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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
This book is what you’d get if you crossed Seinfeld with Gilmore Girls - it’s about nothing, but it’s cute and takes place in a small town with a cast of quirky characters. For the first dozen chapters, I kept thinking they were standalone scenes from Stars Hollow… only the episode never got started beyond that. If they made this into a movie, I imagine it would become my new favorite comfort movie to rewatch a dozen times, but as a book, it was tough to get into.
Such a fun, magical story. I loved the "found family" aspect and the way that each of the characters wove together to make such a beautiful community. Planning to read another book by this author soon!
This book is so very cozy. There are quite literally zero stakes; it is just straight up sweet and endearing with lovely characters. It was the perfect end of summer wishing for fall read.
hopeful
reflective
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:
No
This book was stressful. The blurbs and everything written about it make it seem like it should be some kind of cozy romance/mystery/etc. It is not. It tries to be a heart wrenching read, but the characters are so one dimensional and ridiculous it's almost impossible to get involved.
I think I figured what was niggling me. It feels like the upshot is the only way to have a happy ending is a partner. And that's a sore spot. It's a charming book, if a bit slow at the start and frantic towards the end, but yeah.
Digital-arc provided by edelweiss and the publisher.
Digital-arc provided by edelweiss and the publisher.
3 ★
When Ava receives a mysterious letter pointing her towards a position in a small southern town, she decided to follow it. Her grief after losing her ex-boyfriend in the accident is soothed by a small community of heartwarming people who will change her life forever. She forms a special bond with an employer and her future friend Maggie, who herself struggles with discovering what is behind her father's strange behavior.
The book consists of small events that made me smile and awe over the characters' kindness. I must shout out to the disability representation because Ava struggles with her health yet decides to come to terms with it as a part of her, not an obstacle. I loved this trope as I believe there are not enough characters who approach their health with equanimity rather than fighting against it. One thing spoiled the book for me. Its cozy vibe, so beautifully emphasized in writing often was spoiled because narration decided to tell the reader about the events rather than show it. The best example is the growing friendship of the main characters that happens outside the audience's view. It's a strange feeling to witness those two characters meet up, and a couple of chapters later let the character inform how close they are and how they would do anything for each other. Despite that, the coffee shop vibe was intact, and its calming vibe was represented perfectly by the narrator as audiobook was my medium of choice in this case.
When Ava receives a mysterious letter pointing her towards a position in a small southern town, she decided to follow it. Her grief after losing her ex-boyfriend in the accident is soothed by a small community of heartwarming people who will change her life forever. She forms a special bond with an employer and her future friend Maggie, who herself struggles with discovering what is behind her father's strange behavior.
The book consists of small events that made me smile and awe over the characters' kindness. I must shout out to the disability representation because Ava struggles with her health yet decides to come to terms with it as a part of her, not an obstacle. I loved this trope as I believe there are not enough characters who approach their health with equanimity rather than fighting against it. One thing spoiled the book for me. Its cozy vibe, so beautifully emphasized in writing often was spoiled because narration decided to tell the reader about the events rather than show it. The best example is the growing friendship of the main characters that happens outside the audience's view. It's a strange feeling to witness those two characters meet up, and a couple of chapters later let the character inform how close they are and how they would do anything for each other. Despite that, the coffee shop vibe was intact, and its calming vibe was represented perfectly by the narrator as audiobook was my medium of choice in this case.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes