This Phone Case Gives You Insane Battery Life

On average, we check our smartphones 110 times a day (we know, we even impressed ourselves with that little factoid). And if there’s one thing all that Instagramming, tweeting and Brit + Co app checking does, it’s kill our battery life. The folks at Oaxis have proposed a solution to save your precious battery life — a case that includes a second, low-energy eInk (think the low-light, black-and-white, sunny beach-friendly display of a Kindle) screen for your device.

The InkCase+ is small and nimble enough to use as a case for your smartphone. The slim, 3.5″ screen embedded in the case also pops out and works as a standalone device connected to your phone via Bluetooth, using much less power because it doesn’t require backlighting or color.

Oaxis see a whole series of applications for their case, which is now being funded on Kickstarter (it’s already beat it’s $100,000 goal by over $90,000). The second screen is a great mini e-reader, perfect for shopping lists. There’s the FitCase, a durable cast you can strap to your bike for fitness apps that won’t drain your battery. You can even take pictures… but of course, you’ll be seeing everything in black-and-white.

By donating $79 or more to their Kickstarter, you can get a InkCase+ for a deep discount (which will be sold for $139 when they hit stores). Right now, Oaxis is working on a case that works with just Android phones.

What do you think about a world in black and white? Let us know in the comments below!

I'm not trying to rush into a new year, but 2025 is looking incredibly promising based on the new books coming our way. At this point, I'm going to need more bookshelves to keep up with the influx of electrifying novels I keep adding to my growing TBR pile. So, here's the inside scoop on all the most-anticipated books for next year that you'll want to start thinking about — and even pre-order!

You know I love being your book bestie, so let's jump into these juicy titles and plots that have me buzzing with excitement!

The Most-Anticipated New Book Of 2025:

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Bearer of Bad News by Elisabeth Dini (April 29, 2025)

Based in Las Vegas, Lucy Rey lives life as a hairdresser who has a thing against people who can't be upfront with her. Call it karma, manifestation, or bad luck, but she seems to run into the worst secret when she finds out her fiancé hasn't been faithful. With not many options in sight, down-on-her-luck Lucy decides to take on the role of bearing bad news to people.
She's not 100% sure about the job, but it takes her to the Italian Dolomites and promises to render a nice sum of cash if she completes her job. However, she doesn't anticipate the world of secrets she's thrust into nor will she be prepared when she realizes how much she's connected to them.

The Most-Anticipated Rom-Com Books Of 2025

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For One Night Only by Jessica James (January 7, 2025)

Valerie Quinn's show is on the verge of being canceled because of her wild choices, and she's not ready for that to happen. In a hasty attempt to save it, she decides to put her band Glitter Bats back together. It's just the thing she thinks her public image needs. That and a certain bassist — Caleb Sloane.

Sadly, Valerie and Caleb aren't on speaking turns due to an icky breakup that didn't fare well for the latter. But, Caleb's always found it hard to resist Valerie's charm so he decides to give their reunion and faux relationship another chance. It seems like a good ideas, but they'll have to figure out to avoid all the pitfalls that led to their demise if they want things to work in their favor.

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Accidentally Amyby Lynn Painter (January 14, 2025)

Isabella Shay's knee-jerk reaction to claim a pumpkin spice latte that isn't hers backfires when the cute businessman she runs into ends up being the VP of her new job — and he is not happy about her little lie. Blake Phillips isn't who she thought he was at work and she'd rather not have anything to do with him. But, something keeps pulling them towards each other and it makes things harder when they're supposed to maintain their professional composures.

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Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis (January 21, 2025)

Nothing shakes up your life quite like the disappearance of your parents and the fact your ex is the only person you trust to help you find out what happened to them. Reaching out to Noah Turner isn't at the top of Olivia Porter's to-do list, but she doesn't have a choice because he was a special investigative agent for the National Park Service. Of course he was good at his job and terrible at maintaining a relationship — at least that's what Olivia seems to think.

When they're forced to be in each other's orbit again, old feelings start to come up as the race to find Olivia's parents gets underway. But, Noah and Olivia will have to decide if they trust each other to stop living in their heads so they can have give love a real chance.

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The Matchmaker by Aisha Saeed (February 4, 2025)

Nura Khan's following in her family's footsteps by continuing in the matchmaking business. She's super successful and has an amazing clientele due to how hard she works. Sadly, she's yet to put her skills to good use in her own romantic life. But, her childhood best friend decides to step in when she needs him the most. He's her childhood best friend who conjures up deep feelings in her even if he doesn't know it yet.

However, someone seems to have it out for her when a curated wedding crashes and burns among other odd occurrences. The more her work is sabotaged, the more Nura becomes convinced someone has it our for her. With the help of Azar and her team, she'll try to solve the mystery of who's toying with her before people get hurt.

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First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison (February 11, 2025)

Aiden Valentine's become jaded by love even though he's hosting Baltimore's romance hotline, Heartstrings. He's tired of giving everyone else advice while his romantic life is all over the place, but he can't escape it after an interview with a young girl about her mom's dating life becomes popularized. That mom happens to be Lucie Stone.

In her eyes, she's doing a great job at work and has the support of her family. She never questioned things until her daughter called into Heartstrings and it makes her become open to love. Enter a collaboration with Aiden.

Though they're supposed to be helping Lucie's love life, there's a magnetic connection between them that's undeniable. Lucie knows this little "find romance" thing is meant for her, but she can't but wonder if it's closer than she or Aiden are willing to admit.

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Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley (March 11, 2025)

Jane and Dan's 19-year-old marriage has reached a crossroads that's threatening to send them in different directions. Well, it's mostly Jane who's become disenchanted with her life. She feels lost in motherhood, her career, and believes she's not the only person Dan has been with. Still, the couple decide to head to the luxurious restaurant La Fin du Monde in celebration of their anniversary. It's just Dan isn't suspecting Jane wants to drop a bombshell on him.

However, her plans are slashed into pieces when a climate activist group takes over the dining area. It's not just that, it seems like they've taken pages from book she wrote. She thought it was a failure, but apparently someone has been drawing inspiration from it.

Jane and Dan must rely on each other since they're privy to how this hostage situation will unfold. Although it's not what she had in mind, maybe it could be the very thing to put the spark back into their marriage.

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Early Thirties by Josh Duboff (March 18, 2025)

Victor and Zoey aren't twenty-something college students anymore, and they're starting to feel every ounce of it. While Victor's found his lane covering the lives of celebrities, Zoey is stuck working for a fashion company that's yet to find a successful way to work with influencers. Still, it's clear to them that the carefree days of their youth seem to be over.
Even worse is the fact their friendship feels like it's falling apart. They're not talking to each other like they use to and it seems to boil down to the fact they're starting to see each other as more than friends in this hilarious second coming-of-age novel.

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Swept Away by Beth O'Leary (April 1, 2025)

One night stands are meant to be a "hit it and quit it" sort of thing, but running into a former fling is inevitable sometimes. What makes things awkward is when you become stranded with the person you didn't think you'd see again after a fun rump. That's exactly what happens to Zeke and Lexi when their sexy time overshadows logic.

While on Zeke's father's houseboat, neither of them make sure it's connected to the dock so they drift out and realize it much too late. Surrounded by a large body of water and minimal resources, Zeke and Lexi go from a one night stand to a mini version of Gilligan's Island, except they're not exactly laughing at their predicament at first.

But, their long talks begin to develop into much more and it proves that disasters are the best way to see what someone is made of.

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Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (April 22, 2025)

Emily Henry's gearing up for the release of a new Spring 2025 read and it has all the makings of a juicy rom-com, according to People.

When two writers find themselves on Little Crescent Island for a chance of a lifetime, a hilarious chase ensues as they rush to be chosen to write the biography of the mysterious Margaret Ives. Whereas Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning success, Alice Scott has been looking to make her mark as a writer. Though Alice doesn't want to think of it this way, she's pulled into the competitive nature of receiving Margaret's blessing because Hayden isn't letting up.

The problem is that Margaret isn't sharing everything she knows and the NDA the two have signed are making it difficult to decide what's worth adding to her story or not. The closer Alice and Hayden get to the finish line, the more their competition pulls them closer together for a steamy tale that'll leave your jaw on the floor by the time you read the last page.

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One Golden Summerby Carley Fortune (May 6, 2025)

Alice grew up believing that the lake is sort of magical thanks to something her grandmother used to tell her and it seemed like she was right. Just one summer there changed Alice in a way she always remembers, but life has been mundane as an adult.

She's a decent photographer who spends time making other people look good, but she wonders if this is how she'll spend the rest of her life. No sooner than she has that thought, something happens to Nan that makes Alice want to take them back to Barry's Bay.

As soon as they arrive, someone familiar comes roaring by on the lake — Charlie Florek — and she feels like a giddy teen all over again. Though they're both adults, Charlie has a way of making her feel carefree, but she's afraid to open her heart. Could the change she's been looking for live in Barry's Bay?

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Can't Get Enoughby Kennedy Ryan (May 13, 2025)

Hendrix Barry is the single, carefree, and sexy 'auntie' out of her friends — not that she's complaining. From the outside looking in, it seems like she doesn't have room to worry about anything. I mean, she's literally #careergoals in the flesh! But aside from the glitz and glamour of her life, Hendrix has to learn how to deal with being a caregiver for a parent.The last thing she needs is to add a man to her busy schedule — or so she thinks.

Her world bursts into a beautiful explosion of color when she meets sexy tech mogul Maverick Bell. He's as charming as as he is business savvy and seems to know how to knock Hendrix off her carefully planted feet. But, Maverick is the last person she's supposed to be with. The problem is that she can't seem to stay away from him.

Can't Get Enough is the final book of the Skyland series so make sure you read Before I Let Go and This Could Be Us to get introduced to the friends at the heart of each moving book!

The Most-Anticipated Thriller And Mystery Books Of 2025

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The Drowning Game by Barbara Nickless (January 1, 2025)

Nadia and Cass Brenner have inherited Ocean House along with everything that comes with it. This means they've been set up for success by way of a successful yacht business that had elite clientele from America to Europe and are on their way to securing even more funding with the commission of an even bigger build for a wealthy billionaire. But just as they're on the brink of securing things, Cass' life is abruptly cut short.

The police wave it off as a suicide, but Nadia's intuition and sleuthing help her uncover the dangerous things Cass was involved in before her death. Unfortunately, she doesn't do a good job of evading the same world her sister was involved in and becomes embroiled in the dark web that eventually caught up with her sister.

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The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz (January 7, 2025)

Dawn and Wyatt Decker are one of reality TV's beloved couples thanks to their show, The Perfect Home, but it seems like ego and fate have different plans for them. For starters, Dawn's never been keen to the idea of being a 'celebrity,' but Wyatt's always welcomed fame to the point he wants even more of it. One thing they agree on is the expansion of their family, but infertility issues have made it difficult for them to conceive due to Wyatt's medical issues.

However, his hunger to improve the situation turns sinister when he has an adverse reaction to fertility drugs. Though he and Dawn receive their miracle twins, Wyatt becomes a darker version of himself that Dawn can't recognize. When she decides to go on the run with their babies to protect them from her husband's new cruel nature, Wyatt convinces viewers and closed loved ones that Dawn is the one with the problem.

This mother will have to use her intellect and their past to put an end to the man she once knew. But it'll require her to trust allies in this fast-paced thriller.

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The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf by Isa Arsén (January 7, 2025)

Margaret Shoard may shine onstage as an actress, but her love life has stalled. She's married to her best friend Wesley, but she knows she's not the only one he shares his affections with. This causes her depression to plummet further than it's ever gone until she's prescribed medicine to help pull her out of her funk.

Before long, Wesley receives a prestigious invitation by director Vaughn Kline to take part in a new Shakespeare project in New Mexico and Margaret makes the decision to tag along. But, they both find salacious things in the desert which threaten their marriage and sanity.

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A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriageby Asia Mackay (January 14, 2025)

Hazel and Fox look like any normal couple who've just had a baby, but they're harboring murderous tendencies behind their normalcy. In their mind, they only killed those who used the patriarchy to their advantage, but a killer is still just that, right?

They decided to stop reaping the rewards of helping the world in their own twisted way to become a nuclear family and almost fooled themselves into thinking they'd put their pasts behind them. But Hazel can't stop thinking about the thrill of killing and it's really starting to bother her.

The slight problem is Fox is settling into the life they've built, especially where fatherhood is concerned. At the same time, he knows Hazel is struggling and completely understands her. There's no judgement from him until Hazel does the unthinkable and the police follow the breadcrumbs right to their front door.

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You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego (February 11, 205)

Mila del Angél may have been an aspiring writer at one point, but her passion is reignited when famous author J.R. Alastor picks her to host a writing treat in Maine. No one knows Alastor's identity, but that's all a part of the fun. What's even more thrilling is the fact Mila isn't exactly best friends with one of the other guests that'll be attending.

Between the two of them, Alastor and Mila have created a week full of fun for the thriller authors, but no one knows that the latter is willing to kill the guest she's not a fan of. Before she can act, someone else is found dead and it has nothing to do with Mila.

Whoever is doing the killing knows every single trick there is to murder someone and disappear into obscurity which makes Mila wonder why she was truly chosen to host a retreat.

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Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn (March 11, 2025)

After the events of Killers of a Certain Age, Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie are back. Having survived the events that threatened their lives, they're ready to get back to work instead of biding their time at different classes that have no thrill to them.
Their prayers are answered when the head of the Museum calls them to complete the toughest mission they've ever faced. There's a mole within the organization that's connected kills to a powerful Eastern European figure and is eliminating them one by one. What makes it difficult for Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie is the fact they're next in line to receive this mole's special attention.
They'll have to use their wits and experience to uncover this person's identity before it's too late.

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All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman (March 11, 2025)

Florence Grimes is in her early thirties and has still maintained her carefree [read: lazy] approach to life. She's also a single mom who's career didn't pan out the way she'd hope it would. Her son Dylan is the only reason she gets up and attempts to try every morning. Life seems normal until Dylan's bully — Alfie Risby — doesn't come home after a class trip and everyone places the blame on Florence's son.
Suddenly having to do more than she's ever done in the past few years, Florence decides to figure out what happened to Alfie so Dylan isn't implicated any further. There's just one little problem: she's unliked by other mothers and she doesn't think Dylan is telling everything he knows.

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Gothictown by Emily Carpenter (March 25, 2025)

Billie Hope's prayers are answered when she's given the chance to purchase a gorgeous Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia for $100. Anyone else wouldn't touch this offer with a 10-foot pole, but it's just the thing Billie's been waiting for. It'll give her a chance to leave bustling NYC behind and all of the pain that followed her family once she was forced to close her restaurant. And that's the other thing — the offer to buy the new home comes with the promise of a business grant to help her open a new eatery!

It doesn't take long for Billie, her husband Peter, and their young daughter Meredith to move to Juliana. They start to settle into their new life, oblivious to the tiny red flags that keep appearing. Over time, Billie begins having nightmares coupled with the hardships her marriage begins facing. Also, the town's elders continue to make their presence known in uncomfortable ways.

Despite the sugary sweet charm of the south, Billie begins wondering if she made a grave decision by moving her family to Juliana.

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This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead (March 25, 2025)

The death of Jane Sharp's father has left her looking for an escape from her heavy feelings so she turns to true crime as a distraction. The further she goes, the more Jane becomes close to those who've also turned to studying methods of killers so they can spot patterns from a mile away. It's exactly what leads Jane and her friends to try to solve the mysterious deaths of college students in Delphine, Idaho.

Convinced the police aren't telling the truth about what happened, Jane and her friends try to start solving the case themselves. But, nothing is as clear as they'd hope it would be and they're convinced that someone may be waiting until the right moment to trap them.

Though she survived what happened in Delphine, Jane's never talked about it until now.

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The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose (April 15, 2025)

Attorney Sarah Morgan's life has moved forward after she successfully proved her ex-husband Adam didn't kill the woman he had an affair with. With her new husband Bob Miller, all that matters is the bright future she's envisioned for herself. Unfortunately, Bob follows in Adam's footsteps by cheating and this angers Sarah.

It seems that her decision to file for divorce from him creates a ricochet effect that results in her ex-husband's case being reopened. Not only will Sarah have to deal with getting divorced, she'll also have to face the fact that some things don't stay buried.

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You Can't Hurt Meby Emma Cook (November 5, 2025)

Eva Reid was born without the ability to feel an ounce of pain no matter how mild or severe it is. As such, she's gained popularity for something that's rare and is consistently being attended to by everyone — including her husband, scientist Dr. Nate Reid, and journalist Anna Tate. That's why it's so shocking when Eva is found dead in her own home.
Anna begins to become obsessive about Eva's life, career, and the fact she was Dr. Nate Reid's patient before becoming his wife. Their seems to be more to the couple than they'd let on and Anna is determined to figure out what these things were.
Under the impression that she'd like to help Dr. Reid complete an extensive novel about Eva, Anna begins hunting for the truth every chance she gets. It's not that she won't find it, but more so she'll be shocked when she realizes who the Reids were and what darkness awaits her.

The Most-Anticipated Family-Themed Books Of 2025

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The Rules of Fortune by Danielle Prescod (February 1, 2025)

Written by veteran journalist Danielle Prescod, The Rules of Fortune follows the lives of the Carter Family. True to tradition, they gather for a moment of celebration in Martha's Vineyard and expect nothing out of the ordinary to happen. But when the patriarch dies, the media quickly swoops in with questions about the family's booming business. At the center of it all is Kennedy Carter.

She planned to debut a documentary she'd been working on prior to her father's death, but her plans shift when she begins wondering about who her father was. She's never cared for the niceties of coming from a wealthy family or the ruthless nature it takes to have the things they've been afforded.

The more she digs into her father's past, the more she realizes how little she knew about her family's empire and will be faced with a moral task that will follow her for the rest of her life.

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The Motherload: Episodes from the Brink of Motherhood by Sarah Hoover (January 14, 2025)

Sarah Hoover wants everyone to cut the BS about the "sunshine and rainbows" aspect of motherhood. She peels back that first layer and dives into everything else that happens when you become a mother in The Motherload: Episodes from the Brink of Motherhood.
Having painted a picture of the life she wanted to live, Sarah Hoover seemed like she was on the right path when she moved to NYC as an art history major and later secured a role in an art gallery. She didn't have a shortage of friends and even met her husband during this time. Unfortunately, her pregnancy upended what she thought was a perfect life.

She stopped feeling sure of herself and began to push everyone away as she grappled with everything from anxiety to shame. It didn't help that one of doctors traumatized her either. And when she gave birth? She didn't feel the flood of emotions other mothers did and it was confusing because she couldn't understand what was wrong with her.

Sadly, Sarah didn't realize she was dealing with a severe case of postpartum depression that would take time to heal from. Having made it through to the other side, Sarah's ready to normalize the other side of the picture-perfect view of motherhood.

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We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes (February 11, 2025)

Lila Kennedy's suffering in the wake of having an unhappy marriage, daughters who won't listen, and more. She doesn't even know what's going on with her career anymore and feels like everything is in limbo.

Life seems to think she needs more hiccups when her dad decides to enter her life again. The wound he left when he decided to pursue a life in Hollywood over three decades ago is reopened, leaving Lila on the brink of exploding. Instead of doing that, her father's presence begins to crack the wall around her heart and teach everyone the most important lessons about having a family you love.

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Tiltby Emma Pattee (March 4, 2025)

Annie is looking forward to the end of her nine-month pregnancy and is almost at the finish line when a detrimental earthquake shocks her town in Portland, Oregon. Having been at IKEA when it struck, she's left without a means to contact anyone which forces her to try to walk through destruction.She comes across others who are in need of help and even experiences the care of people she's never met before. The more Annie walks, the more she begins unpacking thinks about her marriage and her thoughts surrounding motherhood in a way that makes her want to approach life differently.

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The Californians by Brian Castleberry (March 11, 2025)

Tobey Harlan's down on his luck in 2024, and he's willing to do anything to secure a better life for himself even if it means stealing three valuable pieces of artwork from his father. The Northern California wildfire stole his last shred of hope so he's willing to work with a shady person so he can move far away.
100 years before that, Klaus Aronsohn finesses his way into the film industry by reinventing himself as director Klaus von Stiegl. People buy into what he's selling and he begins to go after everything Hollywood has to offer. However, his career halts while he's directing the controversial TV show Brackett.

In between Tobey and Klaus' story lies that of the latter's granddaughter. Diane "Di" Stiegl began to make a career for herself as an artist in NYC during the 80s who manages to use art to paint a tale of the American presidency and pop culture at the time. Somehow this garners her the things her grandfather tried to hold onto.

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Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh (April 8, 2025)

Claire and Aaron Litvak's horrible divorce seems to be the least of their concern when their young daughter Lindsey is involved in a terrible car accident. They rush to her side at the hospital and wait with bated breath to see if their daughter will survive or not. Somehow this begins to not only unravel what caused Claire and Aaron to get divorced, but the former couple will begin to look at why Lindsey stopped talking to them. The only person who knows everything about Lindsey is her sister Grace.

Deciding to stay in Shanghai, Claire and Aaron struggle to adjust. Over time, they deal with the fact Lindsey's life may end along with the idea that she may have been hiding much bigger secrets.

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The Bright Yearsby Sarah Damoff (April 22, 2025)

Ryan and Lillian Bright are in love with each other as well as the fact their young infant Georgette has been born. Everything seems great aside from the fact Lillian and Ryan are hiding things from each other. One has a secret son while the other grapples with a terrible alcohol addiction that manifests in huge ways as Georgette grows.

Things eventually reach a boiling point, leaving Georgette feeling jaded by the parents she thought she knew. It's around this time her half-brother begins searching for the his true family that pulls Georgette back. Somehow, they'll have to ask themselves if family is worth forgiving or not.

The Most-Anticipated Self-Improvement Books Of 2025

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Happy to Help by Amy Wilson (January 7, 2025)

Amy Wilson's people-pleasing nature stems from her childhood. From being an elder sister to becoming a mom of three, she's always loved to help others. But this quickly spiraled into sacrificing her needs and wants so others were always taken care of first.

This caused her to question why she'd allow herself to become a people-pleaser and she sought to delegate her tasks to others. Fed up with the way no one seemed to want to help, she decided that maybe she wasn't the only one with a problem.

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Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose by Martha Beck (January 7, 2025)

It's no secret that anxiety has permeated every facet of our society, but Dr. Martha Beck wants to negate the fact we can simply think good thoughts to rid ourselves of being stuck in "fight or flight" mode. She pinpoints why we're seeing rising cases of anxiety and how it can be used as a tool instead of something to get ride of.
Backed by neuroscience and her own background, Beck helps us understand the way our brains work and why they seem to gravitate towards an "anxiety spiral." She also shows how we can nurture our "creativity spiral" more so we can reach for more joy.

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Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace by Big Sean (January 21, 2025)

You may know him as the successful rapper Big Sean, but Sean Anderson proves there's more to him than meets the eye in Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace. Despite his success, he's still experienced highs and lows like everyone else, even going as far to name his anxiety and depression.

He introduces readers to key moments that shaped his life — from signing with Kanye West to learning how to cultivate healthy relationships with others. Along the way, Sean has learned how to self-reflect and do the work to become a better person which is why he decided to write Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace.

Outlined as accepting, strategizing, trying, trusting, and manifesting, these five practices will help you work out your day to day life in a way that feels practical.

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Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms by Nicola Slawson (February 11, 2025)

Journalist Nicola Slawson has had it with the idea that something is wrong with single women. Originally covering topics that uplifted single women via her newsletter The Single Supplement, she decided to formulate everything she's discovered into Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms. Readers will find charming and welcoming anecdotes about being single that doesn't feel like trauma dumping. She knows it's not always easy to live a single life, but she doesn't want you to succumb to the idea that it's impossible to find joy.

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Me, But Betterby Olga Khazan (March 11, 2025)

Olga Khazan couldn't figure out why she was unhappy despite having a beautiful relationship and the career she'd always wanted. She's always known she's been an overachiever, but she started to fear that it was getting in the way of her enjoying the fruits of her labor. Thus began an experiment that lasted 365 days.

She wanted to know if it's possible to completely change your personality so she dived into the five traits that make it up — extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness, and neuroticism. Based on the research she looked at, Olga realized that consistency plays a role in shaping or changing our personalities — except she had to do a ton of faking to even remotely see a change.

What she found is everything she's willing to share in Me, But Better, but it doesn't end the way you think it does.

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Renegade Grief: A Guide to the Wild Ride of Life After Loss by Carla Fernandez (March 11, 2025)

Experiencing loss and the subsequent grief that often follows in inevitable, but what happens when time seems to move on in the midst of your heartache? Carla Fernandez explores this in Renegade Grief by sharing how she navigated life once her father passed. She helped found The Dinner Party to help teens and kids face death head-on instead of pretending it's something that shouldn't be discussed.

You'll find stories of people who experienced true grief and what they learned in the process. In turn, it'll serve as a guide that none of us are as alone as we think when suffering from loss. Even more, you'll be inspired to find ways to learn how to start living again.

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How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriouslyby Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo (April 15, 2025)

Besties Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo are bringing Giggly Squad to a bookshelf near you next year! Known for their infectious laughter and sheer joy, they're ready to help readers lean into the joy of laughing. Covering topics that range from spotting red flags in all relationships to being a little delulu to accomplish your heart's desires, you'll feel like your own best friends are talking to you.
And yes, you'll find conversations about sex, social media no-nos, and more in How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously.

The Most-Anticipated Historical Books Of 2025

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Give Her Credit by Grace L. Williams (January 1, 2025)

Though feminism was gaining popularity in the '70s, women were still receiving the lower end of the financial stick. Did you know women weren't allowed to have credit unless their father or husband co-signed for them or that income was scoffed at if you weren't a man? All of this ran rampant until the Women's bank opened.

Grace L. Williams dives into that and more in Give Her Credit, shining a light on how women like B. LaRae Orullian, Carol Green, Judi Foster, and more changed the way the world looked at women's finances. They dared to break barriers in Denver so that marginalized communities would have the resources to do the unthinkable — kind of like how we've been doing ever since.

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Jane Austen's Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney (February 18, 2025)

Book dealer Rebecca Romney has always loved reading Jane Austen's work because she appreciates how the author has always centered women, but she always wondered about other writers who dared to do the unthinkable during a time where women weren't taken as seriously.

Though she knew Jane Austen had to have been influenced by them, Romney wanted to know more about them. To her surprise, it was hard to find information on the other great literary minds of during that time that weren't men. So, Romney decided to write Jane Austen's Bookshelf to uncover where these women went by highlighting names like Ann Radcliffe, Elizabeth Inchbald, and Maria Edgeworth.

By the time you finish reading this insightful novel, you may feel compelled to do a bit of research yourself!

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Smother by Rachel Richardson (February 18, 2025)

Rachel Richardson's new poetry collection examines a question we've all asked ourselves: "Can children be raised in a world plagued with climate control issues?" As a mother who's grieving the loss of a dear friend, Richardson lyrically documents the Californian fires via poems filled with despair and other heavy emotions. She also finds a way to connect the world's burning to the injustices and changes women's bodies experience in a lifetime.

Smother is beautifully written and invites us to find ways to answer tough questions while sitting with emotions we'd rather run from.

Most Anticipated Cookbooks

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Eat What Elephants Eat: Vegan Recipes for a Strong Body and a Gentle Spirit by Dominick Thompson (January 7, 2025)

Kick off the new year with a very promising cookbook full of the yummiest vegan recipes I've ever seen! You'll find 80 meals you can easily recreate at home from Saturday Morning Nostalgia Pancakes to Jackfruit Tacos with Mango-Corn Salsa and Avocado "Cream." My mouth is already watering thinking about how amazing these recipes will taste.

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The Fishwife Cookbook: Delightful Tinned Fish Recipes for Every Occasion by Becca Millstein & Vilda Gonzalez (February 25, 2025)

Think you can't create a ton of meals based on tinned fish? Think again because The Fishwife Cookbook wants to debunk that myth. These recipe are for the busy soul who can't be bothered to thaw out fish and want to spend more time binge watching Sullivan's Crossing like they've never seen it. You'll find everything from Tinned Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs (OMG!) to Lamb Bolognese with Cantabrian Anchovies! If you ask us, these recipes sound like the best thing to eat while sipping a nice glass of wine!

Visit out Amazone Storefront to read our top fall 2024 book picks before pre-ordering these 2025 finds!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Tom Holland and Zendaya are the "it" couple right now, and they're both at the top of their game. Tom Holland took a recent break from acting and has been doing phenomenal charity work with his Brothers Trust foundation, while Zendaya's had hit after hit with Euphoria, Dune 2, and Challengers. And it looks like the couple, who met doing Spider-Man: Homecoming, could be doing another new Marvel movie. Here's everything we know about Spider-Man 4.

When is Spider-Man 4 coming out?

Matt Kennedy/Sony/Marvel

Spider-Man 4 (which remains untitled) will hit theaters on July 24, 2026. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsdirector Destin Daniel Cretton will take over from Jon Watts, who directed the first three movies.

One important thing to note about this release date is that it comes after Avengers: Doomsday, which a lot of fans are hoping will see Peter Parker come face-to-face with Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom. Will the Avengers (and MJ) finally remember Peter? Will he be able to help the Fantastic 4 defeat Doom? Will this movie start a whole new trilogy? Tune in next July to find out!!!

Is Tom Holland's Spider-Man 4 coming?

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Yes, we're getting a Spider-Man 4! Tom Holland finally confirmed the news during an October 22 appearance on The Tonight Show, and in true Tom fashion, already revealed a huge piece of news: the movie will start shooting next summer. "Everything’s good to go — we’re nearly there,” he said. “Super exciting. I can’t wait!”

Before the movie was confirmed, producer Amy Pascal told Variety (when asked if they're making a fourth film), “Of course, we are."

It might feel like a new movie conflicts with the fact Spider-Man: No Way Home set up an MCU without Tom Holland's Peter Parker, especially since Tom said he needed to take a break from acting after The Crowded Room "broke" him. ("I’m now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was," he tells Extra.)

However, Tom's also been very vocal about how much Spider-Man means to him, and how much he loves the movies. He also told Variety at The Crowded Room premiere in 2023 that he was already “having meetings” about the next installment.

“The simple answer is that I’ll always want to do Spider-Man films,” Tom tells Deadline at the Sands Film Festival. “We have the best in the business working toward whatever the story might be. But until we’ve cracked it, we have a legacy to protect...The third movie was so special in so many ways that we need to make sure we do the right thing.”

What has Tom Holland said about returning as Peter Parker?

Jay Maidment/Sony Pictures/Marvel

Tom Holland recently revealed that he's actually already read a script for Spider-Man 4 — and that he loved it! “We have a creative and we have a pitch and a draft, which is excellent,” he tells the Rich Roll Podcast (via Variety). “It needs work, but the writers are doing a great job. I read it three weeks ago and it really lit a fire in me. Zendaya and I sat down and read it together and we, at times, were bouncing around the living room like this is a real movie worthy of the fans’ respect.”

“One of the things is that, with Marvel, your film is a small cog in a large machine,” he continues. “That machine has got to keep running. You have to make sure you can fit into that timeline at the right time to benefit the bigger picture. That’s one of the challenges we’re facing. The time in which we need to get that done is a tall order but definitely achievable with the people we have working on it now.”

Peter Parker is one character fans take very seriously, and I know that with Tom and Zendaya at the front, this movie is going to be just as special as Spider-Man: No Way Home!

Will Zendaya be in Spider-Man 4?

JoJo Whilden/Sony Pictures/Marvel

Considering Euphoria season 3 starts filming in January (and based on the season 2 filming schedule could wrap by the summer), it's totally safe to assume Zendaya will return for Spider-Man 4. And fans are hoping for even more characters they love! "Hopefully Kingpin, Scorpion, Daredevil and Black Cat," says one Reddit user.

Forbes has also recently reported Sydney Sweeney could be joining the cast of Spider-Man 4. Sydney was in Madame Web earlier this year, and after rumors she booked the role thinking she was joining the MCU, this newest Tom Holland film would give her the opportunity to do just that. We could see her as Gwen Stacy, or as Felicia Hardy/Black Cat. Considering we've already gotten an extensive plotline surrounding Peter and Gwen in Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone's universe, I'm hoping we'd see her as Felicia!

Has Spider-Man 4 started filming?

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures/Marvel

Spider-Man 4 will start filming in "next summer" according to Tom Holland, which we're taking to mean the summer of 2025.

What will be the title of Spider-Man 4?

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures/Marvel

We don't have an official name for Spider-Man 4 yet, but fans are already coming up with new ideas. Some fan titles include The Spectacular Spider-Man,Spider-Man: Homeless, and Spider-Man: Home Again. I'd love for Spider-Man 4 to continue with the "home" theme, but switching things up with a brand new title would provide a fresh feel we haven't gotten before. I'm excited to see what Marvel goes with!

What are the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies in order?

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures/Marvel

Tom Holland has three Spider-Man movies, but he also shows up in some other MCU titles. If you want to watch all the movies Tom Holland plays Peter Parker, here's how you should watch them:

  • Captain America: Civil War
  • Spider-Man: Homecoming
  • Avengers: Infinity War
  • Avengers: Endgame
  • Spider-Man: Far From Home
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home

What do you want to see in Tom Holland and Zendaya's Spider-Man 4? Let us know in the comments!

This post has been updated.

It Ends With Us is no stranger to controversy. The book, and its movie adaptation, follows the story of Lily Bloom (played by Blake Lively in the film), who finds herself in a domestic violence relationship when she falls in love with Ryle Kincaid (actor & director Justin Baldoni).

Over the last year, the project has created online conversations around everything from Lily's outfits to Brandon Sklenar's (who plays Atlas Corrigan) red carpet anxiety. And the latest chapter in the drama appears to be between Baldoni and Lively.

Internet users are speculating that there's been a creative control struggle between Baldoni and Lively throughout the process, especially now that rumors are swirling Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds hope It Ends With Us scores Lively an Oscar nomination. The actress also served as producer and was involved in everything from the script to the inclusion of Taylor Swift's "My Tears Ricochet."

What happened between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively?

@deadline#JennySlate on working with #JustinBaldoni, who served as both scene partner and director to the actress in #ItEndsWithUsMovie♬ original sound - Deadline

Fans first noticed something seemed off when it was revealed Blake Lively, Brandon Skelnar, Jenny Slate, and Colleen Hoover don't follow Justin Baldoni on Instagram (even though he follows them). Baldoni didn't take photos with the cast at the New York City premiere, and he also hasn't done any of the viral press with his costars. Plus, the fact that Baldoni's onscreen sister Jenny Slate dodged a question about him only makes this whole situation more odd.

Hasan Minhaj, who played Slate's onscreen husband Marshall and is the only cast member still following Baldoni, finally spoke on the drama, telling Esquire, “I can’t speak to other people's experience, but everybody was very professional and cool to me,” he says. “It was lovely and everybody was lovely, and it is just as disillusioning for me, because I’m like, what happened? Wait, what’s going on?”

“It was a strange, bizarre year, and I am a comic deep down, because there are moments where I’m laughing at it," he continues.

When an Instagram user called Lively's behavior "disappointing," her brother-in-law Bart Johnson replied (via People), "I’m really sorry you feel that way. I’m sure you have a huge heart and want the best. I can promise you the truth has not come out yet. Blake worked harder on this film than anything I’ve seen her do my entire life. Because it meant so much to her."

"The message is in the book. And in the movie. Not in short clips / interviews," he continues. "She is the reason the message / this movie/ is getting out. Were mistakes made? Yes. I make mistakes in life. But they aren’t under a microscope. Anyway, I respect your views. I got nothing but love for you."

The Hollywood Reporter reveals the cast and crew might have wrapped with two different cuts of the movie, citing creative differences between Baldoni and Lively, and sources told Page Six the studio went with Lively's "more feminine cut." (THR reports Lively commissioned Shane Reid, a Deadpool & Wolverine editor, for It Ends With Us, although the final project is credited to editors Oona Flaherty and Robb Sullivan.)

But the supposed feud might go deeper. A set source just revealed to People that not only have Blake and Justin been at odds, but apparently "the principal cast and [author] Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with him."

"All is not what it seems," the source continues. "There is much more to this story."

Sources told The Daily Mail Baldoni was "chauvinistic" and "borderline abusive" during the filming process.

“The tension was so obvious,” an It Ends With Us on-set source told Page Six. “Once she was done with the scene she was really impatient, said, ‘Am I done? Can I go?,’ and as soon as they said ‘yes,’ there was like a Blake-size hole in the wall...She was so outta there.”

There are rumors Justin Baldoni made Blake Lively feel uncomfortable in her postpartum body (she gave birth to fourth child Olin in February of 2023; the movie began filming in May of 2023), and that he asked an on-set trainer how much she weighed before filming a scene where he has to pick her up. Baldoni reportedly has back problems and wanted to make sure he didn't injure himself. Lively also reportedly felt like the actor & director lingered too long during a kissing scene.

But throughout the whole press cycle, Justin Baldoni has been the only member of the cast raising awareness for domestic violence, and praising the strength of DV survivors.

During the premiere for the film, Baldoni told ET, "This is a night for all the women who we made this movie for...If a Lily Bloom in real life can sit in this theater and maybe make a different choice for herself than was made for her, maybe she sees herself on that screen and chooses something different for herself, that's why I made the movie."

Will Justin Baldoni direct It Starts With Us?

In addition to this video from set, where Lively and Baldoni look like they're in a visionary standoff, Baldoni just revealed he probably won't step back into the role of director if 2022's It Starts With Us is also adapted.

"I think that there are better people for that one," he tells Entertainment Tonight at the August 6 NYC premiere. "I think Blake Lively's ready to direct, that's what I think."

Blake Lively/Instagram

Amid the internet frenzy, people are coming to Baldoni's defense, praising his vulnerable Man Enough podcast. AnIt Ends With Us extra even recounted how kind and attentive he was on set.

And while Lively has always been praised as an "unproblematic queen," fans of the book wish official press for the movie centered on domestic violence awareness as much as Baldoni's one-on-one interviews do. Instead, she's filmed funny baking videos, promoted her Betty Buzz and Blake Brown brands, and encouraged viewers to "wear your florals" to see the movie.

She finally touched on the themes of the movie in an August 13 Instagram story, providing a link to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, while The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Justin Baldoni has hired PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan amid the It Ends With Us drama. Nathan represented Johnny Depp during the 2022 Amber Heard trial.

JB Lacroix/Getty Images

On September 10, a source told People that Blake Lively felt "surprised," "vulnerable and upset" about all the It Ends With Us drama. "During the promotion of the movie, not one day went by when she was not in the news in an unfavorable light. She's just not used to this kind of drama."

While the It Ends With Us cast hasn't spoken too much about the drama, Justin Baldoni did just reveal how much his Jane the Virgin costar Gina Rodriguez was there for him last month. The actress told People in September that "sweet, sweet soul" Justin is "my brother forever. Forever and ever."

"You know what?" Justin says of the moment, which came at the height of the drama. "That came at a very special time for me and that meant a lot. She really showed up for me. That was really sweet...She's a sweetheart. She's family forever."

Check back here for updates on the situation.

What did you think of It Ends With Us? Let us know in the comments.

This post has been updated.

With the frenzy surrounding Netflix's Nobody Wants This (and Adam Brody's Hot Rabbi), I'm in the mood to rewatch all of the The O.C., if just to see Adam again. After all, Seth Cohen's witty, snarky personality is arguably the best part of the show. Well, I'm not the only one who loves seeing the "Adam Brody Renaissance" — his TV dad Peter Gallagher and his TV girlfriend Rachel Bilson do too!

