One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls.

When Madeline’s professional life falls apart, and a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. Has she been too quick to dismiss her aunt’s beloved shop? And even if she has, the women’s best combined efforts may be too little, too late.

I was given a copy of the book courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and I can honestly say this was an extraordinary book. Once I started to read and got to know the three women who tell their stories I was hooked and finished the book in one sitting.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a story about relationships, identity and the difference between who you want to be and who you are meant to be. It is also about the power of words and the magic that books can weave.

The characters of Madeleine, Janet and Claire are believable and that makes this story all the more special.

A great read. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed this book immensely. Other reviewers mentioned not liking the characters, especially Janet. I found them all to be interesting and realistic and felt that the changes over the course of the book were also realistic. Apparently, the author is a Christian writer. This did not become evident until more than half-way through the book, and it was done fairly subtly. There was an odd device that the author used that I'm not sure worked well. There are three narrators (the three women who work together in the bookshop). Two of the characters spoke in the first person, while the last character (Claire)'s narrative was done in the third person. The reasoning for this is explained half-way through the book, but it didn't do much for me. All-in-all a thoroughly enjoyable, light read.

Yet another Katherine Reay novel I enjoyed! This one does not disappoint. It left me feeling overall happy and content by the end. I love the way she wove the lives of multiple characters together, as well as the word of God gently throughout. What a feel-good novel about love in all forms and improving on oneself.

‘Claire wove her way around ... so much life and literature packed into such a small space. A sanctuary. A haven. A bookshop.’

Katherine Reay has written some wonderful books that I have read and in The Printed Letter Bookshop, she continues her literary theme, if in a somewhat different approach. This is a wonderful book for people who love books - YOU! There is no denying Katherine is a very good writer and this story, overall, engages the reader through a selection of interesting characters.

“As I said, don’t give up.”

Chris brushed my cheek with his fingers.

“Let’s simply trust we’re where we need to be.”

This is a tale of three women brought together through ‘The Printed Letter Bookshop’, their trials and tribulations and the bonds of friendship that form through it all. As the shop transforms, so do the lives of these three women. This is not an intricate plot driven tale, rather, more character orientated. Each character being on their own journey, yet drawn together through their love of books and Maddie who left the shop in their care after her death. Throughout, Katherine shines the spotlight on some serious social issues - divorce and teen issues for example, yet all brushed with understanding and forgiveness.

‘... something had cracked inside me. I thought, at first, it was the end—my security wrenched away piece by piece. But rather than break me, the cracks opened spaces that had never existed before.’

As a lover of books, there is so much to enjoy here concerning the power of a good book - how each story can be a lesson, teaching the reader about themselves and how to apply learnings to their own life. There are plentiful quotes and bookish references sprinkled throughout to delight any avid reader - all of which are considerately listed by the author at the conclusion. Let yourself loose in this bookstore ... who knows, a new title may speak to you.

‘I looked around my own apartment. Despite all the work I’d put into it, it felt like the home of someone I expected to be rather than someone I was. Or maybe it reflected someone I’d never become. Maddie’s home had been warm, inviting, and lovely—it wasn’t the quality of the pieces within it, but how they reflected her...’

Katherine Reay’s writing is a definite highlight here. There is much to be considered though both character and book references, but still presented in a light and easy way to consume. With strong themes of friendships and second chances, it encourages you to let go of the past or preconceived ideas of how your life should be, and instead, embrace the uncertainty. Some sections/characters work better than others and after a slow start, I ultimately delighted in The Printed Letter Bookshop and highly recommend it to all book lovers and those interested in female tales from a range of ages.

‘Aunt Maddie and her book list. Every title led me here . . . How had she known? And had she meant for me to read them in order? If she had, if she’d thought that far ahead and listed them with purpose, she could not have chosen better. Each story gently propelled me to question my own.’


This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

The Printed Letter Bookshop tells the story of 3 very different women and the struggling bookshop left behind by Maddie. Madeline, Maddie's niece, a lawyer and heir of the shop, must decide her future as a lawyer and the shop's future. Claire has to grapple with her teenage daughter and worth as a wife. And, Janet must cope with the past and estrangement with her children.

I adored this novel. It's set in a bookshop, so what isn't there to love? But, the story was interesting, the characters were diverse. I could not put it down.

Although I enjoyed this book overall, as a feel-good fiction that I could pick up at any point, I did feel the story was a little lengthy without enough substance. The characters were good, and the idea behind the running and acquiring of the shop. However I felt the plot was too predictable. Liked it (set in a bookshop- who wouldn't!) but would not recommend.

This novel, told in three different voices, follows the life of a bookshop and it’s people after a death leaves everyone shaken.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I feel as if I grew alongside the characters. I actually started off greatly disliking one specific character, but by the end she was one of my favorites! It’s a classic bookshop tale, but stands out because it’s so relatable. Ultimately, everyone has wrenches thrown into their life plans. This novel shows the reader how these three women take control of their lives and their problems to better themselves and their community. I would highly recommend this book.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is filled with strong women facing real life decisions. I loved the bookshop setting. This is my first book to read by Katherine Reay. She is a clever writer that quickly captivated me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a lovely step into the relationships that we have as children and how they grow as we become adults. The happiness that childhood usually brings can change into a bitterness as we become adults. The author takes us on a journey into a young woman's life and how as the years have passed her life changes into something that isn't what she expected. A place she once held dear turns into something she can't wait to get rid of. The Printed Letter Shop was owned by Madeline's Aunt but now that she has passed is left in the hands of Madeline. An albatross around her neck she can't wait to get rid of the shop and move forward with her life. When her life unexpectedly changes she starts looking for a life line to grab hold. As life grabs her and pushes her toward a different road she begins to wonder if the shop and owning it is such a bad thing after all. I loved the emotions that the author pulled from me as I turned from page to page. This was a fantastic read that showed the good and bad side that relationships can bring and that dealing with them is never easy but in the end we can find peace by letting things go.

I've read and enjoyed several other books by the author. This is another delightful story about family, friendship, loss and love. It doesn't hurt that a quaint bookshop is also a character. In my opinion, books with an element of books or bookshops are always worth reading.

While it didn't WOW me- it was a very easy, comforting read- nothing that required a ton of concentration on my part. It does have an element of faith woven throughout- but not the "hit you on the head" kind.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. These are my opinions and are in no way influenced by the fact I got the ARC for free.

3 stars for this simple, typical story with 3 primary characters.

The story started at the funeral of Madeline's aunt (Madeline is the main character). Madeline was a top notch lawyer , who inherited all that her aunt owned. She met 3 people who were very close to her aunt and these 3 had changed her point of view and goal in life.

At first I was a little confused as to who is who. The author broke down the events based on the 3 main characters . I was a little sad for Madeline at first as she seem to lose a lot of important things as well as being led to a place and live a life she didn't want to be in. Though there were a lot of problems and money was tight, Madeline learned to strive, be open, happy and content. Of course there was a happy ending but it seems to come abruptly. Am not sure how she resolved completely all the financial issues (she seems to be close to being bankrupt).

One thing that kept my interest is the love story,I really wanted to know what will happen to them, thus I kept reading. A little disappointed with this love story , as it seems short and appears one-sided. (Spoiler: Did he just love or want to be with her because of his devotion to Maddie?) Though it may have been stated, I wish there was a definite proposal and acceptance. (I was hoping the proposal will ardently show his love for her ;)

A captivating story of three women and how a bookshop and the deceased owner changes their lives. For any avid reader, this beautiful story is interwoven with book titles, lines, and even old testament biblical passages which will really make one realize what is important in life. It is so cleverly written, The bookshop in a wonderful town outside of Chicago is so warm and inviting. An absolutely wonderful read. Recommend it highly,

This book took me awhile to get into, and I didn't love parts of it, but it won me over by the end. I'm no stranger to bookshops as settings in books these days; it is a very popular theme lately. While this one wasn't my favourite of these types of books, I did begin to really feel for the characters and root for their success by the end of the book. I just didn't emotionally connect with the characters as I maybe thought I could have.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is my very first read of a Katherine Reay novel and I am blown away, so much so I bawled in my kitchen like a baby when I read the final word on the last page. This novel was the cathartic read I didn’t even know I needed. The characters in The Printed Letter Bookshop are wonderfully crafted. This is a story about dynamic women living life as honestly and honorably as they can. I also appreciate the real-life issues tackled in this story. Reay does so in an honorable and truthful manner that forces the reader to look into her own heart. There’s no sugar-coating or sweeping things under the rug in this story, which I found to be so refreshing. Truly, The Printed Letter Bookshop is a phenomenal novel.

In this story, Claire (one of three main characters) is a married woman and mother to two teenagers. She has reached what I like to call the “beige period” in her life. Her marriage isn’t bad, but it’s not really a marriage. It’s more like two people living together. Her teenaged kids don’t really need her, but they sure love to take advantage of her cooking and laundry skills. Add a sudden change in her daughter’s behavior, and Claire isn’t sure she knows who her kids are anymore. And, with all the moving her husband’s job has forced on them throughout the years, Claire doesn’t feel like she can fit into a community. Why make friends and set roots when you’re likely to leave? Oh, and she’s soundly hit middle age where gravity has taken her body and emotions down. “Beige period” describes Claire perfectly. The problem is how does Claire get out of this “blah” time in her life?

The answer to Claire’s problems is she needs to act out LOVE. Instead of waiting for life to make decisions for her, Claire needs to ACT in LOVE. At one point in the novel, Claire ruminates on a quote from The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky: Love in action is a hard and dreadful thing compared to love in dreams. What a fantastic truth! Love is hard work. Love is NOT the stuff of dreams. Claire had a dream of love and life and then waited for the world to give that dream to her. She got the husband, but why is their relationship so cool? She got the kids, but why are they so self-centered, rude, and hard to reach? She’s surrounded by community, but why doesn’t anyone want to be her best friend? Because Claire loved the idea of love but didn’t realize the amount of work love takes. I dreamed of fairy-tale love but had absolutely no idea I would have to die-to-self daily once I got it. Let me give you one example. When I discovered I was pregnant with my daughter, I made a plan — a birth plan, a sound discipline plan, and a solid sleep schedule for my daughter. I swear I believed I would have my kid potty trained at 18 months. I WAS SO DUMB!!! You see, my “plans” were not born out of love. They were born out of selfishness. I made these plans not to better my daughter’s life, but to better my own. My plans were the stuff of dreams. I would set my plan into action and love would naturally follow. What I learned with the birth of my daughter is that love, real love, takes real action every single second of every single day. Claire realizes this too in the novel. If she wants her marriage to be solid, she needs to work. If she wants a close relationship with her children, she needs to work. Claire wants a better body, she needs to work. And if she wants a best friend, she needs to work. Love for others and for herself requires action every single day! This is my favorite lesson in The Printed Letter Bookshop — a lesson I needed to hear again.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a beautiful story that touched my heart deeply. I loved and appreciated the sense of female solidarity that permeates the narrative, I enjoyed heartily the ability to participate in the unique journeys of three amazing women, and am grateful for the reminder that love is an action verb. The Printed Letter Bookshop is a story I will not soon forget, and one I highly recommend.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via NetGalley and Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Amid literature and lattes, three women come together and find that sharing one’s journey with best friends makes life richer.



When attorney Madeline Carter inherits her aunt’s bookstore in a small town north of Chicago, she plans to sell it and add the proceeds to her nonexistent “investment portfolio.” But plans change when Madeline discovers the store isn’t making money and she gets passed over for promotion at her firm. She quits in protest, takes the train north, and decides to work at the store to prep it for sale. Madeline soon finds herself at odds with employees Jessica and Courtney; when she also finds herself attracted to an affianced man, it only confuses the entire situation. After blowing up her marriage two years earlier, Janet has found solace working at the bookstore and a kindred spirit within its owner, Maddie Cullen. But when Maddie dies and her niece, Madeline, barges in like a bulldozer, Janet pushes at the new owner in every way-until she trips over common ground. Soon the women are delving into online dating and fashion makeovers, and Janet feels the pull to rediscover her art, a love she thought long behind her. After a night of bad decisions leaves the store in peril, Claire arrives and tries to save the day. While she, too, found sanctuary in the little bookstore, she knows it’s under-insured, in the red, and will never survive. When she discovers her teenage daughter has played a part in vandalizing the store, Courtney taps into strength she didn’t know existed or had long forgotten. The quietest of the three, she steps up and finds a way to save her family, the store, and the precious friendships that have grown within it. The Printed Letter Bookshop is the story of friends who find each other-and themselves-in a place none of them ever expected.



This is a wonderful read. It's hard to put down once the reader begins the story. One shop, three women and their lives are connected through one woman, Aunt Maddie. In this story, we learn through three women how one magnificent woman helps each woman, Madeline, Janet, and Claire take a look into their lives through books that she has left them to read after her death.


I love bookstores, and this one is more than a bookstore; it's a place where friends come together for love, help, and healing. It's about friendships that can last through trials and tribulations. It's about one woman's legacy and how she looked at life. It's a story that one should not miss.


This is a story of finding one's calling in life, of love, forgiveness and true friendships that last through trials and tribulations, not just in the good times but in the worst of days. This was a wonderful book that teaches us that reading is beneficial, soothing and can always be a learning experience.


I loved the shop; I wish it were real if it were I would visit everyday!

Wonderful Story of Women
This is the best piece of Women's Fiction that I have read in a long time. Quality fiction about women in the different stages of life, written without sex, is a rare find. Not to say that there isn't romance and love in this tale, because there is plenty of that. This story is heart-warming, haunting, realistic and worth savoring. It is the story of finding oneself, of moving on and forgiving ourselves. This story is so good that I am recommending it to friends and know I will re-read it. I also plan on checking out this author's other work. I received the ARC book from Net Galley at no cost. This is my honest opinion.

There’s a reason that Katherine Reay’s books are all best-sellers. She has such a unique way of telling a story. I have absolutely loved every one of her novels, and I was so excited for The Printed Letter Bookshop. The first couple of chapters were a bit confusing, but I gave it a little time…and I’m so glad I did!

This story is told from multiple points of view (which is probably what caused my initial confusion!) and follows the lives of three women. Madeline has just found out that she has inherited a house and a failing bookstore--The Printed Letter Bookshop--from her aunt, Maddie. Madeline has a life in the city, and isn't interested in taking over the shop. She decides to try to make it profitable and sell it. 

Janet and Claire are employees of the bookshop, and they hate to see it closed. Still, they determine to help Madeline turn things around for the dying shop. Maddie left each woman a list of books she recommends for them to read. As they read the books and spend their time working together in the bookstore, they begin to learn new things about themselves. Just when it seems things are taking a turn for the better, a terrible tragedy occurs that will shake them to their cores--and force each one to take a look at what her life really is. 

The Printed Letter Bookshop is an amazing book. I loved the characters. Katherine somehow writes characters that you love, even through all their imperfections. As with her other books, there is a romance involved here, but it's more of a side-story than the main attraction. Once again, Katherine has written a story about relationships--with ourselves, with family and with friends. It also takes a hard look at things the characters believed to be true, but suddenly see from a new viewpoint. I loved this book so much. I already know it'll be on my yearly favorites list this December!

This is a delightful novel exploring three women and the unlikely friendship among them. The imperfect women are suddenly thrown together when, Maddie, the owner of The Printed Letter bookstore dies. Her niece, Madeline inherits the business. Madeline is a high power attorney, passed over for partnership. Claire works at the store and feels she has been a failure at being a mom. Janet also works at the store and knows she failed at her marriage. Very different women find they have to work together if they want to keep the beloved bookstore open.

I enjoyed reading how each of the women grew, faced issues in their lives, and came to depend on each other. These women have issues just like ours. They make mistakes and struggle with making situations right again. They get agitated with one another but learn how to work together. Little by little strong bonds are formed.

While the previous owner of the bookstore seems to be a strong Christian, there is little mention of faith among the three women. I would have liked to see Christian faith having a greater impact in the women's lives. Nonetheless, the novel is a touching one and very much a rewarding book to read.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Endearing, charming, and fun. It's a story of second chances and friendship. And being set in a failing book shop made it so much more captivating.

I had never read this author, but now I'd like to. I also have a list of books to check out.

I enjoyed my time getting to know the three women featured in this book. They all came from different backgrounds, but they had more in common than they knew. I felt like I spent everyday at the bookstore as customers came in, browsed, read and made friends. The bookstore is the focal point of the story as rumors abound that the new owner will sale.

Madeline is very smart and loyal which has caused her to lose touch with her Aunt Maddie. What a shock she had when her aunt's will was read. The timing could not have been more perfect since it was time for a change of scenery for Madeline. What does a respected lawyer do when she inherits a bookstore? The beauty of this story is getting to know each character and watch them struggle, feel remorse, look for forgiveness and find themselves.

I loved all the books mentioned in the story and the list of books each woman receives from Maddie. They don't understand the list at first, but Maddie knew just what each one needed to read. I would love to have an Aunt Maddie in my life. She was the glue that held this story together. She touched so many lives and gave her time and wisdom unconditionally.

Janet is unsure of herself and my heart broke for her as she longingly wanted to be part of her grandchild's life. There seems to be a theme going throughout the book of bitterness and pride in families . Janet loves working at the bookstore and finds peace there. I think she was looking for acceptance and longed to feel needed.

Claire was easy to relate to for me. She seems to feel like a failure when it comes to her teenage daughter. it is hard for them to connect with Claire working at the bookstore and Brittany pulling away from her guidance. There will be a crisis that will have Claire examining her purpose and wanting to protect her daughter.

The story is easy to read and I loved watching each woman grow, depend on each other and watch their dreams blossom. There are times when Madeline isn't sure she can save the store and wonders why her aunt left it to her. It was wonderful to see how each woman discovers something about themselves and how they grow as friends. Come join them as they find true friendship and trust in a bookstore.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and Netgalley .The review is my own opinion.