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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
You know how when you’re reading a book you sort of picture the goings on and characters in your head?
I literally could not do that with this book. The lack of details and descriptiveness in the writing was so bizarre and apparent it was distracting. “The house was cute.” “Her hair was copper.” Practically the entire book took place in a cafe- how big was it? What did the tables and chairs look like? Was it well kept or run-down? Spacious or cozy? Warm or bright?
It took me almost a month to finish this book because I was never drawn in- I knew from the introduction of each character what would become of them. It never surprised me or made me think or wonder. It was never complex.
The idea of the story is lovely and magical and sweet- that’s the two stars.
But it feels like it was written by a teenager who has never actually worked in a cafe and has only experienced romance through PG rated movies.
Lastly, the casual mention of the main character being a Daughter of the Confederacy member, the only eye colors mentioned were blue and teal, the romanticism of the military-man hero, and the clear disdain for scientific medicine… yuck. All of it made me feel like I shouldn’t be supporting the author.
Hard pass on this one for me.
I literally could not do that with this book. The lack of details and descriptiveness in the writing was so bizarre and apparent it was distracting. “The house was cute.” “Her hair was copper.” Practically the entire book took place in a cafe- how big was it? What did the tables and chairs look like? Was it well kept or run-down? Spacious or cozy? Warm or bright?
It took me almost a month to finish this book because I was never drawn in- I knew from the introduction of each character what would become of them. It never surprised me or made me think or wonder. It was never complex.
The idea of the story is lovely and magical and sweet- that’s the two stars.
But it feels like it was written by a teenager who has never actually worked in a cafe and has only experienced romance through PG rated movies.
Lastly, the casual mention of the main character being a Daughter of the Confederacy member, the only eye colors mentioned were blue and teal, the romanticism of the military-man hero, and the clear disdain for scientific medicine… yuck. All of it made me feel like I shouldn’t be supporting the author.
Hard pass on this one for me.
A young woman returns to her hometown after her grandmother's death. She learns her story through a colorful cast of characters. Great read!
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As sugary as a mason jar of blackberry sweet tea.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent
If you like steal magnolias, the good witch, virgin river, sweet magnolias then this is a book for you. A touch of magic, sweet budding relationships, family mystery, love, forgiveness and finding your own path. Very sweet :)
I read this book for a book club. I don't read much magical realism, so I don't know how this book measures up on this level. I truly enjoyed the setting and how different people in the book dealt with grief. If Heather Webber were to revisit this world I would be very interested in reading stories centered on any of the other major characters from Cam to Summer to Fayelene. I could also use the pie recipe and Gideon's fried chicken recipe.
I listened to the book and the reader did an excellent job. If you like food and magic in a small town this book is one you should read.
I listened to the book and the reader did an excellent job. If you like food and magic in a small town this book is one you should read.
A touch of whimsy in a small town. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Anna Kate returns home to the small town of Wicklow, Alabama to bury her grandmother, Granny Zee.
Granny Zee owned the Blackbird Cafe in town and was loved by all. Anna Kate is expecting to be in Wicklow a short time, just long enough to settle Granny Zee’s affairs and close the cafe.
That doesn’t happen, though. Anna Kate feels connected to this town her mother ran from years ago. There’s also this blackbird pie everyone is talking about.
Anna Kate is also akin to a blackbird, one who has been broken, and this is her story of growth and overcoming the obstacles put in her path.
What a charming, warmhearted story! I loved every single character. Wicklow is a place anyone would love. It’s warm and inviting, but there are also secrets. There’s something magical that happens at midnight involving blackbirds, and you’ll just have to read the book to find out.
If you want to read an uplifting story, one that leaves you feeling better than when you started, Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is your go-to. Fans of Sarah Addison Allen, you are going to want to check out this book. I am completely in love with Heather Webber’s style, and I hope she’ll be revisiting this genre some time soon.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Anna Kate returns home to the small town of Wicklow, Alabama to bury her grandmother, Granny Zee.
Granny Zee owned the Blackbird Cafe in town and was loved by all. Anna Kate is expecting to be in Wicklow a short time, just long enough to settle Granny Zee’s affairs and close the cafe.
That doesn’t happen, though. Anna Kate feels connected to this town her mother ran from years ago. There’s also this blackbird pie everyone is talking about.
Anna Kate is also akin to a blackbird, one who has been broken, and this is her story of growth and overcoming the obstacles put in her path.
What a charming, warmhearted story! I loved every single character. Wicklow is a place anyone would love. It’s warm and inviting, but there are also secrets. There’s something magical that happens at midnight involving blackbirds, and you’ll just have to read the book to find out.
If you want to read an uplifting story, one that leaves you feeling better than when you started, Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is your go-to. Fans of Sarah Addison Allen, you are going to want to check out this book. I am completely in love with Heather Webber’s style, and I hope she’ll be revisiting this genre some time soon.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Loves this sweet little book. Probably because it’s set in North Alabama and was so familiar. A big surprise for sure. The characters were interesting and their stories were interesting. Definitely will read more from this author
Sweet, endearing story about a fictional small town in Alabama that explores how people and their relationships can and do change in a short space of time.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! What particularly worked for me and added depth and intrigue to the story was the multiple and alternating narrators: a reporter conducting interviews of various townsfolk as well as two main characters. Reading about conversations, interactions, and recollections of the past from more than one perspective really helped me understand the difference between what people intend and why they behave as they do as well as how those intentions and behaviors can be taken, either positively or negatively.
Another aspect of the story that I particularly enjoyed was watching the characters grow and change for the better. Whether figuring themselves out, making big decisions, attempting to make amends for old wrongs, or just patching up a friendship after a minor argument, each character's transformation through the course of the story has the potential to restore readers' hope for and faith in humanity.
Lastly, the supernatural elements of the story added an extra layer of interest and held my attention throughout the tale.
I am planning to read more of Webber's work based solely on the pure delight that is this novel.
in the story is an interesting and enlightening way of providing extra information about why people behave the way they do, what their intentions and motives are, and how often miscommunications happen and cause undue or unintended damage. Webber does a fantastic job of weaving details about small town life, especially in the South, into the story in a way that reads as fully organic and completely relatable. Having grown up in a relatively small town in Alabama, reading the novel was a bit like a homecoming of sorts for me and this realness pulled me into the story and kept me there much like the fictional town of Wicklow attracts and holds onto everyone who visits.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! What particularly worked for me and added depth and intrigue to the story was the multiple and alternating narrators: a reporter conducting interviews of various townsfolk as well as two main characters. Reading about conversations, interactions, and recollections of the past from more than one perspective really helped me understand the difference between what people intend and why they behave as they do as well as how those intentions and behaviors can be taken, either positively or negatively.
Another aspect of the story that I particularly enjoyed was watching the characters grow and change for the better. Whether figuring themselves out, making big decisions, attempting to make amends for old wrongs, or just patching up a friendship after a minor argument, each character's transformation through the course of the story has the potential to restore readers' hope for and faith in humanity.
Lastly, the supernatural elements of the story added an extra layer of interest and held my attention throughout the tale.
I am planning to read more of Webber's work based solely on the pure delight that is this novel.
in the story is an interesting and enlightening way of providing extra information about why people behave the way they do, what their intentions and motives are, and how often miscommunications happen and cause undue or unintended damage. Webber does a fantastic job of weaving details about small town life, especially in the South, into the story in a way that reads as fully organic and completely relatable. Having grown up in a relatively small town in Alabama, reading the novel was a bit like a homecoming of sorts for me and this realness pulled me into the story and kept me there much like the fictional town of Wicklow attracts and holds onto everyone who visits.
