Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop
A warm-hearted, romantic and uplifting read
by Kiley Dunbar
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Pub Date Mar 23 2023 | Archive Date Mar 07 2023
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Description
A fairytale ending isn’t just for fiction…
The Borrow-a-Bookshop is recovering, seven months on from the winter flood that destroyed all its stock, and the latest temporary bookseller, Joy Foley, arrives in Clove Lore with her daughter, five-year-old Radia Pearl. As a tech expert, she’ll be working on dragging the Bookshop into the twenty-first century.
But what no one knows is that Joy is running from Radia Pearl’s father. She can’t settle down here or anywhere … moving on is how she stays safe. So when Radia befriends Monty Bickleigh, ex-fisherman and the new cook at The Siren’s Tail pub, despite herself, Joy finds herself growing closer to him, and the quirky community of Clove Lore.
While Joy settles in to the bookshop, Araminta Clove-Congreve, local lady of the Manor, is finding running her new wedding business harder than anticipated. She needs to hire a chief wedding planner, and fast - and Joy’s family may have the answer.
As Joy finds her heart softening by the magic of Clove Lore, can her new friends – and Monty – be enough to convince Joy to stop running and find a new life?
An uplifting, gorgeously romantic read that will warm your heart; fans of Jenny Colgan and Trisha Ashley won't be able to put this down. Bookworms everywhere, escape to the magic of Clove Lore today...
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9781804362228 |
PRICE | £1.99 (GBP) |
Featured Reviews
This book was sent electronically to me by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher and the author. Quirky characters come alive on the pages of this novel. The story moves quickly and is unique …borrowing a bookstore… innovative. Curl up in a comfy chair and relax. Enjoy.
So cosy. Quite comforting. Just the exact dose of what you will need for a weekend to relax with.
This is the story of Joy, a mum of a five year old daughter, trying to find her place and have a peaceful life with her daughter. She’s a tech expert who would be working at the Borrow a Bookshop bookstore. Everything is new for her and her daughter at Clove Lore.
There she meets an ex fisherman, Monty, who she would get close to. It’s their story that’s so cute and comforting at the same time.
It is the story of a community and almost like a found family in the making.
Just get this book when it comes out. The perfect read for a cosy summer evening.
Thank you, Hera Books, for the advance reading copy.
A sweet and cosy story about a woman Joy who has been running from her past . Her ex boyfried and father of her 5 year old daughter was a very controling man . After the birth of her child he disappear from their lives . She works as computer nomad , traveling all over the world . Her new job brings them in Clove Lore at the Borrow-a-Bookshop . While she work at the bookshop she meets chef Monty and sparks fly . Will she give herself a chance to love ?
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own .
“Sometimes you give up the good stuff so the people you love most can have what they need.”
Can you hear that?! It’s the call of the sea! Come escape to the magic of Clove Lore on the Cornish coast!
If you aren’t familiar with the premise of this series…the focal point is an Airbnb style bookshop in a quaint village where digital nomads can rent the space for a two-week holiday and run the bookshop. This is book 3 and it begins 7 months after a flood has destroyed all its stock and the bookshop has been renovated.
Jane Foley and her daughter Radia Pearl are the newest Borrowers, temporary booksellers, at Borrow-a-Bookshop in Clove Lore. Jane is a tech expert and part of her rental agreement is to update the store for the 21st century; create a new website, and install a security system, keyless entry and digital stock system. This is the perfect getaway for these two as unbeknownst to anyone, they’re running from Radia Pearl’s father. They’ve been living a life of itinerancy and restlessness since Radia was born.
The quirky community grows on these two and they discover that keeping their distance isn’t easy this time.
Author Kiley Dunbar explores what it’s like to escape coercive control, experience estrangement from family and feel let down by loved ones. She highlights the Japanese art of restoration in her examination of embracing imperfections and then lightens the tone of the story with twin mixups, quirky and eccentric villagers, wedding mishaps and storytime at the bookshop.
You’ll have to read about the handsome Montague David Bickleigh and his role in helping the latest renters settle in. He’s the bridge that Jane didn’t know she needed - the bridge to connecting with her old life so that she can move forward.
I loved Radia’s excitement at discovering the bookshop - it’s not something you see very much any more! I connected to Jane when I discovered she hates small talk with strangers and connected with Montague when he mentioned that a fisherman’s family doesn’t rest until the boats are tied up at the harbour. I only rest easy when everyone in the house is home for the night and my family has learned to put up with my anxiety. The best part? When Radia did some gardening! You’ll have to read to find out.
I think this is the best book of the series and I can’t wait to see what Dunbar has planned next.
I was gifted this copy by Hera Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I was excited to return to Borrow a Bookshop to see how everyone was doing after the flood! I instantly liked Joy and Monty - wanting the fisherman/chef to fall for the techie currently borrowing the Bookshop. With the fun characters and the story of Joy learning to open up to Monty, this was a delightful read.
The best book to date in the series but you can read alone. . I loved the story of Joy and Radia. You really felt for the the ice cream lady Mrs Crocombe. She is a great character in all the books. Minty and the wedding was amazing . Joy was one strong lady and I won’t spoil it but wow. Thank goodness for Joy’s sister . . Radia was very clever . I loved her character . Monty was so kind and what an ending. Can not wait to read the next one .
Having loved the previous books in the borrow a book shop series I was excited to read something new at borrow a bookshop. This could be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading them in order for the full experience. It felt great to be back in clove lore and to delve back into the hearts and minds of the inhabitants. I really wish there was somewhere like clove lore for real where you could have a holiday renting a bookshop as would be my dream.
In this instalment we get to meet joy and her daughter radia when she comes to work at the bookshop as a digital nomad bringing the bookshop in line with the digital age and covers her backstory and her developing friendship with Monty. Radia is such a charming little girl with lots of funny antidotes who likes to talk a lot.
The author has also covered a lot of difficult themes in this book and brought them out to the service such as cohesive control and difficult family relationships
Important themes which don’t often get air time in books
I loved that we also got to experience characters from the previous books and their development and how they interlinked with the new ones that we were introduced to in this instalment. These books are uplifting heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time and evoke a true community spirit and camaraderie.
I was excited to read that this wasn’t going to be the last in the series and am definitely looking forward to more tales from the borrow a bookshop.
When I read number two in the series - Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop - I didn’t realise it was linked, and so hadn’t read number one, and to be honest, I still haven’t. But it doesn’t really matter. It might have given you a few links to the previous story, but I found it a completely acceptable standalone book. And I can say the same about this one. It’s completely fine to read it on it’s one, but it’s fun to spot some of the connections to the previous one.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Joy as a main character. She was well written, don’t get me wrong, great character creation, but as a person, she didn’t really endear herself to me, but I think that was to do with her gold, guarded nature, she didn’t let me in. She started to win me round by the end, once you know the reasons for her standoffish behaviour. She still wouldn’t be my best friend, but she got there in the end.
But Monty is a gorgeous character. That’s all I have to say on him. 😘
And Joy’s daughter Radia is a wonderful character. She’s so innocent, which is great to see, but privy to an adult situation. She’s excited about everything, warm and friendly, and I think she’s the magic key to opening Joy up.
There are lots of characters left from the previous books such as Minty and Bovis. Like I say you don’t need to have read about them to appreciate them, but it does add a little extra touch when you start recognising people.
I am most certainly still up for a borrow-a-bookshop scheme. Although I’d sign up every week, you’d never get rid of me.
There is something very powerful about books and stories, that not everyone realises, but it’s novels like these that really show that power, especially to people who may not be huge readers.
I slightly preferred book number two, but that’s only because of the Christmas connection - that will always win me round.
Like any good feel-good novel, there are some hard parts. Some adult themes. Some obstacles you have to overcome. And that’s what makes the happy bits even happier, as you know what’s come before.
This series is all I want from life. To live in a small community village, within a bookshop and a handsome man. Is there anything better than that? We’re in 2023 now, surely someone can invent a way to put us into books, because I need to experience Clove Lore for myself.
I’m glad to see this isn’t the end of the series. I did wonder whether it would start getting repetitive, focussing on the same group of people and the same shop, but it’s anything but. It lures you in. You feel a part of this community, this story, this family, and it just keeps getting better and better.
It’s warming and cosy and hopeful and joyful and easy reading. Exactly what you want to lose yourself in after a busy day.
I think this was my favourite in the Borrow the Bookshop series so far. I loved coming back to Clove Lore and meeting all the old friends again and getting to know Joy and Radia was just wonderful. I love how the series mixes the lives of the bookshop borrowers with the restidents of Clove Lore and you learn so much about everyone in every new installment.
In this installment we meet Joy the digital nomad who has been tasked with cataloguing all the books after the big flood of the second book and Joy brings along Radia who is just a ball of sunshine and talks to everyone about everything under the sun. Joy meets Monty whose a fisherman turned chef at the local pub and they hit it off from the start but is Joy ready for a new man in her life?
I loved the setting and the found family trope a lot. I hope we visit Clove Lore again someday.
This book was charming, cozy, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. It was truly a delight to read. The author did a fantastic job making me feel connected to every aspect of Clove Lore and its characters. A full review was posted to Instagram, linked to this comment.
This is the third in the series and my absolute favourite. The story of Joy and Radia's life was so engaging I couldn't put it down. I loved revisiting Clove Lore and catching up with all the characters from the first 2 books.
Kiley's writing is delightful and so easy to cosy down with... perfect! Yet she writes some gritty plotlines so realistically that you're left shouting at the characters! You must read all 3 of these books!
Thank you to Hera Books for letting me have early access to this brilliant book. It was a dream. Best book of the year!
A third installment of the great escapism that is the Borrow a Bookshop in Clove Lore. The townfolk remain the heart while we meet Joy and her daughter Radia. While it stands fine alone, you will want to read the history of the town and townspeople.
Fantastic sequel to the previous books meeting new characters and revisiting the old.
After the flood in the last book the bookshop is undergoing a makeover and new people have arrived.
Great to see how th characters are getting on as well as introducing a few new names to the mix.
Highly recommended read
I'm already a firm fan of the Borrow a Bookshop series and couldn't wait to dive into the third instalment, wanting to find out what happened next.
Having said that, it is quite easy to read each book as a standalone. What happens in previous books is helpful to know but not essential. It just adds an extra layer of understanding and emotional connection to the returning characters that you meet in this book.
Joy and her five-year-old daughter, Radia, are the newest borrowers for the length of this book. Joy is known as a digital nomad, travelling around the globe from contract to contract with her daughter in tow. She is tasked with helping to set up a new technical system for the bookshop, as well as new digital locks, and designing a new website for the Borrow A Bookshop in the revamp that takes place after a devastating flood in the village of Clove Lore.
She's also running away from something else, which prevents her from settling anywhere with her daughter. However, regrets are running through her mind constantly as she sees how much Radia needs stability and normality, too.
The residents of this friendly town are eager to help her settle in, and slowly her wall of emotional security is broken down, with Radia helping to ensure her mother opens up more to others,
And what would a romance book be without that spark of attraction?
Enter Monty, one of the fishing twins, who has had to give up his passion for being on the family boat with his brother to work in the local pub as a chef, dreaming up wonderful seafood recipes while having to serve up pies and sausage and mash to the pub food expectant holiday guests.
You can sense the chemistry between these two from the moment they meet, and I loved the slow-burn build-up of their connection.
I also loved the little side story romance involving the local ice cream seller, who loves keeping a book on the new borrowers and taking bets on who might pair up with someone local. This time, she has her own little love story, which was just precious!
A wonderful read which made me feel warm and gooey inside. Perfect for a pick-me-up, and I warn you, if you haven't already, you'll want to read the first two, too, to see what happened previously!
Now, I wait impatiently to find out if another book in the series will be coming our way!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an ARC.
A sweet escapist read for a lovely dose of coastal community, intrigue and romance
It is a slow but comforting read so perfect if you're after something that will transport you to somewhere else that is full of lovely characters with the soft pace of the village life
It's a heartwarming romance, set in a close-knit community in a Devon seaside town. Being part of a community has its ups and downs, namely everyone knows everything you do. But they also offer incredible support, which is not easy for the heroine Joy to realise and accept.
However, the story has a happy ending, so all is well that ends well. I can recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance with loveable characters.
Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop, is about Joyce, her 6 year old kid and getting a new/ fresh or you can say second chance at life.
I haven't read the previous stories in this series, it however didn't hamper my enjoying this story, as the series can be read as standalones too.
I enjoyed following the little kid's tangent more than her mother. The setting was beautiful, with the sea side, bookshop and all the vilage residents I met in the story.
I adore this series, so, so much! I read them much too fast because they are so darn cute, and then I have to wait an eternity for the next installment!! Two weeks running a bookshop and a little cafe in a charming seaside town sounds just about perfect, sign me up!
A cute, heart warming, cosy read 🫶🏻 I loved Monty and Joys relationship, they’re so cute! Radia is adorable, I love how inquisitive she is and how Joy is like me (shy and prefers to not interact with people 😂) I have fallen in love with Clove Lore and their residents, a lovely seaside town! I loved the idea of borrow a bookshop 📚 and I also loved the ending 💗 I really enjoyed reading this book. This is first book I have read from this series and I look forward to reading the rest! 🙌🏻
Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for sharing this novel with me and allowing me to fall in love with Clove Lore and the characters. I appreciate it 💕
Such a cozy read! This is my first book in the series and I loved it. Small town charm and romance is my kind of book. We follow Joy who moves to Clove Lore with her 5 year old daughter. She is a tech expert who will be working at Borrow a Bookshop store. She’s also running from Radia’s father and she’s been living a life of restlessness since her daughter was born. She meets Monty and you can feel the chemistry between them as soon as they meet. A charming, sweet read to make you feel good inside!
This was such a sweet and fun read! Loved the characters (although at times the little girl seemed so much older than 5!), the romance was cute and the whole place made me want to visit! I would definitely recommend if you love gentle romcoms with lovely endings xx
Joy is the next to take control of the Borrow a Bookshop. Along with her young daughter Radia, they work on getting the bookstore set up with computer and security. Meeting fisherman Monty is a plus for all three. Fun series, book and characters. Highly recommend.
What a heartwarming, feel good story! A perfect weekend read. I connected with the characters. The pacing was perfect and the writing solid. Loved it!
Yes, I have directly picked up the third book in a series, again, and I have absolutely no regrets. While there were references in this one to the earlier instalments, it still is completely amazing as a standalone. A quaint sea-side village, interesting characters, a cozy bookshop, and the sweetest love story. Nothing can go wrong with such a combination. The concept of getting to run a bookshop for a fortnight is just truly the stuff that dreams are made of.
"Sometimes you give up the good stuf so the people you love most can have what they need."
Joyce and Radia make the perfect mother-daughter team and Monty is, well, part of this dream team now and it couldn’t have been better. It is wonderful to see the other characters get enough of their time to shine as well. The balance formed by revealing just enough about the past characters is beautiful as it takes this story forward while also ensuring you are curious about their entire story as well. Similarly, it will be interesting to see glimpses of the Joyce and Monty’s life together at Clove Lore further in the series as well.
Forever grateful to @netgalley for approving my advance copy.
Oh my, this third instalment may be my favorite !
A part of me cannot really believe how quite and wise Radia is (I wish my kids had been like her at 5!)
But I loved Joy and Monty, and "Clove Lore" remains on my to-visit list, with the donkeys of course.
The scenery is still fantastic, the people are nosy and meddling in a friendly way, secondary characters are as great as the main.
Joy has probably the darker past from all the characters in the series and that's why she needed so badly to come to The Borrow-a-Bookshop and Clove Lore.
I don't wan't to spoil anything, so I am just going to say : love always wins.
Thanks you to Netgalley and Hera for providing and eARC in exchange of an honest review.
A small-town story of love, family, and friendship is always a delight to readers. This is a heartwarming story of Joy and Radia. Joy, a single mother, is ready to do everything for the love of her life- Rads. While Monty is struggling to make a name for himself and set things right in his life. The struggle is real for these two people trapped in the town of Clove Lore.
As Joy do everything she can for the Borrow-a-Bookshop job, she also making ends meet for her and Radia as they continuously evade the past. There's no settling down for this two until they met Monty and everything changed. Joy and Monty redeemed and healed themselves together facing life and the past. In the end, the peace they are searching for are right there all along within themselves and together.
A must read for this summer!
“Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop” is beautiful continuation of the story of the bookshop where borrowers, shop keepers, and now digital nomads find a happy and safe space to relax, grow and meet kindred spirits becoming part of a community, whether they mean to or not! The magic of Clove Law had me smiling & crying in equal measure alongside it’s quirky inhabitants.
In “Something New” we meet Joy and her 5 yr old daughter Radia, digital nomads, as she sets up the computer and security systems at the bookshop. Joy is a devoted mother but a troubled soul who works all over the World whilst never setting down any roots. Radia has other ideas she longs to settle down, start school and make friends her own age.
Meanwhile, the force that is the indubitable Mrs Araminta Clove-Congreve has set herself up as wedding planner extraordinaire. Make way bridezilla Minty is on her way, planning the wedding of Elliot and Jude within an inch of everyone’s lives!
However, ever the romantic, I think the real question is will Mrs C get to fill in her matchmaking book with a big tick? Cue the dashing Captain and soft, kindhearted fisherman turned chef, Monty.
I was delighted to get an opportunity to read and review a Netgalley arc of the book with many thanks to the publisher Hera Books and of course the author Kiley Dunbar for giving me a book series to rely on, one that has me longing to visit again, enjoying the escape and the warmth inside.
What a treat to revisit Clove Lore and its residents and meet its newest one, Joy and her daughter. Joy has come to catalog and modernize the bookshop. She is a digital nomad who goes from assignment to assignment updating and implementing computer systems. She gets to bring her daughter, Radia, with her all around the world on these assignments, which is one of the things she likes best about her job. She has a troubled past and so she likes not being settled in one place for long. Until the friendly people of Clove Lore show her what it’s like to settle down and stop running, especially the hunky sailor, Monty, who Joy has instant chemistry with. But is she ready for a new chapter in her life? Can she stay in one place finally?
Thanks to publishers, author and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
An absolutely wonderful read. Kiley never disappoints and this book was no exception. A story line that keeps you wondering with some deep themes all wrapped up in a warm hug. This is part of a series but can easily be read as a stand alone. If this is your first book by this author I guarantee it won’t be the only book you read by Kiley Dunbar.
Coastal Devon is the beautiful setting of this riveting book.
A digital nomad is constantly looking over her shoulder, there's a wedding to prepare and an atmosphere of romance is all around. A lovely upllifing read of second chances and trust.
A third visit to Clove Lore and the Borrow a Bookshop series, and I couldn’t have been happier. I enjoy catching up with old friends and all the characters we previously met, but also it was a pleasure to read about Joy and wonderful, funny and smart Radia, who really made this book for me. Easily read as a standalone, I recommend reading the previous books as they a great reads.
Joy is a digital nomad and has been asked to catalogue the books in the shop and bring it up to the 21st century tech wise; perfect chance to do this after the flood (from previous book). Joy meets local, Monty, who desperately wants to follow his passion of cooking, more than just creating pub favourites in the local pub. When they meet, they instantly hit it off but Joy is not looking for anything or anyone special, her past has shown her not to put her trust in anyone.
Sometimes I wished Joy would just loosen up and follow her spirited daughters lead. With some heart-warming moments, frustrations and fun along the way, this is a fabulous, cosy read. I am already looking forward to the next visit to Clove Lore!
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Kiley Dunbar for the ARC.
Having read the other books in the series I was so pleased to get a copy of Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop and I wasn’t disappointed. Running a bookshop and cafe for two weeks in such a beautiful place sounds amazing. This time Joy and her five year old daughter Radia are at the bookshop while Joy completes all the tech stuff needed to bring the shop up to date. Joy has a troubled past that sees her constantly travelling around completing her tech work. Radia has seen some amazing places with her mum but just wants friends and to go to school. I loved this little girl so much.
The characters in this book are so likeable especially Monty, a fisherman at heart but he puts his twin brother first and allows him to catch the fish while he cooks it at the local pub. There is also Mrs Crocombe who owns the ice cream shop and who loves to matchmake. This is a beautifully written book and I loved it. I do hope there will be another book in the series.
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for a review.
This is the 3rd in the Borrow a Bookshop series but could quite easily be read as a standalone. It was lovely to be back in the community of Clove Lore and whilst it took me a while to gel with the book I enjoyed it very much in the end. Loved the character of 6 year old Rads - worth a watching!
I hope there will be more in the series.
It was so lovely to be back at Clove Lore, to catch up with all the characters and to meet new ones too. Introducing Joy and her daughter. Joy has moved to Clove Lore to help work in the bookshop, and bring it back up to date. Joy has a troubled life and had been moving around the world from job to job with her daughter in tow. It isn't until she gets to Clove Lore where she realises what she has been missing in her life and wants to settle down in onr place. It's a really lovely story about friendship, family and love.
I love this series and I love the characters and magical setting of Clove Lore.
This third instalment of the series saw us meeting some new Borrowers and also spending time with some familiar favourites.
I enjoyed seeing the character development of Joy and Radia throughout. It seems the community spirit is Clove Lore is just something that even the hardest of hearts fail to be immune to. Radia was such a little firecracker of energy as well - she sure made for some enjoyable events in the story.
Also glad to see a happy ending on the cards for some other characters, completely unexpectedly.
A lovely, comforting read.
What a fun, cosy and enjoyable read. A book that you can cosy up with and knock over in a day or two.
Jo Foley and her daughter arrive in a new town to start a new life in a job bringing an old bookshop into the new world. But there is more to Jo's life than starting fresh, she is running away and this may come back to haunt her.
This is a joyous story of how a town and its people can and do accept those who come to live there. It is a feel good book, But it is not airy, fairy as it has emotion, tension, happy and sad times and some love and romance as well. So it really does have it all.
I found it easy to read and enjoyed the life Jo makes in this new town within such a loving community.
Great read and highly recommend.
🔹 My take: 4/5
💖 Wow, I want to read all the books in Borrow-a-bookshop series. The warmth with which Clove Lore residents welcomed Joyce & Radia was adorable. I liked Joyce & Monty so much. Their chemistry was very real and not forced at all. Also, the emotional part at the end where the family reunites was very touching. And I liked role of Joyce’s sister too. The long walks that Joyce takes with her mom, Monty and then opens her heart to Jowan all felt so genuine. I found this book very heart warming and that’s what romances should make you feel generally.
💫 I want copies of the other books in this series…is anyone listening? 😄
Thanks to @hera_books, @kileydunbarauthor and @Netgalley for sharing eARC in exchange for honest review.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm a dedicated fan of Kiley Dunbar's novels and loved the first book in this series, Borrow a Bookshop. This was a sweet third book in the series and I loved revisiting Clove Lore. Monty and Joy had a sweet romance and and a natural chemistry. Their dialogue was witty and sweet and kept me engaged. There were some very emotional moments in this novel as well which had me reaching for the tissues. It was the perfect weekend read to get lost in and delivered the happy ending these characters deserved.
I do wish we spent more time with Monty and Joy and the development of their relationship -- particularly Monty. It was refreshing that one of the main characters was almost 40 (Monty) but I wish that Joy was also closer to that range (she's only 29 -- which is fine but I had hoped she was maybe mid 30's or so). There was also a range of romances happening in the background which included later-life romances --which was nice for some of the characters from the earlier novels in the series.
The wedding sub-plot of characters from previous novels was at times a little distracting from the main plot. It was fun to follow previous characters, but it took away pages from Monty and And Joy who I think deserved a bit more time together.
It’s good to be back for a third visit to The Borrow a Bookshop & catch up with the residents of the seaside village, Clove Lore (as a Bedlington Terrier lover I was pleased to see Aldous make an appearance too).
A gentle romance story that held my interest from beginning to end, although I did find some aspects felt a bit crammed in & didn’t necessarily add to the main storyline. A really lovely feel-good book that features fully-formed main characters with interesting back stories, their budding romance leaves you with a warm glow.
Have I mentioned recently how much I absolutely adore this series, and this is yet another wonderful addition to it.
I can't get enough of my time in Clove Lore and I'm already hoping this won't be the last time we get to visit this rather special little town, that seems steeped in romance, books and some wonderfully quirky characters.
And the latest borrowers are a bit different, as it's Joy with her 5 year old daughter Radia who are staying this time, but in theory not to sell books or open the cafe, but to do all the tech upgrades ahead of the bookshops re-opening.
Joy is a digital nomad and travels all over the world with Radia, and is determined not to stay in any one place for long, let alone get to feel like part of a community, but yet the magic of Clove Lore seems to seep into her heart, whether she wants it to or not. And soon she is doing things she wouldn't have thought she would, with Radia's encouragement.
Rads seems so much older than her 5 years, in some respects but in others she is clearly a young child still, and it's joyous to see how she thinks from time to time.
I loved which familiar characters were present, and fact the whole town is getting ready for an epic wedding, although whether having Minty organise it, is a good or bad thing is another matter!
This could most likely be read as a standalone, however I think for maximum enjoyment why not read the series so far, as they are all such enjoyable books it would be a shame to miss out on them.
I couldn't get enough of this story and was reading it every second I had over the course of a day. Just simply fabulous.
Thank you to Hera Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I absolutely adore this series of books. This is the third in the series and I’ve read them all and devoured them all with pleasure. Such a great concept of having a holiday running a bookshop for two weeks. Loved being back to meet the old characters as well as getting to know the new ones. These books are a real treat and pure escapism not to be missed.
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
An easy read. Loved returning to the book shop with new characters and old. .
.3
If Stardew Valley met the English Oceanside you’d have Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop. Such a warm and easy read, I would definitely recommend this book for those looking for a feel good read. I will be going back and reading the first 2 books in this series as it was that good and I’d like to enjoy the entire series. However, I don’t feel that it’s necessary to have read the previous books to enjoy this one.
I was given an advance copy electronically by Hera Books though NetGalley and appreciate that they trusted me to read this and give it an honest review.
This is the 3rd book of Borrow a Bookshop series, it can be read as stand alone. My first in this series and this book is good. The story about Joy who move to Clove Lore with her daughter Radia. Joy start her new life here as a temporary bookseller, her main job to put the bookshop in digital era. Joy and Radia meet Monty when crabbing, Monty teach Radia how to catch crab and release it. The story not about Joy and Monty, there are side story about peopl in Clove Lore and main character from previous book.
Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.
#SomethingNewattheBorrowaBookshop #BorrowaBookshop #KileyDunbar #HeraBooks #NetGalley #ARC
The Borrow-a-Bookshop series is like a gentle hug from a friend. The sense of community and friendship embraces the reader as well as the newcomers to the bookstore. Before you know it, you are caught up in the lives of the characters and want to join them. I love the concept of working for a while in a bookstore. I think most readers would love that and the seaside location is beautiful.
This is a cute little rom com. I enjoyed this little community and it’s residents. It follows a woman and her daughter who is running but falls for a local . I will definitely read more by this author.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.
I think this is the best book in the series to date.
It’s a lovely story of Joy who is a tech expert and her daughter who’s five, Radia. They’ll be living at the Borrow a Bookshop bookstore, where everything is different and new for both of them.
A story of community and friendships and family. I loved Radia, a clever little girl.
I’m looking forward to reading what happens in the next instalment in this series.
I highly recommend this book.
I was delighted to return to Clove Lore and discover what changes had occurred since the winter flood. While reading, I was mindful of how this book would seem to a new reader, who didn’t have the history from the previous instalments, but I feel that there is enough included to make it possible to be enjoyed as a standalone story. Of course, I would always recommend reading the other books, too.
Joy and Radia were a breath of fresh air. Not driven by reading, they had found their way to the Borrow a Book as result of Joy’s work as a digital nomad. As the name suggests, she travels the world fulfilling jobs where her specialist tech knowledge is most needed. After years of disorganisation and the effects of the flood, Joy has her work cut out.
As it slowly emerges that she’s escaping from the clutches of her ex, we get a sobering insight into the challenges that face a survivor of domestic abuse. Estranged from her family, Joy feels that it literally is her and her daughter against the world, and she needs to keep running.
We also get to learn more about Monty Bickleigh, the cook from the Siren’s Tail Pub. He’s appeared in previous instalments, but this book brings his story to the fore and I loved getting to know him. He’s a solid, grounded guy who is very aware of how fragile Joy’s life is. His gentle friendship introduces hope to Joy’s otherwise challenging life.
As usual, I will avoid spoilers and remain within the restraints of the synopsis, but I can guarantee that this is a truly satisfying read with a wonderful ensemble cast, made up from many now familiar characters.
Kiley Dunbar has created a community that invites the reader to visit and spend their time exploring the many joys that are on offer. As so many of the villagers are now settled, I do wonder if we’ll return, and hope that we do, but if this was our final trip, it’s been wonderful.
📚Close-knit village welcomes secretive single mother: heartwarming🌅
4.5🌟 stars
The author packs this book with lovable characters and makes the reading a lovely visit to a friendly village where no one is an island and romance is in the air. The general impression is positive, with love, family and friendship winning out.
I particularly liked the single mother and child on the run storyline, and how Joy could not resist being drawn into village life. And her young daughter Radia was a darling and a key source of my enjoyment of their story. She's open, loving and strong-willed. Monty, the male lead, is sadly sweet. He does not expect much out of life yet knows he's not content in his single state, leaving his brother to enjoy the family fishing business while he works all hours in the kitchen of the local pub. Monty is a perfect choice for the story's hero as he actually does help save the day at a critical community moment.
I had read one of the previous novels in Dunbar's Borrow a Bookshop series some months ago and vaguely recalled some of the villagers. But not clearly, which allows me to say that this story can be read as a standalone.
A heartwarming trip to a fictional gem of the Devon seaside.
Thanks to Hera Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Based on a wonderful village in North Devon finds us back there for this lovely story. This one starts after the winter floods where the bookshop needs help to get it back up and running. A child helps to make things happen and it is all for the best. Can't wait for the next in the series, this can be read as a standalone but it is good to follow the characters and their lives. Well worth 5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC
What a lovely book. Such a different them with a borrow a bookshop.
Move into the bookshop and run it for A week or so. What a fun concept.
Joy and her daughter Radia move into the bookshop for 2 weeks to set up all the electronics and security and online stuff. What Joy didn’t factor is how she would get so involved in the small community and fall in love in such a short time.
She is constantly moving around, scared of her past and not in touch with her family.
This little shop and the community may be the life saver Joy needs.
Loved this story
It was fantastic to be back in Clove Lore and the Borrow a bookshop. If you haven’t read the previous books you can still read this as a stand alone but reading the others will give a much greater understanding to the other characters and their personalities.
I’m so happy that Monty finally got his happy ever after, he’s just the safe, secure and loving person that Joy needs. Joys back story really pulled at me, emotional abuse is so hard to identify, even harder to move on from. Joy has give her daughter Rads everything and a world education that even some adults can never have, her love for her daughter is so pure and I could identify at times how she felt it was going to burst out of her.
Brilliant from start to finish and I can’t wait to see whose story will be next.
Joy and her daughter Radia go to a small village to set up new technology at a bookshop. The bookshop isn't your normal shop but one that people use for short periods of time to be book owner's.
Joy is trying to hide out from her abusive husband and she is weary of people in the small village.
This is certainly a sweet story.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and to the publisher Hera Books.
I loved both the previous books in this series (though Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop was more emotional than I prefer), so I was excited to catch up with all my Clove Lore friends in Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was lovely to see how the village was recovering from the traumatic events of the winter, moving forward with their plans. And there’s a long awaited wedding of two much loved characters too!
I loved getting to know Monty better, and the two new characters were great too. Radia was an absolute delight, and I could empathise with all Joy has been through, and how she’s protected her child. I loved that, by the end of the book, she’s been able to let down some of those walls.
Overall, this was a lovely and emotional (in a good way) romance, with a wonderful sense of community. I recommend the whole series.
I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
TW: several flashbacks to domestic abuse (coercive control)
So this book is part of a series but in my opinion it can be read as a stand alone. This is a lovely sweet and at times quite emotional story set in a beautiful sounding place with some wonderful local characters. We meet Joy and her daughter Radia and follow their journey as to why they are in Clove lore and what the future holds for the pair. An enjoyable read I highly recommend.
A welcome return to the borrow a bookshop (oh if only you could). Still recovering from the terrible destruction of the flood in the last book, it’s great to return to see the new incarnation with its lovely new. Caretakers.. I loved Joy and really related to some parts of her story and am really looking forward to a return to he bookshop soon. Btw this was my favourite cover of the series too.
A lovely, sweet story about a bookshop and how people come together to help out after a flood. My idea of heaven working in a bookshop. I enjoyed this story very much . My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
I like this series Borrow a Bookashop, all can be read standalone even though there is mention of previous characters.
Publish date: March 23, 2023
Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop is the third book in Kiley’s series- and while reading the previous two will help with knowing some characters and the understanding the feeling of Clove Lore, it was amazing as a stand-alone. It felt like a cozy, warm hug. I enjoyed the characters in this book quite a lot. I was especially happy that Joy found happiness in staying and that little Radia finally got to attend primary school and have friends. Overall, this was a cute, sweet story. I may read the previous books now, and I do hope to see another book in the future. Thank you
NetGalley and Hera Books for allowing me to read and review!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for the opportunity to read Kiley Dunbar's newest. As usual, it was a delightful, feel good, romantic story with characters and setting to fall in love withm.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication date: March 23, 2023
Something New at the Borrow a Bookstore is the third in a little Scottish town romance series by Kiley Dunbar. They can be read standalone as this is my first and I had no trouble following the story or back characters.
Set in a Scottish seaside village, this a clean romance with tons or quirky diverse characters!
Joy has taken a two week contract job in the small village of Clove Lore. Joy has spent the last 5 years taking short term work contracts allowing her to move around and not stay in any one place for too long.
Accompanied by her curious, smart five year old daughter Radia, they fall in love with the slower pace of the village and connect with some of the locals, something Joy never allows.
Running from Radia’s controlling father, and keeping Joy’s estranged family from knowing their whereabouts has been exhausting and lonely. When Joy meets Monty a local chef in town she starts to get this strange feeling of coming home.
Not one to trust easily and always on the run, can Joy connect with Monty in a way she hasn’t let herself in years? Joy so desperately wants to trust again but is afraid to open herself up.
This was a cute clean romance story! There was great LGBTQ+ representation and wonderfully quirky characters to get to know. I have never read this author before but will be adding the other books in this series to my tbr! I have rated this one four stars, super quick and easy read!
#NetGalley #kileydunbar #somethingnewattheborrowabookstore
Somehow, although I have read the first book in the series, I had missed book 2. Yet this third instalment worked well enough as a standalone story, reintroducing the town and some of its residents, many of whom I remembered. Joy's story has its sad and worrying moments, as she has travelled the world, working, with her young daughter beside her, to escape an abusive man she fears may find her. Her fortnight in the bookshop brings new friends, reunions, and romance, so she is finally able to make the right decisions for her future and that of her child. An easy read.
The latest Borrow a bookshop story, set after the flood that caused havoc in the village. Joy and Radia keep a low profile and move often - will that change when she meets Monty. I loved how it was told from various points of view and we get to meet all the different characters again.
Hi, I’ve shared my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5408431088 just wanted to say thank you, it was such a wonderful treat to read!
This was lovely return to the bookshop we know and love from the previous two books. A cute and heartwarming story. It was wonderful to return to the little seaside town with its interesting and quirky local characters. I very much enjoyed the book! Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Something New at the Borrow-A-Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
A fairytale ending isn’t just for fiction…
The Borrow-a-Bookshop is recovering, seven months on from the winter flood that destroyed all its stock, and the latest temporary bookseller, Joy Foley, arrives in Clove Lore with her daughter, five-year-old Radia Pearl. As a tech expert, she’ll be working on dragging the Bookshop into the twenty-first century.
But what no one knows is that Joy is running from Radia Pearl’s father. She can’t settle down here or anywhere … moving on is how she stays safe. So when Radia befriends Monty Bickleigh, ex-fisherman and the new cook at The Siren’s Tail pub, despite herself, Joy finds herself growing closer to him, and the quirky community of Clove Lore.
While Joy settles in to the bookshop, Araminta Clove-Congreve, local lady of the Manor, is finding running her new wedding business harder than anticipated. She needs to hire a chief wedding planner, and fast - and Joy’s family may have the answer.
As Joy finds her heart softening by the magic of Clove Lore, can her new friends – and Monty – be enough to convince Joy to stop running and find a new life?
An uplifting, gorgeously romantic read that will warm your heart; fans of Jenny Colgan and Trisha Ashley won't be able to put this down. Bookworms everywhere, escape to the magic of Clove Lore today...
My Opinion
This is the third book in the series and I have read them all so far. I really like the thought of being able to borrow-a-bookshop although I would probably want to keep all of the books. This really is a great series and whilst it is nice to meet Joy and Radia who are the current borrowers of the bookshop, it is also nice to catch up with some familiar characters.
This was a nice, comforting read, ideal for when the weather is a little bit miserable and you want to curl up with a good book. Whilst this book could be read as a standalone, it will be more enjoyable if read in the correct order.
Rating 4/5
This is my second read by the author and I absolutely loved it. She has a way of writing really fabulous books that I really enjoy and the book always leaves me wanting more
What an awesome vacation idea! You get to stay in a small charming village bookshop/coffee shop and run it while staying in rooms above it in a beautiful seaside location. In the case of our main characters, a mother and young daughter, it is actually a working stay as she has been hired to update the technology systems of the property for the future visitors to use. This is a wonderful story of being on the move while trying to raise your daughter and finding that place that you belong. Great plot, fun characters, wonderful setting all make this a fun read that is just what you need to read! A clean read without graphic steam so enjoy taking a visit to a new location and immerse yourself in the people.
Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Another instalment in the borrow a bookshop. This time the bookshop is recovering from a flood that destroyed all its stock. The temporary bookseller joy arrives with her daughter. Her focus is to bring the shop into the future using her tech expertise. She is adamant she won’t be staying in after her time at the bookshop until her daughter befriends Monty the cook at the local village pub. Joy finds her heart softening to both Clove Lore and Monty and has to decide if she continues to run from her past and settle in Clove Lore.
Another excellent story set in the Cornish village of Clove Lore. The village is recovering from a terrible flood several months ago when Joy and her daughter arrive as the latest temporary residents at the Borrow a Bookshop. Can the village work its magic again and help them find a place where they belong?
What a sweet follow-up in this series! Third in the Borrow a Bookshop series, we find Joy and Radia landing in Clove Lore in the aftermath of the flood, helping to bring the Bookshop back to life with some upgrades. While secretive about her life prior to being the next Bookshop guest, Joy quickly starts to see there are good people out there.... especially with local former fisherman Monty. Along for the fun are all of the Clove Lore favorites and their quirky shenanigans. Though this is a series, each book can be read as a standalone.
I would love to go to a small seaside English village, run a bookstore and Cafe and just immerse myself in small village life. This sounds like such a fun concept and the author always provides a warm, uplifting, sweet tale. I hope there are more in this series in the future!
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Lynette Eason; Lynn H. Blackburn; Natalie Walters
Christian, Novellas & Short Stories, Romance