Flock by Kate Stewart Book Review

Book Report: Flock by Kate Stewart

Flock is a contemporary romance novel that kicks off Kate Stewart’s Ravenhood trilogy, blending steamy relationships with mystery, emotional tension, and morally gray characters. The book was published on May 21, 2024 and spans about 416 pages, introducing readers to a lush small-town setting and fraught, addictive relationships. 

What Flock Is About

At its core, Flock follows Cecelia Horner, a young woman who reluctantly moves to the small town of Triple Falls to fulfill her estranged father’s condition before gaining her inheritance. While she hopes to spend the year quietly working at her father’s factory and then return home, things quickly take a surprising turn. 

On her first day, Cecelia meets Sean, her enigmatic and captivating supervisor. Sean draws her into his world — one filled with secrecy, intense physical attraction, and a tight-knit group of friends who all seem to share hidden bonds. As Cecelia is pulled deeper into their circle, she discovers that nothing in Triple Falls is as simple as it seems — and the secrets the men keep may be far more dangerous than she ever imagined. 

Key Characters

• Cecelia Horner – The story’s protagonist and narrator, Cecelia is driven by a desire to help her mother and reclaim her own independence. Smart and determined, she is also vulnerable as she navigates trust, love, and betrayal in ways that shape her journey of self-discovery. 

• Sean – Charming, mysterious, and magnetic, Sean is the man who pulls Cecelia into the world of the Ravenhood. He’s seductive and alluring, but his opaque motives and secrets add a layer of tension that drives much of the book’s suspense. 

• Dominic – Sean’s best friend, Dominic is darker and more reserved than Sean, and his presence complicates Cecelia’s feelings even more. While protective in some ways, his connection to Sean and the Ravenhood raises questions about loyalty, trust, and desire. 

Alongside these three, additional members of Sean’s inner circle offer camaraderie, mystery, and emotional complexity, helping to round out the story’s rich character dynamics. 

Themes & Style

Flock explores themes of trust versus secrecy, self-worth, and the nature of love and desire. Stewart’s writing veers into dark romance and suspense, creating tension not just from romantic choices but from hidden alliances and risky decisions. The book’s setting — the atmospheric Triple Falls — acts almost like another character, enveloping readers in a sense of place and mood that enhances every twist and revelation. 

Final Thoughts

Ideal for readers who enjoy dark romance with a slow burn, Flock is emotionally charged, layered with compelling characters, and built around intense relationships that keep you turning pages. It’s the kind of story that sparks discussion — not just about who ends up with whom, but about how deeply secrets can shape the ties between people.

Saturday Shenanigans

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=tru+red+pens&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-

Saturday Shenanigans & A Surprise Night Out 🎉

Saturday turned out to be one of those “let’s just do all the things” kind of days — and honestly, I loved every minute of it.

A few days ago, my coworker Sheila asked if I wanted to ride with her to Lawton, Oklahoma. I told her yes, of course — but added that I didn’t want to be gone all day because I had a few things I wanted to get done around the house later. She said that was perfectly fine; she just didn’t want to make the trip by herself. And that’s all the convincing I needed.

I left the house at 9:30 a.m., filled up my gas tank, and made it to the Lawton~Duncan Y right on time to meet her. First stop? Hobby Lobby.

Sheila was on a mission to find birthday gifts for her dad, and she did such a good job. She picked out quality paints, paint brushes, a Marine magnet, and the cutest container to package everything together. I love when gifts feel thoughtful like that.

Now let’s talk about what I found. 😄

I bought a 50-piece washi tape set (because clearly I don’t have enough), lots of stickers, and some journaling supplies. I also finally bought the photo storage container with individual boxes inside for organizing stickers. I’ve had my eye on it for months, and since my current container is completely full, I decided it was time. No regrets!

After Hobby Lobby, we ran across the street to Braum’s for Diet Cokes because priorities. Then we stopped at DD’s where I found some socks for Mr. C to tuck into his birthday gifts. We had originally planned to celebrate Sunday, but with a few people feeling under the weather, we pushed it back. Once Alisha and Jonathan get back from Italy 🇮🇹, we’ll grill out and celebrate properly.

Next up was the Asian Market. Sheila grabbed some of her favorite snacks. I didn’t buy anything at first but told her I’d be back for the strawberry ice cream on our way out of town. (Spoiler alert: I absolutely went back for it.)

