The Bookstore Diaries

by Susan Mallery

This summer, the town's juiciest secrets are revealed in New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery's joyful and sparkling new novel


Jax has a slight issue with control-as in, she needs it. Always. Too bad she has power only over the Painted Lady Bookstore, the Victorian mansion turned bookshop she inherited. No one else listens to a word she says. Her ex gets engaged for questionable reasons. Her beloved sister, Ryleigh, wants to move away to find a husband. And the handsome contractor Jax has chosen to convince Ryleigh to stay is only interested in Jax.
Still, she's living the bookworm dream-until an unhappy accident erases the names from the bookshop lockboxes where the town keeps their diaries. Which means the only way to find a diary's owner is...to read it.
As secrets spill and scandals surface, life at the Painted Lady Bookstore gets a lot more colorful and chaotic. But for a woman who's always had to take charge, Jax will see that losing control-especially with the right wrong guy-can set you free.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Books About Books

336 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.

Reviews

[Dianna D · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 4/5

As a lifelong bookworm, I’m always a sucker for stories set in bookstores, and The Bookstore Diaries felt like slipping into exactly the kind of cozy, slightly chaotic world I love. Jax is the kind of heroine I connect with instantly—hyper-competent, a little controlling (okay, a lot), and trying desperately to hold everything together. She runs the Painted Lady Bookstore, a gorgeous Victorian house turned bookshop, but outside those walls her life feels like it’s fraying: an ex getting engaged for all the wrong reasons, a beloved sister (Ryleigh) talking about leaving town to find a husband, and a charming contractor who keeps looking at her instead of the sister she hired him to help keep nearby. 

I loved the whole vibe of this book. The town uses lockboxes at the bookstore to stash their private diaries (how cool is that?), and when an accident erases the names on them, Jax has to start reading them to match secrets back to owners. That’s when everything really kicks off—affairs, heartbreaks, hidden hopes—spilling out in ways that shake up not only the town, but Jax’s own carefully managed life. Add in an African Grey parrot named Ramon with big personality and you get that classic Susan Mallery blend of humor, warmth, and emotional messiness that still somehow feels hopeful. 

The tropes here are my catnip:
📚 Bookstore / booklover heroine
🏡 Small-town women’s fiction with strong community
👩‍❤️‍👨 Slow-burn romance with the “right wrong guy” (the contractor)
👭 Sister relationship & found family
🗝️ Secrets revealed / diaries & lockboxes
💔 Divorced heroine co-parenting with her ex

For me, this was a very cute, engaging read. I loved watching Jax loosen her grip on control, learn when to step back, and when to fight for what (and who) she wants. The romance is more slow-build than high-angst, which fit the story perfectly. My only small quibble—and the reason this lands at 4 stars instead of 5—is that a couple of the diary-related reveals and emotional resolutions wrapped up a little faster than I wanted. I was so invested in these characters and their secrets that I would’ve happily spent another hundred pages with them.

Still, when I finished the last page, I had that warm, contented feeling I look for in this kind of book. If you love small-town stories, complicated families, and a bookstore at the heart of everything, The Bookstore Diaries absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted eARC; all thoughts are my own.

📖 Book Review 📖 Something is in the air at The Painted Lady Bookstore, and it’s not just the spirited, rambunctious African Gray Parrot Ramon (but oh my goodness, can we bottle up that personality please?!?) Jax and Ryleigh and sisters who are deeply devoted to each other but they are down on their luck in the love department. Jax is divorced and doing her best to co-parent her two children with her ex while running her bookstore. Ryleigh is crushing her professional goals as a teacher but finding the right person to settle down with in their small town is difficult. When a construction project at the bookstore accidentally mixes up the diary lockboxes in the wall and secrets threaten to be revealed, relationships are pushed to their boundaries. It’s a summer of change for these sisters and hearts are not left unscathed in this heartfelt novel. Susan Mallery brings beautifully complex characters and high stakes in a novel you will not want to put down.

[Bookworman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A nice story about family relationships and love. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. My favorite character was Ronan, the African Gray parrot. He was funny and charming.

I had trouble connecting and caring about the main characters. It was clear from the first chapters what was going to ultimately happen. but it took a frustratingly long time for either sister to get a clue. I also didn't understand why there wasn't more interaction between the sisters and their mom and stepdad.

Anyway, it was good enough to read to the end and had enough positives to make it enjoyable.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jax owns the Painted Lady Bookstore she inherited from her parents and is totally consumed with running it to perfection. She’s newly divorced but has a good working relationship with her ex, especially regarding parenting their two children.

Ramon, however, is probably her best friend. He’s finicky, opinionated and blurts out inappropriate statements around the bookstore. He’s also an African Gray Parrot with a great vocabulary.

Marcus is the quiet and handsome contractor Jax hired to do work around the bookstore. He’s professional but completely smitten with Jax.

Fun and cute, you’ll love this upbeat story.


Thanks Edelweiss and MIRA.

[Sharyn Stieglitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book set in a bookshop with a hilarious parrot for comic relief? Sign me up!

Jax is the owner of the Painted Lady bookshop, currently going through a divorce, and a mother of two. Her sister, Ryleigh is a teacher, but she's got bigger dreams than staying in their current small California town. Harris, Jax's ex, gets engaged to a woman he's not in love with, a colleague of Ryleigh's, and soon she's planning the wedding of her dreams that may not even be happening. To add fuel to the fire, an incident in the bookshop involving the diaries kept there, where the owner's names get erased from the shelves causes a stir.

This was a story of sisterhood, friendship, and relationships being tested, and it was so good! The character development was well written, and I loved seeing the growth of the sisters throughout the story. Jax could be set in her ways and have strong feelings, but ultimately, she loves her sister and would do anything for her. Ryleigh dreams of moving to San Diego, but it would also break her heart to live her family and friends behind.

One of my favorite characters in this book was Ramon, Jax's parrot, who could talk and added the perfect amount of comedic relief to this book.

Thank you to Susan Mallery, MIRA books, NetGalley, and HTP Hive for my e-ARC.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family is not only blood, but who you choose to be a part of yoir life. Jax has 2 great kids, an ex-husband with a 50/50 parenting plan, a younger sister who is searching for love, and her bookstore where Ramon, her parrot of 30 years, lives.
Jax has issues with relinquishing control, and isn't sure she's ready for a committed relationship with Marcus.
Ryleigh realizes she's in love with her best friend, Alex. He and his son, Noah, are the closest thing to a family unit she has, bonding after Alex's wife passed away 2 years prior.
Harris, Jax's ex, wants his girlfriend to spend the night when hes with the kids. To conform to the parenting plan, he has to be engaged or married so he proposes to his girlfriend to get around the issue. All of these relationships come to a head during the bookstore renovation where diaries are read by Cheryl, store associate, after not being claimed. Passages bring insite into the feelings and goings-on of the town, bringing closure to some, and love to others.
The story is good, overall. Ryleigh gives a sense of woe-is-me some of the time, which I don't enjoy. My favorite character is Ramon, the parrot, and Marcus, the handsome and patient contractor. I also really enjoyed Cheryl and her quick-wit, no-nonsense, take-action mindset.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced copy of the bookstore diaries in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I almost DNF’d this book, but I am so glad I stuck with it. I ended up falling in love with all of the characters and rooting for them to get their happy endings. It really was a heartwarming story and I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Lisa Hemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramon stole the show in “The Bookstore Diaries” and was my favorite character, but who was he really? Jax’s secret boyfriend? No, he was an African Gray Parrot who lived at the bookstore. He was very popular with the customers, especially the children, and he tended to repeat everything he heard. His words of wisdom graced each chapter and his love for Jax knew no boundaries. I love stories set in bookstores and I was intrigued by the title and immediately fell in love with all of the characters. The storyline was full of family drama, lasting friendships and lots of romance. Not only does the book take place in a bookstore, the locale is sunny California by the beach! This is the perfect escape for book lovers and those of us who can only dream about a California vacation.

