So Much to Love in a Brand New Series!
Nevermore Bookstore
Townsend Harbor (Book 1)
Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Oliver Heber Books
March 28, 2023
ebook, paperback
363
Cadence “Cady” Bloomquist knows two things for sure: First, shelving books at her shop, Nevermore Bookstore, totally counts as cardio. Second, staying late every Thursday night to take a certain mysterious customer’s order is not the same as waiting by the phone for some man.
Until.
Until the calls with the man who identifies himself only as “Fox” last for hours, and become the highlight of her week. Which leaves her to wonder, if his jagged velvet voice can kindle her fire over the phone, what sort of alchemy might it inspire if they met in person?
There’s nothing Roman Fawkes wants more than the brilliant, beautiful bookstore owner, but Roman Fawkes knows it can never happen. Secreted in his mountain hideaway high above sleepy little Townsend Harbor, his hermit’s existence shields him–and those around him–from the pain of his past.
Until.
Until one of their weekly calls is interrupted by a break-in, and Fawkes is powerless to protect the woman who has become his one link to the world. Orchestrating a trap for the fool who dared harm her, Fawkes finds himself not just ensnared, but beguiled by her. Now so close to Cady, he discovers she’s fallen for “Fox”, and yet he’s unable to reveal her heart’s desire is closer than she thinks.
Can Fawkes resist the temptation to get between Cady’s covers, knowing they’ll never have a happily ever after?
It wasn’t that she was waiting, per se. Waiting by the phone was absolutely not a thing that Cody did, and especially not for a man.—Nevermore Bookstore
There is something to be said about a writing duo. Nevermore Bookstore absolutely holds magic within its pages. Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin had me hooked from the dedication. Here’s a snippet: “This is for the rest of us: Those of us born in quicksand, who had to start this journey already exhausted from surviving and/or rescuing ourselves and others…”
This entire book turns all expectations on their head. From the chapter titles, which feature a singular word important to that particular chapter and its definition, to the cover which lends to the spooky vibes of the bookstore but doesn’t take away from the fact that this romance is real, messy, but full of grit. We meet Cady right off the bat. She’s relatable. She has any bookworm’s dream job of owning a small town bookstore, and she’s got a crush over a deep-voiced man she’s never met. Can we say highly relatable content? This mysterious man, only known as Fox, is the enigmatic but wealthy reader who calls promptly each week after business hours to talk books and place his order for the upcoming week.
“It’s Fox.” Two syllables, two goddammed syllables of that smoky, sexy fireside voice, and her vital organs turned to melted butter.—Nevermore Bookstore
Poor Fox. Or should we say Fawkes? He’s been determined to stay physically away from Cady but when he’s on the line during an attempted break-in, Fawkes decides that throwing caution to the wind is more important than keeping his distance to the woman of his dreams. He decides to take on a fake identity in order to keep a closer eye on Cady. It’s only when he realizes that she’s been hiding a chronic illness that he realizes that maybe her own personal demons are a little too similar to his own.
Nevermore Bookstore is full of side characters that I couldn’t get enough of, and I cannot wait to see what else Kerrigan and Cynthia have in store for their new series. Cady and Fawkes certainly know how to shake up the town (and the sheriff to boot). Nevermore Bookstore is so much more than a swoony romance. It features mental health issues as well as struggles with illnesses that invisible to all but those who experience them. Grief as well as some violence are also themes that are mentioned in the book, but they never detract from the romance itself. I admire how Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin were able to blend comedic elements so seamlessly with serious themes in a way that was both respectful and honest to the themes themselves. Plus, Fawkes is truly the grumpy, broken hero that I go totally gaga for every single time I read a character like his. 
“I’m here,” he murmured. “I’m right here.” An ache opened up in his chest, and he both anticipated and feared she’d look out into the night and spot him.—Nevermore Bookstore
I couldn’t put Nevermore Bookstore down. Kerrigan Byrne is already a go-to author for me and I am absolutely delighted to add Cynthia St. Aubin to that list as well! Congrats on a wonderful new release, Kerrigan & Cynthia!
Jes is a self-proclaimed bookworm, who recently moved from the PNW back to the Midwest. When her nose isn’t in a book, she’s spending time with her husband, two kids, and her three fur babies, or exploring the globe. She also firmly believes that you should start the day with coffee, and end the day in bed with a good book.
