Reviewed by Marcus Knapman, BSc (Hons) Computing ·
Researched from 100+ Amazon customer reviews
· How we review
Nine books in and Katie Kirby's Lottie Brooks series shows no signs of running out of steam. The Seriously Epic Holiday of Lottie Brooks continues the diary format that's made these books such a hit with 9-14 year olds, combining relatable teenage angst with proper laugh-out-loud moments.
At £7.49, it sits right in the sweet spot for children's fiction - not so cheap it feels throwaway, but affordable enough that parents won't wince at the checkout. The question is whether book nine maintains the charm that's kept readers hooked since the first diary hit shelves.
The genius of the Lottie Brooks series has always been its authenticity. Katie Kirby clearly remembers what it's like to be a teenager - the mortifying moments, the friendship drama, the way everything feels monumentally important. Reading through comments from parents and young readers online, it's clear this ninth instalment doesn't lose that magic.
The diary format remains a clever choice. It lets readers feel like they're peeking into someone's private thoughts, which is catnip to the target age group. Lottie's voice feels genuine - not like an adult trying too hard to sound young, but like an actual teenager working through her problems on paper.
Without spoiling the plot, this book centres around Lottie's family holiday, which goes about as smoothly as you'd expect from the Brooks clan. Family holidays are fertile ground for comedy, and Kirby mines every awkward moment for maximum effect.
The family dynamics ring particularly true. Lottie's relationships with her parents and siblings feel lived-in rather than constructed for plot purposes. Anyone who's survived a family holiday will recognise the particular brand of chaos that ensues when you're stuck together 24/7.
The doodles and sketches scattered throughout aren't just decoration - they're part of Lottie's character. Real teenagers do scribble in margins and draw their feelings, so these additions feel organic rather than gimmicky. They break up the text nicely too, which keeps reluctant readers engaged.
Nine books is a lot for any character, and there are moments where you can sense the author working harder to find fresh material. Some of the situations feel slightly recycled from earlier books, though with enough variation to keep things interesting. It's not quite hitting the same heights as books three through six, which many consider the series peak.
The writing remains sharp, but there's a sense that we're covering familiar emotional territory. That said, for readers who've grown up with Lottie, that familiarity might actually be comforting rather than tiresome.
If you've been following Lottie's adventures, book nine delivers more of what you love, even if it doesn't break new ground. New readers might want to start earlier in the series to get the full character development.
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