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A review by mishale1
The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It’s summery, it was light in just the right way, it was a fun storyline and I liked the characters.
I had just finished another beachy looking book that was actually super dramatic and heavy at times. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but it wasn’t what I was in the mood for. I picked this one up next and it just felt so relaxing to read. Even though it started with the lead character leaving her cheating husband, it never felt too heavy.
This book is about a dream that most of us readers have had: buying a bookstore!
Jess and her adult daughter Caitlin leave Charleston for the summer when Jess finds out her husband is cheating. She was never planning to buy a bookstore there.
Jess’s best friend Allison lives in Cape Cod. Her dream is to buy the bookstore but she doesn’t have enough money saved up.
Then Jess comes to visit for the summer and the next thing you know they’ve taken over a bookstore together.
Caitlin even starts working there, reopening the coffee place.
We also meet Allison’s adult daughter Julia. Julia has her own jewelry shop in Cape Cod.
I loved this book’s setting. I loved the storyline about the two best friends buying a book store together. I loved the detail in the writing, anytime someone went out to eat the food descriptions were fantastic.
I did start to wonder towards the end of the book of this was the first of a series. It didn’t feel like there were enough pages left to end the story. So, maybe it ended a bit suddenly but there was enough closure. And if the author decided to make this a series, I’d definitely read more.
This is the first book I’ve read by this character and I’m going to hit her back catalog next. I think I’ve found a new author to enjoy.
This is definitely a book you’ll want to take to the beach or one that will make you feel like you’re at the beach :)
I had just finished another beachy looking book that was actually super dramatic and heavy at times. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but it wasn’t what I was in the mood for. I picked this one up next and it just felt so relaxing to read. Even though it started with the lead character leaving her cheating husband, it never felt too heavy.
This book is about a dream that most of us readers have had: buying a bookstore!
Jess and her adult daughter Caitlin leave Charleston for the summer when Jess finds out her husband is cheating. She was never planning to buy a bookstore there.
Jess’s best friend Allison lives in Cape Cod. Her dream is to buy the bookstore but she doesn’t have enough money saved up.
Then Jess comes to visit for the summer and the next thing you know they’ve taken over a bookstore together.
Caitlin even starts working there, reopening the coffee place.
We also meet Allison’s adult daughter Julia. Julia has her own jewelry shop in Cape Cod.
I loved this book’s setting. I loved the storyline about the two best friends buying a book store together. I loved the detail in the writing, anytime someone went out to eat the food descriptions were fantastic.
I did start to wonder towards the end of the book of this was the first of a series. It didn’t feel like there were enough pages left to end the story. So, maybe it ended a bit suddenly but there was enough closure. And if the author decided to make this a series, I’d definitely read more.
This is the first book I’ve read by this character and I’m going to hit her back catalog next. I think I’ve found a new author to enjoy.
This is definitely a book you’ll want to take to the beach or one that will make you feel like you’re at the beach :)
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity