I have read all of Katherine Reay's books and none of them have disappointed me yet. The Printed Letter Bookshop tells the story of three unique women whose paths cross in the bookshop. Madeline has inherited the shop (and the two employees) from her aunt. While at first she really doesn't want the bookshop and plans to sell it, she soon falls in love with it and spends a lot of time and money trying to make a go of it. We learn about all three of the women's struggles, their dreams and desires. The book is about friendship, forgiveness and fun times. I highly recommend this read!

I needed to get used to the three different voices telling this story, but when it was well on its way I really enjoyed The Printed Letter Bookshop. The characters were interesting, the ladies from the bookshop going through whatever was holding them back from being happy. The people in the background were well thought through as well, I chuckled at the Darth Vader! And the story was lovely with all the suggested reading and quotes from books.

But then somehow all loose ends of it came together at the end very unexpectedly. It was a bit much and some too surprising or coming out of the blue that I, as a book-lover, was not a happy reader...


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is the story of three women, all at a different crossroads in their lives. Madeline is left a mountain of debt and a bookshop by her estranged aunt. Claire is feeling adrift as the mother of a teenager daughter about to leave for college. Janet is still reeling from her divorce. Together, they try to make the bookshop more profitable while confronting their own issues. The structure of the book is really unique. Each chapter is broken into parts, told from the viewpoint of one of the three main characters in a way that matches their personalities. Madeline's is told in first person past tense, Janet's is in first person present tense, and Claire's is in third person. At first, I found it a little jarring to jump from each one, but that soon passed. Instead, it feels as if there truly are three voices telling this story, which I really appreciated. Katherine Reay does a lovely job of developing the characters and story in a way that captivated me. This is one of those rare books that I want to speed read and savor all at the same time. I'll be rereading this one many times.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have read Ms Reay's books in the past and this had a different feel. It was a well- paced story about 3 women in different stages of life who reconcile their differences to save a bookshop. Of course, books about books and bookshops are usually enjoyable.

If there is something I can expect from Katherine Reay is depth.
I've said it before but it must be said once again - she has a true talent for putting together a contemplative story full of depth regarding the characters' story, thoughts, and actions.

At first, there were a few things that put me off in this book. It is told from three points of view, two in the first person and one in the third. Three women whose stories are connected by Maddie.
The similarities end there - or so they think. Katherine Reay has written solid women fiction recently, so I knew there was no reason not to proceed, and I'm glad I did.

With Maddie's death, Janet and Claire have lost someone who provided some sort of support to them during turbulent emotional times. Someone who knew them well, even if they didn't open up as much or tried to hide all the hurts.

Madeline Carter, on the other hand, lost someone who had the answers to so much, and who left her with more questions then not - proved by Madeline inheriting Maddie's beloved bookstore. But is that who she is? Who she wants to be?

I love the idea of a story surrounding books, especially a bookstore! Still, it's with trepidation that I started this book. I wouldn't call it fast-paced. There's a steadiness to it... nevertheless, I found myself devouring it quite quickly, savoring each page, each overcoming moment.

Quite simply, life is difficult. In this book, three women at different points in life, are thrown together by circumstances within their control. Maddie, the owner of the Printed Letter Bookshop, dies and leaves her shop and home to her niece Madeline. When she is passed over for an expected partnership at her law firm, Madeline decides to try her hand at book shop ownership. It is there she is introduced to the two shop employees, who hold little interest in this negligent niece. Through books, all three are able to reconcile the difficulties they encounter in life to find hope.

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

I did enjoy this book, although it did feel like “nothing extraordinary”.... I did enjoy the different journeys of each character and how life brought them to the bookshop in different stages of life.
Many life lessons in this book.
Overall an easy, enjoyable read.

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay is the story of three women drawn together after the death of the owner of the bookshop. Each woman is trying to find her place in the work with the bookshop at their center.

Madeline’s aunt and name sake dies and leaves her The Printed Letter Bookshop right as her planned future seems to dissolve around her. Janet, the divorcee, is left to figure out how to move on from the wreckage she created in her life and marriage. Claire is feeling middle-aged and irrelevant. They each manage to find their way with the support of their deceased friend and each other.

It was a sweet, light read. The author also gave the patrons of the bookstore their unique identities and recommendations.

I do wish that the characters had developed a little more.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was less than mediocre.. Will make me think twice about requesting a bookstore genre novel. I did like that it wasn’t set in New York,
I found Janet to be a really weakly written character with an incomprehensible story and actions. if there was a plot I missed it. I was
vaguely interested in Madeline so I read almost to the end. The whole experience left me with this feeling of total hunger for the
power of words to tell a universal story.

