Ahhhh, another book I loved by Brenda Novak! She never disappoints, and her latest doesn't either! Quick read that will pull you in from the very start until the very last page. Loved the character development and how beautifully written this novel was. Definitely recommend!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is more of a women's fiction book than romance. Yes there is a romance in the book but the book is more centered around three women. There are a lot of secrets that are unearthed during this summer. I did enjoy this book a lot. Who wouldn't want to own a bookstore right on the beach. I would love that. There is a lot of emotion in this book. A lot of fear of the unknown too. The only thing I didn't like was the ending. I felt it was too short and left the reader guessing on a lot of things. I think an epilogue would have been great or even another book after this one telling what is going on would be wonderful. Overall this book is wonderful, emotional and heartwarming.

*I received this free book from NetGalley and am leaving my honest opinion*

This is a very intricate story. It follows along three generations of women, mother, daughter, grandmother and their secrets and problems. It’s very well written. I was quite impressed with the storyline and it was different and fresh.

This is a wonderful beach read This book is about 3 generations of women and is full of drama and secrets. This is another great read by Brenda Novak

Multiple plots, three generations of women in the perfect setting...a bookstore. Great escape fiction for the beach or isolating with Covid.

It was a struggle to finish this one. The dialog was so stilted, the characters were parodies of after school specials. Novak gave each character a soap opera worthy set of conditions to work with, but somehow nothing interesting happened at any point? For a book marketed as being full of "family secrets," every time a secret was revealed, the other family members would think concerned thoughts for a second and then react as paragons of support. Also, the main character's husband disappeared 18 months ago (I know, because that's repeated ad nauseum), and everyone in the book reacts as though it's odd she hasn't moved on and started dating, yet? To the point where I wonder if he wasn't gone longer in an earlier draft, and they moved it to a shorter time so the protagonist could seem younger? Overall, did not recommend based on plotting, prose, and characters.

One thing I can always count on is that Brenda Novak never disappoints and The Bookstore on the Beach is the perfect example of that! This addictive novel combines women’s fiction, romance, and the mystery genres to create a fantastic storyline that will have you on the hook for start to finish. This novel packs so much depth with perfectly imperfect characters that are so darn relatable! I love when a novel has me escaping everyday life and The Bookstore on the Beach did exactly that for me! As per usual, after finishing this 4.5 star gem, I am already looking forward to getting lost in Brenda Novak’s next novel!

This was the first Brenda Novak novel that I've read and it won't be the last. There were multiple storylines that really kept me engaged. Autumn is the mother of two teenaged kids and her husband, Nick, has gone missing. After almost two years of searching for him, she takes the kids to visit her mom at Sable Beach (a fictitious location near Virginia Beach). Her mom, who has secrets of her own, runs a bookstore on the beach with Autumn's Aunt Laurie. By the end of the book, all sorts of secrets have been exposed.

I gave this 4 stars because I really liked the multiple storylines. I'm conflicted about the ending - while it was what I wanted, I feel like I shouldn't have wanted it. You'll have to read this for yourself to see what I mean! LOL

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review!

This books follows the view of 3 generations of women all struggling with their past, future and secrets kept. Autumn husband is missing, presumed dead. She moves on with a pass love and as she reaches happiness everything and everyone around her crumbles. Her mother is hiding a huge secret about her past that she is worried will rock future generations. Taylor, Autumn's teenage daughter is dealing with the fall out of grief lead poor decisions and new unexpected relationships.

I adore Brenda Novak and her writing. This is another tender hearted story. Autumn's husband has disappeared so she moves to the coast to work at a bookstore. Enter an old flame and the emotions of a old and new love. Perfect escapism.

This is everything you want in a Brenda Novak romance. In this story, secrets are being kept by many of the characters and they are slowly revealed by the author. Set in a beach town, this story has all the elements of a good romance, but the mystery drives it along. I enjoyed the story and it was prefect for what I was hoping to read right now. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have to say , I think that this is the fourth or fifth book I have read by Brenda Novak. I was originally going to wait until after the new year, so I could take part of her 2021 reading challenge. I had to read this right away, because all the books I have read were good, this one was too.

It had so many twists and turns, and even the ending was good. My favorite character was Quinn. He was romantic, and patient with Autumn. He had his own issues going on, but in the midst of it all, he still loved her. I believe people are going to love this book. I am grateful that netgalley let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been a fan of Brenda Novak since I read Lightning Strikes way back in 2012. I had requested it as a reviewer and started reading it with the preconceived notion that it was just another romance novel. Needless to say the story had me hooked on Brenda Novak and so at this point I make sure to get my hands on anything this very talented and prolific author pens.
One of the greatest challenges for a reviewer is to whet the reader’s appetite for a storyline in a new book without giving away too much of the plot or story. THE BOOKSTORE ON THE BEACH is turning out to be one of the most difficult challenges to date. The plot is riveting and the characters and their revelations will keep you turning page after page. I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve uttered the words, what! are you kidding?!
With each discovery you begin to get a sense for how complicated these characters lives have been. Living near the beach is so idyllic but many of these folk have a more realistic reason to settle there.
Mary runs the bookstore with her sister Laurie. The highlight for Mary is summer when her daughter Autumn and kids come to visit. Everything appears so simple, pleasant at least on the surface. But the undercurrent of secrets and tragedy truly shape these characters and their lives.
The big question is whether having these secrets come to light will cause trouble or make possible a more stress free and dare we say happy future. Opening doors often causes immediate chaos but once the truth is revealed there could be a sigh of relief for all these wonderful folk. Liken it to opening a Pandora’s Box. Can anything positive come from airing all this dirty laundry.
Brenda Novak carefully scripts the discovery of these secrets chapter by chapter in THE BOOKSTORE ON THE BEACH. The relationships of these characters are exposed as are their secrets. THE BOOKSTORE ON THE BEACH is a well thought out and crafted romance with hints of crime and tragedy. Can’t think of anyone more able to create this world than Brenda Novak. Fans are just going to love this book. And hopefully new fans are going to discovery this immensely talented author.

Brenda Novak can always be counted on for a great story. The Bookstore on the Beach is one more. Autumn takes her two kids to the beach where she grew up so they can spend some much needed time with her mother. There are secrets and there are surprises - all making for a terrific read.