You know when you have an author that is hit or miss for you?  Well this author (or authors!) is that for me……but I really loved the sound of the premise for this book and I LOVED IT, ITS ONE OF MY BEST READS FOR 2018!

You can see my original post here.

Blurb

Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take – and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and taste for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter and tendency to say exactly the wrong thing will. Their loss. Not everyone can handle a Hazel.

Josh Im has known Hazel since college. From the first night they met – when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes – to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air.

Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them . . . right?

The blurb really made me smile so I knew I needed this and to simply put it, this is hilarious. Genius. Beautiful.

Hazel is just a scream! She actually made me out of breath reading her!!! In her words,
‘I tend to be too chatty, too silly, too exuberant, too random, too eager.Too Hazel-y.” I was worried she might grate on me but she didn’t, she was just so genuine that I loved her.

And Josh, his dry wit had me smirking. Their friendship, their love, just them! ‘We have nowhere to go but up.’

I picked it up to read a few chapters before bed and I nearly finished in 1 sitting (a girl’s got to sleep!) But I had a smile on my face from start to finish.

You need this book in your life. It is one hell of a pick me up!

I wanted to try out a few book boxes to see if I want to subscribe to any others in 2019.

I saw it was Illumicrate’s 3rd year anniversary box so I expected great things! I looked at their past boxes and they were fab.

Theme = Clever Ruse

• Circus Banner inspired by The Night Circus and Caraval. These aren’t really my thing but my son had it!
• Stag Amulet Necklace designed by Fable and Black Not sure I’ll ever wear it but it’s pretty.
• Diner drink cosy to keep your drink warm, designed by @gicatam I might take this to work but not sure I will use it often.
• Mulan inspired scarf with artwork from Feifei Ruan I don’t wear scarfs but will give to my Mum!
• Warcross Woodmark with artwork by @chattynora Love this and I love Warcross so will defo use this.

Empress of all Seasons by Emiko Jean

Hardback ✔

Exclusive cover ✔

Sprayed edges ✔

Signed bookplate ✔

And a surprise book of Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

So all in all, not great for me apart from the books. I need to have a serious think after Christmas as the past boxes looked so good.

Fairyloot – November

Theme -BATTLES & GALAXIES!

This theme is all about epic battles and galactic adventures!

THIS BOX WAS SO GOOD! I LOVE IT ALL (<– yes, shouty caps!!)

• A galaxy bath bomb by Little Heart Gifts. It smells so good, can’t wait to plop it in my bath!
• An exclusive passport cover by Fairyloot. I love this and will defo use it!
• A festive wooden ornament by Catarina’s Book Designs and features a quote from Shakespeare. This is going on my tree!!!
• A space coaster set designed by Miss Phi and has quotes based on The Lunar Chronicles (which I’ve just finished reading!)…you know I’m using them!!!
• Galaxy straws! They are metal so reusable and come with a brush to clean! Love it!
• An iron on patch designed by KDP Letters featuring a quote from Red Rising.
• A tote bag designed by Evie Bookish based on The Illuminae Files. To say I love it is an understatement!
• This box also came with a bonus item of a free ebook download of Atlas Fallen by Jessica Pierce. I’ve claimed my copy and can’t wait to dive in!

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

• Hardback ✔
• Has exclusive art illustrated by @morgana0anagrom ✔

I so wanted this book and now I have a beautiful copy, I couldn’t be happier

Novel Knight has posted her annual Beat the Backlist challenge (you can join in here).

This helped me so much in 2018 so it was a no brainer for me to join in again.

What is Beat the Backlist?

In short, this is a reading challenge where your goal is to read backlist books (published prior to the current year). For 2019, it means reading any book that was published in 2018 or earlier. You have the entire year to read as many books as you can/want. YOU set your own reading goal.

My challenge

I have 31 books I want to read for my challenge. I thought that was quite a realistic number to aim for and as it’s only 2 and a bit books a month, I still have the time to read all those lovely new releases!

I’m also going to do the Hogwarts House Mini Challenge and my House is Ravenclaw!

This is my list:

• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
• Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
• Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
• Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
• Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
• Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor
• A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab
• A Gathering of Shadows by VE Schwab
• A Conjuring of Light by VE Schwab
• The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
• The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco
• The Elite by Kiera Cass
• The One by Keira Cass
• The Heir by Keira Cass
• The Crown by Keira Cass
• First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
• Darkest before Dawn by Amelia Hutchins
• King Hall by Scarlett Dawn
• Lifelike by Jay Kristoff
• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
• Legend by Marie Lu
• Mirage by Somaiya Daud
• The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
• Darkfever by Karen Marie Monig
• Trickery by Jaymin Eve
• The Gathering by LA Fiore
• My Favorite Half Night Stand by Christina Lauren
• Archenemies by Marissa Meyer

Are you joining in this year?

Link to your post in comments ❤📚

I’m back with another review regurge! <—- (every time I type that I get visions of a mama bird feeding her baby, you know beak right down the babies throat?!!!!)

Anyway, I was on holiday when I read this and I remember being so glued to it because it was beautiful.

It was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I saw her next book is called Echo North and is out on 15 January on Kindle so will defo be grabbing that!

BENEATH THE HAUNTING SEA BY JOANNA RUTH MEYER

You can find my original post here.

My review

I haven’t been this enthralled in a book for a while! Mystery and legend. Fave!

This was a holiday read and I had to grab chapters here and there, which saddened me as I wanted to gulp it all up at once! I found myself waking up before my family to snatch a few chapters!

It was just utterly beautiful and breath taking although I must admit the romance did irk me. A love square. <—- is that even a thing? A square? It is now! But in the end I loved them all!

The mystery of the story gripped me. It was so amazing. The questions and the ‘Oh god I can’t wait to read more’ is the mark of a fab book for me.

Happy Thanksgiving ❤