Thoroughly delighted by this book. I loved the ladies and their relationship. Great characters whom I totally related to. I would really like to read more from Reay.

It took me a little while to get used to jumping between characters in the book. I had to check who was writing that particular excerpt. but well on into the book I became quite involved and found the interaction between the three ladies very well written.
Madeline develops so much from a career girl into a concerned book shop owner and employer. Some difficult things happen to all the three, and to the bookshop, and it is surprising how it is all resolved.
I enjoyed reading this. I received a complimentary copy of the book fromThomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I loved Dear Mr. Knightley so I was excited to read another Katherine Reay Book. This book fell into the women’s fiction category so the beginning was extremely slow for me and I had trouble finding interest in Janet and Claire’s stories. By 40% I was finally turning pages. Very impressed by how the author dug deep into the characters actions and feelings. I saw a little of myself in each character!

Well written novel,enjoyable read,like the way the novel is divided into sections with the main characters thoughts and feelings.
Should be on everyone book list.

I loved how the characters were written. It was beautiful to see their independent lives as well as how their paths were intertwined through the compelling bookshop.

A great read - the stories of Madeline, Janet and Claire, who work in the bookshop together after Madelines Aunt passes away and leaves her the shop.

<i>The Printed Letter Bookshop</i> by Katherine Reay tells the story of three women who meet and bond together over the death of a friend and estranged loved one. Madeline inherits the bookshop called The Printed Letter Bookshop from her aunt. Janet and Claire work at the bookstore, but were close friends with Maddie, Madeline’s deceased aunt. In this tale we see how these three strangers to each other become close friends and help each other through secret pasts, heartaches, and love.

This book is a sweet and satisfying read. There are no earth shaking acts or scary intrigue, but to me it was just a feel good story that made me happy to read. The characters are well developed, and I connected with all three of them. I liked seeing how they developed through the story. I really enjoyed the novel.

I actually chose this book because it was obviously about books and set in and around a bookstore. As an avid reader, I couldn’t pass that up. The cover also caught my attention. Kudos to the cover artist. I was glad I chose this book and can recommend it to anyone who loves a feel good story about friends and family.

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

Reading a story about the power of books is so much fun. Madeline inherits her estranged aunt's failing bookshop. Janet and Claire are Aunt Maddie's loyal friends and employees. The three women attempt to overcome their grief, disappointments and heartaches to find common ground over their love of books and Maddie. Madeline find the shop to be so much more than a "just a bookstore". She learns how the community comes to together in the shop to support and nurture each other (oh, and maybe buy a book!). This story demonstrates how books can teach people so much about themselves and others in a moving and profound way.

Maddie is the heart and soul of the Printed Letter Bookshop. She has touched so many lives in the twenty years her shop has existed. Now her death may change everything. It is up to her niece who is the reluctant new owner, and the two ladies employed at the shop to keep Maddie's legacy alive. The three have to work through grief, personal problems, and new challenges that could break anyone's spirit. I enjoyed following the stories of acceptance, healing, and friendship. I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions in this review are my own.

Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me, I found it lacked something and it was quite boring. I ended up doing a lot of skim reading and was glad when I had got to the end.

I am sure a lot of people will enjoy this book but sadly it just wasn't for me.

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

I can honestly say this book was enjoyable from start to finish, I've been reading some darker books recently and I was in serious need of something lighter. The title and setting was what drew me to it initially as I love bookshops - of course!

The Printed Letter Bookshop follows the story of three very different women, all grieving for someone very important to them - Maddie -  and this is what initially draws them together. However, once they meet, they find they have much more in common and find kindred spirits in each other.

Each character has their distinctive voice and storyline, but they all converge at different points. I didn't feel particularly invested in any of the characters but this isn't always necessary for me, as I still liked the story. The novel is very female centric and I think it's greatest strength is the portrayal of friendship and that family can be created, in the least likely places.

I also liked that there were a lot of literary references and quotes that are in the story and that the author provides a full list of all the books at the end. Little details like this are what makes this book have an intimate feel.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and sweet book, but I can't see myself re-reading it as it's a one time read in my opinion. It was a light read and it's perfect for when you're in the mood for an easy stand alone story.

I can only say I wish The Printed Letter Bookshop was a real place - it sounds like any bookworms haven. I'd recommend this to any reader who wants a lighthearted but sweet tale to curl up with with over a cosy afternoon or to take on holiday.