The Bookstore Diaries

by Susan Mallery

This summer, the town's juiciest secrets are revealed in New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery's joyful and sparkling new novel


Jax has a slight issue with control-as in, she needs it. Always. Too bad she has power only over the Painted Lady Bookstore, the Victorian mansion turned bookshop she inherited. No one else listens to a word she says. Her ex gets engaged for questionable reasons. Her beloved sister, Ryleigh, wants to move away to find a husband. And the handsome contractor Jax has chosen to convince Ryleigh to stay is only interested in Jax.
Still, she's living the bookworm dream-until an unhappy accident erases the names from the bookshop lockboxes where the town keeps their diaries. Which means the only way to find a diary's owner is...to read it.
As secrets spill and scandals surface, life at the Painted Lady Bookstore gets a lot more colorful and chaotic. But for a woman who's always had to take charge, Jax will see that losing control-especially with the right wrong guy-can set you free.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Books About Books, Audiobook, Contemporary

Audible Audio

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.

Reviews

[Dianna D · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 4/5

As a lifelong bookworm, I’m always a sucker for stories set in bookstores, and The Bookstore Diaries felt like slipping into exactly the kind of cozy, slightly chaotic world I love. Jax is the kind of heroine I connect with instantly—hyper-competent, a little controlling (okay, a lot), and trying desperately to hold everything together. She runs the Painted Lady Bookstore, a gorgeous Victorian house turned bookshop, but outside those walls her life feels like it’s fraying: an ex getting engaged for all the wrong reasons, a beloved sister (Ryleigh) talking about leaving town to find a husband, and a charming contractor who keeps looking at her instead of the sister she hired him to help keep nearby. 

I loved the whole vibe of this book. The town uses lockboxes at the bookstore to stash their private diaries (how cool is that?), and when an accident erases the names on them, Jax has to start reading them to match secrets back to owners. That’s when everything really kicks off—affairs, heartbreaks, hidden hopes—spilling out in ways that shake up not only the town, but Jax’s own carefully managed life. Add in an African Grey parrot named Ramon with big personality and you get that classic Susan Mallery blend of humor, warmth, and emotional messiness that still somehow feels hopeful. 

The tropes here are my catnip:
📚 Bookstore / booklover heroine
🏡 Small-town women’s fiction with strong community
👩‍❤️‍👨 Slow-burn romance with the “right wrong guy” (the contractor)
👭 Sister relationship & found family
🗝️ Secrets revealed / diaries & lockboxes
💔 Divorced heroine co-parenting with her ex

For me, this was a very cute, engaging read. I loved watching Jax loosen her grip on control, learn when to step back, and when to fight for what (and who) she wants. The romance is more slow-build than high-angst, which fit the story perfectly. My only small quibble—and the reason this lands at 4 stars instead of 5—is that a couple of the diary-related reveals and emotional resolutions wrapped up a little faster than I wanted. I was so invested in these characters and their secrets that I would’ve happily spent another hundred pages with them.

Still, when I finished the last page, I had that warm, contented feeling I look for in this kind of book. If you love small-town stories, complicated families, and a bookstore at the heart of everything, The Bookstore Diaries absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted eARC; all thoughts are my own.

📖 Book Review 📖 Something is in the air at The Painted Lady Bookstore, and it’s not just the spirited, rambunctious African Gray Parrot Ramon (but oh my goodness, can we bottle up that personality please?!?) Jax and Ryleigh and sisters who are deeply devoted to each other but they are down on their luck in the love department. Jax is divorced and doing her best to co-parent her two children with her ex while running her bookstore. Ryleigh is crushing her professional goals as a teacher but finding the right person to settle down with in their small town is difficult. When a construction project at the bookstore accidentally mixes up the diary lockboxes in the wall and secrets threaten to be revealed, relationships are pushed to their boundaries. It’s a summer of change for these sisters and hearts are not left unscathed in this heartfelt novel. Susan Mallery brings beautifully complex characters and high stakes in a novel you will not want to put down.

[Bookworman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A nice story about family relationships and love. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. My favorite character was Ronan, the African Gray parrot. He was funny and charming.

I had trouble connecting and caring about the main characters. It was clear from the first chapters what was going to ultimately happen. but it took a frustratingly long time for either sister to get a clue. I also didn't understand why there wasn't more interaction between the sisters and their mom and stepdad.

