A fabulous story with lots and lots of books in it, my kind of heaven. This was a sweet and thoughtful story and although it was the second one in the series it read as a stand alone. Enjoyed this one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I loved this book!
Set in York, during the first COVID lockdown. A bookshop struggling to survive financially, people struggling to survive physically and emotionally. Can books make everything right? Well they can sure give it a good go.
This book is heart warming and heart breaking. This is the first book that has ever made me cry. I loved the characters and was invested in them. I could see the bookshop, imagine what the characters looked like, and these things were never described. How strange, the power of a book. I will now seek out Stephanie Butland's other work, as I really enjoyed reading this. I also liked that there were book suggestions within this book, and I shall definitely be working my way through that list!

I was lucky enough to be awarded this ARC book for free from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Rarely has a book gotten me so emotional completely unexpectedly!
Set in Covid times, of course it takes us back to a time that was challenging for us all and that affected us in different ways but this had me break down when I least expected it.
Though Found in a Bookshop is the second novel of a series, it works as a stand alone as well, telling the story of a small bookshop in York during the pandemic. With its doors closed, it seems no one is interested in books, and Loveday, the owner, and Kelly, her manager, are trying to stay afloat with the tiny number of orders they have, but they both know it can’t go on. One of the orders comes in the shape of a letter, hand written Rosemary, who knows the book shop well and who lives not too far away in Whitby with her husband George, who is ill. Together they are living in their beautiful house with view of the sea, enjoying what little time they have left together. And to pass the time, she asks the Lost for Words Bookshop for regular book deliveries.
The kind letter with its carefully chosen words gives Loveday and Kelly the idea of a book pharmacy: Everyone is dealing with different ailments during this lockdown, so why not try and find a book to help them? After a newspaper article comes out, the requests start coming in. Every day new insights into someone’s lockdown life and their struggles.
With each letter, we remember a little piece of this time we have mostly left behind us: The neighbours who can’t come inside anymore, the families separated because they can’t travel, the bubbles, the hospital workers who can’t go home. And with it come the snippets of everyone’s lives: the neighbours who help each other out, the mum alone at home with a newborn, the ones waiting for news of their loved ones in hospital, the domestic violence getting worse, the boredom, the stress, the anxiety. While books are not the solution, they can help. And so, on a daily basis, the staff recommend books to the people who write in.
Some characters we meet in passing, others we get attached to. The novel becomes a list of book suggestions for avid readers (a helpful list of all books mentioned is printed at the back of the book) until reality hits again and we remember that we are in uncertain times. Our favourite characters are struggling but helping each other where they can. In the end, that’s what we want to try and preserve from this lockdown era.

I loved the premise of this book and was excited to read it. Unfortunately I really struggle with books set during the pandemic and for this reason couldn't finish it. It just feels too soon for me.

I absolutely adored Lost for Words, so I was so excited to read more about this wonderful bookshop.

Covid has just hit and Loveday is desperately worried about her business. With no customers, how can she ensure its survival?

Inspired by a couple who are reliving their long marriage and love for reading, the idea for a book pharmacy is born. Books as medicine, to heal, to soothe and to escape.

As people write and call, each struggling in some way, the scheme grows and grows and it seems the shop is safe.

I have a real soft spot for books about the magic of books and so many titles have been added to my wishlist after reading this glorious book. The characters are the fabric of this story, and there is a wonderful diversity to the readers featured. Loveday is quietly brilliant, Kelly is courageous and George and Rosemary made me heart gladden. It's moving, sad at times but mostly life-affirming and a love letter to the power of words.

I loved this book so much. Every single page held such magic and beauty. I felt like this book spoke to me. It was written in such a clever way, so easy to read and added so much to the storylines. I felt as though every single character was real and each and every single one of their stories had such depth and honesty. It is so meaningful and powerful, such a heartwarming and touching read. I will not forget this book for a very long time.

This is the first book that I have read which has featured the recent COVID pandemic in the forefront of the plot. It is also the second book which features the bookshop Lost for Words, which I had not read. However, there is enough references to understand the main characters in this novel and what had happened previously.

Loveday Carew, owner of the bookshop is joined by manager Kelly and then stroppy teenager later on in the novel, Maddison.

The bookshop is closed, the pandemic starting to bite businesses as well as people. One day the shop receives a letter from a retired headteacher – could they send her some wonderful books using the money enclosed to get them through the next few months. This lady Rosemary and her husband George are retired, reclusive now due to the circumstances of the world and reading to each other in their garden is a joy.

An idea forms – what if the ship could offer other people books to get them through this time.

A simple advertisement, starts a flurry of letters, emails and phone calls and this book provides a small insight into some of those requests. Differing scenes on how the pandemic and actual life is affecting a wide range of people. All looking for solace through a book. Ironically something I do every day and was doing by reading this one. Sometimes we see the person request the book again, we get to learn what happened in the next chapter, sometimes we don’t. However, the story thread of Rosemary and George as well as Loveday, Kelly and Maddison is weaved through the book as the main story arc.

The book touched my heart, but it was a difficult read as the pandemic and lockdowns seem so recent and perhaps it provoked some panicky memories of which I didn’t realise I had until I read this book. However, it was a joy to read and I love the idea of a book pharmacy and even reading this book will give you lots more to add your “to read lists”.

Perfect for fans of bookshops featured in books.

How could I resist a book called Found In A Bookshop? I hadn’t come across Stephanie Butland's books before, and it turns out this is the follow up to Lost for Words, but I enjoyed it no less because I hadn’t read the previous book as it stands well on its own. It’s a delightful ode to the power of books to get us through challenging times and the importance of community - though be warned it may not be for everyone as it is set in the midst of the pandemic.

Lost For Words is a bookshop in York forced to close during lockdown – suffering like many other businesses, they come up with a scheme to allow customers to get in touch with them to “prescribe” fiction books to them to suit their mood or their needs. We get to know the owner and the staff at the shop and along the way we are introduced to some of the bookshop’s customers, learn a bit about them and their lives during lockdown and see what books are recommended to them by the bookshop.

Butland captures so much about what many of us felt in the early days of lockdown thanks to characters who feel very real and relatable. Whilst not without its sad moments, it’s a heartwarming story and for book lovers, the observations on the importance of reading and the book recommendations make it a gem of a read. And from a personal perspective as someone who went to school in York I loved the way in which the location came to life for me.

This was a lovely book that is written well and is a book that highlights how important books are to people especially in the year 2020.However, I was unable to read all the book due to some trigger topics. The characters in the first part of the story are connectable and draw you into their stories.

Loved this book I loved the atmosphere of the story the humour made me smile so much in this story. Loved the setting of the book the characters so much fun and laughter. Kept Turning the pages loved it so much. It’s Beautiful written in every way possible. Such a beautiful book Il always remember.

I didnt realise that this book is a sequel, however it didnt matter as this book can be read as a standalone story. great plot and lovely character's. Whens the next book out?

Wow, where to start with my review.

I have so much love for this book, it is one that every book lover should read at some point as so much of it epitomises what books and reading can bring to a persons life.

Set right in the midst of the pandemic which could make it a tricky read for some as it does bring back memories that I'm sure most of us would rather forget but the whole topic is dealt with very sensitively and brings so much to the storyline.

What is really special is how different characters are introduced throughout the book and are gradually helped by the Lost For Words bookshop. Rosemary and George were my firm favourites and their side of the story had me in tears by the end.

Incredibly heartwarming and emotional it left me loving books even more if that's even possible and I can't wait to read more from Butland.

A fabulous 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me.

I enjoyed reading the author’s previous novel, Lost for Words and was so pleased to be given an early copy and a place on the book tour for Found in a Bookshop, the continuation of life in and around the Lost for Words bookshop in York.
Loveday is now the manager of the bookshop and along with the rest of York, has fallen quiet. At the very time when people most need books to widen their horizons, escape from their fears or enhance their lives, the doors are closed. Then the first letter comes. Rosemary and George have been married for fifty years. Now their time is running out. They have decided to set out on their last journey together, without leaving the bench at the bottom of their garden in Whitby. All they need is someone who shares their love of books.
Suddenly it’s clear to Loveday that she and her team can do something useful in a crisis. They can recommend books to help with the situations their customers find themselves in fear, boredom, loneliness, the desire for laughter and to escape.
And so, it begins…
The author has encapsulated the hopes, worries, fears, and sense of community brought about by the turbulent events of 2020 and turned them into a well written novel that is both uplifting and heart-breaking.
I found myself engaged with the characters, and it helped me to process some of my worries and fears around my own experiences during the Lockdowns. I enjoyed the way the girls began a ‘prescription’ service for books, and I was surprised at how many of the books that I had actually read, as I saw another reviewer mention, I too have added several more books to my ever-towering TBR!
I highly recommend this uplifting, hopeful book to book lovers everywhere, I just feel that I need to mention that this is set during the first Lockdown in 2020, so it may be triggering for some people, but I found it to be so full of hope and positives that it made the lows and heart-breaking moments part of the reality. When you do sit down to get lost in the Lost for Words bookshop, I suggest that you have a drink, some snacks, and a box of tissues nearby, as once you settle into the lives of Loveday, Rosemary, and George, you won’t want to leave.
As I mentioned above, this is a follow up to Lost for Words, Found in a Bookshop can be read as a standalone as the author fills in some of the gaps in the history of Loveday and the bookshop’s previous owner, but my personal suggestion would be to read Lost for Words first as I wouldn’t want you to miss out!
Thanks to Isabelle at Headline Books for and advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

What I got from this book wasn't quite what I was expecting. The basic premise was captured in the book's blurb, but key elements were missing that changed how I interacted with the story.

The biggest example of this was the fact that I hadn't put two and two together about the fact that the bookshop was closed because of the pandemic. The author did a brilliant job of capturing the essence of many differing viewpoints during the pandemic - in fact, she did too good a job for my liking. The writing bought me back to a time of heightened anxiety that I've tried to forget, and made it very challenging for me to fully enjoy the story. The fear and grief that many felt was bought to life on the pages and is a testament to the writing talent of the author.

Conversely, the contents of the book felt overly chaotic for me. There were so many different characters to keep a track of, and very few of them got a meaningful conclusion - I struggled to keep all of their lives straight in my mind as I was reading, and consequently found it challenging to care deeply about any of them. Annoyingly, the characters that were given the most time and effort were ones that didn't feel overly relatable or particularly likeable to me; the ones I wanted to know more about (in particular the mum of two small children who's husband was a paramedic) were passed over. The one exception that was Madison - I was invested in her from the minute she appeared on the page and was satisfied with how things ended up for her in the book.

I did appreciate the change in pace towards the end of the book, as it kept me reading to the end to figure out how everything concluded. It caught me off guard and renewed my interest in a story that I, sadly, was otherwise not overly enjoying.

'Found In a Bookshop' is a captivating and inspiring tale. The characters are well-developed, and the concept of a book pharmacy is truly inspiring. It captures the power and beauty of reading.

This is a touching and relatable story that will evoke both joy and sadness. It explores themes of character development, relationships, loneliness, and emotions brought on by the pandemic, whist being written in a comforting tone.

Despite being the second book in the series, 'Lost In Words', this new release is still fully enjoyable as a standalone. Life's limitations won't hinder this book's readability. Even if it is set aside for a while, picking it up again is effortless. I could have finished reading this in 24 hours, with no interruptions or other tasks to attend to.

A highly recommended read that would make a great addition to any book lover's shelf! Would make a magnificent gift for that bookworm in your life! Pick up a copy today!

Lost for Words is one of my favourite books ever and Loveday is one of my favourite characters so I was really excited to find out that Stephanie Butland was writing another book set in the Lost For Words bookshop. I have been totally engrossed in Found in a Bookshop for the past few days and I loved it. “Sometimes a book will sing to you. Sing to your soul… your being.” This is one such book for me.

“To a book lover, a bookshop is not a place in the world, it is the world. You know… You know that books are safety and escape and wisdom and peace and things that can get you through”

The Lost for Words bookshop is indeed a place of safety, escape and wisdom for its owner Loveday and her staff Kelly and Madison. It’s their story as much as the story of the books they recommend to their customers. At the beginning of book they are a bit lost as the shop is closed due to Covid restrictions and Loveday is worried that not only might the business fail but that if it does, she will be failing its previous owner, her great friend Archie.

Found in a Bookshop will bring back memories of the darkest hours of lockdown. This is a time when, pre-vaccine, people who caught Covid were extremely ill, when NHS staff were exhausted, when other key workers such as supermarket workers and public transport staff daily put themselves at risk and when in general, most people were genuinely terrified. Some people might find this difficult to read about particularly if they were separated from loved ones for a period of time or if they lost someone, whether to Covid or another illness, at this time.

I loved the idea of the book pharmacy, about writing prescriptions or recommendations of books to help the people who contact the shop. I have read many of them while others have piqued my interest. I had a little smile when Flowers for Mrs Harris by Paul Gallico was mentioned, as I’m currently listening to that on audiobook.

There are so many characters you get to know and care about in this book. Some are fleeting characters who you only meet once as they email about their situation and look for a book prescription. Others flit in and out of the book and we get to know their situations and the unique pressures facing each of them at that time. The stand out characters are retired teachers George and Rosemary whose email to the Lost for Words bookshops starts off the book pharmacy idea. We follow their life-long love story from when they first meet and theirs is a really poignant part of the book.

I’ve never noted so many quotations from a book in a long time. There was a lot in the story which spoke to me. I liked the idea that when you read the first sentence of any book, you are completing the author’s work.

Found in a Bookshop is a book that will break your heart and put it back together in the way only a book can. Stephanie Butland knows how to put her readers’ emotions through the wringer. Found in a Bookshop is a gorgeous read about courage, loss and love, a true love letter to the healing power of books and reading.

I absolutely adored this book from start to finish. This is the first book I’ve read that was set in the global pandemic, and it was so beautifully written, acknowledging everything we as a nation experienced during this time with respect and poignance. I enjoyed that we were able to delve into so many different characters’ stories, and see how the pandemic impacted different individuals socially, culturally, physically and mentally.

I can’t wait to go back and read the book that preceded this one, as I’m not quite ready to part with some of the characters yet!

*Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Lost for words was such a beautiful book. I was so happy when the author revealed they were bringing out a sequel
There’s just something very magical about a book about books.
I’m not a huge fan of books about the pandemic as it’s a part of my life I wish to forget, but this just worked
So many important messages were learnt from this book
The book reminded me just how much I love reading and why I fell in love with reading
The author created some truly wonderful characters in her first book and here we are treated some more wonderful characters
Loveday is a literary favourite of mine
I hope the series continues.
I really urge any bookworm to read this book as it reminds you of exactly why you should be proud to be a bookworm
A great read
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy

I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. There was a small and perfectly formed cast of characters that made up the main story, where the Lost For Words bookshop has had to close it's doors to the public at the time the UK went into lock down.

In order to keep the business running during the pandemic, the owners set up a a scheme where people can get in touch and have a few books 'prescribed' to them, suggestions made dependent on what they need. Everyone had differing experiences in the Covid pandemic, and their needs differed depending on their jobs/ home life/ security/ wants and desires.

This book takes the reader along to gaze through different lenses, and I loved meeting such a variety of customers, learning of their snapshot circumstances through emails to the bookshop, and then finding out what books were suggested and why. Some of these books I own, and want to read even more now; some I have read and enjoyed the small summery to remind me why I loved them and some that I haven't read, but have now been added to my TBR.

As well as the book prescriptions, we are following the owners and staff at the shop, their private lives as they develop - and a few customers who become regular contacts with the shop. I loved Rosemary & George, and the descriptions of their home and life has made me want to visit Whitby.

What a refreshing look at people, and at books (& bookshops) and how they can be used to carry us through good times and bad, use up time and take our minds off things, and mostly, how they connect us. I also loved the chapters that were interspersed from the author to the reader - very wise words in those too!

Overall this is an intelligent, refreshing and heart warming book that I adored, and would recommend to everyone who reads - so that's all of you!

Thanks to @headlinebooks for sending me a copy of this fantastic book to read and review, I hadn't realised there was another book about the book shop before the pandemic, so I now need to pick that one up too.

There is something extra special to spend time with a character that you really loved. Loveday is one of my heart stay characters and she definitely doesn’t disappoint in Found in a Bookshop.

I will always be honest in my reviews and as much as I enjoyed the book, it was a difficult read. It is not one I could recommend to everyone without explaining the triggers of which there are a lot. Overall the feeling of being back in lockdown and if you suffered from separation from your family or a devastating loss then really this isn’t the book for you. There is a great deal of talking about, loss in all its forms and I was very upset at times during the book. I love the premise of the book but I feel the timing of it is just not the best.

There was some uplifting take away from the book and I did enjoy all the prescriptions of books for each character I even wrote some down that I would like to try. I loved spending time with Rosemary and George, they really felt similar to my parents.

The book will surely touch your heart, as the relationships between Loveday and her customers, Rosemary and George, and the customers’ reactions to their unique situation, evoke the very best in us. While the world around us changes rapidly, the emotions remain the same: fear, loneliness, and a longing for connection. Stephanie Butland shows us the healing power of literature in the darkest of times.