This Week In Books is a weekly update on what you’ve been reading hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found . A similar meme is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.
The last week has been eventful, which never leaves much room for reading. My holiday ends with May, so I’ll try to make the most of it by reading and changing my blogging habits a little.
∧ Then ∧ What Pretty Girls Are Made Of, Lindsay Jill Roth
Envision Lauren Weisberger’s The Devil Wears Prada in the high-drama, estrogen-infused world of cosmetics, and you have What Pretty Girls Are Made Of—a hilarious debut novel from a writer who’s lived it.
In the make-up world, life and love are never cruelty-free…
After living in New York City for four years and reaching a dead end on her acting career, Alison Kraft needs a new role—time for a career change. When she reads about the world-famous Sally Steele Cosmetics studio, Alison quickly swoops in to make a good impression and lands a job as an assistant to the diva herself.
Surrounded by fantastic new hues of blushes, eye shadows, and glosses, Alison loves her new job and the new swag. Even better, she discovers she’s actually really good at it! But in the midst of juggling her love life, crazy family members, and the grueling demands of a jealous, flaky boss who could put Miranda Priestly to shame, Alison starts to question her choices. How long before the pretty face cracks for good?
Big disappointment. From now on, I will only listen to my lovely bloggers’ recommendations. There is no way I am listening to an actor when it comes to books ever again. You can find the review here.
The Winner’s Curse, Marie Rutkoski
As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.
But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.
Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.
I really wanted to like it. Or at least find one thing that would keep me reading, even though I couldn’t find the story all that interesting. But I don’t feel like forcing myself any longer. I managed to read 100 pages, which is an exploit because I did not connect to the characters or the plot. I won’t go any further because there are a thousand books I am dying to read and I hate wasting time. I am only sorry I won’t be able to review it the for Hype or Like Friday meme.
≈ Now ≈ The Little French Guesthouse, Helen Pollard
Sun, croissants and fine wine. Nothing can spoil the perfect holiday. Or can it?
When Emmy Jamieson arrives at La Cour des Roses, a beautiful guesthouse in the French countryside, she can’t wait to spend two weeks relaxing with boyfriend Nathan. Their relationship needs a little TLC and Emmy is certain this holiday will do the trick. But they’ve barely unpacked before he scarpers with Gloria, the guesthouse owner’s cougar wife.
Rupert, the ailing guesthouse owner, is shell-shocked. Feeling somewhat responsible, and rather generous after a bottle (or so) of wine, heartbroken Emmy offers to help. Changing sheets in the gîtes will help keep her mind off her misery.
Thrust into the heart of the local community, Emmy suddenly finds herself surrounded by new friends. And with sizzling hot gardener Ryan and the infuriating (if gorgeous) accountant Alain providing welcome distractions, Nathan is fast becoming a distant memory.
Fresh coffee and croissants for breakfast, feeding the hens in the warm evening light; Emmy starts to feel quite at home. But it would be madness to walk away from her friends, family, and everything she’s ever worked for, to take a chance on a place she fell for on holiday – wouldn’t it?
I am now putting a lot of pressure on this book. It has the difficult task to entertain me while I supervise the renovation of our place. So far, it’s doing a great job!
∨ Next ∨ Portmanteau, Paul T. Beardow
The First Harry Macadam Novel: After a body is pulled from the river Aire, what seemed like a straightforward missing person’s search becomes something much more dangerous for psychic investigator Harry Macadam.
Harry and his team from the Portmanteau Investigations Agency are rapidly drawn into a web of intrigue and find themselves being watched by both the police as well as a darker, more mysterious adversary.
The hunt for the missing woman leads them towards a criminal underworld that few people know about. Anyone that gets close to the truth doesn’t live to tell and a similar fate awaits an unknowing Harry as he uses his uncanny mental abilities to peel away layer after layer of secrets and lies.
To prevail against the utter evil that lurks in the shadows around him, Harry must not only discover a horror beyond anything he could imagine, but also confront the demons that hide inside him.
For Harry has his own secrets. Ones that he himself doesn’t even understand the full truth of and on those hidden truths rest the fates of dozens of souls.
Who is the real danger? The killer that he seeks, or Harry himself?
I came across this book thanks to Inge @ The Belgian Reviewer, whose review had me extremely intrigued. I am a very down-to-earth person but there is something about this story that attracts me, so I am willing to give it a try. My will won’t disappear as long as I don’t look at that creepy cover for too long.
What are you reading this week?
Do share in the comments!
Happy reading!
Meggy's Bookish Corner 
If The Little French Guesthouse manages to entertain you while you’re supervising a renovation and dealing with various water-related disasters then I’ll put it top of my, “Books to read when I’m having a bad time of it” list! 🙂
Here’s my WWW: https://clairehuston.wordpress.com/2016/05/25/www-wednesday-25th-may-2016/
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I am nearing the end, and I can tell you you can add it to your list with closed eyes! 🙂 I even forgot to be mad at the plumber for forgetting his tools.
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The Little French Guesthouse sounds like it will be a lovely read but I totally see you’ll be coming at it from a different perspective. Hope you enjoy it though. Portmanteau sounds like a book I’d enjoy so will be interested in your thoughts on this!
Here’s my WWW – https://bookboodle.co.uk/2016/05/25/www-wednesday-may-25th
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The Little French Guesthouse is just what I needed. It smells of holidays and never-ending French dinners. It’s perfect to forget you’ve got water everywhere! 🙂
I’m really looking forward to Portmanteau because it’s another example of book I would not have picked up if I hadn’t seen it on the blog of a reviewer I trust
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Sounds lovely 🙂
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Glad Little French Guesthouse is going great so far,hope you enjoy it to the end.Winner’s Curse sounded so interesting based on the synopsis.Sorry to hear that it ended up being a dissapointment.Happy reading though.
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I thought The Winner’s Curse would be nice, I just could not get into it. But I’m glad I started The Little French Guesthouse right after. Thank you for visiting 🙂
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Well done for chucking in the towel with The Winners Curse. I always feel obliged to finish every book I start and when there are so many good books out there it’s really not worth it. Hopefully you’ll have better luck with your up coming reads
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I feel so bad whenever I give up on a book, but my TBR is so big that I don’t want to waste time on something I’m not enjoying. The Little French Guesthouse turned out to be an awesome read 🙂
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I should do that too but I keep hoping usually fruitlessly that it’ll get better. I will be adding the Little French Guesthouse to my tbr 🙂
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It only says you’re optimistic and you believe in books more than I do sometimes 😀 Good choice, it’s a very good summer read!
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Ooh I do like the look of Portmanteau which sounds like just my kind of read!
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I am really looking forward to it, I don’t know what to expect so it’s exciting 🙂 I’ll post a review some time next week!
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Bummer! Two bad books in a row! I hope you enjoy your next reads! (Sounds like ‘The Little French Guesthouse’ might do the trick!) Have a great week renovating your place! 🙂
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I’m not complaining, I’ve found some great reads recently, but all stories can’t be good 🙂 The Little French Guesthouse is just what I needed! Thank you, I can’t wait for all those workers to leave my house, haha
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An entertaining post as usual! Come visit my blog when you get a chance, it’s been awhile 🙂
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Too bad for The Winner’s Crime.
I actually ended up liking it.
Oh, The Little French Guesthouse looks so adorable! I’m glad that you like it so far, bc I have it on my radar.
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I suspect I was not in the right mood, and I expected something different from the characters 🙂 Glad you liked it, though!
The Little French Guesthouse is a pleasure to read.
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Ohh, I’m so happy to hear it! 🙂
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The Little French Guesthouse sounds like a great read, I think it’s going to have to go on my list. Good luck with your renovations – I’ve been there and it’s hard work but always worth it when you get to the other side.
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It definitely deserves a place on your list. It’s refreshing, and it reminded me summer is almost here.
Thank you 🙂 I can’t wait for the renovation to be over, and to never see my landlord’s face again!
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I’ll definitely add it to my list then 🙂
I hope the renovations are over soon. When we bought our house we had to do major renovations and at first it was fun because it was our new house but after a week or two of dust and mess and workmen etc etc it got really began to get on my nerves. Once it’s all done though you soon forget it was ever going on and enjoy the place having been fixed up. How much longer have you got to go with the work? I hope not too long. x
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They’ve repaired the shower and the leaks. The basement still looks a kid’s swimming pool, and the tiles of several rooms need to be replaced but the landlord doesn’t want to pay so until he hands the check, I should be free from intruders. Xx
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Oh no, it’s so sad you didn’t enjoy The Winner’s Curse that much. I recently bought it and I’m impatient to read it. Hopefully I’ll like it better than you did, I hate losing my time on some books I don’t like as well! 😦
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I really hope you enjoy The Winner’s Curse 🙂 I’d love to hear your thoughts about it.
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I’ll let you know for sure once I read it 🙂
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You still did some great reading for being busy 🙂
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Thanks 🙂 The TV bores me these days so I am less tempted to sit and stare at the screen, which leaves a lot more time for reading and blogging.
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You’re welcome. I personally love some TV shows and am busy so I don’t have as much time for blogging and reading.
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I keep my favorite TV shows for lazy days only 😀 I’ve been binge-watching Gilmore Girls for 5 hours today. I probably won’t get any reading or blogging done, haha!
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Lol! I just watch TV whenever. Right now I love watching Bones. That’s quite a binge watching session 😀
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I live by the rule “Go big or go home” haha!
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Lol! It’s a great rule to live by 🙂
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I didn’t really like The Winner’s Curse either, so you’re not the only one. I did finish it, but it sure took me a long time to do so. The last part of the book is slightly better, but I’m still not sure if I would actually recommend it haha. I hope you will enjoy your books this week!
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Recommend it to someone with insomnia maybe? haha! Thank you! 🙂
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Haha definitely! 😉
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Ooh What Pretty Girls Are Made Of looks really intriguing.
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That’s what I thought, but the story did not live up to my expectations
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