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Wednesdays are for (more free) books

I'm on Rachael Herron's advance reader list, which means she emails to see if we want an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) before she releases a new book. Last week she sent through an email, saying the last of the Ballard Brother books Rock the Boat is coming out, would I like an advance copy. I clicked the "yes please" button, while scarcely registering that she asked her readers to read and review within two weeks. I'm reading the last of the Robin Hobb Farseer books, which is a thousand pages long, and full of tension, adventure, torture, drama. I'm usually a monogamous reader.
But I put aside that book, even though its amazing and I really need to know what happens next, because I wanted to read this so much. And it was the perfect break. It's a typical romance, with romance tropes, and is clearly heading for a HEA, but it has a quality of writing that is easy to read, intelligent and follows basic grammar (too many romances just don't bother). The dialogue reads smoothly, the characters are believable, flawed and ultimately likeable. The descriptions of Darling Bay are lovely and it was a pleasure to revisit old friends. While this certainly could be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading the other books first, because there are spoilers in here for them, and all the books set in Darling Bay are wonderful. I am a fan of Rachael Herron, and this book lived up to my high expectation of her. I hear her next book is going to be a thriller,and I can't wait.
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