Pride and Premiership ~ Michelle Gayle

http://www.newbooksmag.com/ have kindly asked me to review this newly released YA book .....

Pride and Premiership by Michelle Gayle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

jaffa's rating 4paws

Remy and her sister Malibu have one goal: to be the wife or girlfriend of a premiership footballer.

In order to pursue this goal they frequent bars and nightclubs where famous and not so famous footballers go to relax after a hard game. Both Remy and Malibu are attractive young women, and even though Remy doesn’t feel she is attractive enough, they both manage to snare their men, what then follows, runs true to the old adage - “be careful what you wish for....”

The novel is written in the form of Remy’s diary, with short and snappy dialogue. She is an engaging narrator and there are some genuinely funny moments, with revealing insights into her relationships with her family and friends. The book is aimed primarily at the young adult market but contains some adult content which may well appeal to the older teenager, and the clever use of Quick Response bar codes dotted throughout the narrative, reveals extra content which is not included in the text.

It is clear that the author, Michelle Gayle, once married to a footballer, has used her insider knowledge to positive effect, and the exploration of what life is like as a WAG is convincing without being over sensationalised. Overall, I thought the book was particularly well done, and will have definite appeal to its young target audience, but it also has the unique ability to cross over into the adult market, and would appeal to an audience who enjoy celebrity culture. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed it – it’s going to appeal to girls rather than boys, but I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to my friends with teenage daughters.