Suzy's off camping with her family and best mate Millie - yes, you heard right - camping! As if being stuck in a caravan in rainy Wales for two whole weeks weren't bad enough, to make matters worse, Mum's best friend's daughter, super-glam (and super-snooty) Isabella is coming too. When Millie starts spending all her time with Isabella, Suzy is devastated. Can her friendship with Millie survive when three is most definitely a crowd?
Karen Saunders: "Distant Birds began years ago as a short story written for a class. I knew at the time that I had a full story brewing but it took years for me to sit down diligently and get it done. The characters were always intruding into my thoughts, so I had no choice but to finish.
"I'm drawn to writing stories about the randomness of life and the importance of single moments. I once had the idea to write a story about what can happen when someone just misses a bus. I was too slow! The movie Sliding Doors came out and beat me to it, but I knew I had to start getting my ideas on paper."
The YA genre includes quite a lot of books where the main character is left out when his/her best friend befriends someone else and the MC starts feeling left out. Normally that frustrates me but in this book it was ok as Millie still tried to include her in most things and it didn't completely take over the book.
Most things were quite predictable such as what Danny was up to and Millie's secret but I was NOT expecting the event with Amber at the end of the book! I felt it really rounded up the story.
I would recommend it as a funny, quick read for summer.
Suzy P. and trouble with three is about a girl called Suzy with a completely crazy family. Her parents are always entering prize draws because they are not vey well off. Her sister Amber is pregnant with twins and is coming up with all sorts of ridiculous names for them. Her tomboy sister Harry loves Harry Potter and tries to become a wizard with her pet rat, Hagrid. Also Suzy is in a 'foursome' with her best friend Millie, her boyfriend Danny and Millie's boyfriend Jamie. To add to all of this Suzy's mum, Jen has invited her Italian friend, Caro's daughter, Isabella to stay. Suzy's parents win a caravan in one of the prize draws they entered. Because of their financial difficulties they cannot afford a holiday abroad so they decide to go to Wales in their new caravan. They also invite Millie's mum, Clare, and Mille to come. Also Isabella is forced to come. There are many difficulties along the way. Talent shows, visits to hospital, and secrets all come together and form a wonderful story. Once you start reading you can't put it down.
The main character, Suzy encounters many dilemmas. For a start there is a bit of tension between her and the Italian visitor. Her best friend, Millie seems to be hiding something and so does her boyfriend, Danny. Suzy's life is full of secrets and not knowing who people really are. For me, this book seems realistic as I can empathise with Suzy as some of the events in this book have happened to me.
Personally, my favourite character is Suzy because I can empathise with her (as already mentioned in the paragraph above). She is a very down to earth character yet she sometimes feels envious of others. I imagine her to have wild, frizzy brown hair, sparkling blue eyes and a curvy shape. I don't imagine her to wear much make up or be into the latest trends. I think she will just be herself. That is why she is my favourite character.
There was nothing I disliked about the book or that I think should have been written differently. For me this book was perfect as it reflected my personality through the characters. I thought it was light-hearted and fun. You will laugh and cry with all of the characters. This book is one of the best I have read.
Also this book is a sequel to 'Me, Suzy P.' I would definitely read more books by this author as I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
I would highly recommend this book to others as I thought many teenagers could empathise with Suzy, Millie, Isabella and their families. This book has many twists and turns and doesn't give anything away until the very end. You can't put it down. I would recommend this for ages 11-15 girls as it has main characters around that age.
There are a few slightly mature themes for the younger readers than I recommended such as: kissing and boyfriends.
Overall I would give this book 5/5 because it was an extremely enjoyable read and it brings out all of your emotions.
Topical (the recession and 'the wedding' of Suzy's sister sees the Puttock family having to economise). Full of the highs and lows, petty jealousies and embarrassing adults that is teenage life but above all fun, Suzy P And the Trouble With Three is bound to appeal to tweenagers upwards.
A wonderful follow-on from Me, Suzy P. This reads well as a standalone novel though I would highly recommend the reading of the first book as it really is such a fun read, one of my favourites of 2012.
Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper. Disclaimer: Read and reviewed on behalf of Hot Key Book, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
Another funny book in this series. I didn't like Isabella, even with what happened near the end. Millie, bleh, I know she had a lot going on (everyone could see it, but Suzy), but to act like that with Suzy? No.
I will be re-reading this book very soon. LOVED IT SO MUCH! Loved the characters, ending, story and everything about this book! Big thumbs up to Karen Saunders!