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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter carries all the charm and undercurrents you expect in a small Southern town where history runs deep, grudges last longer, and the bookshop on Main Street holds more than just stories. Shelby Thatcher’s inheritance comes with strings: half ownership belongs to Gray Briggs, the man the town mistrusts and she vowed never to face again.
The setup is ripe with small-town tension—sidewalk whispers, old wounds that resurface with a glance, and a community that often chooses sides without knowing the whole story. I felt the weight of those dynamics. The threads of hometown loyalty, shame, and belonging gave the story a steady heartbeat.
By the final chapters, the town that once felt heavy with old wounds began to shift in quiet, unexpected ways. Those closing moments carried more warmth and depth than I’d felt anywhere else in the book—where grace brushed close enough to touch, and love held the kind of strength that could mend what time alone never could. For being a Christian fiction book, the spiritual thread felt more like a whisper carried on the wind than the steady heartbeat of the story.
I received a digital version of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing, narration, and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
I enjoyed this warm, clean romance set against the charming backdrop of a small-town bookshop. The characters are relatable, and the pacing kept me engaged from start to finish. While I’m not personally a fan of some of the more sentimental, love-dovey dialogue, and the ending felt a bit too neatly wrapped for my taste, I still found it to be an uplifting and satisfying read overall.
As a summer or vacation pick, it’s ideal — light, engaging, and filled with heart. The audiobook was a real highlight for me. Narrator Kim Churchill brought the characters to life with warmth and authenticity, making the listening experience thoroughly enjoyable. Her delivery perfectly captured the story’s gentle charm and emotional beats.
Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ARC. This is my honest review.
As a summer or vacation pick, it’s ideal — light, engaging, and filled with heart. The audiobook was a real highlight for me. Narrator Kim Churchill brought the characters to life with warmth and authenticity, making the listening experience thoroughly enjoyable. Her delivery perfectly captured the story’s gentle charm and emotional beats.
Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ARC. This is my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley, Denise Hunter, Kim Churchill, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the arc I received. All thoughts are my own.
I really liked the setup of this book. The small-town atmosphere was really nice and the introduction to all the characters felt really genuine. I also really wanted to know what happened between Shelby and Gray in the past. However during the last part of the book things just got unbelievable and ridiculous in my opinion.Personally I wasn't able to believe someone shot at Gray because of things in the past.
It's a cute romance to read and I enjoyed reading most of it and would recommend if you're in the mood for something light where you can just shut your brain off, not think too much and just enjoy a lovestory.
I really liked the setup of this book. The small-town atmosphere was really nice and the introduction to all the characters felt really genuine. I also really wanted to know what happened between Shelby and Gray in the past. However during the last part of the book things just got unbelievable and ridiculous in my opinion.
It's a cute romance to read and I enjoyed reading most of it and would recommend if you're in the mood for something light where you can just shut your brain off, not think too much and just enjoy a lovestory.
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
3⭐️
A second chance romance and bookstore! This sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately I struggled with how much the story focused on Shelby’s grief compared to the rekindling of her and Gray’s relationship. As someone who recently lost their own grandmother, this was a lot shoved in your face for being a romance. I would have loved to have a notice at the beginning of the book that there are heavy themes being rehashed throughout the story. And the way the town treated Gray was extremely childlike and unforgivable. I wish more time was spent on the chemistry between Shelby and Gray to really fall in love with these characters.
Thank you NetGalley for an alc.
A second chance romance and bookstore! This sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately I struggled with how much the story focused on Shelby’s grief compared to the rekindling of her and Gray’s relationship. As someone who recently lost their own grandmother, this was a lot shoved in your face for being a romance. I would have loved to have a notice at the beginning of the book that there are heavy themes being rehashed throughout the story. And the way the town treated Gray was extremely childlike and unforgivable. I wish more time was spent on the chemistry between Shelby and Gray to really fall in love with these characters.
Thank you NetGalley for an alc.
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Cosy small-town romance, that still addresses heavy topics such as grief, with elegance.
The Second Story Bookshop is a heartwarming tale set in a quaint town, including themes of family, second chances, and misunderstood characters, all set against the charming backdrop of a cosy bookshop.
