Member Reviews
The plot premise had potential but the focus of this story was on the negative dramatic life events of the four main characters vs the book store. I found these women to be self-centered, unlikeable with anger issues. They lashed out when expressing their feelings by being self-absorbed and hateful to one another throughout the entire book. The ending felt rushed and a bit too perfect to be realistic.
The overuse of the word sniffled(s) and the constant mentioning of other authors books was annoying. Leslie’s reaction toward her father after finding out she was adopted was horrible and in my opinion was hurtful for anyone involved in adoption in any capacity. Making jokes about someone’s inability to conceive is not someone friends do.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I was initially drawn in by the title and the beautifulcover. However, as I delved into the pages, I found that the bookstore aspect was not as prominent as I had hoped. Instead, the plot was dominated by drama that overshadowed the original concept.
Despite this disappointment, I did find enjoyment in the story itself. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with any of the characters, who all seemed to possess a level of selfishness and emotional immaturity that made them hard to empathize with. On a more positive note, the book club recommendations within the story led me to some intriguing new titles for my to-be-read list, and I was pleased to encounter references to some of my favorite authors and books.
While I had wished for a stronger focus on the bookstore, I did find solace in the theme of sisterhood that permeated the narrative. Ultimately, while this book may not have been exactly what I was expecting, it still managed to offer a compelling tale with moments of literary delight.
Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for providing the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23052867-ladiami
Beyond opening a bookstore, at its core, this book is about friendship. These four friends all love books and their book club is their happy place. They decide it is time to open a bookstore together and their goal is give praise and support to the authors that often get overlooked and don't receive the credit they deserve.
Each chapter relates to a different character Yasmeen, Celeste, Toni and Leslie and they rotate through the story. I often get lost when there are so many points of view but the way Lindo-Rice writes the chapters they are all intertwined making it easy to keep track of who is who.
The part I struggled with was that every single character was going through something huge in their own personal lives. I don't mind drama in books, it keeps you hooked, but man there was a lot of drama between them all. At the very beginning I felt that these 4 friends probably would not do well going into business together. It made me fear for their friendship with is more important that a bookstore. Their personal lives take over and often times we hurt the those closest to us, thats human nature.
It was a quick read and I enjoyed it but I feel like that amount of drama dropped my stars from a 4 to a 3.
I think every reader dreams of one day opening a bookstore with their friends. But the reality of it...that's at the forefront in 'The Bookshop Sisterhood'. In the novel we follow Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni and Leslie all undergoing transformative changes and facing personal struggles that they must overcome while they’re about to open a bookstore.
The stresses of running a small business while also maintaining friendships and relationships takes work and personal sacrifice. But throw in additional drama, whew, it was a rollercoaster.
If you're looking for a wholesome story that celebrates womanhood and sisterhood give ‘The Bookshop Sisterhood’ a read.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for providing an ARC!
A cute read, my first read from Michelle Lindo-Rice and I really enjoyed it. Who doesn't love reading bookshop books. But the sisterhood made it even better 😊
Thank you NetGalley for all access to such a great read about friendship, love, honesty, and perseverance. I loved the character development, I felt like I was able to relate to every single one of them. Frustrating at times, each character had their flaw and it was refreshing watching each character grow and blossom despite it all. This is a real feel-good tale with insight and perspective about the value of true friendship. I truly enjoyed it!
I chose this book because the premise is something I've always dreamed about - opening a bookstore with friends. The characters are relatable women at different stages in their lives who are facing challenges.
The story was enjoyable with the exception of the obvious promotion for books written by the author's friends/writing associates. It seemed unnecessary. Then two of the friends decide to make questionable choices that irked me. One choice was too predictable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A story about a bookstore and a group of friends? This sounded like it was right up my alley. Sadly, it missed the mark for me. There was so much drama that it felt like reading a soap opera. Characters came across as spoiled and clueless, and their reactions were often over the top. The ending felt rushed and things, in general, felt unresolved for each of the characters.
The Bookshop Sisterhood. I had high expectations for this book and it just didn't deliver. I don't like the uninformed way they handled infertility, and problems seemed more melodramatic than well researched and presented. But perhaps I'm not the right audience for this. If you like Lifetime movies or soap operas this would be a great book for you.
I thought from the title that this would be a cozy read, a nice way to relax on a cold afternoon. Not so! So much more complex with characters so real it sometimes hurts, A very compelling read about four friends in the process of opening a bookstore with the relationships between the characters being of prime importance. Not only their relationships but their relationships with the other people in their lives with all the chaos that real life brings. SO compelling. Once you start you won't want to put it down.
Thanks to #NetGalley#TheBookshopSIsterhood#HarperCollins#Harlequin for the EARC
Four friends who love reading, their book club, and decide to start a local bookstore together. The perfect plot for a book, and The BookShop Sisterhood takes this on. 4 friends decide to start a bookstore together to share their love of reading, but then, life gets in the way, by way of a divorce, infertility, family secrets, addictions, and money problems. If You can name it, one or all of the four women face it as they navigate toward fulfilling a dream and supporting each other through these issues.
I loved the idea and plot behind this book. However, I could not connect with any of the characters and found them unlikeable. I wanted to find out if they opened their bookstore, and I wanted to hear more about that journey than some of the other storylines. They seemed a bit outrageous at times. The women also felt a bit catty toward each other. There wasn’t a real connection between them, and it felt odd and stifled at times. Then, the dropping of book titles and authors that just felt oddly placed and interrupted the flow of the story. Overall, I loved the premise of this book. I just wished the characters were more likable and relatable. I do want to mention the beautiful cover this book has. That alone would have drawn me to the book.
Overall, 3.5/5- If you like more dramatic storylines, than I think this one of for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for eARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
Wow, I know I am in the minority here but I had to force myself to keep reading this tale. I can handle a story with an overly dramatic drama queen, but four? Give me a break. These four ‘princesses’ were so clueless and spoiled I had to keep shaking my head in disbelief. The decisions they made, and the reactions when things did not go according to their plans were over the top and unbelievable. And in addition to being over the top the reaction to adoption was quite frankly insulting to adoptive parents, adoptees and birth parents alike. Although the protagonists did change and grow by the end, the journey along the way was frustrating and the ending rushed and conveniently contrived. This one was not for me. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
Sisterhood, money and secrets tell a story of four friends and their varying life troubles. The Bookshop Sisterhood by Michelle Lindo-Rice is a story of four best friends—Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni and Leslie— who are finally on the verge of opening the bookstore of their dreams. A place where their community can find solace with an intriguing new read, a comforting beverage and book-loving friends. But before they can make their dream a reality, their worlds are upended in so many ways.
I loved this drama packed, down to earth pager turner that made me laugh and cry and saw each woman work through their trials and tribulations but always rely on their friends. With lots of twists and turns, I found myself saying out loud “girl, don’t I know it” and “I knew she was trouble”! The Bookshop Sisterhood will take you on a wild rollercoaster and have you contemplating how much of our lives we truly share with our friends and how honest we are with ourselves about the aspects of our lives. Are we ready to be vulnerable and speak what’s on only on our minds but also our hearts? With a fast pace and easy flow, this story is sure to keep you entertained through unexpected plot twists and beautiful new beginnings.
A big thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Title: "The Bookshop Sisterhood: A Tale of Kindred Spirits"
Dear Reader,
Step into the cozy embrace of "The Bookshop Sisterhood," a delightful journey through the bonds of friendship, love, and the magic of books. Within its pages, you'll find a story that unfolds like a cherished memory, inviting you to become a part of something special.
In this charming tale, the characters are not merely figures on a page; they are friends, confidantes, and kindred spirits. While each character is carefully crafted, there are a couple whose light shines particularly bright, capturing your heart and imagination along the way.
As you immerse yourself in the world of "The Bookshop Sisterhood," you'll find comfort in its familiar setting and joy in its uplifting narrative. It's the kind of book that you'll want to curl up with on a rainy day or share with a friend over a cup of tea.
So, if you're seeking a story that celebrates the power of sisterhood, the beauty of second chances, and the magic of books, look no further than "The Bookshop Sisterhood."
I was expecting the bookshop to be more of a storyline in this book but honestly, this was much more about friendship and each of the four friend's individual storylines--sick child, adoption, infertility, theft, blackmail-- if it sounds like a lot for one book, it kind of is. The bookshop is kind of in the background, and that was not a deal breaker for me, it just wasn't exactly what I expected going into it. I did enjoy it, though-- I read it in less than a day!
I love to hear the details of people's jobs in general and the workings of books and bookstores in particular, but the details here were a bit too pedantic for my taste.
Friendship, drama, life events, books.. what else do we need?! I really enjoyed this book. It was a great read, the characters were relatable and real for me.
This is an emotional ride about friends who set out to open a book shop. I am a true sucker for books, friendship stories, and drama - all of which Michelle Lindo Rice delivers all in a wonderful story! I definitely recommend this to readers,
First things first, MICHELLE LINDO-RICE YOU DID YOUR BIG ONE WITH THIS!
I really enjoyed diving into this book! I was in a bit of a reading slump, but it pulled me right out of it. Michelle did a fantastic job weaving together the perspectives of all four women, and I found myself really getting invested in their stories thanks to the well-developed characters. Sure, some of their choices irked me, but it just goes to show how invested I was in the book.
The book felt like a mashup of the TV shows Girlfriends and Insecure combined with the movie Waiting to Exhale. Exploring themes of womanhood and the complexities of friendship, marriage, sisterhood, and daughterhood, this book delivered some seriously juicy drama and unexpected twists (yes, plural)! If you're in need of a book that strikes the perfect balance between drama, friendship, and love, I highly recommend giving this one a read.
Thank you Netgalley for this eARC #TheBookshopSisterhood #NetGalley!
Four best friends set out to open an invest in a book store. Each friend has their own issues to deal with however SOS calls all of them together. From a husband with a gambling issue and a sick daughter. A Sister friend who finds out she has infertility issues an a devious pass lurking to catch up, with her future. A Sister friend who was carjacked in the middle of the night with her husband who was left traumatized with a weapon to her face. Great storylines, fast paced with several realistic issues.