangster Alex send sparks flying as they escape bad home lives, Brittany being pressured by her boyfriend Colin to have sex at last as well as deal with her family wanting to send away her cerebral palsy suffering sister and Alex wants to escape gang life but knows to stay in to protect his mother and younger brothers.

As the couple fall for each other despite Alex first approaching Brittany to do with a bet they discover a passionate and fiery relationship blossoms but as Alex tries to quit the gang, it might cost him his life...

It was full of cheeky romance and friendship as well as fiery passion and clashing of personalities. It shows the pressures on teens around sex and lasting truly loving relationships and discovering who you are and what you care about the most, loyalty and family.

Pages And Co Tilly And The Bookwanderers by Anna James

In this book Tilly lives with her grandparents in their bookshop home after her mother left her and In this book Tilly discovers not only why she left but also where she disappeared to and who her absent father is!

This book was magical, full of drama and such clever plot points too! I loved the idea of being able to go in and out of stories and how they can go to a very special library just for them! There idea and cast of characters were brilliant to get into and the villainous Mr Chalk made a perfect creepy enemy!

The Skeleton Tree by Kim Ventrella

Stanly Stanwright finds a bone in his garden, needing a photo for a competition he takes a shot of it, only for the bone to change to point at him when he later looks back at the shot and later disappear completely!

He has a sister called Miren who is seven and ill with bad lungs and she relies a lot on the use of an oxygen tank. As well as his friend, Jaxon having OCD which Stanly  handles both situations for each person really well, caring for his sister and also joining in and being patient with Jaxon.

The book overall was very funny in parts but also serious too, with all the health aspects as well as having one parent to rely on whom also doesn't have much money to spend on things for her kids or even big healthcare bills. The skeleton is a really different aspect to any story idea as he grows in their garden and even manages to cheer up sick Miren who grows very attached to him.
Though unfortunately, the skeleton and the grim reaper exist for a reason but in this a book it leads us gently towards the inevitable.

Thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Make In A Day: Modern Wreaths by Victoria Hudgins

Filled with colourful wreaths designed for an array of ages and abilities, wreath making is made fun!

Made with everyday items from shops such as straws, embroidery threads and craft polystyrene balls as well as simply coloured card, these wreaths are an everyday twist on a usually Christmas only decoration.

The wreaths may look complicated but the guide is clear and they really aren't as hard to make as they look on first glance, many folding techniques and threading helps to achieve their look.

Set with an easy to follow and read layout, you can make these alone or aided by someone else and can enjoy making something fun together!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Grrrls On The Side by Carrie Pack

Heather and Tabby used to be best friends, then Heather went off with the popular gang all blonde hair and hoop earring wearing barbie style copies of each other whilst Tabby hangs around with Mike a not to bad guy with some musical taste.

When Tabby and Mike go to a gig together, Tabby gets a copy of a magazine for the girls at the concert encouraging them to join Riot Grrrl a group to hang out with like minded girls who all have a common interest in music at least.

As Tabby gets trouble from kids at school, the girls in her new club she's a member of hang out more, making their friendship stronger and Tabby realises she likes Kate, a lot. Kate refuses to be confined by her sexuality and Tabby finds herself wondering her feelings towards Kate could be mutual. When the girls start to hang out more, Tabby's mum is very accepting of them both as a couple as she too delves into a new relationship, only differnce being that she is straight and dating a man.

The book shows the feel and pride of girls sticking together and taking nothing without a fight, being bisexual, lesbian, straight, from a different culture or hate and just dealing with fighting for important issues such as animal testing. These girls are there for each other to lean on and support despite what gets thrown at them in their lives, they have support.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Starworld by Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Garner

When Zoe approaches Sam to get her to help the school play, they have no idea of what's to come.

Sam's best friend Will is also shocked as he used to fancy Zoe and she never noticed them before now.

Zoe however has a lot to deal with, her mum has breast cancer and has to contend with the realities of that.

Yet both girls have a lot to learn about friendship and love as well as their family dynamics being solved at last if they can.

