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August 29, 2023

Favorite Books of Summer 2023

This post may include Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

It’s been a minute! Last time I posted was the end of June when I shared that month’s favorites. I fully intended to do the same with my July favorites, but things just got away from me. To be fair, I was in Tahoe at a long overdue family reunion from July 25th – 31st. I never even thought about it until four or five days into August. Oh well! It was a wonderful time. My family has been doing this Tahoe reunion every three years since my kids were little, but with COVID and all, it just hadn’t happened for too long. The wait was worth it!

Just because I wasn’t thinking about sharing great books, does not mean I wasn’t reading great books. It was so hard narrowing down my list that I just decided to include all the books I loved. (One of these I initially rated lower, but it’s stayed with me so much that I’m including it.) And, huge surprise, I have two nonfiction books in this list!

Favorite Books of Summer 2023 from Novel Visits

These books are shown in the order I read them. Most were published in July and August, but a few were earlier. They made for some wonderful summer reading and I’m sure you’ll see more than one on my Best Books of 2023. As always, you can follow me on Instagram @novelvisits, where I most often share books near their release date. (It may be the only place to see my reviews come 2024.)

Pete and Alice in Maine by Caitlin ShetterlyPete and Alice In Maine by Caitlin Shetterlyย (debut)
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: July 4, 2023
Length: 256 pages
Amazonย  ย ย Bookshop.org

My Thoughts: Some people might shy away from a book set against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic. Others may be wary of books with a disintegrating marriage at its heart. Luckily, I fall into neither of those categories. I found ๐—ฃ๐—˜๐—ง๐—˜ ๐—”๐—ก๐—— ๐—”๐—Ÿ๐—œ๐—–๐—˜ ๐—œ๐—ก ๐— ๐—”๐—œ๐—ก๐—˜ by debut novelist Caitlin Shetterly absolutely wonderful.โฃ
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Pete and Alice are at a serious crossroad in their marriage just as NYC shuts down and the wail of sirens becomes almost constant. The two reluctantly flee to their summer home in Maine along with their 11 and 5-year old daughters. There they must initially work together to procure food, supplies, internet, and to keep their children engaged. At times it may even feel like their relationship is healing, but donโ€™t be fooled. The kind of damage theyโ€™ve experienced is not so easily repaired.โฃ
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This is a rich character-driven story of a marriage on the brink. I think those who enjoyed ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ง ๐˜”๐˜ฐ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ by Mary Beth Keane or ๐˜”๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ฎ๐˜บ by Sue Miller will also like this. Be prepared for a slower pace, for as many questions as answers, but do give ๐˜—๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ˆ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ฆ ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ ๐˜”๐˜ข๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ a try. The right readers will be very glad they did. Days after finishing, Iโ€™m still thinking about this book. Grade: A-

Thanks toย Harperย for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Art Thief by Michael FinkelThe Art Thief by Michael Finkel (nonfiction)
Publisher: Knopf
Release Date: June 27, 2023
Length: 240 pages
Amazonย  ย ย Bookshop.org

My Thoughts: Who could have known that I would love ๐—ง๐—›๐—˜ ๐—”๐—ฅ๐—ง ๐—ง๐—›๐—œ๐—˜๐—™ by Michael Finkel so much? It was an absolutely fascinating exploration of the โ€œaccomplishmentsโ€ of the worldโ€™s most prolific art thief. This was a man who, with the help of his girlfriend,ย ย boldly stole from museums and churches across Europe. Even more intriguing, he didnโ€™t do it for monetary gain, but for his love of art. He never sold a single piece. They were all for his own personal collectionโ€ฆbillions of dollars worth of art.โฃ
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Michael Finkel beautifully told this story, just as he did with ๐˜ˆ ๐˜š๐˜ต๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜จ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ž๐˜ฐ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฅ๐˜ด several years ago. I think the fact that I listened to this one made it even better. Narrator Edoardo Ballerini was so easy to listen to. the combination of his reading and Finkel’s writing had me listening to the entire book in two days and I donโ€™t listen at a crazy rapid speed! I just couldnโ€™t stay away from ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ˆ๐˜ณ๐˜ต ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ง. Itโ€™s my favorite nonfiction of the year and the only one Iโ€™ve given five stars. (Up until that point!) Grade: A

Thanks toย Knopfย andย PRH Audioย for free copies of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna HalperinI Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperinย 
Publisher: Viking
Release Date: April 11, 2023
Length: 336 pages
Amazonย  ย ย Bookshop.org

My Thoughts:ย ๐—œ ๐—–๐—ข๐—จ๐—Ÿ๐—— ๐—Ÿ๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜ ๐—›๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—˜ ๐—™๐—ข๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ by Hanna Halperin is one train wreck of a romance and I mean that in the best possible way. Leah is 24, far from home in a two year MFA program in Wisconsin. Her first year there she bonds with the five other writers in her cohort and slowly grows more confident in her own writing abilities. At the start of her second year, Leah meets a slightly older local man and their attraction is immediate. At the same time, something is off about Charlie. Leah knows it, but she doesnโ€™t want to see. She has issues of her own, making it easier to forgive Charlieโ€™s flaws.โฃ
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Thatโ€™s about all I want to say and I highly recommend passing on the publisherโ€™s blurb. (Itโ€™s practically ๐˜Š๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ง๐˜ง ๐˜•๐˜ฐ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ด!) I went into this story pretty blind, mainly relying on the fact that so many readers I trust had loved it. That was a good call. I was both surprised by, and frustrated with, Leah and Charlieโ€™s tumultuous relationship, but I could not look away. I also loved that so much of the book focused on the MFA program, all it entailed, and the many small details about the writing process.โฃ
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This is one that will pull at your heartstrings, but will do so with an all too real story thatโ€™s packed with substance. Grade: B+

Shark Heart by Emily HabeckShark Heart by Emily Habeckย (debut)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: August 8, 2023
Length: 416 pages
Amazonย  ย ย Bookshop.org

My Thoughts:ย Weโ€™re going to be hard pressed to find a more weirdly wonderful book than ๐—ฆ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—ž ๐—›๐—˜๐—”๐—ฅ๐—ง any time soon. After reading the synopsis and seeing that gorgeous cover, I knew this was a book I ๐™ƒ๐˜ผ๐˜ฟ to read and am ๐™Ž๐™Š glad I did. It was a completely original reading experience, one I wish I could have deeply savored, but instead flew through.โฃ
โฃ
Debut author Emily Habeck tells the story of newlyweds, Wren and Lewis. Shortly after their wedding Lewis is diagnosed with the Carcharodon Carcharias Mutation, a condition that has him slowly turning into a great white shark. Yes, you read that correctly. Just accept it. In this story, people-to-animal mutations have been going on for a while. Itโ€™s widely known and reluctantly accepted. Though Lewisโ€™s slow change is a big part of this story, itโ€™s still only a part of it. This is also a love story. How can Wren do whatโ€™s best for Lewis? Can he survive without her? How will she carry on without him? And why did Wren enter their marriage as such a lonely soul?โฃ
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I feel like my words here don’t do the book justice, but itโ€™s difficult to describe without going too far. Just know itโ€™s a book that will pull at your heartstrings and stay with you for a very long time. With a debut like ๐˜š๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฌ ๐˜๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ต I cannot wait to see what Emily Habeck does next! Grade: A

Thanks toย Simon & Schuster for an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Talking at Night by Claire DaverleyTalking at Night by Claire Daverley (debut)
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
Release Date: June 20, 2023
Length: 400 pages
Amazonย  ย ย Bookshop.org

