Jenny Colgan is a favourite author of mine with her novel Meet Me at the Cupcake Café being one of my all time favourite novels that I can read again and again. The excitement was bubbling again for me when I saw that the new release was entitled The Bookshop on the Shore as being a book addict I love novels that feature bookshops, libraries etc so I knew I was going to be in for a treat added to the fact that the novel reunites with Nina and her book van from The Little Shop if Happy Ever After but if you haven’t read that book don’t be put off as this can still easily be read as a stand alone.
Our main character is Zoe who is a single mum to a dear little boy called Hari. They find themselves in a desperate situation when their rent is put up and they have no means to pay with no help form Zoe’s ex Jaz so when an opportunity comes along for them to move to the Scotish Highlands and get not one but two jobs as well as accommodation Zoe doesn’t hesitate as she will do whatever it takes to put a roof over her sons head.
Zoe gets stuck right in as an au pair to three motherless children but the children make it clear that Zoe isn’t welcome and they wasn’t going to make it easy for her. Hoping that her second job of bookselling in the quirky little book van would be the job of dreams she soon realises that she can’t follow in Nina’s footsteps she needs to make this work her way to get the money rolling in.

I always find that when reading a Jenny Colgan novel I am always so full of adrenaline and excitement, desperate to change career and follow in her characters footsteps and this book was no exception as the idea of driving my own little book shop sounds like a delightful way to spend my time although the same couldn’t be said for taking on the au pair role to these difficult hair raising children!
When we first meet the three children Mary, Patrick and Shackleton they were difficult to take too as they were rude and unruly but I found as the storyline progressed and we find out more of their background my heart began to open up to them and I desperately wanted them to find a safe and loving bubble to make them happy.
I actually really felt for Zoe, she wanted to do the best for her son even though that meant upping sticks to Scotland but deep down she seemed so incredibly lonely which I found incredibly sad as she had a pure heart of gold and deserved to be surrounded by a supportive circle of friends.
I loved the different references to a number of different books that popped up in parts of the storyline, I was ticking them off in my mind thinking yes I have read and enjoyed that one!
The Book Shop on the Shore is a dreamy uplifting novel that kept me entertained from start to finish.

I love books so this was a perfect title for me. In fact there are references to many books within the story and this novel demonstrates how books have the power to heal and help with problems that seem insurmountable both for adults and children.
Zoe is a single mother to 4 year old Hari who is a wonderful child who just will not talk, something which Zoe constantly worries about. He’s been to see a consultant about his lack of speech but Zoe is told there’s nothing wrong and one day it will just happen.
When her landlord raises the rent and her feckless boyfriend, Hari’s father, will not help, Zoe is given the opportunity to move to Scotland to help Nina in her travelling bookshop and be a nanny to Ramsay’s 3 motherless children.
However Ramsay is often absent and his house is huge and cold. His children are wild and extremely difficult and it takes all of Zoe’s skills to even get them to eat anything other than toast.
This is a heartwarming story and had me hooked right from page one where the author sets the scene.
Little Hari seems to flourish in the wilds of Scotland and Zoe gradually begins to feel part of the community. There is a even the prospect of romance on the horizon when something awful happens and Zoe might have to start over again.
This is a feel good book and will appeal to readers who enjoy slightly more literary chic lit. It’s easy to read and kept me amused on holiday and on the flight home.
This is my first Jenny Colgan but it certainly won’t be my last.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent feel good novel chic lit at its best. Jenny colgan writes with such warmth. Loved all the characters and was pleased to encounter a few old ones to. Definitely highly recommended read, ideal to curl up with a cuppa book.

I’m a big fan of Jenny Colgan however the Island Series (Mure) books just weren’t to my taste so I was thrilled this was something different. She’s done a great job of narrating a tale with a fantastically strong new female character with a whole story of her own but placing her into the familiar environment we first encountered in The Little Shop of Happy Ever After with a nod to continuing Nina’s story. Zoe and her young son Hari uproot themselves from their lives in London to move to the highlands for work. Living in as an au pair for a motherless trio Zoe has no idea of the uphill struggle she will have with both the family and covering for Nina.

For me this is Jenny Colgan back on form, the first few chapters felt a bit rushed but once the story settled down it was everything I’d expected. There’s some wonderful new characters, great scenery on the shores of Loch Ness, warmth, humour and a strong storyline, I greatly enjoyed it.

Reading Jenny's novels feels like spending time with an old friend. Always heart warming and well written and this one was no exception. A lovely story with likeable characters and a well constructed storyline. Thank you for the chance to review.

I've read a few novels by Jenny before and always really enjoyed them so had a feeling this one would be the same and I wasn't disappointed. With Jenny's novels, I always feel so uplifted after I have finished them. This one was no different. It was joyous as well as a little emotional, but it was still heartwarming and enjoyable.

The location sounded beautiful and throughout the novel I was just falling more in love with the story and the characters. Overall, a throughly enjoyable novel which I would recommend you read.

This was the first book I’d read by Jenny Colgan and I would definitely be interested in reading more.

Zoe is a single parent on a very low income who finds herself in an impossible situation. She is offered a lifeline through a job opportunity in the Highlands of Scotland. Moving with her son, Hari, Zoe enters the life of three difficult and traumatised children and brings joy into their world.

This is a great book for anyone who loves to read as there are many references to books throughout.