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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another book by Lucy Gilmore about a librarian and a curmudgeon. She references her own book which is fun. There are some sweet, deep moments, but overall not the best story, a few extremely annoying people, and not well written.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was way too slow. Lovable characters, but too slow to finish.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Chloe Sampson, our stressed-out librarian heroine. She’s balancing more plates than a circus juggler: three younger siblings, a career teetering on the brink, and a pile of unpaid bills. But just when things look bleak, she stumbles onto a rare book while cleaning out the library’s basement that leads her down a rabbit hole of forgotten love stories and old secrets.
Enter Jasper Holmes, the neighborhood's resident grump. He’s the classic grumpy-old-man trope, but with a twist—he’s got a past that’s tied to the very book Chloe just dug up. She soon realizes that the annotations are secret love notes between her grumpy old neighbor and the mysterious “C.” As Chloe dives into solving the mystery of these literary lovebirds, she’s not just piecing together a romance from the past—she’s finding herself knee-deep in a present-day one, too.
Now, this book doesn’t shy away from the tropes we all know and love. If you’re here for witty banter, slow-building friendships, and a dash of nostalgia, you’re in for a treat. But fair warning: the pacing might test your patience at times. Chloe’s journey from curious librarian to full-on literary detective drags in parts, and there’s a bit of "get on with it already" energy around the middle.
But don’t let that stop you. The mystery of the scribbled notes between two star-crossed lovers is enough to keep you invested. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to flip back through the pages, searching for clues you might’ve missed—and maybe even take a peek inside your own library books for hidden messages (just me?).
By the end, you'll feel like you’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket of bookish goodness. If you’re a sucker for stories that weave together past and present, with a quirky cast of characters who steal your heart, then this book deserves a spot on your shelf.
It’s the kind of read that leaves you with a smile on your face and a renewed appreciation for the magic of books. And really, what more could you ask for?
Enter Jasper Holmes, the neighborhood's resident grump. He’s the classic grumpy-old-man trope, but with a twist—he’s got a past that’s tied to the very book Chloe just dug up. She soon realizes that the annotations are secret love notes between her grumpy old neighbor and the mysterious “C.” As Chloe dives into solving the mystery of these literary lovebirds, she’s not just piecing together a romance from the past—she’s finding herself knee-deep in a present-day one, too.
Now, this book doesn’t shy away from the tropes we all know and love. If you’re here for witty banter, slow-building friendships, and a dash of nostalgia, you’re in for a treat. But fair warning: the pacing might test your patience at times. Chloe’s journey from curious librarian to full-on literary detective drags in parts, and there’s a bit of "get on with it already" energy around the middle.
But don’t let that stop you. The mystery of the scribbled notes between two star-crossed lovers is enough to keep you invested. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to flip back through the pages, searching for clues you might’ve missed—and maybe even take a peek inside your own library books for hidden messages (just me?).
By the end, you'll feel like you’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket of bookish goodness. If you’re a sucker for stories that weave together past and present, with a quirky cast of characters who steal your heart, then this book deserves a spot on your shelf.
It’s the kind of read that leaves you with a smile on your face and a renewed appreciation for the magic of books. And really, what more could you ask for?
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
I loved the non-traditional ending!!
Favorite character - Jasper
Finding a love story written in the margins of books? Love it.
A dog named Gummy Bear? Heart. Melted.
A kid nicknamed Noodle? Ummm hard pass but it still worked?
The twist for the heroine - totally unexpected. The first twist - I then expected (and loved) the second twist.
This was an intriguing plot that was pulled together in a great way, and didn’t hit the common pitfalls of other books trying to show the same relationships and dynamics. I loved the unique feeling and heart of this book.
Favorite character - Jasper
Finding a love story written in the margins of books? Love it.
A dog named Gummy Bear? Heart. Melted.
A kid nicknamed Noodle? Ummm hard pass but it still worked?
The twist for the heroine - totally unexpected. The first twist - I then expected (and loved) the second twist.
This was an intriguing plot that was pulled together in a great way, and didn’t hit the common pitfalls of other books trying to show the same relationships and dynamics. I loved the unique feeling and heart of this book.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes