This book revolved around three couples Who all own the same area, but all in different stores and the main agreement to share the lease because the rent was too high, so they started being friends and it goes through the three main female friends, finding that romance or ending a relationship, and finding someone better or trying to realise themselves, and to level up their own lives this was a little confusing at first because some of the narration because it’s from the same narrator when characters swapped it did take a little while to get used to when they were the new person, but I would recommend it’s a really good and really powerful book, but I think there might need to be a little bit more distinction between each of the character changes

An underwhelming and frankly embarrassing novel, personally. The three main characters who barely knew each other bought a property to house their three very different businesses. Okay fine I’m supposed to believe that but the novel tried to tell three stories, one of which focuses a bit too much on the hilarity of a divorcee having a vibrator. It’s not that funny? It’s also not funny that one of the characters tells her friend she can’t date her brother because of no reason at all and then said brother is the biggest sleezeball I’ve ever encountered. Frankly the third women is entirely forgettable like this book. I would not shop at this bookstore.

I absolutely adored this book!

A beautiful portrayal of adult friendship, life love and loss.
I instantly fell in love with the characters, finding elements of all of them to relate to and embrace. The story line is expertly woven to wrap you up in their lives and their futures and I felt like I wanted to become friends with them too.

A perfect quick easy read, my only downside is that I wish the shop was real so I could visit!

Three strangers are brought together to the Boardwalk Bookshop part gift shop, part bakery and part bookstore this is a dream come true for the three women. This story follows the three friends and their lives and relationships.

This was an enjoyable quick read. A perfect beach read. The characters were ok and the plot was enjoyable but slightly forgettable. Overall this was a good read but not my favourite from this author.

This is the first time I have read/listened to a book by this author but I had heard of her, a good thing?…maybe.
I struggled to listen properly and ended up listening to it whilst I was doing chores.
The narrator was a bit grating and I think that was the issue.
I found it to be an easy listening story .

I have to preface this review with the fact that I usually love the author's works. There was a time when I was first introduced to her that I binged the books with ferocity.
If the ominous beginning was not obvious enough, this was not the book for me. The author did her usual great job of bringing the characters to life, and the narrator was very good as well, but the story itself was not my cup of tea.
First, there were three characters of different ages and with various issues, which is something I usually enjoy, but I did not 'feel' the usual camaraderie. First, we have the owner of the titular Boardwalk Books. She has been burnt by love, familial and otherwise, and now is wary. Her behaviour felt a little off. The eldest of the trio, a happily divorced mother of two, was probably the most realistic of the people I encountered, but I thought it dragged a little. I thought I would like the last character the best because she had her finger in so many different pies, but that was not to be.
I hold the author in high esteem and usually think of the characters as being well-rounded and interesting. It is probably because of my previous experience with her books that this felt a little flat. I kept hoping for something to hook me in and listened to it all the way through. Sometimes things do not click. I am always sad when it is with something I usually enjoy.
I know that many think that books like this cannot be deep, but I love the ones that manage to do just that in this genre. I would still recommend this to those who like experimenting with this genre because I cannot be sure if my high expectations are the main reason for my experience here. I would still pick up another book by the author if given a chance.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.

A feel-good easy to read novel following the friendship of Mikki, Ashley and Bree. All women are going through so much, but they always have each other to go back to for support.
Ashley - In a long term relationship but her boyfriend doesn't want to get married, as he doesn't see the point.

Bree- Doesn't want a long-term relationship, love or commitment as life is just simpler without it. But maybe she's found the one man who may have changed her mind.

Mikki - Divorced for 3 years and ready to get back out there. But now her ex-husband is wanting to reconcile.

I will say the title is a bit misleading as it isn't about a bookshop at all, the shop is split into 3 for each of the friends Part Bookstore. Part Gift Shop. Part Bakery,
The book is full of love, friendship, humour and real human problems, she author shows the delicate sides of the characters, showing their failures and struggles.

**Disclaimer** There are some sensitive topics discusses including; divorce, miscommunication, poor health, blended families, trust issues and grief.

While business and friendship are flourishing at The Broadwalk Bookshop love is not doing so well. Bree doesn't believe in long-term relationships, commitment, or love, life is simply easier that way, but she may have just met the man to change her mind. Ashley is in love with her boyfriend, but while she sees Marriage in her future he doesn't, the two will need to compromise to make this work.
After 3 years Mikki has finally entered the dating scene, but while she is falling for Duane, her ex-husband puts a spanner in the works by wanting to reconcile. Mikki has a decision to make but luckily her friends are there to support her when needed.

This is such a feel-good novel. A very easy read which will have your heart melting for every character. Although we all know there is going to be a happy ending we are still rooting for the characters throughout. I did not want to put this book down and I did not want this novel to end.

Although I found the main character to be Bree I was still happy with how Ashley and Mikki were featured within the novel and I felt this balanced perfectly, to the extent I wanted more; I want to know where these characters go from here.

This is one I highly recommend, and you won't regret it, because you will want to read it again and again.

If you’re looking for an uplifting book that truly celebrates friendship then this is for you. I absolutely adored this book, it’s the perfect companion for a beach trip or evening wind down.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me.
I really couldn’t get into the narration of the audio book. This is in no way a reflection of that story but for me currently it’s a DNF

This is a review of the audiobook version of this book.

This is the story of three women and their romantic adventures, pleasant enough, but I felt there was something missing, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly endearing and I wasn’t really invested in what happened to them.

Maybe it would have been better to have a different narrator for each woman as sometimes I didn’t know who was talking.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me review this audiobook.

This lovely beach read about a group of friends who own a shop on the Californian coast gives you three great romance plot lines for the price of one, and lots of brilliant side characters to boot.

The owners of The Boardwalk Bookshop are as different as they come, but their friendship – born of champagne on the beach, shared business knowledge and genuine affection for each other – is a perfectly balanced mix of support and challenge.

None of the characters have easy lives, and the book discusses a range of sensitive topics including divorce, miscommunication, poor health, blended families, trust issues and grief. However, it does so in a calm and kind way, bringing the characters closer as they lean on each other for strength and grow together. The underlying sense of hope and aspiration is never lost, so the story never feels too dark or grim for a summer read.

As for the romance, I love how the women really come into their own and accept themselves, and therefore the right kinds of love interests are drawn towards them. There are lots of examples of toxic relationships (and I often wanted to shake some sense into the characters), but many more examples of patient, healthy couples who build each other up and commit to each other.

From its witty banter to its happy ever after, this is a great novel to take on holiday, enjoy as an audiobook or use as a form of escape to the beach.

3.5 stars

Based on the title of this book I expected more about the bookshop, but this was in fact just a gentle story about 3 women at different stages in their life and relationships who end up owning a shop split into 3 parts together. Thorughout the story we get to know all 3 women and understand what they are all going through and see how they are all there for each other despiter their differences.

It was a gentle story about friendship, marriage or desire to marry, fear of committment and the aftermath of divorce and starting to date again.

Highlights:
- Friday night wine night on the beach
- beautiful setting on the beach in California
- a story of friendship

What a joy to read. A lovely set of characters that were charming and charismatic. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review,

When three strangers all want to buy the same property in LA but find none of them can afford it. A friendship materialises and they decide to pool their resources and share the space. Work life sorted but their personal lives not so much. Despite not knowing each other for long, they support each other. A great tale about friendship and support.

The Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery
Narrated by Tanya Eby

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK and I am leaving this review voluntarily

When fate brings three strangers to a charming space for lease on the California coast, the Boardwalk Bookshop is born. Part bookstore, part gift shop, part bakery, it's a dream come true for Bree, Mikki and Ashley. But while their business is thriving, their personal lives are…not.

Bree, wounded by brilliant but cold parents and her late husband's ultimate betrayal, has sworn to protect her heart at all costs. Even from Ashley's brother, a writer and adventurer who has inspired millions. He's the first man to see past Bree's barricades to her true self, which terrifies her. Mikki has this divorce thing all figured out—somehow, she's stayed friends with her ex and her in-laws…until a new man changes how everyone looks at her, and how she sees herself. Meanwhile, Ashley discovers that the love of her life never intends to marry. Can she live without being a wife if it means she can have everything else she's ever wanted?

I am drawn to any book that has the word bookshop in the title. This is about the friendship and romantic relationships of the three women that lease the Boardwalk Bookshop. I am a fan of Susan Mallery but this book was a little disappointing. It was okay but it just didn't manage to hold my attention - which is a shame as the plot had such great potential.

Rating 3/5

A book begging to be read on the beach, with the sun warming the sand and salt in the air: pure escapism. This book needs to be on your radar! I love it so much! Emotional, heart-warming and thought provoking. A big-hearted, big-brain, novel that you'll finish in three days and think about for the rest of the year.

This was my first Susan Mallory book, and i definitely want to read more. I found this an easy read with charming characters I found it easy to root for. The narrative is a beautiful exploration of love, loss, redemption and family dynamics. We need a sequel so we can explore the relationships in the book further, especially Bree and Harding (both their relationship together and her relationship with past traumas)

My first book by this author, really enjoyed it. I can sympathise with women of a certain age! A feel-good read, really enjoyed it.
Only one thing that didn't appeal was the American narrator. Still enjoyed the story though.

I adored this sweet book, which is a great summer romance that is perfect to take on holiday with you. I loved everything about the book, and the audiobook narrator was superb.

Bree, Mikki and Ashley work in The Boardwalk Bookshop in California, right beside the sea. The bookshop is very busy and they all do a great job running it.

Throughout the story, we are taken into their three personal lives, especially that of their romantic lives. Each of them have their own chapters in the book, and we are taken on a journey with them. They have all been hurt in the past, so we are shown their delicate sides, their failures, their journeys to opening up to love, and their friendships and romances blossoming. There is so much in this well-rounded book, and it is just heartwarming, emotional, uplifting, and full of love. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.