The Bookshop on the Shore

A Novel

By: Jenny Colgan

Narrated by: Eilidh Beaton

A grand baronial house on Loch Ness, a quirky small-town bookseller, and a single mom looking for a fresh start all come together in this witty and warm-hearted novel by New York Times bestselling author Jenny Colgan.

Desperate to escape from London, single mother Zoe wants to build a new life for herself and her four year old son Hari. She can barely afford the crammed studio apartment on a busy street where shouting football fans keep them awake all night. Hari’s dad, Jaz, a charismatic but perpetually broke DJ, is no help at all. But his sister Surinder comes to Zoe’s aid, hooking her up with a job as far away from the urban crush as possible: a bookshop on the banks of Loch Ness. And there’s a second job to cover housing: Zoe will be an au pair for three children at a genuine castle in the Scottish Highlands.

But while Scotland is everything Zoe dreamed of—clear skies, brisk fresh air, blessed quiet—everything else is a bit of a mess. The Urquart family castle is grand, but crumbling, the childrens’ single dad is a wreck, and the kids have been kicked out of school and left to their own devices. Zoe has her work cut out for her, and is determined to rise to the challenge, especially when she sees how happily Hari has taken to their new home.

With the help of Nina, the friendly local bookseller, Zoe begins to put down roots in the community. Are books, fresh air, and kindness enough to heal this broken family—and her own…?

Lovely story, just lovely!!

The Series: I inadvertently began this series with "500 Miles From You" but loved it so much I had to have more of these characters. Any story line that has me both laughing and crying, nodding in agreement and talking back to the characters or narrative is a winner! I absolutely adored the writer's style and wit and the characters' personalities were well-developed and consistent. Narration was lovely and I appreciated and enjoyed proper Scottish pronunciations and inflections.

Book 2: Zoe's story was very well woven into Nina's, was complex enough to always be interesting and compelling and I didn't find it to be predictable. I often found myself (in all three books) staring out into space during a description of a beautiful scene of the Highlands and sighing with the beauty in my mind's eye. The author has an exceptional ability to bring the magnificence of Scotland's landscape to the listener/reader.

The story and characters were truly standouts in my opinion - and I really, really wish there were more to this series. Hear me, Jenny?? :)

My favorite Jenny Colgan

This is my favorite so far but I’m still working my way through all of them. Can’t wait for the next one!

Another great story by Jenny Colgan

Great story and perfect narration. Jenny Colgan is always a winner. I wish this book went on forever.

Can’t wait to read more

Let be Jenny Colgan books. I hate to quit reading and when I finish it is on to the next

Can’t get enough of this author

Facebook make me not want to hit the pause button a single time. The characters are so awesome and the story is always so neatly tied together whenever Jenny writes anything.