3.5⭐
Genre ~ contemporary fiction
Series ~ Every After Street #5
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ May 25, 2025
Publisher ~ Boldwood Books
Est Page Count ~ 305 (21 chapters)
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ The Little Mermaid retelling, small town, small business owner, history professor, single dad, grumpy/sunshine, no steamage

Mickey (38) & Ren meet when he clonks his noggin walking into her cluttered shop looking for his 13 year old daughter, Ava. Ava is like totally bored and hanging out with her father is so lame, but when she purchases something in the shop that has a hidden compartment and a secret book inside they have no choice but to read it together and get swept up in the story it tells. And I was a little swept up myself with the tale dating back to 1899.

Ren has been hurt before and is unapologetically honest, sometimes too honest, which can hurt feelings at times. Other times it’s necessary to light a fire under someones behind. In this case Mickey needed that push to get her chaos of a shop cleaned up and organized.

This was moving along nicely and I was really enjoying it. Mickey was a great character that stayed true to herself and had a way of making others feel like they are enough. Ava was a gem, until she wasn’t. Ren was a gem, until he wasn’t. They both made me a bit upset with some hurtful things that were said. But, overall, I enjoyed how the story unfolded.

Side note ~ Codswallop ~ such a fun word! Our equivalent here in the US is hogwash, which I equally love.

Series notes:
The characters from the other books are discussed, but I think this would be fine as a standalone.

This is a cosy, whimsical romance with a fairy-tale flair and a tender emotional core. At the heart of the story is Mickey, the eccentric owner of a delightfully chaotic curiosity shop, who spins fantastical stories about the items she sells. Enter Ren—a buttoned-up single dad with a strong dislike for clutter—who stumbles into Mickey’s world and gets far more than he bargained for.

The grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Mickey and Ren is charmingly played, striking a great balance between heart and humour. Ren’s daughter, Ava, is a standout character who adds warmth and unexpected depth to the story. The hidden diary and touches of mermaid lore thread a gentle sense of magic through the narrative, bringing extra sparkle to Mickey’s already enchanting world.

However, the story does lose a bit of momentum near the end. The third-act breakup feels a little too formulaic, and the resolution wraps up too quickly to fully satisfy the emotional buildup. A bit more time to linger in the final moments would have made the ending more impactful.

Still, this is a heartwarming, feel-good read for anyone who enjoys magical realism with a romantic twist and a sprinkle of seashells and serendipity.

Mermaids are definitely real! I'm totally convinced after reading this.

Especially loving the mermaids diary that Mickey finds in her shop and decides to investigate with Ren and Ava.

Ava is a teen, who is loving Mickey's mermaid's treasure trove of a shop, and Ren is her single father who seems to insult Mickey and her shop continually.

But as the story progresses, there is clearly something magical happening with regards all of their feelings.

I loved seeing the changes in the characters as everything happens, and I also love Mickey's shop and her sense of whimsy

I was once again enchanted by Ever After Street, and felt like I was reading a fairy tale for adults. This is such an amazing series, that I never want it to end. I devoured this book in a few short hours poolside, only really aware of the fact that I needed to keep moving to get more shade, other than that oblivious to my surroundings.

I'm not normally a fan of letters / diaries that are found from the past, but this one sucked me in instantly and i was as invested if not more so than the characters.

An utterly brilliant and highly enjoyable book. More please!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Another cute story in the Ever After Street series. This time we follow Mickey who owns the mermaid treasure trove store. You don't need to have ready the others to enjoy this one.

Another absolutely magical addition to the ever after street series. Loved the little mermaid theme and the adventure with the diary. Can't wait for more

What a lovely book. I really enjoyed this one, learning more about Mickey (who we’ve briefly seen in the previous books of the series). Her journey to finding love was so sweet. Nothing negative to say about this book at all, and I’d definitely recommend it, it’s like reading on a beach in the sunshine with a cocktail. Enjoy!

This charming story is a warm hug wrapped in the scent of old books and quiet magic. The unlikely connection between Mickey, the quirky and kind-hearted shopkeeper, and Ren, the grumpy single dad just trying to connect with his daughter, is both heartwarming and believable. Their banter is delightful, and the slow-burn romance feels authentic, full of tension and tenderness.

I would have loved even more time exploring the shop’s magical quirks. Still, this is a touching, cozy read about love, connection, and finding joy in unexpected places.

Highly recommended for fans of grumpy-sunshine pairings and feel-good, character-driven romance.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I love this writer’s book and was delighted to find this one lived up to all expectations. A relatable heroine and a grumpy but engaging hero with the addition of a sassy, challenging teenager to complicate matters. The story dealt with loss, letting go, growth and love. Beautifully written and so enjoyable!

This was the cutest read ever. I loved the grumpy dad, sassy young teen daughter vibes. I really enjoyed the pace and the journal entries. It was a good mix of current events and journals!

Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop is a whimsical cosy romance, perfect to read on a lovely spring or summer day. We have eccentric and lovely Mickey, who owns a very unique curiosity shop, and grumpy single dad Ren. The chemistry between these two jumps off the page - its a classic pairing of grumpy vs sunshine.

Ultimately this book was a really enjoyable romance read set in this whimsical street with fairytale influence.

