Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC.

I've read a few of these authors' books, so I was expecting great things! This book was full of suspense, mystery & and intrigue, but for me, it just didn't seem to go anywhere. There was just too much going in, and you never seemed to get the end of what was going on. The main character, Helen, I just couldn't seem to gel with her and her paranoia.
Whilst I didn't expect the ending to be as it was, it was the jaw-dropper one comes to expect from this author.
On the plus side, there were some twists and turns, and you generally can't go wrong with a book about a bookshop and Bookseller.

The Bookseller
Helen is about to realize her dream of opening a used bookstore after serving time for the manslaughter of her partner.
She just wants a peaceful life surrounded by her books. But will the past stay hidden or is someone out to destroy her vision?
A well-executed story with remarkable characters.

It was easy to sink my teeth into this slow-burn thriller and just go with it. It was less suspenseful than this author's other works but enjoyable nonetheless. Helen grew up in a household of pleasure and pain and she found herself acting out for punishment. Her unusual physical and mental needs carried into her marriage. She found herself in prison after killing her unlikeable and deviant husband and after her release, her goal was to make a fresh start. She bought a ramshackle building which she filled with books. As a bookseller, she encountered many personalities, some difficult, others kind. But nothing is as it appears and skeletons clink in their closets. The past melds with the present.

I didn't experience heart-stopping twists or suspense in this novel but did enjoy it for its subtleties. Most characters aren't particularly likeable but they were interesting. What rabid thriller reader can resist a thriller involving a bookstore and books? I like that it was different.

This was an intense and intriguing story. There are some heavy topics discussed so certainly something to be aware of before reading. I like this author quite a bit but this is not my favorite of her books.

Helen Appleby has just left prison after being side for Manslaughter of her partner abusive partner Toby. She served two years for crime but, if they knew the truth it would have been for so much longer.
Helen thinks that she has been given a second chance in life. So, to turn over a new leaf, she has always wanted to open a second-hand bookshop. So that’s what she does. But life is not plain sailing from then now on that she thought. Her flat and the Bookshop gets broken into and paranoia set in and doesn’t know who to trust. Especially now and, she has her probation officer on her case as well.
I have read a few books now by Valerie Keogh and really enjoyed them. I found this a slightly different style of writing, but I certainly wasn’t disappointed. This is a fabulous gripping read of someone trying to turn their life around. Even though the crime that Helen did, I still let like I want to root for her and wanted her to do well. One I started this, I didn’t want to put it down I enjoyed it so much. 5 stars from me.

Helen, newly out of prison, wants to fulfil her dream of owning a second hand bookshop - and money inherited from her parents means she can do just that. But it's not all plain sailing. Her parole officer seems to have it in for her, her neighbours at the shop seem dodgy, and she has no support apart from her sister. And strange things keep happening...

I enjoyed reading about Helen setting up her shop and her early days in business (although I'm not entirely convinced of its viability). I'd have happily read a book about its ups and downs, leaving out her somewhat unsavoury back story. There's a bit of a mystery around the crime she committed, but other than to say Helen's definitely got her issues, it wasn't something I could get particularly interested in.

Her sexual issues (and some cod psychology about her childhood) seemed a weird fit for the story. However this is definitely no Fifty Shades of Grey (thankfully), although said volume does in fact appear in the bookshop... and is viewed by Helen with disdain.

Overall it was an easy read and I did quite enjoy it, though the ending was a bit sudden, leaving me feeling slightly dissatisfied.

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

As is expected of a Valerie Keogh book, this story was full of suspense, tension and mystery. I simply could not work out what was going on and had as many questions going around my head as the main character! I didn't expect the ending at all, although did find it slightly disappointing as I was hoping for more of a jaw-dropper. I also would've liked an epilogue of many a few months on to round Helen's story up better. That being said there were some great twists and turns, and unexpected surprises. You can never go wrong with a book about a bookshop for me! I tore through this book and actually read it in 24 hours. It was gripping and well told.

This was a really good story. It's what some might call a slow burn. I did like most of the main characters and enjoyed seeing the book store grow. The ending was satisfying. Valerie Keogh books never disappoint. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc!

It feels like I am reading a Lifetime movie thriller. Honestly, while I was reading all im asking is WHERE IS THE TWIST? WHERE IS THE “OMFG” MOMENT?

I have read half pages but sorry i cant go on. Maybe this story was a slow paced and its not suit for me. Btw, i love the premises about sisterhood and books about books. Its really insteresting when it related anything about books such as bookseller, library etc.

I really enjoyed this one. The pages were fast to turn and the story itself was gripping and super easy to read. I feel everything was wrapped up awfully quickly and easily, but a good read and one I’d recommend!

Another 5 star rating for Valerie Keogh's latest book. This one crept up on me and kept me guessing. I enjoy the way it's written and I'm sure it's going to be another bestseller.

All Helen wants is to rebuild her life after coming out of prison for the murder of her partner. A few secrets come out along the way, causing things not to run as smoothly as she'd expected.

Another gripping book by Valerie. Enjoyed every minute and couldn't put it down. Helen certainly finds out how far some people will go for a book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Book Seller by Valerie Keogh due to be published March 3, 2025.
Helen Appleby just wants a quiet life. Recently released from prison for the manslaughter of her partner, she's trying to forget her past mistakes – all of them - to rebuild her life and move on. She opens a bookshop to begin again, but her past can’t stay hidden. She killed once; will she be willing to kill again?
Love Valerie Keogh’s books (see below), and this was no exception. I’m always a sucker for books about book clubs or bookstores so this one drew me in immediately. I felt I knew Helen from her love of books. It was a roller coaster of a ride – couldn’t put it down!
Also recommended by Valerie Keogh: The Wives, The Mother, The Mistress
#NetGalley #ValerieKeogh #BoldwoodBooks #TheBookSeller

I rated this 3 stars on good reads. It was a cute story and I loved the premise of it. However, I feel like it was dragged alone. It was not a heart pounding thriller nor did the end have any crazy twists or anything. It was still very cute and enjoyable! Thank you for allowing me to read it.

Loved everything about this book from the storyline, the characters, the smooth easy flowing writing and the twists that kept on giving. Highly recommend.

I loved this book! The characters are well written so that you can really relate to most of them. There was enough going on in the story to keep you guessing and wondering what will happen next (and nearly all of it is unexpected!)

It's wonderful. If you’re a fan of twisty plots, masterful storytelling, or just great fiction in general, "The Bookseller" is a must-read. Valerie Keogh has proven herself to be a writer who knows exactly how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats. And once you’ve experienced her unique brand of storytelling, you’ll be eager to see what she does next. Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This is a fast paced read from Valerie Keogh, full of mystery and suspense. Helen has been released from prison on license, she killed her partner Toby. was charged with manslaughter. Her sister who she was not close to previously has picked her up and is offering her support which Helen is glad of. Helen has always had a dream to own a second hand book shop, she has the funds from an inheritance to do so and takes on a property which needs a lot of work, but it’s all been worth it as opening day approaches and she sees her dream becoming a reality.
From day one things start to go wrong, the shop is broken into, her home is broken into and tossed to look like a burglary, she doesn’t trust the two guys in the pizza shop next door, her parole officer is calling at the shop regularly, either making threats to have Helen sent pack to prison or posing as her friend. Helen feels she can trust no one, she is filled with paranoia! Someone is trying to destroy her dream and her fresh start!
Some different characters throughout the story, which I enjoyed, including the story of the books getting to the shelves. There are some good twists to the story and I was rooting for Helen throughout.
An enjoyable read.

Helen Appleby just wants a quiet life. Recently released from prison for the manslaughter of her partner, she's trying to forget her past mistakes – all of them - to rebuild her life and move on. When she decides to open a bookshop, she’s certain this is the perfect new start. Here, among the quiet shelves of her shop and between the covers of her books, she can hide away from the real world and begin again. The world of books is the perfect place to find happiness - even if it is all lies.

But the past can never stay hidden. As she settles into life as an apparently timid bookseller, it seems that someone is determined to sabotage Helen's new life and ruin everything she's built.
But Helen has killed once before. And to protect her future, she could be willing to kill again.

Fun exploration of second chances! Like all of Keogh's books, this was a fun read. She does a great job building the suspense. This felt more slow burn than most of her other books for me, but I still really enjoyed it! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.