Friends-to-lovers is a favorite trope of mine. Because it's never about instalove. It's about shared memories, experiences and difficult times they've been through together. And that's what love is about, according to me.

As I've probably said in every review I wrote about the books in the series (I've read them all), Clove Lore is on my To-Visit list (or at least the village it has been inspired by). Both because the scenery is wonderful but mostly because of its people. And I love meeting them again and again.

The Borrow A Bookshop series is about romance but so much more.
In this instalment, you'll meet Harri and Annie, uni friends who managed to keep in touch for eight years while each being on a different side of the Atlantic Ocean.

They're both struggling in their lives and those two weeks in Clove Lore couldn't come at a better time.

They're sweet and kind (probably a bit too much, as they're constantly interrupted when something might happen at last between them ! Soooo annoying for the reader haha).

The writing is always perfect, the atmosphere warm, Valentine-y but not too much. So heartwarming, like the best armchair you'll ever sit in with a hot cocoa to watch snow fall in winter.

Two bestfriends reunite to find they are both suffering from broken hearts by broken relationships. They journey into an investigation in down and get locked into a building causing them to discovering their deep connection once again. This was really cute and I enjoyed the main characters personalities.

This was such a great and beautiful romance. I loved the slow burn and it led up to the most satisfying conclusion. Highly recommend this gorgeous love story

Every book lovers dream is to run a book shop, so when the opportunity comes for Harri and Annie to run a lovely bookshop in a small village in Devon for a fortnight, they sign themselves up. Annie and Harri have been best friends since uni, although life gets in the way and they drift apart a little over the post uni days, hopefully this holiday will bring them back together. Will their friendship be enough? Or is there more there for the both of them?

This is such a lovely feel good book about friendship, love, loss and everything in between.

Another good story in the series of a couple running a bookshop for two weeks, and naturally romance comes along for the ride. This one has Harri, a Welshman going through a separation from his wife, and Annie, a librarian from Texas. They were best friends 10 years ago at college and although they never did anything about they both felt sparks back then and now. Enjoyed this one, except for a spot where she was dealing with an issue of her former school in Texas and made snide comments about the parents and their politics. Can easily guess who this author voted for, and do not see the need to interject into this story. Still though, overall liked this one and the side story with William. Would recommend.

Oh my the best Borrow a Bookshop yet. I loved it 20o per cent . Williams story was sad and happy . Annie and Hari ‘s story of uni friendship was so moving. I love the bookshop. Can read as a stand alone but the other books are ace . Fab ending.. Read and escape .

I LOVED this book. Truly just a feel good time the whole way through.

Also, who hasn't wanted to borrow a bookshop?

Friends to lovers. A wonderful setting. I could not have asked for more.

Oh this book is absolutely darling in every way! I could not put it down. It was just so sweet from start to finish. I adored the main character and the journey she went on throughout the book. Highly recommend.

I love the Borrow a Bookshop series so was excited to receive a preview copy of this latest one in the series. Thanks to net galley and the publisher.

It was great to catch up with all the characters I’d met and loved in the previous stories and to meet some new ones including Harry and Annie who are the latest renters of the bookshop.

Kiley Dunbar always includes a social message in her books and this time it’s about whether or not certain books should be banned or only made available for certain audiences.

The characters continue to entertain and the new ones were all well written. I cared about their fates and read the book fairly quickly.

I would recommend this novel to others.

Brilliant visit back to the borrow a bookshop and all the extended villagers in Clove Lore. Two new visitors take over the bookshop for two weeks they are old university friends Welsh Harri and American Anni. They have kept in touch in the passing years but havnt actually seen each other from they graduated.
The village also helps an elderly man who shows up very confused but he turns out to be someone close to the area.
Brilliantly written as usual and already looking forward to the next booksellers and their adventure.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a great book!! It had me hooked from page one! I couldn’t put this down. I finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. This was a first for me by this author but it will not be my last!!

I make no secret of the fact that I am a total Kiley Dubar Fan. I have read every one of her books and love the worlds she builds. They are relatable and visitable all in one!
Clovelore is somewhere I want to go, and I've already said in previous reviews that if there were a Borrow A Bookshop holiday scheme, I would 100% be up for it!
This time, we meet the new borrowers, Harri and Annie, old friends who were Uni pals and flatmates, then separated after graduation. Harri stayed in Wales with his girlfriend, and Annie flew back to The States.
The simmering chemistry between these two friends is obvious, and Kiley turns the heat up in teeny notches. You can feel the attraction slowly reaching the boiling point, and I love how she does that!
Of course,, we get to catch up with all the other Clovelore locals and some of the previous borrowers, as well as meet a wonderful new character, William Sabine, who has a heartbreaking story of his own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful read. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend the rest of the series, too, simply because it is such a brilliant concept!

Another lovely story in this series. I would be fine alone but made more lovely through the continues saga of this small town and it's people. I enjoyed the romance very much.

Book Review: A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar

Kiley Dunbar’s A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop is a delightful blend of romance, bibliophilia, and a touch of mystery set in the quaint village of Clove Lore, Devon. The story follows two book-loving friends, Harri and Annie, who reunite after a decade for what seems like a dream holiday: running a charmingly dilapidated bookshop together. But while the trip promises literary immersion and village charm, it quickly reveals itself as a journey of healing, self-discovery, and rediscovered love.

The characters of Harri and Annie are at the heart of this story, each bringing a unique set of vulnerabilities and strengths that readers will find endearing. Harri arrives in Clove Lore nursing a broken heart after a recent breakup, while Annie has fled Texas to escape her own painful memories. Dunbar skillfully layers their emotional baggage, building depth into their interactions as they reconnect through shared memories and mutual love for books. The “friends-to-lovers” arc is beautifully paced, capturing the slow-burning realization that their connection has the potential to be more than friendship. Their chemistry is palpable yet gentle, evoking the thrill of first love alongside the comfort of knowing each other’s hearts.

The setting of Clove Lore is painted with vivid charm, capturing the feel of a picturesque English village full of eccentric locals, quaint shops, and lively gossip. Dunbar’s knack for creating atmosphere shines particularly in the Borrow a Bookshop itself—a booklover’s dream with its eclectic collection of titles and creaky, lived-in coziness. The village, with its close-knit community and gossip swirling around the mysterious Castle Lore, becomes a character in its own right, drawing Harri and Annie into its quirks and secrets.

An intriguing subplot develops as news of the recent death of Castle Lore’s enigmatic owner creates a stir among the townsfolk. The mystery surrounding the Gothic castle gives the story an unexpected twist, adding a layer of suspense and allure that perfectly complements the romance. When Harri and Annie are tasked with exploring the castle’s grand, eerie library, they stumble into a seemingly fated experience—getting locked inside overnight. This setting heightens their emotions, leading them to open up to one another in new ways and confront what they truly mean to each other.

Dunbar balances the humor and lightheartedness of their bookstore adventures with moments of genuine emotional depth. As Harri and Annie navigate the transition from friendship to romance, they must confront their fears, insecurities, and past heartbreaks, making their journey feel authentic and relatable. Their story reminds readers of the power of second chances—not just in romance, but in life. Dunbar’s writing is witty, warm, and uplifting, crafting scenes that evoke laughter, nostalgia, and a bit of wistfulness.

One of the novel’s highlights is its celebration of books and the joy of reading. Harri and Annie bond over their love for literature, and their moments within the bookshop and Gothic library are rich with literary references that will resonate with fellow book lovers. Dunbar captures the unique magic of a bookstore—a place where stories are both a comfort and an escape, mirroring Harri and Annie’s journey as they find solace and courage in one another.

A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop is a heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and healing that will leave readers with a sense of joy and hope. Kiley Dunbar has crafted a beautifully atmospheric, feel-good romance that is as much about the charm of small-town life and the love of books as it is about finding love in unexpected places. Perfect for fans of cozy, slow-burn romances and anyone who has dreamed of spending their days surrounded by books, this novel is a testament to the transformative power of friendship and the courage it takes to embrace a new chapter in life.