I recently visited Waterstones Piccadilly, so here is a book haul of all the books I bought, ranging across genres from historical fiction to fantasy to romance. This week, I visited Waterstones Piccadilly for the first time with my sister. As book lovers, we knew we had to visit the biggest bookshop in Europe. We spent the entire day in Waterstones, going floor by floor, and came away with quite a big haul. It is definitely a place any reader should visit. Waterstones Piccadilly consists of seven floors and three cafés/restaurants in total. The books are spread across five floors with the Booker Library on the lower ground floor. My sister and I worked our way from the top floor back down to the entrance, browsing every section of every floor. There were so many good books we could have easily bought, but we limited ourselves to five books each. We also bought our mum a book and a couple of Spanish dictionaries for work. But I thought I'd do a quick book haul of the books we bought and what they're about. Historical Fiction The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Since VE Day, I've been wanting to read something related to World War II, whether it was fiction or non-fiction. Kristin Hannah has been praised all over social media, so when I saw that this book was set during WW2, I knew I had to buy it. The Nightingale tells the story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, each making their own dangerous path towards survival in France during the war. Fantasy Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco I've wanted to read this book since reading the Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy, so when I saw it in Waterstones, I was so happy, I knew I had to buy it. Throne of the Fallen tells the story of Envy, one of the seven princes of hell, as he is drawn into a deadly game where he meets Camilla. The two make a bargain and must travel through the underworld, whilst avoiding the most dangerous trap of falling in love. The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare The Shadowhunter universe has expanded with Cassandra Clare writing more and more novels about the characters in that world. The Red Scrolls of Magic is a novel about Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood as their relationship is put to the test while they race across Europe to try and stop a new demon-worshipping cult. Dystopian The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins Suzanne Collins has continued writing in The Hunger Games universe with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes , which tells the story of President Snow. This novel is set prior to The Hunger Games trilogy and explores the life of President Snow and Lucy Gray during the tenth annual Hunger Games. Snow is trying to fix his family's name by mentoring the winning tribute of the Hunger Games, only he's given District 12's Lucy Gray, and things become tougher than he first thought. Magical Realism The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley This book was longlisted in the fiction category of the 2025 Women's Prize and has received rave reviews since its release. The Ministry of Time is about a civil servant being offered a job to gather 'expats' from throughout history to prove the existence of time travel. However, love blossoms, and it's a question of whether love can triumph over the history that we know. Romance Books Beg, Borrow Or Steal by Sarah Adams A classic romance of enemies-to-lovers that is book two in the When In Rome series by Sarah Adams. Beg, Borrow, or Steal tells the story of Emily and Jack, two authors who write under secret identities and are each other's nemesis. But when they're neighbours and forced to become colleagues, the tension reaches an all-time high as Emily needs Jack's help. Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams Practice Makes Perfect is the third book in the When In Rome series by Sarah Adams and is another feel-good romance. It follows the story of Annie, a florist who wonders if the reason she can't find love like that in the movies is because she's the problem. When Will Griffin returns to town, providing security for Annie's soon-to-be sister-in-law, Annie hatches a plan for Will to tutor her in the world of dating, but the line of their friendship soon starts to blur. Happily Never After by Lynn Painter Lynn Painter is a new author to my sister and me, but we were intrigued by her writing due to the praise and the premise of her books. Happily Never After is a romance novel about Sophie, who hires Max to interrupt her wedding and confront her fiancé, as he cheated on her again. Sophie and Max form a plan to work together to expose other cheating partners, but when Max's ex becomes involved, Sophie's got a choice to make: does she take a chance on love? Love Unwritten by Lauren Asher I'm currently reading Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher and loving it, so I knew I had to pick up book two in the series. Love Unwritten , book two in the Lakefront Billionaires series, follows Rafael and Ellie as they navigate their relationship when lines begin to blur past the fact that Ellie works for Rafael as his son's nanny. Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young Hannah Bonam-Young's Next of Kin is an uplifting romance about familial relationships and the power of love bringing people together. It follows Chloe and Warren, two people trying to get custody of their younger siblings. They both join a new initiative that brings them together to qualify for guardianship over their siblings, but living together no longer feels forced when the chemistry between them increases. You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry You and Me on Vacation is the book that my sister and I bought for our mum because we're trying to get her into reading Emily Henry's books. This novel is about Poppy and Alex, who met 12 summers ago. 11 summers ago, they made a pact to vacation with each other once a year. And that goes on for so many more years, except two summers ago, it all went wrong. Now, they're going on one last trip, which could make them realise that they're not 'just friends'. I'm so excited to start reading these books and delving into the different worlds the authors have created. If you've read any of them, feel free to let me know what you thought in the comments below. Until next time...

