Set in a centuries old bookstore in Scotland: a love story, decades apart, a woman pining for the ghost of her lover, and Frankie, the faithful companion stuck in a world he doesn’t belong. It’s a tale of faith in what cannot be seen, and of learning to let go.
Pen and Adelaide. Though their struggles and past are very different, both feel an undeniable pull to the bookstore. The moment they step inside, they know they belong. I know that feeling and I wanted it to work out so badly for them. I wanted Pen to escape his father’s shadow. I loved Ward for who he was and how he mentored Pen. That relationship changed Pen’s life for the better, and I wonder if Ward knew the impact he had.
And Adelaide. I was moved by her bravery in running away. Sounds crazy, right? But how is running away not brave? Staying can feel like the easy part. Leaving takes real courage. And just look at what she found when she did.
This book draws you in so vividly, it feels as though you’re standing in the shop yourself, watching it all unfold. I could feel the magic in the walls, the books, and even the old cash register. History has a way of leaving its mark on buildings, in objects, and most of all, in the people who inhabit and touch them.
The ending, with its richly descriptive writing, played in my mind like a movie. Honestly, I’m dreaming of opening a Scottish bookstore now.