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A review by vicki_cosy_books
Cherry Crush by Cathy Cassidy
5.0
Cherry Crush is the most adorable book from the delicious cover (with the yummy pretty chocolate design continuing on the hardback under the jacket) to the super cute story inside. But it's more than just cuteness itself with a touching and heartfelt story covering some very real issues.
What I really loved about Cathy Cassidy's first book in The Chocolate Box Girls series are the fantastic characters of the five girls. This one focuses on Cherry, brought up by her father in the absence of her mother, although the reader is never sure where her mum is until quite near the end. My heart really went out to this sweet and insecure girl as she made up wild fantasies about her mother and each time became the focus of her classmates ridicule. Cassidy captures Cherry's vulnerability perfectly and I think any young girl would be able to identify with her. Honey takes a major role too as the mean girl of the gang, until it becomes apparent that she's also having a rough ride.
The setting is also as delicious and comforting as the handmade chocolates the new family are setting up in business with. Charmingly rural with a warm summer, chocolate festivals, picnics, and smuggler's caves it's the kind of place I loved reading about when I was younger. But beyond the idyllic country setting Cassidy picks up on family issues and insecurities, which will resonate with her audience. And there's just enough romance to satisfy tweens and young teens without taking over the plot.
Cherry's journey is an addictive one and is certain to capture the hearts of many, as is the rest of The Chocolate Box Girl's who each promise a fascinating story. I was very surprised by a darker than expected ending which left me eager to read more. At the back of the book there are recipes for some of the sweet treats mentioned in the book and a fun quiz to find out which girl you're most like, which rounded up the book very well and left me with a huge happy grin (I still love these kinds of quizzes!) I'd highly recommend Cherry Crush for girls age 9 up, and with Christmas just round the corner I can't think of a better book present than this one!
What I really loved about Cathy Cassidy's first book in The Chocolate Box Girls series are the fantastic characters of the five girls. This one focuses on Cherry, brought up by her father in the absence of her mother, although the reader is never sure where her mum is until quite near the end. My heart really went out to this sweet and insecure girl as she made up wild fantasies about her mother and each time became the focus of her classmates ridicule. Cassidy captures Cherry's vulnerability perfectly and I think any young girl would be able to identify with her. Honey takes a major role too as the mean girl of the gang, until it becomes apparent that she's also having a rough ride.
The setting is also as delicious and comforting as the handmade chocolates the new family are setting up in business with. Charmingly rural with a warm summer, chocolate festivals, picnics, and smuggler's caves it's the kind of place I loved reading about when I was younger. But beyond the idyllic country setting Cassidy picks up on family issues and insecurities, which will resonate with her audience. And there's just enough romance to satisfy tweens and young teens without taking over the plot.
Cherry's journey is an addictive one and is certain to capture the hearts of many, as is the rest of The Chocolate Box Girl's who each promise a fascinating story. I was very surprised by a darker than expected ending which left me eager to read more. At the back of the book there are recipes for some of the sweet treats mentioned in the book and a fun quiz to find out which girl you're most like, which rounded up the book very well and left me with a huge happy grin (I still love these kinds of quizzes!) I'd highly recommend Cherry Crush for girls age 9 up, and with Christmas just round the corner I can't think of a better book present than this one!