Member Reviews
Really good book. Loved the story. I would recommend this book. Will be reading more by this author. Thank you.
I didn’t think it would be possible for me to like Denise Hunter more than I already do, but I was proven wrong with her upcoming release “Bookshop By The Sea”.
“Bookshop By The Sea” is the story of Sophie Lawson. Sophie always puts everyone’s need in front of her own. So much so that she has become a mother figure to her twin brother, Seth, and their younger sister, Jenna. It wasn’t her goal to take on this role, but it was the role she stepped into when her mother became ill and her father abandoned his family. With her sister’s marriage, and her brother taking on a new job, it is finally time for Sophie to accomplish her dreams — opening her very own book store, aptly named Bookshop By The Sea.
However, nothing is ever that easily, and poor Sophie figures that out the hard way. First, she must withstand seeing the man who broke her heart as teenagers, while helping to orchestrate her sisters wedding. Then, a hurricane hits the area and delays her work schedule, and an unforeseen injury causes her to become even father behind in her schedule. It isn’t possible to just reschedule the opening, as she has a famous author that is going to be hosting a book signing at her grand opening. (Spoiler: A cameo from a much loved character, or two, may occur.)
Sophie is forced to accept help from an unlikely source. Can it help her make peace with her past, or will it cause more damage than the hurricane?
I loved everything about this book. The writing, the plot, the characters. I loved it all. It was a much needed escape from the frozen tundra as winter cascaded around my area. Snuggled under a warm blanket, I was able to block out the world in a way that only Denise Hunter books can provide.
I love the beautiful cover of Bookshop by the Sea, set in the lovely town of Piper’s Cove, along the Atlantic Ocean. Can I say perfect setting? A dream come true for Sophie who has struggled to finally live the life she wants and needs. Denise Hunter tells a beautiful story as she delves into abandonment issues. Both Sophie and Aiden must come to grips with the emotions that have kept them apart for seven years. A hurricane, a wind storm, and rain tossed on top of the turmoil in their hearts makes for a captivating story. And the bookstore takes on a life of its own, as friends help Sophie realize her dream. I love the nod to Hunter’s Bluebell Inn series. If you haven’t read those yet, you should. If you enjoy a beautiful setting, a riveting story, and well-written characters, you’ll love Bookshop by the Sea. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A second chance love romance and a story about a book shop count me in. I really liked This book, it is about strong persons, second chance love a friendly and strong community. And a book about following your Dreams. A feel good book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
Made me want to open a bookshop at the beach!! Not a huge fan of the anger that lasts seven years type story, but at least this book got thru that part fairly quickly. Otherwise, I liked it.
Bookshop by the Sea, by Denise Hunter, is a refreshing second-chance romance novel that has the important components of a beach read. Hunter starts with a great lineup of likable characters, writes them into a lightweight storyline sprinkles it with love, and ties it up in a length that can be easily read in an afternoon at the beach, or by a cozy fire when you want an escape. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishing company for providing me with an ARC ebook version of Bookshop by the Sea, in exchange for my honest review.
This book, Bookshop by the Sea, is another great read by one of my favorite authors, Denise Hunter. It is a sweet romance of childhood friends who both carried a lot of emotional baggage.
The story begins with Sophie's sister wedding. Sophie is busy helping as usual with all the details but her mind is focusing on seeing Aiden, her boyfriend who left her seven years ago. She is still hurt and finding it hard to forgive him. He had left to pursue his dream job and had no idea it was the same day her father had left the family. If she can just make it through the wedding then he will soon be on a plane back to his life and she would go with her new dream of opening a bookshop. A dream she had shared with her mother before her mother died.
Neither knew that a hurricane would alter plans for them both. Aiden's flight was cancelled so he went to a friend's weekend home and found the hidden key. Little did he know that was where Sophie was staying. As they dealt with the hurricane they started to realize some of the old feelings were still there. When Sophie sprain her ankle, Aiden stayed for days after the hurricane to help get the bookshop have its grand opening. But the question remained--could they make it past all the hurt, and the abandonment issues they both had from years ago?
You will enjoy getting to know these characters as they work out their differences. Like all of us, both of them have areas in the life that they to work on. You will enjoy seeing the story unfold.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Expected publication is April 13, 2021.
An amazing heartwarming story of second chances, forgiveness, and growth. Denise Hunter is a masterful storyteller who not only draws you into the story with her rich storylines and lovable characters, but also paints such a vivid picture of the setting that you are ready to pack your bags and travel there. I found myself longing to go to quaint Piper’s Cove to walk the boardwalk, buy books at Book Shop by the Sea, and have coffee with Sophie.
We learn so much from Sophie and Aiden as they are thrown together due to a hurricane which forces them to confront not only their past as a couple but as individuals. The old saying that time heals all wounds is not always true. It can fester effecting all it touches. Sophie and Aiden show us how past hurts can touch our lives and what can happen when we face our fears.
I loved this sweet story. I loved getting to reunite with Nathaniel Quinn and Molly from the A Blue Bell Inn Series. This is a book that makes you want to crawl into the pages and never leave. I highly recommend it.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
I was a bookseller for fifteen years, and therefore, I will pick up any book that has to do with books, bookshops, and reading. Reading has been a habit of mine since I was six years old. The only reason I went to school was to learn to read, and I came home in tears when I didn't learn it on the first day of school.
Bookshop by the Sea opens with Sophie being maid of honor for her sister's wedding. But maid of honor is not the only role she filled, she was wedding planner, peacemaker, mother of the bride, and general factotum for the event. The only monkey-wrench in the plans was that the best man was a man who had run out on her years before. While Sophie is helping her sister, Jenny, have the wedding of her dreams, she is also trying to open her bookshop in Piper's Cove. When a hurricane comes in on the heels of the wedding and puts Sophie behind schedule, best man Aiden, stays and helps Sophie get the shop ready to open.
Sophie has been mother and father to her twin brother, Seth, and her sister, Jenny, since their mother died and their father skipped out on them a few years earlier. Now Seth, Jenny, and their father look to Sophie to solve their problems while forgetting that Sophie wants a life of her own. Sophie had to grow up early and fast, giving up many of her dreams so that her siblings have the opportunities they deserve.
In the meantime, Aiden has never forgotten Sophie and still loves her even after leaving years ago, but he has let fear control his ability to connect with her.
Denise Hunter wrote a great series called Bluebell Inn and it figures into this story in a small way, but this is a stand-alone book that will give the reader a few hours of enjoyment. It is a quick read and thoroughly delightful. The setting of a small seaside town that comes together to help out its residents is charming. The main characters are believable, and for the most part, likable. The supporting cast is fantastic. Four Strong Stars.
Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I have never read a Dennis Hunter book I didn't love. Bookshop by the Sea is no exception. I fell in love with the two main characters in the first few pages. There was such great chemistry between Sophia Lawson and Aiden Maddox. The only problem I expected would be from Sophia, for she had to become an adult, grow up, and take care of her family so young. The characters were so well constructed, even the ones I wasn't sure I would like. I was very excited when I saw previous characters from a prior story make a cameo appearance. It kept my interest and it had a perfect ending. I did get a little nervous for awhile, but Dennis never disappoints.
I thank Thomas Nelson Publishers for allowing me, through NetGalley, to read this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This was a very cute read about yo7 g love coming full circle. Really enjoyed this book and will be reading more of Denise Hunter
It’s time for another sweet summery read from Denise Hunter! Set in a small seaside town, we encounter high school sweethearts as they meet again as adults at a wedding. The tension and attraction are still there, but so are bigger problems. As one of the characters seeks to build their own business–a bookshop, if you haven’t guessed by now–we enjoy a sweet story fit for a Hallmark movie or beach read.
This was a fun getaway-by-book and light hearted read. It’s great for reading on vacation or on your lunch break at work when you need a vacation.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson publishers and Net Galley for providing me with an electronic copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
A delightful story about young love gone wrong come back in adulthood. Add in a bookshop by the sea and I’m a happy camper. A small bonus was the Christian side of the story, but I could not honestly call this Christian fiction when it was barely mentioned.
I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie Lawson is forced to come face to face with Aiden Maddox at her sister Jenna's wedding; Aiden is her high school sweetheart who broke her heart while leaving town right after they graduated. Sophie stayed home to take care of her sick mother, and also her twin brother and younger sister. She has been the one holding her family together, and with her mom's passing and her sister's recent marriage, she is finally ready to do something for herself and open the bookstore she and her mother dreamed about,
However, she finds herself thrown together with Aiden longer than planned, due to a hurricane. The storm also throws a wrench in her timeline for opening the store, which needs to open for a book signing. Will Sophie and Aiden reconnect, and will Sophie be able to regain a piece of herself and her independence back after putting everyone else first for so many years?
I enjoyed this book, reading through Sophie's journey to open her store. I enjoyed seeing the character from Denise's Bluebell Inn Series, as well.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have never read anything by Denise Hunter but I am already looking forward to reading another of her books.
I really enjoyed the clean romance and the twists and turns in the story.
Sophie is a woman who is a fixer. She takes care of her sick mom, takes care of her siblings and doesn't take care of herself. She dated Aiden in high School but then he broke her heart and moved away. 7 years later they are reunited through her sisters wedding. Boy do the sparks fly and they aren't always the good ones!
Check this book out to enjoy this novel of possible second chance romances.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
Sophie has had to take care of her brother and sister since her mom passed. Her youngest sister is getting married and Sophie is determined to give her a beautiful wedding to remember. However , she is hoping eleven months would be enough to prepare her to see her ex boyfriend Aiden... it isn’t enough time .
A beautiful story of second chances, courage and family written in true Denise Hunter style. I recommend this book !
Bookshop by the Sea is another great Christian love story by Denise Hunter, it is one of my favorites! The beautiful book cover draws you in and makes you want to head to the seaside town of Piper's Cove.
Sophie and Aiden fell in love in high school and she thought that their love was forever until the day he told her he was leaving town to pursue a dream, leaving her hurt and angry.
Aiden got a great job offer in Charleston, five hours away from Piper's Cove and Sophie. Seven years later he returns home to be the best man in Sophie's sister's wedding, and this was the first time that he sees Sophie again since he left. Strong feelings are still there but so is a lot of anger. Aiden did not know that the day he left, Sophie's father also walked out on his family. He did not know that Sophie gave up her dreams of college and a career to stay home and take care of her sick mother and she became a caretaker to her sister and brother.
When Sophie and Aiden get stranded together in a storm, they realize they still have feelings for each other but they also have many barriers between them.
Denise does a great job with each character, I easily got drawn in and couldn't quit reading. I hope this is the start of a new series.
I thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read and give my honest opinion.
After reading so many murder/mystery books, it's a nice change to read something else. This was a light, funny, sweet story. Will read Denise Hunter again. Thankful to NetGalley for providing me a copy to read and review.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for trusting me with an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Eleven months had not been long enough to prepare Sophie Lawson for the sight of her ex boyfriend who left her alone when she needed him the most. Now she needs him again but will he stiick around?
I was really disappointed in this book. As a complete bibliophile if a book has the word "book" in its title then without even thinking I always request to read these. There was no actual bookshop action until 47% into the book and even then it was rushed. I understand there has to be an underlying love story in these books. That goes without saying but it was more of a will they won't they love story for me. I felt cheated out of a good bookshop story.
This is a story of forgiveness and second chances. The setting is idyllic and this is a nice and clean quick read. The love story between Aiden and Sophie is nicely done and it was a great story with of course a happy ending.