Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past, learning never to stay anywhere too long and never to let anyone control her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family's history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old bookshop are the books that hold Hope's last ties to her late mother—and to a rumored family treasure that could help her start over.

I was hooked from the moment I read the title. A book about books will always catch my eye, and Mollie Rushmeyer did not disappoint me. When I read the first few chapters, I was unsure how I felt, but then it picked up, and I found myself drawn to Hope and Ronan, their growth, and friendship. I experienced all the feelings during this story. The two main characters felt real and relatable as they struggle with demons from their past. This story has a little bit of everything, mystery, friendship, and love.

The only thing for me is I wish I had read this book in the winter next to the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa because I wanted nothing more than to be cozy while I read it. But that's a me problem, not a book problem.

Thank you, Harlequin Romance, for this ARC.

I had a hard time rating this book.

It's set in a bookshop, which I loved. She comes to Wanishin Falls in search of some books her mother left for her through another friend, and she's not planning to stay long. There she meets the owners, an elderly couple. The man has dementia and doesn't remember where he put the books, so Hope agrees to stay and help organize while she searches for the books.

She also meets Ronan, the owner's grandson. The more Hope and Ronan work together, the more they become friends. But Hope has a traumatic past she's running from, and issues to overcome.

Very religious content.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

At the beginning of this book, I thought the plot was going to be very ho-hum, but it speeds up and gets interesting fast!

Hope, a newcomer in a small town has a past that she’s hiding from everyone. On the hunt for some family owned heirlooms, she gets a job at a bookstore to search for them. As a book lover, I understand Hope’s love for books and her need to hide from the world.

As Hope’s heart heals, and finds God she also finds romance and the treasure she is on the hunt for. Suspense and action are intermingled with deep issues like trust and forgiveness in this plot.

This book is suitable for teen readers and I was given a copy in exchange for my review.

What a sweet story of redemption, restoration and healing as main characters find clues to their past, their families, the town. Through separating fact from fiction, both Hope and Ronan find themselves and more. This initial offering from Mollie Rushmeyer ensures that I will search for her books in the future. The picturesque descriptions of Wanishin Falls and threads of literary quotes are a joy to read. The bit of mystery plus uncertainty adds extra, enjoyable layers.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

The title had me at "Bookshop." After working in a used bookstore for fifteen years and handling valuable books, I was drawn into The Bookshop of Secrets like a moth is drawn to light. I learned what makes a book valuable and how to sell those valuable books at reasonable prices. The story that is presented in this book is one that is tragic in so many ways, but it is still uplifting and satisfying to read.
Hope Sparrow (nee Emily Carrington) has come to Wanishin Falls, Michigan, to find the books her mother left to her before she died. She knows they were shipped to the Dusty Jackets book store, but what she finds in the Dusty Jackets is a man within the throes of dementia whose memory comes and goes. She also finds the man's grandson, Ronan, who loves his grandfather and step-grandmother dearly and would do anything within his power to help them. Through the Ronan's help, Hope finds some of the books that are missing and encounters a sleazy book seller. Piece by piece, she puts together the real legacy her mother left for her and finds out where her true home is.

Mollie Rushmeyer has written a book that has it all, from sleazy businessmen to unscrupulous treasure hunters, to wounded souls, to hope-filled characters who build up the wounded and make them a home. This was one of the most rewarding books I've read in a while. I hope to read more by Mollie.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a first edition three volume set of Jane Eyre.

Harlequin Romance provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

The Bookshelf of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer was a unique, yet original story with a predictable romance. I enjoy the past hurts of the heroine and how she tried to move from them as the story progressed. Transformation and redemptive qualities in a character are some of my favorite character types. As for the hero, he seemed pretty bland and typical of a romantic hero. Enjoys everything about the heroine as he tries to uncover what the secrets are that she is hiding and willing to accept her with all her faults. He really was not that special. As for the heroine, she had a dark past that she wanted these stories to help free her and bring her some safety from the moments in her past that have damaged her. The plot was different. I did love the idea of an overcrowded bookstore overflowing with books and stories. Similarly, the romance was typically for this genre. Quick to emotions and then a happily-ever-after moment at the end of the story. Overall, The Bookshelf of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer has a wonderful cover that I adore and a unique story with a hunt for a number of treasures. Definitely a win for the first book by this author. I believe she will be someone to keep an eye out for.

I received a complimentary copy of The Bookshelf of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer through Harlequin Romance, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Such a lovely story! I love books about books - and books about small town romances like a good Hallmark movie or something. This was like that - it made my heart smile and the mystery kept me interested and thinking the entire time. I would definitely recommend this one!

Another bonus - as a Christian I appreciate that there were Christians represented in this book - in a normal way and not overwhelming.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC to review!

The charming cover of The Bookshop of Secrets drew me right in and I knew I wanted to read it before I ever read the summary. Once I knew the bookshop was key to a family mystery and treasure hunt, I was even more persuaded. 4.5 stars!
This debut book by Mollie Rushmeyer is really two stories in one. Hope Sparrow's past could have been a story all its own but between her current pursuit of her mother's missing books and unraveling the mystery of her ancestor's history, it was a really intriguing story.

Hope Sparrow and Ronan Barrick have both suffered devastating tragedy in their lives and are just getting by and making do. When they meet at the Barrick family bookshop, Dusty Jackets, all that changes as hearts and emotions start to thaw and hope starts peeking through. As they work together to untangle the web of family and town history, they draw closer, but still aren't sure they can let the past go. I loved watching as the story and their lives unfolded into a wonderful happy ever after acknowledging our loving Father is the One writing the rest of our story.

The Bookshop of Secrets is a cleverly written suspense full of twists and turns, mysteries and revelations guaranteed to keep readers guessing while turning the pages at warp speed.
Favorite quotes,
"Use your love of books to help you. The words are read for a brief time, but we remember the way they made us feel for the rest of our lives. The same goes for food. The taste is for the moment, but the memory forever."

"She'd asked God to do that for her once-toss out everything soiled and damaged inside of her and fill her up with the cleaning and restoring power of His grace."

The Bookshop of Secrets was a thought-provoking and captivating story. I'll be watching for the next book from this talented author. I appreciate Harlequin making a copy of The Bookshop of Secrets available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

Do you enjoy stories set in bookshops? Check. Do you love a story which unravels a character's family heritage? Check. Add in a treasure hunt and you've got a very dynamic read!

Hope (not her real name) doesn't stay in one community for too long, constantly looking over her shoulder. Just stopping in Wanishan Falls to pick up her mother's old books, she stumbles upon the elderly owners of the bookshop. Unfortunately, he has dementia and doesn't remember where the books are. So she's stuck staying while she searches the piles to find what she's looking for.

The owner's grandson comes along, suspicious of the newcomer and her intentions. As they get to know each other a friendship slowly grows, as he helps her figure out the clues to her past and the way to the future.

Hope's character has a traumatic past. I think the author does a good job helping the reader understand trauma responses and behaviors. Faith and support are so evident in this story, reminding us even as we grow older, we can play a role in the lives of others.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

In The Bookshop of Secrets, a quaint bookshop, a delightful elderly couple, and a possible romance paint a cheerful picture over a deeper story. Hope Sparrow has changed her name, but she cannot change her past, nor forget the tragic and traumatic events she endured. Now that she is free to control her own life, she heads to Wanishin Falls to try and find the beloved classic books her mother left for her before she died. Only the books aren't there anymore.

So begins a far deeper story than I was anticipating, but am not the least bit saddened by that fact. This is a great bookish tale to curl up with this fall!

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. The characters are likable and quirky from the protagonist to the store owners. Secrets…lost or hidden books… new mysteries…I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this talented author. This is a cozy read and goes quickly. Who doesn’t love a bookstore mystery? Thanks to the author for writing this one.