This book is very charming and the characters are well rounded out. I enjoyed the style of writing, as well as the "mundane" sort of magic of the origami. The plot moves at a smooth pace, and the reader an easily pick up on the clues and foreshadowing of some events or connections, leaving the reader anticipating the coming chapters.

The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye is a charming and heartwarming read that delivers a delightful take on the childhood friends to lovers trope. If you're a fan of romantic stories filled with unexpected connections, this book is definitely worth picking up.

The story centers on Chloe, a character many readers will find relatable in her earnest desire to see the good in everyone – a quality that, as the user mentioned, can sometimes lead to unforeseen challenges. When she first encounters the adult Oliver, she's immediately put off, not recognizing him from their shared past. Her quest for happiness seems to be constantly derailed by his presence, until, as the title suggests, kindness (and perhaps a bit of fate) intervenes.

While the story's romantic arc is somewhat predictable, this doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment. It’s a testament to Skye's writing that even with a clear direction, the journey remains engaging and "such a fun read." The novel skillfully weaves in various unexpected connections that enrich the narrative and add layers to the central romance.

The only minor quibble, as noted, is the somewhat rushed ending, leaving readers wanting a bit more time to revel in Chloe and Oliver's hard-won happiness. However, this small point doesn't overshadow the many strengths of The Incredible Kindness of Paper, making it a truly enjoyable and satisfying romantic escape.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ My review: I love a little magic and I love second chance romances. I watch a soap opera everyday, I'm open. I just had a little trouble completely buying into the magic paper roses. I can suspend disbelief but this was a bit much with no explanation. I loved Chloe's positive, sunshiny attitude and outlook. Seriously, more people should be like her. And I liked the message: think positively, move forward, trust the process. Those are all good things. Romance stories where the past wrongs are righted are always touching. But Chloe not recognizing Oliver was ridiculous in a story that relies on magical happenings. I really couldn't get past that.

Be positive, choose happiness, care about others. And if you think some rando is your long lost high school boyfriend, he probably is. Give him a paper rose. Sweet book and there is definitely an audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.

Easy summer read I enjoyed this book and the magical realism the author infuses in her works. I liked the main characters and the overall message of spreading kindness but at times it slip into being a little too overly sweet. I would recommend and will continue to read books from Evelyn Skye in the future. I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

this book truly feels like a warm hug.
chloe quinn is down on her luck. she’s in her early 30s, talking to a new guy who may or may not be a love bomber, missing her childhood best friend, oliver, and recently let go as a guidance counselor at a local high school. she knows she wants to continue to make a difference in people’s lives but she doesn’t quite know how. throughout her life, she’s shared yellow origami roses with those around her and she decides to pay it forward and leave the roses around nyc. she includes messages inside that magically (?) land in the hands of just the right recipient. she truly has a gift. what will this project add to her life and the lives of others?
this book was a great reminder that small acts can have a very big impact.

thank you to atria books for providing this book for review consideration via netgalley. all opinions are my own.

The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye is the warm hug we all need right now. I got big Amélie vibes from this book, so if you enjoyed that movie I would highly recommend The Incredible Kindness of Paper.

The story follows Chloe and Oliver, childhood best friends on the brink of something more, on a star-crossed love story in New York City. After years of intense and beautiful friendship, at 16 years Oliver and his family suddenly disappear from their Kansas hometown, never to be heard from again. Eventually Chloe moves past her heartbreak and continues on with her life; we meet her as a 32 year old guidance councilor in NYC who gets unexpectedly laid off. Oliver has also landed in NYC, working as a math nerd in a high pressure finance job. After losing her job Chloe starts to make origami roses with inspiring messages that seem to find the person who needs it most. Little does she know, the roses will help lead her back to the person she needs most.

The suspension of disbelief needed is... high. The book makes it seem like only about 20 people live in NYC and they all constantly run into each other. But it's worth it. This is a charming story that will stick with me for a long time.

Thank you Evelyn Skye, Atria Books, and Net Galley for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Had no preconceived notions of this one, and I found that I actually really liked this one. It has a dash of magic, a sprinkle of fate and a whole lot of an authentic, sweeping love story. I didn't want to put this book down, thanks to its compelling language that drew me in. All in all, it felt like more than just a romance. I'd say it's more of a women's fiction novel with a romantic subplot. It's fun and cute, and the HEA feels completely earned and paced well.

This was exactly the kind of story you want to read in the Summer. It’s a quick, feel-good read! The chapters are short. There’s not a whole lot to think about, and the story wraps up nicely.

This was. 3.5 ⭐️ rating, rounded up to 4 ⭐️’s.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC copy of this book!

There was so much that I did enjoy about this book! An older protagonist, a second chance romance, a sprinkle of magic, and letters being at the very center of it all! I did have fun reading this one, but parts of it really fell short for me. I blame myself. The writing just wasn't my cup of tea. Remember, everyone perceives books differently so though this landed as a 3.5 star book for me, it might be higher for you!

Okay, I, uh, really hated that.

There’s a very sweet message buried in this about repeated missed connections and the value of being a good person spreading joy. But it is catastrophically lost in the middle grade jumble of a far too simple plot that is further ruined by every single character having the emotional maturity of a paperclip and steeped in toxicity of varying types.

— Things are told and not shown. Problems arise to be immediately explained and solved in the same paragraph. There is no time to make connections for yourself.
— It is too sunshine and rainbows, every problem being solved with a simple platitude and a plucky good attitude.
— I hate the message that you can just let go of toxic relationships with zero effort or resistance and be magically healed and fine with it all.

There is zero <I>real life</I> in here, and maybe that makes me as jaded and pessimistic as Oliver, but the message is absolutely lost when it is completely out of touch with reality.

3.5 rounded up
The Incredible Kindness of Paper is a second chance romance with some magical realism that centers around sweet Chloe. She is a 32 year old high school counselor who loses her job, and while looking for something else, she starts making origami roses with inspirational messages inside and leaving them around the city to bring people joy. She starts setting up shop in central park, where others get inspired and set up there own tables, and the inspirational roses soon become a city wide, then world wide phenomenon.

I enjoyed how the roses inspired and brought joy to people, and I really liked how Chloe refused to promote herself and pursue personal gain as her idea goes viral.The magical way the flowers brought Chloe and her childhood sweetheart back together was a little hard to swallow for me though and the multiple repetitions of what was in the message they wrote back and forth got a little tiresome. The story still makes a sweet, happy, light read in between heavier reads and if your looking for a book that scratches that itch give this one a try.

Thank you to net galley and Atria books for the e galley.

After losing her job as a guidance counsellor, Chloe is looking for a way to make a difference in the world. It starts with a paper rose, an inspiring message and perfect timing. The paper roses begin to positively impact the people of New York, except for one skeptic named Oliver. Oliver believes in facts and numbers, he thinks the paper roses are ridiculous, until one shows up and continues to show up as he corresponds with the initial creator. Will fate, kindness and true love be enough to make Oliver a believer in the power of the yellow roses? This story is full of beauty, from Chloe's optimism and approach to people, to the loss of childhood love it felt like a warm hug throughout. With a little bit of magic and a whole lot of kindness, The Incredible Kindness of Paper is a beautiful story for those looking for a little hope.

There’s sweet—a really nice pastry, a kind text from a friend, a thoughtful gift.

Then there’s sugary, syrupy sweet—a whole bag of candy, an effusively nice compliment from a barely-there acquaintance, a cloying love song with dainty vocals.

Clearly I know which I prefer, and I for most of the reading experience, I couldn’t decide if The Incredible Kindness of Paper tipped into overly sweet or managed to balance its saccharine trappings with enough reality.

The characters, Chloe and Oliver are both fine and for romance leads. I wouldn’t say they’re overflowing with chemistry, but their story works. I did like the continual near-misses and added a nice sense of fate or inevitability. The plot was similarly fine. It clipped along well and the pacing and reveals made sense.

But the whole time I couldn’t shake the feeling that the twee, tooth-aching optimism was too much, maybe even slightly shallow. I wonder if the theme people truly being good if given the chance, is one that more books need and people need to read now, or, given the current state of the world, is a ln optimistic fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

3 1/2 stars

The Incredible Kindness of Paper is a palate cleanser book - a sweet, easy read with generally lovely characters and a happily-ever-after ending. Chloe and Oliver are inseparable growing up. They have been best friends since paired for a pen pal assignment in elementary school. Just as their relationship begins to turn a corner toward romance, Oliver's family leaves town without a trace, breaking Chloe's heart (and Oliver's too, clearly). 20 years later, Chloe is a guidance counselor in NYC facing a series of personal challenges. To cheer herself up she begins folding yellow origami roses and writing positive messages in them and dropping the roses around town. Seeing how her roses have effected the recipients, Chloe is determined to spread kindness through her roses, finding help and community and new friends along the way. Meanwhile, Oliver is a successful financial analyst and number savant, also living and lonely in NYC. As you can predict, a series of events lead Chloe and Oliver back into each other's lives - if they will only open their eyes and hearts to their destiny.

The Incredible Kindness of Paper is feel-good writing at its best. I just found myself smiling as I read this book and enjoying the simplicity of it all. Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were as easy as a found paper rose to remind people to be kind to one another? I loved watching the connections form between characters and seeing how simple acts of grace and kindness helped them all form a community. Chloe and Oliver were lovely, if sometimes frustrating characters. There wasn't a lot of gray to either of their personalities and it took way too long for them to get out of their own way.

This was a great book to read at a time when life is feeling pretty heavy. When you need a reminder that people are good, pick up this title.

Thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. The Incredible Kindness of Paper will be published on August 12, 2025.

Sweet second chance story focused of how kindness is important.
Beautifully written and nuanced characters make this book an easy read. .

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Oh, Chloe and Oliver! They had such a deep friendship and connection. I loved the whole idea of putting good thoughts and wishes out into the world for the sole purpose of making it a better place. It was fun to see how all the characters connected to each other making a city like New York not seem as big. The gala was probably one of my favorite parts. Alongside the romance was a journey of self discovery for each of the MCs which I think got them to a place where they would make a better partner. Now I want to start folding origami roses and sending good into the world.

A lovely story of childhood sweethearts, Chloe and Oliver , who were separated due to a family
situation. Years later, both end up working in New York . They are reconnected when Chloe begins to
leave yellow origami roses with encouraging words written inside throughout the city. Shows the
power of encouraging words and kindness.
#TheIncredibleKindnessofPaper #AtriaBooks #NetGalley

A beautiful story about the the power of connection and a second chance at happiness. Lovely magical realism and great story for fans of The Midnight Library!

I have read both of Evelyn Skye’s previous booked and loved their magical realism and love story so I went into her newest book with some pretty high hopes and I have to say it wasn’t for me. In this story, the magical element was really just fate and it came off in a way that felt way too in your face to a point where I was like ok this isn’t realistic but it’s also too close to “real life” to be considered magical realism which was a line I didn’t like balancing on. Chloe was WAY too Disney princess, everything is perfect and I got the ick in a way I never have before with Skye’s writing - it almost felt juvenile.

I made it 40% through this book and can't bring myself to read anymore. It's been on my kindle and listed in my goodreads list for months and I keep telling myself I need to finish it but can't. The story is not very believable (paper roses getting people excited in NYC?) and I couldn't understand how the two main characters didn't recognize each other. The story was too sunshiny for me to be interested which was disappointing because I did really enjoy The Hundred Loves of Juliet.