THE STARLING INN Book Review

The Starling Inn¹ by Claire Therese, eBook/audiobook, 440 pages/11h 42m

*From GoodReads: Join Millie on a captivating journey of forgiveness, restoration, and the healing power of uncovering the past in THE STARLING INN. After inheriting a century-old inn from her beloved uncle, Millie leaves her college campus to return to her roots and grapple with the grief of his passing. Determined to ready the inn for sale and quickly return to her life, Millie reconnects with Ethan, her childhood crush, sparking a poignant second chance at love. Millie’s quest for closure intertwines with their shared, painstaking restoration efforts on the inn. Through meticulous historical research, she untangles long-buried community secrets, each revelation bringing her closer to understanding her own heartache and the ghosts haunting the inn.

But as the inn’s transformation nears completion and freedom beckons, she must navigate the delicate balance between closure and newfound beginnings. Will selling the inn mean letting go of more than just a property?

BOOK REVIEW: There is not a single bone in my body that didn't shout this is one of my favorite books this year! It is no secret that I judge books by their covers and that is what caught my eye first. I generally don't read what a book is going to be about but I did for this one and my interest was peeked. Right from the beginning, the story had me sucked in! This book has a little bit of everything that I love! It has mystery, ghost stories, creepy attics, a cozy romance, and embracing family for better and for worst! This has some light spice. It's enough to let your imagination keep the scene going without getting graphic which is my preference!

The author is able to give such vivid descriptions of the characters and their emotions that you can feel them yourself. The first time we meet Millie and Ethan they are both so sad with grief and their what ifs surrounding Millie's uncle but I haven't rooted for two main characters like Millie and Ethan in quite some time. The journey that they go through on their own and working on the inn feels like nothing I've read in a long time. UPDATE TO INCLUDE AUDIOBOOK: 10.30.25 - I made this Virtual Book Club's book for October since Millie's birthday is on Halloween. Want to join the VBC? Join here! Anyway, I absolutely loved the narrator for this book. It's been over a year since I read this book and I'm surprised by how much I remembered and I think listening to it this time really helped. My favorite part is still when Millie is describing books as food like described below. There were a few scenes that I think I built up more in my head, narration wise, that fell a little flat when listening but it in no way shape or form took away from the experience. It is still a 5 star listen for me! The narrator gave life to Millie and other female characters while not trying too hard to make her voice too deep for male characters. Huge plus for me. She has a voice that sounds familiar but I haven't checked to see if I've heard anything she has narrated before but I totally would again!

This is a 5 star read from me! This was also the first time in a long time that I highlighted quotes that I loved so much! This is probably my favorite one. It is Millie describing types of books to Ethan: "Like if books were food. A fantasy series with multiple viewpoints, that takes years to finish, I'd call that a banquet. Sometimes I'm in the mood for that. Complex, satisfying from start to finish. After you finish a great book series like that you have that weird disappointing floaty period of having to transition back to the real world where there are no dragons. I appreciate books like that. But sometimes I am tired, and I want instant gratification. I grab the cupcake. Not a fancy posh cupcake, but the mass-produced grocery store kind. I binge them. So sweet it hurts your teeth and you're slightly ashamed but also happy." She then describes James Patterson books as potato chip books, nice for reading when you want your brain to coast but terrible for your body, an addictive habit. She then describes her favorite book Jane Eyre as a Chef's table, innovative for its time, timeless. This book comes out on 9.1.24 and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR!

5/5 Stars

2024 Reading Challenge: 34/50 complete

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