I have read and enjoyed others in this series, but unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me. Harri & Annie, the new "borrowers" are good friends from university but haven't seen each other for a long time. They are both booklovers and both are distracted when they arrive. The villagers are mostly present in previous books, but there are so many names mentioned that I found it difficult to remember who they are and to keep track of them. The pace was also slow, with a lot happening in the last couple of chapters.
I wasn't really engaged with the book so it read slowly for me, the plot with the will-they won't they romance angle was too drawn out and the village life part was a little too contrived.
Thanks to Net galley for the ARC

A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop takes us to the charming, small town of Clove Lore in Devon. Annie is a librarian from Texas, and Harri is a barista from Wales. During college, they both added their names to the waiting list to run the Borrow a Bookshop together for two weeks. As luck would have it, their turn has finally come, and they reunite after years of staying in touch through phone tag. Harri has just broken up with his long-term girlfriend, and Annie has been placed on leave from her school. The townspeople are an entertaining cast of characters, and there’s even a mysterious person who shows up out of the blue. Annie and Harri finally get to live out their college dream of running the bookshop together. Will this vacation provide the time they need to heal before returning to their lives in the real world, or will it become a catalyst for something more?

Firstly, thank you so much for letting me read A New Chapter At The Borrow a Bookshop.
In this book we follow two friends from university, who agreed to go on holiday at Borrow a Bookshop. Life got in the way and they had to keep pushing it back. 6 years later, they finally get to go. Where they fall In love with not only the Bookshop and cafe, but the community too.
I absolutely adored all the different characters in this story, with the message of books for mental health, books for everyone, and touching on the topic of books getting banned not only in schools, but certain states of America too.

A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop is the fifth book in Kiley Dunbar’s Borrow a Bookshop series. I was intrigued by the blurb, which hinted at a cozy mystery mixed with romance. Naturally, I expected a stronger mystery element woven into the story, but unfortunately, the book didn’t quite meet that expectation. It made me wonder if I simply struggle to enjoy cozy romance books.

While this book can be read as a standalone, I sometimes found myself questioning certain aspects—especially the concept of the Borrow a Bookshop itself. Harri and Annie, once close friends in college, went their separate ways after graduation. Annie became a librarian in her Texas hometown, while Harri worked as a barista in Wales. They had feelings for each other back then but never acted on them, fearing it would ruin their friendship.

When they get the chance to spend two weeks in Clove Lore managing the Borrow a Bookshop, their old chemistry resurfaces. Both are also trying to escape their real-life struggles, making this a classic friends-to-lovers story in action.

Since I didn’t read the previous books, I struggled a bit with the bookshop’s concept. From what I gathered, part-time workers are given a chance to run the shop for a limited period, but the selection process remained unclear to me. Also, considering the bookshop is located in the southern part of England—far from the central area—it seemed like an oddly inconvenient setup.

I do find the idea of the Borrow a Bookshop unique and appealing, especially for book lovers. However, the effort required to work in such a remote bookshop felt somewhat unrealistic.

As for the story itself, the blurb mentions the mysterious death of Castle Lore’s owner, which led me to expect an engaging mystery subplot. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The book primarily focuses on Harri and Annie rekindling their relationship after a decade, navigating their emotions, and dealing with personal challenges from their past.

In the end, I hoped for more than just a romance storyline, but I couldn’t find it here. Because of that, I found certain parts a bit dull. Sigh.

So, 2.5 stars from me—rounded up to 3 stars.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another instalment of the Borrow a Book shop series. This time we are on holiday with Harri and Annie.

This book was a treasure! A delightful friends to more, sweet second chance romance. With the main characters both being book lovers made this the perfect story. It's beautifully written, very entertaining and with so much emotion and charm. The small cozy town made a great setting. This enjoyable book was a joy to read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I have enjoyed each of the books in this series, set in the lovely village of Clove Lore. The bookshop is the centre of the stories, an interesting idea for all readers. The romantic stories have been entertaining with endearing characters. However, this book didn't hit the mark for me, I did not find it engaging. I did not think the character of Annie was at all credible - a feisty leader at university she ran away from the conflict in her place of work rather than taking a stand. She and Harri had been close friends but romance had never been allowed to blossom, and I found the misunderstandings contrived rather than realistic, with unsurprising twists at the end of the book. I don't feel this book was anywhere near as good as the others in the series.

This was peaceful and soothing read that wasn’t filled with intense drama. It definitely gives you cozy read by the fireplace vibes.

I enjoyed how the story explored the power of books to create memories and bring people together, as I have experienced this in my own personal life. I mean who doesn't love the idea of a secret book club! The evolving dynamic between Harri and Annie was tender and slow-paced, reflecting the themes of patience and growth. Although the story moved at a gentle pace, it never felt slow, and the ending was perfectly satisfying.

While the book had its minor flaws, and took me longer to read as I wasn't wholly engaged all the time. However, it was still a delightful, heartwarming read that left me with a renewed sense of appreciation for the simple pleasures in life.

1⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for an advanced copy of A New Chapter At The Borrow A Bookshop.

Annie and Harri have known each other since college and reunite to spend two weeks living in and running a bookshop. Both are recovering from difficult things in life and realize they both may have feelings for one another.

I really wanted to like this book but I just could not get invested in the plot or the characters. It was just not for me.

This is book five in the 'Borrow a Bookshop' series and it tells the story of Harri and Annie who, after waiting for years on the waiting list and for their schedules to align, get their chance at last to take over the shop for two weeks.

Harri and Annie have had lots going on in their lives since they went to university together and despite missing a chance to get together romantically when they were younger, they have maintained their friendship as well as their love of books and coffee which makes taking over a bookshop with a cafe a perfect break for them both to be able to catch up as well as doing what they love.

The locals in Clove Lore always have their opinions on the love lives of the residents and unsuccessfully try and pair Annie and Harri up with others from the town. There are a few twists and turns in the book for those in Clove Lore but there's never a dull moment despite the diminutive size of the place!

I thoroughly enjoyed the fifth installment of his series and look forward to the next!

A little slow moving to start, but a fun story. A bit offensive to conservatives who would otherwise agree with the author about book banning with the generalized idea that all conservatives are behind book banning.

A decade after they said goodbye after graduation, old friends Harri and Annie reunite in the beautiful village of Clove Lore in Devon – what more could these bookworms want than a holiday running the tumbledown bookshop? Unbeknownst to Annie, Harri is arriving with a bruised heart after the end of his long-term relationship, while Annie is running away from painful memories in Texas.

Elsewhere in Clove Lore, the mysterious owner of Castle Lore has died, causing much gossip in the village. When Harri and Annie are sent to investigate the huge Gothic library, they find themselves locked in overnight and soon, are discovering their connection might be more than just good friends.

I loved this sweet story. I love any book about books, and this was no exception. Wonderful character building, engaging writing, and good pacing. I want to go to Clove Lore! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars

It was fun to visit Clove Lore again and meet some new residents and revisit old ones. This one centered around college best friends Henri and Annie getting reacquainted almost 10 years later. This was a very slow burn so not much on the romance front.

Some of the side stories were fun while others dragged a bit. Thank you to Hera and NetGalley for the ARC.

A New Chapter at the Borrow-a-Bookshop is the fifth in this lovely series by Kiley Dunbar. In each book we meet a new set of ‘borrowers’, people who come and live in the bookshop in the Devonshire seaside village of Clove Lore. As each book focusses on the borrowers, they are stand-alone reads. However, you will meet characters from the previous novels too which is always a treat as a reader. And really, this whole series is so lovely I’d recommend you read them all anyway!

I think that Harri and Annie may be my favourite borrowers yet! They are old friends from their uni days and secretly, each perhaps wanted to be more than friends. When they arrive for their two weeks running the bookshop, Harri has recently split up with his long-term girlfriend while Annie has been suspended from her job as a school librarian in Texas over becoming involved in a book banning controversary.

Love is always in the air in Clove Lore, often helped along the way by self-proclaimed matchmaker Mrs Crocombe. It seems that the magic of the bookshop and the pretty little village casts its spell over visitors and residents alike. Everyone ends the book a little more loved up than they were at the beginning.

One thing I really liked about this book was the focus on reading for enjoyment and for well-being. I actually loved the idea of the silent reading book club: a night in the bookshop where everyone just brought along their own books, switched off from the outside world from a bit and read their books in companionable silence.

As well as Harri and Annie’s story, I really enjoyed the other side stories. There’s the mysterious elderly gentlemen who seems to have nowhere to live but a strong connection to Castle Lore. There’s intrigue when two local residents go missing. And of course, there the issue of whether it’s right for books to be banned (well, of course not!) and how people should be allowed to read what they want but also find representation in their books.

I know that Kiley Dunbar is working on a new series now but I really hope that this isn’t the last we will see of the Borrow-a-Bookshop. I adored this friends to lovers story which was emotional, big-hearted and such a satisfying read As the book is set in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, it really is the perfect romantic read for this time of year.

A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar

This was the first book I had read of Kiley’s and I was very excited by the premise…

‘Advertisement: A Novel Holiday Idea
Borrow-A-Bookshop invites you to live out your dreams of running your very own bookshop in a historic Devonshire harbour village... for a fortnight.
Spend your days talking about books with customers in your own charming bookshop and serving up delicious food in your cosy cafe nook. Get to know our wonderful volunteers (all locals), always ready to offer a helping hand.
After shutting up shop, climb the spiral staircase to your bedroom with picture window seat and settle down to admire the Atlantic views. When your holiday’s over, simply hand the keys to the next holidaymaker…’

I mean, how wonderful would this opportunity be?!! 🤩

I quickly got into the story of ‘new borrowers’ Harri and Annie but I soon became frustrated with their will they-won’t they romance and found myself skim-reading pages. If I’m completely honest, in parts, I found their story a little boring 😬 Not much really happened and their two weeks at the book shop felt more like two months!

In conclusion, I was left feeling somewhat disappointed.

⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @canelo_co for providing this advanced digital copy in return for an honest review via @netgalley . All opinions are my own.

A decade after graduation, Harri and Annie reunite in the charming Devon village of Clove Lore to manage a cozy bookshop and café. Surrounded by books, coffee, and a supportive community, they navigate lingering romantic feelings and rekindle their bond. This heartwarming friends-to-lovers story celebrates love, friendship, and the magic of literature, set against an enchanting small-town backdrop.

**A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop**
by Kiley Dunbar

A decade has passed since Harri and Annie parted ways after graduation, but now destiny has brought them back together in the picturesque village of Clove Lore, nestled in the heart of Devon. As old friends, they find themselves reunited in an unexpected adventure: managing a charming borrowed bookshop and café. For two avid bookworms, the opportunity to immerse themselves in stories while serving delicious coffee is a dream come true.

Despite their long-standing friendship, Harri and Annie have both been hesitant to confront the deeper feelings they hold for one another, feelings that have lingered beneath the surface for years. As they spend time together in the cozy bookshop, surrounded by the warmth of the community and the smell of freshly brewed coffee, they must navigate their complicated emotions and the unspoken bond that has only strengthened with time.

This delightful read, while part of a series, stands beautifully on its own, allowing new readers to dive into the narrative without prior knowledge of the previous instalments. I was thoroughly captivated by the book's heartfelt themes of friendship, love, loss and literature. The residents of Clove Lore, each with unique quirks and charms, add an enchanting layer to the story, creating a setting I would love to visit myself. Overall, this feel-good tale of friends-to-lovers is a touching reminder of the beauty of rekindling old friendships and finding love where you least expect it.
l.

“A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop” is a delightful read. I took a welcome trip back to magical Clove Lore with the new bookshop “Borrowers” and enjoyed meeting the nosey, romantic & quirky inhabitants of the village again. The new “Borrowers” Harri and Annie are best friends from University days, just friends that have had eight years and an Ocean separating them since graduation.

Eight years after graduation we find Harri still working as a Barista in what was meant to be his “stop gap” job. He loves it and has no intention of finding other work. He has won awards and regularly dreams up exciting coffee flavours and aspires to own his own place one day. Meanwhile, Annie who has moved back home to the States is a dedicated and successful School Librarian. Despite being close at University they haven’t seen each other during those years. That is until they reach the top of the waiting list to “Borrow a Bookshop”. Their respective jobs and love of books is the perfect combination to run the bookshop and cafe and they jump at the chance to holiday together, despite all the years apart.

Harri and Annie have always cherished their friendship but there are some secrets they feel they just can’t share as they want to protect what they have at all costs. Before they are even settled in, they have to endure the matchmaking activities of the locals whilst trying to avoid showing the truth of their own feelings. Despite secrets and confusing emotions the one thing they can be sure of is a calm, cosy, happy time together as friends surrounded by books, coffee, cakes. However, not long into their stay a confused and bedraggled old man with some kind of amnesia, a stranger to everyone, takes up residence in the cosy chair in the corner of the bookshop and a mystery begins.

I was thoroughly invested in the mystery and the tangled web that is weaved by the heart sore borrowers as their short time in Clove Lore plays out. I never regret loosing myself in a Borrow a Bookshop story. The characters are charming and it is always good to see the haply ever afters play out from previous stories. I am certain the book could be enjoyed as a stand alone but some of the magic would be lost. The bookshop has tales to tell and I am very glad to have been there from the start.

Reunited in a charming Devon village, old friends Harri and Annie find themselves caught up in mystery, romance, and a love story that’s been brewing for years. With a tumbledown bookshop and a locked Gothic library, their journey to rediscover each other is full of surprises.

3⭐️ I'm very conflicted about this one. some parts I was intrigued by and then i was bored just as quickly. I think the story had promise but it just failed to hold my attention. thank you to Netgalley for the arc