This was such a sweet read! A story about friendship and chosen family with lots of fun twists and small mysteries along the way! Loved it!

Unfortunately this was very much not for me. I found it to be very slow and also a bit boring. It is quite cozy; though, and the love of books and bookshops is nice. This definitely has an audience, I’m just not in it.

4.5 stars rounded up. I really loved this book and found it refreshing compared what I’ve been reading as of late. Even with some “You’ve Got Mail"-inspired elements, the plot felt fresh and new and I loved the dynamics between the characters. It was so nice discovering the connections between the characters and seeing the different relationships evolve, both in friendships and romantic relationships.

The whole setting of this was so cozy and I loved the book store at the center of the story. I’m not one to reread many books but this is one I could see myself revisiting, and absolutely recommending to others!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a comedy of errors. April, has a crush on the cute bookseller, Westley, at her favorite bookstore. She decides she’s going to leave him a note in a book to try to create her own meet cute. Only problem is, someone else picked up the book. Laura, another patron of the same bookstore, accidentally finds the note, but she thinks Westley left the note for her. Westley has no idea about this note.
This bookstore has been asked to be part of a film where there is portal that opens into another world. While the notes are being exchanged, the filming is going array and there’s chaos and comedy.
So much happening all at once until they start figuring out what a going with whom. It’s a fun read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are three main characters, and the book is told by each one’s point of view. Westley works in a bookstore and is very handsome. He is a bit clueless with social cues but is a very nice guy. April is a tech worker. She works from home and doesn’t seem to have much of a social life. Laura is a single mom who has been widowed. These three characters are well developed and interesting. The two women are both customers of the bookstore. April, getting frustrated with her lonely life, decides to leave a note in a used book for Westley, a la “You’ve Got Mail”. He oversees the used books. The bookshop is in a bit of chaos as they are shooting a movie there. You’ll have to read the book to find out how this all ties together, but I’m sure you will love it!

Also reviewed on B&N (1IrishEyes430) and Kobo (IrishEyes430)

Overall, I thought this was a cute and charming read. The story is told through three POVs, where their lives become intertwined due to mistaken identities and secret notes. April is a lonely tech worker who works from home, Laura is a widowed single mother, and Westley is the handsome bookstore employee who captures the attention of both women. This was a lovely story on friendship and connection as each of the characters deal with isolation, grief, and finding identity again. I found the characters each had a distinct journey so enjoyed reading about how they get their happy ending. It’s slower-paced but certainly still heartwarming, like a nice hug.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so lovely! It's more on the quiet side but also extremely funny with endearing characters with POVs that all held my attention. A love letter to books and reading set in Seattle. Two women think they are exchanging notes with Wesley (named after The Princess Bride, of course) but are actually getting to know each other instead. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more from this author!

This was very cozy and cute, and I loved the atmosphere and classic rom-com throwbacks! It definitely felt like it lagged a bit in the middle, and the characters lacked some spark, but I think if you are looking for something with a slower pace and a good ocmfort read, then this is a great choice.

The cover of this book is what pulled me in and unfortunately, it is the highlight of this story.

I enjoyed the cozy bookstore vibes. It was a very low-stakes read. The pacing was just an issue and it dragged on and on.

The multiple POVs were enjoyable. It is really interesting to get the story from so many different perspectives and to see how everyone is interwoven in another’s life, no matter how small.

I identify with some of the mentions of grief in this book and saved some of the quotes for my personal reflection when I need them. So I did highly empathize with the character that experienced a closed death of a loved one.

I would probably pass on this book if given the option.

Although the story is slow moving for maybe the first half, it had amazing character building for the three main characters- April, Laura and Westley(yes, named from the Princess Bride, and he hates it!). It picks up quickly though, and I was lucky enough to have interest to keep going for a fantastic ending. It was easy to find pieces of myself in each character, and I love that it was set in Seattle since I live so close by! The cozy vibes were present and it was overall a really nice read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, it was a lovely read.

Easy-going, wholesome, and cozy is how I would describe this book. The multiple POVs were a real highlight for me. Each character had such a distinct voice and personality, but they balanced and complemented each other so well. I found myself truly caring about each of the characters' journeys.

And the ending? Really, really loved it! It wrapped things up in a way that felt satisfying, heartfelt, and true to the tone of the story. If you're looking for a feel-good read, this one’s it!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the Advance Reader's Copy.

The setup for this book was very intriguing and really had me getting through quickly. The characters were fun and the mix-up was unique. Unfortunately, things started to sputter out toward the middle; things that weren't very relevant or interesting to the main story were added in. The end also fell kind of flat for me; it wasn't the "Storybook Ending" I wanted.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Moira McDonald for allowing me to read this book early in exchange for an honest review. The review is linked below

If you are looking for a cozy lit-fic, this is it! This book has a lot of characters, making it difficult for me to keep track of who is who for at least the first 40%. It all starts with April who left a note in a used book to attempt to capture the attention of Westley who works the used book desk. The concept was so cute, and I love that it ends differently than April hoped for originally. This book just fell a little flat for me. I felt at times like the story drug on longer than necessary. I did love the ending!

2.5 rounded up

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't quite for me. It was ery slow, and I had a hard time feeling invested in any of the characters. While the premise was initially fun, it grew tiresome rather quickly, especially seeing as the primary "conflict" was merely a matter of the characters making incorrect assumptions.

Part of what I struggled with in this book were a few instances of Chekov's gun. There were interjections of journal entries or notes or something from side characters that--unless I completely missed something--amounted to nothing in the actual story. There were other smaller instances of this too, where elements were introduced into the story but did not play out into anything. I also found the male main character, Westley, and the continual reference to his name being from The Princess Bride to be a distraction. It is a small thing, but my brain fixated on it, and I couldn't seem to get past it.

The end of the book was the saving grace. It was certainly not the ending of a typical romance (and I would not categorize this book as a romance), but that actually made the story better. I think the jist of the characters is that they all feel stuck, stagnant in their lives and waiting for something to happen to them. While I didn't love how the story unfolded, I did like appreciate how the author chose to end it, bringing all three characters forward in their individual arcs.

April is lonely and works from home in her tech job. In order to reach out of her isolation she leaves an anonymous note in a used book for Westley. He is the hot employee at the local bookstore. Laura, a widowed mom, purchases the book and discovers the note. She thinks that is from Westley. With that misunderstanding April and Laura continue to write to each other. It is a different plot but the note in the book reminded me of The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams.

The pace is slow and is more of a friendship triangle than straight romance as the blurb suggests. I do like the found family aspect and seeing how connections play out. But I didn’t love Westley whose biggest complaint is how he is treated because he is handsome. The story overall is sweet but I didn’t feel much when I finished it.

Storybook Ending is a fabulously endearing read. It brings to mind You’ve Got Mail with the bookstore setting and the anonymous notes that result in tragically comedic misunderstandings but ultimately ends in the most satisfyingly heartwarming HEA. The characters are all diverse and equally likeable. The near misses and crossover connections entertain. The multiple POV and shorter chapters make for a faster paced read.

I have posted this review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Storygraph

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/a0614c3f-7d88-40e8-a5cd-45120853789b

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7574723282

And Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKUtYiRxRuX/?igsh=MWpxbGo5MjAxdHRybQ==

(I was invited to read and sent the link for this arc by Dutton Books)

This novel masterfully navigates the boundaries between a love story and a poignant exploration of togetherness. A perfect read for any book lover, it offers a cozy escape that’s as heartwarming as it is thought-provoking. The depth of the characters’ bond makes this a story that stays with you long after the last page. I would recommend for anyone who likes to read about our connections in the world.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for a copy. This is out now!

This was truly a lit fic book to its core - seemingly unrelated characters living their lives until they all become connected somehow. I think the plot of the this book itself was really interesting, and I liked seeing how April leaving the initial note in the book developed into everything that happened. All three "main" characters all were super interesting to see their different perspectives through, and I liked the random chapters that were told by other minor characters.

I do think that the middle dragged a little, especially compared to the beginning and the end. The book itself is relatively short, so it wasn't too bad, but I still felt it a little. It also got really old how everyone around Westley was constantly like "you're so hot, how could anything be bad for you?" since it felt like every time it was his chapter, that was on of the main issue. Otherwise, though, I had a great time.

Thank you to Dutton and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Thank you Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed this one! I liked that this book was not your typical rom/com. There was a lot of heart and definitely some intrigue. I liked the letter plotline and I also liked how it was told from multiple POVs.

Thanks again for the ARC!