Annie Rains writes great small town romance. Her stories are always emotional and sweet with relatable characters. The True Love Bookshop is an excellent example of that.

Tess and River have not been on good terms since he interrupted her wedding years ago. She is now widowed and owns a bookstore. He lives a quiet life other than his job as a private investigator.

When the two of them reconnect, Tess asks for his help in looking into her husband's life and actives before his death. As this is dual POV, you really get to know both Tess and River well. I liked both of them and they were well suited. It was easy to see the connection they shared from the beginning.

The story was a bit slow paced but interesting with the concept of family relationships playing a big part in both their lives. I liked, too, getting to see how their friends and family supported them both. The couple for the next book in the series was also teased and I can't wait for their story.

I really enjoyed this closed-door romance about a small town bookseller in North Carolina who falls in love again after finding out her late husband wasn’t who she thought he was. River was an incredible love interest and I was rooting for them! The book also had a little mystery which was fun! Would definitely recommend!

The True Love Bookshop is the latest release by Annie Rains. The True Love Bookshop is the fourth book in the Somerset Lake series. This is just the latest book that I have read by Annie Rains and it won’t be the last. The True Love Bookshop is a sweet romance story about a bookshop owner who gets another chance at her very own happily ever after.
This is a sweet romance about family, friendship, secrets, and healing. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a sweet and easy romance.

This small town enemies -to-lovers'esque romance was the perfect novel to kick back with on my weekend away.
Though the plot of The True Love Bookshop went in a predictable direction, that did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. The charming characters and the development of River and Tess's relationship kept me engaged and entertained from start to finish.

I really enjoyed this addition to the Somerset Lake series and I'm always looking forward to what comes next from Annie Rains!

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*Complimentary copy for review provided by Forever Romance. All opinions expressed here are honest and entirely my own.

Tess is running a bookstore that hosts book clubs and her life seems to be going well as it could be after the death of her husband. Then in comes his best friend, River Harrison shaking things up making her question why did River try to cancel the wedding saying this was a mistake. Meanwhile River used to have a thing for Tess and knows more then he is letting on when it comes to Tess's late husband and she wants his investigator skills to find out some secrets that were hidden.

This was a really enjoyable book. I've spent a good chunk of my day just getting lost in this book. I really liked Tess and River and getting to know them. It was interesting seeing the little moments they went though the ups and downs. Then there was the romance and if you were wondering its a clean romance which I appreciate. It was interesting seeing secrets getting revealed when it came to Tess's ex and it was interesting seeing how supportive of one of another that they were becoming. Not only were they looking into her ex, River was also doing some investigative work for himself searching for his father and finding people who might be connected to him maybe finding family it was gonna be tough doing this along and Tess could maybe help him out. This was overall an enjoyable book, I really liked it. Highly Recommend!

This was an absolutely delightful romance from Annie Rains! There are definitely emotional parts in the book, and also lots of lovely moments between the characters. And I love this cover! Overall, I would definitely recommend reading!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

A light summer read perfect for your beach or cottage vacation! Part of a series, but enough of a stand-alone so the reader doesn't feel lost without the entire back story. Strong characters and enough fun to really make this work. A definite add to your must-read list.

This was a cute, light hearted, easy to read book! I loved being back in Somerset Lake and a book centered around a bookstore and book club always warms my heart.

The story of Tess and River. He was her late husband's best friend, but they fell out. Will she finally find out why ?
Loved both characters, especially River.

Thank you to Forever for the gifted copy.

In the third book in the Somerset Lake series, it centers on the owner of the local bookstore, Tess Lane. One day she's minding her own business when the former best friend of her dead husband, River Harrison, walks into her store and passes out. Tess doesn't know that River had a falling out with her dead husband over a secret he was keeping from Tess. A secret River has come back to Somerset Lake to try and find answers to, as River works as private investigator. It's these answers that may help Tess help to move on from the grief she still has from his mysterious dead three years before so she decides to work with River. As she starts to get to know River, she starts to realize maybe her heart would be open to loving again.

This is a sweet story much like Annie Rains others romances. I was glad to be back in Somerset Lake. I really enjoy the setting of these stories and the characters that live in this community. As a reader, who doesn't love a story that's partially set in a bookstore? I thought that Annie did a good job of exploring romance after the death of a loved one. Although I haven't experience it myself I know many who have and I know it can be a tough decision to make when you decide to make the leap. Now to wait and see which story in this cozy community Annie decides to tell next.

This was a charming and lovely book! I was invested in the characters and their story from the beginning. The setting was spectacular and I loved the book aspect of this one! I can’t wait to read more in the series.

This book was adorable. I normally read books a lot faster this one took me almost a month. I would read a few chapters, and I would set it down. I always came back to read it, and enjoyed it. I didn’t walk into walls kind of invested but it was a good leisure read.

It had a easy plot, and everything at the end was all tied up with a bow. I think what I really loved the most about this book was River. He was brooding and a loner, but not unlikeable. He was written with compassion and love for his dog, his dad, and Tess. I think that he made the book. Honestly what would have made it 5 stars for me if it were told in Rivers POV instead of being third person.

Heather sometimes annoyed me, but I think she was supposed to. Her and Teas were “sisters,” but she seemed very young and immature. It also bothered me she was like “I’m an actress I don’t know anything about psychology.” Cool but you have to have an understanding of people to act. Why you such a bimbo girl?

I will tell you, this made me interested in reading the authors other books. It was an absolute joy to be taken on this journey. Make sure to get your signed copy. 🙃

Tess Lane had always dreamed of owning a bookshop so when that dream came true she couldn't be happier. She loves hosting a weekly book club and the get togethers have helped her through the death of her husband. Moving forward has been tough because his death was such a mystery but she is slowly managing to do so. When his best friend who now works as a private investigator shows up in town all her precious questions make their way to the forefront. River wants to know what happened to his best friend and has come back to investigate. He hopes Tess can help him with uncovering some answers. The two set forward together hoping in the end they will have the answers they seek. Follow along on their journey, will Tess make peace with the past and start truly living again? Can River help her believe in love again?

I have really enjoyed Annie Rains's writing in the past but this book was very middle of the road for me. It was marketed as an enemies to lovers book but there was barely and of the enemies part. For "hating" River so long, it literally only took maybe two interactions before Tess started liking him. It just did not work well for me.

That being said, I did enjoy the book and hope there will be more installments in this series!

5 stars. I absolutely loved this book. This is Annie Rains' best book yet! I've never considered anyone a book boyfriend, but River Harrison would definitely fit that category. I read this series from the beginning and never realized Tess was African-American or biracial, but I really like that she is. I wish more romance and women's fiction writers would include more diverse characters.

Reading an Annie Rains book feels like coming home at this point. I can always count on her. I've had some issues lately with sugary sweet romance novels and had to DNF two books I truly wasn't expecting. Thank goodness for Rains bringing me back!

I really enjoyed reading about Tess and River. The bookstore setting was obviously a major plus too. Tess is still reeling from the loss of her husband a few years ago and the last person she expects to get into a relationship with (or even consider a friend!) is her deceased husband’s ex-BFF… the guy who tried to ruin their wedding day. The more she gets to know River, the more she learns about her husband (unfortunately). 

The book focuses a lot around getting through grief and loss, and how everyone follows a different path. And sometimes those who die aren’t the perfect people you remember or want them to be. I enjoyed the addition of the self-help/loss book and author coming to visit the town as well. Each character had a lot going on in their lives and it made for a well-rounded story.

I thought Tess and River had great chemistry without being overly cheesy. Yes, some parts were a bit repetitive, and the “black moment” was obvious, but this was a really strong romance novel. The reasons they struggled as a couple were logical and not made up for the sake of the plot.

I’m dying for more books in Somerset Lake because we neeeeed a Moira book (and a Lara book, if I can get greedy). Please get going on those announcements, thank you!

Just the title alone told me how much I would enjoy this read… I mean True Love and Bookshop ♥️ words after my own heart. I really enjoyed this fun summer read with a small town feel and some great characters. I thought they were real, and really enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters. Although their relationship starts off with a bit of tension, they clearly become two people that can depend on each other during a time of grief. I loved Tess’ sass and River’s thoughtfulness. Add in some twists…it was good, read it!

The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains is a love story, but not the way you think when you start reading it. Tess Lane owned a bookshop. She had been given it by her aunt, who was living her dream of traveling the world. All of a sudden a man tripped in, bleeding, wanting to use her restroom before he passed out. She wanted him out of here. She hated him, this man who had tried to stop her wedding years earlier. She was a widow now but she would never forgive him for what he had done. There was a lot of back story, even before the wedding that he tried to stop, and plenty since. River Harrison was his name and he had once been Jared Lane’s best friend. Until he discovered a secret he wished he didn’t know. Before he passed out on the bookshop floor he asked Tess to take care of his dog, Buddy. He gave her keys to his truck and his house so she could get Buddy’s stuff. If he didn’t have his chew toys he would chew on whatever was handy, including her books. While she was there she saw a photo of Jared, River, and a woman. Now she was curious. She asked him and he told her they had all served together overseas. She wasn’t totally buying it. As much as she didn’t like him, she asked him to find out why Jared died in that care wreck miles from home. He agreed. But some of the things he found out he didn’t want to tell her. He didn’t want to hurt her.

River and Tess are both good characters as are many of the others that pass through the story. There are plenty of subplots to occupy us between Tess and River scenes. River’s adopted father was in an assisted living home. It was where he needed to be but he wasn’t very happy there. Too many people all the time. Tess’ sister-in-law, Heather, wandered in and out as well. She was an out of work actress who got fired from her last gig because she had been sleeping with the boss. She didn’t know he was married, but he was now worried, so out she went. Tess helped on a couple of other investigations. Sherlock and Watson. They were a good team. He still hadn’t told her the most devastating thing he’d discovered. Not to worry: someone else got a conscience and told her. As he had known she would be, she was devastated. Not necessarily because of the news but because maybe she couldn’t trust him because he hadn’t told her. The whole thing was quite a mess. That’s what happens when you cheat. Good plot as well as good characters. It was a terrific story.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The True Love Bookshop by Forever, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #forever #annierains #thetruelovebookshop

A very emotional story! I absolutely loved River. He is such a loyal friend. Tess is a great character too. I felt all the roller coaster ride of emotions that she did in the story. The story was both happy and sad, it had my emotions all over the place. I enjoyed every minute of it and read it all in one sitting. I couldn't put the book down. I do love the series and catching up with the other characters. I look forward to the next book too. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The True Love Bookshop is my favorite Annie Rains book so far. As with her other books , it is filled with family, love and heatbreak.
Tess Lane is happy running her book shop until her deceased husband’s ex best friend shows up injured and she ends up taking care of his dog even though she doesn’t want to help.
River is a private investigator . He is trying to make sure his dad is doing well while working on a few cases when he stumbles into Tess’s bathroom. He knows she hates him as he almost ruined her wedding but what she doesn’t realize is he was looking out for her.
River talks Tess into helping him out on a case and they realize things that happened in the past were misunderstandings and that they really do get along.
This is a sweet book about heartache and second chances. Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for a copy for my honest opinion.