The Bookshop by the Lock by Julie Shackman is a romance with a little substance, as well. All families have secrets,; some are more widely known that others. When Lexie Dunbar was passed over for a promotion in her job as an editor for Literati publishing, she took what leave she had accrued and returned to Bracken Way to stay with her mother and her grandfather. She didn’t know what her plans were but she placed some ads as an independent editor just in case. As she was walking through the village, she came upon the bookstore that had been her grandmother’s and her happy place for many years, just as the “to let” sign was being hung. Heart broken, she confronted the owner, Trevor, and the words and phrases that fell from her mouth were all ideas on how to strengthen business, until he interrupted her with an offer. He had the money, if she would do the work. They’d give it a year. Things got complicated from there. His nephew appeared, angry about the new arrangement, and before she knew it, she was sharing the space with an art gallery. It was good art, she had to admit, but the artist seemed sullen and morose and she was not happy.

Lexie was ready for something new, it turned out. She was glorying in the success when some new people appeared in her life: her estranged father, for one. And a lovely old lady named Celeste, for another, along with her daughter, Maeve, who appeared to get the both of the to help fulfill some items on her mother’s bucket list: have her portrait done and have an editor look at a novel she had written. This family had secrets, as well. Celeste was eighty years old and had lived a full life. The novel was semi-autobiographical and well-written, Lexie had only a few changes. The portrait was coming along nicely and business at the book store was booming. What a book: chock full of endearing characters, each with their own issues, and a good storyline to match. Shackman has done these people justice as they laid their lives on the line for their audience. Thanks for a terrific novel!

I was invited to read The Bookstore by the Loch by Harper Collins US, One More Chapter. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley # HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter #JulieShackman #TheBookshopByTheLoch

What a gem of a book! It is a fantastic read and had me hooked from the very first page. Thank you Julie for this great read.

Lovely book. It’s book 6 in the series. Great plot that plays out well. It’s well written. Lovely feel good book. Like all families there’s loss, love and secrets. Enough to keep your interest in this story. There’s a huge play on forgiveness in the book. Ties all in so well.

Books make the world go round and for a great cozy theme. With a great setting and books galore, Lexie is taking some time after a career disappointment to visit her family. Maybe everything DOES happen for a reason…

The Bookshop by the Loch by Julie Shackman

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Lexie Dunbar is a book lover. And her favourite place in the world is her local bookstore, Book Ends. So when she hears that it’s going to be sold, Lexie decides she needs to do something to help.

Lexie’s plan to save the ailing shop is fully underway until gorgeous-but-grouchy artist Tobias Black arrives on the scene determined to turn the bookstore into an art gallery. Lexie is horrified, the last thing the quaint town of Bracken Way needs is a pretentious artist, even if he does seem to charm everyone but her.

Tensions continue to rise until Tobias discovers a shocking secret that shows they might have more in common than they realise. As sparks fly, can Lexie and Tobias work together, or will opposing ideas get in the way of them finding their very own happy ever after…

My Opinion

Lexie Dunbar is a book editor that loves books. So when her local book shop is up for sale she knows that she must step in. A dream for any book lover. This is part of the Scottish Escapes series and whilst I have read some of them, I haven't read them all but this one can easily be read as a standalone.

This is a cosy, heart-warming read and Lexie is a character that everyone can relate to. I started this book with little time to read and I found myself wanting to return to Book Ends whenever the opportunity arose.

Rating 4/5

Lovely story set in what sounds like a gorgeous location. I love any story that is set around books and bookshops. Great characters and good storyline that had me intrigued.

I love books about a character who loves books, works with books, or tries to save a bookstore- in this case all three, so that plus Scotland made it seem like this would be the romance for me. But I never really got into the book or the main character and ended up disappointed in this one.

After being passed over for a promotion she's not only worked herself into the ground for but apparently basically been promised, Lexie takes some leave from her job as an editor and goes home to visit her mom and grandfather. She's questioning her life, her career, and everything else. A few twists and she ends up agreeing to take over a failing local bookshop as manager and trying to save it instead of going back to her job in Glasgow. The store's owner's nephew, an obnoxious artist, first tries to stop her, then ends up renting part of the space as his gallery. Enemies to flirty happen faster than I could figure out why, other than it was what is expected. When Lexie has family problems Tobias shows he isn't a total jerk by being a good listener, but it was more like he had a personality transfer from the first person we met than getting an explanation (a la Mr Darcy) for his rudeness in the beginning.

After that there were so many side stories that the main story of a developing romance between Lexie and Tobias kept getting derailed, as did the save-the-bookstore plot. Interruptions and misunderstandings kept happening, new side stories threw new problems in the character's paths and by the end not everything was entirely resolved to my satisfaction but there was a rush to fix things so that Lexie and Tobias could fall into each other's arms. It was all a little scattered for me, and I'd have liked to see the book focus a bit more on the main characters, their feelings, and their development.

I have to admit I was also not a fan of the writing style. The random sentences of description in the middle of conversations or internal debates kept throwing me out of the story (and Lexie's POV) without adding anything to the book as a whole, and the more it happened the more annoyed I got.

