The Bookshop of Secrets

GIVEAWAY

RUSHMEYER, MOLLIE

THE BOOKSHOP OF SECRETS

A collection of lost books holds the clues to her family's legacy -- and her future.

Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past, learning never to stay anywhere too long and never to allow anyone control over her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family's history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old bookshop are the books that hold Hope's last ties to her late mother -- and to a rumoured family treasure that could help her start over.

Only, the bookshop is in shambles, and the elderly owner is in the beginning stages of dementia and can't remember where the books lie. To find the last links to the loved ones she's lost, Hope must stay and accept help from the townsfolk to locate the treasured volumes. Each secret she uncovers brings her closer to understanding where she came from. But the longer she stays in the quaint town, the more people find their way into the cracks in her heart. And letting them in may be the greatest risk of all...

My Review:

Oh my heart! It's still feeling bruised and a might tickery now that I've come to the heartrending conclusion of 'The Bookshop of Secrets'. I really didn't know what to expect going into this read but Mollie Rushmeyer did not disappoint with her...gasp...debut novel!

This book gave me all the feels -- the way the author digs deep into her characters' emotions is phenomenal. Especially when it comes to Hope. Such a complex character with a heartbreaking past. Her wariness, the need to find comfort in isolation, and the tumultuous emotions that pour forth when she starts to make connections with an eclectic group of good people. Septuagenarian Mags sums it up best:

"Trust. Faith. It's a difficult thing when we have our eyes on the waves instead of the One who commands them. We can get so lost in the depths of our circumstances, we forget to look up."

That's Hope, lost in her circumstances -- a new Christian who can't quite forgive God for her past. Her faith journey is so achingly beautiful -- I wept in places. And the people who surround her with acceptance and unconditional love...phew, a powerful example of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Here's another quote, because I can't resist, this time wisdom shared by a very perceptive octogenarian, Ethel. (One thing I love about this story is the diverse friendships that span generations.)

"We might think we're too damaged to come to Him. That we're forgotten, cast aside. But He can make something beautiful out of the broken places of our lives. Even the most desperate places inside up just need light in order to heal and grow."

This is definitely Hope's story, but it's also the story of a town locked down by a false prejudice and the lives that negatively affects. These people need Hope as much as she needs them and I love the way the story builds to such a spectacular conclusion. Moved me to tears...again! Because:

"She'd never thought helping others could start stitching up the gashes in her own heart."

Goal Update: #3 Read more debut authors, #5 Diversify my reading,

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for an ebook or paperback copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Bookshop of Secrets, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 3 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.