How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!
+ Hubby and I are going to Las Vegas on this weekend, to catch Lady Gaga on Saturday. I think this is the first time we are leaving the kids behind together (usually one of us stays back or the kids come with us). So yes, I’m a little anxious over that and probably won’t stop worrying until I make it back home lol. But I’m excited to go to a concert – last concerts I went to in Hawaii was Backstreet Boys (they were amazing) and New Kids on the Block (and TLC was the opener!). Lady Gaga is on my concert bucket list. Beyonce is too and I had tickets but it’s for the following week and I told myself it was crazy to flight out 2 weekends for concerts. 😅 I regret I sold the tickets sigh…BUT that means I’m definitely going to her next concert for Act III – hoping it’s in 2027 so I can start saving NOW.
K-pop Demon Hunters – Soundtrack – music is sooooo good!
We Were Liars (Amazon Prime) – finally finished it and I was like OH YEAH that was the twist!! The twist is good but man was it a sad/dark show.
The Buccaneers (Apple TV+) – still going since I only get an episode a week.
Kesha (new album) – so good!
Why does this song make me think of all the red-flag MMC’s we all fall for in the books! LOL…
Videos I Posted to Youtube:
How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!
Another movie I watched while working on stuff was Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between! The book is written by Jennifer E. Smith and I’ve read two books from this author but not this particular one.
Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:
On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan have only one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night leads them to family and friends, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?
Charming, bittersweet, and full of wisdom and heart, this irresistible novel from Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, explores the difficult choices that arise when life and love lead in different directions.
Here’s the trailer for the movie which you can find on Amazon Prime Video:
I thought the movie was cute and fun and Jordan Fisher is an amazing actor. He’s been in P.S. I Still Love you on Netflix and he was on the live tv version of Rent! I am so impressed with his acting and singing skills – he just leaps off the screen, he has that blinding smile and his energy is just infectious.
The story basically takes place in the span of 24 hours. Aidan and Clare have their last date before ending things (like they planned in the beginning) and it’s going well until Aidan tries to convince Clare they should try it out and be together long distance. I loved all the scenes with Aidan and Clare on their dates – they really were the cutest couple. It was a good movie, short, sweet and a little problem that gets resolved in the end.
Jenny Han was another author I devoured in my early 20’s and this book series came out way before To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. The Summer I Turned Pretty was a book series my best friend and I read together. I remember she could relate because she was torn between liking two brothers, so she loved this series. As for me…this was the series that kind of made me wary of love triangles featuring brothers. Oh the drama – I couldn’t handle that it was between brothers. Like no…😒😩, that’s a no for me – I hate the thought of brothers fighting over a girl. But am I going to watch it? OH HECK YEAH. I’m so much older now and have heard worse real life drama in my lifetime now LOL and I’m sure my bestie will be watching this too! It’s nostalgic for me and it’s a summer vibes story and with summer coming, it’s perfect. Plus we have the bad boy brother, and the good one. So much drama…lol…
About the Book:
Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer—they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.
And here’s the trailer:
I mean they knew what they were doing using Taylor Swift’s song in this trailer. Good…BAD…yeah…I was so into the bad boy brother. LOL. It’s coming out on JUNE 17th on Amazon!
Did you read this series? Are you planning on watching the series?
I spent my late teens and early 20’s devouring Sarah Dessen books and loved them! And today Along for the Ride is on Netflix! So guess what I’m doing right now as I’m typing up this blog post? Yup, I’m watching it! ☺️
About the Book:
It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.
A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.
In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.
I just finished watching Heartstopper on Netflix and it was so sweet and sensitive and it made me tear up in so many parts.
I never read the books, so I can’t say how they compare at all but the whole cast of Heartstopper did such a good job in their roles. The music is great and the aesthetic seems to fit what I’ve seen of the book covers of the Heartstopper series – the colors and such. Even the characters look like the ones from the book which is amazing, at least Charlie and Nick does since the cover is all I’ve seen. It’s a series you easily binge quickly since each episode is about 30 minutes long.
Charlie is so earnest and hopeful even when he gets hurt constantly by boys he likes and just the kids at school. He is so brave being out. I love his tenacity to keep being himself, no matter what awkward and hard situations he is put into. Nick on the other hand is trying to figure out how he feels and I love watching his journey and his struggle. He’s a new kid, but a popular one right away because he’s a star on the rugby team but seeing him fall for Charlie and want to care and protect him was just the sweetest thing ever.
I love the friendships and all the diversity we get in the cast and characters. Tao is fantastic! Elle and Tao are the cutest best friends – love them. This is really one you shouldn’t miss. It gave me all the squishy, giggly, lovey-dovey, squealing feels when I was watching this. It is so wholesome. ❤️ I kept saying aloud, “Why are they so cute?!!!!!!” 😅 I wanted to squish them all into a big bear hug. I was feeling like a protective mom over all of them (except the bully).
Here is the trailer if you haven’t seen it yet:
Anyway watch it and fall in love with this whole series like I did!🥰
What is going on?! These two have a chokehold on me. 😭
I’m not here to talk about how this season compares to the actual book because I read that book so long ago I’ve forgotten any details about it. For those who know the books inside and out, I’m sure they will be some disappointment. I’ve learned my lesson about comparing books and movies/shows though. It’s a given there will be changes to fit whoever’s vision it is for the screen and now I just try to stay open to their interpretation to save myself from being disappointed. But Regency romance is what got me reading when I was a teenager (sneaking around, reading these books my older cousin had on her shelf! lol). It used to be my favorite genre to read until I got back into Young Adult via Twilight. For years…like 20 years 😅, I’ve always wanted more regency romances on screen and seriously, I feel blessed that Shonda Rhimes and Netflix decided to do a series like this. It’s long overdue for a romance lover like me. Anyway, I have to share my thoughts because I thought after bingeing it I would be done with the season and go on to waiting for Season 3. But I can’t let go!
Why am I obsessively going back to watch Anthony and Kate scenes every day? And now I found Bridgerton-tok and let me just say…you tiktokers are so good at editing and picking the best music for your tiktok videos. I love it. I found some good ones on youtube also. So thank you for sharing your amazing edited videos, you are saving me from going to Netflix everyday to watch their scenes.
After bingeing the season in one night/morning….I found myself loving Anthony, Kate, Edwina, the Bridgertons (of course), Lady Danbury, the Queen, and Newton. I did not love the Featherington’s storyline because I just wanted more Anthony and Kate. I didn’t mind the love triangle either, it made things complicated but I think it heightened their longing. Also, Penelope’s villain era has begun I suppose? Her relationship with Eloise made me sad…but I’m sure they’ll be besties again in another season. Eloise has a moment with a boy too and okay…when they talk about books? I melted. I love the costumes, the balls, the scenery and the music!
Speaking of melting…Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton is my god…sooo freaking good. He devours Kate with his eyes. And his smiles just made me want to swoon…😍. He really cleaned up from Season 1, now he’s trying to really handle being the man of the house and honestly he’s doing a good job at it, a bit of a control freak maybe (but he’s the eldest), and he is so afraid to love because of watching his dad die, and watching his mom grieve. So his search for a wife comes with no requirement for love. And then Kate comes along, knocks him off kilter, and it’s all he can do before coming undone in front of her. But honestly his acting was fantastic, he made me cry. And watching Anthony and Kate try to fight their feelings has me obsessed.
These two…wow…Simone Ashley who plays Kate is STUNNING. They are electric and I love the chemistry between them. It had everything I want in an enemies to lovers forbidden romance: the arguing, the longing, the glances, angst, then the little hand touches, the almost kisses (killed me), and then the flashbacks about their night together 🥵. People may complain it’s not enough sex (because of Season 1) but my favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice where there was only one kiss. Even the PBS show series was fantastic and that one didn’t even have a kiss. So for me…the lack of sex scenes was not a problem. I found the attraction, the restraint and love story between Anthony and Kate quite beautiful. And when they finally stop fighting one another…ugh…the confession of love brought tears to my eyes. But it’s a slow burn for sure.
This show came out on 3/25 and here I am still rewatching their scenes everyday – I can’t stop. I love them fighting, I love them almost kissing, I love them kissing, I love them smiling at the end with their happily ever after. 🥰 I hope we see more of their happy ever after in Season 3. I hope they are in every season until this series is concluded.
I don’t know who’s story is next in season 3 but I hope it’s as good as Daphne/Simon and Anthony/Kate!
~ Yolanda
**SPOILER ALERT**Don’t watch the following video if you haven’t watched the series yet! But I couldn’t help sharing this one. Why are they so gorgeous together? 🥺 They seriously wrecked me.
I’ve been seeing so many trailers lately of books that are adapted being adapted into movies or shows. I’m excited to see a few of these!
1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, this author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better… —Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814
But this time, the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry—he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams…
Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself…
***I read these books so long ago that I don’t remember much about the series but I loved season one and am super excited for season 2! Coming to Netflix on March 25. I’m so ready! ***
Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?
Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard a little about Charlie – the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months – but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him.
They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…
***I have not read this series but heard many good things! And the trailer looks so good! It already gave me butterflies. Coming to Netflix on April 22.***
It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.
A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.
In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.
**I’ve read all of Sarah Dessen books. And I’m looking forward to seeing how they are adapted. Coming to Netflix on April 22.**
For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village. Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her.
But Kya is not what they say. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life’s lessons from the land, learning the real ways of the world from the dishonest signals of fireflies. But while she has the skills to live in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world—until the unthinkable happens.
In Where the Crawdads Sing, Owens juxtaposes an exquisite ode to the natural world against a profound coming of age story and haunting mystery. Thought-provoking, wise, and deeply moving, Owens’s debut novel reminds us that we are forever shaped by the child within us, while also subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.
The story asks how isolation influences the behavior of a young woman, who like all of us, has the genetic propensity to belong to a group. The clues to the mystery are brushed into the lush habitat and natural histories of its wild creatures.
***I’ve been meaning to read this for years and never got around to it and I don’t know why. But I think I should read it now since the movie is coming out. In theaters July 22.**
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell by chance into the hands of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.
From Sauron’s fastness in the Dark Tower of Mordor, his power spread far and wide. Sauron gathered all the Great Rings to him, but always he searched for the One Ring that would complete his dominion.
When Bilbo reached his eleventy-first birthday he disappeared, bequeathing to his young cousin Frodo the Ruling Ring and a perilous quest: to journey across Middle-earth, deep into the shadow of the Dark Lord, and destroy the Ring by casting it into the Cracks of Doom.
The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the Wizard; the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam; Gimli the Dwarf; Legolas the Elf; Boromir of Gondor; and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider.
***I was in my early 20’s when The Lord of the Rings came out in the theater and wow…what an event it was. I remember the hype around it before it was released. I remember going with my 2 best friends and being in awe, and trying not to go to the bathroom in case we missed something good (but I really had to go LOL) and was standing near the door when Gandalf said the iconic “You Shall Not Pass!” 😅. I ran to the bathroom after that scene. I’ve watched all three movies plus extended versions countless times on dvd over the years haha. I’ll definitely watch this – and no, I haven’t read any of the books. 🤦🏻♀️). Coming to Amazon on Sept. 2.**
I know there is a bunch more coming out but I’ll do a part 2 when there are trailers for them.
What are you excited to watch this year? ~ Yolanda
Past Midnight Book Reviews & More 