Christmas is less than a week away. Oh, how the festive season creeps up on you! 2022 is slowly coming to an end and if you're anything like me, this festive season has been rather chaotic. Every year we always know Christmas is coming. We know when it's happening, and what needs to happen. But for some reason, it always creeps up on me. It doesn't help that my birthday is at the end of October and my mum's is in November because our focus is on them. Especially when it was my 21st, like this year. So, in the weeks building up to Christmas, I had millions of things to do to prepare as well as finishing my uni studies for the year and working as well. With all of this, things got quite hectic and stressful. However, being me, I decided to plan everything out and use as many post-it notes as I can for lists. I wanted to share some of the things I've learnt and some tips about to handle Christmas with you, which could hopefully help us all prepare for Christmas and have a relaxing December in 2023. Lists of gifts throughout the year Do you ever get asked what you want for Christmas, but fail to think of an answer? That happens a lot to me and the people I know. To combat this problem and to make sure you're not rushing to buy everything when shops are busy or when there are postal strikes (they are rather disruptive in delivery of presents), have a list of what to buy in advance. A way to have a list in advance is to think of presents throughout the year. If you're with someone and they mention something they'd like or want to buy but can't justify it, note it down. If you think of ideas for people, note it down. If you see anything you would like for yourself, note it down and then when it comes to Christmas, you will have a list of some ideas. Food lists One big aspect of Christmas that everybody enjoys and that Christmas is famous for is the food. Food glorious food! The turkey, the gammon, the stuffing...everything about Christmas dinner! There is so much food to buy, and drink as well, at Christmas for Christmas dinner and just generally throughout the day, that it can be hard to keep track of it all. I've definitely found this year a struggle because there's so much food in our freezers that I didn't know about. In order to manage the food and shopping lists, my sister and I created an inventory of all the food we need for Christmas. We noted everything included in our Christmas dinners: the meats, the veg, the potatoes, the sauces, the starters, the desserts, everything. Going through our stocks, we ticked off everything we have and don't need more off. Then we made a list of what we need to buy and when we need to buy it - dates on some foods like salmon and cauliflower cheese can be a bit tricky to buy them in advance. Once you have a list of everything you need, and then everything you already have and still need to get, it becomes easier to navigate Christmas food shopping. Plan your meals for the week Once you've got a list of all the food you need for Christmas, it can be helpful to plan your meals for the week leading up to Christmas. That way you don't accidentally cook a turkey or eat the potatoes! Having a list of your meals for the week also helps keep on top of things and plan things around when you need to cook and eat dinner. Get the house ready Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones and that means cleaning and tidying the house. For my family, for Christmas, we always spend a whole day cleaning to make sure everything is spick and span and practically perfect. In addition to the usual housework, we also have to build a table and sort out bedroom arrangements for family that stay over. To keep on top of all the washing and cleaning and building and Christmas tasks, I made a list. I wrote down everything that needs to happen in the build up over Christmas and when the tasks need to happen. I also made a note of all the scheduled events such as haircuts, uni deadlines, final days of work etc. This meant I could work out when people had free time and when things could be completed. Now it's only Tuesday and we've got five sleeps till Christmas Day - that's when Christmas starts in our house! So far, we've ticked off seven tasks out of however many are on the list (there's quite a lot!). We have more to do but having a list of all the tasks helps focus the mind and reduce stress. Plus, if there's something you do that isn't on the list, add it on and then you can tick it off and you'll feel even more accomplished! If you're a natural at dealing with Christmas and being ready on time, then this blog post isn't for you - in fact you should probably write your own! But if you're a bit behind and found you have lots of things still to do, I hope this post has helped you in some way. Until next time...

