How was your week & Book Haul


The Sunday post which created by Caffeinated Book Reviewer this is a post where we recap on the going on's on the blog the week previous and the week coming up as well as the awesome books we have received, bought or been gifted for review!

*If your just here for the book haul, scroll down!! If you want to read it all I love you cause it's a long post, you have be warned!!*

Hello! How was your week? This week was my last week off before I go back to work after the holidays. Yes I got two weeks of which was wonderful. This week was a nice quiet week, I meet with my best friend for lunch and a catch up, went and meet my one of my other friends beautiful baby boy. Started and finished my first read of 2019 and all in all had a great week. It's back to work on Monday and am as ready as am ever going to be.

Wait!! Guess what else I finally did this week I watched The Greatest Showman!! I of course knew every word to every song and hadn't saw the movie. Yes I am that person. My sister got me the DVD yes a DVD they still exist for Christmas and I really enjoyed it. What's your favourite songs from the movie? I of course love them all but I love This is Me and Rewrite the stars. But my favourite has to be From Now On. Also I love Panic at the Discos version of The Greatest Show!

What's been happening online you ask? I posted on my blog. Yes your surprised, I'm surprised we are all suprised. Here's what was posted:


Firstly a couple of 2018 Favourites encase you missed them;





Then this week's posts




Announcement!! Announcement!!

Because I was out of the blogging loop in 2018. If you have a blog you want me to check out let me know. I need some new ones to follow!!

Before I get on to my book haul. I love Instagram it's my LIFE ( not really but kinda) so if your not following me there, you can here


Now onto this week's book haul!!!


All Books linked to Goodreads apart from when I end up having to link to Netgalley!!


First up three paperbacks I brought:

*The Book Of Love by Fionnuala Kearney - I think the synopsis says it all:

One love. Two people. Twenty Years.

From the moment they met, Erin and Dom loved each other too much, too quickly. Everyone said it wouldn’t last. But they knew differently.

A wedding present, a notebook, brings them together through the good times and the bad. On the blank pages of their love story, they write down everything they can’t always say – the secrets, the heartbreak, the highs and lows. It’s where they see the best and worst of each other.

Falling in love is easy but staying in love is where the story begins…


The  story behind these two books is, this author has a new release out in February and I have it  on my TBR but haven't read anything from her previously. I was out shopping and just happened to come across some of her books by chance for £1 each, yes a £1 and there brand new.  I don't read a ton of YA now but these are fun, funny YA books with teen drama and sometimes that's what am looking for so they came home with me.

*The Heart of a sinner by Lynn Shurr- This one is linked to Netgalley because sometimes Goodreads sucks and doesn't have the book and I don't know who to contact to get it on there. This one happened late at night when I was scrolling through Netgalley. So some info is it releases next week on the 9th January, it seems to be a book set in a spin off series to a series this author has been writing for years and it's a sports romance. Firstly I don't like sports romances and I hate reading books out of order even if you technically can BUT I am so intrigued by the synopsis it's going to be my next read after a trilogy I'm currently reading!

*The Secret to Dating your best friends sister by Meghan Quinn - This book entered the world last week so you can go and grab yourself a copy. I was kindly sent this book for review from Danielle @ Ink Singer PR and I will be reading it later on in the month. It's a Adult Contemporary Rom -Com which will be a nice relief to the tense romances I love to read.

*The Other One by Isobel Hart- Another on I can't find on  Goodreads. It releases 28th February and it's an adult contemporary romance that I got on Netgalley for review.

If your still hanging on with me at this point your the best!!


*Secrets (Web of Sin #1) by Aleatha Roming- I am just linking the first cause spoilers! This is a dark adult contemporary romance suspense that again Danielle from Ink Slinger kindly sent me. It's  the trilogy I'm currently reading. I really enjoyed the first book and I just started the second. The last book comes out this Tuesday the 8th and I will have a trilogy review up later in the month.


* Virtuous (Quantum #1) by Marie Force &  Maid In Love (Gansett Island #) by Marie Force - Both these books are free to download on Amazon at the time of this post. Maid of love is the first book in a currently 15 book series it's a Adult Contemporary Romance set in a small town and Virtuous seems to be the first book in an adult erotica series by Marie Force writing under M.S. Force. Have you read either do I need to push it up my TBR?

Linking up with Stacking The Shelves  a weekly meme where we share all the books we have added to our shelves whether it's physically or digitally. For more info check out the awesome host Tynga's Reviews

If you survived this whole post you deserve a trip to the book store. Leave me any comment you wish. Have a great week!


January 2019 releases I'm excited for



It's the beginning of January which means new releases. Here is some releases I am excited for.



* Slayer (Slayer #1) by Kiersten White (YA fantasy) Releases 8th January

I loved Buffy the vampire slayer when I was younger and I am really excited for the first book in the Slayer series which starts after the events of Buffy. It's really exciting it's set in the same universe as the previous TV show and from reviews I have seen if you don't know anything about the Tv show you can still enjoy it but there's a nod if you loved the TV Show. (Slayer doesn't realise in the UK till February the above date is the US date)

*Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott (YA Contemporary) Releases 10th January

Five Feet Apart released in the US back in November and it releases in the UK on the 10th and am really looking forward to it. I saw the trailer for the movie that releases later this year and it's made me so excited to read it.

*The Fallback by Mariah Dietz (Adult Contemporary Romance) Releases 10th January

This will be available on Kindle Unlimited if you use it on release date.

 * Christmas Camp Wedding (Christmas Camp #1.5 ) by Karen Schaler (Adult contemporary romance) Releases 10th January

This is a novella in the Christmas Camp series. I read the first book in December and am looking forward to the novella.

*River Wild by Samantha Towle (Adult Contemporary Romance) Releases 14th January

This one's just sounds really good.

*Unsung Hero by Barbara Ankrum (Adult Contemporary Romance) Releases 15th January

I have this one for review and am looking forward to it.



*Deal With The Devil (Forge Trilogy #1) by Meghan March  (Adult Contemporary Romance) Releases 15th January

I have already read this one and loved it. I love Meghan 's books and can't wait for the sequel. I highly recommend you check it out on release day.

* Maybe Ever After by Cassie Graham ( Adult Contemporary Romance) Releases 18th January

This is a Best friends to lovers romance and am looking forward to reading and reviewing it.

*Cruel Money (Cruel #1) by KA Linde ( Adult Contemporary Romance) Releases 22nd January

I read and enjoyed a series of books by this author and am looking forward to this contemporary romance trilogy. I may wait to the final book releases in July to read them back to back I haven't decided yet.

* All Truths & One Lie by Fabiola Francisco ( Releases 23rd January)

* Her Lifeline by L.A. Casey ( Adult Contemporary Romance) Releases 24th January

L.A. Casey wrote one of my favourite series, the Slayer Brothers and I can't wait to read this standalone from her. It will also be available on Kindle Unlimited on release day

* If I Only Knew by Corinne Michaels ( Adult Contemporary Romance) Releases 28th January

I have wanted to read a book from Corinne Michaels for a while and this one sounds really good and a good place to start.

* 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne (Adult Contemporary Romance) Releases 29th January

What releases are you looking forward to this month?

9th Annual End of Year survey



Today I am taking part in The Perpetual Page Turners annual End of Year survey. You can check out all the info here

First some stats (I did add some of my own here)

Number of books read: 78
Pages read: 18,840
Number of 're reads: 5
My Average Rating: 3.5 Stars
Genre most read from: romance
First and last book of the year: Survival Instinct by Janie Crouch - Deal with the Devil by Meghan March
Physical VS ebooks: 6- 72


Best in books

Best book you read in 2018?



I did do a top ten best of list that you can check out here but I have to go with my favourite Times Convert by Deborah Harkness. This was my highest rated book of the year giving it 4.75 Stars. I was so excited for it and it didn't disappoint. It is a Book set in the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness and it just felt like coming home.


Book You where most excited about and thought you where going  to love but didn't?

I read the Vicious Cycle Trilogy by Katie Ashley early in 2018 and spoiler it made my top ten list of the year. I decided to then pick up her newest release Running Mate and was so disappointed. It's my lowest rated Book of the year. It just felt so unedited and the writing was just all over the place. Now I do think it's been 're released so I do want to give it another try but I don't have  high hopes.

The book you pushed the most for people to read? 



I pushed people to read either the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness or the newest book set in the world Times Convert. I'm not sure if people did listen but I pushed it hard on Instagram! (Follow me on Instagram here ) So if you haven't checked out these books yet. Go, go, go!!

Favourite new author you discovered in 2018?



I have to go with Meghan March. I read two of her trilogy' this year and fell in love with her books. She writes contemporary romance with a little dark thrown in and I love them.

Book you read 2018 your most likely to re read in 2018?



I am most likely to re read Royals by Rachel Hawkins before the sequel releases in May.

Favourite cover of a book you read in 2018?



Most beautifully written book in 2018?



I have to go for Mia Sheridan 's books in general. I read both Archers Voice and More than words this year and the writing was just so beautiful. Mia just had such a beautiful way with words!

Shortest & longest book you read in 2018?


Favourite book you read from an author you read previously?

I know I'm repeating myself but Times Convert by Deborah  Harkness and also More Than Words by Mia Sheridan.

Newest fictional crush?

