The Incredible Kindness of Paper is a book so sweet you may need to visit the dentist after reading. 🤭

Our FMC Chloe embarks on a quest to spread kindness throughout NYC by creating and distributing origami affirmations throughout the city. This leads to her serendipitously encountering her childhood/teenage first love (whom she doesn’t recognize🤔) and a second chance romance subplot.

While this story is full of positive messages that are easy to get behind, it was hard to suspend my disbelief and get fully immersed. I’m left with general good vibes about the book, but have no plans to reread in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC, which I received in exchange for my honest review. 💛

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for allowing me to read an ARC of The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely beautiful! This was such a captivating story of the power of even the smallest act of kindness, believing in the good in people, and the "invisible red string theory"! Delightful and believable characters with a touch of magic.

I loved this book and look forward to reading more by Evelyn Skye.

I recommend everyone read this book!

I was absolutely thrilled to get an early copy of this because I adore Evelyn Sykes writing. One Hundred Loves of Juliet is one of my faves from the last several years! While this novel had an interesting premise and sweet start, it fell flat for me. I expected more from the storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria books, and Evelyn Skye for the chance to read this ARC! I have enjoyed every one of Evelyn’s books I’ve read so far, but this one is such a timely message that so many people need to be reminded of now. I loved how the characters lives tied together in seemingly meaningless ways that end up bringing them all to the right place at the right time. It’s a great reminder than it’a the small acts of kindness that stick with us the most.

This book has the tiniest hint of a second-chance romance that was not overpowering the rest of the story.

3.75 stars

I loved the premise of the book and the way the community came together. I loved the different perspectives and seeing how one small act of kindness can transform someone's life. I'm not usually one who likes a lot of POVS, but I found it worked for this, because it was brief all in all, and they were well interspersed. Unfortunately, I found the two main characters harder to really connect to, especially Oliver. I understand why he was the way he was, I empathized with his trauma, but I still didn't like him for most of the book, and I didn't really see the chemistry between him and Chloe besides their history. I really liked Chloe for most of the book, but I did find her naivety to be frustrating at times when it seemed obvious that she should have seen the negative actions and effects of certain moments. I appreciated how she stood her ground against certain things, and I liked the magical realism, as it added a bit of whimsy.

Overall, though, this was a simple book with a simple but powerful message, one that we could use today. We all need more kindness in this world, and it can start with us.

Thank you to NG and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was just a little too sappy for me. I’m sure it will find its audience and be cherished, but I couldn’t finish it.

The Incredible Kindness of Paper is nothing like i've ever read before. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I want to thank Evelyn Skye, Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and Netgalley for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed some aspects of this book- like the magical realism and second chance plotting. However, it was a lot to follow at times and felt a bit scattered. My attention was not kept and it made it difficult to stayed interested! I did enjoy the positive and uplifting spirit we see from Chloe, it was so sweet. I think this is a quick and decent read it just didn’t stick out to me. It has been mentioned in other reviews, but I did find it hard to believe she would not have recognized Oliver. I wasn’t bought into Chloe and Zac either, some things felt a bit off centered.

I couldn’t stop smiling while reading this book! It made me remember my childhood days and being with best friends and all we would do. The joy and innocence of being a kid.
As the book continues, it reminds you of how growing up can be, life happens, you lose touch with people and you change. As with real life, there are good times and bad, and you feel an emotional connection with the main characters, as possibly it is you or someone close to you. Through the use of origami paper roses with messages of hope and joy inside, the main character, Chloe, inspires a movement of good which spreads around the world. Every moment of reading about another character who needed a “pick me up” moment in their life and then suddenly finding a yellow rose with just the right message for them, was a reminder that even the smallest things we do for others, makes a difference.
You can’t go wrong reading this book.

Thank you Atria Books for providing this ARC book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

For anyone who likes Clare Pooley, The Incredible Kindness of Paper brings seemingly unconnected characters together in very creative ways. Where Pooley will make you wonder for a bit how her characters are connected, Skye is right up front with it. I enjoyed getting to the meat of the story so quickly, and the magic of the paper flowers is just perfect at the end.

The book follows Chloe, a woman living in New York who's kind to a fault (::cough:: Zac is a jerk Chloe, run! ::cough::). After recently losing her job, she takes solace in making origami roses with messages of encouragement inside, in an attempt to uplift the people of the city, while finding her own path to healing.

Oliver has been so traumatized by his childhood after being torn from Chloe at 16 years old, he's become a grouch that hides behind walls he's built very high.

When the paper roses bring them together, it's nothing short of magic.

Aside from Zac and how Chloe handled him, the rest was perfect for a feel good read, if you need a pick me up, or a pallet cleanser. Highly recommend.

I requested this book on a whim, and thank goodness Netgalley and Atria Books let me read a digital ARC of it, so thank you, thank you to them both - this book made my day. My week. Could be in my top for the year (I know, it's early, but I loved it).

From the first page to the last, I loved ALL of it. I predict it flying off the shelves, and I think it should be sold with a set of yellow origami papers and a rose tutorial because you can't read it and not want to make some yourself and spread some JOY.

This book is sweet and cozy, romantic without really being a romance novel, and full of characters you want to root for. I'm sure there are those that think it's cloyingly sweet, and that's ok, too - but I think we all need to start our day with a little sugar every once in a while, like Chloe. This is the perfect palate cleanser in a time where there seems to be less and less joy and brightness being spread in the world.

3.5 stars

In The Incredible Kindness of Paper, a friendship and more begins with a pen pal assignment in elementary school. I knew I needed to pick this one up after reading the synopsis. The set up was so unique and I loved the overall message of how one small act of kindness can make all the difference in someone’s life. It was so interesting to see how fate pushed and pulled Chloe and Oliver together and apart. It was also fun to see all the different people woven into their story along the way.

