Dear Unpublished Me - Josh Martin

This weeks unpublished me post comes to you from the very talented Josh Martin! Josh is a British YA author who was responsible for giving us Ariadnis earlier this year. It was he's interest in heroines, fantasy, environment, gender studies and wisdom that led him to write Ariadnis and the highly anticipated companion novel Anassa - due early next year from Quercus/Hachette.

Dear Josh,

Hey man, I mean You. The one practicing his lines for drama class in the mirror.

Hi. Future You here. Thanks, mate, yeah I know. The beard helps. Er... look... I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but this acting thing? It’s not going to work out, man. You’re going to give this up. And you never learn to cry on demand. And you never meet Keira Knightley. (Well, at least, you haven’t yet and as it seems she’s very much happily married and sprogged up in the year 2017, do yourself a favour and take down the Pirates of the Caribbean/Pride & Prejudice poster you’ve been mooning over now).

What did you say?

Oh right. Yeah, man. I’m totally serious. No acting career. Nope. Not a bit. All those auditions didn’t pay off (although we will totally fool at least one of the scary gatekeepers at Bristol Old Vic into thinking we are for real crying in our audition – a tip from the past though? Don’t make up your own script and then go in pretending it’s already a published play THEY WILL RUMBLE YOU).

What’s ahead?

Well... you know that Buffy/Lord of the Rings type story you started a couple of years ago? Of course you do, you’re writing a version of it right now, as memory serves.

You are fifteen. It’s the first novel you ever write and it’s 90,000 words and let’s be real, it’s not very good. Keep your Beatles haircut on pal, let me explain.

***It doesn’t matter that it’s crap***

OF COURSE you have to think it’s good as you’re writing it, otherwise why are you writing it? But a few months on, you’re gonna look back and say, OK, maybe that needs to change. OK, maybe I’m not as good as I thought I was.

GOOD. KEEP IT UP. You’ve got more of that to come. By the time you are as good as you think you are, you’re also aware that you’ve still got a lot more to learn, and that makes you a better writer than you ever imagined you might be. The best thing about you is that you know these girls, Aula and Joomia, they have a story for them somewhere. You know because you can feel it. You are right.

It’s going to take you another eight years to find that story, though. Three more attempted versions and one more full manuscript (This one is going to weigh in at a hefty 146,000 words – mon dieu!).

It will all change in this moment: you’ll be on your MA at Bath Spa, and you’ll be in a room with other incredible writers, and everyone will have a copy of the latest thing you’ve been trying. You’re going to have a lot of fun on this MA. You’re going to meet Yael and Lucinda, who apart from being incredible, imaginative storytellers (you’re going to read their stuff and think: Shit, I’ve got to up my game here) are also going to be very important friends to you. Not least of all, they are going to pull you aside and quietly tell you that the romantic arc for Joomia just isn’t going to work because she’s gay. Game changers.

Anyway, sorry, back that moment:

The very talented, very lovely Lucy Christopher (your tutor –she wrote Stolen!) is going to look over at you and gently tell you that she thinks you need to go back and find who this story is really about and focus on them.

You can’t believe it. How can you have lost sight of who this story is about? Well, you have. You’ve seriously overcomplicated things. You’ll go home, feeling defeated and miserable. But that night you’ll pull your laptop over and think about Moira Young’s Saba and Patrick Ness’s Todd and Philip Pullman’s Lyra and you’ll write these words:

Cos today is my birthday, seventeen owls are culled outside my window at dawn.

And from that moment, you’ll have Aula. She’ll explode across the page, she’ll pretty much write all her own scenes. And because you have Aula, you’ll have Joomia, because though you’ve often tried to separate one from the other, you’ll have finally learned that you can’t have one without the other. They come as a pair...

So Young Josh, go shave the bumfluff off your face (don’t worry we get a real – er... slightly patchy - beard eventually) grow out that hair, put that script down and get back on that ancient Toshiba Satellite laptop. You’ve got another character arc to mess up.

Pages: 356 

Publisher: Hachette 

Publication Date: 9th Feb 2017

ISBN: 9781784298210

Summary

Back then I thought that if it weren't for that cliff, our cities would be one and there would be no need for all this fierceness toward each other. But then I learned about pride and tradition and prophecy, and those things are harder than rock. Joomia and Aula are Chosen. They will never be normal. They can never be free. On the last island on Erthe, Chosen Ones are destined to enter Ariadnis on the day they turn eighteen. There, they must undertake a mysterious and deadly challenge. For Joomia and Aula, this means competing against each other, to end the war that has seethed between their cities for nine generations. As the day draws nearer, all thoughts are on the trial ahead. There's no space for friendship. No time for love. However much the girls might crave them.  But how you prepare for a task you know nothing certain about? Nothing, except that you must win, at whatever cost, or lose everything.

AMAZON UK | WATERSTONES | BOOK DEPOSITORY 

REVIEW: There's Someone Inside Your House

THERE'S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE

by Stephanie Perkins

Pages: 320

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Publication Date: October 5th 2017

Received From: Pan Macmillan

One-by-one, the students of Osborne High are dying in a series of gruesome murders, each with increasing and grotesque flair. As the terror grows closer and the hunt intensifies for the killer, the dark secrets among them must finally be confronted.

International bestselling author Stephanie Perkins returns with a fresh take on the classic teen slasher story that’s fun, quick-witted, and completely impossible to put down.

If Anna and the French Kiss had a love child with Netflix's Scream this book would be it's very cute, slightly creepy infant. There Is Someone Inside Your House is the story of Makani, a teen who transfers to Osborne High after it becomes impossible for her to stay at home with her parents. After the events that unfolded before her move Makani didn't think things could get much worse but when the kids in her class start turning up dead she realises pretty quickly just how wrong she was. As far as everyone knows there is no pattern to the killings but when Makani's crush comes under fire from the kids at school she finds herself being pulled into yet another nightmare. Makani came to Osborne for a fresh start, a quiet life but what she got was anything but.  

Where to start, I am a huge Stephanie Perkins fan so when I heard this book was coming out I was super excited and a little in shock.. Stephanie Perkins doing horror? Well, when you actually read There's Someone Inside Your House it doesn't take long to see the writing style we've all come to love from Stephanie. I'm not saying for a second that this is a bad book, in fact I did like it and it's definitely worth the read but did it scare me? No, not really. Imagine a really good YA contemporary with a serial killer in it... it's probably more romance than horror. 

Saying all that there were some really good parts to this book!! The characters were complex and interesting making you, as the reader, care about what happened next. There was a level of suspense through out the entirety of the book in one form or another and as much as I found it predictable at times there was one or two moments that had my jaw hitting the floor. Not to mention I am completely and utterly in love with Ollie! He's pretty much the perfect misfit crush for any YA protagonist. 

Overall, There's Someone Inside Your House IS a good book. If you are looking for a good scare then this probably isn't the one for you but if you are looking for a slightly jumpy, perfect for in front of the fire book ready for halloween then I'd say give it a go. That or you want a super cute romance... it definitely ticks all the boxes for that one! It is worth the read if you, like me, loved Stephanie's other books as the characters are as endearing as ever, with moments that will have you cackling and others than will have you picking your jaw off the floor. There's Someone Inside Your House is fast paced and for those who want something creepy for Halloween but don't actually like being scared this is the perfect middle ground! 

**I received this book as an ARC from Pan Macmillan to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

Dear Unpublished Me

As of next week something really exciting is happening and I've been dying to tell you all about it for a little while now. With the help of some AWESOME authors I have been able to put together a weekly feature that will give you, the reader, an insight into what it's really like to get your book on the shelves.

Over the next two months I will be posting weekly letters from 8 authors to their unpublished selves. I didn't know what to expect when I asked these writes to pen a letter to their past selves but they have completely surpassed my expectations. 

