Title: Of Literature and Lattes
Author: Katherine Reay
Genre: Chick-Lit
Publishing Date: May 12, 2020
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Length: 336 Pages
About the Book:
Katherine Reay returns to the cozy and delightful town of Winsome where two people discover the grace of letting go and the joy found in unexpected change.
After fleeing her hometown three years earlier, Alyssa Harrison never planned to return. Then the Silicon Valley start-up she worked for collapsed and turned her world upside down. She is broke, under FBI investigation, and without a place to go. Having exhausted every option, she comes home to Winsome, Illinois, to regroup then move on as quickly as possible. Yet, as friends and family welcome her back, Alyssa begins to see a place for herself in this small Midwestern community.
Jeremy Mitchell moved from Seattle to Winsome to be near his daughter and to open the coffee shop he’s been dreaming of for years. Problem is, the business is bleeding money—and he’s not quite sure why. When he meets Alyssa, he senses an immediate connection, but what he needs most is someone to help him save his floundering business. After asking for her help, he wonders if something might grow between them—but forces beyond their control soon complicate their already complex lives, and the future they both hoped for is not at all what they anticipated.
With the help of Winsome’s small-town charm and quirky residents, Alyssa and Jeremy discover the beauty and romance of second chances.
My Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed The Printed Letter Bookshop (TPLBS) and so I was nice to step back into the world with familiar characters along with some added new ones. Although this wasn’t listed as a series, I would actually strongly suggest reading TPLBS first in this case. If not, I can see it being very difficult to keep track of all the characters. Also, I think Alyssa’s backstory is too important to skip.
While I liked stepping back into Winsome, I have to admit I enjoyed TPLBS more. I was able to feel for Alyssa in the very beginning when the legal trouble with her job was described, but aside from that I wasn’t able to make myself like her. My favorite characters were Jeremy and his daughter Becca (and no, it’s not just because of the shared name haha). Jeremy seemed more genuine and he was much easier to root for.
There were parts of the story that I found engaging and others that seemed to lull. It’s hard to love a story when you can’t connect with the main characters though. I still highly recommend TPLBS and if you enjoy(ed) that one then it’s still worth it to give this one a go.
*I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours and NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Rating: 
[…] Of Literature and Lattes […]