NEWS ARE HEADING YOUR WAY!!!!

Well hello there my lovely & always fateful readers!!!

How are you all? I bet you all are slowly getting ready for Christmas and have hands full of Christmas shopping. I haven't even started on mine. No idea what to give who. I might need to ask for your help pretty soon ;-)

Today, I have decided to share with you some news happening on this blog. So please read on and find out if you think you like what is coming.  (Don't worry, I won't be using the expression : Winter is coming. It's getting a little boring now, isn't it?)

Anyways, firstly, I would like to apologise for the recent lack of posts. I have been on holiday for two weeks in October and I took a break from social media, interaction and blogging. I even have touched a book for two whole weeks. And since I came back, I am slowly catching up with the work. Please bear with me. It's all coming together. I just need a little more of time. 

Secondly, I would like to thank you for your continuos support. It always warms my heart and makes me proud when I see how many people read this blog. Every comment, every repost, every tweet, every Instagram like puts a smile on my face which lasts a long time. So THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I would give up a long time ago if it wouldn't be for you always listen and reading my babbling and rants. 

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!! I am so so lucky. 

Which brings me to the third and the most exciting reason why I am writing this post. Unfortunately, my dearest friend, fellow bookworm and blogger, bibliophile, written word admirer - Sara aka Carpe Librum Girl has decided to closed down her blog. She has become a wonderful and very close friend over the past year and when I first heard of her decision I was a little sad. But then the amazing thing has happened. She has agreed to join me and become a co-author for SECRET READING GARDEN!!!!!!!!! I couldn't be happier!!!!!!! So please give her a warm welcome. This news couldn't come in better time. It means another pair of hands and eyes, which means more blog posts for you and hopefully a bigger growth for this independent blog. We are clearing up some schedules and soon we will come to you with new ideas, posts and a lot more happening on this site. 

So keep your eyes opened!!!! I am sure that Sara will write her own little introduction (i'll make her haha). 

Again, thank you for all the always present support. I cannot wait to share with you more posts and events pretty soon. 

Have a wonderful day :-) 

xoxo

Sarra Manning : IT FELT LIKE A KISS

Warning! Every girl has a dream of their dad to be a rock star, but if your dream does actually come true and becomes a total nightmare?

IT FELT LIKE A KISS is a new adult novel written by the wonderfully talented Sarra Manning.

Ms Manning is the author of one of my favourite books - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me. That book put her writing skills on a pedestal and since then it's really hard to fill its shoes. Only one of her books managed to impress me enough to give it 5 stars - Adorkable. But I am not giving up on her works just yet, and I keep reading her books. Therefore I included IT FELT LIKE A KISS on my September TBR list.

*****

Ellie Cohen is living her dream. A great job at an exclusive Mayfair art gallery, loyal mates, loving family, and really, really good hair. Well, there's the famous rock-star father who refuses to acknowledge her and a succession of 'challenging' boyfriends, but nobody's perfect.

But when a vengeful ex sells Ellie out to the press, she suddenly finds herself fighting to keep her job, her reputation and her sanity. Then David Gold - handsome, charming but ruthlessly ambitious - is sent in to manage the media crisis ... and Ellie.

David thinks she's a gold-digger and Ellie thinks he's a shark in a Savile Row suit, so it's just as well that falling in love is the last thing on their minds...

*****

So let's have a little talk about this book. First thing first - the edition. I own the paperback published in 2014 by Corgi Books, an imprint of Transworld Publishers. 480 pages. 36 chapters. The cover is toned in lovely pastel colours of blue and pink shades. On the front cover, is a picture of a man and a woman gazing at each other with London skyline in their background. It's quite a fun, quite girly cover. 

The writing. In the true Manning's fashion the writing is fun, modern, relatable and very english. I love Ms Manning's female characters. I always find myself mesmerised by their stories and similar characteristics to my own personality. And I do appreciate that almost every single novel takes place in United Kingdom. As a resident of this lovely country, I always appreciate books taken place some place familiar.

What I haven't realise when I first picked up this book, is the fact that it's kind of a sequel (continuum?) of Manning's previous novel 'UNSTICKY'. The main characters of the previously mentioned novel aren't major game players in this story, but they do make an appearance. Which I think is a fantastic touch. Especially as I did enjoy this book a little more that the its previous sister.

Now, for the story. It's quite a captivating tale. A little on the Cinderella side. A girl's past come to a light in the most unexpected way. Her father, famous musician, abandoned her and her mother when she was a baby and he hasn't been a part of Ellie's life ever since. But when the vultures, aka paparazzi, get the whiff of Ellie and her connection to world famous rock star, Ellie's up-until-then simple, yet satisfying life, is thrown into chaos. She is followed everywhere by paparazzi and false gossips. And not to mention, that her guardian in this chaos, a lawyer of her father, is incredibly hot and un-optainable.

What I like about the plot of the story is that the author put on the paper what every girl dreams about. What it would be like to have a famous parent? Is it a fairytale like we imagined or a scary nightmare we fear of? Not to mention the subject of being followed by paparazzi on every corner and been a victim of vicious gossips which can ruin lives. You start to be more sympathetic towards celebrities and their hectic lives.

But having said that, even though this novel has been hilarious at times, it still didn't make a lasting impression like YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE. I loved that novel from the start and I feel it set the bar really high. Unfortunately, to this day, none of Ms Manning's new adult novels managed to get under my skin like her first one. 

IT FELT LIKE A KISS is a mediocre novel. A cute tale to occupy your autumn evening. There are some great issues approached in this novel - mistrust, broken relationships, parents not loving their child, gluttony... It's ok to read, but it fails to impress me to the level when I wouldn't be able to put it down. It's a nice story, but it's not as good as other stories written by this author. But it's a big step up from Unsticky. 

Sarra (do you mind if I call you Sarra?), I am a big fan of your story-telling and creative imagination, I am not giving up on your books, but please return to the likes of YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE or ADORKABLE. Those two tales were so charming and un-put-down-able that I lost many nights of sleep when re
ading them.

IT FELT LIKE A KISS was a good new adult novel, but I am sorry to say it wasn't your best one. But keep on writing and telling tales, so I am able to fall in love with one of your books all over again. 

NOVEMBER READING CHALLENGE

NOVEMBER is knocking on our door!!!

With its presence it brings the first stages of winter - cold, wet weather, pumpkin spiced lattes, hazelnut hot chocolates and a lot of yummy vegetable dishes and comfy foods. 

We will stay mostly indoors or hiding in the corners of our favourite coffee shops. At least that is my plan. And of course, with new month comes a new TBR list. 

Confession time: I have been a lazy blogger last month. I took some time off from internet and blogging and spend it getting to know my sister's new little puppy, moments with family and hilarious times with friends. 

But it's time to get back into blogging and become a good and hard-working part time book reviewer. So first order of business is to complete my OCTOBER TBR list. So far, I've only read 3 books of 11 planned ones. So I need to get some serious reading done. 

But don't worry, I will make sure to add some more onto it as I like a good challenge. I am adding 5 more book which will take be to 13 books in total. Fingers crossed, you should hear from me quite a lot this month. 

But enough talking, let's get to the serious stuff. Let me share with you my 5 books for November TBR list. 

*****

NOVEMBER READING CHALLENGE

THE ORPHAN QUEEN by Jodi Meadows

Wilhelmina has a hundred identities. 

SHE IS A PRINCESS. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom's capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne. 

SHE IS A SPY. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie's behaviour grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable. Wil can't trust anyone. 

SHE IS A TREAT. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom Wilhelmina's magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil's magic, she will vanish like all the others.

CARRY ON by Rainbow Rowell

SIMON SNOW IS THE WORST CHOSEN ONE WHO'S EVER BEEN CHOSEN. 

That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right. Half the time Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and three's a magic-eathing monster running around wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here - it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up. 

CARRY ON: THE RISE AND FALL OF SIMON SNOW is a ghost story, a love story and mystery. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from Rainbow Rowell's story - but far, far more monsters. 

SNOW LIKE ASHES by Sara Raasch

A LIGHTNING-FAST TALE OF LOYALTY, LOVE, AND FINDING ONE'S DESTINY. 

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now the Winterians' only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been searching for the chance to steal back Winter's magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since. 

Orphaned as an infant during Winter's defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee. Training to be a warrior - and desperately in love with her best friend and future king, Mather - she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore their magic, Meira decides to go after it, only to find herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics - and to realise that her destiny is not, never has been, her own. 

THE WINNER'S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski

WINNING WHAT YOU WANT MAY COST YOU EVERYTHING YOU LOVE. 

As a general's daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. Kestrel has other ideas. 

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in Arin, a young slave up for auction. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him - and for a sensational price that sets the society gossips talking. It's not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

THE WINNER'S CRIME by Marie Rutkoski

FOLLOWING YOUR HEART CAN BE A CRIME. 

A royal wedding should be a celebration, with fireworks and dancing till dawn. But for General's daughter Kestrel, betrothed to the Crown Prince, marriage is a trap. 

Just as they fell in love, Arin became her enemy. Kestrel aches to tell him the truth - that her engagement was the price she paid to save his life. But in a world of lies and intrigue, how can she trust him if she doesn't even trust herself? The truth will come out, and when it does, Kestrel and Arin will learn the high cost of their crime...

*****

5 more stories to add. Maybe you wondering why I have chosen these 5 books. I have been inspired by ADDICTED TO YA - a group of bibliophiles I have joined on Goodreads and these are the choices for this month's reading. 

Have you read any of these books? Did you like them?

More importantly, what is on your TBR list month? Please, do let me know.. 

xoxo