The Bookshop of Panama

by Suzanne Hope

Meet Kate Lewis – She’s a burned out charity worker, a self-described ‘stick-in-the-mud’ and a bookworm. She had a stable, cosy life in London spending her weekends buried in books until Marco came along. He’s her UN action man boyfriend and he swept her off her feet at a conference. Over time Kate senses that Marco needs more from life than a pile of books by the bed and a pint in the pub on Fridays. So when a job posting comes up in Panama Central America, one that Marco desperately wants, to show a more adventurous side, she agrees to relocate there with him to start a new life together.

Kate heads off to Panama, with Marco delayed by a humanitarian emergency in Sudan set to join some days later, but when he finally shows up, Marco isn’t himself, and within hours of arriving he drops a bombshell, leaving Kate stranded and alone.

Thankfully, just around the corner is an oddball bunch of ex-pats who befriend Kate. With their friendship and support she’s soon coming out of her shell, picking herself up and planning her move back to London to start over again. But a stop off in New York on the way home changes everything…

Suzanne Hope was born and raised in Lancashire, where she still lives today. A graduate in History from Portsmouth University, Suzanne moved to London to start her career in the non-profit sector in direct marketing for several charities. Throughout her career she has lived and worked in Italy, Bangkok, London and Panama – the latter of which inspired this story.

Genres: Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2019

About the author

Suzanne grew up in Heysham Village, Lancashire, the UK and studied history before launching a career in fundraising and marketing for International NGOs.

She has lived in London, Geneva, Rome, Bangkok and Panama and loves exploring the history and stories of the places she lives.

She has a particular fascination with legends, pirates and Roman history and loves combining this with contemporary murder mystery stories. She also likes reading (and writing) 'Chick-lit' especially when it has a colorful cast and is set in a fabulous location (Check out her debut novel The Bookshop of Panama).

​She now lives in New York, USA, with her husband Francesco and two cats Mimi and Bunny.

You can find out more about Suzanne's books on her website: www.suzannehope.com or follow her on Instagram: @suzannehope1

Reviews

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review on www.bookread2day.wordpress.com

I couldn’t put this book down, I think mainly because I have a thing for novels about bookshops. I really fell in love the character Kate Lewis has a strong passion for reading a wide range of books. Her boyfriend Marco is an UN action man, with their lease up on their flat, they should both be jetting of to Panama but her boyfriend is called to go on a mission to Sudan. Once Kate is Panama her boyfriend dumps her and we all know how that feels when your boyfriend dumps you. Kate has new friends in Panama and has a dream of having her own bookshop. Will she settle down in Panama and have her dream bookshop? My advice don’t let this lovely book pass your attention.

[Ml Lalonde]

When life gives you lemons, you make Electric Lemonade. The Bookshop of Panama is a deeply satisfying and enjoyable journey -- literally and figuratively -- for our heroine Kate and the eclectic characters she interacts with in London, New York and Panama. This is the ultimate beach read. Author Suzanne Hope has created a character in Kate that the reader likes to spend time with and whose courage we cheer. I also loved that each chapter started with a great quote from literature.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and look into a very human character. Thought Suzanne gave a great account of how we humans actually make decisions - we stumble, we fail, and we learn - things work out in the end the way they are supposed to. Enjoyed the flurry of characters and different cities. Fun read :)

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to read on holiday but I was a bit disappointed by the main character. I would have liked to see her exact more revenge on her ex. She only disposed of his Armani suit. I thought she could have been a more flamboyant heroine. I liked the literary quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
I enjoyed reading about Kate’s time in New York with Megan and the second hand book shop. Interesting setting Panama, it is the first time I read a novel set up there but there could have been more about the area, the locals I think as Kate is living there after all but maybe it is because she is only interacting with the expat community ? A good book though, well written.

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming book?! Kate is a lovable bookworm who's afraid to reach for her dream. When love goes wrong, you have to stand on your own two feet (with a little help from some great friends) and reach for that dream. Who said it would be easy? Anything worthwhile has it's bumps and turns along the way.
A great read about adventure, love and passion for books.

[Jessica Gadd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I was planning out what my perfect book shop would like look as I was reading, a girl can dream! Great writing and a perfect set of characters. There were also so many great book references as well. I'm dreaming of visiting Panama now. I would definitely recommend.

[Sue.the.very.busy.reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Books are the quietest and most constant friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient teachers.” The Happy Life, Charles W. Eliot
I’ve slowly been reading through The Bookshop of Panama in the evenings. It has a cute, follow your dreams trope. Who doesn’t want to read about a person who dreams of opening a bookstore. What a liked about the book:
Reading about the setting of Panama City.
📕I have not read a book set in Panama City so I found the location and atmosphere of the story interesting.
📕I liked that Kate, after a cruel break up, was able to piece her life together and eventually work out that she could make her dream a reality. Although I have to say it took her a long time to get there.
📕I liked that Kate met up with some new friends quickly in Panama after the break up and didn’t go running home to London right away.
Another quote I liked from the book: “Books are my very best friends here and some days they are the only company I seek. “
This book is a light read. The type of book you read in between your heavy reads as something to give you a break. I give The Bookshop of Panama ⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars. It is a delightful read. If you like to read a book that references a lot of other great reads, this book does that. This book also has a lot of wonderful friendships in it as well.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I was expecting a book about a bookshop already in Panama and the group of characters who congregated there, much like The Authenticity Project, but in a bookstore instead of a coffee shop. I was a bit disappointed that the story was really about a young woman and her boyfriend who were going to Panama for his job and he ends up dumping her after she arrives but before he does. She loves books and dreams of opening a bookstore, but she seems overwhelmed by the idea and decides to return home to London by way of New York City. There she stumbles into a disheveled bookstore and offers to help the overwhelmed bookstore owner to organize it. She realizes she really would like to open that bookstore. Most of the book is about her move, the ex-boyfriend, and the group of friends she meets, and her dream of opening the bookstore. We really don't get a feel for Panama except that it's a hot and humid place with lots of skyscrapers. Also, I don't know who edited this book, but it needed some serious editing. Lots of spelling and grammatical mistakes throughout. Still, it was somewhat enjoyable in parts, just rather disappointing overall.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much to love about this fun read. Kate is bored with her job and her life and needs to change, she's just doubtful the change is a move from London to Panama with her UN worker boyfriend. After agreeing to go she finds herself alone in the new city after said boyfriend heads to Africa instead of Panama for a different assignment. Lost a little at first, Kate is soon part of close group of ex-pats who have made Panama their home. A book about books, readers and re-inventing oneself always always strikes the right chord with me.

[The Bamboo Traveler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Love characters who love books and love bookshops. Wonderful setting even though she fudged a bit with what Casco Viejo and San Blas Islands are really like. And I wish she hadn't added the part about Stuart at the end--an unnecessary distraction or maybe there's a sequel. It would be fun if there were one because Panama is such a terrific setting for a novel. Still a fun read.

[Becca Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book and now I really want to go on holiday

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I could identify with the main character at least some of her struggles. The end was a little too quick and cheery, but overall solid.

[Lavinia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review by the author. I would give this book a solid 4/5 stars, keeping in mind the genre. It was a really cute, light read with a quick moving plot, good character development and great descriptions- especially of the scenery/atmosphere! This made me want to have an Electric Lemonade at the bar with the hot, muggy breeze wafting in the scent of the ocean. I think it could have been edited a little more, because there were times lines repeated themselves within a few paragraphs and some of the jumps in time within a chapter weren't 100% clear. But overall, I really enjoyed this and would recommend to anyone wanting a quick, lighthearted read!

[Fiona Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope conjures up an image in your mind of Panama that's so vivid, you will feel as though you've walked down its old town streets and have beads of sweat forming on your skin to prove it. The protagonist is a loveable woman, going through a situation many of us can relate to nut also has its own twist and turns. Great book particularly for summer, or to heat you up in thre violet months of the year. It stayed with me for a long while after I had read it, always a sign of a good book!

[Sarah Levine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute, quick read. The story was cute, but the writing needs some improvement. I know this is the author's first book, and I will definitely read any future books by her, but the phrasing and grammar could use some editing.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great characters and dialogue

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very nice read - light but at the same time could really made you think. Well written, and interesting.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the read. It was an interesting tale and adventure. Some parts were excellent and others needed some tightening. A great first book . I will be read this author again.

[Jill Harker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful debut

[Sinead Mcgill]

DNF
I really had high hopes for this book. I just didn’t grab me, I couldn’t keep going with it.