Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I came across one of the principles in this book on TikTok and I was instantly intrigued. I tracked down an ebook and an audiobook and spent about a week avidly reading.
“Atomic Habits” is based off the idea that your future depends on your daily habits. It has a number of options that teach you how to build better habits.
I actually feel like this book was life-changing. As soon as I started it, I started implementing new habits. This book made it seem so easy that I actually questioned why I hadn’t started sooner.
Writing can be a daily habit- why haven’t I journaled before? It’s totally doable to increase my steps per day.
This book provided a much-needed wake-up call for me. If you are looking to be more productive or to build better habits/lose bad habits, I strongly recommend this book.
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Category: Books
Book Review: One Night Only by Catherine Walsh
One Night Only by Catherine Walsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sarah prefers one night stands to actual relationships. Due to some past trauma, she has closed herself off to love and emotions. But when she wakes up one morning to see an especially good-looking guy in her bed- a guy who is interested in having breakfast with her- Sarah congratulates herself mentally on her catch…and then sends the guy away.
That guy turns out to be Declan, the best man at her best friend’s wedding.
Sarah is horrified but manages to pull through. After all it is her best friends’ special day. Sarah is sure that once the wedding is over she will have nothing to do with Declan.
However Declan keeps popping up in her life repeatedly and Sarah is forced to confront the fact that she might want to keep this one night stand for a few more nights.
This seemed more drawn out than “The Rebound” and honestly I didn’t care about the Ireland wedding. I did however love Declan and really enjoyed scenes that included him.
This was a fun read that I enjoyed. I am giving this four stars because while this was great, The Rebound is still my favourite!
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Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Rebound by Catherine Walsh
The Rebound by Catherine Walsh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When Abby loses her fiancé, her house and her job, she escapes home to Ireland.
Shortly after her arrival she meets a mysterious and attractive stranger. Sparks fly between the two of them however it isn’t long until Abby realizes that the mysterious hottie is her neighbor, Luke. Luke who she grew up with. Luke who she barely paid attention to but who certainly remembered her.
Firstly this was an incredible well-written book. I’ve been struggling to get into reading again but within a few seconds of reading this book I was hooked!
Secondly I kept highlighting sentences because there were so many parts that I related to.
I loved the character of Abby and found her really relatable. All the characters here are incredibly well fleshed out. The plot is intriguing. I couldn’t put the book down. A little bit of rom com was exactly what I needed and I enjoyed myself immensely
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September TBR
categories: Books
I haven’t done a TBR post in forever! I also haven’t picked up a book in forever. I hate being an adult. Anyway I have lots of great books- some from publishers and some that I have purchased myself. Here is my ambitious September TBR.
- The Subtle Act of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson- For reasons unknown to me, I ordered this journal from Jonathan Ball publishers. Two pages in, I was hooked and had to go get the novel itself.
- Twisted Love by Ana Huang- I requested this from Jonathan Ball publishers. I heard lots of great things about this book on BookTok but personally it has not grabbed my attention.
- When Women were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill-This was another book from Jonathan Ball publishers but this one I love. I actually only read two lines but it grabbed me instantly. I haven’t finished it because I feel like this is the sort of book where you need to block out time in your schedule and sit down with snacks.
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson- I have the entire boxset that was given to me by Jonathan Ball publishers. Again I feel this is a series to binge and I don’t the time for that. (Can I just quit my job for a month and read all the books?)
- Family of Liars/We Were Liars by E. Lockhart- These are books that look like they can be finished in one setting but at this point the hype is so great that I am terrified that I will be disappointed.
Have you read any of these books? What does your September TBR look like? Let me know below
Fiction Friday: Seven Lies by Elizabeth Kay
categories: Books
Seven Lies by Elizabeth Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve been having trouble paying attention to books (thank you, TikTok. Again).
Jane and Marnie have been best friends since high school. They tell each other everything. But when Marnie falls in love with a douchebag, Jane doesn’t admit that she hates him.
But this small lie eventually snowballs until Marnie moves in with and then marries the pretentious ass.
Jane wants to see her best friend happy but why him? (I asked myself this several times over the course of this novel. Marnie’s husband is a slimy pig. Never have I ever hated a fictional character so quickly).
Eventually, Marnie’s husband (sorry, he is not worth remembering. Not even for this review) dies and Jane feels guilty. Maybe if she had spoken up sooner things would be different.
Like I said before, I absolutely loathed this man. So hats off to Elizabeth Kay for making him so hateable.
This was a really well-written book that I read in one go. This was such a rollercoaster of a novel but I loved every second!
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Page to Screen Review: Along for the Ride
categories: Books
Along for the Ride, based on the novel by Sarah Dessen, tells the story of insomniac (and Type A) Auden who goes to visit her dad at a seaside town. While there she encounters the mysterious Eli. Eli is also an insomniac and it isn’t long before the two start to bond.
I definitely think this was worth a watch. I read the book as a high school graduate in that weird in-between phase where uni hadn’t started yet but the days were just a blur. I loved it. I loved the movie too and I think it stayed pretty true to the book.
My only issue (and honestly this really does feel like a “Me problem” is that I hadn’t realised that I had basically grown up to be Auden. Whatever. Go watch this movie if you haven’t already.
Fiction Friday: Book Review- The No-Show by Beth O’ Leary
The No-Show by Beth O’Leary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book from Jonathan Ball publishers in exchange for an honest review.
So despite the cheery cover I assumed that this book was some sort of murder mystery.
It’s not. This is very much a fun little rom-com.
Siobhan, Miranda and Jane are three very different woman who are all involved with the same man.
Think “Tinder Swindler” but without the cash.
I found it interesting that whereas Siobhan and Miranda had actual romantic relationships with Joe. Jane’s relationship seemed to be more of a friendship.
Joe is an expert at becoming whatever the women in his life needs which leaves the reader questioning his motives.
How can a guy who seems so sweet be such a twisted liar? Or is he?
I read through this book desperate to hate Joe but I couldn’t. His actions just left me confused.
However things start to make sense in the end.
Simply put, this book BLEW MY MIND! It was well-written, the characters were fleshed out beautifully and the romance…amazing.
Never have I ever rooted for a guy dating three woman (and I really hope that this was the first and last time)
Definitely give this book a try. Beth O Leary does NOT disappoint!
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Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee
A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I needed to track down “A Sweet Mess” after I finished reading “The Dating Dare”. I needed something light and fun and this did not disappoint.
Aubrey runs the bakery, Comfort Zone which she plans on expanding eventually. She has no time for relationships. But when she runs into Landon she decides there is no harm in a one-night-stand.
But Landon accidentally samples an experimental treat from her bakery that he hates and then writes a brutal review for.
When Landon realises that Aubrey is the owner of the bakery, he offers to make it up to her by giving her a spot on a celebrity cooking show.
Desperate to restore her business, she agrees.
But trying to remain professional after their one-night stand proves to be harder than either of them thought. (That’s what she said! I am sorry. The opportunity was there and I had to take it).
This was a read that I finished in one sitting and it was SO GOOD! If you are a fan of contemporary romance give this a try.
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Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman (Ruthless Rivals #2)
A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The next book in the “Ruthless Rivals” series follows enemies Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery.
The two delight on picking on each other and from the very first few pages it is clear that there is a strong chemistry here.
Carys has a secret that she is hiding. When Tristan comes dangerously close to finding out the truth about Carys’ scandal, she tries to distract him.
The end result is a bargain between the two of them. They would spend a week together. Tristan would show Carys a good time (and get her out of his system) and once the week is over, they resume their lives.
This was a disastrous idea considering that they had family married and would probably see each other again. However I was fully in support of it in order for the main characters to get together.
I am a bit disappointed that this wasn’t as action-packed as the first book but I did feel like there was much more romance.
This was a delightful read that I recommend to anyone looking for a historical romance.
Fiction Friday: Book Review- Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting
Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a review copy of this book via Netgalley.
London Sparks is one of the three owners of Spark House, a family-run events company. When she goes out to a bar to celebrate being newly single, her sisters are delighted to see the return of “fun London”. London tends to get too serious when she is in a relationship and her sisters are glad to have her let off some steam.
However while celebrating, London makes intense eye contact with a gorgeous guy who pays for their drinks and then gives London his number. London politely turns him down. Like all newly single people, London has decided to focus on her career.
A few months later, London is stressing about their business, which is rapidly growing, when she receives a call from a multi-million-dollar company who wants to discuss working with her.
London presents to the team but is interrupted by the CEO of the company, Jackson Holt. Who is also the guy from the bar.
London and Jackson eventually start to develop feelings after working together for a while. However Jackson has something in his past that might pose a threat to them being together.
This was a wonderful read that I enjoyed immensely. (Though to be fair, I have not seen a Helena Hunting novel that I did not love). If you are looking for a fun, contemporary romance, give this a go.
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