Charlotte’s life finally seems to be falling into place. She has found a home at the old bookshop on Riverside Drive, which she inherited from her late aunt, and she has given her all into bringing it back to its former glory. With its weathered wooden floors restored, and the walls and roof freshly painted, Charlotte hopes that the bookshop will soon flourish again. Most important of all, she has found love once more, after the sudden loss of her husband Alex. With William by her side, she dares to dream of a happy life in London. Yet, as William becomes more immersed in his writing career, Charlotte begins to wonder if they really want the same things. She, on the other hand, has promised William to sell her old house in Southern Sweden so that they can take the next step in their relationship, but something within her doubts the decision. Is Charlotte truly ready to let go of the past and the future that was overturned when Alex died?
At the Riverside shop, the love for books is ever present. Martinique, now studying to become a therapist, works fewer hours than before, leaving Sam to help Charlotte keep the store running. Ambitious and eager to prove herself, Sam is hoping that Charlotte will soon promote her to store manager. When the niece of the famous translator Tessa Neele visits the bookshop in search of an old classic, The Hardy Tree’s Society, Sam sees it as her chance to prove to Charlotte that she is ready to take on more responsibility.
The niece explains that Tessa knew the book’s infamous author, Edgar Bancroft, in her youth, and that one of the characters in the novel was actually inspired by Tessa herself. The story follows five students spending a summer together at Clifford Hall manor – a summer filled with secrecy, that ends in a dramatic reckoning. Sam promises to search for the book, determined to find a copy, but she soon realizes it is easier said than done. The infamous author has been missing for decades, and the book is no longer in print. Soon, Sam is confronted with more questions than answers. Why is everyone who is connected to the book so reluctant to speak with her? What really transpired at Clifford Hall in the summer of 1962? And, perhaps most puzzling of all, what happened to the mysterious author?
In this heartwarming and equally gripping sequel to the bestselling novel The Bookshop on Riverside Drive, we reconnect with the charming characters Charlotte, William, Sam, and Martinique, as they embark on yet another unforgettable journey. With a vivid historical angle and a keen eye for emotional nuance, Skybäck once more delivers a fascinating feelgood novel.
