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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
A light, enjoyable read. I loved the book references. I wish there was a bibliography. Interesting concept, therapy through books. I like it.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
I am on the fence about this one. There were some things that I liked - it was nice to have a cozy set in a small North Carolina town; I liked that Nora, the owner of Miracle Books, lived in a refurbished train car; and the fact that there was a little magical realism. (Admit it, chatting with customers to learn about their lives and then giving them books to read as bibliotherapy is a pretty cool idea, not to mention 'magical' scones fresh baked to help to heal people. )
What I am on the fence about is the way the story flowed - the reasons for the murder seemed a bit forced; some of the townspeople came off as caricatures to me (Sheriff Toad); and, really, does Nora have to find friends, Hester, Estella and June, AND a love interest in one fell swoop?
But it is the first in the series and could just get better and better. I just haven't decided if I am going find out.
What I am on the fence about is the way the story flowed - the reasons for the murder seemed a bit forced; some of the townspeople came off as caricatures to me (Sheriff Toad); and, really, does Nora have to find friends, Hester, Estella and June, AND a love interest in one fell swoop?
But it is the first in the series and could just get better and better. I just haven't decided if I am going find out.
4.5 What an uplifting book! Characters that have experienced debilitating situations and yet the book is so so positive!
I WANTED to love the book. I really did.
But unfortunately, it moved so slowly that by the time I was 50% done, I couldn't stomach it anymore. The friends kept mentioning how they were friends, but didn't act like it. It was like the author was "telling" us they were friends instead of showing it. There were unnecessary details that didn't have anything to do with the side stories or plot. Why did all they want to investigate a crime when all Nora did was talk to the guy for a few minutes? Some of the characters were unbelievable.
HOWEVER, I gave it 3 stars because it was a good filler between my next book and the last book I read, and the idea of the bakery and bookshop with a cute train caboose behind the bookshop sounded so cozy and made me want to visit!
But unfortunately, it moved so slowly that by the time I was 50% done, I couldn't stomach it anymore. The friends kept mentioning how they were friends, but didn't act like it. It was like the author was "telling" us they were friends instead of showing it. There were unnecessary details that didn't have anything to do with the side stories or plot. Why did all they want to investigate a crime when all Nora did was talk to the guy for a few minutes? Some of the characters were unbelievable.
HOWEVER, I gave it 3 stars because it was a good filler between my next book and the last book I read, and the idea of the bakery and bookshop with a cute train caboose behind the bookshop sounded so cozy and made me want to visit!
I would read more of this series. It's always tough to start a series with this many characters going in. But I didn't find anything majorly annoying so that's a win.
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Cozy vibes, small-town charm, and a bookshop with heart, this had all the right ingredients. I loved the quotes about reading and healing, and the bookish moments were lovely.
But the writing felt a bit awkward, the mystery didn’t quite grip me, and Nora’s secret was… a lot. Not for me, but fans of gentle mysteries and reader-centric stories might enjoy it.
But the writing felt a bit awkward, the mystery didn’t quite grip me, and Nora’s secret was… a lot. Not for me, but fans of gentle mysteries and reader-centric stories might enjoy it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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