A New Chapter at the Borrow-a-Bookshop is the fifth in this lovely series by Kiley Dunbar. In each book we meet a new set of ‘borrowers’, people who come and live in the bookshop in the Devonshire seaside village of Clove Lore. As each book focusses on the borrowers, they are stand-alone reads. However, you will meet characters from the previous novels too which is always a treat as a reader. And really, this whole series is so lovely I’d recommend you read them all anyway!

I think that Harri and Annie may be my favourite borrowers yet! They are old friends from their uni days and secretly, each perhaps wanted to be more than friends. When they arrive for their two weeks running the bookshop, Harri has recently split up with his long-term girlfriend while Annie has been suspended from her job as a school librarian in Texas over becoming involved in a book banning controversary.

Love is always in the air in Clove Lore, often helped along the way by self-proclaimed matchmaker Mrs Crocombe. It seems that the magic of the bookshop and the pretty little village casts its spell over visitors and residents alike. Everyone ends the book a little more loved up than they were at the beginning.

One thing I really liked about this book was the focus on reading for enjoyment and for well-being. I actually loved the idea of the silent reading book club: a night in the bookshop where everyone just brought along their own books, switched off from the outside world from a bit and read their books in companionable silence.

As well as Harri and Annie’s story, I really enjoyed the other side stories. There’s the mysterious elderly gentlemen who seems to have nowhere to live but a strong connection to Castle Lore. There’s intrigue when two local residents go missing. And of course, there the issue of whether it’s right for books to be banned (well, of course not!) and how people should be allowed to read what they want but also find representation in their books.

I know that Kiley Dunbar is working on a new series now but I really hope that this isn’t the last we will see of the Borrow-a-Bookshop. I adored this friends to lovers story which was emotional, big-hearted and such a satisfying read As the book is set in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, it really is the perfect romantic read for this time of year.

A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar

This was the first book I had read of Kiley’s and I was very excited by the premise…

‘Advertisement: A Novel Holiday Idea
Borrow-A-Bookshop invites you to live out your dreams of running your very own bookshop in a historic Devonshire harbour village... for a fortnight.
Spend your days talking about books with customers in your own charming bookshop and serving up delicious food in your cosy cafe nook. Get to know our wonderful volunteers (all locals), always ready to offer a helping hand.
After shutting up shop, climb the spiral staircase to your bedroom with picture window seat and settle down to admire the Atlantic views. When your holiday’s over, simply hand the keys to the next holidaymaker…’

I mean, how wonderful would this opportunity be?!! 🤩

I quickly got into the story of ‘new borrowers’ Harri and Annie but I soon became frustrated with their will they-won’t they romance and found myself skim-reading pages. If I’m completely honest, in parts, I found their story a little boring 😬 Not much really happened and their two weeks at the book shop felt more like two months!

In conclusion, I was left feeling somewhat disappointed.

⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @canelo_co for providing this advanced digital copy in return for an honest review via @netgalley . All opinions are my own.

A decade after graduation, Harri and Annie reunite in the charming Devon village of Clove Lore to manage a cozy bookshop and café. Surrounded by books, coffee, and a supportive community, they navigate lingering romantic feelings and rekindle their bond. This heartwarming friends-to-lovers story celebrates love, friendship, and the magic of literature, set against an enchanting small-town backdrop.

**A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop**
by Kiley Dunbar

A decade has passed since Harri and Annie parted ways after graduation, but now destiny has brought them back together in the picturesque village of Clove Lore, nestled in the heart of Devon. As old friends, they find themselves reunited in an unexpected adventure: managing a charming borrowed bookshop and café. For two avid bookworms, the opportunity to immerse themselves in stories while serving delicious coffee is a dream come true.

Despite their long-standing friendship, Harri and Annie have both been hesitant to confront the deeper feelings they hold for one another, feelings that have lingered beneath the surface for years. As they spend time together in the cozy bookshop, surrounded by the warmth of the community and the smell of freshly brewed coffee, they must navigate their complicated emotions and the unspoken bond that has only strengthened with time.

This delightful read, while part of a series, stands beautifully on its own, allowing new readers to dive into the narrative without prior knowledge of the previous instalments. I was thoroughly captivated by the book's heartfelt themes of friendship, love, loss and literature. The residents of Clove Lore, each with unique quirks and charms, add an enchanting layer to the story, creating a setting I would love to visit myself. Overall, this feel-good tale of friends-to-lovers is a touching reminder of the beauty of rekindling old friendships and finding love where you least expect it.
l.

“A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop” is a delightful read. I took a welcome trip back to magical Clove Lore with the new bookshop “Borrowers” and enjoyed meeting the nosey, romantic & quirky inhabitants of the village again. The new “Borrowers” Harri and Annie are best friends from University days, just friends that have had eight years and an Ocean separating them since graduation.

Eight years after graduation we find Harri still working as a Barista in what was meant to be his “stop gap” job. He loves it and has no intention of finding other work. He has won awards and regularly dreams up exciting coffee flavours and aspires to own his own place one day. Meanwhile, Annie who has moved back home to the States is a dedicated and successful School Librarian. Despite being close at University they haven’t seen each other during those years. That is until they reach the top of the waiting list to “Borrow a Bookshop”. Their respective jobs and love of books is the perfect combination to run the bookshop and cafe and they jump at the chance to holiday together, despite all the years apart.

Harri and Annie have always cherished their friendship but there are some secrets they feel they just can’t share as they want to protect what they have at all costs. Before they are even settled in, they have to endure the matchmaking activities of the locals whilst trying to avoid showing the truth of their own feelings. Despite secrets and confusing emotions the one thing they can be sure of is a calm, cosy, happy time together as friends surrounded by books, coffee, cakes. However, not long into their stay a confused and bedraggled old man with some kind of amnesia, a stranger to everyone, takes up residence in the cosy chair in the corner of the bookshop and a mystery begins.

I was thoroughly invested in the mystery and the tangled web that is weaved by the heart sore borrowers as their short time in Clove Lore plays out. I never regret loosing myself in a Borrow a Bookshop story. The characters are charming and it is always good to see the haply ever afters play out from previous stories. I am certain the book could be enjoyed as a stand alone but some of the magic would be lost. The bookshop has tales to tell and I am very glad to have been there from the start.

Reunited in a charming Devon village, old friends Harri and Annie find themselves caught up in mystery, romance, and a love story that’s been brewing for years. With a tumbledown bookshop and a locked Gothic library, their journey to rediscover each other is full of surprises.

3⭐️ I'm very conflicted about this one. some parts I was intrigued by and then i was bored just as quickly. I think the story had promise but it just failed to hold my attention. thank you to Netgalley for the arc

It's Book 5 of Borrow a Bookshop series, and I haven't read the other previous books, but I loved this one. The main idea of borrowing a bookshop for a fortnight in a lovely Clove Lore in Devon is masterfully crafted. And writing about the love stories around it is just wonderful. Annie and Harri are both are long term friends and secretly had romantic feelings about each one. Their love story evolved when they both were on borrowing a bookshop vacation. I loved both of them with all of the lovely residents of Clove Lore. Book events and the underlying theme of the importance of reading and freedom to read are masterfully played out. Uplifting, hopeful, heartwarming, and romantic. Highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

We meet up with the borrowers of the bookshop from previous books along with the other residents of Clove Lore.

The new borrowers Harri and Annie, are friends from when they were at university.

It was lovely to be back in Clove Lorr and the lives of the characters. There is also a new character, whose little side story was interesting.

I couldn’t put the book down.

I highly recommend this book.

What a wonderful book with such interesting and quirky characters. Will the borrowers be able to take themselves out of the friendzone? Will the mystery of the castle be solved? Such a fun and heartfelt read!

Kiley Dunbar is a new to me author. I am so glad that I found her and this series. This book is the fifth and final book in the series. It has convinced me that I need to go back and read the other four books.

I love the premise of this story. Heading to a small British seaside town to run a quaint bookstore for two weeks - sign me up please!!

Harri & Annie are friends from University and have decided to take on this adventure together. They have denied their feelings for each for so long. The push and pull between these two is so well written. The way their feelings for each other build throughout the entire story is chef’s kiss 💋! This book is a perfect example of a slow burn.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar, a NetGalley review. Published 23rd January 25 and Book 5 in the Borrow a Bookshop series. In this instalment of Borrow a Bookshop we are introduced to Harri and Annie, it’s been a decade since they graduated and said goodbye. Annie back to Texas and Harri staying in Wales with his girlfriend. There are always been a promise between Annie and Harri to holiday at Borrow a Bookshop but there had always been reason to put it off. So when they finally manage to holiday together what magic has the bookshop got in store for them? I really enjoyed every page of this book, it was such an easy and warm read, with a cast of great and eccentric characters. I haven’t read all 5 books in this series, so another great thing about this series of books is they are great as stand alone novels, I’ve only read a couple but would love to read the whole series. There are so many great things about this book underneath the surface of it being about friendship, love, romance and community. I loved that it touched on the benefits of reading for wellness, for your mental health, as this really resonated with me, as reading for me has been so incredibly beneficially to my mental health for example through Covid and when I have flare ups because of my fibromyalgia, never underestimate the benefits of reading. The other topic it touches on is the dangers of book banning and the importance of being able to read what you choose and simple for pleasure. The author @kileydunbarauthor doesn’t shove these topics down the readers throats but they are there, done with honesty and doing the subjects the justice they deserve and a with a quite dignity. I can’t finish without mentioning the great idea of holidaying in a bookshop and as with her other books in this series it’s incredibly appealing! I highly recommend this book and this author, an incredibly heartwarming book and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me and I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series and what characters the author will introduce us to next 📚📚📚

I finished this book today, and I must say, it left me feeling calm and peaceful. It wasn’t a book filled with intense, dramatic moments, but rather a soft and lovely story.

The story revolves around Harri and Annie, two friends from their university days who meet again after eight years at a charming little bookshop by the sea. They’re on a 14-day holiday living and working at the bookshop, and honestly, it felt like every book lover’s dream: running a bookshop, being surrounded by books, and enjoying seaside town.

The book beautifully captures the charm of bookshops, community bonding, and the peace that reading can bring. I especially loved how the story touched on important of reading whatever we want and the concept of silent book clubs. It gave me a sense of warmth and calm that I can’t quite put into words.

Harri and Annie’s relationship is a slow burn, with both of them hesitant to change their long-standing friendship into something more. It’s a story about patience, understanding, and cherishing the bonds we share.

While the pacing of the story was slow at times, it worked well for this kind of narrative. The ending, in particular, left me feeling satisfied, with everything falling into place perfectly.

Of course, like every book, this one had its flaws, but the overall experience was so heartwarming that I didn’t mind them. It’s a memorable read, one that leaves you with a sense of peace and gratitude for the simple joys in life and reading particularly.

The borrow a bookshop series is one of my favourites so I was over the moon to receive this ARC, a great read with interesting main characters and it was great to see all the other characters from previous books mentioned throughout

The latest addition to a beloved book series!. For anyone who happens to follow me on social media, then you know that Kiley Dunbar is one of my must read authors, and this book certainly did not disappoint!.
Being reunited with some much loved characters, I easily found myself falling back into this delightful world which was so beautifully brought to life for us readers.
A heart-warming story, and a truly delightful read.

How have I not read this series before. This is something I shall be rectifying immediately! It was love at first page. Thus author had a way of weaving every lovely,warm,cozy thing into a book. Into my heart. She's gone to a fave already on my author list and that's at only my first book of hers. That's how much I adored this.
Such heart and wit. Such a cast of characters. Which I hope to find out more of when reading the others in the series.
And I dream of being a member of this community! And this bookshop idea. Genius.

I just love this series of books. Easy to read and perfect for when you just want a bit of feel good romance. Love going back and reading about familiar characters too.

4 stars - Women’s fiction romance

The fifth book set in the very close knit seaside village of clove lore. The premise of each story is that two people can borrow the bookshop for a two week holiday. This time we meet Harri and Luna who are old uni friends with the potential for more.

I really enjoy this series and the friendship and found aspect of each book. They are simple yet full of love, hope and happy ever afters.

I loved the friendship to lovers trope between Annie and Harri and rooted for them from the very first flashback chapter of their uni days. Their story was genuine and their characters easy to connect to.

Even though the stories can be read as standalones previous characters make small appearances throughout and I love seeing how they are getting on.

A perfect spring read!

Kiley Dunbar has done it again! This is definitely my favourite book from the Borrow a Bookshop series, I loved the background of Harri and Annie at the start, really setting the scene on the 2 friends from the get go, then seeing their friendship grow and adapt and with their little misunderstandings, which we've all been there, made their friendship and love so relatable. This book had a bit more spice then previous ones too which was very welcomed and was fitting for their story. As always the other residents of Clove Lore did not disappoint and always give some entertainment, I still love Radia she is just such a sassy child.

I honestly couldn't put this down once I started and wanted to read it all in one go, thank you Kiley for taking me back to my favourite village and the Borrow a Bookshop family.

Oh Kiley, why oh why does this have to be the end of a glorious series (at east I believe this is the end of the series). I have loved each and every book and I'm happy to say the series does end on a high.

We get to see bits from many of the previous borrowers, as well as all the regulars in Clove Lore.

And we get to know Harri and Annie, long term friends, that are in charge of the bookshop for the duration of this novel.

As you might expect they start to feel rather fond of the quirky nature of this town and its inhabitants, as well as playing a key role in a gorgeous sub plot featuring another new character.

I couldn't devour this fast enough, it was a pure joy to read. Another absolute triumph in this series in a setting that will live long in the memory.

Thank you to Hera and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.