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karenluvstoread's review
4.0
I loved this book! Sarah Dove is not your ordinary librarian who loves books. She has a gift: she talks to books and books talk to her. At one point, books start telling her about a new person that would arrive and help the town of Dove Pond. Sure enough, a city girl named Grace Wheeler moves there and Sarah suspects she just might be the one that will save the town.
The Book Charmer has bookish fun mixed with a bit of magical realism. While this is a lighter read, it’s not fluff. It is a heartwarming story with the magical realism element thrown in. Here are just a few quotes from the book:
“‘Don’t you think that’s the beauty of a book? It can take you places you can’t visit on your own, lets you meet people and see things you can’t in real life.'” (p. 271)
“Love can’t cure a broken heart, but it can hold the two sides together while they heal.” (p. 343)
If you are looking for a lighter read that still has some depth, and you enjoy books with magical realism, then this just might be one you will enjoy too!
rmarcin's review against another edition
4.0
This is a charming book about a small town and its residents. Grace, a former foster child, and Sarah, the town librarian, are the main characters. Books speak to Sarah, and they tell her that Grace can help save the town which is in financial difficulty.
A story of love, loss, family, including themes of dementia, PTSD, small town living, and a little magic.
I enjoyed how the town was described, and how the residents all knew each other and their history. I thought it was accurate in describing how people think things should be, just because it has always been done that way. Then, someone new comes along and wants to change everything. Naturally, that doesn't sit well, but perhaps, a fresh perspective is what is needed.
Enjoyable! I look forward to reading the next book in the Dove Pond series, and learning about more characters and their lives.
A story of love, loss, family, including themes of dementia, PTSD, small town living, and a little magic.
I enjoyed how the town was described, and how the residents all knew each other and their history. I thought it was accurate in describing how people think things should be, just because it has always been done that way. Then, someone new comes along and wants to change everything. Naturally, that doesn't sit well, but perhaps, a fresh perspective is what is needed.
Enjoyable! I look forward to reading the next book in the Dove Pond series, and learning about more characters and their lives.
belgiancupcake's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
b00kluver's review
4.0
The Book Charmer charmed me. This story, full of magical realism, is full of love, longing, determination, and friendship. When Grace Wheeler moves her family to Dove Pond, it’s a temporary solution after a run of bad experiences. Distrustful of others, Grace is used to handling things on her own. Sarah Dove has other ideas. Sarah, the town librarian, is known for her magical connections with books, who actually talk to her. Sarah knows that Grace is there to save the dying town. Not only is The Book Charmer filled with whimsical moments, it entertains with a cast of characters that warm to Grace and show her what friends, and a community, can do. The relationship between Grace and Mama G is lovely and heartbreaking, which makes Grace’s relationship with Travis even more endearing. I smiled and teared up, but overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book in the series!
yers's review
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Lovely story with a small town charm and sense of community. In a way I wanted the story to be about Sarah but it was rather centered around Grace and the Town activities. Very sweet but slow paced and not clearly plot driven. Cutesy, feel-good cozy read but not necessarily the typical book you need to keep around your shelves.
cathiedalziel's review
2.0
2.5 stars.
I really wanted to like this novel but the writing was so flat and every small town cliche was just so sickly sweet that I couldn't wait for it to be over. I picked it up on a whim wanting a light happy read; it was so light it left me feeling like I read air. I wouldn't even recommend this one as a beach read.
Big city finance manger (Grace) inherits her niece (Daisy) after her sister dies and along with her and her foster mom (Mama G) who has Alzheimer's disease go to live in a small town, where the foster mom grew up, to find some quiet more relaxed way of life for awhile. There's a hunky war vet (Trav or Travis depending on the tone of the story at the time) next door (isn't there always in these types of novels) who has PTSD and within the last couple of years has lost his father who also had Alzheimer's disease, so he "knows" what the main character is going through and can "help".
There's a young librarian (Sarah Dove) who hears books talk (that's the part that brought me in) who's determined to make Grace stay in the town forever. This story is about Grace's adjustment to small town living.
Skip it unless you want some processed syrup with your day.
I really wanted to like this novel but the writing was so flat and every small town cliche was just so sickly sweet that I couldn't wait for it to be over. I picked it up on a whim wanting a light happy read; it was so light it left me feeling like I read air. I wouldn't even recommend this one as a beach read.
Big city finance manger (Grace) inherits her niece (Daisy) after her sister dies and along with her and her foster mom (Mama G) who has Alzheimer's disease go to live in a small town, where the foster mom grew up, to find some quiet more relaxed way of life for awhile. There's a hunky war vet (Trav or Travis depending on the tone of the story at the time) next door (isn't there always in these types of novels) who has PTSD and within the last couple of years has lost his father who also had Alzheimer's disease, so he "knows" what the main character is going through and can "help".
There's a young librarian (Sarah Dove) who hears books talk (that's the part that brought me in) who's determined to make Grace stay in the town forever. This story is about Grace's adjustment to small town living.
Skip it unless you want some processed syrup with your day.
nyxki's review
1.0
Economic manipulation of vulnerable people is not cute or charming. I wanted Grace to burn down the town as she peeled out and got away from these manipulative, harassing, busybodies.
jacque5's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.25
kristi518's review
3.0
I requested this book from NetGalley based on the cover which I thought was pretty and the fact it had something to do about books. I didn't read the description so I went into reading this book a bit blindly. This book was nothing like I thought it might be.
The author starts out with Sarah and Grace as young girls and we get to know a bit about who they are. Then fast-forward to present day and we see Grace and Sarah meet for the first time when Grace moves her family to Dove Pond. Grace's family consists of her mom and her niece. They have moved back to Dove Pond because Mama G has dementia and a move back to her childhood home might make things easier on everyone. I thought the author did a fantastic job of portraying what it was like for Grace and Mama G as her dementia progressed and things became more difficult for each of them. Next door neighbor Travis Parker was a nice addition to the story and the fact that he had just gone through the same thing with his father made him a very believable character and support for Grace. I liked Sarah more though and I think that's because she came across as more dimensional than Grace. Sarah was a softer character and one that I just thought I would have more in common with.
While I enjoyed the story I thought the pace was a bit slow at times and it seemed like the story was stuck. Things were repeated over and over and hopefully were edited out before the story was published. The book is 368 pages and could probably be trimmed down to 300 and not lose any of the story's substance. At times I had a difficult time staying interested in the story and I think with some editing this wouldn't have been an issue. One other thing was the rushed ending that wasn't really an ending at all. I know there are more books to come in the series but it would be nice to have had some closure on the main part of the story (which isn't about Sarah, by the way).
All in all, this isn't a bad read and I was interested enough in the story and the characters that I would strongly consider reading the next book in the series. I don't like unfinished endings and would like to know what happens next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and wasn't required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
The author starts out with Sarah and Grace as young girls and we get to know a bit about who they are. Then fast-forward to present day and we see Grace and Sarah meet for the first time when Grace moves her family to Dove Pond. Grace's family consists of her mom and her niece. They have moved back to Dove Pond because Mama G has dementia and a move back to her childhood home might make things easier on everyone. I thought the author did a fantastic job of portraying what it was like for Grace and Mama G as her dementia progressed and things became more difficult for each of them. Next door neighbor Travis Parker was a nice addition to the story and the fact that he had just gone through the same thing with his father made him a very believable character and support for Grace. I liked Sarah more though and I think that's because she came across as more dimensional than Grace. Sarah was a softer character and one that I just thought I would have more in common with.
While I enjoyed the story I thought the pace was a bit slow at times and it seemed like the story was stuck. Things were repeated over and over and hopefully were edited out before the story was published. The book is 368 pages and could probably be trimmed down to 300 and not lose any of the story's substance. At times I had a difficult time staying interested in the story and I think with some editing this wouldn't have been an issue. One other thing was the rushed ending that wasn't really an ending at all. I know there are more books to come in the series but it would be nice to have had some closure on the main part of the story (which isn't about Sarah, by the way).
All in all, this isn't a bad read and I was interested enough in the story and the characters that I would strongly consider reading the next book in the series. I don't like unfinished endings and would like to know what happens next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and wasn't required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
bridgeca2's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
3.75
A cozy story of a woman finding/redefining herself in a small town. Many of these friendships are quite simplistic, and unbelievable, in how they’re forged. The books talking to Sara seems the least unbelievable in comparison. But a lighthearted fast read/listen that gives hope for being able to turn hard things around.