I was very kindly sent this book to review by Hot Key Books through Readers First. I had been seeing this book on Twitter and Instagram for a few months and I knew just from the title and the cover that I needed to read it, so I was very happy when this turned up in my post box.
Let's start with the cover. It's awesome! I love how bright and colourful it is, it's so eye-catching!
The artwork is so simplistic but it's perfect for this book.
The cover illustrations were actually done by the author, Chloe Coles, which I think is amazing. She is a very talented young lady.
When I first read the synopsis for this book I knew it was exactly the kind of book I would love. From the very beginning, I had high expectations and I was extremely keen to get started. I actually managed to finish this book within twenty four hours (It would have been all in one day but I got an email telling me that I was going to meet Shawn Mendes so reading got put on hold while I was fangirling! You can read that blog post here)
Anyway, back to the book...
Bennett's is a special bookshop for teenager Paige. It's a place she goes to escape her quiet hometown, hang out with her best friend, Holly, and also earn some money that might help her on the way to university.
But, like so many shops, Bennett's has become a 'casualty of the high street'. The staff are told that the store is closing and that it's going to be torn down. Paige is determined to save it.
Time is running out and fronting the campaign to keep Bennett's open is not Paige's only problem. How is she going to concentrate on the cause when she's developed a crush on a book-loving, art-school boy? Will he make or break her bookshop campaign?
I really liked that this book didn't just come across as "Oh no, a bookshop is closing down" but that it actually had a purpose.
It addressed the current state of the high street and Chloe used her writing to bring it to attention.
High street stores are closing regularly where I live and in the surrounding areas, so it was refreshing to see a book that actually recognised this issue. Using this bookshop closure at the centre of the plot was very cleverly done too because everything else going on in Paige's life links back to this store. She's studying art with people who are passionate about saving the shop. She has a best friend who works and studies with her. Paige meets her crush in the store. Trying to save the store gives Paige the opportunity to use her voice and take a stand. It all links back to this beautiful bookshop.
I do need to address the name of the main character: Paige Turner. I'm not going to lie, when I first read it I did roll my eyes and think maybe this overstepped the comedic mark, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The name choice was explained in a very logical way which made it a lot easier to read her full name.
The characters in this book were great.
They were all very believable within the situation they had been placed. It was nice to see how they all communicated and worked together when it came to campaigning. Paige was very relatable too when it came to dealing with something she was passionate about and when it came to her friendship with Holly. I also have to make a special mention about the character of Sue, who was simply brilliant.
Chloe's writing was fantastically funny and had me laughing out loud on many occasions. The humour was spot on in so many places and I loved the way that Paige's thoughts just burst out. There are so many times that somebody says something to Paige and the line that immediately follows in not what you would say but it's definitely what you would be thinking. I found our thought process very similar too.
Paige was brilliantly written and I will need to hear more about her in the future.
Luckily, at the back of this book there is a sneak peek at book number two, so I already know that there is more Paige Turner on the way. I'm excited to see what happens next.
I've rated this book:
Again, I will say that this review is all me. My thoughts and opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by the fact that I was sent this book. I really did thoroughly enjoy reading this.
What reader doesn't love a book about books?
If you are a fan of Holly Bourne then I think you'll love this.
Now, bring on book two!
You can buy your copy of Bookshop Girl in stores from 14 June or you can order it online here.
You can also follow Chloe Coles on Twitter here.
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