Jax had her hands full with managing the bookstore, taking care of her two children, and dealing with her wayward ex-husband, whose behavior created a train wreck that I couldn’t look away from. Her sister Ryleigh had both personal and professional decisions to make, and could a change of scenery be what she was really looking for? The bookstore was the most important character because it represented a safe haven for all, a place to read, reflect and jot down your dreams, and a way of life that was full of possibilities. I felt at home at The Painted Lady Bookstore and I know all of you will, too!! Happy reading!!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mallory delivers her trademark storytelling expertise into her new novel about sisters. Jax and Ryleigh are sisters both in need of help in the love department. Jax has been divorced for over a year now and while things are great with her kids, bookstore, and precocious bird, but her love life is non-existent and she's not sure if she even wants to change that. Ryleigh has been dating her boyfriend for a year and she's expecting a proposal. But when the perfect opportunity arises and there's no proposal, she starts questioning her relationship.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Mallery’s The Bookstore Diaries kicked my door open, scattered my emotions across the floor, and then politely offered me a comfy chair and a cup of something warm while I processed the mess.
Published by Harlequin Audio, and many thanks to the publisher for the gifted ARC, which I experienced entirely on audio and ended up loving more than I expected.

Let me be clear right away: this isn’t a twisty, high-drama, gasp-out-loud kind of book. It’s a slow, cozy, emotionally observant story that sneaks up on you while you’re relaxed and then suddenly hits a little too close to home. Listening to it felt like being invited into the Painted Lady Bookstore after closing time, when the lights are low, the town noise has faded, and everyone’s secrets feel louder than they should. The audio format suits this story beautifully. The narration leans into the warmth, the humor, and the quiet tension of people who are trying very hard to keep their lives under control… and not quite succeeding.

Jax is the kind of main character who can easily come off as “a lot,” and honestly? She is. She’s competent, controlling, opinionated, and absolutely convinced she knows what’s best for everyone around her. But hearing her story unfold on audio softened her edges for me. Her inner thoughts felt less sharp and more vulnerable, like confessions whispered rather than declarations shouted. I didn’t always agree with her choices, but I understood where they came from, and that made all the difference. There’s something deeply relatable about a woman who keeps everything running smoothly because she doesn’t trust what will happen if she stops.

The book isn’t really about the diaries in the literal sense. It’s about what happens when private thoughts are exposed, when carefully curated lives start to wobble, and when control slips through your fingers whether you’re ready or not. The emotional payoff comes from watching characters sit with discomfort instead of rushing to fix it. On audio, those pauses matter. I found myself lingering in the car just to finish a chapter, rewinding certain scenes because the emotional beats landed quietly but stuck.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4.5 stars

“There’s a person for every book.”

That line stopped me in my tracks when I heard it out loud. It sums up not just the heart of the story, but the experience of listening to it. This book knows exactly who it’s for. If you love cozy settings, bookstores as emotional anchors, sister dynamics that feel complicated but genuine, slow-burn romance, and stories about emotionally capable adults figuring things out imperfectly, this will feel like slipping into something familiar and comforting. Audiobook listeners who enjoy character-driven narratives with warmth, wit, and low-stakes chaos will especially appreciate how well this story translates to listening.

When it ended, I felt that specific mix of contentment and mild sadness that comes from leaving a place you enjoyed more than you realized while you were there. And honestly, that’s the highest compliment I can give a book like this. So now I’m curious… would you rather experience a story like this through headphones during everyday life, or save it for a quiet night curled up with the pages?

#TheBookstoreDiaries #SusanMallery #AudiobookReview #HarlequinAudio #RomanceReads #RomanceAudiobook #CozyFiction #BooksAboutBooks #WomensFiction #Bookstagram #AudioBooks

[Laurie]

A story that takes place in a bookstore in a small California coastal town, focuses on family, relationships, and friendships, and is written by Susan Mallery? I’m all in! While the title includes “diaries,” this novel really centers on the lives of two sisters, Jax, the owner of the Painted Lady Bookstore, and her sister, Ryleigh, a teacher. Both sisters are successful in their chosen fields but have had disappointments in love (and, for Jax, in marriage). Some of the most enjoyable portions of this book were following each sister’s revelations about what they want out of life and how they’ve both gotten in their own way toward finding love. The other plotline I enjoyed was watching the relationship between Jax and her contractor, Marcus, unfold. Between running a bookstore, dealing with her ex-husband, and being mom to her two children, Jax has built a “safe” life where she can control the narrative. Watching her open herself up and risk being vulnerable was a delight.

The dialogue flows, and the other characters, including Jax’s two children, Cheryl, Jax’s events coordinator, and Ramon, Jax’s African gray parrot, add humor and an emotional connection. And the diaries? Townspeople wrote those, and the diaries are kept behind a brick wall in the bookstore. Each brick is marked, so that the owners can easily locate their diaries. When a well-meaning worker cleans the wall, thus erasing the markings, Jax faces matching each diary with the owner. Secrets are revealed, with some of those affecting both Jax and Ryleigh.

