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Darling Bud
PRE-ORDER the brand-new gripping dark comedy thriller from the world of the Sweetpea series! Now a major TV series on Sky Atlantic starring Ella Purnell!🌷🌷🌷
Murder can be a family business …🌷🌷🌷
Even wallflowers have to bloom.
Sixteen-year-old Ivy is your average teenager. She’s annoyed by the scratchy labels on her school uniform, old men who wolf-whistle, and her mother the serial killer.
But is murder in her roots?
Ivy was raised far away from the shadows of Rhiannon Lewis, the Sweetpea killer, but when the local predator – better known as Ivy’s football coach – is found dead, could it be that she has discovered a taste for blood?
As suspicion grows deeper, Ivy’s only way out is to get some motherly advice. But when the internet’s unlikeliest vigilantes determine that Ivy must be punished for her mother’s crimes, she must decide whether to control the rage burning inside her.
Or to unleash her thorns…
READERS LOVE C.J. SKUSE!‘This darkly comic novel… has the potential to become a cult classic’ Daily Mail
‘Dark, depraved and devilishly delicious. A full throttle savage and satirical thriller’ John Marrs
'Hilarious, refreshing, dark and memorable. It doesn’t disappoint, I loved it’ Phoebe Morgan
‘Visceral, chilling and absolutely downright I wish I had read it sooner!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wickedly funny’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Brilliantly dark and twisted’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Think Bridget Jones but really really angry, readable and deeply dark and funny’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A deliciously dark and twisted read that had me well and truly gripped’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Bridget Jones meets Dexter! Brilliant, original and unputdownable!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Murder can be a family business …🌷🌷🌷
Even wallflowers have to bloom.
Sixteen-year-old Ivy is your average teenager. She’s annoyed by the scratchy labels on her school uniform, old men who wolf-whistle, and her mother the serial killer.
But is murder in her roots?
Ivy was raised far away from the shadows of Rhiannon Lewis, the Sweetpea killer, but when the local predator – better known as Ivy’s football coach – is found dead, could it be that she has discovered a taste for blood?
As suspicion grows deeper, Ivy’s only way out is to get some motherly advice. But when the internet’s unlikeliest vigilantes determine that Ivy must be punished for her mother’s crimes, she must decide whether to control the rage burning inside her.
Or to unleash her thorns…
READERS LOVE C.J. SKUSE!‘This darkly comic novel… has the potential to become a cult classic’ Daily Mail
‘Dark, depraved and devilishly delicious. A full throttle savage and satirical thriller’ John Marrs
'Hilarious, refreshing, dark and memorable. It doesn’t disappoint, I loved it’ Phoebe Morgan
‘Visceral, chilling and absolutely downright I wish I had read it sooner!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wickedly funny’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Brilliantly dark and twisted’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Think Bridget Jones but really really angry, readable and deeply dark and funny’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A deliciously dark and twisted read that had me well and truly gripped’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Bridget Jones meets Dexter! Brilliant, original and unputdownable!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
About the author
C.J. Skuse
18 books902 followersC.J. SKUSE is the author of the Young Adult novels PRETTY BAD THINGS, ROCKOHOLIC and DEAD ROMANTIC (Chicken House), MONSTER and THE DEVIANTS (Mira Ink). She was born in 1980 in Weston-super-Mare, England. She has First Class degrees in Creative Writing and Writing for Children and, aside from writing novels lectures in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. C.J. is currently working on adult novel SWEETPEA for HQ/HarperCollins (out April 2017).
C.J. loves Masterchef, Gummy Bears and murder sites. She hates carnivals, hard-boiled eggs and coughing. The movies Titanic, My Best Friend's Wedding and Ruby Sparks were all probably based on her ideas; she just didn't get to write them down in time. Before she dies, she would like to go to Japan, try clay-pigeon shooting and have Ryan Gosling present her with the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
You can find C.J. Skuse on Facebook or on Twitter www.twitter.com/CeejaytheAuthor.
C.J. loves Masterchef, Gummy Bears and murder sites. She hates carnivals, hard-boiled eggs and coughing. The movies Titanic, My Best Friend's Wedding and Ruby Sparks were all probably based on her ideas; she just didn't get to write them down in time. Before she dies, she would like to go to Japan, try clay-pigeon shooting and have Ryan Gosling present her with the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
You can find C.J. Skuse on Facebook or on Twitter www.twitter.com/CeejaytheAuthor.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
April 28, 2026
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.
Overall rating : 5*
Writing skill : 5*
Plot: 5*
Pace: 3*
Characters: 5*
Completion: 4*
Having finished the series 18 months ago, I was stoaked to see Skuse had written another instalment. I wont go into too much detail on the story, spoilers galore if you havent finished the rest of the series, but it was a pretty good addition to the overall story, any insight a few years down the line is okay in my books. Sad again that were at the end of the journey, but very happy it ended the way it did. One of my fave series of all time!
Overall rating : 5*
Writing skill : 5*
Plot: 5*
Pace: 3*
Characters: 5*
Completion: 4*
Having finished the series 18 months ago, I was stoaked to see Skuse had written another instalment. I wont go into too much detail on the story, spoilers galore if you havent finished the rest of the series, but it was a pretty good addition to the overall story, any insight a few years down the line is okay in my books. Sad again that were at the end of the journey, but very happy it ended the way it did. One of my fave series of all time!
June 9, 2026
Can’t say I was enjoying the book, but the final chapter is very promising😊
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Being a huge fan of the Sweetpea series, there was never any doubt I was going to adore this companion story. Thank you so much NetGalley, HQ, and CJ Skuse for the eARC.
I'll start of by saying Darling Bud is exactly what you want out of a companion novel. You can happily go into it without having read any of the Sweetpea books and any key information is provided throughout e.g., we have mention of Rhiannon and her crimes, news clippings, and flashbacks.
There is a cameo from Rhiannon with her meeting her grown up daughter and this is handled so well. It's important, it's exciting, it's, dare I say, fun! It is absolutely not the focal point of the story and doesn't detract from the fact this is a book about Ivy, not Rhiannon.
If you're a fan of the Sweetpea books, you will love Darling Bud. If you've never heard of Sweetpea, you can still read and enjoy Darling Bud, and you'll be sure to want to head into Sweetpea afterwards.
Easy 5*. Brilliant companion novel to a fantastic FemRage series. IMHO, perfectly executed (no pun intended).
I'll start of by saying Darling Bud is exactly what you want out of a companion novel. You can happily go into it without having read any of the Sweetpea books and any key information is provided throughout e.g., we have mention of Rhiannon and her crimes, news clippings, and flashbacks.
There is a cameo from Rhiannon with her meeting her grown up daughter and this is handled so well. It's important, it's exciting, it's, dare I say, fun! It is absolutely not the focal point of the story and doesn't detract from the fact this is a book about Ivy, not Rhiannon.
If you're a fan of the Sweetpea books, you will love Darling Bud. If you've never heard of Sweetpea, you can still read and enjoy Darling Bud, and you'll be sure to want to head into Sweetpea afterwards.
Easy 5*. Brilliant companion novel to a fantastic FemRage series. IMHO, perfectly executed (no pun intended).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It was perfect!! I can't say how delighted I was to get an early copy of this, the Sweetpea books are probably my favourite series ever, and I was gutted when I finished them.
I loved getting to know Ivy, her 'things that bloody annoyed me today' lists were brilliant, and I loved the nature/nurture thread which ran through the story. I adored getting to catch up with characters from the Sweetpea books and finding out what had happened to them 10 years after the events of the last book.
The ending was absolutely perfect, no notes. My only issue is that I wanted to make this book last but I read it far too quickly!
I loved getting to know Ivy, her 'things that bloody annoyed me today' lists were brilliant, and I loved the nature/nurture thread which ran through the story. I adored getting to catch up with characters from the Sweetpea books and finding out what had happened to them 10 years after the events of the last book.
The ending was absolutely perfect, no notes. My only issue is that I wanted to make this book last but I read it far too quickly!
June 4, 2026
⭑ Publication date: 4th June 2026 (Happy release day🎉)
⭑ A companion novel to the Sweetpea series
⭑ Remember to check all content/trigger warnings & themes prior to reading!
A dark but surprisingly emotional comedy thriller for readers who enjoy -
🌷The Sweetpea book universe
🌷Trademark Skuse filth!
🌷A strong willed FMC
🌷A fast paced, addictive plot
~ plot ~
When 16-year-old Ivy Silverton’s football coach is murdered, she ends up at the top of the suspect list.
Why, you ask? Granted, she didn’t like him but neither did a lot of other people!?
A lot of other people however, are not the daughter of Rhiannon Lewis, the notorious ‘Sweetpea killer’.
With suspicion, judgement & the eyes of internet vigilantes falling on her, Ivy finds herself at a crossroads in life & decides it’s time for some motherly advice.
Though she battles with herself, Ivy’s very much her own person but sharing DNA with a serial killer? Here’s to hoping history isn’t about to repeat itself!
~ review ~
✅ Who do I recommend this to? Quite literally the world, it’s neighbours & their pets. C. J. Skuse’s writing is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life! If you enjoy dry humour, entertaining chaotic characters with enticing storylines & propulsive page turning writing all wrapped up in a casual, familiar tone - you know what to do 🫵🏻➕2️⃣📚
Darling Bud is an addictive, dark, humorous thriller that’s dripping with sharp wit & tension. It does however have a softer side too, exploring themes such as the loss of a parent, grief & feeling lost within yourself. The dark vs deep themes are well balanced & changes in mood/tone/emotion are well placed so as not to overwhelm the reader. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a rollercoaster of emotions but in the very best way possible!
Whether this book was in the mix or not, I would still urge people to read the Sweetpea series because it’s just bloody brilliant!
Darling Bud can certainly be read as a standalone as it fills the reader in with any context & history that’s required. However, that does mean it includes major spoilers from the Sweetpea series! From one Bad seed to any budding bad seeds - in order to get the most out of this book I highly suggest reading the Sweetpea series first. While this is Ivy’s story, having a deeper understanding of Rhiannon’s character really enhances the reading experience!
I genuinely loved this book, like couldn’t fault it. But let’s just take a moment for the ending. Brilliant yes but like, seriously what?! I shan’t spoil anything but I will use a very strange metaphor to try & get my feelings across… You know when you cook something & you take it out of the oven & have to let it sit for 10 minutes? That was me with this book. I needed resting time, processing time, cool down time. That’s all.
