Publication Date: 05th July 2022

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Nice

Tess Lane is the owner of Lakeside Books and loves the place with all her heart. What she loves even more is the weekly book club with her dear friends. Being widowed three years ago has left her feelings raw, but Tess does her best to get on with her life. She still wonders about the missing pieces of her husband Jared’s death.

River Harrison shows up at the bookshop, and Tess is enraged. He’s a former Marine, a private investigator, and Jared's ex-best friend. Tess hates River, but she wonders if his unexpected appearance is her chance to uncover the truth of Jared’s mysterious death.

Tess realizes how much she can enjoy her life when she begins to follow a trail with River. But the secrets come out and put Tess in a vulnerable position. Can she handle the truth and move over the past? Can she find hope to love again and lead a happy life?

The story comes in the third person POV.

My Observations:

The writing is easy to read and adds a good pace. I could finish 350+ pages in a couple of days (a total of 2.5 hours). Such books always get brownie points.

This is a series with standalone books (each book for each character). We don’t have to know their stories to read the book. There’s enough info to keep the book going.

The small-town setting and its warmth reflect throughout the book. Tess is a bookshop owner, and we also have a plan for a book signing event.

The story is pretty light and easy despite the heavy topics. Things happen conveniently. Even major emotional issues are resolved with a page or two. I don’t mind that much if it is consistent.

That’s where the ending didn’t fully work for me. It contradicts the easy resolution in the previous chapters. While it is still HEA, it feels as if the author wanted to cater to multiple target audiences at the same time.

The events either have to be realistic or convenient. A combination of both will create a sense of dissatisfaction, especially if the reader is rooting for the male lead.

Spoiler

I would have liked it better if River gave Tess only the old ring (the one he bought to replace the one she lost). The promise ring wasn’t necessary when the old ring would work as a promise ring. Moreover, Tess isn’t ready to say yes, so why even have two rings separately. It makes their relationship appear imbalanced, as if River is giving 100% while Tess doesn’t want to give more than 70%.

Understandably, she needs time (even though she has accepted Ashley and Mia). Keep it light with the old ring. Say he’ll wait to give the engagement ring. The two-ring thing only for her to not say yes was overkill.

To sum up, The True Love Bookshop is a nice and lighthearted read with some sweet characters.

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #TheTrueLoveBookshop