There are funny letters, letter that show just how hard putting yourself out there can be, there are letters that let you into the authors heart and they are so much more than I could have hoped for.

I've loved reading these letter and putting together this feature and I hope you love reading them as much as I did.

I know that a lot of bloggers and readers these days are aspiring authors themselves and I bet at least one of you will be at the stage some of these letters are written to in your journey. So if nothing else I hope these show that no matter how hard it can be putting your work out there, it is always worth it!

Up First, Josh Martin - author of Ariadnis . 

REVIEW: One Dark Throne

One Dark Throne

by Kendare Blake

Pages: 464

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: September 19th 2017

Received From: HarperTeen

The battle for the crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail? 

With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favour without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, once thought to be the strongest sister of all and the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before - ones that put those around her in danger that she can’t seem to prevent.

When I read Three Dark Crowns I think I gushed about it for about a month! The world in which Kendare Blake creates pulls you in and the story keeps you on tender hooks until last page is closed... and I have to say One Dark Throne is no different! I was so excited to get a copy of this and I read it within a couple of days. The three Queens are just as kick ass and awesome as I remembered and the story just kept getting better and better. 

One Dark Throne picks up where Three Dark Crowns finished, with the three queens, Katherine, Mirabella and Arsinoe about to start their Ascension Year. The purpose of this year is for the Queens to kill each other until only one is left to rule over Fennbirn and after the events of the The Quickening it is set to be a very exciting and dangerous year indeed. With the hurt of Arsinoe's betrayal still hanging heavy in Mirabella's heart, with Katherine's sudden strength and Arsinoe's new found ability no one knows quite where they stand. But when the poisoned gifts arrive and the festivities begin only one thing is certain... no one is safe from the three deadly Queen's as they fight for the throne and for their lives.

This is one of those reviews where I keep it all quite vague as I don't want to give anything away. I love YA fiction but with it such a huge genre it can mean the stories become a bit predictable. However, One Dark Throne had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, I didn't know what was coming next or how the story would unfold. If I'm honest I didn't know how Kendare was going to keep up the pace after Three Dark Crowns but holy moly on toast she did it! I couldn't put this book down, I NEEDED to know what was going to happen to the characters that have well and truly made their way into my heart and I must say I was not disappointed! 

When reviewing the first installment I wrote, "All three queens have their moments where they could do with a slap," and this book was no different! Kendare creates these characters that will have you wanting to give them a good shake and yet, by the end of the book you want to wrap them up in your arms and tell them everything is going to be okay. I found that with this book more than the last this was the case and I went on an emotional roller-coaster within the covers of One Dark Throne. 

Overall One Dark Throne is fast paced, unpredictable, exciting, heartbreaking and everything I hoped it would be. For those of you that adored Three Dark Crowns as much as I did you will fall in love with this book in less time than it takes you to make a cup of tea. The island of Fennbirn takes no prisoners and this book will leave you begging for more! If there is only one book you read this month can I recommend that it be this one... you wont regret it. 

**I received this book as an ARC from HarperTeen to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

REVIEW: Thirteen Reasons Why

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY

by Jay Asher

Pages: 288

Publisher: Penguin UK

Publication Date: September 19th 2009 (originally October 18th 2007)

Received From: Penguin UK

You can't stop the future.

You can't rewind the past.

The only way to learn the secret is to press play.

Clay Jensen returns home to find a strange package with his name on it. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker – his classmate and first love – who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

Hannah's voice explains there are thirteen reasons why she killed herself. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why.

All through the night, Clay keeps listening – and what he discovers changes his life... forever.

"I hope you're ready, because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you're listening to these tapes, you're one of the reasons why."

By now the majority of the human race has heard of Thirteen Reasons Why... I mean I'm pretty sure any UFO's flying around up there logged into Netflix this Spring to watch it. However, what some of you might not know (I'm actually shocked the amount of my friends that didn't know this) that before Katherine Langford and Dylan Minnette broke our hearts on screen this unbelievably brave and honest story started off as a book. I must confess that I watched the show before reading the book myself and there are some differences... so if like myself you haven't read the book because you're like "I've already watched it on Netflix" DONT BE!!! I read this book in one sitting and even though I knew what was coming the way in which Asher writes has you on tender hooks from the very first page.

For those of you that don't know this is what Thirteen Reasons Why is about. Hannah Baker killed herself, that's no secret but no one really understands why. One day she was in class like everyone else and the next she was gone. However, two weeks after Hannah's death Clay Jensen comes home from school to find a package with no return address on it and inside is 7 tapes. Over the course of one night Clay listens to each and every side of the tapes, 13 to be exact, and as he does he discovers why Hannah Baker died. 

I've read one of Jay Ashers books before, What Light, and as much as I did love the story I found it all a little too sweet... which is probably the last word you can use to describe Thirteen Reasons Why. This book is hard to read, and guess what? It's meant to be! Hannah's story speaks to everyone in one way or another, you get to read what it is like to have life taken out of your hands and throughout the course of the book we as the reader sees how truly damaging a teenagers life can be. 

"I could have helped you. But when I tried,  you pushed me away.

I can almost hear Hannah's voice speaking my next thought for me. "Then why didn't you try harder.""

Okay so lets discuss the elephant in the room shall we? I know that after the TV show came out there was a huge debate on whether or not this story promotes teen suicide and if it was healthy for young people to be watching it. Well here is my opinion on this... For me the book isn't actually about Hannah's Death - I know, curve ball right? - no, it is about the actions, choices and mistakes of very human characters. It is a story that challenges people to really look at the way in which they treat other, to understand that every action as a reaction and most importantly to see that our decisions, our choices, don't just affect us. This book DOES NOT promote teen suicide but it does bring to the forefront a topic that is still very much tabboo. Thirteen Reasons Why invites a conversation that I think more people should be having, it's not just about who did what to who and who killed Hannah, it's about the 'why'. Why did a beautiful, healthy teenage girl feel the need to end her life? Why did no one see Hannah was falling apart? Why didn't anyone stop her? WHY didn't she ask for help? 

WHY?!?

From start to finish this story had me hooked. I struggled to read this book at times, it is honest, raw, heart breaking and felt very very real. Mental health is something I bang on about a lot and I know that but it's books like this that challenge our preconceptions, open our minds and start a conversation that needs to be had. Everything affects everyone in different ways, the things that seem small to you could spiral for someone else and the consequences could be bigger than you ever imagined. This isn't a book for the faint hearted but I honestly could not recommend you to read this more. 

**I received this book as an ARC from Penguin UK to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

REVIEW: Clockwork Prince

CLOCKWORK PRINCE

by Cassandra Clare

Pages: 498

Publisher: Walker Books 

Publication Date: December 6th 2011

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

**Spoilers for anyone who hasn't read Clockwork Angel**

After reading Clockwork Angel I moved straight onto Clockwork Prince, as in I literally put down one book and picked up the next like it was the next chapter. This book delves deeper into the history and reasoning behind the Magister’s vendetta against the Shadowhunters, leaving our three favourite demon slayers intertwined in a long and perilous story that will have you turning the page faster myself if I came face to face with a Shax Demon. 

After the events of the previous book there were more questions left unanswered than answered. For example why did Tessa's brother turn so easily to the Magister's side? Why does the Magister hate the shadowhunters so much? And most importantly what the hell is Will's problem? Like seriously... the scene in the attic with Tessa and himself made me see red! Clockwork Prince is set to answer all of these questions and more as we once again join Tessa, Jem and Will as they continue on their quest to keep the ones they love safe and the world they know from falling part. However, with the Clave fighting tooth and nail to demote Charlotte from the head of the institute and the unlikely alliance with the Lightwood brothers the journey these characters are about to find themselves on is going to be anything but easy. 

WARNING INNER FANGIRL ACTIVATED 

I cannot understand how someone can create such an in-depth and intricate world of well crafted characters and heart racing story arcs. Seriously! Cassandra Clare I tip my metaphorical hat to you and your sheer brilliance. I thought that after the fast paced nature of Clockwork Angel this installment of The Infernal Devices would struggle to keep up but I don't know why I doubted you. From start to finish the story wove itself into a maze of mystery, action and challenges that would push our these characters to their absolute limits. There were moments in this book that actually had me in tears and others that had me laughing so hard I looked like a crazy person but from start to finish I could not put this book down. 

Overall this is shaping up to be one of my favourite trilogies of all time. Whether you are team Will or team Jem this book gave you everything you could possibly want. With the introduction of new characters and the uncertainty of old ones we are pulled into the world of Shadowhunters and Downworld yet again and are left begging for more. Roll on book 3!!

REVIEW: Clockwork Angel

CLOCKWORK ANGEL

by Cassandra Clare

Pages: 481

Publisher: Simon & Schuster 

Publication Date: August 31st 2010

In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them...

This book has been sitting - untouched - on my bookshelf for longer than I'd like to admit. However, after I FINALLY got around to reading City of Heavenly Fire I found myself needing more from the Shadowhunting world. Now, as much as I did love the Mortal Instruments series, and I did adore it,

The Infernal Devices captured my heart in a way the previous books just fell shy of. I don't know if it was the magic of London in the late 19th Century or the characters themselves but once I'd read the first few chapter Tessa, Jem and Will had firmly become my favourite characters from any Shadowhunter book.

Clockwork Angel, like I mentioned before, is set in the late 19th Century - 1878 to be precise. It is predominantly the story of Tessa Grey, a teenage girl fresh off the boat from New York. However, on arrival in England she finds herself captured by a couple of warlocks and this sets her on a journey she couldn't have imagined in her wildest dreams. In the hunt for her missing brother Tessa finds herself thrown into the world of Shadowhunting and Downworld as she discovers who she really is and the mysteries of her own origins. From start to finish Clockwork Angel is full to the brim of action, adventure, romance and humour. 

Okay so this book, as stated above, has easily become my favourite shadowhunter book. There is something about the story line of this book that captured my attention from the very beginning. It is fast paced and keeps you on your toes, never knowing what the author has in store for these characters next. The appearance of characters such as Magnus Bane and other familiar faces are a welcome touch and the new characters introduced are just as witty, well crafted and loveable as any we've come across before. 

Now, I read Tales From The Shadowhunter Academy BEFORE this trilogy so I already had an insight into these characters history after the events that unfold in The Infernal Devices and I have to say seeing how these stories interlink and evolve was not a disappointment. I fell instantly for Tessa, Jem and Will and routed for them the whole way through. I adored the personality traits that connect family name - example Will Herondale is just as lovingly arrogant and defensively broken as his one-day relative Jace Herondale - and I found this only added to the rich depth of the story. 

Overall I couldn't recommend this book enough. It has everything you could wish for from a Shadowhunting book and so much more. There wasn't a dull moment from start to finish and I will continue to state that the first installment of the Infernal Devices is set to make this - in my opinion - the best shadowhunting series to date. I know I'm a little late to the game with this one and most of you have probably already read it, so if you have let me know what you thought and if not I can not stress how much you need to read it... like story what your doing and go get it now! 

REVIEW: An Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunters & Denizens of Downworld

AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF NOTABLE SHADOWHUNTERS & DENIZENS OF DOWNWORLD

by Cassandra Clare
Illustrated by Cassandra Jean

Pages: 208

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: November 3rd 2016

A very special anthology that's a must for all fans of the Shadowhunter novels!

Featuring characters from Cassandra Clare's international best-selling novels from the Shadowhunters world including The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices, this anthology showcases beautifully illustrated portraits from Cassandra Jean – creator of The Shadowhunter Tarot – alongside never-before-known details from Cassandra Clare about all your favourite characters.

So this review will be kept short but sweet! I won this book is a Maximum Pop! Books giveaway on twitter as part of a shadowhunters bundle and I have to say I'm a little in love with it! I've been on a bit of a shadowhunter binge recently and this is the perfect little companion book for all Cassandra Clare fangirls.

An Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunters & Denizens of Downworld is a beautifully illustrated account of all your favourite characters from the shadowhunter books. It is split into 5 sections, The Infernal Devices, The Last Hours*, The Mortal Instruments, The Tales From The Shadowhunter Academy and The Dark Artifices, with each part showcasing amazingly drawn portraits and snippets of never before seen facts on the characters. It helps put a face to the name - if your imagination needs a bit of help that is - and it is a wonderful companion to the best selling series.

Overall I would wholeheartedly recommend giving this a read if you, like myself, have a soft spot for the shadowhunting world.

*The Last Hours is Cassandra Clare's next shadowhunter series which is said to be a sequel to The Infernal Devices. CLICK HERE for more information on the upcoming trilogy.  

REVIEW: The Girl's Guide to Summer

THE GIRL'S GUIDE TO SUMMER

by Sarah Mlynowski

Pages: 352

Publisher: Orchard Books

Publication Date: June 15th 2017

Received From: Orchard Books

Sydney Aarons is leaving her Manhattan townhouse for a summer backpacking around Europe with her best friend, Leela. They're visiting London, France, Italy, Switzerland and everywhere in between - it's going to be the trip of a lifetime.
BUT... The trip gets off to a bad start when Leela's ex-boyfriend shows up on their flight out of JFK. When they touch down in London, Leela Instagrams their every move in the hope Matt will come and find them... Which he does, along with the most gorgeous guy Sydney has ever seen.
Will Sydney's summer fling last the distance? And what will happen when they all head home? 

The Girls Guide To Summer is the story of Sydney, a college student who has always put her family first and herself second. However, this summer that is all about to change when her best friend Leela insists Sydney join her on the European adventure they have always dreamed of. For the first time in a long time Sydney isn't thinking about her family, she's off backpacking around Europe and nothing will get in her way... well other than Leela's ex boyfriend Matt that is. Throughout the course of the book the two best friends are pushed too their limits as they try to juggle romance, loyalties and eight new countries. It will be a summer they'll never forget, but will it be for the right reasons? Only one way to find out!

Okay so confession time. When I received this book from the lovely people at Orchard Books I was more than a little sceptical because I have read a book by Sarah Mlynowski before and if i'm honest it was not my cup of tea. HOWEVER, the story line for The Girl's Guide to Summer did sound interesting so I thought I would give it a go and I have to say I was not disappointed! Okay, it still had the same niggling annoyance of the other book, which was certain characters *cough* Leela *cough* do come across as annoyingly self-centered at times. However, the overall story had me hooked and I fell in love with this book almost instantly.

As a character Sydney is so easy to connect with as she has strong family morals, girl code ethics and just a really endearing personality. She is one of those characters that you want to have as your best friend and I don't think anyone who has read the book can disagree with me on that. The story is sweet and honest and probably one of the most captivating summer romances I've read in a long time... after all who doesn't love a bad boy gone good? The plot tests Sydney's strength as she learns to take control of her own life and live for herself and no one else. However, with twists and turns around every corner The Girl Guide to Summer will leave you begging for more.

Overall this book was completely my cup of tea - despite previous reservations. It is a story that will have you mentally packing your backpacks and dreaming of European cities long after the last word has been read. It is a testament to the author at just how fast I fell for Sydney's story as Sarah Mlynowski found a way to combine the magic of Europe with the realities of teenage relationships. It is challenging, heartwarming, honest, endearing and engaging from the very first page and if you haven't read this book yet then I hope you do soon! The perfect book to keep summer alive as we enter into the autumn months.

**I received this book as an ARC from Orchard Books to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**