Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines by Katy Cannon

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Grace: This was supposed to be Grace’s starring year, until she opened the door to a family secret that changed everything. Now she’s stuck making costumes in Sewing Club and watching someone else play the lead role – unless she can find a way to win it back.
Connor: Far from home and exiled to a new school, all Connor wants is to keep a low profile and get through the year. But agreeing to help his step-dad out with the school play means he’s soon caught up in Grace’s schemes.
Grace had a plan for this year – and it didn't involve learning to sew. But being out of the spotlight isn't the disaster she imagined, even if Connor is convinced she’s still a diva extraordinaire. Can Grace prove she’s really changed and save the play from the sidelines, even though her family is coming apart at the seams?

Book Review:
After hoplessly falling for Love, Lies and Lemon Pies, I knew I was in for a treat with Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines! Cannon has definitely stepped her game in this sophomore story. In the first book, I found Grace to be a privileged, arrogant character who mattered very little to me. In Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines, Grace's charter arc is nothing short of incredible. I felt Grace changing genuinely for the better, despite my hesitant expectation. Grace evolved into a character I really cared about. When Grace struggled, I struggled along with her trying to determine the best course of action for her to take next. Connor was an extremely adorable and lovable male counterpoint to Grace. What emotions I lacked for Mac in the previous book, Connor made up for this time around. I love that all the characters are back for Love, Lies, and Lemon Pies, with the addition of some new characters that add a pop of color. Overall, this is a cute contemporary series. I highly encourage Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines for readers looking for a light, fun read with some romantic flair!

Thanks to Stripes Publishing for this copy.
Published February 2 2015
This is my honest review.

Cover Art Commentary:
Is this not the cutest cover ever? I just adore the sewing theme. The colors are bright and eye-catching!

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Love, Lies and Lemon Pies by Katy Cannon

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Love, Lies and Lemon Pies, the debut YA novel from Katy Cannon, is the perfect summer read for fans of Sarah Dessen and Louise Rennison. With a Bake Club recipe at the start of each chapter, this book perfectly captures the current appetite for all things baking! Lottie, our narrator, captures the experience of a young teenage girl navigating the world of school cliques, difficult teachers and new romance, creating a world that young readers are sure to recognize. Since her dad died, life hasn't been the same for Lottie - it was easier to push her friends away than cope with their awkwardness. But when the school suggest she joins Bake Club to get her back on track, Lottie reluctantly agrees. But Lottie's uncertainty about Bake Club melts away as she rekindles her love of baking and gets caught up with Mac, the school rebel and another unwilling Bake Club member. Both Lottie and Mac have secrets to keep, and as Bake Club progresses towards an end-of-year competition, the tension rises between the Bake Club members. Can Lottie keep up the facade of her perfect life without the others finding out what's really going on at home? Can Mac keep his demanding, heavy-handed father off his back - not to mention the school counselor who's written him off as a no-hoper? And can their bubbling romance survive the pressure? 

Book Review:
To be honest, I hadn't planned on picking this up. In fact, I'd never heard of it before. But then I got approved on netgalley to read the companion novel Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines. I looked into the series a bit more and discovered Love, Lies and Lemon Pies. The cover was so cute, I couldn't help myself! Also, I love cooking and baking, so that was a major enticement to pick this baby up. I'm glad I did. I gave it 3.5 stars honestly, because it's not a profound or life-changing book. It's a contemporary, and I'm sure you've read something similar to it before. However, it is an enjoyable quick read when you're in the mood for something light. I enjoyed the recipes at the beginning of each chapter. It was a little hard to wrap my mind around the metric measurements, but they sounded tasty all the same. I found Lottie to be a very relatable character (not sure what that says about me). She's sensible, smart, and very organized. I loved LOVED the supporting characters, especially Mac and Jasper. Love, Lies and Lemon Pies has a little something for everyone. I'm very much looking forward to reading Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines!

Cover Art Commentary:
I just adore this cover! First of all, I love baking, so that's already a huge plus! Second, the colors are lively and compliment the title, as well as the story. This cheery cover made me smile every time I picked up this book!

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