I am a huge Alice Hoffman fan and this is a really sweet little novella. This is book two and I haven't read the first but this can easily be read as a standalone. I enjoyed learning more about this couple and the reasons for why their wedding kept getting bumped back. I loved seeing how devoted they were to each other and the ending is sweet.

Three things surprised me about this book:
1: it’s a sequel
2: it’s a short story
3: it’s absolutely beautiful

Because it’s a sequel you now know what happens in the first and because it’s a short story you don’t get too much depth into the characters however you can absolutely feel the love between them. It was a really cute and easy listen. It may be short but it sure is sweet

I fell in love with this story!
Short but full on magic, heartwarming and captivating, it ended too soon!

This was okay. I feel like it was too short to really fall for any of the characters or the love story- I never got invested. I think if it was a full length I would have liked it more. I thought the narrator did a great job though.

]This is a short story that I listened to today. It really put me in a great mood. It is a story about two sisters who have been through some tough times together. At one point they agreed not to talk anymore; but that didn’t last!Family dynamics are very tricky and full of emotions. Isabel and Sophie are now my favorite sister duo.

This story really focuses on what matters in life. Isabel and Sophie are lifelong confidants and would do anything for each other. Stories like this renew my faith in family and friends and keeping those who are important close to our hearts and souls.

We are taken through a quick view of their lives and shown how it all comes full circle. This story will bring out all the feels as you are listening. The narrator had such a pleasing voice. Jennifer Jill Araya did a fantastic job bringing the characters alive. This book is the second in a series but can be read as a standalone. Five stars all the way! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I experienced an audio story that profoundly moved me. It beautifully wove together themes of sisterhood, books, and a few other elements to create a narrative that was both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. The story revolves around two sisters whose bond is palpable through every word spoken. Their shared love for books becomes a symbol of their connection, bringing them solace and joy amidst life's trials.

The narrator's voice was soothing, yet carried the weight of the story's emotions perfectly. As I followed along, I could feel the depth of the sisters' relationship and the comfort they found in each other and in their shared literary adventures. The portrayal of their interactions was so vivid that it felt as if I were right there with them, sharing their laughter and their tears.

What struck me the most was how the story managed to balance its sad and warm elements. It acknowledged the pain and struggles the sisters faced, yet it also celebrated the resilience and love that carried them through. The books they cherished became a metaphor for hope and escape, a reminder of the beauty that exists even in difficult times.

By the end of the audio, I was left with a mix of emotions. I felt the sadness of their challenges but also the warmth of their enduring bond. It was a touching reminder of the power of relationships and the small, yet significant, comforts we find in the things we love. This story will stay with me for a long time, a testament to the strength of sisterhood and the solace found in shared passions.

I literally listened to this entire audiobook in one sitting. I really enjoyed the short story and thought the ending was really sweet. I love that the MC gave up her wedding day for her sister. Very cute short story.

A moving short story about two sisters, long time loves, weddings, a beloved bookstore and a cancer battle. Full of Hoffman's inherit magical realism and beautiful prose, this was an easy listen narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya and can be read as a standalone. Looking forward to catching up on the other books in this Once upon a time bookshop series. Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!