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Without Filter #1
Chasing Pebbles
Oliver might only get one summer, but he’s determined to make it memorable.
Frida left her hometown a year ago. When she suddenly finds herself without a place to stay for the summer, she is forced to go back. A stubborn, foolish part of her wants to show them that she can’t be broken. She’ll hold on to her anger, push the nostalgia away even if the scent of seawater and beach-roses is making it difficult.
Ever since Frida left, Oliver’s life has been a little lonelier and a little greyer, despite him staying busy to distract himself. When he realises that Frida, his favourite human, the one person who was always up for his shenanigans is coming home, he knows he has to make it right.
She’s hurting, and so much is left unsaid.
Frida is afraid to trust. Oliver can’t let go of his guilt.
Neither of them is prepared for how everything can feel the same and yet so, so different.
Chasing Pebbles takes place in Denmark; it’s a new adult, slow burn, friends to lovers romance with a nerdy, talkative hero and a stubborn, compassionate heroine.
Chasing Pebbles is book one in The Without Filter Series and it’s a complete standalone.
448 pages, ebook
First published June 4, 2020
148 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Felicia Blaedel
4 books66 followersFelicia writes quirky, heartfelt, and steamy romance with real, flawed characters.
Felicia’s books have themes about being true to yourself, and she is passionate about mental health and authenticity.
You can find Felicia on Instagram where she posts about her author journey, mum-life, flowers, dinosaurs, musings about autism and anxiety, book recommendations, and much more. @feliciablaedel
Make sure to follow Felicia on Goodreads, Bookbub or Amazon so you don’t miss a new release.
You can also find Felicia’s newsletter here:
https://www.feliciablaedel.com/join-f...
Felicia’s books have themes about being true to yourself, and she is passionate about mental health and authenticity.
You can find Felicia on Instagram where she posts about her author journey, mum-life, flowers, dinosaurs, musings about autism and anxiety, book recommendations, and much more. @feliciablaedel
Make sure to follow Felicia on Goodreads, Bookbub or Amazon so you don’t miss a new release.
You can also find Felicia’s newsletter here:
https://www.feliciablaedel.com/join-f...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 13, 2022
5 nerdy stars!!
OMG this book was absolutely adorable and it had such a great message for anyone who struggles to just be themselves. Oliver and Frida are such sweet characters that are perfect for each other and I immediately became hooked into this amazing story! Oliver and Frida were best friends until rumors and gossip tore them apart and Frida ended up leaving without saying goodbye. One year later she has to return to the place that hurt her. What she definitely didn’t expect was her former best friend Oliver and all the feelings that came with it.
This is a beautiful friends to lovers romance that I absolutely loved! It’s a slow burn, which I thought was perfect for this book, because it just feels so much more real that way. This book is about friendship, love, and a quirky guy you will quickly fall in love with! But really though, it has such an amazing message about accepting yourself and realizing that you don’t need a label to just be you!
I highly recommend this book if you like sweet and steamy friends to lovers story with nerdy characters that you will absolutely love!
December 19, 2021
5 slow-burning and angsty stars!
Chasing Pebbles is a fresh, friends-to-lovers, new-adult romance. Olli and Frida are perfect together, and Ms. Blaedel writes with such insight into the changing mind of a young adult. I felt like I was eighteen again, and oh, to be able to go back! Her descriptions of Denmark and of the small, fictional ocean town of Enebaek are beautiful and it puts you right there, from the architecture to the flowers and trees, the summer storms to the streets of Copenhagen. This book was a delight to read.
Chasing Pebbles is a fresh, friends-to-lovers, new-adult romance. Olli and Frida are perfect together, and Ms. Blaedel writes with such insight into the changing mind of a young adult. I felt like I was eighteen again, and oh, to be able to go back! Her descriptions of Denmark and of the small, fictional ocean town of Enebaek are beautiful and it puts you right there, from the architecture to the flowers and trees, the summer storms to the streets of Copenhagen. This book was a delight to read.
May 26, 2020
What an amazing debut novel. A beautiful and moving coming of age second chance romance. I loved reading this, the attention to details and the complex friendships and back stories kept me turning the page. Frida and Oliver are perfect for each other and don’t even realise it. They each have issues with their relationship models and have to figure out a way that works for them, at least they know what they don’t want.
I loved reading about their growing feelings and how they worked through them.
Simply a beautiful read and I hope there’s many more to come.
I loved reading about their growing feelings and how they worked through them.
Simply a beautiful read and I hope there’s many more to come.
June 1, 2020
This beautiful piece of literary art gave me all the feels! This new adult novel follows Frida and Oliver as they navigate what their futures hold. Will the future include one another? You better hope for their sakes it does because their relationship is a beautiful friends to lovers, although lovers feels like an insufficient label for their relationship.
@feliciablaedel shows us such brilliance here. We get to explore culture and life in Denmark. We visit heartache and longing. We see shame and healing. It was such a fantastic story.
Thank you to Felicia for advanced copy for my honest reviews. I devoured this book and cannot wait for me! I need more of all of the supporting characters stories!
@feliciablaedel shows us such brilliance here. We get to explore culture and life in Denmark. We visit heartache and longing. We see shame and healing. It was such a fantastic story.
Thank you to Felicia for advanced copy for my honest reviews. I devoured this book and cannot wait for me! I need more of all of the supporting characters stories!
April 2, 2022
Completely loved it! Nice story, relatable flawed characters, beautiful setting... A lovely novel to enjoy after a long romance-less day. You don't need another review telling you what the story is about, just read it!
August 6, 2020
"Fight for yourself, not sone perfect version, scared to live fully, but for the authentic you."
