The Bookshop of Second Chances, was a very entertaining story, that had me giggling like a school girl in love. I absolutely loved Thea, she is who I would want to be with in any situation. She took all the drastic changes in her life with such grace and positivity, I was in awe of her. I also loved Edward, and it may just be me but his character reminded me of Mr.Darcy and I was smitten with him from the beginning. This was my first novel by Jackie Fraser, but if all of her books are like this one. I will be a fan for life.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Bookshop of Second Chances. The author, Jackie Fraser, wrote a wonderful story about broken people that found each other and turned their sad situations into friendship, love and happiness. My only criticism is at times I felt the author gave too many details. Overall, a very fun read I will recommend.

An entertaining romance with some surprises that you do not expect! I really enjoyed this story and the characters in it. I was sorry when it ended- I hope for a another chapter in the lives of Thea and Edward.

The Bookshop of Second Chances is a great feel-good book. I am such a sucker for books that involve some kind of transformation and The Bookshop of Second Chances delivered. I loved Thea so much and I loved that she is not an ingenue who is typically the trope for this kind of genre. Thea has baggage and it’s significant baggage. She is not doe-eyed and waiting to fall into every open arm, instead, she is witty, calculating, and honest with her intentions. When her distant uncle passes away and has left her his house and quite a few second-hand books, she decides to put a pause on her deteriorating life to try and sell the house in the Scottish Lowlands. It turns out her opportunities changed when she made the trek and settled into town a little bit and the reader journeys with her to discover if this decision was worthwhile.

Jackie Fraser has written Thea so well that she is lovable while also being left incredulous of the things that would come out of her mouth. I particularly loved the conversations between Thea, Edward, and Charles. And Edward as the classic curmudgeon even has his arc at the end, which I must say was a little predictable. Since he was not the protagonist, I was not overly upset by his decisions.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to escape to a Scottish town and fall in love with a slew of characters. This would be a great book to read while sipping some tea, and if you could find yourself in a second-hand book shop, you could just slide right into this narrative.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!

In this fairy tale, when a middle-aged woman is left by her husband, she discovers that she has inherited a house and its valuable contents in Scotland from a distant family member. Off she goes, Cinderella to the ball! Once in the house, she makes friends in the town and begins a friendship with the local bookseller, who happens to be rich and handsome, albeit emotionally very, very screwed up. The heroine wins him over and makes him want to be a better person, although why, I don't know--he's emotionally abusive and violent at times. But it's a fairy tale, so apparently that doesn't matter. And he promises to be better. Then he gets into a fistfight with his brother, but the heroine helps t hem reconcile. Did I mention it's a fairy tale? In the end, everyone is happy. There's a token Sassy Black Friend and Devoted Lesbian Couple, in place apparently to make the story more diverse than it really is: it's about white, financially comfortable people having mid-life crises and overlooking really serious issues in other people in order to convince themselves that they are still sexy, still desirable, still valuable in a society that values those attributes. It was all kind of sad to read.

This book was adorable. It made me want to run off to Europe and get a job in a used bookstore somewhere. Reeling from her simultaneous recent split from her cheating husband and loss of her job, Thea doesn't know what to do with herself. When she finds out she has inherited a house in Scotland from a great uncle that she has only met a few times, it seems to be the perfect opportunity to take a break. What is planned as a two week trip turns in to an open ended stay and she searches for a local part time job to help her meet people. Enter Edward, the son of a local lord with a reputation for being a misanthrope, and his used bookstore on the town square. Thea's two week trip turns in to months, and eventually seasons, and her role as minimum wage sales clerk at the bookstore turns in to a lot more responsibility and enjoyment than she anticipated. It also starts to involve some feelings about grumpy Edward that she isn't ready or willing to face so soon after her whole world fell apart.

This story was so cute, it was an absolutely lovely read. Well written, engaging, with colorful characters and just enough drama and angst to make the romance feel real.

"The Bookshop of Second Chances" by Jackie Fraser is a book that I was highly looking forward to when added to my TBR list, and it didn't disappoint. I love a good frenemies to more book, and this delivered in that in droves.

Thea has lived a pretty typical life up to this point, being a good house wife to her husband, Chris. Unfortunately, he sleeps with one of her friends and she decides to leave the house. Her great-uncle has unfortunately passed, but he has left her his estate in a small village in Scotland, and she decides to stay there for the time being as she settles her affairs.

Two brothers want something from her. Charles wants the estate, and Edward has had his eyes on the books that are housed in the beautiful library in the house. While Thea is trying to deal with her emotions and how she wants to move forward with her life, she finds herself drawn more to the beautiful village, and the book shop keeper who is tall dark and brooding.

