A review by sierraseawitch
The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Loved: 
  • Character conversation was front and center in this book. There are scenes where you feel you are reading the actual full conversation had over hours, rather than just significant snippets. That made the relationships bloom more naturally and, in my opinion, the humor felt far more natural. 
  • The audiobook narration by Ell Potter was incredible! She gets the character's emotion and voice so spot on that I felt I was listening to a true performance. I think this was a novel I enjoyed even more for the incredible narrator, who really made this story come alive for me. 
  • The main characters are mid-forties, and  more prone to consideration and reflection before action, which made them both more realistic to read and their choices more relatable. It also made the moments where they react on instinct more shocking in a good way.
  • I  appreciate a true slow burn. The attraction doesn't really play a significant role int he story until halfway through, and even then, the "pay off" comes later.
  • The main characters laugh and joke and actually enjoy each other's company! Don't know why that is so hard to find in a romance sometimes. 
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