Kelly
Written on Mar 25, 2015
I absolutely love this series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but introduces readers to the lives of the former children's playgroup The Ladybugs, girls who have since drifted apart although their lives still entwine with one another. Love Bomb follows Betty, the quirky teen who has never felt the loss of her mother more than when Toby walks into her life. He's the new kid, described as unnaturally attractive and quite the catch. It's love at first sight for Betty, who isn't sure how to gain Toby's undivided attention, especially not when you have mean girl Pearl sniffing around him. But Toby seems to like Betty enough to choose her over Pearl to become the new lead singer of The Vanilla Chinchillas, drawing on her mother's spirit as lead singer of her own band when she had met her father.
But Toby is confusing, he seems to like her but in the same breath will ignore her. Discovering her late mother's letters in their attic couldn't have come at a more pivotal time in Betty's life, needing the advice that only a mother can offer. Your first boyfriend, first kiss, and first heartbreak. It gives Betty clarity for what to look for in a boyfriend, a boy who allows you to be who you are and loves you unconditionally for it. But is Toby the one?
One of the brilliant aspects of this fluffy teen series is the comedy. I wavered between laughing out loud and smiling to myself like an idiot. It's absolutely joyful. But under the comedy and like it's predecessor, Love Bomb touches on real issues such as losing a parent, friendship, first loves, first kisses and finding your place in the world. An absolutely charming coming of age that you'll fall head over heels in love with. Jenny McLachlan has created yet another heartwarming and kooky contemporary that will become an instant favourite.