It wasn’t until it arrived that I realised who the author was. I tend to shy away from celebrity authors as there are so many fabulous authors already out there.

That said it was a nice easy read. The bickering and egging on of each of the brothers with ridiculous dares was funny especially when the worm and Aunt Nora’s toes collide and when Dottie the dog attacks the hula hoops. I did find myself having a chuckle.

However, I just found the story disjointed, I didn’t think things ‘flowed’ Aunt Nora seems like she will play a major part but fizzles out after the first couple of chapters. The ‘scary’ and mean Mr Nettles doesn’t have the impact I thought he would.

I did feel sorry for Jack, being left all alone while his Dad is at work, having to make his own dinner of jam sandwiches and liked the fact that he found friends in Blossom & the secret gang. I also liked the part when they realise they can talk to animals, I mean who hasn’t wondered what their dog or cat is thinking or what their barks and meows mean. I know I have.

The ending though just felt unfinished. There was no closure and then a cliff hanger, just a cliff hanger. I get that it would lead to the next book but it just felt there were pages missing.

I gave it 3 ⭐️ as it is a nice, easy and quick read with a twist.

I was lucky to get a Netgalley Arc of Jack Ryder's debut Middle Grade Jack's Secret Summer and yes it is Jack Ryder who was in Eastenders. I admit I was a bit dubious as there seems to be an influx of famous people writing books especially Middle Grade Books but boy was I wrong. Jack's first novel was so entertaining all the characters were lovable I loved the Buckley Boys they were hilarious. This book has so much magic and mystery you could shake a stick at and the reveal towards the end I was not expecting that. While reading this I could visualize how this book could be turned into a series and I think that it would be wonderful. Having a girl in the mix brought back childhood memories for me as I was blossom I played with the boys who were around the same age as me so thank you for bringing back those memories for. I am not going to give a synopsis of the book I just want you to read it and have a whale of a time like I did. So I have to give this wonderful book 5 stars and I be picking up the next book Jack's Secret Summer

A really enjoyable story with an ending that had me frantically wanting more!

Lovely and well written, it focuses on friendship and family as we follow the summer adventure of Jack and his next door neighbours as they explore and later on befriend the mysterious girl they discover hiding out and living in an old deserted house.

I think this will be the perfect summer read for children and adults of all ages - hope there is another book coming!

A fantastic story with the biggest cliff hanger - I hope Jack is busy writing the next book! What group of friends wouldn’t want to explore an old mysterious house during their summer holidays. A great adventure - looking for Blossom’s Dad but maybe finding something else. Oh and I’d LOVE to be able to speak to an elephant (maybe I just need to listen more carefully and have a little bit of magic). A brilliant story that children and adults alike are going to enjoy.

Jack is facing a boring summer alone...as his Dad is busy working long hours at the Retirement Home for Old Animals, and his mum has left them when Jack was three. Not one for having loads of friends, Jack is thrilled when the boys next door include him in their antics. Bruno and Rocco are boisterous and troublesome- perfect for adventuring with.
When the boys find a jungle in the garden of the abandoned house that Jack's grandfather used to live in, they are getting more than they bargained for. The house is also alive with jungle vines that can lift you off your feet, and a girl.
Believing the house to be her secret camp, she is annoyed to find Jack, Bruno and Rocco snooping about the house. She doesn't remember her name but she has clues about her Dad and a storm. It is all very mysterious and the boys decide to help her solve the mystery of where her Dad is, her name and how she came to be in the house.
The story of Jack's summer is brilliant- full of surprises and I was thrilled to be a part of his summer. He is an endearing character and one I was rooting for all summer. The sadness surrounding Jack and his father is lifted somewhat when truths are shared and emotions released and it is a heart wrenching moment,
This book is lovely and full of fun, mystery solving adventurers and I can highly recommend it to any seeking a summer of fun!

Jack is the only child not looking forward to the summer holidays: his single parent dad has a demanding job so Jack spends lots of time on his own. His summer holiday begins to look more promising, however, when he starts to play with his recently arrived neighbours, the Buckleys, whose warm and noisy sibling squabbles intrigue him. In addition, there is the mysterious, run down, overgrown house where Jack’s grandad lived to pique their curiosity, and when they need to shelter the Buckleys’ friendly spaniel from a predicted storm, they hatch a plan that has very unexpected consequences.
The story that ensues is a very different one from the expectation suggested in the opening chapters, that of children left to their own devices through absent parents: Jack’s working dad, and the distracted Aunt Nora in charge of the two boys while the Buckley parents have a weekend away. The tone changes when the children enter the abandoned house, shifting towards fantasy whilst maintaining the humour established by the narrative to this point.
The language and presentation of the book makes it an accessible, entertaining read for younger key stage 2 readers with a reasonable level of confidence and reading stamina, with illustrations breaking up the text and a satisfying page count. The dénouement, however, clearly suggests that this is the first in a series.

Behind this story lies a fantastic basis where the possibilities are endless. The story revolves around Jack, ready for a summer holiday of no fun.

The story takes a turn when he and his neighbours sneak in to the old, derelict house next door.

Magic flows through the house and it was great to get a taste of the magic through the character. The story is well paced and will keep younger children hooked right until the end.

This is a lovely 'proper' children's book. Adventure, absent parents, countryside and new friendships. It's a pleasure to read and children going into a school holiday will love it. A nice little suprise that we hadn't had much press about but would be lovely to sell.