wombat_88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
gretchenlouise's review against another edition
3.0
I wish there had been more bookshop.
Patti weaves a gripping tale.
This one held best-friendship, mother-daughter relationships, and a whole lot of heartbreak.
But I wish there had been more bookshop.
Patti weaves a gripping tale.
This one held best-friendship, mother-daughter relationships, and a whole lot of heartbreak.
But I wish there had been more bookshop.
booklover1974's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 stars
Last year I read My Favorite Daughter by this author and I really enjoyed it. That's why I want to read some of her backlist.
The title on this book suggests that the bookshop is the center of everything which I found not true. The bookshop is more of a supporting actor and I was left with a certain amount of disappointment. When I see a book title with the word "Book" in it, I always want to read it. I know, not completely healthy
Last year I read My Favorite Daughter by this author and I really enjoyed it. That's why I want to read some of her backlist.
The title on this book suggests that the bookshop is the center of everything which I found not true. The bookshop is more of a supporting actor and I was left with a certain amount of disappointment. When I see a book title with the word "Book" in it, I always want to read it. I know, not completely healthy
mrspenningalovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This book had a lot of high points, but also some super cliche dialogue that made me cringe. I loved the twenty-year old narrator, Piper, and her story made me want to read it more. Bonny, Lainey, and Owen’s friendship/relationship triangle was cringy to say the least, and I blamed Lainey for that. Owen needed better development as did Tim. I loved the concept of female relationships— mother/daughter, friends, and our mother’s friends. I also enjoyed the theme of how our past can taint us, but also open new pathways for our future. It’s a good summer read!
“Fear hung over us like a diseased cloud.”
“Art and stories offer meaning to our lives in way nothing else can. The soul needs story and meaning to help us endure this life.”
“We all do the best we can. There was forgiveness in this admission. We are all doing the best we could: as women, as mothers and as daughters. We hurt each other; we mend and we break and we try again, until we can’t and the headstone has its final day. And yet our hearts reach out for both love and forgiveness, granted and accepted.
“Fear hung over us like a diseased cloud.”
“Art and stories offer meaning to our lives in way nothing else can. The soul needs story and meaning to help us endure this life.”
“We all do the best we can. There was forgiveness in this admission. We are all doing the best we could: as women, as mothers and as daughters. We hurt each other; we mend and we break and we try again, until we can’t and the headstone has its final day. And yet our hearts reach out for both love and forgiveness, granted and accepted.
dana_reads_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Bonny is attempting to start over while dealing with a tragic mistake at her job as an ER doctor, leaving her husband, dealing with her troubled young adult daughter, and renovating her family’s South Carolina beach house so she can sell it. I loved this southern fiction beach read with its strong female characters and friendships! It deals a lot with motherhood in its many forms, along with forgiving both ourselves and our mothers and daughters for the mistakes they’ve made. And of course there’s a small town bookstore!
seawarrior's review against another edition
3.0
The Bookshop at Water's End is a saccharine book with plenty of dramatic subplots. At times the melodrama was eye-rolling, yet I truly loved Henry's use of language and highlighted several quotes of hers throughout the narrative. I most enjoyed Piper's perspective, perhaps since we are closer in age. Her aching search for identity and difficulty embracing the oppositional sides of her personality as a dreamer and a realist made her an endearing and relatable character. Henry weaves magic through even the most mundane events in her character's lives, resulting in a reflecting pool of emotion sure to enchant even the most dour readers.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, and Medical trauma
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
5.0
Book #77 Read in 2017
The Bookshop at Water's End by Patti Callahan Henry
Usually, I love any book set in a bookshop and this book was no exception. Bonny and Lainey return to their summer childhood town and bring some of their families with them. Both women have issues that they are trying to solve but their friendship will help them get through those issues. Their small town is full of interesting people and lends a nice touch to the book. I borrowed this book from the public library.
The Bookshop at Water's End by Patti Callahan Henry
Usually, I love any book set in a bookshop and this book was no exception. Bonny and Lainey return to their summer childhood town and bring some of their families with them. Both women have issues that they are trying to solve but their friendship will help them get through those issues. Their small town is full of interesting people and lends a nice touch to the book. I borrowed this book from the public library.
justanotherbkwrm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0