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managedbybooks's review
3.0
Sophie Jones loves her little bookshop at Herring Cove. She’ll never give it up to big property developer, Alexander Fletcher – no matter how handsome he might be…
Yet beneath Alex’s sharp suit and persuasive manner, there’s something about him that makes Sophie want to trust him.
So when he offers to help make her little shop a success again, she wonders whether this could be the start of something wonderful for both Sophie and Alex – together?
I got exactly what I expected out of this. It was a sweet romance with minimal plot moving it forward.
*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Yet beneath Alex’s sharp suit and persuasive manner, there’s something about him that makes Sophie want to trust him.
So when he offers to help make her little shop a success again, she wonders whether this could be the start of something wonderful for both Sophie and Alex – together?
I got exactly what I expected out of this. It was a sweet romance with minimal plot moving it forward.
*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
leanne_who_reads's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was the sweetest and cutest slow burn I've read in a long time, if ever. I really enjoyed reading this, and this is the first book that I have enjoyed in a while. I don't know what it is, I just haven't been picking books that I've clicked with and have enjoyed.
I seem to have been in the mood for a lighthearted, sweet, fluffy read, and this book was all of that, and it was a really pleasant read. I have nothing bad to say, and if someone is looking for a sweet, light slow-burn read, this one is for you.
I seem to have been in the mood for a lighthearted, sweet, fluffy read, and this book was all of that, and it was a really pleasant read. I have nothing bad to say, and if someone is looking for a sweet, light slow-burn read, this one is for you.
roxiefierce's review
3.0
It was a cute, fluffy summer read. I enjoyed the characters and plot, but it was predictable and a little stiff at times. But it was a nice break from more emotional reads and was very enjoyable!
hayleysnextpage's review
4.0
The Little Bookshop at Herring Cove is a quintessential beach read that you won't be able to put down this summer. The book is told from both Sophie and Alex's perspectives. Sophie is a bookshop owner in a small town on the English coast, while Alex is a developer trying to buy her bookshop for his family business' next resort development. But Sophie isn't going down without a fight and Alex decides to be more helpful than a hindrance. Romance blossoms and in the end everyone wins. You will undoubtedly breeze through this book like I did and you will be left wanting more of this easily loveable couple.
jackie_recommends's review
3.0
I received an ARC of this from Netgalley in return for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley! This was a cute little summer read. It was a bit trope-y, but it was still cute and a quick read. Worthy of any vacation bag!
hannargh's review
2.0
This book really had the potential to fit my very niche but favourite kind of fiction: women who own businesses, struggle, find themselves, find romance, be a success for themselves anyway.
Sophie owns a failing bookshop in run-down Cornish fishing village, Herring Cove. Her business is her heart, her memories, and all that links her to some her most traumatic experiences, and she is determined to hang onto it. Especially in the face of an impending resort development headed by the Fletcher Group. But when the Fletcher Group's son, Alexander, walks through her door and makes Sophie an offer she shouldn't refuse, can she both hold onto her business, and the new man in her life who wants to take it away?
The above is my summary and it actually makes the book sound better than it was. It had so much potential to be so many of my favourite things; conflict, budding romance, a bookshop and a woman struggling in the face of adversity.
Unfortunately this was a very washed-out attempt at all of those things. I couldn't feel anything for Sophie and Alexander, I wasn't in fear for their relationship at all, I didn't understand their romance and the way they spoke to each other made me uncomfortable (really cringey clichés).
In particular, the main plot point hinges around Alexander coming to the village to make Sophie an offer on her bookshop, only to then decide to build bookshelves for her - that is how Hailes forces the pair to spend time together. It just didn't work - it felt forced, it felt off and it meant that the chemistry between Sophie and Alexander was lacking from the very beginning.
And Sophie's friends - Ginny and Natalie - are bit parts at the best. They walk on, hug Sophie, remind us of her difficult past and walk back off into their own lives, despite those being potentially interesting.
Not to mention, you won't be getting your kicks out of this novel - the 'romance' is very vanilla. Lots of hand-holding and kissing. It did not rock my world.
It's not badly written, but I can't give it more than a dismal 2 stars.
*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Sophie owns a failing bookshop in run-down Cornish fishing village, Herring Cove. Her business is her heart, her memories, and all that links her to some her most traumatic experiences, and she is determined to hang onto it. Especially in the face of an impending resort development headed by the Fletcher Group. But when the Fletcher Group's son, Alexander, walks through her door and makes Sophie an offer she shouldn't refuse, can she both hold onto her business, and the new man in her life who wants to take it away?
