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The Little Bookshop of Love Stories
Today is the Mondayest Monday ever. Hallie Winstone has been fired – and it wasn’t even her fault!
Having lost her job and humiliated herself in front of a whole restaurant full of diners, this is absolutely, one hundred percent, the worst day of her life.
That is until she receives an email announcing that she is the lucky winner of the Once Upon a Page Bookshop!
Owning a bookshop has always been Hallie’s dream, and when she starts to find secret love letters on the first pages of every book, she knows she's stumbled across something special.
Things get even better when she meets gorgeous, bookish Dimitri and between them, they post a few of the hidden messages online, reuniting people who thought they were lost forever.
But maybe it’s time for Hallie to find her own happy-ever-after, too?
Having lost her job and humiliated herself in front of a whole restaurant full of diners, this is absolutely, one hundred percent, the worst day of her life.
That is until she receives an email announcing that she is the lucky winner of the Once Upon a Page Bookshop!
Owning a bookshop has always been Hallie’s dream, and when she starts to find secret love letters on the first pages of every book, she knows she's stumbled across something special.
Things get even better when she meets gorgeous, bookish Dimitri and between them, they post a few of the hidden messages online, reuniting people who thought they were lost forever.
But maybe it’s time for Hallie to find her own happy-ever-after, too?
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2020
455 people are currently reading
2514 people want to read
About the author
Jaimie Admans
32 books707 followersJaimie is a 32-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots.
She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.
She is the author of chick-lit romantic comedies The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters and Kismetology, and she has also written young-adult romantic comedies Afterlife Academy, Not Pretty Enough, and North Pole Reform School.
She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.
She is the author of chick-lit romantic comedies The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters and Kismetology, and she has also written young-adult romantic comedies Afterlife Academy, Not Pretty Enough, and North Pole Reform School.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 514 reviews
July 7, 2020
A book about books, bookshops and quirky introverted girl who's utterly clumsy? It is as if the book was made for me and would have gone up my favorite book list in a flash. But unfortunately that did not happen. It is with a heavy heart I say these words. Despite the immense amount of positive reviews and the number of people who actually loved this book, I could not come to the terms of loving it. i did not hate and liked it enough to finish it but that is as far as my feelings of the book go. I wanted a more heart warming story and I did not receive it. Hallie and Dimitri had some of characteristics I normally love in my heroes/heroines but this one simply did not do it for me. Hopefully next time I catch a book by this author I would find a better connection with it.
November 6, 2020
Talk about a novel perfect for book lovers!
This was the coziest of reads with the setting of a small British Bookshop located in a small town mixed with the literary references throughout the story. Between the characters, it fully captured the love of reading along with the vulnerabilities that can come along with it as an introvert.
Even though the story does include a cute romance, I think the obvious love for literature was the true takeaway that I took away from this novel. There's a magic that comes along with books and reading and this story helped capture that feeling.
This was a warmhearted and cozy read that spoke to my heart and my love of reading.
***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
This was the coziest of reads with the setting of a small British Bookshop located in a small town mixed with the literary references throughout the story. Between the characters, it fully captured the love of reading along with the vulnerabilities that can come along with it as an introvert.
Even though the story does include a cute romance, I think the obvious love for literature was the true takeaway that I took away from this novel. There's a magic that comes along with books and reading and this story helped capture that feeling.
This was a warmhearted and cozy read that spoke to my heart and my love of reading.
***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
November 12, 2021
A VERY SWEET STORY,
BOOKS ABOUT BOOKS,
LOVE STORIES
BOOKS ABOUT BOOKS,
LOVE STORIES
May 8, 2020
I feel a bit lost now that I'm back from a magical journey with my new fictional best friend!
Hallie Winstone is unlucky, so unlucky that it should be her middle name. But, she is also endearing, full of fun and so full of life; I took to her straight away.
Robert Paige has managed the bookshop 'Once Upon A Page', in the beautiful little village of Buntingorden, in the Cotswolds for around 40 years. He is getting on in life now and he feels that it's time that he retired and someone else took over the reins of his bookshop.
Hallie has loved 'Once Upon A Page' since she was a toddler and her mum took her there to buy her picture books. I must admit, I fell a little bit in love with the bookshop myself; all the books you can imagine; the inviting smell of all the books - old and new; the serenity of the place... Who wouldn't want to browse the overloaded shelves: admiring the classics and searching for new books and authors? And, to work there, never mind be the new owner! ... A book lovers paradise!!
From the opening I laughed at Hallie's antics; such a wonderful character, along with her Mum who I liked a lot! - she is highly amusing! Many scenes are hilarious, touching and heartwarming, and others I found sad and devastating.
I loved all the characters except for one, who really annoyed me and I would have told where to go, in a nice way of course 😃 The author has really thought out her characters; they are very fitting for the story and they are very realistic.
I was really hoping that Hallie's luck would change for the better, and along with her gaining her very own bookshop, I really wanted her to find someone special.
Demitri. Ahhh, oh how I wish I had someone in my life like Dimitri - someone to share my love of books for one! He is just what Hallie needs and I loved how they were together. Now, neither are looking for the 'One', or even love, but I couldn't wait to find out where things would go with them: an adorable and quirky pair! Would they come together as a couple?
I had books gifted to me when I was younger with lovely messages written inside to me, but sadly, I have never found any secret messages hidden inside any other books. I will look harder from now on!
I loved this book and it really took me on a magical journey, it had surprises that I didn't expect, it warmed my heart and was thoroughly entertaining.
Many scenes brought out my emotions and I particularly loved what I call, the 'biscuit' scene.
I love Hallie, but my favourite character is Robert who is so selfless and caring and I only wish that he had appeared more in the story. I liked how he 'got' Hallie. He knew her so well and just knew what she needed from life.
I recommend this wonderful book to all book lovers who enjoy this genre, it is a book not to be missed!
Thank you to HQ Digital via NetGalley and to the author.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
Hallie Winstone is unlucky, so unlucky that it should be her middle name. But, she is also endearing, full of fun and so full of life; I took to her straight away.
Robert Paige has managed the bookshop 'Once Upon A Page', in the beautiful little village of Buntingorden, in the Cotswolds for around 40 years. He is getting on in life now and he feels that it's time that he retired and someone else took over the reins of his bookshop.
Hallie has loved 'Once Upon A Page' since she was a toddler and her mum took her there to buy her picture books. I must admit, I fell a little bit in love with the bookshop myself; all the books you can imagine; the inviting smell of all the books - old and new; the serenity of the place... Who wouldn't want to browse the overloaded shelves: admiring the classics and searching for new books and authors? And, to work there, never mind be the new owner! ... A book lovers paradise!!
From the opening I laughed at Hallie's antics; such a wonderful character, along with her Mum who I liked a lot! - she is highly amusing! Many scenes are hilarious, touching and heartwarming, and others I found sad and devastating.
I loved all the characters except for one, who really annoyed me and I would have told where to go, in a nice way of course 😃 The author has really thought out her characters; they are very fitting for the story and they are very realistic.
I was really hoping that Hallie's luck would change for the better, and along with her gaining her very own bookshop, I really wanted her to find someone special.
Demitri. Ahhh, oh how I wish I had someone in my life like Dimitri - someone to share my love of books for one! He is just what Hallie needs and I loved how they were together. Now, neither are looking for the 'One', or even love, but I couldn't wait to find out where things would go with them: an adorable and quirky pair! Would they come together as a couple?
I had books gifted to me when I was younger with lovely messages written inside to me, but sadly, I have never found any secret messages hidden inside any other books. I will look harder from now on!
I loved this book and it really took me on a magical journey, it had surprises that I didn't expect, it warmed my heart and was thoroughly entertaining.
Many scenes brought out my emotions and I particularly loved what I call, the 'biscuit' scene.
I love Hallie, but my favourite character is Robert who is so selfless and caring and I only wish that he had appeared more in the story. I liked how he 'got' Hallie. He knew her so well and just knew what she needed from life.
I recommend this wonderful book to all book lovers who enjoy this genre, it is a book not to be missed!
Thank you to HQ Digital via NetGalley and to the author.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
May 6, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Thirty-five-year-old Hallie Winstone was having the worse day ever. She had been fire from her job for being so clumsy and returned home to the flat she shares with her obnoxious flatmate. That is until she receives information that she has won a bookshop. The one she has been visiting since she was a little girl.
Robert Paige who owns ‘One Upon a Page’ bookshop has decided the time was right to retire but he didn’t want to sell the shop he wanted to pass it on. With no family to pass it down to he raffled it off and Hallie’s ticket came out first. There is only one stipulation when she has had enough she has to raffle the shop off or pass it on too.
Hallie doesn’t have a clue how to run a bookshop but she is going to give it a good try and not let the vultures who are trying to buy the place get their hands on it. She also has to look after the bookshop fish and clumsy, eccentric Dimitri who literally falls into Hallie’s life.
I’ve been reading Jaimie Adman’s books for the last few years and they are always a lot of fun and completely enjoyable and this one was no different. I love books set in or featuring bookshops so I knew I was in for a treat.
Hallie is an amazing, charismatic woman who is far more capable and braver than she thinks. The bookshops came at a good time in her life, especially as it has a flat too, so no more flatmate from hell to put up with.
The bookshop is so adorable. It reminds me of those you see advertised where they look so inviting and magical and you just want to spend all your time there.
The writing was perfect and I adored the book from the very first page including all the hilarious moments and the more serene sections too. This is another book from Jaimie Adman’s that features a wonderful protagonist who is there to spark joy into the community and help those down on their luck, including herself.
Thirty-five-year-old Hallie Winstone was having the worse day ever. She had been fire from her job for being so clumsy and returned home to the flat she shares with her obnoxious flatmate. That is until she receives information that she has won a bookshop. The one she has been visiting since she was a little girl.
Robert Paige who owns ‘One Upon a Page’ bookshop has decided the time was right to retire but he didn’t want to sell the shop he wanted to pass it on. With no family to pass it down to he raffled it off and Hallie’s ticket came out first. There is only one stipulation when she has had enough she has to raffle the shop off or pass it on too.
Hallie doesn’t have a clue how to run a bookshop but she is going to give it a good try and not let the vultures who are trying to buy the place get their hands on it. She also has to look after the bookshop fish and clumsy, eccentric Dimitri who literally falls into Hallie’s life.
I’ve been reading Jaimie Adman’s books for the last few years and they are always a lot of fun and completely enjoyable and this one was no different. I love books set in or featuring bookshops so I knew I was in for a treat.
Hallie is an amazing, charismatic woman who is far more capable and braver than she thinks. The bookshops came at a good time in her life, especially as it has a flat too, so no more flatmate from hell to put up with.
The bookshop is so adorable. It reminds me of those you see advertised where they look so inviting and magical and you just want to spend all your time there.
The writing was perfect and I adored the book from the very first page including all the hilarious moments and the more serene sections too. This is another book from Jaimie Adman’s that features a wonderful protagonist who is there to spark joy into the community and help those down on their luck, including herself.
October 19, 2020
Review coming soon.
May 8, 2020
This has been such a funny and cute read!
"Books connect us in a world where a lot of connections are broken nowadays. They can help us, heal us, break us and put our broken pieces back together again. They can make us believe in magic. In love. In anything."
Hallie has recently been fired from the restaurant where she worked as a waitress due to a very peculiar accident. She's been through it before and she feels like she's the most unlucky person in the world. Although, that's about to change very soon, but Hallie finds it difficult to believe. She thinks that the e-mail that says she's won a bookstore can't be real, but she knows the current owner wouldn't joke on something like that.
Hallie's dream (as well as any bookworm) has come true. She owns a bookshop!
She knows that it won't be easy, she'll have to learn lots of things, and try to solve the financial problems the bookstore has been going through. Hallie won't be alone in this journey. Dimitri, a unique customer who goes every day to work on the illustrations of an old fairy tales book will be there when she needs it the most. He seems to know everything in the bookshop.
Lovely and funny characters, books, books, and more books... the Little Bookshop of Love Stories is the book you may be looking for if you want to escape and be surrounded by books... a cosy and heartwarming read.
"Shelf after shelf [...] each one holding hundreds of books [...] The heighest places are accesed by Beauty & the Beast-style sliding wooden ladders [...] I refrain from recreating the scene when Belle slides along..."
Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
"Books connect us in a world where a lot of connections are broken nowadays. They can help us, heal us, break us and put our broken pieces back together again. They can make us believe in magic. In love. In anything."
Hallie has recently been fired from the restaurant where she worked as a waitress due to a very peculiar accident. She's been through it before and she feels like she's the most unlucky person in the world. Although, that's about to change very soon, but Hallie finds it difficult to believe. She thinks that the e-mail that says she's won a bookstore can't be real, but she knows the current owner wouldn't joke on something like that.
Hallie's dream (as well as any bookworm) has come true. She owns a bookshop!
She knows that it won't be easy, she'll have to learn lots of things, and try to solve the financial problems the bookstore has been going through. Hallie won't be alone in this journey. Dimitri, a unique customer who goes every day to work on the illustrations of an old fairy tales book will be there when she needs it the most. He seems to know everything in the bookshop.
Lovely and funny characters, books, books, and more books... the Little Bookshop of Love Stories is the book you may be looking for if you want to escape and be surrounded by books... a cosy and heartwarming read.
"Shelf after shelf [...] each one holding hundreds of books [...] The heighest places are accesed by Beauty & the Beast-style sliding wooden ladders [...] I refrain from recreating the scene when Belle slides along..."
Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
May 3, 2020
Hallie is a klutz, and has been her whole life. She doesn't seem to be able to do anything right, and been fired from multiple jobs. It doesn't help that her mum keeps trying to fix her up with any male that is unattached, no matter how unsuitable. But her luck is about to change. The woman who loves to read has just won ownership of a bookstore in a lottery she entered. It's on a charming street in the Cotswolds, but it needs a lot of updating, and a nasty developer keeps trying to get her to sell it so he can build a spa for wealthy tourists. What are the chances that she could meet a man who loves books, is nearly as uncoordinated as she is, and gorgeous to boot? This was a really enjoyable read, especially if you're tired of the standard romances where women and men hate each other on sight and wind up married. I look forwarding to reading more by Welsh author Jaimie Admans in the future. Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for this ARC.
May 24, 2020
First Thoughts
As I stated at the beginning of this post, book-lovers love books featuring books. So I simply had to read this book when I saw it on NetGalley; a book about books, and bookshops, and love stories. The title, cover, setting, and the description ensured I was falling in love before I started reading it. And when I was done with it, I was, bottoms-over-chests (ahem!) in love with it many times over.
The Review
The Little Bookshop of Love Stories is that scribbled note full of love on the first page of a book; addressed to books themselves and to book lovers everywhere.
Granted, it was predictable (for me) almost from the very start, and some of it a little too perfectly wonderful to be believable; but then it is fiction after all. Nevertheless, there was a delight in reading this book that kept me going till the very end almost in one sitting. And I am sure it will be the same for you too.
Jaimie Admans takes her characters, and thus her readers on a joy-filled, heart-warming journey through the pages of this book. The setting is perfect – both the bookshop named Once Upon a Page (and who would not love that!) and the town it is in; and all the characters fit their mold perfectly too. Hallie and Dimitri are both adorably clumsy, wonderfully quirky book-lovers, and totally relatable. I also loved that with all that was going on in the book, blossoming love, rekindled love stories literally from the pages of books, and more, the focus still remained on books!
Have you ever indulged on light airy sweet-treats sprinkled with humor, with that wonderful smell of books and wrapped in a warm hug? You can, when you read this book. This book is where dreams meet reality (oh to own a bookshelf!!!) ; where books meet book-lovers; the words leave your heart feeling warm; where witty banter and happy accidents resulting from klutzy characters leave your face smiling as wide as it can; where social media meets quaint bookshops; and one which leaves you believing in happy-ever-afters!!!
In Summary
Quirky, heart-warming, adorable, light-hearted, sweet romance (for books and love stories) that is perfect for anyone who loves books, bookshops, fairy tales, happily-ever-afters, a little bit of magic, charming little towns, and yes, even baking.
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC of the book; these are my honest opinions after reading this book.
As I stated at the beginning of this post, book-lovers love books featuring books. So I simply had to read this book when I saw it on NetGalley; a book about books, and bookshops, and love stories. The title, cover, setting, and the description ensured I was falling in love before I started reading it. And when I was done with it, I was, bottoms-over-chests (ahem!) in love with it many times over.
The Review
The Little Bookshop of Love Stories is that scribbled note full of love on the first page of a book; addressed to books themselves and to book lovers everywhere.
Granted, it was predictable (for me) almost from the very start, and some of it a little too perfectly wonderful to be believable; but then it is fiction after all. Nevertheless, there was a delight in reading this book that kept me going till the very end almost in one sitting. And I am sure it will be the same for you too.
Jaimie Admans takes her characters, and thus her readers on a joy-filled, heart-warming journey through the pages of this book. The setting is perfect – both the bookshop named Once Upon a Page (and who would not love that!) and the town it is in; and all the characters fit their mold perfectly too. Hallie and Dimitri are both adorably clumsy, wonderfully quirky book-lovers, and totally relatable. I also loved that with all that was going on in the book, blossoming love, rekindled love stories literally from the pages of books, and more, the focus still remained on books!
Have you ever indulged on light airy sweet-treats sprinkled with humor, with that wonderful smell of books and wrapped in a warm hug? You can, when you read this book. This book is where dreams meet reality (oh to own a bookshelf!!!) ; where books meet book-lovers; the words leave your heart feeling warm; where witty banter and happy accidents resulting from klutzy characters leave your face smiling as wide as it can; where social media meets quaint bookshops; and one which leaves you believing in happy-ever-afters!!!
In Summary
Quirky, heart-warming, adorable, light-hearted, sweet romance (for books and love stories) that is perfect for anyone who loves books, bookshops, fairy tales, happily-ever-afters, a little bit of magic, charming little towns, and yes, even baking.