Revive Me by Nikki Castle is an inspiring standalone sports romance that explores human vulnerability and acceptance in relationships. Since starting my book blog, I've read quite a few Nikki Castle romances. The Fight Game series by Nikki is one of my favourite sports romance series, and her spicy novellas are great for a fun, quick read. It was, therefore, no surprise that I was overjoyed when I received an ARC of Nikki's newest book, Revive Me . This novel comes out on Friday, 16th May and as an avid reader and Nikki Castle fan, I'm going to share my thoughts on Revive Me to convince you to give it a read. My review of Revive Me by Nikki Castle Genre: Sports Romance Tropes: Grumpy x sunshine Injured athlete x Physical therapist Slow burn Forbidden romance Disability rep I'm lucky enough to be part of Nikki Castle's ARC team, and I know that when I receive an ARC from her, I won't be disappointed. I haven't read a book by Nikki that I haven't enjoyed, and Revive Me is just the same. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and finished it in two sittings. It is a bit different to Nikki's other books in that it has less spice and explores disabilities, but that, in my opinion, doesn't make it any less good. In fact, I'd say this is one of my favourite Nikki Castle books so far. Revive Me is a standalone novel, and the synopsis is: I've never read a book about an injured athlete before, and I was excited to dive into Revive Me because of this. I love seeing representation of disabilities in fiction, and I think Nikki executed it incredibly well. So, let's get into what makes Revive Me such a good book. Character thoughts Roman and Liliana are opposites. Throughout the book, we get both of their points of view, which provides us as readers with a wider understanding of the characters and the events happening. The dual POV allows us to see what Roman and Liliana are thinking and feeling, which is important because they are contrasting characters. Liliana is a physical therapist. She is hopeful, caring and goes the extra mile for her patients. With an adrenaline-hungry family, Liliana likes to take risks, but she provides the best patient care to give them the best chance at recovery. I liked her character a lot because, whilst she doesn't have some crazy, intriguing backstory, she has a lot of depth. I could see parts of myself in her, especially with how she helps those she cares about. As an FMC, she is interesting and relatable. Nikki's portrayal of Liliana comes across strongly on the page, and I loved the dynamic between her and Roman. Whilst Revive Me is an MMA sports romance, like The Fight Game series, it takes a different angle on it. Roman was an MMA fighter, but after an injury, his career ended. Roman's characterisation is probably one of the more complex that I've read. Having a spinal cord injury isn't relatable for everyone, but despite that, Roman is a relatable MMC. Throughout the book, we see his grumpy side and how he can lash out and be angry because of his injury. However, we also see his vulnerability and uncertainty over his future because he doesn't know what it holds. I sympathised with Roman and found myself rooting for him throughout the book because Nikki wrote in a way that made me feel as though I was there with Roman, watching his rehabilitation first hand. As individual characters, Roman and Liliana are strong protagonists. But together, they bring to life the grumpy x sunshine trope, and create emotional scenes, whether it's through humour or sadness. Edit Credit: WriteWatchWork Overall narrative thoughts The protagonists are one of the best aspects of this novel. However, personally, I felt that the storyline and themes explored were even better. Revive Me by Nikki Castle isn't a fluffy romance that will make you kick your feet and giggle whilst reading. Instead, it will pull on your heartstrings, make you sympathise with the characters, and feel all sorts of emotions. This book explores human vulnerability and doubt when we're faced with life-altering events. It makes us question how we would move forward and overcome challenges that are out of our control. It inspires us to find hope and courage to keep on moving, just like Roman did in the end. The narrative does include flashbacks to when Roman and Liliana first met, which enhances the story. The flashbacks give us a deeper insight into the characters by allowing us to see how they interact and what Roman was like before his injury, which enhances the impact of his injury. Overall, Nikki Castle has knocked it out of the park once again with Revive Me . It is an inspiring tale of perseverance and courage, which explores the impact of positive relationships and allowing oneself to be happy. Revive Me by Nikki Castle comes out this Friday and is available to purchase on Amazon here . Until next time...

May 10th is World Lupus Day, and here are some tips on how to navigate working with an autoimmune disease to ensure smarter working and good coping mechanisms. May 10th is World Lupus Day. A day where people can raise awareness of Lupus to help those who are diagnosed and those who could potentially become SLE sufferers. As someone who has seen the effects of Lupus first-hand and has grown up witnessing the damage and pain Lupus can cause, I wanted to share some information and advice about the autoimmune disease with you all to raise awareness. But I just want to preface this by saying I am not a medical professional. The information in this blog post is purely from what I know about Lupus from seeing it first-hand. It is here to offer guidance and hopefully help you understand a bit more about Lupus. What is Lupus? Lupus, or Systematic Lupus Erythematosus , is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in multiple body parts. It essentially means that the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue. It can affect different organs and joints in the body. As such, it is a chronic illness that can go on for many, many years. Symptoms and Treatment Currently, there is no cure for SLE. However, with medication, it can be managed. Whilst medication can manage Lupus and suppress symptoms, there is a likelihood of flare-ups where symptoms can become worse. Lupus can manifest in different ways in different patients, but some of the more common symptoms are: Extreme fatigue Joint/muscle aches Rashes from sunlight (the most common is the 'Butterfly Rash', going across a person's cheeks and nose) Inflammation Other symptoms can include headaches, swollen glands, fever, hair loss, and mouth ulcers. Living with Lupus (SLE) As mentioned above, Lupus is an autoimmune disease I'm familiar with. Often in the UK, it isn't that widely known among the public, however, the awareness surrounding the disease is growing, particularly because it is common in the US. Therefore, I want to share some tips that I've come to learn and see in action for those suffering from Lupus. Working with Lupus can be one of the more difficult aspects of the illness to deal with. If your symptoms are severe, not under control, or you're having a flare-up, it can be challenging to get through a typical working day. And some jobs may feel impossible for you to do when diagnosed with Lupus. However, there are some things that you can do to help you manage your Lupus whilst working. Working with Lupus Stay on top of your medical management If you have been prescribed medicines to manage your Lupus, it's important for you to stay on top of them. Remember to take the required amount of medicine at the required time. It won't do you any good to miss a dose, especially if you have a busy working week. By staying on top of your medical management, you'll give yourself the best chance at keeping your SLE under control and avoiding any flare-ups. Confide in your employer and trusted colleagues Lupus isn't an autoimmune disease that you can hide away in your pocket. It is an ever-present illness, so confiding in your employers is important. Telling your employer about your diagnosis may not be comfortable for you, but them being aware means they can help you should you need it. You can tackle working hours, break times, workload, and more with them if they know. If you have a trusted colleague at work as well, it might be worthwhile to tell them about Lupus and give them an indication of symptoms. That way, they can help you and support you when you're in pain and working. Manage your stress levels High stress levels can impact autoimmune diseases by increasing symptoms. Therefore, it's important for you to manage your stress. It can be easier said than done, but by finding ways to cope with stress and to calm yourself, you can decrease the impact of Lupus. For instance, trying some meditation or mindfulness can be beneficial. Allow some break time If you have Lupus, there is nothing good that can come from working a full day, five times a week, with no breaks. Having an autoimmune disease requires you to look after your body and know its limits. So, when working, whether that's full-time or part-time, allow yourself some time to have a break. Take a few moments throughout the day to just sit and rest, letting your body recuperate so that you'll hopefully feel better for it. Balance your spoons Have you ever heard of the Spoon Theory ? If not, the Spoon Theory is a metaphor used to explain the energy levels of those with chronic illnesses. It was created by Christine Miserandino as a way to explain to her friends how Lupus affects her to make them understand her fatigue. The Spoon Theory, therefore, is explained like this: Each spoon represents a unit of energy. Every action in a day, from the moment you wake up, requires energy. But for those with an autoimmune disease, like Lupus, they only have a finite number of spoons each day. For an able-bodied person, getting out of bed, cleaning their teeth and having a shower may only require one spoon. But for someone with Lupus, or other autoimmune diseases, these actions may require a spoon each. These actions may seem like second nature to some, but for those who are chronically ill, they require so much energy. By the end of the day, someone with Lupus will probably have used up all of their spoons, maybe even before noon. And they can't get those spoons back. So, if you have Lupus, make sure that each day, you take into account the number of spoons available. If a task isn't necessary for that day, then don't feel like you have to do it. Today is World Lupus Day. I hope that if you or someone you know has Lupus, this blog post can offer some guidance. Until next time...

Have you ever had to deal with unexpected obstacles, either in your professional or personal life? If so, here are some ways to overcome them. This year, I've been focusing on working towards my long-term career goals. Currently, I'm still studying part-time, but I have a plan for once I graduate. Part of this plan involved me demonstrating my passion for books and storytelling, not only on this blog, but on social media too. Therefore, in January, I created a BookTok account . Over the first four months of the year, I've slowly grown that account to having over 1.1k followers — although, I'm focusing more on the content I produce than the followers I gain. Branching out to TikTok as well as Instagram means I can create a variety of content, whether it's book reviews, book recommendations, reading trackers, etc. I've found joy in creating content, but over the weekend, I had an unexpected obstacle. One of the videos I shared was shadow-banned, meaning it didn't get pushed out through the algorithm. Instead, it reached only a limited audience. However, that audience, whilst small, was still over 100 people. I wasn't expecting my post to be shadow-banned, and I wasn't quite sure what to do as a result. In the end, I just engaged with other content from creators I love and used the app from a viewer's perspective, rather than a creator's. But it got me thinking about how we deal with unexpected obstacles. Especially those that can have a big impact on our lives and can affect multiple areas. So, below are a few ways to overcome unexpected obstacles. Growth mindset I heard a lot about 'growth mindset' in school, especially in PDT (Personal Development Time). Essentially, having a growth mindset means believing that your skills and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. When faced with an obstacle, having a growth mindset can help because it means you'll strive forward. If you've hit an unexpected barrier, then through your dedication and hard work, you will find a way to work around the issue and come out the other side. Positive vibes You may think that positivity is the same as having a growth mindset, and in some ways, they are similar. However, what I mean by positive vibes is focusing on the good things. Try to find a silver lining and don't get bogged down by negativity. Sometimes, it's easy to give up, and it's easy to think the world is ending because of one unexpected obstacle. For me, when my post was shadow-banned, I was confused as I'd seen lots of similar posts, but I also thought it would impact my account's growth. But after some reflection and channelling of positive vibes, I realised it was just a blip. There wasn't anything I could do but remain positive and focus on moving forward. Prioritise your priorities When we reach an unexpected obstacle, it can send a lot of things into disarray. Life can become quite chaotic and rather stressful, and it can be challenging to manage everything. So, when that happens, the best thing to do is first take a breath and then evaluate the situation. Work out what your priorities are. It could be completing a uni assignment, wrapping up a project for work, making sure you do your grocery shopping, etc. Once you've worked out your priorities, it'll be easier to then go through the list of them and tackle them one by one, so that you can overcome the unexpected obstacle with efficiency and focus. Take a moment Sometimes, one of the worst things we can do as humans is to jump straight into things. Acting before we think isn't always a good thing, and when we're faced with unexpected obstacles, it can be good to take a moment. Taking a moment to step back and reflect, evaluate, and assess can allow us to focus on what's really important and formulate a plan. It will give us space to work smarter, not harder. So, the next time you're faced with an unexpected obstacle, try some of these tips and see if they can help. If you have any other tips of your own, feel free to leave them in the comments below. Until next time...

Six The Musical Live!, recently released in cinemas, is a recorded live show of the musical at the Vaudeville Theatre and is a must-watch for any musical and history fans. Personally, musicals are one of the best things to exist. I absolutely love musicals, whether it's seeing them live in the West End or watching the film versions on TV. Musicals, old and new, always cheer me up and make me feel better because of the singing, dancing and joy that they bring. But I also love history. I studied history at GCSE and so when Six came to the West End, I really wanted to see it. Unfortunately, a pandemic hit the world and I wasn't able to see the live show. However, this year, Six The Musical Live! was released in UK and Ireland cinemas. Capturing a live show at the Vaudeville Theatre, the film version allows audiences to watch the musical without travelling to London. I jumped at the chance of seeing the movie and am so thankful I did because it was fab! And I'm going to tell you all why you should go and see it too. Review of Six The Musical Live! Six , the musical, tells the story of Henry VIII's six wives, but with a twist. It's not a traditional musical that focuses on historical aspects of their marriages or on Henry VIII himself. Instead, Six details the lives of the six wives from their perspectives through pop songs as they each compete to be the lead queen. There is no man in sight, and no other cast members but the six wives. Six the Musical Live! captures the stage show for the big screen, but with some added extras. The film showing in cinemas features the original cast of the Six queens: Jarneia Richard-Noel, Millie O'Connell, Natalie Paris, Alexia McIntosh, Aimie Atkinson and Maiya Quansah-Breed. When I saw Six The Musical Live! at my local Cineworld, my sister and I had the screen to ourselves. Two seats on the back row with the perfect view of the screen and not another soul in sight — apart from Cineworld staff, popping their heads in once or twice. Having the screen to ourselves was a huge benefit. It meant we could sing and talk about the show without worrying that we're disturbing other people. It also meant we could probably have danced along, but we refrained from doing that. Before the actual film starts, there's a short documentary about Six and the original actresses. At first, I thought that the entire film would be a documentary and got worried we wouldn't actually see the musical. But rest assured, the film follows, so don't get up and leave after the documentary. The documentary was actually an interesting aspect to the film because it gives the audience insight into the actresses and how Six not only took the world by storm, but themselves too. It features interviews from the original cast members, discussing the journey they've been on since Six debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe and then into the West End. After the documentary, we're then launched back to the Tudor times. The filming of Six The Musical Live! is much like Hamilton on Disney+; it captures the show flawlessly and provides an immersive experience for those watching. The musical, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, crafted a show that has catchy pop songs and great dialogue; both of which capture the audience's attention to provide a show that is funny, informative and full of girl power. I laughed along whilst watching and loved the portrayal of the different queens. The musicians, who are praised during the show, perform superbly, and the costumes, designed by Gabriella Slade, are fantastic. Six The Musical Live! is such a joyous show to watch. The film allows those who can't see it on stage a chance to experience the interactive musical in such an excellent way. So, if you love musicals, have wanted to see Six , or just love Tudor history, I'd definitely recommend going to see Six The Musical Live! . Until next time...

Writing is a personal activity, and sharing your work can be daunting, but there are several benefits to it. As a Creative Writing student, part of my degree requires me to receive and give critical feedback. I'm not assessed by exams, but rather, coursework assignments and rewrites. Throughout each module, I submit assignments to my tutors and receive feedback. I attend workshops with other students and receive feedback. And I rewrite my work based on that feedback with the hope of improvement. Over the years, I've gotten used to receiving feedback. In fact, I actually enjoy sharing my work with fellow writers because I know they won't just tell me it's good — they'll provide useful comments that I can use to improve my writing. However, there's something different about sending in a piece of work to a magazine, getting it accepted for publication and giving a reading of it. I did that this month for my university's Creative Writing magazine. Myself and a few other writers were all selected to be featured in the latest issue of the magazine (I would link it but it's only available to OCA students). I sent in a piece of formally assessed work and now, it's available for all other students and tutors to see, both in a written and verbal format. Everyone who was featured in the magazine attended a live reading event and shared their work with others. It was scary and I had to remember to breathe when reading aloud, but it made me smile and feel appreciated. I wanted to share some of the benefits of sharing your work with others so that you could find it inspiring and useful, just like I did. Receiving feedback Everyone always has an opinion. Each individual is entitled to their own opinion and view on things, and because everyone has come from different walks of life and had different experiences, we all view things differently. Therefore, if you share your work, you'll be guaranteed to get a mix of opinions on it, which can only be a good thing. Of course, negative feedback isn't wanted, but constructive criticism is helpful. Seeing what others think, whether they like a particular character or turn of phrase, or a certain sentence tripped them up, will help you in the long run by providing another set of eyes on your work. Confidence boost Sharing your work with others you trust and those who understand what you do can boost your confidence. I know it did mine. When you can talk to others about your writing and hear their opinion on it, it can prove to you that what you're writing is good. That the impostor syndrome isn't needed because you can produce strong storytelling. So don't be afraid of sharing your work because it can pick you up, especially when you may be feeling uncertain about specific aspects of it. Inspiration is all around Another benefit of sharing your work with others is that it can provide inspiration. You may have your story or poem or script already written. You may want to stick to what you've got. However, by sharing your work with others, you're opening the door to their opinions and their ideas. It allows you to hear someone else's take on things, and that in turn, can spark a new idea; whether that's for a character, plot twist, or even a whole new story. Don't be afraid of new inspiration; let it guide you and help you improve and develop. Creating a pitch When you're writing, you're probably lost in the story and the desire to get the words down on the page. You may know where your piece ends up. You may know everything that happens. But if you want to get published, you may not know what's needed to get there. And one thing you'll need to know is how to promote your book. Sharing your writing can require you to provide a brief description of what it is about. This will help your readers understand the story, but also what you're aiming for as a writer. By doing this, you'll practice again and again how to quickly and succinctly describe your writing, but in an engaging way that makes people want to read it. That is an invaluable skill. So, if you're undecided about sharing your writing with others, don't let fear stop you. Think of the benefits it can provide, especially in the long-run. Until next time...

Last One Laughing is a brand new comedy series on Amazon Prime that will keep you laughing throughout. It is a must-watch for comedy fans. I'm a big fan of comedy. I love watching and reading things that will have me in fits of giggles because I love to laugh. So, when my family and I were looking for something to watch on a Friday night, we were intrigued by Last One Laughing on Amazon Prime. Last One Laughing UK is a reality TV show that brings together 10 celebrity comedians and locks them in a room for six hours — an hour per episode — echoing Big Brother's style of a shared common room. Whilst in that room, the rules are simple: Don't laugh. Don't smile and don't smirk. If the comedians do any of the above, they receive a yellow card. If they do it again, they receive a red card and are out of the game. Last One Laughing is hosted by Jimmy Carr with the help of Roisin Conaty, who both watch the 10 contestants try, and sometimes fail, to make others laugh whilst keeping a straight face. The 10 comedians on Season 1 of Last One Laughing include Bob Mortimer, Richard Ayoade, Joe Wilkinson, Rob Beckett, Joe Lycett, Daisy May Cooper, Lou Sanders, Harriet Kemsley, Judi Love, and Sara Pascoe. This cast is one of the reasons why I was so drawn to the show. These celebrities are some of the funniest in the UK, and watching them try to make each other laugh, whilst avoiding laughing themselves, was hilarious. My family and I were in fits of laughter because whilst the jokes and conversations were funny, so was watching each celebrity struggle to hold their laughter in. Whilst locked in the room, Jimmy Carr got the contestants to sometimes complete a challenge with others, going head-to-head. The contestants were also tasked with performing their 'Joker', which was supposed to be their silver bullet for taking out their rivals. There are also occasionally some special guests, tasked with helping to make the celebrities laugh. What I loved most about Last One Laughing is that it was pure comedy. It wasn't filtered, it wasn't planned; everything was authentic and really funny. I really hope there is a season two because there are a lot of comedians that I'd like to see involved in Last One Laughing. So, if you're looking for a new TV show to binge, then check out Last One Laughing on Amazon Prime Video. It will have you laughing in each episode and wanting to watch more. If you find yourself watching Last One Laughing, feel free to let me know what you think in the comments below. Also, if there are any comedians you'd love to see on the show, share your thoughts. Until next time...

Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi came out last week, and as a fan of dystopian books, this book is one of the best I've read in a while. Tahereh Mafi has crept into my top five authors with her compelling stories and flawless writing style. Her Shatter Me series is one of my all-time favourites, so it was no surprise that I was excited about the release of the spin-off series. Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi is book one in the spin-off series, Shatter Me: The New Republic . I pre-ordered it from Waterstones as I was able to read it on the day it was released. Now, I don't usually buy hardback books or like to read books if I have to wait a while for the sequel. However, I made an exception and boy, am I glad I did. I loved Watch Me so much that I wanted to review it for you all. Review of Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers Forced proximity Found family Rating: 6 stars Watch Me picks up 10 years after the events of Imagine Me, when Juliette and Aaron took down the Reestablishment. It is centred around James Anderson, Aaron and Adam's brother, who we all know from the original Shatter Me series. The book is dual point of view with James's perspective, and Rosabelle Wolff's POV, who is a completely new character. The synopsis of the book is: "James Anderson had a plan. Or half of one. All that matters is that he managed to do what his older brother, the famous Aaron Warner Anderson, never did: infiltrate Ark Island, the last refuge of The Reestablishment. In the past decade no outsider has breached the stronghold of the authoritarian regime, but James is in. In a prison cell, sure, but as far as James is concerned, a win is a win. It’s been ten years since the fall of The Reestablishment. Ten years since the notorious duo — Juliette Ferrars and Aaron Warner Anderson — led a worldwide rebellion and established the New Republic of the West. But after a decade of unsettling quiet, The Reestablishment is ready to make a devastating move, and they have the perfect person for the job. Rosabelle Wolff had a plan. She always has a plan. On Ark Island, where constant surveillance is packaged as security, even emotions must be experienced with caution. A trained assassin, her every movement is monitored by synthetic intelligence—and when she’s given an order to kill, she never hesitates. Brimming with pulse-pounding action and torturous romance, Watch Me is an explosive journey through a dystopian landscape where enemies-to-lovers has never felt more impossible. Step into a beloved and breathtaking world that demands an answer to a desperate question— Who are we when no one is watching?" First of all, what drew me to this book was the world it's set in. I loved the dystopia that Mafi created in the original series, and to have the chance to revisit that intrigued me. Watch Me has two main locations: The Ark and The New Republic. The Ark is where the Reestablishment have set up shop to try and rebuild after Juliette took them down, and The New Republic is where the Shatter Me gang are based as they rebuild the world. Once again, Mafi has crafted detailed settings that are characters within themselves because, without them, each character's journey wouldn't work. But the best bit about this book had to be the characters. I thought James was a great character in the original series; he was the only child in those books and was an innocent soul who just wanted to be with his brother, Adam. However, after finding out Aaron Warner is his half-brother, it turns out, James wanted to be trained by him. Now an adult, James is very different to what he was like before. He's been raised by Warner and Juliette and is very much a combination of Warner and his pseudo-uncle Kenji. I absolutely loved adult James—he is charming, funny, sarcastic, and so compelling. His behaviour, his interactions with others and his dialogue were perfect. I did feel sorry for James at times because it was clear that the others still thought of him as the defenceless 10-year-old kid that they knew, but he has grown up into a capable man. Enter Rosabelle, a woman from the opposite side of the tracks. Rosabelle Wolff, a hired assassin for the Reestablishment, was born into the life she lived with an arranged marriage in her future. Her sister, Clara, needs Rosabelle to do her job, and when James becomes her target, things turn interesting. I really enjoyed Rosabelle's character. She is new to the Shatter Me world, but straightaway, I could connect with her. She doesn't have an easy life, but she is a survivor. Rosabelle reminded me of Juliette in the early books of Shatter Me . However, as Watch Me progresses, Rosabelle and James grow into iconic characters that capture the reader's attention effortlessly. I loved their dynamic and the banter between them. But the ending... Oh my God!! I was in shock after the ending of this book. The plot twists throughout were fantastic. I really enjoyed the development of the story and watching the characters grow. Plus, the other characters in this book were so much fun. I loved revisiting Juliette, Warner, Kenji, Winston, and everyone. The waffle scene with James, Kenji and Winston was so good. I didn't expect to laugh so much reading this, but I'm glad I did. The emotions Mafi creates are so good— Watch Me is funny, hopeful, heartbreaking and everything in between. Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi exceeded my expectations and has become one of my favourite books of all time. There wasn't a bad thing about this book, except for the fact that I have to wait a while for book two to be released. If you haven't read the Shatter Me series or Watch Me , you definitely should. You can get them on Amazon here, and also from Waterstones and The Works. If you do get to read Watch Me , let me know what you think in the comments below. Until next time...

I read 26 books in the first quarter of 2025, so I thought I'd do a reading review of those books as I love recommending books to fellow bookworms. For 2025, I set myself a Goodreads reading goal of 60 books. In previous years, I have set myself a goal of over 100; however, last year, I didn't read enough books to achieve my goal. Therefore, I lowered my target to 60 books. We're in the middle of April and I've already read 31 books in total, but in the first quarter of the year, I read 26. As a book blogger and bookish content creator, I wanted to do a reading review of Q1 2025. I've read quite a variety of books so far this year and thought I'd go through them to hopefully give you readers some inspiration if you're looking for some more books to add to your TBR. So, let's get into my reading review of Q1 2025. WriteWatchWork's Reading Review Total Number of Books Per Month As mentioned above, I read 26 books in the first three months of the year. A lot of these were Kindle books as I received a Kindle for Christmas, but I have read quite a few paperbacks too. In January, I read six books. February saw me read 10 books, and in March, I completed nine books and started one, which I just finished. February and March were both strong months, but I know I read quite a few novellas. Most-Read Genre The main genres I've read so far in 2025 are romance and young adult dystopias. I have read a thriller by Harlan Coben, and I recently read a Freida McFadden book. However, Freida McFadden's book fits into Q2 of 2025. Also, I've read a couple of historical fiction novels, too. Most-Read Author In Q1 of 2025, I read 14 different authors. Six of them were new authors to me, but I can safely say, I'm glad I read their books. The different authors I read in the first three months of the year are: Abby Jimenez Bailey Thomas Eliah Greenwood Elsie Silver Evie Woods Harlan Coben Josh Silver Kandi Steiner Liz Tomforde Sara Cate Sarah A. Bailey Tahereh Mafi Taylor Jenkins Reid Victoria Hislop The six new authors to me were Abby Jimenez, Bailey Thomas, Evie Woods, Harlan Coben, Sarah A. Bailey, and Victoria Hislop. I did really enjoy all of their books, so I would definitely revisit their work. Favourite Books If you're a book lover, you'll know how hard it can be to pick just one favourite book and one favourite author. That's why, for this part of my reading review, I'm going to pick a top three and maybe note some honourable mentions. With the release of Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi coming out this week, I re-read the Shatter Me series . I managed to read nine out of the eleven books in Q1 of 2025, and I can safely say they are some of my favourites. But, if I had to pick, I would say Restore Me . It is the fourth full-length novel in the Shatter Me series, and the development of the series really picks up in this book. The plot twists, the new characters, the relationships — I loved it so much. My other two favourite books of Q1 are Play Along by Liz Tomforde, which is a sports romance with a fake marriage — you can view my full review here — and Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez. This is book one in the Part of Your World series and follows two people from completely different walks of life who fall in love. Some other honourable mentions have to be the rest of the Shatter Me series, as well as Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver, Dead Happy by Josh Silver, and The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. Favourite Authors For this reading review tag, I could easily list several of the authors I've read. But I'll refrain from that and stick to three. First up, is Tahereh Mafi. I feel like that was a given, especially if you've seen some of my BookTok videos, you'll know how much I have obsessed over the Shatter Me series and her work. My second favourite author of Q1 has to be Josh Silver. I devoured Dead Happy , which is book two in the HappyHead series, and have found myself loving Silver's writing style. The third author I'm going to pick is Taylor Jenkins Reid. I first read TJR's books last year when I read Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo , and with each book of hers I read, I fall in love with her writing even more. In Q1, I read After I Do and Evidence of the Affair by TJR. Best Book Surprise I generally tend to read romance, dystopian or thriller novels, so this year, I'm trying to broaden my scope of genres. And whilst Q1 consisted mainly of romance novels, there is one book that is a little bit different that I really enjoyed. The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. I read this novel for my book club and I'm so glad I did. I think it's classed as historical fiction, which I haven't read much of, unless you count Bridgerton , so when I found myself thoroughly enjoying it, I was pleasantly surprised. Least Favourite Book Out of the 26 books I read in Q1 of 2025, I only rated one of them 3 stars; the others received a rating of 4 stars or higher. This book was Keep Me by Sara Cate. It is a spicy romance, however, I didn't really feel that this book had a strong plot or interesting characters to keep me engaged. I did finish the book because I don't necessarily like DNFing books, but I wouldn't read it again. Although I have previously enjoyed some of Cate's other books. 25 Books for 2025 This year, I came up with 25 books that I want to read. These vary in genre and author, and in Q1 of the year, I ticked off two of these books. The two books that are on my 25-book list are Part of Your World and Wild Eyes . I really enjoyed these two books, and can't wait to tick off some more from this list in Q2 of 2025. I hope you enjoyed this reading review of the first quarter of the year. Hopefully, some of the books and authors mentioned inspire you to give them a go, if you're in need of some recommendations. Feel free to let me know some of the books you've read so far this year and whether or not you enjoyed them in the comments below. Until next time...

Here is a comprehensive guide to the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi, just in time for the release of Watch Me , book one in the spin-off series. Tahereh Mafi is probably most famous for her young adult dystopian series, Shatter Me . Since the rise of BookTok, the series has grown in popularity, and now, a spin-off series is in the works with book one of Shatter Me: The New Republic being released on April 15th. I, myself, am a huge fan of the Shatter Me series and have just reread all 11 books in preparation for Watch Me's release. However, I know that for readers who haven't read Tahereh Mafi's books before, it can be a bit daunting and confusing to start. Below is a comprehensive guide to the Shatter Me series and its universe for those who love the series but are also new to the series. What is the Shatter Me series? The Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi is a YA dystopian series. Many think it is of the romance genre, and whilst there are romantic subplots, it is very much dystopian. It follows the life of Juliette Ferrars, a teenage girl, who has been locked away for 264 days. She has a lethal touch. Whilst Juliette has been locked away, the Reestablishment has continued ruling over the world, erasing individuality and forcing everyone to live in sectors. Each continent is ruled by a Supreme Commander and split into sectors, each with a leader. For example, North America is split into 555 sectors, and Aaron Warner is the commander of Sector 45. The books follow Juliette's fight against the authoritarian Reestablishment and her discovery of the truth. The Reading Order In the Shatter Me series, there are 11 books in total: six full-length novels and five novellas. When you buy the physical copies of the novellas, however, they are combined into three books. The first three full-length novels were originally a trilogy ( Shatter Me, Unravel Me , and Ignite Me ), but Mafi went on to expand the series into what it is today. The reading order for all the books is as follows: Shatter Me Destroy Me Unravel Me Fracture Me Ignite Me Restore Me Shadow Me Defy Me Reveal Me Imagine Me Believe Me Credit: WriteWatchWork Shatter Me, Unravel Me and Ignite Me are all from Juliette's perspective. Restore Me is from Juliette's, Warner's and Kenji's; Defy Me is from Juliette's and Warner's POVs, and Imagine Me is from Juliette's and Kenji's perspectives. Destroy Me takes place in Aaron Warner's perspective, following the events of Shatter Me . Fracture Me is from Adam Kent's perspective and carries on from Unravel Me . These two stories can be found combined in the Unite Me novella. Shadow Me takes place after Restore Me , and Reveal Me takes place after Defy Me . Both Shadow Me and Reveal Me are from Kenji Kishimoto's point of view and collectively make up the novella, Find Me . Believe Me is from Aaron Warner's point of view, and it is more of an extended epilogue, rounding up the characters and storylines from the series. Whilst there are nine books, you don't have to read the three novellas. When I first read this series, I didn't read them, and still found it enjoyable and loved it. However, this time around, I have read all nine books and found it to be a much better reading experience. Seeing Aaron's, Adam's and Kenji's perspective of events gives you a wider view of the whole story, which only adds to the enjoyment. Characters I don't like books with loads of characters because it can be difficult to keep up with who is who and what their story is. However, the Shatter Me series is an exception. There are quite a few characters in this series, which is expected given the length of it. But, I haven't found it confusing keeping track of them because they're all distinct and Tahereh Mafi has written the books with three main points of view, which makes it easier to read as you don't hop from one character's head to another's to another's. The main character of the series is 17-year-old girl Juliette Ferrars. The first three books are solely in her POV, giving her version of events. Within these first three books, you meet other key characters, including but not limited to: Aaron Warner, Adam Kent, Kenji Kishimoto, James Kent, Castle, Winston, Brendan, Lily, Alia and Ian. As the series develops and we are introduced to more of the dystopian world, we meet other significant characters, such as Nazeera, Hider, Paris Anderson, Evie and Max, Emmeline, Stephen, Nouria and Sam. Like I said, that's a lot of names to remember. But the progression of the series is well-paced and explained that you remember who is who and what they do. The Spin-Off Series Once you've read the Shatter Me series, you may be thinking that's it. However, there is more to come from Tahereh Mafi and the dystopian world she created. Watch Me , book one in the Shatter Me: A New Republic series, comes out on April 15th, 2025. It is set 10 years after the events of Imagine Me, and the protagonist is James, Adam's little brother. Watch Me is an enemies-to-lovers YA dystopian novel and I, for one, am so so excited to read it and delve back into the world of some of my favourite characters. You can order Watch Me , and also the Shatter Me series, from Amazon, Waterstones, The Works or other retailers. If you haven't read the Shatter Me series before, I hope this guide has convinced you to give it a try and has prepared you for what it entails. Feel free to let me know what your thoughts are on the series. Until next time...

