This was a sweet, cosy romance set in a charming bookshop, with an engaging and easy-to-follow writing style. The multiple POVs were initially a bit confusing but became a highlight once I got to know the characters, who each represent different stages of a woman’s life, something many readers will relate to. The miscommunication trope was occasionally frustrating (a personal preference), but the story overall was heartwarming and enjoyable. I especially loved the awkward, cringe-worthy moment when both characters thought they were messaging the attractive bookshop worker instead of each other. The character dynamics kept me guessing about the romantic outcome, and I was pleasantly surprised in the end. A delightful, feel-good read.

I really wanted to love this book so much, but I just felt like at the end, that I had read an entire story and not really felt much closer to any of the characters, and that nothing really happened?

The plot was so intriguing to me when I first saw it on Netgalley- with two women (both interested in a handsome bookstore clerk), thinking they are writing to him via secret notes left in books when in reality they are writing to each other. But it was lacking the 'romance' that it promised.

Firstly - I found Westley kinda bland? Even with all the story building, I felt like he was just really shy and mopey and it almost seemed like there was no romantic storyline for him except for right at the end when they decide he's going to date one of his co-workers. I almost hated his chapters because I'd rather read what was going on with April and Laura.

Speaking of, I feel like the ending was a bit disappointing for them both? I would've loved a romance between the two of them! Yeah, the whole 'found family' thing is cute but you can't call this a romance book and then just not have any romance.

I think it's still a great debut for Moira Macdonald, perhaps it just needs to be marketed differently?

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury ANZ and Netgalley for the eARC!

I found the multiple POV in this book really fun and interesting (once I got to know the characters). At first, this took me away from the story but I quickly adjusted. I thought that the characters were representative of different life stages of women and that this was a really accurate representation, which would cater to readers in different life stages.

The setting was cosy and writing style easy to follow and engaging.

I did find some frustrations with the miscommunication trope at times but that's more of a personal preference.

Overall, this was a really cute and cosy and sweet love story. I think this would translate well to an audiobook!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I do any book set in or around a bookshop.
Though I almost couldn't read it due to the secondhand awkwardness of the whole plot!
Post pandemic, the lovely, lonely April decides to hide a note inside a second hand book and donate it to her local bookstore.
She does this knowing that the very attractive male employee checks the books before they go on the shelf.
However, he gets distracted when checking this book and misses the note, only for the book to be picked up by single mum Laura.

The cringe and awkwardness I felt when I realised they both thought they were talking to the hot bookshop worker instead of each other.

The book follows their correspondence and the goings on at the bookshop.

I struggled to pick who I wanted the MMC to end up with as they are all such lovable characters and was pleasantly surpised by the result. Definitely enjoyable cosy romance in a bookshop.