One Old, One New - The Heather Webber Edition

One Old, One New features two books – one old, one new, which are connected in some way. Today I am featuring two books by Heather Webber. I have been on a kick with these touch of magic books, and I have to say, Webber writes wonderful and warm stories that capture my heart. She is so good at small towns. I swear I would love to move to any and all of them! 

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At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber
Published by Forge Books on August 1, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Enchanted Realism, Fiction

Goodreads

Ava Dowling is on the run. After the sudden death of her fiancé only a month before their wedding, she closes up her lonely apartment in Vermont to answer a want-ad in Driftwood, Alabama—a town she’s never heard of—to apply for a job she’s never done. But the promised benefits far outweigh the cons, and being a live-in caretaker to a cranky old man in a beachside cottage is the perfect way to hide from the pain of her loss and the realities she doesn’t want to face.

Maggie Laine Brightwood hardly ever sits still. On the surface, she is a bundle of bright energy as she runs Magpie’s, Driftwood’s coffee and curiosity shop. She spends her days matching people to what they were missing—whether that’s the perfect coffee blend or a trinket they didn’t know they needed. Keeping busy is the best way to distract herself from her strained relationship with her aging father, Desmond, and the guilt she feels in hiring a stranger to take care of him instead of doing it herself. She hopes no one can see the sadness lurking under her cheerful exterior, even though it weighs her down like an anchor.

As the season stretches on and tourists come and go from the beach, Ava and Maggie become fast friends, bonding over the magic they find in letting go in order to move on—because sometimes drifting through life will lead you to where you belong.

My heart really needed this book! It was a salve for my soul and simply filled me with joy.

I admired Ava's bravery in picking up her life and moving to Driftwood. This was no easy choice for her given how sheltered her upbringing was. But when fate, or a job to be a caretaker, comes calling, sometimes you need to answer. Maggie was an important part of Driftwood. She ran the popular coffee shop, matching people to "things", and joining every club and committee around.

Both women were filled with grief, and this grief was getting in the way of them living their best lives. First and foremost, I love that they found each other and didn't have to navigate this pain alone. They were both also lucky to have the fine citizens of Driftwood to support them.

The town of Driftwood was magic, as well as filled with some magic. Webber wove in those enchanted threads with ease, and I loved each and every little magical touch. She also filled the town with characters I grew to love. They were warm and welcoming, and my favorite by far was Estrella with her "knowing" and declarations of "it's-been-said".

And wait until those last few chapters! Webber threw some WHOA type reveals in there. I didn't see any of THAT coming, but I loved it. I am pretty sure I was already happy crying by that point, but when I learned THOSE things, the tears starting flowing even more.

Overall, I had a fantastic time in Driftwood! Family, friendship, and community love abounded while second chance and new romances simmered. This story injected me with happiness and put a smile on my face.

*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

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South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber
Published by Forge Books on July 21, 2020
Age/Genres: Adult, Enchanted Realism, Fiction

Goodreads

Blue Bishop has a knack for finding lost things. While growing up in charming small-town Buttonwood, Alabama, she's happened across lost wallets, jewelry, pets, her wandering neighbor, and sometimes, trouble. No one is more surprised than Blue, however, when she comes across an abandoned newborn baby in the woods, just south of a very special buttonwood tree.

Sarah Grace Landreneau Fulton is at a crossroads. She has always tried so hard to do the right thing, but her own mother would disown her if she ever learned half of Sarah Grace's secrets.

The unexpected discovery of the newborn baby girl will alter Blue's and Sarah Grace's lives forever. Both women must fight for what they truly want in life and for who they love. In doing so, they uncover long-held secrets that reveal exactly who they really are--and what they're willing to sacrifice in the name of family.

Once a year, one may ask advice from the Buttonwood Tree, but beware when you seek advice.

The tree’s buttons had counseled many. But if people didn’t listen to the advice … there was a steep price to pay. While the Buttonwood Tree’s buttons were made of wood, what was written on them was set in stone. If you asked advice from the tree, you’d best be ready to accept the counsel given.

The buttonwood tree was one magical element of this story that I loved. Its history and origin played such a big role in many important events, but the heart of this tale was this charming town and its residents. I adored getting to know them all, and my heart burst at how much they cared for one another, either overtly or on the sly.

Sarah Grace was the daughter of a prominent and seemingly "perfect" family, but she never felt perfect. She hid a slew of secrets including one she shared with Blue. Blue was a Bishop and struggled with her family's history of making bad choices. She felt that she carried that stigma with her and because of it, she tended to avoid making connections with others. This made my heart ache, but it was on the mend once a very different side of Blue's family was revealed .

But, I am getting ahead of myself, all these revelations were driven by an abandoned baby. While an investigation to locate the infant's mother was underway, lots of secrets from the past were uncovered. I will admit, some seemed obvious, but there were some things that surprised (and delighted) me.

This was simply such a wonderful and feel-good story. Community, friendship, connection, and love were front and center. I was left with the warm-fuzzies I am always seeking along with buckets of sunshine and happiness.

What would you ask the Buttonwood Tree?
Let us know in the comments!