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The Barefoot Bookshop on the Beach
Not yet published
Expected 7 Mar 26A wildly romantic, escapist summer romantic comedy, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Eliza J Scott, guaranteed to make you feel like you’re on vacation already! 🏖️👣☀️💖 We need a bookseller for the Barefoot Bookshop on the Beach… apply here!
When Harper sees an ad for what must surely be the most idyllic job in the world, she’s almost tempted. But she can’t possibly leave her bookshop job in London, or her burgeoning career as a successful Bookstagram influencer… That is, until a casual remark about a debut author lands her in deep trouble.
So she applies. After all, now she’s got nothing to lose. Except maybe her heart, she realises, as she lands on the beautiful island of Ésperé in the Seychelles and finds herself seemingly surrounded by beautiful men. Including the hotel owner, moody but heartbreakingly-handsome Xavier.
But inter-staff relations are strictly forbidden. And Harper has enough on her plate, with a member of staff missing and a wily band of expats to contend with. Plus, she’s determined to make the bookshop and new start the success they deserve to be… Even if – under the blazing sunshine – the romance novel superfan in her can’t help but hope the boss of the hotel might not be quite the grump he seems…
The most romantic story you’ll read this year, with an unforgettable cast of characters that includes a giant tortoise living in a bookshop. Don’t miss it! Available now! 📚🐢🇸🇨
Praise for Rebecca ‘Once I started reading, I was completely swept away… A perfect summer escape!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Ahhh I absolutely loved this book!… Made me laugh, warmed my heart… Fabulous.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I really want to go on this trip! I love how Rebecca brings you to the heart of the characters in this book and the positivity and joy I get from reading her stories.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book made my heart very happy… An absolute warm hug in book form.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I have no idea how Rebecca Raisin does it, but she keeps writing enchanting heart-warming stories, that you never want to end… I would suggest curling up on the sofa, with a glass of something, and some chocolate (the French food descriptions will make you hungry!), and just escape into this wonderful story.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book was just adorable… Loved the storyline… Brilliant quirky characters that you could not help fall in love with… what more could you want?’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Oh, how I loved this book!… Really lively and vibrant and so engaging.
When Harper sees an ad for what must surely be the most idyllic job in the world, she’s almost tempted. But she can’t possibly leave her bookshop job in London, or her burgeoning career as a successful Bookstagram influencer… That is, until a casual remark about a debut author lands her in deep trouble.
So she applies. After all, now she’s got nothing to lose. Except maybe her heart, she realises, as she lands on the beautiful island of Ésperé in the Seychelles and finds herself seemingly surrounded by beautiful men. Including the hotel owner, moody but heartbreakingly-handsome Xavier.
But inter-staff relations are strictly forbidden. And Harper has enough on her plate, with a member of staff missing and a wily band of expats to contend with. Plus, she’s determined to make the bookshop and new start the success they deserve to be… Even if – under the blazing sunshine – the romance novel superfan in her can’t help but hope the boss of the hotel might not be quite the grump he seems…
The most romantic story you’ll read this year, with an unforgettable cast of characters that includes a giant tortoise living in a bookshop. Don’t miss it! Available now! 📚🐢🇸🇨
Praise for Rebecca ‘Once I started reading, I was completely swept away… A perfect summer escape!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Ahhh I absolutely loved this book!… Made me laugh, warmed my heart… Fabulous.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I really want to go on this trip! I love how Rebecca brings you to the heart of the characters in this book and the positivity and joy I get from reading her stories.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book made my heart very happy… An absolute warm hug in book form.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I have no idea how Rebecca Raisin does it, but she keeps writing enchanting heart-warming stories, that you never want to end… I would suggest curling up on the sofa, with a glass of something, and some chocolate (the French food descriptions will make you hungry!), and just escape into this wonderful story.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book was just adorable… Loved the storyline… Brilliant quirky characters that you could not help fall in love with… what more could you want?’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Oh, how I loved this book!… Really lively and vibrant and so engaging.
- GenresRomance
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 7, 2026
13 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 7, 2026
The latest offering in Rebecca Raisin’s cosy, bookshop series is her best yet! Harper is living the dream (well my dream), working part time in Paddington’s book in London and running a successful monetized bookstagram account. After forgetting to run her camera off after an Instagram live a conversation with her best friend, Hannah confesses that she thinks the latest big book has been written using AI is accidentally broadcasted. This leads to Harper getting cancelled, fired, dumped and doxxed! She then applies for a job in a bookshop Last Chance Resort on the island of Espere which is part of the Seychelles.
I loved the island and resort setting. A colourful support made up of staff and expats including Michel the flirty helicopter pilot, The Three Lucy’s, Brian the bitcoin enthusiasts, Mariola the miracle worker, owners Mrs Bastille and her son Xavier (who has returned to run the resort) and Turt Vonnegut, the bookshop resident tortoise! Harper was very relatable and I admired her strength and passion. It definitely felt for her as she was ‘cancelled’ but I couldn’t help feel jealous of both her lives!
There were a number of storylines that kept me hooked. The initial one that took Harper to the island and once she arrived there were there the mystery of what happened to the old bookshop manager to make him suddenly disappear and new resort lmanager Xavier ruffling feather with all the changes he made. I enjoyed the way Raisin explores AI and books, cyber bullying and the importance of romance books. Definitely some food for thought. For lovers of enemies to lovers tropes and books about books.
I loved the island and resort setting. A colourful support made up of staff and expats including Michel the flirty helicopter pilot, The Three Lucy’s, Brian the bitcoin enthusiasts, Mariola the miracle worker, owners Mrs Bastille and her son Xavier (who has returned to run the resort) and Turt Vonnegut, the bookshop resident tortoise! Harper was very relatable and I admired her strength and passion. It definitely felt for her as she was ‘cancelled’ but I couldn’t help feel jealous of both her lives!
There were a number of storylines that kept me hooked. The initial one that took Harper to the island and once she arrived there were there the mystery of what happened to the old bookshop manager to make him suddenly disappear and new resort lmanager Xavier ruffling feather with all the changes he made. I enjoyed the way Raisin explores AI and books, cyber bullying and the importance of romance books. Definitely some food for thought. For lovers of enemies to lovers tropes and books about books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Barefoot Bookshop on the Beach is pure summer joy. Kat French delivers a wonderfully escapist romcom that feels like stepping straight into a warm breeze, with turquoise water, sandy toes, and a bookshop you’ll wish you could visit in real life.
Harper is such an instantly likeable heroine—bookish, funny, a little chaotic, and trying her best to outrun a very public career mishap. Her decision to take a job in the Seychelles feels impulsive in the best way, and watching her land on the island of Ésperé is like watching someone breathe again after holding it in for too long.
The setting is irresistible: a beachfront bookshop, a quirky cast of expats, and yes, a giant tortoise who steals every scene he’s in. The island community adds so much warmth and charm, and the mystery of the missing staff member gives the story a nice thread of intrigue without ever overshadowing the fun.
And then there’s Xavier—the grumpy, gorgeous hotel owner who tries very hard to keep his distance. The chemistry between him and Harper is deliciously slow‑burn, full of banter, tension, and those little moments that make you grin. Their dynamic is exactly what you want in a summery romcom.
What I loved most is how the book celebrates fresh starts, found family, and the healing power of sunshine and stories. It’s romantic, uplifting, and wonderfully escapist.
A perfect beach read—whether you’re actually on holiday or just wishing you were.
My thanks to Rebecca Raisin, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Harper is such an instantly likeable heroine—bookish, funny, a little chaotic, and trying her best to outrun a very public career mishap. Her decision to take a job in the Seychelles feels impulsive in the best way, and watching her land on the island of Ésperé is like watching someone breathe again after holding it in for too long.
The setting is irresistible: a beachfront bookshop, a quirky cast of expats, and yes, a giant tortoise who steals every scene he’s in. The island community adds so much warmth and charm, and the mystery of the missing staff member gives the story a nice thread of intrigue without ever overshadowing the fun.
And then there’s Xavier—the grumpy, gorgeous hotel owner who tries very hard to keep his distance. The chemistry between him and Harper is deliciously slow‑burn, full of banter, tension, and those little moments that make you grin. Their dynamic is exactly what you want in a summery romcom.
What I loved most is how the book celebrates fresh starts, found family, and the healing power of sunshine and stories. It’s romantic, uplifting, and wonderfully escapist.
A perfect beach read—whether you’re actually on holiday or just wishing you were.
My thanks to Rebecca Raisin, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The eye-catching book cover immediately grabbed my attention. The summary, set at a 5-star hotel on a small island in the Seychelles, sounded ideal reading material for a cold wintery day.
A light-hearted tale about Harper who accidentally leaves her Bookstagram camera running and broadcasts her suspicions that a new author used AI to write their book. The result of Harper's indiscretion causes her to lose her job and angry comments on social media completely destroy her reputation. Jobless, blacklisted and needing to escape London, she responds to a once-in-a-lifetime job offer, 'Barefoot bookseller wanted for tropical island bookshop situated in a 5-star hotel'. Within days Harper has packed up her life in London and arrived on a small island in the Seychelles.
With such an exotic location I really wanted to enjoy the book. However, with merely four hotel staff and four hotel guests mentioned, there were too few characters to hold my interest. Disappointingly the hotel resort was barely described. Instead of concentrating on the story, all I wanted to know was how the permanent residents were able to finance their lavish lifestyles in a 5-star hotel.
With thanks to Boldwood Publishing and the author for the eARC, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.
A light-hearted tale about Harper who accidentally leaves her Bookstagram camera running and broadcasts her suspicions that a new author used AI to write their book. The result of Harper's indiscretion causes her to lose her job and angry comments on social media completely destroy her reputation. Jobless, blacklisted and needing to escape London, she responds to a once-in-a-lifetime job offer, 'Barefoot bookseller wanted for tropical island bookshop situated in a 5-star hotel'. Within days Harper has packed up her life in London and arrived on a small island in the Seychelles.
With such an exotic location I really wanted to enjoy the book. However, with merely four hotel staff and four hotel guests mentioned, there were too few characters to hold my interest. Disappointingly the hotel resort was barely described. Instead of concentrating on the story, all I wanted to know was how the permanent residents were able to finance their lavish lifestyles in a 5-star hotel.
With thanks to Boldwood Publishing and the author for the eARC, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The book's premise was intriguing and the cover inviting, so I was looking forward to reading the story. Set on the island of Espere in the Seychelles, the story is of a hotel in need of a bookseller. Harper needs to get away from London, where her book blog has gone disastrously wrong after she called out an author for using AI to write her bestseller. The island's hotel is a laid back place with a large proportion of long term guests. They refer to it as the "Hotel California" (referring to the song lyrics). There are a lot of eccentric guests who make a colourful contribution to the story, as well as a giant turtle called Turt Vonnegut.
When I started reading the story, I kept feeling that the storyline was familiar. Maybe not in the setting of a tropical island, but the general idea kept reminding me of other books. The story didn't grab me, and I felt the storyline was weak and meandering. Although there were some good characters and a few clever twists, I wasn't engrossed in the storyline or engaged with the characters. I just wanted to get to the end.
Having said that, I am sure it will appeal to a lot of romance readers who like a story set on an exotic island with some good looking men.
When I started reading the story, I kept feeling that the storyline was familiar. Maybe not in the setting of a tropical island, but the general idea kept reminding me of other books. The story didn't grab me, and I felt the storyline was weak and meandering. Although there were some good characters and a few clever twists, I wasn't engrossed in the storyline or engaged with the characters. I just wanted to get to the end.
Having said that, I am sure it will appeal to a lot of romance readers who like a story set on an exotic island with some good looking men.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A second chance in the form of an island book shop. The story focuses on some modern issues, such as AI in novels, social media and the balance of these and real life. I enjoyed the fun characters and unveiling of the history and people of the island. A fun read.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely loved this. Need a visit to the last chance resort but will have to just reread this. Heartwarming, sunny feels, funny and a budding romance what more could you need
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews