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Release Me by Tahereh Mafi, book two in the Shatter Me: The New Republic series, came out last week, and it exceeded my expectations. Do you like dystopian novels? Reading about worlds and possibilities that border the line between reality and fiction? If so, you need to read the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi . The Shatter Me series is a young adult dystopian series, and it is one of my favourite book franchises of all time. Then, Tahereh Mafi announced that she was writing a spin-off series titled Shatter Me: The New Republic . Last year, Watch Me , book one in the spin-off series, was released, and I loved it – you can read my review here . Now, book two has just come out, and it is one of the best books I have ever read. It exceeded my expectations, and I just had to share my thoughts here because I am slightly obsessed with the novel still, days after having finished it. Release Me by Tahereh Mafi Genre: Dystopian Romance Series: Shatter Me: The New Republic (book two) Rating: 5 Stars Synopsis: The synopsis of Release Me by Tahereh Mafi is: "Rosabelle Wolff had a plan. Now she wants revenge. To save her sister, she needs to get back home and destroy the system that created her. Rosabelle’s greatest strength is her ability to deaden her mind and body; it’s the only way to survive the surveillance state of Ark Island. But lately her heart has been beating harder; her thoughts are spiralling; her defences are coming undone. And there’s only one person to blame. "James Anderson had a plan. Now he has nothing but problems. Rosabelle might be the ally they need in a fight against The Reestablishment, but no one wants to trust an enemy assassin. It doesn’t help that Rosabelle’s not much of a talker, doesn’t work well in groups, and kills people on instinct. Taking her side has cost James nearly everything―but keeping her alive might help save his world. If only he could convince his older brother. "Aaron Warner Anderson has a headache. Something dark is coming, and Rosabelle’s arrival is just a prelude. In her, he sees shades of himself he can’t trust, and worse: he can no longer get a read on the girl. She’s a dead battery, emanating no emotional feedback. At least not until James walks into a room… "Volcanic tension, breathless reveals, breakneck action―and a dystopian world that never stops raising the stakes: "Welcome back to The New Republic." My review of Release Me Since finishing Watch Me last April, I have been eagerly anticipating the publication day of Release Me ; however, my copy arrived a few days late. This, though, gave me time to finish my current read and give my full attention to Release Me when reading it. Credit: WriteWatchWork Release Me picks up straight after the cliffhanger of Watch Me , give or take a few hours/day. It is still told through the perspectives of both James and Rosabelle, but in Release Me, we also get the extra treat of reading Aaron Warner's point of view. I received my copy of this book last Thursday, and I finished it within five hours across Thursday evening and Friday evening. I absolutely devoured the entire book and am so tempted to re-read it already, so for that reason, I'm breaking this review down into two sections: characters and overall story. My thoughts on the characters When I read the original Shatter Me series, I fell in love with James. He was sweet and kind, and so innocent, I feared for his future within the dystopian world he lived in, growing up as a young boy. Fast forward 10 years, and wow! James Alexander Anderson is the perfect combination of Aaron Warner and Kenji Kishimoto, two of my favourite fictional characters. He is strong, capable and willing to fight for what he believes and to protect those he loves. His power of healing himself is a strength, but it's also a weakness that causes him to jump headfirst into danger. I loved James's characterisation throughout Release Me . If possible, I loved him even more. He was sarcastic and so caring; I really enjoyed his POV chapters because we got a real insight into his struggles growing up in Juliette and Aaron's shadow, but also his feelings for Rosabelle. I did feel sorry for James because he is still treated like a kid at times, with others not realising just how connected to Rosabelle he actually is. Rosabelle Wolff really intrigued me in book one. She wasn't like Juliette from the original series, and yet, there were similarities. As a trained assassin, she's desperately trying to complete her mission, but in Release Me, her perspective shifts having met James. She is in a fight to get back home so that she can save her sister. However, James makes her feel things she didn't think were possible and with the blanket over her eyes finally lifted, Rosabelle realises that the original Shatter Me gang aren't too bad. I loved her fight and tenacity. She is such a powerful FMC, I couldn't help but admire her love and devotion. Even in the face of death, Rosabelle continues fighting. Aaron Warner has a much bigger part in this book than in book one, but there's not really much to say other than he was, as expected, absolutely amazing. Aaron is a top-tier MMC, and even 10 years older, he still made me laugh, swoon, and fall in love with ink on paper. Other characters, such as Nazeera and Kenji, also have a bigger part in this novel, and it was great to see them again, and also learn more about their character development and relationships, too. My thoughts on the overall story One of my favourite genres of fiction is dystopian; I love the worldbuilding of dystopian settings and the different aspects that go into creating a society. And Tahereh Mafi's writing is seamless in both the original Shatter Me series and the spin-off. In Release Me , I knew I would love the development of The New Republic, and The Waffle (you'll have to read it to understand what The Waffle is). But what I didn't expect was to become so engrossed in the story that I read it in two sittings across five hours – the quickest I've ever read a book – and feel like I'm heading for a reading slump after finishing it. The story of Release Me is fast-paced, emotional, engaging, and everything in between. It picks up after the end of book one and follows Rosabelle and James dealing with the fallout. I couldn't put this book down and loved every minute of it. The development of Aaron Warner and Juliette's relationship was so good. Having read the original series, I knew I loved them already, but with them expecting, I fell in love with them even more through their devotion to each other and the scenes between them. But James and Rosabelle really stole the show. I loved the intimate moments between them throughout the action-packed plot. The poetic lines showcasing their feelings without actually admitting how they feel were beautiful. There are some twists at the end when everything hits the fan, and oh my God. I did not expect some of the reveals towards the end, and then the final line! I love a good cliffhanger, and whilst I love this one, I also don't like it because I don't think I can patiently wait for book three — I have to wait, I know, but whether I can do that patiently is the question. Tahereh Mafi is an incredible author. Her writing inspires me, and I will forever recommend the Shatter Me series and the Shatter Me: The New Republic series, too. I am slightly obsessed with these characters at the moment, if my BookTok is anything to go by, but I do not apologise for recommending a fantastic series. You can buy the hardback of Release Me by Tahereh Mafi from Amazon here . Until next time...

April 7th is World Health Day, so here are some tips on how to prioritise your health in your career. If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you’ll know that whilst I share book reviews, I also share blog posts relating to careers and health. Yesterday was World Health Day, and as someone who prioritises their health and that of their loved ones, I thought I’d share some tips on ways to prioritise your health in your career. These tips won't necessarily apply to everyone, but they are food for thought. If you're finding that your health isn't at its best, then think about ways you could improve it, including in your work life. Implement the Pomodoro Technique I first learned the Pomodoro Technique in high school. My school implemented the technique during my GCSEs to help us study more productively. Essentially, you work or study for 20 minutes at a time with a five-minute break in between. The technique helps ensure you’re focused when needed but that your brain and body get a reprieve. If you know what work or studying you need to do, then setting aside specific time to complete them helps you work smarter, not harder. By doing the Pomodoro Technique, you’ll prioritise your health because you won’t be sitting for long periods of time, and you’ll be more likely to avoid burnout. Use To-Do Lists This is a tip I’ve often shared because I do believe in the power of a good to-do list. But I’m sharing it again because having a to-do list can help you prioritise your health by breaking down your tasks. It doesn’t have to be an overly complicated list, but writing down each task will help make it more comprehensible and less overwhelming. Once you’ve completed a task, you can tick it off, which makes you feel happy because you’ve achieved something. Don’t bring work home This tip won’t necessarily apply to everyone, depending on the job you do. But for some, it can definitely help prioritise your health in your career. What I mean by don’t bring work home is that setting defined boundaries between work and home life can help you look after your health because it separates career stress from home life. Sometimes, it can be easy to bring work home, to let the stress of work and looming deadlines impact your home life, but by separating the two, you’ll give your mind a break from work. You’ll allow yourself to focus fully on home life, and then revisit work when you get back to the office. It isn’t easy, but if it’s possible to leave work at work, then it can help prioritise your health. Unwind with an evening routine One of the most important aspects of our lives that can improve our health is sleep. It is so important we each get enough sleep at night, but that can be difficult, especially if there’s a lot of stress. However, creating a night-time routine that will help you unwind can be a useful tool to ensure you have a good night’s sleep. It doesn’t have to be complicated. It can simply be getting into your pyjamas and reading a chapter of a book. Or perhaps you enjoy solving puzzles, and completing a couple in a puzzle book sounds relaxing. Whatever it may be, try it for a week, just before you’re about to go to bed, so that when you drift off to sleep, your body and mind are more relaxed. That way, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead. Don't be afraid to move on This tip is possibly a bit controversial. Not everyone will have the luxury of being able to move on, to switch careers and change their career path. However, if you do, then it's something to consider, especially if your current situation is having a negative impact on your health. Sometimes, it can be good to consider a change in career. You might find a more flexible job might be helpful, or the opposite — something with a bit more structure. Fear can hold us back in life, but when it comes to our health, we shouldn't let fear stop us from doing things that could potentially help. If there are other concerns, such as financial, then one thing that could help is evaluating your lifestyle and seeing where you can cut back so that you can prioritise your health by making a change. Our individual health is incredibly important, and we must prioritise it. I struggle a lot with putting myself first, but I am learning that if I don't look after myself, how can I expect to look after someone else? It is okay to be a little bit selfish sometimes, especially when it relates to our health. I hope these tips help you in prioritising your health in your career. Until next time...

Reading is a huge part of my life, so here is my reading review of Q1 2026 with a total of 24 books. For 2026, I've set myself a reading goal of 65 books. This is five more than last year, but considerably less than previous years, when I'd aim for 100 books. The reason is that I've got two TBR lists that I want to complete this year, and I knew it would be easier to achieve that with a lower overall reading goal. Last year, I shared quarterly updates of my yearly reading and thought I'd do the same this year, especially since reading round-ups are quite popular on social media. Hopefully, if you're a reader or want to get into reading more, the wrap-up below will inspire you to add some books to your TBR. So, let's get into my reading review of Q1 2026. WriteWatchWork's Reading Review Total Number of Books Per Month With a Goodreads goal of 65 books, I am nine books ahead of schedule, having read 24 books so far in 2026. A few of these were Valentine's Day novellas, but a lot of them were full-length novels and rather thick. In January, I read seven books. In February, I read 12 books, six of which were novellas. In March, I had a slower reading month because I'm still working my way through The Secret History, but in total, I read five books. Most-Read Genre I am quite a voracious reader in that I enjoy reading multiple genres. However, the main genres of 2026 so far have been romance and dark academia. I've read a few dark academia novels because I'm exploring that branch of literature for my degree. With romance, I always love a good love story, so it's no surprise that I've read a total of 18 romance novels/novellas. Most-Read Author In Q1 of 2026, I read 21 different authors. A few of them were new authors to me, which I'm glad I read, and the others were authors I knew I would enjoy. The different authors I read in the first three months of 2026 are: Bailey Hannah Benjamin Dean Brittanee Nicole Catherine Cowles Christina Lauren Cynthia Murphy Elliot Fletcher Elsie Silver Emily Henry Faridah Abíké-Íyímídé Hannah Bonam-Young Julia Quinn Julie Soto Kandi Steiner Katherine Reilly Leodora Darlington M.L Rio Navessa Allen Nikki Castle Rachel Gillig Trilina Pucci Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen Catherine Cowles and Kandi Steiner were my most-read authors as I read two of their published works each. For Catherine Cowles, I read Death to Valentine's Day (a novella) and Across the Vanishing Sky , and for Kandi Steiner, I read Right Your Wrongs and Love Overboard . Favourite Books This is such a hard choice for me because one of the best books that I read in Q1 of 2026 is my best book surprise of the quarter. So, for that reason, I'm picking three other books here and some honourable mentions. The first of my three favourite books has to be Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles. I was lucky enough to receive an eARC and a proof copy of this romantic suspense novel, and I devoured it. It was so good, and a great introduction to Catherine's new series. I would describe this book as 'Criminal Minds meets small-town romance' and will always be recommending it. Up next, we have Two Twisted Crown s by Rachel Gillig. It has actually taken me quite a while to get around to reading this book, as it's part two in a duology, and I read book one last year. However, I loved Two Twisted Crowns ; it was the perfect book to complete the duology, and the different points of view really brought the whole book together. The third book I'm choosing is You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry. With the movie People We Meet on Vacation coming out in January, I knew I needed to read the novel before watching the film. I already knew I enjoyed Emily Henry's writing, but Poppy and Alex stole my heart. This book was such a cute romance novel, I couldn't help but giggle and kick my feet whilst crying at the third-act breakup. Some other honourable mentions have to be: At Whit's End, Love Overboard , Bury Your Friends, and Darling Daffodils Farm . Favourite Authors Much like the above category, it's hard just to pick one favourite author, so, again, I'm going to choose three. First up is M.L. Rio. I had never read her work before, but I was hooked on If We Were Villains . I loved her storytelling and admire her craft. My second favourite author of Q1 is, of course, Catherine Cowles. I first discovered Catherine last year with her Sparrow Falls series, but once again, she has created a story and characters that I love with Across the Vanishing Sky . The third author I'm going to pick is Kandi Steiner. I am lucky enough to be on Kandi's ARC team, and she never disappoints with the books she writes. I loved Right Your Wrongs and Love Overboard (coming out this month), and I always find a smile on my face when reading her books. Best Book Surprise As I mentioned above, one of my favourite books so far this year is my best book surprise. The book I'm talking about here is M.L. Rio's If We Were Villains . I first read this book as an introduction to dark academia and to help with my creative writing, but I never expected to love it as much as I did. It was a five-star, if not six-star, read for me, and I still think about it and the characters today. I loved the whole aesthetic of the novel and the intricacies of the story, weaving in Shakespeare quotes whilst exploring the darker world of academia. I would highly recommend it for anyone who loves a thriller, gothic settings, and great storytelling. Least Favourite Book All the books I have read in Q1, I've rated three stars or more. However, a few of them didn't meet my expectations and were therefore lower-rated books. Those that I rated three stars are: Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren Second Act Romance by Julie Soto Valentine's Slay by Navessa Allen These are all novellas from Amazon Publishing's latest Valentine's Day collection. They were quick, easy reads, but not ones I would read again. My least favourite out of them is probably Accidentally Yours . I found this one a struggle to read because I couldn't connect with the characters, and didn't find myself engrossed in the story. But that's not to say another reader would have a different experience. 26 Books for 2026 Once again, I've set myself a challenge for the year with 26 books I want to try and read. They vary in genre and author, but in Q1 I managed to tick off six of these books. The six books on my list that I've read are: Two Twisted Crowns, The Exes, Wild Card, Across the Vanishing Sky, At Whit's End , and People We Meet on Vacation . 12 Recs from 12 Friends Another challenge I've set myself is to read 12 books recommended by 12 friends to read one per month. Unfortunately, I didn't read any of these 12 books in February; however, I did in January and March. In January, I read People We Meet on Vacation , and in March, I recently read The Wife Between Us and Whisky Business. I thoroughly enjoyed both and hope to tick some more off this list soon in Q2. I hope you enjoyed the first reading review of Q1 of 2026. Hopefully, some of the books mentioned inspire you to give them a go. Feel free to let me know some of the books you've read so far this year, and what you thought of them. Until next time...

As it is Shakespeare Week, here are some film recommendations that are all inspired by or based on a play by William Shakespeare. If you're like me, you might not have heard about Shakespeare Week before. However, I recently came across the national annual celebration on LinkedIn and decided it would make a good topic for a blog post. March 23rd to March 29th is a weekly celebration of William Shakespeare to celebrate the incredible writer's career, and to give primary school children opportunities to learn about Shakespeare and his work. During school, I wasn't too fond of Shakespeare; I much preferred reading Lord of the Flies to Macbeth. However, as I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate Shakespeare more and more, especially since reading If We Were Villains. Therefore, for Shakespeare Week, I thought I'd share some film recommendations with you that have been inspired by works of Shakespeare. So, if you fancy a new film to watch and are interested in Shakespeare, then check out the recommendations below. 'O' Inspired by: Othello Stars: Mekhi Phifer, Julia Stiles, Martin Sheen, Josh Hartnett O tells the story of Odin, a black student-athlete, at a predominantly white high school. Everything is going well for Odin: he has a beautiful girlfriend, Desi, and is the MVP of the school's basketball team. However, when Hugo becomes jealous of Odin's success, he puts things in motion which ultimately result in Odin's undoing. John Tucker Must Die Inspired by: The Merry Wives of Windsor Stars: Sofia Bush, Brittany Snow, Arielle Kebbel, Ashanti, and Jesse Metcalfe The Merry Wives of Windsor is probably a lesser-known Shakespeare play with very few adaptations. However, John Tucker Must Die takes inspiration from Shakespeare's comedy and puts a romantic comedy twist on the story with four women playing a notorious player at his own game. Warm Bodies Inspired by: Romeo and Juliet Stars: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Dave Franco This zombie movie puts a sci-fi twist on the classic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet when one day, R meets Julie, and they become star-crossed lovers from different species. The female protagonist's name echoes that of Shakespeare's FMC, Juliet, and the famous balcony scene is also recreated. Anyone But You Inspired by: Much Ado About Nothing Stars: Glen Powell, Sydney Sweeney Anyone But You is another romantic comedy inspired by Shakespeare, and this time it's Much Ado About Nothing . The movie follows Ben and Bea (shortened versions of Shakespeare's original characters, Benedick and Beatrice) after their meet-cute, which ends in disaster. They're reunited at a destination wedding and decide to fake date, acting out the enemies-to-lovers trope that is present in the Shakespeare play. She's the Man Inspired by: Twelfth Night Stars: Amanda Bynes, James Kirk and Channing Tatum Another romantic comedy inspired by Shakespeare, She's the Man follows Viola as she is separated from her twin, attending a different school, and pretends to be a boy in order to play on the all-male soccer team. However, she quickly falls for her roommate, Duke, who only sees her as his male teammate. This movie is definitely a modern take on Twelfth Night , but it was a great success and a staple of early 2000s romcoms. 10 Things I Hate About You Inspired by: The Taming of the Shrew Stars: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik Again, another romcom, but this time it's inspired by The Taming of the Shrew. Kat and Bianca are sisters, but Bianca can't date anyone unless her older sister begins to as well, so Cameron pays Patrick, played by Heath Ledger, to date Kat, so he can ask Bianca out. It is again a modern high-school take on the classic, but there are a lot of Shakespearean references throughout, and I, in particular, enjoyed this one. The Lion King Inspired by: Hamlet Stars: James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons This Disney musical is a classic in its own right, but it is inspired by Hamlet . It is about a king murdered by his brother and a young prince who plans to avenge his father. This animated musical echoes the story of Hamlet while bringing joy through its songs and characters. I have seen a few of the above films, mostly the romantic comedies, and did enjoy them, but it's interesting to see how Shakespeare inspired them. There are, of course, many more films I could have included, such as West Side Story ( Romeo and Juliet ), and there are lots of straight-up adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, too. But I hope that if you're feeling inspired by Shakespeare this Shakespeare Week, you find these films enjoyable and interesting. Until next time...

Last week, I attended The London Book Fair, an annual publishing event, and here are the key takeaways for publishing hopefuls. The London Book Fair is one of the biggest events in the publishing calendar for professionals. It's an international trade fair where publishers, agents and authors gather to negotiate deals and hold meetings. It is, first and foremost, a professional work event. It isn't an event for readers to attend and come home with lots of books, despite what some people may think. Whilst I am a reader, I am also an aspiring novelist and a publishing hopeful. For these reasons, I attended The London Book Fair last week for the third consecutive year. The three days of the fair were full on with lots of talks to attend, people to network with and a careers clinic, which I detail more about below. If you're a publishing hopeful, I highly recommend attending The London Book Fair at least once, particularly on Thursday, as the final day is more tailored to students and hopefuls. Below are some of the takeaways I felt were most useful for publishing hopefuls. Skills Skills Skills The main takeaway from The London Book Fair that I learnt from the panels on publishing careers and from the careers clinic was all about skills. When applying for jobs, you will be asked for a CV and a Cover Letter; sometimes, companies will also ask application questions, which you have to answer too. In your application, you, of course, have to detail your experience. I used to think that experience was the be-all and end-all. However, now the focus is moving onto skills. When applying for jobs, you need to demonstrate your skills, both hard and soft skills. A piece of advice I received was to move my list of skills up towards the top of my CV, above my experience. Recruiters don't have long to look at each individual application, so by putting the list of skills at the top, you're drawing their eyes to what you're capable of. It's even better if at the top you can list hard skills, such as Canva, Microsoft 365, Transcription, etc., and then demonstrate your soft skills — communication, organisation, teamwork — when describing your experience. Network As Much As Possible When you're entering a new industry, it can be hard to make contacts and network. However, The London Book Fair highlighted just how important your network can be. So, as a publishing hopeful, I'd start networking now by attending events, reaching out to people on LinkedIn, joining the likes of the Society of Young Publishers, and finding other hopefuls on social media. There are a lot of resources out there to help you make contacts with other hopefuls, like Christina Storey's Facebook group, The Publishing Hopefuls, and others to connect you with industry professionals. Attending The London Book Fair allowed me to meet other hopefuls and students wanting to work in publishing. However, I also met professionals in the industry, from the likes of HarperCollins and Bonnier Books, whom I now have on LinkedIn. By growing your network, you'll surround yourself with a community of like-minded people who can answer your questions, help you with applications, and be a friendly face if you fancy a coffee. Passion Is Key Most people in publishing work in the industry because they love books. But being a reader is simply not enough. When applying for jobs, you have to demonstrate your passion, and you can do this in many ways. Firstly, it's always good on an application to showcase not only your passion for books, but for the specific job and company you're applying for. You could mention a couple of books recently published by the specific imprint, or a particular campaign that caught your eye that they designed. Highlighting their books clearly highlights your passion for books, but also for their books and makes you stand out more. Another way to demonstrate your passion in a broader sense is by attending events, volunteering and using social media. You could volunteer at a local library, attend book festivals, or create your own BookTok/Bookstagram account. All of these things show that you don't just enjoy reading a book, you love involving them in your life. Demonstrate Commercial Knowledge There's this saying, 'It's not what you know, it's who you know,' and I'm sure in all industries, there is a lot of truth to it. However, your knowledge is just as important. Publishing is a business. It is a way for people to make money, and so, as a publishing hopeful, you can't just enjoy books and want to work with authors. You have to understand the business and demonstrate commercial knowledge. When applying for jobs, it's good to showcase your awareness of what is going on in the industry. For instance, The Publisher's Association launched the 'Don't Steal My Book' campaign at The London Book Fair, and AI was a hot topic of conversation. The British Book Awards have also announced the shortlist for the award categories. Knowing about these sorts of things can help you stand out and make your application much stronger. Now you may ask, how do you do this? Well, you could subscribe to The Bookseller, subscribe to The Publishing Post and follow different publishing houses on social media. Also, having some publishing professionals in your network on LinkedIn is useful too. Open Your Mind As a publishing hopeful, it can often be disheartening when you get rejected from jobs and when you hear other hopefuls share similar stories. The industry is so competitive, but by keeping an open mind, it can be a lot easier for you. What I mean by this is don't just focus all your attention on one job, one publisher, one role. At The London Book Fair, one of the panels highlighted how important it is to be adaptable and open, even if you're happy with where you are now. So, consider different departments (not just editorial or marketing); look outside of the Big Five and consider smaller indie presses; and embrace opportunities when you're presented with them. Publishing is not an easy industry to get into — it'll feel like a full-time job just applying for jobs — but I hope these tips can help fellow publishing hopefuls navigate their way to working with books. Until next time...

March 4th is National Grammar Day, and as a writer, I'm sharing some of my favourite resources to help strengthen your writing. National Grammar Day was founded by a woman named Martha Brockenbrough, who founded the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar (SPOGG). It is a holiday that highlights the importance of better communication through correct grammar. Good grammar is incredibly important in both written and verbal communication. It conveys our conversations clearly and comprehensibly, and without it, one would not understand another. As a writer and student of Creative Writing, I am sharing some of my favourite resources that I use to help ensure that my writing is grammatically correct. Write Right! by Jan Venolia This book is a guide that explores the uses of different punctuation to make sure your writing is grammatically correct. It clearly breaks down the uses of each form of punctuation with advice and fun examples. Even on the cover, it breaks down different grammatical terms and briefly highlights what they are. I use this quite a bit, especially when I'm not sure whether to use an en-dash or an em-dash. Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss Eats, Shoots and Leaves is another punctuation guide that talks you through all the ways to correctly use punctuation and why it matters. This book is one that my sister, who is a proofreader and regularly shares grammar tips herself , and I both regularly use. It was called a 'punctuation repair kit' by the Independent, and I have to agree. So, if you're someone who struggles particularly with punctuation, then this could be a good resource for you. First You Write a Sentence by Joe Moran First You Write a Sentence is a writing guide that explores how a single sentence can be powerful if constructed correctly. Many examples are used throughout the book, including those from the likes of Shakespeare and George Orwell. This is a book I often refer to when I'm struggling to convey exactly what I mean in a concise and controlled manner in a sentence. As the blurb on the back says, Joe Moran "shows how we can all write in a way that is clear, compelling and alive". Grammarly Grammarly, whilst an artificial intelligence programme, is useful for having when I'm writing a bit of prose, and I've missed a word out or put a comma in the wrong place. Sometimes, when you're reading your own writing, you cannot spot mistakes because you know what it's meant to say, and that's where I use Grammarly. I don't often agree with some of the changes Grammarly suggests for my writing, because it takes away my style and authorial voice, but it is handy for spotting the small grammatical errors, much like Word does itself – picking up incorrect spellings, and extra spaces between words. There are different levels of plans for Grammarly, some of which you have to pay for; however, I only use the free version and still find it useful. The Online English Grammar Dictionary The Online English Grammar Dictionary is a website that has free resources on all types of grammar, including grammar rules, English idioms, vocabulary, and a section on quotes, too. It's easy to navigate and a good website to use if you're short on time and need a quick search to help solve a problem. So, if you're struggling with grammar and ensuring your writing is the best it can be, then check out these resources. If you have resources of your own that you use, feel free to comment them below. Until next time...

There are a lot of good upcoming book releases in March, so here is a list of some of my most anticipated releases for next month. As a reader, I always try to find new books and new authors to add to my reading list. I enjoy a variety of genres, from romance to thrillers to dark academia, and there are quite a few book releases this year that I'm looking forward to. However, for this blog post, I'm focusing solely on March 2026. My most-anticipated new releases for March are mainly romance novels, but they are all in different subgenres. So, if you enjoy reading about love stories and seeing characters get a happy ending, then check out some of the upcoming book releases below. In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde Genre: Sports Romance Release Date: March 3rd 2026 Synopsis: " He's used to being the boss. But she's in her own league... As the first female team owner in Major League Baseball, Reese Remington has spent her entire life preparing for this role. With a sharp mind and years of experience working behind the scenes, she's more than qualified. But the public only sees a woman in a man's world - not the person who's earned their place on the field. Under constant scrutiny and pressure to prove herself, Reese can't afford distractions. Especially one that comes in the form of the team's tempting field manager who questions her every decision. Emmett Montgomery is a former All-Star turned coach who treats his players like family and the field like home. After years of running the team his way, the last thing he wants is a new boss - let alone one who seems ice-cold and laser-focused on business. But forced to spend long hours - and too many away games - side by side, he begins to see the fire beneath Reese's control, the heart behind her ambition and the unwavering determination to prove herself. When heated banter turns into sizzling chemistry, professional boundaries blur, and the spark between them becomes impossible to resist. But Reese is constantly reminded of how many people are waiting for her to fail, and the safest move is to keep Emmett at arm's length - for the sake of the team, the season and her career. But keeping their distance is one game neither of them can seem to win..." Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score Genre: Small Town Romance Release Date: March 10th 2026 Synopsis: " As literary agent to a romance novelist, Zoey Moody's life currently revolves around love - which is ironic, as she is practically allergic to the L word. She's also a city girl through and through, and yet here she is in tiny Story Lake, Pennsylvania, trying to wrangle author Hazel's next big hit. Life isn't exactly going to plan. It takes all of five minutes in town before chaos finds her, sending her directly into the path of Gage Bishop, one of the stupidly handsome Bishop brothers. He is exactly the kind of romance hero that could entice a heroine to succumb to the charm of small-town life - but Zoey is no romance lead, and Gage can't seem to stand her. It's clear they're all wrong for each other. She's allergic to commitment and can't work a calendar app; he's looking to settle down and has the next five years all planned out. But when Gage's world is rocked by a devastating family secret, he turns to Zoey for one night to forget everything. That one night might just change everything . . . or ruin it. Zoey suddenly finds herself wanting to be the one to save him - and maybe even be saved in return. Can Story Lake inspire a woman who is terrified of love to finally write her own happy ending?" The Last Page Cafe by Kate Storey Genre: Contemporary Fiction Release Date: March 12th 2026 Synopsis: " At fifty-four, Erin McRae feels like she’s living in the margins of her own story. Her son is preparing to fly the nest, and the rent increase on the café she loves to run means she’s going to have to close up shop. Her greatest escape is the mismatched book club she founded, bound together by one unusual rule: they choose their next book based solely on the last page. But when the book club discusses what their own last pages might say, Erin and her fellow members begin to see their own lives in unexpected ways. As the club’s discussions grow deeper, long-buried secrets surface, old wounds start to heal – and romance leaps off the page. With The Bookmark under threat of closure, Erin must ask herself: can she write herself a happier story? " How to Write a Love Story by Catherine Walsh Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: March 10th 2026 Synopsis: " One writer, one editor, one hot summer... A romance for the books? Ciara Sheridan's father has left her with three things: a sprawling and distinctly ramshackle estate on the Irish coast, the outline for the finale to his bestselling epic fantasy series that he wanted her to finish - and writer's block. Enter Sam Avery: Frank-Sheridan-fanboy and hotshot editor, sent from the New York publishing house direct to her doorstep - against Ciara's wishes and red pen at the ready. With the deadline looming, Ciara and Sam have just a few weeks to stop bickering, write this novel and secure Frank's legacy. But as the summer heats up, so too does the tension between them. Will their own love story be the plot twist neither of them sees coming? " Right Your Wrongs by Kandi Steiner Genre: Sports Romance Release Date: March 10th 2026 Synopsis: " Shane McCabe loved Ariana Ridley long before the world knew his name. Before the NHL and the pressure of being one of the youngest, most successful coaches in the league. Leaving her was the hardest thing he's ever done - and the one choice he never made peace with. Now Ariana's back. And she belongs to another man. Shane's new General Manager. Discipline is Shane's job. Control is his strength. He knows how to keep his distance - how to respect the lines that should never be crossed. But every glance drags the past to the surface. He sees the cracks Ariana tries to hide, the fear she's learned to live with, and the way she still looks at him like he's the one place she can breathe. He wants to protect her, wants to fight for her. He wants things he has no right to want. Because if he crosses that line, he doesn't just risk his career - he risks shattering the woman he never stopped loving. And trying to right his wrongs might just ruin them both . . ." Innamorata by Ava Reid Genre: Gothic Fantasy Release Date: March 17th 2026 Synopsis: " Once there was an island where the dead walked the earth, and seven noble houses ruled by the arcane secrets of necromancy. A conqueror’s blade brought them low, burning their libraries, killing their lords, and extinguishing their eldritch magic. But defiant against the new order stands the House of Teeth and its last living members: beautiful Marozia, the heiress to the House, and her cousin, the uncanny Lady Agnes. Though she has not spoken a word in seven years, Agnes is the true carrier of the House’s legacy. And she has her orders. She must recapture the secrets of death magic and avenge her family’s fallen honour. She must arrange the betrothal of her beloved cousin Marozia to Liuprand, heir to the conqueror’s throne, for access to the forbidden library in his grotesquely grand castle. Revenge burns in Agnes’s heart, but so do stranger passions – and it is Liuprand, the golden prince, who speaks to her soul. This passion is as treasonous as it is powerful, poisoning the kingdom’s roots and threatening to tear the already shattered realm in two. For Agnes’s final order is the gravest: She must not fall in love." Love Song by Elle Kennedy Genre: Second Generation Romance Release Date: March 17th 2026 Synopsis: " After a brutal breakup, college junior Blake Logan escapes to her family's lake house in Tahoe, determined to shut out the world. Her plan is simple: no men, no drama. Until Wyatt Graham shows up. Four years older and far too good at getting under her skin, Wyatt is the living embodiment of a "bad idea," and the guy who shattered her pride when she confessed her crush at sixteen. With his music career stalled, Wyatt has come to Tahoe for inspiration. The last thing he expects is to find it with Blake. He's spent years keeping his distance, convinced he's all wrong for her, but she's no longer the innocent girl he once knew. She's confident, captivating, and impossible to ignore. And the slow-burning tension between them? It's catching fire fast. They both know this can't last, but one reckless kiss turns into another, and soon they're tangled in something that feels dangerously like more. Just as they finally give in to the pull, tragedy tears them apart, leaving their hearts in pieces. But forgetting that one, nearly perfect summer? Not a chance. And when fate brings them together again, Blake and Wyatt must decide if this is a second chance...or the final verse." Hunt the Villain by Rina Kent Genre: Dark Romance Release Date: March 24th 2026 Synopsis: " The first time I met Yulian Dimitriev, it was hate at first sight. He’s brash, chaotic, and a violence-junkie. In short, everything I disregard. As heirs to two notorious mafia organizations, we were shoved together in an unorthodox setting. The more I learn about Yulian, the deeper my loathing seeps. Until I truly see the person within, and something forbidden sparks between us. But our coexistence is cut short when tragedy strikes. Yulian and I go back to our respective, parallel worlds that shouldn’t cross. But they do. And once again, I’m dragged into the orbit of a man I shouldn’t want. Two men can’t be together in our world. But Yulian blurs every limit I thought existed until everything is in jeopardy. Our hearts included." Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles Genre: Romantic Suspense Release Date: March 3rd 2026 Synopsis: " Braedyn Winslow never expected to return to Starlight Grove—the town that took everything from her. Not after her best friend, the one who’d sacrificed so much for her, vanished without a trace. But with a young son to raise and a past that won’t stay buried, Brae is back…and determined to uncover the truth. She just didn’t count on the brooding, reclusive mountain man living next door. Dex Archer is the stuff of local legend—silent, rugged, and surrounded by whispers of his and his brothers’ violent father. But Brae sees through the scowl and his parentage to the man beneath: fiercely loyal, unexpectedly kind…and just dangerous enough to protect her when someone starts warning her off her search. The closer she gets to the truth, the harder it is to stay away from Dex. And as things get more perilous, Brae realizes the only person she can rely on is the one man who swore never to trust again. Only someone isn’t happy that Brae has been digging, and they’ll do anything to stop her. But Dex? He’ll do anything to save her, even slip back into the dark." The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: March 31st 2026 Synopsis: " In everyone's life, there's a split-second decision that can change everything . . . For Larissa, it came when choosing which guy to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she'd met the perfect man. She and Chris are great together, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favourite books, and judging bread (pumpernickel for the win!). For the first time amid all her side hustles to scrape by, things finally feel easy. But Chris isn't the one who drove Larissa home all those months ago - Chris is her boyfriend's best friend. All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing by on the sidelines is slowly killing him, but making a move would destroy someone else. And he's just not that guy." These 10 books are among my most anticipated releases in March 2026. I can't wait to read them, and I hope that if you need some new book recommendations, you find these helpful. Until next time...

