The Shop on Main

Comfort Crossing #1

by Kay Correll

Sometimes, doing the right thing backfires... Bella Amaud is desperate when she learns her business and the home she lives in with her two boys is about to be whiskedout from under her. As shescrambles to maintain her fragile financial security andindependence, she fears she may lose more than just The Shop on Main and her home. Nothing is working out like Bella planned-she finds out the man she is falling for, Owen Campbell, is the businessman at the center of all her problems. Owen has secretly longed to belong-somewhere-anywhere-his whole life. When he decides to give his long-lost brother, Jake, back his birthright, he unknowingly thwarts his briefly held hope of a place where he can put down roots and a family he longs for. Nothing is working out like Owen planned-neither Bella nor Jake wants anything to do with him. How can a man who is used to being in control and a woman determined to make it all on her own find a way to happiness? The Shop on Main is Book One of the Comfort Crossing series. Bella and her best friends, Jenny and Becky Lee, navigate the heartaches and triumphs of love and life in thesmall southern town of Comfort Crossing, Mississippi.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Amazon, Ebooks, Womens Fiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2014

About the author

Kay Correll is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet, heartwarming stories that are a cross between women’s fiction and contemporary romance. She is known for her charming small towns, quirky townsfolk, and the enduring strong friendships between the women in her books.

Kay splits her time between the Southwest coast of Florida and the Midwest of the U.S. and can often be found out and about with her camera, taking a myriad of photographs, often incorporating them into her book covers. When not lost in her writing or photography, she can be found spending time with her ever-supportive husband, knitting, or playing with her puppies - a cavalier who is too cute for his own good and a naughty but adorable Australian shepherd. Their five boys are all grown now and while she misses the rowdy boy-noise chaos, she is thoroughly enjoying her empty nest years.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, there's no swearing , killing, sex and a happy ending, what more can you ask for?
Read in a day, once I started,it was a book you wanted to finish and then was disappointed when you did. The plot was compelling small town, mother alone with two boys trying to make a living running an antique shops you got it, on main street.The building is sold. Now the fun begins. Hope you enjoy it.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dreadful. This was really a waste of my time. I would like to forget I ever read it but my conscience tells me I need to warn others to not waste their time. The basic premise of the story was one I was happy enough to be reading at the time. simple uncomplicated and clean romance. It started out well enough but I got more and more irritated with the author as it went on. First off were the very poorly placed descriptions of minor characters for no reason at all. Clearly she means for them to be main characters in follow up books but in the setting of this story the descriptions are tangents that add nothing but word count. Then there is the repetition. Many thoughts and commentary were repeated. Either she forgot she already wrote it and did not hire an editor, or she thinks her audience is too stupid to recall what was in the prior chapter, or possibly just another heavy handed way of upping the word count. And then there was the villain of an ex. A total caricature of what a bad ex husband is like. I practically expected him to have a bunker, white cat and a pinky ring. Save yourself the time and choose something else.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much repetition, author needs to learn to show not tell everything. The characters especially the leading man were boring and almost robotic. Just couldn't finish.

[Summer Van Wagoner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another predictable amateur romance

What is it about amateur writers inability to see the repetitive narrative in their writing? These books would be half the size if whittled down to writing that wasn't completely redundant. And it gets really old when the "reason they can't be together" part of the formula is completely dependant on the woman being an immature vindictive brat, while the guy is inexplicably altruistic and smitten with said woman while acting like a little brat. EVERY ONE! So completely unrealistic, yet no one can put new ingredients into the recipe.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 3.5

A fairly short book that put a lot of content in the book without rushing it. Neat trick when an author can do that.

Bella rebuilds her life after her controlling husband divorces her, they have two small boys and she's managed to build a nice life. Living above her shop on Main street with her sons, having an uneasy truce with her Ex and sharing custody of their boys.

We'll in comes Owen who is town for his own personal reasons (no spoilers) and disrupts her life almost as any divorce would do. Fortunately Owen has the heart and ability to fix it.

Sweet, clean romance. I like the town, Bella's close knit group of friends and the boys are well done. Realistic both playing hard but having big hearts just as small boys do.

HEA ending which makes me happy but also realistic which frankly I love that the couple doesn't immediately fall into I love you's. But you know it's heading in that direction, good enough for me.

Enjoyed it, quick clean read. I can see myself continuing with the series.

[Arika · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am usually a sucker for this kind of story, I love happy endings, who doesn't? However, I was very disappointed in this book. The story was boring, the characters were OK, the dialogue was very forced and did not flow well. The story didn't have anything exciting in it, and it was very awkward reading about Owen and Bella talking to each other about "Their kiss" and the fact that they asked each other if they could kiss again and again......I was cringing multiple times.

