Book Review Wednesday: The Good Daughter

I have only read one Karin Slaughter book before, and it was one of the most effed up books I've ever read in my entire life. I briefly reviewed Pretty Girls last year and it remains one of my favorite suspense novels ever.

When I saw that Slaughter had a new book out, I immediately downloaded it to Audible and started listening.

The Good Daughter book starts out in the past, and it starts off with a vengeance. It was so disturbing I almost stopped listening -- I like to be worked up into a twisted plot, not start off with it.

I stuck with it and the book turned out to be incredible.

Taking place in Atlanta, it surrounds a family that has gone through incredible trauma. The father in the story, Rusty, is a criminal lawyer and defends the worst kinds of criminals in their small town of Pikeville. Because of this, his family is a target of harassment and violence.

It spirals out of control and tragedy strikes the entire family.

Fast forward almost 30 years and Charlie Quinn is still living in Pikeville and is a lawyer working at her father's firm. Another tragedy strikes the town and Charlie is caught right in the middle of it. The events that follow bring up a lot of horrible memories and also a lot of clarity of what happened all those years ago.

There are so many twists and turns in this story, I was constantly on the edge of my seat. You couldn't really predict anything that happened in this book and it was a wild ride!

I didn't want to let go of this series once it was over (and it was a very satisfying ending for everyone involved) so when I found out there was a prequel to this story, I was thrilled.

I downloaded "The Last Breath" right after I finished The Good Daughter and it was a nice way to subside my addiction to the Quinn family. I don't think you have to read this before The Good Daughter, I almost think it's better to read it after because you'll be able to appreciate everything that happens in The Last Breath a little more.

I highly recommend 'The Good Daughter' to all you suspense lovers out there. I'm hoping to start Slaughter's other books and series in her library very soon!

What book have you read recently that you loved?
xoxo
B

Tuesday Inspiration: Mini Quarter Life Crisis

The past few weeks I've been really down, mixed in with some utter happiness about fall starting, but nonetheless, I've felt off.

It kind of feels like when I graduated and everything was up in the air. There was a lot of change on the horizon and new beginnings... it kind of feels like that now expect that nothing is really changing.

I feel like things should be changing though.

I guess I have stumbled upon the true quarter-life crisis, two months early. My 25th birthday is on November 30th and it feels like things should be moving at a faster pace. I feel old, I feel like I'm behind. I'm single, in the same job I was when I graduated (which is FINE because I really love my job), and still living at home.

I never compare myself to other people but right now,  I am. I see other people moving out and doing different things and I don't feel like I'm moving as fast as everyone else. I've always been a late bloomer, in so many ways, and I think that I'm just running late, as per usual.

I feel like I don't know where I want my life to go. Do I want to stay in social media forever? Do I want to move into full-time writing? Will I ever finish the book I'm writing? Do I want a total change and go into publishing? Will my blog ever make it?

There are so many career-related questions because my career is the only thing I have a real control over. My love life is another story... while I have some sort of control over that, I don't really because it's all about emotions and I'm a rather shy girl so I've never had much luck in that department.

My living situation...I'm perfectly fine at home. It's just me and my mom right now so it's like living with a roommate anyway. I don't feel financially responsible enough to live on my own just quite yet.

I feel like I'm losing control of everything and it's really scary to be at this weird crossroad that I was at just three years ago. Back then, I had an excuse, I had just graduated college.

What is my excuse now?

I'm hoping that I'll feel better soon and that maybe with some reading, writing, and planning I'll get over this hump... that is until November 30th when I'm officially in my mid-twenties.

xoxo

B

Manicure Monday: Caffeine Infused Nail Polish by Nails INC

About a month ago, I saw Nails INC post that they now had a limited edition line of caffeine-infused nail polish inspired by coffee colors. I was at a beach party but couldn't pull up Safari fast enough to order two colors.

The two colors that spoke to me the most were Chai Kiss and Afternoon Mocha. I'll probably have to purchase Espresso Martini because I can't resist a good, chocolate brown. I figured that the two I ordered were good starts to a new fall nail polish collection.

Now, I'm all for trendy, gimmicky items so I could NOT pass up caffeine-infused nail polish. I also love a good caffeine inspired beauty product (and I need as many as I could get) so this was right up my alley.

The nail polish is supposed to help with nail growth because of the cell regeneration that caffeine helps with. That's the main reason that it's a good thing to have coffee inspired nail polish -- it basically doubles as a nail treatment!

So, I  have already worn Chai Kiss (I'll do another Mani Monday with that color soon) and that was a beautiful color and a great formula. Right now I have on Afternoon Mocha and I don't know if I've loved a color this much since Angora Cardi by Essie.

