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Lola
Lola | Melissa Love
65 posts | 37 read | 99 to read
An astonishing debut crime thriller about an unforgettable woman who combines the genius and ferocity of Lisbeth Salander with the ruthless ambition of Walter White The Crenshaw Six are a small but up-and-coming gang in South Central LA who have recently been drawn into an escalating war between rival drug cartels. To outsiders, the Crenshaw Six appear to be led by a man named Garcia . . . but what no one has figured out is that the gang's real leader (and secret weapon) is Garcia's girlfriend, a brilliant young woman named Lola. Lola has mastered playing the role of submissive girlfriend, and in the man's world she inhabits she is consistently underestimated. But in truth she is much, much smarter--and in many ways tougher and more ruthless--than any of the men around her, and as the gang is increasingly sucked into a world of high-stakes betrayal and brutal violence, her skills and leadership become their only hope of survival. Lola marks the debut of a hugely exciting new thriller writer, and of a singular, magnificent character unlike anyone else in fiction.
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TheSpineView
Lola | Melissa Love
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#Movie2BookRecs @klou
Prompt: Kidulthood

Klou Wow, what a great find! Sounds like its in the same vein as Kidulthood.
2y
TheSpineView @Klou It is! I read the ARC several years ago! 2y
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
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NatalieR
Lola | Melissa Love
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Pickpick

Definitely a unique story of a female gang leader. The author portrays how this woman balances running a small gang while adhering to cultural and gender expectations. Lola is a cut throat, violent character and a tender, maternal woman. #MountTBR

80 likes1 stack add
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booksndirt
Lola | Melissa Love
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I feel like I've been waiting years for this book. Hope it's worth it.

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Victoriahoperose
Lola | Melissa Love
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Mehso-so

The premise for this book really drew me in because it was unique. The female main character played such a different role from other books written about gang culture and drugs. I found that intriguing, but by the end I felt like Lola fell flat and ended up adhering to the normal female tropes we are accustomed to seeing in literature. I feel like there could have been a better way of bringing it all together.

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Wilkie
Lola | Melissa Love
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@Reviewsbylola I am sending your prize today. Let me know when it arrives! #5kgiveaway

Reviewsbylola Awesome, thank you!! 7y
33 likes1 comment
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Wilkie
Lola | Melissa Love
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Drum roll please: The winner of my #5kgiveaway is.....@Reviewsbylola !!! Thanks everyone for entering💖💕⭐️

Wilkie @Reviewsbylola please let me know your postal address so I can send you your books and treats libe77@hotmail.com 7y
Kaye Congrats 🎉🎈🎊 Lola ! 7y
Reviewsbylola Wow, thank you so much! I will email you right now! 7y
rubyslippersreads Congratulations @Reviewsbylola ! 😊 7y
AmyG @Reviewsbylola Congrats🎉🎉🎉 7y
42 likes5 comments
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RealLifeReading
Lola | Melissa Love
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Pickpick

It was only after I finished this that I realized why it felt like it would translate so easily to screen - Love has written for TV shows like Person of Interest and CSI: Miami. Lola is a pretty good read. It has a tough young woman at the head of a small gang that's caught up in a war between drug cartels. It's exciting, sometimes brutal, and a race against time after a bungled job.

AmyG This was very different than what I usually read. I enjoyed it. 7y
110 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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RealLifeReading
Lola | Melissa Love
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😂😂 I ate at Father's Office once. Can't remember a thing about their burgers except that it was the fancy kind. I just remember standing up and eating (because it was so bloody crowded) and wishing I were at In-N-Out

84 likes1 stack add
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RealLifeReading
Lola | Melissa Love
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A very random lunch of leftover Mexican- style rice, baby spinach and two homemade beef pasties

TommieMarie74 What is a beef pasty? I‘m dying to know. 7y
Bookwitchery The funny thing is, I used to have a roommate who was a stripper, so when I see the word "pasty" I think of something very different! Lol. The funny thing is, she just danced. Didn't do drugs, didn't prostitute herself, just danced. The other dancers thought she was a narc! ? 7y
RealLifeReading @TommieMarie74 I guess it's kinda like an empanada? I tweak this recipe from Rachel Allen https://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/rachel-allen/beef-pasties-with-mint-gin... 7y
See All 6 Comments
RealLifeReading @Bookwitchery bwahahaha! That's a very different kind of pasty! 7y
TommieMarie74 @RealLifeReading Okay, that makes sense. I thought they looked a little empanada-like but didn‘t want to assume. 😊 7y
BookBabe I read a book that made me want pasties. I think it was If the Creek Don‘t Rise by Leah Weiss. They sounded so good I looked up a recipe for them! Haven‘t tried making it yet though. Yours look yummy! 7y
122 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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RealLifeReading
Lola | Melissa Love
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It really is an enchilada day.

