Helen Appleby has just left prison after being side for Manslaughter of her partner abusive partner Toby. She served two years for crime but, if they knew the truth it would have been for so much longer.
Helen thinks that she has been given a second chance in life. So, to turn over a new leaf, she has always wanted to open a second-hand bookshop. So that’s what she does. But life is not plain sailing from then now on that she thought. Her flat and the Bookshop gets broken into and paranoia set in and doesn’t know who to trust. Especially now and, she has her probation officer on her case as well.
I have read a few books now by Valerie Keogh and really enjoyed them. I found this a slightly different style of writing, but I certainly wasn’t disappointed. This is a fabulous gripping read of someone trying to turn their life around. Even though the crime that Helen did, I still let like I want to root for her and wanted her to do well. One I started this, I didn’t want to put it down I enjoyed it so much. 5 stars from me.

Helen, newly out of prison, wants to fulfil her dream of owning a second hand bookshop - and money inherited from her parents means she can do just that. But it's not all plain sailing. Her parole officer seems to have it in for her, her neighbours at the shop seem dodgy, and she has no support apart from her sister. And strange things keep happening...

I enjoyed reading about Helen setting up her shop and her early days in business (although I'm not entirely convinced of its viability). I'd have happily read a book about its ups and downs, leaving out her somewhat unsavoury back story. There's a bit of a mystery around the crime she committed, but other than to say Helen's definitely got her issues, it wasn't something I could get particularly interested in.

Her sexual issues (and some cod psychology about her childhood) seemed a weird fit for the story. However this is definitely no Fifty Shades of Grey (thankfully), although said volume does in fact appear in the bookshop... and is viewed by Helen with disdain.

Overall it was an easy read and I did quite enjoy it, though the ending was a bit sudden, leaving me feeling slightly dissatisfied.

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

As is expected of a Valerie Keogh book, this story was full of suspense, tension and mystery. I simply could not work out what was going on and had as many questions going around my head as the main character! I didn't expect the ending at all, although did find it slightly disappointing as I was hoping for more of a jaw-dropper. I also would've liked an epilogue of many a few months on to round Helen's story up better. That being said there were some great twists and turns, and unexpected surprises. You can never go wrong with a book about a bookshop for me! I tore through this book and actually read it in 24 hours. It was gripping and well told.

This was a really good story. It's what some might call a slow burn. I did like most of the main characters and enjoyed seeing the book store grow. The ending was satisfying. Valerie Keogh books never disappoint. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc!

It feels like I am reading a Lifetime movie thriller. Honestly, while I was reading all im asking is WHERE IS THE TWIST? WHERE IS THE “OMFG” MOMENT?

I have read half pages but sorry i cant go on. Maybe this story was a slow paced and its not suit for me. Btw, i love the premises about sisterhood and books about books. Its really insteresting when it related anything about books such as bookseller, library etc.

I really enjoyed this one. The pages were fast to turn and the story itself was gripping and super easy to read. I feel everything was wrapped up awfully quickly and easily, but a good read and one I’d recommend!

Another 5 star rating for Valerie Keogh's latest book. This one crept up on me and kept me guessing. I enjoy the way it's written and I'm sure it's going to be another bestseller.

All Helen wants is to rebuild her life after coming out of prison for the murder of her partner. A few secrets come out along the way, causing things not to run as smoothly as she'd expected.

Another gripping book by Valerie. Enjoyed every minute and couldn't put it down. Helen certainly finds out how far some people will go for a book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Book Seller by Valerie Keogh due to be published March 3, 2025.
Helen Appleby just wants a quiet life. Recently released from prison for the manslaughter of her partner, she's trying to forget her past mistakes – all of them - to rebuild her life and move on. She opens a bookshop to begin again, but her past can’t stay hidden. She killed once; will she be willing to kill again?
Love Valerie Keogh’s books (see below), and this was no exception. I’m always a sucker for books about book clubs or bookstores so this one drew me in immediately. I felt I knew Helen from her love of books. It was a roller coaster of a ride – couldn’t put it down!
Also recommended by Valerie Keogh: The Wives, The Mother, The Mistress
#NetGalley #ValerieKeogh #BoldwoodBooks #TheBookSeller

I rated this 3 stars on good reads. It was a cute story and I loved the premise of it. However, I feel like it was dragged alone. It was not a heart pounding thriller nor did the end have any crazy twists or anything. It was still very cute and enjoyable! Thank you for allowing me to read it.

Loved everything about this book from the storyline, the characters, the smooth easy flowing writing and the twists that kept on giving. Highly recommend.

I loved this book! The characters are well written so that you can really relate to most of them. There was enough going on in the story to keep you guessing and wondering what will happen next (and nearly all of it is unexpected!)

