‘DELICATE CONDITION’ BY DANIELLE VALENTINE REVIEW

This post contains details of a book that I was gifted by NetGalley. All views are my own.

Valentine’s writing style is hauntingly captivating, painting vivid and chilling images that will leave you breathless. To be honest, it is horrific in the most beautiful way.

I wanted this baby so badly.
But she may be the death of me…

Anna Alcott is desperate to have a family. But as she tries to balance her increasingly public life as an indie actress with a gruelling IVF regime, she starts to suspect that someone is going to great lengths to make sure that never happens. Crucial medicines are lost. Appointments are moved without her knowledge. She’s sure she’s being followed. And when she finally does get pregnant, someone breaks into her house and steals the ultrasound photograph of her baby. But despite everything she’s gone through, not even her husband is willing to believe that someone is playing twisted games with her.

Then her doctors tell her she’s lost the baby. Despite her grief, Anna ignores the grave-faced men lecturing her – because she can still feel the baby moving, can see the toll it’s taking on her weakened body. Isolated in a remote snowbound town, Anna is sure that whoever has been following her is closing in on her and her unborn child. And as her symptoms become more terrifying, she can’t help but wonder what exactly is growing inside her… and why no-one will listen when she says that something is horribly wrong.

‘Delicate Condition’ by Danielle Valentine

This book delves deep into the complexities of gender and power, exploring the struggles and triumphs of women in a way that is both thought-provoking and empowering with a focus on dark feminist themes.

Valentine masterfully weaves together elements of horror and psychological suspense, creating a modern-day homage to the classic novel ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ by Ira Levin, that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

While ‘Delicate Condition’ is undeniably a gripping read, I couldn’t help but crave more of Valentine’s twisted storytelling. The book left me hungry for further exploration into the dark and mysterious world she created.

Overall, ‘Delicate Condition’ is a must-read for fans of horror, feminist literature, and psychological thrillers. With its horrific beauty and thought-provoking themes, it is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

‘I DID IT FOR YOU’ BY JAYNE COWIE REVIEW

This post contains details of a book that I was gifted by NetGalley. All views are my own.

If you could test your son for a gene that predicts violence, would you do it?

Antonia and Bea are sisters, and doting mothers to their sons. But that is where their similarities end.

Antonia had her son tested to make sure he didn’t possess the “violent” M gene.

Bea refuses to let her son take the test. His life should not be determined by a positive or negative result.

These women will go to any length to protect their sons.

But one of them is hiding a monster.

And there will be fatal consequences for everybody….

‘I Did it For You’ by Jayne Cowie

‘I Did it For You’ by Jayne Cowie

To start, I loved the realistic depiction of a dystopian now, because I can’t even say that this story was set in the future!

Whilst at first glance, the M Gene and all it entails may seem far fetched but the more you immerse yourself in to the story you realise just how easy it would be to find ourselves in a society just like the one in ‘I Did it For You’.

I loved the whole concept and only wish I could read and discover other stories from within the M Gene universe. I found the idea so intriguing and to see this horrific situation through the eyes of four very different people was incredibly interesting.

The book is filled with clever plot twists that grab your attention and keeps you hooked throughout the entire story. These developments keep you guessing until the very end.

The multiple point of view format added an extra layer of excitement and suspense which I totally vibe with whilst the emotional depth of the characters and their struggles made this book a truly heart-wrenching read at times. The only downside to the entire reading experience was that I didn’t want the story to end. I became so invested in the characters and their journey that I found myself wanting more.

‘I Did it For You’ is a brilliant and captivating book that I highly recommend. Jayne Cowie has a way of writing an exceptional story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it.

‘WHO SHE WAS’ BY TONY PARSONS REVIEW

This post contains details of a book that I was gifted by NetGalley. All views are my own.

Tony Parsons is undoubtedly a master storyteller with his engaging storylines, authentic characters, emotional depth, and thought-provoking social commentary.

Although he has certainly established himself as a prominent figure in the literary world, however, I feel that his latest offering missed the mark by such a way that it feels almost unrecognisable as one of his works.

His novels are often filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to tear yourself away from turning the page but ‘Who She Was’ just felt like a rushed mess of half finished ideas.

A bonfire burns on a Cornish beach in the middle of the night.

Nearby, a young woman waits for morning, and for the estate agent to arrive with the keys to her new life in the peaceful fishing village.

She carries with her no trace of her previous life or the past she has left behind.

Quickly she becomes an object of fascination among the locals; one in particular finds that he is falling in love with her.

But can anyone really have a new life?
What happened to this woman’s old life?
And what price did she pay to escape it?

When secrets long buried explode into the light, they will change the lives of everyone around her.

‘Who She Was’ by Tony Parsons

One of the most crucial aspects of any novel is the development of its characters. Sadly, ‘Who She Was’ fails to deliver in this regard. Tom, the central character, never truly comes to life on the pages. His motivations, desires, and struggles remain shallow and underdeveloped, leaving readers disconnected from his journey. ‘Who She Was’ also suffers from inconsistent pacing throughout its pages. The story drags in some sections, making it difficult to maintain interest, while rushing through others, leaving readers feeling disoriented. This inconsistency disrupts the flow of the narrative and prevents readers from fully immersing themselves in the story. The emotional depth of the story remains shallow, leaving readers detached from the characters and their experiences.

‘Who She Was’ by Tony Parsons falls short of being anything other than alright. The novel’s lackluster character development, predictability, inconsistent pacing, and absence of emotional depth make it a disappointing read. While every reader’s taste varies, this particular work failed to leave a lasting positive impression on me.

BALANCE ACTIVE FORMULA SKINCARE REVIEW

Post contains gifted products. All views are my own.

Did you know that Balance Active Formula is available to buy in Home Bargains?!

The budget skincare brand offers a variety of products that are ingredients-led, focusing on high levels of actives that provide a targeted solution to different skin types!

It’s never been easier to educate yourself and gain an understanding into what you’re really smothering your face with, plus the formulations are backed up by science and that’s always a relief!

To begin with I started with the AHA + BHA Retexturising 10% + BHA 2% Serum (£4.99) which is formulated with Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to deeply exfoliate, brighten and improve skin texture!

It’s the perfect way to strip things back and start afresh!

The Gold + Marine Collagen Hydrogel Under Eye Masks (£3.99) and Gold + Marine CollagenHydrogel Under Lip Mask (£3.99) duo felt like a real treat and stayed firmly in place which was a revelation all on its own as I’ve found in the past that lip masks in particular are slippery little sods!

Colloidal Gold is a hero ingredient which is known for its healing properties and leaves you with a radiant glow whilst Marine Collagen helps to smooth and protect skin structure, so with that in mind I decided to follow the eye and lip masks with the matching Gold + Marine Collagen Rejuvenating Serum (£4.99), going for gold as it were.

Other benefits include…

Firmer looking skin.

A glowing, smoother looking complexion.

Reduced appearance of lines and wrinkles!

However, with a serum for every skincare concern you can’t go wrong. I was also sent the Vitamin C Brightening Serum (£4.99) which is lightweight and non-greasy with a radiant finish. It contains two forms of stabilised Vitamin C that will help to reduce the appearance of age spots and leave you with a more even-looking skin tone!

On the other hand, you could always go with the Niacinamide Blemish Recovery Serum (£4.99). This water-based formulation with can be used every day to help reduce blemishes, improve skin texture and encourage a healthy complexion. I found Niacinamide an absolute lifesaver through lockdown and constant mask wearing so it’s absolutely worth it’s weight in gold to me!

And just like that, skincare on a budget has never been so easy.

Get yourselves to Home Bargains immediately!

‘THE BRIDE’ BY JOHN NICHOLL REVIEW

This post contains details of a book that I was gifted by NetGalley. All views are my own.

‘The Bride’ by John Nicholl is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This novel is a perfect blend of suspense and mystery that will leave you wanting more.

The story follows Daisy as she writes about her past so that her unborn child might one day understand how she came to be in the position she has found herself in. Her life has taken take a dark turn, one she claims to have never expected but it spins becomes clear that nothing is what it seems.

She’s on trial for murder… Now it’s her turn to tell her story…

The truth is that I loved James with my whole heart. We were soulmates: meant to be together forever. On the morning of our wedding, I had just found out I was carrying his child.

But it’s time to tell my side of the story. It’s time everyone knew what happened on that wedding day, on our honeymoon, and on that fateful last drive together. It’s time everyone found out about the secrets and about the threat that loomed over our marriage. It’s time everyone found out who really killed James.

And I need everyone to believe me. To believe I’m not a killer. Because if they don’t, then my baby won’t just have no father… she’ll have no mother.

The Bride by John Nicholl

John Nicholl does an excellent job of building tension throughout the novel. The pacing is perfect, and the plot twists are unexpected and satisfying. Daisy felt well developed as a character and although I would say she was anything but likeable, I felt myself drawn in and very invested in her fates.

One of the most impressive aspects of ‘The Bride’ is how Nicholl tackles difficult subject matter such as death, violence and mental illness. He does so in a sensitive and thoughtful way that adds depth to the story without feeling exploitative.

Overall, ‘The Bride’ is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. John Nicholl has crafted a masterful tale that will leave readers breathless. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you up all night, this is the one for you.

‘AFTER YOU WERE GONE’ BY VIKKI WAKEFIELD – BOOK REVIEW

This post contains details of a book that I was gifted by NetGalley. All views are my own.

I love a story told over multiple perspectives but Vikki Wakefield goes one better and weaves a tale that spans decades, with three timelines in particular. Before, after and now is where you will find all you need to unravel and piece together a mystery that few will understand until it’s too late.

In a busy street market, Abbie lets go of six-year-old Sarah’s hand. She isn’t a bad mother, just exhausted. When she turns around, her daughter isn’t there.

Six years later, Abbie is in love and getting married. But her fragile peace is constantly threatened: not knowing what happened to Sarah is like living with a curse.

Then she receives a phone call from an unknown number.

A man claims to know what happened to Sarah, but if Abbie tells anyone or fails to follow his instructions, she’ll never find out.
How far will Abbie go to know the truth?

After You Were Gone by Vikki Wakefield

Each character was incredibly well written, flaws and all and it was easy to find yourself identifying with or disliking them all, especially Abbie’s mother who was toxic, frustrating and overwhelmingly sad in equal measures.

Abbie is forced to estrange herself from everyone she cares about and this is painful to witness. Whilst I found the story entertaining it was at times a little unbelievable, but then again, isn’t life just kind of like that?

If I could give a future reader any advice it would be to pay attention. Pay attention to anything and everything because you never know what might become relevant later on. It really was VERY clever.

After You Were Gone’ was an intense coming-of-age, cautionary tale that felt tough to read at times. Wakefield’s writing style really enthrals the reader, creating a dark and almost suffocating atmosphere.

Ultimately I found the story a thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced and well written read that I would highly recommend if you’re after something with a mystery that is going to keep you guessing right until the end.

Although some will fine it an uncomfortable read, I urge you to persevere as the twist is genuinely something I didn’t see coming.

‘YOURS TRULY’ BY ABBY JIMENEZ – BOOK REVIEW

This post contains details of a book that I was gifted by NetGalley. All views are my own.

Having spent the last four months fully submerged in all things thriller, the grittier the better, ‘Yours Truly’ was a much needed breath of fresh air and I am so glad that I was able to dip my toe back into the world of romance and comedy. It made me realise how important it is for me to diversify my reading. Both professionally and for my mental health, because this book was like a warm hug on a bad day. A hot water bottle, fluffy blanket and bar of chocolate all in one.

Dr Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalised, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants . . . ? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s ‘pain in my ass’ scale. 

But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter. It’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her ‘sob closet’ and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. 

When Jacob turns out to be the perfect donor for her brother, Bri starts to realise that this quietly sexy new doctor might just be her perfect match, too.

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

I’m not going to lie to you, I both love and loathe a fake relationship trope. It’s been done to death but I also adore just how clumsy and dramatic it all is. That being said, Abby Jimenez took something that could have potentially been a completely overdone fiasco and made it feel brand new.

Abby Jimenez is an expert in character development and creating well-rounded, realistic personalities that just jump from the page and come to life in front of your eyes. Brianna Ortiz was someone I absolutely would want to be friends with. She was strong and sassy but ultimately vulnerable and full of raw magnetism. I just adored her! Then there was Jacob…

I have NEVER loved a romantic interest as much as Jacob. He was equal parts sweet, stubborn and hilarious. He felt entirely real, well fleshed out and identifiable. If anything, Jacob was much more me than Brianna, a fact which I was totally ok with, and that has never happened before. Getting to know him as a character allowed me to view the parts of myself that I see as flaws in a totally different light and for that I am so thankful.

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a well-written romance or is in need of a good laugh or cry! You’ll find it all there in between the pages of this absolute gem that I am almost certain to return to again and again. I can’t wait to read more from Abby!

UNICORN COSMETICS PEACH SPONGE LAUNCH PARTY!

Tell me you had the time of your life, without telling me you had the time of your life…

I’ll go first! 🍑

I had the absolutely pleasure of attending the Unicorn Cosmetics Peach Sponge Launch Party at Little Fant Farm and honestly, I made a new core memory!

The weather was absolutely scorching too which made for a beautiful day in a stunning location, surrounding by the best people!

The UC Team are some of the best people I have ever met and made us all feel so welcome. I’m so over the moon to have met them all as well as the talented creators I had the honour of attending with!

The food was incredible with delights such as a buffet style afternoon tea and the most AMAZING cocktail sausages I have ever eaten. I don’t know how they did it but I’m pretty sure no others will ever compare now for the rest of my life.

From giant garden games to constantly flowing peach inspired cocktails, the team thought of absolutely everything and I feel so lucky to have been invited. What an absolute dream come true it was to be surrounded by some of the most talented creators in the business!

Thank you so much for having me Unicorn Cosmetics!

That Peach Sponge is groundbreaking, you heard it here first 😉 🍑

BONDI SANDS SKINCARE REVIEW

Post contains gifted products. All views are my own.

Bondi Sands are obviously known for their iconic tanning range, but did you know they also dabble in skincare?

I was very kindly sent a selection of products that have been a really great introduction to the brand.

So let’s jump in!

Bondi Babe Clay Mask £11.99

The Bondi Babe purifying clay mask detoxifies skin for a clearer complexion.

It’s enriched with Blue Spirulina Extract, Bentonite Clay and Matcha to reduce redness and draw out impurities so you’re left with firm and glowing skin!

Thirsty Skin Hyaluronic Acid Serum £8.99

Hyaluronic Acid will forever be one of my favourite skincare essentials so the Thirsty Skin Serum was always going to be a winner!

Designed to intensely hydrate your skin and lock in moisture for plump and perky skin.

It has a surprisingly tacky finish which also makes it a great primer.

We love to see a multipurpose product 👏🏻

Sweet Dreams Night Moisturiser £10.99

I’m ashamed to say that as a self confessed oily gal I actually used to avoid moisturisers. YIKES!

Ignorance certainly isn’t always bliss guys!

The Sweet Dreams Night Moisturiser is a super nourishing treat that provides up to 72 hours of hydration. So if you want plump, perky skin, this one is for you as it is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Wild Hibiscus Flower and Algae for all of the moisture you could ever want.

I’m so pleased that I’ve had the opportunity to tests out these beauties by Bondi Sands and will definitely be looking to get my hands on some more of their products!

TESTING BRIDAL MAKEUP – MAKEUP REVOLUTION

I’m getting married in less than three months so let’s test out some products I think would be perfect for my wedding day!

I’ve always known the sort of vibe I wanted which I would say is in part traditional bridal, however, I want a red lip and that is non negotiable…

…and so the search for the perfect hue began!

Stiletto is a fabulous shade, a gorgeous deep red that just screams ‘Hollywood Starlet’.

The slightly darker tone of ‘Stiletto’ will have you feeling like the main character on your wedding day (as you should!). The ultimate goal right?

Revolution Pro New Neutral Satin Matte Lipstick £6

Revolution Pro New Neutral Lip Liner £5

For just £11 you can purchase the lipstick and liner, which are a creamy, pigmented dream with nourishing properties. Also, can we just take about that packaging? Luxury on a budget is totally my vibe!

Lipstick aside, I love few things more than a good blush. Pair that with my ever growing infatuation with cream, liquid or balm formulas and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a Hydra Bright Cream Blush review!

I chose shade ‘Peach’ which is the perfect mix of subtle and statement. The gold undertones reflect the light to create a luminous glow that is just ideal for bridal makeup and I am such a fan already!

The formula is infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E & Shea Butter so combines skincare goodness with a flawless, dewy finish and I am all about that life.

Revolution Pro Hydra Bright Cream Blush £6

The True Love Eye & Cheek Palette is your all inclusive transformation station, themed perfectly for the day you walk down the aisle towards the love of your life!

The 7-shade palette for eyes, face and cheeks features a range of complimentary shades in both matte and foil formulas all encased in the most beautiful of packages!

I felt like a proper glowing goddess with this little beaut!

Revolution Pro True Love Eye & Cheek Palette £9

Last but certainly not least was something a little bit different for me, but hey, variety is the spice of life! Am I right?

The Revolution Beauty Fragrance Collection has been around for a hot minute now and I can’t believe I’m only just giving it a go!

Timeless is a classic mix of fruit and florals with some deeper, spice undertones thrown in for a bit of oomph! It’s such a gorgeous scent and that price tag is definitely Boo Approved!

Revolution Purse Spray £4

All products are also Cruelty Free!

So, what do you think? Have you seen anything you like?