Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Found in a Bookshop

Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Found in a Bookshop by Stephanie Butland, Stephanie Butland

7 reviews

bookwyrmdancer's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I adored this book. A love letter to the power of stories to help, heal or simply offer escape, and a poignant reflection on the most challenging period of our times. Stephanie Borland beautifully weaves together snippets of story from different characters lives as they navigate the Covid-19 pandemic. This book is raw, emotional and very, very human. I picked it up without looking at what it was about based purely on how much I enjoyed Lost for Words and this was not at all the story I expected. Depending on your personal experience of the pandemic, this book could be quite challenging or triggering - it does not shy away from the heartbreaking realities of the pandemic and the grief, both collective and individual, that it brought. But it is also lovely in the way it captures the best of humanity that arose during that time. It is a beautiful tapestry of ordinary lives marked by extraordinary times. It made me feel quite emotional to read it but I am so glad I did because it also felt like an important acknowledgment of what we all went through - are still coming through. It also contains a whole host of excellent book recommendations for both pandemic induced and every day ailments. I’ll definitely be revisiting the book pharmacy.

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jetteh19's review against another edition

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This book is marked as happy and cozy but I could not get through so many depressing stories in the beginning.

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honeyfauna's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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brenxbee's review

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

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nickimags's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a fantastic audiobook and just as good as the first book set in the Lost for Words Bookshop in York in England. I absolutely loved the first book and was never expecting a follow up when I listened to it in 2018. It was one of my favourites that year, so it was great to catch up with Loveday and Nathan again even though it’s been 5 years.
This book is set around the Pandemic, so starts in 2020, although no specific dates are mentioned. If you still feel about shaky around the subject of Covid, this book might not be for you. I know I couldn’t have listened to it if it had been published earlier, so the timing has been perfect for me.

As we all know lots of businesses suffered during the Pandemic, and at the beginning of the book Lost for Words is really struggling, because no customers means no income, and Loveday is really worried about how the bookshop will survive. Loveday and her manager Kelly try social media, but it doesn’t bring anyone near the shop or the website. She thinks about what Archie would do, her former mentor and previous owner of the bookshop. She knows he would do great things, but would also expect her to look after her readers, and so she suggests opening a book pharmacy!

I loved this idea and loved seeing how this part of the story developed, and who wrote, emailed, or phoned in for book prescriptions. This is when the story gets really personal and quite emotional at times as Covid starts affecting customers and families who are key workers, relationships breakdown and things turn nasty at times. It was heartbreaking to hear their stories, especially as I was pretty sure they would be based on true accounts. It’s made me realise that how very lucky me and my family have been, not having had Covid at all. Also in Jersey, although we had a lockdown and restrictions in 2020, and then small ones again later on, it was nothing like what the UK experienced.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, as they are hopeful stories and of course there are the book prescriptions themselves, which I loved hearing as Loveday or Kelly responded to the customers. In between chapters the author writes lovingly about books and reading, helping to lighten the mood when there had been dark moments.
As to be expected Imogen Church’s narration was perfect! Her voice talents were amazing as he portrayed all sorts of people of varying ages.
Highly recommended on audio, especially if you enjoy books about books!

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sakisreads's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I knew that as a book lover, I HAD to give this one a go!

So many lovely life lessons (e.g. keep your loved ones close because you never know what may happen, thank your booksellers/librarians etc.) were scattered throughout which I appreciated 🥰 The quote about not having to finish a book (which I am notorious for trying to do, even if I hate the book with every fibre of my being!) was great too, I’ll put it down below.
‘Reading should be a pleasure and a joy, an education and a promise, a release and an escape. The books you choose for yourself should never, Eve feel like a punishment or a chore’ got me good 🥲

I also really liked this quote too:
‘Books don’t care how many favourites you have. Favourite books love being in the company of other favourite books.’ ❤️

There were quite a few characters to have to keep up with; I felt like because of this, some of the time I was missing out on some very important characters’ storylines. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars ✨

Also including the (VERY IMPORTANT) content warnings below; this does cover some heavy but necessary topics. Thank you 🥹

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claudia578's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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