Month: Apr 2019

My Best Friend’s Ex – Meghan Quinn

by melissay1, posted in Book Review

My Best Friend’s Ex tells the story of Emma and Tucker. As the title suggests Tucker is Emma’s best friend’s ex. Tucker and Emma’s friend Sadie, were not just casually dating they were very serious to the extent that Sadie was pregnant! After a jam packed day at college where Emma is training to become a nurse, she comes home to an eviction notice on her door thanks to her landlord not paying the mortgage which forces her to move out. Tucker steps up and offers that she moves in with him, after all he does have a spare room. Tucker is just a friend and very much off limits to Emma but moving in with him stirs romantic feelings towards him which could be problematic!

I think I enjoyed this book…yes think! I read it so quickly as it was a fun, romantic read and you just desperately wanted to find out what happened so from that point of view I loved it. However, I just expected more from the story which I suppose is a strange thing to say as I did really enjoy reading it. With the complicated relationship between Emma and Tucker, I expected more fireworks and that just didn’t happen. However, I did absolutely love the way the author writes and I found the friendship between Emma and Tucker delightful to read about.

Emma and Tucker were both wonderful characters and as the book is told from dual perspectives you get a real insight into both characters particularly Tucker as you really see why he is so guarded and how the past has well and truly screwed up his mind. Both characters are delightfully funny too which definitely helped with my enjoyment of reading about them!

Overall I loved this story and I would definitely read another book from the author again. I didn’t actually realise this book was part of a series of books from the same world just from a different characters perspective so I am very keen to read some of the other books in the series particularly now I’ve been introduced to the characters. It really was a cute, romantic read between two characters you were routing for the entire way through – what more could you want? However, as explained earlier, this story had the potential for real fireworks to go off and for me it just didn’t really happen but from the romantic build up point of view this story is fantastic.

Synopsis – 

When I found an eviction notice taped on my apartment door, I had two options: find a comfortable cardboard box to call home, or move in with Tucker Jameson.

Seeing that cardboard makes me feel itchy, I chose the latter. Which shouldn’t be that big of a deal Tucker is one of my good friends. And because he’s still pining after his ex-girlfriend and I’m trying to finish my nursing degree, there is nothing to worry about in the romance department, making my last semester an easy one to conquer.

Boy, was I wrong.

Rules are set, dinners are made, conversations are had, and a shirtless, swoony roommate walks around in nothing but a pair of black briefs, ruining me for every other man.

Before I know it, I turn into a panting, lust-filled woman begging for Tucker to kiss me, touch me, and show me exactly what is hiding under those briefs.

But with great orgasms, comes great consequences.

Tucker might be my friend and roommate but he’s also my best friend’s ex-boyfriend, making him completely off-limits. At least that’s what my brain is telling me, my heart is speaking an entirely different language.

Taylor Swift 26/04

by melissay1, posted in Other

It makes sense that this weeks post is going to be Taylor Swift related because I’m so insanely excited! Taylor has had her website revamped and now all that is on it is a countdown to Friday! It’s going to be a strange, short kind of blog post because I genuinely don’t know what is happening!

All that can be assumed is that it’s a countdown to Taylor’s seventh album. Maybe on Friday she’ll just announce the album, maybe it will be new music to listen to, maybe it’ll be completely unconnected and will be her releasing a pastel coloured clothes line?! Taylor has been posting up cryptic clues all week and basically all that we know is that it’s kind of pastel related – interpret that how you want!

When Taylor announced her reputation album, I think pretty much everyone knew within a matter of days that it was snakes and that could potentially connect to the whole snake incident. However, this era doesn’t seem to have any connection to anything at all. The only thing that links Taylor’s Instagram photos is the pastel colours and god knows how that connects to anything. We have photos of jewellery, of chickens with glasses – it’s all very odd stuff! Taylor has been previously quite notorious for everything she posts having significance but I’m yet to read any theory that even somehow fits with everything she has posted. I’m sure come Friday when it’s all revealed I’ll be sat going ‘ahh so that’s how it all fits’.

I have loved Taylor for years now and every single era is so different to the previous one but in a good way. She plans every single aspect of each era to such detail. If this announcement is the new album (and hopefully it could be?) I already can’t wait about seeing the cover, the music videos, hearing the songs, what she wears…and how all this will relate on stage for a future tour!

