Driftwood, Alabama, is a fictional small town situated on the Gulf coast. It is the kind of small town where everyone wants to live. The ocean is near, the people are friendly, and there is an all-round good vibe.

Ava Harrison is a young woman who has led a sheltered life due to her epilepsy. Her mother was always vigilant and protective. Now, at age twenty-six, Ava has struck out on her own and left her apartment in Cincinnati to answer an advertisement for a job in Driftwood, Alabama. The job is for a caretaker for a quirky older man and his cantankerous cat named Molly.

Maggie Mae Brightwell is the manager of Driftwood's favourite coffee shop, called 'Magpie's'. In one corner of the shop there is a display of 'curiosities'. Maggie pairs these curiosities with just the right person when they come along. She has an uncanny knack for bestowing these items at just the right time that can drastically change a persons life. Maggie has recently suffered a mini-stroke and she is under a lot of stress. She is grieving for her mama, worried about her son off at university, worried about her father who has been acting out of character recently, and is working too hard in the understaffed coffee shop.

Maggie's father Des, the man whom Ava has come to look after is acting peculiarly. He talks to a 'ghost' in his house, and is talking of selling Magpie's, much to the distress of his daughter. Ava ends up working half days at Magpie's coffee shop and the other time working for Des as his caretaker.

The town embraces Ava in a way that is warm and comforting. She adores the town, the people, and the various animals who reside there. She becomes very fond of one of the residents there, divorced Sam and his darling long-haired dachshund named Norman.

Maggie too is harbouring the secret that she is in love with Donovan, her life-long friend who runs the local bakery.

“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.”

With alternating narratives from Ava and Maggie, who both have serious health issues in addition to their other worries, this novel makes for an engrossing story indeed. A feel good novel that will tug at your heart-strings. Driftwood makes for the perfect fictional escape. Women's fiction with a touch of magical realism, this story was a pleasant and enjoyable read that will be especially appreciated by animal lovers. A comfort read that was akin to the warm cinnamon rolls for which Magpie's are famous.

This was a sweet, comfort read. It left me feeling warm and fuzzy. I enjoyed the interaction between Ava and Maggie, and always love when animals are included too. If you're looking for a cozy book, this is it!

DNFed - I chose to DNF this book in the past. I am typing as a review so it doesn't harm my %. I haven't chose to pick the title back up.

This was cute, not usually what I gravitate towards. But if you want a warmer mystery-type plot—pick this up

There were bits I loved about this book and bits that I wanted something more or different from it.

What I loved:
The way the two female protagonists both had chronic illnesses and how they managed them. Not wallowing in what they couldn't do but without that false "inspiration porn" trap some authors fall into.
The hallmark movie vibes.
The romances that both Maggie and Ava took a back seat to their friendship and personal growth.
Slice of life and low stakes.

What I didn't like:
I felt there wasn't enough difference between Maggie and Ava to differentiate between their chapters easily.
I was expecting more magic - fell much more into cosy women fiction than the cosy fantasy I was expecting.
I wanted more of some of the side characters who at times felt more interesting than the main characters.

Thank you @Netgalley for my eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved all of Heather Webber's previous books and this one was no exception. It was a bit slow of read for me, but once I sat down a focused I was able to get right through the story. I really love small town books and the coffee shop was amazing. I loved the characters and all that they brought to the story. If you like cozy books, this is a must.

Not at all what I was expecting. I had hoped for some magical realism- but the supposed supernatural elements were tidily explained away. I didn't love the writing - it felt like the reader was being told vs. shown who the characters were and as such, I never felt connected to them

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first Heather Webber book and I absolutely loved it! As a Southerner and a lover of magical realism books, this books was perfect for me. I loved the small town Alabama setting and the characters were charming and likable. There was a pretty good dose of romance, as well, but I enjoyed that.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this title. At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is a sweet and cozy story that will engage the reader.

What do I say when the title itself indicates coffee?! This was an intersting read and I was completely wrapped in the story from start to finish. Will definitively recommend this!

Dnf at 55%. I really enjoyed the beginning of this books and the little sparks of magical realism. But then it just kind of stopped and got boring for me. I puuuushed myself to get to 55% but just didn't want to keep picking this up unfortunately.

Thank you netgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Where do I start? Such a captivating tale. At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber drew me in right at the beginning and held my interest throughout. A story with depth of emotion, connections – both new and old and a bit of magic perhaps? It was just the right book at the right time. Uplifting and showing that there is hope in this world that things do turn out as they should.

The main character, Ava Harrison, receives a letter in a mysterious way which contains a job offer. Thinking this is possibly from her recently deceased ex-boyfriend, Alexander Bryant, Ava decides to drive all the way to Driftwood, Alabama to attend a job interview the next day for a job as a caretaker. Way outside of her comfort zone, but isn’t it about time that 27-year-old Ava stretches herself? A bold move for Ava. I must say – that is what drew me in, the protagonist stretching herself to just “live” her life. And the journey she embarks upon is both magical and uplifting. Okay – a few snags along the way, but all in all, an enjoyable journey.

In Driftwood, Ava encounters many unusual individuals. Many of them have suffered loss (as has Ava). A few of them are looking for new beginnings (as is Ava). I particularly enjoyed one such character, Sam and his dog Norman. Their back story percolated slowly and did eventually come out to Ava. Their attraction was palpable and it was nice to see the progression of their relationship slow and steady as they both healed from their individual past trauma’s. And Norman is a cute dog with lots of personality J.

One particular Monarch butterfly (I think it was the same one) kept making an appearance throughout the story. Ava wondered if this was Alex? His way of keeping in touch? An interesting thought, which I pondered throughout many times during the reading of this book.

Ava gets a job and remains in Driftwood. She works part time in a coffee shop. The owner, Maggie, of the coffee shop has suffered a great loss at the age of eleven, (losing her mother) and has never really gotten over it. But as this is a story of growth and acceptance, maybe now Maggie can gain acceptance and move on. Maggie’s dad is acting strange and she wants to know why. Loved this storyline – it provided me with some mighty fine chuckle worthy moments. And why does the coffee shop have “curiosities”? That was an interesting offshoot, which I shall leave for you to discover yourself as you read the book!

I found that the author Heather Webber created a world where it seemed like magic abounded, but in reality, I think it was the magic of humans interacting in a positive and accepting manner. Living life well and to the best of each person’s ability. It didn’t hurt that the setting seemed so special. I must say – I am certainly going to explore more titles by Ms. Webber.

The cover art captured me interest. I am fond of Monarch butterflies and it just seemed so magical to have the butterfly on the coffee mug.

A favorite quote from the book:

“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.”

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is a wonderful read that delves into the process of recovery from loss by those grieving. It also shows the reader the process that one takes to change their life (with great inner strength, fortitude and faith in oneself). Lastly, it is about family – both born into and those which we include as “chosen family members”.

An enjoyable read which you will not want to miss.

I thought this was a sweet and cozy read. A little mystery, magical realism, quirky characters and town, and a little romance in a coffeeshop near the beach. What more can you ask for? I enjoyed the story. The characters were likable and the plot didn't drag on.

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities had a very slow start. While I enjoyed many parts of it, I had trouble making sense of the back-and-forth narratives between Ava and Maggie, and also the supernatural element of the ghostly presences. Wasn’t for me.

This was such a unique, heartwarming story about a group of likable, different characters that make this story enjoyable. Ava received a mysterious letter that takes her to a new town, to take care of an older man and his cat. There are so many interesting characters in here that make this quaint story so fun to read, and while it is not fast paced, it is a fun, feel-good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was not at all what I’d expected, but I enjoyed it very much all the same.
Ava and Maggie both feel very real and very relatable, struggling with grief and letting go of lost loved ones, moving on with life, facing one’s fears and wanting to be “normal” when they are anything but in the best of ways.

She is a favorite author of mine and this is another one that did not disappoint. I love how she writes magical realism.

this really just had the best cozy vibes. the light magic vibes were perfect and I loved the exploration of grief and found all the characters likable and endearing.

After reading the blurb of this one, I really loved the concept and wanted to read it. It didn't quite live up to my expectations and there was a lot more romance and grief rather than the ghost, witchy and spiritual element I was expecting.

However this was a nice heartwarming story and it hit the mark with the small town vibes. The mental health and grief elements were dealt with really well and the characters are likeable.

I loved the small town vibe I this book. This was my first book by this author but I'll keep an eye out for others!