Book Review of More Than Fashion by Elizabeth Briggs

April 11, 2016September 8, 2020 Olivia Chanel2 Comments

More Than Fashion by Elizabeth Briggs

Publication Date: July 30, 2015.

Publisher: Elizabeth Briggs Books.

Genres: New Adult, Romance, and Contemporary.

Rating:

Selling points: A reality show like Project Runway, super steamy romance, witty and strong main character.

Purchase here: Amazon | The Book Depository

Synopsis: They’re enemies who will do anything to win…including each other.

When Julie Hong wins a spot on a fashion design reality TV show, she celebrates by picking up a hot English guy in a hotel bar. But too many drinks leads to a night of embarrassment and a major hangover, and wow is she glad she’ll never see him again. Until the show starts, and he’s on it too.

Julie quickly realizes she’s out of her league among the other designers, and Gavin Bennett, with his cocky grin and sexy accent, is her biggest competition. Julie can’t decide if she wants to kiss him or kill him. Or both.

After she’s almost kicked off, Julie convinces Gavin to pretend they’re sleeping together for the camera. The ploy works, but as they get closer to the show’s finale their fake relationship starts to become too real. But only one of them can win the show—and they might both end up heartbroken.

Thank you Victory Editing for my review copy of More Than Fashion. I received this review copy in exchange for an honest review; this does not affect my opinion.

“Even though they were my competition, I felt a kinship with them. We were creators chasing after a shared dream. We all wanted the same thing: to win.”

More Than Fashion is a fun, light and entertaining new adult book. The book is a reality show in the form of a contest between a bunch of people who all want to be a successful fashion designer. The construction of the show is very much like Project Runway, and I absolutely love this concept. I personally love fashion, even if I’m not very good at it, so imagining the dresses and outfits was really an extra bonus for me as to why I enjoyed More Than Fashion so much. What I also really liked was how the main character, Julie, was somehow a part of this show even if she had a lot of stuff working against her and how this contest gave her a real chance to fulfill her dream. If only she can win.

Book Review of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

April 8, 2016September 8, 2020 Olivia ChanelLeave a comment

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Publication Date: February 2, 2016.

Publisher: Philomel Books.

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, World War II, and Survival.

Rating:

Selling points: Remarkable characters, important and relevant story, a book that will stay with you once you finish it.

Purchase here: Amazon | The Book Depository

Synopsis: Winter, 1945. Four teenagers. Four secrets.

Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies…and war.

As thousands of desperate refugees flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom.

Yet not all promises can be kept.

Inspired by the single greatest tragedy in maritime history, bestselling and award-winning author Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray) lifts the veil on a shockingly little-known casualty of World War II. An illuminating and life-affirming tale of heart and hope.

Salt to the Sea is a remarkable book, one I will recommend to friends and family for years to come. The story is about four teenagers who meet on the run searching for an escape from the brutality of World War II. They are all haunted by the horror, tragedy, lies, and secrets that follow them and the war they are all in the middle of.

These four characters – Joana, Florian, Emilia, and Alfred – are all hunted by their own secrets, and their very first line in their own chapters tells us what torments them the most. It gives you an insight to how burdened a young man or woman could be because of the choices, mistakes, and sacrifices they made because of the horrible circumstances brought to them by evil men and war.

Introductions

April 6, 2016January 9, 2017 Olivia Chanel2 Comments

Hey fellow reader, writer and friend, welcome to my blog!

My name is Olivia Chanel, and since this blog is new and you might not know me I’m here to let you know I’m deeply passionate about books. I’ve had other blogs before, one about books and one not so much, but recently I have found myself missing a place where I can post my reviews and share my love for books with other kindred spirits that feel the same way. I’ll keep this introduction rather short, more can be read about me on my About page, but since I know you probably want an idea of who I am as a person without doing that I’ll give you a few quick facts.

I am, for better and for worse, a:

Scorpio
INFP
Ravenclaw
Green eyed brunette
University student
Swedish resident
Summer person

I hope you feel like you know me a little bit better now. On this blog I will post book reviews, discussions, book recommendations and a little bit about my writing journey. If this interests you, don’t hesitate to follow me by entering your email on the side bar to the right (that is right, right? Sorry another fact I should have mentioned is that I suck at telling left from right. Weird, I know!).

Anyway, I hope you’re currently reading a good book!

Best wishes,

Olivia Chanel