Victoria Moschou's Blog, page 2

Life Update: The Crazy Days of an Entrepreneur

Hello, awesome nerds, happy Saturday everyone and welcome back to my humble blog.

It has been a while since I shared a life update with you and since my days lately may be really busy, yet they are quite interesting at the same time, I thought it would be a good idea to share everything that happened over the past couple of weeks with you all.

September was packed with work, weddings and figuring out how my academic schedule is going to be this year, as I started tutoring Economics again, so it was literally a blur. However, somehow I also managed to plan everything for the October BookBrewed box, work on some final details for the November box AND work on the December and January boxes, as well.

Talk about crazy much, huh?

The coffee machine has become, once again, the best friend a girl like me could ask for, considering that I work 10 to 12 hours every day AND I also have to work on weekends sometimes. But it’s more than ok because I see my business growing and thriving.

If you check BookBrewed today, you’ll find some amazing new goodies and books on the Apothecary, perfect for the Halloween season and more.

Pretty much everything for the October FALL IN… LAB box is ready and I currently waiting for the November items to be sent to our headquarters, as well.

It is truly a blast doing what I love, combining my passion for Economics and books, and also passing that to my students, too. Despite having days when I finish from work at 8, sometimes 9pm, I honestly don’t mind. It’s a blessing seeing my 16 and 17-year-olds finding their passion, their calling. It’s a blessing to know that, somehow, I help them find that inner voice of theirs and I help them to achieve their goals.

So, do tell me, folks… Do I feel exhausted when I have such tremendous kids in my life? I don’t think so…

Other than BookBrewed and tutoring, my days have also been packed with wedding and christenings. I think I have the last wedding of the season today but I cannot be so sure about that. I spoke with a colleague the other day and he said that we may also have a wedding in November. And as my friend Jo always says, this is how empires are built!

In the midst of all this chaos, I also read Kingdom of the Feared, started reading The Ravens and Road Trip, AND went to every single one of my dance rehearsals in the past couple of weeks. And no, I haven’t sold my soul to any of the Princes of Hell, although my buddy Gluttony would be a really, really good idea. What can I say? I love the parties he organises.

When do I find time to relax you may ask? Well, not only I’ve been here every now and then, working on my writing projects, but I’ve also been watching House of the Dragon (which is EPIC, by the way), Chesapeake Shores and I’ve been planning a road trip and some dance showcases for the end of October and the beginning of November.

So, yeah… This is the crazy, fascinating and so very fulfilling life of an entrepreneur/freelancer/tutor/writer/dancer. And I love every little part of it.

Guess I have found what truly sings to my soul…

Thank you all so very much for being here once again, dearies. It truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Have a great weekend, wonderful creatures. Stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!

BOOK REVIEW: Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked, #3), by Kerri Maniscalco ~ The Ending to a Phenomenal Trilogy! *SPOILER FREE*

“Be present. And that’s the secret to changing your future.”

~ Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked, #3), by Kerri Maniscalco

Hello, awesome people, and happy Thursday everyone!

Today’s gonna be a pretty busy day for me (what else is new) but I’m extremely happy to share with you my first review for the month of October.

So, here I am to share with you all my thoughts and feelings about Kingdom of the Feared, the third and final book in the Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy, by Kerri Maniscalco.

“Two curses.
One prophecy.
A reckoning all have feared.

And a love more powerful than fate. All hail the king and queen of Hell. 

Emilia is reeling from the shocking discovery that her twin sister, Vittoria, is alive. But before she faces the demons of her past, Emilia yearns to claim her king, the seductive Prince of Wrath, in the flesh. Emilia doesn’t simply desire his body, she wants his heart and soul—but that’s something the enigmatic demon can’t promise her.

When a high-ranking member of House Greed is assassinated, Emilia and Wrath are drawn to the rival demon court. Damning evidence points to Vittoria as the murderer and she’s quickly declared an enemy of the Seven Circles. Despite her betrayal, Emilia will do anything to solve this new mystery and find out who her sister really is.

Together Emilia and Wrath play a sin-fueled game of deception as they work to stop the unrest that’s brewing between witches, demons, shape-shifters and the most treacherous foes of all: the Feared.

Emilia was warned that when it came to the Wicked nothing was as it seemed. But, have the true villains been much closer all along? When the truth is finally revealed, it just might end up costing Emilia her heart.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stalking the Jack the Ripper series comes the steamy conclusion to Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy.“

Erotic, eerie, beautifully written and mesmerizing once again, the third and final installment of this hellishly magnificent trilogy was the perfect read for the beginning of October.

Packed with all my beloved characters, with phenomenal descriptions of the Houses of Hell once again, and a plot that escalated quickly, the last book of the series wrapped up everything beautifully, without leaving questions or holes.

I loved the fact that there were no villains, simply… anti-heroes. I loved how everyone, from Emilia, to Vittoria, to the Princes of Hell, all of them had an agenda of their own and goals they wanted to achieve.

I didn’t mind guessing all the revelations, even from the first book in the series. I was so fully invested in the world that all I wanted was… MORE!

If you haven’t read the Kingdom of the Wicked series yet, then I suggest you do so quickly! This trilogy is a sin you’ll be glad to follow!

Five glorious stars for this beauty, that made the trilogy an all-time-favorite for me; a series that was there for me from the beginning of 2021, to the end of 2022.

The stars will always incline us–they’ll never bind us!
To the many more rereads that will come!

“Sometimes loving someone was shown by letting them go, not clutching them closer.”

~ Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of them Wicked, #3), by Kerri Maniscalco

Have you guys read the Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy? If so, which is your favourite book? Would you like to read a spin-off series set in this world?

Let me know all your thoughts and feelings in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for stopping by once again. It truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Have an amazing day, wonderful people, stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!

P.S.: And don’t forget… As above, so below!

October TBR: The Books I Hope to Read in October

Hello, wonderful creatures, happy Monday everyone and welcome back to Victorious Pages.

It is officially Spooky Season and I am determined to read AT LEAST four books this month because lately I have been doing so and it brings me such joy, clarity and balance in my so very hectic daily routine.

So, here I am today to share with you the books I want to read this October, one way or another.

1. Book Lovers, by Emily Henry

“One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn’t see coming….

Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.”

It may seem like the typical summer read but… oh, well! I didn’t fully enjoy this past summer and I want more. So, I am gonna relive those summer nights, and days, through this book.

My friend Tatiana enjoyed it a lot and I trust her on what comes to RomComs, so I can’t wait to dive into this baby!

2. Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked, #3), by Kerri Maniscalco

“Two curses.
One prophecy.
A reckoning all have feared.

And a love more powerful than fate. All hail the king and queen of Hell. 

Emilia is reeling from the shocking discovery that her twin sister, Vittoria, is alive. But before she faces the demons of her past, Emilia yearns to claim her king, the seductive Prince of Wrath, in the flesh. Emilia doesn’t simply desire his body, she wants his heart and soul—but that’s something the enigmatic demon can’t promise her.

When a high-ranking member of House Greed is assassinated, Emilia and Wrath are drawn to the rival demon court. Damning evidence points to Vittoria as the murderer and she’s quickly declared an enemy of the Seven Circles. Despite her betrayal, Emilia will do anything to solve this new mystery and find out who her sister really is.

Together Emilia and Wrath play a sin-fueled game of deception as they work to stop the unrest that’s brewing between witches, demons, shape-shifters and the most treacherous foes of all: the Feared.

Emilia was warned that when it came to the Wicked nothing was as it seemed. But, have the true villains been much closer all along? When the truth is finally revealed, it just might end up costing Emilia her heart.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stalking the Jack the Ripper series comes the steamy conclusion to Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy.“

I am currently listening to the audiobook of this badass baby and HOLY FREAKING GUACAMOLE, you guys! It is HOT, HOT, HOT! I love the pacing of the book, the characters and the hellish manipulations and courts’ intrigues and schemes, that I can’t wait to share my full-length review with you all!

And, at this point, I can say with utmost certainty that Kingdom of the Wicked is officially an all-time-favourite series for me.

3. The Ravens (The Ravens, #1), by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige

“Kappa Rho Nu isn’t your average sorority. Their parties are notorious. Their fundraisers are known for being Westerly College’s most elaborate affairs. But beneath the veil of Greek life and prestige, the sisters of Kappa Rho Nu share a secret: they’re a coven of witches.

For Vivi Deveraux, being one of Kappa Rho Nu’s Ravens means getting a chance to redefine herself. For Scarlett Winters, a bona fide Raven and daughter of a legacy Raven, pledge this year means living up to her mother’s impossible expectations of becoming Kappa Rho Nu’s next president. Scarlett knows she’d be the perfect candidate—that is, if she didn’t have one human-sized skeleton in her closet…. 

When Vivi and Scarlett are paired as big and little for initiation, they find themselves sinking into the sinister world of blood oaths and betrayals.”

A dark academia book with sororities and witches feels perfect for this time of the year. And since this particular book has been waiting patiently on my TBR pile, I believe the time has come for me to read it.

4. The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious, #2), by Maureen Johnson

“All Stevie Bell wanted was to find the key to the Ellingham mystery, but instead she found her classmate dead. And while she solved that murder, the crimes of the past are still waiting in the dark. Just as Stevie feels she’s on the cusp of putting it together, her parents pull her out of Ellingham academy.

For her own safety they say. She must move past this obsession with crime. Now that Stevie’s away from the school of topiaries and secret tunnels, and her strange and endearing friends, she begins to feel disconnected from the rest of the world. At least she won’t have to see David anymore. David, who she kissed. David, who lied to her about his identity—son of despised politician Edward King. Then King himself arrives at her house to offer a deal: He will bring Stevie back to Ellingham immediately. In return, she must play nice with David. King is in the midst of a campaign and can’t afford his son stirring up trouble. If Stevie’s at school, David will stay put.

The tantalizing riddles behind the Ellingham murders are still waiting to be unraveled, and Stevie knows she’s so close. But the path to the truth has more twists and turns than she can imagine—and moving forward involves hurting someone she cares for. In New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson’s second novel of the Truly Devious series, nothing is free, and someone will pay for the truth with their life.”

I read Truly Devious almost a lifetime ago, but I had enjoyed it quite a lot, especially towards the end. So, I don’t want to give its sequel a go and since it’s a dark academia book, with mystery elements, it feels appropriate for this time of the year.

Fingers crossed it doesn’t disappoint.

Have you guys read any of the books mentioned above? What are your reading plans for the month of October? Are you a mood reader or you follow a set TBR?

Let me know all your thoughts and feelings in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for being here once again. It truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Love you all to Pluto and back, awesome nerds.

Have an amazing week, stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!

BOOK REVIEW: These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows, #1), by Lexi Ryan ~ The Ultimate Faerie Book! *SPOILER FREE*

“It’s as if my love of coffee before was only about it’s potential and I’m finally tasting it as it should be.”

~ These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows, #1), by Lexi Ryan

Hello, wonderful people, happy Saturday everyone, happy 1st of October and happy International Coffee Day!

I’ve been dying to share this review with you all and since today’s protagonist, Abriella, loves coffee almost as much as I do, the timing seemed perfect. So, here I am to share my thoughts and feelings about the first instalment in Lexi Ryan’s series, These Hollow Vows; the book that sat on my TBR pile for far longer than it should!

“From New York Times best-selling author Lexi Ryan, Cruel Prince meets A Court of Thorns and Roses in this sexy, action-packed fantasy about a girl who is caught between two treacherous faerie courts and their dangerously seductive princes.

Brie hates the Fae and refuses to have anything to do with them, even if that means starving on the street. But when her sister is sold to the sadistic king of the Unseelie court to pay a debt, she’ll do whatever it takes to get her back—including making a deal with the king himself to steal three magical relics from the Seelie court.

Gaining unfettered access to the Seelie court is easier said than done. Brie’s only choice is to pose as a potential bride for Prince Ronan, and she soon finds herself falling for him. Unwilling to let her heart distract her, she accepts help from a band of Unseelie misfits with their own secret agenda. As Brie spends time with their mysterious leader, Finn, she struggles to resist his seductive charm.

Caught between two dangerous courts, Brie must decide who to trust with her loyalty. And with her heart.”

When a book has Seelie and Unseelie faeries, it is loosely based on a classic fairytale, has references of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, political intrigue, morally grey characters and… a protagonist who ADORES coffee AND has red (aka Ariel) hair, well, it’s certain I’m gonna ADORE it, too.

I had received These Hollow Vows almost a year ago, through Beacon Book Box, and even though my Dad had suggested I should read it immediately, I put it aside for a while, for only the stars know why.

What a naive, little human I was…

The book was the PERFECT read for the transition from summer to autumn, with all the whimsical magic of the Faerie Lands, the schemes of the Courts almost palpable as I was turning the pages and the characters, both main and secondary, feeling very, very real!

And that’s what made this book unique to me, aside from its fast pacing, of course.
The fact that the characters were so very well-written, they had depth, insecurities, hopes and fears, and, all of them, seemed like the villain in someone else’s story! 

There were twists and turns every other second and, with every revelation, I didn’t know which side to take.
This made the book all the more interesting to me.

Even the love triangle aspect of the story was so well-executed that, despite this being one of my least favorite tropes in a romance (as that’s the subplot of the book), I still fell invested and I wanted to know which Faerie Prince would win Brie’s heart.

So, yes, the pitching of this book as being perfect for the fans of The Cruel Prince and A Court of Thorns and Roses was spot-on! If you enjoyed these series, you most definitely will enjoy this one, too.

5 golden stars for this whimsical beauty, which I suggest you read, if you haven’t done so already.

Would you guys choose to team up with the Seelie or the Unseelie Court, if found in a life-or-death situation?

Have you read These Hollow Vows? If so, what did you think of the book?

Let me know all your thoughts and feelings in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for stopping by once again. It genuinely means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Have an EPIC month, awesome nerds, stay safe and stay positive!

Till next time… Toodles!

Life Lessons Through The Pages Of A Book

If there is one thing that literature has taught me over the years is that heroes may not always win, but they never negotiate with bullies and terrorists.

Hello, awesome nerds, and happy Thursday everyone.

I don’t know where September went, but somehow this is the last post for this first month of autumn.

I wanted it to be different, but due to recent events, I mixed things up a little bit to talk to you about the life lessons some of my favourite books have taught me over the years.

To make things a bit clearer for you, two nights ago, a group of ten young boys, ages between 16 and 18 years old, got into my yard. Nine of them started bullying and pushing the last, tenth member of their group, for God only knows why.

I got out on the balcony, shouted that I would call the policy right that instant if they didn’t leave. So they did… just to go to the field across the street and continue from where they had left things. They started pushing the “weaker” member deeper in the field, shouting and cursing him.

Knowing it would take some time for the police to come and most certainly knowing that I wouldn’t let some bullies terrorise a kid, I called my cousin, who’s in military police. He came home literally in two minutes and only then they stopped whatever it was they wanted to do to this tenth member of their group.

My cousin was talking to them for more than ten minutes out in the street and, even though one of the bullies wanted to play all tough, in the end, they all left quietly and went their way home.

You probably saw that I paraphrased Clary’s quote:

“Heroes aren’t always the ones who win,” she said. “They’re the ones who lose, sometimes. But they keep fighting, they keep coming back. They don’t give up. That’s what makes them heroes.” 

~ City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments, #6), by Cassandra Clare

It’s because I truly believe that. We’ve seen great people, heroes of some sort, not always winning in life. And yet, they never gave up. That’s the reason why we thought, and will always think of them as heroes.

And that’s what we should do, too. No matter how gloomy things may be, no matter how many the bullies and know-it-alls of the world may be, we will keep fighting, we will keep coming back. For y’all know that we’re stronger together. And there is nothing, nothing we should be afraid of.

Just as Albus Dumbledore once said:

“It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.”

~ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J. K. Rowling

So, in all honesty, it’s always the unknown that shakes us, especially on what comes to death and darkness. Yet, there’s no reason to be afraid of either of the two. Especially if we keep hope alive. Because…

“Without the dark, we’d never see the stars.”

~ Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1), by Stephenie Meyer

I’ve said it before but it’s one of my truest beliefs. The choices we make are the people we are. Our choices shape our destinies. I believe that, down to my very core.

While these kids chose violence, my cousin chose to talk to them. It wasn’t destiny or the stars that made him do that. It was simply his choice.

“Astra inclinant, sed non obligant; The stars incline us, they do not bind us.” 

~ Kingdom of the Cursed (Kingdom of the Wicked, #2), by Kerri Maniscalco

Four simple life lessons, yet four lessons that truly make all the difference in the world.

I’m glad that I’ve been reading books for the past twenty years now, so much that I ended up writing two books of my own.

I’m glad that, through the pages of my books, not only I traveled to new, fantastic worlds, but I nurtured my empathy, my patience, my wittiness in tough, challenging situations.

Friendly advice: try to do the same, folks. And try to put into practice the lessons the books you read teach you.

Thank you all so very much for being here once again. It truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted; I never will.

I wish you have an amazing day and I hope that October treats you well.

Till next time… Toodles!

🏛 BookBrewed ~ FROM OLYMPUS WITH LOVE ~ August 2022 Unboxing 🏛

Hello awesome nerds and happy Monday everyone!

I hope you guys had a lovely weekend, you got the chance to relax and recharge your batteries.

I, once again, didn’t, but there are some amazing things being… brewed on the background, that I seriously cannot complain.

So, here I am today to share with you the August BookBrewed unboxing, now that our international subscribers got their boxes, as well.

For those of you who don’t know, BookBrewed is my company, the Greek YA monthly-subscription box. Each month you receive a new release, either in Greek or in English, and 4 to 5 different items, focusing on a specific theme.

The theme for the month of August was, as the title revealed, FROM OLYMPUS WITH LOVE and the box was 100% inspired by Greek mythology.

The items featured in the box were:

A face/body moisturizing soap, inspired by THE SONG OF ACHILLES and made by @lenv_beauty. The three different fragrances available were caramel, coconut and honey.An exclusively designed by BookBrewed team bottle opener, inspired by PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF .An exclusively designed oven mitt, inspired by CIRCE and designed by Ashu Moru.An exclusively designed by BookBrewed team puzzle, inspired by LORE .Our monthly cocktail and smoothie recipes, straight from Mount Olympus!

The book of the month was DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS, by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr. The book was accompanied by a signed bookplate, for which we are very happy. The first book in a lush new series, inspired by Greek mythology, this book became one of our favourites of the year!

You can find more about the book in my spoiler free review, by clicking here.

I would like to thank each and every one of our vendors and graphic designers, as well as the authors of the book, Bonnier Books UK and Hot Key Books, for the amazing collaboration.

It means the world to me that I can provide you with amazing books and exclusively designed goodies. I feel like I send a little bit of magic to your house every month and that truly brightens my day.

Also, huge thanks to my friend Kalliopi, who lives in Annecy, France, and took this stunning unboxing photo.

Which was your favourite item of this box? Have you guys read the book of the month? If so, did you enjoy it?

Let me know all your thoughts and feelings in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for stopping by once again. It means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take you presence here for granted.

Have an amazing weekend, wonderful creatures, stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!

Vampire Academy: The New Book-To-Series Adaptation… Or Not?

Hello awesome people, happy Saturday everyone and welcome back to Victorious Pages.

It has been a couple of weeks since we talked about a TV show, so the time has come again. A show I was excited to watch at first but when I found out the people involved in the production I got scared to say the least. And for good reason, as it appears to be the case.

I’m talking of course about the newest Vampire Academy book-to-series adaptation, developed by Julie Plec, among other people.

Knowing what Julie Plec did to The Vampire Diaries, how from season 2 onwards it was more of a fanfic rather than anything else, and how the show should have ended after season 4, in my personal opinion, I had low to no expectations about the Vampire Academy adaptation.

The problem though is that Vampire Academy is one of my all-time-favourite book series of all time. Those of you who have been here since the beginning, you are well aware that I did a reread of the series a few years ago and I really wanted to reread the books again, with the premier of the show coming closer.

After those 30 minutes in HELL I watched last night, I most definitely will.

We’re truly talking about a fanfic through and through. The cast is nothing like the characters described in the books, in my opinion they haven’t captivated the true essence of the characters they portrait, the ethnicities of many of them have been changed and some characters on the show have simply kept the name of the books’ characters, but are entirely different people.

So, and I am asking this with genuine curiosity, why do you, people of the production of this show, claim that this is a book-to-series adaptation of the Vampire Academy, written by Richelle Mead?

Last time I checked, Rose Hathaway was a half-Scottish, half-Turkish Dhampir, pledged and sworn to protect Lissa Dragomir. Excuse me if the actress you chose doesn’t look anything like the Rose in the book. What’s more, to me, she doesn’t even have Rose’s spark. Rose is fearless, badass, a romantic deep down, with the bravado being her poker face and a way to look tougher to those who try to belittle her.

And that’s just one of the characters. The entire cast seems wrong to me. It is a typical Julie Plec move to change how characters look, do things completely different from how they are described in the books and yet claim that the show being produced is actually a book-to-series adaptation. Not to mention have an entire fandom waiting for this particular show to be released.

I might have ignored certain stuff that occurred in The Vampire Diaries series but now I simply can’t.

Last night, when I decided to give the show a try, it literally hurt my eyes to watch. And not only because of the wrong, in my opinion, cast. But because of how messed up the plot is. From what others have told me, because naturally I’m not going to support a show that’s butchering one of my all-time-favourite book series, the focus of the story isn’t just the first book. It’s a mix and match of all six of the books.

Writing about this truly makes the annoyance inside me boil, so I’m just gonna leave the trailer here for you to see.

If you guys have watched the show, I really want to read your thoughts and feelings about it.

I still feel like we haven’t gotten the Rose Hathaway and the Dimitri Belikov we truly deserve, nor a full book-to-movie adaptation doing justice to this international best-selling series.

Of course I know there are people who haven’t read the books and are simply watching the show, being introduced to this universe for the very first time. So, I want to make it crystal clear that all the thoughts, feelings and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I look forward to reading your comments and I want to thank each and every one of you for stopping by once again. It means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Have an amazing weekend, awesome nerds, stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!

BOOK HAUL: When Women Were Dragons, by Kelly Barnhill

Hello, awesome nerds, and happy Thursday everyone!

Work has literally consumed me so I forgot to share the most fascinating book haul with y’all!

Last week, Doubleday Books sent me a copy of When Women Were Dragons, by Kelly Barnhill. I had seen this beauty around, and especially on TikTok, but other than that, I didn’t truly know what to expect.

Truth be told, I got mesmerised and I can’t wait to dive into it!

“Learn about the Mass Dragoning of 1955 in which 300,000 women spontaneously transform into dragons…and change the world.

Alex Green is a young girl in a world much like ours. But this version of 1950’s America is characterized by a significant event: The Mass Dragoning of 1955, when hundreds of thousands of ordinary wives and mothers sprouted wings, scales and talons, left a trail of fiery destruction in their path, and took to the skies. Seemingly for good. Was it their choice? What will become of those left behind? Why did Alex’s beloved Aunt Marla transform but her mother did not? Alex doesn’t know. It’s taboo to speak of, even more so than her crush on Sonja, her schoolmate.

Forced into silence, Alex nevertheless must face the consequences of dragons: a mother more protective than ever; a father growing increasingly distant; the upsetting insistence that her aunt never even existed; and a new “sister” obsessed with dragons far beyond propriety. Through loss, rage, and self-discovery, this story follows Alex’s journey as she deals with the events leading up to and beyond the Mass Dragoning, and her connection with the phenomenon itself.”

It has been a while since the last time I read something set in the ’50s, so I really wanna see how the author combined the magical realism with the oppression women faced on a daily basis at that time.

I flipped through the pages and found testimonies throughout the book. I suppose that those are fictional, as well, in order to emphasise the time when women turned into dragons.

I love those kind of books and I truly wanna believe that When Women Were Dragons will live up to its hype and the amazing reviews I have read about it.

Have you guys read it? Do you have any other book recommendations set in the 1950s?

Let me know in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for being here once again. It genuinely means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Love you all to Pluto and back, amazing creatures!

Stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!

BOOK REVIEW: Beauty and the Baller, by Ilsa Madden-Mills ~ The Romance Story We All Want To Experience! *SPOILER FREE*

“Life will always be scary. It’s better when you do it with someone.”

~ Beauty and the Baller, by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Hello awesome people, happy Monday everyone and welcome back to Victorious Pages.

Life has been super crazy right now and I don’t know how but, somehow, I managed to finish yet another book.

So, here I am today to share with you all my thoughts and feelings regarding Beauty and the Baller, my first book by Ilsa Madden-Mills. A book that actually turned out to be one of my favourites of 2022.

“An NFL quarterback turned small-town coach gets sacked by a Texas beauty queen in this swoony, passionate romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills.

Gorgeous, talented, and brilliant, NFL quarterback Ronan Smith has the world in his hands. But after losing his career and his fiancée in a car accident, he falls into a pit of grief and bad choices. When a mysterious girl shows up to his party, he feels drawn to her and makes her his…for one night.

Former beauty queen Nova Morgan is on a mission. Scantily clad as a princess from a galaxy far, far away, she sneaks into a high-profile party to capture the attention of her favorite quarterback. But her hopes crash after an awful one-night stand.

Fast-forward two years. Broke and desperate, Nova returns home to Blue Belle, Texas, where, by a cosmic twist of fate, her broody neighbor is none other than Ronan, the shiny new football coach everyone adores. But he has no idea who she is.

The booster club keeps shoving women at Ronan to keep him in town. His solution? He proposes fake dating to Nova. But things heat up for real under these Friday-night lights when he realizes she’s the one who slipped away.

Has this jaded beauty found her forever baller, or will his past keep them apart?”

“Make the impossible real. Reach for the stars, even if they burn, Nova.”

~ Beauty and the Baller, by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Romantic, fun, empowering and so very heart-warming, 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 was the perfect read to end this summer season.

It felt fresh, original, easy to read and it made me fall in love with the honesty, depth and inner strength of the characters.

Nova and Ronan are the kind of couples I wanna see in romance novels. With insecurities of their own, but also that fierce belief that they both deserve the best and they will fight to have everything they want in life, and more.

And, of course, that they will fight for each other!

I very much enjoyed their journey, from their very first meet to the end of the book.
I loved how they grew and evolved, how the difficulties and losses they faced in life shaped them and made them the people they are today.

I also loved their love for kids. As an Economics tutor myself, I saw myself in them. How I always try to make my students see that they can reach the stars, that they can accomplish great things in life!

With funny and annoying secondary characters, great representation (as we don’t regularly see autistic characters in literature) and a smutty love story, 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 was one of the best books I’ve read so far this year!

5 brilliant stars for this beauty, Ilsa Madden-Mills! Thanks for the ride!

Have you guys read Beauty and the Baller? Did you like it? If not, have you read any other Ilsa Madden-Mills books?

Let me know in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for stopping by. It honestly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Love you all to Pluto and back, awesome creatures!

Have an amazing week, y’all, stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!

🏹 Beacon Book Box ~ REVEL IN CHANGE ~ May 2022 Unboxing 🏹

Hello, awesome nerds, and happy Saturday everyone!

The end of an era has officially come and so today I am going to share with you my unboxing of the very last monthly Beacon Book Box, the box of May 2022.

For those of you who don’t know, Beacon Book Box is a YA book service. Each month, until 2022, subscribers received a box, which contained a new release, as well as a bunch of bookish items, focusing on a specific theme.

Beacon Book Box is changing things a little bit and now, aside from the bookish goodies that are available on the bunker, you will be able to order special edition boxes, with exclusively designed items and books. These boxes won’t be monthly, so you will have to keep an eye on the company’s social media and website for possible announcements.

I have been a rep for Beacon Book Box since January 2020 and for a little while longer you will be able to use my code VICTORIOUS5 for a discount.

With all that being said, let’s get to the actual unboxing.

The theme for the month of May was Revel in Change and, honestly, it was a really beautiful, final, monthly box.

THE GOODIES The Court of Miracles -inspired candle, made exclusively for Beacon Book Box by @NovellyYours . Cinder -inspired beach tote bag, designed by @SJWonderlandz . Kingdom of the Wicked -inspired reusable straw set, designed by @catarinabookdesigns . The Midnight Library -inspired water bottle, designed exclusively by the Beacon team. Thorn -inspired print, designed by the Beacon team.#BakingWithTheBeacons Cress’s Key Lime Pie recipe THE BOOK

The book of the month was Bravely, by Maggie Stiefvater. The book came with a signed bookplate and a letter from the author.

The cover is absolutely stunning and if the girl reminds you of Merida, from Disney’s Brave, wait until you read the synopsis of the book.

“Merida goes on an all-new, life-changing adventure in this original YA novel set several years after the close of Brave!

What if you had one year to save everything you loved?

ONE PRINCESS. Merida of DunBroch needs a change. She loves her family—jovial King Fergus, proper Queen Elinor, the mischievous triplets— and her peaceful kingdom. But she’s frustrated by its sluggishness; each day, the same. Merida longs for adventure, purpose, challenge – maybe even, someday, love.

TWO GODS. But the fiery Princess never expects her disquiet to manifest by way of Feradach, an uncanny supernatural being tasked with rooting out rot and stagnation, who appears in DunBroch on Christmas Eve with the intent to demolish the realm – and everyone within. Only the intervention of the Cailleach, an ancient entity of creation, gives Merida a shred of hope: convince her family to change within the year – or suffer the eternal consequences.

THREE VOYAGES. Under the watchful eyes of the gods, Merida leads a series of epic journeys to kingdoms near and far in an attempt to inspire revolution within her family. But in her efforts to save those she loves from ruin, has Merida lost sight of the Clan member grown most stagnant of all – herself?

FOUR SEASONS TO SAVE DUNBROCH – OR SEE IT DESTROYED, FOREVER.“

This standalone gives me serious autumn vibes and I cannot wait to read it.

And with this, we come to the end of this unboxing and the very last Beacon Book Box unboxing, at least for a while.

I wanna thank Cameron, Mike and all the members of the Beacon team for these amazing two years. It has been an epic journey and I will always be grateful for all the great things I learned and for making me feel as if I was part of the family.

Have you guys read Bravely? Which was your favourite item of this box? Are you fans of subscription boxes in general?

Let me know all your thoughts and feelings in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for stopping by once again. It means the world to me, truly, and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Have an amazing weekend, dearies, stay safe and stay positive!

Till next time… Toodles!