Bitter Truth is the first book in the Hawthorne Vines series and I enjoyed this one! It’s small town, set at her family’s vineyard, and a bit forbiddeBitter Truth is the first book in the Hawthorne Vines series and I enjoyed this one! It’s small town, set at her family’s vineyard, and a bit forbidden because he’s her new boss!
Murphy returns back to her hometown after living in the city for 9 years. She was an aspiring singer in L.A. but now she’s returning back to Rosewood with broken dreams. On her first day back, her car breaks down and Wes shows up to help change her tire. They both feel a little something there but go their separate ways and she ends up running into him again when she rolls on to her family’s vineyard. She finds out he’s the newly hired chef for the vineyard’s restaurant she’s there to help her brother open.
This has a lot of family dynamics with Murphy, her moody brother, and their father. Wes has some reasons for pushing her away as well, even though he’s interested. I really enjoyed the writing of this one, I haven’t read either author before but I liked this setting and the characters. We got some emotional elements to it as well which was nice. I’d definitely read more in this series! This is available on Kindle Unlimited with the read and listen feature.
I received an audio ALC, all thoughts are my own. ...more
This one looked and sounded super cute, but it was just okay for me. This author has written YA before and I think this was their first adult, possiblThis one looked and sounded super cute, but it was just okay for me. This author has written YA before and I think this was their first adult, possibly. Anyways, this is a friends to lovers, fake dating romance.
They used to be friends when they were younger and are now back in one another’s lives. They start fake dating after break ups with their exes goes viral. This was just okay for me, it had moments that reminded me of other books with similar tropes but those I enjoyed more, so yeah just an okay read. I grabbed the audio from the library though, so on to the next....more
Broken Beginnings is a small town, romantic suspense and I loved this one so much! It had such a good blend of small town life, history between the coBroken Beginnings is a small town, romantic suspense and I loved this one so much! It had such a good blend of small town life, history between the couple, the romance, as well as intense suspense/mystery elements that I was here for!
Haley left Citrus Cove, Texas behind after graduating high school and she swore to never return. She’s now a successful travel writer who gets to live out her dream of always traveling and writing travel articles for a well-known international magazine. But now she’s returning back to the small town after witnessing a murder in her apartment building and becoming a possible next target for the killer.
We see in the prologue how life was rough for Haley and her sister Sarah growing up, their dad left and their mother died so the girls were raised by their grandmother. Haley’s highschool bully was Cameron Harlow and we see just how cruel he was to her in the prologue. But now it’s 12 years later and Cam is wanting to make amends and apologize for the awful ways he treated her in the past!
I was obsessed with Cameron and Haley together. He was absolutely a bully to her growing up but I loved how much he realizes and acknowledges how awful he was and how much he wants to make amends over it all. His family owns a local farm and vineyard and he opened up a winery to go along with it, Haley starts working there while she’s in town so we get lots of close proximity! The suspense elements were also done really well and added a lot to the story and plot! I just loved everything about this read and devoured it in a day! All the small town fun: a family oak tree, tinted windows, tailgates, picnics! So excited with the next books to come in this series for characters we met, the next one is a single mom MMF!
CW (provided by author): parental suicide (off page but mentioned), witnessing a murder, bullying, stalking, CNC, assault, guns, violence...more
I had seen this one around a lot and was wanting to give it and the author a try! Basically this is a romantic suspense, brother’s best friend, hockeyI had seen this one around a lot and was wanting to give it and the author a try! Basically this is a romantic suspense, brother’s best friend, hockey hero romance, with some twists.
I don’t know, this just wasn’t it. It started off interesting, the premise is the heroine finds out dark secrets about her past and life after the funeral of her adopted mother. From there her life takes a turn! The writing style wasn’t for me, lots of telling instead of showing, things move too quickly/are glossed over for what is actually happening in the heroine’s life. The steamy scenes felt like other spicy times, I skimmed past those scenes. The romance and plot just didn’t jive together very well, they felt very separate. I won’t be continuing on with this series. On to something else! ...more
Asking for Trouble is the newest book in the Fallen Men series, a MC series I’ve loved for years! This one is on the shorter side, well shorter for a Asking for Trouble is the newest book in the Fallen Men series, a MC series I’ve loved for years! This one is on the shorter side, well shorter for a Giana book so it’s just over 300 pages. This gives all the MC, found family, he falls HARD energy.
“All my life, I’ve fought to find beauty in the chaos, to be happy even, and especially, in the hard times ’cause if I waited for the good, I’d be sad most’a the time. I didn’t even realize how lonely I still was ’til I saw your colour blue and knew I needed it brightenin’ my life.”
His neon art, electric blue hair, piercings, neon signs, he’s a man obsessed and wants to make her his from the start, complications and history, the Fallen Men family, the “I’d burn the world down for you” energy, electric love! Giana’s found family always hits so well and I love any extra time with the Fallen Men family. Boner and Blue were perfect for one another, he falls so hard, which was fun to see. Giana’s writing is always so quote-worthy and I loved so many moments in this one!
“Feel like I was born with your name written on my bones, and I was just waitin’ to find ya.”
“The kinda love I got for you is electric. It lights up my soul and vibrates my bones.”...more
Bourbon & Lies is the first book in The Bourbon Boys series and I loved this book so much! This was on my radar for a while after seeing it on IG and Bourbon & Lies is the first book in The Bourbon Boys series and I loved this book so much! This was on my radar for a while after seeing it on IG and falling in love with the cover. I didn’t even read the synopsis, just knew I had to read it! And I’m so glad I did, because I devoured it!
This is a small town, romantic suspense set in Kentucky; his family is a prestigious bourbon family who still run their business together (3 brothers and their grandfather). She’s on the run and in hiding through the witness protection program and ends up staying at his family’s property.
The prologue drops you right in the story of Grant Foxx, we then cut to five years later and his career and life have made changes. Laney is dropped at Foxx Bourbon in the middle of the night and ends up meeting all the Foxx brothers, but it’s Grant who really grabs her attention…and she his attention.
“Can I be the reason you stay?”
I loved how he’s grumpy but flirty with her, and she’s sassy and brazen with him! They end up as neighbors and the tension and slow burn was everything!! I loved the bourbon history and fun they have with it, his whole family and the side characters we meet already (so ready for their books to come), loved his relationship with his cute nieces and how she bonds with them too, love Julep his dog, Hadley had me laughing with her teases of Ace, Griz and his ladies, the Romancing the Stone nods! Seriously just so good and I was obsessed with this book. He’s got that grumpy alpha vibe and falls for her hard! Both have so much trauma and loss in their pasts and it was so nice seeing them find comfort and happiness in each other.
CW: violence and death (on page), descriptive gore, discussion of captivity, violence toward women, gun violence, violence against an animal (gets hurt), death of loved ones (discussed), reference to sexual assault, discussion of cannibalism, discussion of homicide, PTSD...more
4.5 stars! The Heartbreaker is a student professor, grumpy sunshine, roommates, surprise pregnancy (but it’s not his), romance. But the found family, 4.5 stars! The Heartbreaker is a student professor, grumpy sunshine, roommates, surprise pregnancy (but it’s not his), romance. But the found family, healing from generational trauma, and the emotions of it all was really my favorite parts! My favorite in the series yet!
Sadie manages a sex club, she’s going to college as a business major to one day open her own club where women can feel safe and have fun. Her new English professor is Lucas Goode and they have a moment right from the start. They also kinda know one another already as the club she manages is owned by his brother’s girlfriend (the couple from The Anti Hero). She ends up calling Lucas out on his “dom behavior” and once she tells him how much of a mess her life currently is, he offers for her to move in with him and for him to get her life on the right track.
This story moves pretty quickly, but I liked where it went and how emotional it gets for both of them! She finds out she’s pregnant after a one-time hookup and Lucas is in a place in his life where he doesn’t know what to do with himself. So they kind of fit with one another and are there at the right time for one another. I just really enjoyed this story and this couple, like I said, it’s my favorite in the series so far!
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
CW (provided by author): on-the-page child abuse, homophobia, sexual assault and rape (off page)....more
Sadly this just did not work for me! I’ve been reading Penelope Douglas for years and really expected to love this one, but I struggled. I had a good Sadly this just did not work for me! I’ve been reading Penelope Douglas for years and really expected to love this one, but I struggled. I had a good time with Tryst Six Venom and had been anticipating this read! This is very much a “wrong sides the track” type of story.
