tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65283953657712638642024-03-19T04:48:27.911-04:00We Live and Breathe BooksSharing our love of books since 2013Kiersten Kozbialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00538943081866009856noreply@blogger.comBlogger2200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-27526707988927860042024-03-19T03:00:00.034-04:002024-03-19T03:00:00.156-04:00Top Ten Tuesday - My Spring TBR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfr-h4i4zWeJKh3ez4OVxZd3bQ_OKo1nLliaFAee9pyDmre4G_bwhUtVbnpk56PV4vTIeY05QfBzp47mKXOBHvxRWsx2Gdbo5wuuRfh6fCer0TUx4IPntg1zPXBMeEuUY2vNXkiDN3BP4oIjxuy6BBiJIBA6kq3dUUsAAkbeU8YAQ77x5Z2r3fG878w/s2040/top%20ten%20tuesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfr-h4i4zWeJKh3ez4OVxZd3bQ_OKo1nLliaFAee9pyDmre4G_bwhUtVbnpk56PV4vTIeY05QfBzp47mKXOBHvxRWsx2Gdbo5wuuRfh6fCer0TUx4IPntg1zPXBMeEuUY2vNXkiDN3BP4oIjxuy6BBiJIBA6kq3dUUsAAkbeU8YAQ77x5Z2r3fG878w/w640-h188/top%20ten%20tuesday.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by </span><a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1ca0d2; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;">That Artsy Reader Girl</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">. This week's topic is...</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>My Spring TBR!</b></i></span></div>
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<div>Spring! One of my favorite seasons, and you know what time it is? Time to read the summer books. I was scanning my ARC list for the next three months and was shocked by how many titles had the word "summer" in it. I included a few in the list below which is dominated by authors I know and love, but there are a few new-to-me authors in there, too. </div>
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<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/197449176" target="_blank">Sumertime Punchline</a></b> by Betty Corrello</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195790730-one-last-shot" target="_blank">One Last Shot</a></b> by Betty Cayouette</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/197577126-this-summer-will-be-different" target="_blank">This Summer Will Be Different</a></b> by Carley Fortune</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198563727-seven-summer-weekends" target="_blank">Seven Summer Weekends</a></b> by Jane L. Rosen</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/200121624" target="_blank">One Last Summer</a></b> by Kate Spencer</li></ol>
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<ol start="6" style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/199344908" target="_blank">Dad Camp</a></b> by Evan S. Porter</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199142186-the-summer-escape" target="_blank">The Summer Escape</a></b> by Jill Shalvis</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/199927030" target="_blank">The Lost Story</a></b> by Meg Shaffer</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199926331-the-ex-vows" target="_blank">The Ex Vows</a></b> by Jessica Joyce</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/199605487" target="_blank">The Faculty Lounge</a></b> by Jennifer Mathieu</li></ol>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ICj7WqEmklq6kWy6bvjYAGtxKDAsQE8w_iWLesJhUsbzf8xtG3qZ32KHuwE5FwgWj6hVNiqpvSClvhmLo2pQnKQHS8_MdiRHNwqhRaxFXaq8oJzwDj1C6NaKfDdXW-MMqY_idIYQb_aBK1V8YCDPq_FMDtAajGCWo9MXalsDxedVzF6kif6nFO98og/s1037/sam%20signature1.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1037" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ICj7WqEmklq6kWy6bvjYAGtxKDAsQE8w_iWLesJhUsbzf8xtG3qZ32KHuwE5FwgWj6hVNiqpvSClvhmLo2pQnKQHS8_MdiRHNwqhRaxFXaq8oJzwDj1C6NaKfDdXW-MMqY_idIYQb_aBK1V8YCDPq_FMDtAajGCWo9MXalsDxedVzF6kif6nFO98og/s320/sam%20signature1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What's on your spring TBR?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
</div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-53438507489404156562024-03-18T03:00:00.079-04:002024-03-18T03:00:00.252-04:00Isn't It Romantic?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcokihnCsDgps11IcQoPr-lc7WgiTDuv8lrLJBs-MTXSIghpH2xDE5MculPS7t2Xa-Qacvw5H63P2MOIdoRZQuIV0T33s7fIEmrjE4hK2bkz67cLj-oh9J1_uoLWsMo3E6M5k3s97lXPJjRAVbzMAtufeIf3OmpObMgM9n6H5JZFHg3BFoNVffoSLOQ/s2040/isnt%20it%20romatic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcokihnCsDgps11IcQoPr-lc7WgiTDuv8lrLJBs-MTXSIghpH2xDE5MculPS7t2Xa-Qacvw5H63P2MOIdoRZQuIV0T33s7fIEmrjE4hK2bkz67cLj-oh9J1_uoLWsMo3E6M5k3s97lXPJjRAVbzMAtufeIf3OmpObMgM9n6H5JZFHg3BFoNVffoSLOQ/w640-h188/isnt%20it%20romatic.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSvtU6JZjU78g_Vzzv4GAY0Qox6ozTjF437ujhAptqImZDKKC_KkgLA4e5dGRVBNTRHCk4jENXjlDS34aoRvS3oaVYsBKq53sMzaBjjei8I2aEcpp_nNEiVHZzfNCdJ8HArGFoiEZLNmBhXWwkS95foD_s8IoA73GCQFKAjH9pBCRKg3W4J8f3tkMuZOB/s1200/IIR%20031824.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1200" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSvtU6JZjU78g_Vzzv4GAY0Qox6ozTjF437ujhAptqImZDKKC_KkgLA4e5dGRVBNTRHCk4jENXjlDS34aoRvS3oaVYsBKq53sMzaBjjei8I2aEcpp_nNEiVHZzfNCdJ8HArGFoiEZLNmBhXWwkS95foD_s8IoA73GCQFKAjH9pBCRKg3W4J8f3tkMuZOB/w640-h506/IIR%20031824.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="wp-block-image" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS012Ty8QVagktrtFPv6cDz10nbwdYHfGtH1T9r7AHhE-KoVq1nEYf4rcPkAWOefow-__fjHtSEt0jDBjoYUJzSwR0VwBXVyO4JyGR6vV-nHLAmS-coLby4q80c_hJTfjUuHczJ2TFBgZWGTXgFqB54mXPH2-5DLaExlnapwsBLsCyejewoPV_9kovgPcN/s2560/The%20Happiness%20Blueprint.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1706" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS012Ty8QVagktrtFPv6cDz10nbwdYHfGtH1T9r7AHhE-KoVq1nEYf4rcPkAWOefow-__fjHtSEt0jDBjoYUJzSwR0VwBXVyO4JyGR6vV-nHLAmS-coLby4q80c_hJTfjUuHczJ2TFBgZWGTXgFqB54mXPH2-5DLaExlnapwsBLsCyejewoPV_9kovgPcN/s320/The%20Happiness%20Blueprint.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />The Happiness Blueprint</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Ally Zetterberg</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> MIRA on April 2, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/178565829" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Klara and Alex are having trouble connecting, but at least their calendars are in sync.
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Klara—who’s always thought of herself as a little different, a sneaker in a world full of kitten heels and polished boots—is feeling a disconnect these days. She has type 1 diabetes, currently works in a dead-end job, and is in desperate need of a change. When her dad falls ill, Klara begrudgingly agrees to help run his small construction company while he recovers, even though it means moving back home and pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone to the extreme.
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Alex has been a shell of himself since his brother died in an accident. He’s unemployed, has bills piling up, and is distant from friends and family. His therapist is encouraging him to keep things manageable by setting up a calendar, checking off tasks each day, and looking for work to help get him back on his feet. When an ad pops up for a carpenter position at a small construction company, he jumps at the chance to take a step forward.
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Klara's and Alex’s stories unfold through a series of miscommunications in this clever and witty novel from debut author Ally Zetterberg that’s about finding acceptance and even love in unexpected places.</span>
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<p>Both Klara and Alex were struggling in different ways, but things started looking up when they found each other.
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I honestly wasn't sure what I was expecting, but this was such a fun, sweet, and touching tale. Let me get this out of the way, the shared calendar was wonderful! What an interesting way for a couple to communicate and connect. Some of the entries were precious while others created some rather laughable moments. Regardless, it was a unique and standout part of this story for me. <br /><br />
All that aside, Klara and Alex really were the stars of this tale. I instantly wanted to hug and protect them because it was easy to see both were kind of stuck and experiencing some personal difficulties.
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Klara had moved from Sweden to England with many aspirations, but the pieces had yet to fall into place for her. When her family asked her to return to Sweden while her father underwent chemotherapy, Klara really had to go outside of her comfort zone. This effort paid off in a big way for Klara as she discovered a lot about herself and grew tremendously. I was so happy for her and proud of everything she accomplished. It was not easy, but Klara succeeded in more ways than she could ever have imagined.
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One of the benefits of being back in Sweden was meeting Alex. He had been battling his mental health issues since his brother's death. Getting a job was the first of many steps in the right direction, and the universe worked some magic when it brought him to Klara's business. Though it was a bit rocky at first, a beautiful friendship grew between Alex and Klara. It was really wonderful the way Alex embraced the whole of Klara and delighted in her quirks. Klara finally found someone worthy of her, and I simply adored seeing these two grow fonder of each other.
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The story was packed with lots of smile-worthy rom-com moments which were made even better with a great cast of characters. Zetterberg also did a lovely job incorporating heavier topics without weighing down the story. The combination of heavy and light was perfectly balanced resulting in a fun and fantastic reading experience.
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Overall, I am so glad I had this opportunity to travel to Sweden with Klara. It was a pleasure rooting for her as she pushed beyond her boundaries which resulted in self-discovery while also leading to her finding love and clarity for her future.
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwZspeMaUd2eyvOJp8XRwFG1Fpf6SQjJ3qEgefzHOgQMeEiHxu7Vcl8LteKxLw4EDWwpLNLFNgvFkduzSG4a_3oZi46teKvjk5QDmWJmp8_Dkml4AoDN2srK4llV47IhGoqVlDg50ySa3M19fNnc1clQFarRE8hD5qcG768SWzjbs34dizWJPqJ6U-puV/s2560/Old%20Flames%20and%20new%20Fortunes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwZspeMaUd2eyvOJp8XRwFG1Fpf6SQjJ3qEgefzHOgQMeEiHxu7Vcl8LteKxLw4EDWwpLNLFNgvFkduzSG4a_3oZi46teKvjk5QDmWJmp8_Dkml4AoDN2srK4llV47IhGoqVlDg50ySa3M19fNnc1clQFarRE8hD5qcG768SWzjbs34dizWJPqJ6U-puV/s320/Old%20Flames%20and%20new%20Fortunes.jpeg" width="208" /></a></div><br />Old Flames and New Fortunes</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Sarah Hogle</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> G.P. Putnam's Sons on April 2, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Fiction, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="font-family: Lato;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/194802762" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<blockquote style="background: rgb(231, 139, 154); border-radius: 1px; border: 1px solid rgb(188, 1, 81); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 15px 15px; padding: 15px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">From the celebrated author of You Deserve Each Other and Just Like Magic, a steamy second-chance romance about a magical florist’s unexpected reunion with her high school sweetheart as she fake dates his soon-to-be stepbrother.
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A small, magical town tucked away in rural Ohio, Moonville is the perfect place for flora fortunist Romina Tempest to expand her shop, where she uses the language of flowers to help the hopeful manifest their love lives. After giving up on her own big romance eleven years ago, at least she can bask in the promise of others’.
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So, when the shop’s potential financier shares news of his wedding, Romina jumps on the opportunity to discuss buying the business. What better place to negotiate a deal than at a wedding, even if she has to fake-date her chaotic colleague Trevor to get an invitation? But all hell breaks loose when she discovers Trevor’s soon-to-be stepbrother is none other than Alex her high school sweetheart. Her greatest love. The boy who, eleven years ago, broke her heart, and who now thinks she and Trevor are dating.
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What starts as an innocent misunderstanding becomes a week-long fake dating scheme, as Romina resolves to make Alex pay for breaking her heart. The only issue? She can’t deny their still-burning connection. Caught between proving to Alex what he lost, and coming clean and risking her business, Romina must decide whether giving Alex another chance means going back on herself, or finally releasing her hold on the past.</span>
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<p>Romina had returned to Moonville over a decade ago with a broken and hardened heart. Though she no longer believed in romance, she had made a career in the love industry as a flora fortunist - telling fortunes via flowers. When, Alex, her first love returns to Moonville, Romina found those long dormant love flutters return, but is Romina willing to put her heart on the line again?
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This book was such a delight! Maybe my summary up there sounds a bit gloomy, but I feel confident in calling <b>Old Flames and New Fortunes</b> a rom-com. There were laughs and smiles galore while some parts of both Romina and Alex's past give the book some emotional heft. Hogle did a beautiful job weaving these elements together resulting in a tantalizing tale. <br /><br />
The Tempest family was a definite highlight for me. The three sisters along with Romina's niece had a great dynamic. There were the usual family antics, but I could also feel the love. These ladies were there for each other and supported one another as they built a successful business together. It was a pleasure getting to know them all.
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One plot point revolved around the expansion of the family business - The Magick Happens. This shop had been in the family for many years, and the girls grew up there watching their grandmother share her "magic" with others. It was fantastic being in the shop, and I relished learning about all the Tempest magic and the services and products they purveyed.<br /><br />
It was this expansion plot that lead to the fake dating between Romina and her friend/boss Trevor. I would say that some of the best rom-com moments in the book were a direct result of Trevor and Romina's fauxmance. Trevor was already hilarious on his own, so over the top, but add in a pretend relationship and two exes, and there was plenty of comedy gold to be mined.
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The fake dating trope was lots of fun, but I was really here for that second chance romance. Romina and Alex's love story, as well as its demise, was shown via flashbacks, but the whole story wasn't revealed until Alex and Romina actually discussed it. They were young, it was sad, but the best part was that they still had such strong feelings for each other, and here they were, both unattached and maybe ready to embark on something together. And there was the wedding week which was packed with fun activities and provided the perfect backdrop for their reunion to unfold. I am sure Hogle fans will appreciate the initial sparring while also getting a thrill out of seeing the sparks fly between these old flames.
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I would be remiss in not mentioning how wonderful Moonville was. I instantly fell in love with this charming little town. Lovely in its description and filled with some fabulous characters, the town was the perfect setting for this second chance romance.
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Overall, I had such a wonderful time seeing Alex and Romina reconnect and reignite their love for each other. Great characters, fun rom-com moments, and a bit of magic made this a brilliant and heartwarming read for me. I am crossing my fingers that we will get a chance to return to Moonville, as each of the Tempest sisters deserve their HEA.</p>
<p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;"><span style="background-color: initial; color: #bc0151; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER</span></p>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Would you want your flower fortune?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-65888422639158869682024-03-17T03:00:00.173-04:002024-03-17T03:00:00.149-04:00Sundays with Sam - The Sunday Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<p>Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by <a href="http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/">Caffeinated Book Reviewer</a> and Stacking the Shelves hosted by <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga's Reviews</a>.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">My Week in Review</h2>
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<p>Happy Sunday and Erin go Bragh! I am not really a St. Pat's day person, but my mother likes to celebrate her heritage. I am up for some soda bread and corned beef. Anyone else doing anything? </p><p>Last Sunday, my daughter and I went out for <b><a href="https://thegundis.com/" target="_blank">Kurdish breakfast</a></b>. It was excellent (and the service was great, too). She then took me to the <b><a href="https://disney100exhibit.com/" target="_blank">Disney100</a></b> pop-up. They had some really neat items on display. I was most impressed with the costumes. Seeing them up close revealed some interesting details. I got to try <b>Raising Cane's</b>, too. I don't have one near me, and I must admit, it was tasty. All the hype about the Cane's sauce is true (in my opinion). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYpRufPM2mfE0OldTJXvEfr3Tu5pmLjMtZZeyVd8ZvLeZ0Lo1kYogK6YFQzJhOyd81gUTtmXJDTmCOrUfeETzbwMAUv52mf80GD0Bbyp2-fxus4PV3T9ACazszEnTdTNdL2qVlASSdwTAh7Xywt-Mm-HNK7kWiQPaVzl0p4aQqC7p8J3ULVyR9vqkTQ_R/s3000/Chicago%20032024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2098" data-original-width="3000" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYpRufPM2mfE0OldTJXvEfr3Tu5pmLjMtZZeyVd8ZvLeZ0Lo1kYogK6YFQzJhOyd81gUTtmXJDTmCOrUfeETzbwMAUv52mf80GD0Bbyp2-fxus4PV3T9ACazszEnTdTNdL2qVlASSdwTAh7Xywt-Mm-HNK7kWiQPaVzl0p4aQqC7p8J3ULVyR9vqkTQ_R/w640-h448/Chicago%20032024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Monday, I came home. My flight was almost delayed due to high winds in Newark, but we left on time. Whew! Then, it was work every day, though, we got some great news on Thursday. They are going to let us work from home two days a week now. I was excited. It's good timing with the NJ Transit hikes. I am going to travel Monday through Wednesday, and then work from home Thursday and Friday. I am hoping I am motivated and use the extra time well. </p>
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<p><b><u>On the Blog</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/one-old-one-new-jesse-q-sutanto.html" target="_blank">Monday</a></u></b>: Reviews - The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties; Well, That Was Unexpected</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/top-ten-tuesday-animal-antics.html" target="_blank">Tuesday</a></u></b>: TTT - Animal Antics</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/cant-wait-wednesday_01500485750.html" target="_blank">Wednesday</a></u></b>: CWW - I Hope This Finds You Well; The Guests on South Battery</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/isnt-it-romantic.html" target="_blank">Thursday</a></u></b>: Reviews - Kilt Trip; The Takeover</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/spell-month-in-books-march-2024.html" target="_blank">Friday</a></u></b>: Spell the Month in Books - March 2024</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/five-on-my-tbr-artsy-books.html" target="_blank">Saturday</a></u></b>: Five on My TBR - Artsy Books</li>
</ul>
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<p><b><u>Let's Discuss</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://gregsbookhaven.blogspot.com/2017/01/would-you-live-forever-if-you-could.html" target="_blank">Greg</a></b> wants to know if you would want to live forever</li><li><b><a href="https://theorangutanlibrarian.wordpress.com/2024/02/18/more-weird-books-i-like/" target="_blank">The Orangutan Librarian</a></b> shares some weird books they like</li><li><b><a href="https://pagesunbound.wordpress.com/2024/02/26/if-we-are-replaced-by-ai-who-will-hear-our-stories/" target="_blank">Krysta</a></b> wonders who will hear our stories if we are replaces by AI</li>
</ul>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2cbdYpPFjx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2cbdYpPFjx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2cbdYpPFjx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Beautiful Animals (@pandasareawsm)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">Stacking the Shelves</h2>
<div>
<p>I got a bunch of invites. The new ones are below. Some were for books I already had. I may download the <b>Rimmer</b> book. I have enjoyed her books in the past. I took advantage of a read-now situation for <b>If I Stopped Haunting You</b> because it was for a book that was on my TBR (and not releasing in June like every other book). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR-hSCxYWvAu6MlaR4UFnSXD-ZrUbN12-St7vXfl82XpZ7JOMMgwuUiyCoE_e_G4Xy7-B5O3qjZqYcvxQeHWdp53HR1HsAptRFeGIxQGb0Ko2yqe_ezx5ErkxAqt5DTWKiQokpyIxv5mZjRbjejvosYdkzA4lt7dlEtSKzB9pEV5UBMCohT-d_aUMubl5/s2219/STS%20031724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="2219" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR-hSCxYWvAu6MlaR4UFnSXD-ZrUbN12-St7vXfl82XpZ7JOMMgwuUiyCoE_e_G4Xy7-B5O3qjZqYcvxQeHWdp53HR1HsAptRFeGIxQGb0Ko2yqe_ezx5ErkxAqt5DTWKiQokpyIxv5mZjRbjejvosYdkzA4lt7dlEtSKzB9pEV5UBMCohT-d_aUMubl5/w640-h258/STS%20031724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p><b><u>Netgalley/Edelweiss</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/203578889" target="_blank">If I Stopped Haunting</a></b> You by Colby Wilkens</li>
</ul>
<p><b><u>Invites</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/194803871" target="_blank">Archangel's Lineage</a></b> by Nalini Singh</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/199605682" target="_blank">The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh</a></b> by Claudia Gray</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75673972-when-i-lost-you" target="_blank">When I Lost You</a></b> by Kelly Rimmer</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Read Last Week</h2>
<div>
<p>The week started out solid, but it ended with a bang! <b>Effie Olsen</b> was my favorite book of the week. It was just everything I love. A great friends-to-lovers romance that was packed with humor, great banter, and fabulous characters. I was laughing or smiling at almost every moment as I read this book. It was also a wonderful coming home tale, and food! So much food. I loved it! </p>
<p><b>Find all my reviews on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/25774455-samantha-wlabb?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=read" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></p>
<p><b><u>Books</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SYa4_aNZEXvnNNFWvjjCdmnilsAb6KoSMdgo3Dh83Tcv6GfRg95xpk8Pp3unz1wZd-P2j8IRTGglVxVL2yp5-Ppfa08Ids3Z4bb_MVvhtiKb8QiPeE8yXQTeQzISluZKc0rBRutgoHXVKGTVLlH3TelukVblRoL46awvoh6qpJ6UZTUNkvh-RI3HMxQq/s2148/Read%20031724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="2148" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SYa4_aNZEXvnNNFWvjjCdmnilsAb6KoSMdgo3Dh83Tcv6GfRg95xpk8Pp3unz1wZd-P2j8IRTGglVxVL2yp5-Ppfa08Ids3Z4bb_MVvhtiKb8QiPeE8yXQTeQzISluZKc0rBRutgoHXVKGTVLlH3TelukVblRoL46awvoh6qpJ6UZTUNkvh-RI3HMxQq/w640-h196/Read%20031724.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112975158-asap" target="_blank">ASAP</a></b> by Axie Oh - ★★★★</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/152948970-welcome-home-caroline-kline" target="_blank">Welcome Home, Caroline Kline</a></b> by Courtney Preiss - ★★★★</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/195597337" target="_blank">Secrets of Starshine Cove</a></b> by Debbie Johnson - ★★★★</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/154488299-the-kamogawa-food-detectives" target="_blank">The Kamogawa Food Detectives</a></b> by Hisashi Kashiwai - ★★★★ 1/2</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195430704-effie-olsen-s-summer-special" target="_blank">Effie Olsen's Special Summer</a></b> by Rochelle Bilow - ★★★★★</li>
</ul>
<p><b><u>Audiobooks</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjICOSAcs2cAdE1aCviE4JhFLSXqOO5oDvbxjDO4QYCrSR8Al10vB6tyuJZEN52GrtiMZN5oAAjHzccESGm3n9E1exKkPPwBWNVSOgrmc1pVPvoZadD0rWP8uvSydBZLRSKkWpYJt7pFE5LrgBFC7NysWntAJa63uwnPWYjbTv1BKhZo1aeubOFgQQcpg/s1098/Listen%20031724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1098" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjICOSAcs2cAdE1aCviE4JhFLSXqOO5oDvbxjDO4QYCrSR8Al10vB6tyuJZEN52GrtiMZN5oAAjHzccESGm3n9E1exKkPPwBWNVSOgrmc1pVPvoZadD0rWP8uvSydBZLRSKkWpYJt7pFE5LrgBFC7NysWntAJa63uwnPWYjbTv1BKhZo1aeubOFgQQcpg/s320/Listen%20031724.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/38136879" target="_blank">The Lovely and the Lost</a></b> by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - ★★★★</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/129537428-coyote-lost-and-found" target="_blank">Coyote Lost and Found</a></b> by Dan Gemeinhart - ★★★★ 1/2</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Currently Reading</h2>
<div>
<p>I bumped my backlog book because I had to read a library book. I am sure I will enjoy the <b>White</b> book though. <b>Next to You</b> is fun. The hero is a total cinnamon roll. So far, the other <b>Bonam-Young</b> books I read have been good but they have not been able to surpass <b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/isnt-it-romantic_01740803153.html" target="_blank">Out on a Limb</a></b>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJk_LjIM5K1sPV6VCA7GcUOMyePmg99fwB-FJv7yGp_ryzVoncoM7JLQUoWnq8W3mNn4UbpRkqhTmk2k9FhQesyoDUXl83jMs8uccSeyiRXhK9vLDfOwaqWPmIZgQavNqhD9Ki1mE-K8hj69okMCBYfs24AtJjEpI-sFkfw3P4qLX5trHT9FH0ed8AEPM/s1098/Currently%20031724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1098" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJk_LjIM5K1sPV6VCA7GcUOMyePmg99fwB-FJv7yGp_ryzVoncoM7JLQUoWnq8W3mNn4UbpRkqhTmk2k9FhQesyoDUXl83jMs8uccSeyiRXhK9vLDfOwaqWPmIZgQavNqhD9Ki1mE-K8hj69okMCBYfs24AtJjEpI-sFkfw3P4qLX5trHT9FH0ed8AEPM/s320/Currently%20031724.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30068929-the-guests-on-south-battery" target="_blank">The Guests on South Battery</a></b> by Karen White</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/107525361-next-to-you" target="_blank">Next to You</a></b> by Hannah Bonam-Young</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">To Be Read</h2>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEgr6emOC5KxRZi85YG_zik0gdZ_iwHOvjGZns4vAZ4LTZKZYJGLpoKwj0UW8WcyXkQmMF0e9JB8x9cNw6WptBUiwoYCVychvTjmE78M6h9bXOzDWAMc2r8CQmnXIV-scOrgbe_V5K_OEvMiGNF59JS7psY3jZ-b5QyS_EzDQpD1XYB-N4PqBDQl28Qch/s2219/TBR%20031724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="2219" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEgr6emOC5KxRZi85YG_zik0gdZ_iwHOvjGZns4vAZ4LTZKZYJGLpoKwj0UW8WcyXkQmMF0e9JB8x9cNw6WptBUiwoYCVychvTjmE78M6h9bXOzDWAMc2r8CQmnXIV-scOrgbe_V5K_OEvMiGNF59JS7psY3jZ-b5QyS_EzDQpD1XYB-N4PqBDQl28Qch/w640-h246/TBR%20031724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13227454-the-unlikely-pilgrimage-of-harold-fry" target="_blank">The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry</a></b> by Rachel Joyce</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206756992-catch-a-wave" target="_blank">Catch a Wave</a></b> by Savannah Scott</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/198493739" target="_blank">Mistakes We Never Made</a></b> by Hannah Brown</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196845456-lovers-and-liars" target="_blank">Lovers and Liars</a></b> by Amanda Eyre Ward</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s1037/sam%20signature1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1037" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s320/sam%20signature1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How was your week?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-67284987951220976282024-03-16T04:00:00.060-04:002024-03-16T04:00:00.255-04:00Five on My TBR - Artsy Books<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTNskSexd6UhL1Pc8oJ0jr93kndxPEL7tpe8hiF8oOCSttzfJ--BUZXI--OA5i2RwgEvCeUEU7lLAUfJlMON3lq5W1ZkGWu1dVWb4haAXawGkn8BzFV9DpnPfgXpBtzBUX8MsQjXZF65jtukzujTvWmcSlqLNQTYyO4VnAI4WYtXh9j3bWj8SrD_vVolF/s2240/Five%20on%20My%20TBR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTNskSexd6UhL1Pc8oJ0jr93kndxPEL7tpe8hiF8oOCSttzfJ--BUZXI--OA5i2RwgEvCeUEU7lLAUfJlMON3lq5W1ZkGWu1dVWb4haAXawGkn8BzFV9DpnPfgXpBtzBUX8MsQjXZF65jtukzujTvWmcSlqLNQTYyO4VnAI4WYtXh9j3bWj8SrD_vVolF/w640-h360/Five%20on%20My%20TBR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<p>
#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by <b><a href="https://localbeehuntersnook.home.blog/" target="_blank">E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook</a></b>. Learn more about it <a href="https://localbeehuntersnook.home.blog/5onmytbr/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">Artsy Books</h2>
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<div> I love any opportunity to feature more books and found this meme an interesting way to take a look at my TBR. I hope to also get some feedback from you. Should I keep these books on my TBR? Should I push them up the list? Without further ado, below are five books that seem to be artsy be it the character, the setting, the subject matter, and so forth. </div>
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<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5U2GafEEoQ5vfixJC1437g3eeHOF1EEBE5quMi5Jq6BZyZ_vziarjHuT6btqjQ1hivBgLslBX0NCO0TMDuRTKmoOFUtMYlAJJk85j4p5acgfUx_FPj_KOrQ7Unnu2PrDKYDCfWxVYoPhAGDFQGox_hOVnVvRZlnfcgjxt4UbhL7lInWCYCEGsHTA71-s/s5550/1.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5550" data-original-width="3675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5U2GafEEoQ5vfixJC1437g3eeHOF1EEBE5quMi5Jq6BZyZ_vziarjHuT6btqjQ1hivBgLslBX0NCO0TMDuRTKmoOFUtMYlAJJk85j4p5acgfUx_FPj_KOrQ7Unnu2PrDKYDCfWxVYoPhAGDFQGox_hOVnVvRZlnfcgjxt4UbhL7lInWCYCEGsHTA71-s/s320/1.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150246174-mrs-quinn-s-rise-to-fame" target="_blank">Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame</a> </b>by Olivia Ford
<blockquote>
A huge-hearted, redemptive coming-of-old-age tale, a love story, and an ode to good food
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Nothing could be more out of character, but after fifty-nine years of marriage, as her husband Bernard’s health declines, and her friends' lives become focused on their grandchildren—which Jenny never had—Jenny decides she wants a little something for herself. So she secretly applies to be a contestant on the prime-time TV show Britain Bakes.
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Whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras and timed challenges, Jenny delights in a new-found independence. But that independence, and the stress of the competition, starts to unearth memories buried decades ago. Chocolate teacakes remind her of a furtive errand involving a wedding ring; sugared doughnuts call up a stranger’s kind act; a simple cottage loaf brings back the moment her life changed forever.
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With her baking star rising, Jenny struggles to keep a lid on that first secret—a long-concealed deceit that threatens to shatter the very foundations of her marriage. It’s the only time in six decades that she’s kept something from Bernard. By putting herself in the limelight, has Jenny created a recipe for disaster?</blockquote>
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<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgfbt1b544ZnE1u2S3cUoNg3TavYljEPhE7phsofS6B5QASxH2eqIoptl0Dcu4onujBmcGyJJinnMaPiB8e9cASeZ64i57mFoet0hhp3CN_j54bEvu7QvbrGimgMMce_tit_pJ7TtsliCmfVJLgFNdqM_xjbJGRx_qRvhZ03ryEF15P_rMm3VXfx_SrlL/s2400/2.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgfbt1b544ZnE1u2S3cUoNg3TavYljEPhE7phsofS6B5QASxH2eqIoptl0Dcu4onujBmcGyJJinnMaPiB8e9cASeZ64i57mFoet0hhp3CN_j54bEvu7QvbrGimgMMce_tit_pJ7TtsliCmfVJLgFNdqM_xjbJGRx_qRvhZ03ryEF15P_rMm3VXfx_SrlL/s320/2.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203164444-no-one-does-it-like-you" target="_blank">No One Does It Like You</a> </b>by Katie Shepherd<blockquote>
College sweethearts reunite to restore more than just an old inn in this new romance by Katie Shepard, author of Sweeten the Deal.
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When’s the best time to tell your ex that you want them back?
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Probably not in the middle of a Category 3 hurricane. But when Broadway actor Tom Wilczewski is about to dive into the floodwaters to rescue his co-lead, he calls the ex-wife he hasn’t seen in ten years to swear he still loves her and ask for a chance to make things right.
<br /><br />
Two months later, Rose Kelly is tired of seeing pictures of her ex-husband Tom rescuing Hollywood darling Boyd Kellagher. Not that she’s jealous. Of course not. She’s far too busy taking care of her elderly aunt and worrying about the storm damage to the family B&B on Martha’s Vineyard to miss the love of her life. But after belatedly hearing Tom’s voicemail, Rosie asks him to follow through on his promises for once by helping her fix the inn. Thinking this is the perfect way to win her back, Tom agrees.
<br /><br />
When they get there, things are…less than ideal. Rosie expected the inn to be in better shape. She expected it to have more beds. And she expected more help from her actual family—not from Tom and the rest of his Broadway cast. But Rosie begins to wonder if maybe the life she expected isn’t the one she really wants. If she and Tom can repair the inn together, can they possibly repair the damage to the relationship they both thought was long gone?</blockquote>
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<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FolbWKQt1NMtKtkumwxmm3ewCNUe9HGlwJJa5bGOigcCgSPQshyphenhyphenH3r3zfTHnq-c2WEaOIEH2dfhCuKdO5MrFGAN5j77piRuczoKD6lAz1fHlSj9HEN-3wcT8O_Qz25VOR14ZeYmHSGEYX0maSmCeMy2AFqbQ15hcyIxENHbr6ZT0lJhAt7K9IpxktliF/s500/3.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FolbWKQt1NMtKtkumwxmm3ewCNUe9HGlwJJa5bGOigcCgSPQshyphenhyphenH3r3zfTHnq-c2WEaOIEH2dfhCuKdO5MrFGAN5j77piRuczoKD6lAz1fHlSj9HEN-3wcT8O_Qz25VOR14ZeYmHSGEYX0maSmCeMy2AFqbQ15hcyIxENHbr6ZT0lJhAt7K9IpxktliF/s320/3.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/195430688" target="_blank">The Paris Novel</a></b> by Ruth Reichl<blockquote>
Bestselling author Ruth Reichl takes readers on an adventure of food, art, and fashion in 1980s Paris in this dazzling, heartfelt novel
<br /><br />
Stella reached for an oyster, tipped her head and tossed it back. It was cool and slippery, the flavor so briny it was like diving into the ocean... Oysters, she thought, where have they been all my life?
<br /><br />
When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual a one-way plane ticket and a note reading Go to Paris . But Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a childhood trauma has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. When her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.
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Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and, for the first time in her life, Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress and together they embark on an adventure.
<br /><br />
Her first iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters, and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces her to a veritable who’s who of the 1980s Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, Stella begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.
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As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past. A feast for the senses, this novel is a testament to living deliciously, taking chances, and finding your true home.</blockquote>
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<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0N1j5c7F8MYm_t5MVH5WlDMLuzzAC7pzHVUUohp5473-Evh6i5QfxZFnNAW7Mi_HijsOHZkSim-d4FfcI5kh-Fh41r3lQ8eMVl0gZkwiotQhbz9zfAAVm_cqP0ZItdTtJpiz52zK2nynaYjCLAWUscaw3egFfXEHtrvbitK5F5clMYYcw2u9B_67OB8O5/s2173/4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2173" data-original-width="1399" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0N1j5c7F8MYm_t5MVH5WlDMLuzzAC7pzHVUUohp5473-Evh6i5QfxZFnNAW7Mi_HijsOHZkSim-d4FfcI5kh-Fh41r3lQ8eMVl0gZkwiotQhbz9zfAAVm_cqP0ZItdTtJpiz52zK2nynaYjCLAWUscaw3egFfXEHtrvbitK5F5clMYYcw2u9B_67OB8O5/s320/4.jpeg" width="206" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/199798015" target="_blank">Under Your Spell</a></b> by Laura Wood<blockquote>
The daughter of an aging rock star finds herself working for the hottest musician on the planet and is shocked when sparks start to fly—especially since she swore she’d never, ever date a celebrity—in this unputdownable romance that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry.
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She wants three things. He isn’t one of them...
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Dumped by her cheating ex, fired from her dream job, and about to lose her Clementine Monroe is not having a good day. So when her sisters get her drunk and suggest reviving a childhood ritual called the Breakup Spell, she doesn’t see the harm in it.
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But now Clemmie has accidentally ruined a funeral, had her first one-night stand, and she’s stuck with a new job she definitely doesn’t want—spending six weeks alone with the gorgeous and very-off-limits rock star, Theo Eliott.
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He’s the most famous man on the planet. Her life’s a disaster. As their summer together turns into its own kind of magic, is Clemmie cursed to repeat the mistakes of her past—or will her future see all her wishes come true?</blockquote>
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<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7f2oa_KHthGIn4UjOSPUIpZdGMzKOSQWgee_lkvV6B1j735pPdTzieaVUZbDy8TxCmpigrC7gavMKkOogLdqp4P7YKcw2J-79XYjuaPdSoZ1WqSluUACMQyu6S6wUGE7v3wkkeblgiONRzW0ambNhdhwTEH__xeSn3tqL8t6HGbnBYIOQGymxOMxit8f/s445/5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7f2oa_KHthGIn4UjOSPUIpZdGMzKOSQWgee_lkvV6B1j735pPdTzieaVUZbDy8TxCmpigrC7gavMKkOogLdqp4P7YKcw2J-79XYjuaPdSoZ1WqSluUACMQyu6S6wUGE7v3wkkeblgiONRzW0ambNhdhwTEH__xeSn3tqL8t6HGbnBYIOQGymxOMxit8f/s320/5.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/184598233" target="_blank">Wedding Issues</a></b> by Elle Evans<blockquote>
Competition for a bridal magazine cover unleashes frenemy mayhem and family sparring in this hilarious, frothy debut. Olivia “Liv” Fitzgerald, soon-to-be-lawyer, can talk anyone into anything. Well, almost anything. When her scheming aunt throws her cousin, Kali, into a competition for a bridal magazine cover alongside Liv’s best friend, Leighton, all hell breaks loose. To save the day, Liv only has to
<br /><br />
a) Secure the Southern Charme cover for Leighton,<br />
b) Keep Aunt Charlotte happy and Kali’s wedding running smoothly,<br />
c) Finish her final year of law school and nab a coveted NYC big-law job, and<br />
d) Win over the guy of her dreams.<br /><br />
What, like it’s hard? With sparkling prose, debut author Elle Evans gives us a hysterical, moving twist on the classic bride wars story. Readers will root for Liv as she balances her schemes, dreams, and double Maid of Honor duties, discovering that integrity might be more important than smooth talking―even if it means she can't please everyone at once.</blockquote>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What artsy books are on your TBR?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-76389599275150170392024-03-15T04:00:00.033-04:002024-03-15T04:00:00.136-04:00Spell the Month in Books - March 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOxIdE0ZCRgDAyQS4DfhTzUmZ_wfUT5dU7AUDrmQfm-8w4QqLNRwqXmevXYxdY0aNKMZRXGdHMArqN4lyths02pvPPnyFHGG6_lAjd75XGUMOEXgOWu468GvcIbn97Bf4RFOCsKP-7qMA7apDEbcS1cJPKXFmBO_-zUpYRNfbdq1j4xwAl-UefFOpUAHQ/s2240/SpellMonth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOxIdE0ZCRgDAyQS4DfhTzUmZ_wfUT5dU7AUDrmQfm-8w4QqLNRwqXmevXYxdY0aNKMZRXGdHMArqN4lyths02pvPPnyFHGG6_lAjd75XGUMOEXgOWu468GvcIbn97Bf4RFOCsKP-7qMA7apDEbcS1cJPKXFmBO_-zUpYRNfbdq1j4xwAl-UefFOpUAHQ/w640-h360/SpellMonth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<p>Spell the Month in Books is hosted by <strong><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/">Reviews From the Stacks</a></strong>. The goal is to spell the current month with the first letter of book titles, excluding articles such as 'the' and 'a' as needed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbGkVXVq1m_wJDphu39ooXOq1FG6zLft7RNM1huWjWgltJ7EWsXv1nrftkRZhDv8JILdOedSiP8hui_Gxg3jq3FPHN4tknoOrkDpbM8-GlGkVRM6GpxgwzkpQEkcbWJOfF1LkEunV0uQS5WubV68je6oz3uoIF-28HNSFq_jCxWaCeyB3GsCzAUtPp97O/s2229/March.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="2229" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbGkVXVq1m_wJDphu39ooXOq1FG6zLft7RNM1huWjWgltJ7EWsXv1nrftkRZhDv8JILdOedSiP8hui_Gxg3jq3FPHN4tknoOrkDpbM8-GlGkVRM6GpxgwzkpQEkcbWJOfF1LkEunV0uQS5WubV68je6oz3uoIF-28HNSFq_jCxWaCeyB3GsCzAUtPp97O/w640-h70/March.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtEIwfZHQq9QoKFC6R4ZmWrW2mMVjfmSg-hiUkNHXxrc3kSntX1PBirYyhsy9g5EL1AOQ_eHHaAtgrd-BxzWPaAV66sWEr41qFbezsZ1Iv-CiPKNNp_Tp0zp7JdKiDpbHLzytViXgXvIWM-aA7R_BeDlA0s-2UV0fnqlg_CJkG4zgU4-lz1Ric5aaCjjf/s2415/STM%20March%2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="2415" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtEIwfZHQq9QoKFC6R4ZmWrW2mMVjfmSg-hiUkNHXxrc3kSntX1PBirYyhsy9g5EL1AOQ_eHHaAtgrd-BxzWPaAV66sWEr41qFbezsZ1Iv-CiPKNNp_Tp0zp7JdKiDpbHLzytViXgXvIWM-aA7R_BeDlA0s-2UV0fnqlg_CJkG4zgU4-lz1Ric5aaCjjf/w640-h202/STM%20March%2024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />
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<p><b>M</b> - <b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/one-old-one-new-coyote-canyon-edition.html" target="_blank">The Messy Life of Jane Tanner</a></b> by Brenda Novak</p><p><b>A</b> - <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/177185880-after-annie" target="_blank">After Annie</a></b> by Anna Quindlen</p><p><b>R </b>- <b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/isnt-it-romantic-five-star-edition.html" target="_blank">Right on Cue</a></b> by Falon Ballard</p><p><b>C</b> - <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58100280" target="_blank">The Cheat Sheet</a></b> by Sarah Adams</p><p><b>H</b> - <b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/isnt-it-romantic-five-star-edition.html" target="_blank">The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley</a></b> by Courtney Walsh</p>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How would you spell the month?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-64933828948487721002024-03-14T04:00:00.076-04:002024-03-14T04:00:00.145-04:00Isn't It Romantic? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcokihnCsDgps11IcQoPr-lc7WgiTDuv8lrLJBs-MTXSIghpH2xDE5MculPS7t2Xa-Qacvw5H63P2MOIdoRZQuIV0T33s7fIEmrjE4hK2bkz67cLj-oh9J1_uoLWsMo3E6M5k3s97lXPJjRAVbzMAtufeIf3OmpObMgM9n6H5JZFHg3BFoNVffoSLOQ/s2040/isnt%20it%20romatic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcokihnCsDgps11IcQoPr-lc7WgiTDuv8lrLJBs-MTXSIghpH2xDE5MculPS7t2Xa-Qacvw5H63P2MOIdoRZQuIV0T33s7fIEmrjE4hK2bkz67cLj-oh9J1_uoLWsMo3E6M5k3s97lXPJjRAVbzMAtufeIf3OmpObMgM9n6H5JZFHg3BFoNVffoSLOQ/w640-h188/isnt%20it%20romatic.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1XdaTCLRWd4CexdYvVZ5fBJbvZsx_vVhPXTrsQtCdpL0Cw6TVggv_yluaEVv186oNGXEMmBIqXPzMp-ltf1MXEVD_YSfL-vWauc4ru6ZtoWp0rhOLG9o9xpx0Xnw2HAhOTXTj_Tec_Lf4GE6q_HR6-bZsvz1CatRkdlebKGXnjnJckkANnJIdVyHIavu/s1200/IIR%20031424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1200" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1XdaTCLRWd4CexdYvVZ5fBJbvZsx_vVhPXTrsQtCdpL0Cw6TVggv_yluaEVv186oNGXEMmBIqXPzMp-ltf1MXEVD_YSfL-vWauc4ru6ZtoWp0rhOLG9o9xpx0Xnw2HAhOTXTj_Tec_Lf4GE6q_HR6-bZsvz1CatRkdlebKGXnjnJckkANnJIdVyHIavu/w640-h496/IIR%20031424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAr3DeYQHa-boAimfgXBwzw2CAHXKrUBlgkWjFH0rE1LufT7oqJuiwcExFUYW_7LHh2ZXMCLxIgNH3Flu3fAO4RlY6MWqkMIxSH0Pqx2Q1nShc4_rWtglhz3m3CTHqKBX7e9F9SkWj0ZOofHbFQsXGXzc9pIomuDcSc25XLQv8jxm2sfe52pVFTpEgt9u/s3200/Kilt%20Trip.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAr3DeYQHa-boAimfgXBwzw2CAHXKrUBlgkWjFH0rE1LufT7oqJuiwcExFUYW_7LHh2ZXMCLxIgNH3Flu3fAO4RlY6MWqkMIxSH0Pqx2Q1nShc4_rWtglhz3m3CTHqKBX7e9F9SkWj0ZOofHbFQsXGXzc9pIomuDcSc25XLQv8jxm2sfe52pVFTpEgt9u/s320/Kilt%20Trip.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Kilt Trip</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Alexandra Kiley</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Canary Street Press on March 5, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150444412-kilt-trip" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Ready or Scot...
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Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around the world—anywhere but Scotland. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a struggling family-run tour company in the Highlands—and save her own job—Addie packs away her emotional baggage and turns on the professional charm.
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Rugged as the land he loves, Logan Sutherland’s greatest joy is sharing the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems…even if it means a wee bit of red ink on the company’s bottom line. The last thing Logan wants is some American “expert” pushing tourist traps and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster—especially when Addie never leaves her desk to experience the country for herself.
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As they wage an office war, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. Hoping for a truce, he creates a private tour to the places in the pictures to help Addie find closure and appreciate the enchantment in less-traveled destinations, never expecting the off-limits attraction sparking between them. But Addie’s contract is almost up, and magic won’t pay the bills. They can’t afford distractions, but how can Addie do her job if she hasn’t explored all Scotland—and Logan—have to offer?</span>
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<p>When Addie was hired as a travel consultant for <i>Heart of the Highlands</i> tour company, she was excited since it would give her an opportunity to retrace her late mother's trip to Scotland. While this may have initially been a way to remember and reconnect with her mother, it became a way for Addie to heal and reconnect with herself.
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Scotland is one of those bucket list places for me, and I always jump at the chance to read stories set there. But that was not the only draw with <b>Kilt Trip</b>. I found so many things to love as I smiled, laughed, and swooned my way through this sweet and heartfelt romance.
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Scotland definitely had a starring role in this tale. Since a big part of this story was the tour packages from <i>Heart of the Highlands</i>, I was treated to several really amazing trips. I commend Kiley on the vivid descriptions which pulled me out of New Jersey and into the Highlands. I saw the sights and heard the sounds while also learning some interesting historical facts.
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Then there was Logan who totally stole my heart. I loved his commitment with trying to help visitors fall in love with his country. A big thing was his aversion to the "tourist trap" type attractions, but I have to say, I think I would be happy to be on his tours any day. His affection for his history and country shined brightly, as did his love for his family and Addie. I adored how he wanted to help Addie with her quest to find all the sites in her mother's pictures while also just wanting to be a part of her personal journey.
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I felt so much compassion and empathy for Addie. It may have been ten years since her mother's death, but it had a profound effect on her life. Losing her mother, and in a sense, her father at the same time, forced Addie to keep people at arm's length. She adopted a nomadic lifestyle that she thought she loved until Logan and everyone at <i>Heart</i> began breaking through those barriers.
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This was a healing journey for Addie, and I was glad she had so many wonderful people to support her along the way. I adored Logan's family and his co-workers who embraced Addie as one of their own. It was beautiful to see her want to put down roots while also attempting to mend her relationship with her father.
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Overall, this book satisfied my wanderlust while touching my heart. It was funny and sweet, and it was an absolute pleasure to be a part of this Kilt Trip.</p>
<p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;"><span style="background-color: initial; color: #bc0151; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER</span></p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbhC138b0LDfH69A87o8eEJDKRHzJSkdx8MSFh_e3V6gO18F-JtBrRSoDSkL4vpqWKs-5qSYXpCeR5GNgSOyFEbFvIK0CifeVtr1JSQf4EKZ7rzufgUiDVKeh6B-2V-t-I7OhU3Rj6TAYHfKS8hi76sEb10RqWos8rvqliPdLJpaGTwgTFRoN5RY9FbfP/s400/The%20Takeover.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbhC138b0LDfH69A87o8eEJDKRHzJSkdx8MSFh_e3V6gO18F-JtBrRSoDSkL4vpqWKs-5qSYXpCeR5GNgSOyFEbFvIK0CifeVtr1JSQf4EKZ7rzufgUiDVKeh6B-2V-t-I7OhU3Rj6TAYHfKS8hi76sEb10RqWos8rvqliPdLJpaGTwgTFRoN5RY9FbfP/s320/The%20Takeover.jpeg" width="209" /></a></div><br />The Takeover</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Cara Tanamachi</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> St. Martin's Griffin on January 30, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="font-family: Lato;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127284123-the-takeover" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<blockquote style="background: rgb(231, 139, 154); border-radius: 1px; border: 1px solid rgb(188, 1, 81); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 15px 15px; padding: 15px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Sometimes, when you ask the universe for your soulmate, you wind up with your hate mate instead.
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On Nami's 30th birthday, she’s reminded at every turn that her life isn’t what she planned. She’s always excelled at everything – until now. Her fiancé blew up their engagement. Her pride and joy, the tech company she helped to found, is about to lose funding. And her sister, Sora, is getting married to the man of her dreams, Jack, and instead of being happy for her, as she knows she ought to be, she’s fighting off jealousy.
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Frustrated with her life, she makes a wish on a birthday candle to find her soulmate. Instead, the universe delivers her hate mate, Nami’s old high school nemesis, Jae Lee, the most popular kid from high school, who also narrowly beat her out for valedictorian. More than a decade later, Jae is still as effortlessly cool, charming, and stylish as ever, and, to make matters worse, is planning a hostile take-over of her start-up. sharp elbows and even sharper banter as the two go head-to-head to see who’ll win this time. But when their rivalry ignites a different kind of passion, Nami starts to realize that it's not just her company that's in danger of being taken over, but her heart as well.</span>
</p></blockquote>
<p>When Nami made her birthday wish, she never imagined the universe would reunite her with her high school nemesis, Jae. Although she tried to resist his charms, Nami found herself falling for the enemy who came to take her company and ended up taking her heart.
<br /><br />
I have a difficult relationship with enemies-to-lovers romances. The good news is that this one fell on the positive side for me. I feel like <b>The Takeover</b> was a success because only Nami saw Jae as the enemy. Jae held more fond memories of Nami. He credited her with challenging him in high school. He was also happy to be back in Nami's orbit as he was growing bored with his job and life, and he knew Nami would inject some excitement into it.
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Lucky me that I got to witness their reunion and subsequent meetings because these two were something special together. The banter, the teasing, the pranks -- my face hurt from how much I smiled and laughed. They were so competitive, too! I just knew if someone threw a dare out there, the other would jump on it. They did some crazy stuff to try and best the other, but what was really amazing was the way they worked so well together. It was a beautiful thing watching that hate turn to love because these two belonged to one another.
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Adding to my delight was a great group of quirky co-workers and loving families. As much as Jae complained about his family, all their interactions were bursting with affection. I had such a nice time with the Lees. And the office antics were terribly amusing. The chair-napping and the whiteboard debates were some of the highlights. But what I really loved was the family-vibe they had in the office. It was something I would really be thrilled to be part of.
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Overall, I had a fantastic time rooting for Nami and the Toggle family as she tried to fight the corporate takeover while allowing the takeover of her heart.</p>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Would you rather visit<br />tourist traps OR local gems?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-76513460616333849622024-03-13T04:00:00.047-04:002024-03-13T04:00:00.146-04:00Can't Wait Wednesday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53aSI_fcqzE516965HJ6bPIP2DtqXmbpqo1WzVrt_EB1FK82lZPuSz6c1osC6P8rhkUH0E8dXSOD3DtDjCHVpLZMeQqong041vVYxI8yjzoc0q_9Opk96ZAhXmJo6N24vwAY8F2jujUVin5OE01xbZmTSjQ48Ggz4dbfboT5HZqVsqX2WstWMFW9jnFRE/s2040/cant%20wait%20wednesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53aSI_fcqzE516965HJ6bPIP2DtqXmbpqo1WzVrt_EB1FK82lZPuSz6c1osC6P8rhkUH0E8dXSOD3DtDjCHVpLZMeQqong041vVYxI8yjzoc0q_9Opk96ZAhXmJo6N24vwAY8F2jujUVin5OE01xbZmTSjQ48Ggz4dbfboT5HZqVsqX2WstWMFW9jnFRE/w640-h188/cant%20wait%20wednesday.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<p><b>
Can’t-Wait Wednesday</b> is a weekly event hosted by <b><a href="https://www.wishfulendings.com/" target="_blank">Tressa at Wishful Endings</a></b> that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.<br /><br />
I am combining CWW with <b>Books From the Backlog</b> hosted by <b><a href="https://carolesrandomlife.com/" target="_blank">Carole at Carole's Random Life</a></b> in Books. This will allow me to feature some newly "rediscovered" books, which I plan on reading, alongside a new release.
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">This week I can't wait for</h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S4dyX1PYzF3JTay6nnnypWDtLfDg8j2PnyvvxepS8JlaGoRkia880DK3bNZHWgFyKqEq5GbYyTO1eG_ftBTkvmNhojxTbm_wqy9lZhCIIe_zrnlhAbtS4UcYly78ACHqxeOl3-0MLU4v8DKddyB_sLA3rU_HDmSVk0VufstD4JL3lpPOusPjGMqYIU3O/s984/I%20Hope%20This%20Finds%20You%20Well.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S4dyX1PYzF3JTay6nnnypWDtLfDg8j2PnyvvxepS8JlaGoRkia880DK3bNZHWgFyKqEq5GbYyTO1eG_ftBTkvmNhojxTbm_wqy9lZhCIIe_zrnlhAbtS4UcYly78ACHqxeOl3-0MLU4v8DKddyB_sLA3rU_HDmSVk0VufstD4JL3lpPOusPjGMqYIU3O/s320/I%20Hope%20This%20Finds%20You%20Well.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><br />I Hope This Finds You Well</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Natalie Sue</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> William Morrow on May 21, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Fiction</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/200987323" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">In this office comedy, an admin worker accidentally gains access to her colleagues’ private email and direct messages and decides to use the intel to save her job.
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As far as Jolene is concerned, her interactions with her colleagues should start and end with her official duties as an admin for Supershops, Inc. Unfortunately, her irritating, incompetent coworkers don’t seem to understand the importance of boundaries. Her secret to survival? She vents her grievances in petty email postscripts, then changes the text color to white so no one can see—until one of her hidden messages is exposed. Her punishment: sensitivity training (led by the suspiciously friendly HR guy, Cliff) and rigorous email restrictions.
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When an IT mix-up grants her access to her entire department’s private emails and DMs, Jolene knows she should report it, but who can resist reading what their coworkers are really saying? And when she discovers layoffs are coming, she realizes this might just be the key to saving her job. The plan is simple: Gain her boss’s favor; convince HR she’s Supershops material; and beat the competition.
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But as Jolene is drawn further into her coworker’s private worlds and realizes each are keeping secrets, her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble—especially around Cliff, whom she definitely cannot have feelings for. Eventually she will need to decide whether she’s ready to leave the comfort of her cubicle, even if that means coming clean to her colleagues.</span>
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<p>I have done "office work" for most of my life, and my co-workers and I would often joke about our situation and shows and movies that satirize our experience. I think that's what drew me to this book. It will give me the opportunity to laugh at my life as I laugh at Jolene's circumstances. Sounds like it will be a good time. </p><p><br /></p>
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<div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4pSrcLLuN379aFi4aXvXeVOe8urcyZG75Fn70IhW1lFKFYmGKkSjzu3D4cRm7kjxwIbsIhRlmGRH6ye-DFxtNLdu5j4YGD-JLVegAVtGxg2t42iXJWuxJljd9aWSic6TRVaK0J-VjMojLaGS56e5tnurvyNa2HdyjZSYZCoKAGfri3OxLj9MOb8POyys/s500/%20The%20Guests%20on%20South%20Battery.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4pSrcLLuN379aFi4aXvXeVOe8urcyZG75Fn70IhW1lFKFYmGKkSjzu3D4cRm7kjxwIbsIhRlmGRH6ye-DFxtNLdu5j4YGD-JLVegAVtGxg2t42iXJWuxJljd9aWSic6TRVaK0J-VjMojLaGS56e5tnurvyNa2HdyjZSYZCoKAGfri3OxLj9MOb8POyys/s320/%20The%20Guests%20on%20South%20Battery.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br />The Guests on South Battery</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Karen White</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Berkley on January 10, 2017</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Paranormal</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30068929-the-guests-on-south-battery" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Karen White invites you to explore the brick-walked streets of Charleston in her fifth Tradd Street novel, where historic mansions house the memories of years gone by, and restless spirits refuse to fade away...
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With her extended maternity leave at its end, Melanie Trenholm is less than thrilled to leave her new husband and beautiful twins to return to work, especially when she’s awoken by a phone call with no voice on the other end—and the uneasy feeling that the ghostly apparitions that have stayed silent for more than a year are about to invade her life once more.<br /><br />
But her return to the realty office goes better than she could have hoped, with a new client eager to sell the home she recently inherited on South Battery. Most would treasure living in one of the grandest old homes in the famous historic district of Charleston, but Jayne Smith would rather sell hers as soon as possible, guaranteeing Melanie a quick commission.
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Despite her stroke of luck, Melanie can’t deny that spirits—both malevolent and benign—have started to show themselves to her again. One is shrouded from sight, but appears whenever Jayne is near. Another arrives when an old cistern is discovered in Melanie’s backyard on Tradd Street.
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Melanie knows nothing good can come from unearthing the past. But some secrets refuse to stay buried....</span>
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<p>It's been a while since I read the last <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/53562-tradd-street" target="_blank">Tradd Street</a></b> book, so I thought I would make it my backlist book for this week. I have been enjoying this series with the last book FINALLY delivering on the romance that had been simmering for way too long. I am excited to return to this world and see how Melanie is handling her new circumstances. </p><p><br /></p>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What are you waiting on?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-43550088732761203492024-03-12T04:00:00.069-04:002024-03-12T04:00:00.142-04:00Top Ten Tuesday - Animal Antics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfr-h4i4zWeJKh3ez4OVxZd3bQ_OKo1nLliaFAee9pyDmre4G_bwhUtVbnpk56PV4vTIeY05QfBzp47mKXOBHvxRWsx2Gdbo5wuuRfh6fCer0TUx4IPntg1zPXBMeEuUY2vNXkiDN3BP4oIjxuy6BBiJIBA6kq3dUUsAAkbeU8YAQ77x5Z2r3fG878w/s2040/top%20ten%20tuesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfr-h4i4zWeJKh3ez4OVxZd3bQ_OKo1nLliaFAee9pyDmre4G_bwhUtVbnpk56PV4vTIeY05QfBzp47mKXOBHvxRWsx2Gdbo5wuuRfh6fCer0TUx4IPntg1zPXBMeEuUY2vNXkiDN3BP4oIjxuy6BBiJIBA6kq3dUUsAAkbeU8YAQ77x5Z2r3fG878w/w640-h188/top%20ten%20tuesday.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by </span><a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1ca0d2; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;">That Artsy Reader Girl</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">. This week's topic is...</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Animal Antics!</b></i></span></div>
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<div>I recently finished reading <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/192723842" target="_blank">Christa Comes Out of Her Shell</a></b> by Abbi Waxman which was about Christa, a zoologist. She specialized in marine life, but lots of animals were mentioned in this book which also featured an adorable pup. That had me thinking about other books that were made better by animals. Below are the first that came to my mind. </div>
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<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204796292-love-chickens" target="_blank">Love & Chickens</a></b> by Kasey Morris - The chickens are right there in the title, and it was a lot of fun learning about competitive poultry with a few standout birds incorporated into this tale. </li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/library-loans_01961071721.html" target="_blank">Situationship</a></b> by Marina Adair - The family dog, Garbage Disposal, was not always on his best behavior, but his antics were comedy gold. </li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/06/isnt-it-romantic.html" target="_blank">Love, Theoretically</a></b> by Ali Hazelwood - My love for hedgehogs runs deep, and the one featured in this book was forever throwing shade at the heroine. </li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/01/in-nutshell-reviews_0189574674.html" target="_blank">Clover Hendry's Day Off</a></b> by Beth Morrey - During Clover's day off, she encounters a rabbit locked in a car, and well, claims it as her own. </li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/01/in-nutshell-reviews_0123714451.html" target="_blank">The Bright Spot</a></b> by Jill Shalvis - This book took place on a farm, so there were lots of animal, but the baby goat, Dammit Ziggy, stole the show. </li></ol>
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<ol start="6" style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/01/amreading-ya.html" target="_blank">Even If It Breaks Your Heart</a></b> by Erin Hahn - This book was set in the rodeo world, so lots of horses and bulls. </li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/08/in-nutshell-reveiws.html" target="_blank">The Travelling Cat Chronicles</a></b> by Hiro Arikawa - Nana was a special cat who accompanied Satoru on this important trip. </li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2020/03/isnt-it-romantic_26.html" target="_blank">The Tourist Attraction</a></b> by Sarah Morgenthaler - Ulysses the moose played a role in all three books, as did Jake, the blind dog who was always well dressed. </li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37827184-wild-on-my-mind" target="_blank">Wild on My Mind</a></b> by Laurel Kerr - This romance is set in a zoo, so many, many interesting animal interactions, but a feisty honey badger named fluffy was given a point of view which was quite amusing. </li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58733693-remarkably-bright-creatures" target="_blank">Remarkable Bright Creatures</a></b> by Shelby Van Pelt - This book also had another non-human narrator - Marcellus the octopus. He was a highlight for sure. </li></ol>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you met any great animals in books?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
</div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-15272847799139216022024-03-11T04:00:00.017-04:002024-03-11T04:00:00.140-04:00One Old, One New - Jesse Q. Sutanto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mbgZCyGVDWMKhZV4Pb3qfULiUpwu4GLzmvd1L-k8l1QGHKsI8Ldo68-SaFbBmNGgob9cpJwqg8LPm81KOqlwnWzPEyHQGyKidj_GoVQl3GVn4w_vhAhCy5kZeLVeOgOuMfZQxkikQBvkgB8wDylnZbqdiX0xzx7HvC0ov64MA5Mo0cu9S5vS-d1q8Q/s664/one%20old%20one%20new.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="108" data-original-width="664" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mbgZCyGVDWMKhZV4Pb3qfULiUpwu4GLzmvd1L-k8l1QGHKsI8Ldo68-SaFbBmNGgob9cpJwqg8LPm81KOqlwnWzPEyHQGyKidj_GoVQl3GVn4w_vhAhCy5kZeLVeOgOuMfZQxkikQBvkgB8wDylnZbqdiX0xzx7HvC0ov64MA5Mo0cu9S5vS-d1q8Q/w640-h104/one%20old%20one%20new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><p><b>One Old, One New</b> features two books – one old, one new, which are connected in some way. Today I am featuring two books by Jesse Q. Sutanto.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqThp-2t8B4ehD1bXJZbVDSlAsO1LiwwzB2olLvxGYWGRKaCd5qdL36SOzL2WvBR4DJP3INGCNRoiQ0AkW2l1dVRd0UELw3_VR8-NyuqvK1q_-WXqEiQCmg3i_yKYxc8wQlrcVQ15eD58zMfx20oAgb_DygHjFPDsQx1hB1uwK_vX7i683Nw_bt5KqyeP1/s1200/OOON%20031124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1200" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqThp-2t8B4ehD1bXJZbVDSlAsO1LiwwzB2olLvxGYWGRKaCd5qdL36SOzL2WvBR4DJP3INGCNRoiQ0AkW2l1dVRd0UELw3_VR8-NyuqvK1q_-WXqEiQCmg3i_yKYxc8wQlrcVQ15eD58zMfx20oAgb_DygHjFPDsQx1hB1uwK_vX7i683Nw_bt5KqyeP1/w640-h496/OOON%20031124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kLZFA-RI8g1U8ROqwHprA3l0sUcCNN5Zeq5sidtVDOE49Ufr35jrnpnVypknLDSy3yT8I8XJfR4H8PTGk4rgEUOq34JeZIrrYOkXFz7f3VqrWZWwJx_ze5d8pk8vKui_CqKRHj475IrRK8xoR1O2UZjwEz5nTSVs6ggw26suG0Fs8rsPEAqQC0sP43YM/s2560/The%20Good%20the%20bad%20the%20aunties.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1706" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kLZFA-RI8g1U8ROqwHprA3l0sUcCNN5Zeq5sidtVDOE49Ufr35jrnpnVypknLDSy3yT8I8XJfR4H8PTGk4rgEUOq34JeZIrrYOkXFz7f3VqrWZWwJx_ze5d8pk8vKui_CqKRHj475IrRK8xoR1O2UZjwEz5nTSVs6ggw26suG0Fs8rsPEAqQC0sP43YM/s320/The%20Good%20the%20bad%20the%20aunties.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Jesse Q. Sutanto</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Berkley on March 26, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Ficton, Mystery</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/196522663" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">What should have been a family celebration of Chinese New Year descends into chaos when longtime foes crash the party in this hilariously entertaining novel by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.
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After an ultra-romantic honeymoon across Europe, Meddy Chan and her husband Nathan have landed in Jakarta to spend Chinese New Year with her entire extended family. Chinese New Year, already the biggest celebration of the Lunar calendar, gets even more festive when a former beau of Second Aunt’s shows up at the Chan residence bearing extravagant gifts—he’s determined to rekindle his romance with Second Aunt and the gifts are his way of announcing his courtship.
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His grand gesture goes awry however, when it’s discovered that not all the gifts were meant for Second Aunt and the Chans—one particular gift was intended for a business rival to cement their alliance and included by accident. Of course the Aunties agree that it’s only right to return the gift—after all, anyone would forgive an honest mistake, right? But what should have been a simple retrieval turns disastrous and suddenly Meddy and the Aunties are helpless pawns in a decades-long war between Jakarta’s most powerful business factions. The fighting turns personal, however, when Nathan and the Aunties are endangered and it’s up to Meddy to come up with a plan to save them all. Determined to rescue her loved ones, Meddy embarks on an impossible mission—but with the Aunties by her side, nothing is truly impossible…
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<p>The Aunties are back, and as expected, they brought their special brand of chaotic warmth. This installment finds Meddy and the Aunties in Jakarta to celebrate Chinese New Year. A man from the Aunties' past gets them implicated in a situation with some people who may or may not be law-abiding business people. When Nathan is taken captive, Meddy and the Aunties must set things right or face the consequences.
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I know, that last line sounds terribly ominous, but this was an Aunties book, so I knew hilarity would ensue. I always find it difficult to put a label on an Aunties book. They are sort of cozy capers with some suspense/criminal/mystery element. Here, Meddy had to recover the lost title deed while she tried to convince herself that these perfectly law-abiding business people were not really criminals. Of course Meddy and her family had a plan, and of course, it went awry, but that's what I love and expect from this clan.
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As always, the story was fast paced and packed with shenanigans and mayhem. Nathan was his adorable, precious self while Meddy was simultaneously exasperated and appreciative of her zany family as the Aunties wrecked their own special brand of havoc.
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Though I am sad to say goodbye to these characters, I was happy to have this last adventure with them. It was a rollicking good time filled with humor, merriment, and lots of heart.</p>
<p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;"><span style="background-color: initial; color: #bc0151; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER</span></p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRW3HM-JNoehA0EUca575rvaDDWTjac9jIPtkgIISrpN2a5kjs-k0GK0k_EEWJYwogpFccTPSoTLvsGUXXzd4NTAoLJZmHityNDHMZhnN4qBpDWaacjsACtXu2XSp8Qv35wDDj0-VZU4-s2qinoLu2hvi2XE36EQ277Erz94Uy85jQA6t17fzxPoIKLgl/s400/Well%20That%20Was%20Unexpected.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRW3HM-JNoehA0EUca575rvaDDWTjac9jIPtkgIISrpN2a5kjs-k0GK0k_EEWJYwogpFccTPSoTLvsGUXXzd4NTAoLJZmHityNDHMZhnN4qBpDWaacjsACtXu2XSp8Qv35wDDj0-VZU4-s2qinoLu2hvi2XE36EQ277Erz94Uy85jQA6t17fzxPoIKLgl/s320/Well%20That%20Was%20Unexpected.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br />Well, That Was Unexpected</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Jesse Q. Sutanto</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Delacorte Press on September 27, 2022</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1XY0Orgp89DxyYzC-Kq3RAAIq6_2sJcVVVCoM_N7IiW3CvFS1g15bmIdBFfJINSoB9V_79DfynBHqYTdJ3LKA0nKsvxZDN34-tBKs7liYQMyPi9JQTu2f-EgSwWhnz2rSMuz-hj4NLiRLwWk8PFwr0JAckpqz29v7dg3Um5Oy-zGXd69lvFSeT1I1Q/s1600/four-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="font-family: Lato;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59382071-well-that-was-unexpected" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<blockquote style="background: rgb(231, 139, 154); border-radius: 1px; border: 1px solid rgb(188, 1, 81); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 15px 15px; padding: 15px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">An outrageous, laugh-out-loud YA rom-com about a girl who's whisked from LA to her mother's native Indonesia to get back to her roots and finds herself fake-dating the son of one of the wealthiest families there, from the author of Dial A for Aunties.
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After Sharlot Citra's mother catches her in a compromising position, she finds herself whisked away from LA to her mother's native Indonesia. It'll be exactly what they both need. Or so her mother thinks.
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When George Clooney Tanuwijaya's father (who is obsessed with American celebrities) fears he no longer understands how to get through to his son, he decides to take matters into his own hands.
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To ensure that their children find the right kind of romantic partner, Sharlot's mother and George's father do what any good parent would do: they strike up a conversation online, pretending to be their children.
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When the kids find out about their parents' actions, they're horrified. Not even a trip to one of the most romantic places on earth could possibly make Sharlot and George fall for each other. But as the layers peel back and the person they thought they knew from online is revealed, the truth becomes more complicated. As unlikely as it may seem, did their parents manage to find their true match after all?</span>
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<p>After being caught in a compromising position by her mother, Sharlot was banished to Indonesia where she embarked on many new experiences resulting in her learning a lot about her culture, her mother, and herself.
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I am a big fan of Sutanto's adult books, so I thought I would give her young adult books a try. I was happy to find that this book was brimming with Sutanto's signature humor and filled with warm and wacky characters who would give the Aunties a run for their money.
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The catfishing plot was rather hilarious, and the way Sharlot and George tried to maintain the stories their parents told resulted in some great comedic moments. But the best was when George and Sharlot started seeing the true version of the other person. It was sweet when they started warming to each other and began to really SEE each other.
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The romance was charming, and it was wrapped in a whole lot of fun. As the fake dating plot took center stage, George and Sharlot not only went on dates, but they also traveled together. Of course there were lots of family members along for the excursions which kept me amused, but it was also a wonderful way to showcase the beauty of Jakarta and Bali, as well as Indonesian culture. The sights, the sounds, the food! I felt fully immersed in all the wonderful things these islands had to offer, and Sutanto's love of it all shined making it a very special part of this story.
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Both Sharlot and George had aspects of their life that they struggled with, and it was wonderful to see them make progress in these areas. Sharlot and her mother had a very strained relationship, but this trip allowed Sharlot to see her mother as more human. It allowed them to connect in ways they never had before when her mother kept her past under wraps.
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George always questioned his place in the family business, and he always felt the absence of his mother. He gained a lot of clarity about what he wanted in his future while also making some inroads with his father.
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Well, That Was Unexpected</b> was a coming of age story punctuated with first love and packed with family and humor which amused me while also tugging at my heart strings.
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Are you a coffee lover?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-57078593040681231942024-03-10T04:00:00.159-04:002024-03-10T05:59:23.739-04:00Sundays with Sam - The Sunday Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<p>Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by <a href="http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/">Caffeinated Book Reviewer</a> and Stacking the Shelves hosted by <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga's Reviews</a>.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">My Week in Review</h2>
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<p>Happy Sunday! I may have worked less last week, but I sure was busy. Tuesday is what I am calling "O" doctor day. I visited the ophthalmologist and the orthopedist. </p><p>I had to tell the eye doctor that unless it's life or death, I cannot afford all these medications he is suggesting. He decided to plug my tear ducts. I am not sure if it's making a difference yet, but I am keeping an open mind. The orthopedist is treating me for neuropathy with an oral medication. I was told it would take time for the medication to work, but again, trying to keep an open mind. </p><p>Friday, I flew into Chicago. My daughter and I got dinner at bb.q Chicken. It's a chain, but there is not one near me, and I had read an article that ranked it number one for fried chicken. It was excellent. Then, I went to watch her showcase. Her piece was beautiful, and one of her dancers was sick, so I got to see her perform an extra piece. </p><p>Yesterday, we went to <b><a href="http://www.annsather.com/" target="_blank">Ann Sather</a></b> for breakfast. My daughter had two shows, and I didn't want to get in her way, so I read and blogged. Today, we are going for Turkish Breakfast. My daughter loved it so much when she visited Turkey. I am game for trying something new. I think we are going to the Disney pop-up, too. On Monday, I head home. I hope there is no plane drama like my last trip from here. </p><p><br /></p>
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<p><b><u>On the Blog</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/in-nutshell-reviews.html" target="_blank">Monday</a></u></b>: Reviews - The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County, Good Material</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/top-ten-tuesday-i-would-like-to-learn.html" target="_blank">Tuesday</a></u></b>: TTT - I Would Like to Learn More</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/cant-wait-wednesday.html" target="_blank">Wednesday</a></u></b>: CWW - The Rule Book by Sarah Adams</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/amreading-ya.html" target="_blank">Thursday</a></u></b>: Reviews - In the Orbit of You, The Atlas of Us</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/discussion-reading-rate.html" target="_blank">Friday</a></u></b>: Discussion - Reading Rate</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/sloth-goes-places-ohio.html" target="_blank">Saturday</a></u></b>: Sloth Goes Places - Ohio</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<div>
<p><b><u>Let's Discuss</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://theorangutanlibrarian.wordpress.com/2024/02/11/why-is-there-an-obsession-with-rehabilitating-villains/" target="_blank">The Orangutan Librarian</a></b> wonders why there is an obsession with rehabilitating villains </li><li><b><a href="https://pagesunbound.wordpress.com/2024/02/25/the-first-annual-libby-book-awards-and-another-missed-opportunity-for-childrens-literature/" target="_blank">Krysta</a></b> talks the Libby Awards and missed opportunities</li><li><b><a href="https://www.spiritblog.net/why-i-dont-read-about-being-a-veterinarian/" target="_blank">Heather</a></b> doesn't want to read about being a veterinarian and this is why</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4QtkV9Ossy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4QtkV9Ossy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4QtkV9Ossy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by MEMES (@meme.ig)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Stacking the Shelves</h2>
<div>
<p>I was so excited to get the invite to <b>Kate Robb</b>'s new book. I LOVED <b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/12/isnt-it-romantic-time-travel-edition.html" target="_blank">This Spells Love</a></b> and actually had a pending request on Netgalley. I am hoping <b>Prime Time Romance</b> is just as amazing. <b>Perfect Fit</b> looks cute, too. My daughter was happy to hear we got the new <b>Ali Hazelwood</b>. I am looking forward to it as well. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5tLgZ6EmxkWUCHYepbH1stvf1ZIvWw1sow7bO628Yahn_MHyBvG1o7iN8bFpQ2LCWY3UIIDSqKUkVeiKe31fItjoN5DhHYwHHhRk3nolgvOwzQpV5DoJ4Qc5qfHtCEBdV1JEt_jMLj7BayvYzPOschitIdmSoR06morWmSj7n0MVCF_0GCI_EqARanQ6/s3000/STS%20031024%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="3000" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5tLgZ6EmxkWUCHYepbH1stvf1ZIvWw1sow7bO628Yahn_MHyBvG1o7iN8bFpQ2LCWY3UIIDSqKUkVeiKe31fItjoN5DhHYwHHhRk3nolgvOwzQpV5DoJ4Qc5qfHtCEBdV1JEt_jMLj7BayvYzPOschitIdmSoR06morWmSj7n0MVCF_0GCI_EqARanQ6/w640-h244/STS%20031024%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq05p9x_3uuXcUqLIKct64o2hqIn87SV8iEWIkCBjvbHj2aZrTlk9dzAb99gNQnLcHE7a_JPr9QtS9BeIu2WNtb8DOI4Fvq3yaBUSpryGPOuCFJciX_i2wcO-idJz3s6SeN-vAsB0A-IH3EePtMJrHb-_YTMCg8XPGxFFCqKONU33f2Dbq3Akmjy9o80NQ/s3000/STS%20031024%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="3000" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq05p9x_3uuXcUqLIKct64o2hqIn87SV8iEWIkCBjvbHj2aZrTlk9dzAb99gNQnLcHE7a_JPr9QtS9BeIu2WNtb8DOI4Fvq3yaBUSpryGPOuCFJciX_i2wcO-idJz3s6SeN-vAsB0A-IH3EePtMJrHb-_YTMCg8XPGxFFCqKONU33f2Dbq3Akmjy9o80NQ/w640-h244/STS%20031024%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p><b><u>Netgalley/Edelweiss</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/198716261" target="_blank">Not in Love</a></b> by Ali Hazelwood</li>
</ul>
<p><b><u>Invites</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207714948-recipe-for-confidence" target="_blank">Recipe for Confidence</a></b> by Samantha Picaro</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/203578971" target="_blank">Perfect Fit</a></b> by Clare Gilmore</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205846802-prime-time-romance" target="_blank">Prime Time Romance</a></b> by Kate Robb</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/174156328" target="_blank">Speculations in Sin</a></b> by Jennifer Ashley</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/205886573" target="_blank">Together in a Broken World</a></b> by Paul Michael Winters</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/192724118" target="_blank">When I Think of You</a></b> by Myah Ariel</li>
</ul><div><p><b><u>Purchased</u></b></p><ul><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23483731-the-lake-season" target="_blank">The Lake Season</a></b> by Hannah McKinnon<br /></li></ul></div>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Read Last Week</h2>
<div>
<p>I had to alter my TBR because of all the time spent with doctors visits, traveling, and visiting with my daughter. I got most of the books read though, and the top book was <b>After Annie</b>. This is another example of book I knew I would like, but it really exceeded my expectations. I loved the way the author explored and work through this family's pain, grief, and healing. Very thoughtful and well done. </p>
<p><b>Find all my reviews on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/25774455-samantha-wlabb?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=read" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lk1BSWPBzP0S5LKjEHp26XLtzUvi9a8sxaouVHzwco7LC59M7LWR0BC4ObXLikGDqfBEdkTY-jO0gv3DAJF1AtSIQPatOyI019zc_TJHsWEzomjDCSZpoEYx16VfF0UwkmMyyf9ruGISvd4lTdMQdBnNvGiCNt9VgH2-MTC3X3if_-XP9G3-4sLR9y_a/s1664/Read%20031024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="1662" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lk1BSWPBzP0S5LKjEHp26XLtzUvi9a8sxaouVHzwco7LC59M7LWR0BC4ObXLikGDqfBEdkTY-jO0gv3DAJF1AtSIQPatOyI019zc_TJHsWEzomjDCSZpoEYx16VfF0UwkmMyyf9ruGISvd4lTdMQdBnNvGiCNt9VgH2-MTC3X3if_-XP9G3-4sLR9y_a/w640-h640/Read%20031024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p><b><u>Books</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/160047094" target="_blank">Dungeons and Drama</a></b> by Kristy Boyce - ★★★★ 1/2</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/177185880" target="_blank">After Annie</a></b> by Anna Quindlen - ★★★★★</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204796292-love-chickens" target="_blank">Love & Chickens</a></b> by Kasey Morris - ★★★★</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/192723842" target="_blank">Christa Comes Out of Her Shell</a></b> by Abbi Waxman - ★★★★ 1/2</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200034157-with-any-luck" target="_blank">With Any Luck</a></b> by Ashley Poston - ★★★★</li>
</ul>
<p><b><u>Audiobooks</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45294613-dear-edward" target="_blank">Dear Edward</a></b> by Ann Napolitano - ★★★★ 1/2</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Currently Reading</h2>
<div>
<p>It's great to be back in the <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/54618808" target="_blank">XOXO</a></b> world. The life of a K-Pop idol is a little crazy, but I am rooting for these two. I am listening to <b>The Lovely and the Lost</b> for a reading challenge. I don't tend to read thrillers, but I do enjoy Barnes' books, so it seemed like a good choice. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbz4LINHPN9kNN5jJhiyB9NRYYU3GExgOMhuM6l5vK0FOlH5WljOaB4Ca3T3qJrGve9bgE6ttuMqRahLxu8AZafsE6RlUDQBRoThNqbdjKPYUhZrI1BwF0InBtFwVrsMaxJw54MhD5OCSGSRWtqbnb8uSEXx5au__PcXuLV4KEJ9zYAEHTccHnFCXw59hM/s2180/Currently%20031024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="2180" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbz4LINHPN9kNN5jJhiyB9NRYYU3GExgOMhuM6l5vK0FOlH5WljOaB4Ca3T3qJrGve9bgE6ttuMqRahLxu8AZafsE6RlUDQBRoThNqbdjKPYUhZrI1BwF0InBtFwVrsMaxJw54MhD5OCSGSRWtqbnb8uSEXx5au__PcXuLV4KEJ9zYAEHTccHnFCXw59hM/s320/Currently%20031024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112975158-asap" target="_blank">ASAP</a></b> by Axie Oh</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/38136879" target="_blank">The Lovely and the Lost</a></b> by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (audiobook)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">To Be Read</h2>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStp1pywbh62L_DAy3BfUi0cIlhEX3S22jSSX8tHgWLPC456t_-bfoAjQZvGHGPmXKD0Z1Dobun-Tz-KnuHeMC1WWWLt2UZv7fhfgqOeHEx4AmghJu6D1Qn18C2RM6Trs1K1NWkr2AwXQaHMf44T_4w7n9w6swAZTukOWeil1qFPxeMkEZhocfCzn1nlLo/s3000/TBR%20031024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="3000" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStp1pywbh62L_DAy3BfUi0cIlhEX3S22jSSX8tHgWLPC456t_-bfoAjQZvGHGPmXKD0Z1Dobun-Tz-KnuHeMC1WWWLt2UZv7fhfgqOeHEx4AmghJu6D1Qn18C2RM6Trs1K1NWkr2AwXQaHMf44T_4w7n9w6swAZTukOWeil1qFPxeMkEZhocfCzn1nlLo/w640-h244/TBR%20031024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/152948970-welcome-home-caroline-kline" target="_blank">Welcome Home, Caroline Kline</a></b> by Courtney Preiss</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30068929-the-guests-on-south-battery" target="_blank">The Guests on South Battery</a></b> by Karen White</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/195597337" target="_blank">Secrets of Starshine Cove</a></b> by Debbie Johnson</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195430704-effie-olsen-s-summer-special" target="_blank">Effie Olsen's Special Summer</a></b> by Rochelle Bilow</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s1037/sam%20signature1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1037" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s320/sam%20signature1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How was your week?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-657142905444593452024-03-09T03:00:00.064-05:002024-03-09T03:00:00.130-05:00Sloth Goes Places - Ohio<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89GpJ7VpKbHLHMrtg47xm9Rz-5hmuliXhWNEdYBdxOwNBJ5fgTwVPeyfbR0-RkLYk8CVVB7ZaBZwtBTTaYbwVUMf_yY1Ai2FYc7u0oe8C-N6Tha40cBiowwBbIN4HAJ429cG8q4nEbCvN_sIXAG4FdbSup6hpgo_xasvQuPjLRII2jCKJmDQEaQXQSYgx/s3000/sloth%20goes%20places.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="3000" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89GpJ7VpKbHLHMrtg47xm9Rz-5hmuliXhWNEdYBdxOwNBJ5fgTwVPeyfbR0-RkLYk8CVVB7ZaBZwtBTTaYbwVUMf_yY1Ai2FYc7u0oe8C-N6Tha40cBiowwBbIN4HAJ429cG8q4nEbCvN_sIXAG4FdbSup6hpgo_xasvQuPjLRII2jCKJmDQEaQXQSYgx/w640-h396/sloth%20goes%20places.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<p><strong>Sloth Goes Places</strong> is a feature where I share books I have tracked from previous <strong>Literary Escapes</strong> reading challenge hosted by <strong><a href="https://www.escapewithdollycas.com/">Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book</a></strong>. </p>
<p>Today we are looking at books set in ....</p><h2 style="text-align: center;">Ohio</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRJEGbXFkGEzwarZVs1_STS02aOHPlkoqiZeBgYzD7Uc7awgLpvZFaXFU4b5LpQpDFH0lHfZ5GU_eK5QU-33m6ATcDQEBDTEDlCzlYHjIfjs07XHL4Ma2jo9EV1bcfG10hgzAeBzE5ePUpgm_KLUnDtoE7VTOHB4t5FHVTtCEI3iWWX35d7xVn6LF30SN/s2000/OH.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRJEGbXFkGEzwarZVs1_STS02aOHPlkoqiZeBgYzD7Uc7awgLpvZFaXFU4b5LpQpDFH0lHfZ5GU_eK5QU-33m6ATcDQEBDTEDlCzlYHjIfjs07XHL4Ma2jo9EV1bcfG10hgzAeBzE5ePUpgm_KLUnDtoE7VTOHB4t5FHVTtCEI3iWWX35d7xVn6LF30SN/w400-h300/OH.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I have briefly visited Ohio several times. Once, for a Delta Gamma conventions, another time for a Paramore meet and greet, and an overnight on my way to Chicago. When I think of Ohio, I immediately think of Kerry Winfrey who often sets her books there. I also think of midwestern charm, and many books I have read do capture that. In the past week, I read TWO wonderful books set in Ohio, so I felt that was the state I needed to share. </div><div><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6UMqlfF0WyaQ7wz2TtMzDLmIwjYxWUatNVoyeK3dGtILtvhtSTe4bbIqaRYMmUebhGdxTt69xVv-d9lGE8PYd58mJjRy47Cw21MChoHh4kg6Tla_qFXr37dgiC9Z4KG9Du3VfYMBBHt3Gr3MKtEGC5JTVp17UI5gZtRA8fsWDlslXyrsMTRHqGKjN1J5/s2560/Old%20Flames.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6UMqlfF0WyaQ7wz2TtMzDLmIwjYxWUatNVoyeK3dGtILtvhtSTe4bbIqaRYMmUebhGdxTt69xVv-d9lGE8PYd58mJjRy47Cw21MChoHh4kg6Tla_qFXr37dgiC9Z4KG9Du3VfYMBBHt3Gr3MKtEGC5JTVp17UI5gZtRA8fsWDlslXyrsMTRHqGKjN1J5/s320/Old%20Flames.jpeg" width="208" /></a></div><br />Old Flames and New Fortunes</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Sarah Hogle</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> G.P. Putnam's Sons on April 2, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Fiction, Rom-Com</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/194802762" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">From the celebrated author of You Deserve Each Other and Just Like Magic, a steamy second-chance romance about a magical florist’s unexpected reunion with her high school sweetheart as she fake dates his soon-to-be stepbrother.
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A small, magical town tucked away in rural Ohio, Moonville is the perfect place for flora fortunist Romina Tempest to expand her shop, where she uses the language of flowers to help the hopeful manifest their love lives. After giving up on her own big romance eleven years ago, at least she can bask in the promise of others’.
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So, when the shop’s potential financier shares news of his wedding, Romina jumps on the opportunity to discuss buying the business. What better place to negotiate a deal than at a wedding, even if she has to fake-date her chaotic colleague Trevor to get an invitation? But all hell breaks loose when she discovers Trevor’s soon-to-be stepbrother is none other than Alex her high school sweetheart. Her greatest love. The boy who, eleven years ago, broke her heart, and who now thinks she and Trevor are dating.
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What starts as an innocent misunderstanding becomes a week-long fake dating scheme, as Romina resolves to make Alex pay for breaking her heart. The only issue? She can’t deny their still-burning connection. Caught between proving to Alex what he lost, and coming clean and risking her business, Romina must decide whether giving Alex another chance means going back on herself, or finally releasing her hold on the past.</span></p></blockquote>
<p>This story took place in a fictional Ohio town, but they name dropped a lot of real places in the state. I absolutely loved the setting for this book as it was the perfect quaint backdrop for this second chance romance that had a touch of magic. I feel confident in my rom-com label because there were so many fun and laugh out loud moments which added to my delight. </p><p><br /></p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLg0f1TfxyCXtrZX4-PiB4x3dGCKRIizfffOMRr2fAu6hLc1toC2hr9WSyOvet2vH_VmRnIDycrbYD1qhCqe5EGmAtTN_sNqW_BJJPDDduif7_2AMHFN4B220p1A87PfO6WwhCicFWdeIQ7tVpmIVug21toD-mBkNKzkylRmuZOfcdTiRtn0rAAnOU5qi/s400/Faking%20Christmas.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLg0f1TfxyCXtrZX4-PiB4x3dGCKRIizfffOMRr2fAu6hLc1toC2hr9WSyOvet2vH_VmRnIDycrbYD1qhCqe5EGmAtTN_sNqW_BJJPDDduif7_2AMHFN4B220p1A87PfO6WwhCicFWdeIQ7tVpmIVug21toD-mBkNKzkylRmuZOfcdTiRtn0rAAnOU5qi/s320/Faking%20Christmas.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><br />Faking Christmas</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Kerry Winfrey</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Berkley on September 26, 2023</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="five-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinysjd0wSvhtptoCrztw3nUcUWDkDS2mKpBA0qPDPwC-obAXxc4DsSeyzrL87jkJ5NB01oOdA4FzBD9L8CZIUDFEfciVBSeujM5bMInG3yx-v8P1i9rj_59uLp7NAK4y7dAz6hfwDxHvgeg0Whbs0FNXpsyIVubpD1TIReYZZ-ChrRRQese6_kTNIGkg/s1600/five-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/75665923" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Laurel Grant is playing house for the holidays--complete with a fake husband and kids--in this delightful, cozy rom-com by Kerry Winfrey.
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Laurel Grant works as the social media manager for Buckeye State of Mind, an Ohio tourism magazine and website. She is most definitely not an owner of a farm...but one tiny misunderstanding leads her boss, Gilbert, to think she owns her twin sister Holly's farm just outside of Columbus. Laurel only handles the social media for the farm, but she's happy to keep her little white lie going if it means not getting fired.
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And keep it going she must when Gilbert, recently dumped by his wife, invites himself over for the farm's big holiday dinner (as advertised on Meadow Rise Farm's Instagram, thanks to Laurel herself). Laurel immediately goes into panic mode to figure out how she can trick Gilbert into thinking she's basically the Martha Stewart of rural Ohio and keep her job in the process.
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Laurel and Holly come up with a plan--all Laurel has to do is pretend to own the farm for one dinner. But when Laurel shows up at the farm, an unwelcome guest is there: Max Beckett, her nemesis since Holly's wedding. The annoyingly attractive man she hates will be posing as Laurel's husband just for the evening, but when a snowstorm traps them all for the entire weekend, Laurel is going to have to figure out how to survive with her job and dignity intact. Whatever the case, this promises to be the most eventful Christmas in ages...</span></p></blockquote>
<p>Winfrey took us out to a farm for this book which was great on its own, but it was also Christmas. Snow and holiday magic combined with quirky characters and some fake dating made this book fun and adorable. There was also plenty of heartwarming moments that made this holiday romance shine. </p><p>[<b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/09/isnt-it-romantic.html" target="_blank">review</a></b>] </p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdvcAJIFy9wWTo_PnqgdltBShm_vgJZzGYkD7n6wHvyNoTA3XXXdYxti5GbER6MOTe1X5O__2-s-QotNtnCMofeKYUXi71dxjvfVs-vZHl7jmzuiwT3HCeEldkzEqH3MX7o4fzFDIwcXbCkcBNC8-Qgev9J7yNRz7aUUmKgSlv4qqjZCMO1u6SzXLcapC/s400/Lucy%20on%20the%20Wildside.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdvcAJIFy9wWTo_PnqgdltBShm_vgJZzGYkD7n6wHvyNoTA3XXXdYxti5GbER6MOTe1X5O__2-s-QotNtnCMofeKYUXi71dxjvfVs-vZHl7jmzuiwT3HCeEldkzEqH3MX7o4fzFDIwcXbCkcBNC8-Qgev9J7yNRz7aUUmKgSlv4qqjZCMO1u6SzXLcapC/s320/Lucy%20on%20the%20Wildside.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><br />Lucy on the Wildside</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Kerry Rea</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Berkley on September 13, 2022</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59850008" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">A charming and wildly funny new romantic comedy by Kerry Rea, author of The Wedding Ringer.
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Lucy Rourke has two great loves in her life: the gorilla troop she cares for as a primatologist and the laundry list of reality TV shows she watches to escape the fact that her actual love life doesn’t exist. And like a reality contestant gunning for the final rose, Lucy’s laser-focused on one thing: getting promoted to head keeper. So when a wildlife docuseries hosted by hotshot TV personality Kai Bridges chooses her zoo as its summer filming location, she sees an opportunity to showcase her beloved gorillas to the world and land a starring role in her department.
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When Kai and his film crew arrive, however, it's obvious to Lucy that Kai cares more about sky-high ratings than the gorillas, and he considers her a camera-averse know-it-all whose wardrobe consists entirely of khaki. But she’s surprised to discover there’s more to him than his rugged good looks and cheesy catchphrases...and that maybe a promotion isn’t the only thing she wants. But when secrets from their pasts threaten to complicate everything, Lucy discovers that happiness and success aren’t the same thing—and that finding joy just might mean getting a little wild.</span></p></blockquote>
<p>Animals always tend to make my heart pitter patter, and this fine romance was set in the Ohio Zoo. Zoo + Gorillas + Reality TV had me fully engaged, but it was the romance that stole my heart. Kai and Lucy were such a great couple, and I was cheering for them immediately. There was a really sad part that had me sobbing, but mostly this was a lot of fun. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s1037/sam%20signature1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1037" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s320/sam%20signature1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read any books set in Ohio?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-47074293832752551852024-03-08T03:00:00.150-05:002024-03-08T03:00:00.344-05:00Discussion - Reading Rate<div style="text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">This Week's Topic</h2>
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Reading Rate</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUxQyfymIhLj3Ii6AUxGuen04ijQVy_-AnL9dXfcxZX08WNUs9oJ_trmMJj1n8jzy4x90tm9ErINahCupt8OkdP7MEVCYTXdfdL2QXLQo8BcsB1nB0f2mW1wuiKWLlSdKsa3a0_5B9qh_iLrzhmyBOioZJH21j5vddIfulvTz-eK98Sc8zUtCQS3ZLdeC/s498/Speed%20Reading.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="498" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUxQyfymIhLj3Ii6AUxGuen04ijQVy_-AnL9dXfcxZX08WNUs9oJ_trmMJj1n8jzy4x90tm9ErINahCupt8OkdP7MEVCYTXdfdL2QXLQo8BcsB1nB0f2mW1wuiKWLlSdKsa3a0_5B9qh_iLrzhmyBOioZJH21j5vddIfulvTz-eK98Sc8zUtCQS3ZLdeC/w400-h225/Speed%20Reading.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>
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<br />Last week, <b><a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-sunday-post-359-march-3-2024.html" target="_blank">Tanya</a></b> was talking about if the type of book affects your reading experience. It made me think about my own reading experience and what factors affect my rate of reading. <div><br /></div><div>Factors that affect my reading include:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b><u>Environment</u></b> - I read best when it's quiet. This is sort of ironic as I was raised in a noisy home, but it's true. I have to put on my white noise machine to drown out chatter from the TVs or people talking. I also find it more difficult to read outside of my home. I read a lot at the train station and on the train, but I am easily distracted or trying to be aware of my surroundings. I cannot never really allow myself to really get carried away by the story. </li><li><u style="font-weight: bold;">The genre of book</u> - I have always found contemporaries to be the quickest reads for me with contemporary romances being the type of books I fly through. Fantasy books tend to be the slowest. It's a combination of details and the difficult names of the characters. Seriously, I have to slow down to say their names in my head even when I am trying not to "voice" my reading. </li><li><u style="font-weight: bold;">Intended audience</u> - Back when I was reading mostly all young adult, I found my reading rate to be much faster. I was reading a full 10 pages per hour faster than I do now. There are some authors whose writing is more dense, but in general, I read young adult books with more ease. </li><li><u style="font-weight: bold;">Author's Nationality</u> - I wasn't sure how to put this, but when I read books by non-US authors and they use a lot of local lingo in their books, I read a bit slower. This is not a bad thing. for example, an English author writing a story set in England would naturally use the local vernacular, but that's not the way I speak, and it usually takes me a bit longer to work through the text. </li><li><u style="font-weight: bold;">Time of day</u> - I am tired at night. I know I read so much slower, but it's ok because the reading puts me in a nice quiet mood as I wind down for bed. </li></ol><div>What affects your reading rate or experience? </div><div><p>Now it's your turn!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOYLgioUAP8oK6hPsGjprA2mLYScXi98ZzT5hDlGYan8w3B-fmxrZOFU0gQKu0F1hlbIHZXv7LnHRxH6euI0R_ENzaF-5e28GE_CqGu6yMerHEzm3BumKFj-unpCRAw-NVGeDle12Zo7nLhdwMszXMISZlVXXzc1jalqDE6Eq80UBqjbsx_b6BwQ4fA/s566/Discuss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="566" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOYLgioUAP8oK6hPsGjprA2mLYScXi98ZzT5hDlGYan8w3B-fmxrZOFU0gQKu0F1hlbIHZXv7LnHRxH6euI0R_ENzaF-5e28GE_CqGu6yMerHEzm3BumKFj-unpCRAw-NVGeDle12Zo7nLhdwMszXMISZlVXXzc1jalqDE6Eq80UBqjbsx_b6BwQ4fA/s320/Discuss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What affects your reading rate?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
</div></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-77744191705099628072024-03-07T03:00:00.078-05:002024-03-07T03:00:00.149-05:00#AmReading YA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmdZwVE8hnHvozyfj4zwiBNJ19MXcsTzuMKWMRSY5QK-Zxkhs-054AYd6ydmwEWJy02O8FUIVx7L-BnY_q4uFAwSMhqNSDgcz_4pl1PDyD_-P8I-F5AF0XTFYSlj0sc4a_t5F-lgKAoqNrCqH5sN2C56HZqb3o_tUFTGy-dwfejIVCLCg877ps_juhA/s750/AmREading.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="750" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmdZwVE8hnHvozyfj4zwiBNJ19MXcsTzuMKWMRSY5QK-Zxkhs-054AYd6ydmwEWJy02O8FUIVx7L-BnY_q4uFAwSMhqNSDgcz_4pl1PDyD_-P8I-F5AF0XTFYSlj0sc4a_t5F-lgKAoqNrCqH5sN2C56HZqb3o_tUFTGy-dwfejIVCLCg877ps_juhA/w640-h188/AmREading.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPZ4RlvvF2m7yl5CMzN06JFPoTwAkg76GgXVrPaoJkrhd82SHkQ8bjOPnVYXWoG0hs-dcYDMZMj8HrUk0l6etCqQ5Td_bh11NrZP8Z9PKFsDhyphenhyphenEYCLiAdG_RSpO8zNWvDL0L62h0seS9CfJ7KkVm3JpmR13BrN7ygo_HkWXGApuVMwVdVIwVkDRsDSfPC/s1200/AR%20030724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1200" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPZ4RlvvF2m7yl5CMzN06JFPoTwAkg76GgXVrPaoJkrhd82SHkQ8bjOPnVYXWoG0hs-dcYDMZMj8HrUk0l6etCqQ5Td_bh11NrZP8Z9PKFsDhyphenhyphenEYCLiAdG_RSpO8zNWvDL0L62h0seS9CfJ7KkVm3JpmR13BrN7ygo_HkWXGApuVMwVdVIwVkDRsDSfPC/w640-h508/AR%20030724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IOOPQNXUkYs5rzCvuLggs-FbTEoYx75Shhuers97IbKfzI1eDZ3VYG9mUh22bgsb7Yn2kp-BO4vhpX3CBviWrchK2q16_nsrrG1LNF_5WefA5227Mj2OGGw4rLsQ6-CAjWobD5CypNiclgJHvop8JJvWETKg1MtOgBKCYNb3bTcjsflT261Qc_rx9rhn/s1520/In%20the%20Orbit%20of%20You.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IOOPQNXUkYs5rzCvuLggs-FbTEoYx75Shhuers97IbKfzI1eDZ3VYG9mUh22bgsb7Yn2kp-BO4vhpX3CBviWrchK2q16_nsrrG1LNF_5WefA5227Mj2OGGw4rLsQ6-CAjWobD5CypNiclgJHvop8JJvWETKg1MtOgBKCYNb3bTcjsflT261Qc_rx9rhn/s320/In%20the%20Orbit%20of%20You.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><br />In the Orbit of You</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Ashley Schumacher</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Wednesday Books on March 19, 224</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127305939-in-the-orbit-of-you" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">In the Orbit of You is a YA story of enduring love from acclaimed author Ashley Schumacher, where a personality test reunites two friends and makes them second guess their careful plans.
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It's been years since Nova Evans last saw Sam. She was too young then to understand why he had to move away―and what it had to do with the cuts and bruises he got from home and never wanted to talk about. All she knew is that they promised to find each other when they were older, something she thought was impossible thanks to her and her mom moving around constantly. Until she bumps into Sam in her new school, and realizes he has clearly forgotten their childhood promise.
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Sam Jordan has a plan for his accept his college football scholarship, date his girlfriend Abigail, and―most importantly―hide how much he wants to do something, anything other than The Plan™ his parents and coaches have set before him. It doesn't matter if sometimes he finds himself thinking about the new girl he met in the cafeteria, a girl who reminds him of a past that hurts to remember.
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When a school-wide personality test reveals Nova and Sam to be each others' top matches―not only that, but a match of 99%, the highest in the school―they begin to remember why they were such close friends, all those years ago. As well as the myriad of reasons this new-yet-familiar, magnetic, sparkling thing between them will never, ever work out.
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In the Orbit of You is a story about the enduring and changing nature of friendship, of the strange struggle between who you are and who you want to be, and finding your voice after trauma.</span>
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<p>Nova and Sam were childhood friends who found comfort in each other. When Sam, who lived in an abusive home, was leaving to live with his uncle, he made a "promise, promise" to find Nova again when they were "big". It seemed the universe thought it was time, and they found themselves reunited when they both seemed to need each other most.
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I have adored Schumacher's books since my very first one, <b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2021/02/blog-tour-amelia-unabridged-ashley.html" target="_blank">Amelia Unabridged</a></b>. There is something special about the way she crafts her characters and takes such care with their personal journeys. I am always moved as I read these characters' stories and extremely happy for where it takes them.
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I found the idea of fate bringing these two in and out of each others lives at vital points so beautiful. When they were five, Nova provided comfort to Sam as he endured physical abuse at the hands of his father. Further down the line, they were at a crossroads in their lives, and it seemed they each had something to offer the other.
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Due to his traumatic past, Sam worked hard to avoid conflict, and often found himself agreeing to or stuck in situations that he really wasn't onboard with. Now, in his senior year, he was struggling with his future - playing football, dating the cheerleader, not pursuing his love of woodwork. His desire not to hurt others was keeping him from his happiness.
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Then there was Nova. She moved around constantly for her mother's job. She was a junior and this was her SIXTH high school. In order to survive, she became a chameleon, adapting to her surroundings. Due to this defense mechanism, she was suffering a personal crisis of not really knowing who she was or what she wanted. This scared her because the future was knocking on her door.
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I believe so many people will be able to relate to Nova and Sam's personal struggles in some way and will root for these two the way I did. I was so happy they found each other when they did because it helped them make those hard decisions and have those honest discussions with the people they loved. The connection between Nova and Sam was undeniable, and I couldn't help but celebrate each step they took that brought them closer to each other as it was easy to see that they needed to tap into that special bond they shared.
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Overall, this was a beautiful story filled with love and friendship. It was about figuring out who you are, what you want, and not being afraid to ask for it. I know I was elated that the universe brought Sam and Nova back into each others orbits, and I was filled with glee at where their journeys took them.</p>
<p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;"><span style="background-color: initial; color: #bc0151; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER</span></p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgwNptrUxxC4wxq6HmN2z0HHHtOgPUOq1b5jIZA4nPkG1njmtQyySRFTlf0MIOfTECpRHTXlt8rHzUvePJ5UXxpmktS7Rei7T_NOC0dxdlL1CP8-SOYmZpZ46YSob8JrlH9r6y83nvOB0nKc9u8r_HsoVb5hVfC35inQA2BKmMFMZCx30E4rRykvtwrX8/s400/The%20Atlas%20of%20Us.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgwNptrUxxC4wxq6HmN2z0HHHtOgPUOq1b5jIZA4nPkG1njmtQyySRFTlf0MIOfTECpRHTXlt8rHzUvePJ5UXxpmktS7Rei7T_NOC0dxdlL1CP8-SOYmZpZ46YSob8JrlH9r6y83nvOB0nKc9u8r_HsoVb5hVfC35inQA2BKmMFMZCx30E4rRykvtwrX8/s320/The%20Atlas%20of%20Us.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div><br />The Atlas of Us</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Kristin Dwyer</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> HarperTeen on January 9, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1XY0Orgp89DxyYzC-Kq3RAAIq6_2sJcVVVCoM_N7IiW3CvFS1g15bmIdBFfJINSoB9V_79DfynBHqYTdJ3LKA0nKsvxZDN34-tBKs7liYQMyPi9JQTu2f-EgSwWhnz2rSMuz-hj4NLiRLwWk8PFwr0JAckpqz29v7dg3Um5Oy-zGXd69lvFSeT1I1Q/s1600/four-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="font-family: Lato;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/127823336" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<blockquote style="background: rgb(231, 139, 154); border-radius: 1px; border: 1px solid rgb(188, 1, 81); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 15px 15px; padding: 15px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Atlas James has lost her way.
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In a last-ditch effort to pull her life together, she’s working on a community service program rehabbing trails in the Western Sierras. The only plus is that the days are so exhausting that Atlas might just be tired enough to forget that this was one of her dad’s favorite places in the world. Before cancer stole him from her life, that is.
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Using real names is forbidden on the trail. So Atlas becomes Maps, and with her team—Books, Sugar, Junior, and King—she heads into the wilderness. As she sheds the lies she’s built up as walls to protect herself, she realizes that four strangers might know her better than anyone has before. And with the end of the trail racing to meet them, Maps is left counting down the days until she returns to her old life—without her new family, and without King, who’s become more than just a friend.</span>
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<p>Feeling alone and untethered following her father's death, Atlas looked to the trail to find some answers.
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And he always said the trail was a place for answers.
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Dwyer blew me away with her debut, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/55818239" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Some Mistakes Were Made</a>, and once again, she immersed me in someone else's pain which had me experiencing a myriad of emotions. While her father was ailing, Atlas wasn't the best at expressing what she was feeling. She acted out and made bad decisions. After her father passed, Atlas found a list of things he had wanted to do before his death and made a decision to do those tasks for him.
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I know, I know, you have read many books with a similar premise, but there was a lot more to this story. It wasn't just about checking items off a list. In fact, the story really only focused on one - reopening a hiking trail which was special to her father.
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I feel like I’m drowning and failing and I’m scared and angry and I’ve lost myself somewhere along the way.
</blockquote><p>Being on the trail resulted in both a physical and emotional journey for Atlas. She was so angry and was weighed down by the poor decisions she made and the negative labels she accumulated leading up to her father's death. Atlas did experience some healing on the trail, but she also began to find her way back to herself and embarked on forgiving her past transgressions.
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These people see me. They make loving me seem easy. It makes me want to let them.
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Atlas' personal journey was a central part of this story, but so were the connections she made with the other "blues" on the trail. Her group was comprised of four other hikers, two leaders and two "bad kids". In their attempt to survive their arduous trek through the Sierras, they formed a bond that Atlas may have tried but ultimately failed to resist. The relationships among these intrepid hikers were special, and it was so wonderful to see how their friendships flourished off the trail.
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This was a beautiful portrait of one person's attempt to pick up the pieces of her world after it had imploded. Dwyer did a lovely job guiding me through Atlas' emotions and made this journey even more meaningful by coupling it with some wilderness survival. I adored the group assembled to support Atlas through this process, and I reveled in the ending. A very touching tale.</p>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you ever been camping?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-79034362247784187662024-03-06T03:00:00.032-05:002024-03-06T03:00:00.237-05:00Can't Wait Wednesday! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53aSI_fcqzE516965HJ6bPIP2DtqXmbpqo1WzVrt_EB1FK82lZPuSz6c1osC6P8rhkUH0E8dXSOD3DtDjCHVpLZMeQqong041vVYxI8yjzoc0q_9Opk96ZAhXmJo6N24vwAY8F2jujUVin5OE01xbZmTSjQ48Ggz4dbfboT5HZqVsqX2WstWMFW9jnFRE/s2040/cant%20wait%20wednesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53aSI_fcqzE516965HJ6bPIP2DtqXmbpqo1WzVrt_EB1FK82lZPuSz6c1osC6P8rhkUH0E8dXSOD3DtDjCHVpLZMeQqong041vVYxI8yjzoc0q_9Opk96ZAhXmJo6N24vwAY8F2jujUVin5OE01xbZmTSjQ48Ggz4dbfboT5HZqVsqX2WstWMFW9jnFRE/w640-h188/cant%20wait%20wednesday.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<p><b>
Can’t-Wait Wednesday</b> is a weekly event hosted by <b><a href="https://www.wishfulendings.com/" target="_blank">Tressa at Wishful Endings</a></b> that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.<br /><br />
I am combining CWW with <b>Books From the Backlog</b> hosted by <b><a href="https://carolesrandomlife.com/" target="_blank">Carole at Carole's Random Life</a></b> in Books. This will allow me to feature some newly "rediscovered" books, which I plan on reading, alongside a new release.
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">This week I can't wait for</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym8_NOaQLNGpL91hyphenhypheniCu0xdgt_7i7SkxRg8vBEj5sTyi_8XkmkEcEK4CeHQ59wqghX6XkbDAjlTn0LKQMqL9Gh16gDQQtRX8GqnOdRneGbSZJnKK3PNUpGVZxUyXIo8iKhOkgNxxh4O-gWgK15MZoW9l7vCEzRKooOFNuzWaS50CG8kHvGSqAGJ-1LzNf/s3200/The%20Rule%20Book.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2075" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym8_NOaQLNGpL91hyphenhypheniCu0xdgt_7i7SkxRg8vBEj5sTyi_8XkmkEcEK4CeHQ59wqghX6XkbDAjlTn0LKQMqL9Gh16gDQQtRX8GqnOdRneGbSZJnKK3PNUpGVZxUyXIo8iKhOkgNxxh4O-gWgK15MZoW9l7vCEzRKooOFNuzWaS50CG8kHvGSqAGJ-1LzNf/s320/The%20Rule%20Book.jpeg" width="208" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL5zyWXlWWq8vBjONn0YpeWNZpPJr5k31EFWiBZ4Vz49AxFx45rW7dZMjUrnklD1fb7A5egHZvLUhYw7Od0SXqKHNZXSt7kWnlpv27KQ07TgvQtMxq1NNDwpD1m1xtCo9zA7pn-qX-VlbTlqhR4aKvuD-jVUxd76VGp003N-kxozc9ML1O_FKBFUSJHj8/s3200/The%20Rule%20Book.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2075" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL5zyWXlWWq8vBjONn0YpeWNZpPJr5k31EFWiBZ4Vz49AxFx45rW7dZMjUrnklD1fb7A5egHZvLUhYw7Od0SXqKHNZXSt7kWnlpv27KQ07TgvQtMxq1NNDwpD1m1xtCo9zA7pn-qX-VlbTlqhR4aKvuD-jVUxd76VGp003N-kxozc9ML1O_FKBFUSJHj8/s320/The%20Rule%20Book.jpeg" width="208" /></a></div><br />The Rule Book</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Sarah Adams</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Dell on April 2, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/182484354" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">College sweethearts meet again years later, in this highly anticipated romance and companion story to the viral TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet.
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Nora Mackenzie’s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn’t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it’s come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he’s holding a grudge.
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Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh he’ll let her be his agent. The plan is make Nora’s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved—she won’t quit easily.
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Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship be the thing to save their careers?</span>
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<p>I have too many library loans to get through, so I will only be featuring an anticipated read. After reading and being blown away by <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58100280" target="_blank">The Cheat Sheet</a></b>, I had to add Sarah Adams upcoming release to my TBR. I have enjoyed her Rome books, so I probably would have added it anyhow because I really enjoy the way Adams crafts a fun and sweet romance. As this is billed as a companion to <b>The Cheat Sheet</b>, I am looking forward to returning to that world. I also hope for a bit of that humor and mayhem as it delighted me to no end. With this involving exes, it's a second chance romance which are my favorite! I suspect this will be another hit for me. </p><p></p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s1037/sam%20signature1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1037" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s320/sam%20signature1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What are you waiting on?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-46937532007904531752024-03-05T03:00:00.059-05:002024-03-08T17:13:55.396-05:00Top Ten Tuesday - I would like to learn more<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfr-h4i4zWeJKh3ez4OVxZd3bQ_OKo1nLliaFAee9pyDmre4G_bwhUtVbnpk56PV4vTIeY05QfBzp47mKXOBHvxRWsx2Gdbo5wuuRfh6fCer0TUx4IPntg1zPXBMeEuUY2vNXkiDN3BP4oIjxuy6BBiJIBA6kq3dUUsAAkbeU8YAQ77x5Z2r3fG878w/s2040/top%20ten%20tuesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfr-h4i4zWeJKh3ez4OVxZd3bQ_OKo1nLliaFAee9pyDmre4G_bwhUtVbnpk56PV4vTIeY05QfBzp47mKXOBHvxRWsx2Gdbo5wuuRfh6fCer0TUx4IPntg1zPXBMeEuUY2vNXkiDN3BP4oIjxuy6BBiJIBA6kq3dUUsAAkbeU8YAQ77x5Z2r3fG878w/w640-h188/top%20ten%20tuesday.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by </span><a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1ca0d2; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;">That Artsy Reader Girl</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">. This week's topic is...</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>I would like to learn more!</b></i></span></div>
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<div>Today, we are talking about things we wanted to learn more about after reading a book. I love when I learn something or learn more about something as I am read. Since I read mostly contemporary fiction, the books I read are grounded in reality. Since I read on my kindle, I can get that instant gratification of going right to Wikipedia, but there have been times that I wanted to know even more. I am struggling with coming up with the exact things I googled. Honestly, it's usually food, places, or diseases. So, here are some books that had me googling something. </div>
<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/06/in-nutshell-reviews.html" target="_blank">The Music of Bees</a></b> by Elieen Garvin - Beekeeping </li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178565829-the-happiness-blueprint" target="_blank">The Happiness Blueprint</a></b> by Ally Zetterberg - Foods and Sweden in general, as well as diabetes. </li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127823336-the-atlas-of-us" target="_blank">The Atlas of Us</a></b> by Kristin Dwyer - The western Sierras</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/in-nutshell-reviews.html" target="_blank">The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County</a></b> by Claire Swinarski - Casseroles</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/01/library-loans-five-star-edition.html" target="_blank">The Last Love Note</a></b> by Emma Grey - Neurodegenerative disorders</li></ol>
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<ol start="6" style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/01/amreading-ya.html" target="_blank">Even If it Breaks Your Heart</a></b> by Erin Hahn - Professional Bull Riders</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/12/isnt-it-romantic.html" target="_blank">The Fake Mate</a></b> by Lana Ferguson - The Omegaverse</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/10/amreading_01537407506.html" target="_blank">A December to Remember</a></b> by Jenny Bayliss - Nut loaf and other vegan foods </li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59382071-well-that-was-unexpected" target="_blank">Well, That Was Unexpected</a></b> by Jesse Q. Sutanto - Indonesia and many food references</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150444412-kilt-trip" target="_blank">Kilt Trip</a></b> by Alexandra Kiley - Scotland</li></ol>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ICj7WqEmklq6kWy6bvjYAGtxKDAsQE8w_iWLesJhUsbzf8xtG3qZ32KHuwE5FwgWj6hVNiqpvSClvhmLo2pQnKQHS8_MdiRHNwqhRaxFXaq8oJzwDj1C6NaKfDdXW-MMqY_idIYQb_aBK1V8YCDPq_FMDtAajGCWo9MXalsDxedVzF6kif6nFO98og/s1037/sam%20signature1.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1037" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ICj7WqEmklq6kWy6bvjYAGtxKDAsQE8w_iWLesJhUsbzf8xtG3qZ32KHuwE5FwgWj6hVNiqpvSClvhmLo2pQnKQHS8_MdiRHNwqhRaxFXaq8oJzwDj1C6NaKfDdXW-MMqY_idIYQb_aBK1V8YCDPq_FMDtAajGCWo9MXalsDxedVzF6kif6nFO98og/s320/sam%20signature1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What have you googled?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
</div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-16356241288141492862024-03-04T03:00:00.075-05:002024-03-04T03:00:00.138-05:00In a Nutshell Reviews
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPjOFSY5D_GvwNtY4w8HU09-YLpgkqE8mBX3v2211XKRuZ4BMbYUc4kKZ33PAjfop5JJJNXn1x7UbuPQNPhRs-jGkkBhRHi8IlVy8e-C-EgN2M-wTG8XS-LlTfiJLeq2q0g5RYX47X2GJImIOjaCZX2vAEgo6nmVBvVHt5m52e6Nz4UrsTEdPNn5RPA/s2040/nutshell.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPjOFSY5D_GvwNtY4w8HU09-YLpgkqE8mBX3v2211XKRuZ4BMbYUc4kKZ33PAjfop5JJJNXn1x7UbuPQNPhRs-jGkkBhRHi8IlVy8e-C-EgN2M-wTG8XS-LlTfiJLeq2q0g5RYX47X2GJImIOjaCZX2vAEgo6nmVBvVHt5m52e6Nz4UrsTEdPNn5RPA/w640-h188/nutshell.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwYZALDANVyVFbXA3O17kgD4uK1-w2JYv9x2l3TkxTiEraONMy1k5C2FH9YKa4SOHgA_N3Ewb-FdYXDFEHJdXg5BnNAmt7pnYAWF2o5DN3KuleVOc-9F1wmoq-bo6N5Ld8In-HmLne2dH9XC-BckeHvqVfFDuM6LAQpXL3v2UTnpJLDZzMIqz_LLTOAVu/s1200/NS%20030424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1200" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwYZALDANVyVFbXA3O17kgD4uK1-w2JYv9x2l3TkxTiEraONMy1k5C2FH9YKa4SOHgA_N3Ewb-FdYXDFEHJdXg5BnNAmt7pnYAWF2o5DN3KuleVOc-9F1wmoq-bo6N5Ld8In-HmLne2dH9XC-BckeHvqVfFDuM6LAQpXL3v2UTnpJLDZzMIqz_LLTOAVu/w640-h508/NS%20030424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="post_content" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="wp-block-image" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u5ggOiIUCFctH0DfKfC08FO-YSALl4ctog3Ur1MJ7QhK7gVL6kPzrdlH2dajN0fzbKq7FzQFx1Gf9USibUgxkqsExHq6atIgEKdfgaskiwQNLkUqR0MXMi__19qGqa7DxSEQXo68ADlnIrVlgvHB5R-68feprH04lZH2PoD_V5DEwpHvyS1urDUasm_x/s385/The%20Funeral%20Ladies.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u5ggOiIUCFctH0DfKfC08FO-YSALl4ctog3Ur1MJ7QhK7gVL6kPzrdlH2dajN0fzbKq7FzQFx1Gf9USibUgxkqsExHq6atIgEKdfgaskiwQNLkUqR0MXMi__19qGqa7DxSEQXo68ADlnIrVlgvHB5R-68feprH04lZH2PoD_V5DEwpHvyS1urDUasm_x/s320/The%20Funeral%20Ladies.png" width="212" /></a></div><br />The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Claire Swinarski</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Avon on March 12, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Fiction</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/187016422-the-funeral-ladies-of-ellerie-county" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Armed with a Crock-Pot and a pile of recipes, a grandmother, her granddaughter, and a mysterious young man work to bring a community together in this uplifting novel for readers of The Chicken Sisters.
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Esther Larson has been cooking for funerals in the Northwoods of Wisconsin for seventy years. Known locally as the “funeral ladies,” she and her cohort have worked hard to keep the mourners of Ellerie County fed—it is her firm belief that there is very little a warm casserole and a piece of cherry pie can’t fix. But, after falling for an internet scam that puts her home at risk, the proud Larson family matriarch is the one in need of help these days. Iris, Esther’s whip-smart Gen Z granddaughter, would do anything for her family and her community.
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As she watches her friends and family move out of their lakeside town onto bigger and better things, Iris wonders why she feels so left behind in the place she is desperate to make her home. But when Cooper Welsh shows up, she finally starts to feel like she’s found the missing piece of her puzzle. Cooper is dealing with becoming a legal guardian to his younger half-sister after his beloved stepmother dies. While their celebrity-chef father is focused on his booming career and top-ranked television show, Cooper is still hurting from a public tragedy he witnessed last year as a paramedic and finding it hard to cope. With Iris in the gorgeous Ellerie County, though, he hopes he might finally find the home he’s been looking for.
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It doesn’t seem like a community cookbook could possibly solve their problems, especially one where casseroles have their own section and cream of chicken soup mix is the most frequently used ingredient. But when you mix the can-do spirit of Midwestern grandmothers with the stubborn hope of a boy raised by food plus a dash of long-awaited forgiveness—things might just turn out okay. Includes Recipes </span>
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<p>I am going to start by saying that this was not what I was expecting. I was thinking this would be a fun and light multigenerational story, and it started out that way, but then it moved into some heavy territory with death, PTSD, and mass shootings. That was unexpected, and probably what kept this from being a five-star read for me. With that said, I did truly enjoy a majority of <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County</span>.
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Right from the start, I adored Esther. She was that type of salt-of-the-earth person who I could not resist. She believed in being kind, working hard, and giving back. That came in handy when Esther found herself in a terrible situation. Now she was in need, and it was wonderful the way everyone in the community rallied to help her.
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If I had to pick some of the standout elements in this book, the community focus would make my list. This was one of those precious small towns where everyone knows everyone else's business and will be there to lend a hand when needed. They repay kindness with more kindness and never forget those who helped them in their time of need.
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I also adored the family focus. Esther, her daughter, and her granddaughters were quite close. Their love for their family shined, over and over again in this story, and the bonds they shared were something to be jealous of. There was also a strong found family vibe that warmed my heart. It was lovely the way the town embraced Cooper and his family and were there for them in their time of need.
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I will admit, I came for a story about midwestern old ladies, and oh, how I loved those ladies. The story ended up a bit heavier than I had anticipated, but in the end, this was a very hopeful tale about love, loss, family, friendship, and healing which touched my heart.</p>
<p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;"><span style="background-color: initial; color: #bc0151; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER</span></p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyX-M-2vIOzdBK5spEfX_kMSwXs8uyepPRq1VgyTPaAsVoX-Ks0__d-ge0GOfPLNIEGDaOEVN5GoeJG9aRZRmlOs-YBUwB1Z0hCrMfUw0xhucHX2fnKUFXsS2ohx2hoxt542OHeLu9TzgED9XtpOw7oMhLfudt7I3SnVzGwM9jSV4gVzfdQM9F78QTIGJR/s2622/Good%20Material.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2622" data-original-width="1630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyX-M-2vIOzdBK5spEfX_kMSwXs8uyepPRq1VgyTPaAsVoX-Ks0__d-ge0GOfPLNIEGDaOEVN5GoeJG9aRZRmlOs-YBUwB1Z0hCrMfUw0xhucHX2fnKUFXsS2ohx2hoxt542OHeLu9TzgED9XtpOw7oMhLfudt7I3SnVzGwM9jSV4gVzfdQM9F78QTIGJR/s320/Good%20Material.jpeg" width="199" /></a></div><br />Good Material</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Dolly Alderton</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Knopf on January 30, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Fiction</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="font-family: Lato;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198688460-good-material" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">From the New York Times best-selling author of Ghosts and Everything I Know About a story of heartbreak and friendship and how to survive both
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Andy loves Jen. Jen loved Andy. And he can't work out why she stopped.
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Now he is. . .
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Without a home
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Waiting for his stand-up career to take off
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Wondering why everyone else around him seems to have grown up while he wasn't looking
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Set adrift on the sea of heartbreak, Andy clings to the idea of solving the puzzle of his ruined relationship. Because if he can find the answer to that, then maybe Jen can find her way back to him. But Andy still has a lot to learn, not least his ex-girlfriend's side of the story…
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In this sharply funny and exquisitely relatable story of romantic disaster and friendship, Dolly Alderton offers up a love story with two endings, demonstrating once again why she is one of the most exciting writers today, and the true voice of a generation.</span>
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<p>This was one of those funny stories about something that isn't really funny. Andy was a 35-year old hardly working comedian who was reeling from a breakup. His girlfriend, Jen, ended their four year relationship, and Andy was stuck on why.
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The story took me through Andy's lows as he mourned not having Jen in his life while putting a spotlight on all those related parts of ones life that are affected by a breakup. There was tons of humor infused in all these situations, but anyone who has experienced a breakup will recognize the pain running underneath it all.
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As Andy obsessed over his failed relationship, he also eventually moved forward. He started making progress on himself and his life. I was rather pleased with his growth and a lot of the aha! moments he had. I was delighted with him and this tale, and THEN! Alderton did something I loved.
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I have previously mentioned that Andy was on some search to find out what went wrong, why Jen broke up with him. He may never know, but I do! The bulk of this book was told via Andy's perspective, but the final chapter belonged to Jen. I was ecstatic to get her point of view and get to see their relationship through her eyes. I won't lie, I was sobbing by the end of it. I hate seeing love die and the demise of a relationship will always cause me pain, but I found some solace in seeing both Jen and Andy forward, but on separate trajectories with their lives.
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There I was, crying on my kindle, but also wondering what would happen next. Both Andy and Jen had these life changing plans. But, it was early 2020 and people were talking about a "killer virus" which I know from experience changed everyone's plans that year. I can't help but wonder how the pandemic would have altered their lives and those plans.
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Overall, this was a thoughtful and often humorous look at relationships, both romantic and platonic which I greatly enjoyed.</p>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite dish to cook?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-81040615218363348992024-03-03T03:00:00.187-05:002024-03-03T03:00:00.127-05:00Sundays with Sam - The Sunday Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<p>Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by <a href="http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/">Caffeinated Book Reviewer</a> and Stacking the Shelves hosted by <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga's Reviews</a>.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">My Week in Review</h2>
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<p>Happy Sunday! It warmed up a bit here, but with the warmth came the rain. I don't mind. I had nothing on the agenda this weekend. In fact, I am still trying to figure out where Saturday went. Seriously! I have no idea how I was struggling to get everything done. </p><p>Although I had an amazing reading week, I almost didn't finish the last book on my TBR. I was ahead on Sunday, but I fell behind at one point. Maybe it was the full week of work, or that I have been really tired. This week should be better since I have a short week. I have off on Tuesday for two doctors' appointments, and then I fly to Chicago on Friday for my daughter's showcase. Right now the forecast is showing rain, but I guess it's better than snow. </p>
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<p><b><u>On the Blog</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/isnt-it-romantic_01219398767.html" target="_blank">Monday</a></u></b>: Reviews - Expiration Dates, Happily Never After</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/top-ten-tuesday-i-spy-tree.html" target="_blank">Tuesday</a></u></b>: TTT - I Spy - TREE!</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/cant-wait-wednesay.html" target="_blank">Wednesday</a></u></b>: CWW - The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, The Cheat Sheet</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/in-nutshell-reviews_095239938.html" target="_blank">Thursday</a></u></b>: Reviews - One Moment, What You Are Looking For Is In the Library</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/five-star-friday-february-2024.html" target="_blank">Friday</a></u></b>: Five Star Friday - February 2024</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/03/five-on-my-tbr-all-abroad.html" target="_blank">Saturday</a></u></b>: Five on my TBR - All Abroad! </li>
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<p><b><u>Let's Discuss</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://yourbookfriend.com/2024/03/02/book-news-corner-2024-issue-6/comment-page-1/" target="_blank">AmandaKay</a></b> shared some book news. One story was disheartening</li><li><b><a href="https://ajsterkel.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-sunday-post-359.html" target="_blank">AJ</a></b> had me in stitches with her skunk update </li><li><b><a href="https://gregsbookhaven.blogspot.com/2016/11/why-i-like-grittier-fantasy.html" target="_blank">Greg</a></b> talks grittier fantasy and why he likes it</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Stacking the Shelves</h2>
<div>
<p>When it rains, it pours. I got a bunch of invites and an approval or two. I also was contacted for a finished copy of <b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/in-nutshell-reviews_095239938.html" target="_blank">One Moment</a></b>. We all know I don't read physical books, but I thought it was very nice of the publisher to offer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_ZBL00SB7EItRu5hCWSGC36r30VapgoSxyXwQYtvW5ZqDwyABrkgCSzO6ZGiDJQ4B8T3Ya-qqJmwQEBEXSIwpHJj94dmxejIk5aOs-qm8i9iWpTJj5TSFLTVVIF666_dUBuA3tUhPJKaswXGv4C_v-y03TmnNYUUJsfMxU06hAUiBUIomo50uX7l6QQY/s2496/STS%20030324%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="2496" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_ZBL00SB7EItRu5hCWSGC36r30VapgoSxyXwQYtvW5ZqDwyABrkgCSzO6ZGiDJQ4B8T3Ya-qqJmwQEBEXSIwpHJj94dmxejIk5aOs-qm8i9iWpTJj5TSFLTVVIF666_dUBuA3tUhPJKaswXGv4C_v-y03TmnNYUUJsfMxU06hAUiBUIomo50uX7l6QQY/w640-h254/STS%20030324%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknId1gLH8lL3AXJ8nf-iDEhRCca4KaY5IRJ12SXxl_r4RX3zgm4aGAYFIwlaaqRfkkB-jKSlNTDPobl6LhZfa04VbfHqyFfWdC_F-LiajILt0zi6h0NXPf-0gjISqkheddpMWfQIE4CLfNOkQRXQ5lLn0rewUGEYR2UcIK2vvDX0OHdOmA2agpg_Q8VEo/s2496/STS%20030324%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2496" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknId1gLH8lL3AXJ8nf-iDEhRCca4KaY5IRJ12SXxl_r4RX3zgm4aGAYFIwlaaqRfkkB-jKSlNTDPobl6LhZfa04VbfHqyFfWdC_F-LiajILt0zi6h0NXPf-0gjISqkheddpMWfQIE4CLfNOkQRXQ5lLn0rewUGEYR2UcIK2vvDX0OHdOmA2agpg_Q8VEo/w640-h200/STS%20030324%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhRzO3F_vTqPkFEFWrD4Avf2tNIL1PQ7789vTMJoVypL6yF6UWM8juRAjYkKhD9bCzuDrhE6lhF4FuUHM8Sg0RRUJMx6k43ZWLU3rlaRZF1KCNEpxRC-14St8FnVk2vYZHzNAMue9QXOLTDNsM88YPjBVmUIrv7F87rZ3qoBaLOvbN6sircMcSHJI7oa-/s2496/STS%20030324%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2496" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhRzO3F_vTqPkFEFWrD4Avf2tNIL1PQ7789vTMJoVypL6yF6UWM8juRAjYkKhD9bCzuDrhE6lhF4FuUHM8Sg0RRUJMx6k43ZWLU3rlaRZF1KCNEpxRC-14St8FnVk2vYZHzNAMue9QXOLTDNsM88YPjBVmUIrv7F87rZ3qoBaLOvbN6sircMcSHJI7oa-/w640-h200/STS%20030324%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p><b><u>Netgalley/Edelweiss</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199355848-the-game-changer" target="_blank">The Game Changer</a></b> by Lana Fergueson</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/202468452" target="_blank">Love and Other Conspiracies</a></b> by Mallory Marlowe</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/199292516" target="_blank">Finding Mr. Write</a></b> by Kelly Armstrong</li>
</ul>
<p><b><u>Invites</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://goodreads.com/en/book/show/199798557" target="_blank">Swift River</a></b> by Essie Chambers</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/195853920" target="_blank">Queerceañera</a></b> by Alex Crespo</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/198240283" target="_blank">Burning Crowns</a></b> by Catherine Doyle, Katherine Webber</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/199492906" target="_blank">Beneath These Cursed Stars</a></b> by Lexi Ryan</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199798006-we-used-to-live-here" target="_blank">We Used to Live Here</a></b> by Marcus Kliewer</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/199347400" target="_blank">This Used to Be Us</a></b> by Renée Carlino</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195853562-fortune-tellers" target="_blank">The Fortune Tellers</a></b> by Lisa Greenwald</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195791318-hate-to-fake-it-to-you" target="_blank">Hate to Fake It To You</a></b> by Amanda Sellet</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199863365-some-like-it-cold" target="_blank">Some Like It Cold</a></b> by Elle McNicoll</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/195035565" target="_blank">Only and Forever</a></b> by Chloe Liese</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203578799-catch-and-keep" target="_blank">Catch and Keep</a></b> by Erin Hahn</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Read Last Week</h2>
<div>
<p>As I had previously mentioned, this week was fabulous (reading-wise). I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed <b>The Takeover</b>. I was a little leery due to the middling ratings, but it was so much fun! My ARCs were both great, too. I JUST finished <b>Gilmore's</b> book and am still processing what it means to me, but I liked it. I am hoping <b>Hogle's</b> becomes a series. Let's have romances for all the sisters! </p><p>My favorites were <b>Fangirl Down</b> and <b>The Cheat Sheet</b>. I am a big fan of <b>Bailey's</b> newer books, and I think <b>Fangirl</b> may be my new favorite. It was a laugh riot, as was <b>The Cheat Sheet</b>. Both of these made me laugh so much, but they were also sweet romances. </p>
<p><b>Find all my reviews on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/25774455-samantha-wlabb?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=read" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></p>
<p><b><u>Books</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-xfI4K6JDHnRM6lRKS9Qtu84X3NgmeTmCh6MOiXHa_pkZT5C6lIR83VNDRavo3B8oNvIVFL-UwlgydT2OAylZiZwsAiHuFXyykN6v7797U3BfP-crRmS-KsF7XAielTRgNZWOBxnNYj3a_7kk2jTB50DeuN2HYRc2wIuGv8qjpYg-dwWjKxwIph6Z6IS/s2496/Read%20030324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2496" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-xfI4K6JDHnRM6lRKS9Qtu84X3NgmeTmCh6MOiXHa_pkZT5C6lIR83VNDRavo3B8oNvIVFL-UwlgydT2OAylZiZwsAiHuFXyykN6v7797U3BfP-crRmS-KsF7XAielTRgNZWOBxnNYj3a_7kk2jTB50DeuN2HYRc2wIuGv8qjpYg-dwWjKxwIph6Z6IS/w640-h200/Read%20030324.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127284123-the-takeover" target="_blank">The Takeover</a></b> by Cara Tanamachi - ★★★★ 1/2</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/150343880" target="_blank">Fangirl Down</a></b> by Tessa Bailey - ★★★★★</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58100280" target="_blank">The Cheat Sheet</a></b> by Sarah Adams - ★★★★★</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/194802762" target="_blank">Old Flames and New Fortunes</a></b> by Sarah Hogle - ★★★★ 1/2</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/179947229" target="_blank">The Library of Borrowed Hearts</a></b> by Lucy Gilmore - ★★★★ 1/2</li>
</ul>
<p><b><u>Audiobooks</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5Sr-JaBAC3IknL_wMs2jdflh_e9NVY4CF-2we9JYl2GJCadAXqhB_hRoGibPzwi2ULimShhjU9xNskxocVrBKcLVXY6txtPev6jYYJJQAx3BzeVRWRewV7fqPVvVPrSnTO-rO5RoQlNAZkCOPNfVjgRvvQ6LXgAhaeNscneQPM52oOd9Q0rihvAdkgDF/s994/Listen%20030324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="994" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5Sr-JaBAC3IknL_wMs2jdflh_e9NVY4CF-2we9JYl2GJCadAXqhB_hRoGibPzwi2ULimShhjU9xNskxocVrBKcLVXY6txtPev6jYYJJQAx3BzeVRWRewV7fqPVvVPrSnTO-rO5RoQlNAZkCOPNfVjgRvvQ6LXgAhaeNscneQPM52oOd9Q0rihvAdkgDF/s320/Listen%20030324.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60683957-check-mate" target="_blank">Check & Mate</a></b> by Ali Hazelwood - ★★★★</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/107525389-next-of-kin" target="_blank">Next of Kin</a></b> by Hannah Bonam-Young - ★★★★</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Currently Reading</h2>
<div>
<p>As I write this, I have not read any of <b>Dugeons and Drama</b>. I am sort of taking a chance on this book. My last Boyce book was okay, nothing spectacular, but people are raving about this one, so I thought - why not? Hopefully I like it as much as other readers. </p><p>When I visited the eLibrary, I clicked "feel good books", and that's how I got my audiobook. I now know that Dear Edward was a TV series. I didn't see it, but I am enjoying this story. I am still waiting for the feel-good part, but it's quite a concept. This boy is the sole survivor of a plane crash. The story follows him as he grieves and heals, but it also goes back to that day on the plane, and we get to know some of the other passengers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaofI13yNWyzWoPDDlM-mPjEGeewR-YlsAtXuf3_kR217xMjXyWZ41JwCVhVkFuSBF9oy4xVvc15vaRru-X9SXx_8bLJ064ZSDu9ONHu1czPNzC-vGDsqThudEnnwJCARt3KtgBz2E8lHwC1muNbbq1jCw6RxjY9NEUarkvomVJ4clv4-8Gl8gV7VI7iZ/s994/Currently%20030324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="994" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaofI13yNWyzWoPDDlM-mPjEGeewR-YlsAtXuf3_kR217xMjXyWZ41JwCVhVkFuSBF9oy4xVvc15vaRru-X9SXx_8bLJ064ZSDu9ONHu1czPNzC-vGDsqThudEnnwJCARt3KtgBz2E8lHwC1muNbbq1jCw6RxjY9NEUarkvomVJ4clv4-8Gl8gV7VI7iZ/s320/Currently%20030324.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/160047094" target="_blank">Dungeons and Drama</a></b> by Kristy Boyce</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45294613-dear-edward" target="_blank">Dear Edward</a></b> by Ann Napolitano (audiobook)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">To Be Read</h2>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TVMxA6Z85okdkx5bIDP5AuGvKZohyDG1SMOc7k0Qo7Bbv-lp2_MgLrnmhXACj2U5fWhp2mo9skgtvQBr-ujL82P_cq7kX_bVjlGnsHafCoQd0uKBE7_N3feSO5kfQ2YLbYUzf8_mDpM8JnKhwH086eqv3A35mbKLHo_fkJqRlWYyFfF19vjMeQmTepIf/s2496/TBR%20030324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="2496" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TVMxA6Z85okdkx5bIDP5AuGvKZohyDG1SMOc7k0Qo7Bbv-lp2_MgLrnmhXACj2U5fWhp2mo9skgtvQBr-ujL82P_cq7kX_bVjlGnsHafCoQd0uKBE7_N3feSO5kfQ2YLbYUzf8_mDpM8JnKhwH086eqv3A35mbKLHo_fkJqRlWYyFfF19vjMeQmTepIf/w640-h254/TBR%20030324.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/177185880" target="_blank">After Annie</a></b> by Anna Quindlen</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204796292-love-chickens" target="_blank">Love & Chickens</a></b> by Kasey Morris</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/192723842" target="_blank">Christa Comes Out of Her Shell</a></b> by Abbi Waxman</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/152948970-welcome-home-caroline-kline" target="_blank">Welcome Home, Caroline Kline</a></b> by Courtney Preiss</li>
</ul>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How was your week?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-84098751953361522352024-03-02T03:00:00.041-05:002024-03-02T03:00:00.137-05:00Five on My TBR - All Abroad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTNskSexd6UhL1Pc8oJ0jr93kndxPEL7tpe8hiF8oOCSttzfJ--BUZXI--OA5i2RwgEvCeUEU7lLAUfJlMON3lq5W1ZkGWu1dVWb4haAXawGkn8BzFV9DpnPfgXpBtzBUX8MsQjXZF65jtukzujTvWmcSlqLNQTYyO4VnAI4WYtXh9j3bWj8SrD_vVolF/s2240/Five%20on%20My%20TBR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTNskSexd6UhL1Pc8oJ0jr93kndxPEL7tpe8hiF8oOCSttzfJ--BUZXI--OA5i2RwgEvCeUEU7lLAUfJlMON3lq5W1ZkGWu1dVWb4haAXawGkn8BzFV9DpnPfgXpBtzBUX8MsQjXZF65jtukzujTvWmcSlqLNQTYyO4VnAI4WYtXh9j3bWj8SrD_vVolF/w640-h360/Five%20on%20My%20TBR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<p>
#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by <b><a href="https://localbeehuntersnook.home.blog/" target="_blank">E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook</a></b>. Learn more about it <a href="https://localbeehuntersnook.home.blog/5onmytbr/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">All Abroad</h2>
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<div> I love any opportunity to feature more books and found this meme an interesting way to take a look at my TBR. I hope to also get some feedback from you. Should I keep these books on my TBR? Should I push them up the list? Without further ado, below are five books that are set in a foreign country.</div>
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<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nxMMjOYRXbcwGh-c2BaTlAN2IvuhgUt0LMGKb92nzXRYC0yJQE9MuAP_gMmQl5tyd19hN0UQAxVwZ-bjWOe3z-DARgk17bu62kWxSxLSXivMuwZc3R6y32aNRuSe9LTVN7OyuBnxnf8Yx5O5ob4Ga4mgURrAYlthpoTV68OXz8qQrOmvdm_90u4t0BQs/s363/The%20Irish%20Goodbye.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nxMMjOYRXbcwGh-c2BaTlAN2IvuhgUt0LMGKb92nzXRYC0yJQE9MuAP_gMmQl5tyd19hN0UQAxVwZ-bjWOe3z-DARgk17bu62kWxSxLSXivMuwZc3R6y32aNRuSe9LTVN7OyuBnxnf8Yx5O5ob4Ga4mgURrAYlthpoTV68OXz8qQrOmvdm_90u4t0BQs/s320/The%20Irish%20Goodbye.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198509169-the-irish-goodbye" target="_blank">The Irish Goodbye</a></b> by Amy Ewing
<blockquote>
It’s hate-at-first-sight when a jilted Irish chef returns home to Inishmore and immediately clashes with a mouthy American tourist.
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This steamy romance novel by New York Times bestselling author Amy Ewing is perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez and Beth O’Leary.
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Cordelia James was once at the top of her game—a renowned street photographer with a massive social media following, gallery showings in Chelsea, and a lucrative book deal. But after the sudden death of her father, Cordelia can barely force herself to leave her apartment. That is, until she sees an ad for a summer gig at a cozy cottage on Ireland’s picturesque Inishmore island. Cordelia is on a plane before she can talk herself out of it.
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The moment she steps off the boat, she crashes—literally—into Niall O’Connor, a grumpy local who’s just returned home to Inishmore from Dublin. Niall is nursing a broken heart and trying to patch up a broken life, and he has no time for posh American tourists. The more Cordelia’s and Niall’s paths cross, the more they make each other’s lives hell. But as with all rivalries, their hatred is about to reach a tipping point—and it’s going to heat up their cool coastal nights.
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Featuring a lovable band of quirky supporting characters, The Irish Goodbye is a steamy, emotionally gripping tale of love, passion, art, food, and finding where you belong.
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<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlxwR3F8sROTJ2Gc7m83OPX5Glfp9ystcllt0FaformLf-FNapo9ko6CqnZaTSrDlf8aLV6IwjD-lzPEG8blIrxe6zMVT44YKNcRObxSJDhRoMrMqcPsDPAkBT2DdQspHpRLaiWrfGVEZUFczc77llE3lQCjNwxHTah-JtOf5N7hVCufDrTBqGgPkBDR3/s346/Once%20Persuaded.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="224" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlxwR3F8sROTJ2Gc7m83OPX5Glfp9ystcllt0FaformLf-FNapo9ko6CqnZaTSrDlf8aLV6IwjD-lzPEG8blIrxe6zMVT44YKNcRObxSJDhRoMrMqcPsDPAkBT2DdQspHpRLaiWrfGVEZUFczc77llE3lQCjNwxHTah-JtOf5N7hVCufDrTBqGgPkBDR3/s320/Once%20Persuaded.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/165938196-once-persuaded-twice-shy" target="_blank">Once Persuaded, Twice Shy</a></b> by Melodie Edwards
<blockquote>
This modern reimagining of Persuasion is full of witty banter, romantic angst, and compelling characters as it captures the heart of the classic Jane Austen novel.
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When Anne Elliott broke up with Ben Wentworth it seemed like the right thing to do . . . but now, eight years later, she’s not so sure.
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In her scenic hometown of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Anne is comfortable focusing on her successful career, filling her late mother’s shoes as town councilor and executive director of her theater company. She certainly keeps busy as the all-around wrangler of eccentric locals, self-centered family members, elaborate festivals, and the occasional goose attack. But the more she tries to convince herself that her life is fine as-is, the more it all feels like a show—and not nearly as good as the ones put on by her theater company. She’s the always responsible Anne, always taken for granted and cleaning up after other people, and the memories of happier times with Ben Wentworth still haunt her.
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So when the nearby Kellynch Winery is bought by Ben’s aunt and uncle, Anne’s life is set ablaze as her old flame crashes back into her life—and it’s clear he hasn’t forgotten or forgiven her for breaking his heart. A joint project between the winery and Anne’s theater forces both Ben and Anne to confront their complicated history, and as they spend more time together Anne can’t help but wonder if there might be hope for their future after all.
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<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqST4YhrakpASE3bbyE_Gww_PwyK3DLMQ8Vq_NOtjhSp-LHp9Xon7iiYIRE8fbod9BBGtIuGvCe7rnihMGksrctuTs1TUsjEqOzDetJtrFCFS7cUyyp-NOosUpJOp0GyF7Swk6iRAyTB5v0tKolOsd1eOCtJ8ctHhBtaz3O74U-KSar-TfMVI2rnRNvfTM/s2345/The%20Light%20That%20Bends.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2345" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqST4YhrakpASE3bbyE_Gww_PwyK3DLMQ8Vq_NOtjhSp-LHp9Xon7iiYIRE8fbod9BBGtIuGvCe7rnihMGksrctuTs1TUsjEqOzDetJtrFCFS7cUyyp-NOosUpJOp0GyF7Swk6iRAyTB5v0tKolOsd1eOCtJ8ctHhBtaz3O74U-KSar-TfMVI2rnRNvfTM/s320/The%20Light%20That%20Bends.jpeg" width="208" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/199332994" target="_blank">The Light That Bends Round Corners</a></b> by Alexandra Carey
<blockquote>
contemporary book club fiction novel following the lives of two women from two very different backgrounds living in Kuala Lumpur. Inspired by the author's own experiences living as a British expat.
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Laura, a successful fashion journalist based in London, finds herself uprooted from the world she knows and loves after she moves with her husband and two small children to a dilapidated bungalow in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Behind the house is an overgrown garden inhabited by monkeys, snakes and monitor lizards. A swimming pool sits in the shade of a beautiful jacaranda tree.
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Mariel, the Filipina maid Laura hires, hasn’t seen her own children for nearly ten years. She’s on a mission to escape her abusive past and finally marry the man she loves despite an ongoing battle against prejudice.
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Laura’s journey is one of self-discovery, Mariel’s is a fight for a better life.
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<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVR1gWfJ8aJ99Etf_MTZg1qRxQNmaUch4UVzFtsSBa8jZAlKggalKciEp22q-8eToiIFg53JV6hV1aV5gMXpB74aESrNJaWfJ2B4KxyTkKZTERwFpiYXdxrWpc6RGGxp4MvHDYrDbRKuEXuc_fF6kYLc9w7X9hsibPhAPlRvI2F-fA5wuK0UCO0oSlKBl/s4950/The%20Star%20Crossed%20Sisters.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4950" data-original-width="3300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVR1gWfJ8aJ99Etf_MTZg1qRxQNmaUch4UVzFtsSBa8jZAlKggalKciEp22q-8eToiIFg53JV6hV1aV5gMXpB74aESrNJaWfJ2B4KxyTkKZTERwFpiYXdxrWpc6RGGxp4MvHDYrDbRKuEXuc_fF6kYLc9w7X9hsibPhAPlRvI2F-fA5wuK0UCO0oSlKBl/s320/The%20Star%20Crossed%20Sisters.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46012005-the-star-crossed-sisters-of-tuscany" target="_blank">The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany</a></b> by Lori Nelson Spielman
<blockquote>
A trio of second-born daughters set out to break the family curse that says they’ll never find love on a whirlwind journey through the lush Italian countryside by New York Times bestseller Lori Nelson Spielman, author of The Life List.
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Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all.
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Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse.
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<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZW1RbTcWtdTx1DGm3_7owcelR86TabmEvIr-CcV8fbs3bLGlTlvByyWEsXPVIJsJtNtGJ1ktzypPQMrUaiIDBo8pBleOspSR7Q5nJDtbF8Foa_t_9svgd6qaiKBjgTIHjQA_XMQr54szQ9mvk-oDAdS7KSKVyxBHEAXojdPCqo3JencF2Wumn73g2qzV/s475/Harold%20Fry.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZW1RbTcWtdTx1DGm3_7owcelR86TabmEvIr-CcV8fbs3bLGlTlvByyWEsXPVIJsJtNtGJ1ktzypPQMrUaiIDBo8pBleOspSR7Q5nJDtbF8Foa_t_9svgd6qaiKBjgTIHjQA_XMQr54szQ9mvk-oDAdS7KSKVyxBHEAXojdPCqo3JencF2Wumn73g2qzV/s320/Harold%20Fry.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13227454-the-unlikely-pilgrimage-of-harold-fry" target="_blank">The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry</a></b> by Rachel Joyce
<blockquote>
Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does, even down to how he butters his toast. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning the mail arrives, and within the stack of quotidian minutiae is a letter addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl from a woman he hasn't seen or heard from in twenty years. Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye.
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Harold pens a quick reply and, leaving Maureen to her chores, heads to the corner mailbox. But then, as happens in the very best works of fiction, Harold has a chance encounter, one that convinces him that he absolutely must deliver his message to Queenie in person. And thus begins the unlikely pilgrimage. Harold Fry is determined to walk six hundred miles from Kingsbridge to the hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed because, he believes, as long as he walks, Queenie Hennessey will live.
<br /><br />
Still in his yachting shoes and light coat, Harold embarks on his urgent quest across the countryside. Along the way he meets one character after another, each of whom unlocks his long-dormant spirit and sense of promise. Memories of his first dance with Maureen, his wedding day, his joy in fatherhood, come rushing back to him - allowing him to also reconcile the losses and the regrets. As for Maureen, she finds herself missing Harold for the first time in years.
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And then there is the unfinished business with Queenie Hennessy.
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What books set abroad are on your TBR?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-35662676980032830292024-03-01T03:00:00.126-05:002024-03-01T03:00:00.135-05:00Five Star Friday - February 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48IH8U-igp2ZBwbjREs-Pr8EtptJ8A3N0Mr1mkir3oCouiJRvBlftd9H-GiLdtzSDt_uBhNRUhCThY97mkNyeKwYzESxx9WJWfBRqExRoffudTaBInQioEiG8S79rIJX5MWeZY7eWWahQcwaDsMgMDLvVAeAG1Y35pQuXVGjexfNQiH6YZ0KYTVWluw/s2048/FSF.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="2048" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48IH8U-igp2ZBwbjREs-Pr8EtptJ8A3N0Mr1mkir3oCouiJRvBlftd9H-GiLdtzSDt_uBhNRUhCThY97mkNyeKwYzESxx9WJWfBRqExRoffudTaBInQioEiG8S79rIJX5MWeZY7eWWahQcwaDsMgMDLvVAeAG1Y35pQuXVGjexfNQiH6YZ0KYTVWluw/w640-h396/FSF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<p>Five Star Friday is my version of the monthly wrap-up. On the first Friday of each month, I will share my <strong>five-star reads</strong> from the previous month. Fingers crossed, I have lots of books to tell you about.</p>
<p>This month, I was able to read <strong>25</strong> books, and I had <strong>5</strong> five-star reads. </p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUG2cIPrYBUTfAJu__ty4a8zzZuoO86AIS6HbSLNP4unNv3rciPmarIm6n7zWT0GbVVL22r1I9f8i1wyfB3yz7PA92p-ZdD-GS_zl4-lUajBQxQEOCBdQKhG3OKsaH0lObtRuUxKikyn-N93pwZuhcT9D-QrwL4hiMhDJz-c5O64ZdYJwfiImXylY_gRf/s2700/Out%20on%20a%20Limb.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUG2cIPrYBUTfAJu__ty4a8zzZuoO86AIS6HbSLNP4unNv3rciPmarIm6n7zWT0GbVVL22r1I9f8i1wyfB3yz7PA92p-ZdD-GS_zl4-lUajBQxQEOCBdQKhG3OKsaH0lObtRuUxKikyn-N93pwZuhcT9D-QrwL4hiMhDJz-c5O64ZdYJwfiImXylY_gRf/s320/Out%20on%20a%20Limb.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Out on a Limb</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Hannah Bonam-Young</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;">on July 11, 2023</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinysjd0wSvhtptoCrztw3nUcUWDkDS2mKpBA0qPDPwC-obAXxc4DsSeyzrL87jkJ5NB01oOdA4FzBD9L8CZIUDFEfciVBSeujM5bMInG3yx-v8P1i9rj_59uLp7NAK4y7dAz6hfwDxHvgeg0Whbs0FNXpsyIVubpD1TIReYZZ-ChrRRQese6_kTNIGkg/s1600/five-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="font-family: Lato;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198563657-out-on-a-limb" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Winnifred "Win" McNulty has always been wildly independent. Not one to be coddled for her limb difference, Win has spent most of her life trying to prove that she can do it all on her own. And, with some minor adjustments, she's done just fine.
<br /><br />
That is until she has a one-night stand with the incredibly charming Bo, a perfect stranger. And that one night changes everything.
<br /><br />
While Bo is surprisingly elated to step upto the plate, Win finds herself unsure of whether she can handle this new challenge on her own or if she’ll need a helping hand.
<br /><br />
Together, Win and Bo decide to get to know one another as friends and nothing more. But, as they both should know by now, life rarely goes according to plan.</span>
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<p>This was a really beautiful feel-good romance. I instantly fell head-over-heels for both Win and Bo. I have a thing for people who are a bit wounded and are lucky enough to find that "someone" who accepts them as-is. That was the case with both Bo and Win. Packed with humor, heart, and fantastic quirky characters, this book had me endless grinning or wearing a sappy smile. </p><p>[<b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/isnt-it-romantic_01740803153.html" target="_blank">review</a></b>]</p><hr style="border-top: 2px dotted rgb(231, 139, 154);" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYllrG6Ily_xBdfGFxToocfTNB1vT_bUMO4Mo1fUCVTqM0diKz-9OCqjRAmOXMTFAQ7aYhOr_OF3Re0-Fi58xp6pvMuypKWT7GcR323HOPzg5s0gRv2O8dOle4kgHd9mFC6EDL_bJYDWXUu5KK3yDcHDzGz97uNUIDSqNggUjFsYnUIazapA9wqv6DCwHV/s2400/The%20Happy%20Life%20of%20Isadora.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1578" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYllrG6Ily_xBdfGFxToocfTNB1vT_bUMO4Mo1fUCVTqM0diKz-9OCqjRAmOXMTFAQ7aYhOr_OF3Re0-Fi58xp6pvMuypKWT7GcR323HOPzg5s0gRv2O8dOle4kgHd9mFC6EDL_bJYDWXUu5KK3yDcHDzGz97uNUIDSqNggUjFsYnUIazapA9wqv6DCwHV/s320/The%20Happy%20Life%20of%20Isadora.jpeg" width="210" /></a></div><br />The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Courtney Walsh</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Thomas Nelson on June 13, 2023</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Fiction</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinysjd0wSvhtptoCrztw3nUcUWDkDS2mKpBA0qPDPwC-obAXxc4DsSeyzrL87jkJ5NB01oOdA4FzBD9L8CZIUDFEfciVBSeujM5bMInG3yx-v8P1i9rj_59uLp7NAK4y7dAz6hfwDxHvgeg0Whbs0FNXpsyIVubpD1TIReYZZ-ChrRRQese6_kTNIGkg/s1600/five-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="font-family: Lato;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/63354446" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">She’s out to prove that there’s no such thing as choosing happiness.
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Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life—and never will.
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As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she’s supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again—especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and her research. Forever.
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But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything “on a whim” makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”—which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project—proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong.
<br /><br />
As Isadora gets deeper into her research—and meets a handsome professor along the way—she’s stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she’s proving herself wrong. Perhaps there’s actually something to this happiness concept, and possibly there’s something to be said for loosening up and letting life take you somewhere . . . happy.
</span>
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<p>This book was precious! I knew from page one that I was going to love everything about it, and I totally did. First and foremost, I adored Isadora. I related so hard to her past and the baggage she carried from being hurt by others. I totally understood why she built a fortress around her heart and kept her distance from others. But when she started this "experiment", I was filled with glee as she began forming connections and letting people get to know the real Isadora. I could sit here and gush all day about this book. It was just such a pleasure to read and filled my day with endless sunshine. By the end of this story, my face hurt from smiling and my heart was bursting with joy. If you want to feel some glee, come and accompany Isadora on her journey as she finds her happy.</p><p>[<b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/isnt-it-romantic-five-star-edition.html" target="_blank">review</a></b>]</p><hr style="border-top: 2px dotted rgb(231, 139, 154);" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiIShR_8jqgR9UTK_fK0A_dc1cC9syW2vCqRNQptubdZzjQUzOxCTuzPGSK3cRMlXhCOb9L2JKnry4zdMN0xhTJYnQQStOCkqrO4aepI4bUUhSvasOiRbNMElP0DAVBxX8cZtSdpHF2A5Iqe3cnQofwQkTm07iR5XnS1fiQD8tgGNaJPgLlIyn8TC23jb/s522/Worst%20Wingman%20Ever.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiIShR_8jqgR9UTK_fK0A_dc1cC9syW2vCqRNQptubdZzjQUzOxCTuzPGSK3cRMlXhCOb9L2JKnry4zdMN0xhTJYnQQStOCkqrO4aepI4bUUhSvasOiRbNMElP0DAVBxX8cZtSdpHF2A5Iqe3cnQofwQkTm07iR5XnS1fiQD8tgGNaJPgLlIyn8TC23jb/s320/Worst%20Wingman%20Ever.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Worst Wingman Ever</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Abby Jimenez</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Amazon Original Stories on January 23, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="five-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinysjd0wSvhtptoCrztw3nUcUWDkDS2mKpBA0qPDPwC-obAXxc4DsSeyzrL87jkJ5NB01oOdA4FzBD9L8CZIUDFEfciVBSeujM5bMInG3yx-v8P1i9rj_59uLp7NAK4y7dAz6hfwDxHvgeg0Whbs0FNXpsyIVubpD1TIReYZZ-ChrRRQese6_kTNIGkg/s1600/five-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200034606-worst-wingman-ever" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">They’re falling in love, yet they’ve never met. Maybe fate can intervene in a heartwarming “what-if” short story about new beginnings by the New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly.
<br /><br />
Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?
</span>
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<p>It's incredible the way Abby Jimenez can fill my heart with so much warmth and joy in so few pages. My hats off to you, Jimenez! As expected, this story was told with lots of humor, but Jimenez also inflicted quite a bit of emotional pain with Holly caring for her terminally ill grandmother. It was one of those beauty in the pain situations, but it was made somewhat easier by the kindness of a stranger. I love the way these two bonded anonymously. Why is that always so wonderful? With a theme of making your own happiness, this was a great mix of humor, joy, and heartbreak which ultimately filled me with so much sunshine and delight.</p><p><br /></p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NLIGkSiilvyi91cN7weBCOZfJnlLcGOWWuevBrTCIUhGbDGJfeA8CYrdXvF2L0t8utvvLHKwduvjmjcV4QLV5JWAx0h1I6xc8odnpmVj7hkLxR0mElA7twyMK6iGpfhRIG2GD3ixzK67adUE2YuQNfOThnqHSJ9Vfarbx9mOtjvYwyZhCaFGWIfVdH2U/s1678/Fangirl%20Down.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1678" data-original-width="1110" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NLIGkSiilvyi91cN7weBCOZfJnlLcGOWWuevBrTCIUhGbDGJfeA8CYrdXvF2L0t8utvvLHKwduvjmjcV4QLV5JWAx0h1I6xc8odnpmVj7hkLxR0mElA7twyMK6iGpfhRIG2GD3ixzK67adUE2YuQNfOThnqHSJ9Vfarbx9mOtjvYwyZhCaFGWIfVdH2U/s320/Fangirl%20Down.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br />Fangirl Down</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Tessa Bailey</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Avon on February 13, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="five-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinysjd0wSvhtptoCrztw3nUcUWDkDS2mKpBA0qPDPwC-obAXxc4DsSeyzrL87jkJ5NB01oOdA4FzBD9L8CZIUDFEfciVBSeujM5bMInG3yx-v8P1i9rj_59uLp7NAK4y7dAz6hfwDxHvgeg0Whbs0FNXpsyIVubpD1TIReYZZ-ChrRRQese6_kTNIGkg/s1600/five-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br/><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150343880-fangirl-down" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey launches a super sexy sports romance series with a rom-com about a bad boy professional athlete who falls for his biggest fan...
<br /><br />
Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.
<br /><br />
Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine’s professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash…
<br /><br />
As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous… right?</span>
</p></blockquote>
<p>Fangirl Down was such an amazing read. A great story, fantastic characters, and a sizzling romance were all things that had me flipping those pages, but it was also packed with humor and warmth. I smiled because I was amused as much as I smiled because I was just so darn happy for everyone involved. That last chapter and the epilogue had the happy tears flowing, and when I was done, I sit back, let out a breath, and just basked in the happiness this story created.</p><p><br /></p>
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<div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjV1wDZaKhenM3n2rLmQCt48bITXSLMBcjjwH99dX0H6NjPI9pyf7JSkTDBp7N5gwA6WoNv-zcFjMcWEA0e-TMLRHGGg6aKStk_Ag4WFORdHb88__AOeCemJ_cv3vsNxC-NgfRjGYbLecITQ7M-hgrwW-N3D22RoY2kioxPmMwr_AA5pQRGZkKwntWE-eZ/s500/The%20Cheat%20Sheet.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjV1wDZaKhenM3n2rLmQCt48bITXSLMBcjjwH99dX0H6NjPI9pyf7JSkTDBp7N5gwA6WoNv-zcFjMcWEA0e-TMLRHGGg6aKStk_Ag4WFORdHb88__AOeCemJ_cv3vsNxC-NgfRjGYbLecITQ7M-hgrwW-N3D22RoY2kioxPmMwr_AA5pQRGZkKwntWE-eZ/s320/The%20Cheat%20Sheet.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />The Cheat Sheet</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Sarah Adams</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Dell on August 17, 2021</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="five-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinysjd0wSvhtptoCrztw3nUcUWDkDS2mKpBA0qPDPwC-obAXxc4DsSeyzrL87jkJ5NB01oOdA4FzBD9L8CZIUDFEfciVBSeujM5bMInG3yx-v8P1i9rj_59uLp7NAK4y7dAz6hfwDxHvgeg0Whbs0FNXpsyIVubpD1TIReYZZ-ChrRRQese6_kTNIGkg/s1600/five-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br/>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58100280" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Is it ever too late to leave the friend-zone?
<br /><br />
Hi, my name is Bree Camden, and I’m hopelessly in love with my best friend and star quarterback Nathan Donelson (so is half of America, judging by the tabloids and how much the guy dates). The first step is admitting, right? Except, I can never admit it to him because he clearly doesn’t see me that way, and the last thing I want is for things to get weird between us.
<br /><br />
Nothing but good old-fashioned, no-touching-the-sexiest-man-alive, platonic friendship for us! Everything is exactly how I like it! Yes. Good. (I’m not crying, I’m just peeling an onion.)
<br /><br />
Our friendship is going swimmingly until I accidentally spill my beans to a reporter over too much tequila, and now the world seems to think me and Nathan belong together. Oh, and did I mention we have to date publicly for three weeks until after the Super Bowl because we signed a contract with...oops, forgot I can’t tell anyone about that!
