AllThingsGee

19th May 2021

Happy May!

How crazy is it that it is May already and tomorrow we enter Gemini season ( as a fellow Gemini and someone who has a lot of Geminis as friends… I cannot bloody wait!)

After a brief period off in April I am back and we have some exciting content coming your way… Friday I am finally getting round to post an incredible collaboration that I have been so excited about. But for now we are back with some of my favourite kind of posts… It’s a Blog Tour. And we all know how much I love me a good Blog tour.

And with all my Blog Tours we are starting off with a little gush of appreciation for one of my favourite humans Dave because I swear I would miss half of these blog tours if it was not for him. So a massive Thanks to Dave at TheWriteReads for letting me take part in this blog tour. Also a Big thanks also to Tor UK and the author himself for my free Ecopy in exchange for an honest review…

Spoiler Alert we come back with a bang and another 5 star reviews. 2021 is turning out to be the year of 5 star reviews.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adrian Tchaikovsky is the author of the acclaimed Shadows of the Apt fantasy series, from the first volume, Empire In Black and Gold in 2008 to the final book, Seal of the Worm, in 2014, with a new series and a standalone science fiction novel scheduled for 2015. He has been nominated for the David Gemmell Legend Award and a British Fantasy Society Award. In civilian life he is a lawyer, gamer and amateur entomologist.

Synopsis:

This high-stakes space-based adventure will be perfect for those who loved Children of Time, also by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

The war is over. Its heroes forgotten. Until one chance discovery . . .

Idris has neither aged nor slept since they remade his mind in the war. And one of humanity’s heroes now scrapes by on a freelance salvage vessel, to avoid the attention of greater powers.

Eighty years ago, Earth was destroyed by an alien enemy. Many escaped, but millions more died. So mankind created enhanced humans such as Idris – who could communicate mind-to-mind with our aggressors. Then these ‘Architects’ simply disappeared and Idris and his kind became obsolete.

Now, Idris and his crew have something strange, abandoned in space. It’s clearly the work of the Architects – but are they really returning? And if so, why? Hunted by gangsters, cults and governments, Idris and his crew race across the galaxy as they search for answers. For they now possess something of incalculable value, and many would kill to obtain it.

My Review:

As always I will aim to not give any spoilers to the book because when I say you need to read this yourself… I MEAN IF YOU LOVE SCI-FI… DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR AND GRAB A COPY! It is worth it I promise. With that being said here are some of my views.

This was my first book by Adrian Tchaikovsky, this will be rectified immediately, I am not normally a huge Sci-Fi lover but I think he may have converted me just a little. I loved that whilst reading this book I could feel myself having so many different emotions. Especially during the battles my heart was beating so fast. I think I managed to convince my brain that I was part of the battle.

Now do not get me wrong this book is LARGE so it took me a little longer than expected to finish it but I actually did not mind the length of the book… if I am being honest never wanted it to end.

One of my favourite things about this book is the how diverse the characters were… it feels like a rarity and something that should definitely mentioned about this book as it was something that made me love the book even more.

As someone who would not say that SCI-FI is their favourite genre I still ended up giving this book 5 stars because holy cow… I could not put it down. If you are a Sci-Fi lover I am certain you would love it even more than me… in fact it reminded me of someone I met the other day who had so much Sci-Fi knowledge I was lost but listening to him be that enthusiastic meant I just have to tell him about this book.

Star Rating:

Does this sound like a book you would enjoy? Let me know what you think?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Things to do before the end of the World: Spotlight

allthingsgeexo

30th Apr 2021

Happy April!

I hope you are keeping well and safe. Today I am back with another blog tour with organised by my favourite Dave @thewritereads. As always it is a pleasure to be a part of these blog tours. However for todays blog tour spot I decided to do a mix between a review and a spotlight. Having only finished this book last night I still cant quite put into words my full thoughts. So I thought I would share my first thoughts and a little spotlight for this book with a list of some others who I know have reviewed this one. I hope you all enjoy.

Synopsis:

One minute you’re walking in the park, hiding from a party. Then you discover that the next nine months will probably be your last. Everyone’s last. You realise that you happen to be alive at the time when your species becomes extinct.
You have to decide whether to go with it meekly like you usually do, or to do something brave, to live your last months with all the energy and bravery you can muster, to rage against the dying of the light.

Olivia struggles to live her real life as fully as she wants to. She plans out conversations and events in her head but actually doing them and interacting with other people is hard. When the news breaks that humans have done such damage to the earth that there’s only nine months of safe air left everybody makes bucket lists and starts living their best lives – everyone, that is, but Olivia who is still struggling to figure out who she wants to be.

Then out of the blue comes contact from a long-lost cousin Olivia didn’t even know exsisted. Natasha is everything Olivia wants to be and more. And as the girls meet up for their last summer on earth Olivia finds Natasha’s ease and self-confidence having a effect on her. But what if Natasha isn’t everything she first appears to be . . . ?

My Review:

Okay in all honesty with this one I am not really sure where to start. I had very mixed feelings about this one throughout. However once I had got over a few little facts I did in fact make it to the end of the book and ended up enjoying it more than I first thought I would.

One of the biggest hurdles I had to get over with this book was realising that this book was not actually going to be about the end of the world. Which I was a little bit disappointed about when I started reading the book. However I continued to read this book and I am glad that I did. It may not have been what I expected but it still turned into a good read.

I should be clear though if you are looking for a thriller that focuses on the end of the world…. this may not be the one for you. Again this is not to say that it is not a good read but I would recommend ignoring the blurb and the cover a little for this one as for me they do not give the best representation of this book.

Star Rating:

Does this book sound like something you would enjoy? Let me know? If you have already read it let me know what your thoughts were?

About The Author:

I started out working as a journalist in London, but always hankered after a quiet room and a book to write. I managed, somehow, to get commissioned to go travelling for a year, and came home with the beginnings of a novel set in the world of backpackers in Asia. This became Backpack, a thriller which won the WHSmith New Talent Award, and I have since written eleven more novels for adults, one novella, and three book for Young Adults, published in the UK and around the world. I live in Cornwall with my husband Craig and our children.

Website: https://www.emilybarr.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/emily_barr

Other Bloggers on this tour:

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Kate in Waiting- Blog Tour!

allthingsgeexo

28th Apr 2021

Happy April!!

I am back again with another blog tour and this one is one I have been so so excited about! As always I would like to say a massive thank you to Dave @thewritereads for having me on this tour. Also a massive thank you to Dave and Penguin UK for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author:

Becky Albertalli is the author of the acclaimed novels Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (film: Love, Simon), The Upside of Unrequited, and Leah on the Offbeat. She is also the co-author of What If It’s Us with Adam Silvera. A former clinical psychologist who specialized in working with children and teens, Becky lives with her family in Atlanta.

You can visit her online at www.beckyalbertalli.com.

Twitter: @beckyalbertalli

Synopsis:

From bestselling YA rom-com queen Becky Albertalli (author of Love, Simon) comes a new novel about daring to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight in love, life and theatre.

[PRINCIPAL CAST LIST]
Kate Garfield
Anderson Walker

Best friends, and contrary to popular belief, not co-dependent. Examples:

Carpooling to and from theatre rehearsals? Environmentally sound and efficient.
Consulting each other on every single life decision? Basic good judgment.
Pining for the same guys from afar? Shared crushes are more fun anyway.

But when Kate and Andy’s latest long-distance crush shows up at their school, everything goes off-script.

Enter Stage Left: Matt Olsson

He is talented and sweet, and Kate likes him. She really likes him. The only problem? So does Anderson.

Turns out, communal crushes aren’t so fun when real feelings are involved. This one might even bring the curtains down on Kate and Anderson’s friendship…

My Review:

If you know me well you will know there are certain things I love in life… Theatre, Books and stories of love just happen to be some of those. As soon as I saw the synopsis of this book I knew I had to read it. I was not wrong! There is so much I want to talk about but as always we are going to try to avoid spoilers so somethings will just have to wait.

Firstly I loved all the theatrical references and all the references to the different theatre shows through out. Within one of the first chapters the drama teacher is mentioned and it had me laughing to myself on the bus because I immediately had my drama teacher in my head, who was just one of my favourite people in the whole entire world. From that moment I had a strong suspicion I was going to love this book.

As always I am going to try to avoid spoiling anything but the friendship between Kate and Anderson ended up being one of the things I loved most about this book. I think that it was because in some aspects it took me right back to high school and the memories of people I am no longer friends with. However to be truthful we never dealt with communal crushes as well as these two beautiful humans.

From the beginning I had a sneaky feeling I was going to be a fan of the duo. Friendship is a huge theme in this book and one of the reasons I loved it so much.

Another theme that unlike the friendship had me a little worried was the idea of them having a communal crush. If I am honest I was so so worried that this was going to blow up in their faces. (we have all been there… maybe just me) but I loved how the relationships turned out and I finished the book with a sense of relief and love for all the characters which I did not expect to happen. If I am truthful I did not expect to like their crush but hey turns out Matt wins my vote of how lovely he comes across.

I adore Becky Albertalli as an author and I was not disappointed this time round either. Kate in waiting is a brilliantly easy read that I know I will be reaching for again.

Star Rating:

Have you read this yet? What did you think? Is it one you would read?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

The Magpie Society- A Book Review

allthingsgeexo

5th Apr 2021

Happy April!

I hope you are all well and safe! I have been so excited for this blog post because if we are being honest I knew I had to read this book the moment that it was released. For several different reasons 1. I love Zoe Sugg and I love that I have basically grown up alongside her content. 2. My Best friend and I have a lot of jokes when it comes to Magpies and 3. This book could not be any more up my street if it tried. So the moment it was released I knew I had to head and pick it up.

I finish reading The Magpie Society in two days. I literally could not put it down. So I thought it would only be fair to share these opinions with you.

RELEASE DATE: 29 October 2020

Format: Paperback

Pages: 330

Publisher: Penguin Books

Synopsis:

Illumen Hall is an elite boarding school. Tragedy strikes when the body of a student is discovered at their exclusive summer party – on her back is an elaborate tattoo of a magpie.

When new girl Audrey arrives the following term, running from her own secrets back home in America, she is thrown into solving the case. Despite her best efforts to avoid any drama, her new roommate Ivy was close to the murdered girl, and the two of them can’t help but get pulled in.

The two can’t stand each other, but as they are drawn deeper into the mystery of this strange and terrible murder, they will discover that something dangerous is at the heart of their superficially perfect school.

Welcome to The Magpie Society.

One for Sorrow will be told via the alternating first person perspectives of the lead characters Audrey – written by Amy – and Ivy – written by Zoe – with the narrative being jointly plotted by both authors.

Amazon | Goodreads | Hive

My Review:

If you have been around here for a while you will know that any books that are a little gothic in nature are bound to go down well with me. This was something that I loved about this book.

If you know me you know I had such high expectations from this book because I am a huge fan of Zoe. I was not disappointed. This book for me once I managed to get the time to read it in a block was an incredibly quick read.

The mystery of this book reminded me of the old style of classic gothic mysteries but set in todays society. I liked the way this was written as it showed a little bit of each of the authors styles of writing.

As always I am trying not to give you spoilers of the books I am reviewing. The authors did a great job of keeping the mystery alive throughout the entire novel and their writing styles collaborated smoothly to give you two characters which really give something for everyone.

I have so many questions about this book but as I know there is a second follow up book coming I cannot wait to see what they have planned for the rest of this story.

Star Rating:

Have you read The Magpie Society? What did you think?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

March Round Up!

allthingsgeexo

4th Apr 2021

Happy April!

I hope you have a wonderful start to your April 2021! It is officially Spring!

As March came to a close it is only right that we are back again with another monthly wrap up. Things have been a little strange and a little weird this month. However one of the great things that came out of March was the wonderful guest posts we had over here and I cannot explain how much I loved each and everyone of them. I was so grateful to be able to show off some of the incredible talent there is and from some of my favourite people.

We got some amazing things coming up for this April!

Books I have read:

Normally there would not be a need for a list here but all of a sudden I have read or finished reading far too many books in the first two weeks of March. For the first time in ages I am going to have to list them:

*Disclaimer some of these were books that I started reading back in February but have only just got round to finishing*

If it is not already linked there are book reviews coming for all of these! Which means a lot of new content.

Speaking of new content during April I am looking to guest post some of you amazing people, if this is something you are interested just drop me an email and I will get back to you.

My Favourite Blogs of March:

I am so lucky to be a part of a wonderful blogging community, and therefore there are so many blogs that I could include here.

The Artsy Reader– Noly is one of my favourite woman and she has been such an incredible support since the beginning of my blog and it is only right that I share the love I have with her xoxo

HollylovesBooks – I am forever grateful to have Holly in my life. She is the biggest support and one of the loveliest person in the world and she deserves all the love in the world. xoxo

Favourite TV show/series:

Again I have not really been watching any new TV series but I have been watching Lucifer right from season one and I forgot how much I loved Lucifer and if we are being honest Tom Ellis is just amazing.

Favourite Movie:

My Favourite movies of this month is again some old films I found an article with a list of films that were films every girl should watch before they turn 25 and since my 23rd birthday is coming around incredibly quickly. I decided that I would start watching the films on the list.

My favourite movie that I have watched this month has my two favourite actors. Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock star in The Proposal. This was such a charming film that left me with a warm fuzzy feeling. It is going on my list of favourite films.

Random Things I have been loving in March:

The sunshine we have had at the beginning of Spring
My Write Reads Gang
Gratitude Journals

As you can see there has already been some pretty cool things that have happened this March, and we will have another round up at the end of the month!

What is something that has happened in March that has made you smile?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Fid’s Crusade Spotlight- BBNYA TOUR

allthingsgeexo

2nd Apr 2021

Today I am back with another Blog Tour and another spotlight for Fid’s Crusade by David H. Reiss for the #BBNYA2020 blog tour organised by Dave from @The_WriteReads. This book came 2^nd place in the BBNYA 2020 competition, it was loved by so many people however it just was not for me so I have decided to do spotlight today rather than a review. I have included links of others who have reviewed it so if you would like to know more go and check them out.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors.

If you are an author and wish to learn more about the 2021 BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website here, or our Twitter account, @BBNYA_Official. If you would like to sign-up and enter your book, you can find the BBNYA 2021 author sign up form here. Please make sure to carefully read our terms and conditions before entering.

BBNYA is brought to you in association with the Folio Society (If you love beautiful books you NEED to check out their website!), and the book blogger support group The Write Reads.

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

Rage, grief and guilt have fueled Doctor Fid’s endless quest to punish the unworthy and he has left a long trail of blood and misery in his wake. For more than two decades, the sight of the villain’s powered armor has struck fear into the hearts of hero and civilian alike! But when a personal tragedy motivates Doctor Fid to investigate a crime, he uncovers a plot so heinous that even he is taken aback.

Haunted by painful memories and profound guilt, the veteran supervillain must race against time if he is to have any hope of confronting the approaching threat. Every battle takes its toll…but the stakes are too high for retreat to be an option.

In the end, it may take a villain to save the world from those entrusted with the world’s protection.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – DAVID H. REISS:

While growing up, David was that weird kid with his nose in a book and his head in the clouds. He was the table-top role-playing game geek, the comic-book nerd, the story-teller and dreamer. Fortunately, he hasn’t changed much.

David is a software engineer by trade and a long-time sci-fi and fantasy devotee by passion, and he lives in Silicon Valley with his partner of twenty-eight years.

David’s first trilogy, the Chronicles of Fid, has just recently been completed; these were his first novel-length projects, but they certainly won’t be his last—he’s having far too much fun!

David’s Links: Website – Goodreads – Twitter

Links To Other Reviews:

Servillas Speaks

Pages, Places and Plates

I will update this list as more of the blog tours come out!

I hope you enjoyed! Would you read this book?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Mini Reviews- Guest Post – Her Bookish Obsession

allthingsgeexo

31st Mar 2021

Happy March!!

I cannot believe we are hitting the end of March today, however today we have another guest post to finish off March with. Today’s guest post comes from the wonderful Haadiya over at HerBookishObsession. She has kindly guest posted with two little mini reviews. Incredibly grateful to have her post for me, she is incredible and someone I just know is going to go far. I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did.

IN THE WILD LIGHT:

Synopsis:

From the award-winning author of The Serpent King comes a beautiful examination of grief, found family, and young love.

Life in a small Appalachian town is not easy. Cash lost his mother to an opioid addiction and his Papaw is dying slowly from emphysema. Dodging drug dealers and watching out for his best friend, Delaney, is second nature. He’s been spending his summer mowing lawns while she works at Dairy Queen.

But when Delaney manages to secure both of them full rides to an elite prep school in Connecticut, Cash will have to grapple with his need to protect and love Delaney, and his love for the grandparents who saved him and the town he would have to leave behind.

Review:

Easy 5 stars and maybe a new favorite author. Everything about this book was stunning. The characters and their journeys, the setting, the writing, the poetry…all of it. I wish this book were coming out sooner than August because it’s a book I want to talk about with so many people.

I want them all to read it NOW and feel how I feel because the feeling is not one I can properly describe. Jeff Zentner’s writing is relatable, easy to grasp, yet the way he arranges his words and articulates his narrative absolutely knocks you over with its beauty. It’s something that I think he does better than anybody else. He brings beauty to the mundane, he makes you feel for people you’d usually overlook… he gives dignity to unremarkable, “average” people.

I won’t go into too many details about the contents of this book, but I will say it will break you and you won’t want to read anything until you get over this, which will probably take quite a while.

This is my first Jeff Zentner book and based on reviews, I knew I was going to cry but I didn’t expect to cry THAT MUCH. All things considered, this was a beautiful story about family and friendship. All the feels – so good! Jeff Zentner is an amazing writer and writes in such a poetic and relatable way. A definite must-read for 2021.

TRIGGER WARNINGS include in-depth descriptions of anxiety and depression; drug abuse and overdose; sexual assault; and the deaths of close family members.

Jane Austen Investigates: The Abbey Mystery by Julia Golding :

Synopsis:

Jane Austen turns detective in this spooky historical adventure by award-winning author Julia Golding!

It’s 1789 and a young Jane Austen turns detective as she seeks to solve the mysterious happenings at Southmoor Abbey. When a carriage accident forces a change of plans, 13-year-old Jane is sent to be a companion to Lady Cromwell for a week as the household prepares to celebrate the eldest son’s coming-of-age party. While there, Jane vows to solve the mystery of the ghostly monk in the Abbey grounds – for she does not believe in such stories!

But this is not the only strange occurrence for the adventurous young Jane to investigate. There are shivery night-time investigations, an Indian girl with secret talents, a library fire, two prize horses in danger, and friends to save from false accusations.

With notebook in hand and her faithful dog Grandison by her side, will Jane overcome the continuous obstacles and find out the truth?

Review:

The Abbey Mystery is a perfect blend of the classic Austen style and a Nancy Drew mystery. Jane Austen is a spirited young woman, sent to the Cromwell household to keep company with Lady Cromwell for a week until her son’s birthday party and ball. She is pretty bored from her obligation but soon she finds out a legend about a vengeful ghost that haunts the Abbey next to the house so she decides to investigate. Will Jane be able to stay out of trouble as was recommended by her mother? Or will she give in to her curiosity?

This book was absolutely charming; I wasn’t sure what to expect going in… having never read Jane Austen, but I was honestly so pleasantly surprised by this book. Classic books and I don’t get along but I really enjoyed this modern take on an old classic author.

I’ve been hearing so much about Jane Austen since I joined the book community a few months back and I was very excited to read The Abbey Mystery by Julia Golding which puts a young Jane as the protagonist. Jane Austen was a woman ahead of her time, proving just how much a clever girl can achieve – whether society is ready for it or not! In The Abbey Mystery, Jane is a heroine for the next generation. Her story is the perfect introduction to the world of Jane Austen novels for new readers as well as a deliciously nostalgic journey for those who are already long-time fans. I truly hope that this book is the first of a series of wonderful mysteries.

I would highly recommend the story to middle-grade readers who enjoy delving into the world of historical mystery.

Haadiya’s Social Media Links:

Instagram

Twitter

Blog

Pinterest

I hope you enjoyed todays guest post! As a massive Jane Austen fan I will definitely be getting myself a copy of this book.

Do these books sound like something you would want to read? Have you read any of them?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Karolina Dalca, Dark Eyes: Blog Tour!

allthingsgeexo

30th Mar 2021

Happy March!

I hope you are having a wonderful start to spring! We are back again with yet another Blog Tour! They are literally coming in left, right and centre but there are so many incredible books being published this year! Today’s Blog Tour is of a book that features some of my favourite things.

Karolina Dalca, Dark EyesDark Eyes, #1M.R. Noble16 December 2020Paranormal | UF201 pages

About The Author:

M. R. Noble has played a tug of war between science and art her whole life, but the rope broke when she wrote the first line of The Dark Eyes Series. Immersed up to her keyboard in paranormal romance and urban fantasy, she enjoys blending the real with the surreal. The only drawback is she misplaces her mug while dreaming up her next scene, and soon finds herself six cups over-poured.

Keeping to her Lake Simcoe roots, she is a member of the Writers Community of York Region (WCYR), where her muse is made not found . . . over a hefty cup of coffee.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine*

Synopsis:

Blindsided by an attack that destroys her home and blamed for murder, Karolina Dalca, a half-vampire, escapes, only to plunge into the magical societies from which she was sheltered.

Betrayed by those around her, she abandons her dreams of becoming an investigator and flees, trusting only herself. Her police internship would never prove more useful. Hoofing it through the wilderness, she makes it to her university dorm, disheveled but delightfully deflowered.

Enter a full vampire: one wielding dark magic and a ride out of Canada. A fugitive from the law, Karo complies with his demands to escape, unsure whether his requests are bewitched. She vows to clear her name and avenge her mother’s death, but Karo’s family secrets aren’t so easily left behind.

My Review:

Okay! Now I have to start this off with a small little warning…I am a little obsessed! I finished the book in literally an evening and I have so much I want to talk about but I also do not want to give away to many spoilers! So bare with me!

Firstly I have to start with a side note that I am always down to read anything with Vampires but I was not expecting to become a little attached to the characters.

The characters in this story had me completely invested in their lives.

The main character Karolina Dalca has my heart! She is incredible strong and has incredible will power. This half- vamp does not take s*** from anyone. I think I maybe a little in love with her. If this ever became a film she would be the one character I would want to play. She has a lot of sass.

Then there is Roman… he has me highly confused. He seems like a good guy (werewolf) however I am not sure if I am his biggest fan. Sometimes he seemed to try to control the situation and how Karolina acted. Whether it was purely out of love or there is something we do not know yet. I am on the edge with him a little.

Finally, I want to talk about Andre because OMG what a rollercoaster of emotions with this man. I loved him, then hated him, then kinda still loved him in the hope that there was good in him yet but then the book ended and I am still incredibly confused on how I feel. If you know me well you know that my favourite characters tend to be the ones you should not like. Andre to me will now be known as a Spicy Vampire because I think it is the only way to describe this man.

There are other characters that I had mixed feelings over but I cannot really discuss without giving a lot about this book away.

The ending…. I felt like I was watching the end of a soap opera when they cut you off at the most dramatic moment. I have so many questions, so many mixed feelings and I NEED THE SECOND BOOK NOW PLEASEEEE!

If you could not tell I loved this book and I know I will be rereading this on many an occasion. However this is probably not a surprise to those of you who know that I have a Vampire obsession and well this just made it a lot worse.

Star Rating:

Link to Book:

Would you like to read this book? What are your thoughts on Vampires?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson: Blog Tour!

allthingsgeexo

28th Mar 2021

Happy March!

I hope everyone is keeping safe and well! We are back again with another #UltimateBlogTour as always organised by the amazing Dave from @The_WriteReads along with Penguin for this book, What Beauty There Is by a debut author, Cory Anderson. I am so so grateful to be apart of this tour and getting the opportunity to read yet another amazing book!

TITLE: What Beauty There Is
BY: Cory Anderson
SERIES: What Beauty There Is #1
GENRES: Young Adult, Thriller
PUBLICATION: April 04th, 2021
NOTES: I received a physical copy from the author, publisher and blog tour organiser.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cory Anderson, a native of Idaho, is a storyteller who writes about her home in the Rocky Mountains. She is the winner of the League of Utah Writers Young Adult Novel Award and Grand Prize in the Storymakers Conference First Chapter Contest. What Beauty There Is is her debut novel.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram

Synopsis:

When everything you love is in danger, how long can you keep running to survive?

Life can be brutal. Winter in Idaho. The sky is dark. It is cold enough to crack bones. Jack knew it.

Jack Dahl has nothing left. Except his younger brother, Matty, who he’d die for. Their mother is gone, and their funds are quickly dwindling, Jack needs to make a choice: lose his brother to foster care, or find the drug money that sent his father to prison.

So did I

Ava lives in isolation, a life of silence. For seventeen years her father, a merciless man, has controlled her fate. He has taught her to love no one.

Did I feel the flutter of wings when Jack and I met? Did I sense the coming tornado?

But now Ava wants to break the rules – to let Jack in and open her heart. Then she discovers that Jack and her father are stalking the same money, and suddenly Ava is faced with a terrible choice: remain silent or speak out and help the brothers survive.

Looking back, I think I did . .

My Review:

What Beauty There Is had me hooked from the moment I picked up this book. Cory Anderson’s has a real talent in making her writing magical and she had me feeling incredible attached to the characters and honestly had me wanting them to get a little bit of happiness or normality. This book will stay in my mind for a long time I feel.

I think it is incredibly important to mention before I carry on with the rest of my review, that this book is really for the older readers of YA. It is pretty hard hitting with the dark and difficult topics which Cory Anderson does not choose to shy away from. There are certainly some trigger warnings for this one and some bits I personal struggled to read. Here are some trigger warnings: absent parent, child abuse, murder, suicide, animal death, violence and drug use/dealing.

The main character Jack is a 17 year old and he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Jack is also the responsible for his brother Matty. All Jack wants is to make sure his brother is safe and doesn’t end up in the hands of child services. Jack is a character is someone I felt so so sorry for he really has to cope with things I would not want anyone to deal with but his love for his brother is incredibly clear. I found myself wanting Jack to be able to be a teenager without having to carry so much pressure.

His brother Matty had my heart the whole way through, I felt the need to dive into the story myself just to wrap him up in a hug and let him know he would be okay. Again his love for his brother was clear. However he has already had so so much to deal with at such a young age and it broke my heart.

This story may not have been an easy read and at times had me crying hysterically. However it is one of the most beautifully written stories I have read in a long time and I would highly recommend. Just be warned it is not for the faint hearted.

Star Rating:

Links to buy the book:

*some of the links are affiliate links meaning I will get a small percentage from them if you use them to purchase*

Amazon / Goodreads | Hive

Have you read What Beauty There Is? Is it something that you would read?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

10 Self care ideas to try this Easter

allthingsgeexo

26th Mar 2021

Happy March!

I hope you are all keeping well and safe and with Easter around the corner I thought I would share with you some ways to practice self-care this Easter/Spring.

1. Spring closet clear out

Use this weekend to de-clutter and purge your wardrobe. Sort out the old from the new. You could also use this time to rid some of your unwanted make-up (do we really need broken palettes?) Time to declutter and cleanse your space.

2. Diffuse essential oils, light candles.

Candles and essential oils are some of my favourite ways to change the mood in my room, I think it always feels like completely clean and tidy once I have cleaned and then lit a candle.

3. Get baking

Baking is one of my favourite ways to escape from reality and what better time to make some of your favourite treats. For me I love making treats that we would have made during Easter as a child. Yes there will be a lot of mini egg decoration.

4. Adult colouring books.

I know I personally still love to colour every so often, because it’s therapeutic and stress-busting! I was recently bought a Harry Potter adult colouring books and it is still one of my favourite ways to relax and take a few moments out of day to day stress.

5. Practice gratitude with daily affirmations

This is something that I have only recently been getting into as part of my daily routine, I must admit it is something that I have often done on and off across the last few years but it is something I am trying to put into my day to day life. This became more of a goal this year after starting to listen to ‘The Law of Attraction Changed My Life’ podcast by Francesca Amber. If this is your sort of thing I highly recommend you giving it a listen.

6. Fill your home with flowers

Flowers make everyone happy; and since it’s Easter, you can find flowers everywhere in the local shops. My favourite flowers to fill my home with during spring are daffodils I just think the pop of yellow makes the home feel so much more warm and happy.

7. Dance like nobody’s around

Dancing around the house is always fun! One of my favourite memories with one of my old friends is us dancing around the kitchen in pure hysterical laughter just because we decided we wanted a little fun.

8. Take a break from social media

Whilst social media is great for keeping in touch with the world, it can also be a stressful place to be sometimes. Why not switch your phone off even if its just for an hour and spend time doing something you love.

9. Take time out and read a book

Well it would not be All Things Gee if I did not recommend you taking some time out to curl up with a good book.

10. Treat yourself

Use this weekend to care for yourself and indulge in something you’ve missed out on recently. It may not even just be due to the lockdown that you’ve avoided doing something; regardless you can pat yourself on the back by treating yourself to something you want.

What are some of your favourite things to do for self-care?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Stay Mad Sweetheart! – BBNYA 2020 BLOG TOUR!

allthingsgeexo

22nd Mar 2021

Happy Spring!!!

It is finally spring and I am kicking off the season in style with my spot on the Stay Mad Sweetheart Blog Tour. As always organised and hosted by The Write Reads and The Folio Society.

I am going to really quickly take some time before my spotlight on this wonderful book (life got a bit mad so review pending) to thank Dave The Write Reads for not only having me on another tour but just all round being the most awesome person ever! Your hard work never goes unnoticed or unappreciated and I am forever grateful to be part of the amazing write reads gang.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors.

If you are a book blogger or reviewer, you can apply to be part of BBNYA 2021 by filling out this form (also remember to read the terms and conditions before signing up)!

BBNYA is brought to you in association with the Folio Society (If you love beautiful books you NEED to check out their website!), and the book blogger support group The Write Reads.

Synopsis:

THERE’S A FINE LINE BETWEEN INNOCENCE AND GUILT-AN EVEN FINER LINE BETWEEN JUSTICE AND REVENGE.

Data scientist Laura prefers the company of her books to the real world – let alone that cesspit online. But when her best friend Emily becomes the victim of horrific cyberbullying, she makes it her all-engulfing mission to track down the worst culprits.

Petite corporate-financier Suki is about to outshine the stupid boys at her firm: she’s leading the acquisition of Edinburgh’s most exciting start-up. If only she could get its brilliant but distracted co-founder Laura to engage.

Event planner Claire is left to salvage the start-up’s annual conference after her colleague Emily fails to return to work. She’s determined to get a promotion out of it, but her boss isn’t playing ball.

As the women’s paths intertwine, the insidious discrimination they each face comes too light. Emboldened by Emily’s tragic experience, they join forces to plot the downfall of all those who’ve wronged them. But with emotions running high, will the punishments fit the crimes?

A pacy and suspenseful novel with its feet firmly in the #MeToo era. 9 to 5 meets Suits with a dash of Black Mirror.

About the author:

Throughout her life, Heleen Kist has been fondled, patronized, and ordered to smile by random men. So she wrote ‘Stay Mad, Sweetheart’, a feminist tale of justice, published November 2019. Whilst her professional knowledge of technology start-ups fed the novel’s setting, its theme of insidious harassment and discrimination required no research: it is familiar to all women.

Heleen was chosen as an up-and-coming new author at Bloody Scotland 2018. Her first novel, ‘In Servitude’ won the silver medal for Best European Fiction at the Independent Publishers Book Awards in the USA and was shortlisted for The Selfies awarded at London Book Fair.

A Dutch strategy consultant living in Glasgow and married to a Scotsman, she’s raising their son to be a good man and their daughter to kick ass.

Heleen hopes you enjoy her writing and would love to hear from you.

Other Reviews:

As I am only doing a spotlight for this one at the moment (review pending) I thought I would link some of the amazing bloggers that have reviewed this book. If you wanted to check them out and spread some love.

