Holiday Encore by Raven

A story about past and present love and the emotions the festive season can stir, Alex and his young daughter, Lily, choosing to embrace the future no matter how scary the unknown seems making a new life as a trio than a duo despite past hurt. The story was told in a dual POV with us reader's as Alex's other half which meant we could slip into the story and feel more immersed in the emotions of how reuniting at the right time can work, a beautiful story of the way second chances and communication can work out right.

Meet Me At Table Twelve by Everly True

This was a great book full of humorous language and for the characters mixing literal business with pleasure for the two main characters working together closely trying to ignore their connection was brilliant to read and sweet to see their dynamic play out as they work closely together, it was a sweet and fun quick read with a great dynamic between the two main characters.

Reckless Roses by Sarah A. Bailey

The book focuses on a love triangle between August and Zach, two brothers and Elena, a girl who both brothers desire yet she's with Zach initially, despite feeling a pull towards August too. From first love to forever love it was a story keeping you hooked in the characters lives as they develop and they carve new paths in life. It had a great twist ending that I was surprised by and didn't see coming in a good unexpected drama way. I will say there is strong language and sexual references so it's definitely a 16+ in language use not for younger readers.

Drowned Promises by Sara Simic

TW Alcohol abuse and violence. Growing up in an abusive household witnessing alcoholism turn into violent outbursts and hearing her father beat her mother, Rose escapes at night and meets a kind young fisherman, William, who's straight talking and kind to her. An aspiring artist, Rose gets through life dreaming of escaping to Paris to become a famous artist, yet, the pull to William is a strong bond she doesn't want to say goodbye. With a serious undercurrent to the whole book about abusive households and addiction, where love is not always displayed in a healthy way and showing to have passion to follow your dreams despite adversity is possible. There was also clever cover imagery and choice of colours tying in the plot line nicely and I enjoyed the characters soulmate style intertwined story too.

Painting Through The Rough by David Aro

Dex is a student with a strong work ethic instilled by his parents to strive for the best grades and high athleticism to achieve whatever career he desires in future, if only he can learn to control his temper which gets him into trouble risking his future achievements. However, whilst being banned from golf due to his temper, he meets artistic Hazel who together, they discover a passion for an art project that can benefit them both and brings two people unexpectedly closer together in a slow burn bond of understanding. Seeing the characters building up their trust in each other was beautiful and so realistic too especially as teenage life can be a tricky time emotionally to navigate as we see in the characters separate issues throughout the book. Also, as a girl who grew up playing golf myself as a kid and always drawing or reading I really loved the book for engaging us in thinking and appreciating the sport of golf not regularly used in children's or teen fiction and the book being written in a good flowing verse style too was engaging and more interesting to read as mini poems supplying the storyline to unfold that way too, a fabulous book to review!

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.

By Popular Demand Gracie Dart Book 3 by Jess Vallance

In book three we see how Grace tries to become more popular and make new friends. However, we soon see you can't force these things as she comes to learns as she by chance falls in with a popular girl and so her friends do too.

As she helps her new friend to run her cake and entertainment party business she also deals with the crush she has on her, only her new friend is straight...

We also see how Grace comes to realise alike in the other books just how much true friends matter and how you should pay attention and help them in times of need. Gracie always has such an adventurous life and experiences some odd and hilarious at times too situations which this book didn't lack at all once again.

My Life Uploaded by Rae Earl

Millie and her female cat Dave are back in a fun but serious new book you will enjoy.

As Millie can't take her mum's boyfriend anymore, she moves into her dad's to get a break from the obsessive cleaning regime and get some proper peace and space.

Lauren is still suffering her arguing parents all the time at home though and encourages Millie to vlog proper for YouTube with Dave.

When Danny the new school hot boy and Bradley a fellow vlogger who helps her with her channel and they hang out a lot around escalators of all things, both start to notice he at school, Millie has a dilemma, who does she like and in what way?

She also starts her advice vlog only to have school bully/social media queen Erin try to take her down and make her quit...

