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Counterfeit
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
68 posts | 76 read | 40 to read
HUSTLERS meets BIG LITTLE LIES in the thrilling new novel about women breaking bad that everyone will be talking about in Summer 2022...
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HeyT
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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#BookReport
Finished the book I have to lead the discussion on at work so that was nice. I've made some progress in my current reads as well though not as much as I'd have liked.

#WeeklyForecast
My goal this week is to finish book two of OaFK and maybe finish listening to Hench now that I've replaced the earbuds I lost.

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HeyT
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

This book felt very Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girl Boss in the best way. I enjoyed watching the narrative unfold especially after the subtle twist is revealed in the midway point. I feel like this is a commentary on the American Dream and what it means to be successful.

Caroline2 I loved this one too. 👍 1w
24 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Mshookquilts
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Panpan

I really didn‘t like the book and the ending even less. I can‘t really say more without ruining it if you want to read it; I never did figure out why there was a bunch of hoopla about it being so good. 2 woman run a business based upon counterfeit high end bags. Cleverly written though.

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DaniJ
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

Clever, cunning and concise. This was a great story about counterfeit luxury goods and the immensity of the market through which they‘re passed.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

This was kind of a fun listen…. Not super dramatic or tension-filled…. The majority is told as a confession, but there is a twist to the story and that was cool. #bookspinbingo #bingo #scarathlon #spookyghostclub

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LitLaur
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

Slow to start, but this one picks up a quarter of the way through, and then flies. Counterfeit can apply to more than handbags; it can apply to people, too. (Though high-quality fake or not, I‘d still love a Birkin bag.)

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LiteraryinLawrence
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

This was a fun audiobook listen! It was fast paced and I liked the narrator. Certainly not a deep book but I enjoyed it. I also borrowed it in print from the library but mostly did the audio while driving and walking.

82 likes2 stack adds
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OriginalCyn620
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

Not quite what I was expecting but in a good way! Winnie reaches out to her former college roommate, Ava, after many years of not speaking. Winnie runs a counterfeit ring oh high-end luxury handbags and ropes Ava, a former tax lawyer, into her scheme. The twist about halfway through was unexpected - let‘s just say neither character is quite what they seemed! A decent quick read.

#bookspinbingo
#RushAThon

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 7mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 7mo
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 7mo
39 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Blaire
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Mehso-so

Kind of a disappointing read. Found this on a list of books to read in a day and didn‘t find the story that compelling. Two former college roommates reconnect and and become involved in a wide-ranging scheme with counterfeit luxury handbags. Most of it is told via a confession to a detective. Parts of it were fun but overall didn‘t feel invested or any real tension. I do love the cover.

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she.hearts.horror
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Mehso-so

I expected to love a book about the thing I love the most ( 👜) a lot more.

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Kshakal
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Eggs Perfect💙💙 12mo
33 likes2 comments
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Evita
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
Pickpick

3.5 out of 5

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Melismatic
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Panpan

I wouldn‘t recco - even as a quick read. The pacing is really its shortcoming because the way the plot is laid out is entirely lopsided. Without giving it all away, appearances are deceiving.

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Skeeterisme
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

Great!

49 likes1 stack add
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ChantalReads
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Panpan

Meh. Just wasn't that great.

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Conleyheather
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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I am loving this one at the moment #reesebookclub

6 likes1 stack add
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Amie
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

Good audiobook. I was surprised by the twist!

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Nalbuque
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

oooh this was a great binge listen :))

16 likes1 stack add
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Maallen
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

Enjoyed the twists and turns of this book, it surprised me in a lot of ways and created a world I didn‘t know much about.

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MysticFaerie
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

3.5⭐/5⭐

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Oryx
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Bumped this one up the list after @squirrelbrain 's review. First work trip since the before times. Or as I like to call it, free reading time.

squirrelbrain Enjoy the book, and have a good trip! 1y
Caroline2 Really enjoyed this one. 👍 1y
TrishB Hope the trip is going well 😁 (edited) 1y
52 likes1 stack add3 comments
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squirrelbrain
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

I loved this book, about two people who set up a fake handbag business. I like it when characters don‘t act like you expect them to and that is certainly the case here. (Me, trying not to be all spoiler-y!)

Thanks for sending it to me @Caroline2 - it was the perfect blend of fun and malevolence!

Also, it‘s a good job that Henry isn‘t camera-shy - he‘s in nearly every book photo these days! 🤣

TrishB Good to hear 👍🏻 I have this one! 1y
MicheleinPhilly It‘s a good thing he‘s so handsome! 🥰 1y
rachelm Loved this one too! 1y
See All 12 Comments
erzascarletbookgasm Sounds good, will look this up. Hi Henry 👋 1y
JamieArc We welcome Henry in all photos! Pretty boy! 1y
Caroline2 So glad you liked it. Henry is so cute with his little casual photo bombs. 😆 1y
BarbaraBB What a lovely picture 🥰 Hi Henry! 1y
KarenUK That face!!!! 😍😍😍 1y
batsy I really enjoyed this one! (and Henry... *boop* 😍) 1y
squirrelbrain Henry ‘boops‘ you back! @batsy ❤️ 1y
Oryx Oooh. I got this one on 99p a while back so glad to hear your liked it. 1y
72 likes12 comments
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janeycanuck
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

I really did not understand the hype about this one while I was in Part 1. Sure, it was fine but it was nothing special. Then I got to Part 2. Nice work, Ms. Chen.

TheKidUpstairs I was just debating DNF-ing this one. I'm almost at the end of Part One, and I feel the same as you did, it's okay but nothing great. Your review has convinced me to stick it out and at least give Part Two a chance to grab me! 1y
38 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Breanne1
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this crime caper all about deep fake handbags. A Reese‘s book club pick that delivered for me!

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MyNamesParadise
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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I‘m at #NatBookFest at the DC Convention Center and was at this panel earlier with Counterfeit author Kirsten Chen, Katie Gutierrez, and author of The Lifeguards, which I want to check out now, Amanda Eyre Ward.

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Caroline2
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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I have had a fab reading week reading all these fantastic thrillers on my kindle! I loved em all and highly recommend if you want a decent thriller that is more than dodgy husbands and drunk women. 😆 #bookreport #weeklyreport

Cinfhen Yay!!! Glad you had a great week 💕and 4 books off your kindle is impressive 🙌🏻I seem to collect Kindle titles but hardly ever read them 🙄 2y
rockpools Excellent! Looks like a fab week 😊 2y
TrishB Great stuff 👍🏻 I have Counterfeit too. 2y
squirrelbrain Wow, a fab week! 2y
Caroline2 @TrishB I loved it, gonna be one of my favs for the year. 👍 2y
70 likes1 stack add5 comments
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MaggieCarr
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Mehso-so

Hmmm. My opinions cycled through a variety of emotions as I was reading... Empathy, understanding, judgement, distaste, criticism, hatred, flip flopping as more and more of the story unfolds. I'll never look at designer bags again without thinking of this story.

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Kempfme
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
Mehso-so

This is a story about a goody goody gone wrong.

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Rhondareads
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Well written crime caper to girlfriends a scam to make money selling high end counterfeit purses.Really well written perfect fora tv movie.

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Caroline2
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

I read this on my kindle but I loved it so much I want to get the hardback! A super fun caper story like Good Girls. I didn‘t want it to end and I really hope there‘s going to be a sequel….! 😁

Caroline2 And it‘s only 99p on kindle…. You‘re welcome! 🤗 2y
95 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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mcctrish
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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I don‘t often sing Amazon‘s praises BUT my reading floatie popped yesterday and Amazon had a replacement here by noon

MyNamesParadise Great photo! 2y
mcctrish Thank you @MyNamesParadise 🥰 2y
DivineDiana Love your float! And great service Amazon! 👏🏻 2y
47 likes1 stack add3 comments
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mjtwo
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Mehso-so

29 Jul-7 Aug 22
Rather lightweight but enjoyable and quick to read.
The story of two women who one way or another find themselves importing counterfeit designer bags from China and employing young shoppers to dupe department stores into accepting these bags as authentic returns.
It did cause me to question why I value designer goods and why counterfeits appeal to some but not others. Maybe if I were a handbag person this would have appealed more.

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oddandbookish
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

First off, I have always loved luxury goods, especially handbags so the premise of this book was right up my alley.

Plot-wise, the twist halfway through was so smart and I did not see it coming. As soon as I got to the twist, I thought to myself, “This book is brilliant.” I won‘t say much about the twist but I will say that it kept the book interesting.

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2022/08/08/review-counterfeit/

48 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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MartinaLove
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Mehso-so

2.5/5 ⭐

This book is about Ava perspective on what happened with Winnie, an old friend from University.
She writes a letter to a police officer telling the story of how and why she accepted Winnie's offer to bring fake purse/bags to America.
It wasn't to best book I read this year. I found the story to be forgettable. I preferred reading about Ava and her family but the rest of the story wasn't that good.

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katy4peas
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Mehso-so

A fun book told from Ava‘s perspective of how she got into the counterfeit ring and met Winnie. Even though they were doing bad things, I was still rooting for them. I enjoyed it as something different.

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MartinaLove
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Now reading: Counterfeit. 📚
This is book #32.
I ordered so many books this year, it's embarrassing.
I know y'all understand and won't judge me. ❤️

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EverydayImReading
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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I listened to this on audible. Not a bad story but also not quite the thriller I expected. It‘s well written interesting and entertaining. The audible presentation was excellent.

Cathythoughts Sounds like a good read , I love the cover illustration 👍🏻 2y
13 likes1 comment
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ashleyn
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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"It‘s the only place for freaks like them, hucksters, con men, unicorns, queens. Winnie is the American dream, and that‘s what drives everyone mad, mad, mad—that she had the gall to crash their game and win it all."

4 likes1 stack add
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Shadowfat
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

Catching up a little on things I've finished the past couple weeks. Switching to one book at a time has really helped while taking care of a 5 week old. This was interesting but slow at the same time, and wasn't what I thought it would be but in a good way!

18 likes1 stack add
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suvata
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

#StoryGraph: fiction contemporary emotional lighthearted medium-paced
288 pages | first published 2022

The story of two Asian American women who band together to grow a counterfeit handbag scheme into a global enterprise—an incisive and glittering blend of fashion, crime, and friendship from the author of Bury What We Cannot Take and Soy Sauce for Beginners.

Money can‘t buy happiness… but it can buy a decent fake.

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marleed
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

I love a great purse and a fun story so combining the two has to be a win for me. I do feel like this was only the introduction to Ava and Winnie and there‘ll be more antics to come. I think the reader needs to be in the mood for rich people problems to really enjoy this one. But if your emotions are there, you might want to drop this book in your (designer) bag!

69 likes1 stack add
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Graciouswarriorprincess
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Books 62 and 63 of the year.

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Graciouswarriorprincess
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Tonight, I attended the Reese‘s book club discussion of this book. So good! Loved both authors and the discussion!

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Zuhkeeyah
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

I had an absolute blast reading this book. As someone who follows the rules 98% of the time, I really felt for early book Ava who was horrified with Winnie‘s counterfeit empire. The degradation of her morals as she fell further into the scheme was somehow all justifiable. Kirstin Chen did a great job of building sympathy for business partners despite the obvious legal trouble they eventually found themselves in.

Graciouswarriorprincess I just finished it. So good! 2y
13 likes1 comment
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batsy
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

This is a top-tier popcorn read. The ending requires a suspension of disbelief, but it was pretty fun overall, so I'm willing to go along with it. I very much enjoyed the bits that went deeply into the luxury bag industry & its shadow industry, the counterfeit business. There are LEVELS to this fake. I found the characters both relatable & unbelievable, which works for this story. Also, this is probably a way more common story than people realise.

batsy I've also been watching Inventing Anna on Netflix, about the infamous scammer Anna Delvey. Reading & watching how scam artists work just made it all the more clear that the entire edifice of capitalism is built on racketeering. Also, there's a lot of money circulating out there. Like, a lot. Money that circulates purely symbolically because the ultra rich are bored & want to play. Thinking about that makes me want to riot. Lol. 2y
batsy You were right @Cinfhen just the kind of light escapism that I needed! 2y
vivastory Great review! I haven't watched Inventing Anna but I'm intrigued esp as it is my understanding that Rachel Williams does not come off well in the series. I read the book “My Best Friend Anna“ (which felt like a longform article stretched into a book) & have watched a few specials/interviews surrounding the issue & it is def problematic & emblematic of capitalism that she was able to make more money off of the experience than she “lost.“ 2y
See All 18 Comments
vivastory I have the following book (still TBR) It sounds equally infuriating & informative. I have heard great things about it:
2y
batsy @vivastory Thank you! I only read The Cut's piece on Anna & Rachel's Vanity Fair essay; have not read her book. Rachel doesn't come off too bad in the show, but she is depicted as naive & gullible & entirely weepy. Plus there's a lot in there of another character describing Rachel as a "user". The show is pretty fun & I don't know if it's intentional or a by-product but it really shows how people will put up with anything if you claim to be rich. 2y
batsy @vivastory Jackpot sounds great, I haven't heard of it so thanks for the rec! 2y
batsy @vivastory I will say the Morocco episode where Rachel gets caught up in the mess and gets charged 62,000 on both her cards filled me with tremendous anxiety because ofc as the viewers we know exactly what's happening. I just felt like screaming at Rachel to not offer up her credit cards (her work card!!) "just as security". She keeps asking, "It won't be charged, right?" and I'm like Noooo what are you doing!! 2y
vivastory I did feel bad for Rachel as she was going through the experience and it sounded like a nightmare to deal with it, but in the most recent interview I saw with her she's still claiming she's a victim. Like she literally got rich off being defrauded 🤣 2y
Megabooks This is fantastic review! 2y
batsy @vivastory Oh no! Lol so maybe the TV show did get her right, in a way. A lack of self-awareness. Which is probably what made those same people fall for Anna for that long without asking questions or feeling weird about things. 2y
Centique Top tier popcorn sounds perfect to me! Stacked 😁 2y
batsy @Megabooks Thank you! 🙂 2y
batsy @Centique It's a light read that zips along nicely 😁🍿 2y
CarolynM You‘ve sold me🙂 Stacked. 2y
batsy @CarolynM Yay! 😊 2y
Suet624 I just watched Bad Vegan on Netflix. Your comment on the amount of money floating around was on full display in that doc. 2y
batsy @Suet624 I have not heard of that before, but I've added it to my watchlist! 2y
Suet624 It‘s 4 episodes. They could have condensed it. But an interesting look at mind control and money. 2y
87 likes4 stack adds18 comments
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julesG
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Pickpick

Just what @Cinfhen said, a light read and still makes you think.

If you need a #PalateCleanser that's not a romance or cozy mystery, give this one a try.

#20in4 #readathon @Andrew65

CarolynM I‘m intrigued! 2y
Cinfhen Perfect description 😃 2y
Andrew65 Looks fun, well done 👏👏👏 2y
62 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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julesG
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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#20in4 #readathon @Andrew65

I saw @Cinfhen review it a few weeks ago, so thought to give it a go.

batsy I just started this, too! 2y
Cinfhen It was lite and fun @julesG @batsy I hope you both like it - lmk 💗 2y
Andrew65 Looks a fun read. 2y
55 likes3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Mehso-so

Suddenly, Winnie, who disappeared mysteriously from their university, shows back up in Ava‘s life and gets her involved in a scheme to swap high quality counterfeit handbags for high value real ones. Some bits in here are great, including the absolute best response to a racist white woman, but in the end, this book felt a bit lackluster to me. I‘m not sorry I listened to it, but I found it a bit lacking.

54 likes1 stack add
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Gleefulreader
Counterfeit | Kirstin Chen
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Still here, still reading, although sometimes life gets in the way of posting. This is a fun bit of fluff to read in front of a terrific view.