Chocolates and Flowers: Alfie's Story

The Chocolate Box Girls #5.5-1

by Cathy Cassidy

Alfie knew how he felt about Summer Tanberry from the moment he saw her dance.

As Valentine 's Day and Summer's birthday approaches, Alfie is determined to find the perfect present to make her smile again. With the help of an old-friend he hatches what he thinks is the perfect surprise, but Summer's twin sister Skye isn't so sure . . .

Can Alfie make Summer's dream come true without breaking her heart?

The first in a delicious series of eBook shorts from Cathy Cassidy.

Genres: Childrens, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Middle Grade

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2014

About the author

I was born in 1962 in Coventry (scarily ancient, I know). I wrote my first picture book for my little brother when I was eight or nine. I loved making comics, too - pages and pages of picture stories, features and competitions.

I went to Art College in Liverpool, then got a job as fiction editor on the fab and legendary Jackie magazine.

I have worked as agony aunt on Shout magazine and also as an art teacher in the local primary & secondary schools, as well as as a freelance illustrator. These days, I am a full-time author.

I love my family, I love living in the middle of nowhere and I love my work. Of all my jobs, writing has to be the best - it's the perfect excuse to daydream, after all!

Reviews

[lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

at this point im getting to my reading goal within the month 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 alfie such a sweetie

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfie Anderson is the most adorable and sweetest character in the whole series. The admiration he has for Summer is just fantastical and mesmerising. The flashbacks to his younger self are incredibly sweet and cute. He watched Summer dance in a small classroom at Christmas rehearsal and then give her the stage she most desires to perform again. I refuse to believe such a precious person exists in this world. Romance is not materialistic and "slushy" and Alfie's romance is a million times superior. He values his beloved, taking extreme care and consideration in the most tiniest of gestures, not only good communication with Summer but also comprehension of how she is feeling and what she wants and needs.

The way Cassidy describes Summer from Alfie's perspective is incredibly affectionate and admiring.

But, it is saddening that every other character in the series big or small has a passion and dreams except Alfie. In a way, this is perfectly fine because Alfie is still young and realistically not everyone has determined dreams. Alfie is a pure humanitarian helps others chase their dreams with determination and courage and that makes him happy. However, Cassidy talks a lot about the fragility of Summer but Alfie is even more vulnerable than her. For years, Alfie has chased and admired Summer and waited for her affection. His very dependent on her but Summer doesn't realise what Alfie deserves and he can easily be mistreated if she is not careful. Being his girlfriend is not enough because he needs the same affection back and unfortunately Summer has never shown and only shallowly and verbally expresses her gratitude for his love.

Summer "better hang on to" Alfie Anderson.

[Abbie Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story and I like the way Alfie always has an excuse (even if they are rubbish)! I don't think it should of ended thy quickly, especially on the bus. I think you could of waited until they got home to end the story and some sort of drama or problem like...... The parents could of throne a massive party to celebrate her dancing or something xxx

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh dear, this was SO SWEET: ballet meets Valentine's Day, together with the loveliest happy ending, I really liked this one.

[L'Abri des Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the little explanation: it is a special issue to read after Volume 5, like the one on Shay (which I did not read on the other hand). "Chocolates and Flowers and "Hopes and Dreams" are two short stories in 4-5 chapters, the 1st about Alfie and the 2nd on Jodie, so basically around Summer. Of course, my opinion will be this time much shorter than usual, as both are not even 100 pages.

"I’m sure no one has ever danced as well as she has right now. (...) It’s her story that she tells."

"Sometimes the unexpected turns out to be even more wonderful than anything we’ve ever done."

This mini story touched my heart, moved me. It is a cry of hope, to revive a dream, which we still do not know if it can become reality.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CroOUF7Ig9F/

[Bunga ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's just say i cried a little bit when alfie helped summer to achieve her dream, even if it's not as she expected. That was very nice of him planning all of that foe her birthday/valentine's day

[Alexia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really cool. I really recommend

[jasmina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathy Cassidy,thank you for giving us this

[Jess Archibald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book but only if you have read summers dream. So read that first then this.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet.

[Kirstyn-maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute valentines related story.

[Emily Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfie is incredibly sweet and it was nice to see how thoughtful and in awe he is of Summer and how much he wants to help her achieve her dreams.

[Green]

Its really short! A story about the Valentine's day ( Summer's and Skye's birthday ) with Alfie and Finch, trip to the Royal Opera House to watch the ballet performance Romeo and Juliet! Surprising.