Love, Mates & Money

There are two narrative voices - Sophie and Tash - in this light-hearted story about teenage best friends who have completely opposite personalities: a familiar but entertaining device. Their attempts at making money have charmingly hilarious results and their infatuation with the flawless Gareth creates tensions most young readers will identify with. There are more serious issues just under the surface - the stresses and strains of family life after divorce, sibling rivalry and the difficulty of dealing with adolescent emotions, but all is well in the end, thanks to supportive friends and parents who finally come to their senses. Humour is never very far away and the whimsical line drawings which punctuate the text raise a gentle smile. There is food for thought here, delivered in an appealingly low-key package.