2 June 2019

What I've Been Reading: May 2019.



Thanks to Mcdonalds Monopoly I won a 2 month subscription to Kindle Unlimited. I think most of, maybe even all the books I read in May are available to subscribers but I'll be sure to list the normal kindle prices as well.




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Hannah Moskowitz
Current kindle price: £3.19 or free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers


"Taylor Cipriano had everything figured out, back when she lived with her single mother in Miami. Now, she's moved upstate for her junior year to live with her mom's boyfriend and soon-to-be-stepsister and is trying to figure out who she is out of the shadow of her best friend. When she meets Theo- quirky, cute, sensitive Theo- he seems like a great match... Except he has a girlfriend. Josey, icy, and oh-so-intimidating.

But Theo and Josey aren't like anyone Taylor's met before; Josey grew up in a polyamorous family, and the two of them have a history of letting a third person into their relationship. It's nothing Taylor's ever considered before... but she really likes Theo.

Her feelings for Josey though?

That's where it really gets complicated."


This was a different read, especially when it comes to YA romance. The highlight for me was the relationship between Taylor and Josey. This wasn't a book I devoured hungrily but it was a steady grower that held my attention and gave me an interesting look at polyamorous relationships and how people perceive them. One annoying thing? There are so many spelling and grammar mistakes in this, more than any book I've ever read.




Ann Rule
Current kindle price: £4.58 or free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers


"When Ann Rule and Ted Bundy became friends while working at a Seattle crisis clinic in 1971, she had no idea that her kind, charismatic co-worker would go on to become one of the world's most notorious serial killers, who confessed to murdering at least thirty-six women across America.

In The Stranger Beside Me, Rule details not only her personal relationship with Bundy, but his life; covering everything from his complicated childhood to the media circus revolving around his trials, and his eventual execution."


If you were going to read a book on Ted Bundy, this would be the one to go for. It's a long read, detailing events before the murders when Ann met Bundy and concluding with his execution. The foreword is the most interesting to me. The book has been rereleased so many times and the before the book properly starts, it includes near misses with Bundy that scores of women wrote to Ann about and while she doubts that all of them that she received are real, the ones included in the book are ones she felt were genuine encounters. They're chilling to read.

The book itself is also great but extremely long. It took me ten days to finish this! I highly recommend it though.





Blakney Fancis
Current kindle price: £1.99


"Scarlet, Alabama doesn't know what to make of Sloan Averley. She's an outsider, as wild as she is beautiful, and so much trouble even her Yankee parents didn't know what to do with her. But she's their beloved high school football coach's granddaughter and this is THE year... The year that blue chip recruit and quarterback protege Courtland Mckenzie carries them on his very capable shoulders all the way to their first state championship.

As a surprising common goal is forced upon them, Sloan and Courtland's very different worlds collide and clash. The town's golden boy and the rebellious beauty: they have as much contempt for one another as they do fascination.

Can Sloan find a way to accept the dark past she can't change in the last place she ever thought to look: on a football field? Will Courtland be able to create a balance in his life before his promising future slips away? They have to go through each other to get what they want, but time's running out- the season's almost over."


I wasn't sure what to expect with this. I finished it but I was going through the motions. Didn't hate it, didn't love it. I wouldn't even say I liked it really. It was okay.



Linda Budzinski
Current Kindle price: £3.19 or free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers


"The last thing sixteen-year-old Emily Slovkowski wants is to move away from her home at the Jersey Shore, gorgeous surfer boyfriend Zach, and her entire identity. But that's kind of how Witness Protection works, and Em must prepare herself for an epic do-over as she starts a new life in the Midwest.

Even as she pines for sandy beaches and the night life of the shore, the newly-named Ember O'Malley finds herself making new friends, taking photos for the high school newspaper, and thinking an awful lot about the paper's editor, and oddly cute cowboy named Charles.

When Em stumbles upon a shady beneath-the-bleachers exchange between one of the school's football coaches and a student, she refuses to get involved. The last thing she needs is to be witness to another crime or call attention to herself. Besides, she finally has some real friends- well, real except for the fact that they don't know a single thing about her- and she prefers to keep it that way until the trial.

But as her day in court approaches, Em begins piecing together what she saw that day beneath the bleachers. And, as her own past secrets start to catch up with her, Em needs to figure out who she really is- Em or Em."


This was a good read. It switches between present and flashbacks before the move so you get to learn about both sides of Emily's life. I grew to care about Emily and I just wanted her to be happy, especially after reading the flashbacks. 


Ryan Becker
Current Kindle price: £3 or free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers


"A murderer's tale is not always shrouded in darkness, trauma and failure to perform as a normal person. Some killers are just as successful in life as those around them or even more so. They are able to function as any regular human being and charm their communities and victims into believing that they are of a good, pure nature.

Ted Bundy was a handsome, charming and ambitious man who carried his hatred deeper and more hidden than any other murderers do. He was able to lead a life that included normal friendships and relationships, and he even got far as both a student and a politician.

But the hatred was there... It was always there...

Bundy ended the lives of over thirty young women, ensuring that their final moments were ugly and violent. His torture methods were cruel, and there was no mercy shown to each female as he bludgeoned, strangled or cut them.

Ted Bundy- The Campus Killer- a name of nightmares. This is his story."

Only one thing to say here, skip this. Read The Stranger Beside Me instead! 






Colleen Hoover
Current Kindle price: £3.80 or free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers


"Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin. When Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, asks Lowen to complete the remaining books in a contract his permanently injured wife is unable to fulfill, Lowen has no choice but to accept.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home with the intention of only staying one or two nights- long enough to sort through Verity's chaotic home office to collect all the notes and outlines she'll need to start writing the first novel. But the more time Lowen spends with Jeremy Crawford, the less of a hurry she is in to leave.

While there, Lowen discovers a hidden manuscript. An autobiography containing chilling admissions Verity planned to take to her grave, including the truth behind the events that turned their lives upside down. A truth that, if revealed to Jeremy, would firther devastate the already grieving father. Lowen decides to keep the manuscript a secret, allowing Jeremy to continue to believe Verity is merely an innocent, unfortunate victim of circumstance.

But as Lowen's feelings for the devoted father and husband deepen, she wonders if keeping Jeremy in the dark is in her own best interest. After all, if Jeremy were to read his wife's autobiography, the disturbing truth would make it impossible for him to continue to love her."


I'll be honest here, I've never been a big fan of Colleen Hoover books. I've read a couple and her YA romance books jusg don't to it for me at all. But this? This was my favourite book I read in May and IT. IS. AMAZING. 
This is such a well written psychological thriller that kept me guessing til the very end. It's taken me a while to get there but I finally understand the Colleen Hoover hype.



You can read previous posts of What I've Been Reading here.
What were you reading in May?

Danni
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1 June 2019

Glossybox, May 2019.



I missed my usual Glossybox blog post last month, a cross between forgetting and then laziness when I remembered I hadn't done it. And I'm writing about the May box in June. All signs point to a blogging slump, one that I want to try to combat.

May's box featured the usual five items, all of which were full size. The total value of all the products comes to a whopping £81, when the cost of the box is only £10 plus P&P. The box cost can lower depending on what method you choose when you subscribe. I pay once per month and can cancel whenever I like but 3 month, 6 month and yearly subscriptions are available too. You can also sign up for a year and still pay monthly, which comes out at £8.50 instead of £10 per month.





Barry M Cosmic Lights Highlighting Palette
Full size, RRP £7.99

"From glass skin to yoga skin, a glowing complexion is always en vogue. That's where your Barry M highlighting palette comes in! Boasting 6 shades, including 2 creamy hues and 4 irridescent powders, it's the perfect companion to give your complexion a luminous, healthy glow. Apply the creams for subtle radiance, use the powders to create a shimmery look, or layer the two to build an on-trend, dewy glow."


I'm not going to be keeping this. The majority of shades look too dark for me. It was nice to see but I do wish I'd gotten the contour palette instead.





Annabelle Minerals Mineral Blush in Rose
Full size, RRP £12.50


"Mineral makeup is a trend that's here to stay. Boasting natural and lightweight ingredients, it's not only suitable for all skin types, but actually helps heal, soothe and protect your complexion. That's why we love this blush so much! 100% organic, it's formulated with 4 mineral ingredients that help maintain healthy skin. Plus, the gorgeous pink shade will give your cheeks a rosy and radiant flush."


I love this! It's such a perfect, subtle shade and the packaging means they'll be no powder spillages even when travelling. 




Beauty Kitchen Natural Lip Treatment
Full size, RRP £2.99


"2019 is all about sustainable beauty! Beauty Kitchen have created this 0% petroleum sustainable lip treatment that is more effective and less greasy that petroleum jelly alternatives. Made with 100% natural ingredients, this balm moisturises and protects your lips for up to 8 hours, keeping them soft, beautiful and healthy. Better yet, the packaging is 100% recyclable and made from recycled tinplate- good for the environment, great for your lips!"

The description for this sounds great but there's only so many lipbalms I can use at one time and there seems to have been an influx of them in beauty boxes recently. I could do with a break from the lipbalms for now please glossybox!




Mudmasky Aftermask Vitamin Serum
Full size, RRP £43


"This serum is at the forefront of an up-and-coming beauty trend! The first skincare product in the world specially designed to be used after a facemask, it nourishes your complexion with the vitamins your skin will craving after an intense clay, charcoal, sheet or peel off mask treatment. Simpy apply a thin layer to your face after removing your mask and you'll have soft and smooth skin!"


This sounds amazing. Not only do I like the idea of this product, but Mudmasky is a brand I've enjoyed using in the past so I'm really happy to have this.




Nailberry Nail Polish in Love Me Tender
Full size, RRP £14.50


"Meet the next generation of state-of-the-art nail polish! Part of Nailberry's revolutionary Oxygene range, this multi-award winning nail polish uses patented technology to deliver a healthier manicure without compromising on colour quality. It covers your nail with a unique film which allows air and water vaper to pass through it, ensuring your cuticles are protected, even while wearing nail polish."


This is so similar to other shades I've already got but it's my go-to shade so I'll definitely me trying this. It'll be interesting to see how this compares to my favourite Nails Inc polish!


The sneak peak for June's box is an Avant Primer, worth £85!

What do you think of May's box?