Max and his family are off to the snow for a skiing holiday. He has brought his friend Hugo along for the fun, and Abby Purcell (his past nemesis) and her police officer mum (off duty), are following them in their own car. They have all been invited by other friends to stay in their ski lodge.

It’s not long before Max notices the other cars heading in the same direction. Flash cars which are a lot different than their family station-wagon. On the slopes, he notices the ski clothes – all fitting properly, not in clashing colours and from the op-shop like his own family’s outfits.

This just reinforces the fact that he believes they need more money to be truly happy. More money could buy a sleek, blue, sports car like their host, clothe them in the latest ski fashions and feed them like the lavish breakfasts and meals they have been enjoying. But the true reason Max wishes they were more like those around them, is to impress a girl.

He knows it when it hits him. The tiny cherub who flies around with a little bow and arrow has scored a direct hit on Max, the moment he set eyes on a fifteen year old chair-lift operator named Kirby.

Despite Abby telling him he’s kidding himself that Kirby will even notice his short-for-his-age-and-super-annoying-eleven-year-old self, Max is determined to win her heart. His smooth words don’t work though. Just getting on the chair lift is an embarrassing comedy of errors, let alone learning to ski or trying to trick Kirby into thinking he’s rich.

Lots of pranks are being pulled on Max’s family and friends and they automatically poke their fingers at him – but he’s too much in luuurve, to even think about pranks. It’s a tough time for Max, hilarious for everyone else, and a lesson learned in the growing up stakes.

Max falling in love is just as funny as all of his other exploits throughout this clever, laugh out loud series. Each of the stories entertain readers with Max antics’ but I love the way each episode leaves the reader with something to think about.

This book explores whether money really does buy happiness, how important your friends are (no matter how weird they are being), and even your enemies can have your back sometimes. Even if they are only helping to then witness the hilarious fallout.

Author / Illustrator – Matt Stanton

Age – 7+

(2024, Harper Collins, Funny, Series, Humour, Snow, Skiing, Crush, Love at first sight, Cupid, Fast Car, Wealth, Rich and famous, Looking the part, Showing off, Chair Lift Disaster, Mountain Man, Money isn’t everything, Money doesn’t buy happiness, Prankster, Tricks, Missing boy, Rescue, Growing up)