The Graces by Laure Eve

River as she calls herself, is obsessed alike most of the new town she lives in now with her mum, with the Grace family. Tales of them all being witches and able to do magic have been around for years since a bad birthday party the Grace's held.

The three, Fenrin, Thalia and Summer all have an essence of a magical quality to them and an air of mystique and intrigue which means River tries to fit in with them as a mystery surrounding her father's disappearance becomes clear over the novel after she discovers a secret about Fenrin and Wolf his friend.

As events escalate, the group fractures in a gripping twist of events and danger becomes imminent...

You go into the book intrigued by the blurb, then you get blown away by the world you get transported into as magical realism becomes their reality as supposed witches exist and we see River try and infiltrate them and become one of them, accepted into their group due to their talents. However, sexual tension builds between River and Fenrin only for it to not be acted on and instead a revelation made. As well, I feel River could be about to admit she's also Gay or Bi as she jokes she isn't but possibly she could still get with outsider Marcus too. Besides all that I am still unsure whether they are all witches or what, all I know is the family seen like the Cullens from Twilight in description.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Stella is an autistic econometrist, whilst her mum believes she works too hard and should find a partner, Stella craves closeness to someone and so chooses an escort from a company to help her and teach her how to be good at relationships and sex.

As Michael helps Stella, he refuses to take her pay despite his family being plagued by money worries at lot due to his mother's ill health as she has cancer.

The pair have a sizzling chemistry and it's a very sex heavy book, obviously due to the subject nature of the book! The couple were amazing, so different but that's what worked as Michael was so understanding where Stella felt insecure and unsure. I liked that Michael was a clothing designer too as it showed he took care of his craft and was passionate about something just like Stella and her numbers and figures. A great contrasting pair with a relationship that is almost dreamlike sounding how it comes about.

A Semi Definitive List Of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland

Ester's family is unusual, her best friend is deaf and her new friend, Jonah became her friend after pickpocketing her!

Jonah also has family troubles as at home he is beaten by his father whilst his mother died years ago. Meanwhile, Ester's family are in money trouble which makes her mum very tearful while her grandad still feels guilty over a murder he never solved...

The two have death plaguing their families but the two come together to complete a series of Ester's fears that solidifies their friendship and possibly even more could become of them.

I found the book a bit weird to be truthful over it's death curse on her grandfather but then again oddness embodies this family! It was very different and I commend Krystal for that greatly.

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

Editing Emma by Chloe Seager

Comprised of internet posts day to day over September and October, as a form of online diary blog after her boyfriend Leon ghosts her, we follow Emma as she tries to move on. She starts to date Greg as Leon dates Anna or 'Apple ' and follow her life as shecopes with friendship drama and her private blog being made public knowledge!

We also see her friend Faith struggle to come out to her parents, Gracie and Emma falling out, Steph being on hand to try and help Emma move on with someone new and witness the antics of her wild mother trying to date and even including attending dance classes with her!

Grace, Steph and Faith are a typical friendship group as they help each other with coming out, dealing with break ups and generally cheering each other on as they negotiate school. Reminiscent of Georgia Nicholson, these teens are the modern version as they rely on the internet and social media to be in the loop and connected at all times. The book has a great plot showing the dangers and benefits of online and is a great slice of teen fiction.

Friendship Fails Of Emma Nash by Chloe Seager

Picking up from where book one of Emma's life and blog stopped, we catch up with Emma, Steph, Gracie and Faith as Emma keeps up her new blog and comes without Leon or Greg and comes to terms with Steph dating Andy, Gracie's brother!

As she tries to befriend other girls in her year whilst also cope with Matrix boy and Charlie, a friend whom she knows through him also being a keen designer and being a friend of Leon's too.
We see how Emma and Steph have to reform their friendship dynamic as Emma struggles when Steph has less time to hang out a lot with her.

Emma Nash is a more modern version of Georgia Nicholson with more social media influence and of course still the boy drama! A relatable teen, Emma is a great example of a modern typical teen girl. Chloe captures the teen voice expertly as Emma deals with relationship troubles and friendships too as new boundaries are forged as her friend gets a boyfriend and we see how Emma deals with it.

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

The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

Natasha is a girl living illegally in America and facing deportation back to her home of Jamaica due to her dad getting a DUI.

Daniel is a Korean guy living in America with his family where his brother has come back from studying to become a doctor and thus is quite an unpleasant character around Daniel as they fight a lot.

As Natasha goes to meet the only lawyer she thinks can help her case to stay in America she meets Daniel and didn't expect find herself liking him as much as she does. Though Natasha faces leaving America, she can't break it to Daniel and so it makes her feel guilty later when he finally understands but can their possible love and future stay alive in hope or never get going at all?

I wanted to love the book after all the hype but honestly for mW it fell very flat. I would have liked to know the main two characters deeper and have their stories more developed before they fall in like/love as they felt bland to me. As for the deportation and parent hope for child storylines they are great and really happen to many people so matter immensely.

Floored by Sara Barnard, Lisa Williamson, Non Pratt, Holly Bourne, Tanya Byrne, Eleanor Wood and Melinda Salisbury

This is one of the most hyped books of the year for teens and it's easy to see why, as for a start seven of most talented and popular YA authors have teamed up to write this collaboratively.

The cast of characters, Dawson, Hugo, Joe, Kaitlyn, Sasha and Velvet all end up in a lift which is where a delivery guy drops down dead suddenly as they're stuck in the lift together when the emergency stop button has been pressed by one of them. Following news reports about the incident as it happens at a broadcasting house building in Manchester's Media City.

The book follows them all year by year as they keep in touch and meet back up and we learn of all their dramas what have happened to each other, together we see a part of that year as a chapter from each characters perspective then also a narrator too and we learn how each of them has serious issues to deal with from sexuality, pregnancy, parents health worries, money worries, going blind, coping with loss, guilt and of course just maturing and learning about yourself too. The usual up and down of life is thoroughly shown in a truthful and emotional way.

The characters are all so different and over the course of the novel really come to appreciate each other despite the difference between them all. All the authors writing works well combined as they all write YA books and have a feel for the typical teen voice. I loved it, for sure it's a novel to be celebrated and the hype around this book has been well deserved indeed.

I am also excited after the announcement on twitter of which author wrote which character as you could guess but not be sure and now we know, did you guess right?

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

We Are All Made Of Molecules by Susin Nielsen

Stuart and Ashley are forced together as their parents, Caroline and Leonard move in together.

For Stuart he lost his mum to ovarian cancer and used to want a sister as he recalls his childhood early on and Ashley's dad came out as gay and moves on with boyfriend, Michael where as Ashley wished he hadn't and can't face telling people.

Ashley soon warms to Stuart little by little after finding out he gets to be around and talk to Jared her crush. But soon enough after they get talking she realises Jared isn't as nice as she thought he was after an incident at her house where Stuart is to the rescue which also helps her opinion of him improve again.

I really loved the concept of Stewart keeping his mum's blanket and feeling closer to her as he has the idea her molecules are on it, it's a lovely comforting idea.

The book tackles homophobia, being in the LGBTQIA community, divorce, death, step parenting and acceptance. Each issue is pretty much set to one key character and played out through them with an overlap on divorce and parenting being for both Stuart and Ashley. At first Stuart seemed intriguing and Ashley vain and harsh in her attitude but we do soon seen her and Stuart's development character wise as they both change their opinions of each other and their newly combined lives together. I loved the dual perspective of how each now sibling was feeling and adapting to their lives colliding and it worked better than if it had just been from one perspective overall, great work Susin!

928 Miles From Home by Kim Slater

Cal lives with his dad whom works away constantly on jobs he's evasive about. One day walking late by the river he meets Amelia whom lives on a barge with her mum and brother. This later teaches him about friendship and family formations as his family begins to drastically change...

When Sergei slips into their school year, Lindon Cal's friend starts to pick on him racially saying things and generally being nasty to him for being in the UK making assumptions about being a benefit scrounger even though he isn't and he's legally allowed to be here.

When Cal finds out his dad is dating and moving in Sergei and his mum, his friends start to cause trouble for him as he's forced into the situation and when the community centre offers an escape into film writing despite getting broken into repeatedly, Cal takes a chance until a twist on events makes him realise Sergei might not be so bad...

All about tolerance and acceptance of others around us from anywhere in the world at all. It was dramatic and eventful and I liked the family dynamic shifting and introducing a usually solitary character to fit into a family and how he can adjust so drastically and judge his past actions and friend associations.

The Holiday Cottage By The Sea by Holly Martin

Tori is staying with her best friend Melody after losing the love of her life, Luc ands deciding to take a break from work in London and follow her friends to the countryside and seaside.

What she doesn't expect, is Aidan a handsome stranger she gets predicted to marry minutes after her arrival! Agatha, whom predicts her possible future marriage also leads her astray in her plans for tattoos and piercings, a real rebel lady and quite a character as she predicts more marriages amongst the villagers.

As she is an animator, she also agrees to help make and market an animation for heartberry to drum up some more trade business for them.

Meanwhile, her main reason of stay to partake in fruit picking turns out to be at night, allowing her and Aidan time alone together...

From shared hobbies to finding fiery passion after both having failed in love before with previous partners and shared family drama's, there's a lot the pair bond over and soon enough we see they were meant to be as it's natural how they collide lives. Everywhere sounds so idyllic and I loved Beast the tearaway wild dog who's girlfriend is called Beauty! It was a read to give you a case of the warm fuzzies and it didn't disappoint in any way at all, a cute and love fuelled read!

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

A Bad Boy Stole My Bra by Lauren Price

Alec and Riley are new next door neighbours that meet when Alec steals Riley's Disney bra as a date one night. Vowing to get it back Riley issues him and tries to get it back but instead gets a friendship and flirtation instead as we learn of Alec's cocky nature in this super sweet contemporary which will having you bawling with laughter, especially at Alec's one liners which are stunners!

There's also Kaitlin, Tony and Tiana whom all have bad linked memories for Riley and as she comes to terms with that, or not in some cases as her panic attacks come on stronger, we see how much Alec cares about Riley as he takes care of her as they strike and finally reveals to him just what happened surrounding the night to do with Kaitlin her cousin.

From a new young Midlands author this is one amazing debut that you will adore of you like contemporary and Young Adult fiction books. Alec is a typical cheeky guy and Riley an outraged girl at his actions and fights back feisty. The pair made the perfect cocktail for a loving, funny, eventful couple for the book to base around the drama was truly heart wrenching and truthful as grief can strike for times after a tragic death.

This is the cutest contemporary YA novel I have read this year!

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

Star By Star by Sheena Wilkinson

Stella lost her mother to the great flu ranging on throughout England and Ireland both, during the first world war. Setting off for where her mother used to know in Ireland and being expected there were she meets Sandy and an array of older women whom love together in a sort of lodging house together.

Sandy is an soldier of war and Stella helps him to re focus his life as he helps her garden and later helps a local couple too. As women start to be able to vote and the war ends, tragedy stills strikes....

This is a heartbreaking story about coping with illness and war and I could imagine all the grief and joy they feel over the events that happen during the book. Something that tickles me about the book is a coincidence that main character Stella Graham is actually a name comprising of both my parents first names! A coincidence which have us all a laugh but at the same time very wartime esque appropriate!

Love, Hate and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed

In this book Maya is an aspiring filmmaker and dreams of attending NYU but her traditional Muslim Indian parents don't approve. They dream of her marrying and staying at home and being a good girl as they dream.

However, after her dream seems within reach, an act of terrorism causes more violence in her life and not just to the public as she and her family face physical and verbal abuse.

She also has to battle with a crush on Phil she's harboured for years but as the pair grow closer and closer, things escalate till the future seems too hazy to hope for together...

The book looks at the future of a hopeful student but as she goes against all her strict parents wishes whilst she experiences love but also a terrorist attack that directly affects her life and unfortunately this is all too true an occurrence. It was a real book with deep issues that many people can relate to.

Dead Ends by Erin Lange

Billy D is new on Dean's street and has downs syndrome, Dean is a typical hard guy starting fights and playing the rough guy act.

The pair start to hang out together as Dean learns he can stop getting detentions of he helps Billy D out, including helping him find his dad as it's his dream goal.

The pair also meet tomboy girl Seely, as Dean falls for her whilst she helps the pair out trying to find Billy D's dad even going on a road trip of sorts...

This was a very interesting book, a typical hard guy helping a guy with downs syndrome out at school and home as they live in the same street. It was surprising with the turn of events and raises awareness of the prejudice disabilities can cause as well as how harmful domestic violence can be on someone. It was a great emotionally charged book and even included a strange hobby for Dean's mum as she collects and wall mounts winning lottery tickets never cashing them in!

The Little Wedding Island by Jaimie Admans

Bonnie heads to an island dubbed The Wedding Island thanks to the Many successful marriages that come from the little chapel there.

On the boat journey there, she meets Rohan for the first time as she comforts him as he suffers with his seasickness and when they arrive, head to a hotel Where they stay separately but do share dinner where Bonnie learns that he's R.C. a rival journalist and columnist whom she has had Twitter drama with.

Just as they were getting along so well! As Rohan tries to apologize after her upsets her over dinner that Clara the kind hotel owner makes for them, he tries to win her round with humour and chocolate cake.

There's a little wedding street complete with all the shops and businesses you could think of to need for a wedding event to go ahead using the services off and of course, it's aesthetically beautiful. Even if the shops remain shut to those who aren't obviously a couple getting married, there's also the hilarious situation of a pug guard dog which I loved!

However as the pair share love secrets and wedding atories, witness a bear marriage to sour and experience their chemical attraction grow even stronger, it all implodes after an article appears and threatens their own little happy ever after...

This book was so sweet and endearing, the characters were vibrant and so super as the storyline was amazingly planned, plotted and executed. The writing drew me into their time on the island and made me feel part of their adventure there. As the first book I've read by Jaimie, I'd snatch up another as the story won me over as well as the writing style being so beautifully descriptive and captivating. Also love the cover as the colours defiantly boast summer and love contrasting perfectly.

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

Confetti and Confusion by Daisy James

Millie and Ella are back running their Caribbean cookery school for Claudia as she still recovers. Set over a week, with a bridal party this time.

This time they set to work helping Imogen and Alex get their wedding dream despite the bride's mum not approving of their ideal wedding back home though when she finds old flame Brad here, she takes a back seat thankfully for the bride to be!

The cookery duo have to help create cake pops and a new wedding cake from the cookery school after the wedding party's original ones get destroyed and then their wedding planner goes missing adding to the worries they needn't have.

We catch up on the what was budding romance between Millie and Zach as they go on a treetop course alike to Go Ape though his ex Chloe turns up later and suddenly, but is all that meets the eye?

An exciting drama filled week back in the cookery school we can dream of and it didn't disappoint. We caught up on all the previous events and where they progressed to now as well as developing Millie into the next chapter of her life in her career. There's love and revenge plots in this book which covered the thrilling action. As well as the wedding party providing many laughs in their making and baking. It was a gorgeous tale to dream yourself in to and pretend you're also there in the Caribbean with them. A truly captivating romance read perfect for this summer heat wave!

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

See below for blog tour posts coming up from the rest of the participating blogs:

Purchase links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daisy-James/e/B015ECQG7E/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1530718282&sr=8-2-ent

Misfit by Charli Howard

Aspiring model Charli grew up battling with anxiety, depression, OCD and eating disorders anorexia and bulima.