When it's your birthday or Christmas, do you ever struggle to come up with gift ideas that people can get you? I often struggle and don't have many ideas but the one thing that I always manage to think of is books. If you've read my blog before, or know me in person, you would know that I am a massive bookworm with my own bookstagram and forever-growing bookcase. At the end of spooky season, I turned 21 and my family were asking me what they could get me. I struggled because I felt I already had everything I needed and wanted in life. But I managed to come up with a few books that I'd quite like to have in paperback (I say that like it was a tough job...it wasn't!). With paperback books, I'm very particular about what ones I get. Usually, I only buy paperbacks when I know I LOVE the book and will definitely reread it. But out of the six books I received for my 21st, I have actually only read one before. The other five, however, are written by authors I absolutely love (their books are more like a must-have) and I've heard constant good reviews about them. So I added them to my list. Here are the six books I received: Icebreaker by Hannah Grace Icebreaker is a book I have read before. It's Hannah's debut novel and oh my word it is amazing. I remember when I first read about Anastasia and Nate and how as soon as I finished it, I went back and reread my favourite scenes. I absolutely loved reading this hockey romance because it had a different angle to what I've read before. Plus, all the characters are unique and drew me in so this was definitely needed on my bookcase. And the fact that Hannah likes F1 just made me like her as an author even more! Snowed in for Christmas by Sarah Morgan Some festive cheer is in the air with Sarah's new Christmas book. Now, I haven't read this book but Sarah is one of my favourite authors of all time and I always make sure I buy her books. I haven't read a Sarah Morgan book that I haven't liked, so I can't wait to read Snowed in for Christmas during December to get me ready for Christmas. A Christmas Celebration by Heidi Swain Heidi Swain is very much like Sarah Morgan in my book - I have loved every one of her books that I've read. I particularly enjoy her festive reads so A Christmas Celebration was one I knew I had to have. Her Christmas books are perfect for December and this one is a lovely addition to my Heidi Swain Christmas book collection. Addicted to You / Ricochet / Addicted for Now by KB Ritchie These three books are the first books in the Addicted/Calloway Sisters series made up in total of 10 books. I haven't read this series before but I always see positive reviews about them, especially the male protagonists, so I wanted to give them a try. The first three books are part of Lily and Loren's story, which I constantly see on TikTok so I can't wait to dive into their relationship drama and eventually finish all 10 books (when I have the other seven). Question: What authors' books do you always buy because of who has written them? Until next time...

Have you ever suffered from burnout? Or too much stress? 2022 has been a very busy year for me in both the personal and professional aspects. Whilst I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute, there came a point where I needed a break, a holiday. I'm prone to burnout because I'm not very good at taking breaks or being selfish once in a while and doing something for myself. But, my sister and I had been talking about going to Spain for a while and we decided to go last week. We booked our package holiday to Benalmádena in Costa del Sol; it was everything I needed. At first, it was quite stressful because packing always is. Trying to figure out how much swimwear to take, how many outfits you'll need, and how many books you're going to read (that's always a difficult one for me!). However, once we'd started packing we got into a rhythm and at 4:30am we were off to the airport. Going on holiday was an exciting venture but it also made me feel a bit lost initially because I wasn't going to do any work or any university studies. People who know me know how hard I find it to not work - I feel guilty when I don't, which then sends me down a negative spiral towards burnout. But whilst I was in Benalmádena with my sister, I lived in the moment and tried not to think about anything but being on holiday. We explored some lovely sights including El Castillo Bil Bil, Puerto Marina Benalmádena and El Parque de la Paloma. The weather was amazing out on the coast, so we also spent time each day around the pool, sunbathing. Having this time away to relax and take time for me was very much needed. In the weeks building up to going on holiday, stress was a constant aspect of my life. I had a university assessment to complete and a lot going on with my work that things became too much. I knew I was heading towards burnout. I was tired a lot of the time, my appetite was a bit all over the place and I wasn't in a great headspace. Generally, I can be very sentimental, but I don't normally cry and that's one of the symptoms I have when I'm reaching my limit. This holiday to Spain was a lifesaver that rejuvenated my mental health and made me appreciate life more. It taught me to take breaks because whilst I might feel guilty about taking time for myself, it is necessary. If you feel as though you're reaching your breaking point, remember it's okay to feel stressed and take time for yourself. Until next time..

