Betty's Bookish Thoughts | Before I Let Go
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Before I Let Go
Kennedy Ryan
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“Real, raw, magnificent— Before I Let Go is the beautiful angst I love to read.” —Colleen Hoover, #1 New York Times bestselling author. A Good Morning America Book Buzz Pick!
Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save everything. It couldn’t save their marriage. Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together.
Yet like magnets, they’re always drawn back to each other, and now they’re beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had. Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another…and then more. It's hot. It's illicit. It's all good—until old wounds reopen. Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they even be better, the second time around?
Award-winning and bestselling "powerhouse" author Kennedy Ryan is at her absolute best in this compelling, scorching novel about hope and healing, and what it truly means to love for a lifetime (USA Today).
Book of the Month Club selection
NPR Best Books of 2022
Entertainment Weekly Best Romances of 2022
Washington Post 10 Best Romances of the Year
Women's Health Best Books of the Year
Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of 2022
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Posts about this title from Betty's Bookish Thoughts
Betty's Bookish Thoughts\ \ Betty\ \ • May 10
Welcome to Betty Bookish Thoughts!
Consider this a mini introduction to my bookish taste and loves!
If I can’t choose just one genre to love, why not all?! 🥰 There are too many books and authors I admire whose characters and words speak to me and make their worlds feel real. Let me know which books resonate with you, and I’d love to hear your own bookish responses as well (in particular, I want to know which books made you ugly cry 🤭)!
42 books
Posts about this book from across Bindery
chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Jun 26
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Messy romance—yea or nay? If you have more recs drop them in the comments this is my FAVORITE romance niche #BookTok #romancebooktok #emotionalromancereads #romancerecs #romancebookrecs
5 books
Betty's Bookish Thoughts\ \ Betty\ \ • May 10
Welcome to Betty Bookish Thoughts!
Consider this a mini introduction to my bookish taste and loves!
42 books
Children of Diaspora\ \ Rae the Reviewer\ \ • Feb 28
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Check out these 55 Books by Black Authors!
What was your highlight of Black History Month?
I haven’t been as active with lists this year because there were a lot of unexpected things happening in my life. I had to fly to New Jersey for a funeral and thankfully was able to get out before the snow storm. Work has been physically exhausting and I’ve been taking long naps after it most days. My Spanish classes were starting to get overwhelming so after this week, I’ll be taking a break until the summer. Also *waves hands* the general state of the world and life in the U. S. in particular has been draining all my creativity 🫠
But nevertheless, we persevere
I love books by Black authors and making this list brought me so much Black joy 🥰
#blackhistorymonth #readblackbooks #blackbookstagrammer #booklist #readingrecs
8 books
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Littrilly Reads & Chats Club\ \ Tasj\ \ • Jan 26
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2025 READING WRAP UP! ✨ I could not give overall top ten for this year (because it was actually impossible 😆) so I decided to do top three for the genres I’ve read this year!
#readingwrapup #topthree #bookrec #readersofinsta #readers best fiction books to read, best romance books to read, best sci fi books to read, best fantasy books to read
11 books
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chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Jan 25
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February READ DISABLED Prompts and Recommendations!
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Left Unread Books\ \ Michael LaBorn\ \ • Dec 26 2025
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Books For People Dealing With Grief
8 books
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Left Unread Books\ \ Michael LaBorn\ \ • Dec 26 2025
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Book Review: Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
1 book
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Beverly Books\ \ Kristian\ \ • Dec 21 2025
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[I mean how much cooler does it get? It’s a bookstore and a bar.\ \ About Book Club Bar \ \
Book Club Bar opened in November 2019 and serves as a community hub of the East Village: a new kind of independent bookstore featuring top-notch cocktails, beer, wine, and coffee. Owners Erin Neary and Nat Esten have been proud to call the East Village home for over a decade. This spirited and dynamic neighborhood is reflected in the store: from the cozy living room-feel decor, to curated book inventory, locally roasted coffee, and NY state craft beers.\ \ I loved the vibes and lighting in this store.\ \ \ \ Book Club Bar menu featured literary themed drinks.\ \ \ \ The shelves were full of books that ranged in genre.\ \ \ \ There’s never a bad time to see Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series. \ \ \ \ I loved this spot and next time I’ll have to grab a drink! \ \
3 books
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Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Dec 7 2025
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Vlogmas Day 7 | Everything I Read in November
Happy first week of Vlogmas, let's talk about what I read in November!
10 books
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The Skyy Life\ \ Erika\ \ • Oct 23 2025
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These books quite literally have stayed on my mind since I have read them. OBSESSED!!!
These books quite literally have stayed on my mind since I have read them.
I love reading (& re-reading) these books, can’t stop talking about them, and will forever recommend them!
✨Books Mentioned ✨
Before I Let Go — Kennedy Ryan All I’ve Wanted, All I’ve Needed — A.E. Valdez An Ember in the Ashes — Sabaa Tahir When No One Is Watching — Alyssa Cole Womb City — Tlotlo Tsamaase Our Vicious Oaths — N.E. Davenport Oathbound — Tracy Deonn
Shoutout to @breana_reads who I seen do this trend! 💖
And if you see this post you should do one too!!
#bookrecs #favoritebooks #addtotbr
7 books
The Skyy Life\ \ Erika\ \ • Oct 10 2025
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The creator adult book fair was a DREAM!
The creator adult book fair was a DREAM! I was able to yell & yap (yap & yell) about my favorite books, authors, series, my favorite graphic novel, meet book besties IRL+ make new ones, debut @charmmeetcute, be on the panel for the first time EVERRRR 🥹
Special thanks to @fullcirclebookstore for hosting and letting me be apart of such an impactful and magical day!
So grateful to be on the panel with genuine and inspirational creators — @seekingdystopia @thesmallestbookclub — and author Gwenna (momma cusses) with @the_boozy_baking_bibliophile as the perfect moderator/influencer as well.
So happy to have been able to do this with new found book besties and influencers who are definitely changing the game. I am glad we got to do this together — @thewindedbibliophile @jadedubya @_novelreadswithbree @overbooked_okc @bookishfangirlco @bubblegumbookshelf @reading.with.hotchocolate @preshreadsss
#bookfair #bookishcommunity #blackbookstagram #bookrecs #booktok #bookstagram #booktuber #arcreader #diversebooks #diversereads #kindlecharms #bookishlove #bookworm #bookevent #okcbookstagrammer #books
23 books
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The Nerdy Babe Life\ \ Brianna \ \ • Sep 9 2025
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What Yasmen, Soledad, and Hendrix Taught Me
This has possibly been one of the most transformative, fun series I’ve ever read in my life. Top three, and not number three, okay? 👀 Kennedy Ryan just knows how to craft women who feel real, layered, strong, soft, and unforgettable. If you’re looking for a book that you can read and that will read you right back, especially as a Black woman, this series is it. ✨ #skylandseries #kennedyryan #romancebooks #blackromancebooks #literarytok
3 books
chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Aug 11 2025
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6-5-4-3-2-1
Some books I’ve read in the last couple years that I rated 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 stars!
It was SO hard to narrow down the 5 stars because there were sooooo many incredible books I wanted to include but I kept it to six—just know that it pained me greatly to do so.
#bookstagram #books #sixstarbooks #fivestarbooks #fourstarbooks #threestarbooks #twostarbooks #onestarbooks #fantasybooks #fantasybookstagram #romancebooks #romancebookstagram
31 books
All Shades\ \ Sera\ \ • Jun 20 2025
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popular booktok books that i LOVE!
if you didnt like these books, thats ok! kindly scroll pass this video w/o any commentary ❤️ This is a video to talk about the books i like! while negative reviews and feelings are valid, theres a place for them and its not on this video! #Booktok #booktokfyp #archersvoice #abbyjimenez #anahuang #twistedseries
7 books
chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • May 19 2025
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How Similar Is Our Taste in Books?
How Similar Is Our Taste in Books? +10 points if you’ve read it +5 points if it’s on your TBR 500 possible points (including Finding Gene Kelly 😉)
This is DEFINITELY a non-exhaustive list—there were so many I had to cut out because I didn’t want it to be 500 slides long. But I feel like this is a decent grasp of my tastes?
I’ve absolutely been loving this trend and I had to participate, even if I’m a little bit late to the game (as usual lol)
49 books
Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • May 9 2025
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\ \ I finished reading this book in two days! Kennedy Ryan's Can't Get Enough, like most of her books, depicts complicated people learning, loving, and thriving together. This is a love story, but it also dives into discussions of being child-free by choice, grief, Alzheimer's disease, anti-fatness, and racism with care. These topics are usually difficult to navigate but Ryan seems to do so with ease! I felt seen, as someone who had to be there with my grandma when as she deteriorated due to dementia. I especially loved the author's notes at the beginning and end of the book that frames the story.\ \ Hendrix is a beautiful, plus-sized boss who can't help but capture Maverick's affection from the second he sees her. Their chemistry is immediately off-the-charts and the heat continues to crank up throughout this book. Maverick is refreshingly honest and warm. I'm usually not a fan of "billionaire romances," and didn't really care for that aspect of the book, but I understand how that status adds a bit of convenience and light-heartedness to the story.\ \ I highly recommend this book and the entire series!!\ \ Join for free or login](https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/item/KqHSWFP2ae7F0Fagfjgn/)
Book Review: Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan
3 books
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Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • Apr 26 2025
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I saw Sinners last night, which is an incredible new film by Ryan Coogler that mixes elements of historical fiction and the supernatural. Since seeing that film, I’ve been thinking about a few books. So here are characters from the film as books:!CAUTION: SPOILERS! Smoke & Stack Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark \ \ You may have seen this book on many lists connected to Sinners for multiple reasons. The story of Maryse and the resistance fighters takes place in Macon, Georgia in 1922. Like Smoke and Stack in Sinners, they fight their would-be oppressors who are literal monsters. Other similarities include body horror, art as power, ancestral connection, WWI veterans, and juke joints. \ \ Murder City: The Bloody History of Chicago in the Twenties by Michael Lesy \ \ Smoke & Stack return to The Delta after many years in Chicago where they allegedly worked for “Capone.” This triggered my memories of reading Murder City when I was studying History in grad school. This book covers a ton of murders and a chunk of them are connected to Al Capone. Knowing this history gave me an understanding of just how dark Smoke & Stacks’s time in the city probably was and why they decided to go back home. \ \ Annie The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope \ \ Another historical fiction that I think ties in nicely with Sinners is The Monsters We Defy. In 1925 Washington DC, Clara Johnson has a gift that allows her to see into the spirit world. She realizes she must gather accomplices to help her save the souls and futures of her community from a menace. When I saw Annie on the screen in Sinners, this book sprung to mind. \ \ Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan \ \ This one may seem odd but stick with me!! In Sinners, Annie and Smoke see each other again after he lays flowers at the grave of their infant daughter. Like Yasmen and Josiah in Before I Let Go, they rekindle a love that was wounded by loss. Their chemistry is undeniable and feels deep. \ \ Mary Passing by Nella Larsen \ \ As the title implies, this book is about Irene, a woman who passes for white occasionally so that she can enjoy the basics of humanity that white folks in New York enjoyed in the 1920s. Irene doesn’t actually wish to be white, but her childhood friend Clare is entrenched in whiteness. It has given her a false sense of security that ultimately puts the Black folks around her in danger. Mary reminded me of this story because she believed her whiteness would help her people only to be the one to bring danger their way. \ \ Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas \ \ Similar to the film, the vampires in this book act as a colonizing force. It takes place in 1840s along the Mexico-Texas border just as the Mexican-American War begins. Nena, like Annie, is a healer who fights for her community. This book also centers around a romance that began in Nena and Néstor’s youth, as their families were intertwined, until Néstor leaves, similar to Stack and Mary. \ \ "Preacher Boy" aka Sammie The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin \ \ One of the essays in this book describes Baldwin’s time as a child/teen pastor and his eventual withdrawal from the Christian faith because he felt repressed by it. He talks a bit about Christianity’s “white god” and the oppression connected to him. All of which made me think of Sammie’s father telling him to chose between his faith and his passion for music. Like Baldwin, “Preacher Boy” finds freedom in his art. \ \ The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle \ \ This book is LaValle’s take on the Black character’s perspective in Lovecraft’s "The Horror at Red Hook," published in 1927. In this paranormal Historical Fiction story, Tommy is hired for many odd jobs including one where he must deliver a mysterious book to a woman in Queens. Suspicious of the book, he takes on page out and, soon after, asked to play the guitar for a white man’s party. Like Sammie, a money-making opportunity with his beloved guitar sends Tommy to a point of no return. \ \ Remmick The Wages of Whiteness by David R. Roediger \ \ This book was another gem from my studies in grad school and immediately came to my mind as I watched Remmick try to relate with the Black folks at the Juke Joint. Roediger has a chapter called “Irish-American Workers and White Racial Formation,” which explains how these immigrants who were treated only slightly better than Black folks joined the Democrats in the 1830s in order to join in the consolidation of European-Americans into whiteness. At the time, the Democrats were pro-slavery. So despite the fact that the Irish people were fleeing similar persecution from the English, they turned away from the persecuted Black folks of the U.S. in order to gain a spot of privilege. I thought about this as I saw Remmick choose a couple of Ku Klux Klan members as his first recruits. \ \ I wanted to include more characters in this round-up but it seems that I haven’t read any books about Chinese-American folks in the American South or sharecropping and convict leasing. If you have any books about those topics that you’d recommend, please share them in the comments!!](https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/item/Enhuq4ExlgPUxvoYqjPw/)
Characters from Sinners as Books
9 books
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Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • Apr 21 2025
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News From The Mixed Up Desk (Weekly Newsletter)
call to action, submit a video with an Indigenous book recommendation, what I've been reading, link to tonight's Quiet Time Book Club
10 books
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chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Apr 18 2025
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Chronicallybookish Starter Pack
Me?? Doing a trend?? Omg Yes, I know I’m late to it but you know what? At least I’m trying 😭
Your very exclusive limited edition Kaley Doll comes with: - amazing taste in romance & fantasy books - two of the biggest attention whore cats around - a Cruel Summer friendship bracelet - potato chips (the elite salty snack) - a gluten free cupcake - a miraculous medal - and a collection of Taylor Swift CDs
The way that this was actually so hard because I have no hobbies outside of reading 🫣 I do like to bake, though, and I’m hoping to get a bit more into that again over the summer when I’m back from college and actually have access to a kitchen.
No AI was used in the making of this—just Canva & a template by @rosieart_ 🫶🏻
5 books
Beverly Books\ \ Kristian\ \ • Mar 26 2025
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Audiobooks you need for Black History Month
Looking for books to listen to during #blackhistorymonth (or the other 11 months?) Here’s a range of genres from many talented authors that are so worth reading. All of these books are fantastic. Escape into other worlds or brush up on history—there’s something for everyone! Check out each author’s backlist and you’re set. :)
All audiobooks I received through @librofm Audible got nothing on them!
18 books
chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Mar 25 2025
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\ \ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/item/C4QOHg4F8KUJniDnSG48/)
INNER CIRCLE EXCLUSIVE: The BEST and WORST Books I've Read Over the Last 5 Years
I thought it would be fun to peak back in time and look at my favorite and least favorite reads from every year since I first started tracking my reading--way back in 2020, when I was 17 years old.
It's cool to see hoW my tastes have evolved over the years, and also the ways in which they are the same (whether it is YA or Adult, I've always been a fantasy & romance reader!)
6 books
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chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Mar 25 2025
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Romance Books That Made Me SOB
Plus every single one of these books has disability rep and that makes it even better!
8 books
Bri's Book Nook\ \ Bri Le Fae\ \ • Mar 11 2025
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I've been working behind the scenes on some things for a bit and am proud to announce that I am a part of an upcoming anthology with some amazing authors! Ahhhhh, this is something I've dreamed of! Having my work published!
For those of you who know me, Hello my froomies! But for those of you who are just meeting me, I'm Bri! A fantasy content creator, ttrpg lover, nonbinary book dragon whose just a little (not so little cause I'm 5'10) dude! Writing has been my passion since I was 10 years old and something I never thought I could break into. And now, I'm working on making my inner child proud, and what better way than this where the proceeds are going straight to the ACLU!
The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) strives to protect the rights and liberties of all people in the U.S. As a black queen femme presenting person, within this day and age, liberties for many are being attacked and stripped away, which is something that goes against the very notions of "freedom." So we need to fight to protect our rights, and I'm proud to help out where I can.
Some amazing authors within this anthology include:
@authorsulasullivan @authorctfletcher @owls.library @lizziestrongauthor @ruthie.narrates.books @moniquefisherauthor @nicolewhitfieldauthor @azaleacrowleyauthor @bellaofthenile
And so many others listed whom I am proud to share the space with! Thank you so much for including me, and I can't wait!!!
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
#writing #writertok #writer #aspiringauthor #romance #romancebooks #anthology #announcement #book #bookstagram #romancereads
1 book
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chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Feb 28 2025
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\ \ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/item/nmkhWuMCICYG5CHRG26J/)
INNER CIRCLE EXCLUSIVE: Tier Ranking EVERY Second Chance Romance I Have EVER Read
Second Chance Romance is the superior romance trope-it's not up for debate. I desperately need to read more books in this trope, but here's a tier ranking of every single one I've read so far!
19 books
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JemilaBeReadin\ \ JemilaBeReadin\ \ • Feb 20 2025
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Books I’ve discovered through booktok
Books I’ve discovered through booktok. It’s been real y’all. I hope to continue talking about books with y’all elsewhere on the internet! 🫶🏾 People mentioned in this video: @dakota bossard @Amivi⁷ @Alex @IG/YT: bookbaddiebri ᥫ᭡ @sometimesrobinreads🤎📚 @Torri🌻 @Kennedy Ryan @Nisha Sharma @schizophrenicreads on Substack @aubrei @Mari - booktok + media reviews @ig: vivafalastinleen 🇵🇸 @Hana 🍉 @Viano Oniomoh 💖 #readersoftiktok #bookishthings #bookishtiktok #booktok #bookrecommendations #romancebooktok #nonfictionbooktok #literarytok #blackromance #bookishtok #readersofbooktok
22 books
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chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Jan 13 2025
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The 5 BEST Books I Read in 2024
6 books
Left Unread Books\ \ Michael LaBorn\ \ • Dec 31 2024
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I am about to make Black romance my personality in 2025, so help me add your favorites to my TBR! Thanks!
10 books
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Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • Nov 26 2024
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[Hello Friends,\ \ As you know, each month one paid subscriber from the $5 tier receives a hand written letter with book recs and one paid subscriber from the $12/$25 dollar tier receives a book box curated by me+a letter with book recs. Winners are selected by an automated generator. Both subscribers have the option of also being feautred in a spotlight post (this is OPTIONAL, which means even though there is are two members selected each month, you may not see a post).\ \ \ \ \ \ This month, I am so happy to highlight one of my favorite accounts, Chrissy, at Lostinabookbrb on most social platforms. Chrissy was selected to receive the curated book box and if you're curious as to what was in the box, you can see her video here, be sure to give her a follow on Tiktok: :View The Video\ \ Chrissy was one of my first mutuals on Tiktok! She reads diversely and like me, she reads in multiple genres! Romance! Horror! Fantasy! Her videos are often really, really funny!\ \ I asked Chrissy to share her top 5 favorite books:\ \
- The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna\
- Camp Damascus by Chuck Tinge\
- Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan\
- Hency by Natalie Natalie Zina Walschots\
- Against The Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa\ \ Chrissy said "these are all books from this year. I had three that I desperately wanted to include but decided on these ones due to writing style, impact and how much I remember bout it after I read it."\ \ Chrissy has a book club on Fable for Diverse Historical Romance!\ \ https://fable.co/club/diverse-historical-romance-with-lostinabookbrb-810784440486\\ \ In addition to Tiktok and Fable, you can find Chrissy on\ \ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostinabookbrb/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==\\ \ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lostinabookbrb?igshid=MGUxYzgxM2YwYQ==\\ \ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/lostinabookbrb.bsky.social\\ \ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lostinabookbrb?si=G7fcOKT1VIETIsOb\\ \ I am so lucky to have Chrissy as a mutual and as a supporter of the Boozhoo Books community.\ \ \ \ ](https://boozhoo.binderybooks.com/item/YMGBPmCzCBJgPdK0gxqB/)
Boozhoo November Member Spotlight
November Boozhoo Member Spotlight: Lostinabookbrb, Chrissy
5 books
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Boundless Press\ \ Jananie\ \ • Aug 26 2024
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book recs for REFORMED colleen hoover readers | read these books instead of IT ENDS WITH US
have you ever read colleen hoover's books? which books would you recommend instead?
16 books
Scribe Tribe\ \ Jahid\ \ • Aug 6 2024
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5 books