Shelby and Gray are, to each other, "the ones that got away", separated by the rash decisions of their youth, and a small town set against Gray. Now, as both Gray and Shelby inherit her grandmother's struggling bookshop, they are forced to work together and reckon with their past histories.
Shelby, a sympathetic character easy to identify with. Initially, I had mixed feelings about Gram’s plans to reunite Shelby with Gray. In general, while I understood Shelby's family's desire to protect her, their involvement in her love life as an almost 30year old felt suffocating at times. However, Shelby is far from a doormat.
Gray’s character showed an interesting evolution, whose realism I appreciated. Present-day Gray is thoughtful and kind—traits foreshadowed in his teenage self, but that he still must grow into. Young Gray shields his insecurities with arrogance and, while he remains cool-headed and prudent in the face of aggression, is rash and occasionally careless when it comes to love.
Ultimately, Gray and Shelby's relationship is rekindled through teamwork and a respect for each other's skills and dreams, which I always love to see. This is what reconciled me to Gram’s bookshop Inheritance plan: she didn't force a choice on Shelby, but gave her an opportunity to get to know the man whom an entire town misjudged
While this book is classified as Christian fiction and published by Harper Collins’ Christian imprint, it doesn’t include any specifically religious themes in my opinon (characters say a short prayer once, before a holiday meal), making it accessible to a broader audience.
I received an audio ARC of this book through NetGalley, narrated by Kim Churchill. Churchill’s voice was well attuned to the characters’ emotions, and her narrating cadence and soft voice conveyed the dreamy setting very well.
The Second Story Bookshop is a heartwarming tale set in a quaint town, including themes of family, second chances, and misunderstood characters, all set against the charming backdrop of a cosy bookshop.
Shelby and Gray are, to each other, "the ones that got away", separated by the rash decisions of their youth, and a small town set against Gray. Now, as both Gray and Shelby inherit her grandmother's struggling bookshop, they are forced to work together and reckon with their past histories.
Shelby, a sympathetic character easy to identify with. Initially, I had mixed feelings about Gram’s plans to reunite Shelby with Gray. In general, while I understood Shelby's family's desire to protect her, their involvement in her love life as an almost 30year old felt suffocating at times. However, Shelby is far from a doormat.
Gray’s character showed an interesting evolution, whose realism I appreciated. Present-day Gray is thoughtful and kind—traits foreshadowed in his teenage self, but that he still must grow into. Young Gray shields his insecurities with arrogance and, while he remains cool-headed and prudent in the face of aggression, is rash and occasionally careless when it comes to love.
Ultimately, Gray and Shelby's relationship is rekindled through teamwork and a respect for each other's skills and dreams, which I always love to see. This is what reconciled me to Gram’s bookshop Inheritance plan: she didn't force a choice on Shelby, but gave her an opportunity to get to know the man whom an entire town misjudged
While this book is classified as Christian fiction and published by Harper Collins’ Christian imprint, it doesn’t include any specifically religious themes in my opinon (characters say a short prayer once, before a holiday meal), making it accessible to a broader audience.
I received an audio ARC of this book through NetGalley, narrated by Kim Churchill. Churchill’s voice was well attuned to the characters’ emotions, and her narrating cadence and soft voice conveyed the dreamy setting very well.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
A sweet, solid read. I feel it would have been much better if not written in the third person.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book gives hallmark movie energy. At first I could not connect to the characters or the story to be honest. I really struggled with one of the mc’s being in a relationship for most of the book. I also hated the way the town treated the MMC. I definitely felt for him.
I will say once the danger ramped up and it started to leave hallmark movie territory. I really enjoyed the way it progressed from there.
All in all this was a cute story. If you’re looking for something light with low angst and a nice bit of escapism. This is a great read.
The audio was outstanding. The narrator was phenomenal.
Thank you Denise Hunter, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, and NetGalley for this book. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I will say once the danger ramped up and it started to leave hallmark movie territory. I really enjoyed the way it progressed from there.
All in all this was a cute story. If you’re looking for something light with low angst and a nice bit of escapism. This is a great read.
The audio was outstanding. The narrator was phenomenal.
Thank you Denise Hunter, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, and NetGalley for this book. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.