Books. Love. Friendship. Second chances. All can be found at the Printed Letter Bookshop in the small, charming town of Winsome. 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 … hardened Madeline’s 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 falls apart, and a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. Has she been too quick to dismiss her aunt’s beloved shop? And even if she has, the women’s best combined efforts may be too little, too late.
This sweet, contemporary read is a standalone novel, though characters in this story will appear in Katherine Reay’s forthcoming book, Of Literature and Lattes. Book length: approximately 95,000 words. Includes discussion questions and a list of books from the author.
Praise for The Printed Letter Bookshop:
“Powerful, enchanting, and spirited, this novel will delight.” –Patti Callahan, bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis
“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.” –Rachel McMillan, author of Murder in the City of Liberty
- Sweet and thoughtful contemporary read
- Stand-alone novel
- Book length: 96,000 words
- Includes discussion questions and a recommended reading list from the author
more
Books about books are my favorite and this one is fantastic. The story demonstrates the power of books to help create community. The author clearly has affection for bookshops and their place in our neighborhoods. I appreciated all the references to different books throughout this engaging read. The Printed Letter Bookshop is a must read for book lovers. I won a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I loved everything about this book! From the setting to the characters, this made for a thought provoking, feel-good story that warmed my heart in every way. I also enjoyed all the book references scattered throughout the book. If you love bookshops and books, don’t miss this one!
This book was really good and will stay with me for awhile. I really liked it.
Believe it or not, this is my very first Katherine Reay book. I am happy to say that I have two more of her books on my Kindle and I’m excited for the chance to read them. This is her newest release and I think it was a great place for me to start.
I want to work in a bookshop. I think that might be my dream job- to be surrounded by books all day, to talk about books all day, to help people find books that they love ALL DAY. Seriously. I wish bookshops weren’t starting to feel like a thing of the past. This book was all about that Painted Letter Bookshop and I loved it. By the end of the book, it felt like home to not only Madeline, Claire and Janet, but to me as well. I loved the book references and wished I knew more about some of the books spoken of. I think I have a bit more reading to do!
The story starts off with a funeral and a very confused Madeline who later learns she has inherited all that her aunt has. This sets Madeline on quite a journey as she has to not only navigate a store that is failing but the lives of everyone in connection with her aunt and her store. This story revolves around Madeline and the two women who work at the bookshop. Even though Aunt Maddie isn’t there anymore, it really is all about her as well. Her influence is woven into each woman. It was a slow build of information but one I really enjoyed. I was literally getting to know each woman in a very personal and intimate way. Every woman will probably be able to find a bit of herself somewhere in at least one of these very different women.
This book isn’t a romance. It isn’t especially bright and happy either. These women are living real lives with real struggle and faults. They excel at some things and struggle with other things. Sometimes I felt the heaviness of it weighing me down but there was always a thread of hope to hang onto. It took me a bit to become invested in these characters but by about halfway through, it was tough to put this book down. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
Content: some talk of God, praying, forgiveness. Mention of affair, drinking alcohol.
Enjoyed this book. It took a while to get into and seemed just as you got into a story line, it would jump to something else. The story was good overall and I loved the books mentioned through out the book.
Wonderful Story of Women
This is the best piece of Women’s Fiction that I have read in a long time. Quality fiction about women in the different stages of life, written without sex, is a rare find. Not to say that there isn’t romance and love in this tale, because there is plenty of that. This story is heart-warming, haunting, realistic and worth savoring. It is the story of finding oneself, of moving on and forgiving ourselves. This story is so good that I am recommending it to friends and know I will re-read it. I also plan on checking out this author’s other work. I received the ARC book from Net Galley at not cost. This is my honest opinion.
The Printed Letter Bookshop is one of those books. You know the kind. The ones that make you feel wholly inadequate when trying to leave a review. Yes, one of those books.
There is so much wisdom captured in this wonderful story about Madeline inheriting a bookshop (among other things) from her aunt Maddie. There is also regret, passion for one’s dreams, interesting female friendships that grew from animosity and mistrust, community spirit in a small town and so much more that it’s hard to stop trying to fit it all into this review.
The characters were engaging whether I liked or disliked them in the beginning. They called to me, asking me to spend more time with them, to get to know them. The bookshop sounded lovely and I wanted to curl up in a comfy chair and read and people watch to my heart’s content.
The true gems that outshone everything else in this stand out novel were the book references. They fit what was happening in this story perfectly and really showed this author’s love of reading. The books recommended to various characters throughout this story or just mentioned in passing all had some type of life lesson to impart and the inclusion of these books happened organically and seamlessly.
Katherine Reay is a very talented, new-to-me author that I will be following closely, hoping future novels are as immersive and simply wonderful as The Printed Letter Bookshop. If you have not yet added this book to your TBR list, do so now. You will thank me later.
Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for approving my request for an ARC. All thoughts in this not-nearly-as-good-as-the-book review are my own and willingly provided.
What a great and enjoyable read, one that keeps you wondering to the end. A judgement as a child, and then carrying those choices into adulthood, and then affecting your relationships with family.
The death of a beloved member of this small Illinois town, and those that loved and cherished her, are the heart of this story. While the book does revolve around a book store, Maddie even though she is no longer here, is there for those she loved, and the chosen books for them to read, she is leading.
All the while I was wondering what was going to happen to these women when the store closed, amazing things go on and most you won’t see coming.
A story that will make you laugh and cry and search for answers, a book of life and love.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
For those who love bookstores, Katherine Reay’s latest is truly a gift. With vivid descriptions of the store, employees and a volume of customers, reading is like crossing its threshold.
In addition, it increases understanding of how powerful friendships within community and precise book recommendations can alter the course of lives.
The Printed Letter Bookshop examines the depth of the pleasant coupled with the difficult and negative aspects we all possess. One focus is how skewed our recollections and perspectives can be through the unique filter we view both events and people. While uncomfortable at times, it is highly beneficial for growth and maturity.
What if we dropped that wall and reassess ourselves, others and the events themselves? To what extent would that promote change?
This life-changing fiction is a blessing wrapped in self-discovery that touches nerves and offers encouragement as well.
I received a copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.
This book is written in first person by three different main characters. It’s nice to get into each one’s head and truly know what they are feeling and thinking. At first, I found the book confusing and hard to follow. It would take me a page or two to remember who was speaking and their background. But after a while, I found myself being drawn back to the book and wondering how things were going to work out. Maddie, the book store owner who dies in the first of the book, plays a magical part throughout the book. It makes you want to have that type of person in your life. Get into this book and learn the lessons that are taught in its pages.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.