The Bookshop by the Bay
by Pamela M. Kelley
The book was ok for me. Not great, but not bad. Some parts were unbelievable, It was a family-friend book. Just not my type of book. Maybe a Lifetime movie vibe.

Predictable but sweet story about childhood friends living their dream. Well written as all her books are and fun. I enjoyed this more than some others of her.

Jess and Alison have been friends for a long time. When Jess discovers her husband's infidelity, she leaves Charleston and heads north to Cape Cod for the summer. Her and Alison buy a bookstore and coffee shop together, and their daughters Caitlin and Julia step in to help. Enjoyed this one, and the 4 romances the women have too. Did have trouble balancing out who was who at times though, but otherwise highly recommend this one.

General women's fiction
Multiple stories happening at once which was hard for me to follow at times.
I did enjoy the characters for the most part but by the end it felt like there was too fast of a wrap up after all the story buildup.

Typical women's fiction like we’re used to from Pamela Kelley. When Jess discovers her husband is cheating on her she and daughter Caitlin leave Charleston for a month on the cape. There she reconnects with her oldest friend Alison and her daughter Julia and they decide to open a bookstore coffee shop together. There are some mild life problems along the way for all four women but Kelley always has them easily solved. A predictable read, but still pleasurable.

Kindle copy for Review from NetGalley and St Martin’s Press.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Two long time friends decide one summer to open a bookstore. Their lives will change that summer as their friendship will grow. It is a story of love and struggles that will endure over time. This will make you value the bond of friendship.

This is a heartwarming story about two women who have been friends their whole lives, and are now at a point in their lives when they need to make some changes. Jess is a lawyer in her husband's family firm, but finds that he has been cheating on her with his assistant. She decides to leave for an extended visit to her mother's home and the Cape Cod area where her best friend Allison also lives.
Allison finds herself in a situation where her job is changing and she's not sure of what is next. When she learns that the local bookstore is for sale, she finds a dream opportunity presented. Allison and Jess explore new paths in life and watch both old and new relationships grow.

I absolutely loved Pamela Kelley’s new book “The Bookshop by the Bay.” I found it uplifting, entertaining and full of surprises. The beautiful setting of Chatham, Cape Cod was the perfect place for second chances, reconnecting with old friends and falling in love. For me, Cape Cod is magical and peaceful, as the ocean calls to your soul and offers you solace and comfort as you think about life. Jess and Allison were best friends growing up in Chatham who never forgot their special friendship and their wonderful memories. Jess thought she would never need to run away to the Cape but the minute she saw her childhood home, she knew that she had made the right decision. Her life may be a mess right now, but relaxing and being with family would help her decide where life would take her next. Her daughter Caitlin also had many questions swirling in her mind as to how she wanted to proceed with her life, and was more than willing to accompany Jess on her journey.

Chatham residents Allison and her daughter Julia, welcomed their old friends with open arms and soon realized they all had a lot in common. Even though Caitlin and Julia weren’t close when they were younger, they became fast friends as they enjoyed the beautiful weather and all that the Cape had to offer. Jess and Allison quickly rekindled their old friendship and came upon a business opportunity that was too good to be true. Could Jess find happiness in the peaceful seaside town or will her old life call her back to Charleston where her problems all started? Will the prospect of a new job help Allison get over the disappointment of leaving her old career behind? Will Caitlin and Julia have time for romance while they are busy with their careers?

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. I liked this book. I really liked this book. It was sent to me by Netgalley (electronically) for review. Thanks to them, the publisher, and the author. I will purchase this book when it is released. Who doesn't love a book with a bookstore in it? I do. The characters are likable...family and friends. One of the main characters (and her friend) purchase a bookstore/coffee shop...and the story continues. Love and romance...breaking up...starting over. I enjoyed the references to Charleston, SC...a favorite city of mine. I loved the setting of Cape Cod...another place I like...and I loved the NYC setting, my favorite city ever. This is a well researched, well written book of romance, family, friends, careers...hoping and wishing...wondering what will happen next...This author is talented and gifted at writing a cannot put down novel. I enjoy the one timeline...the present...I love the third person narrator...no separate chapters for separate voices...This is just a good good book...Curl up in a favorite, comfy chair...grab a warm blanket...a cup of steaming herbal tea (or coffee), a delicious muffin, bagel, or scone...spend the afternoon with The Bookshop by the Bay...Thank you Pamela Kelley for this fantastic book. I can't wait for more...Hope there is a sequel. In the meantime, a million stars, not just five.

The Bookshop by the Bay whetted my appetite for my love of reading and books, while the personal problems in life buildup but eventually are solved when everyone is agreeable to changes. This novel offers a positive look on life. Thanks for the Net Galley copy.

Bib big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the opportunity to read Pamela M. Kelley's The Bookshop by the Bay. What a perfectly lovely book this is! Wonderfully relatable women - smart and strong and likable - finding happiness doing what they love to earn a living. I love this book.

I really enjoyed Bookshop by the Bay. The main characters were fun to get to know, the setting picturesque, and themes of friends, family, and second chances were well done.

As characters explored what they really wanted out of life, as they worked their way through the indecision and hesitation of thinking of trying something new vs. continuing the same old, same old, they became more real and easier to know. I found being on this journey with them satisfying and enjoyable.

If you have liked Pamela Kelley's work in the past, nothing I say will surprise you. This is another great addition to the body of work that Pamela Kelley has written. If you haven't read this author in the past, this is a stand alone and you could definitely start here. Do yourself a favor and pick this up - you will be glad you did.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC. All thoughts are my own.