Lost Coast Literary

Alexander’s (Donut Disturb) latest follows book editor Emily Bryant, who has been bequeathed her grandmother’s Victorian mansion in the quaint town of Cascata, CA. There is one stipulation—in order to inherit, Emily must edit a stack of manuscripts in the attic. When the edits Emily makes on the page start coming true in real life, she realizes that the manuscripts have the power to change lives. While fans of Alexander’s cozy mysteries might expect another tidy story, this novel holds some surprises. To be sure, it starts by hinting at found-family tropes and gentle magic, but it isn’t long before Alexander tackles heavier topics. While there’s sweetness and humor, listeners may also shed a tear or two by the end. Megan Trout is the perfect narrator for the novel, creating a competent, professional-sounding voice for Emily but still leaving room for the full range of her emotions. Emily’s emotional journey remains steady for much of the book, following a classic relationship fiction route from plans going awry to understanding the nature of happiness and success.