EXCERPT: . . . she'd had such plans when she'd started out. She'd dreamed of having this shop full of beautiful books, of having literary events and a book club meeting here every week. She imagined hosting talks by interesting people who might not get a chance to be heard elsewhere. She planned to organise the whole children's section with the rocking chair and a few ancient eiderdowns she'd had cleaned for children's story times. She envisioned parents arriving and dropping their children off while the adults browsed the shelves in peace and quiet for half an hour, picking up something interesting to lose themselves in once they had tucked their young ones in at night.
Why on earth hadn't she done any of that? Why indeed? Later as she turned over the sign on the door to let the uncaring public know the bookshop was closed for the evening, she sighed. Maybe old Albie was right. Perhaps, taking on someone to help out would allow her time to think. At the very least, it might give her time to make some sort of action plan and get things moving in the right direction.

ABOUT 'THE BOOKSHOP LADIES': Joy Blackwood has no idea why her French art dealer husband has left a valuable painting to a woman called Robyn Tessier in Ballycove, a small town on the west coast of Ireland, but she is determined to find out. She arrives in Ballycove to find that Robyn runs a rather chaotic and unprofitable bookshop. She is shy, suffering from unrequited love for dashing Kian, and badly in need of advice on how to make the bookshop successful. As Joy gets drawn into the dramas of everyday life in the town, she finds it more and more difficult to confess why she really came, let alone find the truth about the painting she brought with her. When she does finally summon up the courage, it sets the cat amongst the pigeons in the close-knit, friendly community she has come to love.

MY THOUGHTS: The Bookshop Ladies is one of those books where I fell in love with the characters and their various problems, and when I closed the cover for the final time, couldn't figure out if I was happy for the characters, or sad to see them go. A little of both, I think.

It was lovely to be back in Ballycove, to see a few familiar faces (The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club gets a mention) and meet some new ones.

Joy is a lovely heartwarming character. Despite having lost the love of her life and discovering, with his dying breath, that Yves has a daughter, Joy finds herself liking this shy, reticient young woman who seems to have bitten off more than she can chew business-wise.

Ballycove is a (mostly) friendly place. Old Albie, Robyn's great-uncle, is a delightful character, still very much in love with his deceased wife Peggy. He is one of those people who seem to know just how to bring the best out in everyone. His son Leo is the opposite - surly, grumpy and definitely not welcoming! But very talented.

Fern, Robyn's mum, is a talented artist who seems to have lost her spark and who runs home to Ballycove to lick her wounds when she faces a personal life crisis. She and Joy (I love the French spelling Joie used occasionally in the text) are on the road to becoming close friends when Joy reveals the real reason she came to Ballycove, the true connection between the three women is revealed and the friendship is shattered.

There are so many heart-tugging moments in this truly beautiful story. Secrets are revealed; there are relationship issues to be ironed out; and an ailing business to be revived. A book about the importance of community, friendship and perseverance.

The Bookshop Ladies is a gently compelling read, an emotionally satisfying read. I hope we will be going back to Ballycove in the future. There is unfinished business there.

????.5

#TheBookshopLadies #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: I have worked in all sorts of jobs, as a fashion model, an event’s organizer and in the intellectual disability and mental health sector. The constant throughout has been a love of books! I have read and written all of my life.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Aria & Aries via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.2024 2024-netgalley-challenge 4-star ...more61 s20 comments Pauline853

Joy and her husband have been in a traffic accident. On the way to hospital Joy’s husband confesses that he has a secret daughter.
Later Joy discovers that he has left a valuable painting in his will to his daughter and Joy travels to Ireland to deliver it in person to the girl.
A feel good story about, secrets, friendships and new beginnings.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus Ltd for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.netgalley9 s Shalane Louw314 3

3.5 Joy Blackwood and her husband Yves are on their way home from Yves retirement party, whilst planning their future in the backseat of a cab they are involved in an accident. It's bad, but not horrible, everyone seems to be okay - except when Joy notices that Yves is having a heart attack.

On the way to the hospital, Yves admits something to Joy that he has kept from her for years - he has a daughter.

6 months later, still grieving and in shock - Joy is notified that the painting hanging in his office, the one she has always felt an eerie sort of distaste towards, has been left to a one Robyn Tessier in Ballycove, Ireland.

Painting packed and ready to go, Joy feels she needs to be the one to deliver this painting to Robyn, who Joy assumes was Yves mistress - she does not even know what she will do when she gets there, only that she feels lost and empty and needs answers.

The next thing Joy knows she is being roped into volunteering in a Bookshop facing the ocean in one of the most beautiful towns she has ever seen. The pieces slowly start slotting together but before Joy knows it she is in too deep. Sucked in these peoples homes, lives and hearts.

This is SUCH a cozy story, It does deal with quite a bit of grief - but it's written in such a subtle way that the main focus is on the healing and the characters who need it. This book was the epitome of found family and finding "your place" and home when and where you least expect it.

This was also a fairly quick read - the writing just flows and when you look again, you have read 20%This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review4 s Patricia Williams167 6

As is usually the way with Faith Hogan books The Bookshop Ladies is a very warm hearted and endearing book where characters come together, sometimes initially in adversity and discover peace and a solution to their problems by helping each other and/or others. This book centres around three women. Joy, Robyn and Fern whose lives are connected. Although initially they are unaware of this. The death of Joy's husband and the betrayal of Fern's finds them all gathered in Ballycove on the West Coast of Ireland. A favourite spot of the author in which to set her novels. Other characters from previous novels have cameos in this story but the main narrative involves the three women and Uncle Albie. The book was a pleasure to read. The characters are well rounded, easy to empathise with and totally believable. There was a nice balance of pathos and humour and the final twist was timed exactly right to bring the book to a satisfactory conclusion. I'm very happy to give this book a 5* recommendation.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.3 s Anne1,982

Shocked by her art dealer husband’s deathbed confession that he had a daughter – they were never blessed with a family of their own – there’s a further surprise when his will is read, and Joy discovers he’s left the painting on his study wall to a woman who lives in Ireland called Robyn Tessier. Might this be his daughter – or perhaps even his mistress? She needs to find out, and rather than sending the painting, travels from her home in Paris to Ballycove – where she finds the young woman struggling to run a bookshop. A misunderstanding sees her helping her out, their joint efforts beginning to change the bookshop’s fortunes – and, having grown closer to both Robyn and her family, it becomes increasingly difficult for Joy to make clear the real reason for her visit. Many of Joy’s questions are answered – but when her own secret is revealed, she knows that the deep friendships she’s made will never be the same again, and that her stay will be over.

The characters – all very real, and every one of them so sympathetically drawn – and the relationships between them made this a book that entirely won my heart. There’s Joy’s essential loneliness in the absence of a family of her own, and her increasing sense of belonging as her presence makes an impact on everyone around her – and the growth in Robyn’s fragile self-confidence as she sees small changes and a little friendly support making such a big difference. And other strong friendships too – Joy’s with Robyn’s wonderful grandfather Albie (he’ll be a real favourite with everyone who reads this book…) and her more unexpected and particularly touching one with Robyn’s mother Fern – and relationship issues as the younger woman endeavours to sort out her feelings about the entirely oblivious Kian.

There’s always something rather special about a bookshop setting – and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the transformation the women were able to bring about while working closely together, their mutual trust and respect slowly building. Emotionally, the book hits every single note with absolute perfection – with that lingering threat always in the background that once the real reason for Joy’s visit is revealed it will blow everything apart. There are a few other surprises along the way too – overall it’s a fairly gentle read, but completely compelling, and I felt entirely immersed in everyone’s lives and experiences. It explores, in some depth, the power of friendship – but also the importance of family, however complicated, and whether tied together by blood or the love between the individuals who become part of it.

I found the whole book absolutely captivating – and its perfect ending left me with a really warm glow inside. A new favourite from an author who never disappoints? Yes, I really think it might be – I loved every moment, and really couldn’t recommend it any more highly.kindle2 s Julie Morris663 60

Couldn’t wait for another trip to Ballycove to catch up with some of my favourite characters from previous books and find out what new story Faith had cooked up for this small town in the west of Ireland. It all seems to be happening over there for sure!

This story involves a book shop, which was always going to be a winner for me, and this book immediately revived my long-held desire to run my own book shop. I was imagining, if I were Robyn, how would I go about drumming up trade. I have to say, I don’t think I’d be quite as creative as Joy!

Of course, the main thrust of the story is the family drama, as it always is in Faith’s books. She is a genius at creating scenarios that strain the threads that bind people together and then see how they might react and she always seems to capture the truth of human relationships. This book is no different and I thoroughly enjoyed the story here of hidden family secrets and unconventional family setups. The theme of family being what you make it, rather than just being down to blood, is on that is close to my heart and I think Faith explored the theme with sensitivity and insight.

The ending quite shocked me with its revelations but I think it was pitch perfect and this book will delight everyone who is already a fan of Ballycove and its inhabitants as well as anyone coming new to the series and Faith’s writing. A surefire hit.2 s Grace J Reviewerlady1,949 92

Another top read from a favourite author!

Widowhood has brought many surprises to Joy Blackwood, not least of which is the valuable painting left to a young Irish woman, Robyn Tessier. Why does she know nothing of her? Determined to find out what the story is behind this bequest, Joy sets off for Ballycove, arriving to find Robyn running an unprofitable bookshop while suffering from unrequited love. Before she knows it, she is part of Robyn's daily life - and she still hasn't admitted to why she is there . . .

I have never been disappointed with any novel from this author; she has an understanding of the human spirit as well as relationships and every time I read I conclude that she is a natural successor to the late Maeve Binchy. This is a sparkling example of how to entwine lives and grab the readers attention and make them really care about all characters. An absolutely delicious read and one I'm more than happy to both recommend and give a full house of glowing stars.2 s Christine Rennie2,478 38

The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan is a fabulous read, it makes you feel good for having read and enjoyed it. It is a story of friendship, also secrets, lies and family. Most of all family in whatever shape you want to make it.
Jo Blackwood is haunted by her husband’s last words to her about a daughter. He dies but then leaves a painting to this daughter, that Jo never knew about.
So she goes to Ireland from France to find her and give her this precious painting. Robyn Tessier, who is living in Ballycove, a small town on the west coast of Ireland, is a very shy retiring young woman, who has no idea that Jo’s husband was her father. Her mother, Fern has never told her.
It is a story of people getting to know each other and becoming friends in the most unly situations and becoming a family.
Highly recommendedkindle netgalley2 s Helen705 19

This was my first book by this author and won’t be my last. This was a poignant read of how events of the past can shape the future and of the bonds between family and friends and how secrets and betrayal always come out in the end.

This was heartwarming and beautiful read that was heartbreaking at times and set against the beautiful backdrop of Bally cove. I also enjoyed the references to Paris as this is one of my favourite cities and what’s not to love about a book set around a bookshop.

I would love a sequel to this to see where the characters lives go and how the bookshop continues to grow. 2 s Cindy Spear388 20

I absolutely adored The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan! Such a tender and triumphant story that shows no matter how terrible the past you can start afresh in a new place with new friends and even learn to love those who have done you wrong. Forgiveness is a huge part of this novel’s moral fabric and the best way to work through it. Being open to letting go of those hurts allows for a chance of healing. The story shows well how bitterness, anger and guilt can only drain and damage the ones holding on to it. It can even affect creativity as it did for Robyn’s mother, Fern, a great artist. But yes, it is hard to get to that place. Possibly the only way is meeting the challenge head on by communicating with the person who has caused the injury to your heart. Injury to emotions is painful and Joy has every right to be angry when her husband confesses a truth, just before he passes from a tragic event on his retirement party night.

The sense of betrayal Joy feels after a secret is revealed is understood. But how she ultimately deals with the shock and after-effect is constructive—even if she does not realise what she is doing at first. For her, the natural reaction is to head to Ireland to hand deliver a gift left in her husband’s will. Her plan is to just drop off the painting, meet Robyn, and run back home. But what meets her there is nothing of what she expects: acceptance, love, friendship and an appreciation for her exceptional business promotion skills. The people of Ballycove bring out in her some very positive reactions. She begins to blossom the beautiful green leaves of spring. And when she meets Robyn in her little bookstore, struggling, she feels compassion towards this innocent girl whose ness to someone she loved deeply, almost takes her breath away. The longer Joy stays and becomes more involved, the more the betrayal begins to fade. And the warmth of the community wraps itself around her heart and allows her to heal in places she did not even know she needed before. With the loss of her husband and really nothing to keep her in Paris, will she decide to make Ballycove, Ireland her new home?

I felt completely engaged with the characters and could sympathise with each of them for various reasons as this novel seems to level everyone—not elevate any one individual. It shows each person’s humanness: how everyone will make a mistake at one time or another. Which drives a message home to us all. Nobody is perfect: we all do something we regret at some point in our lives. Nobody can truly cast stones at another. But how we deal with those errors and hurts determines our outcome. As seen in The Bookshop Ladies, it is best to confront the issue. And looking at it from another’s perspective can make a difference. Then help your ‘neighbour’ where you can (as Joy did) and this itself often provides release from one’s own pain. The bookshop resurrection was a delightful pathway to restoration from all three ladies and the valuable discoveries within it. This wonderful setting invokes passion and where lives become renewed and pieces of the puzzle are completed.

So, in summary: this is a heart-warming novel with flawed characters who make mistakes but experience restoration. These three women’s journeys (Joy, Fern and Robyn) are beautifully executed. We get to hear from each of them and share in their perspectives. Another great character is Albie. I love how he seems to be the voice of wisdom throughout! His gentle humour, unconditional love and far-reaching understanding provides a lot of cheer and common sense in the story. The settings: Paris and Ballycove are both inspiring. But my heart was truly snatched away by Ireland’s charm when Joy makes her life changing choice. I felt many emotions and by the end I was filled with awe and brimming with satisfaction. I loved this story so much and highly recommend it. This is my second Faith Hogan novel and I will be reading many more! 5 Stars ??????????

Thanks to Aria and Aries and Netgalley for my review copy.1 Sue1,087

On a foggy Parisian night that should have been all about celebration, dying art dealer Yves confesses to his wife Joy that he has a secret daughter. Joy is left bereft, and feeling betrayed. When she discovers that he has left a valuable painting to a young woman called Robyn Tessier, who lives in Ballycove on the west coast of Ireland, she suspects this must be the daughter she knew nothing about. She makes the difficult decision to head to Ireland and find out all she can about Robyn.

In Ballycove, Robyn is struggling to make a go of the chaotic bookshop that was her dream. Introverted and shy, she is badly in need of advice, but neither her close family, nor her friend Kian (who she has secretly been in love with for as long as she can remember) can help her turn the business around. Then elegant American widow Joy arrives in Ballycove, and she is just the person who could make the difference to not just Robyn's life, but those around her too.

Joy finds a place she feels she can belong, but only if she can keep the truth of who she is, and why she is in Ballycove, to herself. But secrets will out, and when they do the fallout means choosing between revealing all or leaving behind the little community she has come to love.

Welcome to Faith Hogan's latest heart-warming novel, The Bookshop Ladies, which is full of everything I hold dear about her lovely books. The story begins on the streets of Paris, where a terrible accident brings forth a shocking confession, but before long we are walking lanes that overlook the sea on Ireland's west coast, returning to small town every fan of Hogan's books will know well - Ballycove. And what a joy it is to be back at the heart of one of my favourite little communities.

This time, the book centres on Ballycove's quirky bookshop, where Robyn, unaware of her central role in the drama that is about to play out, is worried that her dreams will soon be over. Unable to see a way past her business troubles, she also holds out little hope for herself on the love front, as she is never going to confess to her friend Kian that she loves him - especially once he falls for her childhood nemesis (I am looking at you Imogene).

However, this is Ballycove, where the path to happiness may not run smooth, but life's little journeys can reach rewarding destinations. Hogan floods her storylines with her trademark themes of family, friendship, and forgiveness, as Joy becomes the catalyst for some profound changes in her own life and the lives of Robyn, Robyn's mother Fern, Great Uncle Albie, Uncle Leo, and a few characters waiting in the wings to delve into the emotional depths, and ratchet up the romantic suspense. There are even some surprising rotters, who add a little taste of criminal intent to the proceedings.

Hogan also runs lovely themes of around art, and of course, books through the entire story which I thoroughly enjoyed. I adored how she explores the secrets that can lie in the heart of paintings, and hidden treasures on dusty bookshelves that are imbued with memories. She uses these themes quite beautifully to tie in with threads of guilt, loss, reconciliation, belonging, and finding yourself, in that special way she has too.

I always know I am going to get my heart strings firmly plucked with one of Hogan's wonderful books, and this was no exception. Tears were shed, laughs were had, and hearts were well and truly warmed on the way to the cracking finale. If only we could all up sticks and move to Ballycove. I cannot wait for my next visit.
Frankie970 72

It is heartfelt, endearing and has all the comforting feels!!

It has to be an extraordinary book to bring me out of ‘blog tour retirement’ and this was the book to do it! I am a big Faith Hogan fan, I’ve been reading her books for a few years and loved each one, but this one is ultra special it’s heartwarming and tender with a beautiful message of standing tall and finding happiness and joy no matter where life has taken you, with a huge emphasis on the importance of true friendship.

It’s wonderful!

It’s so good to be back in the idyllic Ballycove again, it’s been way too long (I really need to live in Ballycove) I adore this village and its charming characters and beautiful scenery, which is a character in its own right. there is something very magical about Faith Hogan's writing which never fails to make me smile and feel as though I am actually there!

From the very first page, The Bookshop Ladies packs a real emotional, heart-wrenching punch, my heart broke for Joy, not only losing her beloved husband so suddenly but then learning that he has been keeping a huge secret from her; that he has a daughter and to top all the heartache off he states in his will that one of his most valuable paintings is to be bequeathed to said daughter.

I don’t how Joy holds it all together, she is a strong woman, loyal to her husband and his memory no matter how much she is hurting by all the revelations, but she does what he wants and sets off to Ballycove in Ireland to deliver the painting.

I am in awe of the woman, I’m not sure that I could have been so put together in her position, she is inspiring and full of compassion for those around her no matter that she is screaming inside and the relationship she builds with Robyn is built of love and passion for art and books and soon a solid friendship is formed between the women.

I have always loved the community spirit to Faith Hogan’s books, everyone coming together for the greater good (in this case the bookshop) and this is no different this one is even more special it’s the bookshop community that brings such passion and joy to the whole story, it’s welcoming to all and once your through the door you never want to leave and that how I felt when reading The Bookshop Ladies.

It’s a hug in a book!

I loved every aspect of this book, it has the most beautiful and compelling story of friendship, shared love of books, secrets and survival after loss. With the most heart-wrenching complex emotions and relatable highly likable characters all wrapped up with Faith Hogan’s characteristic compassionate and engaging narrative, it’s a real winner!

This is a definite must for any book lover, feel-good, comforting, heartwarming, sadness, laughter, friendship and a constant beautiful feeling of being welcomed!

What’s not to love about that?!1 Claire Mc Partlin750 25

I do love a Faith Hogan book, and this was no exception. We're back in the beautiful town of Ballycove and this time the story is set in a struggling bookshop, with a little mystery about a painting left to the owner, Robyn.

Robyn is the owner of the bookshop, although her family have owned the whole building for many years. Robyn has always dreamt of owning a bookshop but isn't great with people and is struggling to make her dream viable and the bookshop profitable. Her mother, Fern, is a well known artist and lives in Dublin with her French husband, but ends up back in Ballycove after trouble in her relationship.

Then we have Joy, who had been living in Paris, but has recently lost her husband in a tragic accident, and has travelled to Ballycove to solve a mystery and give a valuable painting to Robyn that her husband left her in his will.

There are a few secrets that people are hiding in this book, mainly Joy by not telling anyone why she is there, but of course Fern too, as she knew Joy's art dealer husband many years ago. But Joy gets sucked into life in Ballcove and ends up working in the bookshop quite by accident, helping Robyn with marketing and making the bookshop very popular.

There were some lovely side characters, the main one being elderly Albie, Robyn's great uncle. He was full of gentle wisdom for everyone and the one that everyone went to for advice. Fern wasn't my favourite character, I found her quite hard to , but I really loved Joy and Robyn and how their relationship developed. Of course the secrets were eventually revealed and everyone came to accept the past was the past, and they moved on with their lives much happier. In the end everything tends to happen for a reason and Joy found her 'family' in Ballycove. Really lovely book.netgalley- Laura Nelson (Tangents and Tissues)760 71

5 stars – Bookshops; good for the mind and soul…

*sighs* as I’m sure The Bookshop Ladies can attest.

Humans… we’re complicated creatures, aren’t we?

Whaaa?! Don’t look at me that! *shrugs* I’m not having an existential crisis; well, no more than usual *snorts*. This is just the consequence of my latest book hangover thanks to my second (only) trip to Ballycove. *looks off into the distance and taps fingers distractedly* I remember this feeling well from my first visit… *looks back* I’m just going to take a beat and let my feelings settle.

Joy, Robyn, and Fern’s story spoke to me in ways I couldn’t even imagine, let alone articulate. I was there; I was one of them.

TBL is a tale of secrets and truths, family, and friends, finding yourself, and most of all (to me, anyway) of belonging. Finding that one place, people and/or person, which has your soul screaming, ‘we are right where we belong!’ And if it takes your soul a while to admit it, hopefully we have an Albie to point out the obvious.

“…because sometimes, family is more about belonging together than anything else.”

Can I ask one thing of you before I go? Will you take a chance on my non-sensical mutterings and give TBL a go? Some stories come along just when you need them, whispers on the wind, and I very much needed that warm embrace.

