BOOKS I WANT TO READ THIS SUMMER

Hello everyone! So for today's post i thought i would talk all things summer reads, in the form of a books i want to read this summer. To me summer and winter and the two perfect seasons for reading, winter for getting cosy with a good book and summer for a good read for your holiday/reading in the garden. There are so many new/upcoming books to read this season, so i am excited to get reading the following...

1. my life in shambles by karina halle | buy on amazon |

They say bad things happen in threes, after my boyfriend broke off our engagement, I lost my apartment, and was laid off from my job, I can definitely attest to that. So when my two sisters invited me to ring in the new year in Ireland, I decided to throw all caution to the wind and go for it. I was going to let “saying yes” be my new resolution. Little did I know I’d spend New Year’s Eve having a hot and dirty one-night stand with Padraig McCarthy, one hell of a sexy Irishman. I also didn’t know that the brooding and intense sex god was one of Ireland’s top rugby players.

2. the two-week arrangement by kendall ryan | buy on amazon |

Dear Sexy AF Intern, I know you don't particularly care that I'm the CEO of this company, and you're just an intern. I also know you're not impressed by my power or my wealth, and that's fine. You think you've got me all figured out from working alongside me for two weeks, but you don't know me. Not really. You don't know that I'm a single dad to twin toddlers, or that those two little girls matter more to me than this entire hotel chain. I'm not interested in starting something deep and meaningful, but what I am interested in is the way your body reacts to mine when we're in the same room. You probably assume the concentration on my face is work-related, when in reality, I'm figuring out which I want more--to nail you against the wall, or to bend you over my desk. While you're too disciplined to act on it, I'm not. And the night you stepped into my limo, all bets were off.

3. seven nights of sin by kendall ryan | buy on amazon |

Part two to the two-week arrangement. He's the powerful CEO. I'm the know-it-all intern. Things went further than they should have, but I don't have any regrets. Well, maybe just one... I went and did the one thing he told me not to – fall in love with him. Now I have seven days to prove my trust and devotion. Turns out money is a powerful drug, but love is even more addictive.

4. imperfect match by corinne michaels | buy on amazon |

Rule number one for a professional matchmaker? Don’t fall in love with your client. I screwed that up when I fell for my best friend, Reid Fortino. He’s gorgeous, successful, and sexy as hell. I figured it would be easy to find him a match and save the family business at the same time. But the more time I spend attempting to find the perfect girl, the more I realise how much I want him for my own. What’s the harm if we give in for just one night? I should have known that would never be enough. Now I’m on the verge of losing my job and my heart. We were an imperfect match from the start, but I don’t know how to let him go.

5. kickin' it by rachel van dyken | buy on amazon |

Successful, high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston thinks he can handle anything. Then soccer player Parker Speedman shows up at his door. She is young and gorgeous, has natural talent, and is looking for a team. She’s also a hothead with a punchy past who floored her last coach on live TV. Despite his misgivings, Matt agrees to be both her agent and her coach. Professional common sense says she’s off-limits. But what can he say about the raw attraction between them?

6. faking ms. right by claire kingsley | buy on amazon |

Everly Dalton is a walking, talking, martini-drinking dating disaster. Forget kissing frogs. She can’t even get past the first date. But at work, she’s a badass the longest-running assistant billionaire Shepherd Calloway has ever had. Her coworkers wonder how she handles the big bad wolf and never gets bit. Shepherd Calloway isn’t interested in being anyone’s sugar daddy. Tired of women who only want him for his money, he swears off dating, determined to focus on running his empire. Until his gold-digging ex hits him where it hurts, putting him in a difficult position. His solution to have Everly pose as his live-in girlfriend is obviously crazy. But the timing is uncanny. It just so happens Everly needs a favor from her boss a big and awkward one and this could ensure everyone gets what they want.

7. butterfly in frost by sylvia day | buy on amazon |

Once, I would never have imagined myself here. But I’m settled now. In a place I love, in a home I renovated, spending time with new friends I adore, and working a job that fulfils me. I am reconciling the past and laying the groundwork for the future. Then Garrett Frost moves in next door. He’s obstinate and too bold, a raging force of nature that disrupts the careful order of my life. I recognise the ghosts that haunt him, the torment driving him. Garrett would be risky in any form, but wounded, he’s far more dangerous. I fear I’m too fragile for the storm raging inside him, too delicate to withstand the pain that buffets him. But he’s too determined…and too tempting. And sometimes hope soars above even the iciest desolation.

8. unexpected by kelly rimmer | buy on amazon |

The next three decades of Abby Herbert’s life are as carefully planned out as the last three were. Best career ever? Check. Great friends, one of whom she lives with in a stunning Tribeca apartment? Check. Perfect man to share her dream family? Surely just a matter of time. But then she gets devastating news from her doctor—if she wants to get pregnant, she needs to get started on that by…well, yesterday. On the bright side, she has the perfect person in mind to be the father. Tech entrepreneur Marcus Ross has been harbouring decidedly not-friends feelings toward Abby. He doesn’t want to lose her and, knowing his feelings are one-sided, he’s been trying to move on. When he learns about the curve-ball Abby’s just been hit with, he promises to be there for her however she wants him to be, even if the idea of fatherhood is a little complicated for him right now. But it isn’t long until boundaries start to blur, and a deal struck between friends starts to turn into something perilously close to feelings that could change everything.

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

BOOK REVIEW: THE MISTER BY E L JAMES

Hello everyone! So for today's post i am back with a book review post, which i did want to do a lot sooner than i have ended up doing. The reason for it taking me a little longer to finish was a combination of two things, one i haven't had as much time the past few weeks to read and the second thing being that this book was slightly longer than most would but i got there in the end...

SYNOPSIS:

Life has been easy for Maxim Trevelyan. With his good looks, aristocratic connections, and money, he’s never had to work and he’s rarely slept alone. But all that changes when tragedy strikes and Maxim inherits his family’s noble title, wealth, and estates, and all the responsibility that entails. It’s a role he’s not prepared for and one that he struggles to face. But his biggest challenge is fighting his desire for an unexpected, enigmatic young woman who’s recently arrived in England, possessing little more than a dangerous and troublesome past. Reticent, beautiful, and musically gifted, she’s an alluring mystery, and Maxim’s longing for her deepens into a passion that he’s never experienced and dares not name. Just who is Alessia Demachi? Can Maxim protect her from the malevolence that threatens her? And what will she do when she learns that he’s been hiding secrets of his own?

MY REVIEW:

So fun fact reading the Fifty Shades trilogy by E L James is actually what got me back into reading books on a regular basis, years down the line and many books later...finally she has released a new book and i couldn't wait to pick it up. That being said when i started to read this book, it wasn't what i was expecting at all...

Unlike the Fifty Shades trilogy The Mister is actually written from both Maxim and Alessia's point of view, which i actually like to read books like that as well as just from one point of view because you tend to get more of a sense of what both characters are feeling/thinking. So The Mister starts off with a prologue basically describing the terrible way that Alessia came to be in England, which you are obviously not aware of at the beginning before heading straight into chapter one with Maxim. Maxim is going through all the stages of grieving after losing his brother Kit (including sleeping with many a woman). One thing that i wasn't a huge fan of at all in the book is how long it actually took for any interaction between the two characters to occur, which made it hard to get into unlike some books. That being said once that was over with, i got more invested in the story a lot more and i began to find it more of a page turner. Unlike Fifty Shades i did not find this "steamy" at all which of course is such a disappointment but i did find the story line good still, especially the detail/research that had obviously gone into the book and how anyone could still have believes like the ones that were written into the book about Alessia's culture/upbringing. What i am unsure of is how the book ended, as i feel like it was all leading to this one moment that ended within a page and it almost seemed unfinished but at the same time, i don't know if it was left like that on purpose to leave the opportunity for a book two or not!

Overall i give this book a 3.5 out of 5, as it wasn't the best book i have ever read but it also wasn't the worst i have ever read either. I am left wondering whether a lot of people seem the same, as it just wasn't on the same level as Fifty Shades was?

buy the mister by e l james on amazon | here |

xo.   

BOOK REVIEW: BOYFRIEND FOR HIRE BY KENDALL RYAN

Hello everyone and Happy April! For today's post i am back with another book review post, as i had mentioned in my previous review post that i wanted to go further into detail about the books that i have been reading. If you didn't catch my first book review talking all things the Gentleman Sinner by one of my favourite authors Jodi Ellen Malpas, then you can catch that here, but for today's review i am sharing my thoughts on a new release from another of my favourite authors and one of the books to be ticked off my books i want to read this spring list...

SYNOPSIS:

I’m the guy you call when you need to impress your overbearing family, your boss, or your ex. Yeah, i’m a male escort, but not just any escort, i’m the escort. The one with a mile-long waiting list and a pristine reputation that’s very well-deserved. I’m the guy who’ll make you feel beautiful, desired, and worshipped...all for a steep price. I’m hired to make you shine, and i always deliver. I’ll be whatever you want me to be for one night, except my true self. This is just a job, a role i play to earn a paycheck. But i’m not the guy who falls for a client. Not once in six years and then i meet Elle. Her friend has hired me to escort her to a wedding, but Elle doesn’t know we’re just pretending. There’s a fire between us I never expected. A connection I haven’t felt in so long. One kiss, and I’m losing all control but what will happen when she finds out who I really am?

MY REVIEW:

As i mentioned in the intro to this post, Kendall Ryan is in fact another one of my favourite authors. I actually only discovered her books by chance last year and i fell for the style of her writing, as well as the gripping story lines of course. Kendall has a few new books due to be released as well as a few new and already released books this year, which i always say her books are the perfect Kindle download reads as if you were to pick every single one up on paperback you would run out of room for sure. 

What i like about this book is you get the story from the two main characters Elle and Nic's point of view, so you are rarely left wondering what the other person is thinking/feeling as it alternated each chapter. So the book starts off with Nic and a little bit about his carer which lets face it, being a male escort isn't usually the line of work that lands you relationships. That being said he is the whole package, confident, a gentleman and considering his job, he actually wants the happy ever after story. Even though Nic is a male escort i like how he had personal rules (like no kissing on the mouth) - which totally gave me pretty woman vibes, as he wanted to save that for someone he truly loved. Elle on the other hand is your typical good girl, who's confidence has take a huge knock thanks to her idiot of an ex-boyfriend (who i am glad only featured at the wedding, as i hated him instantly and if i was Nic i would of punched him). You could honestly feel the chemistry between Nic and Elle jump off of the page, as soon as they met each other. This made Nic not have to role-play like he thought he would, as it just came natural to him yet he struggled with keeping his own rules un-broken.

During the book and the Epilogue we got to know a little bit about Case, who is/was Nic's boss and fellow escort. During the Epilogue Nic mentioned that he thought something was not quite right with Case, which was an opening for the next release by Kendall called The Hookup Handbook and one of the next books on my to read list.

Overall i give the book a 4 out of 5, mainly because i feel like there could of been a little bit more of a build up/drama to the forgiving/making up before the end. 

| buy boyfriend for hire on amazon kindle or paperback | here |

xo.

BOOKS I WANT TO READ THIS SPRING

Hello everyone! A couple of weeks ago now i shared a book review post on my recent favourite read, which you can catch up on here if you didn't do so already. With that in mind i am left looking for something new to read but there is no shortage of new reads available and keeping that in mind, for today's post i thought i would share with you the books i want to read this spring...

1. boyfriend for hire by kendall ryan | click to buy |

I’m the guy you call when you need to impress your overbearing family, your boss, or your ex. Yeah, I’m a male escort, but not just any escort, I’m the escort. The one with a mile-long waiting list and a pristine reputation that’s very well-deserved. I’m the guy who’ll make you feel beautiful, desired, and worshipped . . . all for a steep price. I’m hired to make you shine, and I always deliver. I’ll be whatever you want me to be for one night—except my true self. This is just a job, a role I play to earn a paycheck. But I’m not the guy who falls for a client. Not once in six years. And then I meet Elle. Her friend has hired me to escort her to a wedding, but Elle doesn’t know we’re just pretending. There’s a fire between us I never expected. A connection I haven’t felt in so long. One kiss, and I’m losing all control. But what will happen when she finds out who I really am?

2. the play mate by kendall ryan | click to buy |

Smith Hamilton has it all—he's smart, good-looking and loaded. But he remembers a time when he had nothing and no one, so he's not about to mess up, especially with his best friend’s little sister. That means keeping Evie at arm's length … even though the once pesky little girl is now a buxom bombshell. A sexy blonde who pushes his self-control to the limit the night she crawls into bed with him. Evie Reed knows she's blessed—with an exclusive education, a family who loves her, and a new job managing social media for her family's lingerie company. But she wants more, like a reason to wear the sexy lingerie herself. She has just the man in mind to help with that. She's crushed on Smith forever. Surely tricking her way into his bed will force him to see her in a new, adult way.

3. the hookup handbook by kendall ryan | click to buy |

My love wand is on a strike. As bad as that blows, pun unintended, it’s ten times worse for me. I’m a male escort, but not just any escort, I’m the escort. The one with a mile-long waiting list and a pristine reputation that’s very well-deserved. Only now, I’m on hiatus. Because after years of pleasing women all over the city, my man missile decides to get finicky. And the only woman he wants? Someone I can never have—my best friend’s younger sister, the nerdy and awkwardly adorable Sienna. She’s working at the agency this summer, keeping me organized, handling paperwork, and most importantly, keeping me on track to finish writing my book about sex and intimacy, which is due to my publisher in thirty days. She thinks I hate her, that I don’t want her here. The truth is much more twisted. I get hard every time she walks into my office. Her wide blue eyes and pouty mouth drive me wild with desire, and if she stays, I’m not sure how much longer I can stay away from her.

4. the mister by e l james | click to buy |

Life has been easy for Maxim Trevelyan. With his good looks, aristocratic connections, and money, he’s never had to work and he’s rarely slept alone. But all that changes when tragedy strikes and Maxim inherits his family’s noble title, wealth, and estates, and all the responsibility that entails. It’s a role he’s not prepared for and one that he struggles to face. But his biggest challenge is fighting his desire for an unexpected, enigmatic young woman who’s recently arrived in England, possessing little more than a dangerous and troublesome past. Reticent, beautiful, and musically gifted, she’s an alluring mystery, and Maxim’s longing for her deepens into a passion that he’s never experienced and dares not name. Just who is Alessia Demachi? Can Maxim protect her from the malevolence that threatens her? And what will she do when she learns that he’s been hiding secrets of his own?

5. crazy for your love by lexi ryan | click to buy |

The only thing worse than being single at my sister’s wedding is finding out that my ex will be there too. Not just any ex—the guy everyone expected me to marry, the man I came to Jackson Harbor to escape. Now I need a date, and fast. Enter Carter Jackson—the firefighter who’s dealing with an unwanted five minutes of fame ever since a shirtless photo of him saving a puppy went viral. He’s warding off propositions left and right, and he needs a fake relationship as much as I do. Sweet and sexy, Carter is completely off-limits. See, I have a rule. A no heartache rule. Not only is Carter my friend and a known heartbreaker, but his job as a firefighter puts him in danger daily, and that’s something I just can’t handle. The commitment between us might be pretend, but the passion all too real. As crazy as it makes me, I have to keep Carter at an arm’s length. Even that might not be enough to spare my heart.

6. nobody does it better by lauren blakely | click to buy |

Some women are just forbidden. Like off the top of my head, my sisters life-long best friend.Sis has made it patently clear that Vanessa is hands-off, as in keep my ladies' man paws far away from her clever, go-getter best friend who's ready for the real deal. That should be an easy guideline to follow, except Vanessa is deliciously flirty, easy to talk to, and laughs at my jokes. Translation - my libido has been craving her many, many years. So many that we might have stolen a kiss or two. Can you say pent-up, crazy, raw desire? That's exactly what we're both feeling when the storm of the century hits and it's 10 inches of snow with Vanessa and me trapped in a cabin all night long... The trouble is--Vanessa isn't interested in my playboy ways, and I have one night to convince her that I'm the real deal. 

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

BOOK REVIEW: GENTLEMAN SINNER BY JODI ELLEN MALPAS

Hello everyone! So for today's post i wanted to do something a little different to what i normal would, when it comes to talking anything and everything about books. Usually i would just talk about a bunch of different books that i want to read or what i have recently read and only give you a brief review on my thoughts. With that in mind, i really wanted to switch things up and be able to go into more detail about my current reads and of course i have to kick things off with my most recent read by one of my favourite author's...

 SYNOPSIS:

Izzy White knows of the darkness in this world. After all, she escaped it long ago. Determined not to let her past beat her, Izzy has a secure, stable life with a job she loves in nursing. But one act of kindness will completely upend everything she's so carefully built-putting her right back in the crosshairs of danger she's been so desperate to avoid. When Theo Kane shows up like a knight in shining armor, Izzy can't help thinking she's been saved from one threat and exposed to another. His imposing physique, the harsh lines of his face, and the wariness of everyone who comes close are just a few clues to Theo Kane's notorious reputation. The man is positively terrifying. But with Izzy, he's tender and a complete gentleman, and her fascination with the mysterious beast of a man becomes too powerful for her to walk away. As Theo's demons come to light, running becomes even more impossible. And yet staying together could doom them both.

MY REVIEW:

As i have mentioned on several occasions and in numerous posts, Jodi Ellen Malpas is hands down my favourite author and i am beyond excited whenever she announces something new. When she releases a new book you know you are going get something that sucks you in from the very first page, with a red hot romance and a gripping story line which has darkness to it and the Gentleman Sinner was just that and more. First of all i just have to mention how when you think you have a favourite male character created by Jodi nailed, she only goes and introduces everyone to a brand new one that throws you off, Theo Kane doing just that! 

So the book is obviously from Izzy's perspective and it kicks off straight in at the deep end, with her finishing a shift at the hospital she works in as a nurse. As she is walking home from work she hears a woman in distress, Izzy only has a tiny moment of hesitation where she should keep walking but then her nursing instinct kicks in just like that and she is straight down a dark alley to come to the woman's aid. Little did she know this would lead to landing right in the lap of a mysterious man who she would immediately drop her guard for and let straight into her heart, considering Izzy also has a dark history which is full of secrets.  

Through-out the first few chapters of the book you kind of know pretty much what Izzy's past is, just by putting the pieces together yourself with things that are said and triggers of hers but obviously it takes you a little longer to figure out what Theo's secrets and reasons for being the way he is. I felt like Theo was fairly different to a lot of the other male characters as he obviously like the majority has a dark past and is also dominating/controlling and very protective but i also feel like with Izzy he was so different and a complete 180 to how he was with everyone else in his life, including his family but obviously when you finally discover the reason his being the way he has been for all those years you really feel his pain.  

Even though the book ended with a epilogue from Theo's point of view in the future, i am really hoping this isn't the last we see of these characters. I also would love, love, love something focused on Jess (Izzy's best friend) and Callum (Theo's friend/driver/bodyguard) as their chemistry through-out the book was amazing and hilarious, even though during the epilogue we discovered they still hadn't got it on...i still have hope they will.    

Overall i give this book a 4.5 out of 5, the .5 is just because i didn't want the book to end. That being said even though i am currently suffering from a book boyfriend hangover, all will be forgiven on Thursday as Jodi's book The Protector is being released on Passionflix in movie form and words can't describe how excited i am!

| buy gentleman sinner on amazon here: kindle | paperback |

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

NEW + UPCOMING BOOKS I WANT TO READ

Hello everyone! If you caught my recent january must-buys post then you will have seen me talking about a certain book that was on my must-buy list for the month. I had also mentioned previously that i wanted to get back into reading a lot more regularly, as i had neglected doing just that over the past couple of months. With that in mind for today's post, i thought i would share with you the new and upcoming books i want to read...

1. damien: a stark novel (stark saga book six) by j.kenner | buy on amazon |

First up is the very book i shared in my January must-buys post and one i am excited to pick up and binge read, just as i have done with every other book in the series. The thing that sets this book aside from the others, is the fact that it is from Damien's p.o.v rather than his wife Nikki's. The stark series also has a bunch of novellas all part of the series, which are all as equally binge-worthy.

2. boyfriend for hire by kendall ryan | pre-order on amazon |

Next up is an upcoming release from one of my favourite authors Kendall Ryan, which i discovered by chance last year, which led to me reading a good handful of her books and i loved every single one of them! The story of this standalone to me seems very Wedding Date movie story line, which is one of my favourite movies. This book will be released on the 19th February.

3. birthday suit by lauren blakely | buy on amazon |

This new release from another newly discovered author last year and one that i am looking forward to downloading onto my Kindle, is titled Birthday Suit. The story line to Birthday Suit is very much a case of falling in love with your best friends woman, full of twists and turns.

4. the consequence of falling by claire contreras | buy on kindle |

This book is a new release from an author i have never read anything from before, that being said i have seen on Goodreads that it received really good reviews as well as being on the weeks most-read list. This book sounds like it has a story line of a love hate relationship between the two main characters but obviously as the title suggests, there is more than likely going to be consequences for falling for the "forbidden".

5. gentleman sinner by jodi ellen malpas | pre-order on amazon |

Now next is probably the book i am most looking forward out of all of them, as it is the next book release from my favourite ever author. The Gentleman Sinner is released on the 5th February, which is the same month as Jodi's movie from the book The Protector is released on Passionflix and i am so excited, as it is definitely one of my favourites from all of her books.

6. faking it by k.bromberg | buy on kindle |

Sticking with a book series turned tv series on Passionflix by the author K.Bromberg, who is the very talented writer of the Driven Series and the author of this new release titled Faking It. Until Driven was due to be released on Passionflix, i had never heard of the author but i decided to read the series before it was released on screen and i loved every single page, which is why i am very much looking forward to delving into her latest standalone.

7. we shouldn't by vi keeland | pre-order on amazon |

Finally is a book/audiobook by the author Vi Keeland and one that is highly recommended audio book, which if i am being honest is something i have never thought about doing. I am always looking to give different authors a read, rather than sticking to a select few and i loved the "quickie" that Vi Keeland wrote for Passionflix at the end of last year, so i am definitely looking forward to either giving this a try in audiobook version or paperback! 

Catch up on a suggested post: here

xo.

MY JANUARY MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING + ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone! I know that in my goals for 2019 post i said that for January my aim was to spend less and save more, but that being said i really wanted to still share my monthly must-buys post. Seeing as i skipped on sharing my must-buys at the end of last year, i thought i would share with you some of the must-buy items that i picked up towards the end of last year/the start of this year so far...

1. FitBit versa health and fitness smartwatch | amazon exclusive |

So first up is something that i had wanted to get for a while and that is a smartwatch, which i finally ended up getting one for Christmas. Smartwatches are such a great way to track your health and fitness on a daily basic, especially for making sure you get in those 10,000 steps a day. I have the white and rose gold FitBit Versa, which is an exclusive to Amazon edition. I love how sleek the watch it, as well as the fact it goes with anything i wear. My favourite features (which you can keep a track on via the app) are the sleep tracker, exercise features to help achieve your goals and an hours active feature.  

2. damien: a stark novel book six | kindle edition |

I am so excited to get reading this book, as i have loved every single book in the series previous and i highly recommend giving the series a read. These books have always been those that have completely captured me and forced me to want to binge read them, as i just couldn't put them down. The reason for me being so excited for this book is the fact that it is all from Damien's p.o.v and i am so intrigued to know what is going off in that head of his, after all these years just as i was to jump inside Jesse's head in the With This Man book.

3. new look emilee coated jeans | asos |

I picked these up just before Christmas as a back up plan for Christmas Day but i ended up wearing them on New Year's instead. The fit of these are so nice, with a skinny fit but as they are a "jegging type" pull-on jean it makes them super comfortable. I actually mentioned on Twitter how they made me think of Ross from Friend's every time i went to the bathroom and prayed i wouldn't end up in that situation, as this effect trousers always makes me think of that episode.

4. side stripe active wear crop top | primark |

With it being January, of course everyone seems to have gone fitness wear crazy and Primark by far have really impressed me, with their new range of active wear. They have a wide range of sports bra's/crop tops that are just £5, which is such a bargain and they are super comfortable to workout in. They of course also do the matching bottoms to the tops, along side hoodies, sweatshirts and bottoms and everything is such a good price.

5. lips le femme slogan t-shirt | boohoo |

If you have read a lot of my posts previously, then you will know i love Boohoo and especially their slogan t-shirts at the moment. I recently picked up this Le Femme slogan tee in black (which is currently unavailable) but it also comes in white and grey. What i love about Boohoo is the pricing is super affordable, everything is very on trend at the time and the quality of the clothing is always so good.

6. adidas superstar trainers | office |

I am usually only really into wearing all white trainers, that being said my niece actually has this pair of Superstars by Adidas with the black detailing and i thought how nice they looked. So of course over Christmas i got my hands on pair from Office and saved a ton of money on them, as not only did i pick up them in a junior sizing (which is a hack if you are a size 3-5) as they are cheaper in general but they also had a discount over on at the time. 

7. cream cable detail knitted jumper | prettylittlething |

Finally through-out December i had picked up so many different jumpers, mainly from Missguided and of course Prettylittlething. Jumpers are such a winter wardrobe staple as the weather is super cold at the moment and all you want to do is keep warm, yet still look put together. I love, love, love this cream (almost white) cable knitted jumper as it is super cosy. Also looking at the two items together on the page, i feel like the jumper and coated jeans would look good paired together.

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

HAPPY NEW YEAR: 2019 GOALS

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I hope you all had a lovely festive break, which talking of breaks i decided to take one myself the last couple of weeks in December. That being said i am actually glad to get back to normality and glad for to hit refresh for a new year, which i am so motivated for. With that in mind for the first post of the year, i thought it would only be right to share some of my goals for the year...

1. keep up with healthy eating/lifestyle 

If you read some of my motivation monday posts back last summer, then you will already know that around February time i decided to completely change my diet/lifestyle and become fit and healthy by working out and eating cleaner. Doing just that has completely changed me as a person and i honestly feel so much better/happier about myself in general (mentally and physically). That being said i did allow myself from Christmas Eve to New Years to eat what i wanted as it was Christmas, but i still kept up with my workouts. Now everything is back to normal i am glad to be back to normality, eating clean and working out, which is why keeping up what i started last year is one of my main goals for 2019.

2. spend less/save more

This year i definitely want to make it one of my goals to spend less and save a lot more money. One of the things i am definitely going to cut back on is spending money on makeup for the sake of it, when it is a complete waste of money as i already have a ton in my collection. I also want to be savvy with my money and if there is something i want, then wait it out until there is a discount code or it comes on promotion, rather than wanting to get it there and then. (Disclaimer i am not going on a complete makeup ban, i will still share beauty related posts and be picking up the essentials).

3. pick up reading again

So for the past few years ever since setting a resolution to read more books, i had become a complete book worm and worked my way through so many. That being said the last couple of months in 2018 i kind of took a hiatus for some reason, but i am ready to get straight back into some new reads for the new year with the help of the Goodreads book challenge.

4. do what makes me happy

Anybody that knows me knows i am such a people please-r and half of the time (ok most of the time) i will go along with something, just because that is what someone else wants to do (even if i hate doing it). I also tend to care too much about what people think. That being said this year i am going to set myself the goal of doing the things what make me happy and not care so much about what other people think, because at the end of the day you are you for you and nobody else! 

5. become more organised/tidy

I am one of those people that will spend hours organising/tidying up and i always say "i will keep everything tidy now" and a little while later it is just a mess again. That being said i always find that if things are organised/tidy, then you kind not only find something a lot faster but your mind feels a lot clearer and keeps you in a better frame of mind.

and now for a few smaller goals for 2019:

- stress less about the things that aren't important

- try new things without having a pre-conceived idea of what it is like

- use less plastic

- spend less time on social media/take a break

-   plan ahead more

- but also do something spontaneous

- take up running

- try and stick to posting "what i ate in a days" more regular

I hope you have a lovely weekend and i will be back on Monday with a new post...

xo.

GOODREADS | BOOKS I WANT TO READ THIS AUTUMN

Hello everyone! It only feels like just yesterday that i was sharing my goodreads summer holiday romance reads, yet here we are now talking all things autumn/winter. As i mentioned in my summer goodreads post it is good to switch up the cosy-ing up with a good book for by the pool, but those days are over and we are back to getting all cosy with your favourite autumnal scented candles lit instead. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you the romance reads that i can't wait to get stuck into this autumn...

1. sweet possession - j.daniels | buy on amazon | goodreads |

First up is the second book in a Sweet Addiction series by the author J.Daniels, which i read the first book literally within two evenings i was that hooked on the story and i mentioned this in my september must-buys post. These books follow the story of Dylan and Reese who's relationship to each other started as a wedding hook-up, a one off and is definitely a must read. Book one had me feeling all of the emotions as i laughed, cried, as well as swooning over Reese and i can't wait to pick up where i left off with book two (book one ends in a cliffhanger).

2. dear jane - kendall ryan | buy on amazon | goodreads |

Next up is a book that isn't released until the middle of the month but it is one i can't wait to read, as i have read a handful of Kendall Ryan's books now and i have loved every single one of them (especially Mister Tonight). Dear Jane is kind of a re-kindling romance story as the main character broke her heard and left town ten years ago, now he says he has changed and wants one shot to make everything right again but i don't think things will be as simple as that seems. 

3. hot winter nights - jill shalvis | buy on amazon | goodreads |

Jill Shalvis is an author i know through Passionflix, as her novel The Trouble With Mistletoe was turned into a movie last Christmas time and i have watched it so many times. Almost a year on and she has a new release called Hot Winter Nights, which i can't wait to read also as of course the setting is perfect for this time of year (either autumn or winter time). That being said the story line has a very "protector" kind of theme to it, which has me itching to read more than it being fitting for the time of year.

4. pinch of salt - bethany lopez | buy on amazon | goodreads |

This is one of the book out of many that i have downloaded to my kindle whilst on free promotion, which if you didn't know you can get so many free books from the kindle store. The free books switch and change all the time, so it is worth taking the time and looking often just in-case something takes your fancy. This is a great way to try some books from authors you haven't read anything by before or to try the first book in a series. This book is one where the description made me click download as it has a slightly different theme to the story, than some of your typical romance books as it is good to switch things up from time to time.

5. flirting with forever - kendall ryan | buy on amazon | goodreads |

Another book by Kendall Ryan that is also on my to read list, is a new release by the author at the beginning of last month that i am yet to get around to reading. The theme of the book is all about not realising that the right person was right in front of them all along, in the form of a friendship turned relationship story. If it is anything like all of her other books i know i am going to love this one also, as i mentioned before i am yet to be disappointed. If you are looking for something super sexy, flirty and the perfect mix of funny and serious, then i definitely recommend her books!

6. josh and hazel's guide to not dating - christina lauren | buy on amazon | goodreads |

Finally we have a book that i spotted on my goodreads new releases list and after reading the description of the book. The story behind this book is about two friends who are apparently "just friends", that have reformed their friendship years on. As they aren't dating each other, they are setting each other up on terrible double blind dates destined for failure that means nothing between them apparently (i can already tell i am not convinced that is the case and that makes me want to read it even more).

Catch up on a suggested autumnal post: here

xo.

SUMMER FAVOURITES | BEAUTY, LIFESTYLE, STYLE + MORE

Hello everyone! Seeing as autumn is fast approaching us and it is safe to say we have said goodbye to summer for another year, i thought for today's post i would do something a little bit different. The something different being an end of summer favourites type of post, to make up for the fact i haven't posted a "monthly favourites" post in a couple of months now. I have so many favourites from the whole of summer, from beauty products to clothing, accessories, music, movies and books...

1. ps bronze dewy glow face + body butter

Kicking things off with probably one of my favourite beauty finds of the summer, which is crazy as it is a super affordable product. Cream highlighters have been an essential part to my everyday makeup routine this summer, as they are super lightweight on the skin yet they still give you that beautiful/healthy sun-kissed glow. One thing that really made this product a summer favourite (glow aside) was the fact it is coconut scented and what makes a product more summer appropriate than that? 

2. topshop onara lattice white cross body bag

Next up is an accessories favourite of mine from this summer, in the form of this small white cross body bag from Topshop that i picked up for just £10, when they had 25% off a few months ago (not available anymore). This bag has been perfect to pair with so many different summer outfits, especially for going out for a more casual yet still dressy dinners. One of my favourite things about this bag is even though it is super small and compact, you still had a central section to put your money and cards in securely/hidden without needing to pack a purse.

| featured cream highlighter post | featured cross body bag post |

3. nude nails

This next favourite can be an all year round favourite of mine, but even more particularly this summer and that is of course nude nails. I just love how natural they look, they go with every single outfit you are going to wear and i just don't ever get bored of them. That being said i could never narrow it down to just one (even though i do have a top favourite which is included) and i have found myself reaching for a selected few this summer. The nude nail polishes are rimmel 60 seconds let's get nude, barry m gelly hi shine peanut butter, barry m speedy winning streak and of course essie spin the bottle.

4. summer music favourites

This summer i have been loving a lot of music, from the music that i listen to on an everyday basis and then also the music that keeps me motivated during workouts. I always listen to my music on Spotify which is perfect to keep track on what music is new, as well as making your own playlists and also listening to other already made playlists. Some of my favourite playlist's made by Spotify are the this is: playlist's, as well as the release radar playlist which is tailored to suit the style of music that you personally listen to.

| this is: dvsn playlist | this is: majid jordan playlist | are & be playlist |

5. my summer reads

This summer i have read so many books, well like i have been doing for the most of the year as i made it one of my new years resolutions, to read as many books as possible this year. Of course i have some of my ultimate favourite reads from the summer, starting with Driven. I loved every single page of all three books from the Driven series, which i mentioned i wanted to read before the series was released in movie/tv series form on Passionflix. Next up and two books part of a two book series by my favourite author and that is of course Jodi Ellen Malpas and her fantastic Smoke & Mirrors series (The Controversial Princess and His True Queen). 

6. protein world slender blend

I have mentioned how this year i have been super motivated and have been a lot stricter with my diet and my lifestyle. One product that i have been loving reaching for a lot to help with that this summer is the Slender Blend protein powder from Protein World, as it is not only a perfect quick meal especially after a workout but also great for adding into smoothies or even porridge. The Slender Blend is packed full of protein, fibre and is also low in sugar, calories and fat.

| august must-buys post | six books to binge-read this month post |

xo.

SEPTEMBER MUST-BUYS | CLOTHES, BEAUTY + MORE

Hello everyone! I know that we are over a week into a new month and i am only just about to share my must-buys for the month of September. Towards the end of August and this past week in September, i have finally started buying a few pieces that are perfect for this coming autumn. That being said this month's must-buys doesn't include only clothing, but also a mixture of beauty and non-beauty buys...

1. adidas originals all white stan smith trainers | £70 |
So i have had my eye on this pair of trainers for a hot minute now and i finally picked myself a pair up a couple of weekends ago. I actually first mentioned these trainers in a things i'm loving on asos right now post back in April, that is how long i have had my eye on them. All white trainers are definitely a favourite of mine when it comes to choosing a pair and i definitely think i am going to be getting a lot of wear out of them this autumn, especially of those casual outfit days.

2. boohoo leopard satin drape tie front top | £20 |
I have noticed that leopard print seems to be making a huge come back this autumn/winter season, as so many different brands have a various range of different pieces from casual to more dress-y styles this tie front top from Boohoo being one of them. This top would be perfect paired with a pair of black jeans, for a more dress-y yet casual night out or a meal out in the evening time.

3. bobbi brown luxe matte lip color in the shade semi-naked | £28 |
We all know how much of a nude lipstick hoarder i am, so there should be no shock that the nude shade from Bobbi Brown's new lipstick collection is included in this post. When it comes to autumn/winter i tend to wear a matte finish lipstick over something glossier, so the formula of these are perfect for the time of year. The shade semi-naked is the most perfect light creamy pink-y, beige nude, which is my favourite shade of nude.

4. h&m striped black jersey top | £6.99 |
Last week i went shopping and i picked up quite a few things from H&M, which i must say my local store has so many great things in at the moment (as well as online). One of my favourite things i picked up is this striped long-sleeved jersey style top with a tiny red heart detailed on it. I think this would be a great everyday transitional piece, where it is still too warm for a jumper but not warm enough for a sleeveless top. This top is a bargain at just £6.99 and it also comes in three other styles but all still striped.

 5. h&m cotton black t-shirt | £3.99 |
Another favourite from my recent trip to H&M is this cotton basic t-shirt i picked up, the reason for this is that i have tried/bought so many basic tee's that are in-expensive yet the quality isn't that great but the quality on these ones are so different. If you go into H&M you will know that they have so many different basic t-shirts, some are a little higher in price and some lower, the ones that are my favourite are £3.99 and they come in plain, as well as a few different patterns. I just picked up a plain black and also a grey one.

6. manilife original peanut butter | £3.75 |
I just couldn't not share this recent peanut butter discovery of mine, as it is honestly the most delicious peanut butter i have ever tried in my life. You are probably thinking, how can one peanut butter be different to any other? but honestly it can and this one is. This peanut butter is literally just peanuts and a pinch of salt, so zero oil or anything added to it and it is filled with healthy goodness. The texture of this peanut butter is almost caramel like, with chunks of peanut through-out and now that i have tried it i don't think i could go back.

7. hydratem8 "living my best life" hydration tracker | £12.99 |
So one of my number one tips and all part of staying super motivated/more healthy is to drink plenty of water. Using a hydration tracker water bottle is great, as you can save the planet by not using so much plastic and it helps motivate you to tell you what you should be drinking. I have been meaning to pick a new bottle up from HydrateM8 for a while now but the new one i wanted to get, always seemed to be out of stock. That being said i finally managed to order the one i wanted, which is one of the 900ml trackers and i drink three of these a day.

8. sweet addiction eBook by J.Daniels | free |
Finally we have a book that i literally read within two evenings, i was the hooked on it. I have never read anything from this author before, so i didn't know what to expect but i loved every minute of it from start to finish. It had me laughing, crying, swooning of the main guy character Reese. I can't wait to pick where book one finished and start on book two soon. If you are looking for a great Kindle read, i definitely recommend downloading this one and what is better you don't lose your money as it is currently free.

 Catch up on August's must-buys instalment: here

xo. 

SIX MUST BINGE-READ BOOKS THIS MONTH

Hello everyone! If you read my recent august must-buys post, then you will have probably seen me mention in that post about a book that i had been reading recently and i was going to be talking more about it in an upcoming post. Last year and this year i have read so many different books/book series's, that i thought i was about time i put into one post some of my favourite books that are definitely book binge worthy...

the smoke + mirrors duology book series by jodi ellen malpas

Regarded as down to earth by the press and rebellious by The King, Princess Adeline refuses to bow to the royal expectations her title carries. She knows better than anyone that the united front of the royal family is nothing but smoke and mirrors - lies and secrets masked by power and privilege. She wants no part of it, and she will never surrender to The King’s demand to marry a man she does not love but despite Adeline's determination to retain her free will, she remains deeply unfulfilled, feeling caged and suffocated. That is until she meets Josh Jameson, drawn in by his confidence Adeline is soon captivated by the scandalously sexy American actor. His ability to penetrate her defences overwhelms her - his touch is pure fire, and his allure overpowering. Nothing has ever made her feel so alive in a world where she’s otherwise slowly drowning. However, while Josh may be Hollywood royalty, he’s not actual royalty, and Adeline knows The King and his advisers will do everything in their power to keep them apart.

| shop the controversial princess (kindle) | shop his true queen (kindle) |

come as you are (stand alone novel) by lauren blakely

For one fantastic evening, at a masquerade party in the heart of Manhattan, I’m not the millionaire everyone wants a piece of. Fine—multimillionaire. But who’s counting all those commas? Not me, and not the most intriguing woman I've ever met, who happens to like dancing, witty banter, and hot, passionate up-against-the-wall sex as much as I do. There's no need for names or business cards. And that’s why I’m eager to get to know her more, since my mystery woman seems to like me for me, rather than for my huge…bank account. Everything’s coming up aces. Until the next day when things get a little complicated. (Newsflash a lot complicated).

night after night seductive nights series by lauren blakely

Their world was sex, love, and lies. He intoxicated her. Commanded. Consumed. With a dirty mind and a mouth to match, Clay Nichols is everything Julia never knew she wanted and exactly what she cannot have. He walked into her life one night and unlocked pleasure in her that she never knew was possible. Possessing her body, captivating her every thought. Which makes him way too dangerous for Julia to risk her heart, given that she has a price tag on her head. She ran after one mind-blowing week with him, but now he's back, and determined to make her his own no matter the cost. She was a sexy drug to him. Fiery, unforgettable, and never enough, Julia is an enigma, and Clay isn't willing to let her go without a fight. But she's got dark secrets of her own that threaten to destroy any chance of happiness. She's a wanted woman the stakes are high, her every move is watched, and yet the lure between them can't be denied. Can two people burned by love trust again when desire and passion are met by danger at every turn?

