The Lighthouse Bookshop

Absolutely loved The Lighthouse Bookshop, took it away on holiday and couldn't put it down! There was a mention about The Crovie Inn which featured in The House Beneath the Cliffs which I thought was a nice idea. Highly recommend and can't wait for more from this author.

4.5*The title and cover of this book was the initial draw for me. A bookshop in a lighthouse…how lovely is that. The lighthouse, more of a tower really, is situated in the small, remote village of Newton Dunbar in the north east of Scotland. It was originally the private library belonging to the local landowner.Rachel had appeared in the village five years ago and has been managing, and living in, the bookshop courtesy of Cullen MacDonald who now owned the building. Rachel is reticent about her past but she’s more than grateful to Cullen as the lighthouse is the place where she feels safe.Toby Hollingwood is a burnt out journalist suffering nightmares from the terrible things he’s witnessed, who is now looking for somewhere remote and peaceful to write his memoirs. He thinks he’s found the perfect place in Newton Dunbar.The quiet doesn’t seem to be working for Toby, any inspiration or motivation to begin writing eluding him, but his visits to the bookshop allow him to form friendships and integrate into village life. I love that the bookshop is the hub of the village, with regulars popping in to peruse the books and pass the time of day, with coffee, a cup of tea and a sweet treat on offer, and even a game of chess.Newton Dunbar may be a small community but it has a fair share of individual, interesting, and in one case nasty, characters. Edie and Ezra, who live next door to each other, have an ongoing feud going back far enough that no-one can remember how or why it started. A recent addition to the village is teenager Gilly, a runaway who was sleeping rough. I really enjoyed her story arc and how she matured and developed with the help of the villagers.The Lighthouse Bookshop also has a historical thread which involves a mystery and secret, adding a fascinating and tragic layer to the story. An engaging and emotional story which also addresses some sensitive issues and encompasses themes such as not giving up, healing, new beginnings and second chances, whatever your age. I enjoyed this very much, and wish Newton Dunbar with its quirky library was a real place.

When Toby Hollingwood arrives in the village of Newton Dunbar he is hoping for peace to write his memoirs to rid himself of the demons which disturb his dreams. At first, meeting property developer, Dora McCreedy, he doesn’t find the place very welcoming but then he wanders into the Lighthouse which he is surprised to find so far from the sea. Inside is a bookshop and a group of locals who meet to chat, play chess and drink coffee. Calmly run by Rachel Talbot and frequented by the owner Cullen MacDonald and his friends it becomes the sanctuary he needs to write. But Rachel also has secrets and although they get on well, she makes it clear that she is not looking for a relationship.A sudden change of circumstances puts the bookshop at risk and even warring neighbours Edie and Ezra pull together in an attempt to save it. Rachel and Toby research the history of the lighthouse and they all help a new arrival, Gilly, a young girl sleeping rough.This is a feel-good story of a community overcoming their reservations to help each other. A sad story from the past is given resolution and the plot is revealed in a way that kept me reading late into the night.

I loved this book from start to finishIt’s an easy read with believable charactersGood balance of good and not so good people who’s lives revolve around the lighthouse

Not going to set the world slight but nice gentle story

Just my Mums cup of tea. Loved it.

Interesting characters and story lines ,and unexpected twists I've only given it 4 stars because I felt it was a bit too long.

For the first time in her life, Rachel has a job and home where she feels safe and has made some friends, who accept her for herself and do not pry into her past, but when the owner of the Lighthouse Bookshop dies suddenly it looks like she might become homeless again. The search is on to find the heir to Cullen McDonalds estate and with the local property magnate being interested in buying the lighthouse, Rachel is feeling threatened. I loved this book, it made me laugh but also brought tears to my eye at times.

After reading the first novel „The House beneath the Cliffs”, I wanted to read more by this wonderful author and was not disappointed. What an easy read, great characters as we get to know them. The plot is mostly not predictable which I cherish and the writer does not waste time in ample description of scenes. Keep up the good work, I am looking for more books like this!!