Storybook Ending - Fiction Review

 Goodreads: Storybook Ending by Poppy Alexander

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:   From the author of The Littlest Library —a heartwarming novel about a widowed children’s book author who moves into a cottage in the English countryside and finds herself face-to-face with the handsome and brooding blacksmith who lives next door. In her books she can write “happily ever after”—but real life? That’s another matter… For children’s book author Imogen, an idyllic life in the English countryside seems like the perfect fit for her and her husband. But when tragedy strikes, Imogen is left widowed, and finds herself moving into Storybook Cottage alone with only her monstrously narcissistic cat for company. After discovering she is pregnant, Imogen grows determined to embrace a new start in Middlemass, with its duckpond, cricket matches and village fêtes. The only thing Imogen can’t seem to shake is her neighbor—a brooding, artisan blacksmith named Zach—who she can’t quite decide is friend or foe. That is until she realizes, thanks to an arcane clause in her deeds, that Zach is not just an artist, but lord of the local manor house. He has the power to take her home and leave her completely broke. Devastatingly—he seems keen to do exactly that. Yet, Imogen finds herself drawn to him nonetheless. And in her darkest hour, Zach may just be the bright spot to save Imogen in more ways than one.

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoyed The Littlest Library so I had to try this one.

My Impression: This was a lovely cozy read with a likable main character and a delightful English village setting.  Plus, how can I resist a place called the Dower Cottage.  It sounds like it came straight out of an Agatha Christie.  The last little bit has not been kind to Imogen.  After a not quite successful marriage ends with her being left a widow she finds herself the owner of a little cottage her husband had bought just before he died.  

Imogen has a lot to sort out.  She still has to figure out her feelings about her marriage, figure out how she's going to earn enough money to live on, and just how she fits into life in a small village.  Along with that she has a few new neighbors to make friends with - including her neighbor Gabriel who manages to fascinate her and annoy her all at once.  

But this isn't all cozy garden parties and country walks.  A major problem is looming over Imogen's head connected to Gabriel and Imogen finds herself more conflicted.  I do like books involving characters figuring out what they want out of life and this had that in spades.  I thoroughly enjoyed this read and also really liked the writing style.  This is the second book I've read from this author and the second one I've really enjoyed.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would!  I've enjoyed both books I've read from this author and am looking forward to reading more from her.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you're looking for a nice cozy read that isn't too cutesy or silly this is a great choice.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *