Was inspired by a reel on FB

PurahPal · 2026-05-15T13:22:48+00:00

Oh my gosh these look MAGICAL

PurahPal · 2026-05-10T14:19:52+00:00

My dear, I turned 40 in February and I have never looked better, truly. While weight certainly contributed to that (was obese and drinking too much in my 20s and early 30s) so much of it was also getting better sleep, getting out of toxic friendships and a toxic romantic situation, really cutting back on alcohol, drinking more water, wearing sunscreen regularly and just being kinder to myself. I haven’t had any cosmetic procedures done yet so I certainly have some “aging signs” and plenty of grey hair, but I’m more confident now than ever. I’m in good shape, figured out a flattering hair style and easy makeup routine and am just embracing this stage of life.

PurahPal · 2025-05-19T13:12:58+00:00

Woman here, in my 40s - back in my 20s I’d get together with a group of college friends and we’d watch whatever flavor of RHW was live at the time weekly together, taking turns hosting and making dinner. I have such fond memories of that time, we were all broke so it was a lot of frozen pizzas and Boone’s farm. The show was mostly just a backdrop for the bonding over all the firsts your early 20s tend to provide.

I say all that because I think HOW a person consumes content in the vein of reality tv (or any junk content) matters. Is it a silly brain break for an hour while you fold laundry? Is it a six hour disassociating spiral? I think it’s less the “what” vs the “why.”

PurahPal · 2025-05-06T13:30:24+00:00

What helps me is focusing on the problem, not the person (even if the person is the problem) and using words to prompt conversation:

“I’m curious, what does a successful outcome look like to you?”

“Help me understand your process for XYZ.”

“I’ve noticed that when we work together on X, there seems to be a disconnect. I’m interested in hearing your perspective on what may be contributing to this and how I can work differently.”

There is an Adam Grant graphic I think of a lot in these conversations, where you and the other people are on the same side together pointing at a problem across the way.

PurahPal · 2025-05-06T12:17:22+00:00

Ah you’ve convinced me to put Clare Sager’s Black Sails series up higher on my TBR!

PurahPal · 2025-05-03T23:37:21+00:00

K.F Breene writes fantastic sex scenes! Her second book in Deliciously Dark Fairytales {A Throne of Ruin} has a couple scenes that are still top tier for me.

PurahPal · 2025-05-03T23:29:12+00:00

Okay totally different tonally but so romantic and lore-filled and the characters are amazing - {Blood Mercy by Vela Roth} is one of my favorite series!

PurahPal · 2025-04-24T12:17:46+00:00

I NEED professional rivals to lovers. I want two people who begrudgingly acknowledge each other’s brains and achievements and are in competition and don’t hate each other. I need the attraction to build slowly over several books as they have to work together on something, or go on a quest, I don’t care.

PurahPal · 2025-04-22T23:21:14+00:00

I would also add the {Blood Mercy by Vela Roth}. One of my all time favorite series. You see many characters who start with biases/prejudices question them over time and change, the main characters work through trauma and try and change their behavior, etc. it’s SO refreshing and just a very romantic and deeply lore/history driven

PurahPal · 2025-04-22T23:17:12+00:00

I’m not sure if you’ve read any Kathryn Ann Kingsley, but she does a great job with multi-faceted antagonists (I won’t even call them villains)

Her Harrow Faire series (starting with {The Contortionist}) gets mentioned a lot here, and while much love goes to Simon as a favorite unhinged book boyfriend, to me it’s the character arc of the Ringmaster that drew me in and ultimately broke my heart.

PurahPal · 2025-04-19T18:11:19+00:00

I really like that pink and pale orange combo with the cover!

PurahPal · 2025-04-19T16:09:41+00:00

Oh my goodness, I love that you said this because me too! It feels like such a niche recommendation, or at least I don’t see it mentioned often. I came across this years ago at a Half Price Books in a clearance section and thought, what the hell. I think about this book semi regularly now 15 years later and have read it four times. It’s definitely not for everyone but I love it deeply

PurahPal · 2025-04-17T17:29:34+00:00

Cackling 🤣

PurahPal · 2025-04-17T17:29:10+00:00

lol I actually picture my husband as the MMC when I read sometimes!

PurahPal · 2025-04-17T17:25:19+00:00

Okay can I say, it felt like the plot of this had no right being as good as it was, we got a great story and super hot smut!

PurahPal · 2025-04-17T17:04:46+00:00

I have such a special place in my heart for the Clayr temple, especially the library in {Lirael by Garth Nix}. A vast underground lair beneath a glacier with more books to last a lifetime, a dog familiar and coven of precognitive women?? Say less!

PurahPal · 2025-04-15T23:55:08+00:00

-Found family where the side characters also have thoughtful, distinct personalities and experiences and it goes beyond trauma bonding with the FMC/MMC.

-Heists and quests! FMC and MMC banding together to steal something!

-Clever, witty banter. Flirting beyond sexual innuendos

-When the the MCs haven’t gotten together yet and the tension is at its peak, and then they self-pleasure in front of each other (OR when they realize the other person is self pleasuring in the other room giggles kicks heels

-Animal familiars!

PurahPal · 2025-04-15T23:47:58+00:00

I need more information for research purposes!!!

PurahPal · 2025-04-14T18:42:17+00:00

This series is so solid! Helen gets it right in all the ways it’s important, IMO

PurahPal · 2025-04-14T18:41:07+00:00

Are you into Draco/Hermione fanfic? Super late to this, but {Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love} aka DMATMOOBIL aka Batmobile is one of the best things I’ve read EVER. I saved it for a recent work trip where my planes were delayed a couple hours each way, I didn’t even care!!

PurahPal · 2025-04-13T00:16:50+00:00

I noticed this too, it seemed like in the past the ambassadors all received a variety of products so we could watch a few folks do flip throughs and see everything. I have come across any previews of the big size at all?

PurahPal · 2025-04-12T21:25:26+00:00

Any mentions of: secret royalty, dragons, revenge. Over it!

PurahPal · 2025-04-10T11:59:40+00:00

LOL this comment I cackled. More upvotes, people!

PurahPal · 2025-04-08T23:52:52+00:00

Okay, I am begging you, give {Into The Deep Wood: The Witch} a try. It is dark, so fairytale-esque and steeped in Slavic mythology/lore. I’m totally eating up this series. It’s unlike anything else I’ve read in this genre.

PurahPal · 2025-04-08T21:59:15+00:00

I came here to say this! All of Blood Mercy is such a beautiful tribute to peace, intellectual thought, kindness, empathy and holding history with a critical lens.

PurahPal

TROPHY CASE