Netflix's The Life List is more than just a feel-good romance. It's profound, emotional and packed full of life lessons. When I was younger, I used to love watching any and all Disney films. I particularly loved those on Disney Channel, which includes the Descendants franchise. One of the actresses in Descendants is Sofia Carson, and she is fast becoming one of my favourite actresses. Since moving away from Disney, Sofia has done several movies that show just how talented an actor she is. These include Purple Hearts, Carry On, and Songbird. Her most recent film is The Life List on Netflix. Alongside Sofia, it stars Kyle Allen, Sebastian de Souza and Connie Britton. It came out at the end of March and has already hit number one on Netflix. When I was watching The Life List this week, I absolutely loved it. So, I wanted to share my review with you all. My review of The Life List Genre: Romantic drama As stated on IMDB , The Life List is about a woman, Alex, who "revisits her childhood aspirations, endeavouring to achieve her old goals, only to discover that pursuing these lifelong dreams takes her on an unforeseen and surprising journey." And whilst that synopsis is true, for me, The Life List is about so much more than pursuing childhood aspirations. It has become one of my favourite films that I've seen this year, and it isn't just a simple romantic drama, in my eyes. The film explores the realities of adulthood and the impact of society's expectations on ourselves and on others. In the trailer, this is evident, so it's not a spoiler, but Alex loses her mum, which kickstarts her journey in completing the life list. The film takes place over a year and follows Alex as she completes each item on the list, which she wrote at 13 years old. As expected, Alex is at first angry and frustrated with her mum for making her complete the list. But the more items Alex checks off, the reason behind her mum's plan becomes clearer and the more videos Alex receives. I loved the development of this film because it's engaging and balanced. It's not too fast-paced and despite the time jumps, it's easy to follow. It doesn't feel rushed or unnatural, and as time passes, we're brought along on Alex's journey as she slowly discovers her true self and what she wants in life. Watching Alex force herself to do things she wouldn't normally do as an adult is inspiring. It reminds us that when we're younger, we all had aspirations and dreams that we wanted to accomplish, but as we get older, we often conform to society's expectations of adulthood and let life get in the way. Alex's character is a great protagonist because of how complex she is, and Sofia Carson's portrayal of her is excellent. Throughout the film, we see her develop with each video from her mum, and we see her reconnect and form relationships with her father, her brothers and the family lawyer. The emotions evoked in The Life List were so strong that I cried, and I've had others tell me they cried too. But what makes it so effective is not only the scriptwriting or the developed characters, but the relatability of the story. Losing a loved one is a universal experience. Finding yourself in a rut and unhappy can also be very common. So, going on a journey to find yourself and receiving videos from a loved one who's passed is a beautiful thought, and it's clear through Alex and her brothers, the power that memories of those close to us can have. The Life List is a movie full of love, joy and heart-warming moments. But it's also thought-provoking, inspiring and comforting. I absolutely loved this film and the messages it holds. Sofia Carson's films always explore reality and relatable events that many can sympathise with, which makes them incredible to watch. So, if you're interested in a feel-good, emotional drama that inspires you whilst comforting you, then check out The Life List on Netflix. Until next time...

Monday 7th April is World Health Day, so here are some different ways you can ensure you're looking after your mental and physical health. In a society where we rely on technology and spend copious amounts of time on our phones, tablets and computers, it can be difficult to keep on top of a healthy lifestyle. Our mental and physical health are equally important, but sometimes one can be less prioritised than the other, and sometimes, both can fall to the wayside. However, we all need to ensure we're looking after ourselves, both mentally and physically. That's why, for today, I wanted to share various ways you can care for your health as it is World Health Day on Monday. Embrace nature Spring is officially here, and the weather in the UK is finally getting a bit warmer and sunnier. That means it's a lot easier for us all to venture outside rather than being cooped up inside all day. Being outside isn't always great though, especially when you suffer from hay fever. However, getting outside and being surrounded by nature has been proven to provide health benefits. So, to care more for your mental and physical health, take some time out of your day to either go for a walk or sit outside, whether that's in your garden or a public field/park, and embrace nature. , Daily movement Depending on what job you do and what your day-to-day exercise life entails, it can be difficult to find time to exercise. It can also be challenging to find the motivation to want to exercise. But caring for your mental and physical health doesn't necessarily mean that you have a workout routine, targeting different muscle groups and consisting of different exercises. You could simply go for a ten-minute walk each day. Or you could do a quick at-home workout or walk somewhere instead of driving. Whatever you choose, as long as you get some daily movement into your routine, because whilst you may not like exercise or getting sweaty, exercise releases endorphins and actually makes you feel good and energised. Nutritious food and drink Have you heard the phrase, You are what you eat? Our bodies rely on food and water to survive. We need to fuel our bodies to give us energy and allow basic functions, like breathing, hormone maintenance and digestion to occur. However, to be in the best physical health and have good mental health, you do need to eat nutritiously and drink water. Of course, you can have meals out and have a can of Pepsi too, but the majority of what goes into your body needs to be good for it. Otherwise, you could develop health issues over time; you could feel drained and fatigued; and you could just feel a bit meh. By prioritising nutritious foods, you can care for your mental and physical health, whilst still indulging every so often. Solo date time Another way of caring for your mental and physical health is to date yourself. Oftentimes, we prioritise others in, our lives over ourselves. We put their needs first and sometimes this can be to the detriment of our own health. Therefore, it's good to date yourself. What I mean is feel free to take yourself out. Treat yourself to a nice dinner, go to the cinema, or go on a shopping trip. Whatever makes you happy, do it. Don't worry if you don't have anyone to go with at times; solo dates are meant for one person, and they can make all the difference. Socialise with good company The last way of caring for your health is the opposite of the tip above. Solo dates are so important, but so is socialising with those who make you feel good. If you're socialising, you want to be able to be yourself and have fun without any worries because otherwise, your mental health can take a hit. So, make sure you socialise with good company. If seeing friends involves something you don't particularly want to do, tell them and either do something different or stay home. Socialising with people who drain your energy and doing something that brings you stress and anxiety, and that you don't enjoy, isn't worth it. Your mental and physical health are just as important as everyone else's. And if you don't look after yourself, you won't be able to look after others. So, with World Health Day coming up, make sure you look after yourself and prioritise your health. Until next time...