The Second Chance Bookshop: An uplifting and heartwarming read of community, friendship and the joy of books for 2026!

by Helen Watts

Escape to the Cotswolds in this big-hearted, feel-good and life-affirming story of new beginnings, second chances, female friendship and the healing power of books and the communities that form around them. Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Maddie Please and Stephanie Butland, Helen reminds us of the importance of living life to the full without age limits.

Available to pre-order now!

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2026

About the author

HELEN WATTS is an author of women's romance fiction for adults, historical fiction for children and young adults, and also short stories for adults and children. Her most recent novel, 'The Second Chance Bookshop', was published by Embla Books in September 2026, and Embla will also be publishing a follow-up novel in Spring 2027.

PUBLISHING CAREER
Before writing fiction, Helen worked in publishing for 25 years, editing, commissioning and producing fiction, non-fiction and poetry titles on a wide range of subjects and topics, for readers of all ages, and in all kinds of forms - from magazines and books to online publications and interactive resources. She has worked for some of the biggest and best publishing houses in the UK, including Scholastic and Heinemann Educational, and has also written and produced materials for commercial, governmental and charitable organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund, The British Council and the Department for Education.

For ten years, Helen was Editor of Literacy Time magazine, a subscription-based periodical which supported, and thereby enhanced, the teaching of literacy to children at primary school level. She then went on to co-found a company known as The Literacy Club, through which she published magazines, web-based resources and books including the paperback collection Taffy’s Coat Tales by world-renowned storyteller, Taffy Thomas MBE.

However, after years spent shaping other people's words, Helen began to focus more on her own writing. She was commissioned to write educational titles on topics ranging from World War I, The Olympic Games and the football World Cup to cyber-bullying and teenage fashion, and was co-author on a set of three books called Make Phonics Fun (LCP), and on a comprehensive resource file series called Building Blocks (also LCP), which offered themed activities for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

TURNING TO FICTION
Helen turned her hand to children's fiction in early 2012, when she completed the first draft of a historical fiction novel based on the true story of the massacre at Oradour-sur-Glane during the Second World War - an idea which Helen had been tinkering with for almost ten-years following a visit she made to the site of the tragedy in the midst of rural France. Helen submitted the manuscript to a handful of publishers, expecting to wait some months for a reply and being fully prepared for a set of rejections. However, within just a matter of weeks, she received an offer from A&C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury, and One Day In Oradour was born.

This debut novel, aimed at readers age 12 and over, has been nominated for the 2014 CILIP Carnegie Medal for an outstanding book for children and young people and has created a buzz among reviewers and librarians both in the UK and beyond.

Interest in the book also sparked author talks in local secondary schools as part of the Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival and the Literally Coventry Book Festival, and Helen was so inspired by the welcome she received, that she developed a programme of talks and historical fiction workshops which is now available to schools all over the country.

Helen’s second novel, No Stone Unturned, was published by A&C Black in Sept 2014, and Helen has also co-written two collections of World War I legends - one for adults and one for children - with friend and former Storytelling Laureate, Taffy Thomas. The collections, published by The History Press and A&C Black respectively, were launched to coincide with the World War I centenary celebrations.

SPARE TIME? WHAT'S THAT?
When she is not writing, Helen spends her time walking her cavapoo, Rula, devouring other people's novels, going to the cinema as often as she can and sailing the canal network with her husband, Jon, on their narrowboat Never Better. Helen has two grown-up children - Jack and Georgia.

Reviews

[Topo Chicas]

Helen Watts’ The Second Chance Bookshop was just the hug from a book that I needed today. It wasn’t just because the main characters are all close in age to me. It was the universal truths that it touched upon and gently let me process within myself.

In this book, we find Imogen, Joanna, Kimberley, and Geri all reaching out to their childhood friends around the age of 50, and all for different reasons. Despite Imogen’s successful career in publishing, she returns to her home town and (to not give away any spoilers) she begins a bookclub, for which her friends all come together. And life keeps life-ing for all of them, affecting all of them.

This book really hit home (no pun intended) for me with just how much we all need our support networks during life’s many trials. Also, that love can come from anywhere and anyone, and that’s why we should not always try to tough the hard stuff out on our own. The hardest blow to read about was one that I’ve endured twice, and it’s why I really feel that this spoke to me (and will speak to so many others out there). (It would be a spoiler, but it was the worst kept secret of the novel. 😬)

But this book also had me giddy with the good feelings of times spent with family and friends, when we laughed so hard that we couldn’t catch our breaths, or were so excited that we couldn’t sleep. The good times were equally poignant in this story as the hard times that were made easier with support and love.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Embla Books for this digital ARC!!!

[Katrina McQuillan]

OMG, what a beautiful story. As a woman in my fifties who helps care for elderly parents, this book felt very special to me. It had me laughing and crying at the same time, and I kept thinking, "Oh my god, that is me!" The author truly understands what life is like at this age—the struggles of going through the menopause, the emotions we’re feeling, and how it affects our careers and our relationships, but also looking at the positives.I loved the friendship between the characters. I have a group of four close friends from my school days, so their bond felt very familiar to me. This story is a lovely reminder of how much we need good friends, and of course good books, to get through life's changes. It is a warm, comforting story, and I highly recommend it! A beautifully written, 5-star second-chance romance. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Almu Santalices]

Advanced copy review.
Cosy women’s fiction. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a warm and comforting read, perfect for the change of season. 🍂


Imogen, successful career woman in the publishing industry moves back to her home town Broadway after a breakup.
While leisurely walking down the high street she spots an empty shop space to let… it is perfect for a bookshop.
She reunites with her school friends Joanna, Geri and Kimberly, all with their own stories, worries and issues. They slip back into the old friendships with their up and downs. Real friendships those ones that we sometimes miss because they support each other like not matter what even if there is some bickering at times.
From the bookshop comes the bookclub, and who wouldn’t want o joking these group of amazing women and their experiences.
The best part for me was mentioning other real books during the bookclub meetings that makes the reader feel included

It is a perfect cosy book. Perfect for the change of season.
It reminds me of a hallmark movie, perfect movie for a cosy Sunday under a blanket.

[Susanne Scott]

I loved this. Reading about the 4 friends reuniting after decades apart was really interesting. I enjoyed reading about what had happened in their lives and also see how the others thought everyone else was happier than them or more successful than them. Slowly the truth came out and they realised they were all struggling in different ways and it’s through their friendship and the bookshop that they reconnect.

A great read with lots of moving moments, especially in the stories of Rose which made everything so much more relatable.

I would totally recommend this book.

[Natalie]

4⭐️s I really enjoyed this book, it was heartwarming, hilarious and emotional.

The storyline was so relatable, with the added bonus of being set around a bookclub in the beautiful Cotswolds just perfect! 🤩

I really enjoyed how the storyline unfolded, each of the 4 main characters dealing with different life troubles as well as approaching the midlife changes that ladies of a certain age face.
The tragedy of loosing an elderly parent, grown up children leaving home, evolving relationships and the dreaded menopause!
Such a great way bringing taboo topics to the forefront and making you realise you’re not alone.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC

[Glenda White]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC
Of the secondhand bookshop by Helen Watts

This is a cute story of four childhood friends that reunited in their menopause years. It mostly revolves around Imogene Paige and her new bookstore Turning the Paige. It was fun to read of the woes of women going through menopause as I can relate. A story of friendships and their love and support and have some jealousy and forgiveness. A story of long loves and new loves. It was a fun read, but was just a little slow and a little bit hard to get into.

[CoffeeK8]

This is a sweet and entertaining read centered around 4 friends who have reached midlife and have decided to move back to their hometown. They are all dealing with massive life changes while attempting to navigate their complicated past relationships. Imogen, who is the heart of the book, has decided to open a bookshop, and the bookshop becomes the center of community for many people in the town. The friendships are complex and nuanced and feel very true to life.

Thank you to Netgalley and Embla Books for an ARC of this book.

[Rachel Stansel]

Childhood friends Imogen, Geri, Joanna and Kimberley for various reasons find themselves reunited in their hometown at 50. Together the support they provide each other as well as to the other members of their book club gives them all what they need to make changes in their lives for the better.

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Arlene Harris]

I got this book from NetGalley in return for my review.
This is a contemporary story of four friends who have not seen each other for a very long time. They became close friends as young children. They started parting after high school graduation. They have a What's App they share but no one has been especially diligent about posting. All four women are the same age--50 or about to turn 50.

It's a fun and fast read. I love it! Highly recommend it! Character driven plot. It's about resilience and courage to start over when it's needed. It's about support. And it is enriching and emotional.

Imogene Paige, after finding out her lover was married with kids, she left her editorial director job in London, moved back home with her parents in Broadway, relatively small town in Cotswold. Has younger sister, Mary who’s married with 2 girls. Imogene doesn't know what she's going to do. She's starting over.

Joanna Riley, married to Bob, has 3 sons, cooks, stayed in Broadway. Sons are now or almost out of the house. She is working as a care giver. Joanna and Bob have been married forever.

Kimberley Green, owns marketing/PR agency: KG Communications—10+ years, single, lesbian, no relationship. Penthouse flat in Manchester. Lost everything due to a big client's ad model killing and posting dead lion on social media. The client and other clients are anti-violence, anti killing wildlife. Kimberley lost her reputation, most clients, staff, offices, friends, penthouse flat in Manchester. Life: gone to shit. Moved back to Broadway and in with her parents. Flat broke.

Geri, Geraldine Hughes-Morton, wealthy, married to Gabriel, son Marcus, daughter April, moving from house where raised kids; mom—Rose—with general confusion, losing memory, diagnosed Alzheimer’s, widowed. Geri works from home, designing and making handbags, selling online. Family moving back to Broadway to take care of Rose. Geri's the calm, sensible one of the friends' group.

Jay Whitaker, real estate agent, owns the agency that Imogene uses. He's 39. Ten years younger than Imogene. Bookshop lease with apt approved by owner. Turning the Paige is the title for the store.

[Julie Brookes]

This was a bit of a mixed bag for me, so at times I found myself really enjoying it and other time really being irritated, it is a story of friendship, but at times they were really nasty and underhand to each other, obviously it all turns our right in the end.

The romance side is very well done and Imogen and Jay are really good characters and come to understand each other.

This book covers a lot of topics, menopause, difference in age between male and female etc.

If your not into menopause stories then this is not for you as it is mentioned often, as the women are 50 its not a surprise.

3.5 Stars, I did a mixture of reading and Audio, the narrator was very good

[Helen]

Imogen returns home to the Cotswolds village of her youth, leaving behind her high powered job in publishing and opening a bookshop.
Also returning are her childhood friends Geri, to look after her mum who has Alzheimer's, Kimberley after the loss of her pr business.
Joanna never left and feels diminished by her friends careers.
All hitting their 50th birthday and struggling with menopause.
Friendships reignited along with resentments.
A book that will make you smile and laugh and cry.
Enjoy I did, you will see yourself and your friends in the characters.

[Gina]

Escape to the Cotswolds in this big-hearted, feel-good and life-affirming story of new beginnings, second chances, female friendship and the healing power of books and the communities that form around them.

I read this fun and easy heartfelt story. This is a very enjoyable read and the plot is written beautiful and this is a feel good read.

[Carol]

What a lovely book a group of middle-aged friends reconnect when 3 of them have to move back home when life's or careers force a change of direction. The form a book club and together help each other through their various problems it was heart Warming to read of their attempts and funny when they described their bedroom issues.
Thanks to Netgalley and Embla books for my arc copy