Wednesday 19 February 2014

The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson- Paige Toon

 
Last week I travelled to Manchester to meet bestselling author Paige Toon (you can read about it here ). 

I was incredibly excited to delve into The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson, Paige's first young adult book, convinced it would be an entertaining and gripping read.  I wasn't wrong.  From the first page I was hooked and although I had a very busy week I devoted as much time as possible to reading it as I was so keen to find out what would happen!  This book travelled with me on buses, to work, into the kitchen whilst I cooked tea... I couldn't put it down!

Jessie Jefferson is an ordinary girl, from an ordinary suburban town in Britain, part of an ordinary family.  Yet when her Mum dies leaving her living with her stepfather, Jessie decides it is time to find out the truth about her biological father.  Imagine her shock when she finds out it is none other than rock star Johnny Jefferson...

Although written for a YA audience, there is plenty in this book for the NA or wider adult audience to get excited about.  Firstly, it is written in a way which is highly accessible without being patronising or belittling.  The pace is quick which allows the reader to become quickly immersed in Jessie's life, and for those who have read Paige's other books you will love finding out a bit more about your favourite characters (although this is a stand alone read there is an overlap with characters from the Johnny books).  I adored Jessie-she is the typical teenager-full of selfdoubt one minute and sass the next.

This is a perfect book for anyone who has ever fallen out with their best friend/fallen in love/lost someone they love/wished they had a celebrity lifestyle...so pretty much a perfect book for everyone.

Oh, and One Direction get a mention.  If you know me, you know that's a bonus.  Zayn and Harry get namechecks.  I can forgive the omission of Louis's name check just this once, seeing as it's Paige.

The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson is out now.

9/10

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