I really loved The Bookshop of Second Chances and I wanted to love this but it was…ok? I appreciate that it was allegedly about people in their 40s but they could‘ve been 25 and it wouldn‘t have changed much. I only held out because I thought there was going to be some big reveal about Jess‘s ex. Eh. A lot of dialog. Not much plot. I guess if you want something cozy and sort of nice, here‘s your book. Will I still read her next book? Probably.

I‘m not sure how this ended up in my TBR, but let‘s see how it goes.

The negative reviews almost put me off but I liked both of the MCs and felt invested in their story. A few things felt forced, like ticking boxes for particular tropes that hit with some readers, but overall enjoyed and would read this author again.

SO good! This would make a really compelling tv series. The characters are fantastic.

On to the next one! Recommended by Jessica. As a reminder to anyone who might read this, I‘m just trying to keep track for myself. It‘s ok if you don‘t know who Jessica is 😀 At some point in the future, it might jog my memory.

DNF. Got as far as Michael and lost interest.

Book number three for 2024. I ❤️ my local library. Even in our small town, I can usually get whatever book someone mentions or recommends. If my local branch doesn‘t have it, interlibrary loan usually finds it.

Carline reading.

On the last Sunday of every month, I get to read as I listen to my daughter play traditional Celtic fiddle with a group of musicians at a coffee house near our hometown. We‘ve done this since she was in 6th or 7th grade and next fall she‘s going off to college. It‘s one of my favorite things and I‘m going to miss it so much.

Today‘s car line reading, 2 big 👍👍 Cute but not twee ❤️

Apparently I‘ll just be reading books about bookshops for the foreseeable future.

I‘m not usually much for rereading, but I have a few comfort reads I come back to. They all seem to involve bookshops 📚

It just won‘t get started and I don‘t think I‘m interested enough to try again later. DNF.

Moving right along…

New book, rainy day ☔️

Currently reading.

Car line reading time!

Reading through the books currently being challenged at my local library. All these wanna-be book banners are doing is expanding my TBR pile.

Read all the way to the end, don‘t skip the Author‘s Note. It‘s still happening.

I‘m going to try again later with this one. I was reading it for a “cozy” book club and ran out of time. DNF for now.

More, please ❤️

Perfect book for my 50th, pairs well with king cake 💜💛💚

How did the author fit so much story into such a slim little book! I want to read it again.

This just doesn‘t feel like it‘s going anywhere.

Because if I don‘t take a picture, I can‘t remember what I‘ve read 🙄

New book! Ok, let‘s go!

The first third is interesting and compelling, but then it drags. I‘m going to try again later because I want to know more about Bird, but it‘s just not keeping my attention. DNF.

I forgot to take a photo of this one but I enjoyed it so much, I want to make a note so I can remember to read it again. It was nice to read about a woman in her 40s who isn‘t written like she‘s more or less ancient!

Call me petty, but I have a really hard time with baby talk in books. I know what a toddler sounds like. Things like “tweasure” and “hungwy” take me right out of the story and otherwise this book is very engaging!!! Is it just me?!?

I just realized I‘m reading a book set during the pandemic, using a mask as a bookmark.

My first book or the new year! This is my current comfort series - charming characters, lively dialogue, exciting adventure and possibly the slowest slow burn romance ever written.

Idk about witchcraft but this coffee in a can business is definitely magic 🙀

Ten years of car line reading.

Short, sweet, probably too sweet for most. For me it was a nice way to start a new year. Candy cane added because the cover was too light to stay shut. Fitting.

First read of the new year 🎉

When your impromptu bookmark is kind of relevant. Spooooooky.

That‘s fd up.

Car line read time!

Enjoyable but depressing? Is that a thing?

If only I could crochet and read at the same time, like my grandmother ❤️

I don't usually read short stories. They make me impatient - idk why. And I wouldn't expect short stories about prison to catch my attention at all, but somehow this ended up in my stack and here we are. I read it in an afternoon. Definitely recommend 👍

Magical realism can be a little precious for me, often because story comes second to style, but this was compelling.

My next book will definitely not be about sad, trapped housewives.

My house is a mess, the kids are out of school, and I spent my afternoon reading this book. I don't think I've ever hated a fictional character as much as I hated Gene!!!

Like 1/3 of the way through the book and nothing has happened so I'm out. You're a thriller! Thrill me!

If only I could crochet and read at the same time!

You guys, what am I missing? I'd never heard of this book until several people recently and independently mentioned it was one of their favorites from childhood and they reread it often. I just couldn't get through it. It's like the outline of a story. I'm sorry I missed it when I was 10-12, because I feel like I really missed out on an EXPERIENCE.

This is another book I've had several times and not read, but the time was finally just right and it was exactly the right book for today. I think it would appeal outlander fans.