lauramerritt96

I feel like I’m getting the hang of being an ARC reader and I’m really enjoying all the different books I’ve been lucky enough to receive a copy of!

This is a first for me as Hold On To Me is Faye West’s debut novel! All other copies I’ve received so far have been by authors who already had other books published so this was really exciting to get an insight at a brand new author and dive into their world.

Hold On To Me is out 20th April and all I can say is wow, I can honestly say this should be a best seller straight away! I finished it in one sitting, I was so engrossed in the story from the beginning I couldn’t put it down and at the same time didn’t want it to end.

So excited to have another opportunity to be selected to receive an ARC copy of Drea Scott’s re release of her second novel, Hunt For The Roses 🌹

The book was originally released in August 2023 and has a re-release date of 20th March 2026!

& my first experience as a BETA reader

Something totally new for me, being a beta reader aka getting to read a copy of a book before it’s published and released! A general definition of a beta reader is for them to give feedback on a draft from the perspective of an average reader.

I signed up to the applications to be a beta reader for Victoria Jane’s newest book, a Christmas novella through her instagram and was absolutely over the moon to be selected.

… Or as close as we’ll get!

🎃☕️🧁📙🎄🐾🥞🍓

So this was a first for me but when I saw Laurie Gilmore was coming to Waterstones in Newcastle I couldn’t miss it!

An evening with Laurie Gilmore was a book talk, Q&A and book signing event all about her best seller firm favourite book series set it the idyllic fictional town of Dream Harbour.

“Maybe this is why we read, and why in moments of darkness we return to books: to find words for what we already know.”
―Alberto Manguel, A Reading Diary

For the first time in 23 years my hometown football team, Newcastle United have made it to a final cup match at Wembley Stadium.

No lies here I’m not the biggest football fan and do not ask me any rules but if I support a team it can’t be any other than Newcastle.

My dad is a huge Newcastle fan and has been his entire life so naturally that has to be passed down to me haha.

One thing I do know about though is how to throw a party and decorate for any occasion! Black and white stripes everywhere🖤🤍

Ok so I can confirm that meeting your favourite celebrity never gets old. How wild that in 9 months I’ve met Bethany Joy Lenz 3 times – twice virtually and once in person at Wilmington airport at baggage claim (literally could not believe my luck/the timing of that one haha)

Over the last few years I’ve seen really got back into reading which I’m so pleased about as it’s always been something I’ve loved. This year’s goal is to read 23 books (at least) since it’s the year and all.

I decided to do more book reviews as my Kissing Booth series book reviews were really popular back in 2020 and I personally have found a lot of good recommendations from reading lists online.

Book 1: Sugar High: The Unexpected Journey of an Inexperienced Type One Diabetic by Alexandra Park

2023 – aka Nathan Scott’s year #23 💙 IYKYK

This year my blog is back and hopefully better! I plan to keep my blog updated more regularly with posts on all the usual things as I have done the past 7 years .. which is crazy in itself.

I have a few different ideas and plans to bring my site back to life and incorporate more of my creative side that I’ve managed to develop on TikTok these past few years.

Stick around to hopefully read/see exciting new things soon ..