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, Books About Books, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, 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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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. 🤣

[Chrissy D (Chrissysliterarybites) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Books are like portals to a magical land. The thing is, everybody’s magical land looks different”

“Your mistakes don’t define you- they’re part of your journey”

This is a story about second chances in many ways - not just in love but in life and other relationships too. It had two will they won’t they couples in it, one closer to my age (40’s) and one early 20’s. Both had past issues/things they had to get over/past. Lots of longing- not wanting to make wrong decisions etc. good story and I liked how all 4 characters took turns being the point of view every other chapter so you could know how each person was feeling about a situation. There are things from their pasts they have to work through and one is a mystery from long ago that you kind of try to piece together through the chapters.

I also loved the multigenerational relationships in this book because there was the grandmother, the mother, the daughter, and the granddaughter, all kind of coming back together and living together. I enjoyed that dynamic, especially between the mother and daughter after being an estranged for so many years. I loved the bookstore theme in it as well. What I really enjoyed was the deeply real and personal nature of the stories these characters told- it was not all sappy and fun- there were some deep things going on, lots of emotions running high in many ways. It really covered the ups and downs of life. I honestly didn’t want this book to end.

[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.

[Terri Wino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another touching story from one of my go-to authors. I never hesitate to pre-order RaeAnne Thayne's books because I know I'll get a heartwarming story and likeable characters, even though I may enjoy some books more than others. There were multiple storylines in this one, but as they were all connected, were easy to follow. I was fully invested in both Rosie and Emma's relationships and emotions. Really liked this one!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a cozy book that will help you to escape from the real world for a little while, the Rainy Day Bookshop just might be it. It is cheesy and predictable? Yes. Do you find yourself loving and rooting for the main characters? Yes! Do you want to shake Rosey and Emma several times throughout the book? Yes! If the cover of this book makes you smile and hope for a book with a Hallmark plot, I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.

[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!

[April Grenier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, cozy and slightly boring

[Meghan Sperdute · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want a second book so we can see more of this crew and so we can see Rosie and Andrew get married

[Brittany Homen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️