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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Sweet, simple, wholesome quick read. Much needed during all of this chaos.
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Cozy with a hint of magical realism
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
Cheesy to the MAX. Nearly stopped reading a few times, but finishing this book gets me an entry in my local library's contest, so here I am.
Very cookie cutter, very overly emotional, and very light on the ghosts/magic. I know it's very common in these types of books, but I have a hard time believing these deep connections/love between characters that develops in less than two weeks time.
Also - I still do not understand Estelle's character - what is she? How is the reader supposed to know from the two extremely vague sentences exchanged between her and Ava?
Very cookie cutter, very overly emotional, and very light on the ghosts/magic. I know it's very common in these types of books, but I have a hard time believing these deep connections/love between characters that develops in less than two weeks time.
Also - I still do not understand Estelle's character - what is she? How is the reader supposed to know from the two extremely vague sentences exchanged between her and Ava?
Tapped out halfway through, not going to give it a rating though, as I don't think that's fair — this one clearly isn't for me but as it's rating shows, it is for some!
As for why it didn't sit well with me... The characters felt very disingenuous — too one-dimensional, too innocent, to perfect (the author's version, not mine) — and there are tropes I do not abide, like the tiny girl-woman whose lack of appetite is a primary personality trait, rather than an eating disorder.
I picked this one up to relax but instead, it made me ever more frustrated so it was best to take the first L of 2025 and move on.
As for why it didn't sit well with me... The characters felt very disingenuous — too one-dimensional, too innocent, to perfect (the author's version, not mine) — and there are tropes I do not abide, like the tiny girl-woman whose lack of appetite is a primary personality trait, rather than an eating disorder.
I picked this one up to relax but instead, it made me ever more frustrated so it was best to take the first L of 2025 and move on.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 ⭐ Coastal, small town charm with a dash of magical realism had me loving this book.
Sheltered Ava is sent a letter from her dead boyfriend encouraging her to apply for a job as a caretaker for a man who believes he is being haunted. The man's daughter, Maggie, is a tense mess trying to carry the weight of her small town's problems on her shoulders. Both characters find friendship, freedom, and love while making coffee, chasing ghosts, and living the most idyllic, gossipy town.
Things I liked:
- how fluffy this book was. It didn't teach me anything but I really enjoyed how cookie cutter the characters and small town gossip was. I also really liked how every question was answered and every character had resolution. Yay for happy endings for all!
- the plot. The synopsis had me intrigued and the intertwining of the characters was very well done. I like how Maggie's and Ava's pasts were explained. It was well thought out and made sense for their character development. Again, I also loved how every loose end was tied up.
- the characters. There is not one character in this book I didn't like by the end. From the animals (Norman, Molly, Click cluck) to the main characters like Maggie, Ava, Dez, Rose or Sam I was rooting for all of them. My absolute favorite was Estrelle. She was such an intimidating but lovable figure. I want to be her when I grow up.
Things I didn't like:
- a few of the twists. Ava's big reveal and her connection to Maggie felt forced and unlikely. I just don't believe it!
- Estrelle's "twist" at the end. I still don't get it. Is she a ghost? Is she Maggie's grandmother? Her mom's spirit? I don't understand!
- Ava's character. I get she was sheltered greatly due to her medical condition. But the entire novel she was weak (literally) and just fragile. Everyone was constantly taking care of her and for someone who was so in tune with their body, it just felt like Ava was almost a victim. It left her irritating.
Overall it was sweet, it was interesting, and it was enjoyable!
Sheltered Ava is sent a letter from her dead boyfriend encouraging her to apply for a job as a caretaker for a man who believes he is being haunted. The man's daughter, Maggie, is a tense mess trying to carry the weight of her small town's problems on her shoulders. Both characters find friendship, freedom, and love while making coffee, chasing ghosts, and living the most idyllic, gossipy town.
Things I liked:
- how fluffy this book was. It didn't teach me anything but I really enjoyed how cookie cutter the characters and small town gossip was. I also really liked how every question was answered and every character had resolution. Yay for happy endings for all!
- the plot. The synopsis had me intrigued and the intertwining of the characters was very well done. I like how Maggie's and Ava's pasts were explained. It was well thought out and made sense for their character development. Again, I also loved how every loose end was tied up.
- the characters. There is not one character in this book I didn't like by the end. From the animals (Norman, Molly, Click cluck) to the main characters like Maggie, Ava, Dez, Rose or Sam I was rooting for all of them. My absolute favorite was Estrelle. She was such an intimidating but lovable figure. I want to be her when I grow up.
Things I didn't like:
- a few of the twists. Ava's big reveal and her connection to Maggie felt forced and unlikely. I just don't believe it!
- Estrelle's "twist" at the end. I still don't get it. Is she a ghost? Is she Maggie's grandmother? Her mom's spirit? I don't understand!
- Ava's character. I get she was sheltered greatly due to her medical condition. But the entire novel she was weak (literally) and just fragile. Everyone was constantly taking care of her and for someone who was so in tune with their body, it just felt like Ava was almost a victim. It left her irritating.
Overall it was sweet, it was interesting, and it was enjoyable!
A sweet taste of magical realism. Just like midnight at blackbird cafe. I think even the same narrators. Perhaps same characters?
Nothing gained and nothing lost spending time with this book.
Nothing gained and nothing lost spending time with this book.