A review by backlogbooks
The Library at the Edge of the World by Felicity Hayes-McCoy

4.0

 

Overall vibe: a lovely read, with many different PoV’s, and an engaging plot about local residents standing up for their towns & a woman standing up for her independence

What I liked:

• Hanna Casey- not sure we’d get along irl but I liked her a lot despite her not being a traditionally likable character
• Mr. Grumpy Contractor Man (Fury O'Shea)–listen, I really have a weakness for grumpy old men characters who are good and kind in their own way, he really had my heart in one page
• the other side characters- I felt like they all existed on their own, and their connection to Hanna wasn’t the Most Important Thing
• they all also got sympathetic tellings in their own chapters, so that the Mom Who’s Overbearing And Pessimistic got some depth instead of staying caricature (same for the other characters, but she was one I was worried about)
• the Vibe- listen, a story about a woman fixing up an old cottage on the sea? Earning her independence after years of not owning it? Sign. Me. Up. Every. Time.
• the setting felt like it’s own character and i fell in love with it
• the relationships shown all had their little quirks & unique elements
• a community coming together to save their town? Love it so much
• the ending (mostly)

What I didn’t like:

• so many different story threads to keep track of- they all got tied back in the end, but i still had trouble with them
• I love details that add depth to a place but at times it felt like there were a lot of them at once, if that makes sense? Like occasional infodumping
• *spoiler* although I liked the ending, there was one story thread that didn’t feel properly ended—throughout the story, Hanna Casey lies to her daughter about her ex husband & her’s relationship & while Hanna resolves to tell the truth or have him tell it, Jazz’s reaction is neither shown nor really considered

Especially recommended for: library lovers, people who love a good setting, and people planning to either throw a revolution or run away to live in a cottage by the sea (or both! don’t limit yourselves)