The chemistry between Thea and Edward is palpable, and it left my heart racing more than once as Jackie weaves her tale of love and loss. Themes brought up in the book are highly relatable, and I found myself more drawn into the story as it progressed.

For people who love a good rom com or chick lit read, this will be a must-have on your shelf. I couldn't put it down once I started reading, and it will definitely stay with me now that I have finished.

**Received from Netgalley and Randomhouse as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to both for the opportunity.**

This is a wonderful escape that was fun, touching, and as cozy as a cuppa in front of the fireplace. Women’s fiction usually has me wishing for a stronger romance subplot, but this one had enough to keep me happy even though it was not enough to be categorized as a romance novel.

I absolutely loved the setting in a small Scottish town, which added to this book’s charm. Add in a bookshop as a pivotal location and it could hardly get better. Except for the private little beach hut which takes it into perfection territory.

I was also pleased to read a story featuring a mature woman in her forties. Despite her current run of bad luck, she is fun and smart and likable. I greatly enjoyed her interactions and growing friendships with the people she meets in Scotland. This book also has some major cha-chings for anyone who fancies the inclusion of a manor and a younger brother who is the lord because the grouchy older brother gave up the title. The brothers have interesting dynamics that add much to the book.

Although the main characters face real issues, this book never feels too unsettling or painful. If you have ever daydreamed about moving to a small town and working in a bookshop owned by a gorgeous grouch who is much softer on the inside than he lets on, this is one you must read. I also recommend this for anyone looking for cozy and feel-good Women’s Fiction.

Lovely story with good solidly written characters. An overall fell good story that hasd me smiling the whole day. Very sweet.

I was skeptical at first, but overall I really enjoyed The Bookshop of Second Chances and definitely see it as a read alike for Evie Drake Starts Over. I think in some cases the characters could have done with some more development, but overall a very enjoyable read.

Oh my did I love this book. It is one of those reads where you just aren’t emotionally ready for it to end. I miss the characters and the Scottish setting. “The Bookshop of Second Chances” is one to read slowly and savor.
Thea Mottram is having a difficult time in life. Her husband of 18 years has asked for a divorce because he is having an affair of one of Thea’s friends. To make matters worse, her cheating husband is keeping the house. Thea is sad, humiliated and angry, and if that wasn’t enough, she also lost her job.
After being sacked and cheated on, Thea finds out that her recently deceased great-uncle, who she really didn’t know, left her an extensive collection of valuable books and his house, located in a small village in Scotland.
Thea and her best friend, Xanthe, travel to the village to meet her uncles solicitor to learn more about her inheritance. Her plan was to go through her uncles items, decide what to keep, sell or donate and possibly sell the house. The timing for her trip to Scotland is perfect because she really needs to collect her thoughts and get some distance from the drama back home.
While there she meets the Maltravers Brothers, who belong to the aristocracy Charles, (Lord Hollinshaw) and Edward, curmudgeon and bookstore owner.

Thea has several interactions with Edward as she works to determine the value of her uncles books and potentially sell them to Edward. It’s clear that Edward is not much of a people person and his grumpy reputation is well known. As the days pass into weeks, Thea decides to stay in the village for the summer so she looks for a job. Edward is looking for a new employee to run the shop. However, when Thea asks about the job, Edward makes it very clear that he does not hire girls. This proves to be the beginning of their love hate relationship. Will Thea and Edward find a way to get along and overcome their painful pasts? Will the book shop be an opportunity for a second chance?

I love the writing style of Jackie Fraser. She provides rich detailed descriptions of her characters and their interactions with one another. Thea is so likable and relatable. I could easily picture this story as one of those delicious movies based in England/Scotland with Colin Firth playing the enigmatic Edward. In fact, I pictured Colin Firth each time the dialogue included Edward. I recommend this book and will make this one suggestion, read it slow and savor it.
.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

If you are a fan of Katherine Center- add this to your TBR immediately. You know that feeling you have when you finish a book and you wish you had read slower just so you could have enjoyed it longer? That is the feeling I am having right now, after finishing “The Bookshop of Second Chances.”

Jackie Fraser sure can write a roller coaster of emotions. Her characters are deliciously complicated- dare I say I caught glimpses of the Colin Firth version of Darcy in one particular brooding man. I love flawed characters and Fraser gives you plenty! She writes in such a way that you really feel connected to the characters so maybe you can forgive their qualities but can still be mad at them Also a protagonist in her 40’s!!! I love it!

