The Next Chapter Bookshop

Leafwood Falls #1

by Brooke Skie

A heartwarming cozy romance filled with warmth, community, and a touch of bookshop magic.

When Manhattan attorney Charlie Whitmore inherits her aunt’s century-old bookshop in the small town of Leafwood Falls, she plans to stay just long enough to settle the estate. The Oak & Ink Bookshop has always been beloved by locals for its uncanny habit of placing exactly the right story into a reader’s hands… but Charlie isn’t here for charm or magic. She’s here to get back to her high-powered life.

Except nothing in Leafwood Falls goes to plan.

There’s Hemingway, the opinionated orange cat with impeccable literary taste.
There’s the shop itself, with its creaky floors, shifting shelves, and quiet hints of something more.
And there’s the community, warm, welcoming, and far too easy to fall for.

As Charlie uncovers her aunt’s secrets and settles into the rhythm of small-town life, she finds herself drawn into a world she never expected… and to two very different men. Lawrence, a polished developer who represents the life she’s always known. And Ethan, the steady local contractor whose quiet reliability feels like home.

With her heart opening in ways she never planned, Charlie must choose between the future she built, and the one that’s quietly building itself around her.

Perfect for fans of The Bookshop on the Corner, The Lost and Found Bookshop, and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry.
A cozy, feel-good story about second chances, unexpected connections, and the magic that happens when you let yourself belong.

Genres: Romance, Cozy, Fiction, Books About Books, Family, Contemporary

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

Reviews

[Beth]

I thought I was in for a cozy and light reading experience but the amount of profanity and agenda pushing content that I’ve encountered so far makes it clear this is not what I signed up for. Not for me.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.35 ☆ - A lovely read for book lovers, with a touch of magic ♡

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book soooooo much. Had me laughing, in awe and crying with how cute it was. I had a blast reading this!

[niki lipsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

im a suck for small town bookshop stories. and with magic. I loved this

[Katelyn Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives ALL the fall, cozy feels. Seriously, grab a mug and a cozy blanket and get comfy because you're going to devour this book.

"But beth added more bookshelves (of course), a new reading chair by the window, and an impressive collection of teapots arranged on open shelving like ceramic trophies from the World Champianship of Cozy." Have you ever read a cozier scentence?

The characters in this story are all super lovable and familiar in a way like you just met someone for the 1st time but feel like you've known them forever. Though Mia with her 90s quirkiness and quick wit is my favorite, and of course Hemingway the shop cat.

This book didn't mean to bring in the nostalgia, but I think because it's set in a small Vermont town in a bookshop I just felt my 90s childhood the whole way through.

The romance throughtout is perfectly simple. It's very Hallmark in the sense of like 'they don't kiss till the end' but in the best way possible.

I can't wait to read the rest of this series! They're the perfect fall read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness this was wonderful. The Next Chapter Bookshop is a proper warm hug of a book. I think I smiled the whole time I was reading. I thought the end might make me cry but it just made me smile even bigger.

This is a Gilmore Girls, The Good Witch, Virgin River small town vibes sort of book. I loved everything about it. Hemingway the cat, Mia, Ethan I just loved all the characters.

I absolutely loved my visit to this bookstore and I hope it’s not too long before I get to hear the bell over the door jingle again!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book: The Next Chapter Bookshop
Author: Brooke Skie
Stars: 4.5⭐

My Review: The Next Chapter bookshop is a great cosy read. If you love small towns, romances, cats, and a bookshop with its own personality, then this is a book for you.

Side note: I am NOT a cat 🐈 person but this did get me out of my reading funk... Who knows, I might even read the other 3 books in the series ...

@promt
270 pages
Release date: 8 April 2025
Book 1 of 4 Leafwood Falls
Clean & Wholesome Romance | Small Town Romance
3.98 ⭐ on GoodReads

[Kristyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

warmed my heart

I absolutely loved this book! It was such a cozy read, with more mystery and magic than a hallmark movie ! It seriously made me so happy, and I couldn’t help but keep going back to it for more!

[Ashley Jeffcoat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book! Stars Hollow vibes wrapped up with a Hallmark bow and a touch of magic! Mia is hilarious! Highly recommend- I can’t wait to read the other 3 books in the series!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick little read that I LOVED! 🥰

[Angela Chatham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, enjoyed the FMC and love triangle development, and can’t resist a bookshop setting, especially with a resident cat, who was indirectly, in charge! 😁

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Loved the characters but the ending felt a little rushed. Also got a bit repetitive. I didn’t need the plethora of examples of “the mysterious intuition” to get the point across.

[Taylor Gevaert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found myself doing everything, anything else, to not read this book. DNF 28%
The author has an obsession with metaphors. There is at least 2 on every single page.
I wanted to love this….but I think I need the bookshops help finding a better book, because this was just not it.

[Florence Mitcheltree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat tastic

I just lost my cat last week, unexpectedly. Reading this reminded me so much of my cat it did my heart good. Looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

[Cara Tavaglione · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Next Chapter Bookshop by Brooke Skie is a fun, easy read. The main character Charlie Whitmore is a business lawyer on the fast track to becoming a partner in her law firm. That is until Charlie receives news her Aunt Beth passed away and left Charlie her 100 year old bookshop that’s been passed through her family. In order to fully understand her new inheritance and how this all plays into her current life of business dinners, fancy clothes, and law language, Charlie takes a trip to the book shop in the small town of Leafwood Falls, Vermont. As she spends time living in her Aunt’s apartment above the shop and hours learning the ins and outs of the bookstore its self, Charlie begins to feel a slight connection to the books as she remembers being a young girl spending time with her Aunt and all the hours reading in the store’s little nooks. During her unplanned extended stay in Leafwood Falls, Charlie encounters rather interesting “happenings” in the bookshop that she tries to apply logic to explain without much success. While staying in town, she also catches the eye of two very different man, one a representation of her life as a lawyer, while the other sparks a vision of what life could be like as a bookshop owner in a small town. As with most lives, plans change, visions and goals for the future veer in a different direction. Charlie must decide and rather quickly, what she wants out of life, fast paced and money filled, or small town, connection filled.
I did really enjoy this book and would rate it a 7 out of 10. The story line was easy to follow, with some magical/divine (perhaps) interventions throughout the pages. The small town, cozy feel was definitely present at times in the book, however I did not feel as connected to the area as I did when reading the series of books by Laurie Gilmore, which takes place in Dream Harbor. I was also a bit disappointed in the level of realness and connection I felt for Charlie’s character. In the book the Pumpkin Spice Café (also by Laurie Gilmore, which The Next Chapter Bookshop took a close resemblance to) I felt I could be friends with the main character Jeanie. Charlie’s character was hard to warm up to, almost robotic in her thoughts and emotions. I was, however, able to connect with Evan one of the male supporting characters. He had a quiet, calm, warm, safe feel and I found myself hoping Charlie would choose him.
I would recommend this story if you are looking for a fall read with some magic, and a whole lot of books!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for these cozy small town stories that have that nice Hallmark feel to them and this one fit that mold perfectly with a little unexplained "coincidences" thrown in.
Charlie inherits her aunt's bookshop, the Oak & Ink, and thinking she'll be able to quickly put the bookstore's affairs in order, the bookstore has other ideas. This is a shop where the right books find the reader, books fly off shelves, and catastrophes are just a way of life, especially with Hemingway the cat involved and making his feelings known. I really enjoyed the small town of Leafwood Falls, the decision Charlie has to make between keeping the bookshop, selling to a developer, or going back to her corporate lawyer job. I thought each option was explored fairly well, a lot of times with these small town stories, you only hear about the character's previous job, never really see it so I thought that was a nice touch and really gave you a sense for her capabilities in each area of her life.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Hallmark movie if we didn't have the rugged handyman who is one of the love interests and of course small town harvest festivals, but sometimes that's exactly what you need, especially during tough times.
I really enjoyed the magical realism aspects of the bookshop, the coincidences reminded me a lot of the Hallmark movies and series The Good Witch which was nice, nothing obviously magical, just interesting coincidences. It definitely kept my interest throughout and I enjoyed that the romance built slowly and wasn't the main focus of the story, it was more about Charlie rediscovering herself and finding what she wanted in life.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So… this wasn’t as great as I had first anticipated, but it was cute and touching in a hallmark kind of way.

This story follows the FMC, Charlie/Charlotte, who is a big time Manhattan attorney visiting the small town of Leafwood Falls, VT where her late aunt left her a bookshop called Oak & Ink. Charlie is only planning to be there for a week or two, trying to decide whether to keep or sell the bookshop. There, she meets a charming, local handyman named Ethan who helps her with all the shops much needed repairs; Hemingway, a grumpy, orange cat; Mia, the shop’s unconventional assistant with all the comic relief; and Lawrence, a big shot acquisition manager who’s constantly trying to get Charlie to sell the shop and make Oak & Ink into a templated franchise.

The shop itself, has magic: requiring repairs that are relevant, allowing the keepers to provide book recs to customers exactly when they need them, etc.

It was cute and endlessly hilarious (mostly Mia) but there were a few issues. This is obviously a small, indie author and unfortunately, there’s a lottttt of punctuational and grammatical errors that were taking me out of the story at times. It was a little too predictable. Things that didn’t need repeating were repeated a few too many times. And the romance was confusing… since finishing it, I get why it happened how it did but ? The synopsis made it sound like a love triangle and it definitely wasn’t lol.

All in all, this was a super cute, cozy book and I would recommend it 🙂

[Wafa Alobaidat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished The Next Chapter Bookshop on Audible (it’s included in the Plus membership!), and it was exactly what I needed—a warm, cozy escape. I felt like I was taking a step back from the chaos of Hong Kong and entering a little cocoon of small-town bookshop vibes.

The story has all the ingredients I love:
📚 A charming bookshop
❤️ A slow-burn love story
🏡 Small-town community

It gave me that comforting, Emily Henry–adjacent feeling, though I think with a slightly more polished edit and a more modern, eye-catching cover, it could really be marketed alongside books by Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez.

If I had one wish, it would be for the romantic scenes to feel a bit more vivid and engaging—there’s definitely room to turn up the emotional and romantic tension.

Still, I found it cozy, heartfelt, and the perfect book to unwind with. I’d recommend it if you love small-town romances, bookstore settings, and that “curl up with a blanket” kind of read.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd never read anything by this author before, so I didn't know what to expect, but I'm so pleased I chose this book. It's a really great read.

High-powered lawyer in New York, Charlie has to go back to Leafwood Falls to take care of her Aunt Beths' estate. In particular, there's a bookshop called Oak and Ink, which needs to be sold, or so Charlie thinks! Once she's in the bookshop, she realises that not everything is as easy and clear-cut as she thinks.

Hemingway, her Aunts' cat, has something to say about the shop being sold, and he makes his feelings very well known.

The book is about what happens when Charlie decides to give the shop a chance for 2 months. It seems the shop has something to tell her, not only about the books within its walls but about other things too!

Once I'd read a few chapters, I was hooked, and I couldn't put the book down! I can't wait to read the next book in this series...

[Madge E · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bookshop has a personality!

I loved this book. The characters were interesting. The storyline kept me riveted! Charlie comes to Leafwood Falls because her aunt has died and she has inherited a bookshop. But her life is in New York as a lawyer who also has an MBA. Besides the bookshop is having financial difficulties and needs significant repairs! Lawrence's company, Meridian, has made a substantial offer on the bookshop, and Lawrence is interested in Charlie! But the town's handyman, Ethan, begins making repairs and Mia shows up as assistant shop extraordinaire! Charlie begins to fall in love with the bookshop and the town. It all plays out in a very interesting way. You'll love this book!

[Amy Sturgeon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately with how short this book was, it still took me forever to finish (which could be part my schedule filling up) but mainly the lack of interest captivated.

I really wanted to like this book. I love the bookstore knowing what its readers need & the magic that comes along with that. However, the actual progression of the story just seemed to stay in the same spot until 90% of the book was done.

Also, why tf did we spend SO MUCH time with Lawrence? He clearly only showed interest in Charlie to get her to sign the bookshop away. Idk how the fancy pants in her didn’t see that. There was ZERO scenes between her & Ethan. Like HELLO, THAT’S WHO I / THE CAT / THE BOOKSTORE WANTED YOU WITH THIS WHOLE TIME!!!!

Had so much potential, but fell flat.

