Title: Game changers
Author: Rachel Reid
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Romance
Pages: 400
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤

Buy this book on Amazon

Game Changer

Scott Hunter is a famous ice hockey player, and he’s carrying a huge secret: he’s gay. He tries to hide it from everyone, but that becomes harder when he meets Kip, a juice bar barista. Scott likes him from the moment they meet, and eventually they start spending time together at Scott’s apartment. He can’t risk anyone finding out he’s gay. No one in the ice hockey world is openly gay, and he has to stay focused on his career.

But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep everything a secret, for both of them. Kip is openly gay, and he wants to spend time with his boyfriend in public. He wants to go to restaurants together. He wants to tell all his friends.

Kip is ready to go all in with Scott, but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?

Review

I had heard about Heated Rivalry, but for some reason, I decided to read the books first. Then I found out that the first book in the series isn’t Heated Rivalry, but Game Changer. And if I’m correct, the first season of the show is based on the second book. I want to read that one before watching it.

I have mixed feelings about this book, and like always, I like to start with the positives. It was extremely easy to read; you can fly right through it. I understand why it’s so popular. The characters are likable enough. I liked Scott the most. I felt sorry for him because he felt like he couldn’t truly be himself and had to hide his boyfriend.

I liked Kip a bit less because, after only two months, he was already pushing Scott to come out. While he understood Scott’s struggles, he didn’t want to be a secret anymore. I thought that felt a bit rushed; it had only been two months. Some straight couples don’t even tell their friends they’re dating at that point.

One thing I noticed is that the writing style felt almost like it was aimed at teenagers or young adults, while the content definitely isn’t for that audience. I read that this was Rachel Reid’s first book and that her later books are better written. I’m not blaming her or anything; it’s just something I picked up on.

Another thing I want to mention: there’s a lot of spice in this book, like, a lot. I’m not the biggest fan of that, especially when it feels like the plot takes a backseat to those scenes. I don’t mind a little bit of spice, but when there are more spicy scenes than actual plot, it’s just not for me. I read books for the story.

Overall, I gave it a 3 out of 5, which is decent. It wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t a favorite. I’m still planning to read the second book and then watch the show, I want to see what all the hype is about. People say it’s really that good, so I’m curious.

The post Game Changer- Rachel Reid | Book Review first appeared on A happy life.

Many years ago, when I was still a student, I first heard about the Myers-Briggs test. It sounded really interesting, so I decided to take it. My result was INFP, and I still believe that fits me.

I hadn’t thought about my personality type for a long time, but recently it’s been on my mind again. I’m at a point in my life where I’m evaluating the things I’ve been doing, whether they truly make me happy or if I should choose a different path instead. And in case you have never taken this test, I am giving you a couple of reasons to take the Myers-Briggs Test.

Reasons to Take the Myers-Briggs Test

1. It Helps You Understand Yourself on a Deeper Level
   Finding out your personality type is one thing, but learning more about it opens up a whole new world. The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator connects patterns in the way you think, feel, and behave. It gives clarity to things that may have felt random before. When I read about my personality type, so many things suddenly made sense. You can also find a lot of information about your type, like which careers might suit you best, how you handle relationships, and what motivates you.
2. You Start to See Your Strengths More Clearly
   Some people strive to be perfect, but that’s impossible. No one will ever be perfect. So instead of constantly focusing on your weaknesses, maybe it’s time to focus more on your strengths. For example, if your strength is creativity, find ways to explore and use it. If you’re good at problem-solving, look for opportunities to apply that skill more often. When you focus on what you’re naturally good at, everything feels a bit easier and more aligned.
3. It Helps You Understand Other People
   Everyone is different, and this test doesn’t just show how you think and behave; it also helps you understand others. Not everyone processes the world the same way. Some people make decisions based on logic and facts, while others rely more on feelings and values. If you know someone’s personality type, you can learn more about how they see the world. This can improve communication, reduce misunderstandings, and help you connect with people on a deeper level.
4. It Supports Personal Growth
   Once you recognize your patterns, you can actually start working with them instead of against them. For example, as an INFP, I’ve often tried to create strict routines for myself. I would plan everything out and try to stick to it, but after a few days, I would always give up. I used to feel bad about that, like I was failing. But when I learned more about my personality type, I realized why. I naturally prefer flexibility and adaptability over strict structure. Understanding this helped me stop forcing myself into something that doesn’t fit me. Instead, I now go with the flow more, and ironically, that has made me more productive.
5. It Helps You Make Better Decisions
   When you truly understand who you are, what you value, what your strengths are, and how you naturally think, it becomes much easier to make decisions. For example, INFPs often make decisions based on what feels right to them rather than purely on facts. So instead of forcing themselves to think like more logical types, it can be more helpful for them to tune into their feelings and values. Other personality types may do the exact opposite, and that’s okay. There’s no one “right” way to make decisions.
6. It Can Guide You (But Not Define You)
   The test isn’t meant to tell you how to live your life. Just because your personality type suggests you might be a good lawyer doesn’t mean you have to become one. Think of it as a guide, not a rulebook. It can help you understand yourself better, why you think the way you do, what you care about, and how you express yourself. For example, if your personality type leans toward creativity, you might explore ways to express yourself through art, writing, or other creative outlets. It doesn’t have to turn into a career; it can simply be something that brings you joy.

Photo by Microsoft Copilot on Unsplash

The post Reasons to Take the Myers-Briggs Test first appeared on A happy life.

Title: Roommates
Actors: Sadie Sandler, Chloe East, Aidan Langford
Director: Chandler Levack
Writers: Jimmy Fowlie, Ceara O’Sullivan
Producers: Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler
Genre: Comedy
Length: 1 hour and 47 minutes
My Rating: ❤️❤️🖤🖤🖤

Roommates

Devon has just graduated and is about to start college. She’s hopeful about this new chapter; maybe now she can finally make real friends. Devon has never felt like she truly belonged in a friend group, and she hopes that will change.

At an introduction event to meet other students, she tries really hard to make a new friend, but people think she’s a bit weird. Then she meets Celeste, and they have a good time together. They even decide to become roommates.

But the friendship Devon imagined turns out to be nothing as she expected; it slowly turns into a war of passive aggression.

Review

I’m not even sure how to start this review. I was just bored and wanted to watch a movie, so I picked this one. I had zero expectations, although the trailer looked decent. But I ended up having a lot to say about it.

Let’s start with the positives. I think Roommates definitely had potential. I didn’t hate it, and some of the actors were good. The actress who plays Celeste did a solid job. I mean, the character is terrible, but she portrayed that really well.

However, Celeste isn’t the only main character; there’s also Devon. She’s the shy, “weird” girl who has never really had friends, which was somewhat relatable. But I felt like Sadie Sandler (who plays Devon) was missing something. At first, her facial expressions felt a bit off, like she was in pain or something and for the rest of the movie, her performance was just… meh. I think what was missing was charisma.

And that brings me to my next point. I’m okay with a “nepo baby” if they can actually act, but right now, I’m not convinced Sadie Sandler is a strong actress. Especially when you realize that her father, Adam Sandler, produced this movie, it kind of feels like this project exists because she wants to act, and he’s helping her. That said, I hope she proves me wrong. I usually give actors (and authors) several chances before I completely give up on them. Maybe it was the wrong movie or she just needs a little bit more experience.

Devon also develops a romantic interest in her TA, Michael, but there’s basically zero chemistry between them. Honestly, it felt like she had more chemistry with her brother than with Michael.

Now, about the story. According to IMDb, this is supposed to be a comedy… but where? I didn’t laugh once. I would describe it more as a coming-of-age story. The delivery robots felt completely pointless, and overall, the execution could have been much better.

The movie also has a “story within a story” structure. It follows two roommates who are constantly fighting, while Dr. Schilling tells them a story about Devon and Celeste. In my opinion, it would have been stronger if they had removed that outer storyline entirely. It didn’t add much and just felt unnecessary.

So overall, I’m not the biggest fan of this movie. I’m giving it a 2.5 out of 5. I still think it had a lot of potential, but lately it feels like many movies have great ideas and very poor execution.

I would recommend skipping this one; it was pretty forgettable.

The post Roommates (2026) | Movie Review first appeared on A happy life.

Back in the day, when I was just a little girl, there were a few popular things: Furbys, Tamagotchis, and Pokémon. Back then, you would discover new trends through friends, television commercials, or maybe magazines. But with social media, everything changed.

While there used to be only one or two big trends at a time, these days trends come and go faster than ever. Before you even realize something is trending, it’s already over. And while I do like some trends, I’ve never really bought into them unless I truly wanted them.

So today, I want to inspire you by sharing reasons to stop buying into trends.

8 Reasons To Stop Buying Trends

1. Trends Come and Go
   As I mentioned, even before social media, we had things that were extremely popular and trendy. I had a Furby and a Tamagotchi, too. But trends used to last much longer. Last year, around April/May, Labubus were everywhere. It was hard not to see a TikTok video of people unboxing them. But now, a year later, we barely talk about them anymore. You can even find Stanley Cups at thrift stores. Trends move so much faster these days. Before you even get a Labubu, it’s already out of style, and people have moved on to the next trend. If you buy something trendy and you genuinely love it, that’s completely fine. But if you’re only buying it to make a TikTok or just because it’s trending, just stop.
   
2. You Don’t Develop a Personal Style
   I’m using Labubus as an example, but everyone was buying them. The lines in front of stores were crazy. People were literally standing in line for hours. But if you always follow trends, you never develop your own personal style or even your personality. You become a copy of everyone else. Everyone owns the same things and wears the same clothes because it’s trendy. It gets boring. Try to figure out what you like. What kind of clothing style do you enjoy? What do you actually want to wear? Ask yourself those questions. And yes, if a trend genuinely fits your style, it’s okay to buy it, but only if it aligns with who you are.
   
3. It Leads to Overconsumption
   Something I’ve noticed is that people don’t just buy one Labubu, Stanley Cup, or NeeDoh; they buy a whole collection in one shopping trip. And they might never even use it. Why do you need 10 Stanley Cups? How thirsty are you? Right now, I see people buying bags full of NeeDohs. I understand they can be helpful as sensory tools, just like fidget spinners. But why do you need so many? This is how overconsumption happens. Most of these items end up at thrift stores, or worse, in landfills.
   
4. You Don’t Need It to Be Relevant
   If everyone is making Labubu videos, that doesn’t mean you have to buy one and do the same. If you don’t like them, just don’t buy them. It doesn’t make you less worthy or less relevant. And if people think you are “less” because you don’t own a Labubu or a Stanley Cup, that’s their problem, not yours. You are already good enough. Things don’t define your worth.
   
5. It’s Expensive
   One Labubu costs around €20–30, which is already quite expensive for a keychain. Now, imagine buying multiple trendy items; it adds up quickly. You’re spending money on things you might not even truly like. Of course, it’s your money, and you can do whatever you want with it. But chances are, you’ll regret buying 20 Labubus, 10 Stanley Cups, and a bag full of NeeDohs that you won’t use again. That money could go toward things you actually love.
   
6. Lower Quality
   Just because something is trendy doesn’t mean it’s good quality. This especially applies to fast fashion. I’ve ordered from Shein once, and I wouldn’t do it again. You can tell the quality is lower compared to stores like H&M or even Primark. Fast trends mean fast production, which often leads to cheaper materials and items that don’t last long. That’s why I like shopping at thrift stores; you can still find high-quality pieces. Although these days, you’ll also find a lot of Shein items there, too.
   
7. You End Up with a Closet Full of “Nothing to wear.”
   Clothes can make you feel a certain way. But when you buy fast fashion trends, you don’t really think about whether you like the item or how it makes you feel. You have to be more intentional with what you wear. Choose clothes that make you feel confident, bold, sexy, empowered, whatever you want to feel. If you only buy trendy items, they’ll go out of style quickly, and nothing will truly match your style.
   
8. It Disconnects You from Intentional Living
   When you’re constantly on your phone, seeing people tell you what to buy, you stop living intentionally. You have to reconnect with what you actually love. One thing I like to do is keep a wishlist. When I see something I like online, I don’t buy it right away; I add it to my list. If I still love it after at least a month, then I consider buying it. Most of the time, when I look back at my wishlist, I realize I don’t even want those things anymore.

Photo by Declan Sun on Unsplash

The post 8 Reasons to Stop Buying Trends first appeared on A happy life.

The other day, I was on TikTok and came across a video by Mel Robbins. She was interviewing Erin Walsh, a celebrity stylist. The video I saw was just a snippet of the full podcast, but it immediately caught my attention.

They were talking about dressing intentionally and how clothes can make you feel certain ways. Some items can make you feel confident, while others can make you feel sexy and bold. But clothing can also have the opposite effect.

That podcast inspired me to write a blog post about how to use clothing to instantly boost your mood and confidence.

How to Use Clothing to Instantly Boost Your Mood and Confidence

1. Dress with Intention
   Most people, including me, don’t really think about their outfits. I used to wake up, stand in front of my closet, and just put on the first thing I saw. I never really gave it much thought. And sure, sometimes that outfit would make me feel good, but most of the time it was just… average. Even though I already knew that certain outfits could make you feel more confident, I wasn’t using that knowledge intentionally.
   Then I listened to this podcast where Erin explained that you should pick three words to describe how you want to feel that day, and then choose an outfit that matches that vibe. Some days, your words might be comfortable, soft, and relaxed, like when you’re sick. Other days, they might be fun, colorful, and bold. Either way, you’re choosing your outfit with intention.
   
2. Create a Confidence Outfit
   Create a go-to outfit for days when you need a confidence boost. I think having a “confidence outfit” is such a good tip, because confidence is one of the best feelings you can have.
   When you feel confident, you can handle more challenges, more stress. It makes you feel almost unstoppable. So having a confident outfit ready to wear is perfect for those mornings when you don’t know what to wear. It’s like having a reliable, go-to look that you know will make you feel good, especially when you’re short on time.
   
3. Upgrade Your Closet
   First of all, get rid of the things that don’t fit you anymore. You’re probably holding onto them because you think you’ll lose weight or wear them again someday, but if that happens, you can always buy new clothes. For now, focus on owning clothes that actually fit you and that you actually wear. Then comes the fun part: adding new pieces to your closet. Look for items that truly elevate your outfits. Try not to buy things just because they’re trendy; you might regret it later. Instead, go to the store and focus on how something makes you feel.
   
4. Don’t Save Your Good Outfits
   This is something I definitely do; I have outfits that I only wear for “special occasions.” But why? If it’s your favorite clothing item and you love how it makes you feel, why save it? Wear it on a random Tuesday. Who cares? You don’t need a special occasion to feel good.
   
5. Pay Attention to How Clothes Make You Feel
   Take some time to try on every piece you own and ask yourself: How does this make me feel? If something makes you feel bad, get rid of it, donate or sell it. If there’s an item that makes you feel confident or amazing, but you rarely wear it, start wearing it more. Clothes have the power to make you feel like a completely different person. Keep the items that make you feel confident, bold, empowered, and good. Let go of the ones that don’t.
   
6. Use Small Details to Elevate Your Look
   I really love this tip because it can make such a big difference. I used to wear rings all the time because they made me feel good. For some reason, I stopped, and I don’t even know why. They made my outfits feel complete and made me feel prettier. The same goes for things like makeup or nail polish. These small details can have a huge impact on how you feel.
   
7. Dress for the Person You Are Becoming
   Don’t just think about how you want to feel today, think about who you want to become. If you want to feel more confident, choose outfits that reflect that. And if you do that consistently, you start becoming that version of yourself. The way you dress can influence your mindset more than you think.

The post How to Use Clothing to Boost Your Mood and Confidence first appeared on A happy life.

Title: Everyone in the Group Chat Dies
Author: L.M. Chilton
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
Pages: 368
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤

Buy this book on Amazon

Everyone in the Group Chat Dies

Kirby ran away from Crowhurst, and she isn’t the only one. A year ago, she was living in a terrible flat with her roommates. One day, a new flatmate named Esme moved in. She was obsessed with true crime and believed that the real killer from the ’90s was still out there, so she started digging into the case.

Then, one night, Esme disappeared. Kirby tried to find out what had happened to her, but a year later, something strange occurs. Kirby receives a message in their old group chat from Esme, warning that everyone in the group will die.

The only problem? Esme is dead.

Review

I found this book at the bookstore not too long ago, and it sounded really interesting. I had never heard of L.M. Chilton before, but then again, I don’t read a lot of thrillers. Most of the time, if I do, it’s usually something by Freida McFadden. So I went into this with zero expectations. Although with thrillers, I do always hope for that mind-blowing moment.

And I sort of got that mindblowing moment, but it was completely different from what I was expecting. There are two timelines: one set a year ago and one in the present. In the past storyline, Esme arrives in Crowhurst to find out who the real killer from the ’90s was. Then, suddenly, she disappears, and Kirby tries to figure out what happened to her. The present-day storyline follows Kirby returning to Crowhurst after receiving that message from Esme, even though she’s dead.

Esme’s storyline and what happened to her were interesting at first, and I was definitely invested. But honestly, when Kirby finally found out the truth, I felt a bit disappointed. I was expecting something different, maybe something more intense or gruesome. In the end, Esme just came across as a young woman who cared too much about likes and follower counts.

The most interesting part, for me, was definitely the present-day storyline. When I read a thriller or mystery, I want some shocking, bloody moments. I want the killer to be ruthless, I want dead bodies. Luckily, I did get some of that here.

But there is one thing that really bothered me, and it’s not even about the plot; it’s about Kirby. She was terrible at cooking and almost burned down the flat once… but she also burned her salad. Like, how do you even burn a salad? I’m still trying to figure that out. It would have been great if the author had explained that to me.

Overall, it was an okay thriller. Freida McFadden is still my favorite thriller author, that hasn’t changed. But this was also my first book by L.M. Chilton, so I’m not ruling them out yet. There were things I liked about this book, but also things I didn’t. It wasn’t amazing, but it definitely wasn’t the worst either.

The post Everyone in the Group Chat Dies – L.M. Chilton first appeared on A happy life.

Title: Destroy Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Dystopia, Fantasy
Pages: 111
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️🖤

Buy this book on Amazon

Destroy Me

Juliette has just escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing and then shooting Warner. She managed to get away. Warner, however, wants her back. He has observed her for a very long time and read all of her dossiers. The more he learned about Juliette, the more he started to like her.

At the same time, he must keep everything very quiet. If others realize that someone has escaped, it could lead to rebellion—and that’s something he wants to avoid at all costs.

Review

Not too long ago, I read the first book, Shatter Me. And honestly, I think I’m lucky that I’m only reading this series now, because I can read everything in the correct order. This is novella 1.5 and takes place right after Juliette escapes.

In my review of Shatter Me, I mentioned that I wasn’t sure about Adam’s intentions or the role of the others. It felt like there was more going on beneath the surface. I wasn’t even sure if Adam and Juliette would end up together. But after reading Destroy Me, I’m even more confused. I actually think there’s a chance that Juliette and Warner might become a thing… maybe?

Reading Warner’s side of the story was really interesting. I hated him in Shatter Me, but it turns out there’s more to him than it first seemed. He’s actually much softer and more complex than I expected. He genuinely cares, which was surprising to see. He’s also in love with Juliette, and I think his feelings might be real. It feels like he has a bigger plan, and not everything has been revealed yet, which makes me even more excited to continue the series.

Warner has been through a lot, and he actually has quite a bit in common with Juliette. They both experienced abuse in their family situations, which adds another layer to their characters.

This novella is around 100 pages, so it’s very short, but it adds so much to the story. I really enjoyed seeing things from his perspective, and I can’t wait to read the next book.

The post Destroy me – Tahereh Mafi | Book Review first appeared on A happy life.

The other day, I was thinking about how life is moving way too fast these days. For me, it feels like Christmas and New Year’s Eve weren’t that long ago. But I blinked once, and suddenly it’s April. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve often felt like time is moving faster than it used to. And even though there will always be moments when life speeds by, there are also ways to slow down time.

How to Slow Down Time

1. Start Noticing Small Moments
   Time feels fast when everything blends together. When nothing stands out, your brain doesn’t “store” the moments. But as soon as you start noticing the “little” things, time begins to slow down. Use all of your senses to take in what’s around you, the birds you hear singing, the sunset you see, the warmth or cold you feel, depending on the weather. When you start living in the present, it will feel like time is moving more slowly than usual.
   
2. Stop Rushing Everything
   We live in a society where everyone is always busy, and even on the weekends, we are constantly rushing. We rarely slow down. But slowing down can actually help. Slowing your actions tells your brain: we’re not in a hurry. And suddenly, time doesn’t feel like it’s running away from you. So try to live a simpler life and slow down. Slow living is a very popular lifestyle these days; it simply means taking your time with each task you do.
   
3. Break Your Routine (Just a Little)
   Routine makes life efficient, but also forgettable. So switch things up every now and then. You don’t have to change everything every day, but you can do small things differently, like taking a different route to work or planning something instead of watching Netflix all night after work or school. New experiences make time feel fuller and longer.
   
4. Live in the Present Moment
   We are often thinking about the past or worrying about the future. Because of that, we forget to live in the now, the present moment. But life is only happening right now. There are several ways to train your brain to be more present, such as mindfulness and meditation.
   
5. Try Something New
   Trying something new forces you to be present. It requires your full attention, which naturally slows down your perception of time. Think about how slow time sometimes felt when you were a child—that’s because you were constantly learning and experiencing new things. When everything is familiar, your brain goes on autopilot. But when something is new, your mind becomes more aware and engaged. So step out of your routine once in a while. Try a new hobby, visit a new place, or learn something you’ve never done before. It doesn’t have to be big—just different.
   
6. Create Intentional Moments
   If you don’t create moments, life will simply pass by. Start romanticizing your life. Be the main character of your own story. Light a candle in the evening, watch the sunrise, dance while making dinner, listen to your favorite playlist during a walk, or buy yourself flowers.
   
7. Put Your Phone Down More Often
   One of the biggest reasons time feels like it’s moving faster than ever is because we are constantly on our phones. We forget to truly live and end up scrolling for hours. You can lose so much time without even noticing. And afterward, it doesn’t feel like time well spent; it feels wasted. Try to reduce your screen time and only use your phone when you really need it.

Photo by Plann on Unsplash

The post How to Slow Down Time (When Life Feels Like It’s Moving Too Fast) first appeared on A happy life.

Title: Training the Heart
Author: Paisley Hope
Publisher: Dell
Genre: Romance
Pages: 448
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Buy this book on Amazon

Training the Heart

Ivy Spencer is a young horse trainer who gets the chance to prove herself at Silver Pines Ranch. It’s exactly what she needs after everything she’s been through with her last relationship and her mother.

Wade is Ivy’s complete opposite and doesn’t let anyone in. He’s also coming out of a terrible relationship and is now fully focused on the ranch. Wade had to hire Ivy after his previous trainer became a mother, but that doesn’t mean he agrees with the way Ivy wants to train the horses.

Review

This is the second book in the Silver Pines Ranch series. I read the first book, Holding the Reins, at the beginning of the year, and I absolutely loved it. I’m a big fan of cowboy romances. I was already familiar with cowboy romances by Elsie Silver and Lyla Sage, and now I can add Paisley Hope as another instant-buy author.

Ivy and Wade have both been through similar experiences. They were each in toxic relationships with terrible ex-partners. At the same time, they are complete opposites. Ivy is the sunshine character in this story, while Wade is definitely the grumpy one. But slowly, he starts to open up and smile more often. At the beginning, they weren’t the biggest fans of each other. Ivy especially enjoyed getting under Wade’s skin, which was really fun to read.

Their relationship begins to develop into something more when Ivy gets hurt and Wade starts taking care of her. He does all these little things for her, and in my opinion, that was incredibly attractive. Honestly, to win my heart, you just have to be a gentleman and do those small, thoughtful things.

The story itself was interesting. It’s not just about their relationship or life on the ranch; it also explores their pasts and personal struggles. It touches on emotionally abusive relationships, the loss of a parent, and alcoholism. These are pretty heavy topics, but the rest of the story keeps it from feeling too overwhelming. Ivy’s ex, in particular, did some truly awful things to her.

That said, even though the story was good, there was also a lot of spice. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not against spice in books. When it’s well-written, it can be fun. And while it was well-written here, it was also quite a lot. I think the first 50% of the book had no spice, although there was definitely tension and anticipation. The second half, however, was full of it. In my opinion, it could have been toned down a bit. For me, the story is always the most important part of a book, not the spice; that’s not why I read romance. Still, I gave it a 5-star rating because it didn’t bother me too much.

The book was well-written, and I flew through it. The paperback has 448 pages, and I finished it in just one day. Paisley’s writing style is simple and engaging. It never felt boring, and it had the perfect balance between lighthearted moments and heavier themes.

If you’re into cowboy romances, you should definitely check out this series. I would recommend reading it in order, though, since characters from the first book make frequent appearances.

The post Training the Heart – Paisley Hope | Book Review first appeared on A happy life.

Title: Reminders of Him
Actors: Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers
Director: Vanessa Caswill
Writers: Colleen Hoover, Lauren Levine
Genre: Drama, Romance
Length: 1 hour 54 minutes
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️🖤

Reminders of Him

Kenna has just been released from prison after being involved in a car crash with her boyfriend, Scotty, in which he died. She survived the accident. Now, she has returned to the small town where she fell in love with him. But the main reason she’s back is to see her daughter, the child she had with Scotty, who was taken away from her at birth while she was in prison.

Now, Kenna is determined to prove that she can be a good mother.

Review

I had very low expectations for this movie. I’ve watched two other movies based on books by Colleen Hoover (It Ends With Us and Regretting You), and I wasn’t the biggest fan of those stories. Regretting You especially felt a bit boring to me. Still, I wanted to give this one a chance because the trailer looked promising.

And honestly, it wasn’t that bad. I actually think this might be the best story by Colleen Hoover so far. I know we’re also getting Verity this year, but I’ve read that book and wasn’t that impressed—it was just okay for me. Still, I’m curious to see how the movie adaptation will turn out.

Back to this movie called Reminders of Him: I thought it was a beautiful but sad story.

Kenna hasn’t been able to see her daughter because she was in prison after the accident where Scotty died. She left the scene, which is why she went to jail. But, of course, nothing is exactly as it seems—her side of the story is more complicated. She writes letters about what really happened that day and continues to write to Scotty, who was the love of her life.

Now that she’s back in town, people refuse to hire her because of her past. Ledger is one of the people keeping her away from her daughter, but they start spending more time together. He begins to see that she isn’t dangerous, and once he learns what really happened, he starts to help her.

Kenna was a likable character. She respects the boundaries set by others but still holds on to the hope that she’ll one day see her daughter again. The chemistry between Ledger and Kenna was really good, which made the story more engaging. It’s also quite emotional. Imagine losing the love of your life, spending years in prison, and then not being able to see your own child.

So yes, I would say this is my favorite Colleen Hoover story so far. It has romance, drama, and emotional depth. I actually had a pretty good time watching it. It definitely wasn’t as bad as I expected.

The post Reminders of Him (2026) | Movie Review first appeared on A happy life.