So I started reading the Never After series by Emily McIntire to see what the buzz was about.

The first book I picked up, Crossed.

This was almost a DNF but I really truly hate having DNF books laying around. The books are triggering, there’s no doubt, its mostly smut too.

I found it quite fast paced and an easy read. Unlike with POV changes like in the recent read of the ACOTAR series I didn’t mind the changes in this as it never had that singular POV before becoming multi POV and that’s fine. I like that it started as it means to go on.

I am new to reading dark romances, they’re not what I would naturally pick up but the whole point of trying them is to try something new and different genres.

This book hits hard on religious trauma for me, it made me uncomfortable, not sure if it is because I was brought up Roman Catholic and lost my way down the garden path of life or just that it still makes me uncomfortable after all this time.

I gave it my best shot and did finish the book, however uncomfortable it made me at times.

I will try the rest of the series just to say I gave it a fair shot however I do not enjoy feeling this uncomfortable by this book so there is a good chance I will be pushing just to get through it and get to the other side to say I gave the genre a good go.

So, it was harder to get into this one. Nesta is a character I have little affection for regardless.

She remains very self focused throughout the series and that continues, with a fair bit of smut.

So this is where I would say the series becomes just fairy smut. It appeared to be the main focus, other than Valkyrie training and a smattering of plot (Brailyn- aka the queen who jumped in the cauldron and got old). Following Cassian and Nesta, seeing how often their POV just seemed to be sex obsessed I would have thought they might have been teenagers.

I honestly wish there was a reason for it, more of a plot to it. It felt all meat and two veg with not enough carbs (thinking roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and gravy to make the book a real meal rather than something that still leaves you hungry).

I know the series isn’t yet over, but it does feel as though the writing is getting sloppier. The absolute plot hole of childbirth, oh and why not also alter Elain’s hips just in case you know?

The whole series is entertaining so long as you don’t dissect things and look for reasons because it just becomes chaotic if you want something that was thoroughly planned out, the last book, it does seem a lot like fan service than perhaps it was ever intended to be at the start of the first book.

So I read A Court of Frost and Starlight.

It kind of just felt like a Christmas special episode.

Also Nesta? Not a fan.

Personally I hate POV changes in the middle of a series, going from Feyre’s point of view to multiple characters felt very inconsistent and unpleasant.

I think if there is going to be a multiple POV in a story or across a series at any point it really should be something continuous from start to finish. I found it really disengaging. An example of multiple POV’s where the changes are cool with me was definitely Game of Thrones as it was from the first book throughout the whole series.

The mid way through series POV alterations bugged me just as much as they did with the Divergent series. However with this series, it doesn’t feel like Feyre is destined to die in the series, there’s a lack of real and true jeopardy for any of the main inner circle of the night court. Even Tamlin isn’t expendable.

It really does feel like a holiday episode where the consequences aren’t applicable.

So a few months in to living somewhere new what can I tell you?

Well, one lovely weekend morning we decided to go to Stromness. Absolutely lovely, kiddo enjoyed running around.

Mother’s day was lovely, we did little odds and sods, I quite enjoyed the relaxing.

I attempted to make a Chinese BBQ pork belly. It was ok, the crackling caught in a few spots but otherwise good reviews.

I gave in and got myself an old lady trolley, or a “push me pull you” trolley as nana would say. I had to get it just to make life a little easier than using a pram as an aid. Starting to accept the accommodations I need to make for myself and my disabilities. While I may not want to and do struggle with how my health etc is I do need to stop living in denial of it.

For international women’s day we popped into the fate at the Masonic hall, it was lovely and we did treat ourselves to some lovely candles by Orkney Mangata and some gorgeous macarons from Odins Bakery so far my favourites are the blueberry ones.

We’ve been loving the move, it’s been a really healthy choice for myself and my family, the lifestyle is helping to calm us down.

Oh and the one thing I am struggling to get used to, is that there is a relaxed way about life, especially with shop opening times, it’s been quite unusual and a little challenging to get used to but I am sure that it will all chill out soon.