If you love books about bookshops, Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar is engaging women’s fiction with a side of romance.

Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction (with a side of romance), Books About Books, Quaint Coastal Village, Bookshop

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Have you dreamed of running a bookstore?

Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop is #3 in the Borrow a Bookshop Series but can be read as a stand alone. The premise for the series is based on a real life bookstore (see below) where bookworms can stay at the bookshop for two weeks and run it as their own.

It’s been seven months since the quaint coastal village of Clove Lore suffered a devastating flood. In the opening pages of the story, Joy (and her young daughter) arrives in the village to install new technology at the bookshop. While it takes Joy some time to open up to the quirky community, her daughter quickly makes friends. What the community doesn’t know is that Joy is running from something in her life and never stays in one place long enough for her past to catch up with her. Complications arise when she meets Monty and finds herself being drawn into the community. Can Joy stop running and make a new life in Clove Lore?

Thanks #NetGalley @HeraBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #SomethingNewAtTheBorrowABookshop upon my request. All opinions are my own.

The Borrow a Bookshop Series is an interesting story because this “borrow a bookshop” concept is real! There is a bookstore in Wigtown, Scotland where book lovers wait on a list for years for their opportunity to run a bookshop for two weeks. I first heard of it when a blogger I follow actually went to live and work at The Open Book in Wigtown, Scotland for two weeks. See her account of that here and more information here. So, part of the fun of the book is knowing that this idea is based in reality. Would you consider the opportunity?

If I were shelving this story, I wouldn’t shelf it as a romance, although slow-burn romance is certainly an element of the story. Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop is more accurately shelved as women’s fiction in my opinion. A great deal of the story focuses on Joy’s journey of running from her past, her sense of safety, taking risks, and making the right decisions for her young daughter. When I think of the romance genre, I think of a story whose central focus is the romance. This story is multilayered and romance is one layer. That being said, the story provides an HEA and a lovely, feel-good ending which is expected in the romance genre. It’s certainly understandable that many readers will consider this a romance. As usual, I’m overthinking it! LOL

I love quirky characters, and in Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop, we have a full cast of colorful characters! If you enjoy a small town atmosphere and supportive community, there’s lots to love here.

One thoughtful theme is definitely “supportive community.” The colorful cast of characters in this quaint seaside village rounds out the story. Other themes include helping others, the courage to carry on, supporting friends during their worst times, problem-solving, feeling safe, second chances, slow-burn romance, and hope for a brighter future.

Does the title attract your attention?! I fall hard for bookshop settings! I’m enthusiastically recommending this heartfelt story for fans of women’s fiction with substantial themes, for readers who appreciate happy endings and books about books, and for book clubs. I need to note that this book is the third in a series but it can be read as a stand-alone (I haven’t read the first one). This is a series I look forward to continuing!

My review of book #2 Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop

Related: You might enjoy this post about other books about books and stories set in bookshops and libraries! (listed at the end of the new review)

My Rating:  4  Stars

More Information Here

My novel One Winter’s Night was shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Comedy Novel Award 2021 which made me extremely happy!

THE BORROW A BOOKSHOP Series is out NOW and is just as swoony and romantic as it sounds, I hope you love it!

My content/trigger warnings are on my website: kileydunbar.co.uk

What else? Oh yes, please come and say hello at any of these places where I hang around way too much:

Instagram @kileydunbarauthor

Twitter @KileyDunbar

‘Kiley Dunbar Author Book Page’ on Facebook

website and newsletter: http://www.kileydunbar.co.uk

Thanks so much for your support, love, Kiley, x

Is this heartfelt story on your TBR or have you read it?

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.” ~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.” ~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.” ~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

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I purchase or borrow from the library all books I review unless explicitly stated that the book is free (arc)

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