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The Happily Ever After Bookstore
Sometimes love needs a little shove.
At the Happily Ever After Bookstore, happiness is always found within the pages of the books on its shelves. Its owner, Leona, revels in finding each reader just the right book to bring them joy. She also enjoys meddling just enough to bring readers together who might not know they are destined for one another.
In need of a holiday pick-me-up, Sadie seeks out Leona's advice for a good holiday romance. While scanning the book selections, she knocks into Charlie McGowan, who is certainly out of his element. When they learn that Leona "accidentally" gave them the wrong bags at check out, Sadie and Charlie set out to find one another, only to fall for Leona's matchmaking tactics.
When author Fiona Gable and her ex-husband Price Richter end up in the same town, leave it to Leona to put them in one another's paths. Decades of marriage couldn't keep them together after love and loss, but could finding one another under new circumstances change everything?
Though skilled at pairing people together, Leona's ability to find love eluded her. Her true love was her bookstore. When the bookstore is in need of repair, Jon Ford is sent to fix it. Leona wonders if she might have finally found her happily ever after. But, as fate would have it, Jon comes with baggage-ages three and four. Does Leona have it in her to take on a store, a man, and a family just to have a happily ever after of her own?
At the Happily Ever After Bookstore, happiness is always found within the pages of the books on its shelves. Its owner, Leona, revels in finding each reader just the right book to bring them joy. She also enjoys meddling just enough to bring readers together who might not know they are destined for one another.
In need of a holiday pick-me-up, Sadie seeks out Leona's advice for a good holiday romance. While scanning the book selections, she knocks into Charlie McGowan, who is certainly out of his element. When they learn that Leona "accidentally" gave them the wrong bags at check out, Sadie and Charlie set out to find one another, only to fall for Leona's matchmaking tactics.
When author Fiona Gable and her ex-husband Price Richter end up in the same town, leave it to Leona to put them in one another's paths. Decades of marriage couldn't keep them together after love and loss, but could finding one another under new circumstances change everything?
Though skilled at pairing people together, Leona's ability to find love eluded her. Her true love was her bookstore. When the bookstore is in need of repair, Jon Ford is sent to fix it. Leona wonders if she might have finally found her happily ever after. But, as fate would have it, Jon comes with baggage-ages three and four. Does Leona have it in her to take on a store, a man, and a family just to have a happily ever after of her own?
292 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2022
57 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
About the author
Bernadette Marie
82 books777 followersBestselling Author Bernadette Marie writes contemporary romances and believes in Happily Ever After. The married mother of five believes in love at first sight, quick love, and second chances. An avid martial artist, Bernadette Marie is a certified instructor and holds a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. She loves Tai Chi, traveling to Disney parks, and having lunch with friends. When not writing, or running her own publishing house, Bernadette is probably immersed in a Rom Com, from which she will often quote one liners.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
August 10, 2023
The Happily Ever After Bookstore by Bernadette Marie
Contemporary romance.
Three interconnected romances around a small town bookstore.
Sadie and Charlie bump into each other at the bookstore and during checkout, Leona wraps their books and “accidentally” mixes the two up. Serendipity for these two with lots of things in common but it’s their first meeting in the bookstore.
Author Fiona Gable sees many posters around town for her ex husband’s band. Going into the bookstore starts a string of events that bring him back into her life.
Leona has set up couples but never experienced a fated love herself. Until a repairman comes in and fixes more than a burst pipe.
The stories intermix and have a lot of connection points and common couples.
Each of the stories is sweet and comforting where love happens quickly. Additional background stories make their connections all the more special.
Contemporary romance.
Three interconnected romances around a small town bookstore.
Sadie and Charlie bump into each other at the bookstore and during checkout, Leona wraps their books and “accidentally” mixes the two up. Serendipity for these two with lots of things in common but it’s their first meeting in the bookstore.
Author Fiona Gable sees many posters around town for her ex husband’s band. Going into the bookstore starts a string of events that bring him back into her life.
Leona has set up couples but never experienced a fated love herself. Until a repairman comes in and fixes more than a burst pipe.
The stories intermix and have a lot of connection points and common couples.
Each of the stories is sweet and comforting where love happens quickly. Additional background stories make their connections all the more special.
June 23, 2022
What a wonderful, heartwarming book. I love the three stories all connected by the bookstore and its matchmaker-owner, Leona. Lovable characters, a bookstore setting, and a dash of magic. That's the way to a reader's heart. This is such a feel good book, I am happy to recommend it.
June 11, 2022
Bookstores are amongst the happiest places on all the earth! Leona is the owner of the bookstore and she loves interjecting into the lives of others. When Sadie stops in to grab the newest book on the shelf and, quite literally, runs into Charlie who is buying a book for his grandmother, Leona works her magic and brings smiles to many faces.
Fiona is in a new town and stumbles into Leona's bookstore. Fiona has a new book that's about to be available to the public and Leona wants to host a book signing party for her. It's that flyer in the corner that catches Fiona's eye though. She's not sure she ever wants to see her ex-husband Prince again. Then he walks into the store during the book signing...
The pipes are a mess and water is leaking everywhere but here comes Jon to the rescue. He's always wanted to buy this old dilapidated building and fix it up but the codgy old man who owns it won't even consider selling. Then the pipes burst and Leona's bookstore is a total loss. Maybe the old man will change his mind now...
This story features 3 couples with a 4th playing a huge silent role! I was having a hard time believing in this story at first because, well, it just seemed to good to be true. However, the more I read the more I fell in love and by the end of this book, these characters almost felt like family! I have never read this author before but have since added all her books to my TBR pile! I love how she writes a clean novel that is enduring and leaves the reader feeling like they get their HEA after finishing the book!
Fiona is in a new town and stumbles into Leona's bookstore. Fiona has a new book that's about to be available to the public and Leona wants to host a book signing party for her. It's that flyer in the corner that catches Fiona's eye though. She's not sure she ever wants to see her ex-husband Prince again. Then he walks into the store during the book signing...
The pipes are a mess and water is leaking everywhere but here comes Jon to the rescue. He's always wanted to buy this old dilapidated building and fix it up but the codgy old man who owns it won't even consider selling. Then the pipes burst and Leona's bookstore is a total loss. Maybe the old man will change his mind now...
This story features 3 couples with a 4th playing a huge silent role! I was having a hard time believing in this story at first because, well, it just seemed to good to be true. However, the more I read the more I fell in love and by the end of this book, these characters almost felt like family! I have never read this author before but have since added all her books to my TBR pile! I love how she writes a clean novel that is enduring and leaves the reader feeling like they get their HEA after finishing the book!
June 15, 2022
This book was such a lovely read, I really did enjoy every single minute of it. I loved how it was three stories but they were all interconnecting – they really were an absolute joy to read. I think from the title it’s obvious the bookstore is the centre for all of these stories but each one slightly different in its own way. I loved all of the characters, they were so relatable and it felt like I was reading about friends at times. There is one thing for sure with this book it definitely left me smiling once I had finished.
This is definitely a book you can settle down with on a summer evening and enjoy – it is one that I would highly recommend!
This is definitely a book you can settle down with on a summer evening and enjoy – it is one that I would highly recommend!
June 11, 2022
This book is a must read on a sunny day with lemonade and comfy socks! A romantic story set in a book store that involves love connecting in 3 ways. This book was sweet and romantic and will have you smiling from ear to ear. Each relationship provided a new lease on love and happiness. This was a wonderful book I know I will be reading a second time.
June 13, 2022
This cute little book was fantastic! Each part (the book has 3 of them in it) are basically like a little mini story and I absolutely loved it. This book was not only romantic, and a very clean romance, good for just about any age, but it also felt completely magical. I honestly didn't want to put it down. I loved each if the characters and felt like I was right there. I laughed and I cried. I definitely want to read more about these couples in the future!
July 11, 2022
This book is just what you need when the world feels dark and lonely, when things get to be too much and you need to escape.
Pros:
While the book has the feeling of being three separate short stories, it truly is one story arc exploring just how far the ripples of love and happiness can travel and make a difference.
With three separate couples at different stages of life this book truly is one that can suit anyone and possibly one people will want to revisit at those different stages when they have a different perspective.
Cons:
While this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, it lacks the depth of most romances I have enjoyed and the “fluffiness” of the piece may be boring or too predictable for some people.
I wish that we had gotten the full story from Charlie and Ellen, maybe just from Charlie when he was telling Price as a sort of prologue before heading into part one. I feel like having that connection and knowing the details first would have tightened the connection between those the grandparents, the grandkids and the writer’s story. The bookstore story was already tangled in beautifully but maybe some hint of Jon earlier would have been nice too.
I feel like this is the sort of story people will want a sequel to so they can see how the next generation find their happy ever afters.
Pros:
While the book has the feeling of being three separate short stories, it truly is one story arc exploring just how far the ripples of love and happiness can travel and make a difference.
With three separate couples at different stages of life this book truly is one that can suit anyone and possibly one people will want to revisit at those different stages when they have a different perspective.
Cons:
While this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, it lacks the depth of most romances I have enjoyed and the “fluffiness” of the piece may be boring or too predictable for some people.
I wish that we had gotten the full story from Charlie and Ellen, maybe just from Charlie when he was telling Price as a sort of prologue before heading into part one. I feel like having that connection and knowing the details first would have tightened the connection between those the grandparents, the grandkids and the writer’s story. The bookstore story was already tangled in beautifully but maybe some hint of Jon earlier would have been nice too.
I feel like this is the sort of story people will want a sequel to so they can see how the next generation find their happy ever afters.
June 23, 2022
This book was well written. The book was romantic, sweet, adorable, and cute. Not only was the Romance in this book heart warming, the stories were really good. They have three different sweet romances. All adorable and good. I love that they tie in with each other in some way. If you're looking for a good story about couples, this is your book!
April 23, 2022
Three stories in one book, all about the Happily Ever After Bookshop. One sweet young love. One sweet reconnected love. One HEA for middle aged woman who never found love that was sweet but with lots to deal with! Three wonderful interwoven stories of strangers who become friends. And each story revolved around the bookshop and of course books!
I was skeptical that all three stories could be perfect...but they were! Perfectly delightful in spite of setbacks that life hands out. The characters all faced their own problems and embraced the new people who entered their lives. I loved seeing them interconnect and friendships grow and thrive. I couldn't bear to stop reading until I reached the end. There were a few tears and lots of smiles. This is definitely a book that will have you sighing and smiling long after you have written your review. Don't miss this wonderful book!
I was skeptical that all three stories could be perfect...but they were! Perfectly delightful in spite of setbacks that life hands out. The characters all faced their own problems and embraced the new people who entered their lives. I loved seeing them interconnect and friendships grow and thrive. I couldn't bear to stop reading until I reached the end. There were a few tears and lots of smiles. This is definitely a book that will have you sighing and smiling long after you have written your review. Don't miss this wonderful book!
July 19, 2023
Just not my cup of tea, people fell in love at the drop of a hat and it was too happy happy (without much conflict to be resolved)
July 10, 2023
This was an absolutely adorable read. If you like serendipitous meetings and good people getting their HEA, then read this book.
There are three separate love stories all set off by a fortuitous mix-up at The Happily Ever After Bookstore, and things come full circle when the last romance is for the owner of the bookstore.
These are three quick-to-declare love stories that remind us that when you know you know. We are reminded that choosing to love someone does not mean waiting to make sure you know them well enough, but committing to a lifetime of getting to know them.
I adored these characters and their stories and will read more by this author for sure!
There are three separate love stories all set off by a fortuitous mix-up at The Happily Ever After Bookstore, and things come full circle when the last romance is for the owner of the bookstore.
These are three quick-to-declare love stories that remind us that when you know you know. We are reminded that choosing to love someone does not mean waiting to make sure you know them well enough, but committing to a lifetime of getting to know them.
I adored these characters and their stories and will read more by this author for sure!
December 5, 2024
"The Happily Ever Afer Bookstore" by Bernadette Marie was a great read. I absolutely loved the characters and enjoyed the book. Leona owns a bookstore, and she is trying to help customers with their Happily Ever Afters. She has been waiting on Sadie for a while and knows her pretty good. One day, while Sadie is in the shop, Charlie stops in to get a book for his grandma. Leona feels that they would be perfect together and does her thing. Then, an author moves into town and is doing a signing at the bookstore when her ex-husband shows up. Last but not least, Leona finds herself noticing someone and not sure how she feels about it. This book just had the good feel vibes while I was reading it and gave me goosebumps a couple of times. I enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.
May 2, 2023
This book was just not it for me. Since there were three stories in one everything was so rushed, including their relationships. I don’t know, it was just weird to have three couples that all knew each other in some sort of way rush into marriages with one another. I think it’s unrealistic when people do that in real life, much less when every character in the book does it. There were times I didn’t want to finish but I always finish books, just some are harder to get through than others.
July 21, 2022
The Happily Ever After Bookstore
By Bernadette Marie
5*
This is a story that is told in three parts. All three parts are told surrounding the Happily Ever Bookstore and contains the same characters. Each also tells of a romance that takes place very quickly. In the first story, we meet Charlie and Sadie. They have bumped into each other in the bookstore and strike up a conversation. Charlie in a spur of the moment decision buys Sadie her book. Leona insists on wrapping the books up. When they get home each discovers they were given the other’s books. Sadie has received the book that Charlie has purchased for his grandmother and Charlie’s grandmother has received a holiday romance. Charlie’s grandmother is so pleased with the romance and it seems to have created a spell on her. She has been in a nursing home with alzheimers and doesn’t remember Charlie despite him having visited her daily. However, after reading this romance she has come alive. She knows him and remembers him. Meanwhile, Sadie is determined to return Charlie’s book to him. They meet again and what continues is what I can only call the most magical love story.
The second story follows Fiona and Price. They were married a long time ago and both chose their careers over one another. But perhaps, their past held sadness they didn’t want to face either. Fate would have it that they both have ended up in the same small town and what begins with dinner continues to be a story about lost love and what happens when pride is put aside.
Our final story features Leona. Leona owns The Happily Every Bookstore. Despite have had many happy ever afters found through her she seems to think she will never have her own. One day Jon comes to repair part of the building and he finds himself drawn to not only the building but also the magical owner of the bookstore. Jon and Leona work together to become business partners. They begin to foster a love of their own.
Each of these stories was amazing and so heartfelt. I loved the final story the best. I think that each story appeals to different types of love. But I loved the story of Leona who felt happily ever after passed her by. But rather it showed up when she least expected it.
I truly cannot recommend this book enough! It was so well written and I’m off to find if the other has written any other books!
By Bernadette Marie
5*
This is a story that is told in three parts. All three parts are told surrounding the Happily Ever Bookstore and contains the same characters. Each also tells of a romance that takes place very quickly. In the first story, we meet Charlie and Sadie. They have bumped into each other in the bookstore and strike up a conversation. Charlie in a spur of the moment decision buys Sadie her book. Leona insists on wrapping the books up. When they get home each discovers they were given the other’s books. Sadie has received the book that Charlie has purchased for his grandmother and Charlie’s grandmother has received a holiday romance. Charlie’s grandmother is so pleased with the romance and it seems to have created a spell on her. She has been in a nursing home with alzheimers and doesn’t remember Charlie despite him having visited her daily. However, after reading this romance she has come alive. She knows him and remembers him. Meanwhile, Sadie is determined to return Charlie’s book to him. They meet again and what continues is what I can only call the most magical love story.
The second story follows Fiona and Price. They were married a long time ago and both chose their careers over one another. But perhaps, their past held sadness they didn’t want to face either. Fate would have it that they both have ended up in the same small town and what begins with dinner continues to be a story about lost love and what happens when pride is put aside.
Our final story features Leona. Leona owns The Happily Every Bookstore. Despite have had many happy ever afters found through her she seems to think she will never have her own. One day Jon comes to repair part of the building and he finds himself drawn to not only the building but also the magical owner of the bookstore. Jon and Leona work together to become business partners. They begin to foster a love of their own.
Each of these stories was amazing and so heartfelt. I loved the final story the best. I think that each story appeals to different types of love. But I loved the story of Leona who felt happily ever after passed her by. But rather it showed up when she least expected it.
I truly cannot recommend this book enough! It was so well written and I’m off to find if the other has written any other books!
July 8, 2022
This is a book for the romantic at heart for sure. Sometimes it seems as though each pair of characters should have their own book rather than all being done in one book. That would give more time to develop the stories a bit more but instead they are like snapshots of people’s lives as they find the right book and start a new chapter in their lives.
Leona, our bookstore connoisseur, has a knack for finding everyone just the right book and giving a little extra push to find their happily ever after even if they were not necessarily looking. When Sadie comes in looking for the perfect Christmas romance, Leona points her in the right direction where she then bumps into Charlie. After both have found their books they pay and leave only to discover later that Leona switched their bags. Now the hunt is on to find each other and return the books to their rightful owners. However, things do not always go to plan, can Sadie have a Christmas romance all her own with Charlie?
Then there is Fiona who comes to town and runs across Leona. Leona discovers Fiona’s ex Price is also in town and though things didn’t work in the past it is clear there is still something there. Will sparks fly as Fiona and Price meet again with differing happenstance? Or is the past too much to move past?
Leona who has an easy time pointing others in the right direction and with just enough meddling helps them find their happily ever afters just cannot seem to find her own Mr. Right. Add to that problems with the bookstore and it all seems to be too much. Enter Jon, a local handyman available to help put the bookstore back to rights again. They both feel the attraction but Leona is certainly conflicted as Jon comes with two little tagalongs. Is Leona ready to not only manage the bookstore but a romance and a family at the same time?
This is definitely a cutesy romance novel that is simply an enjoyable read. I would have liked this to be a series so we could take a deeper dive into the characters and their lives instead of being little snippets of time. Overall I enjoyed this book and it would make a great beach read for anyone looking for a chance to escape and read about happily ever afters.
Leona, our bookstore connoisseur, has a knack for finding everyone just the right book and giving a little extra push to find their happily ever after even if they were not necessarily looking. When Sadie comes in looking for the perfect Christmas romance, Leona points her in the right direction where she then bumps into Charlie. After both have found their books they pay and leave only to discover later that Leona switched their bags. Now the hunt is on to find each other and return the books to their rightful owners. However, things do not always go to plan, can Sadie have a Christmas romance all her own with Charlie?
Then there is Fiona who comes to town and runs across Leona. Leona discovers Fiona’s ex Price is also in town and though things didn’t work in the past it is clear there is still something there. Will sparks fly as Fiona and Price meet again with differing happenstance? Or is the past too much to move past?
Leona who has an easy time pointing others in the right direction and with just enough meddling helps them find their happily ever afters just cannot seem to find her own Mr. Right. Add to that problems with the bookstore and it all seems to be too much. Enter Jon, a local handyman available to help put the bookstore back to rights again. They both feel the attraction but Leona is certainly conflicted as Jon comes with two little tagalongs. Is Leona ready to not only manage the bookstore but a romance and a family at the same time?
This is definitely a cutesy romance novel that is simply an enjoyable read. I would have liked this to be a series so we could take a deeper dive into the characters and their lives instead of being little snippets of time. Overall I enjoyed this book and it would make a great beach read for anyone looking for a chance to escape and read about happily ever afters.
July 3, 2022
At Happily Ever After Bookstore, you come for a book but you get a Happily Ever After with it. Sometimes that happy ever after is in the book you’ve purchased, other times, you might just find it with someone else. Leona loves helping her customers find the perfect book, but when possible she might meddle a little more and help them find something they were missing.
When Sadie comes in looking for a Christmas Romance, Leona points her in the right direction. While looking for the perfect book, she bumps into Charlie. After both have selected their books, paid and left, they soon discover that Leona has mixed up their books! Now, on the hunt to find one another, they find themselves in the midst of match making and a holiday miracle starts to happen.
Sadie and Charlie aren’t the only ones who are finding their Happy Ever After from the bookstore either! When Fiona moves to town, she’s planning on starting over years after her divorce. When Leona discovers that both Fiona and her ex-husband Price are in the same town, she uses her skills to get them alone together. After all, it’s obvious there is unfinished business there.
Just when Leona thinks she’ll never find her happily ever after, something goes wrong with the bookstore and Jon Ford, handyman, enters to help fix it up. In no time, Leona starts to believe he could be her happily ever after but then finds out it’s more than just him she’s getting into. Is she ready to live a man and his kids with her whole being?
I loved this books set up and idea! The author does a wonderful job creating her characters and helping the reader see them fall in love. I only wish that it had been more interspersed or that each set of characters had their own book with more detail in it. The way this is set up gives more of a short story feel, which leaves me craving more.
Happily Ever After Bookstore definitely makes you believe in the magic of a good book and I’m curious to see if we get anymore of the happy ever afters that Leona has, or will, play a part in. Great writing, great premise and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
When Sadie comes in looking for a Christmas Romance, Leona points her in the right direction. While looking for the perfect book, she bumps into Charlie. After both have selected their books, paid and left, they soon discover that Leona has mixed up their books! Now, on the hunt to find one another, they find themselves in the midst of match making and a holiday miracle starts to happen.
Sadie and Charlie aren’t the only ones who are finding their Happy Ever After from the bookstore either! When Fiona moves to town, she’s planning on starting over years after her divorce. When Leona discovers that both Fiona and her ex-husband Price are in the same town, she uses her skills to get them alone together. After all, it’s obvious there is unfinished business there.
Just when Leona thinks she’ll never find her happily ever after, something goes wrong with the bookstore and Jon Ford, handyman, enters to help fix it up. In no time, Leona starts to believe he could be her happily ever after but then finds out it’s more than just him she’s getting into. Is she ready to live a man and his kids with her whole being?
I loved this books set up and idea! The author does a wonderful job creating her characters and helping the reader see them fall in love. I only wish that it had been more interspersed or that each set of characters had their own book with more detail in it. The way this is set up gives more of a short story feel, which leaves me craving more.
Happily Ever After Bookstore definitely makes you believe in the magic of a good book and I’m curious to see if we get anymore of the happy ever afters that Leona has, or will, play a part in. Great writing, great premise and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
June 11, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming contemporary romance novel, with three interwoven stories all based around the ‘Happily Ever After Bookstore’. The owner of the bookstore is Leona, and she not only loves finding readers the right book, but also the right partner, even if the pair might not know that they are destined to be together. When Sadie enters the bookstore to ask for Leona’s advice for a holiday romance, she knocks into Charlie McGowan, who seems out of his element. Sadie and Charlie soon discover that Leona has “accidentally” given them the wrong bags. As they meet to swap bags, will they fall for the bookstore owners matchmaking. Leona is at it again, when author Fiona Gable and her ex-husband, Price Richter end up in the town at the same time. Having been married and both loved and lost the couple split up, but maybe finding each other under different circumstances might change everything.
Leona may be skilled at pairing other people together, but she’s never found love herself, after all the bookstore is her true love. However, when Jon Ford is sent to fix some repairs in the bookstore, Leona wonders if she may have actually found her own happily ever after. When Leona learns that Jon comes with baggage, in the form of a three year old and a four year old, she’s not sure if she’s ready to take on a man, and a ready made family as well as her bookstore, but she definitely deserves her own happily ever after. This was an enjoyable and engaging read which kept me happily entertained and turning the pages. This wonderfully written novel, had a lighthearted and romantic storyline with very likeable and relatable characters, all set in a bookstore, the perfect combination!
Leona may be skilled at pairing other people together, but she’s never found love herself, after all the bookstore is her true love. However, when Jon Ford is sent to fix some repairs in the bookstore, Leona wonders if she may have actually found her own happily ever after. When Leona learns that Jon comes with baggage, in the form of a three year old and a four year old, she’s not sure if she’s ready to take on a man, and a ready made family as well as her bookstore, but she definitely deserves her own happily ever after. This was an enjoyable and engaging read which kept me happily entertained and turning the pages. This wonderfully written novel, had a lighthearted and romantic storyline with very likeable and relatable characters, all set in a bookstore, the perfect combination!
June 12, 2022
The Happily Ever After Bookstore by Bernadette Marie
The absolute sweetest book I have read in so long ….had me with all the feels! Wish I could give a gazillion stars….it was THAT good! The author pulls the reader in, having you feel like you are part of the town & the bookshop!
Three love stories, entwined by the Happily Ever After Bookstore—all leave the reader believing that happily ever after is indeed possible!
In the first story, the author demonstrates that sometimes it doesn’t matter how long you’ve know each other—some people are just destined to be together, whether you’ve know each other for 5mins or 5yrs. Fate (as well as shop owner, Leona) intervened when Sadie & Charlie crossed paths at the bookshop during the holiday season. A Christmas Eve mix up had the two them enjoying each other’s company and quickly falling in love—-with history repeating itself.
In the 2nd story, the author shows that it’s never too late for a second chance! When Fiona is in town for a book signing, she is surprised to learn her ex-husband, Price is also in town indefinitely. While their paths happen to cross at the bookstore during Fiona’s book signing, they (along with Leona) realize that the spark is still there.
In the last story, it is only fitting that the hopeless romantic bookshop owner, Leona, has the opportunity for her own “happily ever after”, when handyman Jon Ford shows up to repair the shop.
Best feel good book that I’ve read in a long time. Captivating the audience, leaving the reader rooting for everyone to get their “happily ever after”.
The absolute sweetest book I have read in so long ….had me with all the feels! Wish I could give a gazillion stars….it was THAT good! The author pulls the reader in, having you feel like you are part of the town & the bookshop!
Three love stories, entwined by the Happily Ever After Bookstore—all leave the reader believing that happily ever after is indeed possible!
In the first story, the author demonstrates that sometimes it doesn’t matter how long you’ve know each other—some people are just destined to be together, whether you’ve know each other for 5mins or 5yrs. Fate (as well as shop owner, Leona) intervened when Sadie & Charlie crossed paths at the bookshop during the holiday season. A Christmas Eve mix up had the two them enjoying each other’s company and quickly falling in love—-with history repeating itself.
In the 2nd story, the author shows that it’s never too late for a second chance! When Fiona is in town for a book signing, she is surprised to learn her ex-husband, Price is also in town indefinitely. While their paths happen to cross at the bookstore during Fiona’s book signing, they (along with Leona) realize that the spark is still there.
In the last story, it is only fitting that the hopeless romantic bookshop owner, Leona, has the opportunity for her own “happily ever after”, when handyman Jon Ford shows up to repair the shop.
Best feel good book that I’ve read in a long time. Captivating the audience, leaving the reader rooting for everyone to get their “happily ever after”.
August 11, 2023
2.2 stars !! I am definitely in the minority here because this book is very highly rated. I really think it just wasn’t for me. The first story between Charlie and Sadie was cute, I liked that one. But the other two and the ending just did not work out.
I was never a huge fan of the love at first sight trope, and this book was that on steroids. We were at marriage at first sight (basically). All I could think through every story was “girl, you don’t know this man!! He could be a serial killer!” Obviously that was not the point of this story, but it made everything feel superficial and unbelievable. Especially the second and third stories.
The second story also seemed to have a case of bad writing that was unique to just that story. The first and third ones were fine. But the second one felt like a much younger writer had written it, it felt clunky. There were a lot of repeated phrases, like “shrugged off her coat” was used so much I noticed it every time. This was just in the second story though, and I’m not sure why.
Lastly, the epilogue… just no. If you read it you’ll understand why.
Overall I think this book just did not appeal to me. Plenty of people loved it and that was great, it just wasn’t what I expected and left me wanting more depth from the stories and the characters. Honestly what I would have wanted was a whole story on Charlie and Sadie. Their story was the best out of them so. But unfortunately that wasn’t the case here. It’s a good book if you like intense instalove or if you’re a fan of short stories, though.
I was never a huge fan of the love at first sight trope, and this book was that on steroids. We were at marriage at first sight (basically). All I could think through every story was “girl, you don’t know this man!! He could be a serial killer!” Obviously that was not the point of this story, but it made everything feel superficial and unbelievable. Especially the second and third stories.
The second story also seemed to have a case of bad writing that was unique to just that story. The first and third ones were fine. But the second one felt like a much younger writer had written it, it felt clunky. There were a lot of repeated phrases, like “shrugged off her coat” was used so much I noticed it every time. This was just in the second story though, and I’m not sure why.
Lastly, the epilogue… just no. If you read it you’ll understand why.
Overall I think this book just did not appeal to me. Plenty of people loved it and that was great, it just wasn’t what I expected and left me wanting more depth from the stories and the characters. Honestly what I would have wanted was a whole story on Charlie and Sadie. Their story was the best out of them so. But unfortunately that wasn’t the case here. It’s a good book if you like intense instalove or if you’re a fan of short stories, though.
August 1, 2022
Thank you to Bernadette Marie and 5Prince Publishing for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm a sucker for books about bookstores, libraries, and books about books, so I really wanted to read this one just because of the title. Leona owns The Happily Ever After Bookstore, a place where magical things happen when you shop there. Sadie is a regular customer at the bookstore, and she literally bumps into Charlie, who is buying a book for his grandmother around Christmastime. Leona "accidentally" swaps their books. Fiona Gable, a best-selling author, just moved to town for a fresh start. Her ex-husband Price is in town coincidentally due to an accident. Can they move past their history? Leona is quite married to her bookstore, but when Jon Ford, the local handyman comes to fix her bookstore's pipes, can she look past his gruff exterior and having kids?
The book reads like three mini novellas put into a book, but are interconnected somehow. I thought it was a nice read if you like the instalove trope. I am actually not a big fan of it, but I really did like Fiona and Price's second chance at love story. Sadie and Charlie's story and Leona and Jon's story, I didn't think was realistic. In addition, I don't think there was enough background for some of the characters, which was disappointing.
I'm a sucker for books about bookstores, libraries, and books about books, so I really wanted to read this one just because of the title. Leona owns The Happily Ever After Bookstore, a place where magical things happen when you shop there. Sadie is a regular customer at the bookstore, and she literally bumps into Charlie, who is buying a book for his grandmother around Christmastime. Leona "accidentally" swaps their books. Fiona Gable, a best-selling author, just moved to town for a fresh start. Her ex-husband Price is in town coincidentally due to an accident. Can they move past their history? Leona is quite married to her bookstore, but when Jon Ford, the local handyman comes to fix her bookstore's pipes, can she look past his gruff exterior and having kids?
The book reads like three mini novellas put into a book, but are interconnected somehow. I thought it was a nice read if you like the instalove trope. I am actually not a big fan of it, but I really did like Fiona and Price's second chance at love story. Sadie and Charlie's story and Leona and Jon's story, I didn't think was realistic. In addition, I don't think there was enough background for some of the characters, which was disappointing.
June 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this romance story. What made it unique and different is that you get 3 romances for the price of one. The author does an amazing job of linking all the characters which makes the story flow really well. This story has it all and no matter what the circumstances proves that love will always find a way.
Firstly let me start by staying that it is Leona and her bookstore who are the matchmakers of our story.
Firstly we meet Sadie and Charlie. Both were in the book story looking for something neither of them knew they needed. When Leona sees their chemistry she plays a little switch with their purchases which means they have to reconnect. And so their friendship blooms into something amazing.
The 2nd relationship is between Fiona Gable and her ex husband. They find themselves in the same town at the same. Can Leona work her magic and repair and rekindle a love the died within the marriage?
And finally we have Leona herself. Her one love is her bookstore. She has never found that special someone. But when she hires Jon to help with repairs on her shop that could all change. However Jon is not without his own baggage. Can Leona finally give her love to more than just her bookshop? Will she finally get her happily ever after?
Firstly let me start by staying that it is Leona and her bookstore who are the matchmakers of our story.
Firstly we meet Sadie and Charlie. Both were in the book story looking for something neither of them knew they needed. When Leona sees their chemistry she plays a little switch with their purchases which means they have to reconnect. And so their friendship blooms into something amazing.
The 2nd relationship is between Fiona Gable and her ex husband. They find themselves in the same town at the same. Can Leona work her magic and repair and rekindle a love the died within the marriage?
And finally we have Leona herself. Her one love is her bookstore. She has never found that special someone. But when she hires Jon to help with repairs on her shop that could all change. However Jon is not without his own baggage. Can Leona finally give her love to more than just her bookshop? Will she finally get her happily ever after?
June 13, 2022
This is the first book I have read from this author and now she has a new fan. I love a good small town romance but this story exceeded all my expectations. This book gives you three amazing stories. If you need a pick me up, this book is the one to read. You will fall in love with these characters right from the start. I could not put this book down until the end and it only took me a little over a day to devour these amazing stories.
Sadie loves reading her romance books but she just can’t find the right guy. She goes to the bookstore owner for some advice. Sadie is looking at some books when she bumps into a very cute guy. She gets to talking to him and they have a lot of things in common. Sadie can’t believe that she might have found the one she has been looking for but does he feel the same about her?
Fiona loves being an author and she finds herself in a small little town. She is going to do a signing and she is in complete shock when she sees her ex husband that she is still in love with.
Leona loves to help other people find love but herself. She needs to update the bookstore. Leona meets the very handsome Jon. Leona is head over heels but he has young kids and she doesn’t know if she can handle a family right now.
Sadie loves reading her romance books but she just can’t find the right guy. She goes to the bookstore owner for some advice. Sadie is looking at some books when she bumps into a very cute guy. She gets to talking to him and they have a lot of things in common. Sadie can’t believe that she might have found the one she has been looking for but does he feel the same about her?
Fiona loves being an author and she finds herself in a small little town. She is going to do a signing and she is in complete shock when she sees her ex husband that she is still in love with.
Leona loves to help other people find love but herself. She needs to update the bookstore. Leona meets the very handsome Jon. Leona is head over heels but he has young kids and she doesn’t know if she can handle a family right now.
August 13, 2022
Thank you so much @bernadettemarie and @5princepublishing for sending me this book to review!
“Leona believed in happily ever afters. So much so, she named her store after it. But, the truth was, she’s never had her own.” Page 191
Leona is the proud owner of the “Happily Ever After Bookstore” a small independent bookstore in New York. She believes that if you spend enough time in her bookstore your very own happily ever after will come to fruition. Partly because of her very own matchmaking and meddling. This book is a compilation of three short stories. Each focusing on a certain couple who find love in this magical bookstore. The following are the couples and the tropes that appear in each of the short stories.
1) Sophie and Charlie
-Instant Love
-Meet-Cute
2) Fiona and Price
-Second Chance Romance
3) Leona and Jon
-Grumpy X Sunshine
-Single Dad
Overall, I though this book was super cute. I liked the format of the three short stories about 100 pages each. They all blended together, with the characters continuing to have a presence in the next story. The epilogue wrapped up everyone’s stories nicely.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to read a quick fluffy romance.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
“Leona believed in happily ever afters. So much so, she named her store after it. But, the truth was, she’s never had her own.” Page 191
Leona is the proud owner of the “Happily Ever After Bookstore” a small independent bookstore in New York. She believes that if you spend enough time in her bookstore your very own happily ever after will come to fruition. Partly because of her very own matchmaking and meddling. This book is a compilation of three short stories. Each focusing on a certain couple who find love in this magical bookstore. The following are the couples and the tropes that appear in each of the short stories.
1) Sophie and Charlie
-Instant Love
-Meet-Cute
2) Fiona and Price
-Second Chance Romance
3) Leona and Jon
-Grumpy X Sunshine
-Single Dad
Overall, I though this book was super cute. I liked the format of the three short stories about 100 pages each. They all blended together, with the characters continuing to have a presence in the next story. The epilogue wrapped up everyone’s stories nicely.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to read a quick fluffy romance.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
June 11, 2022
What is not to love !?!? It’s pink and it’s set in a bookstore ! My heart is bursting to get lost in between these pages !!!
Well I already fell in love from page one and when you get to read it yourself you’ll understand why ❣️📕
This is one of those books that just grab you and run , you get lost and forget about the world as you know it for a few hours !!!!
From the moment I heard the bells chime as I walked in the door with Sadie I could feel and smell the books , I could hear Leona’s friendly greeting and jingling bangles ❣️📕
Charlie walks in and I just want to slap him because I felt he disrespected hallowed ground but I can’t stay cross with him for too long , he’s such a charmer without even trying and the the fact that he has such a special bond with his grandmother won me over 😉
Leona is something of a matchmaker and when Jon comes into her life I could only hope that she wouldn’t be immune to Cupid’s love potion ❣️
Fiona and Price what can I say , another of Leona’s match making success stories ….❣️
There really is something magical about this book and all it’s characters , it will own your heart and you just want to share it with anyone and everyone ❣️📕
Well I already fell in love from page one and when you get to read it yourself you’ll understand why ❣️📕
This is one of those books that just grab you and run , you get lost and forget about the world as you know it for a few hours !!!!
From the moment I heard the bells chime as I walked in the door with Sadie I could feel and smell the books , I could hear Leona’s friendly greeting and jingling bangles ❣️📕
Charlie walks in and I just want to slap him because I felt he disrespected hallowed ground but I can’t stay cross with him for too long , he’s such a charmer without even trying and the the fact that he has such a special bond with his grandmother won me over 😉
Leona is something of a matchmaker and when Jon comes into her life I could only hope that she wouldn’t be immune to Cupid’s love potion ❣️
Fiona and Price what can I say , another of Leona’s match making success stories ….❣️
There really is something magical about this book and all it’s characters , it will own your heart and you just want to share it with anyone and everyone ❣️📕
July 2, 2022
Adorable interwoven tale of three women looking for something and finding love, friendship, and family at a bookstore dedicated to happy endings.
Leona, the owner of the bookstore, starts Sadie and Charlie off on their romance by “accidentally” swapping Sadie’s romance novel for the biography Charlie is buying for his grandmother. Inspired by Charlie’s grandparents, Charlie asks Sadie to marry him just days after they meet. Leona is at it again when she sets up Fiona and Price, a divorced couple looking for a second chance at love. Despite her record for finding other’s their HEA’s, Leona finds her life a little lonely until a brutish handyman tells her he is shutting off the water to her building one day to fix a leak in the apartment upstairs. Jon hasn’t had it easy in the love department and he isn’t looking for anything right now. He has enough going on in his life. The inspiration of Charlie’s grandparents is felt far and wide. Jon takes a chance on love again with Fiona.
Insta-love abounds in these quirky tales of a charming bookstore and the people that are a part of its story.
Leona, the owner of the bookstore, starts Sadie and Charlie off on their romance by “accidentally” swapping Sadie’s romance novel for the biography Charlie is buying for his grandmother. Inspired by Charlie’s grandparents, Charlie asks Sadie to marry him just days after they meet. Leona is at it again when she sets up Fiona and Price, a divorced couple looking for a second chance at love. Despite her record for finding other’s their HEA’s, Leona finds her life a little lonely until a brutish handyman tells her he is shutting off the water to her building one day to fix a leak in the apartment upstairs. Jon hasn’t had it easy in the love department and he isn’t looking for anything right now. He has enough going on in his life. The inspiration of Charlie’s grandparents is felt far and wide. Jon takes a chance on love again with Fiona.
Insta-love abounds in these quirky tales of a charming bookstore and the people that are a part of its story.
June 11, 2022
This book held 3 wonderful, sweet stories! I was literally gushing as I read, the stories were happy and brought on those tender moments I love so much! I was truly captivated and in my own awe as I read, just reading these books made my heart and mind feel happy! Wonderful book of stories!
Each one had characters that lost a chance of what they considered to be happy! As they visit this magical bookstore, the unthinkable happens. Something happens to all the characters in every story that might just give them their happily ever after! But the bookstore really is the thing that sets up the happily ever after for the characters, to keep it and hold onto it, they have to work their own magic! Loved the realism behind these stories and how captivating they were! Really loved and enjoyed these!
Such a wonderful read of second chances and hope. I devoured these very quickly. I wanted to see what would come of each story! I am so happy I got to read these stories! Highly recommend with no doubt!
Each one had characters that lost a chance of what they considered to be happy! As they visit this magical bookstore, the unthinkable happens. Something happens to all the characters in every story that might just give them their happily ever after! But the bookstore really is the thing that sets up the happily ever after for the characters, to keep it and hold onto it, they have to work their own magic! Loved the realism behind these stories and how captivating they were! Really loved and enjoyed these!
Such a wonderful read of second chances and hope. I devoured these very quickly. I wanted to see what would come of each story! I am so happy I got to read these stories! Highly recommend with no doubt!
June 20, 2022
Do you believe in fate? How about coincidence? Can fate have a little help? In reading The Happily Ever After Bookstore, you find yourself wondering these things. And if fate does have a little help, and things turn out well, maybe that is a good thing….as if it was meant to be. And with fate and/or coincidence involved, one understands the name of the book store, Happily Ever After.
I was drawn to this book simply because of the setting of a book store. (A dream job for me, I get to “work” in book stores through books.) Somewhat similar to The Little Paris Bookshop, Leona works to be sure every customer has a “happily-ever-after” experience when purchasing from her bookstore, much like the owner of the book barge in The Little Paris Bookshop. Is it possible that Leona manages to mix good choices with luck or fate? When things work out as happily as things do in this book, you find yourself wanting to visit Fiona and let her work with your fate!
The book centers on several people and has a somewhat circular story lines where everything comes together in the end. The characters are all likeable and real. I felt a good understanding of the family dynamics and emotions of the characters, which is important to truly understand the people. It was also good having a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer’s as the author made a point to show how an Alzheimer’s patient may go in and out of being aware of people and events.
For a “feel good” read, take the time to read this one. It is a five-star book simply for how good you might feel after reading it. Is it great literature? Maybe not but it sure is good.
I was drawn to this book simply because of the setting of a book store. (A dream job for me, I get to “work” in book stores through books.) Somewhat similar to The Little Paris Bookshop, Leona works to be sure every customer has a “happily-ever-after” experience when purchasing from her bookstore, much like the owner of the book barge in The Little Paris Bookshop. Is it possible that Leona manages to mix good choices with luck or fate? When things work out as happily as things do in this book, you find yourself wanting to visit Fiona and let her work with your fate!
The book centers on several people and has a somewhat circular story lines where everything comes together in the end. The characters are all likeable and real. I felt a good understanding of the family dynamics and emotions of the characters, which is important to truly understand the people. It was also good having a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer’s as the author made a point to show how an Alzheimer’s patient may go in and out of being aware of people and events.
For a “feel good” read, take the time to read this one. It is a five-star book simply for how good you might feel after reading it. Is it great literature? Maybe not but it sure is good.
June 15, 2022
I love reading books about books and bookstores! The bookstore sounds so cute and Leona is a fun character who always knows the exact book for each patron. She even wraps the books like a present because if you are buying it for yourself it is still a gift! Leona mixes up the books for Charlie and Sadie when they are checking out at the same time. Charlie was buying a book for his grandmother about an old movie star and Sadie was looking for a holiday romance. They end up finding each other the next day and go visit grandma who has dementia. She ends up loving the holiday romance and even remembers Charlie and uses his name when he comes the next day to exchange the books. Sadie and Charlie spend the day together and are instantly connected. Fiona is an author who is still trying to get over her divorce and moves into town. Her ex, a musician, is also there by coincidence and the bookstore brings them together to talk for the first time in many years. There are so many fun stories in this book, I enjoyed it a lot!
June 30, 2022
I loved this story! It was a three part book, so it was like having 3 mini books in 1! I love how they all started and ended in a bookstore, one of my favorite places to be! Everything starts at Leona’s book store where we meet Sadie and Charlie, two singles people trying to making it through the holidays, and then Fiona, a famous author, and Price a traveling musician who after years of being divorced, are reunited at the bookstore and small town. Leona sets up a book signing and ensures Price will be there, is that the nudge they need to make it work? Part 3 Leona meets Jon, a fix it man, who is working on the building her bookstore is in. The thread the winds through all of the stories is a love story about a woman named Ellen who met a man named Charlie and the next day they ran away on a train and got married and their happily ever after resonates through all of these stories. I just loved the writing and I loved how well written the characters were. This was such a sweet story, I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I will be checking out the rest of her books!
June 7, 2022
Title: The Happily Ever After Bookstore
Author: Bernadette Marie
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Read if you like:
Romance
Multiple POV
Happily Ever After
Contemporary Romance
Small town feels
My Thoughts:
While romance is not the genre that I first gravitate towards, this book was such a sweet read. I finished it in one day because I didn’t want to put it down and each of the three stories had me captivated the entire time! This book is separated into three parts and follow three different stories that all very obviously fit together. I did find it a tad unrealistic how quickly some of these relationships spawned, it is a book and part of the fun is suspending reality plus who doesn’t like a “fairy godmother” type stunt. This is a very PG romance book, so just a heads up if you’re expecting anything smutty you won’t be getting it here, but I still would recommend The Happily Ever After Bookstore!
Author: Bernadette Marie
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Read if you like:
Romance
Multiple POV
Happily Ever After
Contemporary Romance
Small town feels
My Thoughts:
While romance is not the genre that I first gravitate towards, this book was such a sweet read. I finished it in one day because I didn’t want to put it down and each of the three stories had me captivated the entire time! This book is separated into three parts and follow three different stories that all very obviously fit together. I did find it a tad unrealistic how quickly some of these relationships spawned, it is a book and part of the fun is suspending reality plus who doesn’t like a “fairy godmother” type stunt. This is a very PG romance book, so just a heads up if you’re expecting anything smutty you won’t be getting it here, but I still would recommend The Happily Ever After Bookstore!
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