Happy Monday all! I unplugged from social for the weekend to recharge, and I feel so relaxed today! I think sometimes you just have to take time for self-care. I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend too! ❤
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Y'all, I read Dear Wife by @kimberlysbelle as a buddy read with Tamara @rockstar1023 and we agree this is a juicy, delicious, twisted read! Thank you @parkrowbooks @harlequinbooks #partner for the gifted copy!
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Full 📚 Review on my blog today-#linkinbio ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐It's out 6/25!
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Beth is on the run from her abusive husband―she's made one thing very clear: if he finds her, he's going to kill her. She's gone to a lot of trouble for a year carefully planning her escape down to the last detail. But will that be enough to keep him from finding her?
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Sabine is a successful realtor who has suddenly gone missing. As the police begin to investigate their marriage, they uncover many hidden secrets between Sabine and her husband Jeffrey that makes him a suspect in her disappearance. Clearly, this was not a happy marriage.
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The story is told through the three POVs of Beth, Jeffrey, and Marcus, the detective assigned to Sabine's missing person's case. Is Beth really Sabine? Or is there more than one missing wife in this story? What is really going on?!
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All the characters have secrets and you'll have to be clever to figure out this smart, twisty novel! Trust me, nothing is what it seems in Belle's latest, uniquely structured book! Tamara and I tossed around theories about what was going on until we finally hit the nail on the head. Whew, Kimberly Belle, you blew our minds!
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If you're looking for a quick, unputdownable, brilliantly written read with an unexpected yet plausible ending and a strong female lead then here you go! It's got a Gone Girl vibe without really being like it if that makes sense: the clever writing, propulsive plot, and uniqueness make this a sure hit! Tamara and I both recommend this one and think it's going to be a HUGE hit this summer!
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Have you read Dear Wife or is it on your TBR? -
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#stephlvsbooks #bookstagrammer #bookstagramnc #buddyread #bloggergirl #igreads #dearwife #kimberlybelle #bookreviews #igbooks #thrillerbooks #booknerdigans
I've been tagged by @nzlisam.ig for the #tenonmytbr and #rapidfirebooktag challenges and by @bookswithpaulette for the #describeyourreadinglife challenge.
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These are 10 of my most anticipated reads: a mix of books I plan to finish this month (bottom 3), and the other 7 are on my July TBR.
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📚Hardcover or Paperback? Hardback because they look so nice on the bookshelf but paperback can be easier to hold if it's an enormous book.
📚Last Book I Bought? Mrs. Everything
📚Physical or Ebooks? Physical 1) because they are so pretty and 2) I have CNS Lupus, which means my central nervous system is adversely affected by my lupus, so excess time on kindles, tablets, and pcs can exacerbate my symptoms and cause severe migraines. I always try to read physical books if I can!
📚Book Better Than The Film? Oh, I definitely think 99% of the time books are always better than the movie! I can't think of an example though, lol.
📚 Our World or Fiction? Definitely, fiction although I do enjoy nonfiction from time to time.
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📚How do you choose to read books? ARCs, books on my shelves and then some that have caught my eye because of bookstagram #fomo
📚Do you buy your books online? Yes, Amazon is my number 1 shopping place.
📚Do you finish a book before buying a new one? Haha, no. I'm always buying books.
📚When do you mostly read? Whenever I get a chance but mostly when I wake up and late at night.
📚Favorite Genre? Thrillers/suspense & mysteries hands down
📚Do you lend books? Uh no although I might to a trustworthy friend.
📚Do you read two or more books at a time? I usually read 3 at a time plus an audiobook
📚Do your friends read? My best friend is a reader and my work friends are all readers, but they're all English Lit professors like me= bookworms
📚How long does it take you to finish books? I usually read a book a day if I'm not doing anything (a 300-400 pg book). I read about 90 -100 pages/hr if not distracted and the book is really good!
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I've tagged some of you who might want to join in but anyone is welcome!
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#stephlvsbooks #bookstagram #bookstack #booklover #bookworm #booktag #bookishfeature #instabooks #bookish #tbr #reading #bookstagrammer #bookstagramnc
Happy Publication Day Summer of '69 by @elinhilderbrand! 🎉😍
Thank you @littlebrown #partner for the gifted copy! My full review on my blog today-#linkinbio ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for this summer read! 🌞
It's not officially summer for me until I've read an Elin Hilderbrand book. Luckily for me, I was able to read this poolside Memorial Day weekend. Hilderbrand's 1st historical novel was everything that I've come to expect from the queen of the summer novel and more.
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The novel revolves around the lives of several members of the Foley-Levin family and of course, Nantucket is the main setting although Martha's Vineyard gets some love in this book too. This is a summer of dramatic changes for the family as Tiger, 19, has just been drafted for Vietnam. His mother Kate is obviously overcome with worry and grief and guilt for reasons we find out much later on in the story.
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Kate's daughters, Blair, 24, Kirby, 20, & Jesse, who just turned 13 (and is the daughter of her second husband David) also face their own considerable life changes this summer as each of their stories intertwine in some way. It is through these sister's voices, Kate's, and letters exchanged by Tiger and Jesse that this story is told. Every character is so real, wholly persuasive, and each of their issues becomes ones I cared about no matter how big or small.
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Hilderbrand has woven together the historical moments from that summer using her trademark style that's never let me down as a reader (make sure you read the author's notes about the inspiration for the story!), and it's just a perfect read.
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This is nostalgic, poignant, retrospective, and packed with details that made the novel feel vivid and alive for me, a time I've heard and read about but was almost a decade before I was born! I laughed and oh, did I cry while reading this. It's out today and if you haven't already pre-ordered it, then you need to. This is the definitive summer of 2019 read!
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Have you read Summer of '69 or plan to? Do you have a favorite Hilderbrand novel?
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#stephlvsbooks #bookstagrammers #bookstagramnc #booksofinstagram #summerreads #beachreads #booknerd #bookreviewer #bloggergirl #igreads #booklovers #summerof69
Happy Monday! Today is a huge day for me to celebrate, and I want to share my excitement with you! It's my baby girl's 9th birthday, so I woke up super excited about that! Then I realized that I reached 1K followers on Instagram yesterday!😍 Wow, I can't begin to tell you how thrilled and happy that made me! This community is just so amazing and I'm grateful to be a part of it.❤
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To celebrate the day and say THANK YOU to all of you, I'm doing an International Giveaway! I'm giving away up to $25 USD in books from Amazon or Book Depository to FOUR lucky winners (Amazon or Book Depository must ship to your country)! Again, I can't tell you how much you all mean to me!
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TO ENTER:
🎉Like this post 😊❤
🎉Follow me @stephlvsbooks
🎉Comment, telling me your most anticipated summer read and tag two book loving friends 🌞
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EXTRA CHANCES:
🎉Repost/Share this post in your stories for 24 hrs: make sure you tag me! (1extra entry per share/repost)
🎉Tag another bookish friend in the comments, unlimited times (1 extra entry per comment, must tag a different friend each time)
🎉Follow my blog, #linkinbio and DM me the name you followed under
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RULES, etc:
-No giveaway accounts allowed -No follow if you're just going to unfollow please because it's not cool (you'll also be blocked from my future giveaways)
-18 yrs or older to enter
-Giveaway not affiliated/sponsored by Instagram, Amazon, or Book Depository but just me because I love to shop for books!🛍📚
-Open US and Internationally. Winner will need to give me their address so I can ship them their books.
-FOUR random winners will be chosen
-Giveaway ends on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 11:30 pm EST and winner will be announced on Monday in my stories.
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Good luck! Thank you so much for the follows! ❤
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#stephlvsbooks #bookstagrammers #bookstagramnc #entertowin #freebooks #winbooks #win #giveawayalert #giveaways #giveaway #internationalgiveaway #celebration #giveawaytime #follow #free #iggiveaway #instagramgiveaway #bookgiveaway #awesomegiveaways
Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is enjoying their day. I spent the morning baking a vanilla cake with strawberry buttercream frosting for my daughter's 9th birthday tomorrow then I started reading Dear Wife by @kimberlysbelle! Wow is it so good! I'm reading it as a buddy read with @rockstar1023 and am going to be bombarding her with messages soon since I'm only a couple of chapters away from the 1/2 way point and seriously need to discuss it with her! I have a feeling this is going to be another summer must read!
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Synopsis:
Beth Murphy is on the run... For nearly a year, Beth has been planning for this day. A day some people might call any other Wednesday, but Beth prefers to see it as her new beginning--one with a new look, new name and new city. Beth has given her plan significant thought, because one small slip and her violent husband will find her.
Sabine Hardison is missing... A couple hundred miles away, Jeffrey returns home from a work trip to find his wife, Sabine, is missing. Wherever she is, she's taken almost nothing with her. Her abandoned car is the only evidence the police have, and all signs point to foul play.
As the police search for leads, the case becomes more and more convoluted. Sabine's carefully laid plans for her future indicate trouble at home, and a husband who would be better off with her gone. The detective on the case will stop at nothing to find out what happened and bring this missing woman home. Where is Sabine? And who is Beth? The only thing that's certain is that someone is lying and the truth won't stay buried for long.
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Have you read Dear Wife or plan on it? What are you reading this Sunday?
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#amreading #buddyread #currentlyreading #stephlvsbooks #dearwife #thriller #bookstagramnc #bookstagrammer #booknerd #booksofig #bookobsessed #readaholic #booksbooksbooks #bookish #mystery #harpercollins #parkrowbooks #harlequin
📚 Review:The Last House Guest by @meganlmiranda Thank you @simonbooks #partner via @netgalley for the review copy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Releases 6/18!
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Megan Miranda's backward told thriller, All the Missing Girls, made me an instant fan since it completely blew my mind and remains an all-time favorite thriller, so I was thrilled to read The Last House Guest, one of my most anticipated summer reads. It's an extremely readable summer suspense, one to put in your pool or beach bag for a quick, entertaining read.
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Littleport, Maine is a town where the rich come every year to spend their summer vacations. Avery Greer is one of the locals, yet she becomes best friends with Sadie Loman, daughter of THE Lomans, the family who owns most of the town. Soon Avery moves into the guest house on the Loman's property and is given a job as the property manager for all their rentals homes in town.
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The two girls become like sisters, telling each other everything so when Sadie dies by apparent suicide, Avery doesn't believe it—after all, Sadie had everything to live for. A year after Sadie's death, Avery is more convinced Sadie's death was anything but a suicide, especially when new evidence is uncovered that shows Avery might just be right but puts her at the top of the suspect list. Was it an accident or was it murder? Or was it really suicide? How will Avery prove she's innocent without getting caught up in secrets and lies surrounding Sadie's death?
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Miranda tells this story through Avery's eyes with shifting narratives from the summers of 2017 and 2018. The tension builds from the summer of Sadie's death leading up to Avery's investigation.
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The mystery in The Last House Guest is solid, the writing is fast-paced and well done, and the ending is totally unexpected and original. This is definitely a light suspense read that's perfect, like I said, for a day at the beach or pool!
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Have you read The Last House Guest? Is it on your TBR? -
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#stephlvsbooks #bookstagrammers #bookstagramnc #booksofinstagram #thelasthouseguest #summerreads #suspense #bibliophile #bookreviewer #bloggergirl #booknerd #instaread #simonandschuster #booklovers #booksofig #summerbooks #beachreads
I LOVED The Burning Chambers by @katemossewriter Thank you @minotaur_books #partner for the gifted review copy (there's some serious cover love going on between me and this book! Gorgeous!).⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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In this richly atmospheric, historical novel Mosse journeys to 1562 when France is teeming with strife between the Catholics and the Protestant Huguenots. Catherine de Medici, one of my personal favorite historical figures, is regent of France. This novel has everything you could ever want in a novel of this genre and time period: struggles for power, religious strife, torture, old family secrets, characters of noble birth, mysteries, danger, betrayal, poison, inheritances, villains and heroes, romance, love, and murder!
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Minou Joubert is the young heroine of the novel, an outstanding female character. Her father Bernard is a Carcassonne bookseller and one day while at the bookstore, Minou receives a note she doesn't understand but that means she's in dreadful danger. Around the same time, Minou, who is Catholic, becomes deeply drawn to Piet Reydon, a Huguenot on a quest for his faith. The two become entangled in the most dangerous of situations, amid religious conflict, friend betraying friend, and forces pursuing Minou for their own end.
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Although The Burning Chambers is 586 pages long, a lengthy novel, I read it in two days because I felt like I was part of a grand adventure thanks to her captivating, rip-roaring plot and the novel's gripping history. It's a novel where you have to pay attention because of the intricate, well-researched historical details Mosse puts in her novels, but I never felt like I was struggling to read it.
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The scenes are superb, and I think it's very difficult to find another author in the genre who can write imagery this well―you feel transported to the 16th century! Also, the characterization is second to none. Superb all the way around! Highly recommended!
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Have you read The Burning Chambers? Do you have a favorite historical fiction novel?
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#igreads #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblogger #bookreview #stephlvsbooks #bookrecommendation #bloggergirl #histfic #theburningchambers #historicalfiction #booklover #bookcover
Happy Publication Day to The Good Sister by @gillianmauthor Thank you @putnambooks #partner via Edelweiss for the ARC! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⠀
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This is another ongoing group read/discussion with @travelingsistersread, but I ended up finishing it in two sittings because I was so enthralled by the storyline and couldn't put it down! We're still discussing this one, so I'm not going to put my entire review here for now, but you can find my full review on my blog today-#linkinbio!⠀
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I do love a good courtroom drama, and this is an extremely well-written, suspenseful one that examines the death of 8 wk old baby Layla who was left overnight with her aunt, Becky. Was it infanticide or a terrible accident?⠀
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The discovery of that answer is quite distressing and very emotional at times as the author very realistically presents expert witness testimony of the baby's death and heartwrenching scenes that left me sobbing more than once.⠀
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The story told is very powerful and addictive. You really won't be able to put this one down as the chapters switch back and forth between Martha and Becky, along with chapters told through POVs of various witnesses right before they testify in court, which makes for an intriguing read since that upped the emotional intensity of the book.
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This was my first book by McAllister but not my last. The fast-paced prose, deft plotting, unexpected twists, and intelligent writing made the book a page-turner that I highly recommend!⠀
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Have you read The Good Sister or is it on your TBR? Do you have another McAllister book to recommend?⠀
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#igreads #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblogger #bookreview #stephlvsbooks #booklove #bookaholic ⠀
#thegoodsister #gillianmcallister #booksharks #courtroomdrama #penguinbooks #instabooks #bookrecommendation #travelingsisterreads #bookrecommendation #bloggergirl #summerreads⠀
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Book Review: Those People by @louisecandlish Thank you @berkleypub #partner for the gifted copy to review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Out on 6/11!
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I had a wonderful time reading this as a group with @travelingsistersread. It made for a fun discussion! As always, thanks ladies! 😊
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It's a seemingly normal Saturday morning in Lowland Way, the upscale London neighborhood where the novel takes place, until tragedy strikes. An unknown character has been killed in a horrific disaster. Through police interviews and chapters told by a myriad cast of characters, the novel rewinds eight weeks earlier to examine the catalytic events that precipitated the death. The way the novel is constructed immediately reminded of Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies, one of my favorite books.
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Lowland Way is the perfect suburban neighborhood. Or it was until the Booths move in! They immediately begin reconstruction, blare loud music all hours of the night, and take up all the parking spaces because they have a used car lot!
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The “upper class” neighbors are more than annoyed with the Booths and what they perceive to be their lower class ways, which puts a mark on the respectability of Lowland Way. The characters are determined to stop him and talks, meetings, messages all commence with ideas on how to get rid of him—some ways less legal than others. Just how far will they go to return their neighborhood back to the way it was?
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I love the title as it’s a play on the words "those people" because really, who does that mean—the Booths or the more “civilized” characters? Candlish is shrewd with her insights into human behavior, and I enjoyed how she portrayed the effects the Booths had on not just a neighborhood but each individual since their darkest flaws were revealed.
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This novel had quite a twisted ending! Just when you think everything is all figured out, Candlish throws in an ending that leaves you astonished. A captivating, slow-burning read!
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Have you read Those People or plan too?
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#igbooks #instaread #bookstagrammer #bookstagramnc #bookreview #blogger #mysterybooks #booknerd #bookblogger #instabook #coverlove #bloggergirl #stephlvsbooks #suspense #bookreviewer #domesticdrama #booknerd
📚 Review: I've been loving cute, quirky rom-coms lately and Waiting For Tom Hanks by @kerrywinfrey is just perfect! Thank you @berkleypub #partner via Edelweiss for the ARC to review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 out 6/11!
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This is a funny, sweet romantic read that checks all the boxes: hot man, pretty girl, a hysterical meet-cute, and lots of chemistry! So adorable!
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Annie, an aspiring screenwriter, has been dreaming of finding Tom Hanks for, well forever! Not the actor, but the Tom Hanks type from all the rom-com movies from the 90s (Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally) that she watched as a teenager with her mom before she died. Those movies, and her mom's story of her & her dad's great love, have made such an impression on Annie that she hasn't dated anyone in a long time because she's waiting for the perfect meet-cute moment, the perfect man (preferably with his own houseboat), & for a love affair to play out like the movies.
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A movie shoot for a romantic comedy is coming to town & with her uncle's help, Annie lands the ideal job as personal assistant to the uber-famous director! This could be Annie's big moment to meet the man of her dreams if only she can stop misinterpreting some of the signals; then there are some crazy (hysterical) obstacles that just might get in the way of true love, some that are pretty wow!
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Definitely recommended if you love 90s or early 2000s rom-coms because there are a ton of references that will make you immediately want to sit down for a romantic movie marathon! You can't help but fall in love with Annie & the "Tom Hanks" of her dreams. This light read was just what I needed to escape from real life. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in the series!
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Have you read Waiting for Tom Hanks or is it on your TBR? Do you have a favorite romantic comedy movie or book? The pic shows some of my favorite rom-coms, but I have to admit a secret-I've never watched a single rom-com with Tom Hanks! I have to watch one after reading this book!
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#romancereads #stephlvsbooks #bookreview #bookblogger #booksofig #waitingontomhanks #berkleypub #kerrywinfrey #contemporaryromance #romcom #bookstagrammer #romancebooks #bookstag
*Review* Thank you @gallerybooks #partner for this beautiful finished copy of Man of the Year by @carolinelouisewalker to read and review. All opinions are my own. ⭐⭐⭐⭐Releases on 6/11!
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Don't expect this to be a mystery or thriller because it's not. Instead, the novel is literary suspense thanks to the way Caroline Louise Walker masterfully captured the inner nature of Dr. Robert Hart, Sag Harbor's newest Citizen of the Year. Instead of being action or plot-driven, it's intelligently character driven from page one, and that makes it a compellingly different read than you might expect.
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It's a beguiling character study of Bobby. Through inner monologues, he reveals just how egocentric and paranoid he is, which quickly leads to tragedy and his downward spiral.
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He suddenly begins to look at Elizabeth, his beautiful, desirable 2nd wife whom he married after they both left their spouses, in a different light once he sees her giving attention (harmless? motherly? sensual?) to his son Jonah's college friend, Nick.
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Bobby is convinced Nick has another motive for agreeing to be their houseguest for the summer other than the fact he really has no family. Could it really be so simple that he wants to be part of their family? Or is it as Bobby suspects and the handsome young man wants his wife? Can Bobby even trust Elizabeth? Should he trust her since she's cheated before?
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Walker also exposes the innermost secrets, troubles, and struggles of Elizabeth and Jonah until it's obvious that everyone in this novel is lying about something―no one in this book is reliable, but that is the fun! Bobby, especially, is very unlikeable almost to the extreme. The suspense built up slowly and culminates in an ending that was wickedly twisted and highly entertaining.
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Walker's well-written, vivid prose and complex characters really makes this novel. I enjoyed Man of the Year and think it's a fascinating debut by Walker.
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Have you read Man of the Year or is it on your TBR?
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#stephlvsbooks #bookstagrammers #bookstagramnc #booksofinstagram #gallerybooks #bookreviewer #readingaddict #literarysuspense #lovetoread #carolinelouisewalker #manoftheyearnovel #blogger
Happy Tuesday!😊 Review: Fatal Inheritance by @mstamarcohen Thanks to @simonbooks #partner via @netgalley for the review copy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for this historical mystery-out 6/11!
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Rhys newest novel is set in 1948, from the setting of the bleakness of post-WWII London, where rationing was still in place, to the sumptuous and lavish setting of the French Riviera, where royalty, artists, writers, and Hollywood celebrities partied in carefree abandon. Rhys' vivid, detailed descriptions of both made for a captivating atmosphere that immediately transported me to the era.
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Eve, an English housewife trapped in a loveless marriage, receives a letter informing her that she's received a mysterious inheritance following the death of a man she's never met. To claim her inheritance, she must travel to the Riviera where she discovers she's inherited a share in a villa overlooking the Mediterranean.
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Eve falls in love with the villa and life away from her dull husband while trying to solve the mystery of why Guy Lester made her his heir. However, Eve's happiness is in danger not only from the other heirs since they resent her claim on the villa but also by her husband who wants her to immediately return to England. Will Eve discover the mystery of who she is to the Lester family before things turn dangerous?
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The plot is perfect, as well as the characterization. There's just a bit of romance to the book but that's not the focus. Instead, the mystery is the focus of the narrative. The mystery was so well-done and had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure it out (I was wrong), and it had an Agatha Christie vibe that I just loved. There are some dark and sinister things going on that made the book completely unputdownable!
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I cannot recommend Fatal Inheritance more! It's already on my favorite books of 2019 list. This is a brilliant, gorgeous read that I highly recommend you pick up this summer.
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Have you read Fatal Inheritance or is it on your TBR? Did you read Dangerous Crossing, Rhys 1st book?
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#histfic #mystery #bookstagrammer #bookreview #stephlvsbooks #simonschuster #rachelrhys #fatalinheritance #bookblogger #bookish #instabooks #bookstagramnc #booksparks #summerread
📚Review: Thank you @berkleypub #partner for the gifted review copy of The Friends We Keep by @janegreenauthor It's one of my favorite books this year! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Out on 6/4/19
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There's a reason I've been reading every book Jane Green has written since I 1st picked up Jemima J in 2001 and will always read her books―she's wise, engaging, warm, funny, and knows how to bring those qualities alive into her books. Every time I read one of her books, I feel like I'm having a conversation with a good friend and this time was no different. Her writing is just so authentic and moving, and I think this is one of her best books yet. I hope you read it and think so too!
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What I love so much about her newest novel is it's a moving, compelling novel about the closest of friendships and how they not only can survive decades but the darkest of secrets. The friendship between Evvie, Maggie, and Topher that begins when they are college roommates until they reconnect again 30 years later is truly the focal point of this novel although there is definitely romantic entanglement that provides much of the novel's secrets.
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As Green brilliantly switches back and forth from each of the character's POV, we watch them go from college throughout their adult lives: relationships, lovers, careers, successes, failures, mistakes, love, pain, heartbreak, secrets, and lies. Can their lifelong friendship handle the secrets and lies?
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This is such a compelling read about love and friendship, and it felt so realistic to me since I know that I have friends who I could go through anything with, not speak to for years, and then pick up our relationship where we left off. That's why I say Green's writing is just so real―she gets human nature and relationships in such a wonderful way. I know that I'll read anything Jane Green writes, and I couldn't encourage you more to add this wonderful book to your summer reading list.
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Have you read The Friends We Keep or is it on your TBR? Do you have a favorite Jane Green book?
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#bookstagramnc #bookreview #stephlvsbooks #bookblogger #pubweek #booksofig #janegreen #berkleypub #summerreading #fortheloveofbooks #instabooks #booksharks
☀️My June TBR☀️
Even though I felt like May was a weird, moody reading month, I still managed to read 25 books, so I'm hoping to read more books in June since I won't be spending most of my day homeschooling my daughter-more reading time! Time to relax and enjoy the pool, beach, and sunshine!
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A lot of books I've picked to read in June (plus a few audiobooks and ebooks too) have been on my TBR for too long time, and I've tried to pick some books for my 2019 popsugar reading challenge.I was happy to be able to fit in several BOTM books since I have a shelf of unread ones and a box coming, lol.
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I've got some ARCs on here to read and more from Netgalley, but I've already read several of my June Arcs so I'm ahead of the game and maybe even can sneak in some Aug ARCs if I decide to.Thanks to the tagged publishers #partners and authors for the books! ☀️
Those People is my current read. What do you think I should pick up next?
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#junetbr #bookstack #tobereadpile
#summerreads2019 #junereads #junebooks #bookstagramnc #stephlvsbooks #alwaysreading #instareads #booksbooksbooks #bookstagrammer #girlswhoread
📚 Review: The Favorite Daughter by @pattichenry Thanks to @berkleypub #partner via Edelweiss for the ARC. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Releases on 6/4th; full review on my blog today-#linkinbio I owe my dear friend @tarheelreader a huge thanks for recommending this one! 💕💕
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Ten years ago, Lena Donohue experienced the worst betrayal imaginable on her wedding day. She fled from her home in S.C., her family, her ex-fiance, and headed to NYC. Once there, she started calling herself Colleen and became a successful travel writer. Since then, she's barely had any contact with the family she left behind.
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Her younger brother Shane has been running the family pub and holding the family together for the past couple of years. One day he calls to tell Lena it's time for her to come home because their dad is declining with Alzheimer’s. Lena has no choice to return home to help Shane & sister Hallie care for her dad even though that means she must finally face the past.
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When the 3 of them decide to make their dad a memory book in the hopes it will help save his memories, they discover not only some shocking secrets but Lena discovers that you can't always run from the past or your memories like she has been all these years, which leads her on a journey of self-discovery.
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I found the characters to be genuine, and I liked all except Lena's ex-fiance. Lena's struggle to find meaning in where exactly is "home" resonated with me for several reasons, and the pain the three Donohue siblings felt while watching their dad's decline due to Alzheimer's struck me to the core as I watched that horrible disease ravage my maternal grandparent's minds. It's devastating to watch someone you love lose their memories, and Henry captured the feelings poignantly.
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This is a gorgeous, moving story about whether the power of family, love, and forgiveness is stronger than secrets and lies. Definitely add it to your summer reading list!
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Have you read The Favorite Daughter or plan to? Do you have a favorite book by Henry?
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#southernfiction #bookreview #thefavoritedaughter #berkleypub #stephlvsbooks #bookstagrammer #instaread #patticallahanhenry #summerreads #booksarelife #booksofig #beachreads
📚 Review: Montauk by @nicolaharrisonauthor Thank you @stmartinspress #partner via @netgalley for the ARC to review. I was swept away by the utter beauty of Nicola Harrison's debut historical romance novel! ⭐⭐⭐⭐Out on 6/4th
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Harrison impressed me from the start with her writing style. It's lyrical and flows so elegantly as she describes the beauty of Montauk, the charming village off the end of Long Island known still today for its gorgeous beaches, luxury resort, and historic lighthouse.
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In 1938, Beatrice Bordeaux and husband Harry head to Montauk Manor, the luxury resort built by famous financier Carl Fisher (developer of Miami Beach), with plans that she'll spend the summer there with other wealthy wives while he visits from the city on the weekends―although he rarely ever visits as promised. Beatrice loses all hope in reigniting their passion and trying for a child, especially once she discovers Harry has other interests.
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Beatrice, who is from a middle-class family, soon grows bored and annoyed with the gossipy, sniping, idle other wives and takes off exploring the seaside village where she befriends Elizabeth, the laundress for the resort. Elizabeth and her family remind Beatrice of her own roots, and she begins to clearly see what she's missing in her own marriage and life.
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Beatrice also becomes close to Thomas, the lighthouse keeper, and the relationship that develops between the two is quite lovely and gives Beatrice a chance to discover the woman she really wants to be. Yet, it's emotional and bittersweet, and I shed some tears―so maybe keep tissues handy.
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I really enjoyed this and the issues it explored such as class privileges and societal norms of the time period and true love without money versus living in a loveless marriage. If you like your hist-fic to have a romantic side, then Montauk is just perfect. It's also an ideal summer read since Harrison does such a wonderful job taking you right to the beach town of Montauk!
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Is Montauk on your TBR or have you read it?
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#bookstagram #booksofig #histfic #stephlvsbooks #bookblogger #bookaddict #stmartinspress #nicolaharrison #ilovebooks #summerbooks #bookstagramnc #bookreview #bookspark
Thank you @gallerybooks #partner via @netgalley for my e-arc of Passion on Park Avenue! It was such a fun read-if your a fan of Christina Lauren books, you'll love this! Out this Tues, 5/28! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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This is my 1st book by @laurenlayneauthor, and I LOVED it! I didn't realize it was the 1st in a trilogy, but now want to read Love on Lexington Avenue ASAP, this was so good! Review on my blog tomorrow-#linkinbio
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The novel starts out a bit differently: Naomi is on her way to her dead lover's funeral when instead she makes best friends with two of the most unlikely women ever & I do mean ever! You wouldn't think their friendship or their pact to help each other find the right man would work, but it does! All three are likable, resilient characters & what emerges is strong, endearing female friendships that provide the backbone of the novel.
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Naomi is a self-made billionaire with her own company, but that wasn't always the case. She grew up poor has promised herself that one day she'd get revenge on the old moneyed family who fired & blackballed her mother when she was their housekeeper and made their lives miserable by default.
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When she gets the chance to move into the co-op on Park Ave where they once lived, Naomi's determined to prove herself to the Cunninghams-except Oliver is no longer the bully she remembers from childhood. Instead, there's sizzling chemistry between the two in their back and forth snarky banter, and his father has Alzheimer's so can't be punished for the past.
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I'm so loving the enemies to lovers romance plot lately, and Layne did an excellent job with it in PoPA. The two have wonderful chemistry that oozes off the pages & both were just adorable! This is actually a really sweet, heartwarming romance.
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This is a great summer read―definitely add this 🔥 enemy to lovers romance to your summer reading list.
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Have you read Passion on Park Avenue or plan to? What are your plans today? Are you reading anything good?
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#bookstagramnc #bookreview #stephlvsbooks #bookblogger #pubweek #booksofig #romcom #ilovetoread #funread #summerreads #summer2019 #laurenlayne #gallerybooks #girlswhoread #bookworm #instabooks #instareads
📚Review~thank you @randomhouse #ballantinebooks #partner for gifting me a bound manuscript. Review on my blog today #linkinbio⭐⭐⭐⭐ Out 5/28th
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I love a good spy adventure/political thriller and after hearing such fabulous things about Karen Cleveland's 1st novel, I knew I had to read Keep You Close. It delivers the high paced action, suspense, and espionage you expect when reading a book about FBI agents, anarchist groups, and Russian spies who are deeply embroiled in the highest levels of the US government!
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Agent Stephanie Maddox has always put her career at the FBI first and she's now head of Internal Affairs in Washington, D.C. Her son Zach is 17, about to graduate high school and head to college, and their relationships is more that of strangers instead of mother and son. Yet, when Stephanie finds a loaded gun hidden in Zach's closet, she is positive that it's not his.
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Even when one of her co-workers tells her Zach is involved with a domestic anarchist group, she still believes in her son. Steph's faith in Zach means one thing: she'll do whatever she can to prove his innocence and find the truth. which leads her to begin investigating the anarchist group and the domestic terrorist threat all on her own.
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If Zach is innocent, she'll prove it at all costs but if not, will her allegiance still be to the country she's dedicated her life to for almost two decades, or will she still protect him?
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The action is almost non-stop and intense, which makes for a great spy thriller, and Cleveland's writing excels in these scenes. The Russian spy trope made for a truly believable plot since it's not only something ripped from newspaper headlines but a classic spy thriller theme. I thought the twisty reveal at the end was totally unexpected and fantastic.
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Overall, this was a quick, fast-paced, action-packed read that I'd recommend to anyone who likes books about spies, espionage, conspiracy theories, and political thrillers.
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Have you read Keep You Close or is it on your TBR? Have you read Need to Know?
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#bookstagram #bookreview #bookstagramnc #stephlvsbooks #karencleveland #bookblogger #thriller #booksofig #booklover #igreads #randomhousebooks
If you're like me and Chelsea @suspensethrill is one your go to peeps, I mean, reviewers for book recommendations, when she posts one of her favorite serial thriller book series, you immediately request every book in the series from your local library! I've been waiting since last week for them to get every book at my branch and today was the day, hooray!
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I stopped right outside the entrance to snap a quick pic of these babies, I was so excited! This series by author Chelsea Cain features a female serial killer, so I am thrilled, which might be weird but I'm fascinated with serial killers...and a woman too! Actually, I've already started book one, Heartsick, and I can see myself binging all six books. I can't wait to get further into book one!
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#bookstagram #librarybooks #bookstagrammers #bookstagramnc #stephlvsbooks #thrillerbooks #serialkillerbooks #recommendedreads #chelseacain #amreading #readersofig #bookaddict #booksbooksbooks #bibliophile #alwaysreading
I enjoyed Slightly South of Simple, and hope to read The Secret to Southern Charm. Daisy Jones and the Six is on my list for this week. Enjoy! Here’s MY WWW POST
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I’ve heard such good things about Slightly South of Simple, so I’m glad you enjoyed it! Her 3rd book in the series comes out in May, so I’m reading the 1st two before then. Daisy Jones was spectacular! It’s written like an interview so that’s a bit different, but it’s so amazing. I hope you love it as much as I did. Thanks! And thanks for sharing your WWW post!
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I can’t wait to read My Lovely Wife!!!
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I know! It sounds so twisted and devious! I loved Dexter, so it being compared to that makes me excited lol!
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Excellent picks, Steph! Happy you ended up loving The Lilac Girls too. Your challenge seems to be the most in dept I’ve seen! 😘💗 Enjoy the rest of your week.
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*in depth 😁
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Haha! I knew what you meant! 😉😄
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Thanks, Jenn! Lilac Girls was a brutal read at times. It took longer to read than my usual book, but the atrocious that where done to the women by the Nazi dr got yo me. I cried but was so angry too. But I did love it and thought it was such an important story to be told. The challenge is has some crazy prompts! I think that’s the fun in it, and I’m making good progress…maybe I’ve read 10/50? You too! ❤💕❤
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I wasn’t as crazy as I wanted to be about The Lilac Girls, but I do have the sequel that I am planning on reading. My Lovely Wife is one totally twisted book Hope you enjoy it,Stephanie!
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It was a difficult read and I wasn’t sure what I thought at first but then I really enjoyed it. I’m planning on reading the sequel too at some point. I’m glad to hear My Lovely Wife is twisted because it certainly sounds that way! Thanks, I hope so too!
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Looks like some wonderful reads, Steph! As you know, I LOVE Kristy Harvey and can’t wait for the newest book! ♥️
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They are! I just started Kristy’s book last night, I didn’t get too far in because I started it around midnight but love it! I’m reading the 1st two to get ready for book three since I’ll be reviewing it and hosting a blog giveaway for the book in May!! I’m so excited! ❤❤
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Same here! We are twins! ♥️
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Haha! I believe that! ♥
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Great books, Stephanie!!
I’m reading so many books! I keep picking up another one before finishing the ones I’ve already started!! 🤦🏽♀️
– Worth the Risk by Heather B. Moore
– In Servitude by Heleen Kist
– The Twin Test by Rula Sinara
– Gown With the Wind by Stephanie Blackmoore
– Disclosure by Michael Crichton
I need help!! 😟
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Thanks! Haha! I do that! I started The Beautiful Corpse yesterday afternoon then started Slightly South of Simple last night, lol. I just pick up what I’m in the mood for, which doesn’t help the fact I have 10 reviews to write of ARCs I’ve read…but I just keep reading! It’s more fun.
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Me too. I’m a mood reader. It’s very satisfying. I have to get back around to my ARCs too though.
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I’d say you had a very successful reading week! Here’s what I’m reading: https://greatmorrisonmigration.wordpress.com/2019/02/06/www-wednesdays-february-6-2019/
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I did although I read less than last week, but that’s okay! I enjoyed what I read this week so much! Thanks for stopping by and for sharing your link!
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That’s awesome that you enjoyed Lilac Girls so much. Did you hear she’s coming out with a book about Caroline’s mother?
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I’ve got it pre-ordered! I was going to request the ARC, but I have so many other ARCS right now that I had to stop myself, lol. I’ve heard it’s fantastic though.
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Oh my goodness! Hooray! Thank you so much for reading the Peachtree Bluff series!! I hope you’re enjoying ❤️❤️❤️
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You’re welcome! I am loving Slightly South of Simple! You’ve created such wonderful characters that I’m falling in love with them. ❤❤❤
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