The Happiness List - by Annie Lyons

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb: 

Life is about to change forever…

Heather is finally back on Hope Street after running from the memories for so long. She hasn’t bumped into many neighbours yet but with her upcoming wedding to plan there’s plenty to keep her busy!

Fran is still trying to get used to a life without her husband by her side. It’s hard enough raising two children on her own – she doesn’t have time to even think about dating…

Pamela is fed up with being taken for granted by her grown-up children and grumbling husband. She’s ready to shake things up a little, but will her family even notice?

So when the three women hear about a ‘happiness course’ starting on Hope Street, surely it’s the perfect opportunity to let their hair down, laugh with new friends and maybe even change their lives in ways they never expected…

Don’t miss The Happiness List, a delightfully uplifting story from bestselling author Annie Lyons, coming soon!

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Three women, three different stories, but they all meet in a happiness course on Hope Street.

Heather is engaged, but her fiancé is never there, his only excuse: “I will make it up to you.” She is back on Hope Street, back where all her memories are. 

Fran’s a widow, who has to raise two children and is still not over her husband’s death. 

Pamela has grown-up children and a very grumpy husband. She definitely needs a change. 

The form a friendship and become part of each other’s lives. They can all relate to each other on a certain way, which makes their bond even stronger. Their lives are about to change, because they learn about happiness and mindfulness and they are ready for these alterations. 

The story had a natural and beautiful flow, I loved following these characters. The friendship aspect in this book is fabulous and Annie Lyons captured it beautifully. 

It’s predictable at parts, but the ending was very open. Certain parts in between were a bit obvious, but that also kept the story authentic and real. This is a very lovely ad uplifting book, it put a huge smile on my face and I couldn’t stop smiling. 

Friendship, romance, relationships, family and all connected to being happy and how to get there. I absolutely ADORED this cute story!

Rating:

Annie Lyons on Twitter: @1AnnieLyons

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

2018 Favourites - January to June

It's Favorites time again!!!

At the moment I really love water with either fruit, herbs or vegetables in. It gives the water a fresh and exciting taste. My fave combination is cucumber, lime and peppermint. 

Another year, another Tarte palette. I have wanted this one for a really long time. The colours are perfect!!!

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Vol. I

I know, they were in my last favorites, but I just LOVE them!

Sunglasses - Mr Boho

After coming back from San Fran, I started rematching Charmed and it's still one of my faves, I adore it! Seeing all the SF places now, is very special as well. Season 6 is still the best, what do you think?!

Next up, we have some lipsticks. The first one is a chubby stick from Clinique. It's called "two ton tomato". I usually wear it everyday, because it just helps bring out my natural lip color. 

The other two are from MAC, called "Lustering" (pink) and "See Sheer". Both colours are just great!

Clinique - Chubby Stick Two Ton Tomato

MAC - Lustering

MAC - See Sheer

One of two Coach bags. This is a little one in light blue. Perfect for a night out. 

Coach

This one is bigger and you can even make it more bigger. The red is fab and it fits so many things!

I bought both bags at an outlet store, where they usually have a very different selection to the actual store. 

Coach

In my city we are organizing a big choir night. 3 1 choirs will participate and sing in the old town. I will be with two choirs. To raise some money for it, we have these blue bands with the website on it. I wear it everyday and you can also use it as a hairband. 

Last but not least, we have hand lettering. I have this book to practice in and bought lots of pens for it. I write down quotes and other things. I'm not very good at it, but it's so much fun and very relaxing. 

The Cottage on Sunshine Beach - by Holly Martin

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb: 

The stunning new summer story from the bestselling author of Summer at Buttercup Beach. Step into the delightful seaside village of Sandcastle Bay, where you’ll discover golden sand, welcoming smiles and an unforgettable romance… 

Melody Rosewood loves her new home in idyllic Sandcastle Bay. The beautiful little cottage on the edge of Sunshine Beach, with its bright yellow door and view of the sea has captured her heart. And she loves being close by to her family and best friend Tori Graham. 

Life by the sea is pretty much perfect, there’s just one thing missing… 

Gorgeous Jamie Jackson, with his cheeky grin and adorable puppy, works as a sculptor opposite Melody’s jewellery shop. From the moment he and Melody meet sparks fly. But despite their instant attraction, a past heartache is holding Jamie back. 

As Melody starts to make a life for herself in the close-knit, quirky seaside community, she realises Jamie could be the one for her. But as the two of them take a chance on romance, it’s one dating disaster after another. Are they destined to always be just good friends? 

Or will Melody finally find her happily-ever-after in Sandcastle Bay? 

