This book was so inspiring! It felt like a breath of fresh air, and I loved how it just focused on family. It's the type of book you read on a cold winter evening, snuggled up in a cozy blanket. It just has all of the feel-good vibes!

Blurb
In a dreadful week, Celia is fired from her job, and she is informed that her estranged aunt has died. After learning that her aunt's house was left to her, she heads to Charleston in an attempt to sell it. Soon, she learns that she stands a chance of adopting a baby, and embarks on a journey to renovate her aunt's house

I've learned that books focusing on families are some of my favorite things, so I immediately expected to love this. Watching Celia discover an entire family, and help bring together her community was so touching! We had so many amazing friendships in this, and I loved them all! Calvin was an absolute gem, but Polly might have been my favorite.

One thing I tend to look for in books is complex characters, and Marie Bostwick did an amazing job of that! Even her side characters had struggles that I was invested in, which is super hard to do. I loved the crafting group Celia ended up forming, I felt like it was a great way for Bostwick to show the relationships she'd formed.

I am so happy that romance wasn't a focal point of this! This wasn't a journey of love, instead it was a journey of Celia finding a family and rediscovering herself. There was slight romance, and it was the perfect amount for this.

If you're a fan of feel-good books, this is for you! It was full of loveably quirky characters, and was a tale full of family. I can definitely see myself rereading this over and over again!

Thanks to Marie Bostwick and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This is a charming story story set in Charleston, South Carolina, a city I love. The characters are very realistic and easy to like. I especially liked the way all the friends worked together to help each other, and I would have liked to be there to help, and get to know these people. There are humorous, as well as serious and tearful, scenes. Anyone looking for a heartfelt story about new beginnings, with no superfluous sex scenes or bad language, will love this book.

This was an awesome book. It wasn’t preachy. Although the plot line of forgotten relative leaving a house to a distant relative is overly used, it didn’t take away from the plot and the character development. What I particularly liked about Celia was that she was likable. She didn’t have the usual I’m against love perspective. I also liked how things weren’t peaches and cream for Celia once she made the big move.

Celia Fairchild has just divorced her husband, lost the "Dear Calpurnia" column that has consumed most of her life, and received the news that her estranged aunt has died. In the midst of this, she's craving a child. When she finds out she's being considered as an adoptive mother and has just three months to make her case, she thinks selling the house she inherited may be the answer to providing for her potential child. Turns out the process will not be as easy as she thinks.

This heartfelt story revolves around identities—both those foisted upon us and those we claim— and how we let them and our families, found and otherwise, define us. Highly recommend this read!

My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for a complimentary advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

There was so much to enjoy and embrace about The Restoration of Celia Fairchild. It’s a feel good story of hope and new beginnings.  

On a personal note, I felt that the southern voice inflections were a bit overdone, but this is one southern girl’s opinion.  It may feel just right to you.  

I do recommend it with a three star rating for anyone looking for a quick, heartwarming read.

The Restoration of Celia Fairchild by Marie Bostwick was one of the best books I have read in a while.
First, I loved the characters from the very first page and would love to have a besty like Celia and her bff Calvin. Second, it was set in Charleston, which I love, and I enjoyed the memories of walking down Kings Street and eating at Poogan's Porch. The characters feel like normal, every day people, with lives full of ups and downs, but the way they all come together and become friend and family will leave you feeling good with a big smile on your face and a happy heart. This is a book you NEED to read!
Thank you to #NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

THE RESTORATION OF CELIA FAIRCHILD is a quirky and charming read recommended for fans of book club fiction.

The pacing is outstanding - what a page turner! As other reviewers have mentioned, this novel is hard to put down and you may just end up reading it in one sitting.

The main character is relatable and likable without being perfect. I enjoyed the cast of characters she meets along the way.

Heading into this story, I was a tiny bit concerned that the premise sounded tired/cliche, like a story we've all read before. But I promise Bostwick injects the narrative with such endearing characters and wonderful charm. My concern was definitely misplaced!

This uplifting story is exactly what we need in these challenging times.

I read this in a day, I loved it so much. Transformation stories are some of my favorites and this includes two—one of a house and one of Celia Fairchild. Down on her luck, Celia leaves NYC to take possession of her aunt’s house in Charleston—an aunt she hasn’t spoken to in years. Celia discovers her aunt was a hoarder and the house is a wreck. The people Celia meets, the secrets she finally shares and the family she builds make this such a wonderful feel good story.

Love love Marie Bostwick's books. I have read all!
The Cobbled Court Quilt series is a top fave of mine.
I was excited to hear of this book, and to receive an ARC.

Celia wants a change. wants a new life, desires to be transformed,
to find what she has lost. She gets a start over, a fresh start, now where will it lead her.

I read this in 1 afternoon, I could not stop.

Celia Fairchild has lost her job as the advice columnist, Dear Calpurnia. She gives wise advice to everyone except herself. She returns to Charleston to the home she inherited from her aunt. While wanting to rebuild her life and clear out her aunt’s home, her biggest want is to adopt a child and have a family. Little does she realize that she is knitting together a family from her friends and neighbors. She has such a big heart and forms a sisterhood that carries her forward. This is a truly fast read and fee-good book.

This is my 11th book by Marie Bostwick so I was excited to see she came out with a new book for 2021. This is a feel-good type of book which is exactly what we need right now during this pandemic we’re in. I enjoyed the story about Celia and all the renovations she did to her old house. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published March 2021.

When I requested this book I thought the authors name sounded familiar. I’ve read her quilt store series and enjoyed it, but I loved this book, the plot, the fun characters, the southern setting, and the house restoration. It was fun and uplifting, perfect for this time. I’m hoping this turns into a series and we learn more about these characters.

What a refreshing read! The characters are all likable (even the grouchy ones), and the author does a great job of transporting you to Charleston. I expected the book to be about the main character trying to get her job back, but it wasn’t that at all. The plot was unexpected at many points, and I certainly didn’t see the twist coming near the end. There is some romance, but that really isn’t the focus at all; it’s much more a story about found family and the power of dreams. A light but not fluffy read! I would really love to see a sequel and find out what happens next with Celia!

Author Marie Bostwick has created a protagonist with a clear, comedic voice and memorable point of view in THE RESTORATION OF CELIA FAIRCHILD. Our heroine has, for years, hidden behind her alternate persona, Dear Calpernia, a widely-read advice columnist, until the day she loses her job while seeking a raise. She relocates back to Charleston in hopes of adopting a child and the story of her preparation is endearing and engaging. There are the requisite unusual neighbors and helpful available friends and attractive eligible bachelors. But this book is not a standard romance novel, it is a modern comedy of manners and aspirations. It is a quick read and joyful. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Great fun and a little bit of romance too! Celia, a journalist, has made a bit of a name for herself as "Dear Calpurnia," kind of a Dear Abby. Unfortunately, she loses her job, and some nasty contractual double dealing by her publisher means she no longer owns the rights to be Dear Calpurnia. And this was just as she was about to try to adopt a baby as a single mother. As luck would have it, she inherits an old family home in Charleston. She decides she'll move back, sell it, and use the proceeds to create a home that the adoption agency will approve of. The old house turns out to be a wreck -- but Celia decides to keep it and fix it up. She reconnects with old friends from her younger days growing up in Charleston, and makes some wonderful new ones. I was so engaged with this story, I could hardly put it down. I look forward to recommending this to readers who enjoy Mary Kay Andrews (especially her earlier titles), Mary Alice Monroe, and even Elin Hilderbrand.

What a great escape with characters that I'd want to know and have in my life. Each chapter flows easily into the next and it's a simple charming story - filled with challenges to be overcome but always done with optimism and humor.
Loved!
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

I have been grouchy and grumpy during this pandemic, so I need very special books to make me feel good, and this was one! A lovely feel good book about a women who has her life upended, but manages to reset her existence with the help of good friends.

Celia has been desperate to become a mother and despite all the turmoil in her life, she returns to her southern roots and takes most unexpected paths to her future. Sure, there are too many coincidences and easy answers, but the book still left me smiling.

Thank you Netgalley for this charming read.