Me, You & Tiramisu by Charlotte Butterfield

This book is a real emotional rollercoaster!

When Jayne bumps into Will, years after parting ways as young teens, by a chance meeting as she waits for her twin, Rachel she is thrown back in at the deep end of the emotional ties to him she has.
Jayne and Rachel always did everything together as kids, naturally being twins yet unidentical, though when it comes to guys Jayne never met anyone else other than Will or Billy as he was known growing up and Rachel likes to move on pretty quickly from any guy in her life.
After enjoying a meal out to catch up, they arrange to meet again and so on they go into a relationship. Both supporting each other through their own issues and working lives until Will's cookery school becomes so successful he decides to take it online and start a YouTube channel and so they face a new challenge as the fame starts to influence them.

Having seen how the media reacts to sudden fame it is a true representation of how that part of the world operates which is surely, as displayed in the book, bittersweet for certain people.

This book lived up to the standards of Sophie Kinsella, Abby Clements and Carole Matthews for example. My favourite scene especially was the cute idea Will has to surprise Jayne in the Cotswolds in the hotel bathroom and it's not an obvious expectation of taking place in the tub!

Hopefully that's intrigued you into picking up the book yourselves!

Thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this treat of a book and find a great new author in the process!

Consent by Nancy Ohlin

In this book we meet Beatrice and see how her life changes when she gets a new music history teacher who she finds attractive. After he discovers her talents they become an electric pair as they share their love and passion of music and piano together and Dane encourages her to achieve her potential as a pianist at college.

However, after they get carried away in their passion, the couple find themselves discovered by and unexpected source...

This couple was electric and both in my eyes happy with their relationship despite the ages and legalities i do feel it was a nice romance and not a pressured one but alas the law wins over for them. I truly loved the book and the forbidden romance within!

Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstein

I wanted to review this book after seeing the main character surfers from a chronic illness, totally relatable to myself in some ways.

Only I suffer from fibromyalgia and other rheumatoid illnesses where as Erica or Ricky suffers with severe arthritis at just fourteen causing her to skip school and struggle with daily life from waking to sleeping, all day is a struggle to walk and be in endless pain.

As she deals with her parents divorce and her health she loses her way with school work, has to stand up to bullies, find new friends and become less colourful with her anger language of cursing!

As she gets tutored after school and makes friends with Ollie and Julio her crush grows but will she realise on who in time as well as finally getting her separated parents to listen to get about how she feels?

It was a good book, however I can't help but feel that Erica didn't actually curse that much, I felt and expected her to be more frustrated than she was given the title and would be liked to have had her mum more features in the whole book as she didn't a lot but then again Erica does try to be fully independent. But for the chronic pain and illness side of things it was fully realistic and accurate and it's great to see chronic pain featuring in a young adult book for once at last too!

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

Springtime At Wildacre by Lucy Daniels

We return to the life of vet Mandy Hope I'm this next book in the series. We see much animal drama, births, rehoming and of course rescuing. From cats, dogs, owls, squirrels to even an elephant!

We also see Mandy and Jimmy's relationship grow as his twin children await the arrival of their new sibling as their mum is pregnant. But as Mandy and Jimmy approach their relationship and the topic of moving in will it all go smoothly?

James, Mandy's best friend is struggling in the dating world trying to find a decent guy after Paul, but possibly a chance meeting may see to a new love...

Whilst Mandy's mum is suffering with her health and is awaiting a neurologist consultation we later see her finally showing signs of improving...

An action packed book, with very detailed descriptions of all the animal events happening and the voices came to life to me of the children especially as they got excited around helping the animals. I really enjoyed the next instalment of this series and would totally pick up the next one when it's out!

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

Waiting For Fitz by Spencer Hyde

Addie suffers with OCD while Fitz suffers with schizophrenia.

Meeting as they now live on the psych ward, the pair become close after both become involved in group therapy where they have to open up, obviously about their separate issues they deal with.

After Fitz tells Addie his plan to escape she become wrapped up in it too and the pair hatch their plan along with fellow ward stayers and as the pair plan ahead neither of them is prepared for just what happens and how much they rely on each other and can't always control their conditions especially without their medication...

This book started slowly but as soon as the action came it was full force we see the characters at their worst and best as they try to help and rely on each other to be free in the world again however when things didn't go to plan i didn't expect the drama that ensues at all. It was a great young adult mental health read and one that raises awareness of a lesser written about condition too.

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

Check Mates by Stewart Foster

Meet Felix, an ADHD sufferer and normal teen just lively and unable to concentrate on tasks set to him very well for getting distracted.

