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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
I received this ARC from a Goodreads giveaway. Like many other reviewers, I thought it was a very sweet story. I wish the magical aspect had been leaned into more. I love the thought of serendipity, but this was obviously more than that. If it had been explained more , I could have focused more on the story without wondering “how the heck is this happening?” the whole time. Still, it was a cute love story and a good reminder of the importance of doing something nice for the sake of being nice and not for internet clout or profit.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
Chloe and Oliver start out as pen pals in elementary school. From the beginning, it's clear that they have a deep connection and they become best friends. As they get older, they realize their feelings might go deeper than friendship. When they finally both get the courage to tell each other how they feel, Oliver's family has to leave town when his mother gets in trouble with the law. Oliver doesn't get a chance to tell Chloe why he has to leave and just disappears from her life.
Fast forward to present day. Chloe is living in NYC and is laid off from her job as a guidance counselor. Looking for a way to give herself purpose, Chloe starts making origami roses with inspirational messages inside and leaving them around the city.
As Chloe's paper flowers become a phenomenon, coincidences of who gets the messages and how they are connected to her and, it turns out Oliver - who is now also living in NYC - start to surface.
Is this book cheesy and unbelievable at times? Absolutely. But if you want a feel good story that leaves you cheering for Chloe and Oliver, this is it. A great summer beach read. I read it in one day and couldn't put it down.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fast forward to present day. Chloe is living in NYC and is laid off from her job as a guidance counselor. Looking for a way to give herself purpose, Chloe starts making origami roses with inspirational messages inside and leaving them around the city.
As Chloe's paper flowers become a phenomenon, coincidences of who gets the messages and how they are connected to her and, it turns out Oliver - who is now also living in NYC - start to surface.
Is this book cheesy and unbelievable at times? Absolutely. But if you want a feel good story that leaves you cheering for Chloe and Oliver, this is it. A great summer beach read. I read it in one day and couldn't put it down.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
hopeful
inspiring
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the E-Arc in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published August 12, 2025. I could not put this book down. It had a hint of magic to it. A great sweet, romance with a hint of magic, realization of truth, kindness making a difference and a second chance. It is a must read. I am definitely going to get a physical copy of this book.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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:
No
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria books, and Evelyn Skye for the chance to read this ARC! I have enjoyed every one of Evelyn’s books I’ve read so far, but this one is such a timely message that so many people need to be reminded of now. I loved how the characters lives tied together in seemingly meaningless ways that end up bringing them all to the right place at the right time. It’s a great reminder than it’a the small acts of kindness that stick with us the most.
This book has the tiniest hint of a second-chance romance that was not overpowering the rest of the story.
This book has the tiniest hint of a second-chance romance that was not overpowering the rest of the story.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
Loveable characters:
Yes
In The Incredible Kindness of Paper, a friendship and more begins with a pen pal assignment in elementary school. I knew I needed to pick this one up after reading the synopsis. The set up was so unique and I loved the overall message of how one small act of kindness can make all the difference in someone’s life. It was so interesting to see how fate pushed and pulled Chloe and Oliver together and apart. It was also fun to see all the different people woven into their story along the way.
The book started off really strong and I was hooked right away. The magical realism was a fun addition and the story unfolds through chapters in the present, as well as ones at various points in the past. Some chapters also focus on a specific side character and how the paper rose touches their life and intertwines with the lives of our main characters.
Unfortunately, the second half of the book felt choppier and more disjointed than the first. Scenes that showed the hand of fate in Oliver and Chloe’s lives were reduced to quick sentences telling us of a missed connection versus actually getting to experience those moments. It made the revelations less impactful. Oliver’s behavior when Chloe reappeared in his life also bothered me and I would have loved more grovel after everything that happened. The ending felt abrupt, but was very sweet. The entire book is filled with pining and longing, and not fully seeing the payout (perhaps in an additional chapter or epilogue), left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. I still enjoyed this magical second chance romance, but not as much as I was hoping.
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
The book started off really strong and I was hooked right away. The magical realism was a fun addition and the story unfolds through chapters in the present, as well as ones at various points in the past. Some chapters also focus on a specific side character and how the paper rose touches their life and intertwines with the lives of our main characters.
Unfortunately, the second half of the book felt choppier and more disjointed than the first. Scenes that showed the hand of fate in Oliver and Chloe’s lives were reduced to quick sentences telling us of a missed connection versus actually getting to experience those moments. It made the revelations less impactful. Oliver’s behavior when Chloe reappeared in his life also bothered me and I would have loved more grovel after everything that happened. The ending felt abrupt, but was very sweet. The entire book is filled with pining and longing, and not fully seeing the payout (perhaps in an additional chapter or epilogue), left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. I still enjoyed this magical second chance romance, but not as much as I was hoping.
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
Content Warnings
OW/OM notes: The FMC has a situationship (a non-exclusive relationship) with an OM for the majority of the book. There is a brief, on page (not detailed) intimate scene between them.
CW: job loss, financial insecurity, grief, con artist parent, incarcerated parent, breast cancer (past, secondary character), work related injury to parent resulting in permanent use of wheelchair.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
The Incredible Kindness of Paper is a wonderful read about the impact of small acts of kindness in our busy world. In the end notes of this book, the editor comments that reading this book is like getting a warm hug. I totally agree! I loved these characters and their heartwarming story. Evelyn Skye has created a multifaceted story with many characters, different POVs and a mixture of flashbacks and present day.
Chloe and Oliver grew up together and fell in love as teenagers. Oliver’s family had an emergency requiring them to leave in secret and stay on the run, so he left Chloe without an explanation when they were 16. Fast forward fifteen years, and they are both living in New York City and happen to run into each other multiple times.
Chloe has been laid off as a school guidance counselor, and is struggling to find a new purpose in life. She starts making yellow origami roses with positive messages and handing them out around the city. Her roses find their way to many people who need an extra boost of confidence/inspiration, and her yellow rose project grows quickly and exponentially. I love how Chloe stayed true to herself throughout the story, and helped so many people.
With the help of the yellow roses, Chloe and Oliver find their way back to each other. Skye ties up loose ends and creates a beautiful, touching story from beginning to end. The Incredible Kindness of Paper shows us how small efforts can spread hope and positivity and improve many people’s lives.
Thank you to Evelyn Skye and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for an advance reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Chloe and Oliver grew up together and fell in love as teenagers. Oliver’s family had an emergency requiring them to leave in secret and stay on the run, so he left Chloe without an explanation when they were 16. Fast forward fifteen years, and they are both living in New York City and happen to run into each other multiple times.
Chloe has been laid off as a school guidance counselor, and is struggling to find a new purpose in life. She starts making yellow origami roses with positive messages and handing them out around the city. Her roses find their way to many people who need an extra boost of confidence/inspiration, and her yellow rose project grows quickly and exponentially. I love how Chloe stayed true to herself throughout the story, and helped so many people.
With the help of the yellow roses, Chloe and Oliver find their way back to each other. Skye ties up loose ends and creates a beautiful, touching story from beginning to end. The Incredible Kindness of Paper shows us how small efforts can spread hope and positivity and improve many people’s lives.
Thank you to Evelyn Skye and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for an advance reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Thank you Net Galley and Atria for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I requested this ARC. The premise was so unique to me. I loved Chloe’s quirky optimism and Oliver’s cynicism. There were a few plot points that I thought were expected. But overall this book gave me so much happiness while reading, and was a great quick happy read. Would recommend, especially for people that love a combo of magical realism and second chance love. ❤️