Yesterday was my one year anniversary of working for FormulaNerds as a journalist. During Covid, my future included going to university and leaving home. But after a lot of research and thinking, I changed my mind. Instead, I applied for an online part-time degree in Creative Writing. Whilst beginning my degree, a friend of mine, who's a fellow Formula 1 fan, sent me a job advert for FormulaNerds. Knowing I love writing, she thought it was perfect for me. At the time, I loved F1 but wasn't as invested in it as I could have been. However, I applied and I got the job as a motorsport journalist. That was a year ago yesterday. If I go back to then, I could never have imagined that this is what my life looks like today. The past year has been an incredible experience that I sometimes feel is more of a dream than my reality. What I've achieved in the past 12 months is, in my opinion, incredible. With FormulaNerds, I have been given so many opportunities and chances to grow and develop myself and my career. I wanted to share some of the achievements that I'm proud to have accomplished since joining FormulaNerds. Motorsport Journalist: I didn't really know what to expect as a motorsport journalist when I joined FormulaNerds. I was only 19 at the time and still had so much to learn. But when I started writing for the team, I absolutely loved it. Having writing out there, for people to read about and learn from, is a great feeling. Since I started writing articles for FormulaNerds, I have written 219 articles and had some reach over 100,000 views. I love writing (fiction and journalism) and being able to pursue this avenue with FormulaNerds is just amazing. Deputy Editor-In-Chief: Earlier in 2022, I was promoted to one-half of the F2 and F3 Editor for FormulaNerds. Since then, I have been promoted to Deputy Editor-In-Chief. I was rather shocked when I was awarded this promotion because I still feel quite young and don't have the leadership experience that others, who are older, have. But whilst it's been a challenge, it has pushed me out of my comfort zone. And I am so grateful. Podcast Panellist: As well as being a journalist, I'm also part of the FormulaNerds podcast panel, featuring on the News From the Nerds show and also the race reviews. When I had the opportunity to try out for the podcast, I originally said no, but my parents persuaded me to try it and grab the opportunity with two hands. My parents have always supported me and pushed me to be my best. For them to persuade me to try out for the podcast was possibly one of the best decisions they could have ever made. Since joining the podcast panel, I have hosted a couple of episodes, conducted an interview on my own (and since been featured in the acknowledgements of the author's book), and interviewed huge figures in the motorsport industry including Amanda McLaren, Mario Andretti and Harry Benjamin. Silverstone Paddock: As part of the F2 and F3 Editor, I was able to go to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix weekend as a journalist for the feeder series. I was able to be in the paddock and mingle with drivers, get exclusive interviews and have a great view of the track. It was my first ever grand prix in person, so to be in the paddock for it and be there as a professional journalist was amazing. The past year has helped me discover more of myself and grow in confidence. I have met some amazing people and have made friends for life. I think the big lesson that I've learnt is to grab any opportunity you're presented with, with two hands. You never know where life will take you or what will happen, so don't be afraid to take the leap. Until next time...

Have you ever heard of productivity guilt? I never really knew what it was until last weekend, but after learning more about it I realised that it's something I suffer from. In a nutshell, productivity guilt is that feeling where you feel like you should be doing more. And if you're not doing more, then you feel as though you're being too lazy. When I'm not working or completing university work, I often suffer from productivity guilt because I always feel as though I should be working or studying. I know that it's okay to take breaks and have days relaxing but there is that nagging feeling that I shouldn't and should actually be working. It could be argued that productivity guilt is a consequence of the society we live in. Everyone is taught to always work hard and that money makes the world go round, which can feed our productivity guilt. Productivity guilt isn't something that can be easily fixed by one action. It takes time to retrain your mind to overcome your guilt. One thing that has helped me in the past retrain my thoughts and combat things such as productivity guilt is knowing the triggers, behaviours and actions related to each thought. If you feel yourself having thoughts such as: 'I should really be working,' 'I can't afford to take a day off,' or 'I could've spent less time in bed and woken up at 4am to utilise the more productive hours of the day,' think about what triggered those thoughts. Was it looking at your planner? Was it seeing a social media post about how to best use your time? Or was it simply a random thought? Once you've identified the trigger and the thought, think about what they lead to. What consequence comes about because of the thought, what action/behaviour do you exhibit? Once you've identified all of these, you will be able to understand what happens when you experience productivity guilt. You can then retrain your mind to think of more positive thoughts. Telling yourself, 'it's okay to rest today, the task isn't urgent, there's still time' can help. Or making a to-do list that's more flexible can help by notifying what you need to do, but allowing you more time to do it. If you put deadlines next to each task that can sometimes worsen your guilt because you feel under pressure to complete it. Trying to retrain your thoughts and stop comparing yourself to others can help lessen the productivity guilt and actually make you more productive by working smarter, not harder. Until next time...

