The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday

A great read in a great setting.
Jude is on her dream holiday, running a bookshop for 2 weeks. Only it is ruined when she finds she is sharing her holiday with stranger Elliot.
He is keeping secrets, but that does not stop her falling for him, even though she is fresh from a break up with Mack who kept things from her too.
The villagers are betting on them getting together, but will the secrets drive them apart?

I’ve never read a book by Kiley Dunbar before but I’ll definitely be reading her back catalogue now! I absolutely adored this gorgeous book, which I read in a day. The story revolves around Jude who, after finishing her degree, and recovering from a disastrous affair, goes on a two week borrow a bookshop holiday for a fortnight in Devon. Here she is thrown together with Elliot, a tall dank and brooding stranger who is hiding a secret....... wonderful and perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Trisha Ashley and Katie Fforde!

This is the first time I have read one of Kileys books and it won’t be the last. Following a recent break up Jude decides to go ahead with her planned holiday if running a bookshop for two weeks. Unfortunately for Jude someone has booked it too and she and Elliot decide to run it together despite the mystery that surrounds him. Will it be a successful fortnight in more ways than one .....

A feel good romantic novel perfect for a summer afternoon read. My first Kiley Dunbar novel but will definitely look for others. I would recommend this book.

Gosh what a lovely story..Jude was a great character. Very careing. She deserved to find happiness. The bookshop sounded heaven with the cafe on the side .Minty was a lovely character. I would never in a month of sundays guessed Elliot's secret. . It was great that Elliot sorted Aldous. Grief is a strange thing

Can Clove Lore's Borrow a Bookshop be a real thing? I would love the idea to travel to British seaside town to run a bookshop for two weeks. But I am not sure how this bookshop remained in business with what seemed to be so little foot traffic. I was also confused if they sold antique books. used books, or new stock. Or was it a combination of all? I would grade this book as B/B+ due to lack of fluidity of the story telling with the way the chapters are written and a lack of character development of secondary characters. There is potential and a stronger editor could have pushed this story to A status with some rather simple suggestions. I wanted a bit more from Minty, Jowan Anjali, and Mrs. C than an occasional drop in. We were promised that volunteers from charity would be in to help but outside a quick drop of box of books from Minty, we never really saw any volunteers in the bookshop. I wanted more interaction between locals, customers and Jude/Elliot. The storyline focused on mainly on Jude and Elliot. Jude seemed to make a 180 degree personality change in less than 2 weeks. It just did not read realistic to me. Is it just me but I wanted more from Jude's grandma and her yarn bombing posse. Sequel maybe? Christmas novella?

What a lovely story!

I loved escaping in this story with Jude on her dream holiday borrowing a bookshop which has a cafe in a beach side town in Devon. Selling books and baking for the cafe for a fortnight and getting to be a part village community sounds like a dream come true. Add a bit of romance and drama and you have the perfect mix.

Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for this ARC which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Jude has discovered the man she thought she loved is a cheating dirt bag. She certainly doesn’t want to go with him on the getaway they had planned, a beautiful seaside spot where they would run a small bookshop for two weeks. But with the money being nonrefundable, Jude decides to take the trip by herself; books have always provided solace and comfort in difficult times. this trip is just what she needs. Solitude. however, is not on the menu as Jude discovers that Elliot has also booked the shop for the same two weeks. Books, as always, cast a spell over the two literature lovers. Might Jude find her real soulmate in the old bookshop? This is a delightful read, just the ticket for those of us worn down by the pandemic, bad news and crap politicians.

What a dream vacation it would be to run a bookshop/cafe in a cozy little village on the coast for two weeks!

After a couple non-fiction and literary fiction books, I was in need of a light, fun romance. The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday fit that need perfectly! This book was such a perfect quick read. I started it yesterday and finished before lunch. The writing was just so nice and easy and perfect.

I really don't like romances that provide tons of hot, steamy details; and this one fits that bill perfectly as well. Just enough detail.

I wasn't previously familiar with the author Kiley Dunbar, but I'll be looking adding some of her books to my To Be Read pile.

Minty's annual party was very creative.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Hera Books) and the author/Keley Dunbar for the opportunity to review the advance read copy of The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is 05 May, 2021.

What if I told you that you could rent an Airbnb that’s actually a tiny bookshop complete with a cozy cafe nook and a resident dog? How about in a historic Devonshire harbour village? for two weeks? Dreamy, right? That’s exactly where Jude Crawley and philosophy professor, Dr. Rupert Mackenzie-Aubyn, were headed on their dream vacation. That is, until she caught him kissing someone else behind the auditorium ON HER UNIVERSITY GRADUATION DAY! Jerk.

She heads off on her own with a suitcase full of books (come on, you’ve done that, right?) ready to immerse herself in literature and heal her broken heart. As she settles in for the night, she hears a key in the front door and heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. Six foot tall, broodingly handsome Elliot has also booked the bookshop holiday for two weeks! Did I tell you there’s only one bedroom? Yep, he has to lump a mattress down to the bookshop each night.

Is she prepared to make this work? Can they put their differences aside? or will she find out that her bookish holiday might have an unexpected twist in the tale?

This perfectly cozy, romantic read is a bookish delight! What’s not to love; seaside village, Devon, books, coffee? The perfect mix of mystery, intrigue, attraction, sights, books, coffee, baking and quaint village life. I loved every minute of this quick read and hope to see Jude and Elliot in another Kiley Dunbar book soon.

Publishes May 5, 2021
Thank you to Kiley Dunbar, Hera Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this advance copy. I received it for free and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This was such an easy and sweet read. The relationship between Jude and Elliott too! Loved all the other characters who play a part on their romance too :)

This book is total holiday goals! This would be my idea of heaven, being able to run a bookshop by the seaside in Devon.

Any read that includes bookshop in the title is a winner for me, then to find it came with a cafe AND a pooch...that was me sold!

A heartwarming, cosy, feel good romcom. Fun storyline, lovable characters, this was an enjoyable read & I'm definitely going to be reading more by this author.

Jude goes on a 2 week borrow a bookshop holiday in Devon, she was due do be going with her 'affair' but found he was cheating on her, so decides to go it alone. Unbeknown to her she finds her holiday is to be shared with handsome newcomer Elliott...what is he hiding?
Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

This is every reader’s dream! This story is about Jude, who after finishing her degree signs up for a working vacation at a bookstore by the water. She ends up sharing this 2 week vacation with Elliot. She’s a hopeless romantic who sees the best in people, and he keeps things close to his chest. Chaos ensues, and it’s a lovely story. This book is charming and a clean romance (for those that prefer it). Definitely recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I received an advance copy of, The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday, by Kiley Dunbar. I love Kiley's book and this one is no exception. Imagine going on vacation/holiday and running a book store. That is pretty much every book lovers dream.

This is my dream! I always wanted to run a bookshop/cafe and this book let me live vicariously, and in a dream setting to boot! When Jude’s family and relationship situation changes, seemingly overnight, she’s left floundering until she’s told her spot has come to take over a bookshop on the coast for two weeks. Having just broken up with her ex, she’s unknowingly paired with another single to co-run the shop. It’s a delightful town on a hill with a fun community and neighbors, and an adorable co-worker with a hidden past. I highly recommend for a light summer read to take you away for a break!

A lovely light read for anyone looking for a charming distraction from our present sombre world. If you are a bookworm or have ever dreamed of having your own bookshop, then this is the read for you.

I absolutely loved this book. From the very beginning I knew I'd love it from the references of some of my favourite books. I love a book that's about other booklovers, and Jude is definitely a book lover. Its this, as well as family matters, that lead her to the bookshop holiday. I adored the setting, the characters and the story. I didn't want to put this book down and could of quite happily devoured it in one sitting if life allowed for such luxuries. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but oh my gosh I was almost in tears towards the end. This was the perfect escapism, especially in the times we are living in right now. This was also the first book from Kiley that I have read, so now I'm eager to read more.
Thank you so much to Net Galley and Hera Books for the advanced reading copy of such a fantastic book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much so I read it one day!!. This definitely a feel good read. I found myself in the seaside town feeling the wind on face as Jude dragged her suitcase up the steep hill to the Little Bookshop.

I love this book!!!

This is another lovely read from Kiley Dunbar with the added beauty of being a love story for book lovers. Jude had been living her life for other people since she was only 17. At that tender age, she became the caretaker for her grandmother. She's resigned to her role, and doesn't begrudge it, but it's still difficult to see her peers grow up and strike out on their own while she stays home with her grandmother. Throw in a relationship that wasn't at all what she thought it was, and Jude is definitely in a rut.
Gran decides to move into a retirement home, leaving Jude, for the first time, to decide her own path in life. She ends up in a delightful Devon town called Clove Lore, where she can run a bookshop and its little cafe for two weeks. Of course, it wouldn't be a good romance unless a mix up has a single man unexpectedly show up to be her bookselling partner for that time.
Dunbar has a knack for creating dreamy settings that are just as romantic and endearing as her wonderful characters. Clove Lore and the little bookshop are a dream come true for starry-eyed book lovers. Jude herself was an absolute delight. The love she has for her family and her best friend, Daniel, makes her very easy to cheer for.
I would have liked to see a bit more interaction between her and Elliot before things took off for them, but overall, this is a warm, cozy, book that just makes you feel good. It's left me dreaming of escaping to a cozy bookshop by the sea myself. What a gorgeous thought.

A lovely gentle romance set in a beautiful seaside village. I liked the characters, the donkeys and the dog! Running a bookshop, even if only for two weeks, is many a reader's dream, but throw a handsome troubled stranger into the mix and nothing runs quite as smoothly as expected. The villagers are funny, the heroine likeable and the secret that keeps them apart is eventually revealed. An enjoyable read.

The Borrow A Bookshop Holiday has the perfect way for book lovers to spend a fortnight. There is a waiting list for the adventure of running a beach side bookstore and its cafe for the two weeks. Jude and her boyfriend had been on the waiting list for a long time. Jude had just graduated from college and after the graduation ceremony, while waiting for her boyfriend to congratulate her, she catches him kissing another girl. Then her Grandmother that she had been the caregiver for, tell her that she is moving to a Senior Living Facility. This has her wondering what she is going to do with her life when the final shoe drops. Her parents are selling their bakery with the apartment above
It and retiring to go travel and enjoy life. So in a very short time, she has lost her boyfriend, her job as caregiver and her home. Fortunately her ex boyfriend calls to tell her that their has been a cancellation at the bookstore and they can go the following week. She decides that it is the perfect time for a getaway however she is going alone without the ex. While she is gone her parents move to the new smaller apartment snd head on vacation. Jude heads out with fear and excitement to her bookstore adventure. The bookstore is in a quaint little town with cobblestone streets. As she settles down for the night, a man enters the bookstore and climbs up to the apartment above. She refuses to open the door even after he had told her that he had been called to share the experience as she had come alone. He ended up going to sleep on the floor in the bookstore. The next morning after quizzing him about books she decides that he truly is a legit book lover so she agrees to share the experience. She is also very attracted to the very good looking man with the great body. After they spend several days running both the bookstore and cafe, their relationship develops.. However, he is very secretive about his past and then. They spend a very full two weeks with a lot of drama and secrets. This is a perfect fun book for any book lover. I highly recommend it.

Have you ever dreamed of owning a bookstore? In a small, seaside town, you can be run an entire bookstore like it was your own for two weeks. The waiting list is almost two years long. Jude Crawley is 30 years old and seems to experiencing life a bit behind all of her peers. She loves her family, takes care of her Gran, but life has been lived mostly in books. A twist of fate gives her the push she needs to begin a journey to finding herself and her home. If mysteries can be cozy, then I think this could be a cozy romance. All the charm you could ask for.

The Borrow A Bookshop Holiday was the perfect book to satisfy a rom com type book craving! Jude is in her late 20’s and just graduated from college when she discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her and her gran that she cares for wants to move into a senior living community. The reservation for two for the borrow a bookshop holiday is now Jude’s chance for a change of scenery and an opportunity to find herself and discover her place in the world. Add in Elliot - a handsome, mysterious stranger showing up to help run the bookshop, and we have a quick, cute, and entertaining story!

Thanks to #NetGalley, Kiley Dunbar, and Hera Books for the ARC of #TheBorrowaBookshopHoliday

The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday is a fun idea! I can see how many would opt for this unusual break from reality. I liked the story, the characters were mostly relatable and a good variety of them too!

I'll try not to dwell on the actual practical issues of unregistered volunteers/holidaymakers making and selling food to the general public, haha!

I've been to the place that inspired the author and can see the inspiration in the fitting homage! A lovely read.

This romance is just cozy and sweet, and nothing else. Jude is a late bloomer whose recent relationship just blew up, and all she has left of it is a reservation at Borrow-A-Bookshop, where for a very reasonable fee a guest can run a small-town bookshop while living upstairs. Annoyingly, the bookshop is double-booked, and she’ll have to share it with Elliott, who is handsome and secretive. Oh, dear, what an inconvenience, there is only one bed. (The fictional vacation spot is definitely based on The Open Book, a real vacation spot in Wales.)

Well pack your bags, pick your favourite books, and take yourself on a wonderful two-week holiday to run a bookshop! Sounds a perfect plan and this is just what Jude did! The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday is a magical story about grabbing life, taking chances and looking ahead to the future to achieve your dreams.

The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday is an enchanting and endearing story, set within the beautiful and delightful Clove Lore - the detailed descriptions of this wonderful harbour village are so comprehensive that we feel like we are actually there. I loved the setting and the community village life.

The characters were superbly depicted. I could imagine visiting the bookshop and chatting with Jude about books while devouring their lovely scones in the cafe and seeing Aldous!

As a booklover, I loved how the author intertwined lots of books throughout the story - very unique and very cleverly written.

For me, the book was an all-embracing fantastic romantic novel. Jude and Elliot were destined to be together and I was rooting for them from the start. Their future is only just beginning and I would love to know where they are in a few years’ time! I am hoping for a second book about Jude and Elliot!

I am sure this book will inspire many to follow their dreams, and even open up their own bookshop/cafe one day! Perfect combination, Perfect romantic read! Thank you, Kiley Dunbar, for another 5-star read! Your books are just the best!

This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. This is my honest review.

This book had my attention instantly with the premise of a bookshop holiday—this reader’s dream vacation! It did not disappoint.

Jude is a woman who has just taken the first big step of doing something for herself after years of taking care of the others in her life. It seems to be a turning point for her, but she finds herself unexpectedly adrift instead. Her planned vacation to a bookshop on the coast is her escape from the uncertainty and she is determined to make it the best two weeks of her life.

And then she meets Elliott. Elliott who is adrift in his own way and his very much unexpected appearance threatens to disrupt all of Jude’s hopes for her time away from home.

They start with a reluctant truce, a wary partnership and then so much more.

The story weaves in the history of the community, numerous unique and intriguing side characters, and a mystery too.

This was an enjoyable read—a lovely romance, charming lead characters, a book sprinkled with literary references and mouth watering bakes. Comfortable, cosy, and perfectly captivating. I’ll be looking for other books by this author.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a lovely read this was, great characters, great location and most importantly a really nice story. Loved it.

A holiday that involves books, a bookshop, baking, a dog and a hunk? What's not to love?
Jude's life revolves around her family, caring for her grandmother, and pottering around, helping her parents in the family bakery business, alongside completing her English degree part-time. Books are her faithful friends throughout her life.
When her forbidden romance, ends badly, along with finding out her parents are shutting up shop, and her gran wants to move to a retirement village, she's at a loss as to what to do, until an email arrives, confirming a booking Jude and her then-boyfriend had made for a two week holiday, running a bookshop and a cafe in a small village in Devon.
She arrives, after being forced by her parents and best friend to take the break, hoping for a fortnight of solitude, books and baking, and is rudely awakened on her first night by an intruder.
I won't go into more detail, other than to say that the intruder ends up being hot, and the bookstore comes with a mangy mutt, who both end up stealing the reader's heart.
Jude is a character who has such low self-esteem and feels like she doesn't have a real place in the world, and this story gives her a chance to grow into herself, and find the life she always wanted.
Elliott - that's the intruder - well, he's just a fab character, all big and brooding, but gentle and kind, too, and he's an animal lover. Oh, and he has a bit of a past that he's trying to get away from.
Aldous, the dog, oh, what a star! I loved his connection with the bookshop, and wished I could be the one to coax him out of his grief and stupor!
And all the characters in the fictitious village of Clove Lore, from Mrs C and her 'book' filled with bets on who will get together and stay in the village, to Minty, owner of the Estate, who has her suspicions about Elliot and why he's here.
A wonderful, sweet, feel-good read. And if you, like me, are someone who doesn't get along with maths, you'll relish this story all the more!
When I heard about Kiley Dunbar's latest book, I eagerly awaited the release date and was honoured to be approved to read an arc, as I have loved all of Kiley's previous releases.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely read. Devoured this in a couple of days. The type of book you can lose yourself in and escape. Well written and loved the characters. A definite read for anyone who enjoys the chiclit genre.

Kiley Dunbar transports you to the Devon coast with this magnificent story. For romantics and book lovers alike, your heart will truly fall in love while reading. Jude begins with a seemingly normal, boring life and transforms it through the story. Elliot is what any reader would want in a bookish boyfriend. This book was truly amazing and had me itching for more.

Clove Lore and its bookshop is just my dream place for holidays; People are so welcoming, the view on the sea, steep cobbled streets, donkeys, foxes AND a love story. I'm all in !

This book is just sooo sweet ! I loved Jude, and completely understood her feeling of being trapped in her own life at the beginning. Elliot is this big strong tatooed guy with such a tender heart ... owww I melt !!

I like that when things go wrong, June doesn't become bitter (she should/could be after Mack). She's just heartbroken. Could I be like her, just move on ? Nop. Could I, like her, fall for someone in less than a week ? Nop either. I guess that's some kind of love at first sight and I know it's a novel, but I wish I could live it too.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eArc in exchange of an honest review.

I found that this book started quite slow. The first seven chapters seemed to go on forever with parts that I wasn’t particularly interested in. But boy did it pick up. I really enjoyed the characters and the dynamics between each of them - also I LOVED Elliot (who doesn’t love a tall, mysterious and gorgeous man?!). The plot was fun, easy to read, and all round just made me feel really happy.

This book made me desperately want to own a bookstore (more than I did previously at least!). I absolutely loved the setting of this book.

If you love a good, light-hearted and easy contemporary read, this book is definitely for you.

This book is released May 5th 2021, so definitely go and check it out!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The theme of this book really appealed to me - books and baking. - my idea of bliss.

I found Jude to be extremely annoying - for a 29 year old adult she cried an awful lot, and for this reason I found it difficult to eLmpathise with her.

At times I felt that certain events which were important to the story we’re not given the words that they should have been given, and this made the end seem a bit hurried.

Despite the above, I did enjoy the book and recommend it for light hearted holiday reading.

Omg this book is every booklovers dream!

From the moment I started the book I was hooked.
Everything about the bookshop and Clove Lore is just so well written that it is a joy to read!
This book put a smile on my face and for other booklovers I encourage you to read it ASAP!
I also loved the development Jude had throughout the story! The only thing not making it a 5 star, is that I found it quite hard to understand Elliots character but also hard to picture him.

I will now look into more of Kiley Dunbars books!

This is a good read for fans of stories set in Great Britain or fans of Jenny Colgan. A thirty year old recent college grad, Jude, who had an affair with an unfaithful professor has an opportunity to run a bookshop in Devon for two weeks. The professor was supposed to go with her but under the circumstances he is replaced by a stranger, Elliot, who also applied to run the bookshop. He is handsome and quite mysterious . Jude is from a baking family and is adept at baking to stock the cafe attached to the bookshop. Elliot is good at running the shop and cafe and together they make things work and of course, fall in love. Elliot is harboring a secret from his past which comes back to challenge him during their time at the bookshop. I ;enjoyed the bit of mystery and really enjoyed all the characters inhabiting the bookshop town. This was an entertaining read with a few twists.

