The Printed Letter Bookshop - Fiction Review

Goodreads:  The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

Rating:  Loved It!
Source:  Blog Tour

Description: One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.
While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and when a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and for her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship.

Genre:  Fiction

Why I Picked This Book:  I can never resist a book with the word Book or any variation thereof in the title and this blurb sounded like one I'd really enjoy!

My Impression:  I loved this book.  I’ve been in kind of a grumpy mood lately where all fictional characters were just flat out annoying me.  At the beginning I was afraid this was going to be the same.  Claire is tightly controlled and invisible, Madeline is so confused and lost but clueless as to what she really wants, and Janet - well lets just say Janet takes self-sabotage to whole new levels.  I was sure that I’d be more than done with these characters by the time I was 5 chapters in.  But I wasn’t.  With each page I felt like I understood these characters just a little bit more and by the end I felt like these were real life people and close friends at that and The Printed Letter Bookshop was a real living breathing place.

I don’t want to say too much about this one as I loved the experience of reading this book, getting to know the characters, and watching how everything works out knowing very little about the story.  This is a light-ish read that isn’t fluffy.  There are moments of pain, honesty, fun and just enough authentic sweetness to make it heartwarming and relatable all at the same time.  This was one of those books that was exactly what I needed at the perfect moment.  Definitely in my top ten of reads of the year so far.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Definitely!  I loved this one and would love to read more.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Absolutely!  If you enjoy fiction where the characters become like close friends this is a must not miss.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *