A woman got more than the books she ordered online — she received a bonus wellness check from the store because of her reading subjects.
Kara Rofé, 24, from Massachusetts, bought a copy of Jennette McCurdy’s best-selling memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died” from her local bookstore, deciding to throw in “Fleabag: The Scriptures” by Phoebe Waller-Bridge as well.
However, the combination of the two seemingly set off alarm bells for an employee at the Porter Square Books store, who emailed through her confirmation with a note asking whether she was OK.
“Hi Kara, your order is now ready for pick-up! We’re open weekdays from seven to seven and weekends from eight to seven. Thank you for supporting Porter Square Books,” the email started off.
“I would say happy reading, but these titles indicate otherwise… hope you’re doing ok! Best, Morgan.
“P.S. The Fleabag Scriptures is my most prized possession, hope you enjoy!”
McCurdy — who played Sam Puckett in the Nickelodeon series “iCarly” from 2007 to 2012 — released her memoir on Aug. 9, delving into her life growing up as a child star in the 2000s and the abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her mother.
The book covers her struggles with eating disorders, addiction and reportedly unhealthy relationships, and how those issues were exacerbated after her mom died of cancer in 2013, around the time she went on to star in the “iCarly” spinoff “Sam & Cat,” alongside Ariana Grande.
Waller-Bridge’s “Fleabag: The Scriptures” includes scripts and notes from the popular Amazon TV series that discuss the heartbreak and loss she’s experienced throughout her life.
It turns out 21-year-old Morgan Holly was working the shift when Rofé’s order came through, telling the Boston Globe that she was “excited” to fill the order but was familiar with the distressing content in both the books.
“I saw the two books together, and I was like, ‘I’m just gonna write a little note to make sure this person is doing okay,'” she explained to the publication.
“Or just like a little sincere, little aside, that someone’s thinking about them and that I hope she’s doing okay.”
Rofé tweeted a screenshot of the email, captioning it: “Ordered Jeanette McCurdy’s new memoir and The Fleabag Scriptures and received a wellness check from my local bookstore.”
The tweet was reshared more than 3,400 times with over 101,000 likes and hundreds of people commenting on the post, many pointing out that a personalized message is something that only comes from supporting small businesses.
“‘What an awesome thing for them to do! I’d probably burst into tears if I were low and some random person felt I was worth checking on,” one user wrote.
“I don’t recall ever getting a personal message from Jeff Bezos,” another person joked.
Others shared their own experiences with local bookstores.
“This happened years ago to me at the local record store when I bought Beck’s Sea Change after a break-up,” one person shared.
“This is why I love local shops,” declared another.
