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Fact and Fiction about the Mechanics of Love

Love is often messy and hard work. 
True, healthy, fulfilling love that endures, grows, and strengthens is worth the effort. 

[a small heart-shaped chocolate cake decorated with a curving vine next to a smaller pink heart] 
 

[a book stack of 4 books from top to bottom: Love Delayed, No Ordinary Duchess, Earl Crush, The Real Body Manual: Your Visual Guide to Health & Wellness] 

The Real Body Manual: Your Visual Guide to Health & Wellness by Nancy Redd 
non-fiction health and science 
Avery, October 2024 

Although the target audience is young people who are entering puberty, an introduction, seven sections named according to the areas and functions they address, a "final word" followed by the author bio, acknowledgments, notes, credits, and an index work together with numerous photographs to inform readers from puberty to most seasoned adulthood about what's happening with their bodies. Parents, guardians, and trusted adult mentors will all benefit from the accessible manner the scientific facts and fictions of body parts, bodily functions, and some medications and treatments. Reading it in advance and/or with a young person to answer their questions and alleviate their concerns seems like a mutually beneficial strategy. Similar to a dictionary combined with an encyclopedia, this reference book is a must-have go-to. 


Love Delayed by Anna Black 
contemporary romance 
Black Odyssey Media, November 2024 

Zamora and Marcus's second chance love story is super soapy; impulsive decisions generate unforeseen consequences, family drama, betrayals, lessons learned the hard way, laughs, and joy. 


No Ordinary Duchess (Greycourt #3) by Elizabeth Hoyt 
historical romance 
Forever, December 2024 

Multiple mysteries, life-threatening dangers, an isolated property... Elspeth and Julian's love story blends a mix of familiar literary references with fresh spice and relevant social commentary. 

from chapter 12: 
"Who are these people? she asked fiercely. "Who decides what is natural and what unnatural?... It's ridiculous. They pick and choose what they want from the Bible," she interrupted loudly. "They know it, and I know it." 

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti 
historical romance 
St. Martin's Griffin, January 2025 

This utter delight of a tenderhearted romp mashes up pen pals, mystery, political intrigue, and suspense with romance and farce. 

from chapter 5: 
What hope could there be for change without universal suffrage? Why would anything ever improve... if a handful of terrible men controlled its fate and answered to no one? 

from chapter 7: 
"All politics are about people's lives. Our experiences are what drive our politics--our experiences and our sympathy for the lives of others." 


This week's reading options 
[a book stack of 8 books from top to bottom: A Novel Christmas, Sleeping with the Frenemy, Catch and Keep, Her Knight at the Museum, Perfect Fit, Much Ado About Margaret, Rewitched, One Big Happy Family]  

Take good care of yourself. You're worth the effort of being healthy, peaceful and well-loved.  
Happy reading! 


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