Book Review: Secrets of the Singer Girls by Kate Thompson

Last Updated: 4 May 2021

AD* | 1942. Sixteen-year-old Poppy Percival turns up at the gates of Trout's clothing factory in Bethnal Green with no idea what her new life might have in store. There to start work as a seamstress and struggling to get to grips with the noise, dirt and devastation of East London, Poppy can't help but miss the quiet countryside of home. But Poppy harbours a dark secret - one that wrenched her away from all she knew and from which she is still suffering...

And Poppy's not the only one with a secret. Each of her new friends at the factory is hiding something painful. Vera Shadwell, the forelady, has had a hard life with scars both visible and concealed; her sister Daisy has romantic notions that could get her in trouble; and Sal Fowler, a hardworking mother who worries about her two evacuated boys for good reason. Bound by ties of friendship, loyalty and family, the devastating events of the war will throw each of their lives into turmoil but also bring these women closer to each other than they could ever have imagined.

Book Review: Captain’s Orders by Kara Keen

Last Updated: 4 May 2021

AD* | "Those eyes bluer than the sky – I don’t know about being on drugs, but surely this kissing is a drug, a narcotic keeping the rest of the world away, out of our minds.”

So I recently got the chance to review Captain’s Orders by Kara Keen as part of the book’s blog tour! Exciting, right? But before I go on, just a warning that this review contains *MILD SPOILERS*

Film Review: Pitch Perfect 2

It’s been three years since Pitch Perfect was released, but now the Bellas are back for another fun-filled pitch-slapping adventure.

The series was heavily influenced by the hit US TV show Glee and loosely adapted from Mickey Rapkin’s book of the same name. Both films follow a group of college girls from the fictional Barden University, the Barden Bellas, on their journey to become a capella champions.

Penguin Platform and Little Black Classics

AD* | Penguin Platform is a new online community for 16 to 19-year-olds that aims to provide a place for young adults to share and discover the stories they love. It will feature insights from top YA titles as well as introducing crossover and adult books.

25 Things You Should Thank Your Girlfriend For

Last Updated: 01 June 2024

I recently read an article titled ‘25 things you should thank your boyfriend for.’ Of course, then my boyfriend challenged me to think of 25 things he should thank me for. Naturally, I decided to take that idea and turn it into a blog post, creating a companion article featuring plenty of everyday but important things to thank your girlfriend for. So, here are my 25 reasons to be thankful for your girlfriend!