Although this is a companion novel to the Sweetpea series, Ivy is very much her own person - not just Rhiannon Lewis’ / a ‘serial killers daughter’. However, I simply cannot breeze past Rhiannon & the nods to the prior books. It’s impossible. I will keep it short though - the lists? LOVED them, total nostalgia. Reminiscent yet glaringly different to those of her Mother. Rhiannon’s cameo? 10/10! It was great to spend time with her & to hear what’s gone on in the time that’s elapsed since we last heard from her. The downside? I have to read the entire series again, now. Ok, back to Ivy…
~ characters ~
Ivy is a fantastic character. With what she’s experienced in life she has every right to be a total nightmare but she’s actually very compassionate & empathetic. I really felt for her following the death of Claudia & the treatment she received from her relatives. Add to that her ongoing inner battle - wanting more for herself, fighting to be her own person, not just part of someone else’s story & there may have been a tear or 2 along the way.
There was still that sharp wit & dark humour but her character was notably deeper & more human than Rhiannon’s. While there were some similarities, she was very much her own person - she had been all along, it just took her some time to see it!
~ final thoughts ~
This is a brilliant addition to the Sweetpea universe! It’s reminiscent of the past but very much its own story, just like Ivy herself. With the hype of her prior work, it would be understandable for C. J. Skuse to feel an insane amount of pressure. Pressure to create something that lives up to the standard of Sweetpea, pressure to create a character that resonates just as much etc. Well, let me tell you, SHE SMASHED IT. 20/10, top of the pyramid. Gold stars all round. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ To conclude, read this book, you will not regret it!
Thank you so much to Caitlin & HQ for the early finished copy! This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily❣️
⭑ A companion novel to the Sweetpea series
⭑ Remember to check all content/trigger warnings & themes prior to reading!
A dark but surprisingly emotional comedy thriller for readers who enjoy -
🌷The Sweetpea book universe
🌷Trademark Skuse filth!
🌷A strong willed FMC
🌷A fast paced, addictive plot
~ plot ~
When 16-year-old Ivy Silverton’s football coach is murdered, she ends up at the top of the suspect list.
Why, you ask? Granted, she didn’t like him but neither did a lot of other people!?
A lot of other people however, are not the daughter of Rhiannon Lewis, the notorious ‘Sweetpea killer’.
With suspicion, judgement & the eyes of internet vigilantes falling on her, Ivy finds herself at a crossroads in life & decides it’s time for some motherly advice.
Though she battles with herself, Ivy’s very much her own person but sharing DNA with a serial killer? Here’s to hoping history isn’t about to repeat itself!
~ review ~
✅ Who do I recommend this to? Quite literally the world, it’s neighbours & their pets. C. J. Skuse’s writing is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life! If you enjoy dry humour, entertaining chaotic characters with enticing storylines & propulsive page turning writing all wrapped up in a casual, familiar tone - you know what to do 🫵🏻➕2️⃣📚
Darling Bud is an addictive, dark, humorous thriller that’s dripping with sharp wit & tension. It does however have a softer side too, exploring themes such as the loss of a parent, grief & feeling lost within yourself. The dark vs deep themes are well balanced & changes in mood/tone/emotion are well placed so as not to overwhelm the reader. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a rollercoaster of emotions but in the very best way possible!
Whether this book was in the mix or not, I would still urge people to read the Sweetpea series because it’s just bloody brilliant!
Darling Bud can certainly be read as a standalone as it fills the reader in with any context & history that’s required. However, that does mean it includes major spoilers from the Sweetpea series! From one Bad seed to any budding bad seeds - in order to get the most out of this book I highly suggest reading the Sweetpea series first. While this is Ivy’s story, having a deeper understanding of Rhiannon’s character really enhances the reading experience!
I genuinely loved this book, like couldn’t fault it. But let’s just take a moment for the ending. Brilliant yes but like, seriously what?! I shan’t spoil anything but I will use a very strange metaphor to try & get my feelings across… You know when you cook something & you take it out of the oven & have to let it sit for 10 minutes? That was me with this book. I needed resting time, processing time, cool down time. That’s all.
Although this is a companion novel to the Sweetpea series, Ivy is very much her own person - not just Rhiannon Lewis’ / a ‘serial killers daughter’. However, I simply cannot breeze past Rhiannon & the nods to the prior books. It’s impossible. I will keep it short though - the lists? LOVED them, total nostalgia. Reminiscent yet glaringly different to those of her Mother. Rhiannon’s cameo? 10/10! It was great to spend time with her & to hear what’s gone on in the time that’s elapsed since we last heard from her. The downside? I have to read the entire series again, now. Ok, back to Ivy…
~ characters ~
Ivy is a fantastic character. With what she’s experienced in life she has every right to be a total nightmare but she’s actually very compassionate & empathetic. I really felt for her following the death of Claudia & the treatment she received from her relatives. Add to that her ongoing inner battle - wanting more for herself, fighting to be her own person, not just part of someone else’s story & there may have been a tear or 2 along the way.
There was still that sharp wit & dark humour but her character was notably deeper & more human than Rhiannon’s. While there were some similarities, she was very much her own person - she had been all along, it just took her some time to see it!
~ final thoughts ~
This is a brilliant addition to the Sweetpea universe! It’s reminiscent of the past but very much its own story, just like Ivy herself. With the hype of her prior work, it would be understandable for C. J. Skuse to feel an insane amount of pressure. Pressure to create something that lives up to the standard of Sweetpea, pressure to create a character that resonates just as much etc. Well, let me tell you, SHE SMASHED IT. 20/10, top of the pyramid. Gold stars all round. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ To conclude, read this book, you will not regret it!
Thank you so much to Caitlin & HQ for the early finished copy! This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily❣️
June 10, 2026
Move over Sweetpea; there’s a new flower in bloom and she’s ready to take centre stage.
It’s no secret that Sweetpea is my favourite series of all time and I was bereft when it was over. But C. J. Skuse did hint that she *might* write a book from the perspective of Ivy, Rhiannon’s daughter. I’m thrilled to say not only has she done it, but it’s bloody brilliant. I finished this book a few days ago and I haven't been able to pick up anything else as I’m still reeling. That ending!! How could you end the book there?! My jaw is still on the floor and I need the rest of the story right now!
Darkly funny, sassy, compelling and emotional, this book had me in a chokehold from the first page to the last. As the story is from a new character’s perspective, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But thankfully this book has everything I’ve come to love about the Sweetpea series and more: the humour is black as ink, there is bloody murder, complex characters and heaps of emotion. Expertly written, intricately interwoven and perfectly plotted, it showcases why C.J. is one of my favourite authors. It’s also a masterclass in ambiguity, making you torn between rooting for wickedness and knowing murder is wrong.
When we meet Ivy things aren’t going well. Not only is she an angst-ridden sixteen-year-old, but her adoptive mum is dying and she’s under suspicion after the pervy football coach at her school was found murdered. Everyone seems to think murder runs in the blood and she’s just like her biological mother - serial killer Rhiannon Lewis. But Ivy maintains her innocence. So, with nowhere else to turn, she reaches out to Rhiannon for advice and goes down the rabbit hole of her mother’s crimes. Meanwhile, there is a creepy man who follows her everywhere, she’s arguing with her girlfriend, and she’s facing being left with no-one once her adoptive mother dies. It’s an emotional rollercoaster and C.J. took me along for every bump of the ride.
I loved Ivy. She is such a great character who was easy to like and root for despite and I was with her on every step of her escapades. She might have spiky edges, but at heart Ivy is a vulnerable teenager who is trying to find her place in the world. She acts out but all she wants is a family and a place to belong. She’s also trying to escape the shadow that her birth mother has cast over her life, no mean feat when everyone knows who she is, what she did, and she’s about to give a live TV interview from jail about her crimes. I also loved being back with Rhiannon and seeing some new sides to her in addition to the ones we know and love. No one writes a complex anti-hero like C. J.
Read it now!
It’s no secret that Sweetpea is my favourite series of all time and I was bereft when it was over. But C. J. Skuse did hint that she *might* write a book from the perspective of Ivy, Rhiannon’s daughter. I’m thrilled to say not only has she done it, but it’s bloody brilliant. I finished this book a few days ago and I haven't been able to pick up anything else as I’m still reeling. That ending!! How could you end the book there?! My jaw is still on the floor and I need the rest of the story right now!
Darkly funny, sassy, compelling and emotional, this book had me in a chokehold from the first page to the last. As the story is from a new character’s perspective, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But thankfully this book has everything I’ve come to love about the Sweetpea series and more: the humour is black as ink, there is bloody murder, complex characters and heaps of emotion. Expertly written, intricately interwoven and perfectly plotted, it showcases why C.J. is one of my favourite authors. It’s also a masterclass in ambiguity, making you torn between rooting for wickedness and knowing murder is wrong.
When we meet Ivy things aren’t going well. Not only is she an angst-ridden sixteen-year-old, but her adoptive mum is dying and she’s under suspicion after the pervy football coach at her school was found murdered. Everyone seems to think murder runs in the blood and she’s just like her biological mother - serial killer Rhiannon Lewis. But Ivy maintains her innocence. So, with nowhere else to turn, she reaches out to Rhiannon for advice and goes down the rabbit hole of her mother’s crimes. Meanwhile, there is a creepy man who follows her everywhere, she’s arguing with her girlfriend, and she’s facing being left with no-one once her adoptive mother dies. It’s an emotional rollercoaster and C.J. took me along for every bump of the ride.
I loved Ivy. She is such a great character who was easy to like and root for despite and I was with her on every step of her escapades. She might have spiky edges, but at heart Ivy is a vulnerable teenager who is trying to find her place in the world. She acts out but all she wants is a family and a place to belong. She’s also trying to escape the shadow that her birth mother has cast over her life, no mean feat when everyone knows who she is, what she did, and she’s about to give a live TV interview from jail about her crimes. I also loved being back with Rhiannon and seeing some new sides to her in addition to the ones we know and love. No one writes a complex anti-hero like C. J.
Read it now!
March 26, 2026
Review of ‘Darling Bud’ by C. J. Skuse, due to be published on 4 June 2026 by HQ.
Meet Ivy, the 16 year old daughter of Rhiannon Lewis AKA the Sweetpea Killer, as she navigates life when her adopted mother Claudia passes away. Descended upon by family she has never met arriving from Australia who she is supposed to go and live with, despite it being against her wishes. They won’t hear mention of Rhiannon’s name, have little time for Ivy and seem mostly more interested in the money she will inherit, along with the valuables in the house.
Set in 2030 after Rhiannon has been captured and imprisoned, Ivy finally is able to read all the literature associated with the murders to understand the severity of her birth mother’s crimes. Finding herself the subject of suspicion when a teacher dies, Ivy wonders if she’ll ever be truly free.
Whilst Ivy is a complex character, she’s engaging and funny - her daily lists of who has annoyed her are a particular highlight. At the heart of the story is a young girl, blighted by history and feeling unwanted and unloved following Claudia’s death. She’s headstrong and determined to do the right thing for herself, despite what others think she should do. The Australian family are extremely unlikeable, and the conclusion of their story is very apt.
