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The Island Bookshop
A heartwarming tale of family, love, forgiveness and second chances.
When Kennedy Marshall sets off for a prestigious career in the city, she leaves behind the sunlit shores of North Carolina’s Outer Banks—and runs from a love she believes she can never have. With her sister, Lara, managing their grandmother’s beloved island bookshop, Kennedy feels confident she’s escaped the past. But when Lara is suddenly injured, Kennedy is drawn back into the island’s warm embrace—and bittersweet memories she thought she’d buried forever.
For Wes Armstrong, the Outer Banks is more than home—it’s his anchor. Building a successful family business was supposed to bring stability, but life has been anything but steady since his wife’s passing. Haunted by past regrets and facing a life-changing decision, Wes is determined to make the right choice for his family’s future. Yet Kennedy’s unexpected return stirs up old emotions and mistakes he thought he’d put to rest.
As hidden family secrets surface and long-buried truths come to light, Kennedy and Wes must navigate the delicate tides of forgiveness, second chances, and the unspoken love that still lingers between them. Can they find the courage to rewrite their story and create a new future on the island’s shifting sands?
Perfect for fans of clean, wholesome romance and gentle mysteries, The Island Bookshop is a heartwarming story of love, family, and the enduring power of second chances.
When Kennedy Marshall sets off for a prestigious career in the city, she leaves behind the sunlit shores of North Carolina’s Outer Banks—and runs from a love she believes she can never have. With her sister, Lara, managing their grandmother’s beloved island bookshop, Kennedy feels confident she’s escaped the past. But when Lara is suddenly injured, Kennedy is drawn back into the island’s warm embrace—and bittersweet memories she thought she’d buried forever.
For Wes Armstrong, the Outer Banks is more than home—it’s his anchor. Building a successful family business was supposed to bring stability, but life has been anything but steady since his wife’s passing. Haunted by past regrets and facing a life-changing decision, Wes is determined to make the right choice for his family’s future. Yet Kennedy’s unexpected return stirs up old emotions and mistakes he thought he’d put to rest.
As hidden family secrets surface and long-buried truths come to light, Kennedy and Wes must navigate the delicate tides of forgiveness, second chances, and the unspoken love that still lingers between them. Can they find the courage to rewrite their story and create a new future on the island’s shifting sands?
Perfect for fans of clean, wholesome romance and gentle mysteries, The Island Bookshop is a heartwarming story of love, family, and the enduring power of second chances.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2025
118 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Roseanna M. White
56 books3,683 followersRoseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
see also Roseanna White
see also Roseanna White
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 24, 2025
Another sweet summer read ☀️😎🍉⛱️🌊
I definitely read more historical fiction than contemporary, but I’m so glad I decided to pick up this one! It’s deep, sweet, realistic, and also has a bit of a dual timeline aspect to it. I do hope this will turn into a series as the secondary characters were just as great as the main ones ❤️
The spiritual content was very good. Personally I know the author has some different views than I do, but i didn’t really find any real issues in this story. Characters pray, read their Bibles, go to church—it came across as natural, real Christianity.
I respected Kennedy’s decision (and her sisters counsel) to leave the area when she did for the reasons she did. Thank you to the author for taking the high road!
The bookshop itself was really a fun touch. The authors note says it’s based off of some stores she knows in NC. Next time I’m at the beach, I’m going to have to google some local places myself 😉
Read this story if you enjoy…
🐚beach stories
🐚friends to more
🐚second chance romance
🐚family history
🐚themes of forgiveness
This was a good story and I loved the ending 🥰if you’re reading the seasons, this would be great for summer!
Content: marital infidelity (nothing on page and always as a vice), clean romance (kissing only and not a lot)
I definitely read more historical fiction than contemporary, but I’m so glad I decided to pick up this one! It’s deep, sweet, realistic, and also has a bit of a dual timeline aspect to it. I do hope this will turn into a series as the secondary characters were just as great as the main ones ❤️
The spiritual content was very good. Personally I know the author has some different views than I do, but i didn’t really find any real issues in this story. Characters pray, read their Bibles, go to church—it came across as natural, real Christianity.
I respected Kennedy’s decision (and her sisters counsel) to leave the area when she did for the reasons she did. Thank you to the author for taking the high road!
The bookshop itself was really a fun touch. The authors note says it’s based off of some stores she knows in NC. Next time I’m at the beach, I’m going to have to google some local places myself 😉
Read this story if you enjoy…
🐚beach stories
🐚friends to more
🐚second chance romance
🐚family history
🐚themes of forgiveness
This was a good story and I loved the ending 🥰if you’re reading the seasons, this would be great for summer!
Content: marital infidelity (nothing on page and always as a vice), clean romance (kissing only and not a lot)
June 15, 2025
This book made me so happy. (And also it made me cry 😁) The various journeys of the characters, the *incredible* setting, the mention of some childhood favorite books, and the sweet love story—all made for such a wonderful summer read. Would read spinoffs of other characters!!!
August 2, 2025
The Island Bookshop is not Roseanna M. White's normal genre to write, although she didn't stray too far from her historical roots. There are chapters dedicated to the families' past, which help them to unravel some secrets.
What I loved:
🕮 NC beach setting
🕮 the historical aspects
🕮 the sisterly bond
🕮 the uniqueness of Kennedy's job
🕮 second chance romance
My main problem with the story is that it was description-focused. I prefer stories with more dialogue than description. This one was very heavy on the descriptions, and I didn't feel like there was much pushing the story forward. This left me somewhat disappointed in the story. I found it somewhat forgettable.
What I loved:
🕮 NC beach setting
🕮 the historical aspects
🕮 the sisterly bond
🕮 the uniqueness of Kennedy's job
🕮 second chance romance
My main problem with the story is that it was description-focused. I prefer stories with more dialogue than description. This one was very heavy on the descriptions, and I didn't feel like there was much pushing the story forward. This left me somewhat disappointed in the story. I found it somewhat forgettable.
July 19, 2025
This is mainly a contemporary story with a just a little bit of historical added in. The focus is on one sister who comes homes to help her sister after she has an injury and has to face some items from her past. We get a few chapters from 1940 and I felt more connected to that storyline and wanted to spend more time in the past than I did contemporary. We do learn how the past and present timelines connect. I felt like there was a lot of heavy items included for a novella story and I didn't enjoy the way it jumped days and weeks at a time.
June 27, 2025
I loved this book! It was a lot deeper than I expected, but that just made it all the more enjoyable. The characters are wonderful, and the various relationships between them add a lot to the story. I highly recommend this, especially if you love books and bookstores and islands and mysteries and ...
June 28, 2025
Great summer read set in a beautiful beach tourist town!
I was expecting a simple plot, but White brings her signature depth and layering to this contemporary. I especially appreciated the letters and glimpses into the grandma’s past.
I was expecting a simple plot, but White brings her signature depth and layering to this contemporary. I especially appreciated the letters and glimpses into the grandma’s past.
July 14, 2025
I totally loved this book!! It’s full of booky stuff and jammed packed with Faith, love, forgiveness and the importance of family.
May 29, 2025
I love the Outer Banks of North Carolina so when I heard that Roseanna M. White was writing a book that was set there I knew I wanted to read it!
The Island Bookshop was a good book. I enjoyed the story, the main story plus the few chapters that were set back in time. I liked seeing how everything tied together.
The beach and books are some of my favorite things so it was fun to see both of those in this story.
It was an enjoyable summer book!
The Island Bookshop was a good book. I enjoyed the story, the main story plus the few chapters that were set back in time. I liked seeing how everything tied together.
The beach and books are some of my favorite things so it was fun to see both of those in this story.
It was an enjoyable summer book!
July 12, 2025
This was a sweet story. I love Roseanna White’s writing.
July 27, 2025
This book has just the right amount of depth, romance, faith and mystery to make it a remarkably satisfying summer read.
June 2, 2025
Although I've read some of Roseanna's historical novels, this is the first contemporary novel I've read, and it didn't disappoint. Along with the romance, family relationships, an enjoyable setting, authentic faith, and interesting characters draw you in. I enjoyed the description of Kennedy Marshall's examination and evaluation of a old book for the Library of Congress. Kennedy's inner conflict involving love of her job versus love for her family, and the simmering romance between her and her long-time friend Wes Armstrong carry the story forward. If you like contemporary romance, I think you'll enjoy reading this novel. I did.
May 27, 2025
Omw, I loved this read. Moving, funny, endearing, powerful! So so good--and I selfishly hope White writes more with these characters/this town. There are definitely more stories to be told!
June 12, 2025
The Island Bookshop by Roseanna M White is a very charming Christian dual timeline novel that I absolutely loved. It is one of those books that you just don’t want to end.
The action is set on a small America island/strip of land in 1938 and in present day. The two time periods are linked by family and the love of books. There is also a mystery to solve.
Books can ‘speak’ to us and transport us to other times and places. We see the love that a character has for A Secret Garden. It’s a timeless, universal appeal.
1938 sees a character arrive from Croatia to start a new life after persecution from Mussolini starts heating up. We see that starting a new life in America is not without its difficulties as strangers from overseas are viewed with suspicion.
Family is important. Family loves and supports us. In present day a character returns home after her sister has an accident. The love of family helps to heal. Sometimes the healing is physical, other times it is mental. “Family will help you heal… You don’t have to talk about it, but you have to be near the people who love you.”
We see the importance for the community of small, family run businesses. There is the personal touch as opposed to the corporate big business.
Faith in God sees characters through difficult times. “She never had trouble finding God in the hustle and bustle of the city… But here… she saw Him everywhere.” God is wherever we are – but His presence is more keenly visible in nature as the big city has many competing voices.
When God is in our plans, they cannot fail. “Grasp it with both hands, knowing that nothing will pluck you from our Good Father’s palm.”
Life presents challenges. Prayer is our lifeline to God. “His world was spinning out of control.” When we know God, He calms the storm raging within. “I’ll be praying for wisdom.”
Forgiveness is as vital as breathing. “He just had to forgive someone who could never ask for it.” Forgiveness heals us from becoming bitter.
All the characters were delightfully drawn. They were easy to empathise with as the reader ’feels’ the love radiating from the pages.
The Island Bookshop was such a delightful read. The characters were wholesome and the presence of God wafted over the whole novel. “He [God] still asked to be her foundation, her resting place, her shelter from all the storms, but also the true source of joy.”
The action is set on a small America island/strip of land in 1938 and in present day. The two time periods are linked by family and the love of books. There is also a mystery to solve.
Books can ‘speak’ to us and transport us to other times and places. We see the love that a character has for A Secret Garden. It’s a timeless, universal appeal.
1938 sees a character arrive from Croatia to start a new life after persecution from Mussolini starts heating up. We see that starting a new life in America is not without its difficulties as strangers from overseas are viewed with suspicion.
Family is important. Family loves and supports us. In present day a character returns home after her sister has an accident. The love of family helps to heal. Sometimes the healing is physical, other times it is mental. “Family will help you heal… You don’t have to talk about it, but you have to be near the people who love you.”
We see the importance for the community of small, family run businesses. There is the personal touch as opposed to the corporate big business.
Faith in God sees characters through difficult times. “She never had trouble finding God in the hustle and bustle of the city… But here… she saw Him everywhere.” God is wherever we are – but His presence is more keenly visible in nature as the big city has many competing voices.
When God is in our plans, they cannot fail. “Grasp it with both hands, knowing that nothing will pluck you from our Good Father’s palm.”
Life presents challenges. Prayer is our lifeline to God. “His world was spinning out of control.” When we know God, He calms the storm raging within. “I’ll be praying for wisdom.”
Forgiveness is as vital as breathing. “He just had to forgive someone who could never ask for it.” Forgiveness heals us from becoming bitter.
All the characters were delightfully drawn. They were easy to empathise with as the reader ’feels’ the love radiating from the pages.
