Four women, mothers and daughters, each at a turning point in their lives. Are they ready for the changes they face?

Jessica knows her marriage is in trouble. Taking time to clear her head, she heads for her childhood home on Cape Cod where her mom and her best friend can lend a sympathetic ear..

Alison, Jessica's best friend, chose to stay in their hometown of Chatham. For years she's had a successful career as a reporter for a local magazine. Unfortunately, with circulation and ad revenues falling, her job just may be in jeopardy. Now she needs to figure out what might come next.

Alison's daughter Julia is happy creating her own jewelry and selling it from her little shop. Unfortunately, her personal life isn't going as well. She's no longer feeling it with her long time boyfriend.

Then there's Caitlin, Jessica's daughter. She's been drifting, working temporary jobs, just trying to find her place. When she learns her mom is heading back to the Cape, Caitlin decides to join her, hoping the change of scenery will be the boost she needs to put her life in order

I found this story to be much more than advertised. It's about friendship and relationships, about change, taking control, and going after what you want. Unfortunately, I had a couple of problems with the telling of the story.. While I normally prefer a book with shorter chapters, in this case, they interrupted the flow of the story. Only four or five pages each, the chapters jump from one plotline to another. Because the author didn't do much to intertwine them,, I found it a bit confusing and difficult to get caught up in any one plotline, especially over the first several chapters. I was also disappointed with the lack of power and intensity in the scenes of conflict in the story.. There was little time devoted to the solutions and the resolutions were very simplistic and held no emotion..

In the end, I found this an enjoyable, uplifting story. I wish it had been told with a bit more depth.

Jess knows her marriage is in trouble, but when she discovers her husband has not only been unfaithful, he has impregnated his assistant, she knows there's no saving the marriage. Her lifelong best friend, Alison, is worried about losing her magazine job, so Jess decides to visit Alison and her own mother in Chatham. She takes her 30-year-old daughter, Caitlan, who is also at a crossroads after losing both her job and her longterm boyfriend on the same day.

When Jess and Alison learn the local bookstore is for sale, along with the next-door coffee shop, Jess decides to invest in it. While both Jess and Caitlan plan to return to Charleston, SC in October, they both find life in Chatham more appealing than they'd anticipated. Caitlan becomes friends with Alison's daughter, Julia, and all four women find new romantic interests.

There are few things better than bookstores, coffeeshops, and the beach. All the characters are likable, with different personalities and interests. The very definition of a beach read. #BookshopbytheBay #NetGalley

Oh my gosh, I loved this book! The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley is a beach read type of book that centers around friendship. The characters learn that sometimes you have to make lifestyle changes in order to live your best and happiest life. There was nothing that I didn’t like about this story. It had everything, a bookstore, a coffee shop, an old friendship and a new friendship between daughters. And the location was perfect! I’m not sure if I’ve ever read this author before but now want to read everything that she writes. I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Press for accepting my request and NetGalley for the arc. I enjoyed this so much and recommend it highly. I’m giving this book a 5 star rating.

This is a wonderful story that focuses on friendship, family, and that it's never too late to make meaningful changes to your life. Jess is a high-powered attorney in a Charleston law firm. When Jess discovers her husband is cheating on her, she decides to take a step back and take a vacation in her hometown in Cape Cod to think. Her daughter Caitlin join her when she loses her job and her boyfriend on the same day. Jess's best friend Allison also needs to make some changes in her life. Her work at the magazine is slowing down and the bookstore that she loves is for sale. Her daughter Julia owns a custom jewelry shop and has hopes for a bright future, but she isn't so sure about her boyfriend. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I love seeing how each character is at a crosswalk of life and takes the time to reflect. There is a little romance in the story, but the focus is the friendships. I love seeing how supportive the relationships are between the four women. I am adding Pamela Kelly to my TBR pile and looking forward to reading more in this series.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a chance to read this book early. Unfortunately it was a slow start for me and I'm putting it away for another time.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, I love books about books, bookshops and libraries. There is something comforting about those kinds of stories. This one is as well despite the fact that there is way more to the story. With multiple POV's, from both mothers and both daughters, each has a unique story and issue going on in their lives. These are not kids. Both daughters are in their thirties. One doesn't know what to do with her life while all around her, everyone seems to be living their best life. One has the bottom drop out of her life while another seems to have her life together but things are changing. Take a journey to Chatham, Massachusetts and into the lives of four women who must lean into each other and find their own paths in order to find happiness. A good summer beach read. No spice to speak of but the story didn't really need that anyway. I am now hoping to get down there someday and see the places that were mentioned (some were real, others not).

Jess's marriage has been off for a while when she finds out by chance that her husband got his new, barely older than his daughter, secretary pregnant. Their daughter, Caitlin, just got fired and dumped by her boyfriend in the same day. They decide to get away for a month in Jess's hometown on Cape Cod, much to the joy of her mother and her best friend, Alison. This leads to a summer of finding themselves, new friendships, and new opportunities.

I received a free copy of this book to review through NetGalley and thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was such a feel good story of mothers and daughters and friendship!!! I absolutely loved following Jess, Allison, Caitlin, and Julia along their summer in Chatham and watching each woman shed wanting the things they’re supposed to want and instead realizing the things that make them happy. Absolute perfect beach read!

Two lifelong best friends find themselves at crossroads, searching for something new and fulfilling for the next chapter of their lives. They find it in a long-held dream and reopen a beachside bookstore and coffeeshop in Cape Cod, working alongside their adult daughters.

Charming and heartfelt, this was my first book by Kelley, but it won't be my last! I love books about books, bookstores, etc., But what made this book was the loving generational relationships between the mothers and daughters, the deep friendships between the women, and how they supported one another. That was the heart and soul of this story. This just had a sunny and warm vibe that was more than its beautiful beachy setting. If you enjoy women's fiction and are looking for an easy-reading, feel-good story, consider adding this to your summer tbr!

An easy read that might be trope-y but which delights. Bffs from childhood Alison and Jess are both at inflection points- Allison is about to be downsized and Jess has discovered that her husband is cheating on her. And their daughters, who have never been real friends, are also in a state of romantic change-and Caitlin can't find a career while Julia loves her jewelry making. All four women converge in Chatham, Mass for what's meant to be a month but.....Jess impulsively buys the local bookstore Allison has always wanted and Caitlin finds joy in helping set up and run the accompanying cafe. There are references to books early on but not so much in later but those who have spent time on the Cape might reminisce about the Impudent Oyster and the Squire. While each woman finds a New Romantic interest, this is more about finding their unexpected bliss and second acts. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read. And now I want a scallop sandwich from the Oyster!

A great story about finding yourself and starting over. I loved that the Jess and Allison were lifelong friends that support each other even with the distance between them. The book actually tells the story of two friends and their daughters who are all facing questions about their future. The multiple points of view worked well for this, and I enjoyed each character's personal journey. The book was a calm escape that was completely heartwarming. It was a great way to check out of the reality of life and felt like I was among friends. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Bookshop by the Bay....They had me at Bookshop! Two best friends; one's been divorced for years, and the other one is just deciding to divorce. Their daughters; one freshly broken up and freshly out of a job, the other in a relationship that's destined to go nowhere, but working at a job she loves. One pair in Charleston, the other in Chatham- Cape Cod. All in need of a new perspective and a fresh start. Mix in some snobby friends, some hunky guys, and a spunky mother/grandmother along with a bookshop and coffee shop and I didn't want this book to end!

I love women's fiction about multiple generations of women in a family and I love books that take place on Cape Cod. The location just has a certain feel to it that I will probably never experience in person.

This book is centered around two long time friends that go together to purchase and run a bookstore. Each woman in the book has a different things going on in their lives. There are divorces, separations, new romances, old romances, old friends, new friends, new jobs starting and old jobs ending. All the characters were a little hard for me to keep clear, but the support and love these women gave each other was what came shining through. That was the upside.

Overall, this would make an awesome vacation/beach read. One thing I kind of had issues with was the extreme and lengthy description of food in the book. After awhile, it seemed like I was skipping whole pages totally devoted to food names and descriptions.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

This book is delightful especially now that we are approaching summer! It has all the summer vibes you would need.

I read this book in two sittings, stopping only to go to sleep.

Throughout the book I kept trying to figure out the direction in which each character was going to end up in but something kept surprising me and throwing me off, which I loved!

All of the characters are very likable except for Parker, which is by design.

I loved how close Caitlin and Julia had gotten close as well.

The ending tied everyone up perfectly, and I was so happy with how it all went with each character.

This is a great story about friendship, family, and taking a chance to start over.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

As a retired bookseller, I was naturally drawn to this book and could relate to so much of the story. It also turned out to be a perfect fit for this month's "Hallmark Movie" theme at my local book club. I could easily picture the bookstore and coffee shop set in a small Hallmark-style community. This was the first book I've read from Pamela M. Kelley, and I am excited to discover that I have several of her earlier books waiting for me in my Kindle library. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for introducing me to another author to add to my favorites list.

The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley is a wonderful beach read.

Pamela Kelley is one of my favorite women's fiction authors and I have been highly anticipating this new book.

The story is about mothers who have been friends for a long time and their daughters. I loved each of the main characters, Jess, Caitlin, Alison, and Julia. The characters are well developed, complicated and well fleshed out.

The story is set in Chatham where this is a coffee place and a bookshop. The description of the town transported me right to this seaside town.

A well written story about finding yourself with the help from family and friends.

Highly recommend!

This multigenerational story is my pick for beach read of the year! It is a great example of finding your way whether you are young and starting your life, middle aged and needing to start over or more mature and finding your way in later years. The friendships that are woven throughout this story are aspirational and wonderfully encouraging. I truly hope the author decides to give us more glimpses of the people in this book with a follow-up as one visit to this Cape Cod setting is not nearly enough! Anyone who has ever desired a fresh start or been wondering if they could start something new at a more mature age, needs to read this book for inspiration! I absolutely devoured this book as I completely relate with the need to find a new beginning. In my case, my husband and I are both looking for something different to do as we have both become somewhat disenfranchised with our current careers and after 30 years, it may be time for us to find a different career as a second act. This book inspires you to live your life to the fullest and find that place with the help of friends and family to truly be happy. The plot is incredibly well written. It drew me in and kept me enraptured for an entire day! Good thing I had a day off today!

The Bookshop by the Bay is a heartwarming story and perfect for readers who love books that are chalk-full of characters who love books as much as they do. I found this book easy to read and a nice way to spend my Sunday. The characters are real and complex, and the story will take you on a bit of an emotional roller coaster ride.

Best friends Allison and Jess, along with their adult daughters, reconnect and discover new directions for their lives during summer in Cape Cod. A multi-generational story that shows that it is never too late to start again.

The Bookshop by the Bay is my first book from Pamela Kelley. She ranks right up there with the Queens of Beach Reads - Nancy Thayer, Debbie Macomber, Mary Kay Andrews, and Anita Hughes. This won't be my last book by Kelley - I'm adding her to my list of must-read authors. (When I finish with this review, I'm going to see what books my library might have).

What avid reader doesn't dream of owning a bookshop? Some of my favorite beach reads are set in Nantucket, but Cape Cod is almost as good of a setting (Kelley does have a series set in Nantucket). It's on my bucket list to one day visit the New England coast, but until then I will keep visiting in the pages of books.

I loved the characters. I was a little shocked that Allison's and Jess's daughters still lived at home (though Allison's daughter Julia had recently gotten her own place), but Cape Cod isn't cheaper and neither is Charleston, SC where Jess and Caitlyn live. I have read other beach reads with well-off characters and sometimes I get annoyed with the characters as they "struggle" financially because of a change in marital status because I can't relate to their struggle as it is usually a loss in social status (country club membership, McMansion home) rather than a true financial hardship. That wasn't the case with these characters. They felt very real and down-to-earth.

Julia is the owner of a custom jewelry store where she makes her own pieces. She is concerned about making enough to cover costs - she even bounces a check for insufficient funds - all real possibilities for a small business owner, especially one in a tourist town. Caitlyn can't seem to keep a job. While her situation is the most difficult for me to relate to, I know a lot of people now in their late 20s and early 30s are struggling to find a good career fit. Allison works for a magazine that is falling on hard times as more people turn to the internet for their news. She's facing a layoff. Again a reality for people in the publishing industry. Jess knows her marriage is over but it is easier to just go through the motions rather than initiate a very difficult conversation until she can no longer ignore the situation. As she works in the same law firm as her husband and whose family founded the firm - it's not just a change in her marital status that will change, she will also need to make a career change.

With the freedom to do so, Jess and Caitlyn decide to spend the summer in Jess's hometown of Chatham where her mother, Allison, and Julia still live. For the four women, summer is going to be a time of change and if they are open to it it might just put them on the path to their best lives.

I'm usually very disciplined about going to bed at a decent hour. A book might keep me up an hour or two past my bed time (if it is the weekend) but it has been a long time since I've stayed up reading until 2 am. My Kindle said I still had 1.5 hours left but I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer otherwise I probably would have kept reading until I finished the book. The story flows really well making it a fast read and adding to the difficulty of putting it down.

It is also the perfect novel for relaxing. Yes, there is some light conflict but it isn't anxiety-inducing and resolves itself pretty quickly. It is kind of like a daydream where you know everything is going to work out perfectly. I definitely recommend this for a lazy weekend or your vacation trip.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday, June 6 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/06/the-bookshop-by-bay-by-pamela-kelley.html

With THE BOOKSHOP BY THE BAY, Pamela Kelley has shared the story of a woman facing betrayal in a carefully constructed marriage and lifestyle, retreating to familiar, beloved Chatham, MA, and ultimately building a new, genuine, and rewarding life for herself with old friends and new joys. I deeply enjoyed the Cape Cod setting and the total immersion in a relatable story. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.