So let’s start with taking a look at the list in the original post. You can read that here.
Read more books – A totally obvious choice and I did that in spades. In 2022 I read 25 books and in 2023 I finished on 57, I had imagined to have read a few more but nearer the end of the year I was rundown and headaches and being busy meant I didn’t finish the few I thought I would.
Review every single book I read – Now this didn’t happen but I did review more than I didn’t so that’s a massive plus and a decent stepping stone.
GoodReads target 53 – I finished on 57 so this made me happy and I’ve increased 2024 target to 75.
Read more classics – well this was a fail. But I did start an Agatha Christie subscription and I’ve read a few of them this year.
Beat the back log – I may have read a few but this didn’t really happen. (Do I need to make a post with a bunch I hope to include each month)
Donate books I won’t reread or doubles – At the beginning of last year following my ear operation, when I got out on a walk for the first time I dropped off a bunch of books to the Blackheath book box.
Buddy Read –Now this is where it gets tricky I’m sure we did but not as on point as previously. We had hoped to start the year reading the new Paige Toon but I haven’t got it on Netgalley 😭
Read more Non Fiction – I want to say there were at least 5. I have added a few more to my TBR and still need to review a short one that I listened to, that was extremely empowering.
Outside of comfort zone – ummm I think I attempted this but it will definitely go back on this years goals.
Listen to more Audiobooks – of my 57 books I listened to 32 audiobooks so this definitely was a winner.
Here we are at another month and I’m feeling optimistic for my reading this month.
I wish the weather would look like August. It’s not cold but it’s so gloomy….I’ve been to Spain already this year and I’m hoping to get back again before the Summer is out, although I have two weeks at the coast coming up so I would like the sun to make an appearance.
Audio short – Buddy read with Catriona as Christina Lauren is a fave of ours.Netgalley short I’ve already read the first two of these yesterday before I let Barbenheimer take over…didn’t get back to it after that.I’m 11% into this beauty and I will get back to it after my Buddy read and the short stories.Another short I have this as an ebook and an audiobook.I haven’t read a Karen Hamilton in a while but her debut I loved. This is another audio treat..This audiobook was on last months tbr and is on my Libby app right now…This was also on July TBR so adding this again. This one has been on my tbr previously. I may take this to the coast.I may also take this one with me to the seaside…This one’s another audio on my Libby shelf…
Now this is optimistic so I won’t be adding anything else. Granted I can’t remember how many books I finished last time I was at the seaside. I know there was a combination of audio and physical. I’ll take a few actual books and my kindle plus I’ll obv have my phone.
Have you read any of my choices or are any of them on your TBR pile?
Blurb: The True Love Experiment, the next escapist romance from Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of TikTok favourite, The Unhoneymooners, is the book their fans have been waiting for, ever since Fizzy’s debut in The Soulmate Equation!
They’re crafting the perfect Hollywood romance for the screen.
But the chemistry behind the camera might be the real story.
Felicity ‘Fizzy’ Chen is lost. Sure, she has an incredible career as a beloved romance novelist with numerous bestsellers to her name, but when she’s asked to give a commencement address, it hits her: she hasn’t been practising what she’s preached.
She hasn’t been in love. In lust? Sure. But that swoon-worthy, can’t-stop-thinking-about-him, all-encompassing feeling? Nope. And suddenly the optimism she’s encouraged in her readers starts to feel like a lie.
Connor Prince, documentary filmmaker and single father, loves that his work allows him to live near his daughter. Then his profit-minded boss orders him to create a reality TV show, putting it all in jeopardy. Desperate to find his romantic lead, a chance run-in with an exasperated Fizzy offers Connor the perfect solution. What if he could show the queen of romance herself falling head-over-heels? But when production on The True Love Experiment begins, Connor wonders if that perfect match will ever be in the cue cards for him too.
Review: I probably should have started gushing as soon as I finished listening to this absolute treat. I loved The Soulmate Equation and how it had passed me by that this novel would feature a number of those characters I honestly don’t know. It was like being reunited with old friends and a few gorgeous newbies and that was such a powerful mix.
Fizzy was so much fun in the Soulmate Equation so getting to know her more as our leading lady was fantastic. From the off it was definitely like reuniting with a friend. I liked that Connor is an Englishman that doesn’t often happen in a Christina Lauren novel and being a Londoner that felt special for me.
I’m not gunna lie I am full on a Christina Lauren fangirl and had pre-ordered this beauty and listened to it alongside my bookish bestie Catriona. We are such fans and we previously read a number of their back catalog together so it was a no brainier for us. I’ve recently realised there’s another treat in store for us in August.
Reality TV is everywhere I’ve never really been a love island fan but I’ve watched my fair share over the years. The True Love Experiment was fun and they really did bring the good and bad side of reality TV to life.
Connor and Fizzy just work and the will they won’t they just makes their story all the more beautiful. Working together they’re creating the perfect reality TV show yet the chemistry between them is electric. To start with it’s like do you not see? As a reader that keeps me captivated and frustrated by the fact neither of them have woken up to the realisation they are meant for each other.
This novel is full of such flirtatious banter and as ever there are some seriously steamy scenes. We then have the other side of Connor being an adorable single Dad and Fizzy being the coolest Auntie. So many gorgeous moments throughout- I have to mention the concert as that was a gorgeously special moment to experience. As I’m a fangirl that really hit home to me.
The True Love Experiment is a perfectly feel good novel. That will take you away from all the worries in the world and will sweep you along on a glorious rollercoaster of love and so much more. Reality TV brought to life you won’t see it coming or will you? I’m jealous of anyone who hasn’t read this yet as you have such a treat to enjoy.
So let’s take a look at what I read in May. But first let’s see what was on my May TBR – you can read that here.
In all honesty my reading started pretty well until work got busy, I got tired and I read a book that well and truly gave me a book hangover. Now I’m back and hoping to get my reading back on track – as before even when I was busy I had a lot of audiobooks on the go. I hope to continue that. I have a few half penned reviews that need finishing.
So what did I read…
I finished listening to this beauty and you can read my thoughts here.Believe the hype – you can read my thoughts here.Mhairi is a go to author…I listened to this one but haven’t finished and posted my thoughts yet. So watch this space. What I will say is it has Mhairi’s wit but it feels different. I’m such a fangirl of this pairing and it did not disappoint. Just like Mhairi I’ve not finished and posted my thoughts.
Following finishing reading The True Love Experiment I couldn’t focus so I’ve half started stuff but not finished. I’m now back getting some reading in, although in saying that I’ve decided to go into work for a bit on my day off YOLO.
So May has been my shortest month in terms of reads with every other month so far this year being 5 reads or more. During April I listened to a lot of audiobooks I’m hoping to get that into my June reading. I’m still really happy with my year to date with 28 books. Considering I only managed 25 in the whole of last year tells you how much better this year has been so far. I know I can get it back.
I’m currently reading…
I’m only a very short way in but I’m intrigued. I’m on the blog tour for this one in June.
Any advice for keeping myself organised and on track alongside a full time job and a crazy exercise regime? Give me a shout.
Today is publication day of this truly fantastic book. I read this last year and loved every single second of devouring this beauty alongside Catriona. I’m so sorry this post is coming so late in the day.
We were first introduced to this beauty at a Blogger event and being given an early copy was like giving candy to a baby. Almost instantly myself and Catriona had worked out when we would read it. You can read about the blogger showcase here.
I still love this pic even though not so much of me.
Now obviously I will be resharing my review of Seven Exes and you can read it here. It’s out now so go get it. Definitely a must read and a favourite even if I feel seen and even if it’s made me question a man lol.
I really enjoyed penning these posts so I thought it was about time I penned another. I’m going to be brutally honest I’m exhausted this hump day but we move.
Last: Physical read – It Ends With Us By Colleen Hoover
This book will stay with me for a very long time. I will be making a TikTok post soon but you can read my thoughts here.
Audiobook – Between Us By Mhairi McFarlane
I finished listening to this one this morning…my thoughts to come…
Now: Return To Half Moon Farm (Part one – Spring Fever) I started this the other day on the coach but since listening to my audiobook I haven’t finished. As had a bit of a headache the other morning.
Next: I’m super excited by this one. Catriona has already started and the snippets people have shared have told me this is exactly what I need. The True Love Experiment By Christina Lauren.
What are you reading? And what are your thoughts on my books?
How are we already in May? This year is swimming by. I’m sorry that this post feels kind of late into the month. I’m happy to report that I’ve already read 25 books this year. That’s how my year ended last year, based on last months bumper reading I had listened to two audiobooks by this date. I’ve finished one so far and I’m roughly 55% into my physical read.
I am hoping to buddy read a few novels with Catriona. I cannot wait as I love reading alongside my bookish bestie. We both love Christina Lauren so it’s a given for our TBRs.
Buddy Read – Audiobook. Buddy Read – Audiobook.
We are both on the blog tour for this next one. So that’s also a given this will be an ebook.
