Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover

This was a reaaaally old review (I’m talking years old) that for some unknown reason I never got around to posting. Even this pic from my Instagram is old. Haha. But after a little tweaking here and there, here it is! 😅

Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

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— BLURB —

A chance encounter in the dark leads eighteen-year-old Daniel and the girl who stumbles across him to profess their love for each other. But this love comes with conditions: they agree it will only last one hour and it will only be make-believe.

When their hour is up and the girl rushes off like Cinderella, Daniel tries to convince himself that what happened between them only seemed perfect because they were pretending it was perfect. Moments like that with girls like her don’t happen outside of fairytales.

One year and one bad relationship later, his disbelief in insta-love is stripped away the day he meets Six: a girl with a strange name and an even stranger personality. Daniel soon realizes the way he pretended to feel about Cinderella and the way he really feels about Six may not be so different after all. Especially when the two loves of his life end up being one in the same.

Unfortunately for Daniel, finding Cinderella doesn’t guarantee their happily ever after…it only further threatens it.

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— MY REVIEW —

Well apparently I shouldn’t have read this one before reading the rest of the books in the “Hopeless” series. This is how much of a CoHo newbie I am that I didn’t even know that she had book series. I seriously thought all her books were standalone contemporaries…

I should’ve checked Goodreads first! Eeep. 😅😅

Anywho — I can’t do much about it now. I already read the book. Haha!

Books that are inspired from, or is a retelling of a fairy tale will always peak my interest. It’s mostly the reason why I decided to start with Finding Cinderella before any of her other books.

The main difference with the classic tale and this modern take is that the protagonist is not “Cinderella” but “Prince Charming” himself — aka Daniel. This is YA fiction and I’d say he’s a pretty typical teen.. with realistic mannerisms and attitude (he actually reminded me of a few guys I used to go to high school with). Picture the cool guy in class who loves to make jokes and who doesn’t seem to be phased by anything — yeah, that’s Daniel… at least on the surface. This is a great example of not to judge a book by its cover (no pun intended). Daniel, is actually a fairly nice, caring person. I loved his relationship with his family and their interactions together. The way they can joke about things with each other and take it lightheartedly, it surprisingly made me laugh out loud.

It’s an enjoyable easy-going read with a steady pace, and I thought the overall story was okay. This is a novella so I wasn’t expecting a deep, long storyline but it could’ve easily have reached that point near the end, unfortunately Daniel and Six’s story wrapped up a little too conveniently for my liking and with I guess you would call “a happily ever after” ending.

All in all, it’s not a bad book to start off with when it comes to Colleen Hoover, but then again… as many people have said all of CoHo’s book are pretty good. She’s not a best selling author for nothing! 😉 I’m looking forward to reading more of her books!

RATING: ♥♥♥½

**EDIT: I just checked Goodreads and this was the first thing that popped up before the synopsis — “This novella is a companion novel to the Hopeless series, but can be read as a standalone.” 

— Wooo! I don’t feel too badly for reading this now before the other books! 🙌😜

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Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover is FREE to read!

🎁 Download your copy now!

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon AU

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Catch you all next time. Happy reading, guys! Xo

Disney Treasures February Box

The theme was “Ever After Castle”.

Before I get on with the details I have to point out that I got my box through eBay. By the time I discovered this box it was already sold out. Annnnnd I wasn’t (and still not) subscribed to this Disney sub box at all!

I should also point out that I probably got this box at double (maybe even triple) the original cost. It was a pretty hot item! Everyone and their mother wanted this box! And you’ll see why that is when you see my pics below! 😉

Now, if I’m not mistaken, most… or all of the items in the box are Disney exclusives so they’re not available for sale anywhere else (unless you find them on eBay, like I did).

Ok! Let’s get down to it ↓↓

Starting with the crème de la crème! Why this box is sold out and had people who missed out either crying buckets or scrambling around looking for other people who were selling theirs. I know I would’ve been devastated if I couldn’t get my hands on this one.

Ariel and Eric Funko Pop Vinyl (2 pack)

I’m still hoping they release them separately, or something similar to the public in the future because I know there a tons of Disney fans who’ve been anxiously waiting for Disney Princes’ to be made into funko pops. I’m always petitioning! Hehe 😛

Donald and Daisy Duck pin 

This is one of those fancy-schmancy enamel pins. Haha. I’m sorry I don’t collect a lot of pins, I don’t know what else to describe. But this one is great quality and the… whatcha-ma-call-it — the cover/lid thingy for the pin is shaped like Mickey’s head, which I thought was a nice touch.

Lumiere patch 

This is a pretty standard iron-on patch. Nothing much else to say. It’s nice.

Lady and the Tramp keyring set

This was uber cute! The packing was also on point (good work, Funko!) My sister called dibs when we saw it and I’m happy to give it to her — she likes her keyrings lol.

Minnie Mouse figure

She’s adorable and was nicely painted. It’s no surprise to collectors that Funko are known to have paint issues with their funkos, dorbz and figurines but this one was *thumbs up*!

P.S. Minnie came in a tin container.

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OK. Let’s wrap this review/ unboxing up!

This is my first (and probably last) Disney Treasures box so those who are subscribed will be eye-rolling at this.. buuuuuut I love their packaging box! Lol.

FYI — I’m a packaging collector. If I find it cute, I keep it! 😀

There are 5 items in this box. I don’t know if this is the norm.. or if it depends on the theme but I thought this box could’ve used another item. As much as I looooooove love love love Ariel and Eric (and the ONLY reason why I wanted this box), but when I did unbox  — “This is it..?!?” came to mind – especially for the price and international shipping.

I won’t say “never” to getting another Disney box, especially if they plan on releasing more Disney Princes’ exclusively. But I wish it was a little more affordable.

But all in all — Still love the box! Loved all the items!

RATING: ♥♥♥♥.5/5

Box and shipping costs took half a rating off for me. Like I said I wish it was more affordable. But meh. I know anything shipping from the US to any other country is always expensive (especially if you live on the other side of world like I do).

Anywho — Happy reading. Happy bookish shopping! Catch you in my next one! ♥

John Winchester’s Journal by Alex Irvine

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— BLURB —

Sam and Dean Winchester know all the secrets their father recorded in his journal. Now you can, too.

On November 2, 1983, Sam and Dean Winchester lost their mother to a demonic supernatural force. In the wake of the tragedy, their father, John, set out to learn everything he could about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners and on the back roads of America . . . and how to kill it. In his personal journal, he not only compiled folklore, legend, and superstition about all manner of otherworldly enemies but he also recorded his experiences—hunting the creature that killed his wife even as he raised his two sons.

Part prequel, part resource guide, John Winchester’s Journal finally gives fans the ultimate companion book for Supernatural. It’s all here: the exorcism Sam and Dean used in “Phantom Traveler,” John’s notes on everything from shape-shifters to Samuel Colt, Dean’s first hunt, Sam’s peewee soccer team . . . and John’s single-minded pursuit of a growing and deadly evil.

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— MY REVIEW —

This is sort of my part two of reviews for the Supernatural books.

After reading Bobby Singer’s Guide To Hunting, my Supernatural fandom-ness has continued onto John Winchester’s Journal. Both these books had a story going on throughout the book to give you a reason as to why the characters ‘wrote’ these journals in the first place but I found John Winchester’s journal to be a truer form of a journal than Bobby’s. So keep that in mind when reading my review. 😊

I loved the idea of John Winchester’s journal that Sam and Dean used to help with their demon hunting in Season 1 of the show being turned into a proper book for fans to have as well. And I must say it’s definitely how I pictured it to be… at first.

The book is dated as a journal would be – with short logs of what John Winchester has encountered for that day. The journal starts in the year 1983. The year his wife gets murdered by a demon and his demon hunting days begin and it goes on for years and ends in 2005 (the present year at the time). I love the little short logs about his days with Sam and Dean because you get to see how they grow up through John’s eyes.

[Little Tidbit]: If you’ve watched the first season of the show, you’ll know that Sam and Dean were looking for their dad who disappeared during a hunt and all they have to help them track down his whereabouts is this journal he left behind. Throughout the season they talk about how John was never around when they were growing up because he was always hunting and prioritized the demon that killed their mother over spending time with them (Sam specially thought this way).

But reading this book, John mentions his sons a lot. He mentions how Dean is growing up and training to be a hunter just like him and him having the huge responsibility of watching out for his little brother because John is hardly around. He mentions how Sam is smart but a little too quiet and him just wanting a normal life. The way he mentions it throughout the book and how he worries, you can tell there’s regret in what he’s put them through over the years and wishing things were different. But mostly he writes how much his family means to him and how proud he is of them. Which really surprised me because before I read this, I only based my opinion on John from Sam and Dean’s feelings towards him on the show. It’s nice to read from John’s point of view, because in the show he hardly revealed his feelings to them face to face. That’s what I would say is my favourite thing about this book.

I only wished there was more logs about his family than the demon-y stuff he put in his journal. There’s A LOT of research he’s added  from books he’s read about on demons and angels and their history and myths and theories and folklore (some in other languages like in Latin). There’s just A LOTTTT! Half the time I felt like I was reading a textbook for school. Lol.

But I can’t really say I didn’t see it coming. The journal is based (as I mentioned earlier) on John Winchester’s experience in demon hunting. And considering this journal starts from the beginning when he was still inexperienced, it makes sense that he would copy text from books he’s researched to help him remember if he happens to come across anything supernatural.

I think first time reading it through, you’ll find his research interesting. But if I was to read it again, I’d probably only read certain parts, bits I found interesting and bits that I may want to look over whenever I’m watching a particular episode of the show.

Remember my little disclaimer at the beginning? How I said this was a truer form of a journal. Well..it is. So if you’re not into that, I’d stick with reading Bobby’s one instead – it has more of story going on and has a little bit of “Bobby” humor in it. 😉

If you’re a Supernatural fan, you probably will still get this book to add to your collection. I will happily admit the cover  and illustrations are pretty nice to look at and it’s a nice companion book for the show. 😜

RATING: ♥♥♥½

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Have you read my review for Bobby’s Singer’s journal?

📒 Bobby Singer’s Guide To Hunting by David Reed

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Thanks for stopping by. Catch you in my next one! Xo

Bobby Singer’s Guide To Hunting by David Reed

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— BLURB —

My name is Bobby Singer. In twenty-four hours I’m gonna lose my memory. So here’s everything you need to know.

Monsters, demons, angels, vampires, the boogeyman under your bed: I’ve seen it, I’ve hunted it, I’ve killed it. I’m not the only hunter out here, but there aren’t as many as there used to be. Not near as many as there need to be. I’ve learned everything I can about every damned critter that walks, crawls, or flies, and I’m not gonna let that all be for nothing. I’m not going down without a fight. I’m not letting everything I’ve learned disappear. So that’s what you’re holding in your hands—everything I know. Anything that’d be useful for Sam, Dean, and the hunters that come after me.

It’s a guide to hunting…it’s a guide to me. My last will and testament. Ya idjits.

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— MY REVIEW —

I am a HUGEEEE Supernatural fan so it was only natural for me to get this “journal” and give it a read. 😁

Judging the Cover: I wish the publishers released a hardcover version of this book as well because I would have preferred a hardcover edition for my collection. It would have also matched (look-wise) with the John Winchester Journal too because that one is available in either formats. Paperback was the only option so I went ahead and still ordered it online. To my surprise when I received it, the quality of the paperback was a better quality than most out there. The cover was thicker than usual, doesn’t crease easily and has a textured feel to it. Not sure exactly how to describe it but if I was to accidentally spill water or whatnot on it, I could easily wipe it off without it leaving any residue or “wrinkle spot” from the spill, if that makes sense lol. Just trust me, it’s pretty nice (for a paperback).

A Look Inside: Just flipping through the pages, you can see illustrations throughout, some sketches, and “old” photos to give it that “journal” feel.

The Main Meat: I love love love reading it. David Reed definitely did this right. It’s like I was literally reading Bobby’s journal and that he wrote it himself. The smartass remarks and slangs Bobby usually says in the show where used throughout the book and written exactly how it would have been spoken (kind of like Hagrid in Harry Potter). For example: it took me a second to realize the first time I read the word “idjits” — He was actually saying “idiots”. Get what I mean? Hehe. 😄

I also like the fact that although the journal was telling you helpful life saving tips incase you find yourself against demons and monsters and spirits – there was the main story going on throughout to give you reason as to why the journal had to be written in the first place.

It’s a must for any Supernatural fan, specially if you are a fan of Bobby and miss seeing him on the show. 😞

RATING: ♥♥♥♥/5

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Are you a fellow Supernatural fan?

📕 Read my review for John Winchester’s Journal!

John Winchester’s Journal by Alex Irvine

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Hope you enjoyed my review! Catch you in my next one. Happy reading! Xo

A Muggle’s Pop Obsession

Besides books, here is one of my other obsessions.

Funko pop vinyls.

Yep these cute little pop figures that’s crazed the world over.

I started collecting funkos 3 months ago (November 2015) and haven’t stopped since!

#PrincessSquad

This is one of my favourite pics of my Disney princesses (excluding Merida and Tiana) and I’m quite proud of this particular collection. They’re pure eye candy on my shelves.

I love fairytales and these are the perfect compliment to my Fairy Tale books.

[Quick Question]: Can you guys spot Pascal? 😛

My fave Princesses have always been Ariel (and she has the spunkiest Prince. Not the brightest but still adorable) and of course Cinderella. But looking at these cuties now, it’s hard to have preferences. But I know what some of you might me thinking… what about Belle? She’s the Princess who loves books etc etc… Well to be honest with you I didn’t really like the story of Beauty and the Beast until after I saw Bella e la Bestia (Italian) and La Belle et la Bête (French) movie versions. I guess I just wasn’t a huge fan of the Disney one. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the scene where Belle sees the Beast’s library and ever since then I’ve wanted a room just like it but overall it wasn’t my favourite Disney movie growing up.

#BeautyandtheBeast

But see… I am a fan of Beauty and the Beast and I love Belle. I just didn’t love it as much as I do now.

Ok ok. Enough babble. Let’s just sit in front of our monitors and stare at these cuties for a few more minutes. Oh wait. I have the actual funkos on my shelf..I’ll stare at those ones. Byeee!! 🙂

The Martian by Andy Weir

[Just so you know]: I read this book in October (2015) before I created my blog but I loved it so much I just had to include my review on here anyways. Let’s call it my “Better Review than Never” post. 😜

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— BLURB —

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first.

But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills — and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit — he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

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— MY REVIEW —

This is my first real science fiction-ey book in a long time.

There’s a lot of technical language within the book and when you’re not a tech-head or into the details in science you may find it to be dragging or a little hard to get through but

I found the humor of the main character Mark Watney to be a relief when reading these parts. It almost seems like he’s talking to you about it and realises you’re not really getting it so he makes a joke or puts it in layman’s terms for you – which at the beginning took me by surprise (in a good way) and found myself smiling.

I tell you what though, once you’re deep into the story and you’re reading how Mark is trying to find ways to survive on mars alone for as long as possible, you can’t help but feel just as happy as him when something goes right but just as frustrated and angry when something doesn’t go to plan.

It’s a great fiction novel but the way it was written you would almost think it was based on true lives.

[Sidenote]: I also watched the movie after I read this book and I think it did it justice – but I recommend reading the book first!

RATING: ♥♥♥♥/5

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Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed my review. Catch you in my next one! Xo