Synopsis:

They are Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette. A classical pianist from London, a British would-be architect turned soldier, a Harlem-born ragtime genius in the US Army, and a Belgian orphan with a gorgeous voice and a devastating past. Their story, as told by goddess Aphrodite, who must spin the tale or face judgment on Mount Olympus, is filled with hope and heartbreak, prejudice and passion, and reveals that, though war is a formidable force, it’s no match for the transcendent power of love. 

Hailed by critics, Lovely War has received seven starred reviews and is an indie best seller. Author Julie Berry has been called “a modern master of historical fiction” by Bookpage and “a celestially inspired storyteller” by The New York Times, and Lovely War is truly her masterwork. 

My Review:

Can you recall your first kiss? All that rushed upward from your feet to your face, all that awoke in you that you hadn’t realized was sleeping?
There nothing like the rightness of it. Nothing like its wonder. If I see it a trillion more times before this world spirals into the sun, I’ll still be an awed spectator right to the last, drinking in its nectar in holy jealousy. 

Lovely War has sat on my shelves for some time now, and I thought 2022 was the perfect time to pick it up.

So what makes Lovely War different from other war romances you ask?

Julie Berry not only ties real historic events into a timeline of characters you will cherish, but also envelopes greek mythology to help you understand the struggles of war, the blessing of love, and the gift of music and talent.

Aphrodite is held by judgement from her husband Hephaestus as he finds her in the arms of the god of war.
She agrees to stand trial for her transgressions, but only with the intention of sharing her story of 2 couples who found love against all odds.

Hazel and James
Young, Beautiful, and vibrant…. until war steals away so much of what they deserve.
James is sent to fight at the front of the war and Hazel is willing to wait for him, and play her own part in the war.

Collette.
A young woman who has suffered the greatest as a survivor of “The Rape of Belgium”, she vows to give her time to helping those at war against the Germans as a volunteer at the YMCA.
Here she treats many, finds friendship and even maybe a spark of love, thanks to Aphrodite, where you would least expect it.

Aubrey is the king of jazz… as a black man from the city, what says “the American Dream” like playing a little soul music and serving your country for pay. 
Aubrey’s timeline was my favorite to follow. 
Bringing light to a young man with a gift who was pushed aside for the color of his skin.

Read if you love:
-a twist of fantasy in true history
-linear timeline love stories
-topics of race and gender equality during WWI
-poetic and lyrical writing
-to swoon the old fashion way… letters, words of affection, and promises of forever
-crying…. lots of it

TW: war scenes, loss, bigotry, racism 

I couldn’t recommend this book enough. It will go down as a favorite for me this year.

Rating:
Story-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 

“I’ve essentially handed my heart over to the person who’s had it on reserve for half my life, and I’m terrified that he doesn’t realize what he’s holding.” 

In a Holidaze follow two families who join each Christmas to celebrate together at their cabin. The two families have grown up together, and at 26 years old, Maelyn Jones is not where she thought she would be. One failed attempt at living the high life in Cali leaves her living at home hating her job and missing the one man she’s always loved, Andrew… so why not mess it up and make out with your bff and said love of life’s brother Theo.

Full of regret and wishing the world will show her true happiness, Mae finds herself reliving the same week over and over again, her own personal groundhog’s day.

What I Loved:
-the family environment
-the Christmas vibe I needed
-the slow and perfect little romance
– a sweet romance I want recommend to anyone
What I missed:
-reading the synopsis I thought there would be a bit more “love triangle” and an epic ending. So if you don’t like plot twists or surprises this holiday pick is for you.
-the sledding scene ❤️

Rating:
story- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
trope- friends to lovers
steam level- when you are craving sweets but all you have is “sugar free” it’ll do…

50% Off Prime Shop now until December 31, 2020.

| #HolidayDessertandCurrentlyReading

When I saw Chase @thebookend.diner with this cute new hashtag I knew I had to join on instagram!

My holiday recipe feature is my delicious pistachio cookies!
They taste great and what’s more festive than green cookies?!

