A feel-good beach read with mothers and daughters, good friends, new beginnings, and a little romance. The writing is a bit stilted, but the storyline flows nicely nonetheless. The characters are fun, and the setting was cozy and inviting.

I liked the theme of mothers, daughters and new relationships. I felt that there were too many characters and storylines to keep up with. I enjoy stories about bookshops but I had a hard time getting into this one .

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I loved this book and also listened to the audiobook version as well. Once you put the different storylines together it is a great read. This is one of those nice feel good reads. Perfect for the beach or relaxing on the porch. I loved the characters and I also loved the decisions they made in the end.
I definitely want to read more like this from this author.

I love books about bookshops so I really enjoyed this one! I liked that there were story lines about middle age women and as well as younger women all in one book. And it was set in both Cape Cod and Charleston!

Jess is a lawyer in her husband's family's law firm. She enjoys working there, but when her marriage falls apart, she wants to get out of Charleston for a while. Her daughter Caitlin has her own reasons for wanting a change of scenery so they both head to Cape Cod. Jess grew up in Cape Cod and her mom and best friend, Allison, are both still there.

Allison's career at Cape Cod magazine is at risk as the circulation has been falling. When she walks into her favorite bookshop, she learns the owner is looking to sell. Allison can't help but get excited - if only she had the financial resources.

Well she doesn't but Jess does and Jess is looking for something to distract her. Soon the two friends are running the bookshop. With the help of their daughters, they may just turn things around!

The different storylines had a little something for everyone!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the early read! This was my first read by Pamela Kelley- and what a fun beach read it was! This story was a bit predictable, but the fun summer-y setting and details were just right for an easy summer read! Also, who doesn’t love a book shop/coffee shop combo? I enjoyed that each of the characters worked through a turning point or reroute in their life and made decisions that bettered their own situations. Definitely a quick and easy uplifting read!

I love this beachy novel, make you want to go spend time at the beach town. Jess leaves Charleston to go to her hometown of Cape Cod, once she learns her husband has cheated on her. She take her 30 year old daughter to spend summer to see her best friend and mother. Her best friend, Allison, is Magazine editor. Her boss is having difficulties with his business and must make some changes. Allison has always wanted to own a bookstore. The lady who owns the bookstore is wanting to retire. She tells her best friend, Jess, who has come up to visit her tells her about the bookstore. It is a venture the friends want to take on themselves and inclued their daughters. This includes a coffee shop right next door too. What a journey these friends take together. They meet many friends and enjoy the company of friends by getting together and enjoying the Cape Cod area.

I really wanted to read this book as the title and the cover attracted my attention. The cover makes you want to relax at the beach. I am so looking forward to reading more of Pamela Kelley's other novels. For me, it was a book that was hard to put down.

💭Thoughts:
I loved this sweet, heart warming story! I really fell in love with the characters. I found myself really engaged and looking forward to their new starts and second chances at love and life.

I think because of some current situations in my life, this book really spoke to me. I love the idea of starting over with a beautiful bookshop in a small town. Maybe one day.

I highly recommend this fun, clean, engaging story. It definitely put a smile on my face.

The Bookshop by the Bay
Pamela Kelley
4⭐️

“To mothers and daughters and best friends, forever.”

My first read by Kelley and it won’t be my last. The Bookshop by the Bay was a fun and enjoyable escape read. The writing was wonderful, the characters were all lovable, and the Cape Cod setting was dreamy.

A sweet story about mothers, daughters and friendship. No angst, no drama. Just love, second chances, and books. 🥰 It was just what I needed.

The Bookshop by the Bay publishes 6/6 and it will make the perfect beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy of this delightful beach read and this review is my honest opinion.
Although I read this book in late January, I could definitely see my self stopping into this wonderful bookshop any time of the year.
Jess has been blindsided by her husband’s affair.
Her 30 year old daughter, Caitlin can’t seem to find a job she likes and Allison, best friend of Jess, is having a career crisis of her own.
What’s not to like about this book? A beach town with a book and coffee shop run by two savvy women, a second chance at a very satisfying career and quite possibly a little love along the way.

The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley is a heartwarming and fun read. The characters are relatable, as are the challenges they face.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is definitely my favorite Pamela Kelley novel yet! A great "beach" read for any time of the year.

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoy Pamela Kelly’s writing. This latest entry, The Bookshop By The Bay is a feel good story about family, good friends and the twists that life can deal you when you least expect it.

This book is exactly what is says it will be - a multigenerational story of mothers and daughters in the picturesque setting of Cape Cod. While there are heavy topics (divorce, finding ones purpose, cheating, etc) discussed, there is a very calm and non-dramatic tone throughout the book. It is exactly what I needed at the time, and I think it really is a perfect beachy/poolside read for the summer. There are several plots interwoven, and I really loved how the threads of our characters are loose at the beginning but come together quite naturally at the end. This book in many ways is a like a hug. There is a glimmer of romance, which I always appreciate. If you like really sweet multigenerational family stories, I think you will really enjoy this. Thank you to NetGalley at the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

I really enjoyed reading The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley. I love the multi generational friendship stories. I particularly enjoyed the younger girls friendship. I have been to the small town in the book and can imagine walking the streets and beaches with the characters. I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait to hand sell this book. I’m hoping it flies off our shelves.

I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to all these characters. I really enjoyed being a fly on the wall in their journey to figuring out what they all wanted in life. I love the book and coffee shop setting, the characters, their growth, the small town feel, the general support shown throughout. I truly just want to hug them all, it’s so easy to love characters when they are genuine and really sweet.

This is the perfect book to curl up on the couch with and finish in a day, but also the perfect beach read.

I didn’t want this to end. I just want to keep reading about the bonds between these mothers and daughters and the love and support they all have for each other in this book.

Thank you to St. Martins's Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

A wonderful story about a woman, Jess, and her daughter, Caitlin, who decide to change their lives and begin a new life in Jess's childhood hometown on Cape Cod, MA. This wasn't their choice but after Jess finds out that her husband has had an affair with a co-worker and also realizing that her marriage hasn't been good for years it was time for a change.
Upon returning to the Cape she reconnects with her childhood friends and things get very interesting for both women!
You will especially love this story if you are familiar with Cape Cod. I enjoyed how popular businesses, restaurants and locale's were included in the storyline. If you haven't been to Cape Cod you just might need to schedule a trip to the Cape soon!

Loved this story, Friends, life changing decisions, romance, and a bookshop/coffeeshop, what more could you want? This is perfect read for a day at the beach.

Jess, Alison, Julia and Caitlin have a summer of decisions to make. Jess and Caitlin whether to stay in Charleston or not. Alison and Julia what their future goals are. The four of them become involved in Chatham on Cape Cod. These are life changing decisions about work, friends, and residence. All four of them have love lives that they don't expect with old and new friends.
Read this summer tale of four women and their life decisions.

For its genre, chick-lit, this is good! It is a story about losses and new beginnings. It is a good, interesting, heartwarming story for a beach read. The characters are likeable and its just a pleasant. It is a light book that still remains engaging. Strong female characters too!

Pamela Kelley is a great author. Her books are quick, great reads and "The Bookshop by the Bay" was awesome.