Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins by Katarina Bivald

☆☆☆1/2
ebook, 448 pages
Expected publication: January 7th 2020 by Sourcebooks Landmark
About the Book:
A charming tale of the folks who reunite at a ramshackle roadside motel in Pine Creek, Oregon, after the unfortunate death of Henny, a local who worked at the cabins all her life, and who isn't going to let a tiny thing like death stop her from living fully — not when her friends and her little town need her the most.

I am surprised this book doesn't have a higher rating. The characters are well-formed and distinct, with meaningful arcs and none of their stories are resolved magically or in ways that feel cheap. This was much more than I expected. Death, grief, love, regrets, hope....sounds deep and depressing, but this was told with humor. Never preachy, but engaging and uplifting. This was a very enjoyable read. The place we arrive at with each character feels earned.

There are so many funny, touching, sad, and straight up happy moments in this book that it was truly a wonderful ride to be on. I was sad when I made it to the final chapter because I knew the story was about to end. It’s truly a story of love and loss as well as finding oneself even when one thinks it’s too late. There is a lot of sorrow, but it's held up by a deep core of empathy and compassion that carries it to a solid close.

Bottom Line: Unique, sad, funny, and lovely read. I highly recommend giving it a go!

Thank you NetGalley, Katarina Bivald and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

#NetGalley