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The Restoration of Celia Fairchild
“The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is wise, witty, and utterly compelling.” —Jane Green, New York Times bestselling author of The Friends We Keep
Evvie Drake Starts Over meets The Friday Night Knitting Club in this wise and witty novel about a fired advice columnist who discovers lost and found family members in Charleston, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Second Sister.
Celia Fairchild, known as advice columnist ‘Dear Calpurnia’, has insight into everybody’s problems — except her own. Still bruised by the end of a marriage she thought was her last chance to create a family, Celia receives an unexpected answer to a “Dear Birthmother” letter. Celia throws herself into proving she’s a perfect adoptive mother material — with a stable home and income — only to lose her job. Her one option: sell the Charleston house left to her by her recently departed, estranged Aunt Calpurnia.
Arriving in Charleston, Celia learns that Calpurnia had become a hoarder, the house is a wreck, and selling it will require a drastic, rapid makeover. The task of renovation seems overwhelming and risky. But with the help of new neighbors, old friends, and an unlikely sisterhood of strong, creative women who need her as much as she needs them, Celia knits together the truth about her estranged family — and about herself.
The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is an unforgettable novel of secrets revealed, laughter released, creativity rediscovered, and waves of wisdom by a writer Robyn Carr calls "my go-to author for feel-good novels.”
Evvie Drake Starts Over meets The Friday Night Knitting Club in this wise and witty novel about a fired advice columnist who discovers lost and found family members in Charleston, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Second Sister.
Celia Fairchild, known as advice columnist ‘Dear Calpurnia’, has insight into everybody’s problems — except her own. Still bruised by the end of a marriage she thought was her last chance to create a family, Celia receives an unexpected answer to a “Dear Birthmother” letter. Celia throws herself into proving she’s a perfect adoptive mother material — with a stable home and income — only to lose her job. Her one option: sell the Charleston house left to her by her recently departed, estranged Aunt Calpurnia.
Arriving in Charleston, Celia learns that Calpurnia had become a hoarder, the house is a wreck, and selling it will require a drastic, rapid makeover. The task of renovation seems overwhelming and risky. But with the help of new neighbors, old friends, and an unlikely sisterhood of strong, creative women who need her as much as she needs them, Celia knits together the truth about her estranged family — and about herself.
The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is an unforgettable novel of secrets revealed, laughter released, creativity rediscovered, and waves of wisdom by a writer Robyn Carr calls "my go-to author for feel-good novels.”
416 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2021
488 people are currently reading
10215 people want to read
About the author
Marie Bostwick
42 books1,816 followersMarie Bostwick is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of uplifting historical and contemporary fiction. She lives in the state of Washington and travels frequently to sign books, speak to reading groups, and meet her readers. Keep up with Marie, her travels, new releases and lifestyle blog, Fiercely Marie, at www.mariebostwick.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 748 reviews
April 9, 2022
A Perfect Blend of Characters, Setting and Story
SUMMARY
When Celia Fairchild, a NYC advice columnist of the Dear Capurnia column receives a late night phone call, her life changes forever. Celia is one of three “couples” being considered by a young birth mother to adopt her baby. She throws herself into proving that despite her recent divorce she’s still perfect adoptive mother material. But when she loses her big city job, her only option might be to sell the old family Charleston home left to her by her recently departed, Aunt Calpurnia. But Celia soon learns the house is a wreck and needs a fast makeover. Is it even possible to have a renovation done in time for a meeting with the birth mother and her parents?
REVIEW
The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is a delightful uplifting novel of friendship, family and resilience. It is both hilarious and poignant. Author Marie Bostwick’s writing is delightfully fresh and she has woven a perfect blend of characters, setting and story. It is a light, fast and enjoyable read, ideal for the reading during the pandemic and beyond.
Celia Fairchild’s character, the new bonds she forms, and her fortitude in the face of adversity were just a few of the story elements that made this book captivating. Ceila Fairchild comes to life on the pages of this soulful story of courage and hopefulness.
Marie Bostwick is a NYT and USA Today best-selling author of eighteen uplifting works of historical and contemporary fiction. Most recently, Hope on the Inside was published in March 2019 and chosen as a Reader’s Digest “Select Edition” book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Publisher William Morrow and Custom House
Published March 2, 2021
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
SUMMARY
When Celia Fairchild, a NYC advice columnist of the Dear Capurnia column receives a late night phone call, her life changes forever. Celia is one of three “couples” being considered by a young birth mother to adopt her baby. She throws herself into proving that despite her recent divorce she’s still perfect adoptive mother material. But when she loses her big city job, her only option might be to sell the old family Charleston home left to her by her recently departed, Aunt Calpurnia. But Celia soon learns the house is a wreck and needs a fast makeover. Is it even possible to have a renovation done in time for a meeting with the birth mother and her parents?
REVIEW
The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is a delightful uplifting novel of friendship, family and resilience. It is both hilarious and poignant. Author Marie Bostwick’s writing is delightfully fresh and she has woven a perfect blend of characters, setting and story. It is a light, fast and enjoyable read, ideal for the reading during the pandemic and beyond.
Celia Fairchild’s character, the new bonds she forms, and her fortitude in the face of adversity were just a few of the story elements that made this book captivating. Ceila Fairchild comes to life on the pages of this soulful story of courage and hopefulness.
Marie Bostwick is a NYT and USA Today best-selling author of eighteen uplifting works of historical and contemporary fiction. Most recently, Hope on the Inside was published in March 2019 and chosen as a Reader’s Digest “Select Edition” book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Publisher William Morrow and Custom House
Published March 2, 2021
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
March 12, 2021
What an endearing book! I loved it! It never would have crossed my radar (and THAT would have been a shame) if I had not read a review of one of my friends here at Goodreads. Read those reviews! There are gems a plenty there!
April 9, 2022
This is a story about Celia's journey of self-discovery and longing for motherhood. The book synopsis is pretty accurate, though I didn't find the story to be as witty as I'd expected. Overall, I enjoyed this heartwarming story about Celia's journey and the friends who helped her along the way.
Books this story reminded me of:
The Hideaway
A Season for Second Chances
Christmas Every Day
3.5 rounded to 4
Books this story reminded me of:
The Hideaway
A Season for Second Chances
Christmas Every Day
3.5 rounded to 4
March 2, 2025
Everyone deserves an opportunity for a second chance. A chance to change oneself. We just need to believe we are capable of taking that leap.
And even though Celia saw herself mostly in her persona Calpurnia, there was someone deeper inside of her – the desire to be a mother, a writer, a person with a deeper commitment to life. Could it be achieved?
A move, a house, a group of neighbors, friends, extended family, make this story heartfelt and a pleasure read.
We root for Celia and her transformation.
We enjoy the characters and tell ourself, can you be my best friend, too?
And even though Celia saw herself mostly in her persona Calpurnia, there was someone deeper inside of her – the desire to be a mother, a writer, a person with a deeper commitment to life. Could it be achieved?
A move, a house, a group of neighbors, friends, extended family, make this story heartfelt and a pleasure read.
We root for Celia and her transformation.
We enjoy the characters and tell ourself, can you be my best friend, too?
September 17, 2020
As usual for novels by Marie Bostwick, this one is a highly recommend!! Her writing style is funny and very real, with characters who have all the same insecurities as the rest of us. The dialogue feels natural, and the story flows in a way that makes her novels almost impossible to put down. Celia's relationship with her gay best friend is a hoot, and several times I laughed out loud at his observations and antics. Through joy and heartbreak, Celia rebuilds her life as she restores an inherited, hoarded house to a livable condition. She mends a friendship and finds new connections along the way, taking chances, loving and being loved, and finds that being a part of a family has many definitions. I loved the ending, honoring the past while looking toward a hopeful future, on Thanksgiving day, perfect. Finding a way to make connections resonates with me now, as we all try to navigate our way in this time of reduced activities and constant vigilance. This book of friends and family, of finding a new life from the ashes of the old one, and moving forward in the face of adversity is ultimately heartwarming and hopeful. I received an advance proof to review.
October 27, 2021
Cute story of Celia Fairchild, an advise columnist from New York City, who falls down on her luck with her job, marriage, and having a baby. Only to find out she has inherited a house from her aunt, a house that could easily be a Hoarders episode, in Charleston, South Carolina. With nothing to lose, Celia moves to Charleston, and finds a group of neighbors, long lost friends, an attorney and his brother, who become more family than she ever knew - they don't always have to be blood related.
