The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,936 
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Aug 26, 2019 23:00:30 GMT
Sorry for my delayed post. We were camping this last weekend, and I started back to school today, so it’s been hectic. I JUST remembered to post this.
So, what did you read this week?
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,389
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Post by peaname on Aug 27, 2019 0:25:15 GMT
I'm so happy to have finished Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Randit was 65 hours worth of audiobook! I kept thinking that yes, capitalism is good, socialism is bad but we've destroyed our planet with every man for himself.
I also started and finished State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. I couldn't put this book down and found myself thinking about the characters often. It's one that will linger with me. I'm so glad I picked it up in the airbnb on our vacation and then had to wait to get my own copy.
Since I finished Atlas I am back to The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah on Audible. I started it in book book form but it was due at the library and I couldn't get it again.
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Post by jackietex on Aug 27, 2019 1:01:43 GMT
I finished The Island by Elin Hilderbrand and now reading The Matchmaker, also by Elin Hilderbrand. Still listening to book 3 of the Game of Thrones series.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 27, 2019 2:49:00 GMT
This week I finished Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle. I loved this book for many reasons not the least of which are the short chapters! It kept my interest and when the twist arrived, I was totally shocked. I usually figure things out but this one smacked me right in the face. 5/5 stars!
I also finished an Andy Carpenter mystery Bark of Night by David Rosenfelt. As are all his books, it was a quick, enjoyable read.
Last night I started All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson. It's the first eBook I've borrowed from the library to my new Samsung 8" tablet.
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Aug 27, 2019 2:51:57 GMT
This week I finished Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle. I loved this book for many reasons not the least of which are the short chapters! It kept my interest and when the twist arrived, I was totally shocked. I usually figure things out but this one smacked me right in the face. 5/5 stars! I also finished an Andy Carpenter mystery Bark of Night by David Rosenfelt. As are all his books, it was a quick, enjoyable read. Last night I started All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson. It's the first eBook I've borrowed from the library to my new Samsung 8" tablet. Beautiful new profile pic 🙂 |
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 27, 2019 2:55:48 GMT
This week I finished Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle. I loved this book for many reasons not the least of which are the short chapters! It kept my interest and when the twist arrived, I was totally shocked. I usually figure things out but this one smacked me right in the face. 5/5 stars! I also finished an Andy Carpenter mystery Bark of Night by David Rosenfelt. As are all his books, it was a quick, enjoyable read. Last night I started All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson. It's the first eBook I've borrowed from the library to my new Samsung 8" tablet. Beautiful new profile pic 🙂 Thanks! The old one was probably 10 years old so I decided to update to a picture DH took last year during football season. I NEVER let anyone take pictures of me with glasses so it was a first.  |
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Post by NicL on Aug 27, 2019 8:42:04 GMT
Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda I glance at my wife as she climbs into the passenger seat, and I am bursting with confidence. Today will be everything I’ve promised her…and more…
3.5 stars - This held my interest but the plot was too predictable for me
The Rip by Mark Brandi A young woman, living on the street has to keep her wits about her. But when the drugs kick in that can be hard. Anton has been looking out for her. She was safe with him. But then Steve came along.
4.5 stars A story about life on the streets of Melbourne. I really enjoyed the writing style, the story that unfolded and the characters
Currently reading The Prettiest Horse in the Glue Factory by Corey White A memoir of trauma, evil and resilience that will break your heart and then show you how to rebuild it, from one of Australia’s brightest young comedians.
A true account about life as a ward of the state living in foster care. It's just tragic but a worthwhile read so far
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,159
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Post by hutchfan on Aug 27, 2019 12:01:30 GMT
I have so much going on right now and not much time for reading. I reread Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones by Ann Head. I love this short book as much today as I did as a teenager.
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,391
Location: Lost in my supplies...
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Post by kelly8875 on Aug 27, 2019 12:34:48 GMT
After having read so many books on vacation a week ago, this week I’ve only managed to read one. Catching up at work and some things at home made my brain mush, I just couldn’t read at night.
But, I just finished “Ghosted” by Rosie Walsh. Just a casual read, I’d give it a 4/5.
Here’s the synopsis provided by Book of the Month club:
When Sarah meets Eddie, they connect instantly and fall in love. To Sarah, it seems as though her life has finally begun. And it's mutual: It's as though Eddie has been waiting for her, too. Sarah has never been so certain of anything. So when Eddie leaves for a long-booked vacation and promises to call from the airport, she has no cause to doubt him. But he doesn't call.
Sarah's friends tell her to forget about him, but she can't. She knows something's happened—there must be an explanation.
Minutes, days, weeks go by as Sarah becomes increasingly worried. But then she discovers she's right. There is a reason for Eddie's disappearance, and it's the one thing they didn't share with each other: the truth.
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Post by pjaye on Aug 27, 2019 12:45:04 GMT
A Lifetime of Impossible Days Tabitha Bird, this is a time travel story with one woman being able to travel along her own timeline as a 6yo, 33yo and 93yo and at each age she can meet up with herself at the other ages. Interesting premise, but it didn't quite work for me, mainly because I don't like books that tell the story from the POV of the child. The overall story was OK but the child protagonist and the unusual way of telling it distracted from the story rather than adding to it. The 93yo is losing her memory so parts of it are very repetitive which I found boring. It also deals with child abuse which I wasn't expecting. 2 stars. Last week I went to my first ever book club meeting. It's a new group and there's only 4 of us so far and it promises to be quite fun. However we got off to a bit of a rocky start. One lady picked the book and the other one posted the details to the group...but on the night we realised something got lost in translation because the book 3 of us read wasn't the book that the first lady had suggested and so she'd read another book The book we ended up reading was T he Secret Child Kerry Fisher. I was a little anxious because I didn't like it much and didn't want to go to the first meeting with a negative review...but luckily the other 3 didn't like it either, so we had a good discussion about that! The book is set in the UK in 1970s and a married women gets pregnant while her husband (a sailor) is away and then gives the baby up for adoption. The book is how she is miserable and how she makes everyone else miserable for the next 50 years. Even though we didn't like the book we had a good night talking about books in general and for next month we (all of us this time) are reading Educated by Tara Westover.The Turn of the Key Ruth Ware, I had high hopes for this, but sadly they were dashed  I've liked (not loved though) her other books. This one was about a young childcare worker who takes a job in a big country house as a nanny to 4 girls whose parents are away a lot, then weird/creepy things start to happen. The main problem was that although this girl is a qualified child care worker, she doesn't seem to like kids very much and is quite impatient and even almost slaps one of them. All of the kids are obnoxious and out of control, the mother is annoying and the father is a sleaze bag. Most of the book is the nanny doing nanny things like feeding the kids and taking them to school, then she pokes around the house and a few odd things happen. There's some twists which were clever and I didn't expect them, but I don't think the main one really fitted into the story and I thought the end was oddly unfinished. 3 stars Now I'm listening to City Of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert, which is more fluffy than I was expecting.
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,498
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Post by edie3 on Aug 27, 2019 13:29:25 GMT
I have read that, and loved the movie! |
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Post by quietgirl on Aug 27, 2019 13:58:30 GMT
I just finished A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles. This was amazing! One of the best books I've read, period. I've noticed that I like small settings that let the characters shine. I highly recommend it.
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Post by Prenticekid on Aug 27, 2019 14:10:24 GMT
I am reading Inland by Tea Obreht, the current Barnes & Noble book club selection. I am not usually into mystical realism (or whatever it is called), and, I will admit that the book was hard for me to get into, but now I am enjoying the storytelling very much.
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Post by lynnek on Aug 27, 2019 15:45:30 GMT
I finished three last week.
The Whisper Man by Alex North was very good! One of the more creepy books I have read in a long time. Kids disappearing and killed, strangers whispering into houses, fingers sticking through the mail slot. Yikes! A good story about a widower and his son moving to a new town trying to move on. The town they move to should be an idyllic town, but something, including their own house is off.
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand continues my kick of reading her books. I remembered that I bought this last Christmas and that the next in the series should be coming out soon so I decided to read it. It was really good. About the family of a man who is killed in a helicopter accident near St. John's. His family had no idea he was there and really had no idea who the lady he was with was. The come to the island to find answers. I am looking forward to the sequel.
Lastly, Things You Save in a Fire by Catherine Center. The story of Cassie the firefighter that is tough and smart and great at her job. She is called to go care for her mother who is sick, but that means changing to a new fire station, one that is filled with men who don't necessarily think women have what it takes to be a firefighter. I loved that it was funny and cute but also serious and about trauma and forgiveness and standing your ground. Catherine Center is fast becoming a must read author for me.
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Post by maryland on Aug 27, 2019 16:22:08 GMT
I just started Someone We Know - Shari Lapena and so far it's really good! Couldn't get into Where the Crawdad's Sing, but probably because we had so much going on I didn't get to spend a lot of time reading, and I can't renew it. So will have to try again.
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,633
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Post by janeliz on Aug 27, 2019 16:24:29 GMT
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes. A young widow and a pitcher with the yips form a connection when he moves into her Maine home. This one was a bit of a disappointment for me. I struggled throughout to feel any connection to the main characters. The story and the location just weren’t as richly drawn as they could have been.
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Post by tara595 on Aug 27, 2019 16:25:10 GMT
I don't think I've posted in a while -
I read Summer of 69by Elin Hildebrand. I loved it. 4.5 stars.
Next, The Most Fun We've Ever Had by Clare Lombardo. It was longer than my usual, but I couldn't put it down. It was very character driven with lots of family drama. It was also beautifully written. 5 stars.
And then I reread my all time favorite book, Summer Sisters by Judy Blume. It's been at least 10 years since the last time I read it and just as good. I breezed through it in just a couple of days.
Now I'm about 20 percent into Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle. So good so far.
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Post by alsomsknit on Aug 27, 2019 16:45:41 GMT
I miss reading.  Still reading Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon & Death’s Acre Dr. William Bass. I think I have his name correct. |
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Post by mnmloveli on Aug 27, 2019 16:56:11 GMT
I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. My yellow lab, LB passed away suddenly and my husband and I are devastated. If it wasn't for the following string of good books I think I would have gone crazy. I know the pain of the loss will get better, but right now it's almost impossible. I hope the following reviews bring some joy to my fellow readers.
THE PERFECT WIFE BY JP DELANEY : 5 STARS
Description: A missing woman receives a second chance at life thanks to her billionaire husband. She is a miracle of science but as Abbie pieces together memories of her marriage, she begins questioning her husband's motives and his version of events.
Review: Very original plot that grabbed me right away. Interesting having an unknown third-party narrating at times; didn't annoy me and you do find out who it is at the end. Couldn't wait to find out if she was a real person or a robot. LOVED this book from beginning to the awesome ending. WOW ! I became very attached to Abbie. Loved the twists, especially how the end was written. I was shocked by the added note at the end about Google !!! I need to mention since many of my reader friends like a heads-up about "hot topics", this book does deal with the treatment of autism; some may agree and some may not. The author's son is autistic and he speaks about this at the end.
DESPERATE CREED (BOOK 5 RYDER CREED K-9 SEARCH & RESCUE SERIES) BY ALEX KAVA : 5 STARS
Description: A deadly outbreak of tornadoes in Alabama sends K9 handlers Ryder Creed & Jason Seaver and their scent dogs Grace & Scout to search for survivors.
Review: Ms. Kava never fails her fans. This book was packed with action and suspense. The first 4 books of the series were all 4 stars; this one, 5 stars ! Can't wait for book 6.
MOTHER DEAR BY NOVA LEE MAIER : 4 STARS
Description: I found this author thru Robyn Harding's recommendation of Bustle.com's Summer 2019 Thriller List. This is my 5th new author from the list; 4 of which I will continue to follow. For young petty criminals, Ralf and Brian, it was a scheme to make some cash, a quick home invasion. With Ralf as the look-out, Brian disappears into the house but never comes out !
Review: Grabs you right from the beginning. The tension continued thru the whole book with surprises along the way. Enjoyable read.
SOMEONE WE KNOW BY SHARI LAPENA : 4 STARS
Description: A teenager has been sneaking into homes and their computers as well as learning their secrets and may be sharing them too !
Review: Starts off with a few different things happening and I was excited to put them together. At 10%the mother makes a terrible decision ! A lot of he-said, she-said concerning martial affairs. Two friends forced into facing what they might not know about their husbands or each other. One snooping kid and one unhappy wife can ruin a lot of lives.
THE ARRANGEMENT BY ROBYN HARDING : 4 STARS
Description: A "sugar daddy" gets involved with the wrong young girl.
Review: Somehow the author can take a common topic and turn it upside-down ! Plot really flies with twists right up til the end !
A STRANGER ON THE BEACH BY MICHELLE CAMPBELL : 4 STARS
Description: Another new author for me found thru Robyn Harding's recommendation of Bustle.com's Summer 2019 Thriller List. This is my 6th new author from the list; 5 of which I will continue to follow. Caroline Stark's beach house was supposed to be her crowning achievement: a lavish, expensive space to showcase what she thought was her perfect family. But after a very public fight with her husband, she realized things may not be as perfect as they seem; her husband is lying to her, the money is disappearing and there's a stranger on the beach outside her house.
Review: LOVED the flow of a very good cheating/one-night stand story that turns into a great mystery. Twists I didn't see coming.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,677
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Post by Rhondito on Aug 27, 2019 18:02:36 GMT
I finished The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger. I thought it was okay; it was interesting enough for me to finish but I definitely wouldn't put it on a must read list. 3.5 stars
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Post by maryland on Aug 27, 2019 18:23:33 GMT
I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. My yellow lab, LB passed away suddenly and my husband and I are devastated. If it wasn't for the following string of good books I think I would have gone crazy. I know the pain of the loss will get better, but right now it's almost impossible. I hope the following reviews bring some joy to my fellow readers. THE PERFECT WIFE BY JP DELANEY : 5 STARSDescription: A missing woman receives a second chance at life thanks to her billionaire husband. She is a miracle of science but as Abbie pieces together memories of her marriage, she begins questioning her husband's motives and his version of events. Review: Very original plot that grabbed me right away. Interesting having an unknown third-party narrating at times; didn't annoy me and you do find out who it is at the end. Couldn't wait to find out if she was a real person or a robot. LOVED this book from beginning to the awesome ending. WOW ! I became very attached to Abbie. Loved the twists, especially how the end was written. I was shocked by the added note at the end about Google !!! I need to mention since many of my reader friends like a heads-up about "hot topics", this book does deal with the treatment of autism; some may agree and some may not. The author's son is autistic and he speaks about this at the end. DESPERATE CREED (BOOK 5 RYDER CREED K-9 SEARCH & RESCUE SERIES) BY ALEX KAVA : 5 STARSDescription: A deadly outbreak of tornadoes in Alabama sends K9 handlers Ryder Creed & Jason Seaver and their scent dogs Grace & Scout to search for survivors. Review: Ms. Kava never fails her fans. This book was packed with action and suspense. The first 4 books of the series were all 4 stars; this one, 5 stars ! Can't wait for book 6. MOTHER DEAR BY NOVA LEE MAIER : 4 STARSDescription: I found this author thru Robyn Harding's recommendation of Bustle.com's Summer 2019 Thriller List. This is my 5th new author from the list; 4 of which I will continue to follow. For young petty criminals, Ralf and Brian, it was a scheme to make some cash, a quick home invasion. With Ralf as the look-out, Brian disappears into the house but never comes out ! Review: Grabs you right from the beginning. The tension continued thru the whole book with surprises along the way. Enjoyable read. SOMEONE WE KNOW BY SHARI LAPENA : 4 STARSDescription: A teenager has been sneaking into homes and their computers as well as learning their secrets and may be sharing them too ! Review: Starts off with a few different things happening and I was excited to put them together. At 10%the mother makes a terrible decision ! A lot of he-said, she-said concerning martial affairs. Two friends forced into facing what they might not know about their husbands or each other. One snooping kid and one unhappy wife can ruin a lot of lives. THE ARRANGEMENT BY ROBYN HARDING : 4 STARSDescription: A "sugar daddy" gets involved with the wrong young girl. Review: Somehow the author can take a common topic and turn it upside-down ! Plot really flies with twists right up til the end ! A STRANGER ON THE BEACH BY MICHELLE CAMPBELL : 4 STARSDescription: Another new author for me found thru Robyn Harding's recommendation of Bustle.com's Summer 2019 Thriller List. This is my 6th new author from the list; 5 of which I will continue to follow. Caroline Stark's beach house was supposed to be her crowning achievement: a lavish, expensive space to showcase what she thought was her perfect family. But after a very public fight with her husband, she realized things may not be as perfect as they seem; her husband is lying to her, the money is disappearing and there's a stranger on the beach outside her house. Review: LOVED the flow of a very good cheating/one-night stand story that turns into a great mystery. Twists I didn't see coming. So sorry to hear about your lab! It's so hard to lose a pet. You are right, having a book to read does help when a distraction is needed. Thinking about you. Your book recommendations are on my reading lists too! They look so good, and one I am reading now. |
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Post by stingfan on Aug 27, 2019 19:06:07 GMT
Finished... Time after Time by Lisa Grunwald - I liked it well enough. I'd call it quaint, I guess  . In terms of time-travel type books, my favorite of late is Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain. The Night Olivia Fell by Christine McDonald - This was also good. It wasn't too hard to figure out 'whodunnit', but I still enjoyed the development of the characters' story lines. The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain - After reading the aforementioned Dream Daughter, I've read a couple other books by this author. So far, nothing has compared, including this one. I haven't read any real winners lately. Probably the best one I've read in the past couple of months was Daisy Jones & the 6. I listened to the audio and it was read by a different person for each character. Judy Greer, Jennifer Beals, and Benjamin Bratt (and others) read so it was fun to listen to. Started... Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall - I'm enjoying this one. Has some of the flavor of The Help and To Kill a Mockingbird (since it's told from the POV of a child and takes place in MS in 1963). |
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,391
Location: Lost in my supplies...
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Post by kelly8875 on Aug 27, 2019 19:43:16 GMT
I finished The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger. I thought it was okay; it was interesting enough for me to finish but I definitely wouldn't put it on a must read list. 3.5 stars I thought the same thing a couple weeks ago when I read it. I finished it, but didn’t love it. |
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760
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Post by gottapeanow on Aug 27, 2019 20:03:34 GMT
cadoodlebug, yes, love the new pic! I just finished A Nearly Normal Family. I loved the premise: how far will parents go to protect their child? This is the story of what a father (a pastor) and a mother (an attorney) to after their ownly child is accused of murder. The twist seemed completely believable. The books is told from three perspectives: dad, daughter, mom. And the epilogue is, well, excellent. One small issue: the translation seemed awkward in places and just didn't flow well, IMO. Even so. 5/5 stars. I also read Things We Save in the Fire. Such a great summer read. Pick this up if you're looking for something light. 5/5 stars Next, The Orphan Keeper, which is based on a true story. This reminded me so much of the book and movie Lion. Another 5/5 stars. I feel like I'm missing a book, but my GR account keeps getting messed up. I add stuff on there, and it disappears. I'm not sure what the issue is. I'm going to start keeping track in a journal as well. I'm reading Th1rt3en by Cavanaugh right now. Loving it so far. Lisa
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Post by belgravia on Aug 27, 2019 20:39:17 GMT
I finished The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger. I thought it was okay; it was interesting enough for me to finish but I definitely wouldn't put it on a must read list. 3.5 stars I just finished this book as well. I thought it was good, but not amazing. It reminded me a lot of some of the parents of kids at my daughter’s (private) school. Yikes!! |
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Post by pjaye on Aug 27, 2019 23:06:42 GMT
I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. My yellow lab, LB passed away suddenly and my husband and I are devastated. If it wasn't for the following string of good books I think I would have gone crazy. I'm so sorry to hear about your dog, such a difficult time when they pass away unexpectedly. |
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Post by NicL on Aug 27, 2019 23:17:08 GMT
The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain - After reading the aforementioned Dream Daughter, I've read a couple other books by this author. So far, nothing has compared, including this one. I also loved Dream Daughter. Have you read The Stolen Marriage? Also very good by this author |
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Post by NicL on Aug 27, 2019 23:18:39 GMT
I'm reading Th1rt3en by Cavanaugh right now. Loving it so far. Lisa Can this be read as a stand alone or do you need to read them in order? |
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Post by NicL on Aug 27, 2019 23:20:38 GMT
I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. My yellow lab, LB passed away suddenly and my husband and I are devastated. If it wasn't for the following string of good books I think I would have gone crazy. I know the pain of the loss will get better, but right now it's almost impossible. I hope the following reviews bring some joy to my fellow readers. Very sorry to hear of the passing of your dog. Take care |
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,633
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Post by janeliz on Aug 27, 2019 23:53:50 GMT
So sorry to hear about your sweet dog, mnmloveli. It’s such a tough loss. |
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I've liked (not loved though) her other books. This one was about a young childcare worker who takes a job in a big country house as a nanny to 4 girls whose parents are away a lot, then weird/creepy things start to happen. 
