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A review by theespressoedition
The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
The True Love Bookshop sounds like the perfect book for book-lovers, doesn't it? I was definitely geared up for a sweet and lighthearted romance with lots of bookish references. However, that didn't turn out to be the case at all.
Instead, I was met with a very heavy plot. For the first quarter of the book, I had an internal debate happening. I didn't want infidelity to be a primary element in the story, but without it, the characters couldn't have a strong romance. It made me feel uncomfortable and I spent a great deal of time reading solely in the hope that something would change and I would go, "OH! That's sweet. I'm glad that happened to turn this around."
...that never happened.
While there were definitely moments of hope, forgiveness, and strength throughout this book, I never really gained comfort from it as I initially expected. It didn't feel lighthearted at all and the lack of honesty and miscommunication lasted until the final chapters.
The redeeming quality for me came from the side characters more than anything. I enjoyed seeing the people I had come to "know and love" from the first two Somerset Lake books. I even plan to pick up the next story when it comes out (will Gil and Moira finally get together???) but this particular novel isn't one I'd reach for again. The writing was good, but the story wasn't my preference.
Instead, I was met with a very heavy plot. For the first quarter of the book, I had an internal debate happening. I didn't want infidelity to be a primary element in the story, but without it, the characters couldn't have a strong romance. It made me feel uncomfortable and I spent a great deal of time reading solely in the hope that something would change and I would go, "OH! That's sweet. I'm glad that happened to turn this around."
...that never happened.
While there were definitely moments of hope, forgiveness, and strength throughout this book, I never really gained comfort from it as I initially expected. It didn't feel lighthearted at all and the lack of honesty and miscommunication lasted until the final chapters.
The redeeming quality for me came from the side characters more than anything. I enjoyed seeing the people I had come to "know and love" from the first two Somerset Lake books. I even plan to pick up the next story when it comes out (will Gil and Moira finally get together???) but this particular novel isn't one I'd reach for again. The writing was good, but the story wasn't my preference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Grief, and Infidelity