A review by nickimags
Found in a Bookshop by Stephanie Butland

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! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings