Tag: Week in Review

The Weekly Recap (156)

Posted January 4, 2021 by Rowena in Features | 4 Comments

Hey everyone!

It was a quiet holiday season for me. I’m here in Las Vegas now, away from my family but with the way that things are going right now, it’s probably for the best. It hasn’t been an easy time lately with this pandemic and all of this political BS, it’s been tiresome. Brenna and my nephew RJ have been with us since before Christmas and they leave for L.A. tomorrow so I’m going to miss having them around. They’ll be back for a quick stop next week Sunday but she’ll be making her way back to Utah so after that visit, I won’t see her again until the last weekend in February for my niece’s wedding. My kid is truly a grown-up now. So am I, for that matter. I got a credit card for her for emergencies and I’ve never been able to do that for her before. We’re both grown-ups. LOL.

Anyway, I hope that everyone had a great holiday and that the pandemic isn’t kicking your asses too much.

Now, let’s get into all of the things that I did last week…

What I Watched

I’ve finally gotten a hold of my k-drama addiction. I’m not binge-watching shows that much these days and I’m watching the newer released k-dramas as they release weekly episodes. I’m watching True Beauty, Run BTS, Run On weekly but I’m binge-watching Naruto as well. I just got into Naruto right before the end of 2020 and I’m enjoying it so I’m watching it along with all of the other shows that I’m watching. I want to spank Naruto’s ass in every episode but I do really like the anime. The same can’t be said for Brenna’s movie pick for our New Year’s Eve, All My Life. That movie was super boring and I’m too old to pretend otherwise. It was a sad story for sure, even sadder because it’s based on a true story but the movie was boring to me. Ahh well.

What I Read

Twisted Creek by Jodi Thomas | 3.25 out of 5
The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen | 4.5 out of 5

I read two books in the last week. Woo hoo! My friend Holly recommended both of these books to me a while ago and Twisted Creek was a re-read for me. I enjoyed it but it was still a really slow read for me. The Bridge Kingdom, however, that book rocked my socks. I freaking loved it all. The suspense, the ill-fated romance, everything. So good!

What I Listened To

Dark and Wild by BTS
The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt.1

I’m still listening to all things BTS. I’m making my way through their albums from start to finish and I’m loving each and every single album. I’m so sad that I didn’t know about these guys until this year. I missed out on some great stuff. Thank goodness for Weverse, YouTube, and V-Live.

What Made Me Laugh

For those of you who are starting the new year with a new diet. Here are some dieting tips from Kim Seokjin and Kim Taehyung. 🙂

There you have it, my weekly recap. How was your week?

4 Comments
Tags: Currently Listening To, Currently Reading, Currently Watching, The Weekly Recap, Week in Review

The Weekly Recap (152)

Posted September 7, 2020 by Rowena in Features | 4 Comments

Utah is here in California and the house is noisy again. It’s been really quiet with everyone out of the house but Bren’s back from Colorado and the kids were home for the long weekend and are getting ready to head back to Utah but it’s been nice seeing everyone again. RJ and Kaleo came to town with the Utah crew (they’re from Colorado) and it was super funny to catch up with RJ. He is so full of life and so happy, you can’t help but be happy right along with him. I was able to get some reading done, along with some dramas and movies watched so I have stuff to report.

Let’s get into all of the things that I did last week…shall we?

What I’m Currently Reading

The Perfect Rake
by Anne Gracie
Series: The Merridew Sisters #1
Published by Penguin, Berkley on July 5, 2005
Genres: Historical, Romance
Point of View:Third Person
Pages: 361
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads
Reading Challenges:2020 Goodreads Challenge

She ran from a brute...

Fleeing violent tyranny, Prudence Merridew escapes with her beautiful younger sisters to London. One of them must marry—and fast. To act as her sisters' chaperone, Prudence invents a secret engagement to a reclusive duke...But when the duke arrives unexpectedly in London, she needs his help to avert disaster.

...into the arms of a rake

Aristocratic Gideon, handsome, rakish and with a strong frivolous streak, casually hijacks Prudence's game, awarding himself a stolen kiss or three along the way. Used to managing sisters and elderly men, Prudence is completely out of her depth with a charming, devious and utterly irresistible rake. And her plot goes terribly—if deliciously—awry...

In preparation for another friend’s zoom call this coming weekend, I need to get this book read. I started it yesterday and I haven’t gotten very far into it but I’ve heard really good things about it so I’m going to power through.

What I Read

Iron and Magic (The Iron Covenant #1) by Ilona Andrews | 4 out of 5
Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10) by Ilona Andrews | 4.5 out of 5

I’m finally reading again and that makes me happy. I finished two books and I caught up on the serial that Ilona Andrews is writing on their blog. The Aurelia Ryder story, which I think is going to be Blood Heir that will release in January. DEERRRREEEEKKKKKK!!! That’s all I’m going to say about that one. Well, that, and I LOVE IT!