Does this sound like a book you would enjoy?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

World Poetry Day!

allthingsgeexo

21st Mar 2021

Happy March!

I Hope you are all keeping well and safe! I was recently informed that today is World Poetry Day! (who knew) So it is only right that I shared some content for it! I was not sure how to approach this post today but I figured that the only way to truly celebrate it would be to share with you some of my favourite poems. I also felt it is only right since it is world poetry day to mention my friends over at Poems By Post who work with some amazing poets, artists and small business. But more about them at the end. For now here are three of my favourite poems:

Poems By Post:

Poems By Post is a subscription service which was created by a street poet called Alex during the first lockdown. This platform has been created to support the arts, small business and also has donated to several different charities. The platform was created to give a voice to the arts and to small business, whilst really trying to champion their voices.

Poems by Post is a subscription service where you can receive a Poem typed up on a type writer and a newsletter with all the information you could want about the artists, small businesses and charity of the month that you would be supporting. The poet changes every month and through the newsletter you can hear the poem spoken by the poet themselves which I think is a really cool little addition.

Anyone who loves literature, art, poetry or even just the idea of being able to support small businesses will love this platform. I know I do. As someone who does nothing but read it is something I had to tell you all about!

Who doesn’t want to support artists, support small businesses all while getting a beautiful poem to read. Why not gift it to a friend or family member.

All social media links and the link to the website have been listed below:

Instagram: Poemsby.post

Twitter: PoemsByPost

Facebook: PoemsByPost

Website: Poems by Post

What are some of your favourite poems? Let me know in the comments.

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

My Favourite Book Quotes About Spring

allthingsgeexo

17th Mar 2021

Happy March!

I hope you are all well and keeping safe! With spring just around the corner I thought I would do another quotes post as that seemed to go down well with everyone on the Valentine’s Day post! However today we are talking all things Spring! With the longer days and hopefully a little more sunshine it is only right to share with you my favourite book quotes about spring!

The Secret Garden is one of my all time favourite books and one of the first books I remember reading as a teen. Therefore it is no surprise when putting this list together I had to put this quote on the list.

We all know that I love Virginia Woolf and this is a quote I often think about because for me Autumn is one of my favourite seasons, and I wonder if this will change as I grow older.

Spring Walks are something I enjoy and I feel this quote embodies all my favourite things about going for a daily walk especially when the scenery is constantly changing. There is something incredibly special about taking a moment to breath in the Spring air and just take five minutes out to just relax.

Again we are back with Les Miserables! I actually think I may have to go back and reread it. I forgot how much I love this book and it is the second time it has been included in my favourite quotes.

I had to include this quote because I love how it looks at the idea of constant change and how bad days no matter how bad are exactly that a bad day there is always opportunity for rebirth.

Great Expectations is another one of my favourite ‘classic novels’ and it would be completely wrong for me to include one of my favourite quotes that literally feels me with so much warmth and familiar as all that is described is exactly how I picture spring.

What are some of your favourite book quotes about Spring?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Bird and Blend Tea Subscription Review

allthingsgeexo

16th Mar 2021

Happy March!!

If you follow me on Instagram or even have just read some of my Christmas content you will know that I was gifted a years worth of Bird and Blend Tea subscription for Christmas. Since I have now received 3 months worth of the subscription I thought it was about time I provided you guys with a little review. Now I have to be very clear here I love my teas so it is right up my street to receive a gift like this but I was not expecting there to be such an incredible range of teas. I thought I would talk you through what teas I have received across the first three months and give you my opinions on them and a little star rating. If this is something you guys enjoy I may do a post for each month.

December:

Hazelnut Rocher:

Views:

This one is my absolute favourite of all of them. It is honestly the most incredible almost Nutella tasting tea. Yes out loud it sounds weird to want that from a tea but it is incredible.

Star Rating:

Butter Toffee Popcorn:

Views:

Harry Potter fans this one might be for you… As with most of their teas you can have this with or without milk and I found that when you have it with milk it does remind me a lot of butter beer. However it is a great go to cup of tea when you just cannot get your hands on some popcorn.

Star Rating:

Cherry Cola Bottles:

Views:

If you want Christmas in tea form all year round I would highly recommend this fruit tea. As a Christmas obsessed weirdo this is one I will definitely be repurchasing to make sure I have enough to keep me going through to Christmas!

Star Rating:

January:

Good Kalmer:

Views:

I was not expecting to be a fan of this one as I am not a huge fan of ginger in teas but I was pleasantly surprised.

Star Rating:

Relax:

Views:

This has become a go to flavour for before bed, along with their Dozy Girl blend. This one is also one I have recommended to my mumma as she does not really like tea but will drink Camomile tea. (I cannot be the only one that thinks of the High School Musical 2 scene anytime someone mentions Camomile tea.)

Star Rating:

Zig-A-Zing Ahh! :

Views:

If you’re favourite thing about this tea does not include the fact that without fail every time you reach for it you want to sing along…You are doing it wrong! Again another one with ginger in it but one that I found I liked a lot. Maybe I do not dislike ginger as much as I thought.

Star Rating:

February:

Maple Bacon Pancakes:

Views:

Again not something I thought I would want in a tea but as they always do they have proven me wrong! What an incredible Blend.

Star Rating:

Blueberry Pancakes:

Views:

I was not expecting to like this one as much as I actually do. In fact this is the one I have recommended to people the most.

Star Rating:

Strawberry & Nutella:

Views:

This one is one that took me a while to decide how I felt about it but It has definitely grown on me.

Star Rating:

Have you tried Bird and Blend Tea before? Which would these tea would be your favourite?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

The Gilded King by Josie Jaffery – BBNYA Book Tour Review

allthingsgeexo

15th Mar 2021

Happy March!

We are back with another BBNYA book tour! This time however I could not be anymore excited because it is my turn to review yet another book from one of my favourite authors Josie Jaffery! As always hosted by my favourite @The_WriteReads as always a massive thank you to Dave for having me on this tour!

Today I am reviewing The Gilded King by Josie Jaffrey and *SPOILER ALERT* I LOVED IT.

However you are probably not shocked by this as it includes some of my favourite things. Mystery, Drama and more importantly VAMPIRES. Now if we are being honesty who does not have a little soft spot for Vampires.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors.

If you are a book blogger or reviewer, you can apply to be part of BBNYA 2021 by filling out this form (also remember to read the terms and conditions before signing up)!

BBNYA is brought to you in association with the Folio Society (If you love beautiful books you NEED to check out their website!), and the book blogger support group The Write Reads.

Author Bio:

Josie is the author of nine self-published novels plus short stories. She is currently working on a range of fantasy and historical fiction projects (both adult and YA), for which she is seeking representation. Ultimately, she hopes to be a hybrid author, both traditionally- and self-published.

After finishing her degree in Literae Humaniores (Classics) at the University of Oxford, Josie wasn’t sure what to do with her life.

She slogged through a brief stint working for an investment bank in London during the 2008 credit crunch, then converted to law and qualified as a solicitor specialising in intellectual property. She worked at a law firm for five years before moving to a UK-based international publisher in 2016. Whilst she loved law, in the end she didn’t love it quite as much as writing, which she now does almost full time.

Josie lives in Oxford with her husband and two cats (Sparky and Gussie), who graciously permit human cohabitation in return for regular feeding and cuddles. The resulting cat fluff makes it difficult for Josie to wear black, which is largely why she gave up being a goth. Although the cats are definitely worth it, she still misses her old wardrobe.

Her website is here if you want to learn more!

Synopsis:

In the Blue, the world’s last city, all is not well.

Julia is stuck within its walls. She serves the nobility from a distance until she meets Lucas, a boy who believes in fairytales that Julia’s world can’t accommodate. The Blue is her prison, not her castle, and she’d escape into the trees if she didn’t know that contamination and death awaited humanity outside.

But not everyone in the Blue is human, and not everyone can be contained.

Beyond the city’s boundaries, in the wild forests of the Red, Cameron has precious little humanity left to lose. As he searches for a lost queen, he finds an enemy rising that he thought long dead. An enemy that the humans have forgotten how to fight.

One way or another, the walls of the Blue are coming down. The only question is what side you’ll be on when they do.

My Review:

There is really no surprise here that I absolutely loved this book. Not only did I fall in love with the book but I found myself falling head over heels for the characters also. If you have followed my blog for a while you will know that I may as well be Josie’s number one fan, I fell in love with her writing when I had the opportunity to read May Day! I was hooked then and I have not been disappointed this time round! I would like to point out that as someone who forms connections to the characters I wish I had read reviews prior to reading The Gilded King because the ending had me screaming out loud.

I loved how we got to explore the world through the eyes of the characters and I have to admit for once I really enjoyed the changing perspectives. I felt like it gave us time to learn more about the characters individually. However this itself means I formed a slight obsession for both Cam and Julie. We shall never know if thats a good thing or not but I will include it as a warning.

Small side note if like me you get way to into a book and a little character obsessed I would strongly recommend reading the ending on your own. Not in a room of people who could potential get scared when you out loud scream at the ending. Yes! I had to learn this the hard way!

Star Rating:

Does this sound like something you would read? If you have read it let me know your thoughts!

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Things I love about Spring!

allthingsgeexo

13th Mar 2021

Happy March!!

With Spring right around the corner I thought it would be a good time to share with you some of the things that I love about Spring!

Spring for me means only one thing…a bunch of really cool things are coming up. For example, the 4th of March is World Book Day and for me especially whilst I was at school this was one of my favourite days. I am pretty sure I dressed up as Tracey Beaker one year, yes I was that cool. Not only is World Book Day coming up, the spring flowers are starting to bloom, the daily walks are starting to look incredibly different and well it means we are one step closer to having sunny days. Now just to find someone to come to the sunflower fields with me…

One of my favourite quotes about Spring is “Spring: A lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be.” I love this because it is so true, so many of us struggle with the idea of change. I know I am someone who does not always handle change in the best way, however I think that this quote puts it so beautifully. Change is inevitable and sometimes leads to something we did not know we needed. Embracing change is something I constantly try and work on. Maybe something I will make an effort to work on this Spring.

The Flowers

This time of the year means one thing for me I am filling the house with Daffodils. I mean I would be lying if I did not admit to already treating myself to a couple bunches. After all it adds a little pop of yellow to the flat which just fills me with such happiness. This is something my dad actually started when he bought me a bunch for my uni room. It really is the little things that bring the most joy.

2. Spring Walks

What is more beautiful than a walk in the sunshine (whether permitting) with all the new flowers blossoming and it just puts you in such a good mood. Honestly walking is one of my favourite ways to clear my head and it is incredibly important to put your mental health first. If I can include the little things in this walk like the noticeable changes in the seasons then that to me is just a bonus.

3. Floral Dresses

We can start to bring out the floral dresses without having to cover them up as much with winter coats. The coats get lighter and the wardrobe becomes just a little bit more colourful.

4. Sunshine (A girl can hope)

It is always a good day when you wake up to sun coming through the window and not waking up to hearing the rain crash into the windows.

5. Longer Days

Now do not get me wrong I love autumn and winter as they have some of my favourite events. However I can’t wait to be able to leave home and then return after uni while it’s still light outside. (When we are actually allowed back out.) That and there is something so enjoyable about heading to the park with a good book and having a couple hours extra before it starts to get dark. It definitely makes walking in the afternoons more enjoyable. This also reminds me of one of my work colleagues who got far too excited over the shortest day of the year as it meant we were on our way to longer days. Which now looking at it I suppose is a good thing.

6. Windows Can Be Opened

I mean I do this all year round however there is nothing better than having the windows open and it not being freezing cold after five minutes. There is something so nice to be able to sit and have the windows open and have the fresh air surrounding the home.

7. Iced coffee

Again something I do all year round because COOFFEEEEE! However I feel like you get less strange looks for drinking Iced Coffee in the Spring/Summer.

8.Easter break

This goes without saying that this year I am looking forward to the Easter Break as it will allow me time to catch up on my uni work and hopefully work some more on the blog.

What are some of your favourite things about spring? What are you looking forward to this spring?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

What are your favourite things about spring?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Fantasy Romance Guilty Pleasure? – Guest Post

allthingsgeexo

12th Mar 2021

Happy March!

Today’s post I am so excited to share with you all. It is another guest post but this time it is from the wonderful Jill from Myth and Magic book club. She discusses with us her love of fantasy romance novels and how she would like to reduce the stigma around them having to be a guilty pleasure, because if we are being honest who does not love a little fantasy and romance all rolled into one book. As always I have included her links below and would love for you all to go and check her out.

Explore the countless articles from Forbes, NPR, and others highlighting the popularity of romance books in troubling times. Or think about Netflix’s Bridgerton, a romance show taking ‘most watched in the first 28 days’ in their catalog of shows. Whether it’s now, amidst the Covid pandemic, or the 2008 financial crash, when times are tough, it’s easy to turn to romance books to escape. Reading itself is a relatively cheap pastime, even cheaper if you can get the books from your local library. So when the world around you seems to be falling apart, it’s a safe bet you can find a book to sweep you away. I’ve found fantasy romance books to be my genre of choice.

In March 2020, as the world was shutting down, my favorite author published a new book, Sarah J Maas’s Crescent City House of Earth and Blood. I’ve always been a big reader, and always liked fantasy, but this book at that moment hit me. It was the perfect escape. It got me out of my book reviewing slump. Since then I’ve unashamedly dove even deeper into the fantasy romance genre. I can’t help it, the beautiful worlds to explore, strong female leads to admire and rich fantastical characters dealing with very human emotions.

What still bugs me and what I hope can change is the perception that reading romance books is somehow less worthwhile than reading other genres. I do it less now, but used to call these books ‘guilty pleasures’ or felt I had to justify them when talking to friends and family, especially with more traditional ‘literary fiction’ readers.

I like reading fantasy romance books, and that’s good enough for me. I think the part I like the most are the heroines. Who has more swagger and confidence than Celaena Sardothien? Who has more strength than Elena Deveraux? Or is more of a badass than Rachel Morgan? The answer is probably that there are so many more fantasy romance books for me to read and characters to explore that I just haven’t found them all yet, but my point is that these books tend to have a strong female lead. She’s not always perfect, thank God, but she’s always figuring out how to move forward.

I want to move forward from the assumption that just because a book is in the romance genre it’s not a story worth reading. My fantasy romance reads are not guilty pleasures, or books I don’t talk about. They are books that I love and enjoy talking to others about.

I hope you enjoyed today’s guest post, as always I loved reading this and I have to agree it is a topic that I would love to know more peoples thoughts on.

What do you think of fantasy romance novels? Guilty pleasure or something to be embraced?

A massive thank you again to Jill from Myth and Magic book club for guest posting for me. It was such a pleasure to have you on the blog and I hope you enjoyed as much as I did. I have put her links below please go and give her some love.

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Website: https://www.mythandmagicbookclub.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MythandMagicBC

Art and Soul by Claire Huston: A Book Review

allthingsgeexo

9th Mar 2021

Happy March!!

Today is another book review but one that I have been meaning to publish forever, I was kindly gifted a copy of Art and Soul by Claire Huston back in October 2020 but life got a little bit crazy and I forgot to post this review! So we are finally getting around to posting about this incredible read.

Synopsis:

There’s no problem Becky Watson can’t fix. Except her own love life…

Struggling single mother Becky Watson longs to revive her career as a life-fixer, working miracles to solve her clients’ problems, no matter how big or small. Since the birth of her two-year-old son she has been stuck preventing wedding fiascos for the richest and rudest residents of the Comptons, a charming, leafy area of southern England known for its artistic heritage.

So when semi-reclusive local artist Charlie Handren reluctantly hires Becky to fix his six-year creative slump, she’s delighted to set him up with a come-back exhibition and Rachel Stone, the woman of his dreams.

Though they get off to a rocky start, Becky and Charlie soon become close. But as the beautiful Rachel becomes Charlie’s muse, Becky is forced to wonder: will giving Charlie everything he wants mean giving up her own happily ever after?

A heart-warming, uplifting romance served with a generous slice of cake.

My Review:

Art and Soul is an incredibly heart-warming and pleasant read. For me it is a book that gives you an escape from reality with that not only is a great read but has an incredibly confident female main character which is what we love.

Charlie is a renowned local artist who has sadly found himself a little stuck. He’s been in this situation since receiving a negative review of his work some years ago. Enter Becky who loves to fix things. The two strike up a work agreement to improve his career and love life.

The characters in this story are fun and vivid. This makes it incredibly easy to enjoy the characters. I feel like this is definitely a book for when you are in the mood for an easy romance comedy with mature characters.

Becky and Charlie work together to bring him out of his gloomy situation. The storyline progressed in a way that I found myself rooting for him and his teenage daughter.

If you are looking for a feel-good story this is definitely one I would recommend.

Star Rating:

Does this sound like a book for you?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Ring The Bell by Josie Jaffrey: A Book Review

allthingsgeexo

6th Mar 2021

Happy March!

With a little spare time this month I have been going back and reading books that I have been meaning to read forever! Today’s review is one of those… Finally getting round to reading Ring The Bell by Josie Jaffrey. This is a bit of a short review as it was a short story but that did not stop me from falling head over heels with emotion for this story!

•Thank you to the author for a review copy via StoryOrigin•

Synopsis:

Scale the mountain. Ring the bell. Buy your freedom. Or trade the prize to change the world.
Mia’s life is defined by the Surge. The race comes every five years, and she’s determined to win it. She’ll make it to the top first, ring the bell and set her family free.
But victory comes at a price. The faster she runs, the more people she’ll condemn to death in the valley below.
In Unterstrom, only the strongest survive.

My Review:

This book had me utterly shocked at how much I loved it, considering that it is a short story I was not expecting to fall in love with it as much as I did. I cannot believe how much Josie Jaffrey managed to fit within this short story. It is so in depth and powerful. I found myself struggling to put it down but also found myself highly emotional. Despite it only being a short story I fell in love with Mia and the characters.

By the end of the short story I found myself actually crying, my emotions thrown out of the window and being forced to finish this story that had so much important content had me fully shook. This is my fourth book of hers I have read and every time I find myself falling in love with her style more and more and very much can see her being one of my all time favourite authors.

Star Rating:

Does this short story sound like one you would enjoy? Have you read this book?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

5 Spring Cleaning Hacks According to a Minimalist – Guest Post!

allthingsgeexo

5th Mar 2021

Happy March!

With Spring just around the corner I am very excited to say that we have a guest post to get us in the mood for Spring. The wonderful Bee of Mind.Beauty.Simplicity Blog has kindly written a post for us. If you are new you will not know this but I am a little obsessed with their blog so it is incredible to be able to have them guest post. Working with them has been the most amazing experience.

Ah spring, the quintessential time to get your life & space in order for the new season. Goodbye to the cold, dark shades of winter & hello to warm, bright colours of spring! Today, I wanted to share with you 5 Spring Cleaning Hacks According to a Minimalist

So yes, if you are new to me & my writing, I’ve been a minimalist for 5 years now. And honestly, minimalism changed everything about my life. And I think with living with less, I’ve mastered the art of cleaning a space. And it’s such a wonderful feeling to start fresh.

REVAMP YOUR WARDROBE

I love starting with my closet because each season begins with a shift in fashion. I love to go through & evaluate what I have, what no longer works & what replacements I may need. Recently, I did a full blown purge of my wardrobe & removed bags & bags full of items. It was quite liberating. I usually take everything completely out of my drawers or closet spaces & try on every single item. It might sound tedious, but it really helps you honestly see what works & what doesn’t. And once everything is back in your spaces all organized, you’ll be glad you did it.

When cleaning your house it can seem like a rather daunting task. But if you focus on one room at a time, it will not seem as stressful. Always remember it’s not a sprint. You want to clean your house well instead of being rushed. I always go through each space & see what I can get rid of first. Why clean something, if you are going to throw it out anyway, right? Once all the junk is cleared, I take a multi surface cleaner & wipe off any surfaces. Keep in mind, if there are any future pieces you are down with & not serving a purpose, feel free to donate those items.

YOU DON’T NEED A TON OF PRODUCTS

You know all the fancy cleaning products they sell? You don’t need all of them! I simply use a multi surface cleaner, Windex & a vacuum. We actually were gifted the Roomba for Christmas & it’s a game changer! A lot of cleaners are rather toxic for yourself, your children & pets. So, why have more than what you need? I’ve been trying to replace most of my cleaning products with sustainable alternatives as well. Baby steps.

DECLUTTER YOUR DIGITAL SPACE
I feel like because we can’t literally see digital clutter as well as physical household items, we tend to ignore it. But I’m here to tell you to go through your digital space as well. Clear out your contacts in your phone, delete old emails, unsubscribe from online stores & unfollow anyone on social media that isn’t inspiring or making you happy. You don’t realize how these platforms can affect your overall well being, so cleaning house of these places is so important.

REFLECT ON YOUR FUTURE SELF

I think the most important part of going into a new season, especially spring, is to take the time to write down your goals & aspirations. Who do you wish to be this month or the months going forward? What changes do you want to make? What habits do you want to break? This is a perfect time to journal about these actions of self growth. Each day is a new beginning. Here’s to a fresh start.

Thank you so much All Things Gee for allowing me to guest post on your blog. I hope your readers find these spring cleaning tips helpful. If you are interested in learning more about me, my journey to minimalism & my perspective on lifestyle topics, please join the Mind Beauty Simplicity Family – – BLOG | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

What do you think of Minimalism?

Again a massive thank you for guest posting I love this post so much!

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

World Book Day 2021!

allthingsgeexo

4th Mar 2021

Happy March!!

It is the 4th of March and that can only mean one thing it is World Book Day! As a child this one of my favourite days of the year because it was an opportunity to dress up as my favourite book characters. If I am being honest it was pretty much the same costume every year, it was always Tracey Beaker for me as let’s be honest we all know that I had a little obsession with Jacqueline Wilson and her books.

I thought for World Book Day 2021 I would share with you a list of some of my favourite books from when I was a child/teen. I am sure some of these would be favourites of mine even now! Maybe I should go back and read them now.

CandyFloss – Jacqueline Wilson

I remember queuing with my mum when this book was released because I needed a copy!

Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

Let’s be honest we all knew that this was going to be on here. My hard back copy of these stories is still today up there with one of my favourite books.

Grimms’ Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm

I still have my special edition of this somewhere at my mums house but theses were some of my favourite books to read.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

This was one of my very first favourite books and I remember my teacher at infants school putting me in charge of the caterpillar because I had a little bit of a protective issue when it came to him.

The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

Turns out I have always been a little obsessed with Witches who would have thought!

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

A lady my mum used to work with gifted me her hardback copy of this book a couple years back because she knew that it was one of my all time favourite stories and she was getting rid of it.

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

My dad bought me my first ever copy of this book and I just remember being utterly in love with this story. Maybe I should pick up a new copy.

I had so many more books that I loved growing up that this list could literally go on forever and not stop but I feel you may get a little bored if that was the case.

What was your favourite book growing up?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Ranger’s Oath (Fall of Radiance book 1) – BBNYA BlogTour

allthingsgeexo

11 comments

3rd Mar 2021

Happy March!

Today I’m am back with another blogtour! Today is my spot on the #blogtour organised by @The_WriteReads for Ranger’s Oath by Blake Arthur Peel. This book came 5^thplace in the #BBNYA2020 competition. I had so much fun reading this.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors.

If you are a book blogger or reviewer, you can apply to be part of BBNYA 2021 by filling out this form (also remember to read the terms and conditions before signing up)!

BBNYA is brought to you in association with the Folio Society (If you love beautiful books you NEED to check out their website!), and the book blogger support group The Write Reads.

Synopsis:

The barrier between worlds is broken. Only he knows the truth…

Magic has protected Tarsynium for a thousand years, shielding its people from being ravaged by bloodthirsty demons. When a young ranger’s apprentice named Owyn Lund discovers that the Arc of Radiance has been breached, he tries to warn anybody who will listen.

But legends aren’t supposed to be real.

When a village is mysteriously destroyed, rangers, mages, and rebels all point the finger, blaming each other for the demons’ brutality. However, Zara Dennel, a mage’s ward, has heard Owyn’s tale—and she’s inclined to believe him.

Together, they must prove that friendship is greater than intolerance, unity is more important than division, and that even the most powerful magic can sometimes not be enough.

Failure means the end of all things. A second—and lasting—Doom.

Experience the beginning of a thrilling Epic Fantasy series suitable for all ages. It’s perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Sarah J. Maas, and Brandon Sanderson.

My Review:

Ranger’s Oath by Blake Arthur Peel the first book in the Fall in Radiance series, it takes you on a thrilling journey as you explore a world filled with magic, mystery, and danger. Which anyone who knows me will know that I have a little soft spot for magic and mystery. The book is one that leaves you wanting more.

The concept behind this book was on that I found incredibly intriguing. I did find that some parts however were a little slow but even still the writing allowed you to create an incredibly vivid picture in your head. That is something that always makes me want to not put the book down and this is one of those situations where I could have easily finished reading it in one day had I not had work to do.

There was so many different aspects to the world he has built that I think will be incredibly intriguing as the story continues and I cannot wait to learn more all about mages, rangers and demons. The plot to this story is one that is fast-paced but addictive with so many action scenes and moments that had me holding my breath. It had me hooked and as more twists were revealed I found myself needed to read on. The story is one that you can find yourself getting completely immersed in.

I loved that the characters were ones that in some way or another you could relate to them.

This is a book I can see myself constantly recommending for a while.

Star Rating:

Have you read this book yet? Let me know your thoughts?

Gee xoxo

Love Always,

Born of Wind by J.B. Lesel: A Book Review

allthingsgeexo

2nd Mar 2021

Happy March!!!

We are starting March off the only way I know how with another book review this time I am lucky enough to be reviewing the debut novel from J.B. Lesel throws you headlong into a diverse world where the elements take physical form to shape the lives of all. This is a book that actually I ended up enjoying a lot more than I thought I would.

*Disclaimer I was gifted a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review*

I would just like to say a massive thank you to Sarah from Vulpine Press for giving me the opportunity to review this incredible book.

Side note! It is also its publication date so happy publication day to this wonderful book and to J.B. Lesel xoxo

Synopsis:

Meleena never quite fitted in among her fellow aquatic Meruyans, always skipping school to hide out and marvel at the natural world around her. So when she wins a place on the coveted Council Apprenticeship team, no one is more surprised than her.

As she embarks on a tour of the nations, Meleena’s curiosity catches the attention of the Warix, a race born with the power to control wind. But she is unprepared for the secrets she uncovers as she explores this new land. The Warix are locked in a deadly civil war, and her own people are being oppressed and exploited with no way out.

Desperate to resolve this tangled conflict, Meleena sets out to locate an ancient weapon sought by both sides. Can she unite these warring peoples in time to save her own?

My Review:

When I first picked up this book it reminded me a lot of my old housemate who used to have an obsession with Avatar and The Last Airbender so I could see this book being one she would really enjoy. However, I was not sure whether this book would be one for me but I can safely say how wrong was I. I fell in love with this book, within very few pages I was hooked into this new world that I needed to know more about. The world for me became more interesting as the story progressed as I felt like I was discovering the world along side the characters if the story.

There are many incredible aspects to this story that I do not think I was expecting however this made the story that little bit more enjoyable for me. The characters in this story all come from a wide range of different backgrounds and it was intriguing to see how this effected them in learning how the world works.

I am a huge fan of the fact this book almost had a bit of everything that would appeal to all different people. I think it will be incredibly interesting to see how the world and characters further develop in the rest of the series and I cannot wait to read more.

Star Rating:

Does this sound like something you would like to read?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Weekly TBR- March 1st

allthingsgeexo

1st Mar 2021

Happy March!

How is it March already! This is absolute madness! I hope that you are all well and safe! I Thought I would kick March off with a little weekly TBR for the first week in March! I have some really exciting things coming up in March so keep your eyes peeled!

Something like Happy by Sasha Greene

Synopsis:

Jade is just trying to get by. She doesn’t want to talk about it. She doesn’t want a fuss.

But one day she meets Nick and everything changes.

Out of the most difficult of situations, Nick and Jade’s friendship grows into something both of them never knew they needed.

Jade used to be sure that she was better off alone. But could it be that together, with Nick by her side, she can start to feel something like happy again?

Pre-Read thoughts:

The cover to this book is just gorgeous!
Has not got the best reviews of good reads but I cannot wait to give it a read

Find Me by André Aciman

Synopsis:

No novel in recent memory has spoken more movingly to contemporary readers about the nature of love than André Aciman’s haunting Call Me by Your Name. First published in 2007, it was hailed as “a love letter, an invocation . . . an exceptionally beautiful book” (Stacey D’Erasmo, The New York Times Book Review). Nearly three quarters of a million copies have been sold, and the book became a much-loved, Academy Award–winning film starring Timothée Chalamet as the young Elio and Armie Hammer as Oliver, the graduate student with whom he falls in love.

In Find Me, Aciman shows us Elio’s father, Samuel, on a trip from Florence to Rome to visit Elio, who has become a gifted classical pianist. A chance encounter on the train with a beautiful young woman upends Sami’s plans and changes his life forever.

Elio soon moves to Paris, where he, too, has a consequential affair, while Oliver, now a New England college professor with a family, suddenly finds himself contemplating a return trip across the Atlantic.

Pre-Read thoughts:

Again has not got the best reviews of goodreads
Wonder if I will enjoy it as much as the first Call Me By Your Name
Seems like I have to focused to read it

Have you read any of these? What are you reading this week?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

February Round Up

allthingsgeexo

28th Feb 2021

Happy February!!

We are coming to the end of February and you know what means it is time for my round up of February! What a month February has been! It has been on of my best months yet and there is so much exciting content to come with guest posts and as always some amazing book reviews coming in March.

Books I have read:

Normally there would not be a need for a list here but all of a sudden I have read or finished reading far too many books in the first two weeks of february. For the first time in ages I am going to have to list them:

Bad Habits – Flynn Meaney
Ever Alice – H.J.Ramsay
The Magpie Society – Zoe Sugg & Amy McCulloch
A Study in Scarlet- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Specter- Katie Jane Gallagher
Dear Life – Alice Munro
Prodigal Son – Danielle Steel
Thanks for the Memories- Cecelia Ahern

*Disclaimer some of these were books that I started reading back in January but have only just got round to finishing*

If it is not already linked there are book reviews coming for all of these! Which means a lot of new content.

Speaking of new content during March I am looking to guest post some of you amazing people, if this is something you are interested feel free to drop me a message and we will organise this.

My Favourite Blogs of February:

I am so lucky to be a part of a wonderful blogging community, and therefore there are so many blogs that I could include here.

Mind.Beauty.Simplicity– B is one of the most lovely people I have ever had the pleasure to get to know and work with. And not to be dramatic but we have an amazing guest post coming up on the 5th of March and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Her Bookish Obsession – I am incredibly glad to have been introduced to Haadu and her blog earlier this month. She is incredible and I honestly believe great things are coming her way- also have a guest post coming from her in March so keep your eyes peeled.

Favourite TV show/series:

We new it was coming and although I did not start watching it in February I did very much rewatch it in February so I am counting it, obviously I am talking about the Netflix show Bridgerton. Now listen I must admit I need to go and read the books, maybe I could do a little comparison however I am going to say it, the duke is everything I did not know that I needed in my life but hey.

Favourite Movie:

My Favourite movie of this month is actually a really old movie but on Valentine’s Day I spent the whole day watching a bunch of movies and I forgot how much I love The Devil wears Prada and The Intern. I basically had a day of Anne Hathaway and it could not have been any better.

Random Things I have been loving so far in February:

Gratitude Journal – something I have started to try to do everyday
Ted Talks – one of my new addictions is watching Ted Talks on youtube my favourite being every child deserves a champion it reminds me a lot of one of my old school teachers who definitely practiced this.
Bird and Blend tea – I have a tea addiction thanks to my subscription.

As you can see there has already been some pretty cool things that have happened this February, and we will have another round up at the end of the month!

