Dnf at 55%. I really enjoyed the beginning of this books and the little sparks of magical realism. But then it just kind of stopped and got boring for me. I puuuushed myself to get to 55% but just didn't want to keep picking this up unfortunately.

Thank you netgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Where do I start? Such a captivating tale. At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber drew me in right at the beginning and held my interest throughout. A story with depth of emotion, connections – both new and old and a bit of magic perhaps? It was just the right book at the right time. Uplifting and showing that there is hope in this world that things do turn out as they should.

The main character, Ava Harrison, receives a letter in a mysterious way which contains a job offer. Thinking this is possibly from her recently deceased ex-boyfriend, Alexander Bryant, Ava decides to drive all the way to Driftwood, Alabama to attend a job interview the next day for a job as a caretaker. Way outside of her comfort zone, but isn’t it about time that 27-year-old Ava stretches herself? A bold move for Ava. I must say – that is what drew me in, the protagonist stretching herself to just “live” her life. And the journey she embarks upon is both magical and uplifting. Okay – a few snags along the way, but all in all, an enjoyable journey.

In Driftwood, Ava encounters many unusual individuals. Many of them have suffered loss (as has Ava). A few of them are looking for new beginnings (as is Ava). I particularly enjoyed one such character, Sam and his dog Norman. Their back story percolated slowly and did eventually come out to Ava. Their attraction was palpable and it was nice to see the progression of their relationship slow and steady as they both healed from their individual past trauma’s. And Norman is a cute dog with lots of personality J.

One particular Monarch butterfly (I think it was the same one) kept making an appearance throughout the story. Ava wondered if this was Alex? His way of keeping in touch? An interesting thought, which I pondered throughout many times during the reading of this book.

Ava gets a job and remains in Driftwood. She works part time in a coffee shop. The owner, Maggie, of the coffee shop has suffered a great loss at the age of eleven, (losing her mother) and has never really gotten over it. But as this is a story of growth and acceptance, maybe now Maggie can gain acceptance and move on. Maggie’s dad is acting strange and she wants to know why. Loved this storyline – it provided me with some mighty fine chuckle worthy moments. And why does the coffee shop have “curiosities”? That was an interesting offshoot, which I shall leave for you to discover yourself as you read the book!

I found that the author Heather Webber created a world where it seemed like magic abounded, but in reality, I think it was the magic of humans interacting in a positive and accepting manner. Living life well and to the best of each person’s ability. It didn’t hurt that the setting seemed so special. I must say – I am certainly going to explore more titles by Ms. Webber.

The cover art captured me interest. I am fond of Monarch butterflies and it just seemed so magical to have the butterfly on the coffee mug.

A favorite quote from the book:

“Life is too short, too fragile, too precious to hide in the shadows of what might have been. If continuously looking behind, you risk missing the possibilities that lie ahead.”

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is a wonderful read that delves into the process of recovery from loss by those grieving. It also shows the reader the process that one takes to change their life (with great inner strength, fortitude and faith in oneself). Lastly, it is about family – both born into and those which we include as “chosen family members”.

An enjoyable read which you will not want to miss.

I thought this was a sweet and cozy read. A little mystery, magical realism, quirky characters and town, and a little romance in a coffeeshop near the beach. What more can you ask for? I enjoyed the story. The characters were likable and the plot didn't drag on.

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities had a very slow start. While I enjoyed many parts of it, I had trouble making sense of the back-and-forth narratives between Ava and Maggie, and also the supernatural element of the ghostly presences. Wasn’t for me.

This was such a unique, heartwarming story about a group of likable, different characters that make this story enjoyable. Ava received a mysterious letter that takes her to a new town, to take care of an older man and his cat. There are so many interesting characters in here that make this quaint story so fun to read, and while it is not fast paced, it is a fun, feel-good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was not at all what I’d expected, but I enjoyed it very much all the same.
Ava and Maggie both feel very real and very relatable, struggling with grief and letting go of lost loved ones, moving on with life, facing one’s fears and wanting to be “normal” when they are anything but in the best of ways.

She is a favorite author of mine and this is another one that did not disappoint. I love how she writes magical realism.

this really just had the best cozy vibes. the light magic vibes were perfect and I loved the exploration of grief and found all the characters likable and endearing.

After reading the blurb of this one, I really loved the concept and wanted to read it. It didn't quite live up to my expectations and there was a lot more romance and grief rather than the ghost, witchy and spiritual element I was expecting.

However this was a nice heartwarming story and it hit the mark with the small town vibes. The mental health and grief elements were dealt with really well and the characters are likeable.

I loved the small town vibe I this book. This was my first book by this author but I'll keep an eye out for others!

3.5 stars

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is full of quirky and larger-than-life characters. This small town is so involved in everyone’s business, and I loved it. When Ava arrives, everything about her is spread throughout the town within hours. I love that Ava is equally flattered and unsettled by this - it’s a big loss of privacy, but it’s also nice after a life in which she’s been so isolated.

Ava and Maggie were such incredible perspectives through which to view this town and this story. Insider versus outsider is always appealing, even in this town, which welcomes Ava with open arms. It’s crazy how quickly she becomes ‘one of us’ and blossoms into the person she could have always been. Maggie’s growth is a little more subtle; as almost the social centre of this town, she has to learn to prioritise herself and that helping others is best when you’ve taken care of yourself first. They bond so quickly, and it’s nice to see such opposite journeys overlapping and complementing each other.
"But then I realized that this house had also been built on resilience and fortitude and hope, and it filled me with warmth and appreciation. Hard times could be overcome, given time. Given heart. Given determination. Life could be rebuilt.

Fresh starts were possible.
The male romantic leads deserve a mention as well. Sam and Donovan are strong yet nurturing and spend much of the book caring for Ava and Maggie. Most of the time, this is physical with health concerns and support, but it’s also emotional. Donovan is much more emotionally intelligent than Maggie, who has been repressing the truth about her mother and her feelings for Donovan. Sam is more reserved but always seems to be nearby when Ava needs support. At first, this comes through small talk and healthcare because they both need a little more time and patience to allow this new romance to flourish. There are some missteps from Sam and Donovan - they’re not perfect after all - but their actions always come from a place of kindness, which shows.

I don’t say this often, but At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities might have been better without the magical realism twist. I love fantasy and usually think that all books would be better with a little magic, but in this case, there was enough going on without it. Instead of adding to the narrative, it made the events happening feel less special and more forced. Ava was pushed into this new life by premonitions and the ghost of an ex rather than a desire to take charge of a life unlived. The magical realism took away the independence and autonomy of these strong female characters and gifted it to ghosts and fortune telling.

I enjoyed At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities, but it was maybe a little more convoluted than necessary.

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

I unfortunately had to dnf this book. Over the past couple of months I have tried to start it several times. But, I can never get past the fifteen percent mark.

Both Ava and Maggie sound like extremely interesting characters, but the atmosphere and dialogue of this book is giving Hallmark movie dipped in Sweet Tea. Don’t get me wrong. I can watch Hallmark movies if there’s nothing else on tv and I need background noise. I can’t intentionally focus on them though.

Magical Realism is one of my most irritating genres. It’s the presence of magic without the actual acknowledgement of magic. And, that frustrates me.

And, for these reasons, I’m out. I can’t. I tried.

A wonderful story that has just a touch of magical realism. This is another of Webber’s - can’t put it down - books that creates a small town that you just want to move to with the beach, coffee shop, bakery, and best of all, the people. As each character is developed, the chapters move between Ava and Maggie with the narrative described through their two perspectives. I always hate to finish one of Webber’s books as I know each stands on its own, but I don’t want to leave the people and the town she’s created.

Is there magic in the everyday? Yes, and you will see it in this charming tale set in Alabama. I love stories set in the south, they seem to have a particular warmth and charm. And they're often filled with quirky characters who warm our heart. Ava suffers the loss of her boyfriend and yet a new door opens almost immediately and she forges a remarkable once-in-a-lifetime bond with Maggie. A wonderful book and I heartily recommend it! Heather Weber never disappoints and all her series are a treat to be savored.

4.5/5 ⭐️
Ava is reeling from the unexpected death of her boyfriend when she gets a mysterious posting for a job in Alabama. Believing it is a sign from her late ex, she decides to move on a whim. There she finds, Maggie, the owner of the local coffee shop, who dealing with her own trauma from years past. As Ava starts working for Maggie, they both learn about letting go.

I really enjoyed this book! It was one of those pure-hearted books where there isn’t a lot of drama, just great characters and character growth. I will say I think the last chapter should’ve been an epilogue from like a year later. It happens in what feels like a month or two later and some things felt rushed for a timeline. Besides that, it was just heartwarming and so hard not to fall in love with the characters!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book! It took me by surprise and had me hooked!

However, there is a trope that appears near the end that I HATE. Though I love the characters, the relationships, and the twists, that one plot point dropped my rating ever so slightly.

This book was an absolute delight. The setting is so beautifully described I felt like I was reading this on a beach vacation. I love the author's style. It is like reading a Hallmark movie. It is the perfect light read that was incredibly enjoyable. Highly recommend!

So heart warming and the idyllic town just captures you in its story. Loved the setting and the main characters.

Ava Harrison thinks she may be haunted. One month after her ex-boyfriend’s death, she receives a mysterious letter with a job posting far from her home. The caretaker job for a peculiar old man and his cranky cat in Driftwood, Alabama is the chance for a brand new start. Even though she’s always been wary of traveling, Ava throws caution to the wind and heads to this coastal town to begin again.

Maggie Mae Brightwell, the cheery manager of Driftwood’s coffee and curiosity shop, Magpie’s. It was her mother’s dream, and she’s determined to keep it going. It’s got a lot of love and maybe even a little magic. Behind her warm exterior, Maggie is hiding the painful baggage of her mother leaving and dealing with her aging father. Maggie and Ava quickly learn they are kindred spirits, and they both will have to overcome and let go of their painful pasts if they want to move on and have the promise of a happy future.

I’m not sure why I picked this one up. It’s not in any of my usual genres, but there is a bit of magical realism, and I’ve always had a soft spot for that. In any case, I’m glad I gave it a chance. It was heart-felt with honest characters who were all kind-hearted but all needed to find the courage inside themselves to build a future they want. They also help each other, and I enjoyed the community of this small town. Solid characterization, and it gave me those cozy, sweet feels. Recommend if you’re looking for an easygoing character development with a happy(ish) ending.