Isadora Moon Puts On A Show by Harriet Muncaster

In this book Isadora gets to attend the vampire ball with her parents and gets to take part too, however we see how nerves get the better of her at times and how new friends can make everything better and his being you is the best thing you can be!

A great little book to help you embrace who you are and make you appreciate your talents and passions too!

A Shape Of My Own by Grace Bowman

In this book we meet Grace the author as she takes us through her past to present story of her life with anorexia and all the stages she went through with it.

From losing boyfriends and friends to losing control over her life as good became the main focus of her life and things like socialising and enjoying university became mixed up with varying emotions over her battle with food. We see what a toll or took on her parents as they watched her lose weight and regained too as well as when she finally managed to get to university and break free into the world on her own with a proper graduation job and finding her new love.

Grace's story is one that is honest and raw with all emotions splayed out page by page in her effectively captivating writing. It was a truly brutal battle and a hard one Grace pushed to try and overcome but I was truly blown away by her account of becoming herself again after losing her way.

I Only Have Pies For You by Suzanne Nelson

In this sweet treat read we meet Dacey a girl from a small town in the south of America where businesses are closing down fast.

Her family's famous pie shop is kept going by it's regular locals and the legend of her great grandma's pie being magical in it's healing properties helped  especially as since the recipe was hidden no more successful copies of that Heartstring pie have been made.

Dacey however isn't naturally talented at pie making and has a quick fiery temper that gets the better of her, unlike her family and gets along better naturally with animals like her vet dad and she dotes on her horse Ginger.

Upon hearing from her best friend Zari that her nemesis Chayton is back in town she is super unhappy however her mum is overjoyed as his mum Julip has a TV show which could boost the town and provide some much needed tourism.

As the town revitalises itself, dealing with a sick horse, addressing her true feelings over Chayton, especially with Caroleen after him and trying to find and save her grandma's Heartstring pie recipie, there's an endless supply of drama I such a small town!

Suzanne writes such sweet stories love and food wise not only was the title another great pun but the mystery of where the recipe is keeps us intrigued and guessing along too. I loved the southern aspect especially as I love country music so animal lovers will especially enjoy the book.

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.

The Art Of Hiding by Amanda Prowse

Nina leads a luxury life with her husband Finn and Connor and Declan their two sons. That is all turned upside down by one phone call from the hospital telling her that her husband has been in a car accident and has died.

Nina later comes to find out that they are millions of pounds in debt and facing everything being repossessed to pay back her husband's debt landing them having to uproot from their normal lives as they know, no more private school for the children either as they move in with Nina's sister, Tiggy on a ran down council estate.

It was a great book about a woman whose unknown strength gets her family through the toughest times they face as they hit rock bottom in life. Flipping their life around despite bullying the boys endure, finding a job being a struggle these are all things which we can relate to a lot and it could keep some hope that we can change our lives like in this work of fictional magic.

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

The Vintage Summer Wedding by Jenny Oliver

Anna and Seb have returned to a cottage in Nettleton their home town as they prepare to get married but they return after Anna caused a scene strong enough to leave gossipers still going on about it even now!

Anna dreamt of London being her home with Seb but after their money ran dry, home was true only place to go to. Forced to work alongside Mrs Beedle in her antique shop for a measly wage and doing what she feels is disgusting work as her snobbish attitude is.

She also starts to help out at the village hall dance group where a group of kids have fun learning when they have nowhere else to learn to dance. After their teacher leaves it's down to Anna to keep them practising despite her tempting job offer in New York...

There also the fact her ex Luke Lloyd see's her again whilst Seb makes a shock announcement and commandeers their garden shed as his live in man cave!

Now Anna also has to deal with the fact her best friend is seeing her dad!

It's a book full of fun and laughter even with a lot of serious life stuff thrown in. Anna soon warms to you as the book goes on and we see her become more open to returning home and the life she has there. Anna won me over as she grew humbler as the story went on as at first I have to admit, she did seem a little full of herself with her big ways and expensive dress but soon she returned to find a love of dance with teaching it not performing on a huge stage with millions of fans and adoration.

Carols And Crushes by Natalie Blitt

In this book we follow, Charlie who's passionate about singing and making the school concert the best it can be especially as she dreams of getting the solo and performing amazingly.

Only when her teacher leaves to have her baby the concert is thrown into jeopardy and as her group consists of her best friend, her crush, Eric and the popular guy, Matthew she doubts whether they'll be good enough or even get along well together to perform to a great standard not to mention how will she cope with her feelings towards the boys!

I really enjoyed the way the characters were thrust together and made to make do which obviously made great twists happen along the way. However Charlie was a great character whose judgement gets shattered and altered for the better by the end of the book she's definitely a better person. A sweet holiday read, curl up with a hot chocolate, blanket and prepare to fall in to a great musical adventure!

Izzy's Magical Football Adventure by Emma Larkin

In this book, Izzy realises her dream thanks to playing Gaelic football with her brothers in their backyard and being inspired by her grandma's medal bracelet too and all that she achieved and what she had to show for it as well as a legacy.

This may be a short story, but the magic that takes place showing Izzy the future makes the book and upbeat, positive and inspiring read that will show girls they can do and play to achieve in any sport they choose!

Many thanks to the author for allowing me to go review this book for her!

Rebel With A Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring

When Jess gets called fat by the school mean girl, Zara on Own Clothes Day after a freak clothing ripping accident, she starts to doubt herself and her attitude towards her life choices such as her cupcake making and eating habit for one.

Hannah and Izzie her beat friends assure her it's not all bad as she's gained the attention of her secret crush, Matt and been asked by him to his party! But is he the boy of her dreams after all?

Her older sister Cat has suffered with an eating disorder it's hinted at, her mum encourages her to lose weight and so Jess begins questioning what she eats, when and why as well as taking up some exercise and eating less in general. But, she meets her blogger idol and gets asks to write a piece for her site after a chance meeting at her dads gig and so she swaps numbers with her idol and new friend quite possibly, Imogen and go shopping together.

The book deals with the issues of bullying and name calling in school, it can really effect peoples psyche and so is a key factor especially around the subject of weight as it could have sent Jess spiralling completely but eventually she owned her weight and who it makes her, A Rebel With A Cupcake as she calls herself online and good for her too!

A great book about not letting the bullies get you down, or at least not for long!

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

Christmas At The Cornish Café by Phillipa Ashley

As Demelza the café is approaching it's opening, now it's October after the summer since starting the series off, everyone pulls together to make it work.

When Kit reveals a shocking surprise to Cal after he sees him with Mawgan their lives all change at this revelation.

Physical and emotional battles get revealed for Cal he finally confides in Demi a huge secret while Demi has a shock turn around with her dad and their relationship.

There is a sentence at the end of the book about Christmas not being perfect and how we shouldn't expect it to be. I have to say not only is it true anyway but definitely in my family as we always lose members at Christmas and sadly my beloved auntie passed on the 21st the same day my grandma passed a year before I was born unfortunately. In this book Phillipa makes it a very emotional ride with family at the heart throughout. With all the issues arising for the extra cast of characters we can't help but get hooked on the storyline it draws us in and makes us appreciate the family and friends we have and can share the joys of Christmas with.