#AmReading

 

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The Love Scribe by Amy Meyerson
Published by Park Row on February 7, 2023
Age/Genres: Enchanted Realism, Fiction

Goodreads

From the bestselling author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays comes a charming novel about a woman with a special gift—her stories help people fall in love.

When Alice’s best friend, Gabby, is reeling from a breakup, Alice writes her a heartfelt story to cheer her up. While reading it in a café, Gabby, as if by magic, meets the man of her dreams. Thinking the story might have some special power to it, Gabby shares it with her sister and other friends, who all find instant love. Word of mouth spreads, and Alice stumbles upon a new calling—to be a love scribe.

But not all the love stories she writes unfold as expected. And while Alice tries to harness her extraordinary gift, she is summoned to a mansion in the woods where she encounters the reclusive Madeline Alger and her mysterious library. As Alice struggles to write a story for Madeline, her most challenging assignment yet, she’s forced to confront her own guarded heart. Because maybe—just maybe—there’s a love story waiting to be written for her, too.

Emotional, deeply imaginative and brimming with valuable life lessons, The Love Scribe explores love, fate and the power of stories when we choose to believe in them.

Though she didn’t believe in love for herself, Alice unwittingly had the power to write stories that helped others find it for themselves. A new client proves to really challenge Alice making Alice question her ideas about love and her place as the Love Scribe.

Filled with curiosities and whimsy, I found this story to be a great delight. Here are some highlights from The Love Scribe.

1. The stories – Alice wrote these stories that were personalized for each client. They were sort of like parables or folk tales, in that each had a lesson for the reader. It was lovely the way they helped the reader see the best parts of themselves so they could find their match.
2. The magic – There were a few magical elements woven into this tale. Some were hugely surprising, and that’s all I will say about that. The book magic was something I found rather fascinating too, and I thought it was brilliant the way Meyerson used this aspect to drive part of the plot. I sound vague, but I feel it’s necessary because these elements will hit harder if you go in blind.
3. The exploration of love – Obviously, love was a huge theme in this tale, and it was throughly and beautifully explored. Attention was given to good love, bad love, passionate love, steady love, love that’s run its course, as well as love for family, friends, and oneself. It was a rather thought provoking examination.
4. Alice’s personal journey – I could respect Alice’s lifestyle, if I actually believed it was what she wanted, but it didn’t seem that way. She had fear and pain that she carried from her past, and she needed to confront before she would be able to fully open her heart. The stories, the books, and the mysterious client was an ingenious way for Alice to work through these things.
5. The romance – I was treated to multiple romances in this book. Some were told via flashbacks, some via stories, some unfolded in real-time, and all were wonderful.

Overall: This book was fun and full of surprises which resulted in an entertaining and emotionally satisfying story that was really something special.

*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

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The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick
Published by Park Row on March 26, 2019
Age/Genres: Contemporary, Fiction

Goodreads

Librarian Martha Storm has always found it easier to connect with books than people - though not for lack of trying. She keeps careful lists of how to help others in her superhero-themed notebook. And yet, sometimes it feels like she's invisible.

All of that changes when a book of fairy tales arrives on her doorstep. Inside, Martha finds a dedication written to her by her best friend - her grandmother Zelda - who died under mysterious circumstances years earlier. When Martha discovers a clue within the book that her grandmother may still be alive, she becomes determined to discover the truth. As she delves deeper into Zelda's past, she unwittingly reveals a family secret that will change her life forever.

Filled with Phaedra Patrick's signature charm and vivid characters, The Library of Lost and Found is a heartwarming and poignant tale of how one woman must take control of her destiny to write her own happy ending.

When a book inscribed by her long dead Nana shows up, it sends Martha on a quest to uncover more about the book. While searching for information , Martha uncovers family secrets, as well as a lot about herself.

It’s books like this that are sweet, charming, and heartwarming that never fail to make me happy. I am not sure if it was because I empathized with Martha, or that I saw parts of myself in her, but either way, I was hopeful that she would find her road to happiness. Here she was, middle aged and alone. She had chosen to care for her ailing parents over love, and this tradition of self-sacrifice continued. At least until “the book” reawakened parts of Martha she thought were lost. Where had that whimsical young girl who made up fantastical stories gone? Maybe she wasn’t gone for good, and this blast from her past was the way to reclaim that part of herself.

Patrick assembled a wonderful bunch of people to accompany Martha on her journey. Suki and Owen stood out among the group, but they all added to the fun. There were people who surprised me (in good ways), and I was just so pleased with the support Martha had as she broke free of the damage of her past that was holding her back.

How wonderful that a mysterious package (a book, nonetheless) put Martha on such a healing journey. She uncovered some HUGE family secrets, but she also made peace with her need to please others at her own expense. Sweet and heartwarming, this story really delighted me.

Do you enjoy magical elements in books?
Let us know in the comments!