Well hello to you my reader chums! There's no doubt in 2024, reading was at the top of my priority list and I've had the pleasure of reading some incredible books, from gripping thrillers to great biographies and murder mysteries. 

If you're looking for some new reads, here are my favourite books of the year and the best recommendations. 

The Maid by Nita Prose 

I love murder mysteries and 'who-done-it' novels in all forms, either really thick layered plots or humorous, lighter reads. The Maid is the second, a light, funny read about a murder mystery plot. Molly the Maid works in the Regency Grand Hotel and isn't like the regular person, struggling with social skills and the intentions of others. The plot follows the death of a famous, wealthy guest, Mr Black found in the hotel and the unwind of who did it.

I loved this book in many ways because it was honest and innocent, told through Molly's eyes and how she sees the world. It showed the importance of friendship, work life, the connections you make, and who always has your back.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn is a brilliant author and I absolutely adore her novels; she has a skill for crafting insane thrillers. I've read two outstanding novels of her this year, Sharp Objects and Dark Places. Sharp Objects follows Camille returning to her hometown to cover a story about a missing girl, a place of her neurotic mother and half-sister she barely knows.

This is one of those books that I was hooked on from page one and didn't want to put down. The twists and narratives were constantly changing which added to the overall suspense.   

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

Some books can break my heart and this was one of those books, that I actually read in two sittings. Set on an isolated farm, the novel follows a woman trapped by her abuser for seven years and her desperation to get away. The book describes her daily motions as 'Jane' and how she has to obey this abuser and the horrific things which happen if she doesn't. When she falls pregnant, she has an even bigger push to escape.

My heart was in my mouth the whole time I read this book as I felt all the pain and emotion for this poor woman. I wanted nothing more for her to escape and live a better life. It paints a picture of the horrible instances of trafficking people and what can happen to them. The language was quite simple, yet the pace and heartbreak of the book are what kept me engaged.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Lucy Foley is my favourite crime thriller author as I adore every single one of her books, including The Hunting Party, The Guest List and The Paris Apartment. I was incredibly excited when The Midnight Feast came out and read quickly, lapping at the story. This novel follows the opening night of The Manor, with no expense spared, however, the night goes from bad to worse with old friends and enemies circulating among the guests. Then a body is discovered and the mystery begins.

I adored this book in so many ways. One thing Foley does incredibly well is crafting unique characters and personalities and cleverly winding their paths together. I liked the build-up of the plot, the introduction of everyone's stories and how they came together in the end, revealing the mystery.

Period Power by Maisie Hill

One of my biggest passions is holistic health and learning more about how my body works and how I can prioritise a healthy way of living to care for my menstrual cycle. Period Power is a practical blueprint for aligning daily life with the menstrual cycle, giving women an explanation of what happens to our hormones every month and how we can use them to our advantage.

This book changed my life and was incredibly fascinating in many ways. It's the first time I've ever felt seen as a woman and understood more of how my body works. I learned a lot about hormones, diet and what to expect at each phase of my cycle. Every woman and person with a uterus NEEDS to read this book.

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

This has got to be one of the darkest books I've ever read, yet I was completely addicted to it all the way through. This book follows Sally Diamond and her strange behaviour, and she can't understand why what she did was so strange. She always did what her father told her and when he died, she put him out with the rubbish, just like he told her.

This book is odd yet gripping.  It follows Sally's life post her father's death and unearths who she is, what happened to her and also a slight personal journey plot in how she changes after this event. It's incredibly dark, triggering and difficult to read but a mind-blowing novel.

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways by Eve Kellman

This has to be a novel I could happily read again as I loved it so much. It touches on some darker topics and what happens to women, however, it's a genus plot, crafted about a female serial killer who is getting revenge on all the men who have wronged women. The book follows Millie Masters who has a hotline called 'Message Men', where she picks up women or young teenagers who feel unsafe when they're out and about. It's a dark and cleverly written novel with a humorous touch, following the level of revenge someone will go to.

I loved reading this book and learning more about the main character and the good she was doing with her hotline, trying to protect all these women from scary situations. It's weird to say I enjoyed it so much as there was dark humour to how the serial killer plot line was crafted. I couldn't put it down and overall, would recommend it for something a little different.

Good Half Gone by Tarryn Fisher 

I'm a twin and with any books that have twins in the plotline, I love to give a read. I saw this book when book shopping in Canada and absolutely loved it. The novel follows Iris as she tells the tale of how she escaped the abduction of her twin sister as a teenager. With her twin Piper's abduction presumed a runaway, the cops say there's nothing else to investigate, yet Iris wants answers and spends her time figuring that out.

This gripped me well and the layers, twists and turns added to the curiosity, of discovering what happened to her sister. I loved how there was a switch in time to past and present, and the dedication Iris had to discover what happened. It's dark but has the heart of desperation to know the answers. I also loved how it shared the insight of being a twin and what that really means.

Marple - Twelve New Mysteries by Agatha Christie 

As you know, murder mysteries and crime thrillers are my thing and this book encapsulated them all. With 12 short stories from crime authors interpreting the Marple theme, I enjoyed reading the unique nature of each plot and how the author adapted a tale of Marple to their writing and imagination.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite read this year?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Thrillers are my favourite type of novel. I love a book to suck me and keep me hooked with lots of twists and turns. Paula Hawkins is one of my favourite authors of this genre because I adored her books, The Girl on the Train and Into the Water. 

Whether you're a fan of thrillers like me or fancy a new novel to jump into, here is my full book review on Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins.

Plotline

The plot follows three women, all connected to one brutal crime. Three women who are determined to right the wrongs done to them, and all who have everything to hide. With hard life experiences, these women all have the potential to do terrible things, but only one of them could have killed Daniel Sutherland.

It's a plot with plenty of secrets, resentment, lies and dark history of each woman's life and I love how that's intertwined into the blot.

Characters and relationships

The plot has many main characters and focal people in the plot, including Carla, Laura, Irene, Miriam, Angela and Theo. The character descriptions and build-up in this book were written beautifully and thoughtfully, and it really added value to the plot. My favourite character has to be Irene because she was just a completely normal older woman and I liked how she friended Laura and their relationship evolved. Angela and Carla are sisters and honestly, their relationship saddened me as the plot panned out.

My least favourite characters were Miriam and Theo as the entire time I didn't get a great feeling from them and that was apparent in the plot.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I adored every part of this book. Paula Hawkins is one of my favourite authors and her books never fail to disappoint. This book had the perfect pace for a murder mystery, that balance of revealing information at the best time but enough suspense to make it an incredible thriller. I loved how the characters unveiled as the plot moved on and I learnt how they link to one another and the overall plot, which was genius.

I would 100% recommend this book to any thriller or murder mystery fans and those who love to dive in deep with a book straight away.

Ending

The ending was better than I expected as I never know if a brilliant book lives up to expectations. I thought this book was going to go one way and then it made a turn with a completely different ending.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite book at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As many of you know thrillers, especially crime thrillers are my thing and when I was recommended this book on my trip to Bath, I couldn't wait to read it. I actually ended up reading it in only a few sittings as I couldn't get enough of the hard-hitting plot.

If you enjoy a crime thriller and an honest, first-person perspective, here's my full review of The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean.

Plotline

Set on an isolated farm in the UK, a woman is trapped by the monster who kidnapped her over seven years ago. The everyday motions she goes through and the punishment he gives her if she doesn't obey his every order. He films her every single move meaning that when he's away from the house, he knows what she's up to. When she discovers she's pregnant, she strives to protect her child no matter the cost and begins planning an escape away from him. In the meantime, another woman is kidnapped into the farm and it's down to her to escape with the woman and her child - but will she save them all?

Characters and relationships

Told from the perspective of 'Jane', the name her kidnapper gives her, I really came to grips with her raw feelings, the everyday emotions and what she has been through. The rules of the land she has to live, the pain she feels, the abuse she tolerates and the punishment she endures. It's an honest and heartbreaking account to hear the trials she deals with every day by this monster. 

'Jane's' relationship with her monster is honestly hard to describe or write as at times I could feel her pain and desperation for how he treated her. It made me so angry to see a human treat another human being in that way like they were absolutely nothing. 

'Jane's' relationship with her child, however, is the most beautiful thing to read. It really does show the power a mother's love will have to protect their child and sacrifice everything to do just that. The love she shows for her daughter broke my heart in every way as I wanted to leap onto the page and help her out. 

Overall thoughts

Overall this book is an intense page-turner and one which is impossible to put down. I could have easily read the entire book in one sitting as I desperately wanted to know she gets out and ends up okay. It's a gripping book, a psychological thriller showing the rawness of humanity and the desperate things people will do when they're truly suffering. 

It's a book highlighting the awful truth of what happens to victims of human trafficking and the abuse they endure every single day. Even though this story is fiction, I know it's based on many of the real stories of people who are kidnapped, trafficked and abused. If you read it, expect that sense of desperation in the words of 'Jane', the fear factor on every page and feeling every kind of awful emotion as you make your way through the story.

Ending

Like always, I won't give away the ending and honestly, with this book, I wasn't sure which way it was going to go. I sat in hope throughout the entire book as I wished for a happy and content ending. Luckily, the ending is positive and hopeful, everything this novel needs.

I hope you've enjoyed this post. What's next on your TBR?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Travelling around England and the rest of the UK and seeing more of what's on my doorstep has become a goal of mine, as I'm usually travelling abroad. Bath is a city that has been on my must-see list for a while and my partner and I decided to book a long weekend there so I could see what it was all about.

If you fancy a trip to Bath and want some personal insight, here's my 3-guide to Bath and everything I got up to.

Day one - Getting to know the city

Brunch at The Courtyard Café

When I arrived in Bath, the first thing on my list was grabbing something to eat (after a long drive) and through recommendation, I went to The Courtyard Café, tucked away down a quaint road. This café was cute, the best way to describe it with a tiny, homely feel and reflective ceiling. They also had an outdoor dining space but it was too cold. I loved it here because of their cheesy crumpets - such a moreish and wholesome dish to set us up for the day.

Visit The Roman Baths

The biggest and renowned tourist site in Bath is undoubtedly the Roman Baths and you can't go to the city without a visit here. Tickets cost around £20 each for adults (depending on the day you go) and I'd advise booking in advance. It wasn't too busy when we went all things considering but for a Friday in January, busier than I would expect. Seeing the Baths in person was such a fascinating and insightful experience and I love roaming around, listening to the history on the free audio guide. You could easily spend one to two hours here, depending on how much detail you'd like to learn.

Afternoon snack at Mrs Potts Chocolate House

I'm chocolate obsessed and when I saw the Mrs Potts Chocolate House on TikTok, I made sure to give it a visit (twice) during my time in the city. On the first occasion, I tried their delicious and rich 'Matilda' chocolate cake and it tasted like heaven (giving me a sugar high for sure). I absolutely loved it and because of that made sure on day two, I tried their hot chocolate to take around in the city.

Mooch in Toppings and Company Booksellers

I'm a bookworm and one of the things I adored about Bath was their gorgeous bookshop scene. The most famous that I saw wherever I researched was the Toppings and Company Booksellers. This place was like a maze for books and there were too many to look at but I loved the variety and how busy it was - it makes my heart happy to see many people invested in the book world.

Get your city bearings

As Bath is such a beautiful city with typical traditional architecture, it's wonderful to take a walk around and gain your bearings around the city. Whether you love boutique shopping or admiring the architecture, taking a walk around allows you to get your city bearings and know your way around.

Visit Pulteney Bridge

When mooching, you'll probably come across Pulteney Bridge and I would take some time to admire it in all its glory and take a wander along the river and across the bridge itself. 

Dinner at The Hope and Anchor

Bath boasts a diverse range of restaurants, from classic British pub grub to pizzerias or Thai restaurants that it can seem impossible to know where to dine. We were staying slightly out of the city in a nearby village and had dinner at The Hope and Anchor. This pub is slightly upmarket with a delicious menu and cosy vibe.

Day two - Exploring the sights

Visit Bath Abbey

On the second day in Bath, you'll have more of an idea of where everything is and delve more into other gorgeous sights, such as the Bath Abbey. I walked past the Abbey plenty of times on the first day but only went inside it on the second day. I'm obsessed with churches and Bath Abbey was certainly unique and glorious to admire. Tickets cost £7.50 each for adults and you can buy in there but if you're visiting during a busy time, I'd suggest buying them in advance.

Wander in Mrs B's Emporium

This bookshop has to be one of my favourites ever and I came home with a stack of books from it. Like Toppings and Company booksellers, it was a maze of endless book varieties with a quirky interior. But the best part was the staff were all trained to give personal recommendations based on genres and authors you like. I told them how I adore thrillers, murder mysteries and a list of authors I read a lot of and they recommended so many apt books I've not heard of but were right up my street.

Visit The Circus and The Royal Crescent

You can channel your inner Bridgeton with a visit to The Circus and The Royal Crescent. Both are quite near each other and are free to roam around and get that much-needed photo. I loved walking around these sights because they made me feel a little royal and fancy. I'm pretty sure you can also go on a Bridgeton tour and they'll show you the houses/streets used in the series.

Go to Bath Artisan Market

I'm a market girlie and love roaming around markets wherever I am, including Bath. The Bath Artisan Market was a local paradise with fresh produce, crafts and second-hand books. You can easily spend a while here walking around and finding some gems to take home as souvenirs.

Try the classic buns at Sally Lunn's 

Bath is known for the 'Bath Buns' and at Sally Lunn's, you'll have the complete traditional experience, trying a bun (sweet or savoury), in a quintessentially British café. I loved Sally Lunn's as not only are you enjoying a delicious treat but knowing there is a lot of history in the building makes the experience even more authentic. 

Eat gelato at Swoon Gelato

When I'm on holiday, ice cream is a must and I couldn't resist trying the gelato on offer here, even if it was January! Swoon Gelato had an authentic feel to it with an array of delicious flavours to offer - I had the hazelnut and adored every bite.

Play games at Thirsty Meeples

My partner loves board games and he found a board game café right in the centre of the city. We decided to book and spend a few hours playing games and honestly, I loved the energy here. Everyone was enjoying their games, the staff were fab at recommendations and the café offered various foods from cakes to cool alternatives of fizzy drinks.

Dinner at The Circus Restaurant

I wanted to try out one of the higher-end restaurants in Bath as the weekend we went was also our anniversary and we wanted to celebrate with a lovely dinner. The Circus Restaurant blew my taste buds away. Their menu was small but well-thought-out with a variety of dishes for the different palates. I'm still salivating over the starter, main and dessert.

Day three: Visit sights nearby

Go to Prior Park Landscape Garden

You can easily spend more time in the city on the last day, soaking up more of the shops, endless museums and cafes, or head out of the centre to one of the nearest National Trust sights, Prior Park Landscape Garden. Tickets are around £8 and there is no parking onsite, yet you can easily get a bus from the centre or park on one of the local streets nearby. Prior Park is a breath of fresh air from city life. The endless greenery makes for an impressive nature walk around. Plus, the main bridge and buildings are superb to admire as you soak up the open space.

Head over to Castle Coombe

Bath is near the Cotswolds, around half an hour (depending on which part you visit). With such close distance, I'd recommend spending your last afternoon heading over to the Cotswolds. We went to Castle Coombe, a small village in the Cotswolds which is stunning but exceptionally small and we only ended up needing 2 hours here. I would say come and see Castle Coombe as it is charming and what I'd picture the Cotswolds to be but there are also many other spots in the Cotswolds you can venture to.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you planning your trip?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As many of you know, my favourite type of books are crime thrillers, especially murder mysteries or 'who-done-its'. One of my favourite crime thriller authors is Lucy Foley; I absolutely love her books, The Hunting Party, The Guest List and The Paris Apartment. Since reading all of those books, I've been eager for her to bring out a new novel - and couldn't wait to read The Midnight Feast.

Lucy Foley has an incredible writing style; I love how she builds up a story, develops the characters and structures her book - and how all the big pieces of the puzzle come together in the end. If you're looking for a new murder mystery book, here is my book review of The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley.

Synopsis

Set in the middle of the Dorset coastline in midsummer, it's the opening weekend of The Manor, a new countryside retreat, attracting only the richest guests. Although under the midsummer sunshine and a massive heatwave, old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. The evening just about begins when a body is found and the mystery of who was killed and who did it begins. The story starts with a secret fifteen years ago, one that has crashed into a party, ending in murder. 

Characters and relationships

One of my favourite things about Lucy Foley's books is how she crafts the characters so beautifully with great depth. This book is split into several main characters, Francesca, Bella, Eddie, Owen and DI Walker. 

Francesca is the rich and pretentious main character, opening this new countryside retreat on the site of what used to be her family home. I didn't like her at all as a character; she was mean, harsh to people around us and thought she was better than everyone else. I could gather that she's in this spiritual phase of her life, trying to promote that type of lifestyle, yet really, isn't that wonderful of a person and it's all a cascade. 

The character Bella, I didn't originally understand her purpose in the story as she sounded like an average woman, not similar to the rich and upper-class crowd at this countryside retreat. She's a mum with revenge in her path for something that has happened to her. The longer the book goes on, the more layers are unveiled as to why Bella returns and the past she brought back with her.

Eddie is sweet and a little bit of a lost character, growing up on his parent's farm next to the glorified Manor which is now being turned into the countryside retreat. He's only young and secretly working at the new retreat, keeping the secret from his parents, who are locals of the area. The locals have a big issue with the new estate and Eddie doesn't seem to mind too much as he wants to make money to start a new life, outside of his tiny village. Eddie had a cute and innocent persona like a young man, completely out of his depth. 

DI Walker, I thought initially was just the detective of the book, yet the more the book went on, his role became more prominent.

Overall thoughts

Overall, like any Lucy Foley book, this book didn't disappoint in any way. The fast-paced nature and short chapters added to the book's suspense and speed. I wasn't sure how this book would pan out but every page somehow got better and also darker and deeper. The layers of the story are GENIUS and I love how the book maps out beautifully from the past to the present, and how the two link so well.

I thoroughly enjoyed the character development in this novel and how it added to the overall plotline and its heavy secrets. I would 100% recommend this novel to everyone because of the perfectly crafted murder mystery, the intense level of revenge and hatred and the wonderfully paced book, which reveals information exactly at the right moment.

Ending

The ending was just as I wanted it to be, yet there were still plenty of surprises in it to enjoy! A great way to end a book that built up so much suspense.

I hope you enjoyed this book! What are you currently reading?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! Last year, I read nearly 30 books, and I'm aiming to keep to the goal this year as I loved that I could dive into the world of that many stories. My favourite types of books are crime thrillers, murder mysteries and historical fiction, with the occasional romance or non-fiction thrown in.

If you're looking for book recommendations, here are the best books I've read this year. 

The Wrong Sister  by Claire Douglas

This book follows two sisters, Tasha and Alice. Tasha is married to her childhood sweetheart and lives in a suburb with their twins, and she has always felt in the shadow of her older sister. Alice has a different lifestyle, married to a wealthy entrepreneur with a high-flying career. She realised Tasha was struggling with money and losing her identity and offered a life swap for a week, where Tasha and her husband could stay at their holiday home whilst Alice and her husband watched their children. Things go wrong, and Tasha receives a phone call that Alice is in hospital and Alice's husband is dead after a break-in. They think it's a burglary gone wrong until a note lands in the letterbox.

I adored this book for many reasons. I loved learning about the complexities of the sisters' relationship, and how much they care and value each other despite their differences. However, the best part was the incredible number of twists and turns. At one point, I thought I solved the mystery, and then the author added more layers and characters, including the knowledge their younger sister went missing as a baby.  

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help is a classic novel following the lives of three ordinary women. Skeeter has returned home from university, and her mother is insistent on her finding a husband. She would usually chat with Constantine, the woman who raised her, but she has disappeared, and nobody will tell her why. Skeeter has the idea to tell the stories of 'The Help' in a novel, and two brave women, Aibileen and Minnie, share their experiences alongside other maids to start a movement and change how everyone views each other. 

I wanted to read this book for a long time, especially as I saw the film many years ago. This novel was a 5/5 read and a book which moved me, inspired by the lives of these women, mistreated and segregated due to the colour of their skin. I loved learning about each character's journey, and the delivery of the tale was pure genius.

The Audacity by Katherine Ryan 

I'm a massive Katherine Ryan fan because I admire her confidence, defiance and bold persona. This book highlighted that energy, sharing her life story, journey and many life lessons that gave her the confidence and freedom to express her honest opinion today. I loved this book because it shared how to have that self-assurance, how we all deserve to love and celebrate ourselves and that not caring too much about what people think is the best way forward to be happy.

The Last Flight by Julia Clark

This novel shares the lives of two women with two completely different lives. Claire Cook seems to have a perfect life, married to a politician and living this fancy lifestyle, but life is not what it seems. Her husband has a temper, and his staff tracks Claire's every move. Claire has spent months planning to vanish, and luckily, at the airport, she meets Eva, and the two of them decide to trade plane tickets. However, when the flight Eva got on crashed, Claire had to assume Eva's identity and the secrets Eva had taken so long to hide.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it shared the vulnerability and rawness of two women in a difficult and hard-to-get-out-of situation and what they had to do to save themselves. It's a challenging read, but that adds to the book's addictive nature and hope that both characters end up okay. This book is fast-paced, with lots of loopholes I didn't expect.

So As Long As You Write: Women on Writing by Kerry Ryan

This book was an uplifting and highlight moment for women as it shares many fiction pieces from different women, explaining honest experiences and life events in short stories or poems. I loved reading the diversity of voices in this book, including the author who compiled all the pieces together, Kerry Ryan. Between the stories, there's also honest and actionable advice for budding writers and those looking to make it in the industry, which I found very helpful.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite book of the year so far?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I love a thriller as there's something about a quick-paced plot with suspense that I adore. I heard many people rave about the book Magpie and honestly, I didn't actually realise what it was about until I bought it - and I'm glad I did.

If you love psychological thrillers or a book which will constantly surprise you, here's my book review of Magpie by Elizabeth Day.

Plot

Magpie follows the life of Marissa when she meets Jake and everything falls into place. However, when their new lodger Kae arrives, everything changes. Marissa thinks something isn't right about her because of the way she acts, what she says or that she's constantly asking questions about the baby they're trying for. But maybe it's all in Marissa's head? That's what Jake thinks and she thinks she trusts him. Marissa is determined to discover what is wrong even if it costs her everything.

Characters and relationships

Marissa is the protagonist and the book starts out with her, honestly, I love her as a character at the start as she's painted like a regular woman with insecurities and problems. She talks about her traumatic experiences and past relationships, friends and how she meets Jake. Their relationship in my opinion seems rushed from the beginning and a bit suspicious as if they fell into it all a little quickly and she doesn't really know him or trust him in fact.

Jake seems like a nice and caring guy but as it's told from Marissa's perspective I can't really get a full grasp of him as a character. With Kate, Marissa doesn't seem to like her but in all honesty, it sounds like she's jealous of her and everything she stands for.

It's hard to talk about Jake and Kate in more detail as characters without giving away the plot, however, the more I learnt about the characters, the more who they are shaped up and I started to really dive into the plot.

Overall thoughts

Overall, despite being a little uncertain when the book began, once I got a grasp of what the plot was about, I gained a full perspective of the characters' personalities and how they played a role in the story. I would describe this plot as a psychological thriller, even though at first it sounded more like a dramatic story where Marissa is making out Jake is cheating on her with Kate.

The book covers many themes, such as infertility, pregnancy, mental illness, troubling family dynamics and traumatic experiences. With plenty of problematic issues woven throughout the plot, it adds plenty of depth and suspense - and made me gain another level of appreciation. 

The book overall was certainly a page-turner as I was keen to see which way the story turns and the next layer is uncovered. I'd highly recommend it if psychological plots intrigue you. 

Ending

I can't give away the ending, however, despite the tragic element of the plot, this book has a content and happy ending, leaving my mind at bay and wrapping everything up in a beautiful way. It also shares how the power of caring for people is the most amazing thing.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Which book is on your TBR pile?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I recently turned 27 and honestly, it baffles me I'm closer to my thirties than my early twenties, however, I'm loving the woman I've grown into. Every year, I write a birthday post on either experiences or learnings and this year, I wanted to step back and reflect on what I'm grateful for.

Gratitude is one of the most important things for living a positive life and enjoying what life offers. To celebrate my birthday, here is a list of 27 things I'm grateful for.

My family and friends

I have the most adoring family and friends around me and as I've gotten older, these connections have grown even deeper. I'm lucky to have people in my inner circle who are my biggest cheerleaders and my biggest support system. Whether it's wanting to book a fun holiday or go to a coffee shop to have a chat, they're always up for spending the time. As I've grown, I've increasingly improved in opening up to my family and friends, developing our relationships more.

My supportive partner

I've been dreaming of finding true love for a long time, a love where that person supports me, grows with me and wants to be silly with me always. I'm lucky to find that in my partner who from the first moment of meeting me, has been a constant in my life. We love to adventure together and do the little parts of life together which makes my heart so full. I'm grateful for us to grow together and see what our future holds.

Living by the beach

I've lived by the beach my entire life and it's home to me. There's something to peaceful in knowing the sound of the waves is only a few minutes away from my home. I love heading to the beach for strolls, reading and enjoying the sunshine. I've recently moved to another beach town as well and love it just as much. I appreciate how wonderful it is to have the beach on my doorstep.

Working for myself

My biggest goal in life has always been to run my own business and work for myself, and here I am today, making it work. I started full-time freelancing this year and it's progressing exactly how I wanted and can't wait to see what the future holds for my career. 

My travels

Travelling is one of my biggest passions and as you may guess from this blog, I love nothing more than roaming around new cities and countries. I've been privileged enough to travel to 27 countries and many of those I've seen more than once, and I'm excited to see even more countries on my list.

My local freelancing community

When I started freelancing, I was worried about how lonely the experience would be. However, where I live, there's an amazing co-working group which I've joined and regularly attend multiple times a week. It has given me the opportunity to develop great connections with other freelancers, grow my confidence and find 'colleagues'. 

Beach sunsets

I'm obsessed with sunsets, especially on the beach. I think there's something so magical about watching the day come to a close with the calm ambience of the waves. With the beach on my doorstep, I can watch as many sunsets as possible.

My flexible schedule

Working for myself means I've finally been able to experience the flexible schedule I've always wanted. This means I'm able to work based on my productivity levels, slot in hobbies I want to do and socialise on weekdays whenever I like, rather than waiting until the weekend.

The wonder of books

Books have been my biggest passion from a very young age and to this day, reading brings me an incredible amount of joy. I'm obsessed with various books but especially, historical fiction, crime thrillers and feminist literature. 

My writing skills

My obsession with books is what fuelled my passion for writing. I've been wanting to write since I began to read and as I grew so did my writing skills and today, I've written five books and have a career in writing - everything I've dreamt of.

Baking cookies whenever I want

I love to bake, and I love brownies, cookies and cake more than anything. One of the little things as an adult I love is to bake whenever I want to. If I crave cookies or brownies, I can bake them in my own kitchen and it's wonderful.

All types of food

Food is one of the greatest things in life and I adore trying new cuisines and different types of foods. I'm grateful for all the restaurants around me that I can regularly visit.

Relaxing in coffee shops

There is something so peaceful about sitting in a coffee shop and reading a book or having a chat with a pal. In my town, there are many gorgeous coffee shops to enjoy this simple pleasure.

Yoga on the beach

I recently started yoga classes on the beach and love the relaxing element of it, and also appreciate how accessible it is where I live.

Musical theatre

I adore musicals and think I've seen around 15 in total over the years. I could happily see musical theatre shows time and time again - they are beautiful. One of my favourite pleasures is playing musical theatre tunes and singing my heart out.

Nostalgic music

Music is one of the best things about life and hearing someone's thoughts through their songs is a gorgeous experience. There are so many tunes and albums which bring back a nostalgic feeling and I love listening to them on repeat.

My blog

I've had this blog for ten years and to this day, it brings me an immense amount of joy to write and share my thoughts with the internet. 

My Italian heritage 

Being half-Italian is something I'm incredibly proud of and every time I visit Italy, my heart feels so full. I love Italy and how it is a part of my heritage and soul.

Trying to make new recipes

Cooking is another favourite thing as I love how there's so much you can do with food and there are plenty of recipes to try.

Road trips

The joy of a road trip is the best, there's something entertaining about sticking on some tunes or a podcast and admiring the scenery around me.

Plane rides

Soaring through the sky is a phenomenal feeling, knowing you start the day in one location and end it in another. I've been lucky enough to make use of travelling and experiencing many plane rides.

Freedom of living the life of my dreams

It's amazing to be sitting here living what I've dreamt about growing up. I always wanted to work for myself, be in a loving relationship and stay living by the beach - and I'm here doing just that. I love how I have the freedom to do exactly what I want.

My body

I've had a love-hate relationship with my body for years and it has taken me a while to accept it and learn to love it as my body has changed through the years. However, I'm incredibly grateful for the powerful things my body does for me every day and continues to do.

My anxious brain

I used to think anxiety was a hindrance in my life but as I've grown, I've realised what a positive effect it can have and how it has helped me develop and achieve things I never thought I would. Living with anxiety has certainly been a journey over the past decade but I'm grateful for the lessons it has taught me and how it has made me more understanding and empathetic to others.

The power of kindness

Kindness is all around us, from the little things loved ones do to a greeting of a stranger. It's what makes life so magical.

Dungarees

I live in dungarees and they're my favourite item of clothing to wear on whatever occasion. They're comfy, cute and suit me perfectly.

Quality time with loved ones

My loved ones mean the world to me and I wish I could spend every day with them all and enjoy life. But as life does get so busy, I appreciate all the quality time loved ones make for me and the things we do together.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are you grateful for?

Thank you for reading <3