Review: The Write Place by Allie Samberts

First, I’d like to thank Allie Samberts for a copy of this ARC! Before we proceed, just a note that this book does deal with grieving after the loss of a sibling.

The Write Place is such a charming debut! I was drawn to the story because it centers around Mackenzie Milcrest, a high school English teacher who ends up being shadowed by her favorite contemporary author, Daniel Evans. Daniel, besides being a man of letters, is also a rich dreamboat. As a former teacher myself, I thought it would be a super fun read. And I wasn’t wrong!

Mac as a protagonist is super relatable. She’s warm and caring, but she is grieving over the loss of her sister and has put up some walls around her heart. Daniel, who comes to the Chicago suburb where Mac teaches, is there to escape some of his own trauma and ends up being the perfect person to make it through to Mac’s guarded heart while gathering inspiration for his book.

Here are some of my favorite things in this story:

Seeing Mac at school. Teachers are special people. For the majority of them, teaching isn’t a job, but part of who they are. Mac is that kind of teacher. She genuinely cares about her students and what she teaches and I loved seeing her interact with the kids. Teaching is a tough job, and I loved that Allie Samberts acknowledged that while still showing the good side of being in the classroom and the impact of having teachers who care.

The fact that Daniel is a sweetie. Sure, he tells a fib or two, but they are all very forgivable and his heart is clearly in the right place the whole time. I don’t like mean heroes! Give me more soft boys like Daniel!

Jenny is a wonderfully supportive friend. I stan supportive female friendships!

Loved the representation that we see in the student population

Things I Hated:

Ben. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID, BEN. Jenny and Mac might forgive you, but not me, mister!

Final thoughts: This book feels like putting on your favorite cable knit sweater, curling up on the couch under a fleece blanket, and sipping tea by the fire. It’s COSY and I LOVED IT! This book will please people looking for: