Too angsty and drawn-out. I wasn't a fan of the main character; she did a lot of hand-wringing and needed to be more confrontational in order to get stuff done. It's hard to sympathize with a whiner. Her family was the same way: just say something and then we can all move on.

I ended up listening to a finished copy in audiobook of this one because I’m so behind, but I’m glad I finally got the chance to read it! I loved the bookshop mystery/scavenger hunt, and the family backstory is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

A solid 3.5 stars.
Good mystery, laid out well in a way that really kept my interest piqued throughout.
It is a mystery because it's a journey to discover what really happened in the past, what secrets Miranda's parents are hiding, and what lies at the end of Billy's scavenger hunt for Miranda.
But it's also a voyage of discovery for Miranda--because she really needs to address the past before she can truly move forward with the future.
Good closure in the end as well.
One shortcoming is that I thought Miranda's mother was a bit overdramatic, especially after Billy's death. I don't know what the reason was for her continuing to keep secrets for so long, except that once it becomes the norm, it's difficult to justify why you've kept the secrets that long so you just keep hiding them.

Really cute premise, execution....noy so much. Miranda was sweet..but kinda boring and very predictable.I really liked the bookstore and the clues but everything else just left me want more.

A delightful novel centered areound secrets, family, and forgiveness. A book that seems to be about revenge for past wrongs ends up being so much more than that. I loved loved this book and wished it could have gone on a lot longer.

3.5 Miranda Brooks adored her Uncle Billie. Anytime he spent time with her they had so much fun, treasure hunt ts, clues to follow, and his bookstore Prosperos where she loved spending time. Then on her 12thb birthday something happens between her mom and Billie. She would not see him again, but on his death she found d he left her his bookstore, a letter and clues to follow. Billie's story was not the joyous one she had always envisioned.

I enjoyed this, bookstore, clues left in beloved books, how could I not? So many fun characters inhabit these pages, quirky characters, and yes of course, many, many secrets. As Miranda tries to figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life, she uncovers Revelations that will change many things. I enjoyed the mysteriousness of this, new revelations, following Miranda on her journey. Although I guessed early some of these, there was more that I did not know.

I listened to this on audio, and there is still much to this format I have to learn. The narrator here was clear, her voice fitting for a younger Miranda, the Miranda full of danger and injustice. The same voice though as she grew older just didn't fit as well. I still find it hard to separate the voice from the words themselves. I'm working on it though. Despite those few kinks, I enjoyed this. It was both fun and poignant, full of family drama, heartbreak, and love. Reminded me a little of Tell the Wolves I'm home, which I read and liked a few years back.

ARC from Netgalley and Edelweiss.

The premise of this book sounded so intriguing: small, quaint bookstore that has been inherited by a young woman, Miranda Brooks. As a young girl, Miranda made many visits to Prospero Books in the company of her beloved uncle, Billy Silver. He would make finding books and learning about them through scavenger hunts at the store. A family rift occurs and Billy's visits stop abruptly. Now, sixteen years after she last saw him, Miranda sets out to uncover and solve a final scavenger hunt left by Billy. There were points in this book that I felt really dragged on, making the flow of the book really slow down. Some of these clues were convoluted and ridiculous. Characters came and went and some had very little development.
The last quarter of the book picked up. I enjoyed it, but felt that parts fell flat.

This is one of those books that truly is one of the best books I have read from Net Galley. It is the perfect read for book lovers and all who love bookstores.
I received a ARC for review. This is my personal opinion.
We meet Miranda who after a 16 year absence finally hears from her favorite Uncle. Only he has passed and left her his bookstore "Prosporo" that is almost bankrupt. . Miranda promptly moves back to Los Angeles determined to take over the bookstore and restore it to its glory. As she begins to work in the bookstore she begins to find clues he has left for her that tell a story. The clues are spread out throughout the store. But what is the story? What is he trying to tell her? As she begins to solve the clues she meets friends of his and of the bookstore. Many are key people for her to know and help her begin to solve a mystery and save her book store. The clues she pieces together form the clues to a long outstanding mystery involving the book store. It is her determination and sleuthing skills that finally solve the mystery and turn this book store around to a thriving business and hub for book lovers that it once was.
I loved this book ! it is the perfect book for all book lovers The book store is written to perfection, the supporting charcters are fun and all add depth to the mystery and story. Miranda is smart, savvy and knows her books. A very enjoyable read and one I highly recommend. This is a fun read !

Miranda inherits a bookshop – and a whole slew of secrets. Fun and clever, The Bookshop contains many allusions to Shakespeare, a literary mystery, and a box of family treasures.

Problem was, I solved the mystery in the first couple chapters, and the Shakespearean quotes bogged me down after a while. I think a little more work ensuring the book flowed effortlessly (for the reader!) would have helped. Even though I really liked Miranda and the other bookshop staff, and I thought that Meyerson did a good job developing the friendships, the family relationships and the mystery itself all seemed a little contrived. All’s well that ends well, though, right?

(get it?)

https://randombookmuses.com/2018/07/10/the-bookshop-of-yesterdays-by-amy-meyerson/

A mystery-via-scavenger-hunt set in a bookstore? Sign me up! I liked the premise of The Bookshop of Yesterdays, but the execution fell a little flat to me. The pacing was a bit off: it was a slow burn for the first two-thirds of the story, and at one point the scavenger hunt almost died out completely, but all of a sudden everything came rushing out all over the place. The characters were interesting but none of them seemed fully fleshed-out (honestly, I couldn't tell you what any of them were even really supposed to look like), and like Miranda, I couldn't seem to figure out what anyone's motives were for doing anything they did. I still don't understand a few important things (for instance, why did Susan dislike Evelyn and Billy being together? And why did Billy just disappear and never try to contact Miranda ever again?) and there were a few loose ends. However, I liked Billy's clever scavenger hunt based on books and literary characters, and I would LOVE to have a Propsero Books in my neighborhood to go hang out in every weekend.

THE BOOKSHOP OF YESTERDAYS by Amy Meyerson is a relaxing, gentle read and I was drawn to it initially by the publisher's summary: "It's a love letter to reading and bookstores, and a testament to how our histories shape who we become."

The main character is Miranda Brooks who learns that her estranged Uncle Billy has died and left her the near-bankrupt store in Los Angeles named Prospero Books. As a child, she spent many happy hours there and now, as an adult, she attempts to complete a final scavenger hunt left by her uncle. In these riddles, he refers to numerous works of literature (The Tempest, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Jane Eyre, The Westing Game plus more) and I especially enjoyed the guessing aspect of this family story filled with secrets. Miranda, too, was a likeable, if troubled, character. An excellent debut, THE BOOKSHOP OF YESTERDAYS is another great airplane or beach read – I read most of it during a rainy Auckland winter day. In her acknowledgments, Meyerson conveys her spirit and the importance of books, saying, "Whenever I travel, I make sure to save a good chunk of time – and luggage space – for browsing local bookstores. I'm constantly inspired by the celebration of books, ideas and reading that persists in our communities through these bookshops. Prospero Books is my ode to you and your shelves."

I love books set in bookstores, but this one is less about the bookstore and more a summer beach read with romance (and a very predictable twist). Had the twist not happened, this would have been more than the rounded-up 2.5 stars.

eARC provided by publisher.

2 stars--it was OK.

What I liked: The bookstore setting and literary "clues" were fun. The author clearly loves books and reading, and that shows.

What I didn't like: The main character, Miranda, was selfish and unlikable. Why was she with her boyfriend? They seemed to despise each other. Why was her best friend her best friend? They had nothing in common. She treated the people around her poorly, and I didn't see much growth by the end of the book. I really disliked her and her self absorption!

The mystery is entertaining, though predictable, but overall, this book didn't really impress me.

I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!

Having recently finished “The Bookshop of Yesterdays” by Amy Meyerson, I am happy to have had the chance for the preview; thank you Net Galley!

Even though I figured out the biggest part of the mystery regarding the family secret that fills the pages of this story very early on, I wanted to continue the scavenger hunt to find out how all the secrets of the past would be revealed to Miranda. Although the secret is the story, for me it was the exasperating part of the story as well. With most things out in the open now a days, it's hard to understand the need to hide history from family wanting to know the truth about their past, but that is the way this story was written. Secrets on top of secrets; and moments lost forever, because of them.

Miranda, a young history teacher, transplanted from California to Pennsylvania, returns to her home state - literally and metaphorically - when Billy, her eccentric uncle, dies. From his lawyer, she learns that he willed her his indie bookstore, Prospero Books, and that it is in a severe financial crisis. In a much less straightforward manner, she learns - from Billy himself - secrets about her family that upend how she views herself and the choices she has made.

How does a dead uncle communicate with his niece? Throughout her childhood, he would concoct literary games and puzzles that delighted and enlightened the very bookish little girl. She begins to receive similar clues soon after the funeral, clues that the reader will solve easily (or not, depending on their own literary experience. (If you are familiar with "The Tempest," much will be revealed...) These clues lead her on a scavenger hunt with unexpected and drastic results, as well as to new friends and new understanding of herself.

Readers who frequent indie bookstores will recognize the denizens and staff of Prospero's - the writers, the baristas, the book selectors - and will wish Prospero's had a presence in their own neighborhood! This reader certainly did.

Although I wish that a very important event had occurred earlier in the book, I loved the characters and setting enough to enjoy it as it is written. Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC for review.

Okay, so this had a promising beginning, felt slow in the middle, but then picked up again at the end. Basically, Miranda's estranged uncle left her his bookshop, and a series of literary clues to try to tell her something, before he died. Miranda tries to figure out the clues, as well as figure out how to save the failing business. The answer to the mystery was extremely predictable-- I guessed it very early on-- but I still enjoyed the path it took to get there. I don't think the romantic subplot was necessary; a friendship would have worked just as well. But all-in-all, a nice light summer read that is good for fans of the Western classics.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

OMG this book! I don't know what else to say except read this book and then when your done, read it again! WOW thank you netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review!

I probably would have chosen this book on the basis of the cover alone. Then I read the synopsis and the premise drew me in. I loved the bookstore and it's quirky inhabitants. Amy Myerson made Prospero Books come alive for me, and that is due to her talent at setting scenes and attention to detail. Had the book been more focused on the primary and secondary characters, so complex and intriguing, rather than on the side mystery, I might have rated it a 5 star read. The suspense/mystery aspect fell a little flat for me. Im not sure if it was too predictable or just not woven tight enough. I found The Bookshop of Yesterdays entertaining and would read more from Ms Myerson.

If you enjoy scavenger hunts, riddles, and The Tempest, you will find this book, at the very least, interesting. If none of these are your preference it is still an engaging and thought provoking story. Amy Meyerson has attempted to tackle a mess and find the light.

There is a Mother, Father, Uncle, Child, a time before, a fight, the time after, a book shop, some peripheral characters all stirred up to create a maelstrom that only Prospero and Miranda could survive. The answers are laid out slowly but the whole picture is not hard to fathom from the early pages. Never mind, this was a solid, engrossing book that kept my attention and raised many pertinent questions. When do you share disturbing events with children? Is it ever wise or even possible to keep the truth hidden? How do you rebuild trust? How does your heart find its way home?

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publications – Park Row for a copy.

I loved this book. It had just a little bit of everything in it. Family drama, mystery, intrigue, romance, a bookstore (Ha!) and adventure.

A story set in a bookstore that mostly takes place in a bookstore with its odd cast of characters and even odder owners. A bookstore that Miranda Brooks inherits from an uncle she hasn't seen in sixteen years.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with it's added surprise ending that I definitely did not see coming.

Thanks to Harlequin and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.