The book started off really strong and I was hooked right away. The magical realism was a fun addition and the story unfolds through chapters in the present, as well as ones at various points in the past. Some chapters also focus on a specific side character and how the paper rose touches their life and intertwines with the lives of our main characters.

Unfortunately, the second half of the book felt choppier and more disjointed than the first. Scenes that showed the hand of fate in Oliver and Chloe’s lives were reduced to quick sentences telling us of a missed connection versus actually getting to experience those moments. It made the revelations less impactful. Oliver’s behavior when Chloe reappeared in his life also bothered me and I would have loved more grovel after everything that happened. The ending felt abrupt, but was very sweet. The entire book is filled with pining and longing, and not fully seeing the payout (perhaps in an additional chapter or epilogue), left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. I still enjoyed this magical second chance romance, but not as much as I was hoping.

OW/OM notes: The FMC has a situationship (a non-exclusive relationship) with an OM for the majority of the book. There is a brief, on page (not detailed) intimate scene between them.

CW: job loss, financial insecurity, grief, con artist parent, incarcerated parent, breast cancer (past, secondary character), work related injury to parent resulting in permanent use of wheelchair.

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

The Incredible Kindness of Paper
A Novel
by Evelyn Skye
Five stars!

If you love a sweet romance, a little magic, a community of misfits who become family, and an overall uplifting book, this one’s for you!

Chloe is incredibly optimistic, but it isn’t annoying because she knows that about herself. She isn’t gullible, just prefers to expect the best out of everyone. She is very altruistic and while life doesn’t always hand her roses, she makes her own. (pun intended) I loved how she brought a community of people together (much like Claire Pooley), and I love the believability of her magic.

The characters are well written people you’d like to have in your life. Oliver, the other main character, is almost the opposite of Chloe, but with good reason. The way their story unfolds seems inevitable, although while you’re reading it’s just amazing how everything comes together. I haven’t read Evelyn Skye before, but will be checking out her other books!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Evelyn knocked it out of the park with this. This is my third book of hers that I’ve absolutely loved. Chloe is so easy to root for, and Oliver my dear boy…I just wanted to give him a hug throughout the whole book. If you enjoy a book that’s about magic and doing good things for people, this is the one for you.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Incredible Kindness of Paper is a wonderful read about the impact of small acts of kindness in our busy world. In the end notes of this book, the editor comments that reading this book is like getting a warm hug. I totally agree! I loved these characters and their heartwarming story. Evelyn Skye has created a multifaceted story with many characters, different POVs and a mixture of flashbacks and present day.

Chloe and Oliver grew up together and fell in love as teenagers. Oliver’s family had an emergency requiring them to leave in secret and stay on the run, so he left Chloe without an explanation when they were 16. Fast forward fifteen years, and they are both living in New York City and happen to run into each other multiple times.

Chloe has been laid off as a school guidance counselor, and is struggling to find a new purpose in life. She starts making yellow origami roses with positive messages and handing them out around the city. Her roses find their way to many people who need an extra boost of confidence/inspiration, and her yellow rose project grows quickly and exponentially. I love how Chloe stayed true to herself throughout the story, and helped so many people.

With the help of the yellow roses, Chloe and Oliver find their way back to each other. Skye ties up loose ends and creates a beautiful, touching story from beginning to end. The Incredible Kindness of Paper shows us how small efforts can spread hope and positivity and improve many people’s lives.

Thank you to Evelyn Skye and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for an advance reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Evelyn Skye delivers a quiet, powerful story that lingers long after the last page. The Incredible Kindness of Paper is a beautifully written novel that explores the tenderness of human connection, the healing power of small gestures, and the quiet strength found in vulnerability.

Skye’s prose is lyrical and gentle, like a letter from an old friend. There’s something incredibly grounding about the way she weaves together everyday moments with deeper emotional truths. The characters feel real and imperfect in the best way—flawed, hopeful, and achingly human. It’s not a story driven by high drama, but rather by the slow unfolding of hearts learning to open again.

The metaphor of paper—fragile, enduring, and capable of carrying so much meaning—adds a lovely layer of depth to the story. It’s a reminder that kindness, even when written in the margins of life, can change everything.

While the pacing may feel slower for readers looking for more action or plot twists, those who appreciate introspective, heartfelt storytelling will find this book quietly profound.

A tender, soul-soothing novel that celebrates connection, empathy, and the quiet magic of everyday kindness.

I first want to thank Netgalley and Atria books for providing me this arc in exchange for a honest review.

I wanted to love this. There were moments I loved where my heart yearned for Oliver and Chloe, but as a whole the book was all over the place. Constantly switching timelines. Chapters in other peoples POV. And honestly felt very unrealistic.it was hard to remember who was who when more characters kept being introduced and I found myself wanting to pick up the book less and less the more I read. Definitely heart warming if you are someone who needs that, but it nearly put me in a slump.

This is a fun and easy read. However, as some other reviewers mentioned, I find it hard to believe that Chloe wouldn't have recognized Oliver at all. The premise was cute, albeit unrealistic, but again it's a quick and fun read.

Thank you Net Galley and Atria for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I requested this ARC. The premise was so unique to me. I loved Chloe’s quirky optimism and Oliver’s cynicism. There were a few plot points that I thought were expected. But overall this book gave me so much happiness while reading, and was a great quick happy read. Would recommend, especially for people that love a combo of magical realism and second chance love. ❤️

This was the perfect book to get me out of a reading slump. I've never read anything like it. I loved the message and I think it will stick with me for a while. The characters were loveable for the most part, or at least had depth and intrigue. The plot was so unique and heartwarming. Loved everything about this.