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
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The Printed Letter Bookshop does what good classics do: it changes you. Three broken women live out courage, hope, and friendship. You’ll find yourself wanting deeply to do the same.
This took me three weeks to finish (a ridiculously long time if you’re me), but I’m blaming that on this busy season of life, not the book.
Because I loved this book.
I fell in love with Reay’s writing style when I read A Portrait of Emily Price awhile ago, so I was excited when I first saw The Printed Letter Bookshop. Also, that cover is so whimsical, I was instantly intrigued! And I was not disappointed.
The Printed Letter has a somewhat slow and even meandering at times plot, but I would not say that is a bad thing in this case. (Although it certainly didn’t help my reading slump) It was, in fact, a delightfully fresh breath of air after several dud reads and fast-paced suspense books. I fell in love with this fictional bookshop, its people, and its city. Reay creates a beautiful location to set her story.
Our main characters are three women–all in different walks of life. Madeline, a young attorney; Claire, a forty-something mom and wife; and Janet, a divorced, middle-aged woman who is trying to find her place in this life. They all are, trying to find their place. And that alone makes each of these characters incredibly relatable, I believe. While the POV jumps were confusing at times for me, I think Reay does a fabulous job keeping each of these characters unique and individual, all the way down to switching up the points of view, having both third-person and first-person points of view–something you don’t see a lot, and some may find unenjoyable, but I personally liked that decision. They each had their own beautiful and complete storyline, yet the three interwove so perfectly to form the novel as a whole.
Reay tackles some difficult and serious issues in The Printed Letter, not the least of which being adultery, divorce, and teen issues. Yet she does so with incredible tact and realisticness, weaving lines of grace, forgiveness, and mercy throughout the pages of this lovely story.
Overall, I highly recommend The Printed Letter Bookshop! Katherine Reay is an incredible author and I look forward to reading more.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were wonderful and it does a wonderful job of showing how friendships can develop even among the most unlikely people if we are just open to circumstances.
I love books about book, bookshops and libraries, so when I saw this book centered in an indie bookshop with a rich history, I had to read it! Three women, each with their own personal struggles and secrets, come together and grow in this enjoyable easy read.
A bookshop, lists of books, and friendship – what more could a bibliophile want out of a story? A book about books and bookshops and bookish things is a delight to be sure because “that’s what books do…they are a conversation, and introduce us to ourselves and to others,” as the beloved Maddie of this book says.
These are just the base elements that blend together to make the rich, layered tale that is The Printed Letter Bookshop. More than “just” books, this story is about making peace with life and those in it and choosing to be in charge of your own story: “It’s like you live in those classics you love, in some odd third-person narration, as if you aren’t in charge of your own story. Who is, if not you, for goodness’ sake?”
The story is about three women, Madeline, Claire, and Janet, and also one person and place around which their lives meet: Maddie, the owner of a bookshop, and the bookshop itself. Though at first I was taken aback by the three different narrators, I ended up liking all three of them quite a bit. While I typically prefer only one or two narrators, I felt equally interested in the lives of all three women. I enjoyed watching the relationship between them unfold. I loved the realness of each one, their struggles and their triumphs, and the often messy yet wonderful nature of life shines throughout the entire story.
Reay has written another charming yet deep story that is sure to meet a lot of readers right where they are in life.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not require to give a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.
I absolutely LOVED this book. I loved the characters – I loved the format – I loved the overall writing. I sincerely hope to see more of this story in future books. Katherine Reay is a new favorite. She has such a wonderful way of weaving a story from each characters perspective – without stepping over each other. I truly can’t wait to read more from this author!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
*book provided by publisher for honest review*
This was a lovely step into the relationships that we have as children and how they grow as we become adults. The happiness that childhood usually brings can change into a bitterness as we become adults. The author takes us on a journey into a young woman’s life and how as the years have passed her life changes into something that isn’t what she expected. A place she once held dear turns into something she can’t wait to get rid of. The Printed Letter Shop was owned by Madeline’s Aunt but now that she has passed is left in the hands of Madeline. An albatross around her neck she can’t wait to get rid of the shop and move forward with her life. When her life unexpectedly changes she starts looking for a life line to grab hold. As life grabs her and pushes her toward a different road she begins to wonder if the shop and owning it is such a bad thing after all. I loved the emotions that the author pulled from me as I turned from page to page. This was a fantastic read that showed the good and bad side that relationships can bring and that dealing with them is never easy but in the end we can find peace by letting things go.
This ensemble piece drew me into the inner landscapes of three distinctly different women whose stories intersect at an independent bookshop. As their lives and the livelihood of the shop played out after the owner’s death, each woman faced a soul searching journey. I became invested in their self-discoveries and was eager to learn what life-altering choices would come to each woman and how those choices would synergistically effect each other and the bookshop. It was a rewarding and satisfying emotional experience.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
The printed letter bookshop
Madeline aunt passes away and leaves her everything. Including the printed letter bookshop. I love books about bookstores. Mainly this one was where they were trying to be able to keep it. Since finances weren’t actually that good. Will they be able to get things straightened out.
This book did have a lot of characters. I do have a hard time trying to keep them all straight in my mind. Must be my age. I did manage to mostly figure them out. One character named Janet definitely had a lot of emotional issues. It was a fast reading book that I enjoyed very much.
I received a advanced copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
I enjoyed my time getting to know the three women featured in this book. They all came from different backgrounds, but they had more in common than they knew. I felt like I spent everyday at the bookstore as customers came in, browsed, read and made friends. The bookstore is the focal point of the story as rumors abound that the new owner will sale.
Madeline is very smart and loyal which has caused her to lose touch with her Aunt Maddie. What a shock she had when her aunt’s will was read. The timing could not have been more perfect since it was time for a change of scenery for Madeline. What does a respected lawyer do when she inherits a bookstore? The beauty of this story is getting to know each character and watch them struggle, feel remorse, look for forgiveness and find themselves.
I loved all the books mentioned in the story and the list of books each woman receives from Maddie. They don’t understand the list at first, but Maddie knew just what each one needed to read. I would love to have an Aunt Maddie in my life. She was the glue that held this story together. She touched so many lives and gave her time and wisdom unconditionally.
Janet is unsure of herself and my heart broke for her as she longingly wanted to be part of her grandchild’s life. There seems to be a theme going throughout the book of bitterness and pride in families . Janet loves working at the bookstore and finds peace there. I think she was looking for acceptance and longed to feel needed.
Claire was easy to relate to for me. She seems to feel like a failure when it comes to her teenage daughter. it is hard for them to connect with Claire working at the bookstore and Brittany pulling away from her guidance. There will be a crisis that will have Claire examining her purpose and wanting to protect her daughter.
The story is easy to read and I loved watching each woman grow, depend on each other and watch their dreams blossom. There are times when Madeline isn’t sure she can save the store and wonders why her aunt left it to her. It was wonderful to see how each woman discovers something about themselves and how they grow as friends. Come join them as they find true friendship and trust in a bookstore.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
4.5 Stars
One of the magical things about books is how they speak something to us wherever we are in our lives. And in her newest release, one of Katherine Reay’s three main characters is sure to touch you in some way.
Madeline, Claire, and Janet are different in many, many ways. A thirty-something lawyer, Madeline wants only to sell her aunt’s bookshop and get back to her law firm. In her forties, Claire feels lost and unappreciated in her family. And living the consequences of a divorce that was her own fault, Janet looks at her life through a cynical lens. But when these three women are brought together, they begin to form a friendship that is both unexpected and blessed. It’s one of those friendships that despite their hiccups and cracked fault lines, is going to become stronger for the challenges.
While Reay gives each of these women their own challenges, it is refreshing that some of them are a little more run-of-the mill. Because, let’s face it, most of us are probably not set to inherit a struggling bookstore or make a huge change professional, but many of us can relate to feeling lost within relationships. Some of us can even empathize with the difficulty of forgiveness and apologizing for our wrong doings.
So, what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy of The Printed Letter Bookshop and visit Winsome and this little independent bookstore that struggles to survive along with the women who are employed there. But be warned, your reading list is most likely to grow by the end of this delightful read.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Printed Letter Bookshop is written from three distinct points of view. The first is Madeline, a young attorney, who suddenly finds herself the recipient of her estranged aunt’s estate, which includes a floundering bookshop. The second and third point of view belong to two women who were Aunt Maddie’s friends and employees at The Printed Letter Bookshop. Janet, a middle-aged divorcee, is hiding her insecurities and sorrows behind prickles and spines. Claire, the penultimate suburban stay-at-home mom, finds herself unrooted after her husband’s job relocation, and is struggling to regain her footing in not only her new location but also her changing relationships with her husband and teenage children.
Some books written from changing points of view can feel like readers are trying to make sense of a cubist work by an unskilled and visually impaired painter. The changing perspectives can become muddled, the story can get lost, and the characters themselves may become indistinct. Katherine Reay, however, weaves these three unique perspectives together into a unified story. While each character gradually reveals her own struggles in her own authentic voice, Aunt Maddie’s bookshop is the central meeting point where their lives and stories intersect. Their voices remain unique, yet their interactions with one another become a sum which is greater than its parts. The bookshop becomes a refuge, a place where each woman, through her interactions with the others, finds hope, healing, and wholeness.
I’m pretty stingy with five star reviews on book review sites, but this one easily earned five stars. This is not “escapist fluff,” as I have termed some Christian fiction. Readers won’t find picture-perfect heroines who live mundane yet glamorous lives untouched by trouble or sin. Ms. Reay deals with some difficult issues. What do we do when life not only hands us lemons but we discover we’ve been cultivating lemon trees in our lives and there’s not a grain of sugar to be found? What do we do when relationships sour because we have neglected them or circumstances stink because our choices have led us there? When things like pride, passivity, or peevishness have permeated our homes or our workplaces, how do we face them and eradicate them? While the long answer is complicated and the subject of many works of excellent nonfiction, the short answer is community and healthy relationships, rooted in grace, truth, and love. These truths are portrayed clearly and poignantly in The Printed Letter Bookshop, which I highly recommend.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and Net Galley. All opinions in this review are my own.
“It was like walking through a European emporium and embracing the merchandise—touching the colorful silks of adventure; pricking the cool sharp metals of self-help, DIY, and politics; tasting the sweet and spicy flavors of fiction, nonfiction narrative, and biography; catching your breath from the electric shocks of romance and the heady scents of gardening.”
–Claire
The lives of three women, Madeline, Claire, and Janet intersect and take an intriguing turn when one of them inherits The Printed Letter Bookshop. The quaint bookshop is located in the town of Eagle Valley, north of Chicago. Here in this remote little town in Illinois, the women will come to terms with the complexities life brings to each of them as they mourn Maddie Cullen, the previous owner of the bookshop, and come to know and understand her and themselves better.
Madeline Cullen Carter, prominent young attorney at a large Chicago law firm, inherits the bookshop from her Aunt Maddie. The inheritance comes as a complete surprise to Madeline and she finds herself in unfamiliar territory. On her first visit to the shop, she meets Claire, the shop’s full time employee, and Janet, the part-time employee. As the three women come together to keep the shop running they each learn some valuable life lessons about family, friendship, community, and love.
Beautifully written with evocative language and emotional depth, the book will leave readers with a smile on their face and warmth in their heart at the end. The twists and turn to get there make the story real. Readers of women’s fiction and bibliophiles will thoroughly enjoy this book! A personal favorite of 2019 for me!
This copy was received from Thomas Nelson. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
The Printed Letter Bookshop is presented from the viewpoints of three generations of women with one thing in common – the old fashioned book store that keeps them all sane. Even in their small town of Eagle Valley, 40 miles outside of Chicago, the pace of life is occasionally frantic. The Printed Letter Bookshop is not – Maddie and her helpers Claire and Joyce make sure of that. It is a haven of peace in the town, for all generations of readers.
The bookshop is the hard work of Madeline Cullen Carter and her husband Pete, now both lost to cancer. We open this story at the funeral for Maddie, attended by essentially the whole town, and her only family, brother and wife Charlotte from NY and niece Madeline, a lawyer in Chicago. Everything is still up in the air about the shop, Maddie’s home, her car.
Claire is the mother of two teenagers, an always hungry boy, and a surly daughter. Claire is happily married to a busy busy man and loving her work at the bookstore. She handles the bills, the orders, and loves the interaction with her co-workers and customers. She is very aware of the fact that the shop has not been making enough money over the last couple of years, and fears that if Maddie’s estranged brother inherits he will immediately sell the store. And she has no idea there is now a second mortgage on both the house and the shop.
Janet is a recently divorced mother of two, estranged from her grown children since the divorce before which she cheated on their father. Ex-husband Seth is often in and out of the shop, but they rarely speak. Along with the family, most of the locals also hold her responsible for the breakup of her family. As does Janet herself. The bookshop allows her a rhythm to her life, the artistic outlet she can no longer find in her world elsewhere. Her days are spent dressing beautiful window displays and selling stories. Her son has a new daughter, her first grandchild which she has not been invited to visit. Her daughter doesn’t speak to Janet on the street or answer her calls. The last couple of months Janet basically lived with Maddie, coordinating her hospice care and keeping her company, cooking, and cleaning and handling visitors. She, too, will be lost without the book store. And as a single woman, she has to have an income.
Niece Madeline is 31, working for a highly respected law firm in downtown Chicago, putting in 80 hour weeks and filling her awesome apartment with exquisite antiques, her idea of saving for the future since her father’s hedge fund lost everyone’s savings, including most of Madeline’s high school friends families and her Aunt Maddie and Uncle Pete. She had spent part of that summer of the crash of 2000 with Maddie and Pete, and loved them both, but because her Dad and Maddie had a big fight when he came to pick her up and have since not spoken, Madeline felt her loyalty to her father precluded a relationship with her aunt, and she hadn’t seen her since. Only 40 miles away, she was always polite, always busy when Maddie called. And no one in the family knew she was dying. Very few people in her town of Eagle Valley knew she was dying until she was nearly gone. So Madeline, who inherits all that Maddie left, carries a lot of guilt with her as she attempts to figure out what to do with her own future. Overlooked for Partner, she isn’t willing to give more 80 hour weeks to the firm, as anyone overlooked the first round has never made partner at her workplace. She quits and heads to Eagle Valley to sort out the store, get the properties on the market, send out resumes to other law firms. And finds a life.
This is a clean, compelling read, one I am happy to refer to friends and family. Katherine Reay is an author I will follow.
I received a free electronic copy of this excellent novel from Netgalley, Katherine Reay, and Thomas Nelson publisher. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this book of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.
This was a very enjoyable story. I loved the way it took place in a bookstore. The characters were so real. I laughed and cried with each character. This book showed how we all need to communicate with each other better. I was glad with the way the story progressed. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I’m always interested in learning about a book title and how it came to be. The Printed Letter Bookshop turned out totally different from what I first thought. Grab a copy for yourself and let’s see what you think about what the title might mean. It was a wonderful idea!
I love bookstores and this one felt like home to me. I could almost see and smell the books and see the displays as they were described.
The main character Madeline inherited the store when her Aunt Maddie passed away. Being an up and coming lawyer seeking a partnership in a big prestigious law firm, Madeline just wanted to sell the store, her aunt’s house and car and move on with her life. But our plans are not always God’s plans for us.
I loved how Madeline changed and developed her character throughout the pages. Her relationship with the two female employees of her aunt’s bookstore changed over time as well. Disasters, big debt, and personal problems seem to derail Madeleines plans that she first makes concerning her inheritance. But oh how things can change! I enjoyed this multifaceted story and the characters and took my time savoring each chapter.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
The Printed Letter Bookshop is a touching tale of life, loss, laughter, and love. Of friendship. Of letting go and new beginnings. Of finding yourself and discovering who you are and what makes you happy. Of chasing that happiness. Of forgiveness. Learning to forgive oneself and seeking it from others.
My heart is so full after reading this book. It was my first Katherine Reay book but it won’t be my last. I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with Madeline, Janet, and Claire as they shed society’s expectations and started following their own. As they healed their broken hearts and souls. And as they learned to trust again.
I love books and bookstores so was naturally drawn to this book. It reinforced my love with the setting and all of the book quotes. The characters all tell their own stories and change over time so my opinions of them kept changing which was right on point to show us how we judge people before knowing the whole story. A delightful story!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it.
Maddie is the heart and soul of the Printed Letter Bookshop. She has touched so many lives in the twenty years her shop has existed. Now her death may change everything. It is up to her niece who is the reluctant new owner and the two ladies employed at the shop to keep Maddie’s legacy alive. The three have to work through grief, personal problems, and challenges that could break anyone’s spirit. I enjoyed following the stories of acceptance, healing, and friendship.
This is my favorite book that I have read by this author. It is one you want to devour but make last and savor at the same time. I loved the POV writing from Janet, Claire, and Madeleine’s perspectives. The chapters are titled as such so it was easy to know whose viewpoint you were reading. Each of the women are at different stages in life and are trying to sort through life while at the same time trying to save the bookshop they have grown to love for different reasons. The bookshop and quotes from books are an added bonus to the story. I love the inspirational thread that is woven in gently and how it especially affects Janet. It is a story of hope, Grace, Mercy, and forgiveness and also has a budding romance. My favorite character is Janet and how she learns to humble herself and to find those simple words that pack a powerful punch, I’m sorry. This book in my opinion is the complete package tied up with a beautiful red bow. This will go on my keeper shelf.
I won a copy in an author chat. The honest review and opinions are own and were not required.