May and June 2018 Wrap-Up

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Hello wonderful bookish friends! How did you do with your reading goals in June? What was you favorite and least favorite book(s)? Anyway, whatever you read, I really hope you had a fantastic month!

As for me, I’ve been pretty busy these past few months that I have not been doing or finishing my usual weekly/daily blog posts. However, I have been reading more and did really well in May and June so I’m quite happy with that. In May, I read 12 books and 13 books in June! I’d say that’s an AMAZING progress since I was running on 4-5 hours of sleep almost every day since getting the new puppy. I’m only now 2 books behind my Goodreads challenge and my Netgalley feedback ratio is now 56%. I’ll talk more about my Netgalley reading update on a separate post, but May and June were really awesome reading months for me… just not so much on blogging. BUT, I am working on that.

 

Let’s take a look at all the books I read in May and June. I honestly really LOVED reading most of them and some might even go on my FAVORITE 2018 BOOKS.

Remember to click the book titles to read my reviews and view the posts. 


MAY

The Dylan Dilemma by Patricia B. Tighe

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ADORABLY SWEET AND HEARTWARMING

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Tighe writes beautifully and perfectly balances her stories with humor, intrigue, romance, important life lessons, friendship, and family.  The Dylan Dilemma was no exception and I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a lighthearted and sweet YA contemporary romance. This book was a such delightful read that made me smile, swoon, laugh and teary eyed a few times.

Out of Left Field by Kris Hui Lee

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Cute, fun and entertaining

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There were some things that could have been better, but overall, Out of Left Field was a delightful debut novel. With cute moments, fun bantering, and adorable romance, this was just the fluffy lighthearted read I needed. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for Kris Hui Lee’s future works and would recommend this book to anyone in the mood of something quick, sweet and entertaining.

 

The Dating Experiment (The Experiment #2) by Emma Hart

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Hilarious and Satisfyingly Entertaining

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This book was fast-paced, easy to read, and undeniably entertaining from start to finish. It’s funny, realistic, steamy and sweet. The ending was romantic and left my heart feeling happy. It’s totally the kind of book I love curling up with. Definitely recommend you check this book out.

 

Love and Luck by Jenna Evans Welch

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A WONDERFULLY CHARMING AND ENTERTAINING READ

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Love and Luck was a wonderfully charming and entertaining read. It’s full of heartwarming moments and by the end, I was absolutely tearing up and had all these warm fuzzies. I’m definitely looking forward to whatever adventure Welch is planning next.

 

Odd and True by Cat Winters

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Not my Cup of Tea, but Somewhat Enjoyable  

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I had a rough start with Odd and Tru, but overall, I did kind of enjoy the story. Some books are truly meant to be while others not so much. Odd and True just wasn’t my cup of tea, but it could be yours. If you’re into creepy, weird, and dark stories, then I think you might have fun with this book.

The Wright Love (The Wright Duet #1) by K.A. Linde

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Amazingly Addictive, Satisfyingly Sweet, and So Adorably Sexy

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This book was a delightful and entertaining read from start to finish. The Wright Love made my heart ache and filled it with hope and love at the same time. It’s amazingly addictive, satisfyingly sweet, and so adorably sexy. I loved every moment and cannot wait to see how Sutton and David’s story end.

If you enjoy stories with phenomenal writing, fantastic characters, realistic scenarios, amazing FEELS, and heartbreaking plot twists, then I highly suggest you pick this book up rigth now.

The Game Can’t Love You Back by Karole Cazzo

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Heartwarming, Cute, and Incredibly Inspiring

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The Game Can’t Love You Back was a heartwarming and delightful story about acceptance and taking chances. It’s funny and cute, but also genuine and wonderfully inspiring.  I loved the writing, the characters and the crazy bantering that went from horribly sour to sugary sweet. This was definitely a home run for me and I cannot wait to read more books by Cozzo.

 

The Hook-Up by Erin McCarthy

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Fun and Delicious Guilty Pleasure Treat with the Sweetest Ending 

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Overall, this was an achingly beautiful story that I never wanted to end. It was realistic, enticing, hilarious, emotional and heartwrenching. The FEELS hit me so damn much and it was simply amazing. Definitely a fun and delicious guilty pleasure treat that romance lovers would enjoy.

 

Mayfly by Jeff Sweat

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Wonderfully Unique, Weirdly Fascinating, and Thrilling Edge of Your Seat Story

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This story was a phenomenally creative, positively insightful and incredibly compelling read. Jeff Sweat crafted a unique and addictive post apocalyptic adventure that will leave you wanting more. I do hope that ending is just the beginning because there are so many more questions I need to be answered.

 

The Wright One (The Wright Duet #2) by K.A. Linde

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4.25 – A Wonderfully Charming, Positively Compelling and

Deeply Moving Conclusion!

