Category: Romance

The Shattered Lands by Brenna Nation

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The Blurb On The Back:

Eighteen years after her disappearance, the heir to the crown has returned.

When an ominous vision transports Sapphire to a new world, she awakens with a legacy to fulfil: she is the lost princess, and must carry on the line of the Blessed Queens.

She has much to learn, but soon Sapphire’s curiosity turns to the hidden, dark history of her kingdom.  Answers are not easy to come by – until she meets a mysterious Shadow Witch who has knowledge to share.

But there is a millennia-old rule in Eriobis: never trust a Shadow Witch.  And in a world founded on lies, magic and war, Sapphire is about to learn that perhaps rules should not be broken …

THE SHATTERED LANDS was released in the United Kingdom on 16th March 2023.  Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order THE SHATTERED LANDS by Brenna Nation from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon

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The Blurb On The Back:

It’s just before Christmas and no one is prepared for this whiteout … But sometimes the most magical moments are a total surprise!

As the city grinds to a halt, twelve teenagers band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life.  Will they be able to make it happen in spite of the storm?

WHITEOUT was released in the United Kingdom on 10th November 2022.  Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order WHITEOUT by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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You’re The One That I Want by Simon James Green

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The Blurb On The Back:

According to the rule, Freddie has to say “yes”.

Freddie is unremarkable – too unremarkable.  In fact, his teachers and fellow students keep forgetting who he is.  Even his TV-producer mum thinks he’s a disappointment.  After embarrassing himself in front of Jasper Perry (the gorgeous teen star of his mum’s new show), Freddie decides to try something different: saying “yes” to every opportunity.

That’s how Freddie ends up auditioning for the school musical (<u>Grease</u>), actually going to parties, and flirting with hot new boy Zach!  He’s becoming a whole new Freddie – maybe even one that his mum might be proud of.

But the path to love is never smooth, and sometimes you have to get things wrong in order to work out what – and who – you really want.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT by Simon James Green from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Ashley Woodfolk, Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon

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The Blurb On The Back:

Six of the biggest stars of YA bring all the electricity of love to a collection of charming, hilarious and heartbreaking tales that shine the brightest light through the dark

When a heatwave plunges New York City into darkness, sparks fly for thirteen teenagers caught up in the blackout.

A first meeting.

Long-time friends.

Bitter exes.

And maybe the beginning of something new.

When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths.  Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight. 

BLACKOUT was released in the United Kingdom on 24th June 2021.  Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order BLACKOUT by Dhonielle Clayton, Nic Stone, Tiffany D. Jackson, Ashley Woodfolk, Angie Thomas and Nichola Yoon from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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An Emotion Of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi

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The Blurb On The Back:

I’d always carried with me a burden of conviction I could not set down.  I could not deny the beliefs that shaped me any more than I could deny the colour of my eyes.

It made for a lonely life.

It’s been several months since the US officially declared war on Iraq, and the world has evolved.  Tensions are high, hate crimes are on the rise, and the Muslim community is harassed and targeted more than ever.  Shadi, who wears hijab, keeps her head down.  SHe’s too busy drowning in her own troubles to find the time to deal with bigots.

Shadi is named for joy, but she’s haunted by the loss of family and friendship.  And then, of course, there’s the small matter of her heart – it’s broken.  Trying to navigate her crumbling work by soldiering through, Shadi says nothing, each day retreating farther and farther inside herself until finally, one day, everything changes.

She explodes.

An Emotion Of Great Delight is a searing look into the world of a single Muslim family in the wake of 9/11.  It’s about a child of immigrants forging a blurry identity, falling in love, and finding hope in an ever-changing world … 

AN EMOTION OF GREAT DELIGHT was released in the United Kingdom on 10th June 2021.  Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order AN EMOTION OF GREAT DELIGHT by Tahereh Mafi from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons

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The Blurb On The Back:

Fifteen-year-old Spencer is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother and a Messi-in-training.  He’s also transgender.

After a year of bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at a new school with great friends, a spot on the boys’ soccer team, and maybe even something more than friendship with one of his team-mates.  The only thing is, no one knows Spencer is trans – he’s passing.

So when a discriminatory law forces his coach to bench him, Spencer has to make a choice: cheer his team on from the sidelines or fight for his right to play, even if it means coming out to everyone, including the guy he’s falling for …

You can order THE PASSING PLAYBOOK by Isaac Fitzsimons from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver

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The Blurb On The Back:

Do you belong?

Norah Whittaker has grown up on a houseboat, spending lazy days swimming in the river and helping on her mum’s vintage market stall.  But when her chaotic dad’s latest get-rich-quick plan ends up getting him arrested, everything changes.

Grandparents (incredibly rich ones) that Norah never knew existed enrol her at exclusive Chelsea High.  There are polo lessons, ski trips and parties photographed by glossy magazines.  Norah has never felt so out of place.  And everyone else there thinks so, too.

That is, until she’s cast opposite Ezra Montgomery in the school play.  Suddenly Norah discovers a reason to belong, after all …

You can order Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Pretend You’re Safe by Alexandra Ivy

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The Blurb On The Back:

Jaci Patterson was sixteen when she found the first locket on her porch.

Inside were a few strands of hair wrapped around a scrap of bloodstained ribbon.  Though the ‘gifts’ kept arriving, no one believed her hunch that a serial killer was at work.

Now Jaci has finally returned home – only for bodies of strangled victims to start appearing years after the disappeared.

Her nightmare is beginning all over again.  And this time it won’t end until the murderer makes Jaci his … for ever.

You can order Pretend You’re Safe by Alexandra Ivy from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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A Very Large Expanse Of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

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The Blurb On The Back:

When you’re hiding from a world that hates you, who would make you risk everything to be seen again?

It’s the year after 9/11, and Shirin has just started at yet another new high school.  It’s a difficult time, but especially so for a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who wears hijab.  Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be.

She hides away, drowning her frustrations in music, and spending her afternoons break-dancing with her brother.  But then Shirin meets Ocean James.  He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know her – and it terrifies her.  He’s not like everyone else – but Shirin has had her guard up against the world for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down … 

You can order A VERY LARGE EXPANSE OF SEA by Tahereh Mafi from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Rosie Loves Jack by Mel Darbon

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The Blurb On The Back:

They can’t send you away. What will we do? We need us. I stop your angry, Jack. And you make me strong. You make me Rosie.

Rosie loves Jack. Jack loves Rosie.

So when they’re separated, Rosie will do anything to find the boy who makes the sun shine in her head.

Even run away from home.

Even struggle across London and travel to Brighton, though the trains are cancelled and the snow is falling.

Even though people might think a girl with Down’s syndrome could never survive on her own.

You can order ROSIE LOVES JACK by Mel Darbon from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Night Of The Party by Tracey Mathias

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The Blurb On The Back:

How do you speak out if you have no rights?

After withdrawing from the EU, Britain is governed by The Party, and everyone born outside the country is subject to immediate arrest and deportation.  Failing to report illegals is a crime.

Zara is the only one who knows how her friend Sophie died.  But Zara’s an illegal.

She can’t tell anyone her secrets.  Not even Ash, the boy she loves.  The boy who needs to know the truth.

As the country prepared for an election, Zara must take an impossible choice. 

You can order THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY by Tracey Mathias from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, and Waterstone’s.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Flying Tips For Flightless Birds by Kelly McCaughrain

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The Blurb On The Back:

Friendship, romance and accepting who you are … that’s a lot for two confused clowns to juggle.

Twins Finch and Birdie Franconi are stars of the flying trapeze.  But when Birdie suffers a terrifying accident, Finch must team up with the geeky new kid.  Hector Hazzard, to form an all-boys double act and save the family circus school.

Can clowning around in the ring help them deal with real life – and face up to how they feel outside the spotlight?  

You can order FLYING TIPS FOR FLIGHTLESS BIRDS by Kelly McCaughrain from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs

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The Blurb On The Back:

He is the son of tragedy

Born a bastard and raised an orphan in the stifling Caribbean heat.  Alexander Hamilton will prove his worth on the blood-soaked battlefields of the American Revolution.

She is the daughter of fortune

A wealthy child of privilege, Elizabeth Shuyler has never wanted for anything.  But she longs for a life of so much more.

War will bring them together; peace will tear them apart

In her, Hamilton finds the extraordinary intelligence and passionate heart that will motivate him to revolutionise American politics … and go down in history as one of the great Founding Fathers of the bold new country.

In him, Eliza finds a man who is finally, truly, her equal – someone who will inspire her to dedicate her life to a cause much greater than herself.

And history will make them immortal.

You can order THE HAMILTON AFFAIR by Elizabeth Cobbs from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Love And Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

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The Blurb On The Back:

Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, fulfilling her mother’s dying wish that she should get to know her father.  With the help of her mother’s journal, Lina uncovers a magical world of secret romance, art and hidden bakeries.  People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more. 

You can order LOVE AND GELATO by Jenna Evans Welch from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor

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The Blurb On The Back:

THIS IS THE STORY OF:

A mysterious city stripped of its name.

A mythic hero with blood on his hands.

A young librarian with a singular dream.

A blue-skinned goddess every bit as perilous as she is imperilled.

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around –

And Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly in choosing him.  Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it.  Then a stunning opportunity presents itself and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.  

You can order STRANGE THE DREAMER by Laini Taylor from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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