https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp... Double Negative is a story many teenagers will relate to. Narrated by 17 year old Reece who is an elite swimmihttps://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp... Double Negative is a story many teenagers will relate to. Narrated by 17 year old Reece who is an elite swimming star attending the Elite Sports school. However after a shoulder injury she is transferred to the local high school, that her brother attends, until she recovers.
Reece's brother Jamie is in grade 12 and is running for school President and asks Reece to support him as Vice President
Not being American I don't really understand the US school system. High schools in Australia do not have Presidents. However I do understand campaigning and elections and Susan Marshall clearly explained the system, including campaign promises, obligations, constitutions, guidelines and rules, in a way that would appeal to a teenage audience.
There is lots of angst and drama throughout the novel as Reece loses her place in the elite training squad, loses her boyfriend, crushes on her brother's nemesis and needs to adjust to a new school. Another strong theme is the pressure of elite sport and the mental health of athletes. The addition of an amputee basketball player brings in the extra theme of how athletes cope with and work through a permanent disability.
Double Negative has an interesting plot and realistic characters. There was a little too much angst and too many meltdowns for me. I had the patience of an adult whilst reading. Teens will love it and relate wholeheartedly!
Recommended: 16+ *I received my copy through Netgalley
Merged review:
https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp... Double Negative is a story many teenagers will relate to. Narrated by 17 year old Reece who is an elite swimming star attending the Elite Sports school. However after a shoulder injury she is transferred to the local high school, that her brother attends, until she recovers.
Reece's brother Jamie is in grade 12 and is running for school President and asks Reece to support him as Vice President
Not being American I don't really understand the US school system. High schools in Australia do not have Presidents. However I do understand campaigning and elections and Susan Marshall clearly explained the system, including campaign promises, obligations, constitutions, guidelines and rules, in a way that would appeal to a teenage audience.
There is lots of angst and drama throughout the novel as Reece loses her place in the elite training squad, loses her boyfriend, crushes on her brother's nemesis and needs to adjust to a new school. Another strong theme is the pressure of elite sport and the mental health of athletes. The addition of an amputee basketball player brings in the extra theme of how athletes cope with and work through a permanent disability.
Double Negative has an interesting plot and realistic characters. There was a little too much angst and too many meltdowns for me. I had the patience of an adult whilst reading. Teens will love it and relate wholeheartedly!
Recommended: 16+ *I received my copy through Netgalley...more
3.5 Stars I really enjoyed Her Outback Surprise and the community of Spring Downs. This is book2 in the Prickle Creek series about four cousins whose 3.5 Stars I really enjoyed Her Outback Surprise and the community of Spring Downs. This is book2 in the Prickle Creek series about four cousins whose Grandparents own prickle Creek farm in outback New South Wales. They are called back to help on the farm whilst their Grandparents have a well earned holiday.
Liam and Angie’s story is a second chance romance trope. They had previously had a relationship in London breaking up when Angie had to return to Australia. Neither knew the other was in Spring Downs and when they found out they tried hard to avoid each other but fate and Cousin Lucy had other plans.
I absolutely loved Lucy, she was obviously settled in her life and she wanted the same for Liam. They were more like brother and sister than cousins and you could feel their closeness in their teasing and banter. Lucy immediately connected with Angie and I could plainly see that Lucy would remain her friend no matter the outcome with Liam.
‘I need to do something worthwhile. Go back to investigating and reporting social issues.’
Liam was a high flying reporter in London and full of his own self-importance, thinking work on the farm as a holiday break, not a career.
‘Man, I’ve been an insensitive jerk!’ – Liam
It took him a while to realise this and I think Angie was too easy on him.
This was a fun rural romance with plenty of anguish and misunderstandings as we follow Liam and Angie through some fun times together and also plenty of heartache. I think it took too long for Lucy to say ‘I’ve had enough’ and take off.
The book ends with an epilogue that reads like a teaser for the next book that will be about Jemima, Liam’s sister. She doesn’t feature in Liam & Angie’s story only returning to Prickle Creek Farm as the story closes.
Book 1 Her Outback Cowboy is Lucy’s story and I am going to be self indulgent and grab a copy and read it straight away. *My thanks to the publisher via Netgalley who supplied an ecopy for review
Merged review:
3.5 Stars I really enjoyed Her Outback Surprise and the community of Spring Downs. This is book2 in the Prickle Creek series about four cousins whose Grandparents own prickle Creek farm in outback New South Wales. They are called back to help on the farm whilst their Grandparents have a well earned holiday.
Liam and Angie’s story is a second chance romance trope. They had previously had a relationship in London breaking up when Angie had to return to Australia. Neither knew the other was in Spring Downs and when they found out they tried hard to avoid each other but fate and Cousin Lucy had other plans.
I absolutely loved Lucy, she was obviously settled in her life and she wanted the same for Liam. They were more like brother and sister than cousins and you could feel their closeness in their teasing and banter. Lucy immediately connected with Angie and I could plainly see that Lucy would remain her friend no matter the outcome with Liam.
‘I need to do something worthwhile. Go back to investigating and reporting social issues.’
Liam was a high flying reporter in London and full of his own self-importance, thinking work on the farm as a holiday break, not a career.
‘Man, I’ve been an insensitive jerk!’ – Liam
It took him a while to realise this and I think Angie was too easy on him.
This was a fun rural romance with plenty of anguish and misunderstandings as we follow Liam and Angie through some fun times together and also plenty of heartache. I think it took too long for Lucy to say ‘I’ve had enough’ and take off.
The book ends with an epilogue that reads like a teaser for the next book that will be about Jemima, Liam’s sister. She doesn’t feature in Liam & Angie’s story only returning to Prickle Creek Farm as the story closes.
Book 1 Her Outback Cowboy is Lucy’s story and I am going to be self indulgent and grab a copy and read it straight away. *My thanks to the publisher via Netgalley who supplied an ecopy for review...more
The Life You Leave Behind is told by the diary entries of 22 year old Faye Slater. Faye escapes her boring home town of Riverboro when she marries higThe Life You Leave Behind is told by the diary entries of 22 year old Faye Slater. Faye escapes her boring home town of Riverboro when she marries high school sweetheart, Phil, and moves to Washington DC. However life isn’t turning out as she hoped. Phil is killed on duty in Iraq and Faye must take a nanny job to CNN correspondent Helen Quinn’s tantrum throwing 9 year old to make ends meet. She immediately falls for the handsome Jimmy Quinn and an affair ensues. Will Jimmy leave his high profile wife for a life with Faye?
This is not a happy story, although it has many happy moments. It’s a real story about a family that becomes a blended family. It’s about coping with mental illness, adoption, step families and feelings of abandonment. The story is real! There will be times when you don’t like the characters and times when you think how lovely and accepting they are. Just like real life! Faye is young she gets what she wants any way she can. At times you will be astounded by what she does. But she is also loving and caring and these moments will astound you also. This story is not predicable you can never guess what will happen next. It’s a roller coaster ride of ups and downs that you will travel along with Faye, feeling the sheer thrill and horror of her life.
Merged review:
The Life You Leave Behind is told by the diary entries of 22 year old Faye Slater. Faye escapes her boring home town of Riverboro when she marries high school sweetheart, Phil, and moves to Washington DC. However life isn’t turning out as she hoped. Phil is killed on duty in Iraq and Faye must take a nanny job to CNN correspondent Helen Quinn’s tantrum throwing 9 year old to make ends meet. She immediately falls for the handsome Jimmy Quinn and an affair ensues. Will Jimmy leave his high profile wife for a life with Faye?
This is not a happy story, although it has many happy moments. It’s a real story about a family that becomes a blended family. It’s about coping with mental illness, adoption, step families and feelings of abandonment. The story is real! There will be times when you don’t like the characters and times when you think how lovely and accepting they are. Just like real life! Faye is young she gets what she wants any way she can. At times you will be astounded by what she does. But she is also loving and caring and these moments will astound you also. This story is not predicable you can never guess what will happen next. It’s a roller coaster ride of ups and downs that you will travel along with Faye, feeling the sheer thrill and horror of her life....more
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