Kimber Leigh Reads

 I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Love and Muddy Puddles is a coming-of-age story about a girl who is so wrapped up in material things and popularity that she's heading toward a very shallow existence. It's short, fast-paced, and quite funny at times.

Coco is one half of fraternal twins, but is very different from her sister Charlie. In fact, she seems to be different from her entire family. Her one goal is popularity, and the lucky girl lands it.  After reading about her interactions with the popular crowd, I don't know how she could consider them friends. Then her dad announces a move to a farm in the country which includes building a house and a year of home-schooling.

Poor Coco takes it really hard. Though Coco is a whiny, materialistic brat with a snarky side a mile wide, I still liked her. She has some of the worst luck, and some scenes featuring bad things happening to her are hilarious. While I couldn't understand her all consuming drive for popularity, I could relate to her feelings about leaving the only home she's ever known. Fortunately for her, this move is the best thing that could have happened to her. It just takes a while for her to realize it.

As time passes, Coco finds comfort in nature and becomes closer to her family. She grows as a person. Though painful, she learns that the popular girls never cared about her beyond what she could do for them. I loved the setting of the story. A farm with no house makes for some utter hilarity when you add in a die hard city girl. This book is great for all ages. But I can really see middle-grade and high school girls liking it. Perhaps it can help another materialistic brat discover what true relationships and friendship are.