What I’m Currently Watching

Prison Playbook

Starring: Park Hae Soo, Jung Kyung Ho, Lee Kyu Hyung, Ktystal Jung, Jung Hae In, Kim Kyung Nam
Year Released: 2017
Genres: Drama

With only days before his major league baseball debut, pitcher Kim Je-hyeok unexpectedly lands himself behind bars. He must learn to navigate his new world with its own rules if he wants to survive.

I’ve been very curious about this show ever since I found out that my boy Jung Hae In is in it. I love that guy so when I found out about this one, I looked it up and it sounds like a good one so I started it. So far, so good. I’m enjoying what I’m watching so far and I’m hopeful that it’ll keep my interest throughout the rest of the episodes as well. Fingers crossed, anyway.

What I Watched

Train | 4.25 out of 5
One Spring Night | 3.5 out of 5
Mulan | 4 out of 5
The Table | 2 out of 5

Eye Candy Friday

Noh Ji Wook
Suspicious Partner

What I Reviewed

The Suspect (2013) | 4.5 out of 5
She Was Pretty (2015) | 4.25 out of 5

What Made Me Laugh

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

4 Comments
Tags: Currently Reading, Currently Watching, The Weekly Recap, Week in Books, Week in Movies, Week in Review, Week in TV Shows

Week in Review (95)

Posted July 23, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 4 Comments

This last week was for ordering a new bed for myself and then spring cleaning (I guess it’s summer cleaning) the shit out of my bedroom to get it ready for my new bed’s delivery. I cleaned out my closet, washed down my walls, dusted the shit out of everything and moved my room around, cleaned the carpets and everything. No stone was left unturned and by the time the weekend came, I was exhausted. I still have things to get rid of and things to clean out but I made a lot of progress and I’m super happy with my efforts.

Instead of losing myself in the books I wanted to read, I lost myself in movies and then 13 Reasons Why. The weekend came and went and I barely left my now cleaner than it’s ever been room.

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

A Duke by Default
by Alyssa Cole
Series: Reluctant Royals #2
Also in this series: A Duke by Default
Published by Harper Collins, Avon on July 31, 2018
Genres: Historical, Romance
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss, Publisher
Add It: Goodreads

Award-winning author Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals series continues with a woman on a quest to be the heroine of her own story and the duke in shining armor she rescues along the way

New York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and—most importantly—herself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she’s capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss…when she’s not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.

Tavish McKenzie doesn’t need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory…even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprentice, and his attraction to her, but when Portia accidentally discovers that he’s the secret son of a duke, rough-around-the-edges Tav becomes her newest makeover project.

Forging metal into weapons and armor is one thing, but when desire burns out of control and the media spotlight gets too hot to bear, can a commoner turned duke and his posh apprentice find lasting love?

My plan to get this book read over the weekend went by the wayside when I binge-watched the entire second season of 13 Reasons Why. I’m mighty interested in seeing where they take that ending into the new season. I hear that we’re not going to be getting anymore Hannah and…that’s strange to me. But, there are other characters with other stories and I do find myself intrigued by those other characters. My heart went out to Zack and Justin in this last season and well, I really want more of them in the new season so fingers crossed.

Anyway, I’m starting this book today for real, for real. No, seriously…I’m going to start this book right after I finish writing this post.

What I Read

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han (re-read) | 4.75 out of 5
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han | 4.75 out of 5
Double Standards by Judith McNaught (re-read) | 4 out of 5

Last week was all about Lara Jean and Peter for me. I freaking loved those two and wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to them but then I lost myself in a re-read of Double Standards by Judith McNaught and got caught up in Nick Sinclair’s world again and *sigh*, I loved it.

Book Boyfriend of the Week

Peter Kavinsky
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

What I Reviewed

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han | 3.75 & 4.5 out of 5
Double Standards by Judith McNaugh | 4 out of 5
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han | 4.75 out of 5

What I Posted

Week in Review (94)
Can’t Wait Wednesday: The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting

What I Got

Stay by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy (I couldn’t help myself it was only $1.99 on audio so I had to get it)

What I Got for Review

Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

4 Comments
Tags: Books, My Books, The Weekly Recap, Week in Review

Week in Review (94)

Posted July 16, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 2 Comments

A few things happened last week that really knocked me on my ass. My workload has since tripled since my boss has been on vacation so I’ve been really busy and stressed over some work-related things and then as I was getting ready for work on Tuesday, my brother called me to tell me that one of our close friends died and it was sudden, unexpected and I’ve been thrown for a loop. So I’ve been dealing with that and trying to be there for my friends and it’s just been a hard week all around. I did manage to lose myself in books so I’m happy about that.

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

P.S. I Still Love You
by Jenny Han
Series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2
Also in this series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before, P.S. I Still Love You, Always and Forever, Lara Jean
Published by Simon & Schuster, Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers on May 26, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Point of View:First Person
Pages: 337
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter. She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever. When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.

It’s been an odd week. After the news that my friend David had passed on, I’ve been in a funky mood. I don’t want to go out, I don’t want to be around people but I did want to read. So I did. I was supposed to start A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole and while I still have plans to read it, I started my buddy review book To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han and I just kept right on reading the books. I finished To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before yesterday and immediately jumped into this one. So far, I’m really enjoying it and I’m really loving Peter Kavinsky. Gah, what an adorable book boyfriend. I love him.

What I Read

The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely | 4 out of 5
Every Time You Go Away by Beth Harbison | 3 out of 5
Baby Daddy by Kendall Ryan | 3.25 out of 5
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han | 4.5 out of 5

My favorite read of the week goes to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. I just thought it was the cutest story and I’m super stoked about the movie coming out next month.

My least favorite book is probabaly the Beth Harbison book because it was super slow and not at all what I was expecting or wanted. Oh well.

What I Reviewed

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom | 4 out of 5
I Think I Love You by Lauren Layne | 4.5 out of 5
Sea Swept by Nora Roberts | 4.25 out of 5

What I Posted

Week in Review (93)
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Down with Love by Kate Meader

What I Got

Grumpy Fake Boyfriend by Jackie Lau
Mr. Hotshot CEO by Jackie Lau

What I Got for Review

No new books for review this week. I still haven’t checked anything or requested anything. Maybe next week.

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

2 Comments
Tags: Books, David, Friends, Team Wilson Gang, The Weekly Recap, Week in Review

Week in Review (93)

Posted July 9, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 2 Comments

This past week was a really busy one for me so I didn’t get as much reading done as I thought I would. We had our family pictures this past Saturday and with 8 siblings and a crapload of children, it was an ordeal that took hours in the middle of a heat wave that practically melted the whole lot of us. We survived though and that was great. As soon as I have pictures to share, I’ll share.

This week was also for finally celebrating Chach’s return from her mission. She spoke in Church on Sunday and gave a really great speech, which she ended in Portuguese. She’s so grown now and it’s great to see. We celebrated with a huge to’ona’i (Sunday dinner) at the house and there was a good turn out and loads of food, too. I’m glad to have everyone here but I’m also looking forward to getting back to normal.

My mind is still blown away by the fact that Lebron James is going to be a Laker. As a lifelong Laker fan, the last few seasons have been pretty hard because we haven’t made the playoffs in a while. Seeing that it might be possible again and that we have the star power to really contend again is exciting. I can’t wait to see how this pans out for us. Seriously, GO LAKERS!

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

The Real Deal
by Lauren Blakely
Published by Macmillan, St. Martin's Griffin on July 10, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher, NetGalley
Add It: Goodreads

Get ready for your next favorite romantic comedy, THE REAL DEAL! April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn't been on Craigslist since that time she sold her futon after college. She doesn't even spend that much time online. And even if she did, she would not be looking up personal ads. But going home alone for her family's summer reunion is an invitation for every single relative to butt into her personal life. She simply can't handle another blind date with the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker from her hometown. So when she finds the Craigslist ad for a boyfriend-for-hire, she's ready to pay to play.

Heading Home and Need a Buffer? I'm the REAL DEAL.

Theo Banks has been running from the past for years. He's this close to finally settling all his debts, and one more job as a boyfriend-for-hire will do the trick. He's no gigolo. Please. He's something of an actor, and he knows how to slip into any role, including pretending to be April's new beau -- the bad boy with the heart of gold.

Even if it means sleeping in close quarters in that tiny little bed in her parents' inn. Even if it means spinning tales of a romance that starts to feel all too true. What neither one of them counts on is that amid the egg toss, the arm wrestling, and a fierce game of Lawn Twister that has them tangled up together, they might be feeling the real deal.

She only wanted to show her family once and for all that she had no need to settle down.

He didn't expect to have the time of his life at her parent's home.

They didn't plan on loving every single second of the game.

But can a masterful game of pretend result in true love?

I’ve been mighty intrigued about this book since I first heard about it and I started it last night. So far, so good. Already I’m digging both April and Theo’s character and the whole fake dating thing is working for me so I’m hoping that stays the same throughout the rest of my reading. Wish me luck!

What I Read

Coming Undone (Brown Family #2) by Lauren Dane | 4.25 out of 5

Coming Undone was the only book that I read last week and it was also the first book that I read for my Summer Reading Challenge over at Book Binge. I chose my first read of the challenge from Holly’s list and it was a fantastic read. I adored Brody, Rennie and Elise. Such a great story.