The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser is a wonderful novel that is a heartwarming story of second chances, romance, and finding that second lease on life.

Just when Thea Mottram thought her life was dug into a ditch: she lost her job, her husband leaves her, she finally gets a positive sign when she is given an adorable small home in a rural village in Scotland left to her in a will by an unknown relative. Thea takes this as an opportunity to escape and hide out while she nurses her wounds.

While she is there, she finds a fabulous collection of books that are also now in her possession and in the process of trying to get the local bookshop owner to possibly purchase these, she meets her match (or her opposite) in its sassy owner Edward Maltravers who has his own battles that he is attempting to overcome. The story then progresses as we see a slow burn of a friendship and romance blossom out of an opposites-attract, push-pull romance between Edward and Thea. In the process, both find solace in one another and within themselves as they forgive those that have wronged them and also forgive themselves.

I liked Thea and Edward. Both are realistic, likeable, and creative characters that seemed to have mutual chemistry. I also loved the adorable town, Scottish landscapes described, and the character cast that it all included. It definitely added another positive aspect to a wonderful novel.

This is a wonderful book that allows the reader to get a first-person glimpse at a fun, relaxing, and entertaining story and relationship all amongst the beautiful Scottish landscapes.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine/Random House Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Thea loses her job and her husband and her luck. But after the passing of a distant uncle, she learns she’s inherited his Scotland home and large antique book collection. She takes the leap and leaves for the Scottish coast to start a new chapter.

In short, this was cute.
Things I liked:
- The setting: a sleepy coastal Scottish town (swoon). I loved all the descriptions of the local bookshop and antique books. I mean... YES PLEASE
- Within the first paragraph, Thea describes her husband as “that bastard”... I knew I was going to like her lol

Things I disliked:
- The writing style is very much stream of consciousness, and in this case, I found to a bit choppy. I found it difficult to find my reading rhythm and “get in the groove”
- Thea and Edward (the local bookshop owner) had very little chemistry, no cute banter, and zero flirting. It needed way more steam in my opinion.

It by no means was unenjoyable, I was just hoping for a bit more depth, chemistry, and romance given how much potential the plot line had. But overall, it was a cute read.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a charming YA contemporary romance that takes place abroad. I think it’s perfect for fans of Again, but better.

Thea was fired from her job and her husband decided to leave her for her friend. However, her bad luck has run out. She inherited a beautiful cottage away from the city in a very small town. There she starts her life over.

It was a cute love story. Thea's voice and mannerisms seem much younger than that of her age. So it's hard at times when Edward and Thea are talking to really picture the characters. Edward is rigid and boring. The characters don't seem to match, but hey that's love. The story doesn't really go up or down, it's more of a monotone. There was no witty banters between Thea and Edward. The relationship with Edward and Charles seem so petty even up until the end. It was a nice love story but not the best.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just picked this one up this afternoon and finished it in one sitting. I love a romance that involves actual adults working real life people. Plus the main character, Thea, was easy to fall in love with and root for. I so appreciate that even though she’s been recently heartbroken and betrayed, she doesn’t hate men and hasn’t given up on herself. Instead she takes steps forward in trying to create a new life for herself. One that involves the grumpy bookshop owner. I do think the book went on a little bit too long at the end and could have resolved in one of the earlier chapters and the story could have explored her uncle and his connection to Thea and Edward more.