My only hang-up took place in the first chapter. (SPOILER WARNING) When Thea goes to collect her things from her house-I think the author's intent was to show that she was sad and exhausted but instead she kind of comes off as a pushover. The fact that her husband stays in the house while she goes through it seems weird to me and then that they have a very civil conversation when she discovers she has inherited a house, it all felt very off. But quite honestly if you can get through that I found the rest of the book to be a delight.

I would highly recommend checking it out! Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

Take me back to Scotland.. This was a nice story of Thea moving from Sussex to Scotland after inheriting her Uncle’s property. Perfect timing for her and she takes a job working in a used book store. This is sweet, light story and I very much enjoyed reading it. Thank you Net Galley.

3.5 please take me to this fascinating rural village to Scotland so I can take a break from this madness and I can get lost in the magical power of various book bundles, reminding myself of second chances of happy life stars!

Yes: I adored too many things about this book but in the meantime some parts didn’t work well for me. But it was still quiet better than my late self discovery- romance- second chances- fresh start- feel good fiction experiences.

Especially Thea Mottram is badass, smart, quick witted heroine stole my heart at the opening of the story. The realistic way she deals with her cheating bastard husband who was having affair with her best friend behind her back, living her house in despair, her honest humiliation, resentment, anger made me resonate with her.

Most of the romcom, chic lit stories have the same kind of beginning I’ve read lately. The MC gets dumbed or cheated, she/ he also loses her house and job, needing a fresh start. But at this book, the heroine’s pain and struggle parts were real and emotional. It was genuine and definitely not full of cliches.

After being slapped by the unluckiest hand she was recently dealt, Thea finds out her great-uncle she barely knows just died and left her a huge collection of valuable books and a house located in rural village of Scotland.
This is a great chance to change her location for a while for gathering her thoughts how she will do with her new life and of course if she sells the house and those valuable books she may solve her financial problems.

She travels there to meet with her uncle’s solicitor to learn more about the will. She meets with charismatic Maltravers Brothers- charming Charles, Lord Hollinshaw who buys all the houses around the village, interested to her house and and his estranged, very grumpy, bookshop owner Edward also made a quite memorable impression.

As you may imagine Edward has his own troubles, bottled up resentments, family problems. But of course Thea has her own ways to break his walls. So enemies to friends and becoming lovers cycle worked fine with them.

The thing that bothered me so much is I didn’t believe in their chemistry so much. Lately I read so many frenemies theme stories and I wanted to see more sparks, passion, sassy banters, pull-push, angsty manners between them. But I didn’t see earth shattering, heartwarming love growing on them. Don’t get me wrong, I loved both of the characters individually. But I didn’t find their love story accurate. Just because of that I lowered my stars.

But instead of that, it was still well written, soft, sweet, enjoyable, uplifting, feel-good novel! It’s impossible to love a book about the books! I still recommend it as a great, heart warming, easy, lovely holiday read!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/ Ballantine Books for sharing this lovely arc with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Thea is having a terrible time of her. All those years of being married to Chris seems like a blatant lie now. Having been madly in love since college times, Thea cannot fathom the idea that Chris has been having an affair with her own friend behind her back for a couple of years now. To top it, she had no clue whatsoever. And he is leaving Thea for his affair which has manifested into a deeper relationship now. Deep enough to abandon his wife and throw away his marriage.

In midst of all this, Thea receives the news that her great uncle, whom she barely knew has left his large collection of books and house in her name. This comes to her as a great boon – a second chance to rise again in life.

Edward runs a bookshop in town. Grumpy and an almost recluse, he is surrounded by more books and less people. But there is more to him than just being a bookshop owner. He and his brother Lord Charles belong to an ‘Aristocratic’ family. But both of them are estranged from each other.

When Thea comes to this town she has endless time and a lonely life to look forward to. Until, she comes across The Bookshop, where Edward needs an assistant. But he doesn’t employ women/girls.

Will Thea start working at the bookshop?
Can she manage with grumpy Edward?
Does Charles start developing feelings for Thea?
Is it Edwards or Charles for her?
Will the brothers ever get cordial?

Rating – 4/5 Stars
Recommendation – High

Conclusion,

This is a sweet romance that warms your heart. From being heart broken, pained to single again, this book takes us through Thea’s life. What happens when she unexpectedly receives good news and how that changes the course of her path, is the crux of this book. After being married for nearly eighteen years, will she be able to find love again? Well, read it to know it. Overall a lovely read. I enjoyed this book.

Trigger Warnings – Nil

I loved this story.I was drawn out of my world into the small town ?The characters come alive a book that kept me reading late into the night.Ibwill Nye recommending this highly.#netgalley#rabdomhouse

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.