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Leeza McAuliffe is Branching Out
Leeza McAuliffe is Branching Out is the third title in The Leeza McAuliffe Stories series. A new year, a new diary. Leeza continues to record the trials and tribulations of life in small-town northern England. Whether it's having too many siblings, being in the middle of nowhere, or the regular dramas of her friends at school, Leeza is dealing with a lot. As usual, she record the highs and lows of her year in her diary.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 12, 2026
It’s been a while since I got to review a younger book!
This time we return to Leeze McAuliffe’s world of teenage crushes, mystery within her own family and more antics.
This is the ideal book for younger teens who want to branch out with a bit of mystery but keep the fun of it true to the story. Written like a diary, you truly feel Leeza’s point of view and get stuck right into how she works.
Now I haven’t read the others in this series but who wouldn’t have fun with this?
This time we return to Leeze McAuliffe’s world of teenage crushes, mystery within her own family and more antics.
This is the ideal book for younger teens who want to branch out with a bit of mystery but keep the fun of it true to the story. Written like a diary, you truly feel Leeza’s point of view and get stuck right into how she works.
Now I haven’t read the others in this series but who wouldn’t have fun with this?
August 3, 2026
Genre : Young Adult & Coming-of-Age Fiction
My rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Brief :
Leeza is turning thirteen. That’s grown up, right? Annoyingly, the real grown-ups don’t agree. Mum is forever on her back, Cait’s sudden personality change is winding everyone up, and even Grandma’s been keeping secrets.
Between her eldest-daughter responsibilities, being a (mostly) conscientious student, and spending time with her bestie, Jake, Leeza’s got a lot going on. Teenage life isn’t easy. Still, there are questions to ask and mysteries to solve, a school holiday she can’t afford, and the fizz of her first crush. As the year pans out in the most surprising of ways, Leeza learns she needs to be brave, take control, and make the best of whatever gets thrown her way.
As the third installment in this wonderful series, the book offers a rich, deeply personal look into Leeza’s journey as she steps through the tumultuous gateway of early adolescence.
My opinion :
"I was just trying to make my outsides match how my insides feel."
There is an astonishing amount of raw depth, vulnerability, and psychological truth packed into that single statement. It perfectly encapsulates the quiet, overwhelming struggle of navigating early adolescence: that deep-seated desire to bridge the divide between internal identity and external perception. It touches on self-expression, identity, and the desire to be understood on one's own terms rather than categorized by adults or peers.
What impressed me most about this novel is how flawlessly the author captures the voice, cadence, and internal logic of a 13-year-old girl. The writing feels so natural, perceptive, and grounded that I repeatedly forgot the book was written by an adult. Rather than viewing teenage life from a distance or writing down to younger readers, the narrative immerses you directly inside Leeza's mind. The reflection of her age through her personality, decision-making, and emotional reactions is done with absolute perfection.
The book shines brightest in its portrayal of the subtle coming-of-age thinking process. As the eldest daughter, Leeza carries a unique weight of domestic and emotional expectations, balancing school responsibilities with complex household dynamics. Watching her navigate shifts in her family (from her mother's pressure and Cait's sudden behavioral changes to Grandma's unraveling secrets) feels immensely realistic and nuanced.
At the same time, the story captures the lighter, thrilling milestones of being thirteen: the solid comfort of close friendship with her bestie, Jake; the practical stresses of wanting to participate in a school holiday she can't afford; and the sweet, lingering "fizz" of a first crush. The narrative weaves these everyday adolescent realities alongside broader family mysteries, showing Leeza learning to claim agency, build courage, and adapt when life takes unexpected turns.
In many ways, this book transcends traditional YA tropes and reads like high-quality literary fiction. It offers a masterclass in character development, emotional intelligence, and empathetic storytelling.
An absolute gem of a coming-of-age story that treats adolescent growth with dignity, honesty, and deep affection. It is an insightful, fun, and emotionally resonant read that I highly recommend to all YA readers and lovers of realistic, character-driven fiction!
Thank you to the author and LoveBookTours for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
My rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Brief :
Leeza is turning thirteen. That’s grown up, right? Annoyingly, the real grown-ups don’t agree. Mum is forever on her back, Cait’s sudden personality change is winding everyone up, and even Grandma’s been keeping secrets.
Between her eldest-daughter responsibilities, being a (mostly) conscientious student, and spending time with her bestie, Jake, Leeza’s got a lot going on. Teenage life isn’t easy. Still, there are questions to ask and mysteries to solve, a school holiday she can’t afford, and the fizz of her first crush. As the year pans out in the most surprising of ways, Leeza learns she needs to be brave, take control, and make the best of whatever gets thrown her way.
As the third installment in this wonderful series, the book offers a rich, deeply personal look into Leeza’s journey as she steps through the tumultuous gateway of early adolescence.
My opinion :
"I was just trying to make my outsides match how my insides feel."
There is an astonishing amount of raw depth, vulnerability, and psychological truth packed into that single statement. It perfectly encapsulates the quiet, overwhelming struggle of navigating early adolescence: that deep-seated desire to bridge the divide between internal identity and external perception. It touches on self-expression, identity, and the desire to be understood on one's own terms rather than categorized by adults or peers.
What impressed me most about this novel is how flawlessly the author captures the voice, cadence, and internal logic of a 13-year-old girl. The writing feels so natural, perceptive, and grounded that I repeatedly forgot the book was written by an adult. Rather than viewing teenage life from a distance or writing down to younger readers, the narrative immerses you directly inside Leeza's mind. The reflection of her age through her personality, decision-making, and emotional reactions is done with absolute perfection.
The book shines brightest in its portrayal of the subtle coming-of-age thinking process. As the eldest daughter, Leeza carries a unique weight of domestic and emotional expectations, balancing school responsibilities with complex household dynamics. Watching her navigate shifts in her family (from her mother's pressure and Cait's sudden behavioral changes to Grandma's unraveling secrets) feels immensely realistic and nuanced.
At the same time, the story captures the lighter, thrilling milestones of being thirteen: the solid comfort of close friendship with her bestie, Jake; the practical stresses of wanting to participate in a school holiday she can't afford; and the sweet, lingering "fizz" of a first crush. The narrative weaves these everyday adolescent realities alongside broader family mysteries, showing Leeza learning to claim agency, build courage, and adapt when life takes unexpected turns.
In many ways, this book transcends traditional YA tropes and reads like high-quality literary fiction. It offers a masterclass in character development, emotional intelligence, and empathetic storytelling.
An absolute gem of a coming-of-age story that treats adolescent growth with dignity, honesty, and deep affection. It is an insightful, fun, and emotionally resonant read that I highly recommend to all YA readers and lovers of realistic, character-driven fiction!
Thank you to the author and LoveBookTours for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
August 24, 2026
This is the third book in the brilliant Leeza McAuliffe Stories series and although it's been a while since I read books 1&2 - Leeza McAuliffe Has Something To Say & Leeza McAuliffe Has Loads More To Say
- I can still remember them so well and remember having so much fun reading.
I couldn't wait to see what she had waiting for us in this next installment.
As usual, I love that this is written in the style of a diary.
Yes, of course it gives me Adrian Mole vibes - and yes, I'm that old!
But, this makes it perfect for younger readers to manage their reading time and never lose track of what's going on in the storyline - especially as some of the later chapters are pretty chunky.
So, Leeza is at that tricky age that (even as old as I am now!) I remember all too well.
Thirteen! The first of the teen years and a time that so much is changing!
I remember that feeling of being so grown up and all the changes in the body, yet you're still being treated like a child and everything is so frustrating.
This is brilliantly relatable and I love that this exists for teens to read and relate to and not feel like they're alone.
It's so hard to discuss many of the topics explored here with parents and it's embarrassing and uncool to chat with your friends too.
It was great to see the discussions around technology and social media too which is very apt at the moment.
I enjoyed seeing more of Leeza's family and her searches into her family history.
In today's society where the obsession is with the now and looking forward, it's nice to remind youngsters to take an interest in the last too.
This was such an easy read and I flew through it.
So much fun, so much nostalgia and I hope there'll be more to come from Leeza soon.
- I can still remember them so well and remember having so much fun reading.
I couldn't wait to see what she had waiting for us in this next installment.
As usual, I love that this is written in the style of a diary.
Yes, of course it gives me Adrian Mole vibes - and yes, I'm that old!
But, this makes it perfect for younger readers to manage their reading time and never lose track of what's going on in the storyline - especially as some of the later chapters are pretty chunky.
So, Leeza is at that tricky age that (even as old as I am now!) I remember all too well.
Thirteen! The first of the teen years and a time that so much is changing!
I remember that feeling of being so grown up and all the changes in the body, yet you're still being treated like a child and everything is so frustrating.
This is brilliantly relatable and I love that this exists for teens to read and relate to and not feel like they're alone.
It's so hard to discuss many of the topics explored here with parents and it's embarrassing and uncool to chat with your friends too.
It was great to see the discussions around technology and social media too which is very apt at the moment.
I enjoyed seeing more of Leeza's family and her searches into her family history.
In today's society where the obsession is with the now and looking forward, it's nice to remind youngsters to take an interest in the last too.
This was such an easy read and I flew through it.
So much fun, so much nostalgia and I hope there'll be more to come from Leeza soon.
July 31, 2026
A very fun read with a break from the norm for me with this Young Adult/Coming of Age story. I hadn't realised this was the third book, but as a year in the life, I didn't feel that I was missing any previous backstory and it didn't affect my huge enjoyment of this one, but I'll certainly be reading the first two now!
This was a jump back to my early reading days, when I got heavily stuck into books as a teen, with authors like Judy Blume, as recommended to Leeza by her favourite teacher!
Leeza McAuliffe is turning 13 and takes us with her on her year, through her diary entries. The eldest of many siblings and best friend to Jake, what we get is a daily record of what Leeza is going through, in quite a lighthearted way, but with underlying emotion and a lot of heart. One thing we can't deny is Leeza's empathy. Such a thoughtful, kind and caring teen, she really is there for everyone. Through a series of events, Leeza needs to be brave and she discovers a lot about herself and her family in the process, as she and Jake set themselves a task to become historians of their own lives, as a detective duo!
I really enjoyed the fun element of this, with the family dynamics in the background, that of her own family's and Jake's. Navigating friendships and first crushes; 'stomachy and...fizzy!' love that description! Not to mention interactions with the adults around them; 'If we don't remember to remember, we forget.' There are wise words and guidance from adults and so much support among friends, you can't help but smile and have a few chuckles as you read this. Leeza deals with obstacles in her way and it's nice to see how she manages this.
Whether you're feeling nostalgic, looking for reads to recommend to your own young adults or you just enjoy these coming of age stories, then you can't go wrong with this little gem from Nicky Bond.
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This was a jump back to my early reading days, when I got heavily stuck into books as a teen, with authors like Judy Blume, as recommended to Leeza by her favourite teacher!
Leeza McAuliffe is turning 13 and takes us with her on her year, through her diary entries. The eldest of many siblings and best friend to Jake, what we get is a daily record of what Leeza is going through, in quite a lighthearted way, but with underlying emotion and a lot of heart. One thing we can't deny is Leeza's empathy. Such a thoughtful, kind and caring teen, she really is there for everyone. Through a series of events, Leeza needs to be brave and she discovers a lot about herself and her family in the process, as she and Jake set themselves a task to become historians of their own lives, as a detective duo!
I really enjoyed the fun element of this, with the family dynamics in the background, that of her own family's and Jake's. Navigating friendships and first crushes; 'stomachy and...fizzy!' love that description! Not to mention interactions with the adults around them; 'If we don't remember to remember, we forget.' There are wise words and guidance from adults and so much support among friends, you can't help but smile and have a few chuckles as you read this. Leeza deals with obstacles in her way and it's nice to see how she manages this.
Whether you're feeling nostalgic, looking for reads to recommend to your own young adults or you just enjoy these coming of age stories, then you can't go wrong with this little gem from Nicky Bond.
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August 10, 2026
Leeza McAuliffe Is Branching Out was a lovely little book that I read over one warm summer weekend.
I must say, this is certainly not my usual type of read but I think it's important for authors to have the perspective of readers who are not necessarily their target audience, so I try to read outside of my comfort zone as often as possible and in this instance I'm really glad I did.
Although I'm a man, some of the issues explored in the book definitely reminded me of my own childhood. Growing up with two Sisters, they both went through much of what the story deals with, such as boy trouble, drama with friendships, hormones running amok and generally navigating through the varied ups and downs of growing up and moving into womanhood. These are all important themes and very relevant and relatable.
It's a fun, cute read about a normal girl, going about her normal life, which for me, was great. Too many books these days try to be too flashy and something they're not. But in Leeza McAuliffe Is Branching Out, that is certainly not the case and it's so refreshing to see.
The topics are sensitively and gently approached which makes for just a really nice read.
Nicky is quite obviously a brilliant writer with a real passion for what she does.
5 stars from me.
I must say, this is certainly not my usual type of read but I think it's important for authors to have the perspective of readers who are not necessarily their target audience, so I try to read outside of my comfort zone as often as possible and in this instance I'm really glad I did.
Although I'm a man, some of the issues explored in the book definitely reminded me of my own childhood. Growing up with two Sisters, they both went through much of what the story deals with, such as boy trouble, drama with friendships, hormones running amok and generally navigating through the varied ups and downs of growing up and moving into womanhood. These are all important themes and very relevant and relatable.
It's a fun, cute read about a normal girl, going about her normal life, which for me, was great. Too many books these days try to be too flashy and something they're not. But in Leeza McAuliffe Is Branching Out, that is certainly not the case and it's so refreshing to see.
The topics are sensitively and gently approached which makes for just a really nice read.
Nicky is quite obviously a brilliant writer with a real passion for what she does.
5 stars from me.
August 5, 2026
The third Leeza McAuliffe book and as Leeza hits her 13th birthday things get very interesting for their wee family.
Jake and Leeza are still besties and their relationship is just so heartwarming. I love how they champion one another.
Tom shares some of his past and I'd love to see how his ending pans out going forward - fingers crossed for book 4!
Cait enters the dating world and its really funny to see how the teens deal with it.
The younger siblings are growing up but still provide absolute continual chaos for Leeza to try and find some peace from.
Both Leeza and Jake start entering the world's of more teenage and grown-up problems, crushes, friendships, loss and discovery. Its great to see them evolving and I enjoyed their forays into history and family trees.
I think when I was young I'd have absolutely identified with this book, and that feeling is why I think it will be enjoyed by so many. As an adult its fun to reminisce on some of these themes and feelings.
It's a great read, nice and quick, and will leave you feeling all warm inside!
Jake and Leeza are still besties and their relationship is just so heartwarming. I love how they champion one another.
Tom shares some of his past and I'd love to see how his ending pans out going forward - fingers crossed for book 4!
Cait enters the dating world and its really funny to see how the teens deal with it.
The younger siblings are growing up but still provide absolute continual chaos for Leeza to try and find some peace from.
Both Leeza and Jake start entering the world's of more teenage and grown-up problems, crushes, friendships, loss and discovery. Its great to see them evolving and I enjoyed their forays into history and family trees.
I think when I was young I'd have absolutely identified with this book, and that feeling is why I think it will be enjoyed by so many. As an adult its fun to reminisce on some of these themes and feelings.
It's a great read, nice and quick, and will leave you feeling all warm inside!
August 11, 2026
Middle-grade humour.
We don't really have a "middle-grade" category in the UK, but I think this fits it perfectly. This is a great book, written as a diary, from Leeza's perspective as a 12 year old. We accompany her on boring days and exciting days as she negotiates the busy world around her.
She and best friend, Jake, are on a detecting mission, each with their own goal. Leeza wants to discover more about her family tree and Jake wants to get his mum off his case. How can the two friends achieve any of this when Leeza's grandma won't tell her anything and Jake's mum is determined to set him up with a nice boy somehow? Then, how can Leeza possibly raise enough money to go on the newly-announced school trip to Berlin? Her parents can't afford it, they have five children to sort out. Will doing odd jobs really pay enough?
Dive in and find out! You'll laugh along the way and take away some ideas to ponder. Is your life anything like hers?
We don't really have a "middle-grade" category in the UK, but I think this fits it perfectly. This is a great book, written as a diary, from Leeza's perspective as a 12 year old. We accompany her on boring days and exciting days as she negotiates the busy world around her.
She and best friend, Jake, are on a detecting mission, each with their own goal. Leeza wants to discover more about her family tree and Jake wants to get his mum off his case. How can the two friends achieve any of this when Leeza's grandma won't tell her anything and Jake's mum is determined to set him up with a nice boy somehow? Then, how can Leeza possibly raise enough money to go on the newly-announced school trip to Berlin? Her parents can't afford it, they have five children to sort out. Will doing odd jobs really pay enough?
Dive in and find out! You'll laugh along the way and take away some ideas to ponder. Is your life anything like hers?
August 3, 2026
I really loved this book even if it is written for teenagers/ young adults. It reminds me so much of when I was a teenager writing in my diary. The way it is written and the language used, it really made me laugh in places. I grew up with two younger brothers so not as hectic as Leezas life but still.
I enjoyed how it showed Leezas growth over the year, with her learning the value of money and finding out about family history.
I also thought the not allowing social media is very on brand at the moment so glad it was approached.
Even though this is the third book in the series, it was not difficult to understand and can definitely be read as a stand alone as I have not read the previous books - I will be reading them now though.
I enjoyed how it showed Leezas growth over the year, with her learning the value of money and finding out about family history.
I also thought the not allowing social media is very on brand at the moment so glad it was approached.
Even though this is the third book in the series, it was not difficult to understand and can definitely be read as a stand alone as I have not read the previous books - I will be reading them now though.
August 8, 2026
I hadn’t realized that this was the third book, for some reason. However, now that I know, I will be definitely going back to read the other ones. This has been such a cute story, and I like the way that the story is being told entirely through diary entries. It’s just different and fun! Being the oldest of 6, I can understand Leeza’s pain and frustration. I was also (and still am) an avid reader, and I love to start a book in the evening and then stay up as late as possible to get the whole thing read!
This book is definitely one I would recommend to middle school kiddos. It is age-appropriate, relatable, and fun to read. 5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is definitely one I would recommend to middle school kiddos. It is age-appropriate, relatable, and fun to read. 5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2026
Leeza McAuliffe is Branching Out is the third book in the Leeza McAuliffe diary series and follows the same set up as the previous two books. The diary format makes it easy to read and for young pre-teens/teenagers breaks it up into small chunks for easy digestion.
As an adult reading this it does allow you to reminisce on the simple times in life when all you have to worry about is your first crush and your teachers!
Another addition to a cute little series.
As an adult reading this it does allow you to reminisce on the simple times in life when all you have to worry about is your first crush and your teachers!
Another addition to a cute little series.
August 13, 2026
Leeza McAuliffe is Branching Out by Nicky Bond.
book 3 of Leeza McAuliffe.
I loved the cover of this book. It what drew me to sign up for this tour. I'm really enjoying this series. I listened to this book. I love the writing style and the story. The way this book is set out like a diary. This is the third book I've read by this author. I really hope there is more to come. I definitely recommend this series.
book 3 of Leeza McAuliffe.
I loved the cover of this book. It what drew me to sign up for this tour. I'm really enjoying this series. I listened to this book. I love the writing style and the story. The way this book is set out like a diary. This is the third book I've read by this author. I really hope there is more to come. I definitely recommend this series.
August 8, 2026
Another great book from nicky bond, i loved these books seeing leeza grow up and take on another school year and her first trip and crush and seeing how she deals with it all and helping her best friends and family, it can all be a challenge at that age i takes me back to her age i didnt have as much as she did and taking on her own little mystery, i loved it cant wait to see where her next year takes her.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews