Everything I Read in September 2026

Great Big Beautiful Life

While this is not a mystery or thriller, it has a HUGE twist at the end that made my jaw drop! Alice is a writer hoping to land a life-changing book offer with her newest opportunity. She is interviewing to write a memoir for one of the biggest celebrities ever, Margaret Ives. Margaret is now in her 80’s but wants to finally tell her story. Alice is confident she could be the right person for the job until she bumps into Hayden Anderson on her way out from the interview. Hayden is a pulitzer-prize winning author who already has a successful memoir under his belt. It isn’t until Margaret tells both Alice and Hayden that she will be meeting with both of them for a month to determine who will get the job.

This seems like an amazing change until Alice realizes that Margaret isn’t sharing her full story. After fact checking some details, Alice asks Hayden if he is experiencing the same issue. They both wonder what Margaret is hiding and why she insists on keeping it from those who are wanting to tell her story. There is so much great build up in this book that I audibly gasped when I learned the truth! I love when a book leaves me shocked! Rating: 9

Nobody Knows You’re Here

There are MANY triggers in this book regarding trafficking along with violence against women and children so please be aware of that before reading. It can be upsetting at times but the premise of the story and how drawn out it is sets the tone for a lot of suspense. Beatrice’s life is falling apart. She lost her job, her relationship and now her apartment. At a point of desperation, she accepts a potential job offer from a woman she meets in a coffee shop. But when Beatrice wakes up in a strange place with no recollection of how she got there, she realizes her mistake in trusting this stranger.

The woman who offered her the job was working with an international trafficking ring and now Beatrice is being held captive in an unknown location. The intention behind her kidnapping is unclear to Beatrice until she is told that she will be the caretaker and nanny to various children being held at ransom by the “organization”. What follows is a multi-year long struggle to survive while also caring for multiple children who have been taken from their families. Beatrice doesn’t know if she can ever escape but knows she has to try. Rating: 8.5

Happy Wife

This book felt incredibly predictable from the first few chapters but was still entertaining to read. Nora is struggling to fit in with the wealthy residents of Winter Park, Florida. She is 15 years younger and the second wife to her successful lawyer husband, Will Somerset. She went from living paycheck to paycheck to never having to worry about money again. That is until Will goes missing and ultimately found dead at the nearby marina. Nora learns quickly how disliked she is when rumors begin to swirl about her involvement. With only her next door neighbor as support, Nora has to work faster than the police to figure out what happened to Will before they try to pin it on her. An easy quick read that will keep you entertained even if you guess the ending. LOL Rating: 8

Twenty Years Later

I have had this book on my TBR (to be read) list for more than a year but struggled to get through it. All the reviews were amazing but I found the first half of the book so tedious. However, once you get past the halfway point, it really picks up and speeds towards the end at warp speed. There are some great twists and turns up until the very last few sentences of the book. Avery is host of a national TV segment called American Events. While looking for a new story to cover, she learns that the NYC medical examiner’s office has just identified a person killed during the 9/11 attacks. Through new and groundbreaking technology, they were able to get DNA from a small bone fragment and identify the victim as Victoria Ford.

Avery’s plan for the story is to cover this new technology and what it could mean for the families of those lost in the tragedy. But after looking into Victoria Ford’s past as part of her investigation, she learns that Victoria was being charged with murder at the time of her death. She was facing a huge trial where she would have to fight for her innocence. The more Avery uncovers, the more she realizes that she could have a much larger story on her hands. Rating: 8

Love You More

A cutesy beach-type read that is easy to get through but wasn’t a favorite. Billie is living her dream life in NYC after working for more than a decade to achieve her goals of running a medical practice that helps women facing fertility issues get pregnant. Her boyfriend just proposed to her and she gets to work with her two best friends in the world. All seems perfect until she gets a call from her ex-boyfriend, Mick, telling her something that will change her life forever. Billie must return home to Wisconsin to deal with the fall out from this tragedy and make a decision that could threaten to break up her perfect life in NYC. And through all this she must revisit all her old feelings towards Mick and their relationship. A very predictable story but still enjoyable overall. Rating: 8

I’ll Be You

This isn’t a fast moving mystery but one that will keep you guessing throughout the entire story. Sam and Elli are twins who did everything together growing up. They became child stars together, both playing the same role on B-list show in their early teens. Sam loved the spotlight but Elli always struggled with it. As they got older, their interests began to change. Elli wanted to be a mom and wife, while Sam still wanted to work in Hollywood. And with Sam’s drug and alcohol addiction on full display, Elli was fed up with constantly trying to save her sister.

After Sam’s behavior goes too far one evening, Elli is forced to cut her off and remove Sam from her life. Because of this, Sam is shocked when her parents call and ask her to help them care for Elli’s daughter while Elli takes some time to herself at a retreat. When did Elli have a child? And where did you go on this retreat? Reluctantly, Sam agrees to help but something feels off about the entire situation. She discovers that Elli has joined a self-help movement though Sam believes it’s a cult. Sam has to find Elli before she falls farther into this group and they never see her again. Rating: 8.5

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Korean skincare has slowly gained popularity in the US over the past few years. The technology behind many of these products and brands is incredibly advanced, delivering amazing results at affordable price points. Biodance has been a brand continuously gaining recognition because of their top selling face masks. While these hydrogel masks may be quite common in Korea, they are very new to the American market.

The Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask is one of the first masks of this kind to go viral because of how unique it performs while also delivering great results. I’ve been using this mask for the past few years and love how it makes my skin look and feel. The brand launched in Sephora last year so more people have access to try this brand and their top selling collagen mask. Today’s post is going to be an honest review of what the mask is about and other key questions you may have before buying it.

For more skincare content, here are some other posts to check out:

Sheet Mask Benefits

How to Layer Skincare

Best Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

Biodance Collagen Mask Review

The Biodance Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask is different from other traditional sheet masks. It’s a jelly like texture that slowly turns clear the longer you leave it on. It starts off as a thick gel but once it is completely absorbed, there is a thin clear sheet of product that you can remove. It should look almost invisible when it is done so if there is any part of it that is still white or milky in color, leave it on until everything is clear. Most sheet masks are not meant to be left on this long and dry out within the first 30 minutes – 1 hour. The Biodance Collagen Mask can be left on short term for 3-4 hours or worn overnight.

What Is Biodance Collagen Mask

Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask is a highly concentrated gel face mask that is designed to help improve skin elasticity, deeply hydrate and help diminish the look of large pores. In addition to the Collagen Mask, there are 4 other masks which treat various skin concerns. There is the Biodance Radiant Vita Niacinamide Real Deep Mask which helps with dark spot correction and brightening. The Biodance Rejuvenating Caviar PDRN Real Deep Mask helps to revitalize the skin and strengthen the skin barrier. The Biodance Hydro Cera-nol Real Deep Mask helps to soothe the skin while also deeply hydrating. Finally, the Biodance Refreshing Sea Kelp Real Deep Mask helps to soothe and refine the skin, focusing specifically on restoring the oil-water balance for an oily skin type.

What Is Biodance Collagen Mask Made Of

• Low-Molecular Weight Collagen: Minimizing the look of pores and increases skin elasticity
• Oilgo Hyaluronic Acid: Provides deep hydration.
• Galactomyces: Improves skin tone and texture.

Here is a full ingredient list for reference: Water(Aqua), Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Niacinamide, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Algin, Agar, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Sucrose, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Communis (Pear) Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Collagen Extract(52,000ppb), Iris Florentina Root Extract, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Leaf/Stem Extract, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Tocopherol.

How Does Biodance Collagen Mask Work

The Biodance Collagen Mask is a hydrogel mask goes on milky white but turns clear the longer you wear it. The ingredients penetrate the skin fully leaving your face looking plump, healthy, hydrated and firm. Hydrogel technology is defined not only by what the formula contains, but also by the structure through which its moisture and ingredients are held and delivered.

Biodance engineers a tailored combination of gel-forming ingredients for the specific properties and purpose of each formula. This creates a stable 3D gel network that holds a rich concentration of moisture and essence while maintaining its shape and close adherence to the skin.

The hydration comes from oligo-hyaluronic acid which has a moisturizing effect that is superior to that of regular hyaluronic acid. It quickly hydrates the skin’s surface and penetrates deeper layers of skin resulting in a healthy and moisturized complexion.

Ultra-low molecular collagen maximizes skin penetration and absorption. It refines enlarged pores, improves skin elasticity instantly after application and visibly smooths out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The mask contains 3 different kinds of probiotics that strengthen the skin’s barrier and prevent skin aging.

If you struggle with skin sensitivity, the mask is also hypoallergenic. It is free of allergic reaction-causing ingredients and 19 other harsh, controversial ingredients. It is completely safe for sensitive skin.

Are Biodance Masks Worth It

I have repurchased this main sk numerous times so I can confidently say that I think it is worth trying. I love how you can use it various ways in your routine, its effectiveness and how my skin looks after using it regularly. And I love using sheet masks overall but I do find that these hydrogel masks give me better results overall. Maybe that is because I can wear it longer or the formulation is better suited for my skin to absorb the ingredients, either way I definitely recommend trying any of their masks which suit your specific needs.

How To Use Biodance Collagen Mask

Apply on Clean Skin

Make sure to remove all your makeup, sunscreen, etc so that nothing is preventing the mask’s ingredients from working on the skin.

Apply the mask at the end of your skincare routine.

These masks can be used in your skincare routine a variety of ways. Applying it at the end of my skincare routine is is my most recommended way to use the Biodance Collagen Mask. I like to wear them on top of all my evening skincare to really lock in all the product benefits. I find that I get better results using them over top of my skincare.

Use it overnight or leave it on for three to four hours.

I personally cannot sleep in a sheet mask BUT these are designed to be worn all night if you prefer. Many people find this really gives them an intense hydrating treatment while they sleep.

Place the eye and mouth cutouts on areas that need extra care.

You can utilize every part of the mask even the cutouts on the eye and mouth. Place them anywhere you want on the face that needs an extra boost of hydration.

Use at least once a week for best long term results.

A good cadence for using the Biodance Collagen Mask is once a week. Anything more than that would not be necessary.

No need to wash it off after use.

The whole point of these masks is that they contain skincare ingredients that you want to leave on your skin. So after you have removed the mask, pat in any excess that remains.

Use Before Makeup

If you have a special occasion to go, use this mask before you apply your makeup. It will prep your skin perfectly and your makeup will apply flawlessly. Leave on for an hour or two before, remove and then begin with your makeup application right away.

Apply After Cleansing and Toning

Most sheet masks are meant to be left on for a minimum of 20 minutes but in some cases can be left on for hours. If you don’t have the time to leave one on for that long, apply one after you have cleansed and toned the skin. Leave on for 30 minutes to one hour, remove and continue with the rest of your skincare routine.