Adorably Fluffy: Love Bomb by Jenny McLachlan

Love Bomb
The Ladybirds Book Two
Written by Jenny McLachlan
Check out my review of Flirty Dancing
Contemporary, Romance, Comedy
Published March 12th 2015
304 Pages
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia
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Betty Plum has never been in love. She's never even kissed a boy. But when H.O.T. Toby starts school it's like Betty has been hit with a thousand of Cupid's arrows. It's like a bomb has exploded, a love bomb!

More than ever Betty wishes her mum hadn't died when Betty was a baby. She really needs her mum here to ask her advice. And that's when she finds hidden letters for just these moments. Letters about what your first kiss should feel like and what real love is all about...

Is Betty ready to fall in love? Will she finally have her first kiss?
Betty Plum is one of a kind. The kooky and fun loving fifteen year old still finding her feet. It's only Betty and her single father, her mother having passed away when Betty was still a toddler and has written a series of letters to her daughter for each birthday after she passed away. Along with fellow former Ladybirds Kat and Bea, Betty relies upon best friend Bill who understands her like no other. But when Toby breezes into her life, Betty is suddenly and utterly spellbound. Betty has never been kissed and apart from the questionable advice on practicing with an apple, she wishes her mum were still alive to offer a word of advice. 

The school talent show is just around the corner, so when Toby suggests she audition to become the lead singer of his band, she chooses to leave Kat in the lurch and perform with Toby instead. Or she risks losing him to the likes of Pearl, former Ladybird and resident mean girl. But how does Betty know if Toby likes her? He's given her a nickname of her very own, invitations to spend time with his friends, the touches, the smiles. Clearly Betty's in love and perhaps Toby might just feel the same.

But in a series of personal and secret letters from her mother that's been hidden in the attic, Betty starts to realise that perhaps Toby isn't the perfect boy she thought he was and she's never been more confused. Her father has begun dating and her life is falling apart. Sometimes what you really need is right in front of you, but will Betty realise what that is before it's too late?


I absolutely love this series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but introduces readers to the lives of the former children's playgroup The Ladybirds, girls who have since drifted apart although their lives still entwine with one another. Love Bomb follows Betty, the quirky teen who has never felt the loss of her mother more than when Toby walks into her life. He's the new kid, described as unnaturally attractive and quite the catch. It's love at first sight for Betty, who isn't sure how to gain Toby's undivided attention, especially not when you have mean girl Pearl sniffing around him. But Toby seems to like Betty enough to choose her over Pearl to become the new lead singer of The Vanilla Chinchillas, drawing on her mother's spirit as lead singer of her own band when she had met her father.

But Toby is confusing, he seems to like her but in the same breath will ignore her. Discovering her late mother's letters in their attic couldn't have come at a more pivotal time in Betty's life, needing the advice that only a mother can offer. Your first boyfriend, first kiss, and first heartbreak. It gives Betty clarity for what to look for in a boyfriend, a boy who allows you to be who you are and loves you unconditionally for it. But is Toby the one?

One of the brilliant aspects of this fluffy teen series is the comedy. I wavered between laughing out loud and smiling to myself like an idiot. It's absolutely joyful. But under the comedy and like it's predecessor, Love Bomb touches on real issues such as losing a parent, friendship, first loves, first kisses and finding your place in the world. An absolutely charming coming of age that you'll fall head over heels in love with. Jenny McLachlan has created yet another heartwarming and kooky contemporary that will become an instant favourite.

18 comments

  1. I don't remember the last time I read a ya novel in the 15 year old or younger age group. It's typically upper ya for me. I love a fluffy, romantic comedy, so I will have to check this one out :DI especially love that she seeks advice from her dead mom. Its so awww to me!

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    1. I typically don't either Sarah, but these books are just so adorably funny and fluffy. Love Bomb is one of those books that you can't help but read with a goofy smile on your face, it's just that cute.

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  2. I did love the comedy in both these books, but though I LOVED Flirty Dancing, I didn't connect as much with this one. I guess it was the lack of awesome jiving :P

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    1. There clearly wasn't enough was there. I enjoyed the depth more with this one though, having the letters from her late mother was such a lovely touch as well.

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  3. OH this sounds like so much fun! I have to admit sometimes I cringe at the behavior of 15 year olds and that's why I avoid reading about them, but I have to remember I was 15 years old once ha. Anyways. I haven't heard of this author, so I WILL check this out :)

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    1. Both her books in the series are absolutely fabulous! I'm not one for young reads, but they're cute, fluffy and incredible funny as well. Grab a copy, you won't be disappointed.

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  4. Ah, I'm glad you like this one! The first one was absolutely ADORABLE so I'm looking forward to this one. ^_^

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    1. I loved Flirty Dancing as well, and this one is just as adorable, if not more so. It has a real depth to it, besides the fluffy fun, and touches on losing a parent, first loves, first kisses and is just a gorgeous coming of age. Can't wait to see what you think of it Kara.

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  5. I actually didn't like this book very much. The immense cheesiness made me cringe and I just found it very. . .young. I haven't read Flirty Dancing but there were little hints about their story and I was REALLY curious.
    But nevertheless, I'm glad you loved this book! I really wanted to. Hey Kelly, out of curiosity are you planning to go to Sydney Writer's Festival: Teencon 2015?

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    1. I wish I could, but being in Melbourne it's just not logistical for me unfortunately. It looks amazing though, and with so many Aussie publishers there as well. Will you be going? I'm looking forward to hearing all about it.

      I love the cheesy, fluffy reads from time to time. It makes such a wonderful change from the drama and angsty reads. Flirty Dancing is absolutely adorable, I can certainly see you enjoying that one more. It's pure joy.

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  6. Aw, this does sound really cute. I'd never heard of these books- I like the premise of the "series" but I also like that you can read them as standalones.

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    1. It's wonderful isn't it Lauren. I wish more series would adopt the same format. Sometimes you don't want to invest in an entire series, but with these ones you will. So cute, I absolutely love them!

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  7. I like the sound of this one - it does sound like a cute, fluffy novel overall. Thank you for putting it under my radar x Fantastic review overall <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections

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    1. It's really lovely Benish, guaranteed to make you laugh and swoon with just how adorable the series is. I hope you can grab a copy, it's the perfect read when you're feeling down or need to be pulled out of a book slump.

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  8. Reading something cute and fluffy is always a nice change of pace. I'm so happy you enjoyed this one Kelly!
    Lily @ Lilysbookblog

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    1. Thanks Lily. I really enjoy them every so often, and they really do break up the heaviness of all the dystopian and fantasy titles I tend to gravitate towards.

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  9. Oooh I'm going to be reading this one as a standalone pretty soon! I took a look at the first book but I wonder if its going to be my cup of tea! I love a bit of fluff every now and again though so this may satisfy that craving! I'm loving the sound of a comedy! Fabulous review, Kelly! You always convince me to give things a go!

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  10. I found the first one to be pretty young and heard that this one is the same, but I'm glad the humour and the themes behind it have made it a favourite for you. Thanks for the review Kelly!

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