Review: Far From Perfect by Holly Smale

The second sensational book in the Valentines series – a hilarious and heart-aching story about the impossible standards for being a girl.

Be yourself but, you know, someone else . . .

Enthusiastic but not desperate; calm but not dull; funny but not try-hard; sparky but not crazy; feisty but not aggressive; beautiful but relatable; elegant but not icy; confident but not arrogant; feminine but not girly; nice but not boring.

Faith Valentine has it all – fame, money and extraordinary beauty. But what she wants more than anything is a quiet life away from the cameras. Except nobody ever asks Faith what she wants, and her family’s expectations are crushing her.

The world thinks she’s perfect, but is there is more to perfection than meets the eye?

Review: I loved this second book in the valentines series. This book follows Faith, sister of Hope who we met in the first book in this series. Again we have a show all take on what it is like to grow up with famous parents and live life very much in the limelight. 

The difference between Faith’s story and the first book in this series though is that Faith is older therefore she is very much expected to be part of the fame gang, she is expected to live life as her instagram account dictates, to be an actor and to have a hollywood style relationship all at the age of 16. As you can imagine this takes its toll on Faith and so we get a behind the scenes look at what life is really like for her. 

Just like the first book in this series, we get the message of don’t believe everything you see on screen and the message about what a devil fame and not being able to live the life you want is not all it’s cracked up to be. I think that this message isn’t just relevant when it comes to children in a famous family like this one but all young people today. They are constantly bombarded with images and messages on social media that just aren’t how life actually is and are selling a false existence. What you see on the grid doesn’t show you what a person is going through. 

This book also has good messages about mental health and what can go wrong if you bottle up your feelings and don’t actually take time for self care and a bit of mindfulness. There is so much pressure nowadays especially on young people and this book gives a clear message of how destructive that pressure can be. 

This is a really fun family to spend time with and because of the fact that they have fame and money we can see them do things we can’t normally see in a book about young people, they have the fancy parties, the cars and cinema rooms in their houses and so it is a lot of fun to live in their extravagant lives over the course of the book. We do also see the price that this fame costs though. 

I love the opulence of this series and the over the top nature of all the characters in this novel, but most of all I love the messages about social media and mental health that come across loud and clear. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: All About the Hype by Paige Toon

The third super hot, super fun Jessie Jefferson novel from internationally bestselling author, Paige Toon.

Is the life of a famous rockstar's daughter all it's cracked up to be? And what about dating your fellow band-member just as you hit the bigtime? 

Jessie is still getting used to being a celebrity, and the daughter of one of the world’s biggest rock stars. With her own music career on the rise, a gorgeous love interest and a fun group of friends, it seems Jessie’s glamorous LA life couldn’t get any better . . . but things are about to get really complicated.

Review: Well glamorous life in LA is fabulous but when you’re a teenager with friends and family still living in the UK it can be tough and we really explore that in the culmination of this trilogy which is fast becoming one of my favourite Young Adult trilogies of all time, and it really has stiff competition. 

I really feel like we get to know Jessie fully in this novel. We have explored a lot of her life so far but not only does she celebrate her birthday in this book but that also means marking the anniversary of her mum’s death and so we really do see her raw and exposed. We see even more than ever that she is just like other teenage girls and dealing with the same kind of things that they have to deal with in terms of friendships, education, family and love. 

Don’t get me wrong, this book does take it to a whole new level of glam too. I mean when you start reading about what Jessie is getting for her birthday and how the day will be spent, I can only say that Paige Toon must have had an awful lot of fun planning and writing those chapters, it sounded amazing. With that goes a whole lots of emotion though and this book was a whole emotional rollercoaster. One minute you’re having fun with Jessie at a glamorous party or performing with the band and the next you are feeling the rock bottom when she realises the price of fame and misses the only other home she has known. 

I loved Jessie in this book. I love the adventures that she has, I love the feelings that she shares and I love seeing her go through the whole coming of age process over the course of this trilogy. Again we have some amazing scenes with Johnny and Meg and it was great to catch up with them again, they can take me to Disneyland anytime they like. I really loved this trilogy and I hope that this isn't the last we have seen of Paige Toon’s adventures into the world of YA fiction!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: I Knew You Were Trouble by Paige Toon

Sunshine, rock gods, and Hollywood heartthrobs! Jessie Jefferson is back in the next installment from bestselling author Paige Toon—perfect for fans of Holly Smale's Geek Girl, the Jessica Cole series, and Zoe Sugg's Girl Online.

Life as the undercover daughter of a rock god isn't going to be easy. How will Jessie adjust to her old boring life again after spending her summer living it up with her dad in LA? With tough decisions ahead (and not just choosing between two hot boys), can she cope juggling her two very different lives? Summer may be over, but Jessie's story is just beginning…

Review: This is the second book in the young adult series from one of my favourite authors Paige Toon and let me tell you I am keeping my fingers crossed that she has another foray into the world of Young Adult romance again soon because I love this series so much. 

When you know you are dealing with the second book in a series you do sometimes worry that you are in for a bit of a slump in the action, that you are being set up from the culmination of the trilogy in book 3 but this really wasn't the case in this novel. This book has action from the very beginning to the very end. Jessie is up to as much in this book as we saw her get up to in book one only this time she is very definitely doing it across 2 continents. 

This book has also ramped up the romance, can you say love triangle? I loved this added intrigue because a love triangle in 2 different countries is a whole different kettle of fish, This triangle really explores the fact that Jessie's may be the daughter of a rich and famous rockstar but aside from having just lost her mum she is also dealing with first love and the confusion that that can bring. Jessie really does have to deal with a lot in this book she has all of that plus the possibility of singing and school work and a whole new family-wow there really is a lot in this book. 

Safe to say this book does not fall into the second book in a series trap. It has a definite story arc of its own, things really ramp up from Jessie and if you are here because you fell in love with Johnny Jefferson in Johnny and Meg’s stories then there is a decent dose of him too-I loved it and can’t wait to dive into book 3!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: Wonderland by Juno Dawson

What happens when you fall down the rabbit hole? The compulsive must-have follow-up to CLEAN and MEAT MARKET from bestselling author Juno Dawson

Alice lives in a world of stifling privilege and luxury - but none of it means anything when your own head plays tricks on your reality. When her troubled friend Bunny goes missing, Alice becomes obsessed with finding her. On the trail of her last movements, Alice discovers a mysterious invitation to 'Wonderland': the party to end all parties - three days of hedonistic excess to which only the elite are welcome.

Will she find Bunny there? Or is this really a case of finding herself? Because Alice has secrets of her own, and ruthless socialite queen Paisley Hart is determined to uncover them, whatever it takes.

Alice is all alone, miles from home, and now she has a new enemy who wants her head...

A searing exploration of mental health, gender and privilege, from the most addictive YA novelist in the UK today.

Review: Well this really was a wild ride into Wonderland. This Alice in Wonderland retelling is not for the faint-hearted and this definitely contains care warnings for Self harm, suicide, mental health, sexual assault and drug use. But this book fearlessly tackles issues facing young people today head on and its cast of characters is like no other. If you love books with diverse characters and not your cookie cutter YA contemporary characters then this one is definitely for you. 

I really found Alice intriguing as a main character and I think there is nothing better for an author to make me intrigued by their main character. She is a unique individual and fits the bill of unreliable narrator. She seems like she is snarky and wants to be unlikable but really she is going through a hell of a lot of things as well as just those issues facing every single teenage girl in the world and so it is impossible not to fall in love with her. As a teacher I felt very protective over her but as a reader I loved the adventures that she went on. I feel like I still don't fully know her as a person and I quite like that to be honest. 

I mentioned that this book contains drug use and it is that drug use that over exaggerates this particular Wonderland. I feel like this author sat down and thought, well what if Alice had a crush on the white rabbit and that's why she followed them, what if there was group sex in wonderland, where do Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee land on the spectrum of sexuality? I am just amazed by this world that Juno Dawson has built. 

Not every escapade and every drug fueled party was for me but boy could I appreciate the intricacies of the storytelling and the weaving of the plot and if you want to read something really different and completely daring then this book is for you. 

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: Going the Distance (The Kissing Booth 2) by Beth Reekles

The sizzling sequel to the Kissing Booth. Soon to be a Netflix film!

Elle Evans seems to have finally tamed hotter-than-hot bad boy Noah Flynn, but now they're facing a new challenge. Noah's 3,000 miles away at Harvard, which means they're officially a long-distance couple - and it's tough. After all, there's only so much texts and calls can do- and when Elle sees a post which suggests Noah's getting friendly with someone else, she's devastated.

On top of that, it's hard to ignore new boy Levi. He's gentle, sweet, cute - and definitely interested in Elle.

With her heart on the line, what's a girl to do?

Join Elle, Noah, Lee and all your favorite Kissing Booth characters for another amazing romantic story that's sure to have you swooning.

Review: Well this was the book we were all waiting for, I know I was anyway! This picks up right after the end of The Kissing Booth so whether you have read the book or watched the movie, you will be able to jump right into this one. 

I loved being back with Elle and Lee again and of course the lovely Noah. I really like the fact that we have a couple of new characters introduced as well to add some extra intrigue to proceedings. Levi is a great character to get to know and slots right into the cast as if he has always belonged. I really liked the chemistry that he had with both Lee and Elle and really liked the fact that he has he own stuff going on, a sub plot to really get your teeth into. 

Obviously in this story we have the problem of Noah being away at school, in a whole different time zone from Elle. Elle has to negotiate senior year with that dilemma on her hands as well as all the fun the senior year brings with applying for colleges and facing the fact that life, loves and friendships are changing. It was lovely to see Elle deal with these issues and of course she makes mistakes along the way, that's why we love her right? Its also great to see her friendship with Lee change and develop as they both mature. 

I had such a great time reading this novel. There were moments that made me laugh, things I could identify with and also some moments that made me mad at these characters but I just really enjoyed it overall. I left it feeling uplifted and really hoping for another book in this world!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: The Paper and Hearts Society by Lucy Powrie

A brand new series from Booktuber Lucy Powrie - about what happens when you give up on trying to fit in in and let your weird out! It's time to join The Paper & Hearts Society ...

Tabby Brown is tired of trying to fit in. She doesn't want to go to parties - in fact, she would much rather snuggle up on the sofa with her favourite book.

It's like she hasn't found her people ...

Then Tabby joins a club that promises to celebrate books. What could go wrong? EVERYTHING - especially when making new friends brings out an AWKWARD BUZZING feeling all over her body.

But Olivia, Cassie, Henry and Ed have something that makes Tabby come back. Maybe it's the Austen-themed fancy-dress parties, or Ed's fluffy cat Mrs Simpkins, or could it be Henry himself ...

Can Tabby let her weird out AND live THE BEST BOOKISH LIFE POSSIBLE?

Review: I loved this book right from the first page because this is such a wonderful love letter to books. If you are a reader, you are definitely going to identify with the Paper and Hearts Society because they love books and book shelves and this whole thing kicks of with a visit to the library! How awesome is that? Classics are represented here as well as young adult contemporary and fantasy, graphic novels and even some childhood favourites. I want to be a member of this society and I defy you not to want to as well after you read this book. 

Tabby is a book lover and so I could identify with her right away. But she is also a teenager having to deal with everything a teenager has to deal with and so teens picking up this book will definitely have something in common with her right away. Tabby is also a great character to read about because she has some anxiety issues and also some self-esteem issues which are also very easy to relate to. These do build over the course of the novel and we see her trying to hide these aspects of her life from those around her, and we all know how that is going to go!

The other members of the society are great and wonderful and diverse and I can't wait to spend more time with them. I love the fact that they are brought together through their love of reading but that they are all dealing with other issues in their lives that they can support each other with. Henry is a fun character in the group and I loved how thoughtful he was. It is not often you find someone who is as kind and caring as he was. Olivia is bright and bubbly but she is not as confident as she may seem and she is hiding something fairly major about herself that we do get to find out a way into the book. Cassie is guarded and finds trust difficult but we also get to find out the root of that issue and Ed is just the best. He is welcoming and kind and I really hope we get to dig a little deeper into this character in future books in the series. 

This is a great debut novel. It really does have something for everyone. I flew through it in two sittings and it definitely motivated me to get on with the rest of my TBR because of all the books and authors these characters talked about. Lucy has explored so many issues that are prevalent for teens today and there is so much relevant technology in the book right down to them texting to let each other know they're outside rather than ringing the bell-I loved that. I highly recommend this book, pop it on your summer TBR now!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: The Valentines-Happy Girl Lucky by Holly Smale

Introducing The Valentines. Fame – It Runs in the Family!

Sisters Hope, Faith and Mercy have everything: fame, success, money and beauty. But what Hope wants most of all is love, and it doesn’t matter how far she has to go to find it.

Except real-life isn't like the movies. Even if you're a Valentine . . .

Happy Girl Lucky is the first hilarious, heart-warming book in The Valentines series. 

Review: Ok going into this novel I had certain expectations because I am a HUGE fan of the Geek Girl series by Holly Smale and when someone has had a series that successful, it is definitely a tough act to follow. But wow I loved this book. It was such a great pick for when I read it because I needed something that would make me laugh and keep me entertained for 400 pages. 

Hope is a great main character and I really really can't wait to hear how she gets on as we progress through this series. She has the endearing ditziness of Harriet Manners but T the same time she feels like she knows it all and she is going to be an absolute star, what a great mix! Her siblings are also thoroughly entertaining. They each have very different qualities and they just work well at causing friction and yet at the same time a kind of harmony within the family. 

I also loved the setting of this novel, being set between Richmond and Hollywood makes it easy to relate to, they are covered well in the media and they really couldn't be more different! There is a strong message of being yourself and self-acceptance in this book and also a subtext of not being in too much of a hurry to grow up. There was a little family drama, a touch o romance and a sprinkling of old Hollywood that just made me fall in love and I can't wait to hear more from Holly Smale and continue on in this series! 

Click here to order your copy!

Top Ten Thursday: Top Ten Young Adult Fiction Books I Read in 2018

I know it's not Tuesday but this post is inspired by all those top ten Tuesdays that I missed so I'll still link you back to their site...

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I know this isn't Tuesday but I'm going with it ok? I'm also going to pop in another few top tens for you before the year is out. These can also be found on my BookTube channel (I'll link the video below) if you want to know a few more of my thoughts on any of these! These are in no particular order (as always!)

Review: On A Scale of One to Ten by Ceylan Scott

Tamar is admitted to Lime Grove, a psychiatric ward for teenagers, where the psychologists ask her endless questions. But there's one question Tamar can't - won't - answer: What happened to her friend Iris? A uniquely powerful, devastating novel of friendship, fragility and forgiveness

Review: This book comes with some serious trigger warnings so make sure you're aware of the content before picking this one up and the back suggests trying page 3 to get a taste of what the book is about, I think it's a pretty good representation of what's inside so definitely give that a go too. 

Obviously this book deals with the subject of suicide and all aspects of mental health. Tamar is convince that she does not deserve to be in this world any longer and is willing to go to extreme measure to make sure that happens. She is definitely an intriguing character, not necessarily someone to like or someone even to sympathise with most of the time but she is definitely intriguing and this is definitely a character driven novel. 