It's wonderful. If you’re a fan of twisty plots, masterful storytelling, or just great fiction in general, "The Bookseller" is a must-read. Valerie Keogh has proven herself to be a writer who knows exactly how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats. And once you’ve experienced her unique brand of storytelling, you’ll be eager to see what she does next. Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This is a fast paced read from Valerie Keogh, full of mystery and suspense. Helen has been released from prison on license, she killed her partner Toby. was charged with manslaughter. Her sister who she was not close to previously has picked her up and is offering her support which Helen is glad of. Helen has always had a dream to own a second hand book shop, she has the funds from an inheritance to do so and takes on a property which needs a lot of work, but it’s all been worth it as opening day approaches and she sees her dream becoming a reality.
From day one things start to go wrong, the shop is broken into, her home is broken into and tossed to look like a burglary, she doesn’t trust the two guys in the pizza shop next door, her parole officer is calling at the shop regularly, either making threats to have Helen sent pack to prison or posing as her friend. Helen feels she can trust no one, she is filled with paranoia! Someone is trying to destroy her dream and her fresh start!
Some different characters throughout the story, which I enjoyed, including the story of the books getting to the shelves. There are some good twists to the story and I was rooting for Helen throughout.
An enjoyable read.

Helen Appleby just wants a quiet life. Recently released from prison for the manslaughter of her partner, she's trying to forget her past mistakes – all of them - to rebuild her life and move on. When she decides to open a bookshop, she’s certain this is the perfect new start. Here, among the quiet shelves of her shop and between the covers of her books, she can hide away from the real world and begin again. The world of books is the perfect place to find happiness - even if it is all lies.

But the past can never stay hidden. As she settles into life as an apparently timid bookseller, it seems that someone is determined to sabotage Helen's new life and ruin everything she's built.
But Helen has killed once before. And to protect her future, she could be willing to kill again.

Fun exploration of second chances! Like all of Keogh's books, this was a fun read. She does a great job building the suspense. This felt more slow burn than most of her other books for me, but I still really enjoyed it! 4⭐

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

This book was a great read . Lots of twists that you don't expect . I will definitely read more from this author again brilliant read.

Helen was recently released from prison for the manslaughter of her ex. Deciding that she wants a quiet life, she decides to open a used bookshop. Someone breaks into her house and the bookstore, leaving Helen convinced that someone is after her.

I cannot even begin to say how boring this was. I am normally a huge fan of Valerie Keogh's books. This one was just not it. I would not even classify it as a thriller. I kept waiting for it to get better. it didn't. After I finished, I was like, "what did I just read?!". A massive disappointment. So much was undeveloped. It had the potential to be a great read but it was super boring. I also found the MC super annoying, which always makes for a difficult read.

If you are looking for a thriller, this is NOT it. Nothing happens and it's beyond boring. I won't give up on Valerie Keogh, as I have really like many of her other books (ie the Widow and the Mistress).

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

📘𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐨𝐠𝐡 ~ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫

Thank you @netgalley @theboldbookclub for this advanced copy of The Bookseller.

“𝒷ℴℴ𝓀 𝓁ℴ𝓋ℯ𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝓇ℯ 𝑔ℴℴ𝒹 𝓅ℯℴ𝓅𝓁ℯ“

Not only is this my first ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) but Valerie Keogh’s The Nurse was my first book of the year in 2025 and my first ever review on Bookstagram. Full circle moment in a short month ☺️ @valeriekeogh2

Now back to the book…..
From childhood Helen Appleby had established an unhealthy link between pleasure and pain.

Helen is seeking the quiet life of a secondhand bookseller after her release from prison for manslaughter of her partner, Toby.

Helen finds trust extremely difficult after her relationship with Toby and the traumatic ending, she questions everyone’s intentions. This leaves you as a reader suspicious of every character you are introduced too.

Someome is trying to sabotage Helen’s new life but why and who can she trust!

This book had nice short chapters allowing the pages to turn easily. Bingeable and exhilarating.
This is my second book of Valerie’s and I can’t wait to read more.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 3.5/5

You know that feeling when the writing style clicks from the first sentence and you can't wait to devour the book whole? This was one of those times.

If you've ever dreamed of owning your own bookshop, this book is for you! Helen gets out of prison and opens a second-hand bookshop, while the memory of her partner who she'd killed still looms over her life. The novel is very well-written. The author uses evocative descriptions as we follow Helen in her day-to-day life as she prepares to open the bookshop. It felt like I was right there with her—the excitement of opening a box of books, and the satisfaction of seeing the shelves slowly populated by more and more of them.

As for the story, it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Helen starts her life over from scratch and tries hard to suppress every dark memory from her past, but it’s difficult when they seem to keep haunting her. She only has her sister to rely on, but they have unresolved issues that go back to their childhood. I was constantly worried for Helen, but also for the people around her. It's difficult to tell who is a friend or foe until the very end, and that makes for a very suspenseful read.

Now the reason this isn't a five-star read for me is that the ending felt rushed. Everything was resolved a bit too quickly without enough breathing room for each revelation to be completely satisfying. But ultimately that doesn't take away from the book in any big sense. I look forward to reading more from Valerie Keogh!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!