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Storybook Ending
From the author of The Littlest Library—a heartwarming novel about a widowed children’s book author who moves into a cottage in the English countryside and finds herself face-to-face with the handsome and brooding blacksmith who lives next door.
In her books she can write “happily ever after”— but real life? That’s another matter…
For children’s book author Imogen, an idyllic life in the English countryside seems like the perfect fit for her and her husband. But when tragedy strikes, Imogen is left widowed, and finds herself moving into Storybook Cottage alone with only her monstrously narcissistic cat for company.
After discovering she is pregnant, Imogen grows determined to embrace a new start in Middlemass, with its duckpond, cricket matches and village fêtes. The only thing Imogen can’t seem to shake is her neighbor—a brooding, artisan blacksmith named Gabriel—who she can’t quite decide is friend or foe. That is until she realizes, thanks to an arcane clause in her deeds, that Gabriel— not just an artist, but lord of the local manor house— has the power to take her home and leave her completely broke.
Devastatingly, he seems keen to do exactly that. Yet, Imogen finds herself drawn to him nonetheless. And in her darkest hour, Gabriel may just be the bright spot to save Imogen in more ways than one.
In her books she can write “happily ever after”— but real life? That’s another matter…
For children’s book author Imogen, an idyllic life in the English countryside seems like the perfect fit for her and her husband. But when tragedy strikes, Imogen is left widowed, and finds herself moving into Storybook Cottage alone with only her monstrously narcissistic cat for company.
After discovering she is pregnant, Imogen grows determined to embrace a new start in Middlemass, with its duckpond, cricket matches and village fêtes. The only thing Imogen can’t seem to shake is her neighbor—a brooding, artisan blacksmith named Gabriel—who she can’t quite decide is friend or foe. That is until she realizes, thanks to an arcane clause in her deeds, that Gabriel— not just an artist, but lord of the local manor house— has the power to take her home and leave her completely broke.
Devastatingly, he seems keen to do exactly that. Yet, Imogen finds herself drawn to him nonetheless. And in her darkest hour, Gabriel may just be the bright spot to save Imogen in more ways than one.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2024
86 people are currently reading
11635 people want to read
About the author
Poppy Alexander
9 books573 followersPoppy's first published book - the bestselling 25 Days 'Til Christmas - has been translated into several languages and optioned for TV.
Poppy Alexander wrote her first book when she was five. There was a long gap in her writing career while she was at school, and after studying classical music at university, she decided the world of music was better off without her and returned to writing instead. She takes an anthropological interest in family, friends and life in her West Sussex village (think, The Archers crossed with Twin Peaks) where she lives with her husband, children and various other pets.
She is generally lurking on social media as @PoppyAlexanderBooks on Instagram and Facebook.
Poppy also writes as Rosie Howard.
Poppy Alexander wrote her first book when she was five. There was a long gap in her writing career while she was at school, and after studying classical music at university, she decided the world of music was better off without her and returned to writing instead. She takes an anthropological interest in family, friends and life in her West Sussex village (think, The Archers crossed with Twin Peaks) where she lives with her husband, children and various other pets.
She is generally lurking on social media as @PoppyAlexanderBooks on Instagram and Facebook.
Poppy also writes as Rosie Howard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
August 20, 2024
Previously I had read and enjoyed The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander, so I was happy to pick this one up to try it. Storybook ending says "happily ever after" to me, so I was hoping for that type of book.
Description:
In her books she can write “happily ever after”— but real life? That’s another matter…
For children’s book author Imogen, an idyllic life in the English countryside seems like the perfect fit for her and her husband. But when tragedy strikes, Imogen is left widowed, and finds herself moving into Storybook Cottage alone with only her monstrously narcissistic cat for company.
After discovering she is pregnant, Imogen grows determined to embrace a new start in Middlemass, with its duckpond, cricket matches and village fêtes. The only thing Imogen can’t seem to shake is her neighbor—a brooding, artisan blacksmith named Gabriel—who she can’t quite decide is friend or foe. That is until she realizes, thanks to an arcane clause in her deeds, that Gabriel— not just an artist, but lord of the local manor house— has the power to take her home and leave her completely broke.
Devastatingly, he seems keen to do exactly that. Yet, Imogen finds herself drawn to him nonetheless. And in her darkest hour, Gabriel may just be the bright spot to save Imogen in more ways than one.
My Thoughts:
Overall this was a charming book and I enjoyed it. Yes, Imogen went through some hardship for sure with the death of her husband, a baby on the way, a new home in the country, and then a difficult obstacle with the new home arises as well. The blacksmith neighbor was both irritating and intiguing. There was something about him that Imogen found attractive. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys happily ever after type books.