I received an ebook copy of this book personally from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This debut novel is a perfect sweet summer friends-to-lovers romance book for sappy people like me. I always enjoy a really good slow burn friends to lovers romance, and this definitely hit the spot. It also helped that the main characters started out first as childhood best friends before circumstances happened between them. I really love the easy way this story flowed, and it was just so light but still has gravity to it. The Danish descriptions of all the places and food were so beautifully written, and it just felt like I was spending the summer there myself while reading the book. The book was cute and cheesy without making me cringe, but also tackled a lot of social and personal issues to give it more depth.
Both Frida and Oliver are just so freaking adorable separate and together. I love how both of them are so clumsy and nerdy, their personalities matching nicely. It's so rare for me to read books featuring total geeks, and I loved every bit of it. This story definitely concentrated on their friendship aspect first, before moving into the romance, which I admire. And their internal conflict was mainly due to how they would still remain as best friends despite their feelings for each other, and that just made me melt inside. Both of them grew up and evolved with each other, and it was just really nice to watch their character development.
Gah! I really recommend you guys to check this book out if you want a cute summer friends to lovers romance!
I received an ebook copy of this book personally from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This debut novel is a perfect sweet summer friends-to-lovers romance book for sappy people like me. I always enjoy a really good slow burn friends to lovers romance, and this definitely hit the spot. It also helped that the main characters started out first as childhood best friends before circumstances happened between them. I really love the easy way this story flowed, and it was just so light but still has gravity to it. The Danish descriptions of all the places and food were so beautifully written, and it just felt like I was spending the summer there myself while reading the book. The book was cute and cheesy without making me cringe, but also tackled a lot of social and personal issues to give it more depth.
Both Frida and Oliver are just so freaking adorable separate and together. I love how both of them are so clumsy and nerdy, their personalities matching nicely. It's so rare for me to read books featuring total geeks, and I loved every bit of it. This story definitely concentrated on their friendship aspect first, before moving into the romance, which I admire. And their internal conflict was mainly due to how they would still remain as best friends despite their feelings for each other, and that just made me melt inside. Both of them grew up and evolved with each other, and it was just really nice to watch their character development.
Gah! I really recommend you guys to check this book out if you want a cute summer friends to lovers romance!
September 17, 2021
100% wonderful!
Frida made for a great heroine. I identified with her on so many levels, both in relation to her very real and genuine problems with her self confidence and in relation to her family. My mom was born in Denmark and my relationship with my own family is eerily similar to Frida's . . . not that all Danish families are the same, but . . . yeah.
Anyway, I cheered for Frida the whole way through this book.
And Oliver? He and his sensitive soul have made it on to my book boyfriend list!
If you're into . . .
My dreams are simple. I want people in my life that I love and trust, who I can take care of, who will take care of me.I'll be honest and say that I don't usually gravitate toward the friends-to-lovers trope . . . but author Felicia Blaedel really won me over with Chasing Pebbles. 😍😍
Frida made for a great heroine. I identified with her on so many levels, both in relation to her very real and genuine problems with her self confidence and in relation to her family. My mom was born in Denmark and my relationship with my own family is eerily similar to Frida's . . . not that all Danish families are the same, but . . . yeah.
Anyway, I cheered for Frida the whole way through this book.
I still need my anger. Because without it I'm too damn vulnerable.I even thought she deserved more than the wishy-washy apologies she got for what had been done to her. But I get it, lol, holding on to one's resentment is not healthy.
And Oliver? He and his sensitive soul have made it on to my book boyfriend list!
I believe the things you love are worth fighting for.I'm so happy to be a part of this world the author has created. And book 2 is Nessa and Zander?! My mind is blown, lol. I'm so excited!
If you're into . . .
✔ new adult romance. . . you've found your next read!
✔ friends to lovers
✔ an 'unusual' setting: Denmark
✔ a genuine heroine
✔ a sweet hero
✔ relatable issues and fears
May 27, 2020
What I Loved:
Chasing Pebbles has this wonderful message of being who YOU are, not what others expect you to be. I thought it was just an absolutely lovely thing to weave into this beautiful story.
My Synopsis:
Frida left home a year ago, and she never intended to look back. After losing her living arrangements, she is forced to head back home. Filled with anger, she arrives like a storm and intends to stay that way until the moment she can leave again.
In steps Oliver. Oliver and Frida had been best friends once long ago, but after rumors and deceptive actions ruined their connection, Frida never expected to see him again. Oliver has other plans though. He fully intends to make things right with her. He’s got the summer to do it, and he doesn’t plan to fail.
How I Felt:
I loved that this story was told from both Frida and Oliver’s (Ollie) POVs. They are both wonderfully lovable characters, and I found myself rooting for them from the start. Ollie and Frida are both goofy in their own ways, and it made them relatable and real for me. Felicia Blaedel did an excellent job creating and building their characters!
I have to talk a bit about the building of this world. The author did an excellent job of building the scene and making me feel like I was right there, in the story. She described smells, and I would think, yep, I can smell that. She has an extraordinary way of using words to build a vivid image for the reader.
The romance was quite lovely. This is a friends-to-lovers story, and I felt like just the right amount of friendship-building was used to make this trope work perfectly. There are some steamy scenes, which fit the story really well and helped to build Frida and Ollie’s relationship for the reader.
Overall, I just loved this story. It was a light and easy read, and it was beautifully written. It had a wonderful mix of emotional and steamy moments with the perfect characters, and I enjoyed every page.
To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Chasing Pebbles for readers that enjoy a friends-to-lovers romance trope with an emotional storyline.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
My full review of this book will post to my blog on 6/4/20. All of my reviews can be found https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-boo...
Chasing Pebbles has this wonderful message of being who YOU are, not what others expect you to be. I thought it was just an absolutely lovely thing to weave into this beautiful story.
My Synopsis:
Frida left home a year ago, and she never intended to look back. After losing her living arrangements, she is forced to head back home. Filled with anger, she arrives like a storm and intends to stay that way until the moment she can leave again.
In steps Oliver. Oliver and Frida had been best friends once long ago, but after rumors and deceptive actions ruined their connection, Frida never expected to see him again. Oliver has other plans though. He fully intends to make things right with her. He’s got the summer to do it, and he doesn’t plan to fail.
How I Felt:
I loved that this story was told from both Frida and Oliver’s (Ollie) POVs. They are both wonderfully lovable characters, and I found myself rooting for them from the start. Ollie and Frida are both goofy in their own ways, and it made them relatable and real for me. Felicia Blaedel did an excellent job creating and building their characters!
I have to talk a bit about the building of this world. The author did an excellent job of building the scene and making me feel like I was right there, in the story. She described smells, and I would think, yep, I can smell that. She has an extraordinary way of using words to build a vivid image for the reader.
The romance was quite lovely. This is a friends-to-lovers story, and I felt like just the right amount of friendship-building was used to make this trope work perfectly. There are some steamy scenes, which fit the story really well and helped to build Frida and Ollie’s relationship for the reader.
Overall, I just loved this story. It was a light and easy read, and it was beautifully written. It had a wonderful mix of emotional and steamy moments with the perfect characters, and I enjoyed every page.
To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Chasing Pebbles for readers that enjoy a friends-to-lovers romance trope with an emotional storyline.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
My full review of this book will post to my blog on 6/4/20. All of my reviews can be found https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-boo...
June 16, 2020
3.5
This is the first book that I've read by this author and I didn't really know what to expect.
This book is set in Denmark and I think that maybe I kind of struggled with some parts of the story because of that and some differences. But I think that that is just me.
Frida has had things quite tough in the past and this has made it difficult for her to trust people so when she returns to her home town for the summer she wants to show everyone just how strong she is.
Oliver is so happy that she is back because he has been quite lonely himself but releases that things are not going to be easy and the fact is he might only get the one summer to show her he knows that one way or another he has to make things right, because she is the only person that knows him for him.
As they start spending time together they start things start to develop and watching their love story grow is sweet. The problem is that they both need to learn to let go of all the things that are holding them back to enable them both to move on with there lives. Neither of them are prepared for the feelings that they are feeling and even though not unexpected they still have feelings all over the places.
These characters have both been through a lot and are both flawed and together they can hopefully heal each other. Their love story is challenging and this book does has a lot of emotion. Love, hope, heartbreak, sadness and forgiveness. This author writes a great emotional love story but I just didn't feel like I could connect to the characters. Thank you to the author and the publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book. This book is a friends to lovers romance and it is a very sweet, it has just the right amount of love, drama and emotion throughout and this author has written it very beautifully.
This is the first book that I've read by this author and I didn't really know what to expect.
This book is set in Denmark and I think that maybe I kind of struggled with some parts of the story because of that and some differences. But I think that that is just me.
Frida has had things quite tough in the past and this has made it difficult for her to trust people so when she returns to her home town for the summer she wants to show everyone just how strong she is.
Oliver is so happy that she is back because he has been quite lonely himself but releases that things are not going to be easy and the fact is he might only get the one summer to show her he knows that one way or another he has to make things right, because she is the only person that knows him for him.
As they start spending time together they start things start to develop and watching their love story grow is sweet. The problem is that they both need to learn to let go of all the things that are holding them back to enable them both to move on with there lives. Neither of them are prepared for the feelings that they are feeling and even though not unexpected they still have feelings all over the places.
These characters have both been through a lot and are both flawed and together they can hopefully heal each other. Their love story is challenging and this book does has a lot of emotion. Love, hope, heartbreak, sadness and forgiveness. This author writes a great emotional love story but I just didn't feel like I could connect to the characters. Thank you to the author and the publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book. This book is a friends to lovers romance and it is a very sweet, it has just the right amount of love, drama and emotion throughout and this author has written it very beautifully.
May 27, 2020
This debut novel by Felicia Blaedel was absolutely adorable! It follows the relationship of Olli and Frida who have been best friends since they were ten. Olli is nerdy, talkative and has so many quirks that make him so likeable and sweet. Frida is a fiery, stubborn girl who’s been betrayed and has lost trust in the people she used to trust the most. Olli has been facing a persistent case of unrequited love throughout their whole friendship and now that they’ve been reunited for the summer, he’s determined to show her how much she means to him.
I loved seeing Frida start to take notice of Olli and every little thing he did, and every way he made her feel. I felt like I was fully immersed in the transition between friends to something a little more and it made me so excited. If you’re looking for a new friends-to-lovers romance with a sweet hero, give Chasing Pebbles a try!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much to the author for reaching out and providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases June 4th on Amazon.
I loved seeing Frida start to take notice of Olli and every little thing he did, and every way he made her feel. I felt like I was fully immersed in the transition between friends to something a little more and it made me so excited. If you’re looking for a new friends-to-lovers romance with a sweet hero, give Chasing Pebbles a try!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much to the author for reaching out and providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases June 4th on Amazon.
Read
January 19, 2021Thank you for reading Chasing Pebbles — my debut novel and a slow-burn, nerdy, summer romance.
Some e-reader devices open the book directly at chapter one. So if you are wondering what gymnasiet (high school) is or what the drinking age is in Denmark, then there's a little note explaining a few cultural differences right before chapter one. :)
I hope you'll enjoy meeting Olli and Frida.
Some e-reader devices open the book directly at chapter one. So if you are wondering what gymnasiet (high school) is or what the drinking age is in Denmark, then there's a little note explaining a few cultural differences right before chapter one. :)
I hope you'll enjoy meeting Olli and Frida.
May 19, 2021
Loved it!
I am a complete sucker for a “will they or won’t they” romance, and Chasing Pebbles is that and so much more. Blaedel weaves memorable characters into a rich tapestry depicting meaningful elements of the human condition. A bittersweet story about the loyalty of friendships (or lack thereof), it also reflects a myriad of family dynamics for an engaging read.
I am a complete sucker for a “will they or won’t they” romance, and Chasing Pebbles is that and so much more. Blaedel weaves memorable characters into a rich tapestry depicting meaningful elements of the human condition. A bittersweet story about the loyalty of friendships (or lack thereof), it also reflects a myriad of family dynamics for an engaging read.
May 18, 2020
Frida left her hometown after things got too much for her. However when she finds herself having to go back one summer, she reconnects with the people who used to be her friends.
Her best friend Oliver has missed Frida. Things weren't the same for him when she left. He feels guilty for letting her go. Frida feels angry at him for not helping her stay.
Set in Denmark, this is a heartwarming story of two friends reconnecting and putting things right in their lives. I love the best friends to lovers trope and this book really hit the spot. Both main characters were extremely likeable especially Oliver who was described as a typical guy with flaws and not all round perfect. Oliver's family were also great fun support characters.
Thank you Felicia Blaedel for the complimentary copy of your book in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait to read what you come up with next!
Her best friend Oliver has missed Frida. Things weren't the same for him when she left. He feels guilty for letting her go. Frida feels angry at him for not helping her stay.
Set in Denmark, this is a heartwarming story of two friends reconnecting and putting things right in their lives. I love the best friends to lovers trope and this book really hit the spot. Both main characters were extremely likeable especially Oliver who was described as a typical guy with flaws and not all round perfect. Oliver's family were also great fun support characters.
Thank you Felicia Blaedel for the complimentary copy of your book in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait to read what you come up with next!
May 20, 2020
I just adored Oliver and Frida’s story! I love the transition from childhood to adulthood and exploring their feelings for one another. These characters are so real – everyone has quirks, and I feel those just don’t translate into characters we read about. These two are so nerdy and so wonderful, and perfect together, I just couldn’t stop reading! I also love that they worked through past issues – I feel so often this gets overlooked, but this was done so well!
There are so many wonderful quotes in this book…I think I highlighted half of them! 100% recommend this book to anyone – a fun, easy summer read! I want to book a plane ticket to Denmark now!
Now, when are we going to get Patricia and Jack’s story!? Because I am DYING for it!!!
There are so many wonderful quotes in this book…I think I highlighted half of them! 100% recommend this book to anyone – a fun, easy summer read! I want to book a plane ticket to Denmark now!
Now, when are we going to get Patricia and Jack’s story!? Because I am DYING for it!!!
May 18, 2020
This was such an amazing read! The characters felt so incredibly real and human you'd almost expect to bump into them while going to Copenhagen!
I laughed and cried alongside Frida and enjoyed how the story progressed!
This book is a perfect summer read, or the perfect read for when you long for summer♡
I laughed and cried alongside Frida and enjoyed how the story progressed!
This book is a perfect summer read, or the perfect read for when you long for summer♡
August 8, 2020
Frida is returning to her hometown, the town she left a year prior. She is forced to return home to the place that almost broke her. When she arrives home she is still angry and hurt, and she plans to stay this way until she leaves again. But then comes along Oliver, Frida’s best friend prior to leaving. Oliver feels guilty that she left, and is determined to make things right between them. He only has the summer to fix things, and he doesn’t plan to fail.
Oh my goodness, this was such a sweet book! This is a friends to lovers romance, and I was hooked right from the beginning. I loved both Frida and Oliver’s characters. They were both so lovable, goofy, relatable and real. I felt like this story was so realistic, anyone of us could have gone through what they did. I also really enjoyed the dual POV between Frida and Oliver. Felicia Blaedel also does a wonderful job at building the scenes and making me feel like I was there in the story. Overall, I really enjoyed this book! If you’re looking for a sweet romance with meaning and a lot of feeling, I highly recommend this one!
Thank you Felicia Blaedel for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my goodness, this was such a sweet book! This is a friends to lovers romance, and I was hooked right from the beginning. I loved both Frida and Oliver’s characters. They were both so lovable, goofy, relatable and real. I felt like this story was so realistic, anyone of us could have gone through what they did. I also really enjoyed the dual POV between Frida and Oliver. Felicia Blaedel also does a wonderful job at building the scenes and making me feel like I was there in the story. Overall, I really enjoyed this book! If you’re looking for a sweet romance with meaning and a lot of feeling, I highly recommend this one!
Thank you Felicia Blaedel for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
January 18, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/21/2021)! 🎁
June 19, 2020
This New Adult Romance was as charming as it was sweet, and had me fall in love with the story and characters from the first page. The setting describes why I love Denmark so much, showing off the beauty of small-town life but also the difficult aspects that I could relate to. The desire to get away from all that you know and chase your dreams, only to be pulled back to your past is something I think many people can find themselves in, and that very aspect is what made this book so special to me. Families that are messy and flawed but are not overly toxic and have good moments like most families have, the burden of being young and feeling you have to carry the weight of your parents problems.
The friends to lovers aspect was well done and both Frida and Oliver had me rooting for them, and their romance developed in a beautiful pace. I read a lot of romance, but as I`ve grown older and moved from YA to NA, I`ve become pickier when reading fictional relationships. This, however, truly hit the spot for me. The romance was always looming in the background, disguised perfectly by friendship and attraction, and developed in a steady pace with passion and setbacks and messy feelings. The characters never lost themselves or changed who they were because they fell in love, they became a better version of themselves because of it, and they`re aware of it themselves throughout the book. I loved the remarks about Frida knowing that she had to believe in herself as much as Oliver did and find strength within herself.
The characters felt real and were quirky and flawed and wonderful in their own ways, and throughout the book it was almost like I was reading about my friends as the characters all felt familiar and authentic. Not only were the main characters well written, the side-characters had developed personalities as well. When Frida returns after what made her leave, she is forced to face those she left behind. She has her own narrative on what happened and who was at fault, but throughout the book this idea is explored. The characters all act from their point of view with their own intentions, and while they`re not good for all of them, they aren`t purely doing mean things to be mean. The small redemption arcs through Frida understanding and exploring their reasons, while still allowing herself to know that they were in the wrong and hurt her with their actions was amazing and truly impressed me.
The drama, the falling out and the trauma afterwards, they were all things that I think are relatable for many, especially the small-town reputation mill. The full circle moment of coming to terms with the past and letting go of past grudges and fears and moving on is well-written and well-executed.
I loved the plot because I recognized myself in it. Growing up different and quirky like Oliver, a little too passionate to belong as a teen, and in Frida`s journey to find comfort in being who she was. It perfectly covered what it`s like to be a teen growing into a young adult and the messy beauty that comes on that, with a wonderfully developed romance and characters that are real and inspiring. If you need a summer read and want something refreshing and comforting in terms of romance, Chasing Pebbles is a great pick.
The friends to lovers aspect was well done and both Frida and Oliver had me rooting for them, and their romance developed in a beautiful pace. I read a lot of romance, but as I`ve grown older and moved from YA to NA, I`ve become pickier when reading fictional relationships. This, however, truly hit the spot for me. The romance was always looming in the background, disguised perfectly by friendship and attraction, and developed in a steady pace with passion and setbacks and messy feelings. The characters never lost themselves or changed who they were because they fell in love, they became a better version of themselves because of it, and they`re aware of it themselves throughout the book. I loved the remarks about Frida knowing that she had to believe in herself as much as Oliver did and find strength within herself.
The characters felt real and were quirky and flawed and wonderful in their own ways, and throughout the book it was almost like I was reading about my friends as the characters all felt familiar and authentic. Not only were the main characters well written, the side-characters had developed personalities as well. When Frida returns after what made her leave, she is forced to face those she left behind. She has her own narrative on what happened and who was at fault, but throughout the book this idea is explored. The characters all act from their point of view with their own intentions, and while they`re not good for all of them, they aren`t purely doing mean things to be mean. The small redemption arcs through Frida understanding and exploring their reasons, while still allowing herself to know that they were in the wrong and hurt her with their actions was amazing and truly impressed me.
The drama, the falling out and the trauma afterwards, they were all things that I think are relatable for many, especially the small-town reputation mill. The full circle moment of coming to terms with the past and letting go of past grudges and fears and moving on is well-written and well-executed.
I loved the plot because I recognized myself in it. Growing up different and quirky like Oliver, a little too passionate to belong as a teen, and in Frida`s journey to find comfort in being who she was. It perfectly covered what it`s like to be a teen growing into a young adult and the messy beauty that comes on that, with a wonderfully developed romance and characters that are real and inspiring. If you need a summer read and want something refreshing and comforting in terms of romance, Chasing Pebbles is a great pick.
August 18, 2020
Chasing Pebbles is a debut novel by Felicia Blaedel. It was a fantastic novel that I didn't want to put down. So many things happened in this story but it kept my attention and made me want to keep reading.
Frida is only 19 but has already been through a rough few years. Honestly these characters were well written and dealing with things that most adults don't have to deal with so I kept forgetting that they were only 19-20 years old. This story was told in an interesting way because you don't get told the full story about what happened with Frida right away but you learn as you read the story.
In the beginning, you meet Frida, Oliver, Zander and Zander's sister. Zander and Frida end up dating all throughout high school even though Oliver has a crush on Frida.
Things end up not going as planned at all and Frida transfers schools; leaving behind all her friends and ex-boyfriend.
Now she's back in the little cottage with her mother and having to face the people that turned there backs on her. I really liked her as a character and thought Oliver was great. I was so glad that these two were able to reconnect.
This story has such good character development from a few different characters; such as Zander and Frida. Honestly Frida's mom irritated me especially in how she treated Frida. She was very in and out of this story and Frida's life it seemed like even though they lived together for most of this book.
Patricia was a pretty awesome character though and it was cool to learn about her story also; was definitely not expecting the little twist that was thrown in about her though.
I loved the chemistry between Frida and Oliver; they seem like great people and make a super cute couple. I wish they could have been honest with each other a little sooner but this book is definitely relatable with how being in love feels and how things can change in an instant. I felt bad for Oliver though; not only did he hide his feelings for 6 years but everybody seemed to know how he felt towards Frida besides Frida. I'm really glad that the author included an epilogue and didn't leave you with any questions about what's been going on and how the future looks.
Frida is only 19 but has already been through a rough few years. Honestly these characters were well written and dealing with things that most adults don't have to deal with so I kept forgetting that they were only 19-20 years old. This story was told in an interesting way because you don't get told the full story about what happened with Frida right away but you learn as you read the story.
In the beginning, you meet Frida, Oliver, Zander and Zander's sister. Zander and Frida end up dating all throughout high school even though Oliver has a crush on Frida.
Things end up not going as planned at all and Frida transfers schools; leaving behind all her friends and ex-boyfriend.
Now she's back in the little cottage with her mother and having to face the people that turned there backs on her. I really liked her as a character and thought Oliver was great. I was so glad that these two were able to reconnect.
This story has such good character development from a few different characters; such as Zander and Frida. Honestly Frida's mom irritated me especially in how she treated Frida. She was very in and out of this story and Frida's life it seemed like even though they lived together for most of this book.
Patricia was a pretty awesome character though and it was cool to learn about her story also; was definitely not expecting the little twist that was thrown in about her though.
I loved the chemistry between Frida and Oliver; they seem like great people and make a super cute couple. I wish they could have been honest with each other a little sooner but this book is definitely relatable with how being in love feels and how things can change in an instant. I felt bad for Oliver though; not only did he hide his feelings for 6 years but everybody seemed to know how he felt towards Frida besides Frida. I'm really glad that the author included an epilogue and didn't leave you with any questions about what's been going on and how the future looks.
June 5, 2020
Blurb: Frida’s returning to her hometown — the town she left a year back in heartache and embarrassment. The only thing that makes her return bearable is Oliver, her childhood friend, though even his past behavior has her agonizing over their reunion.
Olli’s astonished — and nervous — when Frida calls to tell him she’s coming back for the summer. He’s been floundering since her departure, though he’s hesitant to admit to himself why. He knows he’ll only get one chance to right the wrongs he’s been shouldering since she left.
One summer. To remember. To learn. To try to fix things neither knows how to approach. To explore. And to discover that sometimes, perfectly imperfect is the most perfect thing there is.
My thoughts: Confession, I read this book in one sitting. Blaedel’s new adult novel is gorgeous and heart-wrenching and hopeful, and I cried and laughed and cheered, and I already want to read it again to appreciate its delightfully quirky, wonderfully flawed characters and the author’s lovely prose. Blaedel’s ability to put the reader front and center in the minds of both Frida and Olli made this a compelling read that tugged at my heartstrings so many times I lost count. Frida and Oliver have earned their place in my list of favorite literary couple. Frida’s struggles hit home for me, in many ways, and her journey to becoming stronger and self-assured had me cheering and tearing up simultaneously — I adored her. But honestly, Olli stole my heart, and I know I’ll fall for him every time I re-read this beautiful story. He’s so genuinely adorable, and the glimpses into his relationships with his family and friends enhanced his charm tenfold.
Bottom line: absolutely recommend for fans of friends-to-lovers romance with a lot of heart and a side of steamy scenes. The perfect summertime read, or truthfully, anytime read when you’re in the mood for a story that’ll restore your faith in the imperfect perfection of love.
Olli’s astonished — and nervous — when Frida calls to tell him she’s coming back for the summer. He’s been floundering since her departure, though he’s hesitant to admit to himself why. He knows he’ll only get one chance to right the wrongs he’s been shouldering since she left.
One summer. To remember. To learn. To try to fix things neither knows how to approach. To explore. And to discover that sometimes, perfectly imperfect is the most perfect thing there is.
My thoughts: Confession, I read this book in one sitting. Blaedel’s new adult novel is gorgeous and heart-wrenching and hopeful, and I cried and laughed and cheered, and I already want to read it again to appreciate its delightfully quirky, wonderfully flawed characters and the author’s lovely prose. Blaedel’s ability to put the reader front and center in the minds of both Frida and Olli made this a compelling read that tugged at my heartstrings so many times I lost count. Frida and Oliver have earned their place in my list of favorite literary couple. Frida’s struggles hit home for me, in many ways, and her journey to becoming stronger and self-assured had me cheering and tearing up simultaneously — I adored her. But honestly, Olli stole my heart, and I know I’ll fall for him every time I re-read this beautiful story. He’s so genuinely adorable, and the glimpses into his relationships with his family and friends enhanced his charm tenfold.
Bottom line: absolutely recommend for fans of friends-to-lovers romance with a lot of heart and a side of steamy scenes. The perfect summertime read, or truthfully, anytime read when you’re in the mood for a story that’ll restore your faith in the imperfect perfection of love.
July 8, 2020
4.5🌟
Wow what a beautiful book! I love when I book has you smiling right through to the end. Yes there was the usual emotions that you go through when reading a romance novel (bit of drama, bit of sorrow) but this book just left me feeling so good even after it ended.
Frida and Oliver had been best friends for years. They are totally at ease with each other and can just be themselves without any pretence. Fridas ex also happens to be Olivers best friend and Fridas friends brother. After they break up and things go sour Frida changes school feeling isolated from her close knit group of friends. When circumstances change and she has to come back after a year for the summer she is understandably unsettled by the idea of seeing the old gang again. When she meets Oliver again it's like nothing ever changed they slip back into that easy friendship but neither of them are sure if they can get over another break when the summer is over.
This New Adult Romance was such a refreshing change of pace for me. Its no secret that friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes and this was just such a heartwarming story. I loved that there was no angst but there was still a bit of drama to keep me interested. There was a side story around Frida and her ex which was handled well and I liked the outcome of it. The whole story focuses on accepting yourself and just enjoying being who you are. I loved that Frida and Oliver never had to pretend to be someone other then who they were with each other. As the story is set in Denmark it was good that Felicia put a bit of an explanation into the differences that you get in Denmark such as school names and drinking age etc so I was never confused about the culture.
Overall a cracking debut and a beautiful story. It's the perfect summer read!
Wow what a beautiful book! I love when I book has you smiling right through to the end. Yes there was the usual emotions that you go through when reading a romance novel (bit of drama, bit of sorrow) but this book just left me feeling so good even after it ended.
Frida and Oliver had been best friends for years. They are totally at ease with each other and can just be themselves without any pretence. Fridas ex also happens to be Olivers best friend and Fridas friends brother. After they break up and things go sour Frida changes school feeling isolated from her close knit group of friends. When circumstances change and she has to come back after a year for the summer she is understandably unsettled by the idea of seeing the old gang again. When she meets Oliver again it's like nothing ever changed they slip back into that easy friendship but neither of them are sure if they can get over another break when the summer is over.
This New Adult Romance was such a refreshing change of pace for me. Its no secret that friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes and this was just such a heartwarming story. I loved that there was no angst but there was still a bit of drama to keep me interested. There was a side story around Frida and her ex which was handled well and I liked the outcome of it. The whole story focuses on accepting yourself and just enjoying being who you are. I loved that Frida and Oliver never had to pretend to be someone other then who they were with each other. As the story is set in Denmark it was good that Felicia put a bit of an explanation into the differences that you get in Denmark such as school names and drinking age etc so I was never confused about the culture.
Overall a cracking debut and a beautiful story. It's the perfect summer read!
June 5, 2020
I recently read Chasing Pebbles. In Chasing Pebbles, 18-year old Frida unexpectedly returns to her childhood hometown the summer before she starts university. She returns to face her best friend Oliver, and the boy who broke her heart, Zander. After a heartbreaking deception by Zander a year ago and a betrayal of their friendship by Oliver she isn’t exactly happy to be back and reconnecting with either.
I am not usually a fan of YA romances because they can be immature; however, this book was so mature and real and authentic. I don’t know if it was because it takes place in Denmark and I think Europeans are more mature than Americans but I really enjoyed this story. It isn’t fluff but an honest and real look at a group of young people as they struggle for independence, friendship, relationships and finding themselves. Frida was a breath of fresh air...she just excudes this beauty and innocence that I loved reading. Oliver was also this slightly awkward young character who was stuck between boy & man. He wanted to express his true feelings from Frida but guilt, fear of rejection and his own insecurities made him hold back. I loved the slow burn friends to lovers aspect.
This book completely sucked me in. From the descriptions of the scenery which made me feel like I was in Denmark to the food to the lovable & quirky characters this book was consuming in the best way. It was emotional in a very elegant way and I completely enjoyed watching Frida and Oliver on their journey.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I am not usually a fan of YA romances because they can be immature; however, this book was so mature and real and authentic. I don’t know if it was because it takes place in Denmark and I think Europeans are more mature than Americans but I really enjoyed this story. It isn’t fluff but an honest and real look at a group of young people as they struggle for independence, friendship, relationships and finding themselves. Frida was a breath of fresh air...she just excudes this beauty and innocence that I loved reading. Oliver was also this slightly awkward young character who was stuck between boy & man. He wanted to express his true feelings from Frida but guilt, fear of rejection and his own insecurities made him hold back. I loved the slow burn friends to lovers aspect.
This book completely sucked me in. From the descriptions of the scenery which made me feel like I was in Denmark to the food to the lovable & quirky characters this book was consuming in the best way. It was emotional in a very elegant way and I completely enjoyed watching Frida and Oliver on their journey.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 18, 2020
A huge thank you to @feliciablaedel for this advance reader copy of 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬.
After fleeing her hometown due to gossip and rumors brought on by the ultimate betrayal, Frida returns for the summer. Though she’d prefer not to run into any of her former friends, there’s an excitement brewing from the chance to reconnect with her best friend, Oliver. Oliver has had unrequited feelings for Frida since they were kids but once she began to date his best friend, Zander, he shut those feelings away and focused on just being her friend. Now that she’s back and Zander is no longer in the picture, is it finally time to give it a chance? Told from both Frida and Ollie’s perspectives, Chasing Pebbles was the perfect light-hearted read. From the beginning, both Frida and Ollie were easy to love, tackling coming of age issues with humor and quirkiness. Blaedel did a fantastic job developing a friends to lovers romance complimented with just the right amount of steamy moments! If you’re looking for a sweet and easy, summertime read, look no further!
After fleeing her hometown due to gossip and rumors brought on by the ultimate betrayal, Frida returns for the summer. Though she’d prefer not to run into any of her former friends, there’s an excitement brewing from the chance to reconnect with her best friend, Oliver. Oliver has had unrequited feelings for Frida since they were kids but once she began to date his best friend, Zander, he shut those feelings away and focused on just being her friend. Now that she’s back and Zander is no longer in the picture, is it finally time to give it a chance? Told from both Frida and Ollie’s perspectives, Chasing Pebbles was the perfect light-hearted read. From the beginning, both Frida and Ollie were easy to love, tackling coming of age issues with humor and quirkiness. Blaedel did a fantastic job developing a friends to lovers romance complimented with just the right amount of steamy moments! If you’re looking for a sweet and easy, summertime read, look no further!
July 6, 2020
// Chasing Pebbles // Felicia Blaedel // Book Review 4⭐️ //
•
Quirky, sweet romance.
•
Frida left one year ago, moved to a new town, hoping to never see any of her old friends again. Unfortunately her living arrangements have changed and she is forced to go back and face the people who hurt her most. Oliver used to be her best friend, it broke his heart when she left and he needs to find the courage, to make things right, when he realises she is returning. Can they find their way back to each other, so Oliver can tell her how he truly feels?
•
Such a classic friends to lovers romance. I loved the setting of Denmark, I felt Blaedel did such a good job of describing the sights, sounds and smells to make it realistic. The way the POV was told from both Oliver and Frida’s side really helped to develop the story. It was a light escape from reality, a heartwarming novel to enjoy. Sometimes all you need is a good romance to lose yourself in.🌹❤️
•
I want to thank @feliciablaedel for the gifted ebook, in exchange for an honest review.
•
Quirky, sweet romance.
•
Frida left one year ago, moved to a new town, hoping to never see any of her old friends again. Unfortunately her living arrangements have changed and she is forced to go back and face the people who hurt her most. Oliver used to be her best friend, it broke his heart when she left and he needs to find the courage, to make things right, when he realises she is returning. Can they find their way back to each other, so Oliver can tell her how he truly feels?
•
Such a classic friends to lovers romance. I loved the setting of Denmark, I felt Blaedel did such a good job of describing the sights, sounds and smells to make it realistic. The way the POV was told from both Oliver and Frida’s side really helped to develop the story. It was a light escape from reality, a heartwarming novel to enjoy. Sometimes all you need is a good romance to lose yourself in.🌹❤️
•
I want to thank @feliciablaedel for the gifted ebook, in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2020
4 stars
This book is very sweet and enchanting.
Oliver and Frida are childhood friends however they lose contact after Frida leaves their hometown. Now shes back and along with her she brings all the hurt and confusion from her past. Oliver is no longer the Oliver she has left behind. Yes, he is still the sweet, lovable, nerdy talkative guy from their childhood, but now he is a man. She shouldn't be having these feelings about her best friend. especially when everything is so complicated.
Oliver is amazing! He is so sweet and I genuinely need him in my life. He has feelings for Frida, he always had. I loved how their friendship became more. It did take a while to get there but when it did it was all worth it. I loved how creative their special moments were.
This book has a dual POV which was amazing to see their thoughts and their prospective. The main theme of this book is acceptance. Be who you are and who YOU want to be.
Overall I enjoyed this book.
Thank you Felicia for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book is very sweet and enchanting.
Oliver and Frida are childhood friends however they lose contact after Frida leaves their hometown. Now shes back and along with her she brings all the hurt and confusion from her past. Oliver is no longer the Oliver she has left behind. Yes, he is still the sweet, lovable, nerdy talkative guy from their childhood, but now he is a man. She shouldn't be having these feelings about her best friend. especially when everything is so complicated.
Oliver is amazing! He is so sweet and I genuinely need him in my life. He has feelings for Frida, he always had. I loved how their friendship became more. It did take a while to get there but when it did it was all worth it. I loved how creative their special moments were.
This book has a dual POV which was amazing to see their thoughts and their prospective. The main theme of this book is acceptance. Be who you are and who YOU want to be.
Overall I enjoyed this book.
Thank you Felicia for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2021
*Squeals* i am a sucker for nerdy romance and damm Oliver & Frida reeled me in and made me fall completely and effortlessly in love!
"𝘼𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙩. 𝙒𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙗𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.”
Oliver & Frida are best friends, but when Frida is pushed to her limits, dealing with the rumor mill of high school everything changed.
When your favourite person leaves the pain and emotional turmoil begins. Oliver & Frida feel so much and it honestly will resonate with you.
There connection, lust & angst is effortless and you feel real true love but been a teenager nothing is ever simple and their journey is super relatable.
"𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣."
This is by far a fantastic super sweet, romantic read that will leave you swooning and needing your own Oliver.
"𝘼𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙩. 𝙒𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙗𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.”
Oliver & Frida are best friends, but when Frida is pushed to her limits, dealing with the rumor mill of high school everything changed.
When your favourite person leaves the pain and emotional turmoil begins. Oliver & Frida feel so much and it honestly will resonate with you.
There connection, lust & angst is effortless and you feel real true love but been a teenager nothing is ever simple and their journey is super relatable.
"𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣."
This is by far a fantastic super sweet, romantic read that will leave you swooning and needing your own Oliver.
June 3, 2020
This is a beautiful debut novel by author Felicia Blaedel.
I felt transported to Europe as I read ‘Chasing Pebbles.’ It’s a low-angst summer read that proves even though no one is perfect, two people can be perfect for each other.
The characters in this friends-to-lovers story were younger than I expected them to be, but both seemed to be old souls, dealing with more than their share of responsibilities. I enjoyed the glimpses into their relationships with friends and family. It was easy to understand how those relationships influenced them as individuals and as a couple. It would also be fun to read the stories of several of the side characters. Blaedel did a nice job of introducing them and leaving me wanting to more.
I felt transported to Europe as I read ‘Chasing Pebbles.’ It’s a low-angst summer read that proves even though no one is perfect, two people can be perfect for each other.
The characters in this friends-to-lovers story were younger than I expected them to be, but both seemed to be old souls, dealing with more than their share of responsibilities. I enjoyed the glimpses into their relationships with friends and family. It was easy to understand how those relationships influenced them as individuals and as a couple. It would also be fun to read the stories of several of the side characters. Blaedel did a nice job of introducing them and leaving me wanting to more.
January 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. There were themes in the book that is totally relatable. The characters were great and went through stuff that readers can relate to. Frida moves around a lot. Her family is apart. She lives mostly with her mother. She makes friends at school. As she gets older she starts dating her friend Zander. Her best friend Oliver and her spend lots of time together. Something happens between her and Zander. Frida moves to a different school for her last year. She moves away after with her mother. Then they have to spend the summer at her grandparents summer house. She will see old friends. She has to try and move past the hurt. Her and Oliver spend lots of time together. Will Oliver and Frida be more than just friends? Will Frida forgive her old friends? Read the book to find out.
June 2, 2020
My favorite thing about reading books is being able to pick one up and escape into a whole new world. That’s exactly how it felt to read this book. The little details were just enough to transport me to an entirely different country and lose myself for hours. I loved Frida and Oliver’s story from as childhood friends to an adult relationship, it was done so well. I thought Olli’s quirkinesses was the perfect balance to Frida’s reserved side. I loved how they brought the best out in each other. This story was part slow burn, part laugh out loud funny, part heartbreaking and frustrating tears but 100% awesomeness. I can’t wait to read more about all these awesome characters.
October 3, 2020
I LOVED this book!
I'm not sure that I could do justice to this book in a review, but I'll try to say a few words.
Chasing Pebbles has all the things I look for in a book: it was happy, sad, lighthearted and heartwrenching, fun and easy to read, and so difficult to put away at night!
I have been in a bit of a reading slump lately and this book has definitely broken through my daziness!
At the same time, I have been feeling lost in life for the past couple of months... And as Frida and Oliver found their way home and how they wanted to live their live, I got the sense that I can find my own way too.
I'm already looking forward to reading the sequel All The Wrong Shelves!!
I'm not sure that I could do justice to this book in a review, but I'll try to say a few words.
Chasing Pebbles has all the things I look for in a book: it was happy, sad, lighthearted and heartwrenching, fun and easy to read, and so difficult to put away at night!
I have been in a bit of a reading slump lately and this book has definitely broken through my daziness!
At the same time, I have been feeling lost in life for the past couple of months... And as Frida and Oliver found their way home and how they wanted to live their live, I got the sense that I can find my own way too.
I'm already looking forward to reading the sequel All The Wrong Shelves!!
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