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A Walk in the Park

3.72 of 5 stars 3.72 · rating details · 1,540 ratings · 192 reviews

It's been a while, but Lara Carson's back in Bath and lives are set to change as a result. Because Lara left her family and boyfriend Flynn eighteen years ago without a word to anyone. Why has no one heard from her since? Her childhood best friend Evie is thrilled Lara's back and able to share her happiness. Evie's about to walk down the aisle with her dream man, Joel. Or...more

Mass Market Paperback, 423 pages

Published 2012 by Headline

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Sep 26, 2012 SOS Aloha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one. - Dolly Parton

Jill Mansell’s new title, A WALK IN THE PARK, was just that – a walk in the park. It was engaging, enlightening, and surprising. It kept my attention with its warmth, spunk, and humor. Mansell even offered a secondary character ala Dolly Parton, as if she had been transplanted from Dollywood to the Lake District!

A WALK IN THE PARK kicks off with a homecoming – Lara returns to Bath for her father’s funeral – a fat...more

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May 16, 2013 Celia Kennedy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The best Jill Mansell novel that I have read to date. Ms. Mansell is a gifted writer with a great sense of humor.

I really enjoy the multiple story lines that she weaves. It is always a guessing game who will end up with whom and what their journey's will be. A Walk in the Park was particularly good in this respect.

We meet Lara Carson, who has left family and friends behind long ago, when she attends her estranged father's funeral. Gossip mongers spread word that Lara is in town, giving her child...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Nan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit, family-fiction, favorites, nook, romance

This may wind up being a five star book for me. I'll have to give it time to mull over before I'm willing to add that extra star, though.

There's a certain ineffable sweetness about Jill Mansell's books. I've been trying to explain it to my friends for the past few days. In her books, characters are rarely mean. There may be a tosser or two, as you'd see in real life, but most of the characters are simply good people trying to be better and make good decisions. They never set out to hurt other pe...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Denise Cuenin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed this book by Jill Mansell. In "Walk in the Park", Lara returns to her home town of Bath at the request of a lawyer to find out her childhood home belongs to her. Her cruel and estranged father has recently died. She and her eighteen year old daughter decide to return to live in the house. Lara arranges for her daughter, Gigi, to meet (for the first time) her father, Flynn, Lara’s teenage boyfriend. Things go really well between Gigi and her father but Lara resists the temptation to ful...more

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Apr 15, 2013 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: jill-mansell, a-walk-in-the-park, romance, family

Lara Carson is back in Bath after leaving eighteen years before following a huge argument with her father and stepmother. Finding herself without a home following the fight, alone and desperate she heads north to her Aunt Nettie’s house in Keswick where she remains from then on. Other than her father, nobody in Bath knows where she is. Now, back for his funeral, Lara’s best friend from those days, Evie, is delighted to see her again. Evie is soon to be married to Joel and invites Lara back for t...more Lara Carson is back in Bath after leaving eighteen years before following a huge argument with her father and stepmother. Finding herself without a home following the fight, alone and desperate she heads north to her Aunt Nettie’s house in Keswick where she remains from then on. Other than her father, nobody in Bath knows where she is. Now, back for his funeral, Lara’s best friend from those days, Evie, is delighted to see her again. Evie is soon to be married to Joel and invites Lara back for the wedding. Lara is praying that she doesn’t run into her boyfriend at the time she left, Flynn Erskine. Lara has a secret which she has been keeping from him and when she and Flynn do bump into each other, Lara has to decide how to handle telling him the truth.

I love the way Jill Mansell writes. I know I have said this before, but, for me, the fact that there are so many well drawn characters in her stories separates her from most other authors writing in the same genre. There are often big and bold characters and they fill the pages with colour, warmth and humour. A Walk in the Park is no exception. Although there are lots of people involved it is not confusing, which is a testament to the clarity with which Jill Mansell writes.

Here is what I said in my last review of Jill Mansell’s “Nadia Knows Best” “The thing I enjoy most about Jill Mansell’s books is the way all of her characters play such a big role in the story she is telling. They are not peripheral to the plot, they are an integral part of it and at times one could be forgiven for wondering who the main character is.”

The same is true here too.

As well as the story of Lara and Flynn there are other storylines which are intricately woven into this tale. We get to learn more about Lara’s mother who died three years before Lara left Bath for Keswick. Jill Mansell looks closely at the relationships between parents and children, family links, old friends, new friends, best friends and romantic ties too. I loved (almost) all of the characters involved. I didn’t want to put it down or for the story to end.

A Walk in the Park was released at the end of 2012 and is published by Headline Review. I can recommend it to anyone who wants to read a lovely story and be thoroughly entertained by enjoyable characters. You can check out more on Jill Mansell and her work here: www.jillmansell.co.uk
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Mar 16, 2013 Bookworm rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A Walk in the Park started off with a bang. I whizzed right through the first hundred pages or so, but then the story began to get bogged down with too many different storylines and too many different characters. I don't know, maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for this one.

The book did pick up again towards the end, but I felt like overall, at 448 pages, it was just too lengthy. I think Jill Mansell has a knack for writing fun and quirky characters that you kind of wish you knew in real life...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Cindy Veltman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I couldn’t wait till the new Jill Mansell book was out in Dutch, so I ordered the English version of this book.

This book is another great book in Jill Mansell style, with a great story, a few head characters that have a link with each other and things in modern time, like music which is hot right now.

The story is playing in Bath and I have been there a few years ago, so it brings back memories to Bath. At certain parts in the book I see the place in my head again, like I am back there again.

The...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Carolyn Hill rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I had seen Jill Mansell's books recommended as British chick lit, so, being in the mood for fun and light fare with a British accent, I thought I'd try one. Unfortunately, this book fell flat. Very fluffy romance, totally predictable, silly plot (the U.S. rapper bit was not only extraneous but totally unbelievable), and didn't even make good use of its wonderful setting in Bath (hardly any description at all). As I'm a serious Anglophile, I want to soak up all the flavors of a British setting fr...more I had seen Jill Mansell's books recommended as British chick lit, so, being in the mood for fun and light fare with a British accent, I thought I'd try one. Unfortunately, this book fell flat. Very fluffy romance, totally predictable, silly plot (the U.S. rapper bit was not only extraneous but totally unbelievable), and didn't even make good use of its wonderful setting in Bath (hardly any description at all). As I'm a serious Anglophile, I want to soak up all the flavors of a British setting from the smell of the air to the shop window displays and, most especially, the quirky houses. Here the main character inherits a house in Bath, and there was not even enough description to picture it except for old wallpaper and new paint colors. (A different color for every room and the main character painted a room a day - which made me wonder if the writer had ever done any actual wallpaper stripping and painting in an older house, not to mention her choice of colors.) The story revolves around two women in their 30's who were best friends as teenagers. Lara, the principal character, returns to her hometown after being thrown out by her father eighteen years earlier and raising her now teenage daughter on her own. No one ever knew why Lara had disappeared or where she'd gone. Lara returns in time to attend Evie's wedding to her perfect dreamboat fiance, but the morning of the wedding Evie discovers something that could jeopardize the marriage. OK, first off, the whole construction of Lara's disappearance which the entire plot rides on is totally ridiculous. Would her devoted boyfriend and best friend never have tried to find her and been so easily put off by silence from her father and stepmother? She was staying with her aunt, for heaven's sake, and Evie, as her childhood best friend, would probably have heard of this aunt at some point. And then, after eighteen years of no contact or news, would Evie greet Lara with open arms and take up again as if nothing had ever happened? Wouldn't she be the least bit skeptical? Of the two characters, I found Evie's story the more interesting, though it is the minor one. Of course, its perfect romantic ending seems rather too contrived. But then everything about this book's plot feels contrived. I won't be reading any more of this Brit's chick lit, despite all the raving recommendations.(less)

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Dec 02, 2012 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, non-erotic

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

One downside to getting into really good book is reading the last sentence. The sad feeling that you’re saying goodbye to characters you’ve come to know and love. That’s what happened to me after reading A Walk In The Park. It held me captivated and longing to find the time to read more. I think a big part of its appeal for me was the wonderful characters that Ms. Mansell created. Not just the main ones, but secondary characters too....more

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Nov 13, 2012 Kristen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The book focuses on Lara, home to Bath after eighteen years, the secret she’s been keeping and her relationship with Flynn.

At first I thought Lara is so self-righteous, when she reveals her secret to Flynn and tries to turn the tables and be angry at him. I felt he had every right to feel and say what he did. She does eventually grow on me, but it took me some time to get past what I thought of as her un-justified anger.

I always love the secondary characters in Mansell’s books and A Walk in the...more

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Nov 06, 2012 Luanne Ollivier rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It seems like there has been nothing but rain, rain and more rain lately. So, I decided that yet another rainy day was the right time to pick something light and fun to read. Jill Mansell's latest book - A Walk in the Park - was the perfect antidote for all that rain.

Lara was just sixteen when her father kicked her out of the family home, but her stepmother had a hand in that decision. So she left Bath, England without a word to anyone - not her best friend Evie or her boyfriend Flynn. Lar never...more It seems like there has been nothing but rain, rain and more rain lately. So, I decided that yet another rainy day was the right time to pick something light and fun to read. Jill Mansell's latest book - A Walk in the Park - was the perfect antidote for all that rain.

Lara was just sixteen when her father kicked her out of the family home, but her stepmother had a hand in that decision. So she left Bath, England without a word to anyone - not her best friend Evie or her boyfriend Flynn. Lar never told Flynn the secret she had been hoping to tell him that night.....that secret is now eighteen years old and her name is Gigi.

When her father dies, Lara returns for the funeral, where the family solicitor delivers shocking news. The home she grew up in was not her father's house. Instead it belonged solely to her deceased mother and ownership now passes to Lara. Gigi has taken to Bath and decides they should move into the house. Lara has her doubts, but agrees.

You can see it coming, can't you? Yes, Lara does run into Flynn again....

And from here on in Mansell weaves another humourous, heartwarming tale full of charming, quirky characters, missed cues, missed communications and missteps.

As always, it's impossible not to love the lead character in Mansell's novels. Lara is just the kind of person you'd love to have as a best friend. I enjoyed the lead character being a little older this time round. But Jill involves all demographics in her stories. A Walk in the Park also touches on older love, same sex relationships and friendship. But all of the characters have some traits in common - they're warm, funny, loving and well, just plain nice. The kind of people you'd love to surround yourself with. Mansell allows to escape into a world where although, not nice things sometimes happen, happy ever after endings do win out after all. (The philanderer was even hard to hate!)

Yes, you know everything will turn out the way you want it to in the end, but that never detracts from my enjoying each and every page. If you're looking to lose yourself for the day in a modern fairytale of sorts, pick up the latest from my absolute favourite chick lit author - Jill Mansell. You won't be disappointed!(less)

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Aug 15, 2012 M.B. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A few years ago (not saying exactly how many, I don't want to admit I'm old) I read pretty much every book Jill Mansell released. When I say read, I devoured them in matter of hours then re read them a few weeks later because I was jealous of the journey these women went on to find the loves of their lives. Why could that never happen to me?

Then I stopped reading Chick Lit because there were too many books that started to read the same. I understand it's hard to find a story that is completely d...more

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May 12, 2013 Tqwana rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 25, 2012 Regina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit

I have never heard of Jill Mansell, let alone read one of her books, but I do think that her latest book was so well promoted, especially by book bloggers, that it definitely got my attention. Since I was looking for a chick lit book to read, I was over the moon when I found this book in the local library. I was finally able to see what the fuss is all about and decide for myself whether or not it was an excellent book! And for sure I was not disappointed. Even though there are quite a few chara...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Serena rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell is another engaging story about love and coming together as a family. Lara Carson is forced to leave home at the age of 16 and returns to Bath 18 years later for her father’s funeral. Things have changed drastically, but Evie is still the warm friend she remembers. Lara believes she’s prepared to deal with the past, but when Flynn Erskine arrives unexpectedly her feelings nearly overcome her. Not only does she owe the two most important people from her past an...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Wendy Hines rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I think I've read almost every book Jill Mansell has wrote. She's an auto-read. The only problem I have with her books is that they are like potato chips. Once I start, I can't stop. So I waited until I had a nice long evening where I would be uninterrupted to delve into A Walk in the Park.

Whew!What a fabulous read! When Lara's mother died, her father took up with another woman and married her. Janice never liked Lara and wanted her gone and used every thing she could think of to make it happen...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Best Books To Read rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another year has passed since I read one of Jill’s books and I was so looking forward to her new one. I got mine in the post and realised that it was in usual Mansell style a reasonable sized book with over 400 pages and a gorgeous cover inviting me to start reading! Within the first four chapters I realised that my plans for the evening were finished. There would be no cooking or cleaning done, all that would happen is that traipse back and forth to the kettle whilst still reading the book.

Lara...more Another year has passed since I read one of Jill’s books and I was so looking forward to her new one. I got mine in the post and realised that it was in usual Mansell style a reasonable sized book with over 400 pages and a gorgeous cover inviting me to start reading! Within the first four chapters I realised that my plans for the evening were finished. There would be no cooking or cleaning done, all that would happen is that traipse back and forth to the kettle whilst still reading the book.

Lara Carson starts the story off with a bang. She left her town at 16 and following events that unfolded has now decided to move back and start over. At the same time, her old friend Evie is getting ready to marry her man Jamie. However, within the first quarter of the book, both women are up to their eyes in drama.

It is quite hard to review a book without giving away a lot of the story but all I will say about the storyline is that it certainly won’t disappoint. It had a lot going on and kept me on tenterhooks all the way through. As for the characters, this is what Jill Mansell does best. Lara and Evie were lovely women and you warm to both of them right away. In addition to them there is an eclectic and interesting bunch of people that all feature heavily in the story.

Gigi was an adorable character and actually reminded me of somebody I know. We meet Lara’s aunt Nettie, Don who owns jewellery shop in Bath and superstar rapper Enjay Seven. Like I said before the storyline I can’t mention but what I can say is that the scenes between Enjay and Harry had me laughing out loud. My favourite character (and a pretty central one too) was Flynn. He sounds like a truly wonderful bloke and I kept my fingers crossed that things worked out how I wanted the whole way through the book.

Overall this book is one of the best Jill Mansell has written and I loved every bit of it. Having read it in under a day I can only say that I suggest you get yourself a copy and settle yourself in for the night with a hot cuppa and a duvet. What better way to spend an evening? This book is a true testament to why Jill Mansell has been a successful author for twenty years. As for myself, I will settle back and wait another long year for the next one.
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Sep 20, 2012 Carla rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

I read books by Jill Mansell before and found them quite engaging, so that's why I picked this book to read in the summer vacation. It wasn't the book I expected, I was doubting to give it a 2 or 3 star rating. Although the book was engaging, the reading wasn't fluid, which made me stop and putting it away too often. It's partly in the conversations that didn't sound like real conversation. Plus there were too many things going on. I missed depth in those many lines of story. Take for example th...more

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May 07, 2013 C rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I could have liked it, but it just had way too much going on. I'm all for a romantic book that has substance, but this was more like getting to the cheese plate to find leftover crackers with an olive or two. For me, it's not happening without the cheese.

I did like the dry wit from the main character - when she wasn't behaving like a reactive spazshrew. I liked Gigi. She seemed like she should be a redhead.

The random introduction of Harry and delayed reveal left me wondering who the heck this...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-fiction

If you have read Mansell before then you know what you are in for, multiple HEAs.

First we have Lara who comes back after many years away, and with a teenager in tow. One no one knew about. And in Bath her old boyfriend lives, Flynn, a good guy, but yes also the father of her daughter. Flynn and Lara are so meant for each other, always meant to be. And even though I knew that Mansell loves HEAs I was worried. Co there can always be someone else that would be better.

Evie is Lara's friend and is ab...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Rosie Review rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: book-of-the-month

Taken from my blog www.rosiereview.wordpress.com

I’ve waited a long time for my Jill Mansell fix and I haven’t been disapointed. Her books seems to get better and better. I like how in Jill Mansell style there is always drama along the way and she left me on tenterhooks throughout the book until the end. My favourite character was Lara, the leading lady. Jill has written her perfectly, well in fact she’s written all of the characters in this book perfectly.

The storyline flows really well, be pre...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I saw this book in the supermarket and it was the only one that really jumped out at me. All the other books seemed to be 50 Shades (or similar rip-offs!) or aimed at men. I decided to give it a chance, and began reading it last week. I haven't read a book in months - I don't seem to have the time for them - but I've managed to read this one in next to no time, which shows how much I enjoyed it!

It got a little boring at times in the middle, but there were a few unexpected twists towards the end...more

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Sep 17, 2012 Natalie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So I chose this book because A) it was by Jill Mansell and B) it was set in Bath and I'm moving there next week to go to university.

I'm still not entirely sure about it though. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice book, but it didn't seem convincing, and it wasn't one of those books where I couldn't stop reading. I just think there wasn't much plot, and the plot that was there was kind of typical chick lit, there was nothing that made it especially different from any other book I'd read. It didn't...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Emylie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-read, chick-lit

I can't wait to read this one!

update: loved it. Not surprised. Probably one of my top five favourites by Mansell. I just love how her writing style brings you right into the mix. It took me one afternoon in the park to finish this one-pure escapism.

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Aug 22, 2012 BestChickLit.com rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Slow to start with but the storyline certainly gets moving after a few chapters. Lots of twists and turns along the way, not all of them huge but enough to keep you interested. Lara and Flynn’s relationship is the backbone of the story and, although they’re not the most exciting couple, it certainly works. The lingering question over Lara’s family is a nice touch as a background story; as are the dilemmas that Evie and Harry find themselves in.

Great holiday or lazy Sunday read as the pace ambles...more

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Mar 25, 2012 SerNing rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First off, i have got to say that this is not my favourite book from Jill Mansell. Personally, i was quite disappointed.

The plot was sounds interesting but it fell flat at the later part of the book. I found myself skimming through pages and pages of the book. It was boring. I could already predict the ending. It was not up to par with her other books. The writing was fine though.

The characters were alright. Flynn's interaction with Gigi was particularly endearing to me. I found myself grinning...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Monty rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit

Picked this up when I was in London with the intention of reading it on the plane. It's a light quick read that is a bit predictable. The characters are likeable with different story lines going on at the same time. (view spoiler)...more

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Oct 16, 2012 Shan Ellis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ok, this is a book I could definitely empathise with. Believable characters, so much within your grasp and life thrown curve-balls.

Yes, it was a little contrived, perhaps obvious at some point, but it was ideal 'filling time escapism' and let's face it, we all need a bit of that from time to time.

Lara Carson, a girl who disappeared in a shocking night leaving her past behind her returns to Bath after 18 years, with a few secrets, and opportunistic timing finds her old base of friends need her m...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Grete rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: owned

Review originally published at BookThing!

When she was sixteen, Lara Carson left her home and disappeared. Eighteen years later, she finds herself back again, much to the delight of her old best friend Evie. When an unexpected event causes Lara to extend her stay, she dreads bumping into the gorgeous Flynn Erskine again; her boyfriend back when she was sixteen, and the reason she left in the first place.

One of the most reassuring things about picking up a new Jill Mansell book is that you know wh...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Kelli Klein rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I had never heard of Jill Mansell or read any of her books, obviously. I was strolling through my local library looking for something to read and the cover caught my eye. It was a very cute cover. So, naturally, I picked it up.

The main character was Lara Carson, but the book also figured many sub-characters, all very different from each other with different story lines, but very quirky and entertaining. I found myself laughing during some parts.

With that being said, the book is a chick lit with...more

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About Jill Mansell

Jill Mansell lives with her partner and children in Bristol, and writes full time. Actually that’s not true; she watches TV, eats fruit gums, admires the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house, and spends hours on the internet marvelling at how many other writers have blogs. Only when she’s completely run out of displacement activities does she write.

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