The Island Bookshop was such a delightful read. The characters were wholesome and the presence of God wafted over the whole novel. “He [God] still asked to be her foundation, her resting place, her shelter from all the storms, but also the true source of joy.”
August 26, 2025
Captivating setting, a surprise dual timeline and characters I came to care about all contributed to making this a memorable read for me. My first contemporary novel by Roseanna M. White (and wondering if it might be her first too?) Gave me Melissa Tagg, Betsy St. Amant vibes.
I was loving on the descriptive writing style, just getting my feet wet (ha – quite literally) along with Kennedy as she comes racing home for a family emergency with all the emotional complications that go along with that (I’m looking at you, Wes) and then I turned the page and suddenly found myself in 1938! Same place, different time and my heart did a little bookish jig at the unexpected dual timeline. To be fair, the contemporary timeline takes prominence, but I loved the tantalizing glimpses of Ana in 1938, wondering how the two would connect. Spectacularly as it turns out!
I certainly can’t resist a librarian heroine, especially one who works at the Library of Congress! Be still my library lovin’ heart! Plus, Kennedy is part owner of the island bookshop so she has the best of both worlds and so do we since there’s lots of bookish content and bibliophile nostalgia.
And then there’s Wes. The focus of Kennedy’s unrequited love for so many years, way back to their teens. His first romance was very much a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when you keep ‘the one’ in the friend zone because the friendship is too important to risk. Instead, he married someone else with disastrous results. Cue the set up for the perfect second chance, friends to more romance. So touching and tentative and heartwarming!
But before we can fully embrace the happily ever after, there’s a family legacy to save, and a family history to uncover which makes for a captivating read.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/08/26/t...
I was loving on the descriptive writing style, just getting my feet wet (ha – quite literally) along with Kennedy as she comes racing home for a family emergency with all the emotional complications that go along with that (I’m looking at you, Wes) and then I turned the page and suddenly found myself in 1938! Same place, different time and my heart did a little bookish jig at the unexpected dual timeline. To be fair, the contemporary timeline takes prominence, but I loved the tantalizing glimpses of Ana in 1938, wondering how the two would connect. Spectacularly as it turns out!
I certainly can’t resist a librarian heroine, especially one who works at the Library of Congress! Be still my library lovin’ heart! Plus, Kennedy is part owner of the island bookshop so she has the best of both worlds and so do we since there’s lots of bookish content and bibliophile nostalgia.
And then there’s Wes. The focus of Kennedy’s unrequited love for so many years, way back to their teens. His first romance was very much a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when you keep ‘the one’ in the friend zone because the friendship is too important to risk. Instead, he married someone else with disastrous results. Cue the set up for the perfect second chance, friends to more romance. So touching and tentative and heartwarming!
But before we can fully embrace the happily ever after, there’s a family legacy to save, and a family history to uncover which makes for a captivating read.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/08/26/t...
June 3, 2025
Past and Present -so good!
I love how the author wove this story together, and am glad Amazon recommended it to me. I absolutely love any reading having to do with WWII, even if it’s just glimpses of how the bigotry and xenophobia played a part of the growing tensions. I loved the mystery of finding out who really owned the house where their bookstore is. I don’t want to give anything away by saying more. The romance and how trials were handled was perfect. And I loved the role faith and biblical guidance played in the interwoven storyline. Can’t wait to read her next book!
I love how the author wove this story together, and am glad Amazon recommended it to me. I absolutely love any reading having to do with WWII, even if it’s just glimpses of how the bigotry and xenophobia played a part of the growing tensions. I loved the mystery of finding out who really owned the house where their bookstore is. I don’t want to give anything away by saying more. The romance and how trials were handled was perfect. And I loved the role faith and biblical guidance played in the interwoven storyline. Can’t wait to read her next book!
July 19, 2025
I will preface this review with Roseanna is one of my top favorite authors, but I just couldn’t get into this one completely. My favorite part was the past part of this dual timeline story and unfortunately there wasn’t a lot of it. I wanted to dive deeper into that storyline. The present-day portion was good with a few surprises but I just wasn’t feeling it. I’ve been in a book funk lately so I’m going to say it was me this time and not the book. So don’t let my review discourage you from reading this cute story of new beginnings, second chances, a little bit of mystery and a whole lot of books!
August 2, 2025
I loved the characters of Kennedy and Wes, best friends all their lives. Woven into the modern day story is the back story of Wes' great grandmother Caroline, who befriended Kennedy's great grandmother Ana as she immigrated from Croatia, claimed by Italy. The setting of the Outer Banks of North Carolina evokes memories of my vacationing there. Kennedy must do some sleuthing to prove that her grandmother Janey is one and the same as Marija Horvat, thus providing some interesting reading and a little suspense for the reader. This is a delightful book!
June 30, 2025
What an amazing and inspiring beach read!! This book is very well written, the depth of the characters is many layered, and there’s even a dual timeline that hooks you into each period! This story includes both contemporary and historical romance, a mystery, faith, hardships, love, and books! Between the much loved books of Ana, to Kenni’s beloved first editions, to the bookshop in the title, this story made this bibliophile’s heart happy!! I adored this book and I highly recommend it!!
May 30, 2025
This was a heartwarming slice of life story. It covered all the bases: second chance romance, friends to more, and family dynamics, all with a quaint small town vibe. My only complaint that it was a little sappy and the MC's introspection (especially Wes's) was unrealistic in its specificity and articulateness. Otherwise a sweet story and nice way to pass the afternoon.
June 2, 2025
This book is actually is two stories: One is a present age story of two sisters who love books and who have inherited their grandmother's bookshop. The other story is a 1930's story about their grandmother's mother who emigrated from Croatia. I absolutely loved it, all of it!
June 14, 2025
Absolutely fabulous!
Loved, loved this book. No major surprises, but I loved the characters and setting. It’s my introduction to Roseanne White, and I will definitely be reading more. I’m hoping for a second novel telling Lara’s story.
Loved, loved this book. No major surprises, but I loved the characters and setting. It’s my introduction to Roseanne White, and I will definitely be reading more. I’m hoping for a second novel telling Lara’s story.
June 16, 2025
Sweet dual time romance on Outer Banks
I really enjoyed this book. Mystery, dual time, heart-warming, sad, happy, sweet. Sister with bad concussion throughout. Very realistic. Loved it!
I really enjoyed this book. Mystery, dual time, heart-warming, sad, happy, sweet. Sister with bad concussion throughout. Very realistic. Loved it!
July 10, 2025
The Island Bookshop
I loved it........'specially the inclusion of God in so many ways!! Thankyou!!!! I highly recommend it for a lovely summer read while on the outer banks, or wishing you were there!
I loved it........'specially the inclusion of God in so many ways!! Thankyou!!!! I highly recommend it for a lovely summer read while on the outer banks, or wishing you were there!
August 6, 2025
This really didn't hold my interest very well... I only finished it quickly because it was so short. You pretty much knew from the beginning what the conclusion would be and there was just more filler tham substance.
August 13, 2025
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. I'm left wanting to know more of Lara's story though, so need to check if there a follow-up. Interesting for me reading a book including a primary character recovering from a major concussion also!
I really enjoyed this book. I'm left wanting to know more of Lara's story though, so need to check if there a follow-up. Interesting for me reading a book including a primary character recovering from a major concussion also!
June 11, 2025
Loved everything about this book!
Wonderful character development, rich storyline, and beauty of history written all over in this novel. I didn’t want the book to end!
Wonderful character development, rich storyline, and beauty of history written all over in this novel. I didn’t want the book to end!
June 24, 2025
A lovely story
A perfect summer story from the Outer Banks, a place i know and love about several generations of two families living in such a beautiful place.
A perfect summer story from the Outer Banks, a place i know and love about several generations of two families living in such a beautiful place.
July 1, 2025
It was bit predictable and not a patch on the other series that I have read.
July 5, 2025
4.5 stars!
Absolutely loved this book! A wonderful beach read with romance and some mystery.
Absolutely loved this book! A wonderful beach read with romance and some mystery.
July 10, 2025
A contemporary beach read by Roseanna is a special treat.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews