Book Review: The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted by Rebecca Raisin

I’m so excited to be welcoming Rebecca Raisin  back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted.

Can you ever swear off love, in the city of love?

Coco is having a hell of a month. She’s lost her boyfriend and her business, been forced to uproot her daughter to move back in with her parents in Paris, and now an infuriatingly handsome stranger is yelling at her for acting like a tourist… Right underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Storming away from him – and swearing off men for life – she decides she’s going to take the first job that comes her way.

Then, as if fate hears her, later that day she stumbles into a little bookshop – but not any old bookshop. This one comes complete with a café, cocktail bar, reading room and secret tunnel of books, and just a little hint of magic in the air. So when Coco’s offered a job selling books there, it feels like the perfect fit.

There’s only one problem… propping up the bar in the bookshop is none other than the grumpy, gorgeous stranger she’d met earlier that day…

A totally romantic, bookish and gorgeously escapist romantic novel, set in Paris in Springtime. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Sarah Morgan.

*****

With both her business and love life in tatters, Coco finds herself needing to return to her home town of Paris. Her daughter, Eloise is not happy about it either but Coco hopes that, once they’ve settled in, things will begin to improve. Or will it?

I am such a fan of Rebecca Raisin and so jumped at the chance to be on the blog tour for her latest novel, The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted. The premise intrigued me and I couldn’t wait to get started.

For me, bookshops hold a magic power and so the idea of the Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted is one I love. I want to go there.

Coco has a bravery that would be hard to match, even if she doesn’t believe it. It takes a lot to head home after building a business only to see it fail. I think she is someone a lot of people will relate to. I wanted to give her a hug and a high five. Eloise doesn’t make the move easy for Coco but her reasons for this are also explored and I liked that her feelings weren’t dismissed or overlooked.

The supporting characters are wonderful. Valérie. Oh Valérie. This character has so much love for people. She is the glue that holds the group together despite her heartbreaking reasons for starting the shop (that’s all I will say about her, promise). Ziggy, Agnes and Lucy are full of personality and I loved the scenes where they are all together.

Henri has a mystery to him and is a little misunderstood by Coco.

The plot moved well and was believable. There are some really sad moments in this book that had me wanting to cry but there was also warmth and humour which comes from the characters within and the way it is written. There were plenty of little surprises in the narrative and many times where I laughed out loud. The setting has made me want to return to Paris.

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted has reminded me why I love this author. It’s a book that pulls you in, makes you care about the characters and leaves you wanting more. I didn’t want this book to end and I am really hoping that we catch up with Coco, Eloise, Henri, Valérie, Agnes, Ziggy and Lucy again. Maybe a Christmas novella?

This story is life affirming and reminds the reader that life has a way of sending you where you need to go, even if it feels like everything is against you along the way. A broken heart can possibly be fixed if you’re simply willing to take a chance.

About Rebecca Raisin –

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia.

Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week.

The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them–just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with.People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once-in-a-life time love.

Say hello to Rebecca on Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter.

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted was released by Boldwood Books on 3rd February 2025. Click here to buy on Amazon and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.