hdbblog's Reviews (2.26k)

 

I always love when I pick up a book randomly from my library apps, and it ends up being absolutely stellar. Bluebird Day was on of those picks! It was a bit serendipitous if I’m being honest, because Wylie’s story was the perfect one to take me out of the reading slump that I was in. We meet her at the peak of her mental stress. Filled with anxiety, and unsure what her next move should be, Wylie spoke to me so much. All I kept hoping was that she’d find her way out the other end, and I was willing to follow her through the madness.

First of all, can I please applaud the setting for this book? Being stuck in a small Swiss village at the base of the Matterhorn sounds like the most idyllic accident ever. For Wylie and her mom though, it’s too much closeness to bear. See, the two of them haven’t been on speaking terms for a few years. Both wanting to reach out, both wishing to bridge that gap, but neither wanting to really make the first move. What ensues is a sweet story of two people who love each other very much, attempting the awkward job of rebuilding a relationship.

That’s what I loved so much about this book honestly. It was so realistic, especially Wylie’s anxieties over feeling like she fit in her own life. There was a great conversation about the expectations that others set for us, and the immense pressure that comes form trying to fit into those boxes. I especially appreciated seeing things from Claudine’s point of view as well. This wasn’t just all about Wylie resenting her mother’s expectations, but equally about how Claudine was raised the same way. It showcased how hard it is to unlearn habits to build healthier ones, and bonus points for all the therapy talk too!

Add in a super sweet mini romance, the rediscovery of long lost friends and the making of even more new friends, and this book just stole my heart. I had a lot of fun following along as this mother/daughter duo relearned how to coexist. There were a few parts I thought ran a little long, and I’ll admit that more than once I got a little annoyed at Wylie. But you know… sometimes we are annoyed when we see things that we ourselves have battled and won. So I brushed that aside. All in all this was an excellent read. Would recommend. 

 

If there’s one thing that this festive season brings out in me, it’s the need to read cozy books. Whether they are Romance, Mystery or Fantasy, I want something that’s going to make me want to settle in with a warm cup of tea and just relax. Friends, I can confidently say that The Pumpkin Spice Café is that kind of story. If you’re a fan of Hallmark movies, welcome to your new favorite book. Jeanie has arrived in Dream Harbor (adorable, I KNOW) determined to turn her life around. After realizing that her life in the city was not doing her health any favors, all she wants is to find a slower pace of life. Little does she know that running this small town café is going to be a much more interesting task than she expected!

First let me give a lot of love to Dream Harbor. It’s a character in its own right, truly. A sweet little town where everyone knows one another, where a secret never stays a secret long, and where you can be certain that there are people around who have your back. It’s everything Jeanie was looking for, and I was smitten. All the nosy neighbors made my heart so happy. Oh, and the book club was glorious! If I could pop myself into the book and join them I would be so pleased. This cast of characters really made the perfect backdrop for Jeanie and Logan’s story.

Our MCs were equally adorable, of course. Jeanie was super relatable when it came to her misgivings about fitting in, and doing a good job with the café. Logan was our perfect romance love interest. Sweet, kind, just a little lost and afraid to fall in love. Are you sensing the Hallmark vibes here too? Logan’s previous relationship has him unable to trust anyone fully. Jeanie’s past has her flustered and afraid to make mistakes. Maybe, just maybe, they have the puzzle pieces to complete one another?

So why the three star rating? Don’t worry, three stars is actually good. I liked this book! It was formulaic, as I expected. That’s a strength sometimes when you’re really just looking to get lost in something that is guaranteed to have a happy ending. It’s comforting to know that despite all the problems, love is possible through compromise. However the thing that drove me a little nuts, and I expected it, is that so many issues in this story could have been solved by simple communication. Why? Why do these characters always assume and never ask? The world may never know. My other big issue was the ending. In an effort not to spoil things I will simply say that I think this book could have ended at a shorter point and it would have gotten another star from me.

Still, this was a cute one! Now that I know that there are more, I know I have the option to dive back into a comfy, cozy Dream Harbor whenever I too need an escape.