I always feel like I read more when I’m Buddy reading with Catriona. Granted I had such a bumper month in April it will be hard to top.
I got this gorgeous edition and I’m 55% or so through that at the moment. I wonder if that’ll mean I’ll have to dive straight into It Starts With Us.
I want to reread this as an adult – I’m annoyed that I’ll be working when the unlimited screening is tonight as would love to watch like now.
I had read a few pages of this before purchasing it Ends with Us. This one is also an 11th May release.
I have a few audiobooks via Libby that I’ll try and get to as well as the books that were missed off previous TBRs.
Are there any other May releases I should be reading? Do let me know…
Here we are at Thursday once again and my last day of chill time before I head back to work. I’m itching to get back but I know it’s going to be hard going. So I won’t be overdoing it, so going to feel like the first day at school again lol.
Today’s throwback I’m taking it back to Lucy Vine.
I have loved each of the books I’ve read of hers. Bad Choices was a fantastic read and another buddy read with Catriona and you can read my review here. Lucy is definitely a go to author of mine. I still have Hot Mess to read, I’ll be sad when I finish that as then it’ll be the wait until Lucy writes something new.
Firstly I know I missed a week I’m sorry that’s where you got my Best Of 2022 instead. I may spam a few more links that were missed just for good measure.
So, this post is coming to you on Sunday as I had a blog tour post to share yesterday but I did not want to miss another week. For those of you not new to Hayley Reviews you’ll know that here and there I’ve shared this post on a Sunday.
It’s been a bit of an emotional week for me but before I delve into that I have managed to get off to a decent start with the GoodReads target. In saying that I want my review ratio to be better this year but I’ve been so in the moment with the books I’m loving that I haven’t quite finished them.
This is where I’m at and I’m halfway through my third of the year. That feels good. I have partially written some thoughts on one of these both will be on the blog later in the week.
My emotional week has been connected to my ear – which I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned but I’ve been struggling with since 2019. After the pandemic it was apparent that I would need an operation and it’s been very on/off since then. I had an appointment as I thought my surgery would be on the 10th January, following a chat with the doctor it’s been changed twice and I will now have surgery on 17th January. I’m happy to hopefully get my full hearing back but I’m also a tad scared.
So let’s look at what was on the blog when I didn’t post an update and for this week.
My thoughts on Breathe a new musical can be read here.
I love a Top Ten Tuesday post and you can read the last one I penned in here.
My thoughts on the sampler of The Drift was a popular post and you can read that here.
Throwback Thursday’s have been a popular one too and you can read my last one here.
My last post yesterday was a blog tour post and you can read that here. I’m halfway through this beauty so I hope to have a host of reviews for you this coming week. As I was initially going to be in hospital I have a few days off – I will be attending water aerobics on one day but I’ll have some extra chill time.
Ooooh how could I forget I went to see Elf the musical this week.
It felt weird being January but it was such a festive treat.
What would you like to see on the blog this coming week? I would love to show some running but it’s not happened of late. I have felt a lot better but obviously I won’t be able to when recovering.
Happy New Year all…I hadn’t expected to not post until now so my apologies. You very nearly got a very emotional Hayley post yesterday but I didn’t have the time or energy to write it.
Today is a brand new day and I’m starting to get organised in terms of the blog and my reading. As I say I was very emotional yesterday following a hospital appointment, although in the grand scheme of things how things have changed is for the better in the long run. Having said that it felt like so much pent up emotion came pouring out of me. Anyway enough of that…
January is that fresh start and that blank canvas in every way including in reading.
I’m pleased to say I’m buddying up with Catriona to read Paige Toon’s latest offering. Paige is a go to author of mine and I can’t get enough of her writing. Having to wait until now has been hard going but in starting Only Love Can Hurt Like This I know I’m going to be blown away and I know there will be tears. In saying that she also tempted me to a cinnamon bun. I shouldn’t be having these cravings in January when I haven’t yet had any classes this year. Catriona has a few other reads that I’m hopeful to get to and if I can time it right I could buddy read another later in the month.
Also how gorgeous is the cover…
I have two blog tour reads for January…
I haven’t finished this gorgeous collection of short stories so I hope to this month.
I would also like to add a few audiobooks but one of which I’ve been a bit stop start with. So we’ll see and I don’t want to make a massive list and not get to any. Although thanks to #BookTwitter I discovered Jo & Laurie….
I’ve got this as an audiobook so it could make an appearance in my January pile.
Having read a chapter I’m eager to read The Drift By C J Tudor
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