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mostlyshanti's review
4.0
The bossy and the costumes-crew bones in my body really appreciated this book (it’s the humerus and the hyoid, respectively, and there might be a know-it all bone in there somewhere too). This book is not the kind you read because you want an exciting and surprising plot; the plot is fairly obvious. However, it was totally worth it for Grace’s character development and the other friendships and relationships in the story.
Grace is bossy. She likes to have her way, and lately somethings have not been going her way. She has family issues, and these cause her to miss her audition and it looks like she might not be in the play (gasp). That isn’t going to happen. She barges her way into being an understudy and wardrobe mistress, though she knows nothing about sewing. Then she waits in the wings for her turn in the spotlight.
Sadly, some things keep getting in her way. In her eagerness to prove that she IS taking costumes duty seriously, she’s finding herself enjoying it. And the stage manager (aah, the stage manager, such a wonderful, underappreciated position), who has Issues of his own is so irritating. But also attractive. …
I don’t think Katy Cannon would win any prizes for subtle character development. However, Grace is a lot more complicated than sweet, secretive Lottie. She has a troubled relationship with her parents and of course has to tell some lies of her own. She is assertive and is—or was—popular, and she likes it that way. But underneath, she’s a genuinely caring person. She’s not perfect, and she knows it, but she also knows that she’s trying to change, and with the help of some observant and kind people in her life—Connor, Yasmin, Lottie, Faith, even Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, she does change. I liked how the conscious changes (I will do a good job with these costumes to prove Connor wrong) evolved with the unconscious changes (it doesn’t matter what other people thing; this is my project, and I shall fix it). There’s also discussion of the ‘drama’, the kind where you intentionally make feeling roil and situations simmer, something that Connor hates but Grace kind of craves. As she tries to distance herself from that, but also understand when it’s necessary and how to fix things—I rooted for her, and I was so happy with the place she ended up in in the story.
The relationships around Grace, and her willingness to put effort into listening and understanding, even (or especially) when it’s hard—I loved how Cannon wrote about those. It’s hard to get relationships right, and being able to put effort into them is what matters. I especially liked the relationship with Faith, the surprise (and surprisingly kind) sister, her mum, Yasmin, and Jasper (oh Jasper, you’re such a darling). And Connor—perfectly annoying but also complicated and kind and serious—was an excellent offset to Grace’s fire.
My other complaint, apart from the predictable plot, is the sewing. Sewing is literally in the title, and I like sewing. In fact, I even took pictures of some of the projects in this books I could try them later. However, Grace doesn’t spend much time actually sewing, or rather, that time is sort of glossed over, which annoyed me because if you really were trying to learn to sew, this book couldn’t help you, and it’s not clear if Grace is hand sewing or using a machine. I get that she’s not an expert, but I wish that the actual act of sewing had been given more focus, as baking was in LLaLP.
Overall, this was enjoyable. Grace is a compelling character, and the relationships around her are well written and fun. Secrets, Schemes, and Sewing Machines is like its’ title: snappy, smooth, and fairly self evident, and that’s a good thing.
Grace is bossy. She likes to have her way, and lately somethings have not been going her way. She has family issues, and these cause her to miss her audition and it looks like she might not be in the play (gasp). That isn’t going to happen. She barges her way into being an understudy and wardrobe mistress, though she knows nothing about sewing. Then she waits in the wings for her turn in the spotlight.
Sadly, some things keep getting in her way. In her eagerness to prove that she IS taking costumes duty seriously, she’s finding herself enjoying it. And the stage manager (aah, the stage manager, such a wonderful, underappreciated position), who has Issues of his own is so irritating. But also attractive. …
I don’t think Katy Cannon would win any prizes for subtle character development. However, Grace is a lot more complicated than sweet, secretive Lottie. She has a troubled relationship with her parents and of course has to tell some lies of her own. She is assertive and is—or was—popular, and she likes it that way. But underneath, she’s a genuinely caring person. She’s not perfect, and she knows it, but she also knows that she’s trying to change, and with the help of some observant and kind people in her life—Connor, Yasmin, Lottie, Faith, even Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, she does change. I liked how the conscious changes (I will do a good job with these costumes to prove Connor wrong) evolved with the unconscious changes (it doesn’t matter what other people thing; this is my project, and I shall fix it). There’s also discussion of the ‘drama’, the kind where you intentionally make feeling roil and situations simmer, something that Connor hates but Grace kind of craves. As she tries to distance herself from that, but also understand when it’s necessary and how to fix things—I rooted for her, and I was so happy with the place she ended up in in the story.
The relationships around Grace, and her willingness to put effort into listening and understanding, even (or especially) when it’s hard—I loved how Cannon wrote about those. It’s hard to get relationships right, and being able to put effort into them is what matters. I especially liked the relationship with Faith, the surprise (and surprisingly kind) sister, her mum, Yasmin, and Jasper (oh Jasper, you’re such a darling). And Connor—perfectly annoying but also complicated and kind and serious—was an excellent offset to Grace’s fire.
My other complaint, apart from the predictable plot, is the sewing. Sewing is literally in the title, and I like sewing. In fact, I even took pictures of some of the projects in this books I could try them later. However, Grace doesn’t spend much time actually sewing, or rather, that time is sort of glossed over, which annoyed me because if you really were trying to learn to sew, this book couldn’t help you, and it’s not clear if Grace is hand sewing or using a machine. I get that she’s not an expert, but I wish that the actual act of sewing had been given more focus, as baking was in LLaLP.
Overall, this was enjoyable. Grace is a compelling character, and the relationships around her are well written and fun. Secrets, Schemes, and Sewing Machines is like its’ title: snappy, smooth, and fairly self evident, and that’s a good thing.
_bookishbella's review
4.0
This review was originally published at Cheezyfeet Books.
Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines is the sequel to Love, Lies and Lemon Pies. When I read Lemon Pies, although I really loved Lottie and Mac's story, I was eager to know more about all their friends in Bake Club. Grace was probably the character that I knew the least about (and liked the least too) so I apprehensive as to how Sewing Machines would sit with me, since it didn't follow on from Lemon Pies but switched to focus on Grace. However, I quickly became engrossed in Grace's story, and I think I might have even enjoyed this second book in the collection even more than the first.
Grace is dealing with some major changes to her home life, and finding it pretty difficult. This leads her to missing her audition for the lead role in her school play, landing her with the 'lowly' role of costumes and props mistress. While at first she plots and schemes her way through to getting the lead role from Violet, her nemesis, she quickly discovers that there's a lot more to life than being the star of the show.
I think my main reason for enjoying Sewing Machines than Lemon Pies is Grace herself. I felt that where Lottie lacked development in the first book, Grace made up for by the bucketful. I loved seeing her grow into her role as costume mistress, and come to realise that actually she was even more important than she ever could have been in the starring role. The fact that she made mistakes (frequently and really quite spectacularly) only made her more endearing and I really enjoyed getting to know her a lot better than she comes across in Lemon Pies (which I guess is exactly the point!).
I also really liked how although Grace's relationship with Connor is a major plot point, I don't feel like it was the main one. Their relationship is adorable and I really liked Connor, but I think the novel is a lot more focused on Grace's development and maturity growth as a character and finding her own feet in the world, which was really inspiring to read. That't not to say that I didn't enjoy the romantic aspects of the novel though... ;)
The plot was really fun and I enjoyed reading about all the production preparation and Drama Club as well as all of the sewing. I had a sewing phase a couple of years ago so it was really fun to read about all the sewing and I definitely think I'm gonna get back into it later this year when exams are over, hopefully using some of the instructions in the novel. Obviously also the spattering of Bake Club meetings and events were a lot of fun to revisit too and I'm looking forward in future books to read more about all of these clubs and characters that Katy Cannon has created. I want to go to this school!
All in all, Katy Cannon has written a marvellous series with these novels. To put it very simply: They're a joy to read, with likeable characters and fun and interesting storylines. I heartily recommend that you read them!
*Huge thanks to Stripes Publishing for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this affected my opinion of the book.
Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines is the sequel to Love, Lies and Lemon Pies. When I read Lemon Pies, although I really loved Lottie and Mac's story, I was eager to know more about all their friends in Bake Club. Grace was probably the character that I knew the least about (and liked the least too) so I apprehensive as to how Sewing Machines would sit with me, since it didn't follow on from Lemon Pies but switched to focus on Grace. However, I quickly became engrossed in Grace's story, and I think I might have even enjoyed this second book in the collection even more than the first.
Grace is dealing with some major changes to her home life, and finding it pretty difficult. This leads her to missing her audition for the lead role in her school play, landing her with the 'lowly' role of costumes and props mistress. While at first she plots and schemes her way through to getting the lead role from Violet, her nemesis, she quickly discovers that there's a lot more to life than being the star of the show.
I think my main reason for enjoying Sewing Machines than Lemon Pies is Grace herself. I felt that where Lottie lacked development in the first book, Grace made up for by the bucketful. I loved seeing her grow into her role as costume mistress, and come to realise that actually she was even more important than she ever could have been in the starring role. The fact that she made mistakes (frequently and really quite spectacularly) only made her more endearing and I really enjoyed getting to know her a lot better than she comes across in Lemon Pies (which I guess is exactly the point!).
I also really liked how although Grace's relationship with Connor is a major plot point, I don't feel like it was the main one. Their relationship is adorable and I really liked Connor, but I think the novel is a lot more focused on Grace's development and maturity growth as a character and finding her own feet in the world, which was really inspiring to read. That't not to say that I didn't enjoy the romantic aspects of the novel though... ;)
The plot was really fun and I enjoyed reading about all the production preparation and Drama Club as well as all of the sewing. I had a sewing phase a couple of years ago so it was really fun to read about all the sewing and I definitely think I'm gonna get back into it later this year when exams are over, hopefully using some of the instructions in the novel. Obviously also the spattering of Bake Club meetings and events were a lot of fun to revisit too and I'm looking forward in future books to read more about all of these clubs and characters that Katy Cannon has created. I want to go to this school!
All in all, Katy Cannon has written a marvellous series with these novels. To put it very simply: They're a joy to read, with likeable characters and fun and interesting storylines. I heartily recommend that you read them!
*Huge thanks to Stripes Publishing for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this affected my opinion of the book.
booksnbookends's review
4.0
I recieved a free copy of the book by the book's publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Before reading this book I had not read the book which preceeded this. Despite this, I enjoyed the book nonetheless.
This was a sweet and enjoyable read which has a romance which was well written. At the start of each chapter in the book, there are sewing patterns which I didn't expect and found quite intriguing! Grace as a protagonist was really enjoyable and her character development throughout the book was great. Using a school production as the backdrop to the romance was always going to be good - though a little cliche.
I enjoyed reading the book but it felt a little cliche and I may have also missed out by not reading the first book so I may not have appreciated it as much as others. I loved the sewing projects and all in all it was an enjoyable read.
Before reading this book I had not read the book which preceeded this. Despite this, I enjoyed the book nonetheless.
This was a sweet and enjoyable read which has a romance which was well written. At the start of each chapter in the book, there are sewing patterns which I didn't expect and found quite intriguing! Grace as a protagonist was really enjoyable and her character development throughout the book was great. Using a school production as the backdrop to the romance was always going to be good - though a little cliche.
I enjoyed reading the book but it felt a little cliche and I may have also missed out by not reading the first book so I may not have appreciated it as much as others. I loved the sewing projects and all in all it was an enjoyable read.
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