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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Six months ago, Bree Larton, Mikki Bartholomew and Ashley Burton were strangers. It was serendipitous when all three were eyeing (literally) a prime beachfront property for sale in Los Angeles. It was too large and expensive for them individually but after sitting down over coffee together, they realized their combined businesses and resources would be ideal. So, Driftaway Books, The Gift Shop and Muffins to the Max became The Boardwalk Bookshop and one shared space on the beach. Their becoming friends was a lovely bonus. Business life was good but their personal lives…not so much.
Bree’s troubled upbringing left her commitment phobic and down on the possibility of love, even when the right one showed up. Mikki’s amicable divorce was working pretty well until she began dating and met a wonderful man. Ashley and her boyfriend were deeply in love with each other but he was unwilling to ever marry, a surprise she stumbled upon.
I got caught up in these women’s lives from the onset as they were interesting and had so many layers. I loved their relationships with each other and how supportive they were even though they’d only been friends for a short time. On the surface, their issues didn’t seem that complicated but as the story progressed, they became much more nuanced and less clear cut. The men in their worlds were all decent guys, none of them doing anything that would easily cast them as heels. I found myself going back and forth about their situations, totally immersed in trying to figure out the right resolution.
This was a wonderful exploration of modern day, mature relationships that had lots of edges and considerations. Bree, Mikki and Ashley were beautifully developed and fleshed out, so much that I felt a kinship with them and wished their store was a real one. I listened to the book and Tanya Eby’s storytelling skills were ideal for these characters. Each time I had to pause I couldn’t wait to get back to these women to see where they’d land. It was a great listening experience about three women confronting relationship challenges that were realistic, relevant and not so easy to figure out…just like real life.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Bree’s troubled upbringing left her commitment phobic and down on the possibility of love, even when the right one showed up. Mikki’s amicable divorce was working pretty well until she began dating and met a wonderful man. Ashley and her boyfriend were deeply in love with each other but he was unwilling to ever marry, a surprise she stumbled upon.
I got caught up in these women’s lives from the onset as they were interesting and had so many layers. I loved their relationships with each other and how supportive they were even though they’d only been friends for a short time. On the surface, their issues didn’t seem that complicated but as the story progressed, they became much more nuanced and less clear cut. The men in their worlds were all decent guys, none of them doing anything that would easily cast them as heels. I found myself going back and forth about their situations, totally immersed in trying to figure out the right resolution.
This was a wonderful exploration of modern day, mature relationships that had lots of edges and considerations. Bree, Mikki and Ashley were beautifully developed and fleshed out, so much that I felt a kinship with them and wished their store was a real one. I listened to the book and Tanya Eby’s storytelling skills were ideal for these characters. Each time I had to pause I couldn’t wait to get back to these women to see where they’d land. It was a great listening experience about three women confronting relationship challenges that were realistic, relevant and not so easy to figure out…just like real life.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Easy read, no angst. Enjoyed the way friendship developed and solidified among three main characters. And since the locale is the beach -- a good beach read.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
The way these three business partners come together and their friendship blossoms is really the most beautiful thing about this story. Bree, Mikki, and Ashley are three very different women. The are different ages, have wildly different upbringings, and seem to be in very different places in their lives. But they’re more alike than meets the eye, and that all seeps out as this story goes along.
Each of these FMCs have a romantic storyline as well as the story of friendship. Bree keeps herself at a distance from everyone, especially when it comes to romance. She’s the use them and lose them type and doesn’t ever let anyone get too deep into her reasons behind that…until she does. She has a lot to overcome to find happiness. Mikki is divorced and, after 3 years, finally feels ready to start dating again. But is there still something between her and her ex-husband that is worth exploring? And Ashley is in a wonderful and loving relationship. New, young love is so exciting. That is, until she realizes what she wants and needs is drastically different from what her boyfriend sees for their future.
Once again, this author expertly weaves all of these tales together in a seamless way. All of the characters, from the FMCs to the in-laws to the past conquests are given their own voice instead of blending too far into the background so as to be unnecessary. Instead, I found myself looking forward to what they had to say in each situation.
I appreciate that each character looked within to find their happiness before making final decisions. Not that there weren’t bumps along the way where some of them tried to make others happy. In the end, they all realized they had to be comfortable with themselves and their decisions before pulling others into their sphere.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Each of these FMCs have a romantic storyline as well as the story of friendship. Bree keeps herself at a distance from everyone, especially when it comes to romance. She’s the use them and lose them type and doesn’t ever let anyone get too deep into her reasons behind that…until she does. She has a lot to overcome to find happiness. Mikki is divorced and, after 3 years, finally feels ready to start dating again. But is there still something between her and her ex-husband that is worth exploring? And Ashley is in a wonderful and loving relationship. New, young love is so exciting. That is, until she realizes what she wants and needs is drastically different from what her boyfriend sees for their future.
Once again, this author expertly weaves all of these tales together in a seamless way. All of the characters, from the FMCs to the in-laws to the past conquests are given their own voice instead of blending too far into the background so as to be unnecessary. Instead, I found myself looking forward to what they had to say in each situation.
I appreciate that each character looked within to find their happiness before making final decisions. Not that there weren’t bumps along the way where some of them tried to make others happy. In the end, they all realized they had to be comfortable with themselves and their decisions before pulling others into their sphere.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Content Warnings
There is a lot of parental neglect in this book
emotional
medium-paced
Three women come together to rent space on the boardwalk. They are strangers to begin with, each with a life that seems relatively perfect for them. But there are currents underneath and all three are about to find their metaphorical boats rocked.
Bree is a bookstore owner who holds her heart close, even for the author who is currently in town.
Ashley loves her boyfriend and she's ready to take the next step but he doesn't appear to be.
Mikki is divorced but she is still good friends with her ex. That might be a problem for the man she's dating.
There is so much sturm and drang in this book. It was a little much for me this time but I think regular readers of Mallery's contemporaries will enjoy it.
The front door was propped open so the sound of the waves crashing could fill the store with joy. A soft coastal breeze fluttered through, bringing the scent of saltwater in with it. She finished up some of her displays and took a deep breath of the fresh air. Customers would soon be entering the store, but for now she wanted to bask in the sunlight and savor the peacefulness of the beach.
The Boardwalk Bookshop tells the stories of three women who lease a building on the boardwalk together and run their own individual small businesses. You’ll get to know Bree, Ashley, and Mikki, and watch as they tackle life, love, and friendships.
I wanted to love this book, but I just didn’t. The word bookshop is in the title, but very little of it is mentioned in the book and I wanted more of that. I didn’t like the love stories of any of the women… an insta-love, a love triangle, and a battle of get married or not get married. I just wasn’t feeling any of them. The friendship between the women was written well and I liked seeing that bond between them, but it wasn’t enough to make me love the story.
If you like multiple perspectives and drama romances, then this book may be right up your alley!
The Boardwalk Bookshop tells the stories of three women who lease a building on the boardwalk together and run their own individual small businesses. You’ll get to know Bree, Ashley, and Mikki, and watch as they tackle life, love, and friendships.
I wanted to love this book, but I just didn’t. The word bookshop is in the title, but very little of it is mentioned in the book and I wanted more of that. I didn’t like the love stories of any of the women… an insta-love, a love triangle, and a battle of get married or not get married. I just wasn’t feeling any of them. The friendship between the women was written well and I liked seeing that bond between them, but it wasn’t enough to make me love the story.
If you like multiple perspectives and drama romances, then this book may be right up your alley!
I always know before I start a book by the author that I’ll be getting an entertaining story about three different women and usually they’re all at some sort of crossroads in their lives. Her books are about friendships, romantic relationships, parenthood, marriage, divorce and more. So yes, predictable in some ways, but the path each woman takes is always interesting and I sometimes find comfort in knowing what I’m in for. I found this to be steamier than some of the authors more recent releases which was a pleasant surprise too. There is some definite heat, I can’t complain about that