First, let's talk about color. This is a really unique color in my opinion; I want to say it's a brown with a touch of plum undertone but it also feels like something a little more. On the website, it says it is a light brown but this is a deeper color, at least on my nails.

It's so beautiful and I truly never want to take it off; I haven't worn a dark nail polish yet so this is getting me in fall mode for sure!

The formula is beautiful. I have never used a Nails INC nail polish before and was very surprised at how smooth it applied. The brush is flat and thick so it allows for even coverage and application (it's my favorite type of brush), so that's a plus. Two coats give you a very opaque color and it's very shiny. I used my Essie Gel Setter Top Coat but I feel like the nail polish itself is very shiny.

I also don't know if it's my head but I feel like this nail polish almost has a protective shield over it (does that even make sense?). My nails feel tough, in the best way possible.

Also in the collection is an exfoliating caffeine scrub and I wasn't going to order it until I did over the weekend. It's advertised as a hand and foot scrub and I desperately need that, especially with cold weather coming.

What's on your nails this Monday?
xoxo
B

Weekly Wrap Up: Week 32

Another long week has come to an end! Did anyone else feel like this week dragged on? I swear I woke up on Tuesday and thought it was Friday. I think it had to do with the fact that it was the first regular work week I've had since before Memorial Day Weekend.

Getting back into the Fall groove of things is sometimes hard, no matter how many Pumpkin Spice Lattes I have (it was 4... I had 4 PSL from Starbucks this week).

I'm writing this rather late on Friday night because I was too lazy (not even tired, just pure laziness) last night and this afternoon after I got home from work.

Other than the long, stressful week, not much else happened this week that I could think of. I am excited to have a fall weekend. Tomorrow I'm going to bake a few Weight Watchers approved fall treats for breakfast, do some fall decor shopping, and on Sunday, I'm headed to my first brunch of the season.

Brunch, to me, is always better in the fall!

I hope the weather cools off again next week because this week was just a little too hot -- I mean, we are in mid-September already (that went by fast!) and I'm ready to wear booties and sweaters.

Spruced up my gallery wall for Fall with the help of my printer & Etsy!

I will stop babbling and get to my links!

• I can't wait to do a Manicure Monday on the new Caffeine-infused nail polishes
• It's almost Hocus Pocus season!
• I was not impressed by the new iPhone(s) announced this week -- here's all the info
• I feel it's my duty as the resident anxious person to test out these natural supplements 
• Is dry-brushing actually good for you?
• This Disney wedding has me feeling some type of way
• This is a very important article about dealing with racism on the Internet...from your friends and family. 
• The Basic Witches are here to bring witchcraft mainstream, and I kind of love it

I posted a new video this week!

Here's what you missed on Royally Pink:

• Book Review Wednesday: The Lying Game
• Beauty 101: The Best Tinted Moisturizers 

*I didn't post on Monday in observance for September 11th. I usually do a blog post dedicated to it, but felt like I've said what I need to say about that horrific day.

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo

B

Book Review Wednesday: The Lying Game

When I saw that there was another Ruth Ware book on the market and one that I had never read, I jumped at the chance. I immediately purchased it with an Audible credit and started listening.

Like other Ruth Ware novels, it takes place in England and revolves around the lives of Fatima, Thea, Isabel, and Kate. Back when they were in school, at Sultan, something happened that they have kept secret for years. They never talk about it and haven't really seen each other since they left Sultan... until Kate comes calling and needs them.

The three girls are brought back to Sultan and their lives are turned upside down over this secret that is coming to light.

The name The Lying Game comes in because the girls used the play a 'lying game' where they would lie to anyone and everyone, just because it was fun to make stories and see if they could shock people.

I can't really reveal more about the plot without giving everything away but I wasn't thrilled with this book. I liked the entire book and I liked the plot until you realize what the girls were covering up. To me, it seemed a little dramatic and it was slightly annoying. They were acting like children and I just kind of got sick of it.

Also, the main character and narrator is Isabel has a new baby (I forget her name because it was a little odd) and honestly, it just seemed like an unnecessary plot twist. She brings the baby with her everywhere and is constantly breastfeeding her (which also seemed like an odd thing to keep bringing up. I mean yes, breastfeed all you want but why is it a descriptor for like half of the book?) It was just a really weird thing and it put me off a bit.

Like all good thriller novels, this had a twist at the end. At first, it was something you could suspect and even the girls suspected it, but then toward the very end, it was a little mind blowing. That part was good, really good.

I personally think Ware has written better; this wasn't my favorite thriller novel and it annoyed me more than most. If you really love Ware, I recommend it but if you're looking for something to knock your socks off, there are better out there!

Have you read this book? What did you think?
xoxo
B
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