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Hazel0303

Hazel0303

Joined April 2016

i want all the books - mom of two goldens http://www.goodreads.com/MLipchick
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All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williams
review
Hazel0303
Oona Out of Order | Margarita Montimore
Mehso-so

3 stars. This was just so-so and I'm really disappointed to say that. I wanted more.

I really disliked Oona and thought she made terrible decisions. I did love the idea though - just wish it was executed better.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3184844779

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Hazel0303
The Bear | Andrew Krivak
Pickpick

This was truly magnificent and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to listen to it, thanks to Libro.fm for the ALC.

What a marvelous story that left me very moved.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3164675119

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Hazel0303
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Pickpick

I was slightly disappointed this wasn't different, but I think for a book about my contemporaries it was very realistic. So much has changed in our lives since 9/11 and in particular with the election, it's easy to see how all four characters kind of just lost it in their own way for a while. The writing was also superb.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2928632948

15 likes1 stack add
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Hazel0303
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Pickpick

If you loved the show Alias with Jennifer Garner, you will love this book. I think the author did the best she could trying to explain her experiences through some of the most controversial times in our recent history.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3131152506

19 likes1 stack add
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Hazel0303
The Regrets | Amy Bonnafons
Pickpick

This was my first fiction audiobook in forever and it did not disappoint. It was weird as all get out and I can't believe I liked it, but I really did.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3205137624

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Hazel0303
The Sun Down Motel | Simone St. James
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Mehso-so

There isn't enough space here to really get into my complicated feelings about this book. I think the first half was very disappointing, but it got much better after the first 100 pages or so. I think the end was kind of cheesy in some ways, but I would absolutely pick up another SSJ book again.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2930606977

Cathythoughts And you pick up a another one 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 4y
23 likes2 comments
review
Hazel0303
Eden Mine: A Novel | S. M. Hulse
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Pickpick

This was a slight disappointment to me because I was expecting more “action“, but it was still a good read overall. I think it was really interesting having the book told from the perspective of the sister, rather than the brother.

A very nuanced read and I would recommend if you're looking for something a bit different.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3012414389

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Hazel0303
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Mehso-so

Catching up on posting all my reviews!

You can ignore my so-so rating and I encourage you to check out my goodreads review because I gave this two different ratings. I learned from this that maybe YA just isn't for me and that's okay. So my review provided my thoughts (3 stars) and what I imagine a person who loves YA would think (4 stars).

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3165581839

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Hazel0303
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Pickpick

Catching up on posting my reviews!!!

Ahhh, what else can I say about this book. It was fantastic and just the right length. I don't think the end was particularly a surprise, but that's completely okay. I more than enjoyed the journey and this was also a very quote worthy book!

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2917379238

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Hazel0303
Pickpick

5 stars!

This book took me forever to get through, but I really loved it! I learned so much about the inner workings of various offices in government, which made this political nerd dance with glee.

I think Ms. Rice also did a great job of looking at herself objectively and provided the introspection the topic warranted with great care.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2976927203

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Hazel0303
The Defense: A Novel | Steve Cavanagh
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Mehso-so

Overall, this was so-so. The bones of a great series are here, I just don't particularly care for the Russian Mob angle. It was also very repetitive and the MC was always able to figure things out or go to superhuman physical feats to get what he needed. I found this to be unbelievable, but I am happy to continue as I hear the series does get better.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3160109941

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Hazel0303
The Other People | C. J. Tudor
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Pickpick

This was my second book by Ms. Tudor and I'm glad I gave her another chance. I really didn't like The Chalk Man, so I was glad to have a different outcome this time around!

This kept me highly engaged, however the end was kind of rushed and confusing. It ruined my overall enjoyment a little and there were some happy coincidences you had to overlook, but overall a good effort!

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3023660520

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Hazel0303
Long Bright River | Liz Moore
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Pickpick

This book resurrected my reading month and will be a best of the year for sure. Liz Moore knocks it out of the park again.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3072464619

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Hazel0303
The Majesties: A Novel | Tiffany Tsao
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Mehso-so

I struggle mightily with how to “rate“ this. There were parts I liked and parts I didn't. Initially, I was very annoyed with the summary being so misleading, but I did like the book okay enough. The ending was weird and I'm still not sure I understand it. How's that for an endorsement???

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2921458853

Come-read-with-me What a great cover! 4y
Hazel0303 @Come-read-with-me I know! Hope that person got a raise! 4y
15 likes3 comments
blurb
Hazel0303
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My first audiobook in forever!! I‘be been about 10% in to this book for months. It‘s not that I didn‘t want to read it (I really enjoyed what I read), I just had a lot to get through and couldn‘t finish this in time since NF books take me longer to read. So I joined #librofm and started over! Yay!!

16 likes1 stack add
blurb
Hazel0303
Long Bright River | Liz Moore
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#botm came this week! Here are my picks. Liz Moore is one of my favorite authors so I can‘t wait to get further into this. I have e-arcs I‘d both, but wanted the print version instead!

Do you prefer print over ebooks?

marleed I love to own print books of the books I love. I prefer print in good light and ebooks in poor light or when weightlessness has its advantage. 4y
Hazel0303 @marleed Absolutely! I also like the kindle for nighttime/bed reading. Much easier than the old flashlight haha. 4y
22 likes2 comments
blurb
Hazel0303
The Majesties: A Novel | Tiffany Tsao
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Currently reading!! To say the summary is wildly misleading is an understatement, but it‘s a short enough book where I‘m interested to see what it‘s really about. Have you read this?

Cinfhen Gorgeous cover 😻 4y
Hazel0303 @Cinfhen Isn‘t it?? 4y
Well-ReadNeck I really liked this one. It felt similar to My Sister, the Serial Killer to me. Meaning, some dark wit but overall literary. 4y
Hazel0303 @Well-ReadNeck Inreally enjoyed My Sister, the Serial Killer, but I‘m thinking I need to read over the first half again to be fair. I was so annoyed it wasn‘t really as described that I kind of started speed reading and didn‘t give the book a proper chance. I started reading with fresh eyes today so we‘ll see. 4y
Well-ReadNeck @Hazel0303 I know what u mean. That happened to me with A Visit to the Goon Squad. I love that book, but the first time I picked it up, it was so different from what I was expecting, I DNFed. 4y
19 likes5 comments
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Hazel0303
Westering Women: A Novel | Sandra Dallas
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Panpan

I am the lone thumbs down on Litsy so far for this book. Once it moved into the pilgrimage west, I became irritated with several issues. It was choppy, I couldn't connect with the characters the way I wished to and I didn't understand why almost every man in the book was pure evil.

I really wanted to love this. More detail in my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2925282932

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Hazel0303
Dear Edward | Ann Napolitano
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Pickpick

This is absolutely worth your time. I loved every second of this and cried ugly tears multiple times. It deserves all the praise it's getting!

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2856147712

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Hazel0303
The Body in Question | Jill Ciment
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Pickpick

A really good read and a perfect way to close out 2019. It's hard to review to prevent spoilers, but if you are considering, it's best to know this isn't a typical courtroom drama at all. This will definitely make you think!

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3091616428

16 likes1 stack add
blurb
Hazel0303
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A book I had a hard time with at the beginning, but once I found my footing I couldn't get through it fast enough. I liked both perspectives equally and thought the author put clever excerpts from publications and recipes in between each chapter.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3031866551

15 likes1 stack add
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Hazel0303
Such a Fun Age | KILEY. REID
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Pickpick

This is a whip smart book. The writing is fantastic and it should be very well received.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2900045625

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Hazel0303
Africaville: A Novel | Jeffrey Colvin
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Pickpick

I think this was a good, solid first effort. I definitely understand the struggles I've seen with the change in perspective and third person narrative, but overall this worked for me.

It definitely deserves to be read deliberately and with patience. (Something that is challenging at this time of year so I think the publishing company did the book a disservice by publishing now.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2953138997

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Hazel0303
Africaville: A Novel | Jeffrey Colvin
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There are a lot of mixed reviews on this, but it's definitely an important read. Enjoying it so far.

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Hazel0303
Such a Fun Age | KILEY. REID
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This book is going to be everywhere! Really enjoying this so far!

14 likes1 stack add
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Hazel0303
The Chestnut Man | Sren Sveistrup
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Pickpick

There aren't enough stars in the world to capture my love for this book. IT IS AMAZING.

One of the best police procedural/serial killer chasing books I've read in my life.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2990086198

19 likes1 stack add
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Hazel0303
Ribbons of Scarlet: A Novel of the French Revolution | Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Heather Webb, E. Knight, Sophie Perinot
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Pickpick

Holy cow - what a book! What an effort by these authors! If you like historical fiction and awesome female characters, this ABSOLUTELY is the book for you. It's on the longer side (500+) and I would recommend taking your time with it.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2816050616

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Hazel0303
The Chestnut Man | Sren Sveistrup
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Really enjoying this so far! A great #halloweek read! 🎃👻

marleed Ohhh, the cover reminds me of the Whisper Man. They‘d look so good side by side. 4y
Hazel0303 @marleed Yes, they do! Loved that one too! 4y
17 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Hazel0303
Ribbons of Scarlet: A Novel of the French Revolution | Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Heather Webb, E. Knight, Sophie Perinot
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My current read. I don‘t remember much of this time in history for school. It definitely has intrigued me and I‘m not quite halfway, but I think this will be a 3-3.5 read.

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Hazel0303
The Family Upstairs | Lisa Jewell
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Pickpick

READ THIS BOOK. It was delightfully creepy and soooo messed up, but so FUN to read!! Yes, there are a lot of characters introduced in the beginning, but there is a system and you figure it out quickly and it's not that big of a deal.

Highly recommend!
Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2849007845

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Hazel0303
Giver of Stars | Jojo Moyes
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Pickpick

If you love historical fiction - this is one for you. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't wait to get back to it each night.

Highly recommend! Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2771671108

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Hazel0303
Giver of Stars | Jojo Moyes
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I finished this book yesterday (review to come), but I highly recommend. Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!

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Hazel0303
One Night Gone | Tara Laskowski
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Panpan

Most everyone else is giving this good to really good reviews. I'm clearly in the minority so I hope this doesn't discourage everyone. I don't think this was poorly written, just the story was kind of TV movie for me. It didn't really add anything to the genre, nor detract. It was just kind of there.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2764452620

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Hazel0303
A False Report: A True Story of Rape in America | T. Christian Miller, Ken Armstrong
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Pickpick

This was a fabulously, well reported story. It was also a really upsetting read, but I think there is a lot of good that comes out of it (changes in procedures/investigation techniques, etc.)

It isn't my most eloquent review, but I think I'm just spent. It can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2982892279

abookishbutterfly I read this when it was published under a different title and thought it was an excellent book. 4y
Hazel0303 @Butterflyamore The title I had was The False Report, but everything keeps defaulting to Unbreakable so I thought I would use the picture most associate with it now. It really was incredible. I think my next True Crime read is going to be American Predator. 4y
abookishbutterfly @Hazel0303 Oh, I see now that the tagged book is A False Report! I just noticed the picture initially. I saw this new cover at Walmart the other day and I was briefly excited, thinking they‘d written another book together. Then I realized it was the same book. I haven‘t read American Predator but I‘ll be interested in seeing what you think of it. 4y
Hazel0303 @Butterflyamore I know what you mean! I hadn't heard of the book until the series so the Netflix cover is the first time I saw it and made me want to read it. Hope you are enjoying your current read! 4y
19 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Hazel0303
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Pickpick

This is a pick, but it comes with conditions. As I say in my review, this is not for the masses and I think the author knows that.

