The Rainy Day Bookshop: A Contemporary Small-Town Story of Family, Community and Books

by RaeAnne Thayne

Sandwiched between caring for her mother and rebuilding the relationship with her estranged daughter, Emma, Rosie Lucas’s life is full. In the best way. With Emma and her 3-year old daughter, Olive, back home, Rosie has a partner for The Rainy Day Bookshop, the family business, and a chance to fix the past. What she doesn’t have time for is a romantic relationship. And even if she did, Andrew Morgan is the last person she’d choose. Not only is he an arrogant and reclusive writer, but he’s a single dad with two young kids. She’s already been there, done that. Still as an irresistible flirtation builds between them, he becomes her unexpected confidante on the distance Rosie can’t seem to overcome with Emma, a secret she can’t quite unravel…

Emma isn’t proud of her past. But she’s pulled herself up by the bootstraps, caring for her own daughter, and protecting her mom at all costs. Just as she always has. She never told Rosie what she saw all those years ago and she never will. But some secrets refuse to stay buried, and sometimes the truth is more shocking than fiction. Rosie and Emma will have to navigate an unimaginable path forward. Together.

Genres: Romance, Books About Books, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Family, Contemporary Romance

377 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2026

About the author

I'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.

Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.

After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.

Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.

I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.

I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.

Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.

I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com

Reviews

[Renata Annese · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cozy read! ☔📚💕

I picked this one up for the bookstore setting, but ended up loving the small-town charm, family dynamics, and themes of healing, forgiveness, and second chances.

I also wasn’t expecting two romances! ❤️ While this definitely has cozy vibes, it surprised me with some emotional moments and a little more depth than I expected.

The audiobook narrator was fantastic, and by the end I was completely invested in these characters and hoping they would all find their happy endings. 🥰

If you’re looking for a sweet, comforting read that feels like curling up with a warm drink on a rainy day, this one is worth adding to your list. ☕🌧️💙

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.3 stars from me!

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's classic RaeAnne. Cheesy, but heartwarming.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma was learning to drive in bad weather and crashed the car killing her father. Rosie, her mother, never blamed Emma for the accident, but Emma left soon after and spiraled. Only when she became pregnant did she clean up and get her life back on track.

Now, Emma is back home with her three-year-old daughter, Olive, to help her mother run The Rainy Day Bookshop while her grandmother is laid out with a broken ankle. Rosie is thrilled to have her daughter back home after years apart.

Emma never told her mother what caused the tragic accident that killed her father, and she doesn’t intend to, because she doesn’t want to shatter her mother’s memories. Now she’s happy to be back at home, close to her family with Olive. She’s had some hard years raising her young daughter on her own while working and earning a degree and so she appreciates the opportunity to have some support and get close again with her family.

I loved The Rainy Day Bookshop and felt deeply for both Emma and Rosie as they navigated their shared grief and guilt. Watching the two of them slowly rebuild their relationship was moving. Olive was adorable, and seeing her bond with her grandmother was touching. There were romances as well: Andrew, the reclusive writer for Rosie, and Bryce, the construction foreman for Emma. Both were sweet, low drama, and genuinely lovely!

I alternated between the e-copy and audio version and can recommend both. Carly Robins has a pleasing voice and added warmth and emotion to each character. I thoroughly enjoyed her performance!

I voluntarily read/listened to a copy courtesy of the publishers. These are my thoughts and opinions.

[Tina Versaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to RaeAnne Thayne & HarperCollins/MIRA Publishers for an advanced reading copy of The Rainy Day Bookshop to review. Rosie Lucas is the widowed owner of a construction company and small bookstore in coastal Wood Briar, Oregon. She took over running the construction firm when her husband died in a car accident and had her mother, Sylvia take over being in charge of the bookstore. When Sylvia is laid up with a broken ankle, Rosie's daughter, Emma & her preschool granddaughter Olive, move back home to manage the bookstore while Sylvia rehabs. Emma moved as soon as she graduated from high school ten years earlier, and her relationship with Rosie is very strained. Emma was driving the car in the accident that killed her father, and her life derailed after that. Rosie & Sylvia hope that Emma & Olive stay home for good, and they are not above a little push in that direction. Emma decides to remodel the bookstore and add a coffee shop with the help of old friend, and an employee of Rosie's construction firm, Bryce Kendall. Bryce has always had an enormous crush on Emma, and he has grown into quite an attractive, responsible man. Rosie, meanwhile, is very distracted by famous author Andrew Morgan, a widower who just moved to town with his two young children and has hired Rosie's company to completely remodel an old mansion on the coast. This book is about family, secrets, and a lot of romance for Rosie & Emma. RaeAnne Thayne always writes with so much heart, relatable characters and lovely small town settings that I wish I could visit. She is one of my must read authors and I encourage everyone to spend some time in the world of The Rainy Day Bookshop.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book! A story of family, forgiveness, starting over and second chances. The story keeps you wondering what will happen next. I really hated for it to end.

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie Lucas is sandwiched between her mother and her estranged daughter Emma who has a young daughter named Olive. Her mother Sylvia runs the bookstore for her while Rosie runs the construction company left to her when her husband unexpectedly died a decade earlier. When Sylvia breaks her ankle, Rosie asks Emma to return to their small town on the Oregon Coast and run the bookstore.

The emotional depth in what appears to be a cozy romance surprised me. The women in this family are strong and each has goals and aspirations that haven't been communicated. There are family secrets to be dealt with as well as the family businesses. When a famous author comes to town along with a man Emma went to high school with, things get shaken up.

I really enjoyed this book about strong female characters, family drama, and second chances. Highly recommend for those who enjoy stories about female familial relationships with a side of romance. The audiobook performance by Carly Robins (10 hours 45 minutes) was good and brought the characters to life.

Many thanks to NetGalley, MIRA Books, Harlequin Audio, UpLit Reads, and RaeAnne Thayne for the gifted advance reader's copy, advance listening copy and finished copy. All opinions are my own.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously my favorite part was that it took place on the OR coast. The end definitely got messy and interesting. Up until the end it was okay. The relationship tropes were alright. Solid 3.473.

[Joni Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oof this one hit way too close to home. But such a great read all about family, forgiveness and coming home. Loved it through tears.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Title: The Rainy Day Bookshop
Author: RaeAnne Thayne
Publishers: MIRA + Harlequin Audio
Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Dates Read/Listened: June 2, 2026 – June 4, 2026

🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔(𝚒𝚜𝚑) 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: I have become such a fan of RaeAnne Thayne 's writing, and every book feels like coming home to your favorite place. The Rainy Day Bookshop is no exception, and it is full of strained family relationships, complicated dynamics, humor, and most of all, love. I thought it was wonderful that we had a double romance for both the mother (Rosie) and the daughter (Emma), though one's heart seems slightly more open to new love than the other's. The various relationships going on made things very interesting, and we also get a nice infusion of drama as the book goes on. I loved how everything came together, and this ended up being a lovely contemporary romance. This is also quite bookish, and the title and cover are very true to the storyline, which is always a plus!

🎧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬: If the publisher is listening out there, I'm really gonna need you to give us more narrators for Thayne's audiobooks, mmmkay? In all seriousness, I thought the audio for this book was quite lovely, and I enjoyed Carly Robins' narration immensely. I just think that the poor woman needs more help when there are this many viewpoints, including men. Listening took me a bit out of the story, TBH, because this really needed to be a full cast. That said, if you are comfortable with one narrator for audio, you will love it. She is a pleasure to listen to and really does hit all of the emotions throughout.  

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 📚🚒🧑🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👩🏼🏗️

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐:  🚫 (closed door)

I received a complimentary copy of this book as well as an advanced listening copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the times which we live, there's something very comforting about reading a book about people who are inherently good trying to do the right thing. This book was like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day, very nurturing and sweet.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rainy Day Bookshop is exactly what RaeAnne Thayne does best: a tender, feel‑good story wrapped in family tension, gentle romance, and just enough emotional upheaval to leave you blinking back tears in the third act. This book is soft, comforting, and quietly devastating in all the right ways.

One of the things I loved most is the multiple POV structure. We get chapters from Rosie, Andrew, Emma, and Bryce — and instead of feeling crowded, it makes the story richer. Each character brings their own emotional history, their own wounds, and their own hopes to the page. Watching their lives overlap and collide gives the book a layered, lived‑in feel.

The romances are sweet, slow, and deeply grounded in real‑life responsibilities. Rosie and Andrew’s dynamic is especially lovely — two people who have already lived entire lives, carrying regrets and fears, but still finding room for something new. Emma and Bryce add a younger, more tentative thread of romance that balances the story beautifully. And the settings? A cozy bookshop and a construction site. You couldn’t have picked two better locations that resonate with me if you tried.

But what really anchors this novel is the mother‑daughter relationship between Rosie and Emma. It’s messy, painful, and full of unspoken history. Emma’s secret — the one she’s held onto for years — adds a heartbreaking layer to their dynamic. When the truth finally comes out, it hits hard. RaeAnne Thayne knows exactly how to deliver a third‑act conflict that guts you before stitching you back together.

This is a story about rebuilding: relationships, trust, family, and even a sense of self. It’s tender, hopeful, and emotionally honest.

RaeAnne Thayne continues to be a master of the comforting, heart‑squeezing contemporary — and this book is no exception.

[Christina Egan · Rating 4 out of 5]

☔️ Book Review ☔️- The Rainy Day Bookshop by RaeAnne Thayne
This is another enjoyable read from RaeAnne Thayne. This book takes place in a small town on the Oregon coast. Rosie Lucas is trying to keep her construction company afloat after the sudden death of her husband several years ago as well as the bookshop that she owns which her mother runs for her. When her mother breaks her ankle, she asks her daughter Emma to come home and help. Emma and Rosie have been estranged for a number of years and this trip home may be the key to them reconnecting after so many years. Emma has a small daughter Olive and she hopes that her daughter can spend time with her grandmother and great- grandmother. Secretly, Emma has always wanted to be part of her parent’s construction company and hopes if she does a good job at the book store, her mother will ask her to stay.
Loved hearing about the life in this small coastal beach town as well as the budding romances that Rosie and Emma find themselves in. The story was very engaging and is a great summer read!
Thanks to Uplit Reads, MIRA books, and RaeAnne Thayne for an advance copy of this book for review.

[Aimee Beloved Nerdy Auntie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Rainy Day Bookshop by RaeAnne Thayne was a mixed bag for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. The cozy bookstore setting absolutely pulled me in because y’all know any story with bookshelves and small town charm already has my attention. The author has a beautiful way of describing people and places, and the atmosphere felt warm and comforting from beginning to end. Where the story lost me was in the large cast of characters and overlapping relationships. I never felt like I got enough depth with any one character to become truly invested, and I found myself struggling to keep track of everyone at times. That said, I really enjoyed the family dynamics, especially the relationship between the female main characters, which reminded me a bit of my own relationship with my mother. If you love cozy bookstore stories focused on healing family relationships and emotional growth, this one may be exactly your cup of tea.

[Mel C · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review

-Multiple 3rd Person POV
-Family Estrangement
-Romance
-Grief

Cue the emotions. This story follows Rosie and her daughter Emma as they reconnect after years of distance. It has been 10 years since a tragic accident sent Emma down the wrong path but she’s back home with her daughter Olive to help her mom and grandma but truly to help herself and prove to herself and her family that she deserves a second chance.

This was heartfelt, emotional, and full of family struggles, forgiveness, and hope. The romance was a sweet addition, but the true heart of the story was watching these relationships heal and grow. Going in I thought this would simply be a story about saving a bookstore, but it turned out to be so much more. A moving story about grief, family, and the power of second chances.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another knockout book! She did a dual timeline between 2 FMC and 2 MMC seamlessly, while also tying in family drama. The setting, of bookstore on the Oregon coast, was painted so clearly in my mind that I wish it was somewhere I could really go visit.

The angst between Emma and Bryce and Rosie and Andrew was written beautifully while still keeping it clean. I’ve never been disappointed by one of her books and this one was no different!

I received this book as an ARC and received no compensation for my review.

[Crystal Shavalier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rainy Day Bookshop is a cute book about family struggles, love , and friendships.
Emma moves back home with her daughter to help her Mother’s book store when he Grandma has an accident and they need someone to fill in. She is not quite sure what to expect as she left when she was a teenager and her father had passed away. Emma is happy that her daughter will be able to form relationships with her grandma and great grandma while they are in town.
Andrew, a famous author moves his children to this small town after their house is burned down in a wildfire. He meets Rosie whose company is doing the remodel of the house he’s buying and they become fast friends.
This is a sweet book about family and second chances . Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion.

[glosbookcorner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded up

[Megan | _The.Brunette.Bookworm_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so insanely cute; with drama, secrets and lovvveee. I adored it!

[Kathy Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

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The Rainy Day Bookshop: A Contemporary Small-Town Story of Family, Community and Books

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By RaeAnne Thayne

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Overview

"A love letter to motherhood, mending fences, and, of course, the bookstores that save us when it all feels like too much." --Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of Summer State of Mind

Life is full of plot twists...

Sandwiched between caring for her mother and rebuilding the relationship with her estranged daughter, Emma, Rosie Lucas’s life is full. In the best way. With Emma and her 3-year old daughter, Olive, back home, Rosie has a partner for The Rainy Day Bookshop, ...

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Wonderful Beach Read

The Rainy Day Bookshop had amazing and interesting characters. This is a book about a family and how they interact and connect. The author has written about a family that needs each other but have a hard time letting their feelings not cloud their relationships so they can work through the ups and d...

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Published date

06/03/26

Excellent Story Anytime

I have read many of RaeAnne Thayne's books. Each book I read is I better than the one before. I love that this story has a bookstore owned by Rosie. Rosie's daughter Emma and her granddaughter Olive come home to help run the bookstore. Emma's grandmother has had an accident she is healing from. Rosie can now watch over her mother's healing and the construction business left to Rosie upon her husband's death of a car accident. Rosie's husband was killed in a car when Emma was driving after receiving her license. Emma left soon after the accident full of grief and guilt. Enter the picture of a well known author, Andrew Morgan with his two children. Rosie and her construction company become involved of renovating the author's home. Emma meanwhile has an old friend Brett who works for the family construction company enter the picture and they become reaquainted. What is it that Emma wants to tell her mother about the car accident that killed her father? Is there going to be more than one romance that happens in the beautiful state of Oregon? Is there answers of healing from grief and guilt? I was gave a copy of this book by the author. This review is my own opinions.

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Published date

06/11/26

All the ups and downs of families

Families, fractured relationships and women’s resilient strength take center stage in “The Rainy Day Bookshop” by RaeAnne Thayne. One death broke apart a close mother-daughter relationship that now has a chance to mend. The relationship between mom Rosie and daughter Emma is the central part of the ...

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Published date

06/04/26

Great read

Oh my goodness! This is such a good read. RaeAnne Thayne has brought another heartwarming read to us. I love the storyline, characters, romance, healing of old wounds, secrets are brought to light and hope abounds. Highly recommend this very well written book. I was given an advanced reader copy of ...

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Published date

06/12/26

Cute story

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishing and Netgalley for this e-ARC. I love a book about a bookstore. This one hit the mark. Emma comes back home after years away to help revamp the struggling bookshop which is owned by her mother, Rosie. Rosie is so glad her daughter has returned and hopes to mend t...

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Published date

06/10/26

Loved! Cant wait to read more from her!

The Rainy Day Bookshop was absolutely adorable! This was my very first time reading a book by RaeAnne Thayne, but it definitely won’t be my last—I am officially hooked and cannot wait to dive into the rest of her backlist. I completely fell in love with this charming small town. There is just somet...

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Published date

06/04/26

Low drama and lovely!

Emma was learning to drive in bad weather and crashed the car killing her father. Rosie, her mother, never blamed Emma for the accident, but Emma left soon after and spiraled. Only when she became pregnant did she clean up and get her life back on track. Now, Emma is back home with her three-year-o...

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Published date

06/08/26

Good Summer Read!

A good summer read, with sweet romances, cute kids, and of course, a bookstore! The setting of coastal Oregon was beautifully described. A perfect book for anyone who likes non-spicy romances! *I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my o...

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Published date

06/06/26

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[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything looks soft and cozy on the surface, but underneath? This book is quietly wrecking hearts, exposing old wounds, and stitching them back together one messy truth at a time—and I was not emotionally prepared. RaeAnne Thayne’s The Rainy Day Bookshop pulled me in with that charming, small-town bookstore glow and then hit me with the kind of emotional depth that sneaks up on you and refuses to let go. Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA, thank you for the gifted ARC via NetGalley.

This story centers around Rosie, who is balancing grief, responsibility, and the slow unraveling of the life she thought she’d have, and Emma, her estranged daughter who returns home carrying years of guilt like it’s part of her identity. Their relationship? Strained, fragile, and painfully real. Watching them try to reconnect felt less like reading and more like quietly witnessing something deeply personal. It’s messy. It’s complicated. It’s layered with things unsaid—and that’s exactly what makes it hit so hard.

