Review: Bright Smoke, Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodge
Kindle Edition, 448 pages
Published September 27th, 2016 by Balzer + Bray
The previous book I’ve read by Rosamund Hodge, Crimson Bound, was a huge disappointment. You can read my crappy review of it HERE. Now, I’m all for second chances which is why I requested this book. I’m so glad that I did.
What’s funny is that a lot of people seem to have the exact opposite opinion on these books. The ones who absolutely loved Crimson Bound and Cruel Beauty seem to be very disappointed in this one. Maybe that’s why I liked it so much!
When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched.
The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.
Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan.
Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.
Both pairs will find friendship where they least expect it. Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the walls, death is waiting. . . .
Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, Bright Smoke, Cold Fire is a darkly romantic and atmospheric fantasy.
Okay, I have absolutely zero Kindle notes to work with here, which says a lot really. So let me sum up some of the complaints I’ve come across on Goodreads instead, and counteract them with my own thoughts*:
1. “The story is confusing“
The world building is very complex and yes, you need to use those brain cells to grasp the whole concept but isn’t that what you want from a Fantasy book? This has got to be the most unique world building and storyline I have come across in a while. Complex, but oh so creative and well thought out.
The world is dead, except for the city of Viyara which is protected by a magical wall that keeps the poisonous fog out. People still die in the city, but not by the hand of the Ruining (which is what the deadly fog is called). Outside that wall, the world is crawling with revenants, people who died in the fog but came back to life again a.k.a. ZOMBIES! If you die within the wall of Viyara, you will also turn into a zombie, but there’s the City Guard who takes care of that issue so there aren’t any zombie herd scenarios there. Except within the Sunken Library, an ancient place deep down in the cloister of the Sisters of the Thorn.
These Sisters keep the wall functioning by sacrificing blood to it. Their own blood, but also the blood of sacrifices every six months. The magic within the wall is fading, though; human blood isn’t enough and sacrifices are being demanded more often.
Runajo, one of the Sisters of the Thorn but a bit of a rebellious one, wants to find answers in the Sunken Library in the hope of learning how the magic of the wall really works since most knowledge on that has been lost. Yet, there are the revenants, thousands of them in the Library, which is why no one has set foot in it for a long time. Let alone returned from the trip afterwards…
There are three major clans in the city: the Catresou (which I can’t help but pronounce in French the whole time), the Mahyanai, and the old Viyarans. The Catresou and the Mahyanai are each other’s archnemeses. And because the story is loosely built on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, of course, the Romeo in the story is of the Mahyanai and the Juliet belongs to the Catresou. Which brings me to the second complaint on Goodreads.
2. “There’s instalove“
Yeah, no, not really. There’s Romeo, a love fool who lives for love and writing poems, so it’s not a big surprise there that he falls for Juliet right away. Juliet is attracted to Romeo but with none of that ‘His rock hard abs made me shiver with excitement’/’The twinkle in his eyes made my heart flutter’ kind of nonsense. In fact, they’re both wearing masks, which makes it kind of hard to see someone’s eyes twinkle in the first place.
Apart from that, the actual romance aspect is very low key. There are two or three flashbacks maybe with some modest romance in it, but in general, it’s more about friendship than anything else. Which I think was GREAT!
3. “The story was boring“
Ehm, have we even read the same book? I nearly fell out of bed when I was reading a particular zombie scene. And necromancers? And MURDER! Boring…pfft, if anything, this was the most exciting story I’ve read in a while.
4. “The characters fell flat“
Again, have we read the same book?! The Juliet is a power machine infused with magic (heh, anyone ever noticed the words machine and magic look kind of alike?) born to kick the shite out of the unjust! She’s dual wielding those revenants like there’s no tomorrow.
Runajo kicks ass in a different way, by remaining stubborn and showing the High Priestess some serious cojones. Paris and Romeo are adorable (and no, they aren’t gay/bisexual like some of the blurbs suggest).
The side characters aren’t always very distinct when it comes to their personalities but who cares, we’ve got four main characters to love already!
5. “The book is too lengthy“
I wish it was longer so the story would’ve been wrapped up nicely.
And this is probably one of the rare points of criticism that I have myself here. I was not prepared for this to be a duology. I would’ve preferred it to be a stand alone and not end the story with a cliffhanger. This doesn’t mean I don’t look forward to reading the second book, though. I NEED to know what happens next!!
TL; DR
Zombies, Romeo and Juliet, no lovey-dovey shit, necromancers, awesome worldbuilding. Dark Fantasy. Hells to the yeah. Read this book.
(and speaking of zombies, who else is eagerly awaiting new episodes of The Walking Dead!? Don’t die Glenn!! Or Daryl!!)
Thanks to Harper Collins for providing me with a copy of the book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest opinion!
*This is by no means an attack on those who didn’t like the book. I thought it was really fascinating to see so many opinions shifting along with my own one, albeit it being in the opposite direction.
Links to the book:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
The Book Depository
Bol.com (Dutch Retailer)
Goodreads
Rosamund Hogde is my favourite retellings author! And I’m so freaking glad you liked this! It’s on my list of books I hope to get for my birthday from my friends, because what are friends for?
Awesome review.
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I think I gotta give Cruel Beauty a go then as well ;). Friends are all for presents, duh! XD I hope you won’t be one of the people who’s a Rosamund Hodge fan, but then end up hating this one!
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What a fantastic review! I’ve been anticipating this one, so I’m really, really looking forward to reading it… and your review just made me even more anxious to get my hands on it! 😉
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Thank you! 🙂 I hope you’ll end up liking it as much as I did!
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Thanks! I do, too! 🙂
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Kick a** review Anne! I added this one to my TBR a few months ago since I’ve been wanting to read a Rosemund Hodge book & wasn’t sure about Crimson Bound. Love me a rich & complex Fantasy world with an interesting magic system. These in my opinion make for the best told stories, reading this one soon 😉
P.S. I feel like the season premiere of The Walking Dead will leave me destroyed that Sunday night, my husband will have to scrape me off the floor if there’s any hope of me going to work the following Monday or just functioning like a regular human being…
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Thank you!! ❤ Well, I thought Crimson Bound kinda sucked balls, even though it had a nice dark vibe to it. I’m curious to see if you’ll end up liking this one as well! I have no idea why so many people are complaining about it really, tuts.
Hahahaha! I bet they open the new season with a filler episode :’). Which will still leave you lying destroyed on the floor ;).
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Yea from what I’ve gaged in the past, she seems to be an author whose books are either really loved or really hated (as you’ve mentioned). I’m still going to give this one a shot & see where I fall on the hate it or love it lol. I’m always game for a Rome/Juliet re-telling…well re-tellings PERIOD are my thang jeje. I’m not ready for TWD but I will show up promptly Sunday night to have my heart wrecked & walk away licking my wounds smh.
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True! If you end up hating this one, you can always go for one of her previous books ;).Hahaha, retellings can be SO good if done properly! LOL, make sure to have some comfort food prepped and all 😀
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Good tip, hopefully I do enjoy this one 😉
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Great review Old Anne. 🙂
Yeah, really looking forward to TWD, I don’t mind Glenn but I hope not but they better not kill off Darryl, oh hell no!!!!!! Shame carol isn’t there with them all as she does my head in! 🙂
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Jumping in here just to say that I really think it’s gonna be fan fave (mine as well) Darryl…makes the most sense for his career since he’s been given his own tv show & has a couple of movie deals. I say this with a heavy heart Drew…we must prepare ourselves for the worse possible outcome…sigh…
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Oh no Lilly, for shame, way to dampen the mood! 😢
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😂😂😂I’m sorry! I can’t help it smh my nickname has been Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh) from time to time lol.
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Sigh! 😢 Poor Drew, Carol is never going to die, Negan is very camp in his leather and now if it’s true about Darryl, sigh. 😢
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Mark my words, Carol will be the last survivor when Rick and everyone else is dead. Just to spite you! :’) I’m having issues with the fact that I’m supposed to hate Negan, but Jeffrey Dean Morgan is awfully hot…sigh
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I know, I know, this has been mentioned at work that Carol will not die! 😂 Ha, I thought he looked really camp in his leather and cheesy grin! 😂 Though the ending sucked – no wordpress don’t spam me, he babbled on for like half an hour and you knew it was going to be a cliff hanger. 😢
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And they’re probably right! XD LOL, I didn’t know what camp meant until I just looked it up. It was the jacket and the pearly smile fo sho :’). Don’t get me started on that ending…
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Ha, camp, yeah, pearly whites, cheesy grin and leather = camp. 😂
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:’)
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LMAO :’)
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I will DIE if that happens. Maybe not right away but somewhere between then and 70 years from now ;). Seriously though, Daryl can’t die, he just can’t!! Which TV show did they give him?? I need my Norman Reedus fix! I think we should totally make a blog hop post thingy to commemorate Daryl if he dies. Drew’s good at writing about such things XD. And I can eat some special bowel chipolatas for the occasion. Just sayin’.
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Ride With Norman Reedus on AMC a motorcycle show 🙈😩🙈😩whyyyy Daryl?!?! & I second that vote for a blog hop post to commemorate our ol’ pal Daryl if he does meet Lucille this upcoming fated Sunday night of October 24rd 😭😭😭no idea what chipolatas are but I’m googling now cuz they sound YUM! 😂
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Oh..pulls up nose a little oh well, at least he’ll still look like Daryl then ^^. It’s on then!! XD (still hoping it isn’t him though). Oh boy, I bet Drew’s sniggering over that chipolata part :’)
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Lmao! I’m holding out hope too Anne but it’s looking mighty grim for our boy 😕 that reminds me…google search 😂😂😂
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You be careful searching for sausages on Google, ya know, who knows what results you’ll get! 😂
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Yeah, I can attest to that
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Lmao! 😂😎
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Lmao!!!
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Small sausages! That’s what they are! 😂
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I had no idea smh 🙈
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Drew happens to be an expert on sausages as well :’)
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GRRRRRR, wait until YOU get to be my age in a couple of months grandpa! (but thank you 😉 ). Haha! Carol used to be cool but she’s such an annoying character right now indeed. Otherwise, I hope it’s gonna be Abraham because he was being a total douche lately anyways.
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Sigh, I’m far younger than old Anne! 😂
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TWO months!!! TWO!!
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Never, I’m only 27!😂
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Yes, and I just turned 28 flips hair :’)
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Drew’s in denial about his age. How cute. Ooh while we’re at it, I want to be 25 again! 😘
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Yeah, Abraham can totally go! He’s such a drama queen anymore. Later, dude! 😎
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Yeah. #ByeFelicia :’)
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Ha! Drew, you said Old Anne is that like Old Maid? 😂 Poor Anne! 😩 I’m adding my two cents about TWD. If they kill off Darryl, Glenn, or Rick, I will never watch another episode. Carol used to be okay, but she’s getting so annoying. Maggie can go as well. She’s another one that bugs me. Some of the newer ones are blah and can peace out as well. 💀
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Nah, old Anne just cos she’s getting on in years, maybe Granny Annie would be better? 😂
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Tut tut tut tut!
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Drew’s just worried that I’m turning into an old cat lady. Such a sweet boy ;). Ha! Yes, I wouldn’t be horribly upset if it was Maggie either. We’ve hardly seen her last season anyways. Man, this is going to be IN-TENSE!
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Ha! Drew is like our worried protector. 😂 LOL
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Like a father. Because he’s not 25 anymore either eh 😉
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Okay so I think it’s official. You’re my favourite book reviewer.
You’re funny, and informative, but not spoilery, while still enticing.
You win the internet!!! 🏆
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Hahaha, aw thank you ma’am!! ❤ 😀 YUSS!!! I always wanted the internet!! XD
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Welcome to the unpopular opinion club xD I don’t like or find meh books everyone loves and adores books others have deemed okay! It’s funnier this way!
Hahaha, Catresou sounds so French indeed, my brain turned to French for it instantly. I’m not into zombies (scary scary things!!!) but I love the sound of this book, because it doesn’t look like a basic “I’m gonna eat you miam miam” story. Yep, only me will understand that comment… Anyway! Brilliant idea to take remarks from Goodreads to construct your review!
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I’m so glad I made it!! \õ/ Hahaha, I’m glad it’s not me! 😀 Does it possibly mean something as well? Four something? Or just gibberish? Oh no, these zombies like to eat brains as well, but you don’t actually read about them doing it XD. Haha! Thank you! I didn’t know where else to start honestly 😉
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This is so interesting! I wonder what I’ll think about it, but I am sure I have never read anything like this.
I have Cruel Beauty so I think I should give that one a go and see if I’ll like it. If yes, then maybe I should skip this?
If not, I should definitely try it, right?
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Hahaha, exactly!! 😀 If you’re lucky, you’ll end up with the right book for you right away. If not, you know it’ll be this one 😉
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fantastic review .
not a real fan of cliffhanger endings really , it leads to huge anticipation for the next book which sometimes fails to live upto the expectations. But Sometimes it proves worth the wait .
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Thank you! True, I hate cliffhangers as well! But you’re right about it sometimes being worth it. I hope Jon Snow isn’t dead in book #6 >.>.
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well I know the answer to that
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He isn’t in the series, but that doesn’t mean it will be in the book as well! I hope it will be though ❤
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I’m pretty sure he is , in fact GRRM broke the news way before season 6 was aired on TV , in fact he revealed Jon Snow was alive as far back as in 2011 http://www.ew.com/article/2011/07/21/dance-with-dragons-shocking-twist-g
In fact George has stated that many of the mysteries broken in the TV series are exactly what he had planned for the books . That’s why the hype behind Winds of winter has died down a lot as compared to what it was 1 year back
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Hot damnit >.<
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I need this book right now!!!! And I just might have enough brain cells to handle it.. not a hundred percent sure. May have to get back to you on that one 😉 But oh M G this sounds like my kind of read and it comes with four brownies. Clicking the Amazon link now! So I gotta go.. 😉
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Hahaha, I’m sure you do! I thought it was awesome but am slightly worried about what everybody else will think now with all of the negative reviews around. I hope it does it for you, though! ❤
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Meh I give good reviews to mixed reviewed books all of the time. It is your review, your opinion. Tell them to take a hike if they think you are wrong. You cannot be wrong about your own opinion 😘
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❤
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I LOVE your review! I haven’t read this nor have I even heard of it before, but your review is awesome. ‘His rock hard abs made me shiver with excitement’ – GOLD. Made me laugh out loud – and that’s not easy 😀 I totally read ‘Catresou’ with a French pronounciation in my head as well. And of course I love the fact that a library plays an important role in the story. ❤
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Thank you! ❤ Hahaha, I’m just not a big fan of mommy porn ;). That’s the third person now! So it must be French! 😉 Yes, library = win 😀
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Hahaha, ‘mommy porn’ – yes! 😀 😀 😀
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I didn’t pay any attention to this book when it was available because all of the bloggers I have similar tastes to didn’t like the author’s other books. Here’s hoping it goes on ebook special sfter Christmas because I really want to read it now!
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Ha! I was one of them then! 😀 I hope so too! It’s really so much better than Crimson Bound is all I can say
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Rocking it again girl…😉
I had a sense of dejavu or something I nearly wrote my serpent king review in this very format… But pussied out! 😂 Well done you and it sounds like a mega read! Will I ever get to read it though? Meh, going I to tbr pile anyway! 😂
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Thank you! Hahaha, I haven’t actually posted it on Goodreads yet…we’ll talk again after it went up if this was such a good idea XD. Yeah, just throw in on that mental pile XD. It’s what I do! And one day….!
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Awesome review! I’ve seen some so-so reviews for Crimson Bound so I haven’t picked up anything by her yet. But zombies, necromancers, murder? Sounds like something I might like. Added to my TBR. Thanks for sharing!
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Well I like creative world building! (but it does sound a little complicated if I’m honest!) Absolutely love how you did this review and it sounds like I absolutely need to read it!
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Yeah, that’s just my lack of proper English skills ;). Thank you!! ❤
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haha no way!! You’re welcome ❤
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Wonderful review, Sausage Queen! 🙂 Were any sausages enjoyed while reading this book? 😂 I could totally see me reading this one. As soon as I saw that cover, I was like ooh magic. I just bought Cruel Beauty on a one day sale a few weeks ago. I’ve read so many bad reviews since. Go figure! No more impulse buys for me. 😂 This book sounds really good though. Zombies and magic yup I need it! I’m adding it to Goodreads now. 🙂
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Thank you! flips nunchuck bratwursts Nah, I mostly read this right before going to bed. Yes, that says a lot about my sex life ;). The covers of Rosamund Hodge’s books are lovely! Haha! Well, you might end up liking Cruel Beauty. In which case you can totally skip this one ;).
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LOL Way to go, Anne! 😂 Nothing is ever too personal for you. Speaking of that, once I get down to Florida on Sunday and unpack, I’ll have time to sit down and write up the questions for you. The last two weeks have been hell.
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It’s a curse, really ;). Sure thing! Just sit down and take your time for it. Better than rushing it and regretting some of your answers later :’). I still need to get new ink for my printer for that Neil Gaiman picture as well!
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Ooh, four brownies! I knew I loved you!
Yes, I’m excited to read this…but I’m a pushover for books like this.
How come every time I see you, you’re flipping me off? 😂😂😂😂
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Haha! I’m expecting flowers soon! Oh, it’s not flipping off! It’s the national hand signal for “Give me back my brownie” in Dutch 😉
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Reblogged this on It's All About the Book.
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Gasp! Thank you so much!!
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Ha. I couldn’t stop laughing as I read your review. It was ace!
I’ve yet to read any of Rosamund Hodge’s books but I’d definitely want to give them a try!
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Why, thank you very much! 😉 You now know the deal on the books. Love one, hate the others!
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