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Swirl
Pumpkin Spice Secrets
Just as Maddie picks up her favorite pumpkin spice drink from the coffee shop counter, she spills it all over the cute guy standing behind her! Luckily, her embarrassment evaporates into a crush when she starts chatting with him -- his name is Jacob, and he's just starting in her grade at her middle school.
But before Maddie can tell her best friend Jana about him at lunch the next day, Jana announces her huge new crush -- on the same guy! Maddie doesn't want to cause trouble, so she keeps her feelings hidden. Jana will get over her crush soon, right?
Add major school stress to Maddie's secret, and it's a recipe for disaster. Can she keep her cool and work things out with both Jacob and Jana before it all turns into a total mess?
But before Maddie can tell her best friend Jana about him at lunch the next day, Jana announces her huge new crush -- on the same guy! Maddie doesn't want to cause trouble, so she keeps her feelings hidden. Jana will get over her crush soon, right?
Add major school stress to Maddie's secret, and it's a recipe for disaster. Can she keep her cool and work things out with both Jacob and Jana before it all turns into a total mess?
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2017
30 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Hillary Homzie
15 books96 followersHillary H. B. Homzie's background as a writer and performer of sketch comedy informs her first novel for tweens. Her Aladdin chapter book series Alien Clones from Outer Space has been adapted as an animated TV series in Australia and may be shown in the US in the future. She lives in Napa, California with her family.
See also H.B. Homzie
See also H.B. Homzie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 22, 2017
A book with a name that includes a type of muffin and frappé, both of which feature in the book? Sold!
This is one of those cliché tween first crush books that follows the usual script:
* Shy girl meets first crush / dreamy boy of her dreams.
* Shy girl plans on gushing about dreamy to her outgoing friend.
* Outgoing friend gets in first and tells shy girl about dreamy new crush.
* Turns out dreamy 1 and dreamy 2 are actually the same boy. What’s a shy girl to do?!
* Shy girl pretends not to be crushing on dreamy while internally cringing every time outgoing girl openly crushes.
* Dreamy starts spending more time with shy girl and develops his own crush. Aargh! Panic stations!
* Outgoing girl finds out she’s not the only girl in the world and some boys will actually like someone other than her. Oh, no! The sky’s falling!
* Friend break up scene ...
* Drama, drama, drama.
* Friends make up. Aww!
* Shy girl and dreamy are free to live happily ever after - until one of them develops a new crush.
The moral of the story: If you can communicate openly and honestly you will never secure a leading role in a romance novel.
Snarky, anti-romance, I’m going to die alone surrounded by my cats sarcasm aside? This was actually quite a sweet story. Sure, I wanted to strangle shy girl and outgoing girl, and tell them to wake up to themselves and actually talk, but I accidentally enjoyed reading this one.
I loved that dreamy wasn’t a pretentious pretty boy. I liked that shy girl had an older sister who came through with some sisterly love and had a surprisingly rebellious attitude beneath her studious exterior. There’s a café in this book so major props for that. The school sounded like one I’d like to attend. I loved the birthday locker idea. The girls play soccer.
My favourite thing about this book is that the tweens actually acted their age, and even a tad younger sometimes. It bugs me when the 12 year olds are really 20 year old characters in disguise. The tweens in this book spoke and acted like kids. They didn’t sound like walking thesauruses. They got cranky and grounded. They planned sleepovers. There weren’t any drugs or tween sex or even any swearing that I can remember. It was just a really sweet book.
And did I mention the pumpkin spice muffins and pumpkin spice frappés with whipped cream, caramel swirls and sprinkles?? Yum! 😋 I definitely need to find more books with food items included in the title.
Favourite sentence: “Mom doesn’t get angry very often, but when she does, she spews like a shaken-up soda can.”
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley, Sky Pony Press and Xpresso Book Tours for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback.
This is one of those cliché tween first crush books that follows the usual script:
* Shy girl meets first crush / dreamy boy of her dreams.
* Shy girl plans on gushing about dreamy to her outgoing friend.
* Outgoing friend gets in first and tells shy girl about dreamy new crush.
* Turns out dreamy 1 and dreamy 2 are actually the same boy. What’s a shy girl to do?!
* Shy girl pretends not to be crushing on dreamy while internally cringing every time outgoing girl openly crushes.
* Dreamy starts spending more time with shy girl and develops his own crush. Aargh! Panic stations!
* Outgoing girl finds out she’s not the only girl in the world and some boys will actually like someone other than her. Oh, no! The sky’s falling!
* Friend break up scene ...
* Drama, drama, drama.
* Friends make up. Aww!
* Shy girl and dreamy are free to live happily ever after - until one of them develops a new crush.
The moral of the story: If you can communicate openly and honestly you will never secure a leading role in a romance novel.
Snarky, anti-romance, I’m going to die alone surrounded by my cats sarcasm aside? This was actually quite a sweet story. Sure, I wanted to strangle shy girl and outgoing girl, and tell them to wake up to themselves and actually talk, but I accidentally enjoyed reading this one.
I loved that dreamy wasn’t a pretentious pretty boy. I liked that shy girl had an older sister who came through with some sisterly love and had a surprisingly rebellious attitude beneath her studious exterior. There’s a café in this book so major props for that. The school sounded like one I’d like to attend. I loved the birthday locker idea. The girls play soccer.
My favourite thing about this book is that the tweens actually acted their age, and even a tad younger sometimes. It bugs me when the 12 year olds are really 20 year old characters in disguise. The tweens in this book spoke and acted like kids. They didn’t sound like walking thesauruses. They got cranky and grounded. They planned sleepovers. There weren’t any drugs or tween sex or even any swearing that I can remember. It was just a really sweet book.
And did I mention the pumpkin spice muffins and pumpkin spice frappés with whipped cream, caramel swirls and sprinkles?? Yum! 😋 I definitely need to find more books with food items included in the title.
Favourite sentence: “Mom doesn’t get angry very often, but when she does, she spews like a shaken-up soda can.”
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley, Sky Pony Press and Xpresso Book Tours for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback.
December 12, 2017
Check out this, other reviews, and more fun bookish things on my young adult book blog, Here's to Happy Endings!
I was having a really hard time getting into a book - I was actually in the middle of four or five books when I picked up Pumpkin Spice Secrets. I wasn't sure why this one would be any different in getting me out of reading slump, but with the cover and the synopsis, this book just sounded incredibly cozy and exactly what I needed.
So Sky Pony Press has come out with this new line of middle grade novels in a series called "Swirl Novels," with each one featuring a pretty picture of a yummy drink on the cover and a sweet story inside, each focusing on crushes and friendships. This sounds like such an awesome idea, and while the covers are so much fun - bright colors, fun titles - what we're really after is the content, right? You don't want an overly cheesy middle grade book that is just completely full of fluff and nothing else. That's where these perfect middle grade novels come in. Sure, they're light, fun, and a bit on the fluffy side, but they also have deep lessons buried inside. In the case of Pumpkin Spice Secrets, it's that friendship is the most important thing you can have when you're entering middle school, so it's important to try and protect it above all else.
One random morning before seventh grade begins, Maddie and her older sister go to a small coffee shop in town, where her sister says she wants to talk to Maddie about what things are going to go on during the school year - with her classes, friends, etc. However, what happens when they get there couldn't be anything like what Maddie had anticipated. When she orders her iced coffee (pumpkin spice!), she accidentally turns around and spills the coffee on a cute boy - Jacob. Of course Jacob is sweet about it, and Maddie finds out that he is going to be going to the same school now, and she instantly develops a crush on him.
However, before she can tell her friends, including her best friend, Jana, Jana informs them that Jacob is her new crush, and she thinks he's super cute and awesome. Since she doesn't want to break their BFF code, which states that they won't crush on each other's crushes, Maddie keeps the secret to herself.
When seventh grade starts and Maddie finds herself having a harder and harder time keeping the secret to herself, she isn't sure what she should do - should she tell Jana and hope for the best, or secretly pray that Jana's interest in Jacob goes away as quickly as it does with all the other boys she's crushed on in the past?
It doesn't help that she and Jacob end up paired up for a big debate project - and that Jana has been talking to Fiona, her ex-best friend. How much longer can Maddie hide the fact that she has been texting and crushing on Jacob so that she doesn't ruin her relationship with her best friend?
This book was incredibly charming. The characters, the plot, the friendships - they were all great and brought the story together. I can see a lot of middle graders falling in love with Maddie and Jacob, and the friendship that Maddie and Jana share. That was my favorite aspect of the book - the amazing and sweet friendship that the two of them had that reminded me of my own time in seventh grade. The bond that was between Maddie and Jana is such an amazing one, and this book reminds everyone that friendship should be the most important thing, even if a cute boy comes along.
I also love how important family was in this book - Maddie and her older sister were really close and spent a lot of time together. I love seeing that in books, particularly middle grade books. I've read a lot of middle grade novels that don't put emphasis on family at all (or simply come up with depressing backstories about the main character's family), so I love that this one was pretty much happy. It was a really fun, cheerful novel.
I really can't wait to check out the other books in the Swirl series, because I have the feeling they're going to be equally as fun and uplifting as Pumpkin Spice Secrets.
Pumpkin Spice Secrets is a fun middle grade crush story that has so much emphasis on friendship that it instantly became one of those books that gave you the warm and cozy feelings inside. It's one of those books that are perfect for a nice chilly fall day or a great book to read during a winter snowstorm. Any way you look at it, Pumpkin Spice Secrets is the kind of book that will fill you with smiles and warmth, especially if you pair it with your own pumpkin spice flavored coffee drink!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review - Thank you!
I was having a really hard time getting into a book - I was actually in the middle of four or five books when I picked up Pumpkin Spice Secrets. I wasn't sure why this one would be any different in getting me out of reading slump, but with the cover and the synopsis, this book just sounded incredibly cozy and exactly what I needed.
So Sky Pony Press has come out with this new line of middle grade novels in a series called "Swirl Novels," with each one featuring a pretty picture of a yummy drink on the cover and a sweet story inside, each focusing on crushes and friendships. This sounds like such an awesome idea, and while the covers are so much fun - bright colors, fun titles - what we're really after is the content, right? You don't want an overly cheesy middle grade book that is just completely full of fluff and nothing else. That's where these perfect middle grade novels come in. Sure, they're light, fun, and a bit on the fluffy side, but they also have deep lessons buried inside. In the case of Pumpkin Spice Secrets, it's that friendship is the most important thing you can have when you're entering middle school, so it's important to try and protect it above all else.
One random morning before seventh grade begins, Maddie and her older sister go to a small coffee shop in town, where her sister says she wants to talk to Maddie about what things are going to go on during the school year - with her classes, friends, etc. However, what happens when they get there couldn't be anything like what Maddie had anticipated. When she orders her iced coffee (pumpkin spice!), she accidentally turns around and spills the coffee on a cute boy - Jacob. Of course Jacob is sweet about it, and Maddie finds out that he is going to be going to the same school now, and she instantly develops a crush on him.
