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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Same premise as the very Brady Sequel?
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak
Three Women
Three Generations
Questions
Discovery
Choices
Three Futures
Which path will each one take?
….
Complex, well-written, thought provoking story that had me wondering what I would do if in the position(s) of any of the characters in this story. The book is nearly five hundred pages in length because there is much to cover and yet all of it was necessary to make this story what it is. I am not sure I would have made the choices that were made and yet, if any of the choices made had been different all three of their lives would have been different.
What I liked:
* That the story made me think, feel, and care about the characters and the outcome of the story.
* Mary: mother, grandmother, bookstore owner, secret keeper, strong, conflicted, survivor…
* Autumn: mother, wife, dealing with the disappearance of her husband while raising her teenage son and daughter on her own. Strong, resilient, focused on what is best for family
* Taylor: teenage daughter, worried, misses her father, dealing with more than one teenage issue
* Caden: teenage son, outgoing, caring, good brother and son, full of potential
* Laurie: business partner of Mary, friend, and more
* Quinn: caring, romantic, wants more from life than what he has experienced, a good son, kind, good with people
* The way the story was presented and how all the pieces linked together
* The quirks of the various characters
* The way issues were faced by the three generations…well…eventually faced and sorted out
* The small town setting
* The way the community pulled together for someone in need
* The strong friendships
* That the relationship between Caden and Taylor seemed believable
* Realizing that no matter how nice it would be to find a solution that would allow everyone in a situation to be 100% happy and satisfied…life doesn’t always provide that option…mixed feelings on this one…kind of a like and a dislike but also reality.
What I didn’t like:
* The issues that the three women had to face and deal with – it is central to the story BUT would hate to face the issues myself.
* Not a true dislike BUT I would have liked to have known more about the missing husband Nick and the relationship he and Autumn had together before he went missing…or…perhaps to have had an epilogue to see how everyone turned out down the road.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Mira for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4.5 Stars
Three Women
Three Generations
Questions
Discovery
Choices
Three Futures
Which path will each one take?
….
Complex, well-written, thought provoking story that had me wondering what I would do if in the position(s) of any of the characters in this story. The book is nearly five hundred pages in length because there is much to cover and yet all of it was necessary to make this story what it is. I am not sure I would have made the choices that were made and yet, if any of the choices made had been different all three of their lives would have been different.
What I liked:
* That the story made me think, feel, and care about the characters and the outcome of the story.
* Mary: mother, grandmother, bookstore owner, secret keeper, strong, conflicted, survivor…
* Autumn: mother, wife, dealing with the disappearance of her husband while raising her teenage son and daughter on her own. Strong, resilient, focused on what is best for family
* Taylor: teenage daughter, worried, misses her father, dealing with more than one teenage issue
* Caden: teenage son, outgoing, caring, good brother and son, full of potential
* Laurie: business partner of Mary, friend, and more
* Quinn: caring, romantic, wants more from life than what he has experienced, a good son, kind, good with people
* The way the story was presented and how all the pieces linked together
* The quirks of the various characters
* The way issues were faced by the three generations…well…eventually faced and sorted out
* The small town setting
* The way the community pulled together for someone in need
* The strong friendships
* That the relationship between Caden and Taylor seemed believable
* Realizing that no matter how nice it would be to find a solution that would allow everyone in a situation to be 100% happy and satisfied…life doesn’t always provide that option…mixed feelings on this one…kind of a like and a dislike but also reality.
What I didn’t like:
* The issues that the three women had to face and deal with – it is central to the story BUT would hate to face the issues myself.
* Not a true dislike BUT I would have liked to have known more about the missing husband Nick and the relationship he and Autumn had together before he went missing…or…perhaps to have had an epilogue to see how everyone turned out down the road.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Mira for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4.5 Stars
I thought this was going to be an easy fun beach read, but nope, I was so wrong, this book is really complex.
Complicated stories from three generation women. The journey to move on, to find love again, to face the fears. Lots of heartbreaking moments. Lots of sweet moments. Love the three generation women, they've been through a lot, and I can't not root for their happy ending from the beginning.
Not a big fan of the ending though kinda hate it, it kinda rushed and I felt something missing in the end.
If you're looking for a complex story about family with lots of drama, go for this one.
Complicated stories from three generation women. The journey to move on, to find love again, to face the fears. Lots of heartbreaking moments. Lots of sweet moments. Love the three generation women, they've been through a lot, and I can't not root for their happy ending from the beginning.
Not a big fan of the ending though kinda hate it, it kinda rushed and I felt something missing in the end.
If you're looking for a complex story about family with lots of drama, go for this one.
The Bookshop on the Beach by Brenda Novak is an amazing and heartwarming tale of a woman whose husband went missing and has yet to be found. This story takes us on a journey with Autumn Divac as she tries to start a new chapter of her life but who struggles since she still has no answers to help her reconcile and find closure with the one she’s been living. Then there’s her two teenage children dealing with their own fears, questions, and insecurities created by the situation. Autumn takes her kids home for the summer, to the charming beachside town where she was raised. She enjoys working alongside her mother and aunt at their bookshop, only to learn that her daughter is facing a huge life change and her mother has been hiding a terrible secret for years. Then there’s Quinn, the boy who stole her heart in high school who she encounters in town, and finds those old feelings return again. She has too many questions to deal with before she can move forward; many are unanswerable. Is she free to love him, or should she hold out hope for her husband’s return? She can only trust her heart and hope it won’t lead her astray. I absolutely loved the interactions and love between Autumn, her mother, her kids and Quinn. Each is dealing with major life challenges and trying to find solutions that will work for each of them.
Ms. Novak did an amazing job of describing the setting and the characters in a way that makes them come to life. She wrote a story that reaches the soul; the soul of her characters as well the soul of her readers. This wonderful and amazing story was emotional, moving, tear inducing, filled with wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters that is must read. I highly recommend The Bookshop on the Beach to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Ms. Novak did an amazing job of describing the setting and the characters in a way that makes them come to life. She wrote a story that reaches the soul; the soul of her characters as well the soul of her readers. This wonderful and amazing story was emotional, moving, tear inducing, filled with wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters that is must read. I highly recommend The Bookshop on the Beach to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I LOVE THIS! I nearly hated the ending. Would’ve taken it from 5 stars straight to 2 if she’d left Quinn. The solutions to all of the problems were perfect. I just wish Caden had stayed as well.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad