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

by RaeAnne Thayne

"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, 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. 

Don't miss these other great reads from RaeAnne Snow Kissed The Lost Book of First Loves The December Market 15 Summers Later The Cafe at Beach End

Genres: Fiction, Romance

384 pages, Hardcover

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

[Stacey Beane]

Again….i love this author’s books & how her stories always make me feel happy! This book is no exception & it gives Hallmark vibes & I don’t even care! No spice & overall a clean read & one I’d recommend if you like clean small town romance.

[Charlene Gerz]

I loved this book and couldn’t wait to get back to reading it each day but there was nothing special about it, just a good read!

[Gale]

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!

[Tammy Morse]

The Rainy Day Bookshop
RaeAnne Thayne

I love the characters that RaeAnne put together for a fabulous book.

Rosie - mother and grandma
Emma - mother and daughter
Andrew Morgan - author and father
Bryce -construction worker

Emma comes home after a long time away from home to take over the Bookshop. She renovates the shop and enjoy doing what she is doing. Bryce helps her with it. She has a daughter named Olive.
Rosie goes to Lucas construction company making sure the keeping things moving.
Andrew is a single father of two kids. Also the starting over in Moves to Wood Briar with his famiy. To a house that was being renovated and still writes his book.
This is a fantastic story with awesome description.
RaeAnne put together fantastic characters.
I loved this story and I recommend this book.

[Stephanie Hickman]

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 their relationship. Andrew, a bestselling author, purchased a home that needs some renovations. Rosie, who also owns a construction company, helps with his construction needs, along with Bryce. Bryce , Emma's childhood friend, works at the construction company. Can Emma overcome obstacles to love again.? Can Rosie help Andrew with more than renovations? I enjoyed getting to know the people of Wood Briar. A touching, endearing romance.

[Becky Tatar]

Great story of family healing. After going wild and having a child, Emma is back in Oregon to help at her mother's bookstore while Emma's grandmother is recovering from an accident. But this means facing her past, and guilt over her father's death. In the meantime, her mom, Rosie, has been running the family construction company, and relying more and more on Bryce, one of the project managers. Emma has always wanted to work at the company, but doesn't know how to approach her mom about it. Meanwhile, one of the big projects that the construction company is working on is the house for Andrew, and his two kids, who moved to Oregon from California after his wife's death. And Rosie finds herself more and more attracted to him.

[Nicole Duvall]

if you're already a fan of RaeAnne Thayne this generational HEA read is all the feels and totally familiar. the bookshop setting just cemented it for me as a must read. the characters all face life challenges we all relate to... running a business, raising children, moving, and most of all the dynamics of family. if you're new to her books...you won't be disappointed.

[Michelle]

I really enjoyed this book. It was heartwarming and romantic. I thought the kids were adorable. I really enjoyed the fact that Emma was able to make the relationship with her mother better at the end. I look forward to the next book that RaeAnne Thayne writes. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa]

I had higher expectations for this book, and the final results after finishing the book, fell a little flat. The characters were well developed and likeable, but the story line did not come together as well, and the ending all of a sudden everything was solved and was wrapped up very quickly. This is my first time reading this author, and I would try another book by her.

[Judy Morris]

I love this book! It had mystery, romance and family all in one book! When I started this book! It really enjoyable! I found myself reading it and wanted to really find out what happens!

It was so good! I laughed and I cried but it was all worth it! Now I will have to read more of her books!

Great read and story line!

[Missy]

The story enjoyed but the delivery was so slow the reason for the 3. One of my favorite authors and was looking for forward to this new book. I just felt it was a slow read for me, her books and similar I devour in a day maybe a dat half but not this one! The characters were engaging and kept me coming back but it was a slow paced and I could easily be distracted.

[Laura]

My Mom enjoys this author and passed a library copy on to me when she had finished it. It was a sweet Hallmark-type novel with some tougher topics approached in hindsight. It could have used one more editing pass. The love stories were sweet.

[Joni Amrhein]

A fun read that had all the feels of a good book filled with drama and a bit of romance.

[Jennifer]

Super sweet story!!! 🤗

[Gayle Hughes]

Great summer read!

[Jennifer Neal]

The perfect book for a summer read. This one contained all of my favorites: a beach, a bookstore, and second chances. If you're looking for an easy, enjoyable read with lots of heart, this one is it!

[Russell]

Nice characters, many dealing with very tragic happenings in their lives, eventually reconciling and pushing through, and finding each other in a small Oregon coastal town. I enjoyed reading it.

[✨ 💫 Stephanie 💫 ✨]

Great read!

[Sue Chaisson]

Very predictable but a sweet book that reads like a rom com.