(Review) I’ve Got Your Number

Title: I’ve Got Your Number
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 448
Pub Date: February 2012

Source: I requested an eGalley of this book.

About the book:
I’ve lost it. 🙁 The only thing in the world I wasn’t supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It’s been in Magnus’s family for three generations. And now the very same day his parents are coming, I’ve lost it. The very same day! Do not hyperventilate, Poppy. Stay positive 🙂 !!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents . . . she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

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I was super excited when I found out that Sophie Kinsella had another book coming out. I am a huge fan of hers and read all her books that she has written under Sophie Kinsella because they are a light and fun read. Did you know that she writes under the name of Madeleine Wickham as well?

I should start of by saying that this book is a stand alone and is no way associated with any of her other books.

I am known to pretty much devour Sophie’s books in almost one sitting. This was no exception. I started it fairly early in the morning and by mid afternoon I was finished it. I really enjoyed the story. The only thing that bothered me a little was the footnotes and I think had I read the actual book and not an egalley on my kobo it might have been fine. I have heard a few bloggers commenting on that same issue. So I was happy to find out that it wasn’t just on the egalleys.

The main character in I’ve Got Your Number is Poppy Wyatt. She is just like the girl next door someone you probably could be friends with. Things are going good for her until a fire alarm goes off and she looses her engagement ring. She is in a sheer panic because its a family heirloom. She has basically driven the staff at the hotel mad in her search for this ring that appears to be gone.

When she goes outside to take a call, her phone is snatch and Poppy is in a pure panic. Her life is in her phone. How many of us can say the same thing? Walking back into the hotel she spots a perfectly good phone in the trash can and its basically finders keepers. Its in the garbage so it must be fair game right?

Poppy is a girl with a mission and that is to get her ring back without her fiancee, Magnus or his family from finding out and she will do almost anything to make sure that happens even if it means claiming this phone as her own. She knows she can explain the new phone and new number and not the lost ring.

So thinking she is in the clear she realizes this phone belongs to not just anyone but a consulting firm. The phone actually belongs to a PA (personal assistant) Violet that works with Sam (the boss) and she has upped and quit. Hmm I wonder why?

Before long Poppy and Sam are thrust together and against his better judgement he allows Poppy to use the phone until she gets her ring back. What happens next is a funny adventure that can only happen in a book and I loved it.

I loved reading the interactions between Poppy and Sam and you could see that perhaps a little love interest was developing. Will it develop?

If you are looking for a light fun read then I have to suggest this one to you.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

(Meme) It’s Monday! What are you reading? #7

One of my favorite bloggers Sheila from Book Journey is the host of this weekly meme. If you haven’t checked out Sheila’s blog yet then what are you waiting for. I love reading Sheila’s blog because she covers it all and I always end up walking away like I get to know Sheila a little more from her post.

I also just discovered recently that Sheila has partnered with Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and they come up with  a fun meme with a kidlit focus – anyone reading and reviewing books in children’s literature – it can be picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, you name it in the world of kidlit and it’s in!

So in case you are wondering what It’s Monday! What are you reading? is about well its a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

I am late in getting this up because its been very busy the last few days. It was another hockey weekend for us. Michael had two games this weekend. They won the first one 6-2 but lost the second one 4-1. The second one was especially rough because you could see the refs were playing favorites with the home team (not us) and thankfully the second period they realized they had to stop because it wasn’t fair. I think Michael found it especially hard because he was only just literally on the ice when he was pulled for a penalty. According to the ref Michael pushed the kid and I know Michael would never do that. He even said that they bumped into each other which is very typical. But you could clearly see that this team  wanted to beat us and knock us down from the number one position and they stopped at nothing to win the game. Which is sad isn’t it?

Anyways enough of my morning ramblings hehe and onto this post right?

Last week was a very slow reading week for me and that was due to the fact that I am still reading my current read which is two weeks already. Although I have taken the advice of a really good blogging friend Lucy who suggested I should perhaps put the book down for now and read something else and that is what I have done. So perhaps some time away from the book will do me good.

I am currently reading these:

I am currently on page 137 and slowly making my way through this one.

I am also reading this one on my kobo and my review will be up on Saturday because I am a part of a tour for this. I am really enjoying this. I liked the first story and now I am starting the second one.

Last week I read this:

My review will be up tomorrow for this one. I really enjoyed it.
This is what I read and whats on my agenda. I hope everyone has a good reading week.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

BBRAW 2012 Lets get this started shall we

This is the first day of BBRAW (Book Blogger Reader Appreciation Week) and the lovely host for hopefully a yearly event is Reagan (Miss Remmers’ Reviews). If you haven’t checked out her blog you really should.

So todays task is:

Introduce yourself for new readers that will be stopping by. Take today to explain what BBRAW means to you. This is the ideal time to thank your readers for their comments, support, and post a giveaway if you plan on having one. Remember, as BBRAW is supposed to celebrate readers, requiring a “follow” for the giveaway would be in relatively poor taste.

Hi Everyone. My name is Cindy and this is my blog. I have been blogging since August 27, 2008 (wow I find that hard to believe because at times I feel as though I have just started blogging.)

I actually stumbled upon blogging by accident early that summer and thought about it alot and I have always been a huge reader but just never documented what I read or what I thought so I figured why not start a blog for myself.

I was pretty lucky because that first day I started posting reviews on my blog, I had posted a bunch of reviews of books I had currently read, I got my very first comment and it was from a blogger a few days later. I was thrilled. I was like a kid in a candy store given carte blanc to buy anything you wanted because someone I didn’t know had actually stopped by my blog to read my review. That person was Alea. I love hearing from my readers because knowing that someone has taken the time out of their day to read my blog means the world to me.

I still get very excited when I go into my emails and see the someone has left a comment on a post I made or retweet of soemthing I posted. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that my little blog would be what it is today and I have you my readers to thank for that. You are the reason I love to blog and share my thoughts with.

So I want to thank you for making Cindy’s Love of Books what it is today. I truly appreciate it.

So in honor of that my readers I am offering a little give away to you and that is I am hosting a giveaway. The prize is going to be a $10 book depository gift card for any book you want (in that price range) and a little goodie bag of stuff that I will personally send you. (The book will be shipped from the BD)

So all you have to do is leave me a comment and your mailing address to enter. Good Luck Everyone.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Another awesome video I have to share

This past weekend while I was perusing my blog roll I discovered this funny video made by some bloggers that I follow all the time.

Here it is:

The stars of the video are:
http://www.tyngasreviews.com/
http://tableforseven-julie.blogspot.com/
http://parajunkee.com/
http://www.rabidreads.ca/

and two new to me bloggers:
http://www.bookish-brunette.com/
http://book-faery.blogspot.com/

How often have you said things from this video?

You guys did an awesome job.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Just a reminder

I just wanted to remind my readers that Book Blogger Reader Appreciation Week starts this week. I will be taking part in this fun week long event.

For my info be sure to check out Miss Remmers Review and check back this week. I will be having a give away for one lucky reader.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Glossybox has come to Canada February Edition

I sometimes wonder if I should be going on YouTube at times. I basically stalk YouTube and more so since I started getting monthly beauty subscriptions. I use to only check YouTube for IMM vlogs and the occasional video and now I am constantly checking YouTube out several times a day.

When I first heard about Glossybox on YouTube it was originally just in the UK and slowly they have expanded to Australia, South Africa, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden. With plans to expand to the US I believe.

Then in December a YouTuber that I follow EssJay1107 mentioned that Glossybox was coming to Canada in February so I quickly went to check them out and I was lucky enough to get in right away because the boxes quickly sold out and I think they still are.

I have been anxiously awaiting for this box and almost stalking my mailman this past week because Glossybox didn’t provide a tracking number and all they said on their facebook page was that they were all shipped.

I tried very hard not to check out other blog posts about it because I didn’t want to spoil the surprise. Thankfully there was no vlogs made before I got my box it was just a few bloggers who had posted links on the facebook page.

Okay before I show you what I got in my very first Glossybox let me tell you a little bit about Glossybox:
– They are a monthly beauty subscription service here in Canada.
– The monthly box is shipped from Toronto.
– It will cost you $15 and that included shipping and taxes.
– You will receive 5 deluxe beauty samples with the chance of getting a 6th product.
– You will be able to order full sized products off the site if you love a product from your box,
– You will also earn Glossydots from answering surveys about the products you received and for referals. Once you reach 1,000 Glossydots you qualify for a free box.

If you are interested in Glossybox’s please feel free to use my referal link CLICK ON THIS. I truly appreciate it.

So now lets get onto my post shall we. Sorry I had originally done a vlog but for some reason when I went to upload it, it was all wonky so I ditched it and pictures will have to do this month.

This is the outside packaging and I love how they used the little design on the box. Plus it was super easy to open because it was a pull tab.

As you can see even the box is pretty inside. I have to admit that this picture doesn’t do it justice. Here is looks almost white but its not white.

Even this picture makes the box look darker. In reality its a very pale pink and the box itself is very sturdy and reusable and pretty enough to display. There is no marking on the box so you don’t have to worry unlike other beauty boxes I get.

This is there emblem. Isn’t it pretty? This is on the top of the box and is basically the only marking on the box.

I know I should I turned this picture around but the picture shows what the box is like inside and under the lids. Isn’t that pretty? I love the design they use.

In previous beauty boxes they will use the personalized sticker to hold the tissue paper but Glossy box uses it on the envelops. I love having the card inside this even though it seems to be a waste but not really because you can reuse the envelop. I love how the sticker looks 3D.

As you can see the inside of the box is printed as well. Very nice. The contents are wrapped in this plain ribbon that is a rose-ish color. Very nice and it goes with the box.

This is what I got in my box. As you can see inside they use crinkle cut black paper to package it all in.

Just from the first look/peek I see a few things that I am super excited to try out.

The products I got:

-Ahava mineral body lotion. I was lucky enough to sample another Ahava product and loved it from a previous box. This would be something I would definitely buy. The full size is 250ml for $28. I got a sample size of 40ml for $4.48

-Elizabeth Grant skin care moisturizing stick. I loved this one as well and it tasted like watermelon and I could feel the difference on my lips using it. The full size is $12 for 5g and I got a sample of 3.5g for $8.40. I would probably buy this and use it in the winter time.

-Wella Brilliance Shampoo for fine to normal colored hair. I haven’t heard of this product before getting this box but I really liked it. The full size is$13.99 for 300ml and my sample was 50ml for $2.33.

-Live in Love by Oscar de la Renta eau de parfum. I have never used anything by Oscar de la Renta before but I thought the bottle was cute and the scent really nice. I only wish the bottle would have been a spritz bottle inside of an open bottle. After putting on the scent I actually like it. Its a nice smell that you can wear on a daily bases. The full size is$62 for 30ml and my sample was 4ml for $8.27

-Another product I have never heard of before getting this box was Prevage Day intensive anti aging moisture cream by Elizabeth Arden. When I opened the package I saw that the cream was a funky yellow/orange and was worried but it blended in very well and I have been using it and I can see a bit of a difference. The full size is 50ml for $160 and I got a sample of 7ml for $22.40. With the price tag this won’t be a product I would buy.

This time we got some bonus products and it was from the brand Beauty So Clean and they sent 4 wipes to sanitize your make up such as lipstick, gloss, pencils etc and a small bottle of the mist and its used for powder based/cream based products. I guess I never really thought that I could be spreading my germs around so this is something I am looking forward to trying and would be great for taking along when you go to make up counter to sample stuff. The full sizes are 48 pack of wipes for $12.50 and 125ml mist for $15.99 and I got 4 wipes for 3.13 and a 8ml mist for $1.02

Inside the black envelope there was:
– 3 labels that you can use to put on your box if you want to. Which are really pretty and blend with the box.
-a brochure from Beauty So Clean talking about their products and about the germs and bacteria on your make up. Along with a discount to buy some more of the products.
-a brochure about Wella professional products.
-The product card and welcome note.

So the total value that I got in this box is $50.03, as you can see this box paid for itself.

I was really excited to actually to get the box and after getting it and sampling the products I absolutely love this box and I am sure this will be one of the ones I will continue to receive every month. I can’t wait to see what the second box contains.

Please Note:
I purchased this Glossybox with my own money and was in no way compensated for it and this is my honest thoughts of it.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

(Review) Diary of a Mad Fat Girl

Title: Diary of a Mad Fat Girl
Author: Stephanie McAfee
Pub Date: February 2012
Publisher: Penguin
Pages:356

Source:
I received a finished copy of the book from Penguin USA for an honest review.

About The Book:

Graciela “Ace” Jones is mad-mad at her best friend Lilly who cancels their annual trip to Panama City for mysterious reasons; at her boss Catherine for “riding her ass like a fat lady on a Rascal scooter;” at her friend Chloe’s abusive husband; and especially at Mason McKenzie, the love of her life, who has shown up with a marriage proposal three years too late. Ace is never mad, though, at her near-constant companion, an adorable chiweenie dog named Buster Loo.

Ace’s anger begins to dissipate as she takes matters into her own hands to take down Chloe’s philandering husband-and to get to the bottom of a multitude of other scandals plaguing Bugtussle, Mississippi. Then, she starts to realize that maybe Mason deserves a second chance after all. 

With a sharp and distinctive voice, Stephanie McAfee delivers a hilarious and fast-paced tale about Ace Jones and her two best friends-thick as thieves and tough as nails-navigating Southern small-town politics and prejudices, finding love, and standing up for each other all the way.

I was recently offered this book from Penguin USA and it sounded like it was going to be a fun read so I decided to accept the offer to review it and I have to say that I am happy that I did because I thought this was a fun read. I managed to read it over a two day span. Thankfully most of the time I read it I was home alone because I was giggling alot and the times I was reading it when people were around I was getting asked “What’s so funny?”

This is Stephanie’s debut novel and when I was looking up info I discovered that Stephanie has signed a three book deal with the publisher so I will be curious to see what comes out next.

Just a heads up to my readers who might be offended by offensive language that this might not be the book for you. Personally for me if its not over the top I don’t mind it because for me its just a book and not real life.

I have to say that I really liked Ace (Graciela, her real name) because she was who she was and didn’t care what others thought of her. She is very brass and what you see is what you get. She hasn’t had the ideal life. Her parents died in a car accident at and early age and from there she went to live with her grandmother. Then when she is older her grandmother dies leaving Ace her house and land which just happens to boast a beautiful garden that Ace has maintained.

Ace is living in Bugtassle with her dog. Her best friends (Chloe and Lilly) live in the same city as her and no boyfriend or husband insight and that is because we slowly find out that Ace pushing them away. She is afraid to get hurt. She sabotages the relationships with jealousy and insecurities.

Now Ace and her best friend Lilly are teachers at the school and as the book is beginning Ace is excited for spring break because she is desperate for a vacation with her bestie but with a few hours to spare Lilly calls to tell Ace she can’t go. Instead of going on her own Ace decides to wellow in her own self pity and stays home mad at her best friend for cancelling at the last minute thinking that she is jetting off some where fabulous with a mysterious man.

Before long Lilly gets fired from the school because apparently she is linked to a student (hmm could this be true and that is why she is so mysterious?) and of course it looks like that from the outside and it makes sense with all the secrets. But is it true?

Ace’s other bestie is Chloe. When Ace finds out that Chloe has been admitted to the hospital because she was beaten up (although its been reported that she fell down some stairs) she is hell bent on getting her away from her abusive husband. Which of course lands her in to some trouble and arrested and of course the principle from hell fires her too.

Thankfully Mason, Ace’s long time ex boyfriend who happens to be a lawyer shows up on her doorstep trying to help her out of this situation she is in and hoping that perhaps this time she will wake up and see that he isn’t such a bad guy and that he can be trusted. He is honestly her true love and he is there to tell her. But will her insecurities cause her to doubt him?

I loved how much friendships meant to Ace and that she would do anything for her friends no matter what it costs her.

I really enjoyed reading this book and wished I had a friend like Ace.

Thanks again Penguin USA for sending me this book to review.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.