This story was incredibly cute, and totally gave me autumn vibes. It also made me wish we had pumpkin patches to visit! I loved getting a little glimpse into Deja and Josie's friendship, and watching it subtly change as the story unfolded.

I adored the artwork - it is all so cute and bright, and as well as creating an excellent seasonal atmosphere, the characters' feelings really jump off the page. The pacing of the plot was great - for me there was just the right amount of adventuring around the patch, without it feeling repetitive or boring.

I actually think this could be adorable if adapted to the screen as a Hallmark-style romcom - I'd love to see the story play out on the big screen.

I gave this one 4/5 perfect pumpkins (with a little side of kettle corn!)

xo Bron

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Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks is out now from Pan Macmillan.
Source: I bought this one

Category: contemporary seasonal YA graphic novel

Themes: Love, friendship, growing up, new beginnings

 Ok, so the synopsis doesn't sound especially festive, but just look at that cover!
Lack of Christmassiness aside, this was a nice book. I wasn't mad about some elements of the writing - for instance the chapters often finished with a line leading to the next chapter - like "I wouldn't have believed what would happen next", which I didn't love.

The  story itself was actually just the kind of thing I like to read - a main character finding herself (literally and figuratively) in a new place with a quirky-ish cast of supporting characters. It also features one of my favourite tropes - unlikely friends brought together by a common interest (in this case book club), with the narrative revolving around their friendships and how they support each other.

Just because they were kind of unexpected (although I should have read enough books about women's friendships to always expect these) I think it is worth giving a content warning for infant loss and also terminal illness.

I gave this one 2 out of 5 stars - having taken a half star off because of it not being Christmassy. To be honest, its entirely possible I might have given it 3 stars if I had not had the expectation that it would be more festive, but who can tell? 
In short, this is a sweet story, but if you're after a Christmas cosy I'd skip it.

xo Bron  

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Christmas Every Day by Beth Moran
Out now from Boldwood Books
Source: free ebook provided for review by Boldwood Books via NetGalley
Themes: Finding yourself, relationships, family, friendship, infant loss, terminal illness
  

The Monster who Wasn't  by T.C Shelley
This is a middle-grade book with a gorgeous cover, that I kind of thought was Frankenstein-y (although I'm not sure now). In any case it looks adorable.

Five Dark Fates by Kendare Blake
*Thanks to Macmillan Australia for sending me this one
The final book in the Three Dark Crowns series, I'm super excited to find out how this ends! I previously reviewed the third (not counting the novella) book in the series - Two Dark Reigns (check out my review here) - and I'm excited to see how this one finishes things.

Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden
*This one was also kindly sent to me by Macmillan Australia
I don't know a whole lot about this one, except that I liked the sound of it when I read the blurb, and the cover is beautiful. My friend Sharon from Where the Books Go wrote a lovely review of it earlier this month, and I've book looking forward to picking it up since.

The Confession by Jessie Burton
Now I'm wishing I had photographed this stack with their covers showing, because this is another one that is absolutely beautiful (like her previous covers have also been). The Confession was actual our read for book club at Harry Hartog this month, but unfortunately I ended up being a bit too busy to go. From what I have heard it was a hit there!

So those are the next few books on my radar! I'm hoping to be sharing my thoughts on the with you here soon!

xo Bron

 
Twenty-seven-year-old Holly Devine has just had her heart well and truly broken. Hurt by the two people she loves the most, she flees to her eccentric Aunt Clara’s cosy cottage to hide away over the winter season. But kind, impulsive Aunt Clara has other ideas… She’s not about to see her favourite niece wallowing in sadness during the most wonderful time of the year. So, with the help of her close circle of friends and plenty of gin, she creates a handmade advent calendar for Holly.

Every day in December, Holly opens a new door and has a different task to complete. She soon finds herself asking out a complete stranger – gorgeous, cheeky pub landlord, Finn Jackson. But as handsome Finn gets involved in her festive challenges, Holly’s determination to avoid romance is put to the test. Still, Finn’s far too carefree and single for true love, isn’t he?

As Holly begins to embrace each day – a complete makeover, building the biggest snowman she’s ever seen, singing in a karaoke contest – Finn is there adding fun and laughter to every moment. Holly starts to realise that she can become the person she’s always wanted to be…

But a secret from Finn’s past threatens to turn Holly’s Christmas upside down and makes her question everything she has experienced in the last few weeks. Will Finn open up to Holly in time to show her how he really feels? And will she complete the advent calendar challenges and fall in love this Christmas?

Ok, we know that Christmassy stories - whether in books or on the screen - are filled with tropes and 'advent calendar activities' is one of my favourites! I really thought this was a very sweet story - with a few steamy scenes too. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives - they switch between Holly and Finn. I also really enjoy quirky characters and a snowy setting, both of which this book definitely delivered on.

I think this one does a really good job with the 'background' characters - as well as enjoying Aunt Clara's and her WI friends, I liked seeing the relationships of some of Holly and Finn's friends grow.

I gave this three and a half shining Christmas stars, and a generous helping of Aunt Clara's homemade gin!

xo Bron

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The Christmas Countdown by Donna Ashcroft
Out now from Bookouture
Source: free ebook provided for review by Bookouture via NetGalley
Themes: Christmas, heartbreak, finding yourself, relationships
 

Of note, I have both Wrapped Up IN Christmas  AND Wrapped Up FOR Christmas on my list, as well as Christmas Cow Bells (in case anyone was wondering what was the deal with the cows on the cover!).

I think I'm going to start with The Christmas Countdown by Donna Ashcroft:


Twenty-seven-year-old Holly Devine has just had her heart well and truly broken. Hurt by the two people she loves the most, she flees to her eccentric Aunt Clara’s cosy cottage to hide away over the winter season. But kind, impulsive Aunt Clara has other ideas… She’s not about to see her favourite niece wallowing in sadness during the most wonderful time of the year. So, with the help of her close circle of friends and plenty of gin, she creates a handmade advent calendar for Holly.
Every day in December, Holly opens a new door and has a different task to complete. She soon finds herself asking out a complete stranger – gorgeous, cheeky pub landlord, Finn Jackson. But as handsome Finn gets involved in her festive challenges, Holly’s determination to avoid romance is put to the test. Still, Finn’s far too carefree and single for true love, isn’t he?
As Holly begins to embrace each day – a complete makeover, building the biggest snowman she’s ever seen, singing in a karaoke contest – Finn is there adding fun and laughter to every moment. Holly starts to realise that she can become the person she’s always wanted to be…
But a secret from Finn’s past threatens to turn Holly’s Christmas upside down and makes her question everything she has experienced in the last few weeks. Will Finn open up to Holly in time to show her how he really feels? And will she complete the advent calendar challenges and fall in love this Christmas?

The Christmas Countdown is out now from Bookouture, who kindly provided me with an ecopy (via NetGalley). Pop back next week to see what I thought!

xo Bron

First, the Seventy-Seven Saturday Rules:

1. Pick up a book (your current read, or the closest book to you, or your next read, etc)
2. Turn to page 77
3. Find a snippet, sentence or paragraph you like.
4. Share it on your blog or Twitter or Instagram. Link back to AusYABloggers, using #77Saturday

And here's the snippet I loved from p77 of Ninth House:

"Who are you? Alex would sometimes think, looking at another girl in a navy peacoat, pale face like the waning moon beneath a wool cap, ponytail lying like a dead animal over her shoulder. Who are you?"
 
I just started reading Ninth House today, and it honestly had me hooked (and CREEPED OUT!) by the end of the first chapters. There are some hints of some pretty heavy subject matter to come, and I'm loving the way the story is unfolding bit by bit. Definitely worth the hype so far!

xo Bron
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Title: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Released: 09 October 2019
Publisher (in Australia): Hachette Australia
Format: Paperback (uncorrected proof copy), 450p
Source: I was lucky enough to win this in a giveaway from Hachette on Instagram
Find it on Goodreads 

This gorgeous special edition has been released to celebrate the 15th anniversary of it's release, and includes a dust jacket that can be used as a snowy play scene and press out characters you can use to act out the story (they are so cute!).
There are also some extra features in the back of the book, including a song, a quiz, and some tips for ways to play with the scene and characters. I loved reading a bit from the author and illustrator about how they went about creating the book.


This one has obviously been a total hit here at our place, and I'm looking forward to reading it again many times.

xo Bron

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