Peters' Books of the Week

American teenager Morgan Taylor finds herself in a sleepy Devon seaside town over summer, as she tries to escape the aftermath of the horrific house fire (and death of her beloved horse) that she can't remember. With suspicions hanging over her about Morgan starting the fire, she has plenty to hide. But meeting surfer boy Cal Heyward and traumatised horse Night Dancer lets her open up and discover the truth.

With a beautiful summery setting and strong, believable characters, this is a fantastic holiday read. The sweet, slow-burn romance between Morgan and Cal, coupled with the mystery of who actually started the fire that so affected Morgan, blend together seamlessly to create a compelling tale. The latter part of the book, in which Morgan takes on a epic 100-mile ride, is real edge-of-your-seat stuff that horse fans will adore. Great for anyone who loves horses, but this is also broad enough it can be enjoyed by fans of action, adventure and romance too. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 22nd July 2026

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Fast paced Sci-fi adventure with lots of action, suspense and clever twists along the way.  An exciting and engaging read that explores themes of technology, trust, friendship and family.  It's gripping pace and tech-filled adventure are likely to appeal to a wide audience including a reluctant reader, particularly those who enjoy action packed stories with AI and technology at the heart.

Reviewed by Stephanie Preece on 15th July 2026

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This story follows Jasmine as she navigates her Mum's illness and changing friendships at school. It's beautifully constructed, with likeable characters going through big and small challenges which feel too big. Her Mum and Gran are well drawn, and the role that art and reading play in her life will resonate with readers. All the usual Barrington Stoke accessibility features and a story you don't want to stop reading. Great. 

Reviewed by Alison Tarrant on 15th July 2026

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It's a quick, exciting read with lots of twists and turns in a complex setting.  The characters are well-rounded and worth rooting for. It gives a real sense of being in a futuristic escape room, hiding the real drama between the lines.  It's cleverly written and it's only in the second half that the reader realises all is not what it seems. But it's still difficult to shake the initial setting as the truth comes bounding into sight like a runaway train.  A satisfying read.

Reviewed by Emma McElwee on 8th July 2026

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The characters are feisty, each with their own pot of problems, very different from each other but gelling well.  The worldbuilding is absorbing and the reader can really feel the claustrophobia of living in an underwater station.  The story twists and turns and the baddies are hidden in plain sight.  It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat! Great writing, excellent plotting and very satisfying. A real page turner, I couldn't put it down!  

Reviewed by Emma McElwee on 1st July 2026

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A fun adventure solving clues around the seedier side of New York, searching for precious jewellery - what's not to like?! The thriller aspect makes it a page-turner and it's matched by a heart-warming romance. An enjoyable easy read, definitely worth having. 

Reviewed by Natalie Wise on 25th June 2026

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When seventeen year old Benton Young uploads a video daring the world to elect him as US President, the video goes viral. Young people have lost all faith in their leaders, and Benton's video ignites a national revolution...resulting in Benton as President.

Inspired, young people from across the globe take to the streets, and soon eight of the world's most powerful nations are led by teenagers.

This is a fantastic read with a teenage male protagonist who wants to change the world. The size may put readers off but is a mix of formats and a thrilling adventure - think Bond with teen political angst. A brill if unusual production for a teen audience.

Reviewed by Alison Tarrant on 17th June 2026

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Sweetpea Magee is the world's foremost mermaid expert, and she's here to tell you all there is to know about mermaids.

In this sweet and engaging tale, readers are taken on a journey through Sweetpea's wild imagination. The brilliantly sparky main character leads us through various mermaids, on a mission to find the rarest one of all. The lovely illustrations are full of detail and sure to delight young mermaid fans. Great stuff for storytimes or sharing 1:1.

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 10th June 2026

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From a gawping gibbon to a leering lion; a frowning frog to a peering python, the animal kingdom is filled with curious creatures - but the stariest of starers turns out to be something quite unexpected! 

The lively rhyme and VERY bright illustrations combine to make an enjoyable read, with a fun twist of an ending. Great addition to collections. 

Reviewed by Peters team on 10th June 2026

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Riley's challenges as she faces her first few weeks at a new school are brilliantly described as she tries to build new friendships while avoiding being too embarrassed by her headteacher dad. The humour is great but there are some touching moments that are handled well, with her dad acknowledging that it's difficult for him to manage being a headteacher and a dad too. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Nikki Gray on 3rd June 2026

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A clever take on alphabet books. It's funny and would be great read aloud - if you brush up on your French accent! It's a fun way to support early letter learning. Worth having in any picture book collection. 

Reviewed by Natalie Wise on 27th May 2026

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What happens to your phone when you die and who has access to your online legacy? When micro-influencer Tom Burne takes his own life, he leaves behind his phone, its password and a cryptic message that needs decoding.

This wasn't my phone. This was real. Tom had died today, literally died, and here I was, picking through the digital carrion like some sort of virtual vulture.

A very modern fable, clever & timely with a sparky engaging lead character & a story that continually weaves in unexpected directions.  A strong debut that's worth a try

Reviewed by Laura Hayward on 20th May 2026

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On the isle of Unst, Pict and Norse alike live a peaceful existence. Hilde, daughter of the local Jarl, and Cormac, the blacksmith's boy, are friends. Hilde wishes for a more exciting life but soon gets more than she bargained for when a band of fearsome, otherworldly warriors arrive on their shores. With cracking world-building and strong, memorable characters, this exciting read soon moves past the slightly daft premise of Viking vampires! Mixing Norse legends and Scottish folklore with his own imaginings, Jobling has created a brilliantly breathless tale with a cliffhanger ending, that will leave readers desperate for the concluding volume. Ideal for fans of historical fantasy and horror. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 20th May 2026

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Less like a traditional poetry book and more like a rap battle between poets! The poems have been written with performance in mind and should be great fun to use with a class or reading group. The illustrations are fun and overall the whole package has a lot of appeal. A must have

Reviewed by Peters team on 13th May 2026

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Inspired by his own life and relationships, this novel takes Lessore's writing to a new level. The impeccably written characters are engaging, funny, and draw the reader in. Two different boys exist - both desperate to make a future, but without any idea of what that looks like, and some incorrect assumptions about how to get there. Despite having two boys at it's centre, the women in this novel are also well rounded, realistic and strong. The relationships between characters draw the plot along as well as adding moments of humour, anticipation and 'ahhh' moments. There are some big themes dealt with, but they are handled well and there's no sense of the writing straying into preaching - it just reflects the reality of life for the characters. 

Reviewed by Alison Tarrant on 7th May 2026

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