Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5 rounded up. I'll start by saying that I did really enjoy reading this book. It's cozy, and cutesy, and very Hallmark movie, with just a touch of magical realism.
But, Hallmark movie style stories are what what my mother calls bubblegum books. This is probably a little more hearty than bubblegum because it deals with grief, but it is still what I'd call a candy bar book? It's a very straight story of small town girl comes home, finds community and love. Which is what I wanted for my casual Thanksgiving day read, but maybe not what "serious readers" look for. If you like Debbie Macomber, you'll like this one. And hey, turns out I do like Debbie Macomber at times, especially during the holidays.
But, Hallmark movie style stories are what what my mother calls bubblegum books. This is probably a little more hearty than bubblegum because it deals with grief, but it is still what I'd call a candy bar book? It's a very straight story of small town girl comes home, finds community and love. Which is what I wanted for my casual Thanksgiving day read, but maybe not what "serious readers" look for. If you like Debbie Macomber, you'll like this one. And hey, turns out I do like Debbie Macomber at times, especially during the holidays.
Anna Kate returns to her Grandma’s hometown for her funeral and to take over the small southern town’s cafe that she has been bequeathed in the will. A bit too formulaic and predictable for me but a light, easy read with good writing.
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:
No
I haven't read that much Magical Realism, but I enjoyed reading this story and I think I'll be trying to include more of it in my future reading.
The little mysteries in the story had me hooked. I liked that we got the POV of more than one character and it kinda felt like there were two main characters even if we do focus on one a little more than on the other.
I loved that each of the girls had to find herself in some different ways and I loved how they embraced one another practically from the beginning. They accepted how they were related from the get go and moved forward and became friends.
All of the side characters are awesome and I liked their stories being told in the 'background' as well.
I'd like to check what else this author has written to maybe read some more of her writing.
The little mysteries in the story had me hooked. I liked that we got the POV of more than one character and it kinda felt like there were two main characters even if we do focus on one a little more than on the other.
I loved that each of the girls had to find herself in some different ways and I loved how they embraced one another practically from the beginning. They accepted how they were related from the get go and moved forward and became friends.
All of the side characters are awesome and I liked their stories being told in the 'background' as well.
I'd like to check what else this author has written to maybe read some more of her writing.
6.5/10
This was my book club's choice for January and one I'd never heard of before. It was a quick read that I enjoyed. Parts of it were a little cliche - woman returns to her small hometown only to realize thats where she belonged all along oh and also there's a super hot single guy who's there to sweep her off her feet. However, this book had a little bit of mystery, a lot of tragedy and some magical realism elements that kept things interesting. I thought the two main characters didn't have unique enough personalities as I kept forgetting who was who and whose chapter I was reading. And I really really wish the magical parts were more fully fleshed out. I had so.many.questions. A good read if your looking for some HEA with a few darker elements.
TW: cancer, death of family member, car crash
This was my book club's choice for January and one I'd never heard of before. It was a quick read that I enjoyed. Parts of it were a little cliche - woman returns to her small hometown only to realize thats where she belonged all along oh and also there's a super hot single guy who's there to sweep her off her feet. However, this book had a little bit of mystery, a lot of tragedy and some magical realism elements that kept things interesting. I thought the two main characters didn't have unique enough personalities as I kept forgetting who was who and whose chapter I was reading. And I really really wish the magical parts were more fully fleshed out. I had so.many.questions. A good read if your looking for some HEA with a few darker elements.
TW: cancer, death of family member, car crash
This story was wholesome, predictable, and optimistic. It's exactly the book I feel I needed to read. Although I usually love twists and turns, the fact there were no crazy turns was really a part of the appeal for me.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
I loved a lot about this book. It was lighthearted and combined elements of magic and realism well. I wish the characters had been more diverse and that the plot would not have gone in circles a lot of the time, but overall, I am happy I read it. I loved the folklore of the blackbirds and thought it was cute and unique. I may design myself a Blackbird Cafe shirt just to commemorate my time with this novel. I'm going to try baking the pies too. If you are looking for something fun and light while stile relatable and full of realism, this is 200% the book for you.
The ending was satisfying except it is quite trite. (Especially the last line). I wish the writer had spent a little more time on the ending prose.
The ending was satisfying except it is quite trite. (Especially the last line). I wish the writer had spent a little more time on the ending prose.
This was such a cozy read! Set in a small, southern town it has vibes of Virgin River with a pinch of Gilmore Girls and a dash of Practical Magic.
Midnight at the Blackbird Café was an unexpected joy! I got a copy of this book some time ago, but have only just settled down to read it over the past week, and I just raced through it.
It is, essentially, a family story set in the Deep South, but it comes with a charming dose of magical realism thrown in. The town of Wicklow is awash with secrets and grudges stemming back years, but could the arrival of Anna Kate Callow begin to set all of that to rest?
Despite much of the plot being a result of sad events, the book is primarily warm and uplifting, and celebrates the value of just being honest! Many of the things that hold the characters in this story back come from their refusal to be honest, but this is something they all have to learn for themselves to allow growth both in themselves, and within their community.
I just loved this book! As an avid watcher of shows like Hart of Dixie, there are typical Southern tropes here, as you would expect, but they are written with the deepest of respect for the characters and you would be disappointed to read a story about Alabama that didn’t contain at least some of them.
The characters were easy to relate to and, despite plenty of angst and tension, the book ends on a happy and hopeful note.
I would happily read more by Heather Webber…
It is, essentially, a family story set in the Deep South, but it comes with a charming dose of magical realism thrown in. The town of Wicklow is awash with secrets and grudges stemming back years, but could the arrival of Anna Kate Callow begin to set all of that to rest?
Despite much of the plot being a result of sad events, the book is primarily warm and uplifting, and celebrates the value of just being honest! Many of the things that hold the characters in this story back come from their refusal to be honest, but this is something they all have to learn for themselves to allow growth both in themselves, and within their community.
I just loved this book! As an avid watcher of shows like Hart of Dixie, there are typical Southern tropes here, as you would expect, but they are written with the deepest of respect for the characters and you would be disappointed to read a story about Alabama that didn’t contain at least some of them.
The characters were easy to relate to and, despite plenty of angst and tension, the book ends on a happy and hopeful note.
I would happily read more by Heather Webber…