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The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation | Lauren Willig
Nothing goes right for Eloise. The one day she wears her new suede boots, it rains cats and dogs. When the subway stops short, she's always the one thrown into some stranger's lap. Plus, she's had more than her share of misfortune in the way of love. In fact, ever since she realized romantic heroes are a thing of the past, she's decided it's time for a fresh start. Setting off for England, Eloise is determined to finish her dissertation on that dashing pair of spies, the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. But what she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: the secret history of the Pink Carnationthe most elusive spy of all time. As she works to unmask this obscure spy, Eloise stumbles across answers to all kinds of questions. Like how did the Pink Carnation save England from Napoleon? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly escape her bad luck and find a living, breathing hero all her own?
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Danay
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23 #29 This book! I wasn‘t sure about it in the beginning. But I grew to really enjoy it. It‘s written almost tongue in cheek. Smart and sarcastic. The sex scenes were a bit too Harlequiney for my taste. But they were few and the humor in the rest of the book made them worth enduring. I‘m gonna give the next in the series a whirl.

3 likes1 stack add
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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

The history nerd/helpless romantic in me loved this book. Eloise is a woman after my own heart to include the ravenous way I inhaled English fish and chips when I had the luck and honor to live in England for years. 🤣. Part historical novel part romance this read made my little soul very happy.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Sounds good!! 1y
52 likes1 comment
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Bamazin
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Book 14 …. Gotta love the Litsy glitch that uploads a black square instead of the image 🙄🙄🙄

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mdemanatee
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This Sunday is for rereading (and Napoleonic spies and spunky scholars).

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mdemanatee
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When the bookstore has a copy of the book you‘ve been wanting to reread it‘s a sign. This Bridgerton reread has me wanting to revisit all my early/mid 2000s favorites and this definitely qualifies.

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Bookzombie
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Robin, thank you so much for sending me these books from my TBR. You are so sweet! I‘m sorry I didn‘t post about them as soon as they arrived. 💗

tpixie Carnation - great cover! 3y
tpixie Going down a rabbit 🐰 hole... 3y
See All 6 Comments
Bookzombie @tpixie Thanks for posting these! I haven‘t started the series so I didn‘t realize it was a completed one. Also, more excited based on the NPR article than I was before! I‘m not sure which is the best way to read them, publication order or chronologically. 🤔 3y
tpixie @Bookzombie Yes! Like the Narnia Dilemma! 3y
51 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Mollyanna
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Day 3 #20series20days #top20series

A look in the spy rings of the Napoleonic Era... the Scarlet Pimpernel, the Purple Gentian and finally the Pink Carnation. It‘s a fun romp full of political intrigue and romance and adventure.

Andrew65 This does sound fun. 4y
Mollyanna @Andrew65 I‘m only about half way through the series, but so far they are a fun mix of espionage and romance. 4y
mrsmarch I looooooove this series. 4y
Mollyanna @mrsmarch 😍👍🏻😍 4y
20 likes4 comments
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aroc
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Mehso-so

Finally! I finished it! I bailed and returned. Not sure about it. I enjoyed bits and the rest just dragged. Interesting mix of fiction and romance.

#BookSpin @TheAromaofBooks

Crazeedi I've wondered about this book, it's a series, but a couple of willig books I've read were 'meh' 4y
aroc @Crazeedi Yup, meh is a good way to describe it. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
27 likes3 comments
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aroc
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TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 4y
KarouBlue Super curious about this one! 4y
20 likes2 comments
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Sharanya
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Pickpick

This was an utterly charming, adorable book! Though random interludes into Eloise‘s life did nothing for the rest of the plot, & both she & Amy were rather naive beyond belief — I found myself rolling my eyes & yelling WELL DUH multiple times at their obtuseness. Still, despite all this, the writing was hilarious, the dialogue even more so, and the romance was totally swoony. A really fun start to the series! ★★★★☆. 1st for #24in48

Texreader What a great review! 5y
Sharanya @Texreader thank you! 5y
18 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Sharanya
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#currentlyreading | Mystery? Check. Intrigue? Check. Romance? Check. Humor? Check. So excited for this book! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 #24in48

13 likes1 stack add
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EmilieGR
Pickpick

Always a romantic romp

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BookishMarginalia
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This one looks so fun! Thank you, Michelle, for thinking of me. I am touched 💜💜💜 @Elma

Elma You're welcome! Thanks again for all you do on Litsy! 5y
BookishMarginalia @Elma 💜💜💜 5y
94 likes2 comments
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Chrissyreadit
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@IndoorDame thank you for a lovely Valentines Day package!! I‘m so happy with it! And I love the necklace! Thank you @kaye for coordinating this!

Kaye Oh, beautiful book cover ! I like the little key too. Very cute. 5y
Chrissyreadit @kaye it is a very sweet necklace Adina made. 5y
IndoorDame @Chrissyreadit I‘m so glad you like it! 5y
booksandsympathy I love this book series! 5y
Wife 🌹 5y
81 likes5 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Kalalalatja Great quote! 👌 6y
LeahBergen Yes! 👏🏻👏🏻 6y
Cinfhen 💕💕💕💕 6y
73 likes3 comments
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Bamazin
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1. Sense and sensibility
2. Secret history of the pink carnation
3. Sarcasm and profanity so 2ish
4. Hey Arnold, Doug, Gullah Gullah island, reading rainbow
#sundaysurvey

alisonrose LOLOL I am also fluent in those languages 🤣🤣🤣 thanks for playing!! 6y
KrystleTheBookSlayer I loved Gullah Gullah Island! ❤ 6y
13 likes2 comments
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thegreentealibrarian
Pickpick

This was hilarious and adventurous! Plus romantic. 😚😚
But the present narrative felt superfluous.

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thegreentealibrarian
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Starting out September with pumpkin spice hot chocolate and historical fiction. 😎🎃 #currentlyreading

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whatsthEStorey
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Looking guilty after sneakily stealing the sunny spot and my book! Guess I'll read in the shade.

aroc Ah! Tell me if you are enjoying it! 6y
aroc That's on my summer TBR! (Plus I recommended it off another recommendation so I hope you like it!) 6y
Mollyanna Love Pink Carnation! It‘s a great series! 6y
See All 6 Comments
SledgeReader Read it a long time ago. Have the series tagged - along with Louise Penny‘s Inspector Gamache - as a full in series read start to finish with no interruptions. 6y
whatsthEStorey @aroc I didn't make it very far, but I can tell I'm going to like it! 6y
whatsthEStorey @Mollyanna & @SledgeReader I'm glad to hear it's good! I'm enjoying it so far! 6y
38 likes6 comments
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BeansPage
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Suzze Ooh! The One and Only Ivan! I loved, loved, loved it! 🦍🐘 (edited) 6y
DieAReader I loved Brain on Fire! Did u like it? 6y
TheHeartlandBookFairy You are rocking this challenge @TheReadingMermaid !!! 6y
MelissaSue81 Oh! You‘re doing good with this one! I keep getting distracted by other books 6y
78 likes4 comments
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whatsthEStorey
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My haul from the library sale today for $3.25! Snuck out at lunch to score some books...WITH my boss! 😂 #whenyourbossisalitten

aroc Hahahaha! 😂 6y
mrozzz Nicely done!! 6y
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kidamy Cute bag! 6y
StephanieGeiser I love that bag! 6y
57 likes6 comments
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balletbookworm
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#riotgrams Day 6 - duologies, trilogies, and more! (Only a day late ?) The Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig is obviously an “and more” here, twelve books in all! It went on so long it moved imprints and changed publication styles ? Fun fact: I haven‘t read the last book (Moonflower) yet because if I do there won‘t be any more left to read ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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mommamatch
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Mehso-so

I picked this for the ugly cover/cover I hate prompts for the Read Harder and Popsugar 2018 challenges. Lady in a pink frilly dress. Not my thing. But I read the description - spies?!?! That‘s sounds better. This was a good plot and some strong characters, just not the main one. Amy is a smart woman who can‘t see the truth no matter how obvious- not a very good spy. Enjoyed Jane and Miss Gwen. Not sure that I‘ll read the next 11 in the series.

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mommamatch
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It has been a long hard week and it‘s finally Friday night. This is the moment that got me through this week. #matchbooks

Chelleo 🙌🏾 enjoy your night! 6y
25 likes1 comment
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readinginthedark
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Pickpick

This is a historical romance and a great series starter for the right audience! I didn't love everything about it. The level of emotional intensity and foolhardiness of both female main characters was an annoyance for me, and there was a bit of lingering on physical attributes that I found unnecessary but not extreme. (Warning here if you don't like physical intimacy in your historical fiction.) Disclaimers aside, I really enjoyed this book!

Velvetfur That sounds rather fun! Stacked 👍 6y
Christy2318 The rest of the series improves. This book is heavier on the sex part then the others. Books 2 & 3 are good but she really hit her stride with book 4. I loved 4-10. 11 & 12 weren‘t my faves. Overall the series is a lot of fun. 6y
Smangela I have one later in the series that was given to me. So now I need to pursue the rest of the books! Thanks for the review and reminder to check them out :) 6y
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readinginthedark @Christy2318 Yeah, it didn‘t bother me so much. But a lot of the negative reviews on Goodreads were because people either wanted it to be really serious historical fiction or they were angry about the sex, so I figured I‘d give a warning. 6y
readinginthedark @Smangela You‘re welcome! This is one I had on my TBR for a long time, and my manager finally convinced me to give it a try. I‘m so glad she did! I needed something fun and good on audio! 6y
AlaMich I liked this audio version too. Although my *ahem* somewhat sketchy knowledge of that historical period required a little research. 😬 6y
readinginthedark @AlaMich Yeah, I‘m not very familiar with that period either—at least in France. I appreciated her notes at the end about some of what was true and what wasn‘t, although I learned a few other tidbits from the complaints on Goodreads. 😆 6y
67 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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readinginthedark
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I don‘t know about the rest of you, but most of March has been stressful for me. I‘m taking a break from stressful reading, at least until my son‘s birthday party is over. The tagged book was a great reprieve for me. I‘m set for print solutions, but does anyone have not stress- or anxiety-inducing audiobook suggestions?

readordierachel Sorry you've been stressed. This was a fun one on audio 6y
mabell I understand, and I hope things calm down for you soon! ❤️ I just listened to Damsels in Distress on hoopla. If you like kooky cozies, this is great! 6y
ReadingRover If you haven‘t listened to this yet you totally should. You will laugh your a$$ off. (edited) 6y
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Cortg Ugh! I feel you. Looking back, all of my books lately have some degree of stress or anxiety. I did listen to Crazy Rich Asians last summer. It was a fun book that didn‘t need too much attention. It was funny and because I will never have that kind of money, I found myself doing a lot of eye rolling in a fun way. The movie is coming out, so I think it could be a good choice. 6y
ReadingRover Also, another two that were really funny, short & I picked up at random were The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson and Little Donkey: A Short Story by Jodi Taylor. Honestly both had me laughing like an idiot. 6y
Texreader Yes an extremely stressful month. And I fly off next week to spend several days with a new client. Oh I hope it goes well...I‘m going to steal some of the suggested audiobooks for my trip. I too can‘t deal with stressful reads this month (edited) 6y
merelybookish Sorry to hear you are stressed! Hope March goes out like a lamb. I dip into Cheryl Strayed's or Annie Lamott when I want some comfort. 💕 6y
emilyhaldi This is a funny one! 6y
readinginthedark @emilyhaldi @merelybookish @ReadingRover @Cortg @mabell @ReadOrDieRachel Thanks everyone! I‘m looking these up now and appreciate the kind thoughts and suggestions! 6y
readinginthedark @Texreader Good luck! We just need a break; no harm in that! ❤️ 6y
79 likes1 stack add10 comments
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mommamatch
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😱😱😱 Someone dog eared a library book!! 😱😱😱

SaturnDoo 😐😲😡👎👎👎 6y
jwashreads That monster! 6y
Dpotter How dare they??!! 😱 6y
19 likes3 comments
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readinginthedark
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Thanks for the tag, @Ddzmini !
1. How Far I‘ll Go from Moana...I have a five-year-old! 😆
2. The tagged book—probably 3✨—it‘s not what I expected but still fun
3. Honestly, I don‘t remember or care that much. 🤷🏻‍♀️
4. @Jess_Read_This @PaperbackReader

Ddzmini 😝😋 6y
vkois88 How Far I'll Go is a good one to be stuck with... Mickey Mouse Clubhouse songs usually stay with me. Or the Trolls soundtrack, but I don't mind those as much 6y
readinginthedark @vkois88 Yep, those are catchy ones; I‘ve been there! At least it‘s not Dora! I don‘t mind the show, but the little tunes! 🙈 6y
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BiblioLitten @readinginthedark hahaha Dora tunes! Like Mitch in Modern Family says, "I'll be plotting the death of Dora the Explorer." ?? 6y
vkois88 @BiblioLitten 😂😂😂 @readinginthedark I avoid Dora like the plague!! 6y
62 likes6 comments
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booksandsympathy
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I love this book series! It's so much fun. I spent 12 years reading the books as they came out and when I finished the last book, I felt bereft. I had to go back and read them again. I had just gotten these from the library each time, but a couple of months ago, I scored one of the hardcovers of this book for only $2! I'll have to slowly obtain them all. @mrozzz #ClearTheShelvesGiveaway

GypsyKat That cover is gorgeous!!!! 💗💗💗 6y
booksandsympathy @GypsyKat All of the books in the series have gorgeous covers. But the cover is what originally made me pick up the book and see what it was about. 6y
RachLovesTV I need to finish this series! I really loved it, but I was reading them as they came out, too, and after the first 3, I stopped because I disliked waiting between each book. Now that it's all done, I can pick it up again! 6y
28 likes3 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Eloise Kelley travels back in time to find information about the mysterious English spies, Pink Carnation and Purple Gentian. What she discovers is something historians have missed-the secret history of the Pink Carnation-the most elusive spy of all time. Have not read this, but sounds like a fun chic lit-historical romance read.

#heartsandhardcovers #secrets
#150PnPCoverParty #regency

Melissa_J I love this series! 6y
wen4blu I have this one in my TBR pile! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💕💕💕💕💕 6y
See All 6 Comments
rubyslippersreads I've read this first one, but need to continue with the series. 6y
LeahBergen I‘ve always wondered about this series. Nice pick! 6y
CrowCAH It‘s on my TBR too; looks good! 6y
89 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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TheBookkeepersApprentice
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#currentlyreading for the #popsugarreadingchallenge --I'm determined to finish before the end of the year, only 3 books left!

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smilingshelves
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#ThisShouldBeATVSeries Spies, intrigue, romance. This would totally work! #fallintobooks

@RealLifeReading

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Jesskathkarl
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I should be reading my course book...

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JessicaPHoffman
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I'm loving this book, recommended by @jess.how and my favorite historical romance author Eloisa James 👍🏼👏🏼

howjessicareads YAYAYAY! Glad you like it, and that @EloisaJames and I convinced you!! 🙂 7y
EloisaJames I'm glad you are liking it!! 7y
2 likes2 comments
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robinb
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Mehso-so

Finally finished! This one took me forever to read because it simply did not hold my attention very well. I did not really care for one of the heroines (it is an historical told through letters/journals of the historical heroine read by a modern-day heroine). Too much back and forth. Would rather have concentrated on one or the other story. Also had some editing issues that bugged me. I'll give it a pass but not a favorite. #romantsy #osrbc

19 likes1 stack add
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robinb
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OK, I've been working on this book for much too long...but I'm determined to finish. Not one of my favorites but still want to see how it turns out. #romantsy #osrbc #willieverfinishthisbook

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robinb
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Another pick from my #SecretSantaGoesPostal friend! This one was on my TBR list....
#romantsy #osrbc

19 likes1 stack add
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quietjenn
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Lazy Sunday.

27 likes1 stack add
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books_cats_art
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Pickpick

I've forgotten how much I truly enjoy this series! ⛤⛤⛤⛤⛤ all the way. I've decided to scrap the plans for my next read and continue in the series. I need a little more before I'm done :)

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books_cats_art
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I love the things you find in books you haven't read in a long while... I can't remember the last time I flew United! #modernmrsdarcyreadingchallenge

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Leelee08
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This has been in my TBR pile for a while now. A romance/ mystery where a woman goes to London to finish her dissertation on the secret heroes of England??? Sign me up!!❤📚#flowersoncover #feistyfeb

howjessicareads I really like that series, although the first one Isn't my fave. They're so fun! 7y
Leelee08 @jess.how Good to know! Thank you!😀 7y
moranadatter What @jess.how said. My favorite is book 11. 7y
See All 6 Comments
AnnieReads It's also on my TBR shelf. I've heard good stuff about the entire series. 7y
candyflossramparts I have most of the series in my TBR. I started the first book ages ago and it didn't grab me - but I'm a moody reader, so I definitely want to pick it up and try again later! 😜 7y
MeganB This series is soooooo good! I have the last two, I just need to finally read them. I'm a little sad though to leave this world behind😢 7y
66 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Jesskathkarl
Pickpick

Loved, loved, loved it. Love this style book! Already bought the next two for my Kindle app!

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Jesskathkarl
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HAHAHAHA

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Jesskathkarl
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Robbins tended to display his feelings for the French by lurching violently into every pothole he could find...

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MamaGina
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Enjoying this one so far.
REALLY enjoying the fact that I have the next 4 days off work!!!🤓

23 likes1 stack add