The Bookshop of Secrets

Written by Mollie Rushmeyer

Narrated by Lesa Wilson

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 rumored 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…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin Audio
• Release date: Oct 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781488217920

Mollie Rushmeyer

Mollie writes Contemporary Fiction with a Heart for History, a blend of modern settings and fascinating historical elements woven throughout. A born and bred Midwestern gal, Mollie Rushmeyer, makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband and two beautiful daughters. She is not only a bibliophile (the dustier the better, in her opinion), she’s a true Britophile at heart. Tea and coffee fuel her travels, by Google maps at least, and her passion for the written word. 

Reviews for The Bookshop of Secrets

[Daniela Morilla Dicicco · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It was quite slow and religious oriented, sad. Not for me.

[Ann Bush · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book about dealing with the past, even if you don't want to, and moving on with God.

[Berly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars rounded up

I had heard so many good things about this book when it was first published. I waited and waited for the audio to come to Scribd. When I saw that it had made it there, I immediately listened!

This story has a lot of heart and many faith based references. There are scriptures and prayers throughout. Much reliance is also given to God being in control of events. While I can agree with that to a degree, I feel that our choices play a large role in the outcome of our lives. That part of the book did detract a bit in my opinion.

There are many bookish type references that many readers will no doubt enjoy throughout the story.

I enjoyed the story overall. The narrator was good but didn't get me immersed in the story. I mean I cared about it, but she didn't have character voices. So I felt like I was reading a book rather watching a movie. I don't know if that makes sense. The author described events and locations in a way that I could visualize in my mind. I just didn't feel part of the story somehow.

Content/trigger warnings: While these events are mentioned, they are not discussed in details. But I feel they do deserve to be mentioned.
Death of a parent, human trafficking, PTSD, panic attacks and dementia

[Aubrey Konrath · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I had to stop listening to this book because the narrator mispronounces Jane Eyre the whole book. As in instead of Eyre (air) they say Eyre (ire). Strange to say the least. It took me too long to figure out what book they were even talking about since they were not discussing the plot of the book - just the title.

[Veronica Pena Ruppert · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good story but would have been much better without all the religious references.