Katherine Reay delivers a story of new beginnings and healing the soul with “Of Literature & Lattes,” which takes place shortly after the ending of her prior novel, “The Printed Letter Bookshop.”
Alyssa finds herself returning home to Winsome, Illinois, after losing her plum job when a major scandal hits the company where she works. Even though their relationship is deeply strained, she must move back in with her mother, Janet — prominently featured in “The Printed Letter Bookshop.” Not only homeless, Alyssa finds herself jobless, penniless, and constantly popping Tums.
Newcomer to Winsome, Jeremy is attempting to turn the beloved hometown coffee shop into a trendy business, but struggles to find his footing in town. He’s also striving to build a relationship with his 7-year-old daughter, Becca. He hopes to be the father he lost when he was young, while building a successful business.
As the paths of Alyssa and Jeremy cross, they find themselves not only developing feelings for each other, but finding ways they can help each other toward their goals.
“Of Literature & Lattes” is a delightful romance filled with not only love, but a little intrigue and mystery, as well as overcoming tragedies and misunderstandings. Reay develops incredibly relatable characters, as well as bringing back many of the beloved people from “The Printed Letter Bookshop.”
She also includes many great themes throughout this story, including everything is being made new; it’s hard to let go and let help in; we must love others just the way they are; we have to accept what we can’t change but have the courage to try; dwelling on the unknown gets us nowhere; and we all mess up, but there is grace to be had.
Grace and forgiveness are both huge themes throughout Reay’s novel — what happens when we don’t forgive; finding grace and understanding for people’s weaknesses; and you can ask for forgiveness but you can’t control their response.
Even though this story takes place after “The Printed Letter Bookshop,” it could be read as a standalone, although I’d highly recommend reading the other novel. And some storylines in “Of Literature & Lattes” seemed to be left hanging, so I hope there’s another book coming.
Five stars out of five.
Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.