Tuesday 17 October 2017

Blog Tour: A Season of Hopes and Dreams by Lynsey James (Romance, 10E/10E)

Pretty cover!


11th September 2017, HQ Digital, 384 pages, Ebook, Review copy

Summary from Harpercollins UK
A season of second chances

It’s been a difficult year for Cleo Jones. The car accident that crushed her leg didn’t just destroy the village baker’s dreams of becoming a dancer, but crushed her confidence too. And recovering from that has been harder than healing from any number of broken bones

But this season is going to be different. Life is turning around for Cleo! Maybe it’s the invitation from her childhood bully to their high-school reunion that’s shocked her out of a ten-year slump. Or joining Carb Counters and finally starting to shed the weight she’d piled on during her recovery or maybe it’s catching the eye of her gorgeous personal trainer!

Whatever the answer, this is going to be a feeling she never forgets watch out world, Cleo Jones is finally fighting back!

Nayu's thoughts 
While not a cozy mystery genre read, I like to think of this book as cozy in the sense it is uplifting, funny with some deep moments, the type of read to settle with a cup of hot chocolate with a few hours to spare. Cleo is a sweet girl, never giving up despite having a zillion job rejections which doesn't sit well with her family. She matures and gains so much self-confidence by the end of the book it was a real pleasure to see her personal growth. I was cheering her on when she tried new things, wanted to face-palm at the embarrassing moments- her clumsiness is adorable and is a trait that her eventual boyfriend likes and anticipates. 

The issues Cleo faces are deep rooted, and she can't get through them on her own, that's where her friends come in, both new and old who all contribute to her increasing self-esteem. I liked the story issue surrounding the health group which included bullying because it feels realistic, and has several self-empowerment moments for Cleo where I mentally cheered and waved pink and purple pompoms for her achievements - which aren't limited to weight loss. By doing what she did (can't spoil it for you) she not only helped herself, but changed the situation for the whole group in a positive fashion. It goes to show you never know what will happen when you try something in life. 

She also has to deal with her old school's residenet mean girl, who is even meaner now she is older, and who tries to destroy her sweet relationship with Scott (her personal trainer), but she doesn't succeed! She comes close, but Scott has changed from the person he was in his past (the part related to Cleo's struggles), and along with Cleo's best friends manages to bash some sense into her (not quite literally), leading to an ending I loved but didn't want because it meant Cleo's story had stopped! Really hoping there may a sequel.

Find out more on Lynsey's blog (she reviews books!).

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