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Now That I Know You by Heart: A Novel
A young widow embraces a life-changing new start on San Juan Island in a joyful and redemptive novel about closure, self-discovery, chosen family, and the courage it takes to live truthfully.
Newly widowed Shelby Wright has left the Portland suburbs for a new life on Washington’s San Juan Island to fulfill her late husband’s dying wish. Running the shuttered Captain Merrick Inn, where they’d honeymooned twenty years before, is also a chance for Shelby to prove she can go it solo. Miles from home and her young adult son, Shelby is ready to finally acknowledge to herself that she is gay. But becoming the person she’s hidden away for so long isn’t going to be easy.
As Shelby renovates and rebrands the inn, she meets charismatic winemaker Holly Caster. Their fast connection challenges Shelby to confront her emerging identity and lingering attachment not only to her husband, whom she loved, but to the best friend she left behind. When Shelby is welcomed by a supportive group of local queer women dubbed “the San Juan Sisters,” she’s on her way to making a professional venture—and a long-awaited personal quest—come true.
Both she and the inn may be in need of a little TLC, but Shelby is about to find love and purpose in the most unexpected places.
Newly widowed Shelby Wright has left the Portland suburbs for a new life on Washington’s San Juan Island to fulfill her late husband’s dying wish. Running the shuttered Captain Merrick Inn, where they’d honeymooned twenty years before, is also a chance for Shelby to prove she can go it solo. Miles from home and her young adult son, Shelby is ready to finally acknowledge to herself that she is gay. But becoming the person she’s hidden away for so long isn’t going to be easy.
As Shelby renovates and rebrands the inn, she meets charismatic winemaker Holly Caster. Their fast connection challenges Shelby to confront her emerging identity and lingering attachment not only to her husband, whom she loved, but to the best friend she left behind. When Shelby is welcomed by a supportive group of local queer women dubbed “the San Juan Sisters,” she’s on her way to making a professional venture—and a long-awaited personal quest—come true.
Both she and the inn may be in need of a little TLC, but Shelby is about to find love and purpose in the most unexpected places.
283 pages, Paperback
Published January 20, 2026
163 people are currently reading
4948 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
January 22, 2026
This novel is about healing after the loss of a loved one, but also about embarking on a journey and rediscovering oneself. Shelby's grief felt real, as did her slow, cautious, hesitant approach to Holly. I also liked the renovation of the inn and the development Shelby went through. How she slowly recognizes her desires more and more, accepts them, and acts accordingly. I wouldn't call this book a romance. Sure, the story with Holly is a plot line, but it's mainly about Shelby's journey of healing and discovery. It's truly a heartfelt story.
I listened to the audiobook and what can I say? Lori Prince nailed it! I've listened to several audiobooks with her as the narrator, and she always conveys all the emotions so well that it felt like I was right there in the story.
A novel that I can especially recommend as an audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC!
I listened to the audiobook and what can I say? Lori Prince nailed it! I've listened to several audiobooks with her as the narrator, and she always conveys all the emotions so well that it felt like I was right there in the story.
A novel that I can especially recommend as an audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC!
January 24, 2026
Trying to fulfill her late husband’s wishes, Shelby goes back to the inn they spent their honeymoon in, now as the owner, to bring it back to life after being closed. But the idea seems daunting, she keeps having to choose between what her late husband envisioned and what she wants, while navigating the grief and her own sexuality.
Slowly, she starts to see the path that brings her joy and satisfaction, with a bit of help from a group of queer women and the gorgeous Holly, who quickly becomes the person she wants to be with.
Now That I Know You By Heart is a book about grief, coming out as an adult, building a community, friendship and family, as well as a bit of sapphic love. While I overall enjoyed the audiobook, I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied.
It’s been a couple days and I still can’t pinpoint the reason why I was expecting more out of this. The book delivers everything it promises, but I was expecting to get more out of it. More love, more angst, more feelings, more connection… Between fixing the inn, Ezra (secondary character also dealing with grief), her grief, the remorse of making things different from what her husband wanted, coming to terms with being queer and telling people, the feelings for her best friend, her son, the romance with Holly, the queer group of friends… Everything was happening at once and, while it was well coherent, I felt we didn’t have time to delve into each problem the way I would have wanted.
That being said, I enjoyed the premise and loved the community they builded. I LOVE when small town books give you that sense of community. At the end, I was very happy with how Shelby ended up but, at the same time, maybe because of what I said before, I felt it was oversimplified of how it would be in real life.
Overall, if you read the blurb and feel this book has all the details you want, I would recommend giving it a try. It has hopeful and warm scenes, with the inn and its community, but also portrays grieving and feeling like you have wasted years faking your identity without even realizing it. Personally, I would have probably appreciated it more if it was more focused on the grieving, the fear of telling your son and best friend that you’re gay, and all the complicated feelings that come with that, without the relief of the cozy parts.
🎧Read as an audiobook.
Audiobook rating: 3 stars. For some reason the voice didn’t catch my attention the way other voices do, but there was nothing wrong with the narrator and she had an accent that was easy to understand (saying this as a non-native speaker who sometimes struggles with that).
*Rating: 2.5/5 stars
I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Slowly, she starts to see the path that brings her joy and satisfaction, with a bit of help from a group of queer women and the gorgeous Holly, who quickly becomes the person she wants to be with.
Now That I Know You By Heart is a book about grief, coming out as an adult, building a community, friendship and family, as well as a bit of sapphic love. While I overall enjoyed the audiobook, I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied.
It’s been a couple days and I still can’t pinpoint the reason why I was expecting more out of this. The book delivers everything it promises, but I was expecting to get more out of it. More love, more angst, more feelings, more connection… Between fixing the inn, Ezra (secondary character also dealing with grief), her grief, the remorse of making things different from what her husband wanted, coming to terms with being queer and telling people, the feelings for her best friend, her son, the romance with Holly, the queer group of friends… Everything was happening at once and, while it was well coherent, I felt we didn’t have time to delve into each problem the way I would have wanted.
