Review – The Bookshop on the Shore (Scottish Bookshop Series, Book 2) by Jenny Colgan (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Length: 404 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: June 25, 2019
ASIN : B07D6MWF2R
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Scottish Bookshop series
Source: Borrowed ebook from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars
“Desperate to escape from London, single mother Zoe wants to build a new life for herself and her four year old son Hari. She can barely afford the crammed studio apartment on a busy street where shouting football fans keep them awake all night. Hari’s dad, Jaz, a charismatic but perpetually broke DJ, is no help at all. But his sister Surinder comes to Zoe’s aid, hooking her up with a job as far away from the urban crush as possible: a bookshop on the banks of Loch Ness. And there’s a second job to cover housing: Zoe will be an au pair for three children at a genuine castle in the Scottish Highlands.
But while Scotland is everything Zoe dreamed of—clear skies, brisk fresh air, blessed quiet—everything else is a bit of a mess. The Urquart family castle is grand, but crumbling, the childrens’ single dad is a wreck, and the kids have been kicked out of school and left to their own devices. Zoe has her work cut out for her, and is determined to rise to the challenge, especially when she sees how happily Hari has taken to their new home.
With the help of Nina, the friendly local bookseller, Zoe begins to put down roots in the community. Are books, fresh air, and kindness enough to heal this broken family—and her own…?”
Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Scottish Bookshop series. I borrowed an ebook of this from my library.
Thoughts: This was an adorable contemporary fiction story about a young single mom (Zoe) who leaves London with her son to serve as an au pair for a man with three difficult children. While there Zoe is also supposed to help Nina run her bookshop while Nina has her first child.
The story is mainly about Zoe finding a place where she truly belongs and we watch her struggle to gain confidence and find a true family for herself and her son. There is a heavy bookish theme throughout and I really enjoyed the cameos by Nina as well.
The characters in these books are so interesting and lovable. I really felt for Nina as she struggled, and enjoyed watching her get her footing in a new life.
I love the setting for this series. This small town setting in the Scottish Highlands on the banks of Loch Ness is amazing. It is a magical and peaceful setting that I always enjoy reading about.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I really enjoyed this book. It is just a fun, heartwarming read, set in an amazing little town. There is a bit of mystery, a bit of danger, a bit of romance, and a lot of a young woman trying to find her true home. I would recommend this to those looking for a sweet contemporary romance set in a beautiful rural setting.