My Thoughts:ย I feel like Iโ€™m on a bit of a roll when it comes to love stories. Usually romance is not my thing, but when you add in some angst or tragic dynamics getting in the way of love, then I can often be all in. Thatโ€™s exactly what Claire Daverley delivered with her debut, ๐—ง๐—”๐—Ÿ๐—ž๐—œ๐—ก๐—š ๐—”๐—ง ๐—ก๐—œ๐—š๐—›๐—ง. โฃ
โฃ
In very broad strokes itโ€™s about Rosie and Will who meet as teens. Sheโ€™s sort of a nerdy, very academically minded girl and heโ€™s the handsome school bad boy. Thereโ€™s undeniable attraction between the two, but thatโ€™s just the start of their story. There are walls that grow between them. Walls that become higher and higher over the years, with only occasional glimpses over the top. For 400 pages, I reveled in Rosie and Willโ€™s relationship, the lows, the highs and so much in between. โฃ
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Some have described it as melancholy and I would agree, but it was also beautifully told and character-driven, two bookish qualities I love. I occasionally grew weary of Rosieโ€™s martyrdom, yet this was one of those books I could not put down and I think many others will feel the same. If you liked ๐˜•๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ญ ๐˜—๐˜ฆ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฑ๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ, ๐˜ˆ๐˜ด๐˜ฌ ๐˜ˆ๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ช๐˜ฏ ๐˜ ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด or ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜—๐˜ข๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ ๐˜—๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ฆ, then ๐˜›๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ฌ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜•๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต should work perfectly for you. While itโ€™s not exactly like any of them, it has elements of them all. This book is not without tragedy, so if youโ€™re a sensitive reader Iโ€™d recommend doing a little research, but for most, Iโ€™d say, โ€œJust read it!โ€ Grade: A-

Thanks toย Pamela Dorman Books for an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Road to Dalton by Shannon BowringThe Road to Dalton by Shannon Bowring (debut)
Publisher: Europa Additions
Release Date: June 6, 2023
Length: 250 pages
Amazonย  ย ย Bookshop.org

My Thoughts:ย To be perfectly honest, ๐—ง๐—›๐—˜ ๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—”๐—— ๐—ง๐—ข ๐——๐—”๐—Ÿ๐—ง๐—ข๐—ก by Shannon Bowring was not a book on my radar. I have Autumn Toeniss from Europa Editions to thank for putting it in my hands and Iโ€™m so glad she did because this is exactly the sort of quiet, literary story I love.โฃโฃ
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The book takes place over a single year, in Dalton, Maine. Dalton is the kind of small town where everyone knows everyone, and where for the most part they try to overlook each othersโ€™ flaws, offer friendship when they can, and aid or comfort when called for. They may be holding onto secrets and may not always like each other, but they’re willing to put up with each other because, like it or not, their lives are connected.โฃโฃ
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Bowring (yet another incredible 2023 debut author) did a beautiful job bringing to life this small community. With each chapter her main focus was on a different citizen of the town, but also within each we got bits and pieces about others. It really was a book of tightly connected stories. Eventually, the entire book was woven into a rich tapestry of a town going through change, tragedy and grief, while trying to hold up those who needed it most.โฃโฃ
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I went into this story almost completely blind and am glad I did. The synopsis wouldnโ€™t have spoiled it for me, but I really enjoyed not knowing where it was headed. The unfolding of the story was in itself a beautiful journey. Those who liked ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜•๐˜ฆ๐˜ต ๐˜‰๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ฉ ๐˜œ๐˜ด or ๐˜ˆ ๐˜›๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ๐˜ฏ ๐˜Š๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜š๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ฆ might especially enjoy it, but I think almost any fan of literary fiction will be glad they read this one. Grade: A-

Thanks toย Europa Editionsย for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Tom Lake by Ann PatchettTom Lake by Ann Patchett
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: August 1, 2023
Length: 320 pages
Amazonย  ย ย Bookshop.org

My Thoughts:ย Expectations can be a dangerous thing, especially when expectations and reality donโ€™t quite align. That was my ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ข๐˜ญ experience when reading ๐—ง๐—ข๐—  ๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—ž๐—˜ by the amazing Ann Patchett. Iโ€™m not sure what I was expecting, but it definitely wasnโ€™t the quiet, family story that was unfolding before me.โฃ
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This entire story takes place over a week during the summer of 2020, when cherries are at their peak and must be picked. Lara is secretly happy to have all three of her adult daughters living back at home since the pandemicโ€™s onset. Theyโ€™ve convinced Lara to finally share (in detail) her brush with fame long before they were born. Itโ€™s a story theyโ€™ve always known parts of, but never all. On and off, over that week Lara shares her past, most of which centers on her summer stock experiences while playing Emily in ๐˜–๐˜ถ๐˜ณ ๐˜›๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ๐˜ฏ at Tom Lake.โฃ
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At the start, I was a tad concerned. The story seemed slow and maybe too quiet for me, but I shouldnโ€™t have worried. Ann Patchett worked her magic and little by little drew me in. On the surface it may have seemed like there wasnโ€™t a whole lot to this story, but as I let it wash over me, I realized just how much Patchett was saying without really saying it. Weโ€™re all entitled to our own lives, our own secrets. The past isnโ€™t always what it seems. The grass isnโ€™t always greener. Family is everything. And, even a nod to womenโ€™s reproductive rights (bravo)! Days after finishing, I still feel like Iโ€™m sitting at the farm with Lara and her family, about to go out and pick more cherries, hear more stories and Iโ€™m happy to be there. Grade: A-

Thanks toย Harperย for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Laura Love HardinThe Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardinย (nonfiction)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: August 1, 2023
Length: 320 pages
Amazonย  ย ย Bookshop.org

My Thoughts:ย Iโ€™m just not a huge nonfiction reader, but the nonfiction I like most consistently are memoirs. ๐—ง๐—›๐—˜ ๐— ๐—”๐—ก๐—ฌ ๐—Ÿ๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฆ ๐—ข๐—™ ๐— ๐—”๐— ๐—” ๐—Ÿ๐—ข๐—ฉ๐—˜ by Lara Love Hardin has definitely solidified that trend. In fact, so far itโ€™s my favorite memoir of the year and the only one Iโ€™ve given five stars. Thereโ€™s something about this book that is everything: sad, painful, tragic, heartfelt, uplifting, wise, redemptive, joyful, and healing. All the feelings!โฃ
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From the onset of the book we know the author found herself in the unenviable position of being in jail both on drug and many other felony charges. This is the story of how she got there, the devastation it brought to her sons, and how hard she battled for a different life. At times it was horrifying, but at others inspiring. Hardin’s memoir brimmed with not only exhaustion and defeat, but also with hope and determination. โ€œ๐˜”๐˜ข๐˜ฎ๐˜ข ๐˜“๐˜ฐ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ,โ€ as she came to be known in jail, truly has lived many lives and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her personal account of them all in this honest, cautionary memoir. Grade: A

Thanks toย Simon & Schusterย andย Simon Audioย for free copies of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Memory of Animals by Claire FullerThe Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller
Publisher: Tin House Books
Release Date: June 6, 2023
Length: 278 pages
Amazonย  ย ย Bookshop.org

My Thoughts:ย Let me start this review with the bookโ€™s author, Claire Fuller. She is nothing less than brilliant. If you have not yet read her, itโ€™s time. Fuller has written five books and Iโ€™ve read them all. Of those, only one was a little iffy for me, but the other four more than made up for it. Her last novel, ๐˜œ๐˜ฏ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ต๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜Ž๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ, was one of my ๐˜‰๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜‰๐˜ฐ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฌ๐˜ด ๐˜ฐ๐˜ง 2021 and is one I still think of often. Last week I read her latest offering, ๐—ง๐—›๐—˜ ๐— ๐—˜๐— ๐—ข๐—ฅ๐—ฌ ๐—ข๐—™ ๐—”๐—ก๐—œ๐— ๐—”๐—Ÿ๐—ฆ, and I was once again blown away. Fuller is amazing for many reasons, starting with the fact that ALL her books are completely different from each other. (No formulaic writing here.) She does a beautiful job building worlds and delivering unforgettable characters AND her writing itself is simply the best.
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Iโ€™m going to stop fangirling now and get to ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜”๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜บ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ง ๐˜ˆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ด. Obviously, I loved it, but it wonโ€™t be a book for everyone. The story takes place in London during a vastly more deadly pandemic than our own. At its heart is Neffy, a struggling young woman, whoโ€™s one of five volunteers in a vaccine trial who were abandoned at the inpatient clinic where the trial was occuring. Outside their windows is an almost unrecognizable world. Inside are limited resources and a variety of opinions as to what they should do. โฃโฃ
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Top that all off with a little magical realism and for the right readers you have one fantastic story. I was the right reader and I hope many of you will be, too. And finally, Claire Fuller, thank you for sharing your talent with the world. Grade: A

What were your favorite books this summer?

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Favorite Books of Summer 2023 from Novel Visits

Filed Under: By Title, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary Fiction, Debuts, Literary Fiction, Multi-Book Posts, Mystery-Suspense Tagged With: 2023 Books, Book Recommendations, Book Review, Favorite Books, Favorites, Grade A, Summer 2023 Books




Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ann says

    August 30, 2023 at 10:51 am

    Iโ€™ve had a good Summer as far as reading goes. Funny, I did not realize just how good and varied my reads were, until I went back & reflected. And BTW you mentioned a book you were not nuts about and then included, bc it stuck with you (I may not be interpreting that correctly, lol); well, sometimes I only realize how a book has stuck with me, when I find myself telling someone (usually my poor husband, haha!) about it. That was the case a while back with Unlikely Animals.

    Iโ€™ve had mostly 4 & 5 star reads, for me. I think I have become much better at discerning what grabs me and what doesnโ€™t and moving along. On to the next!

    Here are a few: And you will see what I mean by what varied books I somehow ended up with and really liked. I consider Summer as beginning in early May/June & read The Covenant of Water, My Last Innocent Year, Trespasses, Indiscretion, Thirst For Salt. Especially loved those last two.

    But technically Summer starts on June 21st:
    June:
    28 Summers
    July
    The Idea of You ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ ๐Ÿ˜‚
    The Guest
    Summer of โ€˜69
    The Last House Before The Mountain (original German title Die Bagage)
    August
    Nora Goes Off Script
    Small Mercies
    Mothering Sunday
    The Cutting Season (2nd time reading)

    A big miss for me: Summer Sisters by Judy Blume. Just not my cup of tea. I just did not think it was any good. Maybe if Iโ€™d finished it??
    I think it must be a nostalgia read for those who read it 25 years ago.

    I had Covid for the first time just after July 4th. I was so frustrated that my mind became so scattered. I had a hard time focusing. I was home alone for 3 months with family traveling, and plenty of books on hand. I found Hilderbrand to be a comfort read and not too heavy during that time period.

    Small Mercies was harsh and gritty and so good. Quite the switch after having just read the delightful Nora Goes Off Script. But I loved the contrast! I think I will do that more often now, just to switch things up.

    I currently have The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman. Hoping it is worth reading as I know I will not be able to recheck it immediately due to holds.

    On a more serious note I started reading Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey. I saw her on PBS Southern Storyteller series.

    Just picked up No Two Persons and The Midcoast at the library.

    I have 20 books currently checked out. I may have a problem!!!

    I need to stop requesting books and just read what I have. Am I alone in needing to have a book on hand and keeping a stash going so that if one does not โ€œhit,โ€ I can move on to the next??

    Oh, and lastly, I just love Ann Patchett and purchased a signed copy of Tom Lake for my birthday!! Now I see why people gripe about book club stickers. I havenโ€™t read it yet, but will get to it soon.

    Reply
  2. susan says

    August 30, 2023 at 12:32 pm

    Great list and recap of these! I will be adding many to my TBR, especially the Art Thief, Shark Heart, and perhaps the Claire Fuller novel. I am listening to Tom Lake now … and I wonder if it’s a bit too Waltons happy for me but I will wait till I finish to assess fully. I agree with the person above that Small Mercies is a notable summer book … and I loved the audio of it. Tough. Thx for your list!

    Reply

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Welcome to Novel Visits! Iโ€™m Susie and reading is my passion. Join me for new novel reviews, musing on all things books, and much more.

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