The Secret to Happy: How to build resilience, banish self-doubt and live the life you deserve

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Then Amber meet someone an American heartthrob who shows her the glittering sights of an ilustrious career can bring. The only downer that I have of this book is that the front cover, title and bio promise me a wonderfully festive read. However there is only a little bit that is set over the festive period. Which is a little bit of a let down. As I was looking forward to curling up with a delicious Christmas read. But nethertheless this is still a very sweet book The story was very basic but was very interesting and entertaining to read. The premise is that Issy becomes part of 'Can You Cut It?' and the whole book is her time on the show and in the contestants shared apartment. I loved reading all of this as it reminded me so much of Big Brother, a show I absolutely love! There is a lot of references to social media, fashion etc which will most definitely appeal/ relate to the YA readers. It was also very interesting to read about how the behind the scenes of the show worked and how everything was thought and planned beforehand by the crew. I guess that in every reality TV show there are a lot more staged situations than they want us to believe.

From the moment I started reading this book I enjoyed it. Fashion isn’t really my thing, but reading about Amber’s life in London and her friends and adventures really made up for that. I loved getting a look inside Amber’s life. It was fun to read how she got to her ‘dream’ job and I especially loved getting to know Amber’s friends and family. Reading about those characters and the relationships they had with Amber were really the best part of the book if you ask me.Amber Raey has always dreamed of designing her own fashion label. But her boos is a true nightmare. Has Amber working all hours and doing menial tasks like taking her dog for a walk instead of using Amber to her full potential. Amber doesn't mind too much thou as she knows it is the first stepping stone to getting her new job. If there's any woman out there who is feeling like they're going through things on their own, or they're worried that they're not achieving what they should be, or feeling or looking how they should, I want this book to let you know you're not alone."

I love Ambers flat mates and friends Tom and Jess they are exactly the kind of friends a girl needs in her life as they are there for her throughout and they all have lots of fun and happy times together. There are laughs to be had definitely in this light hearted story that will definitely appeal to a certain audience, I just don't fully believe it was me. I did enjoy the book, but not as much as All That Glitters which is a shame.I really wanted to like this book but it just wasn’t for me. It seems I am in the minority according to goodreads however as a lot of people loved it! This follows the story of Amber, who is a Geordie girl living in London and trying to make her living as a fashion designer. Lizzie is the one who is unable to hold down a job or boyfriend and is just floating through life with no real responsibilities. Meanwhile Lizzie -slapdash, fun-loving, loyal, wild, yet insecure- who is without a job, a flat or a boyfriend, feels left out in the cold. Relating the early years of their marriage before her ex-husband’s slide into alcoholism, Pattison’s mum Carroll explained, “We used to go out on a Friday and Saturday night and get drunk, but everybody did.” When does regularly overdoing it turn into a full-blown addiction? The Pattisons offered a generous glimpse into a struggle that spans generations and acres of moral grey.

Throughout the book it is told by the viewpoints of Lizzie and Bex Ashworth who are sisters. I loved the alternate viewpoints and it felt like I really got to know the characters more rather than it just being one sided. There are also the occasional chapters told from the viewpoint of Nicole Balfour, I also felt they added to the story however I wish we learnt more about Nicole. On the whole though, whether Pattison wrote this book single-handedly or employed the services of a ghost-writer, I thought this was a really great read, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her fiction work. Despite the fact this book really does contain a Christmas Kiss, the Christmas bit of the book is very small and right at the end, so I really would't worry about the title and you can easily read this book at any time of the year and enjoy it.Three years ago Issy Jones walked away from her dream because her family needed her. Today, she spends her days working in her mum's salon and her nights going out with her best friend, Molly. Life is good yet Issy can't help wishing for something more . Daniel's family don't approve of the engagement and his sister is actively seeking to split them up. It must be difficult going into marriage knowing that the one set of parents aren't supportive. To start with what I liked, I loved the themes of friendship and family running through this book. Amber the main character has some fierce friendships and her family bond with her mother and sister is lovely. I also liked the references to local places to me and the ending although predictable was warm and fluffy.