Review of I Heart Vegas by Lindsey Kelk

You probably all know that I'm a huge fan of Lindsey Kelk and I am forever recommending the 'I Heart...' series to absolutely everyone. Therefore I was so excited to start reading this book that I practically finished it the day it arrived! 

I Heart Vegas obviously continues on from the last book (I Heart Paris) and is about a girly weekend away to Vegas for main character Angela, her best friend Jenny, and a new character called Sadie. But before leaving for Vegas, Angela gets some news in the form of a deportation letter, stating that as she is no longer working she has a month to leave the country. This, cued with the fact that their girly weekend away also just happens to coincide with Jenny's ex Jeff - the one that got away - is the cause for lots of drama. What was supposed to be a relaxing weekend away turns into something very different.

I loved the fact that this book fitted in nicely with the travel theme - each book being based around a visit to a different popular city - but I wasn't sure what to expect. After I finished reading the last book, I couldn't think where else writer Lindsey Kelk would go with the story in that New York, Paris and Hollywood had all been covered! However of course it then dawned on me that Vegas fitted in perfectly with one of the top 'must visit' cities. Lindsey really showed this in the story and the Vegas vibe behind the characters actions and visits was really obvious. Each book so far has had it's own independent tone and this book didn't disappoint.

As always, within a few chapters in I was hooked and wondering how on earth main character Angela had gotten herself into the situations that she did. This made for very funny reading and I often found I was giggling to myself as I turned the pages. Angela is such a lovable character, I think every single reader has been able to relate to her in some way or another. She's down to earth but she's also very, very inspiring in that she is just a normal average girl who manages to transform her life around.

I particularly loved this book because it focused so much on the relationship between Angela and her hot rock star boyfriend, Alex. The other books had always touched upon their relationship, especially in the last one, but this one really explored Angela's feelings about her boyfriend and how past experiences had made her wary.

Two new characters are introduced in this book as well, one only briefly that I immediately loved and another called Sadie. I also loved Sadie's character - despite the fact that she came across as not a nice person. Her character still provided a lot of laughs and as a reader I knew that as the plot developed we would learn more about her. Jeff is also part of a few plot lines in this book as well.

Warning - this book was also very sweet! Some (but not all!) loose ends about Jenny and Jeff's relationship were tied up as well so I will say that with both extremely sweet and romantic moments as well as sad moments, tissues are needed! I bawled my eyes out at the end BOTH times I read this book!

I Heart Vegas was the perfect read for me. I was pleased that it also fitted in with its release date in that its set at Christmas time which was great. I loved how it was light hearted but also concentrated on more serious issues as well. It was an easy read, I could put it down and pick it back up and carry on reading immediately without any confusion (or turning back a few pages to remember what had happened). I loved it and I'm really looking forward to the next book called I Heart London. Unfortunately, given that this is Angela's home country, I have a sad feeling that this will be the last book :( However, I do feel that Lindsey Kelk could possibly squeeze out another book about Milan!

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves chick lit or any girls that have a soft spot for rock stars ;) Any lady who is needing a bit of inspiration in her life should also give this a read!

I of course give this book 5/5 stars!

Review of Christmas at Tiffany's by Karen Swan

Christmas at Tiffany's begins with loyal, kind main character Cassie who experiences every girls worst nightmare when her marriage falls apart. Luckily for her, it happens just as her three oldest and best friends are visiting - a rare occasion in that they each live in the coolest capitals in the world - New York, Paris and London! Kelly, Anouk and Suzy immediately take charge of Cassie's life. Soon Cassie finds herself being whisked of to New York by Kelly and the plan is in motion. The three friends decide that, for the following year, they will each take Cassie under their wing in a year long trial. Four months in each capital where Cassie will have the chance to transform her life each time.

I loved this book from start to finish. At first I wondered if perhaps it would be too in-your-face inspiring with the main character constantly jetting off to different world famous locations, starting anew constantly each time. But, Karen Swan tackled this issue perfectly to make sure it wasn't too overwhelming. This book had a very strong storyline and I was unable to stop reading. I was constantly interested in discovering the twists and turns to Cassie's new life(s) as the book progressed. I was fascinated at how honest and realistic this book was though. It definitely gave the message that its definitely fun to take charge and start anew - moving city, changing jobs, getting a new haircut - but if you do it too often, it takes its toll on you! It was in supporting character Henry that Cassie found the voice of reason - it was his character that explained that it's not just about transforming your life, its about trying new things and finding out what does and what certainly doesn't work. In short, the message behind this book was inspiring and obvious. It was delightfully honest, simply explaining that whatever you change on the outside doesn't always necessary change what's on the inside - but it's always fun to try!

I loved all of the characters in this book as well. With three best friends as supporting characters, it would have been easy to get confused. However, each character was introduced so well in the first chapter that the differences between them all - which made them work well as a group - were obvious. As well with Cassie staying with each friend individually it meant that it was rare that as a group all four of them overlapped which meant it wasn't confusing or overwhelming at all. As you read you get to learn more about each character in turn as does Cassie. Just like Cassie - although they are her closest friends - she feels like she has been out of sync with them for so long so it is almost like she is getting to know them all over again.

I would say that I got a bit confused in some parts of the story where dinner parties were held as these parts obviously involved a lot of chapters. I did find myself going back and re-reading pages a few times. However I think this does depend on how you are reading the book. In most instances I was reading the book curled up in bed at home but also during short breaks at work which meant that in some of these chapters I was putting the book down half way through and coming back to it which meant I was easily distracted. I did find that when I took some time to myself and read said parts where there were quite a few characters, as long as I took my time (I tend to speed through books!) I was fine.

The character of Cassie was really lovable - she was very kind and loyal but was also very open minded and fun. It was really easy to like her character. I adored the love interest too - the way their relationship developed throughout the book was really interesting. It happened so slow that you almost didn't realize it was happening and the build up was really great.

I was also really happy at the size of this book. This book was almost a good 600 pages long which meant it really lasted. I loved that, I am so used to reading books that are smaller. It was a pleasant change to really take my time with this book and knowing that no matter how eager I was to know how it ended, I took my time.

I would recommend this book to anyone this Christmas. I don't feel it's a particularly Christmas book - although some parts of the story take place at Christmas - the story takes place over a full year so I would say you can read this at any point without feeling guilty about reading what seems to be a Christmas book not at Christmas! However, who can beat reading a book snuggled up in the warmth at Christmas anyway? Finally I really loved all the messages behind the book about going for what you want and not being afraid and the realistic suggestion that transforming yourself is always fun but it only works if you work to change the problems that are on the inside too.

I give this book 5/5 stars!

The Night Before Christmas Review

Ever since I spotted this book in Glamour Magazine, I had to have it. Even before I knew anything about it, I knew that if it was featured in Glamour then it must be good - and the gorgeous cover caught my eye!

The Night Before Christmas is the debut novel written by Scarlett Bailey (who is, after reading just this one book, fast becoming one of my favourite authors). It is about main character Lydia who has the plan for the ideal Christmas - staying with her boyfriend and her oldest and closest friends in a gorgeous house in the middle of nowhere surrounded by snow - the type of place that wouldn't look out of place on a Christmas card. But things start to heat up when some unexpected guests arrive (in the form of Lydia's ex boyfriend - the one that got away - and a dashing handsome stranger) and they all find themselves snowed in. However this still sounds like heaven to us!

I absolutely adore the cover for a start, it's so different to other book covers out there especially in that its black. However it keeps in with the Christmas theme well with glam purple and gold illustrations. It's very Christmassy without being too over the top seasonal, it's modern and just really catches your eye.

The eccentric mix of characters in this book is handled extremely well. With Lydia, her boyfriend, three friends and their other halves and the handsome stranger, its easy to get confused. I was confused at first, but with each having such different personalities I was soon able to follow the story line fine without getting mixed up.

Having so many characters and a plot that really only features over a few days must have been challenging to write but I think the author did an ideal job - so much goes on in so little time that it does not feel slow. Likewise, I don't think it sounded rushed either.

The story line itself was a gem too - love triangles and issues being raised when a group of people are stuck together for any amount of time has been done before but parts of this story were extremely original and didn't sound leave me thinking that it was only a different spin on something I'd read before.  This book has its fair share of laugh out loud moments, as well as touching, sad and romantic ones too. I think it has a bit of everything. I genuinely found this book unpredictable as well. It is of course a love story that touches upon many different types of relationships too such as friendship and family but I definitely couldn't pin point what would happen in terms of Lydia's love life. With many books and stories you can often tell soon enough who the main character will end up with but this wasn't the case here which was a nice surprise.

This Christmas chic-lit is definitely a story I'd recommend. It's the absolute perfect story like for this winter and as always, after reading, will leave you thinking about the messages behind the story such as how friends are always for life and the different types of love.

I give this book 5/5 stars and would recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of chic lit or Christmas stories. If you can wait until Christmas or until we get some snowy weather then definitely do as this book is perfect to read at these times - however I'd also recommend you to read it ASAP as it is amazing! Get your onesie on, grab a hot chocolate and snuggle up on the sofa with this book - you won't be able to put it down.