The Bookstore on the Beach: A Novel

by Brenda Novak

Overview

How do you start a new chapter of your life when you haven’t closed the book on the previous one?

Eighteen months ago, Autumn Divac’s husband went missing. Her desperate search has yielded no answers, and she can’t imagine moving forward without him. But for the sake of their two teenage children, she has to try.

Autumn takes her kids home for the summer to the charming beachside town where she was raised. She seeks comfort working alongside her mother and aunt at their bookshop, only to learn that her daughter is facing a huge life change and her mother has been hiding a terrible secret for years. And when she runs into the boy who stole her heart in high school, old feelings start to bubble up again. Is she free to love him, or should she hold out hope for her husband’s return? She can only trust her heart…and hope it won’t lead her astray.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780778361053
Publisher:	MIRA Books
Publication date:	04/06/2021
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	448
Sales rank:	112,296
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak has written over 60 novels. An eight-time Rita nominee, she's won The National Reader's Choice, The Bookseller's Best and other awards. She runs Brenda Novak for the Cure, a charity that has raised more than $2.5 million for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). She considers herself lucky to be a mother of five and married to the love of her life. www.brendanovak.com

Editorial Reviews

★ 02/22/2021

Shocking family secrets and sweet second chances animate this stellar small-town contemporary from Novak (the Whiskey Creek series). Autumn Divac has spent the last 18 months searching for her husband, who disappeared while on assignment for the FBI. Now struggling to move on, she and her teenage children, Taylor and Caden, return to Sable Beach, Va., to spend the summer with Autumn’s mom, Mary, and work at Mary’s beachfront bookstore. Also back in town is Autumn’s high school sweetheart, the recently divorced Quinn Vanderbilt. Quinn is dealing with his mother’s cancer prognosis and trauma over his ex-wife’s attempt on his life—but reconnecting with Autumn makes him remember happier times. As their rekindled friendship evolves into romance, the budding couple faces some serious issues: Taylor, who’s questioning her sexuality, may be pregnant by her brother’s archenemy; Mary’s finally ready to come clean about the traumatic circumstances of Autumn’s conception; and a private investigator arrives in town, digging up secrets from the town’s gossipmongers. The drama only brings Autumn and Quinn closer together in strength and solidarity—but their true test is the return of Autumn’s husband. Novak handles difficult topics with sensitivity, making for a heart-tugging romance. Readers are sure to be sucked in. Agent: Dan Raines, Creative Trust Literary. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"The Bookstore on the Beach is a page-turner with a deep heart. You’ll cheer for these admirable, complicated women. You’ll be breathless (and smiling) when you read the surprising end. (Don’t peek!)"—Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Summer

"Novak handles difficult topics with sensitivity, making for a heart-tugging romance. Readers are sure to be sucked in.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Filled with mystery and drama, coupled with themes of family ties and secrets. This page-turner will not disappoint.”—Booklist

“The prose is fast-paced and exciting making this a breathless page-turner with the conclusion proving no problems are too difficult to solve.”—New York Journal of Books

"An abundance of heart and humor. The Bookstore on the Beach is an escapist treat with emotional heft."—Apple Books, Best Book of the Month selection

"This heartwarming story of sisters who bond as adults is sure to please the many fans of Novak as well as those who enjoy books by Susan Mallery and Debbie Macomber."—Library Journal on One Perfect Summer

"I adore everything Brenda Novak writes. Her books are compelling, emotional, tender stories about people I would love to know in real life."—RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author

"Heartwarming, life-affirming, page-turning...I can always count on Novak to make me weep, laugh and fall in love!"—Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author

"Brenda Novak is always a joy to read."—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Fascinating characters, powerful conflicts and complex emotions make any Brenda Novak book a must-read for me."—Sherryl Woods, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Brenda Novak doesn't just write fabulous stories, she writes keepers."—Susan Mallery, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Whenever I see a new Brenda Novak book, I buy it and read it, pronto. I can always count on her for a solid, exciting story."—Linda Lael Miller, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Brenda Novak has a raw talent for bringing her novels to life."—The San Francisco Book Review

"Beautifully crafted, exceptionally poignant."—Library Journal on Discovering You

"Potently emotional, powerfully life-affirming."—Booklist (starred review) on This Heart of Mine

From the Publisher