I was so excited to read this book, I opened it immediately upon approval! A magical bookshop sounds like the most perfect setting for this book lover and this story did not dissapoint! Whimsical magic paired with fairytale lore, this was a gripping and engaging read.

The Bookshop Below is pure magic for anyone who’s ever dreamed of starting over, finding unexpected love, or losing themselves among the shelves of a cozy, well-loved bookstore. Georgina Summers crafts a story that is both heartwarming and emotionally honest, blending romance, grief, and self-discovery with a cast of quirky, lovable characters.

The story is set in a Cornish bookshop, which is described so vividly it feels like a character in its own right. You can almost smell the old pages and hear the creak of the wooden floorboards. Our heroine’s journey is tender and uplifting, and I found myself rooting for her with every page. Her transformation is believable and inspiring, especially as she learns to trust herself again.

The romance is sweet without being saccharine, and the themes of healing, community, and second chances are handled with great care. Summers’ writing is warm, witty, and immersive.

Highly recommended for lovers of feel-good fiction, bibliophiles, and anyone in need of a hopeful escape.

Recommended for: fans of cozy romance, books about books, stories of emotional resilience, and uplifting women’s fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this beautiful novel in exchange for my honest review.

There was something about this book that dragged me in and kept me seated, I enjoyed the pacing of the story, it was slightly slow in parts but not in a bad way, it was a good refreshing moment before it kicked up and pulled you back in!

3.5/5

This was so whimsical!! And I know whimsy (who doesn't?!)! And I really do think that the writing style added to the whimsy. It had this lush but not overdone descriptiveness to it that really worked with the environment of the book.

This magic system (and general premise) was so unique for me, it has magical books! And I think all readers can agree that we love books about books. And when you add magic in there, I think we're bound to be into it.

There's a lil scooch of a romance in here, a sort of rivals to lovers sort of situation. And that's always fun.

I did find the pacing to be a bit weird at first, it definitely has a slower start. And random parts did slow down all of a sudden, but it wasn't too distracting. It is a slower, cozier feeling book and I do expect those to be a bit slower.

I was definitely surprised with the direction of this book (some people may love that, some people may not), but I never knew where it was going, so I liked that I couldn't predict the whole thing.

I think a lot of people will really enjoy this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

I felt like I was coming into the story missing a few chapters. I will say it was an interesting story. I liked Cassandra a lot she was very well-written.

Somewhere on the fringe of a cozy fantasy we become immersed in the tale of The Bookshop Below. Inked in magic and a bit of mystery with a smattering of a very slow burn romance, the story of Cassandra Fairfax guides us into the world of magical books, magical bookshops, booksellers, shop keepers, a strange secret society, and a river that keeps the magic flowing. Cassandra makes for an interesting main character, all too human, with a past that shapes her as well as scars her. And, the other central characters are engaging as well. Lowell's story compliments Cassandra's, and when they finally blend, it is clear that it has been one story all along. This is the kind of story that tugs at anyone who has ever had a favorite bookshop and paints an illusion of one for those who never have. The epilogue ends teasing more to this story and perhaps the author only wanted to offer the hope at a happily ever after, but I find myself wanting a sequel to continue with these characters and to realize this happily ever after the author envisions.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit Books - Redhook) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.