Overall, all the things I wanted to like about this book weren't really main points to the story, and even the characters and writing style didn't really do it for me. I don't see myself trying another book by this author.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is a cozy, easy read, clean romance in the Scottish Escapes series. It can be read as a standalone. The fun setting of a beloved but rundown bookshop in the small town, the nosy small town neighbors, the combination of art and books... it all combined beautifully to make a great story. I love how the relationship progressed between Lexie and Tobias from resentment and suspicion to friendship to attraction. It's definitely a slow burn of miscommunication and missed opportunities with a sweet ending, kissing only. And through it all they support each other through family issues and drama.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We are back in Bracken Way with a new character Lexie. She has been working in Glasgow as a book editor for a publishing house, there is a vacancy that everyone thinks Lexie will get but maybe not. She comes back home and discovers that Book Ends, the towns bookshop could be closing. She loves this shop and comes up with ways to save the shop with its owner Trevor but not everyone is happy about this, least of all Trevor's nephew Tobias. He wants the shop for himself to run his art gallery from. Can they come to an agreement, can Lexie and Tobias get over their animosity and work together?
Add in Lexie's best friends Mum who is dying and wants to accomplish 2 more things before she dies, also the secrets she is carrying could come out and impact others. There are also secrets about Tobias that his Mum hasn't told him, what impact with they have?
Then we have the return of Lexie's father and his news.

There was a lot going on in this story, maybe too much. I wanted more about how Lexie dealt with running the bookshop, how she was trying to turn its fortunes around. That was missing and that was a shame.
I liked the setting and the characters but just too much of little bits and not enough of the main story for me, which was a shame.

This was a gorgeous story of broken families healing and slow-burn romances blossoming. Lexie was such a dreamy character, I adored her storyline, especially within the bookshop. Tobias was a gorgeous male lead, one of my favourites I've read this year! Whilst this book focuses on the blossoming romance between Lexie and Tobias, the two deal with a lot individually within their families, each of their stories being heart wrenching in their own ways but beautifully resolved with the support of one another. There was also another beautiful storyline woven within and it was an unexpected but lovely and endearing surprise. Celeste's story tugged at every single heart string I have, I got teary multiple times throughout her journey. It was all just so heart-warming, I couldn't have loved this book more.

Publication date: January 31, 2024

The Bookshop by the Loch is the 6th instalment of the Scottish Escape series by Julie Shackman. This is a closed door romance series that are read as standalone books. I have previously read one of the Christmas/holiday books in the series.

This book follows Lexie back to her hometown of Bracken Way after quitting her job at a publisher in Glasgow after being passed up for a promotion she was expecting.

After returning home and visiting all of her favourite places, Lexie visits the local bookstore and learns that the owner has put the property up for sale. After convincing the shop owner to refresh and relaunch with her as shop manager, Lexie finally starts to feel like her life is getting back on track…..Until she meets Tobias Black.

Tobias is the grumpy nephew of the shop owner looking for space for his art gallery. After a couple of run ins with Tobias, Lexie is certain they couldn’t work together and before she knows it, he is moving right into the bookshop.

While Lexie is sorting through the bookshops grand opening and working with the grumpy Tobias, her father shows up after leaving her and her mother 23 years ago to pursue his career.

I liked Lexie’s character and didn’t mind the grumpy/sunshine pairing with Tobias. I did find there were too many side stories that took away from the main plot. The theme seemed to be family turmoil but between Lexie’s father showing up, Tobias’ family secret and another family saga plot diversion it seemed a bit much to follow all of the time.

This was a quick read and I love nothing better than a book that takes place in the Scottish Highlands. This was a 3 star read for me!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #julieshackman #thebookshopbytheloch

Sometimes I just crave a cozy piece of fluff, especially after reading a slew of high tension thrillers or literary fiction steeped in 5 syllable vocabulary. Unfortunately, this Scottish Escape, was not what I had in mind. It had all the elements to make it my perfect airplane read with a setting in Scotland, a faltering bookshop that needing saving and a hunky, brooding guy looking to upend everything. Not sure where it went off the rails for me, maybe all the family dysfunction, but it just never set a hook and drew me in. I also seem to remember that I was having difficulty with the prevaricating characters and grammatical mistakes but hopefully the latter gets cleared up.

Once again half stars would be helpful as this was A 3-1/2 star read for me. Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for a copy.

Julie Shackman is the queen of slow-burn, feel-good romance novels and she has absolutely knocked it out of the park again! I fell in love with Lexie right off the bat, I could relate as someone in their 30's who needed to get their life figured out beyond the work promotions and silly titles at work. There was major work burnout, I was so happy to see that she could come back home and rely on her mum and grandpa. The added layers of her long gone father returning and coming with complications really made the story more interesting!

Tobias Black coming with his own baggage was just the icing on the cake! I could tell Julie really wanted to make this story more about the character's journey and wrote with such flourish, I could smell the flowers blooming. Celeste, the silver songbird and the bookshop itself were the other important characters in this one and I was glad to see that Lexie and Tobias could team up together and move the story along as well.

Thank you so much to Julie Shackman, I will always read whatever her team sends me! Major thank you as well to NetGalley and One More Chapter as Harper Collins for sending me the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

When a promised promotion is given to someone else instead
Lexie Dunbar took owed leave and home to Mum she fled.
Three months to decide whether to leave her job or to stay,
And think of new possibilities, anyway.

Book Ends is the bookshop she went to as a child
To say she's shocked its closing is putting it mild!
A chat with the owner brings along new ideas
Will she take the challenge, put aside her fears?

A story with new friends and new chances,
Even the opportunity for romances.
Emotive adoption tales, dementia, too
And new dreams coming into view.

A heartwarming read that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to the end
And one that I highly recommend your time you spend.
So many challenges to face up to in life
But maybe there'll be fun and love after strife?

"Grab happiness with both hands when it comes along -
and never let go," says the silver song(bird).
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Book six in the Scottish Escapes series is a lovely romantic story about family, forgiveness, loss, love and secrets. Lexie returns home on extended leave, still smarting from missing out on a promotion she worked hard for. It makes her want to reevaluate her career, and her hometown, by the loch, is the perfect place. I love the characters in this story; they are relatable and invest you in their lives.
Modernising the local bookshop by the loch she loved as a teenager restores Lexie's confidence and introduces her to new friends and the possibility of romance. The theme of forgiveness defines this heartwarming story, and it sensitively explores poignant life experiences. I enjoyed the gentle enemies-to-lovers romance and the family dynamics, too.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I enjoyed reading this book. I hadn’t realised it was part of a series so read it as a standalone book. No prior knowledge of any character or place is needed to enjoy the story. I actually thought it was a stand-alone and didn’t realise there were other books until I had finished it. However, I will definitely look for the others in the series to read.
This book is not only about romance, but also family, friendship and loss and features several touching storylines alongside the main developing romance between the two main characters.
An enjoyable read.

❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The brand new Scottish spring escape from bestselling author, Julie
Shackman
Lexie Dunbar is a book lover. And her favourite place in the world is her local bookstore, Book Ends. So when she hears that it’s going to be sold, Lexie decides she needs to do something to help.
Lexie’s plan to save the ailing shop is fully underway until gorgeous-but-grouchy artist Tobias Black arrives on the scene determined to turn the bookstore into an art gallery. Lexie is horrified, the last thing the quaint town of Bracken Way needs is a pretentious artist, even if he does seem to charm everyone but her.
Tensions continue to rise until Tobias discovers a shocking secret that shows they might have more in common than they realise. As sparks fly, can Lexie and Tobias work together, or will opposing ideas get in the way of them finding their very own happy ever after... 📖‼️♥️ - Review That feeling when you’ve had a nice bath, got new oh’s on and your bed has fresh covers on 🥰. THAT is what this book makes you feel like! I felt like I was right there in the bookshop with them. I like to take a break from my crime books now and again and I’m so glad I got to read this book! I read the Xmas Lodge book by this author and@loved it also. There are a number of previous books by this author and I will definitely be working my way through them this year. ♥️♥️. #insta #viral #likes #insta #viral #photoshoot #explorepage #india #likes #bhfyp #followback #lfl #loveyourself #followers #likesforlikes #comment #sad #likeback #following #likes4likes #liker #myself #likesforlike

If you are looking for a sweet, cozy romance, then The Bookshop by the Loch is the perfect book for you. If you're a book lover, of course you want to save the bookshop you grew up loving. This is exactly what Lexie encounters in her hometown. And when you throw in the supposed enemy who wants to change the bookshop into something else, you know that sparks will fly.

The characters come to life in this sweet tale set against a small Scottish town by a loch. It is a feel good story that touches on many different issues (relationship and family). It is a quick and fun read that will sweep you off to other lands!

Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Lexie has returned to her hometown after not getting her dream job. The local bookstore holds such fond memories for her, she’s heartbroken to hear it may be closing.
Tobias needs a new location for her gallery. He thinks Lexi’s place will be perfect.
What starts out as two people at odds with each other slowly turns into a lovely romantic story. There’s some family drama mixed in and new friends with issues.
It’s a nice story, perfect to escape into. I couldn’t put it down.

After working in the publishing field for years doesn’t get Lexie where she hoped, and instead, she’s passed over for a big promotion, she suddenly finds herself back home to take all the time off she’s accrued. It isn’t long before she finds herself in the middle of trying to revamp and renew interest in a bookshop that’s been around almost as long as she has. A brooding artistic love interest, Tobias, his uncle, who owns the bookstore, an abandoning father who suddenly reappears, a very caring, yet anxious mother, a loving grandfather, an adventure loving older woman and her daughters all surround Lexie as she and Tobias try to make sense of some very chaotic family moments.

This book is as much about families and processing grief as it is about romance. It balances them all together in a compelling way, and you’ll never know what secrets will be unearthed next. There is not a lot (if any) diversity represented in the different characters regarding their race, ethnicity, gender or sexual identity, however.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.