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Becoming Marlow Fin: A Novel
The pieces of a troubled actress’s mysterious life come together in a riveting novel about family secrets and unspeakable lies by the bestselling author of
Fortune
.
Marlow Fin is as famous for her beauty and success as she is infamous for her past, some of which is a mystery even to her. Is the public ready for the truth? Is she?
In 1995, young Isla Baek finds an abandoned six-year-old Marlow in the woods near the Baek family’s lakeside cabin. With little memory of where she came from or how she got there, Marlow is soon adopted by the Baeks into a seemingly idyllic Midwest life as Isla’s enigmatic new sister. But no one is prepared for how unnerving and disruptive Marlow’s presence will be over the years. Nor could any of them have foreseen the shocking tragedy that upended all their lives forever.
Now the whole world is watching as Marlow reveals everything in a hotly anticipated prime-time interview. In her harrowing story, spanning decades, the truth finally emerges—about Marlow herself, the damages of family secrets, and the unthinkable things people do in the name of love.
Marlow Fin is as famous for her beauty and success as she is infamous for her past, some of which is a mystery even to her. Is the public ready for the truth? Is she?
In 1995, young Isla Baek finds an abandoned six-year-old Marlow in the woods near the Baek family’s lakeside cabin. With little memory of where she came from or how she got there, Marlow is soon adopted by the Baeks into a seemingly idyllic Midwest life as Isla’s enigmatic new sister. But no one is prepared for how unnerving and disruptive Marlow’s presence will be over the years. Nor could any of them have foreseen the shocking tragedy that upended all their lives forever.
Now the whole world is watching as Marlow reveals everything in a hotly anticipated prime-time interview. In her harrowing story, spanning decades, the truth finally emerges—about Marlow herself, the damages of family secrets, and the unthinkable things people do in the name of love.
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First published July 30, 2024
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About the author
Ellen Won Steil
3 books143 followersEllen Won Steil is the bestselling author of Fortune and the forthcoming Becoming Marlow Fin. She grew up in Iowa in a Korean-American family and earned her BA in journalism from Drake University and law degree from William Mitchell College of Law. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and two young sons. Ellen believes most good stories have at least a hint of darkness.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
May 31, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Exactly as the name of the book suggests, this is the tale of how Marlow Fin rose to the status of celebrity that she currently holds. Starting from the moment she was found as a young girl who had been abandoned and taken in by the Baeks family, to the time she grew up within the family and experienced everything that happened to them, and finally to the point where she became the famous celebrity that she is today.
Given that this is a mystery thriller, it is only natural that there is something ominous going on. In addition, as the narrative unfolds, you, as a reader, will become increasingly skeptical. A twist is also included, which I did not anticipate coming. The book is well structured. The events of the story take place in three distinct time periods. In the first one, the story begins in the past and progresses towards the present. Isla tells the story in the first person. In the second one, the story takes place in the 1980s. In the third one, the story takes place in the present and is told as an interview with Marlow.
I found this to be a decent mystery thriller, and there were times when it piqued my interest; however, I believe that two major elements prevented me from finding it more captivating. First and foremost, there is the pacing issue. I found that at times it was too slow for my liking, and at other times it progressed faster. The second one, which I believe to be the most important one for me, is that the crimes did not have any motivations behind them. My initial question, regardless of whether it is a crime from real life or a work of fiction, is always why. The story doesn’t have this answer, affecting the plot's believability. Despite that, I still appreciate the author’s way of using the heavy themes in the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Exactly as the name of the book suggests, this is the tale of how Marlow Fin rose to the status of celebrity that she currently holds. Starting from the moment she was found as a young girl who had been abandoned and taken in by the Baeks family, to the time she grew up within the family and experienced everything that happened to them, and finally to the point where she became the famous celebrity that she is today.
Given that this is a mystery thriller, it is only natural that there is something ominous going on. In addition, as the narrative unfolds, you, as a reader, will become increasingly skeptical. A twist is also included, which I did not anticipate coming. The book is well structured. The events of the story take place in three distinct time periods. In the first one, the story begins in the past and progresses towards the present. Isla tells the story in the first person. In the second one, the story takes place in the 1980s. In the third one, the story takes place in the present and is told as an interview with Marlow.
I found this to be a decent mystery thriller, and there were times when it piqued my interest; however, I believe that two major elements prevented me from finding it more captivating. First and foremost, there is the pacing issue. I found that at times it was too slow for my liking, and at other times it progressed faster. The second one, which I believe to be the most important one for me, is that the crimes did not have any motivations behind them. My initial question, regardless of whether it is a crime from real life or a work of fiction, is always why. The story doesn’t have this answer, affecting the plot's believability. Despite that, I still appreciate the author’s way of using the heavy themes in the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
August 4, 2024
In 1995 eight-year-old Isla Baek finds an abandoned six-year-old girl in the woods near the Baek family’s lakeside cabin in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Her name is Marlow and she has little memory of where she came from or how she got there. Eventually adopted by the Baek family, Marlow becomes a famous model and actress as well as susceptible to the many pitfalls of fame.
We join Marlow's story in 2021 as she's preparing to do a tell-all interview on prime time television and the timeline goes back and forth between the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s, told partly from Isla's point of view and partly in the form of Marlow's interview. This is quite a story and I was totally immersed in it. The writing is excellent and there are some fine characters, not all likeable of course but very realistic. I would've liked to have more depth to some of them but it probably would've made the book too long and unwieldy. It's quite a unique premise in my opinon and I recommend it highly if you enjoy family drama combined with suspense. I finished the book last night and had awarded it 5 stars in my mind but this morning I realize that the motivation for more than one incident was unexplained. Still, I was completely enthralled through most of the book so I give it 4.5 stars rounded down.
This book is available free with a Kindle Unlimited membership (in Canada anyway) if you're interested in reading it for yourself.