May 6, 2023
THE RESTORATION OF CELIA FAIRCHILD
The book by Marie Bostwick was fairly engaging, witty, and fun. YEP, it was fun. I enjoyed Celia's character as she moved from New Yorker back to a South Carolinian. I particularly enjoyed the members of her family and how they related. The southern relationships were worth an extra star, so the fourth star for sure. It was light and airy, had a great deal of southern attention to detail.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
The book by Marie Bostwick was fairly engaging, witty, and fun. YEP, it was fun. I enjoyed Celia's character as she moved from New Yorker back to a South Carolinian. I particularly enjoyed the members of her family and how they related. The southern relationships were worth an extra star, so the fourth star for sure. It was light and airy, had a great deal of southern attention to detail.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
May 29, 2021
I liked the house, and the setting. Otherwise the book was too slow, too sign-seeing, and somehow both too long but also lacking in important details. Are we supposed to like Calpurnia, knowing what she did? Maybe if we got to see her redeem herself, we would understand more why Celia named her column after her. This book left too much unexplained.
I did like the house, though.
I did like the house, though.
Read
May 29, 2021Classic Southern Women's lit! An enjoyable story with some quality characters. Well done!
March 20, 2021
What an enjoyable book! If you are in the mood for something light, fun, and inspiring... this is a good one! Celia loses her job as an advice columnist in NYC and is recently divorced. Her aunt has passed away and has left her home in Charleston South Carolina to her. Only this home needs a ton of work done. Celia decides to move there and fix it up, and also wants to adopt, and become a parent. I loved Celia's character, and all of the characters that Celia connects with throughout the book. They were so real! I also really loved the southern setting, and reading this just made me feel so happy and it was great to escape everytime I picked up this book!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own!
August 26, 2020
This is my 11th book by Marie Bostwick so I was excited to see she came out with a new book for 2021. This is a feel-good type of book which is exactly what we need right now during this pandemic we’re in. I enjoyed the story about Celia and all the renovations she did to her old house. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published March 2021.
March 6, 2021
My mother always told me that the most talented people invite you to their craft so smoothly they make it look easy: until you take the time to unravel all of the threads that sewed up their inimitable gift.
So it is with Marie Bostwick whose penchant for shining the light in the corners of women often overlooked in real life, is blasted to flourished colour in a journey of self-discovery told with warmth, humour and the bit of a je ne sais quoi that separates those rare storytellers.
Life is celebrated here: through Celia-- whom I identified with but also so wanted to be. Her authenticity, her attempt to patch up others when she has rifts herself. Her sheer... humanity.
This book in all of its colour and vibrant wit --- is the antidote to a year of forced isolation. It is of family forged and spirits rebuilt. The hope and magic of sisterhood will certainly appeal to readers of Susan Wiggs, Linda Holmes and Maddie Dawson.... but the magic of Bostwick is this: while you may think of similar reads as you visit Charlestown, the trope of a young woman rediscovering herself through an estranged connection, a treatise on starting over, you realize you have not read this story before... because you have not had it handled in Bostwick's own special, unputdownable way.
Make this a netflix series already.
So it is with Marie Bostwick whose penchant for shining the light in the corners of women often overlooked in real life, is blasted to flourished colour in a journey of self-discovery told with warmth, humour and the bit of a je ne sais quoi that separates those rare storytellers.
Life is celebrated here: through Celia-- whom I identified with but also so wanted to be. Her authenticity, her attempt to patch up others when she has rifts herself. Her sheer... humanity.
This book in all of its colour and vibrant wit --- is the antidote to a year of forced isolation. It is of family forged and spirits rebuilt. The hope and magic of sisterhood will certainly appeal to readers of Susan Wiggs, Linda Holmes and Maddie Dawson.... but the magic of Bostwick is this: while you may think of similar reads as you visit Charlestown, the trope of a young woman rediscovering herself through an estranged connection, a treatise on starting over, you realize you have not read this story before... because you have not had it handled in Bostwick's own special, unputdownable way.
Make this a netflix series already.
March 27, 2021
Dnf at 20%
Boring, slow moving, overly detailed, and far too similar to other stories already told.
I was interested because it was compared to Evie Drake Starts Over but it lacks the pace, Witt, and humor of that book.
The book also takes place primarily in Charleston (but also opens in NYC). I’ve lived in both cities, which usually endears books to me, but here I found the portrayals inauthentic and with Charleston specifically insulting and overly gratuitous to “the literary south” (meaning lifetime network south not the real south)
It definitely had the “this author isnt from here and hasn’t lived here” vibe
Bummer
That said, if you like this kind of novel you will probably like it more than I did
Boring, slow moving, overly detailed, and far too similar to other stories already told.
I was interested because it was compared to Evie Drake Starts Over but it lacks the pace, Witt, and humor of that book.
The book also takes place primarily in Charleston (but also opens in NYC). I’ve lived in both cities, which usually endears books to me, but here I found the portrayals inauthentic and with Charleston specifically insulting and overly gratuitous to “the literary south” (meaning lifetime network south not the real south)
It definitely had the “this author isnt from here and hasn’t lived here” vibe
Bummer
That said, if you like this kind of novel you will probably like it more than I did
February 3, 2021
Oh. My. Goodness. This BOOK 😍❤️ It was endearing, funny, emotional, and authentic. I loved all the characters and the relationships between them. I loved seeing Celia grow, change, and learn to trust—both herself and others. I didn’t want it to end, and this author did an incredible job at keeping me on my toes till the very last page. If you’re looking for a feel good story with a lot of heart and whit, that explores the value of friendship, and reminds you of the importance in being who you are, whoever you are; then check out “The Restoration of Celia Fairchild” available on March 2!
May 18, 2021
I absolutely loved this story. It held me, spoke to me, let me immerse into it. The story was wise, funny and had wonderfully brilliant characters. I love it when a book can give me hope and a sense of peace... if only for just a few blissful hours.
April 28, 2021
Celia Fairchild left Charleston to pursue her dream of being a journalist in NYC. She lands a job writing an advice column as beloved "Dear Calpurnia", drawing on her southern roots to offer sound, compassionate answers to all who write to her. But when her newspaper sells to a big corporation and she looses her job Celia is is left floundering over her future, especially after having just received a chance at adopting a baby she's spent years yearning for. When her Aunt passes away and leaves Celia her childhood home in Charleston it may prove to be her path forward. What she didn't expect was to reconnect with old friends, new neighbors and a chance at love and fulfilling her dreams.
Filled with strong female characters, humor, insight and numerous poignant moments, another winner by Marie Bostwick.
Filled with strong female characters, humor, insight and numerous poignant moments, another winner by Marie Bostwick.
July 6, 2021
This is probably a great book, I think I’m just not a fan of women’s fiction.
I found this book so boring it put me to sleep 2 night in a row, so I gave it gave it an extra star for being a sleep aid.
I found this book so boring it put me to sleep 2 night in a row, so I gave it gave it an extra star for being a sleep aid.
March 11, 2021
I really liked this book! It was a great work of Women's Fiction, putting romance on the back burner to instead take a deeper look into an almost middle-aged woman trying to start her life fresh after a failed marriage and losing a job she loves. This book also does an excellent job at using the cast of characters surrounding Celia in her reclaimed hometown of Charleston SC, making the reader feel like part of a much bigger story than just the one surrounding Celia.
This novel has been compared to Evvie Drake Starts Over and, while they definitely have similarities, I think they are quite different stories. Celia Fairchild is more focused on Celia's dream of adopting a child as, with the end of her marriage, she didn't want that dream to have to end as well. This adds a different layer to the story and I feel as though some people that have been through the adoption process may be critical to how its portrayed.
As I mentioned above, the "romance" in this story is by no means one of the main storylines. It makes an appearance but a casual one at best, which I appreciated as it allowed for more growth to occur with the building of Celia's friendships as well as her coming to terms with her own family history.
I did feel that the story of Celia's upbringing was a little hard to track. There was a lot going on there and it was brought up a little randomly, forcing the reader to try and remember the previous pieces they had been given about her puzzling heritage. I wish that this had perhaps been kept a little simpler and told in one chunk so as not to dim the bigger plot being broached with Celia's journey as a mature woman.
This is would be an absoutely perfect book to bring on vacation or have as a pool/beach read. It was honestly hard to put down because I just adored spending time with Celia and her neighbors and friends. It tackled harder issues with reality, class, and a bit of humor and was an overall joy to read.
This novel has been compared to Evvie Drake Starts Over and, while they definitely have similarities, I think they are quite different stories. Celia Fairchild is more focused on Celia's dream of adopting a child as, with the end of her marriage, she didn't want that dream to have to end as well. This adds a different layer to the story and I feel as though some people that have been through the adoption process may be critical to how its portrayed.
As I mentioned above, the "romance" in this story is by no means one of the main storylines. It makes an appearance but a casual one at best, which I appreciated as it allowed for more growth to occur with the building of Celia's friendships as well as her coming to terms with her own family history.
I did feel that the story of Celia's upbringing was a little hard to track. There was a lot going on there and it was brought up a little randomly, forcing the reader to try and remember the previous pieces they had been given about her puzzling heritage. I wish that this had perhaps been kept a little simpler and told in one chunk so as not to dim the bigger plot being broached with Celia's journey as a mature woman.
This is would be an absoutely perfect book to bring on vacation or have as a pool/beach read. It was honestly hard to put down because I just adored spending time with Celia and her neighbors and friends. It tackled harder issues with reality, class, and a bit of humor and was an overall joy to read.
August 24, 2021
Narration: 4 stars 🌟
Story: 4.5 stars 🌟
---
So glad this lived up to my excitement:).
Definitely want to visit Charleston one day, sounds like a great city.
Glad there was only a hint of romance in here and the focus was on Celia growing into and finding herself. I was proud of her so many times over the course of the story and I love how she helped other people and growed her own little pseudo family.
A few twists and turns had me wanting to hug and kick (not at the same time) different people during certain happenings. After one instance, I was giving out high fives.:) (a few times involved talking out loud to the characters too hehe).
A few things that Celia said/thought struck home for me and had me thinking in between listenings for this. Sometimes a book comes into your life at just the right time <3
Would recommend 👌 👍
Story: 4.5 stars 🌟
---
So glad this lived up to my excitement:).
Definitely want to visit Charleston one day, sounds like a great city.
Glad there was only a hint of romance in here and the focus was on Celia growing into and finding herself. I was proud of her so many times over the course of the story and I love how she helped other people and growed her own little pseudo family.
A few twists and turns had me wanting to hug and kick (not at the same time) different people during certain happenings. After one instance, I was giving out high fives.:) (a few times involved talking out loud to the characters too hehe).
A few things that Celia said/thought struck home for me and had me thinking in between listenings for this. Sometimes a book comes into your life at just the right time <3
Would recommend 👌 👍
May 23, 2024
This is my second Marie Bostwick novel and I enjoyed it as much as the first. This is a story about broken dreams and second chances yet without being neatly wrapped up with a bow. It's about not only picking oneself up after dashed dreams but it's about considering new dreams or taking a new path--something you didn't expect but are open to. It's a lesson that I needed to be reminded of and I enjoy getting that reminder from realistic life experiences and quirky but loving characters.
April 1, 2021
Celia Fairchild is living in New York City and writes a successful advice column under a pen name. She’s recently divorced and is hoping to adopt a baby. When she approaches her boss for a raise, she is told that the online newspaper has been sold, she is being replaced and the paper owns the rights to her column’s name, Dear Calpurnia.
Unsure of her future, Celia travels back to Charleston, S.C. upon learning of the death of her Aunt Calpurnia, the woman who inspired her column. She inherits her aunt’s home and is shocked to find the house in need of serious repairs and a massive clean-up as Calpurnia had become a hoarder. The decision to restore the family home turns into a project that soon connects Celia to a community of old and new friends who become a new family to her as she continues to pursue becoming a mother through adoption.
Marie Bostwick’s new book is a lovely story of a woman who is not only working to repair a house but also has a chance to rebuild her life and come to terms with her past. For everyone who has felt grief and disappointment, Celia is a caring woman you can truly root for. She is surrounded by a group of endearing characters who are the type of friends we all seek.
The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is a heartwarming and often humorous feel-good book. An enjoyable read.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Unsure of her future, Celia travels back to Charleston, S.C. upon learning of the death of her Aunt Calpurnia, the woman who inspired her column. She inherits her aunt’s home and is shocked to find the house in need of serious repairs and a massive clean-up as Calpurnia had become a hoarder. The decision to restore the family home turns into a project that soon connects Celia to a community of old and new friends who become a new family to her as she continues to pursue becoming a mother through adoption.
Marie Bostwick’s new book is a lovely story of a woman who is not only working to repair a house but also has a chance to rebuild her life and come to terms with her past. For everyone who has felt grief and disappointment, Celia is a caring woman you can truly root for. She is surrounded by a group of endearing characters who are the type of friends we all seek.