*slaps hands down* Och *wipes face*, listen to me prattling on. Away with you now and heed what I say. Laura S479

3.5 stars


I was really lucky to receive The Bookshop Ladies as an ARC and what drew me to this book was that it was set in a bookshop. As book lovers, there is no greater pleasure that reading a book that is all about loving books and where better place to show that than in a bookshop.


This story features found family, secrets, friendship and of course, a bookshop.

Told through the three different perspective’s of Joy, Fern and Robyn. Three women who are connected in different ways and have to navigate secrets and betrayals. We start the story (no spoiler) with Joy who has just lost her husband in a tragic car accident. But with his dying breath he announces he has a daughter and in his will a painting has been left to Robyn. Joy, reeling from grief and the betrayal, instead of mailing the painting to Robyn, decided to fly out to Ballycove, Ireland in order to hand it over in person.

Full of emotions, Joy turns up in this small Irish Village, worlds away from her home in Paris and finds something more and better than she was expecting. This story is about interlinked lives, finding family and forgiveness and ultimately finding home.

Having never read anything by this author, I didn’t know what to expect. These characters really grew on me and what I would give to be a part of Ballycove and the little bookshop. It did feel sometimes something was missing and although by the end I really enjoyed it, I felt I wasn’t fully satisfied in reading. physical-tbr Maureen1,181 48

The Bookshop Ladies was a very different read than my ‘usual’ reads. But when I read the book description I was so curious about this story that I just had to get my hands on it. And soon after I started reading I found myself intrigued by the main characters Joy, Robyn and Fern. We read the book through different point of views, different times, and in different places which was a bit hard to figure out at times. But there was just something about the writing, that made me want to keep on reading.

This book is filled with love, family and friendship. And I enjoyed most of this book. The moments when Robyn was working in her bookshop, the small town life in Ireland and the writing itself. It made me want to keep on reading. At the same time there was a moment in this book that impacted Joy’s relationship with her husband and I really didn’t that. It’s life though! Probably really realistic as well.. but it didn’t work for me. And left me with a bitter taste.

But the way this author wrote this book was impressive. I enjoyed the small town, cozy feeling I got while reading this book. And even though I had trouble keeping track of the time changes at times, I was entertained and determined to keep on reading. Although this book might not have been my favorite, I am curious about this authors other books.
netgalley Susanne Scott1,326 10

This was my first book by Faith Hogan and I have to say that it was a delight to read. I loved the descriptions of Ballycove, and that amazing bookshop with all it's hidden cubby holes and shelves and shelves of books.

It was an interesting journey that Joy had to take, from learning at the very last moment that her husband had a daughter that she knew nothing about. I d the little flash backs so that we got to see what really happened, and how it all interlinked and was woven together so well. Robyn never felt she fitted in and now she knows why.. Joy enters her life and helps and supports her before Robyn is even aware of who she is and the significance she holds. Joy allows Robyn to flourish and believe in herself and open herself up to love, and to get rid of past dead weight relationships that she couldn't see were toxic for her at the time.

It was told beautifully and Joy was really taken into the family by Uncle Albie long before she told everyone who she was. I loved how the notion of family wasn't just linked by blood, but by love, and Joy was excepted and loved by all.. I was totally invested on the characters right from the start and I loved every minute of it. Maddy571 29

I hadn’t read any of Faith Hogan’s books before but I will certainly be looking out for others. A lovely, well written story, set in a beautiful sounding village in Ireland. I felt fully invested in the characters and wanted them all to succeed.

When Joy Blackwood’s husband died, just after his retirement she was distraught. More so, when just before he died he told her that he had a child – something he and Joy hadn’t managed to have together. After the reading of the will, Joy finds that he has left a very expensive painting to his daughter, and she decides to travel to Ireland and give the daughter the painting personally. When Joy arrives in Ballycove, she finds that the bookshop that Robyn runs is in complete disarray, and so far from profitable that Robyn may have to close it down. Robyn thinks that Joy has come to volunteer in the bookshop, and Joy doesn’t dissuade of that idea. Slowly, Joy comes to find something in Ballycove that she had been missing all her life – family. However, when Robyn and her mother Ferne find out who Joy really is, will her happiness come crashing down?

A really lovely story, which is wonderful for a summer’s afternoon, and will leave you feeling warm and happy.4 s Mrs220 6

What a lovely book. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Robyn starts a bookshop in Ballycove where she grew up, something she has always wanted to do. The shop needs work and she inherited books in the shop and also paid for boxes of them from the last person who ran the shop. Fern is Robyn’s mother who is married but things go wrong and she comes back to Ballycove from Dublin for a bit of TLC. In the meantime Joy arrives in Ballycove from Paris. Joy was married but her husband died on a car crash. She was not injured but at the hospital her husband uttered his final words which shocked her and made her feel her marriage was not what she thought it was. Joy went to Ballycove to fulfil a legacy in his Will. Joy started to help out at the bookshop and eventually the story of the reason why she is there comes to light. The three women have their moments especially when Fern realises Joy’s secret. Some drama along the way but the book ebbs and flows with drama and love, it is a must to read. So far as the characters are concerned, I loved them all but Albie. I need an Albie in my life

Michelle567 5

I discovered Faith Hogan last year and have read a few now. I really her writing style.
Joy is returning home with her husband Yves when they are involved in a car crash. As he is being rushed into hospital, his dying words to Joy are 'I have a daughter'.
Joy is shocked.
Yves has left a painting to a woman called Robyn. So Joy sets off to Ballycove in Ireland to track down this mysterious woman.
Robyn has taken over a bookshop. She is quite a shy young woman who lacks many friends. Her best friend is Kian, who she has been in love with forever. Her mother, Fern, has her own marital woes
She returns to Ballycove to get some headspace and decide on her future.
I loved this. I really enjoyed the way the author brought all the characters together, and they really are a lovely bunch. I really d Albie, full of wisdom.
The ending was a little predictable. I knew straight away who the culprit was. This does not take away the enjoyment of the story.
I really look forward to Ms. Hogan's next book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Aria and Aries for the ARC in return for an honest review.netgalley Sara Clifford-gray264 2

Faith Hogan's "The Bookshop Ladies" unfolds a warm embrace, inviting readers into the life of Joy Blackwood. When her French art dealer husband Yves dies in a car accident Joy discovers that he had a daughter by another woman.

Shocked by the news, she travels to the small Irish town of Ballycove where she intends to hand over a painting left to her husband’s daughter. Instead, she meets his daughter Robyn who has taken on a chaotic bookshop with very few customers and when Joy gets drawn into her life, she can’t bear to disclose the truth about how and why their lives have become intertwined.

I love Faith’s writing style, she paints very vivid scenes of the Irish countryside and captures the essence of small-town life, drawing readers deeper into the world of Ballycove.

In summary, Faith Hogan's "The Bookshop Ladies" is a captivating tale that will leave readers feeling uplifted and inspired. With its engaging characters, picturesque setting, and heartfelt storytelling, this novel is sure to resonate with book lovers everywhere.
Denise Forrest490 6

When Joy’s husband dies, she travels to Ireland to meet the step daughter she didn’t know existed.

This is the story of three women:
Joy, an American living in Paris who has been recently widowed and needs a purpose in life.

Robyn, a shy young girl whose dream of owning her own bookshop, is about to come true - but owning the bookshop is just the start; now she has to make it successful.

Fern, Robyn’s mother, a successful artist whose marriage is not what it seems.

The author writes lovely stories with strong characters. This is the story of how these women meet and form an unly friendship, in a small Irish village. The village itself and all the minor characters who come and go, are as much a part of the story and I ended up feeling as though I knew them all personally.

I really enjoy Faith Hogan’s books and this one did not disappoint. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Danielle188 8

4.5??s

An uplifting story brimming with secrets and hope as we join our charming characters on their paths of self-discovery, healing and belonging – it’s an absolute delight from start to finish and will have you rooting for Joy, Robyn and Fern throughout!

Hogan’s fabulous writing places the reader right in the story, we see it all playing out against the stunning backdrop of Paris and Ireland. I adored Ballycove, the sense of community created and enchanting mix of residents, Albie, in particular was a joy to get to know with his warm understanding and words of wisdom providing a guiding hand.

Joy finds more than she bargains for when she visits Ballycove in search of answers but can she overcome betrayal and embrace a fresh start?Robyn is opening her own bookshop (which I loved!) and dealing with unrequited love. Her growth was wonderful to see as she steps out of the shadows embracing life with both hands. Fern has been through it, a talented artist reeling from a shocking revelation, can she put guilt behind her and rediscover her passion?

As the past collides with the present and truths come to light family bonds are tested and connections shaken. I was completely absorbed by the characters and plot finding it a hugely entertaining and engaging read.

The Bookshop Ladies is the perfect book to curl up with for a dose of escapism; it’s full of warmth, kindness and heart making it a real treat of a read!

With thanks to @AriaFiction and @GerHogan for my early copy and place on the Tour.