A pain filled emotional novel as well as being very touching and good for showing how sexuality can be a guessing game when you're young trying to find where exactly you got and what exactly your feelings are.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Super Cat VS The Chip Thief by Jeanne Willis

Tiger is an ordinary cat and boring to James's dismay. However when James returns from school one day he discovers that Tiger can suddenly talk in multiple languages, move swiftly despite his previous slow and pudgy nature and wants to make adventures happen inspired by Jake's comic book collection superhero as has fashioned his own costume to fight crime in all thanks to the lick of a niffy old sock!

As the local chip price soars and everywhere potatoes are being destroyed by bugs, its up to this new duo to fight back against their comic book enemy Count Backwards as they face the issue together!

Fast action, fun and hilarious throughout this duo was a delight to read about, kids will love them and probably wish their pets would come to life too!

Purge by Sarah Darer Littman

Janie is a secret bulimic, until now as she finds herself hospitalized and facing weeks of therapy alone and in a group. As she stays with anorexics and bulimics in the hospital, ruled by nurses and therapists she slowly unravels and finally confides the events culminating in her admission.

Janie is a typical teen in the issues she deals with by binging and purging as she feels lost and insecure as well as rejected from her family and the boy she liked. Dealing with her sister getting married and ruining the wedding haunt her and she opens up more as she builds trust with the members in the hospital such as Tom an anorexic. We delve into the complexities of eating disorders and self esteem again in this novel.

Clowfish by Alan Durant

In this book we meet Dak, who's just lost his dad and his mum has since withdrawn from life and is struggling to come to terms with him being gone.

The best thing for Dak is hanging out at the aquarium where his dad used to take him only as it threatens to be shut down, Dak must work together with Stephen and Violet who work there too only Dak wants to keep the aquarium open for a bigger reason, his dad is a clowfish in there...

So he believes as he doesn't want to move on and withdraws from school and life to stay at the aquarium with his dad and feel comforted by the fact he can stay and help try to save it by campaigning and raising money.

An emotional book detailing how grief can effect you in various ways from not accepting it, depression setting in and finding comfort in any way. A really thoughtful book and very unique.

Only We Know by Simon Packham

As Lauren moves to a new school and tries to start afresh from the past, she soon comes across a student she knows and should know her from years before, Harry.

As she start to receive strange 'gifts' at school, she gets really freaked out to the point she returns to where it all should've got better before it got worse for her.

This book features a plot around mental health and gender and I'm not going to spoilt the main plot by revealing anymore than that as you can pick and choose what you think is up with Lauren as the story goes on, the ending is explosive as her worst nightmare comes true and she faces events bravely as her true self.

This is a book about the whole spectrum of acceptance and deeply involves personal issues and mental health. I really enjoyed this book and didn't see the events at the end coming at all, Lauren is a brave girl facing events and despite the family all moving I could understand Tia her sister's anger and actions. It was superbly written and keeps you hooked!

If My Body Could Speak by Blythe Baird

In this collection of poems the main themes are eating disorders, anorexia and rape and the culture surrounding it. There are also poems relating to sexuality, self worth and image as well as the usual self doubts being raised too.

Utterly raw and relatable we can feel the emotion seen between the lines of each poem and I found so many of them relatable especially the ones focusing on Anorexia as I too have suffered in the past it was a true collection of heartfelt work.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Starry Skies by Samantha Chagollan

This is a short and sweet look for children into constellations they may witness at night. In the hope of drawing children into star gazing, each child in the book notices a constellation inspired by their activities they're doing.

The book is obviously based during the night time and is so obviously in black and white for effective night time effect.
A nice way to get children interested in the night sky and space in general.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

The Ice Garden by Guy Jones

Jess is alergic to the sun, sick of being covered up, of hospitals and doctors she waits till night when she sneaks out without her skin protection on.

At the hospital she meets Davey, a boy in a deep coma and she writes him stories which she reads to him in the hope he can hear her.

Playing in the local park in the dead of night, suddenly scared and rightly so she goes through a hedge where she stumbles upon the Ice Garden. There she discovers Owen, a boy made of ice and when they exchange token gifts, Jess finds she can be in the sun again, however magical cures can't last and when a choice must be made, it is obvious to Jess she can't escape herself and her condition forever...

Over all we have to wonder whether Davey remembers her or her stories if he ever wakes after crashing in the hospital too...

The book features a lot of magical realism, Jess and her condition is a real issue the book raises awareness of as it is a true rate condition that some people suffer with terribly. The idea of storytelling saving lives was a nice idea and allowed Jess an adventure and bought her some happiness after she's sick of tests at the hospital and the usual day to day life she has.

Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell

The Ouija board brings up a lot towards the plot and all the snippets spoken are enough to lead us to various scenario's which lay ahead for us.

Rebecca had a terrible accident. She fell down the cliff around their house and broke her leg, thus freezing to her death as it had snowed. The story surrounding Rebecca's death is very intricate and woven into the whole story right from the start of the book, she had an obsession with an old folk ballad about a girl called Charlotte whom froze to death and Rebecca collected the dolls of her after she found them in the basement of their home they now live in.

They were previously owned by the Edwardian school children and one of their girls died from the window, falling.

In this creepy thriller horror story we witnessing how unpredictable dolls can be when they come to life and have their own minds of was a gripping tale which was suspenseful and shocking and I'd love to see this as a film one day!

Donut Go Breaking My Heart by Suzanne Nelson

This is a sweet read about Sheyda and her friend Kiri who aspires to be an actress and has a huge crush on actor Cabe. As the two girls both get to be close to Cabe they soon find themselves changing feelings about him and acting too as well as finding out just how much their friendship can survive and adapt through it all as the donut shop is the base for his new film to be filmed at.

This was a fun sweet read again a bit cliche but that doesn't stop or take away from the joy of the story as we see the girls crush and fall for Cabe as things develop in unexpected ways!

My Hamster Is A Genius by Dave Lowe

In this book we meet Ben whom wants an exciting pet only to get a hamster, not so thrilling to him. Calling his hamster Stinkybottom, which his hamster doesn't like much!

That is until his hamster starts answering when he speaks his maths sums out loud! His hamster starts doing his homework and suddenly he is accused of cheating at school.

Facing a maths test thanks to his dad making a bet with his maths teacher, he needs to figure out a way to either get smart quick or sneak in his hamster!

This is a hilarious short tale and extremely fun drawings to help annotate the story throughout. Kids will love this book and be imagining or dreaming that their pets could be doing crazy amazing things too!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

A Beautiful Day For A wedding by Charlotte Butterfield

Eve is a wedding journalist and magazine agony aunt whose friends are all getting married so as she struggles to help plan and attend five then later that becomes six, weddings, Ben the guy she expected to marry shows up again at a wedding after jilting her at the airport years before leaving her to live in New York alone.

As her brother's, Ayesha, Tanya and Becca's weddings all look closer and take place there's psychic action through sceance, Harry Potter themes parties and besides looking after Tanya's flat she has to dog sit for her too despite her rotten attitude and lack of respect we later see for her have for her so called friend!

Then there's Ben showing up everywhere, but as the pair reconnect and discover the years they missed out on each other's lives, will the old spark reignite?

As Eve tries to find her ideal man who's name coincidentally begins with a B as the psychic told her...

With a lot of wedding drama, heartbreak and craziness in the build up to the weddings this shows the way the big day can take a toll on the most prepared of girls! It shows even wedding journalists can feel the big day blues, every girl might stress over their lippy for the wedding but not even factor in having to face their ex again! Full of fun, dramatic fallouts and wild antics in some cases as well as showing freaky coincidences can lead to happiness this is a book perfect for wedding season!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Sit Stay Love by J J Howard

In this book we meet Cecelia whom is having a rough time, after her house gets condemned after a fire she finds herself and her dad moving in with her aunt Pam.

Meanwhile she adores dogs and dreams of owning one of her own and the sooner the better for her however as she works voluntarily at an adoption centre for dogs, she falls in love with a pug she calls Potato.

However as she finds a friend in Lily at school, she discovers Lilys brother Eric wants to adopt Potato into their family's show dog brood!

Can she get her dream dog before he's snatched away from her for good?

Another cute pug related love story that was a bit more serious than the previous one as Potato looks set to be forced into a life just for the stage and performing, not going to a solely loving and fun caring home like Cecelia would provide. I found myself wishing for Cecelia to get to keep him and not let her fall for Eric but alas the inevitable happens after a twist in the tale!

Pugs And Kisses by J J Howard

In this book we meet Ana and her pug friend Osito whom she walks for the lady in her building who can't get out often.

She meets Calvin and his pug Pancake when out walking and soon the pair become friends after he joins her school too!

However, he doesn't know that Osito isnt her dog but her neighbours, how will he react when or if he finds out?

Ana was an admirable protagonist in helping her neighbour neighbours care for her pet how she does and also serving the double purpose of letting her enjoy time with a dog she so desires herself! The relationship between the pair was sweet and we saw how much Osito adores her too, Ana and Calvin were a great pairing and made this love story more cuter!

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus by Cressida McLaughlin

After losing her uncle Hal, he leaves Charlie his beloved bus, Gertie.

After breaking up with her boyfriend Stuart and her beloved uncle, her best friend Juliette comes back from Cornwall where she lives and alongside Charlie's dad and boss try to get her to take a break and have a holiday as she throws herself instantly  into making Gertie a success and have her uncle Hal be proud of her for keeping the bus going now he's gone.

After a first disaster, she and her dog Marmite end up in Portgollow where Juliette lives. The area is a bit ran down and in need of revival, however there's the matter of Crystal Waters, a high end spa ran by Daniel.

Not everyone is welcoming to Charlie, Marmite and Gertie but can they change their minds?

Charlie and Marmite her yorkiepoo are setting up the Portgollow food festival to help raise the areas profile and make their businesses a success as she runs her Cornish Cream Tea Bus.

As she reunites with Oliver from The Marauding Mojito, Daniel invites her to the spa after her opens up about helping and failing to give her friend a job.

So on enough she has a choice to make and to address her feelings, safe Oliver but sexy and risky choice Daniel, who'll she realise her feelings for?

Charlie has to confront her true feelings for Oliver and Daniel especially when it seems one might have a wandering eye and not been honest with her alike she with them but only worse...

We also see how she plans to tour her bus around now and begins to trial her plans too!

In the final part of Charlie's story, we see how she discovers who sabotaged her bus stopping her trading which was of no surprise to me who'd done it, the clues are there all along...

However the whole village comes together to make it better including with regular food festival's!

But will she and Daniel finally sort out their feelings?

I have truly loved this book. Once again Cressida has written a remarkable story with characters that I wish really existed as this bus sounds amazing and I would love to support it!
I love the idea of keeping and using a vintage bus as a cafe it's absolute genius and I wish it existed. Even early on the chemistry is building between her and Daniel and the Cornish village life looks set to get vibrant, I was hooked on this book Cressida just keeps writing thrilling entrancing books you need to read!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Isadora Moon Puts On A Show by Harriet Muncaster

In this book Isadora gets to attend the vampire ball with her parents and gets to take part too, however we see how nerves get the better of her at times and how new friends can make everything better and his being you is the best thing you can be!

A great little book to help you embrace who you are and make you appreciate your talents and passions too!

A Shape Of My Own by Grace Bowman

In this book we meet Grace the author as she takes us through her past to present story of her life with anorexia and all the stages she went through with it.

From losing boyfriends and friends to losing control over her life as good became the main focus of her life and things like socialising and enjoying university became mixed up with varying emotions over her battle with food. We see what a toll or took on her parents as they watched her lose weight and regained too as well as when she finally managed to get to university and break free into the world on her own with a proper graduation job and finding her new love.

Grace's story is one that is honest and raw with all emotions splayed out page by page in her effectively captivating writing. It was a truly brutal battle and a hard one Grace pushed to try and overcome but I was truly blown away by her account of becoming herself again after losing her way.

I Only Have Pies For You by Suzanne Nelson

In this sweet treat read we meet Dacey a girl from a small town in the south of America where businesses are closing down fast.

Her family's famous pie shop is kept going by it's regular locals and the legend of her great grandma's pie being magical in it's healing properties helped  especially as since the recipe was hidden no more successful copies of that Heartstring pie have been made.

Dacey however isn't naturally talented at pie making and has a quick fiery temper that gets the better of her, unlike her family and gets along better naturally with animals like her vet dad and she dotes on her horse Ginger.

Upon hearing from her best friend Zari that her nemesis Chayton is back in town she is super unhappy however her mum is overjoyed as his mum Julip has a TV show which could boost the town and provide some much needed tourism.

As the town revitalises itself, dealing with a sick horse, addressing her true feelings over Chayton, especially with Caroleen after him and trying to find and save her grandma's Heartstring pie recipie, there's an endless supply of drama I such a small town!

Suzanne writes such sweet stories love and food wise not only was the title another great pun but the mystery of where the recipe is keeps us intrigued and guessing along too. I loved the southern aspect especially as I love country music so animal lovers will especially enjoy the book.

Getting Away With It by Anne Cassidy

When Mark and Katie go out it changes their lives forever, as Katie takes the brunt of the accident Mark becomes haunted by her constant presence and soon realises he can't get away with not being punished for the accident...

All about facing your fear, owning your grief and appreciating life while you have it this is a poignant book and made a great quick read.

The Art Of Hiding by Amanda Prowse

Nina leads a luxury life with her husband Finn and Connor and Declan their two sons. That is all turned upside down by one phone call from the hospital telling her that her husband has been in a car accident and has died.

Nina later comes to find out that they are millions of pounds in debt and facing everything being repossessed to pay back her husband's debt landing them having to uproot from their normal lives as they know, no more private school for the children either as they move in with Nina's sister, Tiggy on a ran down council estate.

It was a great book about a woman whose unknown strength gets her family through the toughest times they face as they hit rock bottom in life. Flipping their life around despite bullying the boys endure, finding a job being a struggle these are all things which we can relate to a lot and it could keep some hope that we can change our lives like in this work of fictional magic.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

The Vintage Summer Wedding by Jenny Oliver

Anna and Seb have returned to a cottage in Nettleton their home town as they prepare to get married but they return after Anna caused a scene strong enough to leave gossipers still going on about it even now!

Anna dreamt of London being her home with Seb but after their money ran dry, home was true only place to go to. Forced to work alongside Mrs Beedle in her antique shop for a measly wage and doing what she feels is disgusting work as her snobbish attitude is.

She also starts to help out at the village hall dance group where a group of kids have fun learning when they have nowhere else to learn to dance. After their teacher leaves it's down to Anna to keep them practising despite her tempting job offer in New York...

There also the fact her ex Luke Lloyd see's her again whilst Seb makes a shock announcement and commandeers their garden shed as his live in man cave!

Now Anna also has to deal with the fact her best friend is seeing her dad!

It's a book full of fun and laughter even with a lot of serious life stuff thrown in. Anna soon warms to you as the book goes on and we see her become more open to returning home and the life she has there. Anna won me over as she grew humbler as the story went on as at first I have to admit, she did seem a little full of herself with her big ways and expensive dress but soon she returned to find a love of dance with teaching it not performing on a huge stage with millions of fans and adoration.

Carols And Crushes by Natalie Blitt

In this book we follow, Charlie who's passionate about singing and making the school concert the best it can be especially as she dreams of getting the solo and performing amazingly.

Only when her teacher leaves to have her baby the concert is thrown into jeopardy and as her group consists of her best friend, her crush, Eric and the popular guy, Matthew she doubts whether they'll be good enough or even get along well together to perform to a great standard not to mention how will she cope with her feelings towards the boys!

I really enjoyed the way the characters were thrust together and made to make do which obviously made great twists happen along the way. However Charlie was a great character whose judgement gets shattered and altered for the better by the end of the book she's definitely a better person. A sweet holiday read, curl up with a hot chocolate, blanket and prepare to fall in to a great musical adventure!

Izzy's Magical Football Adventure by Emma Larkin

In this book, Izzy realises her dream thanks to playing Gaelic football with her brothers in their backyard and being inspired by her grandma's medal bracelet too and all that she achieved and what she had to show for it as well as a legacy.

This may be a short story, but the magic that takes place showing Izzy the future makes the book and upbeat, positive and inspiring read that will show girls they can do and play to achieve in any sport they choose!

Many thanks to the author for allowing me to go review this book for her!

Rebel With A Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring

When Jess gets called fat by the school mean girl, Zara on Own Clothes Day after a freak clothing ripping accident, she starts to doubt herself and her attitude towards her life choices such as her cupcake making and eating habit for one.

Hannah and Izzie her beat friends assure her it's not all bad as she's gained the attention of her secret crush, Matt and been asked by him to his party! But is he the boy of her dreams after all?

Her older sister Cat has suffered with an eating disorder it's hinted at, her mum encourages her to lose weight and so Jess begins questioning what she eats, when and why as well as taking up some exercise and eating less in general. But, she meets her blogger idol and gets asks to write a piece for her site after a chance meeting at her dads gig and so she swaps numbers with her idol and new friend quite possibly, Imogen and go shopping together.

The book deals with the issues of bullying and name calling in school, it can really effect peoples psyche and so is a key factor especially around the subject of weight as it could have sent Jess spiralling completely but eventually she owned her weight and who it makes her, A Rebel With A Cupcake as she calls herself online and good for her too!

A great book about not letting the bullies get you down, or at least not for long!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Christmas At The Cornish Café by Phillipa Ashley

As Demelza the café is approaching it's opening, now it's October after the summer since starting the series off, everyone pulls together to make it work.

When Kit reveals a shocking surprise to Cal after he sees him with Mawgan their lives all change at this revelation.

Physical and emotional battles get revealed for Cal he finally confides in Demi a huge secret while Demi has a shock turn around with her dad and their relationship.

There is a sentence at the end of the book about Christmas not being perfect and how we shouldn't expect it to be. I have to say not only is it true anyway but definitely in my family as we always lose members at Christmas and sadly my beloved auntie passed on the 21st the same day my grandma passed a year before I was born unfortunately. In this book Phillipa makes it a very emotional ride with family at the heart throughout. With all the issues arising for the extra cast of characters we can't help but get hooked on the storyline it draws us in and makes us appreciate the family and friends we have and can share the joys of Christmas with.

The Benefits Of Being An Octopus by Ann Braden

Zoey is the eldest of her mum's children and since learning about octopuses from an old documentary she watched figures she could do with being one as she has to run around her siblings, Hector, Bryce and Aurora whilst their mum works.

They all live in a trailer park with Lenny, Hector's dad and their mum where they struggle for money as her mum's a waitress. Kenny is quite scathing towards their mum especially as he knows she works with Connor, a kind man at the pizza parlour she works in whom likes Zoey and the other kids.

Zoey has just started middle school with Fuchsia her friend where she learns about a debate team and her teacher insists on her taking part. Whilst in school shots are fired outside, a gunman whom Zoey later realises she knew of as he knows Fuchsia.

Neither girls home lives are secure it stable, happy ones and so each girl asks their mum about an idea they have to leave the controlling father figures in their lives well away from them but instead all survive together. They just need to speak up and out to the police and courts, if they can persuade them that is...

The book raises the issue of domestic abuse and all the spectrum of can occur from physical threats and acts to emotional abuse verbally and trying to control a person. We see how it impacts the whole family and Zoey has a lot to cope with hence her feeling comforted by her octopus passion as she knows how she could do with enough arms to do everything she has to do but envy them as they don't have to juggle school work or look after their siblings.  It was nice to see she found debate club a way for some own time and be able to connect more with other students while developing a passion.

Raw and intense look at life as a grown up but while still being a child yourself.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

A Story About Cancer With A Happy Ending by India Desjardins

In this book, we meet a fifteen year old teen girl who has been fighting leukaemia since she was just ten years old. She lost her friend to leukaemia and we see how she feels about feeling a burden on her family and feels they'd be better off without her.

The images are full of mixed emotions with dark sad images for her hopelessness she feels and warmth with colourful happy memories about her life.

Victor is her other friend, nothing to do with cancer but her school, she falls in love with him and we see how they grow together despite the cancer between them that could be a ticking time bomb.

It was sweet and moving with little words, the story comes across well in pictures and is sure to tug on your emotions as we can imagine being the main character as she faces her future and appreciates her past.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!