This did absolutely nothing for me and actually felt like a total slog despite the cozy bookstore vibes. I questioned the premise from the beginning: one woman tries to send a note in a donated used book to a cute bookstore employee and instead ends up communicating with another lonely woman via more notes hidden in books. Both women somehow think they are conducting a secret correspondance with the guy. I don’t know if I missed something, but it was never clear to me why either woman thought they were ever talking to the bland man who seemingly has nothing going for him apart from his attractiveness (which is mentioned a gazillion times). I like character driven stories but there’s usually something compelling about the situation the characters find themselves in that sucks me into caring what happens. Unfortunately, that did not happen and I was very bored.

Adorable, cute, romcom about finding friendship and yourself in this big world!!!!!!!!!!!!! Definitely enjoyed this book

I almost DNF’d this book twice but because this is my ARC review, I powered through and asked myself a few key questions that may help other readers because I always want to give an ARC a fair shot.
📚 Why did I almost DNF this book?
📚 What audience is this book for and am I just not the right fit?
📚 What did I like about the story?

𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝… 𝐥𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧!
Storybook Ending by Moira MacDonald is about the lonely April who hides an anonymous letter in a book, meant for the handsome bookstore employee, Westley. Single mom Laura finds it instead and thinking Westley has a secret crush on her, the two women begin to write each other unknowingly as the oblivious Westley is just trying to do his job as a movie is being chaotically filmed in his place of work.

(𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑠!)

I picked up this book because I have been reading books with cute bookstores on their covers and while I wanted a cozy, cute read, I’m sad to say this one was not for me. What should have been nice slice-of-life moments were repetitive, boring tangents in the heads of the many characters’ point of views. The idea of the hidden letters sucked me in but as the plot unraveled without any unique surprises, upsets, or reveals, I was quite bored.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤:
📚 Too much background information or backstories that had little to no effect on the plot. A lot of it felt like fluff, unfortunately.
📚 Too many points of views. We had three main characters but random insert chapters from minor characters’ point of views were included. It was overwhelming.
📚 The different POVs all sounded the same. There were no unique voices between the different characters so I had to keep going back to the start of each chapter to see who it was about.
📚 Westley. Westley is hot. Every character needs to tell you how hot he is and that everything that ever happens to him is because he is hot. This ends up being his crux as he expresses that he is hot and has feelings too but this was a little over kill for me. (And once the letter situation is resolved, he's kind of forgotten about!)
📚 Reading the description of this book… it sounded like it might have romance! There was no romance here and while that’s fine, the blurb and the tags for this book were misleading.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
📚 The idea of the letter! I worried about all the ways this could have gone wrong but unfortunately the reveal was quite simple.
📚 There was no toxic drama or petty situations! I always love seeing plots driven by something other than a character just being mean. There were a lot of well-meaning characters that just need to get better at communicating (and that’s what makes the story!).
📚 I enjoyed poor April and Simon’s date. That moment was one that felt alive!

𝐈 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐍𝐅’𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.
When I hit chapter 11, I almost stopped reading. Westley (for the millionth time) was asked if his name was from The Princess Bride. That’s fun! That’s perfect, and many mentions of that is no problem at all but the problem is that after he stopped and thought about this one or two times, every other time TPB was brought up, he would rehash all his thoughts about that mention, how it made him feel, and more without ever adding to or evolving that initial thought. There were a lot of parts in the book that reexplained thoughts or ideas like this and it was kind of driving me nuts.
I pushed until chapter 23 and almost DNF’d again because I felt like the plot was going nowhere but decided to finish because it is the least I can do in return for an ARC copy (thank you!).

Overall, this one fell flat for me. I really wanted to like this one and with the simpler plot and nice characters, I do think this can still be a cozy read for some if you are looking for something with low stakes to enjoy. The author does a good job juggling so many characters and storylines so I have to give her props for that!

⭐ ⭐/ 5 stars

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC copy of this book. This is my honest review in exchange for the ARC.

April is lonely working from home and isolated from friends so she leaves an anonymous note in a used book for Westley, the used book clerk at the local bookstore. Things go awry when local mom Laura buys the book and finds the note, thinking it's from Westley. April and Laura continue writing back and forth anonymously. In the midst of that, the bookstore employees are thrown into chaos when a movie comes to film in the store.

As a lover of books and bookstores, I adore a bookstore storyline. They hold a special place in my heart and this one will too. The quirky characters, the mistaken identities, and the central intersection of the bookstore add to the heartwarming charm. If you want a cozy book to curl up with on a rainy day, this is it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penuin Group Dutton for the ARC of Storybook Ending.

This book was the perfect example of cute idea but wrong execution.

For a debut novel, the author's writing is strong—clear, smooth, and well-crafted. However, the plot falls short. It’s overloaded with unnecessary character backstories and side characters who add little to the story. The narrative drags without a clear conflict or climax, and while it’s interesting to see how the characters’ lives intersect, the happy ending feels underwhelming.

Thank you NetGalley & Dutton Books for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Storybook Ending is a charming little story that’s all about unexpected connections. This book is very sweet. It starts with a woman who leaves a note for her crush tucked inside a book, only for it to be found by a single mom instead. From there, a friendship slowly blooms between two very different women.

I won’t lie, the pace is pretty laid-back, maybe even a bit slow at times, but honestly, that kind of worked for me. It gave the story space to breathe and let the characters’ relationship feel real and unforced.

What I really loved was how April and Laura’s friendship grew into something meaningful. There’s something so comforting about stories that explore female friendships and the ups and downs of womanhood, and this one hits that note just right.

The characters felt super relatable too each of the three main people has moments that almost anyone could connect with. If you’re looking for a gentle, cozy read that’s perfect for unwinding after a hectic day, this book fits the bill nicely. It’s not flashy or fast-paced, but it’s warm and heartfelt in a way that sticks with you.

4 Stars!

#NetGalley, #PenguinGroup, #StorybookEnding, #MoiraMacdonald

Loved this debut novel! There was a great depth to the story and all its characters, without ever becoming too many or too much information. This was a very special story. I look forward to more books by this author. Thank you, NetGalley.

I enjoyed reading Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

April is lonely feeling isolated from her work from home tech job. She leaves a note in a book for Westley, the handsome used book salesman at the local bookstore. But it is found by Laura, the widow who hasn't dated since she lost her husband. Switching POV between these characters, the reader is transported into a love letter to Seattle and books. Complete with some kooky side characters and a silly independent movie, it is hard not to get sucked in.

I will admit that April's belief that working from home is a negative thing was slightly annoying, as I am very much on team let people work from home! There were several points that felt like they were just being made by those in corporate real estate and those leading companies wanting to justify the expense. While the entire book is based on a misunderstanding, it was not a typical trope and worked quite well.

I loved how Seattle the book was, although, I felt like Laura needed to get over our casual style of dressing. That is what makes the PNW the best!

I think this book has mass appeal and would make an excellent book club selection.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Dutton.

So thankful to have been able to read this ARC.
Storybook Ending finds a lonely remote worker looking for love and connection with a handsome, quiet book store clerk. After leaving a note in a book she thinks he will look over, a comedy of errors ensue. Mistaken identities, missed opportunities, and some poor communication lead to new friendships and new romances.

Would recommend to anyone looking for a book about found family, longing for connection, and taking chances in life. It is a cute adult fiction book that has some romance, but action is off the page if anything. Not spicy and not too overly meet-cute. I think this would be a good book for someone who is dabbling in romantic topics without the spice.

This book is not what you'd expect. It shows that sometimes you think you know what you want, but in looking, you find you were longing for something completely different.

4.5 Stars

I had a very delusional *leaving-love-notes-in-lockers-hoping-for-a-meet-cute* phase in middle school, so THIS book? Yup—I absolutely ate it up! So cute! Such a fun and unique take on putting yourself out there and holding onto that hopeless romantic hope that maybe, somehow, it will all turn out okay in the end.

That said, the beginning was a bit tough to get into. It felt like a firehose of information about the characters and their entire life stories all at once. And mixed in with all that info were little side thoughts in parentheses (which is something I haven’t really seen in books before).

It wasn’t that the pacing was slow—it was just a bit of a marathon to get through all the setup and reach the heart of the story. But once we got there? I really enjoyed the journey. If you're someone who doesn't mind a slower start and loves a charming, heartfelt plot, this one’s for you. If you tend to get impatient, you might find yourself struggling to stick with it.

3.5 Stars!

And so, in true storybook fashion, we reach the end—and it’s sweet, sincere, and just a little bit whimsical.

Big thanks to the Bloomsbury Publishing and the Moira Macdonald for the ARC of this book—it was such a treat to read!

Storybook Ending
.
The positives:
📚multiple POVs
📚found friendship
📚book about books
📚bookshop setting
📚adorable cover
.
The negatives (for me):
📚no romance
📚slow
📚boring 😬
.
This book had all the makings of a book I would love, but I found myself doing a lot of skipping ahead. Sadly, it was slow and it wasn’t enough to keep my attention.

Thank you netgalley and Dutton books for the opportunity to read and rate this book.

Such a cute, feel good story revolving around a local bookstore. I’m always partial to books about books and book lovers. A single woman decides to introduce herself to the handsome employee at the bookstore by leaving a note inside a book that he should have checked before returning to the shelves. Needless to say, the note ends up in the wrong hands. What transpires is a funny, delightful chain of events. A perfect cozy read! Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random house for this arc.

I struggled through this book. Described as "a hilarious and intricate web of mistaken identities and serendipitous encounters" I was excited for an interesting plot surrounding a love triangle, but ultimately felt disconnected from the story as a whole. While I felt engaged with each character's POV, they didn't feel interconnected, and I didn't find the levity or enjoyment I was looking for. Despite being called a "Romance", I didn't feel it delivered. That might not be the best genre for this story.

I finished the book, because I felt like it was the right thing to do, but I wasn't rooting for any particular character. There is a lot going on in the story, which didn't make me feel lost, it just felt cluttered.

That being said, this book is well-written. The prose is very well done, as well as the sentence structure and layout of the chapters and progression of the plot. Macdonald did a very good job with the technical side of the book. She also did a really good job with writing in general, but there was just something that didn't click for me.

*Thank you to Dutton (Penguin Group) for this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*

I read this in one day and liked it a lot. The characters were interesting and I wasn't sure what was going to happen. That being said, it didn't feel entirely unique but it is a feel-good read. I liked the ending a lot - it will satisfy even the darkest heart! Give it a try!

Storybook Ending came out TODAY, May 27 2025 and you can purchase HERE.

She loved to read; it had always been her way of tuning out the world, of postponing troubles and escaping someplace else. As a child, her favorite days were trips to the library, when she'd stumble back into the car balancing a small mountain of books, reading on her bed until the afternoon light faded and her mother called her for dinner. She had loved Francie Nolan reading on the fire escape in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; Jo March weeping over fiction while perched in a tree in Little Women; the All-of-a-Kind Family sisters, in their matching dresses and pinafores, making their own ritual trips to the library. April didn't have sisters in real life-she had Ben, but he was another story entirely-but books had given them to her.

Two women believe they are anonymously writing to the same man when, in fact, they are writing to each other. What could possibly come of this? This was such a charming romantic comedy. I loved the writing and the multiple points of view. The way everything was connected and came together at the end was remarkable. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that it was just a bit repetitive and slow in some parts. I was surprised to learn it's the author's debut novel. I look forward to what she writes next.

This book was adorable! I loved the idea of leaving a note in a book and having it be found by someone else. The unexpected love triangle was such a fun story! April and Laura both needed connection and found it in an unlikely place, and the easter eggs and details dropped throughout the book were so much fun and had significant payoff. The twists at the end were excellent!

The story of three likable, book-loving characters crossing paths at the neighborhood Seattle indie bookstore named Read the Room is an endearing gift to readers who have an affinity for books, bookstores, writers, other readers, and above all – the magic of the written word.

Mid-thirty, single, lonely, remote tech worker April takes the risk of writing a note for Westley, the quiet, handsome bookstore worker, by placing it in Anthony Horowitz’s Magpie Murders, where it is probable he will find it. But Westley just wants to be left alone to do his job as the used-book coordinator at the bookstore. The third character is Laura, a widow with a young child, who finds the message in the book. From there, erroneous assumptions by April and Laura continue with subsequent messages passed back and forth in the books, including in The Hunger Games. Westley is oblivious to this entangled scenario, especially since a movie is being stressfully shot in the bookstore and he is dragged into being in it. He privately dreams of a being a bookstore superhero who finds that most elusive book for a customer.

What this writer does so well is create well-developed characters by alternating chapters with their own words, memories, actions, and perspectives. We learn of their fears, hopes, needs, longing, ambitions – and their loneliness and their compassion for each other. April, Westley, and Laura are decent, resilient people, in their thirties or close, who inwardly need more - more friends, more connections. Other interesting characters fill in the pieces to their stories and their futures. One peripheral character states the much-shared view that bookstores are magical, and the writer adds that extra touch of magic by the gems in the story – little literary details. A book favorite of Westley’s is the superb A Gentleman in Moscow, while April longingly holds Little Women dear, and even Amelia Bedelia gets a delightful mention in the story. Who would not want to go to the café named Charlotte’s Web? None of this feels superfluous or jammed in as props for the story. It all works and comes together rather rapidly at the end, with new friendships and meant-to-be loves, more rewarding jobs, and brighter futures – and one big holiday gathering. A Storybook Ending.

I am grateful to Penguin Group / Dutton and NetGalley for early access to this charming book. This opinion is all my own.

A cozy read but I wasn’t particularly wow’d by anything. The characters, especially the MMC, were forgettable and the plot predictably and neatly ties up in the final chapter. It was warm and feel good with some humor thrown in, but ultimately not my type of romancey non-romance novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy.

4.5 stars. This book was like a nice leisurely trip down a lazy river with your fingers and feet skimming the water as you lay your head back. If you want excitement, skip this book. If you want to feel relaxed with your heart all warmed up, please jump on in.

This story seemed pretty original to me, even though there are lots of comparisons to the movie You've Got Mail. It centers around a book store, it's employees and patrons. There some exchanging of anonymous notes in the hope of starting a romance. The bigger part of the story is friendship in unexpected places and how other people can change your life just by being in it. It is a truly lovely story with wonderful character development.

This is the author's debut novel. I don't think it will be her last and I am looking forward to reading whatever she comes up with next.

Thanks to Penguin Random House/Dutton Books and NetGalley for the digital copy. All thoughts are my own.