Every now and again, a heart-warming novel comes along that you want to devour in one sitting – and this is one such book! I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me a free ARC that enabled me to produce the free and unbiased review that now follows.
In the Bookshare, cleaner Liv and successful but reclusive author Essie form an unlikely but deeply enriching friendship that endures after Essie’s sudden death and leaves Liv to complete an initially improbable but eventually fruitful challenge: can she complete Essie’s final book? I do not want to write too much more, other than to say that this is a wonderful book about the value of friendship, the joy of reading, and the creative joy of writing. Warmly recommended!

I loved this book. Phaedra Patrick has the gift of storytelling - unusual plots and quirky characters. I got into this book and immediately felt empathy towards the main characters. A very entertaining read.

A real feel good book. So glad to be able to receive a copy of this. I’ve already purchased a few other books by this author, hoping they are just as good.
Thank you NetGalley

I think quite honestly that Phaedra Patrick has created one of the best stories about an author and the challenges writing books. This story is about two people. It is the story of Essie Starling who is a recluse author who writes this amazing series, but has a few secrets hidden in her cupboard. It is also the story of her cleaner - Liv Green. Liv Green has always fancied writing a book and devours books (like I did this one). Now, when something happens, Liv ends up helping Essie with her heroine and realises many things about her own life.
The character of Liv is one of those that as a Mum of 3 i can totally relate to. I could understand her frustrations in her everyday life and the fact that she put everyone first. I also found myself relating to and understanding Essie Starling who had so much pressure on her that she wanted to do the best job possible, both women did.
This is a story about trust and ambition. It is a story about family and new experiences, and if you don’t read this book then you won’t know what you’re missing.

A delightful feel good love story. Really enjoyed reading this book, definitely read another from this author

I love Phaedra Patrick. She writes wonderful, uplifting reads that take you away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Her characters are engaging and hugely likeable and all this she continues to deliver with The Book Share. Light hearted but with a great deal of heart this was a lovely book to disappear into for a while. I have to say that I did try to second guess what was gong to happen and I am delighted to say that I didn’t get there. What I did get was a story that made me care bout Liv, Essie and reminded me that my own hopes and dreams are just as important and that it is never to late to follow them. Liv finds the courage to find her own way and that is something we all aspire to do. Another lovely read from the author of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper and The Secrets of Sunshine.

I love a story that makes me feel good about the main character and this really hits the spot. A story of finding the real you and the confidence you never though you had. A must read

This is such a good story which kept me turning the pages from the start. Liv works as a cleaner with her favourite job being working for Essie Starling. Essie is a reclusive and famous author and the author of Liv’s favourite books and heroine Georgia Rory. Liv loves working for Essie even though she’s sometimes prickly towards her, but the two get along and one day Essie asks Liv for her opinion about her writing. But after giving her opinion Liv worries about what she’s said to Essie and hopes to sort things out with her after Essie returns from a trip away for a few days. But Essie never returns. Live soon discovers that Essie has passed away, but with her passing she’s left Live instructions, to finish off her twentieth and last novel.

I really enjoyed this book from the first pages. I like Liv’s character as we see her cleaning Essie’s flat and later some other places. I like how she invents her own cleaning products and the way she tries to fulfil her job while dealing with all sorts of people and demands. Liv loves Essie Starling’s books, having grown up reading about the Georgia’s many adventures, but when she finds out about the author’s last wishes, she struggles to find the voice to write about her favourite character.

The story is intriguing from the start and I love how different Essie and Liv are and the relationship between them. As the story moves forward and Liv begins to re-write chapters of a draft Essie left her with, she begins to not only work out what will happen in the story but finds herself facing a mystery about Essie too. I love how we slowly find out more and more about Essie’s past and how it intertwines later with Liv’s. I don’t want to spoil it by saying anything, but the mystery deepens and I just love how everything is related and how things get revealed especially towards the end. Liv’s character is a good one, I like how she grows as a person throughout the story. Her own family life is one that many can relate to and I like how she struggles with her family and relationship but how her relationship with her family grows in the story too.

There are lots of interesting moments and it gives you an insight into what the life of a famous author might be like. I like how we see Liv jetting off to a book fair later and what happens when she meets the people from Essie’s past. The mystery of why Essie became a recluse is slowly revealed and the whole story comes together so well. I love how everything resolves itself in the very end, with some wonderful revelations about Essie and Liv too. The ending is a good one that makes you feel happy, it put a smile on my face and I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next for Liv, it was such a brilliant and wonderful ending. 🙂

Overall this is a great story and one I’d recommend. It’s an interesting book as we get to read some of a story within this story, chapters from various Georgia Rory books, especially the one Liv is finishing, and you also get the wider mystery of Essie’s connection to certain people and why she became a recluse so suddenly after a certain event in her life. The whole story felt so interesting, it sucked me in from the very first pages and I couldn’t put this book down. I ended up reading the whole book in one day! It’s such a brilliant story and one I’ll reading again and I’ll certainly be looking to read more of the author’s work in future.