Her turbulent life she lays all to bear and free to judge by us as she gives us an insight into her crazy life growing up abroad, in a boarding school as well as struggling to fit in at school and in the adult world to get a good boyfriend and a sparkling brilliant career all however, at the cost of her true happiness we soon learn as she struggles to become a signed model.

Despite aspiring to be a model and shrinking in size, Charli had to learn to live herself despite the harsh critics and the way she discusses her treatment from certain modelling agencies is truly horrific and appalling.

Frank in her account and her battle with mental health, Charli had told her account and story with strength and courage to make the most of her now more positive movement thanks to finding a respectful modelling agency that embraces more shapely women after all women are curvier most of the time!
Embracing the body positive movement for sure, Charli and her book will remembered for how modelling has changed and how it can effect young girls too.

My Box Shaped Heart by Rachael Lucas

Holly has a tough time time in school as she gets bullies while Holly's mum is also a hoarder and so she escapes to the swimming pool for relaxation and to escape her and life. Cressi, a kind neighbour manages to allow Holly to be a swimming assistant and Holly is grateful to have an excuse to not be at home. However, her mum has a broken leg from falling in all the mess and when kind Cressi calls in to check on them both she helps clear the house and slowly the hoarding mess lessens so much her Mum even brightens up and goes to the doctors where she's to start CBT for depression, seemingly triggered by her breakup with Lauren's dad.

Allie and Rio are her two best school friends from school and often hang out with her and Allie later confides in them both that she's gay and later the trio attend a gallery where Allie tells them who her crush is.

Ed goes to the swimming baths to escape his abusive dad whom used to hit his mum until they got lives to a safe house where he hopefully can't trace them to. His and Holly's lives collide quite literally as they swim into each other by accident one day and proceed to see each other at the baths and their bus stop and when Ed gives her his number it's inevitable they start hanging out more and more as they escape their chaotic lives together.

Both Ed and Holly deal with tough situations forced on them thanks to their parents own issues. They found friendship and love in each other unexpectedly as well as giving them another reason escaping their parents drama was right for them as they shouldn't be expected to look after them. Cressi was a kind soul to step in and I commend the book for her character as she gave a more stable adult presence in Holly's life who took an interest in helping her grow as a person and encouraged her interests. It was a cute read as they find their bubble of combined happiness.

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

Read Me Like A Book by Liz Kessler

In this book, in her final run up to her last A level exams, Ash finds herself dealing with her parents divorce, falling out with her best friend and discovering her sexuality whilst keeping up here school work.

After having sex with Dylan, a guy she tries dating only it never feels right, she finds herself in a worse state and relies on talking to her English teacher Miss Murray and soon falls deep into an unrequited crush developing into love.

Doubting herself and whom she likes as her parents separate for good filing for divorce and her dad getting a new girlfriend her best friend and her heal their friendship and hit up the gay bar helping Ash decide once and for all her true sexuality and forget the stresses of her A levels coming up.

This is the book everyone doubting their sexuality should read. It was gripping, truthful, shocking and of course relatable as Ash is a normal teen struggling with growing up whilst her parents arguing all the time then divorcing of course affect her. All the issues made the book hook me in especially as she falls for her female teacher which added a while other dynamic to the book. You should totally read this ya book, no matter your age you'll be hooked.

Everything All At Once by Steve Camden

A series of poem's set during a week in a school we meet an array of characters.

It perfectly captures all school situations you go to through from lessons and wishing you weren't there, school toilet states with graffiti, finding a crush to fights and friendship groups tight knit like family. Each poem captures a characters voice perfectly as a teenager experiencing things at school, some for the first time and others again and again. Anyone can relate to these poems!

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

Wild Blue Wonder by Carlie Sorosiak

Three siblings, Quinn, Fern and Reed all fell in love with their friend Dylan one summer at camp only there's a shocking twist i didn't see coming...

Quinn tells the story in perspectives split to current day and back in the summer at camp which their parents own. Now, the siblings aren't close like they used to be and Fern is staying out more with friends like Reed stays at his. Quinn however sticks with Hana her friend and fellow camp counsellor as well as new boy Alexander.

The book deals with grief and how moving on and accepting the loss of someone can hinder us for ages after. The family as a whole all are affected but each in different ways as they cope differently to each other as they all knew the person. It was moving, emotional but hopeful too as we see Quinn learn to accept what happened. Anyone who's lost someone can relate.

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

Beauty and Bernice by Nancy Viau

Bernice used to wish to be a princess as a child only now she would rather be a skater like she is.

Beauty is a princess whom turns up and the two may be opposites but Odelia the princess shows her how she can act and take charge of her life to get her own prince and dreams.

With some fantasy combined, this short tale is a sweet and charming friendship based read. Showing how to be get going in real life and how two people totally different can help each other and get along better despite their differences.

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

Unspeakable by Abbie Rushton

Megan has a secret, she'll never tell anyone, she's also a mute.

At school she's bullied by Sadie, Jane and Lindsay a group of bullies who used to be her best friends once years ago.

Megan's secret is to do with Hana whom she writes letters to apologising, she was her best friend and she witnessed her death.