However, before she can tell her friends, including her best friend, Jana, Jana informs them that Jacob is her new crush, and she thinks he's super cute and awesome. Since she doesn't want to break their BFF code, which states that they won't crush on each other's crushes, Maddie keeps the secret to herself.
When seventh grade starts and Maddie finds herself having a harder and harder time keeping the secret to herself, she isn't sure what she should do - should she tell Jana and hope for the best, or secretly pray that Jana's interest in Jacob goes away as quickly as it does with all the other boys she's crushed on in the past?
"I can't become that girl. I can't become a Betrayer and an ex-best friend. A lump grows in my throat. If I don't say anything at all about Jacob, I prevent the possibility of being a traitor. I know what happens when you go against Jana. Like Fiona, I'd get totally cut off."
It doesn't help that she and Jacob end up paired up for a big debate project - and that Jana has been talking to Fiona, her ex-best friend. How much longer can Maddie hide the fact that she has been texting and crushing on Jacob so that she doesn't ruin her relationship with her best friend?
This book was incredibly charming. The characters, the plot, the friendships - they were all great and brought the story together. I can see a lot of middle graders falling in love with Maddie and Jacob, and the friendship that Maddie and Jana share. That was my favorite aspect of the book - the amazing and sweet friendship that the two of them had that reminded me of my own time in seventh grade. The bond that was between Maddie and Jana is such an amazing one, and this book reminds everyone that friendship should be the most important thing, even if a cute boy comes along.
I also love how important family was in this book - Maddie and her older sister were really close and spent a lot of time together. I love seeing that in books, particularly middle grade books. I've read a lot of middle grade novels that don't put emphasis on family at all (or simply come up with depressing backstories about the main character's family), so I love that this one was pretty much happy. It was a really fun, cheerful novel.
I really can't wait to check out the other books in the Swirl series, because I have the feeling they're going to be equally as fun and uplifting as Pumpkin Spice Secrets.
Pumpkin Spice Secrets is a fun middle grade crush story that has so much emphasis on friendship that it instantly became one of those books that gave you the warm and cozy feelings inside. It's one of those books that are perfect for a nice chilly fall day or a great book to read during a winter snowstorm. Any way you look at it, Pumpkin Spice Secrets is the kind of book that will fill you with smiles and warmth, especially if you pair it with your own pumpkin spice flavored coffee drink!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review - Thank you!
January 18, 2022
I'm not really the target audience for this book, like at all. But nonetheless I shall give my opinion (don't you love the Internet?). I'm not only not in the target audience because of my age but also because of the subject. I have never heard of a best friends code or girl code in real life. I find it difficult to believe they exist and think they're just something writers made up to produce conflict in books and movies. If you were part of a girl code thing, then good for you but I just think the whole concept is kind of silly.
I'm also a bit tired of reading about girl friend groups in YA books, but that's just a personal thing. Where are the books for those of us who had no friends in middle/high school? LOL. Just kidding. Anyway, I didn't really care about any of these characters and I especially did not like Jana. From the beginning I did not like her, and I especially did not like her by the end.
The highlight of the book was Overall the plot was very very predictable but I don't mind that. Usually with books like that the writing and character development makes up for predictability but there was truly nothing special in this book.
Some random things:
I found it strange that when Jacob gave Maddie a song to listen to, the song was named but when Maddie and Jana together listened to "their favorite music group" it was just that-- their favorite music group, with no name. I mean, honestly, just throw in any name, what does it matter? I guess this is kind of a self-insert book in some ways (no judgement, I don't mind that) which may be why the favorite group was not named, but I found it weird that Jacob's music had a name but the girls' music didn't. Also what was with the fake social media names? Are those copyrighted or something?
Ms. Yoon is introduced as this young teacher fresh out of college but I honestly do not think a younger teacher would
I find it funny that Maddie thinks her parents are strict yet they let her go to the mall alone and don't really hound her on doing her homework
I'm also a bit tired of reading about girl friend groups in YA books, but that's just a personal thing. Where are the books for those of us who had no friends in middle/high school? LOL. Just kidding. Anyway, I didn't really care about any of these characters and I especially did not like Jana. From the beginning I did not like her, and I especially did not like her by the end.
The highlight of the book was Overall the plot was very very predictable but I don't mind that. Usually with books like that the writing and character development makes up for predictability but there was truly nothing special in this book.
Some random things:
I found it strange that when Jacob gave Maddie a song to listen to, the song was named but when Maddie and Jana together listened to "their favorite music group" it was just that-- their favorite music group, with no name. I mean, honestly, just throw in any name, what does it matter? I guess this is kind of a self-insert book in some ways (no judgement, I don't mind that) which may be why the favorite group was not named, but I found it weird that Jacob's music had a name but the girls' music didn't. Also what was with the fake social media names? Are those copyrighted or something?
Ms. Yoon is introduced as this young teacher fresh out of college but I honestly do not think a younger teacher would
I find it funny that Maddie thinks her parents are strict yet they let her go to the mall alone and don't really hound her on doing her homework
October 13, 2021
I picked up this book because the cover was giving me some serious fall vibes, but it’s not fall-themed at all, other than the main character ordering a pumpkin spice frappe at the beginning of the story. This was still really cute though, and I liked the friendship between the girls.
November 19, 2017
Such a sweet story of friendship, romance and developing confidence in oneself. Middle graders are sure to love it.
December 15, 2017
This book was so much more than I expected. I don't know if it was the cover, the title, or the book's description, but I had in my mind that this was going to be a soap opera type book with lots of drama. It wasn't. It was a very realistic book about friendships, family, and crushes. It also showed the problems that can arise from keeping secrets.
The author is fantastic at looking at the world through a middle schooler's eyes. She was right on with this all around- in dialogue, behaviors, dress, relationships, and the way kids think, act, and react. The characters she created were likeable and believable. I think most middle school girls could relate to the protagonist in one way or another. I liked the way the author had Maddie learn and grow in this book.
It was a fun, light book, yet had real life problems and lessons in it including that there are always consequences for actions. There were parents with high expectations, forgetting homework, not studying enough, balancing activities and school, keeping secrets, losing friends, making friends, crushes, all different types of teachers and extracurricular activities- the world of an 11-14 year old. The book held my interest until the end. I really was routing for everything to work out for Maddie.
If you're wondering, I would say this is rated G in the romance department- not even a kiss. I would recommend this for girls 10-13. I think it would be hard for a 8 or 9 year old to relate to the older characters.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The author is fantastic at looking at the world through a middle schooler's eyes. She was right on with this all around- in dialogue, behaviors, dress, relationships, and the way kids think, act, and react. The characters she created were likeable and believable. I think most middle school girls could relate to the protagonist in one way or another. I liked the way the author had Maddie learn and grow in this book.
It was a fun, light book, yet had real life problems and lessons in it including that there are always consequences for actions. There were parents with high expectations, forgetting homework, not studying enough, balancing activities and school, keeping secrets, losing friends, making friends, crushes, all different types of teachers and extracurricular activities- the world of an 11-14 year old. The book held my interest until the end. I really was routing for everything to work out for Maddie.
If you're wondering, I would say this is rated G in the romance department- not even a kiss. I would recommend this for girls 10-13. I think it would be hard for a 8 or 9 year old to relate to the older characters.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2017
I received this as an ARC from the publisher at ALA Annual.
Three or even four stars for its intended audience, two stars for this jaded adult reader, although the story picks up towards the end. Our heroine and her best friends have a BFF code of sorts, so when Jada announces her crush on Jason, he's officially off-limits to the rest...but Maddie met him first and has some chemistry with him..so...tension! The characters are tragically popular kids with overachieving and overscheduling and large-amounts-of-pocket-money and Service Projects and rich parents stamped all over them, a sort of Sweet Valley High setting without the archetypes. Tweens will adore the love-story-friend-story-lite, even if they have to groan through the somewhat endless instruction in debate that sounds direct from the classroom. The interactions between the characters, including Maddie, her friends, her sister Elvie, and her parents are pretty well done, I just found myself wanting to kick the characters for their first-world problems, or maybe because I could swear I went to junior high with people whose lives had as little complexity as these kids'. The series looks to have all sweet coffee drink themed titles and perhaps we will run into the characters from one volume to the next, but it's not a romance-per-friend-in-the-group series as far as you can tell from the promo for Peppermint Cocoa Crushes at the end of PSS.
Three or even four stars for its intended audience, two stars for this jaded adult reader, although the story picks up towards the end. Our heroine and her best friends have a BFF code of sorts, so when Jada announces her crush on Jason, he's officially off-limits to the rest...but Maddie met him first and has some chemistry with him..so...tension! The characters are tragically popular kids with overachieving and overscheduling and large-amounts-of-pocket-money and Service Projects and rich parents stamped all over them, a sort of Sweet Valley High setting without the archetypes. Tweens will adore the love-story-friend-story-lite, even if they have to groan through the somewhat endless instruction in debate that sounds direct from the classroom. The interactions between the characters, including Maddie, her friends, her sister Elvie, and her parents are pretty well done, I just found myself wanting to kick the characters for their first-world problems, or maybe because I could swear I went to junior high with people whose lives had as little complexity as these kids'. The series looks to have all sweet coffee drink themed titles and perhaps we will run into the characters from one volume to the next, but it's not a romance-per-friend-in-the-group series as far as you can tell from the promo for Peppermint Cocoa Crushes at the end of PSS.
July 24, 2023
This book was the first romance I ever read. It will always hold a special place in my heart. ❤️
November 3, 2017
Sweet to the last drop! This fun novel is the perfect fall treat for any middle school girl. Light and fun with a dash of drama, this novel brought me right back to middle school all while making me laugh (and cringe!) out loud. In the story, protagonist Maddie has a new crush on Jacob, the cute new seventh grader she meets at the end of summer break. Yet before she can tell her BFF Jana about it on the first day of school, Jana announces she has a crush on him too, leaving Maddie torn between supporting her best friend and her feelings for Jacob. Throw in a few bad grades at school and enough pumpkin lattes to have you craving a Starbucks trip, and you have the perfect recipe for a good read. Homzie's characters are realistic and likeable - I found myself cheering Maddie on throughout the story - and the plot is something almost all tween girls will relate to. Highly recommend!
April 13, 2018
This super cute tween novel opens with two of my favorite things: pumpkins and coffee shops! I knew I had to read it! And I wasn't disappointed. 12-yr old Maddie spills her pumpkin spice frappe all over a cute boy in the coffee shop and her heart goes a fluttering. There's plenty of friendship dramas and swoony crush moments throughout the book plus a does of sisterly love and advice. I passed it on to my two daughters (11 and 13) to read and they also give it two thumbs up. It makes a perfect fall (or any time!) read.
October 25, 2017
Tweens will pick up this book for the "meet cute" story (which is very sweet), but this book is really about friendship and the way secrets, even those kept with the best intentions, can threaten to ruin them.
July 28, 2018
I had so much nostalgia when reading this, the author totally nailed what it's like to be in middle school! A cute, and fun read!
October 15, 2018
Genre: Fiction - Contemporary
Age Range: Upper Elem/MG
Six word Summary: Middle School Drama, crushes, and frappes.
Ratings:
Plot: 2
Pacing: 2
Characters: 3
Writing: 2
Enjoyment: 3
Overall: 2
#pumpkinspice #middleschooldrama #girlcode #debate
Age Range: Upper Elem/MG
Six word Summary: Middle School Drama, crushes, and frappes.
Ratings:
Plot: 2
Pacing: 2
Characters: 3
Writing: 2
Enjoyment: 3
Overall: 2
#pumpkinspice #middleschooldrama #girlcode #debate
November 19, 2017
My name is Maddie, and my seventh grade year has become very complicated. I bumped (literally) into the cutest boy a few days before the year started and instantly had a crush on Jacob. However, before I could tell my best friend Jana, she announced she had a crush on him. Now, we all know the BFF Code, right? You can't steal your BFF's boyfriend, so I couldn't tell anybody how I felt. I had hoped Jana would quickly lose interest, like always, but she didn't. I think I could have handled the problem, except Jacob and I were paired together for a Social Studies debate and had to work closely for two weeks. We got along great, and I knew he liked me. I've lied to Jana to save her feelings, but I'm afraid of what will happen when she finds out. Can you help me? What should I do?
This book is definitely for middle grade girls. It addresses many common problems they face at this age, and first crushes is the main focus of the plot. All middle grade students experience these feelings. In addition, Maddie's parents have high academic expectations, her sister is a high-achiever with a secret of her own, and Maddie has a fear of public speaking. My feelings? Well, I'm a grown man reading about the problems of a seventh grade girl, so I had some trouble connecting to her character. The plot was easy to follow, and the author told it from Maddie's point of view. This was obviously a great choice, since Maddie's feelings were the most important part of the plot. I understood Maddie's reluctance to hurt her friend's feelings, but things would have been so much easier if she was honest in the first place. A lesson learned for all! Overall, middle grade girls should enjoy this book and might get some hints on how to survive their early teenage years.
This book is definitely for middle grade girls. It addresses many common problems they face at this age, and first crushes is the main focus of the plot. All middle grade students experience these feelings. In addition, Maddie's parents have high academic expectations, her sister is a high-achiever with a secret of her own, and Maddie has a fear of public speaking. My feelings? Well, I'm a grown man reading about the problems of a seventh grade girl, so I had some trouble connecting to her character. The plot was easy to follow, and the author told it from Maddie's point of view. This was obviously a great choice, since Maddie's feelings were the most important part of the plot. I understood Maddie's reluctance to hurt her friend's feelings, but things would have been so much easier if she was honest in the first place. A lesson learned for all! Overall, middle grade girls should enjoy this book and might get some hints on how to survive their early teenage years.
November 27, 2018
“Pumpkin Spice Secrets” by Hillary Homzie is a really exciting book. My favorite part of the book is when Maddie and her friend likes the same guy so it’s exciting, what’s going to happen next between them to. If you love books about romance and relationships I would recommend this book to you.
June 11, 2018
Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I just adore the books in A Swirl Novel series. This is my fourth one to read and review and I’m happy that it won’t be my last. Looks like two more are scheduled to be released at a later time. These are always a quick read for me, but I love the sweet stories and characters.
This book centers around Maddie and her very first crush on a boy named Jacob, an incredibly cute new student who has just joined her middle grade school. Maddie literally runs into Jacob at the local coffee shop and accidentally spills her favorite Pumpkin Spice Frappe all over his clothes. Thankfully Jacob isn’t angry and the two actually hit it off right away. The problem begins on the first day of school when Maddie’s best friend announces that Jacob is her new crush. Stunned and heartbroken, Maddie can’t admit that she had feelings for the sweet soccer player first. She can’t break the BFF code - no liking the same guy - and she doesn’t want to risk jeopardizing her great friendship. So, Maddie hides her secret feelings for Jacob and tries her best to stop falling for best friend’s crush.
First off, the characters in this book are too cute. The girls are super giddy and their interactions feel incredibly real. They share inside jokes, support one another and come across as having a true friendship. Maddie was a great lead and the turmoil she went through over her mixed feelings will come across very relatable. I know I had a similar experience in high school!! It’s tough for good friends not to fall for the same guy. I also enjoyed watching Maddie overcome her fear of public speaking - another similarity I could relate with. There’s a side story where Maddie is forced to do a debate in one of her classes. Bet you can guess who her partner ends up being!!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was cute, it was sweet and it included some great lessons - always be honest with your friends and family. Also, it’s great to have fun in school and there’s sure to be plenty of distractions, but never let that affect your grades. I would recommend all the books in this series in a heartbeat.
I just adore the books in A Swirl Novel series. This is my fourth one to read and review and I’m happy that it won’t be my last. Looks like two more are scheduled to be released at a later time. These are always a quick read for me, but I love the sweet stories and characters.
This book centers around Maddie and her very first crush on a boy named Jacob, an incredibly cute new student who has just joined her middle grade school. Maddie literally runs into Jacob at the local coffee shop and accidentally spills her favorite Pumpkin Spice Frappe all over his clothes. Thankfully Jacob isn’t angry and the two actually hit it off right away. The problem begins on the first day of school when Maddie’s best friend announces that Jacob is her new crush. Stunned and heartbroken, Maddie can’t admit that she had feelings for the sweet soccer player first. She can’t break the BFF code - no liking the same guy - and she doesn’t want to risk jeopardizing her great friendship. So, Maddie hides her secret feelings for Jacob and tries her best to stop falling for best friend’s crush.
First off, the characters in this book are too cute. The girls are super giddy and their interactions feel incredibly real. They share inside jokes, support one another and come across as having a true friendship. Maddie was a great lead and the turmoil she went through over her mixed feelings will come across very relatable. I know I had a similar experience in high school!! It’s tough for good friends not to fall for the same guy. I also enjoyed watching Maddie overcome her fear of public speaking - another similarity I could relate with. There’s a side story where Maddie is forced to do a debate in one of her classes. Bet you can guess who her partner ends up being!!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was cute, it was sweet and it included some great lessons - always be honest with your friends and family. Also, it’s great to have fun in school and there’s sure to be plenty of distractions, but never let that affect your grades. I would recommend all the books in this series in a heartbeat.
Want to read
September 5, 2017My 10-year-old daughter read this book in one day, giving it 5 out of 5 stars because it was funny. Normally, she's into graphic novels, manga, action, and unconventional girl leads so this was quite a departure for her. It really says something that she liked it.
February 16, 2021
Such a good middle school storyline. The characters and the issues they faced as best friends, as 7th grade girls with crushes and self confidence was spot on and so relatable. I really enjoyed the book!
March 25, 2021
Pumpkin Spice Secrets is such a great book. It's cute, funny, and sweet! I love how funny the situation was, and it teaches you not to keep secrets from your friends. I just couldn't put it down!
January 11, 2018
3.75 but rounded to 4 Stars!
Pumpkin Spice Secrets by Hillary Homzie is a deliciously fun middle grade story about first crushes, friendship and self-discovery.
At first, I had a difficult time getting into this book. I would read a few chapters and take days/weeks of break before I pick it up again. (I started reading October of last year and finished Jan 9) It wasn’t terrible or anything. Actually, the story was paced well, easy to read and charming in its own way. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for a middle grade book or something. But when I finished this a few days ago… I surprisingly had a change of heart and ended up really liking it. It’s light, fun, and incredibly cute. If I had been a tween reading this book, there’s no doubt in my mind that I would fall head over heels in love.
The characters were great and delightful. I really liked Maddie and thought she was just the kindest and sweetest girl. Tween me definitely could relate to her public speaking anxiety and boy dilemma. The friendships between the girls and the boys too were absolutely heartwarming. Maddie and Jana’s bond was amazing and that scene between them in the end just made my heart melt. The characters were just all so adorable and fun. And Maddie and Jacob – definitely shippable! I can just picture them together in their late teens being all lovey dovey and that would certainly make me swoon!
While I initially had a difficult time getting into this book, I definitely think it’s an amazing and cheerful read with many sweet moments that will make you smile and your heart happy. Pumpkin Spice Secrets is a fun, lighthearted, and lovely story with a sprinkle of tween drama – a sure hit for middle grade readers (and even adults) looking for something adorable and entertaining.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
To read more of my reviews visit Sincerely Karen Jo
Pumpkin Spice Secrets by Hillary Homzie is a deliciously fun middle grade story about first crushes, friendship and self-discovery.
At first, I had a difficult time getting into this book. I would read a few chapters and take days/weeks of break before I pick it up again. (I started reading October of last year and finished Jan 9) It wasn’t terrible or anything. Actually, the story was paced well, easy to read and charming in its own way. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for a middle grade book or something. But when I finished this a few days ago… I surprisingly had a change of heart and ended up really liking it. It’s light, fun, and incredibly cute. If I had been a tween reading this book, there’s no doubt in my mind that I would fall head over heels in love.
The characters were great and delightful. I really liked Maddie and thought she was just the kindest and sweetest girl. Tween me definitely could relate to her public speaking anxiety and boy dilemma. The friendships between the girls and the boys too were absolutely heartwarming. Maddie and Jana’s bond was amazing and that scene between them in the end just made my heart melt. The characters were just all so adorable and fun. And Maddie and Jacob – definitely shippable! I can just picture them together in their late teens being all lovey dovey and that would certainly make me swoon!
While I initially had a difficult time getting into this book, I definitely think it’s an amazing and cheerful read with many sweet moments that will make you smile and your heart happy. Pumpkin Spice Secrets is a fun, lighthearted, and lovely story with a sprinkle of tween drama – a sure hit for middle grade readers (and even adults) looking for something adorable and entertaining.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
To read more of my reviews visit Sincerely Karen Jo
March 11, 2018
What a sweet book!!! Pumpkin Spice Secrets by Hillary Homzie is the perfect tween crush novel. It’s light, happy, has just enough tension without melodrama, and a satisfying conclusion. It’s the story off BFFs Maddie and Jana who both crush on the same boy! Except to protect the code of friendship, Maddie keeps her crush secret, even tries to fall out of crush. Of course this doesn’t work, and so we have Pumpkin Spice Secrets.
The setting could be any middle school, the cast any crowd of middle class students. There are no challenging themes, no edgy or controversial topics. Nobody has eating disorders, smokes pot, cheats on tests, suffers abuse or discrimination... The world is as Pumpkin Spice as they come, which is refreshing. I mean seriously, all the parents are alive! How rare is that?
I loved the universality of it, the sweetness, the lack of pretension and Cause. I loved the friendship theme and the debate subplot. The only thing that bothered me was how cranky and uninvolved the parents seemed. While I appreciated the lack of silly nicknames (Augiedoggy, anyone?), the parents did little beyond growl, bark, and confiscate phones. But maybe that’s how middle schoolers see their parents? As sort of crazed, testy, distracted rule-enforcers? Still a sweet book with just enough substance to be filling without any huge side orders of Social Issues. Because sometimes you just want a fun, sweet, yummy book. Sort of like the title!
The setting could be any middle school, the cast any crowd of middle class students. There are no challenging themes, no edgy or controversial topics. Nobody has eating disorders, smokes pot, cheats on tests, suffers abuse or discrimination... The world is as Pumpkin Spice as they come, which is refreshing. I mean seriously, all the parents are alive! How rare is that?
I loved the universality of it, the sweetness, the lack of pretension and Cause. I loved the friendship theme and the debate subplot. The only thing that bothered me was how cranky and uninvolved the parents seemed. While I appreciated the lack of silly nicknames (Augiedoggy, anyone?), the parents did little beyond growl, bark, and confiscate phones. But maybe that’s how middle schoolers see their parents? As sort of crazed, testy, distracted rule-enforcers? Still a sweet book with just enough substance to be filling without any huge side orders of Social Issues. Because sometimes you just want a fun, sweet, yummy book. Sort of like the title!
October 20, 2025
Maddie feels super embarrassed after she spills her pumpkin spice frappe all over cute new boy Jacob, but he doesn't seem upset about it; it actually seems like he enjoyed talking to her! When Maddie finds out that he goes to her school, she's thrilled... until her best friend Jana announces that she likes him too. With the added pressure of school stress complicating things further, Maddie isn't really sure what to do. She doesn't want to disappoint Jana, but why should she have to give up her crush on Jacob?
At first I was a little worried because Jana definitely came off controlling. But in the end, I found that I liked the way these conflicts were handled. The crush aspect is age appropriate and very cute. And the fact that both girls take responsibility for their parts was something I appreciated, because in a lot of kids' media, only one person is expected to apologize and often the other person's behavior just gets excused. I like that they each learn a lesson by the end, and the fall vibes are definitely here! If your middle schooler is experiencing friendship problems caused by a crush, this book might help them sort things out.
At first I was a little worried because Jana definitely came off controlling. But in the end, I found that I liked the way these conflicts were handled. The crush aspect is age appropriate and very cute. And the fact that both girls take responsibility for their parts was something I appreciated, because in a lot of kids' media, only one person is expected to apologize and often the other person's behavior just gets excused. I like that they each learn a lesson by the end, and the fall vibes are definitely here! If your middle schooler is experiencing friendship problems caused by a crush, this book might help them sort things out.
February 17, 2018
☕ @kidlitexhange #partner☕Thanks to #kidlitexchange network for sharing the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Pumpkin Spice Secrets A swirl novel by Hillary Homzie. This middle grade read is awesome for chatty 12 year old girls. It is everything middle schoolers worry about: boys, friendships, almost failing, pop quizzes, big sisters, and crushes. Maddie goes to the coffee shop with her older sister for a "sister talk" and in the middle of the chaos Maddie spills her very first latte all over Jacob. An immediate middle school girl crush begins. As soon as school starts Maddie realizes her best friend has a crush on the same boy. Add in stress over grades and parents and a big sister and it's like a spilled latte all over again. But true to the others, this swirl novel does not fail in delivering a way to solve the problems of middle school. ☕☕☕☕☕ Review also posted on Instagram @jasonnstacie, Library Thing, Go Read, Amazon, Twitter @jason_stacie, and my blog at readsbystacie.com.
March 8, 2018
@kitlitexchamge #partner
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange
program- for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
☕
Maddie has a crush on a boy she met at the Friendly Bean Cafe after accidentally spilling her pumpkin spice frappe on him. They start talking and she finds out he will be attending her middle school. She can't wait to tell her best friend Jana about it but she can't get a hold of her. Once at school Maddie tries to tell her group of friends, except Jana beats her to it and says her crush is Jacob. The same Jacob, Maddie has a crush on. Not wanting to break the BFF code she swallows her feelings. It becomes overwhelming trying to keep her secret and focus on a school project where she has to do public speaking. Maddie has to over come her fear and be confident in herself and be loyal but also learn to be truthful to her best friend. But she is not the only one that needs to be truthful her older sister Elvie has a secret of her own.
This is such a quick and cute book. Tweens are sure to love it.
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange
program- for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
☕
Maddie has a crush on a boy she met at the Friendly Bean Cafe after accidentally spilling her pumpkin spice frappe on him. They start talking and she finds out he will be attending her middle school. She can't wait to tell her best friend Jana about it but she can't get a hold of her. Once at school Maddie tries to tell her group of friends, except Jana beats her to it and says her crush is Jacob. The same Jacob, Maddie has a crush on. Not wanting to break the BFF code she swallows her feelings. It becomes overwhelming trying to keep her secret and focus on a school project where she has to do public speaking. Maddie has to over come her fear and be confident in herself and be loyal but also learn to be truthful to her best friend. But she is not the only one that needs to be truthful her older sister Elvie has a secret of her own.
This is such a quick and cute book. Tweens are sure to love it.