Mount from The Mount trilogy by Meghan March.

Book that put a smile on your face

Secrets Of A Teenage Heiress (Hotel Royale #1) by Katy Birchall was just such a fun, funny YA Contemporary that made me smile.

Book that made you cry or nearly cry



More than words by Mia Sheridan and The Afterlife Of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand.

Hidden Gem of The year



Christmas Lane (Lighthouse Bay #1) by Amy Aislin was one of my  favourite reads of the year and such a hidden gem. It's a M/M hoilday romance and it was just such a sweet beautiful story!


Your blogging/ bookish life


New book blog/ bookstagram/ book tube you discovered?

I spent most of my time on Instagram in 2018 and discovered so many awesome bookish accounts. I can't remember who I discovered when however here are some of my fave accounts:



I also spent a lot of time on YouTube watching booktube videos and again I can't remember when I discovered them but one of my faves is BooksandLala


Favourite bookish related photo you took

I fell in love with taking bookstagram photos and I took so many that I loved. Here are some of them:


Best bookish event you went to/ participated in?


I went to my first big bookish event in my hometown called Titanic Signing Belfast back in March and had so much fun with my sister meeting lots of awesome authors.



Best moment of bookish blogging life



When I hit 1000 followers on Instagram! Also receiving the most beautiful ARC box of my most anticipated release Times Convert!


Best bookish discovery

Book Merch on Esty. I got so addicted to say it's a problem but I loved finding so many awesome small businesses that do the most beautiful merch. It's even inspired a new feature coming to my blog and Instagram this year. Keep an eye out over the coming weeks.

Did you complete any reading challenges or goals this year?

I did the Goodreads challenge and didn't complete it missing two books of my 80 target but I will hit it this year!

Looking Ahead

One book you didn't get to in 2018 but will be your number one priority in 2019?

So many! I have a list of ten that you can check out here

A sequel you are excited for?

I am excited for the sequel to Royals by Rachel Hawkins, Her Royal Highness


One thing you hope to accomplish in your blogging / reading life in 2019.

I hope to hit my reading goal in 2019 of 80 books. Also to post more on my blog and to continue to have fun and post photos on Instagram.

A 2019 Release you have already read and recommend?

My last read of the year was Deal With The Devil (Forge Trilogy #1) by Meghan March  a book that releases January 15th. It's a adult contemporary and it was so good and I highly recommend it.



Let me know some of your favourites bookish moments of the year? If you did the survey let me know so I can check yours out!

Top Ten 2019 Releases I'm looking forward to


Top Ten of 2018 is hosted by Kimberly @ Kimberly Faye Reads. For the full click the link.

Today we are talking 2019 releases I am looking forward to. Here is my top ten! (Click titles for Goodreads links)



Five Feet Apart is a YA Contemporary following two terms with Cystic Fibrosis who meet and fall in love. And I am so excited for this one. It released in the US recently as I can't wait to get it when it releases this January in the UK. I first heard about Five Feet Apart when I saw the movie trailer. Yes there going to be a movie and I didn't even know it was a book. Also the cover is one of my favourites ever,  it's just so beautiful. Releases 10 January 2019. 

Five Feet Apart movie Trailer 
Source: here




Deal with the Devil is the first in the Forge Trilogy and I have actually read this already as I kindly received an arc for review and it didn't disappoint. It is an adult contemporary romance that has a hot but infuriating alpha which make's an intense romance and a high paced action packed story. Meghan is one of my auto buy authors and I encourage you all to check out Deal with the Devil. Releases 15 January 2019


Speaking of auto buy authors. Jodi Ellen Malpas releases her next adult contemporary romance and I am excited for an awesome story and  a new book boyfriend. Releases 5th February 2019



The art of losing has really caught my eye. It is a YA Contemporary that deals with grief, pain and explores honesty and forgiveness. I feel it's going to be a really emotionally hard hitting story. Releases 19 February 2019


This is a book I'm really looking forward to. It's a YA Contemporary that follows two teens 14 years after "The Troubles" ended in Northern Ireland and I suppose the repercussions that still are left behind. I am from Northern Ireland and was 10 years old when the troubles ended. I lived outside the main conflict areas but I still remember things happening in my own town as a repercussion of "The Troubles" and am really looking forward to picking this one up.
 Releases 12 March 2019




I have read one of Jenn Bennett's books before and really enjoyed it. I can't wait to check out this new YA Contemporary Romance. Releases 16 April 2019


This is an adult contemporary romance that I'm highly anticipating. The concept has me so intrigued. Releases 18 April 2019

Synopsis

Tiffy Moore and Leon Twomey each have a problem and need a quick fix.

Tiffy’s been dumped by her cheating boyfriend and urgently needs a new flat. But earning minimum wage at a quirky publishing house means that her choices are limited in London.

Leon, a palliative care nurse, is more concerned with other people’s welfare than his own. Along with working night shifts looking after the terminally ill, his sole focus is on raising money to fight his brother’s unfair imprisonment.

Leon has a flat that he only uses 9 to 5. Tiffy works 9 to 5 and needs a place to sleep. The solution to their problems? To share a bed of course...

As Leon and Tiffy’s unusual arrangement becomes a reality, they start to connect through Post-It notes left for each other around the flat.

Can true love blossom even in the unlikeliest of situations?
Can true love blossom even if you never see one another?
Or does true love blossom when you are least expecting it?


This is  booktuber Christine Riccio's debut novel and am really looking forward to it. It's a New Adult Contemporary. It's sounds like a fun read with maybe some serious thrown in. Releases 7 May 2019


I loved the first book in this upper YA Contemporary Romance (it even made my top ten of 2018 which you can check out here )and I can't wait for more in the sequel. Releases 7 May 2019


I am so so excited for this one! This little snippet had me insistently intrigued 

"A big-hearted romantic comedy in which the First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends..."

 Yes I am so down for this! Releases 14 May 2019

What books are you highly anticipating?

Other posts of interest:



Top Ten Of 2018: Favourite books of the year!



Top Ten of 2018 is hosted by Kimberly @ Kimberly Faye Reads. For the full schedule see below.


It's the end of the year which means talking about our fave reads of the year and I have finally worked out my top ten along with a few honourable mentions. These are in no particular order. Books linked to Goodreads.


I love a MC book and the Vicious Trilogy is probably up there as one of my favourite MC books. I read all three books in the trilogy this year but Vicious Cycle which  I gave 4.25 Stars is probably my favourite. This was a 2015 Release but it's one I'm glad I read this year. 




Meghan March in 2018 became an auto buy author for me. I am so glad I found her books. Not did one of her books make my top ten list but two. The first being a 2017 Release of which I read the whole trilogy but Ruthless King is my fave. This book took me on a ride and didn't let go. It went from a good 3.5 stars to 4.5 stars in the last 10 pages. So many feels, shocks, cliff hangers, mortally grey men, dark romance, New Orleans! It was just fantastic and the rest of the trilogy didn't disappoint.



The second Meghan March book on my list is Savage Prince the first in the Savage Trilogy of which I read all three books but this was my fave. This whole trilogy released in 2018 and Meghan March cemented herself in my auto buy list with this trilogy. I just love the romance, the darkness, the story and I swear the most twists and turns and cliff  hangers I have ever read!




I read the first book in this series last year and really enjoyed it. I also read both The Good luck Sister and the subsequent third book this year however The Good Luck Sister was my favourite of the two. This is a feel good contempoary romance story and I really enjoyed the protagonist in The Good Luck Sister giving it 4 Stars.


I read all six books in this series this year and loved it. Each book follows a different character in the Disciples Daughters or someone connected to it. As I mentioned I love an MC book and this was so addictive. Engage the third book in the series was my fave getting 4.5 Stars from me.



This was by far one of my fave 2018 releases and I am highly anticipating its sequel in 2019. It's a YA Contemporary Romance that follows Daisy as she enters the world of Royalty when her sister becomes engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. It was funny, and serious at times and just a joy to read.



This was my most highly anticipated book of 2018 and it didn't disappoint being my most highly rated book of the year by giving it 4.75 Stars. Times Convert is based in the same world as the All Souls Trilogy my fave trilogy of all time and I was so excited to be back in this world. It was like coming home and give me so many feels.



I read my first Mia Sheridan book in 2017 and it made my top ten list then. In 2018 I read two of Mia Sheridan 's books and it has now cemented her books as auto buys for me. Out of the two I read the 2018 Release More Than Words made my list. It was raw and magical and just gave me all the feels. It made me cry which is always a bonus. Mia Sheridan ' writing is just beautiful and I can't wait to read more from her in 2019.



This is a book I wanted to read last year but just never got to so this December I made this a priory to get to and am so glad I did. It's inspired by a Christmas Carol and is a modern take on the  Scrooge story. It was not what I was expecting. It had me hooked from page one and the ending was such a twist. It also made me cry which as I said before is a bonus.



Christmas Lane was such a sweet gay romance that I really enjoyed.  This is the first M\M romance I have read and I can't wait to read more. It was just such a beautiful romance and the setting of the story was wonderful. I highly recommend you check it out.

Honourable mentions



What are some of your favourites of 2018?

Photos taken from my Instagram here

Posts of interest

TOP TEN OF 2018- BOOKS I WISH I'D MADE TIME TO READ IN 2018