Hey Mickey! Mickey is adorable. I love her personality and her attitude! I loved how she always stood up for herself. Ren is the definition of grumpy lol. He reminded me so much of a black cat haha! I loved the banter between him and Mickey. And Ava, she was sooo sweet and cute!! Absolutely cherished her!!

I loved the pace of the book for the most part but I sort of felt like the third part was rushed a bit. It wasnt that bad where I wouldn't reccomend this book to a friend though.

Overall, a cute romance with the best grumpy/sunshine trope!

What a lovely, heartwarming read!
Loved it!
I have not read any of Jaimie Admans' books before, and I now I can't wait to delve into other books from the Ever After Street Series!
Mark your calendars lovers of romance, because this is a book you'd want to read!

Thank you netgalley and theboldbookclub for this e-arc.

4.5 rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this wonderful author! Just like all her other books in the ever after series I loved this one as well. I love all the Disney references throughout and really loved the angle she took on writing the little mermaid storyline. Some of the characters annoyed me a little bit at the end but overall it was a magical read! Basically a perfect combination of Disney and a Hallmark movie.

As always with one of Jaimie's books - I want to devour it in one sitting, yet on the other hand eek it out for as long as possible. A really lovely book with that signature dose of "is it real or magic?" that I adore. How long do we have to wait until the next one?!

Book Review: Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop by Jaimie Admans
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

As a lifelong Disney fan, I couldn’t resist diving into Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop, and I’m so glad I did! This book has all the elements that a Disney lover dreams of: magic, romance, and a sense of wonder that feels straight out of a fairy tale.

Mickey Teasdale, the charming shopkeeper of the curiosity shop, is a character you’ll instantly warm to. Her love for the quirky, magical items in her shop reminded me of the enchanted antiques in Beauty and the Beast—each object holding a story, a piece of history, and a touch of wonder. While the magic in Mickey's life seems to have faded, she still has that Disney heroine sparkle, yearning for adventure and a little bit of whimsy.

Enter Ren Montague and his teenage daughter, Ava. Ren is the perfect contrast to Mickey’s whimsical nature—practical, logical, and a bit grumpy. But when he and Ava stumble upon the mystery of a hidden diary, the magic starts to return—not just in the shop, but in their lives as well. The evolving relationship between Mickey and Ren is heartwarming, and it’s hard not to root for them to find their own happily-ever-after.

What really sold me on this story, though, was the sense of magic that pervades the book. It’s not just about the curiosity shop or the mystery of the diary; it’s about the belief that fairy tales can come true, even for grown-ups. Like the best Disney stories, there’s a sense that anything is possible if you believe, and that makes this book feel so heartwarming and uplifting. Plus, Ava’s discovery of the mermaid diary gives the plot a lovely nod to fairy tales and myths, which felt like something out of The Little Mermaid.

There were moments in the story where I found myself thinking, “This feels like the kind of movie I’d watch on a rainy afternoon,” and I mean that in the best way possible. It’s a perfect feel-good read, one that will leave you with a smile on your face and a little more belief in the magic of life.

Final Thoughts:
If you love Disney’s magic, fairy tales, and a good romance, Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop is the perfect book for you. It’s a cozy, enchanting read that will transport you into a world where the impossible feels possible, and where real-life magic can still be found when you least expect it.

This was an absolutely stunning instalment that had me starting and finishing within 24 hours. Mickey, Ren and Ava's story was so beautiful and adventurous, I loved getting to the bottom of the diary suspectedly written by a real life mermaid and I loved how this mysterious story brought three lost souls together. Mickey and Ren's building romance was so beautifully written, they really balanced each other out and I fell for them the second they met. Everything about this book was just so cosy and warm, I can't wait the final instalment of the series!

I have really enjoyed the Ever After Street series. These books are like having a sweet treat after a long day. This latest one, Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop, still carries on the magical whimsy that the other books have.

The fairy tale that’s tackled this time is The Little Mermaid. Mickey, the owner of the curiosity shop, has a run-in with single dad Ren and his lovely daughter Ava. They end up finding a diary in her cluttered shop that leads them on a summer adventure trying to track down the possible mermaid that wrote it.

Ren and Mickey both have emotional backstories that have brought them to this time of their lives. I felt for both of them, but Ren’s felt deeper and was more relatable. The story told in the diary was enjoyable too. The moments at the riverbank were so cute. I also loved that Mickey would speak up for herself. These two characters balanced each other out in the perfect way. There was such tenderness between them.

The only issue I had was the third act conflict. I feel like it should have dragged out a little longer. I realize that’s not something you usually want but I think it could have made them coming back together be a bit more satisfying. That being said, I did love the way the apologies played out.

I do love Jaimie’s writing. As a reader, you do have a different feeling reading her stories. There is a warmth and coziness you get in her romances that are comforting.

Thanks NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

I've loved every book of Jaimies I've read and this was no exception. I flew through this in 24hrs. Ever After Street just catches your heart and you are there in the story.

This book just made me smile and was so heartwarming. I loved Mickey and her curiosity shop and Ren and Ava were just fabulous characters.

I can't wait for more from Jaimie. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Grumpy, single dad meets quirky, fun shop owner! Throw in some mermaids and this becomes such a fun, sweet book. I wasn’t sure at first with the mermaids but it was so real, honest and funny. I loved how real it all was and I can’t wait to read more in this series.