It is a heartwarming story with an interesting plot that has a sprinkle of mystery. It is set in a small, beautiful seaside place that is a bit like Clovelly, which is a special place for the author, according to her notes.
It has a lovely crew of characters, including a mutt! Although the heroine Jude is 30, it feels a bit like a coming-of-age story as this is the point in her life where she finds herself and her self-esteem. The other main character Elliot sounds a heathcliffish, mysterious heartthrob. They feel an immediate attraction, and after some misunderstanding there is a happy ending of course.
It is a lighthearted and feel-good read. I can recommend it to everyone who loves a romance with loveable characters, set in a close-knit community.

The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday
by Kiley Dunbar

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I thought it would be a light fun read (and it was!) but it was much more than that too. Emotional, fun, charming and delightful.

Jude Crawley just graduated from university, an accomplishment she’s especially proud of since she had to care for her gran for several years before starting back to school. At her graduation she discovers her “secret” boyfriend, philosophy professor Mack kissing a young freshman, abruptly ending her plans to move their relationship out in the open.

Jude and Mack won an opportunity to run a bookshop in Devon for two weeks, a dream they shared. Jude refuses to go with Mack after his betrayal, and she insists on going alone.

When she arrives at the quirky bookshop, she learns that the owner of the shop replaced Mack with Elliott, a single veterinarian, with a secret. As they learn to run the bookshop together, and immerse themselves in the local community, they find themselves falling for each other.

As I said before, I absolutely loved this book. For me, it’s the perfect read, a quirky heroine, a kindhearted, but secretive hero, and a cast of eccentric supporting characters in an idyllic setting. There is enough mystery with the hero to make me want to turn each page to see what was coming next.

The writing is beautiful, and I was sucked into this story from the very first page.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, and I will be finding the author’s backlist and reading those too.

What an absolutely lovely read this was! The setting was stunning and the descriptive writing brings the seascape to life in vivid colour! In fact I kept thinking this lovely village sounds just like Clovelly , a place I have visited many times and is such an idyllic place. At the end of the book I discovered that it was the inspiration for the author .
This is such a heartwarming and humorous read ,with likeable characters and a few misunderstandings thrown in because true love never runs smoothly. I thoroughly recommend this book if you need a pick me up! I found it very uplifting and immersive. I read it in one sitting, I absolutely loved it! In fact I wanted to be in that little bookshop on my own holiday.

A book lover's dream. Who wouldn't want to run their own book shop? It's all I can think of now. Also it's going to take me a while to get over Elliot. Swooning so much right now. This was such a delight of a read. You couldn't help but fall in love with the residents of Clove Lore. I felt like I related to Jude, with her love of literature, not quite sure where she was going in life and of course her anxiety about numbers. This book will have you smiling long after you read the last page.

Thank you Netgally and Hera Books for sending me the ARC for this book

THE BORROW A BOOKSHOP HOLIDAY by Kiley Dunbar

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Absolutely everything about this book made me happy! It was such a gorgeous idea for a story, a light-hearted and fun adventure that completely swept me up!

Every bookworm should read this book. It’s just delightful and my heart feels so happy!

Kiley Dunbar always provides a nice bit of escapism with her stories and this is no exception. It is a lighthearted read that is perfect for a rainy afternoon or to take on holiday with you.

Jude has just finished her degree and lost her boyfriend and home, leaving her at a crossroads with where her life is going. That is until she gets a chance to go on holiday and run a bookshop for two weeks in a beautiful Devon village.

There is nothing groundbreaking here but I never expect there to be with this genre. For me when I pick up a book like this it is all about enjoying the read whilst not having to think too much and this provides that completely.

Kiley Dunbar whisked me away from the Scottish Borders down to a hilly cobbled street of Devon in this lovely sweet romance, the only thing is ... I now want to go on a holiday where I Borrow a Bookshop!

Was rooting for Jude and Elliot from the moment they shared the coffee and KitKat! Wonderful supporting family cast, too.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Judy, should be feeling ecstatic and on top of the world right now, for she’s just as a mature student graduated. Now, she can go public about her relationship with Mack, a Philosophy professor.

But it doesn’t go the way she’s thinking/daydreaming it will, as she’s just seen Mack kissing another girl. Not only that, they were going to have a holiday – running a tiny bookshop in Clove Lore for two weeks, which now, she can’t get the money back for.

But, Jude still decides to go, to Devon, hoping that in between the pages of a book, she can heal her broken heart.

Only, there’s a problem, whose quite tall and that’s Elliott, he’s also reserved the bookshop for two weeks.

So, they both try to run the bookshop, but Jude is falling in love, not just with the books. But then she finds out why Elliotts in Clove Lore.

Will Jude get a happy ending in this bookshop? Or is there a twist in her bookshop holiday...

Loved it.

I really loved this story and was thoroughly charmed. This was an unexpected treasure, that I decided read on the basis of the blurb. As a book lover, who wouldn’t love the opportunity to run a bookshop for 2 weeks by the sea? The town itself was delightful, the characters were interesting and fabulous. All in all it was a one of those heartwarming stories, that you read on a beach holiday in summer or snuggled in blankets in front of a fire during winter.

Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this story. I’m voluntarily reviewing and giving my unbiased opinion of a complimentary eARC.

I've never read anything by Kiley Dunbar before, but when this book popped up on NetGalley the title alone was enough to pique my interest. The idea of having a holiday where you get to have a go at being a bookseller sounds irresistible (and it turns out you can actually do this in some parts of the world!).

I was nervous for the first half of the book that I wouldn't grow to fully like the main character, Jude. She was depicted as a selfless, helpful, romantic dreamer and all of these things went in her favour, inspiring empathy from page 1. However, she seemed very passive as a character, hiding behind family responsibilities that she no longer needed to, wallowing in self-pity and struggling to leave her comfort zone in any way. Thankfully, her confidence grew as the book went on, and by the time she had spent a week in Devon I was really enjoying her newfound strength and determination.

Elliot was just the right mix of suspicious and charming to give the book its necessary suspense. His evident love of animals melted away any reserves I had about him early on, though I will admit to wanting a clearer picture of him painted physically - I struggled to picture a face when reading (not something I often struggle with). The relationship between the two of them felt a little muddled and rushed at times, hence my four star review. At times, the developments in their relationship jolted me out of the literary world I was immersed in and back to reality with a somewhat disappointing thump. Don't get me wrong, they had good chemistry and worked well together, it was just the pace that jarred at times.

The community that has been built around the bookshop is, by far and away, my favourite part of the story. Jowan, the bookshop owner, was a delightful character with a hidden depth that I revelled in discovering. The village and its residents felt cosy and comfortable throughout - it was instantly somewhere I wanted to be able to visit. Aldous was a brilliantly unusual addition to the story, being set in his ways and inspiring sympathy and laughs in equal measure, I think the story would have been much emptier without him.

This book ended up being a more emotional affair than I anticipated but I would still recommend it as a light, fun summer read for any book lover.

A cute story involving books, a bookshop, and a small village by the sea,

Following a relationship disappointment, Jude (Judith) goes to Devon to fulfill her holiday booking of running a bookshop and café for two weeks. She was supposed to go with her ex, but upon arriving, she finds out she's splitting the booking with Elliot, whom she didn't know about.

Jude is a bit naïve about relationships, and she's not used to following her dreams. Leaving on vacation by herself is all new to her. She wants to make the most of running the bookshop and café, and she's not sure she wants to do it with Elliot, but soon they become friends and establish a good system to run both.

The problem is Elliot is keeping secrets and Jude wants to know what's going on.

I really like the setting and the village, and how everyone takes care of each other and the resident dog, and I especially liked to see how Jude and Elliot become a part of the fabric.

Very cute read and will look for more from this author.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The Borrow-a-Bookshop Bookshop Café invites literature lovers to run their very own bookshop … for a fortnight.

Spend your days talking books with customers in your own charming bookshop and serving up delicious cream teas in the cosy café.

Bookworms, what are you waiting for? Your holiday is going to be LIT(erary).

Apply to: The Borrow-a-Bookshop Bookshop Café, Down-a-long, Clove Lore, Devon.

I was drawn to this title being such a book lover myself this sounds like a dream holiday.

Jude has so much love to give, helping her parents with their family bakery as well as looking after her Gran, all while studying and gaining her masters degree at uni.
I really connected with Jude and her love of all things bookish, her boyfriend Mack seemed to shared her love for all these things and I was hopeful that Jude would get the love she deserves.

When this all falls apart, Jude heads down to Clove Lore by herself for the holiday they had planned together. What's more perfect than a holiday in a bookshop to find yourself!

When Elliot arrived I was a little suspicious but this is where my interest really peaked! What or who was he so afraid of?? I was glad when Elliot started to open up to Jude and they very clearly started to fall in love. However when he backed off and closed down I was extremely curious why, just like Jude I had so many things going round in my head!

But do we find out? Does Jude get the happy ending she deserves?

I loved this book and would love this to become a series, following the lives of everyone at Clove Lore and more guests at Borrow-a-Bookshop.

Who wouldn't want to take a vacation where you can stay above a bookstore and run it for two weeks? Add in a quirky town and residents along with a handsome man? This is a delightful read and I hope this is the start of a series.

Judith (Jude) Crawley should be happy, she’s young-could be having the time of her life-instead her grandmother who she’s been taking care of since she was seventeen is moving into a home, her loving parents who have been running her grandfathers bakery since they met are selling their livelihood and apartment, and to make matter me worse-she caught her boyfriend (her philosophy professor) cheating on her with someone else. The only possible good news she has is the Borrow a Bookshop Holiday she requested became available so she made the decision to go alone, do something for her for once. When she arrives, she realizes they made a mistake and double booked it because there’s a young man who also is checking in to the bookshop holiday too, together they learn how to run the bookshop and in the process of doing that, they learn more about themselves.

I loved this book! Characters who were learning about themselves and what made them happy and who they were are my favorite types of characters. I also love when books mention other books! This book made me want to travel and go to a small town and run a bookshop.

I loved Jude’s story. She lived with her hardworking parents who ran the village bakery and was a full time carer for her beloved Gran. She’d managed to study part time for her degree and her love of literature was as strong as ever. She had a wonderful best friend Daniel who she adored and her boyfriend Mack was also a lecturer at her Uni. Jude and Mack had their names down to run a community book/coffee shop in the gorgeous village of Clove Lore in Cornwall and they had just heard it was their turn to run it after waiting over a year. Jude goes on her own after discovering what a rat Mack really was. Her parents were retiring, Gran was living her best life and Jude was looking forward to discovering the real Jude.
I devoured this book and thoroughly loved it.

Jude, at twenty-nine, is about to get her life started. She has missed out on pretty much everything because of circumstances at home. She lives with her parents and grandmother and her best friend Daniel, lives next door. When her love life goes awry she is cast adrift and so embarks on, what was to be a couple's holiday, alone. The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday seems heaven for a bookworm like her.

The beginning of the book was slow and drawn out. Jude really irritated me. She was incredibly naive. Her 'boyfriend' was a toerag and she couldn't see through him. She was miserable and lamenting her fate all the time and Daniel was an absolute saint to put up with her. Her grandmother, in contrast, was a fun loving get up and go type.
Once she got to Devon and the bookshop, things picked up. The setting for the town of Clove Lore was wonderfully depicted and I want to live there!!! There were some marvelous characters and the bookshop itself was every readers dream.
Elliot arrives and once again Jude acts like an idiot and it was hard to take her serious.
However, from here the story gets better. There are secrets and mysteries and lots of small town activities.
A dog called Aldous has his own heart warming story and I loved it.
I'm giving it four stars because of the descriptive writing and I had to keep reading to see how it all panned out. I will also be checking out this author's other books.

"The Borrow A Bookshop Holiday" is a love story for book lovers. Have you ever dreamed of owning your own bookshop? Do you feel that a good book is made better by an caffeinated drink? Then you will love this.

For me the best feature of the story is how it shows how the imperfections is what creates perfection. Kilby Dunbar builds complex and flawed characters that you cannot resist falling in love with.

The story follows Jude Crawley who has been here grandmother's carer since she was 17. At the same time she's studied English part time at the local university. Suddenly everything starts to change for newly graduated Jude.

A two week holiday where she will get the chance to be the manager of a smal bookshop and Café sounds perfect. Make no mistake this is a feelgood romance for book nerds, but it is also a book about how to face the challenges life throws at you.

Short synopsis:
Jude Crawley should be on top of the world. She’s just graduated as a mature student, so can finally go public about her relationship with Philosophy professor, Mack.

Until she sees Mack kissing another girl, and her dreams crumble. And worse, their dream holiday – running a tiny bookshop in the harbour village of Clove Lore for two weeks – is non-refundable.

Throwing caution to the winds, Jude heads down to Devon, eager to immerse herself in literature and heal her broken heart.

But there’s one problem – six foot tall, brooding (but gorgeous) Elliot, who’s also reserved the bookshop holiday for two weeks…

I loved this. For me this has to be the best book by far from Kiley Dunbar.

I loved the whole concept of holidaying in a book shop and cafe. Judes friendship with Daniel was amazing, and refreshing that he wasn’t her love interest just her very best friend. I also loved the little surprise twist with Izzack too it really brought a smile to my face.
The whole mystery around Elliot had me just as shocked as Jude when he confided in her. I loved how he loved her so much right from the start but tried hard not to let it show or act on his feelings. The descriptions of everything are amazing and I really felt I was there, smelling the books and hearing the waves crashing against the harbour.
The scene where Elliot is running along the road to Jude after she’s pulled over for a cry was epic and I loved it so much how they ran to each other and decided to make a life together.
A beautiful and wonderful read.

This book is the perfect substitute for a very much needed Holiday!

'The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday' is about Jude; Jude is in her late twenties and has just graduated. Ever since she was 17 years old she has taken care of her grandma, but now that her grandma has decided to move into a retirement home, she feels a bit lost. She recently found out that her boyfriend Mack, was cheating on her, and so Jude decides to go on the holiday where they were going to take care of a bookshop sans Mack and manage the Bookshop herself. Although these plans are quickly detonated when a mix-up occurs and ends up co-managing the bookshop with Elliott. Elliott is a very mysterious person, he shares very little about himself, and this irritates Jude. But irritation soon turns into attraction... Find out what happens by pre-ordering this awesome book!

This book brought about lovely memories of a relaxing holiday, it is the perfect read to loosen up a bit! I loved the idea of borrowing a bookshop on a holiday! I adore animals and so I'm going Aldous, the mutt who used to look like an unshaven sheep hahaha.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This book was filled with all kinds of surprises! It had you wondering the entire time was Elliot's secret was and I was definitely not expecting it! I liked the setting of the little seaside village and all of the characters were very interesting.

Thanks to Hera Books and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Oh my goodness, I really want to go on holiday to the Borrow a Bookshop, it sounds amazing! Jude, recently single and a bit adrift goes on the holiday she had signed up for and wants to use the time to consider her future and be alone. She hasn't bargained on a fly in the ointment of someone else sharing her idyll.

Great read, thoroughly enjoyed it!

It was the title of this book that drew me in and I was not disappointed.
What a great idea to ‘borrow’ a bookshop for a two week holiday to run as you wish and also run the little cafe attached to the bookshop. This is exactly what Jude plans to do but before she can have the holiday she splits up from her ‘boyfriend’ so decides to take the holiday by herself. Unknown to her, Elliot will also he running the bookshop alongside her, which at first she is not happy about. He appears to have hidden secrets even though he is a tall good looking hunk of a man.
This book is pure escapism, one which I struggled to put down. I highly recommend this book to totally get lost in, with the beautiful description of the area and the colourful characters that frequent the pages.

Absolutely loved reading The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday. It was a nice break from reading all serious fiction, and the idea of running a bookstore even for 2 weeks would be something like hitting a jackpot for a bookworm like me. I really loved how the main lead would compare herself to Jude the Obscure, and of course, the funny ways one of the characters would describe book plots for the main character to guess. That was really enjoyable.

All in all, a great chick lit, romance book. Thank you for letting me read the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. It made me want to visit the seaside and visit quaint little villages with quirky shops. The characters were relatable although I found the main female character annoying at times.

You had me at bookstore. That’s my jam. I love anything to do with a book store. I was hooked and liked it a lot. Must read.

After a bit of a slow start, this turned into exactly the type of sweet rom com I was hoping I'd picked up!!

We've all heard of the concept of the bookstore that lets you rent the place and experience running a bookshop for a week. Kiley Dunbar turned this idea into an adorable setting for two lost souls to find each other!

After her parents sell their family bakery and her grandmother moves into a retirement village, Jude is left wondering where that leaves her. An unexpected opening at the borrow-a-bookshop she applied to ages ago will at least give her something to do for the next two weeks.

When a man walks into the bookstore and up to her rented apartment her first night, she's shocked to learn he's also been given an invitation for her same two weeks. She reluctantly agrees to let him stay and they decide to stay out of each other's hair. At least for a few days until their attraction takes over...

The setting is undeniably perfect for book lovers. Who wouldn't want to find love in a bookstore!? I appreciated how both main characters acknowledged the quick nature of their relationship and were realistic about how it could continue.

This is an adorable escapist read into a world of books, small towns, misunderstandings, and finding love!

The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday by Kiley Dunbar is a heartwarming tale of finding yourself through literature. After discovering her academic boyfriend cheating on her the day of graduation, Jude travels alone to her bookshop rental on the coast. When she arrives, Jude is furious to discover that her rental is being shared with a complete stranger, albeit good-looking, named Elliot. As friction between Jude and Elliot increases, secrets begin to unravel and it seems that Elliot may not be who he claims he is. Chock full of sudden twists, literary serendipity, and seaside romps, The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday is not your average beachread. It is the perfect book for fans of the classic film You've Got Mail and Emily Henry's Beach Read.

The day of Jude's graduation and there should be celebrations all around. However after she catches her secret professor boyfriend with another student and her family life gets turned upside down, can an escape to the bookshop by the sea heal her wounds?
This story was delightful, light and the perfect read for anybody who loves books.
What is an easy and uplifting read is made special by the references to the classics and well loved books and their characters that leave you not just transported to a gorgeous little fishing village in Devon, but also reminiscent about books you may have enjoyed before.
The charming characters make you want to move into the cosy little bookshop and live amongst all the fantastic residents of the village.
I laughed, cringed and smiled ear to ear whilst reading this. The perfect summer read that leaves you wanting to feel the sand beneath your toes before snuggling up with a classic.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Kiley Dunbar for the copy of this book.

Brilliant is all I can say. What a great idea, borrow a bookshop for a fortnight, would be my idea of heaven. The ending was a bit obvious but it was great how it got there. Romance with 2 people who are thrown together for a fortnight was inevitable but the stories behind each other’s arrival was really good. Looking forward to more from Kiley Dunbar. Thanks for letting me read and review this. #GoodReads #NetGalley #Bookshop

What a perfect idea of a holiday - to basically run a book shop for 2 weeks - I think for most book lovers like myself, that sounds perfect, so this book appealed to me on so many levels. I also later found out there actually is a bookshop you can rent out for a holiday, which is based in Scotland.
I have never read a book by the author before so wasn't sure what to expect, but I have to say I really enjoyed it. Such an easy book to read, with a lovely storyline, and very likeable characters.
Definitely very much needed after some of the heavy books I have read recently - a perfect romantic chick lit romance book.