Since Denise Williams' debut, How to Fail at Flirting, I pretty much knew that I'd read anything she writes and The Fastest Way to Fall only reinforces that decision. The heroine, Britta Colby, should be everyone's role model when it comes to body positivity and just owning who she is. She works for a lifestyle website and is itching for a chance to prove herself as a writer when she's given her next assignment: try a popular new health-focused fitness app that includes personal coaching and take readers on that journey with her. 

I loved her approach to the app and how it actually worked (all fitness apps should work like this!). It was never about fixing herself or changing who she is. It was about her health and being surprised to find joy in exercising. And through the personal coaching, she finds herself talking more and more to her trainer, Wes Lawson, and developing a genuine attraction to him. What she doesn't know is that he's the CEO of the FitMe app she's writing about and technically, he's not supposed to be training. But that's the part of the job he's always loved and soon, he's falling for her as well. Even before they met, the chemistry between them was palpable through their messages so you can just imagine the sparks that flew when they inevitably met in person. I really enjoyed seeing both the personal and professional journeys these two individuals were on and their evolution from trainer-trainee, to friends, and something clearly much more than friends. The romance was just so good! 

Do I recommend? Yes! It's romantic, honest, and has a genuine, great story. 

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One of my favorite tropes is the one where the heroine creates a bucket list of things to do before a significant birthday or event. It's because I relate -- I created summer bucket lists for years and I had a super mini-one to try and complete before my 30th birthday. In Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships, Jo Walker has been attempting to complete a bucket list of thirty things to do by her birthday. She's made good progress! Plus she loves the life she's built for herself with her condo on the beach and as a yacht stewardess, she gets to travel the world. But a family tragedy changes things for Jo and her loved ones. Until her two nieces show up unannounced ready to the spend the summer with her. They find her list and with only twelve weeks to go, they're determined to help her complete the final eight items. As impossible as it sounds, Jo wants to make it happen. 

I really loved the sense of family and friendship throughout the book. Yes, Jo has this list of things to do (like sleep in a castle or kiss a stranger — more on the latter in a bit!) but it's about so much more than that. She and her family are grieving and this list gives them something to work towards and hopefully a way to start healing too. The author did a good job of highlighting how everyone grieves differently and the struggle to talk about those feelings. I also loved seeing the aunt and niece relationship play out as someone who is very close to her aunts. And Jo's best friend is constantly supportive throughout too. Especially when it comes to kissing a stranger, which is how she meets the love interest, Alex Hayes. 

The romantic tension and chemistry was there but it felt a bit lacking at the same time with the execution. I went into this book expecting a full-on romance, complete with steamy scenes (if I'm totally being honest) but that's not really the case. That's not a bad thing but that wasn't my expectation. It's a lot of back and forth, missed signals, and angst. Which is fine, but I wish there has been less of it. I also struggled a bit to connect with Jo, even though I did like her. If you plan to read this book, I do think you have to readjust your expectations because despite the cute cover, it's less rom-com and steamy than may be implied. 

Do I recommend? Like I said, even though it's not a new favorite, I did like it and there were things about it that I thought were well done so if you're still curious about the story, I'd recommend borrowing it from the library. 

Available on Netflix

I watched Season 1 of Downton Abbey in 2012 but I honestly couldn't have told you a single thing that happened. For whatever reason, the show just didn't click with me so I was convinced it wasn't as great as everyone said it was. Cut to this past summer when I decided to randomly give it another shot and guess who binged all 6 seasons and the movie? I am such a huge fan of the show now! It only took me 10 years to get the hype but I can safely say this show is one of my all-time favorites.

Downton Abbey is a British historical drama set in a fictional Yorkshire country estate in the early 1900s and follows the lives of the Crawley family, who own the estate, and their servants. The theme of rich versus poor runs through every episode and we see life, especially as the times begin to change, from their different points-of-view. And for all their social standing differences, there are unexpected friendships, loyalty, and romance "within their station" and possibly even outside of it (the scandal!). You become invested in both sides: their hopes, their trials, their joy and anger, and everything in between. Six seasons is a long time so the show and its characters did have its ups and downs but for the most part, I thought it was all excellent.

My favorite characters are: Violet, Mary (this might be surprising but I adored her), Sybil, Anna, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Patmore, and Matthew. Then eventually Tom, Edith, and Cora make it on that list as well. I really could just go on and on. So if you're a fan of period pieces, I can't recommend this enough.

Available on Hulu

Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin are the crime-solving trio I didn't know I needed in my life. This show took me completely by surprise with how well-told the story was. I'm admittedly terrible at predicting things but this plot genuinely kept me guessing! Mabel (Gomez), Charles (Martin), and Oliver (Short) are three strangers who are obsessed with true crime and live in a ritzy Upper West Side apartment building called the Arconia. When one of the tenants is found dead, they're determined to prove it was murder and not only do they begin to investigate it, they start a podcast to share their findings.

There are only 10 episodes, at 30 minutes each, so I couldn't wait for a new episode to release each week and while a part of me wished the episodes were longer, it really was the perfect format. It's funny, well-written, and despite its heavy storyline, it has a lot of heart. We learn a lot about Mabel, Charles, and Oliver's backstories and watch them become real friends. I absolutely enjoyed their dynamic and couldn't be more excited for a season 2. 

Available on Netflix

Even though Netflix was heavily promoting Maid (I swear, every time I logged on the trailer would play), it wasn't until my best friend encouraged me to watch it that I gave it a chance. And wow, I am so glad I did. It's an emotional ride for sure but the acting was top-notch and knowing it was based on a memoir made it all much more heart-wrenching to watch.

Alex Russell is a single mom with a two-year old daughter who flees her partner and domestic abuser to start a new life, which is of course extremely difficult. She goes to a shelter, gets a job cleaning houses at Value Maids, and slowly faces the abuse she's suffered in order to take steps to heal. But at every turn, it seems like the hits just keep on coming. I kept thinking, goodness can't this woman catch a break? It would be easy for all the struggles to weigh down the whole show but the cinematography, Margaret Qualley's superb acting (she better be nominated for all the awards!), and eclectic cast of characters who really brought their personalities, prevented that from happening. As a viewer, you really believe there will be a light at the end of the tunnel for Alex and her daughter and it is so worth it to watch them get there.

⭐⭐⭐💫 3.5 stars | If you've looking for a rom-com that's just as much about love as it is about friendship, then The Wedding Ringer is for you. Willa Callister was a super successful blogger who seemed to have it all, until she found her fiancé and best friend in bed together. Since then, she's moved in with her sister and her family and started working for her event company as Princess Sparkleheart. It feels like she's hit rock bottom but she truly does want a fresh start. First, she needs money though. That's where Maisie Mitchell comes in. She needs another bridesmaid for her wedding and after randomly bumping into Willa at a coffee shop, she offers to pay her to be a bridesmaid. It sounds crazy but against her better judgement Willa says yes and that's when her life starts to turn around. 

Even though the book is technically a romance, I want to talk about the friendship first because we meet  Willa after she's lost two important people: the man she thought she was going to marry and her lifelong best friend. The author shows how it's the latter that hurts the most and why it was so hard for her to open up to Maisie initially. But both women are inherently kind and empathetic and it's not long before their friendship becomes real. That was probably nicest thing to see in the story, although I still can't imagine paying someone to be my friend nor could I totally relate to either woman but you know me, I love seeing a wonderful friendship unfold. It's through Willa's bridesmaid duties that she meets the best man Liam Rafferty and sparks fly immediately, even though she was determined to dislike him. But like I said, as cute as the romance was, it really wasn't at the forefront (at least for me). Willa's journey was about letting go of her past to appreciate what's right in front of her, romantically and friendship-wise, family (born into and found) and getting back on her feet on her own terms. 

Do I recommend? Yes, but I'd borrow it from the library. I liked it but didn't quite fall in love with it. As much as I enjoyed the overall themes of the book, I didn't fully connect to the story or the characters. There was just something missing for me. 

After the exhibit, it was all about the bookstores since we decided to stop by three! First stop was The Center of Fiction, which neither of us had visited before. We had seen pictures of their wall of books and wanted to see it for ourselves. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! We fell in love with the display, as you can probably see from the multiple pictures we took. Next stop was Greenlight Bookstore. What I appreciated about this location is that they limit the number of shoppers that can go inside. They also had a great selection and for the second bookstore in a row, we walked out with books. And lastly, we went to Books are Magic. The store was packed! I was really surprised by that to be honest. We ended up not lingering too long but we walked out with books (of course) and merch (I couldn't resist their branded Baggu bag or mug, while A bought a very cute hat). 

And after all that walking and shopping, we took a short break to enjoy ice cream at Malai. I had been wanting to try this place and wow, I wanted to taste every single one of their unique flavors. I ended up with sweet milk and rose with almonds while Alexa got sweet milk and mango; both in pink vanilla cones, and we loved it! 

From there, we probably could've gone home but we decided to actually try for a 4th bookstore, except when we got to Kinokuniya Books, there was huge line out the door and it looked packed. We didn't feel comfortable so instead we went across the street to see the Winter Shops at Bryant Park. It was still packed but at least it was outdoors. Plus I can't complain because I totally walked out with a couple things. I'm so ready to shop for myself and for others for the holidays! 

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