Bookish Bants And Rants

11/12/2025

Thought I'd hop on this trend 😂

11/12/2025

🎅✨ Ho Ho Ho! ✨🎅
This little Christmas event will stay open until December 21st, so feel free to save this post if you’d like to gift later on!

🎁 Anonymous gifting is encouraged, but you’re more than welcome to add your name.
Anyone who gifts me will be added to a special jar for regifting surprises + automatic giveaway entries!
If you choose to gift anonymously, you’ll trigger a random giveaway for one of my followers! 💫

Let’s spread some Christmas magic together! 🌟🎄

23/11/2025

On the 28th on November at 6pm I will be interviewing the author Eva St. John live on TikTok! If you would like to join me you're welcome to pick up a copy of her book and ask questions!

You'll get my thoughts on their book during the live but I will say I have read it and do recommend it!

Links in the comments!
Have a great day!

24/08/2025

Have you ever had a book hangover? What book gave one? I have had my first in a long time! The Rose Bargains by Sasha Peyton Smith I can't rate it enough! Review video already loaded on my TikTok so go check it out!

22/08/2025

This is a Facebook only exclusive!
UK based, Like, Comment and invite your friends!
You can either select the gifts or allow me to surprise you!
Fancy gifting someone in the meantime? Go for it! Let's spread some love!
Have a great weekend!

22/08/2025

Good evening guys! My current read is The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith so what are you all reading?

01/08/2025

📚💀 Late-night Kickstarter scrolls are dangerous… and I’ve just backed an absolute gem!

For Whom The Dice Roll by Matt Shaw 😱
Extreme horror? ✔️
Interactive die rolls to influence the story? ✔️
A warning label that actually has me hopeful I’ll finally find a book so gross I have to put it down? ✔️✔️

I love the idea of mixing dice mechanics with storytelling — it’s like horror meets RPG, and I am 100% here for it. 🎲🩸

I couldn’t hit back this project fast enough! Delivery is set for October — just in time for my Halloween horror binge. 🎃📖 Bring it on!
Anyone else back this? Or read anything by Matt Shaw before?

An interactive "extreme horror" reading experience from the award winning author and filmmaker, Matt Shaw

31/07/2025

📚The Rat - James Herbert

This was a re-read for me—and a cheeky little hand-me-down from my mumsy! Who doesn't love a little vintage every now and then? It's been so long since I first read this (we're talking 20 years!) that I’d forgotten most of the story. Honestly, I can’t believe my mum let me read this as a teenager… but these are the kinds of authors that sparked my love of horror!

This book is intense. Right from the start, there’s a death scene packed with gloriously gruesome detail, and I was instantly hooked. And let’s not forget the main attraction—giant, flesh-hungry rats that eat people alive. Yes, it’s as horrific and brilliant as it sounds.

It’s a fast-paced, cheeky little thriller set in 1970s London, with a simple but elegant plot. I can’t believe I waited this long to revisit it—and now I need to get my hands on the other two in the series!

⭐ 5/5
🌶️ 0/5
🔁 Re-readable ✔️

30/07/2025

Final review of the day! Could I be saving the best til last? 🤔👀

A HAUNTING IN THE ARCTIC – C.J. Cooke

This one came to me in a book box swap, complete with a post-it note eager for my thoughts — and now I see why!

⚠️ Trigger warning: This story contains some brutal themes, so do check content warnings before diving in.

Told across three haunting timelines, this book completely pulled me in:

1901 – The Ormen, a whaling ship, sets sail with all crew accounted for… plus one. Nicky, a woman taken aboard against her will, endures horrific abuse by her captors. Her chapters are raw, tense, and powerful.

1973 – Now a research ship the Ormen is found with no crew left alive, just one mutilated body remains. Though brief, this timeline adds another eerie layer.

Present day – Urban explorer Dominique travels to the Ormen wreckage at the northern tip of Iceland, determined to uncover its secrets. Joined by three more explorers she soon realises, they aren’t alone…

The use of folklore is stunning — it adds a chilling, mythical thread that elevates the entire narrative. And the scene-setting? So vivid I felt the cold in my bones. From the desolation of the Arctic's icy landscapes to the ghostly rooms of the ship, I genuinely felt like I was there.

And just when I thought I had it all figured out… there was a twist I did not see coming. It changed everything — in the best, creepiest way.

The writing is incredible, the research is evident, and the atmosphere is unmatched. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for something chilling, layered, and deeply immersive!

When I say I ran to check out their other titles I hopped, skipped and jumped to my basket!

⭐ 5/5
🌶️ 0/5
Re-readable ✔️✔️✔️✔️ absolutely!

30/07/2025

THE LOVE OF MY AFTERLIFE by Kirsty Greenwood

This was the Coven of Books 🌙 group pick for the month, and honestly, if it hadn’t been, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. But I’m glad I did!

(⚠️ If you haven’t read it yet and you’re in the group… scroll away now! 👀)

The premise is brilliant—Delphie dies (yes, literally page one) and meets her afterlife therapist, Merrit, who’s helping her come to terms with her death. Overwhelmed, Delphie runs… straight into Jonah. Instant connection. But just as quickly, he’s sent back to Earth, she is beside herself! Has she missed her chance for love?

Merrit, an avid romance reader, enticed by the chance of watching a romance unfold, gives Delphie a second chance at life but there is a catch, she has 10 days back on Earth to find Jonah and get a kiss of free will, If she succeeds, she gets to stay alive.

It’s a funny, touching, and totally heartwarming ride. I actually laughed out loud—and yes, I cried a little too 🥲.

💭 A small downside? I predicted some of the plot by Chapter 4, but that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. It’s cosy, uplifting, and leaves you thinking about how short life is—and how powerful friendship and love can be.

Have you read it? Share your thoughts below! Xx

⭐ 4/5
🌶️ 1/5
Re-readable ❌ not for me!