The Obsession by Nora Roberts - A Review

Growing up as the daughter of a serial killer would be enough to define most people, yet she spends the entire book refusing to let that happen. I was far more interested in watching her build a life on her own terms than I was in solving the mystery.

I especially enjoyed the chapters focused on her home renovation projects. There was something satisfying about watching her transform a neglected house into something beautiful while also trying to create a future that felt safe and stable. Those parts gave the story a grounded feeling that balanced the darker subject matter.

The suspense develops in the background for much of the book, which worked for me because it gave the characters room to breathe. I liked getting to know the people around Naomi and seeing her gradually lower the walls she had every reason to keep up.

The book is longer than it needed to be in places, and I found myself wishing a few sections had been tightened up. Even so, I never felt tempted to put it aside because I wanted to see where Naomi's life would take her.

Naomi was determined to create something good from circumstances she never chose. That part felt more memorable than any of the twists.

★★★★

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The Peace of His Presence by Ginger Chapman

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Peace

I can’t imagine living without the Holy Spirit living in me.  Life would be extremely depressing and lonely.  He is always with me to comfort me.  He is always with me to give me wisdom and direction.  Any time I want to talk, He listens.  Any time I want to listen, He talks to me.  He doesn’t use audible words, but the inner voice is so very real, it might as well be audible.   If you haven’t learned to hear His voice, ask Him to teach you to listen.  Immersing yourself in the scriptures, the Holy Bible, is a good beginning.  As we become more familiar with the recorded words, we become more familiar with the sound of His voice and what He says to us.  

He is always there.  He never leaves us alone.  Be it in quiet or a din of noise around us, He is there to speak with us.  Notice I said “with” us not “to” us.  He wants to fellowship with us.  He wants to hear us, but He also wants us to hear Him.  I pray you do hear Him.  If not, I pray you will give Him an opportunity to speak to you.  He is already speaking to you.  You only need to listen.  Let’s be sure to start each day listening then continue to listen throughout the day, always taking time to respond to what He says to us.  This is the way to the greatest, deepest peace beyond all understanding.  Peace is with us in all circumstances.  God’s peace which truly transcends all understanding. 

By Ginger Chapman

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah - A Review

This wasn't one of those Kristin Hannah books that immediately jumped into my list of favorites. I've read several of her novels that affected me more deeply. Even so, I don't regret spending time with this one.

What I remember most is Alaska. Not because of the scenery, but because I kept thinking, "I could never do this." The long winters, the isolation, the constant preparation just to make it through another season... it made my everyday problems seem pretty minor. Life there felt hard in a way that's difficult to imagine if you've never experienced it.

My heart hurt for Leni. She spent so much of the book trying to make sense of the adults around her and adapt to situations that would overwhelm most people. More than once I wished someone would simply put her first.

This is not a comfortable story. There were scenes that made me angry, scenes that made me sad, and a few that had me wishing the characters would make different choices. People don't always do the sensible thing, though, and that's part of what made them feel real.

I did think the book was longer than it needed to be in places. There were moments when I was ready for the story to move ahead. Still, I wanted to see how things would turn out for Leni, and she was the reason I stayed emotionally connected to the book.

While this isn't one of my top three Kristin Hannah books, I can completely understand why so many readers love it. For me, Leni's story was the heart of the novel, and she's the character I was still thinking about after I closed the book.

★★★★

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The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave - A Review

I liked the first book, so this one had a lot to live up to. Maybe that's part of the reason it left me a little disappointed.

Norah had plenty going on, and I was interested in seeing how things worked out for her, but I never settled into this story the way I did the first one. I'd read a few chapters, set it aside, and not be in a hurry to get back to it.

The family relationships kept my attention more than the romance. Those scenes felt the most genuine to me. There was a lot of history between the characters, and not all of it was comfortable.

A few situations seemed to be solved more quickly than I expected, while other things were discussed again and again. Because of that, the book felt uneven at times.

I don't regret reading it. I just finished it wishing I had liked it as much as the first book. That one felt smoother and more natural to me. This one had good moments, but it never completely won me over.

★★★

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Mad Mabel by B.R. Myers - A Review

Mabel had strong opinions and wasn't shy about sharing them. She walked into situations with the confidence of someone who had already decided she was right. Sometimes that worked out well for her. Sometimes... not so much.

I enjoyed the people in her orbit. The interactions between the characters kept me entertained because I never knew whether a conversation would end with laughter, an argument, or somebody storming off.

I liked was that Mabel wasn't written as a larger-than-life heroine who could do no wrong. She made mistakes. She frustrated people. She frustrated me a few times. That made her feel far more interesting than a character who always had the perfect answer.

The book also gave me several moments where I caught myself thinking, "You really said that out loud?" Those were usually my favorite Mabel moments.

Four stars feels right for this one. I enjoyed spending time with Mabel, enjoyed the relationships even more, and finished the book feeling like I'd just heard a good story about someone I wouldn't have forgotten if I'd met her in person.

★★★★

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The Guest List by Lucy Foley - A Review

I picked this up because the idea of a wedding on a remote island already sounded like a disaster waiting to happen. The longer I read, the more convinced I became that nobody there was having a good weekend.

One thing I enjoyed was that my opinion of the characters kept changing. Someone would seem sympathetic for a while, and then I'd learn something that made me look at them differently. By the end, there wasn't a single person I completely trusted.

The island itself would have been enough to make me uncomfortable. Add a storm, a wedding, old grudges, hurt feelings, and too many secrets, and it felt like the whole thing was headed toward a collision nobody could stop.

The beginning took me a little while to get into because there were so many characters to keep straight. More than once I had to stop and remind myself who somebody was. Once all the connections started coming together, though, I became much more interested in what had happened and why.

What kept me reading wasn't the question of who died. It was wanting to know what everyone was hiding. Every character seemed to be carrying around something they hoped nobody else would discover.

When I finished, I kept thinking about how differently people can remember the same events and how long resentment can sit beneath the surface before finally coming out. This wasn't a book I forgot as soon as I closed it. I still think about it a few years later. 

★★★★

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Honor Thy Mother by Sarita T. Lyons - Now Released

Now Released 

This one takes a heavy topic and handles it with so much care that it feels supportive instead of overwhelming. The tone is gentle, honest, and encouraging, and it creates space to actually sit with some deeper emotions.

I appreciate this from a place of already having a healthy relationship with my mom. I’ve been really blessed in that area, but even so, I found myself lifting up prayers for some of the situations and examples shared. It gave me a different kind of perspective and a lot of compassion for stories that are very different from my own.

It balances truth and healing through scripture. It doesn’t avoid the hard parts of mother relationships, but it keeps guiding you back toward growth, understanding, and peace in a way that feels real. A lot of it felt validating and meaningful, even when it wasn’t personally relatable.

There is some repetition, but it felt more like grounding than anything else. The message stays steady, and that consistency made it stick more for me.

Overall, this is a meaningful, healing read. Gentle, thoughtful, and the kind of book that leaves you feeling lighter and more aware of others.

★★★★½

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Dog Park Murders by Angela Barker - Now Released

Now Released - August 25, 2026

The Dog Park Murders is a pretty fun mystery if you like lighter crime stories. It’s set in a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business, and the main character, Juliette, is a dog groomer who ends up becoming the prime suspect when a guy is found murdered in the local dog park—using one of her dog leashes.

What I liked most is the vibe. It’s not super dark or violent like a lot of crime novels. Instead, it has that cozy mystery feel where you’re following along trying to figure out who did it while dealing with small-town gossip, awkward encounters, and a bunch of dogs running around.

There’s also this dynamic between Juliette and Joel, a café owner who claims he hates dogs. Their back-and-forth adds some humor and a bit of romance while they try to solve the case.

The mystery itself is interesting, though the real appeal is the characters and the small-town setting. If you like stories that mix murder, humor, and a little romance, it’s a pretty enjoyable read.

It’s the kind of book you’d pick up when you want a mystery that’s entertaining, light and cozy rather than intense. A perfect palate cleanser. 

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

★★★½

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The Maidens by Alex Michaelides - A Review

I picked this up because I enjoyed The Silent Patient, and I spent most of the book trying to decide whether my suspicions were right or whether Alex Michaelides was setting me up again.

The Cambridge setting was exactly the kind of atmosphere I enjoy in a mystery. Give me old buildings, secretive groups, strange behavior, and people who seem to know more than they're saying, and I'm interested.

Mariana tested my patience more than once. She locked onto a theory early and refused to let it go. There were times I wanted her to step back and consider other possibilities, but grief has a way of narrowing a person's focus, and she was carrying a lot of it.

I kept changing my mind about who I trusted. Every time I thought I had things figured out, somebody would say or do something that made me rethink everything. I enjoy books that make me second-guess myself, and this one managed that several times.

I will admit there were stretches where I wished Mariana would stop going in circles and make some actual progress. A few plot points also asked me to believe more than I was completely comfortable with.

By the end, I wasn't nearly as confident in my theories as I had been at the beginning, which is probably exactly what the author wanted. I closed the book feeling glad I hadn't peeked ahead to see how it ended.

★★★★

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Sent by God by Ginger Chapman

John 5:30

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (NIV)

Sending

Jesus said many times that it was God who sent Him to continue God the Father’s work. He is also sending each of us to continue His work here on earth.

Our question is: Are we listening to where He wants to send us? Are we too distracted to hear, or unwilling to respond and go?

We do not need to look for some big change, like going to a foreign land. God may send us to the grocery store to speak to someone there about Him, His love, and His saving grace.

So often, we miss what God is saying to us or wanting to do through us because we are looking for something big. Let us open our minds and hearts to go wherever God wants us to go, do whatever He wants us to do, and say whatever He wants us to say.

It might be something as simple as offering a smile to someone who needs it or holding a hand. God is just as much in the small things as He is in the big things.

Let us simply go, do, and speak as He leads.

Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter - A Review

This was exactly the book I needed when I was coming off a heavier read. I wasn't looking for anything deep or life changing. I just wanted something fun, and this delivered.

Olivia is a mess in the best possible way. She says things she probably shouldn't, jumps to conclusions, and seems to attract chaos wherever she goes. More than once I laughed because I could see a situation unraveling before she did.

The texting relationship was my favorite part of the book. I looked forward to those exchanges every time they popped up. The humor felt natural, and I could easily picture the conversations happening in real life.

Sometimes a book comes along at exactly the right time. After a string of emotionally heavy reads, this was like opening a window and letting in some fresh air. I finished it with a smile and immediately felt ready to pick up my next book.

★★★★

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The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - A Review

I wasn't prepared for how much this book would focus on the family instead of the crime. Susie's murder happens early, but after that the story becomes about all the people she left behind and the different ways they try to live with something that can never be fixed.

I spent a lot of the book feeling sorry for her father. He knew something was wrong and couldn't let it go, even when everyone around him seemed to be moving in a different direction. At times I wanted to shake some of the other characters, especially when their choices hurt the people closest to them, but grief doesn't make people act reasonably.

What got to me were the ordinary moments. Birthdays. Family dinners. The little pieces of life Susie should have been part of. Those scenes hit me harder than anything involving the investigation.

I also liked that the book didn't try to tidy everything up. Life rarely works that way. People drift apart, make mistakes, carry regrets, and keep going because there isn't any other choice.

There were sections where my attention wandered a little, especially when the focus moved away from the Salmon family. Every time the story returned to them, though, I was completely interested again.

When I finished, I wasn't thinking about the murderer nearly as much as I was thinking about the people left behind and how one terrible event changed the course of so many lives.

★★★★

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Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover - A Review

I had mixed feelings while reading this one.

I wanted to grab Tate and tell her she deserved better than what she was accepting. I understood why she kept hoping for more, but I also wanted her to stop making excuses for Miles and start paying attention to what was right in front of her.

Miles frustrated me for a good portion of the book. Not because he was cruel, but because he was so determined to keep everyone at a distance. The closer I got to learning why he was that way, the more my feelings about him changed.

The chapters from Miles's past were the ones I looked forward to most. Every time the story shifted back, another piece fell into place. His behavior made more sense, even when I still didn't agree with it.

This wasn't a sweet romance for me. It was uncomfortable at times. I spent a lot of the book wishing the characters would make different choices. Even so, I couldn't stop wondering where everything was headed.

By the end, my heart hurt for Miles more than anyone. The pain he carried for so long affected every part of his life, and seeing the full picture changed the way I viewed the entire story.

★★★★

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Not in Love by Ali Hazlewood - A Review

I wasn't always sure I liked Rue, but I understood her. She had worked too hard to get where she was to let anyone mess it up, and honestly, I probably would have reacted a lot of the same way she did.

More than once I wanted to tell her to just have an honest conversation and save herself a lot of trouble. Then she'd do or say something that reminded me why she was so guarded in the first place.

Eli had more patience than I would have. There were moments when I wondered why he kept trying. Then again, if he had walked away the first time things got difficult, there wouldn't have been much of a story.

What I remember most isn't a particular scene. It's the constant tug-of-war between wanting someone close and being terrified of giving them the power to hurt you. Rue seemed stuck in that place for a long time.

I also liked that she didn't suddenly forget she had a career the minute a man showed up. That gets old fast, and Ali Hazelwood didn't go that route here.

This wasn't my favorite book by her, but it may have had my favorite heroine. She frustrated me, made me roll my eyes a few times, and still had me hoping things would work out for her.

★★★★ 

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Mad Mabel by B.R. Myers - A Review

Before reading this book, Mabel was just a name to me. It didn't take long before I was completely wrapped up in what was happening in her life.

For me, the relationships were the best part of the book. I paid far more attention to the people around Mabel and how they reacted to her than I did to the historical details. Some supported her, some challenged her, and some clearly had no idea what to do with her. Those interactions kept the story feeling alive.

Mabel herself could be frustrating at times, but that never bothered me. She was the kind of character who made her own decisions and then dealt with the consequences, whether anyone approved or not.

There were sections I liked more than others, but I never lost interest because I wanted to know what would happen next in her life and how her relationships would change along the way.

When I finished, I realized I had become much more attached to the people in the story than I expected. The relationships definitely kept me reading.

★★★★

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The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave - A Review

Hannah's husband disappears without warning, leaving behind a note asking her to protect his teenage daughter. Overnight, Hannah is left with questions she can't answer and a teenager who doesn't especially want her in her life. As the truth about her husband slowly comes to light, Hannah and Bailey have no choice but to depend on each other.

As a parent, I appreciated how Hannah never gave up on Bailey, even when Bailey pushed her away. She could have walked away from the situation, but instead she chose to stay and do everything she could to keep Bailey safe. That commitment meant a lot to me and made Hannah a character I admired.

The story wasn't rushed. The answers came gradually, and each new piece of information changed the picture a little more. I kept wondering what Hannah would discover next and how it would affect both of their lives.

Bailey felt like a real teenager. She was angry, confused, stubborn, and hurting. Hannah was trying to navigate a situation she never expected to face. Neither handled everything perfectly, which made their relationship feel believable.

Family doesn't always come together in the way we expect, and this book captures that well.

★★★★

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God’s Best in His Perfect Timing by Ginger Chapman

 Romans 8:28-29

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (NIV)

Good or Best

One of my children is applying for a new position in their job. It looks like a very good opportunity. Often, we see something good and go after it. But God wants more than the good for us. He wants the best.

When we push hard to gain what we see as good, when we force doors open to gain it, sometimes we are settling for only the good when God has the best lined up for us at the right time. It is hard to wait.

I've learned by experience not to force open doors for something I think is good. I've learned to wait on God's timing and find delightful surprises of things so much better than the good I was after.

We have a hard time waiting. We live in a world of instant access. God knows when we are ready to move on to something new. We need to learn to be content where we are, yet, at the same time, always be ready to move on with God to something new.

When He moves us in His time, we can be assured that He has also equipped us for success in the new.

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks - A Review

I picked this one up years ago and remembered enjoying it, but the second time around I paid more attention to Logan. There was something reassuring about him. He wasn't trying to be the center of attention, and he didn't spend the whole book talking about how good a person he was. He just quietly went about his life and did what needed to be done.

I think that's why the story worked for me. Logan and Beth both had baggage, but neither one spent chapter after chapter feeling sorry for themselves. They were just trying to get through the day and take care of the people they loved.

I have a soft spot for stories where people build trust slowly. Too many romances jump from meeting to forever. I enjoyed watching Beth gradually realize that Logan wasn't going anywhere and that he genuinely cared about her and her son.

Nana stole the show more than once. She brought humor and heart to the story and felt like somebody's real grandmother instead of a character created to dispense wisdom.

There were moments when I wanted to shake a few people, and I spent part of the book worrying that things were about to fall apart. Nicholas Sparks has trained me not to get too comfortable. Still, I cared much more about these people finding some peace than I did about the mystery surrounding the photograph.

★★★★

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The Abiding Way: A 40-Day Devotional Study Through the Gospel of John by Jeanine Amapola Ward - A Review

Release Date: October 27, 2026

This devotional offers a practical and encouraging 40-day journey through the Gospel of John, helping readers deepen their relationship with Jesus and better understand what it means to abide in Him daily. Jeanine Amapola Ward writes in a relatable and accessible style that makes Scripture approachable for both newer believers and those looking to strengthen their faith.

I especially enjoyed the format of this study. Each day's reading was clear, engaging, and never felt over your head. The lessons were easy to follow while still providing meaningful insight and encouragement, making it simple to stay consistent throughout the 40 days.

Each day combines biblical insight, personal reflection, and practical application, encouraging readers to move beyond simply reading God's Word and into actively living it. The devotional continually points readers back to the idea that abiding is about staying connected to Christ through faith, trust, obedience, and daily dependence on Him. Because the format is easy to follow and never overwhelming, it helps build sustainable habits that encourage a closer walk with Jesus long after the 40 days are complete.

Overall, The Abiding Way is a thoughtful devotional that inspires spiritual growth, deeper faith, and a closer walk with Christ. It's an excellent choice for anyone seeking a structured yet approachable study of the Gospel of John.

★★★★★

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The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery - A Review

Robyn Caldwell has spent years putting everyone else's needs ahead of her own. When family problems, financial concerns, and constant demands start piling up, an invitation to spend the summer in Santa Barbara offers a chance to step away and figure out what she wants from the next chapter of her life. 

The family relationships were the heart of the story. Robyn is surrounded by people who love her, but many of them also depend on her so heavily that she has little time to think about herself. Watching her learn to establish boundaries and consider her own happiness was one of the most satisfying parts of the book. 

Lillian brought a lot of life and energy to the story. Her carefree attitude balanced Robyn's tendency to worry about everything, and their time together created some of the book's strongest moments. The friendships and family connections felt genuine, with characters who were imperfect but easy to understand. 

The Santa Barbara setting added warmth and charm without overshadowing the characters. Much of the story focuses on personal growth, family complications, and second chances rather than dramatic twists, which suited the tone well.

A few storylines wrapped up a little too neatly, and some conflicts felt predictable. Even so, the characters kept me interested, and I enjoyed seeing how their relationships evolved.

The mix of family, friendship, personal growth, and romance made this an enjoyable read. It is as much about finding yourself as it is about helping the people you love, and that balance worked well throughout the story.

★★★★

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 One of my absolute favorite places in the world. 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore - A Review

When thirteen-year-old Barbara Van Laar disappears from a summer camp owned by her wealthy family, the case brings attention back to another disappearance from years earlier: her brother vanished from the same property and was never found. What follows is part mystery, part family drama, with multiple timelines and a large cast of characters.

I wanted to love this one more than I did.

The mystery kept me interested, but the story felt overloaded at times. There are a lot of characters, a lot of jumping between time periods, and a lot of backstories. Some of it added depth, but some of it slowed the book down more than I wanted.

The strongest parts were the family secrets and the tension between the wealthy Van Laars and the people who worked for them. For me, it was a solid mystery that took a little too long to get where it was going. It didn't completely live up to the hype.

★★★

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Doing Something New by Mitali Perkins - Now Released

Now Released

This is a really soft, calming book. It’s less of a story and more of a gentle prayer for kids who are nervous about starting something new, a new school, a new place, a new routine. It doesn’t try to fix anything or rush past the fear. It just sits with it and says, you’re not alone.

There’s no big plot here, just reassurance and repetition, which honestly feels right for the audience. The illustrations are quiet and warm, and the whole book feels like something you’d read slowly, maybe more than once, especially during a tender season.

Not exciting, not flashy, just steady and comforting in a way that feels very intentional.

★★★★

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

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Our Perfect Storm - A Review

Frankie is left by her fiancé the morning after her wedding weekend begins, and instead of letting her honeymoon go to waste, she ends up taking the trip with George, her lifelong best friend. As they spend time together in Tofino, old memories, buried feelings, and years of unfinished business start coming to the surface.

I liked that Frankie and George already knew each other so well. They weren't strangers falling in love. They had years of history, inside jokes, old arguments, and memories connecting them. That made their relationship feel more complicated and more interesting.

The Tofino setting added a lot to the story. Between the beaches, forests, and storms, it felt like the perfect place for two people to stop running from difficult conversations.

There were times when I wanted both characters to be more honest about what they wanted, but I stayed invested in them and wanted to see where they ended up.

For me, this was more about friendship, timing, and finally facing the truth than it was about romance alone.

★★★★

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - A Review

Rachel is not an easy character to like, but she is fascinating to follow. Her life is messy, her memory is unreliable, and she often makes terrible choices. That frustration actually added to the story because it was never clear whether what she believed was true.

The changing points of view gradually reveal how connected everyone's lives are. Small details that seem unimportant at first end up carrying a lot of weight later. The story spent a lot of time inside the characters' thoughts, and that made the secrets, lies, and misunderstandings feel believable rather than exaggerated.

Several characters were difficult to trust, which created constant uncertainty about what had happened and who was telling the truth. Each new chapter seemed to shift the picture slightly, making it hard to settle on a single explanation.

A few sections felt repetitive, particularly when Rachel's personal struggles took center stage, and some developments were easier to predict than others. Even so, the mystery held my attention, and the final revelations tied the story together well.

The combination of damaged characters, hidden motives, and tangled relationships made for an entertaining read. The story spends as much time exploring obsession, loneliness, and deception as it does solve the mystery, giving it more depth than a straightforward crime novel.

★★★★

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