This book was so inspiring. A cleaner, who gets the chance to do something extraordinary, change her life and learn more about who she is. The story line is not too complex, but the whole book gives you that warm glow- it’s heartbreaking at times, but this is overcome by the successes of the main character. A must read this summer!

This book is a love song to readers. How authors can forever change our lives with the stories they tell. It’s ironic that the first real author to be mentioned is the one that did that for me Stephen King. I really don’t want to imagine a time when there are no more of his books being released but that is exactly what happens to Liv after her favourite author dies. No more Georgia Rory adventures, except maybe the unfinished manuscript that Essie caught her reading. The one that her solicitor has just informed Liv that she is to finish, as requested by Essie shortly before her death.

Then there is the enigma that was Essie and the mystery behind her becoming a recluse for the last decade after vanishing on the eve of an awards party. There is nothing as compelling as trying to work out a mystery on someone who creates plots themselves. Take the disappearance of Agatha Christie herself for example and the author here has cleverly combined books within a book.

I loved Liv she is like so many women/mums out there, the invisible glue that holds the pages of a family together. Doing whatever it takes to support them even putting her own needs and dreams to one side. She is taken for granted by the people she cleans for and is treated more like a dogsbody and babysitter. Will this be the chance for the cleaner to finally shine herself?

I have always held authors to rockstar status and my admiration for their work is why I started blogging. This was such a wonderful story with characters that came alive on the pages and a protagonist that I could really resonate with. I think every reader will feel this book was written just for them, I know I did.

This was a faultless book that I really enjoyed. It is one that will stay with me for a while and at the moment, is easily in my top five reads of the year.

Grabbed from the first page, I loved the premise of the story. Not only do we follow Liv’s evolution over the story from cleaner/dog’s body to secret writer, this novel is also about the mystery behind prolific recluse, Essie Starling. From the beginning, it is evident that Liv is not wholly satisfied with life. Trying to support her family, her cleaning jobs are not the fulfilment that Liv desires. Yet, money is tight with two sons at university and a husband’s family business that is financially struggling, Liv knows she must do what she can to hold these cleaning jobs, even if her clients are not always respectful and take advantage of her.

However, the unexpected death of Essie Starling presents a new start for Liv. Tasked with the mammoth job of completing Essie’s twentieth novel, Liv has to dig deep and find that writer’s inspiration that she once yearned for. Yet it is not just a case of writing a few more chapters, Liv knows that she needs to ‘live’ the novel: understand the writing process, Essie’s thoughts and to get inside the character. But, writing the next adventure of her literary heroine who has been with her throughout her life, Liv feels the pressure and realises that she needs to know more about her elusive boss, to discover what really inspired her in life.

Therefore, not only are readers taken on Liv’s writing journey, but we also learn more about Essie as a person. There are many questions surrounding this author enigma, especially as she has retired from the public eye a decade previous. Despite being such a best-selling author, no one knows anything about her; Liv makes it part of her mission to find these answers before evil journalist, Chloe, exposes everything.

Consequently, this book has many facades which added to my enjoyment. Throughout the novel we are treated to plenty of literature references, which I always love. Furthermore, I liked seeing Liv’s cleaning tips, particularly as she makes her own products, and the ice cube trick is one I have had to store for future reference! To be honest, these little gems within the story just made it all the more realistic and like Patrick was narrating directly to the reader.

With a poignant and haunting ending that brought a tear to my eye, this book had everything that I could have hoped for. It’s great for book lovers but also the genre makes it more than just a drama, aided by the mystery of Essie’s life. I could not have foreseen how the story would conclude and I liked that we are in the dark as much as Liv in this story. Fantastically written, this was a beautiful masterpiece and one that I highly recommend.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to learn of Essie's story, but I was most interested in Liv's journey. I think she'd been lost for awhile, and finishing Essie's book helped her to find herself. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This appears to be a book about a reclusive author, Essie Starling, who hasn’t been seen in public for a decade, and her cleaner, Liv but it is so much deeper than it first appears.

Liv, has been a huge fan and has been reading Essie’s books for 30 years. Essie has written 19 so far all centred around her protagonist Georgia Rory. This strong female fictional character has been an inspiration to Liv, as well as Essie’s many fans, helping them through difficult times in their lives.

Liv has always wanted to write but has put it to the back of her mind. Her father had been an English teacher and always encouraged her writing. Sadly he died in a freak accident many years ago. As a busy mum Liv had her family to bring up and had multiple cleaning jobs to help make ends meet. She left school at 16 to help her widowed mother and has always felt she is looked down on.

One day whilst cleaning, Liz finds a dog eared manuscript of book 20 which has not been published. In fact it hasn’t even been finished. The last few books have not been as good and Liv wonders if Essie had fallen out of love with writing about Georgia.

When Essie suddenly and unexpectedly dies, Liv finds she has left a note with her solicitor saying she wants Liv to finish her last book. And she wants her death to be kept secret until it is published. Can Liv do that?

When mooching around the empty apartment, Liv finds a little green box underneath Elspeth‘s pillow and inside is a pair of cufflinks shaped like bees. Who were they for? Who was the secret love of Essie’s life?

The story toddles along nicely with Liz struggling to finish the book, at the same time questioning her own life and relationship with her husband.

Then boom! A huge revelation happens! Then the book takes a completely different direction.


I enjoyed this book very much. Tugged at the heart strings and oh yes there were tears!
I was frantically turning the pages towards the end as I couldn’t wait to find out whether Liz would finish the book and also find Essie’s one true love.
I thought Liz’s character was very well written. She reflected how many women feel after years of ‘just’ being a mum and wife and almost losing their own identity and dreams. Plus the looming despair of the empty nest. Also it touched on society’s tendency to look down on people with what appear to some as ‘menial’ jobs, but these people are actually the backbone of society.

This book was very different to what the title infers - without reading the blurb on the back, you would guess that this is about sharing a physical book.

Not so, this book was incredible and loved how Liv's life transformed thanks to Essie's generous gift. She changed as she got to know her favourite author, exploring the publishing landscape, and trying not to fan-girl at the same time.

The twist at the end was not what I expected.. and made the book! Learning about all the characters and how they finally linked together, wow!

MUST READ!

Liv likes nothing better than a good book. Landing a dream job as a house keeper to a block buster author makes her feel blessed. Her life takes an unusual turn when her employer dies and leaves a request for Liv. A great feel good story with some unexpected turns along the way. Thoroughly enjoyable.

The Book Share by Phaedra Patrick is a wonderfully unusual story with and un put downable ending. Liv Green loves reading books and longs to write them too. She works as a cleaner and housekeeper for her hero and best-selling author Essie Starling, until Essie disappears and Liv is asked to finish her final novel. Its a story about relationships, secrets and persistence. I loved the characters and the plot twists - Essie's many husbands reminded me of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I enjoyed the journey Liv went on. Definitely one I'll recommend to others!
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

So loved this book, warm, wonderful, charming and thoroughly enjoyable!!
Liv is married with two sons one at University, the other about to start, her husband constantly stressed with running his family business. She adores reading and escapes into books at every opportunity, throughout her busy life cleaning for her clients, and in her very male household. One of her clients, a famous author suddenly dies, and leaves her a bequest that changes her life, no spoilers!
This is a complete joy to read, loved the characters, loved the story, found it uplifting and full of wisdom within its brilliant pages! Recommended highly!!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the early read!! Loved it!!

I saw the book share advertised on NetGalley, and it sounded great. I wasn’t disappointed and enjoyed this a lot.

The Book Share is a lovely, uplifting story about the life of Liv Green. Liv loves to relax with a book and always reads her favourite author, the famous and bestselling Essie Sterling. She has been cleaning for her for the past three years, her longest-serving staff member by some way! After Essie’s sudden death, Liv takes over, writing her final novel. This leads us on an exciting journey through her adventures to find out who Essie really is and who the love of her life was.

This is a truly feel-good book about being allowed to completely change your life and the opportunities that it may bring. Phaedra Patrick is a talented storyteller, and the characters she has developed are flawed, authentic, and believable. I was completed invested in the story and couldn’t help but wonder if Liv would be able to finish the book and how she would end the series that Essie started.

All of the characters were great, but Essie and Liv were particularly adorable. Essie has lived a secret and private life for the past ten years and is known to be a little grumpy and cantankerous. Liv is feeling down on her luck after some family drama and feeling unappreciated, so this opportunity was well-timed. Still, it could also change her life in strange ways.

A special mention for her husband’s sister, who was highly annoying and ignorant towards Liv. I didn’t warm to her but found it a little unbelievable when she suddenly changed.

I loved all the mentions of the books being read or seen throughout this book. I think I may even go back through and make a list of them to add to my wish list!

Phaedra Patrick has a beautiful writing style, making The Book Share flow wonderfully and an easy, delightful read. Some aspects were a little unbelievable, but, on the whole, it worked well, and I would recommend it to others.

A feel good read ,
Liv loves to read . She is a cleaner for an austere author Essie Starling. Liv has read all her books , and has always wanted to be a writer herself.
Instead Liv is a cleaner and a mother as well a wife , she is not living the dream , but plods on everyday.
One day Liv gets the news that Essie has died and she wants Liv to finish off her current book. Whilst also keeping her death a secret for six months.
Essie’s last wish brings out a slow transformation of both Liv’s life and her feelings.
The road Liv now travels brings more questions than answers , and when the answers are found , are they what Liv wants to hear ?
The writing is excellent easy to read and descriptive and I love both of the main characters they are like chalk and cheese.
A book to read in your favourite armchair with a hot chocolate,
Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ.

A heart-warming story of hope and self-discovery. Liv leads a quiet life. She's a cleaner as it fits in with her duties as wife and mother. Suddenly, the death of one of her customers gives her the chance of a completely different life, with travel and excitement. A great book to curl up with and enjoy.