Category: Han

Sweetfreak by Sophie McKenzie #bookreview #Han

Sweetfreak by Sophie McKenzie

Buy it here
From Goodreads: A brand new edge-of-your-seat read from bestselling author Sophie McKenzie!
Accused of bullying her best friend, Amelia, online, Carey isn’t prepared for the devastating consequences of online anonymity when the attacks spill over into real life. But who is really behind these vicious comments and threats? And will Carey be able to get to the truth before it’s too late?

Cyber Bully meets Gone Girl, SweetFreak is full of Sophie’s characteristic twists and turns, and will keep you guessing until the very end…

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I love Sophie Mckenzie’s books. They never fail to engage me from start to finish and this was no exception. I stickered so many parts throughout this book; it was far easier than updating my Goodreads every two seconds.

 

Characters
I hated Amelia from the get go; told myself I would tell her to get lost at the very start, knowing too well that I probably would do exactly what Carey did.
I successfully identified the sociopath! Once the story unfolded and we got to meet other people; I was able, through my recent research, identify the traits within a certain character. Oh how I wish I’d been able to read this book a year ago.
Carey is an amazing character and someone everyone would identify with. You might not agree with some of her actions, but you can understand why she would do it.
I found the actions of the parent’s the most alarming; mainly because I think that is exactly how many parents would react.

Plot
The plot, as with any McKenzie book, it full of twists and sinister turns that you think you can predict, but the moment you think you’re sure; the rug will be pulled from right under you.

The narrative explores many different forms of relationships, loyalty and betrayal. Its amazing progression does keep you on edge until the very end and you’re with Carey in suspecting everyone.

Writing
McKenzie’s writing is always gripping and fast paced. It’s comfortable in the sense that you know what you’re getting with the writing and the voices that leap from the page. McKenzie is comfortable bringing out the emotion and hints at a location without having to spend time describing it. There were so many snippets that struck me as things to keep in mind; they ended up as stickers that I intend to go back to when another school holiday comes around.

Who Runs the World? by Virgina Bergin #Bookreview #Han

Who Runs the World? by Virgina Bergin 

Buy it here
From Amazon: Sixty years after a virus has wiped out almost all the men on the planet, things are pretty much just as you would imagine a world run by women might be: war has ended; greed is not tolerated; the ecological needs of the planet are always put first. In two generations, the female population has grieved, pulled together and moved on, and life really is pretty good – if you’re a girl. It’s not so great if you’re a boy, but fourteen-year-old River wouldn’t know that. Until she met Mason, she thought they were extinct.

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Characters

I liked the bond between the characters and the way each was formed based upon their upbringing. The older generation speak and act exactly how they would have when they were children.
Interestingly, I thought the main character of River was male at first. I wonder if this is due to there being no gender stereotypes in the world run by women.
Mason, aside from my aversion to the name, was a likeable character and I was happy with his vulnerability and his misconceptions of women.

Plot

I want more. I like where this went and I was happy with the ending, but if this was Hunger Games; River is Katniss and I want her to lead a revolution, or at least I would like to have had the hope that one was on the cards.

The Writing

I loved the use of language to convey the generations. The thought of an elderly person using slang brings me a surprising amount of joy.
It seems a little void of descriptions, which works for me; I don’t need to know what is in the corner of a room or how fresh an apple tastes to get a feel for this world.

Soulmates by Holly Bourne #Bookreview #Han

Soulmates by Holly Bourne

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The first book of Holly’s I read was Am I Normal Yet? It talked to me; I related with the anxiety portrayed in the book. She’s my go to writer and I’m off to her next book’s launch on the 20th September.
I devoured the Spinster Saga and I’ve handed them to anyone who was looking for something to read.

Soulmates is Bourne’s debut novel. It only pales because of her writing going from strength to strength. You can see Bourne’s Spinster characters being developed here in this novel and a lot of her style and tone is here too.
There’s what feels like a supernatural element to this romantic story. I had it in my head that Rain and his manager were angels and there was something larger at play. So I was surprised when it fell firmly into reality with a little artistic sudo-science. It was a nice touch. I just wished that I’d read it before the others as it didn’t gel with my expectations.
I liked Poppy; she was a good and well-rounded character. It was just a shame I didn’t really like anyone else, especially Noah who was too Edward Twihard for my liking.

GBBO ramblings #tvreview #Han

GBBO

I’m weak, I wasn’t going to watch; I was going to boycott. However, how can I say no to Noel Bloody Fielding!