Anyway, it was good enough to read to the end and had enough positives to make it enjoyable.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual stars - 3.5

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC of The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery. All opinions are my own.

Jax is divorced and co-parenting her two children with their father in their previous home (they take turns moving in and out of the house so the kids can stay) and she's the owner of the Painted Lady Bookstore that she inherited. Her sister, Ryleigh, just turned down a marriage proposal from her long time boyfriend.

Jax's ex-husband, in a bid to get around their parenting plan which stated that neither parent can have a boyfriend/girlfriend over until/unless they are engaged or married, proposes to his girlfriend. Now, she has no idea that he has no intention of marrying her and is planning her dream wedding, along with her overreaching mother.

Jax tries to set her sister up with her contractor, but he's only interested in Jax.

And in the middle of all this, Ramon, Jax's parrot has a fued with the cat...and pretty much any one that does't like Jax.

I really enjoyed the book, even though some of the dialogue was a little eye-roll worthy to me. The narrator, Tonya Eby is not really my favorite. She seems to have one tone, which is always overly peppy and robotic. It's ok through most of the book, but there were others where a more nuanced tone would have worked better.

[Chrissy Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a longtime fan of Susan Mallery, I was thrilled to get my hands on an advanced copy of The Bookstore Diaries—and it absolutely delivered the kind of heartfelt, character-driven story I’ve come to expect from her.

I’m always a sucker for books about bookstores and the people who love them. There’s just something magical about stories set among shelves and stories within stories. And let’s be honest—adding an African gray parrot as a minor character? That’s the kind of delightful detail that instantly wins me over.

Mallery has such a gift for digging into complicated family dynamics without ever letting the story feel heavy. She explores layered relationships, misunderstandings, and emotional growth in a way that feels authentic, but she balances it all with warmth and humor. The result is a story that’s engaging, heartfelt, and genuinely enjoyable to read.

Cute, fun, and full of heart, The Bookstore Diaries builds to a satisfying conclusion that left me closing the book with a smile.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jax owns the Painted Lady Bookstore she inherited from her parents and is totally consumed with running it to perfection. She’s newly divorced but has a good working relationship with her ex, especially regarding parenting their two children.

Ramon, however, is probably her best friend. He’s finicky, opinionated and blurts out inappropriate statements around the bookstore. He’s also an African Gray Parrot with a great vocabulary.

Marcus is the quiet and handsome contractor Jax hired to do work around the bookstore. He’s professional but completely smitten with Jax.

Fun and cute, you’ll love this upbeat story.


Thanks Edelweiss and MIRA.

[Sharyn Stieglitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book set in a bookshop with a hilarious parrot for comic relief? Sign me up!

Jax is the owner of the Painted Lady bookshop, currently going through a divorce, and a mother of two. Her sister, Ryleigh is a teacher, but she's got bigger dreams than staying in their current small California town. Harris, Jax's ex, gets engaged to a woman he's not in love with, a colleague of Ryleigh's, and soon she's planning the wedding of her dreams that may not even be happening. To add fuel to the fire, an incident in the bookshop involving the diaries kept there, where the owner's names get erased from the shelves causes a stir.

This was a story of sisterhood, friendship, and relationships being tested, and it was so good! The character development was well written, and I loved seeing the growth of the sisters throughout the story. Jax could be set in her ways and have strong feelings, but ultimately, she loves her sister and would do anything for her. Ryleigh dreams of moving to San Diego, but it would also break her heart to live her family and friends behind.

One of my favorite characters in this book was Ramon, Jax's parrot, who could talk and added the perfect amount of comedic relief to this book.

Thank you to Susan Mallery, MIRA books, NetGalley, and HTP Hive for my e-ARC.

[Jill Elizabeth]

I wasn't familiar with the author prior to this one. I am not generally a fan of romance or the type of story frequently cast as a "women's book" (such a foolish descriptor) - but I've been in a slump and really felt like I needed a feel-good, upbeat, light-hearted story. This one, with its bookstores and redemption, small town secrets and scandals, seemed perfectly suited.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't find my way into it. There's nothing wrong here, it just wasn't for me. I found myself irritated rather than charmed and the pacing didn't engage me the way l hoped it would. This just wasn't a good fit for me...

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family is not only blood, but who you choose to be a part of yoir life. Jax has 2 great kids, an ex-husband with a 50/50 parenting plan, a younger sister who is searching for love, and her bookstore where Ramon, her parrot of 30 years, lives.
Jax has issues with relinquishing control, and isn't sure she's ready for a committed relationship with Marcus.
Ryleigh realizes she's in love with her best friend, Alex. He and his son, Noah, are the closest thing to a family unit she has, bonding after Alex's wife passed away 2 years prior.
Harris, Jax's ex, wants his girlfriend to spend the night when hes with the kids. To conform to the parenting plan, he has to be engaged or married so he proposes to his girlfriend to get around the issue. All of these relationships come to a head during the bookstore renovation where diaries are read by Cheryl, store associate, after not being claimed. Passages bring insite into the feelings and goings-on of the town, bringing closure to some, and love to others.
The story is good, overall. Ryleigh gives a sense of woe-is-me some of the time, which I don't enjoy. My favorite character is Ramon, the parrot, and Marcus, the handsome and patient contractor. I also really enjoyed Cheryl and her quick-wit, no-nonsense, take-action mindset.

[Taylor Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I adored this book.

Jax and Ryleigh were just two sisters working their way through life to figure out what they wanted and how to find love. It was just such a sweet story. Add in a silly animal sidekick? Sold. Ramon was such a fun parrot! Just everything about this story was sweet and perfect.

Tanya Eby was a great narrator! She really brought the characters to life and gave the story so much emotion.

Thank you Susan Mallery and Harlequin Audio for a gifted copy of the audiobook!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced copy of the bookstore diaries in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I almost DNF’d this book, but I am so glad I stuck with it. I ended up falling in love with all of the characters and rooting for them to get their happy endings. It really was a heartwarming story and I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[ryen౨ৎᥫ᭡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not going to lie I wanted to dnf this book but I’m glad I didn’t. The beginning was a bit slow but I loved the storyline. I enjoyed reading about both sisters and the characters were fun to read about! This romance book was also set in a bookstore which I loved!!

Thank you netgalley for this ark!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery

Oh man, I wanted so badly to love this one! The idea was great, the setting was lovely, and on paper this should have been a win for me. Unfortunately…. No

The biggest issue for me was the characters. The main characters’ constant introspection became exhausting and, honestly, a little ridiculous. I found myself repeatedly thinking, “Come on, you can figure this out,” or “What a friggin’ idiot.” It’s hard to fully enjoy a book when you’re actively rooting against the MCs—or wishing the side characters would run away and never look back

The writing also felt repetitive, and the story dragged more than it needed to. The same emotional beats were revisited over and over again, making the book feel longer than it should have been

That said… this is a 3-star read for one very important reason: Ramon. Ramon, the parrot. The only character I was truly invested in & yes, he is a bird. RAMON steals the book and absolutely steals your heart. Honestly, he saved this story for me- Thank you, Ramon, for doing the heavy lifting

[Lisa Hemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramon stole the show in “The Bookstore Diaries” and was my favorite character, but who was he really? Jax’s secret boyfriend? No, he was an African Gray Parrot who lived at the bookstore. He was very popular with the customers, especially the children, and he tended to repeat everything he heard. His words of wisdom graced each chapter and his love for Jax knew no boundaries. I love stories set in bookstores and I was intrigued by the title and immediately fell in love with all of the characters. The storyline was full of family drama, lasting friendships and lots of romance. Not only does the book take place in a bookstore, the locale is sunny California by the beach! This is the perfect escape for book lovers and those of us who can only dream about a California vacation.

Jax had her hands full with managing the bookstore, taking care of her two children, and dealing with her wayward ex-husband, whose behavior created a train wreck that I couldn’t look away from. Her sister Ryleigh had both personal and professional decisions to make, and could a change of scenery be what she was really looking for? The bookstore was the most important character because it represented a safe haven for all, a place to read, reflect and jot down your dreams, and a way of life that was full of possibilities. I felt at home at The Painted Lady Bookstore and I know all of you will, too!! Happy reading!!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mallory delivers her trademark storytelling expertise into her new novel about sisters. Jax and Ryleigh are sisters both in need of help in the love department. Jax has been divorced for over a year now and while things are great with her kids, bookstore, and precocious bird, but her love life is non-existent and she's not sure if she even wants to change that. Ryleigh has been dating her boyfriend for a year and she's expecting a proposal. But when the perfect opportunity arises and there's no proposal, she starts questioning her relationship.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Mallery’s The Bookstore Diaries kicked my door open, scattered my emotions across the floor, and then politely offered me a comfy chair and a cup of something warm while I processed the mess.
Published by Harlequin Audio, and many thanks to the publisher for the gifted ARC, which I experienced entirely on audio and ended up loving more than I expected.

