A detour. A chance encounter. Two women who alter the pages of each other’s story.
Juliet Nightingale is lucky to be alive. Months after a freak accident involving lightning, she’s fully recovered but is left feeling that something is missing from her life. Something big. Impulsively, she decides to take a solo summer road trip, hoping that the journey will lead her down a path that will help her discover exactly what it is that she’s searching for.
Newly-single mom Tallulah Byrd Mayfield is hanging by a thread after her neat, tidy world was completely undone when her husband decided that their marriage was over. In the aftermath of the breakup, she and her two daughters move in with her eighty-year-old grandfather. Tallulah starts a new job at the Forget-Me-Not Library, where old, treasured memories can be found within the books—and where Lu must learn to adapt to the many changes thrown her way.
When a road detour leads Juliet to Forget-Me-Not, Alabama, and straight into Tallulah’s life, the two women soon discover there’s magic in between the pages of where you’ve been and where you still need to go. And that happiness, even when lost, can always be found again.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
USA Today bestselling author Heather Webber 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. *Heather also writes under the pen name Heather Blake.
The Forget-Me-Not Library is a novel that I will never forget! It is such a heartwarming, uplifting and wonderful read. This came with an incredible storyline, lovable characters, great quotes and a beautiful friendship. I found the two main female characters to be quirky, sweet and understanding. It was a relaxing read that was filled with magical elements. This story made me feel happy, cry a lot and even made me laugh! I found this story to be extremely thought provoking. This is a medium paced read that has strong character development!
It comes with dual points of views, animals, and even a splash of romance! The story flows well, is well structured and is engaging. It is an easy to read book that is both plot and character driven. It expresses the flaws of the characters as the main focus. It is about second chances, healing, having human connections and finding your own purpose and meaning in life! I loved the small town vibes! This book will leave you feeling joyful and inspired!
♥ Synopsis & Rating ♥
This novel is about two women who come together in a magical realism way. Tallulah Byrd Mayfield is a newly singled Mom and Juliet Nightingale recently had a freak accident. They come together when a road detour leads Juliet to the Forget-Me-Not Library in Alabama, where Tallulah works. They form a tight bond and end up finding purpose in each other. Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating!
♥ Who I think would enjoy this book & Content Warnings ♥
I think anyone that is looking to read something that is uplifting that includes second chances in life, would love to read this magical one of a kind book! Content warnings include grief and past trauma.
♥ Thank You ♥
Thank you to NetGalley, author Heather Webber and St. Martin's Press for this digital advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
♥ Publication Date ♥
This book is expected to be published on November 4, 2025!
♥ Quick Review ♥ ╰┈➤ Fantasy / Women's Fiction ╰┈➤ Dual POV’s ╰┈➤ Lovable Characters ╰┈➤ 2nd Chances & Healing ╰┈➤ Small Town Vibes ╰┈➤ Heartwarming ╰┈➤ Finding Meaning in Life ╰┈➤ Comes with Great Quotes
Sometimes the magic isn't in the destination, but in the detour.
As Tallulah Byrd Mayfield and Juliet Nightingale discover, there’s magic to be found at the crossroads of where we’ve been and where we still need to go.
Where is this crossroads?
Forget-Me-Not, Alabama.
It’s a soft landing for those like these two women who’ve lost their way.
Juliet arrives here as a result of re-evaluating her life after an accident and Tallulah finds her way here after a divorce. Both women give readers hope and encouragement to keep journeying and take our eyes off the roadbumps.
I love (1) that what begins as a means to an end, becomes a life changer and that (2) sometimes the best narrative choices are those that have given way to compilations. The Forget-Me-Not Library plays a big role in Tallulah’s transformative journey and when her path crosses with Juliet’s, there’s an understanding, trust, and acceptance in allowing each other to work towards health and healing by rewriting pages in each person’s story.
Katy June is a sweetheart and Webber writes great magical realism! You’ll be glad you stopped in Forget-Me-Not, Alabama.
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
The Forget-Me-Not-Library is a book for your soul. This novel was enchanting and moving. Told from two different points of view, the reader comes to know Juliet and Tallulah. Both of whom are dealing with personal pain.
Juliet has recently lost a loved one as well as her memory. She takes a road trip but breaks down in Forget me Not, Alabama. While there she discovers that the town is more than what meets the eye. There is something there that wants to help her heal. Tallulah is recently divorced and living with her father while she raises two little girls. She is learning how to deal with her new situation as well as wanting more out of life including love. Their individual journeys reveal universal truths about loss, healing, and the courage it takes to embrace change.
The writing is simply beautiful – evocative, heartfelt, and infused with a warmth that makes you want to linger in its pages. The pacing is perfect, allowing you to savor each moment of discovery and emotional growth. I can't tell you how much I want to visit The Forget Me Not Library. I want to see Deckle, sniff a book, and get a new memory. I want to stay in the attic room and read a book under Bill's branches. This book is a gentle hug for the soul. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read more by this author!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
I received a free copy of, The Forget-Me-Not Library, by Heather Webber, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Juliet Nightingale is lucky to be alive after being struck by lightening. Juliet decides to go on vacation by herself. Tallulah Bell is raising two kids by herself, after her husband left her. I wish this town was real, im sure a lot of people could be healed there. I could feel Juliet's emotions, and I felt for her. I really loved the characters, Tallulah, Juliet, Katy, Callum, and many more. This is a great read.
Author Heather Webber pens a whimsical, heartwarming tale you don’t want to miss. A story centered in heart. It definitely tugs at your emotions. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
Juliet and Tallulah are wonderful, flawed characters. They meet in the small, charming town of Forget-Me-Not, Alabama, which glows with Southern charm and appeal. Watch out for that colored smoke! 🥰
The library is magical with the resident cat, Deckle who can lead you to just the right book for you! The supporting characters are vividly portrayed and enjoyable. What a great town to live in! I highly recommend this novel.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a comforting read, with found family, a small town that was everything you'd want in a small town, and romance. I loved the characters, the library, and Deckle the cat. It was heartwarming and magical, and I had a great time reading it.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
A heartwarming tale including folklore and magic realism!
I liked everything about that story!
Forget-Me-Not is a city where lost souls who need healing get stuck in. The smoke color coming from their car breaking down tells what their heart is in need of…
Deckle is the library cat knocking books from shelves to revive memories…
A coffee tin has disappeared…
A Flour Festival…
Tallulah coping with her job at the library and the tribulations of being a single mom.
Juliet who has lost her grandfather in a tragic accident and can’t remember…
A friendhip developing…
A secret being revealed…
Pearls of wisdom beginning each chapter…
Two love stories blossoming…
Feathers found everywhere…
This novel was a true escape, don’t miss it!!! And it involves bibliosma… A lot of it… Aren’t you curious?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an e-arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
•The Forget-Me-Not Library was such a sweet, feel good book. I felt every emotion reading this book and it was wonderful!
•Months ago, Juliet was involved in a freak accident that took the life of her grandfather, while simultaneously leaving her with a scar to remember then event. Desperate for a change of scenery, she impulsively decides to hit the road and see where the wind will take her. She ends up in tiny Forget-Me-Not, Alabama.
•Tallulah and her two young daughters move in with her grandfather after her divorce. She takes a job at the local library, a special, mystical place. As the two women cross paths, the friendships formed are beautiful and complex.
•Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Heather Webber for this ARC. It will become available on November 4, 2025.
Whimsical, a touch magical, sweet, charming, romantic but not spicy, has gentle lgbtq+ representation, this book works in so many ways. If you are looking for found family, love appears when you are not looking mixed with easygoing friendly people in a small town, then this is the book!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Heather Webber’s books are warm, comforting and magical. I’ve loved all the ones I’ve read, including this one. Juliet and Tallulah are wonderful characters, but there are also other great characters, including, but not limited to Katy, Tenn and Maeve. The town of Forget Me Not is a place I’d love to live, especially with the Forget Me Not Library and Deckle, the magical cat. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3 enthusiastic stars! I really enjoyed this story which had a cozy, satisfying feel to it. I loved the cast of characters, the multiple plot lines regarding healing family relationships, the gentle love stories, and just a touch of magic.
A cat. A library. Some feathers. And an unforgettable town populated by great characters. This book will be a treat for all who read it, and will continue this author’s track record of magically charming stories. I loved this story most because there isn’t an antagonist and no really high drama- and that’s exactly the kind of story I needed right now. After all, there are enough antagonists and high drama in the world already. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to visit Forget-Me-Not!
This book was cozy, calming, and sprinkled with just the right amount of magic.
Juliet and Tallulah’s stories come together in the most unexpected way, thanks to a road detour and a little library that seems to have a bit of quiet magic tucked between its shelves. Deckle the cat completely stole my heart, and the town felt like the kind of place you’d want to wander into and stay a while.
It’s about second chances, healing old wounds, and finding connection where you least expect it. By the end, I felt lighter — like I’d been reminded that good things can still find you, even if you’ve stopped looking.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Heather Webber, and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC. This story made my heart smile. 💙📚
Forget Me Not, Alabama is a magical town that helps those who are lost. Juliet Nightingale is driving and her car breaks down and stalls in front of Tennyson's house. He is outside looking for his great granddaughter. He notices the blue smoke coming from her car and requests help looking for his great granddaughter Katy. Juliet spies Katy sleeping up in a tree. He offers his guest bedroom while her car is being repaired.
omg. this book is like a warm hug. I am a big fan of the author and this book did not disappoint. The townsfolk are my very favorite and a wonderful addition to this book. I loved it so much. I'm going to be thinking about this book for a long time. ❤️❤️
I have yet to be disappointed by a Heather Webber book and this one was no exception. I love how she subtly gets her characters to worm their way into your heart. You don’t even realize how much you love the characters until all of a sudden you’re wiping tears away. I also think one of my favorite parts of her books are the quirky older characters. They just make her books so much more fun! The Forget-Me-Not Library really hit a soft spot for me. I’ve really been missing my grandparents lately and this book just wrapped my heart up in a warm hug!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Forget-Me-Not Library follows a pretty tried and true formula that Heather Webber has established for her books, a story told by two different women in a small southern community with a dash of magic thrown in.
Even when I know what the general formula of her books will be, I always look forward to the next one because she switches things up enough that it doesn’t feel exactly the same as the stories that have come before, and because they make me feel happy and believe in good people and happy endings.
In this story Juliet ends up in Forget-Me-Not after her car inexplicably breaks down. She’s grieving the loss of her grandfather in a freak accident the two were a part of, and trying to find the memories she’s lost as a result. As a community that attracts wounded hearts the state of the car is no coincidence, and puts Juliet in the path of Tallulah.
Tallulah came back with her two daughters to live with her grandfather after getting a divorce. She is fighting the past as hard as Juliet is searching for it, while looking towards her future and finding a connection with her boss, who’s closed herself off to the world after the death of her husband and Tallulah’s grandmother, her dearest friend.
Family members and romantic interests always make an appearance in Webber’s stories, but this one features a new wrinkle, with Tallulah a single parent, the reader gets introduced to her delightful older daughter Katy and baby Mary Joy.
While Webber’s stories also always feature a happily ever after for the protagonists, it’s just as much about finding happiness and direction as it is about finding love. Her stories are great for people who want a HEA but don’t want a romance novel filled with spice.
She also provides an unexpected treat at the end that provides a second reason why Juliet ended up in Forget-Me-Not, and a last link to her beloved grandfather she would have never expected.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Four and a half stars rounded up. Heather Webber has become one of my favorite authors. Her novels involve people I’d like to be friends with and places I’d like to live. Her latest book “The Forget-Me-Not Library” is no exception.
Set in Forget-Me-Not, Alabama, this book is primarily about Juliet Nightingale and Tallulah (Lu) Byrd Mayfield. Juliet arrives in the town by way of a detour on the highway and then her car breaks down in front of the house where Tallulah lives with her grandfather, Tenn, and her two young daughters.
Juliet has been on a summer road trip after she and her grandfather were struck by lightning a few months ago. She has recovered physically, but she lost all of her childhood memories. Her grandfather was killed by the lightning strike.
Tallulah moved back in with her grandfather after she divorced her daughters’ father. She works at the Forget-Me-Not Library, but wanted to be a librarian when she was younger (like her grandmother).
This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it until the end. I loved reading about the town’s legend about attracting lost souls who may be grieving, have a decision to make, or are lonely. I also wish a place existed near me like the Forget-Me-Not Library where a cat knocked a book over, you were to open it, and sniff the pages of where it opened to get a memory.
Overall, I recommend this book, along with its quirky cast of characters. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.
The town of Forget-Me-Not knows when someone is in need of something and has stranded many travelers until they have found what they need to heal. Juliet finds herself in this exact situation as she is taking a trip hoping to have her memories return after a tragic accident and her car breaks down. She is quickly embraced by the neighbors and finds herself beginning to feel hopeful for her future.
Tallulah has returned to the only place she has felt secure after her divorce, leaning on her family to help with her two young daughters. She knows that Juliet needs time but initially is left on edge by the strangers appearance. They initially bond over Pride and Prejudice, debating whether the BBC mini series with Colin Firth is superior (it is) to the Kiera Knightly film, and then slowly begin to find comfort and trust in their friendship.
The Forget-Me-Not-Library is full of the Heather Webber magic we have all come to love and expect. She is able to fill us with hope while we watch these characters heal from trauma and move on in ways that perhaps they were not expecting. I always feel like I've received a huge hug at the end. Long time readers will not be disappointed and new readers will be captivated.
Heather Webber does it again with The Forget-Me-Not Library—a heart-tugging, quietly magical story about second chances, healing, and the surprising ways we find exactly what we need, right when we need it most.
Set in the small, seemingly sleepy town of Forget-Me-Not, this novel centers around three unforgettable women. As the women’s stories slowly entwine, the novel unpacks grief, forgiveness, and the invisible threads that connect us. The magical realism is subtle but powerful—books appear when needed, forgotten memories resurface, and the library itself feels alive with possibility.
Webber’s writing is lyrical and warm, filled with charm, emotional depth, and hope. Fans of Midnight at the Blackbird Café will absolutely love this one. I didn’t want to leave Forget-Me-Not—or the women who call it home.
A gentle reminder that sometimes, the story we need most is the one we didn’t expect to find.
Heather Webber’s books are always so cozy, heartwarming, and heart lifting. The Forget Me Not Library is no exception.
May was a particularly hard month for me. Being so, I couldn’t concentrate on reading, and a lot of my usual genres were difficult to take in. So I started The Forget Me Not Library. Immediately I was transported into Forget Me Not and the lives of all the wonderful characters in this book. The writing, storyline and charming characters make you feel like you’re wrapping yourself up in a big warm hug. Reading this book was actually therapeutic!
If you love cozy, contemporary books, with a touch of magical realism, this book is for you. Highly recommend if you need a light read to ease your mind of current troubles.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this uncorrected digital ARC of 'The Forget-Me-Not Library' by Heather Webber - expected release date 11/04/2025
ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book gives cozy Hallmark movie vibes! It is set in an enchanting, magical town (cutesy name - check), has captivating and welcoming characters (precocious child, wise cat, down on her luck, emotionally distressed wanderer - check check check), small doses of tolerable romance (will they or won't they work out - check) and a fun and interesting storyline. And, I can't help but wish that I had a Bill tree to curl up in and read. I've not read any of Webber's other books but when l need another feel-good story, I'll keep her in mind.
Heather Webber’s books never miss, and The Forget-Me-Not Library is no exception. It’s a cozy hug for the soul—full of heart, hope, and just the right touch of magic. The characters are lovable, the story is deeply emotional without being heavy, and the small-town charm makes you want to stay forever. If you’re looking for something that feels healing and uplifting, this is it. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early.
I won this in a goodreads giveaway and this is an honest review.
I usually don’t gravitate towards these types of books because they tend to be too saccharine for me, but I have to say that this one pleasantly surprised me. It did have its saccharine moments, but it wasn’t too overwhelming and I thought the story/stories (from 2 POV) were sweet and I liked all the characters-although I did find Tallulah a little annoying and preferred the Juliet chapters more. Overall, a good, quick read.
This was a very cute read! It was a very "Hallmark-esque." I enjoyed the storyline and characters. However, this isn't my typical style of reads so it did take me a long time to get through the story. If you love/enjoy typical cheesy romance style books with no spicy scenes, this book is for you. I wish I liked it more than I did because it truly was a feel good read but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
“ Juliet Nightingale is lucky to be alive. Months after a freak accident involving lightning, she’s fully recovered but is left feeling that something is missing from her life. Something big. Impulsively, she decides to take a solo summer road trip, hoping that the journey will lead her down a path that will help her discover exactly what it is that she’s searching for.”
Wow! I am in love with all the Alabama books by Heather Webber but this one was just downright magical. I want to meet everyone in the town and be family and live there. The setting and characters were written really well. The story itself was wonderful. I laughed and cried while reading so you know it’s a good one. Highly recommend this one and all her books.
This is such a lovely book. It's warm, cozy, and was giving serious Hallmark movie vibes.
Juliet is driving through forget-me-not a town in Alabama when her car breaks down. The townsfolk welcome her into their midst and she is quickly adopted into one of the homes.
There are magical realism elements. Cars breakdown often in this town when someone needs healing, and they colour of smoke from the car gives the town a hint at what is plaguing the person. We also have a library cat that knocks books down in front of people allowing them to access important memories that hold the key to their healing.
I learned a new term Bibliosmia - the pleasent scent of books, especially old ones.
The whole book felt like a warm hug. I enjoyed it for what it was but everything felt too neat and perfect for me to enjoy it above three stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ebook in exchange for an honest review
My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel to review.
This is a tale of detours that transform into new pathways. The story moves back and forth between the two principal female characters, Juliet and Tallulah. Juliet Nightingale was nearly killed when lightning struck as she and her beloved grandfather took their customary walk. When she woke up in the hospital, she was faced with a double loss: both of her grandfather, who died instantly, and of her memories of him. Snippets come to her, often in dreams, but they are more tormenting than reassuring. Leaving her Michigan home for a solo road trip before deciding whether to pursue a graduate nursing degree, she decides to take a solo road trip. She has no clue that, when car trouble forces her to pause in tiny Forget-Me-Not, Alabama, she is going to find not only her lost memories but her true self.
Tallulah Byrd Mayfield, recently divorced and having a hard time coming to terms with single-parenting two young daughters, has temporarily moved in with her big-hearted grandfather, Tenn Greenlee, and taken a job in the Forget-Me-Not Library of the title. Both women are in critical transitional stages.
As it happens, Juliet’s car breaks down in front of Tenn’s house. What starts as neighborly act, in which Tenn calls the only mechanic in town, quickly leads to Juliet staying wth the family. It’s not just an overnighter—car parts are mysteriously hard to locate and Juliet effectively settles in. She helps with the children, becomes best friends with Tallulah, volunteers at the hospice, and gets increasingly attached to the lovely locals. She even starts a tentative relationship with the head librarian’s nephew, who has just moved back to town. Tallulah also becomes friendly with a young man whose situation exactly copies Juliet’s—his car mysteriously broke down while driving by the town and he’s obliged to stay a while.
In the midst of all this is the magical mystical library, ostensibly presided over by the enigmatic Evanthe, but in fact ruled by the resident cat, Deckle. Deckle has a secret power. She ‘reads’ the future for some of the library denizens, with an uncanny accuracy. And she has her own cat-like way of making sure they get the message.
There is a whimsy to Heather Webber’s writing, just a touch short of magical realism, that makes even cynical readers willingly suspend belief. Her characters are good but not off-puttingly perfect. Her stories are romantic but have enough of real life to prevent them going over the line into saccharine territory. The main characters know their own flaws and learn important lessons. The only part I would have liked trimmed had to do with Juliet’s family. Although they use their worry for her as their excuse, they infantilize her and are truly suffocating, especially her mother. This is a feel-good book and the ending is pretty predictable. But it doesn’t come about in quite the predictable way!
BOOK REPORT Received a complimentary copy The Forget-Me-Not Library, by Heather Webber, from St. Martin's Press/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
Going forward, I need to remember that when I am not feeling well, a book by Heather Webber is the equivalent of a very soft, pleasant-smelling blanket of just the right weight to have whilst convalescing on the couch.
Comforting, in short.
Now, I’m not actually sick, just dealing with a variety of minor aches and pains. Oh, and having a complete and total breakdown over coffee and the headlines every morning (writing this in May of 2025, God help us all). But, still, this book was some sweet medicine for the soul—even if _somewhat_ formulaic/predictable and all mushy-mushy on the romance front.
But, Alabama? Magical realism? Cats? In a library?
You had to know I was gonna do my best to love it.
PS FTR: This book referenced bibliosmia and the one I just finished before it (Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen) referenced bibliomancy. Something in the zeitgeist…..
DESCRIPTION A detour. A chance encounter. Two women who alter the pages of each other’s story.
Juliet Nightingale is lucky to be alive. Months after a freak accident involving lightning, she’s fully recovered but is left feeling that something is missing from her life. Something big. Impulsively, she decides to take a solo summer road trip, hoping that the journey will lead her down a path that will help her discover exactly what it is that she’s searching for.
Newly single mom Tallulah Byrd Mayfield is hanging by a thread after her neat, tidy world was completely undone when her husband decided that their marriage was over. In the aftermath of the breakup, she and her two daughters move in with her eighty-year-old grandfather. Tallulah starts a new job at the Forget-Me-Not Library, where old, treasured memories can be found within the books—and where Lu must learn to adapt to the many changes thrown her way.
When a road detour leads Juliet to Forget-Me-Not, Alabama, and straight into Tallulah’s life, the two women soon discover there’s magic in between the pages of where you’ve been and where you still need to go. And that happiness, even when lost, can always be found again.