When new girl Jasmine ditches Sadie and her friends she hangs round with Megan and doesn't make fun of her for being mute she is patient and calm.

Luke knows Megan's secret but as he asks out Megan only to be shot down after one date Megan starts to worry he could break their promise...

Open with each other, Jasmine confides in Megan that her family has been targeted by someone with something against them as horrible things start to happen to them...

Megan gets a huge crush on Jasmine and has to bury her feelings until they go camping...

A breathtakingly beautiful yet heartbreaking novel about self discovery, loss and grief, bullying as well as love and sexuality.

The subject of mutism isn't greatly used in young adult fiction so I loved that it was included here, the story is a gripping one as the mystery surrounding Hana starts from the word go and throughout it's never clear what happened just where and not why but we are free to speculate of course!

Touching and not easily forgotten.

A Taste Of Blue Light by Lydia Ruffles

This book focuses on the life of Lux and her friends Mei and Olivia. As well as Henry and Cal her two love interests through the book.

The main plot is that she can't recall what happened during the summer after she wakes up one day in hospital unable to remember just what has happened.

She attends an arts school and writes but after the brain injury, struggles to get back to herself.

Overall the main focus is on the sensitivity of the brain and injury whilst also looking into the cause in this case being a major event, a terrorist plot. It was an okay book but I didn't find it relatable in any way and found the first third of the book to be a drag.

Sunshine and Sweet Peas In Nightingale Square by Heidi Swain

Once happily married, now eight years on Kate and David are separating.

She meets Lisa, John and their brood of kids as well as Harold whom are her new neighbours. She also meets Robert, who tells her all about the green space project while Lisa and her set about helping new mum Heather Cole with baby Evie.

Whilst exploring Prosperous Place, they alert the owner Luke to their presence by accident but have a rather funny face to face encounter minus the serious tone too!

There's a Valentine's takeaway between friends where the friends all find out a shocking revelation about Luke and the Wentworth family legacy.

There's a shock pregnancy, surprise animal findings, new friendships and ex's turning up out of the blue as drama and tension builds between Luke and Kate.

This was a sweet read all about moving on and finding the best parts of life come together all at once, friendship and romance all in one place for Kate. Heidi writes another great romance once again.

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

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

Twinkle fancies Neil so when she starts getting emails signed off from N and admirer she lokes to believe they're from him.

However, as she works with Sahil on a film project after he approached her, she finds herself realising Sahil isn't so bad, he's helped her when Hannah the mean girl makes a jibe at her and notices when her friend Maddie isn't sticking up for her.

The pair work on a film together and hope to enter it into a film festival as their chance of making it as director and producer.

The book deals with family issues, friendship woes, LGBTQ issues and relationships as well as the worry about does he/she like me which is a common YA trope. Twinkle's perspective is made up of written letters whilst Sahil features with blog posts and texts to his friends which show his feelings in their full glory. The final quarter of the book was thrilling to see what happened to all of the relationships in Twinkle's life and I particularly enjoyed a Romeo and Juliet style scene!

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

Operation Eiffel Tower by Elen Caldecott

Siblings Jack and Lauren want to keep their parents together but they always notice the fights and escalating screaming matches that occur. They help Ruby and Billy their younger siblings to cope when their dad leaves home and even though they saw the signs, it's a shock.

Jack helps out at the golf course and enjoys playing there as it's crazy golf set to areas of the world, including the Eiffel Tower.
After their dad leaves home, they plot getting their parents enough money for a trip to Paris for real thinking of money making ways but as a terrible thing occurs, the parents still can't unite and so the kids bring Paris to home...r

This book holds so many truths and could be a real life situation with a family dealing with impending divorce and unsettling a family home. It will be relatable and perhaps even inspire some kids to try this idea possibly too! The children were depicted perfectly and the parents came across as a struggling couple. It was a serious book but it has times of fun as the children worked together all ages included.

A Summer Scandal by Kat French

Violet inherits a pier located at Swallow Beach thanks to her Grandpa where she meets Calvin her new neighbour, as she reopens the newly designed pier for adults with partisan shops.

Violet's mum reveals secrets to her about her grandma she didn't know and the events which took place at Swallow Beach and why they originally moved away.

Violet upped and left the safety net of a husband to hopefully be though he was darn keener than her and she stuck up for herself wanting to spend summer in Swallow Beach instead. Where she meets Cal, a new love interest her flat is neighbour to and he's a leatherworker like she's a costume maker. The only trouble is his mum whom is mayoress and wants to see the pier remain shut.

Violet makes friends with Barry and his granddaughter Keris, whom remember her grandmother. However as she discovers her grandmother's affair with T, she sets about discovering who T is just as Calvin's wife Ursula randomly shows up after years of being gone...

I love the mystery and rediscovering her family past, I especially loved the fact that the flat she moves into is a frozen in time historical haven making her closer to her now gone grandparents too. The love blossomed and the character of Calvin's mum loved to be outlandish assuming the pier was becoming a sex den/hide out. Violet is a vibrant character all round and comes so well with all the events which happen to her a true headstrong main protagonist. Kat writes great beach reads which never disappoint and I also love the vibrancy of the cover alive with summer sunset colours.

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

Donut Days by Lara Zielin

Emma's parents are both pastors who have raised her and her seven year old little sister Lizzie as devout Christians her ex best friend Nat was supposed to go off to Crispy Dream Donut camp with her not become best mates with Molly whose dad causes trouble for her parents church as he believes men rule and have more power over women.

She broke Jakes heart but asks him to meet up with her after she finds out her parents will hold back her college fund unless she goes to a Christian college else she has to fund it someway.

Emma meets Bear and Anita at the camp and becomes friends with them meanwhile later Jake says he loves her throwing her off after what happened between them previously. We do learn why Nat isn't friends with Emma currently and we learn that Carson caused the fall out.

It is very religion/Christianity heavy and wasn't my normal choice of book but if you are into religious fiction with a minor love theme then you should enjoy it.

All These Beautiful Things by Elizabeth Klehfoth

Knollwood prep is hiding some deadly secrets. Charlie is part of the A's, an elite group made up of generations of the same few rich various family people.

Wondering about what happened to her mum, Charlie along with the current A's, set about investigating digging up evidence from years ago which incriminates a whole past generation of the A's.

From an old love triangle to jealousy, to possible murder the secrets are deadly and the Charlie looks set to get justice for all the wrongs the former A's caused even if it does mean some of her family could be at fault but will she find her mum at last?

Well I heard the hype about the book, but didn't feel it was what I expected. The characters didn't really differentiate to me and they seemed all the same rich kids at a school for them being all they had in common and their friendship seemed inevitable and not natural. The idea of the plot about the mystery of her mum's disappearance was great on premise but the story could've been better and a lot shorter I feel. It just wasn't for me it didn't hook me in and the characters were a let down. You may still enjoy it but it wasn't for me.

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

Watching You by Lisa Jewell

Joey and Alfie are newlyweds, moving in to Joey's brother's and sister in-laws as they resettle back in Bristol. However, headteacher Tom an older man is the sight of Joey's sudden new found obsession he lives two doors down with his wife and son.

There's Freddie, Tom's son and who watches Joey whilst taking photographs of Jenna and others whom he's watched...

Then Jenna who's friends and her laugh over Tom and finding him attractive especially Bess while her mum remembers him despite her issues...

You won't see some of it coming at all, for the twist ending I managed to guess the guilty party at about twenty five percent left of the book due to the various action happening. The characters each had something doubtable about them for instance their actions from watching to photograph taking!

Overall it was a very well plotted book and for a while you consider every character guilty of something, it's a riveting read, perfect for any fan of thrillers and murder mystery books.

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

Just One Of The Royals by Leah And Kate Rooper

Hi everyone! Today's post is a review as part of the Chapter by Chapter blog tour for Just One Of The Royals, I am super excited to be a part of this and encourage you to check out the book yourselves and the rest of the blog tour stops too of course, enjoy!

Schedule for tour:

http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/tour-schedule-just-one-of-the-royals-by-leah-rooper-and-kate-rooper/

Daniel is an ice hockey player with a crush on Madison his ice hockey team helped and his best friend. As Madison also has a crush on him though she is getting frustrated at him not making any move on her...

Then his sister Eva comes to take him to fulfil his royal duties as if he doesn't take the throne by their father's anniversary they'll lose their kingdom.

Madison can get an audition for a hit TV show if she helps Eva get Daniel to go and so Madison plays his fake girlfriend to help him with fashion choices and public appearances. Alice and Dwayne also go to help Daniel as a team to keep him motivated.

But will it be Eva or Daniel who's victorious in becoming the new ruler?

I liked the dual perspective to be able to see both characters points of view throughout all the changes that occur in the book. It was balanced between sweet royal duties and hockey action as well as the drama of going back to Eldonia. I liked the fact we saw all the young characters struggles from the two royals, Eva and Daniel as well as Madison and Lyle who know what they want and try to get it too. Over all the book was a light hearted contemporary with the gritty edge of a fight for the right heir to the throne and I loved it for that.

Take a chance, you might just fall in love with Eldonia and their royals now too!

I'm excited to know there is a coming sequel in autumn too all around Eva and her life now!

Purchase links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-One-Royals-Leah-Rooper-ebook/dp/B07D2BRTB5/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528234816&sr=1-1&keywords=Just+One+of+the+Royals

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39861093-just-one-of-the-royals

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

Girl At Sea by Lucy Courtenay

Precious's parents got divorced or are getting divorced after pictures emerged of her dad with other women.


Harry's dad drowned at sea and his mum had a breakdown over it.

Nathan wants to be an artist but his dad doesn't approve and yet he's a drug dealer.

After their GCSE'S are over, Precious and Lotta are off on holiday with their mum's to the Algarve only Lotta wants Olivia to join them when Precious can't stand her and finds her just wanting drama and gossip.

Harry is interailling with new friend Sasha whilst he wants to avoid the sea then ends up alone travelling by it anyway.

Harry and Precious first meet at a hot dog stand when she leaves her change, they witness the bomb go off on the boat, her father's boat and later when she can't catch her flight home and has an uneasy feeling she's being watched, she tries to leave via a cab once again offering too much money, Harry strides in to help. She then follows him as he talks of loneliness and catches the train with him.