For lunch, we went to the Asian Fusion Buffet. The food was decent — I stuck with my usual: fried rice, fried potatoes, sweet and sour chicken, sweet and sour soup, plus a few extras. Nothing fancy, just good comfort buffet food.

After lunch, we made one more stop at the Asian Market so Sheila could grab a few more things — and yes, I got that strawberry ice cream. It was so good. Totally worth the second trip. Our final stop was Dollar Tree so she could pick up a few face items, and then we headed home.

But wait… the day wasn’t done.

While we were at the buffet, Nancy called and asked if I wanted to go to The Blue Door in OKC to see Bob Schneider play. She had already bought the tickets! I told her I’d check with Mr. C, and he said, “Sure!” So now she’s picking me up at 6:30 p.m., and we should be home by midnight.

From Hobby Lobby hauls to spontaneous live music plans — I’d say that’s a pretty packed Saturday. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Skin Issues

 

                 When Your Skin Rebels: My Experience with Perioral Dermatitis

Lately, my skin has decided to throw a little tantrum.

Right around my mouth and nose, I started noticing redness. Then came the itching. Then the burning. Not intense, but enough to be uncomfortable — like my skin was constantly irritated and trying to tell me something.

If you’ve ever dealt with Perioral dermatitis, you know it’s not just a breakout. It’s a persistent, inflamed rash that shows up most often around the mouth (and sometimes the nose and eyes). It can look like small red bumps, dry patches, or irritated skin that just won’t calm down.

At first, I thought I was helping it.

I had a steroid cream and it seemed like it was improving things — temporarily. But when I went to see Dr. Angie, she gently let me know that steroids were actually not the right move for this condition. In fact, steroid creams can make perioral dermatitis worse over time, even if they give short-term relief.

So off to the pharmacy I went with a new prescription in hand and a new plan.

And honestly? That visit was a turning point.

What Causes Perioral Dermatitis?

From what I’ve learned, perioral dermatitis can be triggered by several things:

• Overuse of topical steroid creams
• Heavy facial creams or occlusive skincare products
• Harsh cleansers or over-exfoliating
• Fluoridated toothpaste (in some cases)
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Makeup overload
• Stress (because of course it is)

Sometimes it’s not just one thing — it’s a combination. For me, using that steroid cream thinking I was “fixing” it may have actually been fueling the fire.

What I’m Doing Differently

Right now, I’m keeping things very simple.

• I’m washing my face with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser instead of my usual active products.
• I’ve completely stopped wearing makeup. As much as I’d love to cover the redness, I don’t want to aggravate it.
• I’m following the prescription Dr. Angie gave me consistently.
• I’m resisting the urge to try every trending skincare product on the internet.

And let me tell you — sometimes doing less is the hardest part.

Gentle Cleansing Ideas That Can Help

If you’re dealing with this too, here are some dermatologist-approved style approaches that are generally recommended:

1. Use a Mild Cleanser

Look for fragrance-free, non-foaming cleansers. Gentle options people often tolerate well include brands like:

• CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
• Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

The goal is to cleanse without stripping your skin barrier.

2. Skip the Actives

Now is not the time for:

• Retinol
• Vitamin C
• Exfoliating acids
• Scrubs

Let your skin rest.

3. Choose Lightweight Moisture

If your skin feels dry, use a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer. Sometimes less truly is more.

How to Soothe It (Beyond Prescription Medicine)

While medication helps treat the inflammation, there are comfort strategies that can make daily life easier:

• Use lukewarm water — hot water can increase redness.
• Pat dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing.
• Avoid heavy creams and thick occlusives.
• Keep your hands off your face (harder than it sounds).
• Consider switching to a mild toothpaste if you suspect irritation.
• Reduce stress where you can — even a short walk or quiet time helps.

And maybe most importantly: be patient.

Perioral dermatitis doesn’t clear overnight. Sometimes it actually flares when you stop steroids before it improves. That can be frustrating, but it’s part of the healing process.

The Emotional Side of It

There’s something vulnerable about having a visible skin condition. Even if it’s mild, it’s on your face. It’s the first thing you see in the mirror.

Choosing not to wear makeup right now isn’t easy — but I’m reminding myself that healing matters more than covering it up. This is temporary. My skin is adjusting. And I’m learning to treat it more gently instead of attacking it.

Sometimes our skin forces us to slow down.

And maybe that’s not the worst thing.