This post is a little pointless but I’m just that excited about the potential of a new Taylor Swift album I had to write something about it this week. I’ll probably edit this post on Friday with my thoughts on whatever the announcement is too.

If you love Taylor too and are interested in finding out what she’s counting down to, be sure to sign up to the page or just watch the countdown by clicking here

My Boss, The Billionaire – Serentiy Woods

by melissay1, posted in Book Review

My Boss, The Billionaire tells the story of Nicola (Nix) Dixon. Nicola is happy with her job, the only problem? She’s in love with her boss Leon King. The only downside to this is that not only is he her boss but Leon has a strict no dating colleagues rule and goes down hard on anyone who breaks that rule so he for sure isn’t about to break that rule himself. Then thanks to a work presentation for the prime minister, Leon and Nix are forced to spend time together. Said presentation falls on Nix’s birthday and it’s safe to say that Leon pulls out all the stops…perhaps Nix isn’t the only one with a crush?

I’ve never been so conflicted about if I liked a book or not. On the one hand if you treated this book as a quick read, fun romantic read it’s quite enjoyable. You know for those times you don’t want to spend ages reading a book, you’re just looking for something to make your heart happy? However, it also tries to weave it a story and that to me is where is falls down. I have no issue with Leon’s backstory, it’s Nix’s. I just felt like that author tried too hard to put in a deep story. However in my opinion it just sort of skimmed the surface of it so when things happens it just felt abit of a eye roll moment. I don’t want to devalue the things that happened to her as it truly is dreadful, it just seemed abit out of place for this story.

I treated this book as a quick read and for that reason I think the characters are ok to read about. You know enough about Leon and Nix to enjoy to the story. I love the idea that they both work at an animal rescue too.

Overall I enjoyed 90% of this book. The romance moments were cute and enjoyable, I just didn’t enjoy the last section of the book. If you’re looking for a short romantic read then this book is ok. Just for me, I didn’t like the extremity of the last couple of chapters, personally I feel it would’ve worked without trying to weave what happened in.

Synopsis –

Never fall in love with your boss…

I’ve worked for Leon for two years now.

Which means I’ve been in love with Leon for about, oh, 730 days, give or take.

He’s tall, gorgeous, hardworking, and strict. Most of the staff at Noah’s Ark are scared of him. But I can handle the Lion King, as I like to call him.

I’m his PA. I book his dental appointments, pick up his dry cleaning, keep his diary, walk his dogs, and organize his accounts. I know him as well as a wife would, although unfortunately without the added benefits that role would bring.

I’d tell him how I feel, but he’s made it quite clear he’s against relationships at work, so I know it’s never going to happen unless I leave the Ark, and I love my job.

Then, on the day the Prime Minister’s supposed to arrive at the Ark, his crazy dog knocks me over and gives me a concussion.

And, as if I’m Snow White needing to be awoken from her slumber, Leon kisses me.
Crap. Now we’re in trouble. 

How on earth do you un-forget being kissed by your handsome prince?

The Musical Theatre Tag

by melissay1, posted in Theatre

Whenever anyone I know goes to see a theatre show I’m usually near the top of the list of people they ask if its any good. I’ve had this drafted for a while but I haven’t had the opportunity to fit it in my weekly posting so I thought for my first Whatever Wednesday post I’d finally tackle the musical theatre blog tag!

I had a google search many months ago and saved these questions on my phone in case I ever got round to answering them one day so I really can’t remember which blog I got these questions from – I’m so sorry if this is your tag! Obviously if anyone knows whose tag it is I’ll edit this!

Now without further ado…

1. What was the first musical you ever saw?

I’m not going to count pantomimes, Disney movies or the countless times I watched the likes of Mary Poppins, Sounds Of Music etc for this one. The first musical I saw in the West End was Wicked – because lets face it who doesn’t love Wicked and if you haven’t seen a musical before I think Wicked is a really good place to start. It is good for all ages, the songs are incredible and the sets are so wonderful.

Lamely, my interest in Wicked came from Tom from McFly (though this probably won’t come as a surprise to people who know me) who seemed to constantly wear a Wicked jumper in every photo you saw of him from around that time and upon googling the show and listening to the songs I desperately wanted to see it. Then on a family trip to London when I was young we booked a last minute ticket to see Wicked that evening! The seats were pretty much back row of the upper circle but I absolutely loved the show.

Wicked was every bit of amazing as I expected it to be and since then it sparked off my interest in seeing shows. I’d never seen a show before that had such phenomenal set changes and I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing on that stage was actually happening. Since then I try and keep an eye on shows that are on West End / Broadway and see as many of the ones that I like the sound of as I can. Though I think I’ll always go back to Wicked and I’ve seen it a crazy amount of times now…I just love that show!

2. What was your favourite musical growing up?

My answer is 100%, Wicked. I’ve pretty much explained this in the last question but I became obsessed with Wicked, the magical sets, the incredible costumes, the wonderful story and the catchy songs! How can Wicked not become an instant favourite? Wicked was the show I saw again and again so it definitely sparked my interest off in seeing other shows. I just can’t imagine anyone going to see Wicked and walking out and not loving it.

3. Were you ever in a musical?

Musicals were definitely something that I would never, ever be involved in. I can’t sing or dance or act so its definitely not for me! I’d love to maybe have a behind the scenes job role one day though.

4. What was the first musical you saw on Broadway?

The first show I saw on Broadway was Mary Poppins which I suppose is a bizarre one as Mary Poppins is about as British as it comes! I’ve been to New York a lot and every time I go I spend way too much time seeing Broadway shows. Yes, London has the magical, historical theatres but Broadway has a certain glitz and glamour that you just don’t get on the West End. I think it’s probably just solely because I’m on holiday but Broadway just has that additional exciting element.

5. If you could be any female character in any musical who would you be and why?

I have a list of female characters I’d love to play but really if I had to pick just one, it wouldn’t take much thought. It would have to be Glinda in Wicked! Wicked was the first musical I loved and to this day I still would love to travel by bubble. I also think it would just be the most fun to sing and dance around on stage to Popular every single night. Plus I also adore Glinda’s costumes!

However, when I saw Heathers last year, Heather Chandler looks like she’d be an absolutely fantastic character to play. You get to experience the world of being the head Heather and be mean at the beginning, then playing dead Heather looks like it’s the most fun in the world.

6. Which male character?

The male character is a tough question for me as I love so many male characters. I’ve thought about it and I think that I would be Dewey from School Of Rock. It looks an absolutely exhausting role but it looks insanely fun! The entire soundtrack from School Of Rock is incredible so I think you’d have the best time jumping around and singing these songs every night.

7. Favourite musical song to sing in the shower?

Sorry to disappoint you all but I’m the most boring person in the world and don’t actually sing in the shower.

8. Who is your favourite theatre actress?

Carrie Hope Fletcher. Carrie is one unbelievable singer and she seems to do all the roles in my favourite musicals. Basically if Carrie is in a musical I will go and see it, I think she’s incredible and everything you see her in she somehow just keeps getting better and better.

I also love Savannah Stevenson. I have seen a lot of productions of Wicked and I just can’t tell you how much I adore her Glinda. I’ve never seen her in anything else but for Glinda alone she deserves a mention here.

9. Actor?

For the male actors I’ve had two experiences where I’ve walked into a theatre not knowing who they were and walked out not being able to shut up about what an unbelievable performance I’ve just seen.

The first is Alex Brightman who played the original cast Dewey in School Of Rock in New York. I have seen Dewey played by multiple actors now and I just can’t explain how insanely amazing Alex Brightman is in that role. I’m desperate to head across the pond and see him in Beetlejuice.

Jamie Muscato who played JD in the West End cast of Heathers. I have never seen a performer as good as Jamie Muscato. I don’t know how he physically manages to make you love him in one scene then make his face completely change in the next so you’re sat terrified of him. I’m excited to see what he does next as I’m very intrigued to go watch him in a different role.

10. Favourite film adaptation of a musical?

Though the movies did come first and the musical was based on them, it has got to be School Of Rock or Heathers! Both are these films are so good and some of my favourites.

11. What do you think is the most underrated musical?

I’m not sure if really classes as underrated as it is on Broadway but Be More Chill. I read the book not so long back and although the book wasn’t one of my favourites, the idea of a squip fascinates me. Plus the fact that Will Roland plays the main guy was enough to get my attention to look more at the musical.