Thanks to Avong and Harper Voyager through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
In her books she can write “happily ever after”— but real life? That’s another matter…
For children’s book author Imogen, an idyllic life in the English countryside seems like the perfect fit for her and her husband. But when tragedy strikes, Imogen is left widowed, and finds herself moving into Storybook Cottage alone with only her monstrously narcissistic cat for company.
After discovering she is pregnant, Imogen grows determined to embrace a new start in Middlemass, with its duckpond, cricket matches and village fêtes. The only thing Imogen can’t seem to shake is her neighbor—a brooding, artisan blacksmith named Gabriel—who she can’t quite decide is friend or foe. That is until she realizes, thanks to an arcane clause in her deeds, that Gabriel— not just an artist, but lord of the local manor house— has the power to take her home and leave her completely broke.
Devastatingly, he seems keen to do exactly that. Yet, Imogen finds herself drawn to him nonetheless. And in her darkest hour, Gabriel may just be the bright spot to save Imogen in more ways than one.
My Thoughts:
Overall this was a charming book and I enjoyed it. Yes, Imogen went through some hardship for sure with the death of her husband, a baby on the way, a new home in the country, and then a difficult obstacle with the new home arises as well. The blacksmith neighbor was both irritating and intiguing. There was something about him that Imogen found attractive. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys happily ever after type books.
Thanks to Avong and Harper Voyager through Netgalley for an advance copy.
November 8, 2024
This just wasn't for me. The elements necessary for a good story were present, but the execution was lacking.
My biggest issue was the underwhelming character development. Imogen’s reaction to her husband’s death, even before she learned he might have been less than honorable, was bizarrely detached. Same for her pregnancy. And yet she falls in love with a man she seemingly barely knows, less than a year after being widowed. And Gabriel - he seemed like a different character from one page to the next. His main two qualities seem to be surliness and bailing Imogen out of trouble.
I also found the resolution of the conflict to be borderline cruel - surprises are fun and all, but not when the keeping of them causes the recipient to feel abandoned. Not to mention that the resolution felt abrupt.
Speaking of abrupt - the transitions between scenes within chapters were often awkward or jarring.
I'm rating this 3 stars, which may seem high considering the above, but I reserve 2-star ratings for books riddled with plot holes and grammatical issues, and 1-star ratings for books I despise. This book was okay but needed some work.
Thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the advanced reader copy of this book, provided in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
My biggest issue was the underwhelming character development. Imogen’s reaction to her husband’s death, even before she learned he might have been less than honorable, was bizarrely detached. Same for her pregnancy. And yet she falls in love with a man she seemingly barely knows, less than a year after being widowed. And Gabriel - he seemed like a different character from one page to the next. His main two qualities seem to be surliness and bailing Imogen out of trouble.
I also found the resolution of the conflict to be borderline cruel - surprises are fun and all, but not when the keeping of them causes the recipient to feel abandoned. Not to mention that the resolution felt abrupt.
Speaking of abrupt - the transitions between scenes within chapters were often awkward or jarring.
I'm rating this 3 stars, which may seem high considering the above, but I reserve 2-star ratings for books riddled with plot holes and grammatical issues, and 1-star ratings for books I despise. This book was okay but needed some work.
Thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the advanced reader copy of this book, provided in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
September 3, 2025
2,5 zvaigznes.
Ja kādreiz ir iekāriens lasīt Hallmark filmu ar darbību Anglijas ciematā, tad droši var lasīt šo.
Ja kādreiz ir iekāriens lasīt Hallmark filmu ar darbību Anglijas ciematā, tad droši var lasīt šo.
October 2, 2024
Full review on my blog: https://www.pagetostagereviews.com/20...
I love the rich setting author Poppy Alexander has created with her fictional village of Middlemass (in my brain, it exists not too far from Julie Haworth's Blossom Heath). It brings together all the best things from picturesque English villages; cute little independent shops, blustering countryside walks, creaky cottages, a historical manor house, and a heart-warming community of people that take care of each other.
And I was delighted to return to Middlemass for that very reason. Although the story that unfolded within the village this time was quite a heavy read at times. It wasn't as light-hearted as The Littlest Library as protagonist Imogen was hit with one setback after another. That isn't to say that I only enjoy books that are light and fluffy, it's great to have more substance to a story to really keep a reader on the edge of their seat, but in this particular case there were many of them in quick succession and it made the book quite an emotional rollercoaster.
Perhaps it's because I'm also a single woman living alone in a new place experiencing the challenges of owning a house by myself and finding a new group of people to connect with, but the struggles Imogen had to face felt like a lot – and I had to put the book down every once in a while to catch my breath.
Thankfully, there was also joy and hope to be found within the pages of Storybook Ending, not in the least thanks to broody neighbour Gabriel (although he was also a source for some of the hardships Imogen faced along the way!) and Genny & Simon, the best of new friends for Imogen (even though they not so subtly try to set her up with Gabriel from pretty much day one). They are wonderful friends and Imogen is so very lucky to have found such kind and caring people in her new life.
Other highlights in the story include Tango, Imogen's absolute terror or a cat that you cannot help but fall in love with, and Imogen's budding career as an author and illustrator. Storybook Cottage couldn't have ended up in more suitable hands as Imogen's dream is to turn the stories from her imagination into a real-life children's book. While we don't see the actual illustrations in the novel, the glimpses we get to read about sound utterly charming (and would make an amazing companion book to this novel, just saying).
Storybook Ending isn't always a fairytale for main character Imogen as she tries to build her life back up after he death of her husband. In fact, she's thrown into absolute turmoil in the months that follow her move to Middlemass. But she is a strong and independent women (perhaps a little too independent at times), who despite the hardships on her path manages to come out on top. And, most importantly, she has a satisfying happy ending, befitting the title of the book.
3.5 stars
I love the rich setting author Poppy Alexander has created with her fictional village of Middlemass (in my brain, it exists not too far from Julie Haworth's Blossom Heath). It brings together all the best things from picturesque English villages; cute little independent shops, blustering countryside walks, creaky cottages, a historical manor house, and a heart-warming community of people that take care of each other.
And I was delighted to return to Middlemass for that very reason. Although the story that unfolded within the village this time was quite a heavy read at times. It wasn't as light-hearted as The Littlest Library as protagonist Imogen was hit with one setback after another. That isn't to say that I only enjoy books that are light and fluffy, it's great to have more substance to a story to really keep a reader on the edge of their seat, but in this particular case there were many of them in quick succession and it made the book quite an emotional rollercoaster.
Perhaps it's because I'm also a single woman living alone in a new place experiencing the challenges of owning a house by myself and finding a new group of people to connect with, but the struggles Imogen had to face felt like a lot – and I had to put the book down every once in a while to catch my breath.
Thankfully, there was also joy and hope to be found within the pages of Storybook Ending, not in the least thanks to broody neighbour Gabriel (although he was also a source for some of the hardships Imogen faced along the way!) and Genny & Simon, the best of new friends for Imogen (even though they not so subtly try to set her up with Gabriel from pretty much day one). They are wonderful friends and Imogen is so very lucky to have found such kind and caring people in her new life.
Other highlights in the story include Tango, Imogen's absolute terror or a cat that you cannot help but fall in love with, and Imogen's budding career as an author and illustrator. Storybook Cottage couldn't have ended up in more suitable hands as Imogen's dream is to turn the stories from her imagination into a real-life children's book. While we don't see the actual illustrations in the novel, the glimpses we get to read about sound utterly charming (and would make an amazing companion book to this novel, just saying).
Storybook Ending isn't always a fairytale for main character Imogen as she tries to build her life back up after he death of her husband. In fact, she's thrown into absolute turmoil in the months that follow her move to Middlemass. But she is a strong and independent women (perhaps a little too independent at times), who despite the hardships on her path manages to come out on top. And, most importantly, she has a satisfying happy ending, befitting the title of the book.
3.5 stars
April 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5
✨We are going to keep this brief & I wish I could say this book was an April Fool’s Day joke but NOPE. I got lured in by the promise of an escape to a cute little cottage in the English countryside on the cover, but I was bamboozled. I didn’t like any of the characters. I’m pretty sure none of the characters actually liked each other. The romantic relationship made no sense. Everything was so surface level. I should’ve DNF’d but ugh my OCD comes out to play again, so I powered through at 2.5x audiobook speed. Glad to be done with it😮💨
🌶️/5
✨We are going to keep this brief & I wish I could say this book was an April Fool’s Day joke but NOPE. I got lured in by the promise of an escape to a cute little cottage in the English countryside on the cover, but I was bamboozled. I didn’t like any of the characters. I’m pretty sure none of the characters actually liked each other. The romantic relationship made no sense. Everything was so surface level. I should’ve DNF’d but ugh my OCD comes out to play again, so I powered through at 2.5x audiobook speed. Glad to be done with it😮💨
October 8, 2024
Storybook Ending is a heartwarming novel by Poppy Alexander.
💜 Blurb-
From the author of The Littlest Library —a heartwarming novel about a widowed children’s book author who moves into a cottage in the English countryside and finds herself face-to-face with the handsome and brooding blacksmith who lives next door. In her books she can write “happily ever after”—but real life? That’s another matter… For children’s book author Imogen, an idyllic life in the English countryside seems like the perfect fit for her and her husband. But when tragedy strikes, Imogen is left widowed, and finds herself moving into Storybook Cottage alone with only her monstrously narcissistic cat for company. After discovering she is pregnant, Imogen grows determined to embrace a new start in Middlemass, with its duckpond, cricket matches and village fêtes. The only thing Imogen can’t seem to shake is her neighbor—a brooding, artisan blacksmith named Zach—who she can’t quite decide is friend or foe. That is until she realizes, thanks to an arcane clause in her deeds, that Zach is not just an artist, but lord of the local manor house. He has the power to take her home and leave her completely broke. Devastatingly—he seems keen to do exactly that. Yet, Imogen finds herself drawn to him nonetheless. And in her darkest hour, Zach may just be the bright spot to save Imogen in more ways than one.
❤️ Review -
This was such a cute read. I loved the story, it was heartwarming and easy to follow, had good pacing and I loved the great mix of characters. I also loved the place settings in the book. This is the perfect book to curl up with during cosy season. Overall, a brilliant novel that I would recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Random Things Tours, the publisher and author, Poppy Alexander for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
💜 Blurb-
From the author of The Littlest Library —a heartwarming novel about a widowed children’s book author who moves into a cottage in the English countryside and finds herself face-to-face with the handsome and brooding blacksmith who lives next door. In her books she can write “happily ever after”—but real life? That’s another matter… For children’s book author Imogen, an idyllic life in the English countryside seems like the perfect fit for her and her husband. But when tragedy strikes, Imogen is left widowed, and finds herself moving into Storybook Cottage alone with only her monstrously narcissistic cat for company. After discovering she is pregnant, Imogen grows determined to embrace a new start in Middlemass, with its duckpond, cricket matches and village fêtes. The only thing Imogen can’t seem to shake is her neighbor—a brooding, artisan blacksmith named Zach—who she can’t quite decide is friend or foe. That is until she realizes, thanks to an arcane clause in her deeds, that Zach is not just an artist, but lord of the local manor house. He has the power to take her home and leave her completely broke. Devastatingly—he seems keen to do exactly that. Yet, Imogen finds herself drawn to him nonetheless. And in her darkest hour, Zach may just be the bright spot to save Imogen in more ways than one.
❤️ Review -
This was such a cute read. I loved the story, it was heartwarming and easy to follow, had good pacing and I loved the great mix of characters. I also loved the place settings in the book. This is the perfect book to curl up with during cosy season. Overall, a brilliant novel that I would recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Random Things Tours, the publisher and author, Poppy Alexander for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2024
"Storybook Ending" by Poppy Alexander is a charming and heartfelt novel that follows the journey of Imogen Hewitt, a newly widowed children's book author who moves to the quaint village of Middlemass to escape her grief and start anew. Settling into Storybook Cottage, Imogen hopes that the peaceful countryside will help her heal and provide inspiration for her writing. However, her new life is far from simple and Imogen soon finds herself entangled in a series of challenges including a difficult obstacle with her new home and the arrival of her baby on the way.
Adding to the mix is her brooding blacksmith neighbor, Zach, whose presence is both irritating and intriguing. The novel beautifully captures Imogen's emotional journey as she navigates her grief, new responsibilities, and the budding romance with Zach.
At its core, "Storybook Ending" is about the power of love and the importance of believing in oneself. Alexander skillfully weaves in themes of resilience, the impact of friendships, and the notion that life can indeed have fairy-tale endings, even when things seem bleak. The story encourages readers to embrace their dreams and to understand that it’s never too late to rewrite their own narratives.
"Storybook Ending" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and friendship to help us overcome life's obstacles. If you enjoy heartwarming stories with a touch of romance and a lot of emotional depth, this book is a perfect choice for you.
Adding to the mix is her brooding blacksmith neighbor, Zach, whose presence is both irritating and intriguing. The novel beautifully captures Imogen's emotional journey as she navigates her grief, new responsibilities, and the budding romance with Zach.
At its core, "Storybook Ending" is about the power of love and the importance of believing in oneself. Alexander skillfully weaves in themes of resilience, the impact of friendships, and the notion that life can indeed have fairy-tale endings, even when things seem bleak. The story encourages readers to embrace their dreams and to understand that it’s never too late to rewrite their own narratives.
"Storybook Ending" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and friendship to help us overcome life's obstacles. If you enjoy heartwarming stories with a touch of romance and a lot of emotional depth, this book is a perfect choice for you.
October 4, 2024
Alright, let's get real about this book – it's an absolute page-turner! 📚🔥I am 100% smitten and I want to shout it from the roof tops, alright?
It’s the perfect British romance. 🇬🇧Poppy Alexander isn't just writing, she's crafting literary magic here. I loved it from the first page and right up until the very last.
Our protagonist is a children's book author dealing with some heavy stuff. 😔 She's lost her husband (talk about heartbreak 💔) and now she's relocating to a quaint village cottage on her own. Life's throwing her some serious curveballs.
But here's where it gets interesting – enter the neighbour. 👀 We're not talking about your average Joe next door. This guy's a blacksmith with arms that could... well, you get the picture. 🔨💪
Imogen thought she had life figured out. Idyllic countryside, loving husband, plenty of babies in her near future. But life had other plans. Now she's navigating village life solo… well solo and pregnant – but yes, think less Bridgerton, more Bridget Jones with a twist.
Then there's Zach. 🥵 He's got that brooding artist thing going on, and Imogen can't decide if she wants to kiss him or kick him. Plot thickens: he's actually the lord of the manor (because of course he is 🙄) and could potentially leave her homeless and broke. Low blow, right?
Here's the kicker – despite his jerk tendencies, there's undeniable chemistry. 🧪💥 The sexual tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. And when things really hits the fan? Zach might just be her unlikely saviour.
This book's got it all – emotional depth, steamy encounters, and enough drama to keep you up all night. It's a rollercoaster of feels that'll have you laughing, crying, and maybe needing a cold shower. 🚿😅
Trust me, if you're into romance with substance and sex appeal, this is your next read. It's not just Bookstagram and BookTok approved, it's certified entertainment. 🔞📚 Don't sleep on this one!
It’s the perfect British romance. 🇬🇧Poppy Alexander isn't just writing, she's crafting literary magic here. I loved it from the first page and right up until the very last.
Our protagonist is a children's book author dealing with some heavy stuff. 😔 She's lost her husband (talk about heartbreak 💔) and now she's relocating to a quaint village cottage on her own. Life's throwing her some serious curveballs.
But here's where it gets interesting – enter the neighbour. 👀 We're not talking about your average Joe next door. This guy's a blacksmith with arms that could... well, you get the picture. 🔨💪
Imogen thought she had life figured out. Idyllic countryside, loving husband, plenty of babies in her near future. But life had other plans. Now she's navigating village life solo… well solo and pregnant – but yes, think less Bridgerton, more Bridget Jones with a twist.
Then there's Zach. 🥵 He's got that brooding artist thing going on, and Imogen can't decide if she wants to kiss him or kick him. Plot thickens: he's actually the lord of the manor (because of course he is 🙄) and could potentially leave her homeless and broke. Low blow, right?
Here's the kicker – despite his jerk tendencies, there's undeniable chemistry. 🧪💥 The sexual tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. And when things really hits the fan? Zach might just be her unlikely saviour.
This book's got it all – emotional depth, steamy encounters, and enough drama to keep you up all night. It's a rollercoaster of feels that'll have you laughing, crying, and maybe needing a cold shower. 🚿😅
Trust me, if you're into romance with substance and sex appeal, this is your next read. It's not just Bookstagram and BookTok approved, it's certified entertainment. 🔞📚 Don't sleep on this one!
May 16, 2025
I couldn't wait to read this book because of the darling cover and because I loved Alexander's previous book, The Littlest Library. I loved this book too and its wonderful narrator, Karen Cass, who also narrated The Littlest Library. This book is so funny, cute and engaging, and Cass as the narrator is absolutely perfect. Alexander makes heavy use of the "damsel in distress" archetype, and Imogen, the protagonist, is clueless and cries all the time, but she is honest and good-hearted, and you will root for her all the way. If Imogen's love interest were only a better communicator, they could have saved a lot of conflict, but then the book would sadly be a lot shorter. I can't wait until the next Poppy Alexander/Karen Cass collaboration!
April 7, 2025
Sweet story. Just makes you feel good, kind of Hallmark ish which I was in the mood for.
January 23, 2025
Really 3.5 rounded up. Had the makings of a great British cozy story -- which I absolutely love -- but the trajectory of the relationship missed about 100 steps... which was weird and hard to lean into.
August 26, 2024
I absolutely adored The Litllest Library so I jumped at the opportunity to read Storybook Ending. I mean, who doesn't love a happily ever after?
Imogene is a children's author who decides to the countryside with her husband but he is killed tragically soon thereafter. She decides to go ahead and move into the cottage alone except for her cat to keep her company. She soon discovers that her husband left her with a surprise before he died-she's pregnant and so she finds herself even more determined to make a good life for herself in the country but she cant seem to shake her brooding neighbor Gabriel m who she can't decide if is a friend or foe, especially once she realizes that he is the lord of the local manor house and has the power to take back her home when it needs a lot of repairs and leave her broke and homeless. And for some reason, he seems determined to do just that, and despite that, Imogene finds herself drawn to him and in her darkest time, Gabriel may just be her saving grace.
Such a cozy and enjoyable read and that cover @ @ I am definitely a fan of this author.
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
Imogene is a children's author who decides to the countryside with her husband but he is killed tragically soon thereafter. She decides to go ahead and move into the cottage alone except for her cat to keep her company. She soon discovers that her husband left her with a surprise before he died-she's pregnant and so she finds herself even more determined to make a good life for herself in the country but she cant seem to shake her brooding neighbor Gabriel m who she can't decide if is a friend or foe, especially once she realizes that he is the lord of the local manor house and has the power to take back her home when it needs a lot of repairs and leave her broke and homeless. And for some reason, he seems determined to do just that, and despite that, Imogene finds herself drawn to him and in her darkest time, Gabriel may just be her saving grace.
Such a cozy and enjoyable read and that cover @ @ I am definitely a fan of this author.
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
August 24, 2024
i really didn't love the littlest library, and to be honest i didn't expect to love this one either, but i think this really redeemed this author for me. everything i found charming about the littlest library was there (the romance, the prose, the cozier and slower pace) but i felt like there was a far more satisfying ending to this story. firstly, i loved that it was set in autumn/winter, and it honestly felt like a quaint romantic comedy where the pace and love story are a little slow, but that just leads to a far sweeter ending. it's kind of along the lines of "the bookshop of second chances" mixed with "ready or not", and i will say in terms of books that deal with grief, that seems to be more of a side plot for the main character. i understand she didn't know the man that well, and he seemed to be a complex guy, but like she didn't talk about losing him a lot, only occasionally. i would say, though, that the romance (other than some pretty horrid misreadings of signals and miscommunication) was so cute. i actually liked it a lot, but it definitely had its flaws. that being said, it does feel like the perfect autumnal and wintry cozy romance. 4.25 ⭐️.
September 26, 2024
Adored this novel!
I was looking for something on the lighter side after reading some heavier books and this did not disappoint, right away I loved our fmc Imogen, she was relatable and easy to connect too, you get to take a walk in her shoes as she goes through some struggles on her way to happiest. This characters strength and perseverance really gets you rooting for her. This author foes an amazing job of not only building likeable characters but showing you their development through out the novel.
This book was exactly what I was expecting a small town romance with the prefect grumpy x sunshine couple. The plot and story line flowed so well from the start and I devoured this in one sitting, this read left me smiling and feeling all warm and cosy inside. This is my first book by this author and it's safe to say I will definitely be reading more by Poppy in the future.
I was looking for something on the lighter side after reading some heavier books and this did not disappoint, right away I loved our fmc Imogen, she was relatable and easy to connect too, you get to take a walk in her shoes as she goes through some struggles on her way to happiest. This characters strength and perseverance really gets you rooting for her. This author foes an amazing job of not only building likeable characters but showing you their development through out the novel.
This book was exactly what I was expecting a small town romance with the prefect grumpy x sunshine couple. The plot and story line flowed so well from the start and I devoured this in one sitting, this read left me smiling and feeling all warm and cosy inside. This is my first book by this author and it's safe to say I will definitely be reading more by Poppy in the future.
September 14, 2024
2.5 I had hopes based on the concept of this book but it fell flat for me. I didn’t really like the main character and I found the dialogue to be boring at times. The transition between scenes at times were very abrupt. It was a sweet romantic story though but I felt like it was lacking a little.
I received this book in a giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I appreciated the chance to review this book.
I received this book in a giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I appreciated the chance to review this book.
September 16, 2024
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.
Note: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
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.
Note: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
September 10, 2024
Sweet, funny, and cozy is how this story felt the entire way through. There were certainly some somber moments, but overall Imogen's occasional flightiness, Gabriel's protectiveness, and the towns' nosiness was a winning combination. Full review to follow.
November 17, 2024
This one was cute — predictable and transparent, but enjoyable. I felt there could have been much more emotional depth, especially with the main character and her feelings about her husband’s death, but it gets bonus points for not having miscommunication as the central problem. 3.75 rounded up.
September 21, 2024
Enjoyed this read/listen. It’s a story I was pulled in to quickly and I basically listened to it over and over afternoon. I especially liked the ending.
November 25, 2024
A good light reading and a break in between my regular genres . Story is predictable but very cozy. Served my purpose.
October 19, 2024
this was Fine
August 24, 2024
Was a very long and drawn out story but the
ending made me amile
ending made me amile
October 25, 2024
This book was hard to get into, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. This is the sweetest most genuinely real story I have read in a long time.
December 26, 2025
Storybook Ending
4.5✨
4.5✨
March 19, 2025
Entertaining. Not life changing. Easy, clean read.
January 16, 2025
I would have given this book a 4 star rating if Imogene wasn’t attracted to less than desirable men.
Her dead ex husband cheated & derided her, and the new boyfriend-to-be was glowering, harshly spoken, and mostly absent.
Overall, I enjoyed the rest of the book which was set in a little English village, and Imogene’s joy in her new home and career as an artist.
Her dead ex husband cheated & derided her, and the new boyfriend-to-be was glowering, harshly spoken, and mostly absent.
Overall, I enjoyed the rest of the book which was set in a little English village, and Imogene’s joy in her new home and career as an artist.
October 5, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Storybook Ending was an absolutely baffling and confusing read. The pacing felt abrupt, with scenes jumping from one to the next in a jarring manner. At a few random points, the point of view shifted from Imogen to another character, which added to the confusion.
Imogen, a 32-year-old pregnant widow and children's book illustrator, seemed to be perpetually mopey and oblivious to how anything in life actually works. Life seems to be happening around and to her. At no point did she feel like an active participant in the story, even though she was the main character. Despite her decent social media following for her art, she never has her phone on her and it is always dead, which was a recurring and somewhat baffling detail.
Gabriel, as a character, felt all over the place. With little background provided on him, it was hard to understand his motivations or connect with his character.
The romance between Imogen and Gabriel developed slowly, and I struggled to see how or why Imogen would fall for him. Gabriel was rude and cross with her at nearly every turn and even tried to bankrupt her. The lack of character development and the cluttered storyline made it difficult to become invested in their relationship.
I had hoped for a cozy and quaint read, but this book wasn't for me. The story eventually nearly drew me in, but it was a slow process. The trustee and estate plot points were confusing and poorly explained, adding to the overall frustration.
Many plot threads were mentioned once and never revisited, leaving a sense of incompleteness. The ending felt abrupt and out of nowhere. Gabriel supposedly loved Imogen the whole time, but his behavior throughout the book was nothing but horrible and dismissive towards her.
Overall, "Storybook Ending" left me more confused than satisfied.
Storybook Ending was an absolutely baffling and confusing read. The pacing felt abrupt, with scenes jumping from one to the next in a jarring manner. At a few random points, the point of view shifted from Imogen to another character, which added to the confusion.
Imogen, a 32-year-old pregnant widow and children's book illustrator, seemed to be perpetually mopey and oblivious to how anything in life actually works. Life seems to be happening around and to her. At no point did she feel like an active participant in the story, even though she was the main character. Despite her decent social media following for her art, she never has her phone on her and it is always dead, which was a recurring and somewhat baffling detail.
Gabriel, as a character, felt all over the place. With little background provided on him, it was hard to understand his motivations or connect with his character.
The romance between Imogen and Gabriel developed slowly, and I struggled to see how or why Imogen would fall for him. Gabriel was rude and cross with her at nearly every turn and even tried to bankrupt her. The lack of character development and the cluttered storyline made it difficult to become invested in their relationship.
I had hoped for a cozy and quaint read, but this book wasn't for me. The story eventually nearly drew me in, but it was a slow process. The trustee and estate plot points were confusing and poorly explained, adding to the overall frustration.
Many plot threads were mentioned once and never revisited, leaving a sense of incompleteness. The ending felt abrupt and out of nowhere. Gabriel supposedly loved Imogen the whole time, but his behavior throughout the book was nothing but horrible and dismissive towards her.
Overall, "Storybook Ending" left me more confused than satisfied.
July 26, 2024
This is my 2nd read by this author and I loved it more than the first! I was captivated by the characters and the village of Middlemass. It has a small town feeling, and a very relatable main character. Imogen is a scared children's book illustrator wannabe. She and her husband are getting ready to move to their new cottage in Middlemass. She feels like this will be a fresh start for her, little does she know how much. Her Husband Nigel is unexpectedly killed in a motor vehicle accident and now Imogen is starting over on her own, that is until she discovers that she is pregnant. She wants the best for her child and in some ways it makes it a little easier to be brave. I think we can all relate to wanting/needing to be brave in the face of our fears for someone else.
There is also a small side plot of Imogen trying to uncover her husband's possible mistress, so if you like a bit of mystery thrown in... there you go! And it shows some positivity for Imogen's future.
There are also many cute, funny moments, which kept me smiling aplenty! The grumpy groundskeeper that she encounters on her new property is a treasure. She finds out that he has the ability to destroy her new life, and he might not even have a choice. But, the way he looks out for her throughout the story is beautiful! In both big and small ways. I kept rooting for a happily ever after. And the way it unfolded thoroughly pulled me in.
I whole-heartedly say give this one a try! Especially if you enjoy small town British romance or female main characters that learn how much they are capable of. I always wish there was just a little bit more romance in these types of stories, but this one earns a solid 5 stars from me!
**Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Avon & Harper Voyager, and the author for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review**
There is also a small side plot of Imogen trying to uncover her husband's possible mistress, so if you like a bit of mystery thrown in... there you go! And it shows some positivity for Imogen's future.
There are also many cute, funny moments, which kept me smiling aplenty! The grumpy groundskeeper that she encounters on her new property is a treasure. She finds out that he has the ability to destroy her new life, and he might not even have a choice. But, the way he looks out for her throughout the story is beautiful! In both big and small ways. I kept rooting for a happily ever after. And the way it unfolded thoroughly pulled me in.
I whole-heartedly say give this one a try! Especially if you enjoy small town British romance or female main characters that learn how much they are capable of. I always wish there was just a little bit more romance in these types of stories, but this one earns a solid 5 stars from me!
**Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Avon & Harper Voyager, and the author for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review**
November 5, 2024
This was such a gorgeous, heart-warming read that had me hooked from the first few pages!
I haven't read this author before so wasn't sure quite what to expect - but the gorgeous cover and telling title had me excited to dive right in!
I adored our main character, Imogen and instantly connected with her and her situation.
I loved that she was still moving on and what a place to go to try and rebuild!
Storybook Cottage sounded so delightful - I honestly could have moved in too!.
The descriptive writing had me totally absorbed and I was there for those village fetes and cricket matches, wandering round the village and the duck pond with the rest of the community.
It sounded so idyllic.....
That is until we meet the brooding blacksmith, Gabriel.
It was clear from the start that this story was heading in one direction only, but that totally didn't spoil this journey for me one bit!
The couple go through some tough moments which had me wondering whether things would turn out as we hoped - but given the title, I needn't have worried too much!
This was such a lovely, cosy read - perfect for hiding away with and snuggling under a blanket to enjoy.
I'm now really looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.
I haven't read this author before so wasn't sure quite what to expect - but the gorgeous cover and telling title had me excited to dive right in!
I adored our main character, Imogen and instantly connected with her and her situation.
I loved that she was still moving on and what a place to go to try and rebuild!
Storybook Cottage sounded so delightful - I honestly could have moved in too!.
The descriptive writing had me totally absorbed and I was there for those village fetes and cricket matches, wandering round the village and the duck pond with the rest of the community.
It sounded so idyllic.....
That is until we meet the brooding blacksmith, Gabriel.
It was clear from the start that this story was heading in one direction only, but that totally didn't spoil this journey for me one bit!
The couple go through some tough moments which had me wondering whether things would turn out as we hoped - but given the title, I needn't have worried too much!
This was such a lovely, cosy read - perfect for hiding away with and snuggling under a blanket to enjoy.
I'm now really looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.
August 12, 2024
Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Poppy Alexander for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book interested me. Imogen finds herself newly widowed and moving to the countryside, once there she encounters a grumpy neighbor, Gabriel, who keeps finding ways to save her from sticky situations. There is as much chemistry as there is frustration between Imogen and Gabriel.
The execution of the story itself felt a little rushed and underdeveloped. There were abrupt and choppy jumps between storylines and questionable/inconsistent time references.
Gabriel at times was too caveman, strong-silent type for me and a few times made some pretty drastic leaps that seems extremely presumptuous. I found myself frustrated with Imogen in multiple situations so while I wanted her to get her HEA, it wasn’t as warm and squishy as they often are.
The premise of the book interested me. Imogen finds herself newly widowed and moving to the countryside, once there she encounters a grumpy neighbor, Gabriel, who keeps finding ways to save her from sticky situations. There is as much chemistry as there is frustration between Imogen and Gabriel.
The execution of the story itself felt a little rushed and underdeveloped. There were abrupt and choppy jumps between storylines and questionable/inconsistent time references.
Gabriel at times was too caveman, strong-silent type for me and a few times made some pretty drastic leaps that seems extremely presumptuous. I found myself frustrated with Imogen in multiple situations so while I wanted her to get her HEA, it wasn’t as warm and squishy as they often are.
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