[Dorothy Schwark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has such a sweet, heartwarming story at its core. The characters, the setting, and the cozy, small-town atmosphere are all really lovely, the author clearly has a gift for storytelling.

My only struggle was the writing style. Nearly every sentence uses a simile or metaphor to describe something, and after a while it pulled me out of the story instead of bringing me deeper into it. The story is strong enough on its own without all the extra comparisons, and I would have connected even more with the characters if the prose were a little more grounded.

I truly think the author has so much talent, and this book would shine even brighter if the figurative language was used more intentionally. I hope the next books lean into the natural strength of her storytelling.

[Sharen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books about sentient buildings!

And this book does not disappoint. The historic book store absolutely has a mind of its own and the ability to choose the right book for the right person.
There are charming characters, a smart cat (if only he could speak with words), a sentient bookstore, romance (no sex), book suggestions, book store “keepers”….not owners, finding your place/your home/where you belong, and best of all no cliffhanger ending.
The only downside is that it really needs an editor!
It is the kind of book I like…“a curl up in a comfy chair with tea and a blanky (if cold weather) and enjoy” kinda book.
I have the next on my “to be read stack” and ready to go.

[Court · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, sweet, and cozy fall read!

If you love Gilmore Girls, small towns, and Hallmark movies, this should be your next read. It has all the “big city girl tries to save local bookshop” vibes, a quirky cast of ancillary characters, grumpy New Yorkers, and a little (closed door, no steam) romance.

Oh, and an orange cat named Hemingway. 🐱

I sincerely adored every page of this story and it left me longing for more. There are two more books in this series, but I see they are new characters but in the same town (sort of like the Dream Harbor series but much more Hallmarky and no steam).

Such a perfect fall cozy read! Also, on Kindle Unlimited.

[Skater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not your average cozy

The Next Chapter Bookshop is not your average cozy, although it does have the prerequisite romance, life choice decisions, and small town verses big city. Next Chapter is well written and plotted and the characters are well developed. The bookstore is the best character, well along with Hemingway the Cat. On the downside it’s about 100 pages too long and although well crafted, the outcome is telegraphed and it reads a little too much like a Hallmark movie. (Not a compliment)

[Samantha Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a long time since I’ve given a book a 5 star review but this small town, cozy little vibe was just what I needed. I love the familial aspect of the shop being inherited from a beloved family member, I loved the dynamic of the FMC’s relationship with both of her love interests, I loved Mia and Hemingway the cat. This was a delightful little read. There were several grammatical errors in the story but I was able to look completely past them and still give five stars because I fell in love with the characters!

[Vicki Chicago-Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK WAS FANTASTIC! I loved everything about it~the dizzyingly autumnal quaint Vermont town, the cozy little bookshop that knocked books off the shelves for people who needed to read them, the huge orange cat named Hemingway who was so much a part of the shop he almost talked, the quirky shop assistant with the color-changing hair and way too many opinions, and the gorgeous, rugged handyman who was deeply attached to the shop. This book had a wonderful story and a touch of magic & romance; so happy I took a chance on it!

I read this book on Kindle.

[karen herrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but

Nowhere in the book was damage to the apartment above the bookstore mentioned. If the roof leaked enough to cause major damage to the bookstore, the apartment would have been a total disaster area. Yet, they didn't go upstairs to catch the leaks.

I realize the book was a fantasy, but even in a fantasy the leaks aren't going to skip a floor. I also thought that as a brilliant lawyer, she could have negotiated a better severance from her employer.

[Brittany Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and cozy! In the end, I enjoyed this one. It gave off the perfect fall vibe, and I loved the descriptive atmosphere. That said, the first couple of chapters went a little overboard with long metaphors, just say what it is! It drove me a bit crazy at first, but the writing definitely improved as the story went on. By the halfway point, I was fully invested and loved the touch of magic and mystery woven into the plot. Not life changing but cute.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of a bookshop knowing exactly what a reader needs drew me in to the book. With lots of heart and courage, this book brought to life the choices that someone needs to make to be happy. Charlie was a great protagonist and showed bounds of growth. She learned to embrace her true self and learned there are different ways to look at success. Even thought the romance was very light, it fit well with the story. Enjoyable read for sure.