Made by Love

Made by Love Bookish and crafty goodies that will make you smile! I also thought the world had seen too many pink and flowery bunting and it was time to change that!

It all started when my bestfriend, life partner, sister from another mister asked me to make some bunting for her wedding reception. From sourcing the fabric, cutting (didn't enjoy this bit that much) and sewing it all up, I fell in love with the process. I buy limited amounts of fabric from numerous sources in the UK and around the world to keep it fun and fresh but it also means I have limited a

mounts. Want something just for you? Just get in touch as there's nothing better than working with someone to get the look they're after! That's how it all began after all!

August reading round up! It was a good one!- first novella - first Romantasy book! - a near DNF that recovered (will be ...
01/09/2026

August reading round up! It was a good one!

- first novella
- first Romantasy book!
- a near DNF that recovered (will be in the September wrap up)

I hope your August was a good one too!

I recently had an afternoon to myself in Sydney so of course I made a beeline for Dymocks Sydney 📚 Books & Gifts . What ...
31/08/2026

I recently had an afternoon to myself in Sydney so of course I made a beeline for Dymocks Sydney 📚 Books & Gifts . What an amazing space and shop and even better than I remembered from my youth! They had a big and proper dedicated romance section that was so dreamy! If I had all the money and all the baggage space a few books would have definitely come home with me but alas... I had to be sensible!

One thing I really noticed in Sydney (maybe Australia as a whole?) is how easy and accessible books are. So many places sell them and many are quite affordable! Perhaps it's for the better I live here now... Don't even get me started on the UK! 😭😭😭

BOOK REVIEW: Am I now officially a Romantasy Girl? Albeit a fledgling one... I think the answer is yes.The 2 bad influen...
30/08/2026

BOOK REVIEW: Am I now officially a Romantasy Girl? Albeit a fledgling one... I think the answer is yes.

The 2 bad influences MrsRuralReads and One More Happily Ever After 📖 raved about this book and how it's a good entry into Romantasy. Easily influenced when it comes to books and book buying I jumped on Libby App Australia/NewZealand and requested the 3 books of the trilogy.

I had a near 3 hrs plane ride to Sydney so what better time to jump in. 

In short, I LOVED it. Forbidden Shifter romance set in Scotland?! It really took me back to my early forays into Romance during my teens reading Julie Garwood. 

The story centres around Aurora, a Princess who has learnt to consistently mould herself to whatever those around her want her to be. Her true self is long buried till an Alpha Werewolf manages to slowly tease it out of her and we finally get to see the strong and capable woman she is.

Callum, the Alpha Werewolf who stole Aurora away is an imposing man and Werewolf. Underneath it all though, he's such an honest and earnest cuddly puppy. The way he looks after Aurora, his respect for her and his possessiveness. I still wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of him though! 

We have to mention Blake because he's the important third point in this love triangle who just can't help getting involved and causing tension. He's cunning and mysterious and you just want to know what he's up to! We get to see more of him in the next book which I can't wait to read. 

This book had me hooked from the start and I found every opportunity to read during my trip. The romance, the politics, the intrigue, the magic and the world of the Wolves. The downside is I now need to buy the physical copies! Oh no...

I'm firmly on Team Callum but I'm hearing I might change my mind by the end of book 2.

What about you? Which Team are you?

WARNING: Bad Bookstagrammers who recommend you read The Wolf King which leads you down a new path of Romantasy, the obse...
22/08/2026

WARNING: Bad Bookstagrammers who recommend you read The Wolf King which leads you down a new path of Romantasy, the obsession to read the whole trilogy and encouraging you to buy the physical copies.

P.S. read The Wolf King. It's soooo good! Review coming soon!

BOOK REVIEW: Ali Hazelwood does no wrong.Don't tell my growing TBR I borrowed this book from the library when I was "jus...
13/08/2026

BOOK REVIEW: Ali Hazelwood does no wrong.

Don't tell my growing TBR I borrowed this book from the library when I was "just looking". But how could I resist when it was just sitting there on the shelf?

This was a quick fun read and I actually managed to do it in one evening. It's been awhile since I've read a book in one day! Cue 5yr old that wants a snuggle, to chat, to look at them or to play with them.

Two Can Play centres around Viola Bowen, a Lead Game Designer who has a chance to work on her absolute dream project, and Jesse Andrews her arch nemesis Lead Designer from a competing Studio. They, as well as their respective teams, are sent to a fancy winter retreat where they must learn to like and work with each other or risk losing the project altogether.

I enjoyed this book as it brought back a lot of (find and not so fond) memories from when I worked in VFX albeit we were never that horrendous to our competitors! There's a lot of similarities between the 2 industries so it felt familiar and relatable. Crunch time pain am I right?!

Being a novella, a lot of the angst and emotions between Viola and Jesse has happened prior to the first page of the book. From Viola's POV we soon find out why things are the way they are but we all know there's always two sides to a story... Eeeeeeeee! 🫣

For me this was Mythic Quest (without most of the crazy) with romance and spice thrown in. It was a fun quick read and another well written man by Ali Hazelwood.

Two words... Respect and YEARNING. Oof! Eeeeeeeee! 😍

Made by Love Goodies presents... Page to Screen.Save the date: Sunday 18th October 2026More details soon!** The original...
12/08/2026

Made by Love Goodies presents... Page to Screen.

Save the date: Sunday 18th October 2026

More details soon!

** The original image is not mine - Daisy Edgar-Jones

BOOK REVIEW: Another gem from Ashley Poston.I bought this book (and all Ashley Poston books) after reading The Seven Yea...
11/08/2026

BOOK REVIEW: Another gem from Ashley Poston.

I bought this book (and all Ashley Poston books) after reading The Seven Year Slip and decided Ashley Poston was officially on my automatic buy list. So I went into this not really knowing much and I think that's ok.

The Dead Romantics centres around Florence Day, a romance ghost writer who no longer believes in love and Benji Andor, her very attractive but quite dead Editor. Together they have to work out how to help Benji move on but there's a few surprises thrown in. 

This was a bit of a slow start for me but once it got into it, I ended up finishing half the book in one sitting finally closing the book at 3:38am. So yeah, I enjoyed it! A lot.

Florence is fiercely independent and over time has lost her belief in herself and her abilities. She cares deeply for her family but in trying to protect them, has forgotten how to show them.

Benji is very structured and put together but over time has forgotten to live. He believes he hasn't moved on because he needs to show Florence that love is possible again.

Think of this as a joyful Addams Family mixed in with Ghost Whisperer and some romance. I loved the Day Family and the small town vibes. I loved Florence's bestie Rose and of course, Florence and Benji's interactions and dynamic. Ooooof thinking about it gives me all the good feels! 🥰

Warning: You will cry. But gosh it was good! (I'm just glad I didn't wake up my sleeping husband next to me!)

For all the little bookworms out there... Perhaps preparing for Book Week? We had ours earlier in the year but it seems ...
06/08/2026

For all the little bookworms out there... Perhaps preparing for Book Week? We had ours earlier in the year but it seems like lots are doing it nowish or soon?

I chose the unicorn design for my daughter and admittedly, the dinosaurs for my husband 😂. So for all the different sized bookworms who love dinosaurs and unicorns....these are for you! Currently on special at $10 each!

Hi all! I've been working on bringing Made by Love Bookish events to life and have the first one potentially lined up. B...
06/08/2026

Hi all! I've been working on bringing Made by Love Bookish events to life and have the first one potentially lined up.

Blooms and Books - a paper peony workshop followed by a book swap! Before I can fully book it in, I wanted to gauge people's interest.

Some details:
Date: Sunday morning in October
Location: Auckland CBD
Cost: $75/person which includes a hot drink and sweet treats. Vegan and Gluten-free options available.

All materials will be provided and we'll also have a lovely teacher in a space just for 22 of us!

If you're interested, please comment below and also share with your Bookish friends! I'd love to make this happen! I need just 13 people to lock it in.

July reading round up - 3 finished books and it was a good one!- LOVED all the books I finished- DNFed for the very firs...
04/08/2026

July reading round up - 3 finished books and it was a good one!

- LOVED all the books I finished
- DNFed for the very first time and felt better for it!
- read 2 new authors and now they're both automatic buys

Here's to August!

How was your month?

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