This book was such a wonderfully, unexpected joy to read. About 15% in, I kind of wanted to hate it and Lolly, but she easily won me over and I couldn't stop smiling like a goofball every time I picked up The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.

I can't really say that I related to Lolly, but I could definitely empathize with her. She was a character that draws you in until you realize you like her and have no clue when that happened. I could've done with a little less of the "woe is me, I need a magical fix" towards the end, but c'est la vie. Everyone throws themselves a pity party now and then.

I enjoyed the idea of seeing other paths your life could've taken, especially as a way to move on and stop idealizing the path not taken. I think we could all use a bit more of that in our lives, especially nowadays.

I didn't 100% understand the draw between Lolly and Rory; I think a few more scenes (maybe during the happiest parts of their relationship) would've helped cement their connection. I was rooting for them, but I wasn't overly invested. I think she could've been happy with someone else if she hadn't continued to be so hung up on Rory.

Overall, I truly enjoyed The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie and that was such a surprise for me. I would definitely recommend it and I'm sure I'll read it again in the near future.

One Italian Summer meets In a Holidaze in this heartwarming read that soothes the soul. It started a little slow but really came through by the end of the novel.

While I am a little late to the party on this one, I am so glad I read it!! All the love and sweet charm passed from one generation to the next helps Lolly find her bliss in life. Full of heart and angsty love that I hope we’ve all experience The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is pure delight and entertainment. Lolly seems to give it all up and when life becomes hopeless she finds her bliss. Couldn’t stop reading!

Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an ARC!
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Unfortunately I DNFed this, it just didn’t catch my attention and maybe I’ll get into it again when Imm in the perfect headspace to give this another try!

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden is a smash, five star hit for me. It is women’s fiction and a romance with a kinda magical swirl of meringue on top. The title is a tease about what the book is really about. The main character, Lolly, is stuck in a rut of her own making but all that changes when her sister reads out from Lolly’s middle school diary a list of things Lolly wants to do with her life.

It’s a wakeup call of sorts. We all have one or two things we may have wanted to do but never got around to or decisions we may have regretted. Lolly feels trapped but has a unique opportunity to go back and get a glimpse of what life may have been like had things only been different. Her eccentric Aunt Gert gives her three lemon drops to take for each item on her list.

I love book descriptions that are intriguing, and I love it even more when the novel itself is just as good as its description. This one did not disappoint. I thought it was cleverly done regarding the chance to go back in time for a second chance. Who of us has never had any regrets and thought about what we would have done differently had we been given a second chance?

I liked Lolly as a character and I really felt for her since she lost her mother in death. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine my kids having to go through the most important years of their life without my presence or support. I found the story to be unpredictable, highly readable, and creative.

This novel was heartwarming. A feel-good story for all those struggling to let go of the past and to learn to embrace their future.

From the author of Ascension of Larks, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and The Enlightenment of Bees, comes her latest novel, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. Life has not been so kind to the heroine of the story, Lolly Blanchard, it fact it seems that all life has in store for her is lemons. She gave up the love of her life and her dreams of opening her own restaurant to help care for her younger sister and help her grieving father keep their struggling Seattle diner afloat.

On her 33rd birthday, she receives a mysterious gift from her zany aunt, three lemon drops. But what does it all mean?

Heartwarming and thought-provoking!
I loved the initial concept of this book, being able to live three days of your 'could have been' life, it's heartwarming and original and will make you think about your own life, your own dreams and what you would do if you had the chance to live your three could have been days, I really loved it. I liked the ease of the writing, the sweetest of the story.
There is so much of this book which everyone can relate to in one way or another, after all, we all had dreams when younger, but how many of us actually live our dream life and how many of us fall into the category of; life happens and your childhood dreams never happened because other stuff got in the way? and now we plod on in the life we have. I'm in the latter category so that you know.
I think parts could have moved along a little speedier than they did, and some of the revealing aspects of why Lolly did this or didn't do that came a little too near the ending, But despite that, I did enjoy this, I liked how well anyone who reads will connect with Lolly and her story and will have you contemplating your own dreams.

I absolutely loved this book! It might be one of my favorites for the year! Lolly’s finds her list of life goals that she set in 7th grade and is disheartened to find that she hasn’t achieved a single one of them. Her mother died and she came home to help run the family diner. The diner is their family history and legacy all wrapped up into one failing business. She is given the opportunity to see how her life might have turned out if things were different. It is a very sweet story of fate and taking control of your own destiny. This was such a great book!

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

What a poignant novel. At times melancholic, at time hopeful, this book brought me to tears multiple times and made me call home to chat with my parents, as well. This book is like if The Midnight Library was set in Sweet Magnolias. Would definitely recommend. 4.5 stars.

Lolly lost her mother in a horrific accident, but she was fortunate to say her last goodbyes. Her mother tells her family she loves them on her deathbed, but she also draws Lolly close to give the recipe for her unique lemon pie. Lolly uses this dish in her family restaurant to keep her mother near to her heart. The restaurant is floundering, and Lolly begs her father to let her make some changes, but he likes things the way they are and thinks that everything will work out.

This story is not romance, but is character driven and about a young woman who’s having a mid-life crisis and dealing with things like regrets and what-ifs.

The novel moves smoothly between the past, present, and potential futures. It’s a pleasant dream-magic lemon drop that has the potential to alter your life.

This was a wonderful story - I'm not a huge romance reader but this was just what I needed. It wasn't cheesy or sickly sweet or over the top but heartfelt with wonderfu characters and a moving storyline. I loved our protagonist Lolly - she was full of heart but was not a caricature but someone who struggles with her duty to her family and what she wants for herself. Her family was absolutely lovable and the love interest was realistic and swoon worthy. All in all a solid wonderfully written book full of love, hope, and family.

This is a heartwarming book that feels like a literary hug. Magical realism and romance aren't usually my thing, but I really enjoyed them in The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. It's great to read if you need a break from heavy drama or psych thrillers.

If you've ever asked yourself "what if...", this is the book for you!

A sweet and easy read, the perfect escape, this book was a delight (especially Aunt Gert.)

While Lolly's backstory is one we've seen before, Linden offers a wonderfully delightful take. The characters were engaging and I rooted for Lolly every step of the way.

What a very sweet book. Uplifting and fun. A quick read ... would make a great vacation read or summer read. Characters are likable. I love Aunt Gert and her story arc was especially satisfying.

Magical realism, learning who you are and what you want out of life. Very enjoyable read.

After her mother dies, Lolly gives up on her dreams and stays home to help run the family diner with her father, as well as raise her younger sister, Daphne. Now in her thirties, Lolly realizes she has not accomplished anything she wanted, from owning her own eclectic restaurant to being in lov.e. When her aunt offers her a chance to see what alternative decisions would have looked like, Lolly embarks on quest to fine her true path. The story was well written, and the characters appealing. The significance of the lemon drop pie adds to the story. Recommended for an entertaining read. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity.

If you could eat a piece of candy and be able to see another route your life could have taken, would you?

I would not want to actually change my life for anything, but it would be pretty cool to see what would have happened in different instances.

I was easily captured by this story and characters. I was pulling so hard for Lolly to find her happiness. She had been through a lot due to the pressure of feeling like she had to put her life on hold for others, and she deserved to finally find herself and what she wanted in life. The conversations with her family members surrounding this were beautiful and real.

I loved the way everything played out, especially since it’s what I guessed would happen as soon as she went to her third “other” life. Made me feel happy and accomplished 😂

I also adored her great-aunt and her quirky ways. I hope I am like her late in life!

Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the arc in exchange for my honest review! 💜

This was a wonderfully feel good women's fiction story that helps readers understand the loss and grief process. The concept was fresh and unique and it was good.

This was a lovely book that I enjoyed about a woman who would love to go change her past, and may even have a chance to. It's about second chances and choices and so much more. I also enjoyed the surprise recipe at the back of the book. I'm grateful for Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read and review.