If you are looking a book to escape into at the moment, then look no further than The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn.

It is such a calm and relaxing read, that I was very happy to sit back and just relax into the pages of the story. I absolutely loved Libby's determination to open a bookshop as a tribute to her grandpa Ernie.

Libby has bought the most run down place on Ivy Lane for this bookshop and it requires a very large amount of work on it. Thankfully her family are supportive and so are the new friends she makes on Ivy Lane.

It's a road that really is its own family and community as they look after each other. Special mentions to Harry who runs the corner shop and is incredibly chatty and also very generous often giving Libby all manner of treats. Also Noah from the pub opposite her shop who is gorgeous and once you get to know him an incredibly considerate and caring man.

I loved how each chapter was subtitled with the name of a well known book, and it is clear how much of a bond Libby and her grandfather had, especially when it came to reading.

This is just an incredibly sweet book taking a look at friendship, family, community and making dreams come true. I really enjoyed reading it, and am very curious to see what Freya Kennedy will write next.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This book took me a few minutes to get into but once did was an uplifting read that was a distraction to what is happening in the world at the moment
Some annoying characters but all in all was a good read

This book is a sweet, lighthearted, good beach read about Libby fulfilling the hopes and dreams of her and her grandfather. However, I could not get past her stunted emotional maturity. What self respecting independent woman cried that much? Can't read the signs into her relationships? I appreciate being tender hearted but a woman also needs to show strength. That was found in the character of Jess.

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The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn - Freya Kennedy
(Release date 5th May 2020 - advance review thanks to @netgalley)
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"Once upon a time, there was a little girl called Libby Quinn..."
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We hear the story of Libby following her bookshop-owning dreams with only a few hiccups along the way. It's beautifully written by Freya Kennedy and it's clear a lot of love and emotion went into writing this story. Although the story was predictable at times, it was a heartwarming read.
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This was a fairy-tale dream of a book and the perfect escape to the reality of life in lockdown.❤
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It's one of those cases "It's me not the book". I found the plot interesting and full of emotions but I couldn't connect to the characters and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

<i>The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn</i> should be the ideal novel for these uncertain times; I have it from loads of reviews that this is a feel-good novel with many lovely characters.

I just couldn't get into it. I like some more action in stories and a lot less thinking and feeling (I had a particularly hard time sloughing through a chapter told in past perfect.)

So, while it may be a book for the times, it isn't a book for me.

This is a sweet story about grief and believing in yourself. Libby loved her Grandfather more than anything. Now it's two years after his death and she's living out his lifelong wish to own a book store. As is true to life, things don't go according to Libby's plan and she finds herself re-evaluating the rest of her life in relation to how important this store is to her. The setting of a small Irish town, with friendly neighboring business owners was quaint. The story unfolds slowly and was too predictable for my tastes. However that's part of the charm. I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a light, easy read. Overall, it's hopeful and satisfying.

Review I liked this book, I didn't love it, but it hooked me in right as I was about to DNF and actually gave a really sweet story about following your dreams, finding your tribe and family.
Things I did enjoy was the way Libby is mature, determined and willing to put her own ego aside to do what's right. I loved the characters of Jo and Noah, and also Libby's parents.
It is a feel-good, easy read, just not one that will stick with me

This is a lovely story about making your dreams come true, but is tempered with the caution that family, friendship and community should come first because that's what really matters.

Libby and Noah have a slow burning romance, confounded by misconceptions and other entanglements, and also by the pressure of making Libby's dream of opening a bookshop come true. And at times, she is in danger of losing herself to that dream to the detriment of everything else.

Uplifting and full of hope, this story is one you can immerse yourself in for a good few hours and come out if it feeling better about the world.

The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn is a sweet romance, which tells the story of Bookworm Libby’s dream of owning a bookshop becoming reality. Along the way there are relationship / friendship troubles but nothing too bad it gets in the way of Libby realising her dream.

It’s a cosy story and despite a few ups and downs it ebbs and flows quite gently. It’s well written and provides some great escapism but won’t necessarily have you racing through the pages.

Genre: Contemporary romance
Rating: 4/5⭐️

4.5 stars

Thank you to Boldwood Books for a digital review copy - my thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. Libby Quinn has loved stories since she was tiny and dreams of owning her own bookshop - something many avid readers would also wish to be able to do. This book follows her as she tries to make her dream into reality and remembers how she loved reading with her grandfather.

This was a great book to read during our current lockdown situation - it emphasised the importance of family, friendships and community support. Libby's bookshop idea sounds lovely - books, desks and a coffee shop area.

An uplifting book in a time of uncertainty.

Libby Quinn has finally begun to persue her dreams of opening up her very own bookshop, in honour of her late Granddad, however the journey wasn't as simple as she had hoped and friendships/relationships were also tested along the way.

The characters in this book were all so extremely wonderful, from her best friend Jess, her supportive parents, her new neighbours, all the way to the handsome pub owner, Noah. Each character has the power to somehow tug at your heart strings and find a special place in your heart. Although we never got to meet Libby's Granddad, besides the memories she held of him - you can definitely see he was a wonderful man and he had my heart more than any of the characters, due to recently losing a Granddad myself.

Noah was the most divine love interest, Libby could have ever wished for. Their playful banter had me smiling constantly throughout and he was always there to lend a helping hand.

I could truly see this book as a Hallmark movie and I would love to see it come to life, so Freya, please submit your book now!!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This bought a smile to my face in these difficult times, feel good read, great characters and good storyline.

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is not my usual genre, I’m more of a crime/thriller reader however this story intrigued me. I absolutely loved it, truly one of the best books I have read. I am extremely pleased and grateful to both for opening up my mind to something totally different.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. Ugh! This story is SO cute! Libby is trying to open a bookstore that her and her grandfather had dreamed about. In the meantime she meets the bar owner next door. Loved it! #thehopesanddreamsoflibbyquinn #freyakennedy #may2020

It wasn’t until I was already hooked on this story that I learned that Freya Kennedy is the alter ego of crime writer Claire Allan. That said, I have never read any of her previous offerings (yet).
Our heroine is Libby Quinn who, as the story opens, is taking possession of the keys to her dream shop. I say dream but, the shop has been empty for 20 years and the neglect is easy to see.
Libby thinks that she’s got her life in perfect order; handsome boyfriend, childhood best friend and doting parents. As Libby starts to rip out her shop, she is forced to analyse her life in greater detail.
Of course, she isn’t even slightly attracted to pub owner Noah; he has a girlfriend already!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in two sittings. Lockdown insomnia has its perks!
I really enjoyed the feeling of community from the residents and traders of Ivy Lane and the sweetness of Harry and his ‘nearly out of date’ treats.
It took me a few pages to spot that each chapter was introduced with a book title. Needless to say, Great Expectations was a great place to start!

I received The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn by Freya Kennedy for free in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it, though it a little slow to start. Give it a try!

Romance novels are not usually my genre but I did enjoy the sweet story of Libby Quinn’s hopes and dreams. Libby has ditched her job in PR to fulfil a long held dream to open a bookshop. This was an ambition she shared with her late grandad, the man who instilled in her, a passion for books and for reading. We, along with Libby’s family and friends, share Libby’s successes and misfortunes, as she works towards the grand opening of Once Upon A Book.

The characters are all well written and believable and the storyline was entertaining. This is a light, cheerful, quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been self isolating and reading this book, what a joy, a lovely feel good chick lit with a happy ending. I enjoyed it immensely. Than s for the arc.

This book was just ok for me. I felt the plot focused more on the bookshop than on relationships within the characters. While the bookshop was Libby's dream and therefore important to the story, the relationships between the characters was not developed very well. Noah should have been a main character, he was more of a sidenote, I won't recommend this one for purchase.