A spontaneous payday adventure filled with bookish wins, sweet treats, and a few proud mama moments along the way.
There’s just something about payday hitting — the bills are sorted, everything feels a little lighter… and suddenly my brain is like: it’s book buying time 📚✨
So naturally, I gave in.
Me and my youngest grabbed our coats, loaded up Miss Dolly (yes, my beloved shopping trolley absolutely has a name), and headed out for a little book-hunting adventure.
If you read my last book haul, you’ll know I’m still side-eyeing Evri for losing my order (still not over it, honestly 😤). But this trip? This one delivered a little redemption.
🏙️ The Treasure Hunt
We started at The Works — and hallelujah — they actually had four out of the seven books I’d originally ordered, plus a shiny new release 👀
Then a quick stop at ASDA turned into another unexpected find from a series I’ve been slowly collecting.
Between the two? I’m calling it a semi-jackpot.
And honestly, the best part? My youngest picked out his own little haul. Watching him get excited about books like that… my heart couldn’t cope 🥹📖
🛍️ My Book Haul
🖤 Cruel Truth by Jen Calonita
This Twisted Tale series has had me intrigued for ages — each story flips a classic Disney narrative on its head.
But the real challenge? Finding the UK editions. They appear randomly, like little bookish miracles, so it’s very much a spot it and grab it before it disappears situation.
And yes… my collector brain insists they all have to match 😅
🍊 Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
Okay but — orange sprayed edges. That alone had me.
I’ve heard so many good things about Lyla Sage’s books, so this felt like one of those “just trust the vibe” purchases… straight into the basket it went.
💕 Sugarlake Series (Books 1–4) by Emily McIntire
My queen 👑 Emily McIntire.
I absolutely devoured her Twisted series, so when I spotted this full 4-book bundle just sitting there looking all cute and tempting…
Instant yes. No hesitation.
🔥 Burning Daylight by Emily McIntire
See above — clearly I have a type 😂
But this edition? Gorgeous. Holographic details, interior artwork, a full-colour map… it’s giving collector’s dream.
🛡️ The Defender by Ana Huang
A special cover edition — and since I already have book one, this was an automatic grab and go.
I’ve loved her previous series, so this feels like a safe bet for my next binge read.
🎄 Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace
After loving Icebreaker, this felt like the perfect cosy addition to my festive TBR.
Bring on fairy lights, blankets, and hot chocolate season ☕✨
📚 My Youngest’s Mini Book Haul
Honestly… my proud mama heart could’ve burst watching him browse and pick his own books 🥹
- 🐶 Dogman: The Scarlet Shedder — chaotic fun, and he loves this series
- 🩲 Captain Underpants 25½ Anniversary Edition — instant excitement
- 📕 The Boy at the Back of the Class — this one melted me
It’s his current school read, and when he spotted it in-store, he hugged it and said he wanted 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 over to Baked Brownies for a well-earned treat.
The youngest’s suggestion?
“Let’s buy one of everything.”
Honestly… same. But unless I suddenly become a Rockefeller, that wasn’t happening 😂
So we compromised — one each:
- Caramel Biscoff Cookie Slab (his choice, obviously the biggest one 😂)
- Mummy Triple Chocolate Brownie
- Dead Fred Whoopie Cookie
- And mine: a Milkybar Biscoff Billionaire Cookie
Safe to say… sugar highs were achieved all around.
💬 Final Thoughts
What started as a mission to track down missing books turned into the perfect little book-and-brownie day.
New reads, proud mum moments, and a treat bag full of sugar?
Honestly… that’s my kind of payday heaven.
Between the Pages & Pixels 