Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Tropes: Mistaken Identity, Love Triangle

Synopsis: April has been feeling isolated in life. She works remotely and doesn’t have much of a social life, so she decides to break her routine by leaving an anonymous note for a charming bookstore employee. Laura, a single mother, stumbles upon the note and believes it’s meant for her and was left by the handsome bookstore employee. This mix-up leads both women on unexpected journeys of self-discovery and connection, all centered around their local bookstore.

Thoughts: This was a multi-person POV that intertwines the lives of several characters through a serendipitous misunderstanding. The story is a different twist on You’ve Got Mail capturing the urning for human connection and the magic of bookstores. While the plot hinges on a simple miscommunication, it’s executed in a clunky way at times. There were several mentions in Westley’s POV about how everyone thinks he is handsome because people are always staring at him or giving/doing things for him. It was kinda odd and felt out of place. I think Westley’s POV brought the books down a bit. I enjoyed Julia and April’s POVs and their storyline. The ending was nice to see how everyone’s lives are now connected and they have all gained something from this love triangle.

Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald is a very sweet, cute beach read about a young woman who leaves a note in a book for the cute guy, Westley, who processes the used books at a bookstore. He doesn't see it and the book is sold to a young widow who answers the note, thinking she is speaking to Westley and the unusual romance proceeds from there. At times fun and adorable, at times so slow you want to skip to the end, Storybook Ending really is a sweet book if you want a light read. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Storybook Ending was a light, cozy read. I loved how we got to follow multiple pov’s and enjoyed reading the letters, texts and emails between the various characters. I thought the plot was fun however, the pacing was slow at times and felt repetitive. Overall, it was a fun read that teaches us love and friendship can be found in unusual and unexpected places.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the Arc. All opinions are my own.

A very sweet story. It's just my personal ick to read/watch things where there is a change of someone getting embarrassed (because someone else knows something they don't) Since the big misunderstanding about the note is a huge plot point, it just didn't hit with me. Not at all a reflection of the author or the story, it's a me thing! Overall, the book was sweet and an enjoyable read (if you're not like me and can handle knowing that someone is getting hurt!)

April, Laura, and Westley are in a love triangle, but one they don't know about. Storybook Ending is told in three alternating perspectives sharing the three main characters experiences that revolve around the bookstore Read the Room. April works from home. Her friends are busy with their lives, spouses, children, and April doesn't know how she fits into their lives anymore. Her brother Ben basically only reaches out when he needs money. One day she decides to take a chance and leave a note in a book for the very attractive book seller, Westley (yes the same name as the Princess Bride). However, Westley doesn't get the note. It ends up in the hands of Laura who thinks Westley left the note for her. Both note writers think they are corresponding with Westley and Westley has no idea that the notes are being exchanged. He has his hands full with the movie that's being filmed in the book store. A charming, cozy story about love, friendship, and books.

Its a cozy tale about friendship.
I like how the ladies find friendship on each other even by miscommunication.

However the books feels too slow for me and maybe even too much with 3 pOV


Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

Such a cute story. Reminds me of like a secret admirer in a way. Quick and easy read and heartfelt. Moira also reminds me of myself in the way the she presents herself

In Storybook Ending, Moira Macdonald weaves a delightful tale of romance, friendship, and the magic of literature. The story centers around April, a smart but lonely tech worker who has grown accustomed to working from home. While longing for connection, she leaves an anonymous note in a book for Westley, the kind-hearted bookstore clerk who captures her attention with his gentle smile. However, fate has a different path in store when Laura, a busy single mom who has resigned herself to a life without love, purchases the book and mistakenly believes the note is meant for her.

As Laura embraces the idea of a handsome book-loving man, Westley remains blissfully oblivious to the budding interest from either woman, distracted instead by the excitement of a movie filming at the bookstore. Meanwhile, the anonymous correspondence between April and Laura blossoms, bringing unexpected joy and hope into their lives.

Macdonald cleverly constructs a humorous and intricate web of mistaken identities and serendipitous encounters, showcasing how books can connect people in the most extraordinary ways. Storybook Ending is a playful celebration of the power of love and friendship, reminding readers of the profound connections we can find within the pages of a book. This charming novel will resonate with anyone who appreciates the beauty of relationships and the heartwarming adventures that literature can inspire.

This what a cute premise. I liked the idea of the note being misdirected, so that drew me in quickly. Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy.

At times it felt as though the book was dragging. Sweet story but could’ve been shorter.

Thanks NetGalley for an arc

A love letter to books and to friendships with an homage to romcoms and You’ve Got Mail in particular. Overall a cute easy read (though at times it felt a little too sweet) this book is like comfort food for when you just want to cuddle up and forget the outside world for a few hours.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was very special! I loved the whole idea behind it and I think that it was very well executed. My only critique is that at times it felt like the pacing was dragging and it was hard to keep my interest. However, I think that this is very lovely and cozy. A perfect read for book lovers.

A charming, well-crafted story that is the perfect combination of sweet and melancholy- a thoroughly enjoyable read.

a charming and heartfelt novel that explores themes of love, second chances, and the complexities of relationships. Macdonald’s writing is warm and cozy. The plot, while engaging enough, felt predictable at times. The pacing of the story is also a bit uneven, with some sections dragging while others race toward resolution. I still enjoyed myself and think others will too.

I love books about books and bookish people. And this fit the bill. The characters were all well-written and I love miscommunication tropes!

As an avid reader and film enthusiast, this was such a sweet book to read. The nostalgia of writing a letter has long been forgotten. To see an author incorporate it was delightful. I returned to my childhood with each chapter.

I only have this book three stars because there was a point in which I got bored- I’m sorry to say. But I’m glad I picked the book up again and finished it.

I found this book to be much slower paced than I was expecting but it gave it a real slice of life sort of feeling, and I think the plot is unique . I think i went into this book with the wrong expectations though, I found myself frustrated with the characters inability to fact check especially when there was two women who both thought the notes was coming from an easily accessible source?

I truly wanted to like this book, but I felt like the story was convoluted and did not deliver on its title. Westley was very hate-worthy and I don’t care how good looking he was supposed to be, why did Laura and April keep writing “to Westley” when every in person interaction was so…. Boring? Socially void? I don’t know. Perhaps the story was above my intelligence or artistic level but this wasn’t my cup of tea. I truly only finished it because I wanted to know what happened when April and Laura figured out they weren’t corresponding with Westley.

April is lonely, but she finds solace in a local bookstore. She has a bit of a crush on the guy who works in the used book department, so she slips a note to him in a book. Unfortunately, the book is given to another customer and the note is misinterpreted. Laura thinks the used book guy intended the note for her. What follows is a sweet, somewhat predictable book about romance, books, and misunderstandings.

I really enjoyed this book. It's filled with quirky characters and literary references. Yes,, it's really predictable, but there are a few surprises. It would make a great movie -- a little Hallmark like, but enjoyable nonetheless.

On a personal note -- I live in the PNW and am very familiar with the Seattle area locations referenced here. She really captures the Seattle vibe Although the bookstore in the book is fictional, it's based on my favorite independent bookstore, Third Place Books. Moira Macdonald is a well known writer for the local newspaper, but this is her first novel. I hope she writes more books!

I absolutely loved diving into this charming book! The way April's work-from-home woes led her to leave an anonymous note for Westley at her neighborhood bookstore was so relatable and endearing. I could feel her longing for connection and was rooting for her from the start. I couldn't help but chuckle at the misunderstandings and the back-and-forth correspondence that ensued. It was heartwarming to see both April and Laura find a spark of hope in their otherwise mundane routines. I loved how the story wove together mistaken identities and unexpected encounters, making for a playful and engaging read. Overall, this book was a lighthearted and fun tribute to romance, friendship, and the magic of bookstores. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and couldn't put it down.

If you're looking for a feel-good story with charming characters and a touch of whimsy, Storybook Ending is a must-read!