‘Wow. I loved this story… I shed a tear or two before the end… Fabulous.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
This summer will change everything!
Aria Summers knows what she wants.
A life on the road with best friend Rosie and her beloved camper-van-cum-book-shop, and definitely, definitely, no romance.
But when Aria finds herself falling – after one too many glasses of wine, from a karaoke stage – … finds herself falling – after one too many glasses of wine, from a karaoke stage – into the arms of Jonathan, a part of her comes back to life for the first time in years.
Since her beloved husband died Aria has sworn off love, unless it’s the kind you can find in the pages of a book. One love of her life is quite enough.
And so Aria tries to forget Jonathan and sets off for a summer to remember in France. But could this trip change Aria’s life forever…?
A heartwarming, uplifting and hilarious novel of friendship, love and adventure! Perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson and Holly Martin.
Readers LOVE Aria’s Travelling Book Shop!
‘A poignant and whimsical second-chance-at-love story.’ Susan Mallery, New York Times bestselling author of Sisters by Choice
‘Oh wow, brilliant book… I didn’t want it to end.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘OMG brilliant. Captured from page one!’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘Kept me reading past bedtime… More than just a feel-good read, it’s one that will stay with you for a long time.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘I felt emotionally involved with this book from the start and became totally engrossed… Had me laughing in some places and in tears in others. A brilliant read.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘Absolutely loved this… I enjoyed every turn of the page… Such a lovely feel good book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Delightful… So much more than a romance.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘Swallowed me whole from the moment I started reading, and sucked me into another world.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
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I recommend reading Rosie’s Traveling Tea Shop first, but it’s not necessary to enjoy Aria’s story. Aria’s story was an emotional read at times and my heart broke for what she’s had to endure. When she meets Jonathan and is attracted to him, she feels like she’s betraying TJ, even though he’s no longer here. Will she get a second chance at love or will she continue to be alone with her books? Grab your copy and see what happens.
Can any bibliophile resist a book with book shop in the title? I can’t. It was definitely the title that grabbed my attention and then the cover is beautiful so I was happy to dive in.
Rebecca Raisin has created a rather interesting premise which leaves room for several possible directions the story could follow, which is exactly what you want when you start a book. I was unaware that Aria’s Traveling Book Shop was the second novel in a series so for the fist part of the book something felt off, like I was missing something however it was easy enough to follow. Knowing now that there was a backstory already established I feel like Rebecca Raisin has done a decent job of creating a cozy “life” to sink in to. The characters are well developed and I definitely had my heart strings tugged more than once.
I wish this book was a little more focused on the book shop and had gone in to more detail regarding some of the experiences the characters share. I wanted a deeper connection to the bookshop for which the book is named.
Overall a story of friendship, community, healing and moving forward that is not too bad, but not particularly spectacular either. I did feel a pull at times to keep reading but I could never nail down why; Leading me to say I’m not sorry I read it but I wouldn’t read it again.
Thank you to netgalley and publisher for providing an advance e-copy in exchange for my honest review. I am grateful for being able to share this book with others who might find some joy out of this story.
I love this story. The friendship between Aria and Rosie was great. Their back and forth conversations had me laughing out loud at times. I don’t want to say to much about Jonathan but what a gentleman and so understanding. Great book all round.
I hadn’t read book one before reading this, but I found you didn’t need to because Raisin has made this series work flawlessly by making the books work alone and together. Aria has been a widow for three years. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t think about TJ and what they shared. But as everyone around her seems to be coupling up, the loneliness closes in on her. She’s met Jonathan, but she knows she has to keep him as a friend. She made promises to TJ, and she needs to stick by them. Poor Aria. For all of her love of exploring the world, she’s closing herself off to the best parts.
This was an adorable read. It’s sweet and impactful while giving us a super fun friendship with Aria and Rosie. They have a friendship to aim for, which makes me want to go and read Rosie’s story now. I loved Aria’s love of books, which is completely relatable. Overall, this is a fun read that is both light and heavy and gives you all the feels. Thank you, Harper 360, for sending this along!
This was the first book I read by this author. I think she created an appealing plot, which I believe any book lover would enjoy. It was interesting to read about the nomadic lifestyle of the characters. Never having experienced it or honestly ever given it any thought. It is a unique way to live. In addition, the story having at its core the love of books and the written word was lovely.
I did not realize this book was the second in The Travelling Shops Series. While I was able to read and fully understand what was going on, I did at times sense that I was missing something. Just something alluded to, that did not require the background information, to understand the current situation.
While I enjoyed the attraction at first sight aspect of the couple that the book focuses on, I wish that there was more written about how they were meant to be. I just wanted to feel more than I did when reading. Overall, this was an enjoyable book.
I do often select books to read from the book cover & summary and I adore this book cover!
I want to thank NetGalley and Harper 360 HQ Digital for allowing me to read the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.
The Van Lifers journey continues in book two of this delightful series. As the group travels to France, Aria is on the road to self discovery, and healing.
Though emotionally more complex than the first novel (Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop), it maintains the lighthearted whimsy in the characters I’d grown to love.
It was a little slow to start, but picked up quickly and I found it hard to put down. This story brings in a few new friends in the beautifully detailed French towns they visit. And along with new friends, come new surprises!
I love traveling with this quirky group of vagabonds and hope there is another book in the works!
Totally predictable and not great depth for continuing characters.
Fun, relaxing book. Good characters with a good story
Once again I should have realized this was a romance book. So I apologize to the author that my review will only be 3 stars. Romance is not my preferred genre. However…
I love books about books or book shops. So I had to give this one a try! You will appreciate that the characters are human. They make mistakes and have secrets they keep hidden. But they aren’t that well developed. That would have helped the book tremendously. While this is a light “everything is coming up roses” book, the author does deal with issues such as grief and loss.
This is a good beach read. Or if you’re sitting around with nothing to do during the pandemic, this is a “feel good” book that might appeal to you.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I love this author. Her books take you on a trip through Europe.
Fun Characters.
Cute for a cheapy.
Not a bad book; I just kept comparing it to Rosie’s Traveling Tea Shop, which I loved. Same characters, continuing the story. Just didn’t grab me.
Hello and welcome to another episode of The Inner Workings of Laura’s Mind aka A Scary Place. *snorts*
Contrary to popular opinion I haven’t lost the plot (well, no more than usual), and my intro will make total sense soon – I *pinky* promise! Just bear with me…
(Please note that you don’t have to read Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop before picking up ATBS.)
Now we all know there are some books that stay with us long after the last page has been turned. The stories that become part of us. For me, it’s the same with certain characters. I worry about them (don’t look at me like that – I can’t help it! *shrugs). #bookwormproblems
Especially those secondary characters that seem to be stuck in a limbo of sorts when a story ends. Aria was one of those characters for me after I had finished RTTS. I just couldn’t get her out of my mind. The slight reveal we had of her background story in Rosie’s book really tugged at my heartstrings (yes, I cried) and I wanted more for this awesome book nerd.
(See? I told you my mind was a scary place.)
Well, ask and you shall receive. Hallelujah! *snorts*
I (almost) couldn’t contain myself when I knew ATBS was coming out this year. But let me tell you, it. Was. So. Worth. The. Wait. And that says a lot for someone with zero patience. *smirks*
“True love doesn’t always last forever. We have to be prepared to open our hearts again, no matter how damaged we might be.”
Apparently my ‘sound effects’ whilst reading ATBS were something to behold (behear? I know it’s not a word). Lots of lol’ing, breath catching, sobbing, sighing and sniffing (in varying degrees).
I’m trying my best not to give anything away (pet hate in book reviews numero uno), but I was there with Aria, silently showing my support and geeing her on to take the plunge and dip her toes once more in matters of the heart.
Life is for the living and love will always find a way!
Ugh, I’m getting all philosophical here *rolls eyes*. I think I need a reboot.
I fervently hope this is not the last we hear from our intrepid group of wanderers. In fact, I’m worrying about another character as we speak. Go figure!
After falling in love with Rosie and Aria in Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop, I couldn’t wait to continue the adventure with these two lovely ladies. Aria’s Travelling Book Shop is a delightful and enchanting story of love, heartbreak, grief, and allowing your heart to open up and love again.
This is a sweet romance full of hope and friendship. I just love Rebecca Raisin’s storytelling; her stories are light while still being deep and soulful. I couldn’t put it down.