Tom Cruise is a formidable actor with many iconic films to his name. His most famous film is, most likely Top Gun. And now, he's taken cinema one step further with the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick. I remember the first time I watched Top Gun. Tom Cruise was already one of my favourite actors and so it didn't take much for my parents to persuade me to watch the 1986 classic. Top Gun was amazing for its time with the action and the filmography. Talks of a sequel were in the works for years and years, but it was never confirmed until a few years ago. And to say I was beyond excited was an understatement. Top Gun: Maverick was the film I was most excited to watch in 2022. Knowing it would encompass everything of the first film with more action, Goose's son, and Great Balls of Fire, bumped it to the top of my list. So, if you have watched, in my opinion, the best film of this year, let me know what you think in the comments. But if you haven't, hopefully, my review will persuade you. My review of Top Gun: Maverick Tom Cruise is back again with the best sequel I have ever seen. Sequels can sometimes be a difficult topic. They're not always as good as one expects and fail to live up to the expectations people have from the originals. However, this sequel was amazing! Tom Cruise had said before that he didn't want to do a Top Gun sequel unless it was done right. And it was done right. I was so excited to see this film in the cinema - you have to watch it on the big screen, if you can - that I persuaded my dad, who isn't a big fan of the cinema, to come with us and watch it. When we saw it, we instantly knew it would be an incredible film from the opening scenes. Everyone involved in the making of the film made a fantastic film of cinema that echoed the original. Maverick's character goes on a journey in this film. He's a lone wolf at the beginning, never really settling down and without close family. But that soon changes when he's brought back to Top Gun to train the elite and when he reunites with Penny Benjamin. The mission is crazy dangerous and the shots of the planes are mind-blowing. Knowing that the actors actually had the training to fly those planes and perform some manoeuvres makes the whole film 100 times better because it just adds to the authenticity. Plus, I love when Tom Cruise does his own stunts. When Maverick and Rooster meet again, emotion filled the cinema. Throughout the whole film, every emotion each character experienced was tangible. I had tears when Goose was mentioned and other characters from the original, like Ice Man, were involved. I smiled and laughed so much throughout that I can replay one specific scene that had the whole cinema laughing. The acting in this scene and the embodiment of the characters were inspiring. Miles Teller's character, Rooster, Goose's son, was one of my favourite characters. He looked so much like Goose and Teller was born to be an actor - every emotion he portrayed was tangible. When he sang Great Balls of Fire in the bar on the same piano his dad did, was actually quite emotional. Top Gun: Maverick has everything a film needs. It had action, drama, emotion and best of all, phenomenal acting. It is a film that every action-movie lover, every film buff, everyone, should watch! Until next time...

There are two main types of entertainment in this world: Books and Movies. They can be completely separate or interchangeable, but more often than not, there is always a preference, a favourite. I was having this conversation with a work friend of mine the other day and he said that he doesn't read much. To me, that seems strange when I've read one book a day before, but he isn't alone. Members of my family don't read much unless they're on holiday, then reading by the pool is a mandatory activity. This conversation got me thinking. There are millions of books out there and a lot of them have been transferred to the screen, whether it be TV shows like Nine Perfect Strangers or films like Harry Potter. As both a bookworm and an avid movie buff, it's interesting to me to see what other people prefer. It's even more fascinating when it comes to deciding whether the book or the screen adaptation of a story is better, and which order you encounter them in first. What comes first? Film series like Harry Potter came out after the first book, at least, was written. This is the same with some TV shows; the books are so good that movie directors think they'd make a great screen adaptation. But just because the books were written first, doesn't mean people read the story before watching it. For me, I always like to read the book before watching the movie. Sometimes people don't ever read the books before watching the shows on screen. I know for The 100, I never knew it was based on a book series until after I finished watching the show. With so many stories told both in print and visually on the big screen, which do you prefer to dive into first? The book or the film? What's better? One thing I like to do once I've read the book is to watch the film. I remember when Bridgerton first came out and I really wanted to watch the show, but I didn't allow myself to until I'd read the first book. However, the screen adaptations don't always live up to the book. Sometimes, and I use this word carefully, they are better than the books. Books like The Maze Runner are better than the films, in my opinion, and so is The Mortal Instruments series. It's harder for all the information to be included in screen adaptations, particularly if they're movies because having a three and a half hour movie is a bit extreme. For TV shows, it's easier as there can be several seasons with multiple episodes. In The Maze Runner, I felt that the screen adaptations weren't as good because they missed out information and altered the story to fit the screen better. The Mortal Instruments is actually rather unique. The series has a TV series based on it called Shadowhunters and a film based on the first book City of Bones. For me, the books trump both versions of screen adaptations. But there are some film/TV versions I prefer. For instance, The 100 and The Vampire Diaries are better on the screen than on the page. Whilst there are some quite big differences, for example in The Vampire Diaries, Elena has a sister, not a brother, the TV show is more entertaining, gripping and emotional. So, I have two questions for you: What do you prefer: books or movies/TV shows? What do you read/watch first? Let me know in the comments below. Until next time...

Have you ever watched a film and become so overwhelmed with emotion? Movies are made to bring us entertainment. They’re there to help us escape reality and feel emotion through the lives of fiction. They evoke emotion whether it be laughter and happiness from a comedy, fear from a horror or sadness from a drama. Feeling all these emotions is a good thing, but has there ever been that one film that just overwhelms you so much that the emotion is so strong? I love all movies, but particularly action movies. Some of my favourite films/series fall into this genre. From an action movie, I would expect lots of violence, fighting, tension, and suspense. I would not expect to watch an action film and cry so much, especially since I haven’t watched many others in the series. But this is what happened. I don’t like crying. And I’ve never really cried at TV - unless you count the season 8 finale of Grey's Anatomy or the final episode of The Originals - but they’re stories for another day. My family and I watched the new James Bond, No Time To Die for our Saturday movie night. My parents are big James Bond fans, they’ve seen every film. I, however, have not. Yet I somehow ended up being the only one who had tears streaming down my face whilst we watched it. I’m not going to spoil the film so don’t worry. But I did not expect what happened to happen. It’s Daniel Craig’s final film as 007. It’s rounding up all of his storylines. That’s understandable. I expect that to happen. But the movie wrecked me. Books normally do that, not movies. But this film did. It was the best film I’ve watched this year by far, and I've watched quite a fair amount of films. It shocked me in the best way possible. The last time a film got me so emotionally invested was Avengers: Endgame, when that finale to save the world from Thanos happened and everyone on either side of the screen was crying. I felt like I would be emotional for that because I love Marvel films. But for James Bond? Completely unexpected. The film itself was amazing with massive fight scenes and stunts in gorgeous Aston Martins. I can certainly see the appeal of the James Bond franchise. It's made me want to watch the other Daniel Craig Bond movies, but I know that they won't be as good as No Time To Die. Admittedly, things would probably make a bit more sense if I'd seen all of his movies, rather than just snippets of some, but No Time To Die was just so good, I can't bring myself to watch the others. But time will tell and I'll probably cave and force my family to rewatch the others with me. Have you seen No Time To Die? What did you think of it? And what's your favourite Bond movie of all time? Until next time...

The dictionary definition of success is: "The accomplishment of an aim or purpose". Success is usually used when people discuss their careers and their dreams in life. But everyone's idea of success can differ. If you ask a Formula 1 driver what they would consider success, it would be winning the world championship. However, if you ask a teacher, they might say seeing their students excel in school and achieve their dreams. When talking about success out of a career context, it could be defined as being truly happy in life, having a family of your own, or simply doing something you love. In the past two weeks, my life has been filled with success - or what I call success. These moments of success varied in size. Some were huge life moments that I'll never forget and others are small things in life that made me happy and feel accomplished. My moments of success might not seem like much to you. They may seem insignificant but I wanted to share them anyway. So, below are my moments of success over the past two weeks. A Legend. An Icon. A Hero. Last year I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and joined the podcast panel for FormulaNerds. Since then I've grown in confidence and have had amazing opportunities. The moment that defines success for me is when we interviewed Mario Andretti. The Mario Andretti - F1 World Champion, IndyCar Champion, Indy500 Winner, Daytona 500 Winner, 3x 12 Hours of Sebring Winner, Pikes Peak Hill Climb Winner and 1999 Driver of the Year by The Associated Press. I sat down with the podcast panel and Mario Andretti for an hour. It was one of the best hours of my life. Listening to Mario's life stories and experiences was just incredible. And he said my name!! I was ecstatic after interviewing Mario and will never forget it. So grateful to FormulaNerds for everything they've done for me. Click the photo to watch the interview on FormulaNerds YouTube or listen to it on podcast platforms such as Spotify. VMRs and Press Conferences: I'm one half of the F2 & F3 Editor for FormulaNerds - the other half being the amazing Sam. With our role as editor, we get lots of opportunities in regards to Formula 2 and Formula 3 - two of the F1 feeder series. Whilst the job can be a bit stressful, it is immensely rewarding. I can officially say that I have succeeded in life because I have attended Virtual Media Roundtables and several press conferences interviewing drivers and team principals. During pre-season testing for Formula 3, I interviewed three team principals: René Rosin for PREMA, Giacomo Ricci for Trident and Phillipe Sebastién for ART Grand Prix. To say I was nervous would be an understatement! Since then, I've also interviewed Jack Doohan, Théo Pourchaire, and Juri Vips from F2; Frederick Vesti, Calan Williams, and Ayumu Iwasa for F3; and Franco Colapinto, Roman Stanek, and Kush Maini for F3. Getting Published: One day I hope to publish my own novel. In fact, I'm currently writing it for university. Now I prefer fiction, reading, and writing. Poetry isn't something I've enjoyed much; I wasn't a fan of studying it in school. That being said, I have indulged in poetry before as I have my own poetry book published. Writing these poems was a fun experience that allowed me to convey more emotion than in some of my prose. So, when my university asked for submissions for their edge-zine on identity, I thought why not? I wrote a poem about identity, which is probably one of the most honest things I've written. I actually forgot I submitted it until the edge-zine was published and my name was in the contents. So not only have I got a published poetry book, I've also got a poem published in an edge-zine. Silverstone: FormulaNerds sponsor an incredible SuperKart racer called Samantha Hempshall. Her 2022 racing season started last weekend at the Silverstone Circuit. I had never been to a race track before, despite always wanting to go. I was lucky enough to go to Silverstone with FormulaNerds and watch Samantha race, but also to briefly interview her after her successful Sunday. That visit to Silverstone was one of the best days of my life. I finally got to meet some of my work friends in person rather than just over Zoom - still have many more to meet! I experienced watching racing in person and being at a race track and walking through the paddock. It was an incredible day! The only thing...my photo library is now full of pictures, haha! 4 Books. 4 Days. Now, this moment of success isn't what some people would necessarily call success. But for me, it is. I'm a massive bookworm, in fact this year I've already read 36 books of varying genres. Compared to some people I know, I read quite quickly. I'm forever receiving book recommendations from my bookish friends and the latest one was the Royal Hearts Academy series by Ashley Jade. It's one of those popular bookstagram series - romance in genre - but when I was reading it, I was hooked. I read the first book within eight hours and finished the rest of the series within four days. I think that's possibly the quickest I've read a series, so I feel very accomplished, haha! What's your latest success? Have you had any success in life lately? If so, what are they? Let me know in the comments, even if they're small successes. Until next time...

I recently received a promotion at work and with it came new responsibilities. Two of these were to attend press conferences and hold interviews looking for potential future team members. Confidence has always been something that I have had once I know someone really well or once I have the knowledge on a topic. For attending press conferences, holding interviews or being the interviewee, confidence is an attribute that can be admired. This week I have given several interviews and attended a virtual press conference. Whilst I was nervous - particularly with the press conference - I found ways that helped ease my nerves. And I thought that I can't be the only person who gets nervous, so why not share my advice. So, here are some tips to help prepare yourself for interviews: Know your stuff: Sometimes being spontaneous can be an advantage, but in the case of interviews, preparation is key. There is nothing worse than having an interview, whether you're the interviewer or interviewee, and being unprepared. Before an interview, I've found that it is best to make sure you know everything you possibly can. If you're the interviewer, it's best to know the applicant: who they are, what experience they have, what they're currently doing. But if you are on the other side of the table, it's always good if you know where you are applying and to who you are applying for. Brush up on what the company's about, what they do, and their general ethos. Anticipate potential questions: In an interview, questions are always going to be present. They will be asked by both parties, the interviewers and the applicants. There are typical interview questions, such as 'What do you think you can bring to the company?', but even the most common and simple of questions need some practice. I find it best to make sure I have an idea of what I could answer to potential questions. Looking at the place you've applied for could help give you an idea of potential questions. If you're the interviewer, then it's still good to anticipate some questions that applicants could ask during an interview. That way you will already have answers you can give. Don't be afraid to ask questions: Whilst anticipating questions is always useful, having some of your own can also help. When in an interview never be afraid to ask questions no matter what side of the table you're on. Obviously, it's expected from the interviewers to ask questions, but if you're the applicant it can be a good thing to ask some as well. It can show initiative, curiosity and the ability to question employers. It might just be to find out more about the company or it might not. Whatever your questions are, don't be afraid to ask them. Practice: The one thing that is almost certain to get you prepared for interviews is practice. The saying 'Practice Makes Perfect' is true. Or it is for me. I've always found that if I prepare and practice for things, anticipating possibilities, then I don't feel as nervous. Practicing your knowledge, practicing your questions, and practicing your answers will help you feel prepared for most eventualities. Have self-belief: This is probably one of the most important steps when preparing for an interview. Self-belief is a quality everyone should have. If you go into the interview, as an applicant, with little self-belief then your potential employers will wonder if they should believe in you when you don't believe in yourself. Likewise, if you are an interviewer with little self-confidence and belief, then the applicants might doubt why they should be applying for you. It's easy to say don't let the nerves get to you, but it's easier said than done. But to try and have self-belief is key. Never give up: This goes alongside the above tip in terms of importance. If you really want something, never give up. If you aren't successful in an application, never give up. Always come back fighting and stronger than before. Never give up! If you have an interview coming up, I hope these little tips help. Until next time...

I first discovered Eliah Greenwood on Instagram and read her Rules series, which I really liked. Then I discovered her book Dear Love, I Hate You (DLIHY) - book 1 of the Easton Boys series. I loved DLIHY so much that I got it in paperback and didn't think Eliah could write anything that would top it. But boy was I wrong. When I signed up to the ARC (advanced reader's copy) of Dear Heart, I Hate You (DHIHY) I didn't think I'd get it; however, I was lucky enough to receive it. I remember I looked at my kindle one evening and saw the book but it didn't really register at first - then I freaked out! DLIHY was an amazing book but DHIHY was even better! Below is my honest review of Dear Heart I Hate You by Eliah Greenwood - spoiler-free of course: Dear Heart I Hate You by Eliah Greenwood Tropes: Enemies to lovers Forced Proximity High School Lovers Summer Romance Roomates Boss's Son / Forbidden Romance My Star Rating: DHIHY is a new adult romance with mature themes that is the second book in the Easton Boys series and part one of a duet. It is set the summer before DLIHY and follows the two best friends of the DLIHY couple. Finn Richards and Diamond Mitchell. I thought Xavier and Aveena were going to be my favourite Eliah couple, but Finn and Dia may have just taken their spot. Dia needs some cash to pay for a new car after her brother (not a nuclear family) Jesse crashes it. She dog-sits/housesits for the summer, thinking she's going to be all alone with this adorable golden retriever in a big fancy house. And she is...until the son of her employer is kicked out of basketball camp and comes home for the summer. The book follows Finn and Dia, who hate each other, being forced to live in the same house, trying not to kill each other and avoiding each other's secrets and the building of chemsitry between them. Diamond Mitchell is this gorgeous woman, who has a fiery spirit. She lives life with her best friend, Aveena, and always tries to make the best out of a situation. Dia has not had an easy life but that doesn't stop her from going after what she wants. She is strong and sassy and is the only girl to get through to Finn and not fall for his charm and call him out on his egotistical, jerkish ways. I also loved the way she transformed over the course of the book into a woman who knew what she wanted - or didn't want - and wasn't afraid to go for it. Finn Richards is the typical popular bad boy, who can flash a smile and have loads of girls just waiting to kiss him. However, that is not all he is. Finn portrays himself as this rich guy who has it all, when underneath he is struggling from the trauma of his childhood. This trauma has never left him and haunts him to a scary point. His best friends are there for him but the only person who actually gets through to him is Dia. He is a broken hero. The dynamic between these two was just amazing! The way Eliah wrote their relationship with the angst, the emotion, the tension was just perfect. It's a contemporary romance that will make you feel all the feels - seriously, there are a few scenes where the sadness was tangible. I could feel Dia's pain and Finn's anguish. When they finally got together, their relationship was explosive. The ending of this book literally killed me! Eliah wrote the book in a way that the cliff-hanger was emotional, painful, angsty, and teasing. I had tears in my eyes. I cannot tell you how much I need time to hurry up for part 2 to be released - Eliah I NEED to find out what happens! Honestly, DHIHY was so so good, I loved it! And not only do I want part 2, but I also want Theo's book because his character was a highlight of DHIHY and I want to know his story. The Easton Boys series is definitely worth a read! Thank you Eliah and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for this ARC! Click my edit below to buy DHIHY on Amazon or KU: Disclaimer: Edits are mine, images are not

At the back end of last year, I stumbled upon this book called Twisted Love (TL) by Ana Huang. I'd never read anything of Ana's before and after reading TL I thought to myself 'Why?' So I went on to read the sequel to TL, which was called Twisted Games (TG). And again, I was immediately hooked by the book. There is a part of TG that hints at a potential relationship between two of the Twisted characters and I instantly knew that I needed - and I mean NEEDED - their book. And that's what I got in Twisted Hate. I signed up for an ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) of Twisted Hate (TH) and was very lucky to be chosen by Ana's PR company - Wildfire Marketing Solutions - to receive one. I remember when the book came through on my kindle and I screamed (quietly because it was the middle of the night and my family was asleep!). Below is my honest review of Twisted Hate by Ana Huang - spoiler-free of course. Twisted Hate by Ana Huang (Twisted #3) Tropes: Enemies to Lovers Enemies with Benefits Best Friend's Brother/Sister's Best Friend Workplace Romance Forced Proximity Interracial Relationship My Star Rating: I want to start this review by saying that if y'all are not reading this book as soon as you can, you need to. Twisted Hate is and always will be one of the best books I've ever read. It is perfection times ten. I knew I would love this book as soon as I found out it would be enemies-to-lovers. It is one of my favourite tropes and whilst it isn't always written in the best way (some authors skim over the enemies and go straight to the lovers), Ana exceeded every expectation. Jules Ambrose and Josh Chen are two people who would always be in each other's lives, even if they didn't like each other. They constantly argue, firing insults back and forth, giving as good as they get. Their bickering was continuous throughout this book, which was one aspect I particularly liked because it kept true to the enemies-to-lovers trope. The banter that they share can only be described as explosive. And I mean EXPLOSIVE! Sometimes their words to each other cut deep - they do drag up negative emotions - but most of the time I was smiling and laughing. The banter between them was so genuine, it never felt forced or fake. Both characters had their individual storylines, their own backstories and challenges to overcome. But they also had obstacles to hurdle together. Jules Ambrose is officially one of my favourite heroines - if not the best. She is feisty. She is sassy. And she does not let any man tear her down or question her worth. The red-headed beauty is a spitfire of sarcasm, smarts and seduction. Jules is gorgeous and has this tenacity to never give up - including on challenges set by Josh. She has a past she isn't too proud of and has tried to escape from it, but in TH it catches up with her. In the previous books, Jules is this outlandish, party girl who is more often than not a little bit rebellious and troublesome. But in TH, you get to see the vulnerable woman inside; the woman with emotions and a guarded heart. I never really focused too much on Josh Chen in the previous books (Alex and Rhys had my attention) and after reading TH I know why. It's because I knew that he would ruin romance in real life for me. It's official, I have no hope of ever finding love because Josh has proved that fictional men - literal ink on paper - are just so much better. As an emergency medicine resident Josh looks like he has his whole life together from the outside: good job, good looks, good life. He's smart, he's cocky, great in the bedroom and he's definitely a hit with the ladies, but deep down, underneath all that charm he is tormented by past experiences. His best friend betrayed him and his father is not the man he thought he was. Josh likes to act like he's living his best life, but in reality, he needs someone to understand him and never judge him. Jules is that person. And Josh is that person for Jules. The two of them understand each other like no other and they know that if they laid themselves bare and shared all their vulnerabilities, they would be there for each other. Even when they're falling in love, crossing the fine line between love and hate - it is a very fine line in their case - they still spar verbally with each other whilst taking care of each other. One particular scene with some lavender oil made me die of sweetness :) It was great to see the other Twisted characters in TH as well and one particular friendship made me smile. Josh and Alex. The best friends whose friendship crumbled in Twisted Love. I loved seeing them slowly rebuild what they once had and the dynamic between them - the introverted grumpy Alex mixed with the extroverted confident Josh. And if everything else wasn't enough to make you love Ana's writing, confirmation of Stella's man at the end of TH will certainly do the job! When I saw his name, I screamed in excitement! I'm currently on my 9th book of 2022 and Twisted Hate will remain in my top three books of 2022 - I know it. Ana has blown me away, she made me smile, she made me laugh, she made me have tears, she made me want to punch certain characters (mainly the antagonists) and she made me fall in love with Josh and Jules. They are one of my favourite book couples! I will never stop recommending this book, even to people who aren't interested or don't want to listen...tough! You should read this! Thank you Ana and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for giving me this ARC! And a special thank you to @the_literary_indulgence for helping me with my edits and fangirling over Josh and Jules with me! Click my edit below to buy Twisted Hate by Ana Huang on Amazon or get it for free on KU ***Disclaimer: I own the edits, not the images