Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this short story from Alice Hoffman!

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ | 1/5

Although this book is an installment in a series, and the second edition of a short story collection, it genuinely didn’t matter. From what I understand the first book was (poorly) summarized in the beginning, and then everything that happened in this book felt very summary and telling not showing. I didn’t connect or care about any of the characters or what was happening in the plot, regardless of prior knowledge of these characters or not.

Isabel’s voice felt very immature and juvenile, and her supposed romance with Johnny felt weird and forced from Johnny’s end to hers, and she was like “I’m so in love.” Like girl…no. She felt too tied down by everything and then everything that happened really happened around her and she was just a character for plot purposes.

A cute and heartwarming short story sequel to The Bookstore Sisters, a previous novella by Alice Hoffman, which I read and enjoyed. Recommended if you like books about books, sisterhood, and second chance romance.

I’m not sure how she does it - but somehow I can get attached to and cry for characters in less than 40 pages. Every word here is magic. And let’s be honest, no one else can write about the bonds of sisters like Hoffman. There is no love in this world like the love between sisters.
Also - Johnny Lenox is everything.

Thanks for the book! Can’t wait for the 3rd!

I wish this was a full novel because I love Hoffman’s writing and characters! I can’t wait for the next novella to come out.

What can you say about a short story without giving it all away? Yes, this would have made a GREAT novella so that it could have given us a little more information, but that aside, this was a very charming story of true love, family, and one's roots.

This story is part of three short stories by Alice Hoffman and the second in this trilogy of stories. The next and last one will be out on February 4, 2025. I had no problems reading this without reading the first story, but since this is free if you have KindleUnlimited, I will be making sure to go and read the first one.

This was a really cute short story. I loved the relationship between the two sisters. It made me happy to see the MC give up her wedding for her sister. Really cute fast read.

The Bookstore Wedding is a beautiful short story filled with hope and love. It’s about 2 sisters, Isabel and Sophie, who come back together after Isabel has moved away to be there for each other during a trying time. It goes on to tell how Isabel surprises Sophie by giving up her very special day to make Sophie’s life complete only to be surprised herself when the love of her life, Johnny Knox, arranges an unexpected union at the couples favorite spot. This is a fun and heartwarming read, one that I enjoyed tremendously and I’d love it if Alice Hoffman would decide to write a full length novel about these wonderful characters. I’m giving this a 5 star rating and can’t wait to read more!

I did not realise that this was a novella and part of a series, which I have not read before . Also, this was my first by Alice Hoffman. A quick and fun read that I enjoyed. Even though this was short, the meaning came across. It’s so hard to connect with short stories the way you connect with novels, but Hoffman did a good job here!

I always enjoy things written by Alice Hoffman. She has such a delicate and beautiful writing style. I love that the first bit recaps the first book, it makes it easier to follow along. Whether or not you read the first book isn't as important or necessary as it would be in other series.

I loved The Bookstore Sisters and I loved this one just as much. What a great short story. I am so happy with how the lives of Sophie and Isabel turned out.

A sweet story about the bonds and trials of family. I can’t wait for more from this author! Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced read!

Thanks for the review copy. This was my first Hoffman but it will definitely not be my last. I loved the writing and the sisters. Now I have to go back and read The Bookstore Sisters.

This was a short sweet read about 2 sisters, 5 weddings and lots of cake. I didn’t realize this was a series and that this wasn’t book 1. The author did a good job explaining family history early on so I don't think reading out of order impacted my understanding of what was happening.

The Bookstore stories are fast becoming some of my favorite work by Alice Hoffman. This sequel to my beloved The Bookstore Sisters has me eagerly waiting for the next/final visit with Isabel and Sophie.

“Someday is now.”

After reading The Bookstore Sisters last year, I was excited for this book. Again, the prose author Alice Hoffman has in her books are magnificent and highly addictive to read. The book is set years after the first book and more than a story of the love between sisters, it's a story of second chances in life and love, a story of bravery in the midst of chaos, and finding yourself while also finding true happiness.

I loved reading every bit of this, from the beginning til the end, I was in love.

Thank you author Alice Hoffman and Netgalley for having this available to read for everyone.

The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman is the second book in the One Upon a Time Bookshop Series. These books are short and sweet and fit together seamlessly so far.
This story picks back up with Isabel and Johnny as their decades long love story progresses, even after unforeseen hurdles. Be prepared... there is some sadness woven among this tale of love, self-realization, and growth. Isabel is such a realistic character, and she shows that we all have some trauma from our life experiences but that we can find a path forward that works for us individually and that growth and change are possible. Johnny makes a perfect partner for Isabel and demonstrates true unconditional love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for early access to read The Bookstore Wedding in exchange for an honest review. The only problem I see is that the next one in the series isn't out yet😅🤣😂

A short story about a woman returning home again to her estranged sister and niece, as well as the boy she left behind. One failed wedding after the other leaves the groom, and the entire town questioning whether she wants to marry him at all. When terrible news takes the family by surprise, they come together and fight. Love finds a way into her sisters heart when she least expects in her darkest moments, and the future may just be full of possibility for both sisters if they can leave the past behind. It's an easy quick read with all the feels.

This short novella focuses on sisters, a wedding that seems to never happen despite multiple reschedules, and life that seems to be working against you. Although a short read, the characters are instantly relatable.

“The Bookstore Wedding” is the second story in Alice Hoffman’s “Once Upon a Time Bookshop” series. It’s a quick, cute story that’s classic Hoffman–there’s magical realism, two sisters who were estranged, a long-lost love rekindled and some bewitching baked goods. I read the first story, “The Bookstore Sisters” and liked it as well.

Isabel has returned to Brinkley’s Island in Maine after decades spent as a reclusive New Yorker. Now she’s in love with Johnny–or maybe she’s always been in love with him but couldn’t admit it due to some family trauma. They’re finally getting married, but every time the date rolls around something goes wrong. “Fourth time’s a charm,” locals say, but is it really? She's also an artist but claims she has no time for her art . . . or does she?

This series isn’t my top set of Hoffman stories. To really get a taste for her short fiction, read Blackbird House and The Red Garden, both of which are brilliant and focus on small New England towns. ”The Witch of Truro” might be my favorite magical-realism romance of all time. Still, these Bookstore Sister stories are fun, sweet and will leave you feeling delightfully satisfied. And if you’ve ever daydreamed about owning a bookshop cafe, "The Bookstore Wedding" will let you indulge that fantasy.

Book Review
Title-> The Bookstore Wedding
Author-> Alice hoffman
Release-> August1 2024
Tropes-> Short story, Sisterhood

This book is a very quick read where you get the context in first few pages.
The sisterhood, love, family emotions are well described.
Isabel return to the island, Isabel and Johnny's chance to rekindle their love, Sophie battling cancer and falling in love, violet's supporting their decisions, everything is cute and sweet.

Thank you Author and NetGalley for the book Arc
#TheBookstoreWedding #NetGalley