This was my first ever cozy fantasy and it was everything I needed! The relationship between Ari and Finn had me screaming and smiling from page one. I wish I could dive into this world and never leave!! I'm really excited for the future stories to come!!
Wow is all I can say. This is SO GOOD! The descriptions and atmosphere are so rich. I felt like I was immersed into Arrowmount alongside Ari & Finn! Definitely recommend!
Slice of Life Cozy perfection! I absolutely LOVED "A Second Story" by J.A. Collignon! I was instantly drawn into the fantastical world and invested to the lovable characters. From the beautiful scenic descriptions to the character depictions this book was absolutely magical. We follow Arileas Damaris and Finnean Goldmark as they hang up their adventurer boots after falling in love, traveling and eventually purchasing a bookshop in the town of Arrowmount. Will the (not so) mundane life of owning a bookshop be enough to quell the once adventurous couple or will they be back out on a quest before they can open for business? Full small town vibes, found family, bookshop renovations, a adorable cat, romance and magic - this cozy fantasy is a must read!
A Second Story follows adventurers Ari and Finn, who leave the world of traveling and treasure behind and settle in the relaxing seaside town of Arrowmount. They soon become joint owners of a rundown bookshop they hope to turn into a charming place the locals can utilize to discover their next favorite read and to find community. A Second Story is about getting second chances, following your heart, and finding friends who feel like family. This is a great book to pick up if you are new to reading fantasy or an avid fantasy reader looking for something cozy. I enjoyed Ari and Finn's relationship and its development throughout the story. J.A. Collignon created loveable characters you were really rooting for. Stories that center around a bookstore are something I find myself drawn to. I'm always looking for my next favorite local indie bookstore, and I'm slightly jealous that I can't actually visit Arrowmount and ask Ari for a book recommendation.
It was cozy, sweet, and I just adored the characters so much! This is a debut novel and I can't wait to read more by her! If you enjoy cozy fantasy, this is a must read!!
Diving into A Second Story, I was both excited for Jenn to make her debut and nervous for me to be diving back into fantasy. My nervousness quickly dissolved into high enjoyment while reading this book. In fact, this might be one of the best books for me to slowly get back into reading fantasy more consistently. Reading this book felt like sitting in bed or on the couch in my sweats and fuzzy socks, wrapped in a blanket and drinking hot tea- aka perfect! It was low stakes, had a well-explained atmosphere and magic, included maps and glossaries, and character driven all of which I adore in a book. The characters were my favorite part, I would love to see them all in their own stories or in the background of another. They were all just so different and intriguing to read about. I also enjoyed the setting, especially with the mix of the small town, the forest, and being seaside. I didn't feel stuck in one place and wanted to know more about each of places we visited. I found it easy to picture what everything looked like from the lighthouse to the molded books to the vast array of colorful flags. A Second Story is a fantastic story that drew me in from the beginning and kept me invested until the end.
