Glossybox, March 2019

Glossybox are on a roll this year. March marks another sold out month and it's easy to see why. Glossybox offers one of the best value beauty boxes on the market for only £10 a month or £8.50 per month if you opt to go for a year's worth of boxes over 12 payments. Block subscriptions are also available. Postage costs £3.25 per box and you can track your box through each step of the delivery process.

But what's in March's box? Contents can vary but here's what I got in mine...

Bellapierre Kiss Proof Lip Creme in Coral Stone (Full size RRP £20)

"Feel like a goddess with one of Bellapierre's full coverage, high impact liquid lipsticks. Its creamy formula glides on effortlessly and dries instantly for a gorgeous matte finish. Best of all, the colour payoff  lasts for hours without needing a touchup."

That shade! There were various shades available and I'm so pleased with this one! I agree with the claims about the staying power, I've swatched it and it hasn't budged all day. The best item in this month's box!

BYBI Plumper Lip Balm (Full size RRP £9)

"Boasting a thick and creamy formula, this plumping lip balm restores and protects dry lips, leaving them soft, smooth and healthy. It also contains hints of peppermint and capsicum that plump your pout and enhance its natural shape."

I always find lip balms handy to throw in a handbag so I'm glad of any to add to my stash. This one is natural and vegan, even the packaging is biodegradable. 

Essence Glow to Go Illuminating Setting Spray (Full size RRP £3.30)

"This illuminating setting spray not only stops your makep from smudging, but it boasts fine light-reflecting particles that will give you a glowing complexion in seconds. Spray it 30cm from your face for a confidence-boosting shimmer that lasts all day!"

I love a dewy finish  so I'm pleased to get this setting spray over some of the others that were available. The small size will also make it handy for travelling. It's inexpensive too so I won't hesitate to repurchase this.

Laritzy Cosmetics Dew Pot in Utopia (Full size RRP £15.30)

"This smooth and blendable highlighter provides a dewy radiance that lasts all day. It's formulated with ultrafine shimmer that accentuates your features and enhances all skin tones. Apply to your cheekbones, brow bones and cupid's bow for a rosy lit-from-within glow."

I'm going to pass on this. We've been getting a lot of Laritzy products over the last year and I haven't found them to be that great. Plus, all skin tones?! This highlighter isn't going to work for my pale skin, maybe as a cream blush but not for a highlight.

Toni & Guy Radiant Rose Illuminating Hair Perfume (Handbag size RRP £8.25)

"Your hair is the crown you wear everyday, so give it an extra boost with this glittery hair perfume. Mist it over your locks after styling to enhance it's natural fragrance, smoothness, sparkle and shine."

I've never used a hair perfume before but I tried this out and Glenn commented how nice my hair smelt. So, it definitely works! I can't see myself using it a lot but it'll be nice to use for special occasions.

The sneak peak for April's box is the Dr Botanicals Pomegranate Superfood Regenerating Sleeping Mask. I've received this before in a Birchbox but I'm still yet to try it out. Fingers crossed I end up liking it!

What do you think to March's box? Have you tried any of these products before?

Danni

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What I've Been Reading: February 2019.

Does anyone else go through phases where you're suddenly really picky with what you'll read? That what it felt like for me in February. I buy lots of kindle books in one go and make me way through them. Usually they'll be a couple I'll give up on and end up removing from my device but wow, February, I gave up on a lot! Here are the ones I actually finished...

Bruised 

Sarah Skilton

Current Kindle price: £4.03

"When Imogen, a sixteen-year-old black belt in Tae Kwon Do, freezes during a holdup at a local diner, the gunman is shot and killed by the police, and she blames herself for his death. Before the shooting, she believed that her black belt made her stronger than everyone else- more responsible, more capable. But now that her sense of self has been challenged, she must rebuild her life, a process that includes redefining her relationship with her family and navigating first love with the boy who was at the diner with her during the shoot-out."

