The ice cream girls! After reading a few reviews over on Dooyoo, I was determined to give this book a read after so many positive reviews appeared.
From the first page I was hooked. It takes a lot to get me interested in a book so I was thrilled when I was able to happily stay up late into the night enjoying being absorbed into a book.
The time flew by whilst reading Ice cream girls and before I knew it, it was over.
It took me about a week to read this book which is actually fantastic for me!

The Ice Cream Girls, by Dorothy Koomson is widely available at most big stores and common bookstores.
I grabbed a copy from Tesco for around £4.99, it is also sold in:
Whsmith for £6.00
Amazon for £4.50
Waterstones for £10.39
It may be worth purchasing the book online for cheaper or second hand if you are unsure.
The cover of the book gave me the impression the story was going to be about best friends, which really isn't my sort of book.
However, I couldn't have been more wrong and this just shows once again to not judge a book by its cover.

The two main characters are Serena and Poppy. In fact, the whole story is based around these two girls.
The chapters are set out not in numbers, but alternating between Serena and Poppy's story and perception on the event. The chapters also flick between past and present events, piecing together bits of questions you gather throughout the book.
However I didn't find the story hard to follow at all and was quite surprised at how easy it was to switch between readings about two different people.
From the first page, the story grabbed me in. The story begins with a little dip into the future of the book, giving a taste of what is later to come.

Both girls are young, innocent school girls- both tricked into believing someone who should be a trusted reliable adult loves them enough to spend the rest of their lives with them.
Throughout the book, the events both girls had to go through builds up an emotional of sympathy for both girls. The abuse they receive from the hands of a school teacher they think they share a loving relationship with is upsetting yet gripping.
Poppy and Serena don't share a relationship together of any sort besides the fact that they share a lover. They hold hatred for each other from the lies the man has given both of them, so when a sudden terrifying event happens, both believe the other is responsible.
Poppy and Serena are just 18 when their lives are suddenly turned around.

Poppy is sent to prison, whilst Serena is living her almost perfect life outside.
Serena has it all- A good marriage, a happy family and a good job. But her guilt over what happened that day is affecting her mentally and emotionally, and when Poppy is released from prison, her fears over what might happen next end up becoming the start to a new beginning.
Throughout Poppy's time at prison, the author keeps you guessing and believing she is innocent, believing the other girl did the crime yet questioning whether the other girl was also capable of the event either.
Poppy's character and actions are reflected by her time in prison, this brings along a sense of sympathy and makes you feel sorry for the character as she has spent the best part of her life locked away for something we are made to believe she didn't commit.
When Poppy is released from prison, the story really starts to heat up as the past convictions and accusations of the press begin to rise once more.
Serena's relationship with her husband and sisters are really put to the test as the hidden secret of her past affects her present life.

The girls are branded 'the ice cream girls' from a picture published in the newspaper at the time of the event. The picture holds a sickening and very sad story behind it which unfortunately was hidden; letting readers believe the girls were twisted and capable of such a terrific event.
The relationship between Serena and Poppy holds a huge thick and sticky atmosphere. Throughout the time they spend together when Poppy is released from prison, gets you constantly guessing what really happened on that day, and who was really to blame.
Throughout the story, the relationship between both characters and their families are tested and it really makes you question your own family and what you would do in that same situation.
I wasn't sure whether to expect a sudden twist at the ending, but I sure did get one. The author surprised me with her twist of events and I really couldn't have guessed it throughout reading the book.

Overall, I really am pleased with this book. It pleasantly surprised me and I am really glad I read it as it has given me the push to try new reads in the future.
I am used to reading the Jodi Picoult books which I find excellent, but because I really didn't think I would enjoy reading 'the ice cream girls' it has made me want to try different authors and storylines.
I would recommend this book to everyone, it really will surprise you and it is definitely worth the read.

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