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Midnight at the Blackbird Café
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Heather Webber's Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a captivating blend of magical realism, heartwarming romance, and small-town Southern charm.
Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.
It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and ...more
Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.
It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and ...more
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A. Colt
Toward the end, there's mention of a man spending the night, too.
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A touch of whimsy in a small town. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Anna Kate returns home to the small town of Wicklow, Alabama to bury her grandmother, Granny Zee.
Granny Zee owned the Blackbird Cafe in town and was loved by all. Anna Kate is expecting to be in Wicklow a short time, just long enough to settle Granny Zee’s affairs and close the cafe.
That doesn’t happen, though. Anna Kate feels connected to this town her mother ran from years ago. There’s also this blackbird pie everyone is talking about.
Anna Kate ...more
Anna Kate returns home to the small town of Wicklow, Alabama to bury her grandmother, Granny Zee.
Granny Zee owned the Blackbird Cafe in town and was loved by all. Anna Kate is expecting to be in Wicklow a short time, just long enough to settle Granny Zee’s affairs and close the cafe.
That doesn’t happen, though. Anna Kate feels connected to this town her mother ran from years ago. There’s also this blackbird pie everyone is talking about.
Anna Kate ...more
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a sweet and warm story about family, forgiveness, and finding peace.
Anna Kate returns to the small southern town of Wicklow, Alabama to settle her grandma’s estate and honor her last wishes, which include running the Blackbird Cafe for 60 days. Despite her best intentions to get in and get out, Anna Kate forms connections with several locals who respected Grandma Zee and are regulars at the cafe.
Anna Kate also meets Natalie, who has recently returned to town a ...more
Anna Kate returns to the small southern town of Wicklow, Alabama to settle her grandma’s estate and honor her last wishes, which include running the Blackbird Cafe for 60 days. Despite her best intentions to get in and get out, Anna Kate forms connections with several locals who respected Grandma Zee and are regulars at the cafe.
Anna Kate also meets Natalie, who has recently returned to town a ...more
A Wonderful Book About Family, Friends, Love, a Past and a New Future
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber was a well written book. I was drawn in right from the start. It allowed me to forget about everything else and immerse myself in the lives of the characters in this story. A cozy, comforting feeling surrounded me as I read Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe. By the end of the story, I felt like I knew each character and felt a kinship with them. The story alternately focused on Anna ...more
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber was a well written book. I was drawn in right from the start. It allowed me to forget about everything else and immerse myself in the lives of the characters in this story. A cozy, comforting feeling surrounded me as I read Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe. By the end of the story, I felt like I knew each character and felt a kinship with them. The story alternately focused on Anna ...more
Can you really leave Wicklow once you have spent time there?
Anna Kate came back for her grandmother's funeral and stayed in Wicklow because she was required to spend sixty days there to inherit The Blackbird Cafe. Anna's mother vowed to NEVER return to Wicklow, and Anna finds out why as the days pass.
Was her mother wrong, though?
The characters all seemed lovable and were folks you would want to have in your life except for a few of them.
As you read, you will feel the warmth of the small town, bu ...more
Anna Kate came back for her grandmother's funeral and stayed in Wicklow because she was required to spend sixty days there to inherit The Blackbird Cafe. Anna's mother vowed to NEVER return to Wicklow, and Anna finds out why as the days pass.
Was her mother wrong, though?
The characters all seemed lovable and were folks you would want to have in your life except for a few of them.
As you read, you will feel the warmth of the small town, bu ...more
This was one of those books that pulls you in before you even realize it's happened. I started it, thought I liked it fine but didn't love it, kept reading it, and then put it down for a few hours - and my thoughts kept wandering back to it. Turns out I liked it a lot more than I first thought. It seems fitting, almost, given the trajectory and plot of the book, and the recurring theme of the central town taking hold of you and not letting you go.
I love this book. I have been a fan of Heather Blake/Heather Webber for almost ten years. I love her paranormal cozy and gardening cozy series, but this is a whole new kind of love of a story from this author. If you need a comparison to a style or genre for this book, think along the lines of Sarah Addison Allen or Fannie Flagg. It's described as Southern magical realism, but it's also about relationships, forgiveness, hurt, growth, change, coming home, love, friendship, understanding....
I love ...more
I love ...more
Oh boy, this was a wonderful read and a reminder why I love to read. The story centers around Anna Kate whose grandmother, Zee, just passed away. Zee's will requires Anna Kate to stay and run the Blackbird Cafe for two months. She is eager to get through the time but she soon learns about her family and the secrets they keep. The story reveals itself with patience as new characters are introduced but they're essential to Anna Kate's purpose. I loved this story and was excited to discover a new a
...more
5 Stars
*A heartwarming and powerful story about family, community, and the joy of food*
I was still in mood for more Magical Realism after reading Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune. Midnight at the Blackbird Café caught my eye. I’ve read some of Webber’s other books and enjoyed them. But I was surprised by the different direction she went with Midnight at the Blackbird Café. Surprised in a good way! I expected to like this book; I didn’t expect for it to resonate so deeply with me. But ...more
*A heartwarming and powerful story about family, community, and the joy of food*
I was still in mood for more Magical Realism after reading Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune. Midnight at the Blackbird Café caught my eye. I’ve read some of Webber’s other books and enjoyed them. But I was surprised by the different direction she went with Midnight at the Blackbird Café. Surprised in a good way! I expected to like this book; I didn’t expect for it to resonate so deeply with me. But ...more
It's difficult not to draw parallels between this story and, Fried Green Tomatoes, another of my favorites. A debut novel by a talented author, the themes of forgiveness, discovery and small town living are key. Light hearted, evocative and heart warming its stories like these that remind us of the joy reading brings. ".. Under midnight skies, blackbirds sing loving notes baked in pies.." There's no faults to be found here, nor are there any missteps. Put simply, this is a marvelous book filled
...more
This was a cute, sweet read. I really enjoyed it.
This was the first book I read by Heather Webber. I found her writing to be engaging and the story was cute and sweet. I enjoyed getting to know all of the various characters living in the little town of Wicklow in Alabama.
This is a lighter read. The themes of relationships and following your path in life never felt too heavy. There is certainly loss of loved ones and people that were hurt and resentful, but it is more a story of growth, communit ...more
This was the first book I read by Heather Webber. I found her writing to be engaging and the story was cute and sweet. I enjoyed getting to know all of the various characters living in the little town of Wicklow in Alabama.
This is a lighter read. The themes of relationships and following your path in life never felt too heavy. There is certainly loss of loved ones and people that were hurt and resentful, but it is more a story of growth, communit ...more
This was really well-written and engrossing, but it super wasn't for me--which is a shame, because I have such a soft spot for cozy small-town magic realism. But the whole message of this book boiled down to the importance of family, and how you should forgive the people who hurt you and make room for them back in your life in the hope that they'll change and grow and maybe not hurt you again (but if they do, you just gotta be the better person and teach them how to be better! Self accountabilit
...more
I really enjoyed this book. It is a very character driven book. Everyone that I met I fell in love with instantly. They were people that I would want to hang out with. Thus, it made for easy reading. After reading this book, I have gained a fond admiration for blackbirds.
Yes, there are some magical aspects woven throughout the pages of this story. However, it was not one of the strong focal points of the book. The main focal point for me was the characters. They truly were engaging as well as e ...more
Yes, there are some magical aspects woven throughout the pages of this story. However, it was not one of the strong focal points of the book. The main focal point for me was the characters. They truly were engaging as well as e ...more
Need a little magic in your life? Sometimes real life can be boring and difficult, but adding a little “magic” can make it all better. So, set your spirit free, seize this book or live to regret it! Spend some time at Granny Zee’s Blackbird Café in Wicklow, Alabama. You'll need to prepare to stay up late because the blackbirds only come out at midnight.
Flawlessly smooth and descriptive writing whisks you away to small town America. You’ll meet Anna Kate, Gideon, Natalie, Bow and Jena, Mr. Lazen ...more
I did not love this book. I gagged a couple times at how cheesy it was and nothing interesting happens the whole time. I was extremely bored and the only reason I finished it was because it was an audio book or else I would have never finished. It was painful to try to force myself through and I don’t mean to be harsh but this was not even close to my cup of tea. If you like cheesy books that seem like a hallmark movie this may be for you but if you’re a couple chapters in and you’re not feeling
...more
While in town for her grandmother’s funeral, Anna Kate learns that in order to fully inherit her Granny Zee's Blackbird Café, she must run it for two months. Meanwhile, Natalie, a young widow and mother to a two year daughter, Ollie, has returned to the small, southern town where she grew up and where everybody knows everybody... and their business. Natalie doesn’t get along with her mother but has nowhere else to go. Besides being new to Wicklow, what else do the two women have in common? How w
...more
“Sometimes, it takes almost losing something to realize exactly how important it is to you.”
What a beautiful, enchanting story about family, legacy and magical pies. I’m glad that I’ve read this book. Midnight at the Blackbird Café was a very well written, feel-good magical realism book. I was in the mood for easy-read book, and I’m glad that I grabbed this. I felt the connection between the characters and I feel sad that I have finished the book and now I won’t ever know the continuation of th ...more
In a very small, rather rundown town in the shadows of the mountains in Alabama, there is a flock of blackbirds. But this is no ordinary old town, and these are no ordinary blackbirds. Everyone knows the blackbirds can give guidance, but exactly how does that work? The only person who knew has passed on.
In this town, there are two young women, linked by love but divided by hate. Both struggle to find their way through staggering grief and loss, and one of them holds the key to the future of thi ...more
In this town, there are two young women, linked by love but divided by hate. Both struggle to find their way through staggering grief and loss, and one of them holds the key to the future of thi ...more
Utterly delightful. Two young women forced to confront tragedy, family secrets, and the uncertainty of the future connect in small-town Alabama, through the magic of blackbirds who return only when their roosting trees are loved and cared for. A bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a lot of wisdom on these pages, in a crisply-told story.
But I warn you: You'll want pie.
But I warn you: You'll want pie.
Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber is a magical tale with romance, mystery, family drama, grief and special blackbirds. I thought Midnight at the Blackbird Café was well-written with developed, warm characters, a charming small Southern town, and a dash of magic. I enjoyed Heather Webber’s writing style which makes the book just fly by. I found myself drawn into this special story and it did not let me go until I finished the last word. Anna Kate returns to Wicklow, Alabama to bury
...more
This book is beautiful, and that’s all I knew about it when I bought it. In the end, it was disappointing for me. I didn’t connect with the story, or any of the characters. It’s the story of two women struggling to find themselves amidst tragedy and outside expectations, which is the set up for a great book. There’s bits that are written from the perspective of a reporter interviewing the people of the town to get information about the flock of blackbirds that appear every night at midnight, but
...more
Mar 15, 2020
Nolan
rated it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
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jennifer-tarheel-reader
This is rather formulaic, and the formula has become rather threadbare for me, but the author writes well. She made me fall in love with this small town in which the book takes place, and all of the characters need to be there for important reasons. There's nothing frivolous or unnecessary here, and she certainly brings the town and its people to life in vivid ways.
I want to rave about this book, I want to curl up and read it all over again. I want to cry from the warmth and heartbreak, family and friendship of it all.
Family, Friends, secrets, feuds, Mystery, Magic, Romance, Past, Present and future all roll together in this amazing book. you are not going to want to put it down.
come along with Anna Kate and Natalie as two very different but similar woman come together, both running from past hurts, neither knowing of the other's existence but seeming to ...more
Family, Friends, secrets, feuds, Mystery, Magic, Romance, Past, Present and future all roll together in this amazing book. you are not going to want to put it down.
come along with Anna Kate and Natalie as two very different but similar woman come together, both running from past hurts, neither knowing of the other's existence but seeming to ...more
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a heart-squeezer!! This lovely story about forgiveness, grief, family, and home is set in a small town, filled with southern charm, and a bit of magic!! The characters in this book are unique, quirky, complicated and delightful!! I fell in love with each and every one of them, and all I want to do is sit down and chat with them, eating pie and drinking blackberry tea! This book is guaranteed to make you smile, maybe even cry, but mostly what it will do is make y
...more
This was my book club’s pick for Sept/Oct 2019. It’s a well-written, light venture into magical realism and Southern lifestyle. At times a bit overdone, tiresome, and more-than-a-little cliche, overall the characters and the magical setting redeem the story and keep the pages turning quickly. It’s a good supplement for fans of Sarah Addison Allen and Lynda Rutledge. Oh, and there’s a cat also which always makes a story worthwhile...
4.5 stars
After losing her grandmother, Anna Kate makes her very first visit to her deceased mother’s hometown for the funeral and to tie up the loose ends of her grandmother’s estate. There is a stipulation in the will that requires Anna Kate run her grandmother’s cafe for a couple months so she ends up staying much longer than intended. She soon learns that the town is full of magic and heartache, but one has the power to change the other.
This is a very sweet story and while it’s dramatically ...more
After losing her grandmother, Anna Kate makes her very first visit to her deceased mother’s hometown for the funeral and to tie up the loose ends of her grandmother’s estate. There is a stipulation in the will that requires Anna Kate run her grandmother’s cafe for a couple months so she ends up staying much longer than intended. She soon learns that the town is full of magic and heartache, but one has the power to change the other.
This is a very sweet story and while it’s dramatically ...more
3.5 rounding up because everyone can believe in a little magic this time of year.
This is a charming book. It is a lovely story about the power of forgiveness and grieving and its importance in living a happy life. Anna Kate is a delightful character. All of the folks in Wicklow, Alabama are wonderful.
I loved listening to this beautiful book! It pulled me in right away and never let me go. It’s described as “a captivating blend of magical realism, heartwarming romance, and small-town Southern charm.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨: Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.
It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her gran ...more
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨: Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.
It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her gran ...more
Delightful southern fiction I'd put in the up-lit category, with a touch of magical realism. A feel-good book that will appeal to fans of Sarah Addison Allen.
A feel-good novel that has some depth, including some magical elements. I savored this one slowly and really enjoyed it.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle Book Club ...: May 2020, SPOILER ALERT, Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe | 11 | 15 | Jul 26, 2020 10:55AM | |
| The Perks Of Bein...: Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber - October 2019 | 15 | 93 | Nov 30, 2019 05:25PM | |
| Bookish First Rea...: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber | 1 | 3 | Oct 22, 2019 12:57PM |
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Heather Webber, aka Heather Blake, is the author of more than twenty-five novels. She loves to read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, and bake. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is hard at work on her next book.
Facebook author page:
Heather Webber Facebook
Facebook Bookaholics Group: Heather Blake Webber Bookaholics
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Facebook author page:
Heather Webber Facebook
Facebook Bookaholics Group: Heather Blake Webber Bookaholics
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