There are a host of other characters in this novel, all of whom are struggling with their mental health but are in a facility which should support them and give them the help they need. I do feel like a little bit more time could have been given to these other characters but then we would have lost focus off of Tamar and it would have become an issues based novel rather than a character driven book and would have been a lot more of a difficult read than it was. 

I think this novel deals with the issues of depression, anxiety and some of the other aspects of mental health that it covers well. It definitely did have an effect on my own mental health and gen real outlook and was difficult to read at times. It does very much go into the different ways Tamar, and others think about killing themselves and about the skewed view of the world that people have when their mental health is not 100%. The ending of this novel was hopeful but not everything was tied up neatly in a bow, which I found fitting for the content but the kind of books I read, I would have liked more of a conclusion, however overall I think this was a good representation of teens with mental health issues and it was good that this book's release coincided with mental health awareness month in the UK.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: Bookshop Girl by Chole Coles

Bennett's Bookshop has always been a haven for sixteen-year-old Paige Turner. It's a place where she can escape from her sleepy hometown, hang out with her best friend, Holly, and also earn some money. But, like so many bookshops, Bennett's has become a 'casualty of the high street' - it's strapped for cash and going to be torn down. Paige is determined to save it but mobilising a small town like Greysworth is no mean feat.

Time is ticking - but that's not the only problem Paige has. How is she going to fend off the attractions of beautiful fellow artist, Blaine? And, more importantly, will his anarchist ways make or break her bookshop campaign?

Written by debut author and Foyles bookseller Chloe Coles, this is the first in a new laugh-out-loud and sparky teen series that will make you want to rush out and start your own bookshop campaign!

Review: Firstly, let it be noted that I laughed out loud at this book so many time whilst in a crowded airport and sitting on a full plane, so safe to say I enjoyed it a lot! I love the premise behind this book, a casualty of the high street that we have all seen a thousand times before, the local bookshop being closed. But it really does mean so much more to people that just a shop and I love that the heroine of this story is Paige Turner. 

This book is also awesomely feminist, at every turn Paige and her friend Holly are able to drop in something about being powerful women and not allow themselves to be objectified as 16 year old girls, I thought this was great! Paige is just a great character to read about and I'm so pleased to hear that there are going to be more books featuring her coming soon! She is strong-minded and mature but has just the same sorts of thoughts that we all did when we were 16 and so i defy any reader not to fall in love with her. 

As I've mentioned this book made me laugh a lot, it really is hilarious. Just some of the scenes that made me chuckle were during life drawing classes, moments with Paige and her friend Holly and moments where Paige is trying to play it cool in front of a new crush. So if those sounds like the kinds of things that would make you laugh then I suggest reading this book immediately!

The synopsis states that this book will make you want to start your own bookshop campaign and that is so true. This book is so much more than just some giggles an crushes. It has the whole massively feminist thing going on and also it has the support for an independent bookshop. They are becoming rarer and rarer these days and so this book is definitely in support of them and the importance of these institutions in our community. I can't wait to read more from Chloe Coles, this definitely doesn't read like a debut and you should all put it in your summer reading lists right now!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: My Box-Shaped Heart by Rachael Lucas

My Box-Shaped Heart is a powerful story of an unlikely friendship from Rachael Lucas, author of The State of Grace. Holly's mum is a hoarder, and she is fed up with being picked on at school for being weird . . . and having the wrong clothes . . . and sticking out. All she wants is to be invisible. She loves swimming, because in the water everyone is the same. Ed goes to the swimming pool because everything else in his life has changed. In his old life he had money; was on the swim team; knew who he was and what he wanted. In his old life his dad hit his mum. Holly is swimming in one direction and Ed's swimming in the other. As their worlds collide they find a window into each other's lives - and learn how to meet in the middle.

Review: Rachael Lucas has done it again, she has found something which doesn't normally get talked about openly in young adult literature and blown it wide open in this novel. This book is definitely a reminder that we don't know what goes on behind closed doors and that we really don't know what people, specifically young people, are dealing with at home when we come into contact with them and decide how to treat them! This book also serves as a reminder to those who might be dealing with the issues in this book that they are not alone, that there are other people like them and there are people out there who are willing to help them. 

I found Holly and Ed really easy to like as characters. Because of the way the book is structured, you have an instant sympathy for Holly and so that really helps you get to know her and get on here side. Ed is such a sweetheart and the fact that he has something in common with Holly will just make you root for the two of them all the way to the end of the book. The swimming pool is also a major player in this book, it is a salve for Holly and another thing that links her and Ed. I know the value of getting under the water and forgetting everything else that is going on with the world and I am glad that this author has shone a light on that!

Obviously there are a lot of issues dealt with in this novel, there's a definite trigger warning for domestic abuse here, however I think that the way Rachael Lucas deals with these issues, through these young people, is really great and really sensitive. I think that because we are seeing these issues play out in the lives of these young people, they almost don't become the main focus of the book, they are a hurdle which Holly and Ed need to, not overcome, but accept as part of their lives. I just really liked the fact that this author has openly dealt with the issue of hoarding and everything else she covers in this book through the medium of young adult literature. The storyline was gripping, the characters were easy to like and this was a great read. 

To order your copy now, just click here!

Review: Clean by Juno Dawson

A razor-sharp, adrenaline rush of a novel from award-winning author Juno Dawson, Clean is Gossip Girl meets Girl, Interrupted.

'I can feel it swimming through my veins like glitter ... it's liquid gold.'

When socialite Lexi Volkov almost overdoses, she thinks she's hit rock bottom.

She's wrong. Rock bottom is when she's forced into an exclusive rehab facility.

From there, the only way is up for Lexi and her fellow inmates, including the mysterious Brady.

As she faces her demons, Lexi realises love is the most powerful drug of all ... 

It's a dirty business getting clean ...

Review: Ok this review comes with a lot of trigger warnings so make sure you read the synopsis before deciding whether this book is for you. But I will tell you that this book was definitely for me. I loved this book. The premise behind it sounds like it is going to be a usual story of addiction and recovery but this novel is so much more clever than that. I am actually in awe of how this author managed to come up with this plot line and its twists and turns, I don't think I could write something so intricately crafted. 

Lexi as a character is a little hard to get on with but she challenges the reader throughout the book and she had definitely grown on me but the end of the novel. As the synopsis might suggest, she is entitled and selfish and so she makes for great reading material. The journey that she goes on over the course of the book, all its ups and downs is gruelling and so i did definitely sympathise with her throughout MOST of the story. There are also some other really interesting and diverse characters in this book, some of which I would LOVE to read more about, so if there are any spin offs planned-count me in!

Of course this book deals with a range of issues and some of the drug taking and the recovery process from that is quite graphic. It put me in mind of Trainspotting in parts but I really feel like I have learned something after finishing this book having never been part of the world that Lexi is part of. It was eye opening, compelling and educating. It was entertaining and definitely a page turner. If this book sounds like it is something you are in a space to read at this moment in time then I definitely recommend it and I can't wait to see what Juno Dawson comes up with next!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: Big Bones by Laura Dockrill

The latest teen novel from the sparkling Laura Dockrill, introducing Bluebelle, and her moving, hilarious take on food, body image and how we look after ourselves and others

A heart-warming teen story from the unique voice of Laura Dockrill, about Bluebelle, aka BB, aka Big Bones - a sixteen-year-old girl encouraged to tackle her weight even though she's perfectly happy, thank you, and getting on with her life and in love with food. Then a tragedy in the family forces BB to find a new relationship with her body and herself. Moving, memorable and hilarious. 

Review: Oh my goodness this book was so good I wanted to go right back to the beginning again once I'd finished so that I could read it again!

First of all this book is hilarious. If you haven't read anything by Laura Dockrill before then you won't know what an amazingly funny person she is, but once you're into the first 5 pages of this one, you will soon realise. But this book gave me all the feels. I cried in pats of it, i was nodding along in agreement with BB in parts and I was laughing, loudly, in public, during all the other parts. I love the way Laura Dockrill writes, she just writes how she speaks and she tells it like it is and I love her and her books because of that. 

BB as a character is great. People often say that they wish they had had a book when they were x years old because it would have changed their lives and I don;t think I've really ever found anything like that before, but I wish I had had this book to read when I was 16 so I could know that someone else looked a bit like me and felt a bit like me but was still being a badass fierce member of society and just not giving a damn about what others thought about her. 

This book is also an amazing advocate for body positivity. BB speaks about her body candidly and often. She talks about the words she does and doesn't like being called and why she likes her stretch marks and her rolls and her shape. I loved every moment of that. She does questions things about herself but then she has a frank discussion with herself and gets on with it. 

There is also great coverage for teenagers in that time between GCSEs and sixth form and that identity crisis that it can cause. I think this is such a pivotal time and again I would have loved to hear from someone who was questioning their choices at that age and had the backup to support the choices she wanted to make. 

The structure of this book is like a food diary and this book does come with a health warning because you will definitely be hungry as you are reading this book. Laura Dockrill has amazing skills of description when it comes to anything and her purely descriptive paragraphs are always a joy to read but she has outdone herself in this book. She talks about crumpets and describes them the way I feel about them, with an obvious emotional attachment. There is description of Bakewell tart and shepherds pie and toast and chips and millionaires shortbread. My Favourite 'chapters' are the one on Nutella and the one on croissants 'Truth be told, my ideal boyfriend would be a proper buttery, warm, we-put-together croissant: you could almost imagine the fold of the croissant opening up and closing around you, tucking you in for a great bit puffy hug.'. That says it all really!

At the beginning of Laura Dockrill's novel Darcy Burdock, Darcy states that her novel is for everyone except two of her enemies and young babies and I think that this is true of Big Bones. I think that although it is YA, it is definitely suitable for the younger end of that audience and upwards. You will find truth in this novel and this novel will definitely entertain you. I loved it and I know you will too!

Click the link to order your copy now: UK or US

Review: Moonrise by Sarah Crossan

They think I hurt someone. 
But I didn't. You hear?
Cos people are gonna be telling you
all kinds of lies.
I need you to know the truth.

Joe hasn't seen his brother for ten years, and it's for the most brutal of reasons. Ed is on death row.

But now Ed's execution date has been set, and this might be the last summer they have together

Review: I read this book both on eBook and on audio book but I would still really love to read the hardback because I imagine it is beautiful. The reason I imagine this is because Sarah Crossan's writing is beautiful. She can take serious issues, such as those explored in this book and write about them so beautifully, you almost forget the issues that the characters are going through!

This book, like Sarah's last, is written in verse so each chapter and therefore each page is quite short. The audio book that I listened to was just under 4 hours long and yet the book has 400 pages, this gives you an idea of how the layout effects the length and the flow of the book. Some chapters have only a few words and some pages the same. This means that, yes it is quick to read, but also it means that you have time to take everything in and explore the enormity of what Joe is facing. 

Now the subject matter of this book isn't easy and so you really do need to think about whether a book a about a boy who is facing the fact that his brother has been sentenced to death is your cup of tea or not. But if you are in any way on the fence then let me try and help you by stating that never is the issue forced upon you, this doesn't feel like and issues led book, and also the structure of the writing turns something completely terrible into something you can see as beautiful and in fact life affirming. 

There were some points in this book where it felt fairly slow paced and I may have skimmed a few of the chapters but overall I enjoyed getting to know Joe. I wanted to rescue him and his family and somehow change their situation but alas, I can't jump into the book with them! As I say, consider the subject matter before picking this book up but let me reassure you that this is truly a beautiful read. 

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