REVIEW: Coco Caramel by Cathy Cassidy

Name: Coco Caramel (TCBG #4)

Author: Cathy Cassidy

Publisher: Puffin/Penguin

Date published: 6th June 2013

Pages: 263

Source: For review (from publisher)

Rating: 5 teacups

Coco may be the youngest of the five Tanberry girls, but she can be as tough as her big sister Honey and as determined as either of the twins, Summer and Skye. Coco is always trying to save someone, whether it's the giant panda, a bullied boy or her favourite pony.
If only Lawrie, the moodiest guy in the school, would stop getting in her way, things would be fine. But has Coco bitten off more than she can chew this time?

Beverley's Review

I have a fervent belief that you can never grow too old for a Cathy Cassidy book.  Or maybe I just don't want to.  Either way, I'm sure you'll agree with me once you've read the latest instalment in her Chocolate Box Girls series.

There is something special about the way Cathy weaves in important issues to create a delightfully sweet concoction of adventure, young love, growing up and the unwavering idea that anything is possible.

Coco is the youngest of the Tanberry sisters and one of my favourites.  She's feisty and spirited and has a determination I can only dream of!  She has such passion for doing right by her family and and always at the best intentions at heart.  I especially enjoyed her naivete - it was a fresh reprieve from the pressures of real life.

The plot itself was delightfully spun and really showed off Coco at her best.  It was sweet and daring - everything Coco encompasses really.  There was a little romance swirled in to the mix too, which was very innocent and tentative.  I just love it when the secretive, moody guy reveals a different side: a kinder and softer one.

Overall, Coco Caramel is a wonderful, light read perfect for lazy days in the sun.  It explores the journey of growing up and encourages you to reach for the stars and that nothing is impossible as long as you put your heart to it.

5 Teacups for Coco Caramel!

*Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!*

Happy reading,
Beverley xxx

REVIEW: Marshmallow Skye by Cathy Cassidy

Name: Marshmallow Skye (TCBG #2)

Author: Cathy Cassidy

Publisher: Puffin

Date published: 1st September 2011

Pages: 278

Source: Swapped

Rating: 5 teacups

Click HERE to read my review of Cherry Crush, the first book. WARNING: it's one of my early reviews which means it is very cringe-worthy indeed :P

SKYE TANBERRY is an identical twin, and she loves her sister Summer more than anyone else in the world. They do everything together, but lately Skye's been feeling like second-best - it's the story of her life. And when her friend Alfie confesses he's fallen for Summer, she pretends it doesn't hurt.

Skye wants to be her own person; but with an effortlessly cool twin, how can she? Will Skye ever step out of Summer's shadow and find her own chance to shine?

Another beautifully written instalment to The Chocolate Box Girls series by Cathy Cassidy.  This book revolves around Skye who constantly feels as if she lives in the shadow of her twin, Summer.  She's fed up of being a 'mirror girl' and second-best to her twin.  Why is everyone attracted to her sister more than her?  What makes Summer so special?  Then they find an old, dusty trunk in the attic full of pieces from the past: gorgeous dresses and petticoats, bracelets and accessories, a violin and a powder-blue birdcage.  This is only the beginning of Skye pulling away from her twin and 'finding' herself...

Skye loves all things vintage and she adores wearing the beautiful dresses - to the disapproval of her sister.  It is suspected that the trunk belonged to Clara Travers, a relative of the Tanberrys from the 1920s, who was engaged to a rich, older man but fell in love with a gypsy boy.  The day before her wedding, she swam into the ocean and disappeared without a trace.  But Skye is tired of trying to please Summer and insists on keeping on the old clothes, which leads to vivid dreams where she meets a boy... a ghost boy who she believes is Clara's gypsy lover...

Ok, I know that some boys are unattainable but you can't get more unattainable than a boy who lived about 90 YEARS ago!  I was really intrigued as to how to how the book would turn out and I really loved the supernatural aspect of the book.  The spooky twists definitely set it apart from other CC books and added more suspense and thrill but you won't be scared senseless ;)  The writing style in this seemed a little dreamy and the constant reference to marshmallows had me drooling :D

Aside from the mild spookiness, I loved the storyline where Skye felt more and more distant from Summer.  I think Cathy portrayed the relationship between the twins perfectly and I loved their close-ness and need for each other.  However, people often expect twins to be identical in all aspects and it was a shame to see Skye being overshadowed by Summer, simply because Summer exudes confidence and has the 'shining' personality.

I adored all the characters.  Skye has a thoughtful, mature voice and it was a pleasure to read her story - she's fun and quirky and sees the best in everyone which is what I love most about her.  She sure is a unique individual and I admire her for not conforming to other people's expectations.  I don't want to go into too much detail about Summer since her book is out soon but there were times where I got really frustrated with her 'I'm too good for you' attitude... The supporting characters Millie and Alfie certainly generated a few laughs from me.  Millie is your typical thirteen-year-old girl: experimenting with make-up and trying (too) hard to impress the boys - her eagerness to flirt was pretty hilarious.  Whereas Alfie's determination to win Summer's heart soon became utter stupidity and I couldn't help but chuckle at him when he chose to ignore the fact that Summer was just not interested hehe.  I loved Alfie - his cheekiness and desperation was just too sweet <3

And the ending... the ending was so damn cute!!!  I seriously wasn't expecting that and I'm super happy that Cathy chose to end it like that!  Bring on Summer's Dream! <3

Overall, a sticky-sweet concoction of growing up, believing in yourself and impossible romance!  You should definitely check this out, but remember to keep a bowl of marshmallows nearby when you're reading it!  It would be the perfect read for lazy days on the beach...

5 teacups for Marshmallow Skye!

Beverley xxx

Interview with Cathy Cassidy



Cathy in Paris researching for new younger book, Daizy Star Ooh La La...

