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The Book of Reservations
Between the living and the lost, one woman delivers the truth.
Josie Gray has always believed Miss Sylvie’s Bistrot could be a sanctuary for the living… and the dead, with whom she can communicate. As the restaurant struggles to survive in Greenwich Village, the challenges of running a kitchen collide with the demands of her gift, and Josie finds herself stretched thinner than ever.
Her partner, Derek, is becoming distant, unable to reconcile Josie’s insistence on setting the ghost table each night with the practical realities of their business. The tension between them grows, threatening the dream they once shared. Meanwhile, the staff begins to unravel, caught in the schemes of a manipulative new manager and a mysterious sous chef, and the spirits Josie communicates with grow increasingly restless.
Pulled into the unfinished stories of the living and the dead, Josie is tasked with delivering long-buried truths and messages that could alter lives. Each encounter forces her to confront what she owes to others and to herself, and to question whether she can remain anchored in a world that rarely believes in the things she sees.
In the second installment of The Ghost Table trilogy, Josie discovers that every haunting begins with a longing to be heard. Amid the clatter of the kitchen and the whispers of the departed, she must learn how to nourish not just the living, but her own restless heart.
Josie Gray has always believed Miss Sylvie’s Bistrot could be a sanctuary for the living… and the dead, with whom she can communicate. As the restaurant struggles to survive in Greenwich Village, the challenges of running a kitchen collide with the demands of her gift, and Josie finds herself stretched thinner than ever.
Her partner, Derek, is becoming distant, unable to reconcile Josie’s insistence on setting the ghost table each night with the practical realities of their business. The tension between them grows, threatening the dream they once shared. Meanwhile, the staff begins to unravel, caught in the schemes of a manipulative new manager and a mysterious sous chef, and the spirits Josie communicates with grow increasingly restless.
Pulled into the unfinished stories of the living and the dead, Josie is tasked with delivering long-buried truths and messages that could alter lives. Each encounter forces her to confront what she owes to others and to herself, and to question whether she can remain anchored in a world that rarely believes in the things she sees.
In the second installment of The Ghost Table trilogy, Josie discovers that every haunting begins with a longing to be heard. Amid the clatter of the kitchen and the whispers of the departed, she must learn how to nourish not just the living, but her own restless heart.
278 pages, Hardcover
Published December 9, 2025
About the author
Laura Buchwald
2 books75 followersLaura Buchwald is a New York City-based writer and editor who has spent a lot of time in New Orleans, where part of her first book, The Coat Check Girl, takes place. The book is the first in a trilogy and addresses themes of grief, found family, and overcoming the elements of our past that continue to haunt us, literally and metaphorically. Laura's strong belief in an afterlife—along with a healthy dose of questioning its existence—is part of what inspired the series.
The second installment, The Book of Reservations, out December 9, 2025, addresses the same themes from a different perspective; where once the protagonist feared her ability to connect with the spirit world, in book two she comes to embrace it and see it as the gift it potentially is.
Laura is co-host of the podcast People Who Do Things, a series of conversations about writing and the creative process. She lives in New York City with her husband and dog and travels when she can for inspiration.
The second installment, The Book of Reservations, out December 9, 2025, addresses the same themes from a different perspective; where once the protagonist feared her ability to connect with the spirit world, in book two she comes to embrace it and see it as the gift it potentially is.
Laura is co-host of the podcast People Who Do Things, a series of conversations about writing and the creative process. She lives in New York City with her husband and dog and travels when she can for inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 4, 2026
I love this series. And I have GetRedPR to thank for introducing me to it.
The first book, The Coat Check Girl, introduced us to Josie Gray's world of communicating with the dead. It was a five star read and now The Book of Reservations brings us back.
Josie has created a sanctuary for both the living and the dead. Running a restaurant with place settings for standard living customers, but also for the dead. Josie has a passion for sharing lost messages from the dead, delivering long-buried truths and messages that could alter lives. And in this sequel we see that performing this task AND running a restaurant are wearing her thin.
Many mysteries arise in this. We have shady staff with strange pasts, a manipulative manager and quickly we find Derek and Josie's relationship is struggling.
This book has heart and mystery, and I am excited that another in series is coming! Thank you to GetRedPR and the author for a chance to read!
The first book, The Coat Check Girl, introduced us to Josie Gray's world of communicating with the dead. It was a five star read and now The Book of Reservations brings us back.
Josie has created a sanctuary for both the living and the dead. Running a restaurant with place settings for standard living customers, but also for the dead. Josie has a passion for sharing lost messages from the dead, delivering long-buried truths and messages that could alter lives. And in this sequel we see that performing this task AND running a restaurant are wearing her thin.
Many mysteries arise in this. We have shady staff with strange pasts, a manipulative manager and quickly we find Derek and Josie's relationship is struggling.
This book has heart and mystery, and I am excited that another in series is coming! Thank you to GetRedPR and the author for a chance to read!
February 9, 2026
This is one of the most beautifully written books that I have read. The ability of the author to write such vivid imagery while weaving in perfect narratives to make you feel like you are right there experiencing everything in the story for yourself is unmatched. This book pulled all the emotions out of me, and I was sobbing by the end. This will be one of those stories that stay with me long after finishing it.
This is a story of love, loss, and grief. In this book we follow Josie who is able to communicate with the dead, and trying to run her struggling New Orleans inspired restaurant in New York in the early 2000s. Her ability to communicate with the dead is a bit of a contention between Josie and her boyfriend/business partner, Derek. He is not a believer, and he thinks Josie’s “ghost table” at the restaurant is bad for business. Throughout this journey, you will see Josie and Derek putting everything into making their business successful, and Josie using her ability to help people communicate with their lost loved ones to over come their grief.
Thank you so much GetRed Pr for the copy of this book. What an absolute pleasure to read.
This is a story of love, loss, and grief. In this book we follow Josie who is able to communicate with the dead, and trying to run her struggling New Orleans inspired restaurant in New York in the early 2000s. Her ability to communicate with the dead is a bit of a contention between Josie and her boyfriend/business partner, Derek. He is not a believer, and he thinks Josie’s “ghost table” at the restaurant is bad for business. Throughout this journey, you will see Josie and Derek putting everything into making their business successful, and Josie using her ability to help people communicate with their lost loved ones to over come their grief.
Thank you so much GetRed Pr for the copy of this book. What an absolute pleasure to read.
March 31, 2026
The Book of Reservations is the second book in The Ghost Table trilogy but can be read as a standalone. It follows Josie Gray, who owns a restaurant in New York with her partner Derek. Their New Orleans inspired restaurant has been struggling to stay afloat due to many challenges arising including a money hungry realtor working on buying up all the buildings, their work and romantic relationship colliding, and Josie’s unique ability to interact with the dead. Derek is skeptical of Josie’s abilities and feels like the time she is devoting to her abilities to help the dead has been interfering with her ability to help run the restaurant. The two decided to seek out couples counseling, which did not lead to the outcome they desired. They also decide to hire a manager to lessen the workload despite Derek’s initial financial worries. While Josie manages the restaurants, she also encounters many spirits including the ghost of a woman who passed away in the restaurant’s bathroom a long time ago and Derek’s brother who passed away when he was young. Additionally, Josie’s gift also allows her to be connected to intense emotions of the living, including a sous chef she just hired. Josie is pulled in many different directions of wanting to help out all these individuals but not wanting to overstep any boundaries on top of navigating issues with her staff and Derek.
The Book of Reservations was an engaging and fun book to read. I wished I read the first book, but felt like this book did a good job of incorporating the backstory from the first book. Josie is a relatable and empathetic character, who wants to help everyone out. I really enjoyed reading her interactions with the spirits that come to her and figuring out how to help them move on completely. I was not a fan of Derek and Josie’s relationship and feel like Derek needs to go to individual counseling himself. Their relationship was not toxic but Derek just came off as such a grump especially to Josie for no reason. But it did feel like Derek started to become more lighter in the end, so hopefully he will change for the better. I also really enjoyed reading some twists that occurred in the book. I cannot wait for the last book to wrap up this trilogy!
Thank you to Get Red PR for the gifted copy of The Book of Reservations✨
Read more reviews on my blog! https://christinaschapterblog.com
The Book of Reservations was an engaging and fun book to read. I wished I read the first book, but felt like this book did a good job of incorporating the backstory from the first book. Josie is a relatable and empathetic character, who wants to help everyone out. I really enjoyed reading her interactions with the spirits that come to her and figuring out how to help them move on completely. I was not a fan of Derek and Josie’s relationship and feel like Derek needs to go to individual counseling himself. Their relationship was not toxic but Derek just came off as such a grump especially to Josie for no reason. But it did feel like Derek started to become more lighter in the end, so hopefully he will change for the better. I also really enjoyed reading some twists that occurred in the book. I cannot wait for the last book to wrap up this trilogy!
Thank you to Get Red PR for the gifted copy of The Book of Reservations✨
Read more reviews on my blog! https://christinaschapterblog.com
January 9, 2026
This is Book 2 in the trilogy, and while I highly recommend starting with Book 1 (because honestly—why wouldn’t you?), this one can be read as a standalone. Laura does a fantastic job weaving in just enough backstory so you never feel lost.
We’re a year out from the first book and officially in the year 2000—yet the nostalgia still hit hard for me. Josie and Derek now own their restaurant, but things are far from smooth. A local hotshot developer is buying up properties and jacking up rent, Derek is struggling to come to terms with Josie’s special abilities, and the restaurant needs more business and more help if they’re ever going to have a life outside its walls.
Enter: a mysterious sous chef, a new manager who may (or may not) have secrets of her own, and a new friend who helps Josie better understand her gifts.
This book beautifully explores grief, guilt, and regret—felt by both the living and the dead—and the powerful connections between those worlds that can lead to healing. It’s charming and haunting, tinged with sadness but overflowing with heart. And the New Orleans setting? As a N’awlins girl myself, that connection had me smiling the whole way through 🖤⚜️
That ending though… yeah. I’m going to need Book 3 immediately. There is unfinished business, and I need answers.
We’re a year out from the first book and officially in the year 2000—yet the nostalgia still hit hard for me. Josie and Derek now own their restaurant, but things are far from smooth. A local hotshot developer is buying up properties and jacking up rent, Derek is struggling to come to terms with Josie’s special abilities, and the restaurant needs more business and more help if they’re ever going to have a life outside its walls.
Enter: a mysterious sous chef, a new manager who may (or may not) have secrets of her own, and a new friend who helps Josie better understand her gifts.
This book beautifully explores grief, guilt, and regret—felt by both the living and the dead—and the powerful connections between those worlds that can lead to healing. It’s charming and haunting, tinged with sadness but overflowing with heart. And the New Orleans setting? As a N’awlins girl myself, that connection had me smiling the whole way through 🖤⚜️
That ending though… yeah. I’m going to need Book 3 immediately. There is unfinished business, and I need answers.
January 4, 2026
“Forgiveness is not about accepting the past. It's about releasing its hold on you.”
It’s tough enough to own and run a successful restaurant. Doing it right with the love of your life can complicate it further. Add in some ghosts that only one person can see and talk to, extra difficult. Especially after losing the person who meant the most to you.
Even though Josie Gray has her partner, Derek, she is feeling very much alone. Anyone who has worked in the service industry can relate to the demands and difficulties, but when you are the owner it takes it up a few levels. This always further complicates a relationship.
I struggled with this book in the beginning. I know this is book two of a series so maybe I would’ve felt more attached if I started from the beginning? I just wasn’t connecting with the characters. But I’m glad I stuck around because by the end I was fully invested. I really enjoyed where the story went and want to read book three. I most enjoyed the themes of growth and forgiveness. The healing was comforting.
Thank you to Get Red PR, Laura Buchwald, Radiance, and NetGalley for the gifted copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
It’s tough enough to own and run a successful restaurant. Doing it right with the love of your life can complicate it further. Add in some ghosts that only one person can see and talk to, extra difficult. Especially after losing the person who meant the most to you.
Even though Josie Gray has her partner, Derek, she is feeling very much alone. Anyone who has worked in the service industry can relate to the demands and difficulties, but when you are the owner it takes it up a few levels. This always further complicates a relationship.
I struggled with this book in the beginning. I know this is book two of a series so maybe I would’ve felt more attached if I started from the beginning? I just wasn’t connecting with the characters. But I’m glad I stuck around because by the end I was fully invested. I really enjoyed where the story went and want to read book three. I most enjoyed the themes of growth and forgiveness. The healing was comforting.
Thank you to Get Red PR, Laura Buchwald, Radiance, and NetGalley for the gifted copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
January 13, 2026
This book combined the perfect mix of suspense, mystery, love, and paranormal into one.
Josie was such an amazing character that felt truly authentic. Her pull between the living and the dead was really great to read. However, there were moments in the book that were heart wrenching. Talk about emotional turmoil.
Buchwald wrote a very unique story that kept me turning the pages.
Josie was such an amazing character that felt truly authentic. Her pull between the living and the dead was really great to read. However, there were moments in the book that were heart wrenching. Talk about emotional turmoil.
Buchwald wrote a very unique story that kept me turning the pages.
February 15, 2026
This is such a great book!! I didn’t know it was a part of a series and now I want to read book #1. There were some mentions of events and people from the first book, The Coat Check Girl, but nothing that makes it difficult to follow so this can totally be read as a standalone. I just found this a very sweet story about grief, ghosts, love, friendships, acceptance, & more.
Josie Gray has a gift, she’s able to see and communicate with ghosts. She’s not quite a medium so she never knows who, what, or when she’ll encounter someone from the other side. Her boyfriend Derek is a skeptic and wants nothing to do with that part of her life. They’re partners in a new restaurant and things aren’t off to a smooth start. A high rate of revolving souls chefs, due to being spooked by the resident ghosts, they don’t seem them but can’t ignore the strange way they feel and odd things that happen. With Derek & Josie’s business and personal relationship on the rocks, they’ll have to find a way to come together and find common ground to help things move forward.
I’m so thankful to GetRedPR for helping me discover this book. Book #3 is in the works and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
“Forgiveness is not about accepting the past. It’s about releasing its hold on you.”
“We spend so much time trapped in the past or worrying about the future, waiting for the other shoe to drop. So much time. All we have is this exact moment.”
Josie Gray has a gift, she’s able to see and communicate with ghosts. She’s not quite a medium so she never knows who, what, or when she’ll encounter someone from the other side. Her boyfriend Derek is a skeptic and wants nothing to do with that part of her life. They’re partners in a new restaurant and things aren’t off to a smooth start. A high rate of revolving souls chefs, due to being spooked by the resident ghosts, they don’t seem them but can’t ignore the strange way they feel and odd things that happen. With Derek & Josie’s business and personal relationship on the rocks, they’ll have to find a way to come together and find common ground to help things move forward.
I’m so thankful to GetRedPR for helping me discover this book. Book #3 is in the works and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
“Forgiveness is not about accepting the past. It’s about releasing its hold on you.”
“We spend so much time trapped in the past or worrying about the future, waiting for the other shoe to drop. So much time. All we have is this exact moment.”
February 13, 2026
Really really enjoyed this story.
Josie is trying to juggle a restaurant that’s in trouble while also juggling a gift of talking to the dead and keep her relationship with her partner. This book covers so many topics. I really enjoyed Josie as a character and felt for her all of her struggles and challenges.
Thank you getredpr for my arc.
Josie is trying to juggle a restaurant that’s in trouble while also juggling a gift of talking to the dead and keep her relationship with her partner. This book covers so many topics. I really enjoyed Josie as a character and felt for her all of her struggles and challenges.
Thank you getredpr for my arc.
January 11, 2026
• BOOK REVIEW — The Book of Reservations by Laura Buchwald
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
This one mixes humor, heart, and the supernatural in such a compelling way. It’s about life, love, and the things — and people — that refuse to leave quietly.
Vibes:
• Talking to the dead while serving the living
• Found family inside a struggling restaurant
• Romance under pressure
• Secrets, unfinished stories, and emotional truth
What It’s About (without spoiling):
Josie Gray can communicate with the dead, and she believes Miss Sylvie’s Bistrot is meant to be a refuge for both worlds. While she’s trying to keep the restaurant afloat, she’s also delivering messages to restless spirits who just want to be heard. Her “ghost table” tradition clashes with real-world stress: bills, business problems, and a partner — Derek — who is drifting further away as he questions the life they’ve built. Add in a manipulative new manager, a mysterious sous chef, and spirits that are growing louder and more insistent, and Josie is pulled into unraveling truths that could change everything.
What I Loved:
• Josie feels achingly real — overworked, compassionate, stretched thin, and still trying to do right by everyone.
• The balance of restaurant chaos + supernatural communication is unique and so fun to read.
• The tension with Derek gives the story emotional depth without overshadowing Josie’s personal growth.
• Ghosts aren’t just “scary” — they’re voices with history and longing, which makes the book surprisingly tender.
• Themes of duty, love, and self-worth are woven in beautifully.
Final Vibe:
Heartfelt, atmospheric, and thoughtfully spooky. It’s about feeding the living, listening to the dead, and figuring out what you actually owe yourself. A strong installment in the series and a very engaging read — I really enjoyed it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
This one mixes humor, heart, and the supernatural in such a compelling way. It’s about life, love, and the things — and people — that refuse to leave quietly.
Vibes:
• Talking to the dead while serving the living
• Found family inside a struggling restaurant
• Romance under pressure
• Secrets, unfinished stories, and emotional truth
What It’s About (without spoiling):
Josie Gray can communicate with the dead, and she believes Miss Sylvie’s Bistrot is meant to be a refuge for both worlds. While she’s trying to keep the restaurant afloat, she’s also delivering messages to restless spirits who just want to be heard. Her “ghost table” tradition clashes with real-world stress: bills, business problems, and a partner — Derek — who is drifting further away as he questions the life they’ve built. Add in a manipulative new manager, a mysterious sous chef, and spirits that are growing louder and more insistent, and Josie is pulled into unraveling truths that could change everything.
What I Loved:
• Josie feels achingly real — overworked, compassionate, stretched thin, and still trying to do right by everyone.
• The balance of restaurant chaos + supernatural communication is unique and so fun to read.
• The tension with Derek gives the story emotional depth without overshadowing Josie’s personal growth.
• Ghosts aren’t just “scary” — they’re voices with history and longing, which makes the book surprisingly tender.
• Themes of duty, love, and self-worth are woven in beautifully.
Final Vibe:
Heartfelt, atmospheric, and thoughtfully spooky. It’s about feeding the living, listening to the dead, and figuring out what you actually owe yourself. A strong installment in the series and a very engaging read — I really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2026
The Book of Reservations
The Ghost Table Trilogy, Book 2
Laura Buchwald
12/09/2025
Radiance
Running a restaurant in New York is hard enough without juggling ghosts, unresolved business, but that’s exactly where The Book of Reservations lives. Josie Gray is back at Miss Sylvie’s, managing staff drama, financial stress, and the everyday chaos of keeping a place afloat, all while continuing to see and interact with spirits who aren’t quite ready to move on. The paranormal elements are woven right into the daily grind, blurring the line between the living and the dead in a way that feels natural rather than flashy, and grounding the story in relationships, memory, and the quiet weight people carry with them.
I read this because I loved The Coat Check Girl, and I stayed because this is the kind of book you fall into and lose track of time reading. It’s character-driven in the best way—everyone is flawed, human, and trying—and the way grief sneaks up and demands attention felt uncomfortably real. You don’t need to read the first book to jump in here, but I highly recommend it, if only because it makes being back in this world even more rewarding. The bonus? You don’t have to wait for book two like I did, and once you start, you’ll understand why that matters.
The Ghost Table Trilogy, Book 2
Laura Buchwald
12/09/2025
Radiance
Running a restaurant in New York is hard enough without juggling ghosts, unresolved business, but that’s exactly where The Book of Reservations lives. Josie Gray is back at Miss Sylvie’s, managing staff drama, financial stress, and the everyday chaos of keeping a place afloat, all while continuing to see and interact with spirits who aren’t quite ready to move on. The paranormal elements are woven right into the daily grind, blurring the line between the living and the dead in a way that feels natural rather than flashy, and grounding the story in relationships, memory, and the quiet weight people carry with them.
I read this because I loved The Coat Check Girl, and I stayed because this is the kind of book you fall into and lose track of time reading. It’s character-driven in the best way—everyone is flawed, human, and trying—and the way grief sneaks up and demands attention felt uncomfortably real. You don’t need to read the first book to jump in here, but I highly recommend it, if only because it makes being back in this world even more rewarding. The bonus? You don’t have to wait for book two like I did, and once you start, you’ll understand why that matters.
January 25, 2026
I absolutely adored this story! I definitely need to revisit the first one to see how it all connects. It’s great that this book also hints at the third book.
Thank you, Getredpr, for the ARC. I’m already missing these characters!
This book is a haunting tale of love and loss. I found the ending incredibly beautiful. There was a little plot twist that took me completely by surprise. It was a truly emotional read, and I highly recommend it!
Thank you, Getredpr, for the ARC. I’m already missing these characters!
This book is a haunting tale of love and loss. I found the ending incredibly beautiful. There was a little plot twist that took me completely by surprise. It was a truly emotional read, and I highly recommend it!
November 13, 2025
I love this series. This is 2nd in a series. Josie and Dereck are running a neighborhood restaurant and the challenges of the business along with Josie’s gift are the focus in this novel.
Josie has a “ghost table” as she has a gift and is familiar with the inhabitants at the restaurant who seem to be reaching out to her.
The staff has its own issues and trying to keep the restaurant running smoothly while their relationship is challenged daily keeps this fast- paced story moving along.
I loved the scenery, food, well developed characters and can’t wait for the next book. Thank you for having me on tour.
Josie has a “ghost table” as she has a gift and is familiar with the inhabitants at the restaurant who seem to be reaching out to her.
The staff has its own issues and trying to keep the restaurant running smoothly while their relationship is challenged daily keeps this fast- paced story moving along.
I loved the scenery, food, well developed characters and can’t wait for the next book. Thank you for having me on tour.
December 4, 2025
Laura Buchwald is two for two -- this sequel to The Coat Check Girl is just as engaging, page-turning, and surprising as its predecessor. The writing is vivid, the characters are believable, and the dialogue is real. Highly recommended, though familiarity with the first volume will help. (Advance proof provided by NetGalley)
January 17, 2026
*Author interview available on Literally Heinous podcast on Spotify and Apple podcast*
WOW. I loved this book. It was such a FUN, creative, unique take on afterlife and ghosts. I can’t get over how much fun this book is. I’m laughing, crying, getting full body chills.
The characters are so well developed and so easy to fall in love with. The twists are EVERYTHINGGGGG you will not see them coming.
It’s so satisfying and just so fun!!!!!!!!!
WOW. I loved this book. It was such a FUN, creative, unique take on afterlife and ghosts. I can’t get over how much fun this book is. I’m laughing, crying, getting full body chills.
The characters are so well developed and so easy to fall in love with. The twists are EVERYTHINGGGGG you will not see them coming.
It’s so satisfying and just so fun!!!!!!!!!
March 27, 2026
Interesting book….. running a restaurant and ghosts in the house. Who knew it could be such an interesting novel. Enjoyable. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
December 10, 2025
A heartfelt thank you to @laurabuchwaldauthor and @getredprbooks for the #gifted e-book.
This second installment of The Ghost Table trilogy is nothing short of extraordinary!
Josie returns, continuing her unique connection with the spirits that linger not only in her restaurant but in the city. As the bridge between the living and the dead, her journey takes on new complexities, particularly in her relationship with Derek. As they strive to turn their restaurant dreams into reality, the strain of balancing ambition with Josie's supernatural gifts creates tension.
Josie's ability to deliver messages from beyond is poignant and beautifully portrayed. Each revelation she shares with the living feels like a delicate thread woven into the fabric of their lives. The deeper dive into Derek’s family history is gut-wrenching yet illuminating, adding layers to their bond. It's heartwarming to watch Josie embrace her role as a healer for the broken-hearted, finding her inner calm amid the chaos of life and death.
The writing flows, with a pace that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The vivid descriptions of the food, the vibrant city, and the enchanting atmosphere make you feel as if you’re right there, experiencing it all firsthand. The characters, both friends and staff, are richly developed, adding depth and warmth to the story.
I adored the ending and can hardly wait for the next book in this captivating trilogy!
This second installment of The Ghost Table trilogy is nothing short of extraordinary!
Josie returns, continuing her unique connection with the spirits that linger not only in her restaurant but in the city. As the bridge between the living and the dead, her journey takes on new complexities, particularly in her relationship with Derek. As they strive to turn their restaurant dreams into reality, the strain of balancing ambition with Josie's supernatural gifts creates tension.
