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Seasons of New Hope #2
The Beautiful Things Shoppe
Their collections may clash but their hearts are a perfect match.
Moving to eclectic New Hope, Pennsylvania, and running The Beautiful Things Shoppe is a dream come true for elegant and reserved fine arts dealer Prescott J. Henderson. He never agreed to share the space with Danny Roman, an easygoing extrovert who collects retro toys and colorful knickknacks.
And yet here they are, trapped together in the quaint shop as they scramble to open in time for New Hope’s charming Winter Festival.
Danny has spent years leading with his heart instead of his head. The Beautiful Things Shoppe is his chance to ground himself and build something permanent and joyful. The last thing he needs is an uptight snob who doesn’t appreciate his whimsy occupying half his shop.
It’s only when two of New Hope’s historic landmarks—each as different as Danny and Prescott—are threatened that a tentative alliance forms. And with it, the first blush of romance. Suddenly, running The Beautiful Things Shoppe together doesn’t seem so bad…until Danny’s secret threatens to ruin it all.
Carina Adores is home to highly romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
Seasons of New Hope
Book 1: The Hideaway Inn
Book 2: The Beautiful Things Shoppe
Moving to eclectic New Hope, Pennsylvania, and running The Beautiful Things Shoppe is a dream come true for elegant and reserved fine arts dealer Prescott J. Henderson. He never agreed to share the space with Danny Roman, an easygoing extrovert who collects retro toys and colorful knickknacks.
And yet here they are, trapped together in the quaint shop as they scramble to open in time for New Hope’s charming Winter Festival.
Danny has spent years leading with his heart instead of his head. The Beautiful Things Shoppe is his chance to ground himself and build something permanent and joyful. The last thing he needs is an uptight snob who doesn’t appreciate his whimsy occupying half his shop.
It’s only when two of New Hope’s historic landmarks—each as different as Danny and Prescott—are threatened that a tentative alliance forms. And with it, the first blush of romance. Suddenly, running The Beautiful Things Shoppe together doesn’t seem so bad…until Danny’s secret threatens to ruin it all.
Carina Adores is home to highly romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
Seasons of New Hope
Book 1: The Hideaway Inn
Book 2: The Beautiful Things Shoppe
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2021
30 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Philip William Stover
10 books145 followersPhilip William Stover splits his time between Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and New York City. He has an MFA in writing and is a clinical professor at New York University.
As a freelance journalist, his essays and reviews have appeared in Newsday, the Forward, the Tony Awards, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Houston Chronicle, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and other national publications. For many years he ghosted for an international best-selling women’s fiction author. He has published multiple middle-grade novels for Simon & Schuster and was the American Theater critic for About.com.
He grew up tearing the covers off the romance novels he devoured so he wouldn’t get teased at school. Now he enjoys traveling the world with his husband of over twenty years and would never consider defacing any of the books he loves.
He can be found on social media as Philip William Stover.
Adult fiction:
https://www.philipwilliamstover.com
Middle-grade fiction:
http://www.tweenink.com
As a freelance journalist, his essays and reviews have appeared in Newsday, the Forward, the Tony Awards, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Houston Chronicle, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and other national publications. For many years he ghosted for an international best-selling women’s fiction author. He has published multiple middle-grade novels for Simon & Schuster and was the American Theater critic for About.com.
He grew up tearing the covers off the romance novels he devoured so he wouldn’t get teased at school. Now he enjoys traveling the world with his husband of over twenty years and would never consider defacing any of the books he loves.
He can be found on social media as Philip William Stover.
Adult fiction:
https://www.philipwilliamstover.com
Middle-grade fiction:
http://www.tweenink.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
March 7, 2021
In
The Beautiful Things Shoppe
, Philip William Stover shows us that opposites do attract...and sometimes they’re more similar than you think!
Accustomed to living a life governed by emotion and whim, Danny is looking forward to some stability as he gets the chance to sell his retro toys and other classic memorabilia at The Beautiful Things Shoppe. These collectibles bring him such joy to find and talk about, and he can’t wait to share them with customers.
What he’s unprepared for is that he’ll be sharing the shop with Prescott, a collector of fine antiques. Prescott has utter disdain for Danny’s merchandise and his fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants philosophy. How can anyone take Prescott’s merchandise seriously if it’s side-by-side with Smurf figurines and classic television show lunchboxes?
Of course, while they’re at each other’s throats, they also are both fighting the chemistry they feel for one another. And while they relish making the other one angry, when they come together on common issues, like trying to save two buildings in their town, they realize they are more alike in some ways than they think.
As they grow closer and start to acknowledge their feelings for one another, they’re also keeping some secrets, which could threaten to undo the connection they’re moving toward.
Can happiness be found by two people who aren’t quite ready to trust their hearts or someone else’s? Will their secrets undermine any chance at happiness? Perhaps more importantly, can Beanie Babies peacefully coexist with antique furniture?
The Beautiful Things Shoppe is a sweet rom-com which shows how wrong we can be when we make assumptions about people, and how we don’t know the secrets they are struggling with. It’s fun and playful, and the banter and the chemistry between Danny and Prescott is really adorable.
The other stars of this book are the terrific town of New Hope, PA (I’ve been there and it’s so charming) and the supporting characters, who are alternately pushing the two together and pulling them apart.
I really enjoyed this book and found Danny and Prescott so sweet.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Accustomed to living a life governed by emotion and whim, Danny is looking forward to some stability as he gets the chance to sell his retro toys and other classic memorabilia at The Beautiful Things Shoppe. These collectibles bring him such joy to find and talk about, and he can’t wait to share them with customers.
What he’s unprepared for is that he’ll be sharing the shop with Prescott, a collector of fine antiques. Prescott has utter disdain for Danny’s merchandise and his fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants philosophy. How can anyone take Prescott’s merchandise seriously if it’s side-by-side with Smurf figurines and classic television show lunchboxes?
Of course, while they’re at each other’s throats, they also are both fighting the chemistry they feel for one another. And while they relish making the other one angry, when they come together on common issues, like trying to save two buildings in their town, they realize they are more alike in some ways than they think.
As they grow closer and start to acknowledge their feelings for one another, they’re also keeping some secrets, which could threaten to undo the connection they’re moving toward.
Can happiness be found by two people who aren’t quite ready to trust their hearts or someone else’s? Will their secrets undermine any chance at happiness? Perhaps more importantly, can Beanie Babies peacefully coexist with antique furniture?
The Beautiful Things Shoppe is a sweet rom-com which shows how wrong we can be when we make assumptions about people, and how we don’t know the secrets they are struggling with. It’s fun and playful, and the banter and the chemistry between Danny and Prescott is really adorable.
The other stars of this book are the terrific town of New Hope, PA (I’ve been there and it’s so charming) and the supporting characters, who are alternately pushing the two together and pulling them apart.
I really enjoyed this book and found Danny and Prescott so sweet.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
February 23, 2023
This was a very charming small town M/M romance! It's opposites attract when Prescott and Danny must share space in a storefront. Prescott is an introverted, buttoned up antiques dealer while outgoing Danny trades in pop culture collectibles. But while they butt heads, there is undeniable chemistry as well. I really enjoyed this and both men must face their demons, but ultimately make each other better. It's also a great option for readers who don't want anything super steamy. There is is one semi-explicit scene but that's really it. Thank you to Harlequin for the book, all opinions are my own.
January 18, 2022
It's a simple story, told from different perspectives, in a unique way. I found the characters of Danny and Prescott to be both fun and funny. It isn't in your face romance to start with. The two guys are enemies and then lovers with the romance being slowly woven into the story. They are such polar opposites I was beginning to wonder if anything was ever going to bring them together. Prescott was socially awkward, and Danny was...well, gregarious would be a good word for him. Both are hiding painful vulnerabilities that was constraining their happy now, let alone ever after. The author simmers their unlikely pairing and covert lusting for each other until a cold winter's night and some hot chocolate work their magic. The Beautiful Things Shoppe is not about people who buy expensive things for the sake of social status or prestige. Danny and Prescott are collectors who love disparate things that simply brings them joy. By the end of the story, both men do find love...but also, they share a passion for artifacts like a Cunningham pewter mug or a Snoopy cookie jar. We find that beauty is indeed truly in the eye of the beholder. Overall...we have a breathtaking love story that opens your eyes to all the beautiful things in the world we might otherwise have missed.
February 22, 2021
5 stars for the first 40% of the book.
2,5 stars for the book as whole.
I can't guarantee that this will be a spoiler free review, so keep on reading with caution! I might rant a little and might not be able to see actual spoilers for being just that.
Just like with the first book in the series, it's hard to know how to review this one.
The first 40% of the book is hilarious. I laughed so much that I cried at times. Prescott and Danny are as different as two people can be. Forced to share the space of the Beautiful Things Shoppe they clash and they clash hard. The stuff they sell at their respective parts of the store is just as different as Prescott and Danny are. This part is a fantastic enemies to love tale that I absolutely adored. Between them figuring out how to work their store together and trying to save some buildings from getting demolished they find a way to actually see the good about each other. It was fantastic. Even more than that though, I adored Danny. I loved his character, his friendliness. Lately, I have had such a bad luck with really unlikeable characters so I was so happy about finally finding a character that could bring me out of my funk.
Or so I thought. After the 40% mark Danny's whole character changed. And what once was the sweet, a little nerdy but oh so lovable character turned into something nasty. Danny got so stuck in his ways that he couldn't see past them. For a while he was extremely rude towards Prescott, leading him on but changing his mind. He lied to Prescott about who he was while Prescott opened himself up to Danny with raw honesty. This is a romance after all so Danny comes around and they start dating while Danny is climbing down the rabbit whole of his lies until he can't see a way to tell the truth.
I probably would have found a way to forgive Danny for being such a jackass if he didn't kept on acting like it from the most of the book after that. Then comes the last part of this book. And there's drama, upon drama, upon drama. Mostly created by Danny. Prescott forgives him way too easily. i would have loved for Danny to have to sweat a little. God knows he deserved it.
Much like the first book the writing is solid, there's a good set of secondary characters and the small town charm is in full bloom. However the author's way of putting all the drama in the last 20% is not working at all for me.
2,5 stars for the book as whole.
I can't guarantee that this will be a spoiler free review, so keep on reading with caution! I might rant a little and might not be able to see actual spoilers for being just that.
Just like with the first book in the series, it's hard to know how to review this one.
The first 40% of the book is hilarious. I laughed so much that I cried at times. Prescott and Danny are as different as two people can be. Forced to share the space of the Beautiful Things Shoppe they clash and they clash hard. The stuff they sell at their respective parts of the store is just as different as Prescott and Danny are. This part is a fantastic enemies to love tale that I absolutely adored. Between them figuring out how to work their store together and trying to save some buildings from getting demolished they find a way to actually see the good about each other. It was fantastic. Even more than that though, I adored Danny. I loved his character, his friendliness. Lately, I have had such a bad luck with really unlikeable characters so I was so happy about finally finding a character that could bring me out of my funk.
Or so I thought. After the 40% mark Danny's whole character changed. And what once was the sweet, a little nerdy but oh so lovable character turned into something nasty. Danny got so stuck in his ways that he couldn't see past them. For a while he was extremely rude towards Prescott, leading him on but changing his mind. He lied to Prescott about who he was while Prescott opened himself up to Danny with raw honesty. This is a romance after all so Danny comes around and they start dating while Danny is climbing down the rabbit whole of his lies until he can't see a way to tell the truth.
I probably would have found a way to forgive Danny for being such a jackass if he didn't kept on acting like it from the most of the book after that. Then comes the last part of this book. And there's drama, upon drama, upon drama. Mostly created by Danny. Prescott forgives him way too easily. i would have loved for Danny to have to sweat a little. God knows he deserved it.
Much like the first book the writing is solid, there's a good set of secondary characters and the small town charm is in full bloom. However the author's way of putting all the drama in the last 20% is not working at all for me.
June 22, 2022
I really enjoyed the first Seasons of New Hope book, The Hideaway Inn, especially for how it handled growing up queer in a toxic masculine environment versus having support and chosen family around you, and how the same toxic masculinity hits within the queer community as well. The two men were often both wrong in how they dealt with each other, but they got there, and the balance between them felt right.
I struggled to find that balance in this book, and it mostly came down to Danny, one of the two romantic leads, being the one who did most of the harm—especially having come from a position of total privilege—and never quite making up for it. For example, once he realizes he's attracted to Prescott, he deflects by trying to make Prescott angry by insulting and talking trash about things Prescott likes, or trying to invade Prescott's space or vision of their shared storefront. Prescott is the one who has to be the bigger person to move them past this. Danny doesn't reveal anything about his past—though he does genuinely represent his personality, for the most part—and Prescott is the one who shares things he's never told anyone before. When two adjacent buildings are threatened, Danny never stops telling Prescott how boring and ugly the home is, while Prescott allows himself to see the Bank through Danny's eyes and—ultimately—is the one trying to make the grandest gesture of all in the book. Danny has a large group of friends around him, Prescott is on his own beyond one person they share through the store. When Danny is uncomfortable about Prescott's ex, Prescott has to back down and agree not to meet with him, even when it might save their buildings, because of Danny's feelings.
It's always Prescott doing for Danny.
The thing with Danny is his character has two major facets that shape him: he's from a very wealthy family, and every guy he's dated has taken advantage of him (and that money) to the point where he believes he can't trust anyone who knows about his family. So, he decides to hide that from Prescott. The other thing about Danny is a core defining trait of his personality is hating all things snobbish, a category which he falsely drops Prescott into upon meeting, and applies to basically every antique that Prescott deals with from page one to almost the very end. He was funny, and I did laugh at his jokes, and while walking the dog, I laughed at his descriptors—that was one of my favourite things about this book, the different metaphors and similes the two men used.
Both of those things intermix to create a situation with Danny that I really struggled with as a reader: Danny is a hypocrite for most of the book. The things he takes joy in are art and magical (Smurfs, lunchboxes, cookie tins), but the things Prescott takes joy in—and he sees and notes this joy in Prescott all the time—are garbage and he's just being a snob, except that's exactly what Danny is doing, and so I kept waiting for someone to point out to him that he's being hypocritical, and it never happens. At the end of the book, there is a moment where Danny admits he did always find some of the things Prescott loves beautiful, but it came a bit too late for me since every time we were in Danny's head, he did nothing but deride them. I didn't know if I should believe him, or if he was just saying something nice to Prescott in the moment. Danny also accuses Prescott of cheating on him, gives him zero time to even defend himself, tells his friends about it before he is willing to admit he's not entirely sure what he saw, and lets them slam Prescott—and his eventual apology is a single sentence "sorry I assumed bad things about you" which Prescott accepts and that's it.
Which goes back to how it's always Prescott doing for Danny.
Now, that's not necessarily a deal-breaker for me, and I really loved Prescott's journey from closed-down and locked-up to allowing himself to connect. His social anxiety was spot-on, and the way it was handled was deft, and I enjoyed his progression (and how he never quite saw himself the way others saw him). It was so easy to slip into Prescott's head, and every chapter with his point-of-view I often found myself smiling or chuckling at his descriptors of the world around him—seriously, I can't praise this tool of their characterization enough—and feeling heartache for a man who had, in many ways, no one at all until he got to New Hope.
Ultimately every problem between them seemed to come down to "Danny refuses to talk to Prescott," and as a reader I don't often have patience for the "they just need to talk to each other, but won't" trope (one of the reasons I like novellas, where there's no time for that), and this book's foundation landed squarely on "won't talk." If you enjoy miscommunication tropes, this book has it. Like, you've got all of it. "Social anxiety" won't talk, "I lied and can't dig my way out of it" won't talk, "I've assumed the worst" won't talk. There's every flavour of "won't talk" happening here, if that's your cuppa.
Also? I adored the queer community in this book, which felt so much like my own lived experience. It's not just two gay men interacting surrounded by non queer people. It's a town with a queer presence and community—nonbinary folk, lesbians, queer dads, and more than one generation in play at the same time. I cannot tell you how much I love bumping into books that feel like they show queerness as something interconnected across the whole queer alphabet. Like, hook that right into my veins, please. Also? Danny is described as a burly bear, right down to having hair on his knuckles and I that was also so very welcome. Huzzah for bears, otters, and wolves!
So, all of that to say I liked this audiobook, with one more caveats for listeners who might be like me:
The audio performance—I listened to this as an audiobook, obviously—contributed to my frustration with one of the two romantic leads. Prescott, and Prescott's performer, were great. But any time it swapped over to Danny, and Danny's performer, the... uptight/breathless/sounding-always-on-the-edge-of-having-a-temper-tantrum voice did no favours to my impression of Danny at all, which I already struggled with. So, while I liked this book, I have a feeling I would have enjoyed it more in print.
I struggled to find that balance in this book, and it mostly came down to Danny, one of the two romantic leads, being the one who did most of the harm—especially having come from a position of total privilege—and never quite making up for it. For example, once he realizes he's attracted to Prescott, he deflects by trying to make Prescott angry by insulting and talking trash about things Prescott likes, or trying to invade Prescott's space or vision of their shared storefront. Prescott is the one who has to be the bigger person to move them past this. Danny doesn't reveal anything about his past—though he does genuinely represent his personality, for the most part—and Prescott is the one who shares things he's never told anyone before. When two adjacent buildings are threatened, Danny never stops telling Prescott how boring and ugly the home is, while Prescott allows himself to see the Bank through Danny's eyes and—ultimately—is the one trying to make the grandest gesture of all in the book. Danny has a large group of friends around him, Prescott is on his own beyond one person they share through the store. When Danny is uncomfortable about Prescott's ex, Prescott has to back down and agree not to meet with him, even when it might save their buildings, because of Danny's feelings.
It's always Prescott doing for Danny.
The thing with Danny is his character has two major facets that shape him: he's from a very wealthy family, and every guy he's dated has taken advantage of him (and that money) to the point where he believes he can't trust anyone who knows about his family. So, he decides to hide that from Prescott. The other thing about Danny is a core defining trait of his personality is hating all things snobbish, a category which he falsely drops Prescott into upon meeting, and applies to basically every antique that Prescott deals with from page one to almost the very end. He was funny, and I did laugh at his jokes, and while walking the dog, I laughed at his descriptors—that was one of my favourite things about this book, the different metaphors and similes the two men used.
Both of those things intermix to create a situation with Danny that I really struggled with as a reader: Danny is a hypocrite for most of the book. The things he takes joy in are art and magical (Smurfs, lunchboxes, cookie tins), but the things Prescott takes joy in—and he sees and notes this joy in Prescott all the time—are garbage and he's just being a snob, except that's exactly what Danny is doing, and so I kept waiting for someone to point out to him that he's being hypocritical, and it never happens. At the end of the book, there is a moment where Danny admits he did always find some of the things Prescott loves beautiful, but it came a bit too late for me since every time we were in Danny's head, he did nothing but deride them. I didn't know if I should believe him, or if he was just saying something nice to Prescott in the moment. Danny also accuses Prescott of cheating on him, gives him zero time to even defend himself, tells his friends about it before he is willing to admit he's not entirely sure what he saw, and lets them slam Prescott—and his eventual apology is a single sentence "sorry I assumed bad things about you" which Prescott accepts and that's it.
Which goes back to how it's always Prescott doing for Danny.
Now, that's not necessarily a deal-breaker for me, and I really loved Prescott's journey from closed-down and locked-up to allowing himself to connect. His social anxiety was spot-on, and the way it was handled was deft, and I enjoyed his progression (and how he never quite saw himself the way others saw him). It was so easy to slip into Prescott's head, and every chapter with his point-of-view I often found myself smiling or chuckling at his descriptors of the world around him—seriously, I can't praise this tool of their characterization enough—and feeling heartache for a man who had, in many ways, no one at all until he got to New Hope.
Ultimately every problem between them seemed to come down to "Danny refuses to talk to Prescott," and as a reader I don't often have patience for the "they just need to talk to each other, but won't" trope (one of the reasons I like novellas, where there's no time for that), and this book's foundation landed squarely on "won't talk." If you enjoy miscommunication tropes, this book has it. Like, you've got all of it. "Social anxiety" won't talk, "I lied and can't dig my way out of it" won't talk, "I've assumed the worst" won't talk. There's every flavour of "won't talk" happening here, if that's your cuppa.
Also? I adored the queer community in this book, which felt so much like my own lived experience. It's not just two gay men interacting surrounded by non queer people. It's a town with a queer presence and community—nonbinary folk, lesbians, queer dads, and more than one generation in play at the same time. I cannot tell you how much I love bumping into books that feel like they show queerness as something interconnected across the whole queer alphabet. Like, hook that right into my veins, please. Also? Danny is described as a burly bear, right down to having hair on his knuckles and I that was also so very welcome. Huzzah for bears, otters, and wolves!
So, all of that to say I liked this audiobook, with one more caveats for listeners who might be like me:
The audio performance—I listened to this as an audiobook, obviously—contributed to my frustration with one of the two romantic leads. Prescott, and Prescott's performer, were great. But any time it swapped over to Danny, and Danny's performer, the... uptight/breathless/sounding-always-on-the-edge-of-having-a-temper-tantrum voice did no favours to my impression of Danny at all, which I already struggled with. So, while I liked this book, I have a feeling I would have enjoyed it more in print.
September 29, 2021
I am a big fan of the author, and was hooked from his first book Evolution of Love (reissued as There Galapagos My Heart). Stover has a way of creating very charming stories that are fairly non-explicit but full of all the feels, plus some very satisfying HEAs. In this second book in the "Seasons of New Hope" series, we meet Prescott J. Henderson and Danny Roman, co-owners of The Beautiful Things Shoppe, stocked with beautifully crafted antiques and neoclassical furniture ..... and little blue Smurfs and Nyform trolls.
Stover's plot is well-woven together with a background of the diverse, welcoming community of New Hope, numerous interesting secondary characters (as well as brief glimpses of Vince and Tank from the first book in the series - The Hideaway Inn) and loads and loads of really interesting details about a wide range of interests - from Prescott's scholarly interest in fine art to Danny's joyous love of popular culture.
Danny and Prescott are opposites in so many ways. Danny gives off a "mixture of cruise director, children's television host and Sexiest Bear of the Year" while Prescott "looks like he's about to start his first day of prep school in his blue blazer and khaki pants." Prescott and Danny bond over the possible destruction of two buildings in town - one a mid-century modern bank that "looks like something from an episode of The Jetsons" and the second a Victorian home that is "a stunning example of nineteenth-century craftsmanship in the Second Empire style."
And once they finally find some common ground, they slowly move into a tenative relationship where each man still harbors hurts from past relationships. Danny also keeps a HUGE secret from Prescott (which he doubles down on) by hiding the fact that his family is incredibly wealthy, as in Bill Gates level wealth. There are reasons for doing so, but dude, keeping a secret like that never ends well.
Sure, the villain of the piece is pretty clearly defined, the predictable Huge Misunderstanding tears our MCs apart and the HEA is also predictable, albeit happy and well-deserved. But, overall, Stover does a great job with the setting and the quirky natures of our MCs and their lovely love story (along with shed-loads of useful information.) The Beautiful Things Shoppe is a feel-good story from top to bottom. 4.5 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Stover's plot is well-woven together with a background of the diverse, welcoming community of New Hope, numerous interesting secondary characters (as well as brief glimpses of Vince and Tank from the first book in the series - The Hideaway Inn) and loads and loads of really interesting details about a wide range of interests - from Prescott's scholarly interest in fine art to Danny's joyous love of popular culture.
Danny and Prescott are opposites in so many ways. Danny gives off a "mixture of cruise director, children's television host and Sexiest Bear of the Year" while Prescott "looks like he's about to start his first day of prep school in his blue blazer and khaki pants." Prescott and Danny bond over the possible destruction of two buildings in town - one a mid-century modern bank that "looks like something from an episode of The Jetsons" and the second a Victorian home that is "a stunning example of nineteenth-century craftsmanship in the Second Empire style."
And once they finally find some common ground, they slowly move into a tenative relationship where each man still harbors hurts from past relationships. Danny also keeps a HUGE secret from Prescott (which he doubles down on) by hiding the fact that his family is incredibly wealthy, as in Bill Gates level wealth. There are reasons for doing so, but dude, keeping a secret like that never ends well.
Sure, the villain of the piece is pretty clearly defined, the predictable Huge Misunderstanding tears our MCs apart and the HEA is also predictable, albeit happy and well-deserved. But, overall, Stover does a great job with the setting and the quirky natures of our MCs and their lovely love story (along with shed-loads of useful information.) The Beautiful Things Shoppe is a feel-good story from top to bottom. 4.5 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
January 27, 2021
📚 Hello Book Friends! THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS SHOPPE by Philip William Stover is coming to your favourite bookstore today. This lovely book was quick and entertaining and had plenty of tension and fireworks. I loved the enemies-to-love story set in an antique store. Prescott and Danny could not be more different but they were a match made in heaven. It was a sweet romance with lots of heated moments. It was cute, sweet, and heartwarming. Love it!
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November 16, 2020
A 5-star read! An absolute delight!
The perfect antidote to pandemic stress - or at any time.
Because ‘The Hideway Inn’ by Philip William Stover is one of my favorite gay romance novels, and because authors often fail to live up to their first hit when they publish a second novel in a series, I approached ‘The Beautiful Things Shoppe’ (Seasons of New Hope #2) with real trepidation.
I needn’t have worried.
Before I finished reading the first few pages, I knew that Stover had written another great read. This second book in the Seasons of New Hope series is clearly lighter and more carefree than the first, but it’s definitely the perfect escape needed at this time.
The two beautifully created main characters come from very different backgrounds; approach life from very different perspectives; and have each been left hurt and distrusting of others following previous failed affairs.
This time, the protagonists are Prescott J. Henderson (Press), the reserved, highly educated, fine arts dealer and Danny Roman, an openly gay extraordinary extrovert who immediately befriends everyone he meets - everyone that is, except Press.
As the story begins, Danny and Press are about to discover they they’ve each rented one half of a charming little store in New Hope. At the time they signed their leases (without carefully reading them), each thought he’d secured a great bargain for an entire building. Not only are their personalities diametrically opposed, but the items they collect, cherish, and in many instances hope to sell, couldn’t be more different.
‘The Beautiful Things Shoppe’ is set in the magical, but very real town of New Hope in Bucks County, PA.
New Hope is just across the Delaware River from the equally quaint community of Lamberville, NJ. The stunning Lambertville to New Hope Bridge, a mixed use pedestrian and highway span linking the two communities, plays more than one critical role in this story.
The narrative is not limited to the forced business relationship between Danny and Press. It rapidly escalates to cover the uncanny ability they have to make snap judgements and false assumptions about each other.
Yes, many of the interactions are repetitive, and yes, more than once I wanted to physically grab and shake one or both of them out of their stubborn refusal to see what’s right in front of them, and, yes, the reader knows from the very beginning how this story will end, but getting there is ultimately so satisfying.
The novel is filled with wonderful supporting characters, including Danny's best friend, Lizard, and Uncle Arthur, the owner of the shop he rented to Danny and Press. Of course there are charters who are also worthy of the reader’s scorn, the principal one being Jefferson Worthington (Worth).
Ultimately, the resolution to the growing rift between Press and Danny comes during New Hopes’ spectacular Annual Winter Festival. To say any more here would require a serious spoiler alert!
One of the real joys of this second volume in the Seasons of New Hope series was the cameo appearance of so many of my favorite characters form ‘The Hideaway Inn’. It was wonderful to learn a bit more about how their lives were progressing.
‘The Beautiful Things Shoppe’ is a charming mixture of emotional levels:
Chuckle inducing - 5
Tear inducing - 5
Angst - 4+
Heat - 2
and
Pure Joy - 5+
My big disappointment is that the author doesn’t write as quickly as I read. I’ll simply have to wait for Seasons of New Hope, Book 3.
Please, Philip William Stover, don’t make us wait too long.
I received an Advance Review Copy of ‘The Beautiful Things Shoppe’ from NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. #TheBeautifulThingsShoppe #NetGalley
The perfect antidote to pandemic stress - or at any time.
Because ‘The Hideway Inn’ by Philip William Stover is one of my favorite gay romance novels, and because authors often fail to live up to their first hit when they publish a second novel in a series, I approached ‘The Beautiful Things Shoppe’ (Seasons of New Hope #2) with real trepidation.
I needn’t have worried.
Before I finished reading the first few pages, I knew that Stover had written another great read. This second book in the Seasons of New Hope series is clearly lighter and more carefree than the first, but it’s definitely the perfect escape needed at this time.
The two beautifully created main characters come from very different backgrounds; approach life from very different perspectives; and have each been left hurt and distrusting of others following previous failed affairs.
This time, the protagonists are Prescott J. Henderson (Press), the reserved, highly educated, fine arts dealer and Danny Roman, an openly gay extraordinary extrovert who immediately befriends everyone he meets - everyone that is, except Press.
As the story begins, Danny and Press are about to discover they they’ve each rented one half of a charming little store in New Hope. At the time they signed their leases (without carefully reading them), each thought he’d secured a great bargain for an entire building. Not only are their personalities diametrically opposed, but the items they collect, cherish, and in many instances hope to sell, couldn’t be more different.
‘The Beautiful Things Shoppe’ is set in the magical, but very real town of New Hope in Bucks County, PA.
New Hope is just across the Delaware River from the equally quaint community of Lamberville, NJ. The stunning Lambertville to New Hope Bridge, a mixed use pedestrian and highway span linking the two communities, plays more than one critical role in this story.
The narrative is not limited to the forced business relationship between Danny and Press. It rapidly escalates to cover the uncanny ability they have to make snap judgements and false assumptions about each other.
