September 2025 Empties!

 

  

I am so happy I finished a few things... then I realized I haven't done an empties post in months. Oops.

I finished a few body creams. My favorite by far was the Lab Squeeze Pumpkin and Carrot. I was surprised by how much I loved it. The scent was amazing; it smelled like a luxurious perfume and was very hydrating. This was the opposite of the Hemp Heaven body lotion. It was so watery and scentless, and it was so lightweight that it felt like nothing was applied. 

The Leaders Green Collagen Moisturizing Firming Serum, Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum Green Tea + Panthenol, and Juicy Gooseberry Dark Spot Brightening Serums were the standouts among the serums I tried. They didn't have much of a scent, but they left my skin feeling soft and hydrated. None of them left a sticky residue or pilled when I applied moisturizer on top.

Provence Bleu Cream is a dream in a container. It had no scent but was thick and creamy. It’s the perfect nighttime moisturizer. It lasts for hours and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth when I wake up. It was very hydrating, and I would definitely buy it again. 

Was there anything you tried this season that you loved? 

Book Review - Kantika by Elizabeth Graver

 

Kantika by Elizabeth Graver is a multi-generational story about a Jewish family’s journey for survival in 20th Century Istanbul. The Cohens were wealthy and well-known in their community, but when they lost their fortune, they had to abandon their home in Istanbul. They moved to Barcelona, where they started fresh but were still hesitant to be welcomed by the community. While the story explores the background and tales of the Cohen family, the novel predominantly centers on one of the daughters, Rebecca Cohen.

Rebecca is saddened to leave her home in Istanbul, yet she hopes to find her path in Barcelona. She experiences passion and pleasure but must confront a failed marriage and the challenge of providing for her children after her husband abandons them. Rebecca’s older sister encourages her to relocate from Spain to Cuba and then to New York (due to immigration reasons) for an arranged second marriage. Though hesitant at first, Rebecca ultimately decides that this marriage could benefit her and her children, agreeing to marry her new husband, only to discover he has a disabled stepdaughter, Luna.

The book was an okay read. It could be overwhelming at times to keep track of the various characters and their outcomes. At times, I felt there wasn’t much of a storyline. I also thought the ending seemed rushed and pointless. The author shifts between different characters, and the writing style wasn’t always easy to follow, which made it harder to engage with the book. I believe the author should have focused more on the main character, Rebecca, with the majority of the story revolving around her. I would be open to reading more books by the author, but not if they share the same writing style. The book contained themes of memory, belonging, religion, identity, and the impacts of historical trauma.

Book Review - Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America by Bridget Read

 

Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America by Bridget Read, follows journalist Bridget Read as she investigates how multilevel marketing schemes have exploited the American dream of entrepreneurship. It sheds light on a system that enriches a select few while financially harming many, especially women.

People who hear about pyramids or Ponzi schemes generally understand that these systems are scams. There are numerous pop culture references to individuals being taken advantage of and losing money in such businesses. Some Multilevel Marketing (MLM) companies resemble pyramid and Ponzi schemes closely. They provide people with the chance to be their own boss. MLM companies claim to offer unlimited earning potential, suggesting that the only barrier to becoming wealthy is oneself. The book examines the history of MLMs and their impact not only on individuals' lives but also their role in U.S. politics.

I found the book to be an intriguing read. I was curious about how companies that thrive on their sellers' failures manage to exist for so long. Years ago, a friend approached me, wanting me to sell products for Amway. I wasn’t familiar with the brand, but I did some research and spoke to friends who knew about it. The more I learned about the company and the pitch I was given, the more it seemed nearly impossible to make actual money. Instead, it appeared I would be spending money purchasing products from them and taking expensive educational classes to enhance my selling skills, all while needing to recruit others to sell Amway products—most of whom also had never even heard of the brand. From the various sales pitches I encountered, very little focused on attracting customers to buy products or on how to sell those products.

As I read the book, many stories from former MLM sellers resonated with me. It’s easy to see how someone can get drawn into a system that is fundamentally working against them. The book offers compelling insights into how MLM companies have evolved over the years and the new schemes they employ to profit from recruits. Toward the end, the narrative takes a more political turn, which many readers might find off-putting. My favorite part of the book was the personal accounts from individuals who have been in or continue to be involved in MLM companies. I found that section to be the most engaging and entertaining, as it illustrated the various reasons why people joined and remained in a company that was costing them money. If you're interested in MLM companies or have ever been asked to join one, you might enjoy this book.

Book Review - Dishonestly Yours by Krista and Becca Ritchie

 

Dishonestly Yours by Krista and Becca Ritchie centers on Phoebe Graves, a woman trying to leave her con-artist past behind as she starts anew in a small Connecticut town. She and her best friend, Hailey, want to escape their previous lives and live honestly. Phoebe and Hailey’s families have been on the run their entire lives, making a career of pulling high-stakes cons on rich and influential people. 

However, their last major con went awry, prompting Hailey and Phoebe to seek a fresh start. They decide to leave without informing their families. While attempting to embrace their new life, Hailey’s brother, Rocky, insists on joining them unless they want him to expose their plans to their parents. 

Phoebe is reluctant to have Rocky live with them due to their complicated history; she has been in love with him since childhood. She fears he won’t be able to live an honest life and may revert to being a con artist. Phoebe and Hailey want to avoid any temptation to return to their old ways, where deception comes easily. 

The novel contains many graphic sexual scenes that caught me off guard. Some readers may appreciate this, but I found myself ambivalent. It felt as though the book was dominated by graphic scenes and lacked a substantial narrative. The repetitive theme of “He doesn’t love me, but then he does something that shows he loves me” was tiresome. There were too many instances like this, and I thought the novel was unnecessarily long, filled with extraneous details. Only towards the end did it seem to improve, but it concluded on a cliffhanger. I also found the dialogue between the characters unconvincing and unrealistic. While part of me is curious about the outcome, I don’t think I would want to continue the series.

Book Review - The House of Broken Bricks by Fiona Williams

 

The House of Broken Bricks by Fiona Williams explores the unraveling of familial and marital bonds in an interracial family in rural England. Tessa hails from Jamaica, but she leaves that part of her life behind when she begins a relationship with Richard. They move to the English countryside, which presents a different experience from what Tessa is accustomed to.

As Tessa and Richard settle into their marriage, Tessa gives birth to fraternal twin boys, Sonny and Max. One of the boys is born with darker skin than the other. This difference creates a rift in family dynamics and stirs complicated feelings of belonging in a place where no one looks like you.

Tessa longs to return home instead of staying in the countryside. She finds solace in cooking Caribbean food and caring for her home. Richard becomes obsessed with tending to his plants, diverting his attention from dealing with and acknowledging the small fractures in his bond with family that threaten to deepen over time.

I found the book to be an adequate read. It switches points of view among all four characters, which sometimes made it challenging for me to remember which son was which. The pacing felt slow at times, and it hints at a significant tragedy that I was able to predict fairly easily. The writing style seemed overly descriptive at times, with not much action taking place. Nonetheless, I would be open to reading more books by the author.  

Book Review - River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart

 

River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart is a historical novel about a young woman, Adria Starr, who seeks justice after being saved during the cholera epidemic by a heroic enslaved man. Adria was orphaned during the cholera epidemic in 1833. She was rescued by Louis, who is a slave. Louis remained in Springfield, Kentucky, while those who could afford to leave had fled the city. Louis sacrificed his chance to escape his bondage to care for the sick and bury the dead.

Twelve years later, Louis’s master passed away, and his owner’s children wish to sell him despite what he has done for their family and the city, as he would fetch a high price. Adria, now nineteen, has never forgotten how Louis protected and cared for her when she was a child. She is determined to find a way to purchase Louis’s freedom, but she worries that not everyone will share her views.

The novel is partly based on a true story. It is an interesting read, though it doesn’t feature unexpected surprises or twists. While the book generally maintains a steady pace, it becomes somewhat repetitive and slow at times. I appreciated that the author included the inspiration behind the story. It is heartwarming to learn that people can recognize the humanity in one another, especially in a time when some individuals were “invisible” and regarded as property.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author. 

Book Review - Sea Glass Cottage by Irene Hannon

 

Sea Glass Cottage by Irene Hannon tells the story of two people trying to reconnect after a painful breakup. Christi Reece is desperate for money, which marks a significant change from her former lifestyle. She once had more money than she could spend, but after a series of unfortunate events, her situation has worsened. She needs help, and she is certain her ex-boyfriend, Jack Colby, can provide it for her.

When Christi arrives in Hope Harbor, Jack wants nothing to do with her, especially since she broke his heart years ago. He has moved on and built a new life there, leaving no time for Christi. However, it becomes increasingly difficult for Jack to ignore her when she moves into the mysterious cottage nearby. Will they be able to heal from their past wounds?

The novel was an okay read. It didn’t feature any unexpected twists or turns, and it felt very predictable. Even though I didn’t read this book before, the story struck me as uncannily similar to another, creating a sense of déjà vu. The book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I had previously read several other books in the series, and some characters make a reappearance.

I found some of the characters unlikable, and the numerous coincidences undermined the story’s realism. I don’t understand why Christi thought Jack would help her after their rocky breakup. While I recognize her desperation for options, her situation didn’t seem as life-or-death as she portrayed to secure the money. Additionally, the mysterious cottage owner felt random. They didn’t appear to be someone Christi and Jack knew, yet their timing for certain events was always perfect. It seemed illogical for the owner to be a random outsider instead of a local invested in the couple. At times, I felt the story dragged, but Christi’s festival, which she spent much of the book planning, was discussed in only a paragraph or two. I would have loved to see the other locals’ and characters’ thoughts on the event and their interactions with it. Overall, if you are a fan of the series, you would likely enjoy the novel. It explores themes of second chances, forgiveness, and finding faith.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author. 

Book Review - 'By Invitation Only' by Alexandra Brown Chang

 

'By Invitation Only' by Alexandra Brown Chang is about a group of young women chosen to participate in a high-profile debutante ball in Paris. La Danse des Débutantes is an exclusive high-society event that selects prestigious young women each year to join its ranks. Women from all backgrounds are eligible, but only the mastermind behind it, Amelie, decides who can attend.

Chapin Buckingham is the daughter of a famous movie star and rock legend. She seems like the perfect candidate to participate in the event. However, Chapin has her own reasons for wanting to attend, even though she isn’t like the other society girls. Chapin thought she had everything under control to be crowned until the new girl, Piper Woo Collins, caused a stir and made Chapin unsure of her chances of winning.

Piper Woo Collins is the daughter of an EMT. She was chosen to participate after winning the International Science Fair Prize for bioplastic and being featured in Teen Vogue. Piper is down-to-earth, and Amelie believes she can make La Danse more relatable to the masses. However, Piper isn’t interested in participating until they offer her a college scholarship to her dream school, Columbia, if she wins Debutante of the Year.

I thought the book was an okay read. I wish the author had provided more background on La Danse. I had a hard time understanding the purpose of the dance. It didn’t seem like a talent show where participants display their abilities, nor could it have been a networking event, as most of the participants already knew each other. I felt that if I understood the purpose behind La Danse, I might have been more invested in the story. The story felt boring at times because it was predictable. Nothing significant happened until the last few pages of the book, and I was still unsure why that person caused the betrayal, as it seemed out of the blue. If you are looking for a quick read with themes of fashion and female friendships, you might enjoy this one.

Book Review - The White Crow by Michael Robotham

 

The White Crow by Michael Robotham is a thriller about a young police officer, Philomena McCarthy, whose family is being framed for a crime they did not commit. Philomena—who goes by Phil—prefers to keep a low profile in her role with the Metropolitan Police. She doesn't want her colleagues to connect her to her father and uncles, who are notorious London gangsters. Although Phil keeps her distance from her family's criminal activities, she fears becoming an outcast if the truth were known.

While on patrol one night, Phil spots a barefoot child wandering alone. She finds the girl hiding and notices blood on the child’s nightgown. The girl says she can’t wake her mother. Meanwhile, three miles away, a London jeweler is discovered with a bomb strapped to his chest, and his store has been burglarized. The two incidents seem unrelated at first, but soon it becomes clear that something more sinister is at play—something that could threaten everything Phil holds dear: her job, her marriage, and even her life. As the case unfolds, Phil realizes there’s only one thing she’s certain of—she must decide whom she can truly trust if she hopes to survive.

The novel is the second in a series, but I was able to read it as a standalone. I thought the book was an okay read—it lacked suspense and surprising twists. I had mixed feelings about Phil as a character; at times, she shows impressive intellect, while at others, I found myself questioning her common sense. She manages to identify one of the masterminds, yet when a stranger asks her to betray someone she loves, she does so without hesitation?! Still, I would be open to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

  

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen is a graphic novel about a young Vietnamese American boy who struggles to connect with and come out to his immigrant parents. Tien loves his parents, but he is afraid to tell them a secret he has been keeping. He fears that it will change everything between them.

One way Tien enjoys spending time with his family is by reading fairy tales and stories from books he borrows from the local library. Like most kids, it’s hard to connect and communicate with their parents, but Tien doesn’t know how to express his feelings in English because they are still learning and struggle with the language. He is unsure if there is a word in Vietnamese to explain what he is going through.

The graphic novel weaves together fairy tales and the struggles of Tien and his family. I found the book to be interesting and easy to read. There are no unexpected twists and turns, and most of the fairy tales may be familiar to readers. I liked the fairy tale portion of the graphic novel the most. The artwork is detailed and beautifully executed. The book explores themes of familial connection, friendship, identity, and happy endings. I would be open to reading more books by the author.