Sunkissed (The Ladybirds #3)

How did I get it?:
NetGalley- thanks to Bloomsbury

Previously reviewed by the same author:
Flirty Dancing
Love Bomb

Synopsis:

Kat can’t believe her family are sending her to Sweden for the summer. But without her friends, or even a phone signal, can Kat make it on her own?

In a land of saunas, nudity and summer sun, Kat soon realises she has nowhere to hide. It’s time to embrace who she really is, underneath what she’s been thinking people want her to be. Especially if she’s going to win the heart of mega fit Swede Leo! Can Kat find her inner strength and prove she’s got what it takes?

Kat soon finds that when you’re surrounded by phosphorescence and wonder it’s easy to sparkle. Or maybe that’s what happens when you fall in love . Or maybe you only shine when you’re true to yourself.

Thoughts:

This collection of books are so damn cute. They are perfect summer reading. They don’t take long to devour, the characters are realistic representations of teenagers and they don’t need to necessarily be read in order to enjoy them. They definitely feel more like companion novels to me, so if series are not your thing then fear not!

If you do read these books in order of publishing then you’ll have already met Bea and Betty, and Sunkissed is the opportunity for Kat to have her own story. Kat is known for being more rebellious than her friends. She gets sent to Sweden to spend the summer with her Auntie, after her parents can’t trust her to be at home with her older sister. Kat is an interesting character. She comes across as a little self centred, but she grew on me as I read her story. I found her to be funny and quite endearing in some ways.

These books are just plain FUN to read. I love how the element of friendship is strong within these books. The girls are all interesting apart, but much better when they’re together! If you’re looking for a deep read then this series isn’t it. But if you’re looking for a beach read with good writing and decent characters, then any book from The Ladybirds series would suit you! I’m looking forward to reading Pearl’s story which will be the next (and final?) book in the series!

Would I recommend it?:
Yes!

Sunkissed is perfect for a beach read or if you’re just looking for some light-hearted fun! 

Love Bomb (The Ladybirds #2)

How did I get it?:
I bought it!

Previously reviewed by the same author:
Flirty Dancing

Synopsis:

Betty Plum has never been in love. She’s never even kissed a boy. But when H.O.T. Toby starts school it’s like Betty has been hit with a thousand of Cupid’s arrows. It’s like a bomb has exploded – a love bomb!

More than ever Betty wishes her mum hadn’t died when Betty was a baby. She really needs her mum here to ask her advice. And that’s when she finds hidden letters for just these moments. Letters about what your first kiss should feel like and what real love is all about …

Is Betty ready to fall in love? Will she finally have her first kiss?

Thoughts:

Love Bomb is the perfect book to read when you need a bit of a lighter read. It is so easy to read, with characters that are easily likeable. I found Betty, the main protagonist, in this story very endearing. This story is more of a companion to Flirty Dancing, but I believe it can be read as a standalone. You don’t need to know what happened in Flirty Dancing to enjoy Love Bomb. 

Love Bomb follows Betty who is ‘different’ to the rest of her peers. Betty is a fifteen year old, who is dealing with her widowed father is moving on with a new relationship. Betty also has a massive crush on the new boy, Toby. Betty puts her everything into getting his attention. I’m not sure why, as I thought he was an absolute idiot! You’ll have to read it to see if you agree with me!  Love Bomb is a lighter read, but it does have some substance to it. Betty had lost her mother to cancer. Betty’s mother had left some letters for Betty, for special events in her life like her first kiss. Betty feels like she’s getting to know her mother through these letters.

I am looking forward to reading more in this series and reading from another character’s point of view. The characters Jenny McLachlan has come up with are incredibly realistic and I can certainly see that they’ll be relatable to many teenagers that will devour this series.

Would I recommend it?:
Yes! 3.5 stars!

A fun, but sensitive read!