I loved this story! The characters are all well written and from three different stages of life, making this an excellent read for women of all ages. I love the setting and their journeys of discovery.

This book will appeal greatly to someone who is looking for a variety of aged heroines in their books. I always love how Katherine weaves a redemptive story in for her characters. While I didn't connect with the older characters, I can see that other readers will. It took me a little while to get into the story but I appreciated how the three storylines all intertwined, and how the characters each had their own growth arc as well.

The Printed Letter Bookshop by author Katherine Reay is due to be released May 14, 2019, but can be preordered now. I highly recommend it! Reay is a talented writer, whose books I have enjoyed enormously in the past, and she has written another uplifting and engrossing book with this novel.

Here is the publisher’s synopsis of the book:
“One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened her heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.
While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.
The Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship.”

Here is an excerpt to give you just a small taste of this book’s writing and characterization. It is an example of how the author ties books into the characters lives. Claire is the mother of a high school senior—Brittany. And this section of the book explores a moment when Claire finds about about some trouble Brittany has gotten into:
““Were you all drinking?”
Brittany remained silent.
“Was the driver drinking?”
Brittany shook her head.
“How many were in the car?”
“There were six of us.” She blew her nose again. “Are you going to tell Dad?”
Claire stifled a laugh. Are you going to tell Dad?
It was every child’s greatest worry.
Unbidden, a line floated to Claire. How often it is a small, almost unconscious event that marks a turning point. Claire let the sentence fill her. It had come from a book on Maddie’s list. She had devoured it, page and after page, letting Corrie ten Boom’s life and experience fill her senses and imagination. She marveled at how Corrie’s strength grew as Corrie’s faith and love grew ahead of it, ahead of her.
But could Claire do it? Could she take that next step? It was her daughter, her beloved baby girl.”

Of course, the book Claire is thinking of is the magnificent autobiography of Corrie ten Boom published in 1971–The Hiding Place. An amazing book—especially the portions that describe her home country of the Netherlands under Nazi occupation in World War II. Her family helped Jews to escape during that dark time. The book is an amazing read as an autobiography, but also as an inspirational work about ten Boom’s faith in God.

Is the book peopled with characters and plots that the reader quickly becomes interested in? Yes. So much so that the book kept my interest on every single page. Was the bookstore a wonderful setting? Yes! One it was a delight to wander into through the pages of this book.

I’d like to share just one more quote. This time from Madeline the niece:
“I remember Aunt Maddie saying you could lose yourself in a book and, paradoxically, find yourself as well.”

Those words could be said of this novel as well.

Is there a bibliography at the end of the myriad of books mentioned in the book? Of course!

I highly recommend this book and thank the publisher, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this novel and for allowing me to review it.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

I want to kick myself for waiting so long to read this! It's like comfort food, fuzzy socks, a roaring fire, and an amazing hug all rolled into one amazing package. The characters are incredible, the setting is lovely (made me a bit homesick for that small-town life), and it moves at exactly the right pace. Everything is really well done.

It's told from three different women's points of view and at first, it annoyed the crap out of me. Not because it was being told by three different characters but because two were in first person and one was in third. It was weird. But I kept going because I couldn't resist and my annoyance faded away. The description was so rich I could see the scenes playing out before me. It's like I was there and I haven't felt that magic in a while.

I don't love the cover. It almost cheapens the story, I think. It's part of why I put it off for so long. I thought it was going to be a lot more chintzy and a quick surface read. But with the way I was drawn into the story, the depth of it all, it deserved something more in kind. Though I suppose the cover is very Maggie, so I can't entirely hate it.

Thank you, Katherine Reay for your lovely work!

I'd happily recommend this book to anyone who:
- needs a good hug
- loves books
- needs a reminder to slow down
- is breathing, really

One of Madeline Cullen's happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline's heart toward her once-treasured aunt-and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter's two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline's professional life takes an unexpected turn, and when a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and for her aunt's beloved shop-provided the women's best combined efforts are not too little, too late.

This book made me want to own my own book shop even more! I also loved that the characters spread over generations with different backgrounds and situations. I enjoyed this one a lot. If you like books about bookish stuff you'll probably enjoy this one.

*Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this book in return for a fair and honest review.
I wasn't sure what to expect from "The Printed Letter Bookshop". Novels with any words suggesting reading in their title always get my attention, so I thought I'd give it a go. I found this to be a very gentle novel, somewhat predictable, but enjoyable and entertaining nonetheless. A young solicitor is left a bookshop and house by the aunt she has not had much contact with in recent years, along with a list of books to read. As she reads, she begins to understand herself and her place in the world, particularly to those around her. Highly recommended.

I loved the setting of this story in the quaint bookstore in a small town. The fact that the townsmen loved Maddie supported her was endearing. The three women running the bookshop had so little in common that it was surprising that they could bond. This was a slow read that was very predictable. To me, the storyline didn't ring true.

Absolutely LOVED this book! I just discovered Katherine Reay this year and have read through all of her books sequentially and waiting on pins and needles for this last one. I wasn’t disappointed. Each of her books are new and fresh and she weaves such a beautiful tapestry of story.
As i have said in other reviews of her books....her characters are real, flaws and all. Her story lines deal with the flaws, keeping the characters authentic.
I believe i could walk into any small town bookshop and there i would find Claire, Janet, and Madeline ... and through them, discover Maddie.
I have definitely found a new favorite author!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the advance copy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Katherine Reay has an amazing literary style that keeps me coming back for more. I love all the witty references to so many well loved books. Her characters are real and living out believable hardships. I love that she does not sugar coat any of the hard times and paints beautiful pictures of forgiveness, restoration and new beginnings. A delight from start to end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What an incredible story. Katherine has such an ability for making a setting come to life. I was taken to a delightful bookstore, that I still can see in my mines eye. Raising our girls outside of the Chicago area, it took me right back there. At the beginning I wasn't sure if I cared for some of the main characters of the story, but by the end I couldn't chose a favorite. The dynamics between Janet, Claire and Madeline was very heart warming. I also loved the way Aunt Maddie continued to be present throughout the story. I would love for people to remember me with such love and affection when I am gone. This story is quite different from Katherine's prior novels. If you have read her previous works, you are in for a wonderful surprise. I love her way of writing, but I found this to be outstanding.
I received a copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalley. The opinions in this review are my own.

There was a lot going on in this one. It centers around 3 women (and one in absentia...and may I just say, everyone needs an Aunt Maddie!) and is told in alternating chapters between them. The bookshop itself becomes its own character as they live and learn through the wisdom from beloved books, their past mistakes and their friendship. I enjoyed that this book really celebrates female friendships and how very important they are. And for a fun bonus for bibliophiles, there are 70 books alluded to throughout the book. 😊 Enjoyable read.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

Out 5/14

This...is not a book for me. I found the poor writing to be a detriment to my ability to even make it past the first few chapters of this book. It was stuttering and halting, and I could not find a point of access to empathize with the characters or engage with any of the plot. It might be a personal preference and others might greatly enjoy the writing techniques used in the book, however it is not something that I enjoy, nor is it something that I would recommend even for a summer beach read.

This book was a tough read for me right now due to the emotional topics within it. I adore bookshops, I mean who that would volunteer to do NG reviews doesn't? But, with a funeral and wills and the taking over of the deceased business.....it was all a bit much given that I am dealing with a lot of that in my real life at the moment. I'm not sure I want my reading life to reflect the same.
WIth that being said, I think the author handles these topics well and my mindset is certainly no knock on her ability. This was a solid book, but probably would have been more enjoyable to me at a different point. I may need to give it another try in a couple of years.
#ThePrintedLetterBookshop #NetGalley

A very interesting book! I love it because it seems so real, so relatable. The problems that the characters faced felt to me like the problems a friend might face. I didn't feel the disconnect of character from reality. Rather, I could truly imagine the character's pain and struggles as though they were a friend telling me the trials in their life.

I believe this was a harder read than other books by Ms. Reay, simply because the subject matter contained topics such as divorce (heart-wrenching topic) and death (another heart-wrencher). I did not feel as though the topics were approached casually though, but reverently as one would in the work-a-day "real" world. I also loved the aspect of the characters' having direction and movement. It wasn't them struggling and struggling (extremely hard to read books like that and also rather uninspiring), but them striving and striving. They were always moving toward something. Maybe not always toward the right thing, but still always moving.

Thank you for the enjoyable book! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a deeper (more heart-wrenching) though inspiring read!

A funeral, a will read, a bookshop, and a lost job. Three women come together to try and save the Printed Letter Bookshop. Madeline is a lawyer working her way up the ladder, when her aunt dies, she is the one left to run her bookshp. A story about finding yoursef and learning to forgive, when things don't turn out the way you thought they would.

This is such a fun book. The emotions that the characters experience are so real and raw. Loved the story!

Madeline has it all. A high-powered career as an attorney in Chicago, a chance to make partner and a beautiful condo full of gorgeous antiques. But then her estranged aunt dies and she inherits her book shop along with its debt. It's the beginning of a series of events that will upend her life and force her resolve long standing personal issues with herself and her relationships with others.
Told in three alternating voices, that of Madeline and the bookshop's two employees Janet and Claire, the novel weaves through the women's lives and loves.
This was a sweet, gentle story and while the plot and resolution were somewhat predictable, the journey was enjoyable and emotionally satisfying. Initially, having three narrators was a bit overwhelming and it took some time to sort out the different voices and stories. Having the action take place primarily in the small town of Eagle Valley and the Printed Letter Bookshop was delightful and created a yearning for small town life. And watching the characters grow and change by reading the personal booklists left for them by Maddie was a treat. In the end, the novel was uplifting and a very pleasant read. Anyone who loves books, and libraries and bookstores will enjoy this novel. And, the list of books referenced in the novel is a gem for any reader.
I will definitely recommend this title to my library patrons. 4 stars

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a gem of a novel about three women at very different times in their lives who are united by their connection to the Printed Letter Bookshop. Madeline who is a young woman who is in the rat race to make partner at her law firm, inherits the bookshop from her Aunt. Madeline's family is estranged from this aunt and she starts to realize that assumptions that she made about her aunt were not true. Working at the bookshop are Claire and Janet. Claire is the mother of two teenagers who has recently moved to town and finds solace in her work at the bookshop. Claire is feeling disconnected from her husband and kids and is looking for a sense of who she is. Janet is divorced from her husband of many years because she made a horrible mistake. Her kids want no connection to her and she still has deep feelings for her ex-husband. Janet needs to reflect on her flaws to learn how to forgive herself as well as how to learn to express her sorrow. Along the way, there is a bit of romance and a lot of friendship. The only suggestion that I have for the story is that I would have liked to see a bit detail drawn into Claire's marriage. I didn't really get a sense of her marriage until the end and then I wished to know more.

This book is written in first person by three different main characters. It's nice to get into each one's head and truly know what they are feeling and thinking. At first, I found the book confusing and hard to follow. It would take me a page or two to remember who was speaking and their background. But after a while, I found myself being drawn back to the book and wondering how things were going to work out. Maddie, the book store owner who dies in the first of the book, plays a magical part throughout the book. It makes you want to have that type of person in your life. Get into this book and learn the lessons that are taught in its pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed this book. It was taking me a little longer to get through than normal, but I'm not sure why. I loved the characters and hoped for a good outcome. I think this story was complete and I don't need a sequel. It was just a feel-good story that takes place in a bookshop (the best kind)!