A Hallmark, feel good story about big life changes, how relationships change as we grow older, and figuring out what makes you happy.

𝘛𝘸𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴.
𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.

Jess is a lawyer in Charleston, SC, but when she finds out her husband is cheating on her she decides to leave for the summer with her daughter, Caitlin, to her mother’s house in Chatham, MA. Allison’s career has hit a low and she really wants to buy the bookshop by the bay, but doesn’t have the financial security to do that. Her daughter Julia opened her own jewelry shop a year ago, and Allison wants the same passion in her career thar her daughter has. When Jess and Allison get together and decide to buy the bookstore, all of their lives will change.

This was the perfect summer beach read, and the author transported me to Cape Cod. I loved that Kelley mentioned places I’ve been to, and I added some new places to go to when I visit the Cape this summer! She was so descriptive, and I could picture the towns and places she mentioned. If you haven’t been to Cape Cod this book will make you want to visit!

I enjoyed the relationships between these women, and how their storylines were separate yet connected. If you’re looking for a book about female friendship with a little romance thrown in then this is the book for you.

I listened to the audiobook, and at times, I found myself confused with whose story it was. This would have been the perfect book to have a full cast narration, but having only one narrator made it hard to keep track of who was who at time. Plus there were a lot of characters to keep track of so that made it even harder for me. I did think that narrator, Stephanie Németh-Parker did a good job, but would have preferred a multi-cast narration.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.

I very much enjoyed this book. The relationships weren't rushed and the friendships are refreshing. I highly recommend this book. A great summer read.

This multigenerational story is my pick for beach read of the year! It is a great example of finding your way whether you are young and starting your life, middle aged and needing to start over or more mature and finding your way in later years. The friendships that are woven throughout this story are aspirational and wonderfully encouraging. I truly hope the author decides to give us more glimpses of the people in this book with a follow-up as one visit to this Cape Cod setting is not nearly enough! Anyone who has ever desired a fresh start or been wondering if they could start something new at a more mature age, needs to read this book for inspiration! I absolutely devoured this book as I completely relate with the need to find a new beginning. In my case, my husband and I are both looking for something different to do as we have both become somewhat disenfranchised with our current careers and after 30 years, it may be time for us to find a different career as a second act. This book inspires you to live your life to the fullest and find that place with the help of friends and family to truly be happy. The plot is incredibly well written and the narration truly brought the characters and story to life! It drew me in and kept me enraptured for an entire day! Good thing I had a day off today!

I was lucky enough to win a copy of The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley in a goodreads giveaway. Right before I was ready to read it, I noticed that I had been approved to listen to the audiobook of it through Netgalley. Lucky me! It was easy to switch back and forth between listening and reading. As far as book titles go, I seem to gravitate towards any book that has bookshop or bookstore in the title. The attractive cover of this book also drew me in initially. This was the first book that I have read by Pamela Kelley and I was impressed. I enjoyed the setting of Chatham, Cape Cod and the mention of all the mouth watering descriptions of the local food, especially when it had lobster as one of the ingredients. I really enjoyed Pamela Kelley’s choice of characters and how she portrayed them in this well plotted book.

Jess Coleman and Alison Page grew up in Chatham and had remained best friends throughout the various stages of their lives. Jess now lived in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, Parker and her grown daughter, Caitlin. Both Jess and Parker were attorneys in Parker’s family’s law practice. Jess loved being an attorney. Things between her and Parker had shifted, though. The spark that had once been there was missing. They had grown apart but neither Jess nor Parker felt inclined to address their problems. Then Jess discovered something. It was monumental and she knew her marriage was over. Alison convinced Jess to come to Chatham for an extended vacation. Jess and Caitlin decided that would go to Chatham for a month. Jess’s mother still lived there and would be delighted to have them.

When Jess arrived in Chatham, she and Alison picked up right where they had left off. Alison had been divorced for several years now but she remained friends with her ex-husband, Chris. In fact, Chris had become one of Alison’s closest friends. Alison had remained in Chatham and worked for a magazine in editing. She also had a grown daughter, Julia, who owned her own jewelry store in Chatham. Julia designed all the pieces of jewelry in her store. Alison had always dreamed of owning a bookshop. The owner of the local bookshop was closely approaching retirement age and had made up her mind to sell the bookshop. Attached to the bookshop was also a coffee shop. Alison’s mom had worked the register at this bookshop when she and Jess were just girls. The best friends recalled spending many happy hours together in the back of that bookshop reading romance novels that they tried to keep hidden from Alison’s mother. Too bad Alison was not in the position to be able to purchase the bookshop from the current owner. Maybe someday. When Jess heard about the bookshop her mind started spinning. Was owning a bookshop/coffee shop in Jess’s and Alison’s future?

The Bookshop by the Bay was a wonderful book that explored mother/daughter relationships, fresh starts, second chances, romances, opportunities, trust, friendships, taking chances, family and strong female characters. I would describe The Bookshop by the Bay as women’s fiction. I took a real interest in most of the characters and I wanted them to succeed in their relationships, business endeavors and choices they made. I really enjoyed listening/reading The Bookshop by the Bay and highly recommend it.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley through a goodreads giveaway and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen the audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication is set for June 6, 2023.

⭐️
The Bookshop by the Bay
By: Pamela Kelley
Pub Date: 6/6/2023
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Chatham, Cape Cod is a perfect little town where Allison and Jess grew up.
Jess: Is a high profile lawyer, working for her husbands family firm in Charleston. When she finds out that Parker, her husband of 30 plus years has gotten his secretary pregnant Jess and her daughter Caitlin return to Jess’s hometown to vacation for a month.
Alison: Whose divorced, has been working as an editor for the Chatham magazine for 20 years but due to the internet, circulation is down and lay offs are happening.
Allison stops into her favorite local bookstore to find that the owner is looking to sell. Jess decides to buy the business and the coffee shop next door and have Allison run it but
will they be able to make the business successful and is Jess going to return to her life in Charleston when summer is over?

I enjoyed the ladies friendship that had spanned many years while their lives continue to change.
I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed the narration Stephanie Nemeth-Parker gave.

This is a wonderful story about two married friends and their daughters and how after heartbreak you can make a life that is fulfilling and holds the promise of love once again for all 4 women. This audiobook is easy to listen to and the narrator is great. Great book to listen to while on the beach or while on holiday. A very heartwarming relationship shown with all 4 women.

I voluntarily received an advanced copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own..

I would recommend this book to my family friends and my book club

✨ARC Book Review: The Bookshop by the Bay✨

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Pub Date: 6/6/23

Talk about a beautiful, idyllic setting for a book! The Bookshop by the Bay had me picturing the sandy shores of Cape Cod from start to finish.

Jess is a high profile lawyer living in Charleston until she discovers her husband is cheating on her. She and her daughter, Caitlin, decide to escape to Chatham for the summer to get away. Allison, long time best friend of Jess, lives in the small Cape Cod town with her artsy daughter, Julia. What brings them all even closer together? Buying a bookshop!

“Mothers and daughters and best friends forever.”

I loved the relationships in this book! Two childhood best friends who lean on each other through good times and bad. The mother/daughter connections were each unique and very sweet. It was also fun to watch their daughters, Caitlin and Julia, form a similar bond as their mothers. I felt like I was a regular at their coffee shop getting a front row seat to their lives.

Overall, the book is a pleasant, feel good read. The plot may not be the most memorable for me in a few weeks or months, but I enjoyed escaping to the beach for a few days while reading The Bookshop by the Bay!

I listened to some of this as an audiobook and felt the narrator did a terrific job.

Thank you @netgalley for an advanced copy of this book and audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

#bookshopbythebay #pamelakelley #mayreads #bookstgram #books #2023reads #bookrecs #readingchallenge #readinggoals #goodreadschallenge #booksofinstagram #alwaysreading #bookstagramchallenges #bookstagramer #instabooks #netgalley #netgalleyreviews

When Jessica realizes her husband is having an affair with a 33 year old associate at their legal firm, she decided to go visit her mother on Cape Cod for the summer. At the same time, her 30 year old daughter, Caitlin, loses her boyfriend and her job at a high end clothing store and decides to to Cape Cod with her mom.

At the same time Jessica's best friend, Allison, is being downsized from full-time to part-time as the editor of a magazine. When she finds out the local bookstore is for sale she tries to find a way to buy it and the attached coffee shop. As Allison and Jessica talk about the store, Jessica decides to put up the money and goes into partnership with Allison.

Great story and characters. Jess deals with her cheating husband and the end of her marriage with grace and steps cheerfully into the many necessary decisions she needs to make. Allison's daughter, Julia, is a jewelry maker who is just starting to be known. She and her friends add depth to the plot by embracing Caitlin into their group.

Excellent beach read even if you aren't at the beach.

#Audible #PamelaMKelley #StephanieNemethParker #MacmillanAudio #StartingOver #Bookshop

This was a wholesome, light hearted and easy read about two best friends living in separate cities entering a new time in their lives. I especially loved this book because my bestie lives in Charleston, like some of the main characters in the book. The perfect summer beach read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

The bookshop by the bay


If you like women’s fiction you definitely like this one. If you don’t like a lot of conflict or drama in your books then look no further.

The story is based off several women in different stages of their life.
Mother-daughter- best friends characters you can relate to especially if you like going back home tropes.
But it is a lot of POV to keep track of but it’s a book to pick up when you want something with no drama or angst just happy endings for women.

Looking for a great new beach read? The Bookshop by the Bay is a perfect choice!

I love the cozy friendships in this book. Jess and Allison are lifelong friends who have been through it all. As Jess faces a life changing choice, Allison is there for her all the way. The characters are so likeable (except for PARKER)! It won't take you long to escape into their small town drama along with dreamy adventures. Let's face it, a bookshop near a bay is perfect!!

Thank you to MacMillian audio and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love “the Cape” and can envision locations whenever a book is set in that area. The characters are well developed and I loved the relationships among them. It is a joy to read a story about people who develop and grow … discovering who they are deep inside. And the friendships help these people along the way. I loved the bookshop setting and café and how the women continued to work together to make it a success. Just a great heartwarming read that will leave you smiling while you lounge by the pool or on the shore at the ocean.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio version of this book. I am not affiliated with in any way with this book. I am not compensated for for my review. Everything I write is my own personal opinion, thoughts, and feelings.
This was a great read. Jess, who is a lawyer, finds out her husband has been cheating on her with someone from their office they work at. He happens to have gotten her pregnant too. So she decides to go back home to Maine and take the summer off and figure out what she really wants in life. Her daughter adult Caitlyn is joining in on going to Maine too. Jess is going to visit her lifelong friend Allison while in town.
While their in town the local bookstore is put on the market. Jess and Allison decide to buy the bookstore. Caitlyn falls in love with a local.
theres some more light drama that made this book a fantastic one day read.

The Bookshop by the Bay is a wonderfully uplifting story about new beginnings, personal growth and second chances. I loved the lifelong friendship shared between Alison and Jessica, how despite the miles they were there for one another, constantly supporting and lifting each other up. Despite the challenges they each were facing in their personal lives, they drew strength from the other, along with the courage to move forward. Watching the friendship bloom between their daughter’s, Caitlyn and Julia, was endearing.

Much of the setting takes place in and around the quaint Cape Cod town of Chatham, Massachusetts, as the two embark on a somewhat risky business venture purchasing and running a bookshop (with coffee shop), during a time when each is facing personal struggle in their lives. Having a home somewhat near Chatham, I loved the mention of the many restaurants and shops I’ve had the joy of visiting on Cape. Really made this extra special.

A truly special story about friendships, mother daughter relationships, listening to your heart, taking risks and new beginnings. I found it to be enjoyable even knowing the direction the story was going to take and enjoyed watching things play out. I couldn’t help but cheer on each of these ladies. When I’m sad to leave the characters behind at the last page, I know it was a great story. Fingers crossed we will visit these ladies again down the road.

Fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Nancy Thayer will enjoy Pamela Kelley’s books. Her settings are quintessential Cape Cod, her characters are interesting, and the challenges they face realistic.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview an advance listening copy of this feel good story due to publish 06-June-2023. Stephanie Németh-Parker does a great job bringing these characters to life. Be sure to add this to your summer beach read TBR. You won’t be disappointed.

This novel is described as a “breezy beach read”, and I believe that’s accurate in that it's easy to read and set in a pleasant place - Cape Cod. Two lifelong friends, Jess and Allison retreat to the family home in Cape Cod to determine their next steps after the failure of Jess' marriage and Allison's job loss. They're at a crossroads, as are their daughters, Caitlin and Allison Julia respectively. They each have to contemplate career changes while addressing troubled and confusing relationships with the men in their lives.

Allison buys a bookstore from the previous owner who decides to retire, and Jess agrees to work with her to revitalize the business. Success isn't guaranteed, but after implementing new ideas and trying new approaches, business starts to gradually improve.

Since this is primarily a relationship-driven novel with these women addressing their futures due to divorce, job loss and other issues, there’s not a lot of action, nor a huge narrative arc. But I did find myself cheering for good outcomes for all of the main characters.

This is a sweet mother/daughter summer story in the same likeness of Nancy Thayer and Mary Kay Andrews. I enjoyed the book store angle and loved watching the women thrive in spite of their situations.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

A feel-good beach read that sees a group of women working together to save a beloved Cape Cod bookstore. Told from alternating POVs we get to know four women at different stages of their lives. One is going through a painful divorce, her daughter is trying to decide what she wants to do with her life, her daughter's friend is trying to decide if she wants to follow her boyfriend to Nashville. All of these women have big decisions to make over the course of one life-changing summer. Good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this audiobook.

This is a cute story, that is perfect if you are looking for a light read, or a beach book. The story is about 2 friends who are at a crossroads in their lives, as well as their 2 daughters. The narrator did a good job. The story is cute, however, there is not a lot of substance, but is a perfect lighthearted read.

The Bookshop by the Bay is the kind of book I would recommend to take on vacation to read by the pool. A quick, breezy read that is both charming and engaging. Few great surprises but an entertaining read none-the-less.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.