Friday, February 10, 2023

Five on Friday - February 10, 2023 ~ Under The Whispering Door Review, Romance Novels on My TBR, Vegan Cookbooks, Costco Finds, and YYC Hot Chocolate Fest

Happy Friday everyone - I hope you all have had a great week! 

ONE 

The Simple & Delicious Vegan cookbook was received as a review copy - this post contains affiliate links

I'm so excited to get right in to adding book reviews for books I'm loving this year and I'm excited to dive right in with the lovely all ages (YA and adult) fantasy - Under The Whispering Door by T.J. Klune. This is truly a delight - all I can say is that I don't know how a book surrounding death can be so full of love! This book is heavily surrounding death, so if that's not something that works for you, I would be aware - we encounter our main character, Wallace, at the end of his life as he meets a reaper and a ferryman who are there to assist him in passing through to the afterlife, or "the whispering door". Wallace realizes that perhaps he didn't live his life the way that he wanted, and he wants to make amends and is not quite ready to pass. Eventually Wallace is given a seven day timeline to get his affairs in order and be ready to move on and we following everything from there. 

This is full of a lovely cast of characters and each is loveable and fun in their own place - we really see our main character find life after his death and work on his personal redemption. We have an absolutely loveable ferryman, a sarcastic hilarious reaper, and some ghosts that complete the amazing found family. Truly the characters and their interactions make this story so special - this is my second T.J. Klune book and am so wowed but what he is able to accomplish with his characters. I also loved the storyline and our character's personal journey. I probably cried for the last 20 minutes, but this was so full of love and so heart warming in personal growth and being selfless and finding ourselves. Just loved this! 4.5/5 Stars. 

TWO 


Time for a little look at my February "TBR" - I keep a general themed list of what I'd like to read each month, and of course it's Valentine's Day so I'd love to read romance-y books! 

I tend to read what audiobooks come available, but these are ones I'm trying to get to this month:
  • In The Weeds by B.K. Borison ~ This is the second book in the Lovelight series - this follows the influencer who visits the Christmas Tree farm (but later on) and one of the co-owners. I liked these characters in the Lovelight Farms so I love this idea of a second chance romance, so I'm excited for this! 
  • Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren ~ I've actually finished this one already! It is childhood friends to lovers who have a following out and run in to each other years later - it is connecting their story from the past and intertwining it with the present. Really good romance! 
  • After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid ~ Okay, TJR's romances tend to be a little heartbreaking, so this one starts with a couple reaching their breaking point - they agree to take a one year break and not contact each other. It's described as being about "staying in love, seizing love, forsaking love, and committing to love with everything you’ve got" and that sound likes it's going to be powerful! 
  • The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood ~ I'm pretty sure this was on my list last year, but I'm slow sometimes! This is set in the STEM field and focuses on a fake dating trope to appease the main character's best friend - I actually didn't love the cover initially and wasn't planning on picking this up, but after hearing how good everyone thinks it is, I'm excited to give it a go!
  • A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland ~ Alright, this sounds like an un-predictable type of love story with a family that thinks they are cursed and someone getting pick-pocketed. They end up becoming friends and connecting on facing fears, including love! 
What are you reading this month?! 

THREE 


I got a couple of new vegan cookbooks recently and I've got some recipes in these that I'm really excited to try out! 

The Simple and Delicious Vegan is by @elavegan and it's brand new - I've been following her for a while and her recipes are straightforward and delicious! I've got a few saved in here that I'm looking forward to trying! 

And, I picked up the classic Oh She Glows recipe book for $0.50 at a thrift shop and I couldn't resist! I'm not fully vegan, but certainly as a vegetarian I'm always looking for more plant based options! 

FOUR 


I went shopping at Costco last weekend and I found a few goodies! This lovely Valentine's Day planter is full of gorgeous flowers and a beautiful mix of purple and pinks - so pretty! Then I found these comfortable lounge jogger pants! 

FIVE 


This whole month there is a Calgary Hot Chocolate Fest - a whole bunch of places comes up with unique hot chocolates and donate money to Meals on Wheels! I'm so excited to try some great new hot chocolate flavours! 

I hope you all have a great weekend! 

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