I want to thank Net Galley for giving me this book and apologize for not getting it read before publication. I suck. This book, does not suck. It is not really a novel as much as it is a series of stories about people in a book store who sit, think big thoughts, and talk. Nothing happens but everyone changes. I am here for it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book quite a lot. The translation felt very smooth and natural. This is a slice-of-life, slow-moving story about a woman who owns a bookshop. I enjoyed the slow pace, and this book was different from what I normally read. It also talks about some hard topics with care and grace and doesn't shy away from them. All in all, an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the e-book copy!

Rarely do I read a book and feel sad about it ending. I tend to read books and rush to see how things end but this story felt like it could go on and I would still enjoy it. Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is a story about Yeongju and her journey in opening up a bookstore after getting a divorce and leaving her previous job. There is no overarching plot in this novel but I think that's what makes it good. It's just stories about everyday life for Yeonju and her interactions with patrons, staff, and her family. Reading this, audiences can see themselves being represented and that's what makes this story worthwhile. I highly recommend checking this out if you need a palette cleanser.

In the wake of her divorce and burned out from a demanding career, Yeongju, a woman in her mid-late thirties, decides to make a fresh start and pursues her dream of owning a bookshop. Being surrounded by her favorite books and the responsibility of running her own business gradually prompted her to embark on a journey of healing and self-acceptance. It’s not an easy road and there will be moments of self-doubt, the stress of running an independent bookshop and unresolved past trauma but along the way, she meets several people who will become an integral part of her daily life – peers, colleagues, friends –those who look to her for inspiration and from whom she receives kindness and support enabling her to effect positive changes in her life.

I found Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum (translated by Shanna Tan) to be an insightful, charming and thought-provoking read. There is no doubt of how avid readers feel about the role of books in their lives. A bookshop is a haven for book lovers and The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is no exception. I loved how the author tackles the theme of second chances, not only in terms of one’s career trajectory but also in terms of relationships. The characters and their struggles are real and relatable. Topics such as divorce, job satisfaction and career choices, loneliness and depression are addressed with compassion, wisdom and maturity. From a teenager on the cusp of adulthood to weary adults searching for direction everyone else in between, Yeongju’s bookshop provides a sense of security, belongingness and community– whether one wants to sit with a favorite book or in a corner pondering over life or share confidences over a cup of coffee. I thoroughly enjoyed the segments on the daily activities involved in running a bookshop as well as the book references mentioned throughout the narrative. It was a joy to read about Yeongju’s love for books, her courage to start over and how she inspires others to effect change in their lives in the course of her own transformative journey of healing and self-renewal.

The narrative does suffer from minor repetitiveness but this does not detract from the overall reading experience. The pace is on the slower side, but this suits the nature of the story. Overall, this is a beautifully penned novel that needs to be read with time and patience.

Many thanks to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a sweet novel about changing your life and figuring out what makes you happy. Set in Korea, it’s a story of a bookshop owner, her employee and customers. For anyone who runs or works in a bookstore this ideally touches on all of the trials and tribulations of making a bookstore last.

This was a really cute book about how an independent bookstore finds it legs and helps many people find their way in life along the way. I loved the short little chapters, it made this story a quick read. Definitely a good book for people who love books and find that books and bookstores are a happy and calm space.

I loved this book so much and I enjoyed savoring every word and chapter. Thank you to Net Galley and Bloomsbury for an e-ARC.

There's a kdrama called Summer Strike where the main character gets burnt out and leaves Seoul to start anew in a small village doing "nothing." This story gave me the same vibes of the drama because the main character spends a lot of time at the library, whereas this character opens up their own bookstore. They both end up finding their own community though.

In a time where a lot of people are calling for the creation of third spaces, libraries/bookstores are always at the top of lists for third places that already exist. I loved reading about the little community that was built and being able to hear about all the different characters. I think all of the characters will stay with me for a while. One character I particularly adored was Mincheol. I appreciated the approach his mother took versus letting him "mope" around at home. While he didn't take a traditional path that society says he should, I like that he was able to confide in adults about his thoughts and receive actual answers versus "You should force yourself to do this." I think that is a conversation a lot of people need to have with others.

Overall, I think this book was an amazing read and I'll pick up a print copy so I can lend it to others. I'll also keep my eyes out for more translated titles.

Hwang Bo-reum’s debut novel is a heartfelt exploration of human connection and the power of storytelling to heal. The book follows Yeongju, who can no longer endure her demanding career and onerous husband and decides to leave the city and divorce her husband, She chooses to returns to her passion for literature and opens a quaint bookshop in a serene corner outside of Seoul.

This is not a successful venture in the beginning. Her continuous crying was less than inviting, Yet she moved forward. and with the help of barista, Minjun, they look to find a better way of living. Soon others become regulars; knitting potholders that were given away to customers; a book club was created; author readings were scheduled. The bookshop became an integral part of the community.

The story shows the healing, introspection and bonding that can take place through stories and community. This is a slow character driven book. If you are looking for an action packed, this is not the read. If you are looking for a reminder of why you read and what it brings to your life, then cozy up.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a gentle book, comprised of short little vignettes or essays about the bookshop owner, her friends, and her employee. In addition to insights into how the bookshop affects the lives of those in the community, this book also contains little snippets of philosophies about reading, authors, books, people, and life in general. This book is best enjoyed in small bites, with time to think about each segment before moving on.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I think in done with these books where the whole plot is just “here are some people who work at/hang around a bookstore.”

I always think I’ll enjoy these as a cozy read, b I mostly find them boring and overly sentimental and sadly this one was no exception. More plot would be nice, but the real flaw is that there isn’t much sense of place here, which seems like it ought to be the point in a book like this.

More atmosphere and less dialogue and inner monologue would have gone a long way. The writing is fine, but there’s just not enough substance here.

This was not a fast read for me. It is sweet, slow, and thought provoking. Each character is going through something-depression, burnout, worry… gathering around the bookshop and it’s enigmatic owner to learn about what they really need and what it means to live a good life. It is heavy and hurtful at times, but left me feeling warm, cozy and hopeful.

Yeongju is one of those characters that you feel for imediately. She did everything right- the grades, the job, the husband…. checked all the boxes. Yet she was miserable. To live, happily and freely, she left her job and her husband and opened a small bookshop- a dream of hers from childhood. Yet even here, she can’t pull back from the brink. For months, she goes through the motions until a neighbor aproaches her about the shop. It can’t last long with a comotose proprietor. With the help of her neighbors, customers and, later, employees Yeongju begins to heal and accept parts of herself. She isn’t perfect in any way- too selfish, too worried about being in a relationship- but she begins to grow and evolve, bringing her toward her version of a happy life.

I feel like there is a lot of social commentary here- both in reference to asian culture and our own. We are obsessed with having work- the “right job”. In Korea it seems to be nearly everything- your worth is in your work and your family. Here, a group that, for one reason or another, don’t fit into society’s neat ideals grapple with what that means for them. The man that got the best grades, went to the top university, and still can’t find a job after graduation struggles with what this does to his self worth. A woman that cracked under the pressure at work spends time unemployed just to learn how to come back to herself. A mother that is terrified because her son can’t seem to connect with anything, reaches out, desperate to have him just “be okay”. How much has the ideals of a success-obsessed society led us to pressure ourselves. In America it isn’t as bad, but I can see it. If you aren’t working, you’re “lazy”. If you want to call in because you are genuinely ill you’re “letting the team down”. The guilt, the shame, it’s heavy. And can having this job guarantee happiness? No, because living a happy life means something different to everyone. It was while watching these characters grow and come into themselves that I began to feel lighter. It’s not a fast read, or always a comfortable one, but it’s one that I cannot recommend enough. It reminds me to take time to see the things around me, make time for self care, and listen less to what society calls success. For me, this is a five star book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
On the adult content scale, there’s some gas lighting, mild language and drinking. Nothing so far over the top that I would not recommend this for a younger adult- though the content does seem to be made with a mature audience in mind.


I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book courtesy of Netgally and Bloomsbury Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful read an ode to books, bookshops and the people who pass through.A divorcee decides to open a bookshop to help her heal and the magic begins.This was an international best seller and I fell in love with it will be recommending.#netgalley #bloomsbury

A love letter to books and the people who love them, this heartwarming, life affirming story is perfect for those who loved Tales from the Morisaki Bookshop, What you are looking for is in the Library, the Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and the Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

Yeongju is burned out. She did everything she was supposed to: go to school, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart. In a leap of faith, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop. In a quaint neighborhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster-and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju-they all have disappointments in their past. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live.

I am torn about this book. In a way,, I felt like it just meandered along, without any real direction or purpose. The characters were all nice (if rather bland),and I liked the way Yeongju brought people together and made people's lives better through the bookshop. It was enjoyable witnessing the different individuals - from employees to regular customers - grow and discover more about themselves. I really wanted to like this book, because I love books about books, bookstores and libraries, but this book just didn't resonate with me. It wasn't a bad book..... it just wasn't for me.

A Korean woman who is unsatisfied with her life decides to open a bookstore. She has very low expectations of the store and assumes she will have to close it in two years. This is a slow moving, quiet book with characters trying to find their places in South Korean society.

You might think this plot sounds familiar- and it is, sort of- but this is so much more than I expected. Yeongju's bookstore is the center of her community and it's a gem. This is gentle, thoughtful, and atmospheric. The translation is smooth and the storytelling good. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. An enjoyable read

Bookshops are not merely stores with books for sale as the author, Hwang Bo-reum so comfortingly points out. They can be places of refuge, learning, and friendship. I felt welcomed into the book, not just the bookshop. The characters felt real and the book, different from most, had a calming cadence in spite of the characters anxiety and needs.

This one was a me problem again! I keep picking up these heartwarming books in translation featuring cozy bookstores or libraries in East Asia, and then I find the stories to be too saccharine and the characters to be too flat. I did like the little insights into running a local bookshop sprinkled throughout this book. If you enjoyed recent books like What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, I think you'll enjoy this one as well!

Everything from the cover art to the concept and the title enticed me so completely. And it was everything that the author wanted it to be -- cozy, safe and introspective. The book is not just a love letter to bookshops and a fellow call to readers and reading, it's also an invitation to step into what bookshops mean to a lot of us - a chance to disengage from everything that is overwhelming and take a breather. It's ponderously meditative about the nature of work and happiness. It is especially relatable if you have any Asian heritage and the values you're raised with rigid values of what constitutes success. It is validating all the ways we are not validated, and have more grace with allowing yourself to slow down. It's a universal aspiration, sure, but in the Korean and generally East/South Asian context, not the easiest to embody without familial and societal repercussions. I really enjoyed stepping in and out of the lives of the shop staff and regulars and being shown around the ways everyone is taking small steps against formidable forces of societal expectations to claim their own happiness, and finding the people that affirm them in life. Incredibly wholesome, and I wish this was a Kdrama. Yet, why not 5 stars you ask? It's the only way to warn a future reader to not look for any semblance of a plot or tension. Because there isn't one, and that's ok. This book is just that alley with a haunt with a familiar cast of characters, and it'll remain there with only the most imperceptible changes until you're ready to check in again and shoot the breeze and peruse comfortably over coffee.

If you are looking for a slice of life, second-chance book with sweet yet melancholy vibes - this is your book.

It's compared to The Midnight Library, but I found it to be much more character-oriented, whereas The Midnight Library was more plot driven. Very little happens in this book without conversations between characters.

This is translated from Korean by Shanna Tan. What I've found through watching K-Dramas and reading other translated texts, is that there are some things that don't translate effectively. In Korean, things are often describe as being "that way" or "like that." In English, we often describe things down to the most minute detail. It's not anything bad, and I did find myself understanding exactly what they mean without the extra flourishes I'm used to.

This book was just a whole vibe of wanting the confidence to believe in yourself and your choices without the opinions of others (see: society) muddling things. It follows characters of all ages and walks of life on their journey to self-discovery and finding their version of happiness.

This was a slow read for me because it was somber. When I picked it up, I had to be ready to settle in for a wave of reflection and empathy. Again, not a bad thing, just very different from what I'm used to.

If I were to compare this to a K-Drama, I'd say it has the vibes of Summer Strike (without the serial killer sub-plot) with the variety of characters from Hometown Cha Cha Cha.

A very good book to pick-up when you want to sit in your own feelings and feel some kind of way.