Book Review: The Twice-Lived Summer of Bluebell Jones by Susie Day

Dye your hair. Dye Everything.

On her thirteenth birthday, Blue makes a desperate wish. To be transformed into a cool, confident teenager. Enter Red, appearing from nowhere like a wacky fairy godmother. She's only visible to Blue- in fact, she IS Blue, but a year older. With Red by her side to guide her, Blue can avoid all the gruesome embarrassments! But her future self causes a heap of crazy trouble - and there are dark secrets she's not telling...

The first full novel I have read by Susie Day. I reviewed one of her short stories which really sold me on her as a writer.

The whole of this novel is the main character to change herself and trying to make friends with "cool" people of where she is on holiday; making her a pretty realistic thirteen year old. The supporting characters are nice.

The twist was done well. It's hinted frequently through the book but not overly obvious. The ending felt a bit rushed and really let this book down. I didn't fully buy it and there is main thing that's kinda spoilerly. Here's a spoiler (highlight to see): the character just straight gives up, doesn't try to get out the situation at all. 

Overall, I give this book 4 out of five stars. I really enjoy reading this book, but the ending knocked a lot of points for me. It's on the younger side of YA. (Or older middle-grade? Teen would be so easier to use) Therefore short, which was nice read to have during the busyness of uni. Though with an important message for someone whose 13 or whatever age to hear.

Book Review: The Girl With A Clock For A Heart by Peter Swanson

No, this book does not actually feature a girl who literally has a clock for her heart. It’s metaphor.

George Foss never thought he'd see her again, but on a late-August night in Boston, there she is, in his local bar, Jack's Tavern. 

When George first met her, she was an eighteen-year-old college freshman from Sweetgum, Florida. She and George became inseparable in their first fall semester, so George was devastated when he got the news that she had committed suicide over Christmas break. But, as he stood in the living room of the girl's grieving parents, he realized the girl in the photo on their mantelpiece - the one who had committed suicide - was not his girlfriend. Later, he discovered the true identity of the girl he had loved - and of the things she may have done to escape her past. 

Now, twenty years later, she's back, and she's telling George that he's the only one who can help her . . . 

I like the writing style of this book, it sort of poetic. The book does switch between the now and when George first met Liana. The format works for the suspense. 

George is not very likable character. Certain parts of the novel you do feel sort of sorry for him but I don’t think I would actually be best buds with him. He’s in his 40s, he single and works for a slowly failing business: so not a lot to lose when Liana shows back up. The other characters are alright. The motives are bit mystery; there are meant to be that way. George is surrounded by strongish woman; his life is mostly influenced by woman during the book. Females do sort of play big part of the story. However, there something about the portrayal of the woman that bugs me. It not like I can define the thing that’s on the tip of my tongue. Maybe it the fact that none of the woman actually talk to each other in the book. 

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for descriptive nipples. I enjoyed reading it. I’m finding it hard to find hings to say that wouldn’t be a spoiler. There lot of things this book for people to enjoy. The ending does leave with some questions, not clear answer to what went down fully.