December 26, 2017
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for a review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
I would this book 4 stars. It was a really cute book. The story was pretty predictable but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. I felt like a middle-schooler would very easily be able to relate to the characters. I did have one issue with the book. I felt like Jana (Maddie's best friend) was a bit manipulative. At one point, she starts chatting up with her ex-best friend in attempts to get closer to her crush. There were multiple times throughout the book that Jana was a crappy best friend. It was acknowledged at the end of the book in one sentence but I felt like there could have been more character development with Jana. Overall, I think middle-schoolers would really enjoy this book
I would this book 4 stars. It was a really cute book. The story was pretty predictable but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. I felt like a middle-schooler would very easily be able to relate to the characters. I did have one issue with the book. I felt like Jana (Maddie's best friend) was a bit manipulative. At one point, she starts chatting up with her ex-best friend in attempts to get closer to her crush. There were multiple times throughout the book that Jana was a crappy best friend. It was acknowledged at the end of the book in one sentence but I felt like there could have been more character development with Jana. Overall, I think middle-schoolers would really enjoy this book
June 29, 2018
@kidlitexchange #partner
Thank you to the #KidLitExchange network for the review copy of Pumpkin Spice Secrets. All opinions are my own.
Another Swirl novel - How could I NOT read it? I love these!!
Pumpkin Spice Secrets focuses on Maddie. Just before her first day of 7th grade, her sister takes her to the local coffee shop to give her the talk - middle school, boys, girl code, gossip, etc. So when Maddie accidentally spills her Pumpkin Spice Latte on a cute boy (Don't worry, it was iced), she can't wait to tell her friends about her new crush. The only problem is, Jana meets him during class and states HER crush first. Thanks to girl code, Maddie has to pretend she doesn't like him!
Throughout the story, Maddie deals with stress at school, which makes her secret even harder to keep. How can she possibly get over her crush on Jacob before Jana finds out about it? Can she make it through this year without losing her crush or her friend?
This novel was just as cute as the other Swirl novels. I love the way these authors create these characters and show such growth in them. I would definitely recommend this, and the other Swirl books, to upper grade and middle school girls.
Thank you to the #KidLitExchange network for the review copy of Pumpkin Spice Secrets. All opinions are my own.
Another Swirl novel - How could I NOT read it? I love these!!
Pumpkin Spice Secrets focuses on Maddie. Just before her first day of 7th grade, her sister takes her to the local coffee shop to give her the talk - middle school, boys, girl code, gossip, etc. So when Maddie accidentally spills her Pumpkin Spice Latte on a cute boy (Don't worry, it was iced), she can't wait to tell her friends about her new crush. The only problem is, Jana meets him during class and states HER crush first. Thanks to girl code, Maddie has to pretend she doesn't like him!
Throughout the story, Maddie deals with stress at school, which makes her secret even harder to keep. How can she possibly get over her crush on Jacob before Jana finds out about it? Can she make it through this year without losing her crush or her friend?
This novel was just as cute as the other Swirl novels. I love the way these authors create these characters and show such growth in them. I would definitely recommend this, and the other Swirl books, to upper grade and middle school girls.
July 19, 2018
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I love the coffee theme for this and how Maddie love pumpkin spice anything like her frappe and muffin with her sister. Then the accident with the cute boy. She really wants to tell her friend about her crush but she finds out her best friend has a crush on the same boy. So Maddie pretends not to have a crush and it causes some problems between the two of them. The stress becomes a lot for them to take. This is a cute and fun paced easy read. I enjoyed it a lot. I remember when I was that age. Did not drink coffee than or now, but I loved my different teas like cranberry.
April 6, 2018
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
Pumpkin Spice Secrets by Homzie is the a delightful middle grade novel that tweens and younger teens will enjoy. The story follows Maddie who accidentally spills her pumpkin spice latte on one of the cutest boys at school, Jacob, and develops a crush. Little does she know that her best friend, Jana, has fallen for him as well. Now Maddie is faced with the dilemma of should she let her friend know her true feelings about Jacob or can she ignore that she really does like him. Maddie finds herself needing to complete a group project with Jana and Jacob which will definitely add to the drama. This book has many of the typically middle school issues - friends, first crushes, secrets and finding your own voice “in the middle”. A perfectly sweet novel for those middle schoolers in your life.
#kidlitexchange #ilovereading #pumpkinspice @hillary_homzie @kidlitexhange
Pumpkin Spice Secrets by Homzie is the a delightful middle grade novel that tweens and younger teens will enjoy. The story follows Maddie who accidentally spills her pumpkin spice latte on one of the cutest boys at school, Jacob, and develops a crush. Little does she know that her best friend, Jana, has fallen for him as well. Now Maddie is faced with the dilemma of should she let her friend know her true feelings about Jacob or can she ignore that she really does like him. Maddie finds herself needing to complete a group project with Jana and Jacob which will definitely add to the drama. This book has many of the typically middle school issues - friends, first crushes, secrets and finding your own voice “in the middle”. A perfectly sweet novel for those middle schoolers in your life.
#kidlitexchange #ilovereading #pumpkinspice @hillary_homzie @kidlitexhange
October 27, 2017
I had so much fun reading Pumpkin Spice Secrets. Hillary perfectly captures the feeling of being twelve years old and having your first crush. But Maddie has a dilemma: her BFF has a crush on the same guy. The author set up perfectly the obstacle, showing how important "belonging" in her clique of friends is to her. This is a light, fun read that will make you realize why you love reading middle grade fiction!
September 3, 2019
I love this book for a couple of reasons. There is a lot of drama, for example, the main character meets a boy who is friendly, and soon she has a crush on him. But before she tells her friend Alana, Alana says she has a huge crush on the same boy. The main character decided to keep her secret to herself, but can she stay true to her friend and follow her heart with out hurting Alana? Read Pumpkin Spice Secrets (Swirl, #1) to find out.
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