A Patchwork Family by Cathy Bramley

Gina is a woman who has had a lot of darkness in her life for the past few months, however, all is once again looking up as she starts a new chapter. Recently divorced, she now has the ticket to go out into the world and do something independent and follow her dreams as a childminder. However, as she begins to strive out into the world and become something for herself disaster strikes. The Evergreens, the place which she calls home has now been put up for sale. This is now Gina's fight for what is right for both her and friends. Does she have the confidence and tenacity to keep what is most important to her?

Gina has been living on The Evergreens estate for a while now, while renting Welcome Cottage and running her childminding business from there with great success. However, when the divorce comes through, she finally decides that it is time to branch out and expand. But this is left in tatters after her landlord unexpectedly dies and leaves the estate to both her great-niece and great-nephew, Rebecca and Dexter.

It is clear from the beginning what both Rebecca and Dexter's motivations are when turning up to their Great-Aunt's funeral. To make money and sell the estate, rather than giving much of a consideration to the people who have been living there, Gina and old pensioners, Bing and Delphine. But it is also highlighted that maybe all is not as it seems, with both of them feeling different towards the selling of the estate.

Can I just say from the moment that we were introduced to Dexter he seemed lovely? I mean really lovely. I feel like this male character compared to some of the others that Cathy has created feels really different somehow. It almost feels as though he is almost perfect. Seriously, what man goes about saying that they had a meet-cute the first time they meet a woman? It's adorable and strangely not something you hear every day from a man.

I think that it is important to note however, that in order to connect better with the story to read some of the other books by Cathy. But this is not essential, it is just that they have nice connections which you seem to appreciate much better. I might even be better if you read the other books after, because it doesn't really matter which order you read these books, because they are written so good.

It seems like there is a great emphasis on what community is and what it could be. The great thing is, Gina was a part of the community and not only did she get involved and be a part of it, but it also became her patchwork family. Sometimes we make our own families and they help us and make us stand tall in the face of disaster. This is a very important message to anyone who feels down or doesn't feel like they are appreciated in the way they should do, especially in the age of the Coronavirus. Even in such dark times, there is a guiding and shining light that makes you feel fuzzy and warm inside and that is definitely 'A Patchwork Family'.

There is little I find wrong with this book, so I have decided to award the accolade of 5 stars.

Frostfire by Amanda Hocking

It is back to Amanda Hocking this week, with her new book that I have recently been talking about, when reviewing her other series, the Trylle Trilogy. Although, this book is now in a new series, but set in the same universe. It is called the Kanin Chronicles... I must admit, when actually owning the book, the cover is very enchanting and beautiful. How for instance, the main character and protagonist, Bryn Aven, is at the centre of attention, with her coat covered in red. Whereas in the background, it is very muted colours, with the whites and blacks, but also having a sort of wonderland type of presence. Red to me also makes me feel quite uncomfortable and moreover is a colour for danger. So, onto the criticisms then! First of all, I don't know why but I felt a little bit out of place with this new world. Maybe it is because I read the other series in the same universe, I may have gotten used to them far too much. So when there are old characters appearing and being ment

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

Publisher: David Fickling Books Date of Publish: January 1st 2015 Suitable for which gender: Unisex The book consists of two protagonists who are both suffering from two big secrets. There is David Piper; who wants to be a girl and Leo Denton; someone who just wants to be invisible. Somehow both of these two individuals come together and become very good friends in the process. It is really interesting as there is not much regarding the subject of the transgender community in modern YA fiction, in a way Ms Williamson has got some guts to base story around this topic. Not because it is wrong, but rather misunderstood. It has heartache and pain, as well as joy and happiness, which not only they experience, but you as well. I think that the time that it has come out is perfect, as it is an ever changing world, which has shown to become more aware of people around us and accepting everyone for who they are. We must always think about these issues like, imagine if you felt

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

This has been a long time in the making, but here it is. A court of Mist and Fury. I think that there is now the time to definitely say something about this, especially when the next book has already come out in the series. I genuinely do love this book. I think that it is much better than the first one in the series. This is mainly because of that in which the new characters are far more likeable, and those who we had been introduced to previously have been developed. For example, with Rhysand, I have found to be far more complicated than what had already been shown in the first book. In fact, I don't think that the first book did any justice for him. In any sort of perspective. However, it has also identified that Tamlin is not all that he seems, very annoying more than anything. I think however, that it is more due to the fact of that in which it feels like it was a waste to have a whole book with him in, now that the story has developed. In this next instalment, it carr