This was such a cute continuation to the series. We pick up 1 year after the fire at the Heartwood and there are a bunch of people wanting to come look for a golden acorn. Mona and Tilly experience some emotional distance but then they figure it out and it was so sweet. I think this opened the way for more books, so we'll see!

This cozy chapter book would be great as a bedtime story for an older child. The parent and child could take turns reading a chapter a night. What a lovely book. I'm sure both the parents and children would enjoy it.

We went right from book 1 to this one and it wasn't too confusing. Always thankful for a series that lets us skip around a little bit.

Another Heartwood Hotel gem. Fantastic and sweet story that is perfect read aloud. I always recommend this for kids who struggle with books with lots of conflict- the conflict in these is a little more mellow and manageable without being babyish. My 8yo LOVES the series and this one did not disappoint.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! Can't wait to see what Mona gets up to next.

This is such a great addition to the Heartwood Hotel series. My 6 year old fell in love with these books as we read them as a family before bedtime. My husband and I loved reading and would make sure we didn't miss a chapter. Mona and Tilly are such sweet characters. All of the hotel animals have such cute personalities. I would definitely recommend this as a read-aloud with your littles.

This was the perfect book to read my children before bed. Each chapter takes me between seven and ten minutes to read aloud. They are exciting enough to keep attention, but tame enough to be calming. I like how the pictures were well spaced out. This allowed my children something to explore visually without it being too overstimulating and keeping them awake.

I really like how decriptions of the characters movements helped me create pictures of them in my mind. I applaud the authors ability to express emotion through the movements of an animal. I think it's easier to understand the way we as humans move when feeling different emotions than it is to understand how animals may move during the same emotions. Tails and fur moved in response to the many emotions felt.

I like that the story itself held values I want to instill within my children. It is important that my kids understand how to be a good friend and also that true family goes so much deeper than just blood relation. This book contains a lessons that are well worth learning.

I absolutely loved the descriptions here. I too would love some flakey acorn croissants and nut butter. This is the latest book in a continuing cozy animal series, and you don't really need to have read the others to understand this one. It was a very sweet story about learning that change is inevitable. About 75% of the illustrations were placeholders, but the ones there were uncommonly moving and charming. Would read more in the series!

A cozy, comforting tale that sparkles with heart and woodland magic—Mona’s story continues to shine.

Family Forever is another heartfelt gem in the Heartwood Hotel series that delivers exactly what young readers love—cozy woodland charm, lovable characters, and just the right touch of adventure. Mona the mouse once again proves that courage and kindness can make even the tiniest creature a true hero.

The story’s blend of a treasure hunt, a mysterious map, and a surprise birthday party for Mr. Heartwood brings delightful twists while staying grounded in the themes of friendship, belonging, and doing the right thing. Young readers will connect with Mona’s emotions—her longing for things to feel “just right” again and her determination to bring her community together.

The warm black-and-white illustrations add classic charm, and the forest setting feels like a snug hug. It’s a perfect early chapter book for fans of Sophie Mouse, and ideal for bedtime reading or classroom libraries.