  • Nobody Wants This has introduced Adam Brody to a whole new generation.
  • The O.C. star (and Adam's TV dad) Peter Gallagher says he's "proud of him all the time."
  • Rachel Bilson agrees the Adam Brody Renaissance has "always been there."

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

During the opening night of his Broadway show Left on Tenth, Peter Gallagher told People just how proud he was of Adam Brody. “I wouldn’t go as far as being a proud dad, and I haven't seen the show, but I'm proud of him all the time as his friend and former TV dad,” he says. “And I'm not surprised at all [about the Adam Brody renaissance]. He's so talented and I'm glad he's still doing his thing.”

Despite the fact The O.C. is over 20 years old, Peter's character Sandy still gets my award for "Best TV Dad." He's so genuinely funny, but he also cares so deeply about Seth, his wife Kirsten, and their adoptive son Ryan. And when People asked what from the show has stuck with him, Peter admitted, “I just remember hearing Chrismukkah for the first time and thinking, ‘That’s brilliant. I think that’s gonna stick,’ and it did."

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Rachel Bilson (who played Seth's girlfriend Summer and dated Adam IRL from 2003-2006) said in an interview with People earlier in October that she's pretty sure the Adam Brody Renaissance has "always been there," adding “I mean, he is awesome. He's the best.”

All I have to ask is, have y'all seen him in Shazam!? (He looked hot, okay bye.)

Nobody Wants This has proven Adam is one of the best around, and I couldn't agree more! But more important than my opinion? His wifeLeighton Meester! The Gossip Girl star told The Hollywood Reporterin 2019 just how much she enjoys spending time with him on set. (The two actors have appeared in projects like Single Parents, The Oranges, and River Wild together).

"He’s my best friend," she said in the interview. "I wanna work with him on everything, and I think he’s the best in everything." Swoon!

Read up on 10 Reasons Nobody Wants This Is The Best TV Show Of The Year just in case you need to be convinced to press play ;).

If you’ve ever turned on a TV around Halloween time, I’m sure you’ve seen the best witch movie of all time — Hocus Pocus. These quirky witches were brought back on earth for one night and spent the rest of the movie trying to win back their lives in the mortal world. Not only are they a hilarious bunch, but they also have some of the most colorful, iconic, and creative costumes ever. So naturally, we had to make them for ourselves!

In honor of Hocus Pocus 2 (which you can now stream on Disney+), help these sisters out by giving them the life they always wanted — grab your main betches witches and turn the Sanderson sisters into the most epic girl group costume.

Walt Disney Pictures/Buena Vista Pictures/Brit + Co

I teamed up with our former HMU stylist Misty Spinney to create these looks. A special thanks to Farah, Brenda, and Katie for bringing their A game to this shoot. They blew all of us away with their commitment to their characters — they may or may not have kept these outfits on all day to scare our other co-workers. FYI, if you and your besties aren’t a brunette, red head, and blonde, don’t worry. Head over to Amazon to pick up wigs for these looks.

Brit + Co

“Oh look, another glorious morning. Makes me SICK!” — Winifred Sanderson

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(True fact: This film takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, and there is nothing more beautiful than a dewy fall morning in New England.)

As a sister of three, I can relate to these witches. Each of us is different but we all have the same goal — to stay alive by sucking the lives out of the children of Salem. I mean, JK — that is just the goal of the Sanderson sisters, not the Bryden girl gang. ;)

Winifred "Hocus Pocus" Costume

Brit + Co

The main difference between these three characters is the color scheme of the outfits. Bette Midler’s character wears deep shades of green and purple and a lot of intricate textures. Head to your local thrift store and find about 3-5 skirts to cut at different lengths and layer around your waist. Or follow Blake Lively's advice and grab some trim, lace, and overlay to add detail and texture!

Top the costume off with a lace-up corset and a structured green jacket.

Brit + Co

To get her wild hair, you can curl your hair randomly and then back-comb throughout. Separate into pigtail-esque high messy buns and secure with elastics and bobby pins. For her makeup, do a highly exaggerated smokey eye and brush pink blush on the apples of your cheeks. To recreate this tooth-pucker, start off by using concealer to cancel out your lips. Then create the heart shaped lip pucker with red lipstick. To make her teeth, use a white cream makeup and a fine paint brush to paint on the teeth and set with a translucent powder.

Sarah "Hocus Pocus" Costume

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Sarah Jessica Parker’s character is a bit salacious, but we love her anyways. Her costume is mainly pinks and a bit more girly. Let’s just say, to really get into this character, you will want to pull your corset extra tight and really lift up those ta-tas.

Brit + Co

Go with a heavily lined smokey eye, rusty red lips and lots of pale foundation to channel SJP’s character!

Mary "Hocus Pocus" Costume

Brit + Co

Kathy Najimy’s character Mary is the sister that is always forgotten. So forgotten that she didn’t even get a broom and was stuck with a vacuum. For this costume, stick to deeper fall colors and a billowy orange top. Top this costume off with the most forgotten-about witch cape you can find. ;)

Brit + Co

This hair style looks more challenging than it actually is. Start off by prepping the hair by backcombing every strand for a nest-like mess. Then take your hair and pull it into a high “loose” ponytail. Next add small elastics every couple inches or so to the remaining hair in the ponytail so you can make it stick up. Pull out a few strands and re-pin them into the mix to hide the ponytail elastics.

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“I put a spell on you, and now you’re mine.”

Tag us with your Hocus Pocus costumes on Instagram, or let us know what you're dressing up as in the comments below! You can also check out our Halloween Spotify Playlist to get in the spooky spirit.

This post has been updated.