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This was such a wonderfully charming, amazingly affecting, and positively compelling story that melted my heart and touched my soul. There were definitely moments of sadness and pain, but also moments filled with so much laughter, passion, love, strength, and hope. My heart is brimming with so much warmth and happiness that I just can’t stop smiling. I’m absolutely enamored with K.A. Linde’s gorgeous writing and cannot wait to read more of her books!

 

Can Dreams Come True by Krysten Lindsey Hager

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A Sweet, Fun and Charming Coming of Age Story

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There’s nothing better than first loves and coming of age stories. I just find them so nostalgic, sweet and heartwarming. Can Dreams Come True by Krysten Lindsay was no exception and such a delightfully fun read.

 

Ranger’s Oath (Arc of Radiance #1) by Blake Arthur Peel

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Amazingly Captivating and Satisfyingly Entertaining

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Ranger’s Oath by Blake Arthur Peel is an exciting new fantasy series with a unique and engaging storyline that takes you on a thrilling journey as you explore a world filled with magic, mystery, and danger. It’s amazingly captivating and satisfyingly entertaining with an ending that will have you anxiously anticipating the next installment.

 


JUNE

Where the Sea Takes Me by Heidi R. Kling

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Achingly Gorgeous, Incredibly Moving and Absolutely Inspirational 

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Where the Sea Takes Me by Heidi R. Kling is a wonderfully written story about second chances, hope, and love. The FEELS in this book… so ridiculously overwhelming that made my heart and soul ached. It was too much to bear sometimes, but I honestly enjoyed going on this emotionally moving and inspirational journey with Sienna and Deni.

Just One of the Royals by Leah and Kate Rooper

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4.25 – Delightfully Cute and Fun Romance with a Royally Adorable Twist! 

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With a fun and lighthearted storyline, amazing relationships, great team spirit, charming characters, and cute romance, Just One of the Royals will have you smiling the entire time. It’s sweet, funny, and will teach you a thing or two about honesty and doing what truly makes you happy.

 

A Date with Darcy (Bookish Boyfriends #1) by Tiffany Schmidt

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3.75- Lighthearted, Oddly Charming and Adorably Cute YA Teen Romance

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Overall, this was a lighthearted, fun, and oddly charming YA contemporary romance. I may not have completely fallen in love with this book, but I definitely thought the unique and quirky concept paired with an awesome and totally lovable heroine, made this a pleasant reading date. I’m ready for the next one and cannot wait to see which book boyfriend(s) I’ll get to meet.

I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting

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3.75 – Lighthearted and Adorably Entertaining

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The ending was pretty sweet and overall, I Flipping Love You was a delightfully fun read… I’m just not completely head over heels in love with it. That being said, I did really enjoy this novel, so I’m definitely still interested in reading Helena Hunting’s books… just not anytime soon.

Blood Veil (Mission #2) by Megan Erickson

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A Deliciously Fast-Paced and Thrilling Paranormal Romance

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Blood Veil was a light, fun and easy read. Although some parts felt weird and a bit off, I still really enjoyed the storyline and rooted for the characters to have their happy endings. This book didn’t blow my mind away, but I had an incredibly great time exploring this dark and exciting supernatural world filled with danger, warring vampire clans, and mysteries. It kept me positively entertained, on edge, and completely hooked. If there’s ever going to be a Book #3, I’d definitely sign up in a heartbeat.

Love Scene, Take Two by Alex Evansley

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Wonderfully Charming, Adorably Funny and Beautiful Written

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Love Scene, Take Two is delightfully sweet, incredibly funny, and absolutely swoony. With so much heart-melting FEELS, intriguing family drama, great friendships, and cute romance, this book is the perfect rom-com story you’ll want to read this summer. I smiled so much and swooned so hard that I know this fantastically fun book will always have a special place in my heart. I definitely cannot wait to read more books from this author.

Fraternize by Rachel Van Dyken

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Breathtakingly Sweet, Absolutely Fun, Deeply Affecting and a Delightfully Wonderful Story 

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With amazingly written storylines, lovable characters, and heart tugging moments, Fraternize gave me plenty of achingly delicious swoons and feels. I adored every single moment from beginning to end and had one of the most delightfully emotional and affecting experience. I have no doubt that this will end up on my top favorite reads this year and I honestly cannot recommend it enough.

Chemistry Lessons by Meredith Goldstein

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Cute and Charming YA Contemporary

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Overall, this book was a very light, fun and cute read. It wasn’t spectacularly mind-blowing or anything, but it had a nice mixture of light drama, heartbreak, great friendships, self-discovery, and first loves. It’s charming in its own way and definitely a perfect summer YA contemporary read! Oh and I really enjoyed the “whiff walks.”

Love Me, Love Me Not by S.M. Koz

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A Painfully Beautiful and Wonderfully Emotional Ride

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I thought this was a wonderfully written story. It’s terribly heartbreaking, incredibly moving, sometimes funny and sweet, and absolutely real in every way. The writing, the story, the characters, the relationships and all the emotions affected me. I really did enjoy going on this emotional journey so if you’re in the mood for a book with that and a lot of heart, then I highly recommend you add this to your TBR.

Infraction by Rachel Van Dyken

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An Amazingly Well-Written and Wonderfully Emotional Story

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I loved Miller and Kinsey together and their chemistry was just so swoony. Sanchez and Emerson were super adorable and I can’t get over how funny Sanchez was in this one. Jax warmed up to me and I fell a little for him. The ending had me crying, but it was absolutely perfect! All the fun bantering between the characters, the bromance, the friendship, the swoony and sexy moments, the unexpected twists, and even all the heartbreaking parts that made me cry the ugliest tears… I loved all of it and just about everything else. So damn in love with this!

Everything Under the Sun by Jessica Redmerski

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An Intriguing, Heartbreaking and Fantastic Edge of Your Seat Post Apocalytic Thriller with A Deliciously Swoony Slow Burn Romance!

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Everything Under the Sun Jessica Redmerski was one hell of ride that had me holding my breath and clutching my heart the entire time. It was thrilling, suspenseful, and an emotionally draining reading experience and I loved every second I spent with Atticus and Thais… even the parts that made my cry and just broke me over and over again.

Blood Match by K.A. Linde

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Satisfyingly Swoony, Dangerously Enthralling, and Undeniably Seductive

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The “Blood Type” series is my newest obsession and my absolute favorite paranormal vampire romance story. It’s riveting, suspenseful, angsty, and irresistibly enticing. Blood Match left me emotionally battered and broken and anxiously craving for Blood Cure. With so many answered questions and that excruciating ending, I’m definitely looking forward to another bloody fangtastic ride!

Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga

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A Creative, Magical, and Delightfully Spellbinding Read

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This was a delightfully spellbinding read that kept me up late into the night! It was whimsical, fascinating, hilarious, and magical. It’s a wonderfully written YA fantasy story with exciting adventures, awesome fighting scenes, engaging characters, and swoony kisses. I loved this book and highly recommend to everyone who’s looking for something creative and fun.


And that’s all folks! I know that was really long, so thank you if you made it all the way here. Have you read any of these books?

Any book recommendations for me?

Let me know in the comments down below and have a fantastic week!

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Blog Tour – Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga Review + Favorite Quotes

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Hello fellow book lovers and welcome to my Blog Tour Stop for Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. Today, I have my review and some of my favorite quotes to share with you. Don’t forget to stay until the end, join the giveway, and check out the rest of the tour for more reviews and other fun stuff.

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Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: July 3, 2018

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

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In the war against the Forces of Darkness, the Royals are losing. Princess Ivy is determined to end this centuries-long conflict once and for all, so her new battle partner must succeed where the others failed. Prince Zach’s unparalleled skill with a sword, enhanced by Ivy’s magic Kiss, should make them an unstoppable pair—but try convincing Zach of that.
Prince Zach has spent his life preparing for battle, but he would rather be branded a heretic than use his lips as nothing more than a way to transfer magic. A kiss is a symbol of love, and love is the most powerful weapon they have—but try convincing Ivy of that.
With the fate of their world on the line, the battlefield has become a testing ground, and only one of them can be right. Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan—but try convincing their hearts of that.

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A Creative, Magical, and Delightfully Spellbinding Read

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Sooo in LOVEEEE! Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga is a wickedly entertaining and enthralling fantasy story filled with magic, myths, monsters, and royal princes and princesses battling forces of evil one KISS at a time.

I love romance stories, fairytales, and the idea that a “True Love’s Kiss” can defeat anything that is evil. When I first saw this book, the gorgeous cover and the title had me immediately intrigued. However, it was the unique premise that totally sealed the deal for me. I thought the idea about magical kisses and two unlikely heroes slowly falling in love as they battle Forces of Darkness was creative and so much fun. I expected to laugh, to swoon, and to have an epically awesome journey and I was not disappointed. In fact, I was so desperately charmed and hooked the entire time.

Some may find the idea of this book somewhat silly, and even cheesy, but I thought Lindsey Duga did fantastic at creating a world that’s different and undeniably enticing in its own magical way. The writing was mesmerizingly detailed and breathtakingly captivating that I was easily sucked into the story and could picture myself right beside the characters as they fought evil dwarves, griffins, wraiths, and curses. While some parts felt a bit slow, there were so many amazing surprises, thrilling battles, hilarious scenes, and heartwarming moments that made me excited and pleasantly entertained. I really enjoyed this story and the characters and that ending… I absolutely loved that ending.

The characters were incredibly badass, really fun, and likable. They had spunk, wit, and determination. Princess Ivy was powerful and the best in her Legion. She was stubborn and guarded, but also fierce, loyal, brave, and as much as she denied it, Princess Ivy let herself feel.  Prince Zach won me over instantly with his charming personality, humor, and heart of gold. He was definitely my kind of hero – strong-willed, but adorably sweet, and courageous, but also vulnerable. I also really liked Brom and Millennia and enjoyed the roles they played in the story.

The romance was really slow burn in this one and I have to admit… I did get somewhat impatient a few times. Just when I thought this it for Ivy and Zach… after all the wait and pages and pages of me hoping for it…it’s finally going to happen…And then BAM. Nothing. I’m suddenly thrown off and the story moves on again. That being said, the anticipation and the delicious little tease here and there had me ridiculously swooning. It was frustratingly soooo good. I don’t want to say anymore, but my heart exploded into a million different FEELS and at the end of the day, that slow burn was definitely worth it.

This was a delightfully spellbinding read that kept me up late into the night! It was whimsical, fascinating, hilarious, and magical. It’s a wonderfully written YA fantasy story with exciting adventures, awesome fighting scenes, engaging characters, and swoony kisses. I loved this book and highly recommend to everyone who’s looking for something creative and fun.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and for participating in a Blog Tour hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I have SO MANY favorite quotes from this book and it was really difficult to choose. I tried to narrow it down to 5, but as you can see, I definitely ended with more than that. Hope you enjoy reading them all! Let me know which one is your favorite(s) in the comment below. 

“Isn’t the irony hilarious? The girl I love begging me to kiss her every day and I have to refuse. And I have to. Not just for my own beliefs and this golden theory, but for my own sanity. Because a kiss would mean nothing to you, while it meant everything to me.”

“I couldn’t let you go alone. Or with anyone else. You wouldn’t be safe with someone like Amias. Someone who wanted you only as a weapon. To make themselves stronger by using you. […] They wouldn’t make you feel wanted for just being you.”

“Bond wasn’t a strong enough word for what I felt for him. It was a force, a magic that defied all reasons, and logic. Love was the only thing strong enough to describe him to me. I loved him with all my heart. All my soul.”

“It’s completely and utterly irrational. It can’t be understood, and it can’t be explained. It’s unreasonbable – which is probably why the Legion doesn’t to believe it exists. It’s falling for someone even when you know they can’t love you back. […] Love is sacrifice. It’s painful. It’s wishing that you could have one more day together, one more minute, one more second together, and hoping it lasts a lifetime, and then believing maybe it could.”

“I don’t know how Love… – happens.”

“That’s the thing. It just does. No reason at all. Or maybe it’s all the reasons.”

“I want so much more than your lips, Ivy. I want your heart. Because I love you… desperately.”

“That’s what Love does right? It makes you feel pain, but courage, too.”

“Love does exist. I saw it in the way you talked about him. You still love him. You always will. And it makes you stronger. You’re not weak […] You didn’t cut out your heart or abandon your feelings — you embraced them.”

“I focused on that one sensation. That I still had hold of someone

Someone who stood with me, hands on a sword, burning in black flames, to save the kingdoms.

Someone who loved me when I cried.

Someone who loved me even if I yelled at him.

Someone who loved my freckles and my imperfections.

Someone who wanted to love me and did.”

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June 25th

Pink Polka Dot Books– Welcome Post

June 26th

Book Slaying– Review & Favorite Quotes
The Clever Reader– Q&A

June 27th

Feed Your Fiction Addiction– Guest Post
Library of a Book Witch– Review

June 28th

Flyleaf Chronicles– Review
Velvet Spade Reads– Review & Favorite Quotes

June 29th

Rambling of A Book Nerd– Q&A
The Reading Corner for All– Review

June 30th

Jill’s Book Blog– Review
Sincerely Karen Jo– Review & Favorite Quotes

July 1st

The Reading Faery– Creative Option
Donnie Darko Girl– Review

July 2nd

Vicarious Bookworm– Review & Favorite Quotes
The Lovely Books– Review

July 3rd

BookCrushin– Creative Option
Rattle the Stars– Guest Post

July 4th

F A N N A– Review
The Book Dutchesses– Review

July 5th

The Bibliophagist– Review & Favorite Quotes

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Lindsey Duga is a middle grade and young adult writer with a passion for fantasy, science fiction, and basically any genre that takes you away from the real world. She wrote her first novel in college while she was getting her bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.

Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TV show and practicing yoga.

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WEBSITEGOODREADSTWITTERFACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM

 entergiveaway2Prize: Win 1 copy of KISS OF THE ROYAL by Lindsey Duga. Ends July 10, 2018

 

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Hope you enjoyed reading my review! I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed and loved this book. If you love adventure, magic, romance, lovable characters, then add this book to your TBR!

Have a wonderful weekend loves!!! Until next time.

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