That being said, I enjoyed the premise and loved the community they builded. I LOVE when small town books give you that sense of community. At the end, I was very happy with how Shelby ended up but, at the same time, maybe because of what I said before, I felt it was oversimplified of how it would be in real life.
Overall, if you read the blurb and feel this book has all the details you want, I would recommend giving it a try. It has hopeful and warm scenes, with the inn and its community, but also portrays grieving and feeling like you have wasted years faking your identity without even realizing it. Personally, I would have probably appreciated it more if it was more focused on the grieving, the fear of telling your son and best friend that you’re gay, and all the complicated feelings that come with that, without the relief of the cozy parts.
🎧Read as an audiobook.
Audiobook rating: 3 stars. For some reason the voice didn’t catch my attention the way other voices do, but there was nothing wrong with the narrator and she had an accent that was easy to understand (saying this as a non-native speaker who sometimes struggles with that).
*Rating: 2.5/5 stars
I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this heartfelt story about healing, and your true self. Shelby Wright is newly widowed. She leaves her home in Portland and moves to San Juan Island in Washington for a fresh start and to fulfill her husband's dying wishes of running the Captain Merrick Inn, where they spent their honeymoon. While there, Shelby meets winemaker Holly and they develop quick feelings for each other, and she also meets a wonderful community of queer women that she bonds with. I enjoyed reading about Shelby and her personal growth and journey of accepting herself and finding happiness again. A really sweet and uplifting read.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
February 16, 2026
(rounded down from 2.25)
This took me a while to finish because it just wasn't engaging. On paper (heh), everything should be what I enjoy. A late-in-life queer woman, dealing with grief from a recently deceased spouse, tentatively learning to express interest in a woman for the first time, finding a new queer friend group, and just generally growing into your identity as a queer woman on a small island while launching a new business.
Unfortunately, it all felt really flat for some reason. My emotions were not engaged; the characters feel a bit unengaging for the most part or uninteresting. The relationship feels a bit pointlessly convoluted when a single direct conversation can show how to clearly communicate with a potential partner.
Underwhelmed is my primary feeling after this, which is rather disappointing because in theory it should be right up my alley.
This took me a while to finish because it just wasn't engaging. On paper (heh), everything should be what I enjoy. A late-in-life queer woman, dealing with grief from a recently deceased spouse, tentatively learning to express interest in a woman for the first time, finding a new queer friend group, and just generally growing into your identity as a queer woman on a small island while launching a new business.
Unfortunately, it all felt really flat for some reason. My emotions were not engaged; the characters feel a bit unengaging for the most part or uninteresting. The relationship feels a bit pointlessly convoluted when a single direct conversation can show how to clearly communicate with a potential partner.
Underwhelmed is my primary feeling after this, which is rather disappointing because in theory it should be right up my alley.
February 16, 2026
Content warnings: This book deals heavily with grief, and of a spouse dying.
I wanted, and expected more from this novel.
I hate that it gave me nothing.
This book, while I think it had strong potential, I found myself feeling like I was just reading it to get it finished. I wasn't excited about it, and I wasn't looking forward to the end. In fact, I don't even remember how it ended, and I only finished it early this afternoon, which is sad for me, tbh.
I hate when I don't vibe with a book.
As there are many, many other glowing recommendations for this novel, I will firmly say that it is a me thing, not a book thing.
I wanted, and expected more from this novel.
I hate that it gave me nothing.
This book, while I think it had strong potential, I found myself feeling like I was just reading it to get it finished. I wasn't excited about it, and I wasn't looking forward to the end. In fact, I don't even remember how it ended, and I only finished it early this afternoon, which is sad for me, tbh.
I hate when I don't vibe with a book.
As there are many, many other glowing recommendations for this novel, I will firmly say that it is a me thing, not a book thing.
January 17, 2026
Now That I Know You By Heart isn’t my usual read, but I ended up enjoying it. It’s a quiet, character-driven story about loss, second chances, and rebuilding a life later on, and it takes its time with those themes.
The romance is present and important, but overall it doesn’t feel like the main focus. What stood out more for me was Shelby’s journey, the small-town setting, and the sense of chosen family that develops around her. The story doesn’t spell everything out, especially toward the end, which I appreciated.
The audiobook narration is a huge highlight. Lori Prince brings the characters and setting to life beautifully, and performance-wise this is one of my favourite narrations from her.
Overall, a gentle, warming read I’m glad I picked up.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
The romance is present and important, but overall it doesn’t feel like the main focus. What stood out more for me was Shelby’s journey, the small-town setting, and the sense of chosen family that develops around her. The story doesn’t spell everything out, especially toward the end, which I appreciated.
The audiobook narration is a huge highlight. Lori Prince brings the characters and setting to life beautifully, and performance-wise this is one of my favourite narrations from her.
Overall, a gentle, warming read I’m glad I picked up.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2026
“Now That I Know You By Heart” follows Shelby, a recently widowed woman who moves to an island to fulfill her late husband’s dream of running the inn they stayed at on their Honeymoon. She’s struggling with her identity and coming to terms with her sexuality, while also managing the inn’s renovation, when she meets Holly, the island’s winemaker who she develops a connection with.
This book was a great mix between women’s fiction, coming-of-age and romance, focusing on Shelby’s journey with owning her sexuality and letting herself find joy in this new season of life.
It was such a cute story with important topics discussed, and i absolutely loved the setting. I really enjoyed seeing everyone come together to make her project succeed and seeing the sense of community between them.
However, I feel like the author could’ve explored the grief and queerness in this story a little deeper to make me feel more attached to the characters and the romance.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
This book was a great mix between women’s fiction, coming-of-age and romance, focusing on Shelby’s journey with owning her sexuality and letting herself find joy in this new season of life.
It was such a cute story with important topics discussed, and i absolutely loved the setting. I really enjoyed seeing everyone come together to make her project succeed and seeing the sense of community between them.
However, I feel like the author could’ve explored the grief and queerness in this story a little deeper to make me feel more attached to the characters and the romance.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a gentle story about loss, grief, and learning to move on. I've read many small town extreme business makeover sapphic romances, but this one hits different. I'm glad to see that this isn't being marketed as a romance, because while there's a love interest, the focus of the story isn't that. The budding romance is only one element of a coming of age story, specifically a late in life queer awakening. I love late bloomer stories, being one myself. There is no rosy sheen to this kind of journey. There is mountains of internal conflict and guilt and a harrowing but necessary path to learning self-love. If this was primarily a romance, I would be annoyed that it's a single POV, but this story is rooted in Shelby's journey of widowhood and self-acceptance. I identified with so much of the grief journey, rooted in some guilt, which extends to wanting to fulfill the dying wish of someone you feel you wronged in life, at the expense of your own self. And yet grief journeys tend to be rather illuminating and liberating of one's most unacknowledged self, and finding people and community and exercises in self-love that sustain you for the rest of your life.
I received an advance audiobook for this from Netgalley, and the narrator hit just the perfect note for a character who is deeply vulnerable yet resilient, and charting a new path of truth, after years of marriage and parenthood. This is just the kind of POV that is the sweet spot as a queer millennial reader. I'm looking forward to what the author writes next.
I received an advance audiobook for this from Netgalley, and the narrator hit just the perfect note for a character who is deeply vulnerable yet resilient, and charting a new path of truth, after years of marriage and parenthood. This is just the kind of POV that is the sweet spot as a queer millennial reader. I'm looking forward to what the author writes next.
January 31, 2026
Amy Hagstrom’s sensitive story of self-discovery simply shines. In “Now That I Know You by Heart,” a widow and mother moves to San Juan Island in the Pacific Northwest to fulfill her husband’s dying wish: that she revitalize the inn where they stayed on their honeymoon.
Monumental a task as this is, Shelby’s biggest struggle is to honor her husband’s request while being true to herself. Shelby comes to San Juan Island having only recently acknowledged her same-sex orientation. The saga of reopening the Captain Merrick Inn is complicated by her need to blaze her own path, not passively drift along the one she’s been following on inertia her whole life.
Hagstrom's lyrical prose and her gift for capturing the beauty of a place shine in this story. In every book she writes, the setting is evoked so vividly, with such love and appreciation, that it stirs the heart with desire to experience all that is beautiful and transcendent in the world. "Now That I Know You by Heart" is no exception. This book is a feast for the heart, the senses, and the imagination.
Monumental a task as this is, Shelby’s biggest struggle is to honor her husband’s request while being true to herself. Shelby comes to San Juan Island having only recently acknowledged her same-sex orientation. The saga of reopening the Captain Merrick Inn is complicated by her need to blaze her own path, not passively drift along the one she’s been following on inertia her whole life.
Hagstrom's lyrical prose and her gift for capturing the beauty of a place shine in this story. In every book she writes, the setting is evoked so vividly, with such love and appreciation, that it stirs the heart with desire to experience all that is beautiful and transcendent in the world. "Now That I Know You by Heart" is no exception. This book is a feast for the heart, the senses, and the imagination.
December 21, 2025
3.75⭐️ I would describe this as Hallmark movie romance meets LGBTQ+ set in the San Juan Islands. Shelby’s journey of self discovery buoyed by remodeling a historic inn was fun to read about.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2026
4.25 stars
Young widow Shelby Wright left the Portland suburbs to start anew on Washington’s San Juan Island to fulfill her late husband’s dying wish to reopen the Captain Merrick Inn where they honeymooned . As she reflected upon their life, recalling their honeymoon on the island and their relationship, she also revealed that she had come to the realization that she has always been gay and that she had hidden the truth from herself and others.
As Shelby worked tirelessly to renovate and revamp the inn, she met new friends on the island which reinvigorated her to not only restart her life there but to claim her true identity and live an authentic life.
This was an excellent and poignant novel about loss, love and reinventing a life. I appreciated the author’s care for each character as Shelby was able to come to terms with her second chance at a new life, other characters were able to be their authentic selves. I loved the cast of characters Shelby meets - men and women who gave her a new reason to live as she truly wished and who supported her success in all ways.
This was a well written story about second chances and I could not put it down. The setting of San Juan Island is vibrantly described, and I hope to visit there someday. A beautiful story in a beautiful setting.
Young widow Shelby Wright left the Portland suburbs to start anew on Washington’s San Juan Island to fulfill her late husband’s dying wish to reopen the Captain Merrick Inn where they honeymooned . As she reflected upon their life, recalling their honeymoon on the island and their relationship, she also revealed that she had come to the realization that she has always been gay and that she had hidden the truth from herself and others.
As Shelby worked tirelessly to renovate and revamp the inn, she met new friends on the island which reinvigorated her to not only restart her life there but to claim her true identity and live an authentic life.
This was an excellent and poignant novel about loss, love and reinventing a life. I appreciated the author’s care for each character as Shelby was able to come to terms with her second chance at a new life, other characters were able to be their authentic selves. I loved the cast of characters Shelby meets - men and women who gave her a new reason to live as she truly wished and who supported her success in all ways.
This was a well written story about second chances and I could not put it down. The setting of San Juan Island is vibrantly described, and I hope to visit there someday. A beautiful story in a beautiful setting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2026
If you’re in the mood for a gentle, supportive, and quietly affirming story — something not just cozy but genuinely soul‑nourishing — Amy Hagstrom’s Now That I Know You by Heart is a beautiful choice.
This is the third Hagstrom novel I’ve read, and each one has absorbed me in its own distinct way. Smoke Season explored a mother’s desperate race to save her daughter with the help of a best friend navigating her own emotional complexities. The Wild Between Us braided two search‑and‑rescue operations decades apart, using alternating timelines to uncover a long‑buried mystery.
Now That I Know You by Heart shifts into a quieter, more interior register, carrying the same quiet, aware power that underpins Hagstrom’s writing and her sensitivity to a character’s quest for their authentic self. This book follows Shelby, a youngish widow who moves to the San Juan Islands to restore the Capt. Merrick Inn and honor her husband’s life dream and final request. But in true Hagstrom style, there is the surprise of restoring herself alongside the Capt. Merrick. Both she and the inn have been living behind layers of pretense, and the novel gently traces her journey toward truth, healing, and self‑acceptance. It’s a story about finding your truth and learning to live it with authenticity.
What makes Hagstrom’s work so consistently compelling is the way her strengths echo across her books.
First, she writes place with an almost allegorical precision. Nature and landscape mirror the inner lives of her characters, and she transports you straight onto the island with Shelby — the fog, the salt air, the quiet rhythms of ferry life, all of it working as emotional architecture.
Second, she writes interiority with honesty and compassion. Shelby is carrying so much: the sudden death of her husband, her son leaving for college, the moment she came out to him on the day of his collapse, the quiet crush on her best friend, the promise to restore the inn he loved, and the slow, tender acceptance of her own gay identity. Hagstrom handles each thread with nuance and care.
Third, Hagstrom has a gift for writing relationships — human, communal, and spiritual. Even characters who appear briefly, like Shelby’s son Alex, feel vivid and grounded. The island residents are equally memorable: Ezra, the young man with an old soul trying to reconnect with his grandfather, and Holly, whose vivacity and self‑discovery arc make her impossible not to root for from the moment she and Shelby meet. The island itself becomes a character, shaping and sheltering everyone who calls it home. And quietly, almost reverently, the emotional center of the book is Josh, Shelby’s husband, whose presence lingers at the edges of the story. His love, his absence, and his final gift become the quiet connective tissue between characters, themes, and even the title Now That I Know You by Heart. His memory becomes the book’s heartbeat — steady, gentle, and guiding Shelby toward the life she’s meant to reclaim.
This is a story about rebuilding — a home, a life, a sense of self — and it’s told with the kind of warmth, clarity, and emotional resonance that stays with you long after the final page.
This is the third Hagstrom novel I’ve read, and each one has absorbed me in its own distinct way. Smoke Season explored a mother’s desperate race to save her daughter with the help of a best friend navigating her own emotional complexities. The Wild Between Us braided two search‑and‑rescue operations decades apart, using alternating timelines to uncover a long‑buried mystery.
Now That I Know You by Heart shifts into a quieter, more interior register, carrying the same quiet, aware power that underpins Hagstrom’s writing and her sensitivity to a character’s quest for their authentic self. This book follows Shelby, a youngish widow who moves to the San Juan Islands to restore the Capt. Merrick Inn and honor her husband’s life dream and final request. But in true Hagstrom style, there is the surprise of restoring herself alongside the Capt. Merrick. Both she and the inn have been living behind layers of pretense, and the novel gently traces her journey toward truth, healing, and self‑acceptance. It’s a story about finding your truth and learning to live it with authenticity.
What makes Hagstrom’s work so consistently compelling is the way her strengths echo across her books.
First, she writes place with an almost allegorical precision. Nature and landscape mirror the inner lives of her characters, and she transports you straight onto the island with Shelby — the fog, the salt air, the quiet rhythms of ferry life, all of it working as emotional architecture.
Second, she writes interiority with honesty and compassion. Shelby is carrying so much: the sudden death of her husband, her son leaving for college, the moment she came out to him on the day of his collapse, the quiet crush on her best friend, the promise to restore the inn he loved, and the slow, tender acceptance of her own gay identity. Hagstrom handles each thread with nuance and care.
Third, Hagstrom has a gift for writing relationships — human, communal, and spiritual. Even characters who appear briefly, like Shelby’s son Alex, feel vivid and grounded. The island residents are equally memorable: Ezra, the young man with an old soul trying to reconnect with his grandfather, and Holly, whose vivacity and self‑discovery arc make her impossible not to root for from the moment she and Shelby meet. The island itself becomes a character, shaping and sheltering everyone who calls it home. And quietly, almost reverently, the emotional center of the book is Josh, Shelby’s husband, whose presence lingers at the edges of the story. His love, his absence, and his final gift become the quiet connective tissue between characters, themes, and even the title Now That I Know You by Heart. His memory becomes the book’s heartbeat — steady, gentle, and guiding Shelby toward the life she’s meant to reclaim.
This is a story about rebuilding — a home, a life, a sense of self — and it’s told with the kind of warmth, clarity, and emotional resonance that stays with you long after the final page.
January 25, 2026
📚Now that I Know You By Heart
✍🏻Amy Hagstrom
Blurb:
A young widow embraces a life-changing new start on San Juan Island in a joyful and redemptive novel about closure, self-discovery, chosen family, and the courage it takes to live truthfully.
Newly widowed Shelby Wright has left the Portland suburbs for a new life on Washington’s San Juan Island to fulfill her late husband’s dying wish. Running the shuttered Captain Merrick Inn, where they’d honeymooned twenty years before, is also a chance for Shelby to prove she can go it solo. Miles from home and her young adult son, Shelby is ready to finally acknowledge to herself that she is gay. But becoming the person she’s hidden away for so long isn’t going to be easy.
As Shelby renovates and rebrands the inn, she meets charismatic winemaker Holly Caster. Their fast connection challenges Shelby to confront her emerging identity and lingering attachment not only to her husband, whom she loved, but to the best friend she left behind. When Shelby is welcomed by a supportive group of local queer women dubbed “the San Juan Sisters,” she’s on her way to making a professional venture—and a long-awaited personal quest—come true.
Both she and the inn may be in need of a little TLC, but Shelby is about to find love and purpose in the most unexpected places.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed Amy Hagstrom’s debut adult book Shelby Wright only wants to fulfill her late husband’s dying wish by purchasing and running the Captain Merrick Inn where they honeymooned. Twenty years later, the Inn had been closed for some time so she found herself with a renovation project on her hands. Though Shelby is dealing with the grief of the loss of her husband, she also finds the move and the project a breath of fresh air. She is able to find the room to breathe and to be who she really is. Shelby is gay .On her journey of self-discovery, Shelby meets Holly Caster, a winemaker. Holly gives Shelby her first introduction into the queer world and circle of friends, who happily take her in as one of their own. Follow Shelby on her journey through grief, new life, new friends, and possibly a new love.This was beautifully written and emotional.
Thanks NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Author Amy Hagstrom for the complimentary copy of "Now That I Know You by Heart" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#LakeUnionPublishing
#AmyHagstrom
#NowThatIKnowYoubyHeart
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Death, Terminal illness, Grief
✍🏻Amy Hagstrom
Blurb:
A young widow embraces a life-changing new start on San Juan Island in a joyful and redemptive novel about closure, self-discovery, chosen family, and the courage it takes to live truthfully.
Newly widowed Shelby Wright has left the Portland suburbs for a new life on Washington’s San Juan Island to fulfill her late husband’s dying wish. Running the shuttered Captain Merrick Inn, where they’d honeymooned twenty years before, is also a chance for Shelby to prove she can go it solo. Miles from home and her young adult son, Shelby is ready to finally acknowledge to herself that she is gay. But becoming the person she’s hidden away for so long isn’t going to be easy.
As Shelby renovates and rebrands the inn, she meets charismatic winemaker Holly Caster. Their fast connection challenges Shelby to confront her emerging identity and lingering attachment not only to her husband, whom she loved, but to the best friend she left behind. When Shelby is welcomed by a supportive group of local queer women dubbed “the San Juan Sisters,” she’s on her way to making a professional venture—and a long-awaited personal quest—come true.
Both she and the inn may be in need of a little TLC, but Shelby is about to find love and purpose in the most unexpected places.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed Amy Hagstrom’s debut adult book Shelby Wright only wants to fulfill her late husband’s dying wish by purchasing and running the Captain Merrick Inn where they honeymooned. Twenty years later, the Inn had been closed for some time so she found herself with a renovation project on her hands. Though Shelby is dealing with the grief of the loss of her husband, she also finds the move and the project a breath of fresh air. She is able to find the room to breathe and to be who she really is. Shelby is gay .On her journey of self-discovery, Shelby meets Holly Caster, a winemaker. Holly gives Shelby her first introduction into the queer world and circle of friends, who happily take her in as one of their own. Follow Shelby on her journey through grief, new life, new friends, and possibly a new love.This was beautifully written and emotional.
Thanks NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Author Amy Hagstrom for the complimentary copy of "Now That I Know You by Heart" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#LakeUnionPublishing
#AmyHagstrom
#NowThatIKnowYoubyHeart
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Death, Terminal illness, Grief
January 22, 2026
Spice Level: 0/5 Very Sweet / Just Kissing
Shelby Wright only wants to fulfill her late husband’s dying wish by purchasing and running the Captain Merrick Inn where they honeymooned. Twenty years later, the Inn had been closed for some time so she found herself with a renovation project on her hands. Though Shelby is dealing with the grief of the loss of her husband, she also finds the move and the project a breath of fresh air. She is able to find the room to breathe and to be who she really is. Shelby is gay.
On her journey of self-discovery, Shelby meets Holly Caster, a winemaker. Holly gives Shelby her first introduction into the queer world and circle of friends, who happily take her in as one of their own. Follow Shelby on her journey through grief, new life, new friends, and possibly a new love.
I received this audiobook from NetGalley and the Author in return for my honest review. This story is very much one about self discovery and becoming who you truly are later in life. One thing I like about this story is that, even though fiction, it gives a glimpse into real life scenarios that queer people have lived. Shelby’s story is one of them. For me, this was a very heartbreaking and heartwarming story all at the same time. Many emotions flow through you for the duration of this book. I honestly didn’t want to stop listening.
This audiobook was narrated by Lori Prince. Not gonna lie, she is an absolute queen of a narrator. You really feel the emotions of the characters when listening to her read this book. Perfect choice for the narrator.
⚓ Grief
⚓ Sapphic Romance
⚓ Terminal Illness
⚓ Death
⚓ Small Town
⚓ Coming Out
⚓ Chosen Family
⚓ Queer Awakening
⚓ Second Chance at Love
Shelby Wright only wants to fulfill her late husband’s dying wish by purchasing and running the Captain Merrick Inn where they honeymooned. Twenty years later, the Inn had been closed for some time so she found herself with a renovation project on her hands. Though Shelby is dealing with the grief of the loss of her husband, she also finds the move and the project a breath of fresh air. She is able to find the room to breathe and to be who she really is. Shelby is gay.
On her journey of self-discovery, Shelby meets Holly Caster, a winemaker. Holly gives Shelby her first introduction into the queer world and circle of friends, who happily take her in as one of their own. Follow Shelby on her journey through grief, new life, new friends, and possibly a new love.
I received this audiobook from NetGalley and the Author in return for my honest review. This story is very much one about self discovery and becoming who you truly are later in life. One thing I like about this story is that, even though fiction, it gives a glimpse into real life scenarios that queer people have lived. Shelby’s story is one of them. For me, this was a very heartbreaking and heartwarming story all at the same time. Many emotions flow through you for the duration of this book. I honestly didn’t want to stop listening.
This audiobook was narrated by Lori Prince. Not gonna lie, she is an absolute queen of a narrator. You really feel the emotions of the characters when listening to her read this book. Perfect choice for the narrator.
⚓ Grief
⚓ Sapphic Romance
⚓ Terminal Illness
⚓ Death
⚓ Small Town
⚓ Coming Out
⚓ Chosen Family
⚓ Queer Awakening
⚓ Second Chance at Love
January 17, 2026
I went into this book with hesitation, and I want to be upfront about that. Stories centered on late-in-life self-discovery especially around identity aren’t usually my go-to. Because of that, it took me a little while to settle into this one.
What ultimately kept me reading was the setting and the quiet, steady rhythm of the story. San Juan Island felt warm and lived-in, and I genuinely enjoyed the process of reopening the Captain Merrick Inn. Watching Shelby figure out the logistics of restoring a place, building community ties, and leaning on the people around her was my favorite part of the book.
The emotional core of the story is very gentle and introspective. Shelby is flawed, sometimes frustrating, but clearly written as someone navigating grief, change, and long-suppressed truths all at once. While I didn’t personally connect to every aspect of her internal struggle, I appreciated how thoughtfully the author portrayed chosen family, especially through the San Juan Sisters and the idea that healing doesn’t happen in isolation.
This wasn’t a book I loved, but it was one I respected. It’s warm, light, and sincere, and I can see it resonating deeply with readers who enjoy character-driven stories about starting over, community, and living more honestly.
What ultimately kept me reading was the setting and the quiet, steady rhythm of the story. San Juan Island felt warm and lived-in, and I genuinely enjoyed the process of reopening the Captain Merrick Inn. Watching Shelby figure out the logistics of restoring a place, building community ties, and leaning on the people around her was my favorite part of the book.
The emotional core of the story is very gentle and introspective. Shelby is flawed, sometimes frustrating, but clearly written as someone navigating grief, change, and long-suppressed truths all at once. While I didn’t personally connect to every aspect of her internal struggle, I appreciated how thoughtfully the author portrayed chosen family, especially through the San Juan Sisters and the idea that healing doesn’t happen in isolation.
This wasn’t a book I loved, but it was one I respected. It’s warm, light, and sincere, and I can see it resonating deeply with readers who enjoy character-driven stories about starting over, community, and living more honestly.
February 4, 2026
A tender, quiet later-in-life story of self-discovery and awakening. Shelby’s journey is marked by grief, guilt, conflict, but also healing and newfound joy.
Shelby is a widow who moves to San Juan Island to fulfill her dying husband’s wishes to run the Captain Merrick Inn. But she carries guilt for hiding who she had been for all the years of their marriage.
Meeting a charismatic woman and the supportive “San Juan Sisters,” Shelby finds her place on the island and embraces all that she is.
The island setting, the sea, and the inn's renovation were wonderful. Although Shelby was grieving, you could see her growing and coming into her own as the chapters went by. I also loved the sense of community surrounding Shelby; it gave the narrative an overall uplifting feeling.
🎧Lori Prince’s narration of the audiobook perfectly captures the story's mood and characters, making Shelby's grief and growth relatable and engaging. Lori does an excellent job with the secondary characters as well; this was a perfect complement to the physical book.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @amyhagstromwrites for this gifted book. Thank you @brilliancepublishing for the gifted audiobook via @NetGalley.
Shelby is a widow who moves to San Juan Island to fulfill her dying husband’s wishes to run the Captain Merrick Inn. But she carries guilt for hiding who she had been for all the years of their marriage.
Meeting a charismatic woman and the supportive “San Juan Sisters,” Shelby finds her place on the island and embraces all that she is.
The island setting, the sea, and the inn's renovation were wonderful. Although Shelby was grieving, you could see her growing and coming into her own as the chapters went by. I also loved the sense of community surrounding Shelby; it gave the narrative an overall uplifting feeling.
🎧Lori Prince’s narration of the audiobook perfectly captures the story's mood and characters, making Shelby's grief and growth relatable and engaging. Lori does an excellent job with the secondary characters as well; this was a perfect complement to the physical book.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @amyhagstromwrites for this gifted book. Thank you @brilliancepublishing for the gifted audiobook via @NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you @amyhagstromwrites and @amazonpublishing for the #gifted book.
Shelby is newly widowed and moves to Washington's San Juan Island to fulfill her husband's dying wish of running the Captain Merrick Inn where they honeymooned 20 years ago. Shelby arrives in San Juan after recently acknowledging she is gay. She has a hard time fulfilling her husband's wish while wanting to forge a new path and stay true to herself.
This is a heartfelt story of love and self discovery. The description of the island is vivid and had me wanting to learn more about the island. There are wonderful and relatable characters. Holly is a wine maker who helps Shelby with renovating the Inn. There is an immediate connection and there is a slow blossoming romance. Holly also introduces Shelby to a wonderful group of queer women that call themselves "the San Juan Sisters.
I enjoyed Shelby's journey from grief, to becoming an inn keeper, to rediscovering herself, to living authentically and finding a chosen family. If you like character driven stories about self discovery and second chances, you will enjoy Now That I Know You By Heart
Shelby is newly widowed and moves to Washington's San Juan Island to fulfill her husband's dying wish of running the Captain Merrick Inn where they honeymooned 20 years ago. Shelby arrives in San Juan after recently acknowledging she is gay. She has a hard time fulfilling her husband's wish while wanting to forge a new path and stay true to herself.
This is a heartfelt story of love and self discovery. The description of the island is vivid and had me wanting to learn more about the island. There are wonderful and relatable characters. Holly is a wine maker who helps Shelby with renovating the Inn. There is an immediate connection and there is a slow blossoming romance. Holly also introduces Shelby to a wonderful group of queer women that call themselves "the San Juan Sisters.
I enjoyed Shelby's journey from grief, to becoming an inn keeper, to rediscovering herself, to living authentically and finding a chosen family. If you like character driven stories about self discovery and second chances, you will enjoy Now That I Know You By Heart
December 10, 2025
I have been on the hunt for a good women’s fiction book (I haven’t been having the best luck lately), but this was sooooo good! It felt refreshing, redemptive, and full of hope and self-discovery.
You have Shelby, who is young, newly widowed, and full of grief and fear. She decides to move to San Juan Island to fulfill her husband’s dying wish: renovate and run the inn that they spent their honeymoon in two decades ago. This is Shelby’s chance to prove she can do life alone, but along the way, she also knows it’s time to grapple with something she’s always known but has never dealt with or accepted: she’s a gay woman.
This was such a beautiful, breathtaking novel. I loved every single character, and following Shelby’s journey from heartbreak, to rediscovering herself, to finding her chosen family, and finally, truly accepting herself fully was such a joy to experience. This was absolutely stunning and the prose is lyrical and raw and full of so much vulnerability. I absolutely recommend checking this out.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this eARC!
You have Shelby, who is young, newly widowed, and full of grief and fear. She decides to move to San Juan Island to fulfill her husband’s dying wish: renovate and run the inn that they spent their honeymoon in two decades ago. This is Shelby’s chance to prove she can do life alone, but along the way, she also knows it’s time to grapple with something she’s always known but has never dealt with or accepted: she’s a gay woman.
This was such a beautiful, breathtaking novel. I loved every single character, and following Shelby’s journey from heartbreak, to rediscovering herself, to finding her chosen family, and finally, truly accepting herself fully was such a joy to experience. This was absolutely stunning and the prose is lyrical and raw and full of so much vulnerability. I absolutely recommend checking this out.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this eARC!
January 19, 2026
Now That I Know You By Heart by Amy Hagstrom was so emotionally rich and touching. It was felt very personal but still universally resonant in a lot of ways. I really enjoyed reading about Shelby’s emotional journey and healing, and as a queer woman, these conversations are important to have, so I loved the representation. It was eye opening to read about her journey of self rediscovery not only as a queer woman but as a grieving widow, and mother. I love the most how nothing felt rushed, from the romance to her healing, and it felt very authentic and truly well done. The chemistry and connection between Holly and Shelby felt natural, steady and grounding which added to that feeling of this book being realistic and relatable. Lastly, I loved the setting, it felt super vivid and cozy, so I literally have no complaints about this book. I will be recommending this to my friends, family and everyone for their next read, it was truly touching. Thank you Amy Hagstrom, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 20, 2026
I absolutely adored this book! The writing style drew me in and immersed me in the story and without planning to I read it all in one sitting! This is a story about allowing yourself to be fully yourself and finding a way to create the life you want that is not constrained by expectations or guilt. Shelby is a character that grabbed my heart, it broke at her loss, ached along with her as she rebuilt her life, and was full as she began to realize her dreams. All of the characters were interesting and added to the story. The community she finds helps her to figure out what she truly wants and helps her work toward her dream. Days after reading this book I am still thinking about it and am wondering what is happening. I want to check in on the Inn and the ‘sisters’ and get updates on their lives. I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy books about starting over and creating a life that allows you to be yourself.
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 13, 2026
I love this cover. The colors are so soothing. Shelby is recently widowed and moved to San Juan Island in Washington to fulfill her husband’s last wish. She is running an old Inn where they honeymooned together years earlier. Not only is she proving to herself that she can run the inn alone. She’s also going to share something about her identity she’s kept hidden.
While working on the inn she meets Holly, a winemaker, and also a group of local queer women, the San Juan Sisters. The pieces are finally falling into place for Shelby to find the sense of happiness and purpose she’s sought for so long.
Overall, Now That I Know You by Heart is a sensitively told, warm, feel-good novel about found family, finding oneself at any age, and moving through grief and loss. I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh voice and all the characters. So well done.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
While working on the inn she meets Holly, a winemaker, and also a group of local queer women, the San Juan Sisters. The pieces are finally falling into place for Shelby to find the sense of happiness and purpose she’s sought for so long.
Overall, Now That I Know You by Heart is a sensitively told, warm, feel-good novel about found family, finding oneself at any age, and moving through grief and loss. I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh voice and all the characters. So well done.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a nice listen, but I had hoped for more. The story about Shelby, trying to find her true self after the death of her husband is interesting but also a bit boring at times, not that much drama at all. I never really get how she could stay with her husband for two decades living a lie and then when he dies feel obliged to make sure his dying wish is fulfilled. I suppose she feels guilty for her life lie with him, she didn’t deserve his love. Then at the island she tries to both live her truth and make sure the inn will become a success. The budding love story with Holly has a way to small role in the book unfortunately, if more of that I would probably have liked the story more.
I normally like Lori Prince as a narrator, but I was a bit disappointed with her performance in this one, some of the voices done by her are downright cringe unfortunately.
I received a free ALC and leave an honest review voluntarily.
I normally like Lori Prince as a narrator, but I was a bit disappointed with her performance in this one, some of the voices done by her are downright cringe unfortunately.
I received a free ALC and leave an honest review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This review is for the audio version of the book, provided by NetGalley, and narrated by Lori Prince.
Following the death of her husband of 20 years, Shelby is following his dying wish and moving to an island where they had their honeymoon, to buy and renovate the inn where they stayed.
This is more bitter than sweet for Shelby. Still reeling from the loss, she's also beset by the guilt of having come out as gay to her husband, right before the cancer diagnosis that took his life.
Grief is complex and messy and never the same for 2 people, but it's often easier to manage when you're not alone.
This was a sad and charming story.
The story of grief and guilt was so well done and the characters were so endearing. Shelby tackling her grief and identity are just heartbreaking in places. The self-doubt and need for recognition can really hit home.
If you want a lovely, but sad story, this will be worth your time to read.
Following the death of her husband of 20 years, Shelby is following his dying wish and moving to an island where they had their honeymoon, to buy and renovate the inn where they stayed.
This is more bitter than sweet for Shelby. Still reeling from the loss, she's also beset by the guilt of having come out as gay to her husband, right before the cancer diagnosis that took his life.
Grief is complex and messy and never the same for 2 people, but it's often easier to manage when you're not alone.
This was a sad and charming story.
The story of grief and guilt was so well done and the characters were so endearing. Shelby tackling her grief and identity are just heartbreaking in places. The self-doubt and need for recognition can really hit home.
If you want a lovely, but sad story, this will be worth your time to read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a lovely story that will ease your heart. It's like a cozy cup of tea. It's about Shelby who buys an inn to fulfill her husband's dying wish, only to find out the inn is in dire state and rumored to be haunted. Shelby is in the process of coming to terms with who she is and how she's been trying to come back to herself finally after living a full life in denial. She's new in town. She has no idea how to fix or rescue the inn. She is trying to honor her husband and also step into her own. Can she do both at the same time? Is it possible to look back and look forward? Is it possible to do something for others and also yourself at the same time? Loved this sweet story.
the audio was phenomenal. highly recommended.
with gratitude to netgalley and Brilliance Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
the audio was phenomenal. highly recommended.
with gratitude to netgalley and Brilliance Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
November 11, 2025
Now That I Know You by Heart by Amy Hagstrom is a heartfelt novel that I really enjoyed reading.
Shelby Wright is a new widow who leaves Portland, Washington to travel to San Juan's Island to grant the wish to her dying husband. That wis is to run Captain Merrick Inn, where they had taken their honeymoon some 20 years earlier.
Shelby meets Holly who is a winemaker and has an instant connection. Shelby also meets and is taken in by a group of wonderful queer women, "The San Juan Sisters".
This was such an incredible story. I loved these characters living their authentic selves.
As a queer woman myself, I loved this story so much.
It is never too late to find out who you are.
A story of finding yourself, found family, and resilience.
Highly recommend !
Shelby Wright is a new widow who leaves Portland, Washington to travel to San Juan's Island to grant the wish to her dying husband. That wis is to run Captain Merrick Inn, where they had taken their honeymoon some 20 years earlier.
Shelby meets Holly who is a winemaker and has an instant connection. Shelby also meets and is taken in by a group of wonderful queer women, "The San Juan Sisters".
This was such an incredible story. I loved these characters living their authentic selves.
As a queer woman myself, I loved this story so much.
It is never too late to find out who you are.
A story of finding yourself, found family, and resilience.
Highly recommend !
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is all about a woman on her journey to connect to her true self after her husband dies.
The main character has suppressed her sexual preference all of her life. The read does a beautiful job of her finding her way at the same time she makes a newly purchased inn her own.
There is a wonderful secondary character that is the inn’s groundskeeper. He is young and is trying to find his identity in the world. His story is a highlight for me.
Shelby leaves her home and goes to San Juan Island, Washington. She buys an inn where she and her husband spent their honeymoon. That’s her husband’s last wish.
The inn isn’t exactly as Shelby remembers it. She
finds herself at a crossroad and we get a richly told story of her progress.
The main character has suppressed her sexual preference all of her life. The read does a beautiful job of her finding her way at the same time she makes a newly purchased inn her own.
There is a wonderful secondary character that is the inn’s groundskeeper. He is young and is trying to find his identity in the world. His story is a highlight for me.
Shelby leaves her home and goes to San Juan Island, Washington. She buys an inn where she and her husband spent their honeymoon. That’s her husband’s last wish.
The inn isn’t exactly as Shelby remembers it. She
finds herself at a crossroad and we get a richly told story of her progress.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A recently widowed woman, Shelby, comes to the San Juan Islands, to fulfill her husband's wish to run the Inn where they had honeymooned. She has recently acknowledged that she is gay and is determined to find herself even though she's not pursuing a dream she ever wanted. But this island and its people, I felt, helped her discover all that she truly is and helps her to embrace that part of herself.
I love the people of the island. Holly and her "San Juan Sisters" are integral to the new life that Shelby longs for. Ezra is the young, old soul groundskeeper/tour guide who has interesting ways to try and contact his long gone grandfather. I felt the sea and the history of the inn come off the page and made me feel that I was really there.
I love the people of the island. Holly and her "San Juan Sisters" are integral to the new life that Shelby longs for. Ezra is the young, old soul groundskeeper/tour guide who has interesting ways to try and contact his long gone grandfather. I felt the sea and the history of the inn come off the page and made me feel that I was really there.
January 26, 2026
3.5 stars
NTIKYBH by Amy Hagstrom is a cozy, slow, gentle story about a woman processing her grief, developing her own identity, and navigating an uncertain new path forward, against the backdrop of a Pacific Northwest island with small town quirkiness and charm. I enjoyed the story and the protagonist, though I found the writing could have used substantial editing to make it less repetitive and meandering, with better pacing. While some side characters felt beautifully unique and real, others felt like cliché caricatures. There’s no spice to be found, but it’s a satisfying and heartwarming romance nonetheless.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review. 💫
NTIKYBH by Amy Hagstrom is a cozy, slow, gentle story about a woman processing her grief, developing her own identity, and navigating an uncertain new path forward, against the backdrop of a Pacific Northwest island with small town quirkiness and charm. I enjoyed the story and the protagonist, though I found the writing could have used substantial editing to make it less repetitive and meandering, with better pacing. While some side characters felt beautifully unique and real, others felt like cliché caricatures. There’s no spice to be found, but it’s a satisfying and heartwarming romance nonetheless.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review. 💫
February 2, 2026
I am not sure what made me choose to enter the giveaway for this one as it is not my typical genre, but I did and here we are so here are my thoughts.
The author does an amazing job of describing and painting the scene. I could easily picture San Juan Island and it's inhabitants. Each character was interesting and I enjoyed learning about each one.
It is a slow paced, "lazy" kind of read for me though. Typically I read paranormal romance, urban fantasy, thrillers, horror. So obviously it was much more slow paced than I am accustomed to. It was however well written and her characterization made me want to continue and wait for the HEA.
If you're a reader of this genre, it's def well written! Jump on in!
The author does an amazing job of describing and painting the scene. I could easily picture San Juan Island and it's inhabitants. Each character was interesting and I enjoyed learning about each one.
It is a slow paced, "lazy" kind of read for me though. Typically I read paranormal romance, urban fantasy, thrillers, horror. So obviously it was much more slow paced than I am accustomed to. It was however well written and her characterization made me want to continue and wait for the HEA.
If you're a reader of this genre, it's def well written! Jump on in!
January 10, 2026
The author did a great job with character development and the backstory of each. The flow of the book was steady and worked well, making for a quick read. It was nice to see a story written with grief handled well and watching the main character move on in her life and work through her issues and moving forward while maintaining her sense of self. I found the character of Ezra to have an interesting way about him and how he was able to use his grief and finally move on and find the good in life thanks to Shelby helping him understand there are ways to do so without forgetting the person you loved and feeling them here without actually having to summon them from the dead.
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