When I took this shot I was reading Anxious People for book club (about half way through now), and Forever Wild… turns out I finished Forever Wild in 3 hours soooo you get a double feature including a mini review:

Forever Wild

Now, it’s Jonah’s fearless confidence that makes my blood race. His unwavering loyalty that makes me search for him in every room. His untamed passion that makes me weak at the knees. It’s everything—inside and out, good and bad—that makes up this wild man’s heart.” 

Never in my life have I been so excited for a novella… and I wanted more. We return to our small Alaskan town with some of our favorite characters, and Calla and Jonah.
This is the perfect holiday “warm and fuzzy” book you didn’t know you needed. 
It felt like I was looking out of a beautiful cabin home at my frozen lake at Christmas time… waiting for Jonah’s plane to land once more.

Thank you KA Tucker for giving us a little glimpse into the HEA of Jonah and Calla… and honestly I wish there was more. more wedding details, more future plans… honestly I could read about them argue about paint color and be 100% happy.

My only regret is I can’t read this whole series again for the first time 😭.

To my girls who love Jonah, he’s back and he’s still the Yeti❤️.

“When I hear the buzz of a plane overhead, I like to think it’s Wren Fletcher, doing what he loves most, flying high over the mountains, over the land he loved so deeply. He just doesn’t need to land anymore.”

Rating:
story- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
steam- like wearing something sexy to bed and all your lights go out 😂😉

Pistachio Cookies Recipe

• ½ c. unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ c. granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. clear vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 box (3.4 oz.) Instant Pistachio Pudding Mix
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 ¼ c. all purpose flour
• 1 c. white chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add vanilla extract and egg and mix until smooth.
3. Mix in dry pudding mix, baking soda, salt, and flour.
4. Stir in white chocolate chips.
5. *Chill dough 30 minutes.
6. Remove dough from fridge, and scoop cookie dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes, until edges start to turn golden brown.
8. Remove from oven; cool on cookie sheet 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

I hope everyone had an amazing thanksgiving! I am excited to show off Literary Creations by Jenny book lover gift boxes. The one I picked came with:
❤️2 bookmarks
💚a comfy shirt that says “it’s a cozy up with a book kinda day”
❤️ and a Tea Time book sleeve
*book not included
With 2 gift box options, this is the perfect gift for a friend, loved one (or yourself) for $45… or upgrade with a tote for $53!

AND good news she is running a Black Friday sale TODAY!

If you miss it, don’t forget to use my code for 10% off with WATERCOLOR10

Are you gifting bookish merch this year?

I love gifting books to family and friends because sometimes books can get very expensive, especially when reading a series. But this year after having my very own book sleeve I feel like everyone who reads needs one for themselves!!! Your book is safe for harm in your bag.

I hope on Black Friday you choose to show small and local. These businesses need our support with a nationwide shut time once, and even twice for many. I have another blog post for Bookish Black Friday, don’t miss that! Full of small businesses that are popular on instagram and also codes made just for you and your shopping..

Happy Hunting

Aundreya

It’s the best time of the month!!!!!! The Sephora insider sale and I had to share my must haves with you!!!!!!!

About the Sale

• Sephora Insiders — there’s no better time than now to stock up on beauty and get ahead of your gifting to-dos. Get 10–20% off your favorite products for a limited time”
• “Not a Sephora Insider? Sign up for free today and get 10–20% off purchases ahead of the holidays!”

After you sign up and spend a minimum of $350 on Sephora products, their Beauty Insider membership will be elevated to the VIB level. If they reach a $1,000 spend amount, you’ll automatically be bumped into the Rouge membership pool.

Rouge Early Access: October 30 – November 9

• Sephora Rouge members have first access to shop the online event at a whopping 20% off with code HOLIDAYFUN

VIB: November 3 – November 9

• VIB members get 15% off event purchases online with code HOLIDAYFUN

Insiders: November 5 – November 9

• Insider members get 10% off event purchases online with code HOLIDAY FUN

My Top 10 Picks and Must Haves

1. The Best Skincare I’ve ever used: Drunk Elephant Dewy

What it is:  An anytime skincare set containing everything needed to nourish skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, power up hydration, and make skin dewy as can be. 

Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily 

Skincare Concerns: Dryness, Dullness and Uneven Texture, and Loss of Firmness and Elasticity 

What I Love About It: Wearing a mask all day I tend to over wash and dry out my skin. This set helped level out the hydration of my skin, give a glowy look without feeling oily, and causes no irritation for my sensitive skin!

2. Bright and Beaming Brush Set

What it is: A deluxe set of five face and three eye brushes to keep you feeling glamourous all season long—plus a stylish envelope pouch.

Why I love it: You can’t beat an 8 piece brush set for $49 Valued at $92

3.Kiehl’s Brighten Up and Glow

What I love: This is a step up in skin care. Kiehl’s moisturizer is my go to for putting on at night with my night creams. This set may be more for aged skin. Priced at $99 valued at $139

4. Huda mini Haze Palette

What I Love: The perfect fall smokey eye. Valued at $29

5.Amika Dry Brush Set $99

What it is: A set that combines the high-performing hair blow-dryer brush with amika‘s bestselling styling products to achieve a shiny, sleek, high-volume look. 

Hair Type: Straight, Wavy, Curly, and Coily

Hair Texture: Fine, Medium, and Thick

Hair Concerns:
– Frizz
– Shine
– Volumizing 

What I Love: As a hairstylist myself, I believe in high quality products and tools that maintain great hair integrity and last a long time. Amika has done so well in their looks and I would highly recommend this for you or a loved one this holiday season. Valued at $150

6.Grande Lash Goldie Set $68

What it is: A set that includes a full-size and a mini-size GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum, and a deluxe-size GrandeBROW Brow Enhancing Serum. 

Highlighted Ingredients: 
– Amino Acids (L-Proline): Essential to healthy, fortified lashes and brows.
– Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate): Conditions and protects to prevent breakage and brings hydration to dry, brittle, or damaged lashes and brows.
– Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate): Supports lash and brow health.

Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens. This product is also cruelty-free.

What Else You Need to Know: The award-winning, cult-fave GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum is infused with vitamins, peptides, and amino acids to give you the appearance of longer-looking lashes in as little as four to six weeks and full improvement in as little as three months. It is also ophthalmologist tested and suitable for contacts and lash extensions. The GrandeBROW Brow Enhancing Serum is infused with a special formulation of vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids to promote naturally fuller-looking, bolder brows in as little as six to eight weeks and full improvements in as little as four months. This product is ideal for enhancing sparse, thinning, over-plucked, and tailless brows. It is also dermatologist tested.

What I Love: In the beauty industry, this is our most recommended product to help grow lashes at an amazing price! I have used it myself after needing a lash boost and I couldn’t believe the difference. This set is valued at $124/

7.Rare Beauty by Selena $15

What it is: A limited-edition, travel-size duo of mini Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Creams in bestselling shades Inspire, a bright red, and Fearless, a deep mauve rose. 

What I Loved: cruelty free, paraben free… this lipstick leaves your lips creamy and soft with long lasting color!!!!!

What Else You Need to Know: This hydrating, air-whipped matte formula glides on for full-on color and a featherweight feel that stays comfortable all day—no drying or caking. Made with a botanical blend of lotus, gardenia, and white waterlily, plus Vitamin E, it nourishes while smoothing out lips with a soft blurring effect.

8.Mini NARS lip balm set $39

What it is: A limited-edition, holiday-themed set that features one full-size lip balm and three mini lip balms. 

Highlighted Ingredients: 
– Monoï Hydrating Complex: Provides smooth, supple, long-lasting comfort. 
– Antioxidant Blend: Protects and conditions lips. 

What I Love: Wearing a mask all day has got me down about lip color. But these balms are a perfect way to keep your lips moisturized, add a touch of color and still have low maintenance. Value $61

What Else You Need to Know: This set features a full-size Afterglow Lip Balm in sheer peachy pink with golden shimmer plus three mini-size balms in sheer dusty rose, sheer mauve nude, and sheer shimmering bronze. These balms are formulated with Monoï Hydrating Complex and a blend of antioxidants to help protect and soften lips.

9.Beauty Blender Sponge Set $49

What it is: A limited-edition set that includes three skin-perfecting beautyblender makeup sponges, two sponge and brush cleansers, and a scrub mat.

What Else You Need to Know: This set stars the iconic beautyblender, which quickly blends makeup for an easy application and a flawless, skin-like finish. It also includes the vegan blendercleansers, which are infused with coconut and aloe to remove makeup and germs from blenders and brushes, and a silicone scrub mat that helps nix the most stubborn stains.

This Set Contains:
– 3 x beautyblender
– 2 x blendercleanser® solids
– Silicone scrub mat

What I Love: Blending is the easiest with these little guys, and cleaning is (chef’s kiss)

10.ExfoliKate® Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment $26

What it is: A dual-action exfoliator that smooths and polishes skin to reveal a natural glow; lactic acid and fruit enzymes clean clogged pores in as little as one use.

Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily 

Skincare Concerns: Dullness and Uneven Skintone, Pores, and Fine Lines and Wrinkles

What I Love: I hate the feeling of my skin having “build up” and think exfoliants are the most underrates and under used products in your skin regiment. Give this a try and your face will feel instantly softer.

Happy Shopping friends! I hope you find some great deals and enjoy some of my top picks.

xo,

Aundreya

It’s Halloween friends! Although this month is not what we would call “ordinary” with covid still looking around to cover our cool face paint with masks, or limit where children can trick or treat…. I hope you can find joy and celebration in a way that fits your family!

October was a slow reading month for me. I thought I was going to tackle a lot of spooky themed reads but that was an epic failure. So my thriller search will continue next month! (Hopefully)

Are you a thriller lover? Drop a comment and let me know your must reads! I ended up picked up The Sun Down Motel and really enjoyed it. The writing was smooth and the story believable, I just wanted more ghosts!!!! Overall this crowd favorite was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 star for me.

This book was a book of the month pick for me. I love this book subscription because it allows me to buy Hardcover best sellers/or early releases for $9.99 add on or $15.99 for the month! I’ve read romance, thrillers, historical fiction, and fantasy all from this amazing company! Wanting to save on your first box? Click on the photo to go straight to the site!

So what’s a few thrillers on my list I didn’t get to that are moving to November? The Silent Patient, My lovely wife, and Final Girls. So reviews to come!!!

Above all my favorite thriller of all time is definitely Verity by Colleen Hoover. It was CREEPY! It had romance! And that ending left me going WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED?!?! Verity was an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars from me and I am constantly recommending it.

Here is my spook-tastic stack!!!!! Are the all spooky? Not at all. But the covers are absolutely gorgeous. City of brass was my buddy read this month and I was surprised how much I loved it! A blog on this series will be coming soon 😍.

Ninth house is college towns meets haunted ghosts and bad bad people…. this was a slow book for me but by the end I was dying for book 2.

Crooked Kingdom is the second book in the duology Six of Crows. Six of crows follows a band of rebels who barely even like eachother but are willing to take on the ultimate heist in order to gain freedom, money, and revenge… but the heist turns out to be something totally different and the side they are playing for may not be what they stand for. This duology was a 4.5/5 stars for me. If you love a dark twisted story with pages full of morally Grey characters than I say WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

The Invisible Life of Addie LeRue was one of my most anticipated reads this month and I’m sad to say I didn’t make it on my goal time of reading this book. But don’t fret, it’s up next! This book follows Addie, who makes a deal with the devil that she never ages and lives forever…. but no one will ever remember her. Sounds interesting right? Would you give up relationships with others for eternal life?

That’s it for today. Happy Halloween. Enjoy your loved ones. Be kind. 🖤

XO,

Aundreya