The Second Story Bookshop

A delightful, sweet, second chance romance

By: Denise Hunter

Narrated by: Kim Churchill

She inherits the bookshop of her dreams . . . But she has to run it with the ex she vowed never to speak with again. "Book lovers, book clubs, and anyone who's ever dreamed of owning a bookstore will adore this cleverly interwoven story" (Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shelterwood). Full of fall vibes, The Second Story Bookshop is perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Gilmore Girls.

Shelby Thatcher adores working in the charming small-town bookshop her grandmother opened years ago. Since high school she's helped Gram turn the shop into a community hub for book lovers in the lakeside town of Grandville, NC. When her beloved grandma passes away, Shelby inherits the bookstore. But to her shock, Gram leaves half ownership to Gray Briggs, the man who broke Shelby's heart years ago.

Grandville residents have been vilifying Gray as long as he can remember. After graduating high school he couldn't skip town fast enough, even though it meant leaving the girl he'd fallen deeply in love with and alienating her family once and for all. Now he's back, the beneficiary of his elderly friend's will. Facing the town's animosity is difficult, but seeing Shelby again is sheer torture. No one could ever stir his heart the way she did.

As the adversaries are forced to work together, Gram's beyond-the-grave scheme is working--Shelby's old feelings for Gray begin to resurface. But the problems that destroyed their relationship before still remain, and a new one surfaces--one that threatens Gram's beloved bookshop. Is their love doomed to fail again, or will they find a way to make it work this time around?

If you're looking for an enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance set in a cozy lakeside bookshop brimming with healing, heart, and Southern charm, The Second Story Bookshop is your perfect, feel-good escape. Let Shelby and Gray's tender journey remind you that sometimes the path back to love starts at the front step of a bookstore.

Critic reviews

'. . . a beautifully complex romance about being loved in a way that transcends others' judgments. Hunter (HARVEST MOON, 2022) poignantly contrasts the fire of youthful passion with the deeper pull of mature love, while first-person flashbacks intensify unresolved hurt and undeniable chemistry. Set in small-town North Carolina, it highlights the imperfect but enduring bonds of family and community, and features tender notes of second chances and sweet literary charm.'

'A second story bookshop leads to a second chance at love in this tenderly told tale of old wounds, forgiveness, and redemption. Book lovers, book clubs, and anyone who's ever dreamed of owning a bookstore will adore this cleverly interwoven story in which the business of books steers the business of life toward a beautiful new beginning.'

Well placed humor. The voice was so easy to listen listen to.

I am not normally a romance reader but Denice Hunter has changed my mind about that. I be loved the whole story.

SWEET

Such a beautiful story! So sweet! I didn’t want to put it down!! And the last line was so cute!

Disappointed

Overall the story is good. However, the lack of faith from the story kept it at just that, a good story, instead of being a great story. I didn’t like the back and forth between past and present. I would have enjoyed it more if we got the past all at once then went to the present. It felt jarring with all the back and forth. It’s sad to think Denise may be walking away from faith based fiction, and the fans that love to read her faith based stories.

Shelby and Grey's story is a beautiful timeless love

I truly enjoyed every detail of this book. From the storyline to the narrator. This is a feelgood, read over and over kind of book.

clean and fabulous

This was such a great story telling book. I absolutely loved how uplifting and entertaining it was the entire way through.