I skimmed most of this book, and honestly, it didn’t do much for me. The story follows three main characters—Laura, April, and Westley—whose lives are a bit stuck, and somehow, a bookstore becomes the magical place where things start to shift. Laura is a single mom still grieving her husband after five years, and she starts to open up to the idea of dating again when she notices a charming clerk at the bookstore. April, who works from home and watches the bookstore from her window, also starts to feel a connection to this same guy. Cue the confusion—both women believe they’re having a secret letter exchange with him through books.

Westley, the supposed heartthrob, just kind of floats through the story. He’s attractive but doesn’t seem to do much with it. The whole mistaken letter-writing plot was kind of interesting at first, but it dragged on and felt awkward rather than romantic. When April and Laura finally realize they’ve been corresponding with the same (clueless) man, it’s more bizarre than touching.

The whole thing felt a bit disjointed. There were moments that could’ve been emotional or meaningful, but they didn’t quite land. The characters did find some connection in the end, but it all felt a little too odd and forced for my taste.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this free advance copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

April, 33, lives on her own in a Seattle apartment. Lonely and vaguely dissatisfied with her life, she impulsively writes a letter to Westley and leaves it in a book in the bookstore where he works. Westley, 35, is a bookstore employee who's starting to feel a bit rudderless in his life. Then there's Laura, in her early 40s (a personal shopper, single mom, and widow who's stuck in a bit of an isolated rut), who accidentally picks up the letter meant for Westley. The bookstore binds them all together, as do the events that April sets into motion when she slips that note inside a book. I love the premise: two people conducting an epistolary relationship with who they think is a third person, while the third person is completely clueless. There's a sweetness to the writing and there's a pervasive feeling of gentle yearning from each of these three people, who are pining for human connection and comfort. The story was a solid read and an interesting commentary on seeing what you want to believe. My only complaint is that the continuing misunderstanding got to be distracting after a while. I really liked the concept but I think the journey to the resolution dragged on a little long. There's a gentle thread of humor throughout, which I always enjoy, that helped to keep things from going off the rails into creepier territory. Fun sub-plots (just who is Duke Munro?) help keep the book moving. I enjoyed getting to know the three main characters and the supporting characters, although there were so many at times it got hard to keep track of everyone and all the connections.

This book is a love letter to the wonder and magic of books, as well as to being brave enough to change your life. Not your typical HEA but a happily ever after nonetheless. It's probably the most obliquely romantic romance book I've ever read, and it's more of a journey of self-discovery rather than a romance-focused story. This is a new-to-me author but I would definitely read her again!

Cute plot and setting, but it was a bit too slow for my preference. I would have preferred less character development in the beginning; at times felt drawn out and lengthy. Needed more attention grabbing details to hook the reader. Even with the character development, I found myself not be able to relate with them. I was more so just reading along without feeling any connection.

April, a smart and lonely tech worker, worries work from home has gotten out of hand: She’s left an anonymous note in a book for Westley, the clerk at her Seattle neighborhood bookstore who has a gentle smile and looks great in flannel. But thanks to fate, Laura—a busy single mom who had given up on love—buys the book, finds the note, and thinks Westley has left it for her. A handsome man who loves books seems like just the plot twist she has been looking for. Meanwhile, Westley—not the most perceptive—is too distracted by the movie filming at the store and the ambition it’s unlocked in him to notice either of the two women.

This was a charming book about friendship and community. I really enjoyed getting to know April and Laura. While the first half of the book was a bit slower paced, this was okay for me. The pace picked up a lot in the second half though. Great read overall! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

2.5 /5 stars

This is a unique take on a love triangle: April, lonely at home, leaves an anonymous note for Westley, the local bookshop clerk turned celebrity. Laura, a widow and busy single mom, finds the anonymous note and presumes its from Westley to her. The epistolary back and forth continues between the two women in what, could be, a hilarious romp.
There is a TON of suspension of disbelief here: every part of me thinks two women would realize they weren't writing to a man. I didn't love the first half at all...it was really slow and took forever to really give us any big reveals. On the contrast, the back end felt really rushed. I just couldn't get myself to really be invested.

I really enjoyed this book!!! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and for introducing me to a new author. I loved the focus on female friendship, making friends in adulthood and the fact that this book was not about a happy "romantic" ending. The characters were all endearing and I enjoyed the way their stories all intertwined. Definitely recommend for an easy, sweet summer read!

2.5 ⭐️
Took me awhile to get through this one. A cozy read.
I liked the beginning and how it tied together at the end of this book but everything just seemed to drag on in the middle for me.

This was a cozy, cute book about friendship with a little bit of romance mixed in. It took place in Seattle, at what I believe is basically Elliott Bay Books. It’s one of my favorite stores so it gave this story such a sense of place for me. It was slow paced and not the best book I’ve read but I did enjoy it.

Storybook Ending was a charming novel about romance, friendship and the love of books.

In the end, I was hoping for more in this storyline. I was looking forward to the watching the development of the friendship between the two women who unknowingly are writing notes to each other play out. However, it ended up being a lot of internal dialogue and day-dreaming.

There was too much character development and background noise that felt unnecessary and and didn't play much of a role. There was no real climax or conflict either.

In the end, it was still a cozy feel-good moment but I was bored too often. Not much was happening and it felt like the plot for the MCM, Wes, was forced. He ended up being entirely irrelevant.

This was a charming bookish novel that really draws you in with the adorable bookstore atmosphere and lighthearted, cutesy story! I loved the idea of this book- cute & different and I enjoyed reading it. I do think the pace was overall pretty slow and there was a lot of time spent character building (which is good because there were a few main characters), but then the ending was very very rushed. We had been waiting the whole time wondering how the story was going to play out, just for it all to happen so fast and then.. THE END! I do think there were a tad too many scenes with the movie production as well, that got quite a bit redundant, while other storylines like Westley & Alejandra and Alejandra being Duke could have had more time spent on them. I did like how the overall result of the note swapping was friendship over romance, that was sweet and unexpected. Overall, this was a lovely, easy read!

Stitch a cute a funny book. Perfect to curl up with!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I always enjoy a book that reminds us that connection, period, is important.

April writes a note to Westley, the hot guy who works at the bookstore (without knowing his name) and the note gets found by Laura, who thinks its from Westley (Laura also doesn't know his name.) April and Laura exchange notes thinking they're talking to Westley instead of each other.

In the meantime, there's a movie being filmed in the store that throws Westley in a direction he never expected, lots of interpersonal drama, and April and Laura reflecting on their lives and what they want. Both of them acknowledge to themselves that they are lonely, and they go looking for something to change that.

At the end of the day, this book is about all of the kinds of love in our lives, but especially our friendships. It's a reminder that loneliness isn't only caused by a lack of romance, but a lack of any kind of time, affection, and excitement.

It started off a little twee for my taste but got more humorous as it continued and my sentimental heart loved how everything ended up. Humans need each other.

This is such a sweet, cozy read, perfect for a quiet afternoon curled up on the couch. It starts with a simple yet charming premise: April, a lonely remote worker, slips a flirty, anonymous note into a book for Westley, the flannel-wearing, swoon-worthy bookstore clerk. But instead of Westley, the note is found by Laura, a single mom who’s simply browsing the shelves at Read the Room. What follows isn’t a typical love story; it’s something even better.

This book is really about connection, friendship, and the unexpected ways people find each other. While there is some light romance and a few rom-com beats (and a delightful nod to You’ve Got Mail), the heart of the story is the growing friendship between April and Laura.

The Seattle bookstore setting is warm, quirky, and practically a character of its own. At times, the pacing is a little slow, especially in the beginning, but once the characters start to open up, the story finds its rhythm. The writing is gentle and relatable, and each character brings something endearing to the table. I think a lot of readers will find little pieces of themselves in each of them.

In the end, this is a feel-good, low-stakes story about how books, and a little serendipity, can bring people together.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton | Dutton for allowing me to read an ARC of Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald, in exchange for my honest review.

3 3/4 stars!!

This was a cute story of overcoming your insecurities, not judging a book (or person) by the cover, and finding friendship (and quite possibly love!). An enjoyable read, especially if you love bookstores, told from the perspective of several characters.

I look forward to reading more by Moira Macdonald!

Storybook Ending is like a warm fuzzy blanket on a dreary day that will leave you feeling comforted and happy. I will admit, this is not my usual read at all, but I was drawn in by the cover and once I started reading this one I really loved the characters.

If you are looking for a lighter read that will leave you feeling satisfied and content once you finish, give this book a chance.

April, a lonely remote worker, slips an anonymous note into a book for Westley, the handsome, flannel-wearing bookstore clerk. But fate (and a mix-up) intervenes, and single mom Laura finds the note instead—leading to an unexpected connection that neither woman saw coming. Meanwhile, Westley is completely oblivious, too caught up in the sudden buzz of a movie filming at Read the Room to notice the chaos unfolding around him.
This book is more about friendship and unexpected bonds than romance, and it shines in the way it captures human connection through books. April’s loneliness is incredibly relatable, Laura’s journey feels genuine, and Westley’s distracted charm adds some lighthearted fun. The bookstore itself is basically a character, and the cozy atmosphere made me want to step inside, grab a coffee, and browse the shelves.
The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, but once the story settled in, I really enjoyed how the relationships evolved. The mix of humor, heart, and serendipity made this feel like a love letter to book lovers, proving that sometimes the best stories aren’t the ones we expect.

᪥ Found Friendship
᪥ Unusual Love Triangle
᪥ 30+ MCs
᪥ Low Angst
᪥ Multiple POVs

Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the eARC!

This was a sweet cozy mystery. Though, I might honestly call it more of a cozy slice-of-life novel. There's a mystery in the book, but the reader knows what's going on the whole time.
I'm kind of amazed by how intriguing I found this story because there's not a ton that happens. We get to know some of the people that run Read the Room, a local Seattle bookstore. We also get to know two of its customers, each of whom believes they are having a secret correspondence with the hot guy who runs the used books counter.
I especially liked the different formats Macdonald used, though I would have loved even more emails. I'd love to try listening to this as an audiobook, too - I think that would being another interesting dimension to the story.
Macdonald did a fantastic job of weaving the different threads of her story together both within and outside of Read the Room!

I love a bookshop as a setting for a cute romance, and this one did not disappoint. There was quite a cast of characters that at times reminded me of Love Actually with the light intersection, but they were all pretty loveable. It dragged for me a little in the last third once you could kind of see how everything was going to wrap up, but overall it was cozy and enjoyable. I kind of wish it was coming out in the fall because it feels like something you want to read when there's a crisp breeze and a pumpkin flavored beverage. Still, so cute and light and fun!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC -- this is out on May 27th!

I liked this book but nothing really stuck out to me. It seemed pretty basic and straightforward. I also thought the writing was a little simple but the story was cute.

This was a very cute read! The romance was simple but the friendships made were sweet. I definitely would say this is a cozy read to tuck into in the fall.