I was hooked from the beginning! This is my first time reading a book by Pamela Kelley, and I’ll definitely be reading more!

Y’all, I was so impressed by this novel! I have not read any books from this author and I’m really glad I started off with this one! Great main character and the writing was outstanding. It draws you in from the very beginning.

I really enjoyed this. Loved the character development. I'm hoping it becomes a series. I'm all in for that.

I enjoyed this book this is my honest opinion. I generally prefer Detective stories as sometimes this genre is too slow and uneventful. The Bookstore by the Bay by Pamela M. Kelley is a sweet story that does keep you interested. Complicated relationships, betrayal, and new love are all in this book. It's a fast read that leaves you uplifted. Who wouldn't love owning a bookstore on the Bay? The characters are all like family and all seeking a happy fulfilled life. Thank you NetGalley and publishers St. Martins Press for this eARC I recommend this book.

I really liked this book. Set mainly on Cape Cod, this would be the perfect beach read. It was definitely predictable, but that did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying the book. Recommend!

‘The Bookshop by the Bay’ is my first Pamela M. Kelley book. I thoroughly enjoyed this beach read based in Chatham, MA (Cape Cod).  The characters were well developed and very relatable,  I will definitely look into Ms. Kelley’s other books.

The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley is a book that draws you into the story immediately.  Unhappy in her marriage, Jess is struggling with what to do when circumstances help her with her decision.  Encouraged by her best friend, Alison, Jess decides to leave Charleston and spend the summer in her hometown of Chatham, Massachusetts.  Her daughter, Caitlin, also goes with her.  Caitlin recently lost her job and does not have a clear career path going forward.  They can stay with Jess's mother for there is plenty of room.  While Jess and Caitlin are in Chatham, the woman that owns the local bookstore wishes to retire.  Jess, who is a successful attorney, decides to purchase the bookstore for Alison to run and the attached coffee shop.  Caitlin loves working at the coffee shop and is named the manager.  Jess and Caitlin are in no rush to return to Charleston and are enjoying the summer in Chatham.  They both begin to have thoughts about returning to Charleston.  Pamela Kelley's characters have real-life struggles that help with the story.  There is good character development with the fast-paced story that is hard to put down.

I always love Pamela Kelley's books because they are light and fun and always set in wonderful beach towns that make you wish it was summer! This book was no exception. The story follows two mother-daughter duos as they make decisions that will shape their future. The book was a little slow to start, but once I got into it, it read very quickly! This will be a great summer read for anyone who dreams of owning a bookstore!
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Loved this book. I’ve never read anything by Pamela Kelley before but will now include her on my list of authors I enjoy reading. This novel was about friendships between women and the relationships of mothers and daughters. The characters seemed so real and were people you would enjoy spending time with. I know I did.

When Jess finds out that her husband, Parker, cheated on her and impregnated his young assistant Jess has some decisions to make. For the time being, she and her daughter, Caitlin, retreat to Jess’ childhood home in Chatham on Cape Cod. As Jess reconnects with her mom and her childhood friends, she realizes that Chatham is still home to her. Jess and her friend, Allison, invest in and established bookshop and coffee shop. The magic of second chances develops and possibilities abound for her and Caitlin. I loved this easy, feel good, read. Thanks to @netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC. I highly recommend it

A quick easy clean romance that would be perfect while on a summer vacation to the beach. One dislike... too many characters introduced too fast. It took a bit of time for me to remember who was who. 

Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.

Childhood friends Jessica and Alison grow up in Chatham., Mass.  Jess moves to Charlotte, works at her husband's, Parker Coleman, family  law firm and has a 30 year old daughter, Caitlin, who still lives at home.   Alison stayed in Chatham, and is a magazine editor who married and divorced Chris Page, raised her daughter, Julia, also 30, who is a designer and maker of jewelry in Chatham.  .    These are the main characters in this novel.  Everyone reevaluates their lives and make major life decisions that kept this novel moving swiftly.

Pamela M Kelley creates characters you care about and plausible situations you can relate to that kept the "one more chapter" excitement going.

The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela M. Kelley follows two life long friends (and their daughters) as they navigate a shift in their lives as the result of infidelity, divorce and second chances. 

When mother and daughter Jess and Caitlin head to Chatham Cape Cod to escape the unfolding drama of infidelity in Charleston, they stay with Jess's mom.  Through small town talk, Jess and childhood bestie, Allison realize their beloved bookstore is for sale.  As Jess is navigating a separation, Catlin is without a job/career and Allison's job is downsizing, Jess decides to buy the bookstore and attached coffee shop as an investment. 

This is a breezy beach read with two beautiful settings.  I enjoyed the generational relationships as well as moving through a bitter period of your life with grace and kindness. 

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Publication date 6/6/23.

A quick, easy to read romance that was a little too sweet for me but might be the perfect summer read for someone else.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eArc of this book. Chick lot but lovely, likeable characters. The book quickly introduces ever so many characters that it is difficult to keep them sorted. Entertaining beach read.

3.5*stars

This title is sure to be a much-loved summer beach read! Two lifelong friends, both having had upheavals in their lives, reunite in their childhood hometown on Cape Cod. They impulsively decide to go into business together, and buy a bookstore and coffee shop from the owner, who wants to retire. Cape Cod and its beautiful towns and beaches make a perfect setting, as do the coffee shop and bookstore. The two women have enough complications in their lives to keep us eagerly reading, plus they each have a young adult daughter, each of whom has issues and drama of their own -- so there is a lot going on in this intergenerational family story.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters were so likable and the story was so relatable that I didn’t want the book to end. This book made me fall more in love with Cape Cod and had me looking up places to see on my next visit. I 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves a story of friendship and finding ourselves.

Jess and Parker have been together forever it seems. Their 30-year-old daughter, Caitlin, is out of the house and they have drifted very far apart. And Jess is about to find out exactly how far apart they have drifted~

She has lived and worked in Charleston, SC for thirty years, but is still best friends with Allison from home. Home is still Cape Cod. And when Jess gets a bomb tossed in her lap, she makes some changes.

One of those is going home. And who should be coming along but Caitlin? Caitlin has had a lot of disappointment too. Being home around family and friends could be just the thing they need.

Allison is at a crux as well. Layoffs are coming at her job and as much as her boss adores her, she needs a plan B. When she pops in her local bookshop and finds the owner looking to retire and sell the business, she thinks she may have an idea for all of them.

Allison’s daughter, Julia, is living her dream of designing jewelry. If only the business would take off nationwide. She has also just kicked a guy to the curb.

Four women of different generations, but all with the same problems.

Coming together and supporting each other in the best of ways, was such a good read.

NetGalley/June 6th, 2023 by St. Martin’s Griffin

Bookshop by the Bay is a delightful book about 2 mothers and daughters who embark on new adventures Set in picturesque Cape Cod it will have you feeling like you are right there with them. If you love bookstores, coffee shops and stories about small towns you will love this book also. Would love a sequel to find out more about the people in the book.

4 stars!

What I Liked:
Jess, Alison, Caitlin, and Julia are great great characters and i instantly fell in love with them. Caitlin and Julia's chemistry was awesome and I enjoyed the old friends vibe from Jess and Alison. The scenic descriptions are beautiful and actually transported me to this world of Chatam. I imagine this will be perfect to read in your vacations at the beach. The perfect breezy book about mother daughter bonds, friends, finding love, moving on, acceptance, and a little something that stays with you long after putting the book down. Bonus points if you decide to buddy read with a friend, partner, or even better, you mom/daughter!

What I Didn't Like:
Not much to say here, but the large cast took some time to get used to and the story seemed to drag sometimes.

Nevertheless, I still highly recommend this book!