I adored this - Zora was a fantastic main character and the story was unique.

I couldn’t put it down!

The joy of being black, audacious and passionate about life, work and food.
This book made me fall in love with the romance genre, the female character was emboldened, and I loved that alot, she was very open about her desires which made for a fantastic lead. The love interests were swoon worthy until the truth came out. And lines were drawn, favourites were picked and quite honestly the food and the books brought the book home for me. I smiled through this book at how very fabulous granny was, and the kind of friendship depicted in the story. Very well done

I enjoyed the bookstore setting. I also liked the strength, savvy & size-positivity of the female MC & two female side-characters.

yeaaaaaaah, um, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. The conflict was SO stupid, omg, I hated it. The grandma was weird too, it was funny at first and then it just became weirdo behavior. Anyway. The romance itself was fine I guess, although it was so obvious she would choose Reid because Lawrence was a mysoginist (that hasn't stopped anyone before honestly so that could've gone a completely different way). Give it a try if it tickles your fancy but nothing that will blow your mind. 2.5 stars

The premise was so interesting, but sadly the writing really didn't work for me. The plot was also super predictable to the point I couldn't enjoy it.

I read this book in one sitting I couldn't put it down it is such a good read that I would highly recommend

The premise of this story appealed to me. A woman of colour running her own bookshop, specifically trying to help her community. To top that off, the romantic angle is also related to books. I am not too into explicit descriptions of certain scenes, but that is not a deterrent. I could always skim past them if I turn squeamish.
Zora is a successful businesswoman - she lives with her grandmother and best friend (two different people, although the grandmother is quite close to her). When hosting a very successful and good-looking writer, she gets interested in him. Simultaneously, another grumpy (good-looking) man who happens to be at the book event because of his prior relationship with the author also makes a move. She decides to date them both in order to see where her future lies. So far, so good. There are open conversations as to the situation, making it a very realistic prospect.
My issues started at this point. The author may have set up the situation to vie between two possible futures, but I saw no positives in one. There are so many red flags, which Zora addresses and then immediately ignores after a bit of time has passed. Given her otherwise strong personality, this seemed a little hard to believe.
I felt like it took longer than expected for the obvious reveal and the number of back-and-forths that Zora had to process in her head were not my cup of tea.
The author has described a great community with some great people, all working hard towards their goals. All the people introduced to us were quite separate from each other, with their own personal distinct personalities. I would read another book by the author and even recommend this to others to whom the story appeals, although this particular story was not one I personally enjoyed.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

An extraordinary tale that defies conventions, Though I had more expectations I still enjoyed reading how real the characters were.

This book was full of heart, self discovery and some steam. I fell in love with Zora; she was confident, strong, a boss b*tch and she never settled for less than she deserved. Can't wait to see what McCoy comes out with next.

A bookish romance. That’s all that’s needed to peak my interest.

What I liked: Zora was such a strong, witty, confident, character who knows her worth and demands respect and sexual gratification. The bookshop sounds like a dream. I’d love to visit and spend an afternoon reading in a corner and drinking galleons of coffee. What I didn’t like so much: Zora becomes a little bit insufferable towards the end of the book when she’s unwilling to admit just how wrong she is. The interactions with Granny were repetitive and irritating and I found myself skim reading those parts. There was a ‘twist’ in this book that I could see coming from the outset, but this is a romance, not a mystery, so I’ll forgive it.

Overall, it was fine. I enjoyed it for the most part and will check out the synopsis of the author’s other books and see if they interest me.

Thank you NetGalley and Dialogue Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Zora Books Her Happy Ever After was so much fun! I loved the characters so much, especially Zora. At some points I felt myself getting distracted, due to slow pacing but loved this book overall!

The Bookstore is a delightful and charming romantic novel by Taj McCoy that follows the story of Zora, a hardworking bookstore owner who has devoted her life to her business. When a famous mystery author, Lawrence, comes to her store for an event, she begins to develop a crush on him. However, she also meets his grumpy best friend, Reid, who initially rubs her the wrong way.

As she spends more time with both Lawrence and Reid, Zora finds herself drawn to each of them for different reasons. She is torn between the two men, trying to figure out which one is the right fit for her. But there's something mysterious going on, and Zora is determined to uncover the truth before making a decision.

The author does an excellent job of creating well-rounded characters that are relatable and realistic. The chemistry between Zora, Lawrence, and Reid is palpable, and the romantic tension is handled with great care. The pacing is perfect, and the story flows smoothly, making it a quick and enjoyable read.

Overall, The Bookstore is a charming and heartwarming story about love, self-discovery, and finding one's place in the world. It's a perfect read for anyone looking for a light and uplifting romantic novel.

Definitely an author to look out for! I’m usually not a huge fan of love triangles but this one is an exception.

I really loved this and I loved Zora so much, the supporting characters, the plot everything was just so good. I mean it’s got a bookshop, romance and great friends, can’t recommend this highly enough it’s a fun and fantastic read

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.75⭐️

I love how the author takes us on a journey to discover the secrets between the two men and what they are hiding from Z.

I love the literary plot-the use of a bookshop, bookseller and a literary festival was good.

I enjoyed Grandma Marion and Em’s antics-we all need people like that in our lives and corner cheering us on and have our backs.

I loved the celebration of black culture and the promotion of black business and black achievers.

But all of the main characters are flawed and have issues. They are all immature and hypocritical. They dish out but can’t take it when they are served.

Their immaturity is really nauseating and repulsive. Z was complaining of how men weren’t into monogamy again yet she is acting out with two men and claiming to be upfront with them.

Four words to describe them- Presumptuous, Assuming, Entitled and Rude.

If you enjoy love triangle story and appreciate the literary spin then you will enjoy this.

I love Zora and her friends and, even if love triangles are amongst my pet peeve, liked Lawrence and Reid.
Zora is the driving force of this book and it's a well plotted and relatable characters.
Lawrence and Reid are the two different aspects of the men we met: the mysterious one may too good to be tru and the one you didn't like but discover he's a good guy.
There's some mystery, there's an entertaining plot, and interesting description of what being a black show owner means.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I love a little bookstore romance. I’ve been reading a lot of the, this year and enjoyed every single one of them and now I can add this one to the list. I also loved the mystery aspect of this book.

Zora Books Her Happy Ever After by Taj McCoy is a rom-com centered around a bookstore owner. Zora is feeling the pressure to fall in love and create a family. All she really wants to do is to focus on and nurture her bookstore. To her surprise, two men walk into her life and change her mind! Of course, one seems perfect, and the other absolutely does not, but the connection is unreal. The kicker is, they're best friends.

The story is a lesson in, 'all is not what it seems', and first impressions aren't everything! It gives you drama and spice. Some of the spicey scenes are great, and the others are a little cringy and embarrassing! The story has great side characters. Her best friend and grandmother were a great duo and hype women! It's one big love triangle, with an HEA.

DNF at 39%, skimmed from around 30% and I struggled through every minute. I wanted to love this and I liked Zora as a character, the side characters, the love interests, the plot was so boring and the writing really wasn’t for me at all! I found it so cringeworthy and there was so much telling, I did this then I did that, which is just a pet peeve of mine. Thank you for the arc but in honesty I won’t be recommending this one.

This book wasn't bad but I think I'd have preferred it as an audiobook.

It's an easy read with a great cast of characters, but it just didn't stand out to me. I probably won't even remember it in a week.

Still, if you're looking for a fun romance filled with books this one I'd for you.