• Home
  • BEAUTY
  • FACE MASK FRIDAY
  • FASHION
  • LIFESTYLE
  • TRAVEL
  • ABOUT
  • WORK WITH ME

A Life With Frills

  • ABOUT
  • NEWSLETTER
  • PRIVACY & DISCLOSURE POLICY
  • WORK WITH ME

BOOKS I’VE BEEN READING

September 29, 2015 in LIFESTYLE, Uncategorized

Book Jackets

I have another batch of books that I’ve finished reading, so I wanted to share my opinions on them with you. It’s a mixed bag of thrillers and chick-lit, with some that are defintely worth picking up yourself and some that are definitely worth avoiding.

The State We’re In by Adele Parks
This is a really boring novel. It also has the most terrible ending- like the author just couldn’t be bothered to write anymore so just plucked the strangest of happenings out of thin air. It’s a human interest story about how decisions in love can affect the rest of your life and it follows the lives of several people who are all more connected than they, at first, realise. None of the characters are likeable and you don’t really take anything away from having read this book.

The Memory Game by Nicci French
I didn’t think I would enjoy this book as it isn’t aimed at my age group; but I did. The narrator and protagonist is an elegant woman in her late 50s, Jane Martello, who is going through a divorce. The story is about the disappearance, decades ago, of her best friend Natalie and how it has affected her and her family’s lives ever since. During a house renovation, Natalie’s body is discovered buried in the back garden and Jane sets out to try and work out what happened to her by remembering more about the events of all those years ago. The story isn’t so much a thriller, but more of an exploration of the human mind and of how experiences during childhood shape us. The premise of how Jane uncovers lost memories isn’t very believable, but this didn’t stop me from enjoying what is a very telling book about the human condition.

How To Get a (Love) Life by Rosie Blake
I do like a classic chick-lit novel for easy, enjoyable reading. This isn’t a deep or intelligent book with a riveting story, it’s just good entertainment. In it we follow Nicola, a permanent singleton, who is set a challenge by her work colleague to find a date by Valentine’s Day. It takes us through her disastrous dating experiences until she finally gets the man of her dreams; who, as it happens, didn’t actually need to be found.

The Year of Taking Chances by Lucy Diamond
This is a quiet unassuming book with a great story about human life. Nothing big or exciting happens; it’s simply a well-written tale about the nuances of human life and how we deal with adversity. It’s set in a small rural village and tells the stories of three 40-something women who meet at a time when they all need one another’s friendship. I found it a very uplifting read.

The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes
I loved this book! Marian Keyes’ writing is incredibly funny and I laughed out loud on many occasions. It’s narrated by Stella Sweeney, an Irish woman in her early 40s who got a rare disease that caused her to be unable to move any muscle in her body. She was mentally fully awake, but could do nothing but blink. The story shifts back and forward in time from when she was hospitalised, to soon after her recovery, then several years later too. It’s packed full of Irish humour, but is also very thought-provoking. You really connect with and root for Stella; empathising with the various problems in her life. I would love there to be a sequel to this as Stella is such a brilliant three-dimensional character.

Human Remains by Elizabeth Haynes 
What can I say about this? It is literally the most disturbing and disgusting story that I have ever read. It’s also incredibly unbelievable and far-fetched. I loved Elizabeth Haynes’ Into The Darkest Corner novel; but you just can’t connect with or understand her characters in this one at all. They are very one-dimensional. I can’t really go into too much of the story without giving it away; but it involves a lot of rotting corpse descriptions and an investigation into why there are rotting corpses in the first place. It’s supposed to be a thriller, but it doesn’t thrill- it’s just an unnecessary, gratuitous depiction of what happens to our bodies after we die. It has actually made me worry about the writer’s sanity- who could think up a story like this?

If you have any novel recommendations yourself, leave them for me in the comments!

If you liked this post, please follow my blog via Bloglovin’ to keep up-to-date with posts.

Tags : book recommendations, book reviews, books, chick-lit, good thriller novels, novel recommendations, novels

Leave a Comment
Previous END OF SEASON FASHION SALE PICKS
Next BUILDING A FAIRY HOUSE

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

ABOUT ME

ABOUT ME

Laura Pearson-Smith is an ex beauty journalist that's obsessed with luxury skincare and makeup. She's all about that glow! She is also a luxury travel writer and always has a trip planned. Laura has a chic style and enjoys sharing her life and loves.

Popular Posts

sustainable beauty products

ETHICAL & SUSTAINABL...

February 23, 2021

women's clothes rack

AW19 FASHION TRENDS I LOV...

October 18, 2019

laura pearson-smith

A TRIP TO BFI LONDON FILM...

October 23, 2019

transformulas eight hour sleep mask

FACE MASK FRIDAY: TRANSFO...

October 25, 2019

cosy autumn reads

4 GRIPPING THRILLERS FOR...

October 26, 2019

Autumn 2019 favourite products

AUTUMN 2019 FAVOURITES

October 31, 2019

Face Mask Friday

  • L'abu Skin Intense Hydra Gel Mask

    FACE MASK FRIDAY: L’ABU SKIN HYDRA GEL...

    BEAUTY, FACE MASK FRIDAY
  • que bella cream mask review

    FACE MASK FRIDAY: ANOTHER QUE BELLA MASK REVI...

    BEAUTY, FACE MASK FRIDAY
  • The Skin Geek Hydra Gel Mask review

    FACE MASK FRIDAY: THE SKIN GEEK HYDRA GEL MAS...

    BEAUTY, FACE MASK FRIDAY
  • Vice Reversa Micro Needling Plumping Patches

    FACE MASK FRIDAY: VICE REVERSA MICRONEEDLING...

    BEAUTY, FACE MASK FRIDAY
  • Que Bella Face Masks

    FACE MASK FRIDAY: QUE BELLA BEAUTY REVIEW...

    BEAUTY, FACE MASK FRIDAY
  • temple spa the contourist firming & brightening sheet mask

    FACE MASK FRIDAY: TEMPLE SPA THE CONTOURIST...

    BEAUTY, FACE MASK FRIDAY
  • Luneia Radiance Ritual Face Mask

    FACE MASK FRIDAY: LUNEIA RADIANCE RITUAL

    BEAUTY, FACE MASK FRIDAY
  • Oskia Renaissance Mask

    FACE MASK FRIDAY: OSKIA RENAISSANCE MASK

    BEAUTY, FACE MASK FRIDAY

Instagram

PR samples — What amazing makeup have you discov PR samples — What amazing makeup have you discovered recently? These are all fairly new in my collection but I’m already in love. The only one I haven’t used yet is the Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow quad, but how pretty is it?!
🥰
@ctilburymakeup Hyaluronic Happikiss in Pillow Talk
@ctilburymakeup Hollywood Flawless Eye Filter in Diva Lights
@lancomeofficial Lash Idole Mascara
@lauramercier Blush Color Infusion in Passionfruit
@lauramercier Lip Glacé in Rose Gold Accent
@marcjacobsbeauty Glam Glitter Eyeshadow in Glitter Rock
@marcjacobsbeauty Le Marc Lip Creme in Cream & Sugar
🤩  #lauramerciercosmetics #lauramercier #lancôme #lancomelashidole #lancomemascara #marcjacobsbeauty #charlottetilburymakeup #charlottetilburyhyaluronichappikiss #charlottetilburyeyeshadow #makeupcollector #makeupaddicts #makeupaddicted #makeupjunkie #makeupobsession #ınstamakeup #instamakeuplovers #makeupstash #newmakeup #newmakeupproducts #makeupcommunity #beautycommunity #skincarecommunity #ukbeautyblog #ukbeauty #ukbeautyblogger #makeupfavorites #makeupfavourites #glasgowbloggers #skincareaddict
Gifted — I am beyond ready for the weekend. This Gifted — I am beyond ready for the weekend. This week hard been so full-on work wise, from all sides, and I’m knackered. I just want to lie in and read @tatlermagazine under my @finebeddingco  pink coverless quilt. It’s honestly like a big, soft, fluffy cloud & you just pick it in the washing machine & it’s super-fast drying too!
☁️  #finebeddingco #beddingdecor #luxurybedding #beddingset #beddingsets #beddingstyle #luxuryhomedecor #luxuryinterior #bedroominspo #bedroomideas #bedroomstyling #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #beautycommunity #skincarecommunity #dreamingoftheweekend #weekendmood #weekendreading #skincareinfluencers #skincarebloggersuk #skinfluencer #relaxandunwind #relaxationtime #selfcareaccount #selfcarepage #beautypage #beautyfeed #selfcarefirst #beautyaccount
PR samples — I wanted to share a sneak peek at t PR samples — I wanted to share a sneak peek at tomorrow’s alifewithfrills.co.uk blog post on 4 sustainable & ethical beauty brands to know! @wedo_act @greenpeopleuk @nudestixskin & @_labuskin - have you tried them?
💗  #sustainablebeauty #ethicalbeauty #organicbeauty #organicbeautyproducts #veganbeautyproducts #veganbeautyuk #sustainableskincare #ethicalskincare ##skincareaddicts #skincareaddicted #skincarejunkies #skincareobsessed #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #ukbblogger #ukbeautyblogger #ukbeautybloggers  #instaskin #skincarecommunity #instaskincare #skinalgo #skinstagals #skinstasquad #365inskincare #skincarerecomended #skincarefeed #beautyfeed
PR samples — Both of these new luxury fragrance PR samples — Both of these new luxury fragrance launches landed on my doorstop on Saturday and I’m OBSESSED! 
♥️
I know the @lancomeofficial Idole scent well, but the unique slim-line flat bottle has just been released as LE edition, emblazoned with words of love. It’s a delicate feminine floral with rose & jasmine.
♥️
The new @jimmychoo I Want Choo fragrance is just dreamy! It has one of my most favourite fragrance notes in it - jasmine sambac. This is a sweet, light floral with a bit of a mood to it. Notes of lily, peach, vanilla, benzoin & orange too.
♥️
What fragrances are you loving at the moment?  #jimmychooperfume #jimmychooiwantchoo #lancomeidole #lancomeperfume #luxuryperfume #luxuryfragrance #luxuryfragrances #luxuryscents #luxuryscent #luxurybeauty #luxuryaddict #luxuryaddicted #beautycommunity #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #bbloggers #skincarecommunity #boujie #instabeauty #instafragrance
PR samples — It’s #friyayfaves time (# by @the PR samples — It’s #friyayfaves time (# by @the__glow__girl)Wake up on Valentine’s Day with some super cute treats from @lush Lush! They smell heavenly & my favourites all have that usual-for-me rose note running through them.
🥀
The Lush Heart Beat Bath Bomb has their famous Rose Jam scent with its beautiful rose absolute. It turns your bath deep pink & is deeply moisturising.
💕
Their Love Me Do Bath Bomb is another one for rose-filled bathing. It’ll turn your bath a deep red, with dried rose petals and dried lavender. So indulgent!
🥀 
The Rose Argan Massage Bar is another seasonal limited edition for Valentine’s Day. It has ruby cocoa liquor, Argan oil, rose absolute. It smells rich and luxe & it goes beautifully with my rose fragrances.
💕
Finally, the Naked Attraction Massage Bar is a returning favourite from last year. It’s a cocoa butter bar with jasmine extract, ylang ylang oil and osmanthus. It’s it so softening and moisturising and has such a beautiful unique floral scent.
💗  #valentinesgiftsforher #valentinesgiftideas #lushvalentines2021 #lushvalentines #lushcommunity #lushuk #lushhaul #lushcosmeticsuk #lushaddicted #lushaddiction #lushaddict  #skincareaddict #skincareproducts #skincarecommunity #bbloggersuk #bblogger #bbloggers #ukbeautybloggers #ukbeautyblog #beautycommunity #bathbombsfordays #bathbombsofinstagram #bathbombaddict #instaskin #instaskincare #beautyobsessed #selfcarefirst #beautyaddicts
💪🏻 💪🏻
PR samples — What amazing makeup have you discov PR samples — What amazing makeup have you discovered recently? These are all fairly new in my collection but I’m already in love. The only one I haven’t used yet is the Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow quad, but how pretty is it?!
🥰
@ctilburymakeup Hyaluronic Happikiss in Pillow Talk
@ctilburymakeup Hollywood Flawless Eye Filter in Diva Lights
