The Fault In Our Stars

I rarely read a book that makes me feel as many emotions in a 300 page span as this book did. 

 Once again, this book was on my to read list, but not one that I would typically read. 

I started The Fault in Our Stars, only knowing that it was about a girl with cancer.

I had no idea if it would be funny, sad, or keep me interested.

At one point, I was laughing and Kyle looked at me weird and said, 

"isn't that a book about kids with cancer?"

Yes, yes it is, but their situations are so real.

I really enjoyed this book because it felt so real to me. 

As I read I wasn't sure where it was going to go, 

yet at other parts I couldn't figure out what else was still going to be written.

Not that I could ever relate to what was happening in the story, but I felt connected to the characters.

I felt like their story was real life. 

It didn't gloss over the harsh reality of disease to give you this happy story. 

There were so many parts and so many things that happened.

It didn't feel like a story to me, but that I was hearing about their daily lives. 

Everything was connected, but not really.

I loved Hazel and Gus's relationship, 

no, their relationship isn't a normal teen relationship, 

but at the same time it really is. 

They were just two teenagers falling in love and trying their best to navigate the situations that they were going through in life. 

They were so defined by their disease, and yet they were just normal teenagers trying to get the most out of their lives before they ended. 

I loved how Hazel tells her parents she feels like a grenade, destined to damage those near her. 

Then later, when she realizes that her parents are planning for their future it seems to give her closer on her own life. 

You won't walk away happy, I cried my eyes out in the end, 

but I'd still recommend this book and am really glad I ended up buying it.

SweetHeart VoxBox Review

A few months back, I signed up for Influenster, a program where you can receive free products in exchange for honest reviews. 

Afterwards, I promptly forgot about it. 

That is, until I was contacted to receive the SweetHeart VoxBox in February. 

I was very pleasantly surprised about what arrived in my box!

1. Olay Fresh Effects (Va-Va-Vivid) Powered Contour Cleansing System. $12.99

2. Olay Fresh Effects (Shine, Shine Go Away!) Shine Minimizing Cleanser. $6.99 for full

I would have to say that these two are my favorite products.
I really liked the idea of a powered cleansing system, but never wanted to shell out the money for one in case I didn't like it.The system leaves my face feeling softer and smoother than anything else I've ever used. I also love how the wedge shape, which makes it much easier to get to the areas around the nose. Plus, it can be used in the shower!
The Shine, Shine Go Away Cleanser was fine, but I don't have a lot of shine problems. I would want to try out one of their other cleanser's next time. The full bottle is almost 7 times the size of the sample size and goes a really long way. I've been using the sample for almost 3 weeks daily, plus Kyle's admitted to trying it out too. 
I probably would never have pick up this system on my own, but now that I have it I will definitely continue to purchase the cleansers.

3. Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response. $7.99-9.99

I was pretty excited about this one because I like clinical strength deodorant much better than regular. However, it's another expensive product that isn't something I feel like is worth it for me. I don't typically sweat enough that I feel like it matters. This product does work very well, better than my regular Secret deodorant and I surprisingly liked the smell. I typically go for fresh scents, but the citrus was very nice.


4. Not Your Mother's She's a Tease Volumizing Hair Spray. $6.00 for full

My hair has trouble holding body. Most of the time when I put any sort of volumizing product in, it's noticeable right off the bat, but the second I start styling my hair everything falls flat. Since I had heard so much about this product I was really hopeful it would work better than others I've tried. It gave me a lot of great body right when I put it on, but as soon as I started to do my hair it all feel again. Maybe it's really great for people who have a better time maintaining body than I do.


5. Skinnygirl Daily On-The-Go Bars. $9.99 for a box of 5

First of all, I'm not a huge fan of these expensive type of bars anyways. Second, the flavor I received was Banana Oatmeal Dark Chocolate and I don't like anything banana flavored. While they are low in calories, you should watch out because they are very high in carbs. I made Kyle try it and he says it tastes like a regular granola bar with chocolate. For me, this wouldn't be something I tried again. I'd rather save my money and make my own granola bars.

Even though I didn't love everything in the box, the first three items more than made up for the other things. I loved being able to test new products and find some new favorites. 

 

Disclaimer: All products were received from Influenster for complimentary testing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Gone Girl

When Bonnie first posted her idea of a blogger book club, I knew I wanted to join. 

For someone who loves book as much as I do I'm honestly surprised I haven't been in one before now. 

 

February's book was Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. 

So many people have talked about this book that I had it on my to read list even before it was picked for the book club. 

I don't know if I've ever both loved and hated a book at the same time like I did this book.

And not just during parts, through the entire thing!

It kept me turning the pages, and had plot twists I never saw coming, which is rare for me. 

I never felt connected to the characters. 

I simply disliked them all and if there had been some way no one could have won I would have chosen that ending.

At first, I felt bad for Nick, I knew in my gut he didn't kill his wife, but something was up with him. 

Who doesn't tell the whole truth in a murder investigation if they are innocent?

I also loved Diary Amy, but I couldn't figure out how Nick and the diary's portrayal of her could be so opposite unless Nick was a complete jerk.

Once I knew the diary was a complete fabrication it at least made me feel like I wasn't crazy. 

I absolutely hated the actual Amy.

She was evil, manipulative and calculating, but also weak. 

She could have just walked away, instead she desires to destroy the people around her. 

She manipulates everyone around her to do her bidding. 

Yet, Nick can easily play her and make her want him back.

Nick's year long affair and the games he plays removed all my sympathy for him as well. 

Basically the characters are all self-serving and manipulative, refusing to let the other move on and be happy with their lives.

However, the plots twists and turns had me consistently second guessing myself and hurrying through the book to find out more. 

While I did enjoy the book I don't know if I would recommend it to others. 

For one thing, there was way more cursing than needed to get points across.

Also, I was left unhappy with the turn of events. 

I think I would have felt better if they had ended the book after she came back. 

The ending dragged out with no favorable end for any character. 

 

Have you read Gone Girl?

What did you think of it?