The Bookshop Ladies

LoveReading Says

Robyn Tessier, the young new owner of a chaotic used bookstore in Ballycove, Ireland, doesn’t really know what she’s doing, but she loves books and hopes that will be enough. Her mother, Fern, is an internationally renowned artist going through her own personal drama. Joy Blackwood, an American by way of Paris, shows up at the bookshop hoping for a quick visit but instead leaves as Robyn’s first (volunteer) employee.

The three women create the triad of stories in The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan, where friendships are formed, secrets are revealed, and most importantly, people are forgiven. 

Shy Robyn has loads of ideas of how she can improve the shop, but has neither the time nor the money to do so, nor an inclination to talk to the few customers who do visit. Joy, who has business experience, gets drafted in to help, but still is carrying around a secret that might ruin everything. Fern arrives in Ballycove with a broken heart and devoid of any creative spark to continue her artistic career.  

Faith Hogan has returned to Ballycove for her tenth novel. Like her earlier books, the descriptions are vivid, and the urge to move to Ireland and be surrounded by charming people with lyrical accents is high. 

This endearing tale shows the importance of friendship and family, but also the caustic nature of a long-held secret. Above all, it allows the reader a chance to escape into a sweet bookshop, and what could be more pleasing than that?

Maureen Stapleton

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