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augustine_em's review
3.0
This, I think, had a good idea for a story behind it but I just don’t love it.
I really hoped I would.
Yet, it’s not one of my favourites from this genre.
Paige Turner(yes that’s really her name) is a sixteen year old girl from the small town of Greysworth. A very fitting name for the place where most shops have closed and all there is for teens to do, is hang around the streets. Bennett’s Bookshop for Paige is naturally, a sort of sanctuary from the rest of the town. She takes up a part time job there with her best friend Holly during the weekends while saving up for art school. When she finds out that Bennett’s Bookshop is going to be closed, she knows she has to do something about it but then she meets dreamy, and very attractive, art student Blaine. Can she still save her beloved bookshop without Blaine getting in the way?
As a sixteen year old, I found that the writing was unrealistic and cringy. That’s not the way I or anyone I know speak. Paige and Holly spoke by shortening words like text speak and using phrases like LOLs and ‘oh em gee’ too frequently.
I think other parts were more relatable, yes Paige falling for a boy like Blaine (who is this dreamy ‘bad boy’) happens and the way that Paige feels is pretty accurate to me. Although at the same time, she was very naive and looked right past some pretty obvious red flags to me.
I liked that it had a realistic ending to the classic trope but writing of it just kind of ruined it for me. I think the characters were just not relatable enough and I’ve read better books similar to this.
So yes. I’m conflicted with this book. I’m still undecided on whether I’ll get the next one. This was good but cringy at times despite the fact I loved the bookshop setting which I think is what really kept me reading.
I think this is good for age 12+ if you don’t go into it expecting it to be great it’s a lighthearted easy read if a little cringy at times.
I really hoped I would.
Yet, it’s not one of my favourites from this genre.
Paige Turner(yes that’s really her name) is a sixteen year old girl from the small town of Greysworth. A very fitting name for the place where most shops have closed and all there is for teens to do, is hang around the streets. Bennett’s Bookshop for Paige is naturally, a sort of sanctuary from the rest of the town. She takes up a part time job there with her best friend Holly during the weekends while saving up for art school. When she finds out that Bennett’s Bookshop is going to be closed, she knows she has to do something about it but then she meets dreamy, and very attractive, art student Blaine. Can she still save her beloved bookshop without Blaine getting in the way?
As a sixteen year old, I found that the writing was unrealistic and cringy. That’s not the way I or anyone I know speak. Paige and Holly spoke by shortening words like text speak and using phrases like LOLs and ‘oh em gee’ too frequently.
I think other parts were more relatable, yes Paige falling for a boy like Blaine (who is this dreamy ‘bad boy’) happens and the way that Paige feels is pretty accurate to me. Although at the same time, she was very naive and looked right past some pretty obvious red flags to me.
I liked that it had a realistic ending to the classic trope but writing of it just kind of ruined it for me. I think the characters were just not relatable enough and I’ve read better books similar to this.
So yes. I’m conflicted with this book. I’m still undecided on whether I’ll get the next one. This was good but cringy at times despite the fact I loved the bookshop setting which I think is what really kept me reading.
I think this is good for age 12+ if you don’t go into it expecting it to be great it’s a lighthearted easy read if a little cringy at times.
alexsbooks_'s review
4.0
I found out about this book because the author is going to be at YALC, and as soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I ended up really enjoying it. It was exactly what I was expecting it to be, and exactly what I wanted. Working in a bookshop is my dream job, so I was really happy to find a book about that.
I really liked the writing. It was quick and easy to read. It was also a really engaging read, so I managed to get through it super quickly.
I LOVED the fact that it had feminism in there. I love seeing more and more books including feminism, and having feminist main characters, even when that isn’t the main point of the book. There were some point where I felt like they were just being silly with it though, like saying that the red and green man at pedestrian crossings are a way of putting women in their place.
I’m always happy to see books set in England, and this one was actually set near where I live, which was pretty cool.
I really liked Paige, the main character, and Holly, her best friend. I liked how passionate they were about saving the bookshop. I also just really enjoyed reading from Paige’s point of view.
The only character I didn’t really like was Blaine, but everything worked out the way I wanted with him in the end, so that was good.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read, and if you are looking for something quick and fun and bookish, I would definitely recommend this one.
I really liked the writing. It was quick and easy to read. It was also a really engaging read, so I managed to get through it super quickly.
I LOVED the fact that it had feminism in there. I love seeing more and more books including feminism, and having feminist main characters, even when that isn’t the main point of the book. There were some point where I felt like they were just being silly with it though, like saying that the red and green man at pedestrian crossings are a way of putting women in their place.
I’m always happy to see books set in England, and this one was actually set near where I live, which was pretty cool.
I really liked Paige, the main character, and Holly, her best friend. I liked how passionate they were about saving the bookshop. I also just really enjoyed reading from Paige’s point of view.
The only character I didn’t really like was Blaine, but everything worked out the way I wanted with him in the end, so that was good.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read, and if you are looking for something quick and fun and bookish, I would definitely recommend this one.
sophie_xx's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Moran-esque paean to bookshops, a droll story about adolescence, art and taking a stand.
The author seems to have channelled Caitlin Moran for her heroine in this, though I imagine it is probably closely based on both her own life and own bookselling self. No bad thing, either of them. For anyone who loves books, this is an amusing read, though if you aren't keen on teenage protagonists it might not be your cup of tea.
Paige Turner (yes, the character's name) finds herself stepping up to face 'The Man' when her refuge, her part-time job at Bennetts' Bookshop is placed under noticed, the bosses giving the staff four weeks until it closes on the high street of their small town. Paige and best friend Holly, enthusiastic bookshop girls, vow to stop the closure.
Both friends are also keen artists, and the story moves to their college life drawing classes, leading to some funny moments. Paige also meets a boy she 'totally gets the hots for', and we meet a range of memorable secondary characters that Paige's campaign brings together.
It's a funny book for book lovers, and a good example of the 'teenage crush'. There was just one jarring moment for me, Paige's Big Speech near the end, too practiced and preachy for Paige, it didn't sound like her either.
Overall though, highly entertaining with lots of chuckles abounding. And a strong message at its heart, about our local shops and bookshops in particular.
The author seems to have channelled Caitlin Moran for her heroine in this, though I imagine it is probably closely based on both her own life and own bookselling self. No bad thing, either of them. For anyone who loves books, this is an amusing read, though if you aren't keen on teenage protagonists it might not be your cup of tea.
Paige Turner (yes, the character's name) finds herself stepping up to face 'The Man' when her refuge, her part-time job at Bennetts' Bookshop is placed under noticed, the bosses giving the staff four weeks until it closes on the high street of their small town. Paige and best friend Holly, enthusiastic bookshop girls, vow to stop the closure.
Both friends are also keen artists, and the story moves to their college life drawing classes, leading to some funny moments. Paige also meets a boy she 'totally gets the hots for', and we meet a range of memorable secondary characters that Paige's campaign brings together.
It's a funny book for book lovers, and a good example of the 'teenage crush'. There was just one jarring moment for me, Paige's Big Speech near the end, too practiced and preachy for Paige, it didn't sound like her either.
Overall though, highly entertaining with lots of chuckles abounding. And a strong message at its heart, about our local shops and bookshops in particular.
jasmine_elizabeth's review
5.0
I really enjoyed the plot, and the friendships were great. We meet so many interesting people in this book. Certain characters are not what they appear, and I loved the way this all played out.
I enjoyed Paige's determination and enthusiasm in saving the bookshop.
I enjoyed Paige's determination and enthusiasm in saving the bookshop.
hannadekoning2001's review
4.0
This was such a fun read! Books about books always appeal to me, but I don't always end up liking them. This book, however, was exactly what I wanted it to be: a lovely book about growing up, friendship, art and books <3
veecaswell's review
4.0
The debut novel from this former bookseller, Chloe Coles writes a book that’s heartwarming and fun about trying to save the only bookstore left in a town made of grey (it’s called Greysworth for a reason!)
I am glad this book gets started quite quickly, it’s a short read but a very good one as we are introduced to great characters and a plot that really gives throughout the whole of the book. The characters in the book feel like a dysfunctional family but they work together so well and it makes for such a sweet read as this group band together to save the store.
I like that the romance is sort of a back plot to the friendships and the story as this is rare in books such as this, focusing more on the saving of the shop - it made me want to get up and buy a lot of books (and the pile of new books next to me shows that was pretty successful!) as Holly and Paige are so dedicated to making sure that Bennett’s doesn’t close.
A really enjoyable read, I can’t wait to read more from this author.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley for a honest review).
I am glad this book gets started quite quickly, it’s a short read but a very good one as we are introduced to great characters and a plot that really gives throughout the whole of the book. The characters in the book feel like a dysfunctional family but they work together so well and it makes for such a sweet read as this group band together to save the store.
I like that the romance is sort of a back plot to the friendships and the story as this is rare in books such as this, focusing more on the saving of the shop - it made me want to get up and buy a lot of books (and the pile of new books next to me shows that was pretty successful!) as Holly and Paige are so dedicated to making sure that Bennett’s doesn’t close.
A really enjoyable read, I can’t wait to read more from this author.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley for a honest review).
owls_rainbow's review
4.0
Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.
Paige is awesome! I loved her go-getter attitude and her unwillingness to let things slide. Her friendship with Holly was fab, I loved the way they supported each other and even the one blip they had was minor.
I loved the characters in the life-drawing class, especially Sue, she was a hoot and a great support to the girls! It was obvious fairly quickly that Blaine was not a good guy but it was great seeing him get his comeuppance. My main criticism was that the book seemed very short.
For more reviews see: https://owls-rainbow.blogspot.com/
Paige is awesome! I loved her go-getter attitude and her unwillingness to let things slide. Her friendship with Holly was fab, I loved the way they supported each other and even the one blip they had was minor.
I loved the characters in the life-drawing class, especially Sue, she was a hoot and a great support to the girls! It was obvious fairly quickly that Blaine was not a good guy but it was great seeing him get his comeuppance. My main criticism was that the book seemed very short.
For more reviews see: https://owls-rainbow.blogspot.com/
l1nds's review
2.0
I wanted to like this book - bookshops! feminism! - but it just didn't do it for me. I was hoping for something akin to Holly Bourne's Spinster Club series but the writing just fell a bit flat for me. The 'voice' of the teenage narrator seemed more cringe than authentic. However it may just be me, I'm not a teenager any more so I'm not the target audience. It was quite a fun read, and anything celebrating books and reading is to be praised, so I hope it finds an audience.