What's the Story:
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…
My Thoughts:
Hope’s story took my breath away. Set in a small town, we often think of the
charm, the shops, the quirky characters, but something seldom revealed is the
underside this author captured; the one where grudges are held and gossip is
shared. Ronan’s family has caught the brunt of the rumors for years and paid
the price. When Hope comes to town to search for the treasured books her mother
left her, with plans to leave as quickly as she came, she discovers something
she’s been missing for years, the possibility, if somewhat shaky, to put down
roots. With Ronan’s lack of self-confidence and Hope’s fragile emotions, the
two search with the help of friends for a treasure which may not exist and
discover... well, you’ll need to read the book. The characters Rushmeyer
created will stick with me for a long time. If you love stories with literary
references, faith and hope, incredibly deep characters, and the prospect of
love, you’ll want to read The Bookshop of Secrets. I received a
complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are
completely my own.