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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Whisper Hymer

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recipe for Revenge by Hazel Smith is the second book in the April May Cozy Mystery series. It was readable as a stand-alone book and would be even better in context as a series. It follows April May as she continues settling into life in Laurel Lake, Minnesota. With her home renovation coming along nicely, beloved furry companion, hot unofficial boyfriend, and enjoyable non- job with the newspaper – April seems to be doing great. Then tragedies begin hitting and, suddenly, April is dragged into the story of two lives lost to car accident 25 years ago. A good mystery that kept me guessing.

Reviewed by @WhisperHymer

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Lisa Helmick

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While this is a cute story I did struggle sticking with it. I just could not identify with the characters. I would recommend reading the first book in the series. I did not and was frustrated with the many references to book one in the beginning. It is a nice mystery with suspense and a few twists. It also has a few moments that made me chuckle.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Christine Baranek

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Recipe for Revenge
By: Hazel Smith

This is the second book in the series. It is a cozy mystery that is a quick read and very enjoyable. The characters are fantastically developed and the mystery is always very unique with different twists and turns. In this story April May is a great main character who is really endearing. In this one she definitely goes through it and I really felt everything with her. This is a great cozy mystery and I definitely recommend picking it up!

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recipe for Revenge is the 2nd book in the April May Cozy Mystery series. I did not read the first one, and felt like I kind of needed to (it is advertised as a stand alone)…There are a lot of references to relationships and things that happened in the first book. I enjoyed the book, but I think I would have liked it more if I knew what was going on, and had read the first book. April May is a reporter, who sets out to solve some local mysteries- including a possible arson, a missing person, and unknown mystery of her past and her father’s past. The suspense was maintained throughout the book, but not to a level of creepy or scary. It was an enjoyable book, and I would read more.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Jess Engel

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a lovely cozy mystery! If you’re looking for an easy, enjoyable read, this one is for you. Though it is the second in a series, it can be read as a standalone (I haven’t read the first and enjoyed it just the same).

The author creates a fun, yet suspenseful, story with likable characters. I particular enjoyed the humor throughout the book, making it feel that much more “cozy.” My only complaint is there isn’t much depth to the characters, though I suspect more and more is revealed throughout the series—and truly, in this genre I expect it to be a bit lighter in character development.

This read was just what the doctor ordered—an engaging read with enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages, while also light and humorous.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Mandy Ott

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hazel Smith is a first time author for me, and I was unsure what to expect. I love a good mystery but haven’t read many cozy mysteries, so was anxious to read a new author and rarely read genre. I was pleasantly surprised to find out how much I enjoyed Recipe for Revenge. The world building is well written and descriptive enough that I found myself wandering the forest with April, searching for clues to solve her next mystery. The characters were realistic, believable, and easy to connect with. I did not realize until over halfway through this book that it was the second in a series, so it can certainly be read as a standalone. This book has a little bit of everything; romance, suspense, small town life, yummy baked goods, and a fearlessly independent heroine. While there are many facets to this story, none detract from the others. Overall, this was a quick, entertaining read that I would definitely recommend.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Rosanna Ingram

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading this book felt like watching a crime solving show. When a local store in the small town burns down, and no body is found, the owner is presumed to be dead. But, when a threatening note surfaces, April May is determined to help solve the case. Add in a rescue dog, a budding relationship, and the city girl who is trying to make it in the small-town…and you’ve got quite a story.

I enjoyed this story and was pleasantly surprised the turns that the story took. There seemed to me multiple storylines interwoven throughout the pages. Looking into one crime led to another mystery which led to another….you get the picture. It was entertaining and I enjoyed immersing myself into the story for a couple of hours. This is the second book in the series. Although it was understandable as a standalone, there is definitely some backstory that will be missed by not reading the first one prior to this book. Overall, a good story!

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Carrie Reed

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I did not read the first book and I wish I did because it would have given me some insight to the characters and the town of Laurel Lake. Although I didn’t read the first book, I didn’t feel lost, I still was able to make connections and understand the dynamic between characters. I love to see a city woman fall in love with small towns, especially when it involves a man and a sweet dog. The story and how it all unfolded was wonderful, I literally felt like I was watching an episode from a some sort of detective show. At some times I felt like I knew who was creeping around and watching April then was pulled in 2 other directions. I did figure out who stole from Tim’s store but I did not see it coming, the outcome of April investigating her father’s death and how it really happened. Wesley is a wonderful man and I loved watching him with April and hope to see more of them in future books.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Sheri Schrader

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery is the second book in the An April May Cozy Mystery Book series. I read this before the previous book, and it holds up fairly well as a standalone. I was missing some details and insight into April May, but I did not feel lost in the plot. This is a small-town cozy mystery with a cast of fun characters. I enjoyed getting to know April May, her dog, and reading about her blossoming relationship. She gets into some dangerous situations but figures her way out. I won’t give details about the plot because nothing is worse than spoilers, especially with a murder mystery. I recently read a different book by this author and thought I would check out a different series. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. I will keep an eye out for more from this author in the future.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Anastasia Dodson

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book that i have read by this author and i loved it! It’s about a women named April. She is from the big city so small town living and outdoor activities aren’t her strong suit but she ends up trying many different things. She even helped solve a mystery invoving a murder. She was an awsome mc. I am looking forward to more by this author in the future!

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by La Toya Lewis

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recipe for Revenge is book 2 of An April May Cozy Mystery Book series by Hazel Smith. In this story, we follow April May, a reporter who lives in the small town of Laurel Lakes. Everything is going from bad to worse when what starts as a robbery ends up with its owner being presumed dead. This is a fun cozy mystery. The plot is entertaining and keeps you guessing. We also get a fun cast of characters including the cuteness of Ralph the dog. This is the second mystery I have read by this author and she knows how to keep you hooked. Extra credit for good, fun small-town vibes.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Julie Johnson

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.75 Stars

April has moved into her grandmother’s late house after having it willed to her. She’s more accustomed to life in Chicago but she’s getting adjusted to Laurel Lake but only temporarily. Weird things start to happen around her and then there’s the mysterious notes being left. Will April open a part of her past that she may not be ready to deal with?

This was a very enjoyable story. I loved Buddy/Ralph and his role in this story. There is one overarching theme in this book with several little offshoots which make the reader want to come back for more!

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book #2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Angela Hayes

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

3.5 Stars

 

Recipe For Revenge is the second book in the April May Cozy Mystery series by Hazel Smith. This proved to be an interesting and fun cozy murder mystery- a whodunnit with quirky characters, drama, intrigue, a little suspense, a plot for revenge, crime and investigation, secrets, a journey of discovery, a race against time, high stakes, tension, and intrigue – which made for a light-hearted and entertaining read.
April is a reporter who is new to town. Here she is drawn into a murder mystery with some puzzling developments. Along with her dog, Ralph, she sets about digging up clues, uncovering secrets, and revealing the truth. With the stakes being quite high, April is in a race against time to solve the investigation before it’s too late. What happens makes for an intriguing read.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Hazel Smith!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Daryian Lucas

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4/5 stars
This was my first time reading a book by this author. This is book 2in the series but it can 100% be read as a standalone. I liked the beginning of the book but the ending was just okay to me. I liked the dynamic between the characters a lot and I did feel like a detective myself trying to figure out the plot.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Jenni Bishop

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Revenge, small towns, murder, mystery what more could you want? Hazel has given us it all and more in this charming cozy mystery. If you love a good whodunnit then Hazel is your girl.
This is book two but all the April May Mystery books are standalones so you can grab and read in any order without fear of missing anything other than a good story.
Recipe For Revenge is a cozy mystery that is a quick and fun read with characters that are quirky and eclectic.
April May and friends are back in another adventure along with furry friends diving headfirst in to yet another mystery. With a plethora of suspects April is on a merry chase to find the one responsible for the possible murder and thefts.
This charming tale is clever, suspenseful, fun and humorous that will delight any reader who love a good whodunnit.
I said it before but will say it again if you like murder mysteries and whodunits with some humour like Ms Marple, Father Brown, and the like you will enjoy this series. Settle in for a tale to delight your senses.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Kerry Baker

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith

This book is a fun and entertaining cozy mystery story that really pulls you in right from the word go. The main character for me is absolutely what makes this book. She is so funny to read about and I connected with her so easily. It is such fun watching her navigate everything thrown on her and I could have carried on reading all day.
The story itself is really good too. I was intrigued by everything going on and want to see how things would turn out and who would be involved. This is the kind of book I found myself reading so fast because I couldn’t put it down. This is a brilliant story and entertaining from start to finish.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Shelly Kittell

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an entertaining and totally unputdownable mystery. I found April May to be one the most intriguing characters that I’ve read in a cozy mystery this year. She’s torn between wanting to go back to the big city and staying in the small town she’s in. Wesley sounds like an adorable vet. My mind pictures Mat from Fuller House. Adorable. I loved the mystery because it seemed to have its own little subsets branching out. The cast of characters was perfect for a small town mystery. I couldn’t stop reading this once I started. It’s fun, humorous and will have you giggling as you figure out who the culprit is. A wonderful book. I’m going to have to go back and read the first book.

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Recipe for Revenge by Hazel Smith – Review by Samantha Cleaver

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Absolutely loved this book! It’s a cozy mystery with some cute romance thrown in. It had a couple fun plot twists and the story is very believable. Hazel draws you in and makes you feel like you’re part of the story. Definitely recommend!

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Christine Baranek

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sage Advice
By: Cori Cooper

This was such a sweet story. I loved Pyper as a character. She seemed so self-confident and sure of herself. She also knew exactly what she wanted. However, she also knew what she didn’t want. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Pyper and her efforts to cancel prom. However, I love the bigger story that that part of the plot lent itself to. I loved the lessons that were found in this story. This story gave me all the feels and transported me back to my own high school days, my insecurities and my feelings that I really knew everything. I definitely recommend this story!!

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Alison Risher

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The author takes readers back in time to senior year of high school. Readers get to experience the highs and lows of teen romance. The heroine is protecting her heart. At the same time, she is dishing out advice to her peers anonymously through the school newspaper’s advice column. The author’s characters must decide whether to take risks by trusting others, or to simply play it safe (and boring) by guarding their hearts.

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Jennifer Ramos

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading this book and getting to know Pyper reminded me of my own thought process when I was in high school. The irony of it made me laugh so much. Pyper has a go-getter attitude when it comes to taking action but her activism efforts towards canceling prom has been declined. She also has a great relationship with her mother in which she shares everything going on in her life with her. It’s really nice to see a positive and healthy mother and teenage daughter relationship. Her mother appears to be Pyper’s voice of reason when it comes to her thought process and decisions with her current life standings. As the story proceeds, Pyper discovers that we may not know the right and wrong of everything going on in our lives and starts coming to terms with that aspect. Great concept for many teens to learn that it’s okay not knowing everything.

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Amber Howard

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Sage Advice. It’s a great read for young adults. I liked the family dynamic. I also thought Pyper was very mature but still teensy. Lots of lessons were taught in this story. I would recommend this for pre-teens and up!

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Jade Brunton

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am an avid YA reader, mostly romance, and I thought that this book was super cute! I wasn’t sure what to expect after the first chapter but it didn’t disappoint. The characters are all really relatable for everyone who has ever been a teenager! Pyper is wonderful lead character and I was happy to follow her journey as the story went on! This book just goes to show that your mind isn’t always made up!! If you’re looking for a light hearted fast read, this is the one for you!

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Beverly Finnie

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I felt like I went back to high school. However this time I didn’t hate it. Sage Advice is a cute story about you guessed it high schoolers. I love the advice column aspect of the story. Though I was able to figure some out, it still gave a different life to the book. Frankly just as oblivious as the main character exhibits throughout I didn’t realize that tidbit from the title. But it is glaringly obvious now.
Pyper is a high school senior, who had her heart shattered, and that incident revolved around prom. So what does she do? She swears off men, but at the same time lets everyone believe she’s in a relationship. She also tries to get prom canceled. Like I said, try. She learns some valuable lessons throughout this book. Some minor others may be a little more important. It’s the growth that she exhibits as she learns these lessons that really makes her character blossom.
Will she ever confront and/or let her ex-boyfriend go?
Will she open her eyes to not miss opportunities to be happy, that are right in front of her?
Those questions and so many more to get the answers too. There’s so many characters that Impact Pyper in different ways, which actually reminded me of the people I surrounded myself with at that age. They were friends for sure, but they all served a different purpose in your life if they knew it or not.
If you want something different, check out this young adult novel. Transport yourself back to a time when things didn’t matter as much as they do now. Teens, this book is definitely for you!

@placexba
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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pyper Lewis is a young lady on a mission, a mission to cancel (in her opinion) the worst event on the social and educational calendar, an event which is a tradition for every school leaver to attend and one which has a hold on her memories which she cannot shake. PROM!!! Pyper thought she was not alone in hating this celebration of coming of age, however, when she requests that the school council cancels it, everyone votes against it, including the boys, but it gets even worse when she finds out that she has to now organise it instead!

At least she has her best friends she can turn to for help cheering herself up and it just so happens that one of them is having a dilemma all of her own and this is something that Pyper cannot resist, giving advice and helping those around her. This is when her determination to succeed eclipses everything else and despite that four-letter event looming in the future, she decides to make the rest of the senior year up to it the best one ever for herself and her friends and nothing can stop her once she has made her mind up.

As the year passes and the dreaded prom moves closer, Pyper’s best laid plans to avoid prom at all costs start to unravel bit by bit, but can she overcome her fear and the memories this event invokes in her, or will she miss out on what could be a great time with her friends? This is a fun coming of age story which deals with strong emotions in a fun and playful way, while also not minimising the impact that these emotions have on the person, it is witty and a must read for anyone who is a fan of imperfect teens and the mayhem they cause.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Katie Matthews

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a wonderful read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve read a few books by this author now and she’s got such a great writing style – her stories really engage me the whole way through.

This is a young adult romance story and it definitely transported me back to that time in my life – I think I’m certain I wouldn’t like to go through it again. I found the characters really engaging and a lot of young readers would definitely be able to relate to some of the things the main character, Pyper, is going through. There were some great secondary characters in the story too.

This is definitely a great YA romance read and I would recommend it to readers of all ages.

@katiem
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Sage advice by cori cooper – Review by Logan Yoder

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first novel by this author and I have to say, I’m impressed. This would be an adorable hallmark movie. It’s a very good palate cleanser.

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Angelina Frazzini

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a standalone coming of age story. It’s the first book I’ve read by this author but it did not disappoint.

Pyper has all the answers. Just ask her. She is a very positive, happy girl. However, the prospect of prom does not make Pyper very happy. In fact, the girl with all the answers knows prom needs to be cancelled. Through the story, Pyper learns more about herself and starts to realize, maybe she doesn’t have all the answers after all. How does senior year turn out for Pyper and her friends? Find out!

This was a very well written story. The character growth and development was on point. Pyper is a relatable character. I’m sure any one of us could relate to Pyper at one point or another. So glad I gave this book a chance!

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Faith Jackson

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great coming of age story where the characters allow you to relate to them but also wanna rip through the pages to help them. This story brings you into the lives of the characters and you’re right there with them feeling the same experiences from their POV. Great read!

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Kiana Corley

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an amazing and heartfelt read. Cori did an amazing job at having the characters develop and grow throughout the book.

This book follows Pyper. Pyper is a positive and go-lucky girl. She likes bright colors and helping people. There is only one thing that does not bring a smile to Pyper’s face and that is Prom. Prom is the bane of her existence and she could care less about the tradition of it.

Throughout this story, Pyper starts to learn new things about herself that she never realized before. Pyper is not a fan of being vulnerable around people her age and rarely her family. Luckily she has some friends in her corner that love and support her.

What happens when the girl with all the answers does not know what to do? Can the past blind someone to what is right in front of them? Will her negativity and discontent with prom affect her relationships?

Read this book to find out what happens with Pyper and her friends. Being a high school senior is not all it’s cracked up to be.

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