Hi guys!
I took another unintended hiatus and I can only apologise for that… but not too much because I know you guys understand and I have been trying to pop in to everyone’s blogs when I can, at least.
I hit a book slump and blogging slump hard and the best way to get over it? It was to stop trying. Honestly, the less I tried to force myself to blog and read and the more the motivation slowly returned. It was crazy stuff. I admit, writing the first couple of posts was difficult to say the least, writing words is so much more difficult after time away but I shook off the dust and soon the words started flowing.
So this is a sort of wrap up and update all in one. But since I’m posting it on a Sunday and have no real blog related updates it’ll be a Sunday Summary, makes sense, right?
What have I been doing whilst I’ve not been blogging? Did I tell you guys I’ve booked my holiday? If I haven’t then this is me telling you. We’re returning to New York in June and it’s going to be awesome. Hopefully, June weather will be a touch better than we had in September as we had a whole lot of rain which was not fun, but we did have fun. This time we’re trying to tick the other stuff off the list, like the Statue of Liberty and actually getting to see a decent view from a skyscraper. Our hotel has a rooftop bar and views of the Empire State Building so fingers crossed we manage to get a seat and have a couple of cocktails to enjoy that. I also will try and return with plenty of clothes and books because this is my last big trip for a while. I need to sort myself out and buy a house then.
I had my birthday in February, as well. I am now 28. My friends enjoyed informing me I was almost at 30 (and, on the topic, I was born in 1991 and so when you’re watching a documentary where the narrator person refers to that year as nearly 30 years ago you can bet I am kicking off about that. How rude!). I didn’t really do much on my actual birthday, I booked the day off of work and met up with a friend on her lunch break for a catch-up and presents, which was lovely. I did have a combined birthday night out with someone I work with and it was actually a really fun night out with the folks I work with. Drama free and a good laugh. I also met up with some friends the day after that night out for brunch at a lovely farm shop/café/tearoom/who knows what it was. Despite being knackered (because I never sleep well after drinking) I wasn’t hungover and the breakfast/brunch there was delicious. I definitely want to do that more often.
I also booked another short break whilst I've been away, but that’s to attend my step sisters wedding so I don’t know if counts as a true short break. Also, I’ve been forced to book a caravan with my brother so we can both have flashbacks to family holidays, but it’s down south (this is significant because the south of England is much warmer) by the sea (which is exciting because I live several hours away from the beach so I’m all kinds of excited about going to a beach). It should hopefully be nice, that’s my significant event for August so I need to sort out something to wear. What do folks even wear to weddings?
I can’t think of anything else exciting which has happened. Turns out you’ve not missed out on too much. I need to do more things to fill you in on. I suppose that means we need to move on to the books portion of this post.
What I’ve Read While I’ve Been Away
These are my finished reads and I can’t say I disliked any of them. Ayesha At Last Might be my absolute favourite, I won’t lie, but the rest were decent. Long Shot I thought I would hate because of angst… but I actually quite enjoyed it. And I forgot how enjoyable I find all of Sarah Dessen’s books. Once and For All isn’t my favourite but she still managed to deliver a really lovely read (and I removed another unread book from my Kindle).
These are my abandoned books. I thought I’d love Truth or Beard (and why do I always want to type bread instead of beard?) but it turns out to be totally not for me. The MC was a little annoying, the bearded dude seemed interesting but then I could just tell side drama was coming and I just knew to call it quits. Rivers of London I read as part of an upcoming post. I say read, I read the first chapter and just knew I wouldn’t be enjoying that book. The other two books I read for the post aren’t on here because I’ve not committed to either DNF-ing or to start reading.
And these are the books that I haven’t committed to DNF-ing so I class them as currently reading (and I genuinely am currently reading Invisible Women). I will finish Offensive Behaviour, On The Come Up and Hunting Ground eventually (although Hunting Ground is a reread, to be fair). Invisible Women, though, is one of those rare non-fiction books I commit to reading and end up loving. I mean, it fills with me so much rage and has made me realise a few things, but it is so fascinating. Honestly, I recommend it and I will try and talk about it when I finish.
Anything Else?
