Natalie Barnett

Beautiful Venom

Well… I Changed My Mind Again! 😂📚

Well… I Changed My Mind Again! 😂📚

If you’ve been following my reading challenge, you’ll probably know by now that my original plan of sticking to a set list of books has gone completely out the window! 😂

I decided to just go with whatever book I was in the mood for, and whilst we were away on holiday I started Older by Jennifer Hartmann. I was really enjoying having some quiet time to read on the caravan balcony with a coffee whenever I got the chance, especially with Sapphire enjoying her holiday too.

BUT… then I came home. 😂

Waiting for me were some lovely new books, and one of them was Beautiful Venom from the Vipers series by Rina Kent. The second I saw it, I knew I wanted to start it. So, naturally, my carefully planned reading order went straight out the window again!

I decided to put Older aside for now and dive straight into Beautiful Venom — and honestly, I am SO glad I did.

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. I finished it in just one day, which is genuinely the quickest I have ever read a book! I was completely hooked and didn’t want to put it down. It was one of those books where you keep telling yourself “just one more chapter” and suddenly you’ve finished the entire thing. 😂

I loved it so much that I genuinely didn’t want it to end. It completely pulled me in, and it’s definitely one of those books that reminds me exactly why I love reading.

So, another change of plan for my September reading challenge… but I’m learning that sometimes it’s better to stop worrying about the list and simply read whatever makes you excited to pick up your book. ❤️

And ultimately, that’s what this challenge is all about for me — enjoying reading, challenging myself to read more, and raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust along the way.

Now I’m just wondering… what on earth am I going to read next?! 😂📚💕

Book 3✨

UPDATE!!!

My September Reading Challenge 📚💗

Well… I’ve already changed my mind about my September reading challenge more times than I’d like to admit! 😂

Originally, I had planned out exactly which four books I was going to read, but I’ve decided to stop putting so much pressure on myself and just go where my mood takes me. After all, reading is supposed to be something I enjoy!

My first book was absolutely amazing, but after finishing it I really struggled to get into anything else for a few days. I picked up Tastes Like Candy thinking it might be the one… only to DNF it after three pages. Yep, THREE. 😂 It just wasn’t happening!

So, book number two became Broken, and thankfully this one was much more successful. I finished it last night and gave it 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐. It was incredibly emotional and packed with trauma, but ultimately such a great story and definitely one that stayed with me.

Finding time to read has actually been harder than I expected because I’m currently on holiday with my daughter. As lovely as that is, there isn’t exactly much quiet reading time when you’re busy being a mum on holiday! 😂💗

But today, I’ve managed to steal myself a little bit of me-time. My daughter is off at the beach with her Nana, and I’m sat on the balcony of our little caravan with a latte beside me, ready to start book number three — Older by Jennifer Hartmann. ☕📖

And honestly… this is exactly the kind of little moment I hoped this challenge would give me. A chance to slow down, escape into a story and enjoy some time for myself, even amongst the chaos of everyday life.

I have absolutely no idea what rating Older will get yet, but that’s the fun of letting my mood choose! 😂

Four books in September sounded so simple when I first came up with this challenge… but I’m quickly discovering that sometimes the hardest part isn’t finding the time to read — it’s finding the right book!

Either way, I’m enjoying the challenge, discovering new stories, and most importantly, raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust along the way. 💗

Now, latte in hand and book three ready… let’s see where this one takes me! 🥰📚

Book one - complete✅

Book one is COMPLETE! 🎉📖

And honestly… WHAT A WAY TO START.

For my fundraising challenge, I’ve decided to read my way through a whole list of books, and my first one was Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann.

I don’t even know where to begin because I LOVED THIS BOOK SOOOOO MUCH. 😭❤️

Like… best book ever ever ever. I absolutely devoured it. I finished the entire thing in just two days, and once I started, I genuinely couldn’t put it down. I was completely sucked into the story and found myself thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading.

This book took me on an absolute emotional rollercoaster. It was intense, heartbreaking, emotional and unforgettable, and Jennifer Hartmann did such an incredible job of making me feel completely invested in the characters and their journey.

There were moments where I was completely hooked, moments where my heart hurt, and moments where I just sat there thinking, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MOVE ON FROM THIS?! 😭

And now I’m supposed to pick up another book after this?!

Honestly, I’m not sure anything is going to live up to it. 😂

I went into book one hoping for a good read, and I came out of it completely obsessed. If this is the standard I’ve set for the rest of my fundraising challenge, I might have a problem… because I’ve already found a favourite!

So that’s Book One: DONE ✅

📖 Still Beating — Jennifer Hartmann
⭐ 5/5 — and honestly, I’d give it more if I could!
⏱️ Finished in 2 days
❤️ Loved it: SO. MUCH.

One book down, and now onto the next one!

If the rest of my reading journey is anything like this, it’s going to be one hell of a ride. 📚✨

And most importantly, every book I complete is another little step towards my fundraising goal. So here’s to reading, raising money, and hopefully discovering lots more books I completely fall in love with along the way! ❤️

📚 Day 1: Plot Twist… I’ve Changed My Books! 😂

📚 Day 1: Plot Twist… I’ve Changed My Books! 😂

Well, today is officially Day 1 of my reading challenge for Teenage Cancer Trust! 🎉📖

And because apparently I can’t be trusted to stick to a plan… I’ve changed my book list already. 😂

Since my last post, I may have accidentally bought some new books (which was obviously completely necessary and definitely not an excuse to add even more books to my ever-growing TBR pile 👀).

So, naturally, I’ve decided that the books I originally chose are no longer the books I feel like reading. Because why make life easy when you can completely rewrite the plan before Day 1 has even properly started? 🤣

I’ll be starting my reading tonight, and once I’ve made my final decisions and chosen my shiny new list of books, I’ll update you all and post a picture of them! 📚✨

Hopefully, this list will survive longer than five minutes. 😂

I’m really excited to get started and, most importantly, to be raising money and awareness for such an amazing cause. ❤️

Day 1 — here we go! Let the reading commence! 📖🎉

And yes… I promise I’ll actually start reading tonight. 😂

THE books have been chosen.