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Secrets of a Charmed Life
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
"The author of A Fall of Marigolds journeys from the present day to World War II England, as two sisters are separated by the chaos of wartime ... She stood at a crossroads, half-aware that her choice would send her down a path from which there could be no turning back. But instead of two choices, she saw only one because it was all she really wanted to see " Current day, Oxford, England. Young American scholar Kendra Van Zant, eager to pursue her vision of a perfect life, interviews Isabel McFarland just when the elderly woman is ready to give up secrets about the war that she has kept for decades...beginning with who she really is. What Kendra receives from Isabel is both a gift and a burden--one that will test her convictions and her heart. 1940s, England. As Hitler wages an unprecedented war against London s civilian population, hundreds of thousands of children are evacuated to foster homes in the rural countryside. But even as fifteen-year-old Emmy Downtree and her much younger sister Julia find refuge in a charming Cotswold cottage, Emmy s burning ambition to return to the city and apprentice with a fashion designer pits her against Julia s profound need for her sister s presence. Acting at cross purposes just as the Luftwaffe rains down its terrible destruction, the sisters are cruelly separated, and their lives are transformed "
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Princess-Kingofkings
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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I picked up this battered book at a bookstore in Illinois while on vacation in June. It was worth the cost despite its wrinkled and taped cover.❤️‍🩹

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Princess-Kingofkings
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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While on vacation I visited Booklady‘s Book Attic in Bartlett, Illinois where I picked up this much loved copy. 💚

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JenReadsAlot
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this!

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Born.A.Reader
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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#secrets #AutumnPlease

Neither have I read yet, but both are by authors whose work I usually can't put down.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Eggs An excellent one from Meissner 👏🏻👏🏻 13mo
20 likes1 comment
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Eggs
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Happy Wednesday! Hope you‘re having a great week!

1* tagged
2* the characters were so fleshed out, and it was impossible to put down🧡
3* snowy winter for mysteries, WW2 France or England for HF

#WondrousWednesday @Eggs
Play & Share🥳

Librarybelle Thanks for the tag! 1y
TheSpineView Thanks for the tag!😊 1y
Mollyanna Thank you for the tag ☺️ 1y
dabbe I'm on it! Thanks for the tag! 🤗 1y
43 likes5 comments
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Eggs
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

Beautifully written HF - Meissner always amazes me! Two sisters are separated during the Blitz of WWII in London…each is searching for the other and each fear the worst. Rich characters and prose.

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick
#JubilantJulyReadathon Day 3 @Andrew65

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MelKelsey
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

Book 59

I listened to Secrets of a Charmed Life, the story of Emmy, an aspiring fashion designer, and her sister who were sent from London to the country during WWII. The story is good but Emmy's obstinance is so infuriating. 3.5 stars

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a.bookish.byrd
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

❤️

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Arvena
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

Descriptively written and beautifully told story.

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Hollie
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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I came home from state baseball in KC (roughly 5 hours from home) this weekend to find a box from Misty @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks waiting for me. I can‘t wait to read these! Idk which one to start with because they all look so good. 😍 thank you, Misty, my sweetest friend. Love you!! ❤️

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You‘re very welcome sweet friend!! Love you too!! 😘❤️ 5y
39 likes1 comment
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KarenUK
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

#bookclubread
I really enjoyed this one. It had a very Kate Morton vibe. It‘s a sad story of two evacuee sisters during the Blitz of World War II, who make small choices with devastating consequences.

“There are no secrets to a charmed life. There is just the simple truth that you must forgive yourself for only being able to make your own choices, and no one else‘s.”

#pop19 #abookwithanitemofclothingoraccessoryonthecover

xxjenadanxx I can‘t wait to read this one! 6y
53 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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cinann
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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I finished thirteen books in March. Three library books had to be returned already, and one was on my kindle.

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OriginalCyn620
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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This sounds really good! #charmed #literaryluck

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It‘s on my shelf!! Love the cover 💚💚💚 6y
vkois88 So pretty 💚 6y
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
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TheSpineView
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I want to read more of her stuff! Ive only read As Bright as Heaven so far. 6y
TheSpineView @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Me too! I suffer from so many books, not enough time!😂 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This is on my shelf!! 6y
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vkois88 Beautiful cover 6y
63 likes1 stack add6 comments
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cinann
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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I just finished this book last night and I really enjoyed it. It's perfect for today's prompt #charmedlife

#literaryluck
@vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💚💚💚 on my shelf!! (edited) 6y
vkois88 Gorgeous cover 6y
16 likes2 comments
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EadieB
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Day 26 - #charmed #literarylife

I would like to read this book as I have read As Bright As Heaven by her and enjoyed it very much! This one looks very good!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💚💚💚 6y
xxjenadanxx It‘s waiting for me on my Kindle! It does look like it will be really good. 6y
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hdhubbard
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
Pickpick

10/10 Really great read. Literally couldn't put it down, read until way too late and I'm sad it's over. The author does a great job of pulling you into London during the childrens evacuation of WWII, and the aftermath. Definitely worth the read, I borrowed it from the library and I'm planning on buying it to add to my collection.

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mountainsandlace
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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13 likes1 stack add
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bg_reads
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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This book is hitting me to the core! It's happy, sad, riveting, beautiful, tragic... I'm loving it! Definitely my favorite read of the year! Highly recommend!
💚

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bg_reads
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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"It wasn‘t until the villagers began to pick whom they would take home that Emmy saw how the two groups were different. The parents in the school yard had not been able to choose anything; not which bus their child would board, not which town they would go to, not which family would take them in. These people, on the other hand, looked the evacuees over as though they were shopping for their Christmas goose."

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bg_reads
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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"For the past year they had lived with wailing air raid alarms, drills at school, and mandatory blackout curtains. Several uncomfortable nights had been spent with Mum huddled in the shelter nearest their flat with a dozen of their neighbors ... Both girls had carried a gas mask to school the past term ... Julia saw the destroyed window and concluded that what they‘d been told for a year could happen at any moment had at last happened."

bg_reads Please note that I had to remove some of the quote so it would fit within the characters allotted by Litsy. Hence the "..." in a couple of places in the quote. ? 6y
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Sharpeipup
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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The dog is getting a rather long walk thanks to this book. #audiowalking #audiobook

kaysworld1 Hello there I am your #hellofrom swap I was wondering if you got yet? you should have 2 packages ones gold and ones a white box? I know it's supposed to be a secret but I'm getting quiet concerned about it now. 6y
Sharpeipup @kaysworld1 Sorry but no package has arrived yet. I was actually at the post office to ask about other items so they are looking into our mail delivery service. I promise to keep you posted & a big thank you in advance! 6y
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ReadZenRites
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

OH MY. THIS BOOK!! It is beyond good. FANTASTIC! I listened to it on #audiobook & I‘m so glad I was home at the near-end because I hate anyone to see me cry. An ugly cry, it was, too.

Sisters are separated during the London Blitz (WWII), but really, it examines: How do you move forward after making a mistake you believe is unforgivable?

A beautiful story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Yep, that‘s all of ‘em, 5 of 5

#historicalnovel #womenauthors

Lkm I‘ll check it out. Thanks 6y
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Luv2readbookz
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

Just finished this for book club. Two sisters (one seven, the other 15) are separated during the bombing of London, WWII. They go through extraordinary lengths to find each other. Highly recommend if you like historical novels.

rubyslippersreads This sounds right up my alley! 7y
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emilyesears
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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I haven‘t posted on here in a month nor have I filmed any Booktube videos lately, but I have finished 4 books in April. None of them were spectacular, but I enjoyed Going Solo and Secrets. Bibliotech and Today Will Be Different were only fair. I‘ve been busy working, commuting, and now fixing up my apartment. But it looks like I will finish at least 6 books this month, which isn‘t bad at all!

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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#charm
#Heartsandhardcovers

Who‘s read this beauty?

rubyslippersreads Lovely photo! 7y
Zelma What a beautiful piece of furniture. 😍 7y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Zelma thank you!!! My grandmother gave me this years ago ❤️ 7y
Christine11 That cover is stunning! And the trunk is too 😊 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Christine11 her covers are really pretty!!! And thank you!!! 💚💚 7y
104 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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IamIamIam
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Taken from the New York Public Library's IG account. ❤❤❤❤

Books88 👏👏👏 7y
TheSketchyReader 🙏 amen! 7y
45 likes2 comments
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theladygreer
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

Absolutely devoured this story of young sisters separated in The Blitz. Heartbreaking, beautifully written, deeply satisfying. My favorite Susan Meissner book so far.

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Keliz
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner

Does anyone have any book club suggestions? I have to come up with 3 before next Thursday.

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Mdonald
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick
Pelican71 Loved this book! 7y
DrSpalding Me too! 7y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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#jewels
Love these book covers with jewels on them! I haven't read Secrets of a Charmed Life yet, but it looks really good!
#splashintosummerreads

bg_reads What's the book underneath? I love the cover! 6y
57 likes3 comments
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raelaschoenherr
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Half Price Books is having a 20% off Memorial Day sale! Had to snap a shot of my #HPBhaul, although a few items are wrapped because they're heading off to my #SummerSantaGoesPostal #SummerSolsticeBookExchange match ☺️ Also, can I just draw attention to the amazing Jane Austen mug?! I've been wanting it for SO long and finally decided to give in to the temptation!

Nat_Reads I love that mug!!! 7y
raelaschoenherr @Nat_Reads I know! Irresistible ❤️ 7y
ScientistSam I have that mug! It's awesome! 7y
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LeahBergen I've been wanting that mug, too! Nice! 👏🏻👏🏻 (edited) 7y
brandymuses I have that mug! I ❤️ it so much. 7y
raelaschoenherr @ScientistSam @brandymuses I've seriously been wanting it for over a year, and then suddenly HPB didn't have it anymore. When I saw that they finally had a new one in, I had to snatch it up ☺️ 7y
raelaschoenherr @LeahBergen Just go for it! It's worth it :) 7y
55 likes7 comments
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Simona
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Story is about two sisters, set in the London during bombing attacks in 1940/41. Interesting story, but writing style was too sweet for me 🤷‍♀️

#rockinmay #londoncalling

Cinfhen I vaguely remember reading this one! I find Meissner a bit trite...but still worth reading 8y
ClairesReads So keen to read that Rasputin book! 8y
Simona @Cinfhen As a palate cleanser was okay. 8y
Simona @ClairesReads This is the best nonfiction book about Rasputin I've read so far. Very worthy! 8y
65 likes5 comments
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christineandbooks
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Forgot to post this quote earlier... it's the "title quote", the point in the book where you see the title referred to or explained. Love that...

Bostonmomx2 Loved this book! 8y
tpixie Nice quote!!! 8y
45 likes2 comments
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christineandbooks
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

Another fantastic book by Susan Meissner. In keeping with my trend of reading a bunch of WWII books this year, this one is about two sisters and focuses on London during and after the Blitz as well as the evacuation of children to the countryside. I loved the main character and the weaving in of the modern-day story that frames the WWII story. Might be my favorite by this author so far.

rubyslippersreads Lovely photo! I need to move this book up my TBR list. 8y
AnnieReads Sounds like a good read! 8y
tpixie Lovely photo!! I have inadvertently started reading World War II books this year too I enjoyed and when I think I'm going to! The Nightingale and The Muralist. And this may totally be non- Fiction 8y
tpixie This one is one hour- may be too long https://youtu.be/dlhDtYtEejE 8y
56 likes5 stack adds5 comments
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christineandbooks
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Next book...much anticipated! Another fantastic sounding Susan Meissner story set in present-Marie Oxford, England and 1940's Cotswolds, England. *swoon* Can't wait to dive into this! Oh also, for other fans of this author, she announced this week that her next book, entitled Under the Canopy of Heaven, will be out in February 2018!

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Dramatictara
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

Fabulous book!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yay!! I got this in a book exchange!!! 8y
4 likes1 comment
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Simona
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

As palate cleanser, it was okay book to read - bitter, but with some sweet moments. That goes for the story and for the writing style.

#lyricalapril #bittersweetsymphony

christineandbooks On my shelf waiting... :-) 8y
Cinfhen Just like "real" life, all those moments bitter & sweet create a symphony! Nice choice? 8y
Sace I love the cover. 8y
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Simona @Cinfhen Thanks! 8y
Simona @christineandbooks I've listened as audiobook and it was nice. 8y
Simona @Sace I like that shade of green. 8y
Sace @Simona that's what I liked. All the green. 8y
67 likes7 comments
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saholmes
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
Pickpick

This was an incredible book. I cried for most of the heartfelt story. I did not know the connection between the characters but I suspected one existed. I loved the sweet ending after all the tears.

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WondrouslyMad
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

SO GOOD! I absolutely loved this book. Admittedly, I "read" it via audiobook, but i will be buying a copy for my personal library. So touching . . . And paints such a portrait of a specific time in history. Simply amazing!

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MoniqueSnyman
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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"Please don't let the unhappiness you knew in the past keep you from accepting happiness now."

This is such a gripping read!

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DrSpalding
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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The main character is so persistent in pursuit of her dream, it's inspiring. However, so far (Ch. 17) she has no idea how the war will impact her future! My mother was almost three and living in London during the time of the London Blitz. She recalls that the house next door was "bombed out" while they were not hit. This book has many text to self connections for me! #ucflae3414sp17

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Serenity_Within86
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Pickpick

I absolutely love this book. if you're fan of WWII you will love this book. Its about the children vacuous of London during the Blitz. I'm big fan of historical fiction WWII specially.

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Serenity_Within86
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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9 likes1 stack add
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Serenity_Within86
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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loving it so far!!!!

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Juli.Lost.In.Books86
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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Alisonfrenzel
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
Pickpick

Lots of prose, but a great story

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ScarletQuill
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
Pickpick

Really really liked this one. Beautiful and tragic and hopeful. Great story about mothers and daughters and sisters and what happiness even is.

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ScarletQuill
Secrets of a Charmed Life | Susan Meissner
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New book! Book club's pick for October, can't wait. #historicalfiction #bookclub

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