It was obvious who Krisjen was going to end up with, who she shared the mystery one night with. And so at that point I just didn’t care or want to hear about her with alllll the other Jaegar brothers if she wasn’t ending up with them in the end. If it was why choose that would be a different story, but that’s not the direction of the story as she ends up with 1 in the end (I wish it went why choose). I also just wasn’t a fan of the first half of the story, it drops you right in and just felt so tedious and repetitive. I wasn’t pulled in by the heroine in the first half, I was kinda irritated that she was the one having to hold together all these guys and being there for all of them. I wanted to see her be the one being taken care of instead, for just a little bit! But that is kind of this author’s usual style so maybe I just haven’t read one of their books in a while or I’ve outgrown that type of plot/character. ...more
Ok this was fun! I’m always down for a quick novella and this one delivered! Sapphic, bodyguard, set at sea on a cruise ship! This series has been so Ok this was fun! I’m always down for a quick novella and this one delivered! Sapphic, bodyguard, set at sea on a cruise ship! This series has been so fun on audio in particular and this one was no different. ...more
So Wrong is a college (new adult), why choose with second chance and fake dating. Just know this book is the first in the Boys of South Chapel series So Wrong is a college (new adult), why choose with second chance and fake dating. Just know this book is the first in the Boys of South Chapel series and it does end on a cliffhanger (as this author loves to do with her why choose romances)!
We follow Hunter, Greedy, and Levi. Hunter is the heroine and we see her relationship with both guys in the past and present (then and now chapters). Greedy is her ex boyfriend and Levi is Greedy’s best friend and their new roommate…oh and Hunter is fake dating Levi for reasons! Life is very complicated to say the least.
I will say I enjoyed Greedy more than any of the other characters. This book also only shows us Hunter with two heroes, so while it doesn’t feel very why choose here to me, there is promise of more heroes to come in the next books! So you definitely do need to read in order as well. I honestly couldn’t tell if I enjoyed the past or present chapters more. I just wanted to feel pulled in with these characters and I just didn’t. They were just fine and I needed a little something more. I did read a previous why choose series from this author (Boys of Lake Chapel) that I enjoyed more, but this has promise.
I received an audio ALC, all thoughts in this review are my own....more
King of Wrath is the start to a new series from Ana Huang and I was so intrigued by this arranged marriage situation! It kind of had elements of a fakKing of Wrath is the start to a new series from Ana Huang and I was so intrigued by this arranged marriage situation! It kind of had elements of a fake relationship as well since the couple has to pretend like they’re in love and be engaged leading up to their arranged wedding. Hero is a billionaire and is forced into an arranged relationship with his enemy’s daughter!
Dante Russo thrives on control, both personally and professionally. The billionaire CEO never planned to marry—until the threat of blackmail forces him into an engagement with a woman he barely knows….Vivian Lau, jewelry heiress and daughter of his newest enemy. Vivian is a luxury event planner in Manhattan and finds out her father has arranged a marriage for her with billionaire hotshot, Dante. They end up moving in together quickly to make their relationship look real, but Dante wants a long engagement to be able to find/destroy the blackmail and end the relationship too. Her family is “new money” and her parents are thrilled to have her marrying into his family.
I loved the forced proximity of them living in his house together. All the running into one another, there is a fun midnight snack run-in when they bump into one another in the kitchen (her snack choice: pringles, pickles, and pudding. His snack choice: soy sauce drizzled over ice cream). I like how he calls her “mia cara” right from the start. She says right away they should get to know one another and go on some dates, which was cute to see them do. I liked how he’s a possessive and protective hero! We do get a cameo of Christian (and Stella) from Twisted Lies (this book takes place during the same time/overlaps). We get a fun thanksgiving trip to Bali to see his parents.
I felt like this book moved fast and wasn’t unnecessary long (like a few of the Twisted books were). I feel like we do see things happen on-page but a lot happens off-page too. I wasn’t really into something that pulls them apart, I felt like her response was a bit much for something that was arranged. But I did like how it didn’t last for too long and how more of a pursuer he becomes.
Merged review:
King of Wrath is the start to a new series from Ana Huang and I was so intrigued by this arranged marriage situation! It kind of had elements of a fake relationship as well since the couple has to pretend like they’re in love and be engaged leading up to their arranged wedding. Hero is a billionaire and is forced into an arranged relationship with his enemy’s daughter!
Dante Russo thrives on control, both personally and professionally. The billionaire CEO never planned to marry—until the threat of blackmail forces him into an engagement with a woman he barely knows….Vivian Lau, jewelry heiress and daughter of his newest enemy. Vivian is a luxury event planner in Manhattan and finds out her father has arranged a marriage for her with billionaire hotshot, Dante. They end up moving in together quickly to make their relationship look real, but Dante wants a long engagement to be able to find/destroy the blackmail and end the relationship too. Her family is “new money” and her parents are thrilled to have her marrying into his family.
I loved the forced proximity of them living in his house together. All the running into one another, there is a fun midnight snack run-in when they bump into one another in the kitchen (her snack choice: pringles, pickles, and pudding. His snack choice: soy sauce drizzled over ice cream). I like how he calls her “mia cara” right from the start. She says right away they should get to know one another and go on some dates, which was cute to see them do. I liked how he’s a possessive and protective hero! We do get a cameo of Christian (and Stella) from Twisted Lies (this book takes place during the same time/overlaps). We get a fun thanksgiving trip to Bali to see his parents.
I felt like this book moved fast and wasn’t unnecessary long (like a few of the Twisted books were). I feel like we do see things happen on-page but a lot happens off-page too. I wasn’t really into something that pulls them apart, I felt like her response was a bit much for something that was arranged. But I did like how it didn’t last for too long and how more of a pursuer he becomes.
Merged review:
King of Wrath is the start to a new series from Ana Huang and I was so intrigued by this arranged marriage situation! It kind of had elements of a fake relationship as well since the couple has to pretend like they’re in love and be engaged leading up to their arranged wedding. Hero is a billionaire and is forced into an arranged relationship with his enemy’s daughter!
Dante Russo thrives on control, both personally and professionally. The billionaire CEO never planned to marry—until the threat of blackmail forces him into an engagement with a woman he barely knows….Vivian Lau, jewelry heiress and daughter of his newest enemy. Vivian is a luxury event planner in Manhattan and finds out her father has arranged a marriage for her with billionaire hotshot, Dante. They end up moving in together quickly to make their relationship look real, but Dante wants a long engagement to be able to find/destroy the blackmail and end the relationship too. Her family is “new money” and her parents are thrilled to have her marrying into his family.
I loved the forced proximity of them living in his house together. All the running into one another, there is a fun midnight snack run-in when they bump into one another in the kitchen (her snack choice: pringles, pickles, and pudding. His snack choice: soy sauce drizzled over ice cream). I like how he calls her “mia cara” right from the start. She says right away they should get to know one another and go on some dates, which was cute to see them do. I liked how he’s a possessive and protective hero! We do get a cameo of Christian (and Stella) from Twisted Lies (this book takes place during the same time/overlaps). We get a fun thanksgiving trip to Bali to see his parents.
I felt like this book moved fast and wasn’t unnecessary long (like a few of the Twisted books were). I feel like we do see things happen on-page but a lot happens off-page too. I wasn’t really into something that pulls them apart, I felt like her response was a bit much for something that was arranged. But I did like how it didn’t last for too long and how more of a pursuer he becomes.
Merged review:
King of Wrath is the start to a new series from Ana Huang and I was so intrigued by this arranged marriage situation! It kind of had elements of a fake relationship as well since the couple has to pretend like they’re in love and be engaged leading up to their arranged wedding. Hero is a billionaire and is forced into an arranged relationship with his enemy’s daughter!
Dante Russo thrives on control, both personally and professionally. The billionaire CEO never planned to marry—until the threat of blackmail forces him into an engagement with a woman he barely knows….Vivian Lau, jewelry heiress and daughter of his newest enemy. Vivian is a luxury event planner in Manhattan and finds out her father has arranged a marriage for her with billionaire hotshot, Dante. They end up moving in together quickly to make their relationship look real, but Dante wants a long engagement to be able to find/destroy the blackmail and end the relationship too. Her family is “new money” and her parents are thrilled to have her marrying into his family.
I loved the forced proximity of them living in his house together. All the running into one another, there is a fun midnight snack run-in when they bump into one another in the kitchen (her snack choice: pringles, pickles, and pudding. His snack choice: soy sauce drizzled over ice cream). I like how he calls her “mia cara” right from the start. She says right away they should get to know one another and go on some dates, which was cute to see them do. I liked how he’s a possessive and protective hero! We do get a cameo of Christian (and Stella) from Twisted Lies (this book takes place during the same time/overlaps). We get a fun thanksgiving trip to Bali to see his parents.
I felt like this book moved fast and wasn’t unnecessary long (like a few of the Twisted books were). I feel like we do see things happen on-page but a lot happens off-page too. I wasn’t really into something that pulls them apart, I felt like her response was a bit much for something that was arranged. But I did like how it didn’t last for too long and how more of a pursuer he becomes.
Merged review:
King of Wrath is the start to a new series from Ana Huang and I was so intrigued by this arranged marriage situation! It kind of had elements of a fake relationship as well since the couple has to pretend like they’re in love and be engaged leading up to their arranged wedding. Hero is a billionaire and is forced into an arranged relationship with his enemy’s daughter!
Dante Russo thrives on control, both personally and professionally. The billionaire CEO never planned to marry—until the threat of blackmail forces him into an engagement with a woman he barely knows….Vivian Lau, jewelry heiress and daughter of his newest enemy. Vivian is a luxury event planner in Manhattan and finds out her father has arranged a marriage for her with billionaire hotshot, Dante. They end up moving in together quickly to make their relationship look real, but Dante wants a long engagement to be able to find/destroy the blackmail and end the relationship too. Her family is “new money” and her parents are thrilled to have her marrying into his family.
I loved the forced proximity of them living in his house together. All the running into one another, there is a fun midnight snack run-in when they bump into one another in the kitchen (her snack choice: pringles, pickles, and pudding. His snack choice: soy sauce drizzled over ice cream). I like how he calls her “mia cara” right from the start. She says right away they should get to know one another and go on some dates, which was cute to see them do. I liked how he’s a possessive and protective hero! We do get a cameo of Christian (and Stella) from Twisted Lies (this book takes place during the same time/overlaps). We get a fun thanksgiving trip to Bali to see his parents.
I felt like this book moved fast and wasn’t unnecessary long (like a few of the Twisted books were). I feel like we do see things happen on-page but a lot happens off-page too. I wasn’t really into something that pulls them apart, I felt like her response was a bit much for something that was arranged. But I did like how it didn’t last for too long and how more of a pursuer he becomes.
Merged review:
King of Wrath is the start to a new series from Ana Huang and I was so intrigued by this arranged marriage situation! It kind of had elements of a fake relationship as well since the couple has to pretend like they’re in love and be engaged leading up to their arranged wedding. Hero is a billionaire and is forced into an arranged relationship with his enemy’s daughter!
Dante Russo thrives on control, both personally and professionally. The billionaire CEO never planned to marry—until the threat of blackmail forces him into an engagement with a woman he barely knows….Vivian Lau, jewelry heiress and daughter of his newest enemy. Vivian is a luxury event planner in Manhattan and finds out her father has arranged a marriage for her with billionaire hotshot, Dante. They end up moving in together quickly to make their relationship look real, but Dante wants a long engagement to be able to find/destroy the blackmail and end the relationship too. Her family is “new money” and her parents are thrilled to have her marrying into his family.
I loved the forced proximity of them living in his house together. All the running into one another, there is a fun midnight snack run-in when they bump into one another in the kitchen (her snack choice: pringles, pickles, and pudding. His snack choice: soy sauce drizzled over ice cream). I like how he calls her “mia cara” right from the start. She says right away they should get to know one another and go on some dates, which was cute to see them do. I liked how he’s a possessive and protective hero! We do get a cameo of Christian (and Stella) from Twisted Lies (this book takes place during the same time/overlaps). We get a fun thanksgiving trip to Bali to see his parents.
I felt like this book moved fast and wasn’t unnecessary long (like a few of the Twisted books were). I feel like we do see things happen on-page but a lot happens off-page too. I wasn’t really into something that pulls them apart, I felt like her response was a bit much for something that was arranged. But I did like how it didn’t last for too long and how more of a pursuer he becomes....more
2.5 stars. This just wasn’t great and never grabbed my attention. It sounded so good, I love a second chance romance, but this one just wasn’t it. Thi2.5 stars. This just wasn’t great and never grabbed my attention. It sounded so good, I love a second chance romance, but this one just wasn’t it. This author has been hit and miss for me in the past, so I was hoping this one was more of a hit.