<br /><br />
Bottom line is, now my best friend is smudging all the lines and acting very un-platonic, and I’m just trying to keep my body from bursting into flames every time he touches me.
<br /><br />
How am I going to make it through three weeks of fake dating Nathan without anything changing between us? Especially when it almost-sort-a-kinda seems like he’s fighting for a completely different outcome?
<br /><br />
Send help.<br />
XO Bree</span>
</p></blockquote>
<p>I am trash for friends-to-lovers, so I knew I would like this book, but it was so sweet and fun. These two had such a great vibe. I will admit that I was *this close* to tiring of the mutual pining without anyone sharing their feelings, but it all came together in the most smile inducing way. I adored both Bree and Nathan, and Bree's sister and the other bromance between Nathan and his teammates also contributed to my enjoyment. This was exactly the pick me up I needed, and I am so happy I finally read it. </p><p><br /></p>
<hr style="border-top: 2px dotted rgb(231, 139, 154);" />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Honorable Mention</h2>
<p>February was packed with great reading. Here are my honorable mention books. All earned 4.5 stars.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGlT5B7ZxiIaICdzRBmtlv6BO9mMQnQMVknZQeEw31XKXMYCFe2FPlVmGuZqgIhoZ_ODH9IHClTRcv4wdjpFKdVav5OvNwJrcybJLeCOJe3WfEUb8dS9eCAdTLF067GP5iYenb-KyqJPSjFOB-BOW-tWmz572i6EWCqmxaYOCZj3pUip0Nf3vb4KKCM6I/s2819/FSF%200224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="2819" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGlT5B7ZxiIaICdzRBmtlv6BO9mMQnQMVknZQeEw31XKXMYCFe2FPlVmGuZqgIhoZ_ODH9IHClTRcv4wdjpFKdVav5OvNwJrcybJLeCOJe3WfEUb8dS9eCAdTLF067GP5iYenb-KyqJPSjFOB-BOW-tWmz572i6EWCqmxaYOCZj3pUip0Nf3vb4KKCM6I/w640-h198/FSF%200224.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQEkXRnegiM6Ha4sC4LB6mfCle_7sNrjBDC0MYnsXRzVE6ZJhE7IlZRObJpZDOl8JMuJBqM7nmz4PrM52endbpJKId-mzz1BhVmnUrEflg82ICGdPL96QHvfFMcGKTew3Pz0O1lWDLUpi4NOr0RbEApvqDMSbEkAjUDe1TtYvQTKbQJBlH7h5LstUM-D2/s2819/FSF%200224b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="2819" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQEkXRnegiM6Ha4sC4LB6mfCle_7sNrjBDC0MYnsXRzVE6ZJhE7IlZRObJpZDOl8JMuJBqM7nmz4PrM52endbpJKId-mzz1BhVmnUrEflg82ICGdPL96QHvfFMcGKTew3Pz0O1lWDLUpi4NOr0RbEApvqDMSbEkAjUDe1TtYvQTKbQJBlH7h5LstUM-D2/w640-h198/FSF%200224b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127305939-in-the-orbit-of-you" target="_blank">In the Orbit of You</a></b> by Ashley Schumacher</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/isnt-it-romantic_01740803153.html" target="_blank">The Trail of Lost Hearts</a></b> by Tracey Garvis Graves</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/196522663" target="_blank">The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties</a></b> by Jesse Q. Sutanto</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/96177629-good-material" target="_blank">Good Material</a></b> by Dolly Adlerton</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/one-old-one-new-coyote-canyon-edition.html" target="_blank">The Messy Life of Jane Turner</a></b> by Brenda Novak</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150444412-kilt-trip" target="_blank">Kilt Trip</a></b> by Alexandra Kiley</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62804258-the-brothers-hawthorne" target="_blank">The Brothers Hawthorne</a></b> by Jennifer Lynn Barnes</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178565829-the-happiness-blueprint" target="_blank">The Happiness Blueprint</a></b> by Ally Zetterburg</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/182484343-nosy-neighbors" target="_blank">Nosy Neighbors</a></b> by Freya Sampson</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127281501-the-takeover" target="_blank">The Takover</a></b> by Cara Tanamachi </li>
</ul>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What were the best books you read last month?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
</div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-29173141382755080092024-02-29T03:00:00.075-05:002024-02-29T03:00:00.151-05:00In a Nutshell Reviews
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPjOFSY5D_GvwNtY4w8HU09-YLpgkqE8mBX3v2211XKRuZ4BMbYUc4kKZ33PAjfop5JJJNXn1x7UbuPQNPhRs-jGkkBhRHi8IlVy8e-C-EgN2M-wTG8XS-LlTfiJLeq2q0g5RYX47X2GJImIOjaCZX2vAEgo6nmVBvVHt5m52e6Nz4UrsTEdPNn5RPA/s2040/nutshell.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPjOFSY5D_GvwNtY4w8HU09-YLpgkqE8mBX3v2211XKRuZ4BMbYUc4kKZ33PAjfop5JJJNXn1x7UbuPQNPhRs-jGkkBhRHi8IlVy8e-C-EgN2M-wTG8XS-LlTfiJLeq2q0g5RYX47X2GJImIOjaCZX2vAEgo6nmVBvVHt5m52e6Nz4UrsTEdPNn5RPA/w640-h188/nutshell.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVDUBMd0_WI5Yy_fVkM76zJCBTu3-ifJvqLlS7gdGNsT5GT_hT1Pn5HJCfs-BTFapGyFhJqiTdWLjWeSqGdWL5AgcS30CAm9b8O-ViQq7_biMGqDol6FJkmAKVQtiIhpw4o1n2SwPrIy8lABneDSUSyWfXWVwXauCzUrlyQPAuqaEh2VqY6Hquhtj4MQ4/s2903/NS%20030124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2233" data-original-width="2903" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVDUBMd0_WI5Yy_fVkM76zJCBTu3-ifJvqLlS7gdGNsT5GT_hT1Pn5HJCfs-BTFapGyFhJqiTdWLjWeSqGdWL5AgcS30CAm9b8O-ViQq7_biMGqDol6FJkmAKVQtiIhpw4o1n2SwPrIy8lABneDSUSyWfXWVwXauCzUrlyQPAuqaEh2VqY6Hquhtj4MQ4/w640-h492/NS%20030124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="post_content" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="wp-block-image" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RctQmasNBrrR4hnQH_-0_Y04Gm491E1WKVjHyAzm6GNP2dP5hdTic-b5tfdyBKYW_mRxJdolXlbUx7g70kECxQ1ljKEHQfaf6D9OlYfoMt7_U1ZrjE-QF-vADO0Xgd7fhzm25CpMR7ujj46onMPb7tK1fYGWtWw5-taaRqL4hfEq1VEQf2Q2bwn6iGuL/s1500/One%20Moment.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RctQmasNBrrR4hnQH_-0_Y04Gm491E1WKVjHyAzm6GNP2dP5hdTic-b5tfdyBKYW_mRxJdolXlbUx7g70kECxQ1ljKEHQfaf6D9OlYfoMt7_U1ZrjE-QF-vADO0Xgd7fhzm25CpMR7ujj46onMPb7tK1fYGWtWw5-taaRqL4hfEq1VEQf2Q2bwn6iGuL/s320/One%20Moment.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />One Moment</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Becky Hunter</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Forever on March 12, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Fiction</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1XY0Orgp89DxyYzC-Kq3RAAIq6_2sJcVVVCoM_N7IiW3CvFS1g15bmIdBFfJINSoB9V_79DfynBHqYTdJ3LKA0nKsvxZDN34-tBKs7liYQMyPi9JQTu2f-EgSwWhnz2rSMuz-hj4NLiRLwWk8PFwr0JAckpqz29v7dg3Um5Oy-zGXd69lvFSeT1I1Q/s1600/four-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/182761463-one-moment" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<blockquote style="background: rgb(231, 139, 154); border-radius: 1px; border: 1px solid rgb(188, 1, 81); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 15px 15px; padding: 15px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">This heart-wrenching read about friendship, love, and loss tells the story of a woman grieving the death of her best friend and learning to embrace a future she never imagined—perfect for fans of Rebecca Serle and Josie Silver.
<br /><br />
One moment in time can change everything...
<br /><br />
The day Scarlett dies, her hopes and dreams for the future die with her…or so she thinks. Because she’s still here—wherever here is—watching the ripple effect of her death on the lives of those she loved the most. She’d do anything to go back and join the living, especially Evie, her best friend who needs her now more than ever.
<br /><br />
Scarlett and Evie have been inseparable since they were ten years old. Now Evie can’t imagine life without Scarlett, and she certainly doesn’t want to forgive Nate, the man she blames for her best friend's death, simply because she needs to hold someone accountable. Yet Nate keeps showing up in her life—so charming and outgoing, just like Scarlett—when all Evie wants is to retreat from the world.
<br /><br />
But Evie’s not alone. Scarlett is still by her side, even as she wrestles with the choices that led to that fateful day. Knowing what she knows now, and seeing Evie bravely embrace a future without her, would Scarlett go back and alter the events that changed their lives forever? </span>
</p></blockquote>
<p>Best friends for most of their lives, Scarlet and Evie found themselves without the other following Scarlet's untimely death. Told from both Evie and Scarlet's points of view, this was a story of love, loss, and healing which highlighted friendship above all things.
<br /><br />
Anyone who knows me understands how much I enjoy a good story of grief and loss. It's not the loss part that I love, but rather, the healing that I always find pleasing. The interesting twist here was that I saw this process from both sides. Including Scarlet's point of view brought something different to this type of tale, and I appreciated getting to see her grow and heal right alongside Evie.
<br /><br />
There's that saying, "beauty in the pain", and that was something that played a major part in this story. At the time of Scarlet's death, Evie was still coming to terms with her MS diagnosis. Not leaving home and wearing THAT sweater, she was fading away. Scarlet's death was terrible and tragic, but one result was that her friend began to live more. That one moment when Scarlet stepped off the curb set off a chain of events which pushed Evie to make positive changes in her life.
<br /><br />
I have to be honest, the saddest part of this book came at the end for me. I hardly shed a tear before that last chapter. It was a very thought provoking way to end the story in my opinion. Beautifully sad, and I would underscore the word beautiful because it really hit me in my heart. And no worries, this was not a super sad story. There were a nice blend of moments and emotions. As I read, I felt happy, sad, mad, frustrated, and hopeful.
<br /><br />
Overall, this was a touching story of friendship and love. It was about how having that "person" in your life shapes it in so many ways, and how even when they are gone, the impression they made on your life will be long lasting.
</p>
<p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;"><span style="background-color: initial; color: #bc0151; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER</span></p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYXZEbkj0UkuR-m2K6kdx_wonbC6xaD_d39CGmuLxS52_4693oWc5uBjo3t2mcdmu98mtCUw-9TxM53V6ZT_i4o23lchNbVY-_dBVP-2d0_Ag_yXiXoARMHwYA_5PixiF7UEoaEPKyGxK0TKXjSfwrKkx8b6DGARpwC4VFWeyfzoxjBvfj3NoKYYnmFY4/s2975/What%20You%20Are%20Looking%20For%20is%20in%20the%20Library.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2975" data-original-width="2138" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYXZEbkj0UkuR-m2K6kdx_wonbC6xaD_d39CGmuLxS52_4693oWc5uBjo3t2mcdmu98mtCUw-9TxM53V6ZT_i4o23lchNbVY-_dBVP-2d0_Ag_yXiXoARMHwYA_5PixiF7UEoaEPKyGxK0TKXjSfwrKkx8b6DGARpwC4VFWeyfzoxjBvfj3NoKYYnmFY4/s320/What%20You%20Are%20Looking%20For%20is%20in%20the%20Library.jpeg" width="230" /></a></div><br />What You Are Looking For Is in the Library</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Michiko Aoyama</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Hanover Square Press on September 5, 2023</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Fiction</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="font-family: Lato;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/91274427" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<blockquote style="background: rgb(231, 139, 154); border-radius: 1px; border: 1px solid rgb(188, 1, 81); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 15px 15px; padding: 15px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">For fans of The Midnight Library and Before the Coffee Gets Cold, this charming Japanese novel shows how the perfect book recommendation can change a reader's life.
<br /><br />
What are you looking for?
<br /><br />
This is the famous question routinely asked by Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. Like most librarians, Komachi has read every book lining her shelves—but she also has the unique ability to read the souls of her library guests. For anyone who walks through her door, Komachi can sense exactly what they’re looking for in life and provide just the book recommendation they never knew they needed to help them find it.
<br /><br />
Each visitor comes to her library from a different juncture in their careers and dreams, from the restless sales attendant who feels stuck at her job to the struggling working mother who longs to be a magazine editor. The conversation that they have with Sayuri Komachi—and the surprise book she lends each of them—will have life-altering consequences.
<br /><br />
With heartwarming charm and wisdom, What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is a paean to the magic of libraries, friendship and community, perfect for anyone who has ever found themselves at an impasse in their life and in need of a little inspiration.</span>
</p></blockquote>
<p>This was such a lovely story. It's a quiet book that is very character driven, and its beauty really sneaks up on you. Each character has a chapter that focuses on them, but connections in and among the main players all slowly emerge. This is something I will never tire of, and I am always delighted when authors make this happen. </p>
<blockquote>What are you looking for?</blockquote>
<p>
Each person in this story was at a different point in their life, but also seeking something, a change, a purpose. Their search brought them to the library where a wonderful librarian worked her magic. With an eye-opening list of books and a bit of felting magic, each character was able to see their situation from a different perspective and eventually, they found the path that was right for them.
<br /><br />
I thought the author did a great job getting me into the characters' heads and feeling their emotions. I enjoyed seeing them connecting to others while experiencing epiphanies when it came to their own lives. </p><p><b>Overall</b>: A quiet but uplifting and hopeful book.
</p>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite book involving a library?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-91644287478129931822024-02-28T03:00:00.049-05:002024-02-28T03:00:00.143-05:00Can't Wait Wednesay!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53aSI_fcqzE516965HJ6bPIP2DtqXmbpqo1WzVrt_EB1FK82lZPuSz6c1osC6P8rhkUH0E8dXSOD3DtDjCHVpLZMeQqong041vVYxI8yjzoc0q_9Opk96ZAhXmJo6N24vwAY8F2jujUVin5OE01xbZmTSjQ48Ggz4dbfboT5HZqVsqX2WstWMFW9jnFRE/s2040/cant%20wait%20wednesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53aSI_fcqzE516965HJ6bPIP2DtqXmbpqo1WzVrt_EB1FK82lZPuSz6c1osC6P8rhkUH0E8dXSOD3DtDjCHVpLZMeQqong041vVYxI8yjzoc0q_9Opk96ZAhXmJo6N24vwAY8F2jujUVin5OE01xbZmTSjQ48Ggz4dbfboT5HZqVsqX2WstWMFW9jnFRE/w640-h188/cant%20wait%20wednesday.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<p><b>
Can’t-Wait Wednesday</b> is a weekly event hosted by <b><a href="https://www.wishfulendings.com/" target="_blank">Tressa at Wishful Endings</a></b> that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.<br /><br />
I am combining CWW with <b>Books From the Backlog</b> hosted by <b><a href="https://carolesrandomlife.com/" target="_blank">Carole at Carole's Random Life</a></b> in Books. This will allow me to feature some newly "rediscovered" books, which I plan on reading, alongside a new release.
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">This week I can't wait for</h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0fKzznO2M7RW8ZPwV1rXHkXYrqzPZb7ksdPOCXyP50VZhXTRWI0tMAxIa7ut2UidLXWe9SVWlJK-0fBN3azWDR5iuTLe5pxaIe0tdzs0_aObMS4s-XMyZS7JUPp2ZaMPHYB83Q1FNpSmtt0NaC0D3UQyVnjsmJVvVpqd16Bsq7V2RcGlTb4-pIO-OsQY/s2775/The%20Fellowship%20with%20Puzzle%20Makers.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="1838" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0fKzznO2M7RW8ZPwV1rXHkXYrqzPZb7ksdPOCXyP50VZhXTRWI0tMAxIa7ut2UidLXWe9SVWlJK-0fBN3azWDR5iuTLe5pxaIe0tdzs0_aObMS4s-XMyZS7JUPp2ZaMPHYB83Q1FNpSmtt0NaC0D3UQyVnjsmJVvVpqd16Bsq7V2RcGlTb4-pIO-OsQY/s320/The%20Fellowship%20with%20Puzzle%20Makers.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br />The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Samuel Burr</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Doubleday on April 9, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Fiction</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/182484307" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">An extraordinary, gloriously uplifting novel about the power of friendship and the puzzling ties that bind us
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Clayton Stumper might be twenty-six years old, but he dresses like your grandpa and drinks sherry like your aunt. Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he was raised by a group of eccentric enigmatologists and now finds himself among the last survivors of a fading institution.
<br /><br />
When the esteemed crossword compiler and main maternal presence in Clayton's life, Pippa Allsbrook, passes away, she bestows her final puzzle on him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for life beyond the walls of the commune. As Clay begins to unpick the clues, he uncovers something even the Fellowship have never been able to solve—and it's a secret that has the potential to change everything.</span>
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<p>I stumbled upon this book on Netgalley, and there was just something that called to me. The opening sentence in the synopsis is honestly enough for me to want to read it. I am always looking for books that leave me feeling good, so "uplifting" is a siren's call for me. The premise of an abandoned child being raised by a group of enigmatolgists intrigues me. First, because that's an interesting situation, but also because I love math and puzzles. I hope there is lots of that in this book. The cherry on top is the puzzle that will allow Clayton to uncover his parents' identities. Sounds like a winner to me. </p><p><br /></p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkQzGrKkjR97lQ9DaMkIQBXnBFCBHRbtXWayfaRCK8GfjcoSZwJLCDo1LI7T5GemMZ8m3pNOb6VXGCszSZObwlQdWGsbnsTN2gTVfN3CbqM8VN6nnoQ2NQbClCdtmhEPnZUH14ZTT0CMWVQ4-uUDTMRMnuJr5SRx-LGtNvG3YVZWe_h6wTUIZzs1cuOvm/s664/books%20from%20the%20backlog%20text.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="108" data-original-width="664" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkQzGrKkjR97lQ9DaMkIQBXnBFCBHRbtXWayfaRCK8GfjcoSZwJLCDo1LI7T5GemMZ8m3pNOb6VXGCszSZObwlQdWGsbnsTN2gTVfN3CbqM8VN6nnoQ2NQbClCdtmhEPnZUH14ZTT0CMWVQ4-uUDTMRMnuJr5SRx-LGtNvG3YVZWe_h6wTUIZzs1cuOvm/w640-h104/books%20from%20the%20backlog%20text.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjV1wDZaKhenM3n2rLmQCt48bITXSLMBcjjwH99dX0H6NjPI9pyf7JSkTDBp7N5gwA6WoNv-zcFjMcWEA0e-TMLRHGGg6aKStk_Ag4WFORdHb88__AOeCemJ_cv3vsNxC-NgfRjGYbLecITQ7M-hgrwW-N3D22RoY2kioxPmMwr_AA5pQRGZkKwntWE-eZ/s500/The%20Cheat%20Sheet.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjV1wDZaKhenM3n2rLmQCt48bITXSLMBcjjwH99dX0H6NjPI9pyf7JSkTDBp7N5gwA6WoNv-zcFjMcWEA0e-TMLRHGGg6aKStk_Ag4WFORdHb88__AOeCemJ_cv3vsNxC-NgfRjGYbLecITQ7M-hgrwW-N3D22RoY2kioxPmMwr_AA5pQRGZkKwntWE-eZ/s320/The%20Cheat%20Sheet.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />The Cheat Sheet</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Sarah Adams</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Dell on August 17, 2021</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58100280" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Is it ever too late to leave the friend-zone?
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Hi, my name is Bree Camden, and I’m hopelessly in love with my best friend and star quarterback Nathan Donelson (so is half of America, judging by the tabloids and how much the guy dates). The first step is admitting, right? Except, I can never admit it to him because he clearly doesn’t see me that way, and the last thing I want is for things to get weird between us.
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Nothing but good old-fashioned, no-touching-the-sexiest-man-alive, platonic friendship for us! Everything is exactly how I like it! Yes. Good. (I’m not crying, I’m just peeling an onion.)
<br /><br />
Our friendship is going swimmingly until I accidentally spill my beans to a reporter over too much tequila, and now the world seems to think me and Nathan belong together. Oh, and did I mention we have to date publicly for three weeks until after the Super Bowl because we signed a contract with...oops, forgot I can’t tell anyone about that!
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Bottom line is, now my best friend is smudging all the lines and acting very un-platonic, and I’m just trying to keep my body from bursting into flames every time he touches me.
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How am I going to make it through three weeks of fake dating Nathan without anything changing between us? Especially when it almost-sort-a-kinda seems like he’s fighting for a completely different outcome?
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Send help.<br />
XO Bree</span>
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<p>I have enjoyed several books by Adams. They were all fun, sweet, and hit the spot. There are several things here that made me add this book to my TBR. The cover. I adore sports romances and it appears the heroine is a dancer. That was a big part of my world for a long time, and I always enjoy reading about dancers because of that. This also sounds like a sort of friends-to-lovers situation. That's one of my favorite tropes, and then there is fake dating for even more fun. This should be a good time. </p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s1037/sam%20signature1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1037" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s320/sam%20signature1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What are you waiting on?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-81889427124755554902024-02-27T03:00:00.044-05:002024-02-27T03:00:00.140-05:00Top Ten Tuesday - I Spy --- Tree!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfr-h4i4zWeJKh3ez4OVxZd3bQ_OKo1nLliaFAee9pyDmre4G_bwhUtVbnpk56PV4vTIeY05QfBzp47mKXOBHvxRWsx2Gdbo5wuuRfh6fCer0TUx4IPntg1zPXBMeEuUY2vNXkiDN3BP4oIjxuy6BBiJIBA6kq3dUUsAAkbeU8YAQ77x5Z2r3fG878w/s2040/top%20ten%20tuesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfr-h4i4zWeJKh3ez4OVxZd3bQ_OKo1nLliaFAee9pyDmre4G_bwhUtVbnpk56PV4vTIeY05QfBzp47mKXOBHvxRWsx2Gdbo5wuuRfh6fCer0TUx4IPntg1zPXBMeEuUY2vNXkiDN3BP4oIjxuy6BBiJIBA6kq3dUUsAAkbeU8YAQ77x5Z2r3fG878w/w640-h188/top%20ten%20tuesday.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by </span><a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1ca0d2; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;">That Artsy Reader Girl</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">. This week's topic is...</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>I Spy -- Tree!</b></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwPm4_4Alvc375vRjQ-hMYMeS9X-RFTkHoTwgruXCS8i4-7p-EkZl3IVLS9tMMLhkDbzVkKh40rTOCBq1ZQD5BtVMoCvtQRKO5RChGUPnzsKNRqjLryJqcfYlqHq3gn3Yr3EQ8NDqXjnwKN9qUm04uwPYqHHJkM10lF1VPBV9OymKNhtbTU-SLutDVjAy/s400/Tree.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="400" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwPm4_4Alvc375vRjQ-hMYMeS9X-RFTkHoTwgruXCS8i4-7p-EkZl3IVLS9tMMLhkDbzVkKh40rTOCBq1ZQD5BtVMoCvtQRKO5RChGUPnzsKNRqjLryJqcfYlqHq3gn3Yr3EQ8NDqXjnwKN9qUm04uwPYqHHJkM10lF1VPBV9OymKNhtbTU-SLutDVjAy/w400-h170/Tree.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></i></span></div>
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<div>Happy Tuesday! I know this is a bit of an older film, but it popped into my head as I was searching my read-shelf for book covers with natural elements. I saw a lot of beautiful covers with trees, so I decided to go with that. </div>
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<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/isnt-it-romantic_01740803153.html" target="_blank">The Trail of Lost Hearts</a></b> by Tracey Garvis Graves</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/library-loans.html" target="_blank">The Heirloom Inn</a></b> by Olivia Miles</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/01/library-loans-five-star-edition.html" target="_blank">The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett</a></b> by Annie Lyons</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/01/library-loans_0738375690.html" target="_blank">The City Baker's Guide to Country Living</a></b> by Louise Miller</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/01/isnt-it-romantic_0831437518.html" target="_blank">Ready of Not</a></b> by Cara Bastone</li></ol>
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<ol start="6" style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/10/amreading_01537407506.html" target="_blank">A December to Remember</a></b> by Jenny Bayliss</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/08/amreading_02073001728.html" target="_blank">Bright Lights, Big Christmas</a></b> by Mary Kay Andrews</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/08/in-nutshell-reveiws.html" target="_blank">The Travelling Cat Chronicles</a></b> by Hiro Arikawa</li><li><b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/04/in-nutshell-reviews_95.html" target="_blank">The Simplicity of Cider</a></b> by Amy E. Reichert</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60318890-the-winners" target="_blank">The Winners</a></b> by Fredrik Backman</li></ol>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read any books <br />with trees on the cover?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
</div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-57054641580099627382024-02-26T03:00:00.059-05:002024-02-26T03:00:00.128-05:00Isn't It Romantic?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcokihnCsDgps11IcQoPr-lc7WgiTDuv8lrLJBs-MTXSIghpH2xDE5MculPS7t2Xa-Qacvw5H63P2MOIdoRZQuIV0T33s7fIEmrjE4hK2bkz67cLj-oh9J1_uoLWsMo3E6M5k3s97lXPJjRAVbzMAtufeIf3OmpObMgM9n6H5JZFHg3BFoNVffoSLOQ/s2040/isnt%20it%20romatic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2040" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcokihnCsDgps11IcQoPr-lc7WgiTDuv8lrLJBs-MTXSIghpH2xDE5MculPS7t2Xa-Qacvw5H63P2MOIdoRZQuIV0T33s7fIEmrjE4hK2bkz67cLj-oh9J1_uoLWsMo3E6M5k3s97lXPJjRAVbzMAtufeIf3OmpObMgM9n6H5JZFHg3BFoNVffoSLOQ/w640-h188/isnt%20it%20romatic.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchOquKtwhQgHo53PN4zxwhNaVtcUVQDKVg6GABHJ8GvVlwriDcGA2tM4IIFk21Dm5eYPRhbsGCK03yeSAB75Hh0lD9YNujzPeeaUsPnrHjZDCNyPxIZqm92MOh8IhTwqU1bqhy4PER9oNdxFZiHF4onOs5Yc2tvfn-9FFyJtNSbGPR0S8_O3sO4m5Gs70/s2903/IIR%20022624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2233" data-original-width="2903" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchOquKtwhQgHo53PN4zxwhNaVtcUVQDKVg6GABHJ8GvVlwriDcGA2tM4IIFk21Dm5eYPRhbsGCK03yeSAB75Hh0lD9YNujzPeeaUsPnrHjZDCNyPxIZqm92MOh8IhTwqU1bqhy4PER9oNdxFZiHF4onOs5Yc2tvfn-9FFyJtNSbGPR0S8_O3sO4m5Gs70/w640-h492/IIR%20022624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nKNCTQgoZWasTnQa7ev8agzuOXcl9rg_A-kenNdUe6n0ZfnQVeiASiY-7KC-yTtbt60XjO9iRCc0w4w05jix9nyk7WuVn3UzZcl-0ZoXtDD8GIIhSpdUVeHDjbVwYrb0shl7b3CqtZFNQU4nh8nC2WF5xJgWqta1UlCi1ZZY1WVySBKXj3XuY7kIhOxr/s2146/Expiration%20Dates.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2146" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nKNCTQgoZWasTnQa7ev8agzuOXcl9rg_A-kenNdUe6n0ZfnQVeiASiY-7KC-yTtbt60XjO9iRCc0w4w05jix9nyk7WuVn3UzZcl-0ZoXtDD8GIIhSpdUVeHDjbVwYrb0shl7b3CqtZFNQU4nh8nC2WF5xJgWqta1UlCi1ZZY1WVySBKXj3XuY7kIhOxr/s320/Expiration%20Dates.jpeg" width="209" /></a></div><br />Expiration Dates</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Rebecca Serle</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Atria Books on March 19, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Enchanted Realism</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="five-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinysjd0wSvhtptoCrztw3nUcUWDkDS2mKpBA0qPDPwC-obAXxc4DsSeyzrL87jkJ5NB01oOdA4FzBD9L8CZIUDFEfciVBSeujM5bMInG3yx-v8P1i9rj_59uLp7NAK4y7dAz6hfwDxHvgeg0Whbs0FNXpsyIVubpD1TIReYZZ-ChrRRQese6_kTNIGkg/s1600/five-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176443178-expiration-dates" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<blockquote style="background: rgb(231, 139, 154); border-radius: 1px; border: 1px solid rgb(188, 1, 81); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 15px 15px; padding: 15px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Being single is like playing the lottery. There’s always the chance that with one piece of paper you could win it all.
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From the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer comes the romance that will define a generation.
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Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man , she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a Jake.
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But as Jake and Daphne’s story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesn’t, information that—if he found out—would break his heart.
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Told with her signature warmth and insight into matters of the heart, Rebecca Serle has finally set her sights on romantic love. The result is a gripping, emotional, passionate, and (yes) heartbreaking novel about what it means to be single, what it means to find love, and ultimately how we define each of them for ourselves. Expiration Dates is the one fans have been waiting for.</span>
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<p>Since the very early stirrings of puppy love, Daphne had known how long her relationships would last. It wasn't a feeling, but rather an actual note from "the powers that be". These notes always indicated the person and a length of time until Jake's note. That note only contained his name giving Daphne hope that he was "the one" with no expiration date in sight, but could the universe have gotten it wrong?
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I am sitting next to a pile of crumpled tissues, the result of reading this book. I am a fan of Serle's books and have grown to expect the unexpected, to have my heart broken, but to also be challenged by her characters' journeys. Once again, she has managed to surprise me with this thoughtful and lovely story of love and heartbreak.
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As with all Serle's books, the magical element allows for an interesting way to set the character on their journey. These expiration dates broke Daphne's life into finite blocks of time which could seem like a gift, but they could also be a barrier. Embarking on a relationship, knowing it's bound to end had Daphne keeping an emotional distance. This note with no end date was a game changer. It was new territory for Daphne, and it begged to question if the end dates were legitimate or a self-fulfilling prophesy. Was Daphne really destined to a chain of short relationships or did she never give these romances a fair chance?<br /><br />
Regardless, it was thought-provoking. The peeks into her past were heartbreaking for me, but helped me form a full picture of how she got to this point. Maybe those flashbacks made me appreciate her situation with Jake even more. I have to admit, there was a reveal that made me understand Daphne a LOT more, and then that OMG moment later. Wow! I was thrown. I will say that there were tears from that point forward, but they turned from sad to happy, as I was gifted with what I consider a hopeful ending for Daphne.
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Overall, this was quite a journey for both me and Daphne. It was a beautiful exploration of love of all kinds, as well as a compelling story of self discovery. I laughed, I cried, I felt some joy, and I reveled in every second of it.</p><p><br /></p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz5mtJFt9j4iWU9eVBN_8j0yLM97Qh_IXx9mKkP_CG0QWMYYqVAADN2wjbuJVqjLmyEyjI4-T60gT4qSrb6yHZmRMx36h_k8tS-TE7ch8T9LyIq4FHHBkXcvKJj2kBH3nAxDWtrczjsGjcRddN8hym4VRKiEf0WGg1yIOF50QqwHriKFEaIC7fN3y58Mn/s813/Happily%20Never%20After.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="541" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz5mtJFt9j4iWU9eVBN_8j0yLM97Qh_IXx9mKkP_CG0QWMYYqVAADN2wjbuJVqjLmyEyjI4-T60gT4qSrb6yHZmRMx36h_k8tS-TE7ch8T9LyIq4FHHBkXcvKJj2kBH3nAxDWtrczjsGjcRddN8hym4VRKiEf0WGg1yIOF50QqwHriKFEaIC7fN3y58Mn/s320/Happily%20Never%20After.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Happily Never After</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Lynn Painter</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Berkley on March 12, 2024</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NjqmxXE_FU_cCsANSuZcPcweDys5_C9GhHCQSaZFNrR0HvmRdjhVgwkdv50a4Rp21hkRsubfDaM9HFv-23NQLJrz8EEJkdqNrI1GSu_ZtuUNP22rHM7rvJHKEOspB0-eiiTu3LLD9SoVmQCJlFwwxa-oy65_rfVhGeBiJ99q8KsMLSjc2Z5ft9pS6g/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="font-family: Lato;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196700456-happily-never-after" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<blockquote style="background: rgb(231, 139, 154); border-radius: 1px; border: 1px solid rgb(188, 1, 81); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 15px 15px; padding: 15px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">Their name? The objectors.
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Their job? To break off weddings as hired.
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Their dilemma? They might just be in love with each other.
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When Sophie Steinbeck finds out just before her nuptials that her fiancé has cheated yet again, she desperately wants to call it off. But because her future father-in-law is her dad’s cutthroat boss, she doesn’t want to be the one to do it. Her savior comes in the form of a professional objector, whose purpose is to show up at weddings and proclaim the words no couple (usually) wants to hear at their ceremony: “I object!”
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During anti-wedding festivities that night, Sophie learns more about Max the Objector’s job. It makes perfect sense to her: he saves people from wasting their lives, from hurting each other. He’s a modern-day hero. And Sophie wants in.
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The two love cynics start working together, going from wedding to wedding, and Sophie’s having more fun than she’s had in ages. She looks forward to every nerve-racking ceremony saving the lovesick souls of the betrothed masses. As Sophie and Max spend more time together, however, they realize that their physical chemistry is off the charts, leading them to dabble in a little hookup session or two—but it’s totally fine, because they definitely do not have feelings for each other. Love doesn’t exist, after all.
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And then everything changes. A groom-to-be hires Sophie to object, but his fiancée is the woman who broke Max’s heart. As Max wrestles with whether he can be a party to his ex’s getting hurt, Sophie grapples with the sudden realization that she may have fallen hard for her partner in crime.</span>
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<p>This book started with the most fun and sweet dedication, and it really set the stage for a book that was filled with laughs and zany rom-com moments. When I pick up a Lynn Painter book, I am guaranteed giggles and grins galore, and she did not disappoint with <b>Happily Never After</b>.
<br /><br />
Sophie was about to marry a man who had cheated on her more than once, but she wasn't sure how to break it off without causing other issues. Enter <b style="font-style: italic;">The Objector</b>, a paid stranger who was planted at the ceremony to object to the union. I found this to be a brilliant and hilarious premise for a rom-com, as well as an interesting sort of meet-cute for the hero and heroine.
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This is not the first romance I have read where the hero and heroine had both been burned causing them to be anti-love, but Max's experience which resulted in this Objector side hustle was something fun and fresh. I did feel that this subplot took a bit of a backseat, but I couldn't complain because that space was filled with watching the friendship between Sophie and Max take shape and grow.
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I found I could not resist rooting for this couple. They had chemistry galore, and the way they fit so easily into each other's lives was something magical. "The Conflict" actually came as quite a surprise to me, so good job, Lynn Painter, but I think it was necessary in the grand scheme of Max and Sophie hitting that "over it" milestone.
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Overall, this was a wonderful rom-com filled with humor, quirky characters, and lots of comedic moments. I found myself laughing often and filled with glee as I watched Sophie and Max fall in love.</p>
<p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 20px;"><span style="background-color: initial; color: #bc0151; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER</span></p>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Knowing the relationship end date, yea or nay?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-25825255570822407432024-02-25T03:00:00.117-05:002024-02-25T03:00:00.138-05:00Sundays with Sam - The Sunday Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<p>Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by <a href="http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/">Caffeinated Book Reviewer</a> and Stacking the Shelves hosted by <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga's Reviews</a>.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">My Week in Review</h2>
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<p>Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is doing well. Not much to tell here. I had Monday off, got my hair cut. Other than that, I just worked. Same old, same old. </p><p>I was so excited the other day when I was looking through Netgalley and saw this book called <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198222480-chronically-dolores" target="_blank">Chronically Delores</a></b>. The cover shows a feet under a bathroom stall door, so I thought maybe it was about IBS or something like that. NO! It is about a girl with Interstitial Cystitis which is a bladder disease that I have. I cannot say I have ever seen anyone talk about this except my doctor, but the description in the book summery is right on the mark, describing IC as a painful disease that isn't life threatening. Anyhow, it was surprising to see in a book. </p><p>It was a little lackluster as far as approvals go this week. I got NONE! I am sitting on some widgets and downloads. I want to wait until I am ready to read them. I like seeing my NG ratio that high. HA! </p><p><br /></p>
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<div>
<p><b><u>On the Blog</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/one-old-one-new-coyote-canyon-edition.html" target="_blank">Monday</a></u></b>: Reviews - The Talk of Coyote Canyon, The Messy Life of Jane Tanner</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-super-powers.html" target="_blank">Tuesday</a></u></b>: TTT - Bookish Super Powers</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/cant-wait-wednesday_0363795206.html" target="_blank">Wednesday</a></u></b>: CWW - Crow Talk, Well That Was Unexpected</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/isnt-it-romantic_01740803153.html" target="_blank">Thursday</a></u></b>: Reviews - The Trail of Lost Hearts, Out on a Limb</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/six-degrees-of-separation-february-2024.html" target="_blank">Friday</a></u></b>: Six Degrees of Separation - The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett</li>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2024/02/sloth-goes-places-m-states.html" target="_blank">Saturday</a></u></b>: Sloth Goes Places - "M" States</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<p><b><u>Let's Discuss</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://readingladies.com/2024/02/23/what-is-your-reading-taste-discussion-myreadinglife-blogger-bookblogger-readingcommunity-booktwitter-bookx-bookworm-letsdiscuss2024/" target="_blank">Carol</a></b> shares her reading tastes</li><li><b><a href="https://yourbookfriend.com/2024/02/24/book-news-corner-2024-issue-5-2/" target="_blank">Your Book Friend</a></b> has some book news</li><li><b><a href="https://www.spiritblog.net/why-shifters-are-the-best-paranormal-characters/" target="_blank">Based on a True Story</a></b> makes the case for shifters being the best paranormal characters</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div><br /></div>This dog is super cute, and he has the same seal doll as my daughter. <div><br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3sefb7uV-Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3sefb7uV-Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3sefb7uV-Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Round Boys (@round.boys)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Read Last Week</h2>
<div>
<p>Another solid week which was DNF free. <b>Sampson's</b> book was one of my favorites. I think it's being marketed as a mystery, but it really didn't seem like one to me. There were unknowns and maybe a few nefarious events, but it didn't feel like a mystery. It WAS a lovely story of friendship and forgiveness, and I really enjoyed it. I also like <b>The Happiness Blueprint </b>a lot. I loved how Alex and Klara found someone who gave them comfort and friendship. The way Alex saw Klara was especially precious because she struggled with her confidence, but he only seemed to see all her strengths. I was surprised with one of the choices the author made. It wasn't bad, just not what I expected. Regardless, I liked it a lot. </p>
<p><b>Find all my reviews on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/25774455-samantha-wlabb?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=read" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYogOAALMtkN8rB4UAMOx_geyFRTBYp44OOCBnB82uNWYgC2pI-qxplDYwDPvJahgO6gkq8F8dKXqgzJQrUDTeQP4f_NaMfrlDyunQDtNYR9CQ3ILQcOduKLMmkdGgwIc82Ys5kV9JzQGiWgm8MZmlENWKybzKCzJyRXpjwjRxqIvsi85GP_QsMUR6aBn3/s1200/Read%20022524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1083" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYogOAALMtkN8rB4UAMOx_geyFRTBYp44OOCBnB82uNWYgC2pI-qxplDYwDPvJahgO6gkq8F8dKXqgzJQrUDTeQP4f_NaMfrlDyunQDtNYR9CQ3ILQcOduKLMmkdGgwIc82Ys5kV9JzQGiWgm8MZmlENWKybzKCzJyRXpjwjRxqIvsi85GP_QsMUR6aBn3/w578-h640/Read%20022524.jpg" width="578" /></a></div>
<p><b><u>Books</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127823336-the-atlas-of-us" target="_blank">The Atlas of Us</a></b> by Kristin Dwyer - ★★★★</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59382071-well-that-was-unexpected" target="_blank">Well, That Was Unexpected</a></b> by Jesse Q. Sutanto - ★★★★</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/178565829" target="_blank">The Happiness Blueprint</a></b> by Ally Zetterburg - ★★★★ 1/2</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/182484343" target="_blank">Nosey Neighbors</a></b> by Freya Sampson - ★★★★ 1/2</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181109961" target="_blank">Weekends with You</a></b> by Alexandra Paige - ★★★★</li>
</ul>
<p><b><u>Audiobooks</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60736881-passion-or-penalty" target="_blank">Passion or Penalty</a></b> by Leah Brunner - ★★★★</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Currently Reading</h2>
<div>
<p>I have not really read any of <b>The Takeover</b>. This book has such mixed reviews, but people I trust liked it, so I am giving it a go. I am about halfway through <b>Check & Mate</b>. There is some of that typical young adult stuff that makes me roll my eyes, but overall, I am enjoying it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzJnMEw99LvODIi1VNHdpEBDpNYWfjP7gn4cU-CbwE6guIxTYERib_RmW2GWkZ-zg2AkpXaHI3M2TTueIu1fQa6J5ff-hiPHr_Xq0dVkRnXHw1t58zSs2oZDLIiTap_QFj5xO26uqlbtNBbGuIOTJhyEEGSnQFvHfgDeKyIEhAE0arPO3ocyXaCuFZoCX/s1083/Currently%20022524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1083" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzJnMEw99LvODIi1VNHdpEBDpNYWfjP7gn4cU-CbwE6guIxTYERib_RmW2GWkZ-zg2AkpXaHI3M2TTueIu1fQa6J5ff-hiPHr_Xq0dVkRnXHw1t58zSs2oZDLIiTap_QFj5xO26uqlbtNBbGuIOTJhyEEGSnQFvHfgDeKyIEhAE0arPO3ocyXaCuFZoCX/s320/Currently%20022524.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127284123-the-takeover" target="_blank">The Takeover</a></b> by Cara Tanamachi</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60683957-check-mate" target="_blank">Check & Mate</a></b> by Ali Hazelwood (audiobook)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">To Be Read</h2>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQqMO4LEo2CoPjES8UlWHnWSP-brol7URzSvo5NkFkZUwVMxRUirmurbDc30C-jJsn46lE3-6i3aP7jh2LxNaSFfsdTmStLf3_BSdic8gDzPtjJ7uoSav96cZErCzyR0AKDmt2O8R7isv53E_tPbCbphbT6m3jGzeUGtrRs1FU6Umkbf_ye5nHUXg_Ijq/s2114/TBR%20022524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="2114" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQqMO4LEo2CoPjES8UlWHnWSP-brol7URzSvo5NkFkZUwVMxRUirmurbDc30C-jJsn46lE3-6i3aP7jh2LxNaSFfsdTmStLf3_BSdic8gDzPtjJ7uoSav96cZErCzyR0AKDmt2O8R7isv53E_tPbCbphbT6m3jGzeUGtrRs1FU6Umkbf_ye5nHUXg_Ijq/w640-h248/TBR%20022524.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58100280" target="_blank">The Cheat Sheet</a></b> by Sarah Adams</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/150343880" target="_blank">Fangirl Down</a></b> by Tessa Bailey</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/194802762" target="_blank">Old Flames and New Fortunes</a></b> by Sarah Hogle</li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/179947229" target="_blank">The Library of Borrowed Hearts</a></b> by Lucy Gilmore</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s1037/sam%20signature1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1037" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s320/sam%20signature1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How was your week?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
</div>Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-60961628539089824602024-02-24T03:00:00.070-05:002024-02-24T03:00:00.138-05:00Sloth Goes Places - "M" States<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89GpJ7VpKbHLHMrtg47xm9Rz-5hmuliXhWNEdYBdxOwNBJ5fgTwVPeyfbR0-RkLYk8CVVB7ZaBZwtBTTaYbwVUMf_yY1Ai2FYc7u0oe8C-N6Tha40cBiowwBbIN4HAJ429cG8q4nEbCvN_sIXAG4FdbSup6hpgo_xasvQuPjLRII2jCKJmDQEaQXQSYgx/s3000/sloth%20goes%20places.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="3000" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89GpJ7VpKbHLHMrtg47xm9Rz-5hmuliXhWNEdYBdxOwNBJ5fgTwVPeyfbR0-RkLYk8CVVB7ZaBZwtBTTaYbwVUMf_yY1Ai2FYc7u0oe8C-N6Tha40cBiowwBbIN4HAJ429cG8q4nEbCvN_sIXAG4FdbSup6hpgo_xasvQuPjLRII2jCKJmDQEaQXQSYgx/w640-h396/sloth%20goes%20places.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<p><strong>Sloth Goes Places</strong> is a feature where I share books I have tracked from previous <strong>Literary Escapes</strong> reading challenge hosted by <strong><a href="https://www.escapewithdollycas.com/">Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book</a></strong>. </p>
<p>Today we are looking at books set in ....</p><h2 style="text-align: center;">"M" States</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4Dgh2ypUcdQeFp8R7a7dQzcIsM_2ty3Pvw0kfIypx_DthwxmzxISi8Ta9Ck6P_n8KEpSxG_x4-OFHBwAsXz2O1LmvlJ3HQdl9cX2RnZoasubfG9VUlPTIJJ8oGmRyg22Fw1btELDcLShmDwmjNb4MZWcrKrmhZBrWSKbQ-1lxLZVnYRqgZZ27bovr39d/s3000/M%20States.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="3000" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4Dgh2ypUcdQeFp8R7a7dQzcIsM_2ty3Pvw0kfIypx_DthwxmzxISi8Ta9Ck6P_n8KEpSxG_x4-OFHBwAsXz2O1LmvlJ3HQdl9cX2RnZoasubfG9VUlPTIJJ8oGmRyg22Fw1btELDcLShmDwmjNb4MZWcrKrmhZBrWSKbQ-1lxLZVnYRqgZZ27bovr39d/w640-h178/M%20States.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>There are actually eight "M"states - Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, and Montana. Believe it or not, most of these are easy for me to check off each year. Mississippi seems to be a tricky one for me, and Missouri can be tough, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of these states, Sloth and I have visited the ones on the east coast - Maine, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The closest I have gotten to Michigan is the airport in Detroit, and I think I have driven through Mississippi. I really need to work on visiting my "M" states. </div><div> </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyIOh7IqHVeEt-5EyrOHAAjbcSw97DHY0QKFhaBaWbs6UqAk0Lxny2sb4oimjMypLPeaCnSt-jBSWVvXR6RolGp28FpSqIqewGcaC3YrPkEtNJ1GT2UOoNNIXisPRPyeG1PONrT5CI6dPzB1IWD2ezY0XrwVucPyaKKTOfu_6pMRiDudGAMcWXzwyyw/s1535/Yours%20Truly.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyIOh7IqHVeEt-5EyrOHAAjbcSw97DHY0QKFhaBaWbs6UqAk0Lxny2sb4oimjMypLPeaCnSt-jBSWVvXR6RolGp28FpSqIqewGcaC3YrPkEtNJ1GT2UOoNNIXisPRPyeG1PONrT5CI6dPzB1IWD2ezY0XrwVucPyaKKTOfu_6pMRiDudGAMcWXzwyyw/s320/Yours%20Truly.jpeg" width="208" /></a></div>Yours Truly</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Abby Jimenez</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Forever on April 11, 2023</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="five-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinysjd0wSvhtptoCrztw3nUcUWDkDS2mKpBA0qPDPwC-obAXxc4DsSeyzrL87jkJ5NB01oOdA4FzBD9L8CZIUDFEfciVBSeujM5bMInG3yx-v8P1i9rj_59uLp7NAK4y7dAz6hfwDxHvgeg0Whbs0FNXpsyIVubpD1TIReYZZ-ChrRRQese6_kTNIGkg/s1600/five-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61918816-yours-truly" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">A novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match.
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Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter.
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And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.</span>
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<p>I am almost certain that all of Jimenez's books are set in <b>Minnesota</b>. I am happy that I can depend on her to cover that state because her books are all amazing. As with all her books, she made me laugh and cry as she touched my heart. Something that really stood out in this book was how lovely Jacob was and also how incredible his family was. They each deserve their own stories. </p><p>[<b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/05/in-nutshell-reviews.html" target="_blank">review</a></b>]</p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcQfS2-i0OiQ2UNJ5r5FJVFBKYQQbDkxVJm68LjvvCNNL5uM5WWzYGoEDb2lttGbLFBpLLagG_-x8i5zHVKw3mfg9B985Gi__sHeBjaJqyivBOPYj2TdxrNuvqOzAdbL9Rvx5X0RdseYTkJ415-s6t6C1KvQbWTLh8khcT-WMF7d216n6ghsmdD226apW/s400/Mom%20Com.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcQfS2-i0OiQ2UNJ5r5FJVFBKYQQbDkxVJm68LjvvCNNL5uM5WWzYGoEDb2lttGbLFBpLLagG_-x8i5zHVKw3mfg9B985Gi__sHeBjaJqyivBOPYj2TdxrNuvqOzAdbL9Rvx5X0RdseYTkJ415-s6t6C1KvQbWTLh8khcT-WMF7d216n6ghsmdD226apW/s320/Mom%20Com.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />Mom Com</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Adriana Mather</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Blackstone Publishing on November 14, 2023</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Contemporary, Romance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="four-half-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAC34tKpl_rn2_3zrJ6h3D2SVc-WsqyA_Gr1VUfJV2r6NR0B2BfCYYk7G_Y-oQTPqPgU94AA1yRGyZkgtnPFroj5ZxOk-1uYEaZaWHNotY9L_gJqYf_iF8Y7CcjNTeSKOSwMBU8t6aWpwUJCmG_zSsi7f2SbnNkimFNG0E5_EJZYnVxFyyl6km5CIXQ/s1600/four-half-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123057814-mom-com" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Adriana Mather comes a heartwarming tale of love, family, and pastry perfection.
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Maddi DeLuca is coming home for the holidays with her nine-year-old son, only it’s not the triumphant return she might have hoped for. She recently broke down on a reality TV baking show, letting the entire country know she feels like a colossal failure. And she can be certain her mother will remind her of all the ways she hasn’t lived up to expectations over the years.
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Ten years ago, all Maddi dreamt of was running her father’s beloved bakery in their tiny coastal town of Haverberry Cove, MA. Her best friend, Wilder Buenaventura, had his own dream—a life with Maddi. And for one brilliant moment when they were seventeen, those dreams collided. They baked together. They loved each other insatiably. But like a fallen soufflé, their relationship imploded, taking their lifelong friendship with it.
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If she had her way, Maddi would have stayed in California, hiding her head in its beautiful white sands. But at her mother’s request, she has returned to her hometown to help deal with an urgent matter concerning her father’s will and his nostalgia-filled bakery. What Maddi doesn’t know is that this issue also mysteriously involves the one person she’s spent forever trying to forget—Wilder. Now she finds herself forced to make an impossible give up her father’s bakery and her lifelong dream, or find a way to coexist with Wilder without murdering him with a cookie cutter.</span>
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<p>I was super excited to read Mather's adult debut, and she did not disappoint. She brought me back to <b>Massachusetts</b> in this one, to a quaint little town that the heroine couldn't wait to escape. This was a comeback story of sorts. Maddi had crashed and burned on a reality show and needed some time and space to figure out her next steps. It was wonderful seeing Maddi make peace with her past and find her path forward. </p><p>[<b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/12/in-nutshell-review-library-loan-edition.html" target="_blank">review</a></b>]</p>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNloeO8NfVdXiyqx9GCXcr4BjbzVwBFpGUJu7GE0sY_1RKK7JFqRGOjxnAzhpQ3LbPkt4zuhaTZxMFEN0ohJ9SJgUPUq-cjtROApAlT6yGbpPI2c-jIL5SJ4ZT28ibWgGLtLEutRp_Ghx9TVjMPmh1kavINGpm53U_O5nvYiYM73jPdYMMQHXY6nV24Ti/s2400/The%20Takedown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNloeO8NfVdXiyqx9GCXcr4BjbzVwBFpGUJu7GE0sY_1RKK7JFqRGOjxnAzhpQ3LbPkt4zuhaTZxMFEN0ohJ9SJgUPUq-cjtROApAlT6yGbpPI2c-jIL5SJ4ZT28ibWgGLtLEutRp_Ghx9TVjMPmh1kavINGpm53U_O5nvYiYM73jPdYMMQHXY6nV24Ti/s320/The%20Takedown.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div>The Takedown</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> by Carlie Walker</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Published by</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Berkley on October 3, 2023</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Age/Genres:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> Adult, Romantic Suspense</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; height: auto;"><img alt="five-stars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinysjd0wSvhtptoCrztw3nUcUWDkDS2mKpBA0qPDPwC-obAXxc4DsSeyzrL87jkJ5NB01oOdA4FzBD9L8CZIUDFEfciVBSeujM5bMInG3yx-v8P1i9rj_59uLp7NAK4y7dAz6hfwDxHvgeg0Whbs0FNXpsyIVubpD1TIReYZZ-ChrRRQese6_kTNIGkg/s1600/five-stars.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123201444-the-takedown" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">An undercover CIA agent is sent home to investigate her sister's criminal fiancé but the last thing she expects is to fall in love with his bodyguard along the way in this sexy romantic comedy.
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It’s been a long time since Sydney Swift has gone home. An unrelentingly successful CIA field officer, she has spent the last three years pretending to be someone — anyone — other than herself.
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But this year, the festive season is coming with some added surprises. Sydney’s beloved little sister has just announced that she’s engaged to Johnny Jones, the heir of an organized crime dynasty. With her built-in cover and her best-in-class reputation, Sydney is approached by the FBI as their way to infiltrate the Jones family at last.
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Sydney has until Christmas to gather enough evidence on Johnny to take him down before he pulls off his most dangerous heist yet, all without losing her sister forever. But she hasn’t counted on the challenge of pulling this off right under her family’s nose or the complications of a romantic entanglement with Johnny’s handsome friend and bodyguard, Nick. Sydney always gets her man — but this time love is a target she can’t afford to miss.</span>
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<p>Nothing like spending the holidays in <b>Maine</b> while also trying to take down a crime boss, right? This book took me by surprised. I had such a great time with this one that I may have developed a taste for a bit of that cozy action/adventure type stuff. This was another young adult author I adore, and I really do hope she write more adult books. </p><p>[<b><a href="https://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2023/09/amreading.html" target="_blank">review</a></b>]</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s1037/sam%20signature1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1037" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWY9Lyl7qFyre3sjLJRZojBYOW0FGsP5UutFWbcRyoawYP3FReYekxyoAJQyOqbff2iOD3Pucnl_ja5NwJSt7u_N1CmEed2tLT4mlimF2O-5-XFav6K46okPspKUsT8jb695cnKGaihZiX_ileoCJyCeh_BPFIHLK0kPXhaoTWo1Fy1-W_CAfXWmYMw/s320/sam%20signature1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: #e78b9a; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read any books set in an "M" state?<br />Let us know in the comments!</b></span></div>
Samantha@WLABBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com10