Recently Read

The Rachel Incident - Caroline O'Donoghue 
Loved this book! The main character's voice is so engulfing, and the metaphors hit like a gut punch. I'm an advocate of women's reproductive rights being universal healthcare and this story was a beautiful reminder.

The Last Letter - Rebecca Yarros

I was hooked on this one from the very start. Such a well-written novel about trust, atonement, and what it means to be family. I fell for the characters so hard, which made the ending break my heart into a million pieces.

Open Book (audiobook) - Jessica Simpson
As someone that watched "Newlyweds" as a teenager and adored Jessica Simpson for not only her amazingly talented voice, as well as her style and story, I enjoyed this audiobook. A peek behind the scenes from The Mickey Mouse Club to relationships and motherhood, it was especially entertaining with Jessica voicing it. 

The Social Climber - Amanda Pellegrino 
A story of friendship and revenge with chapters chronicling multiple ages and phases. Very entertaining and was not expecting the ending.

The Last Flight - Julie Clark
Suspenseful and thrilling tale of two women switching identities at the airport to escape their own lives.

The Woman In Me (audiobook) - Britney Spears
Michelle Williams should receive an award for narrating this book. I grew up with Britney Spears - "Baby One More Time" was my first CD, and my dance team did a recital performance to "Toxic." It was so sad to hear everything she has been through publicly and behind the scenes.

The Soulmate - Sally Hepworth

Page-turner about secrets and sacrifice. Love the dual narrators' perspectives with a timeline moving from past to present. 

The Summer I Turned Pretty / 3 Book Series - Jenny Han

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Super light-hearted + feel good about coming of age, first love and family.

Banana Pudding

Banana pudding is one of those nostalgic desserts that, when done right, totally hits the spot. For Easter yesterday, I used this recipe to make a delicious spring treat that my family loved! Light, not too sweet, so yummy & pretty! For such a simple recipe, the presentation in a trifle bowl really adds that wow factor!

ingredients

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 ½ cups ice cold water
1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups heavy cream
4 cups sliced barely ripe bananas
1 (12 oz.) box Nilla Wafers (I used a GF version)

directions

{1}
In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined - about 1 minute. Add the pudding mix and beat well - about 2 minutes. 

Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight. It is very important to allow the proper amount of time for the pudding mixture to set. It will be watery if you don't let it set long enough.

{2}
In a large bowl or stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until no streaks of pudding remain.

{3}
Dessert can either be made in individual portions or in a large glass bowl with 4-5 quart capacity (a 9x13 baking dish also works).

To assemble dessert, arrange 1/3 of the Nilla wafers covering the bottom, overlapping if necessary. Next, layer 1/3 of the bananas, and 1/3 of the pudding mixture. Repeat twice more, garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer. 

Cover tightly and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours - or up to 8 hours, no longer (because bananas will start to brown). Serve chilled and enjoy!