Member Reviews

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC of The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just say, Boldwood books does it again with another absolutely refreshing read that I didn’t even know I needed, but I’m so glad I found. There are so many lessons and stories converging here that depending on your perspective or personal perception, the takeaways of this novel are categorically endless! While there is a sliver of a love story here, we also have elements of great loss, perseverance, unity, friendship, and a touch of magical mystery that when all melded together, make for one truly inspirational read that I couldn’t bring myself to put down.

Rebecca Raisin pulls at all the heartstrings in this story of Coco, a single mother who is forced to leave London with her teenage daughter in tow and move back in with her parents in Paris while she watches the publishing firm she’s built from the ground up come crashing down, thanks to the illegal antics of her ex partner. In hopes of finding herself again, Coco accepts a job at The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted, where all lost souls convene for a drink with the eccentric owner, Valerie, and a literary phrase to light their path to help guide them on their way.

As you begin to meet the characters that frequent the bookshop, you begin to fall in love with each character for vastly different reasons and learning each of their personalities was such a grand adventure. At the end of it all, I just wanted the story to keep going. I wanted to cheer each of the characters on and learn how their story ended. This was truly the perfect book to cap my year with as it leaves you with such hope and determination to pave your own path in life, whatever it may be and no matter the obstacles that ultimately end up directly in your path. I highly encourage you to experience the journey for yourself when The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted hits shelves Feb 3rd. Truly an exceptional and moving read that can’t help but touch a place in your heart that will stay with you for the foreseeable future.

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Wooooow this was such a great read and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Such a great read on the small impacts we make on people’s heartbreak and loss to start making them feel whole again.

Rebecca please I need a book on Agnes post divorce and ziggy with her Australian lover

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Absolutely devoured 89% of this book in one sitting. I will have to reach out for more books by this author because it has been absolutely amazing to read.

Although at the start the writing seemed a bit description heavy, I grew to love it immediately. The writing runs smoothly and makes you want to keep reading and reading. Loved the structure of the book and its pace! Wouldn’t change one thing about it. The plot was amazingly thought out that with each chapter there are things you want to know more about but it all comes round in due course.

The book was such a cosy romance to read but not overly heavy on the romance either. A book about finding yourself again with obstacles thrown at you from every angle in your life. There was loads of inspiring quotes and food for thought along the way.

Amazing book, amazing plot, and amazing writing!

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this was a lovely book set in a Paris bookshop, with an added romance.

I absolutely adored everything about this book. it was the perfect quick romance.

the Paris bookshop for the broken hearted starts off with coco, a former editor having lost both her partner and her business, moving back to her home partner and her thirteen year old daughter. on her first day back, even after swearing off love, she bumps into a stranger who happens to be the most beautiful man in her eyes... just for him to yell at her!

however, coco finds the cutest bookshop ever. she's even offered a bookseller position within the shop, making it the perfect job. the only problem is that handsome stranger from earlier? he frequents in bookstore.

navigating a new path in life, complete with a moody teenager, coco finds her own love story within the bookshop for the broken hearted, mending multiple hearts along the way.

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The plot itself is endearing but I couldn't stand the characters in any form. They all felt flat and unrealistic to me, and the enemies to lovers trope didn't work at all. I find it hard to believe that the couples' exchanges during the enemies part actually led to them being lovers.

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I love books about books, bookshops. This story was endearing and thoughtful. I loved it and would highly recommend!

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Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Coco Chevallier, a dual French and British book editor, has to return from London to Paris with her teenage daughter Eloise in reluctant tow to live with her parents because her boyfriend Alexander defrauded her and her business and damaged her reputation so that she is bankrupt and no one wants to work with her anymore.

She bumps into Henri, a grumpy journalist who berates her for getting herself mugged in front of the Eiffel Tower like a dumb tourist, which gets her hackles up. She flees into a quaint bookshop called The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted and meets charming owner Valérie who offers her a cocktail and a job. It's then she realises Henri is a regular. I have to say, enemies to lovers is not a trope I relish but it wasn't overdone here.

There is a lot going on in this book, making it an interesting and well-rounded read. It looks like Eloise is bullied at her new school by fellow pupil Léa; quirky but lovable members of an energetic book club like Agnes, Ziggy and book doctor Isidore cause havoc; there is a mystery about the unknown author of a popular book of poems; and where is Valérie disappearing to every day?

This is my fourth new Rebecca Raisin book this year and the third to take place in Paris, which is just such a great, evocative backdrop. I love how the bookshop is such a haven for book lovers, with a leaning wall of books, a cocktail bar with snacks, a secret book tunnel, and an upstairs reading area with hammocks, daybeds and beanbags. Plus the literary mystery brings a certain je ne sais quoi to the story.

"Reading is a portal into another world."

It is lovely to see Anais, a character from the previous book "The Little Paris Hotel" make a quick cameo appearance, tying the two books together, but I would have wanted to see Alexander properly brought to justice. Nevertheless, Coco's resilience in the face of adversity is inspiring.

All in all it's a well-written and fun, feel-good literary-themed read for book lovers with a pretty cover, that will make you wish you could visit The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted and let Valérie make you a personal cocktail and heal your heart with a book - one that is a love letter to books! Heartbreak comes for a lot of reasons but there is always hope.

"Not only does the bookshop cater for those with a broken heart, but also for lonely hearts, lost souls, the grief stricken, the star crossed. There’s a remedy for everyone."

4.5 stars

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Not for me. I gave up at 15% because by then I didn't start to like the main character, nor her daughter, nor the man that would become part of the enemy-to-lovers part. Especially their exchange was a bit too much, almost hostile.

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This book was not for me. I struggled to get into the story, and the characters felt one dimensional to me. The language, inner dialogue and the use of slang was off putting and I couldn’t get past it.

I appreciate the ARC.

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Rebecca has done it again. She's delivered a beautifully written love story that has you hooked from the start!

I couldn't put this book down. I found it so fun and sweet that by the end I shed a few tears for the characters in the book.. It was emotionally engaging and I loved every minute of it.

Coco is a single mother who is struggling with a teenage daughter, while trying to find herself, some stability and enjoy a new reality that is her life. There are few side characters in this book that I loved but I think Coco is my favourite. She is so relatable, very witty and had me cackling at some of the things she says. If you're a mum or a dad of a teenager or pre teen, you're going to love her 🥰

I devoured this book in just a few days. I couldn't wait to get through the story but I didn't want it to end.. I love when books do that to me!

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I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of this book to read & review.

Rebecca Raisin's "The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted" is a delightful and heartwarming novel that whisks readers away to the enchanting streets of Paris. The story centres around a charming bookshop, where the owner, Valérie dispenses not just books & cocktails but also solace and unexpected connections to her customers.

Rebecca beautifully captures the magic of Paris, from the cosy cafes and bustling markets to the hidden courtyards and the Seine River. The city itself becomes a character, adding depth and atmosphere to the narrative.

The cast of characters are endearing and diverse, each individual carries their own unique burdens and finds unexpected healing within the walls of the bookshop.

The book celebrates the transformative power of literature. Books are portrayed as a source of comfort, inspiration, and escape, offering a lifeline to those facing life's challenges.

A gentle and uplifting read. It's a feel-good story that will leave you with a warm sense of hope and a renewed appreciation for the power of human connection.

A charming and enjoyable read. It's a perfect escape for those seeking a heartwarming story filled with literary magic and the promise of healing.

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I'm so disappointed! There's another book connected to this one (Christmas At The Little Paris Hotel) where we already meet the main character of this book. You don't have to read both to understand the other but I did, and Coco felt like a completely different character. The character felt one dimensional to me and the story fell flat. I've enjoyed Rebecca Raisin's writing in the past but this one wasn't for me.

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A cozy story set in lovely Paris. I loved this light, funny and sweet romance.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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I think this book was good, I think it was a fun and well written book but I wasn't overly invested in it. I couldn't get into the story but I know their is an audience out there for this that will enjoy it

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The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted is a well-written family drama with the city of Paris as a backdrop and a quirky bookstore as the main setting. The story of a down on her luck mother of a cantankerous teenage daughter is skillfully told, as the mother's fortunes turn around and romance flourishes.
I did find the first third of the book to be a slow read, and somewhat difficult to get through, but once the book picked up, I was swept up in the drama and romance.
Lovers of romance and family stories will enjoy this book.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheParisBookshopfortheBrokenHearted by #RebeccaRaisin. #FollowtheauthorRebeccaRaisin

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Oh I did love this book. I loved the fact that it's set in a bookshop. I loved the many, many books that are mentioned throughout the story. I also loved reading about all the characters. The relationships of the bookclub people were so funny and I can imagine how het up people get in discussions about the book club book of the month. A lovely story. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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It’s always a delight to visit one of Rebecca Raisins’s bookshops. They’re full of interesting characters, romance and sounds like the most amazing places to discover. Tucked away in a laneway The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted is run by Valerie who is ready to serve you a potion and charcuterie platter to go with your favourite genre. It plays host of a bookclub with some interesting people, who don’t see eye to eye. The bookshop has a number of wonderful features I’d love to see (you need to read it to see- I don’t want to spoil it.)

The main story features Coco Chevallier who is moving back to Paris with her daughter Eloise after her partner in both business and life has done the dirty on her. She struggles to find a job in the publishing industry after this and ends up working in the bookshop. It’s always a pleasure to see characters find their feet again. I liked that this one tackled trying to parent teenagers and bullying in school. Another heart warming story, a must read for book lovers.

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This was SUCH a cozy, heartwarming, cute read! I loved the Paris bookstore setting, quirky characters, and light romance. Coco was very relatable and I felt for her in why she had to leave London. As a mother, she delt with an angry teenager while figuring out their new life. This was a really fun and easy read with just enough depth. Definitely recommend reading it!

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I love a cozy bookshop story, and I love Paris, so the premise of this novel drew me in right away. It took a little getting used to the author's style of blending English and French in the early chapters, but the overall plot of the book was lovely. I enjoyed the side characters, such as the members of the book club, and I appreciated the little twists here and there. Some of the dialogue between mother and daughter felt a little off to me, going from childish displays of emotion to deep discussions about the mother's personal life. Still the author did a wonderful job making us care not only about the love story at the heart of the novel, but also about the family relationships and friendships that were strengthened throughout the story.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves a good bookshop story, especially if you enjoy quirky characters, insider discussion of the publishing industry, and a Parisian setting.

Many thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book just wasn’t for me. So much of it felt forced and too “hallmark channel”. The teenage slang and stereotype were actually painful and made me cringe. The language was also very odd times, and I at first wondered if this was a translation. I do wish we’ had seen the resolution of Antoine getting what he deserves.

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