I am always up for a book about books and especially one set in a bookshop, so Julie’s latest was always going to be on my radar. This is the sixth book in the Scottish Escapes series, I have not read previous ones but can confirm that this is easily read as a standalone.

“You know what books mean to me. I don’t have to tell you how important I think reading is … At Book Ends, I hope I can encourage people who’ve never picked up a book before, to give reading a try.”

I thought this was going to be light and romantic - which in some aspects it was - but there was much more to this read than that. It definitely starts off that way and the enemies to lovers trope was ringing out strongly. However, the further along you read it becomes very clear there are multiple threads to this story. Julie has a few pokers in this fire and does a good job interweaving them and ultimately tying them all together. To be honest, I felt there were a few too many complications and removing one of them would have added to the overall credibility of the story.

If I had to make a decision on the theme, I would suggest that this is a book primarily about families and the many dramas and complications that often come with that. Under this heading topics of illness, separation, grief, adoption are some of the stronger themes rather than the romance which takes a back seat.

‘You grab happiness with both hands when it comes along - and never let go.’

If family dramas are something you enjoy reading about and how life presents opportunities for starting over, then The Bookshop by the Loch in the beautiful Scottish Highlands is calling your name.







This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an enjoyable read and the Highland setting was beautiful.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Julie Shackman is fast becoming an auto buy author her books are great. This book had everything from romance to friendship. Go and read now!

Light-hearted fun, pure escapism!
This is the sixth book in the Scottish Escapes series, this is my first book in this series but I can honestly say that you can very easily read this as a stand-alone, but I will be looking out for the others in the series as I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Scotland (even if it is a armchair visit).
I am a big fan of an enemies-to-lovers romance and this one worked perfectly for me, I loved that they became friends first and their relationship spiralled from there, which made their romance all the more realistic for me.
The setting is stunning, I do have a real fondness for Scotland,I love the scenes the views, gorgeous Scottish-ness of the overall book!
Wonderful characters, great banter and beautiful engaging writing, this book is a real winner!

A pleasant romantic small town read with two people returning to the small town they were born in and clashing then pulling together. Fans of the author will find another one to like here.

Set in the Scottish Highlands, The Bookshop By The Loch is a sweet enemies to lovers story. Both editor Lexie Dunbar and portrait artist Tobias Black have returned to their home town of Bracken Way, Lexie to lick her wounds after being overlooked for a promotion at the Glasgow publishing house where she’s spent years working towards the job and Tobias for reasons unknown. Lexie has loved reading since she was a little girl, having formed a particular love for Book Ends, the bookshop beside Loch Bracken that her grandmother used to take her to. When she’s offered the opportunity to manage the shop for twelve months and turn around its flagging fortunes, she’s thrilled and immerses herself in plans for renovation and marketing. Naturally she’s unimpressed when shop owner Trevor’s nephew Tobias Black appears on scene claiming that she has no right to be there as he intends to use the shop for his own business. I have to say that despite his swoon-worthy looks, I didn’t like Tobias at all when I first met him. Neither did Lexie. I certainly wondered how he was going to redeem himself and while he did, I do think the turnaround was a bit sudden and not entirely convincing. Then again, maybe he just got out of bed on the wrong side on the day of their first meeting. I loved the way that once hostilities were over these two developed the space inside Book ends to showcase both businesses, falling for each other along the way. I loved the suporting cast, particularly the irrepressible Celeste, for whom Lexie and Tobias are completing bucket list items. I also loved the small town Scottish setting and the way that despite the frequent rain and showers, the locals just got about their business. This story has feel good written all over it and it certainly left me with a smile.

The Bookshop by the Loch by Julie Shackman is a charming feel good read that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. Although this is book 6 in the Scottish Escapes series of books, it is still very much a standalone story that leaves you with a warm glow in your heart as you turn the final page.

After being looked over for promotion, book editor Lexie Dunbar decides to take an extended leave of absence from her job, going home to the pretty town of Bracken Way to lick her wounds. But once there, local bookshop owner Trevor talks her into taking over as manager of the ailing business, which is a place that holds a special place in not only her heart but in the hearts of the local community.

With plans for the grand reopening well underway, the last thing Lexie needs is to come up against some opposition in the form of gorgeous but arrogant artist Tobias Black who has his own plans of turning the bookshop into an art gallery. As tensions rise the pair continue to clash, until Tobias suddenly uncovers a shocking secret that shows they may have more in common than they at first realised…

The Bookshop by the Loch is a heartwarming story about love, family, hidden secrets and the importance of never giving up on your dreams. Julie Shackman’s writing is gorgeous as she brings to life a colourful cast of characters who you can’t help but fall in love with. Eighty year old Celeste is a particular highlight for me, with her sharp mind and a zest for life that is still undimmed by age. For me, Celeste is the glue that holds this beautiful story together, as Lexie and Tobias are drawn ever closer by their mutual admiration of the indomitable old lady.

I loved The Bookshop by the Loch and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is looking for a lovely feel good read to escape with this winter.

Simply gorgeous!

"The Bookshop by the Loch" is a beautifully-written, sweet, and charming book from author Julie Shackman! The small-town Scottish setting was so much fun to read about. The author has done wonderful work describing the setting, characters, and locations and has brought not only the story/characters to life but also the beautiful scenery! I felt as if I were there. The bookshop setting is cozy and fun! The characters feel three-dimensional and like real people along with unique personalities, thoughts, emotions, and personal/familial difficulties of their own. I love Lexie's grandpa! He is so sweet and cares about his family so much. Tobias is such a cool character and Lexie is so kind! The romance is so sweet and swoony! I loved the enemies-to-lovers vibes. I also really liked seeing Lexie and Tobias slowly move past their conflict to be there for each other. They both provide such a great support system for each other! The kisses and almost kisses were so much fun. The emotional depth and romantic tension is definitely there! I love the entire story line with Celeste and her family. The author has done great work carrying out all aspects of the story with sensitivity and care. The speed of the plot is perfect, the author's writing style is smooth and sparkling with wit, humor, and heart, the characters are original and so lovable, the romance is sweet, swoony, and feels genuine, and the story is original and full of beauty and emotion. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Wonderful storytelling and unforgettable characters. 5 stars!

Thank you very much to author Julie Shackman, One More Chapter, Harper Collins UK, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy to read and review honestly. I had such a wonderful time reading! Thank you!

This was a very light read, full of lovely characters that face quite shocking twists and turns. The drama that they all go through is highly interesting and was most unexpected. I did enjoy reading this but am slightly annoyed as I thought it would be a romance and it absolutely is not. While the main character Lexie does have feelings for Tobias, the romance is not the main focus. It pops up now and then but honestly feels like an afterthought. If you're looking for a romance, this is not it. If you're looking for an interesting story with some family drama, this is your book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this lovely book.

A really Lovely and heartwarming romance! I read it in one sitting and it just was so cosy and cute. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a soap opera of a book that was! I’ve read the other Scottish Escape books by Julie and really enjoyed them, this was no different. There seemed to be a new drama at every page turn, all shocking and making you carry on even though you needed to get on with stuff.

Lexie loses out on a promotion, and goes back home for a few weeks to lick her wounds and decide on her future. Then she hears about the local town’s bookshop closing down and goes along to try to help. This is where her life flips again. She meets Tobias, Maeve and her long left dad reappears, it’s all kicking off!

I love how this progresses, just as you think it’s all calming down Julie throws in another curveball and it goes off again. Great story, perfect for a rainy day cosying on the sofa. Who doesn’t want to read about a bookshop!

I do love a book that features a book shop! So I was thrilled and excited to read this one. Added into the mix was a dark and brooding man, who on first introduction was not very keen on helping with keeping the book store going but soon becomes involved both with the shop and Lexie, the book shop saviour.
I enjoyed watching Lexie take on the challenges of the bookshop, her passion to promote it and to save it were absolutely fantastic to see. I loved her spats with Tobias too, you could definitely feel the sparks fly between these two fantastic characters.
Some interesting twists that popped up during the story kept me utterly intrigued throughout the book and I loved the wonderful community feel this book contained.
I’m definitely going to read more books by this author as I really enjoy the uplifting and engaging stories that she creates, and the beautiful settings too.

In The Bookshop by the Loch, the first novel I've read by Julie Shackman, the main character, Lexie, returns to her hometown to stay with her mum for three months. She visits a charming bookshop she's always admired, only to discover that it's up for sale. Lexie is determined to save the shop and has a plan with the owner when a brooding artist, Tobias, appears on the scene, set on turning the bookshop into an art gallery.

While Lexie is the protagonist, I found Celeste to be the true star of the story. Julie does an excellent job of developing each character's individual goals, showcasing their determination, and highlighting their unique personalities.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Get your copy today and fall in love with these characters as much as I did.

2.5/5 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the advanced copy of this title.
Unfortunately this one was not for me, even though the premise seemed right up my alley.
The writing was overly descriptive in the most benign parts but when it came to the relationships we barely got anything.
Some parts felt like they were written by someone who’s not Scottish but who kept remembering that they set their story in Scotland. Phrases felt out of place and we were constantly reminded where we were.
The main plot points definitely had a lot of potential but I feel like not much was done with them.
All in all it was definitely more slice of life than romance.

