Snowed in at the Wildest Dreams Bookshop by Gracie Page

 

Ivy’s first term at art college hasn’t gone to plan. Lacking in friends and inspiration, she’s looking forward to a quiet, cosy, antisocial winter holiday working at the Wildest Dreams Bookshop.

Except, her sleepy small town is suddenly full of chirpy tourists, including Trip – her most annoyingly sunshine-y (and annoyingly handsome) new customer of all, who’s desperate for Ivy to show him the sights of Fox Bay.

Ivy doesn’t think there’s much of interest in her hometown, but can seeing it through Trip’s eyes give her a fresh perspective? And when they both get roped in to helping save the local school show, might Trip be the unlikely inspiration Ivy needs to get her creative sparks flying again?

This is the second book in the Wildest Dreams Bookshop series and is a perfect YA feel good read with a sprinkling of festivity thrown in. If you haven't read the previous book, not to worry it can easily be read as a stand alone.

I thought the book judging by the title was going to be set back in the bookshop again but although Ivy gets a job there for the season it isn't a heavy feature in the book this time which I was a little disappointed by.

But to make up for it we go on mini tours of the sights around Fox Bay which I loved but what I loved most was the blossoming if a little predictable romance that surrounds Ivy as well as her finally letting her walls down and accepting that people do actually want to be friends with her no matter how much she tries to stay in her loner corner.

This is a great YA book for those who have recently left school and are struggling to settle into the next chapter of their lives as it shows that you are not alone with the challenges you are facing and the uncertainty if you have made the right choice. A relatable and helpful message wrapped up in a sprinkling of romance and festivity.

The Wildest Dreams Bookshop by Gracie Page

 

Seventeen-year-old Anna is not having a good summer. She’s pretty sure she’s flunked her exams and to make matters worse, her boyfriend, Max, has unceremoniously dumped her. All her friends have incredible summers lined up, while her diary is looking worryingly empty. So when her aunt invites her to stay at her bookshop by the sea for the summer, she reluctantly takes her up on her offer. 

If nothing else, at least she can hide out there and ignore the fact her real life is quickly going down the drain. What Anna didn’t factor into her summer plans was the oh so irritating but distractingly good looking local surfer, Jacob, who keeps crossing her path and who she finds herself inexplicably drawn to… 

When disaster strikes the bookshop, Anna has to work with Jacob if she’s to save the bookshop’s end of summer party. Along the way she might just discover that real life can be a whole lot sweeter than fiction…

This book arrived at the perfect time having just finished a couple of heavy books back to back I needed something light and uplifting and The Wildest Dreams Bookshop was a pure tonic. This is more of a YA romance but I know many of you who interact with my reviews have commented recently how romance books all seem to be full of spice recently well this one is perfect for you because there is zero spice in this book just a touch of romance running alongside the main storyline.

Being a big bookworm running a bookshop is a dream so I was certainly envious of Anna heading off to work in her aunts bookshop and I was pulled right in as she began making changes to make this bookshop turn a corner and start bringing in a profit. 

Anna seemed a lot older than 18 in this book especially how capable she was in tackling the publishing event and whole bookshop make over! I love how it touches on the pressure and stress of exam results when your at that scary point in life where you need to find out what path your going down.

I actually really enjoyed this book it was such a light easy read that I flew through in a day so this is a perfect Summer beach read.