Member Reviews
Fantastic read. Just a lovely book to read. It was very well written. Great plot. How wonderful would it have been to be traveling in your very own book shop? Especially to France. Idyllic. Great book for reading in lockdown when you don’t have the concentration to read anything to deep.
Really liked this book. I love books about bookstores and romance. It gave me the feels and enjoyed it very much
I really struggled with this one unfortunately. I found it impossible to relate to the characters and therefore didn’t find myself enjoying it very much
What can I say? This book is great! I love the cover, it drew me in. I love the name of the book! I mean anyone who loves reading books would love a travelling bookshop. The title made me want to read it alone. The story of the main character is so real. Learning to be at peace from losing a loved one and moving on. I would read this book again and I hope there will be more about aria to come
Aria is a recently widowed romance book lover, who has sworn off falling in love ever again. With her fellow “van lifers” she travels around in her bookshop can. Of course she meets a man who challenges her decision, and while she works through the grieving process her feelings begin to change for him.
I wanted to love this book. There are so many things about it I love - a good romance, travel, and books! Unfortunately for me it just fell flat.
I enjoyed Aria and the supporting characters but felt like I didn’t know much about them beyond the surface. Particularly with the love interest, I was just not invested at all. It felt like I jumped into a relationship part way through or something. Why did she have interest in him? I felt like the only thing we got to know about him was that he’s an author. I did enjoy Aria and Rosie’s friendship.
I was so thrilled this book had a travel theme to it but really wish that was developed more too. It was more just in passing and I felt it didn’t really matter where they were, it could be anywhere.
I did enjoy how this book explores and explained the grieving process and while repetitive a bit, thought it was well told and interesting. I could have done the whole book being more in depth on that and ditch the “romance” I thought was lacking anyway.
I was excited to get a copy of this book because of the fun cover and curious title. What book lover can resist a book about a book shop, especially a traveling one?!
Three years ago, Aria lost her husband, TJ, to cancer. His last wish was to escape with her for the time he had left in a camper van and travel the lake district in England. After he's gone, Aria continues her nomadic lifestyle with a group self-dubbed "van lifers", selling books while traveling with her best friend Rosie in her tea shop van. Aria promised TJ she would never love anyone else, but when she meets Jonathan, a popular author, she must decide whether to keep that promise or find happiness like TJ told her to.
This is a little like P.S. I Love You, only with books and a van. It's fun and adventurous, but also sweet and a little sad. And I didn't realize there was another book based on Rosie and her tea shop van, so I'll be snatching that one up soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Aria is completely happy with her life. She travels the countryside with her book van, Rosie, making friends, visiting interesting places – she has no need of a man in her life. Part of her still misses her late husband, so when she has too much wine one night and wakes up with Jonathan the next day, she’s sure it’s a one off. Still, as Aria and Rosie continue on their merry way, Aria can’t forget Jonathan. Is it time to open her heart to something other than just her books? I loved this story and liked Aria’s independence. She might have ended up wanting a man but she never needed one
Rebecca has been and done it again! Fabulous read, finished in 2 days and links up to her previous book but can also be read standalone. Thankyou once again for letting me read ♥️
The perfect read when you need a healthy dose of romance and escapism. Aria lost her beloved husband TJ to cancer three years ago. Since then she has become a nomad, living the camper van life, alongside her best friend Rosie and Rosie's other half, Max. Aria, Rosie and Max travel the festival scene and make friends along the way, but these friendships tend to be transient. With a trip to France imminent, they are preparing to say goodbye. Drunk and emotional, Aria kisses a man she met a year ago, Jonathan. She is drawn to him, and feels her heart begin to thaw, but she is afraid to love again, and riddled with guilt after promising TJ she would never love anyone else. The next day, a package arrives for her - TJ's diary.
As the three friends set off for France, they take in the sights, sounds and delicacies of each town they visit. When Aria visits a wonderful bookshop, she spies a poster advertising a book tour, and the writer is none other than Jonathan - who it turns out is a famous author. Rosie believes it is a sign, after all, what could be better than an avid reader and a writer falling in love. But Aria cannot contemplate beginning a new relationship, despite being desperately lonely.
As they continue to bump into one another, Aria is no longer able to ignore her growing attraction to Jonathan and when she finds out she was the inspiration for his latest book - The Quiet of Loneliness - she begins to realise that it is possible to have a second chance at love. As she completes reading TJ's diary, she is finally able to put aside her guilt as she reads his final words. He wants her to love again, and live a happy life.
Perfect for bookworms and lovers of a happy ever after, Aria's Travelling Bookshop is a sweet and charming tale of second chances.
This was a lovely, light book with just the right amount of escapism for me. I love books which take something that seems like a fantasy life and make it real for the reader.
Firstly I have to say that I haven't read the book that comes before this one but it does read pretty well as a stand-alone. Aria's husband had tragically died of cancer the year before and to be honest she simply could not move on. TJ had been the love of her life and she felt that no-one could ever come close to being anything like him. Aria owned a travelling book shop and toured around with her bestie Rosie with their next port of call being France.
Someone from her past reappears in her life, Jonathan, who sparks feelings in her that she thought she would never feel again. Aria and her in-laws didn't see eye to eye after she followed her dying husband's wishes but when she is given his diary she sees in it the things that he found impossible to say.
The setting of this story is beautifully brought to life as well as all the emotions that a person has when a loved one dies. The feelings of guilt because you can see a glimpse of happiness and then realising that you aren't trying to replace anyone in your life but appreciating someone else for who they are.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book, which I have reviewed honestly.
I love Rebecca Raisin and this is another fantastic book! I can't get enough of her cuteness. More, more, more please!
I do like a good "feel good light weight" read to take my mind off life. Books, camper vans and France, sounds wonderful-what could go wrong? Well sadly it did go wrong for me. The book didn't hold my interest. I felt the characters were quite shallow and actually quite annoying. The writing style jarred too- why the casual introduction of Americanisms when they were Brits in France?
It took me a lot longer than usual to read the book- I felt I had to finish it as it was an ARC I had agreed to review for NetGalley. I didn't feel I could abandon it and give a fair review.
The characters felt quite childish so maybe I am the wrong age group for the book- shame
Aria’s Travelling Book shop is another van lifer’s tale to compliment the wonderful Rosie’s Travelling Teashop. Once again Rebecca Raisin has dropped us into the life of these nomad shopkeepers, who travel the country stopping off to sell their wares at fares, fetes and festivals. This time we catch up with Aria the owner of the Little Bookshop of Happy Ever After, and her friend Rosie, as they embark on a tour of the South of France. Aria is a widow who’s husband, TJ, died three years previously. Despite being a hopeless romantic and forever with her nose in a romance novel, Aria does not feel she can ever open her heart again and even thinking about moving on feels as if it is a betrayal to TJ’s memory. Grief and loneliness are Aria’s constant companion as her world of like minded nomads all seem to be coupled up. As she departs for France TJ’s mother, Mary sends Aria a diary that TJ wrote in the last weeks of his life, For three years Mary and the rest of TJ’s family have not spoken to Aria , they cut her out of their lives, with the arrival of this precious gift, Aria is hopeful of a reconciliation. Whilst celebrating their imminent departure from England with fellow van-lifers, she ends up falling into the arms of Max’s friend Jonathan and just happens to kiss him. Will this be the start of something new? Aria convinces herself it’s not for her after all he’s not going to be in France all summer as she will be.
I love the way Rebecca Raisin writes, the lively light hearted manner that makes you feel as if you are sitting alongside her characters as they live their lives. The mix of emotions that I always feel when reading her novels always takes me by surprise. The tear inducing way she expresses the depth of Aria’s grief took my breath away. When you combine the tears and the laughter this writer always evokes you cannot do anything else but recommend this wonderful book and hope that the next chapter of these characters will be written very soon.
Having only recently read ‘Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop I was excited to read the follow up and who doesn’t love a book about books! As with the previous novel this is a light hearted and romantic read with great characters. The perfect book to escape into whilst in lockdown. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Feel-good contemporary romance does not get any better than Rebecca Raisin’s latest uplifting, emotional, hilarious and poignant tale, Aria’s Travelling Bookshop! Flirty, charming and so much fun, Aria’s Travelling Book Shop is the ultimate romantic escape!
Aria Summers has sworn off love and romance. After the death of her beloved husband, Aria prefers to find her happy ever afters between the pages of her favourite books and has instead opted for a life on the road with best friend Rosie and her camper van cum bookshop. Aria is perfectly happy with her life. She does not need any well-meaning friends trying to matchmake nor is going to wait around in bars hoping a handsome man waltzes in and sweeps her off he feet. However, when after one glass of wine too many, Aria finds herself taking a tumble off stage and straight into the arms of Jonathan, she is shocked when she finds herself experiencing feelings she hasn’t felt in a long time.
Aria has always believed that having been lucky enough to experience a great love already, she would be greedy to expect another one. However, as she sets off for a summer to remember in France, Aria begins to wonder whether she might have been a tad too hasty in putting her heart firmly under lock and key. As she begins to experience new adventures, Aria’s life changes forever, but is she ready to take a leap of faith and take a chance on life? Happiness is within reach – but only if she has the strength and courage to look for it and fight for it.
Rebecca Raisin writes the most wonderful tales of love, loyalty and friendship and she is on top form with Aria’s Travelling Book Shop. Funny, heart-warming and romantic, Aria’s Travelling Book Shop is a fantastic tale about taking chances, moving on from the past and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone that tickles the funny bone and touches the heart. Aria is a such a terrific heroine – she is kind, generous, spirited and somebody you would love to have as a friend.
Warm, witty and wonderful, Rebecca Raisin has penned another must-read romance with her unmissable new novel, Aria’s Travelling Book Shop.
I've read a fair few of Ms Raisin's lovely stories now, and I especially enjoyed this sequel to Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop. It was wonderful to spend some time with the Van Lifers again, and I thoroughly enjoyed Aria's story. The book had a slightly more sombre tone than the previous books, and dealt with rather deeper emotional issues. It was heartbreaking in places, but also wonderfully uplifting.
Books, romance, and Paris? What more could a girl ask for! A very sweet romance story that I absolutely enjoyed. The way in which the theme of grief was explored was very realistic and well done. I loved the light hearted moments and of course the budding romance! All the characters were likable and I had a fun time reading this! It was a quick and fluffy read!
What a lovely book. I’ve read a few of the same authors book and they are a a joy. This book is a lovely read, once again I could feel the sun, smell the smells, taste the joyful food.
I looked the characters and could feel the tangible grief Aria exuded. It was a lovely story and seeing her unfurl with the warmth of the sun and the love that Rosie provided with her was immense.
Who wouldn’t want to be a nomad.
This arc copy was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review for netgalley
Can I please just find a van big enough to pack my family, 3 dogs included, and have enough space to use it as a bookstore? One of the downfalls of being so rooted. I did not read the first book which focuses on Rosie, but it didn't take away from the story. I found it very sweet and quick read. I loved the love interest though it was a bit repetitive in the fact that yes Aria did vow to her dying husband that she would love no other. That was very drilled into the reader mind and bought up over....and over....and over. Still a comfy, snuggle up on a rainy day read. I received this arc from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.