4.5 stars and a favorite 
 Quite quickly I realized that Zevin employed the type of literary writing that speaks to me and quite often becomes a favorite. Truly the story revolves around 3 characters and a small cast of supporting ones that are all equally charming. Set in a small island-town off the coast of Massachusetts we meet A.J. Fikery. Thirty-eight years old, depressed, persnickety, literary snob, bookstore owner and recent widower. He lives in a flat above his store were he survives off frozen Indian food and wine. He has solidified plans to drink himself to an early death when his life is quite suddenly turned upside down when someone leaves a baby in his store and asks that he raise her. 
 This book was like candy to my book-loving soul. A.J. quickly become one of my favorite voices ever. He's a true nerd, aware of his nerdhood and his unlikely friendship with the chief of police is, to say the least, comical yet refreshingly heartwarming. 
 As A.J.'s life changes with the arrival of Maya he finds that there's still a part of him that loves and is adventurous. There's parts of him that are still alive and I think that's one of the most important lessons. I truly adored the cast of characters and even more, loved Zevin's voice. I don't want to give much of it away, like I said, it's a short book but it packs such a great story within it. It shows how you don't have to write a 600 page book to tell a great story and fill characters with life. I think this is one I will revisit and re-read just to enjoy all the small tidbits one might have missed. 
 Highly recommend it.