Review: Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

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Wow oh wow, oh wow!

I’m going to make a bold statement…….this is my favourite book of the year so far!

IT.WAS.EVERYTHING.   EVERYTHING!!!!!

Here is the 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 thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun.

Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. 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?



 

CJR THE BRIT REVIEW

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!

Fairyloot Unboxing: August 2018 *SPOILERS AHEAD*

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August 2018

Theme: Mutinous Pirates

Avast ye bookworms!

I was so excited about this box! I had a guess at the book and I was right! Have been dying to read this!

Anyway…..contents:

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‘Why is the rum gone’ water bottle by KDP Letters. Possibly my favourite swag item in the box!! And it came with a cloth holder so I can carry it around!

Prince Elian Candle by Nerd Poured Candles. I loved To Kill a Kingdom and this just smells delish!

A Pirate Wax Seal….I’m not really sure what I’ll do with this but I’m going to grab the instructions and have a play around!

Sweat Peat Sugar Scrub Soap by Geeky Clean……can’t have a dirty pirate!!!

‘Impossible’ hanging flag by Reverie and Ink. I love the idea of this but it has a spelling error but Fairyloot are going to replace it!

A Pirate Magnet by Miss Phi. This has a quote from Daughter of the Pirate King (loved that book) and now has pride of place on my fridge!

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo sampler/poster. I’m in 2 minds about reading this. I hate reading bits of books when I know I haven’t got the rest to read!!!!!

 

Book of the Month

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These Rebel Waves by Sarah Raasch

I so wanted this book and it has sprayed pages and is signed by the author. I LOVE it!

 

Do you get any book boxes?

Do you get Fairyloot?

What was your favourite item?

Link to your post in comments!

Duet Review: This Savage Song and Our Dark Duet by VE Schwab

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Monsters of Verity Duet by VE Schwab

This Savage Song #1

Our Dark Duet #2

Ok so I am totally late to the party (again!) but I am so glad I picked these up, so refreshingly different and I LOVED them!

I wont bore you with the blurbs as I am sure you have either read or know what the books are about (if you haven’t check them out here and here.)

 

THIS SAVAGE SONG

Unputdownable <—— love this word, and it’s so apt for this book!

So I’ve never read this author before and decided to jump in with this duet…..omg I’ve been missing out!

August and Kate were fabulous in their own ways although August was my total fave out of the duo.

I don’t really know what to say, I don’t want to say anything about the plot but I will say it’s weird for me, a book with no romance, I can’t remember the last time I read a book with no love interests, totally refreshing!

‘I read somewhere, that people are made of stardust.
Really?
Maybe that’s what you’re made of. Just like us.
And despite everything, August smiled.’

And that ending. My eyes were popping out my head!

 

OUR DARK DUET

This book pick a up a few months after Our Savage Song and we find August and Kate kicking but (yes changed for my review!) separately……but their lives intertwine again when a new monster shows up…..

Whilst I didn’t love this as much as Savage Song, I still liked it, it was creepy and dark and had me hooked.

And that ending, just explosive! It didn’t conform to what people probably expected and it broke my heart but, oh my god, a fantastic conclusion to the duet!

 

Have you read?

What were your thoughts?      

20 Books of Summer – the end!

I came across 20 Books of Summer from the lovely Cathy at 746 Books and gave it a go! It was my first-time doing a challenge like this and I hope to do more like it as it certainly helped me knock books of my tbr!

The challenge started on 1 June and ran until 3 September.

I am happy to report that I DID IT!

Here are the books I chose for the challenge:

  • An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
  • By a Charm and a Curse by Jaime Questell
  • Knuckle Down by Chantal Fernando
  • Daughter of the Siren Queen By Tricia Levenseller
  • Hothead by Stella Rhys
  • Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
  • Legendary by Stephanie Garber
  • A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia A Cole DNF
  • Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
  • From Here to You by Jamie McGuire
  • Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
  • One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake
  • Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
  • Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff
  • Beneath the Haunting Sea By Joanna Ruth Meyer
  • Ink, Iron and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare
  • Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody
  • This Savage Song by VE Schwab
  • Our Dark Duet by VE Schwab
  • Hideaway by Penelope Douglas

Did you do any summer reading challenges?

How did you get on?

Any Autumn challenges planned?

Review: One Last Wish by Aurora Rose Reynolds

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Anyone else following The Shooting Stars series by Aurora Rose Reynolds? The last book came out in 2016 so I was gagging for this!  This is book 3 in the series and when I read the blurb I wanted to blub!!!

Here it is (keep tissues handy!):

Finding out my husband, my best friend, only had months to live was devastating.
Sitting out under the star-filled sky, listening to him wish on star after star, night after night, almost killed me.
He never wished to get better.
He wished for me to be happy.
He wished for me to find the strength to move on.
I told him his wishes were pointless, because happiness wouldn’t exist without him.
I found out soon after he passed away that I was pregnant.
But I had no idea his final wish would bring me something I never thought I’d find again.

 

CJR THE BRIT REVIEW

It’s a shorty as I was a bit lost for words!

One look at this blurb and I knew this book would slay me!

 ‘I wished for you. When I was just a kid I wished on a shooting star that you’d notice me, I wished that you’d be mine.’

Bre and Denver’s journey is not an easy one but what it is, is truly emotional but oh so breathtakingly beautiful.

 

Fairyloot Unboxing: July 2018 *spoilers!*

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Fairyloot July 2018

Theme: The Power Within

I normally never start off with the book but I have to as I am so excited about it!

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Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton

Its SIGNED!

Has sprayed red pages.

A Fairyloot exclusive!

It also has a letter written by the author and fabulous artwork by Noverantale!

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I have to start off this list with the item I am most excited about……a Quidditch Pen! It’s a mini broomstick! I absolutely love it!!!

An Exclusive magical mug by Little Inkling Designs. It has a quote from Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes which is revealed when the mug has hot water in!

Room Spray by Geeky Clean. Lavender and Book scented! You know I’m using that!

A vinyl sticker featuring a quote from Sky in the Deep by Reverie and Ink. That’s on my laptop already!

There was also an exclusive tea towel by KDP Letters featuring a quote from And I Darken by Kiersten White but unforts there was a printing issue and you need to look in the mirror to read! Fairyloot are replacing but I’m still going to use this one!

 

Another fabulous box!

Do you get any book boxes?

Add links to your unboxings in comments.

Review: Beneath The Haunting Sea by Joanna Ruth Meyer

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Oh wow, you know when you kick yourself from not reading a book you own sooner? Well this happened to me with this book!

I’m sure many of you have read as I am always late to the party (blame my huge tbr, not me!) so I wont add on the blurb but if you do want to read it then click here.

Here is my 5 star 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 July god I can’t wait to read more’ is the mark of a fab book for me.

3 Day quote challenge: Day 3

I wasn’t tagged by anyone to do this but saw it and wanted in!

What a lovely idea this is!

Rules:

1. Post a quote for three consecutive days (1 quote for each day).

2. Share why this quote appeals so much to you.

Day 3

My son is the apple of my eye although sometimes I think he is going to suck every bit of sanity I have!!!

He is growing up to be a fantastic human! We laugh together, learn together and are there for each other always.

3 Day quote challenge: Day 2

I wasn’t tagged by anyone to do this but saw it and wanted in!

What a lovely idea this is!

Rules:

1. Post a quote for three consecutive days (1 quote for each day).

2. Share why this quote appeals so much to you.

Day 2

A mantra I try and live by.

In my 20’s I realised how short life was and I didn’t want to worry more than I needed to about things I couldn’t control.

Don’t get me wrong, I do think about all the stuffs but when I realise I’m not getting anywhere, this is what I do!