Can be read as a standalone and is set up nicely for a sequel with a twist to the tale at the end. A fun, lighthearted read.
Meet Ivy, the 16 year old daughter of Rhiannon Lewis AKA the Sweetpea Killer, as she navigates life when her adopted mother Claudia passes away. Descended upon by family she has never met arriving from Australia who she is supposed to go and live with, despite it being against her wishes. They won’t hear mention of Rhiannon’s name, have little time for Ivy and seem mostly more interested in the money she will inherit, along with the valuables in the house.
Set in 2030 after Rhiannon has been captured and imprisoned, Ivy finally is able to read all the literature associated with the murders to understand the severity of her birth mother’s crimes. Finding herself the subject of suspicion when a teacher dies, Ivy wonders if she’ll ever be truly free.
Whilst Ivy is a complex character, she’s engaging and funny - her daily lists of who has annoyed her are a particular highlight. At the heart of the story is a young girl, blighted by history and feeling unwanted and unloved following Claudia’s death. She’s headstrong and determined to do the right thing for herself, despite what others think she should do. The Australian family are extremely unlikeable, and the conclusion of their story is very apt.
Can be read as a standalone and is set up nicely for a sequel with a twist to the tale at the end. A fun, lighthearted read.
May 31, 2026
Ivy is an average teenager, apart from being the daughter of serial killer Rhiannon Lewis. When Ivy’s football coach is found murdered, suspicion rises about her involvement. The only option is to get someone motherly advice. But when online vigilantes determine that Ivy should be punished for her mother’s crimes, she must determine whether to control her rage or release her thorns.
As someone who has enjoyed some of the Sweetpea series of books in the past I was looking forward to reading this spin off, focusing on Rhiannon’s daughter. I’ll have to admit that I still have some catching up to do with the Sweetpea series and although this isn’t officially part of that series, I feel I would have benefited from reading all of the books to gain the full backstory. Saying that, it was still a fun, enjoyable read and Ivy was an entertaining character, with her own narrative, so can be read as a standalone.
The story continues with the author’s trademark dark humour and I liked the added element of the newspaper articles and chapters that started with the lists. Ivy was strongly written and despite her flaws, it’s hard not to root for her. The surprise ending was also very satisfactory! I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at times, but likely due to me trying to catch up with the backstory. Overall though, this was another entertaining, witty read and I will definitely carry on reading more by this author. I will also make sure to catch up with the Sweetepea books missed, as I think this would have increased my enjoyment even further. 3.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
As someone who has enjoyed some of the Sweetpea series of books in the past I was looking forward to reading this spin off, focusing on Rhiannon’s daughter. I’ll have to admit that I still have some catching up to do with the Sweetpea series and although this isn’t officially part of that series, I feel I would have benefited from reading all of the books to gain the full backstory. Saying that, it was still a fun, enjoyable read and Ivy was an entertaining character, with her own narrative, so can be read as a standalone.
The story continues with the author’s trademark dark humour and I liked the added element of the newspaper articles and chapters that started with the lists. Ivy was strongly written and despite her flaws, it’s hard not to root for her. The surprise ending was also very satisfactory! I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at times, but likely due to me trying to catch up with the backstory. Overall though, this was another entertaining, witty read and I will definitely carry on reading more by this author. I will also make sure to catch up with the Sweetepea books missed, as I think this would have increased my enjoyment even further. 3.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
June 17, 2026
This was SO good!! Realized it was an extenuation of the Sweetpea series so immediately went and watched the show. loved it. This book was such an easy read and THE ENDING?! It was so unexpected but i also wanted Leo to just be innocent and for them to be the perfect family but … no
Review of advance copy
[01/06/26] My Waterstones preorder arrived today and I demolished this in under four hours oh my lord.
Review to follow.
SPOILERS
Well, happy pride, Ivy, sorry about your... everything.
Skuse really did develop a world spinning off of that one canal attack in the opening of Sweetpea and take everything to it's ultimate conclusion. Across the five books, everything in Rhiannon's life escalates in a way that's both completely ridiculous, but played mostly straight and convincing.
I loved the grotesque happy ending at the end of The Bad Seeds so much, so it was a bother to have that withdrawn and Rhiannon captured and imprisoned. I know even in that ending she was being realistic about her chances of evading capture, but it's still a mild disappointment.
Skuse handles a shift to 2035 pretty effectively. There's no really crazy future tech around, which trips up a lot of authors I find. There's just a few driverless Ubers and buses around (arguably foreshadowing the taxi driver at the end, how complacent Ivy is) and I think Ivy opens a school locker by scanning her ID. They probably already have that in some posh schools - my school had cards and then fingerprints for buying dinner as early as 2005.
Skuse returns to the theme of losing one's home and family again; it recurs across the other five books. Much of the first book is about Rhiannon selling the family home after her Dad's death, and the second builds up to her fleeing the UK and would be in-laws. She wanders Europe and Mexico in the third, before attempting to settle in Covid lockdown America in the fourth. Her time in Ireland in book five is a standout, and by Thailand at the very end, she seems to have accepted that she will never truly have a home, but as long as she's with Rafael, she will manage.
You can kind of read the choices Rhiannon has made since then in the subtext of Ivy's perspective. She's faked Rafael's death to protect him and Leo and turned herself in, then when Ivy gets close to her for the first time since the start of book five, she fakes a violent attack (then a very real one) to get herself locked up in solitary long term and kept far away from Ivy and the press. Having spent five books in Rhiannon's perspective, we know she's doing that out of love, and it's killing her.
Ivy spends this book living in the consequences of her biological mother's choices, fearing her own violence and anger. Frankly, she's just a 16 year old carer with no real family to speak of, it's not serial killer anger, just traumatised teenager anger.
AJ's family really are pretty horrible, and the moment that Ivy gets annoyed with Jordy for touching her curls without permission, it should be obvious they're no ally either. It foreshadows their stealing Ivy's passport pretty clearly.
The sequence after the funeral where the Bishopston boys abduct Ivy for ransom is a great subversion of the pattern of encounters in previous books. Compare against the climax of Dead Head where Rhiannon is held captive, and how insane that gets. But Ivy and the Bishopstons are just kids, and they're tired of being angry at Rhiannon. I love that Ivy gets that moment of reprieve to just drink and hang out with some of the few other young people who get what she's going through.
We get a Daisy Chan cameo, Freddie Litton-Cheney, we get Guy Majors (I was right to picture a Huw Edwards type lol), we get plenty of Heather Wherriman, I think the only secondary characters who don't appear are Géricault and Billy, who I assume are still having their happily ever after and committing cyber crime from rural Ireland.
I don't know whether to expect a follow-up from Darling Bud. One of the other reviewers suggested that Skuse might have got all she's going to get out of the concept, and yeah, we're now very far indeed from where we started, though the shark was leapt in mid book 3 I think.
I would still love to know how the hell Ivy reasons with Raf, if at all. Poor Gus. Violence against children is against Rhiannon's rules, and Raf knows that, so what the hell possible clean up could he even do? It's pretty tragic as an ending.
I think I would honestly just keep reading through a book seven or even eight. This is marketed as a companion book rather than book six, but ah well. Skuse formerly dealt in YA and it shows in how strong Ivy is as a character. She could definitely support a sequel.
Sweetpea is one of the few book series I've reread in recent years, that and Discworld. They're just fun, without being stupid. My heart was absolutely pounding at the end of Darling Bud, after a four hour race through it, and I can't recommend the whole series enough.
Review to follow.
SPOILERS
Well, happy pride, Ivy, sorry about your... everything.
Skuse really did develop a world spinning off of that one canal attack in the opening of Sweetpea and take everything to it's ultimate conclusion. Across the five books, everything in Rhiannon's life escalates in a way that's both completely ridiculous, but played mostly straight and convincing.
I loved the grotesque happy ending at the end of The Bad Seeds so much, so it was a bother to have that withdrawn and Rhiannon captured and imprisoned. I know even in that ending she was being realistic about her chances of evading capture, but it's still a mild disappointment.
Skuse handles a shift to 2035 pretty effectively. There's no really crazy future tech around, which trips up a lot of authors I find. There's just a few driverless Ubers and buses around (arguably foreshadowing the taxi driver at the end, how complacent Ivy is) and I think Ivy opens a school locker by scanning her ID. They probably already have that in some posh schools - my school had cards and then fingerprints for buying dinner as early as 2005.
Skuse returns to the theme of losing one's home and family again; it recurs across the other five books. Much of the first book is about Rhiannon selling the family home after her Dad's death, and the second builds up to her fleeing the UK and would be in-laws. She wanders Europe and Mexico in the third, before attempting to settle in Covid lockdown America in the fourth. Her time in Ireland in book five is a standout, and by Thailand at the very end, she seems to have accepted that she will never truly have a home, but as long as she's with Rafael, she will manage.
You can kind of read the choices Rhiannon has made since then in the subtext of Ivy's perspective. She's faked Rafael's death to protect him and Leo and turned herself in, then when Ivy gets close to her for the first time since the start of book five, she fakes a violent attack (then a very real one) to get herself locked up in solitary long term and kept far away from Ivy and the press. Having spent five books in Rhiannon's perspective, we know she's doing that out of love, and it's killing her.
Ivy spends this book living in the consequences of her biological mother's choices, fearing her own violence and anger. Frankly, she's just a 16 year old carer with no real family to speak of, it's not serial killer anger, just traumatised teenager anger.
AJ's family really are pretty horrible, and the moment that Ivy gets annoyed with Jordy for touching her curls without permission, it should be obvious they're no ally either. It foreshadows their stealing Ivy's passport pretty clearly.
The sequence after the funeral where the Bishopston boys abduct Ivy for ransom is a great subversion of the pattern of encounters in previous books. Compare against the climax of Dead Head where Rhiannon is held captive, and how insane that gets. But Ivy and the Bishopstons are just kids, and they're tired of being angry at Rhiannon. I love that Ivy gets that moment of reprieve to just drink and hang out with some of the few other young people who get what she's going through.
We get a Daisy Chan cameo, Freddie Litton-Cheney, we get Guy Majors (I was right to picture a Huw Edwards type lol), we get plenty of Heather Wherriman, I think the only secondary characters who don't appear are Géricault and Billy, who I assume are still having their happily ever after and committing cyber crime from rural Ireland.
I don't know whether to expect a follow-up from Darling Bud. One of the other reviewers suggested that Skuse might have got all she's going to get out of the concept, and yeah, we're now very far indeed from where we started, though the shark was leapt in mid book 3 I think.
I would still love to know how the hell Ivy reasons with Raf, if at all. Poor Gus. Violence against children is against Rhiannon's rules, and Raf knows that, so what the hell possible clean up could he even do? It's pretty tragic as an ending.
I think I would honestly just keep reading through a book seven or even eight. This is marketed as a companion book rather than book six, but ah well. Skuse formerly dealt in YA and it shows in how strong Ivy is as a character. She could definitely support a sequel.
Sweetpea is one of the few book series I've reread in recent years, that and Discworld. They're just fun, without being stupid. My heart was absolutely pounding at the end of Darling Bud, after a four hour race through it, and I can't recommend the whole series enough.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I genuinely thought saying goodbye to the Sweet Pea series had broken me already… and then CJ Skuse came back and dropped Darling Bud into my life 😭🖤 Returning to this chaotic, darkly hilarious world through Ivy’s story felt both nostalgic and completely fresh at the same time.
Set in 2035, Darling Bud follows Ivy — Rhiannon Lewis’ sixteen-year-old daughter — and WOW what a character she is 👏 She’s grown up carrying the weight of a legacy she never asked for. Her mother is an infamous serial killer locked away in prison, she never had the chance to know her father because of Rhiannon’s actions, and now she’s suddenly caught in the middle of accusations surrounding the death of her PE teacher 😳 Talk about a rough start to life.
What I loved most was how determined Ivy is to be nothing like Rhiannon 🥹 She’s compassionate, witty, emotionally strong, an animal lover, and honestly just wants the chance to live a normal life. But no matter how hard she tries, her mother’s shadow follows her everywhere. Watching Ivy struggle with that while also trying to understand who Rhiannon really was made the story so compelling.
And yes… the true crime elements involving Rhiannon were EVERYTHING 👀🖤 Ivy reading books and articles about her mother’s crimes to piece together the truth about her life was such an interesting layer to the story. CJ Skuse balanced the callbacks to Sweet Pea perfectly without ever letting them overshadow Ivy’s own journey.
I also appreciated that Darling Bud works really well as both a continuation and a standalone ✨ If you’ve read the Sweet Pea books, there are so many moments, cameos, and references that hit emotionally in the best way. But if someone is completely new to the series, there’s enough context woven throughout the story that they could still jump in and enjoy Ivy’s story independently.
The reunion between Ivy and Rhiannon??? 😭 Absolutely handled perfectly. Emotional, awkward, intense, darkly funny — it captured everything it needed to without taking focus away from Ivy as the true center of the book.
And that ending?!?! 🤯 I literally finished the book and just sat there staring into space trying to process what had happened. CJ Skuse really knows how to deliver a finale that leaves you emotionally spiraling and desperate for the next book immediately.
I also listened to the audiobook 🎧 and overall it added so much personality to the experience. The narrator captured Ivy’s humor, frustration, and emotional strength so well. As an Aussie, some of the Australian accents made me laugh a little because they leaned more Kiwi at times 😂 but honestly it didn’t take away from how much I loved the story.
Darling Bud perfectly captures the same dark humor, sharp wit, emotional chaos, and addictive energy that made the Sweet Pea series so iconic while still allowing Ivy to become fully her own person ❤️ And now I desperately need CJ Skuse to give us more Ivy because there is NO way I’m ready to leave this world again.
Set in 2035, Darling Bud follows Ivy — Rhiannon Lewis’ sixteen-year-old daughter — and WOW what a character she is 👏 She’s grown up carrying the weight of a legacy she never asked for. Her mother is an infamous serial killer locked away in prison, she never had the chance to know her father because of Rhiannon’s actions, and now she’s suddenly caught in the middle of accusations surrounding the death of her PE teacher 😳 Talk about a rough start to life.
What I loved most was how determined Ivy is to be nothing like Rhiannon 🥹 She’s compassionate, witty, emotionally strong, an animal lover, and honestly just wants the chance to live a normal life. But no matter how hard she tries, her mother’s shadow follows her everywhere. Watching Ivy struggle with that while also trying to understand who Rhiannon really was made the story so compelling.
And yes… the true crime elements involving Rhiannon were EVERYTHING 👀🖤 Ivy reading books and articles about her mother’s crimes to piece together the truth about her life was such an interesting layer to the story. CJ Skuse balanced the callbacks to Sweet Pea perfectly without ever letting them overshadow Ivy’s own journey.
I also appreciated that Darling Bud works really well as both a continuation and a standalone ✨ If you’ve read the Sweet Pea books, there are so many moments, cameos, and references that hit emotionally in the best way. But if someone is completely new to the series, there’s enough context woven throughout the story that they could still jump in and enjoy Ivy’s story independently.
The reunion between Ivy and Rhiannon??? 😭 Absolutely handled perfectly. Emotional, awkward, intense, darkly funny — it captured everything it needed to without taking focus away from Ivy as the true center of the book.
And that ending?!?! 🤯 I literally finished the book and just sat there staring into space trying to process what had happened. CJ Skuse really knows how to deliver a finale that leaves you emotionally spiraling and desperate for the next book immediately.
I also listened to the audiobook 🎧 and overall it added so much personality to the experience. The narrator captured Ivy’s humor, frustration, and emotional strength so well. As an Aussie, some of the Australian accents made me laugh a little because they leaned more Kiwi at times 😂 but honestly it didn’t take away from how much I loved the story.
Darling Bud perfectly captures the same dark humor, sharp wit, emotional chaos, and addictive energy that made the Sweet Pea series so iconic while still allowing Ivy to become fully her own person ❤️ And now I desperately need CJ Skuse to give us more Ivy because there is NO way I’m ready to leave this world again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 4.4/5
When I reviewed "The Bad Seeds", the fifth and final instalment of the Sweetpea series, I was both sad and glad that it had come to an end. Sad, because I had thoroughly enjoyed each of the books, but also glad, because I felt that Rhiannon's story had now been told and the time was right for the author, C.J. Skuse, to move on. In that review I stated that I was looking forward to watching the Sky Atlantic dramatisation of "Sweetpea", which, unfortunately turned out to be quite disappointing. I also questioned whether the author would now choose to move in a completely different direction, or whether she would opt to create a spin-off related to the Sweetpea series - and that is precisely what C.J. Skuse decided to do.
Set in the future, 2035, "Darling Bud" tells the story of Ivy Silverton, the daughter of Rhiannon Lewis aka Sweetpea. Ivy is sixteen and has been brought up by Claudia Solverton, who she very much views as her real mother, as opposed to Rhiannon, who was merely her birth mother. However, Claudia is terminally ill and it is only a matter of time before she will shuffle off this mortal coil, leaving Ivy's future uncertain.
Stylistically, "Darling Bud" bears the same hallmarks as the Sweetpea series. Rhiannon's "kill lists" at the start of each chapter may have been replaced with Ivy's "Things That Have Bloody Annoyed Me", but the appeal and the effect are very similar. Likewise, where the narrative of Sweetpea series was in the form of Rhiannon's internal monologue, we now have the inner voice of Ivy guiding us through events. The key difference is that "Darling Bud" contains far more sadness and poignancy, with the character of Ivy eliciting far greater feelings of empathy than Rhiannon's ever did. There are times when this novel is not only touching, but deeply moving. That said, there are still ample amounts of the author's trademark humour injected at regular intervals, which may well having you laughing out loud on occasion.
I would have to say that I think this is the best book C.J. Skuse has produced since the very first one in the Sweetpea series. The only reason I have stopped just short of awarding this a full five stars is that "Darling Bud" is hamstrung by the need to be familiar with the Sweetpea series. It really would be something of a stretch to view this as a story that could be read as a standalone. You could try, but I feel that you would struggle to fully appreciate and derive the most enjoyment from it unless you have read the five Sweetpea novels previously. I would certainly recommend that people add this to their reading list, but with the caveat that they read those Sweetpea books first.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
When I reviewed "The Bad Seeds", the fifth and final instalment of the Sweetpea series, I was both sad and glad that it had come to an end. Sad, because I had thoroughly enjoyed each of the books, but also glad, because I felt that Rhiannon's story had now been told and the time was right for the author, C.J. Skuse, to move on. In that review I stated that I was looking forward to watching the Sky Atlantic dramatisation of "Sweetpea", which, unfortunately turned out to be quite disappointing. I also questioned whether the author would now choose to move in a completely different direction, or whether she would opt to create a spin-off related to the Sweetpea series - and that is precisely what C.J. Skuse decided to do.
Set in the future, 2035, "Darling Bud" tells the story of Ivy Silverton, the daughter of Rhiannon Lewis aka Sweetpea. Ivy is sixteen and has been brought up by Claudia Solverton, who she very much views as her real mother, as opposed to Rhiannon, who was merely her birth mother. However, Claudia is terminally ill and it is only a matter of time before she will shuffle off this mortal coil, leaving Ivy's future uncertain.
Stylistically, "Darling Bud" bears the same hallmarks as the Sweetpea series. Rhiannon's "kill lists" at the start of each chapter may have been replaced with Ivy's "Things That Have Bloody Annoyed Me", but the appeal and the effect are very similar. Likewise, where the narrative of Sweetpea series was in the form of Rhiannon's internal monologue, we now have the inner voice of Ivy guiding us through events. The key difference is that "Darling Bud" contains far more sadness and poignancy, with the character of Ivy eliciting far greater feelings of empathy than Rhiannon's ever did. There are times when this novel is not only touching, but deeply moving. That said, there are still ample amounts of the author's trademark humour injected at regular intervals, which may well having you laughing out loud on occasion.
I would have to say that I think this is the best book C.J. Skuse has produced since the very first one in the Sweetpea series. The only reason I have stopped just short of awarding this a full five stars is that "Darling Bud" is hamstrung by the need to be familiar with the Sweetpea series. It really would be something of a stretch to view this as a story that could be read as a standalone. You could try, but I feel that you would struggle to fully appreciate and derive the most enjoyment from it unless you have read the five Sweetpea novels previously. I would certainly recommend that people add this to their reading list, but with the caveat that they read those Sweetpea books first.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well... I was wondering where the author would go after I finished The Bad Seeds - Sweetpea Book 5 - and boy was I ecstatic when I heard about this book - and completely over the moon when I got my grubby mitts on a copy.
Now... Although this is not spelled out as a series book, you really should read the 5 Sweetpea books first. Or even maybe this is book 6 of that, or even book one of it's own new series or a companion book - I don't know... If you don't then this book contains many spoilers for those, and you'll have a better time with Ivy if you know Rhiannon ;)
Anyway... Ivy is now 16 and has her own "things that annoyed me today" lists! She appears to be the average teenager, annoyed by pretty mundane things. Absolutely loves playing football, and really wants to escape the shadow of her mother. Until the day her football coach is found dead and his penchant for students exposed. Is Ivy just a chip off the old block? She's been raised away from her mum - but nature/nurture and all that? Or, with the Bad Seeds still out there, is someone doing her a favour? Should she try and get to know her mother better, something she has thus far avoided.
