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Book Review: Making Friends with Alice Dyson by Poppy Nwosu

May 7, 2020

Making Friends with Alice Dyson by Poppy Nwosu

Pages: 276
Publish date: November 5th 2019
Publisher: Wakefield Press
ISBN: 9781743056127
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

My hand, which is following a stray pencil rolling across the floor, stops dead right in front of two ratty green sneakers.
My gaze follows the shoes up over long legs to a towering figure.
I stand abruptly.
Tall, black eyes, messy hair, a permanent scowl on a permanently angry face. Our school’s delinquent, a waster, the kind of boy who always sits at the back of class. The kind of boy even popular people like Sophia are afraid of. Teddy Taualai.

Alice Dyson knows exactly how she’ll be spending her final year of high school. With her head down, quietly concentrating on her textbooks and homework. She’s focused on the future, and nothing and no one is going to get in her way. Until a bizarre encounter with the school’s most notorious troublemaker derails all her plans, turning Alice into the unwilling centre of attention and her life into one enormous complication.

And even worse? Now Teddy Taualai won’t leave her alone.

A story about rumours, friendship, and discovering who you really are.

Making Friends with Alice Dyson:

Making Friends with Alice Dyson by Poppy Nwosu wasn’t high up on my TBR list when I first heard about it. YA contemporary isn’t something that I read a lot of these days. However, it did still catch my eye, and then I started reading all the reviews and I knew that I had to pick this one up for myself. And I’m so glad that I did. I loved it so much that it made it onto my top books for CBCA’s Clayton night.

You know those books that you read and they just put a smile on your face, this is one of those. This is a beautiful, adorable, and honest novel that explores the highs and lows of the last year of high school. This novel follows Alice Dyson in her last year of high school. Her plan? Focus on her future! Head down, do her homework, and nothing is going to stop her. Expect maybe a dance-off with troublemaker and delinquent Teddy Taualai. Alice is thrown into the spotlight when rumours start flying around.

Anggun Tan

Alice was an interesting character and protagonist. She wasn’t someone that I could immediately connect with and like, but as the novel went on I really started to enjoy her. I think that her character arc was fantastic and the reader is able to see her grow immensely throughout Making Friends with Alice Dyson. Alice’s growth really pushed the novel and I loved that. Even though Alice thought she hated everything that followed the events with Teddy, but the reader is able to see that she actually enjoys it. Even if she doesn’t think so. One of my favourite things about young adult novels is seeing the growth of characters and I think that Poppy Nwosu does that so well. Especially in regards to everything that comes with the last year of high school.

I loved Teddy from the start. While I might have disliked this type of guy while at school, I love them in novels. He has this ‘bad boy’ reputation and it plays along with it. He has this fun and playful nature about him that added this other layer to the novel and made him more than an archetype. Poppy Nwosu has a knack for making characters that are real and have faults and this makes for such an enjoyable read.

The romance in Making Friends with Alice Dyson was beautiful and I loved it with my soul. Teddy is a flirt, and Alice is a shy bean, and while at first, they seem like total opposites. However, as the novel goes on, they are able to connect with one another. What turns from hesitation and avoidance, into a soft friendship and then slowly into something more. It was beautiful and has to be one of my favourite friends to lovers romance. It’s just very sweet, soft and a somewhat innocent romance. I loved that Teddy was able to push Alice in a way that lets her know herself even more.

Siora Photography

Making Friends with Alice Dyson is very character-driven which I love. But also there is a lot of other things that do drive the novel along. I adored the first interaction between Alice and Teddy; the dance. It’s one of the most innocent things I’ve read and I loved it. All Teddy wants is a friend and Alice becomes that person. Friendship is a massive theme throughout the novel. And the reader not only sees the friendship between Alice and Teddy grow into something more. But it also looks at Alice’s friendship with her best friend.

I loved that Poppy Nwosu looks into the notion of female friendship and the many ups and downs that come along with it. Especially in those last few years of school. I enjoyed that it explored that girl friendships aren’t always smooth and showed a realistic approach to how girls interact and their relationships.

Making Friends with Alice Dyson also explores the notion of coming of age and that last year of high school. I think that Australian novels do this exceptionally well and that is clearly evident in Making Friends with Alice Dyson. It showed the trials and tribulations that go along with being in that last year of school. All the ups and downs. The decisions that we need to make. And the pressure that we not only put on ourselves but that others put on us as well.

Chermiti Mohamed

Making Friends with Alice Dyson is a sweet story that looks at friendships, the most adorable romance, and the strength of opening up. Everything about this book is tender and sweet but also packs a punch. This is a great book to pick up when you are feeling that little bit down because it’s a feel great book for sure. I also think it’s one that a lot of teens can read. This is a fantastic debut that is brilliant and soft, and I finished it with a massive smile.

Have you read Making Friends with Alice Dyson by Poppy Nwosu? What did you think of it? Are you planning on reading it? Let’s Chat!

Romance Recs | Favourite MC Romances

May 6, 2020

Hiya all. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been reading more and more romances and loving it. So I thought I would start a new feature where I recommend some of my favourite romances that fit a theme. These books might be every week or every other week, I’m not too sure yet. But we will see as we go. And the themes will range from sub-genres to types of romance. I’m really excited to start sharing some of my favourite romances.

This week I decided to jump straight in and share my favourite MC romances. Motorcycle romances are very interesting to say the less and most of the time it’s not something that I recommend to everyone. But if you like your darker romances and alright with some not so great things happening – then you might like these for sure. I tried to share a range of MC romances. Some that are tamer than others, but I wanted to offer a range for those wanted to dip their toes in or love it already.

Anyway enough of my rambling. Here are my favourite MC romances. Like always these are in no order.

Wind Dragons MC Series by Chantal Fernando: If you are looking to start reading MC romances, then this a great place to start. While at times it is hard, it’s one of the more tamer ones that I have personally read. Some of the later books in the series get a bit harder to read, but overall they are pretty fantastic. Most of the books in the series are 4 stars for me, with a few getting 3-3.5 stars. My favourites have to be Dargon’s Liar, Last Ride and Fallen Princess.

Thunder Road Series by Katie McGarry by Katie McGarry: This was my introduction into reading MC romances for sure. This is more on the high YA, NA side of things. But it is fantastic. Katie McGarry is still one of my favourite contemporary writers now and this series was so good. It dealt with some classic MC problems but also dives into some teen and coming of age issues as well. Nowhere But Here is still my favourite by far.

The Fallen Men Series by Giana Darling: This is one of my recent reads and I really enjoyed this series a lot. However, I do want to put a warning there is a lot of taboo themes through the books and they aren’t for everyone. This series isn’t fully dark, but I do feel that it might go that way in the coming books. It’s one of those that are on the border, which could go either way. I can’t really decide which is my favourite at the moment. I really enjoyed all of them a lot.

Hades Hangmen Series by Tillie Cole: Before I say anything. This is a dark series. There is a lot in this series that isn’t easy to read. So be warned before you jump in. I found this series really interesting. It did take me a while to really get into the first book. It’s much harsher than the MC romances that I had read before and much darker. But there is something that kept on pulling me back into this series. It’s fascinating truly. And I understand that it isn’t for everyone. But if you like dark romances, then give this one a go.

Savage Disciples MC Series by Drew Elyse: This series had it’s up and downs for me. There were some that I really enjoyed and some that were okayish. But as a series overall I really did enjoy it. This is one of the tamer MC romances. And while there are still some questionable things that do happen throughout the series, overall it’s pretty okay. I also really enjoyed the spin-off series – Sailors Grave. And while it really isn’t about the MC, there is a lot of intertwining.

Raven Riders Series by Laura Kaye: This is another series that is overall pretty tame, but also enjoyable. I really like the relationships in this one and the family bond that everyone seems to have. I like that this connects with her Hark Ink series and again how characters pop up between both of them. Book 1 and 3 are my favourite though.

And that is it for this post! What did you think of my first Romance Recs post? Have you read any of these books? Are you planning on reading any of them? Let’s Chat!

Books That Make Perfect Birthday Presents

May 5, 2020

This week I’m sharing the books I would buy as birthday presents. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

This week I decided to spin this weeks topic and share the books that I think make the perfect birthday present. I decided to split this into categories or age groups that would fit the books that I’m talking about

For Those That Are in Middle Grade

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan: I know I’ve spoken about these so much in the last couple of weeks. But I do think this series is perfect for those 10-11-year-olds that want to be challenged a little bit more. These are perfect for kids looking for books with adventure, and fantastic characters. One of my favourite things about these series is that kids can read these characters for a while and can see them grow up.

The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1) by Jessica Townsend: This is another one that is perfect for those children looking for an adventure. It’s a mix of Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland and it’s wonderful. I’m so glad that so many people have read it, but I want more and more to do that as well. It’s the perfect present for that child that loves to read and magic.

For Those That Love YA

A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Cursebreakers #1) by Brigid Kemmerer: I adored A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer. The world, the characters and the plot are captivating, Rhen and Harper are fantastic characters on their own, with brilliant character arcs. But together they are like fire and it’s one that I want to keep on spreading. This is a great retelling and fantasy novel that just works out so well. I’ve recommended it to so many customers and they all come back telling me that they love it.

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim: This book is powerful, heartfelt and just a fantastic read. It explores mental health and how it affects different people in different ways. It’s a fantastic young adult novel that truly captures the life of a teen with family problems, while also letting them be a teen and fall in love. You can check out my full review for more.

For Those That Love Romance

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros: Reality I would recommend anything by her, but The Last Letter is beautiful. It’s an emotional read not going to lie. I cried so much in this book. But that is also what made it so good. Both Ella and Beckett have incredible character arcs that really captured me from the start. The reader is not only able to see them grow as individuals, but also together. The Last Letter explores childhood illness, war, family and everything that comes along with life. There are many surprised in-store when reading, but it’s also a beautiful story of love and family. If you are looking for a new romance or contemporary read, then please pick this one up.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: I love this book so much and recommend whenever I can to customers at work. It’s totally adorable, and perfect for someone that just wants to fall in love with characters. This is the book that you just fall into and never want to get out of.

For The Collector

The Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve: This MinaLima version is stunning. I’m currently collecting the whole set and they are so gorgeous. They are a mix of pop up and interactive and they make a perfect addition to someone’s book collection, especially if they classics and fairy tales. I also really love the Peter Pan and The Little Mermaid versions as well.

Harry Potter Illustrated Editions: If you know a Harry Potter lover, then this is perfect for them. I adore my illustrated editors of Harry Potter. They are stunning! I get them for my birthday the year that they come out and it’s perfect. They are also great for the younger ones who do need a little bit more imagery. Plus the illustrations are stunning. I just love them so much.

For Those Who Want A Popular Book

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton: I don’t think you could go wrong with this one here. I’ve not heard anything bad about this book ever – and I sell a lot of copies and I mean a lot. I’ve read a little of this already and I’m already loving it. This is a book that appeals to so many different people, and I think that is what has made it so popular. Plus it’s won many, many awards. I think this is the perfect present for someone that you don’t know what they like to read.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This is another one that skyrocketed to popularity. I still get asked about it quite often at work and again I rarely hear anything bad about it. I also think it’s one that a whole range of people and readers could read. But also might push others and I think that is fantastic.

And that is it for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday. These are the books that I think will make the perfect birthday presents. Do you agree? What are some of your go to’s? Let’s Chat!