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The Loudest Silence #1
The Loudest Silence
New to Chicago Emma, a professional cellist, is shocked to find that a beautiful deaf woman is her new president of the board. As their friendship grows Emma begins to wonder, what does it look like when a world of sound and a world of silence meet somewhere in the middle?
SwanQueen AU; Words: 115,000; Chapters: 33
SwanQueen AU; Words: 115,000; Chapters: 33
289 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2015
102 people are currently reading
1353 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Janae
13 books155 followersOlivia Janae has been a life long writer. Growing up in California, it was always her dream to one day see her name on the cover of a book ever since she scribbled down her first story in a notebook at the age of eleven. To this day, she can’t believe that her dream has come true.
Now, Olivia is living outside of Chicago with her son, and three cats.
Outside of her love of writing, Olivia is an avid movie buff with an obsessive love for cooking, candy making, ‘Buffy, The Vampire Slayer’, and Stephen King.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
March 2, 2020
Okay read!
The storyline had some good parts and on the other hand lots of frustrating parts -- but it's still readable.
The storyline had some good parts and on the other hand lots of frustrating parts -- but it's still readable.
October 3, 2018
The Loudest Silence is a Swan Queen fanfic (popular romantic pairing of Emma Swan and Regina Mills from the TV show Once Upon a Time), but with a completely original storyline (an alternate universe story) so it is not necessary to know any details of the TV show. The author has posted The Loudest Silence on FanFiction.com and AO3.
The story is well-written and interesting with a solid plot. There is some drama, some angst, and a really nice love story. There are lots of interesting and well-researched facts about music and deaf people perfectly incorporated into the story.
If you are a romance fan, I very much recommend this story. I had a hard time putting it down, and will read it again.
The story is well-written and interesting with a solid plot. There is some drama, some angst, and a really nice love story. There are lots of interesting and well-researched facts about music and deaf people perfectly incorporated into the story.
If you are a romance fan, I very much recommend this story. I had a hard time putting it down, and will read it again.
July 3, 2022
Deaf.
This is the second revised edition of a book that was published back in 2015. I think the original two books in the series are now combined to one with some text being edited though I'm not entirely sure of the details.
All I know is I'm in love with this book. I don't love it from the music angle because I'm not into music but the relationship between the main couple has far more depth than I anticipated. Kate is a cellist and she's in a relationship with the ensemble's board president, Vivian, but no, this isn't about a workplace romance. This story is about being in a relationship with a Deaf partner and I fell in love with the couple. They have their ups and downs and I learnt along with Kate as she maneuvers a relationship with Vivian. The relationship isn't always solid, because Vivian isn't always explicit about what she wants, but Kate learns to be better and I love how the author deals with the sensitivities of the hearing impaired.
This book is also about family and this theme is pretty strong. I love the family that Kate, Vivian and Kate's three year old, Max have, I love the bond that Vivian and Max develop. I love how Vivian's best friend, Charlie fits in, and even how Max's father comes in to the picture. And I guess, Vivian's mother too, in a way.
Gosh, great story!
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second revised edition of a book that was published back in 2015. I think the original two books in the series are now combined to one with some text being edited though I'm not entirely sure of the details.
All I know is I'm in love with this book. I don't love it from the music angle because I'm not into music but the relationship between the main couple has far more depth than I anticipated. Kate is a cellist and she's in a relationship with the ensemble's board president, Vivian, but no, this isn't about a workplace romance. This story is about being in a relationship with a Deaf partner and I fell in love with the couple. They have their ups and downs and I learnt along with Kate as she maneuvers a relationship with Vivian. The relationship isn't always solid, because Vivian isn't always explicit about what she wants, but Kate learns to be better and I love how the author deals with the sensitivities of the hearing impaired.
This book is also about family and this theme is pretty strong. I love the family that Kate, Vivian and Kate's three year old, Max have, I love the bond that Vivian and Max develop. I love how Vivian's best friend, Charlie fits in, and even how Max's father comes in to the picture. And I guess, Vivian's mother too, in a way.
Gosh, great story!
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2017
5+ STARS! For the published ebook.
Wow. I read the uber Once Upon The Time fanfic of this story and I gave it 4.5 Stars. I think this is the most improved fanfic to published story I’ve ever read. A big problem I had with the fanfic version of this story was the fanfic thing of over using hair color, profession or eye color as a descriptor for the characters. Previously she had a thing for eye color such as “Chocolate sank into jade” However in this book it is all gone. Kudos for the editing.
I liked that Kate’s son, Max changed from a four year old to a three year old. It fits his behavior better. Other changes is a gender change for one of the characters. The author also made the character even more obnoxious that it was difficult to see why Kate hung out with them.
I love that this book has a deaf character. It is a central theme and it is well written. It highlights the struggles of a deaf person in a hearing world even when Vivian is wealthy enough have an interpreter. I loved the interweaving of the worlds of music and the deaf.
The original was split into two - I’m looking forward to reading Part two: Shades of Blue.
Wow. I read the uber Once Upon The Time fanfic of this story and I gave it 4.5 Stars. I think this is the most improved fanfic to published story I’ve ever read. A big problem I had with the fanfic version of this story was the fanfic thing of over using hair color, profession or eye color as a descriptor for the characters. Previously she had a thing for eye color such as “Chocolate sank into jade” However in this book it is all gone. Kudos for the editing.
I liked that Kate’s son, Max changed from a four year old to a three year old. It fits his behavior better. Other changes is a gender change for one of the characters. The author also made the character even more obnoxious that it was difficult to see why Kate hung out with them.
I love that this book has a deaf character. It is a central theme and it is well written. It highlights the struggles of a deaf person in a hearing world even when Vivian is wealthy enough have an interpreter. I loved the interweaving of the worlds of music and the deaf.
The original was split into two - I’m looking forward to reading Part two: Shades of Blue.
July 22, 2022
Moving once again to a new city and a new orchestra has been the norm for cellist Kate Flynn and her young son Max. Kate is hoping Chicago’s year long contract will give some sense of security to the both of them.
President of the orchestral board, Vivian Kensington, comes from a long line of accomplished musicians. Although Deaf by the age of seven, Vivian made it her life’s work to be involved in the family business.
I must begin with the title The Loudest Silence. It did not resonate with me until I finished the novel. I now understand the many layers this title invokes. It represents the story of the relationship between Kate and Vivian, hearing and Deaf, beautifully.
Janae brings a truly unique story to the f/f romance world. One that personally taught me so much about the Deaf world. And although this was a complex story of pasts forming reactions to the present, it was told simply and eloquently. I was captivated from the first page and hopefully you will be as well.
I received an advance review copy from Ylva Publishing and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
President of the orchestral board, Vivian Kensington, comes from a long line of accomplished musicians. Although Deaf by the age of seven, Vivian made it her life’s work to be involved in the family business.
I must begin with the title The Loudest Silence. It did not resonate with me until I finished the novel. I now understand the many layers this title invokes. It represents the story of the relationship between Kate and Vivian, hearing and Deaf, beautifully.
Janae brings a truly unique story to the f/f romance world. One that personally taught me so much about the Deaf world. And although this was a complex story of pasts forming reactions to the present, it was told simply and eloquently. I was captivated from the first page and hopefully you will be as well.
I received an advance review copy from Ylva Publishing and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 9, 2023
Updated review for audiobook version: 5 stars
The original comments still stand and as is true with the best narrators, the experience was made even better by the performance of Abby Craden. Very moving and original. Loved it.
4.5 stars
I love when rarely told stories are released in sapphic fiction - and this is certainly an example.
When up and coming cellist Kate Flynn moves to Chicago for a one year contract with the Windy City Chamber Ensemble, she has a run-in on Day One with their icy-yet-stunning board president, Vivian Kensington. Kensington, who has a steely, take-no-prisoners reputation, is also deaf. Additionally, one of the members of the ensemble is a significant someone from Kate's past and she's not sure how navigating that relationship might be. Does she really belong here? While her transient lifestyle as a musician provides minimal stability for Kate and her three year old son Max, her dream is to find a place to settle down for more than a year or two. When she and Vivian begin to strike up a friendship and an attraction develops, is it possible for them to be more when their ways of communication are so vastly different?
This is primarily a story about relationships, and great care was taken with each. There is the romance between Vivian and Kate and the author does an excellent job of sensitively illustrating the challenges associated with relationships between the hearing and non-hearing - especially when Kate has no experience with it. There are some eye-opening moments that provide food for thought for readers like myself who don't often interact with those in the deaf community. Then there is the relationship between Vivian and her childhood friend and interpreter Charlie, who has helped bridge the divide between those worlds for Vivian for two decades. For me, the most beautiful relationship that develops is between Vivian and Kate's son Max, who so easily adapts to her. There are also familial relationships that illustrate how significantly they affect us well into our adult lives, and finally the relationship between Kate and her music and the role it plays in her life.
I found this story to be beautiful, thought provoking and moving. And while there is a lot going on in the story, it never feels overwhelming. It's also one that stays with you well after you read it. In fact, though we get an epilogue, I would have liked to see it continue even further. These are characters you truly grow to care about and desperately want them to find their happily ever after.
The original comments still stand and as is true with the best narrators, the experience was made even better by the performance of Abby Craden. Very moving and original. Loved it.
4.5 stars
I love when rarely told stories are released in sapphic fiction - and this is certainly an example.
When up and coming cellist Kate Flynn moves to Chicago for a one year contract with the Windy City Chamber Ensemble, she has a run-in on Day One with their icy-yet-stunning board president, Vivian Kensington. Kensington, who has a steely, take-no-prisoners reputation, is also deaf. Additionally, one of the members of the ensemble is a significant someone from Kate's past and she's not sure how navigating that relationship might be. Does she really belong here? While her transient lifestyle as a musician provides minimal stability for Kate and her three year old son Max, her dream is to find a place to settle down for more than a year or two. When she and Vivian begin to strike up a friendship and an attraction develops, is it possible for them to be more when their ways of communication are so vastly different?
This is primarily a story about relationships, and great care was taken with each. There is the romance between Vivian and Kate and the author does an excellent job of sensitively illustrating the challenges associated with relationships between the hearing and non-hearing - especially when Kate has no experience with it. There are some eye-opening moments that provide food for thought for readers like myself who don't often interact with those in the deaf community. Then there is the relationship between Vivian and her childhood friend and interpreter Charlie, who has helped bridge the divide between those worlds for Vivian for two decades. For me, the most beautiful relationship that develops is between Vivian and Kate's son Max, who so easily adapts to her. There are also familial relationships that illustrate how significantly they affect us well into our adult lives, and finally the relationship between Kate and her music and the role it plays in her life.
I found this story to be beautiful, thought provoking and moving. And while there is a lot going on in the story, it never feels overwhelming. It's also one that stays with you well after you read it. In fact, though we get an epilogue, I would have liked to see it continue even further. These are characters you truly grow to care about and desperately want them to find their happily ever after.
March 9, 2018
I feel like I did not read the same book as everyone else did. There is no doubt this author is a very gifted writer. In fact, if she wasn't such a good writer, this book would have been a DNF for me.
I loved Vivian, which appears most reviewers did as well. Max was adorable in every way. Kate, was eh. She was a full fledged grown up in some instances(especially with her parenting) and then a complete wet blanket in other situations(her way way way too long relationship with Ash). And is the word "dude" in most 28 yr old mothers vocabulary?
And Ash...the most unlikable, seriously annoying, and frankly scary person on the planet next to Donald Trump. I wanted to throw my iPad across the room every single time she appeared in the story. And considering she appeared in the story for more than half the book, my iPad was in serious danger of being hurled MANY times.
It made ZERO sense why ANY person would want to be Ash. And yet Kate just kept giving her second chances over and over. I think Vivian even said to her "You don't even like her, why would you want to date her?" There was just no plausible reason for Kate to continue any type of relationship(even friendship)with this woman.
For me, if a character(good or bad!) is going to be a constant in over half the book, there needs to be some magnetic pull within them to keep you invested in the story. Ash was not funny, endearing, enthralling, seductive, or mysterious. She was just a contemptible jerk.
Once Ash was out of the picture(fucking finally), the book got better as it focused on the relationship between Kate and Vivian. But by then, I was just too exhausted in my hatred of Ash and Kate's constant caving, to rebound significantly enough.
I loved Vivian, which appears most reviewers did as well. Max was adorable in every way. Kate, was eh. She was a full fledged grown up in some instances(especially with her parenting) and then a complete wet blanket in other situations(her way way way too long relationship with Ash). And is the word "dude" in most 28 yr old mothers vocabulary?
And Ash...the most unlikable, seriously annoying, and frankly scary person on the planet next to Donald Trump. I wanted to throw my iPad across the room every single time she appeared in the story. And considering she appeared in the story for more than half the book, my iPad was in serious danger of being hurled MANY times.
It made ZERO sense why ANY person would want to be Ash. And yet Kate just kept giving her second chances over and over. I think Vivian even said to her "You don't even like her, why would you want to date her?" There was just no plausible reason for Kate to continue any type of relationship(even friendship)with this woman.
For me, if a character(good or bad!) is going to be a constant in over half the book, there needs to be some magnetic pull within them to keep you invested in the story. Ash was not funny, endearing, enthralling, seductive, or mysterious. She was just a contemptible jerk.
Once Ash was out of the picture(fucking finally), the book got better as it focused on the relationship between Kate and Vivian. But by then, I was just too exhausted in my hatred of Ash and Kate's constant caving, to rebound significantly enough.
July 22, 2022
4.5☆
Romance with handicap
The Loudest Silence is the second revised edition. I have not read the first one which was published in 2015 so I don't know what has changed beyond reducing the original 138,000 words to 89,000.
Kate Flynn is a single mother of four-year-old Max, and as a cellist, the newest member of the Windy City Chamber Ensemble in Chicago. There she meets the intimidating president of the board Vivian Kensington on her very first day who, to Kate's surprise, is deaf. They clash and sparks fly that could have set a haystack on fire. Kate fears that she has already lost her luck on the first day but despite their harsh first encounter, Kate is magically drawn to Vivian's personality.
The story goes far beyond a workplace relationship, it's much more about the relationship of two people with totally different backgrounds. Preconditions they had no control over. Kate grew up in foster care and was pushed back and forth and was abandoned so many times that she has built a wall around her heart and unconsciously can never really get involved with people, knowing she will be abandoned again anyway.
Vivian on the other hand comes from a family of musicians and she is the only one who can't hear or play music because of her deafness. Only her mother never really wants to accept this and doesn't make her life any easier. As a protective armor, she adopts the persona of the Ice Queen.
Despite initial difficulties, Kate and Vivian quickly become friends and then a couple. Little Max plays a big part in this, wrapping everyone around his finger with his childlike charm. He is my little star in this story. But the relationship has to survive some ups and downs. Fears, prejudices, experiences, and their own ideas collide with each other. Both women are very headstrong, with a drive for independence that sometimes takes their eyes off reality.
It is a wonderful story about two people who have to learn to trust and understand each other. They make mistakes, they hurt each other unintentionally and they have to improve the art of communication. Not just talk but communicate effectively. Both have learned early to rely only on themselves and the mistrust and prejudice are great in both. They can't see each other's problems at first and understand even less. They draw conclusions from their own experiences, forgetting to listen properly to their partner. But the author gets the story rolling with a lot of heart and emotion and the love of the two women finally overcomes all obstacles.
This book is also about family, blood-related, chosen, and patchwork families. The secondary characters all play an important role and are very well integrated into the story, especially Max's father, Vivian's mother, and Charly, Vivian's best friend.
We readers can also learn a lot about life with deafness and about acceptance. That we cannot impose our view of life on others, that we must first listen. A long time ago I worked with two deaf people for a few years. It was a very intense and informative time in my life, I learned a lot about communicating with and without words, and about life without sounds.
A wonderful story, highly recommended.
Thanks to Ylva Publishing for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Romance with handicap
The Loudest Silence is the second revised edition. I have not read the first one which was published in 2015 so I don't know what has changed beyond reducing the original 138,000 words to 89,000.
Kate Flynn is a single mother of four-year-old Max, and as a cellist, the newest member of the Windy City Chamber Ensemble in Chicago. There she meets the intimidating president of the board Vivian Kensington on her very first day who, to Kate's surprise, is deaf. They clash and sparks fly that could have set a haystack on fire. Kate fears that she has already lost her luck on the first day but despite their harsh first encounter, Kate is magically drawn to Vivian's personality.
The story goes far beyond a workplace relationship, it's much more about the relationship of two people with totally different backgrounds. Preconditions they had no control over. Kate grew up in foster care and was pushed back and forth and was abandoned so many times that she has built a wall around her heart and unconsciously can never really get involved with people, knowing she will be abandoned again anyway.
Vivian on the other hand comes from a family of musicians and she is the only one who can't hear or play music because of her deafness. Only her mother never really wants to accept this and doesn't make her life any easier. As a protective armor, she adopts the persona of the Ice Queen.
Despite initial difficulties, Kate and Vivian quickly become friends and then a couple. Little Max plays a big part in this, wrapping everyone around his finger with his childlike charm. He is my little star in this story. But the relationship has to survive some ups and downs. Fears, prejudices, experiences, and their own ideas collide with each other. Both women are very headstrong, with a drive for independence that sometimes takes their eyes off reality.
It is a wonderful story about two people who have to learn to trust and understand each other. They make mistakes, they hurt each other unintentionally and they have to improve the art of communication. Not just talk but communicate effectively. Both have learned early to rely only on themselves and the mistrust and prejudice are great in both. They can't see each other's problems at first and understand even less. They draw conclusions from their own experiences, forgetting to listen properly to their partner. But the author gets the story rolling with a lot of heart and emotion and the love of the two women finally overcomes all obstacles.
This book is also about family, blood-related, chosen, and patchwork families. The secondary characters all play an important role and are very well integrated into the story, especially Max's father, Vivian's mother, and Charly, Vivian's best friend.
We readers can also learn a lot about life with deafness and about acceptance. That we cannot impose our view of life on others, that we must first listen. A long time ago I worked with two deaf people for a few years. It was a very intense and informative time in my life, I learned a lot about communicating with and without words, and about life without sounds.
A wonderful story, highly recommended.
Thanks to Ylva Publishing for providing an ARC for an honest review.
May 23, 2017
Real talk: I've seen some episodes of OUAT. Not a fan. Thankfully, that has no bearing on the beauty of SwanQueen fics! They're so good and I can't deny a lovely romance. In fact, I had my own characters in mind, still able to follow the story without a hitch. :)
Regina Mills' character is the pure embodiment of all things hot. She's smart, in-charge, sexy, interesting, and her deafness adds layers of amazing nuance. I want her to step on me in her high heels. Mmm.
Emma Swan's character is grand as well! Highly relatable, even when I wanted to just insert my (correct) logic into her head. And there were many times this happened.
If you're wary of it being fanfiction, don't be. While it does have some common tropes found in fanfic land (as well as a need for an edit or two), they won't distract you from Emma and Regina's love story. I even fell for the kid, Henry! He was quite believable and I didn't wish him away like in other books. His presence was constant and the main characters' commitment to him (and each other) was depicted beautifully.
The angst parts made me want to hide in a corner, as if I were present. Just...there was a whole period where things got real. Had me stressed out! Haha. I applaud Olivia Janae for this.
Also, in regards to having a differently abled character, Janae handled it well, expressing the othering and prejudices towards deaf people. Even Emma had to have her privilege checked. I love it.
I'm drunk off 'The Loudest Silence'; it surpassed my expectations. I'll surely purchase this when it's properly published! Five Stars!
Regina Mills' character is the pure embodiment of all things hot. She's smart, in-charge, sexy, interesting, and her deafness adds layers of amazing nuance. I want her to step on me in her high heels. Mmm.
Emma Swan's character is grand as well! Highly relatable, even when I wanted to just insert my (correct) logic into her head. And there were many times this happened.
If you're wary of it being fanfiction, don't be. While it does have some common tropes found in fanfic land (as well as a need for an edit or two), they won't distract you from Emma and Regina's love story. I even fell for the kid, Henry! He was quite believable and I didn't wish him away like in other books. His presence was constant and the main characters' commitment to him (and each other) was depicted beautifully.
The angst parts made me want to hide in a corner, as if I were present. Just...there was a whole period where things got real. Had me stressed out! Haha. I applaud Olivia Janae for this.
Also, in regards to having a differently abled character, Janae handled it well, expressing the othering and prejudices towards deaf people. Even Emma had to have her privilege checked. I love it.
I'm drunk off 'The Loudest Silence'; it surpassed my expectations. I'll surely purchase this when it's properly published! Five Stars!
July 5, 2023
Loved it so much! Highly Recommended💖
September 20, 2017
I've read The Loudest Silence back when it was a Swan Queen (the romantic pairing of Regina Mills and Emma Swan from the TV show Once Upon a Time) fanfic and I was extremely happy to find out that Olivia Janae was going to be published by Heartsome because she is a terrificly talented writer and a very sweet person who deserves a wider audience.
The Loudest Silence is cut into a multiple part series (I would guess two parts?) and that makes sense if you consider the length of this one (438 pages). It's been awhile since I've read the fanfic and so I basically read it as a new book. Janae has expanded it quite a bit, so that alone makes reading the published version worth while. I was quickly reminded just how awesome the author is when it comes to writing dialogue. It just flows so easily and makes reading her work such a joyous experience.
What makes this novel so extraordinary is the formidable character of Vivian Kensington and the fact that she is deaf. Reading this novel will truly give you a deeper understanding of how challenging life is for someone with this dissability. Or, in the case of Kate Flynn (our other main character), just how difficult it is for a hearing person to step into that silent world. Olivia Janae truly did her research on this subject!
Kate Flynn is a gifted cellist who moves to Chicago with her 3-year old son Max to play for the WCCE (Windy City Chamber Ensemble). She is tired of the nomadic lifestyle that comes with being a professional musician. And even though the job is temporary, she hopes she can settle here for Max's sake. Right from the start, Kate clashes with boss Vivian Kensington in a spectecular fashion and it takes quite a bit for the two to smooth things over. It's when this Ice Queen allows Kate to see her vulnerable side that things start to change between them.
In the meantime Kate begins dating bass player and colleague Ash Campbell, who turns out to be all sorts of wrong for her. The author does a fabulous job portraying this 'big child', the woman you love to drop-kick out of Kate's life. And my patience with Kate was wearing thin as she kept giving Ash another chance, and another, and another...
You can't help but fall in love with adorable little Max though, he just jumps off the page. The author did a solid job there. Kate and Max and the way they are together and later, how Max is with Vivien, is how you write what life looks like bringing up a toddler.
The Loudest Silence is a novel you don't want to miss. A smashing debut from a talented author we will certainly hear more about. Can't wait for part two Shades of Blue
f/f romance
themes: musician, deaf, cello, sign language (ALS), small child, rich girl-poor girl, orphan, loneliness, family, mommy issues, Chicago, erotic but no graphic sex scenes.
*ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review *
The Loudest Silence is cut into a multiple part series (I would guess two parts?) and that makes sense if you consider the length of this one (438 pages). It's been awhile since I've read the fanfic and so I basically read it as a new book. Janae has expanded it quite a bit, so that alone makes reading the published version worth while. I was quickly reminded just how awesome the author is when it comes to writing dialogue. It just flows so easily and makes reading her work such a joyous experience.
What makes this novel so extraordinary is the formidable character of Vivian Kensington and the fact that she is deaf. Reading this novel will truly give you a deeper understanding of how challenging life is for someone with this dissability. Or, in the case of Kate Flynn (our other main character), just how difficult it is for a hearing person to step into that silent world. Olivia Janae truly did her research on this subject!
Kate Flynn is a gifted cellist who moves to Chicago with her 3-year old son Max to play for the WCCE (Windy City Chamber Ensemble). She is tired of the nomadic lifestyle that comes with being a professional musician. And even though the job is temporary, she hopes she can settle here for Max's sake. Right from the start, Kate clashes with boss Vivian Kensington in a spectecular fashion and it takes quite a bit for the two to smooth things over. It's when this Ice Queen allows Kate to see her vulnerable side that things start to change between them.
In the meantime Kate begins dating bass player and colleague Ash Campbell, who turns out to be all sorts of wrong for her. The author does a fabulous job portraying this 'big child', the woman you love to drop-kick out of Kate's life. And my patience with Kate was wearing thin as she kept giving Ash another chance, and another, and another...
You can't help but fall in love with adorable little Max though, he just jumps off the page. The author did a solid job there. Kate and Max and the way they are together and later, how Max is with Vivien, is how you write what life looks like bringing up a toddler.
The Loudest Silence is a novel you don't want to miss. A smashing debut from a talented author we will certainly hear more about. Can't wait for part two Shades of Blue
f/f romance
themes: musician, deaf, cello, sign language (ALS), small child, rich girl-poor girl, orphan, loneliness, family, mommy issues, Chicago, erotic but no graphic sex scenes.
*ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review *
June 18, 2020
Would've been 5 stars if a huge portion of the book hadn't been wasted on Ash.
March 23, 2019
Kate, Ash, Vivian - 3 female names in the blurb... Do I have the guts to read this geometric romance, the trope that usually had me running over the hills and far away?
Well I finished it, didn't have the inclination to skim /dnf it so yea, ballsy I am.
Ms.Janae deserved to be praised and cursed for creating Ash's character. Ashley Campbell was t.h.e. most unbelievable - believable character I had ever encountered. Trust me, even if you had botox injections like Tim Allen had in the movie Christmas With The Kranks, the frowns and wrinkles would popped out after just a few seconds in her presence. She was in her early 2Os, a bassist, gorgeous ( insert eye roll ) with the vocabulary of an infant + she called Kate, Mama on their first date ( I vomited a little in my mouth )
Moving on, the relationship between Vivian and Kate went through the normal stages - hate on sight, emails / text exchanged, apology dinner, picnic with concert, dancing, before all the feels hit them on the back of their heads, telling them to stop fooling around and fool with each other instead. From there on, simply amazing.. but Ms.Janae just had to dump in The American Ninja Warrior obstacles for them to go through to test their commitment.
This was not an easy read and received mixed reviews on Goodreads. There were several times, I wanted to stop and google on how to make voodoo dolls, I cried at one scene between Vivian and Kate, one hot as hell Halloween, gushed over Vivian's page time with Max ( Kate's 3 year old ) and loved the romance.
Recommended? Let your magic 8 ball helps you to decide
Well I finished it, didn't have the inclination to skim /dnf it so yea, ballsy I am.
Ms.Janae deserved to be praised and cursed for creating Ash's character. Ashley Campbell was t.h.e. most unbelievable - believable character I had ever encountered. Trust me, even if you had botox injections like Tim Allen had in the movie Christmas With The Kranks, the frowns and wrinkles would popped out after just a few seconds in her presence. She was in her early 2Os, a bassist, gorgeous ( insert eye roll ) with the vocabulary of an infant + she called Kate, Mama on their first date ( I vomited a little in my mouth )
Moving on, the relationship between Vivian and Kate went through the normal stages - hate on sight, emails / text exchanged, apology dinner, picnic with concert, dancing, before all the feels hit them on the back of their heads, telling them to stop fooling around and fool with each other instead. From there on, simply amazing.. but Ms.Janae just had to dump in The American Ninja Warrior obstacles for them to go through to test their commitment.
This was not an easy read and received mixed reviews on Goodreads. There were several times, I wanted to stop and google on how to make voodoo dolls, I cried at one scene between Vivian and Kate, one hot as hell Halloween, gushed over Vivian's page time with Max ( Kate's 3 year old ) and loved the romance.
Recommended? Let your magic 8 ball helps you to decide
September 27, 2017
Great read. A single mom and cellist meets a fascinating ice queen. Loved the emphasis on the challenges faced by the deaf in a hearing world. Also loved the realistic portrayal of the life of a working single mom. Well done.
September 18, 2017
A great book to me usually has a few key elements. Dialogue is first and foremost the most important aspect. The dialogue in a story is absolutely crucial. Second, interesting characters. I want them to captivate me, I want to love them or loathe them, but please have them be amazing one way or the other. If I can get some tension and angst thrown in I will love you forever. So when you have it all wrapped into one delicious story, if you are me, your heart sings with happiness. The Loudest Silence has it all and sooooo much more. This book captivated me from the start and you couldn't have pulled me away if you tried. I loved it!
Kate Flynn has just arrived in Chicago to join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She is a fill-in for a fellow cellist who had an unfortunate accident and will need an extensive recovery time. This is the first time in forever that Kate and her three-year-old son, Max will be able to put down some roots for longer than a handful of months. Kate is loveable, she's down to Earth, an amazing mom and she doesn't hold anything back. If something needs to be said, you can count on Kate to let you know exactly what she thinks.
Vivian Kensington is the ice queen of all ice queens. She is gorgeous, formidable, intimidating, abrasive, rich and above all else, she is the boss. Vivian, who lost her hearing is a young child, was raised by world-class musicians. Unable to go into playing music herself she went into the business side of the music world. You do not want to cross this woman, and of course, that is exactly what Kate does in their first interaction.
The ladies are opposites and it totally works. They butt heads until they realize neither is as bad as the other one has made her out to be. An unlikely friendship strikes up and the love of young Max solidifies this bond. Of course, nothing is easy and there is the not-so-sane, bass player Ash Campbell for their romance to deal with.
I know that this at one time was a SwanQueen fanfic. I know that I read it, but it doesn't feel the same, and I mean this in the best possible way. I felt like I was getting a new story that was so fantastic just every once in a while I had an, oh yeah, I remember this moment. This book is wonderfully written and will grab your attention and keep it until the last page is turned. It is part of a series with a bit of an angsty ending. So, be prepared to start counting down the days till Olivia Janae releases the next one. I was glad this wasn't over, I need more of this in my life.
Kate Flynn has just arrived in Chicago to join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She is a fill-in for a fellow cellist who had an unfortunate accident and will need an extensive recovery time. This is the first time in forever that Kate and her three-year-old son, Max will be able to put down some roots for longer than a handful of months. Kate is loveable, she's down to Earth, an amazing mom and she doesn't hold anything back. If something needs to be said, you can count on Kate to let you know exactly what she thinks.
Vivian Kensington is the ice queen of all ice queens. She is gorgeous, formidable, intimidating, abrasive, rich and above all else, she is the boss. Vivian, who lost her hearing is a young child, was raised by world-class musicians. Unable to go into playing music herself she went into the business side of the music world. You do not want to cross this woman, and of course, that is exactly what Kate does in their first interaction.
The ladies are opposites and it totally works. They butt heads until they realize neither is as bad as the other one has made her out to be. An unlikely friendship strikes up and the love of young Max solidifies this bond. Of course, nothing is easy and there is the not-so-sane, bass player Ash Campbell for their romance to deal with.
I know that this at one time was a SwanQueen fanfic. I know that I read it, but it doesn't feel the same, and I mean this in the best possible way. I felt like I was getting a new story that was so fantastic just every once in a while I had an, oh yeah, I remember this moment. This book is wonderfully written and will grab your attention and keep it until the last page is turned. It is part of a series with a bit of an angsty ending. So, be prepared to start counting down the days till Olivia Janae releases the next one. I was glad this wasn't over, I need more of this in my life.
July 3, 2022
I read this book a few years ago when it was first published and am pleased to read and review this 2nd revised edition.
The author's easy, flowing descriptive style comes through quickly in the opening paragraphs and I was once again pulled into the plot, reading through to the end.
Single mom and cello player, Kate is accustomed to moving from city to city chasing one or two year gigs with orchestras. Though she doesn't realize it, that pretty much mirrors the life she experienced as a foster child. Vivian Kensington is the stoic board president for Chicago's Windy City Chamber Ensemble - Kate's latest employer. An awkward first meeting between the two women results in Kate realizing Vivian is hearing impaired. How can she properly function as board director? As time goes by, with Max (Kate's son) playing the part of Cupid, a friendship develops into a romance. Vivian's softer side is revealed and a little family formed. Oh, but Ms. Janae has thrown in a twist or two in this romance set in the worlds of music and the hearing impaired. With a sprinkling of heat and angst and side characters in Stephen, Charlie and Jacqueline this is a beautifully written storyline.
Fully understanding the hearing impaired world without looking at it from the viewpoint of a hearing person is difficult. Kate needs to navigate through that world or will she move on once again. For our leads to find happiness there must be trust without reservation and full acceptance of each other.
Easily recommend with 5 stars.
I rec'd a copy through Ylva Publishing and this is an unbiased, voluntary review.
The author's easy, flowing descriptive style comes through quickly in the opening paragraphs and I was once again pulled into the plot, reading through to the end.
Single mom and cello player, Kate is accustomed to moving from city to city chasing one or two year gigs with orchestras. Though she doesn't realize it, that pretty much mirrors the life she experienced as a foster child. Vivian Kensington is the stoic board president for Chicago's Windy City Chamber Ensemble - Kate's latest employer. An awkward first meeting between the two women results in Kate realizing Vivian is hearing impaired. How can she properly function as board director? As time goes by, with Max (Kate's son) playing the part of Cupid, a friendship develops into a romance. Vivian's softer side is revealed and a little family formed. Oh, but Ms. Janae has thrown in a twist or two in this romance set in the worlds of music and the hearing impaired. With a sprinkling of heat and angst and side characters in Stephen, Charlie and Jacqueline this is a beautifully written storyline.
Fully understanding the hearing impaired world without looking at it from the viewpoint of a hearing person is difficult. Kate needs to navigate through that world or will she move on once again. For our leads to find happiness there must be trust without reservation and full acceptance of each other.
Easily recommend with 5 stars.
I rec'd a copy through Ylva Publishing and this is an unbiased, voluntary review.
March 19, 2023
i would give this book 6 million stars if i didn’t have to ENDURE ash…
February 21, 2023
I've read almost every version of this story – from Janae’s original online fanfic (2015?) to this one, now my favorite and her most recent published version.
The original version was an AU (alternative universe) fanfic of the TV Series, Once Upon a Time. Emma Swan is a professional cellist that has just moved to Chicago with her young son, Henry. She initially has run-ins with the President of the Orchestra Board, Regina Mills. Emma is thrown for a loop when she finds out that Regina is deaf. I gave it 4.5 stars despite Janae’s fanfic tendency to use eye colors to refer to the characters (not uncommon for new fanfic writers). Thankfully, she fixed it in the published version.
Her 2017 Heartsome Publishing version was in two parts. Names were changed – Emma is now Katelyn (Kate) Flynn, Regina is Vivian Kensington, and Henry (now Max) is much younger at three years old. I never got around to reading the second part.
This version, published by Ylva in 2022, Janae combined the two parts into one. It is a solid 5 Star book. Kate’s career has consisted of traveling from city to city taking jobs with various city orchestras and ensembles. She really hopes to one day get a permanent position, especially now that Max is getting older. Much different than when she only had to worry about herself. I never really thought about the nomadic lifestyle of many professional orchestra musicians. Especially the musicians where there are only one or two players per orchestra. I was first flute in my High School Band. This story reminded me when we hired college violin players to play in our High School Theater orchestra. Our school didn’t have an orchestra/string players, only a marching band.
Reading it this time around, I really loved the different relationships between all the various characters – Kate/Vivian, Max/Vivian, Vivian’s mother, Jacqueline, and Vivian’s interpreter and best friend, Charlie. This is by far is the best version. I came very close to rereading it as soon as I finished. But I have a number of TBRead books to get to.
The original version was an AU (alternative universe) fanfic of the TV Series, Once Upon a Time. Emma Swan is a professional cellist that has just moved to Chicago with her young son, Henry. She initially has run-ins with the President of the Orchestra Board, Regina Mills. Emma is thrown for a loop when she finds out that Regina is deaf. I gave it 4.5 stars despite Janae’s fanfic tendency to use eye colors to refer to the characters (not uncommon for new fanfic writers). Thankfully, she fixed it in the published version.
Her 2017 Heartsome Publishing version was in two parts. Names were changed – Emma is now Katelyn (Kate) Flynn, Regina is Vivian Kensington, and Henry (now Max) is much younger at three years old. I never got around to reading the second part.
This version, published by Ylva in 2022, Janae combined the two parts into one. It is a solid 5 Star book. Kate’s career has consisted of traveling from city to city taking jobs with various city orchestras and ensembles. She really hopes to one day get a permanent position, especially now that Max is getting older. Much different than when she only had to worry about herself. I never really thought about the nomadic lifestyle of many professional orchestra musicians. Especially the musicians where there are only one or two players per orchestra. I was first flute in my High School Band. This story reminded me when we hired college violin players to play in our High School Theater orchestra. Our school didn’t have an orchestra/string players, only a marching band.
Reading it this time around, I really loved the different relationships between all the various characters – Kate/Vivian, Max/Vivian, Vivian’s mother, Jacqueline, and Vivian’s interpreter and best friend, Charlie. This is by far is the best version. I came very close to rereading it as soon as I finished. But I have a number of TBRead books to get to.
July 15, 2022
Kindle Unlimited.
A rather dramatic story, with interpersonal issues. I just didn't feel attached enough to any of the characters, or convinced of their connection.
I don't think I'd recommend it.
A rather dramatic story, with interpersonal issues. I just didn't feel attached enough to any of the characters, or convinced of their connection.
I don't think I'd recommend it.
January 4, 2019
No wonder people fall for this book. Beautifully crafted. Can't help but imagine them as Regina and Emma tho.... even with the name changing.
4.5 star
4.5 star
September 19, 2017
NOTE: This review was for the online Uber fanfic version.
4.5 stars. I enjoyed this book and it will be re-read, I'm sure. This is an AU "SwanQueen" or Once Upon a Time fanfic. I've only seen a few episodes of the first season, so I was only familiar with the two leads. So definitely, you do not have to be familiar with the TV series to enjoy the book. In fact it might be best that you are unfamiliar. Well written for the most part, there is angst, well written best friends, Max (the son) is a very believable 4-5 yr old, and the author seems to have done her homework professional classical musicians and the hearing impaired. I'll assume it is accurate, as I have no experience in either.
I do have one thing that kept pulling me out of the story. It is something that fanfic authors often overuse (or in my opinion should never use). I'm marking it as a spoiler - don't read if you haven't read the book - because it will definitely pull you out of the story if you become aware of it. Or use caution if you will probably re-read the story.
>
4.5 stars. I enjoyed this book and it will be re-read, I'm sure. This is an AU "SwanQueen" or Once Upon a Time fanfic. I've only seen a few episodes of the first season, so I was only familiar with the two leads. So definitely, you do not have to be familiar with the TV series to enjoy the book. In fact it might be best that you are unfamiliar. Well written for the most part, there is angst, well written best friends, Max (the son) is a very believable 4-5 yr old, and the author seems to have done her homework professional classical musicians and the hearing impaired. I'll assume it is accurate, as I have no experience in either.
I do have one thing that kept pulling me out of the story. It is something that fanfic authors often overuse (or in my opinion should never use). I'm marking it as a spoiler - don't read if you haven't read the book - because it will definitely pull you out of the story if you become aware of it. Or use caution if you will probably re-read the story.
>
July 18, 2022
There was a lot that I liked about this novel - the disability rep the first and foremost. Although Vivian is deaf, she is portrayed as a character that has so much more to her then her disability. I also liked the representation of a single mum, as well as Kate's very cute son, Max. I have two 4-year-olds, and he was very, very mature for his age but definitely cute. I also really liked the classical musician storyline.
I have to admit though, I didn't feel the pull between Vivian and Kate. There seemed to be a lot of angst and frustration spilling between them, and for me, this didn't make me feel connected to them as a pair. There were moments where the (over)use of exclamation points made it feel like their disagreement was moreso a fight, and one that really didn't need to go there. It felt really juvenile. I think this is why I didn't enjoy this novel as much as I would've liked.
I completely understand I'm an anomaly in this, as the reviews are mostly excellent (which is great). It just didn't fit for me.
Many thanks to Ylva Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I have to admit though, I didn't feel the pull between Vivian and Kate. There seemed to be a lot of angst and frustration spilling between them, and for me, this didn't make me feel connected to them as a pair. There were moments where the (over)use of exclamation points made it feel like their disagreement was moreso a fight, and one that really didn't need to go there. It felt really juvenile. I think this is why I didn't enjoy this novel as much as I would've liked.
I completely understand I'm an anomaly in this, as the reviews are mostly excellent (which is great). It just didn't fit for me.
Many thanks to Ylva Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2017
I totally loved it. The book has a good pace and all the ingredients to get your attention. The main characters are amazing and the secondaries are brilliant. The story has all the ingredients that I love in a book: sexy characters, emotional and heart-wrenching story and yet not so much drama as to be agonizing. I can't wait to read the second part.
September 26, 2017
Very good read. I think it's my first deaf character in lesfic. It's done well and realistically. Nice chemistry between the mains.
January 9, 2026
Beautiful book that I’ve read before. Better second time round. Ah! This is re-edited and extended. Reads better. Well done! There is a lot of angst but worth the read. Highly recommended.
July 10, 2022
Amazingly good...5 star.
It is a strong romance that must overcome the feeling of inadequacy and rejection.
One main character feels inadequate due to being raised in foster care, left alone to raise her child as a single parent and unable to create a stable home for that child.
The other main character feels continually rejected and undervalued due to her deafness.
That may sound like a depressing storyline but it definitely is not.
The story has a very interesting beginning and then continues to grow and grow. Many warm and cute parts. There is not a slow part in the book.
I learned so much about deafness. What it's like to live with deafness. Both the deaf person and the people around them. And that this is "who they are" and not a disability.
You also get exposed to the classical music world and the struggles of the musicians.
When the two main characters get close they both have to learn the others fears and how to deal with them before they can become a true family.
The dialog is amazing. The arguments are so realistic and the romance feels very real and very hot.
As usual, there is a dilemma at the 80% point BUT this one seems very realistic not made up. How it is resolved is very thought provoking.
Great story, great characters and great writing.
I was given this ARC by Ylva publishing in exchange for an honest review.
It is a strong romance that must overcome the feeling of inadequacy and rejection.
One main character feels inadequate due to being raised in foster care, left alone to raise her child as a single parent and unable to create a stable home for that child.
The other main character feels continually rejected and undervalued due to her deafness.
That may sound like a depressing storyline but it definitely is not.
The story has a very interesting beginning and then continues to grow and grow. Many warm and cute parts. There is not a slow part in the book.
I learned so much about deafness. What it's like to live with deafness. Both the deaf person and the people around them. And that this is "who they are" and not a disability.
You also get exposed to the classical music world and the struggles of the musicians.
When the two main characters get close they both have to learn the others fears and how to deal with them before they can become a true family.
The dialog is amazing. The arguments are so realistic and the romance feels very real and very hot.
As usual, there is a dilemma at the 80% point BUT this one seems very realistic not made up. How it is resolved is very thought provoking.
Great story, great characters and great writing.
I was given this ARC by Ylva publishing in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2022
A heartwarming, emotional read!
I loved The Loudest Silence and will definitely read it again. Some of the highlights of this book: the emotions, how the struggle with hearing people is described, the realistic characters flaws, the pace of the story, the intensity between the main characters and of course the relationship between the ice queen and the adorable boy. I can't imagine living my life in silence but one thing is for sure, you don't have to hear the love to feel it. I highly recommend it.
I loved The Loudest Silence and will definitely read it again. Some of the highlights of this book: the emotions, how the struggle with hearing people is described, the realistic characters flaws, the pace of the story, the intensity between the main characters and of course the relationship between the ice queen and the adorable boy. I can't imagine living my life in silence but one thing is for sure, you don't have to hear the love to feel it. I highly recommend it.
April 2, 2021
Things that were ok:
1) Cello. Any storyline that stars a cello will get extra points for me, even if there is very little said cello action, because, hot.
2) The build up between Kate and Vivian. It went on a loooong time, but was tantalyzing. Yum.
3) Vivian. I love seeing storylines that involve (dis)abilities where the character remains badass, strong, sensual, smart, etc etc. Her deafness and the struggle for the two MCs to communicate and understand one another's worlds was quite well done, though I admit to not having a lot of knowledge on this subject. Though this I saw intense vulnerability and rawness in Vivian which made me like her more and more. MOOOREE VIVIANNNN.
What made me want to barf:
1) Ash. What in the hell was that. At first I thought the addition of a girlfriend that didn't quite make the mark was a neat twist, but very early on I wanted to punch out her front teeth and throw her in front of a motorized scooter that was driven really really fast. Please, lesbians of GR, is there ANYONE that would actually be drawn to that monstrosity? I seriously have to know. Her storyline went on way too long and she goes down as one of the most odious, immature characters I have come across. She lied, she manipulated, she was narcissistic, and she continuously assaulted Kate after Kate firmly told her NO. fuck. This is not ok!
2) Kate. jesus....WHERE IS YOUR SPINE? The amount of times she apologizes for asshole things others have done was nauseating. Why the hell did she give Ash so many chances? Don't tell me it was all due to being new in town and lonely because good goddamned, i'd rather hang out with the thugs selling drugs on the street than her. I have very little patience when women cannot stand up for themselves, nevermind late 20 somethings with small children, and this was a pattern throughout the book.
3) The length. Why was this book so long? The plot was meandering at best. The same circumstances kept coming up and I felt I was in a groundhog day book (much like this past year). Major editing is needed, this could have been a fairly solid 200 page novel that had good pace, instead being almost twice that with major redundancy.
I can't do more than a middle of the road 2.5/5 for this, and am so curious as to what others saw in this that I missed. I didn't realize it was fanfic, so maybe having a connection to TV characters seals the deal more, who knows. I'm astounded I finished, but honestly peeps, I stayed for the payoff of the sex, yes, I was that person for this one, because the build up was pretty darned good. Unfortunately, it was too little too late for me. Then much to my surprise, it ends like hitting a brick wall on a skateboard and.....duh duh DUH.....there is a sequel. No thanks.
1) Cello. Any storyline that stars a cello will get extra points for me, even if there is very little said cello action, because, hot.
2) The build up between Kate and Vivian. It went on a loooong time, but was tantalyzing. Yum.
3) Vivian. I love seeing storylines that involve (dis)abilities where the character remains badass, strong, sensual, smart, etc etc. Her deafness and the struggle for the two MCs to communicate and understand one another's worlds was quite well done, though I admit to not having a lot of knowledge on this subject. Though this I saw intense vulnerability and rawness in Vivian which made me like her more and more. MOOOREE VIVIANNNN.
What made me want to barf:
1) Ash. What in the hell was that. At first I thought the addition of a girlfriend that didn't quite make the mark was a neat twist, but very early on I wanted to punch out her front teeth and throw her in front of a motorized scooter that was driven really really fast. Please, lesbians of GR, is there ANYONE that would actually be drawn to that monstrosity? I seriously have to know. Her storyline went on way too long and she goes down as one of the most odious, immature characters I have come across. She lied, she manipulated, she was narcissistic, and she continuously assaulted Kate after Kate firmly told her NO. fuck. This is not ok!
2) Kate. jesus....WHERE IS YOUR SPINE? The amount of times she apologizes for asshole things others have done was nauseating. Why the hell did she give Ash so many chances? Don't tell me it was all due to being new in town and lonely because good goddamned, i'd rather hang out with the thugs selling drugs on the street than her. I have very little patience when women cannot stand up for themselves, nevermind late 20 somethings with small children, and this was a pattern throughout the book.
3) The length. Why was this book so long? The plot was meandering at best. The same circumstances kept coming up and I felt I was in a groundhog day book (much like this past year). Major editing is needed, this could have been a fairly solid 200 page novel that had good pace, instead being almost twice that with major redundancy.
I can't do more than a middle of the road 2.5/5 for this, and am so curious as to what others saw in this that I missed. I didn't realize it was fanfic, so maybe having a connection to TV characters seals the deal more, who knows. I'm astounded I finished, but honestly peeps, I stayed for the payoff of the sex, yes, I was that person for this one, because the build up was pretty darned good. Unfortunately, it was too little too late for me. Then much to my surprise, it ends like hitting a brick wall on a skateboard and.....duh duh DUH.....there is a sequel. No thanks.
September 19, 2017
I don't read a lot of romance but this one really hooked me the first time I read it. I knew then that I would love to help publish it! This book's combo of the interesting backdrop of a classical orchestra and the engaging main characters, Kate and Vivian, meant I couldn't stop reading. Oh and Ash is one of those characters that it very easy to love to hate!
March 15, 2024
This book is incredibly lovely.
I’m not the biggest fan of the classical music scene, but in this one it is just there. This book is about being deaf, daring a hearing person. A hearing person not understanding that the Deaf community comes with its own customs and behaviours.
It’s a lovely story about love and communication. It’s layered and well-written. I would certainly recommend.
I’m not the biggest fan of the classical music scene, but in this one it is just there. This book is about being deaf, daring a hearing person. A hearing person not understanding that the Deaf community comes with its own customs and behaviours.
It’s a lovely story about love and communication. It’s layered and well-written. I would certainly recommend.
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