The Bookshop on the Shore: A Novel (Scottish Village of Kirrenfief, 2)

It is rare these days that a book captures my attention so strongly that I read it in one sitting. And then read it again. This luscious story looks predictable on the surface, but it "absolutely, absolutely is not." An introspective look at the secrets people tuck away and the personal damage that keeping secrets does to our humanity is known to all of us. Lovely people trying to be everything to the people they love and want to protect .too often ends on a harsh note. A village of support is what we all need to keep from going balmy. These beautiful, flawed characters captured my heart from the beginning and kept drawing me into their dynamic experiences. These wonderful people - who cross many age groups - gave everything and were slammed against a wall that left them bereft. They each created a persona to share with their narrow circle of life. Feared and disliked, yet envied and admired by the villagers, the family has no idea how s convoluted the mazes they travers is. With a rich palette of colors, Colgan's character development paints every page boldly. Her expertise shines. Unique and special; lovable and despicable; glowing happiness and absorbing sadness, these characters unexpected gems. The beauty of the geographic setting, the bubbling personality of the mobile book store, and the spirited mansion pulsed with personality. She imbued the storyline with a personal touch that expanded the reader’s experience, dropping clue tidbits along the way.

Though I did agree with some of the negative comments (mainly editing errors and an abrupt, rather baffling ending—thus the only 4 star review), I simply adored this little story! The author’s writing style is so conversational and, as we’d say in Texas, “folksy”, that you feel like you’re sitting cozily on a couch listening to your best friend tell the story of their life. Along with the fact that I’m missing all the characters and dying to know what happened to them, I also find myself longing to escape to the Scottish Highlands just to BE. What a magical place! If you’re stuck in the first few chapters feeling like it’s a little sluggish, DON’T GIVE UP! It’s absolutely worth finishing.

I'm really getting into the Jenny Colgan repertoire. In this story, Zoe is struggling as a single mother in modern-day London. Her four-year-old son has never spoken. Zoe lives in poverty, and her boyfriend is too immature to be much more than an irritant. But when the boyfriend's sister, Surinder (please write a sequel with her as the main!) meets Zoe and wants to help. Surinder gets an idea, and soon enough, Zoe and Hari are heading north to the Scottish village of Kirrinfief to help Nina the bookseller. Nina is undergoing a difficult pregnancy and can't run her business for the duration. But that's not enough $$, so Zoe also works as au pair at a (haunted?) mansion for three very troubled children and their bereft daddy. What I like about Colgan's style is that she sets up the character's dilemma and personality so well that you're rooting for her right from the start. Also, she's made Kirrinfief into such an idyllic locale it's probably laughable but for the purposes of a story, a balm to the heart in our troubled times. The Halloween party is so visual I feel as if I must have watched a movie, it keeps playing in my head. A very good book.

I really enjoyed this story of Zoe and her little boy, Hari, who moved out of poverty in London to the shores of Loch Ness where Zoe worked as both a nanny to 3 troubled children and to stand in for Nina in her mobile bookstore during the end of Nina's pregnancy. We met Nina in the first book in this series and this book looked in on her and her husband, Lennox and their new baby. I like this writer's style as it feels like your best friend is telling you her story over a cup of coffee or tea. The characters are likeable, well-developed and are dealing with some real-life issues. I enjoyed the beauty of Scotland that Ms. Colgan shared with us and liked the way the book emphasized how this lovely little village and the beauty of nature helped heal Zoe and Hari's souls. The book just warmed my heart. I have bought the next book in the series and am now following this author as I love her writing style. I recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book about these characters.

This was nothing like I thought it would be. I was expecting “Chick Lit Lite” and what I read was engrossing, a bit dark and quite satisfying. Although the relationship between Ramsay and Zoe culminated in what wasn’t a huge surprise, it was sweet. My only reason or knocking off the 5th Star was because I am adamantly against the psychiatric drugging of children ( anyone actually) and the cavalier manner in which a teacher explained how loads of Scottish children were on them and that they didn’t do harm was absolute rubbish, untrue and very irresponsible of the author. If the conversation had been earlier in the book I would have put it down.

My new favorite! Filled with beautiful imagery of Scotland, mystery, love, tears and giggles. I didn't want it to end!

Book Review: "The Bookshop on the Shore" by Jenny Colgan" "The Bookshop on the Shore" is a heartwarming and uplifting novel that celebrates the power of books, community, and second chances. Jenny Colgan's latest installment is a delightful addition to her repertoire, perfect for fans of feel-good fiction. Ailsa Calder, a struggling single mother, inherits a quirky bookshop on the Scottish coast from a distant relative. Alongside her young daughter, Ailsa navigates the challenges of small-town life, bookshop renovations, and unexpected friendships. As she delves into the bookshop's history and the community's needs, Ailsa discovers a new sense of purpose and belonging. 5/5

This is yet another wonderful book to read by Jenny Colgan. It was lovely to get to meet Nina and Lennox again, and some other characters from 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After ' and to be introduced to the main characters in this story of Zoe, and little Hari , Ramsay and family at the Beeches. It was a delight to read, oozing with wonderful Scottish charm and affection. With a lovely storyline that keeps you rooting for Zoe and the challenges she faces head on, and her determination to try to bring positive changes in everything she encounters throughout her stay.

I couldn' t stop reading. The story is well made up and exciting. I love Scotland, that' why I bought it and was not disappointed.

Disclaimer* Jenny Colgan is an autobuy author for me. That being said, I can still read and review her books impartially. What another hug in a book from Jenny this read was. I found myself caught up in Zoe's plights immediately and loved Jenny's characters intertwine and we have some old favourites (Nina) popping up also. I enjoy catching up with past characters to see what they are up to and also meeting her new ones. Her writing style is captivating and easy to read. A feel good,warm hearted, delightful read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #jennycolgan #thebookshopontheshore #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #thestorygraph #litsy #amazonkindle #bookqueen #bookstagram #chicklit

Zoe and Jaz O’Connell had a son named Hari but Hari doesn’t talk. The doctor described it as selective mutism. Then Jaz disappeared back to being an itinerant traveling dj and, as it turned out, an itinerant father and Zoe received an increase in rent that was about to put her on the street so when the job offer appeared for her and Hari to move to Scotland with free rent for supervising three children in an old mansion and a job run a bookstore in a traveling van it seemed like something that might be an improvement. It certainly brought new challenges and new rewards. This is a very satisfying and heart warming story and I loved it