courtthebookgirl's review
5.0
It’s been a minute since Sarah Addison Allen released a new book, and I’ve been waiting not-so-patiently. This book was absolutely worth the wait.
If you’re not familiar with her work, Sarah Addison Allen writes magical realism fiction, and all of her books have a lovely, whimsical personality. This book follows our protagonist, Zoey, who has come to Mallow Island in search of the condo her mother left behind after her death. She finds it, in a building called Dellawisp, but she also finds so much more.
I’ve heard this marketed to fans of Gilmore Girls, and I kind of get that. It has a quirky cast of characters, not unlike the townspeople in Stars Hollow, but this book really is a story of being lost and being found. The thread of “found family” runs strongly through the core, woven with bits of magic, ghosts, and a sprinkling of cornmeal.
I loved this book from start to finish, and truly fell in love with characters like Mac, Frasier, and Zoey (among many others). I laughed, I cried, and I smiled as I closed the last page.
It’s a perfect spooky season read for people who like well-developed characters and a story of redemption.
If you’re not familiar with her work, Sarah Addison Allen writes magical realism fiction, and all of her books have a lovely, whimsical personality. This book follows our protagonist, Zoey, who has come to Mallow Island in search of the condo her mother left behind after her death. She finds it, in a building called Dellawisp, but she also finds so much more.
I’ve heard this marketed to fans of Gilmore Girls, and I kind of get that. It has a quirky cast of characters, not unlike the townspeople in Stars Hollow, but this book really is a story of being lost and being found. The thread of “found family” runs strongly through the core, woven with bits of magic, ghosts, and a sprinkling of cornmeal.
I loved this book from start to finish, and truly fell in love with characters like Mac, Frasier, and Zoey (among many others). I laughed, I cried, and I smiled as I closed the last page.
It’s a perfect spooky season read for people who like well-developed characters and a story of redemption.
jillpoland's review
3.0
3.5 stars
The “twists” of this book were a bit heavy handed, and took away from some of the fun to feel more like a “gotcha” than a useful plot device.
The “twists” of this book were a bit heavy handed, and took away from some of the fun to feel more like a “gotcha” than a useful plot device.
sunforsavannah's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
delladegroff's review
4.0
I wasn’t sure about this book in the first half but the second half captivated me! It was so interesting and the ending was so sweet!
v_nessa's review
4.0
This felt different than other Addison Allen books, but not in a bad way. There's a bit less emphasis on finding significant other love and more about a mother's love and finding peace. There was a surprising reveal, I was genuinely surprised when I found out, and there are not so surprising things. I think the assortment of both help to create a red herring effect because you KNOW about a couple things even though you aren't explicitly told yet so you don't really think about other things.
This is more about Zoey's ascent into adulthood (she's college-aged) and hoping to reconnect with her dead mother (figuratively) by moving into her mom's old apartment on Mallow Island. It's also about the relationships we form with other people since Zoey tries to make friends with the five others living in the small apartment complex tucked out of the way.
This was a fun quick read. I'm glad to see a new Sarah Addison book out as I've missed reading her stuff.
This is more about Zoey's ascent into adulthood (she's college-aged) and hoping to reconnect with her dead mother (figuratively) by moving into her mom's old apartment on Mallow Island. It's also about the relationships we form with other people since Zoey tries to make friends with the five others living in the small apartment complex tucked out of the way.
This was a fun quick read. I'm glad to see a new Sarah Addison book out as I've missed reading her stuff.
shannonclegg's review
5.0
This book was beautiful, thoughtful, and emotional. I loved every moment and it will stay with me for a very long time.
vj_thompson's review
5.0
A story of grief, hardships, secrecy, and love (in many different forms). This book is probably one of my favorite books I’ve read so far this year. I loved the story and the characters, and the metaphors. Definitely a read I would recommend to anyone.
tnorris's review
4.0
Another beautifully written Allen book about family tinged with magical realism