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adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked the first 2/3rds of the book - I enjoyed the mystery of exploring the town and how Anders was involved in the whole thing. The supporting characters surrounding Elsy (both in the town and the book-club) were enjoyable and I liked seeing her interact and encourage/challenge them. Once the ending started coming together, I feel like the book lost a little momentum, honestly; felt like it wasn't a satisfying ending for the build-up of the book. There were a few twists that you weren't sure who was going to stay or go and who was going to end up with whom but just felt rushed or unfinished almost. (The irony!) Overall, an enjoyable read with an okay, not great, ending. HEA
IYKYK: "Though she tackles the mundanity of her life with aplomb, nothing happens to Eileen Merriweather. Angst-ridden backstory told in deeply regrettable prose. An utterly skippable read."
IYKYK: "Though she tackles the mundanity of her life with aplomb, nothing happens to Eileen Merriweather. Angst-ridden backstory told in deeply regrettable prose. An utterly skippable read."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Abandonment
Moderate: Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
i always love ashley poston’s poetic writing and this was no exception. she handles every emotion with so much care (loss, loneliness, love, etc.) and breaks your heart softly and then puts it back together. i love elsy and anders’s chemistry and the strong connection between elsy and pru as well.
the only criticism is i was a little confused on the ramifications of the magic town and how elsy was affecting the story?
the only criticism is i was a little confused on the ramifications of the magic town and how elsy was affecting the story?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Sexual content, Car accident
Minor: Vomit
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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 think I might not be able to convince myself to leave the secret small town setting of my favorite books? especially if the owner of the bookstore was that interested in me?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Car accident, Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Vomit, Grief, Car accident
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Vomit
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
I throughly enjoyed this book. This is the second Ashley Poston book I’ve read (The Seven Year Slip being the first) and it didn’t disappoint. I do however think I liked The Seven Year Slip better but nonetheless this book was still super cute.
I enjoyed the romance between the two characters Elsy and Anders. This book also proved to me once again why fictional men are way better than real men haha. There were so many swoon worthy moments between them that I loved.
One criticism that I do have though is I think I would have liked a little bit more of Elsy trying to investigate why she’s in Eloraton. I mean the whole concept of you accidentally getting stuck in a fictional town that just so happens to be from your favorite book series is quite interesting. We do have that one chapter where she discovers the courtyard and then it’s not brought up again until almost the end of the book. So I would have liked more of her figuring out why she’s there.
This book has so many great elements to it like second chances, going after your dreams despite the uncertainty, and embracing what life has to offer.
I think one of my favorite quotes from this book is “I want the beginning, and the middle…I want a first chapter, and a second and a third—those long chapters, you know, the ones you have to take a break from halfway through. I want all of it, not just the end.” Happy endings are great but it’s what’s in the middle and how you get there that’s important too.
I enjoyed the romance between the two characters Elsy and Anders. This book also proved to me once again why fictional men are way better than real men haha. There were so many swoon worthy moments between them that I loved.
One criticism that I do have though is I think I would have liked a little bit more of Elsy trying to investigate why she’s in Eloraton. I mean the whole concept of you accidentally getting stuck in a fictional town that just so happens to be from your favorite book series is quite interesting. We do have that one chapter where she discovers the courtyard and then it’s not brought up again until almost the end of the book. So I would have liked more of her figuring out why she’s there.
This book has so many great elements to it like second chances, going after your dreams despite the uncertainty, and embracing what life has to offer.
I think one of my favorite quotes from this book is “I want the beginning, and the middle…I want a first chapter, and a second and a third—those long chapters, you know, the ones you have to take a break from halfway through. I want all of it, not just the end.” Happy endings are great but it’s what’s in the middle and how you get there that’s important too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This felt like Emily Henry's 'Book Lovers' but with magical realism. However, I much preferred 'Book Lovers' - 'A Novel Story' was not as well written and there were a lot of glaring editing mistakes/omissions. I'm not sure why we needed to hear about Anders' 'minty eyes' 73,000 times, for example. Also, there's a strange part towards the end where Liv is referred to as 'the woman' instead of by her name which didn't make sense.
Another stark problem I had with the book was the lack of chemistry between the two love interests. I felt that Eileen had more of a spark with literally every other character which made it feel odd when she chose Anders, a man who clearly needs to go to therapy.
The ending bothered me a great deal. Eileen spends the entire novel gaining perspective and feeling comfortable with herself as an individual separate from any kind of romantic relationship. However, she doesn't seem bothered that Anders sfayed behind for Bea, nor does she ask any questions. This feels contrary to the character development that has occurred up to this point and seems to simply be so the author can wrap up a happy ending real quick.
I've only read a small handful of romance books, so I'm still getting a feel for what I like and dislike in the genre but this was not my favourite. I have heard that Ashley Poston's other novels are much better though, so perhaps I will give them a chance.
Another stark problem I had with the book was the lack of chemistry between the two love interests. I felt that Eileen had more of a spark with literally every other character which made it feel odd when she chose Anders, a man who clearly needs to go to therapy.
The ending bothered me a great deal. Eileen spends the entire novel gaining perspective and feeling comfortable with herself as an individual separate from any kind of romantic relationship. However, she doesn't seem bothered that Anders sfayed behind for Bea, nor does she ask any questions. This feels contrary to the character development that has occurred up to this point and seems to simply be so the author can wrap up a happy ending real quick.
I've only read a small handful of romance books, so I'm still getting a feel for what I like and dislike in the genre but this was not my favourite. I have heard that Ashley Poston's other novels are much better though, so perhaps I will give them a chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Car accident
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
Complicated
Honestly, I’m so surprised at the low-ish goodreads rating for this one because I absolutely ADORED it. It is simply one of the cutest, coziest books I’ve read in a long, long time. Ashley Poston has stolen my entire heart with this book and I really don’t care if I get it back.
This is a book about books. A Darcy-esque main love interest. A little sprinkle of magical realism. Small town charm out the wazoo. Think Gilmore Girls and Schitt’s Creek vibes. Meaningful friendships and conversations. It was just soooo cute that it made me cry. I loved pretty much everything about it. I don’t even know what else to say!!!!!
This is a book about books. A Darcy-esque main love interest. A little sprinkle of magical realism. Small town charm out the wazoo. Think Gilmore Girls and Schitt’s Creek vibes. Meaningful friendships and conversations. It was just soooo cute that it made me cry. I loved pretty much everything about it. I don’t even know what else to say!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Car accident
Minor: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
it was cute but kind of aggressively millennial
fun premise but come on you have NO further questions for the only self aware character in the magic book world????
fun premise but come on you have NO further questions for the only self aware character in the magic book world????
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol
Minor: Death, Vomit
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Vomit, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia, Injury/Injury detail