I love stories that involve bookstores and this one was no exception!

Shackman’s smooth and vivid writing flows so well it was easy to get swept up in the unfolding tale. It was a breath of fresh air to read this sweet romance filled with love, loss, hope, and finding happiness in unexpected places.

It’s an interwoven story full of adventure and new beginnings with delightful and quirky characters I immediately wanted to get behind. The warmth of the relationships stood out and was comforting to read.

Lexie is at a crossroads in life and she returns to her hometown to some thinking space. Her beloved bookshop, Book Ends, is in trouble - it’s a real treasure and is where her passion for books stems from. She gets involved to try and save it , can she shoulder the pressure and turn things around?

Enter the charming Tobias who has a claim to the shop and wants to take it in a different direction. I loved the ensuing friction between Lexie and Tobias with their witty back and forth and sarcastic interactions. They have conflicting ideas and complex family dynamics to unravel. The more time they spend with each other the closer they grow, they confide in each other and support one another through some shocking news. Lexie sees Tobias’s kind and caring nature and realises her first impressions may have been off as their chemistry simmers and attraction flares. Will they find their way together?

The Bookshop By The Loch is the perfect escapist read looking at what’s important, making the most of each day, and taking a risk. It’s a story I would recommend to any romcom fans looking for a feel-good story to settle down with. A delight of a book!

Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was lucky enough to read book #5 recently and even though these books are great as a standalone I loved that I could just continue on. Lovely story and endearing tale. Need more please - haha!

The Bookshop By The Loch by Julie Shackman is heart-warming and cozy read set in an idyllic Scottish town by a loch. This story is filled with Scottish charm and deals with love, growth and family.

Lexie and Tobias start off at odds with one another but they have some chemistry and the enemies to friend’s romance is sweet.

This is the sixth book in the Scottish Escapes series, but could easily read as a standalone,

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'The Bookshop By The Loch' by Julie Shackman.

Read and reviewed for Julie Shackman, One More Chapter Publishing, Harper Collins UK, NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources Tours.

Publication date 31st January 2024.

This is the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely won't be my last!! It is also the sixth book in Julie's 'Scottish Escapes' series but can be read as a standalone.

This novel consists of 40 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! What an absolutely beautiful book that I fell in love with!!! I cannot wait to read more books by this extremely talented author!

This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.

I absolutely love, Love, LOVE this absolutely stunning book based book that is absolutely perfect for any and all bibliophiles out there so don't even waste your time reading more than this and go and grab your copy now!! However, if you need any further convincing I will tell you a bit about the book and how I felt about it. This book is an absolutely gorgeous, romantic, book paradise escape!!! It is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions filled with heartbreak, books, confusion, books, second chances, books, romance, books, painting, books, anger, books, family, books, love, books, secrets, books, confusion, books, drama, friendship and so much more. Oh, I'm not sure if I mentioned books!! I was completely swept away with the storyline and loved having a holiday in the beautiful Scottish Highlands looking over the gorgeous loch while surrounded by.... you guessed it...books!! Lexie heads back home to her Mum and Grandad after being turned down for a promotion that she should have had. When she arrives home things go from bad to worse when she discovered the book shop that she had grown up visiting and falling in love with is being put up for sale. After lots of consideration and debating Lexie decides to manage it while continuing to do what she loves by freelance editing. However, Trevor's (the owner of the bookshop Book Ends) then turns up and wants to use half of the 'Book Ends' as an art gallery. With Lexie and Tobias at loggerheads, Lexie's so called father making an appearance out of the blue and much more going on will Lexie be able to make a success out of 'Book Ends' within the year that Trevor has given her to do so? Well, if you are still reading this you need to go and start reading this gorgeous book to find out! With illnesses, job opportunities, family secrets and much more going on this is anything but a typical romance book!!! This book really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was utterly glued to the pages and I could not bring myself to put it down. I was carrying my kindle around with me every chance that I got as I just could not put it down and ended up devouring it in one sitting then being gutted I had finished it so quickly!! tis is one stunning book with a stunning location that I would absolutely love to visit!! I was devastated when I came to the end of this gorgeous mini break away and had to get back to reality in windy and wet Wales. However, I am so pleased that this book is the sixth book in this series as it means I can escape back with the previous 5 books while waiting for the seventh one to come out!! I would seriously recommend this book to anyone and everyone!! A gorgeous uplifting romance that will warm your hearts 💝. I am off to add the rest of Julie's previous to my Amazon wish list as soon as I've finished this review!!

Although this is the sixth book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as this is one gorgeous and unputdownable stunner that will keep you hooked and have tears streaming down your face❤️

I absolutely loved getting to know the characters in this book who were all strong, realistic. I became completely invested in each and every one of them. They all had their own problems, secrets, feelings and all had unique personalities and I just absolutely loved getting to know them all. The main character Lexie is an absolutely fantastic female protagonist and I mean she is a huge book lover and has been since a child, she then goes on to work with books!! What is there to not love about her? Honestly, I just adore books about books with book loving characters!! An absolute perfect storyline for any bibliophile!! My heart went out to Lexie after the way she was treated by the idiots she used to work for and I was rooting for her from the start to the end. It wasn't all about books and book loving characters though and along came Tobias who did not make a good impression on me at all, I found him to be rude, self centred and just wanted to give him a clout with a book!! I was not the only one who felt this way but to find out if Lexie did batter him with a book or it ends up like a perfect romance I will leave for you to discover when you grab your copy of this page turner! It wasn't just Lexie I adored though and there were several other fantastic characters that stood out for me and that I fell in love with. I thought Lexie's mum was sweet but definitely didn't help adding to Lexie's stress, her Grandad was just absolutely adorable, celeste was absolutely lush and I loved getting to learn more about her life. there were more characters I liked and others I could not stand but I'm trying to keep my reviews short and not say anything that would spoil it for future readers. I will say that with all the characters, thanks to Julie's fantastic writing skills she ensured I felt each of their love , friendship, pain, heartbreak, happiness, anger, sorrow and so much more. Regardless of if I loved them or hated the characters they each played their parts perfectly and it wouldn't have been as amazing a read as it was if I had loved them all!!! Julie does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the story to life and the characters leap out of the pages as your turning them thanks to her evocative writing skills!! Well done Julie!!! I am hoping to meet several of the characters in Julie's previous and future books.

Congratulations Julie on an absolutely gorgeous and heart-warming read filled with everything you could ever ask for in a page turner!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your future books especially the previous and future books in this series!! I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! This is why I would like to welcome you to my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂

Overall an absolutely gorgeous book lovers book that will keep you glued to the pages and warm your heart ❤️!!!

362 pages.

This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle and £9.19 in paperback (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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This is the sixth book in the Scottish Escapes series and perhaps one of my favourites of the ones I have read so far.

When Lexie leaves her job and is given the opportunity to become Manger of her local Bookshop she takes the chance. She is busy making plans for the shop when Tobias makes an appearance, unfortunately, with different ideas.

The relationship between Lexie and Tobias is good with its twists and turns. I also liked the friendship with Maeve and Celeste. I felt there was a great range of characters who are all relatable.

As well as the bookshop story, each character has a side story going on, and there were quite a few curveballs thrown in.

It is a lovely heartwarming and engaging story about second chances, forgiveness and family.

Thank you @rachelsrandomresources for my ARC in exchange for an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily.

The Bookshop by the Loch is the sixth in Julie Shackman’s Scottish Escapes series. I haven’t read any of the others though so can safely say that you can enjoy this as a standalone novel if you haven’t read any either. I can never resist a book that is set in and around a bookshop and with the Scottish Highlands setting, this one really appealed.

When editor Lexie is passed over for promotion, she takes extended leave and moves back in with her mum and Grandad in the lochside town of Bracken Way. The owner of the much loved bookshop has decided to retire but Lexie can’t bear the thought of it closing and agrees to take on the role of manager to try to turn its fortunes around. She was bursting with ideas and I almost wished I could go and visit the bookshop! However, there’s a fly in the ointment when the owner’s grouchy nephew appears and demands space in the shop for his art gallery. The animosity between the two was instant.

What I really enjoyed about this enemies to lovers romance was that actually, a friendship developed first which seemed very realistic. Both Lexie and Tobias could be rather hot-headed and impetuous at times but gradually they learned to share their working space and get to know each other. Every time they appeared to be getting close to moving to more than friends though, something always seemed to happen which prevented it!

And there is certainly much to keep your attention aside from the romance in the book. There are family secrets galore, people coming to terms with illness or their own mortality, characters with second chance romances and unexpected job opportunities. There are some fantastic minor characters too and my favourite was feisty but frail Celeste, although I’m not sure what she’d think about being called a minor character!

I really enjoyed spending time in Bracken Way with Lexie and Tobias, and would certainly read more from this author in the future. Recommended if you enjoy gentle romance with plenty of other drama happening in the story. I rather like the sound of the next book in the series, A Scottish Highland Hideaway, with its very autumnal looking cover. I’ll be watching out for that later this year.