3.5 stars. I'm not usually drawn to contemporary romance or matchmaking schemes or books that turn out to be love letters to Brooklyn. But the cover made this one feel appropriate for spring (it's not really — it takes place across several seasons, but I'd pair it with fall if I had to choose) and I'm sucker for magic/magical realism and a free-spirited, strong-willed, quirky, loving older woman who creates the life she wants and mentors (from afar) a struggling younger woman. So here we are.

I found the writing and the story to be surprising and surprisingly funny, poignant, sweet, messy, delightful, and irritating. Like it's main character, Marnie. Like a slightly chaotic best friend. Like a really good road trip. A road trip that is perhaps just a few days too long. A best friend that is occasionally a little too selfish and destructive.

Content notes/warning: Cheating and honest communication are treated somewhat flippantly. Not with approval, but with a sort of disregard, especially for an underdeveloped character who gets the short end of stick as our main character finds her happily ever after. Also, this isn't particularly satisfying as a love story because that relationship isn't very well developed (although I did like the dynamic that was developed).