Trusting Blake by Estelle Maskame

Publisher: Ink Road

Publication Date: 11 November 2021

“When an onslaught of revelations brings chaos to Mila’s life, her A-list parents jet from LA to join her in Tennessee. But they bring marital conflicts with them, leaving Mila distraught, betrayed, trapped.

In the explosive fall-out, Mila can’t help but question everything she ever knew about her family and herself. The one person she can trust is Blake – and so she turns to him for a summer of freedom and fun. Their flourishing relationship grows stronger, more intense, but Blake has crises of his own … featuring a guitar, a pushy mom and a clingy ex. Soon they both face extraordinary pressure – not least to take sides in the drama of ambition and bitterness unfolding between their families.

As life starts to unravel, can Mila and Blake keep it together or will it all fall apart?”

MY REVIEW

After the scandalous cliff-hanger at the end of Becoming Mila (review here), I was excited to jump back into Mila’s world. I had a strong feeling there was plenty of drama ahead.

Wow, my strong feelings were certainly correct!

The emotion-filled first chapter hit me right in the gut, I could feel Mila’s pain as though it were happening to me. This book delved even deeper into the family history of the main characters and it was clear that the secrets being kept would not stay secret for much longer. As each truth was revealed, I found myself becoming more and more entangled in the storyline.

Every single chapter gave me something new to process, directing me to the most unexpected ending – the final sentence blew my mind. What on earth does that even mean?!?

Estelle Maskame is one of those authors who always manages to create gripping storylines, pulling you in as though you’re right there alongside the characters. In this particular book, I just loved the everyday realness mixed in with the intoxicating fantasy of celebrity life, and don’t even get me started on the chemistry of first attraction which simply oozed off the pages.

Favourite Moments

• An escape plot
• A pink transformation
• Walmart confrontations

This was a drama-filled second instalment that gripped me throughout and left me desperate to know what happens next!

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book to review and share my thoughts.

Blog Tour | Becoming Mila by Estelle Maskame

Publisher: Ink Road

Publication Date: 3 June 2021

“Sixteen-year-old Mila lives in LA with her mom and A-list actor dad, whose fame constantly thrusts their lives into the media spotlight. But when Mila’s antics around town make waves ahead of her dad’s next big movie, something needs to be done. So Mila is dispatched 2,000 miles away to Nashville, Tennessee, where she can cool off for the summer with her aunt and grandfather. The Perfect solution – right?

Mila’s not so sure. She’s dreading the idea of a summer away from her friends, not to mention being shipped to the other side of the country. Apprehensive and out-of-sorts when she arrives, it doesn’t take long for her to get off on the wrong foot with the mayor’s son, Blake. In spectacular style.

But Blake’s no stranger to Mila’s issues. He knows exactly what life’s like with a parent in the public eye – the pressures and politics, dramas and dynamics… Perhaps Mila and Blake have far more in common than either of them care to admit.”

I have to start by saying that I absolutely adored Estelle Maskame’s DIMILY series – if you haven’t already read it then you must go and check it out immediately!

As soon as I heard about Becoming Mila I wanted to know more, so I’m here on the blog tour today to share my thoughts with you.

Why not grab a cuppa, get yourself comfortable and be prepared to find out more about this addictively good read.

MY REVIEW

The author dived straight into the action for the first chapter, bringing drama and a hint of the Hollywood lifestyle that I just couldn’t wait to find out more about.

Mila was a character who I found easy to like. Her small acts of rebellion indicated that she wasn’t entirely happy with the way her life was being managed and I felt certain the move to Tennessee would be good for her character, not to mention highly entertaining for me to read.

The writing style was incredibly emotive. For example, whenever Mila was feeling nervous and unsure of herself in an awkward situation, I felt it too. I found myself holding my breath and wondering if she’d get through it without adding embarrassment to the mix. A good connection to the main character is something I always hope for when I pick up a book and to experience it so early in the storyline told me I had something really special in my hands.

The character growth was impeccable. Watching Mila find herself as she experienced some much-needed freedom, warmed my heart and put a big smile on my face. Then, as events took a shocking turn at the end of the book, I was left wondering how she would handle it all. Waiting for the next book is not going to be easy!

I can’t write this review without mentioning the sparkling relationship between Mila and Blake. It was filled with the most delicious kind of tension, flirtatious moments which made my heart beat faster and even some unexpected complications – pretty much everything I’m looking for in a fictional romance!

Favourite Moments

• Truth or dare
• An uncomfortable dinner
• Sitting by the pool
• Escaping the movie

This was an awesome YA read with bags of personality, I can’t wait for the next instalment!

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book to review for the blog tour.