The writing is so good and ultimately I'm glad I read it, but it's a hard book to recommend to others.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2981299540

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Hazel0303
Heaven, My Home | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

A pick for sure! This definitely improved upon the first in the series and I can't wait to read the next one!

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2841717192

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Hazel0303
Heaven, My Home | Attica Locke
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About 100 pages in and liking this one better than the first. She is such a good writer.

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Hazel0303
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Mehso-so

Sometimes I have trouble with split perspectives (past and present) and that happened here. I was ON BOARD for the past perspective, but not so much for the present.

I had to finish it to find out what happened, but I felt this fell short of what I was hoping for.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2861488508

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Hazel0303
The Dutch House | Ann Patchett
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Pickpick

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. I can't gush enough about it. I love these characters and am absolutely going to be buying a copy of this gorgeous (inside and out) book.

My full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2755883214

18 likes1 stack add
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Hazel0303
This Tender Land: A Novel | William Kent Krueger
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Pickpick

4.5 stars - Wow. WKK does it again. I explain why I didn't give this a full 5 stars in my review, but it was absolutely a great, great book.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2763001742

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Hazel0303
The Dutch House | Ann Patchett
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About 30% through and really liking it so far. Out Tuesday!!

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Hazel0303
The Secrets We Kept | Lara Prescott
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Pickpick

If Mad Men and historical fiction set in the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War is your thing - check this out for sure!

Also, a Reese pick I actually liked!

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2772179655

18 likes1 stack add
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Hazel0303
The Secrets We Kept | Lara Prescott
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About 60 pages left. One of the few Reese picks I have liked!!

GloVerdino That looks like a lovely reading set-up! 5y
Hazel0303 @GloVerdino Thanks! It was 😋 5y
marleed I‘m awaiting my library loan. I always read the RW picks - I don‘t always love them. I think that‘s part of the fun for me - wondering if I‘ll like them. 5y
Hazel0303 @marleed I hope it comes soon!! 5y
21 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Hazel0303
The Other's Gold | Elizabeth Ames
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Mehso-so

I'm falling into the so-so camp on this. I feel awful about it, but it wasn't at all what I was expecting. I blame myself more than the author.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2758615051

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Hazel0303
The Other's Gold | Elizabeth Ames
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#currentlyreading I think going to be a 2-3 star. Disappointing for sure.

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Hazel0303
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Bailedbailed

DNF at 90 pages. Unfortunately, the intolerable (to me) main character and camp HS romance just weren't for me.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2716443919

marleed Might be my least favorite book in the last couple of months. It didn‘t pickup at page 91 so you made the right choice! 5y
Hazel0303 @marleed I'm both sorry and happy to read this! Sorry it didn't work for you either! 5y
marleed Well, it makes me appreciate the good ones! 5y
15 likes3 comments
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Hazel0303
The Whisper Man | Alex North
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Pickpick

This one lives up to the hype!!!! If you haven't thought about picking this up yet - go for it!!!

Full review of this great thriller here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2766784380

19 likes1 stack add
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Hazel0303
After I Do: A Novel | Taylor Jenkins Reid
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Pickpick

So this was the easiest 5 stars ever. I took this out from the library to read when I got too scared by #thewhisperman and it did the trick! I got so invested I finished it already!! Another winner by #taylorjenkinsreid for sure!

Full Review Here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2751171972

25 likes3 stack adds
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Hazel0303
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Pickpick

Are you an animal lover? If so, this book is definitely for you! Thanks to #celadonbooks for sending it to me! A really heartwarming story of how much animals make our world better.

#celadonreads #mollythepetdetective

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Hazel0303
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Pickpick

So this book has reviews all over the spectrum and I totally get that. While it had it's flaws, it did work for me in the end. I learned a lot about a time period that I haven't read much about and did enjoy it. I went in with lower expectations so I think that helped too.

My full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2715877195