What kept me from a five-star rating was the repetition of the same dialogue, introspection, and narrative being rehashed repeatedly throughout the book. When a character repeats the same thing over and over again, I just want to skip those parts. Still, I enjoyed spending time in the Painted Lady, and recommend this charming, comfortable read. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the digital ARC.

[Aura C · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lifelong book lover, stories set in bookstores already have my heart, and The Bookstore Diaries made it very easy to settle in and stay awhile. Susan Mallery creates a cozy, slightly chaotic small-town world centered around The Painted Lady Bookstore, and it genuinely feels like the kind of place you’d want to linger in long after turning the last page.

Jax is a relatable, tightly wound heroine — competent, controlling, and carrying far more responsibility than she should have to. Between running the bookstore, navigating family dynamics, and dealing with an ex who still takes up too much emotional space, her life feels constantly on the verge of unraveling. When the town’s private diaries are accidentally mixed up and secrets begin to surface, everything she’s worked so hard to keep in order starts to crack in ways that are messy, uncomfortable, and very human.

I really enjoyed the strong sense of community, the sister relationship, and the way the story explores letting go of control and learning when to step back. The romance is a slow build and fits the tone of the story nicely — more about emotional growth than sweeping drama. And yes, Ramon the African Grey parrot absolutely steals every scene he’s in.

This was a warm, engaging read that balanced family, romance, and small-town secrets well. My only reason for landing at four stars instead of five is that a few emotional resolutions felt a bit rushed, and I would have happily spent more time sitting with the fallout of some of those revelations.

Still, I closed this book feeling content, comforted, and glad I picked it up. If you love bookstores, complicated families, community-driven stories, and romances that unfold at a gentler pace, The Bookstore Diaries is a very satisfying read.

[Rhonda Hengesbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jax Weaver owns The Painted Lady Bookstore that her grandparents created inside an old three-story converted home. She is a single mom of two and has an African gray parrot, Ramon, who lives in and has free rein of the bookstore and seems more a human than a parrot.

Jax is also a control freak. She would like to control everyone and everything, including her younger sister, Ryleigh, who just broke up with her boyfriend and is thinking of moving away from the area, and her ex-husband who is dating someone half his age.

Inside The Painted Lady Bookstore is a locally-famous wall of lock boxes in which customers safely keep their personal diaries. During a renovation project, the names on the lock boxes are accidentally wiped clean by a construction worker. Some customers are still able to locate their diaries for safe keeping during construction, but many more are left unidentified. In most cases, it will be impossible to identify which diaries belong to which customer without breaking confidence and reading the diaries. Although it goes against her ethics, one of Jax’s employees reads the leftover diaries trying to find the rightful owner and also uncovering some secrets.

Although I enjoyed the book (esp. Ramon the parrot), I keep wondering when we’d get back to the process of the problem of the diaries themselves. The story didn’t really GO THERE as one would expect from the title. Still an easy read, just not what you’d think given the title.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallory was not what I expected, in a good way. I went in thinking this would be a cheesy rom-com but it is actually a contemporary fiction.

We start with Jax, the older sister whose marriage has ended. She and her ex-husband still co-parent well and even share the family home for the kids, rotating weeks. When she is not at the house, Jax lives in the apartment above the family bookstore she now runs with her gray African parrot, Roman.

Roman was easily a standout. His relationship with Jax was hilarious. He quotes movies and books and has a huge personality. The bond between them felt genuine and funny.

The story also shifts to the younger sister, Ryleigh. She turns down a proposal from her long-term boyfriend even though she wants marriage, children and that future. In that moment, she knows he is not her person. We follow her journey as she figures out what she truly wants in life.

There is a lot happening in this story. Sister relationships, romantic relationships, grief, divorce, and starting over are all explored. The characters felt like real people and many of the themes, especially Jax’s marriage and why it ended will resonate with readers who have experienced divorce.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was funny, it was relatable and I really did like the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and The Hive for the ALC.

[LM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a delightful surprise—warm, charming, and packed with small-town chaos in the very best way. Jax is controlling, yes, but deeply relatable in her need to keep everything (and everyone) from falling apart. Her inheritance of the Painted Lady Bookstore—a Victorian mansion turned bookshop—feels like a book lover’s dream, even as her real life is anything but orderly. Between coparenting, an ex moving on far too quickly, a sister itching to leave town, and a contractor who refuses to follow the plan, Jax’s grip on control is already slipping before the real trouble even begins.

The diary mishap is where this story truly shines. The premise of erased names and misplaced secrets is clever and compulsively readable, and watching the town’s hidden lives unravel added humor, heart, and just the right amount of scandal. This book is almost a novel within a novel as her sister also finds love.

At its core, this is a story about learning to loosen your grip and trust the unexpected. The romance is sweet, slightly messy, and perfectly matched to Jax’s journey, proving that sometimes losing control is exactly what you need. A wonderful read for fans of small-town romances, slow burn romance, and stories about finding freedom where you least expect it. Thank you to Susan Mallery, Harlequin Trade Publishing, NetGalley for the ARC.

[Melissa Widener · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 1/5
Cursing: very slight
Format/Source: ebook from NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing
Genres/Tropes: romance
Audience: Adult
Setting: California
Quotes: "Because there's a person for every book." - Jax
Characters: Jax, Ryleigh, Harris, Dustin, Gentry, Xander, Cheryl, Marcus, Shawna, Alex
👍 short chapters, multi POV, Ramon, bookstore, book heart display, multi love stories, multi cute pets, very slight cursing
👎 repetitive descriptions on emotions

Description:
Jax has a slight issue with control-as in, she needs it. Always. Too bad she has power only over the Painted Lady Bookstore, the Victorian mansion turned bookshop she inherited. No one else listens to a word she says. Her ex gets engaged for questionable reasons. Her beloved sister, Ryleigh, wants to move away to find a husband. And the handsome contractor Jax has chosen to convince Ryleigh to stay is only interested in Jax.
Still, she's living the bookworm dream-until an unhappy accident erases the names from the bookshop lockboxes where the town keeps their diaries. Which means the only way to find a diary's owner is...to read it.
As secrets spill and scandals surface, life at the Painted Lady Bookstore gets a lot more colorful and chaotic. But for a woman who's always had to take charge, Jax will see that losing control-especially with the right wrong guy-can set you free.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel especially the bookstore and the adorable pets. I want this bookstore in my toen pretty please! I would recommend it to all who like romance novels.

#bookstagram #booklovers #romancebooks #cutepets #bestbookstoreever

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Painted Lady Bookstore is home to more than just its books - it holds nearly a lifetime of memories for its owner, Jax. The store is going through some repairs and renovations which include having to rebuild the wall that holds hundreds of diaries in it's unique structure. When one of the construction crew takes it upon himself to "help" by scrubbing the entire wall clean, he obliterating the names of the diary owners which causes chaos and stress.

The Bookstore Diaries is a beautiful tribute to sisters, found family, and listening to the heart. Jax and her sister Ryleigh are the key characters in the story, but the supporting characters are just as important to they bring their own stories forth. Jax learns much about herself, not all good or something to be proud of, but she DOES learn - the hard way. Roman, Lucy, and Huckleberry add a bits of drama, laughs, fur, and feathers to the success of the store and the book. You're sure to love them!

Any book featuring an old home or bookstore goes directly onto my TBR list - but this one did not sit on my list for any longer than it took to open my NetGalley Shelf and begin reading! As always, Susan Mallery shares her talent for story-telling in a relatable manner, with realistic characters, and a charming setting.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Brenda (jadore_2read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery is a cute & cozy novel. While I did enjoy Jax’s story, I would have loved more of the diary entry readings. The concept is brilliant- I honestly thought that’s what the book was about 📚
✨✨✨✨✨
“Jax has a slight issue with control—as in, she needs it. Always. Too bad she has power only over the Painted Lady Bookstore, the Victorian mansion turned bookshop she inherited. No one else listens to a word she says. Her ex gets engaged for questionable reasons. Her beloved sister, Ryleigh, wants to move away to find a husband. And the handsome contractor Jax has chosen to convince Ryleigh to stay is only interested in Jax. 
Still, she’s living the bookworm dream—until an unhappy accident erases the names from the bookshop lockboxes where the town keeps their diaries. Which means the only way to find a diary’s owner is…to read it. 
As secrets spill and scandals surface, life at the Painted Lady Bookstore gets a lot more colorful and chaotic. But for a woman who’s always had to take charge, Jax will see that losing control—especially with the right wrong guy—can set you free.”
✨✨✨✨✨
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance.

[Gwen Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to shop in The Painted Lady
Author Susan Mallery has created another lovable community around the Painted Lady Bookstore in California. “The Bookstore Diaries” revolves around owner Jax, with interesting secondary storylines for members of her extended family, both of blood and that she’s made.
I appreciate Harlequin Trade Publishing for sharing a digital copy of the book via NetGalley. These are my opinions.
I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t like Jax. Reading her described as a control freak gave me pause. I very much enjoyed how Mallery was able to make her likable. About the time her need for control was getting to me, Jax started paying some attention to her sister and others’ perceptions of herself.
Much of “The Bookstore Diaries” revolves around making choices. How do we decide? What if we don’t decide, but the choice happens to us? How much authority do we have to help others decide — that’s a big one for Jax who really wants to fix others’ lives!
This book moved quickly and kept me entertained no matter which storyline it focused on. Ramon and his role in Jax’s life was great fun. And the actual diaries themselves, although not as much a focus as I anticipated die play crucial roles in resolving some relationships.

[A Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow!!! I absolutely loved Susan Mallery's latest, The Bookstore Diaries!! Longtime favorite author of mine, Mallery has taken her specialty of writing about small town domestic drama up a few notches with this book. She has a special gift of drawing her readers in and letting them get lost in the story.

The story centers around sisters Jax and Ryleigh and their family, friends, and love lives. The setting is a beautiful old bookstore called the Painted Lady, with views of the ocean from the apartment at the top. The writing is so immersive, with the details and descriptions being so vivid and real, I got lost envisioning myself at this bookstore and partaking in the fun events they host. As always, with Mallery, the characters are realistic and likable. She writes from the heart and deals with realistic emotions and problems, making it very relatable to the reader. If you love a powerful, emotional story, you need to read this immediately. You won't be disappointed. I look forward to her next story.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the advanced copy

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery

Oh man, I wanted so badly to love this one! The idea was great, the setting was lovely, and on paper this should have been a win for me. Unfortunately…. No

The biggest issue for me was the characters. The main characters’ constant introspection became exhausting and, honestly, a little ridiculous. I found myself repeatedly thinking, “Come on, you can figure this out,” or “What a friggin’ idiot.” It’s hard to fully enjoy a book when you’re actively rooting against the MCs—or wishing the side characters would run away and never look back

The writing also felt repetitive, and the story dragged more than it needed to. The same emotional beats were revisited over and over again, making the book feel longer than it should have been

That said… this is a 3-star read for one very important reason: Ramon. Ramon, the parrot. The only character I was truly invested in & yes, he is a bird. RAMON steals the book and absolutely steals your heart. Honestly, he saved this story for me- Thank you, Ramon, for doing the heavy lifting

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While The Bookstore Diaries has an appealing premise and a cozy setting many readers may enjoy, it ultimately didn’t work for me. I found the storyline fairly predictable, and the narrative tended to repeat itself in ways that made it difficult to stay engaged. By the midpoint, I realized I could skim large portions without feeling that I had missed any meaningful developments.

What I struggled with most, however, was the underlying message. The book leans heavily into themes that suggest loneliness is inescapable and personal fulfillment hinges on finding romantic partnership. These ideas didn’t resonate with me and, at times, felt at odds with a more empowering or nuanced perspective.

That said, readers who appreciate light, Hallmark-style romances with familiar tropes may still find comfort and charm in this story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[What_Ash_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whoever wrote the blurb for this book really missed the mark. Based on the blurb, one would expect semi-recently divorced bookstore owner, Jax, to be the sole primary focus and the reading of journals to play a much larger role. I was expecting salacious small town secrets causing mayhem, but they are only a tiny, tiny piece of the book really. Also, the book is about both Jax AND her sister, Ryleigh. It’s clear from the first chapter exactly how the book will end for everyone involved, but it takes way too long for the sisters to figure it out themselves. That said, the found family is immaculate. The cozy bookstore vibes are there in spades, and RAMON! This parrot steals the book and will steal your heart. He absolutely saves this book. In the end, The Bookstore Diaries is a sweet, cozy read. Predictable? Yes, but predictable with a side of warm, literary hug. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of The Bookstore Diaries.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was like a warm hug 💕

I loved so much about this book. Set in a bookstore? The best. An African parrot named Ramon? So cute. Celebrating sisterhood? So sweet. FMCs in their 30s, one being a mother and divorcee? Relatable to so many.

