Embrace Matcha Green Tea

Embrace Matcha Green Tea

What Birchbox say:

Packed with antioxidants and nutrients (up to 10 times more than a regular cup of green tea!) matcha is a superfood that packs a punch. 100% natural and incredibly versatile, this classic green tea variety is a smooth, satisfying blend with a clean and crisp finish. With 30 servings included, you can experiment with enjoyin it hot or cold, as a latte or blended into smoothies and juices.

My Review:

I love green tea and regularly drink it, when I received this in my birchbox this month I was really happy and very excited to try it. This tea is a fine powder and there is enough for one cup in the sachet. What I love about this is that you can add it to other things not just hot water. 

I decided to try this one morning before I went to work. On pouring the hot water on it, the smell was a little 'pondy' I thought and I was not that keen on the smell at all. I did however give it a go and I must admit that it tastes exactly the same as normal green tea. 

What I was really interested about in this tea is the fact it boasts you get 10 times the benefit of a normal green tea bag - from going through Chemo this is exactly what I need in order to improve my immune system and generally improving health. My only negative with this sample in my birchbox is that I feel I cannot really make a true judgement with only one sample. I feel I would need at least 3 in order to see any of the benefits of it. At £24.99 for 30 samples I feel this is too expensive for me to take the risk on this product as it only 'might' work for me. Which is a big shame as I think this maybe a great product, but I cannot afford to take the risk at the moment. 

Unfortunately I did contact birchbox explaining I would need to try a couple more to see the benefits but they were unable to help me out and send me anymore. 

Would I purchase again?

At this moment in time no, I cannot afford to purchase this if it doesn't give me any benefits and so far from my one sample I haven't seen any benefits. Perhaps in the future when I have some spare cash as this will currently been seen as a luxury item at this price.

High Beam Benefit

High Beam 

What Birchbox say:
We don’t know about you, but if we had three beauty wishes, we’d go for killer cheekbones, glowing skin, and great lighting wherever we went. Since our resident genie seems to have gone missing, we rely on wonderous products instead. A perpetual award winner, Benefit’s High Beam subtly highlights and enhances your features — a necessity when you want to draw a little extra attention. The liquid illuminator comes in a soft pink hue that flatters all skin tones, softly reflects light for an instant spotlight effect, plus it gives skin a dewy finish.

My Review:
I have used this product before, the fact it was in my December Birchbox was a bonus. The last High Beam I had was also a sample size, I have not purchased it since. That mainly is because it doesn't fit my needs. I have had another go at using this product since it has been in my box but again it's not for me. I find it to leave my face very shiny in places and that's not the look I am going for. 

Would I buy it again?
No, it doesn't fit my needs. I personally wouldn't recommend this product but that it only down to the feel and the final look on myself. Many others may like this and I am sure they do. The full size of this product is £19.50 and I personally think this is too expensive.

Eyeko Fat Eye Stick Trio

Eyeko Fat Eye Stick Trio

What Birchbox say:

We can’t help but think of our beloved childhood crayons when we use these creamy eye sticks. And, truth be told, the oversized liners are so easy to use that even a little one could master them. These limited edition shades are only available at Birchbox. Each crayon in this trio pairs dense, vibrant pigments with a retractable twist-up applicator. You can glide them on as a thick liner, or smudge them to create a shadow (they go on opaque but blend easily for a sheer look). We love how they make getting a smoky eye as easy as a finger-painting project. This set of rich, ultra-wearable shades includes: Gilt, a universally flattering metallic, Smoke, a charcoal-tinged shade that’s perfect for a smoky eye, and Satin, a luxe, shimmering taupe.

My Review:
I was really impressed with this product. Before it arrive I was hoping I would get the 'smokey' in my box from Birchbox this month. I was over the moon when this was the product I received. This goes on really smooth and is really durable. I was a little worried that the product would crease on the eyes after a while but it didn't, which I was impressed about. 

I really love that the end of the pencil you can twist, which will reveal more eyeliner. This is a product that so far has had a firm place in my make up bag. 

Will I be buying this product again?
Yes, I am really impressed with this and it completely fits my needs. What makes it more exciting is that it comes in a pack of 3, and at £16 this I feel is really good value. I have had loads of compliments about my eye make up and it continues to come back to this product.

Weekly Wrap Up - 25.1.15

I got off to a good start this week by reading a book before the end of the weekend! I also was lucky enough to be invited to attend the book launch for After the Storm by Jane Lythell in Brighton, which I attended with my mum, we had an awesome evening, I would like to thank Jane and the publicists at Head of Zeus.  O.K lets get back to the books...

