Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an ARC!
.
Unfortunately I DNFed this, it just didn’t catch my attention and maybe I’ll get into it again when Imm in the perfect headspace to give this another try!

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden is a smash, five star hit for me. It is women’s fiction and a romance with a kinda magical swirl of meringue on top. The title is a tease about what the book is really about. The main character, Lolly, is stuck in a rut of her own making but all that changes when her sister reads out from Lolly’s middle school diary a list of things Lolly wants to do with her life.

It’s a wakeup call of sorts. We all have one or two things we may have wanted to do but never got around to or decisions we may have regretted. Lolly feels trapped but has a unique opportunity to go back and get a glimpse of what life may have been like had things only been different. Her eccentric Aunt Gert gives her three lemon drops to take for each item on her list.

I love book descriptions that are intriguing, and I love it even more when the novel itself is just as good as its description. This one did not disappoint. I thought it was cleverly done regarding the chance to go back in time for a second chance. Who of us has never had any regrets and thought about what we would have done differently had we been given a second chance?

I liked Lolly as a character and I really felt for her since she lost her mother in death. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine my kids having to go through the most important years of their life without my presence or support. I found the story to be unpredictable, highly readable, and creative.

This novel was heartwarming. A feel-good story for all those struggling to let go of the past and to learn to embrace their future.

From the author of Ascension of Larks, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and The Enlightenment of Bees, comes her latest novel, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. Life has not been so kind to the heroine of the story, Lolly Blanchard, it fact it seems that all life has in store for her is lemons. She gave up the love of her life and her dreams of opening her own restaurant to help care for her younger sister and help her grieving father keep their struggling Seattle diner afloat.

On her 33rd birthday, she receives a mysterious gift from her zany aunt, three lemon drops. But what does it all mean?

Heartwarming and thought-provoking!
I loved the initial concept of this book, being able to live three days of your 'could have been' life, it's heartwarming and original and will make you think about your own life, your own dreams and what you would do if you had the chance to live your three could have been days, I really loved it. I liked the ease of the writing, the sweetest of the story.
There is so much of this book which everyone can relate to in one way or another, after all, we all had dreams when younger, but how many of us actually live our dream life and how many of us fall into the category of; life happens and your childhood dreams never happened because other stuff got in the way? and now we plod on in the life we have. I'm in the latter category so that you know.
I think parts could have moved along a little speedier than they did, and some of the revealing aspects of why Lolly did this or didn't do that came a little too near the ending, But despite that, I did enjoy this, I liked how well anyone who reads will connect with Lolly and her story and will have you contemplating your own dreams.

I absolutely loved this book! It might be one of my favorites for the year! Lolly’s finds her list of life goals that she set in 7th grade and is disheartened to find that she hasn’t achieved a single one of them. Her mother died and she came home to help run the family diner. The diner is their family history and legacy all wrapped up into one failing business. She is given the opportunity to see how her life might have turned out if things were different. It is a very sweet story of fate and taking control of your own destiny. This was such a great book!

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

What a poignant novel. At times melancholic, at time hopeful, this book brought me to tears multiple times and made me call home to chat with my parents, as well. This book is like if The Midnight Library was set in Sweet Magnolias. Would definitely recommend. 4.5 stars.

Lolly lost her mother in a horrific accident, but she was fortunate to say her last goodbyes. Her mother tells her family she loves them on her deathbed, but she also draws Lolly close to give the recipe for her unique lemon pie. Lolly uses this dish in her family restaurant to keep her mother near to her heart. The restaurant is floundering, and Lolly begs her father to let her make some changes, but he likes things the way they are and thinks that everything will work out.

This story is not romance, but is character driven and about a young woman who’s having a mid-life crisis and dealing with things like regrets and what-ifs.

The novel moves smoothly between the past, present, and potential futures. It’s a pleasant dream-magic lemon drop that has the potential to alter your life.

This was a wonderful story - I'm not a huge romance reader but this was just what I needed. It wasn't cheesy or sickly sweet or over the top but heartfelt with wonderfu characters and a moving storyline. I loved our protagonist Lolly - she was full of heart but was not a caricature but someone who struggles with her duty to her family and what she wants for herself. Her family was absolutely lovable and the love interest was realistic and swoon worthy. All in all a solid wonderfully written book full of love, hope, and family.

This is a heartwarming book that feels like a literary hug. Magical realism and romance aren't usually my thing, but I really enjoyed them in The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. It's great to read if you need a break from heavy drama or psych thrillers.

If you've ever asked yourself "what if...", this is the book for you!

A sweet and easy read, the perfect escape, this book was a delight (especially Aunt Gert.)

While Lolly's backstory is one we've seen before, Linden offers a wonderfully delightful take. The characters were engaging and I rooted for Lolly every step of the way.

What a very sweet book. Uplifting and fun. A quick read ... would make a great vacation read or summer read. Characters are likable. I love Aunt Gert and her story arc was especially satisfying.

Magical realism, learning who you are and what you want out of life. Very enjoyable read.

After her mother dies, Lolly gives up on her dreams and stays home to help run the family diner with her father, as well as raise her younger sister, Daphne. Now in her thirties, Lolly realizes she has not accomplished anything she wanted, from owning her own eclectic restaurant to being in lov.e. When her aunt offers her a chance to see what alternative decisions would have looked like, Lolly embarks on quest to fine her true path. The story was well written, and the characters appealing. The significance of the lemon drop pie adds to the story. Recommended for an entertaining read. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity.

If you could eat a piece of candy and be able to see another route your life could have taken, would you?

I would not want to actually change my life for anything, but it would be pretty cool to see what would have happened in different instances.

I was easily captured by this story and characters. I was pulling so hard for Lolly to find her happiness. She had been through a lot due to the pressure of feeling like she had to put her life on hold for others, and she deserved to finally find herself and what she wanted in life. The conversations with her family members surrounding this were beautiful and real.

I loved the way everything played out, especially since it’s what I guessed would happen as soon as she went to her third “other” life. Made me feel happy and accomplished 😂

I also adored her great-aunt and her quirky ways. I hope I am like her late in life!

Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the arc in exchange for my honest review! 💜

This was a wonderfully feel good women's fiction story that helps readers understand the loss and grief process. The concept was fresh and unique and it was good.

This was a lovely book that I enjoyed about a woman who would love to go change her past, and may even have a chance to. It's about second chances and choices and so much more. I also enjoyed the surprise recipe at the back of the book. I'm grateful for Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read and review.

I liked this book about second chances. It was just a little predictable for me. I've read Rachel Linden before, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and enjoyed her style and character development. Lily is approaching her 33rd birthday and she starts to reflect what her life might have been if only her mother hadn't died and if she hadn't had to stay and help raise her sister and lose the love of her life. When she is given 3 magical drops of lemon juice she can see what possible life she might have had. A good read that doesn't require too much concentration to keep the characters straight and the plot being convoluted.

Lolly visits other life paths via magical lemon drops.

If you've ever wondered, what if I'd said yes instead or no at a momentous time in your life, made this decision instead of that one, then you'll be intrigued by this story. In the vein of The Midnight Library (4 stars), Lolly is given the chance to explore what her life could have been if she'd made different choices. Is the grass always greener somewhere else? Or, can she be happy with her current life? The moments of grief in this story were spot on as Lolly grieved the loss of not only her mother but also her ex-boyfriend, Rory. The chapter in which Lolly is able to spend one last, perfect day with her mom was poignant and brought tears to my eyes as I wished I could do the same. The rest of the story was on the lighter, hopeful, sweet side and perfect if you're looking for a sunny, uplifting story!

Location: Seattle, Washington. Tampa, Florida. England.

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book about second chances and what’s ifs. I LOVED the movie Sliding Doors back in the day and this book had that feel. Lolly is so sweet and charming, I found myself rooting for her throughout her story. This is a book you’ll want to snuggle up and read with a hot cup of tea.