A Sweet Enjoyable Romance
Bubblegum and Butterflies by Lynette Ferreira
Sweet Romance, Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars
186 pages
I enjoyed this a lot.
After reading a few graphic adult stories, Bubblegum and Butterflies was a welcome change.
I loved the innocence of it. Charlize and Daniel are teenagers experiencing love for the first time. A time when holding hands, or gazing into each others eyes is enough.
The story was set in South Africa and it was a nice change as I haven’t read anything set there before. I loved the people’s names, and the areas mentioned. The descriptions of the settings were beautiful, and the author’s writing quickly pulled me in—before I knew it, I was completely invested in Daniel and Charlize love story.
A recommended read.
This book is also standalone. The storyline and excellent plot is this:
Charlize seems to have it all while Daniel, the town’s notorious bad boy, spends his days mastering tricks at the local skate park and avoiding responsibility.
Their worlds collide when Daniel, showing off on his skateboard, crashes into Charlize outside their high school. The accident leaves Charlize with a broken arm and Daniel’s bubblegum tangled in her hair.
As part of his punishment, Daniel is assigned to help Charlize catch up with her schoolwork. Their mutual animosity slowly transforms into friendship and then blossoms into first love.
But their newfound happiness is threatened when Charlize reveals that her family is immigrating to Australia at the end of the year. As the move approaches, Daniel and Charlize must navigate the pain of impending separation and the intensity of young love.
Heartfelt, bittersweet, and unforgettable, Bubblegum & Butterflies is a love story for anyone who’s ever had to say goodbye before they were ready.
Other Books by the Author
My Favourite Bits
Charlize blinked. She felt dazed and breathless as she clutched her arm. The pain was radiating in nauseating waves through her. Her elbow throbbed and her wrist was burning as if it was on fire.
Usually they did not speak much, and sometimes, they just stood there, shoulder to shoulder, watching the world move around them. It was enough.
She looked back at him. She wanted to say something. Something simple and brave, but the words dissolved before they could ever reach her lips. So, she told him with her eyes instead. Let them say all the painful things: I hate that we’re running out of time. I hate that I feel safest when I’m near you. I miss you. “English was brutal,” she said.
Karen J. Mossman - World of Stories 