The above is my summary and it actually makes the book sound better than it was. It had so much potential to be so many of my favourite things; conflict, budding romance, a bookshop and a woman struggling in the face of adversity.
Unfortunately this was a very washed-out attempt at all of those things. I couldn't feel anything for Sophie and Alexander, I wasn't in fear for their relationship at all, I didn't understand their romance and the way they spoke to each other made me uncomfortable (really cringey clichés).
In particular, the main plot point hinges around Alexander coming to the village to make Sophie an offer on her bookshop, only to then decide to build bookshelves for her - that is how Hailes forces the pair to spend time together. It just didn't work - it felt forced, it felt off and it meant that the chemistry between Sophie and Alexander was lacking from the very beginning.
And Sophie's friends - Ginny and Natalie - are bit parts at the best. They walk on, hug Sophie, remind us of her difficult past and walk back off into their own lives, despite those being potentially interesting.
Not to mention, you won't be getting your kicks out of this novel - the 'romance' is very vanilla. Lots of hand-holding and kissing. It did not rock my world.
It's not badly written, but I can't give it more than a dismal 2 stars.
*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
emlovesbooks's review
4.0
A sweet and funny romance, with a lot of heart. The conflict between the two main characters was brilliantly portrayed, so much so I wondered how they would ever get together, but the chemistry was also obvious too - a wonderful balance and a very satisfying end.
agameofbooks's review
4.0
The Little Bookshop at Herring Cove started off a little too cliché for my liking. The struggling bookshop owner meets the big business guy who wants to buy her store so he can put a big hotel in its place, but she refuses because the shop has too many memories attached to it. However, once I got into it I loved how the characters developed and grew to like them so much, that I didn’t really mind the cliché bits anymore.
The main character, Sophie Jones, was very relatable to me. She was willing to fight for her beliefs and even the description of her looks reminded me of myself. Plus, she loves books, so that’s a big giveaway. I did have some trouble getting over her trust issues. She mentions so many times that she’s not sure whether she can trust businessman Alexander that it gets too much after a while.
However, for the type of predictable love story that it was I really enjoyed it.
The main character, Sophie Jones, was very relatable to me. She was willing to fight for her beliefs and even the description of her looks reminded me of myself. Plus, she loves books, so that’s a big giveaway. I did have some trouble getting over her trust issues. She mentions so many times that she’s not sure whether she can trust businessman Alexander that it gets too much after a while.
However, for the type of predictable love story that it was I really enjoyed it.
vikkiew87's review
4.0
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. This is a gorgeous and uplifting story about love and books. This was perfect, I felt as though I had escaped to the sea side. This was a fun and charming read that I couldn’t put down. I’m always reluctant to try new authors but this book was fab and definitely didn’t disappoint. I need to find more books by Kellie Hailes.
annareadshere's review
4.0
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
It’s been such a long time since I’ve read a women’s lit book that made me feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy. Sophie and Alex have such an interesting dynamic. And it made it impossible to not root for them from the beginning. Yes, it’s predictable and cutesy, but it’s the perfect combination of it all.
Sophie is a tough nut to crack, and she stands her ground even though Alex makes it really tough for her to keep saying no. And when he just keeps coming around, tempting and taunting her and making his feelings clear, it’s impossible for her to just walk away from it all. When Alex lets his guard down for Sophie and he lets her deep into his life and she starts returning the favour, you can see how the two of them get so tangled up in each other.
It’s perfect. It was exactly the kind of book that the doctor ordered for me to get over my reading slump. A book that warms you up from the inside is never a bad thing and I absolutely loved it from start to finish. Kellie Hailes is a new author to me, but I will certainly be looking out for more of her books in the future!
It’s been such a long time since I’ve read a women’s lit book that made me feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy. Sophie and Alex have such an interesting dynamic. And it made it impossible to not root for them from the beginning. Yes, it’s predictable and cutesy, but it’s the perfect combination of it all.
Sophie is a tough nut to crack, and she stands her ground even though Alex makes it really tough for her to keep saying no. And when he just keeps coming around, tempting and taunting her and making his feelings clear, it’s impossible for her to just walk away from it all. When Alex lets his guard down for Sophie and he lets her deep into his life and she starts returning the favour, you can see how the two of them get so tangled up in each other.
It’s perfect. It was exactly the kind of book that the doctor ordered for me to get over my reading slump. A book that warms you up from the inside is never a bad thing and I absolutely loved it from start to finish. Kellie Hailes is a new author to me, but I will certainly be looking out for more of her books in the future!