The Rainy Day Bookshop (Large Print Edition): A Contemporary Small-Town Story of Family, Community and Books

by RaeAnne Thayne

A Contemporary Small-Town Story of Family, Community and Books

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, Fiction, Audiobook, Books About Books, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Family

512 pages, Paperback

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.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered RaeAnne Thayne a few years back and quickly became a fan.
A wonderful multi-generational family drama of three strong women navigating the challenges of life. The romance is clean, and the characters are well developed. Great summer beach read.

[Cara Putman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author I’ve read, and it won’t be my last. From the adorable cover to the dual sweet romances this was a delightful introduction to her stories. Multi-generational, it’s a story of coming home and healing. So good!

[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.

[Hannah | Reading Under Covers · Rating 2 out of 5]

It pains me to write this, and it does appear that I'm in the minority when it comes to my thoughts on this book, but I wanted to dnf THE RAINY DAY BOOKSHOP sooo many times and I would have if I wasn't under obligation to review it (thanks NetGalley and MIRA for the early copy out June 2 lol) 😭

This book has a very large cast of characters, which I generally don't tend to mind, but every single character felt so similar that I found it difficult to separate them or even care for any of them.

The dialogue was cringe and stilted and some scenes could've used some major editing (or complete nixing as they served no purpose to the overall story). Honestly, by the end of reading this, I'm left questioning the point of anything I just read. So much trauma, so much kissing, and way too much cutesy-ness.

This really just didn't work for me in any way and it might just be that RaeAnne Thayne's writing is not for me. I'm very sorry for this review 💀

[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.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON JUNE 6.

What better place to meet characters than in a small town bookstore that definitely needs some renovations.

With some good-looking construction workers, all should be good, right?

THE RAINY DAY BOOKSHOP is a heartwarming ​read ​along with some heartache that will take you on a lovely ride exploring family and relationships. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

[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.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this heartwarming multigenerational family story about three strong women trying to hold it together and the bookshop that brings them all together. I loved that there's two love stories happening - one involving Rosie, the mother and the famous widower author and single dad who buys her old dream house and hires her to renovate it - and her daughter, Emma who is a recovering addict and single mother who has come back home to help out at the bookstore while her grandmother recovers from a fall.

Emma ends up falling for the boy whose secretly loved her since high school and together the bookstore helps heal all their hearts and bring the three (four) women closer together. A lighthearted, feel-good story that was good on audio narrated by Carly Robbins and was completely worth the wait for me. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

CW: death of a parent, drug addiction, unexpected pregnancy, infidelity, grief, Alzheimer's (and more)

[Diana_bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 ⭐️ rounded up!

This was the cozy read I was yearning for. Any time there is a story with a bookshop involved I am in, especially if the setting has all the small-town charm. This is my first book by RaeAnne Thanyne, I am looking forward to reading her backlist.

THE RAINY DAY BOOKSHOP follows Rosie, mother to Emma whom she has been estranged from for various reasons. After Rosie’s mother, Sylvia, suffers an injury, they ask Emma and her 3-year-old daughter to move back home to help run their bookstore until her grandma recuperates. During this time the three begin to reconnect by confronting truths.

I personally loved the fact that the story had two love stories, complex family dynamics and fun banter. These stories make me want to move to a small town. This was just a good story about second chances, forgiveness and reconnecting.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio and Mira Books for the gifted ALC.

[Leslie W · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

This was such a cozy, feel-good book. This is my reminder that I want to read more by this author. 4.75 stars.

[Katie · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

2.5 stars

A typical, easy read from RaeAnna Thayne. A little boring, perhaps, without a lot of depth, and the conflicts are brushed over rather quickly. Like the fire at the end seems suspiciously like arson, but it's just never explored. Also, for a three-year-old, Olive talked too much like a grown up. Her grammar and speech were not like that of a toddler.

In addition, this book had several errors that really should have been caught during editing.
Page 126 in Chapter 12 reads, "When I found out I was pregnant with Emma", but it's Emma who is speaking, so the name should be Olive, her daughter. Emma can't be pregnant with herself.
And then in Chapter 27, Andrew makes note of Rosie's outfit (a sundress and sweater) for the book club meeting. Same book club meeting, just now in Chapter 28, Emma somehow notices Rosie wearing an entirely different outfit (trousers and a silk blouse). Continuity issues here.

[Nicole]

I had trouble wrapping my head around the fact that one of the main characters was very close to my age and a grandmother. 🤣

[Pugsley's Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!

[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.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story. A mother and daughter both find a second chance at love after multiple hardships in their lives for the past decade. Small town setting in coastal Oregon.

