Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not influenced by the author, publisher, or other related entity.
Synopsis:
My Thoughts:
My Thoughts:
The Bookshop on the Shore is a fantastic follow-up to Jenny Colgan's The Bookshop on the Corner (The Little Shop of Happy Ever After in the UK). Though not a true sequel, this book does send the reader back to the loveliness of the Scottish Highlands.
The primary characters from The Bookshop on the Corner play an auxillary role in this sequel, leaving The Bookshop on the Shore to focus on being Zoe's story. Having the setting and background already developed in the prior novel allows the story to move more quickly in some places. It certainly works better as a companion novel than it would as a standalone. I highly recommend that readers pick up The Bookshop on the Corner prior to starting this one.
Colgan's characters continue to be well crafted and entertaining. Zoe is a little less headstrong than I hoped her to be, but her uncertainty did help propel the narrative in the correct direction. I very much enjoyed the character of Ramsay. There were several points in the story where I was highly interested in his backstory beyond what the narrative allowed. The children are well crafted and all of her characters seem to be fairly consistent and solid, their actions and reactions feel natural and move well together.
This read did feel a little less authentic than The Bookshop on the Corner in the beginning, but settled into it's own happy rhythm after a little while. The storyline that includes Nina and Lennox does somewhat drop off to the side abruptly and there could likely have been more interaction with that storyline to make things smoother. However, the narrative does not feel contrived in any way and things move along in a way that feels comfortable.
I am always in love with Jenny Colgan's description of the Scottish scenery and it just makes me want to pack up and move there, cold and wet and wind be damned...a Scottish sheep farm just sounds lovely. The descriptions of the Beeches were just as marvelously romantic.
I will admit that the ending is somewhat predictable, but I didn't really mind. Sometimes it's nice to have a book just lull you with comfort. This is a great cozy read and would be perfect for a coldish and rainy day. I continue to enjoy Jenny Colgan's relaxed and easy style of writing. Highly recommend.
Emotional Response: The primary characters from The Bookshop on the Corner play an auxillary role in this sequel, leaving The Bookshop on the Shore to focus on being Zoe's story. Having the setting and background already developed in the prior novel allows the story to move more quickly in some places. It certainly works better as a companion novel than it would as a standalone. I highly recommend that readers pick up The Bookshop on the Corner prior to starting this one.
Colgan's characters continue to be well crafted and entertaining. Zoe is a little less headstrong than I hoped her to be, but her uncertainty did help propel the narrative in the correct direction. I very much enjoyed the character of Ramsay. There were several points in the story where I was highly interested in his backstory beyond what the narrative allowed. The children are well crafted and all of her characters seem to be fairly consistent and solid, their actions and reactions feel natural and move well together.
This read did feel a little less authentic than The Bookshop on the Corner in the beginning, but settled into it's own happy rhythm after a little while. The storyline that includes Nina and Lennox does somewhat drop off to the side abruptly and there could likely have been more interaction with that storyline to make things smoother. However, the narrative does not feel contrived in any way and things move along in a way that feels comfortable.
I am always in love with Jenny Colgan's description of the Scottish scenery and it just makes me want to pack up and move there, cold and wet and wind be damned...a Scottish sheep farm just sounds lovely. The descriptions of the Beeches were just as marvelously romantic.
I will admit that the ending is somewhat predictable, but I didn't really mind. Sometimes it's nice to have a book just lull you with comfort. This is a great cozy read and would be perfect for a coldish and rainy day. I continue to enjoy Jenny Colgan's relaxed and easy style of writing. Highly recommend.
The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan is a good and comfortable read with a little bit of a hug factor. A good travel read or beach read. This one is just cozy.
Rating:
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