February 17th, in America, is Random Acts of Kindness Day, so here are some ways that you can be kind to yourself. Random Acts of Kindness Day is celebrated in the United States on February 17th. Despite living in the United Kingdom, I think this is a day that we should all celebrate, and it got me thinking. Why is there a Random Acts of Kindness Day? Should we not all strive to be kind all the time, to others, but also to ourselves? In a world that is currently divided, we need to remember to be kind to ourselves and to look after ourselves, both mind and body. So, below are some tips on how to be kind to yourself, which I hope will lift spirits and bring happiness. Indulge in self-care I've shared this tip before when discussing mental health, but it is just as important in this blog post. Self-care has only recently become an activity in the past few years, and it's one we should all try to do from time to time. Looking after ourselves should be our number one goal in life because if you can't look after yourself properly, how do you expect to look after somebody else? Indulging in self-care doesn't have to take up lots of time. It could be as short as 10 minutes. But try to do something that helps you relax; that allows your body to rest and feel good, and your mind to shut off for a few moments. It could be taking a bubble bath, doing some meditation, or investing in a skincare routine before bed. As long as it makes you feel better, do it. Enjoy your own company This tip is probably quite a controversial one because a lot of people are social butterflies and are energised from spending time with family and friends. But we can't always be surrounded by people. It's important to be content with who you are and okay being by yourself from time to time. So, one way of being kind to yourself could be going on a solo date. You could go out for coffee, take yourself to the cinema (you can't really talk to friends during the movies anyway), or simply order a takeaway or cook a nice meal, and have a solo movie night at home. I'm not saying we all must spend time with ourselves, but occasionally, having a moment to enjoy your own company can work wonders. Be your own gift-giver As Valentine's Day has just passed, this tip is quite apt. A lot of people don't have friends, family or a significant other to buy them gifts. So why not buy yourself a gift? Being kind to yourself means treating yourself from time to time, and one way to do that is to treat yourself to a little gift. It doesn't have to be big, but equally, it doesn't have to be small. But gifting yourself a little present can bring a smile to your face and make you feel good by receiving something new, especially if it's something you've wanted for a while but never got around to purchasing. Give yourself some grace Life is tough. Things happen, and life doesn't always work out the way we hope it would. It's easy to blame ourselves or be angry at the world. But we have to remember to give ourselves some grace. It is easy to feel frustrated, even about things outside of our control, but we can't control or plan for everything. Sometimes life just happens. We might not complete our list of chores. We might fall behind at work. We might forget to send a birthday card to a friend. All of these things are normal and probably happen far more often than we think (we just don't know about them). So, for my final tip on how to be kind to yourself, I'm reminding you to give yourself some grace. To accept that, as much as we would like to be the next Captain America or Captain Marvel, superheroes aren't perfect, and every one of us can be our own hero if we learn to forgive ourselves. If your world is looking a little bleak, or things are tough at the moment, then I hope these tips remind you how to be kind to yourself, and that that is just as important as being kind to others. Until next time...

As Valentine's Day is this weekend, here are some romance book recommendations for readers who enjoy indulging in a love story. One of my favourite genres of fiction is romance. Over the years, I've read a lot of romance books, from dark romance to romantasy to YA romance. I also love a good romcom and watching TV shows and movies that have feel-good love stories. There's just something about the predictability, but also the heartbreak of a romance story that appeals to lots of people. So, as we are a few days away from Valentine's Day, I'm sharing some of my top romance book recommendations. Throne of the Fallen Sub-Genre: Romantasy Blurb: " With the curse broken, the Prince of Envy is finally free to get his revenge. His scheme requires the assistance of Camilla Antonius, a talented gallery owner and artist. Camilla's skills are needed to help him access a stolen memory Envy believes was painted into an illuminated manuscript that his spies claim is currently being housed in a goddess-run temple on the Shifting Isles. Camilla's knowledge of art history makes her the best choice for the job, but—despite his allure and how intrigued she is by him—Camilla wants nothing to do with the demon prince, or the Seven Circles after seeing the chaos that follows them. Envy has been plotting for ages and came prepared. He reveals he purchased her father's debts and her assistance is the price he's asking for to clear them. If Camilla refuses to help, he vows to ruin her family, take her gallery, and turn them out on the streets. Backed into a corner, Camilla is forced to accept the devil's bargain and they soon embark on a journey that may be as dangerous for their hearts as it is for their world." The Seven Year Slip Sub-Genre: Magical Realism Romance Blurb: " Six months ago, Clementine West had the worst day of her life. So, she came up with a plan to keep her heart safe: stay busy, work hard, take no risks. And it’s been working. That is, until one day she finds a strange man standing in her kitchen. A man with kind eyes, a crooked smile, and a recipe for the perfect lemon meringue pie. The kind of man that, before everything, she could have fallen for … He’s perfect, but for one thing: he lives in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. This should be impossible, but Clementine used to love impossible things. And maybe, just maybe, she will again. After all, love is never a matter of time – but a matter of timing." Yours Truly Sub-Genre: Medical Romance Blurb: " Dr Briana Ortiz's life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalised, her brother's running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants . . . ? Oh, that's probably going to the new man-doctor who's already registering eighty-friggin'-seven on Briana's 'pain in my ass' scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter. It's a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn't actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who's terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her 'sob closet' and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. When Jacob turns out to be the perfect donor for her brother, Bri starts to realise that this quietly sexy new doctor might just be her perfect match, too." Book Lovers Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance Blurb: " One month. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming.... Nora is a cut-throat literary agent at the top of her game. Her whole life is books. Charlie is an editor with a gift for creating bestsellers. And he's Nora's work nemesis. Nora has been through enough break-ups to know she's the woman men date before they find their happy-ever-after. That's why Nora's sister has persuaded her to swap her desk in the city for a month's holiday in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. It's a small town straight out of a romance novel, but instead of meeting sexy lumberjacks, handsome doctors or cute bartenders, Nora keeps bumping into...Charlie. She's no heroine. He's no hero. So can they take a page out of an entirely different book? " Love Redesigned Sub-Genre: Small Town Romance Blurb: " Julian: If I ever caught on fire, Dahlia Muñoz would fan the flames with a smile. So , when she returns to Lake Wisteria, I fully intend to avoid the interior designer. At least until my meddling mother exploits my saviour complex. The faster I help Dahlia find her creative spark, the sooner she will leave town. But while I was busy getting rid of Dahlia, I overlooked one potential issue. What happens if I want her to stay? Dahlia: People say the devil has many faces, but I know only one. Julian Lopez - my childhood rival and family frenemy. I vow to steer clear of him while recovering from my broken engagement, but then the billionaire makes an irresistible offer. Renovate a historic house together and triple our profits. Our temporary truce becomes compromised as we face years' worth of denied attraction and mixed emotions. Giving into our desire is inevitable . . . but falling in love? That isn't part of the plan. " Fragile Sanctuary Sub-Genre: Romantic Suspense Blurb: " The scowl should've been my first sign to stay away from Anson Hunt. The sexy smirk and the fact that he's my brother's best friend? Reasons two and three. Anson is my opposite in every way: grumpy, rude, and loves his solitude. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to kill him with kindness; the man simply won’t crack. Until he sees me shatter. When my world falls apart, Anson catches me. And as so-called “accidents” put my life in danger, he steps in to keep me safe. But Anson has secrets with a price. And when they're revealed, neither of us will escape unscathed. . ." One Golden Summer Sub-Genre: Summer Romance Blurb: " I never anticipated Charlie Florek. But Charlie Florek changed my life. Good things happen at the lake. That's what Alice's Nan always says. And it's true. It's where Alice took that photo, the one that catapulted her career. But when Nan falls, Alice puts down her camera and heads back to Barry’s Bay. No camera. No deadlines. Quiet… until he shows up. Charlie Florek. He was nineteen when she accidentally photographed him. Now he’s back - taller, hotter, and somehow even more unforgettable. Sun-soaked days, slow-burning nights - and when Charlie looks at her like that, Alice starts to wonder if her heart’s in danger. She’s spent her life seeing others. But no one’s ever truly seen her...until now." Better Than the Movies Sub-Genre: Young Adult Romance Blurb: " Perpetual daydreamer and hopeless romantic Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar—and maybe snag him as a prom date—even befriend Wes Bennet. The annoyingly attractive next-door neighbour might seem like a prime candidate for romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only been a pain in Liz’s butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz’s in. But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must re-examine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own ideas of what Happily Ever After should look like." First-Time Caller Sub-Genre: Romantic Comedy Blurb: " Aiden Valentine has a secret: he’s fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, that’s a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom Lucie, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight. Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life—or lack thereof—she begins to question if she’s as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending. . . even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her." Problematic Summer Romance Sub-Genre: Holiday Romance Blurb: " Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life. Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him. It's such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother's best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life. But not everything is as it seems - and clichés sometimes become plot twists. When Maya's brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs - even if it's a problematic one." So, if you're looking for new romance novel to indulge in this Valentine's Day, then I hope you enjoy these recommendations. Until next time...

It can be daunting trying to start a new writing project, so here are some writing tips to help you get started crafting characters and plotlines. To kick off the new year, I'm starting 2026 with a new writing project for my undergraduate degree. As a Creative Writing student, I often find myself with multiple stories and creative pieces on the go. However, this year marks the start of a new project. I'm very excited to delve into my new work-in-progress, but at the same time, it is rather daunting. I'm not an established author, and I'm no expert. But I thought I'd share some of my tips for starting a new writing project in case any budding writers are reading this blog post. Use a fresh notebook One of the best tools for starting a new writing project is having a fresh, empty notebook. Not one that you've already started but only used a few pages of, but a clean, new notebook. This way, you'll have a dedicated space to jot down notes, write out any thoughts that pop into your head, and somewhere to brainstorm. It means all your ideas will be in one place and, therefore, will be easier to navigate. I find that if I write the working title of the project on the front page, it sets me up nicely to fill the rest of the notebook. It doesn't have to be the neatest or most organised notebook, so long as you can make sense of what you write. Choose what excites you There is nothing worse than having to write something that just does not interest or excite you. If you're not passionate about what you are working on, it shows in the work you produce. So, remember to choose what excites you. It can be fiction or non-fiction or poetry; if you're writing a novel, choose a genre that interests you, not one you think others will want to read. By writing something that you are passionate about, you will have more fun writing it, and the easier the story will come to life for you. Create a research list For my current work-in-progress, I'm having to do a lot of research (for writing purposes, but also for a critical review). Because of this, I've got a whole new notebook for research notes, and have made a list of different novels and websites I want to read. Having a list of topics I need to research and what sources I can use for my research is making it so much easier, so when it comes to it, I'm not left floundering and trying to search for ages on Google. Instead, I have what I need and can spend my time actually researching and taking notes. So, if you've got particular things you need to look up, then making a list on a post-it note can help specify your research and make the most of your time. Craft character profiles If you're writing fiction, characters are the lifeblood of the story. They inhabit the world you create, journey through the plot you've imagined and immerse the reader in the story. When you are starting a new writing project, if you do not know your characters or if you do not understand them fully, it will make it more difficult for you to progress naturally and consistently. One tip I find helpful for tackling this is to craft character profiles of the protagonists. Now, I'm not just talking about their name, age, what they look like and a bit about their personality. I mean, going in-depth to fully flesh out who they are as people. What was their childhood like? Do they have any secrets or regrets? How do they walk, talk and interact with others? What are their goals and ambitions? Having a character profile can make it easier when you're writing, especially if it's a first-person narrative, because it allows you to get inside the character's head and bring them to life more easily. Draft all aspects 'Draft all aspects' follows on nicely from character profiles. What I mean by this tip is that in preparation for starting to write, if you draft all aspects, you'll have an easier time letting the story flow from your fingertips onto the page. The things you can draft include character profiles, a plot outline, key events in the story, notable interactions between characters and descriptions of settings in your world. By having a rough outline of all these things, it'll make it more fun to get into the crux of your story and begin writing. Write, write, write My final tip is one I've learnt over the past year of studying and writing, and it's one that I sometimes do struggle with still. Write, write, write, means what it says. It does you no good if you sit and procrastinate. It also doesn't help if you write a bit, then edit, then write another section and edit. To start a new writing project, you have to be willing to sit down and write, write, write. Don't try to edit as you go because I guarantee it'll take you longer to get to a finished product. Sure, you can edit if you've noticed a word spelt wrong, or if there's a slight description you actually think would be better if you changed it. But save the big amounts of editing for when you've reached a full draft. These tips are all ones that helped me get to the end of my manuscript last year. I set aside time each week and just wrote as much as I could, following my plot outline and character profiles, and by the end of the year, I had 100,000 words of a complete novel (without editing). So, if you're looking to start a new writing project, I hope these tips can help you kickstart it. If you're a writer or have any tips of your own, feel free to share them below. Until next time...

Netflix released People We Meet on Vacation , the book-to-movie adaptation of Emily Henry's novel, You and Me on Vacation . One of my first reads of the year was You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry. This was a priority read for me because I knew that the Netflix adaptation was coming out in January, and I wanted to squeeze in the book before watching. In America, the book is called People We Meet on Vacation , whereas in the UK it has the title You and Me on Vacation . However, the Netflix movie uses the American title, being an American film. I have enjoyed every single one of Emily Henry's novels that I have read before 2026. My love for her writing has, thankfully, continued into this year as I devoured You and Me on Vacation . I loved the book, and really enjoyed the movie too, so I thought I'd share my review of the film, People We Meet on Vacation , and give a brief comparison to the book. Review of People We Meet on Vacation Genre: Romcom Stars: Emily Bader, Tom Blyth Adaptation of: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry Rating: 8/10 Synopsis The synopsis for the movie is: "Poppy wants to explore the world, and Alex prefers to stay home with a good book, but somehow they are the very best of friends. They live far apart, but for a decade, they have spent one week of summer vacation together." That, in a nutshell, is the basic premise of the movie and the book. However, there is a little more to the story. Overall Thoughts As someone who enjoys watching romcoms, I thought People We Meet on Vacation marked a great resurgence of the film genre. I haven't watched a romcom quite like this one in a while, and I absolutely loved it. However, as someone who has read the book, I did find some slight drawbacks, but overall I did really enjoy the movie and would recommend watching it, whether you're a fan of the novel or not. Characters People We Meet on Vacation follows Poppy Wright and Alex Neilson, two completely different university students who share a ride home for the summer. During their journey home, the two form a friendship, and from there, we see Alex and Poppy become best friends and spend one week every summer together. I loved these two characters when I read the books. They definitely follow the opposites-attract trope, but it works. Poppy is outgoing, confident, wacky, and unashamed to be her wonderful, weird self. Alex, on the other hand, is quiet, reserved, definitely more introverted, and loves stability and order. It's safe to say that these find the other a bit out of their comfort zone. But after the first trip, their friendship grows stronger. Poppy is 100% herself around Alex; she doesn't worry what he thinks of her. Alex, whilst still reserved, opens up to Poppy and embraces 'Vacation Alex', who is weird and outgoing for one week of the year. The characters in the book were a lot stronger on the page than those in the film in terms of relatability; however, Tom Blythe and Emily Bader did an exceptional job at portraying Alex and Poppy. I loved their acting and would definitely love to see them cast together in another romcom. The banter was there, the chemistry was there, and they brought Poppy and Alex to life really well. Book Aesthetic Credit: WriteWatchWork Plot Friends-to-lovers is a romance trope that I underestimate a lot. I tend to lean more towards enemies-to-lovers; however, Emily Henry did a superb job of crafting a friends-to-lovers romance that showcases true friends and developing feelings over time. The movie, of course, alters some of the plot from the book. For starters, the present-day trip in the book is in Palm Springs, whereas in the movie, it's in Barcelona. That didn't have too much of an impact, in my opinion; it still worked really well. I loved how the movie structured the flashbacks back and forth between the present and the past, showcasing the different trips that Alex and Poppy go on. Not every trip is involved in the film because there are quite a lot, spanning eight (I think) years, but we get the key moments. The plot of the movie was similar to the novel in that Alex and Poppy reunite after two years of not speaking or seeing each other at Alex's brother's wedding. During this trip, old feelings and memories are brought up, whilst new secrets are revealed. I must say, I am very glad that Netflix included the New Orleans and Norway trips because for me, they are so important in the book. In the film, the New Orleans trip was so good; I loved the dance scene in particular and how they incorporated Poppy rolling her ankle into this scene (in the book, this happens on their trip to Vail up a mountain). The blend of different trips worked really well for the movie, in particular, Croatia and Tuscany. If you've read the book, you'll know that Croatia is when things take a turn for Alex and Poppy and after that trip, they don't speak for two years. In the movie, however, the big fallout between them is in Tuscany. The film incorporates some of what happened in Croatia into the Tuscany and trip, and I felt that this incident was much more impactful than in the book, honestly. Book vs Movie Comparison Having read the book and watched the movie, I do still prefer the book. However, I loved the movie, and there were key aspects to it I thought were done incredibly well (maybe even better than the book). One of these is the final scene. In the book, Poppy visits the school that Alex teaches at and meets Sarah there; she then goes to the pub to tell Alex how she feels. At the time of reading that, I loved it. I thought it was a sweet and heartbreaking scene all wrapped into one. But in the movie, this doesn't happen. Instead, Poppy bumps into Sarah at the airport, they move on from past grievances, and she ends up returning home and running after Alex. This was so much more dramatic and impactful because throughout the film, a major difference between Alex and Poppy is that she hates running. So I loved that ending to the movie. However, on the flip side, there are aspects of the movie that I think could have been developed a bit more to echo the impact and effects in the book. For example, the issue surrounding Alex's back in the movie was such a short sequence of scenes, and his backstory was much less explored in the movie. But overall, I do think People We Meet on Vacation, the movie, is a great adaptation of the novel, and I will probably re-watch it because it is a pure romcom. If you've seen the movie, let me know what you thought. Until next time...

With Blue Monday just two days ago, here are some self-care tips to help your mental health as 2026 gets underway. January is often classed as a depressing month. It's cold, dark, and it's the time when everyone returns to work or school after having time off over Christmas. For a lot of people, the first month of a new year can be a struggle. There are lots of things to think about ahead of returning to work, and also lots of things to sort out from Christmas and for the new year. Which is why the third Monday of January is named ' Blue Monday '. Whilst 'Blue Monday' was made up by a travel company a couple of decades ago with no real scientific backing, that doesn't mean it isn't important. The day serves as a reminder to care for your own mental health, but also to check in on those around you. So, with that being said, here are some self-care tips to help your mental health. Prioritising your body One of the most important things in our lives is our bodies. Without our bodies, we would not be here and it should be a priority to look after them and try to give ourselves the best quality of life possible. Prioritising our bodies is a method of self-care because it will ultimately improve our health, both physically and mentally. There are various ways of looking after our bodies, but let's talk about exercise, sleep and nutrition. Exercise is, of course, an important aspect that needs to be included in our daily routine. Not only does it release endorphins, which make us feel happier after a workout, but it also gets our blood pumping, reduces stress, increases confidence and can be a source of connection with others. Sleep should also be a priority — something I'm probably guilty of not doing. There is no point in having a long to-do list, making time to see friends or stressing about not doing well enough at your job if you're not getting enough sleep. Sleep lets our bodies rest and heal, and puts us in the best position for a good day, but only if we get enough of it and aren't doom-scrolling just before lights out. The final tip about prioritising your body is all about nutrition. There's the saying 'You are what you eat', and in a sense, that is true. If you're fuelling your body with lots of unhealthy and sugary foods, you're not going to feel refreshed and ready for the day ahead. Instead, you need to be eating a balanced diet, getting enough nutrition, and taking time to enjoy meals, not just scoffing them down as fast as you can if you're short on time. Connections with others I mentioned above that exercise can be a source of connecting with others, and that is important to remember. Sure, sometimes we all need space and time to be alone and have time to ourselves. But there is power in the connection we have with others, whether that's family or friends. You can bond with them and share memories, whilst opening up to them if you need to and getting support from trusted loved ones. So, it's important to remember to make time for friends and family, whether that's a simple coffee date, or having them pop in for an afternoon, or even spending time together grocery shopping. Manage stress and demands I often write about stress on this blog because it is something I suffer from and have seen those around me suffer from, too. Especially in the modern world, there are lots of things that cause stress, whether it's something on a national level, such as the cost of living, or on a more personal and individual level. But there are ways you can combat stress to help your mental health. Firstly, finding a hobby is a great tool for managing stress. Having a hobby that you can indulge in and take time for yourself to do can give you the time and space to relax and be present in the moment. It can be whatever you find enjoyable, whether it's reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, or even gardening. The next way to manage stress is through meditation. There are a lot of apps, like Headspace or Calm, that can help you with meditation if you're someone who hasn't done much of it before, but it can be just as simple as deep breathing or sitting there with your eyes closed and calming yourself down. The final tip of managing stress as a way of self-care is to embrace nature. Now, I'm not necessarily a huge fan of all things nature when it comes to insects and bugs; however, there is something powerful about being in nature and enjoying what it has to offer. So, go for a walk in nature and just have a stroll through greenery, or find an area of green space and just sit there for a while. Reflection My final tip about how to utilise self-care to help your mental health is all about reflection. This can take many forms, but a popular type of reflection is journaling. It doesn't have to be every day, especially if you're someone who is time-aware and knows you won't necessarily have time for it. You can reflect every few days, each week, whatever suits you. But take time to look back on things you've done recently, how you've felt and what has made you happy. This can help you understand your thoughts and understand how to improve your mentality and feel happier going forward. Another way of reflection that I saw recently in The Good Trade is to write a 'ta-da' list instead of a to-do list. Essentially, this is a list of all the good things you've accomplished (again, in whatever time frame suits you) and something you can look back on and feel proud about. With 2026 well underway, this year should be one of self-care for everybody. Of course, some tasks and jobs need doing, but life is too short to just complete housework and not take the time out for self-care. What self-care tips do you have? Until next time...