Hello my bookish friends! I borrowed this idea from Emily (A Short Book Lover) who regularly does this feature to catch up on her reviews. As we are nearing the end of the year I’m trying to catch up on any reviews I missed throughout the year. Today I’m bringing two amazing YA contemporary books that I read back in the summer. During that time I was loving reading but my blogging took a bit of a break. So I apologise for taking so long in reviewing these books. So onto the mini reviews.
Take a Chance on Me by Beth Garrod on July 4, 2019
Amazon | Book Depository
Goodreads
The brand-new sunny, funny, feel-good rom com from bestselling Beth Garrod, perfect for fans of TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE and THE KISSING BOOTH. Meg had a disastrous first kiss she would rather forget, but this is the summer she puts it behind her. This is the summer she has a perfect, swoony, just-like-in-the-movies kiss with a hot boy - and what better setting than the sun-drenched Greek island she's holidaying on? But with three very different boys vying for her attention, this mission to reset her first kiss may be more complicated than she bargained for...
In the first few chapters, Meg goes through a disastrous first kiss which involves heads banging and a nose bleed. You can’t honestly help but snort and laugh. Meg really isn’t having a good time. So when her dad has to go away for work, on a Greek Island. Surprise Meg goes gets to go with him. By the end of her summer holiday all she wants to have a re-do of first kiss.
I’ve devoured Beth Garrod’s Awkward series books last year. So when I hear that Beth has a new book coming out, I instantly emailing the publicist so I could read it. The best thing about Beth’s books are that they are fun, funny and just the perfect summer read and her latest book didn’t disappoint. It’s exactly like the romcoms on TV that your just addicted too. They make you feel good and loveable. I even took this book on holiday with me as it was the perfect escapism. I laughed a lot and I had a tear in my eye at the end too, in a soppy good way. If you haven’t read Beth’s books you need too. Perfect fo the fans of Geek Girl.
Rating – 5
No Big Deal by Bethany Rutter Published by Macmillan Children's Books on August 8, 2019
Genres: Contemporary
Amazon | Book Depository
Goodreads
'It's not my body that's holding me back. I think it's more of a problem that people tell me my body should hold me back.'
Meet Emily Daly, a stylish, cute, intelligent and hilarious seventeen-year-old about to start her last year at school. Emily is also fat. She likes herself and her body. When she meets Joe at a house party, he instantly becomes The Crush of Her Life. Everything changes. At first he seems perfect. But as they spend more time together, doubts start to creep in.
With her mum trying new fad diets every week, and increasing pressure to change, Emily faces a constant battle to stay strong, be her true self and not change for anyone.
A warm, funny inspiring debut YA novel from Bethany Rutter: influencer, editor and a fierce UK voice in the debate around body positivity.
Sometimes people have a problem with being just that little bit bigger than the average size. Emily doesn’t have that problem with her body neither does her friends. She embraces it alongside her shining personality, big hair and wisdom. But when she starts to like someone a lot, when her best friend comes back from holiday thinner, her mum constantly finding fad diets, it’s starting to effect how she sees herself, that she should change.
I loved the body positivity messages in this book. Bethany has captured what it’s like to be who you are regardless of size. They say that age is just a number, this is very true to size as well. Emily rises above the fat shaming she gets from her family and friends, who she least expects them from. Aside from that I really enjoyed the musical references to the book, how passionate, beautiful, bold and inspiring. She owns who she is and she isn’t afraid to show it off.
Rating -4
Thank you to both Macmillan Children’s Books and Scholastic for sending me copies in exchange for an honest review. Sorry it’s late.
