Million Love Songs By Carole Matthews Book Review

I spent a lot of December with my head stuck in a book so expect lots of book reviews over the next few weeks! 2018 was the year I really got back into reading, I've lost count of the amount of books I bought and I fully intend to only read even more in 2019 so let's get started. Million Love Songs by Carole Matthews had been on my list for a few months so when it was on offer in December, I decided to grab it and it was a welcome change after reading many thrillers previously.

Ruby Brown is ready for a change. She's single for the first time in years and she's going to dive into this brave new world with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The last thing she's looking for is a serious relationship. Mason represents everything Ruby wants right now: he's charming, smooth and perfect for some no-strings-attached fun. Joe on the other hand is kind and attractive, but comes with the sort of baggage Ruby wants to avoid: an annoyingly attractive ex-wife and two teenage children. Ruby thinks she knows what she wants, but is it what she needs to be truly happy? It's about to get emotional in Million Love Songs.

My Review

I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but I wanted to quickly mention how beautiful this one is. It stood out to me amongst loads of other books and I knew it would be one I'd read eventually. After reading lots of different books in 2018, from pretty heartbreaking stories like Five Years From Now to shocking mysteries like Then She Was Gone, I just wanted something a bit more 'normal' if that makes sense. Just a good story that didn't require much thinking or leave me having to stop and think every few chapters! The story does start off quite slow as we meet Ruby and find out her backstory. We discover she's recently divorced and ready for some fun and that's when we get introduced to her two potential love interests - Mason and Joe. Because of this I did find I didn't really get properly gripped by it until I was about halfway through but then it just seemed to hit a point where it got really interesting and found it's flow and from then on I was desperate to see how it would end.

From the beginning I felt Ruby was a really relatable character and I genuinely liked her. Whilst I'm not a 38 year old divorced woman, I understood her struggles with self esteem, not feeling good enough compared to other women and just wanting a bit more than a 9-5 job from life sometimes. I was rooting for her to find herself and to make the right decision when it comes to the men in her life, I wanted the best for her and I loved how Carole has written it in that you really do get so invested in Ruby and what's going to happen. Onto the men, Carole did a brilliant job with showing different sides to them both, meaning it leaves you wondering if either are actually good enough for Ruby. Though you know Mason isn't quite right for her, you do get glimpses of a good guy whereas Joe overall seems perfect but at times he comes across selfish and out for himself and at times I just wanted Ruby to stay single, take on life by herself and know she would be okay which I suppose was probably the point of the book. 

Whilst overall this is a love story, which is always going to be my favourite to read, I loved that it was also focused on friendships too. I adored the relationship between Ruby and her Gary Barlow obsessed friends and I found a lot of the time I was hoping for the best for them too, I genuinely liked each of them. There was so much more to this than just a love triangle and whilst I didn't think it was an instant page turner at first, I soon couldn't put it down. It showed life is for living whether you're alone or not, and just because things don't always work out how you planned, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. If you're all about romance like me then this is definitely worth a read.

Have you read Million Love Songs? Let me know if you have any other recommendations!

Other book reviews - One Day In December by Josie Silver // The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

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2018 - A Reflection And Round-Up Of The Year

At the start of a new year, I always like to look back over the previous year and reflect a little on what it was like and talk about some of my highlights. I've done this for a few years now and I always like to write these up as it gives me an excuse to go back over all the exciting and happy things, which is always nice as sometimes it can be easy to just focus on the doom and gloom, especially if you're a bit of a pessimist like me. Whilst not every single month in 2018 was amazing, and some were pretty boring to be honest, I think good can be found in just the normal everyday so I'm going to try and pick a few of my favourite memories for each month before I get started on some new posts for this year.

January

January started with celebrating my birthday. I've mentioned a few times in the past that it's never really a day I look forward to for various reasons but I do find it gets a little bit easier each year so turning 23 actually wasn't too bad. The thing that made me happiest on the day was walking into the living room to see it had been decorated like the episode of the US Office where Dwight and Jim decorate the conference room for Kelly's birthday. There was a 'it is your birthday' banner and half inflated balloons and it was just so funny to wake up to. We also had such a nice meal out that day and I ate so much cake, but that's what birthdays are about. Later on in the month we were celebrating again as it was George's birthday and this was when we finally got round to seeing The Greatest Showman. I don't think either of us went in expecting to love it quite as much as we did, but it really was brilliant. This was also the month we started to think about planning/booking our honeymoon too.

February

February was a great month blog wise. I was so proud to work with some amazing brands like Gemporia and Crafted Drinks and I also created a recipe for Peanut Butter Brownies with Taffy Mail which was so much fun. I feel like that was a month I really upped my game with my blog photos too which has been a massive struggle for me since the beginning. I'm just not that creative so sometimes trying to come up ideas for products can take such a long time but I was so motivated that month and I'm so happy with the work I produced. As always in February, we celebrated Valentines Day our usual way, with a trip to the cinema to see the new Fifty Shades film and a gorgeous meal at home. It was the final film of the series so it was #emosh.

March

March ended up being a really lovely month for a few different reasons. Number one, George got a promotion which was so exciting, he works so hard so it was thoroughly deserved. Unfortunately the snow put a stop to our plans for celebrating but it was nice to spend some quality time together at home and to get planning for the future. That month we also had a date day to Leeds, which almost didn't happen, again due to the snow but we got there and I'm so glad we did. We had such a nice day of shopping, buying far too much from the Lindt store and having a cute little coffee date. Oh, and that month we also booked our honeymoon to Paris! We were very torn between a few places but Paris just felt right and it was such an exciting time for us.

April

April started with allll the chocolate on Easter weekend. I think it's a rule you have to go a little bit crazy over Easter isn't it? Well I did anyway, I JUST LOVE EASTER EGGS OKAY. April was also a good month for baking too, something I'd definitely not done enough in the first few months of the year and I love some of the recipes I tried. Later on in the month, we visited York for the first time for our minimoon which was just heavenly. We had the most incredible time, it really is a stunning city and I've wanted to go back ever since. We stayed at The Grand Hotel which was incredibly fancy for us but the perfect place to celebrate being newlyweds.

May

The month didn't start off that well as I was cooped up in bed ill but it soon got better once our honeymoon came around. We stayed in Paris for 3 nights so we got almost 4 full days to explore the beautiful city which was the perfect amount. It was our first trip abroad together so that was lovely in itself but being there as a married couple was just so special. We got to see all of the main attractions, the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, The Louvre, Champs Elysees and so many more. I'd love to go back one day. A week after getting back we also had a night in London. We saw the musical Kinky Boots which was just everything. I fell totally in love with it and I think it's probably my favourite show out of all the ones we've seen so far.

June

This was a really quiet month but it was needed after a busy few weeks previously. Summer started though which I absolutely hate. Does anyone else hate the warm weather? I know most people tend to love it and hate the colder months but surely I can't be alone. I just want it to be cold and rainy all year round. Not much happened personally that month but I was really proud of my blog. I secured some great brand collaborations, I started my travel guides and I also wrote a post about musical theatre and why I don't feel embarrassed talking about it anymore which I'm really glad I decided to publish. June ended better than it started as this was the month we booked Hamilton tickets. It's such an expensive show and one that sells out quickly so once we found some good seats for a reasonable price for our wedding anniversary of all days, it was like fate. It was also the month George got a new job too which was perfect for many reasons so I was incredibly proud. It ended up being a great year work-wise for George and I know I don't say it enough, but I am SO thankful for everything he does for us.

July

We started July by celebrating our 7th anniversary with a lovely few days off together. It came around so fast again, I can't believe it's getting closer to 10 years! The longer we've been together, each year just seems to go by quicker and quicker. July was a good month for films, we had quite a few cinema dates but my favourite was Mamma Mia Here We Go Again. I sobbed like a baby at the end.

August

The main thing that happened in August was George and I spent almost a week in Manchester which was actually the longest we've spent anywhere together! We tend to go back around Christmas time for a night for the Xmas markets but as George had to go down for work all week, I tagged along. Having quite a few days there meant I could really chill out as I'd had quite a few stressful weeks beforehand. I ventured out each day for lunch, did a little bit of shopping and I also had time to work on my blog too which was nice. We also had a few evenings out too including a trip the Trafford Centre which I absolutely loved.

September

I really got into the autumnal spirit in September. That is the month where I can start to think about Christmas so I always look forward to it. The autumn props came out for my photos so therefore I loved all of the photos I posted much more than ones over the Summer, and again I had some great collaborations. In fact, not to be big-headed or anything like that, but September and October were my best months since I'd gone self-employed and it honestly felt amazing. I worked so hard so it meant I did treat myself a little more than usual whilst still being able to plan and save for a few other trips which just made me feel so proud.

October

We had another trip to London in October which was lovely as it meant I had got a few days to myself to explore my favourite city. Whilst George was working, on one of the days I took myself to Notting Hill for the first time and I was so proud of myself. Whilst I adore London and feel so at home there, it was the furthest I'd travelled out to alone but I had such a good day! It was so nice to find some of the film locations from Notting Hill and Paddington and the houses were just beautiful. I can't wait to go back there in future with George too. We also saw Heathers the musical during that trip which was insane. I genuinely left a little bit deaf.

November

After finishing October with a cinema trip to see A Star Is Born (I'm still not over it) a few days later we were back to see Bohemian Rhapsody which was outstanding. They've done such a good job but wow, it was emotional at times! The main thing that happened in November was that we had a date day to Manchester and went back to the Christmas markets as we'd not been to them for a few years. We ate so much delicious food and it was just the perfect way to get in the festive spirit. It wasn't too long after that the Christmas decorations went up, I just couldn't resist! In November I also found out I'd got through to the second stage of the UK Blog Awards which I never, ever expected. It was so nice to be nominated and even though voting has closed now, thank you so much if you did vote!

December

As you might imagine, December was all about Christmas and I'm genuinely so sad it's all over now. The month featured many movie nights with all the festive films - Elf, Love Actually (far too many times), The Holiday, The Santa Clause, Arthur Christmas and so many more. The main thing in December though was our first wedding anniversary. I have no idea how we've already been married for a year, it's absolutely flown by but we celebrated in the best way - by taking a trip to our favourite place, London and seeing two shows. Hamilton was everything I had hoped and more, and Kinky Boots was as fabulous as ever. Then once we were home, it was time for Christmas. All the roast potatoes, festive chocolates, TV specials and just quality time together. The best month.

So that's my 2018 round-up! Whilst it was an up and down year for many reasons, mainly anxiety being the main negative thing which decided to linger at several times, overall I was so much happier and we did so many exciting things. We had several trips to London which always makes me happy, our amazing honeymoon, our first visit to York, we decorated parts of our home and so much more. I loved looking back over the year and picking some highlights. I just hope 2019 is as good, if not better 🤞

How was your 2018? What were some of your highlights?

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What I Got For Christmas And A Round-Up Of The Day - 2018

I know some people don't like 'What I Got For Christmas' blog posts but I personally love reading them! I've done my own for a few years now so this year is no exception, I always enjoying writing about Christmas and I'm going to stretch it out for as long as I can! As always I'm not bragging with this post, I'm so grateful for anything I get, it's just nice to share a few things each year.

So, George totally spoilt me again. Though we always set ourselves a rough budget for each other (otherwise I'd definitely go a little mad, I just love Christmas shopping) we never really go for fancy things. I'm all about DVD's, books and chocolates so I was so incredibly pleased with every single thing I unwrapped.

One of the first gifts I opened was the Christopher Robin DVD. I adored this film when we saw it at the cinema earlier in the year, it took me right back to my childhood so now I can watch it over and over. Another special gift I unwrapped was a beautiful pin from Nutmeg and Arlo. It's a little puppy which reminds me so much of my beautiful Bouncer who I still miss so much every single day. I've got a nice little pin collection now so this is such a welcome addition, it's just so cute!

Now onto books because I'm getting through them so quickly at the moment! One that had been on my list for months and I'd got so close to buying several times was The Tattooist Of Auschwitz. This is a subject that has fascinated me since school so when I saw this book, I was intrigued straight away but all I've seen is amazing reviews since. I'm incredibly excited to read this next. Another book I got was Nine Uses For An Ex-Boyfriend. I added this to my Amazon list months ago and then completely forgot about it so I wasn't expecting this one at all! I love such a variety of genres and this one sounds like a perfect, light-hearted read.

Of course there had to be chocolate! We tend to stock up on quite a lot of chocolate, biscuits, snacks etc in the run-up to Christmas anyway but we always buy each other a few bits too. I had no idea what I'd get this year but I was so happy to see mini Toblerone's which are just the best, we got through those so quickly, and also the little After Eight gift set is lovely! Mint chocolate is one of the best things in the world 💚💚💚

A few other bits I got from George that I wasn't expecting was a new calendar for my office, a beautiful Winter Spiced Apple room spray which I've been after for weeks, a new rose gold tangle teaser and a lovely Peach Bellini perfume I had no idea even existed! There was also my stocking too which was filled with lots of different chocolates and things like face masks which you can never have enough of!

Our Christmas was just so lovely and as always, it was so nice to spend the day together. We started off with our usual tradition of watching White Christmas whilst opening our presents, and of course a glass of Bucks Fizz. Is it really Christmas without it? We then had the nicest day which involved lots of chocolate, an incredible Christmas dinner if I do say so myself (I'm still dreaming about the roast potatoes) and lots of films which is what Christmas is all about for us. It was perfect, I just wish it didn't end so quickly.

How was your Christmas? Did you get anything special?

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A Festive Trip To London - Hamilton, Kinky Boots & Winter Wonderland

As always with any trip to London, I like to do a little round-up/photo diary post. These posts are my absolute favourite to read back so I hope you don't mind more London spam! We went for our first wedding anniversary just before Christmas, and I'm seriously so sad it's all over. It was a trip we'd booked months in advance so whilst it seemed to take forever to arrive, it was over before we knew it, always the way though isn't it? Christmas is always the best in London so I'm just grateful we got to go at all again. We've been so lucky to have already seen so many shows and had so many trips back to our favourite place over the last year.

We arrived pretty early on the Thursday morning due to seeing a matinee that afternoon so once we were checked in, we were back out again straight away. After lunch at Whole Foods (it's legit my favourite shop) and a wander around Piccadilly, it was time for Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre. I won't go on too much about this as I put a full review up a few days ago but it really was everything I hoped it would be and more. I can't even explain how amazing it was to finally hear the songs live after listening to the soundtrack for such a long time. The cast blew me away and I cried far more than I thought I would, it was outstanding and I'd go back again tomorrow if I could.

After finally pulling myself together after Hamilton, it was time for Winter Wonderland. We love Christmas markets so this is like the ultimate! We visited for the first time last year and loved it so we were really keen to go back this year too if we could. I'm not going to lie, I think the novelty has worn off a little now. It's still brilliant, and it's the place to go to get in the festive spirit but there just seemed to be something missing this year. Maybe it's just because the afternoon had been so amazing and I'd felt on such a high that afterwards I was just aware that part was over and maybe that's why I didn't feel this was quite as magical as last year? Anyway, I'm still glad we went, we ate some of the most delicious food, which is always a highlight for us. The Ferrero Rocher Doughnuts OMG, insane! I definitely felt ready for Christmas afterwards, I'm just not sure it will be a regular thing every year.

The second day was pretty chilled which was so nice after such a full on first day. We started off by visiting the Southbank Christmas market. They had so many stalls of wonderful crafts, gifts and homemade baked goods, it's always nice to walk along and this year it seemed even bigger and better than before. There was even a Paddington stall and if you've read some of my film posts, you'll know how much I love the films so I was thrilled to find that! After a little trip in front of the London Eye (typical 🙄) we made our way to Covent Garden which for me is one of the best places in London. It's lovely all year round but it's so special at Christmas, they go all out with the decorations and you can't help but feel ridiculously festive!

We spent the afternoon walking round the shops, watching the performers, eating at Shake Shack and drinking the most luxurious hot chocolates before heading to see Kinky Boots that evening. It's such a fabulous show and we loved it so much when we last saw it but it really was even better this time. The cast were on fire, it made for such a fun night and it was the perfect way to end the trip for our anniversary.

Like with any trip to London, it went far too fast and of course I'm sad to be home now but I'm already planning for the next one! 

Do you like to visit London at Christmas too?

Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre review // Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre review

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