Belly Up by Eva Darrows

In this book we meet Serendipity or Sara as she gets called mostly, after her ex Aaron broke her heart by getting another girl, she goes to a party and meets Jack, who she has drunk sex with this creating her a baby she later calls, Cass.

Thee book focuses on how Sara handles moving in with her grandma, making new friends at a new school, finding her baby daddy, her chosen new future and of course actually giving birth!

It was a realistic look at teen pregnancy and also the danger of reckless sex and the impact on your life one choice can make I enjoyed the language style of Sara being quite unique voiced as she came across humorous, sarcastic and just like a teenager does. The girl power of the family in this book is brilliant and some families I don't doubt are just like them and it made the book more joyous to read especially with Jack an his father's impact in the novel.

I can't recommend this enough, totally worth the hype it's been getting lately!

Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Carlos is the second eldest Fuentes brother, moving to live with Alex from the previous book and his girlfriend Brittany.

As Carlos lands himself in trouble in his new school with a guy called Devlin after being set up as a dealer, he is forced to move in with a Professor and his family as Alex knows them.

Carlos however didn't expect to fall for Kiara, the Professor's daughter. We see how the chemistry between them alike his elder brother and his girlfriend soon turns from hard to playful lust and love as the passion and tension heats up despite all the obstacles that Carlos faces, we see how Kiara and her family care and help him. A moving passionate book once again full of drama and gangs.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

It this book, Brittany and Alex know of each other before being forced to be chemistry class partners for the next year.

Popular queen Brittany and gangster Alex send sparks flying as they escape bad home lives, Brittany being pressured by her boyfriend Colin to have sex at last as well as deal with her family wanting to send away her cerebral palsy suffering sister and Alex wants to escape gang life but knows to stay in to protect his mother and younger brothers.

As the couple fall for each other despite Alex first approaching Brittany to do with a bet they discover a passionate and fiery relationship blossoms but as Alex tries to quit the gang, it might cost him his life...

It was full of cheeky romance and friendship as well as fiery passion and clashing of personalities. It shows the pressures on teens around sex and lasting truly loving relationships and discovering who you are and what you care about the most, loyalty and family.

A Change Is Gonna Come by Mary Bello

My favourites from this book were Aisha Busby, Tanya Byrne, Yasmin Rahman and Ayisha Maliks stories but overall the stories celebrate everything from difference in life situation, sexual orientation, friendship, family, religion and more. These short stories pack a punch and really show how difference can be great and helps us to appreciate each other too.

Birthday by Meredith Russo

Eric and Morgan have known each other since they were born and always spend their brithday toegther.

However when Morgan loses her mum, she shuts off from the word after trying and failing to come out to her friend about really being a girl, trapped in seemingly a boy's body and tha she's actually transgender.

As they grown up, we see how they both question their sexuality over thoughts they have for the other, how they feel attracted to each other and especially how they deal with girls who they encounter.

There's a heavy aspect of homophobia bought up too as in their small town, many of the football players speak horrifically about gay people and especially Eric's dad is a very cruel man pushing his family away and seemingly only caring about how rich he can be, a fickle bitter man indeed.

Morgan was a brave and strong character throughout even if I was screaming when little young Morgan wasn't heard coming out about her true self when she was with Eric for their first birthday mentioned in the book!

I really enjoyed this book, not only for the transgender topic being handled and executed so well but the eighteen year development of a loving relationship, the pair truly were made for each other and this book's ending is movie style for sure this should be adapted and be a Netflix craze for all to see!

Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson

This book is a collection of raw poetry that looks through Laurie's life at some of the tough situations she has had to face and deal with. From being a pastor's daughter, dealing with her parents issues including miscarriage, war and depression to her own issues that arised, rape and how that affects a person as they learn to cope and adapt to their changed selves especially when you can't report it and make them pay for their crime.

The book also explores the relationship between men and women and why we objectify women and see men or used to see men as higher up than us instead of equals. Hugely emotional and thought-provoking if you can relate to the issues raised, you simply need to read this book.

Yay You're Gay Now What? by Riyadh Khalaf

In this book by popular LGBTQ+ activist and member, Riyadh, he takes us through everything to do with being gay or otherwise from coming out and how to manage any and every situation possible to find yourself in.

From coming out and all the reactions you could be faced with, bullying, first time sex and masturbation, dealing with anxiety and worries as well as having famous faces and their stories also featured in this handy little book he !makes sure to cover whatever topic could be effecting the person choosing to read his book.

As a supporter of the community and having friends who've come out over time, this book sums up everything a gay, trans, any type of person at all could need to know and handy information for others who are LGBTQ+ too as many issues can be relevant to others as well.

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

What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K Arnold

When her boyfriend Seth breaks up with her, after her parents have split up too, Nina is heartbroken and in disbelief as she also discovers she's pregnant.

After and incident with Seth and his ex Appolonia months before, she is stunned he leaves her but really the sex was never great as proved by when Seth buys a creepy not sweet anniversary present.

All the while we see why girls aren't displayed always as perfect things but how we supposedly are to guys especially, from hairy legs, periods, pregnancy accidents, using the toilet like any other human and needing to have perfect hair, make-up, outfit, body etc.

We also see frequent mentions of Eros and Thanos the Greek gods throughout the book as plot deals with sex and love as the gods believed themselves. We see the torture Nina puts herself through over the breakup and how it leaves her searching for an explanation about how love works. It was a bit flat for me as a story as I hoped for a more typical plot than I got and would have liked to have seen more about the baby and parents in the story.

Indecent by Corinne Sullivan

Imogene is new to her job at a privileged boys school where she meets Adam, a pupil who intrigued her as she firstly finds out more about him then in turn after briefly talking, he pursues her and starts a relationship with her.

Then he tells the school head and he is believed over her. She pursued him, though really they were in it together and he went cold on replying to her. He bragged about dating their last apprentice to join the school to her and now she's just another one to add to that list.

Throughout the novel we read flashbacks to when Imogene was the boys age and deciding what to do for college, career and her first love and sexual encounters too.

This book is all about forbidden love and lust as we see both of the characters involved go hot and cold for each other at times though Imogene seemed mostly for the relationship despite her being his teacher. Overall it is believable but I would've preferred a split perspective and not just her perspective split between her age now and when she was Adam's age.

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

Proud by Various and Juno Dawson

One of the most hyped up teen books is finally here and I'm so excited and not just because it's put together alongside Juno Dawson!

Written by various authors the stories gathered in the book focus of different aspects of LGBTQ+ issues that they may face.

Simon James Green focuses on a gay penguin couple and two guys realising their feelings at prom.

Kay Staples features a Travelodge near Leicester, my hometown of all places! Where two guys find themselves hiding out at to discover their romance after a big lottery win as one of them tries to figure out if they're really a girl or just a boy who's into dresses and make up etc

David Levithan focuses on a choir singing Katy Perry as two boys feelings are growing for each other and look for acceptance from their families.

While Tanya Byrne focuses on Orla a teen coming to understand her sexual preference and how she falls for a girl, Reeba and also touches on death and grief.

Michael Lee Richardson focuses on a football team and their inclusivity of LGBTQ community members. As the main character is transgender and gay too. With a crush on a fellow team mate. The issue of using a binder is also talked about briefly which is refreshing to read as it's hardly ever mentioned.

Karen Lawlor focuses on a group of frenemies after Darcy is overheard being mean about our main character, Lizzie's best friend. However the two girls face conflict and discovery about their true feelings towards each other...

Jess Vallance focuses on the life of seventeen year old learner driver Lucy as she comes to realise her true feelings towards her friend, Fizzy.

The anthology does include also poems and fantasy themes based stories too of which just weren't my natural preference from this collective book.

Over all this is a powerful collaboration and celebration for the talented LGBTQ+ community involved in or set to read this beauty of a book purely based on the inclusivity and understanding of issues faced by the members of their community. It was heart warming, emotion tugging, fun, realistic and eye opening and everyone can take something away from this book of not just to be proud of ourselves.

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

Soft Thorns by Bridgett Devoue

Bridgett is an amazing girl I followed on instagram many years ago when I found her beautiful poetry on there. With moving poetry about an array of topics from beauty, life, love, pain, eating disorders, abuse, depression and more. They're all serious but moving and beautifully written poetry worthy of a read by anyone whom has been affected recently or in the past by any of the discussed topics. She perfectly captures imagery of a romantic relationship and all the up and down sides of it you can go through.

I never knew that Bridgette suffered with chronic pain, as do I and found myself relating to her voice so much in certain poems for sure.

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

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Stella is an autistic econometrist, whilst her mum believes she works too hard and should find a partner, Stella craves closeness to someone and so chooses an escort from a company to help her and teach her how to be good at relationships and sex.

As Michael helps Stella, he refuses to take her pay despite his family being plagued by money worries at lot due to his mother's ill health as she has cancer.

The pair have a sizzling chemistry and it's a very sex heavy book, obviously due to the subject nature of the book! The couple were amazing, so different but that's what worked as Michael was so understanding where Stella felt insecure and unsure. I liked that Michael was a clothing designer too as it showed he took care of his craft and was passionate about something just like Stella and her numbers and figures. A great contrasting pair with a relationship that is almost dreamlike sounding how it comes about.

None Of The Above by I W Gregorio

Krissy and Sam are a couple attending homecoming with their friends, Faith and Vee whom is currently injured.

Yet on homecoming night, after having sex, Krissy is in a lot of pain. She makes a doctors appointment and knows the importance of getting checked out after her mum died from cervical cancer.

What she doesn't expect is to be told she has no cervix/uterus and that she really has small testicles instead as she has two small lumps. Devastated at the news she is not a girl but half girl and boy and awaiting further tests to confirm that she is possibly, intersex.

Her father struggles to take in the news as well because in some cases the undeveloped testes can be cancerous. However, takes comfort that Krissy won't die from cervical cancer alike her mum.

Krissy comes to realise that being neither man nor woman on her forms at the doctors makes her none of the above, so again she finds it a struggle to deal with. She finds a contact for an AIS support group and messages them with her number so she can be contacted.

Yet after bullying occurs, surgery options, losing people she was close to before she told her secretnand having her dream of college hanging in the balance just what future does she face?

This book, oh my, it was perfect. Truly original as I never even knew about intersex and what goes into the medical side of what the person he or she has to face. It was an emotional and shocking read not to be missed.

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

Girl Detatched by Manuela Salva

Aleksandra is a sixteen year old who's just lost her beloved gran and is left to live with her mum, Megan is her neighbour whom helps her by introducing her to Camilla, Dani and Kayley as well as Ruben.

Going from shy stutter sufferer though she doesn't on stage though her beloved theatre is closing down. But through it all Ruben is her new boyfriend whom she adores and as her first, is clueless to see the world she's sinking in to.

While Megan leads her into a dangerous group as girls disappear with the other guys, get bought presents of clothing and make-up and Aleks feels uncomfortable as Ruben makes her take her clothes off by drugging her with ecstasy and giving her alcohol until she can't stay awake.

As she changes her look, is failing school and was raped as she horrifically recalls her theatre friends gather her up and confront and threaten the bullying rapist and friends though they unearth a video, from that night Aleks was with them at a party.

Then they decide to get their own back and revenge on Ruben and his twisted group of so called friends, a court battle ahead with Megan finally an ally, sisters against the cruel monsters.

The book was intense, emotional turmoil for such a young teen to have to face along with so many other life changes that should be happy instead are sour after falling into the wrong crowd. A look into a life we overlook in young adult fiction as I've never read a book about this subject before. Rape and prostitution is a harrowing thing for anyone to face and go through, unimaginable but the author dealt with the subject covering all elements in a hopeful way of justice being served.

Powerful look into a dark hidden world...

Doing It by Hannah Witton

Hannah is a huge YouTube star whom openly discusses important essential life topics such as love, relationships, sex, health and her latest, stoma care too. As a young role model for teens and other generations Hannah's debut book Doing It shares the nitty gritty of all aspects of healthy and unhealthy issues surrounding sex from abusive relationships to health and happiness as no one will have the same experience as someone else.

The book features guests throughout with their tips and stories about sex and health which are hilarious while being informative too as well as being new facts I'd never known about till picking up this book proving this guide is very thoroughly thought out.

The book is suitable for anyone facing any issues surrounding love and relationships of a mature age or way of thinking.

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

(US cover)

Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover

In this book set around the time before and during Sydney's arrival in their life and from Warren's perspective. Warren has just met Bridgette his fellow roommate who is very standoffish and infuriating for him to be around as he not only finds her incredibly hot, they're battling each other in a brutal prank war which results in their bad attitudes between themselves.

Bridgette is a strong female and has life experience that made her that way and she doesn't give in easy to Warren's pursuit of her yet pretty soon their attraction becomes heated and sexual and they can't turn away from it no more, the heart wants what it wants after all.

I really enjoyed knowing more about the two characters that were a big part of Maybe Someday and from Warren's perspective seeing he wasn't just playing with Bridgette after all but really deeply cared for her.

Girl Parts by John M. Cusick

When David is presented with robot girl Rose by his parents request to treat his dissociative disorder due to him spending all his time interacting and not bonding with people, he doesn't expect her to literally shock him thus making her separated from him after harming him when they're supposed to become friends or more not just have sex like David wants while Rose's programme disallows that to happen before a certain amount of time.

Rose is also a trial robot girl, so when David's parents don't like the changes or lack of in their son, Rose finds herself running into the arms of Charlie, a boy she met after running him off the road when David was driving them home one night after a party.

Rose continues to hide away at Charlie's until a nightmare makes her believe her design company Sakura are after her which leads her to finding Lily, another version of her only a Barbie type version unlike her.

It was a great concept for a book! I love the idea of how robot partners can be developed but how creepy it can be too at the same time knowing you could pick aspects of their personality or design even. I like the aspect of typical sexual norms with girls being Barbie's and males all sex driven as it is quite often true but could've been challenged in the book more as times are ever changing surrounding sexuality.

99 Days by Katie Cotugno

As Molly returns back to her hometown, takes up her old job again and crosses paths with old friends whom are now new enemies in some cases, gets entangled with Patrick and Gabe Donnelly once again, life is proving to be tricky and pressuring her to make a decision before its too late.

There's also the fact that everywhere she goes, still people call her a slut and give her the side eye. Slowly Molly does make friends and also peace with her past decisions and actions.
We see how her adoptive mum exposed her secrets about cheating on her boyfriend in her latest book. Which unfortunately for Molly, exposed it all to her friends and the town people.

This book reminds me of Abbi Glines The Vincent Brothers books and I enjoyed them although this book is more suitable to younger readers compared to them.

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

Andrew has tried to commit suicide previously and we soon learn why, better known as Amanda now and returning to live with her father and leave her supportive mother behind where they had set up a new life, Amanda wants her dad to be a part of her life now she can live as her true self.

We soon learn of the torment Amanda was put through before and early on during her transition at her school and now she feels at a new school she will be accepted, even if she came out as transgender.

At the new college, she makes friends with a group of girls, including a bisexual girl, attracts the attention of Grant whom becomes her boyfriend much to the annoyance of Parker who also seemingly likes her.

After confiding in Bea her secret of her past, she betrays her in the biggest way outing not only her secret but others too, publicly she is then left in a dangerous situation with Parker and return's home to her mum feeling unsafe. Though she later proves her strength in herself as she faces up to events.

This book is raw and open about the struggles many transgender people widely across the world unfortunately still have to face. Amanda shows the hope I wish all transgender people to have as people grow more accepting.

Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley

Set within a Christian camp get together, Lori and Aki set each other the task of having a summer fling.

However, love is never easy and Christian Aki has a big secret to hide about her sexuality, she's bisexual and out to no one. Yet when she meets Christa, her world changes into secret get together and sneaking around, even though a photo circulates briefly of her and Christa and the pressures of keeping their connection secret threatens to be exposed.

Aki and Lori also have a difference of views and do fall out once but make it up after Lori admits what she did was wrong about her and a camp councillor, who's married too and shows the friendship bond in all it's strength and glory.

We learn how much issues matter to Christian groups as well as we see a very serious debate take place about relevant topics to today's society and how they try to do their bit to help make a change in the world to be more accepting and tolerable.

One of the best things about this book is the way it portrays coming out for the first time and having gay sex, an issue not talked about in any teen book I've read before and it's eye opening to see the way it's talked about openly which is a much positive thing to accepting others and involving everyone in being educated to create more understanding. I loved this book and believe the frankness and openness of the language is key and engaging, an essential read of the LGBTQIA fiction for teens out there!