Then you have Olive, who is pure sunshine in human form, and Sylvia, who says exactly what everyone else is thinking but won’t admit. And somehow, in the middle of all that emotional weight, the story still finds space for romance. Rosie and Andrew have this slow, hesitant connection that feels earned, not rushed—two people who have been through enough to know love isn’t simple. Meanwhile, Emma and Bryce bring that hopeful, “maybe we get a second chance if we’re brave enough” energy that had me rooting for them harder than I expected.

“Sometimes the hardest stories to tell are the ones we’ve been carrying the longest.”

That line? Yeah… it stopped me in my tracks. Because this book isn’t really about the romance (even though it’s there and it’s good). It’s about healing. It’s about forgiveness. It’s about the quiet, uncomfortable process of facing the past and deciding whether you’re strong enough to move forward anyway. And I loved that it didn’t rush that journey. It let the characters sit in it. Feel it. Work through it.

What surprised me most is how emotionally immersive this felt. It’s not overly dramatic, but it carries weight. The kind that builds slowly until you realize you’re fully invested in these characters finding peace—even if it’s not perfect.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)

If you’re someone who loves women’s fiction that leans into family dynamics, second chances, and emotional growth—with a cozy bookstore setting as the backdrop—this is absolutely for you. Especially if you like stories that feel like a warm hug but also gently call you out and make you reflect on your own relationships.

So tell me… are you picking this up for the cozy bookstore vibes, or are you ready for the emotional damage that comes with it? ☕📚

#TheRainyDayBookshop #RaeAnneThayne #BookReview #WomensFiction #RomanceReads #BooksAboutBooks #CozyReads #Bookstagram #CurrentlyReading #NetGalley #ARCReview #SmallTownRomance #SecondChanceRomance #FamilyDrama #EmotionalReads #CoffeeAndBooks #BookLovers #ReadersOfInstagram

[Donna Repsher · Rating 5 out of 5]

RaeAnne Thayne pretty much had me at "bookshop," since I owned one for 17 years. What I wasn't expecting was a two generational love story, plenty of angst, regrets, secrets and a a double HEA ending. The Rainy Day Bookshop is quite a 5-star read.

We meet Rosie, 40-something mother to Emma, who dropped out of school at 17, and left thir small hometown on the Oregon coast after a car crash that killed her father, Gary, and her subsequent wild behavior, bad choices, drug addiction and more. She's finally returned home 10 years later after cleaning up her act and giving birth to Olive, an adorable 4-year-old. Her great-grandmother, Sylvia, who was running the bookshop, broke her ankle. Rosie was busy managing her late husband's construction company, and so Emma has returned for the first time in a decade to help out by taking over running the bookshop. The relationship between Emma and Rosie is strained at best, but, as you start getting into the relationships between the characters in this novel, which I'd classify more as women's lit than a strict romance, you can't help but wonder why their relationship is so strained, and why both women seem to be treading on eggshells.

As if that wasn't enough for a novel, Ms. Thayne has a bestselling fantasy novelist move into town. Rosie's company is renovating the old mansion he bought without ever seeing it in person. It was once Rosie's dream to own it, but her husband's death made that impossible, since she had to step in and save his construction business. The fact that this author is attracted to Rosie is something she never expected. He too is a widower and is moving to Oregon after the untimely death of his wife from leukemia, and the fact that their home in the hills above Los Angeles burned to the ground in a wildfire. He is raising his two young children alone, and Rosie seems to be equally attracted to him..

Emma can see that the bookshop is in dire need of renovation, and an old acquaintance from her school days, Bryce, who now works for her mother's construction company, volunteers to help. Once again, there's attraction, but Bryce mostly keeps it to himself. And this slow-moving relationship hits all the right notes.

I loved the multiple character narration Ms. Thayne used to let us into what her wonderful characters are thinking--it's a literary device I've always enjoyed. Ms. Thayne, as she has in other novels, really develops her characters, lets you into their thoughts and emotions, and gives you wonderful insight into all of them. This a novel that tugs at your heartstrings, let's you feel what the characters are thinking and feeling, and, like many of her previous novels, is one heartwarming, charming, feel-good read. I am happy to recommend it.

I read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Tessa Talks Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One-Word Review: Tender

🌧️📚💙

My Thoughts:

This wasn’t quite the book I expected.

With a title like The Rainy Day Bookshop, I went in thinking the bookstore and the romance would be the stars of the show. Instead, I found myself completely wrapped up in the family drama.

Rosie and Emma have years of baggage between them, and honestly, I spent most of the book wanting them to sit down, lock the door, and finally tell each other the truth. Every time a little more of the past surfaced, another piece of the puzzle clicked into place. Some of those scenes hurt. Not in a dramatic way. More in that quiet, “I know exactly how that misunderstanding could happen” kind of way.

The living arrangement made me smile. For a while, four generations of women lived under one roof. Four. I can’t even imagine the number of opinions floating around that house. But there was something comforting about it too. Messy, crowded, occasionally frustrating, but comforting.

And yes, as a book lover, I adored the bookstore. That’s probably not a surprise. I wanted more scenes there, if I’m being honest. Whenever the story returned to the shop, I was happy.

The Oregon coast setting worked well too. For some reason I had Seattle in my head before I started reading, probably because of the title, but the small-town coastal atmosphere fit the story nicely. The gray skies and damp weather felt like they belonged there.

The romances were fine. Sweet. Predictable. They never really surprised me, and I don’t think they’ll be the part of the story I remember six months from now. The family relationships are what stayed with me.

A couple of details pulled me out of the story now and then. The biggest one involved people who had spent their entire lives on the coast not knowing how to tell male crabs from female crabs. Maybe that’s a tiny thing, but I grew up around people who fish and crab, so it stood out immediately.

I listened to the audiobook and liked the narrator’s voice. She was easy to listen to and fit the novel's tone. That said, I don’t know that the audio version added much for me. I actually thought some of Olive’s dialogue sounded less natural when spoken aloud than it might have if I’d been reading it on the page. I also ended up increasing the playback speed because the pacing felt a little leisurely.

What I’ll remember most about this book isn’t the romance or even the mystery surrounding the past. It’s the feeling of watching a family slowly work through old wounds that never healed correctly in the first place. That part felt genuine.

And yes, I got a little teary-eyed by the end.

[Roberta (Always Behind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Lucas had been a model daughter and student. After her father died in an accident she blamed herself for, her life went downhill quickly and she left home. She eventually ended up in Las Vegas. When she gets pregnant, she decides to keep the baby even though the father wants no part. She has still vowed to not go home to her small town.

Then Emma gets an urgent call that her grandmother has been injured and can no longer run the family store, The Rainy Day Bookshop. She picks up and moves back home with her daughter Olive in tow.

Emma’s mother Rosie, who started the bookshop, can’t take care of the bookshop. After her husband died, Rosie had to step up and take over Lucas Construction that she had really paid very little attention to. For a while things look rough, but with help from other employees and more jobs things are getting better.
Rosie’s latest project is renovating a large home that she once wanted. The owner is a famous author who has moved from California after his home and belongings were totally destroyed by wildfire. Andrew has two young children who he is raising after his wife died. Rosie is attracted to Andrew, but he has young children and she has already been through that. Can they ever be they ever be more than project manager and employer?

Emma takes on the bookshop as a project. It is in desperate need of a huge overhaul and renovation. It’s much more than she can do alone, especially on top of raising her sweet daughter Olive. Bryce, who she barely knew in high school, now work for her mother’s construction company. He had a big crush of Emma in high school, despite their very different backgrounds. Even though he is already working long hours, he volunteers to help Emma with the bookshop renovations. Can they ever be more than friends and will Emma stay in town after the bookshop is fixed?

I loved that this story was one of two different generations and how they dealt with family and romantic relationships. All the characters had serious past baggage and weren’t sure they would able to move on. It was great that children were important and woven into the plot.

As soon as I saw the title of this book, I knew I would love it. Books about books are one of my all time favorites. It was wonderful how the author showed the importance of independent bookshops.

[Cheyenne Oleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, RaeAnne Thayne, MIRA Books, and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of The Rainy Day Bookshop in exchange for my honest review.

There are some books that feel like coming home, and The Rainy Day Bookshop was exactly that kind of read.

From the moment I stepped into the small coastal town of Wood Briar and its beloved bookstore, I knew I was going to fall in love with this story. RaeAnne Thayne has a gift for creating communities that feel real, characters who feel like friends, and stories that wrap around your heart and refuse to let go.

At its core, this is a story about family, forgiveness, second chances, and healing old wounds. The relationship between Rosie and her daughter Emma was beautifully written. Their shared grief, misunderstandings, and years of unspoken pain made their journey back to one another feel authentic and deeply emotional. Watching them slowly rebuild trust was one of my favorite parts of the book.

