Featured blog posts
I’ll see you at the bookshop!
The Hunger Games Simulator Guide
Here is my guide to selecting and playing a simulator based on the famous book and film franchise, The Hunger Games.
Based on the bestselling book series written by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games is easily one of the most popular dystopian stories written in the modern day.
26 Sports Romance Novels
There’s something irresistible about sports romance novels.
I’m not sure whether it’s the elite athletes or high stakes competition, but the combination of passion and ambition just hits different for me. In this post I’ve put together a list of some of the very best sports romance books, to help you decide which title to pick up next.
Stay22 Affiliate Program - Referral Bonus and Review
Here’s how I increased my affiliate income by 132% by switching from Travel Payouts to Stay22.
I registered with Stay22 in summer 2025 as a way to improve the income I was receiving from my blog. I liked the idea of diversifying my passive income streams, and was intrigued by their Nova tool which provides an additional way to get commission from bookings.
What To Do In Edinburgh
As one of the world’s most popular city break destinations, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to visit with a rich history and many things to see and do.
My guide highlights some of the city’s best landmarks and activities, with the aim of helping you to make the most of your trip.
What to Do in Norway
One of my favourite countries that I’ve travelled to in recent years, read this article to learn more about Norway and the many things there are to see and do.
What to Do in Norway
Norway is known for its outstanding natural beauty and glistening natural fjords, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, water sports and winter activities. Rich in arts and culture, the country has strong ties to the Vikings and a number of bustling towns and cities to explore.
Mariana Zapata Books in Order
Known by her fans as the queen of slow burn romance, Mariana Zapata has been reading romance novels since she was old enough to sneak them off her aunt’s bookshelves.
Her writing career began in her teens, when she penned fan fiction about her favourite boy bands. She eventually started to write her own original stories when she was in her twenties, after much encouragement from her husband.
Mariana currently lives in Pagosa Springs, Colorado with her husband and their two Great Danes (also referred to as her children).
Rhys Bowen Books in Order
A New York Times bestselling author, Rhys Bowen is an enormously popular mystery/crime writer who’s real name is Janet Quin-Harkin.
To date she has sold around 10 million books in over 30 languages, and won a number of major prizes including the Agatha Awards, the Anthony Awards and the Macavity Awards.
Heather Fawcett Books in Order
A Canadian writer best known for her enchanting Emily Wilde series, Heather Fawcett writes fantasy stories that usually involve dragons and other fantastical creatures.
As both a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, her books are beloved and have been translated into more than twenty languages across the world.
28 Books Like the Hunger Games
When the very first Hunger Games book published in 2008, I doubt that Suzanne Collins expected it to become the worldwide phenomenon that it is today.
The original books have sold millions of copies, and although the trilogy was completed in 2012, the popularity of these stories has endured. Recent years have seen additional books published in the series, including prequels The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping. A stage show even launched in London in 2025, which has been enormously popular.
Jennifer Iacopelli Books in Order
Author of several swoonworthy sports romance novels, Jennifer Iacopelli’s compelling stories feature young women with big dreams, across a variety of sports.
Her standalone YA novel, Finding Her Edge, was recently adapted into a TV series for Netflix, in a story that features fake dating, betrayal, and a heavy family legacy.
Jennifer lives in New York where she also works as a librarian, alongside writing books. She also occasionally authors contemporary romance novels for adults under the pen name Jennifer Hennessey.
What To Do In Zurich
As Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich is much more than just a financial hub. Here you’ll find medieval streets and world class museums alongside panoramic viewpoints and lakeside walks, making it the ideal place to both explore and relax.
Zurich truly blends historic charm with modern culture, meaning there really is something for everyone. It’s also well located as a base for day trips, with nearby locations including the snowy peaks of the alps and glistening glaciers in Engelberg.
Satoshi Yagisawa Books in Order
A Japanese writer who’s books have been translated into several languages across the world, Satoshi Yagisawa’s whimsical slice of life stories have been well received in the UK.
Yagisawa’s first two books about the Morisaki Bookshop are based on the Jimbocho region of Tokyo, which is known for its abundance of bookshops covering all types and specialities. His debut novel, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, is critically acclaimed and won the Chiyoda Literature Prize in 2009.
How to Build A DIY Bookshelf
Here’s how to build your dream built in bookshelf on a budget.
We’ve all imagined our dream built in bookshelf, and for many it has always seemed just that - a dream.
This post is for other people like me, who simply don’t have the thousands of pounds needed to commission custom made shelves, or the carpentry expertise to do it yourself. You too can have your dream bookshelf; all you need is patience, a can-do attitude and a small amount of money.
Rachel Reid Books in Order
Best known for her spicy ice hockey romance series, Heated Rivalry, Rachel Reid is a Canadian writer based in Nova Scotia.
With a total of nine books to her name, including two standalone novels, Rachel’s bestselling series was adapted into a hugely popular TV show in 2025. Directed under the watchful eye of Jacob Tierney, Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams and Connor Sturrie star as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who share a secret romance while playing for opposing hockey teams.
The Robin’s Nest Coffee Shop Review, Chichester
Tucked away down one of Chichester’s cobbled side streets, the Robin’s Nest is a cosy coffee shop and cafe offering delicious home cooked food. I was very kindly invited in for lunch by the owner, and was so impressed that I wanted to write a whole blog post about it!
The cafe itself is small, with an intimate feel and plenty of seating. It’s just the right size - small enough to feel personal, but large enough to seat a good number of hungry Cicestrians (the Saxon name given to people who live in Chichester.)
Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Better?
On the surface, traditional toilet paper seems pretty unproblematic. I mean, it’s just paper, right? But when you really look into it, your average roll of toilet paper has a number of genuine problems that are not aligned with sustainable living.
From the unnecessary plastic packaging, contribution to deforestation, excessive energy/water use while manufacturing, and the use of nasty chemicals like bleach, there are plenty of reasons why toilet paper is not created with the wellbeing of you, or the planet, in mind.
12 Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
This vibrant Vietnamese city has many exciting things to see and do, and was easily one of the highlights of my recent trip to Southeast Asia.
Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh city was renamed after the reunification of Vietnam in 1976 to honour leader of the communist party Ho Chi Minh. Although many of the local people still refer to the city as Saigon, you won’t find this on any of the official signage or documents.
Crystal Symphony Suite and Guest Room Guide
Here is my complete guide to all of the guest rooms and suites available onboard the Crystal Symphony.
I love exploring cruise ships, and during my sailing onboard the Crystal Symphony I was delighted to find that staff had opened a number of cabins for guests to view. While all of the room categories are beautiful in their own way, it was really interesting to see how they differ and have a nose around two of the most luxurious accommodation options onboard.
Authors Like Emily Henry
After publishing her first romance book in 2020, Emily Henry quickly became a literary superstar. Since then her books have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold over 10 million copies around the world.
It’s easy to see why her books have been so popular. Henry blends feel good romance with deeper topics; each of her books providing food for thought with a happy ending.
Crystal Cruises Food and Dining Guide
Here is my full guide to food and dining onboard Crystal Cruises.
As one of the world’s leading ultra luxury cruise lines, dining onboard Crystal Cruises is an absolute delight.
With food offered on an all inclusive basis, there is a total of eight restaurants for guests to choose from (if I include the gelato bar!) Both of Crystal’s ships, Serenity and Symphony have identical food offerings, with the same eateries on each ship. The only venue that costs an additional fee is the vintage room, which offers dinner with guided wine pairings.
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.