Faith Hogan's "The Bookshop Ladies" unfolds like a warm embrace, inviting readers into the life of Joy Blackwood. When her French art dealer husband Yves dies in a car accident Joy discovers that he had a daughter by another woman.

Shocked by the news, she travels to the small Irish town of Ballycove where she intends to hand over a painting left to her husband’s daughter. Instead, she meets his daughter Robyn who has taken on a chaotic bookshop with very few customers and when Joy gets drawn into her life, she can’t bear to disclose the truth about how and why their lives have become intertwined.

I love Faith’s writing style, she paints very vivid scenes of the Irish countryside and captures the essence of small-town life, drawing readers deeper into the world of Ballycove.

In summary, Faith Hogan's "The Bookshop Ladies" is a captivating tale that will leave readers feeling uplifted and inspired. With its engaging characters, picturesque setting, and heartfelt storytelling, this novel is sure to resonate with book lovers everywhere.

Another lovely heart warming read from Faith Hogan. Always lovely to return to Ballycove and bump into some old friends from her other books. A beautiful tale of complicated relationships, friendship and family.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Another top read from a favourite author!

Widowhood has brought many surprises to Joy Blackwood, not least of which is the valuable painting left to a young Irish woman, Robyn Tessier. Why does she know nothing of her? Determined to find out what the story is behind this bequest, Joy sets off for Ballycove, arriving to find Robyn running an unprofitable bookshop while suffering from unrequited love. Before she knows it, she is part of Robyn's daily life - and she still hasn't admitted to why she is there . . .

I have never been disappointed with any novel from this author; she has an understanding of the human spirit as well as relationships and every time I read I conclude that she is a natural successor to the late Maeve Binchy. This is a sparkling example of how to entwine lives and grab the readers attention and make them really care about all characters. An absolutely delicious read and one I'm more than happy to both recommend and give a full house of glowing stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

Just when I needed a book full of joy, I found this one. I’m sure it was deliberate on the author’s part that one of the main characters was called Joy, although initially this seemed something of a misnomer.

When Joy’s husband dies she travels to rural Ireland to deliver a painting he left to a girl called Robyn, someone she’d never heard of before the reading of the will, but suspects is either his former mistress or his illegitimate daughter. Along with the painting she intends to deliver a piece of her mind, but events overtake Joy and she ends up working in Robyn’s bookshop, helping her to turn its fortunes around.

This book has a huge heart, wonderful characters you care about instantly, and a rich feeling of community. I loved ever minute of it and became completely lost in its world. A proper treat for any reader, which I wholeheartedly recommend.

5 stars – Bookshops; good for the mind and soul…

*sighs* as I’m sure The Bookshop Ladies can attest.

Humans… we’re complicated creatures, aren’t we?

Whaaa?! Don’t look at me like that! *shrugs* I’m not having an existential crisis; well, no more than usual *snorts*. This is just the consequence of my latest book hangover thanks to my second (only) trip to Ballycove. *looks off into the distance and taps fingers distractedly* I remember this feeling well from my first visit… *looks back* I’m just going to take a beat and let my feelings settle.

Joy, Robyn, and Fern’s story spoke to me in ways I couldn’t even imagine, let alone articulate. I was there; I was one of them.

TBL is a tale of secrets and truths, family, and friends, finding yourself, and most of all (to me, anyway) of belonging. Finding that one place, people and/or person, which has your soul screaming, ‘we are right where we belong!’ And if it takes your soul a while to admit it, hopefully we have an Albie to point out the obvious.

“…because sometimes, family is more about belonging together than anything else.”

Can I ask one thing of you before I go? Will you take a chance on my non-sensical mutterings and give TBL a go? Some stories come along just when you need them, like whispers on the wind, and I very much needed that warm embrace.

*slaps hands down* Och *wipes face*, listen to me prattling on. Away with you now and heed what I say.

This is the sort of book that leaves you feeling bereft when it’s finished, I’m going to miss Joy, Fern and Robyn. It took a little while for me to feel a connection with the main characters, but then I did and the book just took off. Starting in Paris then quickly moving to Ballycove, Ireland, this is a heart warming and very moving tale of friendship and love. I have no business experience so reading about building up a business is fascinating for me. I highly recommend this book.

A very enjoyable book. Loved the setting - who wouldn't want to live in a village like Ballycove! What a wonderful sounding place, with a community that really looks out for one another. And how fantastic to feel welcomed into such a family. I struggled with the writing a little at times but that could be me, rather than the story.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review, which is what I have given.

I loved this book, really enjoyed it. A beautifully written story about friendship, family, betrayal, secrets and new beginnings.
Widow Joy Blackwood is in search of answers to a shocking confession by her dying husband Yves Bachand. After finding out he left a painting to a Robyn Tessier in his will, Joy leaves Paris to deliver the painting in person. This takes her to Ballycove in Ireland and a job in a bookshop.
You are just drawn into the story right from the beginning. I was totally hooked and couldn’t put it down.
I enjoyed the interweaving stories told through different perspectives of Joy, Robyn and Fern, who are well developed, strong and interesting female characters. All the characters are well written. I just loved Albie and how he welcomed Joy into his family.
I loved the setting of the bookshop and the descriptions of Ballycove, written in a way that makes you picture yourself right there walking along the beach, looking in all the little nooks of the bookshop and sitting outside with a coffee enjoying the view.
Overall, a cosy emotional and warm hearted captivating read. Definitely recommend this one.
With thanks to #NetGallery @ariafiction #AriaAndAries for an arc of #TheBookshopLadies by @FaithHoganAuthor in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 6 June 2024.

The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hagan

Having read this author before , I knew I was in for a treat by reading this. I was not disappointed.
Great plot and characters , and mainly set in Ballycove , Ireland.
Would recommend.

Faith hogan is an absolutely incredible author, I just love her style and how her characters work so well together once again another amazing read.

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

Title: The Bookshop Ladies
Author: Kirsty Hogan
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don’t know exactly what I was expecting from this read but yeah, this weren’t it. The title and cover drew me in, and don’t get me wrong it’s a cute feel good story, it’s just a tad predictable and boring.

The characters were ok and the setting was sweet, and that’s about all I have to say unfortunately 😅😅

Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it 🤷🏽‍♀️

What a gentle, lovely read! I really enjoyed this book. This isn't my first Faith Hogan book and it won't be my last.
Three lady's lives are entwined by one man. Not a love triangle but something quite different. An affair, a daughter and an artist; all linked by one magical Irish town and its bookshop. Simply charming!

A Faith Hogan book is always going to be a comforting read, and The Bookshop Ladies didn't disappoint. Feel good, heart-warming and a book about books always gets my vote.

We travel from Paris to Ballycove and the three main characters are Joy, Fern and Robyn. Their stories are interlinked and complex. A secret revealed could have devastating consequences but the women are all so awesome that it becomes the glue that binds them.

It was such a joy to return to Ballycove and this human interest story was beautifully written and a joy to read.

Yves Bachand a well know renowned and respected figure in the Art world lives in Paris with his wife Joy. Their life is about to begin a new chapter when things take a turn for the worse and go horribly wrong.
What will be the next step for Joy? And will she find the answers she seeks?

The book features three very strong and interesting female characters, all in their own ways. Joy, Fern Tessier and her adult daughter Robyn Tessier.
From the start of the book I was drawn in and hooked. An absolutely lovely read.
Friendship, love, loyalty and family bonds.
I could picture every aspect of the bookshop, and so would have loved to have been able to visit, choose a book and have a coffee there.
Simply delightful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

I have already read several of Faiths books set in Ballycove and as always this one didn’t disappoint. As a reader and lover of bookshops I was invested from the beginning even though it started in Paris.They say it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to open a successful bookshop. How the story came together across genarations and how the main protagonists were connected and came together is what made this a joy to read.

The Bookshop Ladies is a touching and charming story set in Ireland. The plot begins with Joy discovering that her husband had a daughter (Robyn) and has left an expensive painting to her in his will. Joy travels to Ireland to find her and begins to volunteer at her bookshop. The bookshop becomes the heart of the story, symbolising dreams, second chances, and community spirit.
Whilst the plot is perhaps predictable, it’s a delightful read with well-developed characters.

Heartbreak and Humour. As he lay dying, Joy's husband Yves tells her he has a daughter. He has left her a valuable bequest, so Joy decides to travel to Ireland to deliver it. She finds herself working in a bookshop with a resident tortoise! Love the reference to The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club.

Such a delightful story. Reading about Ballycove feels like coming home.
The characters are so rounded and believable and even the baddies are not so bad.
The descriptions of Ballycove make me want to walk along the beach, then sit in a comfy chair outside of the bookshop and soak up the atmosphere.
Well done Faith Hogan.

I love books about books, from writers/publishers to cosy bookshops, and this delightful book was such a cosy read. I loved the interweaving stories and seeing the different perspectives.

I was rooting for Robyn to find love, and it was very different from who I expected.
I admired the forgiveness and selflessness of Joy and think she's an incredible character.
I loved the drama and support, and of course, I found the found family aspect. And the subtle references to other books by Faith were perfect.

I adored this.

I read this book over two sittings, I enjoyed it that much! We start in Paris and end up in Ballycove with the main characters, Robyn and Joy, later to be joined by Fern, Robyn's Mum. This is a story of if you have a dream you need to work to achieve it - but it made me smile at many points whilst reading it, at the characters (lots of love for Albie!) and I ended it happily satisfied at reading a hug of a book.