In this third short story in the series, Isabel and Johnny have settled into their life together—but life keeps throwing curveballs, and Isabel and Johnny aren't quite done with theirs yet.

This series has been an interesting introduction to Hoffman's style of writing. I haven't read her full-length works, so of course I can't say whether or not this is representative, but from these short stories I'd call her style reflective but slightly removed. I get the sense that she'd go for something fairly...home-focused but sweeping?...in her longer works.

This is again a fairly quiet story. It feels in some ways as though the series is wrapping up, but it also proves to be the start of new adventures for multiple characters, so perhaps this is just the beginning.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

Alice Hoffman crafts a well written multi dimensional short story that you are sure to enjoy. If you are not already a fan, you will be after reading this book.

This was a pretty good short story. It wasn’t a complete book, but it was still entertaining and I kind of want to see how it ends. I like the writing style and character development. I was a little bit confused why it was so short and not a whole book

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

So very beautiful.
I loved the writing and the plot.
I loved how it shifted from perspectives seamlessly.
I loved how it puts a smile on your face all the way through even when the characters face troubles.

Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite authors, and I was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to read this novella, the third in the series. It was just as lovely as the previous stories. I felt both happiness and sadness while reading this story, and I hope there will be several more stories because I want to know what happens next for the characters.

A few short stories that deal with grief, loss, and living life.

This book was very beautifully written and contained a lot of nuggets about dealing with some of the human experiences. It got me reflecting on my own life more, and wanting to live life to the fullest. It was a short read, but a little heavy due to the nature of some of the content. Something to help you sit back and think about life in a different way.

I did however wish this collection of short stories had given a little more. Maybe having a bit more conflict or having the conflict not resolve so conveniently would have helped.

Overall, it was a cute read and I liked it!

I'm sad to see Alice Hoffman's short story collection come to an end with The Bookstore Keepers. Isabel, Sophia, Violet, Johnny and Hank will stay with me forever.

Isabel !loves Johnny with all her heart and doesn't know how to help him cope with the heartbreak of losing his beloved father. When he shares his greatest wish with her, Isabel is faced with a choice that will forever change their lives. At the same time, Violet returns to the island but is dreading telling her mother that she may not be staying for long...

Only Alice Hoffman can create such beautifully flawed and insightful characters in the few pages of a short story. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Bookstore Keepers.

This book was a quick and thoughtful read.

One night, Johnny wakes up from a dream in which he thinks he saw an angel, and from then on, everything in his life changes .

I thought this story touched on some deeper topics about life and loss and why it's only once someone is gone that you truly start to question your own life and what it is that maybe you've been missing out on.

I liked the family vibe, getting to know sisters -Isabel, Sophie, and Sophie's daughter Violet. Their dynamic worked well, and you could sense the chemistry between them.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me access to this short story via Netgalley.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC!

This short story was so sweet, the love between the characters really shone through. I think maybe some of the decisions made by the characters didn’t resonate with me, but I still felt for them and their experiences together. This does make me want to read more of this author’s work!

Thanks for the review copy. I have the book pre ordered, too. I love this series but of course want to know even more about Violet.

3.5☆

I really appreciated the relationships between all of the characters—the love and connection they shared was touching. These short stories were sweet and to the point. The overall theme of love and family was what made it endearing and thoughtful. Plus, the small town charm, love of books, and tasty treats with cute names.

Overall, I really enjoyed the Once Upon A Bookshop Stories. There was enough emotion in each book to pull me in and appreciate the story and characters.

—Thank you, NetGalley, and Amazon Original Stories for sending this book for review consideration. All thoughts are my own.—

I am in love with the way Alice Hoffman writes and always have been. She has the ability to create magic with her sentences and I am always happy to read anything she’s written. The Bookstore Keepers is the third short story about sisters Isabel and Sophie, their loves and their lives. Ten years after the last story Isabel and Johnny are still very happy, Violet is grown about to graduate college, and the sisters are still running the bookstore and bakery. This story is about big changes, how they can surprise you, and how you must adapt to them. Beautifully worded, I’m already hoping there’s another installment.

First thought, when it says a short story it means it! When I began reading, I honestly didn’t know it was the 3rd book in a series. However, I feel I didn’t lose much information not having read those.

This story tells a tale of grief, loss, and love. Each character must come to terms with what life has thrown them and the decisions made by those around them. It was a short and sweet story. I liked the fact that we see the character’s growth. It was a nice and easy read.

However, because it was such a short story, I felt it was lacking detail and depth, where the character’s problems, complexities, and concerns were only touched upon without exploring them fully.

I received a free copy of The Bookstore Keepers by Alice Hoffman from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story had an impossible hill to climb from the beginning as I love the sisters and previous two stories so much. It felt like a beautiful if brief update of characters I love and a very lovely yet very open ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon for the ARC!

"The Bookstore Keepers" is a short story by Alice Hoffman and the third installment in the "Once Upon a Time Bookstore" series. I really enjoy Hoffman's cozy writing style and New England backdrops. This installment touches on the changes we go through in various stages of life and the ways in which our wants carve our paths in life. The story works well as a standalone, but the other two stories are definitely worth the read for fans. I'm hoping that Hoffman continues this series and eventually releases a collection.

A must read for the Bookstore Sisters fans. I really just love the lyrical writing in Hoffman's stories. I would read anything about these sisters and their families. If you haven't please read the first two in the series and then this one. I love them so much I just wish they were a little longer.
Thank you so much Alice Hoffman, the publishers, and Netgalley for this advance novella.
Review to come on my Instagram.

Such a good and fun short story! Made me cry by the end, i got attached to the characters very quickly. Definitely will be checking out more from this author.

A “long short story,” just 26 pages, The Bookshop Keepers still has all the Alice Hoffman magic. The simply shared tale of love and loss, endings and beginnings, change and acceptance— packs an emotional punch. This spare tale savored with a cup of tea and a cinnamon chip scone will bring a tear of joy to a tenderhearted reader.

Enjoyed the first two books of this novella series and I love this author but I’m done after this one if there is anymore. It was pointless to me

Cute little novella about sisters who run a bookshop and their hopes and dreams. I enjoyed it alot. I only wish it was longer