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At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities
A mysterious letter. An offer taken. And the chance to move forward.
When Ava Harrison receives a letter containing an unusual job listing one month after the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend, she thinks she’s being haunted. The listing—a job as a live-in caretaker for a peculiar old man and his cranky cat in Driftwood, Alabama—is the perfect chance to start a new life. A normal life. Ava has always been too fearful to even travel, so no one’s more surprised than she is when she throws caution to the wind and drives to the distant beachside town.
On the surface, Maggie Mae Brightwell is a bundle of energy as she runs Magpie’s, Driftwood’s coffee and curiosity shop, where there’s magic to be found in pairing the old with the new. But lurking under her cheerful exterior is a painful truth—keeping busy is the best way to distract herself from the lingering loss of her mama and her worries about her aging father. No one knows better than she does that you can’t pour from an empty cup, but holding on to the past is the only thing keeping the hope alive that her mama will return home one day.
Ava and Maggie soon find they’re kindred spirits, as they’re both haunted—not by spirits, but by regret. Both must learn to let go of the past to move on—because sometimes the waves of change bring you to the place where you most belong.
When Ava Harrison receives a letter containing an unusual job listing one month after the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend, she thinks she’s being haunted. The listing—a job as a live-in caretaker for a peculiar old man and his cranky cat in Driftwood, Alabama—is the perfect chance to start a new life. A normal life. Ava has always been too fearful to even travel, so no one’s more surprised than she is when she throws caution to the wind and drives to the distant beachside town.
On the surface, Maggie Mae Brightwell is a bundle of energy as she runs Magpie’s, Driftwood’s coffee and curiosity shop, where there’s magic to be found in pairing the old with the new. But lurking under her cheerful exterior is a painful truth—keeping busy is the best way to distract herself from the lingering loss of her mama and her worries about her aging father. No one knows better than she does that you can’t pour from an empty cup, but holding on to the past is the only thing keeping the hope alive that her mama will return home one day.
Ava and Maggie soon find they’re kindred spirits, as they’re both haunted—not by spirits, but by regret. Both must learn to let go of the past to move on—because sometimes the waves of change bring you to the place where you most belong.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2023
About the author
Heather Webber
28 books3,576 followersUSA Today bestselling author Heather Webber loves to read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, and bake. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is hard at work on her next book. *Heather also writes under the pen name Heather Blake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,279 reviews
August 2, 2023
Happy Publication Day!
August 1, 2023
4.5⭐
Twenty-seven-year-old Ava Harrison has spent most of her sheltered life tethered to her fear of new experiences on account of a health condition that restricted her activities throughout her childhood and early adulthood. Though she has been in remission for two years now, the fear of falling ill again keeps her from enjoying everything life has to offer. But when she receives a mysterious letter written by her deceased former boyfriend with a job listing in the coastal town of Driftwood Alabama, she decides to take a chance on herself and step out of her comfort zone. Ava can feel a change in herself the moment she arrives in Driftwood but is also curious about who sent her the letter and why?
“Everything you’ve always wanted is only a job interview away.”
Ava’s trip to Alabama brings her to Magpie’s, a coffee shop run by thirty-eight-year-old Maggie Brightwell who had briefly advertised for a caretaker for her father, sixty-eight-year-old Desmond ”Dez” Brightwell, whose increasingly erratic behavior has her concerned. Maggie takes a liking to Ava and employs her, dividing her work between helping Desmond and helping out at the coffee shop. Maggie, a single mother whose son Noah is away at college, hides much pain and past trauma underneath her cheerful demeanor. The shop belonged to her mother, who is presumed to have died in a drowning accident years ago – a loss that has haunted Maggie, who finds it difficult to acknowledge her death. In memory of her mother, she keeps everything the same and is resistant to initiating any kind of change in how the shop is operated – a fact that frustrates her father who is rumored to be considering selling Magpie's, much to Maggie’s dismay. Her coffee shop is the heart of the town and caters to its quirky residents, with each of whom Maggie shares a special rapport. Maggie’s coffee shop also houses a “Curiosity Corner” – a collection of odd items collected by Maggie over the years from which she matches items to those whom she senses need them the most.
“The Curiosities most often acted as reminders of something that once brought joy that might be missing from that person’s life. Then they sparked a desire to seek that happiness again.”
The narrative follows Ava and Maggie as they both embark on a personal journey of grief, acceptance, and catharsis and open their hearts to change and new opportunities with the help of their friends, neighbors and a little bit of magic.
Combining elements of magical realism with a touch of intrigue, humor, romance, and small-town drama, At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber is a beautifully – penned novel. The narrative is presented from the first-person perspectives of Ava and Maggie and flows well at an even pace. Both Ava and Maggie are well-fleshed-out characters and I absolutely adored Dez and his quirks as well as the enigmatic Estrelle whose gift of “knowing” keeps everyone on their toes. I also enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters (including Norman, the “quabarking” dog, Molly the cat, and a very interesting chicken by the name of Cluck Cluck) and loved how the author describes the small-town dynamics – the rivalries, love stories, the gossip, the camaraderie and the local customs. Grief and fear of the unknown can often consume our lives and this story is one of how one can find courage and support in oneself and in one another to move forward. The symbolism of the butterfly was beautifully incorporated into Ava’s journey. This is a heartwarming read that revolves around themes of found family, belongingness, hope and healing. I was invested in this story from the very first page and would have loved to stay with these characters a little longer. This is my first Heather Webber novel and now I’m eager to explore her backlist.
Many thanks to Forge Books/Tor Publishing Group for my gifted hardcover copy.
I paired my reading with the incredible audio narration by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis, who made the setting and characters come alive, making for an engaging immersion reading experience. Many thanks for Macmillan Audio for the ALC of At the Coffeeshop of Curiosities.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“Hard times could be overcome, given time. Given heart. Given determination. Life could be rebuilt. Fresh starts were possible.”
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
August 1, 2023
4.5⭐
Twenty-seven-year-old Ava Harrison has spent most of her sheltered life tethered to her fear of new experiences on account of a health condition that restricted her activities throughout her childhood and early adulthood. Though she has been in remission for two years now, the fear of falling ill again keeps her from enjoying everything life has to offer. But when she receives a mysterious letter written by her deceased former boyfriend with a job listing in the coastal town of Driftwood Alabama, she decides to take a chance on herself and step out of her comfort zone. Ava can feel a change in herself the moment she arrives in Driftwood but is also curious about who sent her the letter and why?
“Everything you’ve always wanted is only a job interview away.”
Ava’s trip to Alabama brings her to Magpie’s, a coffee shop run by thirty-eight-year-old Maggie Brightwell who had briefly advertised for a caretaker for her father, sixty-eight-year-old Desmond ”Dez” Brightwell, whose increasingly erratic behavior has her concerned. Maggie takes a liking to Ava and employs her, dividing her work between helping Desmond and helping out at the coffee shop. Maggie, a single mother whose son Noah is away at college, hides much pain and past trauma underneath her cheerful demeanor. The shop belonged to her mother, who is presumed to have died in a drowning accident years ago – a loss that has haunted Maggie, who finds it difficult to acknowledge her death. In memory of her mother, she keeps everything the same and is resistant to initiating any kind of change in how the shop is operated – a fact that frustrates her father who is rumored to be considering selling Magpie's, much to Maggie’s dismay. Her coffee shop is the heart of the town and caters to its quirky residents, with each of whom Maggie shares a special rapport. Maggie’s coffee shop also houses a “Curiosity Corner” – a collection of odd items collected by Maggie over the years from which she matches items to those whom she senses need them the most.
“The Curiosities most often acted as reminders of something that once brought joy that might be missing from that person’s life. Then they sparked a desire to seek that happiness again.”
The narrative follows Ava and Maggie as they both embark on a personal journey of grief, acceptance, and catharsis and open their hearts to change and new opportunities with the help of their friends, neighbors and a little bit of magic.
Combining elements of magical realism with a touch of intrigue, humor, romance, and small-town drama, At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber is a beautifully – penned novel. The narrative is presented from the first-person perspectives of Ava and Maggie and flows well at an even pace. Both Ava and Maggie are well-fleshed-out characters and I absolutely adored Dez and his quirks as well as the enigmatic Estrelle whose gift of “knowing” keeps everyone on their toes. I also enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters (including Norman, the “quabarking” dog, Molly the cat, and a very interesting chicken by the name of Cluck Cluck) and loved how the author describes the small-town dynamics – the rivalries, love stories, the gossip, the camaraderie and the local customs. Grief and fear of the unknown can often consume our lives and this story is one of how one can find courage and support in oneself and in one another to move forward. The symbolism of the butterfly was beautifully incorporated into Ava’s journey. This is a heartwarming read that revolves around themes of found family, belongingness, hope and healing. I was invested in this story from the very first page and would have loved to stay with these characters a little longer. This is my first Heather Webber novel and now I’m eager to explore her backlist.
Many thanks to Forge Books/Tor Publishing Group for my gifted hardcover copy.
I paired my reading with the incredible audio narration by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis, who made the setting and characters come alive, making for an engaging immersion reading experience. Many thanks for Macmillan Audio for the ALC of At the Coffeeshop of Curiosities.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“Hard times could be overcome, given time. Given heart. Given determination. Life could be rebuilt. Fresh starts were possible.”
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
October 13, 2023
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
I decided to pick this one up off my to be read pile for some magical realism this season. The blurb made it sound enchanting and otherworldly because apparently the characters are being haunted so I was up for it. I didn't realize this was more of a romance though. There is a lot of grief in this little town, the mourning of a lost mother and an ex-boyfriend.
Both female lead characters have health issues and I liked that they finally decided to not let it get in their way or hold them back. I figured out Ava's twist right away, like immediately but the connection between Ava and Maggie was a surprise. The story is told from Ava and Maggie's point of view in alternating chapters, which I liked. I wish we got more of Estrelle's story and background. I bet her past is something worth writing about. She was my favourite character of the bunch and I was itching to know more about her.
Overall I found this a little too sickly sweet and very much like a Hallmark movie, which I do not watch or like. I really loved the concept I just wish there were a few more ghosts and a lot less romance. Some added conflict and more depth to the characters would have been nice.
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
I decided to pick this one up off my to be read pile for some magical realism this season. The blurb made it sound enchanting and otherworldly because apparently the characters are being haunted so I was up for it. I didn't realize this was more of a romance though. There is a lot of grief in this little town, the mourning of a lost mother and an ex-boyfriend.
Both female lead characters have health issues and I liked that they finally decided to not let it get in their way or hold them back. I figured out Ava's twist right away, like immediately but the connection between Ava and Maggie was a surprise. The story is told from Ava and Maggie's point of view in alternating chapters, which I liked. I wish we got more of Estrelle's story and background. I bet her past is something worth writing about. She was my favourite character of the bunch and I was itching to know more about her.
Overall I found this a little too sickly sweet and very much like a Hallmark movie, which I do not watch or like. I really loved the concept I just wish there were a few more ghosts and a lot less romance. Some added conflict and more depth to the characters would have been nice.
August 3, 2023
In a Nutshell: A heartwarming story set in a small town. Found family plus magical realism combined with relatable and likeable characters. Enjoyed this.
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
😍 The book gets the small-town vibe perfectly, right from the closeness of the people to the nosiness of the characters to the helpfulness in times of need. I loved how the beachside elements were used to add a further touch of atmosphere to the picture-perfect location.
😍 The central characters are really sweet and loveable. Ava and Maggie struggle with their personal and health issues, and this inner dynamic is carried over in their external interactions as well. Both of them are strong characters and carry the story capably.
😍 The secondary characters are also amazing, whether they have extended roles or limited ones. My favourite of all was Estrelle, the scary old lady who owned the sewing store. A special shoutout for having a gay couple in the cast of characters, not a common occurrence for a story set in a Southern small town.
😍 Even beyond the above, we have Norman the endearing dog, Molly the free-spirited cat, Cluck-Cluck the marathoning chicken, and little Juniper – the most charming baby ever. Talk about cuteness overload!
😍 I loved the way Ava’s struggles with epilepsy were written in the story. Her problem with being constantly mollycoddled by her mom, her wish to live life on her own terms, her constant fear about having an epileptic attack and yet not allowing that fear to constrain her activities – the whole presentation felt authentic.
😍 The book also touches upon mental health, and the impact of grief on someone's personality. While this doesn't go too dark in accordance with the genre. it is still handled very well.
😍 There is a lovely thread of magical realism throughout the book through strange events, unexplained predictions, paired curiosities, and odd butterflies. While some of these are explained away with a more rooted reason later in the book, they still add a lovely surreal touch to the plot.
😍 If you ask me what were the key events in the book, I will struggle to answer because the book is more like a series of small events than a couple of major ones. Yet, the story just whizzes by and I never felt like it was lagging or dragging. I liked how plot simplicity didn’t lead to boredom.
😍 There are multiple potential and new romantic relationships in the novel. Though the two main ones felt rushed and overly saccharine at times, they still matched the tone of the book and were totally steam-free. This might be among the very few times when I have no major complaints about the love stories in a novel. Sometimes, cutesy still works.
Bookish Nays:
😟 While Maggie has a college-going son, she is just 38. Yet, somehow the writing seems to portray her as a much older woman, not by outright calling her ‘old’ but by having frequent references to her age. It felt quite odd and didn’t gel with her actual age.
😟 It is a touch too goody-goody. If you are looking for more realistic small-town vibes, that won’t happen as there’s not a single negative character. The conflict in the plot comes more from family dynamics than from any external source.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 12 hrs 10 minutes, is narrated by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis. I appreciate the decision of having two narrators for the two first-person povs. However, I only liked the narrators and didn’t love them. They had nice voices but it took me a good while to get into the book because their somewhat subdued performance kept causing my mind to wander. I wasn’t a fan of their voices for male characters, nor did I find them expressing the right emotions while reading. I liked the Southern accent of the narrator voicing Maggie as it brought a genuineness to the experience, but after a few chapters, her Southern accent seemed to disappear. This also meant that I kept muddling between the two characters after the initial chapters as both narrators sounded quite similar. The fact that I still enjoyed the book so much is a credit to the author and the story.
This is my first experience reading a Heather Webber book, and I am quite happy with the outcome. The novel reminded me of Ruth Hogan’s works, and I am keen to explore more by Webber.
Definitely recommended if you want to read a beautiful small-town story that is sugary-sweet in plot and characters.
4 stars.
My thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
When twenty-seven year old Ohio resident Ava receives a mysterious letter advertising the position of a caretaker for a cantankerous old man and his cat, she decides to take a risk for the first time in her life, travelling all the way to Driftwood, Alabama.
Thirty-eight-year-old Maggie has run Magpie's, a little shop of coffee and curiosities since a long time. She keeps herself overly busy to forget her increasingly strained relationship with her father Desmond and also her health issues. When Ava arrives in response to her advert, the two women become good friends, and without knowing it, begin a journey of healing in each other’s lives.
The story comes to us in the first person perspectives of Ava and Maggie.
Bookish Yays:
😍 The book gets the small-town vibe perfectly, right from the closeness of the people to the nosiness of the characters to the helpfulness in times of need. I loved how the beachside elements were used to add a further touch of atmosphere to the picture-perfect location.
😍 The central characters are really sweet and loveable. Ava and Maggie struggle with their personal and health issues, and this inner dynamic is carried over in their external interactions as well. Both of them are strong characters and carry the story capably.
😍 The secondary characters are also amazing, whether they have extended roles or limited ones. My favourite of all was Estrelle, the scary old lady who owned the sewing store. A special shoutout for having a gay couple in the cast of characters, not a common occurrence for a story set in a Southern small town.
😍 Even beyond the above, we have Norman the endearing dog, Molly the free-spirited cat, Cluck-Cluck the marathoning chicken, and little Juniper – the most charming baby ever. Talk about cuteness overload!
😍 I loved the way Ava’s struggles with epilepsy were written in the story. Her problem with being constantly mollycoddled by her mom, her wish to live life on her own terms, her constant fear about having an epileptic attack and yet not allowing that fear to constrain her activities – the whole presentation felt authentic.
😍 The book also touches upon mental health, and the impact of grief on someone's personality. While this doesn't go too dark in accordance with the genre. it is still handled very well.
😍 There is a lovely thread of magical realism throughout the book through strange events, unexplained predictions, paired curiosities, and odd butterflies. While some of these are explained away with a more rooted reason later in the book, they still add a lovely surreal touch to the plot.
😍 If you ask me what were the key events in the book, I will struggle to answer because the book is more like a series of small events than a couple of major ones. Yet, the story just whizzes by and I never felt like it was lagging or dragging. I liked how plot simplicity didn’t lead to boredom.
😍 There are multiple potential and new romantic relationships in the novel. Though the two main ones felt rushed and overly saccharine at times, they still matched the tone of the book and were totally steam-free. This might be among the very few times when I have no major complaints about the love stories in a novel. Sometimes, cutesy still works.
Bookish Nays:
😟 While Maggie has a college-going son, she is just 38. Yet, somehow the writing seems to portray her as a much older woman, not by outright calling her ‘old’ but by having frequent references to her age. It felt quite odd and didn’t gel with her actual age.
😟 It is a touch too goody-goody. If you are looking for more realistic small-town vibes, that won’t happen as there’s not a single negative character. The conflict in the plot comes more from family dynamics than from any external source.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 12 hrs 10 minutes, is narrated by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis. I appreciate the decision of having two narrators for the two first-person povs. However, I only liked the narrators and didn’t love them. They had nice voices but it took me a good while to get into the book because their somewhat subdued performance kept causing my mind to wander. I wasn’t a fan of their voices for male characters, nor did I find them expressing the right emotions while reading. I liked the Southern accent of the narrator voicing Maggie as it brought a genuineness to the experience, but after a few chapters, her Southern accent seemed to disappear. This also meant that I kept muddling between the two characters after the initial chapters as both narrators sounded quite similar. The fact that I still enjoyed the book so much is a credit to the author and the story.
This is my first experience reading a Heather Webber book, and I am quite happy with the outcome. The novel reminded me of Ruth Hogan’s works, and I am keen to explore more by Webber.
Definitely recommended if you want to read a beautiful small-town story that is sugary-sweet in plot and characters.
4 stars.
My thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
August 31, 2023
A delightful read! A story of hope and second chances set in the small coastal town of Driftwood, Alabama, populated by some wonderfully quirky characters...two-legged and four-legged.
September 3, 2023
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber is an Interesting Blend of Magical Realism and Paranormal Fiction!
Twenty-seven-year-old Eva Harrison receives a letter with an enclosed job posting for a live-in caretaker in Driftwood, Alabama. She's always been fearful of taking off on her own but somehow this sounds like a chance she wants to take. A new normal and who wouldn't want to live in a small beach-side community?
Thirty-eight-year-old Maggie Mae Brightwell runs Magpie's, a coffee shop with a collection of curiosity offerings in Driftwood, AL. She's always full of cheer and busy as a bee on the outside, on the inside she's full to the brim with quiet worry and loss.
As Eva and Maggie become better acquainted, they find their lives are similar in many ways and discover that taking chances and making changes can be almost magical...
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is exactly what I needed. It's like a Hallmark Channel movie on steroids type of listen but it fit perfectly at the time and I enjoyed the heck out of it.
And, what's not to love about this story?
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities has wonderful characters, both human and otherwise, a gorgeous Southeast coastal setting, quirky small-town life with beautiful writing and creative storytelling. There's Magical Realism, which I love, and the magic that happens when all the stars align and life begins to feel right for the first time EVER.
And it's all between the covers of this book!
The feel of At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities and the sound of the audiobook is reminiscent of Karen Hawkins' "The Book Charmer" and the "Dove Pond Series" which also depicts small town Southern life with sprinkles of Magical Realism. The narrators Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis do a fine job right down to the Southern accents, however, I do wish more brightness would have shown through in their voicing of both Eva and Maggie. Also, the story and audiobook felt a little long at 12H 10M. Just two small quibbles.
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. When I'm looking for another feel-good read, I'll know exactly where to find it. I love this one and definitely recommend it!
3.75⭐ rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Heather Webber for an ALC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Twenty-seven-year-old Eva Harrison receives a letter with an enclosed job posting for a live-in caretaker in Driftwood, Alabama. She's always been fearful of taking off on her own but somehow this sounds like a chance she wants to take. A new normal and who wouldn't want to live in a small beach-side community?
Thirty-eight-year-old Maggie Mae Brightwell runs Magpie's, a coffee shop with a collection of curiosity offerings in Driftwood, AL. She's always full of cheer and busy as a bee on the outside, on the inside she's full to the brim with quiet worry and loss.
As Eva and Maggie become better acquainted, they find their lives are similar in many ways and discover that taking chances and making changes can be almost magical...
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is exactly what I needed. It's like a Hallmark Channel movie on steroids type of listen but it fit perfectly at the time and I enjoyed the heck out of it.
And, what's not to love about this story?
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities has wonderful characters, both human and otherwise, a gorgeous Southeast coastal setting, quirky small-town life with beautiful writing and creative storytelling. There's Magical Realism, which I love, and the magic that happens when all the stars align and life begins to feel right for the first time EVER.
And it's all between the covers of this book!
The feel of At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities and the sound of the audiobook is reminiscent of Karen Hawkins' "The Book Charmer" and the "Dove Pond Series" which also depicts small town Southern life with sprinkles of Magical Realism. The narrators Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis do a fine job right down to the Southern accents, however, I do wish more brightness would have shown through in their voicing of both Eva and Maggie. Also, the story and audiobook felt a little long at 12H 10M. Just two small quibbles.
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. When I'm looking for another feel-good read, I'll know exactly where to find it. I love this one and definitely recommend it!
3.75⭐ rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Heather Webber for an ALC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
August 7, 2023
EXCERPT: The letter had been sent by a dead man.
There was no doubt in my mind.
Fine. There was a little doubt. Okay, a lot of it. Buckets of it.
But after thirteen long hours in the car during which I'd thought of very little else, I couldn't come up with anyone else who might have sent the note. Not one single person, other than Alexander Bryant, who'd died exactly a month ago yesterday.
ABOUT 'AT THE COFFEE SHOP OF CURIOSITIES': When Ava Harrison receives a letter containing an unusual job listing one month after the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend, she thinks she’s being haunted. The listing—a job as a live-in caretaker for a peculiar old man and his cranky cat in Driftwood, Alabama—is the perfect chance to start a new life. A normal life. Ava has always been too fearful to even travel, so no one’s more surprised than she is when she throws caution to the wind and drives to the distant beachside town.
On the surface, Maggie Mae Brightwell is a bundle of energy as she runs Magpie’s, Driftwood’s coffee and curiosity shop, where there’s magic to be found in pairing the old with the new. But lurking under her cheerful exterior is a painful truth—keeping busy is the best way to distract herself from the lingering loss of her mama and her worries about her aging father. No one knows better than she does that you can’t pour from an empty cup, but holding on to the past is the only thing keeping the hope alive that her mama will return home one day.
Ava and Maggie soon find they’re kindred spirits, as they’re both haunted—not by spirits, but by regret. Both must learn to let go of the past to move on—because sometimes the waves of change bring you to the place where you most belong.
MY THOUGHTS: I always want to move right to wherever Heather Webber has set her latest book, and the town of Driftwood, Alabama is no exception. It's a small town, one where everyone knows everyone else's business probably before they are even aware that they have any business. But then as Estrella says 'It's not gossip if it's the truth.'
I loved all the characters in this book: Maggie, who is holding onto the past for dear life; Ava who has extraordinary senses of smell and hearing and is burdened by guilt; Dez, Maggie's father who is trying to reorganise his life without upsetting anyone; Estrella, perhaps the strangest character of all; Donovan who is still holding a flame for Maggie after all these years; and Sam, another relative newcomer to the town who has secrets of his own. Let's not forget Molly, reputedly a Maine Coon cross Ragdoll and who knows what else, who likes to cause havoc, and Norman the dachshund who lost his bark, whom only Ava can hear.
Heather Webber is a truly magical writer. Her characters come alive and I read her stories with a smile on my face, warmth in my heart and a twinkle in my eye. Who can't love someone who is described as she smelled of orange blossom and almonds, homemade biscuits and patience.'; or someone who collects 'whims and whatever strikes my fancy'; or someone who lies about her age, adding years onto it rather than deducting them, so that she can join a seniors group.
Heather Webber has written another stunning novel, full of whimsy and wishes, surprises and special people, love and acceptance.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#AttheCoffeeShopofCuriosities #NetGalley
I: @booksbyheather @forgereads
T: @BooksbyHeather @ForgeReads
#fivestarread #contemporaryfiction #familydrama #fantasy #friendship #romance
THE AUTHOR: Heather Webber, aka Heather Blake, is the author of more than twenty-five novels. She loves to read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, and bake. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is hard at work on her next book.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Macmillan - Tor/Forge, Forge Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
There was no doubt in my mind.
Fine. There was a little doubt. Okay, a lot of it. Buckets of it.
But after thirteen long hours in the car during which I'd thought of very little else, I couldn't come up with anyone else who might have sent the note. Not one single person, other than Alexander Bryant, who'd died exactly a month ago yesterday.
ABOUT 'AT THE COFFEE SHOP OF CURIOSITIES': When Ava Harrison receives a letter containing an unusual job listing one month after the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend, she thinks she’s being haunted. The listing—a job as a live-in caretaker for a peculiar old man and his cranky cat in Driftwood, Alabama—is the perfect chance to start a new life. A normal life. Ava has always been too fearful to even travel, so no one’s more surprised than she is when she throws caution to the wind and drives to the distant beachside town.
On the surface, Maggie Mae Brightwell is a bundle of energy as she runs Magpie’s, Driftwood’s coffee and curiosity shop, where there’s magic to be found in pairing the old with the new. But lurking under her cheerful exterior is a painful truth—keeping busy is the best way to distract herself from the lingering loss of her mama and her worries about her aging father. No one knows better than she does that you can’t pour from an empty cup, but holding on to the past is the only thing keeping the hope alive that her mama will return home one day.
Ava and Maggie soon find they’re kindred spirits, as they’re both haunted—not by spirits, but by regret. Both must learn to let go of the past to move on—because sometimes the waves of change bring you to the place where you most belong.
MY THOUGHTS: I always want to move right to wherever Heather Webber has set her latest book, and the town of Driftwood, Alabama is no exception. It's a small town, one where everyone knows everyone else's business probably before they are even aware that they have any business. But then as Estrella says 'It's not gossip if it's the truth.'
I loved all the characters in this book: Maggie, who is holding onto the past for dear life; Ava who has extraordinary senses of smell and hearing and is burdened by guilt; Dez, Maggie's father who is trying to reorganise his life without upsetting anyone; Estrella, perhaps the strangest character of all; Donovan who is still holding a flame for Maggie after all these years; and Sam, another relative newcomer to the town who has secrets of his own. Let's not forget Molly, reputedly a Maine Coon cross Ragdoll and who knows what else, who likes to cause havoc, and Norman the dachshund who lost his bark, whom only Ava can hear.
Heather Webber is a truly magical writer. Her characters come alive and I read her stories with a smile on my face, warmth in my heart and a twinkle in my eye. Who can't love someone who is described as she smelled of orange blossom and almonds, homemade biscuits and patience.'; or someone who collects 'whims and whatever strikes my fancy'; or someone who lies about her age, adding years onto it rather than deducting them, so that she can join a seniors group.
Heather Webber has written another stunning novel, full of whimsy and wishes, surprises and special people, love and acceptance.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#AttheCoffeeShopofCuriosities #NetGalley
I: @booksbyheather @forgereads
T: @BooksbyHeather @ForgeReads
#fivestarread #contemporaryfiction #familydrama #fantasy #friendship #romance
THE AUTHOR: Heather Webber, aka Heather Blake, is the author of more than twenty-five novels. She loves to read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, and bake. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is hard at work on her next book.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Macmillan - Tor/Forge, Forge Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
July 2, 2023
This is the book I didn't know I needed!
