“Nevermore Bookstore” (Townsend Harbor Book 1) by Kerrigan Byrne & Cynthia St. Aubin
A Tough Read
In MHUO (My Humble Unbiased Opinion) this not a sweet, gentle easy read. It has several hard topics and language and scenes that can be unsettling. But it is a really good story with a lot of heart that will not be for everyone. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I downloaded a copy of this story via NetGalley.

Cady is running a bookstore in a small seaside town that she inherited from her aunt. To be honest, the historical building isn't in the best of shape and neither is the bookstore. Enter Fox, a mysterious hermit of a customer who is helping keep the shop open with his weekly orders. Cady and Fox have some serious tension going on during their phone calls but have never met in real life. Both are lonely people with hard pasts, and these calls become the highlight of their weeks.
During one of these weekly calls, Nevermore Bookstore is broken into. Fox decides he needs to keep a closer eye on Cady, the girl he wants but thinks he doesn't deserve and can never have. He attempts to protect her and help her without ever telling her who he is. He goes above and beyond when he realizes Cady has a chronic condition that limits her physically.
I honestly loved Fox's inner monologue, he was a little dramatic and a lot of hilarious. I loved Cady's bookstore and the book club. The small town was atmospheric, there was a mystery, and a great found family. I simply adored the message that even people who are a little broken deserve their HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and authors for the advanced copy of Nevermore Bookstore.

What drew me into this book was the adorable cover, but unfortunately my enjoyment of the book stops there. I thought this would be about a quirky bookshop and it's even quirkier owner...well it was but then enter Fox, our male lead. He creeped me out and not in the good way (I miss you Zade). The way certain things were described made me cringe, MANROOT I'm looking at you. A lot of the characters inner dialogue made me wish I didn't have to read inside their thoughts. Now I did enjoy the mystery aspect of this book and a character like Cady who had a disability that didn't stop her was a great form of diversity. I loved the inclusiveness.

This book is set to be released March 28, 2023

I was super excited about this one and unfortunately, I didn't love it. Parts of it were enjoyable. I loved the older ladies and their book club. I liked much of the first half of the book, but as it went on the story felt weird. I really had a hard time pushing through to the end.
I'm giving this 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 mainly for my love of Myrtle and the book club.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The story of Cade and Fox. I loved this book and can't wait to read more from these authors.
Both main characters had struggles in life, but will they let it stop them getting the HEA? I liked that it was told from both points of view.

Thank you netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this title! This book was a super cute rom com and I cant wait to read more books to this series. Recently rom coms have been one of my favorite books to read and this one was super cute and cozy. From the title to the cover to the synopsis I was not disappointed to how this story turned out. If you love rom coms and you are a book lover too then read this book.

This was a cute, cozy, and steamy romance with a dash of mystery! Cady was such a sweet character and I loved her and her feistiness. She wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted and she was very compassionate and selfless. Fox was my favorite though and I really enjoyed his pov. I loved pealing back his layers as the story went on and learning about his past and PTSD, he was just really interesting and fun to read about. And the chemistry between these two was AMAZING!

There were a few times where I felt a bit creeped out about fox watching Cady but honestly I loved him so much that I didn’t care too much.

The one thing that did annoy me however was that there were a bunch of made up words, curses, and turns of phrase in this that threw me every time. I felt like a lot of the made up words and curses were a bit cringey and odd and it took me out of the story every time I came across one. This isn’t a huge deal or anything though, just something to note.

Also that ending was amazing (love a man in uniform😍🔥) and the epilogue was very sweet and tied the story up nicely!

Thanks to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for the ARC. I enjoyed the premise of the story, a woman trying to keep hold of her Aunt’s bookstore while trying to solve the mystery of the man who calls every week to order books. The writing wasn’t my favorite and the story could have been developed a bit more but I really enjoyed the acceptance and understanding the characters had of their different traumas. Overall a decent read and keep me interested.

Nevermore Bookstore tells the story of Cady, a woman struggling to keep her beloved bookstore afloat while dealing with some heavy health issues. She begins a telephone relationship with a mysterious man who calls in on Thursday nights to place orders that are helping keep the bookstore open.
I found this to be a fun read. I don't usually read romance books but this one had me laughing out loud at some parts (despite some of the many red flags of our main mystery man)
All in all, I found it an enjoyable, if at times silly read.
Please find my spoiler free youtube review attached.

This book was so much fun for me to read! In a small town in the PNW, Cady lives with a debilitating disease that causes her pain (ankylosing spondylitis) and is still reeling from the death of her aunt. Left to run her aunt's bookstore, she is also dealing with beaurocratic issues from the higher ups of the town in regards to whether her aunt actually owned the bookstore or not. But every Thursday evening a call comes in from a man she only knows as Fox, to place a book order, and it becomes the best part of her week.

Fox is ex-military and has PTSD to such an extent that he can't be inside without suffering. So much so that he lives out of a tent in the forests, and lives off the land. When Cady's bookstore is broken into while he is on one of his calls from her, he knows that he needs to somehow get closer to her to make sure that she is safe.

While Nevermore Bookstore tackles difficult topics and flawed characters, there is also steamy chemistry, a slow burn romance, and a wonderful supporting cast of characters. I loved the wonderful sense of community in the town, which made for so many hysterical (her smutty book club meeting is a hoot) and touching interactions.

If you are looking for a grumpy/sunshine slow burn romance that doesn't take itself too seriously this is your book. I enjoyed it, and am really looking forward to reading more in the series!

Thank you to Cynthia St Aubin and to Oliver Heber Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Rated 3.5 Stars

I loved the premise of Nevermore Bookstore and while it didn't necessarily live up to it I enjoyed it. There were parts of it I found cringey. I didn't like the Colin Kaepernick reference at all. It was offensive. I did like the characters, their journey and the mystery element. I loved that it was quirky and offbeat. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next book brings.

Good god. I can’t remember the last time I started a book and didn’t finish, but it was a necessity in this case. DNF at 20%. This was a nightmare. It is trying SO hard to be quirky and sexy, it’s repulsive instead. The writing was 90% ridiculous similes and metaphors, and it had so many neologisms that I sometimes didn’t even know what they were talking about. Most of these were sexual innuendos, usually combined with swear words. I swear like a sailor and I have no issue with sexual innuendo, but get a grip!! These characters were so far from believable it just made the whole thing a giant eyeroll. Fox is a literal caveman (he lives in a tent? Permanently? And lives off of animals he hunts??) but simultaneously speaks and thinks in poetry? And is pro-women’s rights but also misogynistic? Cady is just annoying and strange. I could go on, but this book wasted enough of my time as it is. I have no idea who this would appeal to. I can’t believe it was written by two people because that means they were somehow BOTH on board with how this turned out??? Need to go use mouthwash to get the disgusting taste of this book out of my mouth. So sorry!

1/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Oliver Heber books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the authors for approving me for an ARC.

Okay, first chapter and the style of writing already had me hooked. Plus, a mysterious guy with a sexy voice? Sold. He really give ‘touch her of you die’ vibes.. no, not vibes, literally says he’ll kill someone for her… but in a good way obviously.

Loved the definitions at the start of each chapter, they sort of served as a forewarning of what the chapter would be about.

Honestly, what a great read. There was a plot and a fair bit of spice at the same time. I always like there to be a plot somewhere in the background. I really enjoyed the humorous/satirical style of writing which was also somehow full of tension. There are also a number of spicy scenes. It’s relevant with hints of modern themes without focussing too much on them.

The characters are great and have so much diversity and inclusion. The main character has a chronic health condition, the best friend has ADHD, and the love interest has PTSD.

I’m not sure if it’s just my love of retold fairytales but this felt very inspired by Beauty and the Beast! The two main characters of course but then the menagerie of friends paralleled the animated furniture and the ‘beast’ underwent and physical and emotional transformation.

Definitely worth the read!!

Nevermore Bookstore by @cynthiastaubin @kerriganbyrne

Cady is quirky, sweet, and wholesome, while Fox is reclusive but protective. They have joined my list of incredibly well written, fun, main characters.

It includes the grumpy/sunshine trope, a dual pov, consistent witty banter, small town romance, mystery, and some amazingly done steamy scenes.

This romantic comedy also sheds light on chronic illness and adds to neurodivergent awareness; the truths, faults, journeys to self love are explained beautifully from both Fox and Cady.

I highly recommend, as I devoured, and adored this book!

This was not for me. I tried to get through it but found the characters very flat.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Everyone in my group chat is sick of me talking about this book.

This is a completely non magical contemporary romance. She inherited a bookstore from her late aunt and it's kind of a mess. Parts of it are falling apart, business isn't super great, and she's lonely. The high point of her week is always a standing phone call with Fox, a very intelligent book aficionado who is almost singlehandedly paying the bills with his fancy book orders. She catches feelings without ever meeting him and it's mutual but he's afraid.

During one of their phone calls, he hears her shop get broken into and breaks his self imposed hermit status to come and stalk her...? Romantically though. It's chill. He ends up completing all of the chores that would be miserable for her since she has a chronic pain condition without ever telling her his real name.

Keeping his name to himself aside, I enjoyed watching Fawkes (real name, promise) dive face first into taking care of someone else because it gave him purpose until he starts to get his head on straight. He was a POW and has major, major trauma over it to the point where he can't even be inside without losing himself a bit. We love a hero who goes to therapy. He has a job at the end of the book and I love that journey for him.

Maybe because I have read a Cynthia St. Aubin book where he was a shapeshifter before that it didn't click for me until the very end of the book that Fawkes just was a human being. He referred to himself as a creature and a monster so I was watching the percentage climb and thinking tick tock, man. I've learned this was exclusively a me problem.

Thank you to Netgalley and Oliver Heber Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Cadence “Cady” Bloomquist runs a quaint little bookstore in her staid, historical hometown. If she does not find the necessary paperwork, Cady could her precious shop. The only thing keeping the place afloat is her mysterious patron “Fox”. Cady looks forward to their weekly phone chats. When a break-in disrupts their conversation, she finds a sense of security with an enigmatic drifter. Cady feels drawn to him, yet she cannot forget Fox either. Will Cady find a way to save her shop? Or is she doomed to fail in business and romance?
Roman “Fox” Fawkes is a reclusive hermit. He desperately wants to escape his mental demons. Fox’s only link to the normal world is the bookshop’s proprietress Cady. He knows that he is wrong for her, but he cannot help but be drawn to her. When Cady’s safety is jeopardized, he willingly leaves his secluded hideout to protect her. He poses as a drifter and helps her around the shop while devising a trap for her assailant. However, being around Cady reminds Fox why they cannot have a future. Can Fox resist the temptation Cady poses? Or will his presence cause even more trouble for her?
Fox is my favorite type of hero – the wounded/tortured type that I come to expect from Kerrigan Byrne. I love that he recognizes Cady’s inner beauty and goodness. He does not follow or agree with media and society’s ideals on beauty.
Cady is a sweetheart! I am glad to see that both Byrne and St. Aubin broke out of the typical heroine mold. Cady is on the fleshier side, which I heartily approve of. We need more plus size heroines in romance books. She has not had the best life, but she makes do with her limitations. I love how Cady recognizes a kindred spirit in Fox. She knows that not all scars are on the outside but inside as well.
What I like the most about both Cady and Fox are that they are not “picture-perfect” characters. They have their flaws and health issues, just like everybody else, which made them more relatable to me.

NEVERMORE BOOKSTORE is the first book in Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin’s contemporary-romance comedy series, TOWNSEND HARBOR. I am new to Cynthia St. Aubin but not Kerrigan Byrne. I adore Byrne’s historicals, so this is a new jaunt for me… And it did not disappoint.
I enjoyed the story. Yeah, it is different, genre-wise, than what I am used to reading by Kerrigan Byrne (a good different). The story does touch on some heavy subjects – the heroine’s chronic pain issues and the hero’s PTSD – but there are plenty of humorous scenes that lighten the severity. What I adore the most about the story is the two side characters – Myrtle and Vee. They made the story enjoyable. Those two provided the right amount (and necessary) comedic relief. Their antics and quips had me giggling. I hope we see more of them in future books. It is a MUST.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this Advanced Reader Copy of this book! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Whoa, wow-ee! This book! It took me a minute to get into this one. It starts off like a little innocent "save the small town bookshop" sweet romance. But around 50% in, holy moly, the hot peppers come out blazing!

There is A LOT of inner dialog, which I didn't care for. It takes a long time to get to the root of Fox's issues and by that time I was just feeling like, get on with it already! Aside from that, I truly loved Cady's character. She's smart, loyal, fierce, bad-ass, entrepreneur, sexy and curvy! Fox's macho bravado felt a little overbearing and I hard cringe when a man calls a woman "woman" when talking to her. It feels almost degrading. I had to overlook that a few times throughout the book.

I really enjoyed the mystery plot and the save Cady's bookstore plot. I also enjoyed the way Fox and Cady took care of each other. It felt genuine and sweet. If you can handle the spice, I would definitely recommend this one. It's a sweet read with a predictable, but solid ending.

(There were a few typos throughout the book.)

I have tried to put my thoughts down about this book for the last ten minutes. I keep coming up empty. It was funny & super steamy & somehow wildly tender all at the same time. It’s the first book that I’ve read in a while with a cast of undeniably quirky characters who don’t feel quirky for the sake book sales. They feel like the the IRL friends who are just a little off kilter from whatever normal is & who are all the more endearing because they defy categorization. Of the whole motley crew, the characters I found to be a little flat were the strait-laced sheriff and his mother. But even that worked because it matched up with who they became over the course of the novel. This was much steamier than I expected based on the description, so I won’t be putting it on my classroom shelves! I do think it will be a popular & I think that popularity will be well-earned!

Complex PTSD in our hero; chronic autoimmune disorder in our heroine. It doesn't sound like the best recipe for a romance, but when the couple in question first meet over the phone and develop a weekly conversation about books, the outer problems become less.. Oh, they take a while to work out the kinks, but hot and heavy is the name of the game. This is a VERY sexy, open door romance with a side of small town politics and lots of fun side characters.