Flora in Love: The Diaries of Bluebell Gadsby by Natasha Farrant
| Flora in Love: The Diaries of Bluebell Gadsby by Natasha Farrant | |
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| Category: Teens | |
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Reviewer: Robert James
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| Summary: Funny and heartwarming, this is a stunning sequel to After Iris. I can't wait for the next in the series! | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 288 | Date: June 2014 |
| Publisher: Faber & Faber | |
| External links: [www.natashafarrant.com Author's website] | |
| ISBN: 978-0571297979 | |
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Spoiler warning for The Diaries of Bluebell Gadsby: After Iris, first in this series.
After a shocking announcement from Bluebell’s family, Bluebell thinks everything could be turned upside down. She’s desperate for au pair Zoran to come back to them but Zoran has problems of his own – including new guitar protégé Zach. Then Zach meets Blue’s sister Flora and the two immediately hit it off, but Blue’s enthusiasm over filming everything leads to her putting her foot in it. Will Flora ever talk to her again, and when Zach goes missing, can the sisters and the rest of their family help find him?
I was a fan of the first in the series, After Iris, but didn't absolutely love it – perhaps a case of my expectations being a little bit too sky-high after the overwhelming brilliance of Natasha Farrant's first novel for teens, The Things We Did For Love? I'm pleased to say that I adored this one – it's an improvement on the first in every way. There are lots of hilarious scenes – I loved Bluebell and Dodi trying to apologise to Flora, as well as a stunning poetry competition – but there’s also a huge amount of warmth, love and a great plot here. I also really like the way it’s told, with the video transcripts being perfect additions to the narrative!
In addition, I thought the characterisation was superb. In book one, I said that Bluebell and her siblings were fabulous, as was scene-stealing au pair Zoran, but was less convinced by her parents and Dodi. Here, all of the characters, new and old, feel wonderfully realistic and brilliantly written, and the relationships between Blue’s chaotic but loving family are outstanding.
Hugely recommended as one of the sweetest and funniest contemporaries of a great year for the genre! I can’t wait to read book three.
I think fans of this would love another series with a great set of sisters, Debutantes and Debutantes: In Love by Cora Harrison.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Flora in Love: The Diaries of Bluebell Gadsby by Natasha Farrant at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Flora in Love: The Diaries of Bluebell Gadsby by Natasha Farrant at Amazon.com.
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