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All the Beautiful Lies
All the Beautiful Lies: A Novel | Peter Swanson
From the acclaimed author of Her Every Fear and The Kind Worth Killing comes a diabolically clever tale of obsession, revenge, and cold-blooded murdera sly and brilliant guessing game of a novel in the vein of Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins, and Patricia Highsmith. Harry Ackerson has always considered his stepmother Alice to be sexy and beautiful, in an "otherworldly" way. She has always been kind and attentive, if a little aloof in the last few years. Days before his college graduation, Alice calls with shocking news. His father is dead and the police think its suicide. Devastated, Harry returns to his fathers home in Maine. There, he and Alice will help each other pick up of the pieces of their lives and uncover what happened to his father. Shortly after he arrives, Harry meets a mysterious young woman named Grace McGowan. Though she claims to be new to the area, Harry begins to suspect that Grace may not be a complete stranger to his family. But she isnt the only attractive woman taking an interest in Harry. The sensual Alice is also growing closer, coming on to him in an enticing, clearly sexual way. Mesmerized by these two women, Harry finds himself falling deeper under their spell. Yet the closer he gets to them, the more isolated he feels, disoriented by a growing fear that both women are hiding dangerouseven deadlysecrets . . . and that neither one is telling the truth.
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Read4life
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This one just had a really high ick factor.

#WorstRead2024

Bracket by @CSeydel

dabbe I love that BUTTER is in the running! That book! 😳 I had to finish it, though. And at the end, I was like, WTF? 🤩😂🤗 3mo
48 likes1 comment
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Read4life
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Mid month update:

#ReadOrDonate book completed. Another book off the TBR and off the shelf.

julieclair Good job! 👍😀 3mo
51 likes1 comment
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Read4life
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Mehso-so

If Swanson was trying to make the reader feel gross, uncomfortable and disgusted then he did a great job. The actions of many of the characters are morally corrupt but the story and ending are well paced and executed. So-so as a result of balancing the ick and the twists.
At least it‘s off my shelf.
#BookSpinBingo #ReadOrDonate #readyourTBR #Roll100

TheAromaofBooks I really like a lot of Swanson's books, but this one, while it definitely kept me turning the pages, had a lot of very off-putting content. 3mo
julieclair Hooray for getting it off your shelf! 👍 3mo
52 likes2 comments
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JenlovesJT47
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Mehso-so

This book gave me the ick, I‘m not gonna lie. But I think that‘s the point. It was really hard to find anybody to root for until the last quarter of it, but I enjoyed the ending and the bad guys get what‘s coming to them. 3⭐️ #audiobook #thriller #suspense

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Octoberwoman
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I‘m posting one book a day from my massive collection. No description, no reason for why I want to read it (some I‘ve had so long I don‘t even remember why!). Feel free to join in!

#ABookADay2024

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deeannloso
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Bailedbailed

I had to bail on this one. The narrator is awful!! He reads in a monotone voice that is truly annoying. I‘ll have to see if I can find a physical book to read.

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deeannloso
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“From the acclaimed author of Her Every Fear and The Kind Worth Killing comes a diabolically clever tale of obsession, revenge, and cold-blooded murder—a sly and brilliant guessing game of a novel in the vein of Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins, and Patricia Highsmith.”

34 likes2 stack adds
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alecia3dixie
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Panpan

This book was just overly sexual. I don't mind sex scenes but not when they're with older men/women and younger teens. Really boils my blood. It's a forgettable book and the least stars I've ever given a Swanson book. I just didn't think there was a point to the book? It's just sick. 2/5 stars

LiteraryinPA I appreciate knowing this. I love his books in general but I will know to skip this one. Thanks! 2y
8 likes1 comment
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Bookish.SAM
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Mehso-so

This book had a few odd, but fun twists.
And I do like that Peter Swanson‘s books tend to have a very bookish spin to them 🤩📖

Sleepswithbooks Your mug is cute 🥰 3y
42 likes1 comment
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Clwojick
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Pickpick

Another audiobook down while I worked on some projects for holiday/party decor. I also got in an hour workout today for #Bfc21! It was a successful day off, but I am not looking forward to my 16hour double shift tomorrow….

#teamslaughter #scarathlon2021 #screamathon #littenlisten #spookoweenreadathon #bookspinbingo

aperfectmjk Yikes! 16hrs! 😲 3y
Clwojick @aperfectmjk yeah! 7am to 11pm! I‘m regretting picking it up… I could have stayed home all day and read! Lol 3y
aperfectmjk Well... at least your paycheck will be nice. 3y
See All 8 Comments
wanderinglynn Yay for workouts! But I hope you‘re going to take a nap. Working 16 hrs is insane! 3y
Clwojick @wanderinglynn oh I‘m sure I‘ll sleep great after work today! 😂 3y
TheSpineView 16 hours! You poor thing! 😨 3y
TheAromaofBooks Long shifts!! So intense!! In other news... this wasn't my favorite Swanson by a long shot (like was it just me, or was this entire book basically about sex in some form or another??) but I always find him compulsively readable lol 3y
Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks No, it definitely wasn‘t just you! 😂🙈 3y
61 likes8 comments
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TheLudicReader
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Pickpick

This is my second book by Swanson. I previously read The Kind Worth Killing, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This book,about a young man whose father dies unexpectedly, is full of lots of twists, turns and duplicitous behaviour.

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Andrea4
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Pickpick

This is a twisted one. TW for underage/consent and incestuous relations.
So many lies in this story and the most important ones are the ones you tell yourself. If you tell yourself a lie fervently enough, it can become your truth.

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Pearrr
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Day One 📚😊

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Betty_Boa
Pickpick

A naive Harry comes back home to Maine from college after the accidental death of his father. Once home he's welcomed by his stepmother Alice, and news that his father's death may not have been accidental and other gossip that his father and Alice might not have been who he thought they were.

Cathythoughts I see I have this stacked ... sounds really good 5y
5 likes1 comment
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Betty_Boa
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Pg. 245
Naive, delusional Harry, No her sister is not there just for you 🙄

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Betty_Boa
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First I was 😥 then 😳😱 and now🤬. Damn you psycho Alice and your pedophile bf. And Harry I'm sorry about your dad but, ugh soo Naive! R.i.p. Grace. On to part 2....

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Betty_Boa

Bout to start this one, I feel I've been on a mystery kick lately 😁👌🏻

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angel1
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My grandson Weston loves to roll his cars over my books!😂

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awww so sweet 💙💙💙 5y
45 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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krismlars
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My reaction when I finally came to the sentence on page 228 that verified the epiphany I had back on page 112. Also, these people are f*cked up.

LiteraryinPA I just read another book by Swanson but I totally did NOT see the twist coming! Good for you! 5y
krismlars @LiteraryinLititz which book was it? I've read Her Every Fear. Honestly, I'm not sure how much I like Swanson's books, but I met him last year at a book festival and he lives in my town, so I *want* to like the books. 5y
39 likes2 comments
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krismlars
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I had an epiphany while thinking about this story in the shower! Now I must read all evening to see if I'm right...

40 likes4 stack adds
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Hooked_on_books
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Mehso-so

Harry returns home to #Maine after his father dies suddenly in what may or may not have been an accident. An intriguing start and interesting characters unfortunately devolves from there into too many ridiculously damaged and sexually inappropriate people. It veered too far from believable for me.

#ReadingUSA2019

Librarybelle That‘s a shame, but at least Maine is checked off the list! 6y
Kaye You are doing great 👍🏼. Doesn‘t sound like a book for me but at least it‘s another off your list. 6y
Pamwurtzler Sorry you didn‘t have a better Maine book! 6y
48 likes3 comments
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mrdavidcharles
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Mehso-so

It started off really well but the plot got a little silly. I enjoyed The Kind Worth Killing much more. Still a fan of Peter Swanson. Taken out from Bethnal Green library.

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mrdavidcharles
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Looking forward to starting this one. I read The Kind Worth Killing two years ago and loved it.

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MaceyT15
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Pickpick

Peter Swanson is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. Even with mixed reviews, I stuck through this one and ended up loving it! I found the story compelling and gripping. It reflects real life and these types of stories happen every day. While I understand some may see the relationships as controversial, I do not. I applaud the boldness of his storylines!

CarolynM Sounds interesting. 6y
6 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TheLibrarian
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Pickpick

Another great book by Peter Swanson! Harry comes home after the death of his father. He feels that his beautiful stepmother is hiding something but what could it be? Full of deceit and lies, you never know what‘s the truth.

71 likes4 stack adds
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Ashley85
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Mehso-so

This was a pretty disturbing book. I was shocked when I found out who the killer was. And the ending was crazy. This was a page-turner but definitely hard to read at times which is why it has a so-so rating. I need to read something light-hearted after this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

k.reads.5 Great review. I've been seeing a lot of buzz about his new book, Before She Knew Him. 6y
Ashley85 @pl.2886 thanks, I‘ll have to check it out! 6y
38 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LiteraryAries
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Love his other books! Excited to start this one, also my beautiful Valentine roses from my husband!

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Gissy
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Pickpick

Last book read in Buzzawordreadathon clue word was lie.Another psychological thriller, so go blind.The actions motive and the end can be described as crap, impossible or absurd to occur.However, the way the author develop those criminal error thinking process were so interesting that I really enjoyed it because sociopaths or antisocial persons can think that way.Well integrated the "Then & Now" (present & past) but some things were just crap 3.5⭐️

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Acarreader
Pickpick

Loved

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gradcat
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And finally, the one I‘m reading next....

41 likes3 stack adds
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emmaturi
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Pickpick

I just finished this book and I really enjoyed it! A thrilling read! #books #redbook #thrillers #bookcovers #lovetoread

Reviewsbylola I love Peter Swanson! 6y
emmaturi I will definitely check out his other books now! @Reviewsbylola 6y
Reviewsbylola His first two blew me away. The third wasn‘t as good imo but I‘m also sick of thrillers. 😂 6y
24 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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sophierayton
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Mehso-so

This book has the ICK! factor. While I appreciate it is fiction, I thought the concentration of the type of characters he wrote was completely unbelievable.
I almost didn't finish and I'm not particularly glad that I did, but I did and it was ok. Not the worst book I've ever read, and certainly not the best.

6 likes1 stack add
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swishandflick
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Pickpick

I always find Peter Swanson's books compulsively readable and All the Beautiful Lies was no different! It isn't a "shocking twist" kind of thriller, but it was paced well and the backstory got steadily more creepy as it went. Nothing earth-shattering, but a quick, entertaining read.

Librariana "Compulsively readable" is a phenomenal description for an author's writing style! 6y
Reviewsbylola I need to get this! 6y
94 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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swishandflick
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I've been in Asheville this week hanging out with my mom so I haven't had a ton of reading time. It's raining today so I'm out on the porch enjoying the sound of it through the trees (so much more relaxing than NYC!) and sinking into the new Peter Swanson 👏🏽

Leftcoastzen I love Asheville so much..Malaprop‘s 6y
107 likes1 comment
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Kappadeemom
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@Reviewsbylola got me hooked on this author, so I am reading all of his books 👍❣️❣️ #dogsoflitsy #jackthedorkie

SledgeReader @Kappadeemom Total cuteness in the puppy department! 😍Wish mine would pose with a book. 🙃 6y
Kappadeemom @SledgeReader He gets sooo tired of the pupparazzi 😂 6y
Reviewsbylola I am totally ashamed that I didn‘t realize he had a new book coming out. 6y
55 likes3 comments
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NatalieR
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Pickpick

I loved Peter Swanson‘s new thriller! 😃 Henry‘s father dies unexpectedly so he returns to Maine for the funeral and gets to know his fairly new step-mother. We also get the step-mom‘s backstory of an unusual adolescence. Excellent set of characters and just the right amount of drama. This is a top notch thriller! 4 1/2 🌟

MBurbo I can‘t wait to read this! 6y
ReadZenRites I just bought this on my Nook. So glad you liked it! 😁💕 6y
NatalieR @MBurbo @ReadZenRites Hope you both enjoy it! 😃 6y
105 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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I.readalot
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Pickpick

A new Peter Swanson thriller always makes it to the top of my list of books to read. This intriguing story held me captive from start to finish. Loved it! So far, this and The Kind Worth Killing are my favourites of his novels.

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Amaryie
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Pickpick

I don‘t think the synopsis is completely accurate on this one, but lucky for me, I go in not knowing much about the books.

Read my 4-star review of All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2402808066

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Fancypants
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Panpan

Not impressed.

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Jess7
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💥 KINDLE DEAL ALERT 💥 The ebook #AlltheBeautifulLies by #PeterSwanson (author of #TheKindWorthKilling ) is only $3.99 today on Amazon! 🎉🎉 #kindledeal #kindledeals #ebookdeals #ebook #sale #onsale #ebookdeal

This is “... a diabolically clever tale of obsession, revenge, and cold-blooded murder—a sly and brilliant guessing game of a novel in the vein of Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins, and Patricia Highsmith...” #TBR #suspense #thriller

Jess7 @JoScho - this sounds good and it‘s on sale today! 7y
JoScho @Jess7 thanks for the tag! I enjoyed The Kind Worth Killing. 7y
TheRomantiCate @JoScho @Jess7 thank you so much for sharing!! I loved The Kind Worth Killing as well 🤓🤩 7y
everfree7 I enjoyed this book. 7y
kyraleseberg Thank you so much for sharing this!!! 7y
82 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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OneBookishBabe
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Mehso-so

1 of 4

I was hoping to end up enjoying this book and honestly despite the fact that it had some questionable moments I was, all the way up until that ending 🙅🙅🙅
#4in48Readathon

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OneBookishBabe
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I can't tell if I'm actually enjoying this or if I'm just hate reading.

Please tell me I'm not the only person to hate read a book? #4in48Readathon

MsLeah8417 Are you not enjoying the Readathon? 7y
rekahlee Actually I know what you mean. I usually bail on books that elicit *no* feeling, but I always finish the ones I hate. A WTF reaction is sometimes just as fun as the OMG ones 😃 7y
tammysue I know, I didn‘t finish this book. 7y
See All 8 Comments
OneBookishBabe @MsLeah8417 readathons are so new to me however I found that I do really enjoy them. 7y
OneBookishBabe @whatshesreadingnow what didn't you like about this one? 7y
tammysue Well.. I thought the writing was off. And I didn‘t like a single character lol. To me there‘s too many books to read than waste time on mediocre stories. 😊 7y
OneBookishBabe @whatshesreadingnow I totally understand. 7y
10 likes8 comments
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OneBookishBabe
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I'm trying to get into this book I really am. However it's only so many times I want to read about how pale a characters skin is.

#4in48Readathon
@Syndelle777

12 likes1 stack add
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everfree7
Pickpick

Definitely creepy and twisted!! Read this in one day. I‘ll be checking out the author‘s previous novels.

Jess7 Definitely checkout The Kind Worth Killing. It‘s very good! 7y
2 likes1 comment
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guinsgirlreads
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Mehso-so

It took me awhile to get into this one, and I didn‘t really like the characters.. but when it does get going it‘s has some good twists.

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guinsgirlreads
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The rest of this book will be waiting for me when u get home from work 😔✌🏻

36 likes2 stack adds
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guinsgirlreads
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Sunday Funday 🛀 📖 🍷 #amreading

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guinsgirlreads
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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

Another great book by this author! Not quite The Kind Worth Killing but close!

26 likes3 stack adds
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everfree7

Found this at the library and the description sounded so good that I couldn‘t pass it up...

5 likes1 stack add