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing book. Why the author portrayed the protagonist, as well the other main characters, as weak, superficial and immature while continually stating they were strong, independent women is beyond me. Did she think just verbalizing that phrase over and over made is so? Since I assume that the remaining books in this series are about the other women in this book, they are now on my do not read list.

[MaryD · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but somehow found myself skipping entire pages, wanting something to happen. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot wasn't very well developed. Combined with the typos, this book just didn't live up to its potential.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of Pieces

This book was what I would rate as “Ok”. The story kept me reading,but the pieces didn’t always make as much sense tome as I like. Sometimes I felt like things were rushed and might have come together better if they had more bulk to them. I probably will not seek out more books in the series, but it was not terrible- I have read worse.

[Mettesknit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kindle - November 23, 2025.

Too sweet and too short.
Yet somewhat cute.

[Vikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of the Comfort Crossing Series

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest of the series. I love reading about small town people and their lives. This book boasts a set of lifelong friends, Izzy, Becky Sue, and Jenny. Theirs is the type of friendship that anyone would envy. This book zeroed in on Izzy, he life after divorce, her business, children, long found independence, and alas! She finds love.

[Gloria ~ mzglorybe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so ready for a light small-town romance. I went into it blind, not knowing anything about it, but it was just what the doctor ordered. It’s been a stressful week and my reading was too heavy and depressing. I’m very happy to know this is book 1 of a series called “Comfort Crossing.” Just the name was making me feel better already. Actually the locale is the name of the town, Comfort Crossing, Mississippi, a small town where everybody knows each other and has each other’s back.

The description of the town sounds delightful, what with the cute shops, trees, cobblestone streets, a charming B&B, cafe and diner. I’m drawn to novels featuring cooking and food as well as colorful characters. This has it all.

This series revolves around 3 women who have grown up together and are best friends, Bella, Becky Lee and Jenny. They each have a novel dedicated to them as a main character. This one is Bella’s story, a single mom who runs the vintage shop in town. She is a great mom with two boys and has made her own way since her divorce from a selfish and manipulative man who still lives close by with his new wife and family. Along comes Owen, a property developer, and this is his story as much as Bella’s.

I enjoyed this very much and the way it was crafted. The love scenes were a bit schmaltzy, admittedly, but fun. A very clean book with no bad language or graphic sex scenes, just a lot of kissing at the appropriate times. 😁

This is a short novel at 212 pages so I read it in one day. I’m looking forward to book 2, which is Jenny’s story. Happy to recommend this to anyone that may need to escape to something light and fun.

[Kaylee Dolat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet romance centered around an independent woman that has broken free from her controlling ex. By managing her own shop and taking care of two rowdy boys, this woman proves that life is both rewarding and challenging. Obstacles fill her path and all of them were caused by the new romantic interest in her life. The first romantic-anything-since her husband filed for divorce and remarried to his mistress.

Ended on a sweet note, with wrongs being righted and family finding each other.

[Martine1975 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished it, but can't say it was a tremendous read. Way too many repetition in the storytelling. It just got annoying. After three times I know Bella values her independence, I didn't need all the conversations between other people discussing Bella's amazing independence. Yawn.

[NaDell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun read and I liked the characters and the way things were presented. I couldn't figure out how the situation could possibly be solved to make it all wrapped up, but it was great! Another clean, classy book with great characters.

[Stephanie Schriner · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read. But it was very predictable.

[Deanna Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it! It was sweet and sad though for Timmy…

Izzy was working in her own her shop and apartment upstairs which she loves doing her job. She was single mother of her two boys whom she adores and love them in her whole heart..❤️

Rick on the other hand, he’s trying take the boys away from Izzy cause she didn’t have a place to live and her shop, which is pretty sad to be honest..But who knows what’s gonna happen next book series hmm..🤔

I’m really glad Owen rent it out for her and her two boys to live on Main Street…So happy that he going to help out whatever Izzy needed but Izzy doesn’t want anyone help her out, so she finally got the help she needed for herself and her two boys…

Looking forward to more book series soon…

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shop on Main is a novel by Kay Correll. It is book one in Comfort Crossing; A Small Town Romance series.
Bella Amaud has had her share of problems. She had very controlling parents and she went from them to a marriage to Rick Hardy who was even more controlling and still was. When he decided to get a divorce to marry someone else, Bella was finally free to make her own choices. She still gave in to Rick’s control when it came to their two young sons; but she did it to keep the peace. She had her own home and her own business, a vintage store. She was to the point where she was able to put a little away in savings each month. She was lucky Mr. Potter kept the rent low and combined the shop with the apartment above it where she and the boys lived. Then the bottom falls out from under her again!
Owen Campbell had finally found his brother, Jake. Owen’s Father had abandoned Jake and his mother and never helped them at all. When Owen found out he had a half-brother, he wanted to help him and give him the inheritance he deserved. Jake, however, did not want anything from Owen or his biological father. How can Owen help Jake and his mother and make Jake accept it?

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always love a sweet romance. This was just okay for me. I felt like this was a short read, but there was just a lot of repetition in the story--I didn't like that the story line just kept getting repeated from different points of view with characters. I get that Bella was finally independent and that her ex was a control freak, but it kind of drove me nuts that each character repeated that part of the story multiple times. I just felt like quite telling me this over and over and show me.
Anyway, it WAS a cute story. I think this author has a lot of potential.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Didn't want to put it down.

This story was well written. Owen came to Comfort Crossing to meet a brother he had just found out about. By trying to help Jake he caused problems for Izzy. He met Izzy and liked her. The property he bought to give to brother was rented to Bella. He didn't know Bella and Izzy was the same person. It caused him some misunderstandings with Bella. He finally got everything straighter out. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Janeiowa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice,clean southern romance with no violence or sex.

A good editor could have tightened up the novel. There seemed to be too much "wordiness" in places that could have been omitted or rewritten to end the rambling and redundancy.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a lot of elements that reminded me of "You've Got Mail" but the characters weren't that well-developed. The small-town setting was wonderful and well-described. I wish the story had lived up to its setting.

[Pypa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable feel good story set in a fictional town with loveable characters.

[Sheila Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book.


A very heart warming book. An easy read, but actually listened to the auto portion of my kindle. Highly recommend

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty cool wrap up of all problems. Nice to have lots of money and use it to solve other people's problems.

[Phyllis C Surface · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars

Ok for a freebie overall. Could have done without Bella's redundant thoughts about her ex spouse and her constant brain chatter dialog.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little romance, short and easy/quick to read - a little repetitive in places, but I enjoyed it.

[Debbie Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Little Book

This is, as I stated, a sweet little book. The story is simple....single, divorced mom trying to make it on her own with an ex- husband who can only criticize. It is made clear that Izzy or Bella ( depends on who you are as to what you call her) had spent the better part of her life being put down by parents then her husband. She knew, in her heart, that she could successfully run her business but the ex was constantly criticizing and making threats to take their sons from her.

There was too much focus on the ex....don’t think we needed the constant reminder of how mean he was. He was obviously someone who liked being right and Bella’s success was hard for him to handle. I hated that she was a successful small business woman yet she could speak up against her ex.

It is obvious that the series will focus on the main characters as the books progress. I hope the three friends will be a part of each other’s stories. As Bella has met a man, actually going on a date and letting him help her out, we need to see how the relationship will end. We also need to see how her friends situations work—— Jenny, the single widow, and Becky, the single gal, both have stories coming.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isabelle, Izzy and Bella went into a bar….Actually those names all belong to the same person. And the fact that she has different names with different people is a huge turning point for the story.

Bella is divorced with two little boys, Jeremy and Timmy. Her ex-husband treated her as though he were her keeper rather than a husband. He sold her car which was given to her by her father. It was a car she loved. And he determined what she wore. That alone should have made her run for the nearest exit.

Her two best friends, Becky Lee and Jenny are her loving support group. They have been friends since they were small girls. There is a wonderful feeling of love and support among the three.

Bella has a shop that is becoming very successful. She sells items which enhance a home. And her shop shows small scenes which present the items so they look their very best.

Bella’s store and entire future are put in jeopardy Then her ex threatens to take the boys away from her.

The story is really a simple one and the drama is addressed and solved pretty quickly.

This is a sweet story which does not take long to read.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could life get any harder? Bella has just gotten herself into the red she has money in her savings but she just can't give the boys everything that they want not like her ex husband. Owen has come to find his brother but he hasn't been accepted with open arms but he isn't about to give up. He finds the perfect gift for his brother and his mother but he just has to pull it off before he loses all hope. Bella likes being with Owen but she knows that it can't last as he lives somewhere else and she is just so busy with the store but that is all about to change. She has just been told that the store has been sold and she will have to find somewhere to live with the boys, she just can't afford anywhere else and she finds out that Owen has bought the building that is even worse. Owen had no idea that it was her store now she doesn't want to talk to him and she might lose the boys, how can he fix it?
Will Bella ever forgive him and accept his help or will she let him go for good? A great easy read.