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turrean's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
As sugary as a mason jar of blackberry sweet tea.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
kermittuesday's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
At first I thought it was overwrought and dramatic but as I kept going, the emotional lessons the characters were learning were really the point of the book more than the magic anyway. Besides, how can I dislike a book with a character named Summer? *minor character, not MC
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Panic attacks/disorders
blewballoon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was like reading a pretty decent hallmark movie. It's a wholesome story about a small cozy town, a cafe with home-cooked pie, family drama, and a sprinkle of magic. I picked this up because I wanted a romance, but the emphasis is on the family dramas and personal journeys. The romances are there, but they're off to the side and barely on the page. The magical aspects are not the focus either, they're mostly to facilitate the plot. This is a good summer read, it takes place right around the 4th of July, which is when I happened to be reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Suicide, and Alcohol
atamano's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
sarahsneverendingtbr's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death of parent
Moderate: Death
gondorgirl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
blissofalife's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
A sweet book, almost cozy. I had kind of hoped the magic system would be a little more filled out, but it was more of an afterthought. Still a good plot device though. Not really my speed, but a nice time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Car accident, and Death of parent
sariereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, and Death of parent
cassie7e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A light, heartwarming story. Loved the magical realism elements and the family dynamics as they dealt w their past traumas and took accountability for how they treated each other. Some not-too-sappy, realistic development of several romances was a nice touch. Perfect for folks who like to know how a book will end from the start but want to see how the characters get there.
Couple quibbles -
There are some moments where the description is a little overly expository, which felt unbelievable since we're in the character's head and they wouldn't explain those details to themselves. I'm not sure I needed to be told "Ann Kay was her toddler way of saying the MC's name bc she couldnt pronounce Anna Kate." (Not a direct quote, just from memory) Something like "I loved her toddler way of saying my name" or similar would've sufficed. I find this extra annoying bc the author is so subtle and trusting with how they place other details throughout!
Secondly, there's a casual mention of a character being part of the Daughters of the Confederacy as if that's perfectly normal, as if connections to slavery are harmless heritage, and in a book that has nothing to do with the civil war or American history. It's the kind of detail that doesn't serve the plot but to remind you the book's set in the south and to characterize someone as "involved in the community", all the while reinforcing the normalization of confederate pride.
Couple quibbles -
There are some moments where the description is a little overly expository, which felt unbelievable since we're in the character's head and they wouldn't explain those details to themselves. I'm not sure I needed to be told "Ann Kay was her toddler way of saying the MC's name bc she couldnt pronounce Anna Kate." (Not a direct quote, just from memory) Something like "I loved her toddler way of saying my name" or similar would've sufficed. I find this extra annoying bc the author is so subtle and trusting with how they place other details throughout!
Secondly, there's a casual mention of a character being part of the Daughters of the Confederacy as if that's perfectly normal, as if connections to slavery are harmless heritage, and in a book that has nothing to do with the civil war or American history. It's the kind of detail that doesn't serve the plot but to remind you the book's set in the south and to characterize someone as "involved in the community", all the while reinforcing the normalization of confederate pride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
kelly_e's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Title: Midnight at the Blackbird Café
Author: Heather Webber
Genre: Magical Realism
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: July 16, 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Charming • Gentle • Delicious
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Anna Kate has returned to Wicklow, a small community nestled in the mountains of Alabama, to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café. As she prepares to head to medical school come fall, Anna Kate wants to make quick work of closing the café and settling her grandmother’s estate.
Her grandmother, and Wicklow itself, certainly have other plans. As she tries to avoid forming ties, she will unearth the truth about her past, why she her mother ran away so many years ago, and the secret behind the mysterious blackbird pie. A story of family, of finding our place, of forgiveness and of healing.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Sometimes I cannot help but choose a book by its cover, and Midnight at the Blackbird Café was certainly one where the cover captured my attention. I decided to go in knowing very little, and came away feeling comforted and satisfied by this wholesome story.
This novel combined so many of my favourite elements - a small town setting, a family owned bakery (and food), a host of family secrets, a touch of mystery, and an open dialogue on death and grief. All combined with just the right amount of magic to make it believable.
The writing was transportive, to the point I felt like I was a part of this little Southern community. The dual perspectives worked flawlessly to reveal the cast of dynamic characters. What I really appreciated was how the supporting cast played just as an important role throughout the plot as the narrators did. The relationships were complex mirroring reality, and the power of human connection and forgiveness really shone through. There was just something about the community coming together to help each other out that really struck a chord for me. Maybe it's my small town roots.
This book fell into my hands at just the right time. I tandem read a physical copy along with the audio for an enhanced experience. I must say the audio is very well done, and the essence of each character is captured wonderfully. The Southern setting, the food, the characters, and the sense of finding one's place in the world all made this a comforting read during an otherwise chaotic time.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of small town cozies
• readers who enjoy magical realism
• foodies
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You're not angry because you don't know whether he loved you. You're angry because you loved him and he left you. Healing will only come when you forgive him for leaving you."
"That a person you love is never truly gone - they're always there whether it's in a memory... or a dream."
"There was no hiding from death."
Author: Heather Webber
Genre: Magical Realism
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: July 16, 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Charming • Gentle • Delicious
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Anna Kate has returned to Wicklow, a small community nestled in the mountains of Alabama, to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café. As she prepares to head to medical school come fall, Anna Kate wants to make quick work of closing the café and settling her grandmother’s estate.
Her grandmother, and Wicklow itself, certainly have other plans. As she tries to avoid forming ties, she will unearth the truth about her past, why she her mother ran away so many years ago, and the secret behind the mysterious blackbird pie. A story of family, of finding our place, of forgiveness and of healing.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Sometimes I cannot help but choose a book by its cover, and Midnight at the Blackbird Café was certainly one where the cover captured my attention. I decided to go in knowing very little, and came away feeling comforted and satisfied by this wholesome story.
This novel combined so many of my favourite elements - a small town setting, a family owned bakery (and food), a host of family secrets, a touch of mystery, and an open dialogue on death and grief. All combined with just the right amount of magic to make it believable.
The writing was transportive, to the point I felt like I was a part of this little Southern community. The dual perspectives worked flawlessly to reveal the cast of dynamic characters. What I really appreciated was how the supporting cast played just as an important role throughout the plot as the narrators did. The relationships were complex mirroring reality, and the power of human connection and forgiveness really shone through. There was just something about the community coming together to help each other out that really struck a chord for me. Maybe it's my small town roots.
This book fell into my hands at just the right time. I tandem read a physical copy along with the audio for an enhanced experience. I must say the audio is very well done, and the essence of each character is captured wonderfully. The Southern setting, the food, the characters, and the sense of finding one's place in the world all made this a comforting read during an otherwise chaotic time.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of small town cozies
• readers who enjoy magical realism
• foodies
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You're not angry because you don't know whether he loved you. You're angry because you loved him and he left you. Healing will only come when you forgive him for leaving you."
"That a person you love is never truly gone - they're always there whether it's in a memory... or a dream."
"There was no hiding from death."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness
death of partner, drowning