This book was such a lovely read. It was the perfect poolside companion this summer season and I flew through it without even realizing. There are quite a few fun twists and turns and it kept me guessing along the way. I think my biggest question is the question of the ghost. I am still wondering if it was really a ghost or if it was simply a ruse to distract from what was really revealed in the end.
There are several relationships which seem to bloom through this novel and though it seems such interesting they would all happen right at this time, I guess I won't question it too much. If you enjoy a book that is about finding your place in the world after you've been too scare to wander beyond your front door, this may be the one for you. Ava and Maggie are wonderful women who are finding their way in the world after life shattering events and are reevaluating life and what is important to them.
This was a book I didn't know I needed until I read it. Please do yourself a favor and read it too. There's no way it won't warm your heart and inspire you to take a trip down to the beach.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was my first by this author. I enjoy magical realism and the vibes were definitely there with this story! Think coffee, lavender, honey. It had a whimsical feel and the writing was a sensory treat.

I did find myself wanting more whimsy. There was plenty going on in the plot to keep things interesting, but the main character having altered senses because of a medical issue made the plot and story feel less whimsical. 3.5 stars rounded to 3 on goodreads

First I'm automatically reading anything Heather Webber writes. Second this may be my favorite book so far - the one I felt closest to. You can't help but fall in love with the towns and he people she writes about. I smiled so much listening to this. I'll be awaiting her next book anxiously.

Loved this book!!! Perfect for anyone that likes a story about finding vour place in your own life. The main female character was perfectly done. I loved her from the start. The cast of characters makes the book fun to read and the story heartwarming.

I was pleasantly surprised by this very sweet book - would compare to a beach town gilmore girls. There is some romance but not much smut, a very sweet golden retriever, and a little bit of magic. I will be recommending this to my friends and family looking for a sweet easy read.

My heart really needed this book! It was a salve for my soul and simply filled me with joy.

I admired Ava's bravery in picking up her life and moving to Driftwood. This was no easy choice for her given how sheltered her upbringing was. But when fate, or a job to be a caretaker, comes calling, sometimes you need to answer. Maggie was an important part of Driftwood. She ran the popular coffee shop, matching people to "things", and joining every club and committee around.

Both women were filled with grief, and this grief was getting in the way of them living their best lives. First and foremost, I love that they found each other and didn't have to navigate this pain alone. They were both also lucky to have the fine citizens of Driftwood to support them.

The town of Driftwood was magic, as well as filled with some magic. Webber wove in those enchanted threads with ease, and I loved each and every little magical touch. She also filled the town with characters I grew to love. They were warm and welcoming, and my favorite by far was Estrella with her "knowing" and declarations of "it's-been-said".

And wait until those last few chapters! Webber threw some WHOA type reveals in there. I didn't see any of THAT coming, but I loved it. I am pretty sure I was already happy crying by that point, but when I learned THOSE things, the tears starting flowing even more.

Overall, I had a fantastic time in Driftwood! Family, friendship, and community love abounded while second chance and new romances simmered. This story injected me with happiness and put a smile on my face.

"At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities" is a poignant and heartfelt novel that beautifully explores the themes of moving on, overcoming the death of a loved one, and navigating the complex terrain of grief. The author crafts a compelling tale that delves deep into the emotional journey of the protagonist, guiding readers through a rollercoaster of emotions.

The story centers around a coffee shop, serving as a metaphorical backdrop where characters gather, share their stories, and find solace in each other's company. The author's evocative descriptions and vivid imagery transport readers to this enchanting world, allowing them to connect with the characters on a profound level.

Through skillful storytelling, the book highlights the power of human connection, the importance of empathy, and the transformative nature of healing. It portrays the various stages of grief with sensitivity, providing readers with a relatable and authentic portrayal of loss and the subsequent healing process.

"At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities" is a moving and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of losing a loved one. It serves as a reminder that while grief may be a lifelong companion, it is possible to find hope, joy, and meaning in life once again.

I absolutely fell in love with the characters and this sweet little town, Driftwood AL. I need another book about Estrelle ASAP. I especially loved the addition of Norman and Molly. My only complaint is I want more!! More Sam, more Estrelle for sure!!

Thanks to NetGalley, the Author and the Publisher for a review copy in exchange for my honest review!

It's always a treat to open a new Heather Webber book. She can draw one into the story and make them feel a part of the community she's writing about.
Ava finds a new life in Driftwood, far away from her childhood Ohio home where she was protected and coddled due to childhood seizures which she seems to have outgrown.
In the magical, mystical Driftwood Ava finds what had been lost to her - acceptance, a sense of belonging, love and a family of friends.
Another five star read by Heather Webber,
My thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to early read At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities in return for a fair and honest review. This one did not disappoint.

Another hit from Heather Webber!
Ava receives what she thinks is a message from beyond. On a whim, she drives from Cincinnati to Driftwood, AL for a job interview without even making a phone call. She had been sheltered all her life due to health reasons and she sees this as her chance to break into a new life.
Meanwhile, coffee shop owner Maggie is holding on to her current life with both hands and her heart. She is resisting any amount of change, hoping for what everyone else knows is impossible.
These two ladies are brought together to learn life-changing lessons and lean on each other while doing it.

I have loved all of Webber's magical realism books and this one continues that trend. Her characters are so quirky and real but unique at the same time. I love the offbeat things she puts in her books - like a dog's "quabark" - and how she draws this small town with such a diverse and down-to-earth group of residents. I absolutely recommend this new novel and eagerly await her next one!

Whenever I see Heather Webber has a new book out, I know I'll need some tissues since I always end up crying while reading her books. The way she is able to combine sweet moments, memorable characters, and magical realism is, well, magic.

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities does not disappoint in the memorable characters. She had me at, scowling old goth lady with a birdcage veil that seems to always know what is going to happen before it does, and everyone fears. And the endearing characters just kept coming, like a dog and his “quabarks” that only Ava can hear or Maggie’s dad who talks to his little ghost and begins giving up all the numerous treasures he’s gathered through the years.

Not only does Webber’s books always have wonderful characters, but there are so many life lessons imparted within the pages, along with things that just make you ponder about long after you’re read the book.

If you’re looking for a sweet story with lots of life lessons, told in a non-condescending way, that will add a touch of magic to your life then look no further.

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.

At the coffee shop
August 1, 2023

“At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities,” is a dual point of view story, told by Ava and Maggie.
The women are brought together in a turn of events which could be a coincidence or could be fate. Ava is hired as a caretaker for Maggie’s father, who has dementia.
In a small town rumours swirl about Maggie and her father’s coffee shop. Her mother’s dream, Magpie’s, is a sweet little shop that is the heart of the town. The town of Driftwood holds many characters and the novel describes small town charm.

We learn of challenges that both Ava and Maggie need to face from their pasts and how these will affect their futures.
Everything is not as it seems in the small town. There are secrets that unfold, a little bit of magic and a touch of romance.

This was a decently paced, sweet story about small towns and the charm that can come with them. Characters who love and support each other and the connections we have.

If anyone is looking for a story that feels like a hallmark movie… here it is.

Release date Aug 1st, 2023. Swipe for synopsis.
*
Tbh, I expected more fantasy. Especially considering the magic involved with the curiosity shop and potentially haunted house. Expect a charming contemporary setting with a dash of magical realism… I only bring this up, because magical realism isn’t a preferred sub-genre of mine. Give me heaps of magic, or give me death!😂

This dual POV story follows two strangers, Maggie and Ava, as they face new and drastic shifts in their lives. They are both dealing with their own grief and loss. Like any hallmark movie, growth, forgiveness, love and acceptance are found by the end.

This story has a SLOWwww start. I’m honestly surprised I kept going till the end. For the first half of the book it felt like nothing happened… maybe that’s because my brain has been scattered for weeks and stories aren’t keeping my attention… or maybe the plot is actually moving at a snails pace. 🤷🏽‍♀️

All in all, not the best book I’ve read this year. But not the worst either. Just not my taste.

This was such a cute, cozy fantasy read. There were some aspects of this book that I wish were more magical rather than realistic. But I truly did like it, through and through. A nice, relaxing and easy read.

For Ava Dowling, the quaint, seaside town of Driftwood, Alabama holds the promise of a new life--one that's far away from her life in Vermont, where tragedy and grief had become her constant companions. On a spontaneous whim, Ava packs up for Driftwood after a mysterious letter arrives with a help-wanted ad for an in-home caretaker.

Enter Magpie's: otherwise known as the coffee shop of curiosities. Before long, Ava finds herself enveloped by the small-town, quirky community of Driftwood. She's not only part-time caretaker to Desmond Brightwood, but ends up a barista at Magpie's--owned by Desmond's daughter, Maggie--too. With Driftwood's streets teeming with gossip, stories, and just a little bit of magic, it's not long before Ava wonders if something more than coincidence brought her into its midst.

Without a doubt, "At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities" has a Sarah Addison Allen-like draw with its promise of a memorable cast of characters and magical realism undertone. Unfortunately, however, the magic of this story never quite came together for me. I found almost all of the characters to be underdeveloped caricatures--overly-quirky, pining after unrequited love, downright grumpy with no discernible depth--and as such, had a hard time connecting with them. Ava, Maggie, Desmond, Donovan, Sam, Norman, Rose, Estelle, Juniper, Hannah, and on and on: there were simply way too many characters in this story, and together they diluted what I'm sure could have been an endearing, heartstring-tugging story of found family and healing.

Despite the underwhelming impression this novel left me with, for readers willing to slug through the sugary-sweet, surface level plot, there is a heartwarming (and undoubtedly magical) ending in store. However, I'm unsure if I'd go back to read Heather Webber's backlists based on this one alone.

Driftwood, Alabama, is an odd little town – at least to Ava. She’s standing outside the Magpie Coffee Shop watching the town movie around her. Ava’s not even sure why she came here – a mysterious note? A job offer? Maybe just a chance to start over where no one knows her past that’s full of tragedy and sadness. Ava has no idea what the future will hold for her, or how this little town will change her life…or how she will change it, too.

From the bestselling author of Midnight at the Blackbird Café and In the Middle of Hickory Lane comes a beautiful novel about finding your purpose and accepting life as it comes your way. This latest release from Heather Webber is full of family drama, mystery, and magic, much like her other works. At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is a tale of second chances and accepting the love that comes your way. Webber develops a myriad of characters throughout the novel and, while the main story wraps neatly, leaves you wishing for sequels to dive more deeply into the supporting characters!

I give At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities 5 out of 5 stars. I am always pleasantly surprised by Webber’s character development and the small details incorporated to set the scenes. I appreciate the way Webber shows her characters with realistic struggles and anxieties. The overarching drama of health concerns, losses, and bad relationships knits together the backstories of the main characters into a cohesive narrative, even though the events happened decades and miles apart.

If you loved Midnight at the Blackbird Café like I did, you are going to adore this book! Beyond the restaurant theme, this newest release also includes the family connection mystery similar to the writing in Blackbird. I would recommend this book to readers over 13 as there are mentions of death, loss, and light romance. This book transports you to the small town of Driftwood and would be a great beach or vacation read, too!

I chose At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities based solely on the author. When I saw a new release by Heather Webber available for review on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to take part. I fell in love with her writing after reading Midnight at the Blackbird Café in 2022, and the rest of her collection is now on my TBR list! This was a quick read for me – it took around 6 hours to complete the book over the course of 4 days.

This book will release just in time for the long Labor Day weekend on August 1st. Whether you are reading at the beach or around the pool – this is a sure bet for a perfect vacation read!

You had me at coffee in the title! Also the cover is interesting. I had to request this title. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Four stars. Lots of characters that made this a cozy and fun book to get lost in on a rainy day. I haven't read Webber's work before so this was a pleasant surprise!

•This book is like snuggling into your blanket holding hot chocolate in a rainy day. This one has captured my heart, I adored all the characters not only the main ones & i am loving Heather Webber's writing style.

•It is written from dual perspective of Ava and Maggie in same timeline, they both are dealing with or rather needs to deal with loss and grief. It includes magical realism which has been weaved beautifully in the story.

•The small town setting has all the characters sewn together as a big family where everyone is looking out for everyone and every character has their own importance.

I've got a new auto-buy author 💕

Heather Webber is a master of small town lore and continues to shine in this book. Her exploration of relationships, of small town vibes, of the way our lives go in different directions than we may have planned... Basically, if you have loved a previous Webber, you should read this one. And if you haven't tried Webber, but love magical realism, stories of friendship, of unexpected turns in life... Try it.