The Sky Is Mine by Amy Beashel

In this book we meet Izzy, a girl who's being blackmailed into sleeping with a guy, Jacob from her school while at home she and her mum are domestically and verbally abused by Daniel, Izzy's stepfather and her mum's husband.

Grace is her best friend but spends most of her time now with her girlfriend Nell and makes Izzy jealous of their close bond as she feels pushed out and unwanted.

However as things keep worsening with Jacob and Daniel, her mum one day decides enough is enough and the pair up and leave with dramatic consequences...

This book tackles many girlhood topics and I recommend it for teens to read.

I loved this book Izzy is a body positive hard as nails girl who has to deal with so much life rubbish from loss, rape, consent issues, blackmail, friendship drama and maybe falling in love, Izzy is a teen who raises many issues and tackles them all alongside her rebecoming herself mum, new love interest and with a kicking playlist to boot for ultimate positive vibes, this book was a fantastic debut knocking these topics out of the park, you need to read this book!

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

The Brilliant World Of Tom Gates Book 1 by Liz Pichon

Tom is friends with Derek and likes Amy who he tries to impress and dislikes Marcus who he doesn't get along with.

We learn how Tom is in a new band, had a disastrous holiday camping, has a bad school picture day, like to make fun of his sister Delia and a concert for his favourite band goes awry as well as an hilarious parents evening especially the part about a certain hobby he's written about his parents had no idea about!

I really enjoyed this book and the diary/drawing style it's in after loving the Dork Diaries series I'm glad I picked this one to read next too with the everyday relatable things like school and annoying sisters to random drama that's unthinkable happening it kept me entertained the whole way through!

Spectacular Superstar Dork Diaries Book 14 by Rachel Renee Russell

Nikki and her friends and band are back and preparing to go on your with one of their favourite bands the Bad Boyz however first she has to ensure they get on the tour after her sister messes up the crucial call, make sure her frenemy MacKenzie can't sabotage them... again!

But will things go smoothly when MacKenzie appears at a crucial time ahead of the tour and will she cause mayhem for the band?

Every teen girl has a group they're a fan of so I'm sure this book will be fun and fabulous reading to most teens as a little drama occurs, granted not so much as in previous books the storyline of going on your with a favourite band provides enough excitement along the way to satisfy our reading and continuing Nikki's story.

I just can't wait for more from Nikki's diaries about her life!

Access All Awkward by Beth Garrod

In the final of the trilogy that has brought me many laughs as Bella's antics take many twists and turns, mostly embarrassing ones, we see how her along with best friends Rach and Tegan all look forward to the end of their GCSEs and head to a festival where they take on their once loved now most hated famous boy band, The Session as they treat their fans horrifically and sexist language slurs fly too.

But first Bella must meet her own boyfriend, Adam's parents!

However at the festival nothing goes straight forward from run ins with old boyfriend Luke along with his frankly odd singer girlfriend Ska, the girls they admire who they often see around turn out to be backstabbing bullies and Jo Bella's sister be their chaperone at the festival which surprises the group, this festival is full of drama not to mention starting their own petition against the session band and supporting Adam Bella's boyfriend and his band too! Full of feminism fuelled fighting young girls taking on sexism and showing what true friendship is all about!

I Hope My Voice Doesn't Skip by Alicia Cook

As a new poet to me, I really enjoyed this collection of work. I knew basics around the themes including mental health, death, beauty, acceptance, love and more.

The layout, part as poetry, black and white then switching to vinyl format of a tracklist followed by more emotional song lyrics.

For me, these subjects are relatable and drew me more into the power of Alicia's poetry. They start off as basic observations that become a mostly saddening reality which bred these beautiful, moving poems.

Each situation was imaginable and immersed me into a world through the art of Alicia's words, truly moving, captivating and inspiring.

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

Grrrls On The Side by Carrie Pack

Heather and Tabby used to be best friends, then Heather went off with the popular gang all blonde hair and hoop earring wearing barbie style copies of each other whilst Tabby hangs around with Mike a not to bad guy with some musical taste.

When Tabby and Mike go to a gig together, Tabby gets a copy of a magazine for the girls at the concert encouraging them to join Riot Grrrl a group to hang out with like minded girls who all have a common interest in music at least.

As Tabby gets trouble from kids at school, the girls in her new club she's a member of hang out more, making their friendship stronger and Tabby realises she likes Kate, a lot. Kate refuses to be confined by her sexuality and Tabby finds herself wondering her feelings towards Kate could be mutual. When the girls start to hang out more, Tabby's mum is very accepting of them both as a couple as she too delves into a new relationship, only differnce being that she is straight and dating a man.

The book shows the feel and pride of girls sticking together and taking nothing without a fight, being bisexual, lesbian, straight, from a different culture or hate and just dealing with fighting for important issues such as animal testing. These girls are there for each other to lean on and support despite what gets thrown at them in their lives, they have support.

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

Frosting And Friendship by Lisa Schroeder

In the final book in the trilogy of sweet treats, this time told from Sophies camp friend, Lily's perspective, we see how she takes on too much and struggles to cope.

From baking and hosting Sophie's birthday party to helping her band win and to play at their spring fling dance as well as become good enough at baking to fit in with their baking book club.

All about joining and trying new things as Lily tries to feel a proper part of the group and for in properly as each girl had a passion for either books or baking, but Lily feels a tag along friend as her baking isn't good at all! Final fun and joy in the final of the trilogy!

The Way It Hurts by Patty Blount

Elijah needs to win to support his special needs sister, Anna who is thirteen to his seventeen and facing being admitted to a residential facility due to her severe autism.

Kristen wants to make her grandma proud so getting rejected from New York performance college hits her hard until Elijah approaches her about singing with his band after hearing her perform live at their school despite her singing musical theatre not rock. Eli supports her as her grandma later suffers a bad stroke despite their turbulent relationship.

Throughout the book, there are a lot of sexists remarks made as well as online interactions under pseudonym handles on websites. When Eli and Kristen confront what's being said about mainly Kristen, they argue but get past it eventually despite feeling attracted to each other and sharing a kiss, they go on to date others for a while as the pressure gets too much as news stations pick up on their band's drama the pressure could prove too much for them all...

It was a very dramatic book and I did feel like Kristen was a weak female character throughout just taking what's said and letting Eli try and deal with it especially at the end of the book when the future is revealed about what they're doing now.

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

Lost & Found Book 3: Sasha's Secret by Cathy Cassidy

Sasha feels pressured, at home her life isn't perfect as her parents argue a lot and there's always an air or tension around. At school, she gets to hang out with her friends and after of course too at band practise but she is trying to hide a huge secret, her absence see which remain undiagnosed through the first half of the book.

As Matt a wannabe news reporter comes along with the Lost & Found band as they head away to record their debut EP, she can't keep faking she's ok being around everyone 24/7 and soon enough Jake notices what's up...

With boy drama and figuring out her dreams for the future in this book Sasha has a lot to face.

I was surprised to discover absence seizures as I've never ever heard them mentioned before and especially in this book it was inspired by Cathy's daughter Cait and her struggle with the condition and it's especially great that's the reason they're included. I also loved the fact that The Chocolate Box series tied in to this new story with Jake being involved and didn't realise it was that Jake at first! Sasha was a genuine and great teen girl character dealing with a lot of issues in all aspects of her life which is super relatable, Matt was the perfect villain and I sussed the way the story would go and it was executed very well indeed!

I can't wait for the next instalment in this series now!

Sami's Silver Lining by Cathy Cassidy

In the second book of the Lost and Found series, we look deeper into Sami's life this time after he left Syria and fled with his family leaving his world behind to start again in Milford with his aunt and uncle who run a tailors like his parents used to.

As he settles into his strange new life he finds friends in the band and especially Lexie after he develops a crush on her.

The band struggle with adapting to their new keyboard player
who seems to have it in for Lexi as well as being unable to play the keyboard very well at all but has connections that could help them get heard.

As Sami comes to terms with discovering things about his family, helping the band to get better and spend time with Lexi as well as help with an art project, the boy who didn't belong anymore soon finds he can have a new home, with renewed hope and chances ahead.

A sure to win your heart read with many excellent points raised in the danger people have to flee from and how their lives can change so drastically. All about promoting friendship and fun Cathy once again makes this a fun but serious read too.

Songs About Us by Chris Russell

Ollie is in his band Fire&Light on tour whilst Charlie is back home and worrying as well as studying for her exams.

She hangs out with her best friend Melissa who she talks to and trusts with her worries as well as Gabe and Ollie issues too. From finding out about her mum and Gabe's parents, to repairing her relationship with her dad whilst getting close to Ollie, sparks fly from all sorts of drama's sparking reactions amongst the teens.

A story with passion and life on stage in main focus of a lens or witnessing it from behind the lens like Charlie, a book which will keep you engrossed to the end.

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

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!

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!

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Hannah was best friends with Kat, dated Zach and later fell for Justin. Justin then started the trail of unravelling events recorded on thirteen cassette tapes.

Clay listens to the tapes to try and depict his part within Hannah's suicide as she took too many pills two weeks before the box of tapes arrived on his doorstep.

She gets objectified as a woman with jokes amongst the class about hot or not girls and even having a peeping tom spying on her all the time until they catch him out. As the book goes on and the tapes unravel, the events leading up to her death become shrouded in sadness as she witnesses events she can't get over. Her efforts to reach out for support and help fall flat thanks to a useless guidance counsellor and poor Clay was a party that cared the most about Hannah from afar.

It was quite an emotional book but eye opening to the fact that we need to look closer to spot the signs and help each other through the tough times. It touches on real life hard issues that are becoming more openly talked about especially thanks to literature.

Song Of Summer by Laura Lee Andersen

Seven weeks of summer left for Carter away from his New York home start off in a diner as he teaches ASL to his latest student and friend, Barry but at the diner they meet Robin, a petite waitress who also takes a like to Carter once realising he's deaf and not gay.

However, Robin's life isn't great right now as she has just broke up with Trent, who's also in her church band and they still have to perform together where he still acts flirty with her despite them breaking up. So when Jeni encourages her to pursue Carter after he comes back to the diner alone, she does and a great mini romance occurs despite her love of music not being shared with a guy she cares so much about. Trent also causes some trouble for the pair but doesn't faze them at first.

This book was super unique in the fact that Carter's family is a mix of deaf and hearing with his siblings being adopted by their deaf father and hearing but teaching ASL mum. I really enjoyed this book and the elements of dealing with the love in your life unable to share your biggest passion and hobby which to me made me think so hard about how great this pair worked as a couple until it ran it's course. I would suggest you read this if your a fan of love stories of drama not just the deaf or hearing aspect.

Boy Seeking Band by Steve Brezenoff

Starting a new school, Terrence meets Eddie, an alternative styled girl who also secretly sings in the school basement after school. Her brother who is a well built sax player and her twin acts like he doesn't like Terence and he feels intimidated easily by him.

At his new school they have a jazz band in which anyone joins if they play an instrument and Terence plays bass guitar already which is why he went to his old school, a private music and art school first. Unfortunately, his mum died from illness leaving his dad depressed hardly leaving the house and his bed at all.

Yet as Terence forms his own band at his new school and they enter into a competition battle of the bands style, he has to face his old band from his last school.

We see Terence's struggle to get emotionally attached to people after losing his mum suddenly. The lessons in the book's storyline's show friendship and standing up for each other as well as how fitting in with others you judge wrongly at first isn't always a bad thing.

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

I Am Drums by Mike Grosso

Sam is a girl dreaming about being a drummer. She drums on books, notebooks, feels and hears drums all the time in her head.

However she finds herself having to earn money to afford her drumming lessons after her parents can't afford it and she finally gets the opportunity to learn with Pete the local awesome drum teacher.

She also gets into trouble at school and hides it from her parents scared of their reactions and her punishment as well as hiding the money she earns from secretly mowing laws to pay for her drumming lessons!

Sam is a hot headed character with a strong and fiery will and a can do attitude as she knows what she wants. We see her ambition and I admire her being a young step character as at her age I was nothing like that so it was fun to read about her achieving what she does.

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!

Love From Lexie: The Lost & Found No 1 by Cathy Cassidy

Lexi's mum abandoned her when she was nine after going out and not coming back, now aged thirteen, Lexi is with a foster family, Mandy and Jon with a foster sister who's slightly older, Bex. She's surrounded herself with lost items she's found in charity shops.

At school, she's keen along with her best friend, Happi and roped in foster sister Bex, to arrange a group for lost and found misfit students to feel free to meet up at to make friends and it may also help to keep their library where they hold the meetings open.

When Marley, a misunderstood student and Lexi's paths cross, he mistakes the group for auditions of a musical kind and takes along other musicians with him to what he believes are for a band. Despite the mix up, all their talent would be going to waste so they decide to create a band and so The Lost and Found are born! However trouble ensues as the council plans to close ALL the local libraries leaving them nowhere to meet up or any of the other groups to meet who use the library. As they begin to campaign to keep the library open, local celebrity Louisa Winters helps them out and from Lexie she has a huge shock I never saw coming at all as does Marley as he gets close to Lexie.

All the group have their secrets which I'm sure will be revealed little by little over time as the series develops on but for now the hints show many serious topics will be brought up from refugees, mental health, parenting and more.

The book is very serious as Lexie feels lost and that by writing letters to her mum she'll come back to her again. It's a sad premise but we see how settled and happy day to day she is now and hope is a good thing to keep for so long as she realizes deeper on into the story as you'll always get hurt but not everything is as bad as it may seem or feel.

A great new series beginning from Cathy once again!