Hello Friends :)
I hope you're all doing well, and I want to thank you all for joining me for another book review here on The Preppy Book Princess.
Today I'm going to be continuing on with a recent trend on my blog and be sharing another review for one of the titles on my most anticipated releases of 2020 list.
I don't think I really realized until recently just how many of the titles on that list were actually spring releases.
It kind of worked out in my favor though, as I've definitely had more time to read these last few weeks with spending so much more time at home, and I'm glad I've got to read and review so many of the amazing titles on that list.
Of Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay:
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: May 12th, 2020
Genre: Christian Fiction/Women's Fiction
Synopsis:
Katherine Reay returns to the cozy and delightful town of Winsome where two people discover the grace of letting go and the joy found in unexpected change.
After fleeing her hometown three years earlier, Alyssa Harrison never planned to return. Then the Silicon Valley start-up she worked for collapsed and turned her world upside down. She is broke, under FBI investigation, and without a place to go. Having exhausted every option, she comes home to Winsome, Illinois, to regroup then move on as quickly as possible. Yet, as friends and family welcome her back, Alyssa begins to see a place for herself in this small Midwestern community.
Jeremy Mitchell moved from Seattle to Winsome to be near his daughter and to open the coffee shop he’s been dreaming of for years. Problem is, the business is bleeding money—and he’s not quite sure why. When he meets Alyssa, he senses an immediate connection, but what he needs most is someone to help him save his floundering business. After asking for her help, he wonders if something might grow between them—but forces beyond their control soon complicate their already complex lives, and the future they both hoped for is not at all what they anticipated.
With the help of Winsome’s small-town charm and quirky residents, Alyssa and Jeremy discover the beauty and romance of second chances.
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
Katherine Reay's stories always deliver thought provoking prose that sticks with the reader long after they finish reading. Of Literature and Lattes takes the reader back to the beloved small town of Winsome, and while it is marketed as a stand alone, I personally recommend reading The Printed Letter Bookshop before you pick this one up as you'll have a much better understanding of the backstory.
Winsome is truly an idyllic setting, and I loved getting a second visit to this quaint small town. I enjoyed Jeremy's journey in getting his coffee shop off the ground and reconnecting with his adorable young daughter Becca. Janet and Seth have come a long way since the previous book, and it was encouraging to see the growth and maturity demonstrated by both throughout the story. Perhaps my favorite part of all was the focus on previous Winsome mayor, George, and the beautiful romance he shared with the love of his life, Margery.
Of Literature and Lattes is a heartwarming, small town story that speaks to the importance of healing, maturing and learning to both forgive and accept forgiveness in return. It also speaks to the importance of being true to one's self, and discovering the story that we are each meant to tell. I ended up really enjoying this one, but a few small issues kept it from being a five star read for me.
Firstly, I never really warmed up to Alyssa as a character. Throughout the story, she acts completely juvenile and bitter, and I never could force myself to sympathize with the situations she finds herself in. I also, personally, found that this story carried too many characters, and it made the jumping of viewpoints seem disjointed and convoluted at certain times throughout. Lastly, I was disappointed that the story has little to no faith content, and that's not really what I was expecting when I picked this one up. A focus on our Heavenly Father truly could have turned this from a good story into a great one.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read that kept me entertained and I'll still be recommending it. However, personally, I do prefer some of the author's other stories over this particular title.
Final Rating 4/5
Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for allowing me to advance read this!
I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via NetGalley to voluntarily read and review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I hope you're all doing well, and I want to thank you all for joining me for another book review here on The Preppy Book Princess.
Today I'm going to be continuing on with a recent trend on my blog and be sharing another review for one of the titles on my most anticipated releases of 2020 list.
I don't think I really realized until recently just how many of the titles on that list were actually spring releases.
It kind of worked out in my favor though, as I've definitely had more time to read these last few weeks with spending so much more time at home, and I'm glad I've got to read and review so many of the amazing titles on that list.
Of Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay:
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: May 12th, 2020
Genre: Christian Fiction/Women's Fiction
Synopsis:
Katherine Reay returns to the cozy and delightful town of Winsome where two people discover the grace of letting go and the joy found in unexpected change.
After fleeing her hometown three years earlier, Alyssa Harrison never planned to return. Then the Silicon Valley start-up she worked for collapsed and turned her world upside down. She is broke, under FBI investigation, and without a place to go. Having exhausted every option, she comes home to Winsome, Illinois, to regroup then move on as quickly as possible. Yet, as friends and family welcome her back, Alyssa begins to see a place for herself in this small Midwestern community.
Jeremy Mitchell moved from Seattle to Winsome to be near his daughter and to open the coffee shop he’s been dreaming of for years. Problem is, the business is bleeding money—and he’s not quite sure why. When he meets Alyssa, he senses an immediate connection, but what he needs most is someone to help him save his floundering business. After asking for her help, he wonders if something might grow between them—but forces beyond their control soon complicate their already complex lives, and the future they both hoped for is not at all what they anticipated.
With the help of Winsome’s small-town charm and quirky residents, Alyssa and Jeremy discover the beauty and romance of second chances.
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
Katherine Reay's stories always deliver thought provoking prose that sticks with the reader long after they finish reading. Of Literature and Lattes takes the reader back to the beloved small town of Winsome, and while it is marketed as a stand alone, I personally recommend reading The Printed Letter Bookshop before you pick this one up as you'll have a much better understanding of the backstory.
Winsome is truly an idyllic setting, and I loved getting a second visit to this quaint small town. I enjoyed Jeremy's journey in getting his coffee shop off the ground and reconnecting with his adorable young daughter Becca. Janet and Seth have come a long way since the previous book, and it was encouraging to see the growth and maturity demonstrated by both throughout the story. Perhaps my favorite part of all was the focus on previous Winsome mayor, George, and the beautiful romance he shared with the love of his life, Margery.
Of Literature and Lattes is a heartwarming, small town story that speaks to the importance of healing, maturing and learning to both forgive and accept forgiveness in return. It also speaks to the importance of being true to one's self, and discovering the story that we are each meant to tell. I ended up really enjoying this one, but a few small issues kept it from being a five star read for me.
Firstly, I never really warmed up to Alyssa as a character. Throughout the story, she acts completely juvenile and bitter, and I never could force myself to sympathize with the situations she finds herself in. I also, personally, found that this story carried too many characters, and it made the jumping of viewpoints seem disjointed and convoluted at certain times throughout. Lastly, I was disappointed that the story has little to no faith content, and that's not really what I was expecting when I picked this one up. A focus on our Heavenly Father truly could have turned this from a good story into a great one.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read that kept me entertained and I'll still be recommending it. However, personally, I do prefer some of the author's other stories over this particular title.
Final Rating 4/5
Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for allowing me to advance read this!
I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via NetGalley to voluntarily read and review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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