I knew you were trouble by Paige Toon

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Simon and Schuster, 2015. ISBN: 9781471118807
(Age: 16+) Recommended. This book is an enjoyable read and while it follows on from the first book The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson it can be successfully read as a stand alone.
Jessie is in High School and, following the death of her mother, has recently found out she is actually the daughter of a famous rock star. We see Jessie coming to terms with this new information and adapting to the disruption this causes in her life and relationships as the paparazzi learn of Jessie's existence.
This is a fabulous book about relationships. We see Jessie's relationship with her stepfather (Stu), her biological father (Johnny), and her Stepmother (Meg) mature and stabilise through some lively misunderstandings and challenges. Jessie has heartbreak of all kinds as she negotiates the changes in her friendships as she becomes more famous. She discovers some friendships are not as solid as she had imagined, and her romantic interests are not all they appear to be. The characters lead the reader to think about the art of forgiveness and the part it plays in forming our lives and determining our path through life.
Importantly we see Jessie coming to terms with growing up in the world of social media, where every mistake can be broadcast across the world. While some of her exploits in LA are a little predictable this book is a great read that leaves the reader with plenty to think about.
Linda Guthrie

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