Let me be clear right away: this isn’t a twisty, high-drama, gasp-out-loud kind of book. It’s a slow, cozy, emotionally observant story that sneaks up on you while you’re relaxed and then suddenly hits a little too close to home. Listening to it felt like being invited into the Painted Lady Bookstore after closing time, when the lights are low, the town noise has faded, and everyone’s secrets feel louder than they should. The audio format suits this story beautifully. The narration leans into the warmth, the humor, and the quiet tension of people who are trying very hard to keep their lives under control… and not quite succeeding.

Jax is the kind of main character who can easily come off as “a lot,” and honestly? She is. She’s competent, controlling, opinionated, and absolutely convinced she knows what’s best for everyone around her. But hearing her story unfold on audio softened her edges for me. Her inner thoughts felt less sharp and more vulnerable, like confessions whispered rather than declarations shouted. I didn’t always agree with her choices, but I understood where they came from, and that made all the difference. There’s something deeply relatable about a woman who keeps everything running smoothly because she doesn’t trust what will happen if she stops.

The book isn’t really about the diaries in the literal sense. It’s about what happens when private thoughts are exposed, when carefully curated lives start to wobble, and when control slips through your fingers whether you’re ready or not. The emotional payoff comes from watching characters sit with discomfort instead of rushing to fix it. On audio, those pauses matter. I found myself lingering in the car just to finish a chapter, rewinding certain scenes because the emotional beats landed quietly but stuck.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4.5 stars

“There’s a person for every book.”

That line stopped me in my tracks when I heard it out loud. It sums up not just the heart of the story, but the experience of listening to it. This book knows exactly who it’s for. If you love cozy settings, bookstores as emotional anchors, sister dynamics that feel complicated but genuine, slow-burn romance, and stories about emotionally capable adults figuring things out imperfectly, this will feel like slipping into something familiar and comforting. Audiobook listeners who enjoy character-driven narratives with warmth, wit, and low-stakes chaos will especially appreciate how well this story translates to listening.

When it ended, I felt that specific mix of contentment and mild sadness that comes from leaving a place you enjoyed more than you realized while you were there. And honestly, that’s the highest compliment I can give a book like this. So now I’m curious… would you rather experience a story like this through headphones during everyday life, or save it for a quiet night curled up with the pages?

#TheBookstoreDiaries #SusanMallery #AudiobookReview #HarlequinAudio #RomanceReads #RomanceAudiobook #CozyFiction #BooksAboutBooks #WomensFiction #Bookstagram #AudioBooks

[Jan farnworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Secrets Spill Between the Shelves: Why The Bookstore Diaries Stole My Heart
There’s a very specific kind of comfort that comes from a novel set in a bookstore — the quiet creak of wooden floors, the promise of hidden stories, the sense that something life-changing might be tucked between the shelves. That’s exactly the feeling I got reading The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery — and honestly, it felt like coming home.
From the very first chapter, I could picture the Painted Lady Bookstore — a charming Victorian house filled with stories and secrets. Jax, the owner, is the kind of character I instantly recognized. She’s organized to a fault, fiercely independent, and determined to hold her world together with careful planning. And if I’m being honest? I saw a little bit of myself in her need for control.
The heart of the story kicks in when a renovation mishap muddies the names on private diaries stored in the shop. Suddenly, secrets that were meant to stay hidden are dangerously close to being exposed. I expected drama (and there is some), but what surprised me most was how deeply emotional the fallout felt. This wasn’t just about spilled secrets — it was about vulnerability, trust, and the fear of being truly known.
What really stayed with me, though, were the relationships. The sister dynamic felt raw and real — messy in the way only family can be. There’s love, frustration, loyalty, and that complicated history you can never quite escape. The romance is soft and slow-burning, which I personally adore. It doesn’t overpower the story; it grows quietly in the background, like something steady and safe.
And can we talk about Ramon the parrot? Absolute scene-stealer. I didn’t expect to fall in love with a bird, but here we are.
If I had one small wish, it’s that the diary mix-up had played an even bigger role throughout the book. The premise is so intriguing that I wanted just a bit more chaos. But even so, I found myself lingering over chapters, not wanting to leave this world.
Reading The Bookstore Diaries felt like spending time in a place where stories matter — where people are flawed but trying, where love shows up imperfectly, and where even long-held secrets can lead to growth.
This wasn’t just a cozy read for me — it was a gentle reminder that sometimes, the stories we’re most afraid of sharing are the ones that set us free.

[Angela Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Bookstore Diaries Deluxe Hardcover Edition, we follow Jax as she navigates running her open-while-renovating family bookstore and a unique yet efficient custody arrangement.
One where the children stay in the marital home while the parents take turns moving in and out each week.

Everything is going as close to perfect as possible until her ex-husband proposes to his girlfriend - not because he loves her, but because he wants to be able to sleep with her in the marital home.

And then the construction team that is working on her bookstore cleans the markings off the wall that holds the town’s hottest secrets.

Can Jax keep it together while the hot construction manager does whatever he can to make it up to her and her husband’s future wife and mother-in-law do whatever they can to make her uncomfortable?

Here's my 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review of The BookStore Diaries Deluxe Hardcover Edition by Susan Mallery

Genre: Contemporary Romance | Pages: 284

This Book in 5 Emojis: 📚🧱🪽👩‍👧‍👦👷🏽‍♂️

My Thoughts On This Complicated Entrepreneurial Romance

I originally requested this pretty ARC because I LOVE a book with a control freak lead 🤣 Being a control freak myself, I love seeing how they navigate the bombs and chaos the authors throw at them.

I am not sure how @susanmallery came up with the dynamics for Jax's custody arrangement, but I believe it is pretty cool!

And I'm not surprised her selfish ex-husband had to go and mess it up 😒

But I'm kind of glad he did because otherwise, Jax would have never given Mr. Hot Construction a chance! I love how natural their relationship sparked and bloomed. It wasn't rushed for the plot or over dramatized.

The way Jax overcame her mental walls to make way for love was really relatable.

I would highly recommend this book to any readers who love a strong women with her own bag and her own mind.
In The Bookstore Diaries Deluxe Hardcover Edition, we follow Jax as she navigates running her open-while-renovating family bookstore and a unique yet efficient custody arrangement.
One where the children stay in the marital home while the parents take turns moving in and out each week.

Thank you @htpbooks for this free copy!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review
It’s a YES from me!

As a longtime Susan Mallery fan, I was genuinely excited to read an advance copy of The Bookstore Diaries—and it delivered exactly the kind of heartfelt, character-driven story I love from her. I adored the overall vibe of this book. Sisters Jax and Ryleigh are close, supportive, and fiercely devoted to each other, even if their love lives are… less successful. Jax is navigating life after divorce, co-parenting her two kids while keeping her bookstore afloat, and Ryleigh is thriving professionally as a teacher but struggling to find her person in their small town.

The town’s quirky tradition of storing private diaries in lockboxes at the bookstore adds a fun, intriguing twist. When an accident wipes the names from the boxes, Jax is forced to read the entries to reunite secrets with their owners—and that’s when everything unravels. Affairs, heartbreak, long-buried hopes, and emotional truths spill out, shaking up the town and pushing Jax far outside her carefully controlled comfort zone. Throw in Ramon, an African Grey parrot with a big personality, and you get that signature Susan Mallery mix of humor, warmth, and emotional chaos that somehow still feels deeply comforting.

For me, this was such a charming, engaging read. I loved watching Jax slowly release her need for control, figure out when to step back, and when to fight for what—and who—she truly wants. The romance leans more slow-burn than high-drama, which suits the story beautifully. Sweet, fun, and full of heart, The Bookstore Diaries builds to a satisfying ending that left me smiling when I turned the final page. 📚💛😊

🎧 Fantastic audiobook narration — Tanya Eby absolutely shines, bringing warmth, humor, and distinct voices that make the story even more enjoyable.