Melanie468 7 Want to read

‘The Bookshop Ladies’ by Faith Hogan is an enchanting and enthralling story.

“Joy Blackwood has no idea why her French art dealer husband has left a valuable painting to a woman called Robyn Tessier in Ballycove, a small town on the west coast of Ireland, but she is determined to find out. She arrives in Ballycove to find that Robyn runs a rather chaotic and unprofitable bookshop. She is shy, suffering from unrequited love for dashing Kian, and badly in need of advice on how to make the bookshop successful.”

This book centres round the beautifully described characters of Joy and Robyn.

The story is compulsive reading as you want to read on and find out what happens to the characters.

The story is well plotted and full of intrigue. The setting of a bookshop is ingenius, as who doesn’t love a bookshop!

A great read and highly recommended!

Thanks so much to author and publisher for allowing me to read and review and take part in the blog tour. Jane HuntAuthor 3 books108

The Bookshop Ladies is a story set in Ballycove, a village characterised by its sense of community and beautiful setting reflecting its ethos. Joy visits Ballycove to fulfil her husband's legacy to his daughter, someone she knew nothing about until his dramatic death a few months before. It's a story of complex emotions and relationships and a page-turning read. I the detailed and relatable characterisation and the believable relationships. Joy is a able character; stricken by the loss of her husband and devastated by his ending confession, she still loves him and is determined to honour the legacy in his will for his daughter. I enjoyed reading about the developing relationships between Joy and the villagers. There is an overriding theme of healing and forgiveness and the uplifting emotions associated with friendship that are supportive. It's an easy and engaging read that immerses you in the story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.2024-book-tours arc-reviewed netgalley-reviewed Tracey Dyson150 3

Free courtesy of Netgalley

Another new Author for me and I absolutely loved it. I really didn't want this book to finish.

Joy had her world turned upside down when her husband revealed he had a daughter, just before he died. He had left his daughter a painting, which Joy decides to deliver herself.

After travelling to Ireland, she gets to meet her step-daughter but doesn't reveal who she is. Robyn has just opened her own bookshop and it's not going well, after a mix up and offering Joy a volunteer job in the bookshop, they become closer. They work together to make the bookshop work.

There are many ups and downs throughout the book, especially when Joy meets Faith, Robyn's mother.

I loved the characters and it showed all their vulnerabilities as well as their strengths. It shows that families come in all shapes and sizes

I would recommend this book, as it is beautifully written ?? Crystalrainbow71

The Bookshop Ladies is a lovely gentle tale with twists and turns, secrets, guilt and revelations based mainly in Ballycove in Ireland. Hogan has the ability to draw you into her stories and make you care deeply about her characters.

Robyn has taken on the running of a bookshop but has to find the social skills to make it a success. Joy arrives in Ballycove with her own agenda but gets drawn into making the bookshop a success. Robyn’s mother Fern has her own problems and past secrets and she ends up helping the bookshop too. The glue keeping these disparate characters together is the lovely elderly Albie with his pet giant tortoise, Dolly.

I really didn’t want this book to end and feel it lends itself to a continuation of the story in another book. I have now read every Faith Hogan I can find and have never been disappointed.1 Ann872 22

A huge thank you to the publishers for sending me a widget for this book.
Another lovely read, in beautiful Ballycove, with characters you care deeply about from the first page.
Being back in Ballycove is a joy as is the cameo appearance of some characters we have come to know from the previous books.
In Paris Joy’s husband dies as a result of a car crash on the way home from his retirement party. If this wasn't cruel enough, his parting words to her make her question their whole life together.
Meanwhile in Ballycove in the west of Ireland, Robyn is struggling to get her lifelong dream of opening a bookshop off the ground, cope with her anxiety and social awkwardness and her unrequited love for Kian.
When their two worlds collide amazing things happen.
There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family.2024-netgalley 2024-publisher-direct 2024-read Always Happiest Reading 217 1 follower

Yves Bachand a well know renowned and respected figure in the Art world lives in Paris with his wife Joy. Their life is about to begin a new chapter when things take a turn for the worse and go horribly wrong.
What will be the next step for Joy? And will she find the answers she seeks?

The book features three very strong and interesting female characters, all in their own ways. Joy, Fern Tessier and her adult daughter Robyn Tessier.
From the start of the book I was drawn in and hooked. An absolutely lovely read.
Friendship, love, loyalty and family bonds.
I could picture every aspect of the bookshop, and so would have loved to have been able to visit, choose a book and have a coffee there.
Simply delightful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own. Maree Gray110 2

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