Heartside Bay #2 - The Trouble With Love product reviews

This the second book in the Heartside Bay series of books differs from the first in that it is told through the voice of Polly Nelson. While the first book told Lila Murray's story this one tells the story through the perspective of Polly. I didn't enjoy Polly's character as much as Lila's as at times I found Polly's obsessive personality and quirks a little annoying.

It seems Polly has a bit of anxiety issues and is a bit of a perfectionist every thing has to be straight and in order and what Polly would deem to be perfect. This is to the extent where she can barely leave the house for the need to check herself in the mirror one more time. Although I found it a little annoying you did feel for her character and what she must go through with the daily anguish of anxiety. I hope we see Polly become more confident in further books as she is a great girl and it would be good to see her loosen up a little.

Like the first book in the series this one has plenty of drama with the Ice Queen Eve still up to her old tricks. Although we find out in this book it is not just Lila she hurts as she even crushes her best friend Rhi in a different turn of events. Even Polly isn't left unscather finding out just how nasty Eve Somerston can be. There are plenty of times you can feel the teenage drama spill out from the pages and I think that is what my 12 year old daughter loves so much about these books.

And again there is plenty of boys and romance and friendship. Lila, Rhi, and Polly grow ever closer as Eve shows her true colours as a friend, and Polly finds a tall dark handsome stranger while on the beach one night. We find out through the book the old cliche that there isn't always going to be a happy ending so disappointment all round but I'll let you read for yourself.

I enjoyed the book but I did want to read more about Lila I can see why the author has chosen to do the books this way with a different character in each book but I was kind of hooked on Lila's story. I also wanted to find out more about the mystery of Josh and the secret notes so hopefully that gets brought up in future books as he seemed like such a good guy for Lila.

The second in the Heartside Bay series. I really enjoyed the first one which was based around Lila Murray and her transition into Heartside Bay. This book however focuses around her best friend polly Nelson, and while still enjoyable didn't have the same excitement as the first one. Polly has real anxiety and second guesses herself about everything, which to be honest got rather tiresome.

The book still talks about Lila and Ollies relationship but it is told from Pollys perspective and so its more an observation then what is actually going on. Polly also has a secret crush on Ollie, which complicates it more and it's rather obvious he has the same feelings. But when a boy named Sam rescues her from potentially drowning she gets involved with him rather quickly, only to find out that he is moving shortly. It is a very emotional book - as most teenage girls are. Everything escalates very quickly, especially around her feelings and insecurities.

The book is still a lovely quick read which will delight pre teens everywhere. It has romance, fighting, tears the usual dramas expected. The chapters are not too long and it is a very simple read. It is not a complicated story at all and flows beautifully. I read in just under three hours and it is very fast paced. I love mushy teen dramas so this book was right up my alley, can't wait to read the next one.