So, we’re back with another Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week is actually a freebie and so I decided to do a topic that I don’t think I’ve done before: Top Ten Books I Was SO EXCITED to Get, but Still Haven’t Read (bonus points if you tell us how long it’s been since you got them!)
Listen, we all know that there’s just not enough time to read all the books we want when we want to read them, right? I mean, days, weeks, months *cough* years will pass, moods they change, TBRs most certainly grow… And that’s just life, right? 😅 I know you all get what I’m saying and for one reason or another, that’s what happened with these books that I was ridiculously excited about and *needed* to get on my shelves ASAP—mostly because of the hype—and yet they’re still sitting unread, gathering dust, feeling neglected… 🍃📚🍂
But maybe by showing these books some love today, I’ll feel the desire to pick them up… Soon? 😃 I’ve tried my best to order them from the longest to the shortest time spent on my shelf but we know my memory isn’t the best!






- The City of Brass: the hype, she got me good!
- Muse of Nightmares: i forgot so much of book 1 that i wanted to re-read it before picking this up, and then i never did 🤡
- Norse Mythology: i struggle with non-fiction…
- Black Leopard, Red Wolf: i was so excited when i saw this stunning cover but i’m scared this’ll go completely over my head!
- Finale: see reason from *muse of nightmares*






- The Vanishing Half: a bit of hype intimidation…
- Beach Read: i was excited this released on my bday. & then it did and then i just… didn’t read it?
- Act Your Age, Eve Brown: i have no excuse. i really want to read this but???
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: ngl, I’m intimidated AF by all the hype. so much hype!
- Aurora’s End: kind of out of my control due to Goldsboro shipping issues!

What are some of the books you were excited about but that you still haven’t read yet? Or are you a unicorn and always read the books you buy immediately? 😂 What’s the longest a book has sat unread on your shelf?

I haven’t read Norse Mythology yet either.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-was-so-excited-to-get-but-still-havent-read/
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I hope you enjoy it whenever you get around to reading it! 🙂
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Finale, Eve Brown, and Beach Read were all wins for me. You have such a wide array of genres and ages to choose from on this list. I bet you the mood will strike at some point.
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Ah, so glad to hear you loved them! Definitely looking forward to reading them and I hope the mood to read them will strike me soon 😂
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I hope you’re able to read some of these soon.
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I’ve convinced myself to pick up City of Brass now and so hopefully I’ll get through the rest soon too! 😂
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That’s great!
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I swear I tried with Addie LaRue but it ended up being a DNF for me. I just couldn’t get into it! {sad face} I’m definitely the odd girl out on that one, though, because everyone else seems to love it!
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I’m a big Schwab fan and I’m hoping that’ll apply to Addie as well but I think I just need to be in the right mood for a slower read! I have seen a few others also not click with it so you’re definitely not alone in your opinion, but the majority I’ve seen have loved it. Hopefully, I do too whenever I get around to it 😂
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There are 6 books on your list that I also have yet to read, one day we’ll get to them.
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I hope that when we do get to them, we’ll enjoy them as much as everyone else seemed to 😃
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Agreed, there’s nothing worse than reading a book everyone loves and you’ve been looking forward to, only to have it be a disappointment
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I haven’t read Norse Mythology either. Beach Read, and Act Your Age Eve Brown are on my list as well. I loved Addie LaRue! Here is my post https://paigesofnovels.wordpress.com/2022/05/17/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-got-excited-about-but-never-read/.
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I hope you enjoy these books as well, whenever you get to them! 😃
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Ahhh, I was looking to see if we had a ton in common to read but I’ve read most of these! So many amazing books, Dini. I’m glad that you have picked up the City of Brass. I hope that it picks up for you soon! Such a great series! Addie was also a great read and I hope that you are able to pick it up sometime and you will enjoy it too! ❤
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I saw we have something in common from your list though! 😂 I don’t know when I want to read The Unbroken though I do want to read it… Wondering if June will be a good month for it but kind of wanna play it by ear! 😜 I hope City of Brass does pick up as well but I am interested in the world-building and all. I’m kinda really nervous about Addie but I’m hoping since I’ve loved pretty much everything Schwab has written, I’ll enjoy it too! 💜
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Haha, I totally know what you mean. The reading is kinda feeling meh, right now. I think because there’s just so much and a lot going on. Anyways, we will play it by ear and see how it goes! Addie is one of my favorites by Schwab and I think you will love it. It’s so hyped though, I totally understand. I think you will though!! ❤
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I’ve been super curious about Norse Mythology since… you know, Neil Gaiman and Norse mythology, kind of a neat combo right? But I haven’t gotten to it yet…
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Right? I love Gaiman’s work and I even have the audiobook for this one cos I love his narration too, yet it still sits unread 😂 Why am I like this!
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I still haven’t read Finale, but I didn’t buy it. I just was kind of done after that second book. But I did hear it was good. Hope you get to all of these soon.
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Ooh, I remember enjoying the second book more than the first actually… Maybe I was feeling the romance and intrigue more! But I’ve now forgotten pretty much everything? So would definitely need to re-read the series before moving on to the *Finale* 😂
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Beach Read is on my list, too. It hasn’t been there that long, though, not compared to my others. My unread books
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I hope we both enjoy it whenever we get around to reading it 😃
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Eve Brown is so good! I hope you get a chance to read it soon.
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I’ve heard so many good things and since I loved the first two Brown sisters and I love Hibbert in general, I’m hoping that love will continue with Eve Brown, lol!
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I have the Brown Sisters books on my TTT this week, too! I read Beach Read last year and loved it (though fair warning, it’s not as fluffy and light as the cover suggests). I hope you enjoy these when you read them!
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I’ve heard lots of people say the same thing about Beach Read so I feel like I know what I’ll be getting into… But maybe that’s also why I haven’t picked it up yet cos I feel like I need to be in the right mood for it 🤔 But I am still excited for it! Hehe I hope you enjoy the Brown Sisters 😍
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I definitely think that’s a good idea! I really enjoyed it, but it would’ve been easier to read if I hadn’t been expecting something fluffy and light. I hope so too! 🙂
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EVe Brown is maybe my favorite Brown Sisters book! And City of Brass is on my TBR too!
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Ah, I’m so excited to hear that! I was ridiculously excited to get a copy of it and yet it’s been sat on my shelf unread for way too long now 🥲 Hoping I can motivate myself to pick it up soon—cos I’ve convinced myself to pick up City of Brass and I just started it now! Lol
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The hype around a book can really kill my desire to read it. Even if it has been a year or more. I picked up a copy of Inheritance Games last summer, and I was excited to get it. It is still sitting on my bookshelf, unread. But I know that I will read it at some point.
Thanks for stopping by my post earlier.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/10-books-on-my-physical-tbr-the-longest/
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I totally agree! The hype can sometimes really put me off and that’s why most of the time I end up reading very hyped books years after they come out despite being very excited for their releases! 😂 I did hear lots of good things about Inheritance Games. I hope you enjoy it whenever you pick it up!
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The City of Brass has been sitting on my bookshelf for a while now. Still untouched. lol
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I just picked it up!!! Haha I’ve motivated myself to finally do it 😂 It’s slow going but I’m hoping it picks up!
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Oooh, I hope it picks up for you!
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I feel you on The City of Brass – lol the hype got me too and it’s still unread on my shelf!
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I’ve motived myself just now to pick it up 😃 It’s slow going but I’m hoping it picks up soon lol
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Yay Dini!
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I can say that Eddie LaRue is worth its hype, I really enjoyed it. The city of Brass (is it the first book in they trilogy? I keep confusing them, lol) was pretty great but i didn’t enjoy the last one. Finale… sigh, was one of my anticipated reads but turned out really underwhelming. I think the spinn of Once upon a broken heart is way way better. I also have the second and third book of Aurora cycle to read but i am not sure i will, the whole trilogy seems very similar to Illuminae which i loved and aurora alas haven’t lived up to the level of that.
BTW, I love how you changed the title of this weeks topic, lmao.
Anyway, I hope you’ll enjoy all these books if you decide to finally read them.
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Y’know, I’ve heard a lot of people say the same thing about Finale and it doesn’t entice me to pick it up sooner 😂 I’m reading City of Brass right now and it’s kind of… OK? I mean, I think I expected so much cos the hype is pretty big around that trilogy… But I hope it’s just me needing time to get used to the world-building etc. I’m also really excited to read OUABH! I agree that the Aurora Cycle is very similar to Illuminae, a series which I loved, but I’m also really enjoying the Aurora books… I’m easy to please when it comes to that duo, I think! 😂
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Yeah, City of Brass is definitely hyped and after reading three books i still can’t get the hype. Not bad, but not brilliant, imo.
I think i might pick up book 2 in Aurora cycle when i miss cute sci fi adventures. I totally agree that the author duo are perfect for such kinds of books, which is great because I think it’s really hard to write a book together and make it so entertaining.
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Just finished the first book and the last 15% brought the rating up a bit for me but it was still mostly “ok”. There was a lot that I wish had been done differently but I think the unique setting and the intricate world-building is one that will stick with me. That cliffhanger ending makes me want to know what happens next asap though, so I guess the author did a good job in bringing back the intrigue 😂 I hope you enjoy the second Aurora book if/when you pick it up!
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Oh yeah… I always meant to get to Muse of Nightmares too…
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Haha, yeah, that “oh yeah” moment 😂
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I don’t have any of them on my TBR pile but “Norse Mythology” would interest me.
Thanks for visiting my TTT this week which contains some pretty old books.
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If you love Norse Mythology then I think it would definitely be interesting for you! Thanks for stopping by as well, Marianne 🙂
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Thanks for the information. I have put it on my wish list.
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THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME OF ALL THE BOOKS I STILL NEED TO GET TO 😭😭 its seriously unfair how we’re able to read only SO LITTLE of the total number of books on our TBRs right?? WHERE IS IMMORTALITY WHEN YOU NEED IT???
I am INSANELY excited to read city of brass, muse of nightmares (ESPECIALLY SINCE STRANGE THE DREAMER IS BASICALLY THE REASON FOR MY EXISTENCE) and also ADDIE LARUE!! I’ve only read finale from your list, and… was SEVERELY disappointed?? But i guess we can blame that on the fact that I didn’t really like the series as a whole? BUT HOPE YOU ENJOY ALL OF THESE WHEN YOU GET TO THEM!!
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Yep, there are definitely not enough hours in a day. Petition to somehow add more hours but specifically READING HOURS so that we can do better at tackling our TBRs!!! This post made me finally pick up City of Brass and it’s OK so far? I’m hoping it picks up. I don’t know how to feel about these characters and it’s confusing the hell out of me haha… I remember liking the first two books in the Caraval series but I’ve heard from so many people that Finale was disappointing… Ngl, that’s not really enticing me to pick it up 🥲. It’s so sad when the last book in a series is disappointing!
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As much as I proclaim Strange the Dreamer as one of my all time favorite books, I have yet to buy Muse of Nightmares 😂 I have a feeling it’ll break my heart lol
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Haha, I say the same thing about Strange the Dreamer 😂 Glad to know I’m not the only one. But I also haven’t read it for the reason that I think it’s gonna emotional crush me so… 🤷🏻♀️
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SOOO good news is Norse Mythology doesn’t really read like a non-fiction book, so you’ll probably be okay there!! I really, really enjoyed Addie LaRue but I can see how the hype would be intimidating!
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Oh, that’s great! I’ve got the audiobook as well and I love Gaiman’s narration so that makes me double excited for it! I’ve had everyone tell me how much they’ve enjoyed Addie and I love Schwab and think I’m quite easily pleased when it comes to her books, so I’ll probably like it? But I could also be jinxing myself rn 😂
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If I say City of Brass was just ok will that ease the pressure on you so you can read it and FALL IN LOVE WITH HOW AMAZING IT IS AND THEN BUY THE NEXT TWO BOOKS IMMEDIATELY AND DITCH ALL OTHER BOOKS TO READ THEM AND THEN BE SAD WHEN THE SERIES IS OVER AND THEN GET EXCITED ABOUT THE BOOK OF LORE COMING OUT SOON?
I guess I kind of failed at easing down the hype…
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SO SO SO…. I started reading City of Brass and it IS just OK??? Like… Hmm… Not sure what I’m supposed to feel for these characters, Jennifer and it’s really throwing me off!!! I’m intrigued by all the lore and the world-building is grand and all but these characters are not growing on me the way I thought they would??? 🙃 I’m just at the 50% mark though so maybe the latter half will change my mind! I HOPE SO
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Ooooooh if you hate it that will be wickedly delightful 😈 I think the world and plot was what I loved over the characters specifically, and it picks up more once they’ve actually made it there. I didn’t kind the last of character connection so much. So excited to hear how it goes if you finish!
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Um, YES. Haha, I just sent you a message on Instagram last night after I finished it cos I immediately remembered what you said about wanting to read the second book immediately and lol, that last 15% really upped my intrigue again and made me want to pick up the next book immediately. But defo agree about world > character likeability. I wanted to give everyone a good long shake 😂 My full review might go up on the blog next week… Not sure that it makes sense but lol I got my thoughts down as best I could lol!
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YES! I’m so excited you started to like it! The ending definitely smashes up the action in a really crazy way. I liked book two a lot! And again… the ending of it made me immediately start book three. xD I’ll keep an eye out for your review! I haven’t reviewed 2 & 3 yet because I read them all concurrently so it was hard to remember where things split xD
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Several of these are on my tbr, as well. I’ve still only read the first Brown sisters. I need to get to the other two. I hope you can read Beach Read soon! It’s still my favorite book. ❤
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Dani’s book (the second Brown sister) was my fave but I’ve heard really great things about Eve’s story. I know I really need to pick up Emily Henry’s books cos *everyone* seems to love them so I hope I will too 🥰
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Great post, Muse of Nightmares is such a good read and recently finally picked up Act Your Age Eve Brown and loved it. Hope you enjoy these when you get to them
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I think I need to re-read Strange the Dreamer before continuing with Muse of Nightmares cos its been so long now. BUT I’m looking forward to it although I’m kinda scared after Strange’s ending… 🥲 I’m also really keen to read Eve Brown 😍
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I hope you enjoy both of them
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I definitely understand not picking up books because of the hype! I did enjoy Addie LaRue, though it’s not my favourite Schwab book. The City of Brass was also great. Sadly, Finale was my least favourite of the three Caraval books, I much preferred Caraval and Legendary. I hope you enjoy all of these when you get to them.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2022/05/17/top-ten-tuesday-368/
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I’ve heard a lot of people say the same thing about Finale which is a little disappointing! This post made me finally pick up City of Brass and while I’m enjoying it I think the hype made me expect something a little different… I hope I enjoy the second half more!
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Yeah it did feel like the series just kind of fizzled out which was such a shame because I loved the first two books so much. The first half is a lot of set up, things definitely get more interesting in the second half (in my opinion anyway!).
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I did not love Addie LaRue – I enjoyed it but I didn’t find the all encompassing love for it that many did. However from your list, I DID really love Beach Read and Act Your Age, Eve Brown! I’ve also read City of Brass (and the second book but the third has been on my TBR now for a few months!). I also haven’t read the Caraval series yet – it’s one I want to get to.
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I have seen a few people say that Addie wasn’t for them and fair enough! When this happens to me I always feel like the hype plays a role in my being disappointed 😅 Making this post pushed me to finally pick up City of Brass and I’m enjoying it but I also think it’s just “ok” so far…I hope the second half convinces me that it’ll be great, lol! I hope you enjoy the Caraval books when you get to them—I’m planning to do a re-read of the first two this year so I can *finally* pick up the last book in the series. Happy reading!
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I hope you enjoy these when you finally read them. I really loved Finale, Eve Brown, Beach Read, Addie LaRue, and Muse of Nightmares.
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Ooh, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed Finale cos I’ve seen quite a few mixed things but a lot of people (even comments here) have said that they didn’t enjoy it 🥲 I can’t wait to try it myself though!
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Are there really unicorns out there who read all the books they buy? I’ll need to see it to believe it 😀
I read and enjoyed Beach Read and Addie LaRue, but City of Brass and Aurora’s End made my list too 🙂
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Haha, well, based on all my comments and the posts I’ve seen this week, the answer would be that unicorns really don’t exist 😂 Making this post did convince me to pick up City of Brass so I’m actually reading that now… I really hope it picks up because so far it’s just alright… I want the last 50% to change my mind! 😂
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I still need to read Addie LaRue too! I keep cramming my seasonal TBRs so hopefully I’ll read it by the end of the year.
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Haha, I feel like I stuck that in every “possibility pile” that I made since it came out until I decided to just take it off earlier this year cos the pressure was just too much 😂 Haha. I do wanna try and get to it before the end of the year too… I hope you enjoy it if you manage to pick it up 😃
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I hope you have a chance to read Aurora’s End soon! I really liked it.
I adored Strange the Dreamer and was so excited for Muse of Nightmares and then… so disappointed. It happens. Hopefully when you get around to reading it you enjoy it more 🙂
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Oh, that’s good to hear! I actually haven’t seen many/any reviews of Aurora’s End since it came out so it’s great to hear that you enjoyed it (and hopefully that means it was a great ending to the series lol)! Sad to hear about Muse of Nightmares though! It definitely happens when a series ender disappoints but that’s always a bummer to hear.
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Yeah, I haven’t heard a ton about Aurora’s End either. I think maybe it got lost since it came out in December, which is always a weird time for books. But I liked it a lot. Very fun and interesting, like the rest of the series.
And yeah, it happens. It’s not like the worst book ever. It just is very long and slow paced. Some people loved it so I could be the outlier here. 🙂
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[…] #TopTenTuesday: 10 Books I *needed* ASAP… But still haven’t read (oops)! […]
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