Thea's year is off to a bad start -- first she loses her job and then she discovers that her husband has been having an affair with one of her friends. When she stops by her former home to pick up some of her belongings, she finds a solicitor's letter informing her that her Great-Uncle Andrew, whom she hardly knew, had left her his home and belongings (including a valuable book collection) in the small Scottish village of Baldochrie (and a tidy sum of money). When Thea arrives to settle affairs, she learns that the home (West Lodge) used to be part of the estate of Lord Hollinshaw. The current Lord Hollinshaw, Charles Maltravers, has been buying back the buildings that were sold off by his ancestors, with West Lodge the only building left. Charles would gladly purchase the house. His older brother, Edward, should be Lord Hollinshaw, but he renounced the title and is the owner and operator of a secondhand bookstore in town. Edward and Andrew were friends through their mutual love of books. Edward is grumpy, obnoxious, and disliked by most of the residents of the village. Edward and Charles despise each other, for very good reasons; Edward has gotten revenge on Charles for a hurtful teenage prank in the worst way possible.

Thea had not intended to stay more than a couple weeks, just long enough to dispose of Andrew's belongings and possible sell the Lodge. However, she is at loose ends, with nothing pleasant awaiting her back home in Sussex, and she finds that she likes the Lodge and the village. As time passes, Thea decides she needs something to occupy her time and so she asks Edward for a job. Edward has a policy against hiring women, but his assistant is getting ready to leave for university and Thea is persuasive, so he reluctantly agrees. Edward is the obnoxious curmudgeon that people have described, but Thea believes that his grumpiness is part of an act and does not really mind it. Thea proves to be an asset for the shop and Thea and Edward develop a friendship of sorts, in part because she does not take herself or him too seriously, and while she is shocked and disgusted by the actions that caused the rift between him and his brother, Thea does not hold that against him.

The "Second Chances" in the title refers to Thea and Edward. Thea is in her forties, separated from her husband of twenty years, and does not see herself as someone anyone would be interested in having a long-term relationship with. Edward's past behavior and experiences have caused him to believe that he is not deserving of a proper relationship and happiness; he has "relationships" but chooses women with whom there is no chance for anything permanent. The story focuses on their developing relationship and how they help each other realize they are deserving of happiness; however, the journey is not without significant obstacles and complications. Thea and Edward are somewhat unconventional characters, but at the same time, their fears and self-doubt are experiences with which many readers will be able to relate. "The Bookshop of Second Chances" was an enjoyable book.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley.

I loved this book!!! The story itself draws you in. You feel like you have become part of the book itself. You fall in love with the town and the people. Just an all around amazing work of fiction.

The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser is a wonderful novel that is a heartwarming story of second chances, romance, and finding that second lease on life.

Just when Thea Mottram thought her life was dug into a ditch: she lost her job, her husband leaves her, she finally gets a positive sign when she is given an adorable small home in a rural village in Scotland left to her in a will by an unknown relative. Thea takes this as an opportunity to escape and hide out while she nurses her wounds.

While she is there, she finds a fabulous collection of books that are also now in her possession and in the process of trying to get the local bookshop owner to possibly purchase these, she meets her match (or her opposite) in its sassy owner Edward Maltravers who has his own battles that he is attempting to overcome. The story then progresses as we see a slow burn of a friendship and romance blossom out of an opposites-attract, push-pull romance between Edward and Thea. In the process, both find solace in one another and within themselves as they forgive those that have wronged them and also forgive themselves.

I liked Thea and Edward. Both are realistic, likeable, and creative characters that seemed to have mutual chemistry. I also loved the adorable town, Scottish landscapes described, and the character cast that it all included. It definitely added another positive aspect to a wonderful novel.

This is a wonderful book that allows the reader to get a first-person glimpse at a fun, relaxing, and entertaining story and relationship all amongst the beautiful Scottish landscapes.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine/Random House Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Thea loses her job and her husband and her luck. But after the passing of a distant uncle, she learns she’s inherited his Scotland home and large antique book collection. She takes the leap and leaves for the Scottish coast to start a new chapter.

In short, this was cute.
Things I liked:
- The setting: a sleepy coastal Scottish town (swoon). I loved all the descriptions of the local bookshop and antique books. I mean... YES PLEASE
- Within the first paragraph, Thea describes her husband as “that bastard”... I knew I was going to like her lol

Things I disliked:
- The writing style is very much stream of consciousness, and in this case, I found to a bit choppy. I found it difficult to find my reading rhythm and “get in the groove”
- Thea and Edward (the local bookshop owner) had very little chemistry, no cute banter, and zero flirting. It needed way more steam in my opinion.

It by no means was unenjoyable, I was just hoping for a bit more depth, chemistry, and romance given how much potential the plot line had. But overall, it was a cute read.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a charming YA contemporary romance that takes place abroad. I think it’s perfect for fans of Again, but better.

Thea was fired from her job and her husband decided to leave her for her friend. However, her bad luck has run out. She inherited a beautiful cottage away from the city in a very small town. There she starts her life over.

It was a cute love story. Thea's voice and mannerisms seem much younger than that of her age. So it's hard at times when Edward and Thea are talking to really picture the characters. Edward is rigid and boring. The characters don't seem to match, but hey that's love. The story doesn't really go up or down, it's more of a monotone. There was no witty banters between Thea and Edward. The relationship with Edward and Charles seem so petty even up until the end. It was a nice love story but not the best.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just picked this one up this afternoon and finished it in one sitting. I love a romance that involves actual adults working real life people. Plus the main character, Thea, was easy to fall in love with and root for. I so appreciate that even though she’s been recently heartbroken and betrayed, she doesn’t hate men and hasn’t given up on herself. Instead she takes steps forward in trying to create a new life for herself. One that involves the grumpy bookshop owner. I do think the book went on a little bit too long at the end and could have resolved in one of the earlier chapters and the story could have explored her uncle and his connection to Thea and Edward more.