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!

Girl Out Of Water by Nat Luurtsema

In this book we meet Lou an avid swimmer until she doesn't beat her record and fails to make her swim camp dream come true to possibly compete in the Olympics one day.

She fights off jealousy as her best friend and only friend from her school, Hannah makes the team and thus leaves her behind even though they keep in touch during the novel via text as Lou tries to make new friends and Hannah starts to suffer with mental and physical health and raises alarm bells on Lou.

As Lou awkwardly tries to make friends she finds herself helping out three guys in her school who want to enter Britain Has Talent as synchronised swimmers.

Lou is a fun protagonist and a friend you could dream to have as shows her caring nature over her friend and family. I had heard a lot about this book, all good and I have to say I agree it is a great read as not many teen fiction books focus on swimming as a passion usually it's a lot of love and growing up topics instead of the love of a hobby which added a great soon on this novel.

Hole In The Middle by Kendra Fortmeyer

Morgan is slim, with a hole in her abdomen, her best friend and cheerleader for body positivity Caro her roommate who is always encouraging her to go out and live her life instead of hiding away.

She revealed herself publicly in a club, Mansion by dancing in crop tops. Only to discover she's become an internet sensation and is being talked about nonstop.

As she later gets approached by another surgeon she struggles trust whom is in charge of a boy and his case of deformity as he has a lump growing which correctly fits Morgan's hole, a strange coincidence but they set about trying an experiment with their separate DNA giving each other a bit of theirs to try and 'fix' themselves. Only with the press hounding them and feeling out of control of their bodies, they try to break free for a while to get a break and time together.

A story about the pressures of news and wanting to be normal and to fit in and not be the but of sick jokes of ridiculed online. It was an unheard of health issue and never read about before in YA fiction so I really enjoyed learning about it as I read, it was eye opening and very realistic with all the medical talk and trying to help solve it.

Chessboxer by Stephen Davies

In this book we meet Leah, a tough teen with a passion and set for stardom for her chess skills being ranked one of the best players there is and ranking higher and higher until she quits one day as the grief she has for her father gets too much and stifles her from her clear set path to being the highest ranking player there is.

Instead, she gets a pet python, gets a job at a donut shop and quits her blogging for others making it private documenting her life as she meets a blog reader, Kit who changes her life.

The air together play money in the park for money but she soon learns about chessboxing, a high intensity complex, thrilling game she desires to turn her talents too now and despite her mother's fears, leah is ruthless is getting what she wants to happen and refuses to back down...

All about loss, grief and pain as well as taking a stand for your future and discovering your passion in life, this is a fantastic high energy read about seeing your goal and achieving it no matter the odds or fears and proving you can and will succeed or at least try your hardest to get there and prove yourself.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review the book and take part in their bookstagram tour today too!

The Summer Of Hopes And Dreams by Lynsey James

Cleo wanted to be a professional dancer until twelve years ago a car crash breaking her leg in two places ended that dream. Instead, a nightmare happens as she keeps getting rejected from any dance teacher job she applies for.

Cleo goes to Carb Counters with her friend Emma and new girl Zara being there too as they all try to lose weight to reach their separate goals.

At the gym however, personal trainer, Scott is always helping her out of situations with the equipment there and soon enough they get friendly with each other.

Amanda then gets in touch, her bully from her school day gone, inviting her to their school reunion. She also starts popping up in their local pub and also at the gym as sure tries and fails to steal Scott away from Cleo!

As their relationship grows stronger, Cleo also becomes the new Carb Counters leader after Marjorie gets sacked by her boss upon Cleo standing up for the groups and their feelings over how she made them all feel week by week.

Reminiscent of Sue Watson's books as reviewed on here previously, this book is a summer read full of love, friendship, humour and a dose of sticking up for yourself during trying times! I really would encourage you to read this one if you enjoy easy read books as the storyline flowed well and didn't lose track of anything happening for onceand Cleo is a strong female after all she has faced but it's made her stronger over the years from being weaker before.

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

One Day In Winter by Shari Low

In this book we meet Caro, who's mum lay dying as she discovers just where her absent father disappeared to and why...

Lila, who is a social media addict with no idea that her boyfriend is going to propose to her, if only he was who she wanted...

Meanwhile Bernadette finally finds the courage to leave her loveless and emotionally abusive husband to enjoy the finer things in life she wants to for a change...

So as Caro discovers who Lila is and Lila discovers Bernadette, their lives link in ways that see the day change their lives forever.

This was a fabulous book, set only over the course of a day all I can say is it was stunning. A captivating, gripping and tumultuous read indeed! I loved courageous Caro, rooted for Bernadette and seethed at Lila and Ken's characters, they deserved each other in my opinion! Cammy Lila's would be fiancée was such a sweet guy, she missed a good one there she didn't deserve him though in my opinion! As you can tell I became attached to the characters reading on I felt like I was invested in their lives as if I were a nosy neighbour or family member! But I truly recommend this book to you, for all the drama the emotional journey and relationships between the characters made it a welcome addition to the chick lit, romance genre, it has been one of my favourite reads for the genre this year.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them and take part in the tour!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1789540577/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i2

Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses by Carole Matthews

Christie is in her forties with a teen son, Finn and a divorce in her past as well as a career as a PA for a law firm which doesn't excite her like her passion for crafting does as she loves nothing better than her crafty TV channel and getting her hands going making many cards etc.

When she replies or rather her mum does on her behalf to an add for a future collaboration with an American craft company of which she would love to work for she never expects a reply or for what entails next!

However as her son becomes increasingly unwell with a permanent headache and collapsing which seems obviously a serious issue she doesn't get there for a diagnosis quickly as she wished and soon the worst is confirmed and torn between her son, love and work she feels pulled in many directions before the world helps her figure it out...

This book makes you appreciate family and those you love as well as bringing awareness of health issues and the importance of persistence! Follow your dreams and you never know where it may lead this left me feeling full of hope and positivity as well as wanting to get crafting again!

Lost In Rome by Cindy Callaghan

Lucy and her sister Gianna are spending two weeks with her aunt helping to run Amore pizza her business in Italy!

Upon arrival though the girls discover business is dire so set to work advertising and soon their rival is onto them, causing their food to be sabotaged at one point!

As Lucy grows closer to Aj and Rico, her sister does to Lorenzo their rival's worker, however they discover Lucy has a skill in matchmaking by pizza preference and so sets about using their niche to help drum up business.

This was a fun idea of a book as being able to matchmake and accurately through pizza preference would be a cool life skill!
I enjoyed the rivalry and friendship that grows through the story of their stay and it was a quick light read perfect for teens.