When bookish Posy inherits a failing bookshop it's only the support of her colleagues and the knowledge she has to provide for younger brother Sam that keeps her going. But can she make a success of it, especially with irritating childhood friend Sebastian around?

I really loved the setting and the periphery characters in this novel and the warm humour. Lots of funny moments and little quirks that made Posy and her team relatable. For me there were elements of Sebastian's character that were very close to making him irredeemable, especially his hands-on pervy nature which was especially prevalent at the start of the book. However, I will be returning to Happy Ever After for the next instalment and am looking forward to getting to see more of the supporting cast (hopefully Mattie - I really want to know more about her story).

A light and enjoyable read that had me fantasizing about owning a bookshop.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for this review copy. This is the first book in the Lonely Hearts Bookshop series.

Posy Morland has lived her life in a bookshop. Her parents were managers of the bookshop, Bookends, before they were tragically killed in an accident some years before. She and her younger brother Sam were taken under the wing of Lavinia, Bookends’ eccentric owner. Sadly, Lavinia has recently passed away and left Bookends to Posy, but under the condition that it needed to start making a profit within 2 years else the shop reverted back to Lavinia’s grandson Sebastian. Posy has known Sebastian for the majority of her life, with the anecdote of Sebastian locking Posy in the coal cellar as a child being told frequently! They have what you would call a ‘love-hate’ relationship, with Sebastian only ever referring to Posy as ‘Morland’! Posy and her fellow bookshop workers come up with an idea to change the bookshop to ‘Happy Ever After’ – a bookshop specialising in romantic fiction, something which Posy loves. However, Sebastian wants to turn it into ‘The Bloody Dagger’ – a crime bookshop. What will the bookshop be and will it be ready in time for the grand opening?

I’ve had this sat on my To Be Read list for some time. I’ve picked it up as I am on the Blog Tour for the second book in the series ‘True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop’ and thought it would be better to read them in order. OMG, why have I not read this sooner? This was absolutely fantastic!! It is just the kind of book that I love!! I tore through this book in just under two days, I enjoyed it so much. It’s such an easy read, you don’t have to think about anything other than the wonderful, witty writing. I got caught up with all the characters immediately, there is not one that I didn’t like…..not even Sebastian! (If this ever gets made into a RomCom film, which it so should! then Sebastian really needs to be played by someone like Hugh Grant!) OK, so the plot isn’t anything new, we all know where these kind of stories end up but the writing is absolutely fantastic. It had me laughing out loud so many times and I nearly spat my tea out when Verity, when talking about Nina’s latest romance, said “Didn’t you say he was going to take you up The Shard?” Fantastic!!

A very funny romantic book! Would definitely recommend this and can’t wait to get started on the next book in the series. I have just realised that I have used the word fantastic so many times in this review, but there is honestly no other words to describe this book……fantastic, fantastic, fantastic!! Five stars!

This was one book I thoroughly enjoyed reading last year, and I am trying to catch up with some book reviews I somehow haven't gotten around to! I love books set in bookshops, my favourite kind of shop, so jumped at the chance of reading this one by debut author Annie Darling. The book is the story of Posy, who inherits a book shop from longtime friend Lavinia. However, Lavinia's grandson Sebastian is less than happy at not being gifted the shop in his grandmother's will, and is sure that Posy is going to fail in revamping the secluded bookshop. Which one will come out on top... Posy or Sebastian?!

While I have to say that the story was a little bit predictable, and it all went as I had expected, it was the relationship and banter between the two main characters that I most enjoyed reading. Posy and Sebastian were wildly different people - the only thing that they had in common was the love they both have for Lavinia. Posy is passionate about making the shop a success, sure that a new, fresh look is what it needs to get it off its feet and works hard to try and ensure it will work out. I also admired her for her positive outlook considering her upbringing - pretty much raising her younger brother after the death of her parents, and having to do whatever she has to make ends meet. She's certainly a woman made of strong stuff, and I think Sebastian was surprised at her strength.

He was a hilarious character in many ways, but I also disliked how he tried to railroad Posy into doing what he wanted, sure that his way was the best way and that was it. Posy writes a historical romance in her spare time, and I loved how she kept weaving Sebastian into it without really realising it, so funny, and these excerpts certainly made me laugh! I also loved Posy's passion for books and reading - it comes across so well. and as a fellow bookworm, I loved it and thought Darling captures the essence of a book lover perfectly.

The bookshop itself was a wonderful setting for the book, and I loved reading about it. You can see why Posy was so determined in her ambition to do Lavinia proud and make the shop a success, as well as proving Sebastian wrong of course! The book was a fun read from start to finish, a very heart-warming and uplifting read with characters to care about and that I enjoyed following throughout the book. The chemistry between them is really great, and I thoroughly loved their story. Luckily, there's another Lonely Hearts Bookshop book due out next month called True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop, this time starring the bookshop manager Verity and I'm really looking forward to reading it. Recommended!