I really enjoyed this book. This is more "women's fiction" than romance. Tess is still trying to recover from the loss of her husband and in this book you see the growth in her character as she searches for answers to questions she didn't even know she had. In her acceptance of what she finds out and in her changing views of certain people, you can feel the growth in her character.

River was Tess's husband's best friend until he did something to disrupt their wedding. He doesn't think Tess will ever forgive him, but as they work together to uncover truths and spend more time together, things are looking up. River definitely has an unexpected side that is very appealing. The secrets he's keeping from her may be his undoing and cause him to lose any hope of a future with her.

Thanks to Forever Pub and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

I have read a number of books by Annie Rains now and I genuinely like her work. She writes great romance novels that always come with a happily ever after. However, her stories also include some deep topics. This is actually book three in a series, but I definitely think it can be read as a stand alone. The characters from the previous novels do make appearances, but you wouldn't feel like you were missing any information.

I love a small town setting and Annie Rains does it so well. The description of the quaint town is so nice it makes you want to move there. The characters were great as well and I found myself rooting for them.

I loved how this one had a focus on books. The bookshop sounded really cute and there was a bookclub too! As a lover of books, I always love this as a theme because it's relatable! It also featured an enemies to lovers trope which I'm a fan of. And there was a loveable dog too! It was a very quick read for me as well...managed to read it in a day!

You won't get any spoilers here so be sure to check out this synopsis. Definitely recommend this one for some good summer reading! Thanks to Forever Publishing for my advance reading copy. This one is out on July 5th, 2022.


Trigger warnings: this book deals with loss of a spouse, grieving, infidelity and adoption.

Tess and River seem like an unlikely couple but somehow the author makes it work. He was her dead husbands best friend until he stood up at the wedding to ask Jared not to marry Tess.

Flash ahead 3 years and River shows up at her bookstore injured and in need of help. An unlikely alliance is formed and she helps him unravel the circumstances behind her husband's death.

Unbeknownsted to Tess, River has been attracted to her since they first met but he backed off in deference to Jared. She realizes, through their investigation, that deep down he's a gentle and romantic guy working hard to uncover information. But can the information they uncover threaten the delicate balance of the relationship? You're going to want to read this one to find out.

Although part of a series this can be read as a standalone story.

A lovely clean romance that touches on infidelity, grief, adoption and the power of supportive friends and family. A heartfelt, enjoyable read.

Thank you Forever Publishing and #NetGalley for the ARC e-book!

I enjoyed The True Love Bookshop. Tess is finding her way as a widow and comes up against her nemesis, River, who helps her as she discovers her husband wasn't who she thought he was. The bookshop is lovely and their friends add an interesting layer to an already tense relationship. If you enjoy clean romance, you'll love this book. Annie Rains does a beautiful job unfolding a story of grief and love. I received a free copy from Netgalley, my comments and review are my own.

There is a fine line between love and hate. Tess Lane has despised River Harrison since he ruined her wedding day to Jared. The bitterness has remained even after Jared's death. Until he stumbles into her bookshop, bleeding and passing out. He only asks her to take care of his dog till he gets out. From then on, the crack has started. Who really was her husband? What was he doing out of town so much? Will River, a PI, help her? It's a start of a friendship for her but River has been in love with her since they first met. I love that she was playing Watson to his Sherlock. Be careful what you wish for. The truth can be devasting. Family in all its variations, is priceless.

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I’m seriously in need of an uncomplicated book, love story or romance, and a sweet heroine and her love interest (enemy to lover) trope. For me, summer is typically about a little lighter reading. The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains opens with Tess Lane grieving the loss of her deceased husband on his birthday when his former best friend and arch enemy arrives in her bookshop. While Tess attempts to get him out of the shop, he collapses on the floor, bleeding from a side wound. Tess may be bitter, but a wounded River, an ex-Marine, gets her attention, and she helps him out. From there, these two characters, who haven’t talked in years, reconnect and decide to find out secrets involving her former husband. This is a job for River, who is now a PI. I liked the Hallmark-ish feel to the book, the tender love story, the emphasis on family (both biological and adopted), and the two lovebirds' attempt to overcome some super hurdles. A supporting cast of characters in this small town makes the story pleasing. This is a no-brainer fun read about love, and isn’t that something we can all use now? Thanks to author Annie Rains for this adorable story. #widow #secrets #family #love #frenemies #home #future #nopressure #diversity #romance #honor #thetruelovebookshop #prettycover @readforeverpub Pub Date: July5th @netgalley
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, and Forever Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. Pub Date: July 5, 2022.
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In this 3rd book based in Somerset Lake, Tess is still grieving her husband Jared's unexpected death after 3 years. She has a lot of unresolved feelings, but is getting back on her feet, running the bookstore that her Aunt gifted to her and spending time with her friends. Some of the friends are people we've met in previous Somerset Lake books, but they are somewhat minor players in this book, so if you haven't read books 1 & 2, don't worry, you won't be lost!

