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Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand | Helen Simonson
Major Ernest Pettigrew is perfectly content to lead a quiet life in the sleepy village of Edgecombe St Mary, away from the meddling of the locals and his overbearing son. But when his brother dies, the Major finds himself seeking companionship with the village shopkeeper, Mrs Ali. Drawn together by a love of books and the loss of their partners, they are soon forced to contend with irate relatives and gossiping villagers. The perfect gentleman, but the most unlikely hero, the Major must ask himself what matters most: family obligation, tradition or love? Funny, comforting and heart-warming, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand proves that sometimes, against all odds, life does give you a second chance.
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TheKidUpstairs
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Off to host tonight's Book Club at the local Cafe. I'm told there will be tea and scones (and Pimm's Cup!) in honour of this month's very British selection.

BkClubCare 🤩 2mo
LiteraryinPA Hope it was loverly! 2mo
KadaGul @TheKidUpstairs, I had selected that book for the Muslim Women‘s Book Club I was hosting.#MWB 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @LiteraryinPA Thank you! It\'s such a great group, the discussion is always lively, to the point that we ran out of time - always a better problem to have than not being able to fill the time! 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @KadaGul It would be interesting to get the perspective of a group of Muslim women on this one! 2mo
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

This was a charming book about lovely people. Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali are wonderful characters, and their later-in-life romance is beautifully written.

KathyWheeler I loved this book so much! Just a quiet but wonderful story. 2y
jess.edits.books This book is adorable! 2y
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K.Wielechowski
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Pickpick

It took a while to get into but it turned into a cute later-in-life romance. Major Pettigrew is pretty stuffy and was kind of a dishrag to read about but then he kept getting himself into uncharacteristic situations and it was funny to see him try to bluster his way out of them.
Nearly everybody else in the book is insufferable.
Finished 11/9/2022

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TheSpineView
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#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Prompt: Queen Bees

Klou 👍❤️ 2y
44 likes1 comment
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PaperbackPirate
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Late to the party…

1. Tagged
2. A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
3. History - Why We Can‘t Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thanks for the tag @TheRiehlDeal ! 🙌
Thanks for asking @Eggs 🙌
#WondrousWednesday

Eggs Nice selections 👏🏻👏🏻 3y
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monalyisha
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#SundaySoapbox

To little old ladies, often looking for romance &/or historical fiction:

•Major Pettigrew‘s Last Stand
•Books by Anita Diamant
•Books by Alice Hoffman (the local, Massachusetts setting goes over well; I guide them to certain titles, depending on if they‘re open to a bit of the fantastical)

To kids:

•The Bad Guys
•The Princess in Black
•Lulu & the Brontosaurus
•Piper Green & the Fairy Tree
•Oliver & the Seawigs
•The Terrible Two

monalyisha Looking at my list, I really need to diversify. I‘m conscious of it in when working in Children‘s & have been making a real effort there. I‘m most often asked for early chapter book recommendations. A recent favorite is Desmond Cole, Ghost Patrol. 3y
monalyisha And I make an effort in my personal reading choices, as well. But it‘s certainly more challenging (though well worth it) to find diverse reads in the intersection between romance & historical fic for elderly women (who are a big part of our patron-base in Easton). (edited) 3y
Amandajoy For the little old ladies, what about Beverly Jenkins? I haven‘t read her, but I hear her books are awesome - she does historical romance with diverse characters. 3y
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monalyisha @AmandaJoy Perhaps I‘ll try one of hers! We have 3 in our collection. Though, I might request the same title from another Library so that I don‘t have to read it in Large Print (which is the only format we have for 2/3). 😆 Thanks for the rec! 3y
MeganAnn Oooh have you come across other recommendations for diverse reads that intersect romance & historical fiction? My mom loves that intersection as well and I‘ve been trying to come up with some new authors to point her towards. She loves Outlander, Susanna Kearsley, Nora Roberts. I‘d love to get her some more diverse stuff as she doesn‘t always like the literary reads I‘ve given her as well. I may have to get her a Beverly Jenkins novel to try 🤔 3y
MeganAnn @monalyisha thank you!! A bunch of these are new to me and I‘ll have to check them out. And I forgot about Alyssa Cole‘s historical fiction - I love her contemporary fiction but Mom might love the historical. ❤️ 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘ll have to check these out! Thank you for playing! 🙌🏻📚 3y
68 likes9 comments
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Leelee.reads
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Help me find a gentle, feel-good read? So much heaviness lately and I‘d love help finding a warm, light but thoughtful book I haven‘t read before. Thanks for any recommends!! :)

Clwojick I loved Major Pettigrew. ❤️ 3y
rwmg I haven't read Last Tree but would quite happily read any of the others again. Less seems to get wildly differing reactions so for a safe bet I would probably recommend Gent in Moscow, though I myself would probably choose the Major on the ground that it was the one I read longest ago, 3y
Reggie This one is funny and poetic. Carmen has polio when she is young and ends up with a limp. A teacher introduces her to flamenco and instead of feeling sorry for herself she becomes this woman with an appetite for life! It‘s good stuff. 3y
Leelee.reads @reggie I‘ll see if I can get my hands on it! Thanks! 3y
Leelee.reads @rwmg My post was confusing - I‘m looking for books similar to these :) (I‘ve read these and liked them all.) Let me know if you think of any along a similar vein! 3y
11 likes5 comments
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Elizabeth2
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Pickpick

Such a wonderful story about Major Pettigrew and this small place he calls home. The widowed Major deals with a family death, an arrogant grown child, and a budding new relationship with the woman who owns the local shop, who also happens to be an “outsider.” Will he figure it all out in time to have his second chance? A delightful read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

KathyWheeler I loved this book. 3y
34 likes1 comment
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Elizabeth2
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Another stunningly gorgeous day! Reading in my favorite spot for a bit and getting some Vitamin D before football. #sundayfunday #frontporchsitting ❤️📚☀️

TheLudicReader I enjoyed this book. 3y
WanderingBookaneer LOVE that book! 3y
45 likes2 comments
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SW-T
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Pickpick

Loved the Major and Mrs Ali. Simonson portrayed village life well, with all their insular quirks, biases, and foibles. Rural England and Pakistan collide in a clash of cultures and traditions, with lots of wit, charm, and dry humor. The Major‘s obsession and reverence for his Churchill added to the charm. Won‘t say how long this has been gathering dust in my TBR, but so glad I dusted it off. Enjoyed it a lot. Adorable cover art too.

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HannaPolkadots
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Pickpick

Light, charming, with a lot of irritating characters, but luckily some enjoyable ones too. Loved major Pettigrew's sarcasm. Very well narrated by Peter Altschuler.

DivineDiana I loved this book! 3y
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Liatrek
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Pickpick

This was a lovely audio book😊

KathyWheeler I read the physical book and just loved it. I may listen to the audio just to experience the story again. 4y
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Elizabeth2
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My hubs brought in the mail tonight and this gem was in it! A surprise from @EadieB ! Thank you so much, love! 💕 You are so sweet! I‘m ridiculously excited to receive this and read it! I‘m so grateful for you and our group! xoxo

EadieB You‘re welcome! I‘m so fortunate too that our paths have crossed and I‘m so enjoying getting to know you and your family! Enjoy your book and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It definitely will be a better than 2020 for sure! 4y
Elizabeth2 @EadieB you too! 2021 has to be better right? When we can meet without worrying about Covid, I‘d love to meet you near Philly! We will have to try for that, maybe fall of 2021! ❤️💕 We can visit a few bookstores together and get lunch! 4y
EadieB @Elizabeth2 I would like that! 4y
50 likes3 comments
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Emily92Bibliophile
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Pickpick

What a wonderful story! I needed a break from my current reads of tougher topics, and for a lighter read. I loved Major and Mrs Ali. Simonson developed such amazing, realistic characters, from ones I fell immediately in love with, and others with absolute loathing😂Creating well developed , realistic characters whose stories, hardships, and lives we become intwined with is an amazing skill, and she did not fail in that regard.

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Clwojick
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Pickpick

Guys! I finally finished it! 😅 I originally picked up this book in December 2017, and i have no idea why it took me so long to get back into it. I‘m glad I gave it one last go before passing it along, because I ended up truly enjoying it. ♥️ #MarchUnshelfing

jillrhudy A fave of my husband 5y
TheAromaofBooks Yay for finally checking books off!! 5y
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Clwojick
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Here is a #bujo spread I created while listening to another audiobook that I‘ve started and put down too many times to count. I‘ll give it one last chance before I bail and unshelf. #MarchUnshelfing

I would like to continuously create a #bulletjournal spread for #theunreadshelfproject each month going forward. So far I love how this one is coming along. 🤍

Maike Lovely spread! Maybe I should start one myself. 5y
Crazeedi Great idea💕 5y
jen_the_scribe Oh I need to do this, for both audiobooks and my actual shelf lol I always leave books too long, and then find new books I'm more excited about lol 5y
Andrew65 Looks great! 5y
103 likes4 comments
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ScientistSam
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this sweet story of an older, white English widower who falls for a widow of Pakistani heritage. The small town bigotry they face is hard to read (as it should be) but dealt with well I felt. It felt very British all around.

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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

A feel good book about love in a small town. I always appreciate it when an author doesn‘t shy away from the love lives of people over 40.

ljuliel Very good book ! 5y
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Christinak
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“Oh, I can manage perfectly well,” she said, and brought the tray to the nearby #desk, nudging the small stack of leather books aside with one corner. “You must rest. #QuotsyJan20

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rwmg
Pickpick

When Mrs Ali from the village shop comes to collect the paper money, she finds Major Pettigrew in a state of shock, having just heard of the death of his brother. The two become friends despite the disapproval of family and friends on both sides.

Sweet, funny romance between two people who are going against their respective cultural and family traditions, though some of the supporting cast do not rise above being just caricatures.

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rwmg

The Major wished young men wouldn‘t think so much. It always seemed to result in absurd revolutionary movements or, as in the case of several of his former pupils, the production of very bad poetry.

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rwmg

“Extra relatives are useful, I suppose—additional bridge player at family parties, or another kidney donor,” he babbled. “I congratulate you.”

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rwmg
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ljuliel I really liked that book ! Cute cover too. 5y
VioletBramble That cover is much cuter than the cover on my copy. 5y
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ATB
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The rest of the world is a blur when I am reading. Even my overgrown backyard. It does keep the neighbors out. #happyintrovert

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Bevita
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Pickpick

Really fun book about cultural connections in England between two widowers. The “last stand” turns out to be something different than you think is coming. Wonderful.

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KarenUK
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#LilithJuly
My first thought today was of this cover.... #thehat stand with the hats of the Major and Jasmina... the widow and widower at the heart of this funny, sweet and charming story. I‘ve enjoyed Helen Simonson‘s two novels that are set in the part of England where I‘m from... they give a lovely cosy feeling of home for me... 💕

Libby1 Wonderful book. 5y
Cinfhen This is such a memorable book cover ♥️great choice 5y
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Melkyl
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Pickpick

I grabbed this book from my #TBR shelf. I didn‘t know anything about it and am not sure how I acquired it. I must have picked it up at a book sale. This is a story about two adults finding love late in life over the objections of friends and family. The two people are very different. Overall, I enjoyed the story.

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Louise
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Cathythoughts Love it 😂 6y
julesG Perfect! I loved this book. 6y
Soubhiville I agree! 😁 6y
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Louise
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this #audiobook so much! It is both a comedy of manners and something much deeper. The sweet love story between the quintessential Englishman and a richly-portrayed Pakistani shopkeeper stirs up age-old village prejudices about “us vs. them”. Simonson writes with wit, empathy, and subtle insight. I also recommend this author‘s second book, The Summer Before The War, and look forward to reading whatever she writes next.

KathyWheeler I loved this book. I haven‘t yet read The Summer Before the War. 6y
rwmg It's on my virtual TBR shelf 6y
TNbookworm Great book, I loved it! 6y
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Kshakal
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Pickpick

A wonderfully written tale about love, family, community and the difference between doing what is right and doing what is expected. You will fall in love with Major Pettigrew and will cheer for him all the way!

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Kshakal
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With it being below zero outside for the foreseeable future this is my view for the next couple of days!!

readingjedi Ooh, that's looks so cosy! 6y
nelehelen Aww stay warm!! 6y
kstadt929 Oh man I love your sloth blanket ❤️ (at least I think they are sloths???) stay warm over there! (edited) 6y
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Sills Very cozy🙂 6y
Kshakal @kstadt929 they are sloths... I love them and my secret santa got it for me for Christmas 6y
Louise Looks so cozy! 😍 6y
48 likes6 comments
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Christinak
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But a crook of her finger when she ordered the second round must have been a signal to lubricate the proceedings with a #healthy dumping of gin. The cucumbers were positively translucent with shock and the Major himself felt a desire to fall asleep, bathed in the fragrance of the food and the iridescent light of the silk curtains. #QuotsyJan19

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Emma_Worthy
Pickpick

Well rounded, loveable characters. Very enjoyable read.

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TheClevelander
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Pickpick

Oh, how I loved this. When I‘m looking for a good couch cuddle, a mug of hot tea, and a good quiet book on a rainy day, this is exactly the sort of book I‘m looking for.

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JoyBlue
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"Two Americans in as many weeks was, he reflected, approaching a nasty epidemic."

???

julesG Loved that line! 6y
TNbookworm Loved this book! 6y
81 likes4 comments
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JoyBlue
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Pickpick

Delightful! British humor, love, family discord, sneaky business, adventure: this book was a smorgasbord! I didn't want it to end!

CouronneDhiver Sounds good! I‘ll start this one soon 6y
JoyBlue @CouronneDhiver Hope you enjoy it! 6y
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knittedgnome
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1. Getting really into this! Need to finish it so I can start the second wheel of time book!

2. Not really. Dropping the teen off to play starfinder with friends. Hubby and I are going to play a bit of Pokemon go and maybe do some more yard work.

3. I love all the side dishes like pasta salad, potato salad, and Mac and cheese. Yummy!

#manicmonday @JoScho

JoScho 💙❤️ 6y
RadicalReader @knittedgnome what Pokémon are you and your husband both excited to find? 6y
knittedgnome @RadicalReader that day we were mostly after agron and a little brown one. Can't think of it's name! 6y
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knittedgnome
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2 more shifts before the used bookstore I work in closes. I was feeling pretty bummed out when a group of teens gave me the Skittles and wished me a happy National Kindness day. Really made my day.

The books are the start of my to buy pile. The good part about closing is buy one get one free!

tammysue That was a sweet gesture 💜 7y
keys_on_fire That‘s so sad that the store is closing, on so many levels. The B1G1 is a great deal though! I‘d be broke 😂 7y
jfalkens I'm so sorry again! 7y
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tracey38 That was sweet. I sm sorry to hear about the store closing though. 7y
Dragon Sad news about the book store closing. Hugs 🤗 7y
knittedgnome @keys_on_fire it is really sad! I loved this job! Good thing we don't have much inventory left or I wouldn't be getting a last check! 7y
knittedgnome @jfalkens we will have to get together in real life!! 7y
knittedgnome @Dragon @tracey38 thanks guys. I was glad some of my regulars came in yesterday! 7y
jfalkens @knittedgnome for sure 🤗 let me know when you want to do something!! 7y
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Eggs
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Pickpick

A terrifically pleasant and heartwarming story of two souls in a lovely English village who have lost their spouses; and, amidst meddling relatives and other social structures, manage to become friends who fall in love.

DivineDiana I loved this book! Also learned about the cultural differences and prejudice in England. 7y
Eggs Me too. There was much to absorb 😌 7y
Ruthiella Agree! This was a sweet read 😀 7y
84 likes11 stack adds3 comments
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Laylafinn
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Well, one kid woke up with fever and the other has been vomiting. It‘s only 830 am ☹️ looks like I‘ll have plenty of time to start this while tending to my babies. Pray for good juju and that these kids are well asap!

CocoReads Hope they feel better soon! 7y
24 likes1 comment
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Penny_LiteraryHoarders
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Pickpick

I started this one in audio and finished it last night with my ebook version. Wonderful heartwarming story, but I have to say I SWOONED for The Summer Before the War. Therefore I‘m extremely keen for a new Simonson, which I hope comes along soon.

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Clwojick
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I've been having a really hard time finding my flow with this one. I started it two weeks ago, and had to practically force myself to read some more today. I'm still only at page 138. 🙈 I do really like the characters, and I want to finish the story... but for some reason I'm just dragging my feet with it. Have any of you read this? Did you like it? Did you also find it slow in the first 1/4 ? Does it pick up? 😳

Rcoco I read this one and absolutely loved it. I do remember it started a little slowly. I thought the romance was very sweet and took its time to develop. 7y
MallenNC I‘ve started this book three times but I do plan to finish it eventually! I like the two main characters 7y
Bookwormjillk I read it, and liked it. It was a slow book though. 7y
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SusanInTiburon I know how that is. Plenty of books I like, but eventually put down and never pick up again. Not this one though; the slowness and tameness of the story appealed to me when I read it. 7y
MaureenMc I adored this book. 😊 7y
LauraBrook I tried to read it twice and couldn‘t get more than 20 pages. I know I‘ll like, but I can‘t get into it. 7y
Clwojick @LauraBrook I'm glad I'm not the only one 7y
TNbookworm I loved this book👍 7y
smilingshelves I loved this book! It was my top read of the year when I read it. 7y
monalyisha I actually loved this book! I thought it had everything going for it: the way that Simonson writes about grief and loss; the hopeful romance; it was even quietly funny. I hope it picks up for you! 7y
120 likes8 stack adds10 comments
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Clwojick
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Reading and enjoying my coffee ( that may or may not have a splash of baileys in it 😉). Thank goodness my four day weekend is starting in 2.5 hours. It's been a rough ROUGH rough shift, and I have already cried twice. No joke. 🙈 I can't wait to run out of here @ 5:30pm.

silentrequiem ❤️❤️ 7y
[DELETED] 206653737 Yuck days like that are not fun. It‘s almost over, it‘s almost over! ❤️ 7y
ApoptyGina69 I cried once today too, but it‘s over now and I am off for 10 days. 🎄😍 7y
101 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Clwojick
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Finally on my lunch. I'm going to ignore My Listy feed, and finally get a start on this book. It'll be hard though, because I'm having so much fun seeing what everyone got for #ssgp 💙❤️️

LeahBergen I really enjoyed this! I‘m off to make tea in my gorgeous new mug from you! 😘 7y
Clwojick @LeahBergen I'm so glad it made it there safely! I almost didn't send it, because I was scared it would shatter during shipping. Yay!!!! 7y
LeahBergen It was all wrapped and packed so nicely. I think the fluffy socks helped it arrive safely. 😆 7y
116 likes3 comments
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Clwojick
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This book has been very patiently sitting beside me for the last 45 minutes waiting to be read, but instead of starting it, I've been having so much fun scrolling through my Listy feed snooping on everyone's #ssgp packages ❤️❤️❤️

Kaye Good book ! 7y
mom2bugnbee I loved that book... And I'm doing the same! 7y
rustoryhuf This is such a beautiful story. ❤️ 7y
TheSketchyReader Litsy is such a lovely distraction. Great book! 7y
116 likes5 stack adds4 comments
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booksbythecup
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Pickpick

“You are a very good man, for an old git.” ~

Absolutely, I agree! Major Pettigrew is not without flaws, because let‘s admit, we all have some. But never for a moment did I dislike him or find him dry and bland. On the contrary, he‘s a witty gentleman. If you haven‘t read this book yet, please do. Major Pettigrew was a wonderful read, even more so the second time around. The audiobook was a delightful way to catch up with some old friends.

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GinEyre22
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#seasonsreadings2017 Day 5: Silver and gold

Blaire So pretty! 7y
26 likes1 comment
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GinEyre22
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*fist bump *
Muchas gracias!

merelybookish 👍👍 7y
Jas16 🎉👏📚 7y
DGRachel Woohoo!🎉🎉🍾🎉🎉 7y
See All 8 Comments
AmyG Yay! 👍🏻 7y
callielafleur Nice!!! 🎉🎉🎉 7y
CoverToCoverGirl Congrats! 👍🎉🎉 7y
abbsinwonderland Congratulations! 🎉🎉👏💜 7y
hes7 Yay! 🎉 7y
27 likes8 comments
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GinEyre22
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Catching up on #seasonsreadings2017 Day 2 : Only at Christmas
Got our tree today

Kaye Can‘t wait to see it decorated. 7y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment