The English Bookstore in Bologna: A Novel

by Boo Walker

Against the sunlit backdrop of Italy, five expats discover each other—and rediscover themselves—in a charmingly funny and poignant novel by the author of An Unfinished Story and A Spanish Sunrise .

Tucked away on a cobblestone street in enchanting Bologna, Italy, is the only English bookstore in the city. It’s owned by prickly Sandy Cooke, who keeps love, and even romantic fiction, at a distance. Her employee, timid and hopelessly optimistic Moira, dreams of transforming the struggling shop into a vibrant community hub. Against the odds, one Bolognese summer, it becomes a haven for fellow expats at their own crossroads.

Bianca is a psychotherapist escaping both a breakdown and withering reviews of her new self-help book. On her heels is her father, George, wrestling with retirement—and regrets. He’s had a few, but the light of his life has always been his daughter. Then there’s Harold, a young and awkward barista from Denver recovering from his first belly-flopping high dive into love. Maybe it’s time for reinvention.

At the only English bookstore in Bologna, paths converge for five damaged souls who discover that healing doesn’t require much—just honest connection and an open heart.

Genres: Fiction, Books About Books, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Italy

Audible Audio

Expected publication August 18, 2026

About the author

Bestselling author Boo Walker initially tapped his creative muse as a songwriter and banjoist in Nashville before working his way west to Washington State, where he bought a gentleman’s farm on the Yakima River. It was there amongst the grapevines and wine barrels that he fell in love with telling stories that now resonate with book clubs around the world. Rich with colorful characters and boundless soul, his novels will leave you with an open heart and a lifted spirit.

Always a wanderer, Boo currently lives in Valencia, Spain with his wife and son. He also writes thrillers under the pen name Benjamin Blackmore. You can find him at boowalker.com and benjaminblackmore.com.

For a free copy of his Red Mountain cookbook, updates, and other goodies, sign up for his newsletter at boowalker.com.

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shouldn’t have liked this book; I don’t really enjoy character-driven stories, and I don’t enjoy a large cast of characters. BUT…I LOVED THIS STORY!

I put my confidence in a trusted author and ended up absolutely getting sucked into a GREAT story and the relationships between the ex-pats. One thing I loved about the way Boo Walker structured this story is that he gave the reader time to get to know each character before adding a new one to the mix. I also appreciated that each character he added was necessary and contributed to the story. The characters come to Bologna, Italy, broken, and the city heals them.

The character that resonated most with me was Bianca. She arrives in Bologna running on empty after devoting everything to a career and is focused on repairing the damage she caused by neglecting herself. Her ‘recalibration’ encouraged me.

I appreciated a spotlight on these thoughts:
✔️Have a warrior mindset, not a victim mindset
✔️Look at problems as challenges
✔️Stop performing for applause
✔️Plug yourself in and go
✔️The community of book lovers
✔️Having a purpose
✔️Live in the ‘now’, don’t wait for things to improve
✔️the Italian version of A.S.A.P!

Don’t miss out on this wonderful book; it’s filled with encouragement and bookish goodness. The characters’ growth will astound you. I was filled with compassion and empathy as I closed the final page. This would translate well to the silver screen!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Kirsten Clason · Rating 3 out of 5]

The English Bookstore in Bologna by Boo Walker is a novel set in Bologna, a historic Italian city full of cobblestone streets,hidden cafés, and a slower, reflective pace of life. The bookstore itself feels like a quiet refuge, slightly worn, a bit forgotten, but full of potential.
This book is completely character driven and basically focuses on second chances and making peace with the past. We are introduced to Sandy, the owner of the bookstore, who is emotionally guarded and stuck in her routines.She owns the bookstore but doesn’t really love it anymore. She avoids deep relationships and keeps people at arm’s length. Her past has shaped her into someone who expects disappointment.
Moira is Sandy’s employee—and her opposite. She’s warm, hopeful, and deeply empathetic and believes the bookstore could be something magical. She sees potential in people, even when they don’t see it themselves. She acts as the catalyst, gently pushing everyone (including Sandy) toward change.
Bianca is a therapist and author who arrives in Bologna running from her life. She’s struggling with burnout and feels like she’s lost control of her own life.
George, Bianca’s father, represents regret,aging, and is struggling learning to deal with retirement.
Lastly, there is Harold who is younger and emotionally lost. He’s Recovering from heartbreak and feels disconnected and unsure of his future.
It’s fun to see how these characters all become intwined each others lives after meeting in the bookstore.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. This book releases on August 18. I’m giving it 3.5 stars.

[Mona Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of *The English Bookstore in Bologna* before publication. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

*The English Bookstore in Bologna* is a warm, thoughtful and uplifting novel about loneliness, reinvention and the unexpected communities we find when our lives have not gone according to plan. Set against the beautiful streets of Bologna, the story brings together five very different people whose paths cross inside the city’s only English-language bookshop.

The bookstore is owned by Sandy Cooke, a guarded and somewhat prickly woman who appears determined to keep both her customers and her emotions at a safe distance. Sandy has little interest in romance, whether in her personal life or on the shelves of her shop, and seems to have accepted that solitude is safer than allowing anyone to become important to her. Although the bookstore has enormous potential, it is struggling, and Sandy appears more comfortable protecting it from change than considering what it might become.

Her employee, Moira, sees the shop very differently. Timid but endlessly hopeful, she dreams of turning it into a welcoming place where people can gather, form friendships and feel less alone. She understands that a bookstore can be more than somewhere to buy books; it can become a refuge for people searching for familiarity, connection or simply somewhere they feel understood.

The contrast between Sandy and Moira provides much of the emotional foundation of the novel. Sandy resists both change and intimacy, while Moira believes deeply in the possibility of community. Their relationship is sometimes frustrating and occasionally touching, particularly as Moira begins to find the confidence to express what she wants for herself and for the shop.

The bookstore gradually becomes a meeting place for several expats who have arrived in Bologna carrying their own disappointments. Each of them is at a point where the life they expected to have has become impossible, leaving them unsure whether they are running away from something or moving towards a new beginning.

Bianca is a psychotherapist who has built a career advising other people how to manage their lives, yet she is unable to hold her own together. Following a breakdown and the humiliating reception of her new self-help book, she escapes to Bologna hoping for distance from both her professional failure and the expectations placed upon her.

I found Bianca particularly interesting because her profession creates an immediate contradiction. She possesses the language and training to understand emotional distress, but that knowledge does not protect her from experiencing it herself. She is used to occupying the role of the person with answers, and her breakdown forces her to accept that insight and recovery are not the same thing.

Her embarrassment over the response to her book also feels painfully believable. Public criticism is difficult for anyone, but for Bianca it attacks not only her writing but also her professional identity. She has presented herself as someone qualified to help others, and the negative reviews make her question whether she has misunderstood both her work and herself.

Following her to Italy is her father, George, who is struggling with retirement and with regrets he has spent years avoiding. His love for Bianca is obvious, but love does not automatically mean understanding. Their relationship contains affection, frustration and the complicated history that develops when a parent continues trying to protect an adult child who no longer wants to be managed.

George’s difficulty with retirement adds another meaningful theme to the novel. Work has provided him with routine, identity and a sense of usefulness. Without it, he is forced to confront who he is when he is no longer defined by his career or by his responsibilities as a father. His time in Bologna becomes an opportunity to reflect on the choices he made and the relationships he may have neglected.

Harold is the youngest and perhaps the most openly vulnerable member of the group. An awkward barista from Denver, he has come to Bologna following his first painful experience of love. He is trying to recover from rejection while also working out what kind of person he wants to become away from the familiar expectations of home.

Harold brings humour and tenderness to the story. His heartbreak may appear less complicated than the problems faced by some of the older characters, but it is no less significant to him. The novel treats his pain with compassion rather than dismissing it as youthful drama, while also allowing his awkwardness and optimism to provide some lighter moments.

What connects all five characters is the feeling that they no longer fully belong to the lives they previously occupied. Bologna offers them temporary distance from their failures, but the city cannot solve their problems simply because it is beautiful. Each character eventually has to decide whether they are genuinely willing to change or whether they have merely moved their unhappiness somewhere more picturesque.

The bookstore is the perfect centre for this story. Books provide comfort, escape and a way for strangers to recognise parts of themselves in one another. The shop begins as a struggling business, but as the characters spend more time there, it becomes something far more important: a place where they are permitted to arrive unfinished.

I particularly enjoyed the idea of an English-language bookstore becoming a refuge for expats. Living abroad can be exciting, but it can also create a deep sense of displacement. Familiar books and shared language offer the characters a connection to home while allowing them to create a new community in Italy.

The Bologna setting is another major strength. The descriptions of cobbled streets, cafés, food and sunlit neighbourhoods create a vivid sense of place without entirely overwhelming the characters. The city feels warm, lived-in and inviting rather than merely serving as a decorative backdrop.

Food naturally plays an important role in the atmosphere. Meals and coffee become opportunities for conversation, honesty and friendship. The characters often reveal more while sitting around a table than they do when deliberately attempting to discuss their feelings. The everyday pleasures of Bologna help them begin reconnecting with life.

Although the novel contains romantic possibilities, romance is not the only or even necessarily the most important form of love explored. Friendship, parental love and community are equally significant. The characters do not simply need romantic partners; they need people willing to see them honestly and remain present when they are not at their best.

I appreciated this emphasis because it prevents the story from suggesting that every personal crisis can be solved by falling in love. Some of the characters need to forgive themselves, confront their past or find a new sense of purpose before they can form healthier relationships with anyone else.

The novel also explores the difference between advice and genuine connection. Bianca has spent years offering professional guidance, but what ultimately helps the characters is not a perfect piece of wisdom. It is the experience of being listened to, accepted and occasionally challenged by people who care about them.

Sandy’s development is particularly satisfying. Her guarded personality can initially make her difficult to warm to, but the reasons behind her behaviour gradually become clearer. She has created emotional distance as a form of protection, and watching the bookstore become a community forces her to reconsider whether avoiding pain has also prevented her from experiencing happiness.

Moira’s journey is quieter but equally rewarding. Her optimism could easily have made her seem naïve, yet it becomes a form of courage. She continues believing that the shop and its owner are capable of more, even when Sandy dismisses her ideas. Over time, Moira begins to recognise that kindness does not require her to remain invisible.

The relationships between the characters develop gradually, which suits the story. They do not become an instantly perfect friendship group. There are misunderstandings, personality clashes and moments when one person’s attempts to help are not welcomed. This makes the eventual sense of community feel earned rather than artificial.

The pacing is gentle and highly character-driven. Readers expecting a dramatic plot or constant twists may find parts of the novel slow. Much of the story focuses on conversations, personal reflection and small changes rather than major external events.

For me, that slower pace generally suited the themes of healing and reinvention. However, there were sections in the middle where the narrative lost some momentum, particularly when several characters remained trapped in the same emotional patterns. A slightly tighter structure might have made the story even more effective.

Some developments are also predictable. It is not difficult to anticipate that the struggling bookstore will eventually bring the characters together or that people who arrive emotionally lost will begin to help one another. A few of the relationship developments follow familiar comforting-fiction patterns.

Nevertheless, the predictability did not significantly reduce my enjoyment because the appeal lies more in the characters’ journeys than in being surprised. This is the kind of novel where the reader may understand the likely destination but still enjoy travelling there.

There are also moments when the book approaches sentimentality, particularly when emphasising the healing power of friendship and books. However, the characters’ flaws and personal difficulties prevent the story from becoming excessively sweet. Their problems are not solved instantly, and connection does not erase the mistakes they have made.

I especially enjoyed the range of ages and life experiences represented. Reinvention is not presented as something available only to the young. George must reconsider his life after retirement, Sandy has to decide whether she can still open herself to love and change, while Bianca and Harold are rebuilding after very different kinds of emotional collapse.

The novel’s greatest strength is its belief that people can begin again without pretending the past never happened. The characters do not become entirely new people in Bologna. Instead, they begin understanding themselves more honestly and recognising that failure does not have to become a permanent identity.

The bookstore itself reflects this idea. It does not need to abandon what it was in order to survive, but it does need to become more open, welcoming and connected to the people around it. Its transformation mirrors the emotional changes taking place within the characters.

The later chapters bring the individual journeys together in a satisfying way. The characters are forced to decide whether the friendships and lessons of the summer will influence the lives they return to or whether Bologna will become only a temporary escape.

The ending is hopeful without suggesting that every problem has disappeared. Some relationships require continued work, some regrets cannot be undone and some choices still carry consequences. However, each character leaves the experience with a clearer understanding of what they need and what they are prepared to change.

Overall, *The English Bookstore in Bologna* is a charming, emotional and uplifting story about five imperfect people who find connection at precisely the moment they need it most. The Bologna setting is beautifully drawn, the bookstore is an irresistible centre for the story and the characters’ struggles with failure, retirement, heartbreak and loneliness give the novel genuine emotional depth.

Although the pacing is occasionally slow and some developments are predictable, the warmth of the characters and the celebration of books, friendship and second chances made this a very enjoyable read.

This will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven fiction, beautiful Italian settings, stories centred around bookshops and novels about people rebuilding their lives through unexpected friendships.

[Alexander · Rating 2 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the copy.

Medium: Audiobook

My thoughts: I had hoped that this book would be an emotional yet light listen that I would simply enjoy and have very few thoughts on. That was not the case. I was about 8% in when I first considered abandoning the book, and I probably would have if I hadn't requested it through NetGalley. I don't necessarily want to be that person, but I have to point out that I found most of the characters deeply unlikable, and those that weren't straight-up unlikable were pitiful. I didn't feel like I had any character to fully root for and enjoy reading about.
A lot of the writing felt lazy. Having an intro for the characters may be less worrisome in a physical book or an ebook but it overall seemed like the author didn't know how to introduce the multiple POV characters in a way that would be memorable and distinct enough to not need an intro for them. That insecurity was also shown through the multiple repetitions and overexplanations for basic concepts that were introduced into the story only pages ago. Another thing I noticed about the writing in this book was that time skips were handled very awkwardly. We'd start a new chapter and someone would unnaturally mention in the conversation how many days it's been since the previous chapter.
Now, about the actual content of the story, I had complaints for that as well. First of all, I have to mention that as a non-American, this is a deeply American book. Even if I hadn't looked up the author or even if there was no mention of where the majority of characters are from, you can very clearly tell and it makes the characters feel more like caricatures rather than the fully developed people that they could have otherwise been. I also found the contemporary references a little jarring, making me question if an average reader will cringe while reading this in a couple of years. That alone isn't all that concerning. What is concerning, however, are the multiple mentions of ChatGPT. Having multiple characters mention that they "ChatGPT it" (in the same way someone would say they'd look something up by Googling it) made me cringe and worry that the author is using AI. The conversation about what is acceptable usage of AI in the writing process is a long and convoluted one. I personally fall towards the side of believing that AI should have absolutely nothing to do with writing or any kind of creative endeavor; therefore, the multiple mentions of ChatGPT were jarring. It also made me doubt the character's intelligence (either fairly or unfairly).
The last thing I want to talk about is my view on the father-daughter relationship that is one of the main relationships discussed in the book. Although the relationship refers to two adults, I feel like the focus on the daughter was deeply problematic. It felt like the story or the writer wanted us to think that it is only natural that the daughter should forgive her father for being absent from her life until his main preoccupation, his job, was taken from him. It literally didn't occur to him that he should not commit suicide so that he could be there for his daughter until she texted him mid-attempt. Yet, the story is about her going through a transformation and learning to love him. He does go through a big change throughout the story (even though very near the end, he's still controlling and secretive) but every other character is putting the pressure on her to accept and forgive him.
Overall, I can't say that this is the worst thing I ever listened to but I am still grieving the almost ELEVEN hours that this audiobook took.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good summer read for a specific audience. If you enjoy books set in bookstores, have a passion for the magic of Italy, and enjoy reading about budding romance, this is a good one for you. It is an immersion into the beauty of the language, food and history of Bologna with some additional travel to the canals of Venice, beaches of Ischia, and a quick tour of Rome.

But I felt the intent was meant to be a character driven novel and that is where the author lost me. It was hard for me to feel much compassion for any of the characters in their struggles (and there were many) and I felt it overwritten and repetitive.

The characters:

Sandy is the book store owner. She is caustic, negative, and has no interest in having her store succeed. We imagine there are reasons for her unhappiness and find that to be true. But ouch. She truly earned the porcupine moniker.

Moira, her one employee, is abused by Sandy on a daily basis. She is described as a mousy young woman with thick glasses and a groveling demeanor. However, she is determined to build a bookstore community and becomes someone Mousy Moira is not—determined, outspoken, and an articulate community builder. She too has a dark secret.

Bianca, perhaps to be considered the main protagonist , is a very successful therapist with a lucrative practice in Austin. She works very hard and has written a self help book that has bombed. She runs from all of that to find the Bianca she once was ten years ago and to craft a new and different life.

Bianca’s father, George, a tireless workaholic has retired and has no clue how to fill his life. He aborted his own suicide attempt and decided to go to Bologna to save Bianca from herself. George is an ugly American who doesn’t grasp the Italian joie de vivre. He thinks he is right about everything ad nauseum, until he doesn’t. There is hope for everyone.

I think the Harold character could have been eliminated altogether. Unless he was needed to fulfil Sandy’s thwarted maternal instincts. The whole Harold/Aroldo scenes didn’t work for me. Maybe I should have more empathy for a young boy seemingly without options propped up by a community he never experienced before.

All in all, while this book was not for me, readers who gravitate to this genre will love the Italian ambiance, the budding romances, and the lifting of broken spirits into a supportive community.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union for the opportunity to read this ARC and write an honest review.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

nominally about a bookstore, but it’s all about the characters (each connected to the bookstore somehow) and their sense of identity. there’s someone rediscovering herself after years in corporate america, a guy contorting his entire personality and lifestyle (twice) to chase after a girl he meets in a coffee shop and follows to italy, an unhappy retiree trying to carve out a place for himself in his adult daughter’s life, a bitter bookstore owner who hasn't spoken to her son in years, and her employee yearning to establish a stronger sense of community.

the prose keeps it simple, clearing the way for the characters and their thoughts and dialogue. i thought the book really shined when it came to character combinations. sandy and moira, moira and harold, bianca and george, sandy and george. over the course of the story, how each character sees themselves shifts substantially, and that's only possible because of the others impacting them. then that renewed self-perception allows them to enact huge changes in their own lives. loved that!!!

the relationship that stuck with me the most was the father-daughter relationship: vocal expectations running one way, and quiet resentment in the opposite direction. it felt so cathartic when those two came to a head.

harold is… a lot. i almost couldn't handle him. stalking his ex and her new boyfriend, lying to himself and to her, trying to be someone he's not??? i got secondhand embarrassment reading it, especially bc he KNOWS how cringeworthy it is and does it anyway. the lack of self-control made me itch on its own, but even worse was how no one actually called him out on it. but even if none of them were outwardly judging him, i was doing it from the other side of the page.

the reveal about sandy’s son wasn’t a surprise to me (since i think i’d picked up on the dogtag/coral detail early on), but that anticipation made her voicemails hit harder.

overall, this book shows how no one lives in a vacuum: who you are and who you become is a direct result of who you allow yourself to be vulnerable with, and who’s close enough to make an impact on you. lovely!

[Hope Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a weakness for books about bookstores. Add Italy to the mix and I'm basically handing over my credit card before I've read the blurb.

So yes, The English Bookstore in Bologna had me at the title.

The setting is absolutely delightful. Bologna is gorgeous, the bookstore is every bookworm's fantasy, and by chapter three I was pricing imaginary plane tickets and convincing myself carbs are simply part of the Italian wellness plan.

The story itself? Well...

Imagine everyone in a charming little bookstore taking turns saying, "Tell me about your trauma." Repeat until the espresso runs out.

There is nothing *wrong* with the book. It's warm, hopeful, and full of people trying to heal. I just found myself wishing for a little more conflict and a little less emotional unpacking. At times it felt like the bookstore should have started charging by the therapy hour.

The characters are likable enough, but several of them blended together for me. I kept waiting for someone to completely surprise me. Instead, most of the plot unfolded exactly the way I expected. It was less "I can't believe that happened!" and more "Yep...there it is."

That said, if cozy, feel-good fiction with found family, second chances, and beautiful Italian scenery is your thing, I completely understand why this book has found its audience. It just wasn't quite my cup of...espresso.

Three stars because the bookstore was wonderful, Bologna deserves its own fan club, and now I desperately want to spend an afternoon browsing dusty shelves before wandering off in search of fresh pasta. The novel may not have swept me away, but it definitely convinced me that my next vacation should involve books, bread, and absolutely no one asking me to unpack my emotional baggage.

[Herbibliomaniac · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

How to review this one. Honestly, I had a real love/hate relationship with this book.

The love:
Absolutely adored the setting. A charming bookstore in Bologna Italy, you can't go wrong there.

The story follows several characters seeking self-worth and building their own little community on the way. Each character is connected to the bookstore in some way throughout the story. I liked that their growth was all over the place. The messy, one step forward then two steps back, actually felt real. Every character had a different battle they were dealing with, and this bookstore and the people surrounding it were able to offer support.

Love the women's spirits in this story. There is so much female rejection toward men, and I actually love that so much. The women in this story (main and secondary characters) stood up for themselves.

The hate:
One character, is borderline obsessed with his ex and basically stalks her at one point. I understand wanting to fight for a relationship, but I feel it was a bit too cringe worthy at times. He does not know how to accept the answer no.

Which brings me to another character that kisses someone without consent, he was slapped after (which i definitely rooted for), but I cringed hard at the kiss.

All in all, I did enjoy this story, but could have done without some of it. However without the parts I didn’t like, there wouldn't have been as much women standing up, which I did really like.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Boo Walker for sending for me an Arc to review.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. What follows is my opinion.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and it will not be the last. I made the mistake of starting this book late in the day, thinking that I'd be able to put it down when it was time to get some sleep. I was wrong. I didn't put it down. I kept reading until I finished at 6:30 in the morning. Yes, it really was that good.

At first, I was thinking I'd find it hard to get into a book with so many primary characters, but the author somehow pulls you in and makes you care about each one of them, even the prickly ones. I think the hardest thing for me was the Dad. I kept shaking my head and thinking, "Don't do that. Don't say that." I recognized the old me in him. I was like that with my daughters when they were in their early twenties. I learned quickly that if you want a relationship with your adult children, you need to treat them like adults, which means not offering advice unless it's requested.

This book has a lot of depth, humour, and heart. And it doesn't hurt that it revolves around a bookstore in Italy. I think what makes it truly stand out is the character growth. I'm not talking about character growth for one character, but for all the main characters, which is significant. On top of that, this book has a lot of great messages.

To recap, this book made me laugh, shake my head, hold my breath, and even cry a little. And it was worth it. I highly recommend this book.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandy, the owner of the bookstore, chose the location because of the beautiful architecture of the building. But it’s being obscured by the reconstruction in the area that is also reducing customer traffic greatly. She generally isn’t happy and strikes out at her employee, Moira.

Moira loves her job and she really wants to promote the bookstore, bring it up to date, bring in books that will appeal to more customers. She has great ideas and puts her all into developing them only to get them shot down by Sandy.

Bianca is an American therapist who has written a book that generated meager sales and not great reviews. Bianca has come to Bologna to hide and lick her wounds. Her father, George, has been forced into retirement and he’s generally unhappy with his life.

And lastly Harold, a young man who lives in his mother’s basement and she’s fronting the money for his trip to Bologna.

Each is knowingly or unknowingly searching for something, harboring secrets, pain, heartbreak.

Their common link is the bookstore. Their quests for love, fulfilment, or whatever their life is missing fleshes out the story. The reader learns their histories, their losses, and their weaknesses. With support and love from the others, each one grows and learns to find their happiness and potential.

This is a wonderfully told story. I was given the opportunity to listen to the audio book by the publisher and NetGalley. The narrators were marvelous. They enhanced their narration with wonderful voices and accents. It was a pleasure to listen to this book.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charmingly sweet story of a small group of broken ex-pats converging on the only English bookshop in Bologna (hint: there actually is none in real life - but after reading this there should be) to discover friendship, healing and good books.

First, I was in Bologna once so many years ago it escapes me but while there for about six or seven hours I became entranced by city and its food. Here you can get yummy green noodles and the lighter ala vodka-like sauces than the darker Sicilian sauces usually part of American-fare Italian food. That visit just stuck with me so when I found this book I was eager to read and delighted to have access (my thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing).

Bologna is one of Italy’s gems. Its cobblestoned streets and Renaissance flair captures the tourist, the natives and five ex-pats who converge on the only English bookshop in town! There’s Sandy, its owner - maybe a bit of a curmudgeon and so prickly, few and far between romance books can be found in her store. Moira, Sandy’s assistant, sees the shop from the stars in her eyes - it could be a community-gathering place given more love. Bianca is an escapee from negative reviews from her most recent self-help book with her father, George, who just can’t figure out what retirement is. Harold, a barista from Denver, is a recovering romantic.

The pacing is great and the characters are exactly who you’d want to come together - these five really need one another. The atmosphere is cozy and Bologna is the bomb.

Perfect read for lovers of books set in bookshops.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

The English Bookstore in Bologna

An Italian setting centred around a bookstore — honestly that premise alone had me. And the atmosphere of Bologna is beautifully rendered, warm and immersive in all the right ways.

The story follows several characters searching for themselves and each other, loosely connected through the bookstore. The themes of identity, connection and self worth are ones I genuinely care about. But I'll be honest — I found the characters hard to like for much of the book. Selfish and self absorbed in ways that made it difficult to root for them, even when their moments of self awareness arrived.

The handling of mental health was my other sticking point. For a book that touches on depression and suicidal ideation, the path toward healing sometimes felt a little too neat and simple. Those of us who have been in those dark places know it's rarely that straightforward.

But — and this matters — the ending won me over. The characters found their way and it felt genuine enough that I finished the book glad I had stayed with it. And any story that weaves a real love of books and literature into its heart gets points from me every time.

A flawed but ultimately enjoyable read. Perfect for lovers of Italian settings, bookish fiction and stories about finding yourself. Just approach with care if mental health themes are a sensitivity for you.

[Janet Fiorentino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I follow Boo Walker on social media, so I was thrilled to have the chance to review "The English Bookstore" in Bologna. I’ll admit I’m a little biased—any novel set in Italy is an automatic yes for me (it’s where I hope to live someday). But a story about an English-language bookstore filled with expats? I didn't stand a chance.

The only English bookstore in Bologna becomes a haven for a diverse group of expats, each drawn there for different reasons. Some are searching for friendship, others for a sense of home, and some simply need a place where they belong. As their lives begin to overlap, the bookstore becomes far more than a place to buy books—it becomes a community.

Walker has a gift for creating characters who feel real. They're messy, vulnerable, and yes, occasionally a little self-absorbed. But isn't that true of all of us? Their imperfections make them relatable, and I found myself rooting for each of them as they worked through their own challenges.

Filled with the charm of Bologna, a cast of memorable characters spanning generations, and plenty of heart, The English Bookstore in Bologna is ultimately a story about finding your people—even when you're far from home. By the final pages, every storyline lands exactly where it should, leaving me with the same warm feeling as closing the cover on a book I wasn't quite ready to leave behind.

[TAYA · Rating 3 out of 5]

💋NetGalley: The English Bookstore in Bologna
Pub date - 8/18/26
Author - Boo Walker
Publisher - Lake Union
Rating - 3⭐️

Cast of Characters:
💋 Sandy; feisty expat, owns the bookstore & loathes love. Therefore no romance books allowed.
💋 Bianca; psychotherapist with control issues and an on again off again lover.
💋 George; wrestles with the agony of retirement. He’s Bianca’s dad. He’s also come to visit her for a few weeks.
💋 Harold; unlikeable entrepreneur who’s recently fallen in love and who also can’t get his stuff together. Think fish out of water.
💋 Moira; a twenty something book seller, everyone’s fave. A passion for book selling and vibrant personality. She likes to see the good in all things.

With afore mentioned character’s, you’ll be taken along on their journey through finding what life has in store. There’s heartbreak and hope, love and second chances.
I enjoyed the storytelling and the way the author gave vivid descriptions of where it all happens. Italy? Say no more. Picture yourself on a terrace in Bologna Italy in a soft cushy chair, glass of Lambrusco in hand with no other place to be. Reveling in all that atmosphere. This is how it felt to me.

*Special thanks to Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The English Bookstore in Bologna by Boo Walker

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set mostly in incomparable Bologna, this is a novel about relationships, hurting and healing, family, falling and getting back up, purpose, and belonging. The story is written with warmth and soul, including the mental health slant. I really like how the characters grew throughout, finding their place in the world. I live most of the time in Croatia (bordering Italy) and know Italy well. The physical descriptions are lovely but I did not feel the emotional Italy. Perhaps it is because the characters are expats and not Italians (which is part of the focus so I get it). Some of the characters are likeable, others less so, but they are all written realistically, flaws and all. I'm sure anyone reading this book will see a trait or two in themselves, as I did.

Bookstores, of course, are readers' paradise which is one of the many reasons the synopsis drew me in. I do sometimes wish for an English bookstore where I am! Other than the setting, my favourite aspects are the personal growth of the characters and gorgeous writing style.

My sincere thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early digital copy of this uplifting book.

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to like about this book. But there is a little that I didn’t like.

The setting is great; the title says it all—an English Bookstore in beautiful Bologna. Everything centers around 5 expats who happen to meet up in this bookstore. Each one has personal issues and something that they are hiding from the world and themselves.

This is a book about relationships, self-worth, and acceptance. It is very much character driven. It is also a rocky road. Boo Walker has a wonderful knack for developing his characters. The reader gets to know the main 5 characters well and is able to decide how to feel about them. Everyone experiences growth.

Italy has always been on my bucket list. The descriptions of the architecture, the area, the food, the wine only make me want to go there more.

The only complaint I have about this book is that it could have been a bit shorter. At times the middle dragged a bit too much.

The ending was great. And I loved the epilogues. Yes, plural. Each character was wrapped up individually. I found myself wishing only good things for each of them.

[Sandra Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of The Only English Bookstore in Bologna.

If you're looking for a quiet, cozy, character-driven story, this one might be for you.

The novel follows several characters whose lives are loosely connected through the only English-language bookstore in Bologna. Each of them is searching for something different: friendship, a sense of home, purpose, or simply a place where they truly belong. What starts as a bookstore becomes so much more, growing into a safe haven and a community where unexpected connections begin to change each of their lives.

I really enjoyed watching these strangers slowly become part of one another's stories. There aren't huge, dramatic twists here. It's more about the beauty of human connection, found family, and how the right people can come into your life when you need them most.

If you love cozy bookstore settings, multiple POVs, found family vibes, and stories that leave you feeling hopeful, I'd definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.

[Sue Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The English Bookstore in Bologna is an enjoyable, character‑driven story set in a charming English‑language bookshop tucked away on a cobblestone street in Bologna. The novel brings together five expats — Sandy, the prickly owner who keeps love at arm’s length; Moira, her hopeful employee dreaming of a community hub; Bianca, a psychotherapist escaping a breakdown and harsh reviews; George, her father wrestling with retirement and regrets ; and Harold, a young barista trying to reinvent himself after a painful romantic encounter.

Their intersecting stories make for a reflective read, exploring second chances, belonging, and the quiet power of connection. The Bologna setting adds warmth without overshadowing the characters, and each of them grows in meaningful ways.

A heartfelt, cosy novel.

I am grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of this well narrated audiobook.

[Veeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and Boo Walker for the opportunity to read this ARC. I offer my honest opinions freely.

I loved this story! Books that reflect messy, confused, imperfect, mistake-making, life-happening characters are one of my favorite types of reads. Show real people that are in various stages of life still trying to get their $#&@ together like real people do. We experience the good and bad times. We make mistakes and others let us down. It's important to celebrate major successes, recognize happiness and enjoy the small moments. Don't stop trying, apologize and accept apologies and above all give yourself grace! The story demonstrated this in motion

These characters were warm, funny (many times without meaning to be) and sincerely flawed while their lives and situations intersected at the only English (speaking) bookstore in Bologna. I really truly enjoyed listening to this audio book.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully written story full of warmth and interesting characters.

