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Book Review: The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson

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Who killed Brooke Donovan?

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Release Date: May 3, 2022

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Price: $17.99 (hardcover)

PLOT SUMMARY:

Last summer, Alice Ogilvie’s basketball-star boyfriend Steve dumped her. Then she disappeared for five days. She’s not talking, so where she went and what happened to her is the biggest mystery in Castle Cove. Or it was, at least. But now, another one of Steve’s girlfriends has vanished: Brooke Donovan, Alice’s ex–best friend. And it doesn’t look like Brooke will be coming back. . .
 
Enter Iris Adams, Alice’s tutor. Iris has her own reasons for wanting to disappear, though unlike Alice, she doesn’t have the money or the means. That could be changed by the hefty reward Brooke’s grandmother is offering to anyone who can share information about her granddaughter’s whereabouts. The police are convinced Steve is the culprit, but Alice isn’t so sure, and with Iris on her side, she just might be able to prove her theory.
 
In order to get the reward and prove Steve’s innocence, they need to figure out who killed Brooke Donovan. And luckily Alice has exactly what they need—the complete works of Agatha Christie. If there’s anyone that can teach the girls how to solve a mystery it’s the master herself. But the town of Castle Cove holds many secrets, and Alice and Iris have no idea how much danger they’re about to walk into. 

GRADE: A

REVIEW:

Fans of Agatha Christie will rejoice at rookie detectives Alice and Iris. Last summer Alice went missing for five days much like her favourite author – after she finds out that her ex-boyfriend and ex-bestfriend become a couple. Halloween night – Alice’s former bestfriend Brookes goes missing. Alice with a penchant for mystery decides to join forces with her tutor Iris and convinces her that they can solve this mystery. Much like an Agatha Christie novel, the twists and turns this novel takes are outrageous – almost too preposterous – however it’s a fun wild ride and I loved the unlikely duo, Alice and Iris are perfect teen protagonists.

I don’t know if this will be a series, but the ending pretty much alludes that there might be a sequel and I am here for it.

Check this one out if you love Agatha Christie and her oddball characters Miss Marple and Poirot.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Review: Shani Darden Retinol Reform

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What It Is: Retinol Serum

Active Ingredients:

  • Encapsulated Retinol contains a more gentle slow-release retinol that helps reduce visible signs of aging.
  • Lactic Acid exfoliates to smooth and brighten for immediate results.
  • Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract provides antioxidant defense against visible sun damage and pollution.

Verdict: For many this is dubbed the holy grail of retinols. I’ve tried various ones in the past and for me, the majority of them have been far too harsh. This one performs well especially under a moisturizer. It zaps away fine lines like you wouldn’t believe and hyperpigmentation is a thing of the past. You can start seeing results by the third week, one of the fastest working retinols there are! I highly recommend this if you’re looking to invest in a retinol that will give you results and dramatically change your skin’s look and texture.

Price: $88

Where To Buy It: https://www.shanidarden.com/

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Book Review: Jagged Little Pill by Eric Smith, Diablo Cody, and Glen Ballard

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Swallow it down, what a jagged little pill….

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Release Date: April 26, 2022

Publisher: Amulet Books

Price: $19.99 (hardcover)

PLOT SUMMARY:

Adopted Frankie struggles to see eye-to-eye with her mother—who would rather ignore a problem and preserve their “perfect” life than stand up for what’s right. Jo just wants her mom to accept her queer identity—and is totally crushed when Frankie, the only person who really gets her, finds herself infatuated with someone new. Phoenix tries to find his place at the new school and balance wanting to spend time with Frankie but knowing he also has to help out with his sick sister at home. Bella wants to enjoy the end of high school and just head off to college without a hitch. Everyone expects Frankie’s brother Nick to be the golden boy, but even though he just got into his dream school, he’s not even sure he’s a good person. Each of their stories intersects when Bella is sexually assaulted at a party, and it looks like the perpetrator might get away with it.

Moving, heartfelt, and raw, Jagged Little Pill: The Novel draws on the musical’s story and gives readers deeper glimpses of the characters. It’s a story about the power of voicing your pain, standing up for what’s right, and finding healing and connection.