@lancomeofficial Lash Idole Mascara
@lauramercier Blush Color Infusion in Passionfruit
@lauramercier Lip Glacé in Rose Gold Accent
@marcjacobsbeauty Glam Glitter Eyeshadow in Glitter Rock
@marcjacobsbeauty Le Marc Lip Creme in Cream & Sugar
🤩  #lauramerciercosmetics #lauramercier #lancôme #lancomelashidole #lancomemascara #marcjacobsbeauty #charlottetilburymakeup #charlottetilburyhyaluronichappikiss #charlottetilburyeyeshadow #makeupcollector #makeupaddicts #makeupaddicted #makeupjunkie #makeupobsession #ınstamakeup #instamakeuplovers #makeupstash #newmakeup #newmakeupproducts #makeupcommunity #beautycommunity #skincarecommunity #ukbeautyblog #ukbeauty #ukbeautyblogger #makeupfavorites #makeupfavourites #glasgowbloggers #skincareaddict
Gifted — I am beyond ready for the weekend. This Gifted — I am beyond ready for the weekend. This week hard been so full-on work wise, from all sides, and I’m knackered. I just want to lie in and read @tatlermagazine under my @finebeddingco  pink coverless quilt. It’s honestly like a big, soft, fluffy cloud & you just pick it in the washing machine & it’s super-fast drying too!
☁️  #finebeddingco #beddingdecor #luxurybedding #beddingset #beddingsets #beddingstyle #luxuryhomedecor #luxuryinterior #bedroominspo #bedroomideas #bedroomstyling #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #beautycommunity #skincarecommunity #dreamingoftheweekend #weekendmood #weekendreading #skincareinfluencers #skincarebloggersuk #skinfluencer #relaxandunwind #relaxationtime #selfcareaccount #selfcarepage #beautypage #beautyfeed #selfcarefirst #beautyaccount
PR samples — I wanted to share a sneak peek at t PR samples — I wanted to share a sneak peek at tomorrow’s alifewithfrills.co.uk blog post on 4 sustainable & ethical beauty brands to know! @wedo_act @greenpeopleuk @nudestixskin & @_labuskin - have you tried them?
💗  #sustainablebeauty #ethicalbeauty #organicbeauty #organicbeautyproducts #veganbeautyproducts #veganbeautyuk #sustainableskincare #ethicalskincare ##skincareaddicts #skincareaddicted #skincarejunkies #skincareobsessed #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #ukbblogger #ukbeautyblogger #ukbeautybloggers  #instaskin #skincarecommunity #instaskincare #skinalgo #skinstagals #skinstasquad #365inskincare #skincarerecomended #skincarefeed #beautyfeed
PR samples — Both of these new luxury fragrance PR samples — Both of these new luxury fragrance launches landed on my doorstop on Saturday and I’m OBSESSED! 
♥️
I know the @lancomeofficial Idole scent well, but the unique slim-line flat bottle has just been released as LE edition, emblazoned with words of love. It’s a delicate feminine floral with rose & jasmine.
♥️
The new @jimmychoo I Want Choo fragrance is just dreamy! It has one of my most favourite fragrance notes in it - jasmine sambac. This is a sweet, light floral with a bit of a mood to it. Notes of lily, peach, vanilla, benzoin & orange too.
♥️
What fragrances are you loving at the moment?  #jimmychooperfume #jimmychooiwantchoo #lancomeidole #lancomeperfume #luxuryperfume #luxuryfragrance #luxuryfragrances #luxuryscents #luxuryscent #luxurybeauty #luxuryaddict #luxuryaddicted #beautycommunity #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #bbloggers #skincarecommunity #boujie #instabeauty #instafragrance
PR samples — It’s #friyayfaves time (# by @the PR samples — It’s #friyayfaves time (# by @the__glow__girl)Wake up on Valentine’s Day with some super cute treats from @lush Lush! They smell heavenly & my favourites all have that usual-for-me rose note running through them.
🥀
The Lush Heart Beat Bath Bomb has their famous Rose Jam scent with its beautiful rose absolute. It turns your bath deep pink & is deeply moisturising.
💕
Their Love Me Do Bath Bomb is another one for rose-filled bathing. It’ll turn your bath a deep red, with dried rose petals and dried lavender. So indulgent!
🥀 
The Rose Argan Massage Bar is another seasonal limited edition for Valentine’s Day. It has ruby cocoa liquor, Argan oil, rose absolute. It smells rich and luxe & it goes beautifully with my rose fragrances.
💕
Finally, the Naked Attraction Massage Bar is a returning favourite from last year. It’s a cocoa butter bar with jasmine extract, ylang ylang oil and osmanthus. It’s it so softening and moisturising and has such a beautiful unique floral scent.
💗  #valentinesgiftsforher #valentinesgiftideas #lushvalentines2021 #lushvalentines #lushcommunity #lushuk #lushhaul #lushcosmeticsuk #lushaddicted #lushaddiction #lushaddict  #skincareaddict #skincareproducts #skincarecommunity #bbloggersuk #bblogger #bbloggers #ukbeautybloggers #ukbeautyblog #beautycommunity #bathbombsfordays #bathbombsofinstagram #bathbombaddict #instaskin #instaskincare #beautyobsessed #selfcarefirst #beautyaddicts
💪🏻 💪🏻
PR samples — My January favourites blog post is PR samples — My January favourites blog post is now live at alifewithfrills.co.uk - it’s definitely beauty-heavy, but there are also some books and TV shows in there! Have a read and let me know what you’ve tried and loved!
💕  #beautyfavourites #beautyfavorites #monthlyfavorites #beautyblogging #luxurybeauty #zitsticka #skincareaddicts #skincareaddicted #skincarejunkies #skincareobsessed #butfirstskincare #skincarefirst #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #ukbblogger #ukbeautyblogger #ukbeautybloggers  #bbloggers #instaskin #instaskincarecommunity #skincarecommunity #instaskincare #igskincarecommunity #igskincare #beautycommunity #lauramercier
Copyright © 2021 A Life With Frills · Theme by SheShoppes

Copyright © 2021 · Bella Banana for Genesis on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website may use cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Read more about this site's disclosure and privacy policies here.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT