The Bookshop on the Corner

Rebecca Raisin has done it again! With the third instalment of the Gingerbread Café series of novellas, the reader is transported to the cosy setting of Ashford, Connecticut. Ashford is one of those towns that is truly special with its community spirit and wonderful range of niche shops (including Lil and CeeCee’s gingerbread concoctions). It’s a place I’d really love to visit, if only it existed!

It seems that Ashford is becoming more popular in the fictional world as the quiet, romance-book filled life of Sarah Smith, owner of the bookshop near the Gingerbread Café (on the corner in fact) collides with New York City journalist Ridge. Ridge has come from the big city to do an article of Ashford. After the chocolate festival show more (portrayed in the previous book, Chocolate Dreams at the Gingerbread Café), New Yorkers have been taking notice of this tiny town full of delectable treats and gorgeous items. Sarah’s bookshop is no exception. It’s a cosy place where one can curl up and read or feel the draw as a book picks you as its next reader. Sarah supplements her income with online orders and a thriving book blog, but her life is quieter than a library. She’s never had that dramatic romance and when Ridge enters her life, she’s sceptical of his plans. Sarah lacks confidence in herself – can her friends help her to see that she deserves her happily ever after?

Once again, Raisin’s writing talent is evident in this story. The character of Sarah is perfectly drawn – her fears, concerns and happiness are all very realistic. Plus, Sarah’s imagination was lovely to read – about the books dancing off the shelves at night, the pull of the book that’s just right for you…it’s just magical. Her ability to turn the mundane into something special with a dusting of sparkle makes this book a read full of hope, happiness and beauty. There are elements of Cecelia Ahern here – Raisin has the same touch with making the characters feel real, almost as if they were sitting beside you, telling their story.

Ridge is the classic hero with a dollop of extra sweetness – it’s clear that he’s willing to go the extra mile (or more) for Sarah. I would have loved to read more of his adventures in the Aussie Outback – perhaps there’s room for a sequel? (Hint hint!) I also liked meeting Sarah’s best friend Missy – she’s not quite CeeCee (who holds a special place in my reading heart) but she’s definitely dynamic, warm-hearted but with a secret pain. She’s a great contrast to shy Sarah, who is someone I’m sure most readers can relate to.

Although a quick read, The Bookshop on the Corner will leave lasting memories. It’s a perfect book to snuggle up with in winter or to read on a lazy beach day.

Thank you to the author and Carina UK for the eARC.

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Source: Free copy via NetGalley and Carina UK

I savored The Bookshop on the Corner the way I enjoy chocolate truffles. This novella was sweet and delicious and put a smile on my face.

I love books about books and some of my favorite things are here; books, romance and a small town setting. Book blogging is also in the mix.
The story takes place in Ashford, Connecticut where bookshop owner Sarah Smith loves reading her romance novels and is content to live inside her books. One day a journalist from New York steps into her book store and takes her breath away. Ridge Warner looks and acts like he's just stepped out of one of the pages of Sarah's beloved romance novels. She can't believe her eyes. Ridge is doing a piece for the paper on the show more specialty shops in Ashford.

The story moved quickly and I really wanted to see what would happen between Sarah and Ridge. Also included are Sarah's good friends CeeCee, Missy, who owns The Sassy Salon and Lil, who owns the The Gingerbread Café. I loved that Sarah thinks and breathes books, she is a true book lover. Ridge was handsome and sweet and I wanted to see if it could work out between the two.

As with all good novellas, I wished this one was longer. This is part of a three part series, I have to read the other two!

disclaimer:
This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and authors, such as this one, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. show less

The bad grammar in the first sentence of chapter 11 really grates.
"The week went inordinately slow."
I'm noticing a lot of other mistakes that a human proofreader would have caught.

Other than that, even for chicklit, it is quite a bit over the top.

A week ago I read The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan, and loved it, while looking for a sequel I found The Bookshop on the Corner by Rebecca Raisin and decide to read that as well. This is all part of the authors short stories set in Ashford, Connecticut, Lil and Cee Cee from Gingerbread Cafe both appear along with a new character Missy and first person point of view narrator Sarah Smith. It was a pretty nice story but not nearly as good as the Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan, but I'll be reading the sequel to see what happens to Sarah.

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Cosy and christmassy.