Whew! What a wild ride! So, I requested this thinking it would be all cozy and book-ish, you know, like a bunch of bookworms bonding over their favorite novels and sharing literary wisdom(did have a little bit of that). But nooooo, it turned out to be a full-on soap opera! Drama with a capital D.

The so-called "sisterhood" is was so toxic. They’re constantly at each other's throat, keeping secrets, and making one dumb decisions after the other.

Now, here’s the kicker – I LOVED it! I’m not even into soap operas usually, but this book had me hooked. The drama was just so juicy and over the top, I couldn’t put it down. It was like watching a train wreck – you know you shouldn’t enjoy it, but you just can’t look away.

Totally recommended for the soap opera and drama-loving girlies 📚💥🍿

Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for the ARC!

I noticed this author has written quite a few books, but this is the first time I’m hearing of her and her work. What drew me to wanting to read this is because I’m an avid reader and love all things books and book clubs, so this seemed right up my alley.

Four women are united by their love of reading. (I can so relate!) As a result of their passion, they decided to open their very own bookshop to share their love with other avid readers. Each of them had to pony up quite a few bucks to get the ball rolling, which they were all eager to do.

Celeste was the voice of reason and the finance guru. Toni was their social media front runner. Yasmeen was the sister who knew about all the hottest books to select and read, and Leslie was the supporter of all her sisters combined.

Toni not only loves her besties and books, but she’s about to get married to Kent, the man of her dreams for real. She couldn’t have plucked him out of one any better than she had. But Toni has an issue that she’s not quite sure how her man is going to take it. Celeste, on the other hand, being married the longest of fourteen years, finally discovers that perhaps her marriage isn’t on as much solid ground as she would like to be believe. Yasmeen was so broke that if being broke was considered wealthy, she had more money than Jeff Bezos. Leslie and her husband, although still living under the same roof, weren’t as loving as they used to be and it isn’t until a horrific circumstance involving their daughter, Nadya, occurred that really tested their vows.

All the sisters had a lot going on and secrets and circumstances were buzzing around the quartet like a pesty insect. It wasn’t until Nadya was going through her issue when the girlfriends’ friendship began to get tested. Leslie learned of a horrible truth about her family. Toni was carrying around a horrible secret that threatened to destroy her friendship, lose her social media influencer status and her man. Yasmeen was going through it living from paycheck to paycheck and involved with a man that didn’t appear to want to help her but was a constant leech. Celeste’s husband gave her an ultimatum that blindsided her.

If you’re a fan of Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillian, then you will most undoubtedly enjoy The Bookshop Sisterhood. These four women each brought to the table something unique to their group and no matter how much was thrown their way, they always managed to make it through. Overall, this was a very delightful read, although it was way too long for my tastes. As my readers know, I do not like reading very long books, but I realize they are a necessary evil. Even though I found the story too long, it was fun to read and made me want to be a part of the girlfriends’ book club.

This story follows 4 women who are best friends, navigating the most tumultuous period in all of their lives, and trying to open a bookstore together. I found 2 of them to be more unlikable in that both were relatively unreasonable and seemed immature in some of their actions and reactions. It was hard to empathize with some of their struggles when they were so annoying on the page. I did enjoy the messages about asking for help and leaning on friends as your strongest source of support. Some of my favorite scenes were the 4 women discussing the books they were reading and reflecting on how important reading has been to their lives and friendship. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a quick, easy read about friendship, perseverance, determination, discovering your own worth, and standing up for yourself, with plenty of book talk mixed in.

I feel extremely luck that I get to work alongside the author of this book. This is the first time I've ever read any of her work, and I'm excited to go back and read some of her previous titles. She is a talented writer, and I commend her for how beautifully she managed to write a story in multiple perspectives. It's not easy to do that well and actually make each character sound different from one another.

While I think this book was technically well-written, it was full of so much drama that it overshadowed the story. I was looking forward to reading a story about friends opening a bookshop together, but that is a secondary story to all the issues going on within their lives. Told from alternating points of view of each character, they each have serious problems to contend with. From PTSD to blackmail. I think having all the main characters deal with such intense issues was overwhelming to the story. Also, they argued a bit more than I would expect for their ages. Instead of behaving like women in their 30s, it felt sometimes like they were college age. And how they would talk to each other didn't fit with their friendship otherwise.

I think if you are someone who likes lots of drama, then this is the story for you. Just don't go into it expecting it to be about opening a bookshop because that barely gets story time.

Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing ARC of The Bookshop Sisterhood by Michelle Lindo-Rice. I was drawn to this book because of the cover (a woman of color surrounded by books). This book is about four women facing unexpected challenges in their lives. The book was easy to follow even when told through the different POVs. I really love the character development and bonds between each person in the book. Every character was relatable. A fun book that pulled a lot of emotions out of me. A fast paced read about a lot of drama and bookish talk. The ending did seem rushed, however I recommend this novel if you like books about friendships and books.

Thank you so much to netgalley and Harlequin for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows a friend group who are going to open a book store together. However, a lot of drama unfolds and they have to rely on each other to make it through.

I thought this book had an interesting premise. I love the idea of a bookstore owned by friends. I think the cover is super cute also.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t a big fan of this one. I just found the characters a bit annoying and there was just too much drama for my liking. Some people will like the drama but I wasn’t a bit fan.

I didn’t finish this one so I won’t be reviewing on Goodreads.

I hope others like this one more than me!

I received an electronic ARC from Harlequin Trade Publishing through NetGalley.
The premise sounded interesting so I requested the book thinking it would revolve around a bookstore and the patrons. Sadly, the bookstore is only incidental to the overall plot line. Readers meet four women who have been friends for almost two decades. Each is going through their own crisis and relies on the others as friends do. However, they seem to argue and insult each other in catty ways as often as they show love and support. I'm aware some friendships work that way but it's not a model I personally prefer. The characters are relatable in their struggles though I wonder if this would have unpacked better as four books - one on each woman, and then a book about the bookstore they opened together.
Told in alternating chapters from all four women's POVs so readers see what each is thinking and experiencing. Each chapter includes all four women at least in texts and calls so readers see all four experience each situation.
I rounded up from a 2.5 and am glad I read it. Others may appreciate the style more.

If you’re looking to dive deep into four different friends’ lives where they have real problems, but they’re on a journey to open a bookshop, and live their best bookshop life then look no further.


Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni, and Leslie are on the verge of opening the bookstore of their dreams.

Just when they think they are on the right track, it seems everyone of them is thrown a curveball and they’re not sure they will be able to open the book shop at all.

Can they lean on each other to get through these tough times?


This book follows the lives of four book friends and their friendship journey. It’s a wild ride and each friend has something random and intense going on. Some of them I liked, one of them, not so much. For starters, I found one of the women very insufferable and she made some horrible life choices. I cannot for the life of me figure out how someone with three best friends could make the poor decisions she made, surely, she would at least listen to them and they’d put some sense into her head right? Not over the course of the book, nope. I really didn’t like reading her point of view chapters and it did diminish my enjoyment of the book. However, I enjoyed the other three characters. I found this book to not necessarily be about a bookshop, yes, they are working on opening one. But it was more a character development while they meander their way to opening a bookshop. Nothing huge really happens, but that is okay, I don’t think it needed to, I still enjoyed it.

I rarely do not finish a book, but I did not get all the way through The Bookshop Sisterhood by Michelle Lindo-Rice. While I appreciate the concept of close friends who are like family founding a book store together, I did not feel fully engaged by the book. The novel ended up being more about the women's problems and drama rather than the bookstore. At times they fought a lot and were harsh with each other. A lot of readers seem to love this book and many may relate to their struggles, but the book just wasn't a good fit for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance review copy.

Whewww okay. I enjoyed reading this. However I will state that all 4 of the women were bratty, and it had a lot of drama. I thought it would be less about women complaining and arguing but it seemed as if that behavior carried out through the entirety of the novel. I wish I could have loved this one but it fell a little flat for me.

Thank you, netGalley, for the eArc.
It was the cover and title that drew me to this book. This is my first read by this author. This book is heavy on the drama and heavy on the sisterhood. Checking trigger & content warnings is a must; I was stressed. The characters could be likable, but the actions of all of them made it difficult to not want to punch them in the face. But you also want it to work out for them so they are tolerable. Annoying but tolerable. I enjoyed the books that were referenced. I wish there was more about the bookshop coming to be, and the ending felt rushed. But give me an HEA, and I'm good.

I loved this book. I loved the characters and their stories. IT was a tad predictable, but it held my interest. I appreciated that the characters each has a storyline, but they were also interconnected through their past and their investment in the future, It was a great read that I would definitely recommend.

When we are introduced to the characters in this group it is under the premise that these four friends are planning to open a book shop together in a few months. I loved all the book talk. But then the women leave the meeting and go off into their own lives and just like in real life everyone has REAL LIVES with real problems. Some they all find out about and some they keep private. I liked how real this is. The friends are like sisters. They talk harshly and honestly to each other, but they forgive quickly (most of the time) and have each other's backs.

I enjoyed these women and am grateful to #HarlequinTradePublishing and #NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion about this book.

This book had a lot going on and most of it was not about the bookshop. The 4 women who make up the sisterhood are long time friends who decide to open up a bookstore and then each of their lives falls apart in dramatic ways. Although the story kept you turning pages to see what would happen next, not all the women were likeable or treated each other well. It did not seem realistic that all of them would have such immense issues at the same time or that they would make the choices that they did to deal with their situations The ending of the book seemed rushed after so much time was taken delving into each of their lives past and present. I wanted to like each of the women more and root for them more but it was hard to do. I did like that there were so many book recommendations from other authors throughout the book.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.

The Bookshop Sisterhood is a story about four women facing incredible hardships who learn to love themselves and each other in a way they never have. Friends Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni, and Leslie are a found family, friends who are always there for each other, and bound together by their love of books. They intend to open a bookstore cafe with each other, but almost immediately after deciding this, their lives take a turn for the worst. Celeste, paralyzed by PTSD, is losing control of her marriage, and her husband asks for a divorce. Leslie's teenage daughter collapses during practice and needs immediate medical attention, and her husband is mostly absent. Toni is being threatened by a past partner, all while grappling with news of her infertility. And Yasmeen is struggling to get by, until she wins the lottery, and suddenly has immense cash she has never seen in her life.

There was so much plot that the main characters could all have their own book. They each are going through immense personal drama, and putting it all together loses out on some details of their own story. I was drawn to the title because of the bookshop, which ended up being a fairly minor aspect of the plot. Though, I did appreciate how many references the author made to other author's and novels.

I found the characters to be incredibly frustrating. I think some of that leads into the plot and makes each of them more relatable for the reader. But sometimes I thought it was taken too far, such as Celeste firmly refusing to go to therapy for most of the book, and Yasmeen being incredibly wasteful with her lottery earnings. When the characters fought with each other (which was 75% of the book), their insults were so harsh that I honestly was shocked they remained friends for so long. I was not surprised when the climactic explosion happened in each of their lives, leading to a break in friendship, but it came so close to the end of the book, that the reunion felt rushed. Overall, I think the pacing could have used so work. But with that being said, I did finish the book in 5 days, so that says something about the intrigue in and of itself.

Overall, I would give this book 2.5 stars, but I am rounding up to 5. If you like challenging but relatable characters, found family, and bookish talk, this book is for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for sending me an advanced digital copy to review.

While I think this book has merit, I don't know if I'd consider reading from this author again. The plot was moving and the connection between the characters is endearing, but I feel as if the narrative was hindered by the writing. For me, it lacked depth and I was left wanting more. The dialogue felt juvenile and cliched at times, for example, the first line is "This is going to be the best year of our lives". When the women would speak to each other it felt unnatural, unconvincing. It takes me out of a book entirely when you have to say to yourself; this is not how people talk to each other.

There's potential here and there is someone out there who's going to love this novel. That person is just not me, unfortunately.

The Bookshop Sisterhood is the story of 4 best friends who love each other and books. This love prompts them to open a bookstore together. Personal and collective issues threaten not only the opening of their bookstore, but also their friendship. Celeste is struggling to save her marriage after a traumatic experience. Toni is trying to get ready for her wedding while dealing with past and current dilemmas. Leslie is caring for her seriously ill child as secrets regarding her dad and husband are revealed. Yasmeen is learning the hard way that more money means more problems after winning the lottery. I appreciate how the author uses this story to demonstrate that “Besties, Books, and Bevs” can be both a bookstore and a way of life. I also appreciate how the author mentions books by other authors though out the story. I literally went back through the book after reading it and wrote down all of the books mentioned. Thank you, Michelle Lindo-Rice, for giving your readers a beautiful story about friendship and a list of books to buy from their local bookstore or include in their own bookstore that this story might inspire them to open. I would also like to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I am a sucker for any book that involves books or bookstores, no matter what the main plot. The Bookshop Sisterhood did not disappoint. Told from the perspective of all four characters in alternating chapters, you really get to know each of them and how their individual worlds are falling apart while trying to open a bookstore together.

Each of the characters is likable and relatable. I was yelling at each of them at some point in the story for being idiots. And I was genuinely invested in all of them.

The story was fun, with lots of drama, and showed true friendship and sisterhood. Definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Its the New Year and four book loving best friends meet up to discuss the opening of their new bookstore. Immediately after the meeting ends, each woman faces life changing events that threatens the future of both their bookstore and their friendship. The book alternates between the 3rd person POV of each woman and with each chapter we get to know them, and their secrets, more and more. The emphasis of how important our chosen family is feels familiar and refreshing, with female empowerment being a constant theme. The story is packed with soap like drama, but I found myself engaged in each woman's story and rooted for each of them to have a happy ending. I loved how the author joyfully mixes in real life book recommendations, particularly from women and women of color. The characters' mix of distinct personalities, humor and relatable challenges of womanhood make this a great book club read.