"The Paris Bookshop of the Broken-Hearted" is such a delightful and heartwarming read about second chances, the importance of found family, and, of course, the love for books! Coco is going through a tough time; she's lost everything and finds herself back in Paris seeking comfort with her parents. But her daughter isn’t thrilled about leaving London, and that adds some extra tension to their journey. Coco encounters quite a few challenges, starting with the hunt for a new job, but it seems like every door is shutting in her face. To make matters more complicated, her daughter is becoming a bit of a handful!
What I really loved about this story is the beautiful setting and the wonderfully diverse cast of characters, all brought together by their shared passion for literature. Most of the characters were a joy to read about, although I did find Eloise a bit of a brat at times! The bookshop, Valérie, and the book club were absolutely charming.
The writing is so easy to digest, and even though some parts were a bit predictable, I found myself pleasantly surprised by many twists along the way. It’s a cozy story that invites both thought and emotion. I particularly related to Coco as she navigated her hesitation about opening her heart to love again. Overall, this was such a lovely tale, and it made me wish I could work in a magical bookshop like the one in the story, especially in the enchanting city of Paris!

Title: The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted
By: Rebecca Raisin
Pub. Date: February 3, 2025

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Book about Books,
Favorite Quotes:
“Losing someone you love is hard. That loss can make a person go a little crazy.”

“It’s not easy being the one left behind. Can the love of the one remaining parent do the job of two?”

“You stood out, like this bright light, and I was mesmerized. How could you be full colour when the rest of the world was so grey?”
Red Flags:
None- Clean Read

Summary/ Review:
Struggling with a lot of setbacks in life, Coco decides to take her thirteen year old daughter and head back home to Paris. Since her string of mishaps in the business world, Coco settles for a job in the local bookshop. Here is where the heart of the story lies. This book's premise piqued my interest and I was thoroughly delighted by the witty, charming banter between the protagonist and her love interest. The subplots also added a rich layer of depth to the narrative, further enhancing my enjoyment from book club, to Coco’s parents, to her parenting challenges. Raisin uses richly relatable characters who not only deepen the reader's engagement, but also seamlessly move the plot forward. While the twists felt somewhat predictable, I still found myself thoroughly immersed and engaged in the novel. This book is a quick, fast paced narrative that leaves you with a warm, uplifting feeling. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Similar Authors:
Emma Lord
Kasie West
Kortney Keisel

Thank you to Rebecca Raisin, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#RebeccaRaisin
#BoldwoodBooks
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

What a delight! And the escape to Paris, albeit fictional, was just what I needed to distract her from the doomscrolling I had slipped into. It was immersive and captured the imagination so it was easy to slip into Coco’s world as she navigated the new enforced chapter in her life, teenage angst and a new job following a scandal.

The Bookshop for the Broken Hearted was a dream location. It was an ode to books and encapsulated everything a book lover would desire including a maze of books, a bar for drinks and literature inspired food and a book loft, the ultimate reading retreat.

Deliciously written, it lured Coco and me in. Touched by magic, it felt a privilege to meet Valerie, the proprietor and creator of individual potions and bookish quotes for customers. She was insightful and a joyous enigma.

Raw from past events, hurt clouded Coco’s perception of people especially Henri who was caught in her often waspish tongue. Sometimes her views felt unfounded but the tense attraction between them was always entertaining. As the story unfolded, and their emotional bricks tumbled down, I became the duo’s cheerleaders urging them on to a happy ending.

While this was a love story, the underlying themes were loneliness, grief and love lost in all forms. The bookshop provided a colourful community, and the book club was key to this with their personality clashes and lively bookish debates.

Full of wisdom, there was power in the simplicity of the plot and while some bits felt predictable they were delivered with love and a unique punch.

Cosy, heart warming and unforgettable The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted is truly a hug in a book and worthy of anyone’s forever shelf

🌶: 0.5 out of 5
⭐️: 1.75 out of 5
🍿*: 4 out of 5

Thank you NetGalley for an early ARC for an honest review.

Reading this felt almost like a chore. I wanted a cozy read about a bookshop set in Paris about love and people with broken hearts. I guess I did get each individual piece however I didn’t get enough coziness, romance or magic as a whole. The romance felt jerky in the sense that it was a lot of progressing forward but then the progress would fall to the back burner. The whole storyline with Alexander should’ve been more and the conclusion we actually get with him was so uneventful.

Overall it was an easy read but is definitely forgettable.

*Popcorn scale is referring to how easily consumable the book is overall

This was such a beautiful, light-hearted and heart-warming read that had me once again whisked away to Paris. I really loved Coco's story and her relationship with her daughter, there was a lot of humour in reading about the new generations lingo, I definitely learnt a lot in that department. Coco had many challenges in moving to Paris, none of them easy but she found strength in the Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted, surrounded by very quirky and fun characters. The Bookshop was everything a reader could dream of visiting, it was magical and a strong factor in Coco navigating her way around heartbreak, motherhood and rediscovering herself as an individual. Henri was a lovely and charming male lead for Coco's new life and played a very important part in the new story she was trying to create.

The perfect cosy escapism read, would highly recommend!

Another wonderful book by this author - so many incredible characters, and the setting - wow! Please can someone open a bookshop like that!
Also rather hoping there will be a sequel? This will be a book that I will come back to, time and time again.

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted is such a beautiful, heartwarming read! It’s the kind of book that feels like a big hug, full of love, second chances, and healing. The story follows a girl who’s dealing with heartbreak and finding herself again in the most magical place—Paris. She ends up working at a charming bookshop, and the people she meets there really help her put the pieces of her life back together. The setting was so dreamy and felt almost like another character in the story. The mix of romance, self-discovery, and hope makes this book a perfect escape.

What I loved most was how real and relatable the characters were, especially the main one. You can totally feel her pain, but watching her grow and find new purpose was so inspiring. The emotional moments really hit hard, but there’s this underlying warmth throughout the book that made me smile. Plus, there’s just something about books and Paris that makes everything better. If you’re into stories that tug at your heart and make you believe in love and second chances, this book is a must-read!

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted by Rebecca Raisin

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Can you ever swear off love, in the city of love? Coco is having a hell of a month. She’s lost her boyfriend and her business, been forced to uproot her daughter to move back in with her parents in Paris, and now an infuriatingly handsome stranger is yelling at her for acting like a tourist… Right underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Storming away from him – and swearing off men for life – she decides she’s going to take the first job that comes her way.

Then, as if fate hears her, later that day she stumbles into a little bookshop – but not any old bookshop. This one comes complete with a café, cocktail bar, reading room and secret tunnel of books, and just a little hint of magic in the air. So when Coco’s offered a job selling books there, it feels like the perfect fit.

There’s only one problem… propping up the bar in the bookshop is none other than the grumpy, gorgeous stranger she’d met earlier that day…

My Opinion

Another Rebecca Raisin book, another delightful read. Following a change in her circumstances Coco and her daughter must move to Paris to live with Coco’s parents. Coco is trying to juggle finding a new job, somewhere to live and the fact that her daughter is struggling to adjust to living in Paris. For me this was an enjoyable read and I really liked the way that Rebecca had written Coco as such a relatable character.

Rating 4/5

Rebecca Raisin delivers another delightful escape in The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted, blending romance, reinvention, and the undeniable charm of Paris.

Coco’s life has unraveled in spectacular fashion—losing her business, her boyfriend, and her independence all in one go. Forced to move back in with her parents in the city of love, the last thing she expects is to find herself clashing with a grumpy (but undeniably attractive) stranger under the Eiffel Tower. Swearing off love, she throws herself into a fresh start, landing a job in an enchanting bookshop that feels like something out of a dream—complete with a café, cocktail bar, and even a secret tunnel of books. But fate, as it often does, has a wicked sense of humor. The very man she stormed away from is now a regular fixture in her new workplace.

Raisin’s signature warmth and evocative writing make this novel a cozy, uplifting read. The bookshop setting is pure magic—any bibliophile will wish they could step inside its pages. Coco is a relatable heroine, navigating heartbreak, motherhood, and the challenge of rediscovering herself with humor and resilience. The romance has just the right amount of slow-burn tension, though at times, the grumpy hero trope feels predictable.

While the plot follows familiar beats, the novel’s heart lies in its celebration of second chances—not just in love but in life itself. If you adore books about books, Parisian charm, and a touch of romance, this is a perfect pick.

I think what I liked the most in this book - aside from the magical heart healing bookshop - was the stormy mother/daughter relationship and the gut churn when all was revealed. I mean we all knew who the two girls where but unexpected twist. The end all fell into a neat little parcel with a bow a little too easily and conveniently however c'est Paris AND let's not forget it's a love story which demands a happy ever after.

I jumped at the chance to read this lovely book when I saw the beautiful cover and the word “bookshop” in the title. I have no regrets judging this book by its cover! This is wonderful romantic fiction that is more than just romance. Here we have the themes of mother-daughter relationships. (And as a mother of a teen, I really appreciated this aspect. As well the funny bits about all the slang this generation uses!). In addition, I love stories of folks starting over and Coco’s story is entertaining and multi-layered. There’s some found family elements (with the formation of a new friend group), and my most favorite trope of all: enemies to lovers. And readers get all of those wonderful literary elements along with the vibrant setting of Paris. Get ready for a delightful bookish escape!

A very cozy romance that will make you want to go to Paris! The connection between the main characters was lovely and I am so glad I don't have kids!

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted by Rebecca Raisin is a charming and heartwarming novel set in the magical backdrop of Paris. After a series of unfortunate events, Coco finds herself back in the city of love, swearing off men for good. But fate has other plans when she stumbles upon a quirky bookshop with a touch of magic, offering her a fresh start. However, the grumpy, handsome stranger she met earlier is working there too. Filled with delightful characters, a touch of romance, and the allure of Paris, this book is a sweet, uplifting read about healing, second chances, and finding love in unexpected places.

I really enjoyed this book. This is by an author I had heard a lot about but had not had a chance to read any of her books prior to this one. I was intrigued by the fact it was set in a bookshop. There are quite a few books based in bookshops these days and having read a couple of other books set in bookshops I was keen to explore another! Rebecca has you gripped from the first page to the last. I highly recommend this book and I will definitely be exploring some of her previous works. I look forward too to future publications by Rebecca Raisin. Perfect for fans of Heidi Swain, Trisha Ashley and Lucy Diamond!

Blog Tour Review

This was a cute story. I love bookstore romances. This one had a struggling single parent who was caught up in someone else's crimes and looking for a fresh start. She finds a new job in an unusual bookstore that is strangely unorganized and run by a woman who makes specialized drinks for customers served along with words of wisdom. The bookstore comes with a handsome regular customer that plays an important part in the story. The members of the local book club round out the cast of players. They are unique characters that add a lot to the story.

The story had some slow moments, but was good enough to make it worth reading.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the e-book. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this story! Coco arrives in Paris, with her daughter teenage daughter Eloise in tow. Coco is returning home after her life in London had exploded.


This book was the perfect touch of whimsy, magic, and romance as well as some more serious issues. Coco ends up working at a whimsical bookshop in Paris called the Paris Bookshop for the Brokenhearted. Her boss Valerie always seems to know what passage her clients need to mend their broken hearts. There’s a coffee shop, a cocktail bar, books, and a little bit of magic in the air. Coco, needing money finds a job at the bookshop. She’s back at home in Paris with her parents and her daughter.


Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, @rachelsrandomresources

A bookshop and a romance tied up into the perfect package, and the fact that it's written by the equally talented Rebecca Raisin immediately guaranteed The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted five sparkly stars!

I haven't been disappointed by any one of Raisin's novels and I hope that continues with further books. I love how she writes with warmth and heart and creates such wonderful endearing characters.

Its not every day you find yourself jealous of a fictional character is it?I would have given anything to be Coco. Like, selling books in Paris, that's goals right there!

A charming heartfelt romance of second chance with likeable characters and a whole lotta love at it's heart.

I adored every minute of reading.

Oh my how incredibly adorable this book was!

Coco is escaping her life in London to come back home to Paris. After a man screwed her over and left her with nothing she’s back home and starting over again. When she stumbles across a hidden bookstore she has no idea how much her life is about to change.

Henri is still very angry and sad about the woman who upped and walked out of his life. He has walls up around his heart. When the woman in the bookstore ends up being the woman who bumped into him and the same woman he saved from street robbers he’s suspicious yet intrigued.

Watching these two interact throughout the book has been so much fun. They banter and they argue which leaves you laughing out loud.

I have to say that little twist near the end…I did not see coming but it made so much sense.

I absolutely adored the book club aspect of this story. The broken hearted coming together to share their favourite reads and for a little chat. I loved how strong the friendships between them all were and man, I just loved everything.

Now I’m going to stop there because I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone it deserves to be read in its entirety without spoilers!!

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted was a fun Contemporary Romance book filled with humour and depth and a book club that’ll make you smile.

It’s a book that covers some tough topics such as loss of a parent / child and the long standing grief it causes, bullying and the struggles of moving to a new place as a teen and trying to fit in as well as other subjects. It was sad and hard yet beautiful at the same time.

This author is new to me but I’ll certainly be reading more from her in the future.

Yet another wonderful book by Rebecca Raisin. With loveable characters and hidden secrets making it a heartwarming winter read.

Where do I even start? This is the very first book that I have finished reading this year and I'm so glad that I did. This had everything that I'd like in my Romance novel. A bookshop, a handsome and sensible man, a gorgeous setup, some witty banters, slow burn (well kind of) and some loving new friends.
Coco is a solo mum, who got almost bankrupted after her boyfriend (who was also her business partner) scammed their clients and somewhat blamed it on her. Out of money and also out of wits, she moved back to her hometown in Paris. As she was trying to navigate through her worries, she finds herself to be scolded by an insanely handsome stranger right in front of the Eiffel Tower. Baffled, she thought how she would've enjoyed their conflict if it was a romance novel but then again, it was real life and she was absolutely flummoxed. She also explains the most relatable thing ever, like how us women tend to like bad guys because we think they're marshmallows underneath but hello, they're not!
She storms off, only after she had given him a piece of her mind and decides that she would take up the very first job that she's offered. Lo and behold, she's offered a job to sell books in a rather odd bookshop which claims to heal broken hearts. Everything was fine, until she discovered that the grumpy but handsome stranger was a regular at the bookshop. But does she give up her job? She absolutely cannot. Well, she needed the job sure, but it was a bookshop with a cocktail bar, café, reading room, a secret tunnel of books and a garden of books.
At home she has a 13yo who's full of grudge and wants to go back home to London. I feel like this book describes teen years and the transition from a child to a teenager in a very honest way and also portrays the mother daughter relationship quite well.
Apart from all these, awaits an impending romance and some very lovely friends with their own little quirks and a story of their own. I loved each and every character so much. They had so much personality and depth to themselves. I absolutely do not know how the author fit all these into a little of a couple hundred pages. I'm honestly still gushing over the book and since this was the very first book of the year I'm really very happy to this awesome start.