The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted is an upcoming romance novel by Rebecca Raisin and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The first things that appealed to me were the beautiful cover and the interesting title. So I immediately requested it on NetGalley. I am so glad I read it. The story follows Coco, an editor with her own publishing house in London, who after a scandal made by her boyfriend Alexander, she is left without a job and she must move with her thirteen-year-old daughter to Paris to live with her parents. On her first day back in Paris, she encounters a bad-tempered man who treats her like a tourist.

During a stroll in Paris, Coco finds a bookshop named Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted. She immediately strikes a conversation with Valerie, the store's owner. Soon, she starts working at the bookshop.

I really liked that this novel didn't focus only on the romance part. We follow Coco as she manages the difficulties of moving to another country, finding a job, and dealing with her teenager daughter Eloise. Eloise was the only character I didn't like, and her behavior was getting on my nerves every time she appeared. I especially enjoyed the ending and how everything was resolved. Looking forward to reading more books from this author.

Rebecca Raisin’s The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted is a charming read that explores new beginnings, second chances, and the allure of Paris—while offering a nod to the magical world of books. Coco, the protagonist, has had a rough patch. After losing her boyfriend and her business, she’s forced to start over by moving back to Paris with her 13-year old daughter. Things don’t get off to a smooth start when she’s immediately scolded by a mysterious, brooding stranger under the Eiffel Tower. After that awkward encounter, Coco swears off men entirely.

As fate would have it, Coco stumbles upon a quirky bookshop unlike any other, complete with a café, cocktail bar and reading room. It’s the kind of place that feels like it’s straight out of a fairytale. Coco is offered a job, and it seems like the perfect opportunity to get her life back on track—until she realizes that the irritating stranger from earlier is a frequent visitor to the shop.

The setting of the bookshop is what really makes this story stand out. It’s an enchanting place that offers escape, comfort, and a touch of magic. Coco’s journey of rediscovering herself is relatable, and the bookshop’s charm adds a layer of whimsy to the story. However, while the plot has its sweet moments, there were times when the pacing felt a bit slow, and I found myself wishing for a bit more emotional depth in the character development. Coco’s relationship with the grumpy stranger, though entertaining, didn’t quite have the spark I’d hoped for.

The final chapters definitely left me with a smile, which I’m sure was the intention of the story, but I couldn’t help feeling like I wanted just a bit more. Specifically, I was hoping for more pages devoted to Coco and Henry’s relationship to see it develop further. Their dynamic had promise, but I felt like we didn’t get enough of them together to truly connect with their romance.

I also wished there was more closure regarding Coco’s ex, Alexander. We don’t really find out what happens to him, and I was left wondering what kind of resolution she had with him, especially given how much his actions affected her journey.

In the end, I just felt the book could have benefited from a few more pages to tie up all the loose ends and give a more complete sense of closure. A little extra detail on Coco’s relationships—both romantic and personal—would have made the ending feel more fulfilling.

Overall, The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted is a light, feel-good read that’s perfect for fans of cozy bookshops and Parisian settings. It’s a book full of charm, but I didn’t feel as deeply invested in the romance as I wanted to. Still, if you’re in the mood for a fun, easy read with a touch of Parisian magic, this book fits the bill.

Bookshops are safe havens— where we can find comfort, escape, and sometimes even answers. But imagine a bookshop that doesn’t just comfort you but actually calls to broken hearts and helps heal them. That’s exactly the kind of magical place Valerie runs on a quiet street in Paris. She’s not your typical bookshop owner either—Valerie is a beacon of love and support, offering friendship, advice, food, drinks, and, of course, books to anyone in need.

Enter Coco, who’s nursing a broken heart after being betrayed by the man she loved in London. With her 13-year-old daughter in tow, she moves to Paris to stay with her parents temporarily, hoping to find her footing again. Life isn’t easy, though—she’s juggling single parenthood, a daughter who’s unhappy about leaving London, and the uncertainty of starting over. But everything changes when Coco stumbles upon Valerie’s bookshop. Soon enough, she’s not only working there but also starting to feel like maybe this new chapter of her life has more in store for her than she ever imagined. This book is one of those reads that feels like a warm hug—light, heartwarming, and incredibly easy to lose yourself in.

This is charming and sweet, enemies to lovers romance set in Paris. I loved how Coco and Henri's paths kept bringing them together.

The bookshop has a 'magical' feel. It just knows who needs help. I really enjoyed the bookclub, drawing characters together that probably would never have met. Some quirky, some not.

A very enjoyable read that would make the perfect beach read

A sweet, feel good story if a little predictable at times.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Coco has returned to Paris after her ex-boyfriend lost her business and left her not being able to do her job in publishing. She's had to move in with her mum and dad which does not go down well with her daughter Eloise. She keeps bumping literally into Henri. Coco then begins to work in the bookshop which starts to change her life

this book gave me cosy japanese translated fiction vibes...but instead of being set in tokyo it's set in paris. there is a slight magical undertone to the story but it's not unrealistic. the main character is described as a word nerd and i would say the same applies to the author as i had to look up quite a few words haha. was an enjoyable cosy read!

The story about a solo mum who has her heart broken and business destroyed returns to Paris for her new life with her daughter. It is a big adjustment, and she finds a lovely bookstore to work at, and meets a group of book lovers/book club members and they become found family. I love these types of stories!!

I love books set in The City of Light and this book is no exception . Characters are well-written and plot lines kept my attention

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another enjoyable Rebecca Raisin read. It's definitely a beachy type read. Back in Paris with her daughter after a failed relationship & failed job, Coco is at a loss what to do. She has no job prospects & her daughter hates her. Will a job at a book shop for the broken-hearted help? The shop and its owner seem to have a touch of magic about them. It was a fun read.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood books for this ARC.

I liked the concept of the bookstore being "magical" and the Paris setting was my favorite. I have already read another book by Rebecca before and I was not disappointed with this book. There were some parts that made it slow for me since I don't have a daughter but I would recommend this book to a mom who wants to read a romance about a mom who's balancing her life and her daughters life.

This book releases February 3, 2025!!

We all know that in whatever shape or form, a bookshop is a safe haven but can you imagine if a bookshop existed that magically called to broken hearts and managed to fix them? That is the kind of bookshop the loving Valerie runs down a quiet street in Paris. Valerie, who “doles out an abundance of love and support, friendship and advice, food and drinks, books, to whoever needs it.”

Coco, betrayed by the man she loved in London, arrives in Paris with her 13 year old daughter to live with her parents temporarily until she finds her feet again. It’s not easy: being a single parent, without a job and a daughter who doesn’t want to leave London and is quite frankly a gorgeous but unpredictable teenager. However, fear not, Coco soon stumbles across Valerie’s bookshop and before she knows it, she is working there. Valerie isn’t the kind of boss Coco is used to but she soon relaxes into her new role and maybe it’s not just a job waiting for her at the shop.

This is one of those books that is just so easy to read. There are of course some gorgeous bookish references (what else would you expect given the title?!), from authors to book clubs, as well as bits which will make you smile, especially if you have a teenage child in your life! It is my second book by the author and this one had similar vibes to her other book I read. So if you like Rebecca’s books, you will like this one too.

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted is a raw, emotional journey great for bookish types dreaming of Paris. While the details of her heartbreak might be specific to her, our main character’s raw emotions are relatable to anyone who has ever had their heart broken. It was an excellent escape into emotion, but at times I wanted more from the characters’ motivations to push the story along. I’d recommend this book for someone who wants to get lost in their emotions and mentally escape to Paris more than for someone looking for a plot driven book.

A wonderful story of a Parisian book shop. It is a lighthearted, cosy novel on the outside, but also deals with break ups, bullying and the power of friendship. A delightful read.

This is a contemporary romance novel that has quite a lot of depth, as although it is funny and romantic in places, it also deals with more serious issues such as bullying, deception and emotional trauma, as well as the complexity of friendship and family.

I enjoyed this warm hearted rom-com. Coco - an editor - has lost her business and her home in London and has fled to her parents in Paris with her 13 year old daughter, Eloise.

Here she finds herself unable to work in publishing so is employed by Valerie - the eccentric owner of the Bookshop for the Broken Hearted where with her potions and words of wisdom she heals people.

Here Coco meets an eclectic mix of people - all bound together with their love of books - and meets Henry.

A story of healing and hope.

A lovely read.

Thank you so much for this ARC!
This is such a warm hug book for book lovers.
This is my second book from Rebecca and her books are so wholesome with a sprinkle of romance with a much bigger message. Who doesn’t love the setting in Paris too! I did have to rate this one lower than her first only because it got a tad slow/repetitive at points.

Rebecca Raisin has created another thoroughly enjoyable, gentle romance set in Paris in The Paris Bookshop for the Broken hearted as Coco, a woman who plans her life with almost military precision, finds her world imploding in the worst possible way.
Returning home to Montparnasse, with her thirteen-year-old daughter, she is mired deep in gloom, still reeling from the shock of losing not only her business, but her money as well; she is barely able to cope with the angst of Eloise and that they will be once again living with her parents in a far to small apartment.
Arriving at Gare du Norde, she is struggling with luggage and the crowds of people. When a good looking man gets into a side step shuffle with her, she loses her balance, he supports her and as their eyes lock, there is a positive sizzle in the air. Madness she thinks, but maybe Coupe de foudre, love at first sight.
Weeks pass, and with her confidence at an all-time low, she discovers a bookshop up a little side street with a very catchy title. Clever marketing, she thinks and ventures inside, into a world of far more than just a bookshop; a world full of vibrant colours, delicious food, a chaotic display of books covering every surface, comfortable chairs and Valerie, the owner of the bookshop.
Who should come into the bookshop while she is enjoying a chat with Valerie, but her rescuer, not once but twice, the very rude Henri, a man who seems to be very comfortable there. And so begins the next chapter in Coco’s life as a seller of books and so much more than she ever expected.
The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted charms with warmth, wit, fun and tragedy as Coco, Henri, Valerie and the teenage terrible Eloise, all begin again in the beauty and romance that is Paris.
Highly recommended and absolutely perfect for escaping the everyday world.

Another great easy read by Rebecca and it's based in the heart of Paris.
Coco and her daughter Eloise leave their troubles in London and head to their former home. Eloise doesn't want to leave her friends in London.
Coco eventually meets new friends at The Paris Bookshop for the Brokenhearted and begins to try to undo the wrong that had befallen her.
The story talks about love, friendship, brokenhearts and broken trust.
Will Paris help turn the corner for Coco and Eloise.

This was my first time reading a novel by Rebecca Raisin, and I’m glad I picked it up! The title and cover caught my eye right away, but what truly impressed me was her writing style. While the pace was slow, the story had a steady flow, and the vivid descriptions of Paris and its landmarks made it easy to feel like I was right there.

I went into this book expecting a romance, but it offered so much more. Yes, there is romance, but the story also explores themes like motherhood, heartbreak, resilience, friendship, and self-discovery, with a touch of magical realism.

One thing that felt off was some of the dialogue between the mother and daughter, which went from childish outbursts to deep, personal discussions. It didn’t always flow naturally. Also, the story focused more on the characters Lea and Eloise rather than Henry and Coco, who I thought were the main characters based on the book’s description. I was hoping for more romance and found that part of the story lacking