A midweek pause for books, vibes, real life chaos & little comforts
Hello mid-January, my old nemesis. This week’s Chapter Check-In is very much giving cosy but tired, with a side of audiobook comfort and real-life admin overload. We’re checking in with what I’m reading, how I’m feeling, what’s actually happening beyond the books… and yes, what’s living rent-free in my head 🎧📚
📚 Current Book:
Faking with Benefits by Lily Gold
Format: eBook & Audiobook
Progress: ▓ ░░░░░░░░░ 10%
Genre & Vibe: Reverse harem romance | Friends-to-lovers | Banter-heavy | Podcast energy | Comfort read vibes 💕🔥
Thoughts So Far: I read the paperback back in 2024 and really enjoyed it, so I thought it was the perfect candidate for an audiobook revisit. I’m not very far in yet, but there are already four narrators, one for each character POV chapter.
Now… tiny gripe — I wish they did their own dialogue across scenes rather than just narrating their POV chapters. BUT the silver lining? Every “text message” and podcast segment is read by the individual characters, which honestly works really well.
And let’s be real — Shane East being one of the narrators is a big win. After his performance in The Wolf King, I’m very happy to see how he brings this one to life 👀🎧
😮💨 Midweek Mood
Ohhh the mid-January blues have officially hit.
The weather has been miserable, payday still feels far away, and the schools have entered their “please send money for literally everything” era — trips, charity dress-up days, themed weeks… it’s just ahhh.
Nothing major, just one of those weeks where everything feels a bit grey and overwhelming.
✅ This Week’s Goals
- ✍️ Keep writing up February blog posts
- 📚 Make a start on reviewing books I read pre-blog
- 🧁 Start planning a special bake (👀 more on that below)
Small, manageable goals because we are protecting our energy this week.
🏡 What’s Happening in Real Life
Friday night brought a rare kid-free evening — Mum had all the grandbabies over for a sleepover (absolute hero behaviour 🩷).
Me and OH fully embraced it and went back to Smokin’ Hot Buffet, and let me tell you… eating without worrying about kids, plates, or timing things perfectly? Bliss. We actually got to savour the food.
Saturday was back to real life — picked the boys up and then headed out so I could teach my eldest some basic photography with the new camera. Watching him learn and get excited was one of those quiet heart-full moments 🥹📸
And at work this week, I’ve been asked to do a very special bake to celebrate the 20th anniversary of opening. I’m incredibly honoured… but also very nervous. Big feelings, big responsibility, big cake energy.
🎻 What’s Stuck In My Head
Bridgerton
With the new season out on the 29th, I decided it was clearly time for a full rewatch. I think this might be my fourth time through now… and I regret nothing.
The music. The dresses. The drama. The yearning.
It’s still hitting every single time 💐✨
☕ This Week’s Snack & Sip
Snack: Honestly? Hardly any snacking this week—either because I’ve been very good or because I’m skint and not buying extras. Let’s call it ✨intentional✨.
Drink: A lot of tea. Just… endless cups of tea. Comfort in liquid form 🫖
💬 Final Thoughts
This week feels like one of those quiet, slightly heavy ones—but it’s also full of small, grounding moments: audiobooks, tea, photography, and a reminder that better days (and paydays) are coming.
💛 Come Chat
How’s your January going—are you thriving, surviving, or fully hibernating?
Tell me what you’re reading, watching, or drinking this week 💕📚🫖
The Reading Nook 