What is something that has happened in February that has made you smile?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern: A Book Review.

allthingsgeexo

27th Feb 2021

Happy February!!

We are coming to the end of February and I have had such a good month so many awesome blog tours but it is now time for a book review outside of the blog tours. This is a book that I have been meaning to read for years, as a massive fan of PS I love you and its follow on Postscript, I thought it was about time to catch up on some of her other work. Today’s book post is a review of Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern!

Synopsis:

How can you know someone you’ve never met?

Joyce Conway remembers things she shouldn’t. She knows about tiny cobbled streets in Paris, which she has never visited. And every night she dreams about an unknown little girl with blonde hair.

Justin Hitchcock is divorced, lonely and restless. He arrives in Dublin to give a lecture on art and meets an attractive doctor, who persuades him to donate blood. It’s the first thing to come straight from his heart in a long time.

When Joyce leaves hospital after a terrible accident, with her life and her marriage in pieces, she moves back in with her elderly father. All the while, a strong sense of déjà vu is overwhelming her and she can’t figure out why…

My Review:

I have been trying to read more of Cecelia Ahern’s work and I have to be clear this one did not disappoint. What a book!

This book was one of those books that grabbed me from the first chapter as a fan of her work already I had a lot of hope that this was going to be one that you can’t put down. And that is exactly what it became for me. I just had to keep reading to find out what is going to happen to the characters. The stories of the characters is such an interesting view point as they are side by side.
Thanks for the memories is a beautifully told story from the first page to the last.

I loved the diversity of the characters, the pain, the relationships, I laughed until I nearly cried and then I cried when I felt myself feeling their pain and getting a little attached to the characters. This however is one of the things that I loved about the book because my favourite books are the ones where I find myself holding on to the characters.

The story is set mainly in Ireland and it is about two people whose lives cross in a most unusual way and the interactions with their own families and friends. This being said the story also had a touch of fairytale magic in it (again we know I love me some fairy tales), yet was more a story about family relationships than romance
Disclaimer: There are parts to this book that are not factually correct but if you can ignore that then it is still a good read and I enjoyed it despite this.

Star Rating:

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Marrow Charm- Blog Tour

allthingsgeexo

26th Feb 2021

Happy February!

We are back today with another amazing blog tour hosted by my favourite @The_WriteReads as always a massive thank you to Dave for having me on this tour!

Such great fun reading this book and we have my second five star rating of 2021… it is shaping up to be a good year for five star ratings.

BBNYA information:

I received this book to read and review as part of the BBNYA 2020 competition and/or the BBNYA tours organised by the @The_WriteReads tours team. All opinions are my own, unbiased and honest (or insert your own standard version of the same).

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors.

If you are an author and wish to learn more about the 2021 BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website (https://www.bbnya.com/) or our Twitter account, @BBNYA_Official. If you would like to sign-up and enter your book, you can find the BBNYA 2021 AUTHOR SIGN UP FORM HERE. Please make sure to carefully read our terms and conditions before entering.

If you are a book blogger or reviewer, you can apply to be part of BBNYA 2021 by filling out this form (also remember to read the terms and conditions before signing up)!

BBNYA is brought to you in association with the Folio Society (If you love beautiful books you NEED to check out their website!) And the book blogger support group TheWriteReads.

Synopsis:
Azure ‘Azzy’ Brimvine lives in a world decimated by magic, where humans have retreated underground from the overwhelming dangers of the surface. But Below is no safer than Above.

Magic borne plagues continue to eat away at the remaining human cities, a sickness that doesn’t merely kill, but creates aberrations from the stricken: people twisted by magic into something dark, dangerous, and powerful. It is an existence of fear and constant dread. When Azzy’s brother, Armin, is infected and cast out into the Above, she sets out after him, determined to be there for him no matter what he becomes.

The world Above is full of monsters, both wild and cunning, some more human than Azzy was led to believe. Armin is captured and bound for the Auction block of Avergard, a ruthless city of inhuman lords and twisted creatures. To reach him, Azzy must brave the perils of the Above and the chaotic life forms created by the Gate. To reach him, she must find allies and forge new bonds in this broken world.

And Azzy must reach him, before Armin’s new power is used to open the Gate once more.

My Review:

This is one that I was very excited to start reading the moment the opportunity arose the book cover looked so pretty and everyone knows that any book that has some reference to magic is going to be one that should be right up my street. WOW! How right I was.

Marrow Charm by Kristin Jacques is the first book in The Gate Cycle series. The book follows the story of Azzy who lives in the world Below with her brother Armin and their guardian, but their lives are quickly derailed when the Rot infects everyone, and her family is cast out to the world Above. Her brother and guardian face an uncertain and terrifying future at auction when they’re carted away by the Snatchers. This means that alone Azzy must face the dangers of Above if she has any chance of saving her family. Along the way she discovers that actually the differences between the humans and the monsters are not as different as she once thought. Which is worse? That is something that she cannot quite work out.

Marrow Charm has such an incredible vibe whilst you are reading it, the atmosphere created in the world built in this book by Kristin Jacques is one of my favourite parts of the novel.

I like how it is not all like the magic we have read about in so many books this focuses a little more on the negatives of the magic. I think this makes it more attractive to the reader as you do not know what to expect. I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of her journey.

I loved getting to read this novel and it in fact became my second five star review of 2021 so far. It is not very often that I give a five star review but 2021 is out here bringing some amazing reads.

Star Rating:

Does this book sound like something you would like to read?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Calico Thunder Rides Again – Blog Tour

allthingsgeexo

18th Feb 2021

Happy February!!

I hope everyone is well and safe! Again we are back with another #BBNYA2020 #blogtour organised by the wonderful Dave from @The_WriteReads. As always a massive thank you for having me on this tour.

Calico Thunder Rides Again came 7^th place in the BBNYA competition. I received this book to read and review as part of the BBNYA tours organised by the @The_WriteReads tours team. All opinions are my own.

Title: Calico Thunder Rides Again

Author: T. A. Hernandez

Published: 5^th of November 2019 – Sanita Street Publishing

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors.

If you are a book blogger or reviewer, you can apply to be part of BBNYA 2021 by filling out this form (also remember to read the terms and conditions before signing up)!

BBNYA is brought to you in association with the Folio Society (If you love beautiful books you NEED to check out their website!), and the book blogger support group The Write Reads.

Synopsis:

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Most Fantastic Show on Earth…

Three years ago, the Ban changed everything, outlawing certain forms of magic and bringing about the rise of powerful crime syndicates. Now, speakeasies in every city sell illegal charms and jinxes, and bootleggers traffic restricted potion ingredients across the country. But even in this changing world, the magic of the circus still acts as a wondrous escape and provides entertainment for all.

Jake Strickland owns one such circus, inherited after an accident ended his career as a rodeo dragon rider. He also inherited the circus’ financial troubles, but since the show became his, he’s slowly managed to turn it into a profitable business once more. Or at least, that’s what he thought.

When a dangerous mobster comes to collect an old debt, Jake resorts to desperate measures to get the money before a strict deadline. With lives and livelihoods at stake, he battles the clock, his responsibilities to the circus, and a longstanding personal grudge that has festered for years. Can he pay back the mob before it’s too late?

My Review:

I started out really not being sure on how I would feel about this book, the cover had me massively intrigued and wanting to read it. This being said I tend to find the idea of the circus incredibly creepy so I was not sure how I would find it.

The story itself reminded me a little bit of The Greatest Showman if it was more of a fantasy filled with magical creatures. We are following the story of Jake who inherits the circus from his father, and whilst there was a mask of everything going well with the circus, however behind the scenes that is not always the case. Jake’s dad is in debt and owes money to a lot of bad people. This soon finds Jake and the circus in a little bit of trouble.

We follow Jake’s story of how he is going to try and save the circus.

This being said this circus was different it was not poorly treated animals it was unicorns (Everyone knows that I love me a unicorn), griffins, dragons and so much more. It was incredibly easy to get lost in the story of the circus and the animals. I definitely found myself routing for the circus to be saved by Jake. I think the author has done an incredible job of making sure that you can feel how much Jake cares about not only the circus but the animals as well. (this earned the story massive brownie points with me.)

Star Rating:

Does this book sound like one you would enjoy?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Specter – Blog Tour

allthingsgeexo

9 comments

10th Feb 2021

Happy February!!

We are back with another Blog Tour! Again a massive thank you to Dave @The_WriteReads for having me on this tour! It as always has been an absolute pleasure! This time round we are reviewing Specter by Katie Jane Gallagher.

Specter came 8^th place in the BBNYA competition.

I received this book to read and review as part of the BBNYA tours organised by the @The_WriteReads tours team. All opinions are my own, unbiased and honest.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where Book Bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors.

If you are an author and wish to learn more about 2021 BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website www.bbnya.com or twitter @bbnya_official and follow this link to enter! Please make sure to carefully read our terms and conditions before entering.

If you are Book Blogger or reviewer you can apply to be part of 2021 BBNYA panel via this form .

BBNYA is brought to you in association with the Folio Society (If you love beautiful books you NEED to check out their website!) And the book blogger support group TheWriteReads.

Publication Date: July 7, 2019

Publisher: Hidden Bower Press

Genre: YA Paranormal Thriller

About Katie:

Katie Jane Gallagher is the author of Specter and the online, serialized YA fantasy The Gold in the Dark. She is a life-long writer, and her stories feature relatable, realistic characters who get swept up in extraordinary events. An avid reader of YA and genre fiction, she has a self-proclaimed affinity for the best sorts of trash.

Born and raised in Illinois, Katie currently lives in Connecticut with her stupendous, half-human half-neanderthal husband and their dopey boxer dog. She graduated magna cum laude from Connecticut College in 2012, with a bachelor’s degree in Chinese language and literature and a minor in history.

Synopsis:

Horror aficionado Lanie Adams should be thrilled when two eighties-era ghosts materialize in her bedroom. Yet after a fainting incident unbecoming of a horror nerd, she would rather her haunting just go away—the ghosts’ waterlogged voices and ice-cold auras are more terrifying than any movie. Enlisting the help of Ryan, an entirely-too-cute stoner, she makes it her mission to put the spirits stalking her to rest.

Some sleuthing reveals that their sleepy Connecticut town is host to a shadowy, decades-old conspiracy. If Lanie wants to say a final goodbye to her ghosts, she’ll need to keep digging. But it’s important to tread carefully. The culprit is still in town—and they’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.

My Review:

Now I will be honest Ghosts are not something I often find myself reading about, purely because I cannot handle horror films with ghosts so the same applies for books. However with this being said Specter was one book that I found myself wanting to read more despite the ghost element to it. I am normally the last person in the world to pick up a horror/thriller book that is like this but as always I find myself being surprised by how much I enjoyed reading Specter just another reason why these blog tours are amazing to be a part of.

Specter follows the main character Lanie and her adventures with being able to see Ghosts.

I loved reading Specter however I must note there were several occasions I found it incredibly chilling and managed to creep myself out. (I refused to read this at night) This being said when I was reading this book I could not put it down. I found myself hooked.

Like always I will try my best to not spoil any of this book within the review, however with this book more than I would normally I think you need to read it whilst not knowing a lot about the plot. I think it allows for a better read and immersive experience. I will warn you though that there are some creepy moments.

This book covers subjects including lucid dreaming which has always been a topic that creeps me out, so for me I think it added more to my experience reading this book. However unlike before I want to know more about the subject.

This is a book I would recommend those who love stranger things to go and check out because I am 99.9% sure you would love this!

Star Rating:

Does this sound like something you would enjoy reading? If you have read this what did you think?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

5 Things to do to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a Single

allthingsgeexo

10th Feb 2021

Happy February!

I hope everyone is staying safe and well. I thought I would do something a little different and post something Valentines themed. In all honesty something I have avoided the past few years.

Valentines day as a single is something that I feel is almost a taboo subject. I know that as a teenager well actually up until my 20’s being alone on valentines day always seemed to be a thing we did not want to do. However it is funny how as you grow older this prospect seems less important. As someone who loves to read and often chooses to read romance novels I like to consider myself a little hopeless romantic. However I am the first person to say that my faith in true love is a little shaken. So Valentines day was never a day I really chose to enjoy but the thing is who says you cannot enjoy yourself as a single on Valentines day. We all deserve a little romance in our lives and so what if it is romancing your own life.

I thought I would put together a list of things you could do this Valentines if like me you will be spending it without a partner.

With mentioning that I am a self proclaimed hopeless romantic it is important for me to note that celebrating love comes in so many different ways. It can refer too many different forms of love. We could be celebrating the love between to people or the love we have for our friends and family. But the most important form of love that is rarely discussed (More discussed in recent years) is self-love because no one deserves love more than the love you feel towards yourself. Be kind to yourself this Valentines Day. You are worth it.

Self-Care

Spend Valentines day having a little pamper. What better day of the year to provide yourself with a little self care. Run yourself a bath with your favourite products, maybe even a bath bomb, set up your favourite candles. And just relax. Treat yourself to a face mask and work your way through your self-care routine. Take some time to spoil yourself because you are worth it.

2. Do something you love

I feel like this is something that goes with the first one but what better time to do something you love. For me this year that will be a walk along the beach with a coffee, then back home for some food and spend the day watching my favourite movies and reading a book. It will probably be the Bridget Jones movies and then I would assume I will probably read one of my favourite classics. Wuthering Heights.

3. Celebrate Galentine’s Day.

Get the gang together to do something fun as a group . This year this may look a little different but there is nothing stopping you getting dressed up with some drinks and have a zoom call with your girls. I know Galentine’s is one of my favourite ways to celebrate Valentines’s Day as a singleton. Normally because some of our funniest stories comes from questionable Galentine’s decisions.

4. Do something Creative:

It doesn’t matter what you do but take sometime out of your day to do something creative.

Write a poem, bake something, paint, or even just dance around your house to the music you like. Any of this counts as being creative.

5. Whatever you like:

In all honesty we could sit and list hundreds of ways you can spend Valentines’s day as a single but my favourite ever piece of advice is just spend the day doing whatever makes you feel good. Have a plan or just be spontaneous. Doing whatever you enjoy and makes you feel good is the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day.

I hope whatever you choose to do this Valentine’s you have a lovely day. And remember single or taken you are loved and truly cherished and if no one has told you today you are amazing, I am proud of you and you are beautiful.

What are some of you favourite ways to spend Valentines?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

My Favourite Book Quotes About Love

allthingsgeexo

17 comments

9th Feb 2021

Happy February!

With Valentines Day just around the corner I thought I would stick with the theme of Love and share with you some of my favourite book quotes that talk about love. I am sure some of these will be expected but maybe I have added someones you would not think about. If you know me you will know I am a sucker for a good romance novel whether this be modern or classic. I think love is one of those beautiful things that will always continue to be interpreted in many different ways. Authors are always brilliant at expressing how we feel in such beautiful wordings it was only right to share with you some of my favourites.

Here are some of my favourite book quotes about love:

As a book lover and someone who could spend hours tucked up in bed with a good book, I think this quote for Hemingway is just stunning. It is such a simple activity and sentence but you can almost imagine being lost in this situation. There is something truly beautiful about a book under the stars.

Les Miserables is one of my favourite books, movies and musicals so it is only right that this is included in my list somewhere. I think there is something so moving yet simplistic about the idea of being loved or having loved being enough. It is plain and simple yet so thought provoking that it really makes you stop and think about the simplest joys in life.

Now it would not be a post from me if I did not include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as one of the quotes. The White Company although not one of my go to books from him has some of the most beautiful quotes in it. This one however stands out as one of my favourites.

Always. How powerful is that one word. I know that all fellow potterheads will agree that Always makes my heart hurt. But it is one of my favourite quotes from the books and the film. It turns out our favourite fellow Slytherin Professor Snape is not a bad human, he just has a broken heart. He is suffering from a case of unrequited love. Unfortunately the person who has his affection fell in love with someone else and then tragically died. When asked “even after all this time?” his simple reply of always is enough to melt the toughest of hearts. It had to be included and forever will be one of my favourite quotes of all time.

I am sure at one point or another, we have all had one person that no matter what you do or what they did, you would always be thinking of them. In fact I am positive that this does not just happen with one person. But I know reading this I had one person that came to mind. However I think it is such a true quote that we can all relate to one way or another.

