Thank you, Netgalley for sending me the advanced reader copy of The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela M. Kelly. I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect summer read. I loved all the Cape Cod details it made me want to go back as soon as possible. I feel like you can never go wrong with a summary based on Cape Cod. The mother-daughter connections and new friendships were so relatable to my own life.

This was a great novel for a summer read! There’s friends and mothers and daughters. They have losses and are starting over. But at the center of it is a bookshop. And some blooming relationships. The family and friendships portrayed were enjoyable.

~~~ I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~~~

I really enjoy Pamela M. Kelly's books. The Bookshop by the Bay takes place in Cape Cod, making it a great summer vacation novel. This is the story of two life long friends, Jess and Alison and their daughters Cailin and Julia. Each woman is struggling with life changes and decisions and find their path over the summer on the MA coast. This book is about friendship, family, healing, finding oneself, with a dash here and there of romantic interests... And who doesn't have a dream of owning a beachside bookstore! If you're looking for an escape while on vacation or headed to the beach, this book is a great option!

The Bookshop by the Bay is a delightful read by Pamela M. Kelley and is definitely not to be missed. It covers three generations of women, who cope with relationships involving family and friendships. This is my first time reading this author and look forward to reading more of other novels she has written. Bravo Pamela and this should be added to everyone’s summer reading list or also a great beach read. Thank you NetGalley for the early e- book copy and the publisher. 🙋‍♀️🇨🇦📚👏👏🙏

Thank you St Martins Press/Griffins for the e copy of this book!

"Bookshop by the Bay" by Pamela Kelley is a delightful tale that offers readers a heartwarming escape to a picturesque coastal town filled with love, friendship, and the magic of books. With its endearing characters and idyllic setting, this novel is a perfect choice for book lovers searching for a cozy and uplifting story.

One of the highlights of this book is Kelley's ability to bring the setting to life. The small Cape Cod town is portrayed as a close-knit community with its charming/cozy shops, and stunning coastal landscapes. The vivid descriptions effortlessly transport readers to this idyllic place, allowing them to experience the beauty of the town and its people.

"Bookshop by the Bay" is a heartwarming and uplifting novel that captures the essence of small-town life, the joy of reading, and the transformative power of following one's dreams. Pamela Kelley's storytelling skills shine, making this book a lovely choice for readers in search of a comforting and nostalgic escape. Whether you're a bookworm or simply looking for a feel-good story, this book will leave you with a smile on your face and a renewed appreciation for the magic of books and the beauty of life's simple pleasures.

For a summer beach read (which ALWAYS makes me want to be butt deep im the sand) you can't go wrong with this multigenerational - book store buying story. I mean - build up drama (because people suck and they will take advantage of and disappoint you), the chance to make dreams come true AND a touch of happily ever after?? Sign me up sister!! A touch predictable - but in all the right ways!! GREAT narrators!!!

Digital copy supplied by St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

My Review
⛱️⛱️⛱️⛱️⛱️

The bookshop by The bay.
By pamela kelly.

This was the first book I read by This author.
Coming to stores near you june 6th 2023.

This is a wonderful story that I truly enjoyed.
It is a women's fiction book.
If you love a ⛱️ read I could definitely recommend this one... It's got everything you could ask for.
A little romance, A little fishing. Books coffee and so much more.

Jess and Her Daughter caitlyn

go to cape cod for a summer break.
But this year it's going to be a bit longer. Things have happened to change the situation for jess. things she wasn't anticipating. Sometimes life happens.

But visiting on the cape is always a wonderful escape, seeing her mom and her best friend..
And you never know what's going to happen.. Friends you make Along the way and New adventures..

Simply because one never knows where life may lead them.

I honestly enjoyed this story. We'll have to check out more books by this author for sure..


#StMartinsGriffinnewyork

The perfect summer read! Childhood best friends Alison and Jess are in transition and experiencing pivotal changes in their lives. When a bookstore comes up for sale on the island, the long time friends consider this the of running a bookshop together. Themes of life changes, old dreams coming to reality, second chances and unforeseen life changes, strengthening of old friendships and building of new friendships, taking charge of life and moving through life changes. I loved the great female characters old and the setting in the east coast (Cape Cod) is fantastic!

Beautiful flow and well written.

Having just returned from the Canadian east coast, this book made me so happy and then sad when it finished. I loved the plot, characters and setting.

5-⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

This is a great summer read, especially for "bookish" people who love to read books and read about books! It was well written. Highly recommend!

Jess is a high powered lawyer working with her husband in his parents firm in Charleston, when she finds out he is cheating on her with his assistant. Jess decides to visit her mom and childhood bestie back home in Chatham on Cape Cod to figure out where to go from here. She invites her daughter, Caitlin to go with her. Perfect timing as Caitlin has just been fired from her latest job and her "almost fiancé" just dumped
her.
Jess' best friend Alison, who has never left Chatham, is worried about her job as an editor for the Chatham magazine as circulation has drastically declined. Her boss Jim, has already had to make cut backs and she knows more are coming. Julia, Alison's daughter, has opened her own jewelry store with her hand made jewelry and is working hard to get her beautiful creations noticed.
When the opportunity arises for Jess and Alison to purchase the beloved Chatham Book Store and the failed coffee shop next door, they take the chance.
The descriptions of everything made me feel like
I've been there! Main Street sounds like a Hallmark movie scene. Also, the descriptions of the food was making my mouth water....sounds delicious!
Most of all I loved the old friends, new friends, new starts and even a little romance! A great summer beach read, and I do hope a sequel is in the works, so I can continue to follow these ladies that I feel would be great friends in real life!

A pleasant summer read, the setting is Chatham, Cape Cod. Jess found out her husband cheated on her, so she moves from their Charleston home to her mothers house on Chatham. Her best friend Allison still lives there, making the situation comfortable. Jess ‘ daughter, Caitlin, joins her since she lost her job; Allison’s daughter, Julia, befriends Caitlin and the summer takes off from there. Recommended as a light beach read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Bookshop by the Bay is the story of two women who have been friends since childhood. Jess is a high profile lawyer in Charleston working with her husband. When he has an affair and their marriage breaks up, she heads to her childhood home on Cape Cod with her thirty-year-old daughter, Caitlin to regroup and figure out what she wants to do next. Her BFF, Alison works for the local newspaper, but with so many things going digital, her job is being cut back further and further. She knows that it will eventually disappear, so she needs to figure out what she will do. Both of these women have some tough decisions to make, but with each other's support, as well as family and friends things begin to work out. When the local bookstore is up for sale, they decide to purchase it and become partners. Caitlin also helps out, as she is also at loose ends and needs to decide her next steps as well. With the lovely setting, and great characters, this story of friendship and new beginnings is a winner.

I love stories where female friendships are showcased and they support and help one another. Throw in a family angle, and I am in. Pamela Kelley does a great job creating realistic and relatable characters and situations. I wanted to pop into this story and get to know these three women. The Bookshop is a great place to find peace as well as grow and make decisions for the next chapter in their lives. There is romance in the story, but that is not the main plot. All three women find someone to care about, but the theme of friendship, support, new beginnings and standing on your own two feet supersedes the love stories. This is a great summer read or listen that I highly recommend.

I received this book from NetGalley.

Jess is a high-profile attorney in Charleston, SC who has just figured out her husband has cheated on her and knocked up his secretary. Jess decides to heat to Chatham MA to her childhood home to regroup. Their thirty year-old daughter, Caitlin, is struggling to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Her boyfriend dumps her on their one-year anniversary and she lost her job the same day. Caitlin decides she needs a break also, and goes to visit grandmom also with Jess so that she could regroup also. They both decide that they will stay for the summer.

Allison is Jess' best friend - she still lives in Chatham and is excited for Jess' visit. Allison's career at a local magazine is winding down due to a continuing shift from print to online consumption. Not sure what she is going to do next, Allison is trying to find her way. Divorced from Chris, they have been able to remain on friendly terms and he helps her brainstorm her next chapter. Their thirty year-old daughter, Julia, has opened a jewelry store in town as owner and creator and is enjoying her time even though money is quite tight.

Allison goes into the local bookshop on a regular basis. When the owner confides in her that she wants to sell the business and retire, Allison thinks this could be her next step. She would not be able to afford it though and makes a passing comment at dinner with Jess. After discussion with the accountant, Jess decides she is in a position to purchase and go into business with her BFF.

As the summer winds down, Jess and Caitlin realize that maybe they do not want to go back to Charleston, their priorities have changed. Maybe they are on the path to a second chance at life.

Absolutely darling book! I read this one sitting. I enjoyed each and every character and the small town setting. Fun summer read for sure! Thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.

Jess and Alison have been best friends since they met in Chatham on Cape Cod. As adults, they have gone their separate ways with Jess living in Charleston, SC and Alison staying in Chatham. When Jess discovers her husband’s infidelity, she returns to Chatham for a visit with her mom. Jess brings along her daughter, Caitlin, hoping that she and Alison’s daughter, Julia, could finally become friends like their Jess and Alison.

Jess is a lawyer and Alison works as an editor for a magazine and is best friends with her ex-husband. When Alison is told that she needs to reduce her hours to part-time, she isn’t sure what she is going to do….until she stops in at the bookstore and finds out that the owner wants to sell.
The two friends enter into a business venture for the summer until Jess and Caitlin are to return to Charleston. But, after spending the summer in Chatham, they aren’t sure if they want to go back to their old lives or stay.

This book is about family, friendship, relationships and being set in the seaside town of Chatham, it has all the feel of a small town.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book published on June 6, 2023.

The Bookshop by the Bay is the ultimate summer beach read. The story follows the characters of Julia, Jes, Alison, and Caitlin. Jes and her daughter Caitlin head back to Jes' hometown of Chatham, MA for the summer when her marriage implodes. From there, Jes and Alison decide to buy the local bookstore when the owner decides to retire.

The story is fun, light-hearted, romantic, and uplifting. I really loved how Caitlin and Jes really discovered what they wanted from life after spending time in Chatham. I felt like I was transported to the Main Street of Chatham, and was shopping in the bookstore and enjoying a fresh bagel and coffee at the coffee shop next door.

Grab yourself a copy and stick it in your beach bag.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela M. Kelley. Pub Date: June 6, 2023. Rating: 3 stars. This women's fiction novel tells the story of childhood friends who meet back up in their hometown following the separation of a marriage for one of them. Finding out her husband cheated on her and is now expecting a baby with the mistress, she flees back home to the bay and finds solace in old friendships and family. There, she invests in a bookshop/coffeeshop that is for sale and starts a new journey of self discovery and figuring out what she really wants in this next stage of life. This book did a lot of telling and minimal showing. I just couldn't connect with the characters like I wanted to, but nonetheless loved the setting for the book. I think everyone who loves to read dreams of opening their own bookstore and to see a storyline that fulfills this dream was charming. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley

This book is about two lifelong friends, both at low points in their lives, going in together to own and run a bookshop, a place of comfort and good memories. In pulling together they build a stronger friendship, strong relationships with their daughters, and even open their hearts back up to romance and second chances. This was a cheerful summer read, perfect for the beach, full of hope and romance. I love books about bookshops and this fun summery cover pulled me in.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A perfect summer read. Bookshop by the Bay is about lifetime friendships, mother/daughter relationships, starting anew, second chances and taking a risk. Jess grew up in Chatham and moved to South Carolina when she got married, returning for her daughter for vacations. Alison is her best friend who stayed in Chatham. When her marriage is over Jess returns home for the summer to figure out what to do. Join Jess and Alison and their daughters as they discover that sometimes when you leave your comfort zone amazing things can happen.

This is a great work of women’s fiction that explores strong female characters, explores mother/daughter relationships, fresh starts, second chances, romance, friendships, taking chances, and family. I highly recommend this and hope that Pamela Kelley returns to Chatham with more stories.

Thank you NetGalley, Pamela M. Kelley and St. Martins Press for the ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.