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Julsmarshall

Julsmarshall

Joined March 2016

I like big books and I cannot lie.
review
Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Fascinating, heartbreaking, and inspiring, John Green has tackles a complex issue with patience, empathy, and a global view. I will be thinking about this one for a long time. #bookspinbingo for the center square, nearly blacked out my board! @TheAromaofBooks

marleed His NF works are a must-read for me! 10h
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2h
39 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Julsmarshall
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My September #BookspunBingo List!

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Blew through another Catherine Cowles series. It started to get a little stale but I had to find out how all that characters ended up :)

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Julsmarshall
Mad Honey | Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan
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Pickpick

So good! If this one is on your list, move it up!

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Fantastic! This snarky take on small town politics, book, and small minds is a breath of fresh air, even while making you want to pull your hair out. Unflinchingly honest, you will care about these characters and they will make you think. Great on #audio

49 likes2 stack adds
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Julsmarshall
Ghostwriter | Julie Clark
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Pickpick

So good! I recommend going into this thriller blind-just let it surprise and confound you. Finished this nearly 2 weeks ago but playing catch up on my reviews.

49 likes3 stack adds
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

This was fantastic! A group of neighbors in the 1960s start a book club and kick it off by reading the Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. This novel follows the lives and changes of these women and their families as they navigate this turbulent time in our history. I loved the authentic relationships, the books they read together, and how they supported each other. Great on #audio !

58 likes7 stack adds
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Funny, sexy, a nice return to Fletcher mountain. This is definitely open door, read the content warnings to make sure it‘s your jam. I listened on audio and Teddy Hamilton is one of the narrators. At this point, I‘ll listen to anything he reads (swoon). This is the 2nd in a series, I recommend reading them in order. Great escape while walking or doing housework 😍

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Julsmarshall
Pick Me | Victoria Schade
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Pickpick

This was so much fun! Combine pickleball, fantastic chemistry, ghostwriting, great friends, and a search for a muse and you‘ve got this delightfully charming read! And that cover ! A new to me author, this releases on November 18th and I highly recommend checking it out! I will be reading more by this author 😍 #netgalleygroup @AllDebooks

AllDebooks Love the cover 😍 2w
46 likes1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Crash Test | Amy James
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Pickpick

Wow! I could not put down this queer romance between an F1 and F2 driver and that surprised me a little since I didn‘t know F2 existed before reading this book, lol. Starting with a horrific crash, these complicated characters find their way back to themselves, and each other, while hiding their truth from the world. James doesn‘t shy away from the real world challenges they would face yet manages to keep it from getting too dark. So good!

ChaoticMissAdventures I also have never heard of F2!! 2w
50 likes1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Narrow the Road | James Wade
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Pickpick

Finally got some pool time in this week and finished an amazing novel from a local author. This Southern Gothic odyssey follows a young man‘s quest through the wilds of 1930s East Texas. His veteran father is haunted by his time in the service and leaves his teenage son to keep the farm going. Dark in places, thoughtful in others, beautifully written throughout. Each scene is so well written, it puts you right in that moment. Released August 26.

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

This was a surprise for me. I haven‘t read anything else by this author and received this ARC without knowing anything about it. I really enjoyed this story of an 80 yr old woman as she confronts the boy who broke her heart years ago—while revisiting her youth as a would be pharmacist who is also fascinated by her potion-wielding great-aunt in 1920s Brooklyn. Really good!

Suet624 How do people manage to come up with individual storylines that continue to be unique? 3w
melissajayne @Suet624 the author based this book loosely on a family story she heard about her husband‘s great-aunt. 3w
melissajayne I read this book back in April and really quite enjoyed it. 3w
49 likes3 comments
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Julsmarshall
Firelight | Kristen Callihan
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This was so good! A historical romance with fantasy elements. The writing is beautiful and the characters are unique and complex. The first in a series, looking forward to reading the next one.

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Julsmarshall
Fragile Sanctuary | Catherine Cowles
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I‘ve blown through the first 4 books of the Sparrow Falls series from Catherine Cowles. Romantic suspense, they are a little repetitive but the characters are compelling, the pacing keeps me reading, and the family dynamic is heartfelt and hilarious. I‘m reading #5 and will then have to wait until fall for #6. Broken Harbor was my #BookspinBingo pick. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3w
37 likes1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Anderson in Bloom | Jennifer Dugan
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Mehso-so

This started slow for me and I nearly gave up but I stuck with it-mainly because of the flower shop setting. A former child star who has made a new life for herself is pursued by her ex, an Oscar winning actress who has never stopped loving her. Sparks fly, will they be able to find their way back to each other while remaining true to themselves? I ended up liking it, not loving it.

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

This vegan cookbook is absolutely gorgeous. There are a couple of recipes I‘m excited to try and I was charmed by her Vancouver farmstead, the photos, and the life she has built for herself.

BkClubCare She fascinates me. I would not have said such a few years ago. I will watch for this. 1mo
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian It's a bit confusing if you don't know Canadian geography, but Vancouver Island, where Pamela Anderson is from and now lives is distinct from the big city Vancouver on the mainland north of Seattle. Vancouver farmstead sounds very funny 😁. I live on Vancouver Island (which is about the size of Taiwan and bigger than some small US states) about 20 mins north of the area where PM grew up! 1mo
lil1inblue @BkClubCare Same. I saw a really interesting interview randomly, and I've been intrigued ever since. 1mo
lil1inblue @CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian I learned something new today! 🤩 1mo
marleed Oh I go to google maps to figure this out! 1mo
54 likes5 comments
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Julsmarshall
Pitcher Perfect | Tessa Bailey
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Pickpick

This was so much fun! If you are a Tessa Bailey fan, you‘ll love this one! With my completed #BookspinBingo July board-I got 7 bingoes which I‘m happy with as it was a busy month for work and travel.

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Julsmarshall
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#BookspinBingo board is ready for August! Thanks for organizing @TheAromaofBooks !

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! 1mo
39 likes1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Lincoln in the Bardo | George Saunders
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Pickpick

My goodness this was such a unique, strange, and fantastic book. It takes place just as the Civil War is starting and follows President Lincoln mourning the death of his young son. With pieces of history )and ghosts!) floating through the novel, this made me smile, cry, and wonder at the power of the written word. Brilliant on #audio with more than 150 narrators, led by David Sedaris and Nick Offerman. So good!

Scochrane26 I read the physical book but have heard the audio is the best way to read it. It was a weird book for me at first, but once I got used to the format, I loved it. Still think about Lincoln‘s grief when this book is mentioned. 1mo
Tamra It‘s my absolute favorite audio experience ever. 💕💕 1mo
DrSabrinaMoldenReads Hmmm..I might try this on audio. I have not been able to get into them 1mo
mandarchy I did not know about the audio book! 2w
51 likes4 comments
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Julsmarshall
Wreck: A Novel | Catherine Newman
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Pickpick

Wow! So good, a great follow up to Sandwich but one that stands all on its own. Bringing together two storylines that examine health and consequences, this compelling story packs a lot of funny, heartbreaking, and meaningful moments into 209 pages.I had the honor of meeting the author and she is just as approachable and kind as you would expect. Releasing Oct 28, you won‘t want to miss this one! #netgalleygroup @AllDebooks

AllDebooks Sounds great 1mo
53 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Daydream: A Novel | Hannah Grace
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Pickpick

Catching up on reviews. Finished this in #audio a couple of weeks ago. Nearly rated it so-so as the story was a little worn feeling and so predictable (not in a good way). But the characters were well written and I enjoyed seeing them grow as individuals and as a couple.

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

So much fun! Is it a romance filled with true crime elements and history? Yup. Not scary but unique for sure, we follow a woman working on her doctorate about the relationships between true crime writers and their subjects and she believes that everyone she encounters could be a serial killer. Including her new hot, shy, kind neighbor. This was a blast!

49 likes1 stack add
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Loved this on #audio Friends to lovers, she buys a bus on a drunken whim and he helps fix it up. They both have challenges in their pasts and do the work for themselves and each other. And I loved his family so much! Highly recommend!

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Julsmarshall
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Having a hard time dealing with the fact that it is August but a new #BookspinBingo list is a silver lining. My #Roll100 has August in the title so that tracks 😊

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

So good!!! Loved this conclusion to the Crimson Moth. Suspenseful, steamy, and beautifully written, I‘m sad this story is over but I look forward to reading whatever is next!

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Julsmarshall
Crime 101 | Don Winslow
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Pickpick

Great novella, riveting, fast paced, and twisty. Looking forward to reading (listening) to more in the series.

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Wow! I understand all the buzz about this book. Beautifully written, this dark, twisty thriller had me riveted. I was so invested in these relationships, I loved the art and true crime elements, and the characters were just so real. There were upsetting elements so you may want to check content warnings. The audio narration is great, I highly recommend this powerful novel!

ncsufoxes My mom loves this book. He‘s going to be at the DC/Library of Congress book festival this year. I think my mom wants to go just to hear/meet him. 1mo
54 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Julsmarshall
The Gilded Heiress | Joanna Shupe
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Pickpick

A Joanna Shupe historical romance is always a great read & this one may just be my favorite yet! With Anastasia vibes, this novel brings together a talented singer who knows nothing of her past with a slick con man who is determined to cash on her resemblance to a missing heiress. Sparks fly & I was sucked in right away. You‘ll swoon while rooting for these 2 knuckleheads even as you are wishing they‘d just talk about their feelings. Releases 8/26

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

This gaming romance follows two people who are new to D&D and find friendship while learning about the game, and each other, along the way. As a non-gamer, I found the storytelling via D&D fascinating and really enjoyed every part of those books. Filled with quirky side characters, real life and imagined, this was a great world to sink into while escaping our too real one. This came out a few days ago, make time to go and seek it out!

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Julsmarshall
Cover Story | Mhairi McFarlane
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I enjoyed this so much! This author is new to me; I loved her premise, pace, & characters. Connor, an older than usual intern, joins a small newspaper publishing team, & surprises them with his dedication and smarts. Bel is a driven journalist & podcaster who discovers a juicy political cover up & when Connor stumbles into her cover story, fake dating ensues. The chemistry is electric, the story compelling, & the banter top notch. Releases Oct 7.

charl08 This sounds great- and it is out here and is 99p! Bargain. 1mo
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Destiny's Captive | Beverly Jenkins
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Pickpick

Read this over 4th of July weekend, finally posting. Loved it, Ms Beverly always hits the mark. Sexy and captivating (see what I did there?), her characters are authentic and jump off the page.

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Julsmarshall
Beautiful Ugly | Alice Feeney
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Pickpick

This psychological thriller follows an author whose wife has gone missing, or has she? Unreliable narrators abound and you spend much of the story not quite sure what is happening. I really liked the author/publisher perspective and I‘m always a fan of an isolated island filled with strange inhabitants. Fun on #audio

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Julsmarshall
Felons' Ball | Polly Stewart
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Was in Philadelphia for the American Library Association annual conference last week and came home with a few goodies. Many of these I will share with family and friends, there are a few I‘m really excited to keep 😊

Texreader Wow!! That‘s marvelous!! 2mo
Gissy Few goodies??? 😱Amazing!!! 📚📚📚📚🤩 2mo
57 likes2 comments
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Julsmarshall
Pitcher Perfect | Tessa Bailey
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Pickpick

Delightful! I giggled my way through this book! Picked up this ARC at the ALA conference and had to dive right in. This is the book for one of the Bearcat rookies, otherwise known as one of the “orgasm donors” 🤣 Releases in September. It also was my #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2mo
49 likes1 comment
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Hilarious! This was great on #audio and it surprised me how much I enjoyed every minute.

KadaGul Have you read Steven Colbert? I was cracking up when I read the tagged 📚. The puns were hilarious! 2mo
Matilda Most accurate title 😂 2mo
52 likes2 comments
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Julsmarshall
Unlikely Story | Ali Rosen
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Pickpick

Loved this one, read nearly the whole thing while traveling and it was the right read at the right time. A therapist and the editor of her column have a true connection that neither of them are ready to explore. Until they do and I was happy to be along for the ride.

Eggs Cute cover❣️ 2mo
51 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Julsmarshall
These Summer Storms | Sarah MacLean
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If you are trying to decide which #BOTM book to choose, I highly recommend These Summer Storms. Succession meets Elin Hilderbrand and the perfect summer read!

ICantImReading Oh good - this is my pick! 😍 2mo
44 likes1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Earl Crush: A Novel | Alexandra Vasti
Pickpick

This was a lot of fun, I enjoyed the setting and the strong female characters.

ChaoticMissAdventures I thought this was fun too! Recently realized it is a series and #3 comes out in September 2mo
27 likes1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Pickpick

Great fun on audio-the perfect steamy summer escapist read!

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Julsmarshall
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This powerful and raw exploration of queer love in the turbulent 80s doesn‘t pull any punches. Upsetting at times, illuminating at others, every moment meaningful. So thankful to have read this book, I‘ll be thinking about it for a long time. Fantastic on audio!

ChaoticMissAdventures I loved the cameos of famous people. I thought it helped to really put the story in a particular time and place. 2mo
Julsmarshall I did too, @ChaoticMissAdventures ! I need to research a bit more about how true to life it might have been. I was young in the 80s but remember the fear and sadness around the HIV/AIDS epidemic and this perspective was fascinating to me. 2mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @Julsmarshall it is a bit of a chunkster but I really recommend this book about how Act Up got started his descriptions throughout this book seem to align a lot with what I know and have read. 2mo
43 likes4 comments
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Wow! I went into this fantasy completely blind and I wish the same for you so I‘m not going to say much. Just that it was great fun, remarkable world building and a fascinating cast of characters. Can‘t wait to read the next one when it comes out this fall.

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Julsmarshall
The Blue Hour | Paula Hawkins
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Pickpick

This thriller from the author of the Girl on the Train was strange, haunting, and complex. Set in the art world, it has a unique cast of characters that kept me guessing. It was tightly written and well paced and I‘ll be thinking about it for a while. A great summer read for someone looking for a little something different.

ShelleyBooksie Ohhh - this is my jam! 3mo
51 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Julsmarshall
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Ooooh boy (as I fan myself). Not for the faint of heart, this one pushes all the boundaries. This one is dark, steamy, snarky, spicy, funny, sexy. Great on #audio but beware listening in public. Did I mention it is hot?

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Julsmarshall
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This nonfiction history of the Disney channel, how it began and through its hey day was fascinating. The author explored the business side things, the creative minds working to create something new, and the young actors that made it all come to life. This made me angry, made me laugh, and made think about the channel that was on so often when my kids were tweens. Highly recommend if you watched in the 2000s-2015s.

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Julsmarshall
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This was a spooky romance full of ghosts with spark of mystery that was a fun, quick read. I enjoyed the Montana setting, the family dynamics, and the small town vibe. The newest from Lyla Sage, this releases on Sept 30th. The characters didn‘t charm me quite a quickly as in her last series, but they grew on me and I‘m looking forward to the next in the series. Thanks to netgalley for an ARC. #netgalleygroup @AllDebooks

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Julsmarshall
Do Your Worst | Rosie Danan
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Unexpected! This quirky romance between a curse breaker and an archeologist was charming and different and I really enjoyed it! Danan always surprises me with the way she approaches a story and it is always a great time.

ChaoticMissAdventures I thought this was cute too! 3mo
55 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

This was a lot of fun! Witch and witch hunter, battle of good vs evil, but which is which? Or witch? I shouldn‘t have waited so long to read this one, it is a rip roaring fantasy-luxurious, layered, and lovely. Max also approved. #Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3mo
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Just Another Missing Person | Gillian McAllister
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This had a great early twist that had me gasping! Also loved the #audio narration by Joanne Frogatt (Downton Abbey) and others. If you like a twisty thriller with great interpersonal relationships, this is for you!

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Julsmarshall
One Golden Summer | Carley Fortune
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Fortune has become an auto read for me. Her novels each summer transport me to small Canadian beach towns with delightful and complicated characters that you can help but root for. The setting is a big part of this one and our main characters are so lovely and misunderstood that it took my breath away. Blew through this one in 2 days.

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Julsmarshall
Starless Sea | Erin Morgenstern
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This #chunkster was worth the wait (and the length)! Magical, lyrical, and haunting, this had mystery, whimsy, and true love. It felt perfect for the moment with queer love that triumphs all tests, brilliant characters that don‘t dull their truth, and lighthearted moments that keep it from getting too heavy. So good!

peanutnine One of my all-time favorites! 🤩 3mo
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