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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
A Cup of Silver Linings by Karen Hawkins is the 2nd book in The Dove Pond NC series. While it can be read as a standalone, I believe it is better to read The Book Charmer first. It will give you a better understanding of the Dove family and their gifts as well as the town. I was not aware that A Cup of Silver Linings was part of a series when I requested it. Dove Pond, North Carolina is a town filled with quirky characters that includes Ava Dove, the sixth Dove sister. Ava is getting ready to open her tea shop when something goes wrong with three of her custom tea blends. Ava needs to discover what happened and get it corrected before her reputation is ruined. In addition, Ava’s teenage employee, Kristen Foster is dealing with the loss of her mother. Her grandmother, Ellen has become her guardian and she wants to take Kristen to Raleigh with her. Kristen comes up with a plan to stay in Dove Pond. A Cup of Silver Linings had several storylines with alternating points-of-view. It can be hard to keep track of the various characters and their stories. It does not allow any one of the stories to become fully fleshed out. Plus, new secondary characters are constantly being introduced. I sometimes felt there were details that were not needed. They did not add to the story. It felt like something just added in as filler. I thought the author created a charming small town with quaint, quirky characters. This book series would make a great television program on Hallmark. I liked the paranormal element. It is interesting how each Dove sister has a different gift. I wish A Cup of Silver Linings had focused on Ava and her gift. I think it would have allowed the author to fully develop her character and her talent. I did like how everything came together at the end. Despite my comments, A Cup of Silver Linings is a sweet story. It is a good summertime book (perfect for reading by the pool or at the beach). A Cup of Silver Linings is a charming, heartwarming tale with troublesome teas, an imperturbable grandmother, an impatient package, a tearful teen, and a shocked sister.
rlisaacs's review
5.0
I loved the first book, I did. But somehow, I loved this one even more. Kristen, I'm surprised to say, turned into one of my favorite characters. (Not that I didn't expect to like her. It's just that Sarah still has a special place in my heart. Love her to death, and yet in here, Kristen is the one I was excited to keep coming back to.)
We dive more into Dove Pond in this book. The romance in this book is less present than the other one, which is also a surprise since I still liked this one more than the last. But the potentials for romance and the beginnings of other romances are all there and were more than enough to satisfy me and bring a big grin to my face.
I don't want to reveal too much more or give any other spoilers. But I do want to share one of the points in this book that made me laugh out loud. And I mean hard. It probably wasn't even actually as funny as I found it, but I had to put the book down a minute until I could control myself again. Suffice to say, Kristen and her two best friends in this book... I love this trio. They make my day.
Excerpt from the Book:
“Missy turned back to Kristen. ‘Say hi. Mention the weather, if you must. Then ask him the important question.’
‘Just throw it out there?’
‘Throw it like a grenade. See where it lands.’”
And now I need the third book, but alas, I will have to wait a while for that yet. But I will definitely be snatching it up as soon as possible, you better believe. I love Dove Pond. I wish it were a real place, so I could go and stay there.
Five very satisfied stars. :)
Update: Sorry, but I did just want to add one thing. Still love this book. But I feel like the summary/description we are given here for the story is misleading. So yeah, some of it's correct, some of it is misleading. Can't really tell you more without spoiling things. (which, if you read the spoiler above, you might already feel spoiled). But just wanted to point that out. I still read the book. Still loved it. But... yeah.
We dive more into Dove Pond in this book. The romance in this book is less present than the other one, which is also a surprise since I still liked this one more than the last. But the potentials for romance and the beginnings of other romances are all there and were more than enough to satisfy me and bring a big grin to my face.
Spoiler
Blake and Sarah! So sad what was done to them, but AH! Near the end! I'm so happy!I don't want to reveal too much more or give any other spoilers. But I do want to share one of the points in this book that made me laugh out loud. And I mean hard. It probably wasn't even actually as funny as I found it, but I had to put the book down a minute until I could control myself again. Suffice to say, Kristen and her two best friends in this book... I love this trio. They make my day.
Excerpt from the Book:
“Missy turned back to Kristen. ‘Say hi. Mention the weather, if you must. Then ask him the important question.’
‘Just throw it out there?’
‘Throw it like a grenade. See where it lands.’”
And now I need the third book, but alas, I will have to wait a while for that yet. But I will definitely be snatching it up as soon as possible, you better believe. I love Dove Pond. I wish it were a real place, so I could go and stay there.
Five very satisfied stars. :)
Update: Sorry, but I did just want to add one thing. Still love this book. But I feel like the summary/description we are given here for the story is misleading.
Spoiler
Example being, the summary or blurb up top implies that Ava is sort of a big help or major part in helping Kristen try to locate her father... but in the book itself, Ava doesn't even figure out that Kristen is on a hunt for this man until almost the end. She does not help, in any way, to find out who the father is, because by the time she figures out that's what Kristen is doing, Ellen already knows and reveals it.wickie's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jasperisarock's review
hopeful
lighthearted
3.75
Charming and feminine. My only qualm is that there’s some teenage lingo that feels forced.
avreereads's review
5.0
A Cup of Silver Linings Does Not Disappoint
I fell in love with Dove Pond, the Dove sisters, and the entire community really, upon reading The Book Charmer (Dove Pond Series Book 1) and really enjoyed following Sarah and learning all about her peculiar gift. (For those reviewers who have not read Book 1 and felt that Sarah’s gift “did not add value to this story” I HIGHLY recommend reading them in order—even though they could serve as standalones—because you’ll be missing out on so much.)
Since books and tea are two of my favorite things, I absolutely enjoyed getting a closer look at Ava and her own unique gift. And gosh, this story has the entire gamut of emotions—there was grief, quarrels, budding romance, heartache, and wonderful humorous moments.
Another terrific leisurely read that allows one to escape into a magical world that you wish were truly possible. Ah, but that’s the beauty of books—to transport yourself to a place where it is possible. There were moments of intrigue, hope, love, friendship, and was so beautifully written.
I also love how Karen Hawkins teases us with the third book in the series, about Dove sister Ella, in the epilogue. I’m so there!
This is such a fun read and, since it wasn’t initially a typical pick for me, I’m so grateful to the Goodreads community (and my sister-in-law Christine) for introducing me to such an intriguing world and a cast that feels like they could be your friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and Karen Hawkins for the ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.
I fell in love with Dove Pond, the Dove sisters, and the entire community really, upon reading The Book Charmer (Dove Pond Series Book 1) and really enjoyed following Sarah and learning all about her peculiar gift. (For those reviewers who have not read Book 1 and felt that Sarah’s gift “did not add value to this story” I HIGHLY recommend reading them in order—even though they could serve as standalones—because you’ll be missing out on so much.)
Since books and tea are two of my favorite things, I absolutely enjoyed getting a closer look at Ava and her own unique gift. And gosh, this story has the entire gamut of emotions—there was grief, quarrels, budding romance, heartache, and wonderful humorous moments.
Another terrific leisurely read that allows one to escape into a magical world that you wish were truly possible. Ah, but that’s the beauty of books—to transport yourself to a place where it is possible. There were moments of intrigue, hope, love, friendship, and was so beautifully written.
I also love how Karen Hawkins teases us with the third book in the series, about Dove sister Ella, in the epilogue. I’m so there!
This is such a fun read and, since it wasn’t initially a typical pick for me, I’m so grateful to the Goodreads community (and my sister-in-law Christine) for introducing me to such an intriguing world and a cast that feels like they could be your friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and Karen Hawkins for the ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.
avreereads's review against another edition
5.0
A Cup of Silver Linings Does Not Disappoint
I fell in love with Dove Pond, the Dove sisters, and the entire community really, upon reading The Book Charmer: Dove Pond Series Book 1 and really enjoyed following Sarah and learning all about her peculiar gift. (For those reviewers who have not read Book 1 and felt that Sarah’s gift “did not add value to this story” I HIGHLY recommend reading them in order—even though they could serve as standalones—because you’ll be missing out on so much.)
Since books and tea are two of my favorite things, I absolutely enjoyed getting a closer look at Ava and her own unique gift. And gosh, this story has the entire gamut of emotions—there was grief, quarrels, budding romance, heartache, and wonderful humorous moments.
Another terrific leisurely read that allows one to escape into a magical world that you wish were truly possible. Ah, but that’s the beauty of books—to transport yourself to a place where it is possible. There were moments of intrigue, hope, love, friendship, and was so beautifully written.
I also love how Karen Hawkins teases us with the third book in the series, about Dove sister Ella, in the epilogue. I’m so there!
This is such a fun read and, since it wasn’t initially a typical pick for me, I’m so grateful to the Goodreads community (and my sister-in-law Christine) for introducing me to such an intriguing world and a cast that feels like they could be your friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and Karen Hawkins for the ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.
I fell in love with Dove Pond, the Dove sisters, and the entire community really, upon reading The Book Charmer: Dove Pond Series Book 1 and really enjoyed following Sarah and learning all about her peculiar gift. (For those reviewers who have not read Book 1 and felt that Sarah’s gift “did not add value to this story” I HIGHLY recommend reading them in order—even though they could serve as standalones—because you’ll be missing out on so much.)
Since books and tea are two of my favorite things, I absolutely enjoyed getting a closer look at Ava and her own unique gift. And gosh, this story has the entire gamut of emotions—there was grief, quarrels, budding romance, heartache, and wonderful humorous moments.
Another terrific leisurely read that allows one to escape into a magical world that you wish were truly possible. Ah, but that’s the beauty of books—to transport yourself to a place where it is possible. There were moments of intrigue, hope, love, friendship, and was so beautifully written.
I also love how Karen Hawkins teases us with the third book in the series, about Dove sister Ella, in the epilogue. I’m so there!
This is such a fun read and, since it wasn’t initially a typical pick for me, I’m so grateful to the Goodreads community (and my sister-in-law Christine) for introducing me to such an intriguing world and a cast that feels like they could be your friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and Karen Hawkins for the ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.
tsquare345's review against another edition
3.0
Not nearly as magical as others in this genre. Some bits were predictable and some were literally laborious to get through.
laramarler's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.5
A fun magical realism! I needed something light, and this was great! Did not love the narrators, but loved the characters in small town Dove Pond, NC!