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 fourth Cathy Cassidy book I've read, and it's by far the best. I've read one of Cathy' books for younger readers which I liked and found quite entertaining, but the other two books, Angel Cake and Gingersnaps weren't so good. But Cherry Crush has made me a Cathy Cassidy fan!


The. Cover. Is. GORGEOUS! If I saw this in a shop, I would definitely pick it up. It really stands out and I love how if you look closely you see that the chocolates are real! (well, real pictures, not actual chocolates on the page!)


I really liked the characters in this book, especially Cherry's new step sisters. My favourite is Skye, the fun, quirky 12-year-old, twin of Summer. Surprisingly, I quite liked Honey. Even though she was mean and all, I felt sorry for her. Especially at the end, but I can't tell you why, or else that would be a spoiler. Normally, I really don't like the 'mean one' in books, but Honey was an exception. I'm looking forward to the book where she is the protagonist. It'll be - interesting!


As for Cherry herself, she was....OK. She was likeable, but  she wasn't really a 'stand out' character, if you know what I mean. But I loved her brilliant and creative imagination even though it got her in trouble in school sometimes! I thought some of the excuses she came up with were hilarious!


This book gets a 5/5, one of my favourite reads so far in the year. It was written beautifully, with many descriptions, yet it was easy to follow the storyline. I'm really looking forward to Vanilla Skye, coming in - September? - I think, which is narrated by my favourite character Skye. I love how the title's of the books fit the sister's names in, do you? 
Overall, this book was brilliant. Thank you Cathy!


Source: Borrowed
Age Group: 9+
Official Publication Date: 02 September 2010
Publisher: Puffin (Penguin Books)
Author Website: www.cathycassidy.com

Review done as part of the British Books Challenge 2011 hosted by The Bookette