There’s just something about payday hitting, the bills all neatly squared away, and then my brain immediately starts screaming “it’s book buying time!” 😂 So naturally, I gave in. Me and my youngest grabbed our coats, loaded up Miss Dolly (yes, my beloved personal shopping trolley has a name), and set off for a little book-hunting adventure in town.
Now, if you’ve seen my previous book haul post, you already know I’m still side-eyeing Evri for losing my online order (still pissed, still not over it! 😤). But this trip? Oh, this trip delivered some redemption
🏙️ The Treasure Hunt
We hit The Works first and—hallelujah!—they actually had four out of the seven books I’d ordered online plus one shiny new release. Then, over at ASDA, I spotted another gem from a series I’ve been slowly collecting. Between those two stops, I’d call it a semi-jackpot!
And honestly, the cherry on top? My youngest walked away with his own little haul. As a proud book-obsessed mama, my heart could’ve burst seeing him so excited to pick his own reads 🥹📖
Here’s what I scooped up this time around:
🛍️ My Book Haul
🖤 Cruel Truth by Jen Calonita
This Twisted Tale series has had me intrigued for ages. Each one flips a Disney story on its head — like what if Cruella & Anita were besties? or what if Elsa & Anna never knew each other? Absolute genius.
But the real challenge? These specific UK cover designs only pop up randomly at ASDA, so it’s a total “spot it and grab it before it vanishes” moment! I could order online, but they’re always the U.S. versions—and nope, my collector brain says they all have to match! 😂
🍊 Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
Look, orange sprayed edges. That alone had my attention. But I’ve heard so many good things about Lyla Sage’s books, I figured it was fate and popped it in the basket.
💕 Sugarlake Series (Books 1–4) by Emily McIntire
My Queen 👑 Emily McIntire.
I devoured her Twisted Series like it was my life’s purpose, so when I saw this full 4-book bundle sitting there looking all cute and tempting?
Instant yes. No hesitation.
🔥 Burning Daylight by Emily McIntire
See above about my Queen 😂 But seriously, I managed to snag the exclusive edition—with a shiny holographic title, interior cover art, and a full-colour map at the back. Gorgeous!
🛡️ The Defender by Ana Huang
A special cover edition, and since I’ve already got book one in the series, this was an automatic grab and go. I’ve enjoyed her previous Twisted series, so this one’s a safe bet for my next binge-read.
🎄 Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace
After loving Icebreaker, this cozy Christmas story is the perfect addition to my festive TBR. Bring on the fairy lights and hot chocolate season!
📚 My Youngest’s Mini Book Haul
Honestly, my proud mama heart couldn’t take it. Seeing him browsing the shelves and choosing books he genuinely wanted—ugh, it’s everything 🥰
- 🐶 Dogman: The Scarlet Shedder by Dav Pilkey
Comic-style fun and chaos. He absolutely loves this series, and if it keeps him reading, I am so here for it. - 🩲 Captain Underpants 25½ Anniversary Edition by Dav Pilkey
Who doesn’t know Captain Underpants? I’m not sure what’s extra about this anniversary edition—maybe a crossover?—but he was buzzing to grab it. - 🎒 The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf
This one melted my heart.
It’s his current class read at school, and when he spotted it in T.G. Jones, he picked it up, hugged it, and gave me those puppy-dog eyes saying he wants to “read ahead so I can look clever at school.”
How could I say no?! 💛
🛍️ A Sweet End to the Day
After conquering the bookshops, we rolled Miss Dolly down to Baked Brownies for a little dessert stop. The youngest was in awe—like a kid in a literal candy (well, brownie) store.
He immediately suggested: “Let’s buy one of everything!”
(And honestly, same… but unless I suddenly turn into Rockefeller, that’s not happening 😂)
So we compromised: one each for the family.
- Youngest chose a Caramel Biscoff Cookie Slab (of course, he picked the biggest one 🤣)
- For his brother: a Mummy Triple Chocolate Brownie
- For their dad: a ‘Dead Fred’ Whoopie Cookie
- And for me? My new-time fave—Milkybar Biscoff Billionaire Cookie.
Safe to say, sugar highs were achieved all around.
💬 Final Thoughts
It might’ve started as a “let’s go find those missing books” mission, but it turned into the perfect little book-and-brownie day.
New reads, giggles with my youngest, and a treat bag full of sugar?
Honestly, that’s my kind of payday heaven.
The Reading Nook 