I think I’ve just grown out of or away from straight women’s fiction. This one didn’t work for me but I’m sure others would love it.

The Bookshop by the Bay transports you to Chatham, MA part of Cape Cod. It's a wonderful summer read where a mother and daughter decide to leave Charleston and go to Cape Cod for the summer. Jess has been married to Parker for over 30 years when she discovers he has been sleeping with his assistant at work. They are both lawyers at Parker's family's law firm. Jess has known her marriage was flat for awhile now, but had no idea Parker was sleeping around and getting his assistant pregnant! She's only a few years older than their daughter, Caitlin. Caitlin is 30 and works in marketing for a large company. When the company loses a big client, they decide to downsize, and Caitlin is let go. That same evening, Caitlin's boyfriend of one year, tells her he's taking a year off to travel the world. He breaks up with Caitlin on the night she thought he was going to propose.

There's nothing to keep Jess and Caitlin in Charleston this summer, so they decide to head to Chatham to visit Jess's mother and Caitlin's grandmother. Jess grew up in Chatham and hasn't been home for more than a week in years. The vacation away sounds good to both of them. Jess' best friend Allison lives in Chatham and will be thrilled to have her around for the summer. Good food, beach days, and being with people you love sounds like the perfect way to recover from the things Jess and Caitlin have been through! Allison works for a local magazine, but her boss told her the bills are piling up as business is down. Jim has feelings for Allison and doesn't want to let her go if he can help it. Allison's daughter, Julia, is a gifted jewelry designer and now has her own shop in Chatham.

When Allison stops in the local bookstore to browse, she finds out that the owner wants to retire, and sell the store. It's been Allison's dream to have her own bookstore, but there's no way she could afford to buy it on her own. Jess finds out that the store is for sale and approaches the owner about the details. Jess tells her that she'll look over things, contact her accountant, and see if she could swing it. The next day the accountant tells Jess she has the money to do it if she really wants to. Jess calls Allison, calls the owner of the bookstore, and all of a sudden they are the new owners. They had no idea that the vacant coffee shop next door was now there's also and it has an apartment above that can be rented. The renters that are in it now leave in 2 months. Caitlin takes over the ordering and plans for the coffee shop as she used to work at one back in the day. She's very good at making all kinds of coffees, lattes, etc. and can't wait to open the shop.

This book will put a smile on your face and happiness in your heart. There are many decisions to be made for Jess and Caitlin. Will they go back to Charleston? Will they find a new life that's better in Chatham? Will they meet a new love interest in Chatham? Will Caitlin make friends like the ones she misses in Charleston? Watching the summer unfold, the bookshop open with new owners, the coffee shop open, and all of the memories made will make you feel like you're living right in Chatham. I enjoyed this book so much and rate it 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'm late to the party reading this book as it came out in 2023, but if you haven't read it, pick it up and enjoy! I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of The Bookshop by the Bay in exchange for a fair review. #TheBookshopByTheBay

such a fun summer read. written in the same light as an elin hildebrand book, this is a women’s fiction summer story that hits the spot. i loved the cape cod setting and allison and jess’s relationship was an exploration of female friendship and all it stands for. i love a book about books and this story was so wholesome in the way they brought the bookshop to life and it made such an impact. this book inspires such happy feelings in the reader and is a great read for the pool, lake, or beach!

DNF

I think I requested this arc because it called itself a beach read, but I didn’t realize it wasn’t a true romance. I would recommend this to readers looking for a lighthearted, feel good story about lifelong friendships and mother/daughter relationships.

A cozy, heartwarming novel about second chances, seaside life, and the power of books. The small-town setting is charming, and the friendships feel authentic. A sweet escape for book lovers.

Jess loves her work as a lawyer in the city of Charleston. But when she finds her husband, Parker, has been cheating on her with his assistant, she retreats. She returns with her thirty-year-old daughter Caitlin, to her childhood home on Cape Cod, in Chatham. Caitlin has always been bright but is still looking for her passion and career. Jess needs to regroup with her best friend, Allison, and come up with a plan for the future. After twenty years as an editor for the Chatham magazine, Allison needs to take a step back. When a beloved local bookstore is for sale, a long-held dream turns into a reality. Allison and Jess set a plan in motion and what was once a place that held warm childhood memories is now theirs to run. As the two friends, along with the help of their daughters, reopen the doors of the cherished bookstore and adjacent coffee shop to the community, they also open themselves up to the possibility of romance, the bonds of mothers and daughters, and the magic of second chances.
This was a very good women's fiction book. All the characters were very likable, and it was a fun read. I loved how the friends worked together to get the shop in order and changed their lives for the better, as friends. I also loved how coming home gave them peace and strength to deal with their chaotic lives. The only real problem I have was the amount of story smashed into this one book. There were enough characters and storylines that there could have been two contemporary women's fiction books created. I became confused at times about which character I was reading about. I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

This is a lovely book where you see somebody coming into their own. The setting as well as the side characters really help immerse you into the character’s life in this book. It’s an entertaining book.

The Bookshop By the Bay by Pamela M Kelley
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We follow four different women:
Jess who finds her life in upheaval after her husbands affair.
Her daughter Caitlin who just lost a job and is looking for something she can find meaning in.
Allison is a long time best friend of Jess, and invites them to come to Cape Cod. Allison’s career has hit a low and she is looking to branch out.
Allison’s daughter, Julia, who has her own custom jewelry store and a boyfriend she is happy with but still doesn’t want to say yes to marrying him.
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This was a fun audiobook to listen to. I don’t read a ton of women’s fiction so it was a nice palette cleanser read. I love a good story with women who are friends and have each others backs and encourage each other. This book delivered!
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Also they buy and run a bookstore/slash coffee shop shop. YES.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A feel good novel! Loved the setting and the characters. I read the second one before I read this one and it was fun to revisit the same characters I loved in the Seaside Sisters.

I am always going to love a book about a bookstore and second chances, and Pamela M. Kelley delivered. Tuck this one away in your beach bag (or any day you are dreaming of being seaside).

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this one with me. All thoughts are my own.

This was such a great book. I read it in one day! I have read several by this author and I have loved every one of them. I would definitely recommend this book.

A good story that makes you believe good is real! Heart warming and inspirational. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This novel met my expectations on all levels...characters, setting, and plot. I recommend this novel and thank you #netgalley

This story showcased the relationship among several strong women. The support they give one another while embarking on an adventure of opening a bookshop and coffee bar was truly inspiring.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. The scenery and picturesque town makes me want to move to the cape. I love how all her characters are so invested in their community. This book is about difficult situations, moving forward, and the connections between mothers, daughters, and friends.

I liked this book. I did not love it. For that reason, I gave it two stars. Overall, it felt very cliche and expected. It was a feel good story and would be a good beach read. I found it hard to stay engaged and interested in this book.

I enjoyed this beach read. It is a dream to own a bookstore/coffee shop and loved getting to read about the women live that dream. I also really liked the character development.

I enjoyed This book. It was well written. I was able to engage with characters and plot. I would Read another book by this author and I recommend This book

3.5 rounded up.

I really enjoyed this novel. There was the perfect amount of beach, a little bit of drama, and some great new beginnings for the characters. I loved the long time friendship between Jess and Alison and even how throughout the book they became even closer. The ‘new beginnings’ were all around with the main characters and, at first, I thought it would be too much for a beach read but the author did it all seamlessly.

I’ve enjoyed this author in the past and will continue to enjoy her books in the future!

A great story about figuring out who you are and what you want. There were 2 smaller stories going on by side characters and we see some from Kelley's previous book. It's a nice easy read and I always enjoy Pamela Kelley's books.