Tag: novels

My Reading Challenge: September 📚

I’m a bit late with my update this month, we can blame ‘back to school’ fever. It’s a busy time when you work in a school!!

What did I read in August:

All that she can see by Carrie Hope Fletcher

The Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

Give me the child by Mel McGrath

&

Two short reads…

The beach wedding by Dorothy Koomson

Full house by Maeve Binchy

I loved Carrie’s book, I wasnt sure to begin with, I dont know why but it took m a while to pick this up off my shelf, one I had though, I couldnt put it down!

It was a very interesting concept and a very different story to one I’ve read befoe. It really made you think about you own emotions and how much control you have over them and they hav over you. I loved the making element to the story, it was very easy reading.

The Unwanted Guest was brilliant, it had a real Agatha Christie feel to it and I was gripped, trying to work out who it could be, what would happen next, how it was all linked. Very good, very well written and definatly a great book for murder mystery fans.

I enjoyed ‘Give me the Child’ and it you wanted to find out what was going to happen, however I do think that it went on for a little bit, then right near the end it all of a sudden got very dramatic and then it just ended. It was a bit too much right at the end when it had dragged on a lot before that.

I really enjoyed the short reads, especially the one by Dorothy Koomson, it may have been shorter but it was just as good as her others and it had great twists and turns.

This months books are…

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

‘A compelling emotional drama of love and guilt that grips from the very first moments.’

‘Luke Warren would sleep in the dirt if it meant he could be under the stars.

He lived by the laws of nature. And would surely want to die that way.

But Luke is in a coma and his family mus make an unbearable decision

As tensions and secrets rise to the surface, the tragic accident which brougt them back together against the odds could well tear Luke’s family apart forever.

They know Luke would not want to live like this . But how can they choose to let him die?’

The big little festival by Kellie Hailes

‘Love happens when you least expect it…

Jody is panicking. Its only weeks until her little village in Devon hosts its first ever festival and everything is falling apart.

Desperate to avoid disaster, she brings in notorious party planner Christian to save the day. Although she wasn’t prepared for just how gorgeous he would be!

Men are off the cards for Jody and surely Christian is the last man she would wlever date? But with tensions risng- along with the bunting and homemade scones- shes about to find out… ‘

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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My reading challenge: August 📚

August edition

So, what did I read in July…

As I was on holiday and I’ve started my volunteering for the library Summer reading challenge, I actually ended up reading three books in July.

& for August I am going to try and read more too as I also have some time off, lots of reading time!!

In July I read:

The Prison Doctor by Dr Amanda Brown

Every breath by Nicholas Sparks

&

The guilty party by Mel McGrath

The prison doctor was a really interesting read, and tbf as horrendous as you’d imagine.

I have to say that I didmt enjoy this as much as ‘This is going to hurt’ by Adam Lay, which is a similar format but from the perspective of a Junior Doctor.

As always the Nicholas Sparkes book was one that I couldnt put down, a heart warming story, definitely one for all you Sparks fans.

The guilty party was a really interesting read, not only was it a gripping story but it was also quite thought provoking too. Do you really know how you would react in a certain situation? Can we ever know until we are in that position? And how profound are the decisions we make on our own lives and on the lives of others?!?

This months books are…

Give me the child by Mel McGrath

‘Imagine your doorbell rings in the middle of the night.

You open the door to the police

With them is your husbands eleven-year-old love child. A daughter you never knew he had.

Her mother has been found dead in their South London flat.

She has nowhere else to go.

Would you take her in?

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

As the guests arrive at beautiful, remote Mitchells Inn, they’re all looking forward to a relaxing weekend deep in the forest, miles from anywhere. They watch their fellow guests with interest, from a polite distance.

With a violent storm raging, the group finds itself completely cut off from thr outside world. Nobody can get in – or out.

And then the first body is found…

And and horrifying truth comes to light. There is a killer among them – and nowhere to run.

All that she can see by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Cherry has a hidden talent. She can see things other people cant, and she decided a long time ago to use this skill to help others.

As far as the rest of the town is concerned, she’s simply the kind-hearted young women who runs thr local bakery, but in private she uses her gift to add something special to her cakes so that after just one mouthful the townspeople start to feel better about their lives. They dont know why they’re drawn to Cherrys bakery – they just know that they’re safe there and that’s how Cherry likes it.

She can help them in secret and no one will ever need to know the truth behind the gift.

And then Chase turns up and threatens to undo all the good Cherry has done. Because it turns out she’s not the only one who can see what she sees…

I can’t wait to get stuck into these 🙌🏻

As always, any recommendations are welcome 😁📚

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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My Reading Challenge: May 📚

May is here!

& that means it’s time for another two books for my reading challenge this month.

In April I read:

  • Spring at the little duck pond cafe (Book one) by Rosie Green ☆☆☆☆
  • Friend Request by Laura Marshall ☆☆☆

I have added in my star ☆ rating (out of 5), this month, in order to give you an indication of what I thought of the books that I have just read.

In May I will be reading:

Summer at the little duck pond cafe (Book 2) by Rosie Green

‘Jaz Winters stuck a pin in a map and fled to the village of Sunnybrook, looking for a brand new life – and after a rocky start, it’s beginning to look as if she made the right decision. Her blossoming friendship with Ellie and Fen has seen her through some dark times, and she’s managed to land two jobs – waitressing at The Little Duck Pond Café and working as a weekend tour guide at Brambleberry Manor, the country house that’s been in Fen’s family for generations.
Sure, life isn’t totally perfect. There’s the irritating know-it-all guy who keeps popping up on her manor tours, for a start. He seems determined to get under Jaz’s skin whether she likes it or not. But she supposes he’s a small price to pay for the relative peace she’s found, living in Sunnybrook.
But just as Jaz is beginning to think rosier times are on the horizon, a shock encounter looks set to shatter her fragile happiness.
Will she be forced to flee from Sunnybrook and everyone she’s grown so fond of? Or will she find the strength to stand her ground and finally face up to the nightmares of the past?‘

Tell me I’m wrong by Adam Croft

‘What if you discovered your husband was a serial killer?

Megan Miller is an ordinary woman with a young family — until a shocking discovery shatters her perfect world.

When two young boys are brutally murdered in their tight-knit village community, Megan slowly begins to realise the signs all point to the lovable local primary school teacher — her husband.

But when she begins to delve deeper into her husband’s secret life, she makes discoveries that will make her question everything she knows — and make her fear for her young daughter’s life.

Facing an impossible decision, she is desperate to uncover the truth. But once you know something, it can’t be unknown. And the more she learns, the more she wishes she never knew anything at all…’

I’m looking forward to these two as they are very different and I love a thriller with lots of surprises, twists and turns.

I also really love Rosie Green’s series of books! They are so easy to read, have lovely characters and really remind me of the books by Heidi Swain who is one of my favourite authors.

Happy Reading!

As always, any recommendations welcome 👍🏻

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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12 months, 12 books!

Hi guys!

I LOVE to read, I would even go as far as to say it is my favourite hobby. So, I thought I would share this hobby with you guys.

So this is basically my guide to a good read. All of these books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed! Its one book for each month of the year. As I’ll explain along the way, I have put certain books and months together just to make it a bit more tailored to those months and to myself (It is my guide after all haha)

I hope you guys find this useful and are drawn to a few of these brilliant books, maybe you could pop them onto your Christmas list! You may even know someone who would enjoy one of these, or failing that they would make great stocking fillers,

Lets take a look at the books I’ve chosen…

Bridget Jones Diary By Helen Fielding.

Because we all need a bit of cheering up in January! & Bridget is a very endearing character. January is probably when most people would start writing a new diary, a new year, a new chapter.

Billy & Me By Giovanna Fletcher.

A brilliant and cosy love story, wonderfully written. You will fall in love with the setting, its characters and the story of a young couple in love.

Blood sisters by Jane Corry.

I really enjoyed this book and found the twists really keep you on your toes.

After I’ve gone By Linda Green.

This book is SO gripping. With social media being at the forefront of todays culture this novel really makes you think. (+ its full of Harry Potter references!!)

Is it just me? By Miranda Hart.

May is my birthday month and I received this book for my birthday a few years ago. It is full of laughs. Miranda Hart is my favourite comedian and this hilarious book of anecdotes and stories is just fab! Sure to put a smile on your face. Almost halfway!

The Notebook By Nicholas Sparks.

“Every great love starts with a story.” This book is beautiful, true love personified, it made me cry!! (All the feels!!) and during what is a special month for me and my husband I thought this was a rather apt choice.

“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough..”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
“I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours. ”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Lying about last summer by Sue Wallman.

Since July is the start of the summer I thought that this would make a good choice. This one is a teenage read (technically, but don’t let that put you off adults!!) It is super easy to get into and is just a lovely story about overcoming fears and letting go of guilt.

Change of heart By Jodi Picoult.

I was on holiday when I read this, hence the choice of months! and this is by far one of my favourites of all of Jodi Picoults books. It is SO gripping you honestly won’t be able to put it down, 10/10.

Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone By J.K Rowling

Because was I ever going to do a book review without getting a Harry Potter book in there?? (NO, No I was not) This book is so MAGICAL and if your anything like me you’ll be dreaming of boarding that train to Hogwarts on September the 1st.

The Ice cream girls By Dorothy Koomson.

Take yourself back to Summer time with this seaside set novel. Heart breaking but brilliantly written by another one of my favourite authors.

Mince pies and mistletoe at the Christmas market By Heidi Swann.

This is a lovely easy reader with an awesome festive feel to it. If this doesn’t get you into the festive spirit I don’t know what will!!

Tanya’s Christmas By Tanya Burr

This is a fantastic book to get you feeling super festive, but also prepared for all the merriment. Its not a story, its more of a guide to Christmas and Christmas prep. Its full of brilliant crafty ideas, tantalizing recipes that will make your mouth water and make up, gifting and wrapping ideas to get those festive juices flowing, perfect.

 

These books are all quite different so I’m hoping there’s something in there for all of you guys to get your teeth stuck into,

What’s your favourite book? Favourite Author? Any recommendations?

 

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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August favourites 🤗

I’ve wanted to do a favourites post for ages but I’ve never got round to it. I might have mentioned some of these things in other posts but these are a few things that I have been loving this month.

First up, beauty & skincare…

I have definatly mentioned these first two before and I am still loving these so much! 

Maybelline brow satin in the shade ‘Medium Brown’. This is a make up staple for me now, it’s so easy to apply.

Bourjois Rough velvet edition in the shade 07 ‘Nude-ist’. This glides on really nicely and dries matte. I 💟 this liquid lipstick, it’s my favourite out of all of my lipsticks. 💄

Revolutions New Pro Glow highlighter palette. These colours are so beautiful and shimmery. I particularly like the gold shades as I haven’t tried these in a highlighter before.

And finally…

Niveas intensive hydration after sun moisturiser. We discovered this on our honeymoon and it was perfect to apply after being in the sun all day and for making your skin feel really fresh and rich in moisture.

I love the smell of this too as it takes me right back to our honeymoon…ahhh ⛱

Next up, fashion.

I love this t-shirt from Primark. I love the stripes and the heart patch is super cute. This was only £5.

I’ve been wearing my new Havaianas a lot this month! We’ve had some pretty nice weather so these have been perfect and they are super comfy.

These were only £21 after my 10% discount, I got them in Office.

Let’s talk books…

I love reading and it’s one of my favourite hobbies. These two I have particularly enjoyed and they are by two of my favourite authors. 

The first one I’ll talk about is ‘That girl from nowhere’ by Dorothy Koomson. 

‘Clemency Smittson was adopted as a baby and the only connection she has to her birth mother is a cardboard box hand-decorated with butterflies. Now an adult, Clem moves to Brighton, where she was born, and meets someone who knows all about the butterfly box and what happened to her birth parents.’

This was one of the books I read on our honeymoon and I couldn’t put it down!

I’d also recommend her novel ‘Goodnight, beautiful’ that I read this month too.

I am currently reading ‘See me’ by Nicholas Sparks. I’m up to chapter 8 and I’m loving it already, his novels are just so easy to read.

‘Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot. At 28, he’s focused on getting his teaching degree and avoiding all the places and people that proved so destructive in his past. The last thing he’s looking for is a serious relationship. But when he crosses paths with Maria Sanchez one rainswept night, his carefully structures life is turned upside down.’

And finally, food!

A couple of food items that I’ve really been enjoying this month both come from Aldi. This is where we do our weekly shop so I just picked these up to give them a try and ended up loving them. 

This fizzy drink is Raspberry and Mint flavour, it is so refreshing and tastes so fresh and yummy.

The Granola squares in the picture above ☝ are super tasty! They are ‘Crispy oats & Honey Granola bites’ little squares of oaty goodness, be careful though, they are super moreish 🙊

What have you been enjoying the month? Let me know 😎

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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