Forgiveness and love:
This was a sweet story but held back a bit by disjointed writing. I had difficulty figuring out who was who in the beginning but later things settled into a rhythm so I was able to enjoy the book more.
It took me a while to form a connection to the main characters and I found myself getting frustrated with them at times. Sophie and Aiden had a bumpy journey during their second chance romance and there was a lot for them to overcome. I enjoyed seeing them find forgiveness and redemption, not only with each other but with the Lord too.
Whilst a bit predictable, this was still an easy read and a feel-good type of book. I especially liked reading about her seaside bookshop - just the kind of place I'd like to visit myself!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

“She never wanted it to end. Wanted to stay in his arms forever because his embrace felt like home. Home.”

Delightfully romantic...this is for every book lover who dared to make their dreams into realty. The romance and scenery were inviting and heartwarming. Hunter knows how to capture her readers, draw out her character’s struggles, and bring a happily ever after with realistic undertones. I loved the chemistry and romance, too.

“The taste of her was still on his lips, an addictive drug that made him desperate for more.” .

Sophie Lawson and Aiden Maddox were characters that drew my heart in this second chance romance. When a hurricane throws them together, the sparks between them grow. However, with a broken past between them, the barriers seem insurmountable. I loved seeing these characters grow and find healing in their relationships and with God. The bookshop was fantastic, too. This beachside romance was an inspiring story filled with hope, forgiveness and overcoming fear.

“I need to learn to turn down the fear. I need to listen to God’s voice instead.”

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley by the publisher. All opinions are my own and are given honestly.

This book was fantastic! The characters were so relatable that you had to stop and wonder if you actually did and the setting felt so real that I want to find a real life bookshop by the sea just like it! There was the perfect amount of romance and drama, delving into family drama that everyone can relate to. Awesome book!

"Loving you is the best rush of all." 😍

Grab a blanket and find a cozy spot to read this sweet book!

Sophie is a girl with a dream of opening her own beach book store. She has been through a lot in her life, including a break-up with daredevil Aiden. When Aiden comes back into her life unexpectedly, the sparks between them are unmistakable, and they decide to take another shot at love.

This was such an enjoyable read! I am always up for a book that takes place in a bookstore because what reader doesn't love that!?! This is just a really sweet and inspirational love story that is the perfect summer read. I loved Sophie's character and how caring and selfless she was with her family. And my favorite part of the book was when Sophie realized that her mom encouraged the bookstore idea so that Sophie would have something to give her hope and joy while dealing with her mother's passing. Just beautiful ❤️

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the chance to read and review this book!

Cute cover. I was drawn in by the title because I love stories about books and bookshops. This is a very clean, heartwarming, romance story of small town second chance love. I work in a library with very conservative patrons. I have already recommended this one to readers who also enjoy Karen Kingsbury and Colleen Coble.

Sophie Lawson is happy that her sister Jenna is getting married, but not so happy that the best man, Aiden Maddox, her high school beau, is around. Things ended badly between them.
Sophie has taken care of her sister and Seth, her own twin brother after her mother’s illness.
Now, Sophie is ready to reach for her own dream: owning a bookshop in little Piper’s Cove. She has just a few days to get it up and running since she has promised to host a book signing for a big-time author.
Just after the wedding, a hurricane hits, stranding Aiden in Piper’s Cove, where Sophie reluctantly offers him shelter. Aiden offers to help her build shelves or whatever else is needed to get the shop open. Can this pair get past the problems that plagued them before? (Of course they can. This is, after all, a romance!)
I enjoyed this sweet stand-alone novel.

It’s been quite some time since I have read a book by Ms. Hunter, but this one kept catching my eye and I’m glad it did. This was such a lovely story with well-developed characters, ones you really waned to get to know. I loved the setting of Piper’s Cove and of course the bookshop.

Sophie Lawson is selfless, putting the needs of her siblings before her needs and wants. The story of Sophie is such a sweet but emotional read. I rooted for her to see her dreams become a reality and for her to find the happiness she deserved. This is a fantastic story and one of my favorites penned by the author. A perfect summer read for the beach or for just sitting on your porch enjoying a nice sunny day.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

In this latest release, Ms. Hunter provides readers with a fantastic romantic story. This would be an excellent beach reach this summer! I love her books and how detailed she is in creating a story that flows so seamlessly through the lives of her characters. Each of her characters usually go through a season of growth (of their character) throughout the book and learn life lessons by the end. This book focuses on Sophie is one of the most selfless people on the planet. Just when she can start focusing on her dreams, several things occur to stall them. She also must face her past at her sister’s wedding. Aiden just came to the wedding with plans to return to his old life. However, as he is around Sophie, he realizes a couple of things that makes him second guess his past choices. This book is one of second chances, forgiveness, and love. I highly recommend this book and know you will not be disappointed!!!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.

3 1/2 rounded up. Sophie’s life has been put on hold the last few years. When her mother became bedridden, her father bolted and left Sophie to pick up the pieces and keep the family afloat- to include becoming surrogate mom to her two siblings. Her little sister is getting married and this is paving the way for Sophie to finally live her dream- open a bookshop in a sleepy coastal town. The only hitch to her perfect day- her ex-boyfriend was invited. Hard feelings have kept them apart and when he is stranded during a hurricane, they are forced to revisit their relationship and see if they can both heal.

Super cute story. Pretty predictable, but this would be a perfect beach read. Clean and fun.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Find it hard to finish this book and really think I should not read another one of her books. The story fell flat and was lacking in depth and enjoy ability.

This is a sweet second chance romance.
I really love second chance romance and this was is beautifully written.
For me this was a 3.5 stars

Bookshop by the Sea
by Denise Hunter
Back of the Book: “Sophie Lawson should be enjoying her sister’s wedding day. But nothing could have prepared her to see the best man again.
After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.
Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance.
When an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove after the wedding, he finds the hotels booked to capacity and has to ask Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. The delay also leaves Sophie with mere days to get her bookshop up and running. Can she trust Aiden to stick around? And will he find the courage to risk his heart?”
Impressions: This was a sweet contemporary romance that had me smiling and crying.
Rated: passionate kisses
Liked: I love love what can I say? The rekindled romance of this story was easy to enjoy.
Disliked: I appreciated that the author tried to show realistic relationship struggles but the family resolutions at the end were a little too easily resolved. There are also phrases that just make me cringe and, “His biceps bulged” is one of them. I don’t know why it bothers me so but it does. That being said, there was a lot to like about this book so it was easy to overlook this.
Quotes: “…reading had been a necessary part of her mental health…” -TRUTH! Mine too Sophie, mine too!
“You were my person, Soph. The one I went to when things were falling apart or when they were going great, and I needed someone to be happy for me.” – So, my husband and I dated in high school and college. We broke up on and off but really only for a few days each time. The longest we were broken up for was like a month and we called each other all the time because we couldn’t help it. We were friends and couldn’t shake it. This declaration just resonated with me because of my past and present. I’m so happy I have someone like this in my life too.
“He’d forgotten how easily words of affirmation rolled off her tongue.” – I aspire to be like Sophie here. I tend to lean to the sarcasm and negative at times but I so desire to be full of encouragement and support for others. On a side note, to this have you ever read the book, Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman? It is a good one if you struggle with speaking before thinking…as I do.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

I always enjoy Denise’s books so I was excited to read this new series.

It was a good story but I will say this wasn’t one of my favorites. I’m not really sure why it just didn’t suck me in as much as her books usually do.

I did enjoy how it deals with the wounds both characters deal with and how it affects their relationship with others.

I am interested to see who the next book will focus on and it was night to see characters from the previous series make an appearance.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Denise Hunter is known for authoring clean and sweet Christian romance novels. In "Bookshop by the Sea", Sophie has come face-to-face with the ex she has never been able to get over. When stuck on an island due to a hurricane, Sophie and Aiden have to finally talk about what happened to their relationship. I enjoyed the sweet chemistry they shared, and I was glad to see the personal growth these characters both had throughout the novel. While the story line was fairly predictable, this was still an enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Romance, sweet, contemporary; Series but stand alone read

Another excellent sweet Christian romance by DH. The characters in this were so honest, heartfelt, real, and just well-drawn. I loved the family dynamics for both of the MC, the insight they both gained into each other and their past hurts and misunderstandings that kept them apart. Sophie and Aiden were so well drawn, and the moments that brought them together so honest and real. The town, the bookshop, the set-backs for Sophie, the events for Aiden, it was so well done, and so naturally came together. Beautiful portrait of a small town, a family, and this wonderfully drawn couple and their second chance. The bits of faith naturally came into the novel, and lovely to read.

I've read most of what D.H. has written, and I love how her writing style has evolved. This is definitely one of her better novels, and can't wait to read the next in this series!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley, my opinions are my own.

What a sweet feel good story! I really enjoyed this story of love and books! I love a good book about books and this delivered. Denise Hunter has a beautiful writing style, she can take a characters frustrations and insecurities and explore them without being vulgar or crass.
I admit my favorite part of this book was the bookshop and the town. Who wouldn’t want to live in or visit a wonderful little beach town like this and go to the local bookstore? The descriptions of the stores in town and the lovely people that work in them makes you want to hop in the car, drive to the town, grab yourself a coffee and shop in the bookstore.
I loved how in Sophie’s time of need the town bonded together to make things right. I wish we all had a community of such giving warm people.

After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance.

When an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove after the wedding, he finds the hotels booked to capacity and has to ask Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. The delay also leaves Sophie with mere days to get her bookshop up and running. Can she trust Aiden to stick around? And will he find the courage to risk his heart?

This is the story of Sophie and Aiden as they reconnect after years of being apart. Aiden left Sophie years ago to follow his dream. It has been Sophie's dream to open a bookstore. Just as she is about to open a hurricane barrels through town leaving destruction in its path. Sophie has also been surrogate mother to her mother and sister. When they want something she does her best to provide it for them. This is a nice easy read for someone that doesn't like a lot of action type books.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in an way.

3.5 Stars

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter finds Sophie settling in Piper’s Cove to start the bookshop her and her mother had discussed years earlier before her death. After taking over for her mother and basically raising her twin brother, Seth, and their younger sister, Jenna, after their father deserted them, it’s finally her time to their bookshop dream come true. Jenna is about to get married, which finds Sophie reunited with her first and only love, Aiden Maddox. Years earlier Aiden had hightailed it out of town to accept a partnership at an adventure tour business, expecting to Sophie to leave her sick mother and her own dreams behind. When she refused, he left and never looked back.

Sophie is determined to make it through the wedding, but when a hurricane leaves Aiden stranded in Piper’s Cover with nowhere to stay, he ends up staying with Sophie. When she finds herself injured with only a short time to get her bookshop open in time for a book signing, Aiden sticks around longer than anticipated to help her. But with Sophie’s siblings still dependent on her, and a prestigious award and his business waiting for Aiden back home, will they be able to find a second chance at love?

I started off liking Sophie, but I soon found myself frustrated with her. Her siblings depended on her way too much, and she didn’t put up any boundaries with them. For example, in the middle of a hurricane, she takes a dangerous drive to a nearby hotel that still had Wi-Fi so she could proofread something for her brother. I also found myself annoyed with her siblings. Her brother is the same age as her; he should have been able to take care of his own issues. Jenna, despite now being married, is still overly dependent on Sophie, when she should have relying on her new husband. Both siblings also come across as very selfish, with little to no thought about Sophie’s feelings and needs. She could have used some help getting her shop finished, but instead all she had was Aiden, until other members of the town stepped in to help. They get a little better towards the end, but at that point it was a little too late to redeem them in my eyes. Part of it was Sophie’s fault for not conveying her needs to them, but they also could have stepped up at any time and volunteered to help.

Both Sophie and Aiden seem to have a fear of people leaving them. While Sophie’s fear is displayed by the lack of boundaries she has with her siblings, Aiden’s is displayed by running away when he thinks things are starting to get difficult. Despite this, I really liked them as a couple. It was clear they still cared about one another, even though years had passed since they last saw one another.

Bookshop by the Sea is a charming small town, second chance romance that will have readers rooting for the couple to find their happily ever after. While I found myself frustrated with Sophie’s siblings, and Sophie herself at times, I still enjoyed this book enough that I would recommend giving it a read.

~~~ I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~~~

Bookshop by the Sea is yet another great book by Denise Hunter. This is the story of Sophie and Aiden, two childhood sweethearts who were separated when life got in the way. This book follows the couple as they find their way back to each other. The relationship and sparks between Aiden and Sophie is very well-written and engaging. This is a story of friendship, family, forgiveness, life, love, following your dreams, and happily-ever-after. This is a clean romance, Christian fiction (but not over the top religious). I also really liked the cameo appearance of Adam and Molly from the Hunter's Blue Bell series. I definitely recommend this book, it'd make a great summer vacation read- especially to read by the sea if possible!

#BookReview: Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter from Thomas Nelson

Have you read the Bluebell Inn series? If you did, then you know the famous author who will be coming to Bookshop by the Sea’s grand opening. Sophie is so excited! Her ability to organize and keep things moving for her dream bookshop is interesting to read. Her family can be irritating but she loves them dearly. Sophie will do everything above and beyond for them.

Then Aiden reappeared in her life. She doesn’t want to be in close proximity with him. But an unexpected turn of events made her reluctantly accept his presence back in her life. It’s fun how they try to evade each other but their hearts sing a different tune. Their looks and actions speak volumes of how they truly feel. It’s sweet and fun to read.

I love how helpful Aiden is and how Sophie acknowledged Revelations from their past opened up wounds and guilt. Family and abandonment issues resurface. These flawed characters have a lot to learn in their short time together. I also love how the people at Piper’s Cove reach out to be of help

It’s encouraging how time heals and forgives. The faith aspect is not deep in the story but it’s there. It’s interesting when the characters realize what’s holding them back and how they move forward. If you like second chance romance, opening a bookshop in a beach setting, this one's for you. 4 stars

Thank you for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.