Close Your Eyes By Nicci Cloke

Close Your Eyes By Nicci Cloke

close your eyes

Southfield High School is oh so normal, with its good teachers, its bad, and its cliques. But despite the cliques, there’s a particular group of friends who have known each other forever and know that they can rely on each other for anything.

There’s the twins: Vis, rebellious, kind, and just a tiny bit worried about what the hell she’s going to do once this year is over, and Aisha, smart, quiet and observant. Then there’s Remy, the loudmouth, and Gemma, who’s more interested in college boys and getting into the crap club in town. And then there’s Elise: the pretty one.

But at the start of Year 11, when the group befriend the new boy, Elijah, things start to change. The group find themselves not as close as they used to be.

Until one Tuesday, when the students are trapped inside the school building. And one of them has a gun.

My Thoughts:

I received a advanced copy of this book and it really opened up my eyes. The story is set in a secondary school with a group of friends being centre of attention. The friends all have different characters there is a sport one, a quiet one, one who likes to flirt, the smart one so basically like a typical teenager group of friends. But then something dreadful happens, someone has a gun. The format of the book switches from text message style to interview style which made it more gripping for me. It also was at present and past , so you can get an idea of how each character is feeling at certain times.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Close-Your-Eyes-Nicci-Cloke

Dramarama By E. Lockart

Dramarama By E. Lockart

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Two teen theatre-fanatics. One dream. And SUMMER DRAMA CAMP.

All-round theatre-enthusiast, Sarah – better known by her showbiz name, Sayde – is a girl with ambitions too big for the small and conventional town she lives in. Her life doesn’t have the razzle-dazzle she craves. For once she wants to feel special, noticed and be the centre of attention.

This summer Sadye has her talents set on Wildewood’s prestigious theatre summer camp. And with her best friend Demi – a flamboyant falsetto, who is equally thrilled to be leaving their small town of Brenton – they will both experience a season of hormones, hissy fits, jazz hands, song and dance, true love and unitards! But despite all the glitz and glam, there comes rivalry and competition, and Sadye will have to prove her talents more than she has ever had to before.

Summer at Wildewood will not only determine Sadye’s future – but will also test her friendships.

My Thoughts:

I received an advanced copy of this book. This was a little bit different to what I normally read but I thought I would give it a go. I can imagine teenagers that are into drama and theatre loving this book. The storyline was kind of what I expected it to be, Sarah or Sayde as she likes to be called go to a drama camp with her friends expect there to be drama’s (excuse the pun), falling outs and romance.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dramarama-E-Lockhart

The Beachside Sweet Shop By Karen Clarke

The Beachside Sweet Shop By Karen Clarke

karen clarke

Chocolate fudge, butterscotch and raspberry bonbons… treat yourself to some sugary treats, a big slice of friendship and a sprinkling of romance at The Beachside Sweet Shop.

When Marnie Appleton inherited a sweet shop from her grandfather she was determined to do his legacy proud. The shop has been a much-loved feature of the little seaside town of Shipley for years, but now Marnie needs to bring it up to date, and she’s recruited gorgeous new assistant Josh to help.

Marnie gets busy redecorating the shop and choosing delicious new sweets to stock, but things are never that simple: new neighbour Isobel, a fame-hungry blogger, is on a crusade against sugar, and she’ll go to any lengths to secure bad publicity for Marnie’s shop.

Marnie fights back with homemade sugar-free treats, but with her best friend Beth heavily pregnant, her grandmother Celia recovering from an operation, and her very recently ex-boyfriend Alex returning to Shipley with a new love, Marnie has a lot on her plate.

And then there’s Josh, with whom Marnie is struggling to keep her relationship strictly professional…Will both the sweet shop and love flourish?

My Thoughts:

I was very lucky to receive a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved it. I really like the cover it looks good enough to eat. The story centre’s around Marnie’s sweetshop now I am a big chocolate lover but I do also love sweets, so when I was reading this book I got pretty hungry thinking of the raspberry bonbons which are delicious. Running a sweetshop would be my dream job though I am not sure my waistline would like it. My parents live in Dorset so it was a nice little touch when Karen mentioned Wareham. I am really looking forward to Karen’s next book which is out in June.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beachside-Sweet-Shop-romantic-comedy

Black Eyed Susans By Julia Heaberlin

Black Eyed Susans By Julia Heaberlin

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Seventeen-year-old Tessa, dubbed a ‘Black-Eyed Susan’ by the media, became famous for being the only victim to survive the vicious attack of a serial killer. Her testimony helped to put a dangerous criminal behind bars – or so she thought.

Now, decades later the black-eyed susans planted outside Tessa’s bedroom window seem to be a message from a killer who should be safely in prison.

Haunted by fragmented memories of the night she was attacked and terrified for her own teenage daughter’s safety, can Tessa uncover the truth about the killer before it’s too late?

My Thoughts:

I was looking forward to getting stuck into this book as I had heard alot of hype about it being a really good thriller. I am sorry to say I was really disappointed with it. To begin with I thought ok this might be good but then I slowly lost interest, there was not any build up or pace to it. It just wasn’t for me but other people may like it.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Eyed-Susans-Julia-Heaberlin

One Perfect Summer By Paige Toon

One Perfect Summer By Paige Toon

paige toon

A Dorset summer, a chance meeting, and Joe and Alice, both 18, fall into step as if they have known each other forever. But their idyll is shattered as quickly as it began. Joe leaves without warning; Alice heads off to Cambridge University and slowly picks up the pieces of her broken heart.

Years later, when she catches the attention of gorgeous, gifted, rich boy Lukas, Alice is carried along by his charm, swept up in his ambitious plans for a future together.

Until news of Joe reaches her once more, but he’s out of reach in a way that Alice could never have imagined. Life has moved on, the divide between them is now so great. Surely it is far too late to relive those perfect summer days of long ago?

My Thoughts:

Reading this reminded me of childhood where we use to go down to Dorset for our holidays. I like the fact that some of the places I grew up going to where in this book like Corfe Castle and the beaches. I was a bit too young to have a holiday romance but I remember having a crush on my neighbour’s son. It bought back some nice memories. Reading this book now I am actually in Dorset as I am having a mini break away and am staying with my mum and dad. Paige Toon is a brilliant author, she writes books that you can just pick up and put down, but then I never want to put down so I always read her books within a day.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Perfect-Summer-Paige-Toon

 

Flawed By Cecelia Ahern

Flawed By Cecelia Ahern

cecelia

Celestine North lives a perfect life. She’s a model daughter and sister, she’s well-liked by her classmates and teachers, and she’s dating the impossibly charming Art Crevan.

But then Celestine encounters a situation in which she makes an instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be found FLAWED.

My Thoughts:

After loving Cecelia’s other books I was interested in reading this one especially as it is a Y A genre. I really loved the fact that it was written for young adults as it shows them that no one is perfect and that you should go with what your heart tells you to do. I found this story very inspiring. I think teenagers will love it and be inspired by it.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flawed-Cecelia-Ahern

The House of New Beginnings By Lucy Diamond

The House of New Beginnings By Lucy Diamond

lucy diamond

Number 11, Dukes Square, looks just like the other houses on the Brighton seafront: a Regency terrace with elegant sash windows, a winding staircase, and post piled up in the hall for its tenants. It might be part of the city’s history, but it’s also a place of brand new beginnings.

Georgie has followed her childhood sweetheart to Brighton but is determined to carve out a career for herself in journalism. Throwing herself into the city’s delights is fun and exciting, but before she knows it, she’s sliding into all kinds of trouble . . .

Charlotte’s in the city for a new start, hoping to keep her head down and somehow get over the heartbreaking loss she’s suffered in the past. But Margot, the stylish old lady on the top floor, has other ideas. Like it or not, Charlotte must confront the outside world, and the possibilities it still holds.

A terrible revelation sent Rosa running from London to start again as a sous chef. The work is gruelling and thankless but it’s a distraction at least . . . until she comes up against the stroppy teenager next door who challenges her on her lifestyle choices. What if Rosa’s passion for food could lead her to more interesting places?

As the three tenants find each other, it’s as if a whole new chapter of their lives has begun.

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Lucy Diamond’s books and they always seem to put a smile on my face. I love the fact it was set in Brighton as I go there quite alot and there are parts in the book where I know like the lanes. I got really wrapped up with all the residents of the flats lives and kind of felt as though I was one of them too. One of the things with Lucy Diamond’s books are I can always find someone I can relate too and I found this with this book too. A book you just wont want to put down.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-New-Beginnings-Lucy-Diamond

The Escape By C. L. Taylor

The Escape By C. L. Taylor

cally-taylor

This title will be released on March 23, 2017.

“Look after your daughter’s things. And your daughter…”

When a stranger asks Jo Blackmore for a lift she says yes, then swiftly wishes she hadn’t.

The stranger knows Jo’s name, she knows her husband Max and she’s got a glove belonging to Jo’s two year old daughter Elise.

What begins with a subtle threat swiftly turns into a nightmare as the police, social services and even Jo’s own husband turn against her.

No one believes that Elise is in danger. But Jo knows there’s only one way to keep her child safe – RUN.

My Thoughts:

I have enjoyed Cally’s previous novels and was excited to see that I would be getting an advanced copy of it. I read this one within two days and I found it well paced.The story is about Jo Blackmore and her family and a stranger is bought in to upset their lives forever. It is weird and creepy and you don’t really know who you can trust. I couldn’t believe the ending. A very intriguing intense thriller.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Escape-C-L-Taylor/

These are C. L. Taylor’s other books:

The Accident

The Lie

The Missing

Dead Hope By Nicky Wells

Dead Hope By Nicky Wells

nicky-wells
Cat Hope doesn’t want to go to prison. She needs a job, and she needs it fast: judge’s orders.

Kay Mahon, office worker by day and hacker by night, is on the run from a past life that he’d rather not remember.

When their paths cross, they begin to investigate the truth behind the deaths of Cat’s parents, the successful rock star couple Jackie and Adam Hope. Little do they know that their quest is putting Cat in grave danger.

My Thoughts:

I was very excited about receiving this book to read. I have read Nicky’s books before and those ones are rock star romance, this one is her first suspense thriller. Nicky has done a grand job I couldn’t put it down. It is a good fast paced, but easy to read thriller. I wasn’t sure if it would work but it truly has and Nicky needs to continue with this genre as it was absolutely amazing and written so well.

Check out Nicky’s other books here:

 Sophie’s Turn ~ Sophie’s Run ~ Sophie’s Encore | Spirits of Christmas | Fallen for Rock | Fairy Tale in New York 

 
Get your copy here:
Nobody’s Son By Cathy Glass

Nobody’s Son By Cathy Glass

cathy-glass

Born in a prison and removed from his drug-dependent mother, rejection is all that 7-year-old Alex knows.

When Cathy is asked to foster little Alex, aged 7, her immediate reaction is: Why can’t he stay with his present carers for the last month? He’s already had many moves since coming into care as a toddler and he’ll only be with her a short while before he goes to live with his permanent adoptive family. But the present carers are expecting a baby and the foster mother isn’t coping, so Alex goes to live with Cathy.

He settles easily and is very much looking forward to having a forever family of his own. The introductions and move to his adoptive family go well. But Alex is only with them for a week when problems begin. What happens next is both shocking and upsetting, and calls into question the whole adoption process.

My Thoughts:

After reading a few of Cathy Glass’s books I now know to keep the tissues to hand, you go on an emotional rollercoaster when you read her books. All the stories Cathy tells are all real and you just can’t imagine what that poor child goes through. Cathy seems a lovely genuine lady and she does an amazing job. It is nice near the end where you discover what they child is doing later on in life too.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nobodys-Son-Cathy-Glass