Scan barcode
tiggeruo's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this story was cute overall. I liked Sophie I felt like she was a fighter and was faced with so much, but I also felt her family never really got her. I liked Aiden a little bit I felt like sometimes he came off whiney and whoa is me type attitude, which became annoying. I loved the small town feel of this book, and the small town characters they were so fun. Overall this book was a fun read and the author kept the book clean so it suitable for all readers, its also completely predictable. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
inspiretruth's review against another edition
3.0
Sophie Lawson has always taken care of those around her. Seven years prior, after her mother is bedridden and her father abandons them, Sophie chose to give up her dreams to look after her mother and siblings. Now, she is ready to put her life back together and step into a new season as she prepares to open her very own bookshop. However, as one disaster befalls another and delays threaten everything she's worked so hard to achieve, Sophie will need to trust the person who left her when it mattered the most. Will she get everything ready in time, or will the past continue to hold her back from a bright future?
Aiden Maddox is a runner. After his mother left him at a young age, he has grown up believing that it's better to be the one to leave than to be left. Reunited with his high school sweetheart at her sister's wedding, Aiden seeks to apologize to Sophie for the hurt he caused her; but, as a hurricane rolls in, stranding them together, will he be able to regain Sophie's trust, or will his resurfaced love for her only make him run further away?
Bookshop by the Sea was my introduction to Denis Hunter. One of the queens of Christian Romance, I was looking forward to indulging in her highly anticipated new release. Unfortunately, as I dove further into the novel, I learned that it sat more in the clean romance rather than faith-based category. While Sophie and Aiden's story was cute and readable (I couldn't put it down despite the cheesiness), it lacked depth. The plot was very predictable, and feelings were the driving force of the story. Honestly, I don't know why I expected anything else; it's such a shame that Christians continue to follow the world, only changing a few scenes to make it "Christian," rather than standing out. Faith is about more than believing in God, saying a prayer at mealtime, or going to church; it's laying your life at your Savior's feet and choosing to lean on His guidance rather than being led by our feelings — especially when it comes to romantic relationships. Where are the Christian novels that praise God over sensual desire?
Nonetheless, while I was disappointed with this book, if you take away the idea of it being a "Christian" novel, Bookshop by the Sea makes for an easy beach read.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!*
You deserve someone special, Sophie. Maybe now that you have a new beginning you'll find him.
Aiden Maddox is a runner. After his mother left him at a young age, he has grown up believing that it's better to be the one to leave than to be left. Reunited with his high school sweetheart at her sister's wedding, Aiden seeks to apologize to Sophie for the hurt he caused her; but, as a hurricane rolls in, stranding them together, will he be able to regain Sophie's trust, or will his resurfaced love for her only make him run further away?
How could a man who jumped from the sky without reservation lack the courage to love?
Bookshop by the Sea was my introduction to Denis Hunter. One of the queens of Christian Romance, I was looking forward to indulging in her highly anticipated new release. Unfortunately, as I dove further into the novel, I learned that it sat more in the clean romance rather than faith-based category. While Sophie and Aiden's story was cute and readable (I couldn't put it down despite the cheesiness), it lacked depth. The plot was very predictable, and feelings were the driving force of the story. Honestly, I don't know why I expected anything else; it's such a shame that Christians continue to follow the world, only changing a few scenes to make it "Christian," rather than standing out. Faith is about more than believing in God, saying a prayer at mealtime, or going to church; it's laying your life at your Savior's feet and choosing to lean on His guidance rather than being led by our feelings — especially when it comes to romantic relationships. Where are the Christian novels that praise God over sensual desire?
Nonetheless, while I was disappointed with this book, if you take away the idea of it being a "Christian" novel, Bookshop by the Sea makes for an easy beach read.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!*
aprillikesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Spoiler
Sophie's family, and the fact that Sophie allows herself to get taken advantage of over and over by them, had me wanting to throw this book across the room, if I were actually turning pages instead of listening to an audiobook.jennabuythebook's review against another edition
4.0
Cute, Christian, Sweet. One of those "everything that could go wrong, will go wrong" sort of plots, but an endearing read nonetheless.
oriannaestelle's review against another edition
4.0
Another cozy read by Denise! What is it about storms that set the stage for romance? For whatever reason those books are among my favourites, and much like Hunter's last storm-secluding novel "Sweetbriar Cottage" this one did not disappoint.
I liked that there was already so much history between the two characters and that we get to see their perspectives on each other's growth. Bookshop by the Sea has great character development on both sides and a well-paced plot. It's also about books. By the sea. Need I say more?
I liked that there was already so much history between the two characters and that we get to see their perspectives on each other's growth. Bookshop by the Sea has great character development on both sides and a well-paced plot. It's also about books. By the sea. Need I say more?
vckingman's review against another edition
3.5
Slightly better than average, but not anything I was very excited about
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0