Sometimes I have to ask why I torture myself with books I know will be taxing on my soul. LOL! There are many fabulous authors that just know how to get to you in that fashion and Novak is one of the greats! She pushes the envelope with this upcoming publication I was able to review.
Here are my thoughts for:
The Bookstore On The Beach by Brenda Novak
- Publisher : MIRA; Original edition
- Pub Date: April 6, 2021
- ISBN-13 : 978-0778361053
ABOUT:
How do you start a new chapter of your life when you haven’t closed the book on the previous one?
Eighteen months ago, Autumn Divac’s husband went missing. Her desperate search has yielded no answers, and she can’t imagine moving forward without him. But for the sake of their two teenage children, she has to try.
Autumn takes her kids home for the summer to the charming beachside town where she was raised. She seeks comfort working alongside her mother and aunt at their bookshop, only to learn that her daughter is facing a huge life change and her mother has been hiding a terrible secret for years. And when she runs into the boy who stole her heart in high school, old feelings start to bubble up again. Is she free to love him, or should she hold out hope for her husband’s return? She can only trust her heart…and hope it won’t lead her astray.
The Bookstore On The Beach by Brenda Novak Review
This book is filled with scenarios that just really tug at your emotions. Who can even comprehend how they would feel let alone emotionally handle someone who was just missing.
There are a lot of different layers in this story and totally not just about a bookstore and the lives involved there. It is a much deeper story with it’s complexity. It’s about heartbreak and learning how to move past and try to live your life.
It’s also about secrets and hiding a huge part of your life from other people that will be greatly impacted by the truth. Plus, to add an additional layer that tugs on your heartstrings, we also are pulled into how the kids deal with this tragedy.
But it’s not all heartbreak and sadness. The beach brings light and starts to heal the broken hearts and that always makes for a beautiful story.
But Novak gets us one more time with her ending that is just so emotional, I think I kind of hated it. LOL I don’t want to give anything away but let’s just say you’ve got to read it and be ready for it all. The highs and lows. The smiles and tears. The strength and weakness.
With sweeping scenes of the beachfront which bring beautiful memories to the full feeling of happy hearts and happy lives, Novak tells a story that moves your heart and gives you a roller coaster of emotion. This is one book you will remember and want to read over and over again.
4 STARS!
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.