Set in Bologna's only English bookstore, this is a gentle, character-driven novel about five damaged souls who find themselves unexpectedly drawn together over one summer. The characters are beautifully drawn — guarded owner Sandy, optimistic employee Moira, a burnt-out psychotherapist, her regret-filled father, and a young man nursing his first heartbreak. Each one is at a crossroads, and each one is quietly, believably changed by the connections they make.

What makes this novel sing is its gentleness. Healing sneaks in through honest conversation and unexpected friendship rather than grand gestures. A thoroughly lovely read.

Thank you to Boo Walker, Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc of this book.

[Melanie Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

The English Bookstore in Bologna follows characters brought together by books, unexpected connections, and the possibility of starting over. Set against the backdrop of one of Italy's most historic cities, the novel blends friendship, romance, and self-discovery with a genuine love of literature. The setting is so vividly described that it became one of my favorite parts of the story.

I especially liked the atmosphere Boo Walker created. The bookstore feels like the kind of place you'd happily lose an afternoon exploring, and the relationships develop at a comfortable, believable pace. If you enjoy novels centered around bookstores, found family, and the quiet ways books can shape our lives, this one is well worth picking up. My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.

[Addison Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this character-driven novel set among a group of expats in Bologna, Italy. I’m not a huge reader of books like this, preferring plot-driven novels more, but I couldn’t help but fall in love with the ragtag bunch who are connected to the only English bookstore in Bologna. Some of them tried my patience at times (Harold, you dummy!), and the story ran a little long for my tastes, but I can already tell that this novel will stick with me, with its stories of growth in a bunch of flawed wanderers.

I listened to the audiobook version, and really liked the female narrator, though I found the male narrator’s performance to be a little at odds with the fact this was fiction, particularly for George’s bits.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ALC and share my honest feedback!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I’m a sucker for a book about a bookstore AND I fell in love with Bologna this summer so this ARC was a no brainer for me - thanks to the publisher and all opinions are my own. Book comes out 8/18/26

This is the story of five people whose paths cross in an English language bookstore (fictional) in Bologna: all five are in crisis in some way and the way they connect and bond and build and rebuild relationships was really sweet. I don’t always love books with lots of characters to keep up with and I struggled with some of the transitions, but I loved the place (and the books). 3.5 ⭐️

[Nicki Smithers · Rating 5 out of 5]

NetGalley arc, thank you.
I loved this book so much! I was invested this book from page one and didn’t want to put it down. The cast of characters was fantastic, I laughed and cried along with them and really enjoyed finding out more about all of them as the book progressed and their stories unfolded. I love books with a strong sense of community and friendship, and the way this was written and the characters came together was so special.
The setting for this book sounds gorgeous, and I really could picture The Only English Bookshop in Bologna and found myself desperate to visit!

[Wendi Flint Rank (WendiReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I watch night turn back to daytime, I have just finished
this wonderful story. I desperately need sleep, and time
for the adventure to set in my head in preparation of
writing a review, so I'll return in daylight!
Good Morning ! So, really a delightful time with the
lovely people in this story~ I adore just a bit of crazy,
a bit of reticence and a happy conclusion, all,of which
are tucked into this book. I recommend it to all
readers. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing via
NetGalley for the download copy of the book for
review purposes.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy books that transport you to another location and that are heavily character-driven then this one is for you! Five expats that are all in messy places in their lives get to know each other at a bookstore in Bologna. There were times that I laughed out loud and there were also times that I was very frustrated with each character-especially Harold-but they all grow and learn.
It was a great story and made me want to visit Italy again.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boo Walker never fails to make a place feel like home, and Bologna is no exception. The setting is gorgeous, the characters are easy to root for, and the found-family dynamic is as heartwarming as ever. I did wish for a little more depth in a few of the storylines, and some of the emotional beats felt a bit predictable, but it was still a wonderfully comforting read. If you're looking for a novel about second chances, community, and the magic of a bookstore, this one delivers.

[Likestotravel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story with everything - a setting (Bologna, Italy!), food and wine (with a professional Italian chef!), love, friendship, family, secrets, sorrow, happiness, redemption, humor, and most of all, books. Such a deeply textured, highly developed story - Boo Walker is a master to tug at all the heartstrings!

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Lydia Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of The Only English Bookstore in Bologna. This was a delight to read. A great setting, a cast of characters of all ages and walks of life brought together, and an enjoyable sense of self discovery throughout. Everything comes together beautifully by the end. It was like eating a great meal and feeling satisfyingly full at the end.

[Jknick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing / Brilliance Audio for the ARC and Lake Union Publishing for the kindle version. A slow-paced character-driven book mainly set in Italy, focusing on relationships. Not my favorite of Boo Walker’s, but well-written and complex characters. I immersively read this and enjoyed the audio.