One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and when a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and for her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.

PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon: The Printed Letter Bookshop * Christian Book Distributors: The Printed Letter Bookshop

My Review

Bookstores always hold a special place in my heart. It solidified my love of reading. I grew up going to bookstores and walking down each aisle to find that perfect book. When I heard that this book was all about a bookstore, I was so excited!
I worked at small bookstore and so I completely relate and understand the struggles of maintaining and keeping the store from closing. I also can relate to the joy and fun of sharing books with others.

I found this book to be well written and deep. It is written in the perspective of three women who are connected to the Printed Letter Bookshop.
Claire and Janet both work there and Madeline inherited the store from her aunt. Each one has their own problems to deal with. I like how they each become better friends and learn from each other. They have to learn to trust each other and the Lord.
I thought each character was well written. It’s hard to know which one I liked best.
The only part of the book I didn’t like as well was the different perspectives of each character. It switches tenses and point of view for each character. It took me a little bit to get in the rhythm of the story but then I noticed it less because I was caught up the lives of Madeline, Claire and Janet. When you no longer think about how the book is written and you think more about the story, that is a sign of a well written book.
I think that there is a lot good truth and life lessons in this book that the reader can learn along with the characters.

I recommend this book to my family and friends.

I received this book to read and give my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own

About the Author

Katherine Reay is the national bestselling and award-winning author of Dear Mr. Knightley, Lizzy and Jane, The Brontë Plot, A Portrait of Emily Price, The Austen Escape, and The Printed Letter Bookshop. All Katherine’s novels are contemporary stories with a bit of classical flair. Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and isa wife, mother, former marketer, and avid chocolate consumer. After living all across the country and a few stops in Europe, Katherine now happily resides outside Chicago, IL