Meanwhile, her adopted mother has died and her "Australian Family" is flying over to "claim her". Which also leaves her wondering more about her father...
Anyway... there's a whole lot more stuff I could say about Ivy, her motivations and actions herein, but even hinting at some things might inject spoilers into this review so I 'm not going there.
If you have read and loved the Sweetpea books - you'll no doubt love this one. If you haven't then I will repeat my suggestion that you do just that before starting this one. I fully believe that you'll have a much better time if you do.
Me, now, I'm just, once again, wondering what the author will do next. I mean... THAT ENDING... we really can't just leave it there... please... I know I will be revisiting it on Audiobook when it is released but, it really can't be the end...again...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Now... Although this is not spelled out as a series book, you really should read the 5 Sweetpea books first. Or even maybe this is book 6 of that, or even book one of it's own new series or a companion book - I don't know... If you don't then this book contains many spoilers for those, and you'll have a better time with Ivy if you know Rhiannon ;)
Anyway... Ivy is now 16 and has her own "things that annoyed me today" lists! She appears to be the average teenager, annoyed by pretty mundane things. Absolutely loves playing football, and really wants to escape the shadow of her mother. Until the day her football coach is found dead and his penchant for students exposed. Is Ivy just a chip off the old block? She's been raised away from her mum - but nature/nurture and all that? Or, with the Bad Seeds still out there, is someone doing her a favour? Should she try and get to know her mother better, something she has thus far avoided.
Meanwhile, her adopted mother has died and her "Australian Family" is flying over to "claim her". Which also leaves her wondering more about her father...
Anyway... there's a whole lot more stuff I could say about Ivy, her motivations and actions herein, but even hinting at some things might inject spoilers into this review so I 'm not going there.
If you have read and loved the Sweetpea books - you'll no doubt love this one. If you haven't then I will repeat my suggestion that you do just that before starting this one. I fully believe that you'll have a much better time if you do.
Me, now, I'm just, once again, wondering what the author will do next. I mean... THAT ENDING... we really can't just leave it there... please... I know I will be revisiting it on Audiobook when it is released but, it really can't be the end...again...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
June 4, 2026
What a treat it is to revisit the world of Sweetpea! But rather than focus on serial killer Rhiannon Lewis this time, Darling Bud takes us into the future with our protagonist being 15-year-old Ivy, Rhiannon's estranged daughter. She knows who her birth mum is, of course, and now she's old enough to start asking questions.
The presentation of Darling Bud is what makes it stand out: Over the course of the novel, Ivy reads the Sweetpea novels, learning about Rhiannon in the very same way we did. She has a lot to deal with: the Sweetpea Killer is just as famous as ever, so Ivy has to deal with reporters at her door, police questioning her about copycat murders and a whole lot more. But she's not like her mum. She's determined she won't turn out like her.
Darling Bud feels more like a character study than an action-packed thriller like the books that came before it. It isn't filled with grizzly murders and high-stakes hijinks: just the worries of a 15-year-old girl coming to terms with who she is. Because of that, it feels more like a young adult novel than the Sweetpea series, which may alienate some fans. But I enjoyed the change of pace here; it provides a very welcome companion read to the series, and it's very interesting to consider Rhiannon from a different perspective.
Rather than being the anti-hero, as she was positioned in the mainline series of books - reading from her perspective naturally made us more sympathetic to her character - this time, I found myself being much more critical of her, seeing her as the dangerous killer she is. It's an interesting juxtaposition, and it really helps to empathise with Ivy and the feelings she has towards her birth mother.
You'll certainly get the most out of Darling Bud if you've read and loved the Sweetpea series. Without knowledge of Rhiannon, you might feel a little lost here. But for Sweetpea fans, consider this a must-read.
I loved the ending, and I hope it means we'll get more from Ivy's perspective in the future... 👀
The presentation of Darling Bud is what makes it stand out: Over the course of the novel, Ivy reads the Sweetpea novels, learning about Rhiannon in the very same way we did. She has a lot to deal with: the Sweetpea Killer is just as famous as ever, so Ivy has to deal with reporters at her door, police questioning her about copycat murders and a whole lot more. But she's not like her mum. She's determined she won't turn out like her.
Darling Bud feels more like a character study than an action-packed thriller like the books that came before it. It isn't filled with grizzly murders and high-stakes hijinks: just the worries of a 15-year-old girl coming to terms with who she is. Because of that, it feels more like a young adult novel than the Sweetpea series, which may alienate some fans. But I enjoyed the change of pace here; it provides a very welcome companion read to the series, and it's very interesting to consider Rhiannon from a different perspective.
Rather than being the anti-hero, as she was positioned in the mainline series of books - reading from her perspective naturally made us more sympathetic to her character - this time, I found myself being much more critical of her, seeing her as the dangerous killer she is. It's an interesting juxtaposition, and it really helps to empathise with Ivy and the feelings she has towards her birth mother.
You'll certainly get the most out of Darling Bud if you've read and loved the Sweetpea series. Without knowledge of Rhiannon, you might feel a little lost here. But for Sweetpea fans, consider this a must-read.
I loved the ending, and I hope it means we'll get more from Ivy's perspective in the future... 👀
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ivy has been brought up apart from her biological serial killer mother, but what’s that saying again: apples don’t fall far from the tree?
When their school football coach turns up dead, all eyes are on Ivy - she kept accusing him of being a predator after all. Ivy decides possibly she does need some motherly advice after all, but it turns out maybe someone has decided that Ivy needs to pay for her mother’s crimes…
The Pros:
1) I loved the premise of the book! I’ve always been intrigued about the nature and nurture debate irl. Will Ivy end up like her serial killer mother?
2) We get a major update on Rhiannon and her life
3) We have some old friends from the Sweetpea series in the story
4) I did giggle at the ending lol
The Cons:
1) There are dark themes and sad parts. Check trigger warnings if you feel you need to.
The Quotes:
1) ...sooner or later the devil comes to collect, I thought. Except he’s coming to collect from me, not her.
2) ‘... a woman needs her wits about her in this world Ivy, you’ll realise that as you get older. Sometimes all you can rely on is yourself...’
Please note: as I listened on audio, these quotes may not be 100% accurate!
The Summary:
I flew through this book! I loved the Sweetpea series and was glad to be back in this world again. Please be aware, there are dark themes and sad parts throughout. I have always been intrigued by the nature vs. nurture debate and a story that plays into that theory was always going to interest me - especially in Rhiannon’s murdery world lol. We have old friends as well from the series, which I loved. There is one part, in particular, in the book that struck me emotionally as well. My favourite parts include murdery queen Rhiannon herself and the ending for sure!
Summed up in a sentence?:
Is Ivy like her serial killer mother Rhiannon Lewis (AKA Sweetpea)?
I rated the book 4 stars.
When their school football coach turns up dead, all eyes are on Ivy - she kept accusing him of being a predator after all. Ivy decides possibly she does need some motherly advice after all, but it turns out maybe someone has decided that Ivy needs to pay for her mother’s crimes…
The Pros:
1) I loved the premise of the book! I’ve always been intrigued about the nature and nurture debate irl. Will Ivy end up like her serial killer mother?
2) We get a major update on Rhiannon and her life
3) We have some old friends from the Sweetpea series in the story
4) I did giggle at the ending lol
The Cons:
1) There are dark themes and sad parts. Check trigger warnings if you feel you need to.
The Quotes:
1) ...sooner or later the devil comes to collect, I thought. Except he’s coming to collect from me, not her.
2) ‘... a woman needs her wits about her in this world Ivy, you’ll realise that as you get older. Sometimes all you can rely on is yourself...’
Please note: as I listened on audio, these quotes may not be 100% accurate!
The Summary:
I flew through this book! I loved the Sweetpea series and was glad to be back in this world again. Please be aware, there are dark themes and sad parts throughout. I have always been intrigued by the nature vs. nurture debate and a story that plays into that theory was always going to interest me - especially in Rhiannon’s murdery world lol. We have old friends as well from the series, which I loved. There is one part, in particular, in the book that struck me emotionally as well. My favourite parts include murdery queen Rhiannon herself and the ending for sure!
Summed up in a sentence?:
Is Ivy like her serial killer mother Rhiannon Lewis (AKA Sweetpea)?
I rated the book 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Having loved Sweetpea, I was so happy to see this book on the horizon.
Now, I felt like I'd seen this advertised as both a spin off series and the next book in the Sweepea series - similar things...but not the same.
Well, I went right in there to see how this was all going to play out and I can confirm that there are indeed many, many spoilers and lots of them pretty major - if you haven't yet read the full Sweetpea series.
This book follows Ivy, Rhiannon's daughter, now 16 years old, navigating life as she knows it and still coming to terms with who her birth mother is and what she's done.
Now, I don't want to say anything that will give any spoilers here - just in case - but this was one of those books that had me feeling all the emotions and really feeling for Ivy who goes on such a journey through this book.
She's constantly fighting what she thinks is her nature - inherited from Rhiannon and I loved spotting the similarities as we read - but at the same time, I also loved to see her overcome these feelings and to prove that she is just struggling at the moment.
Pretty much just like any other teenager but with extra pressures.
We meet lots of new characters in this book - as well as a few old friends - and I have to say that I wasn't too keen on some of them and their motives!
There were so, so many great scenes in this along with twists and turns and shocks throughout.
The ending was just perfection - but I obviously cannot say a word - you'll have to catch up and read this for yourself asap!
This was such a great addition to the Sweetpea world and I was completely hooked from start to finish.
The narrator was absolute perfection!
I already can't wait to see how things go from here on out....I need book 2 (or 7) right now!
Now, I felt like I'd seen this advertised as both a spin off series and the next book in the Sweepea series - similar things...but not the same.
Well, I went right in there to see how this was all going to play out and I can confirm that there are indeed many, many spoilers and lots of them pretty major - if you haven't yet read the full Sweetpea series.
This book follows Ivy, Rhiannon's daughter, now 16 years old, navigating life as she knows it and still coming to terms with who her birth mother is and what she's done.
Now, I don't want to say anything that will give any spoilers here - just in case - but this was one of those books that had me feeling all the emotions and really feeling for Ivy who goes on such a journey through this book.
She's constantly fighting what she thinks is her nature - inherited from Rhiannon and I loved spotting the similarities as we read - but at the same time, I also loved to see her overcome these feelings and to prove that she is just struggling at the moment.
Pretty much just like any other teenager but with extra pressures.
We meet lots of new characters in this book - as well as a few old friends - and I have to say that I wasn't too keen on some of them and their motives!
There were so, so many great scenes in this along with twists and turns and shocks throughout.
The ending was just perfection - but I obviously cannot say a word - you'll have to catch up and read this for yourself asap!
This was such a great addition to the Sweetpea world and I was completely hooked from start to finish.
The narrator was absolute perfection!
I already can't wait to see how things go from here on out....I need book 2 (or 7) right now!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When the Sweet Pea series ended I was so sad that it was over. Imagine my delight when I received an early copy of Darling Bud by CJ Skuse - the story of Rhiannon Lewis’ 16 year old daughter Ivy!! So exciting. Warning, do not read this if you have not read the previous books, you need to know and love Rhiannon to appreciate this one.
The year is 2035 and Ivy is now 16 years old and her life is falling apart. Her biological mother, serial killer Rhiannon Lewis is in prison and she never got to meet her father., because her mother killed him. She is being accused of murdering her high school PE teacher, because you know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and all that. And on top of all that, she has to move to Australia to live with her father’s family. Ivy has to be strong to get through this time in her life and she comes into her own.
I loved it! I couldn’t get enough of it. It was fabulous to be back in the Sweet Pea world again, and learn about Ivy. She is determined not to be her mother’s daughter, she is a vegetarian and an animal lover. She just wants a normal life but find that is never going to happen with her mother. I loved that she read the true crime books about her mother to learn about her crimes and life.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job, although as an Aussie, I did cringe a little at the Australian accents. For me they sounded more like Kiwi accents. It didn’t take away from the story for me, I loved it so much but I do find that non Aussies do struggle with doing our accent.
This is just such a fun book and the ending floored me!! Please tell me there will be another book! i need another book.
Thank you so much to HQ for allowing me to read this book early. Out on June 4th.
The year is 2035 and Ivy is now 16 years old and her life is falling apart. Her biological mother, serial killer Rhiannon Lewis is in prison and she never got to meet her father., because her mother killed him. She is being accused of murdering her high school PE teacher, because you know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and all that. And on top of all that, she has to move to Australia to live with her father’s family. Ivy has to be strong to get through this time in her life and she comes into her own.
I loved it! I couldn’t get enough of it. It was fabulous to be back in the Sweet Pea world again, and learn about Ivy. She is determined not to be her mother’s daughter, she is a vegetarian and an animal lover. She just wants a normal life but find that is never going to happen with her mother. I loved that she read the true crime books about her mother to learn about her crimes and life.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job, although as an Aussie, I did cringe a little at the Australian accents. For me they sounded more like Kiwi accents. It didn’t take away from the story for me, I loved it so much but I do find that non Aussies do struggle with doing our accent.
This is just such a fun book and the ending floored me!! Please tell me there will be another book! i need another book.
Thank you so much to HQ for allowing me to read this book early. Out on June 4th.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An easy 5 stars. Just brilliant.. brilliant… as a fan of any series will know when there’s a spinoff you never quite know what to expect and sometimes they land wide of the mark. (that Joey spin off from Friends.. I’m looking at you) But CJ Skuse has absolutely hit this one out of the field.
It picks up the story perfectly, enough time has passed so we have all moved on a little… it finds an excellent balance between making it about Ivy but also retaining the same sensibilities of the previous books with little pop ups from characters we loved.
Set in 2030 … this is Ivy‘s story now, she is 16 years old, Rhiannon has been in a category A prison in Bristol for five years and Ivy lives with adoptive mum Claudia who is sadly dying of cancer
This is one of those books where when I finished I had to close it and sit staring at a wall for 10 minutes processing it and trying to figure out what the hell just happened. What an ending!! C J Skuse knows how to write an ending that’s for certain… I really hope we get back to more adventures with Ivy in the future because we can’t leave it there!
Anyone who was a fan of the previous Sweetpea books will absolutely love this. Have no fear that because it isn’t another Rhiannon novel that you won’t like it. Ivy is fantastic character, she isn’t Rhiannon at all. She’s very much her own person but still with razor sharp wit, massive inner strength, sense of humour and heart.
You could probably read this book as a standalone if you haven’t read the previous Sweetpea series but you would get the most out of it if you had read the sweet pea books beforehand. And I urge everyone to read them anyway.
It picks up the story perfectly, enough time has passed so we have all moved on a little… it finds an excellent balance between making it about Ivy but also retaining the same sensibilities of the previous books with little pop ups from characters we loved.
Set in 2030 … this is Ivy‘s story now, she is 16 years old, Rhiannon has been in a category A prison in Bristol for five years and Ivy lives with adoptive mum Claudia who is sadly dying of cancer
This is one of those books where when I finished I had to close it and sit staring at a wall for 10 minutes processing it and trying to figure out what the hell just happened. What an ending!! C J Skuse knows how to write an ending that’s for certain… I really hope we get back to more adventures with Ivy in the future because we can’t leave it there!
Anyone who was a fan of the previous Sweetpea books will absolutely love this. Have no fear that because it isn’t another Rhiannon novel that you won’t like it. Ivy is fantastic character, she isn’t Rhiannon at all. She’s very much her own person but still with razor sharp wit, massive inner strength, sense of humour and heart.
You could probably read this book as a standalone if you haven’t read the previous Sweetpea series but you would get the most out of it if you had read the sweet pea books beforehand. And I urge everyone to read them anyway.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A darkly funny return to a twisted world.
I picked up *Darling Bud* because I absolutely loved the Sweetpea series, and it definitely delivers the same dry wit and dark humour that C. J. Skuse does so brilliantly.
Ivy is very much her own character. There are clear echoes of her mother, Rhiannon Lewis. She adores animals, she’s sharp, she keeps meticulous lists of the things that irritate her, and beneath everything there’s a kind heart. But Ivy is also very different. She’s a lesbian vegetarian with a genuine phobia of blood, which creates an interesting contrast to her infamous mum. That tension between inheritance and individuality is one of the book’s strongest elements.
The tone is familiar, funny, dark, and very readable. It’s set far enough beyond the events of *Sweetpea* that it doesn’t feel like a direct sequel. Instead, it has its own direction and narrative thread, even though the two series are clearly intertwined. I appreciated that it didn’t simply rehash what came before in a next chapter kind of way.
That said, the novel spends a significant amount of time revisiting and retelling the events of the three Sweetpea books. While this makes it accessible as a standalone, you could easily read it without prior knowledge, it does slow the pace and occasionally makes the story feel as though it’s treading water. At times, I found myself wanting more fresh narrative and momentum to really let Ivy’s story stand firmly on its own. The lists at the start of each chapter also felt very reminiscent of Rhiannon’s. A fun nod, but perhaps a little too close to the original device.
Overall, not a huge amount actually happens plot wise. It’s more of a slow burn character piece, but it’s engaging and entertaining nonetheless. If you enjoy Skuse’s dark humour and sharp observational style, it’s an easy, compelling read. I’ll definitely continue with Ivy’s story. Even when the pacing drags slightly, the voice and wit are hard to resist.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I picked up *Darling Bud* because I absolutely loved the Sweetpea series, and it definitely delivers the same dry wit and dark humour that C. J. Skuse does so brilliantly.
Ivy is very much her own character. There are clear echoes of her mother, Rhiannon Lewis. She adores animals, she’s sharp, she keeps meticulous lists of the things that irritate her, and beneath everything there’s a kind heart. But Ivy is also very different. She’s a lesbian vegetarian with a genuine phobia of blood, which creates an interesting contrast to her infamous mum. That tension between inheritance and individuality is one of the book’s strongest elements.
The tone is familiar, funny, dark, and very readable. It’s set far enough beyond the events of *Sweetpea* that it doesn’t feel like a direct sequel. Instead, it has its own direction and narrative thread, even though the two series are clearly intertwined. I appreciated that it didn’t simply rehash what came before in a next chapter kind of way.
That said, the novel spends a significant amount of time revisiting and retelling the events of the three Sweetpea books. While this makes it accessible as a standalone, you could easily read it without prior knowledge, it does slow the pace and occasionally makes the story feel as though it’s treading water. At times, I found myself wanting more fresh narrative and momentum to really let Ivy’s story stand firmly on its own. The lists at the start of each chapter also felt very reminiscent of Rhiannon’s. A fun nod, but perhaps a little too close to the original device.
Overall, not a huge amount actually happens plot wise. It’s more of a slow burn character piece, but it’s engaging and entertaining nonetheless. If you enjoy Skuse’s dark humour and sharp observational style, it’s an easy, compelling read. I’ll definitely continue with Ivy’s story. Even when the pacing drags slightly, the voice and wit are hard to resist.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sweetpea is back! (Sort of...) Set in 2035 Rhiannon is in prison and her daughter, Ivy, is going through all the things typical teenagers do. She's in love, having trouble at school, questioning who she is, what she likes and where she comes from. Oh, and her serial killer mother is in prison, her abusive stepfather is in Switzerland, her adoptive mother is dying and she's being accused of murder.
I always enjoy CJ Skuse's dark, humourous, matter-of-fact style of writing, and Darling Bud brought new aspects to the continued story by having our narrator be plagued with more human emotions than Rhiannon typically felt. However, I do wonder if we've now completely exhausted the subject matter. Understandably Ivy had a very similar inner monologue to Rhiannon, but at times this felt repetitive, especially as there were flashbacks to previous novels as Ivy learns more about her birth mother. And I found myself enjoying the scenes involving Rhiannon herself the most, and whilst I understand there's only so many times she can evade capture, I wonder if I'd have preferred a prison-based Rhiannon storyline with the occasional Ivy cameo.
Having said that it was great fun as usual, and, let's face it, I'll read anything written in this series! And I would recommend to fans of the original series, and works by other authors such as Kitty Collins.
Thanks for NetGalley, HQ Harper Collins for the advanced reader copy!
Sweetpea is back! (Sort of...) Set in 2035 Rhiannon is in prison and her daughter, Ivy, is going through all the things typical teenagers do. She's in love, having trouble at school, questioning who she is, what she likes and where she comes from. Oh, and her serial killer mother is in prison, her abusive stepfather is in Switzerland, her adoptive mother is dying and she's being accused of murder.
I always enjoy CJ Skuse's dark, humourous, matter-of-fact style of writing, and Darling Bud brought new aspects to the continued story by having our narrator be plagued with more human emotions than Rhiannon typically felt. However, I do wonder if we've now completely exhausted the subject matter. Understandably Ivy had a very similar inner monologue to Rhiannon, but at times this felt repetitive, especially as there were flashbacks to previous novels as Ivy learns more about her birth mother. And I found myself enjoying the scenes involving Rhiannon herself the most, and whilst I understand there's only so many times she can evade capture, I wonder if I'd have preferred a prison-based Rhiannon storyline with the occasional Ivy cameo.
Having said that it was great fun as usual, and, let's face it, I'll read anything written in this series! And I would recommend to fans of the original series, and works by other authors such as Kitty Collins.
Thanks for NetGalley, HQ Harper Collins for the advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨Book Review- Darling Bud✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have been reading CJ Skuse’s books since I stumbled across Pretty Bad Things in Borders (RIP) when I was in grade school. Since then, I have devoured almost every book she’s written (I promise I’ll finish Rockaholic and Dead Romantic!).
When CJ said she was thinking of writing a book from Ivy’s perspective, I waited patiently (CJ will tell you this is a lie) to get an ARC and then I read it painfully slowly so it wouldn’t end. I swear the Sweetpea series is like a drug and once you read it, you can’t stop thinking about it. Then when it did end, I sat there in disbelief, swiping back and forth through the last pages in NetGalley, looking for the rest of it because WHY DID IT END THERE? WHERE IS THE REST OF THE BOOK????????
Ivy’s perspective is so important to this story because it really takes on the idea of nature VS nurture and the warring feelings she has for Claudia and Rhiannon. There’s such a different feeling to the book than the rest of the series because in the original Sweetpea series, you’re inside Rhiannon’s head- you don’t feel what the rest of the world feels, you only feel what she feels. From Ivy’s perspective on the outside, dealing with the repercussions of Rhiannon’s actions, you truly get a sense of the damage she’s done and start to question your sanity for liking her so much. Then she shows how genuine she is and you remember why you like her in the first place.
Anyway, I’ll always be a Bad Seed and will devour any crumbs CJ gives me :)
#darlingbud #sweetpea #bookreview #arc #badseeds
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have been reading CJ Skuse’s books since I stumbled across Pretty Bad Things in Borders (RIP) when I was in grade school. Since then, I have devoured almost every book she’s written (I promise I’ll finish Rockaholic and Dead Romantic!).
When CJ said she was thinking of writing a book from Ivy’s perspective, I waited patiently (CJ will tell you this is a lie) to get an ARC and then I read it painfully slowly so it wouldn’t end. I swear the Sweetpea series is like a drug and once you read it, you can’t stop thinking about it. Then when it did end, I sat there in disbelief, swiping back and forth through the last pages in NetGalley, looking for the rest of it because WHY DID IT END THERE? WHERE IS THE REST OF THE BOOK????????
Ivy’s perspective is so important to this story because it really takes on the idea of nature VS nurture and the warring feelings she has for Claudia and Rhiannon. There’s such a different feeling to the book than the rest of the series because in the original Sweetpea series, you’re inside Rhiannon’s head- you don’t feel what the rest of the world feels, you only feel what she feels. From Ivy’s perspective on the outside, dealing with the repercussions of Rhiannon’s actions, you truly get a sense of the damage she’s done and start to question your sanity for liking her so much. Then she shows how genuine she is and you remember why you like her in the first place.
Anyway, I’ll always be a Bad Seed and will devour any crumbs CJ gives me :)
#darlingbud #sweetpea #bookreview #arc #badseeds
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Darling Bud is the companion novel to the Sweetpea series which follows the life of Ivy, the daughter of the notorious Sweetpea serial killer Rhiannon Lewis, as she tries to navigate life following the death of her adoptive mother, Claudia. Forced to confront the harsh reality about where she came from and the dark legacy left by her birth mother, Ivy must navigate grief, identity, and the unsettling possibility that some parts of her past may be impossible to escape.
Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Darling Bud, as I was apprehensive that Ivy would simply be a mini me version of Rhiannon, but I had absolutely nothing to worry about as I devoured it within 24 hours.
Like the rest of the Sweetpea series, there is a perfect balance between cackle-inducing dark humour contrasted with many deeper and really heartbreaking moments. The exploration of nature versus nurture is woven brilliantly throughout Ivy’s struggles and it really left me contemplative down to the very last line.
For anyone worried about missing Rhiannon, there’s absolutely no need, Ivy brings her own brilliantly entertaining “Things That Have Bloody Annoyed Me” lists at the start of each chapter, capturing the same sharp wit we all love. We are also treated to a gripping cameo from Rhiannon herself which is as hilarious and dramatic as you would expect. As for that ending, buckle up as you will not be ready!
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Emily Jackman, and she was as equally brilliant as Rhiannon's narrator Georgia Maguire was. She perfectly conveyed Ivy's humour and personality and was key to me hating those Australian's!
Overall, I thought this was the perfect spin off, and I really hope Skuse continues expanding the Sweetpea world, as that ending definitely leaves her some space! Another must read for Sweetpea fanatics and fellow Bad Seeds alike. Long Live Rhiannon!
If you enjoyed this review come follow me on Instagram @TravelsEatsReads for more
Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Darling Bud, as I was apprehensive that Ivy would simply be a mini me version of Rhiannon, but I had absolutely nothing to worry about as I devoured it within 24 hours.
Like the rest of the Sweetpea series, there is a perfect balance between cackle-inducing dark humour contrasted with many deeper and really heartbreaking moments. The exploration of nature versus nurture is woven brilliantly throughout Ivy’s struggles and it really left me contemplative down to the very last line.
For anyone worried about missing Rhiannon, there’s absolutely no need, Ivy brings her own brilliantly entertaining “Things That Have Bloody Annoyed Me” lists at the start of each chapter, capturing the same sharp wit we all love. We are also treated to a gripping cameo from Rhiannon herself which is as hilarious and dramatic as you would expect. As for that ending, buckle up as you will not be ready!
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Emily Jackman, and she was as equally brilliant as Rhiannon's narrator Georgia Maguire was. She perfectly conveyed Ivy's humour and personality and was key to me hating those Australian's!
Overall, I thought this was the perfect spin off, and I really hope Skuse continues expanding the Sweetpea world, as that ending definitely leaves her some space! Another must read for Sweetpea fanatics and fellow Bad Seeds alike. Long Live Rhiannon!
If you enjoyed this review come follow me on Instagram @TravelsEatsReads for more
June 17, 2026
advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review
C.J. Skuse returning to the world of Sweetpea was always going to be irresistible, but I wasn’t expecting Darling Bud to have quite so much heart alongside all the blood, dark humour and sharp wit. Shifting the focus to Ivy, Rhiannon Lewis’s teenage daughter, gives the story a completely different perspective, and I loved seeing this world through the eyes of someone trying desperately to work out who she is and whether the sins of her family are destined to define her.
Ivy is funny, angry, vulnerable and wonderfully observant, and Skuse captures all the confusion and intensity of being sixteen without ever losing the biting humour that made the original series so addictive. The balance between laugh-out-loud moments and genuinely emotional ones worked brilliantly for me, and I found myself far more invested in Ivy’s journey than I expected. There are plenty of twists, some gloriously dark moments and enough tension to keep the pages turning, but beneath it all is a story about identity, grief and whether we can choose who we become.
Long-time fans will find plenty to enjoy, but Darling Bud feels fresh rather than simply revisiting old ground. Ivy more than holds her own as a protagonist, and I finished the book hoping this wouldn’t be the last time we see her. Dark, funny, occasionally heartbreaking and utterly compulsive, this was everything I wanted from a return to the Sweetpea universe and more.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for providing an advance copy for review.
C.J. Skuse returning to the world of Sweetpea was always going to be irresistible, but I wasn’t expecting Darling Bud to have quite so much heart alongside all the blood, dark humour and sharp wit. Shifting the focus to Ivy, Rhiannon Lewis’s teenage daughter, gives the story a completely different perspective, and I loved seeing this world through the eyes of someone trying desperately to work out who she is and whether the sins of her family are destined to define her.
Ivy is funny, angry, vulnerable and wonderfully observant, and Skuse captures all the confusion and intensity of being sixteen without ever losing the biting humour that made the original series so addictive. The balance between laugh-out-loud moments and genuinely emotional ones worked brilliantly for me, and I found myself far more invested in Ivy’s journey than I expected. There are plenty of twists, some gloriously dark moments and enough tension to keep the pages turning, but beneath it all is a story about identity, grief and whether we can choose who we become.
Long-time fans will find plenty to enjoy, but Darling Bud feels fresh rather than simply revisiting old ground. Ivy more than holds her own as a protagonist, and I finished the book hoping this wouldn’t be the last time we see her. Dark, funny, occasionally heartbreaking and utterly compulsive, this was everything I wanted from a return to the Sweetpea universe and more.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for providing an advance copy for review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 ⭐️
First I think I need to confess that I have read none of the Sweetpea series and honestly probably would’ve been none the wiser that this was a sequel or companion novel had sweetpea not been mentioned throughout and rung a bell, it’s a series that I’ll definitely be looking to read now though.
The story is told from the PoV of Ivy the 16 year old daughter of the sweetpea serial killer, Ivy fears the blood that runs through her veins will lead her to be just like her birth mother, and when the shadow of suspicion falls it seems others also fear that. Ivy’s life is about to be upended as her adoptive mum is dying and having shielded her from much of the truth about the past as possible Ivy feels like she may need to lean into those genes to survive. I really liked the character and if be intrigued to read more, there’s certainly a little cliffhanger that leads there to be possibility of one.
I found the writing to be solid, the story fast paced and hilariously funny, I think I’d have scored far higher had I enjoyed the narration more. The accents really didn’t work, but I also had issues with mispronounced words and a general feel of reading out loud rather than narrating. I’m guessing this is something fans of the series could easily let slide but I’m fussy.
Enjoyed immensely nonetheless.
Huge thanks to HarperCollins U.K. audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
First I think I need to confess that I have read none of the Sweetpea series and honestly probably would’ve been none the wiser that this was a sequel or companion novel had sweetpea not been mentioned throughout and rung a bell, it’s a series that I’ll definitely be looking to read now though.
The story is told from the PoV of Ivy the 16 year old daughter of the sweetpea serial killer, Ivy fears the blood that runs through her veins will lead her to be just like her birth mother, and when the shadow of suspicion falls it seems others also fear that. Ivy’s life is about to be upended as her adoptive mum is dying and having shielded her from much of the truth about the past as possible Ivy feels like she may need to lean into those genes to survive. I really liked the character and if be intrigued to read more, there’s certainly a little cliffhanger that leads there to be possibility of one.
I found the writing to be solid, the story fast paced and hilariously funny, I think I’d have scored far higher had I enjoyed the narration more. The accents really didn’t work, but I also had issues with mispronounced words and a general feel of reading out loud rather than narrating. I’m guessing this is something fans of the series could easily let slide but I’m fussy.
Enjoyed immensely nonetheless.
Huge thanks to HarperCollins U.K. audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this audiobook without realizing it was a spinoff of an existing series, and by the time I finished, I was already adding the earlier books to my TBR. The story follows the adopted daughter of a notorious female serial killer, whose adoptive mother has spent years trying to keep her out of the spotlight. Unfortunately, the paparazzi never seem to stay away for long, forcing them to constantly uproot their lives. When her football coach is found dead and she becomes one of the possible suspects, everything she thought she knew begins to unravel. As the investigation closes in, she's forced to make difficult choices about who she can trust and what she's willing to risk.