[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.

[Sarah 🌺 Books in Their Natural Habitat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rainy Day Bookshop is exactly what you may have come to expect and love from RaeAnne Thayne.

The author does a beautiful job exploring the complex nature of family dynamics, highlighting that everyone experiences situations differently and how critical it is that we don’t assume feelings and instead take time to connect and understand each other. This goes for pretty much everyone in the book… Emma, Rosie, Sylvia, Andrew, and Bryce. While this dynamic can be exacerbated living in a small town as they all do, I’m sure many readers will find threads they can relate to in their own lives.

The author also handled the complex nature of wanting to protect ourselves well. While reading, there were points that I just wanted to yell “just communicate” however I know just how difficult it can be to put yourself out there… and many of these characters also struggle with just how much of themselves and their feelings to share in an effort to not get hurt.

Overall, a loveable and related small town romance. I hope we’ll get more stories of some of these ancillary characters in the future… even those who betrayed trust (without spoiling anything!).

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. The review expresses my own opinions only.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay this is my first book by this author, she has been on my TBR pile for awhile but I like more mystery than heartfelt stories but this one reached out to me and it was available at my library.

Definitely can see where the story goes from the beginning, the writing is beautiful but there isn’t any conflict for me. I like to see a bit of breakup and makeup myself. It felt one dimensional to me. Definitely an easy read, a book to read if you need a refresher or just want a fun happy book. I APPRECIATE the no sex scenes more than you know. That right there would keep me coming back to read her books, when I want a bit of romance in my life.

*You know how authors are putting warning signs before you start reading their books. For example: this book talks about domestic violence, etc and these may be trigger warnings for some people. Why can’t they add graphic sex scenes to that?*

[heather 📚✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. This book is a low stakes, cozy, cute, zero spice romance and it hit all those marks while at the same time touching on a lot of deeper issues. There was even a big reveal that I wasn’t expecting. There are a number of different perspectives which keeps the story refreshing. Family and found family are at the core of the story. I do think we could have gone a little deeper into some of the issues. I feel like they were brushed over a little bit. Overall I had a very pleasant time listening to it and while that could sound negative I don’t mean it that way. That’s exactly what I was expecting to feel

[Jen 🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story is full of heart, hope, and new beginnings, and a reminder that healing often happens when we least expect it. It made me smile, tugged at my heartstrings, and left me feeling so warm by the final page.

If you love small-town settings, charming bookstores, lovable characters, and books that feel like a warm hug on a rainy day, definitely add this one to your TBR. I only wished it was raining outside ☔️

[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.

[Cierrah Loveness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy 🥰

[Lisa Humphreys · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun vacation read- the story of a daughter returning home to help out, three generations of women trying to salvage relationships, and a few romances as well.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so adorable!!! I loved hearing all the different characters POVs! Also the bookish vibes like love!!! Overall I really enjoyed reading this book!

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. I didn't really connect with any of the characters. I don't think I was the focused reader for this one anyway. So many kids lol

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short review? Hallmark. You either like it or you don't. Obviously not my cup of tea. The cover drew me in like a cozy book shop would, but inside? It was a bit stale.

I could tell where this story was headed from the word go. Everything felt like it stayed very shallow, outside of one moment where two characters seemed to get actually real with each other way late in the story. You know, for like a page. Then it was all surface level again.

Also, the way the love interests fell in love? I don't wanna spoil things, but it was honestly a little weirdly obsessive to me because of the writing and what details characters focused on hah And repetitive! Repetitive actions, repetitive dumb excuses for why folks shouldn't get together, and even repeated lines. Literally, twice I found the exact same line repeated within a paragraph of each other. Either poor editing or the author uses the same descriptors so much even the editor was like eh, it's part of her style. Leave it.

And I like my romantic interests flawed. Not just this "we can't be together" for no real reason from both couples. The dudes never showed any anger or frustration? They never spoke one wrong word except the ones the girls misinterpreted? They both just get a little tongue tied (or at least think they do) when talking to the person they're interested in, big whoop. Come on, Hallmark book. I get what the author was aiming for, but it made them really unbelievable and milktoast to me. The almost mirror between the two relationships was really off putting for me too for reasons that feel spoilery, so I'll keep that bit to myself.

It was a very fast read at least! I also appreciate any modern literature with clean romance, but one more mention of tight tshirts, and my eyes might roll right out of my head. We've read a couple of romances for the book club I'm in now, and this one is worse than Boo IMO - at least that one tried to go deeper than surface level. Recommend to the Hallmark lovers out there. Otherwise? No thanks.