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC of the book; these are my honest opinions after reading this book.
April 26, 2020
This book literally feels like I tripped and fell into everything I have ever loved. A clumsy, eccentric 35 year old book worm wins ownership of her favourite bookshop on the high street of a Cotswold's village as well as the flat above it and it changes her life. This is just an entire book about books and the love of books and the way we use books to express love and joy and fear and vulnerability. Add in some lovely bookish descriptions and a to-die-for hero named Dimitri, and this is more than a winner. I just loved it. I smiled so much my cheeks hurt (something that hasn't happened in a very long while considering the state of the world) and it made me lose myself in a life beyond the news and the press and the lockdown. The hero is catnip: an illustrator with a pencil always tucked behind his ear who bakes and has a winsome charm. The heroine is oh-so-relatable. I am picking up a continuing theme in Admans work that is all about lonely people finding pieces of themselves in the restoration of community... it worked so well, especially, in It's A Wonderful Night and it is resplendent here. This book is a complete and utter joy.
May 13, 2020
The Little Bookshop of Love Stories by Jaimie Admans. HQ Digital. General Fiction (Adult). Romance. Publication date: 08 May 2020. ISBN: 9780008331221. 5 Stars.
Super! This is the quintessential read for people who adore books and bookshops. And can you even imagine winning a bookshop—and in the Cotswolds to boot?? A fun and rewarding read, and a great addition to the genre of booklover lit! This is going onto my favorites list right now! People who love Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or the The Bookish Life of Nina Hill may enjoy this one, too.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for providing a digital edition of this book for review.
Super! This is the quintessential read for people who adore books and bookshops. And can you even imagine winning a bookshop—and in the Cotswolds to boot?? A fun and rewarding read, and a great addition to the genre of booklover lit! This is going onto my favorites list right now! People who love Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or the The Bookish Life of Nina Hill may enjoy this one, too.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for providing a digital edition of this book for review.
September 2, 2020
Actual rating: 1.5 ☆
I had high expectations for this based on the name alone. It started off well and I was convinced I had found my new favourite cozy read with the bonus of lots of bookish talk. However, it became pretty clear about a quarter of the way through or maybe even before that, that this was not going to go the way I expected.
I loved the premise. I mean two bookworms working alongside eachother in a bookshop who fall in love, what's not there to love? But the author just exaggerated everything. Everything felt excessive, forced and after a while irritating— especially the humour.
The romance felt luke walm and extremely juvenile. I had to keep reminding myself I was reading about adults in their 30's and not teenagers. The protagonist was too clumsy and way too negative about herself that it exceeded the thin line of humorous and relatable to annoying and unbelievable.
It had it's good moments which were mainly the bookish talk but everything else just didn't work for me. It could have easily been 100 pages shorter.
I had high expectations for this based on the name alone. It started off well and I was convinced I had found my new favourite cozy read with the bonus of lots of bookish talk. However, it became pretty clear about a quarter of the way through or maybe even before that, that this was not going to go the way I expected.
I loved the premise. I mean two bookworms working alongside eachother in a bookshop who fall in love, what's not there to love? But the author just exaggerated everything. Everything felt excessive, forced and after a while irritating— especially the humour.
The romance felt luke walm and extremely juvenile. I had to keep reminding myself I was reading about adults in their 30's and not teenagers. The protagonist was too clumsy and way too negative about herself that it exceeded the thin line of humorous and relatable to annoying and unbelievable.
It had it's good moments which were mainly the bookish talk but everything else just didn't work for me. It could have easily been 100 pages shorter.
February 23, 2023
Brief Summary
Jaimie Admans has a knack for creating loveable, down-to-earth characters who steal your heart in the most charming of ways. I was so busy focusing on the easy-to-spot plot twist that would cause friction between Hallie and Dimitri that I totally missed guessing the much more important plot twists that made this story so wonderful. This book made me feel and for that alone, I would give it 5 stars.
Themes and Trigger Warnings
Grief, loss due to cancer, loss due to an accident, dysfunctional families and infidelity are all touched on in the book. We also see a character letting go of things that weigh them down, and starting to heal because of it.
Star Rating
5-stars. Was it perfect? Probably not but the book is so quirky, endearing and wonderful that I couldn't put it down.
The Characters
I loved, loved, LOVED that Dimitri was as accident-prone, goofy and odd-ball as Hallie. It was quite refreshing that the hero needed rescuing and encouragement as much as the heroine did. I also loved that this couple was not only perfect for one another but perfect because of one another. Hallie's family were fantastic, it was so lovely how her sister came through for her when times got tough and her mum was just too funny for words. Drake was a little too much of a caricature for my tastes, but this is a feel-good rom-com so the churlish, humourless bad-guy is a must somewhere in the plot.
The Plot
This has to have one of the best meet-cutes ever, and the fact that it was the MMC who was dorky and clumsy, yet pulled it off with aplomb, only made me love him, and this book, more. The messages in the books were such an interesting sub-plot and the idea of displaying them as leaves on a tree - well I really want to see that in real life somewhere!
The Writing & The World-Building
Both of these can only be described as amazing. I don't have much ability to create a visual image but Ms Admans had me there, in that little Cotswold village, sitting on a dilapidated roof terrace, gazing up and down the high street, searching for the buried "treasure" of a six-year-old boy and watching Heathcliff (the goldfish) eye up passing poodles. This book drew me in from the very beginning and it took me on the most magical, enjoyable, love-filled journey that I could ever wish to make.
Jaimie Admans has a knack for creating loveable, down-to-earth characters who steal your heart in the most charming of ways. I was so busy focusing on the easy-to-spot plot twist that would cause friction between Hallie and Dimitri that I totally missed guessing the much more important plot twists that made this story so wonderful. This book made me feel and for that alone, I would give it 5 stars.
Themes and Trigger Warnings
Grief, loss due to cancer, loss due to an accident, dysfunctional families and infidelity are all touched on in the book. We also see a character letting go of things that weigh them down, and starting to heal because of it.
Star Rating
5-stars. Was it perfect? Probably not but the book is so quirky, endearing and wonderful that I couldn't put it down.
The Characters
I loved, loved, LOVED that Dimitri was as accident-prone, goofy and odd-ball as Hallie. It was quite refreshing that the hero needed rescuing and encouragement as much as the heroine did. I also loved that this couple was not only perfect for one another but perfect because of one another. Hallie's family were fantastic, it was so lovely how her sister came through for her when times got tough and her mum was just too funny for words. Drake was a little too much of a caricature for my tastes, but this is a feel-good rom-com so the churlish, humourless bad-guy is a must somewhere in the plot.
The Plot
This has to have one of the best meet-cutes ever, and the fact that it was the MMC who was dorky and clumsy, yet pulled it off with aplomb, only made me love him, and this book, more. The messages in the books were such an interesting sub-plot and the idea of displaying them as leaves on a tree - well I really want to see that in real life somewhere!
The Writing & The World-Building
Both of these can only be described as amazing. I don't have much ability to create a visual image but Ms Admans had me there, in that little Cotswold village, sitting on a dilapidated roof terrace, gazing up and down the high street, searching for the buried "treasure" of a six-year-old boy and watching Heathcliff (the goldfish) eye up passing poodles. This book drew me in from the very beginning and it took me on the most magical, enjoyable, love-filled journey that I could ever wish to make.
March 21, 2021
"Историите са вечни.Те преминават през векове,времена , полове,раси,религии,националности. Те ни свързват. Такъв , какъвто е светът сега, те са едно от малкото останали ни неща, които го правят."
"Светът е безкрайно голям когато имаш книги."
Заразяващо оптимистична и стопляща .
Пълна с идеи. Това, да намериш мястото си и да го изпълниш със съдържание, е най-ценното нещо което може да се случи на всеки.
Възхищавам се на англичаните за непринудения начин по който споделят всяко нещо с близки и не толкова близки хора. Не за първи път го срещам в книгите.
"Светът е безкрайно голям когато имаш книги."
Заразяващо оптимистична и стопляща .
Пълна с идеи. Това, да намериш мястото си и да го изпълниш със съдържание, е най-ценното нещо което може да се случи на всеки.
Възхищавам се на англичаните за непринудения начин по който споделят всяко нещо с близки и не толкова близки хора. Не за първи път го срещам в книгите.
December 1, 2020
A cute but unbelievable romance. Probably really intended for a young adult audience. Harmless and heartwarming if you are a lover of books, but way too much repetition.
May 8, 2020
What an enchanting book this proved to be – so many love stories hidden in a bookshop!
Hallie Winstone didn’t think anything was going her way after she’d been fired yet again. However, her luck changed as she learnt she’d won the bookshop in the village she grew up in – yes, and it even came with its own flat! The problem is the shop isn’t financial viable, she needs to encourage more folks to buy books – and to learn what stock she already has. She’s helped by Dimitri, an artist who comes to create book illustrations in the store every day and helps her. Sorting out the stock they discover lots of the second hand books have love letters written in them…. and so the inspiration for helping bring these people together again begins. But will it only be strangers it helps bring romance to?
This is a truly heartwarming story involving very different families, lots of laughter and inspirational love. It is a delight to escape into and I’m so glad Dimitiri’s secret doesn’t ruin everything for them. I throughly enjoyed reading it and have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys multiple romances, a quirky Mum, cooking disasters, a huge secret to be uncovered and lots of love in a charismatic, cosy community but with a threatening bully who could ruin everything…
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and finding it to be absolutely absorbing, putting a huge smile on my face! I really want to go explore the bookshop in this story!
Hallie Winstone didn’t think anything was going her way after she’d been fired yet again. However, her luck changed as she learnt she’d won the bookshop in the village she grew up in – yes, and it even came with its own flat! The problem is the shop isn’t financial viable, she needs to encourage more folks to buy books – and to learn what stock she already has. She’s helped by Dimitri, an artist who comes to create book illustrations in the store every day and helps her. Sorting out the stock they discover lots of the second hand books have love letters written in them…. and so the inspiration for helping bring these people together again begins. But will it only be strangers it helps bring romance to?
This is a truly heartwarming story involving very different families, lots of laughter and inspirational love. It is a delight to escape into and I’m so glad Dimitiri’s secret doesn’t ruin everything for them. I throughly enjoyed reading it and have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys multiple romances, a quirky Mum, cooking disasters, a huge secret to be uncovered and lots of love in a charismatic, cosy community but with a threatening bully who could ruin everything…
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and finding it to be absolutely absorbing, putting a huge smile on my face! I really want to go explore the bookshop in this story!
July 19, 2021
Perfect for anyone that believes in the true power and magic of books. It's like an ode to how brilliant books are and how great they can be in uniting people.
I think I fell in love with Dimitri from his initial entrance and by the end I was completely besotted with this character.
And Hallie is wonderful too and it really is a dream come true for her to win this bookshop. Especially given how unlucky she tends to be.
Many a time while reading I ended up laughing out loud loudly, it's just a really funny book with a wonderful message.
And it's such a warm and comforting read I never wanted to return to the concept of real life, and would have happily gone on reading about these characters for a long time.
This is yet another truly fabulous book from one of my auto read authors. If you are a book lover, you definitely need to give this a go, and I promise it will make you smile.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
I think I fell in love with Dimitri from his initial entrance and by the end I was completely besotted with this character.
And Hallie is wonderful too and it really is a dream come true for her to win this bookshop. Especially given how unlucky she tends to be.
Many a time while reading I ended up laughing out loud loudly, it's just a really funny book with a wonderful message.
And it's such a warm and comforting read I never wanted to return to the concept of real life, and would have happily gone on reading about these characters for a long time.
This is yet another truly fabulous book from one of my auto read authors. If you are a book lover, you definitely need to give this a go, and I promise it will make you smile.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
March 5, 2021
I just loved everything about this book. Perfect for those of you who are bookworms, dream of owning a book shop and are a hopeless romantic.