This one was an absolute doozy. The character development was fantastic, and even though I never fully connected with the main character, her struggles, decisions, and growth kept me invested from beginning to end. The audiobook narration was equally impressive. The narrator brought the characters to life while blending so seamlessly into the story that I often forgot I was listening to a performance at all. The final twist was definitely on the wild side, but it fit the story well and delivered the kind of jaw-dropping ending that had me thinking about it long after I finished. Between the compelling mystery, strong character work, and nonstop tension, this was a book that kept me hooked the entire time.
This one was an absolute doozy. The character development was fantastic, and even though I never fully connected with the main character, her struggles, decisions, and growth kept me invested from beginning to end. The audiobook narration was equally impressive. The narrator brought the characters to life while blending so seamlessly into the story that I often forgot I was listening to a performance at all. The final twist was definitely on the wild side, but it fit the story well and delivered the kind of jaw-dropping ending that had me thinking about it long after I finished. Between the compelling mystery, strong character work, and nonstop tension, this was a book that kept me hooked the entire time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's always a joy when a new Sweetpea book is on the horizon, or, in this case, a Sweetpea book that revolves around Ivy, teenage daughter of the eponymous serial killer herself. This is a story that's been on the way for a little while, for those familiar with the full set of Rhiannon Lewis's escapades, and it doesn't disappoint; indeed, I think that changing perspective and moving forward a few years in time has added a lot of vroom!I
Poor Ivy (come on, there has to be a follow-up called Poison Ivy?) is not so poor, as we see her more than capable at handling the dreaded 'lists' that, like her mother's, are so down to earth yet also not afraid to stick a truly awful thing in - she may want to kill a school-mate, but Ivy isn't a chip off the old block, is she...but then there's the PE teacher who wants to demonstrate much more than sport moves, the family from hell who descend on Ivy to "take her home", and for whom she feels zero afilliation, despite their connection to the father she never met....These, and many more, tribulations conspire to test out heroine and CJ Skuse has a wonderful knack of leading the reader up many paths.
So, does Ivy succumb to her mother's urges, or is she truly her own woman? As I read this, I found myself routing for each, and I was very happy indeed with the outcome!
Poor Ivy (come on, there has to be a follow-up called Poison Ivy?) is not so poor, as we see her more than capable at handling the dreaded 'lists' that, like her mother's, are so down to earth yet also not afraid to stick a truly awful thing in - she may want to kill a school-mate, but Ivy isn't a chip off the old block, is she...but then there's the PE teacher who wants to demonstrate much more than sport moves, the family from hell who descend on Ivy to "take her home", and for whom she feels zero afilliation, despite their connection to the father she never met....These, and many more, tribulations conspire to test out heroine and CJ Skuse has a wonderful knack of leading the reader up many paths.
So, does Ivy succumb to her mother's urges, or is she truly her own woman? As I read this, I found myself routing for each, and I was very happy indeed with the outcome!
April 3, 2026
oh my god 10/10 no notes that was everything and more!!!!! the most PERFECT companion to the sweetpea series this was absolutely everything i could’ve wanted and i need more ivy now!!!! need a sequel please!!!
just absolutely perfectly written, it felt so good to be back in the sweetpea universe and i LOVED ivy so much!!! i love love loved how she read the sweetpea books so it felt like reliving and rereading them with her!!! and her moral dilemmas on how she felt about rhiannon are so real like yes i will always support rhiannon’s killings but also aj and dean didnt deserve it.
also ivy being an animal lover and vegetarian obviously made me love her even more my diva my queen. love love love how she took no shit from anyone and stood her ground🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
loved all the characters from sweetpea series that made appearances too!! literally just perfect
that ending!!!!!! i need more please cj skuse give us what we want i need to know what happens next and how the rest of ivy’s life plays out!!!!!!
one of my most anticipated books maybe ever and it did NOT disappoint!!!! god i loved it so much!!! thank you our lord and saviour cj skuse for giving the people what we wanted and needed🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
thank you SO much to HQ and netgalley for the arc i feel absolutely HONOURED to have been able to read this book early <333
just absolutely perfectly written, it felt so good to be back in the sweetpea universe and i LOVED ivy so much!!! i love love loved how she read the sweetpea books so it felt like reliving and rereading them with her!!! and her moral dilemmas on how she felt about rhiannon are so real like yes i will always support rhiannon’s killings but also aj and dean didnt deserve it.
also ivy being an animal lover and vegetarian obviously made me love her even more my diva my queen. love love love how she took no shit from anyone and stood her ground🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
loved all the characters from sweetpea series that made appearances too!! literally just perfect
that ending!!!!!! i need more please cj skuse give us what we want i need to know what happens next and how the rest of ivy’s life plays out!!!!!!
one of my most anticipated books maybe ever and it did NOT disappoint!!!! god i loved it so much!!! thank you our lord and saviour cj skuse for giving the people what we wanted and needed🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
thank you SO much to HQ and netgalley for the arc i feel absolutely HONOURED to have been able to read this book early <333
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have loved the Sweetpea series from the very beginning, and have been alongside Rhiannon throughout all of her ups and downs. If you have not read any of this series, you really must head back and start with the first book, entitled Sweetoea. If you don’t, you will subject yourself to a huge amount of spoilers. In fact, don’t even read any further in this review.
The year is 2035, Ivy, Rhiannon’s daughter, is 16. Living a normal teenage life, still under the long reaching shadow of her birth mother. Sadly Ivy’s settled, happy life is about to be devastated, all she has ever known taken away.
From the very first page, I knew I was reading a Sweetpea book, and that Rhiannon’s blood runs through Ivy’s veins, even if Ivy herself didn’t feel it yet. The start of the book I found to be poignant and moving, which is a change of pace from the original books. The book is also deliciously dark, and wickedly funny, as you would expect.
I really enjoyed the narration, provided by Emily Jackman. She voiced Ivy’s feelings really well, from the anger and frustration, to fear and uncertainty, also showing the vulnerability of her youth too.
Darling Bud is a must read for all fans of the original series, and for fans of the feminist revenge thriller genre. I hope there may be further books to follow this companion book.
The year is 2035, Ivy, Rhiannon’s daughter, is 16. Living a normal teenage life, still under the long reaching shadow of her birth mother. Sadly Ivy’s settled, happy life is about to be devastated, all she has ever known taken away.
From the very first page, I knew I was reading a Sweetpea book, and that Rhiannon’s blood runs through Ivy’s veins, even if Ivy herself didn’t feel it yet. The start of the book I found to be poignant and moving, which is a change of pace from the original books. The book is also deliciously dark, and wickedly funny, as you would expect.
I really enjoyed the narration, provided by Emily Jackman. She voiced Ivy’s feelings really well, from the anger and frustration, to fear and uncertainty, also showing the vulnerability of her youth too.
Darling Bud is a must read for all fans of the original series, and for fans of the feminist revenge thriller genre. I hope there may be further books to follow this companion book.
June 4, 2026
4.5⭐️’s
Murder, teenage hormones & generational trauma …. what could possibly go wrong❓
Darling Bud throws us straight into the chaotic mind of sixteen-year-old Ivy daughter of the infamous Sweetpea killer, Rhiannon Lewis & I was hooked from page one. Set in 2035, this is such a clever return to the wonderfully twisted macabre Sweetpea world, balancing dark, dry humour with genuine emotion as Ivy struggles with grief, her mother’s legacy & simply surviving being a teenage girl.
The bloody “annoyed lists” replacing the classic kill lists had me grinning throughout & Ivy gradually learning more about her mother was such a smart way to reconnect readers with the previous books.
What really worked for me was how sharp & witty the story felt while still giving Ivy a voice entirely her own, separate from Rhiannon. I flew through this and genuinely didn’t want it to end. And that last chapter (no spoilers) left me both satisfied & desperate for more from this deliciously chaotic world.
If you love morally messy female characters, dark humour, vigilante chaos, & thrillers with bite, this absolutely deserves a spot on your radar.
Content warnings for murder, violence, trauma & predatory behaviour.
I already know Ivy is going to live in my head rent free until C.J. Skuse writes another book.
Murder, teenage hormones & generational trauma …. what could possibly go wrong❓
Darling Bud throws us straight into the chaotic mind of sixteen-year-old Ivy daughter of the infamous Sweetpea killer, Rhiannon Lewis & I was hooked from page one. Set in 2035, this is such a clever return to the wonderfully twisted macabre Sweetpea world, balancing dark, dry humour with genuine emotion as Ivy struggles with grief, her mother’s legacy & simply surviving being a teenage girl.
The bloody “annoyed lists” replacing the classic kill lists had me grinning throughout & Ivy gradually learning more about her mother was such a smart way to reconnect readers with the previous books.
What really worked for me was how sharp & witty the story felt while still giving Ivy a voice entirely her own, separate from Rhiannon. I flew through this and genuinely didn’t want it to end. And that last chapter (no spoilers) left me both satisfied & desperate for more from this deliciously chaotic world.
If you love morally messy female characters, dark humour, vigilante chaos, & thrillers with bite, this absolutely deserves a spot on your radar.
Content warnings for murder, violence, trauma & predatory behaviour.
I already know Ivy is going to live in my head rent free until C.J. Skuse writes another book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had so wanted to read this after enjoying the Sweetpea series and I found this an enjoyable, but slightly clunky read.
Ivy is fantastic to read, she has traits of her mother but she is very much her own woman. Regardless of being left with Claudia in a safer environment than Rhiannon could offer, Claudia is now dying of cancer. I found Ivy’s responses to this both reasonable and profound and surprisingly very beautiful. I struggled with the way so many of the other characters treated her and the author has proved she is the master of character study.
Throughout the book there are excerpts from the Sweetpea series and while I understand how helpful this would be for new readers, at times it felt overly long and hindered the great pace of the book. Regardless, this book leaves a possibility for a sequel which feels warranted by the last page.
This is a much lighter book than the series and I have no idea why as there’s still plenty of dark humour, love, loss and rabbits. Ivy is tremendously likeable and I know I will re read this.
This book will be snapped up by all fans and would read well to a newbie.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Ivy is fantastic to read, she has traits of her mother but she is very much her own woman. Regardless of being left with Claudia in a safer environment than Rhiannon could offer, Claudia is now dying of cancer. I found Ivy’s responses to this both reasonable and profound and surprisingly very beautiful. I struggled with the way so many of the other characters treated her and the author has proved she is the master of character study.
Throughout the book there are excerpts from the Sweetpea series and while I understand how helpful this would be for new readers, at times it felt overly long and hindered the great pace of the book. Regardless, this book leaves a possibility for a sequel which feels warranted by the last page.
This is a much lighter book than the series and I have no idea why as there’s still plenty of dark humour, love, loss and rabbits. Ivy is tremendously likeable and I know I will re read this.
This book will be snapped up by all fans and would read well to a newbie.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
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