The Bookshop by the Bay
by Pamela Kelley
Narrator, Stephanie Németh-Parker
I have read a number of books by this author and my favorites are the books in the Beach Plum Cove Inn series. That said, this book was good but maybe a little too long. Most of the books I have read or listened to by this author are pretty short, seven hours or less and I think that’s a good length for this kind of story. However, it was enjoyable and I liked the main characters and as always in a Pamela Kelly book, the talk about food and wine. And of course, the location.
The narrator was good at both male and female voices and made the story an easy listen
Thanks to Netgalley.

Well written story and great beach read. Best friends Jessica and Allison are always there for each other and when Jess finds out her husband had an affair she heads back to her hometown to her mom and BFF. Her daughter, Caitlin joins her as she just lost her job and needs to rethink life. Allison job is in jeopardy and her dream of owning a bookstore can become a reality if she had the money. Her daughter, Julia is about the same age of Caitlin and slowly they are becoming also.friends. Things begin to fall into place and the story highlights the love and friendships of old and new.
I loved the storyline and the narrator was fantastic. I just had to finish it! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheBookshopByTheBay #MacmillanAudio

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
Loved this audiobook. Just a feel good book with lots of likable characters.
Narrator did a great job and I look forward to more from this author.

Perfect summer beach read!

The Bookshop by the Bay is about family, romance, bad relationships, beautiful locations, friends and making dreams come true.. This book was entertaining and all about starting over when you have no other choice. The characters are interesting and well developed. It is important in life to get to know people and not judge them by what they do for a living. Sometimes we think that we have nothing in common with people, but when we take the time to get to know them better, we find that a friendship is possible. This book is all about whether we live our life to impress others or be true to who we are.

Jess and Caitlin, a mom and daughter duo go to Jess’ childhood home on Cape Cod when Jess’ husband cheats on her. Jess looks forward to spending time with her friend Alison who lives on Cape Cod and just found out that she is getting let go from her job at Cape Cod Living Magazine. When the owner of the local bookstore is looking to sell, Jess makes an offer and buys the bookstore and agrees to let Alison manage it. They also put a coffee shop next door. Will this new adventure distract them from all the issues going on?

I loved this story and thought the mother/daughter relationship was so sweet! It was a little hard to keep up with all the relationships but once I got a hang of them, it was sweet seeing them develop and how the guys were patient and waited till Jess and Caitlin were ready to move to the next step. Alison and Jess have my dream job of owning a coffee shop and bookstore that I want to do with my best friend!

This was such a nice wholesome listen. I had trouble keeping all of the characters straight there was a lot going on in multiple directions but really loves the bookstore coffee shop aspect. Thank you!!

I recently picked up Pamela Kelley's The Bookshop by the Bay and I must say, it is a delightful and heartwarming read. This novel is the perfect beach read, with its breezy and escapist setting, relatable characters, and a storyline that touches on themes of second chances, mother-daughter relationships, and the joys of running a bookstore.

The characters are well-developed, with their struggles, hopes, and aspirations laid out in a way that draws you in and makes you care for them. Jess, Caitlin, Allison, and Julia are all so different yet united in their love for the bookstore and the desire to make it work. I especially loved the relationship between Allison and Chris, their ex-spouses who have remained close friends, and how they navigate their emotions when Allison starts dating someone new.

The Cape Cod setting is charming and provides the perfect backdrop for the story. The author does an excellent job of describing the small town, the bookstore, and the coffee shop in vivid detail that makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. The bookshop and coffee shop add a touch of whimsy to the novel, and the descriptions of the books and coffee drinks are so enticing that I found myself wanting to visit the fictional store myself.

Overall, The Bookshop by the Bay is a beautifully written and engaging novel that I would recommend to anyone looking for a heartwarming and uplifting read. It is perfect for fans of women's fiction, romance, books about books, and anyone who loves a good beach read. This book is a testament to the power of friendship, family, and the magic of second chances. Pamela Kelley has outdone herself with this book, and I am looking forward to reading more of her work. I give it a solid 4/5 stars!

I positively loved this book. The narration, the premise of family and friends gathering and holding each other up, I loved the romances that came out of friendships and I particularly enjoyed the friend aspect of helping each other achieve their goals and dreams. I would have liked to have had some conclusion to the husband's life and how the divorce went, but all in all Kudos to Pamela Kelley for a great light read and to Macmillan Audio. Thank you also to NetGalley for this advance copy. This is a great summer read!

This was a cute story of resilience during tough domestic times. If I were Jess dealing with Parker I don’t know that I’d have the grace that she did. I mean…total jaw drop moment.

I loved all of the characters (less Parker and Kyle) and how they grew throughout the book.

I liked how the women found their way back to each other and how everything came together in the end.

It’s a great beach read so it’s pub date on 06/06/2023 works out perfectly!

This was such a wonderful read. The author showed us a lovely tri-generational relationship between a grandmother, a mother and her daughter. A feel good book, for the most part, from beginning to end, it left me with a smile on my face upon completion. The basic storyline it's what do you do when your life is thrown a major change. Each woman experiences some type of life altering change that will completely impact the way she had previously been living. They stand with each other, support one another and with the help of friends, both old and be, open up a book store/coffee shop. Ms. Kelley develops her characters beautifully and describes the locations so well that you feel as if you are in Charleston and then in Cape Cod. Excellent book.

I believe I have read other titles by this author and enjoyed them but I didn't care for this one. Maybe because this genre is just tired because I read too many of them!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance audio of this title. Jess has it (mostly) all. She is a successful lawyer, has raised a lovely daughter, lives in a beautiful Charleston home, and has (she thinks) a fairly happy marriage. When she is disabused of the last fact, she and her daughter go to Cape Cod for the summer to visit her mom and her best friend, Allison. Both Jess and her daughter find themselves more at home in Chatham than Charleston, and when an opportunity presents itself, Jess jumps at it. This new chapter in her life sets her on a new, better path.

One of my new favorite books. This cozy homey book made me feel so nice and makes me want to know the characters for real and live in their town. I want nothing more than to be transported to the book shop and walk next door to get a little coffee. This book hits so many emotions and quickly had me hooked, i highly recommend this to literally anyone.

When your world turns upside down, the logical thing to do is buy a bookstore with your best friend.

This charming novel is a story of friendship, love, Motherhood, and second chances. You'll fall in love with Jess and Alison as they embark on their new journey as bookstore businesswomen.

This is a feel good rest. I love the web of multigenerational relationships. Each character is facing big life changes and you are along for the process. The love that the characters have for each other is a special bond. It was a fast read and great simple way to pass time.

The Bookshop by the Bay
by Pamela Kelley
Narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker
Pub Date 06 Jun 2023
Macmillan Audio
General Fiction (Adult)
Rating: 4.5/5

Pamela Kelley always writes a wholesome, feel-good story. This sweet audiobook has a perfect narrative and is a pleasure to listen to. The characters are all delightful and made me feel at ease. This book is full of truths about friendships, families, and moving forward after things don't work out as planned. I enjoyed the bookshop setting, which provided a good backdrop for the plot. If you like clean heartwarming stories, this audiobook is fantastic. This would also make a great gift for a friend.

Thank you NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio, for sharing this incredible audiobook with me. Your kindness is appreciated.

Childhood friends, Jess and Alison reunite in Cape Cod after their personal lives implode and decide to take over ownership of the local bookstore. A lovely story about old friends and second chances; a perfect beach side read

THE BOOKSHOP BY THE BAY is an easy story to get lost in for a day. It's about friendships, family, and starting over. I loved Jess and Allison's relationship and how they were always there for each other. Their daughters' always supported their mothers' and that just made me smile even more. If you like heartwarming stories with great endings, this one is for you! It would make the perfect beach read for the summer. This was my first Pamela Kelley book and I'm looking forward to reading her previous works.

Many Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

💭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.

The narrator has the perfect warm, calming voice for this story. She did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life.

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