Basically we follow two exes, they were childhood besties who fell in love and became an item, they split up after a European trip and went there separate ways. Now it’s a few years later and they both end up booking the same wine tour. Instead of splitting between chapters and getting the different character’s POVs, we don’t get the other MC’s POV until halfway through the book. I think it would have helped having it sooner. Lots of European adventures! The bit with them making a bet to see who could hook up with more people while on vacay together, and then having the deets of that playing through, was a choice…
I received an audio ALC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own....more
I’m so sad I didn’t love this one as much as I have the rest of the series! The rest of the series was five stars for me so I was fully expecting to fI’m so sad I didn’t love this one as much as I have the rest of the series! The rest of the series was five stars for me so I was fully expecting to fall in love with this one too, especially since it’s a couple we’ve been waiting for…but it just didn’t hit the same for me sadly.
“Forever, Caelum. I’ll want you for that long, and then longer when the devil demands my soul.” She kissed my chest. “He can’t have what belongs to me.”
This is the 4th and final book in the Stone Riders MC series and it is finally Natty & Silas’ book! They grew up around one another and this one is small town, MC, it’s always been you, possessive, touch her and ...more
Our Little Secret is a billionaire, office, age gap (he’s 13 years older) romance with second chance and cheating (not between H and h).
Marissa and ChOur Little Secret is a billionaire, office, age gap (he’s 13 years older) romance with second chance and cheating (not between H and h).
Marissa and Chris were introduced in The Season of Secrets (while this is the third in this series you can def read it as a standalone). They meet at their mutual friend’s wedding and share a hot night together, but she wakes up the next morning and sees he took off before she woke up with just a note left behind! It’s a few months later when they happen, by chance, to run into one another again…when she’s a new hire at his company! She also finds out he’s married but has been stuck in a loveless, toxic marriage. Things are complicated to say the least!
If you enjoy Q.B.’s forbidden, spicy, age gap romances, then you’ll for sure enjoy this one too! It’s dramatic and entertaining and steamy. He’s so gone for her right away and they have a lot of hoops to jump through and there are time jumps involved, but it totally worked out the best way for this couple!
I received an audio ALC, which is narrated by Monique Ryerson and Connor Crais! Highly recommend the audiobook, it was such a fun time....more
3.5 stars! I Like You Like That got a new audiobook and I had a fun time with this audio ALC! This author always writes plus size rep for her characte3.5 stars! I Like You Like That got a new audiobook and I had a fun time with this audio ALC! This author always writes plus size rep for her characters, and this one is a rockstar and bodyguard romance!
Birdie and Liam were best friends as teens, she always thought they were destined to be more until he broke her heart and dashed any of those romantic dreams when he found out she was looking for more. Their friendship ended and now it’s 10 years later and she’s a famous rockstar traveling the world! When a stalker comes into her life her team hires her a bodyguard and she gets the surprise of her life when Liam shows up as her new bodyguard!
This one was cute and fun! We get flashbacks of when they were younger as well as present day with them working closely together. They of course have a lot to work through from the miscommunication of their past and that friendship that ended and needs mending. If you like a bodyguard romance, this has all those protective hero vibes, also delivers on some angst, and it was fun seeing her as a rockstar!
I received an audio ALC, I definitely recommend checking it out on audio as well. The audiobook is narrated by Angelina Rocca and Grayson Owens, I loved Angelina’s performance on this one!
CW: mentions of fatphobia, body image, kidnapping, and stalkers ...more
I’ve read everything from this author and have enjoyed them all, including this newest release, The Ex Vows! This is a second chance romance and I adoI’ve read everything from this author and have enjoyed them all, including this newest release, The Ex Vows! This is a second chance romance and I adored it!
Georgia and Eli met when they were teenagers, they became friends, started dating and fell in love. Time, life, and work got in the way and they split up, but they have been pretending they’re okay with the split ever since when around their mutual best friend. Now said best friend is getting married and they’ll be around one another the whole weekend…
The found family, the friendships, the paper rings, the San Francisco and Seattle settings, the wedding planning chaos, the list ...more
Christi (christireadsalot)
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