Book Review: Pug Actually by Matt Dunn

Pug, Actually is a light hearted romance written by Matt Dunn. The main character and narrator of the story is Doug the Pug, a 15/20lb dog who is determined to play matchmaker for his mistress (Julie). Julie rescued Doug and now he feels he should rescue her from Luke. Doug despises Julie’s current boyfriend,  Luke who is married and also her boss. Doug decides Tom would be great for Julie, even though he is a V.E.T. and the storyline is written from Doug’s perspective as he tries to set them up. 

This is an amusing light hearted Rom-com written from a doggy perspective. I especially enjoyed Doug musing about why there shouldn’t be lost cat posters because cats can’t read! This is one of my favourite books I have read so far this year. Loved it. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Harper Collins in exchange for a honest review.  #netgalley #gifted

 

Book Review: The Marriage by K.L.Slater

The Marriage, written by K.L. Slater is a psychological thriller novel. Tom and Jesse have been friends since childhood, as have their mothers, Bridget and Jill. Their friendships ended in 2009, the second Tom punched Jesse in a nightclub brawl Sentanced for manslaughter and got set to prison for 10 years he enters into a prison restoration program and contacts Bridget to show her how much he regrets his actions. They marry in secret whilst he is in prison. In 2019 Tom is released. He tells Jill that he has married Bridget. She is concerned Bridget wants revenge for only son’s death and is appalled at the 20 year age gap between them. He is now the step-grandfather to Jesse’s young son, Ellie, who is confused as to why his father’s killer would marry his grandmother. Coral, Ellie’s mother and Ellie cannot stand Tom. 

A well paced novel which has many unexpected twists and turns. The Marriage tells readers about what happened during that fateful night, 10 years ago and the subsequent effect it has on both families.  The novel concentrated mostly on Jill and Bridget, writing in the first person, who are the main characters in the plot. Chapters relating to Tom and the police officers are in the third.  Is Bridget looking for revenge, forgiveness or does she really love him? 

I received this book via Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for a honest review.  #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: The Guilty Husband by Stephanie DeCarolis

The Guilty Husband is a debut mystery/ Suspense novel written by Stephanie DeCarolis 

Vince Taylor and Nicole have been happily married for many years. Layla comes to work as an intern at the technology firm Vince is the CEO. Surprise: Vince and Layla have an affair. Layla is murdered in Central Park with no witnesses, and Vince is convicted by the media. He has told a few small lies to protect his perfect marriage image and ensure he isn’t accused of murder but he doesn’t know who to turn to or who he can trust. 

This novel is written in the first person for all characters which isn’t a literary device I particularly enjoy as it can get confusing as the narration moves between the characters. I didn’t find the characters particularly likeable, especially Detective Allison  Barnes. The storyline was well thought out and the murderer was a surprise, so although I didn’t enjoy the way the storyline was presented I did enjoy the premise of the novel. 

I received this book via Netgalley and HQ in exchange for a honest review.  #netgalley #gifted

 

Book Review: Stolen in her Wedding Gown by Amanda Cinelli

Stolen In Her Wedding Gown is written by Amanda Cinelli and published by Mills and Boon Modern. Priya is about to walk down the aisle for her very fancy socialite Manhattan wedding. Unfortunately her groom has other ideas and has run off to be with someone else. The wedding was a business transaction which would save her father’s business. She, therefore, marries Eros, the erstwhile groom’s half brother  instead.  Priya married to save the family business. Eros marries as he needs to be married before his brother (and stay married for a year) to claim his inheritance. 

Both characters seem rather bitter. Eros that he is the illegitimate brother, Priya that her family do not recognise her successes. The chemistry is obvious between the two characters but is it sustainable when they are not alone on their private island and have to deal with real life. 

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: Nine Months To Claim Her by Natalie Anderson

Book 2 of the Rebels, Brothers and Billionaires series is Nine Months To Claim Her is written by Natalie Anderson and published by M&B Modern. 

Billionaire CEO Leo Castle is mistaken by Rose(anna) Gold as a security guard at at the he opening of an apartment complex owned by Castle Holdings, whilst she is mistaken by him as a waitress. Her parents, who own an interior design company had worked on the project but as they could not attend had sent Rosanna instead. Leo catches Rosanna breaking off a leaf and the chemistry goes from there. They realise their mistaken identities when Rosanna accompanied her mother to a meeting at Castle Holdings. She also discovers she is pregnant with twins. Will Leo and Rosannas’ childhoods prevent their HEA?

I enjoyed this book because the characters are relatable to the reader. Rose changed her name as she hated that it was Rose Gold and that it was expected that she would take over the family interior design business whereas in reality she was interested in horticulture. She has never been the perfect daughter, never got high enough grades, had scoliosis and didn’t want to be a socialite. Leo is the black sheep, the illegitimate son, who watched his mother work herself into an early grave.  He is now a workaholic due to the guilt he feels about his mother’s death. The complexities of the two main characters is interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I purchased this novel myself and the views expressed in my blog are my own 

Review: UNISA Yadria Metal Effect Girl’s Espadrilles

 I have tiny feet (size 2UK/34), cannot walk in heels and can’t look down to buckle or tie shoes up. At 45(ish) I dont want to wear shoes with sparkles, sequins or glitter on them. I found the Unisa website in 2019 and purchased the Unisa metal effect silver Yadria espadrilles in a 34. They have a metallic silver leather upper and a combination of a braided jute and a EVA rubber track sole. The espadrilles fasten with a Velcro closure. I didn’t review them to when I purchased them as my mum had just died so I stopped posting for a while. I thought as I have worn these constantly for two summers and still going strong I would review them now.

The kid’s espadrilles cost £69,90 on the UNISA Website, but they aren’t shipping to the U.K. at the present time due to Brexit. Amazon does have a smaller collection of both UNISA adult and childrens’ shoes. £69.90 does seem expensive for a pair of children’s shoes but they are well made, last a long time and they are comfortable. In the photos I have compared photos I took when I purchased them in June 2019 and taken similar photos two years later to show how well they keep their shape, colour etc.  I have wide feet and the leather part of the shoe fitted and was comfortable straight away, no rubbing. I didn’t get any rubbing on the back of my heel from the braided material and the Velcro is easy to fasten without having to look down. I like the look of gold thread that is woven into the jute sole as it makes the shoes look slightly different to the average espadrille. 

When UNISA manage to figure out the extra  work that Brexit created I will purchase a pair of the kid’s Yadria suede effect espadrilles. I know that they will last for years and will be comfortable to wear due to the excellent workmanship and care that has gone into their design and manufacture. 

                         

 I purchased this item myself and the views expressed in my blog are my own 

Review: Paul & Joe Matte Beige Powder

The Paul & Joe Matte Beige Powder (LE) contains SPF 25, UVA and UVB protection . The pressed powder is also designed  to control sebum as it contains a sebum absorbing powder. The pressed powder is released each spring in a limited edition and matching pouch. The ladybird version is from last year - I forgot to post the review! The pouch and compact come in a gift set costing £28 and this version is still available via Amazon. 

The powder can be applied with either a brush or the puff which comes in the compact. I prefer using the puff as it gives more coverage. My skin does get very greasy and sweaty in hot weather and I found that when I applied the powder it was less noticeable and less like an oil slick. The compact comes with a mirror which is always handy and it is a cute refillable compact to have. The powder does feel silky and finely milled and there is little fall out. The powder has a cat face imprint which is cute. This does get rubbed out quite quickly as it is surprising how much powder is needed to cover your face when using a puff

 I wouldn’t use this SPF product by itself, I always wear an SPF lotion on my face but it is great as a back up and to use to control my sebum. What I don’t like about the compact is the lack of shades. The beige tone looks nice on me but I am very fair, if I do use fake tan or catch the sun it looks very unnatural so I imagine it would look ashy on darker skin tones. 

I purchased the item myself and the views expressed in my blog are my own 

Review: Hyssop Plant

As mentioned in my two previous posts I planted some plants/herbs in memoir my precious cat who died in April. I decided to plant two hyssop plants as when they flower they have a pretty bluish/ purple flower which attracts bees.  

Hyssop is a bushy evergreen herb.  The flowers have a minty taste and can be made in to tea. I purchased my 2 plants from Perfect Plants via Amazon. Each one cost £5.99 plus £5.37 postage. They arrived safely And were carefully packaged. All I had to do was unpack them and put them in the compost.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of my first planting experience and would recommend/ use this company again. 

I purchased these items myself and the views expressed in my blog are my own 

Review: Serenity Garden Planter

As mentioned in my previous post I decided to plant some flowers in memory of my cat. As a complete novice starting from scratch I decided to look on Amazon and found these 2 large planters for £16.95 including delivery. 

Each planter measures 21cm (H) x 31cm (top diameter, base diameter 18cm). 10litres of compost filled it to the top. They are made from plastic, so not that heavy even when filled with compost and have 5 holes in the base for drainage. The planters are a greenish/blueish colour depending upon the sun and have a white floral pattern etched in. I like them and feel they were good value when compared to the reviews of other planters in this price range.  

Review: Westland Multipurpose Compost

To take my mind off the loss of my precious cat I decided to plant two small plants in his memory. The compost I purchased/ used was Westland multipurpose compost with added John Innes. I purchased it via Amazon with prime and each 10litre bag cost £3.95 including next day delivery.

The bags aren’t resealable but are made from sturdy plastic so it would be easy to roll the bag down and clip it if you want to store any left over. The peat felt light and fluffy and was easy to pour then manipulate where I wanted it to go. It didn’t clump  and retained water when I was watering my new plants rather than just filtering straight through.  The peat contains both nutrients to feed plants for up to five weeks and the added John Innes formula retains and releases nutrients and water for longer.  

This is my first time venturing into buying compost, plants etc and I feel using this compost made the process easy and enjoyable. 

I purchased this item myself and the views expressed in my blog are my own 

#win Winnie the Pooh Balloon Necklace

 This month’s rafflecopter/blog competition prize is a Couture Kingdom Winnie the Pooh Balloon necklace. Made from 14k high shine yellow gold plate and encrusted with little red gems, this necklace is gorgeous.

Enter here >>>> a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules;

Must complete mandatory rafflecopter option

Competition is open worldwide 

Closing date 30 June 2021 11.59pm GMT. 

Competition is not affiliated with Couture Kingdom.