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Hosts
We have Sandy and Noel replacing the irreplaceable Mel and Sue.

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Judges
Pru replaces Mary Berry.

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Bakers
Look… gender neutral cakes!

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Opening
“All newbies here, except old blue eyes.” Noel, Noel, Noel… you are amazing.
Close your eyes and Pru sounds like Mary Berry. Oh man, this is making me incredibly weird.
Signature Bake – Fruit Cake
Stacey- I actually would have preferred you to have called it a ‘Buzz Cake’
Liam- 19 years old. “But I like loafs.” I love him. He’s a classroom dream. I can’t wait to see him develop on the show.
Julia- Lemon and courgette cake. Interesting. “How do you squeeze the moisture our of a courgette.” Was that an attempt at an innuendo?
I love the chemistry between Paul and Scouser Flo.
Tom and his gilded pear- where’s the fun innuendo?!
“I don’t know what it is, but I want to stick my finger into it.”- That wasn’t the innuendo that I was after.
Noel attempting to eat the marigold was genius.
Flo- “I’m awfully please.”/ lemon KERD! I love Flo!

 

Technical Challenge- Mini rolls
I LOVE Noel. “Bare bottom”
I’m with Kate though; why would you make them when they’re so easy and yummy to buy?
Liam to comedian Sandy “Yeah, but joking can only take you so far.”- awkward!
Sandy “I can actually feel my hips widening as we do this.”
Liam’s rolls- “This is art.” Bless.

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Show Stopper- Illusion Cake
“Looking forward to the moist clutch.”- I’m only allowing this ‘close to the knuckle’ innuendo because it was Noel who said it.

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Julia! Oh Julia “Outside is Russian like me, the inside is British, well like me now.” I love her analogy of her Victoria sponge Russian doll cake. I love that GBBO is still at the forfront of celebrating Britain as a rainbow nation.
Sophie and that Champagne bottle. Eeeeek, that wasn’t innuendo, that was pure tacky.
Noel puts It right when he says the standards are high this year. Proven when Steven pulls that BLT sandwich and loaf of bread out the bag.

Final Moments
Star Baker– Steven
Home– Peter
Next week: Buiscuits
Predictions and final thoughts
It still feels the same and I am loving Noel. However, the humour, despite having two very funny hosts, isn’t quite right. The obvious innuendos are missing, and the ones that they do hit, they either fall flat or are a little too close to being sleazy.
Final 3 (This isn’t a Nadiya year, I don’t have the confidence in a single baker)- Steven, Flo and Kate.

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Suits Series 7 Episode8 (100) #review #Han

Suits Series 7 Episode 8 (100) #review

From Netflix:  Rachel puts her family at risk to help Mike and Harvey in the prison case. Donna takes a stand with an old flame. Louis faces a disappointment.

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The strongest episode of the series. Still a little on the dark side, but having Harvey and Mike working together does make a difference to the dynamic and tone of the show.

Louis
Louis has a good episode and it was good to see him with his secretary, Gretchen. She’s really good for him and should be in it more.
Shit, Sheila Sazs is back. I love the actress, the character is awesome, but no!!! Last time she was on the show, she broke him and he’s still not fixed from the other love of his life. Especially as the news she hands him is that she’s engaged. I’m so glad they didn’t make her pregnant too. That just would have been a step too far.
I do love how moral Louis is, but I’m glad out of him and Donna, he’s the one who took up the advances of a previous lover.

Harvey and Mike
Batman and Robin are back together. I didn’t like the fact that they got Robert, Rachel’s father involved, and at the time it felt like more fuel to my theory that Rachel was a target.
However, as the episode progressed and it’s revealed that Gallo has been killed (something I’m not quite certain I believe.) My theory is out the window.
The case is settled with a loop holed ‘death-bed confession’ by Gallo. It’s a little anti-climactic and too neat for my liking, but hell; I’m just glad it’s over.

Donna
I was quite happy that Donna phoned Mark; the guy that got away from the flashback episode last week. It doesn’t matter what her motivations are for reaching out, it’s initially quite healthy for Donna.
However, very quickly we find out that he’s married. Unhappily, but still married. I love Donna’s response; it’s classy, clear and most importantly, true to who she is.
So it’s quite a shame that a chance encounter with Paula leads her to agree to meeting Mark in his hotel room. I’ve been waiting all series for this and it wasn’t as good as I expected it to be. It’s difficult seeing Donna vulnerable and I’m so happy that she received Rachel’s ‘You deserve the best’ text at the right time.

Overall, questions and predictions
It really was a high-quality episode, Gallo aside. I think that’s the only bit that lets the episode down.
I think Alex will go back to his own firm, because the actor was signed on for a story arc.
Donna is going to have to say something to Harvey.
Will Sheila cancel her wedding? How will Louis cope if he doesn’t?

Bullshits count – 4
God Damn it count – 1

American Made- 15 #filmreview #Han

American Made- 15
Release date- 25.8.17
Trailer
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The Good
From the opening, I knew I was going to like this Crime Drama Biopic. There was something a little hipster about its phase from fancy, shiny new age Universal logo to the static one of old. The film geek in me loves a gimmick when it comes to studio logos. (Side note- to this day Ralf hums along to every 20th Fox film. It’s head cannon to me now.) It sets the tone and the setting of the film. Got to love the meta of it; it’s harking back to an era in which the president was a former actor. I have much more insightful things to say about the progression of Hollywood during the Regan era, but now is not the time.
The humour from the get going is quirky, gritty and a refreshing change for a Cruise film. Once or twice I found myself being the only person laughing, or understanding the punch like a beat sooner than the rest of the audience.
The plot is given a clear narration with the same flare as 2015’s The Big Short. It’s narration is what ties the whole thing together.

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Okay, I’ll level with you here before I gush at the awesomeness. Cruise and Gleeson meet fairly early and yes, their initial scene would never stand up to that of Deniro and Pacino in Heat when it comes to a sit down; how would it, that was DECADES in the making.
However, Gleeson is once again showing his versatility as the unlikeable ‘CIA’ operative handling Cruise’s pilot Barry Seal.
I know I’m bias as Gleeson is my movie catnip, but I loved his sudo-command over A-list Cruise. It also gives you an insight into Cruise’s character. You know had this been Ethan Hunt the other side of the table, Gleeson’s Monty Shafer would have pissed his pants by the end of the first conversation.
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The Bad
I wasn’t a fan of the shaky cam. It certainly didn’t do the film justice on a Super Screen. I know it was trying to achieve a sense of realism, and aesthetically it makes more sense and you appreciate it more when you get to the final act. Had I watched it on a smaller screen, it might have been okay. However, as it stands, it left me a little dizzy.
I did also find it a little slow in places. Not as slow as other Colombian cartel movies (Yes, I’m looking at you Scarface… You’re long, you’re over rated and I hate you), and while it’s okay for a first watch I don’t think it’s a regular viewing film.

The Ugly
This is not about the film itself, but film etiquette and ultimate audience faux pas that led to me becoming a little bit more aware of the films pace; the couple next to me. (Side note: they shouldn’t have been next to us. I’d used my Cinema Magic skills to combine my Cineworld card and Meerkat movies to get myself and a friend in for free. I’d specified the later showing, but the grumpy twenty-something was too busy making her face express her wish to be outside, so she gave me tickets for the screening before… so a seat hop, or three, we find ourselves beside this couple)
The talked, at length and at volume. Throughout the entire film. I don’t get it?! It was central London; the tickets were £16.50 each (hence what I did being a magic trick). Why bother? From the little bits I did hear, it wasn’t even about the film. During the fight and flight sequences it wasn’t so obvious. However, during the quiet bits it was a little like torture… ergo slow pace makes the film fall a little for me.
People, be proud though, I restrained the inner Scouse and I actually let them chat away. I don’t know if it was because the sound system in a Super Screen was a little louder than normal, or if I’m just realising I gain nothing by allowing myself to be wound up by ignorant people. It really is an ugly side of cinema, but I don’t want it to stop me enjoying my time with friends.

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I’m just going to leave this last image of Domhnall here 

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer #bookreview #Han #Zoellabookclub

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer #bookreview #Han #Zoellabookclub

From Amazon: Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother’s death, she leaves letters at her grave. It’s the only way Juliet can cope.

Declan Murphy isn’t the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he’s trying to escape the demons of his past.

When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can’t resist writing back. Soon, he’s opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they’re not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

Goodreads

download

First Thoughts
It was going to be a tough read for me. I always knew that. In fact, until Zoe announced it was this week’s focus for the Zoella book club chat I had no intention of reading this book. I thought it was too close to home and I buried it, much like my feelings about death and grief.
I’m really glad I did. Yes, it was a painful read. It was tough going, but there was something a little cathartic about the process.

 

Characters

I was able to engage and empathise with most of the characters. Brigid Kemmerer was able to create almost mirror-like characters that reflect the reader’s experiences that add depth to the characters. From the frustration and anger of Juliet, the warmth of the English teacher to the angst-ridden guilt of Declan.
The characters do grow throughout the narrative, but what I like most is that their growth does not end when the book does. You know that they have further to go, but they’ll get there.
I have more of an attachment to Declan. Perhaps it’s how long he’s had to grief by the opening of the narrative or his specific form of guilt. It could even be my love of his friend, Rev but what I love most of all is how genuine his character is; I’ve seen kids like him in my classes and it’s fascinating to see potential inner workings.

Plot

In what could have been a predictable You’ve Got Mail, grief by numbers I am delighted to say I had the rug pulled from under me a few times; and I was looking at it analytically trying to see the red herrings. I can’t really say more without spoiling the twist/s, but I can say that it helps develop a refreshing look at family, coping with death and living up to your own expectations.

Writing

It did take me a few more chapters than normal to get into the flow of which voice belonged to whom. I think this was perhaps owing to many chapters having the voices of Juliet and Declan both present; one as narrator other letter writer.
However, by the time the characters moved to other forms of communicating, I was well and truly hooked.
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If you’ve read the book, please join the wonderful @zcollins1994 (along with myself and Gem) on Saturday 2nd September 6pm as Zoe hosts her weekly #zoellabookclub chat on Twitter (http://www.nosaferplace.co.uk/2017/07/zoella-book-club-chat.html – Zoe explains it much better in her own words here). If you haven’t read the book, head over to Zoe’s YouTube channel at 5pm https://www.youtube.com/nosaferplace and you also still have time.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Mental Health- Realising you’ve escaped an abusive relationship Part ONE #mentalhealth

Mental Health- Realising you’ve escaped an abusive relationship Part ONE
Trigger warning- emotional abuse, depression, anxiety
*names have been changed for obvious reasons.

I met Dick through a dating site. It wasn’t until after our first date I found out the name I knew him by was false. About a month in, he told me he was in love with me. A little too quick for my liking, but as he was the first bloke to ever use those words, I went with it.  By January, he’d informed me that he no longer loved me. That he’d ‘trained’ himself not to love me anymore. Strangely, that didn’t make me walk away; it made me try harder. It was my fault after all, right?

The man who showered me with affection, who insisted on going out on our 2nd month ‘anniversary’ and proudly wore a matching t shirt for our Christmas was a fake. At the time I didn’t know what a sociopath was, or how they worked through a relationship. I was the proverbial frog in the pan, rising my temperature until I was compromised. It led to my darkest rabbit hole journey.

Before you read any further, please understand that this will not be an easy read. I do not mean to offend, upset or anger anyone. This is not attention seeking or story writing. Everything you read here is the truth, as I saw it. I wasn’t perfect and my actions towards the end of the relationship were desperate and certainly not something I am proud of.
This candid look at a sociopathic/narcissistic relationship is perhaps a little selfish. While part of me is putting it out there so that other people will recognise traits in this man and save themselves from the pain I endured, there is a bigger part of me having to put this out there so that it never happens to me again.

 

Why am I doing this? Firstly, I had a heart to heart with my best friend and admitted to her (and social media), that I’m still very much broken over Dick. I don’t want him in my life, I want my memory wiped of him. Secondly, while searching for a photo for a blog post I found this:

 

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I look like shit. But what struck me most about this photo was how miserable I looked. My eyes are dead, when they normally have that little bit of a sparkle. Even I can tell that my smile is fake. It’s a portrait of pain and abuse. Scars I’m worried that will never heal.

To give you an idea of what was going on in my head within 12 hours of this photo being taken I have found notes I’d made on my way to Copenhagen with a friend. Someone who didn’t know I was still with Dick. The secret was taking its toll, because I trust these people who I kept it from. I knew what they’d said in the past was the truth; there was something fundamentally wrong with the man.

He’d gone away on a business trip and he’d pulled out a trick from the Sociopath’s bible: ghosting. At this point we’d known each other 5 months, and I’d had a text from him EVERY SINGLE DAY. Good morning, good evening, even a ‘meep’ when I hadn’t text in a while. However, this week was strained and cold. Rather than annoy him with my thoughts about what was going on, I wrote this out;

Han’s Heart – I miss Dick, I want to text him… just because. (Well… no. Like a muppet, I want him to text me)

Han’s logic brain- but he’s not text you first in weeks. You need to back off so he can miss you. You can do it. Just don’t text him till he texts you.

Han’s Gollum brain- but… but… but… what if he doesn’t text back, ever because he thinks you not texting is actually a good thing and feels relieved that he’s not hearing from you. He just doesn’t know how to tell you that you’re horrible and repulsive.

Han’s logic brain- you know he doesn’t love you any more so he doesn’t think about you as much; it’s normal for him. Stop poisoning me Gollum.

Han’s Heart- but I want to be normal. Normal for me is texting him when I want to and not caring if he texts back.

Gollum brain- but he wishes your texts were from someone else. ANYONE else but you.  No one likes you. You can’t keep the weight off. You’re shit in bed and he never wants to touch you. He doesn’t care if you get off.

Logic brain- it doesn’t matter. He’s a good person. He likes you.

Gollum- he lies

Logic- for good reason

Gollum- I bet he uses the condoms you buy on other girls. He won’t even think about it. You gave him a great out as well when you brought the new ones. 

Heart- why hasn’t he text?! He must be waiting for his plane now. What did you do wrong Hunter?!

Gollum- you’re being punished because you’re evil and horrible. I bet he doesn’t even smile when he sees your name any more. He groans and puts his phone away. He wishes he could have the orgasms you give him without seeing you. I bet he’d rather Nel was the one he fell for. That’s if he ever loved you.

 

He text just before I got on the plane. It didn’t make me feel any better. Not too long after that, I found this in the Notes section of my phone. I don’t think this is one I’d sent to him.

So…. I think I know what it is that’s putting me on edge. I don’t want to lose you. The man you were right at the beginning (bringing sushi randomly to mine was WAAAAAAAY better than any rose), the things you said (why am I so lucky to have you?)… I couldn’t want for anything more and the best thing; I don’t think any of that was an act. I literally thought I’d found my dream man and in all honesty?! I still think I have.

At the start, you were doing things that came naturally to you. Now you second guess everything and while I know you’re doing it to ‘protect’ me and keeping me at arm’s length, it’s coming across as apathy and almost like I’m a chore that is making you miserable.

If you want to spend time with me, just do it. Stop thinking about this stupid ‘once/twice a week rule). You want to stop worrying about me being hurt; start inviting me to things yourself. Not leaving it me to ask and get the response that you’re with someone else. (Yes, I know you’ve said it’s always her that asks and you just say yes… but I’m not part of it. I don’t know. I am always worrying about whether I’m asking too soon, too late or worse, if I don’t ask I won’t see you at all. It’s exhausting.) you have ideas, you just need to go ‘Hey Han, can I see you Wednesday this week. Meet me in Ealing and we’ll go for food.’ You can’t tell me that’s not something you can do; because it’s EXACTLY what you ARE doing by being on the dating apps. You’re actively seeking company.

Honestly. I think you want me more than you’re letting on and what is stopping you is the fear of being alone. The fear that we won’t work and that you might lose me. I think you’re scared of your feelings.

 

It’s making me feel so ill reading these. Even at his cruelest, I was making excuses for him and trying to massage his ego. The sad thing, I think I believed all of this.

Any normal person would feel some sort of remorse for knowing the pain they were causing someone. Nope. It made him angry. It bored him and made him want to be with one of the other girls. How do I know? He told me! Said I was the better girl, the best girl… but I just didn’t behave right.

Why wasn’t I behaving? Because I didn’t know all the rules. Not one for failing, I tried to learn the rules. Please believe me, I tried. So hard. However, the rules would change and I’d be punished. To be clear, I did tell Dick at the beginning that I take things literally.

I’d not been in a relationship for a long time, so I thought telling Dick things like this would make things easier. What I hadn’t realised though, was I was giving him a blue print to my undoing; I handed him his gaslighting road map on a plate.

Suits Series 7 Episode 7 (Full Disclosure) #review #Han

Suits Series 7 Episode 7 (Full Disclosure) #review #Han

From Netflix:

Having lost Harvey’s trust, Mike puts his career on the line to drive the prison case forward. Louis’s therapist pushes him to take a risk.

Certainly, one of the stronger episodes of series 7 so far. A lot of the threads are at least coming into fruition, even if there is still a lack of fun or even team work within the firm I normally root for so much.

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Overall
Mainly set inside a flashback, it was still in keeping with the episodes of the series. Intense, with no sign of any let up for any of the characters. It’s a hard episode to follow as stylistically there are no identifies between the present and past; except Donna’s hair. Instead, it’s all about dialogue.

Louis
This was equally the character’s best and worst episode. The reason being is that his story is set mainly within the time-frame of the flashback. I was at first very upset that I had to see the angry, nihilistic man on the warpath. Even with Jessica (Yes, another excuse to have her back.) he is vicious and rude.
However, I learned to love this arc, because it gives us an insight into how much Louis has grown over the seven seasons.
There are some epic lines from him too “Shrinks are for pussies.” To “Back the truck up.” However, it is the cringeworthy ignorance that leads the rawest, most beautiful scene I’ve ever seen on Suits. As a Jew, Louis takes an issue to his shrink’s accent. Knowing that he is a long-standing person in Louis’ life make his bigoted opinions a little easier to bare. Had the line “Oh my, you’re a gad damned Nazi.” Been uttered on any other show, I would have seen it as tasteless and cheap. However, they handle it with class and it leads to a reveal that breaks my heart and shows people how, even today, relevant Holocaust education is important.

Others
Unfortunately, I don’t have the patience or empathy for any of the other characters now. From Mike continuing with the suit, to Harvey cutting him off at the pass. It’s the same story that has been dragged out all series and I’m bored. The flashback gives us some ‘excuse’ as to why Harvey must support Alex and not Mike, because we all know that normally Harvey would have suited up and had Mike’s back by now.
However, what I will say is that when it comes to that final scene, when Alex confesses to Mike and Harvey talks with Donna, the editing of that reveal is incredible. It’s dance-like and does detract from it being a complete and utter anti-climax. So, there’s a gun at Alex’s back. Great, believability about this level of corruption aside; it’s just too conceited. I can see where this is going; two episodes, tops, and Mike et al with have it wrapped up and dressed like a Christmas morning.

Final Thoughts, Predictions and Questions
Just a middle ground episode with very little progression for anyone other than Louis.
Inside that reveal from Alex, we know that the people involved are prepared to kill to keep this conspiracy covered up. My money is on Rachel, but Alex could be in the firing line too. Even comedy/legal drama Ally McMeal had a significant death and we’ve gone 7 series without one (I know there was Mike’s nan and Louis’ receptionist, but they are not part of the main cast. I’m talking main cast significant)
I actually want to see Louis try to adopt. I think it would ground him and I don’t want to see him in another romance just yet. Baby, then love I think will work for him. Uncommon, but I think it would work.
There needs to be a gear change with Harvey and Donna. They either need to get them together or she needs a romance. It’s too heart-breaking right now and I think she’s the only person who can provide us with the light-hearted romance.

Bullshits count- 4
God Damn it count-7

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera #bookreview #Han

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera #bookreview #Han
Release date: 7.9.2017
From Amazon: On September 5th, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: they’re going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: there’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure – to live a lifetime in a single day.

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Initial thoughts
Another competition win that I very gladly received. Having read History is All You Left Me as part of Zoella’s book club, I was very excited for the release of this. Not only does it not fail to disappoint, it surpasses History in its engagement and concept.

It kept me calm while waiting for my first counselling session on Thursday. Believe me, when my anxiety is high it is hard to keep my attention so that is a true testament to Silvera that not only did he keep my attention, his words soothed my soul.

Plot
I have to talk about the plot first, as it is ‘high concept’. This is a world in which you are informed the night before that you have 24 hours left to live. No other details or specifics are given; just that you will not be around for the day after and that you should get your affairs in order.
I love that there is no explanation about how the system works. I don’t need to know, it exists and that’s all good to me.
Social media has hooked into this phenomenon and have introduced apps to help people through their last day, and that’s how two boys, on the cusp of adulthood, find themselves meeting. The are each other’s Last Friend and they do amazing jobs in helping the other live for the day.
You know how it ends; the clue is in the title. However, you don’t ever find yourself wishing it wasn’t true. At least I didn’t, it would have cheapened the experience.

Characters
I loved the joint protagonists; Mateo and Rufus. Not only were they able to pull me into their lives and make me care, they helped me live along with them. I liked the approach both took towards their deaths.
As I said before, I didn’t want them to survive. That sounds harsh and makes it sound like the deserve it. They don’t, but for me there is still hope at the end of the book for both of them and that’s the important part.
With death, it’s very rarely about the people who die, but those left behind. I found it an important factor to have chapters from their perspective, it’s what some of the recent books I’ve been reading have lacked because you don’t identify with those people and they’re left feeling a little flat. Not here, you find yourself identifying with those people. A subtle touch, but it makes all the difference.

Writing
The writing was addictive. The chapters were a perfect, digestible, length and had circumstances been different, this would have been a one sitting read.
There were subtle differences between the voices of the characters participating within the narrative. There’s nothing worse than having a book that requires a different font to distinguish between characters. For the two protagonists, you didn’t even need the chapter titles to keep up with who was speaking.

Without being specific, Silvera was able to convey the emotions of both boys clearly. I found that quite a refreshing read and makes me want to read more with male protagonist.

Final words

It is a book that will leave you thinking about what you would do and how you would live your life each day; whether it be because you know you are not set to die that day, or even more importantly, you knew any minute it could be your last.

It’s a book that will stay with you long after you finish the last page. Slvera has done an amazing job once again, and I look forward to reading more from him.

Harry Potter Tag – #Gem #Han

we got the tag

So… we got the call! I’ve attempted to complete it a few times over the last few weeks. But weddings, overgrown toddlers and books have gotten in the way. So with a drink in hand and my best friend at my side, we finally got to grips with the questions.

Big thanks to https://nevernotreadingblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/hogwarts-tag/amp/ for tagging us.

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AM I A PUREBLOOD, HALF-BLOOD, OR MUGGLE BORN?

H: Total Muggle.
G: Same as Han, total muggle!

WHICH WAND CHOSE ME?

H: Picture1

G: Alder and Unicorn Hair, 10 and ¾ inch

DID I TAKE AN OWL, CAT, RAT, OR TOAD WITH ME?

H: I picked a cat, ideally a ginger cat. I have a soft spot for gingers in all walks of life, so it was the natural choice. It would be a male, very friendly and loyal. Only I’d spot this beautiful creature in the shop and I’d name him Janus.

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G: I picked a snowy owl. I think they are stunningly beautiful and I remember seeing one on my porch roof when I was 3 or 4 years old. It stayed there for a day or two and then we never saw it again, I’m pretty sure it must’ve escaped from someone’s aviary, although as a child I just remember thinking it was magical because I’d never seen such a nice white bird (as seagulls are clearly evil chip stealers, even at a young age I knew this!)

WHERE DID THE SORTING HAT PUT ME?

H: Ravenclaw– it lies. When I did this years ago, it put me in Hufflepuff. All the quizzes put me in Hufflepuff, but in the last year I’ve been getting Ravenclaw. Have I really changed that much?

G: Ravenclaw, and I’m stunned. Every quiz I’ve previously done, including this one years ago, have put me in Slytherin. Therefore I’m going with Slytherclaw from now on.

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WHAT HOUSE DID I WANT TO BE IN?

H: Hufflepuff and proud. I have the t-shirt and everything. I’m a Hufflepuff and you can’t make me move!

G: Slytherin, but Ravenclaw would be my second choice so I’m happy to be Slytherclaw!

WHAT LESSONS ARE MY FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE?

Favourites:

H:The year in which Professor Lupin was running Defence Against the Dark Arts, it became my favourite. I secretly had a crush on the Professor. Okay, so it wasn’t so secret. I think this makes me a hipster Huffle! After all, I didn’t join the many fawning over Lockheart the previous year.

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I prefer my men brave, moral and good hearted. So, his clothes were threadbare; that’s what happens when society is prejudiced against afflictions people have no control over.

It might surprise people to hear, but I really enjoyed potions lessons. I got the impression Snape didn’t like me all that much; mainly because I was too clumsy and flighty but that didn’t stop me having a blast in his class. Still, I had a lot of respect for the overgrown bat. He knew people didn’t like him, but he didn’t care.

 

G: Potions was my all-time favourite. The idea that you could mix a few ingredients together to create something so powerful was intoxicating. Snape himself is clearly a legend. I don’t think I’d have necessarily been a popular student, but I’d have certainly been an attentive one.

I also love the idea of being able to transfigure, particularly to the level of the Marauders and be an Animagus  – and probably like them I’d have been unregistered. It always surprised me that it was never revealed in the books that Snape had the ability to transform into an actual bat, it seemed to me so likely that he would have added that to his repertoire.

Least favourites:

H: I didn’t enjoy Muggle Studies. I lived it, I didn’t need to study it. Weirdly, I’d get things wrong as well, not because I was wrong (It was how baking a potato would be done in my house), but it wasn’t what was in the text book!

G: Divination. Absolute nonsense and a waste of time that could be better spent learning something that had an actual use.

 

THE FORM MY PATRONUS TAKES:

H: A bloody Wild Rabbit. I bloody hate rabbits. If I’d have a choice mine would be a hippo.

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G: A vole apparently. I literally have no idea why or what this means! I do remember being on a family day trip to Matlock and sitting by the river (or canal? It was water anyway!) and me and my brother feeding the water voles with the remnants of our Sonic the Hedgehog biscuits. That biscuit reference alone indicates quite how long ago this was!

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WHAT DOES A BOGGART LOOK LIKE FOR ME?

H: My boggart takes the form of an empty room. My biggest fear is isolation so a room in which I am alone would suffocate me.

G: A Pennywise from IT type clown, and as a muggle I’d have been aware of this reference.

DO I PARTAKE IN ANY MAGICAL HOBBIES OR SCHOOL SPORTS?

H: I think I’d be involved in something underground, like the DA! I’m not sporty in the slightest, but I would attend Quidditch matches.

G: As much as I’d love to be on the Quidditch team I am massively uncoordinated. Uh, so Duelling Club?

WHERE WOULD I FIND MYSELF HANGING IN MY FREE TIME?

H: The library or Hufflepuff common room (not Ravenclaw! You can’t make me)…. Reading, writing or listening to music.

G: I’m assuming Gem would be with me with this.

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WHAT WOULD I MOST LIKELY GET DETENTION FOR?

H: Either being clumsy and making a mess; annoying Filtch or forgetting to complete my homework. I’d start it, get distracted and completely forget about it.

G: Cheeking the teacher, wandering around after hours or arguing with fellow students who disagreed with my opinion!

WHAT CAREER DO I WANT AFTER LEAVING HOGWARTS?

H: I would work in muggle relations and education. I’d reform Muggles Studies and ensure that it’s kept up to date to ensure wizards don’t freak non-magic folk out by brushing their hair with forks.

G: I love the idea of being an Auror and capturing and putting away the truly dark wizards. I think there are various levels of power, and whilst it’s perfectly ok to seek to further your knowledge in a particular subject (such as potions) it is unacceptable to use that power to discriminate against people, or to take it as far as Voldermort’s loyal Death Eater’s did.

I think other than that, I would probably just end up in a random role within the Ministry of Magic and try and work my way up!

 

So there we have it, we’ve finally sat down and completed it. Phew!

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Patti Cakes- 15 #PattiCakes #filmreview #han

Patti Cakes- 15
Release date: 1st September 2017
From IMDB: PATTI CAKE$ is centered on aspiring rapper Patricia Dombrowski, a.k.a. Killa P, a.k.a. Patti Cake$, who is fighting an unlikely quest for glory in her downtrodden hometown in New Jersey.

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The Good
Patti Cakes is a stylistically stunning indie underdog film that takes you by the heart. The protagonist’s fantasies are played out as music video clips and give you an insight into Patti’s figurative dreams. Even those people, including myself, who are not partial to the rap genre, will not be put off by the music represented in the movie.

It is a raw, honest and funny look into family life, the challenges faced in trying to make it, and how you cope when you don’t. It unfolds into a bittersweet final act that I challenge anyone to watch without tearing up.

Danielle MacDonald steals the show as Patti; called Dumbo by the boys in her neighbourhood, she represents the body positive character many women have been needing for a while. She crosses so many cultural boundaries and subverts the genre of rap without being a stereotype. The relationship with her mother and Nan provide the films core humour and heart.

The music is excellent, and not being someone who goes out of their way to listen to rap artists, I found myself making a mental note to check out the soundtrack come pay day.

The Bad
There are arguments that the film is a little formulaic and there are already comparisons made to Juno, 8 Mile, Muriel’s Wedding and Strictly Ballroom. While I can’t deny there isn’t those comparisons to be made, I would argue that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being put up there with the caliber of Indie films such as these.

It is also an updated look at the similar themes found within those movies; ones that perhaps would not reach an audience of today. With such an important message, it’s vital it gets an uplift from time to time.

The Ugly
There is nothing within the film that I can pull apart. However, what I will say is that it will be a terrible shame if this film doesn’t make bigger waves here in the UK Box Office.

In a world were we’re sheep and go in our droves to the film with the loudest bangs and the biggest star; it’s time to stop being a sheep.

Ignore any preconceptions you have as the door and watch this film for what it truly is; a bittersweet family drama showcasing talent, humour and a massive heart.