GRADE: B

REVIEW:

If you grew up in the 90’s then you can’t help but have listened to Alanis Morrissette’s breakthrough album Jagged Little Pill. It recently became a musical too, and now there’s a book based on the musical. I wasn’t sure what to expect when it came to a book based off of a musical written around a 90’s album. Let’s just say that the story takes place in contemporary times and NOT the 90’s and it’s very woke riding high on the #METOO movement.

I enjoyed the various POV’s in the novel, as it gave a better sense of what happened when Bella, gets raped during a party. The book focuses on the downfall of trying to keep up appearances and how that often leads one to bury secrets about themselves that should’ve been dealt with instead.

As much as I enjoyed the overall story, I was also expecting a little bit more. I can’t quite explain. I liked the characters but they kinda felt forced at times.

I recommend this novel if you’re a fan of the musical or just want to check out what a novel based on such an iconic album could be like.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Amulet Books for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Review: Tula Signature Glow Refreshing & Brightening Face Mist

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What It Is: Refreshing & Brightening Face Mist

Active Ingredients:

Probiotics: Help lock in the moisture & calm the look of irritation

Prebiotics (beet root): Helps balance skin

Hyaluronic Acid & Kiwi Fruit Water: Help hydrate & brighten the appearance of skin

Ligonberry: Helps protect from the damaging effects of pollution and blue light.

Verdict: When it comes to face mists, there are only a few that I truly enjoy and think are actually doing something for my skin. This one from Tula is absolutely amazing. First of all, it smells delicious and instantly relaxes you, secondly the fine spray delicately distributes the mist on your face without it feeling like it’s hosing you down or not splattering water on you unevenly (this has happened with various face mists). This face mist can be used before and after makeup. Personally, I love using this after my nightly skincare routine because the scent is so relaxing that it helps me wind down after a very busy day. But I also find that the ingredients in this face mist also help nourish my skin and that’s a win/win.

Price: $34

Where To Buy It: https://www.tula.com/

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Review: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator

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What It Is: An age-defying exfoliator that gently polishes, smooths the look of skin, and buffs away dead surface skin cells for a smoother, brighter complexion in minutes.

Active Ingredients: Lactic Acid

Skin Types: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily

Skincare Concerns: Dullness and Uneven Texture, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, and Acne and Blemishes

Verdict: This very well might be the holy grail of exfoliators. I’m usually not a huge fan of exfoliating creams/cleansers because many tend to be harsh and create actual lesions/cuts on the skin (I’m looking at you St. Ives), however, these exfoliating beads are so minuscule and so delicate that it manages to rid your skin of dead skin cells AND be gentle enough for sensitive skin. I was pleasantly surprised by this exfoliator because I’m usually not a fan of exfoliators, but this one really does what it promises to do. It leaves your skin feeling smooth like silk and incredibly soft. I recommend this if you’re looking to amp up your skincare routine.

Price: $79

Where To Buy It: Ulta or Sephora

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Book Review: Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel

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A girl would be such a blessing….

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Publisher: Tor Nightfire

Price: $26.99 (hardcover)

Release Date: May 22, 2022

PLOT SUMMARY:

The last time Maeve saw her cousin was the night she escaped the cult they were raised in. For the past two decades, Maeve has worked hard to build a normal life in New York City, where she keeps everything—and everyone—at a safe distance.

When Andrea suddenly reappears, Maeve regains the only true friend she’s ever had. Soon she’s spending more time at Andrea’s remote Catskills estate than in her own cramped apartment. Maeve doesn’t even mind that her cousin’s wealthy work friends clearly disapprove of her single lifestyle. After all, Andrea has made her fortune in the fertility industry—baby fever comes with the territory.

The more Maeve immerses herself in Andrea’s world, the more disconnected she feels from her life back in the city; and the cousins’ increasing attachment triggers memories Maeve has fought hard to bury. But confronting the terrors of her childhood may be the only way for Maeve to transcend the nightmare still to come…

GRADE: A

REVIEW:

I knew that I had to read this book the moment I saw the creepy doll on the cover. This book definitely delivers on all things creepy. Crazy cult. Check. Creepy dolls. Check. Psychobitches. Check.

Maeve hasn’t seen her cousin Andrea since the night she escaped the all-female cult The Mother Collective. Whilst Maeve is still dealing with the aftermath of the cult, Andrea seems to be doing amazing and has a multi-million dollar home and enterprise.

