The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan is a Sound of Music-esque type novel with nuisance children, a clueless new nanny, and a mysterious and questionable father, except without all the singing, and fear of nazi takeover. Despite this, Colgan manages to write some hard-hitting drama, which is why I gave this novel a 4 out of 5 stars.
I was gravitated to this book because I figured this would be a sequel to The Bookshop on the Corner. However, Colgan makes it clear that this is not a sequel, rather that it is a book in the same universe. This is rather unfortunate because what drew me into Colgan’s books was the bookish main character Nina and her bookshop. Although Nina is still in this novel, she is very much pregnant and insufferable, taking some of the magic away that was in Colgan’s previous novel.
However, I did find love for the new main character Zoe and her toddler Hari. Although I am not a mother myself, I did relate with her and rooted for her just as I did in Maria. However, despite the title of the book, the bookshop is not the center of the plot, rather Zoe and her relationship with ex Jaz and the children she is nannying.
I will give Colgan props for this: she knows how to make someone completeley unlikeable, and that person was none other than DJ, ex, and baby daddy Jaz. If I were to describe him as a person, it would all be language that is not appropriate for a book review. I nearly had to stop reading because of how much of a jerk he was in Part 1.
I was very grateful when the book shifted focus to Zoe’s new life nannying the Urquart family. Although the children were absolute nightmares, their relationship with both Zoe and Hari and the growth they went through in the novel was very well written. Some of the best plot twists and dialogue are with her and the Urquart children.
Ramsay, the father, however I have multiple feelings about. It’s quite clear he’s not a perfect father. Throughout the book he makes serious mistakes that are almost borderline offensive but at the same time, it’s clear he cares about them and has no intention in harming them. Seeing as I am not an expert in parenting, I don’t feel comfortable giving a blank statement on him, and certainly do not want to give spoilers, so whether he is a good or bad father I think you should decide for yourself.
Despite some of my own personal critiques I do think this is a book that should be picked up. Even if it did not contain as much magic as the Bookshop on the Corner, I would still rate it a 4 out of 5 stars. However, I do think it would be easier if you read it in chronological order even if it doesn’t affect the plot too much.
rachel hall 