madelinemaesmith's reviews
632 reviews

Thank you to the Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for my review copy and to @prhaudio for the audiobook #PRHaudiopartner . I definitely recommend picking this one up if you’ve been craving more time with Molly and Gran. It’s an absolute delight - complete with a surprise antique appraisal, a reality TV crew, and an unexpected heist that shakes up life at the Regency Grand.

We’re back! Back at the Regency Grand Hotel, and this time, it’s all about character depth and emotional resolution - and a priceless antique that turns Molly into an overnight media sensation. While Molly still shines, this book belongs to Gran. Told through diary entries that unravel her rich-to-rags story, we get a version of Gran that’s far more complex, vulnerable, and surprising than the wise elder figure we’ve come to know.

This feels like a true conclusion to the series, one that focuses less on mystery and more on emotional payoff. Prose’s writing here is lovely and tender, and she handles legacy, memory, and personal growth with a gentle touch. It’s saccharine, yes, but in a way that feels earned rather than indulgent.

That said, I did miss Molly driving the plot. Her quirky perspective and the day-to-day drama of the Regency Grand were some of the elements that made the first books sing. While she’s still present here, especially in her interactions with Juan Manuel and some surprise guests, I found myself yearning for a bit more of her voice at the forefront.

My rating wavered for a bit, but the final chapters brought everything together beautifully. I found myself cheering for Molly, tearing up at just the right moments, and feeling that familiar ache of saying goodbye to a story you've grown to love.

Fans of the series are likely to be charmed by this final installment. It offers a cozy, heartfelt farewell that honors its characters with care.

Read if:

You’ve followed Molly through dust-ups, dramas, and a holiday novella and are ready to see her story come full circle.
You wish there was more drama on Antiques Roadshow
You like your mysteries sweet, your characters earnest, and your endings tied with a neat little bow.
You gravitate towards books like: Remarkably Bright Creatures, The Authenticity Project, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, or The Collected Regrets of Clover

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

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