TLC Book Tours Book Review: The Painted Letter Bookshop

About The Printed Letter Bookshop

Paperback: 336 Pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 14, 2019)

Love, friendship, and family find a home at the Printed Letter Bookshop.

SYNOPSIS:

Love, friendship, and family find a home at the Printed Letter Bookshop.

One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened her heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship.

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Review:  This was a perfect light read for me after some trips down some different genres. It was nice to read a family/friend oriented book for once. This is Christian fiction but there's nothing preachy about it. The main theme, you'll find in this book, however is forgiveness.

When Madeline finds her aunt has left her The Printed Letter Bookshop, she's a bit gobsmacked. She hasn't had much contact with her and she's a lawyer, not a shop owner. Fate has other plans for Madeline though. Her life doesn't turn out quite how she planned it and the bookshop starts to take over her life. She also meets someone that changes things for her.

Its hard to describe some of the things that happen in Madeline's life without giving away the plot, but suffice to say she has some choices to make and she has things to learn.

Then there's Claire and Janet, two very different women that work for her. Both of them come with a unique set of problems too. But isn't that life? I really loved how their life and problems all managed to get entwined with the bookshop. Those problems are heartbreaking to say the least. This book has so many "feels" in it.

There are some happy moments too, especially with Janet at the end and Madeline as she works to find balance as her career isn't quite how it started.

There was a lot of friendship and love in this book, as well as forgiveness...so much forgiveness. I only wish Madeline would have been able to talk to her aunt, because Maddie was definitely a good soul and it had to be heartbreaking to know someone truly loved you, but because of a misunderstanding you pushed them aside.

Its really a sweet touching read that will stay with you for a long time after you finish it.

Rating: 5 flowers

TLC Book Tours Book Review: The Austen Escape

,.About The Austen Escape

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 7, 2017)

Love Jane Austen? Then you’ll adore The Austen Escape.

Falling into the past will change their futures forever.

Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuinely enjoys her job and her colleagues – particularly a certain adorable and intelligent consultant. But something is missing. When Mary’s estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.

But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen’s Bath. While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by the other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them.

Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings play out, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation, work out their lives and hearts.

Purchase Links

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Review:  This was such a great book. I can't say that I am an Austen fan, but I am a fan of books that involve books or book lovers, and the thought of an Austen themed escape, well that's awesome. It reminded me of the theme of the film Austenland. 

Mary and Isabel are longtime friends, but they are friends with a history. They aren't perfect BFFs. There are jealousies and hard feelings over things in the past. It is easy to love Mary, who is an all around good person. Then there's Isabel, who isn't quite so nice or well liked. She's actually not very likable at all, but you feel bad for her, because she has had a really bad childhood. By bad childhood,I mean a totally awful one that leaves you scarred for life.

To finish her dissertation, Isabel is going to Bath to an Austen escape at Braithwaite House and she wangles Mary into going as well. Mary is having trouble with her tech job, so getting out of Austin for a little Austen escape is good for her too.

Mary easily makes friends with the other guests as well as Gertrude and Sophia who work at Braithwaite. I love the secondary characters that really bring the story to life. Their love of Jane Austen and her stories makes you want to read her novels again or for a first time if you haven't already.

Soon after arriving Isabel loses her memory. This is what makes the story so interesting. In her mind, as she's dressed in period clothes and taking part in an Austen "escape" she becomes her character, which as you learn more about Isabel is better than her actual life.

Enter the love interests. Grant for Isabel and Nathan for Mary. Nathan is someone that was working at WATT. Nathan is just fabulous in a quiet sort of way. He's perfect for Mary. I liked that the romance was subdued in this book for both characters, yet both men helped them find themselves and helped them with who they are.

The ending was priceless. Just enough misunderstandings and changes that always happen in romances, but with the perfect happily ever after we all want.

This book was about friendship, forgiveness and Austen. It can't get much better than this.

This book was fabulous!

Rating: 5 flowers

About Katherine Reay

Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries—who provide constant inspiration both for writing and for life. She is the author of three previous novels, and her debut, Dear Mr. Knightley, was a 2014 Christy Award Finalist, winner of the 2014 INSPY Award for Best Debut, and winner of two Carol Awards for Best Debut and Best Contemporary. Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University and is a wife, mother, runner, and tae kwon do black belt. After living all across the country and a few stops in Europe, Katherine and her family recently moved back to Chicago. Visit her on line at katherinereay.com.

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