BEAUTY EMPTIES | JUNE 2024

I'm very aware that this supposed lifestyle blog has turned solely into book reviews, so to break it up a bit I'm taking it back to basics and throwing back to the blogging of yore. What screams 2014 Blogspot more than a monthly roundup of accumulated beauty empties?

With no further ado, here's June's...

ARC REVIEW: THE SUSPECT | ROB RINDER

The Suspect by Rob Rinder
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Suspect is the second novel from Rob Rinder - yes, Judge Rinder - and seeing as I love that man I was thrilled when I was approved to read ahead of publication.

Last year’s The Trial introduced us to junior barrister Adam Green, and The Suspect follows him as he realises the case before him is not as straightforward as it seems; the nation’s sweetheart morning TV presenter dies live on screen, a celebrity chef is the prime suspect for her murder, and a web of deceit and lies is uncovered in the quest for the truth.

ARC REVIEW: ONLY HERE, ONLY NOW | TOM NEWLANDS

Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cora Mowat is a 14-year-old girl growing up in Fife, dreaming of making something of her life in the hustle and bustle of Glasgow. Living with her disabled mum, navigating her way with boys, and battling with undiagnosed ADHD, Cora is the epicentre of a novel that I dare say has all the makings of becoming a modern classic.

ARC REVIEW: THE KING'S WITCHES | KATE FOSTER

The King's Witches by Kate Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another ARC review here, this time it's The King’s Witches by Kate Foster. I requested this one as I’m feeling the historical fiction lately, plus there’s witches, plus the cover is beautiful.

MY VSG JOURNEY: WHY AM I DOING IT?

Hello!

I thought it was time to have a chat about something massive that’s impending for me, and to discuss the reasons around why I’m choosing to do such a thing. 

That’s me now. Note I never post body shots anywhere online, but you’re about to get some at the end of this post. 

In August I’ll be travelling to Turkey to undergo a gastric sleeve operation. This decision has not come lightly, and follows years of umming, ahhing, and endless research. I’ve chosen to go with Booking Surgery for the procedure, and my surgeon will be Dr Katar.

BOOK CLUB 4: WEYWARD | EMILIA HART 🎧

This month I decided to try something new for the book club book; listening to the monthly pick. Spotify have recently started to include 15 free audiobook hours per month for subscribers, so I thought why not? Weyward was the pick of the month for April, and I think I'm onto something...

Still Brave

I've been toying with the idea of sharing my fiction writing for a little while now. I've not written anything new for a while, but I am expanding on ideas that have been long-shelved and getting a little kick out of losing myself in my own words again. I've been digging through my archives and have a few bits I'd like to share. Not all in one go, not literary works of wonderment, just something I enjoy doing. 

First up is this piece of flash fiction that I wrote in 2021, and came about following a prompt about a Disney princess...