His friend Jake likes to mess around too but Rebecca his more sensible friend concentrates and works hard and even likes chess, a big part of his granddad's life.

After losing his grandma, his grandad is lonely and shuts the world out while keeping all is wife's possessions close in their place like she's coming back home.

Yet his distraction is Felix and finding ways to get him to learn about things like his German history and how to do house tasks and play chess too!

Yet, Felix decides to do a list back to his granddad to get him to do something Felix enjoys. Only as his grandad sneaks in more chess tactics into tasks, Felix kind of becomes infected by a chess playing bug and joins the school team becoming a great new player even making his grandad proud.

This was such an amazing book, we have so much covered  from death and grief to health problems, finding your perfect hobby, fitting it and feeling let down by family not to forget harbouring huge life changing secrets! It was a fun book looking into the relationship between a grandson and his grandfather and unlike what I've read before in young adult fiction. I may not like chess personally but this book was still fun despite the involvement so don't judge it before you've read it!

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

The Words That Fly Between Us by Sarah Carroll

Living with her investor stressed dad and her mum, Lucy doesn't like to be around her dad when he's in a mood and he is often, causing verbal and emotional pain on his wife and daughter.

Her best friend Megan also gets put downs from her so called friend Hazel whom makes sly comments and digs at Megan's body and about her growing blog too. Despite Lucy's efforts she can't stop her best friend being effected by Hazel...

However as an aspiring artist despite what her dad says, Lucy has a generous heart and soon gets to know the mysterious artist next door after leaving her a gift anonymously and being left a gift back in return.

The main theme in this novel is about speaking out about abuse and it's never right to have to put up with especially at home. We see how the family changes due to stress about money from her dad. We also see how it's important to follow your heart and never giving up on passions and dreams. It was a really great novel in the way we can imagine being in Lucy's shoes and having to face so many issues alone.

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

Eyes On Me by Rachel Harris

Lily is forced by her dad to take time off school work on Saturdays and get a hobby, ballroom dancing.

So when she falls and lands in Stone, a popular guy in schools arms she feels shocked let alone when she discovers revolution dance studio is owned by his mum!

However Lily lost her mum to cancer and her hobby and dream was dance meanwhile Stone's sister recovered from cancer.

As school events and friendship with his sister Angela pushed Lily and Stone together, the pair can't deny their dance chemistry is more than just in dance and as Stone's ex Cameron tries to get him back can he realize his feelings in time...

Meanwhile, Revolutions money worries also get a reprieve as a dance showcase is held and Stones guilt about Lilys dad's money comes to light just how will Lily react?

A passion filled romance between two unlikely people alongside dance and a hidden secret.... This book keeps us guessing at what will happen next to the young couple while the characters are opposites but each perfect in their own crazy way, it was moving with the by storyline of cancer effecting both of their lives and giving them a deeper bond as they understand how it feels. I highly recommend this book of you have an interest in any of the above features of the storyline!

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

Words In Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

Set mainly in a bookshop, Howling books, which is facing closure due to making less money than Henry's family need to live off, a host of characters lives collide.

Henry used to be best friends with Rachel until she moved away and changed. Coming back to town, Rachel gets a job cataloguing the books in the book shop and hides the fact her brother, Cal drowned while they were away but slowly opens up to people about it after the keep commenting on how much she has changed. He is also dealing with a break up and seeing his ex girlfriend Amy with Greg whom he can't stand as he's his opposite in terms of life and career goals.

Also working at the shop is George and Martin whom at first are goth girl meets popular kid and total opposites apart from the fact that they may just possibly like each other if only Georgie wasn't in love with Cal still unknowing his death.

The couples in the novel all communicate through books in the shops in a section called the letter library are deliberately left slotted into pages of certain books, obviously with meaning between the couple.

It's a great book overall about the subject of accepting and moving on through situations of any kind that we face. I personally really enjoyed the whole concept of it being set in a bookshop bringing so many lives colliding together!

Kawaii Origami by Chrissy Pushkin

In this wonderful colourful explosion of a book we learn the basics to begin origami and how to progress on to make some amazing and some very clever wacky creations!

From little stars and ice creams which are by far my favourite to make from this book personally, we also get the chance to create boxes and flowers more well known origami creations.

The book is well put together with clear instructions and diagrams for each creation which makes it easy to follow for any age it's very colourful so kids will find it very fun to look at I'm sure.

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

Rilakkuma by Aki Condo

In this book we meet the kawaii character Rilakuma in this short but handy quote self help guide book.

Reminding us to take care and listen to our emotions and bodily feelings as well as being illustrated with cute designs throughout featuring the popular kawaii bear.

This book is perfect for anyone of age and the bright colours of the book uplift you along with the positive quotes used throughout.

