Member Reviews
There are so many things that are absolutely gorgeous about this book, the title for one, the cover, Driftwood Bay and this cosy little bookshop.
Nancy is a lovely character but not so good in the business department so it's no surprise to discover that her idyllic bookshop, her life's dream come true, is not doing so well in the financial sense.
Enter Dennis, her friend Vi's grandson who is a bit of a stuffy accountant type it seems. He certainly doesn't impress Nancy either with his choice of words or actions however she does think he's a bit of a hunk despite all that.
Nancy has an official launch party coming up and needs all hands on deck and Dennis appears to be just the man for the job. Once they begin to understand each other their working relationship becomes a whole lot easier, that is until someone causes trouble for them further down the line.
I really loved Nancy and her little hobby of painting shells and felt she so deserved a happy ending. I felt as though I was in the bookshop with her alot of the time as it sounded like such a lovely place to be. I'd already fallen in love with Driftwood Bay from reading Kim's other books so it was exciting to pop back for a visit to see how everyone was getting on.
I really enjoyed the relationship that Nancy had with her brother, the easy way they spoke to and tormented each other was such a joy and showed another dimension to Nancy's character, it also provided lots of humour in the book as well as sentimentality and family loyalty.
Packed with friendship, romance, (I mean what could be more romantic than meeting in a bookshop,) and a cast of interesting characters, this book is a perfect, uplifting and cosy read to get you through the long cold winter nights. I thoroughly recommend but I guarantee you will be wanting to open a bookshop of your own.
Great to be back in Driftwood Bay and to have Nancy's story. I loved her enthusiasm for making her life long dream of opening a bookshop come to life even if she didn't go into it with her eyes wide open. Great the way Dennis helped her out, even he was a bit pompous about it, but his heart was in the right place. Lovely warmhearted beach read
It’s really weird to say this but I liked and didn’t like this book. It was very difficult for me to get into and then when it seemed to be getting okay it was over. I suppose the premise of the story is a good one but Dennis wasn’t as horrible of a person as he was described to be. I thought there would be more back and forth between Dennis and Nancy and it would take a lot to get them together. I just thought there could be more to this story.
For many readers, the dream of working in or owning a bookstore is real, if for no other reason that you get to read and talk about books all day! How much fun would that be?
For Nancy, that dream has come through, thanks in no small part to an inheritance that she has received. She has set up her shop in the small town of Driftwood Bay. It's fair to say that Nancy doesn't have a lot of experience running a business, but she does have every faith in the universe providing. She has a kind of if you build it they will come kind of mentality. When she isn't busy in her store, she helps keep the local beach clean, doing her bit for the environment
The person she doesn't expect to have come into her life is hotshot finance/business man Dennis. He is visiting his colourful grandmother, Vi, in Driftwood Bay. He waltzes into town wearing his designer clothes, takes one look at Nancy's store and sees straight away that she has no idea how to run a business successfully. And much to Nancy's chagrin, he's not afraid to tell her all the ways she is getting it wrong, which causes them to clash, even though she does have to admit, some of his ideas are quite good. And he is quite handsome too.
All is not as it seems with Dennis though. He is in Driftwood Bay because he is facing some challenges at work. While he gives off successful businessman vibes, he has had to work hard to get to where he is, especially given his start in life. I loved how the author chose to share Dennis's story through the mechanism of letters. It was such an effective way to do this.
Nancy has her own issues when it comes to romantic relationships, and it takes some time for her to see through outward appearances, sometimes too long maybe, so there was a time when I was inwardly begging Nancy just to talk to Dennis about what was going on.
This is the fourth book in the Cornish Cove series, all set in Driftwood Bay, and I have enjoyed them all. I loved the addition of the bookstore to the town. One thing that I really noticed in this book was the proliferation of specifically British insults and terms of endearment through the book. Maybe they were in the previous books but they really stood out this time.
One things that authors do get right so often is the vibe of small town bookstores, and this was no exception. It sounded so cute, with great special events, and unique aspects to it. I for one would love to visit Nancy's book store in Driftwood Bay.
I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and the Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.
A bookshop in a Cornish seaside village sounds idyllic. It has always been Nancy's dream, and she makes it come true when she receives an unexpected legacy. However, the reality is more complex, and she starts to get into financial difficulties but is reluctant to admit she is struggling. Dennis is Vi's grandson, whom we have met in previous stories; he is a successful business expert who offers to help Nancy. His overbearing manner irritates Nancy, but he has secrets that she starts to unravel. Friendship strengthens their bond, and romance seems likely, but there's an emotional rollercoaster to ride in this heartwarming read. I like the challenges to their relationships, the diverse characters that add complexity and relatability to the story and the engaging storytelling that keeps me turning the pages.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove is the fourth book set in Driftwood Bay but don’t worry if you haven’t read them all (or any of them) as they are all standalone novels. Each focuses on a different main character although of course, if you are familiar with the series, you will be pleased to recognise some well-known faces.
I really enjoyed the bookshop setting of this book. It was so interesting reading about the start-up of a bookselling business and get an insight into life as an independent bookshop owner. Nancy had all the enthusiasm for running her dream bookshop but sadly none of the business acumen! Luckily, help was at hand in the form of Dennis, a successful and handsome businessman taking some time away from his high-powered London job. Dennis was the grandson of Vi and I just have to say what a fantastic character she was. She was so cheery, wise and down-to-earth with a colourful turn of phrase that often made me laugh and made her grandson blush!
The relationship between Nancy and Dennis was wonderful to read about although not without its ups and downs of course. One thing I especially loved was the way that Dennis revealed the story of his challenging earlier life to Nancy. I don’t want to give away anything so will just say it was perfect for the theme of the book and absolutely the best way to get into Nancy’s heart.
I also enjoyed the strong environmental message in the book. There’s a lot about sustainability both in people’s personal lives and in the business world. Recycling, upcycling and beach clean-ups all feature showing just how important everyone’s contribution is, no matter how small.
I’ve read a few of Kim Nash’s books and think this is her best yet. She has such a good understanding of what makes for an engaging and heart-warming read and is a natural story-teller. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time in Driftwood Bay. If you love a small-town romance and a happy-ever-after (and who doesn’t?) then this is a perfect read for you.
The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash is the 4th book in the beautifully written Cornish Cove series, finally back to back in Driftwood Bay!. These books have been a breath of fresh air and warms your heart when you read them. I have loved these books and enjoyed snuggling up in my comfy chair and become apart of these books.
Kim has a way of writing from her heart and so much love is in every book I have read by her. Kim is an author that will brighten a horrible day outside.
Nancy has opened her dream bookshop and it is in a perfect spot, overlooking the golden sands and shimmering waters of Driftwood Bay, But, she may have taken on a little too much. Nancy might know all about books, but doesn’t know the first thing about business! She did however, want to do something meaningful with the inheritance money she got from her beloved Aunty Theresa.
Now, does Nancy make a success of her dream bookshop or does something happen that will change everything.
This is a must read series and a great book for holidays or a raining day.
Big Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my ARC.
Delighted to be back in Driftwood Bay for this brilliant, Cornish Cove series created by Kim Nash.
This time we meet Nancy, a bibliophile who has managed the ultimate dream – to open her own bookshop. Whilst she had great ideas and a lot of passion, she isn’t great on the actual running a business element of things. Dennis is a well established and successful businessman, visiting family in the area, he soon comes to realise that Nancy could do with a helping hand although getting her to listen is a challenge.
There is real chemistry between the two characters, but obviously at first, they butt heads and clash. Given some time things change and things look up for the bookshop but miscommunication and misunderstandings between the two-cause drama and upset.
Kim Nash creates gorgeous characters; they are relatable, likeable and you will be rooting for them no matter how daft some of their choices are! Being a series, you do get to catch up with previous characters and I enjoy that this gives a real sense of community. You don’t have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this one, but I would wholeheartedly recommend them anyway.
Whilst Nancy and Dennis do find their way eventually, the story is heartwarming and uplifting but with a rollercoaster of events and emotions.
Another wonderful visit to this wonderful Cornish village, a great community of characters that are well- written and a setting that I wish I could visit.
A great cosy read, highly recommended!
3.5 Stars
The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove is #4 in the (stand-alone) engaging and warmhearted Cornish Cove series.
Nancy opens her dream bookstore in Driftwood Bay. Although she loves books, she doesn’t know much about running a business and quickly thinks she might be in over her head. When Dennis, the handsome, know-it-all visiting grandson of a friend, generously offers his expertise, sparks fly in every direction.
Bookshop, Quaint Cornish Village…and more. OK…I’m sold! In actuality, the bookshop and the Cornish village are simply backdrops to the drama. Nancy is consumed with chasing her big dream with her aunt’s inheritance money, worried about her flailing business, and annoyed by the know-it-all, insufferable, big city guy who offers his assistance. Dennis has his own struggles, and Nancy might be the right gal to help him find a work-life balance. In my reading experience, it takes a minute to warm up to both main characters. By story’s end, we’re cheering for their HEA.
Tropes on our way to an expected HEA include idealist vs realist, enemies to lovers, and big city guy falls for a local bookshop owner and the quaint village by the sea lifestyle. Of course, we have the expected and dramatic third act breakup.
Even though this is #4 in the Cornish Cove series, it reads fine as a stand-alone. I think the series is connected by location and that each installment might focus on a different member of the community. Because of the close community aspect, I’m sure it’s a richer reading experience to read the entire series, but I never felt like I was missing something by reading this as a stand-alone.
Fans of Kim Nash will appreciate this new installment in the loosely connected Cornish Cove series. If you love a close-knit seaside community, a determined female entrepreneur, and romance, consider this engaging story for your TBR.
Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheBookshopAtTheCornishCove upon my request. All opinions are my own.
I first need to thank the author @kim_the_bookworm the publishers @theboldbookclub and @netgalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book.
I absolutely loved this book. Kim has made it to my 'I must read all their books' author list.
The book's main character is Nancy. She has finally fulfilled her lifelong dream of opening her very own bookshop 'Books in the Bay', but quite frankly, she doesn't have a clue what she's doing when it comes to running a business. This brings you on to the main male character Dennis. He is rude and annoying but Nancy needs his helps is she is going to make her bookshop work. My favourite character though, despite being a minor 1, has to be Dennis's nan, potty mouthed Vi. Honestly, the things she comes out with are absolutely hilarious.
Almost all the way through this book I was literally laughing out loud, but particularly where Vi makes an appearance. There is 1 part that made me cry, but this just made me love this book even more. As expected, this book has a happily ever after ending. What I wasn't expecting was such an abrupt ending, but it works. Kim could have carried on for another chapter or 2 but I don't think it would have added anything to the story.
My favourite line is this book that really resonated with me is. 'Books are portable magic and can transport you away from the world as you know it to a place where you'd rather be'. This is exactly how I feel when reading a good book.
Nancy always dreamed of opening her own bookshop, and a legacy from her Aunt Theresa has finally made it possible. Books are her passion, and she always knew it would involve more than being able to read books and talk to people about them all day – but she never realised it would be such a struggle without a grasp of the business knowledge she so badly needs. The shop is haemorrhaging money, but she’s reluctant to admit it – and she certainly doesn’t plan to tell her mum, who’s always on hand offering her support and is so proud of her achievement. Dennis, staying with his grandmother Vi for a while, is a high-powered business analyst (and, rather pleasingly – to the eye at least – a Ryan Gosling lookalike), but really puts her back up at their first encounter when he’s rudely dismissive of her efforts – though when he offers her the cost-free benefit of his know-how to help her turn the business around, it’s an offer she really can’t afford to refuse.
They really are chalk and cheese – she’s all arty and a bit airy-fairy (but really lovely with it!), he’s entirely focused on the bottom line and turning a profit – so they often clash, but also come to realise there’s more than a spark of attraction between them. And things are going well – lots of fresh ideas, initiatives when the whole community can come together, a real excitement about future possibilities – when Nancy has good reason to question his motives for such selfless support.
Do read this one as a standalone if you want to – it’s a complete story, and one everyone would enjoy – but, if you’ve visited Driftwood Bay before, you’ll enjoy spending time again with the familiar characters who live there. And there’s no greater character than Dennis’ grandmother Vi – potty mouthed at times (and hilarious!), the most supportive person you could possibly have in your corner, but badly torn when things begin to go less smoothly. The author’s books always have a wonderful focus on family. As well as Vi and Dennis – and the difficult back story that slowly emerges – there’s Nancy’s lovely relationship with her brother, having relationship issues of his own, very sensitively handled. And I did love Nancy’s mum, and their relationship, but less frequent visits might have made her life rather easier. And I really enjoyed the strong friendships too, with everyone stepping up to the plate, playing their part and providing their own particular helping hand when it’s most needed.
Nancy’s an open book – heart on her sleeve, easily hurt – while Dennis, slowly becoming rather less buttoned up, is always rather more of an enigma. But the attraction between them is something you can really feel until… oh Dennis! But there’s the most perfect balance between the fun moments and the more emotional ones. The author has a particular sureness of touch – when her characters hurt, I could feel the pain too, but the happy moments filled my heart with joy. And I have to say that I also really loved the whole bookshop setting – a sure-fire winner with any reader when it’s done so well, and I found myself cheering every small win along the way to greater financial security and a hoped-for happy ending.
Yes, I can certainly say that I loved this one – my favourite in the series so far (the bar was already high…!), and I really couldn’t recommend it more. I wish I could have lingered in Driftwood Bay a little longer though, I really didn’t want to leave my friends behind (or those perfect sunsets) – I’ll be very much looking forward to my next visit.
I loved this book and loved Nancy and Dennis and watching their love story grow and as for his nan vi and her potty mouth what is not to love. And you realise that although Dennis comes across as a big wig he is actually a very sad person who had a very rough up bringing.
Another beautifully written, heartwarming read from this amazing author who captivates her audience by letting us into a world of relationships full of love, friendships and fun. Don’t miss it
With the aid of a bequest from her Aunt Theresa Nancy follows her dream of opening a bookshop in Driftwood Bay. Although she loves books her business knowledge is somewhat lacking. Enter Dennis, the grandson of a friend, who works for an investment company, says he can help her make a success of it.
I did feel for Nancy, opening the bookshop with initially limited success, however Dennis comes across as very arrogant, being all about money although you do find out more about what makes him tick in the story. It was interesting seeing how the two started managing to work together although, naturally, things aren't straightforward. I was definitely taken with Dennis' grandmother Vi with her rather forthright way of speaking. The bookshop did remind me of one I visited for a couple of author signings, but wonder how they manage to succeed with the competition they have nowadays. An opposites attracts trope, 4.5* rounded up to 5*.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.
I loved this book, which had me hooked from the beginning. We meet Nancy, after she gave up her teaching position, Nancy made a decision to open a bookshop. She was left some money and it had always been her dream.
Dennis and Nancy bump into each other and then he offers to help her with the bookshop as she has no previous experience of running a business.
After this they get into a routine where Dennis comes into the bookshop and together they discuss ways in which Nancy can make it prosper.
We find out more about Dennis, the life he leads and his childhood.
I highly recommend this book.
Small town romance in a bookshop! What more do you need. Was a great read but I found the male lead Dennis really annoying and that detracted from the book somewhat for me. I wasn’t sure if that was what the author was going for or not.
Other than that a great light hearted fluffy romance. Will definitely go back read the others in the series!
Nancy's dream has always been to open a bookshop in Cornish Cove where she lives. Her dream comes true when she receives a small inheritance.
What Nancy didn't realise was that you have to have a business plan and you have to look at money coming in and money going out. A few more months and Nancy could be in trouble and her dream in ruins.
One day she bumps into Dennis, the grandson of a neighbour. He works in London in a high powered job advising people how to get their mist from their money.
He is staying with his gran for a while so offers to help Nancy make the bookshop profitable.
They are the opposite of each other, Dennis wears designer clothes and is all about money. Nancy buys hers from charity and second hands shops and loves to recycle and save the planet. She doesn't care about money.
They both can feel a pull towards each other but hesitate to act on in as the rub each other up the wrong way time and time again. Will they ever be on the same page ? And will the bookshop survive?
I did enjoy this story. Anything with a bookshop in it makes an interesting read. Unfortunately I didn't really like Nancy.
All this jumping to conclusions and going away and not talking to the person has been done time and time again and just makes it obvious what the outcome will be.
Not giving the other person a chance to explain is frustrating for the reader but it's overdone in soaps too.
Maybe a love story can't be written without it.
I liked Dennis and the other characters in the book. Even Denis's potty mouthed grandmother was funny.
Although starting off in the red, Nancy has achieved her dream of opening her own bookshop. However, Nancy is more than a bit short of business acumen, so she has her work cut out for her. When a man named Dennis comes to Driftwood Bay, he sees Nancy’s struggles and offers her his business expertise. Since he is the grandson of one of her dear friends, Nancy agrees to accept his help.
Even though Dennis can definitely offer Nancy the benefit of his experience, the two get off on the wrong foot, and definitely don’t see eye to eye. As they are seemingly opposites in every way, I loved the romance that bloomed between them.
With the friction between Nancy and Dennis, this book could be a tense read at times, but it certainly made me smile more than once. I loved the story within a story and could not take my eyes off of the screen of my Kindle. I love how Kim Nash easily pulled me into the story. Equally wonderful and heartwarming, this is a book that I highly recommend.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Bookshop owner Nancy and Dennis butt heads when they first meet. But as Dennis helps Nancy keep her bookshop afloat they grow closer. Small town romance.
I always enjoy stories with a book shop theme and I really wanted to love this one but I’m sorry, I just didn’t. I found it really difficult to read. I think perhaps as it is part of a series, maybe you needed to get to know the characters from the previous books? I didn’t particularly like the main characters- too ready to jump to conclusions- but I guess that’s trying to show that they were ‘damaged’ .