I loved sisters Jax and Ryleigh, and following their relationship with each other and all the others in their lives. They each have their own strengths and desires, and I enjoyed each of their stories.

Though the title is about the diaries (which I think is such a neat concept to keep them locked away in the local bookstore!), it was less about the diaries themselves, and mostly about the sisters and their love lives. But it was so sweet, and I truly love how everything turned out in the end.

Thank you HTP The Hive and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[SuzieQuzie7973 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Susan Mallory for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.

The Bookstore Diaries is most definitely a must read. Ms. Susan is back with another of her top tier storytellings. First of all, Ramon is my favorite character hands down, no question. This story is chopped full of everything...drama, chaos, friendship and romance. The second best part, after Ramon of course, is that the setting is a bookstore. The character development and world building is simply perfection. Ms. Susan has a way of reeling you in and you get lost in the pages, and you're begging for more by the end.

I wholeheartedly recommend that y'all get y'alls hands on this book.

[LibraryNinja_Beritk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Painted Lady Bookstore is everything you want in a small-town shop- its cozy, sophisticated and holds the keys to the town's most precious secrets. Sisters with woeful dating pasts share time and reasons why love is gone past them both. Add in a HILARIOUS, verbose bird named Ramon, a couple of lookers and a renovation and Susan Mallery has you eating out of her hands. A bit spicier than normal and most definitely well-received, The Bookstore Diaries will be one of the ones she's best remembered for. You are not only hooked, you're lined and sinkered as well.

I can't thank Mira enough for giving me the chance to read this ARC on NetGalley and provide an honest review.

#TheBookstoreDiaries #NetGalley#goodreads #libraryninja📚

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story feels like stepping into a tidy little bookstore where life is a bit chaotic, a bit sweet, and full of people trying hard to hold things together. I liked the cozy setup and the sister dynamic, and the gentle romance adds a soft warmth to the story. The family drama stays light, and the small town secrets offer just enough tension without pulling you into anything heavy. I did wish the diary concept had been explored more, since the premise is so strong. Still, the whole book carries an easy charm. It is the kind of read you reach for when you want comfort more than surprise, and it leaves you with the pleasant feeling of closing a familiar shop door behind you.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Mallery fans are 'in store' for a festive holiday read. Jax's family and friends have made the bookstore an epicenter of the community. While Jax rebuilds her life after the divorce, the walls she carefully constructed after being hurt threaten to topple by a contractor that has Jax scaling new heights professionally and personally. Will she trust her heart to a man who was a present distraction or a gift for all seasons?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of 'The Bookstore Diaries in exchange for an honest review. Booklovers will find themselves eagerly paging through the novel while laughing at Ramon's antics and cheering for the protagonists to ring in the new year with love.

[Jennifer Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if I have ever read a book where I was just as invested in the outcomes of all the supporting characters as I was in the main characters. Let's face it, Harris has a hard time grasping cause and effect. Cheryl is there to mother everyone but also finds a way to keep herself quite entertained. Ramon may as well have been a main character. The list goes on and on.

The narration is third person and the point of view switches between Jax and Ryleigh throughout most chapters, often more than once. I am normally a fan of shorter chapters when there are multiple points of view. However, this set-up worked well within The Bookstore Diaries.

I was invested in the outcomes of all the characters right from the beginning and I am so happy with how everything wrapped up in the end.

[Traci Hoffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Mallery is an auto-buy author for me and this book did not disappoint!
I enjoyed this story of two sisters- Jax and Ryleigh, and I especially enjoyed the setting in The Painted Ladies Bookstore- what a dream! I loved seeing Jax learn and grow to trust others and experience true love for the very first time. I also liked Ryleigh’s journey to seek out her dreams of love and a family of her own.
The bookstore setting stole the show - it’s apparent that it was inspired by ideas from the author’s readers. I would love to be able to visit there! I also enjoyed the supporting characters of family and friends and townspeople. Definitely recommend this book!
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.