It is funny that the stories that are best known as stories for children have the most amazing and touching quotes in them. I think Winnie the Pooh is a great example of this, there are so many quotes from Winnie the Pooh that I would not have fully understood as a child but still happen to be some of the most moving quotes now that I understand them. I think this quote is one of my favourites about love because it covers all manners of love not just romantic.

And finally the one I am sure you knew I would be including. For two different reasons, firstly because Wuthering Heights is one of my all time favourite novels and I could read it over and over again. Secondly it is a quote featured in After by Anna Todd and I remember reading this story when it was first released in chapters on Wattpad as a fan fiction. I think that this quote provides a lot of different emotions depending on which you recognise it from, but either way is one of the most beautiful quotes ever. I love the idea that their souls are made the same and therefore has brought them together.

Those are just some of my favourite quotes we could be here forever! I have so many more that I love but these are just some of my favourites.

What are some of your favourite quotes about love?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Ever Alice- Blog Tour!

allthingsgeexo

6th Feb 2021

Happy February!

We are kicking off with a bang! We are back with another Blog Tour! I know it’s been a busy couple of weeks with Blog tours but I am so grateful for the opportunity. And we get to read some amazing books!

I received this book to read and review as part of the 2020 BBNYA competition and the BBNYA tours organised by the TWR Tour team. All opinions are my own, unbiased and honest.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where Book Bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors. If you are an author and wish to learn more about 2021 BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website www.bbnya.com or twitter @bbnya_official and follow this link to enter! Please make sure to carefully read our terms and conditions before entering.

If you are Book Blogger or reviewer you can apply to be part of 2021 BBNYA panel via this form .

Ever Alice finished in 10th place for the BBNYA Awards but was many peoples’ favourite book in the whole contest, after having the opportunity to read Ever Alice it is clear to see why it was a favourite of many.

Synopsis:

Alice’s stories of Wonderland did more than raise a few eyebrows—it landed her in an asylum. Now at 15 years of age, she’s willing to do anything to leave, which includes agreeing to an experimental procedure. When Alice decides at the last minute not to go through with it, she escapes with the White Rabbit to Wonderland and trades one mad house for another: the court of the Queen of Hearts. Only this time, she is under orders to take out the Queen. When love, scandal, and intrigue begin to muddle her mission, Alice finds herself on the wrong side of the chopping block.

My Review:

Okay, so we all know the stories of Alice in Wonderland they are classics, and some of my favourites. However, have you ever thought to yourself what happened to Alice? How did life turn out for her? If you answered yes to any of these this book is the one for you.

I found myself getting lost in her story from the moment I picked up the book, I will be honest to start with I was a little sceptical about having another Alice story due to being a rather large fan of the originals. This does mean however I was proved wrong within in literally pages of reading this book.

Ever Alice takes us into the world of Alice at the age of 15 who had found herself in an asylum. With a desperate need to escape.

My Favourite thing I have to admit is that we get to keep our well known and in my case well loved characters. All the favourite characters from the originals are back such as the Queen of Hearts, the white rabbit, the Mad Hatter, and the Cheshire Cat. However it is a with a lot of excitement I have to tell you we have the joy of being introduced to some amazing new characters too, like Thomas, the Queen of Hearts’ son! I was not ready for new characters but boy am I happy that we were introduced to some.

This book has gained a special place in my heart for continuing on a story I have loved for years, but it is done so well without ruining the magic of the original for me!

This I feel is a book I will be raving about for months to come. I know many people who would adore this book just as much as I did. If you know me well I apologise in advance for the amount I will be discussing this book with you.

Star Rating:

A/N WE HAVE OUR FIRST FIVE STAR REVIEW OF 2021! HOW EXCITING!

Have you read Ever Alice? What did you think? Is it a book you would like to read?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Bad Habits by Flynn Meaney- Blog Tour

allthingsgeexo

4th Feb 2021

Happy February!!

I hope you are all having a wonderful February! How is it February! I hope you are all keeping safe and well. Today’s post is my first Blog Tour of February! February is going to be full of some of the most wonderful books I have read in a while. I am so grateful to be able to be a part of these blog tours. As always I would like to thank Dave at @TheWriteReads for having me on this #UltimateBlogTour it has been a joy to be a part of this tour and I cannot wait to hear what everyone else thinks.

The first blog tour of February is a feminist master piece, obviously we are talking about the comical genius of Bad Habits by Flynn Meaney. *Spoiler Alert- I am a big fan of this*

Title: Bad Habits

Author: Flynn Meaney

Published: 11^th of February 2021 – Penguin

About the Author:

Flynn Meaney is the author of The Boy Recession and Bloodthirsty. She studied marketing and French at the University of Notre Dame, where she barely survived the terrifying array of priests and nuns, campus ghosts, and bone-crushing athletes who inspired Bad Habits. Since completing a very practical MFA in Poetry, she works for a French company and travels often between New York (when she’s in the mood for bagels) and Paris (when she’s in the mood for croissants).

Synopsis:

CW/TW: Drug use/Alcohol use/ sex, sexual harassment references/ unsafe sex/ others may be present.

Alex is a rebel from the tip of her purple fauxhawk to the toes of her biker boots. She’s tried everything she can think of to get expelled from her strict Catholic boarding school. Nothing has worked so far – but now, Alex has a new plan.

Tired of the sexism she sees in every corner of St Mary’s, Alex decides to stage the school’s first ever production of The Vagina Monologues. Which is going to be a challenge, as no one else at St Mary’s can even bear to say the word ‘vagina’ out loud . . .

My Review:

Okay where do we start, firstly I am a huge fan of the way Flynn approaches many different feminist issues within this novel whilst keeping the story very comical and easy to read. I tend to be a fan of YA contemporary novels however I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. Set in St Mary’s boarding school we follow the story of Alex Heck and her friends as they approach many different issues during their time at school.

If you know me you will know it is likely that I am going to be a fan of a novel with that is filled with feminism and rebellion. However this book is so much more! It approaches the subject in a very quirky way, not only is it easy to read but it still manages to be a book that despite its comical side flows well.

within the novel there are many pop culture and classic literature references which we just know I was going throughly enjoy. I found myself several times actually laughing out loud to parts of this novel.

Who does not love a story that focuses on strong women who have so many thoughts on different Feminist issues. I have read many books that discuss these issues however this is the first contemporary YA that approaches these subjects like this. I love how it still managed to stay as an easy to read and on a regular part a laugh out loud story that we could all relate to. This is a book I will most certainly reaching for again.

Bad Habits despite is comical side filled me with so much warmth, it reminded me of being at school and the mini debates we would have during lunchtimes in our hall, or if we are being completely true in our drama department with some of my favourite people and my favourite teacher ever. Who always made a point to tell us that being able to stand for what we believe in and be true to ourselves is one of the best qualities to have. It is safe to say I am almost certain she would have adored this novel. Maybe I may have to get her to read it and let me know what she thinks of it.

Anyone who knows me will know why this has a special place in my heart and I am going to be recommending this book to people for months I am sure. Especially those of my friends who love reading feminist stories. I have to admit this may be on my favourites list for a while. I also think this is a perfect book for anyone who wants to learn a little more of these issues but maybe do not want to read a hard hit non-fiction on the subject.

Star Rating:

Does Bad Habits sound like a book you would enjoy? What Bad Habits did you have at school? (we all had them)

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Top 10 Valentine’s Day Films

allthingsgeexo

8 comments

3rd Feb 2021

Happy February!!

I thought we would add some Valentine’s Day content to the blog this February because who does not like to spread a little love. Today’s post is going to be a list of my top 10 Valentine’s Day films. Whether you are celebrating Valentines Day or Galentines or even just spending it on your own you can never know wrong with a good movie. I mean it is pretty obvious that I will be watching all of these in the lead up to spending Valentines Day with myself and a good book.

Here are some of my favourites:

Notting Hill:

Film Synopsis:

William Thacker (Hugh Grant) is a London bookstore owner whose humdrum existence is thrown into romantic turmoil when famous American actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) appears in his shop. A chance encounter over spilled orange juice leads to a kiss that blossoms into a full-blown affair. As the average bloke and glamorous movie star draw closer and closer together, they struggle to reconcile their radically different lifestyles in the name of love.

Okay so we knew it was inevitable that Hugh Grant would feature at least once on this list but Notting Hill is one of my favourite movies of all time and a great film for any hopeless romantics out there that cannot help but wish to bump into someone in a book shop.

10 Things I Hate About You:

Film Synopsis:

Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) is beautiful, smart and quite abrasive to most of her fellow teens, meaning that she doesn’t attract many boys. Unfortunately for her younger sister, Bianca (Larisa Oleynik), house rules say that she can’t date until Kat has a boyfriend, so strings are pulled to set the dour damsel up for a romance. Soon Kat crosses paths with handsome new arrival Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger). Will Kat let her guard down enough to fall for the effortlessly charming Patrick?

Okay so firstly all I really have to say is Heath Ledger but secondly this is a film that brings back such fond memories of watching it with an old school friend that I knew it had to be included. However I blame this film amongst other things for the go to bad boy ending up being my favourite character in many other books and films. I mean I could watch this film on repeat it is such an easy watch.

Someone Great:

Film Synopsis:

Dumped by her long-term boyfriend, a music journalist recruits her two best friends for one last outrageous adventure in New York City before she moves to San Francisco.

Okay grab your girls, stock up on wine and snacks and stick on this film. I could not find a Gif on the wordpress thing for this film. Instead we have Lizzo and the song that makes up one of my favourite scenes out of the whole film. It is a feel good, break ups suck but you will be fine movie. That leaves you with closure and a boss attitude. Why not spread a little self-love this February.

You’ve Got Mail:

Film Synopsis:

Struggling boutique bookseller Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) hates Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), the owner of a corporate Foxbooks chain store that just moved in across the street. When they meet online, however, they begin an intense and anonymous Internet romance, oblivious of each other’s true identity. Eventually Joe learns that the enchanting woman he’s involved with is actually his business rival. He must now struggle to reconcile his real-life dislike for her with the cyber love he’s come to feel.

You cannot help but to love Tom Hanks however lets be clear for a lot of this film I was not sure I would like him but as always you do. You’ve got mail is a classic film and one that you just must see. Again a great film for the hopeless romantics. I normally would watch this film in the Autumn months but it had to be included as one of my favourite romantic movies.

Pretty Woman:

Film Synopsis:

In this modern update on Cinderella, a prostitute and a wealthy businessman fall hard for one another, forming an unlikely pair. While on a business trip in L.A., Edward (Richard Gere), who makes a living buying and breaking up companies, picks up a hooker, Vivian (Julia Roberts), on a lark. After Edward hires Vivian to stay with him for the weekend, the two get closer, only to discover there are significant hurdles to overcome as they try to bridge the gap between their very different worlds.

It would be just wrong if I did not include Pretty Woman on this list! So it turns out I should have watched this movie a lot sooner than I had but it now sits firmly on the list of favourite films. It is a great example of unrequited love and how sometimes sometimes it all works out for the best. True love can be found in the strangest of situations.

Ghost:

Film Synopsis:

Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) is a banker, Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) is an artist, and the two are madly in love. However, when Sam is murdered by friend and corrupt business partner Carl Bruner (Tony Goldwyn) over a shady business deal, he is left to roam the earth as a powerless spirit. When he learns of Carl’s betrayal, Sam must seek the help of psychic Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) to set things right and protect Molly from Carl and his goons.

PATRICK SWAYZE IS A MUST HAVE FOR VALENTINE’S DAY! We have all at one point had a little obsession with Swayze! Ghost is one of the most beautiful films ever but be prepared that you need tissues and you will cry! I promise there will be tears but it is so worth it. Grab you tissues, wine and ice cream.

Hitch:

Film Synopsis:

Dating coach Alex “Hitch” Hitchens (Will Smith) mentors a bumbling client, Albert (Kevin James), who hopes to win the heart of the glamorous Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta). While Albert makes progress, Hitchens faces his own romantic setbacks when proven techniques fail to work on Sara Melas (Eva Mendes), a tabloid reporter digging for dirt on Allegra Cole’s love life. When Sara discovers Hitchens’ connection to Albert — now Allegra’s boyfriend — it threatens to destroy both relationships.

WILL SMITH! THAT IS ALL! Hitch is one of my favourite movies of all time. It is a feel good laugh along, but it will definitely bring a mixture of emotions but hey it has Will Smith and that is always a bonus in my eyes.

Love Simon:

Film Synopsis:

Everyone deserves a great love story, but for 17-year-old Simon Spier, it’s a little more complicated. He hasn’t told his family or friends that he’s gay, and he doesn’t know the identity of the anonymous classmate that he’s fallen for online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing.

This film I saw when it was first released in the Cinema and it made me cry buckets but it is such a good film. The ending will melt your heart! Definitely one for the hopeless romantics. I fell in love with this movie and Simon in minutes but the ending is everything! This will always be one of my favourite movies!

Bridget Jones:

Film Synopsis:

At the start of the New Year, 32-year-old Bridget (Renée Zellweger) decides it’s time to take control of her life — and start keeping a diary. Now, the most provocative, erotic and hysterical book on her bedside table is the one she’s writing. With a taste for adventure, and an opinion on every subject – from exercise to men to food to sex and everything in between – she’s turning the page on a whole new life.

ALL BY MYSELLFFFFFFF!!! yep we knew it was coming it is a must have for the list. Because who does not want to watch a movie that is a feel good comedy with blue soup and someone who loves you just the way you are. I love me some Bridget Jones.

She’s the Man:

Film Synopsis:

Viola Johnson (Amanda Bynes) is in a real jam. Complications threaten her scheme to pose as her twin brother, Sebastian, and take his place at a new boarding school. She falls in love with her handsome roommate, Duke, who loves beautiful Olivia, who has fallen for Sebastian! As if that were not enough, Viola’s twin returns from London ahead of schedule but has no idea that his sister has already replaced him on campus.

Channing Tatum is a must have for this Valentine’s Day and this film is such a feel good classic!

There are so many more this list could go on forever but these are just some of my favourites.

What would be on your list?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

The Sunshine Blogger Award

allthingsgeexo

2nd Feb 2021

Happy February!

Today we are doing something a little different but you know me I love a good tag. Today’s post, I am doing the Sunshine Blogger Award. I was nominated by the lovely Danni @ Forbookssake to do this. Thank you so much for nominating me, I am so so grateful!

How does it work?

Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

My Questions:

What is your most anticipated read of 2021?

We could literally be on this question for ages there are so many books coming out this year that I would love to get my hands on despite the fact that my TBR list is honestly never ending. I honestly do not know where to start on the list of books I am very much looking forward to this year but one of them that I have spoken about to a friend most recently was A Lady’s Formula for Love – Elizabeth Everett pur

How many books are you hoping to read this year?

I have set a goodreads goal of 150 but I would hope to read more than that! It is the first year I have set an official goals.

What got you in to blogging?

I have always loved reading other peoples blogs and I have always loved writing however All Things Gee was created after a conversation I had with one of my favourite people in the entire world. We were sat in the kitchen having a cup of tea and she gave me the push I needed to do something I had thought about for a while. It turns out we make a pretty cool team when it comes to throwing out ideas. She is always and forever on my list of things I am grateful for.

Who are some of your favourite indie authors?

Josie Jaffery
Recent addition would have to be H.J. Ramsay
I am not sure I would class her as an indie author but I am a massive fan of Sandy Barker

Which one book/series could you reread over and over?

The Rivers of London series or maybe the obvious one for me would be any of the Sherlock. Okay I am aware it says one but also the Harry Potters okay I am done.

What is your favourite TV series?

Now this one is one that it is hard because my go to response would always be Sherlock because WE LOVE SOME SHERLOCK. However this year Bridgerton happened and lets be honest we all know that I have a new favourite TV series. I mean who could blame me we have all seen the duke right?

Which book would you love to see a TV show/movie adaptation of?

I am a huge fan of anything Vampire so I would probably have to say May Day by Josie Jaffery or potentially The Rivers of London series because I cannot explain how much I love that series.

