Bookshop by the Sea

by Denise Hunter

Sophie Lawson should be enjoying her sister’s wedding day. But nothing could have prepared her to see the best man again.

After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance.

When an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove after the wedding, he finds the hotels booked to capacity and has to ask Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. The delay also leaves Sophie with mere days to get her bookshop up and running. Can she trust Aiden to stick around? And will he find the courage to risk his heart?

Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Christian, Contemporary Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2021

About the author

Denise Hunter is the award-winning author of more than 40 novels, three of which have been adapted into Hallmark movies.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town romances, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.

In 1996, Denise began her first novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books contain a strong romantic element, and her husband says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Denise and her husband live in Indiana, where they raised three sons, and are currently enjoying an empty nest.

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice light romance that really hits the spot!

Sophie Lawson has sacrificed a lot of her life for her mother and siblings. When her father walked out on their family, Sophie put her college plans on hold to take care of her sick mother and care for her brother Seth and sister, Jenna!

Sophie is trying to get her bookshop up and running in Piper's Cove, North Carolina - the beach town she visited as a child with her family. Things are going well for Sophie but when she is reunited with her high school sweetheart, Aiden, at her sister's wedding, she is reminded of how he hurt her and walked away without looking back.

After the wedding, Aiden is stranded in Piper's Cove by a hurricane, he has to say with Sophie as everything else is booked. This makes things interesting as both Sophie and Aiden feel that "pull” towards each other.

I said it before and I will say it again, romance books are all about the journey. This journey was nice, sweet, and made me happy. I'm glad that this wasn't a frenemy to lovers book. This was about relationships, forgiveness, starting over, family, forgiveness, and love. I enjoyed both characters and even though, it was obvious what was going to happen, I enjoyed the journey.

This book proved to be a fast and delightful read. Spending time with Sophie and Aiden in Piper's Cove put a smile on my face. This book was a nice way to escape the world for a while. This was a pure enjoyment read. This is not a bodice ripper but a nice light romance with substance. I love mixing romance books in with my other favorite genres which tend to be heavier and darker. Who does not love a book that leaves you feeling better?

Bookshop by the Sea is the first book I have read by Denise Hunter and I look forward to reading more of her books. Yes, this is dubbed as Christian Romance which I did not know when I requested it, but it is not preachy or pushy of religion in any way.

Fans of Denise Hunter, romance books and light reads will enjoy this book!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com

[Kat (Books are Comfort Food) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who can resist a beach read with a bookshop on the beach? This was a delightful read and just what I needed to reset my palate.

Sophie comes into contact with her first love, Aiden, during her sister’s wedding. Miscommunications abound as these two work to figure out If the spark is still there (it sure is) and how to make love work this time around. All this while juggling long distance and opening a new book store!

Yes, this was predictable and I had to remove slight annoyance that 2 grown people can’t articulate what’s on their minds. However, it was fun and had great messaging about love, family and what matters most.

Thanks to Debrah for her awesome review, which inspired me to listen to this with complete indulgence.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who could resist a story about a bookshop and rekindled romance? Obviously I couldn't. 😆

For the last seven years, Sophie has put others before herself. She's pretty much at the beck and call of her adult brother and sister. Now she's setting up the bookstore of her dreams, and Aiden (high school boyfriend) is back in town. Is there any room in her life to rekindle that relationship?

The story is predictable and Sophie kept repeating poor decisions along the way. I still found it to be an enjoyable and heartwarming story. It's a cozy read.

[Aura · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is Christian fiction. Yet again, I feel lied to by these publishers that hide their religious books. From here on, I will need to google the publisher before I read a new author.
Bottom line is that I do not want to read Christian fiction or any religious fiction. I did read this book and I started to suspect it was Christian fiction a quarter of the way into because of the repeated references to the church and god that are not part of the story.
If you cant sell your Christian fiction to your Christian audience, do not try to pawn it off on me or I will give it a 1 star review on principle.
Many Christian readers may enjoy this story but it was a waste of my time! Publisher may want to target the correct audience.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title and the cover of this one are what caught my attention first. Love the name Bookshop by the Sea. What more could you want - an ocean and books. Sophie is excited in getting ready to open her very own bookstore on the boardwalk of beach town, Piper's Cove. Her sister is getting married right before, so she doesn't have much time to get everything ready. Sophie had put her life on hold during her mother's illness and her Dad's abandonment, so now it's her time. If she can just get through this stressful wedding. Her ex-boyfriend is the groom's best friend, so of course he will be there, and Sophie hasn't gotten over his leaving after seven years. Her Dad and her twin brother have to be kept apart because her brother is still very angry at her Dad for abandoning them when their mother was so ill.

