A Season of Hopes and Dreams

Publication date 11th September 2017

Amazon UK

About the book

It’s been a difficult year for Cleo Jones. The car accident that crushed her leg didn’t just destroy the village baker’s dreams of becoming a dancer, but crushed her confidence too. And recovering from that has been harder than healing from any number of broken bones…

But this season is going to be different. Life is turning around for Cleo! Maybe it’s the invitation from her childhood bully to their high-school reunion that’s shocked her out of a ten-year slump. Or joining Carb Counters and finally starting to shed the weight she’d piled on during her recovery – or maybe it’s catching the eye of her gorgeous personal trainer!

Whatever the answer, this is going to be a feeling she never forgets… watch out world, Cleo Jones is finally fighting back!

My review

From the very beginning of this book I was singing and dancing away, that catchy song 'Cleopatra coming at ya' was in my head and I couldn't stop singing it throughout the whole book.

I absolutely loved the character of Cleo, I just admired her strength and courage as shes had a really rough time and struggled with her weight since the high school bullies called her 'Chunky Monkey'. Then when she comes face to face with head bully Amanda she just puts on a brave face and doesn't show her that she is bothered by what she says when its hurting her, but I think by the end of the book she realises Amanda is just jealous of her and she stands up to her.

Another thing I found really heart warming was the relationship between Cleo and her personal trainer Scott.  He just falls in love with her for the way she is and hes a really kind and caring guy and definitely one that Cleo deserves. He makes her feel good about herself and become a stronger person.  When Cleo is with Scott she really comes out of her shell.

The whole idea of her having a bucket list and seeing her be able to tick things off her list was great. I think bucket lists are fun and thrilling and something we should all do.

I think this book really helps people become aware of problems like bulimia and body dysmorphia and just how people that suffer from them really feel and what they are going through, it certainly opened my eyes to it.

Overall I thought this is a really easy to read fun book that really is a beautiful story, one that just captures your heart from the very beginning.