The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson By Paige Toon

[amazon_link id=”1471118789″ target=”_blank” ][/amazon_link]’The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson’ is the first Young Adult novel by ‘Sunday Times’ bestselling author, Paige Toon

When her mum dies, Jessie thinks any hope of finding her real dad is gone. As she goes off the rails, her stepdad makes a shocking discovery: her father is legendary rock star and former hell raiser, Johnny Jefferson. Now the daughter of a superstar, Jessie is suddenly sucked into the LA lifestyle – paparazzi, parties and hot guitar wielding boys included. But Jessie’s still reeling from her mother’s death and the truth about Johnny. Can he live up to her expectations and help her move on? One thing’s for sure, Jessie’s tiny little world has just got a whole lot bigger.

When I first discovered that Paige Toon was going to be writing a Young Adult novel , I was initially a bit apprehensive as to how the adult author would transcend from one genre to the next but it seemed that my concerns had been in vain as Paige had successfully delivered another great story that would suit all ages.

The story is seen through the eyes of Jessie Pickerill, a teenage girl who is angry with the world after her mother is tragically killed in a freak accident before she ever revealed who her real father was. Rebelling against her guardian, the poor unfortunate Stu, she seeks solace in underage drinking, hanging out with her friends whilst ignoring her curfew. Finally after nagging Stu so much, that he reveals in a moment of weakness that Jessie’s father is legendary rockstar and the much lusted Johnny Jefferson. Suddenly thrown into a world packed with parties and celebrities, Jessie has to deal with the challenges of suddenly having such a high profile father.

There was much excitement over this book for many reasons, one reason was it was Paige’s first Young Adult novel and reason two, it was a welcome return to two of Paige’s most enjoyed characters Johnny Jefferson and Meg.

In the first book of the series, we see how Johnny has mellowed in his life and settled comfortably into his new role as loving husband and doting father and Meg is happy with her close and safe family. But young Jessie, sets a cat amongst the pigeons with her sudden appearance and the quiet life that Jessie has led, changes when she goes to LA to meet her biographical father and catch up on the life that she missed out on in life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and delighted to see the comeback of rockstar Johnny. I thought it was wonderfully clever of Paige, to introduce two of her most popular characters and incorporate them into her new Young Adult series. With already having established an audience with Johnny and Meg, it was obvious that that ‘The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson’ would be a hit!

Delightfully energetic, Jessie breathes a breath of fresh air into the lives of Johnny and Meg. Outspoken, sharp and wild, it takes a lot to hold her down and seems likely to follow into her father’s footsteps. The scenes between Jessie and Johnny make for particularly poignant and interesting reading as the two discover each other and catch up on the lives that they missed out on. Johnny adapts to the role of protective father naturally and Jessie settles into a life where she is no longer the only child and both characters seem happier and stable in their new circumstances.

Packed with wit, charm, Californian sunshine and celebrities, Paige has successfully created the perfect, exciting escapism read suitable for all ages. A story of family and finding your identity, ‘The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson’ landmarks a new venture in Paige’s career as not only a successful female writer but creator of a Young Adult series and a series that I will be keeping an eye out for.

You can buy [amazon_link id=”1471118789″ target=”_blank” ]The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson from Amazon [/amazon_link] and is available to buy from good bookshops.