Yes, many of the interactions are repetitive, and yes, more than once I wanted to physically grab and shake one or both of them out of their stubborn refusal to see what’s right in front of them, and, yes, the reader knows from the very beginning how this story will end, but getting there is ultimately so satisfying.
The novel is filled with wonderful supporting characters, including Danny's best friend, Lizard, and Uncle Arthur, the owner of the shop he rented to Danny and Press. Of course there are charters who are also worthy of the reader’s scorn, the principal one being Jefferson Worthington (Worth).
Ultimately, the resolution to the growing rift between Press and Danny comes during New Hopes’ spectacular Annual Winter Festival. To say any more here would require a serious spoiler alert!
One of the real joys of this second volume in the Seasons of New Hope series was the cameo appearance of so many of my favorite characters form ‘The Hideaway Inn’. It was wonderful to learn a bit more about how their lives were progressing.
‘The Beautiful Things Shoppe’ is a charming mixture of emotional levels:
Chuckle inducing - 5
Tear inducing - 5
Angst - 4+
Heat - 2
and
Pure Joy - 5+
My big disappointment is that the author doesn’t write as quickly as I read. I’ll simply have to wait for Seasons of New Hope, Book 3.
Please, Philip William Stover, don’t make us wait too long.
I received an Advance Review Copy of ‘The Beautiful Things Shoppe’ from NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. #TheBeautifulThingsShoppe #NetGalley
February 3, 2021
Reviewed on January 27, 2021
The Beautiful Things Shoppe was such a delightful and enjoyable read. A slow burn, fluffy , angsty , low heat, so sweet -it could induce anyone into a diabetic coma- and totally what I needed to escape all stressful things happening around me.
I just reviewed The Beautiful Things Shoppe by Philip William Stover. #TheBeautifulThingsShoppe #NetGalley
The Beautiful Things Shoppe was such a delightful and enjoyable read. A slow burn, fluffy , angsty , low heat, so sweet -it could induce anyone into a diabetic coma- and totally what I needed to escape all stressful things happening around me.
I just reviewed The Beautiful Things Shoppe by Philip William Stover. #TheBeautifulThingsShoppe #NetGalley
March 17, 2021
The first half of the book was way more enjoyable when Mr Chalk and Mr Cheese are pushed into each other's presence by circumstance and by New Hope townfolk; I had a few chuckles as Prescott and Danny bump corners verbally, personality and aesthetically. Things took a downhill slide when the MCs inevitably started 'bumping uglies' with all manner of deliberate misinformation (on Danny's part), misunderstanding (on both parts) and mishaps with the dreaded ex (on Prescott's part). I got quite frustrated by the author appearing to take every plot 'trick in the book' to drag out the 'romance' arc. In the end, I wasn't feeling quite as benevolent to our MCs when they sailed off into the HEA. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
October 11, 2021
A cute small-town love story. Really charming.
February 9, 2021
Originally posted on You Have Your Hands Full
New Hope, PA is a special town with a strong LGBTQ+ community. It is the perfect place for Prescott to open his antique store and for Danny to open his vintage toy store.
Unbeknownst to them, their mutual friend has purposefully rented the same store to these two men, intending for each to have half of the space.
Naturally, this simply will not do: Prescott thinks Danny is a slob and Danny thinks Prescott is a snob. Both men believe that sharing the store will be disastrous for their respective businesses, but they have no choice. They’re going to have to work together if they want to succeed.
While this odd couple/opposites attract trope would have been enough, Stover has added another layer to the dynamic. I can’t give specifics because I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll simply say, mumble mumble appearances mumble. I found this to be a rather clever enhancement that not only provided more depth to the protagonists’ personalities, but curiously enough, it also added to the conflict.
This book is a bit of a slow burn. Both men have been hurt in past relationships, so even after they stop bickering and start seeing each other in a new light, they’re reluctant to jump into anything because of their respective pasts.
Speaking of the bickering, it was absolutely hilarious to see Prescott and Danny clash over Chippendale furniture and Smurfs. This helped keep the book relatively light. There are genuine feelings, but very little in the way of angst. That said, the characters could have benefited from listening to each other instead of assuming the worst, but then again, there wouldn’t be much of a plot.
I would recommend The Beautiful Things Shoppe. Even though this is the second book in the series, it functions really well as a standalone. The protagonists from the first book make appearances, but you don’t need to read the first book in order to understand or appreciate this one. I am already looking forward to returning to New Hope in the future.
I received an ARC of this book from Carina Press/NetGalley
New Hope, PA is a special town with a strong LGBTQ+ community. It is the perfect place for Prescott to open his antique store and for Danny to open his vintage toy store.
Unbeknownst to them, their mutual friend has purposefully rented the same store to these two men, intending for each to have half of the space.
Naturally, this simply will not do: Prescott thinks Danny is a slob and Danny thinks Prescott is a snob. Both men believe that sharing the store will be disastrous for their respective businesses, but they have no choice. They’re going to have to work together if they want to succeed.
While this odd couple/opposites attract trope would have been enough, Stover has added another layer to the dynamic. I can’t give specifics because I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll simply say, mumble mumble appearances mumble. I found this to be a rather clever enhancement that not only provided more depth to the protagonists’ personalities, but curiously enough, it also added to the conflict.
This book is a bit of a slow burn. Both men have been hurt in past relationships, so even after they stop bickering and start seeing each other in a new light, they’re reluctant to jump into anything because of their respective pasts.
Speaking of the bickering, it was absolutely hilarious to see Prescott and Danny clash over Chippendale furniture and Smurfs. This helped keep the book relatively light. There are genuine feelings, but very little in the way of angst. That said, the characters could have benefited from listening to each other instead of assuming the worst, but then again, there wouldn’t be much of a plot.
I would recommend The Beautiful Things Shoppe. Even though this is the second book in the series, it functions really well as a standalone. The protagonists from the first book make appearances, but you don’t need to read the first book in order to understand or appreciate this one. I am already looking forward to returning to New Hope in the future.
I received an ARC of this book from Carina Press/NetGalley
May 9, 2021
The first half was a 4 star, but the second half was a 1.5 or 2. The plot became cliche and predictable, and the antagonist was rather cartoon-ish. I found Prescott a tad bit annoying at the start of the book, but Danny became much more irritating with his tendency to jump to conclusions. However, I do think that they work well together.
2.75 stars
2.75 stars
February 17, 2021
The Beautiful Things Shoppe is one of those magical enemies-to-lovers romances in which neither character comes off like a jerk. Danny and Prescott end up sharing an antiques shop and have completely opposite approaches to the venture. Danny sells old bits of pop culture including a cartoony cookie jar and Prescott prefers high-end furniture and housewares. They have an immediate dislike for each other, but it's a flimsy thing that quickly gives way to respect and then those inconvenient feelings.
The Beautiful Things Shoppe is a softer book than the first in the series, The Hideaway Inn. The setting remains the same--a diverse, queer small town full of wonderful secondary characters--but while the first deals heavily with toxic masculinity in the gay community, this is just a soft story with moments of humor. As Danny introduced Prescott to everyone in town and he's welcomed in, I felt welcomed as well. I'm rather envious, honestly. Who doesn't want a super queer town full of annoyingly friendly people who want the best for you? There's also a campaign to save a couple of historical buildings in New Hope and I liked being reminded that a small group of people can accomplish things if they work together. (Prescott's real-estate developer ex is an ass who sexually harasses him, just a heads up about that.)
One of the characters prefers to take his time with physical intimacy so the romance is fairly low heat, but the author has done a great job--with both books in this series--of letting the characters lead the relationship development. Everything feels natural rather than forced, with no obligatory sex scenes that feel out-of-character.
I enjoyed The Hideaway Inn, but I loved The Beautiful Things Shoppe. It's a big warm hug and I hope Philip William Stover writes a hundred more.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.
The Beautiful Things Shoppe is a softer book than the first in the series, The Hideaway Inn. The setting remains the same--a diverse, queer small town full of wonderful secondary characters--but while the first deals heavily with toxic masculinity in the gay community, this is just a soft story with moments of humor. As Danny introduced Prescott to everyone in town and he's welcomed in, I felt welcomed as well. I'm rather envious, honestly. Who doesn't want a super queer town full of annoyingly friendly people who want the best for you? There's also a campaign to save a couple of historical buildings in New Hope and I liked being reminded that a small group of people can accomplish things if they work together. (Prescott's real-estate developer ex is an ass who sexually harasses him, just a heads up about that.)
One of the characters prefers to take his time with physical intimacy so the romance is fairly low heat, but the author has done a great job--with both books in this series--of letting the characters lead the relationship development. Everything feels natural rather than forced, with no obligatory sex scenes that feel out-of-character.
I enjoyed The Hideaway Inn, but I loved The Beautiful Things Shoppe. It's a big warm hug and I hope Philip William Stover writes a hundred more.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.
May 17, 2024
This was a sweet little small-town romance set in an actual small town some 15 minutes away from me; I frequent New Hope and Lambertville often, and it was fun being able to perfectly imagine the real-world locations where specific scenes took place. And even though some individual shop names were changed, I'm pretty sure I know exactly where they were meant to be.
This is a very earnest book that is campy in an endearing way and isn't afraid to wear its heart on its sleeve. The central romance developed a little faster than I was expecting and some side characters seemed a little too enthusiastic to play matchmaker to be believable, but in a story as low-stakes as this I don't mind too much. The plot did feel a touch hokey to me though, very, "we gotta put on the best talent show this town's ever seen to save the community center!"
One thing I will say as a positive is that I enjoyed that our two leads are fully out, adult gay men that come into this story with dating history. There's no "what are these ~new feelings~?!" or inner turmoil about how to come out that you often see in the genre, and two literal business owners have a lot more agency than you'd get with say a YA queer romance. Also appreciated how the two leads weren't the sole queer people in the book, and there was a genuine sense of community that mirrors my own personal experience. And we sidestep homophobia altogether by 1) placing it in New Hope but also 2) making the main antagonist... another gay man! Diversity win!
(Unrelated, Prescott is described as being in his early thirties in this story presumably set in 2021, which places him squarely as a millennial. You mean to tell me this guy grew up in America the same time I did and doesn't know what Smurfs are or what Star Wars is? That's about the furthest suspension of disbelief this book asked of me, but it still stuck out.)
This is a very earnest book that is campy in an endearing way and isn't afraid to wear its heart on its sleeve. The central romance developed a little faster than I was expecting and some side characters seemed a little too enthusiastic to play matchmaker to be believable, but in a story as low-stakes as this I don't mind too much. The plot did feel a touch hokey to me though, very, "we gotta put on the best talent show this town's ever seen to save the community center!"
One thing I will say as a positive is that I enjoyed that our two leads are fully out, adult gay men that come into this story with dating history. There's no "what are these ~new feelings~?!" or inner turmoil about how to come out that you often see in the genre, and two literal business owners have a lot more agency than you'd get with say a YA queer romance. Also appreciated how the two leads weren't the sole queer people in the book, and there was a genuine sense of community that mirrors my own personal experience. And we sidestep homophobia altogether by 1) placing it in New Hope but also 2) making the main antagonist... another gay man! Diversity win!
(Unrelated, Prescott is described as being in his early thirties in this story presumably set in 2021, which places him squarely as a millennial. You mean to tell me this guy grew up in America the same time I did and doesn't know what Smurfs are or what Star Wars is? That's about the furthest suspension of disbelief this book asked of me, but it still stuck out.)
January 26, 2021
The Beautiful Things Shoppe was a better story than the first book in this series, The Hideaway Inn. The main characters were more likeable and a better fit as a couple.
There are a few tropes in this story: enemies to lovers, opposites attract, forced proximity, and The Big Misunderstanding. I don't have strong feelings either way about these tropes, so my opinions in this review are based solely on The Beautiful Things Shoppe.
Prescott and Danny butt heads from page one. Their bickering is childish, and they act much younger than their age: mid-thirties, I believe. The author drills in their differences to the point where it began feeling over the top. I get it, they are different.
I did enjoy the antique shopping trip they take together. This is when their attraction to and affection for each other come through.
The Big Misunderstanding is where the story lost me.. Danny's motivation for keeping secrets from Prescott didn't make sense to me. I feel like there were other ways he could have kept some of his identity from Prescott without outright lying.
Overall, The Beautiful Things Shoppe was a decent read with the right amount of cuteness and sweetness to keep me reading until the end.
***Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.***
There are a few tropes in this story: enemies to lovers, opposites attract, forced proximity, and The Big Misunderstanding. I don't have strong feelings either way about these tropes, so my opinions in this review are based solely on The Beautiful Things Shoppe.
Prescott and Danny butt heads from page one. Their bickering is childish, and they act much younger than their age: mid-thirties, I believe. The author drills in their differences to the point where it began feeling over the top. I get it, they are different.
I did enjoy the antique shopping trip they take together. This is when their attraction to and affection for each other come through.
The Big Misunderstanding is where the story lost me.. Danny's motivation for keeping secrets from Prescott didn't make sense to me. I feel like there were other ways he could have kept some of his identity from Prescott without outright lying.
Overall, The Beautiful Things Shoppe was a decent read with the right amount of cuteness and sweetness to keep me reading until the end.
***Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.***
December 26, 2024
The queer community of New Hope is getting ready for Winter Festival. But they'll also have to gather and try saving two historic buildings from being knock down. They might get lucky enough to witness the budding romance between two young men who are opposites and have to work together because they both signed a lease on an antiquities shop they now have to share.
This novel was a joy to read! And it was the perfect time to read it since it's set in winter. Prescott and Danny were endearing characters. I didn't read the first book but this one can be read as a standalone.
This novel was a joy to read! And it was the perfect time to read it since it's set in winter. Prescott and Danny were endearing characters. I didn't read the first book but this one can be read as a standalone.
Read
January 1, 2021Categories
Carina Adores, Contemporary Romance, Male/Male, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Male/Male Romance
Miniseries
Seasons of New Hope (Book #2)
Carina Adores, Contemporary Romance, Male/Male, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Male/Male Romance
Miniseries
Seasons of New Hope (Book #2)
February 25, 2021
Such a sweet romantic comedy! Danny and Prescott give us an opposites attract romance, which is always good for a bit of fun banter - and these two certainly deliver. The town is absolutely charming, just as charming, if not more than it was the first time I visited through the words of Philip William Stover, and the characters only add to that charm. The Beautiful Things Shoppe is my kind of shop, and it fits perfectly in the world that this author has created. I'll admit Danny and Prescott grew on me as a couple a little more quickly than the first couple in the series, which is largely due to me liking both characters right from the start. All in all, this second in the series is a great addition to the Seasons of New Hope. It's well-written, it's sweet, it's witty, and it leaves you with a smile. What more could I ask for?
January 27, 2021
While sweeter than most of the romances I typically read, this story was wonderfully written and captivating. Set in the small, idyllic suburb of New Hope, the author weaves colorful characters into a vibrant community of people that look out for one another and take care of their own.
When Prescott, a finicky antiques dealer opens a new shop in the area and is forced to share a space with Danny, a dealer of eclectic treasures, the two could not appear more opposite. The pairing of styles and personalities of these two men made as much sense as displaying pewter garniture with a collection of the Smurfs. Like oil and water, these two butted heads and could agree on nothing until an outside force threatened their community. And just like that, forced to be on the same side of a cause, Prescott and Danny found common ground on which to stand that allowed them to put their differences aside and truly learn about the other person.
Both of these men were quirky and sweet, and each was deeper than first appeared. Prescott gave off a snobbish vibe, which hid the insecurities he actually felt. And Danny’s larger than life teddy bear personality was an attempt to cover the fears he had of being used for what possessions he could give a partner, rather than who he was. But as they grew to trust and respect each other, they learned that there was more than first met the eye; that oil and water didn’t need to mix in order to still complement one another.
At first, I wasn’t a fan of these two men, together or separate. They seemed too set on being enemies rather than sharing a goal of making their store work or getting to know one another. But as they opened up to each other, I enjoyed them more and more. Add in the community full of eclectic store owners and friends and the book took on a homey feel that drew me in and created warm fuzzies.
A sweet and charming story, The Beautiful Things Shoppe was the perfect book to snuggle up with on a cold day and read a warm romance.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
When Prescott, a finicky antiques dealer opens a new shop in the area and is forced to share a space with Danny, a dealer of eclectic treasures, the two could not appear more opposite. The pairing of styles and personalities of these two men made as much sense as displaying pewter garniture with a collection of the Smurfs. Like oil and water, these two butted heads and could agree on nothing until an outside force threatened their community. And just like that, forced to be on the same side of a cause, Prescott and Danny found common ground on which to stand that allowed them to put their differences aside and truly learn about the other person.
Both of these men were quirky and sweet, and each was deeper than first appeared. Prescott gave off a snobbish vibe, which hid the insecurities he actually felt. And Danny’s larger than life teddy bear personality was an attempt to cover the fears he had of being used for what possessions he could give a partner, rather than who he was. But as they grew to trust and respect each other, they learned that there was more than first met the eye; that oil and water didn’t need to mix in order to still complement one another.
At first, I wasn’t a fan of these two men, together or separate. They seemed too set on being enemies rather than sharing a goal of making their store work or getting to know one another. But as they opened up to each other, I enjoyed them more and more. Add in the community full of eclectic store owners and friends and the book took on a homey feel that drew me in and created warm fuzzies.
A sweet and charming story, The Beautiful Things Shoppe was the perfect book to snuggle up with on a cold day and read a warm romance.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
April 6, 2021
WARM HUGS IN A BOOK with two very different shop owners who are forced into a co-shop space.
Enemies to lovers classic!
Enemies to lovers classic!
June 18, 2021
After reading The Hideaway Inn (the first book in the series) I definitely wanted to pick this one up as well, and I'm not disappointed that I did. This is definitely hate to love and what a fun time it was, while also being really genuine and exploring those moments where someone may not be ready to share their full selves with someone, and overcoming that. I felt it was a really enjoyable story with some wonderfully crafted characters. I would definitely read more in the series if any more were to come out.
January 28, 2021
Some gay romances do a better job than others at painting a true picture of what it’s like to be a gay man. Philip W. Stover’s book The Beautiful Things Shoppe certainly did a great job of it. Both the yummy charismatic bear to the preppy history geek made this a really fun gay romance.
This enemies to lovers will make you smile and even pull a tear or two as the men in this story navigate their own pasts to find the true love that’s been thrust in front of them by a very clever uncle.
This enemies to lovers will make you smile and even pull a tear or two as the men in this story navigate their own pasts to find the true love that’s been thrust in front of them by a very clever uncle.
March 1, 2021
Really cute and cosy romance set in small town Pennsylvania. At first I was considering this book not for me, but the character development worked well and overall I found the story adorable. Danny and Prescott had an adorable meet cute and it was nice to see a growth of love vs instant omg romance relationship etc.
Some of the descriptions of Danny's treasures cracked me up. I'm a big fan of the tiny blue men, I mean smurfs :)
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review
Some of the descriptions of Danny's treasures cracked me up. I'm a big fan of the tiny blue men, I mean smurfs :)
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review
August 1, 2022
The Beautiful Things Shoppe
By Philip William Stover
Published by Carina Press, 2021
Four stars
Once again we are in the magical Bucks County town of New Hope—which sort of resembles the one I know. Philip Stover has written a classic gay romance, sweetened with various delights, but still containing just a hint of the bitterness that provides necessary contrast in recipes like this.
The admittedly rom-com-contrived set-up is that Arthur, the proprietor of the Beautiful Things Shoppe in New Hope, has retired, and has leased his much-loved retail space to two very different young men—without telling either one of them. Does he have a plan, forcing these two guys with very different visions of what “beautiful things” are to share a space? Is this all a metaphor? Yes and no, I think.
Danny Roman is a big happy lumberjack of a guy, given to wearing crocs and outlandish themed t-shirts that (much like the things he sells) celebrate pop culture of the last 30 years or so. Friendly and outgoing, he gives the world as much as he gets in return.
Prescott Henderson, on the other hand, is classically WASPy, blond, prone to tweeds and penny loafers, and deeply committed to improving the world by selling rare and interesting antiques. He is reserved to the point of stand-offish, and seems to lack the kind of warmth and humor that make his co-retailer so popular in the New Hope community.
The key here is that both boys (and they are both young enough to be my sons, so I can call them boys) harbor secrets. Neither is exactly what he appears to be, and both Prescott and Danny have reasons for the way they approach the world. As in every good romance, both protagonists are damaged, hurt by the whims of the world. Stover has chosen archetypes in order to knock them down and make us feel the emotions more vividly.
I stumbled a bit toward the end, when these two 30-something men, smart and educated, begin to act like petulant middle-schoolers. I did not fully embrace the author’s choices for his protagonists’ behavior—even if I fully applauded the ultimate goal.
The town of New Hope, a very real place, is imagined is a slightly Disney-esque way, but I don’t begrudge the author that. I have gay friends who moved to New Hope because of the kind of place it is. I love the idea of a happy town where everyone is valued and loved. In the current political climate in this country, we LGBTQ folk need this kind of thing to hold onto.
If you haven’t read it, I recommend the other book in this series, “The Hideaway Inn.”
By Philip William Stover
Published by Carina Press, 2021
Four stars
Once again we are in the magical Bucks County town of New Hope—which sort of resembles the one I know. Philip Stover has written a classic gay romance, sweetened with various delights, but still containing just a hint of the bitterness that provides necessary contrast in recipes like this.
The admittedly rom-com-contrived set-up is that Arthur, the proprietor of the Beautiful Things Shoppe in New Hope, has retired, and has leased his much-loved retail space to two very different young men—without telling either one of them. Does he have a plan, forcing these two guys with very different visions of what “beautiful things” are to share a space? Is this all a metaphor? Yes and no, I think.
Danny Roman is a big happy lumberjack of a guy, given to wearing crocs and outlandish themed t-shirts that (much like the things he sells) celebrate pop culture of the last 30 years or so. Friendly and outgoing, he gives the world as much as he gets in return.
Prescott Henderson, on the other hand, is classically WASPy, blond, prone to tweeds and penny loafers, and deeply committed to improving the world by selling rare and interesting antiques. He is reserved to the point of stand-offish, and seems to lack the kind of warmth and humor that make his co-retailer so popular in the New Hope community.
The key here is that both boys (and they are both young enough to be my sons, so I can call them boys) harbor secrets. Neither is exactly what he appears to be, and both Prescott and Danny have reasons for the way they approach the world. As in every good romance, both protagonists are damaged, hurt by the whims of the world. Stover has chosen archetypes in order to knock them down and make us feel the emotions more vividly.
I stumbled a bit toward the end, when these two 30-something men, smart and educated, begin to act like petulant middle-schoolers. I did not fully embrace the author’s choices for his protagonists’ behavior—even if I fully applauded the ultimate goal.
The town of New Hope, a very real place, is imagined is a slightly Disney-esque way, but I don’t begrudge the author that. I have gay friends who moved to New Hope because of the kind of place it is. I love the idea of a happy town where everyone is valued and loved. In the current political climate in this country, we LGBTQ folk need this kind of thing to hold onto.
If you haven’t read it, I recommend the other book in this series, “The Hideaway Inn.”
November 1, 2021
I had some trouble with the first book in the series, but was invested enough to give this one a shot. I'm so glad I did because I really enjoyed this one. It was a really great enemies to lovers and just a fairly wholesome book. It's about these two guys who both rent out a part of this antique shop. Danny has a very eclectic childhood nostalgia style of antiques and Prescott has a very expensive refined style of antiques. The two of them are very much like oil and water and immediately hate each other. It is a surface level hate because as soon as they start to see the other one as a human with emotions and experiences they each become pretty soft for each other. It's pretty cute to be honest. They have to work together in the shop and there's also a secondary plot of trying to save some of the historical buildings in the town.
My main complaint about this is that there is just some weird language thrown in that threw me off while I was listening. There is only one steamy scene and it was so uncomfortable that I wanted to fast forward through it. The word "nips" is literally used and also the word cutie patootie and it just wasn't quite my thing. I'm pretty sure I both cringed and laughed out loud during those parts because it was so awkwardly uncomfortable. But as a whole I did like this one better than the first, you don't really have to read the first book to get this one even though those characters are secondary characters in this one. You can totally read as a standalone and be just fine.
My main complaint about this is that there is just some weird language thrown in that threw me off while I was listening. There is only one steamy scene and it was so uncomfortable that I wanted to fast forward through it. The word "nips" is literally used and also the word cutie patootie and it just wasn't quite my thing. I'm pretty sure I both cringed and laughed out loud during those parts because it was so awkwardly uncomfortable. But as a whole I did like this one better than the first, you don't really have to read the first book to get this one even though those characters are secondary characters in this one. You can totally read as a standalone and be just fine.
January 11, 2021
Philip William Stover is a new author for me and to be honest I didn't really know what the book was going to be about.
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The cover attracted me to a story that I did not expect to find and a group of lovable characters from the first dialogue.
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It is not the first lgtbq book that I read but if the first I find that has so much soul, I do not know if it is the correct expression, some stories take the characters from zero to one hundred but Stover really shapes them and makes them come out of their pages.
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In a beautiful context, a dream town where the community is a true family, Presscot and Dany must share the antique shop The Beautiful Things Shoppe, with conflicting tastes they are the perfect condiment for this enemies to lover RomCom.
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I loved every story and how they ended up blended, Dany and her burger Crocs, the smurfs and Star Wars was the perfect match for Presscot and his exquisite taste for the history of every object from the last century.
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It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed reading this book. The Beautiful Things Shoppe is the second book in this series of The New Hope but it may be a stand alone
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Thanks to #NetGalley and Harlequin Carina Press to let me read this beautiful book #TheBeautifulThingsShoppe before goes on sale this month. I'll be looking forward to read more book from this author
.
The cover attracted me to a story that I did not expect to find and a group of lovable characters from the first dialogue.
.
It is not the first lgtbq book that I read but if the first I find that has so much soul, I do not know if it is the correct expression, some stories take the characters from zero to one hundred but Stover really shapes them and makes them come out of their pages.
.
In a beautiful context, a dream town where the community is a true family, Presscot and Dany must share the antique shop The Beautiful Things Shoppe, with conflicting tastes they are the perfect condiment for this enemies to lover RomCom.
.
I loved every story and how they ended up blended, Dany and her burger Crocs, the smurfs and Star Wars was the perfect match for Presscot and his exquisite taste for the history of every object from the last century.
.
It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed reading this book. The Beautiful Things Shoppe is the second book in this series of The New Hope but it may be a stand alone
.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Harlequin Carina Press to let me read this beautiful book #TheBeautifulThingsShoppe before goes on sale this month. I'll be looking forward to read more book from this author
May 16, 2023
First off, this book is listed as Book #2 in a series. I didn't read the first book, but from what I see it appears some of the characters and venues in Book 1 reappear in Book 2; but I don't think I missed anything by skipping it.
As for New Hope itself, maybe there is some magic in places like that. The times I was there it reminded me a bit of Provincetown on Cape Cod, minus the beach. I was in New Hope a few times back in the 80s with friends, hanging out at the Raven and having a blast. The last time I was in New Hope was some years later with my boyfriend at the time. That was special. Reading Prescott and Danny's maybe maybe not romance reminded me of my own. And being in New Hope added to the good vibes of just being together.
Sometimes it's just nice to read a book you can just feel and not have to think about. too much.
As for New Hope itself, maybe there is some magic in places like that. The times I was there it reminded me a bit of Provincetown on Cape Cod, minus the beach. I was in New Hope a few times back in the 80s with friends, hanging out at the Raven and having a blast. The last time I was in New Hope was some years later with my boyfriend at the time. That was special. Reading Prescott and Danny's maybe maybe not romance reminded me of my own. And being in New Hope added to the good vibes of just being together.
Sometimes it's just nice to read a book you can just feel and not have to think about. too much.
September 1, 2021
The Beautiful Things Shoppe was a beautiful read with beautiful characters in a beautiful setting. This was a 4.5 star read for me and another LGBTQ author to add to my list. The story was so sweet and proved that oil and water can mix as in opposites attract. What a wonderful love story that was so impeccably written, including the bad guy. The book also proved that things that are ugly are actually beautiful too. We learned the lesson that we should not make assumptions because more often than not we assume wrong. Sometimes we see and hear things but we don't have the full story and assume the worst. Heart warming and touching as rom-coms can be The Beautiful Things Shoppe kept me reading and not wanting to put the book down. If you like LGBTQ rom-coms, antiques and old things that might seem to be trash but are really priceless, keep a kleenex or two at your side and sit down and enjoy getting lost in New Hope.
January 26, 2021
This was such a sweet story, so good I finished it in a day! I usually don’t pick up LGBTQ+ books, but this love story was too good not to check out.
It’s kind of an enemies to lovers trope, which are always fun. Prescott enjoys running the Beautiful Things Shoppe and like things to be elegant and fancy. When he learns he will be sharing space with Danny, who collects toys and trinkets, he realizes they are opposites all the way. Danny is one that leads with his heart and Prescott leads with his mind. When they learn of a couple local buildings that will torn down, they form an alliance to try and save them. I won’t give much away but you can pick this one up today!
It’s kind of an enemies to lovers trope, which are always fun. Prescott enjoys running the Beautiful Things Shoppe and like things to be elegant and fancy. When he learns he will be sharing space with Danny, who collects toys and trinkets, he realizes they are opposites all the way. Danny is one that leads with his heart and Prescott leads with his mind. When they learn of a couple local buildings that will torn down, they form an alliance to try and save them. I won’t give much away but you can pick this one up today!
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