Great writing, characters, story,settings. I’m most definitely delighted to have a new author whose other books I cannot wait to read xx 😘
Great writing, characters, story,settings. I’m most definitely delighted to have a new author whose other books I cannot wait to read xx 😘
May 14, 2020
reading a book about books is the best thing ever like you are reading about characters who loves books as much as you do, who would rather read than go out and who roll their eyes every time someone ask them if they are single because they have very unrealistic expectations because of these very books.
I cannot tell how much i loved this book, at least not in words but I am going to try my best. Hallie is the most unluckiest girl ever and she has just been fired from a job. Again! But life takes a turn when she wins a bookstore "Once upon a Page" in a lottery along with a flat and she cannot believe her luck. But soon she realizes that even though it's her dream job, the bookstore is not doing good financially but with the love she have for books and with the help of a very handsome introvert illustrator she might get her happy ending.
Honestly, if i get an email saying that I have won a bookstore in a lottery and its mine, I will leave everything behind because that's literally my dream job ever. This book was full of sunshine and lots of bake goods but also filled with magic that books are.
Hallie and Dimitri were literally the cutest book worms ever and I cannot love them enough like they literally made me giggle and swoon with their clumsiness and well, cuteness. Also, i love how their was so much importance given to the second hand books and the notes written inside them. I love writing notes inside books and wishing that one day centuries apart someone will find that book and will get a glimpse of what life used to be. the most magical thing ever.
10/10 would reccomend.
I cannot tell how much i loved this book, at least not in words but I am going to try my best. Hallie is the most unluckiest girl ever and she has just been fired from a job. Again! But life takes a turn when she wins a bookstore "Once upon a Page" in a lottery along with a flat and she cannot believe her luck. But soon she realizes that even though it's her dream job, the bookstore is not doing good financially but with the love she have for books and with the help of a very handsome introvert illustrator she might get her happy ending.
Honestly, if i get an email saying that I have won a bookstore in a lottery and its mine, I will leave everything behind because that's literally my dream job ever. This book was full of sunshine and lots of bake goods but also filled with magic that books are.
Hallie and Dimitri were literally the cutest book worms ever and I cannot love them enough like they literally made me giggle and swoon with their clumsiness and well, cuteness. Also, i love how their was so much importance given to the second hand books and the notes written inside them. I love writing notes inside books and wishing that one day centuries apart someone will find that book and will get a glimpse of what life used to be. the most magical thing ever.
10/10 would reccomend.
February 14, 2023
When Hallie's name is picked to become the next person to run her favourite bookstore in her hometown, no-one is more surprised than her. Her luck generally runs bad from men to employment, as well as general clumsiness and embarrassing moments. But Once Upon A Page bookstore is Hallie's second chance at getting something right. But as Hallie comes up with ideas to bring life back to the struggling store, local property developers are circling and Hallie's confidence is slipping.
This was actually a very cute read that I didn't think I'd enjoy quite as much as I did. This is the perfect contemporary book for book lovers from a dream job (what book lover wouldn't want to run their own bookstore in a cute Cotswold village?), an idyllic setting, a friends to lovers romance and a bit of slapstick comedy for a bit of laughter along the way. You just don't have to think too hard about how logistically and realistically the store can be passed to random people the way it has done for years, and the one that got me was Hallie only being offered £35,000 for the store/building on the main street of a village in the Cotswold which seems like a remarkably low property price to me.
The romance in this is genuinely lovely to experience development. It's been a while since I've read a book where the main character and love interest have been so evenly and perfectly matched. The minute Dimitri literally fell into the bookstore, it was love hearts all over the shop. There were pages and pages of dialogue between the two characters and it felt like within two days they had spent so much genuine time together, and truly were getting to know each other.
This is sweet and fun, and one I'd recommend. I'd happily read more of the author's work.
This was actually a very cute read that I didn't think I'd enjoy quite as much as I did. This is the perfect contemporary book for book lovers from a dream job (what book lover wouldn't want to run their own bookstore in a cute Cotswold village?), an idyllic setting, a friends to lovers romance and a bit of slapstick comedy for a bit of laughter along the way. You just don't have to think too hard about how logistically and realistically the store can be passed to random people the way it has done for years, and the one that got me was Hallie only being offered £35,000 for the store/building on the main street of a village in the Cotswold which seems like a remarkably low property price to me.
The romance in this is genuinely lovely to experience development. It's been a while since I've read a book where the main character and love interest have been so evenly and perfectly matched. The minute Dimitri literally fell into the bookstore, it was love hearts all over the shop. There were pages and pages of dialogue between the two characters and it felt like within two days they had spent so much genuine time together, and truly were getting to know each other.
This is sweet and fun, and one I'd recommend. I'd happily read more of the author's work.
April 26, 2020
Thank you netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After reading this, I now want to own my own bookshop with a handsome artist who visits daily!
Hallies the type of person who instead of being lucky all the time, finds herself with constant misfortunes. She’s been fired from numerous jobs (every time not being her fault), she is clumsy, and always gets the short end of the stick. Until one day when her luck changes and she finds that she is the winner of a secondhand bookshop, Once Upon a Page. While acquainting herself with her new shop she notices a handsome man who frequents the shop daily, Dimitri. The two begin a friendship and help Hallie start making the shop her own. They find personalized books with everything from love letters to baby announcements. Hallie then comes up with a plan, to start posting the letters online in hopes of finding who their stories belong to. But with the shop being in financial trouble, Hallies unsure if she’s cut out for owning her own business. Will Hallie be able to keep the business, while also finding her own happily ever after?
Holy smokes I adored this story, the authors writing is lovely. First off, this cover is one of my favorite covers ever. It’s so beautiful! Anyways, onto what I love about this book. Hallie and Dimitri are a fun pair and you find yourself laughing with them constantly. Dimitri has faced loss in his life, but hes still always cheerful, and you feel for him and root for him. I also adore the bond they share over the love of books. If you’re in the mood for a light hearted, sweet romance, check this book out. I look forward to reading more from this author.
After reading this, I now want to own my own bookshop with a handsome artist who visits daily!
Hallies the type of person who instead of being lucky all the time, finds herself with constant misfortunes. She’s been fired from numerous jobs (every time not being her fault), she is clumsy, and always gets the short end of the stick. Until one day when her luck changes and she finds that she is the winner of a secondhand bookshop, Once Upon a Page. While acquainting herself with her new shop she notices a handsome man who frequents the shop daily, Dimitri. The two begin a friendship and help Hallie start making the shop her own. They find personalized books with everything from love letters to baby announcements. Hallie then comes up with a plan, to start posting the letters online in hopes of finding who their stories belong to. But with the shop being in financial trouble, Hallies unsure if she’s cut out for owning her own business. Will Hallie be able to keep the business, while also finding her own happily ever after?
Holy smokes I adored this story, the authors writing is lovely. First off, this cover is one of my favorite covers ever. It’s so beautiful! Anyways, onto what I love about this book. Hallie and Dimitri are a fun pair and you find yourself laughing with them constantly. Dimitri has faced loss in his life, but hes still always cheerful, and you feel for him and root for him. I also adore the bond they share over the love of books. If you’re in the mood for a light hearted, sweet romance, check this book out. I look forward to reading more from this author.
May 12, 2020
Stars: 4/5
I was provided a digital copy of this story for free in return for an honest review.
I was super excited when I saw I had been provided with a copy of this story - the whole thing seemed like a book-lovers' dream and it really is!
Characters: As a non-clumsy person, I found the clumsiness of both Hallie and Dimitri to be cute, charming and slightly irritating. Did it add to their intrigue? Absolutely! They were two adorable dorks who were apposed to love and... we all know where this is going (if you don't you should read it!). Though I found this characteristic of both Hallie and Dimitri slightly annoying, their other interests maintained my intrigue. I enjoyed how they were the same, but different. It's hard to explain but they understood each other and clearly had chemistry from the second you saw them together. I must say, there were moments where my heart strings were pulled to the point where I physically felt it. I loved these two together.
Plot: At one point I honestly thought there would be too many sub-plots. There were hints and reveals to each and I picked them up and thought to myself "oh no, another one? Will this get too busy?" but it didn't. The resolutions all tied in so well and my only complaint is the slow burn! (I needed more romance sooner but that's just me being greedy). There was a reveal that I read when I was walking my dog and I must have looked crazy as I read it. I genuinely looked around to see if anyone saw my reaction, it was quite external.
Setting: Mainly a bookstore, in a small town, in the UK, also a beach comes up. Basically the perfect setting don't try to change my mind. I know my retirement plans.
I recommend: to all book-lovers, YA-lovers, romance-enjoyers and maybe 12+. There's no mature content.
WARNINGS: chronic illness (cancer?) from a family/carer perspective
I was provided a digital copy of this story for free in return for an honest review.
I was super excited when I saw I had been provided with a copy of this story - the whole thing seemed like a book-lovers' dream and it really is!
Characters: As a non-clumsy person, I found the clumsiness of both Hallie and Dimitri to be cute, charming and slightly irritating. Did it add to their intrigue? Absolutely! They were two adorable dorks who were apposed to love and... we all know where this is going (if you don't you should read it!). Though I found this characteristic of both Hallie and Dimitri slightly annoying, their other interests maintained my intrigue. I enjoyed how they were the same, but different. It's hard to explain but they understood each other and clearly had chemistry from the second you saw them together. I must say, there were moments where my heart strings were pulled to the point where I physically felt it. I loved these two together.
Plot: At one point I honestly thought there would be too many sub-plots. There were hints and reveals to each and I picked them up and thought to myself "oh no, another one? Will this get too busy?" but it didn't. The resolutions all tied in so well and my only complaint is the slow burn! (I needed more romance sooner but that's just me being greedy). There was a reveal that I read when I was walking my dog and I must have looked crazy as I read it. I genuinely looked around to see if anyone saw my reaction, it was quite external.
Setting: Mainly a bookstore, in a small town, in the UK, also a beach comes up. Basically the perfect setting don't try to change my mind. I know my retirement plans.
I recommend: to all book-lovers, YA-lovers, romance-enjoyers and maybe 12+. There's no mature content.
WARNINGS: chronic illness (cancer?) from a family/carer perspective
August 22, 2020
Do know what happens when two clumsy as hell booktroverts meet?
If don't, then it can give you quite an idea.😀
Hallie Winstone, thirty-five years, has always been a failure in every job she has ever had because of her clumsiness. All her life bad luck has been her continuous companion. But once on a "Mondayest of Monday", her lucky star finally shines and brings her a chance to win a BOOKSHOP! The same bookshop in which she has been coming since she was a little girl. Being a bookworm can this get anymore better?
Yes, it can, because there is Dimitri, a true gentleman and "the sunniest sunshine pot of personality"; the positive person that Hallie needs in her life to share her love of book and to ease her worries about everything. I loved everytime they were together.
Aaand the bookshop! Once Upon a Page! Honestly I kind of fell in love with that bookshop and all of its books; every shelf, every corner, everything! The way, the bookshop has been described, it can be nothing but a paradise for book lovers.
A book about thousands of books, book-lovers, a little bookshop and about the love stories hidden in the pages of those books.
It was an easy and comfortable read and funny too. But, the plot was nothing so spectacular and same things have been repeated so many times. And the characters were like open books, adding a few more shades to their personality wouldn't be so bad.
If don't, then it can give you quite an idea.😀
Hallie Winstone, thirty-five years, has always been a failure in every job she has ever had because of her clumsiness. All her life bad luck has been her continuous companion. But once on a "Mondayest of Monday", her lucky star finally shines and brings her a chance to win a BOOKSHOP! The same bookshop in which she has been coming since she was a little girl. Being a bookworm can this get anymore better?
Yes, it can, because there is Dimitri, a true gentleman and "the sunniest sunshine pot of personality"; the positive person that Hallie needs in her life to share her love of book and to ease her worries about everything. I loved everytime they were together.
Aaand the bookshop! Once Upon a Page! Honestly I kind of fell in love with that bookshop and all of its books; every shelf, every corner, everything! The way, the bookshop has been described, it can be nothing but a paradise for book lovers.
A book about thousands of books, book-lovers, a little bookshop and about the love stories hidden in the pages of those books.
It was an easy and comfortable read and funny too. But, the plot was nothing so spectacular and same things have been repeated so many times. And the characters were like open books, adding a few more shades to their personality wouldn't be so bad.
October 8, 2020
I absolutely loved this book so much and have definitely decided it my favourite book of all time. I could read it again and again. I really need a sequel
January 24, 2021
Another amazing read from Jaimie! With a perfect romance in a beautiful bookshop setting, it's heartwarming and cozy!
May 10, 2021
Това е книга за любовта към книгите. Двамата герои водеха задушевни разговори за автори и заглавия в една уютна книжарничка, наречена „Имало една страница”. Хали винаги е била без късмет, когато случайно нейното име е изтеглено на лотариен принцип, с което официално е обявена за новия собственик на книжарницата. Късметът този път е изцяло на нейна страна, защото в нея тя среща един приятен млад и талантлив художник, непохватен като нея, който ѝ помага с клиентите и подкрепя всяка една нейна идея за разрастването на книжарничката. През цялото време Димитри се държеше грижовно, с любов към книгите, помагаше на Холи да свикне с новите неща в живота си. Смяла съм се с техните реплики! Това беше най-романтичния и мил мъж, много ми хареса този книжен герой. Затова и когато Холи научи някои тайни за него, според мен не беше справедливо да му крещи. Едно такова мило и подкрепящо държание през цялото време към нея от негова страна, заслужаваше един тих и откровен разговор, отколкото това просташко избухване на героинята пред всички клиенти в книжарницата. Само това ми развали уютното усещане от задушевните разговори за книги между двамата и от там нататък малко изкуствен ми се видя края. Въпреки това си заслужи 5-те звезди, заради идеите в книгата, приложими за хора, занимаващи се с книги.
May 17, 2020
The Little Bookshop of Love Stories has been such an adorable and funny read! It gave me a lot of feels and I loved every chapter in this book.
Hallie Winstone has recently been fired from the restaurant she worked as a waitress due to an accident. She thought she was unlucky. her whole life until one day she received an email says that she won Once Upon A Page bookshop. She never thought she could be that lucky person because her whole life she never won anything. Hallie, a 35 year old book worm was really happy to own a new bookshop. Her dream came true.
I loved all characters except one. I loved the romance between Hallie and Dimitri. God, I fell in love with Dimitri and his personality. He’s a funny guy and adorable!
The plot was engaging and the pace was pretty fast. The writing style was really good. Every chapter has something about bookish and I can relate to it. The book reference that the author used in this book was really nice and I’m familiar with some of them.
Overall, this book really was a fun read to me. Thank you Netgalley and HQ Digital for sharing the ebook.
Hallie Winstone has recently been fired from the restaurant she worked as a waitress due to an accident. She thought she was unlucky. her whole life until one day she received an email says that she won Once Upon A Page bookshop. She never thought she could be that lucky person because her whole life she never won anything. Hallie, a 35 year old book worm was really happy to own a new bookshop. Her dream came true.
I loved all characters except one. I loved the romance between Hallie and Dimitri. God, I fell in love with Dimitri and his personality. He’s a funny guy and adorable!
The plot was engaging and the pace was pretty fast. The writing style was really good. Every chapter has something about bookish and I can relate to it. The book reference that the author used in this book was really nice and I’m familiar with some of them.
Overall, this book really was a fun read to me. Thank you Netgalley and HQ Digital for sharing the ebook.
May 1, 2020
Hallie Winstone is an awkward and klutzy, down-on-her-luck waitress who gets the biggest surprise of her lifetime when she gets fired from her job on the Mondayest of Mondays ever only to then win ownership of a charming, but financially struggling, bookshop. Though she has no business experience, she's buoyed by optimism and her overwhelming love of books. (Bookworm solidarity, sister!) She soon meets Dimitri, an illustrator who comes tumbling - literally tumbling - through the front door of her shop, and together, they determine to infuse some new life into Once Upon A Page in addition to connecting over literature and perhaps falling in love along the way.
Can I get a collective "awww," please?
This was cute lighthearted dessert. It was a book lover's fantasy, an ode to rare first editions with personal inscriptions and mahogany bookshelves everywhere. It was winsome. And honeyed. And arse-over-tit romantic in the exact amount I wanted it to be. Though sometimes a little predictable in plot, in characterization, it was the kind of story that melts in your mouth like a cookie straight out of Mom's oven. The sweetness was no less enjoyable because it was anticipated; in fact, it ended up being tastier since I knew it was coming, since I craved that happily ever after ending from the beginning.
Sometimes tooth-rotting fluff is precisely what the doctor ordered and this one filled the prescription with hearts, with smiles from ear to ear. What more could a girl want in these quarantine times? Nothing except Hallie, Dimitri, books galore, and a matchmaking mother to rival that of Mrs. Bennet, that's what.
Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the ARC.
Can I get a collective "awww," please?
This was cute lighthearted dessert. It was a book lover's fantasy, an ode to rare first editions with personal inscriptions and mahogany bookshelves everywhere. It was winsome. And honeyed. And arse-over-tit romantic in the exact amount I wanted it to be. Though sometimes a little predictable in plot, in characterization, it was the kind of story that melts in your mouth like a cookie straight out of Mom's oven. The sweetness was no less enjoyable because it was anticipated; in fact, it ended up being tastier since I knew it was coming, since I craved that happily ever after ending from the beginning.
Sometimes tooth-rotting fluff is precisely what the doctor ordered and this one filled the prescription with hearts, with smiles from ear to ear. What more could a girl want in these quarantine times? Nothing except Hallie, Dimitri, books galore, and a matchmaking mother to rival that of Mrs. Bennet, that's what.
Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 7, 2021
*I got this eARC from Netgalley *
2.5 stars
It was sort of cute adn easy read, but i didn`t feel the chemistry between the main characters.
But i adored the small texts of declaration of love and the mentions of many books that i know of.
2.5 stars
It was sort of cute adn easy read, but i didn`t feel the chemistry between the main characters.
But i adored the small texts of declaration of love and the mentions of many books that i know of.
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