This book was absolutely wonderful! I really enjoyed Janet, Claire and Madeline’s stories. I could really relate to the characters and their relationships. It's the sort of book that has you thinking about it long after you've finished it! I will certainly be purchasing this book for my library!

Three women, whose lives are intertwined by the death of another. Upon Maddie's passing, her estranged niece Madeline inherits her aunt's bookshop, and along with it, her two employees Janet and Claire. Janet, not known for being warm and fuzzy, and Claire, competent in the Bookshop but accused by Janet as being a bystander in her own life, yet somehow the women find ways to bond and heal through the legacy of the woman who brought them together.

There were so many layers to this book, that I hardly know where to start. First of all, I love the setting of a small town bookstore where the owner knows her customers well enough to recommend books to each person, and the town's love and loyalty to Maddie continue after her death. I love Janet's prickly personality and her journey to realizing what's missing in her life. Claire's family struggles and search for where she lost herself is completely relatable. Madeline goes through her own changes as she realizes that her relationship with her aunt could have been very different. I love all of the supporting characters and how they strengthen the main characters’ stories. Between the three women's individual journeys and their evolving friendships and external relationships, this book was deep and rich, and I waffled between wanting to speed through to discover everything about it, and wanting to slow down and savor it. I especially enjoyed the references to so many books within the context of not just recommendations to customers, but also Maddie's individualized book lists in her letters to the three women that played such a part in their growth.

I give this book 5 stars. I have enjoyed all of Katherine Reay's books that I've read, but this one stands out for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is Katherine Reay at her finest. Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. The characters are living and breathing and leap off the page. While the three heroines are very different people, and are at different walks in life, their lives intertwine in many ways between beginning and end. The story is layered with many twists and turns. And The Printed Letter Bookshop, a character itself, is as warm and inviting as any bookshop you can imagine. I’d love to spend a day at the shop. Nearly every emotion is portrayed in this novel. At times, it is heartbreaking, and at others, it will make you smile, sometimes even laugh. It’s such a rich and satisfying novel.

While not overt, the faith theme in The Printed Letter Bookshop is more noticeable than in most of Reay’s other novels, something I appreciate seeing. I love seeing the messages of grace and self-worth portrayed for each character in the book.

I can definitely see myself returning to this novel someday. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves literature and is looking for a prolific read.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this wonderfully full novel.

I loved this book so, so, so much...and on the one hand, that doesn't surprise me at all, because I've loved all of Katherine Reay's books. But on the other hand, I was surprised at how personally touching this story was...it could not possibly have landed in my life at a better time. I finished it weeks ago and I'm still thinking about it!

It's Katherine Reay, so of course the writing is lovely. I adored the bookshop setting ... and I especially loved the relationships formed between the three main characters—three women with their own hurts and haunts and hopes. Janet was honestly the most surprising to me...she's prickly and hard, but she ended up tugging my heart so strongly. Claire's story is one, I think, that many, many women will relate to. And Madeline was so relatable and so believable.

I feel like whatever I write in this review isn't going to do justice to how profoundly affected I was by this book. But suffice it to say, I will definitely be reading it again!

A novel about books, lattes, and friendship? Sign me up! The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay is such a beautiful story about family, friendship, love, and self-discovery. It follows the lives of three very different women, Madeline, Janet, and Claire, brought together by their love of books and this fabulous little bookshop in small town Illinois. With alternating points of view throughout the story, I felt uniquely connected to each woman and her journey of finding her truth.

Aaaaand, it’s official. I want to quit my job and go work in a bookstore. About 20 pages in, I actually put down my Kindle and headed straight to our local independent book store just to touch new books. There’s certainly some appeal to lying in bed in your jammies and buying books online, but there’s magic in roaming a bookshop and feeling pages in your hands.

As one might expect about a book about books, I found myself highlighting so many book titles referenced throughout the story to revisit and check out later - cookbooks, fiction, classics, young reader chapter books to share with my daughter. Pro-tip: they’re all listed at the back of the book.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves books, bookshops, and books about books.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher Thomas Nelson for this ebook ARC.

A great book for people who love books! Usually I don't read books in this genre but I venture outside my comfort zone once in a while when I see a book blurb that interests me, like this one. Really liked the story setting, Katherine Reay is a great writer. The story gripped me even though the characters weren't very interesting to me. Janet especially didn't interest me, I thought she was kind of rude and unlikeable. But it worked for the story and she too got her happy ending, sort of. I didn't really understand all the money problems that were pitched in the beginning of the book, those were hard to follow. Second half was easier to get into. So, in short, enjoyable book for the genre, just okay for me.

Oh. My. Gosh. What a great book! I am so happy the book list is at the back, it could only have been better if each character's list was there but., I'm so grateful we have it at all. It was a great story full of very real, likable characters set in a small, local, book shop very similar to my own. Delightful story that I look forward to hand selling! Thank you.

Despite the opening of the book being a funeral, the deceased is actually the driving force of the novel, alongside her beloved bookshop. A delightful novel focused around 3 women who in different ways all are unhappy in their lives. Any lover of books and independent bookshops will love this story of redemption, of loss and finding your way. There are faith aspects weaved beautifully into the book (not a main theme), which came as a pleasant surprise to me. This is the kind of book I was really wanting to read over the Christmas holidays, cozy and heartwarming.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC digital copy

This is the best feel-good book that I have read in a really long time! It is the story of Madeleine, Janet and Claire, the three women who work tirelessly to keep The Printed Letter Bookshop open. Told with empathy for each character, from the viewpoint of each woman, the story is one that will remain long in the hearts and minds of real devotees of reading books. Maddie, Madeleine’s aunt has died, and at the same time Madeleine needs a place to go, a purpose for her life. Enter the bookshop and the women who knew her aunt the best and who are more than a little leery of Madeleine’s motives. I enjoyed the development of all the characters, but none more so than Claire who was facing an empty next, an absentee husband and a teen who was determined to rebel at all costs. Having lived through that life myself, I was drawn to her story. The struggles in life and in keeping the business going are portrayed so realistically that I was immediately drawn into the story and mesmerized by each woman and her story of love, loss and life’s challenges. Readers of contemporary fiction will fall in love with this novel and it should find a place of honor in the circles of book lovers everywhere.

Is there anything better than a book about books? This story takes place in a charming small town where the main characters are trying to keep a bookstore afloat while grappling with the relationships in their lives and trying to find an honest view of themselves in the process.

*ARC provided by NetGalley

As a librarian I'm drawn to books about books, libraries, bookshops so of course I asked for an ARC of The Printed Letter Bookshop. I was delighted! The Bookshop is owned by Maddie and operated with the help of Janet and Claire in a small village outside Chicago. Maddie dies from cancer after keeping her illness hidden from the rest of her estranged family. She leaves the Bookshop, her house and everything else to her niece Madeline, who used to come stay with her during summer but hasn't been back since a big blow-up between her father (Maddie's brother). Madeline was shocked to learn of Maddie's death and her subsequent inheritance. At first, Madeline wants nothing to do with anything that will interfere with her plans to climb the corporate ladder within her Chicago law firm. As often happens in life, things don't turn out as she planned and Madeline finds herself trying to get the shop and Maddie's house in shape to sell to relieve the large debt that was also part of her inheritance. A she familiarizes herself with the shop and the people, Madeline gets to know Claire and Janet as well as more about her aunt, She learns more about herself, too, as she discovers the reason for her family's estrangement from Maddie and takes another look at her life.

The story is told from alternating points of view and goes into the lives of the three main characters: Madeline's, Janet's ( a lonely, divorced, gifted artist in her 40's), and Claire's ( happily married, mother of teenagers who are growing away from her). The three very different women find family in the quirky customers who visit the store and the people who Maddie loved and helped. Maddie left them each a letter including a list of books she recommended for each of them. As they work through their lists, they find common ground, and a new understanding of the woman who loved them.

I really enjoyed this book and the opportunity to read an advanced copy! It was a little slower paced then some, but the characters are well-developed. I found myself wanting to be a part of the Bookshop family and friends with the ladies in spite of their self-realiized flaws (also well-developed). Many will be drawn by the title, but the writing and story will keep them !

I reviewed this title for Hope By The Book magazine's 2019 Spring issue. "In a widely appealing story of life and loss, three vastly different women unite for a common goal and with lots of books and coffee, reminding readers of some important yet often neglected truths."

Katherine Reay is one of my must read authors...A lovely book w/ memorable characters. I loved every page of this book...I'm sure you will, too.

Ok, the three stars are solely because of the charming setting of the Printed Letter. (With a different setting, this would have been a 2.) I loved the description of this small town, locally owned shop. It connotes nostalgia of a simple time before Amazon takes readers (like me) to buy cheaper books (I felt so guilty!)

The story just never flowed like it should have for me. I was gone putting this story down as there was so much repetition but then so many twists and turns that seemed out of place. Janet’s portrayal was heartbreaking, Madeline’s was somewhat maddening, and Claire’s was depressing, but these three women needed each other, and they formed an unlikely bond. I enjoyed the female friendships and the bookshop, but the story was so put-down-able (word?)

If you love books and quaint, charming bookshops, you’ll enjoy this. If you don’t find pleasure in a bookshop, don’t pick this one up.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC edition of this novel. This is the first of Katherine Reay's novels I've read and it kept me up all night! It's the story of young, aspiring attorney Madeline who unexpectedly inherits her Aunt Maddie's beloved bookshop. During her aunt's brief illness, the shop has been kept afloat by two women, Janet and Claire, who get as much out of working at the shop as they give to the shop. While the three women figure out how they can keep the shop in business, they learn through many trials how to forge strong friendships with one another and how to go after the lives they truly want. I thought this might be another one of those quirky, kitschy bookstore stories but I found it filled with several believable storylines and snappy, contemporary dialog that kept me flipping pages. I also enjoyed the many references to books that are either classics or that have been very popular in recent years--I have read a great many of them myself, so felt I was a kindred spirit to not only the characters, but to Katherine Reay herself. I highly recommend this book to those who like stories of female friendships and to those who love reading.

A heart warming tale of three women brought together by the death of a beloved bookshop owner, Maddy. Jane, Claire, and Madeline take us a journey of both discovery and healing as they each have to navigate life after Maddy especially Madeline has she is given the bookshop by her Aunt Maddy even though there has been a division in the family for several years. I love how Maddy demanded the bookshop be called that because a bookstore was too impersonal. This story made me want to go to my local bookshop, curl up in a chair, and read there. Book lovers will enjoy this delightful story that highlights our love of reading.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Author Katherine Reay provides readers with an upbeat story that should appeal to any independent bookstore lover. Main character Madeline has a few curve balls thrown her way. A successful attorney, she's ready to make partner and her hopes are dashed as the book opens. The hard work and years of pouring all efforts into her career have not paid off, much to her frustration. She's drawn to a small community to lick her wounds as she delves into the recent inheritance of a small book shop from an aunt she ignored for years.
What she finds are two employees, Janet and Claire, each dealing with life challenges while trying to keep the store afloat financially. Rather than close up shop and walk away from the small town life, Madeline is compelled to try to honor her aunt's efforts in running the business. Madeline's view of small town life changes as she sees that relationships among her employees, the business and the townspeople are all important community components.
Throw in a little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance, and a lot of small town good feelings, and Reay has created an ideal book for a cozy winter tea and reading afternoon.

2.5 stars

I was looking forward to reading a book that had to do with a bookshop. I liked how the story followed three women, each trying to find their place. This was a relatively light read. I would have liked a bit more character development. I found a few too many lulls in the plot, which is the reason for the lower rating.

I wish someone like Aunt Maddie would leave a recommended reading list for me that would positively impact my outlook on life! I admit that this book became a little tedious because of the frequent switching in voices, but overall I came to know the characters and be interested in the resoulution of their problems.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you are a book lover, a book that features other book lovers warms your heart. This book is totally that way.
The author takes a story of friendship surrounding books that will make you wish the bookstore truly exists somewhere. One thing that is unique about this story is that none of the characters have it "all together". They have messed up, some more than others. They were not really destined to be friends, until life throws them together.

Love, forgiveness and finding what is truly important in life are the themes of this novel. It is published as Christian fiction, but it is more for the thread of hope, love and forgiveness throughout the novel than for sermons, bible verses and quotes.

I found myself wanting to highlight portions of the novel and remember what was said. I would highly recommend it.

I obtained this book through the publisher and NetGalley. The opinions contained herein are my own.