I’m not sure what kinds of books qualify as a cozy reading experience for me, but this was one of them. Maybe it is because the characters are recovering from some kind of tragedy or trauma, without actually focusing on the trauma itself. Maybe cozy books show a group of warm and kind characters struggling to find happiness. There is a lot of kindness in this book.
On the face of it, a book with an octopus as one of the main characters feels a little gimmicky. But written well, the octopus and his point of view are pretty believable, and they are a key part of the events in this book.
The story was a little predictable, and I felt like the author was circling around the resolution, waiting for all the characters to make the necessary progress with themselves before the final act could actually happen. Sometimes I read situations that I thought were trying to be funny, but I never really laughed out loud. In the end I wasn’t sure it was supposed to be comedic or not, which is usually a bad sign.
This was a well-written book and I felt warm and happy finishing it. Sometimes we need to read books like that.
Next I’m reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.
