New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews)

Some fun goodies made their way into my mailbox this week!

First up, my Sept #otspsecretsister package arrived and I have not had a chance to share it yet. I love everything! Thank you so much, 'Buffy'.

The Peter Pan pillow case will go well with the other pillow case I have and I may have already eaten the M&Ms! I was also thrilled to add this Christina Lauren book to my collection.

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren (goodreads)

Lastly, the New York City Comic Con exclusives were released this week and I managed to get my hands on the two that I wanted. 

These are Goofy and Donald from the video game Kingdom Hearts. It is their Halloweentown outfits and I am in a little in awe of how great they look. I just need the Halloweentown Sora to complete the collection so I'll be on the look out for him to arrive at my local Hot Topic.

So cute, right? I love everything about them and love that they released for the Halloween season.

What goodies made their way into your mailbox this week? Let me know!

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews)

I realized that I had not included many of the Christmas time gifts that I had gotten in one of these round up posts, so this week's edition is going to be filled with lots of goodies.

First up, I received and ARC of one of my most anticipated books of 2017!

Becoming Bonnie by Jenni L Walsh (goodreads)

I am so excited to read this. I have plans to spend a weekend with this VERY soon (perhaps while enjoying some drinks). Thanks, Jenni!

Next up, I hadn't yet shared my lovely gift from Jess who was my Secret Santa in the #OttawaBlogette exchange this year. She got me some of my favourite things!

I love the wine glass, and the entire relaxation theme of the gift was A+! Thanks, Jess!

Next, I got my Christmas gift from Christy who outdid herself this year! I love the t-shirt and my cute little Tinkerbell Pop! She's tiny and adorable.

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle (goodreads)

Thank you again, Christy! The book was a fun holiday read too! 

Next up is my #TBTBSanta package which was amazing. Thank you so much to Lauren From Lose Time Reading for spoiling me AND my cat.

Aria got her own little present from Lauren's cat. She was very excited she even opened it herself! The catnip smell was too much for her to resist so she ripped open the package pretty quickly with her teeth since I wasn't doing it quickly enough for her liking.

My gifts were awesome too! I love the Belle Pop and the cute Rudolph ornament. 

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren (goodreads)
Even When You Lie To Me by Jessica Alcott (goodreads)
Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (goodreads)

Lastly, I have a few books for review from Raincoast.

Windwitch by Susan Dennard (goodreads)

Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer (goodreads)

Once again, thank you to everyone who totally spoiled me! I have had a pretty crazy mailbox this last little bit and am so thankful for the amazingness I now get to enjoy. 

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren
Release Date - May 13, 2014
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 416 pages
My Rating - 4.5/5
**borrowed from friend for review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.

But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation—and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out—Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume—her sweet, filthy fling—to France for the summer and just…play.

When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away. 

My recent experience with New Adult has reminded me why it's important not to give up on a genre or author if you don't enjoy a particular book. I have recently found quite a few New Adult reads that I've enjoyed and happily add Sweet Filthy Boy to that list. Christina Lauren's novel captures the uncertainty of the time right after college, and the big question of what happens next all while bringing some seriously sexy moments.

This novel is total wish fulfilment romance at it's most decadent. The Las Vegas and Paris settings, the extremely hot guy who creates an instant spark with our heroine, and the dream of being swept away to Paris for a whirlwind romance. The story however surprised me by going a little deeper, the characters are a little more flawed, and it creates a nice balance that makes this a truly pleasant reading experience.

Mia and her friends are the type of girls you would want to be friends with. Fun, loyal, caring, and real. They reminded me of the Sex in the City crew with their inside jokes, close knit friendship and how they bound together in times of need. While Mia is the focus, the author offers up just enough of the other girls to make you want to follow them on their own journeys. You learn just enough to be intrigued and that makes all the difference for side characters. They never felt like after thoughts. Even the other guys who are part of Ansel's group left you with enough to be intrigued and want to know more.

The novel showcases it's premise that getting out of your own head can be entirely rewarding (and satisfying) all while showing that sometimes reality is better than any fiction. The use of role play offered up something a little different from what I typically read. I've heard each novel focuses on different sexual fantasies (like role play, and bondage) and it's definitely piqued my interest as I haven't seen that be an element in other NA novels I've read and made this series stand out in a good way.

The romance is sweet and sexy. Ansel brings out something in Mia that she's struggled to find within herself. It's a confidence in her own decisions and the ability to let go. She is struggling to live the life she wants, instead of the one that others think she should have. Ansel shows her that she can make her own choices, even if she is constantly over thinking them. I appreciated that he doesn't 'change' her but rather shows her something that has always been there, it's just something she lost for a while. Their bond is really sweet, and offers up enough heat to make any beach reading session a little hotter. I predict many will be a fan of this pairing as they're effortless to root for and have some serious chemistry.

A sizzling, sexy start to what may just become one of my favourite NA series. Christina Lauren balances characters, plot, sex and drama to create a delightful (and slightly naughty) read. If you're looking to spice up your book collection I recommend trying this series. I doubt you'll be disappointed. 

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

I borrowed two books from a fellow bloggers this week and I cannot wait to read them!

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren (goodreads)
Dirty Rowdy Thing by Christina Lauren (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Katie for lending me these. I've heard they are super sexy!

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!