The Printed Letter Bookshop

Reading one of Katherine Reay's books has always felt like a warm hug, and this book was no exception. I really appreciate the themes of family, friendship, reconciliation, growth, forgiveness, and discovery that seem to be interwoven throughout the pages of each of her books I've read so far. I like that her stories don't solely hinge on romance as well with opportunities to see other kinds of relationships like friendships develop and deepen.

The idea of a story unfolding within the context of a bookshop was alluring in and of itself. (Brought me back to the movie You've Got Mail which is a nostalgic favorite for any other fans out there.) It was fun seeing more contemporary books and authors thrown out there as a result, but I'm glad she continued to heavily reference and quote classics as well. As a Christian, I also loved how she used Proverbs 31:10-31 and how these verses can be encouragement to single and married women alike.

Some of the characters may not be as likable at first glance, but it served as a reminder of how we sometimes hide in our hurt behind walls or barbed wire because being vulnerable can be so difficult and scary. Or we may feel shame and unworthy of letting others care.

Looking forward to revisiting Winsome in Of Literature and Lattes next!

Okay, so this is about three women and a bookshop...how much better does it get? Oh, did I say troubled bookshop and troubled ladies? Yep. This is a slow unfolding of everything that's going on, and plenty of small-town intrigue going on as well. Broken relationships, troubled kids, and so on. Can working together around the books, trying to save the bookstore, do anything to turn these women's lives around?

This one's more of a literary fiction than her previous ones have been, and the faith message is very subtle, but present: true peace is only found in God, not in an affair or in a bottle of wine. General market readers would probably hardly even notice it.

I will say a word of caution about the books quoted. Unlike Dear Mr. Knightley, which was the reason I discovered a few more clean authors (notably Anne Perry's mysteries), this book is about a bookstore and there are many, many books mentioned and/or discussed. Some are clean and some aren't (Lolita, etc). So for the younger readers out there, I'd advise checking any reading list with an adult or a more mature friend before making out a want-to-read list.

Content: drinking, books mentioned in passing that have content in them

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a free ebook. A positive review was not required.