I am in love. Head over heels, butterflies in the stomach kind of love. Once in a blue moon I come across a book where everything just clicks for me- and that’s it, I’m a goner. Honestly, I read this last month and tried to compose myself before writing the review- yet I’m clearly still not composed.
I don’t think I’ve read a book like this in years. To say it captured the essence of fairy tales would be an understatement. By the miraculous stroke of her pen, Arden not only transported me back in time to the historical landscape of Russia, but also to a child-like state of wonder. Reading this was more than a window into another world- while I was reading I knew what it is to hold magic in my hands.
Some books feel like they take on a life of their own. They’re so atmospheric and absorbing that it reminds you why you love reading in the first place. This was one such book. The style was both rare and a rediscovery of that charming, youthful feel I used to get when I read books by the like of Ibbotson, Funke and Zafon. It was both utterly unique and reminiscent of childhood favourites for me.
And yet this was so clearly a fairy tale for adults. Nothing is sickly sweet or over the top- in the words of Goldilocks, it was “just right”. From beginning to end, I was more than a little wrapped up in the snowy-blanket warmth of Arden’s exquisite storytelling. I was transfixed as, layer upon layer, the storm brewed on the pages, enchantment unfolding behind a glassy veneer of reality, until finally it broke in an epic conclusion. An ending which, thankfully, was both satisfying and opened the door for potential sequels (the second book is coming out this winter!)
This is without a doubt one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. So if this sounds good to you, then go away, read it, and thank me later 😉
Rating: 5/5 bananas
I don’t know where I first came across this book, but I do want to thank Danielle for her spectacular review which prompted me to finally pick get a copy! And if you’re like me and already obsessed with this, I also recommend the great interview/review over on Mischenko’s site and Liis’ view on it as an Estonian.
And that’s all for now. Have you read this? Do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!
Lovely, fantastic review! I just bought this but haven’t read it yet with finals and all that fun stuff! I loved Danielle’s review too, and I think between the 2 of you I should read it sooner rather than later!! It sounds so magical….💗💗💗
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Aww thank you so much!! Wonderful- you have so much to look forward to! And her review was amazing 😊 Excellent- it really was- I hope you love it!! ❤ ❤
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You’re welcome! I really hope to get to it this month, but I very stupidly overloaded with ARCs while on break since I knew I wouldn’t have time after Jan. And now I don’t want to read them, lol. I want to read books that I WANT to read from my TBR, ugh! Lesson learned. I’m sure I will love it ❤
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Oh totally fair enough! hehe I hope that they end up being awesome and worth it!! ❤
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Thank you; I hope so!! I’ve seen some mixed reviews about a couple that have me worried, lol. A bloggers I trust have DNFd both lol! I never DNF, but that’s my New Year’s resolution, so I might make it early in Dec Lol! Too many other books I want to read instead of wasting time on bad books!!
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You’re welcome! hehe well on the positive side of DNF reviews they lower your expectations which is good lol 😉 I really hope you don’t dislike them!! But yeah- if you don’t like them definitely DNF- and I say that as someone who has such a hard time DNFing lol! But I’ve been working on that this year and have DNF’d I think 2 books- so that’s an improvement 😉 – and I have no regrets about just putting the book down! Like you said, life is too short!!
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True!! Me either, but then I guess if I do then I can read something else that I have my eye on, lol!! HAHA! I thought you were going to say you’d DNF’d a bunch this year, lol! But 2 is an improvement when you’ve DNF’d none like I have!! I just need to make myself…it’s going to take willpower!
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Hehe yes totally 😂😂 hahaha to me that was a success lol 😂😂 It’s so hard for me to do it though!
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Oh, DNFing just 1 is great when you never do!! I hope I can pull it off if I need to, lol. I might need an intervention! 😉😂
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hahaha so true!! Yes- I know what you mean 😉 😂 I think we need to help each other out with this one 😉 😂😂
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Yes! A DNF support group…for those who don’t, lol!!
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hahaha yes!! LOL!
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That feeling of encountering the perfect book, what a rush!
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I know right!!
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I just read this one in preparation for the sequel and totally agree. Definitely one of my favorites of the year! Glad you enjoyed it as well 🙂
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Ah brilliant!! I’m so glad you liked it too 😁
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Yes! Arrrr!
x The Captain
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hehehee thank you!! xx
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You are making me jealous of your perfect book. I am in a slump 😦 and you get 5 banana books.
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hehehe aww I’m sorry- if it helps I read this a month ago and I’m in a slump now though 😉
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Oh I’m sure it will pass I’m just a whiner
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i’ve heard so much about this book. i may pick it up and may even thank you after that. we’ll see.
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hehe well I really hope you like it if you do pick it up!
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if i do, i’ll write a review and let you know.
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Awesome!
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I’ve heard nothing but great things about this one! I got a copy at BookCon and still haven’t gotten to it. I hope to make it one of the first ones I read next year. Wonderful review!!
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Oh definitely do read it at the start of next year- it was so amazing 🙂 Thank you so much!!
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You’re welcome! And it’s definitely at the top of my TBR. I really hope I like it!
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I hope you like it too 😊
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I absolutely loved that book as well as her next one The Girl in the Tower! Her writing style is exquisite.
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Ahh I know right!! And that’s so great to hear- I’m really excited for it!!
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After my review on The Bear and The Nightingale, the publisher sent me a hard copy and the hard copy of The Girl in The Tower! I was so excited!
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Oh that’s amazing!! Well done you!!! 😁
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Hi, I love this review and you. That is all. ❤
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Aww thank you so much- you’re so sweet ❤
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Oh, so my review isn’t worthy of a mention?😂😂😂 Only joking, I totally agree with everything you said, I absolutely loved everything about this book too. I’m reading the second instalment of the trilogy at the moment and it hasn’t disappointed so far – in fact the story just keeps getting better 😊. So excited to find out what happens!
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hehe oh sorry!! Thank you!! Brilliant!! I’m so glad to hear that!! 😊 I’m so excited for it!!
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Hehehe, I wrote it about a year ago so you’ve probably not even seen it 😂😂😂.
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hehe well I thought I hadn’t seen it 😉 Do send me a link and I’ll check it out 😊
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https://lucindaisreading.wordpress.com/2016/11/18/the-bear-and-the-nightingale/ I just read it back and wow, I would not have written a review like this now! This really was the infancy of my blog. But I did give it 9/10 (aww, my old rating system) so I think that shows how much I loved it.
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Awesome- well I’ll check it out. And I get what you mean, that’s what it’s like for me to read back my old reviews 😉
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I TOTALLY plan on reading this book! I also read Danielle’s and Mischenko’s reviews and like yours they really were passionate and sparked a sense of wonder that an adult book would be so magical (in the sense of fairy tales!) ❤ Are you doing to read the sequel soon Orangutan?!
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BRILLIANT!! 😀 They were really amazing and they definitely made me pick this up!! It’s so amazingly well done!! I’m waiting (with baited breath) for the release date- so soonish lol 😉 ❤
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Ahhh, you know it’s got to be a good book when y’all rave about it like this! For some reason the whole atmospheric and magical aspect of it reminds me of The Child Finder. 😮 Love the sound of a fairy tale for adults too. I guess I’m going to have to make an extra effort in trying to read this somewhere in 2018. 😀 Awesome review!
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It was amazing!! I loved it!! 😀 Ooh I’ll have to check that out- I’ve not hear of that before. Please do! I really hope you enjoy it!! Thank you so much!!
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You completely captured the spirit of this ❤ It defines the very reason I read. Escapism and storytelling at it's finest. And your review does it a beautiful justice. I am so thrilled that you loved this. Seriously. I hope you are able to pick up the sequel soon, because it only gets better 😉 Thank you so much for sharing my review! *high fives*
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Thank you so much!! ❤ Ahh I so agree!! Thank you! That means a lot from you!! Aww thank you- I literally couldn't be more excited for it! You're very welcome!! 😊
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I’m so glad to hear that this was good. It’s on my winter TBR list. I’m even more excited for it now!
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Brilliant!! I so hope you love it as much as I did!! 😊
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Wow, this is a wonderful review, I was enthralled by the way you wove your words!! This review is magical!!
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Aww thank you so much!! That means a lot 😊
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Okay, fine–I’ll add it to my TBR! I’ve seen sooooo many reviews praising this book, but I just. can’t. see. what. the. big. deal. is.
Part of the problem is that NOBODY ever says what the book is about! I’m not sure if they’re all worried about spoilers, or just too in love, but it’s always praise for how incredible the book is, without any hint at the plot. This story could literally be about a bear and a nightingale for all I’ve seen in reviews!
But this review was the last straw. I’ll do it. I’ll get it, I’ll read it, and then I’ll know.
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hehe well I’m glad 😉
haha well I can help you out there- it’s a retelling of a Russian fairytale (in a nutshell) and yeah, I don’t really want to spoil it beyond that. The blurb is linked to in my review 😉 (really need to include that in my review descriptions lol) but I honestly think it might be worth going in mostly blind 😉
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I’ve heard enough good reviews that at this point, I’m plenty happy to go in blind. 🙂
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Awesome!! 😁
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Wonderful review! I definitely want to read Bear and the Nightingale now. You write beautifully btw.
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Thank you so much!! 😀 Aww thank you- that means a lot!!
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Everyone else seems to have loved this except me. I’m kind of disappointed after seeing so many positive reviews. I really wanted to like it, and I thought it was fine, but just not that overwhelmingly special.
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Aww that is a real shame
But I do get why it wouldn’t be for everyone- I feel like the style is very particular. Shame, but there’s always other books!
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YESSS YESS ❤ I remember the first time you praise it and I WAS LIKE OMG I HAVE TO READ IT 😀 Had to skim read the review a bit but ENOUGH TO GET ME SUPERR EXCITED TO GET IN THIS FAN WAGON
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Ahh fair enough!! I’m so glad that you want to read this though- I so hope you love it!! ❤
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I loved this book! I just could not believe it was the author’s debut. I recently just finished the sequel too and thought it was even better, so if you’re tackling the second book this winter you’re in for a treat 😀
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Ahh I’m glad! I totally agree! And I’m so excited for the sequel- I’m really really excited to hear that 😀
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I think I’m going to have to read this book, because of your high praise! Love the book cover too.
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Brilliant!! I’m so glad!! And that cover is so gorgeous!! 😀
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*screams* I’M SO HAPPY YOU LOVED THIS BOOK! I’m entranced with Arden’s writing. I finished The Girl in the Tower yesterday.
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YES!! I love hearing other people loved it too!! I totally agree with you- she writes so beautifully!! Fantastic 😀 I want to read that so badly!!
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Great review! I am so glad you loved thisbook so much, I keep on hearing so many great things about this one – I need to add it to my TBR soon 😀
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Thank you so much!! I really hope you do and that you enjoy it if you read it 😁
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Loved this book too! Counting down to Book two…
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Ah I know it was amazing- couldn’t be more psyched for the sequel!!
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Ahh this book ❤ I read it back in April and I still haven’t managed to compose myself either! Can’t wait to read the next one.
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Ahh I know right!! ❤ It's amazing!! Me too 😁
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I recently read this and really enjoyed it. I four-starred instead of five-starred since I wasn’t head over heels but I’ll definitely keep going with the series.
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Ah fair enough- I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it at least 😁
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Well that’s certainly a seal of approval. May have to add it to the list too! Lovely review.
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Brilliant! I’m so glad to hear that 😁 Thank you!!
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Wow it sounds amazing! I will have to add it to my very long to be read list.
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It was amazing- I really hope you enjoy it 😁
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Oh, I love Eva Ibbotson. ‘A Countess Below Stairs’ is purest wish-fulfilment, in a wonderful way.
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YES!! Finally someone that loves that too- I adore that book! And if you’re looking for something like that, this reminded me of that in the writing style (just with magic 😉 )
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You only gone and done it- the perfect review for the book! You really captured the essence of what the book is and I really couldn’t wait to read your thoughts on it- well worth the wait! 😉
I am also pleased to see how much weight your reviews have- high praise from you means a good book guaranteed and tons of people will now pick up a copy- well done! 🙂 ❤
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Aww thank you so much!! 😁 I’m so glad you liked it! 😁
And I’m so glad about that!! I just loved this book and I hope everyone reads and loves it as much 😁 Thank you!! ❤ ❤
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And…(gosh, I’m a goldfish!) – thank you for the shoutout! Appreciate it 🙂 ❤
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Aww you’re welcome!! 🙂 ❤
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Wow, you sure made me want to read this ASAP! I love everything folklore related, especially Russian (for whatever reason) and to know this captures the very essence of fairy tales as well as being “just right”… Well, you’ve completely convinced me to read this one very soon!
Thank you for the amazing, amazing review, which was just as beautiful as I assume this story will be 🙂 It’s not every time a book makes you feel inadequate to review it, after all!
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Yay I’m so glad!! 😁 This was so beautiful and if you love Russian folklore then you HAVE TO read it!! It was stunningly done as well 🙂 Brilliant!!
Thank you so much for reading and your lovely comment! I totally agree!! This was a really special book!
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I’ve seen so so so many incredible reviews for The Bear and the Nightingale and I’ve been meaning to get around to it for so long. Your review has reminded me I have this book on my to-read list and it’s going to be a number one priority of mine for 2018 I can say that for sure. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one, just from what you’ve said about this book in your review I feel like I’m already half in love with it myself, so I hope I enjoy The Bear and the Nightingale as much as you have. 😀
Great review. 🙂 ❤
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Yay- I’m glad that you want to read it 😁 hehe thank you- I’m so excited for you to check it out- I really hope you enjoy it!! 😀
Thank you so much!! 🙂 ❤
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That’s all right, and thanks I really hope so too! 😀 ❤
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What a great review! I’m so glad you ended up loving this one. I hope you love the second one as well. I enjoyed it, but not as much as the first. ❤ Thanks so much for the mention as well. I truly appreciate it! 😁
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Thank you so much! Ah well I’m excited anyway- it’s hard to live upto this level of awesomeness 😉 You’re welcome 😁
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Beautiful review! I absolutely agree that this was a magical read. I just finished the sequel, The Girl in the Tower and found it equally as good.😊
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Thank you so much!! I’m so glad to hear that and ridiculously excited!! 😊😊
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After reading your review I think I am already in love with this book! Fantastic Review and this book sounds awesome!😍 I love how magical this book sounds. TBR for sure after reading your passionate review!😊
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Ahh thank you and I really hope you like it!!! 😀 It really is so gorgeous!! I’m so glad you’ve decided to add it 😊
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I’m so glad to see how much you loved this book! It makes me even more exited to pick it up. Amazing review! 😀
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Ahh yes!! I really hope you like it!! Thank you! 😀
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😔 ok, I’m at odds with the book world this year. This was one I should have loved like u do, but I didn’t. I think it was good and has some good elements, but it didn’t work for me unfortunately.
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Ah no worries! I’ve been at odds with the book world so many times (like the time I was meh about Shadow and Bone… which is made weirder by the fact I ended up loving Six of Crows and now want to reread the original series…) But yeah, not everything can be for everyone all the time!
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ooooo, I love just right books. I need to read this asapp.
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Oh yes please do!! 😀
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Excellent review! It makes me want to pick this book up right away! It sounds amazing 🙂
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Fairytales for adults?! Yes please!
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Ahh I know right!! Really recommend 😀
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Such a magnificant book!
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It really is!!
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lovely review, I’m so excited to read this book!
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Brilliant!
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I wanted to buy this book for a long time. Thanks for encouraging me to buy it. I loooooooooooooove your review!
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Ah really glad to hear it!
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