bookbeforeuleap's Reviews (863)


This was a quick read full of all the funny moments that have come out of such a difficult time. I think this is a great book to keep to look back on in the future at a time that tried us all!

This is the story of Amy who, after a traumatic event begins to hoard items and shut herself off from the world but when two little boys move in next door and start to explore their new surroundings they knock over some of her much loved possessions and uncover some items that might help her give her the answers she has been looking for.

Everything about this book is beautiful! I absolutely adored this book, it was so much more than I thought it was going to be. I thought it was paced perfectly, I was turning the pages to find out what had happened in the past but also what was going to happen in the future. I really felt for Amy, you could tell she wanted her life to change but the pull that keeping the objects had on her was so hard to overcome. I also enjoyed that each chapter focused on an item, it really helped build a picture of the kind of things she had been collecting and why. The descriptions were spot on and I could really picture her clambering up her stairs with all the books wedged between boxes!

My favourite character by far was Charles, his father was also lovely but there was just something so innocent and beautiful about him that I just wanted more. To be honest all the characters were so well written that I like them all, even the ones that at first I hated grew on me as their stories unfolded.

This is a perfect uplit choice if your in need of some wonderful character interactions and a great big hug in book.
adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is the story of how a manuscript for a book gets discovered by a young publisher in a library of full of rejected books and the entertaining journey to find out more about the mysterious author.⁣

This was a lovely little quirky mystery that was easy to read and hard to put down! I loved all the talk of books and the publishing industry and how it was all in the stunning French setting. ⁣

I think this is perfect for fans of Reader on the 6.27 and Mr.Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore!!⁣

Thank you to @pushkin_press and @walter_presents for my #gifted copy in exchange for review.⁣