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Description
In this middle-grade novel, Hayley's world gets turned upside down when her family moves into her grandmother's house after her parents' divorce, and she begins helping out at the family's tea shop. Her newfound talent for baking earns her a special role, but she also loses her best friend Artie and finds herself caught in an awkward triangle when her crush starts dating Artie. As she navigates a new friendship with the quirky Meghan and a complicated Thanksgiving reunion planned by her dad and his new girlfriend, Hayley must figure out where she fits in a life that feels constantly in flux.
Quick Summary
Hayley's back, and this time the stakes are even higher: her best friend turned nemesis, a crush who's dating the enemy, and a Thanksgiving dinner that's about to become a disaster zone with her dad's new girlfriend and her parents. The story mixes the messy drama of middle-school friendships with the comedic chaos of trying to survive a big family gathering, and Lisa Papademetriou keeps the tone light even when things get tense. If you liked the first book's mix of humor and heart, you'll enjoy watching Hayley navigate new friendships, awkward crushes, and a few surprising moments of genuine kindness. Kids who like stories about relatable problems like dealing with friend drama and family expectations will find plenty to laugh at and maybe even learn from. Parents will appreciate that the book's humor never turns mean-spirited, though there's a bit of sibling-style teasing and a few scenes that might feel a little scary when Hayley's dad's plans go awry. Think of it as a lighter, more humorous version of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, perfect for readers who want a quick, fun read with a dash of real-world mess.