Balm to my soul.
Ever had a book that you consider the perfect prescription? One that comes to you at JUST the right time?
This book was like that for me.
I’m not an avid reader of magical realism, but every book of Heather Webber’s that I read, I really enjoy.
In short, this is about characters who have experienced loss and are grieving, are in search of new beginnings and/or are in the process of transforming. It’s a gentle hug, reminding readers that the sun will shine again.
Things I loved:
✔️eccentric customers; scowling old woman with a birdcage veil and gothic exterior, man who continuously ordered what wasn’t on the menu
✔️Alastair, Norman and his quabarks and Cluck-cluck the black chicken
✔️references to metamorphosis and butterflies
✔️"Cinnamon rolls are God’s gift to humans.”
Advice I can learn from:
✔️Don’t allow fear to run your life
✔️Embrace our differences and allow the extraordinary to shine through
✔️Don’t hide in the shadows
✔️Loss affects people differently
✔️Learn to love yourself
Things that made me think:
✔️We’re all on borrowed time
✔️Don’t waste time trying to figure out ‘why’
✔️Everyone deserves a chance to fly
✔️Don’t allow loss to become a guidepost for most of your life
✔️Ambiguous loss
“Lordy Mercy” this is a great book and a wonderful gift to those who are hurting, grieving, looking to change or are hesitant about change. It’s also about the joy of found family and would be great for those who are lonely.
I was gifted this copy by Tor Publishing Group, Forge Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Balm to my soul.
Ever had a book that you consider the perfect prescription? One that comes to you at JUST the right time?
This book was like that for me.
I’m not an avid reader of magical realism, but every book of Heather Webber’s that I read, I really enjoy.
In short, this is about characters who have experienced loss and are grieving, are in search of new beginnings and/or are in the process of transforming. It’s a gentle hug, reminding readers that the sun will shine again.
Things I loved:
✔️eccentric customers; scowling old woman with a birdcage veil and gothic exterior, man who continuously ordered what wasn’t on the menu
✔️Alastair, Norman and his quabarks and Cluck-cluck the black chicken
✔️references to metamorphosis and butterflies
✔️"Cinnamon rolls are God’s gift to humans.”
Advice I can learn from:
✔️Don’t allow fear to run your life
✔️Embrace our differences and allow the extraordinary to shine through
✔️Don’t hide in the shadows
✔️Loss affects people differently
✔️Learn to love yourself
Things that made me think:
✔️We’re all on borrowed time
✔️Don’t waste time trying to figure out ‘why’
✔️Everyone deserves a chance to fly
✔️Don’t allow loss to become a guidepost for most of your life
✔️Ambiguous loss
“Lordy Mercy” this is a great book and a wonderful gift to those who are hurting, grieving, looking to change or are hesitant about change. It’s also about the joy of found family and would be great for those who are lonely.
I was gifted this copy by Tor Publishing Group, Forge Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 5, 2023
Over the years I have read several books by Heather Webber. I look forward to discovering when she has written a new book. Heather Webber always adds just enough magical realism to her books to give me warm and happy feelings whenever I have the pleasure of reading one of her books. She usually sets her books in inviting small southern towns where everyone knows one another. At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities was set in the southern coastal town of Driftwood, Alabama. Heather Webber was able to create such likable characters in her book, At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities. It was told from the POVs of two women. One was born and raised in Driftwood and the other was a newcomer. I listened to the audiobook that was extremely well narrated by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis.
Ava Harrison had just experienced a terrifying loss when she received a puzzling yet intriguing letter in the mail that mentioned an interesting job offer. The post had stated that a live-in caretaker for an older man and his cat was being sought. Ava had just experienced the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend. Relocation, new people and a definite purpose in life was just what Ava needed. Ava had developed a condition as a child that prevented her from living a normal lifestyle. In Driftwood, Alabama, Ava could reinvent herself, try and move on from the guilt she was feeling from the accident her ex-boyfriend had been in and perhaps live a normal life.
Maggie Mae Brightwell had lived in Driftwood, Alabama her whole life. Even after all these years, Maggie had difficulty accepting her mother’s fate. Maggie ran The Coffee Shop of Curiosities but still expected her mother to reappear and walk in one day. Due to Maggie’s belief, she chose to keep the coffee shop just as it was when her mother disappeared. Her mother had put her heart and soul into the shop and Maggie was determined to keep it exactly as her mother had left it. When Ava reached the town of Driftwood she headed for the coffee shop. Maggie was quite surprised when Ava told her that she was there to apply for the job of caretaker for her aging father and his cat. Maggie had posted a description of the job in the coffee shop window some time ago but quickly thought better of it and crumbled up the posting. How did Ava get a hold of it? Who could have sent it to her? Both Maggie and Ava needed to discover how to let go of their pasts so that they could each find happiness. Would they be able to help each other do that?
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities explored the themes of friendship, loss, grief, regret, forgiveness, acceptance, moving on and a touch of romance. I enjoyed how Maggie collected curiosities and matched them with their rightful owners. It was a gift she inherited from her mother. The animals in this book were also given distinct personalities and I came to enjoy the parts of the story they were in. I really enjoyed reading At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities and highly recommend it. Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is still my favorite book by Heather Webber but I enjoyed this one as well. If you enjoy books with magical realism, set in small Southern coastal towns and with endearing characters then you will definitely enjoy this book.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Ava Harrison had just experienced a terrifying loss when she received a puzzling yet intriguing letter in the mail that mentioned an interesting job offer. The post had stated that a live-in caretaker for an older man and his cat was being sought. Ava had just experienced the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend. Relocation, new people and a definite purpose in life was just what Ava needed. Ava had developed a condition as a child that prevented her from living a normal lifestyle. In Driftwood, Alabama, Ava could reinvent herself, try and move on from the guilt she was feeling from the accident her ex-boyfriend had been in and perhaps live a normal life.
Maggie Mae Brightwell had lived in Driftwood, Alabama her whole life. Even after all these years, Maggie had difficulty accepting her mother’s fate. Maggie ran The Coffee Shop of Curiosities but still expected her mother to reappear and walk in one day. Due to Maggie’s belief, she chose to keep the coffee shop just as it was when her mother disappeared. Her mother had put her heart and soul into the shop and Maggie was determined to keep it exactly as her mother had left it. When Ava reached the town of Driftwood she headed for the coffee shop. Maggie was quite surprised when Ava told her that she was there to apply for the job of caretaker for her aging father and his cat. Maggie had posted a description of the job in the coffee shop window some time ago but quickly thought better of it and crumbled up the posting. How did Ava get a hold of it? Who could have sent it to her? Both Maggie and Ava needed to discover how to let go of their pasts so that they could each find happiness. Would they be able to help each other do that?
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities explored the themes of friendship, loss, grief, regret, forgiveness, acceptance, moving on and a touch of romance. I enjoyed how Maggie collected curiosities and matched them with their rightful owners. It was a gift she inherited from her mother. The animals in this book were also given distinct personalities and I came to enjoy the parts of the story they were in. I really enjoyed reading At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities and highly recommend it. Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is still my favorite book by Heather Webber but I enjoyed this one as well. If you enjoy books with magical realism, set in small Southern coastal towns and with endearing characters then you will definitely enjoy this book.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 6, 2023
2.5 Stars
I like the concept but, I couldn't connect with the story.
The story follows two women and their struggles to move after the death of a loved one.
Ava blames herself for the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend. One random day, she received a mysterious letter that led her to the small town of Driftwood, Alabama. Ava took the letter as a sign and decided to restart her life. That's where she befriends Maggie.
Maggie never accepted her mother's death. Even when she took over her mother's coffee shop, Magpie's, she kept everything the same. Hoping that if her mother ever returns, it'll be exactly the way she left it.
I wanted to love this novel. I was looking forward to the small town and witchy vibes. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to connect with the story or characters. I also wasn't a fan of the slow pacing. I ended up skimming the last 35% of the novel. Overall, it wasn't for me.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Heather Webber, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
I like the concept but, I couldn't connect with the story.
The story follows two women and their struggles to move after the death of a loved one.
Ava blames herself for the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend. One random day, she received a mysterious letter that led her to the small town of Driftwood, Alabama. Ava took the letter as a sign and decided to restart her life. That's where she befriends Maggie.
Maggie never accepted her mother's death. Even when she took over her mother's coffee shop, Magpie's, she kept everything the same. Hoping that if her mother ever returns, it'll be exactly the way she left it.
I wanted to love this novel. I was looking forward to the small town and witchy vibes. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to connect with the story or characters. I also wasn't a fan of the slow pacing. I ended up skimming the last 35% of the novel. Overall, it wasn't for me.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Heather Webber, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
August 6, 2023
OMG! I loved this book. Once I finished it. I had to read it again. It was like being transported down to the coast, by the beach and hearing the lullaby. This book is magical. The family found in Alabama and the most lovable quirky characters.
July 28, 2023
Get ready for some magical small-town charm ✨
Thank you, Forge Reads, for the gifted copy of At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities {partner}
Genre: Magical Realism
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 8.1.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“Life is too short, too fragile, too precious to hide in the shadows of what might have been. If continuously looking behind, you risk missing the possibilities that lie ahead.”
Gosh, I look forward to reading Heather Webber’s books every summer, and they always publish at just the right time. They are the purest comfort for me, and I can never get enough of the beautiful places and characters that Webber brings to life.
At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities instantly transported me to a small town where magic is possible, found families bloom, and things can be cured with a bit of love (and a cinnamon roll). There is something for everyone in this book, and I can’t recommend it enough. You will finish this book and immediately want to start it again.
💞 Found family
✨ Magical realism at its finest
🥰 Eccentric, quirky characters
❤️ Lessons for everyone
I honestly can’t recommend Heather’s book enough. If you haven’t had a chance to read something of hers yet, please do. You will not be disappointed.
______
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Thank you, Forge Reads, for the gifted copy of At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities {partner}
Genre: Magical Realism
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 8.1.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“Life is too short, too fragile, too precious to hide in the shadows of what might have been. If continuously looking behind, you risk missing the possibilities that lie ahead.”
Gosh, I look forward to reading Heather Webber’s books every summer, and they always publish at just the right time. They are the purest comfort for me, and I can never get enough of the beautiful places and characters that Webber brings to life.
At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities instantly transported me to a small town where magic is possible, found families bloom, and things can be cured with a bit of love (and a cinnamon roll). There is something for everyone in this book, and I can’t recommend it enough. You will finish this book and immediately want to start it again.
💞 Found family
✨ Magical realism at its finest
🥰 Eccentric, quirky characters
❤️ Lessons for everyone
I honestly can’t recommend Heather’s book enough. If you haven’t had a chance to read something of hers yet, please do. You will not be disappointed.
______
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend....
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookendd...
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March 15, 2024
What a delightful book. I’m not even sure how to review this one. When you’re done with it, you just feel like you’ve been hugged.
Two women who need something in their lives. One decides to leave everything behind and starts out on a new adventure. The other woman is holding on to the past and needs change. They form a friendship and find what they long for.
I would read this book again. It’s a heart touching story.
Two women who need something in their lives. One decides to leave everything behind and starts out on a new adventure. The other woman is holding on to the past and needs change. They form a friendship and find what they long for.
I would read this book again. It’s a heart touching story.
Want to read
March 22, 2023Another great arc I got recently! Can't wait!
July 23, 2023
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe was one of the best books I read in 2021. It was moody and perfect with the small town magic.
I think I unfairly went in expecting those vibes from this book. This book features another small town in Alabama. Ava gets a letter with a job listing in a small town that she suspects was sent by her newly dead ex boyfriend. They parted on good terms but she feels responsible for his death since she refused to go out with him the night he was in an accident. So she drives from Ohio to this tiny town in Alabama and finds the job is not exactly what she was expecting.
Maggie owns the coffee shop that her mother opened prior to her death. She refuses to change anything because her mother set it up this was for a reason. So it's in total purgatory. Her father would like to sell it to shake things up for Maggie and she is horrified because that's more change.
I wanted to love this, I truly did. I just didn't find that I clicked with the main characters very much. The last chapter or so what a snapshot of what I would have liked to have seen in the entire book. I just didn't feel like a ton was happening to progress the story until it picked up at the very end and then it was over. I was just left disappointed.
I thought the narrators did a good job. I felt like Maggie was written as a much older woman so I was shocked when she said her age was 38. The narrator really did a good job trying to bring some of the youth to that character that was missing from the text.
Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and Tor Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think I unfairly went in expecting those vibes from this book. This book features another small town in Alabama. Ava gets a letter with a job listing in a small town that she suspects was sent by her newly dead ex boyfriend. They parted on good terms but she feels responsible for his death since she refused to go out with him the night he was in an accident. So she drives from Ohio to this tiny town in Alabama and finds the job is not exactly what she was expecting.
Maggie owns the coffee shop that her mother opened prior to her death. She refuses to change anything because her mother set it up this was for a reason. So it's in total purgatory. Her father would like to sell it to shake things up for Maggie and she is horrified because that's more change.
I wanted to love this, I truly did. I just didn't find that I clicked with the main characters very much. The last chapter or so what a snapshot of what I would have liked to have seen in the entire book. I just didn't feel like a ton was happening to progress the story until it picked up at the very end and then it was over. I was just left disappointed.
I thought the narrators did a good job. I felt like Maggie was written as a much older woman so I was shocked when she said her age was 38. The narrator really did a good job trying to bring some of the youth to that character that was missing from the text.
Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and Tor Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2024
”It turned out I hadn’t wanted normalcy at all. I’d wanted—-and had found—-acceptance, for being myself, flaws and all. I was the same person I’d been all along: quirky, creative, loving, curious, different, special.”
Have you ever wanted to give a book a very tight hug?
Well, I never have, but while reading ‘At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities’ I so desperately wanted to. This book radiates warmth, so it’s not only cozy but full of homey feelings.
The story is about accepting yourself—-with flaws and all—-, finding a comfortable space to find yourself once again, leaving the past behind, and no longer feeling anxious or guilty about things that you can’t control. Romance was a subplot, but beautifully done as well. It has a hint of magic too.
The butterfly symbolisation 🫶🏻🦋.
I didn’t care much about Maggie’s POV, truth to be told. But whenever I read from Ava’s POV, especially when Sam was around, I felt comforted and happy. They’re my comfort couple. Really loved them together. Their conversations, chemistry and everything. Titus and Rose were my second favourite couple in the story.
”Anything else I can do for you today?”
“Yes, in fact. I’d like it very much if you’d join me for dinner, Rose. Tonight? Tomorrow? Whenever you have time to spare.”
“For you, I have all the time in the world.”
You wouldn’t know how much loving, funny and wholesome this conversation between Titus and Rose was if you haven’t read the book.
Have you ever wanted to give a book a very tight hug?
Well, I never have, but while reading ‘At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities’ I so desperately wanted to. This book radiates warmth, so it’s not only cozy but full of homey feelings.
The story is about accepting yourself—-with flaws and all—-, finding a comfortable space to find yourself once again, leaving the past behind, and no longer feeling anxious or guilty about things that you can’t control. Romance was a subplot, but beautifully done as well. It has a hint of magic too.
The butterfly symbolisation 🫶🏻🦋.
I didn’t care much about Maggie’s POV, truth to be told. But whenever I read from Ava’s POV, especially when Sam was around, I felt comforted and happy. They’re my comfort couple. Really loved them together. Their conversations, chemistry and everything. Titus and Rose were my second favourite couple in the story.
”Anything else I can do for you today?”
“Yes, in fact. I’d like it very much if you’d join me for dinner, Rose. Tonight? Tomorrow? Whenever you have time to spare.”
“For you, I have all the time in the world.”
You wouldn’t know how much loving, funny and wholesome this conversation between Titus and Rose was if you haven’t read the book.
August 11, 2023
This is a lovely, warm, genteel mystical realism novel about letting go and found family. The plot is a bit thin, but the characters (especially the dog and the cat) make up for that (even if they are all overly agreeable and happy). If you are looking for something light and fluffy to read, give this a bash.
July 27, 2023
This is my definition of a comfort read: a coffee shop, a coastal Southern town, and endearing characters.
August 25, 2023
“Life is too short, too fragile, too precious to hide in the shadows of what might have been. If continuously looking behind, you risk missing the possibilities that lie ahead.”
Heather Webber's books always leave me feeling warm, happy and hopeful. They are the perfect mix of small town charm, found family and just he right amount of magic.
Ava comes to the small down of Driftwood in Alabama on a whim after a mysterious letter falls from her pile of mail. I loved all the eccentric characters in this charming story especially the mysterious Estrelle. I also loved furry friends Norman, Molly and Cluck-Cluck. There is nothing better than a story that includes entertaining animals.
This is a story about found family, letting go of the past and finding a little bit of magic in our everyday lives.
“Tragedy, accidents especially, rarely come with reasons why. Yet, we look for them everywhere. We blame. We deny. We carry guilt, regrets. Sometimes, and this is hard to accept but you must, it is simply that person's time to go. We are all here on borrowed time.”
Heather Webber's books always leave me feeling warm, happy and hopeful. They are the perfect mix of small town charm, found family and just he right amount of magic.
Ava comes to the small down of Driftwood in Alabama on a whim after a mysterious letter falls from her pile of mail. I loved all the eccentric characters in this charming story especially the mysterious Estrelle. I also loved furry friends Norman, Molly and Cluck-Cluck. There is nothing better than a story that includes entertaining animals.
This is a story about found family, letting go of the past and finding a little bit of magic in our everyday lives.
“Tragedy, accidents especially, rarely come with reasons why. Yet, we look for them everywhere. We blame. We deny. We carry guilt, regrets. Sometimes, and this is hard to accept but you must, it is simply that person's time to go. We are all here on borrowed time.”
October 8, 2023
So excited for this one ; last year I read Midnight at the Blackbird Café from Webber and loved it!
August 13, 2023
Review coming soon.
Read
September 17, 2023Just wasn't my cup of tea. At 68 pages I wasn't very interested in the characters (except for the cat), so I gave it up.
July 23, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and Tor Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is out on August 1, 2023!
--
This was my first Heather Webber book and as a long time fan of Sarah Addison Allen, I think I've found a new author of soft, small town, cozy magical realism to add to my auto-reads list!
A letter with a job listing brings Ava to a tiny, southern town as she tries to escape the pressing guilt of her boyfriend's death. Only... that listing was never posted and no one knows who sent it to Ava.
Maggie's just trying to hold on to the coffees and curiosities shop that her mother built and left behind when she was lost at sea, dreaming of the day she'll come home.
When Maggie's told she must hire Ava, that's exactly what she does - taking her on as a sometimes caregiver for her aging father who's been carrying on secretly with a ghost and his highly suspicious cat, also letting her pick up hours in the cafe where the two begin to grow together, to learn more about each other, and to discover they may have a lot more in common than they think.
This is a story where love and grief are at the crux of it and the reveals I didn't really see coming. The story is soft and loving and leaves you wondering about the magic, whether it's real or not.
I also have to say I thoroughly enjoyed BOTH narrators, though usually I'm not a fan of heavily feigned accents with audiobooks, but something about that southern twang made me feel like I was existing in a Reese Witherspoon romcom.
This is out on August 1, 2023!
--
This was my first Heather Webber book and as a long time fan of Sarah Addison Allen, I think I've found a new author of soft, small town, cozy magical realism to add to my auto-reads list!
A letter with a job listing brings Ava to a tiny, southern town as she tries to escape the pressing guilt of her boyfriend's death. Only... that listing was never posted and no one knows who sent it to Ava.
Maggie's just trying to hold on to the coffees and curiosities shop that her mother built and left behind when she was lost at sea, dreaming of the day she'll come home.
When Maggie's told she must hire Ava, that's exactly what she does - taking her on as a sometimes caregiver for her aging father who's been carrying on secretly with a ghost and his highly suspicious cat, also letting her pick up hours in the cafe where the two begin to grow together, to learn more about each other, and to discover they may have a lot more in common than they think.
This is a story where love and grief are at the crux of it and the reveals I didn't really see coming. The story is soft and loving and leaves you wondering about the magic, whether it's real or not.
I also have to say I thoroughly enjoyed BOTH narrators, though usually I'm not a fan of heavily feigned accents with audiobooks, but something about that southern twang made me feel like I was existing in a Reese Witherspoon romcom.
November 7, 2023
Sad DNF at 28%. I didn’t care about a single character.
December 17, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley & Forge Books for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
3.5 stars
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is full of quirky and larger-than-life characters. This small town is so involved in everyone’s business, and I loved it. When Ava arrives, everything about her is spread throughout the town within hours. I love that Ava is equally flattered and unsettled by this - it’s a big loss of privacy, but it’s also nice after a life in which she’s been so isolated.
Ava and Maggie were such incredible perspectives through which to view this town and this story. Insider versus outsider is always appealing, even in this town, which welcomes Ava with open arms. It’s crazy how quickly she becomes ‘one of us’ and blossoms into the person she could have always been. Maggie’s growth is a little more subtle; as almost the social centre of this town, she has to learn to prioritise herself and that helping others is best when you’ve taken care of yourself first. They bond so quickly, and it’s nice to see such opposite journeys overlapping and complementing each other.
I don’t say this often, but At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities might have been better without the magical realism twist. I love fantasy and usually think that all books would be better with a little magic, but in this case, there was enough going on without it. Instead of adding to the narrative, it made the events happening feel less special and more forced. Ava was pushed into this new life by premonitions and the ghost of an ex rather than a desire to take charge of a life unlived. The magical realism took away the independence and autonomy of these strong female characters and gifted it to ghosts and fortune telling.
I enjoyed At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities, but it was maybe a little more convoluted than necessary.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
3.5 stars
At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is full of quirky and larger-than-life characters. This small town is so involved in everyone’s business, and I loved it. When Ava arrives, everything about her is spread throughout the town within hours. I love that Ava is equally flattered and unsettled by this - it’s a big loss of privacy, but it’s also nice after a life in which she’s been so isolated.
Ava and Maggie were such incredible perspectives through which to view this town and this story. Insider versus outsider is always appealing, even in this town, which welcomes Ava with open arms. It’s crazy how quickly she becomes ‘one of us’ and blossoms into the person she could have always been. Maggie’s growth is a little more subtle; as almost the social centre of this town, she has to learn to prioritise herself and that helping others is best when you’ve taken care of yourself first. They bond so quickly, and it’s nice to see such opposite journeys overlapping and complementing each other.
"But then I realized that this house had also been built on resilience and fortitude and hope, and it filled me with warmth and appreciation. Hard times could be overcome, given time. Given heart. Given determination. Life could be rebuilt.The male romantic leads deserve a mention as well. Sam and Donovan are strong yet nurturing and spend much of the book caring for Ava and Maggie. Most of the time, this is physical with health concerns and support, but it’s also emotional. Donovan is much more emotionally intelligent than Maggie, who has been repressing the truth about her mother and her feelings for Donovan. Sam is more reserved but always seems to be nearby when Ava needs support. At first, this comes through small talk and healthcare because they both need a little more time and patience to allow this new romance to flourish. There are some missteps from Sam and Donovan - they’re not perfect after all - but their actions always come from a place of kindness, which shows.
Fresh starts were possible.
I don’t say this often, but At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities might have been better without the magical realism twist. I love fantasy and usually think that all books would be better with a little magic, but in this case, there was enough going on without it. Instead of adding to the narrative, it made the events happening feel less special and more forced. Ava was pushed into this new life by premonitions and the ghost of an ex rather than a desire to take charge of a life unlived. The magical realism took away the independence and autonomy of these strong female characters and gifted it to ghosts and fortune telling.
I enjoyed At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities, but it was maybe a little more convoluted than necessary.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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August 7, 2023
Another 5star read from Heather Webber. Her last 5 books (all 5 stars) are all set in small towns in the South. A few of them share locales and overlap a few characters, but they all share is an incredible sense of light and humanism and a slight touch of magic. This latest one opens with a protected and grieving girl finding an envelope with a job posting to car for a peculiar old man and cantankerous cat in Driftwood, Alabama, miles away from her Cincinnati home. Intrigued, Ava drives to apply for this job. Within a day of arriving and starting her new job, Ava feels a lightness on the air and the possibility of change. I found myself speeding through the pages as I fell in love with the characters and wanting to know their stories. At the same time, I would put the brakes on my reading to fully relish the ethereal and evocative language that captured my soul. Now if we are lucky, next summer there be another book with hints of a new character in the last few pages. I can't wait.
April 16, 2023
Beautifully written magical realism novel about dealing with grief and loss, finding a way through and embracing change. Written from two viewpoints in the same time frame, the reader sees the events from Ava’s perspective, then Maggie’s perspective, advancing the story with each chapter. Both are dealing with loss and regret, in different ways. The characters have depth, and the reader sees each one’s struggle to come to terms with circumstances. There are underlying themes of forgiveness, and acceptance. The magic is subtle, and charming. Minor characters have substance, and even the furry companions have personality. The reader becomes engaged with the story early on, and it becomes harder to put down as a mystery needs solving. This delightful story will capture your heart, and hold it until the end. Recommend.
August 31, 2023
Magical Realism
If you are a fan of Sarah Addison Allen, you would like this book. It's southern, magical, close ties to friends, etc.
Ava's boyfriend has died, and she receives a mysterious job wanted letter. Her whole life she has had epilepsy and is now relatively stable. She wants to be more adventurous. So she heads down to the beach shores of Alabama and applies for the home heath care job with Maggie. Maggie did write the ad for help with her dad, but she threw it away. So, how did Ava get it?
I liked it very much. If you just want a cozy read with fun, interesting people and a few surprises, you'll like this.
If you are a fan of Sarah Addison Allen, you would like this book. It's southern, magical, close ties to friends, etc.
Ava's boyfriend has died, and she receives a mysterious job wanted letter. Her whole life she has had epilepsy and is now relatively stable. She wants to be more adventurous. So she heads down to the beach shores of Alabama and applies for the home heath care job with Maggie. Maggie did write the ad for help with her dad, but she threw it away. So, how did Ava get it?
I liked it very much. If you just want a cozy read with fun, interesting people and a few surprises, you'll like this.
July 22, 2023
Following the death of her ex boyfriend a mysterious letter prompts Ava to take a wild chance on a strange job in a small town.
There she becomes part of the fabric of the community, but especially within a specific family.
On the surface this book has everything I love; found family, a touch of magic, oddball characters, etc but there’s just something about it that fell flat. The characters don’t seem real enough for me to actually care about.
However if you’re looking for something feel good with a happy ending this might be just the thing to give you the warm fuzzies.
There she becomes part of the fabric of the community, but especially within a specific family.
On the surface this book has everything I love; found family, a touch of magic, oddball characters, etc but there’s just something about it that fell flat. The characters don’t seem real enough for me to actually care about.
However if you’re looking for something feel good with a happy ending this might be just the thing to give you the warm fuzzies.
August 6, 2023
I always look forward to whatever new book Heather Webber has written. They are guaranteed to be heartwarming, enchanting tales that take place in a small town in the South filled with magic and whimsy featuring characters that are a little quirky who you easily fall in love with and root for! This story was about letting go of the past, acceptance, taking that chance and discovering that sometimes dreams can come true. I particularly loved that little plot twist at the end. Truly magic! Loved it!
October 17, 2023
Beautiful
Heather Webber has a way with words that turn into a story you can’t put down. You keep turning the pages and keep being surprised in the most beautiful way.
Don’t dismiss magical realism in literature until you’ve given Heather Webber’s books a try. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Heather Webber has a way with words that turn into a story you can’t put down. You keep turning the pages and keep being surprised in the most beautiful way.
Don’t dismiss magical realism in literature until you’ve given Heather Webber’s books a try. You will be pleasantly surprised.
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