Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge | Jo Linsdell

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

    

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge


Net Galley TBR

Reading Challenge


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I have a confession to make. I may have let my Net Galley TBR get a little out of control. 

In a moment of weakness I clicked on way too many books and added them to my TBR shelf. The struggle is real people! It's so very easy to do.

So, now I find myself with a ratio of 79% (I was actually surprised to find it wasn't worst to be honest with you). As you may or may not know, the goal is to have a ratio of at least 80%. Obviously the higher, the better though.

What to do when your Net Galley TBR gets out of control?

A reading challenge!

I find challenges motivate me to reach my goals, and as I'm nicely on track to finish my current reading challenges for the year (the Clock Reading Challenge and the A to Z Reading Challenge) I figured I'd create a new reading challenge to help me beat my back-list on Net Galley and get it back under control.



Welcome to the Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge


The goal: To read and review as many books from your Net Galley TBR shelf as possible.

The books on my Net Galley TBR


Love Life by Nancy Peach

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

An uplifting and feel-good read perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Beth O’Leary!

‘A heart-warming, life-affirming gem . . . full of wry humour’
Pernille Hughes

Palliative care doctor, Tess Carter, is no starry-eyed heroine. After all, if your dad left without a backward glance and you found your last boyfriend in bed with another guy, you wouldn’t believe in romance either. And the voices in Tess’s head – you know, the ones that tell you you’re not good enough, not pretty enough, not clever enough – well, these voices are very loud. Very loud indeed. Especially when the disagreeable son of one of her patients starts challenging her every decision.

Edward Russell might have a big job and a posh voice, but Tess is determined not to let him get to her, especially if she can get her inner monologue to stop with the endless self-sabotage. And Edward, it turns out, may be less of a prat than he first appears…

In the real world, where gentlemanlike manners and out-of-the-blue declarations of love are a story-book fantasy, it’s up to Tess to decide whose voice to listen to … and how to make her own heard.

TW: Cancer, death of a loved one, detailed scenes during hospice care



Every Day in December by Kitty Wilson

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

Belle Wilde loves December. Yes, she’s just lost her job and Christmas is not a good time to find yourself ‘financially challenged’. And yes, her parents are still going on about the fact that she really should have it all together by now. But Belle believes that in December, magic can happen.

Rory Walters hates December. Whilst it looks like his life is together, he’s still reeling from a winter’s night five years ago when his life changed forever. Now back at home, he’s certain that this will be yet another Christmas to endure rather than enjoy.

But as midnight on December 31st draws closer, Belle and Rory’s time together is coming to an end. With a little help from a Christmas miracle could Belle find the one thing she really wants underneath the mistletoe?




All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

He’d do anything to protect his wife. But what if that meant making the biggest mistake of all?

James Casper is one of the good guys. A DEA agent. A loyal husband. With his sights set on the man at the top of the city’s opioid crisis, James is about to make the biggest bust of his career.

Then his beloved wife Rosie does something terrible, and James must choose: report it—or help her. He knows how this works, and he tells himself he’s smart enough to get away with murder. But James’s worst enemy knows what they have done—and he won’t hesitate to use it to manipulate him.

James is dragged into a dark and dangerous world. As events spiral and loyalties are tested, he realizes there’s only one way out. And that is to be even more ruthless than the people he’s working for.

Whatever happens, no matter how far he falls, at least he’ll still have Rosie.

Won’t he?




Lucifer's Game by Cristina Loggia

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

Spies, military secrets, and a personal crusade for freedom…

Rome, 1942.

Cordelia Olivieri is a young, determined hotel owner desperate to escape Mussolini’s racial persecution. But as Fascist leaders gather in Rome, Cordelia is suddenly surrounded by the world’s most ruthless and powerful commanders.

In an effort to keep her Jewish heritage a secret and secure safe passage out of Italy, Cordelia forms a dangerous alliance with the British army who want to push the Axis out of North Africa once and for all.

Going undercover, Cordelia begins obtaining and leaking military intelligence to a British agent, hoping the intel will secure her freedom. But the more Cordelia uncovers, the greater the risks – especially for one handsome German Afrika Korps officer.

How far must Cordelia go to protect her identity and secure passage out of Rome?



The Love Note by Kate G. Smith

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

A wedding dress. A love letter. A secret that will change everything...

When Maggie Burnett discovers her mother's beautiful wedding dress just days after she passes away, she wonders why she'd been told it was missing...

Pinned to the waistband is a note that reads: 'E, je t'aime. LS x' . 'E' must be Elizabeth, her mother, but who is 'LS'? Could he be the father she's never known?

As Maggie's seemingly happy life in London unravels, she decides it's time to go home to Norfolk and figure out the truth once and for all. Even if it means running into Nick Forster, her secret childhood crush. What if this journey to the past is the key to a new beginning?



The Secrets of Us by Lucinda Berry

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

Dangerously addictive, The Secrets of Us is a pulse-pounding exploration of a disturbed psyche and the bond between two sisters desperate to escape a troubled past.

Foster sisters Krystal and Nichole have always been there for each other, so when Nichole is committed to a psychiatric hospital after trying to kill her husband, Krystal drops everything to defend her.

Scarred by a hard upbringing, Nichole and Krystal managed to construct comfortable lives for themselves. Krystal became a respected lawyer, and Nichole was happily married to an architect—until Nichole starts raving that her husband isn’t her husband, believing that he’s an imposter.

Driven by fierce loyalty, Krystal starts asking questions, but she’s not sure she can bear the answers. Her investigation leads to the sisters’ dark shared past…to a horrible tragedy and a well-guarded lie that cemented their sisterly bond.

But that lie can’t kill the truth—the battered, gasping, clawing truth that’s coming for them both. Now Krystal and Nichole must both fight for the lives they’ve built before they’re consumed by the one they left behind.




The Cottage by Daniel Judson

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

A widowed mother is terrorized by a stalker with unfathomable intent in a novel of cold-blooded suspense by the Shamus Award–winning author of The Temporary Agent.

When Kate Burke is awakened one night by a sound outside her window, her PTSD is triggered. Was it simply a deer crossing her secluded backyard? Or was it intruders? Because Kate still lives with the dreadful memories of her husband’s murder during a seemingly random home invasion two years before, she knows the answer can mean the difference between life and death.

But when she discovers the unsettling ways her property has been vandalized the next day, Kate is forced to conclude the worst: someone is watching her.

Kate decides to rent out her estranged sister’s onetime cottage, which sits on her property, for the summer. Another set of eyes around the place won’t hurt. And with additional support from friends and family, Kate should be feeling safe.

Instead, the vandalism is escalating. So are the anonymous late-night calls and texts, each one more disturbing and violating than the last. Whoever is targeting Kate, whatever their motive or terrifying endgame, the footsteps in the dark are getting closer.




The Girl from Venice by Siobhan Daiko

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

From Siobhan Daiko, international bestselling author of The Orchid Tree, comes an epic new novel of love, betrayal, and finding where you truly belong. Set in Italy during World War II and the present day.

Perfect for readers of Dinah Jefferies, Kate Furnivall and Rhys Bowen.

Lidia De Angelis has kept a low profile since Mussolini's laws wrenched her from her childhood sweetheart. But when the Germans occupy Venice in 1943, she must flee the city to save her life.

Lidia joins the partisans in the Venetian mountains, where she meets David, an English soldier fighting for the same cause. As she grows closer to him, harsh German reprisals and Lidia’s own ardent patriotic activities threaten to tear them apart.

Decades later in London, while sorting through her grandmother’s belongings after her death, Charlotte discovers a Jewish prayer book, unopened letters written in Italian, and a fading photograph of a group of young people in front of the Doge’s Palace.

Intrigued by her grandmother’s refusal to talk about her life in Italy before and during the war, Charlotte travels to Venice in search of her roots, There, she learns not only the devastating truth about her grandmother’s past, but also some surprising truths about herself.



So You Want To Build a Library by Lindsay Leslie

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

There is no better place in the world than a library. Especially a library that kids create! A million stories high? Sure. Bathtubs? Absolutely. A full-service sundae bar? Of course. Everything is possible in this library—just like in books! Author Lindsay Leslie puts the reader in charge as the architect of a fantastical library in this imaginative picture book celebrating libraries and the joys of reading.



Home Office Solutions by Chris Peterson

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

Whether you’ve been working from home for years and want to update your space, or you’re brand new to telecommuting and have a lot of questions, 
Home Office Solutions holds all the answers and inspiration for making a workspace you’ll love! From a cozy corner to converting a shed or garage, this must-have guide provides tips on home office ideas, space-efficient furniture, lighting, soundproofing, WIFI, organization, and so much more, also included is helpful, detailed advice on how to successfully work from home. Understand both the advantages and disadvantages of setting up a home office in different areas, including the kitchen, spare room, basement, and other creative spaces. With this timely resource, you’ll be inspired to create an efficient and attractive workspace so you can earn your living from home comfortably and affordably.



The Influencer by Miranda Rijks

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

She is worshipped by millions. But she has a secret…

Adored by her legions of followers, social media megastar Skye is an inspiration. Once homeless, she is now fantastically wealthy, enormously powerful.  A ‘like’ from Skye can literally change your life.

So when she suggests partnering with Nathan’s charity for the homeless, he thinks it’s a match made in heaven. With Skye’s backing, who knows what he can achieve? And no-one is more excited than Nathan’s teenage daughters, both massive fans of the star.

But Skye’s influence comes at a price. Yes, funds are pouring into Nathan’s charity, but she is a smothering presence, seemingly determined to insert herself into every nook and cranny of his family life.

Nathan’s daughters are thrilled to have so much up close and personal contact with a superstar. But he worries about Skye’s growing influence on them… And is it just a coincidence that ever since she’s been around, his personal life is disintegrating?

As things spiral out of control, Nathan begins to wonder what Skye really wants from him and his daughters. The answer is more terrifying than he could ever imagine…

The Influencer – the stunning psychological thriller from Miranda Rijks, author of The Visitors, The Arrangement, and Roses are Red. 




The Two Week Wait by Lucy J Lewis

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

For the last two decades, Jane has been trying for a baby. She knows all about surviving the agonising two-week wait between ovulation and test. Increasingly desperate, Jane opens her laptop, clicks, ‘TWW Forum: New Thread’, and types. ‘Anyone else starting their two-week wait? Shall we wait it out together?’

Four women respond to Jane’s message online; all strangers, all embarking on the same emotional two-week journey. All wanting just one thing. A baby.

This fast-paced, light-hearted read explores the heartache of infertility through the bittersweet stories of five women;

Mandi is young and eager. She needs all the help she can get.

Becks already has one child and is stuck in the hellish limbo of secondary infertility.

Instagram sensation, Star, is living and selling a false dream, online and off.

Finally, feisty Fern is scheduling a pregnancy in between film shoots.

Five women, five stories, waiting to find out if it’s their turn for a baby. Love, heartache, shattered dreams and broken relationships. The two-week wait pushes them all to their limits.



The Perfect 10 by Eric O'Keefe

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

POLO IS NOT JUST THE GAME OF KINGS. IT’S A BLOOD SPORT IN 
THE PERFECT 10.

The final of the US Open is just days away, and Juancito Harrington, the world’s best polo player, is found dead in a posh Palm Beach hotel suite.

The good news is that Palm Beach P.D. quickly identifies the trophy wife of Juancito’s team owner as the primary suspect. The bad news is that everyone in polo knows that Kelly Dick doesn’t murder her lovers. She recycles them.

Only one man can crack the case: Rick Hunt, a West Point graduate currently assigned to the White House. Hunt is no detective, but he’s a lifelong polo player who needs no introduction to the world’s top pros. Or his ex-fiancée. Or her new boyfriend, an old teammate with a score to settle.



The Girl Under the Flag by Alex Amit

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

Monique would do anything to live.

Running for her life from the Nazis, Monique, a seventeen-year-old Jewish girl, escapes through the streets of Paris, searching for a place to hide.

In a dark basement deep within the city, Philip, a man of the Resistance, offers her a deal in order to save her life by changing her identity. In return, she needs to provide information about the Germans by becoming acquainted with them.

Torn between her feelings for Philip and her fear of Herr Ernest, a German officer who shows special interest in her, Monique steps deeper and deeper into the jaws of the Nazi beast. But with every day that passes, she knows that it is only a matter of time before she makes a mistake and becomes discovered by the Germans - the price for that being her life.

Through her own eyes, Monique tells of her efforts to survive within occupied Paris, torn between the cafés bustling with people and the poor citizens endlessly waiting in lines, food-ration stubs in hand. But above all, this is a story about a girl who has to fight for her freedom during those dark and dreadful days, fervently refusing to give up, while the German soldiers march through the streets of Paris, stomping the ground with their hobnailed boots.




The Thorn Necklace by Francesca Lia Block

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

For devotees of 
Bird by Bird and The Artist's Way, a memoir-driven guide to healing through the craft of writing

Francesca Lia Block is the bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including the award-winning Weetzie Bat series. Her writing has been called "transcendent" by The New York Times, and her books have been included in "best of" lists compiled by Time magazine and NPR.

In this long-anticipated guide to the craft of writing, Block offers an intimate glimpse of an artist at work and a detailed guide to help readers channel their own experiences and creative energy. Sharing visceral insights and powerful exercises, she gently guides us down the write-to-heal path, revealing at each turn the intrinsic value of channeling our experiences onto the page.

Named for the painting by Frida Kahlo, who famously transformed her own personal suffering into art, The Thorn Necklace offers lessons on life, love, and the creative process.



The Fine Print of Self-Publishing by Mark Levine

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

Covering everything from how to determine printing costs and calculate royalties to the most up-to-date marketing strategies, The Fine Print of Self-Publishing has become the go-to book for authors considering self-publishing. Now in its sixth edition, The Fine Print delves into more topics than ever before, including a comparison of the quality of finished books produced by popular DIY service providers and newly expanded sections on printing and distribution options, ebook publishing, and online and traditional marketing ideas. And, like the previous editions, The Fine Print walks readers through the printing markups and royalty payouts of the top publishing service providers.

Whether you're thinking about hiring a self-publishing company or handling the process on your own, The Fine Print of Self-Publishing will get you one step closer to achieving your publication goals.



Sweet Tea and Kisses: A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set by Melinda Curtis, Shanna Hatfield, Susan Hatler, Ciara Knight, Lucy McConnell, Jennifer Peel

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

Discover the alluring world of the South with six sweet contemporary romance novellas from New York Times, USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors.

Chase fireflies that glitter on starry nights, listen to the call of the cicadas, and smell the luscious scent of magnolias as you experience the adventures of cowboys, brides, second chances, and unexpected romance all set in Atlanta. Don’t miss your chance to fall deeper in love as you explore the South through the eyes and hearts of these unforgettable characters.

A Kiss is Just a Kiss by Melinda Curtis, USA Today Bestselling Author. Kitty Summer has a wedding to stop. She’s sure the groom doesn’t love her sister, but how can she prove it? By testing his fidelity with one very public kiss, of course.

Taste of Tara by Shanna Hatfield, USA Today Bestselling Author. Falling in love never tasted so sweet… Pastry chef Tara Tarleton has one month to live out her dreams on a plantation in the South. Reality falls far short of her expectations until a chance encounter with a hunky horse wrangler changes her mind.

The Wedding Charm by Susan Hatler, New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author. In order to retrieve and deliver an antique charm before her best friend’s wedding, maid of honor Sarah Carlton must fake being in love with her childhood nemesis, best man Ben Atkins.

Sassy Bride by Ciara Knight, USA Today Bestselling Author. A Cinderella meets Rich Charming tale set in small town, Georgia, full of sass and sacrifice. Can a girl form the wrong side of town win over the ugly in-laws, or will she lose her happily ever after forever?

It Could Happen to Us by Lucy McConnell, Contemporary Romance Author. An irresistible contemporary romance about a not-so-humble cop who splits his raffle ticket with an unlucky waitress and the actor who falls in love with her.

Hit and Run Love by Jennifer Peel, Award Winning and Bestselling Author. What happens when a no-nonsense lawyer and her ex-boyfriend, a police officer, run into each other? Lots of sparks, literally and figuratively. Will this be another hit and run? Or, this time around, will Harrison be able to convince Kallie to give up her running shoes?

The Sweet Tea and Kisses Boxed Set by the Sweet Six authors will have you falling in love with the South with every turn of the page.

Amazon - Goodreads


The Devil’s Prayer by Luke Gracias

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

A nun commits suicide in front of thousands in Spain. In Australia, Siobhan Russo recognises that nun as her mother, Denise Russo, who disappeared six years ago.

In search of answers, Siobhan travels to the isolated convent where her mother once lived. Here she discovers Denise’s final confession, a book that details a heinous betrayal that left her crippled and mute, and Denise’s subsequent deal with the Devil to take revenge. In the desperate bargain Denise made with the Prince of Darkness, she wagered Siobhan’s soul.

As Siobhan discovers the fate of her soul, she learns that hidden within the pages of her mother’s confession is part of The Devil’s Prayer, an ancient text with the power to unleash apocalyptic horrors.

And now her mother’s enemies know Siobhan has it.

Can Siobhan escape an order of extremist monks determined to get the Prayer back? Can she save the world from its own destruction?



Write to Influence! by Carla D. Bass, Colonel, USAF (Ret)

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

Powerful writing can change your life! It correlates directly to success, personal and professional. You may be the best candidate for a competitive opportunity—hands down—but if the competition is better at telling a story, you lose. Opportunity knocking? Choose this book when powerful writing is paramount to your goals. Attention employers! Have you read a paragraph in a report again and again … unable to understand it? Accurate, clear, and concise writing is the lifeblood for effective operations … in private business, corporations, NGOs, and government agencies. “Write to Influence!” is perfect for your employees! With this book you will: • Write to win—Make every word count and every second of the reader’s time play to your advantage • Write a resume that stands out … for the right reasons. • Compose performance reviews—clear, powerful, compelling—for military and civilian organizations • Persuade the reader—Identify and assemble those hard-hitting facts to make your case. • Refine your presentation skills—Learn to develop and give a spot-on briefing • Maximize your internet promotion—Leverage powerful words to do just that • Craft professional email—Polished, succinct, and effective communication • Improve business writing skills—Avoid the ten most common errors with this how-to guide “Write to Influence!” is light-hearted and conversational in tone, easy to read, and chock-full with practical advice. Bass’s unique insight into influential writing is based on her 30 year’s active duty in the Air Force, working with general officers, ambassadors, congressional delegations, and foreign dignitaries -- individuals for whom five minutes was significant. She wrote hundreds of personnel appraisals, award nominations, and other competitive packages; reports for executive-level signature; elevator speeches and executive memoranda much of which was sent to Congress.



The Lafayette Sword by Eric Giacometti and Jacques Ravenne

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

Gold. Obsession. Secrets.

Following the murder of a Freemason brother, Antoine Marcas uncovers unsettling truths about gold and its power to fascinate and corrupt. A priceless sword is stolen and deaths ensue setting the Freemason detective on a case of Masons turned bad. A clue points to mysteries and conspiracy about elusive pure gold, launching a frantic, deadly race between two symbolic places—the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower.

A captivating plot weaves alchemy and the Middle Ages into a modern-day thriller. Part of an internationally best-selling series that has sold 2 million copies worldwide, with “vivid characters, an evocative international setting and history darker than midnight.”

For readers who love ancient myths, secret societies, chilling narrative and modern speed.



To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey

About the book:

Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge

An atmospheric, transporting tale of adventure, love, and survival from the bestselling author of The Snow Child, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

In the winter of 1885, decorated war hero Colonel Allen Forrester leads a small band of men on an expedition that has been deemed impossible: to venture up the Wolverine River and pierce the vast, untamed Alaska Territory. Leaving behind Sophie, his newly pregnant wife, Colonel Forrester records his extraordinary experiences in hopes that his journal will reach her if he doesn't return--once he passes beyond the edge of the known world, there's no telling what awaits him.

The Wolverine River Valley is not only breathtaking and forbidding but also terrifying in ways that the colonel and his men never could have imagined. As they map the territory and gather information on the native tribes, whose understanding of the natural world is unlike anything they have ever encountered, Forrester and his men discover the blurred lines between human and wild animal, the living and the dead. And while the men knew they would face starvation and danger, they cannot escape the sense that some greater, mysterious force threatens their lives.

Meanwhile, on her own at Vancouver Barracks, Sophie chafes under the social restrictions and yearns to travel alongside her husband. She does not know that the winter will require as much of her as it does her husband, that both her courage and faith will be tested to the breaking point. Can her exploration of nature through the new art of photography help her to rediscover her sense of beauty and wonder?

The truths that Allen and Sophie discover over the course of that fateful year change both of their lives--and the lives of those who hear their stories long after they're gone--forever.



Logging My Progress With The Challenge



I've made this graphic to keep track of my progress. I'll be crossing off the book covers as I read them. I didn't include the children's picture book as I had an odd number and it's such a short read.


Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge



Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge






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14 comments

  1. So many of these books look really good. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. There's a few that I think you'd like here 😉

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  2. I think we have all fallen into that trap at some time. It took me two years to get my Netgalley shelf down to 4 books. The influencer looks so good. Now I’m going to have to add that one. 😀

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    1. I'm really looking forward to getting into that one 😊

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  3. Most of these look like tasty treats to me, I can see the allure. I wants the for myself! Good luck with your challenge.

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  4. Wow, you have a lot of books on your list. I've only read the Eowyn Ivey book, which is fab. Good luck.

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    1. Good to know it was a good read. Yes, I definitely had a moment of weakness and got click happy 🤦🏻‍♀️

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  5. I'm the same way. I love creating reading challenges for myself, though I tend to go for titles or themes. My Netgally TBR isn't too out of control at the moment, luckily. I haven't requested too many books. But some of them have been waiting a while to be read.

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    1. Join in. There's a one book minimum requirement to participate 😉🤣 I like the idea of creating challenges based on themes... Maybe for my next challenge 🤔

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  6. You've got quite a few books on your NetGalley shelf! I hope you enjoy each and every one of them. I typically don't request more than 2-3 at a time and I read them usually within the month I'm accepted, to keep my percentage up (and because I always plan my monthly TBRs) but that might change over time, so I'll keep this fun challenge in mind!

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    1. I'm not usually this bad. There were just too many I wanted to read and had a click happy moment 🤦🏻‍♀️ I love that you're that disciplined. That's my goal.

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  7. Ahh good luck!! I always have so much fun going click happy on netgalley then come away and just go uh oh... I'm trying to be better but I'm not sure it's working. Good luck - I hope you can storm through some of these and that they are all really good.

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    1. Thanks ☺️ I'm really looking forward to reading them. Hoping to get my tbr back under control.... Just need to make sure I don't add anymore books to it! 🤣

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