Library or Lattes? out now from Holiday House Books; 272 pages
Content Warning: Profanity
About the Author: “Lila Hazell splits her time between London and Northern Ireland, so she gets the best of both city and countryside. She loves love and spends too many hours dreaming up new romance stories. Her favorite holiday is Valentine’s Day” (Bio from Google Books).
Willa has always known her hometown, Oak Falls, as a charming place, especially once fall arrives and the streets fill with colorful leaves, and its many seasonal traditions. Still, despite its familiarity, she can’t shake the feeling that there’s something beyond her current life waiting for her. That possibility arrives when an estranged relative leaves her an unexpected inheritance, provided she spends it on experiencing life outside her hometown. From there, the story splits into two possibilities. In one timeline, Willa pursues travel writing and spends her free time preparing for a competitive program, eventually catching the attention of Theo, a cynical newcomer she repeatedly encounters at the library. In the other, she puts together an ambitious international adventure while continuing her job at a local café, where she meets James, a reserved new manager who has returned home after a painful breakup. Ultimately, both paths give Willa the chance to choose what she wants from life and love.
The cute cover and premise immediately caught my attention, but unfortunately, the actual story didn’t live up to its potential. Oak Falls was easily my favorite part. The cozy atmosphere and small-town charm created exactly the kind of setting I enjoy in fall reads. Unfortunately, the unusual narrative format made the book much harder to enjoy which was surprising to me since I typically enjoy storylines like this. The story alternates between two versions of Willa’s life, with one path centered around studying and another around her café job, but the distinction between them is barely explained. More importantly, the timelines don’t branch from the same starting point, which makes the entire concept feel messy. I also struggled with the characters. Willa frustrated me, particularly in her friendships and interactions with her dad, while the two romantic interests were even more difficult to root for. Both men are significantly older than Willa, who is still a teenager, and their inconsistent behavior toward her made the romances uncomfortable rather than enjoyable. A lot of the conflict felt manufactured, and the supporting characters never became memorable outside of their connection to Willa. There are some fun, easy-reading elements here, but ultimately, the execution didn’t match the promise of the premise.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank Holiday House Books and NetGalley for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Vanshikha Vij, Pine Reads Review Writer