Throughout the book, you can’t help but feel this increasing sense of dread and you begin to notice that the book is a cross between Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives. Personally, this book is one wild ride and I enjoyed every crazy second of it.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves twisty cult stories that don’t focus on a cult led by a man and if motherhood has ever terrified you. You will find this read absolutely unsettling!

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Review: Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask

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What It Is: A hydrating mask, best for dry sensitive skin.

What It Does: Soothes, hydrates, and restores.

Active Ingredients: Green Tea, Madecassoside, Tumeric, Rhubarb, and Ginseng.

Verdict: This is by far the softest hydrating mask you’ll ever experience. If, like me, you have oily skin, then you may use this hydrating mask once a week, applying a thin layer of it all over your face and keeping it on for 20 minutes. However, if your skin is more on the dry side, especially during the winter when skin tends to be parched, you can also apply a thin layer of this mask all over and keep it overnight. Once you remove this mask (using a cloth and lukewarm water) you’ll unleash the softest skin you’ve ever imagined possible. It seems to eliminate bumps and any dry patches you may have. I tend to exfoliate my skin prior to putting this mask on, so that the skin can easily soak up all the hydrating and soothing ingredients found within this mask. I really recommend this product if you’re in need of some major hydration. Personally, I can’t wait to try out other skincare products from Topicals.

Price: $34

Where To Buy It: https://mytopicals.com/

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Review: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Pillow Talk Original

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What It Is: Nude Pink Lipliner

Verdict: I’ll be honest, I’ve been wanting to try this out ever since all the It-Girl’s of the past decade have always relied on this lipliner/lipstick shade. Alexa Chung was always seen wearing this shade and looks wonderfully effortless in doing so. My only problem is that the price tag is kinda high if you’re unsure whether the shade will look good on you or not, so I was very excited when this showed up in my latest Allure Beauty Box. I’ll admit that this shade is AMAZING, and the lipliner is very soft and has a smooth application. I decided to apply clear lipbalm over it to help the liner to not look so matte or dry out my lips, but I will be purchasing the lipliner and lipstick in this shade now, as it has become my go-to shade to wear every day. I recommend this if you wish to look put together as in “your lips but better.”

Price: $24

Where To Buy It: https://www.charlottetilbury.com/

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Review: Sunday Riley 5 Stars Eye Serum

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What It Is: Anti-aging Eye Serum

What It Does: Prevents the forming of fine lines, crow’s feet.

Active Ingredients: Retinoids, Niacinamide, Asiatic Acid, Red Poppy Seed Extract, Daisy Extract, Ceramides, and Olive Oil.

Verdict: First and foremost, I love how this serum feels, it’s hydrating and thick, and I prefer eye creams on the thicker side, especially for night. I wore this for three night straight though before I started noticing that my eye area was getting dry and the skin had a slight sting to it. I think this serum is best applied on top of a moisturizer to serve as a barrier, because the retinoids in the serum seriously dried out my skin where it was applied. Does it work with smoothing fine lines? Yes, it does. That’s why I suggest to use this serum on top of another eye cream because the retinoids in this are seriously powerful and will work but will leave your skin feeling a bit fiery. If your skin is more on the older side, then you’ll probably won’t have this reaction to it.

Price: $65

Where To Buy It: https://www.sephora.com/

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Review: Glossier Monochromes in Bluff

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What It Is: Essential Eyeshadow Trio

Why It’s Special: Three buildable finishes – Matte, Satin, and Metallic.

Verdict: Now I know that Glossier prides itself in being makeup that enhances your natural beauty and that their products are very sheer, however, I was expecting more oomph from this eyeshadow palette and I fear it never delivered how I hoped it would. Is the application easy and silky? Yes. Are the colours vibrant or pop? No. I’m on the constant look out for the perfect matte peach shade and I’m sad to say, this palette doesn’t deliver in that regard. The matte shade in this palette is so sheer that it doesn’t even look like you’re wearing eyeshadow (and it’s not even the variety of “your eyelid only better” either). The frosty shades deliver better in color and pigment, but honestly not enough for me to recommend it as an absolute purchase. Maybe the other palette shades are more pigmented but as far as this one goes, I wasn’t too impressed by the shades, although the quality is excellent as you’d expect from Glossier.*

*I used primer when applying eyeshadows so w/out primer I imagine the colours would be even less noticeable.

Price: $22

Where To Buy It: https://www.glossier.com/

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