This one hit me in the heart. There’s something beautiful in watching two people who’ve already found each other re-learn what grief means—and somehow still hold hope. I teared up at Johnny’s dreams, felt Isabel’s quiet fear of loving too much, and rooted for Violet in her fight to balance home with who she wants to become. It’s a gentle, graceful reminder that endings and beginnings live side by side.

EXCERPT: Johnny was still in bed when Isabel woke that morning, even though he was the sort of person who woke early in order to see to his chores while the sky was still dark. He believed that the best part of the day was the first part, when the birds were waking in the marshes and everything seemed brand new.
Unfortunately, today wasn't most days. This was the day when Johnny didn't want time to go forward.
'Let it all stay as it was,' he thought.' Let us wait until it does.
But he had the sense that it was already too late. What was done could not be undone. What had been was no longer. He could feel it in every breath he took.

ABOUT 'THE BOOKSTORE KEEPERS': The Gibson sisters weren’t expecting to speak to each other ever again after Isabel ran off to New York and left Sophie alone. But here they are, years later, running the family bookstore together on Brinkley’s Island, Maine. Isabel also thought she’d left Johnny Lenox behind, but whether or not she knew it, Johnny was always going to be there for her.

Five years into their happily ever after, Isabel and Johnny are making the most of their second chance at love. Then one night, Johnny awakens from an extraordinary dream…and their world is irrevocably altered. Isabel does her best to give Johnny space as he struggles to accept the new chapter life has opened for them. But Johnny can’t do it alone—no one can. As the whole family is soon to discover, seasons change, but love never does.

MY THOUOGHTS: The Bookstore Keepers is #3 in the Once Upon a Time Bookshop stories and, yes, it is necessary to read them in order.

The Bookstore Keepers focuses on the importance of family relationships and the need for children to follow their own paths with the blessings of their parents. The old adage of 'If you love them, set them free' is front and centre here.

I still wish recipes were included.

A brief (half hour) and satisfying read, ideal for an afternoon at the beach or curled up in front of the fire.

⭐⭐⭐.7

#TheBookstoreKeepers #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: ALICE HOFFMAN was born in New York City and grew up on Long Island. She currently lives in Boston.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Original Stories via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Bookstore Keepers by Alice Hoffman for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Absolutely wonderful! I had no idea this was part of a series so I'm sure my experience would have been magnified with having the others read beforehand, but I love Alice Hoffman's writing and this was very enjoyable.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

A tender meditation on grief, renewal, and the quiet magic of everyday life, The Bookstore Keepers is a luminous addition to Hoffman’s beloved bookshop series. With lyrical prose and emotional precision, Hoffman explores how love endures through loss and how dreams can reshape the contours of reality.

- Grief and Transformation: The novella opens with Johnny Lenox awakening from a dream of his recently deceased father—a moment that sets the tone for a story steeped in spiritual connection and emotional reckoning. Hoffman treats grief not as a static emotion but as a catalyst for change.

- Family and Forgiveness: The Gibson sisters, Isabel and Sophie, continue their journey of reconciliation, now co-running the family bookstore on Brinkley’s Island. Their evolving relationship anchors the story’s emotional core.

- Magical Realism: Hoffman’s signature touch—subtle magic woven into the fabric of ordinary life—appears in Johnny’s dream and the ethereal atmosphere of the island. It’s never overt, but always transformative.

Five years after rekindling their romance in The Bookstore Sisters, Isabel and Johnny are living a quiet life on Brinkley’s Island. But when Johnny’s father dies, his grief manifests in unexpected ways—nocturnal wanderings, emotional withdrawal, and a sudden desire to have a child. Isabel, caught between honoring Johnny’s wishes and protecting their fragile peace, must navigate the shifting tides of love and loss. Meanwhile, Sophie’s daughter Violet returns home, secretly planning to escape to Paris rather than inherit the bookstore's legacy.

Johnny Lenox is the emotional center of this story—his grief is raw, his longing palpable. Hoffman writes him with deep compassion, capturing the vulnerability of a man confronting mortality and legacy. Isabel’s quiet strength and Sophie’s pragmatic warmth offer balance, while Violet’s subplot adds generational tension and thematic contrast.

The Bookstore Keepers is a delicate, emotionally resonant novella that will appeal to fans of Hoffman’s Practical Magic series and readers drawn to stories of quiet transformation.

The Bookstore Keepers by Alice Hoffman is the 3rd in the Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories. This short story continues to follow the lives of sisters, Isabel and Sophie, who live on a small island in Maine. This story continues with family, grief and new beginnings.

I have really enjoyed this short story series. Bookshop #4, The Bookstore Family was published in May, 2025. (which I will be reading)

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for a complimentary digital copy of this short story in exchange for my honest thoughts. #TheBookstoreKeepers #NetGalley

Two sisters weren't expecting to speak to each other again, after one of them (Isabel) ran off to New York. Years later however, they are running the family bookstore together in Maine. Isabel also left Johnny behind, but he would always be there for her.

Let me start by saying that the writing was good, however this short story just wasn't for me, I couldn't connect with it. Maybe that's because it is the third story in a series and I haven't read the first two (I didn't realize it was a series until I looked the story up on Goodreads), or maybe it was just not the right time for me to enjoy it. I might read it again someday, to see if I like it better. If so, I will edit this review.

The Bookstore Keepers is a quiet novella that blends loss, life changes, and resilience. Set in a small seaside town where books are more than just stories, it follows a cast of unforgettable characters who find comfort and second chances in the pages they shelve.

Each chapter hums with emotion and memory, reminding us of what holds us together. If you’re looking for a good cry, this book will likely give it to you.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, I’m a new fan of Alice Hoffman. I haven’t read the first two books in the series and plan to because of this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for early access to this book!
Cute and clever book! Would definitely recommend and read again

The Bookstore Keepers by Alice Hoffman. Pub Date: February 18, 2025. Rating: 4 stars. I will read anything Alice Hoffman writes and this Novella series is no exception. Filled with charm, love, family and realistic scenes, I absolutely adored this story. This is a heartwarming story about sister relationships that offers depth in feelings and overall style of story. Really enjoyed this one! Thanks to #netgalley and #amazonoriginalstories for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

First, I love Alice Hoffman. This is the third book in the Once Upon a Time Bookshop series. I am looking forward to the next...my only complaint is that these are short stories, I would love a full length book with these characters.
Thank you for NetGalley for the copy, it just me forever to get to it.
#NetGalley

Third in a series I haven't yet read, The Bookstore Keepers worked beautifully all on its own to fulfill the publisher's promise of a "deeply moving short story about the love of family and the power of dreams."

Made me cry, it did. Lovely all on its own. (I will be reading the others because of this!)

*A sincere thank you to Alice Hoffman, Amazon Original Stories, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #TheBookstoreKeepers #NetGalley

Oh I liked how this one followed other POV’s than only the 2 sisters. And I love seeing how these character’s stories have unfolded. I love how it’s covered so much of their lives. I’m happy/excited to see where the rest goes.

>>thank you netgalley and Amazon for a review copy of this short story. My opinions are my own.

This is the third 'Bookstore' short story I've read and like the others it quickly grabs your attention in how Hoffman reveals the drama of life and death. The story starts with a. death and its grief and ends with the possibility of new life. Further, in Violet, she reveals the wonder of grabbing life and not following what is expected of you.

It was a quick 30 minute read that I enjoyed throughly. Johnny, sisters Isabel and Sophie were characters of substance, even in so few pages which reflects Hoffman's talent in her story craft.

I was fortunate to receive an early ebook copy from Amazon via NetGalley, however, this had no bearing on my review.

This wasn't bad, per se, but I feel like it doesn't read like Alice Hoffman's usual works. I love her practical magic series and just found myself bored with this.

I will forever sing the praises of Alice Hoffman- the woman is a brilliant writer! When I received an ARC of The Bookstore Keepers, I had no idea it was party of a series. So I did what anyone would do and read the first two books before reading this one- What a wonderful series! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Bookstore Keepers is the third book in the Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories by Alice Hoffman. By far, this has been my favorite book in the series (so far).

This is a beautiful story about family and love. Well written and a moving read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Bookstore Keepers (The Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories #3) by Alice Hoffman
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Genre: Essays & Collections, General Fiction (Adult), Women's Fiction
Published: February 18, 2025

A lovely story about family that is heartwarming and deep. The way it begins with a death but ends with a possible birth was beautiful. The writing is simple, the story is filled with love and the setting is lovely

The Bookstore Keepers is a short story by Alice Hoffman, a writer that I love. And Hoffman doesn't disappoint. Turns out this is part of a series by Hoffman so I'll be circling back to the beginning of the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of The Bookstore Keepers in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now.

A quick little story from Alice Hoffman, that showcases family dynamics and love through trying events.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

The Bookstore Keepers is a heartwarming short story about the relationships between sisters, Isobel and Sophie, and Sophie's adult daughter Violet. The author's writing style is simple, but also impactful with plenty of depth.