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How to Find Love in a Bookshop  By  cover art

How to Find Love in a Bookshop

By: Veronica Henry
Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham
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Publisher's summary

The enchanting story of a bookshop, its grieving owner, a supportive literary community, and the extraordinary power of books to heal the heart.

Nightingale Books, nestled on the main street in an idyllic little village, is a dream come true for book lovers - a cozy haven and welcoming getaway for the literary-minded locals. But owner Emilia Nightingale is struggling to keep the shop open after her beloved father's death, and the temptation to sell is getting stronger. The property developers are circling, yet Emilia's loyal customers have become like family, and she can't imagine breaking the promise she made to her father to keep the store alive.

There's Sarah, owner of the stately Peasebrook Manor, who has used the bookshop as an escape in the past few years, but it now seems there's a very specific reason for all those frequent visits. Next is roguish Jackson, who, after making a complete mess of his marriage, now looks to Emilia for advice on books for the son he misses so much. And the forever shy Thomasina, who runs a pop-up restaurant for two in her tiny cottage - she has a crush on a man she met in the cookbook section but can hardly dream of working up the courage to admit her true feelings.

Enter the world of Nightingale Books for a serving of romance, long-held secrets, and unexpected hopes for the future - and not just within the pages on the shelves. How to Find Love in a Bookshop is the delightful story of Emilia, the unforgettable cast of customers whose lives she has touched, and the books they all cherish.

©2017 Veronica Henry (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A love letter to books and the shops that sell them.” (USA Today)

“Charming... A light romantic comedy well-suited for bibliophiles and Anglophiles alike.” (Kirkus Reviews)

"Henry describes her novel as an ode to bookshops, and it is that... Readers who laughed and cried over ­Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove will love this one." (Library Journal)

What listeners say about How to Find Love in a Bookshop

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Delightful story with well developed characters!

There's a real sense of place in this book - I want to visit Peasebrook and spend time in Nightengale Books. Even though
most of the individuals in the book are likeable, each has his/her own quirks and flaws. I didn't want to stop listening.

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love, Love, Love, this book

This was one of those stories that kept me sitting in my car in the garage listening to more because I didn't want it to stop. I felt good about all the characters and the story. These days as I'm struggling with some of life's "stuff", this book was a welcome reprieve The audio performance soothed me as I listened. The writing transformed me to a place I want to experience. It was like taking a vacation in spirit. The only negative comment I have is that it wasn't long enough.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Why is this review so hard?

This is a hard review to write because it took me several days to figure out why I didn't dislike it but struggled to give it more than 2 stars (I rounded up for my book club because I think they tire of me being the outlier, you're welcome!)

Spoiler alert, although with such a quaint cover I don't think this is much of a spoiler, this book has multiple happy endings. Yet, the melancholy is overpowering. If the author's intent is to illustrate how life is the balance of love and death and the relationships that weave that balance then bravo! Clearly she demonstrates that the strongest bonds are born from the shared interest in the simple things in life, for example literature, music, and gardening.

The cynical me, though, can't accept it's that simple. For a book with such strong and varied emotions, I'm left with a feeling of odd hopelessness. Comically, for a book about true love found I have to respond with the cliche line: It's not you, it's me. Ms. Henry did a fine job and I would recommend this book, especially to read over the winter holidays, but I prefer my romance as either total steamy trash or heart wrenching, eyes swollen and incoherent babbling.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Cozy read with engaging characters

Often, books that are set in small villages are charming but scant on plot. This book has some substance, and the characters are relatable and interesting. I've listened to it twice, and it kind of grows on you. 4 stars.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Sweetest Story Ever Told

An amazing story of the different realities of love. So many amazing characters, it's hard not to relate. A must read!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Overly sweet and somewhat disjointed.


Many (and there are a lot) characters show up, then disappear, then reappear chapters later, making you think....who the heck is Judy again? And some of the romantic relationships border on the silly, or maybe it’s the happy endings...of...every....single.....one. Which made it feel more like a novel length Fairy Tale than an actual novel.

Per the title one can infer this book is supposed to be about romantic love and a bookshop, but a good percentage of the first part of the book is all about the life and death of the protagonist’s father, it’s sad, and quite drawn out.

I should have returned the book, but at some point you just want to get on with it and get it over. For me the book was not a success. The narration was fine except when it came to the male characters, the narrator does not voice them well.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Pretty good for chick lit

A nice story if you love books and bookstores. There are some sad bits, but not to worry, it all wraps up HEA ( happily ever after). Excellent narration.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Reminded me of the movie Love Actually

A great listen! Feels like it’s about 5 books in one. Very very enjoyable story. Totally recommend it!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great listen!

Rich, well developed characters and lovely storylines. Narrator was amazing, best listen I've had in a long time!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

LOVED IT!

The story was warm, quaint, touching, & romantic. Fiona Hardingham as narrator was completely magnificent!

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3 people found this helpful