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evarano's review
2.0
1.5 ⭐️
A story about a book shop? How could I not. Aria's Travelling Book Shop is a second novel in a series about van lifers. Those who make money by living and running their business out of a van while travelling all around Europe. Aria runs a travelling book shop out of her van. Still grieving over her husband TJ, Aria travels through France with her best friend Rosie, and Rosie's boyfriend Max, selling books and attempting to deal with her emotions. Aria has sworn off love-a promise to her deceased husband, but she can't help but falling (literally) into the arms of Johnathan, a sweet, book loving man who always happens to be in the right place at the right time.
I was very excited for the book and it did start out promising. I thought Aria and Rosie were great characters and friends, the book was written well and all that book talk, I mean come on, what's not to love? Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. In the end, I thought the book was extremely cheesy, especially TJ's diary entries and Aria's inner monologue-they came off extremely cringey. I liked Rosie a lot, but I found everything about her, and the rest of the book so "G" rated. There wasn't any exciting romance going on. Rather than focusing on the romance, the majority of the book is Aria and Rosie talking, Rosie trying to convince Aria to move on and Aria refusing. It just got very repetitive. It almost felt like this was a YA book with the way it was written. I also thought the romance was too convenient and the supporting characters weren't explored enough or were just unnecessary to the story. I struggled to finish it. I hope others enjoy it more!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
A story about a book shop? How could I not. Aria's Travelling Book Shop is a second novel in a series about van lifers. Those who make money by living and running their business out of a van while travelling all around Europe. Aria runs a travelling book shop out of her van. Still grieving over her husband TJ, Aria travels through France with her best friend Rosie, and Rosie's boyfriend Max, selling books and attempting to deal with her emotions. Aria has sworn off love-a promise to her deceased husband, but she can't help but falling (literally) into the arms of Johnathan, a sweet, book loving man who always happens to be in the right place at the right time.
I was very excited for the book and it did start out promising. I thought Aria and Rosie were great characters and friends, the book was written well and all that book talk, I mean come on, what's not to love? Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. In the end, I thought the book was extremely cheesy, especially TJ's diary entries and Aria's inner monologue-they came off extremely cringey. I liked Rosie a lot, but I found everything about her, and the rest of the book so "G" rated. There wasn't any exciting romance going on. Rather than focusing on the romance, the majority of the book is Aria and Rosie talking, Rosie trying to convince Aria to move on and Aria refusing. It just got very repetitive. It almost felt like this was a YA book with the way it was written. I also thought the romance was too convenient and the supporting characters weren't explored enough or were just unnecessary to the story. I struggled to finish it. I hope others enjoy it more!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
sarahreadsalotofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
sarahthereadingaddict's review
5.0
This book was just my cup of tea.
I read this book as an ARC.
It is so well written. It had a couple of difficult topics in and they were handled delicately and honestly. I loved the characters and travelling to festivals selling, books or coffee etc is my idea of heaven.
This book is good for readers who are book worms, single, people who struggle having lost someone and don't know how to move on and many more.
I read this book as an ARC.
It is so well written. It had a couple of difficult topics in and they were handled delicately and honestly. I loved the characters and travelling to festivals selling, books or coffee etc is my idea of heaven.
This book is good for readers who are book worms, single, people who struggle having lost someone and don't know how to move on and many more.
jessversteeg's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer and Death
alidottie's review
4.0
I thought this book was super cute and sweet and for such light fluff I thought that it was well written. I hope this author writes for a long time. I will check out at least one other book that I realized is about the same characters as this book.
emmascr's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Rebecca for letting me take part in this tour. I have read a few of Rebecca's books in the past so I was excited to jump into a new one.
This book follows Van lifer Aria. Aria is a self-confessed bookworm, so much so that she regularly falls asleep with a book stuck to her face. In the last 3 years, she has been through hell. The love of her life died and needed someone to blame his whole family have cut her off. Aria has been travelling ever since and is now on her way to France with some other van lifers. I immediately warmed to Aria. Her passion for books and her love of life is so endearing. I wanted to help her lose that part of her that was sad. I didn't want her to forget her husband but I wanted to bring the light back into her life.
I loved meeting all the other van lifers and travelling through France. Van life is not for everyone but these guys really make it sounds like fun. But don't be fooled, while these guys have a tonne of fun there are also some real deeper issues that are explored. Loss and grief and how losing someone affects your whole life. We also see how you can come out the other side of it stronger and wanting to live life to the fullest.
I love Rebecca's writing. I have been a fan of Rebecca for many years and seeing her grow over her books is a privilege. This one will fill up your whole heart. The characters are realistic, funny, and a bit bruised.
I really enjoyed Aria's story and I can't wait to catch up on my blacklist of Rebecca's books.
This book follows Van lifer Aria. Aria is a self-confessed bookworm, so much so that she regularly falls asleep with a book stuck to her face. In the last 3 years, she has been through hell. The love of her life died and needed someone to blame his whole family have cut her off. Aria has been travelling ever since and is now on her way to France with some other van lifers. I immediately warmed to Aria. Her passion for books and her love of life is so endearing. I wanted to help her lose that part of her that was sad. I didn't want her to forget her husband but I wanted to bring the light back into her life.
I loved meeting all the other van lifers and travelling through France. Van life is not for everyone but these guys really make it sounds like fun. But don't be fooled, while these guys have a tonne of fun there are also some real deeper issues that are explored. Loss and grief and how losing someone affects your whole life. We also see how you can come out the other side of it stronger and wanting to live life to the fullest.
I love Rebecca's writing. I have been a fan of Rebecca for many years and seeing her grow over her books is a privilege. This one will fill up your whole heart. The characters are realistic, funny, and a bit bruised.
I really enjoyed Aria's story and I can't wait to catch up on my blacklist of Rebecca's books.
gamz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
vr_reads's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katie_jane2021's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5