My thanks to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: July 23, 2024
We join Marlow's story in 2021 as she's preparing to do a tell-all interview on prime time television and the timeline goes back and forth between the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s, told partly from Isla's point of view and partly in the form of Marlow's interview. This is quite a story and I was totally immersed in it. The writing is excellent and there are some fine characters, not all likeable of course but very realistic. I would've liked to have more depth to some of them but it probably would've made the book too long and unwieldy. It's quite a unique premise in my opinon and I recommend it highly if you enjoy family drama combined with suspense. I finished the book last night and had awarded it 5 stars in my mind but this morning I realize that the motivation for more than one incident was unexplained. Still, I was completely enthralled through most of the book so I give it 4.5 stars rounded down.
This book is available free with a Kindle Unlimited membership (in Canada anyway) if you're interested in reading it for yourself.
My thanks to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: July 23, 2024
July 6, 2025
"What was it like? What does it feel like when you're drowning?"
I was frustrated, disappointed, angry, confused and so, so utterly sad and heartbroken that I did not even feel the rage anymore. This thriller made me question the description of the book as a thriller. It did not feel like a thriller for the majority of the book for me. Just an imperfect family with mistakes, problems, missteps and whatnot, but what family is perfect? And while I was still grabbing for the puzzle pieces and struggling to see the full picture, I realized. I realized, and all the seemingly unnecessary details snapped together, and I saw the whole picture. 😭
"Marry me.
This is where I should have said the end.
Where it should have ended."
This was so much more than I expected. It was actually one of my very first arcs that I applied for and - I don't know why - always ignored and set aside for a future read until I could not ignore it anymore last Sunday with the fast approaching release date (July, 23). And how was I wrong to wait. The writing was amazing. I felt so much within short chapters and sometimes only a single short sentence made me stop reading and stare at the wall while the tears dropped instead. And any book, that can make me cry over fictional characters... well it is something special. 💔
"In a hurry for anything else but him."
"Becoming Marlow Fin" surprised me. The writing, the storyline, the plot twists, the characters, the family dynamics,... I don't read that many thrillers, so maybe this is not as surprising to everyone else, but the switch between Interview in the now, and different time slots in the past made it so interesting and unputdownable to read.
So, lastly, I highly recommend this to anyone into thrillers, complicated family stories, or just as something different for a change. 4.5 stars 🫶🏻
"He didn't feel anything. He felt no pain," she said.
I shuddered and nodded. I fell onto the cold, tilted floor."
Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Ellen Won Steil for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily.
Here are some quotes (quite a few) that I want to save for myself, that might spoil something, so read at your own risk, but they made me feel too much as not to save for my future self:
September 11, 2025
▹TL;DR Review: This was a hidden gem for me. It kept me captivated enough to read in one sitting. Great for fans of Gillian Flynn-eqsue plotlines with complex family secrets, creepy children, and stories that unravel using multiple perspectives and flashbacks.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader (Thank you to Goodreads for this gifted copy that I won in a giveaway!)
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: While visiting their family lake cabin in 1996, Isla and her family find a lost child (Marlow) and take her under their wing (some of them begrudgingly). Over the next 1.5 decades they become a family, but something’s not quite right. In between a coming-of-age story with Isla, Marlow—who has become famous for her looks—recants awful events from her and Isla’s childhood into adulthood. We also are sometimes thrown into the perspective of a woman in the 1980s who may have answers to their questions.
– Location: Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul and lakes country)
– POV: Dual first-person with a tertiary storytelling perspective. Told in nonlinear flashbacks
– Spice: A few closed- door—but not romance focused
– Tropes: mysterious child, family secrets, unreliable perspective, mystery, raise to fame
– Triggers: gaslighting, racism, alcoholism, light drug use, betrayal, physical harm/struggle, parental abandonment, grief/loss
– Representation: Korean-American characters, mixed-race character, adoption, bisexual character (though not a focus)
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Atmospheric mysteries with complex family dynamics, like the TV show Sharp Objects (based on the book by Gillian Flynn), The Sinner, and Mare of Easttown
➼ Similar narrative framing as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven——————✧—————Plot Driven
ㅤㅤㅤㅤFast Burn———————✧————Slow Burn
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Fluffy——————✧—————Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway over a year ago and it totally surprised me. I went in with low expectations (mostly because it didn’t have many reviews), but it ended up being a hidden gem. I even had a personal connection to the location that was fun for me to orient myself with. The mystery is layered and strange, with just enough eerie tension. I may or may not have (but definitely did) read this in one sitting.
This had things that sometimes I don’t like in books, but were well done here: a creepy kid, family secrets, potentially unreliable perspectives, and nonlinear flashbacks. I think that the author did a great job of laying out the events to build up the inciting incidents.
That said, I do wish some of the plot threads were tied together more cleanly. I enjoy ambiguity when it feels intentional, but in this case, I sometimes was just…unsatisfied with explanations. Was it predictable? I mean…I guessed the twist to some extent, but I still appreciated how it was laid out and there were details to the twist that I was still pleasantly surprised by. The writing and atmosphere were strong enough to carry it, and the emotional beats hit hard.
Would I Recommend?: Yes! Especially to readers who love emotionally tangled family dramas with a touch of the unsettling. This is not so thrilling that you won’t be able to sleep at night, but I found the pacing captivating enough to keep me engaged. The prose was clean, not overly stylized, but it leaned more functional than poetic or emotionally resonant.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader (Thank you to Goodreads for this gifted copy that I won in a giveaway!)
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: While visiting their family lake cabin in 1996, Isla and her family find a lost child (Marlow) and take her under their wing (some of them begrudgingly). Over the next 1.5 decades they become a family, but something’s not quite right. In between a coming-of-age story with Isla, Marlow—who has become famous for her looks—recants awful events from her and Isla’s childhood into adulthood. We also are sometimes thrown into the perspective of a woman in the 1980s who may have answers to their questions.
– Location: Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul and lakes country)
– POV: Dual first-person with a tertiary storytelling perspective. Told in nonlinear flashbacks
– Spice: A few closed- door—but not romance focused
– Tropes: mysterious child, family secrets, unreliable perspective, mystery, raise to fame
– Triggers: gaslighting, racism, alcoholism, light drug use, betrayal, physical harm/struggle, parental abandonment, grief/loss
– Representation: Korean-American characters, mixed-race character, adoption, bisexual character (though not a focus)
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Atmospheric mysteries with complex family dynamics, like the TV show Sharp Objects (based on the book by Gillian Flynn), The Sinner, and Mare of Easttown
➼ Similar narrative framing as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven——————✧—————Plot Driven
ㅤㅤㅤㅤFast Burn———————✧————Slow Burn
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Fluffy——————✧—————Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway over a year ago and it totally surprised me. I went in with low expectations (mostly because it didn’t have many reviews), but it ended up being a hidden gem. I even had a personal connection to the location that was fun for me to orient myself with. The mystery is layered and strange, with just enough eerie tension. I may or may not have (but definitely did) read this in one sitting.
This had things that sometimes I don’t like in books, but were well done here: a creepy kid, family secrets, potentially unreliable perspectives, and nonlinear flashbacks. I think that the author did a great job of laying out the events to build up the inciting incidents.
That said, I do wish some of the plot threads were tied together more cleanly. I enjoy ambiguity when it feels intentional, but in this case, I sometimes was just…unsatisfied with explanations. Was it predictable? I mean…I guessed the twist to some extent, but I still appreciated how it was laid out and there were details to the twist that I was still pleasantly surprised by. The writing and atmosphere were strong enough to carry it, and the emotional beats hit hard.
Would I Recommend?: Yes! Especially to readers who love emotionally tangled family dramas with a touch of the unsettling. This is not so thrilling that you won’t be able to sleep at night, but I found the pacing captivating enough to keep me engaged. The prose was clean, not overly stylized, but it leaned more functional than poetic or emotionally resonant.
November 18, 2023
Wow! Just finished Becoming Marlow Fin and it knocked my socks off! Who is Marlow Fin? A terrified lost little girl found in the woods one stormy night along the shore of Lake Superior? The beautiful and glamorous model and actress who has graced fashion covers worldwide? Loving sister to Isla? Devoted granddaughter to Moni? Troubled “it” girl hounded by paparazzi and about to give the interview of her lifetime? She is all of these things and more. What’s behind her beautiful unforgettable eyes?
This is a thriller and a family drama with some roller coaster twists and turns. Marlow is young girl found one night outside during a terrible storm at the Baek’s lake cabin. She is traumatized, isn’t speaking and can’t remember anything before being discovered by Isla, the Baek’s daughter. The Baeks seem the picture perfect Korean American family with parents Patrick and Stella, and Moni, Isla’s beloved Korean grandma. When no trace of family or parents of Marlow can be found the Baeks adopt her and she becomes part of their family. But things aren’t what they seem…there is an undercurrent of anger and tension within the family. Patrick and Stella seem at odds concerning Marlow. Can Stella be loving mom to both Isla and Marlow? As Marlow grows into a beautiful young woman and a wildly successful supermodel and actress, Isla takes a backseat to her famous sister.
Despite the girls’ close childhood relationship tensions grow within the family. Something is clearly off and Isla gets caught up in a maelstrom her sister seems to have swirling around her.
The story is told thru Isla’s reflections and Marlow’s perspective in a sensationalized interview format. I thought this worked wonderfully. The tension builds and builds until the very last page. I literally devoured the book to find out whether Marlow would come clean in the end and the family secrets revelaed!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this Advanced Reader Copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
January 9, 2024
I like stories about families that look like they have it all pulled together but harbor sinister secrets. Becoming Marlow Fin explores one such family, the Baeks, and chronicles their disintegration over almost three decades. It’s got the intrigue of a mystery novel combined with the bittersweet recollections of a coming of age novel.
The mixed media format works well for this book and provides variety that kept me interested. Some chapters are told in first person from the character Isla’s point of view, and some chapters are written as a transcription of the title character Marlow Fin’s televised interview for a talk show.
The timeline switches around between the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. This builds suspense and I was curious to see how all the different vignettes would come together. I was satisfied by the conclusion.
I’m recommending this book to anyone who likes interesting books about family dynamics and the ways secrets are both hidden and revealed.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for giving me a free digital ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The mixed media format works well for this book and provides variety that kept me interested. Some chapters are told in first person from the character Isla’s point of view, and some chapters are written as a transcription of the title character Marlow Fin’s televised interview for a talk show.
The timeline switches around between the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. This builds suspense and I was curious to see how all the different vignettes would come together. I was satisfied by the conclusion.
I’m recommending this book to anyone who likes interesting books about family dynamics and the ways secrets are both hidden and revealed.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for giving me a free digital ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
November 18, 2023
Wow! Just finished Becoming Marlow Fin and it knocked my socks off! Who is Marlow Fin? A terrified lost little girl found in the woods one stormy night along the shore of Lake Superior? The beautiful and glamorous model and actress who has graced fashion covers worldwide? Loving sister to Isla? Devoted granddaughter to Moni? Troubled “it” girl hounded by paparazzi and about to give the interview of her lifetime? She is all of these things and more. What’s behind her beautiful unforgettable eyes?
This is a thriller and a family drama with some roller coaster twists and turns. Marlow is young girl found one night outside during a terrible storm at the Baek’s lake cabin. She is traumatized, isn’t speaking and can’t remember anything before being discovered by Isla, the Baek’s daughter. The Baeks seem the picture perfect Korean American family with parents Patrick and Stella, and Moni, Isla’s beloved Korean grandma. When no trace of family or parents of Marlow can be found the Baeks adopt her and she becomes part of their family. But things aren’t what they seem…there is an undercurrent of anger and tension within the family. Patrick and Stella seem at odds concerning Marlow. Can Stella be loving mom to both Isla and Marlow? As Marlow grows into a beautiful young woman and a wildly successful supermodel and actress, Isla takes a backseat to her famous sister.
Despite the girls’ close childhood relationship tensions grow within the family. Something is clearly off and Isla gets caught up in a maelstrom her sister seems to have swirling around her.
The story is told thru Isla’s reflections and Marlow’s perspective in a sensationalized interview format. I thought this worked wonderfully. The tension build and builds until the very last page. I literally devoured the book to find out whether Marlow would come clean in the end and the family secrets revelaed!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this Advanced Reader Copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a thriller and a family drama with some roller coaster twists and turns. Marlow is young girl found one night outside during a terrible storm at the Baek’s lake cabin. She is traumatized, isn’t speaking and can’t remember anything before being discovered by Isla, the Baek’s daughter. The Baeks seem the picture perfect Korean American family with parents Patrick and Stella, and Moni, Isla’s beloved Korean grandma. When no trace of family or parents of Marlow can be found the Baeks adopt her and she becomes part of their family. But things aren’t what they seem…there is an undercurrent of anger and tension within the family. Patrick and Stella seem at odds concerning Marlow. Can Stella be loving mom to both Isla and Marlow? As Marlow grows into a beautiful young woman and a wildly successful supermodel and actress, Isla takes a backseat to her famous sister.
Despite the girls’ close childhood relationship tensions grow within the family. Something is clearly off and Isla gets caught up in a maelstrom her sister seems to have swirling around her.
The story is told thru Isla’s reflections and Marlow’s perspective in a sensationalized interview format. I thought this worked wonderfully. The tension build and builds until the very last page. I literally devoured the book to find out whether Marlow would come clean in the end and the family secrets revelaed!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this Advanced Reader Copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
November 16, 2024
Read this for the Hooked On The Book Club's November read and loved it!
It's a bit of a slow burn but truly picks up halfway through. Good twists and wild family dynamic. I was determined to figure out the tea, and I just kept guessing and I was so wrong. I was shocked by the twists at the end! Now I'm going to have to devour the other books by this author!!
It's a bit of a slow burn but truly picks up halfway through. Good twists and wild family dynamic. I was determined to figure out the tea, and I just kept guessing and I was so wrong. I was shocked by the twists at the end! Now I'm going to have to devour the other books by this author!!
July 25, 2024
This book was AWESOME! Definitely one you will want to pick up and won’t want to put down.❤️
Young Isla is on a camping trip with her parents. She finds a young girl in the woods. Isla’s family become her emergency guardians and eventually adopt her, calling her Marlow. Flash forward to present day, Marlow is a famous model and actress and a mess for lack of better words. Even as a child, she was disruptive and challenging. The secrets Isla’s family have kept, and Marlow as well are about to come to light in a highly anticipated tv interview.
I loved how this book spanned over decades, told from the POV of Isla, and during the interview with Marlow. As the secrets started to come out, I was shocked. This thriller with family drama knocked my socks off and I didn’t want it to end. The tension was palpable, and I had to know all of the explosive secrets Marlow was going to reveal.
Gah!!!😍 I just loved this book! Might just be my favorite July read!
Young Isla is on a camping trip with her parents. She finds a young girl in the woods. Isla’s family become her emergency guardians and eventually adopt her, calling her Marlow. Flash forward to present day, Marlow is a famous model and actress and a mess for lack of better words. Even as a child, she was disruptive and challenging. The secrets Isla’s family have kept, and Marlow as well are about to come to light in a highly anticipated tv interview.
I loved how this book spanned over decades, told from the POV of Isla, and during the interview with Marlow. As the secrets started to come out, I was shocked. This thriller with family drama knocked my socks off and I didn’t want it to end. The tension was palpable, and I had to know all of the explosive secrets Marlow was going to reveal.
Gah!!!😍 I just loved this book! Might just be my favorite July read!
November 19, 2023
Marlow Fin was found abandoned as a 6 year old in a storm. The Baek family adopts her and from that humble beginning a true star is born. Now Marlow is willing to grant her first ever personal interview about her life and perhaps give some hints to what happened to her missing sister Isla.
Through a series of media snippets, interviews and flashbacks it is clear that Marlow is not who she originally seemed to be. The question however is, what happened to her only advocate, her sister Isla. I sure didn't love Marlow but grandmother Moni was a character for the ages. Grab this novel and see if you can unravel the mystery ! #Lakeunionpublishing #BecomingMarlowFin #ellenwonsteil
Through a series of media snippets, interviews and flashbacks it is clear that Marlow is not who she originally seemed to be. The question however is, what happened to her only advocate, her sister Isla. I sure didn't love Marlow but grandmother Moni was a character for the ages. Grab this novel and see if you can unravel the mystery ! #Lakeunionpublishing #BecomingMarlowFin #ellenwonsteil
December 22, 2023
One can’t predict the other person’s life. A person can hide a lot behind the facade they wear. And families are not always happy, there are a lot of secrets and mystery. Marlow’s life wasn’t easy. The book has twists after twists. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Reading the book was like unravelling the pieces of puzzle to get to the bottom of the mystery. Marlow is famous for her beauty and success but her past is so unsettling and heartbreaking. Baek family adopted Six years old Marlow but her mother never accepted her. Slowly and gradually, the secrets begin to unveil. As the secrets unveiled, it has also revealed the truth of relationships. The book has multiple timelines and the truth has been shared through Interviews as Marlow decided to tell her story. Before the interviews, there were myths, lies, mystery and rumours but after that it all became clear. The ending shook me.
Thanks to Author, Publisher and Netgalley
Thanks to Author, Publisher and Netgalley
April 3, 2024
An interesting read that had a lot going for it and will leave you with more questions than answers.
The pieces of a troubled actress’s mysterious life come together in a riveting novel about family secrets and unspeakable lies as she discusses it in a tell all interview.
Early on, this book sucked me in. The premise is immediately intriguing and I wanted to know MORE!
While the plot is there and the overall book is fine, I struggled throughout this read.
Despite readability and a fast paced, short read, this book tries to be a lot of things all at once. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to focus on or get out of it. Is it a family drama? Is it a mystery/thriller? Should I be focusing on race, childhood, or addiction? So much is happening!
There are quite a few main characters, all with their own plots and motivations, but none of them feel fully fleshed out. I didn't feel like I could root for any of them, but rather just read along trying to understand where it was going. And in the end, they're all kind of despicable and/or nonsensical with the exception of the grandmother. There could have been so much more emphasis on Marlow and/or the mom especially in the aftermath of everything revealed, but it's all left very open ended and vague.
And so many plot holes, loose ends, unnecessary deaths, glazed over traumas, etc.
And finally, that ending? Whew...I didn't see the twist coming, but the ending scene that finishes off the story felt so incomplete and unsatisfactory for the buildup. It leaves me with more questions and makes this read feel like somewhat of a waste given the build up.
I think readers will enjoy this read for the shock value and celebrity aspect, in which case, I recommend it. But buckle up for a wild ride.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my free electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
The pieces of a troubled actress’s mysterious life come together in a riveting novel about family secrets and unspeakable lies as she discusses it in a tell all interview.
Early on, this book sucked me in. The premise is immediately intriguing and I wanted to know MORE!
While the plot is there and the overall book is fine, I struggled throughout this read.
Despite readability and a fast paced, short read, this book tries to be a lot of things all at once. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to focus on or get out of it. Is it a family drama? Is it a mystery/thriller? Should I be focusing on race, childhood, or addiction? So much is happening!
There are quite a few main characters, all with their own plots and motivations, but none of them feel fully fleshed out. I didn't feel like I could root for any of them, but rather just read along trying to understand where it was going. And in the end, they're all kind of despicable and/or nonsensical with the exception of the grandmother. There could have been so much more emphasis on Marlow and/or the mom especially in the aftermath of everything revealed, but it's all left very open ended and vague.
And so many plot holes, loose ends, unnecessary deaths, glazed over traumas, etc.
And finally, that ending? Whew...I didn't see the twist coming, but the ending scene that finishes off the story felt so incomplete and unsatisfactory for the buildup. It leaves me with more questions and makes this read feel like somewhat of a waste given the build up.
I think readers will enjoy this read for the shock value and celebrity aspect, in which case, I recommend it. But buckle up for a wild ride.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my free electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 23, 2024
Becoming Marlow Fin is a twisty, suspenseful tale that will leave you guessing right until the end, even if you think you've got it all figured out. Famous model turned actress Marlow Fin's sister, Isla, has gone missing and is presumed dead. Marlow was the last person to see her alive. In a live TV interview, the actress lays out her side of the story.. Simultaneously, Isla's story is told in retrospect. Somewhere between the two sisters' tales is revealed the dark truth. What will that truth reveal to the world, and who is Marlow Fin after all?
July 25, 2024
I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ?!?!?! IN MY ENTIRE LIFE?!?!?! 🥹 THIS WAS TWISTY AS ALL GET OUT!!!! THE DRAMA WAS PERFECT🤌🏼 I THOUGHT I HAD IT ALL FIGURED OUT THEN BAM ELLEN COMPLETELY THROWS YOU OFF!!! IF YOU LIKE RILEY SAGAR AND KRISTEN HANNAH ITS THEIR BOOKS COMBINED ITNO ONE WITH BECOMING MARLOW FIN!!! Ellen’s writing style was SO CAPTIVATING AND I LOVED THE INTERVIEW FORMAT OF THIS BOOK!! SAWYER I JUST LOVED HIM AND ISLA TOGETHER!!💜
November 15, 2023
My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
I found this book so gripping that I could not stop reading until I finished it. The ending left me gasping. I re-read it a few times to make sure of its implications. I’m pretty sure those are the trademarks of a successful thriller.
Although only one of the two main characters is named in the title, the book is a dual narrative that juxtaposes a chapter each for Marlow and her adoptive sister Isla Baek. It also has multiple timelines that crisscross, beginning in 1995 Minnesota and ending in 2022.
Isla’s doting father Patrick is a literature professor of Korean descent, her mother Stella is a beautiful and intelligent white woman, and they dote on their precocious only child. No one adores her as much
as her paternal grandmother, Halmoni, or Moni as everyone knows her, who lives with her only son’s family, and cooks and cares for everyone—family and friends alike. She particularly loves feeding Isla’s friends, Sawyer and Oliver.
The story begins on a classic dark and stormy night in 1995. Five year old Isla and her parents and grandmother are happily ensconced at their isolated cabin near Grand Marais, Minnesota, a family tradition for the 4th of July weekend. A late night hurricane-force storm disrupts their usually peaceful last night there. But even more terrifying than the weather is what Isla discovers when she runs out into the night in pursuit of a little girl she believes had been watching her through the window during their entire stay.
This is the beginning of a fraught new episode for the picture-perfect family. When the speechless little girl is released from hospital, the Baeks take her to their home in Henley. Patrick and Mini are absolutely in love with her; Isla comes and goes, mostly awestruck but also feeling inferior because of Marlowe’s great beauty. Stella is withholding at best, and openly hostile at worst.
The first of the present-day Marlow chapters is presented as a televised ´tell-all’ uncovering the secrets of her life with the family that eventually adopted her when no one came forward to claim her as their own. Marlow by this time is a world-famous model, actress and singer. She has offered this opportunity to an African American newscaster whose own experiences with racism makes her—half-Black herself-especially worthy of such a scoop.
Marlow’s animosity to her family, from whom she is estranged, is forceful and ‘no holds barred.’ Interspersed with her extreme self-centred confessional are the stories of those whose life she has touched, and rarely for good, especially Isla’s. But Marlow’s determination to tell the story as the only truth, while gaining her much public attention and sympathy, is ultimately challenged by her lesser-light big sister Isla, who takes the last word to herself. The costs to all are enormous.
I found this book so gripping that I could not stop reading until I finished it. The ending left me gasping. I re-read it a few times to make sure of its implications. I’m pretty sure those are the trademarks of a successful thriller.
Although only one of the two main characters is named in the title, the book is a dual narrative that juxtaposes a chapter each for Marlow and her adoptive sister Isla Baek. It also has multiple timelines that crisscross, beginning in 1995 Minnesota and ending in 2022.
Isla’s doting father Patrick is a literature professor of Korean descent, her mother Stella is a beautiful and intelligent white woman, and they dote on their precocious only child. No one adores her as much
as her paternal grandmother, Halmoni, or Moni as everyone knows her, who lives with her only son’s family, and cooks and cares for everyone—family and friends alike. She particularly loves feeding Isla’s friends, Sawyer and Oliver.
The story begins on a classic dark and stormy night in 1995. Five year old Isla and her parents and grandmother are happily ensconced at their isolated cabin near Grand Marais, Minnesota, a family tradition for the 4th of July weekend. A late night hurricane-force storm disrupts their usually peaceful last night there. But even more terrifying than the weather is what Isla discovers when she runs out into the night in pursuit of a little girl she believes had been watching her through the window during their entire stay.
This is the beginning of a fraught new episode for the picture-perfect family. When the speechless little girl is released from hospital, the Baeks take her to their home in Henley. Patrick and Mini are absolutely in love with her; Isla comes and goes, mostly awestruck but also feeling inferior because of Marlowe’s great beauty. Stella is withholding at best, and openly hostile at worst.
The first of the present-day Marlow chapters is presented as a televised ´tell-all’ uncovering the secrets of her life with the family that eventually adopted her when no one came forward to claim her as their own. Marlow by this time is a world-famous model, actress and singer. She has offered this opportunity to an African American newscaster whose own experiences with racism makes her—half-Black herself-especially worthy of such a scoop.
Marlow’s animosity to her family, from whom she is estranged, is forceful and ‘no holds barred.’ Interspersed with her extreme self-centred confessional are the stories of those whose life she has touched, and rarely for good, especially Isla’s. But Marlow’s determination to tell the story as the only truth, while gaining her much public attention and sympathy, is ultimately challenged by her lesser-light big sister Isla, who takes the last word to herself. The costs to all are enormous.
November 10, 2023
Who is Marlow Fin? Where did she come from? Oh my does this story have several twists and unexpected turns for you!
Ellen Won Steil writes this story from multiple character perspectives, mainly the perspectives of Marlow and Isla. Marlow becomes part of Isla's family overnight, two sisters with two very different paths. Marlow's perspective is uniquely told through an interview format, both as an adult and as a celebrity. Isla's perspective is told through self narratives and reflections, both as a young girl and as a woman used to letting her sister steal the limelight.
If you are a fan of family dramas mixed with a little mystery and thrill, this is a story you will enjoy! And as a bonus, you get to follow in love with the endearing character, Moni. I hope everyone's family has a Moni!
Thank you Lake Union Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions are my own.
Ellen Won Steil writes this story from multiple character perspectives, mainly the perspectives of Marlow and Isla. Marlow becomes part of Isla's family overnight, two sisters with two very different paths. Marlow's perspective is uniquely told through an interview format, both as an adult and as a celebrity. Isla's perspective is told through self narratives and reflections, both as a young girl and as a woman used to letting her sister steal the limelight.
If you are a fan of family dramas mixed with a little mystery and thrill, this is a story you will enjoy! And as a bonus, you get to follow in love with the endearing character, Moni. I hope everyone's family has a Moni!
Thank you Lake Union Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions are my own.
November 29, 2023
Wow.. family drama mystery with more twists and turns than you could anticipate. I enjoyed the writing style and the interview was a fun added bonus. I also enjoy a well put together time jump and this one did it! We were all over in time but it wasn’t chaotic, it was easy to follow and get back into the story of that timeline.
The beginning was a tad slow, but quickly picked up and was a quick read with a nice length to each chapter.
I found myself to be a bit confused at the end. It ended pretty quick and felt a bit rushed with the details. It left me with a feeling of, hmm? A lot of it felt implied rather than laid out and explained to us.
I could have done without the crude language that presents throughout the book and the few explicit sex scenes.
Overall, this had me gripping my seat and swiping pages to find out what was happening next!
Thank you NetGalley and author for the eARC!
Release date is 7/23/2024!
The beginning was a tad slow, but quickly picked up and was a quick read with a nice length to each chapter.
I found myself to be a bit confused at the end. It ended pretty quick and felt a bit rushed with the details. It left me with a feeling of, hmm? A lot of it felt implied rather than laid out and explained to us.
I could have done without the crude language that presents throughout the book and the few explicit sex scenes.
Overall, this had me gripping my seat and swiping pages to find out what was happening next!
Thank you NetGalley and author for the eARC!
Release date is 7/23/2024!
February 2, 2024
This books has two of my favourite tropes - epistolary writing and fictional celebrities. I’m happy to say that they worked really well and I very much enjoyed reading this books!
Marlow Fin is a model/actress/all-around star, who first hit the headlines when she is a toddler found wandering the woods. The story time hops between past and present as we learn about her trauma recovery, her newly adopted family and the scandal following her around her missing sister.
Despite the time hops, the different character perspectives and the mix of narrative and interview writing, it’s easy to follow and builds up to a surprising twist.
I’d recommend for fans of Gone Girl, Daisy Darker, and Daisy Jones and the Six. An easy 4* rating and I’ll be looking out for more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in return for a fair, unbiased review.
Marlow Fin is a model/actress/all-around star, who first hit the headlines when she is a toddler found wandering the woods. The story time hops between past and present as we learn about her trauma recovery, her newly adopted family and the scandal following her around her missing sister.
Despite the time hops, the different character perspectives and the mix of narrative and interview writing, it’s easy to follow and builds up to a surprising twist.
I’d recommend for fans of Gone Girl, Daisy Darker, and Daisy Jones and the Six. An easy 4* rating and I’ll be looking out for more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in return for a fair, unbiased review.
September 10, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
Becoming Marlow Fin is an atmospheric thriller that begins with a couple taking in a child 'lost" in the woods, who is initially non-communicative.
I read this story a second time and I dropped a star from my initial review, because In short this is the story of a family being selfless enough to take in a daughter who is basically Satanic spawn who grows up and destroys the life of almost everyone whose orbit she is near. A truly EVIL individual who only loves herself (she has a BOTTOMLESS love for herself) with Z-E-R-O redemptive qualities.
Until next time, dear readers, stay safe in the (truly) loving arms of your family members!
Becoming Marlow Fin is an atmospheric thriller that begins with a couple taking in a child 'lost" in the woods, who is initially non-communicative.
I read this story a second time and I dropped a star from my initial review, because In short this is the story of a family being selfless enough to take in a daughter who is basically Satanic spawn who grows up and destroys the life of almost everyone whose orbit she is near. A truly EVIL individual who only loves herself (she has a BOTTOMLESS love for herself) with Z-E-R-O redemptive qualities.
Until next time, dear readers, stay safe in the (truly) loving arms of your family members!
February 24, 2024
The summer ended. I looked up to see it was raining. I caught the drops in my mouth as he whispered in my ear once more. Marry me.
This is where I should have said the end.
Where it should have ended.
Becoming Marlow Fin surprised the heck out of me. I had never heard of the author before this book so I didn’t know her writing style nor what to expect. The above passage was at a point where I thought, is this a romance book, and then other things were revealed.
This book was quite suspenseful and kept me guessing. Family dynamics, secrets, and the longing to be included are what drive this story. Becoming Marlow Fin is full of twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
This is where I should have said the end.
Where it should have ended.
Becoming Marlow Fin surprised the heck out of me. I had never heard of the author before this book so I didn’t know her writing style nor what to expect. The above passage was at a point where I thought, is this a romance book, and then other things were revealed.
This book was quite suspenseful and kept me guessing. Family dynamics, secrets, and the longing to be included are what drive this story. Becoming Marlow Fin is full of twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
December 25, 2023
In this, the author’s second book we meet Isla, age 8, who is vacationing at her family’s lake house along Lake Superior with parents Patrick and Stella and grandmother Moni. A storm arises and Isla finds a like girl alone, outside.
Cut to, an interview transcript with famous model/actress Marlow Fin. Marlow is a bit notorious for past addiction and temper issues, but the interviewer wants to explore a more serious topic…is it possible Marlow is a murderer?
Good family drama/mysterythat kept me turning the pages. Great descriptions of Koreans food that reminded me of CRYING IN H-MART. And a nice love story too. So a little something for everyone. Recommended.
Cut to, an interview transcript with famous model/actress Marlow Fin. Marlow is a bit notorious for past addiction and temper issues, but the interviewer wants to explore a more serious topic…is it possible Marlow is a murderer?
Good family drama/mysterythat kept me turning the pages. Great descriptions of Koreans food that reminded me of CRYING IN H-MART. And a nice love story too. So a little something for everyone. Recommended.
November 10, 2023
Oh my! I wish I could give more that 5 stars for Becoming Marlow Fin. So many twist and turns that keep me intrigued to the very end!!! Loved it so much!!❤️
January 20, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ FIVE STARS!
FINDING MARLOW FINN was a beautiful and stellar book. ELLEN VON WEIL amazed me with the stunning prose in this book. This was my first book by her and it won’t be my last. I loved this book so much.
This was both a family drama and a thriller which are my two favorite themes. A little girl by the name of Marlowe is found outside during the storm. Shiki isn’t speaking and I can’t call anything before she was found. The parents of the daughter, Isla, who found her decide to adopt her when they can’t find her family. It seems that this is the perfect solution with a well-rounded good family. Of course things aren’t as they seem. There is a lot of tension and anger in the family. There’s tension between the parents and there’s some jealousy intention between Isla and Marlow.
The book is told through Isla and Marlow and was a storm throughout the book building up to its conclusion. There were so many secrets being held and so much emotional turmoil. You won’t want to stop reading this book until you find out how it ends.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC!
FINDING MARLOW FINN was a beautiful and stellar book. ELLEN VON WEIL amazed me with the stunning prose in this book. This was my first book by her and it won’t be my last. I loved this book so much.
This was both a family drama and a thriller which are my two favorite themes. A little girl by the name of Marlowe is found outside during the storm. Shiki isn’t speaking and I can’t call anything before she was found. The parents of the daughter, Isla, who found her decide to adopt her when they can’t find her family. It seems that this is the perfect solution with a well-rounded good family. Of course things aren’t as they seem. There is a lot of tension and anger in the family. There’s tension between the parents and there’s some jealousy intention between Isla and Marlow.
The book is told through Isla and Marlow and was a storm throughout the book building up to its conclusion. There were so many secrets being held and so much emotional turmoil. You won’t want to stop reading this book until you find out how it ends.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC!
November 24, 2024
WOW!!!!!
This was everything I wanted it to be and so much more.
Mystery, intrigue, family drama, family ties inter generational relationships and friendships, lies and deception neatly woven into a multi dimensional, split timeline story full of depth. I was frantic to reach the end, which was absolute perfection. One of the best I’ve read in a while. An absolute gem.
A must read. The audio production and the individual performances were outstanding.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
This was everything I wanted it to be and so much more.
Mystery, intrigue, family drama, family ties inter generational relationships and friendships, lies and deception neatly woven into a multi dimensional, split timeline story full of depth. I was frantic to reach the end, which was absolute perfection. One of the best I’ve read in a while. An absolute gem.
A must read. The audio production and the individual performances were outstanding.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
December 9, 2024
Really didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I thought I was going to!
It started off slow and there was lots of character development and stories that were told. I didn’t know where it was all leading and how they intertwined until the last part of the book where everything exploded!
I thought the book was going one way but it went the complete opposite, and I love it for that reason.
A slow burn turned fast-paced with lots of shocking twists I’m not sure you’ll see coming.
I couldn’t put this one down.
Now I need to go back and read Ellen’s first book, FORTUNE.
It started off slow and there was lots of character development and stories that were told. I didn’t know where it was all leading and how they intertwined until the last part of the book where everything exploded!
I thought the book was going one way but it went the complete opposite, and I love it for that reason.
A slow burn turned fast-paced with lots of shocking twists I’m not sure you’ll see coming.
I couldn’t put this one down.
Now I need to go back and read Ellen’s first book, FORTUNE.
August 3, 2024
This was a great read! I finished this book in one day because I had to know how it ended. This had so many compelling elements: relationship dynamics, sibling bonds/rivalry, loss and grief, and not to mention all of the twists and turns. I kept trying to piece everything together and still would not have guessed how it ended. Highly recommend.
April 10, 2024
Becoming Marlow Fin is my favorite kind of suspense to relish on a rainy night: tense, twisty, and piled with layer upon layer of family secrets.
July 22, 2024
I love complex and unique stories and this one really surprised me. It was full of twists, secrets and lots of drama. Multiple POVs, one of them told as an interview, I loved that, it was a bit of a slow burn, but it kept me guessing until the end.
Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.
𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝗶𝗻 by Ellen Won Steil releases tomorrow July 23, 2024.
Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.
𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝗶𝗻 by Ellen Won Steil releases tomorrow July 23, 2024.
July 16, 2024
This book was listed as Women's/General Fiction. I think suspense could be added to the genre. And, the title could be WHO IS MARLOWE FIN?
There are 2.5 timelines. One is the past, starting in the 1990s when a young girl discovers an abandoned 6-year-old in the woods. The second timeline is the present, in the format of an interview with Marlowe Fin, the child who was found and has become a famous model and actor. During the in-between, it seems that something tragic and horrific had occurred. The interview very slowly reveals the incident by the end of the book. Finally, there is a snippet of a timeline from the 1980s and a character that doesn't seem to belong. This pops up a few times throughout the story. I had no idea of the significance.
There are a lot of unknowns in the story. I suspected that there were huge secrets too. The characters are enigmatic, especially the Mom of the family. Interesting, but hard to figure out. That fits in with the tone of the story. A favourite is Moni, the grandmother of the family. She has no agenda, she is a caregiver. She shows love to everyone. Marlowe seems to have some strange and disturbing characteristics. By the time I had read 50% of the story, I had no idea which way this story would turn. The journey is interesting. But I couldn't guess.
It wasn't too much later that I had an inkling of the upcoming twist. It turned out that I was partially right.
In summary, the plot line is good. But, I had problems towards the end of the book, when all the twists and turns were being worked out. The writing became somewhat disjointed, it didn't flow as well as the first part of the book. And, there were too many pronouns being used, causing me confusion as to which character was involved in that moment. I had to re-read some sections to make sure I got it right. I found this frustrating.
I rate this 3.5 stars, rounded down.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
There are 2.5 timelines. One is the past, starting in the 1990s when a young girl discovers an abandoned 6-year-old in the woods. The second timeline is the present, in the format of an interview with Marlowe Fin, the child who was found and has become a famous model and actor. During the in-between, it seems that something tragic and horrific had occurred. The interview very slowly reveals the incident by the end of the book. Finally, there is a snippet of a timeline from the 1980s and a character that doesn't seem to belong. This pops up a few times throughout the story. I had no idea of the significance.
There are a lot of unknowns in the story. I suspected that there were huge secrets too. The characters are enigmatic, especially the Mom of the family. Interesting, but hard to figure out. That fits in with the tone of the story. A favourite is Moni, the grandmother of the family. She has no agenda, she is a caregiver. She shows love to everyone. Marlowe seems to have some strange and disturbing characteristics. By the time I had read 50% of the story, I had no idea which way this story would turn. The journey is interesting. But I couldn't guess.
It wasn't too much later that I had an inkling of the upcoming twist. It turned out that I was partially right.
In summary, the plot line is good. But, I had problems towards the end of the book, when all the twists and turns were being worked out. The writing became somewhat disjointed, it didn't flow as well as the first part of the book. And, there were too many pronouns being used, causing me confusion as to which character was involved in that moment. I had to re-read some sections to make sure I got it right. I found this frustrating.
I rate this 3.5 stars, rounded down.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
January 13, 2024
This is a such a polished and skilfully written book, especially as only the author’s second novel. After a slightly slow start, the action ramps up when the titular character — at that point, a silent six year old — is found, lost or abandoned, outdoors in a storm by a girl whose family are visiting their lakeside cabin. From then on, I couldn’t put the book down. There’s mystery, there’s suspense, there’s drama, there’s even some romance and some really beautiful writing. The dual narrative of Isla’s recollections and Marlow’s revelatory TV interview worked so well and kept the story unfolding at that perfect just-one-more-chapter pace.
I don’t give out five starts lightly, but this book deserved every one. Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
I don’t give out five starts lightly, but this book deserved every one. Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
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