A perfect, feel-good summer read that will make you want to escape to the beach for a romantic day in the sun. If you enjoy reading Sarah Morgan, Jenny Oliver and Lucy Diamond this book is for you. 

My Opinion:

 *Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

 We are back in Sandcastle Bay and I couldn't be happier! I was hoping for Melody to get her own story told and here we are...

I loved following both Melody and Jamie, because they had instant attraction and the sparks between them were intense. The past is holding Jamie back though, it's hard for him to commit to a relationship again. 

We also got to catch up with some familiar characters again, like Tori and Aiden, which was lovely. I love this community of people and Sandcastle Bay is just the perfect place. I absolutely adore Holly Martin's descriptive and detailed writing. She takes you right into a story and makes it magical and unique. 

Melody and Jamie share some special moments and Holly Martin captured them beautifully. It's full of emotions, humor and love. 

Holly Martin has a real gift of creating these wonderful places you never want to leave again. Her writing is passionate and authentic. This is a definite must read!!!

Rating:

Holly Martin on Twitter: @HollyMAuthor

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Fashion Corner - Suede Jacket

Fashion Corner time! With this lovely burgundy suede jacket. 

I know, it's not the right season for this, but it's the last  one of these, because next time, I'll have some outfits from my holidays in the States. This burgundy suede jacket is from Nile. I love the color, it's fab for autumn, winter or cold days in March. I usually combine it with black. Here I'm wearing my shirt from Maje, my leather looking trousers from Massimo Dutti and the booties are from Nero Giardini. 

- Jacket: Nile

- Trousers: Massimo Dutti

- Shirt: Maje (similar)

- Booties: Nero Giardini

- Bag: Coach (similar)

My San Francisco Top 10

San Francisco is my new favorite city, "I left my heart in San Fran", as you say ;). The city has so much to offer, I spent seven days there and it was not enough. Here are my Top Ten things to do in the city, in no particular order:
- Coit Tower: Omg, the view from up there is incredible. You can see downtown, the Bay bridge, Golden Gate bridge, Lombard Street, Alcatraz and the surrounding land. It's AMAZING!! It costs 7$ and it's totally worth it. 

- Twin Peaks: Speaking of views, absolutely incredible. A little hike is included to get to the top and up there what you see is fab! You see down to the city and all around it, you can also see Golden Gate bridge. When I was up there it was a bit foggy, so the bridge was barely visible, loved it! It's also close to the Castro district, which is always worth a visit. 

- Alamo Square/Painted Ladies: These Victorian houses look fab next to each other. On top of that you have a fab park to hang out at und a view of the city in the background. 

- Bike Ride over Golden Gate Bride/Vista Point: You see the bridge from different angles, stop at Palace of Fine Arts and then on the beach along the way. It's perfect for pictures. On the other side of the bride there is Vista Point, you get a fab look on the bridge and of course it's another great place for photos. 

- Alcaraz: You get to see the city from the water and then explore the prison. It's very interesting and the audio tour is great! You also get another view of Golden Gate bride and the city. 

- Shopping/Union Square: Macy's, Bloomingdale's, a shopping centre, all you need! And Union Square is very pretty too!!!

- Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf: Sea Lions, water, lots of restaurants. It's just so much fun to hang out there. The place to go: Boudin, where you can have clam chowder in sour dough bread (it's a must!)

- Cable Car: A must in San Francisco! It's 7$, but the ticket is pretty and you can get from the water to the centre or the other way round. 

- Day Trips: Must sees are Muir Woods, Monterey, Carmel, the 17 Mile Drive and of course also Yosemite National Park. The area around SF has so much to offer. 

- Sunset Cruise: Omg, it's just so pretty!!! Being on the water, enjoying a few drinks and looking at the sunset with Golden Gate bride. 

Of course there are more highlights to see and do in the city, but I had to narrow it down to ten, right?! Other fab places: Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square/Factory, Ferry Building Market Place and lots of fab restaurants. San Fran is great for Sushi. 

While I Was Sleeping - by Dani Atkins

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb: 

A brand new and brilliant emotional family drama for fans of Jojo Moyes and Dorothy Koomson, from the bestselling author of Fractured.

I don't remember what happened or what has changed.

I can still hear your voices but you can't seem to hear me.

I was about to be married and had everything to look forward to.

Now I have to find a way back - to you, to our family, to us.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

This is going to be one of my BOOKS OF THE YEAR!!!

I know this now already, because it was absolutely BRILLIANT!!! On so many levels…

Imagine waking up from a coma six years later… Maddie was happily engaged to Ryan and four days before her wedding she is involved in a terrible accident. For the people around her everything changed, they kind of had to move on, when she wakes up again everything seems the same for her, but it’s obviously not. 

Ryan is now married and has a daughter. There is actually much more behind it. Maddie slowly gets into her life again, but things are weird, especially with Ryan and his new wife. 

Dani Atkins has hooked me from the start. She described the day of Maddie’s accident and I felt like standing next to her. The tension was high and I felt something bad was going to happen. Then we move six years to the future, Maddie wakes up. We read it all from Maddie’s perspective. Dani Atkins captured her feelings beautifully. It’s so emotional and touching and I just wanted to help Maddie and be there for her. After a while we also get to read Chloe’s perspective. She is Ryan’s wife and it opened a totally different side to the story. I was angry at her first, but things got clear about how she and Ryan got together. I think this is a brilliant way to tell the story and the idea behind this book is fabulous!!!

I loved reading how Maddie, Chloe and Ryan found a way to all life together. I don’t want to give away too much here, but I really adored how the storyline developed. It had a wonderful flow. 

This book absolutely touched my heart. I don’t think I ever cried so much, reading a book. It’s heart-breaking, poignant, moving and tear-jerking. 

The ending of the book made me speechless!!!

Rating:

Dani Atkins on Twitter: @AtkinsDani

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

The Sunshine Blogger Award

Thank you Heidi for tagging me. Loved reading your answers. I guess it’s my turn now. Here is how it works: answer the 11 questions posed by the person who nominated you and then to come up with 11 new questions to ask 11 other bloggers. Here we go: 

1. Which advice would you give your younger self?

Believe in yourself and stay yourself no matter what!!!

2. What were your reasons behind starting a blog?

That’s an easy one: My love for books, especially women’s fiction. I read some Paige Toone and Jane Costello books and started writing down my thoughts on them. Now, my blog has changed a lot obviously, but I’m still a book blogger. 

3. What has been your blogging highlight so far?

Meeting so many fab authors and blogging friends. Some oft hem are very close friends now and I’m very garteful for that. 

4. Which book are you currently reading?

Make or Break by Catherine Bennetto

5. Who are your favourite bloggers/vloggers?

Bloggers: Alba in Bookland, Laura Patricia Rose, Em Shedon, Moorenita

Vloggers: EM Sheldon, Niomi Smart, Fleur de Force

6. Which location has been your favourite holiday destination?

Florida! I just love Siesta Key, the beach, the sunshine and also the shopping in the States ;). 

7. What’s your favourite time of the year?

Spring, because I love when the days are getting longer and warmer again. Plus, I always have big holidays planned in spring. 

8. What would be your ideal working environment?

I love being a teacher and being surrounded by kids everyday. It’s great explaining them something and seeing them understanding the concept. The team around me is really important as well and the infastructure. Tecnical things tend to be annyoing at school, so I definitely see potential there. 

9. What’s your favourite social media channel?

Instagram, I love taking photos and posting them on there. You also so get great inspiration on Instagram. 

10. Do you have any bad habits?

Hmm, I’m sometimes pealing the skin around my skin and I guess I like coffee a bit too much ;). 

11. Do you still keep in contact with your friends from school?

With some of them yes, but mostly on facebook ;). 

I’m tagging Alba, Maryline, Kayla and everyone else, who would like to do it. Here are my questions: 

1.     If you could live abroud, where would you live and why?

2.     Your favourite meal? From starts, to main course to dessert. 

3.     What’s your favourite thing about blogging?

4.     Who is your celebrity crush?

5.     What was the inspiration for your blig name?

6.     Who is your favourite author and why?

7.     What’ your favorite tv series?

8.     What’s your favourite memory from your childhood?

9.     Where to do you see yourself in five years?

10.  What was your dream job as a child?

11.  Your favourite book oft he year so far?

Fashion Corner - Pleated Maxi Skirt

Today's Fashion Corner is dedicated to this fab maxi skirt.

This maxi skirt is great for winter, of course you can also wear it in summer though. It black and goes into royal blue. I bought it from Maje and in this combination I actually combined it with a shirt from Maje and a leather jacket from maje. 

- Skirt: Maje (similar)

- Shirt: Maje (similar)

- Jacket: Maje (similar)

- Booties: Nero Giardini

- Bag: Coach (similar)

Here is a little variation to the look, with a different shirt: 

The shirt is a light roll neck in the blue of the skirt. I paired it with my necklace from Phantasya. 

- Shirt: Sisley

- Necklace: Phantasya