This was a good Christian romance, but I found it too predictable. There were a lot of things happening, but it failed to evoke much interest or emotion for me. However, I did enjoy the story.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson--FICTION through Netgalley for an advance copy.

[Kimberly Golding · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I didn’t realize that this was a “Christian” book (whatever that means) or that a few of Denise Hunter’s books have been turned into Hallmark Movies. It makes so much sense now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in no way against Christian books/authors but, parts of this book were so cheesy I caught myself indulging a satisfying eye roll on at least three occasions!

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise Hunter is a women's fiction author we can really relate too. Bookshop by the Sea so realistic and not to be missed.
Sophie is an incredible young woman, when her mother was bedridden her father bailed on the family and took off. Since Sophie is the oldest she feels responsible for not only taking care of her two siblings but being her mother's care giver until her death.
Piper’s Cove is a quaint little beach town in North Carolina where Sophie and her mother made plans to open a bookshop but with her mother's death she wants to carry on her mother's legacy and still open it.
With her siblings raised and her younger sister set to marry she is finally ready to open the shop and do something for herself.
Winds of change come to all of us like it or not and Sophie is reliving the memory of her broken romance with Aiden who not only left town as a teen in Bookshop by the Sea but left Sophie with a broken heart all those years ago.
He wasn't ready for a commitment then how will things go when they see each other at her sister's wedding?
You would think Sophie would be over her thoughts and feelings for Aiden, at least that's what we tell our heart but feelings burrow into our heart from times past and seem to stay deeply entrenched there.
Now that's it's seven years later in Bookshop by the Sea will Sophie give him the time of day and allow Aiden to explain why he did what he did ? What about those pesky feelings that seem to have taken up such a strong resurgence betraying her efforts to stay uncaring and unemotional at his return?
Aiden is a extreme sports enthusiasts so he's always up for the challenge of putting himself out there but he's afraid to love. Will he be able to face the biggest challenge of his life?
Excellent,relatable book! I Love it!

Expected publication: April 13th 2021 by Thomas Nelson
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, sweet read that flowed along and made for a quick read. Set on the coast of North Carolina, it has a great setting and characters that are realistic and with characteristics of people we all know. It brought two people back in each other's company as they are in a wedding as maid of honor and best man. Aiden and Sophie were high school sweethearts but broke up seven years ago. The attraction is still there but there so many obstacles and Sophie was so heartbroken that there is no way she wants to be around Aiden. He just needs to head back to Charleston. Only a hurricane grounds his flight and they are thrown together. And she has a bookstore to get ready to open and quick. What a time they have. The story covers lots of issues brought on by imperfect childhoods...abandonment, insecurity, grief, and fear but with faith, self examination, and determination, can these issues be overcome? This is a feel good romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie has been more mother than sister to her twin brother Seth and younger sister Jenna ever since her father left and her mother's illness left her bedridden. Now adults they continue to lean on Sophie, often inconveniencing her in their demands. Sophie is excited about opening her bookstore in Piper Cove, a favorite beach town vacation spot from their childhood. Seth is starting a new job and Jenna is getting married, and Sophie is hoping to be more sister now than mother figure. Sophie is busy preparing for Jenna's wedding in Piper Cove. What she is not prepared for is the reunion with Aiden, her high school boyfriend who left her to pursue his dreams. She does her best to ignore him, but when a hurricane strands Aiden in Piper's Cove, they have an opportunity to heal old wounds. Can they put the past behind them and find a new future?
A sweet summer beach read.

[Cara Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book when I wanted a sweet romance that I knew would have great characters and a wonderful setting. It did not disappoint! It is a story of hope, healing, moving forward from the past, and setting boundaries. The lead characters are wonderful. And their journey toward each other believable and sweet. Another great book from one of my favorite authors.

[Oceana GottaReadEmAll · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn’t get on board with the characters.
The girl’s family was obnoxious and I just couldn’t get past it.

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely clean romance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you have ever found yourself in a tough situation then you are going to appreciate this story. The author shows how much she can relate to the fact that we all have “stuff’ in our lives. Some is big stuff. Some is small stuff. Some of it can even derail you. But all of it can be overcome with the right guidance from above.

The story has a familiar theme. There are a ton of bookshop stories out there. As readers we tend to covet those stories because bookstores are typically our happy place. This one has a wonderful twist that includes a wedding, a ex you still haven’t gotten over, and a hurricane. What could possibly go wrong??

Written with a heartful of hope, understanding, and the yearning for a lost love, we are tossed right into the hurricane of feelings and emotions. Our characters are grown up now and even though the heart still hurts, things are not as they seemed many years ago. Can the truth really set you free?

Hunter explores healing and forgiveness in this lovely story. The heart knows what it wants but healing can take some deep internal conversation and we are along for those conversations as these two try to figure out if they can move forward and how. How to set boundaries, still care for each other, and deal with what life throws you along the way.

A tender story full of trials, tribulations, and ultimately following your heart. What is to be is to be and things tend to fall in place once you listen. A sweet story full of smiles, beautiful romance, and a bit of emotion too.

* Copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/bookshop-by-...

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bookshop by the Sea was such a wonderful story! I was amazed at how quickly both Sophie and Aiden burrowed into my heart. I loved the way they were thrown together during the wedding and the hurricane, forcing them to confront their painful breakup from seven years earlier.

This was a beautiful second chance love story. I liked that both Aiden and Sophie began to realize how much they cared for each other and the way Aiden’s decision to stay and help Sophie get the bookshop ready showed that he was not the same person that he used to be. However, both Aiden and Sophie had some things in their personal lives that needed to be addressed in order for a future together to be a real possibility. Their path to happily-ever-after included some painful moments, which made it all the more realistic. Their journey back to each other was a beautiful one.

I loved this story from start to finish and it is definitely one that I will read again and again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwwww...this sweet book was just what the doctor ordered for my reading slump! I’ve been having a hard time committing to a book lately, but I breezed through this one today with no trouble at all! I love Denise Hunter books. This one was a little more on the predictable side, but I actually kind of liked that facet, for once.

[Marcia reading past dark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bookshop by the Sea is a heartwarming story of small-town people with real-life problems. Books like this are about the journey, about walking alongside Sophie as she encounters setbacks, injuries, and family problems while trying to meet the deadline for the grand opening of her new bookstore. For the hopeless romantic, there’s the vicarious thrill of falling in love again in the middle of a hurricane. This story is about relationships, setting boundaries, forgiveness, starting over, family, and love. I loved my time in Piper’s Cove, a cozy little beach town in North Carolina. It was the ideal place to escape the real world for a few days. If you believe in second chances, then this is a book for you.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley. It does not impact my review.

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Denise Hunter book, but I thought Bookshop by the Sea looked pretty cute. Her books are often hit or miss for me, but this one ended up somewhere in the middle.

I really enjoyed the beginning as Sophie and Aiden found themselves stuck together after seven years apart. I liked seeing them start to communicate and forgive each other. Once they hit that point, though, I kind of started to lose interest. I felt like the pace dragged and there wasn’t really much plot. I also wasn’t completely sold on them rekindling their romance. For one thing, Aiden is dating someone else for the first half of the book. He goes to great pains to say they’re not exclusive, but it still made him come across a little skeevy.

There was some added drama with Sophie’s family being basically awful and selfish people and Aiden dealing with abandonment issues. While I think there were some good lessons learned, it was all crammed into the ending, where everything was resolved surprisingly easily.

Overall, Bookshop by the Sea was just ok for me. It had a promising start and while Hunter seemed to know where she wanted all the characters to end up, it felt like the middle was kind of phoned in. While this one wasn’t really for me, I’ll still be checking out more from this author in the future.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 3 Stars

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

'God, what is going on? Why are You leaving me with the one man who has the power to break me?'

I am a Denise Hunter fan. I never miss one of her books. She is back in the Carolinas for this offering. Sophie and Aiden broke up seven years ago when he left. He was only one of her dreams that were shattered. Now Aiden is back for a wedding and a hurricane strands them together, which forces them to explore their issues.

Beautifully told, Hunter explores hearts that have held long and painful hurts. Hurts which have impacted their lives in many ways. How can they find their way back to each other and healing? Populated with good characters and a poignant story, this is one for the keeper shelf. Recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kay Defreese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise Hunter is my favorite romance writer so I jumped at the chance to read and review her newest book Bookshop by the Sea. This book is about second chances. Aiden and Sophie had been sweethearts in college but on one day Sophie's dad walked out on the family and Aiden left the same day. Sophie gave up going to college to stay home to take care of her terminally ill mother and her two siblings. Sophie and Aiden had to work through some past baggage to get past. I loved how finally she was able to stand up to her family. I loved the happy ending and how they were able to work things out. I loved the quaint small town and how they helped Sophie out in a time of need.

Readers who have read the Bluebell Inn series will enjoy a cameo appearance of Adam and Molly.
I'm hoping Denise Hunter will write more novels set in this quaint town.

received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Expected publication is April 13, 2021.

[Sarita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just love this cover.

This was a sweet contemporary story about second changes, identifying your weaknesses/comfort zone and breaking through that barrier. Sophie and Aiden had a complex but intriguing relationship. I enjoyed seeing some flashbacks of what happened in the past to get them where they were at, and how they helped and motivated each other.

I did enjoy this second chance love story. The only thing which was tiny bit unrealistic was how years of Sophie being a pushover with a family was suddenly fixed in a week. Realistically bad behaviour only changes after 21 days...

The narrator delivered a great version which I enjoyed.

*I listened to this on Scribd.*

[Lou Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookshop by the sea by Denise Hunter is a contemporary romance story. It is a light, sweet romance that follows two characters. Sophie wants to set up a bookshop. But before she can do that, she must attend her sister's wedding. Unfortunately, her ex-boyfriend is one of the guests. Sparks fly and things go on from there. Aiden is a parachute jumper and an adrenaline-junkie.
The book goes into their history together, and they have to work out why things happened the way they did in the past.
The story contained a couple of tropes that were not my favourite, but I enjoyed the book. It was a light, fun romance.
I gave this one 8.5 out of 10.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one and especially the setting of Piper's cove and bookshop Sophie is opening! I want to visit there! Second-chance love stories are also a favorite for me. I felt like Sophie and Aiden's relationship was so realistic, seeing each other again brought back a flood of memories, and I loved that they were forced to confront their past being stuck in a hurricane together. I also liked that it wasn't just smooth sailing, they had to confront the things that didn't work the first time around. The supporting cast was good as well. I liked the character development and how everything works out. Just a really fun "beach read" and one I would read again.

Content PG
Romance: Kissing
Language: None
Violence: None
Religion: Very mild

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet love story with a great setting!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when the author revealed the cover for this book. It's gorgeous! I'm always interested in a book featuring a bookshop, especially one near the coast. Using the antagonistic forces of the weather is a plot device I enjoy in a novel, because it forces the hero and heroine to work together toward a common objective.
The characters in Bookshop by the Sea are well-developed and interesting to read about. I thought the internal and external conflicts that both the hero and heroine wrestled with were plausible and kept me engaged in the story. Many people struggle with establishing appropriate boundaries, so I appreciated and identified with the heroine's challenges regarding boundaries with her family members.
The romance is a satisfying slow burn, which is something I look for and expect with Denise Hunter's novels. This one did not disappoint. The inspirational message is quite subtle and seems to be on trend with the current shift happening in the Christian fiction market.
I have one minor quibble with this novel: there's a scene early in the book where the hero grabs the heroine by the throat and that made me uncomfortable. I can be a sensitive reader sometimes, though, so perhaps other readers won't have the same reaction.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

[Angie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am usually a huge fan of Denise Hunter, but unfortunately this was not a hit for me. I had a few issues with this one. The ending was good though and it did have some good themes having to deal with abandonment, self worth, trust, and forgiveness. It was an ok book, enjoyable in the end, but not a favourite.

[Els · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, nice story.

[Sara Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect summer (or anytime) read, Bookshop by the Sea gave me all the feels. I have always loved Denise Hunter’s ability to tell a lighthearted romance story while weaving in deep themes and topics. This one is going on my favorites shelf—right next to all her other books!

[Christine Indorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just read my 1st Denise Hunter book last week and really enjoyed it so I thought I would give Bookshop by the Sea a try and I did really enjoyed it. Sophie and Aiden were high school sweethearts but when he leaves her for a job and Sophie has to say home to take care of her sister and brother after her father leaves when her Mother gets sick, Sophie thinks it will be over forever. But when her sister gets married and Aiden is invited to the wedding Sophie is faced with him again. So when both are stuck together in a hurricane they start to work out and on their past. Will they have a future especially when they live 5 hours apart and both still have problems to deal with? I really did enjoy both Aiden and Sophie especially Sophie, she has so much pulling her. A new business, her siblings both pulling at her and her father wanting what she can't give, she doesn't have room for herself. Putting her trust in Aiden again is hard. When things gets hard Aiden runs. Will he run again? This is a nice summer read and I do recommend it. I had a nice relaxing Saturday reading this book. Hope you give it a chance too!!

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one for my "Hallmark" list. Would make a great TV movie❤

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about long lost love and a bookshop? *smiles sheepishly* I couldn't resist ☺️

[Sarah Vigue · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars