The Second Story Bookshop pulled me right in with the rich smell of books and the sounds of turning pages. This sweet, second chance romance will grab your attention and keep you until the very last page. I loved meeting and following the rekindling love story of Shelby and Grey. When her grandmother leaves the bookshop to both Shelby and Grey, will they be able to put aside past problems and work together to save the shop? This book has all the feels and a perfect story book ending. I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am writing this review voluntarily.

(4.5*)

This was my first book by Denise Hunter, but it won't be my last. The Second Story bookshop was the perfect small-town, second-chance romance read I needed to get me out of my reading rut. With its charming setting, heartfelt character arcs, and just the right amount of emotional depth, this book was one that I didn't want to put down.

The story centers on Shelby, who's learning to navigate life after losing her grandmother, when her first love, her high school boyfriend, Gray, shows up.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its setting. The bookshop itself becomes almost a character, full of nostalgia, second chances, and quiet magic. The small-town backdrop added a comforting charm without veering into cliché, and the side characters brought heart and humor without overshadowing the main romance.

If you're looking for a heartfelt read with the kind of atmosphere that feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day, The Second Story Bookshop delivers.

A wonderful story about second chances, forbidden love, grief, pain and forgiveness, “The Second Story Bookshop”, by Denise Hunter, shows how two people who seemed so apart are really meant to be together.
Written in a dual timeline, the story is about Shelby and Gray, and how their young, unfulfilled love, which seemed so improbable when they meet again years later, is still strong and deep.
I loved Gray, the lone wolf and the town pariah who had to fight for every inch of success; and still is demeaned in his small town.
The bullying the young boy had to endure, his family’s story and how he emerged from it not as a victim but a survivor shows stoicism and resilience.
I loved Shelby, too, and how she saw Gray was still “the lonely boy who guarded his heart”. Her and her family abandonement issues play a part in how they handle Gray’s problems, but they’re good-hearted, very kind and fair people.
I also liked how Gray and Shelby were so faithfull to their young love without even realizing it, and how each has been carrying a torch for the other.
I appreciated how the author wrote the hero, not a privileged male, but a poor one with very humble beginnings.
The reunion and romance are really lovely and full of beautiful moments.
The love of books, the bookshop, Shelby’s grandmother wisdom and how the grief about her is still so realistically present are also compelling dimensions.
I liked how the town redeemed itself in the end but there was too much cruelty and unfairness throughout the story towards Gray.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Second Story Bookshop" and all opinions expressed are my own. I have read a few books by Denise Hunter and I love to grab one when I am in the mood for romance and heartwarming stories. This was a love story between Shelby and Gray. I love the parts where the grandma was talking to Shelby. Overall I enjoyed reading this.

The Second Story Bookshop
Cute small town second chance romance that will leave you with a smile. A bookshop that needs saving and a dog that needs rescuing helps round up this feel good story.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I thought the premise of this book was interesting and I did find it enjoyable. However, the characters lacked chemistry and there was no build up to the romance. The flashbacks of course provide context to the present situation, but it does not build up any of the romance between these characters. They basically could have been summed up in a few paragraphs with the same effect. Overall enjoyable though!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter is a wonderful contemporary romance that I really enjoyed.

This was a nice small-town Southern, second-chance contemporary romance that had a nice balance of complex characters with their troubles and the positivity and hope of a happily ever after.

I have liked several of Ms. Hunter’s books in the past, and if you like even pacing, relaxing reads, and endings that leave you on a positive note, then this is the book for you.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Thomas Nelson for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/7/25.

It's guilty of the most serious crime - being putdownable.

It's not a bad book and I really wanted to like it, but there are some themes that I personally don't vibe with (e.g. cheating), the characters fall flat, and the drama is the only thing I care about (the romance is very meh for me, and this is a romance book, so that's not great).

Very Sparksy (which just means it's almost pure drama and heavy topics), and I usually steer clear of that, because I care too much, and I don't want to cry (but I didn't cry when reading this, which also doesn't bode well; I was just angry).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to read this!

This was a cute clean romance that actually depicted bookstores realistically! Tropes are second chance romance and a small enemies to lovers.

The title hooked me honestly.

I’ve gotta read anything with a bookshop in the title.

But thank god for me cause I loved this.

This was so so good.

Tqtqtqtq for this opportunity

Wow, what a book! I love anything that Denise Hunter writes--- her stories are always the perfect blend of romance, heart and small-town charm. In this particular story though, we get to see some of the downsides of living in a small-town: like what happens when you're an outcast in that town. Gray and Shelby had such a beautiful romance... though certainly not one without its challenges. They were unlikely high school sweethearts, with him being judged by the town by his father's reputation, but things ended badly when he left town after graduation. Years later, when they have to work together to save the bookshop that Shelby's grandmother unexpected left to both of them, all of those old feelings start to resurface... right along with the old challenges. I really love a good second chance romance, and this one was done so well. The story alternates between their high school romance and the present day, and I loved seeing them fall in love for the first time but also seeing their personal growth as well. I couldn't help but feel for Gray and all that he'd gone through... it made seeing them get this second chance at a happily ever after all that much sweeter. If you love a Christian romance with small-town drama, fantastic chemistry, and a hard fought happily ever after, this is absolutely one not to be missed.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Denise Hunter wrote a sweet love story about second chances in her latest novel, The Second Story Bookshop. Shelby and Gray were high school sweethearts, but a small town scandal drove Gray out of town right after graduation. Several years later, when he inherited half of a bookstore after the owner passed away, he and Shelby were forced to work together to keep the bookstore from going under..
Although I felt like the story line dragged a bit in the middle, I enjoyed watching Shelby and Gray fall in love all over again. A sweet, emotional, happily ever after!

Unfortunately, The Second Story Bookshop didn’t work for me. I found it difficult to stay engaged, especially in the early chapters, and I only continued reading out of a sense of obligation to finish ARCs I commit to. The story felt predictable, and despite its second-chance romance setup, nothing about the plot or characters really stood out as fresh or compelling.

The book alternates between present day and events from 11 years ago to unravel the backstory between Shelby Thatcher and Grayson Briggs, but the structure didn’t do much to build tension or emotional investment. While the conflict involving small-town politics, old rivalries, and a family legacy had potential, the pacing dragged and key plot twists (including a very dramatic one near the end) felt more soap-operatic than impactful.

Grayson’s history of being wrongly accused and ostracized by the town had the makings of a gripping redemption arc, but the narrative leaned heavily on telling rather than showing, which made it hard to connect with the characters. Shelby’s emotional journey also felt underdeveloped—her choices, especially regarding her relationships, lacked the depth needed to make them feel earned.

While I appreciated the cozy setting of a family bookstore and the themes of forgiveness and healing, the execution didn’t deliver the emotional payoff I hoped for. Readers who enjoy clean, small-town romances with dramatic twists might still find something to enjoy here, but this one simply wasn’t for me.

I have always enjoyed Denise Hunter and this book did not let me down. The characters pulled you in to their storyline. You go through the heartbreak of losing a family member , a young romance that you want to succeed only to see it fail and then see a second chance and you want to cheer them on. It's a story where there's an underdog and you just keep pulling for him, wanting him to succeed!!!! I enjoyed the book I read it in one day, I would recommend it to others and probably would buy it from the shelf if I picked it up and read the back cover.

Shelby Thatcher es una mujer decidida, sensible y profundamente leal, que tras la muerte de su querida abuela, hereda una participación mayoritaria en la librería familiar. El legado no solo es físico, sino emocional: un lugar impregnado de recuerdos, vínculos comunitarios y sueños compartidos. Sin embargo, la lectura del testamento revela una sorpresa: el 49% de la librería fue heredado a Grayson Briggs, el amor perdido de Shelby, cuya aparición repentina remueve emociones que ella había intentado enterrar


Grayson, en su juventud, fue marginado por el pueblo debido a los errores de su familia y sus propias cicatrices emocionales. A pesar de eso, ha madurado en un hombre amable, trabajador y dispuesto a enmendar su pasado. Su regreso a Grandville no es solo una cuestión de negocios: es también una oportunidad de redención, y de reconectar con Shelby, de quien nunca dejó de estar enamorado

___

Si estuviera en lugar de Gray ,nunca hubiera regresado a ese pueblo lleno de gente fea.




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

A lovely story about a second chance at love. Shelby and Gray are brought back together after Shelby's grandmother passes. Together they work to forgive Gray's past betrayal and save Shelby's bookstore all while sealing with those who don't want to see Gray back in town. I enjoyed this small town story of community, family and forgiveness.

The Second Story Bookshop is the perfect second chance, small town romance! When Shelby’s grandmother passes away and she ends up leaving her bookshop to both Shelby and her ex, Gray. Gray faces a lot of hate from the small town, but he rises above it all. There is a dual timeline so you see what happens in the past and present between our main characters! The characters do deal with grief, loss of a loved one, bullying, and feelings of abandonment. I hated everyone that was mean to our poor MMC! Overall, I did like the story and would recommend to anyone looking for a small town, second chance romance! Plus, there’s a bookshop, it’s every readers dream!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions and ratings are my own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Anything Denise Hunter writes I have to read! this beautiful second chance romance was wonderfully done. I love how we got the perspectives of bothenthe FMC and MMC. The story also incorporated dual timelines from present day to 11 years ago. super easy read with short chapters.

My heart went out to the MMC (Gray). He endured so much hardship and hate, but remained kind and rose above it all. The FMC (Shelby) would irritate me, she came off selfish at times when it came to the MMC and the reasoning behind his departure all those years ago. Why would anyone want to be somewhere they were treated poorly.

This story also touches on grief, loss of loved ones, feelings of abandonment, and bullying. The emotions are definitely felt while reading, I wanted to punch every side character that treated the MMC wrong. Overall I enjoyed the story and cannot wait to read everything else this author has written.

This book is a bit grittier than most of Hunter’s books. Characters have issues with bullying, abandonment, past mistakes, and grief, which don’t make for easy reading. There’s lots of romantic tension. Resolution takes forever to come. It’s not one of my favorites of her books, but that’s just me – not at all because of poor writing or the like. If you’ve read Hunter’s Riverband Gap books, you’ll enjoy a slight tie in that shows up.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." #TheSecondStoryBookshop #NetGalley

Okay, The Second Story Bookshop was honestly such a cozy, second-chance romance read and exactly the kind of small-town, comfort-core vibe I needed. If you’re into books about bookshops (meta, I know), childhood sweethearts with serious history, and that enemies-to-lovers-but-not-really tension, this one’s for you.

Shelby is a relatable girlie who’s just trying to hold it all together after losing her grandma, who lowkey was the glue of her world. And then boom. Gray shows up. The ex who broke her heart in high school and dipped without a trace… and now he owns half the bookshop she basically poured her soul into?? Messy. But like, in a delicious way.

Their banter was cute, the emotional tension felt real, and the way they both had to grow and unpack their past instead of just falling back into old patterns was refreshing. I also LOVED the setting. Granville had that small-town charm where everyone’s in your business, but also everyone cares. Give me all the quirky side characters and cozy lake town energy, please.

The only reason this isn’t a 5-star read for me is because some parts felt a little repetitive, and I did want more depth in Gray’s backstory. Don’t get me wrong, it was good, just not fully fleshed out in a way that hit as hard as it could have. But overall? This book had heart, warmth, and just enough angst to keep me flipping pages.

Would 100% recommend if you want a sweet, slightly dramatic love story that feels like a Hallmark movie with better writing.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ARC