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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Four Promises to Love by Grace Callaway @gracecallaway.bsky.social sent me down some reading rabbit holes. Here are some contemporary-ish images of some of the real historical people, clothing and things mentioned in the book. #booksky #romancelandia

Quote: Owen’s work had gained the attention of Joseph Paxton, the celebrated architect of the Crystal Palace.

Image: Sir Joseph Paxton (c. 1850)

Source: National Portrait Gallery, London, Sir Joseph Paxton by Octavius Oakley, watercolour, corners diagonally cut, circa 1850? NPG 5565

Quote: “I didn’t know there were survivors,” she said slowly. “Other than the physician.”
“William Brydon.”

Image: William Brydon arriving at the gates of Jalalabad, 1842

Source: The Remnants of an Army, 1879, Elizabeth Butler (Lady Butler). Tate, Presented by Sir Henry Tate 1897. Photo: Tate

Quote: If desire were a garden, then what bloomed between him and Finn was like the damask roses: heady, with a shape of its own, and strangely…timeless.

Image: Rosa damascena

Source: Blackwell, Elizabeth, Nicolaus Friedrich Eisenberger, Christoph Jacob Trew, Christiani de Launoy., and Fleischmann, Johann Joseph,. 1750. Herbarium Blackwellianum emendatum et auctum, id est, Elisabethae Blackwell collectio stirpium : quae in pharmacopoliis ad medicum usum asseruantur, quarum descriptio et vires ex Anglico idiomate in Latinum conversae sistuntur figurae maximam partem ad naturale exemplar emendantur floris fructusque partium repraesentatione augentur et probatis botanicorum nominibus illustrentur. Cum praefatione Tit. Pl. D.D. Christophori Iacobi Trew ; excudit figuras pinxit atque in aes incidit Nicolaus Fridericus Eisenbergerus ... Vol. 1. Norimbergae: Typis Io. Iosephi Fleischmanni. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/291183.

Quote: “I have a gown with pagoda sleeves that would suit you beautifully, Your Grace. Shall I have it brought out?”

Image: Dress with pagoda sleeves, c. 1855

Source: Palais Galliera, musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, Corsage de robe en faille moiée bleue, à manches en pagode, fermé devant par des agrafes sous patte (1973.56.2)

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Just finished 👀 Vicious Civility by Amanda Lindsey Neil. #booksky #romancelandia Review here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/97ca...

Cover of Vicious Civility by Amanda Lindsey Neil

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

It’s kind of fun to hunt down images of some of the historical places stories. Here are some recent finds. Books by @elizabethroubaix.bsky.social and Amanda Lindsey Neil. #booksky #romancelandia

Book: Shared on the Nile by Elizabeth Roubaix
Quote: “We were on the way to meet with a ghost, or so the note that arrived for me at Shepheard’s Hotel claimed.”
Image: Shepheard’s Hotel, Cairo (an album dated 1871-2)
Source: Egyptian Mirage: A database of 19th-century "studio photographs" of Egypt,
mainly in the collection of the Griffith Institute, Oxford (Gr. Inst. 3426)

Book: Claimed by the Wolf Cult by Elizabeth Roubaix
Quote: “I had taken a villa near the Palatine Hill, which came with a terrace overlooking the Eternal City; if I’m honest, the terrace was the primary reason I’d rented the place when we set our sights on Italy.”
Image: Rome from the Palatine Hill
Source: William Wyld, 1806–1889, Rome from the Palatine Hill, undated, Graphite and watercolor on medium, slightly textured, cream wove paper, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund, B1996.11.

Book: Vicious Civility by Amanda Lindsey Neil
Quote: “There is also a beautiful garden at Lansdowne House, just south of Berkley Square; I know you are an active girl and love your walks.”
Image: Lansdowne House, Berkley Square, 1811
Source: British Library catalogue, No29 of ACKERMANN'S REPOSITORY of ARTS & Pub May 1st 1811 (ALMA: 990048806720109251)

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Just finished 👀 My Heart's True Delight by Grace Burrowes. #booksky #romancelandia Review here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/0759...

Cover of My Heart's True Delight by Grace Burrowes

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Just finished 👀 Nearly a Bride by Sabrina Jeffries. Out 28 April: www.sabrinajeffries.com/book/nearly-... #booksky #romancelandia Review here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/7535...

Cover of Nearly a Bride by Sabrina Jeffries

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Never too late for a reading wrap-up! Many thanks also to the authors who entrusted me with ARCs of their new books. I've also added some interesting articles and essays I came across during the month. #Booksky #Romancelandia

Some interesting articles and essays I came across during the month:

Heated Rivalry’s Cinematographer Shot the Show for the Meme-Makers from Vulture https://archive.is/E1tGh

Why Does A.I. Write Like … That? from the New York Times http://archive.today/tqack

We don’t mourn fascists by Matt Chun https://mattchun.substack.com/p/we-dont-mourn-fascists

In Defense of Beauty by Regina Black https://reginablackwrites.substack.com/p/in-defense-of-beauty

The Ambiguously Brown Love Interest (derogatory) by Bita Behzadi https://bitabehzadi.substack.com/p/the-ambiguously-brown-love-interest

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Just finished 🎧 Goaltender Interference by Ari Baran. #booksky #romancelandia See review: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/fe87...

Cover of Goaltender Interference by Ari Baran

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Just finished 🎧 The Scandal of it All by Sophie Jordan. #booksky #romancelandia See review: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/1258...

Cover of The Scandal of it All by Sophie Jordan

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Just finished 👀 The Scoundrel and the Siren by Christy Carlyle. Out 31 March: christycarlyle.com/books/the-sc... #booksky #romancelandia Review here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/1f9a...

Cover of The Scoundrel and the Siren by Christy Carlyle

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Just finished 🎧 While the Duke Was Sleeping by Sophie Jordan. #booksky #romancelandia Really loved this While You Were Sleeping retelling. The historical setting really allowed Sophie Jordan to lean on the class difference. Very much looking forward to reading more of this series.

Cover of While the Duke Was Sleeping by Sophie Jordan

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Just finished 🎧 Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez. #booksky Reviewed here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/37d1...

Cover of Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Just finished 🎧 Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long. #booksky #romancelandia Reviewed here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/579a...

Cover of Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

A list to help keep me on track with my March reading. Although who knows what will happen! #booksky ##romancelandia #RomanceBooks #RomanceBook #Romance

Books listed:

Group reads:

My Heart's True Delight by Grace Burrowes.

The Duke by Gaelen Foley.

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez.

Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long.

Home Ice Advantage by Ari Baran

Books listed:

ARCs:

The Scoundrel and the Siren by Christy Carlyle publishing 31 March

Fast & Fastidious by RM Caldwell publishing 31 March

Nearly a Bride by Sabrina Jeffries publishing 31 March

Never After by Alexis Hall publishing 7 April

I Could Give You the Moon by Ann Liang publishing 14 April

How to Fake it in Society by KJ Charles publishing 16 April

A Pack for Spring by Emilia Emerson publishing 16 April

Books listed:

The Curse of Nona May Taylor by Jess K Hardy

The Duke and Lady Scandal by Christy Carlyle

How to Tame a Wild Rogue by Julie Anne Long

Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole

The Finest Print by Erin Langston

When the Marquess Falls by Lorraine Heath

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

‪Currently reading 👀 If You Keep Me by Helena Hunting. Out 5 March: helenahunting.com/books/iykm/ #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of If You Keep Me by Helena Hunting

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Currently reading 🎧 Untethered by Ayesha Inoon. #booksky

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

‪Just finished 👀 Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai. Out 7 April: www.harpercollins.com/products/ene... #booksky #romancelandia My review: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/a35c...

Cover of Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Just finished 🎧 Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin. #booksky #romancelandia Reviewed here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/4c4c...

Cover of Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin

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Reposted by Cindy Reads Romance

Debbie Gale Mitchell @heydebigale.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

I'm listening to a talk by expert in rhetoric Jennifer Sano-Franchini ( @jsanofranchini.bsky.social ) about refusing generative AI in writing studies. She shared a resource for refusing genAI that might be helpful for other folks in academia: #academia #genAI refusal.blog

refusal.blog

Refusing Generative AI in Writing Studies

Visit the post for more.

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Currently reading 👀 Rears & Vices by EM Caro. Out 17 March: emcaro.carrd.co #booksky #romancelandia

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Currently reading 👀 The Taming of Mei Lin by Jeannie Lin. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of The Taming of Mei Lin by Jeannie Lin

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

‪Currently reading 🎧 Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. #booksky

Cover of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Just finished 👀 A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander. Out 10 March: tjalexander.com#books6 #booksky #romancelandia I didn’t really enjoy this. It had such potential but it felt like it slipped into farce, especially early on in the book.

Cover or A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Currently reading 🎧 Slow Down: How Degrowth Communism Can Save The Earth by Kōhei Saitō. #booksky

Cover of Slow Down: How Degrowth Communism Can Save The Earth by Kōhei Saitō

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Currently reading 🎧 You Were Made to be Mine by Julie Anne Long. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of You Were Made to be Mine by Julie Anne Long

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Currently reading 👀 A Most Unsuitable Suitor by Emma Orchard. Out 28 February: mybook.to/AMostUnsuita... #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of A Most Unsuitable Suitor by Emma Orchard

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Just finished 👀 Remember That Day by Mary Balogh. #booksky #romancelandia Another quiet, gentle romance from Mary Balogh. Her characters are smart and they communicate.

Cover of Remember That Day by Mary Balogh

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Currently reading 👀 As Old As Thyme by Alix Nicoud. Out 15 February: asoldasthyme.carrd.co #booksky #romancelandia A fascinating, medieval-set novella about Brunehaut and Théoderic. They were childhood friends who meet up again as adults.

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Currently reading 👀 No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

It’s a reading wrap-up! I squeezed some classics of the hist-rom genre in there. Many thanks also to the authors who entrusted me with ARCs of their new books. #booksky #romancelandia

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Currently reading 🎧 The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Just finished 🎧 Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins. #booksky #romancelandia Such a gentle romance. This almost felt like ‘slice of life’ with very little angst. I really enjoyed the matter-of-fact exposition of how life was at the time for African Americans.

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Currently reading 👀 Splintered Vigil by Abigail Kelly. Out 10 February a.co/d/8cThM0P #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of Splintered Vigil by Abigail Kelly

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Just finished 👀 The Duke's Somerset Sins by Anne Knight, Colleen Kelly and Kay K Denner. Out 13 February books2read.com/u/4jVOel I was thoroughly engrossed by this anthology of five long-ish novellas. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of The Duke's Somerset Sins by Anne Knight, Colleen Kelly and Kay K Denner

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

A list to help keep me on track with my February reading. Although who knows what will happen! This year I’m saying yes to the group read. They throw my carefully planned TBR into disarray, but reading in community is alot of fun. #booksky #romancelandia

Group reads:

Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin. The February pick for the Historical Romance Is Not Dead Reading Society hosted by Krystal @lit.chicana.

Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins. The February Read Along hosted by Clare @unsuccessfulbookclub and Kathryn @the_naptime_reader.

Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto by Kōhei Saitō. The group read hosted by Nicole @nicole.reads.romance.

The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews. The February Book of the Month for the @historical_romance_society

ARCs:

Splintered Vigil by Abigail Kelly publishing 10 February

As Old as Thyme by Alix Nicoud publishing 15 February

A Most Unsuitable Suitor by Emma Orchard publishing 28 February

A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander publishing 10 March

Rears & Vices by EM Caro publishing 17 March

The Scoundrel and the Siren by Christy Carlyle publishing 31 March

Fast & Fastidious by RM Caldwell publishing 31 March

Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai publishing 7 April

Other books on the TBR:

The Duke and Lady Scandal by Christy Carlyle

Untethered by Ayesha Inoon

You Were Made to Be Mine by Julie Anne Long

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

The Taming of Mei Lin by Jeannie Lin

Like No Other Lover by Julie Anne Long (Pennyroyal Green 2026)

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Currently reading 🎧 The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Currently reading 👀 Gladiator's Embrace by Jenna Bigelow. Out 12 February #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of Gladiator's Embrace by Jenna Bigelow

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Just finished 👀 Game Misconduct by Ari Baran. #booksky #romancelandia This was pretty heavy. Mike and Danny are lonely and emotionally not great trying to navigate life as elite hockey players. They were great characters and Ari Baran took them on a journey.

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Currently reading 🎧 A Gentleman Undone by Cecilia Grant. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of A Gentleman Undone by Cecilia Grant

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Currently reading 👀 The Venus of Lebanon by Jane Hadley. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of The Venus of Lebanon by Jane Hadley

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Currently reading 🎧 All the Painted Stars by Emma Denny. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of All the Painted Stars by Emma Denny

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Currently reading 👀 A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong by Cecilia Grant. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong by Cecilia Grant

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Just finished 🎧 One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny. #booksky #romancelandia I really enjoyed this! A Medieval queer romance set in the winter with lots of camping. Raff Barden is super competent but socially awkward. And Penn is the opposite. So, the perfect pairing.

Cover of One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Currently reading 👀 The Seduction of Mr Alfred Saintsbury by Lydia Lloyd. Out 26 December: www.lydialloydromance.com/blank-3 #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of The Seduction of Mr Alfred Saintsbury by Lydia Lloyd

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Currently reading 👀 Some Winter's Evening by Erin Langston. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of Some Winter's Evening by Erin Langston

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Just finished 👀 The Long Game by Rachel Reid. #booksky #romancelandia I was apprehensive going into this, because sometimes reading more of the same couple can be a bit of a drag. But then when I found myself taking small sips of this book to drag it out a bit longer I realised how great it is.

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Currently reading 🎧 Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Currently reading 👀 Catch Her if You Can by Tessa Bailey. Out 20 January: www.harpercollins.com/products/cat... #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of Catch Her if You Can by Tessa Bailey

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Currently reading 👀 The Remains of Christmas by Megan Montgomery. #booksky #romancelandia

Cover of The Remains of Christmas by Megan Montgomery

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Cindy Reads Romance @cindyreadsromance.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Just finished 🎧 A Mackenzie Family Christmas by Jennifer Ashley. #booksky #romancelandia It was fun to revisit with the Mackenzies and see them all still in love, surrounded by children and dogs.

Cover of A Mackenzie Family Christmas by Jennifer Ashley

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