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

7

Little Pills by Melody Dodds

Charlotte is best friends with Alexis who has a troubled home life with her parents being drunk and arguing while Charlotte doesn't feel like she fits the family where her brother was always in trouble and now in the army. While she relies on the painkillers she started taking to make her feel better. There's also her little sister who's best friend admires Charlotte and looks up to get while her sister feels left out...

All about the danger of painkiller addiction, feeling lonely and lost without family around as well as being written in poetry form, this is a raw depiction of how addiction can start out and grow controlling especially when spurred on by others like Charlotte's boyfriend in the book. It was a gripping quick read and raises great awareness for health both physical and mental and how they can effect you.

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

Every Colour Of You by Amelia Mandeville

In this book, we meet Zoe and Tristan whom meet each other first in a hospital waiting room/ reception area. From there the pair meet through coincidence again until Zoe starts to befriend Tristan as she sees something in him he can't see in himself, despite his depression, Zoe is the colour to his world even if he takes some time to realise that fact.

Tristan suffered from losing his dad while his brother whom acts like his dad is now quite partial to drinking alcohol to forget everything that happened to them. Meanwhile Tristan has Misha, his dog to make him feel happier and loved when he feels low. He also suffers severely from suicidal thoughts and tendencies throughout the novel which is a very truthful look at how some one can swing from ok to suicidal quickly as can happen with depression sufferers.

It was a commendable book for featuring mental health so realistically throughout the book as it's the main subject tackled as well as other things from health troubles, family situations and deaths which feature too. I really liked how the main characters were like opposites but they connected super well and could see the best in each other's strange ways. A brilliant debut from a young author!

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

Family Game Night And Other Catastrophes by Mary E Lambert

Annabel, Leslie and Chad live with their parents in a house full of stuff hoarded by their mum.

Drew and Rae, her best friend and crush, Annabel tries to hide her house situation from them, her dad leaves early for a trip and then their grandma shows up causing them to have a family game night suddenly to fake everything is ok despite their dad leaving despairing about his wife's obsession.

However as the kids especially the sisters try to clear out their house of their mum's hoarded mess, Annabel discovers that her mum might just have a good reason why she began hoarding and why she seems sad a lot of the time and can she being her dad back home to stay?

It was a serious middle grade read dealing with all aspects of family life that suffers from hoarding and how it can effect health and the happiness of all effected by it. The children seemed more like the adults as their mum was misbehaving typically not wanting to let her 'treasure' go. I really enjoyed this book and it's a quick easy read for younger readers too.

It's All In Your Head by Rae Earl

Rae Earl has created a fan in me years ago when my depressed, anxious and mentally unwell self found her books and then, TV series based on her life. Utterly relatable and both hilarious whilst remaining relevant with all things mental health.

This book takes us from the teen years to beyond on all things happening in our brains.

I can relate to so many aspects of the book that Rae talks about. All about our mental health and being aware of it whether it be OCD, depression, suicide, self harm or anxiety and other disorders, we can all take away something from this book. Whether it be tips about treatment options or just not feeling like it only happens to them and/or us.

Rae talks us through her own experiences with humour and a healthy dose of relatable reality.

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

Home Girl by Alex Wheatle

Naomi has grown up in foster care since her mum committed suicide and her dad became an alcoholic leaving Naomi to care for him before the council took her into care.

Since being in care she has tried many placements and tried to find permanent care in a new family but instead has had tons of homes until Tony and Colleen come along with their other two foster children.

She also has to attend a school for expelled kids where her friends from care unit still catch up with her the girls there, her friends, are also a lesbian couple, Kim and Natts.

The book highlights all the issues with mental health and safety and awareness of others wellbeing. She tries to put up a hard facade but can break easily with change as we see when Louise her case worker only wanted the best for her and then decides to leave while she felt she had no one but good food, coke and dance all dependable things that can't change on her. It was a super  moving and realistic read about teenage life in care that shows how it effects people in the care system.

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

Hard Pushed by Leah Hazard

In this true memoir of life as an NHS midwide, we learn about how Leah starred her career after having her two children and how the patients she has helped have influenced her life both positively and at times also challenged her for the better through her career.

From a lesbian couple dealing with cancer and a new baby, young teen mum Crystal, a lady called Olivia trying to breast feed after her mum's influence and a woman escaping abuse, we see the trials each woman faces as she comes to meet her baby and also how much they impact that midwife that helps them too.

It is such a heart warming read and reassuring too to know that there are NHS staff out there who take the time to care and not just provide a service to the public as Leah shows how the patients she's had have impacted her life as she can recall the stories she does in this brilliant memoir.

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