Nathan is sent after her as the hunt for her goes national, her face on billboards everywhere whilst running with Harry away from the guys following them as her father's business is in trouble...

This book was told from a three way split perspective once from each main characters point of view. They all have father issues and talk about them whilst the boys also have a jealousy and territory issue over Precious and wanting to help her. The book did have some good points but I did find it dragging in other's, the action was good but more to do with the parent's business deals would be possibly made things clearer. The characters voices were believable and I liked how headstrong Precious is.

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

Silence Is Goldfish by Annabel Pitcher

This book made me want to give Tess, the novel's protagonist a huge hug so, so bad.

Tess has just discovered a huge, life altering secret courtesy of her dad's secret blog. The six hundred and seventeen words she reads turn her life upside down and make her question everything. Thus, she becomes silent, to everyone.

She speaks in her mind only to Mr Goldfish, her small torch from the petrol garage that she carries around with her.

Its a great novel to encourage young girls to undoubtedly be themselves and like their body at what size they are and never listen to the voices of the pupils around them.

It was a great read and cleverly and clearly written.

One by Sarah Crossan

Told in verse this book is the story of conjoined twins Grace and Tippi. Aged sixteen they head off to normal high school after being home schooled but as their parents face losing their jobs and their dad relies on alcohol obviously spending money they don't have, the girls worry especially when they start collapsing...

The twins are regular in every way as they try drinking alcohol and smoking despite what is happening to their combined body.
They face a tough life decision for them which can literally lead to life or death and we see each girls dedication to the other as they prepare to face an uncertain future.

I liked they made a documentary and their sister was still driven to chase her dreams despite the twins being Grace for her.

The book was super unique being told solely on verse for the whole story, the unique concept of conjoined twin girls experiencing school for the first time and finding love and friendship many thing we take for granted with no challenges but for them we can see how everything effects them and the other one of them too. The issues are financial for the family, anorexia for their younger sister and we see the effects of them too.
It's a raw emotional read, prepare your tissues!

Eden Summer by Liz Flanagan

After Jess heard her best friend Eden has gone missing, she sets off on finding her herself by recalling everything since the beginning of the summer when Eden lost her sister and Jess was attacked before that.

Both suffered and are suffering through their traumas and we are how much the girls rely on each other for support

Liam Eden's boyfriend and Jess shared a kiss but it's more while Eden went off with a guy called Tyler whom she trusted with Her shocking secret discovery about her family and sister.

Set over a day whilst Jess tries to find Eden, we see the emotional toll and distraught it causes them all from parents to friends and strangers. Grief and pain is sewn into each page which grips you and pulls you into the story more and more. It was a great mystery thriller as well as featuring mental health battles too a lot is covered and it's a great YA read!

Animal Ark 1: Kitten Rescue by Lucy Daniels

I am so excited for this book. As a young child reading about animals was my favourite thing besides the Rainbow Magic fairy book series. Animal Ark ran for years as I was born and growing up when theybfirst stars being published and my cousins devoured them all too. Now, they are being relaunched with whole new stories for a new generation of animal loving readers and I couldn't be more thrilled!

Amelia is the new girl to the area with her mum As they move in with grandma. However Amelia meets Mandy on her way to university as she stops her running over a dog. After going to see Animal Ark vets, she also meets Sam the owner of the puppy whom also needs a lot of training and Sam and her team up but they also discover a group of kittens thanks to Mac the dog!

As they care for them with advice from the vets they set off to trace their mother and also find homes for all the newborns too.

These new book evidently bridge the gap between Many Hope in the new adult books and her old child self in the children's books from the 90's. I couldn't be happier for the series return, still short sweet and generally upbeat aswell as raising awareness for how to care for pets they are perfect for their target age of children as guestbook learn whilst enjoying the story.
Still classic upbeat, energetic and inspiring reads!

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

Differently Normal by Tammy Robinson

Hello everyone! Today's post is part of a blog tour for this amazing novel, I hope you enjoy and check out everyone else's blogs too!

Maddy has an autistic sister, Bee and is one of her carers along with her mother. She juggles her full time photography job with looking after her sister and keeping her routine up.

Albert works full time at a stables to try and impress his father, whom never seems to appreciate his son and how he does at anything. Seemingly never feeling his son is enough for him whilst he doesn't see what a horrid character he himself is judging people so harshly but maybe it comes naturally as he's a police officer.

Maddy and Bee go to horse ride at the stables and Albert notices Maddy instantly and pursues going on a date with her, while she stresses over her sister's care and keeps work colleague Kyle wanting more dating gossip while he's partnerless right now.

As Albert and Maddy spend more time together, they hang out at the beach and relax there together falling into a happy relationship full of happiness and first times. They make each other happy even when their home lives aren't as Maddy has Bee to help and Albert can't seem to please or make his dad proud of him and his brother is very much the same way towards him not caring enough about his life but judging it anyway.

They see the good and bad in each other and love each other despite anything. However one day at the stables, Albert gets offered the chance to train to be more than a stable hand at the yard but to be a therapist instead there  were we see just how much they care for each other as things take a turn...

This was a gutwrenching read and so heartbreaking too, I never expected the ending at all and I thought it was so tragic yet provided the perfect basis for his parents to finally face facts even if his horrid dad didn't at least his mother finally stuck to her guts about her situation. Maddy and Albert had such a strong love that  came across throughout the last half of the book especially that when the last ten percent of the book happened so was shocked, it really is alike The Fault In Our Stars and you will love it too, just have tissues ready!

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

The Summer Getaway by Tilly Tennant

Ashley got pregnant with Molly young on holiday and now grown up Molly is a talented musician wanting to go to a prestigious college.

Haydon is a cellist with his daughter Ella whom may be moving away to be with her mum and new stepdad full time As they seem set on moving away.

As Ashley heads to the South of France for her stepdads aunt's birthday celebration, she passes by Haydon at a market only he spots her but doesn't realise at first. Then later They find out they're neighbours at their seperate villas!

As their daughter's become friends Ashley's mum lays on the pressure to come clean to Haydon about who her granddaughter truly is, his daughter too!

Only as chances slip by and Haydon and Ashley rekindle their old fling, she frets about how he will understand and more importantly, how the girls take the news as well...

Get whisked away on a summer holiday filled with celebrations, sports and activities as well as a shocking romance sizzling once again! Full of happiness, fun and plenty of tension throughout you won't want to put this down. Each character is unique and combined they all have a great time as they join up in France.

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

Tender by Eve Ainsworth

Marty lives with his mum who's depression has worsened since his dad's sudden tragic death. His dad's friend J moved in but really only looks out for himself as he often disappears down to the pub.

Daisy is dealing with her worn out mum, hard working dad and little brother whom suffers with muscular dystrophy.

The pair meet randomly at a Christmas market and later properly at a young carers meeting Marty is new to and from there see each other in school too after realizing that they both go to the same one.

As their own lives progress with Marty watching his mum decline whilst trying to keep the social workers away, Daisy tries to get closer to him as she feels invisible and insignificant at home, only her younger brother having time for her and even then her mum limits that in fear of her hurting him.

As they watch things in their families deteriorate they come back to each other and realise they are lucky to have each other and it's good to have someone else to lean on. A true life lesson there as we all need to share things sometimes with someone with an outsiders perspective to help us. I liked that the book shows families both from a richer and poorer scale without it mattering as it doesn't but often the social divide works that way and in this book shows illness can effect anyone regardless of cash flow etc.
The way the pair came to meet was sweet and by chance and definitely fitting with a Christmas time setting. The way they dealt with each other's situations bankers maturity even if it was shocking to them. A well thought out thrilling book again by Eve!

Not If I See You First by Ally Carter

Maddie's dad was a guard for Logan's father, the president of the United States and The First Lady. Until an attack leaves him with an injured leg, years later him and Maddie are living in Alaska where Maddie trains hard still to be able to protect herself and her father.

As the years passed, she wrote to Logan but never heard back until he shows up in Alaska planned by his parents with Maddie's father agreeing and thus bringing danger to Maddie and her father as Russian and corrupt agents show up just as Maddie's dad is called away on business as a storm is moving in. As the agents work to kidnap Logan, Maddie is determined to protect him as Logan is to protect Maddie. As they work apart alone and together they face many outdoor challenges relates to Alaskan weather and outdoor terrain as well as gun risks and that means getting away together, alive - if Maddie is still alive by the end of this fight...

Now, I love Ally's previous novel's about spies as I grew up watching M.I.High around the same time of the books release! I never care for survival stories but nonetheless found myself hooked needing to know if they survived not and wanted to see if the pair realized how they truly feel towards each other despite past mix up's and let down's they may be feeling. It was a gripping page turner and I loved it, a great return from Ally!

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

A Thousand perfect Notes by C. G. Drews

Warning: This book contains scenes of violent domestic abuse.

Beck meets August at school and they become friends though Beck plays the piano, forced by his mother whom can no longer play and is now a bitter abusive woman towards her son. He also has a brother and sister too but Beck is the one pushed at only fifteen to become a famous pianist and not have the family name die from the world of piano playing.

Only as the abuse worsens and Beck feels more and more pushed into a fake life, a life he hates he tries to take charge only for it to end up with him in a worse state than ever before...

Overall, it was a good book. Personally for me if rammed home the domestic abuse point about his mother's obsession with having their family name live on in the world of music. Other than that, the story between August and Beck was a very sweet teen romance and totally believable, they seem a normal couple. Just like an abuse sufferer, Beck hates his life and says it often but shows that good things can come from bad situations when you least expect it like August showing up in his life.

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

The Pants Project by Cat Clarke

Liv's just started middle school but is hiding a secret deep down, she knows she's a boy, transgender and hates the school's uniform being sexist that girls have to wear skirts not trousers.

This spurs her on to petition and make a change along with the support of best friends Maisie and Jacob who's own battle is with hyper mobility syndrome while Jade the school bully has her own fun with the situation while the school head has a meltdown when the petition campaign makes the local news!

Her two moms and her brother all accept her for who she truly is as she eventually works up the courage to be the real him and brave coming out in the open about his feelings deep down.

A raw and emotional book about a transgender teen fighting for their belief's and taking a stand. I enjoyed this book and found it interesting with all the history through childhood memories we got to relive as he dealt with his feelings growing up.