Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. Heather Webber is at the TOP of my favorite authors list. I used to be hesitant to read magical realism, but Webber has completely changed that for me. She has a way of making unbelievable things believable. Every book of hers I have read, and The Forget-me-not Library is no different, I want to be and live in the town and with the people of the places that she creates. This book gave me all the feels. It's full of love, magic, whimsy, joy and laughter, but also also grief and sadness. Put this on you TBR list now!

The Forget-Me-Not Library is chock full of love, magic, whimsy, joy and laughter, but also also grief and sadness.

Heather Webber has again delivered a superb novel about the delightful residents of Forget-Me-Not, Alabama and the other people who end up there when their cars or trucks break down, seeking resolution to problems in their lives.

Residents include Papaw, his granddaughter, Tallulah, great granddaughters Katy and Mary Joy, sister Maeve, neighbor Verna, dying friend Renny, librarian Evanthe, Callum, his grandson, and quite a few more.

Town guests included Juliet whose car had broken down with a puff of blue smoke from the engine, and Jake, Evanthe’s nephew.

Juliet is healing from a lightning strike that caused the death of her much loved grandfather and the loss of her memory.

Jake is actually staying only six weeks until he can move into the condo he bought in Florida but no one knows that.

Callum who is a mechanic tells Juliet that it will take awhile for him to get parts to fix her car so Papaw insists she stay in a spare room.

Everyone is excited by an upcoming annual Flour Festival that promises delicious baked treats and prizes for the best ones.

Meanwhile Juliet, who is a nurse, starts volunteering at a respite center and decides she really likes it there and would like to work there instead of as a school nurse back in Michigan or going to graduate school for medical research like her mom did. She and Callum also fall in love. Will she stay or go?

Also Tallulah who is divorced buys a small house and decides to go back to school to become a librarian instead of a library assistant. She and Jake fall in love. Will he go back to Florida or stay in Forget-Me-Not?

This is an incredible story definitely worth reading! Five stars!

In a world that feels increasingly dark, The Forget-Me-Not Library was the bright spot I desperately needed. If when you see the label "magical realism" you instinctively think of lighthearted fluff, I assure you that this book is far more than that. Although set in a quirky, small southern town, the story addresses the issues of grief, divorce, single parenting, and death while immersing the reader in the cultural traditions of Forget-Me-Not, Alabama.

This book is filled with such rich characters that if you've ever lived in a small southern town, you'll swear you know them. The author accurately describes the importance of a library in rural communities where it is so much more than just a place to check out books. The written word is central to the story, not only in books but also in treasured family heirlooms. (If you have family letters or recipe collections, you'll know what I mean.)

My favorite character was Uncle Renny, whose life story included the days before the open acceptance of LGBTQ folks and the pain caused by hiding sexual identity. Although from the very beginning we're told that Uncle Renny is dying, his character is funny, warm, and wise. If you believe that everything happens for a reason, I know you'll enjoy this book. Block off some quiet time in your schedule and settle into a comfy spot to read The Forget-Me-Not Library. This one will soothe your soul.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the digital ARC. The review and all opinions are entirely my own.

Sometimes the magic isn't in the destination, but in the detour.

As Tallulah Byrd Mayfield and Juliet Nightingale discover, there’s magic to be found at the crossroads of where we’ve been and where we still need to go.

Where is this crossroads?

Forget-Me-Not, Alabama.

It’s a soft landing for those like these two women who’ve lost their way.

Juliet arrives here as a result of re-evaluating her life after an accident and Tallulah finds her way here after a divorce. Both women give readers hope and encouragement to keep journeying and take our eyes off the roadbumps.

I love (1) that what begins as a means to an end, becomes a life changer and that (2) sometimes the best narrative choices are those that have given way to compilations. The Forget-Me-Not Library plays a big role in Tallulah’s transformative journey and when her path crosses with Juliet’s, there’s an understanding, trust, and acceptance in allowing each other to work towards health and healing by rewriting pages in each person’s story.

Katy June is a sweetheart and Webber writes great magical realism! You’ll be glad you stopped in Forget-Me-Not, Alabama.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley and was under no obligaiton to provdie a review.

•The Forget-Me-Not Library was such a sweet, feel good book. I felt every emotion reading this book and it was wonderful!

•Months ago, Juliet was involved in a freak accident that took the life of her grandfather, while simultaneously leaving her with a scar to remember then event. Desperate for a change of scenery, she impulsively decides to hit the road and see where the wind will take her. She ends up in tiny Forget-Me-Not, Alabama.

•Tallulah and her two young daughters move in with her grandfather after her divorce. She takes a job at the local library, a special, mystical place. As the two women cross paths, the friendships formed are beautiful and complex.

•Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Heather Webber for this ARC. It will become available on November 4, 2025.

This story feels like a gentle hug for the soul. The writing has a warmth that wraps around you, pulling you into the lives of Juliet and Tallulah as they navigate heartbreak, self-discovery, and the magic of unexpected connections. I loved how the Forget-Me-Not Library became a sanctuary of memories and healing, a reminder of how stories, both written and lived shape us. The friendship between the two women blooms beautifully, reminding me that sometimes the people we meet by chance end up leaving the most lasting marks. It’s heartfelt, hopeful, and brimming with the kind of quiet magic that makes life feel a little brighter.