I finally watched The Hate U Give (I know, I made poor life choices not watching it sooner). It was utterly spectacular, I was crying watching it. The rest of you will judge me hard for not watching it sooner, I know, but I got there in the end and I have been telling everyone I know to watch it too. I don’t know how many people will listen to me, but I told them, at least.
I think we’re all caught up, what have you guys been doing since I’ve been gone? Any books recs I missed out on? Tell me anything and everything.
Hi guys… long time no speak. You might have noticed I have been weirdly absent on here lately and posting even more sporadically than usually. I’m here to explain why a little, but mostly to ask for some help.
Where do you turn for recommendations when you’re stuck for reading ideas?
I have been in that awful funk of a reading mood where you know you want to read something but for the life of you you can’t figure what book your brain is hoping you’ll read next (which has impacted my blogging some).
I have always been a mood reader and the unpredictability of my reading mood can be frustrating as hell but the past few weeks it has been out to get me. It’s a serious personal attack because I have no clue what I want to read. not even an inkling.
As a mood reader I find picking my next book to be the worst kind of struggle. Sometimes I am eager to read the same kind of book over and over until my brain rebels, and sometimes each read must be the polar opposite otherwise a funk will set in. I can find a book which is perfectly fitting for my mood one day but is exactly what I don’t want to read the next. It’s a constant struggle to make sure I stay invested in whatever I read and lately it’s been more of struggle than I’m used to. I am getting bored for no reason and really finding it hard and just curl up with a good book. If I don’t read them fast (and I don’t always have the time for that) then I won’t finish it at all and I’m hating how many books I feel like DNF-ing recently.
Some might say don’t force yourself to read and you’ll come across the perfect book when you’re ready. I laugh in the face of such logic, I want to read now god damnit! I will force myself to read everything until the prefect book appears.
I have tried to read old books gathering digital or actual dust on my shelves. I’ve tried turning to bloggers whose opinions I trust to see what they’re enjoying lately. I’ve tried looking at popular books lists and latest releases. But to no avail. I don’t know what I want to read and I fear I will never find it and I’ll be stuck putting down books left and right for all eternity. (No, you’re being dramatic).
So tell me what you do when you don’t know what to read next? Is there a tried and true method which works for you or are you utterly confused by the mere concept of mood reading and have your future reads written down as a nice orderly list?
Published: 21st February 2019
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Second Chance
My Rating:
From I don’t
To I do?
Summer Bishop knew her parents’ anniversary party in stunning South Africa would be hard. Spending the weekend with her gorgeous ex-husband, Wyatt Montgomery, reminds Summer of their painful divorce but also – inconveniently – why she fell in love with him!
I requested this book on Netgalley on impulse. It arrived in my Mills & Boon Insiders email and I knew the author name immediately, Nick had mentioned several of her books, so I knew I should take the chance whilst there was one up for request.
I have no regrets.
It was an emotional rollercoaster of a book and I adored every second of it.
I was hesitant when I saw it was a second chance romance where the couple were previously married. I couldn't figure out how it could be written for me to believe the couple actually were meant to be together and deserved a HEA. I thought they would have too many issues between them and I'd be struggling to believe their reunion. After all, there had to be a reason they didn’t work out together and I couldn’t see how that giant obstacle could be overcome.
I was wrong. It worked perfectly.
Inside these pages, I discovered a beautifully written romance of two characters, Summer and Wyatt, who so obviously belonged together but were pushed apart by each other, but also by their own past. The pair so obviously loved one another, from the first time they are on the page together their connection was undeniable. Their divorce happened for very real reasons, their own personal issues meant that the first time around as much as they meant to each other it could never have worked. But this time around, no matter how much they may not have realised it, they were meant to be together. They needed the two years apart to grow and learn more about themselves so they could come together once more and work on the issues they had as a couple too.
I did not expect to become so invested in their lives and their struggles. I didn't want to put the book down once I started. I loved Summer as soon as she was eyeing up the waiter hoping he could act as a buffer for the awkward moment she would see her ex-husband again. And I fell for Wyatt as soon as I learnt of his past and felt for him when I realised how his past would affect how he felt about the divorce as Summer asked for the divorce not him. It was just spectacular and I was emotionally invested from the first page.
It killed me seeing both of them avoiding talking about their divorce and both misunderstanding what happened there. And then when they did discuss it I was crying as they still weren't listening to each other and I so desperately wanted them to work things out with each other. I don’t think I’ve been so invested in a couple getting back together as I was here. I genuinely teared up a little bit reading this because it was heartbreaking how much they loved each other and how they truly were what the other wanted. They were each other's rock in a lot of ways and so it hurt they weren't together.
Honestly, I've not read any of Therese Beharrie's books before but I feel like I need to get all of them now.
Have you read anything by Therese Beharrie, any recommendations on which I should get next? And if you haven’t, has my review convinced you to give it a try?
It's a late Sunday update today. You know those posts I said I would write? Yeah, they aren't the reason for the later Sunday update. I was reading and playing Sims when I told myself I was going to play blog catch up. I frequently do things like that to myself and then complain about how much catching up I have to do. I know, I do myself no favours. Luckily for me, I'm not at work until Wednesday so there's hope for me yet.
This week has been drama free work wise. You'll be pleased to hear no words were had, no fights, no finger pointing, and I haven't descended into playground behaviour. I am taking the next couple of days to do some pros and cons of my current work situation though so wish me luck. I'm bored of complaining to you guys about it and I’m sure you’re getting fed up of listening to it.
I felt like I've both done loads and nothing this week. I successfully got my hair cut which I've been telling myself I'd get sorted for the past two months. It looks and feels so much better. Maybe I should go more often so I don't get the weird stringy wispy mess I usually call hair? I probably won't though. I also met up with a friend I feel like I haven't seen properly in forever and although another friend pulled out of that meet up it was so nice catching up. I swear life gets in the way but little things like drinks with friends cannot be overlooked for how beneficial it is to my mood.
Apart from that, it's been chill. I spent last weekend looking through old vinyl records with my mom and brother and that was such a laugh. I spent a long time bringing up artists on Spotify as I knew no songs by bands like T Rex and Genesis who featured heavily in my parents' old collection. Also, I discovered that someone really liked Elton John because who knew he had quite so many records? I've got to say there is something about Vinyl that is fun to handle. I like having Spotify on my phone... it's convenient. But I definitely see how a physical thing can be nice to listen to now and again.
I've got the next couple of days off from work for my birthday which is Tuesday. I had my work birthday Friday though and that was nice. I've got myself set up with some new nice Lush bath bombs and some facemasks so I know I'll be relaxing in the bath at some point and trying to unwind from things. It should be lovely. Just need to choose a good book. Any recommendations?
What I’ve Been Reading
I only read two books this week. I felt like I was reading A Darkness Absolute for a year. It was so slow at the start with mystery taking it’s time to develop and hook me. I remember having that problem the first time I read it, too. It was as good as I remember it, though. Kelley Armstrong doesn’t disappoint with her books. I also read the best romance! I’m not always a fan of second chance romance, but Therese Beharrie’s Second Chance With Her Billionaire was amazing. I admit, I normally look past these Mills & Boon releases about billionaires, etc, because really? But this is not a book to be overlooked, I will now read everything she writes ever.
New To Me
I’ve only bought/traded for three new books this week. I saw On The Come Up And The Hate U Give in a book offer and fine I’ve read The Hate U Give already but who can resist owning a physical copy of such a powerful book? I now have a copy to lend out to all my friends. And I swapped for I have Lost My Way and I’m excited to read. I’ve always enjoyed Gayle Forman’s books. I did pass on reading her one release which was classed as a proper grown-up book as it didn’t look like my kind of read. but her YA releases are always spot on.
My wish got granted on Netgalley. I did ask for The Kingdom of Copper for my birthday so I may end up reading a physical copy instead (if my brother has followed my request anyway) but I was very surprised to see my wish was granted on Netgalley. I can’t wait to get reading.
How has your week been? Has anyone done anything exciting? And can anyone suggest a good relaxing bath read for me? I always struggle to find a book with the right tone for relaxing, maybe a good romance?
A Wicked Kind of Husband (Right Kind Of Love #3) – Mia VIncy
Published: 5th October 2018Source: Kindle Unlimited, Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating:
It was the ideal marriage of convenience…until they met
Cassandra DeWitt has seen her husband only once—on their wedding day two years earlier—and this arrangement suits her perfectly. She has no interest in the rude, badly behaved man she married only to secure her inheritance. She certainly has no interest in his ban on her going to London. Why, he’ll never even know she is there.
Until he shows up in London too, and Cassandra finds herself sharing a house with the most infuriating man in England.
Joshua DeWitt has his life exactly how he wants it. He has no need of a wife disrupting everything, especially a wife intent on reforming his behavior. He certainly has no need of a wife who is intolerably amiable, insufferably reasonable … and irresistibly kissable.
As the unlikely couple team up to battle a malicious lawsuit and launch Cassandra’s wayward sister, passion flares between them. Soon the day must come for them to part … but what if one of them wants their marriage to become real?
Hilarious, heartrending, and hot, this standalone Regency romance tells the story of a marriage of convenience between opposites.
This week I’ll probably have but one post up again but I am hoping to spend the weekend writing a couple of posts. Anyway, for this week I will slowly play review catch up on the brilliant books I read in January. One of my favourites was from a new to me author, Mia Vincy, and I wanted to tell you all about it whilst I eagerly await a new release from her.
This is another book I discovered because of Nick (how did I even find new books before her?) and I could not be happier about it because it was absolutely stunning. It’s a tragedy this is Mia Vincy’s first published book because it was unputdownable and as soon as I finished I wanted to binge read everything she had ever written. Those eagle-eyed readers may be questioning how this can be her first book when I’ve marked this as book #3 in a series, that is because this was the first one she had which was ready to be published so the series will be released out of order. I hadn’t realised that but don’t use it as an excuse to wait on her books because honestly, who doesn’t read a romance series out of order these days? It’s worth it… trust me.
When I discovered this book I'd been in the mood to read a really good historical romance as I needed a break from the sea of contemporary romances waiting to be read on my Kindle. I actually had another book all lined up and then I saw it mentioned on Twitter (by Nick obviously) and ended up borrowing this on Kindle Unlimited and I have no regrets. I would have read it in one sitting if sleep and mydie-hardd love of Luther hadn't gotten in the way. Instead, it got read in a few chunks but within two days. I stayed up far later than intended and sacrificed washing my hair for this book which is large praise indeed (and made me rejoice that dry shampoo is a thing). I adored each page and wanted to hug it close upon finishing. Hell, I went bought it after finishing my KU borrow because a book this good deserved my financial investment.
Historical romance can often feel samey (as can any romance really) but Mia Vincy successfully made this book stand out with both original and interesting characters, and amazing writing. There was excellent banter between the characters, with drama, chaos and an interesting storyline to boot. It’s not everyday you come across all of these in a single book and I’m normally happy if a book can tick three or four of these boxes so you know I was pleased when it had all of them.
Our main character, Cassandra, charmed me from the first page with her politeness which masked a sharp mind and wry remarks at her sister's drunken state. It was her determination to do right by her family and help them even when they truly didn’t seem like they deserved their help. And when I found that Cassandra was already married (in name only) I thought for sure I wouldn’t like this absent husband… I was wrong (I frequently am, even if I pretend otherwise) and Joshua charmed me as soon as he arrived on the page not recognising his own wife (not that she recognised him either). He was curt, abrupt, rude, and charming. He was filled with an energy that brought him alive and even though he was harsh in many ways the dichotomy of this character is what made me like him. I simply loved him and his kind chaotic overflowing heart. He and Cassandra were so well suited and neither even realised it. They were both so similar and so different. And together they had chemistry in buckets but their personalities together were what worked, they complemented each other which made them work as a couple.
Can I also say this book did the sex right? Because it did. There were no cringey sex scenes and I didn’t feel bored by them like they were interrupting an excellent romance as if the author was ticking the sex box to be sure it fits into the romance category. Oh no, it was done well. Like I said, this book is the whole package. It’s awesome.
I loved every page of this book and didn't want to stop reading. Cassandra and Joshua are my favourites who I hope to return to time and again. I find myself a fussy historical reader and had thought I might not enjoy it. I was wrong and should know better. It was brilliant and it's on Kindle Unlimited. Go read it. Now!
Have you read this yet? If not, why not? And how do you occupy yourself when you’re eagerly awaiting new releases from an author?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
Social Icons