This book falls right in the middle for me; didn't love it, didn't hate it. It was pretty good for a debut novel and I'd read something else by the same author if it sounded like my kind of thing.

Liar

K.L. Slater

Current Kindle price: £1.99

"Single dad Ben is doing his best to raise his children, with the help of his devoted mother Judi. And then Ben meets Amber. Everyone thinks this is the perfect match for Ben but Judi isn't so sure...

There's something about Amber that doesn't add up. Ben can't see why his mother dislikes his new girlfriend. And Amber doesn't want Judi anywhere near her new family. Amber just wants Ben and the children.

The further Judi delves into Amber's personal life, the closer she gets to shocking secrets that could change everything. And Judi must make a decision that could lead to the most disastrous consequences."

I really enjoyed this one. I didn't see the twist coming, it turned out I ended up rooting for the opposite person in the end! KL Slater is a great author, I'd previously read The Mistake and while I think I preferred that, this is still a great read.

The Space Between Us

Jessica Martinez

Current Kindle price: £1.99

"Amelia is used to being upstaged by her charismatic younger sister, Charly. She doesn't mind, mostly, that it always falls to her to cover for Charly's crazy, impulsive antics. But one night, Charly's thoughtlessness goes way too far, and she lands both sisters in serious trouble.

Amelia's not sure she can forgive Charly this time, and not sure she wants to... but forgiveness is beside the point. Because Charly is also hiding a terrible secret, and the truth just might tear them apart forever."

Another one that falls down the middle. It took me longer than it should of to finish it, I just wasn't dragged into the story very quickly.

Undone

Cat Clarke

Current Kindle price: £1.99

"Jem Halliday is in love with her gay best friend. Not exactly ideal, but she's learning to live with it.

Then the unspeakable happens. Kai is outed online... and he kills himself.

Jem knows nothing she can say or do will bring him back. But she wants to know who was responsible. And she wants to take them down."

My favourite book of February! I love Cat Clarke, which you might have realised if you've read my previous What I've Been Reading posts. This was amazing, I couldn't put it down. Proof that you shouldn't give up reading YA just because you're far, far past your teen years! This is a definite recommend, but We Are Young is still my fave by Cat Clarke.

What I didn't Say

Keary Taylor

Current Kindle price: £3.09 or free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers

"Getting drunk homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat.

His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again.

When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha, she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn't the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it."

This was a cute read. I loved Jake and Samantha's story. It was a great introduction to Keary Taylor.

What were you reading in February?

Danni

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I Don't Understand the BeautyBlender Hype.

Before buying the original Beauty Blender I'd heard so many different versions of "Once you try it, you'll never go back to using a normal beauty sponge." Do I agree with this statement now I actually have tried it? No. Do I think it's worth the extra money? No.

I put off buying a Beauty Blender for so long based on the price. Why would I spend that much on a simple sponge when I could buy a sponge that does a great job for under a fiver?!

But there I was on holiday in the US, ready to buy my Ulta purchases and they had Beauty Blenders right by the tills. I had spending money to spare so I thought 'fuck it, just buy it.'

I honestly hardly reach for it now I have bought it. I find it soaks up more product than other sponges I've tried and I don't think my foundation looks any better using it. My sponge of choice is one I actually bought at the same time, the EcoTools Total Perfecting Blender. I love the fact this is a little less squidgy and has two flat edges, which is something I also like about the Real Techniques sponge and the No 7 one.

My advice here? Don't always believe the hype, what works for someone else might now work for you so don't feel pressured to love a product just because everyone else seems to.

What do you think of the original Beauty Blender? 
What's your favourite brand of makeup sponge?

Danni
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Glossybox, February 2019

It's February, which means its that time of year where beauty boxes go all Valentines themed. Last year's February Glossybox was one of my absolute faves but how does this one compare?

Inside we have seven items and it's a pretty good variety, especially for the price. Glossybox costs £10 plus £3.25 P&P per month on a rolling subscription basis. But they've just launched a new way to pay, where you can sign up for a year in advance but still pay monthly and that makes the boxes £8.50 plus £3.25 P&P per month. You can also pay upfront for boxes with 3 month, 6 month or 12 month plans being available to choose from.

Huda Beauty Lip Contour in Venus (Full size RRP £16)

"We just love this flirty Lip Contour from beauty expert Huda Kattan. Waterproof and transfer-free, its glides on effortlessly to give your pout an intense shot of colour. Use it to both contour and colour your lips, or pair it with Huda Beauty's Liquid Matte Lipstick for a beautiful matte finish."

Two shades were available in this, Venus or Flirt. I got Venus which is the same shade I got in the liquid lipstick a few month's back so I'm very happy! I'm really loving the addition of all these Huda Beauty products in Glossybox recently.

Luxie Beauty Medium Fan Face Brush 560 (Full size RRP £15)

"Show yourself some love by adding a little shimmer to your complexion with this perfectly-sized fan brush. Its unique shape makes applying powdered highlighters effortless. Sweep it across your cheekbones, brow bones, cupid's bow and nose for a flawless finish."

This is a cute little brush an definitely better quality than the fan brush I normally use for highlight. Brushes in boxes are always a winner.

Mugler Alien Fusion Perfum and Alien Man Fusion (Samples)

"We're treating you to the new Alien Fusion fragrances by Mugler- one for you and one for your special someone."

Me and Glenn are both picky when it comes to fragrance and neither of us liked these but they were a nice little extra to receive.

Nails Inc Status Ready Nail Varnish (Full size RRP £15)

"Long-lasting and super glossy, this sultry nail polish is a fabulously intense, deep cherry red hue. Better yet, it boasts an expertly designed brush that perfectly fits the shape and width of your nail. Giving yourself an immaculate manicure has never been easier!"

I freaking love this shade! My nails are all broken down right now so wearing this will definitely be an improvement. I never tend to buy nail polishes but I really like Nails Inc as I've had a few in boxes before and really love the formula.

Regenerate Enamel Science Advanced Toothpaste (Deluxe Mini worth £2.50)

"There's nothing more charming than a nice smile. Give your teeth a spruce with this regenerating, strengthening and enamel mineral restoring toothpaste. Boasting unique NR-5 ingredients, it reverse the early enamel erosion process, while also giving you pearly-white teeth and fresh, minty breath."

Well, this is my second tube of this and I haven't even opened the first one yet! I thought I'd got my other one in a Birchbox but when I back through my Instagram feed to check, I actually got it in July's Glossybox. So within 8 boxes, there's a repeat item. Not impressed to be honest!

Vitamasques Multivitamin Mask (Full size RRP £4.99)

"Achieve a breathtaking complexion with this pampering Korean face mask. Formulated with nourishing vitamins, it moisturises and hydrates dry skin for a healthy glow."

I love a good sheet mask and this sounds perfect for my dry skin.

What do you think of the February box?

The sneak peek for March is a plumping peppermint and blood orange lip balm by BYBI.

You can see my previous months Glossybox posts by clicking here.

Danni

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What I've Been Reading: January 2019

A new reading year! I think my total of finished books last year was 73 so that's what I'm aiming to top this year. I only finished 4 in January but for the first time ever, I'm going to include a book I didn't finish in these posts and I'll get into the reason why.

Freeing Carter

Nyrae Dawn

Current Kindle price: £2.30

"His whole life Carter's fought to hold it together: To help Mom run their store. To be there for his special needs sister, Sara, and be the perfect boyfriend Mel wants. To dominate on the basketball court- the only place he ever feels free. And to carry Mom up the stairs when she's too smashed to make it up on her own.

It isn't like she has a problem. Mom loves them. If she doesn't drink every day, she's not really an alcoholic, right?

Wrong.

Then Kira Dawson, a girl with a bipolar wardrobe and rotating hairstyles comes to town. Somehow, she sees the truths he hides from the world. 'You have skeletons too, Carter Shaw. Don't think I don't know it.' For the first time, he wants someone to see his inner scars- to really know him.

When his mom finally goes too far, will Carter be able to man-up, even if it means turning his back on her and stepping out from behind the facade he's fought so hard to keep in place?"

This was a good read but it didn't hook me in so that I had to keep reading it. It took me over a week to finish. I just wasn't invested in the characters much. 

Hollow Pike

Juno Dawson

Current Kindle price: 99p

"Something wicked this way comes....

She thought she'd be safe in the country, but you can't escape your own nightmares, and Lis London dreams repeatedly that someone is trying to kill her.

Lis thinks she's being paranoid- after all, who would want to murder her? She doesn't believe in the local legends of witchcraft. She doesn't believe that anything bad will really happen to her. You never do, do you? Not until you're alone in the woods, after dark- and a twig snaps...

Hollow Pike- where witchcraft never sleeps."

Juno Dawson is one of those author where I know I can buy a book by them and it's automatically going to be good. I loved this, and Say Her Name & All of The Above were the same. I wasn't sure what to expect from the synopsis but this hooked me in from the get go. There are a lot of characters in this but it's easy to keep up with who's who and the storyline is brilliant. A definite recommend.

Paranormal Intruder

Caroline Mitchell

Current Kindle price: £1.99 or free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers

"An innocent family finds itself completely helpless against the sudden onset of paranormal activity in their quiet rural home. A knife embedded in a kitchen cupboard, crockery smashed by invisible hands, and blood-chilling growls emit from thin air.

Caroline and her husband Neil search for answers as they try to protect their family from the unseen entity that seems determined to rip them apart. The biggest question looms over them like a dark cloud... who is going to help us? There are emergency services for many things, but not of this nature. It might be easier to believe temporary insanity, if not for the vast amount of witnesses. Police, fire services, mediums, priests and investigators all become embroiled in the mystery.

The family struggles to cope, and Caroline grows concerned for her husband's failing health as he withdraws from the world. However, the entity has only just begun."

I'd only read one book from Caroline Mitchell before and that was Silent Victim, was of her fiction books. This is a true account of the activities that she and her family were victims of. I'll be honest here, I didn't finish this. Because I was scared shitless! I only read the first few chapters and it gave me nightmares. What I did manage to read was interesting and well written so if this sounds like something you'd want to read, I'd say go for it!

Wishing For Someday Soon

Tiffany King

Current Kindle price: £2.63

"Seventeen year old Katelyn Richards is a stronger person than anyone will know, and that is just the way she wants it. Behind her normal facade lies the reality of a broken home life. Thanks to her abusive mother, a string of deadbeat stepfathers, and an unsympathetic system, Katelyn has learned that the only one she can count on is herself. Her life's mission has become to shield her nine year old brother, Kevin, and to give him the future they both wish for. A life with no more abuse, no worries about where their next meal will come from, and no more wondering is they will have a roof over their heads.

When her mother moves them again, this time to a small town in Montana, Katelyn's resolve is shaken when she meets Max, a cute boy from her new school, who gets a glimpse into her real world. Max slowly manages to break through Katelyn's wall of distrust, stirring up feelings she never saw coming. Now with her world more complicated than she ever intended, Katelyn struggles with the decision to follow her heart into the arms of the first boy she has ever loved. A decision that could risk the promise she made to protect Kevin, and to give them the 'someday soon' that is so close within their grasp."

This is the first book I've read by Tiffany King and I feel the same about this as I did about Freeing Carter. Good story but I wasn't invested in the character, but I did prefer this one out of the two.

Yours Truly

Kirsty Greenwood

Current Kindle price: £2.99 or free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers

"Twenty-seven-year-old Natalie Butterworth is an easy-going girl. She'll do anything for a quiet life and if telling a few teensy white lies keeps her friends and family happy, then so what? It's not like they'll ever discover what she's really thinking... Until one night, thanks to a pub hypnotist, Natalie's most private thoughts begin to bubble up and pop out of her mouth. Things get very messy indeed, especially when some sticky home truths offend her fiance. 

Natalie must track down the hypnotist before the wedding is officially cancelled. So along with bad influence bestie Meg, Natalie finds herself in the Yorkshire parish of Little Trooley- a small village bursting with big secrets, nosy old folk and intriguing Wellington-wearing men. When the girls get stranded in the village with no means of escape and no way to break the hypnotist's spell, Natalie is forced to face the truths she has been avoiding her whole life..."

What an enjoyable read! A light hearted book that had me chuckling to myself as I read it, this is brilliant. The idea behind it is original but believable and I really felt for Natalie, especially when her sister and mum buy her a wedding dress without asking her. 

You can read previous post of What I've Been Reading here.

What were you reading in January?

Have you read any of these before?

Danni

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Glossybox, January 2019

Hello 2019! I haven't made any new years resolutions so its good that the Glossybox for January is the beauty resolutions edition! Inside there are three full size products and two deluxe minis, adding up to a total value of around £120... all for just £13.25 with postage!

Glossybox works on a rolling subscription basis which costs £10 per month plus £3.25 P&P. 3 month, 6 month and 12 month subscriptions are also available and boxes work out slightly cheaper when you have a subscription this way. Each box contains at least five items and you always get value for money.

-417 Facial Micro Luffa Foaming Gel (Deluxe Mini worth £13.31)

"Add this refreshing foaming gel cleanser into your beauty regimen! Simply work the gel into damp skin in circular motions to gently exfoliate and remove your makeup. Formulated with minerals from the Dead Sea, rare plant extracts and vitamins, its invigorating formula will leave your skin feeling clean, soft and fresh."

I love receiving cleansers in beauty boxes, it means I never have to buy any! This one sounds really nice and considering that this is only a deluxe mini, it's actually quite a generous size.

Avant Skincare Deluxe Hyaluronic Acid Vivifying Face & Eye Night Cream (Full size worth £98)

"All those late December nights call for a skincare saviour and we've got the perfect solution. This delightful full-size anti-ageing moisturiser is formulated with the deeply hydrating wonder ingredient hyaluronic acid! It will rejuvenate tired eyes, promote an even skin tone and minimise the appearance of fine lines and pesky pores! It also has a gorgeous fresh scent and instantly smooths your skin without adding shine."

Glossybox are definitely spoiling us with this, look at that pricetag! This sounds like such a a wonder product, I can't wait to give it a try.

Batiste Dry Shampoo & Damage Control (Deluxe mini worth £1.50)

"Is your hair feeling weak, damaged, frizzy, dry or flat? Say hello to these new dry shampoos infused with strengthening keratin, smoothing coconut, moisturising avocado or plumping collagen. They'll refresh, repair, soften, hydrate and revive your tresse, leaving your hair feeling clean and fabulous! What's more, the spray is invisible and feels lightweight on your hair."

Batiste is my go to brand when it comes to dry shampoo so it'll come in handy to have a mini size of this new version.

Hask Argan Oil Repairing Deep Conditioner (full size worth £2.49)

"These deeply nourishing treatments infused with argan oil, keratin protein, kalahari melon oil or bamboo extracts will repair, soften, smooth and strengthen your hair. The clever formulas infuse your hair cuticles with hydration for nourished, shiny tresses. Simply massage a generous amount into your hair, relax for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse."

I'm not a fan of hair products in beauty boxes but I know that I'm in a minority with that. Hair products don't excite me the way makeup and skincare does... (Dry shampoo is an exception.) I'll probably pass this on to someone who will actually use it.

Wilkinson Sword Beauty Eyebrow Shaper (Full size worth £3.99)

"This must-have beauty tool can be used to shape brows and to gently remove fine hairs from your face. It comes with a protective cap for on-the-go use, as well as a precision cap for precise eyebrow shaping. Cleanse first, hold your skin taut then gently glide the razor in the direction of hair growth."

This is what I'm most intrigued by. As well as using it on brows and fine hairs, you can also use it to exfoliate the skin so this is a multi-use product. Yes, I'm all for this.

Being totally honest, I was a little disappointed by this month's Glossybox. Makeup is my favourite thing to find in beauty boxes so I was miffed to not find a single makeup products in this month's edition, especially since I cancelled my Birchbox and I knew that January's had a full size highlighter in it.

But oh, the sneak peak for February's Glossybox more than makes up for no makeup in this box! All subscribers will receive a Huda Beauty Lip Contour Pencil worth £16 in next month's box in one of two shades.

You can view my previous Glossybox posts here.

What do you think of January's box?

Danni

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What I've Been Reading: December 2018.

A new month and a new year, but in the month leading up to it, I was on a reading roll. Want to know what books I managed to finish? Just keep reading.

See How They Lie

Sue Wallman

Current Kindle price: £2.25

"Mae believes the reason she's lived all her life in a psychiatric hospital is because her father is a psychiatrist. Everyone says she's lucky to be there. With its high-end facilities and 24-hour surveillance, no one could be safer. But why is she being watched too? And how come she can never leave?"

I'm on the fence with this. The story was interesting but there was far too much build up for a very anti-climatic ending. I felt myself growing frustrated at the characters for going along with such  cult like rules. I didn't dislike it as such, it just fell a bit flat for me.

Not That Kind of Girl

Siobhan Vivian

Current Kindle price: £2.99

"Slut or saint? Good friend or bad friend? In control or completely out of it?

She's avoided boys, always topped her class and is poised to become the first female student council president in years.

But being the good girl isn't always easy. Not when Natalie's advice hurts more than it helps. Not when a boy she once dismissed becomes the one she can't stop thinking about. Soon Natalie's learning that the line between good and bad is fuzzier than she thought and crossing it could end in disaster... or be the best choice she's ever made."

Well, this was disappointing. I really liked The List by the same author but I really didn't like this. Mostly unlikable characters and I don't think the author has any idea of what message she wanted to send across with this book. Natalie, the main character, is judgmental and selfish. Anyone with a different opinion to her is wrong and she likes to act like she's a big feminist while basically slut shaming her female classmates. Nope, hard pass on this.

Kiss Me in New York

Catherine Rider

Current Kindle price: £2.67

"Does it really take ten steps to mend a broken heart?

Charlotte is a British student, waiting for a flight home after the worst semester of her life. Anthony is a native New Yorker, surprising his girlfriend at the airport after three months apart. Charlotte has just been dumped, and Anthony is about to be dumped, right in the middle of the holiday crowd.

Charlotte's flight is cancelled when a blizzard blows in, and Anthony can't bear to go home. So, they set out into the city together, clutching a book Charlotte picks up in the airport gift shop: Ten Easy Steps got Getting Over Your Ex. For this one night, they'll focus on healing their broken hearts... together.

Step-by-step, the two struggle to put the past behind them. But soon the city and the snow work some magic. Will their shared misery give way to something else before Charlotte leaves New York forever?"

I couldn't go through the whole of December without reading at least one Chistmas book, could I?! This is set over Christmas Eve and is a really cute read. I really liked both characters, though I liked Anthony's story arc a little more than Charlotte's. A definite recommend.

Stealing Heaven

Elizabeth Scott

Current Kindle price: £2.99

"Dani has been trained as a thief by the best- her mother. Together, they move from town to town, targeting wealthy homes and making a living by stealing antique silver. They never stay in one place long enough to make real connections, real friends- a real life.

In the beach town of Heaven, though, everything changes. For the first time, Dani starts to feel at home. She's making friends and has even met a guy. But these people can never know the real Dani- because of who she is. When it turns out her new friend lives in the house they've targeted for their next job and the cute guy is a cop, Dani must question where her loyalties lie: with the life she's always known- or the one she's always wanted."

I quite liked this, I found the relationship between Dani and her mother really interesting. The writing style was flawless and I've added more by Elizabeth Scott to my to read list since I've finished this.

What Happens Next

Colleen Clayton

Current Kindle price: 99p

'How can you talk about something that you can't remember?

Before the ski trip, Cassidy "Sid" Murphy was a cheerleader (on the bottom of the pyramid, but still...) and a straight-A student, with two of the best friends a girl could ask for.

When Sid finds herself on a ski lift with hunky local college guy, Dax Windsor, she's thrilled. '"Come to a party with me," he tells her, but Dax isn't what he seems. He takes everything from Sid- including a lock of her perfect red curls- and she can't remember any of it.

After the ski trip, Sid is an insomniac and an obsessive late-night runner, unable to relate to her old friends.

Caught in a downward spiral, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey "The Living Stoner" Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey- slaker, baker, total dreamboat- Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if only she could shake the nightmares, everything would be perfect..."

I've definitely found an author I love in Colleen Clayton. Nearer to the start of 2018 I read Doll Hearts and really liked that, but this is even better. There were many tears shed as I neared the conclusion of this book. A must read, in my opinion and when Colleen Clayton releases another book, I'll be there with bells on!

Entangled

Cat Clarke

Current Kindle price: £1.99

"Seventeen-year-old Grace wakes up in a white room, with table, pens and paper- and no clue how she got there.

As Grace starts writing, pouring her tangled life onto the page, she is forced to remember everything she's tried to forget: falling hopelessly in love with Nat, and the unravelling of her friendship with her best mate Sal. But there's something missing. As hard as she's trying to remember, is there something she just can't see?

Grace must face the most important question of all.

Why is she here?"

I really enjoy Cat Clarke as an author even if I'm not exactly the target audience. This isn't one of my favourites by any means but the story was gripping and I could hardly put it down. If I had to recommend just one Cat Clarke book, it would have to be We Are Young. It was my favourite book I read in the whole of 2018 and I can't rave about it enough to do it justice. Just read it!

Copy Cat

Alex Lake

Current Kindle price: 99p

"When an old friend gets in touch, Sarah Havenant discovers that there are two Facebook profiles in her name. One is hers. The other, she has never seen.

But everything in it is accurate. Photos of her friends, her husband, her kids. Photos from the day before. Photos of her new kitchen. Photos taken inside her house.

And this is just the beginning. Because whoever has set up the second profile has been waiting her Sarah to find it. And now that she has, her life will no longer be her own..."

What a great read for 99p! I'd previously read Killing Kate and enjoyed that, so I had high expectations going into this. It didn't disappoint. If you like a good thriller, then this is one to add to your list.

Everything's Not Okay

Laura Tucker

Current Kindle price: 99p or free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers

"Kate is a 17-year-old college drop-out with anger issues and a severe lack of self control. But save your judgements until you've heard her story.

Forced into a one-month stretch at a mental health clinic for adolescents, surrounded by nothing but teen nutcases and her own thoughts, Kate tries to distract herself from feelings of emptiness with the warm bodies of James and Aiden, two people with problems as complex as her own.

As her relationships develop at a pace she can't keep up with, Kate gradually realises she must face up to her mistakes if she's ever going to forgive herself and move on. But is everything screwed up beyond repair?"

This is Laura Tucker's debut novel and I wouldn't have guessed that just by reading it. The writing style flows brilliantly and the story itself kept me gripped from the start. An author to keep an eye on!

Check out previous months of What I've been reading:

November 2018.

October 2018.

September 2018.

August 2018.

July 2018.

June 2018.

What were you reading in December?

Danni

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