I was completely charmed by The Second Story Bookshop. As someone who loves small-town romances and second chances, this book hit all the right notes. The story follows Shelby Thatcher, who inherits her beloved grandmother’s cozy bookshop in Granville, North Carolina, only to discover she must share ownership with Gray Briggs, the ex who broke her heart years ago.

Shelby is warm, determined, and deeply rooted in her community, while Gray is the classic misunderstood outsider trying to make amends. Watching them navigate their shared past, the town’s judgment, and the future of the bookshop was both heartwarming and emotionally satisfying. There’s tension, tenderness, and just the right amount of drama to keep the pages turning.

4 stars for THE SECOND STORY BOOKSHOP by Denise Hunter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well this is just a sweet, second-chance romance filled with alllllll the heart, healing, and cozy, bookish vibes.

After her grandmother passes away, Shelby finds herself in charge of the bookshop she helped run along side her grandma — only to run into Grayson, her high school sweetheart — the one who got away (and kind of stomped on her heart in the process).

The chemistry between Shelby and Grayson was believable and beautifully paced. I appreciated the emotional depth in their journey, and the way they both had to grow before coming back together felt authentic. Even though the book is written in third person, it almost reads like a dual POV — which I really enjoyed, since it let me get a clear sense of what both characters were thinking and feeling.

One of my favorite touches was how Shelby still felt connected to her late grandmother, hearing her voice during difficult moments. It added so much warmth and tenderness, and gave a comforting sense of guidance throughout the story.

I also loved the little nods to real-life authors like Kristan Higgins and Kristin Hannah — it made the world feel current and real, and as a fan of both, I felt right at home.

If you love clean romance, small-town charm, and stories about second chances, forgiveness, and finding your way back to love, this one’s for you.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC! This is my second ARC I’ve received of Denise Hunter, a new author I’ve added to my TBR and recommended to many friends.

“The Second Story Bookshop” was a delight to read, with an easy-to-follow story of two individuals working together to revive a family-run book store after a huge loss. It was great to experience this story, and the characters and the story arc were well-written and easy to follow. I would recommend it as an enjoyable and uplifting read.

First of all, I absolutely love it when there is more to the title than what meets the eye!! I’m not going to spoil what that little nugget is however. It’s a great life lesson.

Denise Hunter’s last few books have gone up to a whole other level. Her books are always good and very enjoyable. These last few, though, have reached CANNOT MISS A THING SHE WRITES status!

I immediately felt connected to the main character, Shelby, through the close relationship she had with her late grandmother. She also loves books, reading, family, friends, and her man.

Sometimes life circumstances can be rough. Some people jump to conclusions, bully, and push their power around. This is central to this story and this community. It’s the catalyst for Shelby and Gray’s relationship breaking up the first time when they were 18.

When the will of Shelby’s late grandma’s will pushes them together, it’s not pretty. But they become drawn together to save the bookshop. The shadows and completely unfair attitudes of the past are still at large all these years later.

Since I just read the first 3 books of the author’s Riverbend series in the last few months, it was fun to have those main characters mentioned at points during the story.

This novel kept me engaged throughout and I think it’s a beautiful story. I strongly recommend this book! The ending and epilogue left my heart full as well as my eyes. With tears. The best kind.

*** Huge thanks to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for providing me with an advanced digital copy. My honest review is in my own words.

This author has captured my heart with her writing and also the characters in this book, I could not put it down once i started reading.

When Shelby Thatcher arrives for the reading of her beloved grandmother’s will, she is shocked to discover that her former high school boyfriend, Gray Briggs, is also in attendance. Their breakup had been painful, and they hadn’t seen each other in years; Shelby had vowed never to speak to him again.
Having worked at her grandmother’s bookshop since high school, Shelby had helped transform it into a cherished haven for book lovers in their small town of Grandville, NC. To her surprise, she learns that she has inherited 51% of the bookshop, while Gray receives 49%. After graduating high school, Gray left town and never returned—his past marked by bullying and the stigma surrounding his family. His father is serving a prison sentence for the murder of a prominent local figure, and his mother passed away when he was very young, leaving him to be raised by his grandmother, who was a close friend of Shelby's grandmother.
Gray quickly agrees that the bookshop should belong solely to Shelby and willingly signs over his 49%. However, when unexpected issues arise regarding the bookstore, Gray offers to stay and help her resolve them. As they work together, they uncover more problems than they anticipated, forcing both Shelby and Gray to confront their past and their lingering feelings for each other.
This captivating story is filled with emotional ups and downs. While old feelings begin to surface with both Shelby and Gray, the same problems remain as well.
Every book by Dennis Hunter captures my heart and attention right from the start. I could hardly put this book down until the last page was turned, and even now this heartfelt story lingers.

Cozy Comfort in Every Chapter This feels like stepping into a warm hug wrapped in pages. With her trademark small-town charm and tender storytelling, Hunter delivers a tale that celebrates second chances, community, and the quiet magic of bookstores.

From the very first chapter, I was drawn in by the delightful setting and emotionally resonant characters. The bookshop itself feels like a character—dusty shelves stacked with possibility, tucked into a town that’s brimming with secrets and slow-blooming love. Hunter's prose is gentle yet evocative, and while the romance unfolds at an unhurried pace, the emotional depth gives it staying power.

This isn't a twisty, edge-of-your-seat read, but that's its strength. It’s the kind of story you curl up with on a rainy day, feeling your heart soften with every page. I appreciated the subtle growth arcs, the compassion threaded through dialogue, and the theme of rediscovery—whether it’s of passion, purpose, or love.

I was so excited when I got this ARC ! I love all of Denise Hunter’s books and buy them when they come out . This was excellent and I highly recommend it I really enjoyed it .
Thank you NetGalley and publishers
Oh and be prepared to stay up late like I did reading it

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Heartfelt, bookish, and beautifully romantic

I absolutely loved this small-town second-chance romance! When Shelby inherits her grandma’s bookshop, she’s shocked to learn she must run it with her ex, Gray—the one who broke her heart. Sparks fly, old wounds reopen, and Gram’s matchmaking from beyond the grave begins to work its magic.

The lakeside setting is cozy, the emotions are real, and the bookshop vibes are perfection. A must-read for fans of emotional reunions, forced proximity, and characters who love books as much as you do. This one will leave you smiling (and maybe a little misty-eyed). 💛📚

📚✨ Review: The Second Story Bookshop by @deniseahunter
🎧 + 📖 = Cozy perfection
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What an absolute joy and blessing it was to receive an ARC of this book. I had been highly anticipating this one, so when I saw it in my inbox, I may have squealed just a little. I couldn’t wait to dive in, and it did not disappoint.
(Thank you @netgalley @thomasnelson for the arc!)

This story was everything I love in a cozy romance: sweet, emotional, and full of that small-town charm Denise Hunter does so well. Shelby and Gray’s second-chance love story tugged at my heart in all the right ways, and the bookshop setting made it feel even more special like I was being wrapped in a soft, bookish hug.

I had the best of both worlds with this one reading the ARC and listening to the audiobook and I genuinely loved both experiences. The narrator brought so much heart and warmth to the story. She didn’t just tell it she felt it and made each emotional moment land just right.

Also… I may or may not have dropped my Kindle on my face trying to stay awake and read one more chapter. Worth it. 😂

If you’re like me and love second-chance romances, cozy bookshop settings, and stories with heart (and no spice!), this one deserves a spot on your fall reading list. It’s tender, uplifting, and exactly what I needed.

🧡 Truly grateful to have gotten an early copy of this gem—it’ll be one I revisit again.

Be sure to look for it October 7th 2025!!

Shelby and Gray…an amusing grandmother…love and romance…a bookstore…this favorite talented author has woven a story that is thoughtful and reflective. I liked this novel…a page turner. Spend an afternoon in this bookstore with this couple…thanks Netgalley.

I love that this title described the bookstore and the story. The bookstore was on the second story of the building but it was also Shelby and Gray’s second story.
I liked the plot until toward the end where there seemed to be so much focus on the couples being physically drawn to each other.
And I was not sure of the believability of a small town bookstore getting out of debt and yet being able to hire so many employees.
But it was such an interesting story.
As with all Denise’s books it was clean and romantic. This story had a small amount of spiritual content which is typical of most of her books.

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

Great story. lLove how the title Second Story Bookshop played into the story. Enjoyed the location and characters. Recommended read.
Received complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are my own.

The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter is about former high school sweethearts, Shelby and Gray. When Shelby's grandmother dies she leaves behind the bookshop that she ran with Shelby. Shelby is surprised to find out that she only inherited 51% of the bookshop and Gray inherits the other 49%. The relationship between them ended poorly and Shelby wants nothing to do with him but she takes up his offer to stay and help for a little while since he is good at business, a skill she lacks.
This is a very sweet and easy read that could easily be transformed into a Hallmark film. The chemistry between Shelby and Gray is palpable even through the pages of the book. You learn what happened between the two of them in their youth through periodic flashbacks. I really felt bad for the character of Gray due to the way the town treats him even though he did nothing to deserve it. The ending of the book was beautiful and made me tear up a bit while reading.

love the premise of this book! Second chances, bookstores, high-school sweethearts reunited? Yes, please! Unfortunately, I really struggled with this book.

The pace felt off (at times it was incredibly slow and at other times it seemed to jump all over the place). The characters all felt underdeveloped and one dimensional. The overall tone felt like it kept shifting without warning—at some points it felt like I was reading a cozy and sweet small-town romance, but more often it felt more like a drama (for some reason I kept randomly getting Where The Crawdads Sing vibes, which is not what I expected to get walking into this book).

Part of the challenge for me might be a “it’s not the book, it’s me” situation. When I pick up something that appears to be a sweet romance, I’m fully expecting the sweet moments to outweigh the cringy or tense moments, which can’t be said for this book.

Age recommendation: older teen/adult. Technically closed door, but there is a heavy emphasis on sexual tension. No language. Themes of alcoholism, abandonment, incarceration, hazing present throughout.

This book drew me in from the beginning. The characters were well-developed and relatable. The story was wholesome and had a wondeful ending. I would recommend to romance readers!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Denise Hunter can certainly write an entertaining tale. I've read a few of her books, and this one didn't disappoint. Hunter is an autobiy author for me!

This is an enjoyable read that is delightfully set in a quaint bookshop. I enjoyed both Gray and Shelby and there a good bit of character growth that added a lot to this story. It is a second chance romance, so as you can imagine there is baggage and things that were left unsaid. I could easily see this as a Hallmark movie due to it's sweet and predictable plot. It did get a little slow for me in the middle but held my attention to the end. Gram knew what she was doing when she wrote her will and it is always fun to see how life plays out when upended. This is a great quick and sweet read.

Four stars.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review."

This was a very sweet summer/beachy read! While I have not read much by Denise Hunter, I don't think of her for action or suspense, so the bit of intensity near the end was a surprise but it fit perfectly into the story when everything is revealed.

I love books about bookshops. I love second chances. So this book had a lot going for it before I even started! One of my far-out dreams is to own a bookshop but until then, I'll settle for reading about them. This one has a brilliant title and I loved how the name holds multiple meanings! It's so clever and fun.

This book has some flashbacks and I felt like the back and forth between past and present was very well done. I appreciated actually getting the backstory rather than just having the characters allude to it. I think it added depth to the challenges and the characters to see the past play out on the page.

Shelby and Gray were wonderful characters. I also liked Caleb and Liddy, especially when it came to them interacting in Shelby's life.

I'd say that, overall, this book was sweet and wholesome. Yes there are several descriptions of Gray's physique and lots of passion to the kissing, but personally, I was okay with it for the sake of the whole story. It wasn't enough to keep me from reading it again. But it is there and I wanted to mention it for the people who need to be careful of those things.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this Arc.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I do love me a bookstore or bookshop setting, Second chances can be a little hit or miss for me and overall, love the premise and the way our main characters were developing throughout the story, I felt sorry for Gray . I did feel like the romance was slightly lacklustre and I honestly kind of felt like she didn't deserve him at times.
So overall a 2.75 ⭐️