The Thought Nest

Summer in the City by Alex Aster My rating: 5 of 5 stars Alex Aster’s Summer in the City is a heartfelt, romantic escape set against the glittering backdrop of New York City. With vivid prose and an emotionally resonant story, this book pulls you right into the bustling streets, cozy corners, and electric energy of the city—so much so that you can almost hear the taxis and feel the summer heat radiating off the pavement. At the center of it all is Parker, a character who, despite having wealth, fame, and every material possession imaginable, feels deeply human and down to earth. His character is a reminder that none of that truly matters without love. What’s most striking about Parker is how genuine he is—he never lets his status or privilege cloud what he really wants: Elle. His love for her is INSPIRING in every sense. He doesn’t give up, no matter how complicated things get, and every action he takes is filled with an aching sincerity. Watching hi...

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood My rating: 5 of 5 stars Before picking up The Love Hypothesis, I had never read a fiction book besides in high school. I was always into the nonfiction genre. I always thought fiction wasn’t for me — that it couldn’t capture my attention or make me feel anything meaningful. Then came Ali Hazelwood's — the love hypothesis and EVERYTHING changed. This book didn’t just entertain me; it cracked open a whole new world, and I fell in LOVE — not just with the story, but with reading itself. What struck me first was the chemistry between Olive and Adam. It was electric but also beautifully subtle at times, and it made their connection feel real. They weren’t perfect — far from it — but the way they complemented each other was like two puzzle pieces finally snapping into place. I found myself rooting for them more than I expected, smiling through their awkward moments, and even tearing up during the emotional ones. Ali...

The Locked Door by Freida McFadden My rating: 5 of 5 stars WOAHHHH SOOOOO GOOD! I could NOT put this book down! From the very first page, The Locked Door had me completely HOOKED. Freida McFadden knows exactly how to pull readers in with suspense, unexpected twists, and just the right amount of psychological tension!! Throughout the book, my mind was racing with theories. I kept thinking, “What if it’s this?” or “No, it has to be that!”—and yet, every time I thought I had it figured out, Freida would throw in a twist that had my mind BLOWN! This story could have gone SO MANY ways, and that unpredictability is what made this book so addicting to read! The thrill was such a rush! The ending? Absolutely shocking. I did not see it coming, and I LOVE that!! It was the kind of twist that made me sit back and say, “WAAAAIT—WHAT?” in the best way possible. It tied everything together in such a clever and unexpected manner, leaving me both satisfied and stunn...

✨Living in My Quiet Mom Era: Protecting MY Peace✨ Lately, I’ve found myself living in what I now call my "quiet mom era". It’s not about being silent, distant, or closed off—it’s about MY peace. It’s about intentionality. It’s about protecting MY energy, MY time, and most of all, MY HEART! Motherhood changes you in ways NO ONE can fully prepare you for. Somewhere along the way, I realized I NO longer had the capacity—or the desire—to entertain relationships that felt heavy, unbalanced, or performative. I started to see things more clearly: NOT EVERYONE IS YOUR FRIEND. Not everyone who smiles at you is rooting for you. And not everyone deserves a seat at your table, especially when they don’t bring nourishment of any kind! This realization didn’t come all at once. It was a slow unfolding. Moments of disappointment. Patterns I could no longer ignore. The kind of clarity that only comes when YOU'VE given too MANY chances, stretched yourself too thin, or tried too hard to mai...

  ✨How to Learn and Grow From Past Experiences✨ How to Learn and Grow from Past Experiences:  Turning Challenges into Opportunities We all have experiences in our past—BOTH GOOD AND BAD—that have shaped who we are today. Whether it’s overcoming failure, facing difficult decisions, or celebrating moments of success, the KEY to personal growth lies in how we learn from these experiences. Life’s lessons are NOT just found in our victories but in the struggles, mistakes, and challenges we encounter along the way!! The ability to reflect on the past and use it as a springboard for future growth is one of the MOST      empowering skills you can develop. Here’s some insights on how to embrace your past experiences, learn from them, and use them to propel yourself forward. I am no professional by any means these are just some tactics that have helped me over the years.  1. Practice Honest Self-Reflection The FIRST step in learning and growing from past experiences...

 ✨ I’m in My Reading ERA—and It’s Changing EVERYTHING✨📚 I’ve officially entered my reading era, and honestly, I don’t think I’m ever leaving.📚 It started out small—picking up a book a friend recommended called the love hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. I loved it and finished it in 2 days! I also noticed that reading that book helped me quiet my racing thoughts and just escape for a while. With that being said, books have become one of my greatest sources of peace. They calm my anxiety, help me slow down, and ground me in the present moment. There’s something magical about getting lost in a story and letting your mind unplug from the constant buzz of the digital world. Speaking of unplugging, one of the BIGGEST shifts I’ve made lately is consciously STEPPING AWAY FROM SCREENS, I didn’t realize how much I needed that mental break until I started making it a priority. It turns out, disconnecting from the digital chaos and reconnecting with a good book can do wonders for your mind. Anoth...

✨Coping with Stress and Anxiety✨ Coping with Daily Stress and Anxiety:  Simple Strategies for a Calmer Life In today’s fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become an almost inevitable part of daily life. Whether it’s work pressures, family responsibilities, or the constant demands of modern living, it can feel like there’s always something weighing us down. While some stress is natural, chronic stress and anxiety can take a toll on our mental, emotional, and physical health. The good news is that there are effective strategies to help us cope and find balance, even in the midst of life’s challenges. In this blog post, we’ll explore practical ways to manage daily stress and anxiety, improve your resilience, and create space for more peace in your life. More people experience some sort of anxiety throughout life and sometimes don't even know it. So let's dive in together! Understanding Stress and Anxiety Before diving into coping strategies, it’s important to understand what...