I really enjoyed this book. I adored the story line and loved the main characters. I read this book in one sitting and would highly recommend this book.

I absolutely 100% adored this, I love Alex and Sophie so much, such a nice slow burn romance. I loved their awkwardness, how imperfect and normal they are. Their chemistry is so cute. I loved the development with Alex’s parents especially the end a lovely twist. All the characters are adorable , I’d love a return to see how they get on, maybe a story for Natalie. A wonderful read to make you feel warm and happy, a book to make you smile.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

The plot of this one might feel familiar but it's a good read for a lazy day. Sophie owns a bookshop bt it's not doing well at all. Alexander is the son of a property magnate who sent to make her an offer so that his father's company can take over and built a new resort. You know what's going to happen, right? Alexander starts by helping her build new bookshelves, which also gives you a hint. I'm a fan of books set in Cornwall so this was an easy pick for me, although I would have liked a better sense of Herring Cove. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For chick-lit fans.

This book really had the potential to fit my very niche but favourite kind of fiction: women who own businesses, struggle, find themselves, find romance, be a success for themselves anyway.

Sophie owns a failing bookshop in run-down Cornish fishing village, Herring Cove. Her business is her heart, her memories, and all that links her to some her most traumatic experiences, and she is determined to hang onto it. Especially in the face of an impending resort development headed by the Fletcher Group. But when the Fletcher Group's son, Alexander, walks through her door and makes Sophie an offer she shouldn't refuse, can she both hold onto her business, and the new man in her life who wants to take it away?

The above is my summary and it actually makes the book sound better than it was. It had so much potential to be so many of my favourite things; conflict, budding romance, a bookshop and a woman struggling in the face of adversity.

Unfortunately this was a very washed-out attempt at all of those things. I couldn't feel anything for Sophie and Alexander, I wasn't in fear for their relationship at all, I didn't understand their romance and the way they spoke to each other made me uncomfortable (really cringey clichés).

In particular, the main plot point hinges around Alexander coming to the village to make Sophie an offer on her bookshop, only to then decide to build bookshelves for her - that is how Hailes forces the pair to spend time together. It just didn't work - it felt forced, it felt off and it meant that the chemistry between Sophie and Alexander was lacking from the very beginning.

And Sophie's friends - Ginny and Natalie - are bit parts at the best. They walk on, hug Sophie, remind us of her difficult past and walk back off into their own lives, despite those being potentially interesting.

Not to mention, you won't be getting your kicks out of this novel - the 'romance' is very vanilla. Lots of hand-holding and kissing. It did not rock my world.

It's not badly written, but I can't give it more than a dismal 2 stars.

Alexander is sent to Herring Cove, a quaint fishing village, to buy out local shop owners so the Fletcher company can build a spa/restaurant vacation site. The shop owners were reluctant to sell out and give up their way of life. Sophie runs a quirky book shop and is near financial ruin. Yet, she refuses to give up the book shop her parents left her. Alexander sees value in the village the way it currently exists. He also sees value in Sophie. The fact that this is a romance about adults and adult problems makes it refreshing and delightful. Strong characters and a strong sense of community abound!

3.5 star review of The Little Bookshop At Herring Cove By Kellie Hailes 
 
This was an okay story but I have to admit I really could not get into the story as much as I wanted to.

Sophie runs a bookshop in Herring Cove and it sounds like it would be an interesting place to visit.

There was some drama and Sophia had some endearing quirks to her character, whilst the romance was enjoyable I was not engaged in the story.

I think it was the lack of commitment from Sophie in trying to save her bookshop that was off putting. Truthfully I can’t put my finger on it but although this book wasn’t for me, it won’t stop me from looking at other books by this author.

I received a copy of this book through the publisher via Netgalley.

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I was attracted by the cover when I was offered the chance o read an ARC via Netgalley.
This book is set in the fictional village of Herring Cove, and features independent book shop owner Sophie. The village is becoming more and more derelict, and as the Developers are offering to buy her shop, she has to try and resist the money.
This is a nice and easy read, especially for the summer. I found the storyline to be a little predictable, but it was still a fun and enjoyable book.

Classic small business owner vs property developer tale. The characters didn’t click much with me and I felt Sophie and Alexander’s relationship moved too fast in a confusing way. The setting was nice and I enjoyed the supporting characters.

A beautiful beach read. Touching and nostalgic with a gorgeous back drop, this is a summer special which will make your heart smile.

This is the first book that I have read by this author. Really enjoyed the book and I really want to go and visit Herring Cove it sounded like an awesome place! The book was well written and the characters were well developed. I liked that Sophie tried her best to keep the family business and didn't sell out to the big corporation until she had no choice. Can't wait to read the next book by this author!

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect sumer read.

This is a perfect summer read set in the little seaside village of Herring Cove. Sophie is the owner of a run down bookstore in the heart of the village and Alexander is a successful business man trying to buy it from her to complete his company’s plan to develop the area with a seaside holiday resort. Sophie is adamant that she won’t sell and Alexander is tasked with changing her mind. Through the course of the week Alexander spends at Herring Cove and with the encouragement of Sophie’s delightful friends the pair become closer but are they prepared to risk getting hurt and the wrath of Alexander’s father in order to let love blossom?

I adore books like this. I fell in love with Herring Cove and its residents. Kellie Hailes managed to bring this vibrant little village to life and the fact that there was a quaint little bookshop at the heart of the story was a bonus. The side characters are fantastic and I’m really hoping that we may get another book so that Natalie can find the love she so deserves too.

Thank you so much to Netgallery and HQ digital for the opportunity to revel in this book.

Sophie Jones lives alone in the Cornish village of Herring Cove. Sophie has had a hard upbringing, her parents died in an accident when she was a baby and her aunt left as soon as she was able to go back to Manchester. Natalie and Ginny Sophie's best friends have been by Sophie"s side since the accident showing her love and honour. Sophie's parents owned a book shop which was financially dwindling and Sophie has continued in their legacy her beloved book shop. Philip, Sophie's ex, ran off with her life savings leaving Sophie in financial and emotional ruin. Herring Cove is on the Fletcher group map to turn it into a 21st century profit making resort something Sophie is against. The book follows Sophie's journey of beginning to trust men again, particularly when Alexander Fletcher turns up as well as increasing profits for the town and her shop without turning it into a resort. The book shows Sophie's thoughts and emotions when everything she knows is likely to move away from her leaving her as she is. With a financially ruined book shop, alone with puddles the cat.

This book is a well written romance read. The characters allow you to get emotionally invested pushing this book into being a page turner from start to finish. It seeps into modern day living where some of our quaint areas are being turned into resort hot spots. Alongside modern love stories that spring when we least expect them. Sophie feels just like your best friend; cute, quirky and loyal.

The only downside of this book is that it has an epilogue which halts any likelihood of a sequel. I was left on enough of a cliff hanger for Sophie's future that I feel this book should be followed up with a sequel but only if the epilogue gets left out.

Easy summer read; cute and enjoyable, but predictable. It’s formulaic, but I enjoyed it; stubborn heroine who thinks she might know best and a hero who is doing his duty, but it’s not his passion. They meet, one falls while the other doesn’t want anything to do with the other. Cue cute stuff, a misunderstanding, and the make up with a happy ending. It’s a Hallmark movie and I love those!

A brilliant book, perfect for a summer afternoon.
The cast of characters is very likable and well written, the plot entertaining and engrossing, the setting made me wish to be there.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I fell in love with Sophie and her little quirks. For me, books are all about the characters and I’ve got to relate to the narrator. Kellie Hailes knocked it out of the park with this cutesy summer read.

Oh wow I've not read anything by Kellie hailes before but will now love this book.
Loved how Kellie kept people guessing about what was going to happen at the end.
Yes it's a romance but it was not just all love and kisses it was real this is how stuff happens in real life. Sometimes if your lucky.
So happy it did all work out in the end.
I love books that are set at the beach as it's one of my favourite places to be.

Kellie Hailes has done it again with this gorgeous Summer read about Sophie and Alexander. I fell in love with the two immediately and enjoyed watching their journey from hate to romance blossom.

The story-line is entertaining throughout, the characters are all absolutely wonderful and if this book cover is anything to go by - who wouldn't pick up this book!?

This is a great summer read. Well-written, entertaining, adorable, and quick to get through. Also, I love the cover. It's bright and graphic, and certainly sets the tone for the rest of the novel.

I had to DNF this at 56%. But, it's not a bad read at all, truly. I had to DNF this because i just wasn't feeling the book.

I started this expecting some intense conflict. However, we're barely a few chapters in before the main character was already melting for the love interest and showed no genuine signs of self conflict. And the characters were just so happy all the time!

I need the drama. I need the impression she was miserable and her life was going to the sh*ts and that she did all she could to resist the charms of Alexander and if she didn't, she will lose out on life.

I personally felt that the book didn't manage to procure that tension and i had to drop it and move on.

So, yes. I DNFed a Romance book because there wasn't piping hot tea spilled and it was happy.

3.2 stars