This week I have been sent:

Nothing

This week I have bought: 

I went into a charity shop on the look out for some children's books to excite my class. I managed to pick up a range of different books that I think the boys as well and the girls will like. While i was there I also picked up rough guide to India, we are looking into visiting there soon. I also got Falling and The Book of You. These I am very excited about. 

Books I have read this week:
Maggie does Meribel - Nicola Doherty - Watch out for the review coming soon
After The Storm - Jane Lythell 

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know.

The Headmasters Wife by Thomas Christopher Green

The Headmaster's Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Arthur Winthrop is a middle-aged headmaster at an elite prep school in Vermont. When he is arrested for an act that is incredibly out of character, the strait-laced, married headmaster confesses to a much more serious crime.

Arthur reveals that he has had a passionate affair with a scholarship student called Betsy Pappas. But Betsy is a fickle and precocious teenager. When she switches her attentions to a classmate, Arthur's passion for Betsy turns, by degrees, into something far darker. Now Arthur must tell the truth about what happened to Betsy. But can Arthur's version of events be trusted - or is the reality much more complex and unnerving?

The Headmasters Wife, for me was a relatively quick read and bein under 300 pages. Saying that I couldn't believe the journey I had been on with the book, the author managed to really pack everything into those pages, if felt a lot longer and at the same time it whizzed by.

This story is told through th perspective of Arthur for at least half of the story, personally this was the part of the story I enjoyed a lot more. I felt it was action packed and had very good pace. The reader learns about how he got himself into the situation where he is caught walking through the snow naked.

The story was beautiful and cleverly written. The reader can clearly slip in and out of thoughts with Arthur and vividly see yourself in the same room, along with the police who are questioning him. You start to feel like you are judging Arthur at times and question the truth.

As I was reading this I kept wondering why the story was called The Headmaster s Wife when we hadn't even been introduced to her! This makes your mind go wandering, wondering how she is going to make an appearance and why. During the second half of the story all becomes clear, I found this a story of constant twists and turns. At times I was a little unsure of the genre of this book as it seems to cross into a few. I think this would appeal to a large audience.

Personally I didn't enjoy the second half of the book as much as the first. It felt like I was reading two separate stories. I also was a little disappointed with the ending of the story, I felt it could have ended a lot better, it seemed like such an anticlimax.

Due to the pure enjoyment and pace of the first half I have given the story 4 stars.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

New Book Covers from Belinda Jones with GIVEAWAY

This is a very exciting post, I can reveal to you that Belinda Jones has 're released her books with some fab New covers. 3 of her books have also been given new names.

Out of the Blue is now Summer in Greece 
Living La Vida Loca is now Dancing Girls
California Dreamers is now Hollywood Calling. 





These e-books will be released today with Random House so grab yourself these fab covers!

To celebrate Belinda is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a signed postcard with a California postmark. All you need to do is fill in the raffle copter below to be entered. Good luck!



  a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Kiss Before Midnight by Sophie Pembroke

The Kiss Before Midnight by Sophie Pembroke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Heading home to Liverpool for Christmas, Molly Mackenzie isn’t just looking forward to the mulled wine and mince pies – she’s got high hopes for who she’ll find under the mistletoe this year!

Unable to forget the delicious near miss with her brother’s best friend, Jake, last New Year’s Eve, Molly’s got a new resolution at the top of her list: seduce Jake and get this crazy chemistry out the way before it has serious repercussions on the rest of the Mackenzie family.

Only Molly has underestimated the magic of the holiday season… The more stolen moments in the snow that she shares with Jake, the more determined she is to make it a whole lot more than just a kiss before midnight.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the festive warmth of a heart-meltingly romantic novella from Sophie Pembroke!



I am a sucker for a beautiful cover and when I saw this on Netgalley for review, I knew I had to request it.

Lately I have been in a reading slump. I think my busy life has got to me and I have found it hard to keep my focus when it comes to reading, this is not great when you read lots of books! I have read many stories set at Christmas time this year, but I think this is one of my favourites. What I loved about it is that it is classed as a novella, it is relatively short at just over 120 pages, but I found that helped me keep focus and actually I shouldn't have been worried. I was completely hooked from the beginning.

This story is about Molly, she recently has moved to London, to prove she can stand on her own two feet! It has been going well so far, a flat, job and a friend. However there is one thing she cannot seem to move on from, that kiss with her brothers best friend (and adopted member of the family) Jake, last New Years Eve.

Molly is heading home to Liverpool for the holidays and goaded by her friend and that one New Year's resolution she never managed to tick off is determined to put Jake to bed literally so she can move on with her life back in London.

