And they lived Happily Ever After

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After

Author: Stephanie Perkins
Pages: 375

Publisher: Usborne 

Source: Bought

Rating: 5/5

Good Reads // Amazon

Summary (from Good Reads): 
Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last?

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.  

I finished this book a few days after it had come out however have been avoiding writing this (and all the other reviews of books I've read..) since. I don't know why, considering you should all know by now that I absolutely love all 3 books by Stephanie Perkins, it's no secret how much I adored Anna and the French Kiss!

Isla and the Happily Ever After is the perfect conclusion to the Anna and the French Kiss trilogy. Although I still can't decide which book I enjoyed the most, it's most definitely a tie between Anna and Isla.

I can't express to you how happy I was to finally get my mitts on this, neither can I express to you how much I enjoyed this book. There were so many different elements that I enjoyed - the starting location of the book which then moved to Paris and then from there to a few places. I enjoy planning my travels and reading about travel in books so the way this was incorporated was something that I really enjoyed and felt like it added another dimension to the story. 

One thing I can't understand, is how Perkins creates such dynamic and great characters. I really just don't get it, but I love it. I feel like I can really connect to the characters in Perkins' books, and Isla is no different. I particularly like the fact that our main male character is Josh who we were originally introduced to in Anna. Having been introduced previously to this character and already knowing some things about him, I felt that this book was interesting because it really formed Josh and helped us to see his background, which I thought was a great idea. If you've read Anna and Isla, you've probably also noticed that Isla is featured briefly in Anna, so seeing how Perkins has done a crossover between the stories is a great feature!

I absolutely loved Isla, the pace was perfect, there was just enough of everything from romance to comedy. Oh, and that ending! The ending was really perfect for me. I couldn't believe what I was reading but it really brought the story to a close and left me feeling satisfied. I am sad that the trilogy is over, but knowing that there is a short story out by Stephanie Perkins (My True Love Gave to Me) does ease the pain!

Bye November, Hello December!

Via Smashing Magazine

If you read my November update post, you'll know that lately I've been quite busy with University and assignments - I had three in for the same day so I haven't really read too much this month! I'm just waiting to get my last deadline (5th December) out of the way and then I'm going to be reading as much as possible, even though I do actually have 2 essays in for a few weeks after the Christmas break! Also, this month I finally started my Christmas shopping! It hasn't gone too well, I'm still stuck on what to buy people, especially Myles, my boyfriend, however I think I'm finally getting there!

This month I read a total of 5 books, those being...Christmas with Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher, The Rain by Virginia Bergin, The Hunger Games: Mockingly by Suzanne Collins, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin and Solitaire by Alice Oseman.

I feel like this is pretty successful for me after looking back at previous months reading, so I'm really happy that I've read 5 books throughout November! I'm hoping to read above this in December - I have too really if I want to beat my Good Reads goal for this year! I must mention that I am currently reading Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and Thirty-Thre and a Half Shenanigans by Denise Grover Swank!

I know I love to see people's TBR lists for the month, so here's mine! I've noticed that I don't tend to stick to mine very much as I'm starting to find that I pick books I want to read next based on what mood I'm in (unless it's a series), but hey ho! Here's my TBR list for December!

1) Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe|Jenny Colgan

2) Let's Get Lost|Adi Alsaid
3) A Mad, Wicked Folly|Sharon Biggs Waller
4) The Great Gatsby|F. Scott Fitzgerald
5) The Evolution of Mara Dyer|Michelle Hodkin
6) Siege and Storm|Leigh Bardugo
7) Code Name Verity|Elizabeth Wein

That's 7 books on my list to read this month. It's certainly doable, although I am kinda hoping that I read more than this number..we'll see! 

As said in my last post, I will be uploading my reviews of books I've read since...August, oh dear. It will be soon! As also said, I've got one more deadline to get out of the way, and then I am free to get back into blogging and reading more, yay! Anyway, how was your November? Are you excited for Christmas? I really cannot wait, although I am stressing a bit over Christmas presents and what to buy for people! 

November Update

Hi everyone!

It's me again, you've probably forgotten all about me, but I'm still here, although I haven't been posting! Since starting University and a new job, I've been trying to get into the swing of assignments, which I'm almost past! I've got a portfolio of different essay things in for the 8th December which I'm going to try and get in for next Friday, so at the moment, all my attention is going on that..kind of! I've been reading a lot more, and I've got quite a few reviews lined up, although not totally finished, so those will hopefully be up after the 5th December!

Anyway, I've been reading a lot more lately which is really nice for me, I've been enjoying it a lot, and I feel like I may be in with a chance of completing my GoodReads reading challenge too! I am especially looking forward to reading more once my last assignment is in!

Other than University work, my job and getting back to reading more, nothing much has happened since my last update! Again, I am really looking forward to reading a lot more, as well as starting to blog again as I have been missing it. 

So with that being said, I will speak to you very, very soon! :)

An Update

Hi everyone,

As you may or may not have noticed, I haven't actually blogged at all over the past month. Well the reason for that is that I have been extremely busy and I shall tell you why now…

I've enrolled at University to study History! It's a bit different to what I was doing at work, which was accounting and as you may or may not have been aware, I was also studying an accountancy course. I have to admit though, this is one of the best decisions I have ever made. In September 2013 I was supposed to be attending University but decided in the February earlier that year, that I didn't want to go anymore, despite having applied and having my offers. I pulled out of my place in August 2013 on results day due to the fact that I had a full time job that I had started at the end of July. Since around that time, I had been regretting the decision to not go to university, especially after hearing how much fun all my uni friends were having and I was just unhappy where I was. 

Yes, I did get a new job, and yes the feelings of regret did go away, but they soon returned. So in September, during Freshers week, I decided to go for it and apply to study History, which is the subject I was going to study the previous year, and I got accepted. I then had to tell my place of work, where luckily I only had to give a weeks notice having been there less than 6 months. I then flung myself into University and here I am! I will admit, I didn't do any reading in September pretty much, which is shocking I know, but I just need the time to get used to my life as it is now! 

I'm very excited about this chapter in my life and have already had three weeks at University which I'm really enjoying so far! I am still getting used to this change as I've gone back from work into education and it's just getting used to taking notes and making sure I read all the material required for each lecture.

But so far I'm enjoying it! And I hope to get back into reading very soon so that I can start posting some more book reviews!

Please stick around as I hope to be back soon!

Vicky

Bye August!

Via Sarah Hearts

How is it the end of August and the beginning of September already? I can't believe it! August has been an ok month for me. I've been trying to get back into the swing of things with my Accounting course, AAT, as I've decided to self-study the last 1.5 modules left so I can get it done quicker, but it hasn't been working great - any tips on how to revise and getting it to actually stick in my mind are welcome! Other than that, I haven't really done much. I did start going to a local Hockey club though after watching the Commonwealth games, and I also did my first Parkrun on the 30th, hard but worth it!

So let's take a look back at August..

This month was another not so great month for reading. I read a total of three books out of six, and actually all the books I read weren't even on my August TBR list. I don't know why I didn't read so much. To myself, I feel like I read a lot more than I actually did. I don't know why..

Open Road Summer

Wish You Were Italian

Isla and the Happily Ever After

I've started to read The Sky Is Everywhere but I started it immediately after Isla and the Happily Ever After so I didn't really feel that interested in it..maybe it just needs a little more time! I also went to started Dangerous Girls but just couldn't as I really didn't feel like it!

No pictures this month as I haven't really done much other than start learning my next AAT module, start playing Hockey and Parkrun!

If you want to see what I want to read in September, please see my September TBR which will be up in a few days time!

In September, and I said this in my July recap, I want to get into making my blog better, posting more content, and making sure that it's at the best it can currently be at the moment. I know I won't have loads of time due to work, fitness commitments and studying, but in my spare time, I want to just spend an hour or two every few days writing posts and making this blog the best it can be right now!

I always think of September as a bit of a new start what with the school year starting, but even though I'm not in school, I want to make some changes to my bedroom. Not big changes right now, but just sticking up a photo frame, moving my pin board and getting a long mirror in!

Also, this coming month is when we say bye-bye Summer, and hello Autumn! I'm kind of excited as although I enjoy all the seasons for varying reasons, I'm really looking forward to being able to wear jumpers and jeans and also having the fire on downstairs!

I hope you all had a great August and that you have a lovely September!

We've got an Open Road Summer

Title: Open Road Summer

Author: Emery Lord
Pages: 342

Publisher: Walker

Source: Bought

Rating: 5/5

Good Reads // Amazon

Summary (from Good Reads): 
After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. 

But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking.

Oh my gosh, this book. I loved this book so much. You know there are some books where, when you're not reading it you're thinking about it, and if you're not thinking about it, you're reading it? This book totally made it into that category for me. 

Open Road Summer was literally so full of sass, but I loved it! I thought it was great and there were parts where I just couldn't help but stifle a laugh (especially since I was reading this sat in my car during my lunch break - can you imagine how crazy I must've looked, looking down at my legs laughing!). Reagan was such a sassy character, but she was strong too and as a main character, I loved her!

Other than Reagan's sass, I just enjoyed her as a character. Although she made out that she was a broken person, I felt that she wasn't necessarily that at all. She was actually quite strong, and a great leading lady for this book. I enjoyed seeing how she developed and grew into herself, and how she was focusing on becoming 'new Reagan' as opposed to falling back into 'old Reagan'.

Open Road Summer was full of friendship, which as you know, is something I love in books, so this just boosted my love for this book. I loved the relationship that Reagan and Dee had. Dee was almost like a safe haven for Reagan, but in a way, I think Reagan helped keep Dee grounded. I also enjoyed seeing the friendship between Reagan and Matt develop.

Emery Lord's writing style was so clear and consistent and just great all over. Open Road Summer was just straight to the point with pretty much everything, there wasn't much room for guessing about things, which I liked. Plus oh god, this book had such a good storyline and it was just a perfect setting and everything that happened in it was perfect and I am full of love for this book. If I could give it more than 5/5 then I would.  Honestly, this book was one that I couldn't get over for a few days because I just enjoyed it so, so much and I immediately wanted to reread it again. 

Oh, something that deserves a mention of it's own is the 'new chapter' page design. SO CUTE!


See! I love this little detail - it just looks so pretty! I wish more books did something like this at the beginning of a chapter. I think it adds something fun to a book. Obviously I understand not all books are suited for this!

So to wrap this up, if you haven't read Open Road Summer, why not?! If I could give out copies of this book to everyone, I totally would.

Also, did you hear Emery is bringing out another book next year, I believe! I cannot WAIT!


Have you read Open Road Summer? If so, what did you think? If not, are you hoping to read it soon? Is it sat on your TBR list, or are you currently reading it now? Let me know what you thought of Open Road Summer!

What would you do If I Stay?

Title: If I Stay

Author: Gayle Forman
Pages: 250

Publisher: Black Swan

Source: Bought

Rating: 4.5/5

Good Reads // Amazon

Summary (from Good Reads): 
Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind? 


Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters. 

If I Stay was the first taste I got of Gayle Forman's writing and oh my gosh, it was just delicious. If I Stay was a compelling read for me and it really got me wondering about life. Although I didn't cry, like I heard quite a few people did, it did make me get a little emotional.

If I Stay had a good storyline to it. I really liked how it was set over a 24 hour period, but it featured so many moments from the past. There aren't many books that pan out over 24 hours, so this was something I really liked. Although it was short, this didn't really matter to me as I felt that it was necessary, especially for the situation that our main character was in. Plus, even though the book took place over 24 hours, I grew to know a lot about Mia. Oh, and I just can't get over how beautiful Gayle's writing is. It's wonderful and the whole telling of the events and the thoughts of our main character, Mia, was just amazing. I officially love Gayle's writing style. It's so detailed and it really helps you connect more to the character in the book.

 Family seemed to play a big part in this book, and if you've seen my past reviews, you may have noticed that family and friendships are themes that I really enjoyed seeing and reading about in books. Family as well as friendship plays a big part in this book (as said just a second ago..), and I really loved it. I enjoyed seeing how big a part Mia's best friend played in her life, and her boyfriend also. I also enjoyed seeing that, although Mia didn't feel like she fit in with her family, her relationship with them seemed to be good with them - there wasn't any major fighting, so this made for the book to be a good one! 

I'm hoping to get my hands on a copy of Where She Went soon, as I believe that's the follow up to If I Stay! I did really enjoy If I Stay and am hoping to explore more of Gayle's books, such as Just One Day, which I've heard is very good!

In all honesty, I really enjoyed this book and would most definitely recommend it, especially if you enjoy books that literally grab your heart and don't let go for the duration of the book!


Have you read If I Stay? If so, what did you think? If not, are you hoping to read it soon? Is it sat on your TBR list, or are you currently reading it now? Let me know what you thought of If I Stay!