The Second Story Bookshop: A Delightful, Sweet, Second Chance Romance

By Denise Hunter

Book Overview

She inherits the bookshop of her dreams . . . But she has to run it with the ex she vowed never to speak with again. "Book lovers, book clubs, and anyone who's ever dreamed of owning a bookstore will adore this cleverly interwoven story" (Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shelterwood). Full of fall vibes, The Second Story Bookshop is perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Gilmore Girls.

Shelby Thatcher adores working in the charming small-town bookshop her grandmother opened years ago. Since high school she's helped Gram turn the shop into a community hub for book lovers in the lakeside town of Grandville, NC. When her beloved grandma passes away, Shelby inherits the bookstore. But to her shock, Gram leaves half ownership to Gray Briggs, the man who broke Shelby's heart years ago.

Grandville residents have been vilifying Gray as long as he can remember. After graduating high school he couldn't skip town fast enough, even though it meant leaving the girl he'd fallen deeply in love with and alienating her family once and for all. Now he's back, the beneficiary of his elderly friend's will. Facing the town's animosity is difficult, but seeing Shelby again is sheer torture. No one could ever stir his heart the way she did.

As the adversaries are forced to work together, Gram's beyond-the-grave scheme is working--Shelby's old feelings for Gray begin to resurface. But the problems that destroyed their relationship before still remain, and a new one surfaces--one that threatens Gram's beloved bookshop. Is their love doomed to fail again, or will they find a way to make it work this time around?

If you're looking for an enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance set in a cozy lakeside bookshop brimming with healing, heart, and Southern charm, The Second Story Bookshop is your perfect, feel-good escape. Let Shelby and Gray's tender journey remind you that sometimes the path back to love starts at the front step of a bookstore.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400348692
• ISBN13: 9781400348695
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

sweet small town second chance romance

Gray and Shelby. Happy sigh. I haven't read a Denise Hunter book in a while and I loved being transported to Grandville, NC and being enveloped in this small-town romance. Gray and Shelby were perfect characters for this second chance romance centered around a bookshop called Second Story. They individually had childhood trauma but also had past hurts together that initially worked against them. But spending a lot of time together trying to resuscitate a dying business brought them together and reminded them how good their relationship was once upon a time. Gray was a remarkable hero - patient in his suffering and driven in his love for Shelby and desire to get a college degree. Shelby's devotion to her family and the bookshop was admirable. They were relatable and lovable characters - one a downtrodden underdog and the other his fiercest champion and cheerleader. Though brief, I enjoyed catching up with Gavin from Riverbend series through Gray's work. If you enjoy heart-warming small-town romance, this book will delight you. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

A Hero You Will Rally Behind

I liked this novel and particularly liked Gray Briggs, the hero. If ever there was a character that had my sympathy for the entire book, Gray is the character. His story is one of overcoming, and wow, he had a lot to overcome. The heroine, Shelby Thatcher, was a good person forced to work with the guy who broke her heart. I could understand her reluctance to be around Gray, and I felt her angst as she faced the possibility she would lose the bookshop. No one wants to see the thing they love die. Hunter’s writing is superb as always, and she’s created an engaging story. If you like underdog stories, you’ll like this one. Gray’s experiences really hit me, and I couldn’t shake the sadness I felt for him even though there was a happily ever-after. This story has stayed with me, which makes it worth reading.