Having followed this series since the debut novel, The Book Charmer, I've found myself consistently drawn to the Dove sisters, their unique abilities, and the charming town they call home. There's magic in how Karen Hawkins crafts her characters and their world that keeps me returning for more.

In this installment, Taylor “Tay” Dove, reeling from a one-sided relationship with Richard, which has left her wary and in need of personal growth, has returned home. She is determined to spend the next month, or so, immersed in the tin of letters discovered in the family home. With her Dove ability, she aims to uncover more about her ancestor, Sarafina Dove.

Meanwhile, Luke Day has put his career in cybersecurity aside to return home and adopt his niece following the imprisonment of her mother. He is also there to support his grandmother despite Rose's reluctance to admit it. The slow-burn romance between Tay and Luke is charming, with Luke struggling with his feelings and Tay working through her insecurities brought on by Richard's betrayal.

I particularly enjoyed the little puzzle with the anagram—it added an engaging twist to the story. However, I did find the middle part of the book to drag a bit, and the ending felt somewhat rushed. Despite this, the novel is a fun and clean read, perfect for those who prefer more sweetness than spice in their stories.

I have really enjoyed this whole series by Karen Hawkins. They've all been fun so I was eager to read The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams too! Each of the 7 sisters of the Dove family have a special, magical gift. Tay's gift works when she's reading something written by someone else and when she touches the writing she can see and feel what they did. That really comes in handy as she and Luke seek to find answers about his relative William Day. Probably not my favorite of this series, but still very enjoyable.

I read/listened to the audio version and loved all the different voices that each narrator did.

Great little mystery and sweet, easy romance between Tay and Luke.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 27 August 024

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

I'm a fan of the Dove Pond series, but this installment is probably my least favorite. To me, Tay has the least believable gift of all her sisters -- the ability to touch handwriting and be transported to when the person was writing. I liked that Tay had to solve a mystery from her family's past and I do like the setting of the town bookstore. There were places where details could have been trimmed -- yes, we know that Ava's tearoom has the best tea and desserts in town! There's also a portion of the ending that I won't spoil here that makes me wonder, should Tay and Luke really be together or... ???

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my copy of The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams by Karen Hawkins in exchange for an honest review. It published August 27, 2024.
I was so excited about this book, as I have been reading it since the beginning, that I pre-ordered it before it was even on NetGalley! I have loved this series from book one and this one held up. The mystery was so good, the writing is wonderful, the character development is so fun. I loved Tay Dove and her gift. I just can't wait for the next book!

Good book about love and family. Taylor Dove is the middle sister of seven sisters. Each of them has a special gift. In Tay's case, she can touch someone's handwriting and instantly experience the feelings, sights, and sounds of the person writing. This talent enhances her career as a noted historian, frequently guiding the direction of her research. When her sisters find an antique tin of love letters written by their ancestor, Sarafina, Tay rushes home to investigate. She's happy about the distraction from her recent breakup and intends to focus on writing Sarafina's biography.

The letters reveal a secret relationship with William Day, a wild young man later convicted of participating in a notorious train robbery. Tay's best chance of finding answers lies in the Day family archives in Rose Day's bookstore. But Rose resists giving Tay access until Rose's grandson, Luke, gets involved.

Luke returned to Dove Pond after he became the guardian of his niece, Lulu. Luke is one of those people for whom life comes easy. He's handsome, brilliant, and charming. He had a good computer job he gave up to take care of Lulu. Now, Luke works with Rose and does some computer consulting. There is a lot of tension between him and Rose as he tries to bring the store into the twenty-first century and meets resistance from his technophobe grandmother. He is also easily bored, so he begs Tay for the opportunity to work with her, solving the puzzle of the letters.

The plot intrigued me and kept me turning the pages. Tay researches her ancestor's career as a journalist in New York, but some of the information doesn't make sense to her. The letters from William open new paths of investigation into Sarafina's past. The reader is helped along by chapters told from Sarafina's point of view. Tay and Luke's teamwork is terrific with each bringing a different set of skills to the search. The tension rose as they closed in on the "family secret." While the secret wasn't a complete surprise, learning how they accomplished it was interesting.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Luke and Tay. She reluctantly accepts his help initially, but as time passes, she realizes he isn't the hindrance she expected. There are some great scenes of them working together and learning to appreciate the other's insights. Neither expected the feelings that developed between them, leaving Tay to decide if she would stay in Dove Pond or return to her job.

I did not realize that The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams was part of a series, but I had no problems following the characters or the plot. The Dove Pond Sisters is a Karen Hawkins series, with each novel focused on a separate sister. The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams is Tay Dove's story. Tay is a university professor, who returns home to research a Dove family ancestor. This research project is a way to recover from a painful relationship that ended. The plot contains a mystery to be solved. The mystery is complex and with good clues. I liked the characters and the plot, and so I do recommend this novel. Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I do recommend The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams.

Title:   The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams
Author:  Karen Hawkins        
Genre:  Romance       
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

When an antique tin of love letters is found hidden in her family home, noted historian Tay Dove rushes home to Dove Pond to investigate. Tay is still reeling from a romantic betrayal, so she’s relieved to refocus her energies on her latest project: a biography of her great-great-grandmother Sarafina, a star reporter who began her career in Dove Pond in the late 19th century before abruptly leaving town.

Tay believes the letters could be the key in solving what happened, but they only add to her questions—especially when they reveal a forbidden love affair with William Day, a wild youth who took part in a notorious train robbery. Some answers might be found in eighty-year-old Rose Day’s bookshop, which doubles as a town archive, but Rose is curiously resistant to give Tay access. Just when Tay thinks she’s reached a dead end, she finds an unlikely ally in Rose’s grandson, Luke, a fellow puzzle lover. Together, they set out to uncover what really happened all those years ago…and find the truth behind a love story that could be more precious than gold.

I do love the Dove Pond Books! I enjoyed the first two more than the third one, but I think this one I just as good as those first two. I love the small-town feel of Dove Pond, and the Dove family is just so much fun. I like the dual timelines in this story and found myself engrossed in both of these, although knowing only one of them could have a happy ending. Love this newest installment in this magical series!

Karen Hawkins is bestselling author. The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.)

This is the fourth Dove Pond Sisters book I’ve read and absolutely loved it - the story and characters are so loveable and unforgettable. I hope Hawkins will be writing 3 more books about the remaining Dove sisters. Great book thanks for the advanced read!

This is the fourth release in the Dove Pond series .I have not read the previous in series and i was able to easily assimulate into the story and characters. Thank you to Net Galley, to the publisher and to the author for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this story of a young woman historian seeking her family history through her famiily archives. Tay is investigating the lost love life of her great great Grandmother and finding answers to her family through her investigation. She begins her journey to write a biography and finds she is fascinated to meet her great great Grandmother through her work. As the story reveals history she never imagines she finds herself through her work and a new path for her life.

I enjoyed the authors writing as well crafted and flows to the story. The characters she utilizes to assist Tay are richly drawn to the story. A enjoyable read that everyone who enjoys womens historical fiction can enjoy,

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

I loved this book so much that I plan on buying a physical copy of it when it gets released!

Wow. This is such a delightful, cozy story with magic, sweet romance, sideline of forbidden romance, train robbery, hidden family secrets....just loved it. I can't wait to go back and read the prior stories. Loved it!

The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams is the first novel I have read in this series. I have read Karen Hawkins’ book just not from this series. I have been missing a great series if this book is any indication. The Dove Pond series with The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams included is a whimsical contemporary romance series. Well-written with complex characters both past and present.

Tay Dove comes home because of a family find but she actually needs to be there to help with a romantic betrayal that has left her reeling. Family is big in this story as well as past loves, lost loves and new loves. A mystery and a love story all rolled into one. The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams is the fourth book in the Dove Pond Series, but I had no problem jumping into the series with this book. Now I want to read the previous books too.

Another enjoyable story of the Dove sisters. We meet Tay who heads back home to Dove Pond, after her breakup with a fellow professor and her boss. Coming to terms with being misled and used, she throws herself into researching the contents of the mystery box found in her family home. Finding it is connected to her famous relative, love letters from the famous train robber William Day. Her special gift is opening up doors, but only to find another riddle.
Luke Day has stepped up to raise his niece whose mother is in jail. He moves back to Dove Pond and with his grandmother’s help they are raising Lulu together. Bored with his old job he helps his grandmother at her bookstore, but she is stubborn about updating the place. Hearing about Tay researching he decides this will be exciting and hopefully end his boredom. Now to convince her that she needs his help is the challenge.
I love the mystery of Sarafina and the fastbacks. I did have an inkling of the outcome of her love story, but not the how. Very well told story, can’t wait for the next Dove sister. Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own. #TheBookshopofHiddenDreams #DovePond

Tay Dove has come home to Dove Pond to nurse a broken heart and to examine the hidden letters that her sisters have found. She hopes to uncover facts about their ancestor's early life and write a book on her. The letters reveal that she needs access to the Day family records which are housed in the bookshop of the title. That means that she will have to spend time with the bookshop owner's grandson, Luke, when she has decided to avoid men altogether. He soon becomes a valuable partner in her search for family secrets. But there are lessons that need to be learned in the current day, too. I loved reading this story, and I got really involved in the search. This is my favorite of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams by Karen Hawkins, which is now my favorite of the series.

I have enjoyed the Dove Pond series after reading and loving, The Book Charmer, which remains my favorite book in the series. I enjoy the sense of community, romance and family that Karen Hawkins creates in her books. I also enjoy her writing, the characters she creates, and getting to know the Dove sisters. All the Dove sisters have a special gift! In The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams, Tay has returned to her hometown and to her sisters. She has recently suffered heartbreak and is using this time work on her biography of her great-great-grandmother Sarafina. She turns to Rose Day and her wonderful bookshop which also serves as the town's archives. It is there that Rose's grandson; Luke agrees to help her with her research....🥰

I did enjoy how The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams delves into the past with Seraphina and a young man named William and the present day with Tay and Luke doing their best to uncover the truth about what happened all those years ago. I did find this book to be charming and heartwarming.🥰

What shines through is the relationships, the sense of community, the sisters, and Karen Hawkins’ lovely writing.

Well written, well thought out and charming.📕

I want to live in a town like Dove Pond. Friends and neighbors are always willing to help each other. When Tay heads home to Dove Pond after being betrayed by her boyfriend and boss, Richard, she is broken-hearted. So when Luke Day volunteers to help with her research of one of her ancestors she is reluctant to let him. The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams has a small-town feel with family, friends, and romance, all with a touch of mystery and magic. I love the Dove Pond series. There are seven Dove sisters so I'm hoping for more adventures in this quaint little town. Thanks to author Karen Hawkins, Gallery Books, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Tay Dove has come home to dove pond brokenhearted from a secret relationship with her boss. She's a researcher at a major University and it seems he's trying to steal her work as well. She's home to mend and to solve the puzzle of serafina dove so she can finally write a book about her ancestor. Her first stop after getting home is to her favorite bookstore, which is not doing so well either. Perhaps she can help.