Series
“Take a leap of faith and visit our perfect little bookshop by the sea.”
Bookshop owner Moira writes the first of many invitations she’ll send out into the world. They’ll find the right people, she’s certain…
Single and in a dead-end job, Kate feels hope spring when an anonymous invitation falls from the pages of a book. Now, she’s standing in a charming Scottish village and trying to ignore the six-four silver fox by her side. He’s got an invitation too, a husky Chicago accent, and dangerously gorgeous sea-blue eyes…
Widowed ex-police officer Brody never expected to be stranded in Scotland with a cute British lady. Her smile might be bewitching… but her attitude? Way too cheerful. And eccentric bookshop owner Moira says they can stay for free, as long as they don’t mind sharing one very cozy little cottage.
That’s the least of their problems. Turns out Moira’s bookshop needs them just as much as Kate and Brody need a fresh start. And with a twinkle in Moira’s mischievous matchmaking eye, things are soon hotting up in surprising ways!
But as they string fairy lights over snug reading nooks and rally the whole community to buy their favourite reads, can Kate and Brody save the bookshop and heal their hearts? Or will their fresh start come crashing down?
From the million-copy bestselling author of the Comfort Food Café series comes a brand-new, totally addictive and feel-good escapist romance with delicious steam and spice. Perfect for anyone who loves getting lost in a book–in more ways than one!
Fans of Susan Mallery, Phillipa Ashley and Laurie Gilmore will be hooked.
I completely fell in love with this story. I finished it over two days; I couldn’t put it down. The very charming premise caught my attention straight away. People reading second hand books find a handwritten card tucked inside, inviting them to stay at The Bookshop At The Edge of the World, in Scotland. I would so love for this to happen in real life. It’s whimsical, hopeful, and I couldn’t wait to see what awaited them when they got to Scotland.
The opening is especially poignant with Moira having a conversation with her late husband before writing the cards and sending them out into the world in anticipation at what the universe would send back to her. It’s like fate is gently nudging the characters toward healing.
Two of those cards eventually find their way to Kate and Brody, who are both at a stage in life where they’re trying to figure things out again. They were like two lost souls finding a second chance at love. It was heartfelt and uplifting. I was particularly taken with Brody's backstory and how he was in the UK to see his daughter off to university.
Although I usually prefer duet narration, the dual performance worked wonderfully here. Josh Wichard, in particular, excelled. There were moments when, with just the right inflection, it genuinely sounded as though he could 'see' Kate standing in front of him as he captured Brody's angst and attraction to Kate.
The Hopeful Hearts Bookshop is a beautifully emotional story, with standout narration and an absolute delight. I immediately went to check when book two is coming out, and I can't wait for July to come around.
The Hopeful Hearts Bookshop publishes on the 30th of April
Purchase links
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