10.31.2020
10.29.2020
10.27.2020
BOOK REVIEW: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
True story: Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ The Inheritance Games was one of my most eagerly-anticipated fall 2020 releases, but I found it to be such. a. letdown. Womp womp.
Even before her mother’s death, seventeen-year-old Avery Grambs’ life was full of hardship. Poverty, near-homelessness, not enough food…these were just a smattering of the things she endured in the midst of navigating adolescence. But she persevered with the help of her big sis Libby {same absentee father, different mothers}, and her own determination and street smarts - not to mention her five-year plan: survive high school, score a scholarship, graduate summa cum laude, and land a cushy job. Her plans go out the window thanks to Tobias Hawthorne.
Tobias Hawthorne, the billionaire. Tobias Hawthorne, recently deceased. Tobias Hawthorne, who has bequeathed Avery his entire fortune {can we take a moment to talk. about. luck. Like omg why can’t this happen to me?!}. That’s right, overlooking his four {brawny, brainy, and beautiful} grandsons {Nash, Xander, Grayson, and Jameson}, along with his own {albeit off-kilter} daughters, Tobias has literally handed his entire fortune over to a…stranger. Yep, that’s the real clincher of the story…Avery has never met Tobias Hawthorne. So the fact that she was named so heavily in his will? ’Tis a mystery to you, me, and every other character within the pages of The Inheritance Games.
To claim her inheritance? Avery must reside within the hallowed halls of Hawthorne House for precisely one year - alongside the rest of the Hawthorne family. Seems easy enough; but when you’ve been pegged as a con-woman and potential puzzle that needs to be solved {and are the target of a family with wealth and power at their disposal}, all bets are off.
In a world of Kardashians, Hilton’s, and Trump’s, where riches and ostentatiousness are the norm, The Inheritance Games goes too far on the believability scale. From the moment we are introduced to Hawthorne House we hear about the bowling alley and the solarium and various wings; but as The Inheritance Games continues, Barnes adds more and more onto this house to the point where it feels ridiculous and sounds more like a small country than an estate. I get that this is fiction, but this was a big peeve of mine. But I digress…
I went into this book expecting mystery and suspense and possibly magic; but, aside from a disengaging puzzle and assortment of rabbit holes that try {and fail} to lead you astray, this felt more romance-y to me than anything else. Additionally, there were similarities between this and, believe it or not, The Princess Diaries. The makeover scene felt very Mia Thermopolis morphing into Princess Mia of Genovia, with lawyer Alina Ortega playing the role of Grandmere, and bodyguard {security detail} Oren being highly reminiscent of Lars. Then there were the Hawthorne boys whose beauty and ethereal presence triggers memories of Twilight’s Cullens.
NGL, I wanted to love this one; but I felt disconnected from virtually every. single. character. - barring Xander, Oren, and the brief glimpse of Harry. Yes, the premise had promise, but the execution was lackluster. Sadly, this was my first book from Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and will likely be my last.
xx
10.24.2020
10.22.2020
breton
Obsessed with the slouchy goodness of this bad boy!
10.19.2020
NOTD: China Glaze To Catch A Color Halloween 2019 Collection in You've Got Blackmail
Not gonna lie here...I bought this one for the name. But do you really blame me? I mean, who could resist a name like that?! Aaanyway...
You've Got Blackmail is beyond bomb. Though at its heart it is a matte black texture with silver glitter, if you apply top coat {like I did here} you're able to draw out a purple undertone that is deliciously vampy. Formula here was such a treat {see what I did there?}. Two coats and you're completely covered, plus it's so incredibly easy to work with, and super fast dry! If you're looking for a little something different for All Hallows Eve, I highly recommend this gorgeous gal!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?
10.17.2020
10.15.2020
10.13.2020
BOOK REVIEW: Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver
But if you do believe, then you already know all about magic."
Lauren Oliver's Liesl & Po is not going to be for everyone. It deals with heavy concepts such as death, murder, disappearances, the afterlife… but intertwines them with magic, and love, and timeless friendship. These are topics that are heavy for adults, let alone younger readers; but Lauren Oliver presents them in a way that is melancholy and beautiful and poetic and, IMO, impossible to put down.
Eleven-year-old Liesl has not seen the light of day for a very, very long time. The reason? Upon her father’s falling ill, her greedy, evil stepmother {what even is a story without an evil stepmother?!} locked her away in the attic, opening the door only long enough for a servant to toss meager meals to the dwindling girl. Her only connection to the outside world a tiny attic window that she rarely glimpses out of. The third day after her father passes, however, things change; for on the third day Liesl has visitors…but not visitors of this world.
Po and Bundle are from the Other Side; interlopers who, out of curiosity, lifted the veil to Liesl’s world, the Living Side. The appearance of Po, a blurry spirit who is neither boy nor girl, and has no recollection of its life on the Living Side; and the also smudgy Bundle, who is neither dog nor cat, serve as a form of hope for the somber Liesl, and quickly become comrades to the lonely yet charming child. But that is not where their motley crew ends, for there is also Will.
Apprentice to an unkind alchemist whom refers to him as Useless more often than not; Will knows Liesl from afar, spotting her by moonlight at her attic window, where she occasionally sits with head bent over her sketchpad. While Will and Liesl have never met face to face; Will has had many imaginary encounters with the orphan, and has hopes to make them a reality. But the circumstances in which his dreams become a reality are quite out of the ordinary.
A collision between Liesl and Will is set on course during a return to the Other Side by Po and Bundle. While there, the two happen upon Liesl’s deceased father; and, after an interesting conversation with the lost man, inform Liesl of his bizarre words, setting the orphan in motion. Liesl now has something to keep her occupied: returning her father’s ashes to her childhood home - the last place he was happy. But as she plans her escape and journey, a mix-up involving the greatest powers in the world and said ashes, bring Liesl and Will together and intertwine their story in a remarkable way.
Liesl is understated yet charming. Though she starts off lithe and ghost-like herself, she has a fiery spirit and determination that will enchant and captivate readers. Will, as her companion, is humorous and kind; and you can’t help but to empathize with his character, and the hand he has been dealt in life. The true stars for me, however, remain Po and Bundle.
There is something about Po that is highly reminiscent of Casper {think 1995 version starring Christina Ricci and Devon Sawa}. He is kind and caring and friendly in the same vein as Casper; yet you feel pain behind his words, and can’t help but to feel your heart break at his lack of memories. His bond with Bundle is so very heartwarming {perhaps a continuation from their time on the Living Side?}; and a reminder of how important the human / animal bond truly is.
Liesl & Po is such a beautiful book to get lost within. I absolutely cannot recommend it more - especially during spooky season! To Lauren Oliver: please continue Po and Bundle’s story – I would love to learn more about their time on the Living Side, and the cause of their untimely end.
xx
10.10.2020
10.08.2020
10.05.2020
NOTD: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Mellow Yellow
Babes, I’ve had this one in my stash for over a year now, so I figured it was time to take it out for a spin.
Mellow Yellow is the perfect fall yellow, as it’s deeper, more golden-toned than a bright summer yellow {yes, there’s a huge diff between the two!}.
While I l-o-v-e the color; I found the formula for this one less than desirable. Though easy to apply; it takes three coats for complete opacity, and then left a bumpy finish in its wake. I’m not writing it off yet; but I may have to try a different application process the next time I use it.
10.03.2020
10.01.2020
OPI Muse Of Milan Mini Nail Lacquer 4-Pack Swatches + Review
Complimentary Wine is, IMO, the best burgundy meets merlot nail color on the market. We’re talking Holy Grail status. The color here is so rich, so gorgeous, and so easy to work with! Yes, this is three coats; but they are coats that last. for. days. And the color cannot be matched. Buy a bottle, then buy a back-up bottle because you will be wearing this beauty a lot! This is 3 coats.
AVAILABILITY: Ulta.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
©
cat eyes & skinny jeans | All rights reserved.