Soubhiville I went and got some for dinner! Lol! 7y
BookishBelle Haha! 😂 7y
105 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Preciouz29
Lola | Melissa Love
Pickpick

Not sure if it‘s because it takes place in LA and I knew all the locations she wrote about, but I really enjoyed this book. No spoilers, but it was an interesting read for me; not something is normal pick.

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RealLifeReading
Lola | Melissa Love
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Coordinating my pants with my book. Sort of!

114 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LibrarianRyan
Lola | Melissa Love
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I thought this book sounded intriguing as a hard cover but now as a paperback I MUST read it. A much more attention getting cover. #coverlove #bookmail

2BR02B Whoa. That cover is certainly eye-catching! 😍 7y
AmyG It's so far from what I usually read...but I enjoyed it. I won it on here. (edited) 7y
Shmemilina Loved this one! 7y
Shmemilina Loved this one! 7y
65 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Shmemilina
Lola | Melissa Love
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Currently reading and really digging this book that hasn't been getting as much litsy love as it deserves. (Cover pic from google)

18 likes1 stack add
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goodbyefrancie
Lola | Melissa Love
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My fat Lola thinks it's bedtime. Just one more chapter! #CatsofLitsy

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 7y
Leftcoastzen Cutie Pie!🐱 7y
RealBooks4ever Precious Lola! 💜😻 7y
84 likes5 comments
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Jokila
Lola | Melissa Love
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Mehso-so

I expected a lot of surprising twists from a crime thriller, and since the MC is compared to Walter White, I thought she'd race down a dark path of ruin. Not exactly. Lola doesn't start innocent or weak; she's an East LA gang leader from page one. She makes smart decisions, protects her people, and has a very feminist POV. The pro-woman plot lines (such as Lola's rescue of a child prostitute) were the high point, but I didn't fall in love.

39 likes1 stack add
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TheLibrarian
Lola | Melissa Love
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GIVEAWAY!!

For a chance to win this hardcover, leave a comment below with your favorite word. A winner will be randomly selected Sunday at 3pm EST (US only). Good luck!

erinreads Discombobulated! 💁🏼 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious 7y
Redwritinghood Atelier - I'm not sure why but I've always liked this word. 7y
See All 17 Comments
Jenni_Capps Simplicity. ♥️ 7y
wellreadredhead Luster 7y
Soubhiville Snuggle 7y
emmanoble Twitterpated ! 7y
Karen3 Fantastic 7y
bookdrunkard78 Quandary 7y
Cityofamber Awesome 😊 7y
mrozzz Serendipity 7y
AmyG Toodlebrain. Though, I am not sure it's an actual word. 7y
mjdowens READ 7y
MicheleinPhilly Psychopathology. 🤷🏻‍♀️I know, I know. I'll see myself out. 7y
TheLibrarian @AmyG Congrats you won! Please send me your name and address to nelsoncarrie73@gmail.com and I'll make out the book early this week. 7y
AmyG Oh WOW. What a surprise. i never win. Thank you so much. Sending info now. 🎉 7y
TheLibrarian @AmyG Got it!!! 7y
53 likes17 comments
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MrBook
Lola | Melissa Love
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#TBRtemptation post 7! Released in March. I like this cover too. This debut crime thriller presents a leading woman who is one part Lisbeth Salander, one part Walter White. In South Central LA, Lola is gang leader Garcia's submissive girlfriend. When things go south, she proves to be smarter, tougher, and more ruthless than all the guys around her. She is their chance at survival in their violent world. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

74 likes10 stack adds
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TheLibrarian
Lola | Melissa Love
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Mehso-so

So I finished this last month and it was just alright. I was really looking forward to this book and had high hopes but it fell flat. There could have been so much more with the story and characters.

Kino83 Thanks for posting your thoughts about this! I was wondering about this book, but I felt the descriptions of this book online were trying too hard to make it seem "hardcore" (best way I can describe this). 7y
TheLibrarian @Kino83 Yeah they did try to make it seem "hardcore" in the description but I didn't find it that way. 7y
bitterbear I thought it was lack luster... The author tried making Lola too likeable.. and she wasn't that great at being a gang leader. 7y
Kino83 Doesn't seem like a book for me to read then. 7y
73 likes1 stack add4 comments
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TheLibrarian
Lola | Melissa Love
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Came home to some #bookmail I need to put a hold on book buying for awhile with the new house (except #BOTM - that doesn't actually count).

69 likes1 stack add
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RealLifeReading
Lola | Melissa Love
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Whee!
#bookmail!

112 likes2 stack adds
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specklife
Lola | Melissa Love
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Mehso-so

Had BIG hopes for this one. It was a good read, but I felt like more could have been done with it. It rang just a bit hollow to me, if that makes any sense.
⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Jenshootsweddings
Lola | Melissa Love
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Panpan

Meh. I found myself mostly skimming. Great premise, but all over the place in execution.

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Soscha
Lola | Melissa Love
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I track my book collection at #LibraryThing and it's always interesting to see how popular new releases are with other members. (If you can't guess, my book club selections came today.)

TheJOMOreader I'm thinking about giving Library Thing a solid try. Any best practices? 7y
Soscha If you have a large personal library it's so worth it. There's a membership fee if you have a larger collection. I can't remember how much it was but minimal ($15-$20 neighborhood) and that's a one time charge. One thing I wished I done when I started out was adding tags to the entries (subject, though you can put whatever tag you want) to keep better track of what I have. User friendly & if Amazon lists the book/movie/cd, it's in their database. 7y
13 likes2 comments
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Laughterhp
Lola | Melissa Love
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Pickpick

Wow, oh wow! This book was adrenaline packed! I started reading it and just didn't want to put it down. I've never read a book about gang life in LA, so it was an interesting read for me! Such a great story! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻📚

10 likes1 stack add
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Jenshootsweddings
Lola | Melissa Love
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None of these are really #maymostanticipated, but they ARE May must-reads, so that's kind of the same thing?

A few of these are for book clubs, others have a due date. The Lisa Scottoline is for my last library book club meeting of the season (we take the summer off), and I miiiiiiiiiight be thinking of swapping it out for something I actually want to read 💁
#maybookflowers

Reviewsbylola The Didion is fantastic. 8y
RealLifeReading I've been meaning to read News of the World and look forward to your thoughts! 8y
HardcoverHearts The News of the World is 👌🏻! 8y
Lucylovesreading I loved Lola! 8y
69 likes4 comments
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Laughterhp
Lola | Melissa Love
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My #MayTBR! Hopefully I'll be able to make it through all of them.. with the wedding coming up next month, I don't have a lot of free time, which is why my stack is on the smaller side this month! 📚

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Jenshootsweddings
Lola | Melissa Love
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Curled up with dogs, my smoothie and a new library book for a little morning reading on this chilly, dreary day.

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bitterbear
Lola | Melissa Love
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bitterbear
Lola | Melissa Love
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Got a couple things done around the house... Time for my reward... 😊😊😊

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LittlePixels
Lola | Melissa Love
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Seriously, someone needs to ban me from the library when I'm trying to read down my own tbr pile. I just went there to pick up some "Hank the Cowdog" for my daughter. Somehow, those other books just jumped into my arms and insisted I bring them home. #TBROverload #litsyloveslibraries #raisingreaders

saguarosally I like that hashtag #tbroverload. 8y
16 likes1 comment
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JackieSmith
Lola | Melissa Love
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I won a Goodreads giveaway! Yay!

Cinfhen Yay! Congrats 🎉🎉🎉 8y
LeahBergen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8y
Simona Congrats 🍾 📚👏👏👏 8y
Bandrea Yay!!! I finally won one a couple months ago! 8y
TheLibrarian 👏🏻👏🏻🎉🎉 8y
83 likes5 comments
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Kris10
Lola | Melissa Love
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Pickpick

I finished this one last night, but have a chance to review it now while the boys are bathing. I won this in a giveaway and it's not something I would normally buy myself, but I really enjoyed it! It is pretty graphic and has a lot of triggers in it so beware!

Hollie I'm totally jealous of that tub! 8y
Kris10 @Hollie thanks! It's great, but always filled with bath toys! 8y
21 likes1 stack add2 comments
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NerdyRev
Lola | Melissa Love
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Mehso-so

I wanted to love this book after the description from Book Riot, but it wasn't great. It is an ok/average book that is just a tad too long in that there are lots of breaks where nothing happens. A drug deal goes wrong and Lola's life is on the line. Lola is a great character, but the problem is the rest of the characters aren't, so it falls a bit flat.

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ginabeirne
Lola | Melissa Love
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Pickpick

Book and beach!

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hes7
Lola | Melissa Love
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A color-coordinated coincidence for today's book/snack break.

I'm getting to the point in this book where I wish I could #DropEverythingAndRead. But... I still have work to do. #AprilBookShowers

Kris10 I'm reading this one too and loving it! 8y
77 likes1 comment
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Kris10
Lola | Melissa Love
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About to dive into my first Goodreads giveaway win while my little one plays by the creek. Happy Saturday!!

18 likes1 stack add
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hes7
Lola | Melissa Love
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Settling in with my favorite Friday foods and a fun stack of books. #LitsyPartyOfOne

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NerdyRev
Lola | Melissa Love
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Yay! A new book for review! After all the reviews, I am ready for this one.

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Lucylovesreading
Lola | Melissa Love
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Pickpick

At first I was skeptical that I would even like this book as it is so far removed from my daily life. Once I got to know the main character I realized she is much like any female in today's world just with a different life experience. She wants success, to protect her family and friends and to better her life and those she loves. Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to review this book.
4⭐️‘s

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Guildedearlobe
Lola | Melissa Love
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Pickpick

It's hard to tell you how much I loved this book. Oh wait, I wrote a review 😜

https://theguildedearlobe.wordpress.com/2017/04/03/audiobook-review-lola-by-meli...

11 likes1 stack add
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Bette
Lola | Melissa Love
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Pickpick

My TBR stacks are towering and I just 'knew' I wouldn't want to read a book about gangs in LA, one of which is run by the woman behind the man: that's Lola. I thought I'd read a few pages and move on. That was a 150 pages ago and I can't put it down. Lola and her guys are fighting for a good life with the cards they've been dealt. She is smart, feisty, and ruthless; I'm rooting for her to live through another day. #catsoflitsy

Cinfhen Hoping this will be #BOTM 8y
lowellette I really enjoyed how she'd weigh through making hard decisions, which is one of the many things I loved about The Sopranos too. 8y
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Guildedearlobe
Lola | Melissa Love
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So, today I started a new audiobook and adopted a cat. The books called Lola, the cat is named Milo.

TheBookStacker Yay congrats! Love our furry friends! 8y
LindsayReads Hi, Milo! 8y
JoeStalksBeck Hello Milo! 8y
See All 7 Comments
bookwrm526 Adorable face!! 8y
Bookzombie So cute! 💕🐱 8y
bitterbear Awwa!!!! #catsoflitsy 💖💖💖 8y
LitHousewife So cute!!! 8y
25 likes1 stack add7 comments
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bitterbear
Lola | Melissa Love
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I WON I WON!!!! @bookriot 😊😊😊😊😊😊

bitterbear @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I never win anything! ☺☺😊😊 8y
See All 7 Comments
LauraBeth Nice! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @bitterbear I often feel that way, and then when it happened I was so excited! Congratulations again! 8y
diovival Yay! 8y
Reecaspieces Awesome!! 8y
23 likes7 comments
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Well-ReadNeck
Lola | Melissa Love
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#Reccomendsday

Wanted to recommend this book that was released yesterday. The author was a producer of Person of Interest, one of my favorite recent TV series. My full review is here: https://wellreadneck.wordpress.com/2017/03/21/lola-melissa-scrivner-love/

Lola You KNOW I NEED to read this one 😉 8y
Jenshootsweddings Just put it on hold today! 8y
Aleida I downloaded a sample of this earlier today. When I saw lisbeth in the description, I didn't hesitate. Smart marketing move. 8y
See All 6 Comments
Velvetsun Just got the audio of this through Playster. Excited to check it out. 8y
minkyb Sold when you mentioned Person of Interest! 8y
Itchyfeetreader Person of interest you say? 8y
109 likes14 stack adds6 comments
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Cinfhen
Lola | Melissa Love
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I'm taking a page from @Reviewsbylola and jumping into the "can you guess the #BOTM selections?!?" clearly I have wayyyyy
1. Too much free time
2. An unhealthy obsession with #BOTM
I'm tagging books below for your perusal ??

See All 20 Comments
SharonGoforth I was looking at Rabbit Cake in the bookstore last weekend-hope it's one of the selections! 8y
BookishFeminist 😂😂 8y
quirkyreader Lola was very good. And it's a fast read. 8y
Reviewsbylola 😂😂😂😂 I love this obviously. Can it be April 1 already?! 8y
saresmoore @SharonGoforth I'm hoping for Rabbit Cake, too! @Cinfhen I'll be interested to see what you guessed correctly. I have the feeling you're going to be pretty good at this game. 8y
SharonGoforth @saresmoore Fingers crossed 🤞 8y
Cinfhen @saresmoore after my disastrous skills at choosing NCAA basketball brackets, I wouldn't put too much faith in my BOTM choosing skills 🙄but I do hope they offer some of these titles @SharonGoforth especially 8y
Cinfhen I'm pissed there are 31 days in March @Reviewsbylola means we need to wait an extra day 😤 8y
Cinfhen @quirkyreader I was hoping Lola would be a choice last month, still holding my breath 8y
Hooked_on_books I hope you're right about American War! 8y
Cinfhen Yes @Hooked_on_books I would love to see that one....I'm thinking it will probably be the one book on this list I already read 8y
87 likes1 stack add20 comments
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irregularreader
Lola | Melissa Love
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Pickpick

New #bookreview at www.theirregularreaderblog.wordpress.com! Lola is a great thriller featuring a strong female protagonist!

Alfoster Nice review!😍I loved it too! 8y
9 likes1 comment