A sweet short story about grief and new life and how to love your family in the middle of it all. Best if you read the first two in the series because they definitely build on each other!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Bookstore Keepers by Alice Hoffman!

Well written and an easy read, I wish it was longer! I did not realize this was part of a series. It read well as a standalone.

Alice Hoffman once again showcases her mastery of magical realism in The Bookstore Keeper’s, the third short story in a series of three. Although I didn’t read the first two, I had no trouble understanding the essence of this beautifully woven tale.

At its heart, this is a story about sisterhood—the unbreakable bond, the love, the conflicts, and the deep-rooted connection that transcends time and even reality itself. Hoffman’s signature blend of magic and emotion is on full display, creating a world that feels both enchanting and deeply human.

The prose is lyrical, the atmosphere is immersive, and the themes of love, loss, and destiny are handled with the kind of delicate, bittersweet touch that makes her work so special. If you love magical realism and stories that explore the complexities of family, The Bookstore Keeper’s is a must-read.

I've read a few books from Hoffman in the past and I have always enjoyed them very much. This is not an exception. The plot is doing it's thing and making me question things, cry, laugh and not making me want to put it down. Hoffman is talented as few and her writing is on point!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was excellent! Alice Hoffman does so well with her short stories- they pack a mighty punch despite being so short. I've loved each and every one of the short stories in this mini-series. The characters are complex and well written, the scenery is easily pictured based on the descriptions, etc.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC for an honest review.

This is a lovely addition to Alice Hoffman’s Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories! It’s just as lovely as the previous two. It’s full of happiness and sadness and such an immersive experience.

Three stories are beautifully connected with characters dealing about letting go, moving forward and the things that connects us. Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for sending me this ARC.

Another charming short book from Alice Hoffman in the Bookstore series. Lots of quotes to highlight about love.

This is the first thing I’ve ever read by Alice Hoffman, but I really enjoyed it. The island setting was so atmospheric and ethereal. I loved getting to know the family and their connections to the island/each other. I plan on reading the other books in this short story series, although I feel they could maybe just be put into one novel instead of being released as short stories?

I'm giving this 5 stars because it was beautiful but it appears to be related to other books I'd not read from this author, so I found myself missing some details.

Thank you net galley and Amazon. Sweet short story or family and love. Holding o.n And letting go. Starting over and living the life you choose.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this wonderful story. I reread #1 and 2 in preparation for this one. Wonderful story and characters and fingers crossed there will be more installments!

What a lovely novella this was, a great completion the the trilogy. Alice Hoffman always has a way of catching your attention and your heart with her stories. Loved this.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

There was really nothing special here. This was definitely something that did not really resonate with me as a past reader of this author. It is the little moments of magic that really set her apart and bring her stories to life after all. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

3.5 stars

The Bookstore Keepers by Alice Hoffman is a short story and a third in this little series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Amazon, and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background: (Note that this section may contain spoilers from previous books)
Isabel Gibson returned to Brinkley's Island in Maine after running away to New York to learn art. She ran from the family bookstore, the death of her mother, a grieving father, an angry sister, and a boy who was in love.  Twelve years later, she returns.  Her sister Sophie is now married to a doctor, and Isabel, after 4 failed attempts to marry Johnny, finally succeeded.  Isabel and Sophie now run the bookstore together, and a bakery.  They are helped out by Violet, Sophie's daughter.  Isabel now illustrates.



My Synopsis and Opinions:    
Because these are short stories, I provide a short synopsis and my opinions together.  I'm surprised I'm reviewing short stories at all, so bear with me.

Johnny is grieving the death of his father, and tries to go it alone. This annoys me, as what does he think marriage is for?   Meanwhile, Violet has decided she wants to go to Paris after graduation, but struggles to tell her family that she doesn't want to return to run the bookstore.  Isabel is keeping more than one secret from her sister.

The story is about grief, about family, about secrets, about love.  Hoffman's writing is wonderful, and although this series is not my normal genre (it lacks mystery and excitement),  it is nice feel-good fiction.

Book #3 in Once Upon A Time In A Bookstore series, the next chapter in the lives of The Bookstore Sisters as they try to live a quiet life running their bookstore. Alice Hoffman's writing style will bring all the "feels" as the bonds that tie the family together are stretched thin. This is a novella length story that can easily be read as a stand alone, but you'll get more sigh worthy chapters by reading the first two books. Recommend to anyone who loves women's fiction with an emotional ending.

Amazing how such a short book can make such a big emotional impact! I ached for these characters, rooted for their success and happiness, and left feeling proud and hopeful for them all.

I have loved all of the Bookstore series. This one was good not my favorite. I hope the series is over because I think it should finally come to a conclusion.

The Bookstore Keepers is short story number three within The Once Upon A Time Bookshop Stories series from Alice Hoffman, where "family, independence, and finding your place in the world" take centre stage.

This was a heartfelt and cozy story about loss, grief and change yet had such a strong message of hope woven throughout. Its never-ending atmosphere translated into vivid imagery within my mind. Although this is the only book from this series I have read, I found the characters and island to be well developed (especially for a short story), and I never felt that I was lacking previous information!

Jennifer Jill Araya narrated this audiobook in the perfect fairy tale way. Her narration was straightforward, yet had a magical air to it!

This series features 40-ish page/hour-ish long books, and they're just the sort of story to slip into when you've got just a bit of spare time!

Thank you NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and Brilliance Publishing for the complimentary copies to read and review.