Tag Archive for: freya sampson

Reviews – STORYBOOK ENDING, NOSY NEIGHBORS, & I’LL HAVE WHAT HE’S HAVING

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Hey everyone!  I’ve been way behind on writing book reviews but finally played catch up this past weekend, so today I’m back to share my thoughts on three recent reads that I really enjoyed.  Two are from authors I’ve reviewed before on the blog, while the third is a new to me YA author who has written his adult debut.

 

Reviews – STORYBOOK ENDING, NOSY NEIGHBORS, & I’LL HAVE WHAT HE’S HAVINGStorybook Ending Goodreads

Author: Poppy Alexander

Publication Date: August 20, 2024

Publisher: Avon

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

 

Poppy Alexander’s new book, Storybook Ending, follows Imogen, a children’s book author, is pregnant and in the midst of a move to the countryside when her husband unexpectedly passes away. Imogen wants to make a fresh start and a good life for her baby so she decides to go ahead with the move. For those familiar with Poppy Alexander’s The Littlest Library, Imogen’s new home is in Middlemass.  I loved Middlemass so I was excited to be returning to the quaint and charming little village. I knew the residents there would take good care of Imogen and her baby.

After a rough start, particularly in terms of dealing with her gruff neighbor Gabriel, Imogen soon settles in to life in Middlemass.  Gabriel reminded me a bit of Luke from Gilmore Girls, grumpy as heck on the outside, but would do absolutely anything he could to help someone he cared about.  It becomes pretty clear early on that Gabriel cares about Imogen.  I loved their scenes together, and especially all of the small things here and there Gabriel would do to make Imogen’s life a little easier.

There’s a bit of drama throughout the story surrounding Imogen’s home that kept things interesting, but overall I’d consider Storybook Ending to be a heartwarming, feel good story about finding yourself and your path forward after grief and loss, and about second chances, especially when it comes to love. 4 STARS

 

Reviews – STORYBOOK ENDING, NOSY NEIGHBORS, & I’LL HAVE WHAT HE’S HAVINGNosy Neighbors Goodreads

Author: Freya Sampson

Publication Date: April 2, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

 

Nobody writes the found family trope quite like Freya Sampson.  Nosy Neighbors is my third read from her, and that found family element is what takes each book to the next level for me.

In Nosy Neighbors, the long-time residents of Shelley House and Kat, the young pink haired girl who ends up renting a room there, are the found family.  Before Kat’s arrival, the residents had mostly just kept to themselves, only interacting when necessary.

77 year old Dorothy Darling has lived in Shelley House for over 30 years. She’s a cantankerous old lady who spends her days spying on her neighbors and taking detailed notes of their comings and goings.  She seems to have a particular disdain for Joseph, the elderly gentleman who lives across the hall from her and his adorable dog, Reggie, and when Joseph sublets a room to Kat, her disdain for Joseph immediately extends to Kat as well.

When the residents learn that their awful landlord has decided to sell the building out from under them and evict them all, everything changes.  They start to bond over their shared desire to save Shelley House.  All of the residents are so endearing in their own way, and I just loved watching these wonderful friendships blossom as everyone worked together and as they tried to get through to Dorothy, who seems to be in denial about the eviction and who also seems to be harboring some deep rooted secrets.

The relationship between Dorothy and Kat was especially compelling for me as Kat is carrying the weight of some secrets herself. The two women have so much more in common than either would have ever thought, and their relationship was, by far, my favorite friendship to come out of such a heartbreaking situation.

There’s also an element of mystery to the story, especially surrounding the house itself and some of Dorothy’s more eccentric tendencies. While the mystery element is quite entertaining and definitely kept my attention, it was that element of found family that made this such a special read for me.  4.5 STARS

 

Reviews – STORYBOOK ENDING, NOSY NEIGHBORS, & I’LL HAVE WHAT HE’S HAVINGI'll Have What He's Having Goodreads

Author: Adib Khorram

Publication Date: August 27, 2024

Publisher: Forever

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

 

I’ll Have What He’s Having is Adib Khorram’s adult debut and it follows Farzan and David, two thirty-something year old men as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life and love.

When we meet Farzan, he is reeling from his most recent heartbreak. His love life is a mess and he’s also not overly happy with his life as a substitute teacher either.  Farzan needs to get out of his own head for a while, and when his best friends are not available, he decides to head to a new restaurant he has been wanting to try.  Farzan is surprised when David, the restaurant’s hot sommelier, starts acting super flirty with him, but he decides to just enjoy it and see where things go, not realizing that this night will change everything.

David has been told that Frank Allen, famed food critic, will be visiting the restaurant.  When Farzan enters, Davis thinks he is Frank and really pours on the charm.  One thing leads to another, and the two men end up spending an unforgettable evening together.  When they both realize the mixup, Farzan and David laugh it off and the two part ways, assuming this was a one-night stand since neither is interested in a relationship at this point.

The universe has other ideas for them though and they cross paths again when Farzan inherits his family’s bistro.  Farzan needs advice on running a restaurant and David could use some help studying for his exam to become a master sommelier, so they agree to help each other out. Even though David’s plan is to relocate to L.A. once he passes his exam, he and Farzan have an increasingly difficult time trying to fight their growing feelings for one another.

I thought this story was going to be a rom-com but it’s actually a much more emotional read than I was expecting.  It’s heartbreaking to watch Farzan struggle with his life choices on a day-to-day basis, especially since his heart is always in the right place. I was rooting so hard for him to find his path both on a personal level and of course for him and David to figure out how they can each follow their dreams and still keep this wonderful relationship that is within reach if they would both just embrace it.

Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, and filled with so many delicious descriptions of food and wine, I’ll Have What He’s Having is sure to please anyone who enjoys more emotional romance reads. 4 STARS

Reviews: THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES & THE LOST TICKET

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Happy Friday! How in the world is it September already?  I have to admit I’m ready for fall though.  Bring on the sweater weather! Anyway, I’m back today with reviews for two brand-new releases that share a common theme – found families.  I’m a sucker for a good found family story so I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on both of these with you.

 

Reviews: THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES & THE LOST TICKETThe Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches Goodreads

Author:  Sangu Mandanna

Publication Date: August 23, 2022

Publisher:  Berkley

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

 

If there was a literary genre called cozy fantasy, that’s where The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna would be.  This book is pure magic in every sense of the word –  it’s whimsical, full of heart, and it has a found family vibe that reminds me of TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea.

The story follows Mika Moon, a young orphaned witch who has been raised to hide her magic from others and to stay away from other witches so as not to draw the attention of non-witches.  Mika therefore is used to living a lonely life, but when an opportunity arises for her to move to a place called Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic, Mika jumps at the chance, having no idea how much her life is about to change.

Mika is an easy character to fall in love with.  I felt tremendous sympathy for her knowing what an isolated life she had been living for so many years.  Mika also has a huge heart, as we quickly see once she arrives at Nowhere House and starts working with the children.  There’s an almost Mary Poppins-like quality to her that I especially enjoyed.  It was fun to watch her interact with the children and to watch her get under the skin of Jamie, the grumpy but sexy librarian who happens to be the children’s guardian.

Mika’s scenes with the children, Rosette, Altimira, and Terracotta were my favorites from the book.  Rosette is the quintessential good girl, polite, sweet-natured, and eager to please.  Altimira is hilarious. She says whatever comes to mind, no matter how inappropriate, no filter whatsoever, and provides many laugh out loud moments.  Terracota is the most challenging of the group, basically introducing herself to Mika by asking her how she would prefer to die.  Such a lovely child, haha.  I adored each of the children in their own way and loved watching Mika bond with each of them.

The found family vibe I mentioned earlier is truly what makes this book such a special read because at Nowhere House, Mika finds the family she never had but has always wanted.  The characters who live at Nowhere House, from the retired stage actor and his spouse who are the house’s caretakers, to the grumpy librarian and his three witchy charges, are quite the quirky bunch, yet they have somehow managed to form a close-knit group and are eager to welcome Mika in with open arms.  Jamie and Terracotta obviously take some work but it’s fun watching Mika win them over.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a magical story about love, family, and about becoming the person you were meant to be.  If you’re in the mood for a cozy, uplifting witchy read, this is definitely the book for you. 4.5 STARS

 

Reviews: THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES & THE LOST TICKETThe Lost Ticket Goodreads

Author: Freya Sampson

Publication Date: August 30, 2022

Publisher: Berkley

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

 

The Lost Ticket by Freya Sampson is the most heartwarming, feel good book I’ve read all year.  The story follows what happens when strangers on a bus come together to try to help an elderly man find the love of his life.  Reading it felt like I was being given a warm hug and I just loved every page of it.

Libby Nichols moves to London after being dumped by her boyfriend.  Her heart is broken and her life is a mess, and she could really use a distraction from her misery.  While riding the number 88 bus one day, she meets a friendly elderly gentleman named Frank.  Frank tells Libby that back in 1962, he met a young red haired woman on the same bus.  He and this young woman really connected during the journey and made plans to go out together.  The woman wrote her number on a bus ticket and gave it to Frank, but by the time he got home, Frank realized he had lost the ticket.  Frank confides to Libby that he is still riding the number 88 all these years later in hopes of finding her. Libby is so moved by Frank’s story that she feels compelled to help him try to find the mystery woman.

I absolutely adored Frank. He’s such a sweet old man, and as soon as you hear his story, you can’t help but cheer him on and hope that he finds this woman.  It’s especially poignant because Frank is in the early stages of dementia and is well aware that he could very easily forget all about her before he has ever had a chance to see her again.  I also loved that even though this quest starts out as a distraction for Libby, she quickly becomes very invested in Frank and thinks of him as practically family.  It was really sweet to watch the two of them bond.

Libby is just as likable as Frank is.  I felt so much sympathy for her after her break up.  Her ex made her feel so bad about herself, and then her own family doesn’t do much to make her feel any better. Instead, they just pile on and make her feel worse.  I loved that she found Frank because he was just such a breath of fresh air and exactly what Libby needed to start feeling better about herself and her life.

While the friendship between Libby and Frank is a highlight, it becomes even more special when their connection expands to include Dylan, who is Frank’s caregiver, and Esme, who is Dylan’s friend.  Dylan and Esme, as well as another passenger from the bus, all join in the efforts to find Frank’s mystery woman. There are some bumps in the road between Libby and Dylan, who are clearly attracted to one another, but  they all end up very close, the found family that Libby needs since her own family isn’t being overly supportive.  I just love the idea that a chance meeting has the potential to be such a life-changing experience for so many people.

I don’t feel like I’m doing The Lost Ticket justice with anything I’m writing because it just has this special quality that is hard to explain and it was the ultimate comfort read for me.   If you’re in the mood for an uplifting and poignant read, this is the book you’re looking for.  5 STARS

Review: THE LAST CHANCE LIBRARY by Freya Sampson

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Review: THE LAST CHANCE LIBRARY by Freya SampsonThe Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson
four-half-stars
Published by Berkley Books on August 31, 2021
Pages: 336
Source: Netgalley
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Goodreads

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

 

 

 

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson is an absolute gem of a book.  I’m a sucker for a book about books anyway, but throw in a charming smalltown setting, a group of feisty senior citizens determined to do whatever it takes to save their local library, and an introverted library assistant who really wants to find her voice and this book was just an all around wonderful experience for me.

The story follows June Jones, a timid but lovable library assistant who works at Chalcot Library.  The library holds a special place in June’s heart, not just because she loves assisting fellow book lovers but also because for years, her mother also worked there.  Since June’s mother passed away, working at the library has been a way for June to still feel close to her.

I loved watching June interact with the patrons, especially the children, who she did everything she could to help foster their love of reading, and the elderly, who she not only helped with book recommendations but also with any technology/internet needs they have.  When the local council starts talking of closing the library as a way to save money and it appears that the head librarian, Marjorie, may be in on it and tells June she is forbidden from speaking out against the possible closure,  June is determined to do whatever she has to do to save the library, in spite of Marjorie’s warning, thus sealing her place in my heart as the beloved underdog.

I also had tremendous sympathy for June because in some ways, it seems that she is so busy trying to preserve her mother’s memory that she has stopped living her own life.  She still lives in her childhood home, hasn’t packed up any of her mother’s old belongings even though she died 10 years ago, and June has indefinitely put on hold her dreams of going to university to study writing.  Helping to save the library really seems to be the spark she needs to finally move forward and start living again.

It’s not just June fighting to save the library though.  The library’s elderly patrons spring into action, forming a Friends of the Library group to protest the closing.  I adored the members of this group so much.  They’re so much fun to read about –  all scrappy, full of wit, and just so incredibly devoted to the library.  Through their actions, it becomes clear that the library is so much more than just a building full of books. It’s a safe haven for the homeless, a place where teenagers who live in crowded homes can have a quiet place to study, a place where unlikely friendships are forged between a cranky old woman and an immigrant who is new to the area.  In short, the library is the very heart of the community.

I don’t want to say anything else that may spoil the plot, but this really is such a special story.  If you enjoy books about friendship, finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in, and of course books about books, be sure to check out The Last Chance Library!

four-half-stars

About Freya Sampson

Freya Sampson works in TV and was the executive producer of Channel 4’s Four in a Bed and Gogglesprogs. She studied History at Cambridge University and is a graduate of the Faber Academy. She lives in London with her husband, two young children and an antisocial cat. The Last Library (called The Last Chance Library on the U.S. version) is her debut novel.

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