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dmsullivan 's review for:
Not Quite by the Book
by Julie Hatcher
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I should’ve taken inventory of my life sooner. Instead, I’d been running full speed in the same direction since college without questioning why.
I thought of Emily and her appreciation for nature and all its wonder. She’d written that nature never knocks, but also never intrudes. And I thought of it often in the fall.
She believed beauty wasn’t made. It simply was.
**
I really enjoyed this month's Kindle First pick (February 2025). We follow our main character Emma who runs her family's bookstore and has given up on love -- she's too busy with her job. When her parents tell her they're leaving her the shop, she decides to take a bit of a break to visit the nearby town where her idol, Emily Dickinson, lived. Her goal is to channel her inner Emily and most importantly, give up on love. Of course, who should she run into but the attractive handyman who isn't pleased she's staying at his family's manor -- at least to start.
Overall, this was a good read with a "You've got mail" vibe, some introspectiveness of the main character, and a happily ever after.
Some stray thoughts:
--Davis lies to Emma about some big aspects -- TWICE in a 6 week period. I know we want him and Emma to have the happy ever after, but come on.
--I'm sorry, Emma's family is the WORST. Her parents ran the bookstore for how many years? They know how much work goes into it. And they never once questioned if she needed help? And her sister was insanely immature -- I don't care if you're pregnant, you just can't cold shoulder someone and expect them to read your mind.
--Emma, you gave cooking your best shot. It's not for you.
--I liked the Emily Dickinson quotes throughout.
--A good book to read while traveling.
I thought of Emily and her appreciation for nature and all its wonder. She’d written that nature never knocks, but also never intrudes. And I thought of it often in the fall.
She believed beauty wasn’t made. It simply was.
**
I really enjoyed this month's Kindle First pick (February 2025). We follow our main character Emma who runs her family's bookstore and has given up on love -- she's too busy with her job. When her parents tell her they're leaving her the shop, she decides to take a bit of a break to visit the nearby town where her idol, Emily Dickinson, lived. Her goal is to channel her inner Emily and most importantly, give up on love. Of course, who should she run into but the attractive handyman who isn't pleased she's staying at his family's manor -- at least to start.
Overall, this was a good read with a "You've got mail" vibe, some introspectiveness of the main character, and a happily ever after.
Some stray thoughts:
--Davis lies to Emma about some big aspects -- TWICE in a 6 week period. I know we want him and Emma to have the happy ever after, but come on.
--I'm sorry, Emma's family is the WORST. Her parents ran the bookstore for how many years? They know how much work goes into it. And they never once questioned if she needed help? And her sister was insanely immature -- I don't care if you're pregnant, you just can't cold shoulder someone and expect them to read your mind.
--Emma, you gave cooking your best shot. It's not for you.
--I liked the Emily Dickinson quotes throughout.
--A good book to read while traveling.