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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Heidi Sturgess

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having met Cal before . I was keen to learn more about who Cal is and what made him who he is …

Again I’d hives you a heads up on your Kleenex and chocolate supply but if you could have this as a beach read you’ll have hit the vibe 😉

Death changes people and when Cal’s grandpa passes there a change in him and he sees life differently…..

He’s trying to find peace the tranquility of the ocean and her crashing waves but peace just seems one wave away ,just like the waves are the woman in his life sone made a mark and sone didn’t but it would seem Annie may just be his peace and his calm 🥰

I’ll be honest I would’ve read this first before Ocean meets sky purely because I’d understand cal better but my heart had a special place for him from the start anyhow but he’s good at hiding his true self and I’m grateful I got the opportunity to learn more of him 🤗

As much as I love Cal there were times I wanted to clip him around the ear 🤣 but I was an emotional mess so I didn’t want to ice this battle 🤣🥰

Cal , you’re real special to me and you deserve happiness ❣️

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Christine Baranek

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Ocean in His Veins
By: A.R. Hadley

What a journey… The author has written two books that are companions. The order in which you read them may skew your view of certain characters. I read this story second. So this was prequel, and my view of this character was already “tainted” by Where the Ocean Meets the Sky. This story is Cal’s story. I really enjoyed that this story as it gave insight into why Cal is the way he is. Cal’s mother has firmly shaped who he is and his belief that feelings are nothing but weakness. This makes Cal the man we meet in the second book – he desires power and physical attention without any feelings attached to it. He has only been in love twice in his life. This book gives Cal a fantastic character arc with development I haven’t really seen frequently. The amount of thought that A,R Hadley has put into her characters is apparent and for that reason I highly recommend reading both this book and Where the Ocean Meets the Sky. These stories are the kind that once you read them you look at the people you meet differently, with a more critical eye. I cannot recommend reading this book enough!

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Tonya Merritt

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you read Where the Ocean Meets the Sky you’ll know the main character of this story. It is Cal’s life story of finding happiness and what he did to get it. There are many women before he finds Annie at 45 and this story tells you of the pain, suffering and more that he went through. A.R. does a wonderful job showing you into the sadness of Cal’s journey.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Heather Bass

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read from this author. This is the first book from the Ocean series. I love reading about a character’s life from teen to adulthood. You can’t help wanting to give him a hug and sometimes wanting to slap him at the same time. I was so addicted to this story I read it in only a day and can’t wait to see what will happen next to him.

Cal Prescott loves being a surfer. He is well known with all the girls as well. Cal loved his life until his grandfather passes away. He now sees life a little bit differently. Cal knows he wants to do something with his life but he is afraid of getting hurt. He is ready to start a real life but we he ever find someone to share it with?

Review by @heatherbass
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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Brandy Rymer

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book after reading The Ocean Meets the Sky and I am glad that I did. Not only did it help me to understand why Cal is the way that he is, but if I’d read this book first, I would have been way more biased against his character when he meets Annie. This was an amazing story about Cal’s life from a young teen boy to the 45-year-old man that we learn to love in The Ocean Meets the Sky. This book is definitely a must-read if you loved reading the prior series, because it gives you a peak into the life that Cal had lived, all of the love and loss that he endured throughout his life, and the treatment that he received to develop him into the person that he is. I loved reading this book and am glad that I read it in the order that I did, without this book I would always have been left wondering about what Cal’s past experiences had really had such a huge effect on him. Getting to read about them was such an eye-opener and really added a whole new depth to this book series. I am now a huge fan of this author’s work and am excited to see what else may have been written. This book is highly recommended by me, it is a true look into the life of a boy who becomes a man through all the trials life throws at him.
@Brandy Rymer
11/2023

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Beverly Finnie

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Ocean is His Veins was an interesting journey. Since I read Where the Ocean Meets the Sky first to me it was a prequel of sorts. Though the author description says it doesn’t matter which is read first it could go either way. This story specifically is Cal’s story. Gives one a better understanding of who Cal is and what he went through during his life. Cal was the character I loved in Where Ocean Meets the Sky, so knowing he has his own book describing his life’s journey right to where the next book starts. I was completely on board.
Cal loved his mother but she hardened him. That feeling is a weakness so you can’t show them. So he navigates life believing that. He craves power; he goes for it. He craves physical attention; he goes for it. Nothing is out of his grasp. He’s living the life albeit lonely at times, the life he wants. He can’t see himself getting married and having kids so the way he navigates it is ideal. During that time he fell in love twice. With other life experiences in between.
I loved that the author gave him a backstory. He’s such a complicated character, but one the reader loves. One you want to root for, to finally be himself and let go. Throughout the 25 year journey this book lays out there’s plenty of ups and downs, however I’m not sure there’s tons of growth. Just more of an understanding. The growth will come in time. Maybe once he meets that woman who will bring him to his knees.
Does that happen here?
Well you will just have to dive in and find out!

@placexba
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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Jennifer Ramos

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What made this read compelling to read is how this series is intertwined in a unique sense. As already indicated in the plot review, this book can be stand alone or read in whichever sequence the reader chooses. Perspectives and viewpoints differ as they collide into one. Absolutely must read and highly recommend reading both novels in this series.
This book itself focuses on Cal at age 16 after the death of his grandfather and his mindset changes quite significantly. Just like many of us, his life quest is in search of happiness as he experiences seeing different women in seeking a significant other. The reader is taken through Cal’s emotional perils from loneliness to grief as he takes a journey to shape him into the man he becomes when he finally meets his match at 45.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Ashley Lape

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cal Prescott was at the top of his career. Engaged to the boss’s daughter, who also just happens to be the biggest snake. When Alli throws in Cal’s face that she is pregnant knowing she is not keeping. Cal realizes just how much New York is not the place he wants to be. While caring for his sick mother Cal escapes by using women and sex as an outlet. Never getting attached or allowing himself to feel. He finally agrees to move to Miami to be closer to Maggie and John. At a party that Maggie is hosting for her art friends Cal lays eyes on Annie. Cal is finally concentrating on life until he realizes Miami is the beginning of no more mistakes. This is a great book. Can be read as a stand-alone but you get the whole picture when you read the second book in the series. You should definitely start with this book if you plan to read them both.

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Reviewed by @alape

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Shannen Kern

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am still in the midst of a book hangover here because this knocked me off my feet with such force, I’m not sure how any book will measure up to it! This story of Cal and the various people in his life will have you feeling every emotional humanly possible. The author has such a magical way of writing that pulls you in from the very beginning and places you in the spot of our main character, Cal. He can be a bit controversial and may have you flustered with some of his decisions, but overall, he is very complex and multi-dimensional. I highly recommend this book because it will definitely give you all of the feelings as you get lost in Cal’s world. Don’t pass this duet up!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Maria Colón

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A. R. Hadley starts both books in duet with characters grieving loved ones and it’s very telling in my opinion.
Grief is a fickle demon.
Cal is introduced in this journey as a teenager and this novel ends when he meets Annie.
He has multiple failed relationships because of excess baggage. Our lives are truly responses to how we react or respond to all the…stressors life throws at us.
We grow with Cal over 25 years until he meets someone.
Is life all roses and smiles, no…more like a rainbow…one storm ends and the day goes on.
I’m not sure if I would have read this first…I’m still processing.
The journey was long and hard and it took us on an emotional roller coaster ride.

But it was raw. It was art imitating life.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Kerry Carr

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in The Ocean series duo. Even though these books can be read as standalone for me personally i should have read this one first before Where The Ocean Meets The Sky.
In this story we follow Cal through his life from the age of 16 to 45. Reading this book really helped me to understand Cal more. To understand why he is the way he is, what happened to him to shape him into the man he has become.
My Heart cried for him through most of the story. I felt that Cal was a man who wanted to love deeply and be loved in return but because he was raised to see feelings and emotion as weakness he closes himself off which makes him seem cold and uncaring.
We follow him through his life as he struggles to find something he can’t explain. He calls it The Lonley and it disappears when he is intimate with someone but it returns after.
He struggles to connect with someone on more than a physical level and the few times feelings have started to develop he runs away. Scared to show weakness and scared of being vulnerable and allowing his true feelings to show.
As his story progresses he struggles more and more to open up and allow someone in until he meets Annie. Is Annie going to be the one to actually see through the cold hard walls and see the vulnerable loving man underneath. Is it finally time for Cal to be scared and risk being hurt to finally keep the woman he wants.
The author’s writing is beautiful, very descriptive and allows the reader to completely feel the emotion.
After reading this I will definately be going back to re-read When The Ocean Meets The Sky.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars
The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley

The Ocean in His Veins is the companion to Where the Ocean Meets the Sky and can be read as a standalone. This story details Cal’s life from sixteen to forty-five. We get to go on an emotional journey as he navigates through being ready to take the world on to hitting the bottom of the sea. He spends half his life waiting for the perfect wave to break him free and help him find peace. This is a fast paced story that once you start reading it’s hard to put down. Can Cal find what he’s looking for? I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I’m looking forward to reading more from this Author.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Tausha Treadway

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley. In this book we meet Cal Prescott who lives in Florida and is 16. He is a lover of the ocean and most days can be found there. When he enters college he secretly fall in love and has a relationship with a professor. He was taught at a early age to control his emotions but the love between him and Jocelyn was very real. It lasted 4 years and then he had to move on. He had goals and he was determined to meet those goals. Cal continues to succeed in business and life but never really lets himself feel love again and really doesn’t know it he will. Being raised by a cool, aloof mom its made Cal the same way and he can come off as a jerk but deep down inside he just doesn’t know how to show his emotions. I loved getting to know Cal in this book and I can’t wait to read the next!

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Ashly Renner

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is the second in the series, and I throughly enjoyed both these books. I love that you can read them an any order and depending on which one you read first it colors your perspective of who Cal is. This book follows Cal from age 16 to 45 and documents the people and experiences that shaped him into the man he ultimately becomes. I cannot want to read more from this author!!!

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Brandy Vaughn

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is part of the two-book in The Ocean. The Ocean in His Veins can be read as a companion to Where the Ocean Meets the Sky or as a standalone novel. This was interesting to read about Cal age 16 to 45. We find out what his back story is and I’m not sure if it changes my mind about him from book one. The Ocean in His Veins is executed at a literary fiction level with deeply fleshed out characters that makes the reader curious about Cal. I found myself thinking about the characters when I set the book down. If you like literary fiction with romance then you don’t want to miss this series.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Elisha Johnson

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley- 4 out of 5 stars

This book really shows you what shaped Cal into the man we were first introduced to in When the Ocean Meets the Sky. It Chronicles all of his relationships with both love interests and family members. Really showing how each one effected him throughout his life. Cal is a love/hate character, you love to hate him and you hate that you love him. Oh my, Cal! I recommend this series.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was really excited to check out this story as well as the other book in the set. I decided to check this story out first as I wanted to get a better handle on Cal to see what made him tick so I might have a better idea of him in the second book with Annie. Seeing his evolution from a teenager to an adult was definitely eye opening and gave me a good foundation to who he was as a man and how he becomes the man he is. I thought the author did a great job of creating a flawed character that could be frustrating and exasperating in some of his choices, but in the end you still want to see good things for him. I’m excited to check out the second part and see how Cal’s life turns out.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Shelly Kittell

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really thought inducing book. Do we really know what we want at an early age? I can remember thinking I knew what I wanted at 16. I was wrong, of course. We see Cal on his journey through life. He’s a surfer so the analogy of his looking for the perfect ocean fits as he goes from woman to woman looking for that perfect love. He is missing something in his life. I’m looking forward to reading the other book in this series because it also gives a look into his relationship with Annie. I recommend this one. It really is worth the time. One of the best fiction that I’ve read this year.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Crystal Jimmo

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this duology, I decided to read this book first instead of reading Where The Ocean Meets the Sky. Wow, it was not kidding when at the end of the blurb it says “this may change your view good or bad of Cal depending on the reader.” I felt reading this book first I got more of his background, what made Cal, Cal. There were a lot of times I was so frustrated with Cal i almost didn’t finish the book. But, I gave it a chance and I’m glad I did. Cal definitely goes through a lot of highs and lows in this book before he meets Annie, and your heart just goes out to him. Being a teenager when you have lost your whole world is difficult. Seeing how he copes was hard, and the trigger warnings are not kidding. It is a hard read, but at the end absolutely worth it!

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Toni Sellers

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is book one in the two-book duo of The Ocean series. You could read it as a standalone, but I highly recommend that you start with this one. Its where we get to meet and know the main character Cal Prescott at 16 at his grandpa’s funeral, and then follow his life till 45 and all the things that shape his complex life into becoming the man he is today. I think you will find this an interesting read and the perfect companion to the next book.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Angela Hayes

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

3 Stars

 

The Ocean In His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley is a companion novel for/with ‘Where the Ocean Meets the Sky’. It is a literary fiction/women’s fiction story with plenty of emotion, drama, angst, challenges, pain, and more. This is Cal’s story- following him from age 16 to 45.
While this story did make me feel for Cal, I couldn’t help but be completely frustrated with him. There were times I wanted to reach into the story and shake him, or hit him- or both. This frustration made it hard to fully connect with him and his story. The author did a great job of crafting and developing him as a character though- so the lack of connection is on me- not for her lack of depth and development.
So don’t let my opinion and lack of connection put you off grabbing a copy for yourself and making up your own mind though- I have been on a bit of a dark thriller ride of late and that maybe ‘colouring’ my opinion. As with ‘Where the Ocean Meets the Sky’, I will revisit this again in a few weeks to see if I still feel the same way.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, A.R. Hadley!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Kerry Baker

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is the companion story to Where the Ocean Meets the Sky and is a great book. For me, this book was even more about the characters than the other story and I found myself connecting with Cal all over again. I really became invested in his story. It is emotional and compelling to read.
This author has a knack for writing books that are full of angst and really draw you in. I ever fail to enjoy one of their books and these companion stories are no exception. They are worth the time it would take to read them.

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Jenni Bishop

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Please note that there are trigger/graphic content warnings so check them out before you start reading.

The Ocean in His Veins is the first book of a two-book duo although it can be read as a standalone. Where the Ocean Meets the Sky is the other book in this duo.

A.R’s narrative flows well and is simplistic in its telling but makes for an interesting read. It is an emotional tale with grief, sadness, longing, love, and trust issues and so much more.
Cal had lots of flaws and vulnerabilities making him seem more real. I have mixed thoughts about Cal, he frustrated me no end, but he is dealing with his demons. Trying to drown out his feelings by partaking in all the world had to offer instead of listening to his soul. At times I wanted to hug him and take away his pain then I wanted to smack him silly and knock some sense into to him. I put the book down in frustration so many times, but I kept picking it back up because I wanted to know what happened with him.
Follow along as one boy goes through life and into an adult not finding what he thinks he needs but that may all change when she comes into his life. To find out though we need to read the next book Where the Ocean Meets the Sky which is where I am off to.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Bobbi Wagner

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a book that is part of a two book series. It can be read as a standalone but I would suggest reading the other book as well. This is a great series that you don’t want to miss. I enjoy this author’s writing skills as well as her attention to details that make her characters pop. This book is no different. This is a well written story about Cat and how he is learning to see life differently. He is waiting for a perfect wave and some peace inside. Will he find either of them? I enjoy his character and what he brings to the story. I enjoyed watching his growth throughout which made the story easy to read. A fast paced story that is emotional in parts but will have you turning pages fast. I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this book.

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Review by @bjwagner

The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley

🔹 ༻•🔹•༺•🔹BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🔹 •༻•🔹•༺🔹
The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley
Genre – Literary Fiction
Page Count – 356
Cover Designer – Emily Wittig

He’s a surfer. A loner. A man on a quest to rid himself of pesky feelings.

After his grandfather passes away, Cal Prescott begins to see life differently.

Money wants his attention, women beckon, and the pursuit of success becomes a cycle he can’t seem to break.

Follow Cal from age sixteen to forty-five, from 1985 to 2014, from the tangerine fields of Ojai to the neon streets of Miami Beach — from being ready to take on the world to hitting the bottom of the sea.

Cal spends half his life waiting for the perfect wave to break over the horizon, looking for comfort, searching for peace — and he’ll chase every last drop of water … until he finds release.

Author Note: Part of the two-book series: The Ocean Series. The Ocean in His Veins may be read as a companion to the main title Where the Ocean Meets the Sky or as a standalone. Please be advised that reading this story first may change the way Cal is initially perceived in the latter book. This can be good or bad, depending on the reader.

Literary fiction, not romance. The characters and their intense and realistic actions drive the plot. 76,000-words. The Ocean in His Veins details Cal’s life from age sixteen to forty-five. The story ends the night he meets Annie in 2014. Contains graphic content that may trigger some readers.

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Click here to view the Book Trailer for The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley

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A.R. Hadley writes imperfectly perfect sentences by the light of her iPhone.

She loves the ocean.

Chocolate.

Her children.

And Cary Grant.

She annoys those darling little children by quoting lines from Back to the Future, but despite her knowledge of eighties and nineties pop culture, she was actually meant to live alongside the Lost Generation after the Great War and write a mediocre novel while drinking absinthe with Hemingway. Instead, find her sipping unsweet tea near a beautiful garden as she weaves fictional tales of love and connection amid reality.

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