Who is your favourite artist? and what is your favourite work of art?

Oooo this is tough, I do not think I have an answer to this but I like checking out small artists and quirky pieces of art

Library or bookstore?

Again can I put both…. maybe not… so I would have to say Bookstore because I find especially when you find a quirky independent bookstore I can lose myself in there for hours. You never know what you will find.

What is your biggest bookish pet peeve?

Okay so this is hard because its normally the little things but I have to admit I hate when people bend the corners of a book. (USE A BOOKMARK) or when people bend the spine of a book. but I think that one is probably because I am weird and like them to look untouched unless they are second hand old classics because it shows history. Yes yes I know it confuses me as well.

What are your goals for 2021?

Goals for 2021…. I have a few, I would love to hit 500 followers on the blog I feel like that has been a goal for a while but also I would like to increase the amount of books I am reading. Also put out some more content that may not be directly book related.

I Nominate:

My Questions:

What made you fall in love with reading?
Who inspires you the most?
If you could visit one of the worlds from a book where would you choose?
If you could meet one book character and spend the day with them who would you choose?
Favourite book of 2020?
If you could only read one genre for the rest of your life who would you choose?
What you say is the best thing about reading?
You can only watch one movie for the rest of time. What are you choosing?
Who do you think is an underrated author?
If you could go back and give your younger self a piece of advice what would it be?
Favourite thing about blogging?

Again a massive thank you to Danni for tagging me! I had such fun with this. I cannot wait to read everyones answers!

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Weekly TBR – 1st of February!

allthingsgeexo

1st Feb 2021

Happy February!

I hope you are all having a lovely Monday so far! It is officially February and I have so much exciting content to come this February. We have a month filled with Blog tours. I am guest posting for the wonderful @mindsimplicitybeautyblog which will be out on the 5th of February I cannot wait for you guys to read that post so please head over to her and check it out. Not only that but I will be also putting out some Valentines content because it is the month of love after all. Why not spread some love to my favourite people.

As always we are kicking off this week with a weekly TBR, this week however includes books I have read once before but if anyone knows me they will know it is an obsession and I will be rereading this several times. I thought I would start February off with a couple different books and ones that I have loved forever.

A Study in Scarlet- Arthur Conan Doyle:

Synopsis:

“A Study in Scarlet” is the first published story of one of the most famous literary detectives of all time, Sherlock Holmes. Here Dr. Watson, who has just returned from a war in Afghanistan, meets Sherlock Holmes for the first time when they become flat-mates at the famous 221 B Baker Street. In “A Study in Scarlet” Sherlock Holmes investigates a murder at Lauriston Gardens as Dr. Watson tags along with Holmes while narratively detailing his amazing deductive abilities.

Pre-Read thoughts:

Okay let’s be honest we knew a reread of the Sherlock Holmes stories would happen
How beautiful is this edition
I love how it discusses the friendship between Sherlock and Watson (what a duo)
Sherlock’s London is the cutest little chapter about the locations within this novel and how Arthur Conan Doyle decided where it should be set
Are we going to watch the films and the BBC series again after reading this ABSOLUTELY!
Yes I have an obsession

Mad about the boy – Helen Fielding:

Synopsis:

Move over, Bridget Jones’s diary: She’s back, and this time she’s texting and tweeting. . .
Fourteen years after landing Mark Darcy, Bridget’s life has taken her places she never expected. But despite the new challenges of single parenting, online dating, wildly morphing dress sizes, and bafflingly complex remote controls, she is the same irrepressible and endearing soul we all remember—though her talent for embarrassing herself in hilarious ways has become dangerously amplified now that she has 752 Twitter followers. As Bridget navigates head lice epidemics, school-picnic humiliations, and cross-generational sex, she learns that life isn’t over when you start needing reading glasses—and why one should never, ever text while drunk.
Studded with witty observations about the perils and absurdities of our times, Mad About the Boy is both outrageously comic and genuinely moving. As we watch her dealing with heartbreaking loss and rediscovering love and joy, Bridget invites us to fall for her all over again.

Pre-Read Thoughts:

It is important to note I am a huge fan of Bridget Jones and in fact the movies are ones I have watched on several occasions
I will be listening to All by Myself whilst reading this book. (someone bring the wine and ice cream) It is only right
I have never managed to read this book the whole way through…. I will this time I swear
As you get older you really do start to relate to Bridget more.
As with Sherlock I will be off to go and watch the movies again and well who does not want to fall back in love with Mr Darcy….. Although I must state I am a sucker for Mr Daniel Cleaver (IT IS HUGH GRANT I AM NOT SORRY) and yes I know this book is after all that but one must watch all the films

I will be giving a run down of these books on Friday maybe even a review if I get to finish them.

What are you reading this week?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

White Trash Warlock- Blog Tour!

allthingsgeexo

28th Jan 2021

Happy January!

As January comes to an end, I have to let you guys know how excited I am for February! We have some massively exciting things coming on All Things Gee. With that being said todays post is another Blog Tour. Today is my spot on the White Trash Warlock tour! As always I would like to thank both Dave from The Write Reads and David R. Slayton for having as part of the tour! As always it has been an absolute pleasure.

The Banner once again is the amazing work of Noly who I feel I just rant and rave about a lot but she is amazing so I am not sorry.

Book: White Trash Warlock

Author: David R. Slayton

Published: October 13, 2020

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

Adam Binder hasn’t spoken to his brother in years, not since Bobby had him committed to a psych ward for hearing voices. When a murderous spirit possesses Bobby’s wife and disrupts the perfect life he’s built away from Oklahoma, he’s forced to ask for his little brother’s help. Adam is happy to escape the trailer park and get the chance to say I told you so, but he arrives in Denver to find the local magicians dead.

It isn’t long before Adam is the spirit’s next target. To survive the confrontation, he’ll have to risk bargaining with powers he’d rather avoid, including his first love, the elf who broke his heart.

The Binder brothers don’t realise that they’re unwitting pawns in a game played by immortals. Death herself wants the spirit’s head, and she’s willing to destroy their family to reap it.

My Review:

So we are almost at the end of January and we are ending January with a blog tour and a review of possibly one of the most enjoyable reads of the year so far.

Let’s start with the main reason I loved White Trash Warlock it is a fantasy novel which we all know I love, the story addressed so many different aspects of all the things I love about fantasy novels. There was magic, spirits and everything you could need to transport you into a fantasy world.

Now I love a lot about the characters within this book but one of my favourite things is how much that my favourite characters Adam shows how powerful it can be to make sure that you are being yourself at all times.

I think this book has a lot of opportunity to spark motivation and inspiration within its readers as the series go on. Being true to yourself is such an important lesson to teach and I think Adam is a brilliant example of this.

I love how Adam’s sexual orientation is discussed within this novel, it shows how challenging it can be to live somewhere which is against and not the most supportive of who you are but he still carries himself in such a manor where it is hard for him not to be your favourite character.

Overall this novel surprised me and makes me remember why I love being a part of these blog tours because I always find something new and to read things I may not have picked up before.

If you love a book that has a little something for everyone but still keeping a story running this is the one for you.

Star Rating:

What are your thoughts on White Trash Warlock? Is it something you would enjoy?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Weekly TBR!

allthingsgeexo

25th Jan 2021

Happy January!

I hope you are all having a lovely Monday so far! We are back on track this week with a weekly TBR! Again I have tried to make sure I am keeping to my reading schedule but still being realistic so I am only putting two books on this weeks TBR!

This weeks books are books that have been picked up in the local book boxes so are definitely books I should have read sooner.

I Don’t Know How She Does It – Allison Pearson.

Synopsis:

Delightfully smart and heartbreakingly poignant, Allison Pearson’s smash debut novel has exploded onto bestseller lists as “The national anthem for working mothers.” Hedge-fund manager, wife, and mother of two, Kate Reddy manages to juggle nine currencies in five time zones and keep in step with the Teletubbies. But when she finds herself awake at 1:37 a.m. in a panic over the need to produce a homemade pie for her daughter’s school, she has to admit her life has become unrecognizable. With panache, wisdom, and uproarious wit, I Don’t Know How She Does It brilliantly dramatizes the dilemma of every working mom.

Pre-Read thoughts:

I definitely think that it is going to be an easy read chick-lit
After reading some reviews (we all do it) I feel this is a book you would enjoy more from the prospective of someone who has children. However I love a good chick-lit so we shall still be trying this out.
I have found it has been turned into a film….. I shall be watching this also.

Dear Life – Alice Munro:

Synopsis:

Alice Munro captures the essence of life in her brilliant new collection of stories. Moments of change, chance encounters, the twist of fate that leads a person to a new way of thinking or being: the stories in Dear Life build to form a radiant, indelible portrait of just how dangerous and strange ordinary life can be.

Pre-Read Thoughts:

I feel like I will find myself getting lost within this book
The cover is so simple yet so gorgeous
I love reading about the things that have lead to people changing so I feel like I will love this.

I will be giving a run down of these books on Friday maybe even a review if I get to finish them.

What are you reading this week?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

🌊The Power of Letting Go: A New Wave🌊

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12 comments

22nd Jan 2021

Happy January!

As January comes to an end I thought I would include some different content and start a mini self care/self love series. I thought that as someone who loves to read the words of others I would share with you some words of my own. This one holds a strong place in my heart I hope you enjoy!

Sitting here on the beach staring in to nothingness.
For the first time in forever with No headphones, no book to get lost in. Just me, myself and I. I have time to think. Maybe not think, reflect is a better word.
I have always struggled to let things go. Whether it be people, memories or mere moments that have had an impact on my life…

But as I sit watching the ways flow in and out I begin to understand the power of letting go.
The waves deposit new stones on the shore front by sweeping away the memories of the ones before.
Just like the start of a new day, we don’t know what each wave is going to bring.
But isn’t that just the magic of an everyday thing.
We never know what tomorrow will bring.
So why hold on to the things that chain us to the memories and worries of the day before.
Why do we not act more like the waves that sweep in day in day out and lest that it is okay to let go of the negatives.
Letting go of the negatives brings room to fill our lives with the magic of the unknown.

I know it’s hard… I struggle just as much as you. But when it gets tough and the thoughts of the past that don’t bring us warmth and abundance just get a little to loud.
Picture yourself sat on your favourite beach or anywhere that makes you feel safe. Picture the waves drawing in and out but every time they wash out to sea let it take with them all the memories.
The ones that fill you with dread and anxiety. The ones that do not have a place in the life you wish to create. Watch them wash away with every wave that is drawn back into the sea. And with every new wave picture everything that feels you with warmth and happiness. Things that bring you joy and motivation.
For you are in control of your own destiny let it be the one you spend your days day dreaming of!

It is okay to let it go!

Let me know what you think of this! It is a little different from me and I would love your feedback.

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

“Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

The Unadjusteds- Blog Tour

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18th Jan 2021

Happy January!

I hope you are all staying well and safe! Today we are back with the first blog tour of the year! How insane is that! As always I want to say a massive thank you to Dave @thewritereads for having me on this tour! As always you are amazing. Also a massive thank you to Marisa Noelle for also having me on this tour!

Also as always the incredible banner is by the wonderful Noly, Who we all know I just adore.

*A/N This blog post was meant to go up on the 13th of January but we had a few technical difficulties. Therefore we are a little delayed*

Title: The Unadjusted

Author: Marisa Noelle

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, SciFi

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Silver Melody lives in a world where 80% of the population has modified their DNA. Known as the altereds, those people now possess enhancements like wings, tails, and increased strength or intelligence. Although Silver’s parents created the nanite pill used to deliver these genetic modifications, Silver is proud of her unadjusted state.

However, when the president declares all unadjusteds must take a nanite, Silver has no choice but to flee the city with her father and some friends to prevent the extinction of the unadjusteds.
With Silver’s mother in prison for treason, Silver’s father is the unadjusteds’ only hope at finding a cure.

But time is running out as Silver’s father is captured by the president’s almost immortal army. Vicious hellhounds are on Silver’s trail, and her only chance to recover her father involves teaming up with a new group of unlikely friends before all humanity is lost.

My Review:

The Unadjusted is not a book that I would normally pick up off the shelf, however I am very glad that I got to take part in this blog tour.

One of the main things I enjoyed most about The Unadjusted was the mix of science fiction and fantasy that was managed to be included within a dystopia setting. I loved the way that this book just seemed to be a little quirky and different, it included fantasy creatures but they were not your typical magic creatures. I think this gave the novel a little bit of an edge which made me want to read on. This and the plot of the book just had me hooked. You are not only reading about the different mutations of the ‘creatures’ but also you get to attach an emotional connection to the characters as you are finding out what is effecting them in the background.

As always I want to reduce the amount of spoilers in my reviews but I feel that it is important to note that for someone who is not the biggest sci-fi fan this book is one I could feel myself picking up again and re-reading as it was so easy to get into. The characters and the story have great development without making it too complicated to read. It is very well written in this sense.

I found that The Unadjusted was an easy read, the author writes the story so well that it makes it very easy to read it in a short time period. Due to this I feel this would be an amazing book for those who may not read a lot of books of this genre but want to get into reading them. Or for those who enjoy this genre but never seem to have the time to read them.

I have not read anything by Marisa Noelle before but I know this will not be the last time I turn to pick up on of her works.

Star Rating:

Does this sound like a book you would enjoy?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

The Anonymous Bookaholic tag

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13th Jan 2021

Happy January!

I hope everyone is safe and well. Today, I thought we would have a little fun this Wednesday and so I am doing the Anonymous Bookaholic tag. I was tagged to do this a couple of days ago by the wonderful Danni @_ForBooksSake. Thank you for the tag I had so much fun answering the questions it has been a while since I have done a tag.

1 – What do you like about buying new books?

I cannot be the only one who just loves being able to spend time browsing the bookshops. I think that one of my favourite things about buying new books is that I know I will always leave with an unexpected purchase.

2 – How often do you buy new books?

Honestly not as much as I would like to but I would say at least ones a month.

3 – Bookstore or online book shopping: which do you prefer?

BOOKSTORE! There is nothing like a good browse around a bookshop. As sad as it sounds bookshops are one of my favourite places to be and often to people watch because I find it so interesting to find out what people are buying.

4 – Do you have a favourite bookshop?

Oh I have so many favourite bookshops but I must admit that the Boon Books bookshop in Lewes is one of my favourites. Also the 15th century bookshop in Lewes if I happen to catch it when it is open. I also really love the City Books bookshop in Hove they always have the most beautiful window displays and the nicest staff.

5 – Do you pre-order books?

very rarely but if it is a book by someone I know I like I may pre-order

6 – Do you have a monthly buying limit?

Nope. I should but it is also very rare that I will go on a massive book spree, as I mentioned before I do not buy books as often as I would like to.

7 – How big is your wishlist?

In all honesty we know it is forever growing so at this point who knows

8 – Which three books from your wishlist do you wish to own right now?

Only 3 AHHHH okay let me think…. I would have to go for

The Bridgerton Books because I hate to admit it but I am obsessed with the series and must have more of the Duke immediately
A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness
Women Don’t Owe You Pretty- Florence Given

I’m Tagging:

I hope you all have a great week.

Let me know what 3 books from your wishlist would you chose?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

The Apothecary- Maile Meloy

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7th Jan 2021

Happy January!

Well what a week it has been, the craziness of 2020 continues and with plans slightly changing this week, it means I have more time to create content for All Things Gee. So just bare with me whilst I figure out a more put together schedule for things over here. I thought today I would give you a little review on a book featured on Mondays Weekly TBR because it turns out I finished it a lot quicker than I thought I would.

My Pre-read thoughts:

This is a book that I figure will be up my street because who does not love a little bit of magic and a little bit of drama. I am looking forward to learning a little more about Janie Scott and her story!

Synopsis:

Janie Scott has just moved to London from sunny lA, and she’s finding it forbidding, dreary and cold. That is until she meets Benjamin Burrows who dreams of becoming a spy. When Benjamin’s father – a mysterious apothecary – is kidnapped, he entrusts Janie and Benjamin with a powerful book, full of ancient spells and magical potions.

But there are others who seek the book’s secrets- spies in possession of nuclear weapons that could destroy the world…

My Review:

Firstly this book is magical not only is there magic there is a case to be solved and a little mystery. We all know that this is something I love within a book. I must admit I was not expecting to enjoy the book as much as I did but I was hooked from the moment I started reading. Resulting in a late night and finishing the book within a day. Whoops. This being said due to the book being set in 1952 the magic is somewhat over taken by the explosions and the issues they face possessing The Apothecary book. However, it is very interesting to read children’s book set in these times it is not something we see very often.

This children’s book is one that may not be the favourite of many adults due to the amount of questions you are left with but I have to admit I love that it is a little quirky and something different for people to read. This is one that could be easily shared among the family no matter your age.

The book includes the most charming pencil illustrations by Ian Schoenherr’s which open each chapter and are sprinkled throughout the text. The reason I think they work so well is they bring the story to life whilst leaving the depictions of the main character completely up to your imaginations.

One thing I love about this is that there are both male and female characters who equally have their share of the story allowing it to appeal to more people.

Yes the book does leave you with a few questions but if you are willing to ignore this and just enjoy the book for the story provided. You will love it. Again another book I would be happy to recommend to my nephews in a heartbeat.

Star Rating:

Have you read The Apothecary? What did you think?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Weekly TBR!

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Amari and the night brothers

4th Jan 2021

HAPPY JANUARY!!

I hope that you are having the best start to 2021 you can in this current madness! To start with the new posting schedule I thought I would share with you what I will be reading this week. There is only two books on this weeks TBR but that is because uni work is currently having to take over from reading for a couple weeks. I thought for the first week I would choose two books that have been on my TBR for months.

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy:

The first book on this weeks TBR is The Apothecary by Maile Meloy! This is a book I picked up on a spontaneous trip to Lewes a few months back but fell completely in love with the cover and the synopsis!

Synopsis:

But there are others who seek the book’s secrets- spies in possession of nuclear weapons that could destroy the world…

Pre-read thoughts:

The Man Who Didn’t Call by Rosie Walsh:

The other book on this weeks TBR is The man who didn’t call by Rosie Walsh. When I say this has been on my TBR list forever I mean it was one of the first books I purchased of 2020. So I will finally be able to review this! Ticking it off my TBR.

Synopsis:

Imagine you meet a man, spend seven glorious days together, and fall in love. And it’s mutual: you’ve never been so certain of anything.

So when he leaves for a long-booked holiday and promises to call from the airport, you have no cause to doubt him.

But he doesn’t call.

Your friends tell you to forget him, but you know they’re wrong: something must have happened; there must be a reason for his silence.

What do you do when you finally discover you’re right? That there is a reason – and that reason is the one thing you didn’t share with each other?

The truth.

Pre-read thoughts:

I must find out why he didn’t call. I love a good romance book however this novel had me hooked at how many twists and turns the book is set to have. I am very much looking forward to finding out the truth.

Have you read any of these? What are you reading this week?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

2020 WRAP UP!

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8 comments

1st Jan 2021

Wow what a year 2020 has been! It has been a crazy year and with all that being said I thought it would be a good way to end the year with a little wrap up of some of my favourite things of the year!

Firstly I have to note that we ended 2020 with 237 of you guys following the blog and I could not be more grateful. Sending Hugs to you all! I thought a good way of wrapping up the craziness that was 2020 would be to share with you all some of the best bits of the year for me!

Favourite books of 2020:

I have obviously linked to my blog tour review of this book but WOW just WOW! It would have been wrong not to include this one because it is just everything I never knew I needed in a book and will be a book I recommend forever!

May Day

Listen it has VAMPIRES and a confusing relationship. What is not to love. We know by now that I love me some vampires but through in a complicated relationship that you should not ship along with a case that needs solving. You know I am going to love it! Super excited to read the second book in the series.

I could spend hours discussing my favourite books from 2020 but we would be here forever so limiting to two seems smart!

Favourite blogs of 2020:

This year I have found so many new blogs that I have been loving so I thought I would share with you some of my favourites!

Andonshereads:

Like me Andonshereads is a book blog but they are also one of the nicest people ever and it would be wrong not to include this lovely lady!

The Artsy Reader:

Oh Noly! you know how much I love you and it was only right to include you on this favourites list for not only an incredible blog but for being a wonderful friend!

Holly loves books:

Holly has been a blog I have loved since day one so it was only fair we mention her again and her constant support and friendship does not go a miss!

Serenity Places:

Well we all know I love my Emily and her blog so obviously it would be included!

Mind Beauty Simplicity:

This is a blog I was lucky enough to find towards the end of 2020 and obviously have to share it with you all.

My Endless Critic:

Again one I found at the end of 2020 but just had to be included. Mia you are the most lovely person I have met thank you for all your support!

Olivia Lucie Blake:

Another sweetheart that just had to be included! Her blog is so aesthetically pleasing!

The Write Reads Gang:

I just had to include a little shout out to the wonderful book twitter peoples and more specifically the group chat of the write reads gang, never have I met a group of more supportive people who are as insane and weird as I am. I could not be more grateful to be a part of the group of weirdos. From the unreal amount of support you guys provide All Things Gee to the amount of bear hugs and love that is shared you guys are the best and something I am so grateful to be taking into 2021 with me.

Some Bookish Goals for 2021:

Read out of my comfort zone
Take some Bookish trips
Read more books than 2020
Focus on All Things Gee a little more
Read more genres.

Happy New Year! I hope 2021 is full of magic for every single one of you! I am super excited to share with you the things I have planned for 2021!

What was your favourite thing about 2021?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Amari and the Nightbrothers – BlogTour

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21st Dec 2020

Happy December!

We are back with Blogmas Day 21 but with something a little different we have another Book Tour but for a book I have been so excited to get my hands on! The newest Magical universe! Amari and the Nightbrothers! Once again I would like to thank Dave at The Write Reads for getting me involved in this tour! One of my favourites to date! I would also like to say thank you to B.B.Alston for having me on the tour and for writing a book I didn’t know I needed in my life but most certainly couldn’t live without!

*Disclaimer I was gifted an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis:

Amari Peters knows three things.

Her big brother Quinton has gone missing.
No one will talk about it.
His mysterious job holds the secret . . .

So when Amari gets an invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain this is her chance to find Quinton. But first she has to get her head around the new world of the Bureau, where mermaids, aliens and magicians are real, and her roommate is a weredragon.

Amari must compete against kids who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives, and when each trainee is awarded a special supernatural talent, Amari is given an illegal talent – one that the Bureau views as dangerous.

With an evil magician threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is the enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton . . .

Review:

WOW! In all honesty that is the only word to start of this review! I am astonished at how amazing this middle grade novel is! Anyone who knows me knows that I am always down to read books that are based around magic and a kick ass female character and let’s be honest Amari and The Night Brothers has this in abundance. There is so much I want to talk about with this book but I know that there is a high chance this will spoil it for everyone else so I am going to do my best to stop any spoilers!

I’ve seen it being comparied to Harry Potter, and for me, I can see where they come from but this book for me stands out on its own. Anyone who knows me knows that HP is something I am a little obsessed with! (Full Fledged Slytherin here!) But Amari and the nightbrother’s brings me into a completely new world of magic, mysteries and Weredragons YES I REPEAT Weredragons. This was something I didn’t know I needed but to be incredibly clear Weredragons are needed in my life.

Amari is an amazing protagonist, with one of the most distinct voices I’ve ever read, and her story from the moment we meet her sat outside the headteacher’s office is one I just new I was going to be invested in! I genuinely think we could use more characters like Amari! I love how Amari was introduced. The book would have been very different without her because she is quite literally the voice of the book! Amari captures your attention, but the rest of the cast are just as well written and developed and so believable as characters, and all are essential to the narrative in some way or the other.

I loved that although the magical elements were hidden from the ‘real’ world throughout this book they are woven into the ‘real’ world and we get to see how they are hidden! This is so so clever and possibly one of my favourite parts of the book.

This is a must add addition to anyone’s bookcase, adult or a child because everyone needs the magic contained in these pages. Who does not want to get lost in a world of magic, imagination and just pure incredible writing! I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for this series and I will be making sure this is a book I recommend to my Nephews and little step sister to read because I just know they will love it.

This has quickly been added to my favourite books of 2020 list!

Stars:

Does this sound like a book you would like to read?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Favourite Things About Christmas- Blogmas Day 14!

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14th Dec 2020

Happy December!!

We are officially into the second week in Blogmas! How quickly has it come around! Today’s post is all things Christmas and most specifically my favourite things about Christmas! Although Christmas this year is going to be slightly different I have still included some of my favourite things to do around Christmas time which unfortunately this year we may not be able to. As you know this is my favourite time of the year so I love a lot of things about this time of the year but I thought I would keep it to a minimum. I hope you enjoy!

One of the main things I love about the Christmas period is how everything just more cosy and you get that warm feeling. (maybe it’s just me) but I am at my happiest when I can bring out the unnecessary amount of candles, and fairy lights and have my room full of Christmas decorations! Yes, I go to the extreme of having Christmas bedding and a lot of blankets but who doesn’t love curling up in a cosy bed with a hot chocolate and a Christmas film. This year this has been taken further as I have decorated my my first apartment! Just to be clear the decorating started at the beginning of November!

Had to include this pic again this year because we all know I am missing my fellow Christmas Elf this year.

Speaking of Christmas films they are definitely another reason why I love Christmas and I will honestly start watching them from like mid-November! I have way too many favourite Christmas films but one that is always a tradition in my family to watch normally on Christmas Eve is A Muppets Christmas carol. Which is 100% one of my top favourite Christmas films.

The food… we can not argue that the excuse to have whatever food you like because it is Christmas is not the best thing about Christmas! That and the fact you can have multiple roast dinners in a week and no one can judge you!

This was last years little housemates Christmas and will forever be my favourite times of the year!

Another thing I love about Christmas is the number of things there are to do that put you in such a festive spirit. The markets, ice skating, Christmas Lights, Christmas Shopping! The list could honestly go on forever! However this year things are unfortunately a little different which means that these things will not be the same. It does however mean that next year these things will all be so much more special and fun and let’s be honest we all know I am going to be literally like a kid.

Lastly, the best thing about Christmas for me is being able to spend time with my friends and family. Sometimes life gets busy and we do not have the opportunity to do this as often as I would like to. Again this year that is super different however I cannot wait to be able to see all my family and friends again. However it has meant that I have actually written Christmas cards out this year!

What is your favourite thing about Christmas?

Love Always,

Gee xo

Blogmas Day 11- A Letter to Santa

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11th Dec 2020

Happy December!!

Welcome to Blogmas day 11, I thought this year I would include some of the posts I had been to unsure of posting last year. One of the ideas I loved the most from looking at other peoples Blogmas post ideas was writing a letter to Santa. It seems silly really but it was something we used to do when we were children and then one day we stopped. However as someone who has five nephews all be it two that may tell everyone they are far too old for a letter to Santa, it is an activity I would love to be able to do with them one day. I truly believe there is nothing quite as heartwarming as the magic of Christmas. This being said I have decided for Blogmas day 11 I will be doing the letter to Santa post. 2020 could use a little Christmas magic.

Dearest Santa,

Well what a year 2020 has been, I hope you and all your elves and of course your reindeer have managed to keep save and sound this year. I am more excited than ever for Christmas this year, I think it is going to be a whole new kind of special. I am looking forward to being able to celebrate with some of the people I love the most. Sadly not all of them but next year they will not be getting away without massive hugs and cuddles.

2020 has taught me many things but I think the biggest lesson for me is to never take the time with have with the important people in our lives for granted, and you will never know when some of the world’s nicest people will come in to your life. Sometimes this happens of the back of doing or apply for something on the off chance it may happen. Either way I have a lot to be grateful for this year. Even when seeing all my friends and family is not an option.

This year I graduated from my undergraduate degree, moved to my favourite place on earth and became a masters degree student all whilst in the middle of a pandemic! It is crazy to think how much my life has changed over the last few months but it is crazier to see how much I have changed and how proud this actually makes me. However as proud as I am of myself for doing this things I am just as proud if not more of my friends and family for all the wonderful things they have been getting up to the last few months. I cannot explain how much I miss them but also how special the moment we get to reunite will be… I guess that is my wish this year to keep them all safe and well so that as soon as I can, I can smother them in so much unconditional love.

One of the best things in my life is that I get to be an auntie to the most beautiful boys in the world! (TO FIVE OF THEM YES FIVE) and I cannot wait to find out what they have asked Santa for this year. I hope they all made it to the nice list which I have no doubt that they will have.

This year I do not think there is anything I would really like for Christmas apart from this wish above… but no one can really have enough books so maybe some more books to read.

When was the last time you wrote to Santa? If you were to write a letter to Santa, what would you ask him to bring you?

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Winter Q&A – Blogmas Day 10!

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6 comments

10th Dec 2020

Happy December!

Welcome to Blogmas Day 10! And a Winter Q&A to keep things nice and festive. I hope all are having the best run up to Christmas! I wasn’t sure about what to post for today or whether or not there was going to be a blogmas today but we have some exciting news from a friend of mine that just had to be shared at the end of this post! I thought it was best to keep things simple with a Winter Q and A.

What are your favourite things about Winter?

How cosy home feels when it’s cold outside, Spiced apple , Christmas food, snow, Christmas, spending time with family and friends. Also wrapping presents. This year one of the things I have loved the most about winter is being able to get my own decorations for my little flat. It is funny how it really is the little things that mean the most as you get older.

What is your favourite winter outfit?

A cosy knitted jumper, or dress tights and boots! However this being said this year I have been more drawn to longer dresses and ankle boots but layering it with a coat. Anyone who knows me well will know that I often refuse to wear a coat.

What is your favourite Winter Food?

Christmas dinner! Or this being said one of my favourite things about Christmas is the markets and the food at the Christmas markets. However we know this year Christmas markets won’t be a thing so I am very much looking forward to a Christmas Dinner with my family.

What is your favourite Winter Drink?

Mulled Spiced Apple is one of my newly decided favourite drinks for the weekend. However I also Hot Chocolate is one of my favourite drinks for the winter time.

What is your dream way to spend a Winters Day?

Cuddled up with a hot chocolate, in my pjs with a blanket on the sofa with the heating on, watching a festive film. That or a good book. This time of year A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a must read.

How do you like to do your makeup in the Winter?

I like to wear darker lip colour.

What are you hoping Santa brings you?

There are a few books on my list this year but more than anything I just want to be able to spend time with my favourite people. It has been hard this year not being able to see people as much as I would like to.

What are the first three things that remind you of Winter?

Cinnamon Everything, Christmas Markets and Dark evenings.

What is your favorite Winter Song?

I’ve answered this one before, and Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin Stevens was my answer however I have changed that to Driving Home For Christmas by Chris Rea as my favourite song this year. It gives me such warm vibes.

What is your favorite Winter Memory?

How magical Christmas was as a child. Especially lying in bed on Christmas Eve getting excited for Santa to visit. Spending Christmas Eve with my sister and nephews. One of my favourite winter memories is going to see the London Christmas Lights being turned on during my first year of university and Matt Terry was performing and I do not think I could have been happier.

What is your favorite Winter Scent?

Anything Spiced Apple and Cinnamon scented. Also adding to the list this year the one of my favourite scents comes in the form of a candle and it is the DW Warm Tobacco Pipe candle. I have definitely mentioned it before.

Finish this sentence… If I could have anything this Christmas, it would be…

To see my friends and family. I also cannot wait to get back into the theatre therefore this is also on the list for this year.

What’s your favourite thing about Winter? Let me know in the comments below.

Love Always,

Gee xoxo

Now for the most exciting news my darling friend and favourite blonde and her wonderful partner have released a Christmas Song! Yes you heard me this woman has a Christmas Song! I could not be prouder and it is awesome! Please head over and give it a listen!

New Favourite Christmas Song pending

Ryn (yep that feels weird to write) I am forever grateful that we got the opportunity to meet you and now I have you in my life you are not allowed to leave! But I am so freaking proud of you! You are killing it and I could not be more happy to have you in my life.

Brighton Lights at Christmas- Blogmas Day 8!

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