The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is a heartwarming and often humorous feel-good book. An enjoyable read.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
November 26, 2021
I wanted more out of this. The premise was good, but it fell short.
February 3, 2022
This is an absolutely lovely feel-good read!
I have been struggling a bit this week for a number of reasons I am not going to go into. This book not only lifted my spirits but also put me in a productive mood, which is saying something! Celia was such a relatable character, and even though I am in nowhere near the same situation as she found herself in, I found myself identifying with a lot of the underlying struggles that she went through. Because of that, as Celia worked through her problems, I was able to relate her solutions and revelations to what was going on in my own life and made me feel better about where I was. Very well done on Marie Bostwick's part!
I also adored the entire cast of supporting characters, which is a bonus!
If you are looking for a spirit-lifting book or just something with feel-good vibes that will put a smile on your face, this book is for you!
I have been struggling a bit this week for a number of reasons I am not going to go into. This book not only lifted my spirits but also put me in a productive mood, which is saying something! Celia was such a relatable character, and even though I am in nowhere near the same situation as she found herself in, I found myself identifying with a lot of the underlying struggles that she went through. Because of that, as Celia worked through her problems, I was able to relate her solutions and revelations to what was going on in my own life and made me feel better about where I was. Very well done on Marie Bostwick's part!
I also adored the entire cast of supporting characters, which is a bonus!
If you are looking for a spirit-lifting book or just something with feel-good vibes that will put a smile on your face, this book is for you!
March 20, 2021
A sweet story full of humor guaranteed to leave you feeling good. After living in New York for years, flying high as a popular columnist, Celia returns to her childhood home in Charleston. She's lost her job and ended her marriage. But the worst part is she feels she has lost her identify because the paper owns her pen name, Calpurnia, and they are giving the "Dear Calpurnia" column to a writer who will do it for a much smaller salary. A quick and easy read full of quirky characters. Descriptions of Charleston make you feel like you've been there.
February 13, 2021
This was a fun and meaningful story about having the courage to start over, taking risks, being yourself, and much more. The author created charming and down-to-earth characters and I loved them all. If you’re looking for a light read that will also give you some things to ponder, this one is for you!
October 10, 2025
Pretty dumb. Only the Charleston setting saved it from a 2
April 7, 2022
This was a sweet story that melts your heart. The characters and Celia’s story were heartwarming.
April 29, 2021
3.75 Stars
Kind of a slow, drawn out start, but then it all comes together and delivers a truly heartfelt and fun story about the friendship of women, romance, and new family.
March 2, 2021
I can’t believe I’ve never read a Marie Bostwick novel until now. I really enjoyed her writing.
This story is heartwarming—I laughed and I cried. I even took notes! I haven’t done that in forever. There were so many nuggets of wisdom in this book like “trading hostages” and “Just-in-Time Inventory.”
Celia is up against a lot right up until the end, but isn’t real life like that at times? I love books with main characters who are writers. Celia is an advice columnist who gives the best advice but doesn’t apply it to herself. Most of the time Celia doesn’t get what she wants but is able to roll with the punches and there are quite a few jabs, so to speak. A sense of community is at the heart of this novel and is so beautifully written. Most of the book takes place in Charleston. It’s the perfect setting for a book about family, friendship and belonging. There were even a few twists I didn’t see coming. If you’re looking for a book with all the feels—I highly recommend reading this. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to Net Galley and William Morris for my #gifted copy.
Thank you to Net Galley and William Morris for my #gifted copy.
This story is heartwarming—I laughed and I cried. I even took notes! I haven’t done that in forever. There were so many nuggets of wisdom in this book like “trading hostages” and “Just-in-Time Inventory.”
Celia is up against a lot right up until the end, but isn’t real life like that at times? I love books with main characters who are writers. Celia is an advice columnist who gives the best advice but doesn’t apply it to herself. Most of the time Celia doesn’t get what she wants but is able to roll with the punches and there are quite a few jabs, so to speak. A sense of community is at the heart of this novel and is so beautifully written. Most of the book takes place in Charleston. It’s the perfect setting for a book about family, friendship and belonging. There were even a few twists I didn’t see coming. If you’re looking for a book with all the feels—I highly recommend reading this. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to Net Galley and William Morris for my #gifted copy.
Thank you to Net Galley and William Morris for my #gifted copy.
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