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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
This book had the kind of pace I usually struggle with, but here it worked. The slower unfolding let me settle into both timelines without feeling lost or rushed. I liked how the past and present were layered, not just for style but to show how the characters had changed — or hadn’t.
The romance stood out. It didn’t shout or try too hard. It was patient, built through shared spaces and unspoken tension. What I liked most is that it felt earned, not just thrown in. The emotion had weight, and the connection between them made sense even when things were uncertain.
I wouldn’t call this a story full of twists or shocks, but that’s not what I was looking for. It left space for reflection, for silence even — and that made the emotional parts land differently. Some books rush to say everything. This one didn’t, and I appreciated that.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter
🎧 Narrated by Kim Churchill | ⏱️ 9 hours 28 minutes
The Second Story Bookshop is a deeply emotional and inspiring Christian romance that delivers a powerful message of love, forgiveness, and second chances. Denise Hunter crafts a beautiful small town story that’s as comforting as it is moving, perfect for listeners who love heartfelt, wholesome fiction with real emotional depth and a clear moral to the story.
Set in the charming town of Granville, North Carolina, the story follows Shelby, a sweet, hardworking woman devoted to her grandmother’s bookshop, and Gray, the misunderstood bad boy whose life was shattered after his father’s conviction for second degree murder. As the town turns its back on Gray, Shelby is falling in love with him, Unable to forgive Gray for his choice to leave her after high school, Shelby severes all connections with him until her beloved grandmother leaves her bookstore to both Shelby and Gray as co-owners.
Shelby and Gray’s journey is full of emotional reckonings. As they fight to save the struggling bookshop, they’re also forced to confront the truth about their past, each other, and the possibility of healing.
The romance is clean, deeply rooted in Christian values, and full of genuine emotion. There’s no spice, just a slow burning reconnection that feels authentic and profound. Gray is a truly lovable hero, steady, misunderstood, and quietly enduring. Shelby’s growth from guarded and hurt to open hearted and forgiving is both touching and realistic.
Narrator Kim Churchill delivers a wonderful performance, capturing the sincerity and vulnerability of both characters with warmth and grace. Her narration enhances the emotional resonance of the story, making the listening experience immersive and heartfelt.
With a perfect blend of love, faith, and community spirit, The Second Story Bookshop is a soul stirring audiobook that leaves you inspired and full of hope. A must listen for fans of emotional, clean romance and small town stories with heart.
🎧 Narrated by Kim Churchill | ⏱️ 9 hours 28 minutes
The Second Story Bookshop is a deeply emotional and inspiring Christian romance that delivers a powerful message of love, forgiveness, and second chances. Denise Hunter crafts a beautiful small town story that’s as comforting as it is moving, perfect for listeners who love heartfelt, wholesome fiction with real emotional depth and a clear moral to the story.
Set in the charming town of Granville, North Carolina, the story follows Shelby, a sweet, hardworking woman devoted to her grandmother’s bookshop, and Gray, the misunderstood bad boy whose life was shattered after his father’s conviction for second degree murder. As the town turns its back on Gray, Shelby is falling in love with him, Unable to forgive Gray for his choice to leave her after high school, Shelby severes all connections with him until her beloved grandmother leaves her bookstore to both Shelby and Gray as co-owners.
Shelby and Gray’s journey is full of emotional reckonings. As they fight to save the struggling bookshop, they’re also forced to confront the truth about their past, each other, and the possibility of healing.
The romance is clean, deeply rooted in Christian values, and full of genuine emotion. There’s no spice, just a slow burning reconnection that feels authentic and profound. Gray is a truly lovable hero, steady, misunderstood, and quietly enduring. Shelby’s growth from guarded and hurt to open hearted and forgiving is both touching and realistic.
Narrator Kim Churchill delivers a wonderful performance, capturing the sincerity and vulnerability of both characters with warmth and grace. Her narration enhances the emotional resonance of the story, making the listening experience immersive and heartfelt.
With a perfect blend of love, faith, and community spirit, The Second Story Bookshop is a soul stirring audiobook that leaves you inspired and full of hope. A must listen for fans of emotional, clean romance and small town stories with heart.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received this as an ALC from NetGalley🚨
This was a perfect summer listen! I really enjoyed the plot, the characters were 3 dimensional and I found myself rooting for Shelby and Gray, there wasn’t a ton of miscommunication or silly misunderstandings, instead it was a super well done second chance romance. The 3rd act conflict didn’t drag, as a 3rd act breakup hater I was worried there for a second but thankfully it was resolved super quick. The audiobook was well done but my only gripe was it took me a few instances to catch on to the fact that after the narrator introduced a new character they included what that person likes to read and although it was a super cute touch it didn’t translate very well over audiobook, it threw me off the first few times until I finally caught on to what was happening. All in all a very enjoyable listen!
This was a perfect summer listen! I really enjoyed the plot, the characters were 3 dimensional and I found myself rooting for Shelby and Gray, there wasn’t a ton of miscommunication or silly misunderstandings, instead it was a super well done second chance romance. The 3rd act conflict didn’t drag, as a 3rd act breakup hater I was worried there for a second but thankfully it was resolved super quick. The audiobook was well done but my only gripe was it took me a few instances to catch on to the fact that after the narrator introduced a new character they included what that person likes to read and although it was a super cute touch it didn’t translate very well over audiobook, it threw me off the first few times until I finally caught on to what was happening. All in all a very enjoyable listen!
Completed: July 20/25
Format: ARC (audio)
Narrator: Kim Churchill - excellent!
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #12 of 50 “with a character you find relatable” — Shelby (FMC)
Book #87 of 2025:
First of all, I absolutely love it when there is more to the title than what meets the eye!! I’m not going to spoil what that little nugget is however. It’s a great life lesson.
Denise Hunter’s last few books have gone up to a whole other level. Her books are always good and very enjoyable. These last few, though, have reached CANNOT MISS A THING SHE WRITES status!
I immediately felt connected to the main character, Shelby, through the close relationship she had with her late grandmother. She also loves books, reading, family, friends, and her man.
Sometimes life circumstances can be rough. Some people jump to conclusions, bully, and push their power around. This is central to this story and this community. It’s the catalyst for Shelby and Gray’s relationship breaking up the first time when they were 18.
When the will of Shelby’s late grandma’s will pushes them together, it’s not pretty. But they become drawn together to save the bookshop. The shadows and completely unfair attitudes of the past are still at large all these years later.
Since I just read the first 3 books of the author’s Riverbend series in the last few months, it was fun to have those main characters mentioned at points during the story.
This novel kept me engaged throughout and I think it’s a beautiful story. I strongly recommend this book! The ending and epilogue left my heart full as well as my eyes. With tears. The best kind.
*** Huge thanks to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for providing me with an advanced digital copy. My honest review is in my own words.
Format: ARC (audio)
Narrator: Kim Churchill - excellent!
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #12 of 50 “with a character you find relatable” — Shelby (FMC)
Book #87 of 2025:
First of all, I absolutely love it when there is more to the title than what meets the eye!! I’m not going to spoil what that little nugget is however. It’s a great life lesson.
Denise Hunter’s last few books have gone up to a whole other level. Her books are always good and very enjoyable. These last few, though, have reached CANNOT MISS A THING SHE WRITES status!
I immediately felt connected to the main character, Shelby, through the close relationship she had with her late grandmother. She also loves books, reading, family, friends, and her man.
Sometimes life circumstances can be rough. Some people jump to conclusions, bully, and push their power around. This is central to this story and this community. It’s the catalyst for Shelby and Gray’s relationship breaking up the first time when they were 18.
When the will of Shelby’s late grandma’s will pushes them together, it’s not pretty. But they become drawn together to save the bookshop. The shadows and completely unfair attitudes of the past are still at large all these years later.
Since I just read the first 3 books of the author’s Riverbend series in the last few months, it was fun to have those main characters mentioned at points during the story.
This novel kept me engaged throughout and I think it’s a beautiful story. I strongly recommend this book! The ending and epilogue left my heart full as well as my eyes. With tears. The best kind.
*** Huge thanks to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for providing me with an advanced digital copy. My honest review is in my own words.
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Grateful for the advance audio arc from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio. I definitely think this book would be loved by readers who enjoy Hallmark type books. All conflicts were resolved with a happy ending right down to the bookstore employee, Hailey finding her passion working at the gallery. I liked Gray’s character more than Shelby. Although she had abandonment issues I still didn’t understand her totally cutting Gray out of her life when he joined the military. I listened to this at the beach and think it would make a wonderful easy listen/read.
What a perfect autumn romance for book lovers and those that love second chance romances.
Shelby and Gray were once high school sweetheart. The beloved booksellers granddaughter and the town “bad” boy who wasn’t actually bad. But town rumors caused a heartbreaking split.
11 years later the two must work together to save the towns beloved bookstore and maybe, just maybe learn to trust each other enough to give love another chance.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for access to an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Shelby and Gray were once high school sweetheart. The beloved booksellers granddaughter and the town “bad” boy who wasn’t actually bad. But town rumors caused a heartbreaking split.
11 years later the two must work together to save the towns beloved bookstore and maybe, just maybe learn to trust each other enough to give love another chance.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for access to an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the wonderful opportunity to listen to the audiobook of this novel ✨
Oooookayyyyy this is not what I was expecting in the slightest. Disclaimer: bear with me I’m writing this review with a pounding headache brought on by this book… Firstly, I am not a big second chance romance gal, yet I always try to read them again and again with an open mind (bonus points that this is one I finished); however, this book did not deliver. From the beginning, I could tell that this was going to have Hallmark movie vibes and come to find out that some of the author’s books have BECOME Hallmark movies. I love that for her!! Congrats! But goodness me, this book read like it is supposed to be a movie and not a book. Hopefully that makes sense, but the book lacks inner monologue and reeks of dialogue, yet funnily enough I felt like the two MC’s didn’t have enough conversation to warrant them getting into a relationship (when they were teens AND adults). And don’t get me started on the reasoning behind their breakup… if you decide to read this book, I PRAY that it doesn’t bother you nearly as much as it bothered me because after THAT they have absolutely NO reason to be in a relationship. Yes. I said what I said.
I feel like my review has been quite harsh, but the book is cute and fast-paced and I know that a lot of people could read this and enjoy it a lot. All love to this author and God bless!
Oooookayyyyy this is not what I was expecting in the slightest. Disclaimer: bear with me I’m writing this review with a pounding headache brought on by this book… Firstly, I am not a big second chance romance gal, yet I always try to read them again and again with an open mind (bonus points that this is one I finished); however, this book did not deliver. From the beginning, I could tell that this was going to have Hallmark movie vibes and come to find out that some of the author’s books have BECOME Hallmark movies. I love that for her!! Congrats! But goodness me, this book read like it is supposed to be a movie and not a book. Hopefully that makes sense, but the book lacks inner monologue and reeks of dialogue, yet funnily enough I felt like the two MC’s didn’t have enough conversation to warrant them getting into a relationship (when they were teens AND adults). And don’t get me started on the reasoning behind their breakup… if you decide to read this book, I PRAY that it doesn’t bother you nearly as much as it bothered me because after THAT they have absolutely NO reason to be in a relationship. Yes. I said what I said.
I feel like my review has been quite harsh, but the book is cute and fast-paced and I know that a lot of people could read this and enjoy it a lot. All love to this author and God bless!
I’ll be posting my full review on the publication date, but I can already say this: When second chances fall flat and the drama outweighs the heart
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the eARC. Publication Date: 10/7/25
I think 3.5 is a more fair rating for me. If you like a Hallmark movie in book form, this is absolutely for you. A second-chance romance, with high school sweethearts being reunited. I prefer my books a little spicier -- this was 0 chili pepper: some kissing but nothing else was even implied.
The FMC and MMC both have histories of emotional trauma that they need to address, and both seem to come to terms with them. Throughout the book the FMC seems to be having imagined conversations with her deceased grandmother (not a spoiler, it's the premise of the book), and I would have liked more of that, as the grandmother was funny and spunky. I also wanted a bit more development of the relationship between the FMC and MMC as adults. I thought the description of the development of their high school relationship had more depth than why they *still* wanted to be with each other 10-11 years later. I did enjoy the development of the relationships in the FMC's family.
Overall, this is sweet and cozy. It's a bit of a crazy small town with some issues (honestly, I thought some of the issues went a bit too far). But, it was an enjoyable book. I'm glad it's being released in October, as it would be a good fall cozy read. I'd watch the heck out of this as a Hallmark movie.
I think 3.5 is a more fair rating for me. If you like a Hallmark movie in book form, this is absolutely for you. A second-chance romance, with high school sweethearts being reunited. I prefer my books a little spicier -- this was 0 chili pepper: some kissing but nothing else was even implied.
The FMC and MMC both have histories of emotional trauma that they need to address, and both seem to come to terms with them. Throughout the book the FMC seems to be having imagined conversations with her deceased grandmother (not a spoiler, it's the premise of the book), and I would have liked more of that, as the grandmother was funny and spunky. I also wanted a bit more development of the relationship between the FMC and MMC as adults. I thought the description of the development of their high school relationship had more depth than why they *still* wanted to be with each other 10-11 years later. I did enjoy the development of the relationships in the FMC's family.
Overall, this is sweet and cozy. It's a bit of a crazy small town with some issues (honestly, I thought some of the issues went a bit too far). But, it was an enjoyable book. I'm glad it's being released in October, as it would be a good fall cozy read. I'd watch the heck out of this as a Hallmark movie.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Abandonment
Minor: Classism