[Books] P.S I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Goodreads

Sept 10 - 18, 2013

Synopsis 

Childhood sweethearts, they could finish each other's sentences and even when they fought, they laughed. No one could imagine Holly and Gerry without each other.

Until the unthinkable happens. Gerry's death devastates Holly. But as her 30th birthday looms, Gerry comes back to her. He's left her a bundle of notes, gently guiding Holly into her new life without him, each note signed 'PS, I Love You'.

As the notes are gradually opened, and as they year unfolds, Holly is both cheered up and challenged. The man who knows her better than anyone sets out to teach her that life goes on. With some help from her friends, and her noisy and loving family, Holly finds herself laughing, crying, singing, dancing — and being braver than ever before.

Life is for living, she realizes — but it always helps if there's an angel watching over you.

Review

My first Cecelia Ahern novel and it wasn't a disappointment.

Holly has lost her husband and she's been having a hard time getting out of her grieving stage and back on her feet. Her husband Gerry, left her a list of things do to after he'd died, and I believe it was such a great way of closure for Holly. Go Gerry!

I expected this book to be sad and filled with sobs but I thought wrong. It was funny and there were literally times when I would burst out laughing. And Yes it was a bit sad at the beginning and the mention of death depressed me, but the characters were filled with so much wit and bluntness, it made the book so much brighter.

The main character Holly, poor thing, had lost her husband and her time of grieving saddened me so much into almost tears. It sounds weird to me but I enjoyed seeing how she picks herself up again (no idea why that sounds weird) and how she went back to being her better self just because of those letters that was sent by her dead husband Gerry. 

This different way of closure after someone close to you had passed inspires me to make my own list for those around me, or maybe just that one person. xD

What else can I say about this book, it is sad but the sadness was overlapped by laughs and sweet hopeful smiles towards the end. It's a great book for anyone to enjoy. If you're into romance and self-help books that will help you become a better you, this book may inspire you. 

[Books] Leaving Paradise #2 - Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Goodreads
Sept 2 - 10, 2013

Synopsis

Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.

Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She's determined to make a new life for herself.

But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie's accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them. 

Review

Return to Paradise, the sequel to Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles, is about teenage drama, family drama, the typical love that a man and woman fight for. 

I started this book right after I finished writing the review for the first book (Leaving Paradise). I wanted to know what would happen next because I hate cliff hangers so much.

The book started off with the reckless Caleb and what his life has been since he left Paradise. I was okay with Caleb in the first book, he was like a lost confused puppy who doesn't know what he wants and doesn't know how to deal with his life after he got released. 

In this sequel, I have to say that I'm very proud of Caleb and how he's grown from a coward who runs away (literally runs away) instead of facing his problems head on into a mature independent man that would do anything for his girl. 

Maggie, I also have to say that I'm super duper proud of Maggie and how much confidence she grew. She's no longer the Maggie that was scared and hated how she looked because of her disability. She's stronger, proud and way more confident in herself. 

I enjoyed this book much more than the first. It made me giggle from the very beginning and that one person who made me burst out giggling (either than Mrs Reynolds, RIP) was Lenny. I found him gross at first, but I've grown to like him. He's so random and laid back. I love characters like him and Mrs Reynolds, they can always brighten up a book like this one. 

I am so happy that Elkeles wrote a sequel to Leaving Paradise.

This is a mild YA novel, it's a great book for when you just want to read something small that's out of your genre. It is filled with young adult drama, runaways, and lets not forget the thriving hormones (don't worry it's clean). It is also funny and heartwarming! 

[Books] Leaving Paradise #1 - Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Goodreads

August 25 - September 1, 2013

Synopsis

Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.

After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.

Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

Review

Drunk driving, teenage angst and drama, but as always, with a tiny pinch of humor on the side. 

Simone Elkeles is one of my favorite authors after I read the Perfect Chemistry series. I had some high hopes for this one. 

Maggie's leg was damaged in the car accident that was caused by Caleb. Which made her incapable of walking normally. She lacks so much confidence in herself that makes me want to slap her in the face and make her realize that she's good enough just the way she is despite her minor disabilities.

While Caleb, I honestly think Caleb is (excuse my language) majorly fucked up. He can be such a sweet boy with a good heart, but he's persistent and has major anger issues that needs to be resolved. As for his messed up family, they all need to have a family meeting for a couple of hours and talk it all out. 

Throughout the entire book, I only smiled about once or twice. Humor in books is one of the things that I look forward to when I start reading. Maggie was too depressing and Caleb was too confusing. The only character that I loved in this novel was Mrs Reynolds. She was such a sweet old lady who speaks her mind. It was Mrs Reynolds who made me giggle and also made me shed a tear or two. 

All in all. The book was alright. A little bit too angsty and depressing for my taste. 

I recommend this to those who enjoy reading Young Adult Teenage angst with a splash of family drama. 

[Beauty] Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Powder Review

Beauty Post y'all!! 

It's been so long since I did a beauty post! 

I recently (a couple of weeks ago) bought a new face powder, that I could easily just apply on and go, and that would help tame the oil on my semi-oily baby soft clean face. xD

I went into the drug store; Debenhams, and made my way towards the "cheap makeup" section. I asked the sales lady for a really good powder that I could apply on top of makeup and alone. She recommended the Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One powder. 

So i got it in the color 02 Nude Beige.

I wanted to try out this product for a couple of weeks so I can properly review it...in my own way of course. xD

The packaging very simple and portable. Instead of having the sponge usually on top of the powder, they've created its little own section on the side, right next to the powder. It has a lovely wide mirror that I usually tip to the side in hopes that I would see the full length of my face. 

The product apparently has SPF 25, I still haven't grasped the concept of SPF in powder yet. It provides semi-coverage. It can be worn with or without make up. I use it both ways. It's especially great when your face is having a good day and doesn't need that much coverage. I also apply this when I touch up on my makeup, the things have gone out of place during the day. 

Although, this product does make me break out a little bit. But repairs can be made of course. But if your skin is prone acne and breakouts, I don't recommend this. Otherwise, if you want a cheap powder that has some coverage, also if you want to be experimental, give this one a try. 

Maybellline  Clear Smooth All in One Powder only costs 3.500BD ($9.00) I'm assuming it can be found at any Maybelline branch around the world.

[Books] Percy Jackson & The Olympians #3 - Titans Curse by Rick Riordan

Goodreads
August 26 - 28 2013

Synopsis

When the goddess Artemis goes missing, she is believed to have been kidnapped. And now it's up to Percy and his friends to find out what happened. Who is powerful enough to kidnap a goddess? They must find Artemis before the winter solstice, when her influence on the Olympian Council could swing an important vote on the war with the titans. Not only that, but first Percy will have to solve the mystery of a rare monster that Artemis was hunting when she disappeared—a monster rumored to be so powerful it could destroy Olympus forever.

Review 

Just a note: this review is going to be quite short, but enjoy! 

The Titans Curse, the third book of the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series by Rick Riordan. 

I started the book off with a smile and a little bit of a giggle. It sucked me in with its simple humor and bluntness from the first chapter, and next thing I knew it I was already on chapter 8. 

One thing I really enjoy in this series is that there always seems to be fights and battles going on in almost every chapter. It really keeps the reader reading. 

I've enjoyed the past two books, and I enjoyed this one. 

Although I think this one is my favorite so far. I still have one book to go. 

This is a simple, humorous, easy read. If you are into mythology and loads of fights, this is the book for you. It is a little bit mild action details, but it's something simple to enjoy.