Book Review: At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber

Rating: 4.5⭐

Twenty-seven-year-old Ava Harrison has spent most of her sheltered life tethered to her fear of new experiences on account of a health condition that restricted her activities throughout her childhood and early adulthood. Though she has been in remission for two years now, the fear of falling ill again keeps her from enjoying everything life has to offer. But when she receives a mysterious letter written by her deceased former boyfriend with a job listing in the coastal town of Driftwood Alabama, she decides to take a chance on herself and step out of her comfort zone. Ava can feel a change in herself the moment she arrives in Driftwood but is also curious about who sent her the letter and why?

“Everything you’ve always wanted is only a job interview away.”

Ava’s trip to Alabama brings her to Magpie’s, a coffee shop run by thirty-eight-year-old Maggie Brightwell who had briefly advertised for a caretaker for her father, sixty-eight-year-old Desmond ”Dez” Brightwell, whose increasingly erratic behavior has her concerned. Maggie, takes a liking to Ava and employs her, dividing her work between helping Desmond and helping out at the café. Maggie, a single mother whose son Noah is away at college, hides much pain and past trauma underneath her cheerful demeanor. The café belonged to her mother who is assumed to have died in a swimming mishap years ago – a loss that has haunted Maggie who finds it difficult to acknowledge her death. In memory of her mother, she keeps everything the same and is resistant to initiating any kind of change in how the café is operated – a fact that frustrates her father who is rumored to be considering selling the café much to Maggie’s dismay. Her café is the heart of the town and caters to its quirky residents, with each of whom Maggie shares a special rapport. Maggie’s café also houses a “Curiosity Corner” – a collection of odd items collected by Maggie over the years from which she matches items to those whom she senses need them the most.

“The Curiosities most often acted as reminders of something that once brought joy that might be missing from that person’s life. Then they sparked a desire to seek that happiness again.”

The narrative follows Ava and Maggie as they both embark on a personal journey of grief, acceptance, and catharsis and open their hearts to change and new opportunities with the help of their friends, neighbors and a little bit of magic.

Combining elements of magical realism with a touch of intrigue, humor, romance, and small-town drama, At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber is a beautifully – penned novel. The narrative is presented from the first-person perspectives of Ava and Maggie and flows well at an even pace. Both Ava and Maggie are well-fleshed-out characters and I absolutely adored Dez and his quirks as well as the enigmatic Estrelle whose gift of “knowing” keeps everyone on their toes. I also enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters (including Norman, the “quabarking” dog, Molly the cat, and a very interesting chicken by the name of Cluck Cluck) and loved how the author describes the small-town dynamics – the rivalries, love stories, the gossip, the camaraderie and the local customs. Grief and fear of the unknown can often consume our lives and this story is one of how one can find courage and support in oneself and in one another to move forward. The symbolism of the butterfly was beautifully incorporated into Ava’s journey. This is a heartwarming read that revolves around themes of found family, belongingness, hope and healing. I was invested in this story from the very fort page and would have loved to stay with these characters a little longer. This is my first time reading a Heather Webber novel and now I’m eager to explore her backlist.

Many thanks to Tor Publishing Group for my gifted hardcover copy.

I paired my reading with the incredible audio narration by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis who made the setting and characters come alive, making for an engaging immersion reading experience. Many thanks for Macmillan Audio for the ALC of At the Coffeeshop of Curiosities.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

“Hard times could be overcome, given time. Given heart. Given determination. Life could be rebuilt. Fresh starts were possible.”