River is a local PI, and a person that Tess dislikes because he raised an objection at Tess' wedding to Jared. Turns out that River had good reason to object, but Jared explained it away. Tess is still holding a grudge, as is her family and Jared's, but Tess still engages River's services to investigate why Jared died where he wasn't supposed to be.

I don't write spoilers, so I won't tell you what they uncover, or if Tess is able to open herself to love again. I love the Somerset Lake series and I'm pretty sure you will too, if you like small towns, festivals, friendships and family!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains is the third book in her Somerset Lake series. The title of this book and the book cover attracted me to the story. I found this to be a well-written story with likable characters. I enjoyed following along on Tess and River's journey. I liked River's patience. Tess needed that since finding out so many things about her deceased husband Jared. The happy news about Trisha and Jake made for a good ending along with River's declaration to Tess.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with a copy of this book!

I’ll start by saying that I haven’t read the first two books in the series, but I definitely need to now! I gad no problem following along with the story and the author did an amazing job of writing the novel so it could be understood on its own.

Some themes found in this book:
• small-town romance
• self-identity
• complicated family issues
• friendships and found family
• enemies -> friends -> lovers
• cozy, emotional, and did I mention there’s a super cute dog!?

I absolutely adored Tess and River and loved following along on their adventures. I loved the atmosphere of the small town and the characters that live there. I can’t wait to backtrack and dive into the other two books!

Tess is trying to move on after the death of her husband, but there are to many unanswered questions surrounding his death. It doesn't help that her husbands former best friend River blunders back into her life. River and Tess decide to put the past behind them and search for answers about her husband. The more they are together the closer they become. This is a wonderful story.

Another wonderful visit in Somerset Lake. Many funny and heart-warming moments. Some sad ones, too. The characters are delightful. A sweet page turner. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Thank you NetGalley, Annie Rains and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of The True Love Bookshop. This is my personal review.
Tess Lane is the owner of Lakeside Books. The bookstore has become the center of her life since she lost her husband. Her friends are a huge part of her life, but she feels a void and is not sure why.
River was her husband’s best friend but after a falling out before his death he has secrets he knew Tess needed to be told. But Tess had other thoughts about River.
River wanted to be friends with Tess, but she was keeping her distance.
This is a book that was hard to put down while I was reading. I loved the chemistry between Tess and River. The story unfolds with situations and the people and friends in Tess’s life make her see she can move on in her life.
This is the third book in the series Somerset Lake, but it can be read as a standalone.

What a fun experience to visit Somerset Lake again with such vividly portrayed characters and a mystery, too! Tess has spent three years as a widow and is getting her life together by concentrating on her little business, the Lakeside Bookshop, when an old nemesis appears there and upends her world. River used to be her husband Jared’s best friend, emphasis on used to be since their friendship fell by the wayside when River did the unthinkable at Jared and Tess’s wedding. I enjoyed the interactions between Tess and River and how their relationship grew from barely concealed contempt to friendship and beyond. My favorite thing about the book was the mystery about Jared’s death that River agrees to investigate. This mystery occupies a good part of the book and was riveting and unexpected. All of the regular characters from Somerset make cameo-type appearances, so reading this book was like visiting a favorite place again. The book can be read as a standalone without feeling like you’ve missed anything, but I do recommend reading the other books in the series just to get to know all of the characters better. The plot was well-written and fast-paced and the introductions of new characters was seamless. I liked meeting Lara, Tess’s new helper in the bookshop who is in need of friendship. Tess, a caring and compassionate young woman, doesn’t hesitate to reach out to her. With themes of family, friendships, secrets exposed and forgiveness, this book is a warm-hearted look at small town life and the people who work together to make a town a happy place. Fans of light romance and a lovely storyline will enjoy this book and clamor for another visit to Somerset Lake.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Perfect title for this lovely read! Tess and Rivers story is heart felt and emotional .They both have lost someone important to them .Fate finally has brought them together to get answers so they can move on with their lives. Family comes in all shapes and sizes ,some are blood,some are friends and some come from fate.This read explores, adoption, infidelity and the choice to accept what life has given these characters . Loved this book , loved the characters, love the reality of what these characters went through.

I love the book cover and it, along with the title, had a part in convincing me to request this book. And I am glad that I did. This is a small-town romance series with small groups of friends, women and men. I haven't read the others but had no problem with reading this one. Tess is a widow, who inherited her aunt's bookstore after she decided to retire. Having lost her husband three years ago, Tess loves her store, her private book club of friends, and a book with a happy ending. When her husband's former best friend stumbled into the store injured from a camping incident, she is not too happy but as she gets to know River, she decides he's not so bad. River served in the Marines with her husband and now works as a PI. It is fun to watch the two develop a friendly relationship and then on to more, but the path is littered with some rocky places. This is an emotionally packed story that hits all the emotions. I think those who love romances will enjoy this one.
I received a complimentary copy from Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

I love a good romance series to wind down with. The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains is the third in the Somerset Lake series. I've only read the second book, The Christmas Village which I enjoyed very much. The True Love Bookshop features Tess Lane and River Harrison. The trope is somewhat enemies to lovers. River shows up at Tess's shop, Lakeside Books, after getting injured while camping in the woods. He ends up in the hospital and she watches his dog. River is a private investigator and Tess hires him to solve why her dead husband, Jared, was in another town at the time of his death. Along the way, Tess ends up warming up to River and the two fall for each other. However, a secret may just stand in the way of their happily ever after.

What a relaxing read this was! I mean, okay, yes the secrets Jared had and Tess uncovering them was stressful. However, I just like that when I read a contemporary romance by Annie Rains, I know how the journey is going to end. So, for me this was relaxing. There was absolutely no spice in this book -- just kissing and hand holding. Also, Tess is biracial. I can't speak to the accuracy of her representation. However, I liked that she was biracial. It is important that contemporary romance reflect the diversity within our world. By the way -- if you are looking for contemporary romance by a Black woman, I cannot recommend Belle Calhoun highly enough. Also, River was such a sweet and thoughtful male lead. I look forward to whatever is next in the Somerset Lake series -- as well as coming back for and reading book one finally!

I adore Annie Rains and have been so excited to get River's story. Somerset Lake has all of the fun of Sweetwater Springs, but all of the depth that we expect from Annie. I loved the bookshop setting. I enjoyed so much watching Tess get excited about books and author signings and using her curiosity as a reader to help her when she decides to investigate her late husband.

The outcome of the investigation and the relationship between Tess and River were both handled with such grace and care that I almost didn't want to stop reading.

Tess became a widow three years ago when her husband Jared was killed in a car accident. She's buried herself in her bookstore- which only sells HEAs- ever since. And then River shows up. He served with Jared, was his BFF, until Tess and Jared's wedding when he objected, While Tess initially wants nothing to do with him, it turns out that he's going to use his PI skills to get the truth about Jared's death,. a truth that will be tough for Tess. You know, don't you, that River is a good guy and that he had Tess' interests at heart then and now. I liked this for the setting, the people, and the interesting back story these two discover. I didn't realize this was part of a series until I'd finished it - it was a fine standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Yes, it's a tad trope-y but it's a good read.

This book was too bland and too sweet. Real issues and trauma got sugar coated ad nauseum. It ended with absolute nonsense. The author tried way too hard to wrap everything and everyone up in a neat bow when none of it made sense. It was too neat. Too tidy. Too boring and unbelievable.

I could forgive all that if the rest of the story was intriguing or the characters were fun to be with, but sadly none of that was the case.

I appreciate the ARC from Netgalley but I won't likely read this author again