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Jayson's Reviews > Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life
Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life
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by
Jayson's review
bookshelves: author-american, format-nonfiction, genre-biography, genre-history, subject-british-history, subject-royalty, 600-plus-pp, read-in-2021
Jun 02, 2021
bookshelves: author-american, format-nonfiction, genre-biography, genre-history, subject-british-history, subject-royalty, 600-plus-pp, read-in-2021
(B+) 79% | Good
Notes: Spread inches deep, miles wide, comprehensive if vanilla, paints a warts-and-all Diana, and a whack-a-mole Camilla.
*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary: (view spoiler)
Notes: Spread inches deep, miles wide, comprehensive if vanilla, paints a warts-and-all Diana, and a whack-a-mole Camilla.
*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary: (view spoiler)
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Reading Progress
December 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
to-read
December 14, 2020
– Shelved
May 30, 2021
– Shelved as:
author-american
May 30, 2021
– Shelved as:
format-nonfiction
May 30, 2021
– Shelved as:
genre-biography
May 30, 2021
– Shelved as:
genre-history
May 30, 2021
– Shelved as:
subject-british-history
May 30, 2021
– Shelved as:
subject-royalty
May 30, 2021
– Shelved as:
600-plus-pp
May 30, 2021
– Shelved as:
read-in-2021
June 2, 2021
–
Started Reading
June 4, 2021
–
0.48%
"
Notes:
(1) Okay, let's try something different.
(2) I'm unsure whether I want to continue Gaiman audiobooks with "American Gods," as it's only partially covered by the show.
- I'll have a think about it.
(3) I try to read at least one non-fiction book a year, so why not this bio of Prince Charles I got for $4.49 CAD at Book Outlet?
- I bought this book to get free shipping."
page
3
Notes:
(1) Okay, let's try something different.
(2) I'm unsure whether I want to continue Gaiman audiobooks with "American Gods," as it's only partially covered by the show.
- I'll have a think about it.
(3) I try to read at least one non-fiction book a year, so why not this bio of Prince Charles I got for $4.49 CAD at Book Outlet?
- I bought this book to get free shipping."
June 6, 2021
–
2.72%
"
Notes:
(1) Finished the first chapter, which covers Charles' life pre-Gordonstoun. The key theme, repeated over and over, is that in the absence of his parents raising him, Charles gravitated and transferred affection to other women in his life.
- His nanny, his governess, his grandmother, etc.
- Over-mothering, ironically not from his mother, possibly instilling wimpiness."
page
17
Notes:
(1) Finished the first chapter, which covers Charles' life pre-Gordonstoun. The key theme, repeated over and over, is that in the absence of his parents raising him, Charles gravitated and transferred affection to other women in his life.
- His nanny, his governess, his grandmother, etc.
- Over-mothering, ironically not from his mother, possibly instilling wimpiness."
June 7, 2021
–
4.97%
"
Notes:
(1) The second chapter is about Charles' Gordonstoun years, including six months at its sister school, Timbertop in Australia.
- He loathed Gordonstoun but loved Timbertop.
- Australia's lack of a class system seems to be the difference, no longer bullied for his background.
(2) Charles is named Head Boy in his final year, which just conjures images of Percy Weasley."
page
31
Notes:
(1) The second chapter is about Charles' Gordonstoun years, including six months at its sister school, Timbertop in Australia.
- He loathed Gordonstoun but loved Timbertop.
- Australia's lack of a class system seems to be the difference, no longer bullied for his background.
(2) Charles is named Head Boy in his final year, which just conjures images of Percy Weasley."
June 8, 2021
–
8.17%
"
Notes:
(1) Charles, being such an ardent environmentalist, I always assumed he was a hippie. But apparently he hates hippies.
(2) His first love was the brainy polymath daughter of the Chilean ambassador.
- Because virginity was at one time important, Charles has always denied any hanky-panky. Sure, why not. Seems downright wholesome compared to the many scandals to follow."
page
51
Notes:
(1) Charles, being such an ardent environmentalist, I always assumed he was a hippie. But apparently he hates hippies.
(2) His first love was the brainy polymath daughter of the Chilean ambassador.
- Because virginity was at one time important, Charles has always denied any hanky-panky. Sure, why not. Seems downright wholesome compared to the many scandals to follow."
June 9, 2021
–
10.74%
"
Notes:
(1) Richard Nixon tried to set up Charles with his daughter Trisha.
- Charles described her as plastic and artificial, like a Barbie doll. He pretty much said the same thing about Wallis Simpson, and other women he didn't care for. I'd be unsurprised if he said the same of Diana.
(2) On the whole, Watergate would've been less scandalous for Charles than Camilla-gate."
page
67
Notes:
(1) Richard Nixon tried to set up Charles with his daughter Trisha.
- Charles described her as plastic and artificial, like a Barbie doll. He pretty much said the same thing about Wallis Simpson, and other women he didn't care for. I'd be unsurprised if he said the same of Diana.
(2) On the whole, Watergate would've been less scandalous for Charles than Camilla-gate."
June 12, 2021
–
14.9%
"
Notes:
(1) Charles met Camilla via his former girlfriend Lucia, who was her neighbor.
(2) Among Charles' girlfriends was American Laura Jo Watkins.
- Laura Jo described Charles as "a fabulous lover." Genuinely surprising.
(3) Uncle Dickie wanted Charles to marry his granddaughter Amanda.
- They're second cousins. But so were Elizabeth and Philip when Dickie introduced them."
page
93
Notes:
(1) Charles met Camilla via his former girlfriend Lucia, who was her neighbor.
(2) Among Charles' girlfriends was American Laura Jo Watkins.
- Laura Jo described Charles as "a fabulous lover." Genuinely surprising.
(3) Uncle Dickie wanted Charles to marry his granddaughter Amanda.
- They're second cousins. But so were Elizabeth and Philip when Dickie introduced them."
June 23, 2021
–
17.79%
"
Notes:
(1) Getting back into this after a bit of a hiatus.
(2) Between leaving the Navy and marriage, Charles' life seemed preoccupied with following gurus.
- You don't really hear much of gurus these days. I think it may have been a '70s thing.
(3) Charles set up The Prince's Trust in 1976 to help urban youth.
- Probably would've earned him a knighthood were he a commoner."
page
111
Notes:
(1) Getting back into this after a bit of a hiatus.
(2) Between leaving the Navy and marriage, Charles' life seemed preoccupied with following gurus.
- You don't really hear much of gurus these days. I think it may have been a '70s thing.
(3) Charles set up The Prince's Trust in 1976 to help urban youth.
- Probably would've earned him a knighthood were he a commoner."
June 27, 2021
–
19.71%
"
Notes:
(1) Before Diana, Charles proposed to his second-cousin Amanda. She declined.
- Had things gone differently, we could've had Queen Amanda, though she likely would've gone by Victoria (her more royal middle name).
(2) He also dated Diana's sister Sarah.
- But being expelled, having eating disorders, and boasting of "thousands of boyfriends," she had too much baggage."
page
123
Notes:
(1) Before Diana, Charles proposed to his second-cousin Amanda. She declined.
- Had things gone differently, we could've had Queen Amanda, though she likely would've gone by Victoria (her more royal middle name).
(2) He also dated Diana's sister Sarah.
- But being expelled, having eating disorders, and boasting of "thousands of boyfriends," she had too much baggage."
June 28, 2021
–
23.24%
"
Notes:
(1) You know, I've always joked that it was the lack of virgins among the British upper classes that forced Charles court much younger women. Turns out, I was right.
(2) The Royal Train Scandal was when Diana was purported to have slept with Charles before marriage on the Royal Train.
- Such a quaint scandal.
- The blonde in question may or may not have been Camilla."
page
145
Notes:
(1) You know, I've always joked that it was the lack of virgins among the British upper classes that forced Charles court much younger women. Turns out, I was right.
(2) The Royal Train Scandal was when Diana was purported to have slept with Charles before marriage on the Royal Train.
- Such a quaint scandal.
- The blonde in question may or may not have been Camilla."
July 1, 2021
–
25.8%
"
Notes:
(1) Diana was obsessed with Camilla, which inflamed her already erratic behavior, which drove Charles to Camilla all the more.
- Obviously Charles did wrong, but perhaps things would have been different if Diana wasn't so paranoid.
(2) Diana threw herself down the stairs while pregnant, crying for attention. I don't care how Charles behaved, that's plainly not right."
page
161
Notes:
(1) Diana was obsessed with Camilla, which inflamed her already erratic behavior, which drove Charles to Camilla all the more.
- Obviously Charles did wrong, but perhaps things would have been different if Diana wasn't so paranoid.
(2) Diana threw herself down the stairs while pregnant, crying for attention. I don't care how Charles behaved, that's plainly not right."
July 11, 2021
–
27.72%
"
Notes:
(1) Tony Blair was so "pissed off" with Charles taking a public stance against GMO foods that he took it up with the Queen.
- I suppose even the heir to the throne can't escape authorities going to his mom about his bad behavior.
(2) Charles survived scandals of giving royal opinions mostly because they proved popular.
- People came around to organic food eventually."
page
173
Notes:
(1) Tony Blair was so "pissed off" with Charles taking a public stance against GMO foods that he took it up with the Queen.
- I suppose even the heir to the throne can't escape authorities going to his mom about his bad behavior.
(2) Charles survived scandals of giving royal opinions mostly because they proved popular.
- People came around to organic food eventually."
July 18, 2021
–
31.25%
"
Notes:
(1) Diana's go-to insult to Charles was that he'd never be king.
- Interesting. Must have known that's what would hurt him the most.
(2) Diana's favorite musical act was Supertramp.
- I've probably heard their music, I'm just not familiar enough to name a song.
(3) Diana forced Charles to get rid of his dog after marriage.
- I can relate. I'm not a dog person either."
page
195
Notes:
(1) Diana's go-to insult to Charles was that he'd never be king.
- Interesting. Must have known that's what would hurt him the most.
(2) Diana's favorite musical act was Supertramp.
- I've probably heard their music, I'm just not familiar enough to name a song.
(3) Diana forced Charles to get rid of his dog after marriage.
- I can relate. I'm not a dog person either."
July 24, 2021
–
32.85%
"
Notes:
(1) Charles' affair with Camilla wasn't until 1986. Diana had affairs with her bodyguard and then her riding instructor the same year.
- To me, it seems to be less a case of revenge affairs starting from Camilla, and more like an open marriage agreement à la Dickie and Edwina Mountbatten.
(2) I like that "proof" Harry is Charles' son are his bald spot and beady eyes."
page
205
Notes:
(1) Charles' affair with Camilla wasn't until 1986. Diana had affairs with her bodyguard and then her riding instructor the same year.
- To me, it seems to be less a case of revenge affairs starting from Camilla, and more like an open marriage agreement à la Dickie and Edwina Mountbatten.
(2) I like that "proof" Harry is Charles' son are his bald spot and beady eyes."
July 26, 2021
–
34.78%
"
Notes:
(1) It seems awful narcissistic to be jealous of your own wife's philanthropy. On the other hand, I can see his perspective. A single hug makes her a saint, while countless sleepless nights of paperwork and provable results barely gets him a pat on the back.
(2) I can't read two books at once. A book and an audiobook, yes. But two books, and one falls by the wayside."
page
217
Notes:
(1) It seems awful narcissistic to be jealous of your own wife's philanthropy. On the other hand, I can see his perspective. A single hug makes her a saint, while countless sleepless nights of paperwork and provable results barely gets him a pat on the back.
(2) I can't read two books at once. A book and an audiobook, yes. But two books, and one falls by the wayside."
August 3, 2021
–
37.02%
"
Notes:
(1) This biography seems to be going through the 1980s year by year.
- It makes sense, since those were the Diana years, and the most interesting to casual readers.
(2) What tipped off the press to marriage difficulties was that Charles and Diana stayed in different hotel rooms.
- Of course, that would've been no big deal a generation earlier, especially for royalty."
page
231
Notes:
(1) This biography seems to be going through the 1980s year by year.
- It makes sense, since those were the Diana years, and the most interesting to casual readers.
(2) What tipped off the press to marriage difficulties was that Charles and Diana stayed in different hotel rooms.
- Of course, that would've been no big deal a generation earlier, especially for royalty."
August 8, 2021
–
38.62%
"
Notes:
(1) Dorchester needed to expand. Rather than sell off land to developers, Charles decided to build his own town, Poundbury.
- As Duke of Cornwall, I suppose it's technically his land to decide what do with.
(2) Seems very authoritarian to deny townsfolk a supermarket and cinema for aesthetic reasons.
- Though, to be fair, they did choose to live in Charles' Sim City."
page
241
Notes:
(1) Dorchester needed to expand. Rather than sell off land to developers, Charles decided to build his own town, Poundbury.
- As Duke of Cornwall, I suppose it's technically his land to decide what do with.
(2) Seems very authoritarian to deny townsfolk a supermarket and cinema for aesthetic reasons.
- Though, to be fair, they did choose to live in Charles' Sim City."
August 9, 2021
–
40.22%
"
Notes:
(1) Diana's nickname for Camilla was "Rottweiler."
- I can't tell whether that was a reference to her appearance or her temperament.
(2) Charles kept his affair monogamous and out of public view. Conversely, Diana carried on several affairs simultaneously, and in full view of Kensington Palace staff and her children.
- So very different. Little wonder it didn't work."
page
251
Notes:
(1) Diana's nickname for Camilla was "Rottweiler."
- I can't tell whether that was a reference to her appearance or her temperament.
(2) Charles kept his affair monogamous and out of public view. Conversely, Diana carried on several affairs simultaneously, and in full view of Kensington Palace staff and her children.
- So very different. Little wonder it didn't work."
August 11, 2021
–
43.43%
"
Notes:
(1) Best chapter of the book so far covers 1991-1992, from Diana's press offensive against Charles, to the Morton biography, to the separation.
- I sort of wish the entire book was the scandalous parts, but then, it wouldn't be a comprehensive biography.
(2) In 1992, there was still hope, despite the separation, that Diana would be crowned Queen.
- How very medieval."
page
271
Notes:
(1) Best chapter of the book so far covers 1991-1992, from Diana's press offensive against Charles, to the Morton biography, to the separation.
- I sort of wish the entire book was the scandalous parts, but then, it wouldn't be a comprehensive biography.
(2) In 1992, there was still hope, despite the separation, that Diana would be crowned Queen.
- How very medieval."
August 12, 2021
–
45.35%
"
Notes:
(1) Though there was little doubt that Diana would be "the fun parent," she made extra effort to have her fun in public, so that Charles would by contrast look uninvolved in raising his sons.
(2) When Buckingham Palace opened to the public, the Queen put Charles in charge.
- He bemoaned selling cheap items in the gift shop. Though, what exactly is "cheap" to Charles?"
page
283
Notes:
(1) Though there was little doubt that Diana would be "the fun parent," she made extra effort to have her fun in public, so that Charles would by contrast look uninvolved in raising his sons.
(2) When Buckingham Palace opened to the public, the Queen put Charles in charge.
- He bemoaned selling cheap items in the gift shop. Though, what exactly is "cheap" to Charles?"
August 16, 2021
–
48.56%
"
Notes:
(1) To secure the infamous 1995 Panorama interview, Martin Bashir used fake financial documents to convince Diana that her staff was spying on her.
- This deceit was only uncovered this year.
(2) As intended, the interview permanently burnt bridges with the royals.
- As a direct result, the Queen demanded Charles and Diana divorce. She could no longer be queen-to-be."
page
303
Notes:
(1) To secure the infamous 1995 Panorama interview, Martin Bashir used fake financial documents to convince Diana that her staff was spying on her.
- This deceit was only uncovered this year.
(2) As intended, the interview permanently burnt bridges with the royals.
- As a direct result, the Queen demanded Charles and Diana divorce. She could no longer be queen-to-be."
August 17, 2021
–
50.8%
"
Notes:
(1) Following a long royal tradition of hiring "men of indeterminate sexuality," Charles hired PR wunderkind Mark Bolland.
- William and Harry nicknamed him Lord Blackadder.
(2) Diana fell in love with a Pakistani heart surgeon. He dumped her for being "needy and suffocating."
- Eg. she would be furious with him for declining her phone calls while performing surgery."
page
317
Notes:
(1) Following a long royal tradition of hiring "men of indeterminate sexuality," Charles hired PR wunderkind Mark Bolland.
- William and Harry nicknamed him Lord Blackadder.
(2) Diana fell in love with a Pakistani heart surgeon. He dumped her for being "needy and suffocating."
- Eg. she would be furious with him for declining her phone calls while performing surgery."
August 18, 2021
–
52.72%
"
Notes:
(1) The portion of the book dealing with Diana's death is both the most moving part of the book and the least interesting.
- I know it all already.
(2) In my opinion, the British public never really accepted the divorce. There wasn't enough time. As such, to the public, they always will be married and, no matter how official, Camilla will always be "the other woman.""
page
329
Notes:
(1) The portion of the book dealing with Diana's death is both the most moving part of the book and the least interesting.
- I know it all already.
(2) In my opinion, the British public never really accepted the divorce. There wasn't enough time. As such, to the public, they always will be married and, no matter how official, Camilla will always be "the other woman.""
August 19, 2021
–
57.53%
"
Notes:
(1) "Stephen Fry['s] ubiquity at such functions put him perilously close to court jester status."
- From what I know of Stephen Fry, I'm sure he'd take court jester as an honor.
(2) Camilla was so unpopular that there were plans to elevate Princess Anne to "Royal Partner," to perform consort duties instead.
- Reminds me of when Chelsea Clinton was briefly First Lady."
page
359
Notes:
(1) "Stephen Fry['s] ubiquity at such functions put him perilously close to court jester status."
- From what I know of Stephen Fry, I'm sure he'd take court jester as an honor.
(2) Camilla was so unpopular that there were plans to elevate Princess Anne to "Royal Partner," to perform consort duties instead.
- Reminds me of when Chelsea Clinton was briefly First Lady."
August 22, 2021
–
70.35%
"
Notes:
(1) Charles recycles his bathwater to water his garden.
- I'm more surprised that he takes baths.
(2) William's 21st birthday was fancy dress.
- It was notable for a gate-crasher dressed as Osama bin Laden, also as the first royal event attended by Kate Middleton.
(3) Harry's Nazi costume sparked international government condemnation.
- Seems overkill for kid idiocy."
page
439
Notes:
(1) Charles recycles his bathwater to water his garden.
- I'm more surprised that he takes baths.
(2) William's 21st birthday was fancy dress.
- It was notable for a gate-crasher dressed as Osama bin Laden, also as the first royal event attended by Kate Middleton.
(3) Harry's Nazi costume sparked international government condemnation.
- Seems overkill for kid idiocy."
August 23, 2021
–
79.33%
"
Notes:
(1) Following retirement from the military, William and Kate moved into Kensington Palace apartment 1A, which features four stories, twenty rooms and a private garden.
- My first apartment was a one bedroom with a window view of a brick wall.
(2) In 2012 Harry was photographed naked at a party in Las Vegas.
- First rule of naked Vegas party: check phones at the door!"
page
495
Notes:
(1) Following retirement from the military, William and Kate moved into Kensington Palace apartment 1A, which features four stories, twenty rooms and a private garden.
- My first apartment was a one bedroom with a window view of a brick wall.
(2) In 2012 Harry was photographed naked at a party in Las Vegas.
- First rule of naked Vegas party: check phones at the door!"
August 23, 2021
–
Finished Reading
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Jun 09, 2021 02:44AM
Hey, I think most of the historic books are boring. Do you like reading historic events?
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Sonal wrote: "Hey, I think most of the historic books are boring. Do you like reading historic events?"It depends entirely on whether I find the subject matter interesting. If it's something I genuinely would like to know more about, then I enjoy it a lot. But things I'm interested in won't necessarily be interesting to others, and vice versa. I'm not such a fan of history that I'll read any random book.
I agree with you. Every person's reading genre differs
Sonal wrote: "I agree with you. Every person's reading genre differs"Yes, and even in the same broad genre, people will have preferences with regard to subject matter as well.
Woah, I never thought it like that. I always considered a person's choice depends on genre. Now I can understand it more clearly. Thanks for this clearing me!!
Sonal wrote: "Woah, I never thought it like that. I always considered a person's choice depends on genre. Now I can understand it more clearly. Thanks for this clearing me!!"Always happy to lend some insight :)
But did she actually do that, or is it just a conspiracy?
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "But did she actually do that, or is it just a conspiracy?"Well, the book says that she's the one who told the story:
"For reasons that remain murky, Diana reached a breaking point and tumbled down the Sandringham staircase. She later said her fall, at a time when she was three months pregnant, was deliberate—a message of “desperation� to get her husband's attention."Later, in the next paragraph, the book mentions that the fall was corroborated by others:
"The tabloids got wind of the incident and reported that she had tripped at the top of half a flight of stairs, with no injury to mother or unborn baby—a version of events confirmed by those who spoke to Diana at the time."So, either it was an accident, and she lied to say that it was intentional, or it was intentional and the people who told the papers lied and said it was an accident.
Jason this whole falling down the staircase incident while she was pregnant with Harry... what do you think about it? If it was 'intentional' on Diana's part, was she was thinking about the fall leading to a miscarriage? I know what I am saying is controversial but I keep thinking about it whenever I read about this staircase incident... especially when there is a 'theory' out there that Harry's birth father could possibly be James Hewitt and not Prince Charles. That conspiracy theory is quite strong amongst many people. I don't want to cause any offence... just curious.
Tahera wrote: "Jason this whole falling down the staircase incident while she was pregnant with Harry... what do you think about it? If it was 'intentional' on Diana's part, was she was thinking about the fall le..."Well, first of all, she wasn't pregnant with Harry at the time, she was pregnant with William. So we can rule out any conspiracy about that being a desperate attempt to miscarry James Hewitt's baby. Secondly, I believe it was intentional because Diana herself said that it was intentional. I have no reason to disbelieve her, unless she was trying to reframe that incident to make her look more sympathetic and desperate in her marriage. Another corroborating factor in this is that from the very beginning of her marriage with Charles, she had been mentally unwell and exhibited erratic behavior and was prone to self-harm. Possibly that's a result of poor treatment from Charles, some pre-existing condition, or a combination of many things.
The idea that Hewitt is Harry's biological father is a plausible theory, especially since they bear a strong resemblance, and Charles and Diana's marriage had more or less fallen apart by 1984. Really, that all depends on whether you believe both Charles and Diana's insistences that they didn't begin having affairs of a sexual nature until 1986, when they both agreed that their marriage was irreparable. That they both separately said it at a time when they weren't on good terms is evidence that was the case. Though, it's possible they both agreed on a time after Harry was born to preclude any doubt about his parentage.
Jayson wrote: "Tahera wrote: "Jason this whole falling down the staircase incident while she was pregnant with Harry... what do you think about it? If it was 'intentional' on Diana's part, was she was thinking ab..."Oh she was pregnant with William? I thought it was Harry because for some reason some sources hinted that it was during her being pregnant with Harry 🤷♀�.
Tahera wrote: "Oh she was pregnant with William? I thought it was Harry because for some reason some sources hinted that it was during her being pregnant with Harry 🤷♀�."An easy mistake to make. Alternatively, it's possible that there was a similar incident during her second pregnancy. Though, if there was, it wasn't mentioned in this book.
Such an interesting Q&A, Y’all! Thank you, Jayson!
Terrie wrote: "Such an interesting Q&A, Y’all! Thank you, Jayson!"Happy you found it interesting, Terrie 😁
Seen this in a discount store, would you recommend picking it up?
TL wrote: "Seen this in a discount store, would you recommend picking it up?"Well, anything I rate 4-stars I'll gladly recommend. Though, this may not be your thing if you're expecting anything particularly juicy. All the scandalous bits get about as much time as everything else. But, it might be for you if you're looking to get an even-handed, fairly objective, view of the man, and a comprehensive skim over his life.
Jayson wrote: "TL wrote: "Seen this in a discount store, would you recommend picking it up?"Well, anything I rate 4-stars I'll gladly recommend. Though, this may not be your thing if you're expecting anything p..."
Okie dokie thanks
TL wrote: "Okie dokie thanks"😁
I have to send this to my friend. She would love it! Thanks for your review!
Miya wrote: "I have to send this to my friend. She would love it! Thanks for your review!"Happy you like it, Miya! Hope your friend does too 😁
