Letting Go by Cat Clarke

In this book Astrid goes on a hike with her ex girlfriend Ellie and her new boyfriend Steve.

As they say goodbye to Ellies mum, they realise their unfinished romantic history needs closure, but when trouble strikes and Steve gets injured suddenly their solemn day becomes one filled with panic and worry.

This book delved into multiple issues in one go, death and loss, sexuality, relationships, friendship and facing a tough situation too. I highly reckon this for quick thrilling read.

Can You Hear Me? By Jake Jones

As a paramedic we see how Jake and his fellow paramedics have had to deal and cope in certain situations such as car crashes, births, drug abusers, time wasters, hoarders, asthmatics, copd sufferers, deaths, car accidents, babies, suicide attempts and psychotic episodes too the book is full of drama filled real life experiences and tough situations Jake has been forced into facing.

I have always been intrigued into life as a paramedic as we hear all too often of them getting abused on the front line of care which to me is horrifying. I wanted to be a paramedic or midwife growing up and personally having been helped by paramedics previously have had my eyes opened with this book how horribly they can be treated and the awful situations they can have to be in. Jake has written a fantastic raw book about life as a busy paramedic in this demanding role and hope more people will pick this up to see what life can be like as a paramedic too.

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

Owl's Outstanding Doughnuts by Robin Yardi

In this book we meet Mattie who lives with her aunt Molly after her mother passed away. In the night she keeps seeing a truck come and dump waste material on their shop site and an odd owl called Alfred who also keeps appearing and noticing the waste dumped too it seems and also is partial to a doughnut!

As she tells her friends Beatrice and Sasha she tries to get them to believe her and see it themselves too.

Can the girls work together to help save the doughnut business before they get shut down?

These girls are cunning and brave standing up for the shop they love and believe in I loved how the owl Alfred became a friend to them and the concept was unique and unlike a book I've read before. I also felt happy that Alfred was supposed to like the doughnuts too it added a cute twist in the tale, what real owl would love doughnuts?!

Dancing The Charleston by Jacqueline Wilson

In this book, Mona lives with her auntie who cares for her after her mum passed and so did her dad too when she was just a baby and he was in the war.

Her auntie is a seamstress for a lady and when the lady passes the pair worry they'll be made homeless.

Mr Benjamin the youngest son, moves in after his mum passed who's the kindest of all the Somerset's and likes Mona a lot even if he is very flamboyant with his tastes and company he keeps.

He does however turn Mona and her aunt's lives around as her aunty gets an amazing knew job for Harrod's!

However after Mona falls out with her friends after getting a trial to go to a proper high school giving her a better looking future, she befriends the Somerset children and they go on an adventure to London which a shock twist comes out there about Mona's mother everyone knew but her...

I really enjoyed this book, as someone who had a grandma who made theatre costumes I could relate to Mona's feelings about talented seamstresses and sympathise over how she felt her familial loses too being so young and we know how grief is at that age. Friendship can be fickle and that point came across well too overall this book was another great by the one and only Jacqueline Wilson.

Moonrise by Sarah Crossan

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

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

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

Clowfish by Alan Durant

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

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

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

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

Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell

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

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

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

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

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus by Cressida McLaughlin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But will she and Daniel finally sort out their feelings?

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

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

Getting Away With It by Anne Cassidy

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

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

Chessboxer by Stephen Davies

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

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

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

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

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

A Patchwork Family Part 1 by Cathy Bramley

Gina and her husband Eric split amicably where she leaves being a teacher behind to become a child minder. Eric evidently winds her up and belittles what she does from the off and her parents never gave her much attention either despite her wacky cool hair colours.

As she discovers a dishy new headteacher, gets an Ofsted inspection and faces taking on more kids to childmind including a selective mute girl who's just lost her dad, she has her hands full so facing buying not renting her home from her elderly friends is exciting until a huge shock flips her plan upside down...