I was over the moon when Cathy Cassidy agreed to do an interview for A Reading Daydreamer!  She has written many best-selling books that are popular among girls around the world and I am sure that you have read at least one of her fabulous books.  She founded the My Best Friend Rocks Award (of which I was a finalist in 2008!), giving us a chance to nominate our wonderful best friends and highlighting just how important friendship is.  Let me hand over to Cathy (Queen of Teen 2010), who answers questions about writing, daydreaming and more…

                                                                                                              

Welcome to A Reading Daydreamer.  Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hello, all you daydreamers! I'm Cathy Cassidy and I write books for young teens and pre-teens... and I'm a daydreaming addict!

When did you decide that you wanted to become an author?

I've wanted to be writer since I was very small... it seemed the most logical thing to do with a head full of stories!

What did you work as before you became an author?

Lots of things! I studied to be an illustrator, then worked as a magazine journalist on the legendary Jackie magazine. I've worked as an art teacher, a magazine agony aunt, an illustrator and a freelance journalist, as well as stints as a waitress and petrol pump attendant!

What was your reaction when you found out that Dizzy was going to be published and what challenges did you overcome to see your writing in print?

It felt like the best thing ever, a dream coming true after many, many years. The biggest challenge to getting published was learning to write a book length story - it takes some discipline! I'd trained myself to write short stories but getting a whole novel written was a big challenge to me.

Which of your books was the most fun to write and why?

Probably Dizzy, the first - no deadlines, no worries about whether my publisher or readers would like it, just the excitement of knowing I had finally pushed past chapter two or three and was actually writing a book!

Which character out of all of your books do you think you are most alike?

I've been told that Miss Quinn, the art teacher in Driftwood, is a thinkly disguised version of me...

What gives you inspiration for your books?

Everything - things I see, hear, dream, remember, imagine. Inspiration is all around. Once an idea takes hold, I daydream about it - and if I am lucky a story unfolds.

Summer’s Dream, the third book in The Chocolate Box Girls series, is out in June.  Can you tell us a bit about it?

It picks up the story from the point of view of Summer Tanberry, whose dream is to be a dancer. The story opens with a fantastic new opportunity for Summer, one that soon has her pushing herself to the limits. Can she handle the pressure, or will the dream turn into a nightmare? 

Are you planning to write a book that’s aimed for older teenagers?

Well, Honey will be 15 or 16 in the final Chocolate Box Girls book, Sweet Honey, which should please my older readers! There are no plans to write older teen books however, apart from that - I wouldn't want to write anything that was 'unsuitable' for my current readers to enjoy!

How does it feel to be such a popular author?

It's awesome... my dream was to be a published author, so to be popular as well is the icing on the cake. I get countless emails and letters from readers who have connected with the stories and loved them, and that means the world to me.

And finally, do you like to read and daydream?

I love reading, and if I am especially busy I sometimes set my alarm an hour earlier so I can squeeze in some reading time! Daydreaming is something I just can't help doing. It's how all my stories start, a delicious creative state halfway between imagination and reality.

Quick-fire Questions:

Dogs or cats: Both, but tending towards dogs at the moment...

Coffee or hot chocolate: Again, both, but a skinny latte is my perfect treat.

Mac or PC: Mac. Always. No contest.

Reading or writing: Both... I couldn't have one without the other!

Early bird or night owl: Early bird.

Sam or Shay: Hmmm. So hard to choose! I'd probably pick Sam, but I have a soft spot for all of my boy heroes...

Book or e-book: Book. I don't have an i-pad or kindle yet, although I wouldn't rule it out... but cannot imagine anything taking the place of a fabulous book.

Thank you very much Cathy for taking time to answer all my questions; it has been a pleasure interviewing you!

Please visit Cathy's website: http://www.cathycassidy.com/ or click HERE to like Cathy's Facebook fanpage.

Love, peace and chocolate,

Beverley x

REVIEW: The Chocolate Box Girls: Cherry Crush by Cathy Cassidy

Cherry Costello's life is about to change forever.  She and Dad are moving to Somerset where a new mum and a bunch of brand-new sisters await.  And on Cherry's first day there she meets Shay Fletcher; with suntanned skin and sea-green eyes he's the kind of boy who should carry a government health warning.  But Shay already has a girlfriend, Cherry's new stepsister Honey.  Cherry knows her friendship with Shay is dangerous - it could destroy everything.  But that doesn't mean she's going to stay away from him...

  This is the first book in Cathy Cassidy's series The Chocolate Box Girls and revolves around Cherry, a half-Japanese girl who has longed to fit in all her life.  In order to fit in, she makes up extraordinary things and her vivid imagination lands her in all sorts of trouble.  In Glasgow, she doesn't have any friends and is constantly bullied by Kirsty McRae.  It looks like things could get better for her when she moves to a new home.  Skye, Summer and Coco Tanberry all welcome her and treat her as if she is their sister but Honey develops a sour hatred for her, especially when she catches Cherry with her boyfriend.  The story mainly centres around the 'love triangle' between Cherry, Shay and Honey.

 
Cherry was a very believable character: I felt her happiness and her vulnerability  Everything is described so well and I felt as if I had been thrown in her situation: I could feel her desperation to fit in and the glowing pride she had when she was with Shay.  

I liked all the other characters especially Skye because of her quirky, laid-back personality and also Shay because I could almost visualise how gorgeous he was in my head! 

 
I really enjoyed this book and Cathy Cassidy continues to write superbly with her usual charm.  She uses her typical writing style: simplistic yet full of feeling and emotion.  The plot isn't too complicated but like all Cathy's other books, you learn so much from it. It's a delicious book full of love, friendship, dreams and chocolate!  It definitely deserves 5 stars!