Useless by Tanya Landman

When Rob gets a new stepdad he hates him as he feels his dad's been replaced however soon he realizes that his dad chose to leave and the things he liked best about him made him harder to be around...

All about trouble at home and parental issues this is a quick read all about the topic of living but not having that parent be around or reliable and the effect that has on your life growing up.

Handle With Care by Louisa Reid

Ruby has a baby, unexpectedly and leaving Ash her best friend shocked especially ehen the truth comes out about the baby more so, no spoilers here. It explores the hard hitting subject or teenage motherhood and all the challenges a baby in someone's life can bring up, let alone coping with raising a baby unexpectedly for both wider families involved and the mental health of a young struggling mum. There were many tough situations faced in this book written beautifully from both main character best friends perspectives as they come to terms with what the baby brings up and into their lives it was both beautiful in verse and gut wrenchingly honest and utterly gripping to me I really enjoyed exploring the worlds of Ash and Ruby and had me questioning, how would I feel in either girls situations.

The Switch Up 2 LA Exchange By Katy Cannon

In this book we rejoin the lives of Willa and Alice who are, two friends who look practically identical and in this adventure Alice heads out to LA to stay with Willa.

When Alice flies to LA to stay with Willa, she gets roped in to help. Willa should be volunteering at an ocean conservation charity but can't as she wants to help make a film, so Alice fills in for her. Only while there she falls for Jake only he believes she's Willa and as they get closer Alice has to come clean, will Jake understand why she did it and will Willa get on in her dream of being an actor and director wwith a successful first project?

Of course, will they actually get away with switching up places once again too?

I love The Switch up books, I grew up watching The Parent Trap film which is reminiscent of these books only these are more modern times and older characters too. The drama is constantly evolving and engaging and of course the not knowing if they'll get caught out swapping places kept me hooked it's a fun light read that teenagers will enjoy!

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

Gemma's Not Sure by Gil Stewart

Gemma is facing tough decisions, go and play piano professionally as a performer despite her shyness, or persue a different career altogether despite her work playing.

Jamie has tough decisions to make too, after finding uni more of a chore only enjoying rhe social aspects and his refereeing.

However as the two get friendlier, they discover they have more in common than they thought, as they start a bad, Gemma helps a piano student she takes on called Rosie to have a better time at school and of course Jamie is Lily's ex, her best friend.

There's plenty of drama but this book is utterly relatable for the issues it raises throughout from tough life work choices and following your heart and your true passion. I loved that Jamie and Gemma came together in a very quick yet natural way and feel like this book was even better than Lily's story! I truly can't wait for more from Gil about these characters lives!

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

One Too Many Lies by L A Bowen

Paige along with Kate and Abby her best friends skip school where she meets Morgan at a party where they take part in drinking, trying drugs and playing party games while still having a crush at school on Alex.

Am while lying to their parents about w where they're going and staying out late after sneaking out first...

Told in verse this is a powerful tale of growing up and struggling to fit in and find love as well as acceptance with their friends about their lifestyle. As the lies build up we see how they have to deal with the consequences which teaches us the lesson about karma and never assume everything will be fine. It was hard hitting and real dealing with issues teens will probably come across.

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

Sprinkle Sunday's Ice Cream Sandwiched by Coco Simon

Allie is struggling living between her divorcing parents and also wants to go to her new schools dance but in wanting to fit in needs a new and specific dress that's not easy to get from her parent's when they don't approve.

Meanwhile at her mum's ice cream parlour the girls create new mermaid cones, ice cream sandwiches and throw the first birthday party there too.

But as Allie struggles with feeling sandwiches in her life will she stick to being herself and not another clone at her school and choose her ideal dress not just what the other students are going to be wearing?

This book had some sweet ice cream creations made once again that will make you wish you had some to hand while it also teaches kids about the importance of staying true to you and not letting others influence you and your opinion and tastes.

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

In this book we follow the life of ballerina, Hannah as she progresses through her company and gains more exclusive performance parts for herself. The girls despite being friends are still rivals and a rivalry against Zoe her friend soon sees the pair desiring and fighting for a lead role.

Soon enough she discovers love and learns there's more to life than rigid hard work leading her to eventually decide she has to choose between Matt and Jacob as well as a life normal living or as a ballet star.

I love ballet books and it was partly truthful as the author story is similar and inspired the book. It was eventful and honest and easy to believe especially as ballet is a hard career and takes much dedication. The characters were typical young adults and the book seemed to race by despite being average length and action packed I thoroughly enjoyed it! 

This Heart Of Mine by C.C. Hunter

Leah is a sufferer of the condition myocarditis, so when a transplant becomes available to her she takes the chance.

However, she doesn't expect that the heart she got lucky with was one of a twin's, leading her to Matt whom she knows from school and falls into a tricky love with as he reveals his twin Eric committed suicide, resulting in her new heart becoming available.

But when Leah and Matt both start suffering from dreams about Eric's last night alive they start to uncover what really happened that night suicide or otherwise...

This is a really deep and emotional read throughout from varying points of view. We can tell how everyone has been moved by the tragic events which is true to life when someone really does commit suicide. The way Leah and Matt come together is really natural and I feel shows how sharing grief despite their twist of events can help people move on and accept the unchangeable.

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

The OMG! Blog by Karen McCombie

Jessie meets Shanice, Rose and Zarah in detention where she's actually most less likely to be But by accident ended up with. However it pays off as she makes some friends from the situation.

When the girls have to set up a blog to enter into the school competition, Jessie comes up with their idea from something they all have in common, moaning about their mums!

However as they spread the word of their blog as the most popular one will win, the girls each write a post about their mums and when their mums turn up for the school event where their blog gets show just how do the mum's react and feel?

A story about the joys and dangers of blogging about your life online and how things we say it wrote can hurt others feelings. A rule that applies only more and more in today's world.

Cake Pop Crush by Suzanne Nelson

Ali and her dad love their bakery, a last link to her passed mum however much it may be failing especially as a new chain coffee shop opens up on the same road.

As Ali and her dad battle to get more custom and keep themselves afloat, they discover that Dane a new boy at Ali's school's dad owns the chain and may be stealing their ideas until Ali realises her other friend Harris has been acting off and not for the typical reason she thought...

Full of friendship drama and tackling topics of friendship and grief this book will tug at your heart strings and it was a sweet read with a sadness woven through it too as Ali misses her mum and could lose her last link to her. This was a great quick read and I love the title too sugary sweet and free me in to read being intrigued!

The Secret Runners Of New York by Matthew Reilly

Skye isn't an insider, unlike her brother her twin Red whom is one of them along with Misty, Verity, Hattie, Bo, Griff etc who are.

She is friends with Jenny another girl like her who's been through a shared struggle, self harm in their cases though for different reasons entirely.

However as the elite rich classes of New York prepare for the impending end of the world as it's predicted, Red gets shown by the elite rich kids just what's in the future and eventually they include Skye in their secret when she helps ring leader Misty out.

Though as it turns out everything comes at a price, a secret shared with a new friend whom proves nothing like they seem, as Skye soon discovers about Misty.

As betrayal leads her to the missing girls from their school whom vanished and winds up being stranded in the future she must uncover what's seemingly happened to stand a chance of saving her family in the future if at all possible.

An insightful novel that really made me think about if the world was to truly end, it was chilling at times with the bitchiness of the the inner clique whom were very toxic but made even more drama in an already dramatic book. I was hooked and as someone whom doesn't go for books like this normally, was pleasantly surprised.

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

Noah Goes Nuclear by Simon James Green

In this short fun story we see Noah and Harry along with their other school friends head off on a school trip.

Of course only Noah could get into a situation where he's in a compromising position!

Full of drama and hilarious antics as per the usual Noah and co group tend to get into this mini book is a great little adventure into the wild life of Noah!

I, Cosmo by Carlie Sorosiak

Max and his little sister Emmeline love their dog Cosmo as their parents fight and make home life unpleasant for the pair Cosmo offers up his view of the situation throughout the book as it's remarkably told from his doggie perspective.

Max has a lot of anxiety and Cosmo dotes on him the pair are a true duo especially as they hope to enter a dance competition and win the chance to be in a film which Max hopes will save their family.

However Cosmo is an old dog and suffers with arthritis and general old age dog issues and as the book goes on things decline in all ways before getting better for the future ahead...

This book shows how special a pet is to kids, families as a whole and how sensitive and aware an animal they truly are and just how caring they can be too. Prepare yourself to read a heart warming but tear inducing read!

You Can't Hide by Sarah Mussi

In this book, Lexi escapes her old life with her mum to get away from her mum's abusive boyfriend Charlie.

Following their life, she wakes up in hospital to her aunties and no mum in sight and no recollection of her memories of what happened.

We discover she was in love with a boy called Finn after she stole him away from his old girlfriend Jules using a spell as she believes she's a witch.

When Jules gets dumped by Finn she vows revenge and plots and pushes our star couple to land themselves in trouble in the name of a rather revealing art project for school fueled by Jules's jealousy.

It was a bit odd with the witch reference and not heavily used just hinted at a few times to be honest it could've been left out and been an amazing book about the dangers of girls over jealousy and envy of what someone else has like a boyfriend they fancy.

Charles wasn't mentioned a great deal just the odd account from him interspersed every so often and t could've been made better in my opinion as I found the culmination a bit of a let down and not what I hoped for at all. Jules was a devious character who made the drama for sure what it became but ultimately she was in a position to do more and just didn't hit the mark for me.

Love, Frankie by Jacqueline Wilson

In this book Frankie is enemies for a start with Sally a girl who's mean to her after assuming her mum is a drunk after an incident at their school.

However as the book goes on, Sally befriends Frankie after seeing her out with Sammy her best boy friend from next door who evidently likes Frankie a lot more...

As Frankie learns about her feelings she's dealing with, coping with the drama of her sister's, her mum's MS worsening and their dad's new life situation everything feels out of control for her to cope with.

It was a refreshing read to have a chronic illness as a central issue and a girl struggling to come to terms with her sexuality too probably the most relevant Jacqueline Wilson book about right now and I just know this will help many girl comes to terms with their feelings and accept them too I do wish that we saw more of the alcoholic storyline from Sally's mum though as many kids are also effected by that however maybe we can have a follow up book as the ending left one to be desired...

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

Guest Post by Kate Mallinder - Why stories about friendship are more important than ever

If I had been more organised, I would have written this blog weeks ago, sent it to Eve and be on with my next writing project. But I wasn’t. So now I’m writing this with my husband working from home and my children all being schooled at the kitchen table. We are the lucky ones who get to stay in as our way of helping slow the spread.

This new world we find ourselves in does make writing a cheery, upbeat piece about a new teen novel interesting. What I had planned feels too frivolous in the circumstances. We’re living through history and life is unrecognisable from just a month ago. Why are we even thinking about fiction when we have all this going on?

I’ll be honest: that question floored me for a few days as I tried to get my head around what was happening. But as the mental dust settled, I realised: stories are actually hugely important in times of crisis. Stories can talk about the big life truths in a way nothing else can. Fiction can literally show (not tell) what it means to be human, our need for connection even though we’re apart, that society is strengthened when we pull together.

That, and losing yourself in a good book is a pretty awesome way to while away a few hours.

So then. Asking for a Friend. What’s it all about? Well, it’s the stories of Agnes, Hattie and Jake; each struggling with something – a sister who’s moved out, being ghosted by friends or a worry about health they can’t talk about. All three feel isolated and friendless.

So when Agnes decides to go away for a ‘study break’ to look for her sister, Hattie and Jake both think it’s the perfect escape from their everyday lives. They only know each other a little, so none of them say what’s really bothering them, preferring to try and battle their problems on their own. However as their stories unfold and they face a life-changing situation together, they begin to trust, begin to share, begin to become friends.

It’s how friendship can be found in the unlikeliest of circumstances. It’s how a friendship can grow. It’s how friends support each other, no matter what.

I was supposed to be talking about why I wrote Asking for a Friend, how I wanted to explore friendships and how they start. But that’s now not the focus. This is a story teens can lose themselves in and enjoy friendships while they’re apart their friends. It’s an escape. It’s feel-good. It’s a book that’ll make you smile.

You can order a copy of Asking for a Friend from Firefly Press and it will be sent to you when it publishes on 21 May – as an incentive to order in April, this copy will be signed and come with an Asking for a Friend badge. Kate’s debut, Summer of No Regrets, is also available from any book shops that are open and also Firefly’s online bookshop, in case you need a feel-good fix in the meantime.

Many thanks to Kate for writing this post, fiction provides escape and can be a perfect way to escape the anxiety of life right now, be sure to check out Kate's previous book, The Summer Of No Regrets too I have a review up on my blog and Goodreads it was a fab read perfect for in the summer sunshine to relax with!

 

Lily's Just Fine by Gill Stewart

Lily is juggling a lot from school finishing she finds herself involved in the local gala where she comes up with many great ideas but mainly what the elder folk don't like.

Meanwhile Tom's sister Sarah has been ill for a while with a mystery illness that's undiagnosed while his friend Gemma who's Lily's best friend ropes him in to help at the gala too as he does sailing.

As Lily and Tom slowly get together, Lily's mum suffers from a very bad depressive episode while Sarah becomes worse too and at their event day, things go very wrong, can they all get through this?

This book was a very packed adventure which gave so much within it's under four hundred pages which was great. Personally the portrayal of a chronic illness in young adult fiction isn't seen nearly enough and I was so happy to discover it mentioned in this book as a sufferer myself it was relatable from every angle it was shown and truly realistic. Tom and Lily made a sweet couple even though they had their rocky times of course like any relationship does which just won me over more. If you want a sweet if at times dramatic relationship book, this is the one for you.

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

Did I mention I Miss You? By Estelle Maskame

After Tyler left Eden alone, we finally see how Eden has been after a year without him in her life as she relied on Rachael and her mum support to help her heal. Though it soon becomes apparent that she's now seriously angry at Tyler. A huge contrast to the calm character Tyler shockingly returns as and of course, Eden doesn't take his return easily and hits out, literally.

As Ella tries to get their family talking properly they all end up forced on holiday together where things stay the same despite Tyler being the bigger man to Eden's dad.

After more tension and words fired getting them nowhere, Tyler and Eden head back to Portland together where Tyler shows her the work he's done and is doing to change his and others lives which is simply put, astounding and humbling compared to his old character.

As the couple look set to be together though they must return home to try and patch up their family because surely they can't hate them forever, their friends acceptance eventually proved that, hopefully?

This was such an ending to the main trilogy! I didn't expect Tyler to start a ne  life in Portland of all places but it proves he wanted to understand Eden and her past better and share in what she knew. It was nice to learn of Tyler's normal job and humbling charity start up as not many young guys would think of doing something like that a majority of the time and it shows how Tyler wanted to better guy for Eden.

Did I Mention I Need You? By Estelle Maskame

Tyler is in New York thanks to his mum helping him heal himself after the abuse he suffered for years at the hands of his father. Eden travels to stay with him despite being in a relationship now with Dean but not in love with Dean sadly as she is still in love with Tyler, her stepbrother.

But as she moves in with Tyler, their relationship rekindles whilst they deal with Snake and Emily whose British and a new lodger in the apartment. They also face their friends and enemies joining them and threatening their happiness as they finally reveal their relationship to their loved ones to shock, acceptance and hatred as they deal with the guilt and hurt, only separately after a shock twist ending.

This book was like an episode of Gossip Girl full of drama, backstabbing, manipulation and lies. Relationships get torn apart and friendships seem uncertain as their relationship implodes their group around them. There's sweet moments though in New York involving dates, tattoo's in their natural relationship language they use which is Spanish. All in all they realise they actually don't want to and can't be apart anymore even though it will tear their families apart...

Did I Mention I Love You? by Estelle Maskame

Eden is spending the summer in LA to meet her father's new wife and her three son's, now Eden's stepbrothers. Chase is six, Jake is fourteen and Tyler seventeen, a year older than Eden and a live wire to put it lightly. He is the typical bad boy and takes drugs, smokes joints and drinks till he's paralytic.

Eden and Tyler can't stand each other yet forced together during her stay, the pair soon run in the same crowd as Eden makes friends with Rachael who's friends with Meghan and Tiffani, Tyler's irritating, controlling girlfriend.

Eden stays out late, drinks at parties and finds herself getting guys attention that she never expected only it's Tyler whom she suddenly falls for and after finding out his hard past to do with his dad, contending with Tiffani and managing their growing feelings, this family secret looks set to explode eventually...

This is a drama filled book about love, lust and forbidden love overall. However it features so much more and hits on so many huge issues that can effect teens from child abuse, pregnancy, drinking under age, college stress, friendship issues and drugs.

It was a fun and charged read with typical teenage characters but each so varied in personality it was extremely drama filled!