Josie's ability to deliver messages from beyond is poignant and beautifully portrayed. Each revelation she shares with the living feels like a delicate thread woven into the fabric of their lives. The deeper dive into Derek’s family history is gut-wrenching yet illuminating, adding layers to their bond. It's heartwarming to watch Josie embrace her role as a healer for the broken-hearted, finding her inner calm amid the chaos of life and death.
The writing flows, with a pace that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The vivid descriptions of the food, the vibrant city, and the enchanting atmosphere make you feel as if you’re right there, experiencing it all firsthand. The characters, both friends and staff, are richly developed, adding depth and warmth to the story.
I adored the ending and can hardly wait for the next book in this captivating trilogy!
February 9, 2026
Rating: 5/5
Tropes/themes: paranormal fiction, found family, spirit world, childhood trauma, relationship struggles
Josie is a ghost whisperer. A big part of her life is receiving messages and visitations from spirits who have unfinished business and need to help their living loved ones through Josie's help.
Josie, however, is struggling with a boyfriend who isn't a ghost believer and is not a supporter of that aspect of Josie's life, as well as struggling with their co-ownership of a restaurant. This alone brings a lot of issues to their relationship. They struggle to see eye to eye on business matters, staff hiring and firing and the ever-present ghost business.
Derek is also struggling personally with stress, business pressure, and he keeps having dreams about his dead brother. Josie knows that his dead brother, Alex, really has been visiting him and wants him to visit his estranged mother before she passes, but Josie struggles with finding the right time and circumstances to bring this up to Derek.
Woven among Josie and Derek there is a delightful found family element at the restaurant, some amazing and supportive friends and ghosts and some interesting ghostly secrets and surprises.
This book was so well written, the characters deep and colorful, the plot exciting and lovely and my emotions were here for it! I was definitely crying at the end! Love, love, loved it!
Thank you to Get Red PR for the ARC copy!
Tropes/themes: paranormal fiction, found family, spirit world, childhood trauma, relationship struggles
Josie is a ghost whisperer. A big part of her life is receiving messages and visitations from spirits who have unfinished business and need to help their living loved ones through Josie's help.
Josie, however, is struggling with a boyfriend who isn't a ghost believer and is not a supporter of that aspect of Josie's life, as well as struggling with their co-ownership of a restaurant. This alone brings a lot of issues to their relationship. They struggle to see eye to eye on business matters, staff hiring and firing and the ever-present ghost business.
Derek is also struggling personally with stress, business pressure, and he keeps having dreams about his dead brother. Josie knows that his dead brother, Alex, really has been visiting him and wants him to visit his estranged mother before she passes, but Josie struggles with finding the right time and circumstances to bring this up to Derek.
Woven among Josie and Derek there is a delightful found family element at the restaurant, some amazing and supportive friends and ghosts and some interesting ghostly secrets and surprises.
This book was so well written, the characters deep and colorful, the plot exciting and lovely and my emotions were here for it! I was definitely crying at the end! Love, love, loved it!
Thank you to Get Red PR for the ARC copy!
December 9, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Compelling Continuation: The Book of Reservations 👻
The Book of Reservations, book two in Laura Buchwald’s Ghost Table Trilogy, is a confident and engaging follow-up that deepens the emotional and supernatural threads introduced in The Coat Check Girl. This second novel finds Josie and Derek navigating the challenges of running their New Orleans-style restaurant, Miss Sylvie's Bistrot, in Greenwich Village in 2000.
I loved delving further into the complexities of Josie's gift—her ability to communicate with the restaurant's ghostly "inhabitants" at the ghost table—and how she manages it alongside Derek's skepticism and grief over his brother's loss. Buchwald's vivid sense of place, attention to food and atmosphere, and well-developed supporting cast keep the story moving at a brisk, immersive pace, blending the struggles of the bustling New York City restaurant industry with the supernatural elements.
The story balances tenderness with tension as Derek resists believing what he cannot explain, putting their relationship under daily strain. The vivid writing and believable characters kept me hooked. While the book works as a standalone, familiarity with the first novel enriches the experience. I highly recommend this thoughtful sequel and eagerly anticipate the final book in the trilogy!
thank you GetRedPR for the review copies!!!
The Book of Reservations, book two in Laura Buchwald’s Ghost Table Trilogy, is a confident and engaging follow-up that deepens the emotional and supernatural threads introduced in The Coat Check Girl. This second novel finds Josie and Derek navigating the challenges of running their New Orleans-style restaurant, Miss Sylvie's Bistrot, in Greenwich Village in 2000.
I loved delving further into the complexities of Josie's gift—her ability to communicate with the restaurant's ghostly "inhabitants" at the ghost table—and how she manages it alongside Derek's skepticism and grief over his brother's loss. Buchwald's vivid sense of place, attention to food and atmosphere, and well-developed supporting cast keep the story moving at a brisk, immersive pace, blending the struggles of the bustling New York City restaurant industry with the supernatural elements.
The story balances tenderness with tension as Derek resists believing what he cannot explain, putting their relationship under daily strain. The vivid writing and believable characters kept me hooked. While the book works as a standalone, familiarity with the first novel enriches the experience. I highly recommend this thoughtful sequel and eagerly anticipate the final book in the trilogy!
thank you GetRedPR for the review copies!!!
January 14, 2026
I enjoyed this story of love, loss, and acceptance. Set in the New York City restaurant world of the early 2000’s it is book 2 in the Ghost Table Trilogy series and while it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone I think it will be even more enjoyable if read as part of the series. Josie and Derek are trying to make it all work, their relationship and their restaurant, Miss Sylvie’s Bistrot, but they are struggling with balance, with grief, and with Derek not understanding Josie’s unique ability to communicate with the dead. Plus Josie is trying to figure out how to communicate messages from the ghosts to unbelievers like Derek. Magical realism is not a genre that I usually read but Josie and her ability to communicate with the ghosts fascinated me. It didn’t seem scary or weird and as I read it began to make more sense and was comforting. The characters and situations were well- written and engaging and I want to visit Miss Sylvie’s Bistrot. I am looking forward to the next book and recommend this to readers that enjoy magical realism or stories about relationships.
Thanks to GetRed PR for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to GetRed PR for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 14, 2025
I loved THE BOOK OF RESERVATIONS! The friends, staff, and ghosts/spirits from the first book are back along with a manipulative new manager, mysterious souls chef, and a few spirits that need Josie's help. I love that she sets a ghost table for her departed loved ones. The mentions of all the delicious food had me dreaming of a bowl of gumbo. Laura's descriptions are so vivid I felt like I was sitting at a table at Miss Sylvie's Bistro.
Josie's partner Derek does not believe in the spirit world which causes tension in their relationship. Ruby is one of the regular spirits that has been seen and causes workers to quit. Derek's brother Alex died young in a tragic accident. He is seen at the table. With Ruby's help Alex talks to Josie in hopes of reconciling Derek's past.
I love Josie's kind heart and her desire to help the spirits that come to her. The ending is a sort of cliffhanger that hints at the third book. This is a fast paced story with paranormal elements. There is loss, reconciliation and found family. I am looking forward to the third book.
Josie's partner Derek does not believe in the spirit world which causes tension in their relationship. Ruby is one of the regular spirits that has been seen and causes workers to quit. Derek's brother Alex died young in a tragic accident. He is seen at the table. With Ruby's help Alex talks to Josie in hopes of reconciling Derek's past.
I love Josie's kind heart and her desire to help the spirits that come to her. The ending is a sort of cliffhanger that hints at the third book. This is a fast paced story with paranormal elements. There is loss, reconciliation and found family. I am looking forward to the third book.
December 28, 2025
Let me start with…I love this cover.
Josie Gray has always believed Miss Sylvie’s Bistrot could be a sanctuary for the living… and the dead, with whom she can communicate. As the restaurant struggles to survive in Greenwich Village, the challenges of running a kitchen collide with the demands of her gift, and Josie finds herself stretched thinner than ever.
I enjoy a good ghost story and this one is full of ghosts. This added so much to the charm and secrecy of this tale.
However, this is 3.5 stars rounded up. I got a bit bored with all the restaurant stuff. And to tell you the truth, I wanted to slap Derek on more than one occasion. He does realize how he is treating Josie. And Josie is a bit too forgiving. This drove me a bit nuts as well. She does it with everyone. I wanted her to grow a backbone.
But like I said, I love the ghosts. And the ghost table is a unique idea!
Need a good ghost story to start your week…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel for a honest review.
Josie Gray has always believed Miss Sylvie’s Bistrot could be a sanctuary for the living… and the dead, with whom she can communicate. As the restaurant struggles to survive in Greenwich Village, the challenges of running a kitchen collide with the demands of her gift, and Josie finds herself stretched thinner than ever.
I enjoy a good ghost story and this one is full of ghosts. This added so much to the charm and secrecy of this tale.
However, this is 3.5 stars rounded up. I got a bit bored with all the restaurant stuff. And to tell you the truth, I wanted to slap Derek on more than one occasion. He does realize how he is treating Josie. And Josie is a bit too forgiving. This drove me a bit nuts as well. She does it with everyone. I wanted her to grow a backbone.
But like I said, I love the ghosts. And the ghost table is a unique idea!
Need a good ghost story to start your week…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel for a honest review.
January 14, 2026
I’m really enjoying this series! The writing is so natural and easy to fall into.
Josie is a well-developed character, as she can communicate with the spirit world; yet she must balance this gift with the struggles of daily life.
This isn’t just a book about crossing the veil or ghosts with unfinished business; I think the heart of this book lies in our connections and relationships, both among the living and the dead.
The author does a lovely job of describing the setting and surroundings, giving details about running the restaurant and its delicious food, which helps ground us and make the story feel real.
This is an emotional read, with moments of tension and tenderness, hurt and healing. Whether you believe in ghosts or have thoughts on the afterlife, it prompts reflection on how grief and our choices shape us, and how we should cherish our time here while we have it.
**𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦!
Thank you @getredprbooks and @laurabuchwaldauthor for this gifted book.
Josie is a well-developed character, as she can communicate with the spirit world; yet she must balance this gift with the struggles of daily life.
This isn’t just a book about crossing the veil or ghosts with unfinished business; I think the heart of this book lies in our connections and relationships, both among the living and the dead.
The author does a lovely job of describing the setting and surroundings, giving details about running the restaurant and its delicious food, which helps ground us and make the story feel real.
This is an emotional read, with moments of tension and tenderness, hurt and healing. Whether you believe in ghosts or have thoughts on the afterlife, it prompts reflection on how grief and our choices shape us, and how we should cherish our time here while we have it.
**𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦!
Thank you @getredprbooks and @laurabuchwaldauthor for this gifted book.
December 9, 2025
I read The Coat Check Girl last year and am so happy to have read this one, book two, ahead of its publication day!
It’s set in amidst the bustling New York City restaurant industry in 2000 and continues to follow Josie and Derek, who now own the restaurant and re-opened it as Miss Sylvie’s Bistrot, with a New Orleans flair. But alongside the growing pains of managing the restaurant are those of their relationship, and they struggle to maintain a balance. Adding to their difficulties is Derek’s refusal to accept that Josie continues to communicate with spirits, both inside and outside of the restaurant.
This was a really good sophomore novel. I loved delving deeper into the complexities of Josie’s gift and how she navigates it, especially with Derek’s predisposition towards skepticism. I’m eager to see how their relationship evolves in the final book!
It’s set in amidst the bustling New York City restaurant industry in 2000 and continues to follow Josie and Derek, who now own the restaurant and re-opened it as Miss Sylvie’s Bistrot, with a New Orleans flair. But alongside the growing pains of managing the restaurant are those of their relationship, and they struggle to maintain a balance. Adding to their difficulties is Derek’s refusal to accept that Josie continues to communicate with spirits, both inside and outside of the restaurant.
This was a really good sophomore novel. I loved delving deeper into the complexities of Josie’s gift and how she navigates it, especially with Derek’s predisposition towards skepticism. I’m eager to see how their relationship evolves in the final book!
December 26, 2025
The Book of Reservations by Laura Buchwald completely moved me. This story tugged at my heartstrings from start to finish and left a lasting impression. I was captivated by the beautiful ghost connection elements and the way Josie helps others come to peace with their past and their loved ones who have passed on.The storyline involving Derek’s mom, who could still communicate with Josie even before her passing was especially powerful, as was the connection to his long-lost brother. Buchwald’s writing made these moments feel real and profoundly moving.Out of all the books I’ve read, this is one of only two that actually brought me to tears. It’s heartfelt, haunting, and filled with deep emotional truth. Such an amazing read, I can’t recommend it enough.
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December 22, 2025DNF at 100 pages.
The writing style was to my taste, but the main character and pacing were not. To be fair, the MC might grow throughout the rest of the book, hopefully to stop commenting on how she needs to focus on her appearance more and stop making eyes at other men to make her boyfriend jealous.
There are also too many side stories happening that distract from any momentum overall.
Thank you to Goodreads for the free copy. Because I did not read the first book and didn't finish this one, I am sharing the thoughts I have with full disclosure that my perspective may be limited.
The writing style was to my taste, but the main character and pacing were not. To be fair, the MC might grow throughout the rest of the book, hopefully to stop commenting on how she needs to focus on her appearance more and stop making eyes at other men to make her boyfriend jealous.
There are also too many side stories happening that distract from any momentum overall.
Thank you to Goodreads for the free copy. Because I did not read the first book and didn't finish this one, I am sharing the thoughts I have with full disclosure that my perspective may be limited.
January 26, 2026
This is a great continuation of Josie's story of communicating with the dead that she comes in contact with at her struggling restaurant. She's also struggling a bit in her relationship with Derek.
There are some new faces in this family and not all are there with the best of intentions. Josie especially feels drawn to Eduardo, she feels he has a deep sadness in him and she wants to get to know him to possibly help him. Along the way, she will be able to also help Derek with a struggle that maybe he didn't even know he was going through.
There are some new faces in this family and not all are there with the best of intentions. Josie especially feels drawn to Eduardo, she feels he has a deep sadness in him and she wants to get to know him to possibly help him. Along the way, she will be able to also help Derek with a struggle that maybe he didn't even know he was going through.
June 29, 2026
By the time I finished The Book of Reservations, I'd found my way back into the world of Josie and her friends fully. It took some time to get back there, as is sometimes the case with middle books in trilogies. Buchwalds writing continues to be excellent, and I look forward to reading the final installment when it comes out.
December 7, 2025
What a fantastic follow up to "The Coat Check Girl". I had so much fun reading about these fabulous characters and meeting new ones. It felt like reuniting with old friends I have missed so much. I can't wait for the third book in this amazing trilogy.
August 3, 2026
Buchwald has an excellent ear for dialogue which for me is crucial in creating character and atmosphere. I had high hopes after reading the first book in the series and they were fully met! Hope there is another coming!
September 1, 2026
This was a sequel to the authors debut novel, The Coat Check Girl. It was great to revisit some of the characters from the first story and move right along to a new plot. The end reveals there will be a third adventure with this young couple and their wonderful restaurant. Yay!
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