Romans & histoires Books Read By Julia Whelan

Audrey didn’t quite understand him, “what do you mean?” Nathan’s lips curved into a mocking smile as he sat up, “I was thinking there was a book for the likes of you but it seems you don’t have it” She heaved a sigh, he was Making mockery of her again. “I have Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, 1991. I also have Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, 2019,Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, 1813. And Seven Days in June by Tia Williams which was written two years ago then I also have love hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood which was also written two years ago”

I nod as the elevator doors open, and he takes my hand, pulling me inside. Riley Julia is so many things. Beautiful, kind, brave, strong, but above all else, she is a complete mind-blow. With my lifestyle, my business... my money, I've met every kind of woman that you can imagine and yet, I've never met a woman like her. I've had more than one woman chase me solely for financial gain, even had women try to rinse me when they already have money themselves but still want more. But Julia has nothing; no home, no car, no job and no money.

She did wear glasses, but always had the best frames, the ones that enhanced her fox-like face more than detracting from it. 'I never read anything by her.' I remarked. 'She's a bit like Kelly Link, or Caitlin R Kiernan.' Lacey answered, turning back to look at me. 'Just as weird, but not quite as good.' Julia said, from where she was sitting beside me. Julia was the punk/artsy friend, and, unlike Lacey, she looked exactly like you'd expect. Right down to the dyed pixie cut. 'I never read them either.' I admitted. Though I did read some Caitlin Kiernan later on, something about messed up kids in Alabama and angels and spider creatures. It was good, but Julia was right, it was weird as hell.

Catherine inquired. "No news," I replied. That's when Catherine told me about Grace and how her situation mirrored Julie's—their cars were found in the same spot. "What was the last book Grace read?" I inquired. "Lost Lycan," Natasha answered. That jogged my memory. I had given that same book to Julie. I'd picked it up from an aisle in the store because its fresh release status and the intriguing blurb had caught my attention. "Do any of you have a copy of Lost Lycan?" I asked.

The sun had set long ago, and now only the soft lamps lit the room, casting warm shadows over the shelves of history. I had read letters written by women who looked just like me, warning their children about the dangers of power. I had read contracts signed in blood and ink, promises made centuries ago that were still binding us today. I had read about wars fought not with guns, but with money and influence—wars that changed nations without anyone ever knowing they happened. And I had read everything about Elara and Julian. I saw it all now, clearly, without bias. I saw how young and idealistic they had been. I saw how Julian truly believed he was fighting for justice. I saw how Elara had lo

***** Jules sat in front of the TV, a women’s talk show flickering on the screen, a book lay open on her lap. The book—a novel about strange bones found all over the world—bones from eras even older than her grandmother. The book was her dad's, and that was the one of the few things she still possessed of him. She wasn't a fan of books, not to talk of a book about something that never really added value to the world. But she needed the distraction—anything to keep her mind off Nolan… and the idea that he might, right this minute, be in some bridal shop testing dresses with Evie.

“What do you think?” I didn’t answer. I’m busy admiring everything in silence. The bed also carried an elegant canopy, one in dark colors. The sheets had an amazing rose embroidery. The closet looked gigantic, with an innate elegance. My room was the only one that had a bookstore, so I assumed Donovan had investigated me in some way. A rose rested on the comb, so I went over to take it between my fingers. “It’s beautiful,” I sighed. “It’s totally Juliet!” Julia exclaimed.

Freya dumped several questions and they both stared at each other for a while. Julia finally cleared her throat and answered “I cannot tell you the reason why I am outside the palace for now but you have to continue pretending that you are me so that my father will not get worried. Also, you have to figure out some things so I can come back home and you can go back to be with your family as soon as you can” “And what is it that I need to figure out?” Freya questioned with a tired tone “Check the book ‘Farther into the thorn’, you will find everything there” Julia responded, this time with a much calmer and friendlier tone

"At the facility. She used to read to the younger ones in the common room on Thursday evenings." Caelith felt something move in her chest. A thread pulled from very far back. "The one with the green cardigan." "She had five of the same cardigan," Julian said. "In different shades of green. I don't think she owned any other colour." "She used to read the same three books on rotation," Caelith said slowly, the memory surfacing with the particular clarity of things you haven't thought about in years but find perfectly preserved when you reach for them. "I don't remember the titles. Just that one of them had a red cover and she always did different voices for the characters."

That was simply a lot of books to consume in such little time. “Overcome your fear of books…” Julia teased as she took up one of the books. “Perhaps that could be his reason for doing all of this. You can never tell.” Dolph didn't know anything about my fear of reading and that simply made it quite unreasonable for me to think of just how he could have been able to get me the books because of that. “There's a lot of work to be done, Tamika. We need to make your comeback to be one of the most memorable things that would happen in the control. You'll have to come back different and bigger.” Julia's words had me quite motivated and ready to act.