Millie shows resilience throughout the book never giving up on her friends, family or vlogging due to bullies. A great role model but also humorous throughout especially with the crazy vacuum and Dave the cat too! If you loved Louise Rennisons books this is for you!

Worry Angels by Sita Brahmachari

After her parents split up Amy has a hard time adjusting and after being home schooled too starts at Grace's art school where her aim is to adjust to moving to a proper school eventually with a bit more confidence.

While there she meets Rima and her refugee family and learns of the life and journey they've had to survive and make it to where they are now.

This was a brilliant book showing how anxiety can begin/be triggered and learning to adjust to new situations which are totally relatable to many people I liked how the girls friendship developed as the story progressed and the hopefulness the book ends on made me feel like everything would be ok for the girls now they had each other.

Summer At Rachel's Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts

In this final instalment of the series, Rachel is preparing to marry fellow farmer Tom, only between trying to get everything perfect and ready in time despite dress worries and money anxieties, she discovers Tom talking about maybe making a mistake in marrying again!m

Just what Rachel didn't need to hear right now especially as they disagreed on future living arrangements as well and suddenly the happy wedding bubble is turning sour, she also has to help friend Eve as she contemplates her own love life as she falls for someone else while still married but feeling unloved and alone in their marriage too, there's plenty of drama to keep you reading on, will they or won't they get married? Will Eve fall for the other man?

I'm definitely not going to spoil the end of this series, I have loved the characters, concept and been immersed into the world of the characters lives since Chapter one of book one, Caroline is a fabulous author I discovered from this series and I really do encourage you to read her works and if you can, bake some of the treats that she shares recipes for i assure you they are delicious!

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.

A Kitten Called Holly by Helen Peters

Jasmine and Tom in this book find a cat and her new born kittens on the farm. However as the mother rejects one kitten, Jasmine takes her on to save her and soon becomes attached to her but when school bully Bella is after a new pet, Jasmine fears for her beloved Holly as the kitten faces going to her after some antics happen!

The book once again alike Helen's other books does deal with the mention of death a few times and so again I say this is one for older readers. It was another fun packed read about animals focusing mainly on cats which Animal Ark fans will enjoy.

The Little Bookshop Of Love Stories by Jaimie Admans

When clutzy Hallie discovers she's won her favourite book shop she's sure it's a joke but soon realises her Cotswold dream is reality!

But after settling in a weezle property developer wants to buy her out thankfully she doesn't give in but befriends fellow klutz, Dimitri a children's illustrator to be who works in there everyday and as the pair grow closer over a mystery surrounding his mum and a book, the pair also hatch a plan to save the shut down bakery next door too as Dimitri cooks some amazing sweet treats, but not only can they get the money to fund the dream, will there be any spark ignite between them not just in the future kitchen when a huge secret comes to light about Dimitri's family?

I loved the book so much from the Belle and Beast aspect of falling in love in and with the actual bookshop and the guy with it too my favourite scene without a doubt was when Hallie's mum meets Dimitri it was just like a scene from the comedy Miranda, my favourite! It made me laugh and I loved how it showed social media can help a physical business out not ruin it too as well the book message trail full of memories of times in others lives too I relate with many of my books being written in by my mum stating when and why they were bought for me too and it's so true how they can bring people together this book had a perfect concept for me and other book lovers will fall in love with this book for sure!

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

The Naughtiest Unicorn by Pip Bird

In this book Mira is excited about starting unicorn school and meeting her unicorn best friend.

However things don't go to plan when she gets paired up with Dave a lazy food loving unicorn who's very unique and the pair have a challenge becoming besties to be able to compete in quests and win medals, will they bond or become trouble?

Dave was an hilarious version of a unicorn for once to see their beautiful stereotype broken this was a fresh take on life with a pet unicorn!

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.

Polly And The Puffin by Jenny Colgan

When Polly discovers an injured puffin by her seaside home she calls him Neil and helps take care of him and his injured wing before having to set him free and let him find his own way home.

A lesson about love and care as well as letting go this book has a sweet story with cute illustrations to make it complete.

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!

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!