What do you get when you combine a wedding, two exes and a hurricane? A sweet, summer beach read! Denise Hunter's Bookshop by the Sea is about a woman who puts everyone else first and has finally decided to focus on her dream - owning a bookshop. Although her inability to say "no" was a little on the annoying side, her determination to overcome obstacles made up for it. The setting was exactly what you would hope for in a bookshop by the sea set in a charming quaint town. The two main characters have to overcome their past and the hurt that lingers. You will be turning pages to find out what will transpire. 

If you love bookshops, the ocean and a good hallmark movie, then you will enjoy this read!

Sophie Lawson has done a lot for her family. Helped get her siblings through college and helped take care of her mom. Now it is time to take care of herself. Her dream - own a bookstore. What a better place to own a bookstore than in a place they used to visit when they were children - Piper's Cove. Sophie has to deal with getting the bookstore ready to open, a threatening hurricane, and another storm of another type, Aiden. Can Sophie handle this trifecta of problems and come out on top? A great beach read or any other quiet place where you can relax and settle in with the characters. Thank you to Ms. Hunter, Thomas Nelson publishing and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this awesome book.

My thoughts: Bookshop by by the sea this classic Denise Hunter romance. The pages sizzled with the attraction between the two main characters. I couldn't put this book down and I wanted to sit down and read it again the second time right away. Denise Hunter is one of my favorite romance writers with good reason. If you like romance pick up a copy of Bookshop by the sea. This would be a great Beach read this summer. I was given a copy free whole opinions on my own.

What do you get when you combine a small beach town, a bookshop and exes stuck together in the midst of a hurricane? The makings of the ideal summer beach read, of course!

Anytime I pick up a book by Denise Hunter I know that I am in for a fantastic Hallmark-esque romance story. Bookshop by the Sea is absolutely no exception. I loved getting to know Sophie and Aiden, and seeing them rekindle their romance. There's always something about a second chance romance that I find so enjoyable, and the chemistry between these two was just fantastic. Both were quite flawed and it was great seeing them overcome their issues from the past to allow themselves a much deserved second chance. The story had a perfect blend of small town charm and romance to draw me in, and I simply couldn't get enough. Fans of the author will also enjoy getting a little peek at a few recognizable characters from one of her previous series too.

Overall, this was a great read. If you're looking for a perfect beach escape, this is certainly one worth checking out.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter is a lovely story about a second chance at love. Sophie has given up so much in her life to help those around her. Finally, she is realizing a dream of opening a bookshop of her own. Only a hurricane, a sprained ankle, and other calamities keep standing in the way of success. I adored this book and felt the author wrote with great authenticity. It is the perfect beach read. So much to love about this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Sophie Lawson has put her dreams aside for years to take care of her siblings. She is finally ready to open the bookshop up her dreams in coastal North Carolina. However, just before the opening, she gets stranded during a hurricane with her lost love Aiden Maddox. He ends up helping her with the bookshop set up, although everything seems to go wrong, while they navigate their past - and the connection they still have.

I wanted to read this book because I love Denise Hunter's novels. I found the beach setting appealing, and I always love a bookshop setting.

This was a delightful read! Sophie is a strong, admirable character - although she drove me a little nuts by repeatedly letting her siblings and father take advantage of her good nature. I really liked the connection between Sophie and Aiden, as they explored their past relationship and worked together in the present day on the bookshop.

And the bookshop! It was interesting reading about the set up. I loved the whole little coastal town and could just picture the boardwalk from the author's description.

This is a fun beach read - or a weekend read, as it was for me. I read in all my spare times over the weekend and enjoyed my visit to coastal North Carolina in this book.

downloaded for my mother to read not my type of book. I will never read this type of book, not for me, no thank you

I don't know how many years I have been reading Denise Hunters books. But its been a lot! And I still have never had a book of hers that I haven't loved! This book really started off with a different theme and story than a lot of the Christian romance novels I have read. And it was a welcome change! How she continuously writes fresh stories I don't know but I am here.for.it! And anxiously awaiting her next book!

Sophie Lawson has always taken care of those around her. Seven years prior, after her mother is bedridden and her father abandons them, Sophie chose to give up her dreams to look after her mother and siblings. Now, she is ready to put her life back together and step into a new season as she prepares to open her very own bookshop. However, as one disaster befalls another and delays threaten everything she's worked so hard to achieve, Sophie will need to trust the person who left her when it mattered the most. Will she get everything ready in time, or will the past continue to hold her back from a bright future?

"You deserve someone special, Sophie. Maybe now that you have a new beginning you'll find him." ~Denise Hunter

Aiden Maddox is a runner. After his mother left him at a young age, he has grown up believing that it's better to be the one to leave than to be left. Reunited with his high school sweetheart at her sister's wedding, Aiden seeks to apologize to Sophie for the hurt he caused her; but, as a hurricane rolls in, stranding them together, will he be able to regain Sophie's trust, or will his resurfaced love for her only make him run further away?

"How could a man who jumped from the sky without reservation lack the courage to love?" ~ Denise Hunter

Bookshop by the Sea was my introduction to Denis Hunter. One of the queens of Christian Romance, I was looking forward to indulging in her highly anticipated new release. Unfortunately, as I dove further into the novel, I learned that it sat more in the clean romance rather than faith-based category. While Sophie and Aiden's story was cute and readable (I couldn't put it down despite the cheesiness), it lacked depth. The plot was very predictable, and feelings were the driving force of the story. Honestly, I don't know why I expected anything else; it's such a shame that Christians continue to follow the world, only changing a few scenes to make it "Christian," rather than standing out. Faith is about more than believing in God, saying a prayer at mealtime, or going to church; it's laying your life at your Savior's feet and choosing to lean on His guidance rather than being led by our feelings — especially when it comes to romantic relationships. Where are the Christian novels that praise God over sensual desire?

Nonetheless, while I was disappointed with this novel, if you take away the idea of it being a "Christian" novel, Bookshop by the Sea makes for an easy beach read.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!*

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter is the second book in the series even though it can be read alone. Sophie finds herself forced to interact with her ex at her sister’s wedding. Aiden had left her when he went away to college. It took me a little bit to be a fan of Sophie because she let her siblings walk all over her. I wanted her to be stronger. And I had a hard time getting to like Aiden because of how he left her. Even though I realize he was only a high school student. In the end Becky had us cheering for them to get together. It was a predictable ending and still a very enjoyable read.
I enjoyed Sophie working toward the bookshop that she had planned with her dying mother.

Although there is the threat of a hurricane the story does not revolve around that. Forever readers you may have noticed we went through a season where everyone wanted to write about a storm.

If you are looking for a light, quick, romance this is for you. The bookshop setting in the quaint town with the helpful townsfolk was great. The way Sophie learned she needed to stand up for herself took awhile but she finally came to that realization. A good book discussion title.

I thought this was a sweet clean second chance romance. The characters had chemistry and I did root for them. More than the romance, I enjoyed watching the main character finally find the confidence to do something for herself and stop helping her family They really needed to move on and learn how to be adults. I do recommend this one.

I was longing to read a Christian romance and I really like the way Denise Hunter builds her characters and leads the romance between them. So as soon as I can adjust my work schedule, I hurried to find out about Sophie and Aiden's love story.



Sophie sacrificed a lot of her life for the sake of her family and now that her siblings are on their way, she decided to fulfill her and her mother's old dream and open a bookstore. It turns out that she has one more pain from the past that was an unresolved relationship with Aiden.

Aiden reappears for Sophie's sister's wedding and he imagined that his story with his highschool sweetheart had stayed in the past and he didn't imagine that seeing her would mess with his head so much. He also has unresolved family issues that end up reflecting on his relationships.

Now both he and Sophie will need to make new sacrifices if they want this love.

Denise Hunter writes in a way that makes us feel the pain of each character and knows how to make us anxious to know how everything will work out.
I loved to see the couple Nathaniel and Molly from the book Lake Season

Beautiful story of family, loss, moving forward and finding love. Sophie has taken care of her siblings most of her life while her mother is bedridden. Once they have both gone on their way in life she is finally able to open her bookshop as she dreamed. As a storm hits and she is trapped with a man she has deep feelings for she can't help but wonder if he will stay after the passing storm.

Sophia at 25 has been the 'mother' to her younger sister and twin brother for years as she has been her mother's caregiver until she died. Now Sophia is going to fulfill her dream as well as her mom's of opening a bookstore in Piper's Cove.
At her sister's wedding, Aiden who she hasn't seen in 7 years shows up. Sophia still has feelings for him but events conspire to put them together...a hurricane, a twisted ankle and a fellen tree.
Read to discover what Sophia and Aiden learn about themselves and each other.

It is so easy to get completely wrapped up in the stories that Denise Hunter writes. She is a master at drawing you into the story and becoming a part of it. This story is no different.

Sophie had sacrificed so much to support her family; her dying mother, her absent father, her twin brother, Seth and her younger sister, Jenna. Each taking a piece of her that she willingly gave. She even lost the man she loved, Aiden, when he left her to begin his great adventure. The bookshop is something she and mother had dreamed about and it was becoming a reality for Denise.

When Sophie saw Aiden again at her sister's wedding, she was struck by the hurt that he had caused when he had left her seven years earlier. Those same feelings and attraction returned but she had to bury them deep because Aiden didn't have staying power.

There were lots of circumstances and people that worked to both bring these two together and to keep them apart. What was required was forgiveness, love, honesty and demanding healthy relationships with those you love.

This story was clean and wholesome and wonderful and I was sad when the story ended; although there is a happy ending.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

Book Review 💫
Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

“Readings always been my favourite pastime. I can’t imagine anything better than talking about books all day long”.

Can anyone relate to that on here 😉

Is there anything better than a bookworm wanting to open up her own bookstore? And falling in love (or rather fighting against love) at the same time?!

This book is an easy, light read about a 25 yr old woman who gave up her own dreams to take care of her siblings after her mother’s’ death. She turns down college, walks away from her love and becomes the “mother” to her twin brother Seth and younger sister Jenna. Sophie is the giver and doesn’t see her own worth. Until her long ago ex-boyfriend shows up. It’s clear the sparks haven’t gone anywhere but they both have things to work on.

I would be lying if I didn’t say I could relate very well to the character. I know some may say it’s too light but I think it was the perfect palate cleanser of romance. Easy. Quick read. And happy ending. We all need that in our books sometimes :)

Thank you to Thomas Nelson & netgalley for this gifted copy in return for an honest review.

I was so excited about the bookshop and beach theme of the this story, but overall I felt rather disappointed by it. Aiden and Sophie seemed to have no chemistry whatsoever and I was merely frustrated by them rather than rooting for them as individuals or a couple. The plot seemed to be nearly nonexistent as well, and I just could not get into the story or feel connected to the characters at all. I love nearly all of Hunter's books, but this one was a miss for me!

In Bookshop by the Sea, Sophie Lawson knew that her ex, Aiden Maddox, would be at her sister Jenna’s wedding. She just didn’t anticipate the effect he would still have on her. And when Aiden crashes at a friend’s beach house to ride out a hurricane only to find that Sophie is currently residing there, the two are forced to face their past, but they might wind up also finding a future together. But Sophie’s need to fix everything for her sister and brother and Aiden’s tendency to jump ship at the first sign of trouble could derail their relationship for a second time.

I enjoyed reading Bookshop by the Sea. Sophie and Aiden are likable, easy to relate to, and they have good chemistry. Both Sophie and Aiden have issues that I think a lot of people can relate to. Sophie is codependent with her siblings and feels the need to fix everything for them. She lacks boundaries with her family members. She also has abandonment issues, as does Aiden. So I appreciate that issues such as these are addressed. I like that Sophie and Aiden, despite having their issues, are excellent at seeing the best in each other and at encouraging one another. And I appreciate that the author writes clean, faith-based romance.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was my first Denise Hunter book but won't be my last. I really enjoyed this book. It was a lighthearted read, with relatable characters and good dialogue. The middle of the story dragged slightly for me, but not enough to take away from the overall story. A great book when you need an escape from every day life.