Bookring going out ahead of the UK Zoom Uncon when Matson Taylor will be a guest author. Going first to earthcaroleanne. Hope you enjoy the book.

Bookray, starting with earthcaroleanne.

Arrived today. Thank you for the lovely little card.

Until now, Evie's life has been nothing special: a patchwork of school, Guides, cows, lost mothers, lacrosse and village fetes. but, inspired by her idols (Charlotte Bronte, Shirley MacLaine, the Queen), she dreams of a world far away from rural East Yorkshire: a world of glamour lived under the bright lights of London (or Leeds). However, Christine, Evie's soon-to-be stepmother - a manipulative and money-grubbing schemer - is lining Evie up for a life of drudgery at the stinky local salon. With the help of a few friends and the wise counsel of the two Adam Faith posters on her bedroom wall ('brooding Adam' and 'sophisticated Adam'), Evie comes up with a plan to rescue her future from Christine's pink and over-perfumed clutches. To succeed, she will need a little luck, a dash of charm and a big dollop of Yorkshire magic, but in the process she may discover who exactly she is meant to be.

I had to read this book quite quickly for the bookray and it was very easy to do so. The first chapter has a surprise scene which makes you want to keep reading. I liked the way that the author gave us a bit of back story to some of his characters with short ‘interlude’ chapters. They were often quite moving and tied in well to explain what was happening in Evie’s life. She was a very calm individual and I did wonder why she didn’t say more about the cake incident with Mrs Scott-Pym. I’d have been a much more angry 16 year old in that situation so I was very glad when she corrected the clock situation. Sorry if I’m being a bit vague but I don’t want to give spoilers for future readers who, unlike me, read the journal entries before the book. In conclusion, this book is bursting with incredibly real, hilarious characters, sharp and witty dialogue and general loveliness. I wanted to be part of this group of friends.

I don't often give 10 stars but I couldn't think of a reason to reduce it to 9. I shall definitely buy his next book .

This is going to the bookcrosser who won it in the Newcastle uncon book swap game.

Thank you for offering this book to me. I look forward to reading it.