Six For Sunday: Books that made you feel. @eenalol @PaigeToonAuthor

I had an idea for today’s prompt and I had hoped to have posted this a lot sooner, but yesterday was mostly lost to headaches and today I’ve tried to do a bit more reading alongside the football. (I don’t want to talk about it)

Today’s prompt is Books that made you feel and I decided I wanted to dedicate today’s prompt to Paige Toon as she’s written a number of books that have given me all the feels. Six for Sunday is a weekly meme created by https://alittlebutalot.comeach week a prompt is given and then you choose books accordingly.

This was my first ever Paige Toon read. I remember finishing it at 4am full of snot, red cheeks and tears streaming down my face, full of love for the characters and Paige’s writing.

I’d met Paige Toon a few times before this beauty was released. I remember her tweeting to announce the teaser chapters were on Netgalley. I remember being hooked and wanting more. In attending a blogger event we were given the proof in the goody bag. I started from the beginning enjoying re-reading what I’d loved. This novel was everything and so much more.

I met Johnny and Meg the wrong way round. In reading the YA novel The Accidental life of Jessie Jefferson. I had already learned the later stages of their lives but it was heartwarming and heart wrenching to get to know their back story.

There’s so much I could say about this novel. I read this in a day alongside my stateside pal and omg so many feels. Too many feels and some heart wrenching moments that I will remember for a long time.

In re-reading this one last year I felt different. My thoughts on the sisters changed slightly. The sense of similarity and that of love was apparent so much in this one. This is definitely a book with a multitude of feelings.

One Perfect Summer is pure perfection and is full of such love. In reading it I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to read it what a truly gorgeous read. I may even get it out again as this summer looms.

Do you have a go to author that always makes you feel?

Mid-Year roundup

Seeing as we are halfway through 2020 I’ve seen so many people taking part in mid year tags and talking of what they have read so far, and how they are fairing against Good Reads challenges.

Thank So it got me thinking about my reading journey in the craziest year of my life. So my target for the year is 100 books which for a book blogger should be easy but life often gets in the way. I’ve generally always got at least one book on the go – sometimes if I’m reading more than one it takes me longer sometimes it makes no difference.

During lockdown to date I’ve read 47 books and I’m currently at 62 out of my 100. So lockdown well and truly has helped my reading mojo. I’ve downloaded and took advantage of the Libby app supporting my library from afar, and I’ve got back into audiobooks. Following my issues with my left ear I had cancelled subscriptions and had mostly stopped listening to audiobooks I’m loving having them back.

Since lockdown….

My Review – this series le sigh.

My Review – I truly loved embracing the world of Paige Toon this was such a gorgeous read.

My Review – Wow Louise Candlish never lets me down.

My Review – This was such a tonic on a sunny day.

My Review

This was my second read of this and I somehow have never written my thoughts on this absolute beauty – I will say I had different thoughts on the second read.

My Review – Such a truly important read for any and every woman.

My Review – Following The Flatshare I was itching for this and I loved it.

My Review – the next instalment of this beauty will be on my Kindle later this week.

I still haven’t reviewed this. David is a family favourite and this was a gorgeous audiobook.

My Review

My Review

Somehow I always gush and then am lost for words. Haven’t written this review.

My Review

My Review Heidi never lets me down. Loved this trip to the beach.

My Review

My Review

My original review – this was a second time read.

My Review

My Review

My Review – this book will stay with me for a long time.

My Review – my first Patricia novel but definitely not my last.

My Review

My Review

My Review – I read this in a day on publication day.

My Review – a fantastic debut.

I loved this but haven’t reviewed as yet.

My Review – an audiobook I borrowed from the library.

My Review – a blog tour I loved

Audio Review I had heard such good stuff about this and I loved it.

My Review

My Review

My Review

My Review I loved listening to this but do I buy the hardback or the paperback

My Review – love love loves this. The hype is real.

My Review

My Review

My Review – An ace buddy read. Isabelle always has me lusting for travel.

I loved the Katey Lovell Meet Cutes.

My Review

My Review

My Review

My Review

My Review

My Review – Such a special read and I’m so glad this was my introduction to Santa.

My Review will come soon.

So 47 lockdown reads and 15 prior to that….I’m feeling pretty darn good about that. Woah it’s a long and a late one…can you imagine if I had the other 15.

Book Review: The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson By Paige Toon

Blurb: Meet Jessie, small-town girl turned wild child . . .
Jessie has never known her real dad, and when her mum dies she thinks any hope of finding him is gone. As she goes goes off the rails, her stepdad announces that her father is Johnny Jefferson – legendary rockstar and former hell-raiser.
Still dealing with her loss, and now the daughter of a superstar, Jessie is sucked into the LA lifestyle – paparazzi, parties and hot guitar-wielding boys included.
But is Johnny up to the job? And, more importantly, is Jessie?

My thoughts the second time around: Having been on a Paige Toon rollercoaster readathon it’s been thrilling to re-read a few. I read this before I knew the full extent of Johnny and Meg’s story. So to start with I was really unsure of Meg but now knowing her backstory I can see why Meg is the way she is. Seeing as she’s been put through a lot over the years. I feel like I appreciated how Meg and Jessie’s relationship transformed much more on my second listen. This one I listened to on audio at both sittings and in finishing both times I’m left with a lot of unanswered questions.

The next two in the Jessie Jefferson YA series I have as paperback but I’m undecided as of whether I will download the audio too. Although in saying that recently when I’ve got back to a paperback rather than a kindle read I’ve embraced it and loved the feel. In saying that audiobooks have kept me occupied whilst getting dressed, doing chores, exercises and winding down at the end of the day, so we shall see I guess.

The Jessie Jefferson series sees a completely different side to Johnny and in the bombshell at the end of the first book I’m looking forward to where the story takes us. As ever Paige Toon has a way of writing teenage angst amongst real life family drama. A welcome distraction to the chaos that is life right now.

This is what I said the first time around you can read my thoughts Here.

We’re nearing the end of our read a long and are almost up to Paige’s latest which I’ve had sat on my kindle for a while in loyalty to my friend Catriona it’s still unopened but I know it’s going to be another 5 star treat that makes me laugh and more than likely makes me cry.

Five Years From Now By Paige Toon

Blurb: What if you met the right person at the wrong time?

Nell and Van meet as children when their parents fall in love, but soon they are forced worlds apart.

Five years later, they find each other.  Their bond is rekindled and new feelings take hold, but once again they must separate.

For the next two decades, fate brings Nell and Van together every five years, as life and circumstance continue to divide them. Will they ever find true happiness? And will it be together?

‘One day, maybe five years from now, you’ll look back and understand why this happened…’

My thoughts on re-reading: It’s not really a review the second time around is it. It’s more on how your thoughts changed. Wow! I still remember all the emotions I went through in reading this novel, the first time I experienced the first few chapters twice as o read a sampler and inhaled the book around this time in April 2018 I can safely say the weather has been sweeter this time around. I was lucky enough to read the teaser chapters via Netgalley Sampler thoughts and then I was given a proof at the Spring blogger evening and I’m pretty sure I had the ebook and then I purchased a physical copy for a signing.

My thoughts from the first time around can be read Here. I just briefly read over my thoughts from before and a lot of those emotions were the same. I can say without spoiling that what Nell and Van went through with Geoff was similar to my experience with my Nan and the first time joining those dots floored me- this time around I was preparing myself when I remembered certain aspects but there were elements that I forgot how they came to be.

I know I keep saying it but this read along has let me discover the Paige I didn’t know and the characters I hadn’t read and it’s also let me reacquaint with a few friends along the way. Nell and Van’s story is definitely still one of my favourites even if it simple floors me. It has everything a breathtakingly beautiful novel needs, love, friendship, loss and coming of age. I always love reading of the innocence of children we should all embrace our inner child more. It’s been a joy to have Nell/Van and co back in my life letting me forget the sadness of the world right now.

If you haven’t read Five Years From Now By Paige Toon then why not? You can get a copy Here. Or via your usual book supplier.

What I read in March…

Now March really did turn the tide in my life. It changed dramatically when work was shutdown until further notice. My happy place was taken from me. I mean for a book worm it did help my reading and I’ve been able to make more time for my blog and for a few things I’ve been saying I would do in a while. I had hoped to have included a few shorts to end my March reading but I’ve had a headache for the past few days, I’m getting there now but there’s still a niggle but seeing as this post was virtually done I decided I would post it. To those who voted for my post on Monday it will be here I promise I just have been feeling so rubbish the past few days….

March started with the newest Cornish story from Cressida McLaughlin and my heart bursted once again.

It was so good to have the gang back and to have the new additions.

You can read my thoughts here.

As you may remember both myself and Catriona are in the midst of a Paige Toon read along….I’m loving having mostly Paige in this write up.

As I said in my review I had met a few of these before but it was so nice to see their story play out. You can read my thoughts Here.

Now I cannot help gushing at these stories I really do think Joe and Alice could be my favourites. I’ve also realised there’s a few of my paperbacks that aren’t signed I will be digging out my favourites the next time I can see Paige. She kindly signed the first few of the read-along that weren’t signed.

You can read my thoughts on quite possibly one of my fave Paige Toon couples Here

Darren O’Sullivan is one of my most favourite authors and his fourth novel really does showcase how his writing has changed,this one is a lot more fast paced. Darren’s latest will be out tomorrow and my review will be up then 🙂 so you will need to wait another day to read my thoughts on this.

Part two of this Cornish gorgeousness was just what I needed in these strange times. I was left longing for a hug from Sam. You can read my thoughts Here

This was a very different feel for a Paige Toon novel but all the same I loved my trip to Key West.

This beauty is available in June and my god I want to talk about it but there’s so much I cannot say. My review

Re-listening to this beauty I bloody love Bronte and I also had trouble choosing between those boys…I also realised that I had never penned my thoughts on this beauty.

Book Review: Pictures of Lily By Paige Toon

I fell for Lily and Ben long before I knew their full story…

Blurb: Ten years ago when Lily was just sixteen, she fell in love with someone she really shouldn’t have fallen in love with. Now, living in Sydney and engaged to another man, she can’t forget the one that got away. Then her past comes back to haunt her, and she has to make a decision that will break her heart – and the heart of at least one of the men who love her.

Review: So most of you know that I became a fan of Paige Toon kinda late, which means I have a fabulous back catalogue to delve into. Alongside the fabulous Catriona we have been buddy reading Paige’s books in order. Although due to my birthday, work and a brief cold on my side I haven’t actually finished reading Chasing Daisy but I wanted to get back on track with Cat and during the early hours of this morning I finished reading Pictures of Lily.

I had met Lily and Ben before in the One Perfect Christmas collection and in re-reading that now I’m smiling at remembering first reading that and now that I fully understand their story I’m full of such love for them and their story.

Lily is another of Paige’s gorgeous women who I instantly connected with, the intensity of her feelings and her passions are inspiring and intoxicating. This is a classic story of the one who got away? But what happens when they return. I loved seeing Lily become herself and in doing things she loved- it was heartbreaking to see her feelings so torn but eventually her heart won out.

An emotional rollercoaster that had me from start to finish. Once again an eclectic group of characters and even when you didn’t like them they were still an important part of Lily’s story….

As I had read the short from One Perfect Christmas I found myself thinking of what I knew of their story but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment in finding out all the details. Paige really does have a way of conveying every single emotion that both parties go through.

I would love to have Lily and Ben back again someday….