This wasn’t my first book by Jenny Colgan but it gave me the same feelings as previously which sadly weren’t very positive. Her stories should be what I can lock myself away way and devour quickly but unfortunately they actually take me forever.

The Bookshop on the Shore is about Zoe who starts the novel living with her young son, Hari, in London. Neither are happy in their current situation and through a series of events end up moving to the other end of the UK to a large old family home near Loch Ness. The home belongs to Ramsay and his three children, all of whom are damaged in some way following the disappearance of their mother. She also takes over a bookshop van whilst Nina is in the late stages of pregnancy, and to be honest I would have preferred if the story had actually focused on this side of things (as the title led me to believe!) rather than the au pairing.

One of my biggest issues with the novel is the dialogue written. I am Scottish and I’m not sure if it’s because of that, or in spite of it, that I hate when authors try to write the accent as part of normal conversation. It disrupts the flow of speech and makes it feel less comfortable. Colgan uses it more and more as this progresses and none it sat right. In addition to this I know little kids use few words repeatedly as their vocabulary develops but Patrick, the youngest of the Scottish kids, and his constant exclamation of “absolutely” riled me after only a couple of times, never mind every other page.

Characters’ intentions and treatment of others alter so rapidly I couldn’t keep up with it and there simply didn’t seem to really be a storyline for people to care deeply for.

I have mixed feelings about this one. Jenny Colgan is one of my go to authors on those odd occasions I fancy a light romantic read. I did enjoy it, however I didn’t feel that this lived up the standard of some of her previous books.

Not all of the character felt properly fleshed out, although the children particularly Hari and Patrick shone with life ( Hari’s age did seem to fluctuate a bit with him sometimes seeming older or younger than his stated 4 years though).

With Hari being non verbal I would have expected descriptions of Zoe using basic sign language with him, but past mentions of him pointing at his mouth when he was hungry there didn’t really seem to be a way for Hari to communicate with Zoe other than her just ‘knowing’.

There seemed to be a lot more ‘issues’ in this than other books by Colgan, maternal abandonment, drug use, self harm, selective mutism, poverty, absent fathers. It was a lot to cover off in a meaningful way and I think as a result some of it didn’t get the consideration it perhaps needed.

Also I don’t feel that Zoe needed a romance, just finding her feet in Scotland and becoming happy and independent would have been enough, the little romance there was felt rather unreal and rushed, rather than more organic as it usually is in Jenny Colgan’s books.

There were some elements I did like. Zoe leaving Hari at nursery for the first time rang very true. The descriptions of the Scottish countryside were lovely and really invoked a sense of place. I really loved the evil chicken, there should have been more evil chicken.

Overall it felt more like a draft than a completed novel.

The Shop of Happy Ever Afters is one of my fave Jenny Colgan books so I was pleased to see some of the characters pop up in this book. The authors love of books shines through this series making it a joy to read. Single mum Zoe has fallen on hard times and ends up in Scotland with her young son, looking after a problem family. It is a good read, full of developed characters and twists to make you keep turning the pages to see what happens. It maybe a romance but it covers some difficult topics.
One I will reread again.

Colgan's books are like a mug of hot chocolate by a fire on a stormy day. They're very cosy! This one is no exception. Single mum Zoe and her 4 year old selectively mute son Hari are struggling big time in London. Hari's father is no help whatsoever and Zoe is being to drown. So when an opportunity comes along to work as an au pair and part time bookseller in the Scottish Highlands, Zoe decides to take the leap of faith and give it a go. She arrives at The Beeches, a big Scottish house surrounded in mystery. Here 3 children and their father live and Zoe is to be nanny number 7. And she soon finds out why, as the children are not the easiest to get on with. And there's so much mystery and unanswered questions that Zoe can not get answers to. Struggling to coax the children into behaving, keeping the bookshop van afloat and Hari's well being has Zoe exhausted. Can she pull it all off?

It's easy to dismiss books like this as flight, fluffy and frothy. Yes, this book has its light moments but there are some serious issues dealt with in here and I think Colgan managed them well enough. It certainly brought tears to my eyes! While there is a romance, it isn't the centre of the book, the real centre seems to be Zoe and the children. I loved seeing her encourage them and letting them blossom. There's some touching moments, I especially liked Shackleton's arc. The story was good, I do think it kinda meandered in spots and could have been edited a bit tighter. But overall it was enjoyable, like most of Colgan's books!

Another great read from Jenny Colgan. From reading my first book of hers she fast became one of my favourite authors and this didn’t disappoint! I loved the story, it sucked me in and held me fast. I hated having to put it down to do anything else, but that is what Jenny Colgan's books tend to.

Set in Scotland, in a remote village near Loch Ness, this is a wonderfully descriptive tale. Zoe is desperate to give her son, Hari a proper life and she is doing this by uprooting her life in London to go up to Scotland to hep run a mobile book shop and look after three, very wild children. Although this is a sequel, you don’t have to have read the previous title to read this book, which I also loved but was equally delighted to revisit previous characters.

I liked Zoe, a strong and sometimes witty character. I wanted Hari to find his voice and the three other children to find happiness. This story made me smile, a lot, especially the growing friendship between Hari and Patrick, I really loved Patrick. Mary’s character brought tears to my eyes. Shackleton was also brilliant. This story has everything, it made me smile and it also made me sad in parts. It is very well written and will draw you in with such great characters. I was disappointed when I’d finished it.

Pick this book up asap, you won't regret it!

I loved everything about this book. Zoe is in desperate need of somewhere to stay and a way of earning some money. Her friend finds her somewhere to stay where the children need an aupair and she gets to work on the fabulous touring book bus, whilst Nina has bed rest whilst expecting her new baby.

The children she looks after are a real handful- but it was fascinating to see how Zoe dealt with each problem and how quickly she drew them into her world. The small boy also helps her son who has 'elective mutism'. I have a daughter with selective mutism , so I found this aspect to the story very interesting.


Zoe also finds the bookshop regulars hard to get onside and has to find her own way to make the bookshop busy, without upsetting Nina. I felt for her as she seemed to be doind a great job - but still met resistance. I'd love the chance to step into the bookshop and spend time finding a hidden treasure.

I'm hoping that we get a chance to return to the bookshop at some point.

I haven’t read many of Jenny’s books but I loved this one!! Zoe and Hari are living in London where her partner is off living the fun life she’s stuck at home with Hari who doesn’t speak. She takes a new job in Scotland running a book van whilst the owner Nina is due to have a baby, Zoe stays in the big house helping to look after three children who’s mother have deserted them and the father is constantly away working although we find out the story behind that towards the end but I won’t spoil it for those who have yet to purchase the book. But I was hooked on this book maybe because I’m in Scotland and the script in parts in Scots I loved! Great read!

A complete storyline that draws you in from the beginning. Perhaps a bit predictable but a comfortable read. Zoe is struggling to make ends meet in London . Her exboyfriend floats in and out of her and their mute sons life. . A job offer takes her to northern Scotland where her life is transformed as is that of the family she lives with as Nanny Seven. Your very own Mary Poppins emerges helping the children and a cluster of adults through darkness into the light with a series of adventures and misadventures peppered with love and support

Another great read by this author, how does she do it, she never ever fails to disappoint me so thank you everyone for letting me review this book.

This book was read in one sitting. That should be enough praise for you to rush out and buy it today. I spent a wonderful indulgent day reading this with no shame. Such a heart warming, well written novel. Tears, laughter, wry smiles; it had it all. Highly recommend. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

A bookshop in the Scottish highlands, a beautiful location, a pleasing cast of characters, a touch of romance and an engaging, empathetic storyline all make for an enjoyable, engrossing read. Escapist and easy reading - this would make an ideal holiday read, from your armchair or otherwise.

4,5 Stars

Seeing the bookcover, and the name Jenny Colgan, one could rightly expect a nice and light chick-lit. But that is not what you get in "The Bookshop on the Shore". You get a book that reminded me at times of Jane Eyre, Rebecca and Lemony Snickets 'A series of unfortunate events' and Nanny McPhee. You get a book about a single mother who has no dime left and so accepts the offer of two jobs in rural Scotland: being a nanny for 3 spoilt and motherless children living in a dark + dusty + old-fashioned castle, who already scared away 6 previous AuPairs with their cheekiness. On top of that, during the day she drives around a van that doubles as a bookshop and tries to sell books to the aloof villagers who don't trust her to choose the correct titles for them.

And although I do enjoy reading fluffy chick-lits, I was pleasantly surprised to get something very different here. After a while I even took a liking to Patrick, Mary and Shackleton (Hari was in my heart from the very beginning). I really admired Zoe for her fortitude, and her bravery living in this spooky (but also quite enchanting - once it got a proper dusting) castle at Loch Ness.
Oh, and books also play an important role in the story, and plenty of them are mentioned throughout. Thumbs up for that!

Sounded fab and started well, but you need to have read #1 or there’s just too many gaps and too much missing to really work it out/engage with the book.

I will try to read #1 and come back to it...

This was an absolutely beautiful read - the characters were fantastic, I was rooting for Hari to speak.

Zoe was a very brave character and loved she stepped into the unknown to look after a stranger and his family and support a business she knew nothing about.

This has made me itchy to go Scotland and investigate her surroundings.

Jenny Colgan is one of my favourite authors - easy reads but full of passion for both her characters, their location and friends they have.

I have to admit although a massive fan of Jenny, I did find it a little slow going at the start. However, this did not last long, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. Zoe, Ramsey, Hari and the other children were all so different, but all so lovable. Mary's character was so heart-breaking, but so well written. It had some great twists near the end, and I loved the way it brought in characters from a previous book - even though you do not need to have read it to read this book. A great story, so well written, couldn't put it down once I got into it.

Just what I needed – an uncomplicated plot – characters who come to life in your imagination – a fantastic location – a warm glow when I finished the book.

Touching on many difficult subjects, and treating them all with confidence and compassion, this novel is another success for Carole Matthews. Single mum Zoe struggles to make ends meet in London, so when she is offered two jobs in Scotland, one with accommodation, she has no choice but to accept.

Fantastic Summer Read

A book lovers dream, who wouldn’t want to run a bookshop! If only life was that simple and sometimes what you think is right is not always best for everyone. This book shows how diverse the world can be and how people adapt to fit in to it. An easy read covering many modern day issues.
Thanks to Jenny Colgan and Netgalley for an e book copy.

I love Jenny Colgans books! You are guaranteed a lively tale and a happy ending and For me, the happy ending is a must have!
Zoe and her son Hari are not thriving in London, it’s lonely, wearying, rushed, a little scary and just difficult. So she takes a leap of faith and moved to Inverness-shire, the shores of Loch Ness. And what a world she finds there....Nina is her employer in owns the mobile bookshop, the Laird is Zoe’s other employer and he’s a difficult man all round, Lennox is strong and silent, Mrs McG just won’t engage, the nurses leader is a born again hippie, Shackleton, Mary and Patrick call her Nanny Seven. And then there’s Hari, sweet, silent Hari.
Read this, smell the heather, feel the breeze from the loch, see the sun rise over the mountains and just breathe!

Loved this book and the setting.

Zoe has moved to Scotland to make a better life for her and her son Hari. She takes 2 jobs, one as a live in nanny and the other working on a mobile book store. Both are difficult, and things in the house she is living aren't what they seem.

Also great to catch up with Nina and Lennox too,

This book has a fantastic story line, excellent characters and is just wonderful. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and I enjoyed it immensely.