Series: Ally's World Christmas Special
Author: Ally's World
Genre: Young-Adult, Middle-Grade, Contemporary
Publication: Scholastic
Pages:173 Pages, Paperback
Source: My Own
Rating: 3/5 Cupcakes!
Well, 'tis the season to be jolly... er, actually, there's a dangerous shortage of jolly-ness this Crimbo - what with bickering sisters and Chloe nicking my Really Good Idea. Still, at least I might get a kiss under the mistletoe this year (yeah, right!).
As you may know, I am completely addicted to and obsessed with this hilarious, fantastic, loveable series. I marathoned the entire Ally's World series is in little over a week, as I was constantly just wanting to be lost in Ally's world. Karen McCombie is a fantastic author and she has created all the characters in such an honest, realistic manner.
Angels, Arguments and a Furry Merry Christmas, is almost like a prequel in the Ally's World series, as Ally recounts the previous Christmas and all the chaotic happenings that happened in the jolly season. It would help though if you've already read a lot of the series, as you'll be able to connect to it more!
This wasn't the most fantastic Ally's World book, but it teaches you how to be grateful, honest and appreciative whilst making the best of the situation. Ally is such a fantastic character and I really admire her! She never whines or moans, even if she doesn't have as much as her other friends...being with her family is enough, even though her mom still hasn't returned from travelling the world.
In Angels, Arguments and a Furry Merry Christmas, the Love household isn't feeling very festive. They have little money as it is, and when one of the dogs trip Rowan up whilst she's holding the Christmas box of decoration, the breakable items don't survive the trip. Then, Ally and all her friends have to think up a theme for the Christmas Fashion Show event being held at the school, as the winning theme gets to model some of the outfits that are being designed and entered into the fashion show. Yet when a blissful moment occurs for Ally & Co, one of her friends dishonestly takes the idea as her own. Then there is the disastrous dates with a boy who likes Ally and who Ally is trying to force herself to like. Ally just wants a peaceful Christmas spent with her family but with things going the way it is, it's not going to be a merry Christmas.
This was a really cute addition to the Ally's World series, emanating festive vibes, it's a perfect read for the Christmas season! I like how this book showed how you don't need the flashiest of decorations or the tallest, fullest of Christmas trees, but if you're just with the ones you love, you can have a fantastic time!
Angels, Arguments and a Furry Merry Christmas, was sweet and entertaining read that will make you feel warm inside, as if you have just had a frothy cup of hot chocolate. With Christmas festivity giving the book a warm, jolly atmosphere, Angels, Arguments and a Furry Merry Christmas displays themes of kindness, selflessness and gratitude. An adorable read!
I give it: 3/5 CUPCAKES!

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*Review below contains spoilers for the whole Ally's World series so only read the review if you've read the series or if you want the series to be spoiled, which would be a very bizarre thing.*
Mini Review - Sunshine, Sunburn and Not-So-Sweet Nothings (Summer Edition) - Karen McCombie
Title: Sunshine, Sunburn and Not-So-Sweet Nothings
Series: Ally's World Summer Edition
Pages: 193 Pages, Paperback
We’re on holiday! Yay! It’s only camping in Cornwall, but me and my family are pretty excited – except there IS one thing bugging me: why isn’t Bily answering my texts? Where’s the big berk go to…?
*Spoilers for the Ally's World series*
I absolutely adored Sunshine,Sunburn and Not-So-Sweet Nothings! It's the fantastically fun summer edition in the Ally's World series.
In Sunshine,Sunburn and Not-So-Sweet Nothings, Ally and her siblings are being whisked away to Cornwall on a camping holiday. Ally is looking forward to it but she knows that Linn's grouchy attitude and lack of enthusiasm towards camping as well as Rowan's abnormal downcast mood, will most likely put a damper on the whole holiday. Despite her sisters' moods hanging over them like a black thunder-cloud, Ally is determined to have fun in the sun! However, Ally struggles to keep the mood light when her and her dad sees how happy Ally's mom is being with the people from her past and they think she might regret ever coming back to them, as well as when the farmer's son wrecks Ally and Billy's relationship. A wonderful holiday is swiftly turning into a disastrous one, but Ally is adamant to have a bright, positive viewpoint on the trip!
This book was so much fun to read! I absolutely love reading any books from Ally's point of view, and I look forward to reading any other books that Karen McCombie will ever write from any point of view from the family members in the Love household.
As you know, I love the Ally's World series and I feel extremely connected to the loveable characters and through reading this book, it was like I was finally able to go on holiday to St Ives with the Love family, and it was so much fun!
It was interesting seeing how they all acted when they were camping, and everyone's reactions to it. Linn freaking out about not having electricity, Ally worrying about Billy not answering his messages and Rowan seeing an opportunity to turn the tent into a dazzling display. They feel like my family, these characters d o and I loved getting to know even more about them and experiencing this with them.
The farmer's children were so completely infuriating. Sol was a complete and utter idiot and I detested what he did to Ally to deepen the gap between her and Billy. I was happy when Lana and Linn bonded, and I started seeing things through Linn's eyes and how she felt about certain things.
Sunshine, Sunburn and Not-So-Sweet Nothings, also had me feeling a hint of nostalgia. A year has gone by since the final book in the Ally's World series. All the characters are a year older and have adjusted to the changes that happened in the last few books in the series. I miss Sandie not being around anymore, but I'm glad that it's deepened the bond between Ally and Kyra and Billy. It was lovely seeing Kyra in the book, as she's really matured a lot since the first book, yet she still can be quite obnoxious but I, like Ally, am used it now.
Sunshine, Sunburn and Not-So-Sweet Nothings, was a fantastic, fun addition to the marvelous Ally's World series! With lots of sunshine, ice cream and endless fun, Sunshine, Sunburn and Not-So-Sweet Nothings is a perfect holiday read!
I give it: 4/5 CUPCAKES!