I also adored the multigenerational aspect of the story. Sylvia brought so much wisdom and warmth to every scene, while little Olive absolutely stole my heart. She was the perfect reminder of the joy and hope that can exist even in the midst of heartache.

The romances were equally wonderful. Both Rosie and Emma are given opportunities for love when they least expect it, and I loved how neither relationship overshadowed the personal growth taking place throughout the story. The romantic storylines felt natural, heartfelt, and perfectly woven into the larger narrative.

And of course, I cannot talk about this book without mentioning the bookstore itself. As a book lover, I was immediately drawn to The Rainy Day Bookshop and all the cozy charm it offered. The renovation project, the sense of community, and the love for books running through every page made this such a comforting place to spend time.

This book made me smile, tear up, and completely lose myself in its pages. It's a heartfelt story about carrying grief, finding forgiveness, and discovering that sometimes the life you thought was broken still has beautiful chapters left to write.

If you love small-town settings, family-centered women's fiction, second-chance romances, and cozy bookstore vibes, The Rainy Day Bookshop is a must-read.

[Bri Book Goose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about womanhood, heartbreak, healing, and family. Emma and Rosie are picking up the pieces of their tumultuous relationship. Both mother and daughter work to heal their wounds after the death of Gary, a loving father and husband. Emma moves back to her hometown in Oregon with her little three-year-old Olive. She takes over her mother Rosie's beloved bookstore and does her best to prove herself by renovating it. Besides the conflicting feelings of returning home, running businesses, and mending their broken relationship, Emma and Rosie unexpectedly come across the possibility of finding love. Andrew, a widower and best-selling author, can't seem to stay away from Rosie, the project manager for the construction of his new home. Bryce can't believe Emma is back in town, after secretly being in love with her since high school; he can't help but hope he gets his chance. Together, each person navigates the tricky, messy feelings of change in this quaint small-town romance story.

I really enjoyed this book, especially its narration. The different points of view from the four main characters added depth to each of their stories. The main characters, including the great-grandmother Sylvia and Olive, were fun and relatable. A secret throughout the story complicates the healing process of our characters. It is a relatable story written through the lens of a small town environment where everyone knows everyone. Although it is a low-stakes story, it still evokes a range of emotions as we learn more about the characters. It is a nice read and would make a great book to take on a flight or trip.

For readers who enjoy reading about women healing their relationships with the other women in their family, low-stakes small town romance, and second chances

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is an advance reader copy (ARC) and may contain errors or changes before final publication. My review is voluntary and reflects my personal thoughts.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read almost everything RaeAnne Thayne has written and can confidently say The Rainy Day Bookshop is one of my Top 3 favorites by her. This book is so good! Great characters, great story lines, layers that weave together to create a book and story you won't want to end.
This book is multi-generational, centered around Rosie. She is the widowed bookshop owner who also runs her family's construction business after the death of her husband. The bookshop is run by Rosie's mother, Sylvia, who is super-spunky but currently out of commission due to an injury. This injury is what leads Emma, Rosie's estranged daughter, to return home after many years to help at the bookstore while her grandmother recuperates. She returns with her own daughter, Olive, who is an adorable 4-year-old and Emma must face all the history, bad choices and reckless behavior she was known for when she left home as a teenager.
It's the best and worst of small towns - nothing changes and no one forgets. She must work to get past her history, work on her relationship with her family and former friends/neighbors all the while, fighting for a future while holding a secret that ultimately led to the estrangement with her mother and most of her behavioral issues.
Despite all that and perhaps my not-do-great description, this is a wonderful story. As Emma and Rosie work to find their happy relationship again, Emma is also working to find her spot in her family again. Emma rekindles a "sort of" friendship from her past that will slowly turn into more. And Rosie is introduced to a handsome new stranger in town and sparks immediately fly. Watching both these new relationships develop just adds to the enjoyment of this story. And, eventually, Emma's secret is revealed and how that changes these characters and their interactions is beautifully handled.
I highly, highly recommend this book! The multi-layer, multi-generational story is full of fun, lovely characters of all ages that will draw you in and you won't be able to put the book down.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is another warm hug from Ms. Thayne! It was such a wonderful treat to read about couples of all ages putting themselves out there…or at least trrrryyyyyiiiiiinnnnngggg to. It is a story of one person trying to protect another. It is a story of one/each person trying so very hard to protect themselves. It is a story of great love of your children, or all children. I loved Rosie and her daughter Emma, Sylvia (Rosie’s mother, Emma’s grandmother) and Olive, Emma’s daughter. Grandma Sylvia is great – totally honest and out there. Just ask her, she’ll tell you what she thinks! And the kids, OMG, they are adorable! Andrew and his children, Zara and Finn, have a lot of life “stuff” to deal with but their dad really is doing a great job of helping them cope. It is amazing when they move near their own grandmother and Rosie and reading about them changing and enjoying life? And watching how much they love their father (and how much their father loves them)? Perfect! And there is Bryce…an employee of Rosie’s but he is so much more.

Emma has some pretty big things to deal with in life. First of all, her relationship with her mother needs a lot of work. Second, SHE needs to come to terms with how good a person she is – it takes a lot for her to believe in herself again. And Bryce helps! He, too, has a journey he needs to take, and believing in himself first is a very big part before he can even consider helping Emma with hers. And Olive is adorable! Precocious doesn’t even begin to describe her.

No spoilers from me however I guess I’m way more vindictive (than these characters) but in my opinion, there weren’t enough consequences for some folks in this story to feed my sense of justice. Or it’s more likely that I’m just not as nice as the author. I always love Ms. Thayne’s books and this one does not disappoint. I loved every part of it and highly recommend. Great read!

[Laura B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been at least ten years since Rosie and Emma have had a close mother/daughter relationship, but when Rosie’s mother, Emma’s grandmother, suffers an injury in a roller skating accident, Rosie reaches out to Emma to ask for help. Emma left home soon after a car accident that resulted in her father’s tragic death, and although her life’s choices and journey haven’t been easy, she’s ready to come home to try and repair her estranged relationship with her mother. As both women begin to navigate through the tenuous days of rebuilding their relationship and working through family dynamics, they also struggle with secrets and idealizations of the past that threaten to continue to tear them apart, all while finding themselves entangled with new romantic interests.

I am a huge RaeAnne Thayne fan, and I own all of her novels. That being said, I was not a big fan of The Rainy Day Bookshop. Honestly, I think this will come down to personal preference. The cozy town and heartfelt relationships are what I’ve come to expect from a RaeAnne Thayne novel. I also appreciated the mother/daughter relationship as they worked to rebuild and repair years of heartbreak and misunderstanding. However, I personally prefer novels that center around one main relationship. I felt like this one was trying to balance three relationship stories, and in doing so, each story was short changed the full focus and attention it deserved. I tend to avoid short stories for this very reason; they don’t have all the depth and character/relationship development that a full length novel provides. Again, I think this will come down to personal preference. If you don’t mind short stories and like the balanced, interwoven approach of each relationship story that Thayne provides, this novel will hit the spot and pull on your emotional heartstrings.

3 stars based on personal preferences. Contemporary adult audience.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to MIRA/HarperCollins and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

RaeAnne Thayne brings the reader this stand-alone novel, 'The Rainy Day Bookshop'. This contemporary romance brings the story of family relationships and second chance at love to light with the stories of Emma and Rosie Lucas. When Emma and three-year-old, Olive come to stay with Rosie in order to run the Rainy Day Bookshop because her grandmother has been injured, it gives them a chance to rebuild their mother-daughter relationship and fix the past. What neither of them have time for is getting involved in a romantic relationship. Rosie is busy running a construction company after the death of her husband. Working on a renovation for the famous writer, Andrew Morgan and spending time with his children and her grandchild. Olive has her rethinking her life.

Emma ran away at the age of seventeen with an older man and has made a lot of mistakes since the death of her father. She has finally returned home to help her mother and grandmother and to face the past. Having a secret from her mother has caused some distance and in order to build their relationship she will have to be completely honest with her mother. While working to remodel/renovate the bookshop, she becomes close to Bryce, a former classmate and employee for her mother's construction company. Emma has to overcome her own guilt and confront her own feelings from many past decisions before accepting love.

I found this multi-generational story about love and forgiveness told from multiple points of view refreshing. I was able to have insight into all the characters and found them to be more relatable. While they all had things to overcome and accept, they each showed growth in their own way. I would have like a different outcome for the character, Pam as I felt she got off to easily. Thank you for writing about independent bookshops. Its name and the title were a perfect fit for the story.