This is all I want to say about The Kiss Before Midnight as I don't want to spoil it for you. I know the holidays are now over, but that is not a reason to miss this little beauty of a story out. I think no matter what time of year you read it, it will bring you a roller coaster of emotions. Yes, at one point I actually started to dislike Molly!

This is a sweet romance that will have you racing through it. It is told through both Molly's and Jake's perspective, which is something else I feel made this story so perfect, it allowed the reader really get to know both of them. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone who loves a sweet romance.

I would like to thank the publisher for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Wrap Up 18.1.15

This week has been ridiculously busy to do with work and its made it quite stressful. I have found myself just going to bed really early with the intention of reading but I have been that tired I have fallen asleep.  I would like to announce though Lynsey from lynseyfarmer.blogspot.com has agreed to help me out by guest posting a few reviews, so watch out for this! It is very exciting to have you on board, thanks again Lynsey!

This week I have been sent:

Nothing

This week I have bought: 

Books I have read this week:
Just Desserts - Emma Bennett. Review coming soon. 

I am sorry it has been such a boring weekly wrap up this week. I will try and get back to reading more I promise! 

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know.

Summertime by Vennesa Lafaye with GIVEAWAY

I am very excited  to be part of the book tour for Sumertime.

Today I am hosting an extract from the debut novel Summertime by Venessa Lafaye. Please follow the link to read an extract.

I have also been lucky enough to host a giveaway for this fab book- I am sorry this is for UK only. All you have to do is comment below telling me what you will be doing this summertime. I will then pick someone from random. Good luck!

Tensions simmer as a small town, already divided by race, is torn apart by the deadliest of hurricanes.

Florida, 1935. Heron Key is a small town where the relationships are as tangled as the mangrove roots in the swamp. Everyone is preparing for the 4th of July barbecue, unaware that their world is about to change for ever. Missy, the Kincaid family's maid and nanny, feels that she has wasted her life pining for Henry, whom she has not seen since he went to fight on the battlefields of France in WWI.  Now he has returned with a group of other desperate, destitute veterans on a government works project, unsure of his future, ashamed of his past.  When a white woman is found beaten nearly to death in the early hours, suspicion falls on Henry. Old grievances and prejudices threaten to derail the investigation. As the tensions rise, the barometer starts to plummet. The residents think they're ready, and so do the soldiers. They are wrong. Nothing in their experience could prepare them for what is coming. For far out over the Atlantic, the greatest storm ever to strike North America is heading their way...  

Based on real events, Summertime is a stunning debut novel, a glorious love story and a mesmerizing account of survival.  It evokes vividly what happens when people in a small community are tested to the absolute limits of their endurance.Summertime is Orion’s biggest commercial debut of 2015.

TO READ AN EXTDACT PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW. 

http://www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/247727561?width=534

TO LISTEN TO AN AUDIO VERSION PLEASE LISTEN BELOW.


https://m.soundcloud.com/orionbooks/summertime-by-vanessa-lafaye-read-by-adjoa-andoh

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough.

Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar.

Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train…

When I heard about all the hype about The Girl On The Train I just knee I had to read it.

For me, this novel really did live up to my expectations; it was fast paced and kept my interest throughout.

This story is about Rachel, she is like many commuters, daily travelling to work on the train into the city. Along her commute she sees 'Jess and Jason' a couple for a life she has created. They have the perfect life, everything that Rachel wants, not everything is perfect for them as she soon discovers.

Rachel used to have the perfect relationship, now she is divorced, living with a flatmate, lovely and has turned to the bottle.

Tom is Rachel's ex husband and is now living with his new wife Anna and their child. He is still living in the property he once shared with Rachel and Rachel finds this hard to move on.

The story is told through the perspective of three women, Rachel, Anna and Megan. I really enjoyed reading the story from all of their perspectives. Rachel as the main character was not likable, however I did want to like her and was routing for her to develop through the story and become more likable.

I found the story to begin with was slow and I felt I could see the tension building. I loved that as we went through the story we were given little pieces to piece together to help discover real truth.

I absolutely loved this book, it kept my interest and I didn't guess the ending until very late in the book, which I loved.

This is the must have thriller you have to read. Pop this on your wish list, you will not regret t!

I would like to thank the publisher for sending d in exchange for an honest review.

Models Own Velvet Goth

Models Own Velvet Goth

What Birchbox say:

A cheeky mani can inject a little personality into any look and this unique velvet formula is no exception! Packed with glitter, but matte in finish (intrigued, much?!) the multi-faceted formula has us dreaming of nights spent beneath the disco ball. Plus, if a glossy look is more your thing, just add a top coat for instant shine and sparkle!

My Review:

I was super happy when I opened my Birchbox in December to find that I had been sent the Goth colour, I love nail varnishes and although I have heaps of them, I do not own a red one. That and it being on the lead up to Christmas, this was just perfect and has been the colour I have been wearing over the holiday season. 

After reading that this dries matte, I must admit I was a little unsure of the overall effect. I do have a slight negative about this product, that is, it is quite gloppy and sticky. I found it was quite hard to get an even covering with this product as it was so thick. 

After two coats of this polish, it did dry matte and it took a while for me to get used to the effect but after a couple of hours I loved it! I also had so many comments asking where I got the colour from. It was hard wearing too which is an added bonus. 

Will I be buying this product again?:

Yes, Yes, Yes! I don't think the product is going to last too long due to it being so thick, the full size product, (which I received in my box) is only £5 and for that price I will happily put up with the thickness of it. Models Own also do this type of product in other colours, which include the matte glitter. I think I may purchase some of the others too. 

The World of Postsecret by Frank Warren

The World of PostSecret by Frank Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An addictive collection of new full-color postcard secrets and app secrets from the author of the smash bestselling PostSecret books—with more secrets than any previous PostSecret book!

A decade ago, Frank Warren began a community art project that captured the popular imagination and became a worldwide obsession. He handed out postcards to strangers and left them in public places—asking people to share a secret they had never told anyone and mail them back to him anonymously. More than half a million secrets, 600 million hits to the award-winning PostSecret blog, and five huge bestsellers later, the PostSecret phenomenon is bigger than ever. By turns this funny, heartbreaking, thoughtful, and moving, this compendium of graphic haiku offers an intimate glimpse into both individual private lives and into our shared humanity.

Included in this compelling new book are dozens of the best archived secrets from the original PostSecret app; inside stories about the most controversial secrets Frank Warren has received; moving text from the new PostSecret play, foreign secrets, "puzzle" secrets, and much more!

This is the first time I have come across postsecret before and I couldn't believe people do this.

This book is full of postcards and photographs that have been sent to Frank with secrets on them. Some of the secrets are funny, silly, others are harrowing and shocking. When I read some of the secrets I had an urge to help some of the authors and couldn't believe what I was reading.

This is a beautifully presented book of full colour images. This would make an amazing coffee table book and one that you share with family and friends. This actually got m thinking, did these people tell their partners/fAmily about their secrets or are they still unknown?

Frank is extremely clever for thinking up this unique book. After browsing this book I would love to discover others by him.

Weekly Wrap Up 11/1/15

Unfortunately this week was the first week back at work after the holidays and it bought me down to earth with a bang! It now feels like I have never been away! Due to being back at work I was not able to participate with boutofbooks this time, I am waiting though for the 24 hours Dewey's readathon, which if I remember correctly should be in February?

This week I have been sent:

Coming home for Christmas by Julia Williams won
Alfie the Doorstep Cat by Rachel Wells won
Stable Mates by Zara Stoneley won 
Her by Harriet Lane 

This week I have bought: 

Books I have read this week:

The Kiss Before Midnight  by Sophie Pembroke 

Private Vegas by James Patterson (currently reading)

 Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know.

WTF Knits by Gabrielle Grillo

WTF Knits by Gabrielle Grillo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Forget scarves and bobble hats. Here are some woollen wonders that will really blow your mind...For the last four years, Gabrielle Grillo has been scouring the web for the most bizarre knitted items she can find. In this hysterically funny book, she has collected the very best of her finds. From a knitted Christmas turkey cosy to woolly vomit, they have to be seen to be believed. After you've read WTF Knits and stitched your sides back together, you might just be inspired to dust off your needles, dig out your balls of wool and knit something downright odd yourself.


Weird and wacky small hardback, great for any knitter.

Each page is full colour with small captions about each page. This is just a really fun book.

It amazes me how these knits were actually knitted! Some of them are completely bizarre!

The only down side to this book I think is there are no patterns, it would have been nice to have had the opportunity to have a go at some of these wacky knits.

This is perfect for any knitting enthusiast, just a little book of fun.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Cute Emergency by Tony Heally

Cute Emergency by Tony Heally
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Are you having a bad day? Is life getting you down? Do you wish you could go back to bed? Sounds like you've got a cute emergency on your hands!

With over a million followers, the Cute Emergency Twitter feed brings sunshine into people's lives every day. Cute Emergency is dedicated to trawling the internet and rooting out the sweetest animal photos in existence: from sleeping kittens, to tiny piglets, to heart-melting puppies. Now, for the first time, this charming book gathers together the very best of its collection.

It's guaranteed - there's an animal picture within these pages to thaw even the frostiest of hearts.



This is a little hardback book full of cuteness.

Cute Emergency is stunningly presented with full colour photos on every page. The photos have a short caption referring to the animal on that page.

I cannot actually say anything negative about this book, it just leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside once you have flicked through this book.

This is certainly going to pick you up on a miserable day. After reading is book I just want to hug all the animals. I would recommend this to anyone who loves animals and cute things.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

The Mini Break by Jane Costello

The Mini Break by Jane Costello
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Sophie's friend Anisha is sent on her first foreign trip in her job at a travel agency - and gets to take Sophie with her - she jumps at the chance of some time away.

But what Sophie doesn't realise is that there is a catch - a rather large catch. The five-star hotel is also a world-renowned golf resort. And its owners have offered the holiday on the basis of the girls' golfing prowess. Of which they possess quite literally none...

I was really looking forward to reading this short story. Unfortunately for me this was just to short. I do love short stories as they allow you to dip into a world in between doing everything that your busy life entails. But I felt that it was rushed in places and I didn't feel I really got to know the characters.

This is about two girls who need a holiday. They end up on a golfing holiday, which is not great considering neither one of them know how to play. They spend their time dodging James the guy who is looking after them during their stay.

This is amusing and fun, just a little short to be able to really get into it. Most of the book is actually made up of a 'taster' of Jane's current novel, which I have already read, I feel this could have perhaps been at the end of a book; rather than sold separately.

weekly wrap up 4/1/15

Happy New  Year! Welcome to the first weekly wrap up of 2015. It has been another busy week, I have taken all the decorations down now and beginning to get ready for work tomorrow. I don't actually want to go back now, roll on Feb half term! Anyway back to the books. 

This week I have been sent:

None 

This week I have bought: 

Private India by James Patterson

Private Vegas by James Patterson

The year of taking chances by Lucy Diamond 

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn 

Books I have read this week:

The Headmasters wife 

Private Vegas reading 

I hope you all had a great new year and holiday season.

 thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know. 

2015 Bookish Bingo

So in 2015 I decided that I wanted to participate in some book challenges but I couldn't fin  one that I thought was right for me. I stumbled across this challenge on The Girly Geeks blog and thought I may like to have a go at this one. So what is The Bookish Bingo?? 

This bingo card is brilliant as you can complete as little as one line or the whole thing. The actual squares are quite open for you to interpret how you like, this appealed to me as I don't always know what review copies I may be sent. 

Here is the card: 

I am really looking forward to participating in this challenge. If you would like to then please visit Girly Geeks website to fin  out how.

Let me know  in the comments below if you are going to be joining in, or have signed up to other challenges.

Roomies by Sara Zarr

Roomies by Sara Zarr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The countdown to university has begun...

When Elizabeth receives her first-year roommate assignment at the beginning of summer, she shoots off an email to coordinate the basics: TV, microwave, mini-fridge. She can't wait to escape her New Jersey beach town - and her mum - and start life afresh in California.

That first note to Lauren in San Francisco comes as a surprise; she had requested a single. But if Lauren's learned anything from being the oldest of six, it's that you don't always get what you want, especially when what you want is privacy.

Soon the girls are emailing back and forth, sharing secrets even though they've never met. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives ... and each other.


I received this for review and thought it sounded really interesting. I though I would be able to relate to it having previously been to university.

I loved the idea of reading a series of emails between the two girls who are going to be room mates when they go to university, I have read books before in this format and really enjoyed them. This book was not all emails but also the girls views, which was ok but not what I originally expected.

Unfortunately I think that maybe I am was not the intended target audience for the book and actually felt a little old reading it.

So Lauren lives in San Francisco and Elizabeth lives in New Jersey they begin exchanging emails and begin to find out about their room mate. I felt there was a lot of American terms in the book and at times this annoyed me a little. I also found the girls yo be immature at times, (that could be down to me not being the target age group for this!)

Another issue I have with the book is that race is bought up quite a few times and I just don't get it. There is nothing in the blurb that suggests this is going to be a big focus in the book. However not that far into the novel Elizabeth begins to plant the seed in the readers head about Laurens boyfriend being black. This is something I do not understand and why it matters, maybe is this the part I began to see the girls as immature but in today's society surely it really doesn't matter?

The two girls point of views are very different in the story and it sometimes felt you were reading two separate books. There is a huge mount of drama in the book and I found it extremely easy to read and I read it quickly.

I was a little disappointed with the structure of the book too, I liked reading about the girls before they went to uni however I was unsatisfied with the ending. I would have liked to know a little more. (I won't say how it ends in case you wish to read this for yourself.)

I would like to thank the publisher for sending This in exchange for an honest review.