Author: Sunni Overend
ISBN: 978-1-4607-5211-1
RRP: $29.99
Publisher: Harper Collins
Copy: Courtesy of the Publisher
The Rules of Backyard Croquet is a new release with Harper Collins, but it was self-published by Overend back in 2013 as March.
The cover is eye catching and the title is quirky. This is a book that intrigues me because it does strike me as a little bit different.
Apple March was a fashion prodigy, and star pupil at a famed academy, but a scandal saw her disgraced and her career over before it began. Now she is in hiding working retail in a fashion boutique.
You can take the girl out of the academy but you can’t take the passion for fashion out of the girl. Her sister needs a wedding dress and Apple is happy to help, but fashion isn’t the only passion ignited and Apple finds herself embroiled in a time she wants forgotten.
Overend takes us from Melbourne to Paris and New York with lust, fame, fashion and the rich. A book that is sure to be filled with excitement and scandal. I look forward to finding the time to read it.
The Rules of Backyard Croquet is published by Harper Collins and is available now from Angus & Robertson Bookworld, Booktopia and where all good books are sold.
Thanks to Harper Collins 15 of our Beauty and Lace Club Members will be reading The Rules of Backyard Croquet so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
Thanks Beauty & Lace & Harper Collins for this chance to read such an interesting book
A story of passion for a talent that cannot be surpressed even though Apple tried until the love for her sister Poppy overruled her fear to try again Great names by the way!
A story about the fashion industry which at times could be fickle but the rewards could be plentiful
A good entertaining read but as one reviewer said is it necessary for the expletives I couldn’t really see the point of them Maybe I am old fashioned too!
Still I liked the book & would recommend & don’t be put off by the Title
Apple March is 27 years old and is currently a manager at clothing boutique Loom, in Melbourne.
Following an incident years prior during her fashion designing course at a prestigious academy that left Apple disgraced, she dropped out and took the position at Loom and has been hiding away there ever since.
When her sister Poppy gets engaged, she wants Apple to make her wedding dress, but Apple isn’t sure if she can handle delving back into fashion designing after avoiding it for so lone.
After much deliberation and soul-searching, she agrees to make the dress, and goes along with Poppy to a bridal show for Poppy’s work.
Whilst there, she spots Charlie Beauchamp, a gentleman she once had a chance run in with, and the two become friends.
He also introduces her to his friend, Noah, who takes an instant liking to Apple. Charlie has a fiancee but continues to support Apple as she endeavours ot re-emerge into the world of fashion. Noah also proceeds to build a relationship with Apple. But as she is faced with many challenges, which of these two men will be there for her through the highs and lows of not just the fashion worls, but Apple’s personal world too?
There are quite a few well developed characters in this story. Apple’s mum Ginny is a sweetheart and only wants the best for her two daughters. Poppy has a strong bond with Apple, and their support for one another throughout the story was endearing.
I adored the element of fashion throughout, reading about different textiles, styles, and also about the textile mill in Ho Chi Minh city that Apple visits with a co-worker.
Apple’s friend from Loom, Ella Jackson is a character who is equal parts sass and smarts, and despite her potty mouth, she was one of my favourite characters.
I breezed through this book in a matter of days. It is a heart-warming tale that I would happily recommend. Bonus points for the stunning cover!!!
I love the cover of this book. The Rules of Backyard Croquet is an interesting delve into the Fashion Industry through the main character Apple March. Apple is a young fashion designer that has had her passion crushed through bad circumstances whilst studying at a famous fashion academy. She is now hiding away and working in a fashion boutique in Melbourne. Her sister Poppy is getting married and wants Apple to design her wedding dress. Eventually she convinces Apple to overcome her fear and design the dress. It’s a great story that shows that if something is your dream and passion then you can overcome the fear and make great things happen. I enjoyed reading this book despite the fact it has nothing to do with Croquet. Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Harper Collins for this good read.
The Rules of Backyard Croquet is Sunni Overend’s second novel. It’s the first book I have read by her and I found myself really enjoying the time I spent with the protagonist, fashionista Poppy March. Even though I’m not passionate about fashion, I was interested in reading about a world that is different to mine. It seems so glamorous to outsiders, especially the travel, yet Sunni showed the hard work and dedication behind the craft while remaining positive. Poppy herself was a lovely girl, someone I could possibly befriend with her quiet nature. A lot of that was due to her past, which really had me intrigued. I could guess part of Poppy’s history but the second part was a total shock. Sunni did a great job of showing how the past really does define who we are. I was also reminded though that often other people have moved on even though we ourselves may not have. Communication is so important but it’s often easier to run away rather then face the music. After relaxing with The Rules of Backyard Croquet I’m looking forward to reading Sunni’s first book, The Dangers of Truffle Hunting!
What a gorgeous book! I really didn’t know what to expect with the title and even the blurb had me wondering if I would actually enjoy it but I was curious enough to request it and am so glad I was chosen to read it as I really enjoyed it! Apple’s character is so lovely, I could relate to her way of thinking so much it made for extremely easy reading. I loved discovering what the scandal was about why she never finished her design course and reading about her days in the shop ‘Loom’. Some of the customers sounded very familiar to people I have served ha! Her passion for design and couture was catching and I wanted her to succeed so much! Loved her sidekick and friend Jackson and the boys who came into her life were all so dreamy, they were fabulous characters. I read this extremely quickly as I found it really fun and just a terrific read so a huge credit to the author Sunni Overend. Thank you so much Beauty & Lace and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this book. I loved it!