 | shop come as you are (kindle) | shop night after night (kindle) |

mister tonight (stand alone novel) by kendall ryan

Last night was the most embarrassing night of my life. I was that girl. You know, the highly intoxicated chick celebrating her thirtieth birthday with her two best friends—who are happily married. And the more I drank, the more I wanted to do something reckless to celebrate. By reckless, I mean the sexy and alluring man dressed in a business suit standing near the bar. You know his type tall, dark, handsome. I was sure he was out of my league, but I’d had just enough alcohol that things like that no longer seemed to matter. I’m not fat, mind you, but you can tell I like french fries, so there’s that. He took me home, and I enjoyed the hottest birthday sex of my life. Well, until it came to a screeching and rather unwelcome halt. There’s nothing quite like being interrupted mid-ride with a little voice asking, “What are you doing to my daddy?” Just kill me now or so I thought.

baby daddy (stand alone novel) by kendall ryan

We met in a trapped elevator. Emmett was on his way to work, sophisticated and handsome in his tailored suit and tie. I was on my way to the sperm bank. Awkward, right? At thirty-five, my life hadn’t taken the path I thought it would and I was tired of waiting—I wanted a baby. And I was ready to take matters into my own hands to make it happen. After our ill-fated elevator encounter, Emmett insisted on taking me to dinner—he also insisted on something else—that I ditch my plan involving a turkey baster and let him do the job. He would be my baby daddy. He was a wealthy and powerful CEO with little interest in diapers or playdates. And since he didn’t want kids, I’d be on my own once his bun was in my oven, free to go my own way but once his baby was inside me, it was like a switch had been flipped, and I got a whole lot more than I ever bargained for.

| shop mister tonight (kindle) | shop baby daddy (kindle) |

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

GOODREADS | SUMMER/BEACH HOLIDAY ROMANCE READS

Hello everyone! When it comes to summer who doesn't love to switch out the cosy-ing up reading a good book, to sitting out in the sunshine with a good book and even more so when you are on holiday. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some perfect new/currently released romance reads from goodreads, that are perfect to download to your Kindle before you jet off for some fun in the sun...

1. all the way (romancing manhattan #1) - kristen proby | kindle |

Finn Cavanaugh is known for being a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. He owns a successful law firm with his brother and brother-in-law in Manhattan. On the rare occasion that he has down time, he spends it at his home in Martha’s Vineyard. But when Finn’s troubled niece goes to stay with him for the summer in Martha’s Vineyard, he’s reluctant to take time off from work. That is, until he meets his beautiful new neighbour, London. London Watson is a Tony Award winning actress on Broadway. When tragedy strikes her family, leaving her alone and injured, she flees Manhattan for Martha’s Vineyard. Hoping she can figure out how to pick up the pieces of her life, London is convinced that she’ll never be able to return to the stage. But when she meets the charming young girl next door and her sexy uncle, they soon lure London out of her shell as she finally begins to heal from the wounds of her past. (coming August 21st).

2. part-time lover - lauren blakely | kindle |

I'll say this about Christian, he made one heck of a first impression. When I first saw the strapping man, he was doing handstands naked on a dock along the canal. His crown jewels were far more entertaining than anything else I'd seen on the boat tour, so I did what any curious woman would do -- I took his photo. I might have looked at the shot a few dozen times. Little did I know I'd meet him again, a year later, at a secret garden bar in the heart of the city, where I'd learn that his mind and his mouth were even more captivating. But given the way my heart had been trampled, I wanted only a simple deal -- No strings. No expectations. Our arrangement worked well enough until the day I needed a lot more from him...

3. driven series - k.bromberg | kindle |

Our paths should never have crossed. Colton Donavan was arrogant, exuded that bad boy vibe, and embodied everything I never wanted. And yet all it took was one chance meeting, one mistaken identity, and one stolen kiss for me to know I hated him and desired him instantly. My heart was healing. His soul was damaged. There’s no way we could work. But after one impromptu date, one little boy who needed help, and one Ferris wheel ride, pieces of my heart were lost to him. Even though he wouldn’t let me in, I couldn’t walk away. This is our story.  Our fight.  Our perfectly imperfect love. (my current book series read, movie coming to Passionflix soon).

4. worth the risk - k.bromberg | kindle |

This whole contest was supposed to be easy. I know, I know. Famous last words. It’s a long story, but I messed up at work. Big time. To earn back the trust of my boss, I promised to save one of our magazines. Yep. That Hot Dad contest you’ve seen advertised all over the place was my idea. And if I’m successful, if I’m able to increase our online readership, then I get a shot at my dream job. But the one thing I never expected to happen, happened: Contestant number ten, Grayson Malone. Hello, Mr. Difficult. And did I mention sexy as hell? Unfortunately he knows me. The old me, anyway. And while we might be older now, I remind him of before. Of the woman who broke his heart, who hardened him, and who left him alone to raise the cutest little boy I’ve ever seen. But I don’t want a relationship. And I definitely don’t fall for single dads with baggage. Even ones with chiselled abs and killer smiles. But he got to me. They got to me. He and his son and their messy, crazy life. But I got to him too. I see the stolen glances. I feel the walls he built start to crumble. I recognise that there’s an unexpected beauty to the chaos in his life. And now that the contest is about to end, we’re left to decide whether the last six months were just fun or if what we have is worth risking it all?

5. trophy wife - alessandra torre | kindle |

Everyone in Nashville knows Nathan Dumont. That’s what happens when you develop half a town and sleep with the rest. Four years ago, his fiance disappeared. Last night, he proposed to me. I had wanted to escape my life, the seedy strip club and the mountain of bills. I had seized the opportunity to live in a mansion, fill my days with country clubs and caviar, my nights with romance and sex. Maybe I should have done my homework first.

6. sweet little lies - jill shalvis | kindle |

What if you fall for the one guy you can't have? As the captain of a San Francisco Bay tour boat, Pru Harris can handle rough seas - the hard part is life on dry land. Especially when it comes to resisting her growing feelings for her new friend, Finn O'Riley. He's kind, he's gorgeous and he's Mr Right - for anybody but her. Pru has a particular reason for wanting Finn to find happiness and it's what she wishes for at the historic fountain that's supposed to grant her heart's desire. But things get tricky when it becomes clear that, when it comes to Pru, there's more than friendship on Finn's mind - because she's been keeping a secret that could change everything...

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.