Since then I’ve obsessively pretty much only listened to the cast recording. Be More Chill deserves so much more hype than it gets because the songs are absolutely amazing. I’m just going to throw it out there but I think Michael In The Bathroom is one of the best songs from a musical…ever.

If you have a search on Be More Chill YouTube channel, you can see a video of the Broadway cast rehearsing More Than Survive and it looks so good. Assuming it’s still on Broadway the next time I’m in New York, Be More Chill is so high up my need to watch list.

12. Overrated musical?

I thought long and hard about this but I’m sadly going to have to say Matilda. I really love the movie but I just didn’t particularly like the stage show. I’m not even sure why! I mean the staging was great and I loved the songs but in my opinion it just didn’t live up to the hype surrounding it. For me, the movie was just so much better than the musical and I found myself constantly comparing the two throughout. The musical just lacked something for me, I’m not sure what but in my opinion it’s just so overrated.

13. What musical made you cry?

I’m not entirely sure I should admit this but The Christmasaurus! When the dinosaur flies and Tom sings Afraid Of Heights I just cried my eyes out. I don’t know if it’s because he’d learnt to fly or the staging for that particular scene or what but it made me sit in the theatre with tears streaming down my face.

In a more serious musical, I’ve never seen it but I can already tell you Dear Evan Hansen is going to make me need tissues. I’ve mentioned this before but I think Evan is the nearest I’m ever going to get to seeing a version of myself portrayed on stage. The songs affect me more than any musical songs I’ve ever heard and the book made me cry. Even just the first few lines (although they’re more jokey) still make me emotional, so lets be honest the musical is going to be a full blown crying fest. I’m seeing the show in London on my own in November and I’m already feeling sorry for the unlucky people sat either side of me whilst I’m going through a box of Kleenex.

14. What musical made you laugh?

Heathers! Although it’s about a high school kid wanting (and succeeding) to murder half of the school it has some absolutely hilarious moments.

The whole popular scene in Wicked when Glinda is doing her hair toss will never not make me laugh too.

15. Are there any musicals you saw and hated?

Cats. Who doesn’t love the song Memory from Cats and in my head Cats is one of those iconic musicals but when I saw the show I hated it. It was just too much dancing around and less action for my liking. Plus when the cats all spoke together as a group it was so difficult to understand what they were saying. I left just as confused by the show as I was when I went into the theatre. It very sadly just wasn’t for me.

16. What musical do you want to see as a film?

Wicked – though this is apparently happening so that’s very exciting! I’d also love to see Dear Evan Hansen and The Christmasaurus.

17. Which musicals are you dying to see?

Dear Evan Hansen is firmly at the top of this list. It’s coming to London this year so I will finally see the show and I can’t wait for the day I’m sat in the theatre watching it. Though, if I won the lottery I’d be straight over to New York to see Andrew Barth Feldman in the show, it’s scary how he is literally exactly how I imagined Evan to look like and if you watch the covers he’s done on YouTube I’m already sure that his version of Words Fail would completely and utterly, emotionally destroy me more than any other Evan.

As mentioned earlier, I’m also really wanting to go and see Alex Brightman in Beetlejuice but sadly I just don’t think I’ll get the money for a New York trip this year – Broadway is just too expensive!

I would also love to see Be More Chill. I’m obsessed with this songs right now and I’m very interested to see how they play this story on stage. Plus getting the opportunity to see Will Roland perform would be incredible too. I’m hoping its popularity in America might mean it’ll make it to the UK one day.

18. Any movie or book you think should be turned into a musical?

I’m not too sure. The first thing that comes to mind is Clueless. Its the same kind of thing as Heathers and Mean Girls are they’re both musicals now so why not Clueless?

19. What is your all-time favourite musical?

I suppose it’s got to be Wicked. However, my top favourite musicals are getting closer over the years. So special mention for School Of Rock, Heathers and Dear Evan Hansen!

Dirty Like Me – Jaine Diamond

by melissay1, posted in Book Review

Katie Bloom had lost her way, suffering from a heartbreak and working as a barista just to get by. Then one day she visits her best friend at work and accidently stumbles into a meeting her friend is having with rock star Jesse Mayes. Jesse takes an instant like to Katie and even though she is completely clueless to who he is, he casts her to star as his love interest in his latest music video. The music video is a hit with Jesse’s fans so he offers her the opportunity to come on the road with him for 6 weeks and earn more money than she could even dream about owning…the only catch? She has to pretend to be his girlfriend the entire time. Suddenly Katie finds herself immersed in the world of a famous rockstar and experiences life on the road.

I absolutely love going to see a band and I’m a little fascinated about the world behind what you see you stage so I love reading books that have a normal person dating a famous musician. I mean you always get a glimpse of the other world in real life thanks to social media but books (though fiction) give you a real in depth look of that world so many are so curious about. If you like those type of storylines with a lot of sex thrown in then you will love this book!

The characters were good enough to read about. Katie is just plain normal, and I loved that about her! She doesn’t want anything that comes with ‘dating’ a celebrity, this deal is nothing but business for her, its just a job – that is until things get complicated! You can completely understand why she’s guarded, thanks to her ex being a complete and utter twonk, she is a real family person and just genuinely a nice person. Jesse too, although the deal that he’s made with Katie is completely and utterly crazy, you can’t help but like him. He could’ve been irritating to read about as he’s paying Katie to act all lovely dovey with him in public which is a pretty rubbish thing to do but somehow you can’t help but like him.

The storyline follows Katie and Jesse throughout the six weeks on tour. From their very public, displays of affection to the initial hilariousness of them sharing a room together at the start to how they much on to acting on the very obvious chemistry between them both. My only real issue is the ending, it leaves you on somewhat of a loop hole as you’re interested in finding out what happens next but more books are available to read in the series. Also, the book is very sex heavy! I think it adds to the story as it really helps demonstrate the spark that Jesse and Katie have but if you’re not a fan of books that contain quite large amounts of sex then sadly this book probably isn’t for you.

 Synopsis –

A gorgeous rock star.
An indecent proposal.
How can a girl resist?

Struggling barista Katie Bloom doesn’t even know who Jesse Mayes is until she inadvertently wins the coveted role of sex kitten in his hot new music video. But by the time she’s in bed with him, she knows his reputation.

Love maker. Heartbreaker.

Making out with a stranger in front of a camera crew isn’t how Katie imagined herself getting over a broken heart, but when Jesse touches her, sparks fly. The sex is fake but the chemistry is real, and soon the steamy video is blazing up the charts.

Then Jesse makes Katie an irresistible offer: act as his girlfriend for six weeks while he promotes his new album. The only catch? Their sizzling make-out sessions will be for the cameras only.

Which is fine with Katie, since she’s not about to trust her heart to rock’s most legendary lover. Her body? Maybe…

Blog Schedule?

by melissay1, posted in Uncategorised

I spent an entire evening this week writing up my dream holiday for a competition and I really enjoyed writing about what I liked about going to a certain place. This made me realise that sometimes I might actually want to write about places I’ve holidayed or my recommendations for things to do in certain places on my blog. Or even if I just want a post to let out my love for something, especially as I know people in real life will only listen to you enthusiastically talk about things you love so much before you start getting an eye roll in response.

Currently I aim to post every weekend but at the moment I’m reading enough books to warrant that being my weekly post. I love reading books and writing my review up afterwards especially as I read reviews before buying a book, so I don’t want to stop writing those but it’s also stopping me from blogging about anything but books. I love reading and books so I know this isn’t a bad thing, I just want the option to post about other things I love too.

So…thoughts please! How would people feel about if I increased my blog posting? If I want to post about my favourite musicals, a concert I’ve been to or just general travel posts…would anyone be interested in reading more of that kind of thing? I’m thinking book reviews on a Sunday as normal then more of a ‘Whatever Wednesday’? If you want book reviews you know to check back on a Sunday but if you’re interested in reading other things check in on a Wednesday?

If I post about must see things to do in x city, I worry that I may come across abit annoying in a ‘oh look at her showing off about these amazing things that she’s done’ kind of way but anything I have done I’ve paid for myself and although I appreciate I’m in a fortunate position as I have little outgoings, I do work a lot more hours than the average working week to be able to afford to do things. I honestly would not mean to come across as showing off or anything like that, I just want to post about things I’ve enjoyed doing and maybe someone would get inspiration of things they might want to do one day. I know I read so many reviews / watch YouTube videos when I go on holiday to decide what to do. My last holiday I literally watched a YouTube video and jotted down the things I liked the look of from that and made my travel itinerary from it.

At the moment I’m feeling in a relatively creative place so I’m itching to write more than once a week whilst I feel in the mood to. However, I’m not committing to weekly Wednesday points, just more of a see how it goes type of thing! Weekends however, will still be weekly!

If you’re interested in reading a Whatever Wednesday post or not please let me know your thoughts?

Mr Spencer – T.L. Swan

by melissay1, posted in Book Review

I wanted to love this book, I really did. It could’ve been a good book but for me I just sadly didn’t enjoy it. Now, where do I start…

Mr Spencer is a book telling the story of Charlotte and Spencer. Charlotte is basically English royalty with her family being extremely rich and thanks to that and that her mother was killed in a tragic accident, her brothers and father are extremely protective of her. The family keep themselves out of the public eye and press as much as they can. Spencer on the other hand (although very rich himself!) is in the papers every day complete with a new love interest on his arm. He is a player and basically the exact type of guy Charlotte’s family do not want her associating with. Charlotte on the other hand is very interested in associating with him despite his playboy ways.

For me, my biggest issue was the characters. I just didn’t like them. Charlotte was relatively ok but I didn’t like her ‘I’m a sweet, innocent virgin’ act and I also didn’t like how much she was a pushover. Her family rules her life and I hate that. As for Spencer…you read this book and are supposed to be routing for him to end up with Charlotte but I’m just not. Yes, he has some cute moments but at the same time he’s just as ruling and controlling of Charlottes life as her family are. It infuriates me how infatuated she is with him. However I do feel like he does mean well and I do think he loves Charlotte and always has her best interests at heart especially when he fights for her independence with her family when no one else has bothered before, but he just goes around things in a very annoying way. As for Charlotte’s family, they are the most irritating characters I’ve ever read about. They are unbelievably controlling and as far as they’re concerned Charlotte will live her life how they want her too and you can completely see (even if it does annoy me) why Spencer goes off the rails repeatedly when meeting them. I get that Charlotte’s family just want to protect her as much as possible but it wasn’t normal behaviour in how they treated her. Rather than coming across as a protective family, i found that it was overbearing and just a little uncomfortable to read about.

I had such high hopes for the story too as I loved the blurb. However, I’m so sad that it just didn’t meet my expectations. I feel like my inability to gel with any of the characters meant that I truly didn’t care about what happened to them. Plus when the curveball plot twist happened towards the end of the book I literally just sat eye rolling. It just seemed like the author wanted to throw in more drama when the book was full of unnecessary drama already and by that point I’d just had enough. Overall the story was ok, but I did find myself skipping ahead at various points.

Personally, I wouldn’t recommend this book. I really felt the story had potential and the first couple of chapters I truly thought I was going to love it. However, for me it was the overbearing characters that spoilt the story for me. I just didn’t enjoy reading about them. I think it you can tolerate the characters behaviour you will love this story but for me I sadly won’t be rereading any time soon.

Synopsis –

He was gorgeous, older, and had the worst reputation in all of England.

The way he looked at me sent shivers down my spine.

Our first meeting was at a wedding, where he followed me outside and kissed me.

Our second meeting ended in a huge fight with me kicking him out.

Our third meeting, I went on a double, blind date.
You can imagine my surprise when I saw familiar blue eyes across the table opposite my friend.
Oh….no….

He was sarcastic and witty and damn,
If he wasn’t the sexiest bastard I ever laid eyes on.

Then he sent me an email listing thirty reasons
why I should go on a date with him.

I was expecting a suave and intelligent list.
Curious, I read on.

Reason 1 – I have white teeth
Reason 2 – I love my grandma
Reason 3 – I have a size 13 shoe – you do the math.

The man’s a fool, his list was some of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever read.
And the funniest.

We laughed hard…and loved harder.

You can outrun everything……except your past.
And his has caught up.

Wild handsome players don’t fall for innocent girls like me,
Or do they?