This book intrigued me into the ways of a working and older friendship and especially as they lose a beloved friend and family member sending their lives into chaos Cathy has me hooked I need to know what happens next!

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

Mistletoe and Murder Murder Most Unladylike Book 5 by Robin Stevens

In this next book, set at Christmas time in Cambridge, Daisy and Hazel are staying at a local Great aunt's of Daisy's to visit her brother as well as Alexander and George his friend at their school.

However, the boys dorm experience not only one murder, but two! As the girls team up with the boys, they uncover a longer suspect list than they first though and come to realise anyone isn't ruled out, those unexpected could still play a role as much as those close to home.

We see there is more students from outside England, the girls witnessing and feeling crushes on others, as well as some family surprises too along the way. The gift giving scene was fun and very realistic for them both!

A story with family legacy at the heart of it as well as jealousy and greed. Set to the scene of Christmas, devilishly good spread of seasonal foods and decorations whilst complex with murder but beautifully set in scenic Cambridge with a snowy setting for investigating to this is a Christmas mystery of a gift to us for solving and enjoying!

Lost by Eve Ainsworth

Alfie is struggling with the loss of his mum after she passed away from cancer. Meanwhile his dad is shut off from him unlike he was before and the pair seen to just exist not live anymore especially as their shared love of football is now nonexistent after Alfie refuses to play now his mum's not cheering him on.

Then at school he meets Alice, the pair judged each other at first sight and since then the pair's new friendship gets off to a Rocky start after Alfie realises his new friend doesn't have a happy home life either for an entirely different reason.

Throughout the novel we get flashbacks to the worst time in Alfie's life when he loses his mum and it was so sadly realistic it was emotional and moving. Meanwhile Alice and her family situation is also dangerous and scarily true for many people out there right now in the world living in fear. Utterly breathtaking this novel is one you will zip through and not forget.

The Gift Shop On The Loch by Maggie Conway

Lily is shocked when she's fired from her beloved department store job amid hard times and feels humiliated her boss and crush James could just get rid of her like it's nothing.

Reeling from it all and the loss of her hopeful promotion, she realises she has to take care of everything her mother, Patty left behind after she'd passed now she has time including surprisingly, a cat called Misty, she knew nothing about at all!

As she travels to Loch Carroch, she finds the quaint gift shop her mother had bought before her sudden death and meets back up with Iris her mum's best friend. She also meets Jack whom she remembers from holidays there years ago and Angus, a kind old man who finds herself reminding her of a father figure she wishes she'd had.

As she discovers Jack's past and his love of whisky the pair form a friendly bond until suddenly James reappears and it seems Edinburgh hasn't seen the last of Lily yet as she faces a new, better job back there, but will it be what she wanted after all?

After putting work first for so long, will Lily finally discover it's time to take a chance on other life things too?

The idea of the book is super quaint and idyllic sounding and is in the book too. Lily transforms in the book from being set in her ways to finding some roots and family ground to build on her future. A quick relaxing romantic read about fresh starts and finding love unexpectedly.

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

There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

Makani lives with her grandmother after her parents passed away, where she should be settled happily at home and school however, they're not at all. Her old best friend Jasmine, has been in touch for a start but that's not all.

A new relationship with Ollie that's fast paced but happy, things get weird when students at school start to die, from murder. Then she starts to question everyone.

She gets attacked and injured in her home and becomes paranoid of shadows around her luckily Ollie looks out for her despite his cop brother acting off...

Suspenseful and chaotic with tension in every second of the pursuit with brutality used in all the murders it makes for a tense read!

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

You Only Live Once Gracie Dart Book 1 by Jess Vallance

Gracie starts this book facing death by tropical disease, or so she thinks anyway!

Til her best friend is always there for her and cheers her on in her quest to embrace life after the so called near death sentence!

We see her face her sexuality, venture to Paris with her fun nan, go to a concert and possibly find a girlfriend but she also makes some dubious friends in a bid to show she's grown up and can do what she likes and not have to conform and stick to get life plan.

This book was hilarious every sentence practically will have you in stitches. However there is a few serious issues tackled, losing someone you love and discovering that you want to dare to do something different and feel overwhelmed by the choice and grief too making her act out more than she probably would have.
I loved her character and personality and can't wait to read the next instalment of the series to see what antics she gets up to next!

Rachel's Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts

Rachel works on the farm with her mum Jill, a great baker, her young five year old daughter Maisy, farm hand Simon and her dog Moss. Food is at the heart of this novel as they all enjoy Jill's cooking everyday sampling her delights.

Since her father's sudden death two years ago she took over the bulk of the work while they tried to recover and carry on despite the farm's struggle to make any money.

Trying to fix that, Rachel thinks selling her mum's puddings locally and on site will help boost their income after some investment to help set up a better life for them and Maisie's future when she inherits the farm one day too.

Along with Eve her crafty best friend as she can create amazing crafts and her daughter Amelia being Maisie's best friend, the girls help each others business ventures take off.

But as the novel goes on we see how flaky dad Jake flits in and out getting Maisie's hope up of being around more to spend time with her and angering Rachel and her family treating them this way.

As well as all that, farmer next door Tom and Rachel finally face the spark between then only to find out a past secret about Rachel's father might put out that spark for good...

This book is all for girl team family power, really positive making the girls run their own new business and try to save their livelihood whilst Tom was a fun guy who shows evident care about them all from the first encounter we read. I also like that Tom doesn't break up the girl power and encourages them unlike flaky Jake whom shows how unreliable some parents can be! It was a sweet treat of a read and is best read with a cake and a cuppa in hand under the sun, you certainly won't regret it!

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

Me Mam Me Dad Me by Malcolm Duffy

In this book, Danny and his mum move from a small flat into the huge house of Callum, his mum's boyfriend.

Things started out well but soon enough Danny spots the signs that his mum is being domestically abused by Callum even if she can't see it or face up to it herself.

So, on a mission to save his mum, convinced she'll die at Callum's hands, he sets off to find his dad to get him to kill Callum, if he can.

Danny knows his dad's been in jail and so feels he'll help despite him never wanting to know him before. Danny is a motivated and dedicated kid you can see from the way he wants to protect home mum and that makes this book more raw and moving as the dangers of domestic abuse and effects it has on a family come to light. This is read you won't forget for good reason.

Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber

Reiko has suffered a huge loss years ago when her sister Mika died. Since then she has been haunted by what her sister missed out on and strives to achieve the best she can to do so in her honour as she never got to achieve such things as Homecoming queen etc.

So when she gets talking to Seth an outsider from the popular group she hang round in normally, she feels like she must keep him a secret but she treats him harshly to hide him away from her glossy popular life until he has enough and soon enough as they make it official, Seth changes...

Luckily, Reiko has her best friend Dre by her side constantly supporting her in the book and former friend Libby too before she changed and betrayed her in a way.

I didn't enjoy the way the book went, Seth took control after using Reiko for popularity while he came across as so caring for her but did highlight how people can use and dump you. I would've preferred to see Reiko end the book on a happier note where as I feel like the story was unfinished in many ways as there could be more to do with the friendship dynamic to play out as well too.

The Secrets Of The Superglue Sisters by Susie Day

Georgie and her mum move in with Jem and her dad, brother Noah and sister Tilly.

Georgie and Jem are best friends and through their parents now actual sisters too as they move in, start school and get used to their new family set up.

However their friendship comes to blows when a school secret sharing box project goes missing and the girls find their deepest secrets are set loose for everyone to know...

A book that shows how secrets can be dangerous but also unite people. It was a book with likable characters and the family worked well on a whole. This secret aspect added another more mischievous side to the girls tale showing how a bond can be torn and mended. A great book to educate children on the value of truth and lies.