📚 Small-town life
👯‍♀️ Sisters / strong sibling bond
💔➡️💖 Second-chance-at-love vibes
🏪 Bookstore setting
🔐 Secrets & hidden diaries
🐦 Quirky animal sidekick
🌱 Personal growth & healing
💞 Slow-burn romance
🤍 Community-centered story

Perfect if you love cozy, heart-forward stories with a little emotional messiness and a lot of charm.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio and Susan Mallery for the ALC.

[Topo Chicas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bookstore Diaries is Susan Mallery’s latest super sweet romance, where we find so many unique family blends and unexpected bonds that are made between humans, pets, and humans and their pets. And also a person who prefers their own company to others. It was almost an anecdotal class in modern American sociology, but engaging and a fun read.

The main shenanigans happen to and with the sisters Jax and her sister Ryleigh. Jax is comfortable in her post-divorce custody arrangement, wherein she trades places with her ex-husband in the family home that they share with their two kids. The off weeks, she moves back into her apartment in her bookstore, the Painted Lady Bookstore, where she lives with her parrot, Ramon.

Her sister, Ryleigh is having an identity crisis and decides that she needs to move to a larger city so that the dating pool might lead her to find love, get married, and have kids of her own.

The main drama outside of the relationships that wane or bloom in the novel was the existence of income sidelines for the Painted Lady Bookstore. For example, aside from renting out a life-sized werewolf for $1,000/day, they also offered diaries that you could literally hide in plain sight in the bookstore. No one broke the honor system, but a snafu happened when some refurbishment construction worker removed the labels from the cubbyholes where the diaries lived. Since people spilled All of their tea in those diaries, the entire town was in an uproar.

I loved how respectful Mallery was when carefully constructing these romances and families structures in a random small-town in California. She did so with respect and imagination, and with reality with regard to modern-day romances.

I also loved the interactions with the pets and the strong bond that Jax had with her Ramon. I also loved that Ramon was like a toddler learning English: he repeated phrases that they did Not want him to pick up, and it was hilarious.

This is the perfect beach read or book club read. It leaves you feeling like you’ve made new friends, and that’s the best feeling.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this audio ARC!!

[Lula Brielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I'll say this first; I did enjoy this book! It had the dream bookstore, RomCom, small town, community unites in a crisis, story we all love. But. The blurb mentions after the diaries are read, scandals surface. That's not really true.

I was expecting town chaos over the diaries but it was actually handled pretty well! The only person who read the diaries, and these are the ones that weren't collected after the mishap, was a secondary character. And at the end of the day, she really helped people!

Other than that, The Bookshop Diaries is about two sisters looking for love. They're even wondering if they've ever really been in love at all? I find that kind of sad considering MFC Jax was married and has two children. But she seems to be happy with just her job, her kids, her family and Ramon, her 30 year old parakeet.

Her sister Ryleigh, who is also her best friend, always takes her big sister's advice into consideration. Yet, I also see she is a true friend by telling Jax when she's wrong. She doesn't want to hurt her sisters feelings but she doesn't keep quiet about how controlling she can be.

Both women are in different stages in their life. And I'll be honest, I wasn't too much of a fan of Jax. I completely understood her stance in not wanting to be in love, but I would never disregard or be oblivious about it if it's right in my face, or there was potential for it in the future.

I felt she was very flawed in that aspect. To the point when she blurted something out, I cringed and face palmed myself, like Girl really? Yet, the book is still worth the read. It's funny, it's real and it also has that Hallmark movie feel we all love! Does she learns her lesson and change for the better? That's something you'll have to read for yourself, but yeah, eventually Jax her HEA. Just as she deserves! Just as we all do!

Special Thanks to NetGalley and the author Susan Mallery for providing me an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Laurie]

A story that takes place in a bookstore in a small California coastal town, focuses on family, relationships, and friendships, and is written by Susan Mallery? I’m all in! While the title includes “diaries,” this novel really centers on the lives of two sisters, Jax, the owner of the Painted Lady Bookstore, and her sister, Ryleigh, a teacher. Both sisters are successful in their chosen fields but have had disappointments in love (and, for Jax, in marriage). Some of the most enjoyable portions of this book were following each sister’s revelations about what they want out of life and how they’ve both gotten in their own way toward finding love. The other plotline I enjoyed was watching the relationship between Jax and her contractor, Marcus, unfold. Between running a bookstore, dealing with her ex-husband, and being mom to her two children, Jax has built a “safe” life where she can control the narrative. Watching her open herself up and risk being vulnerable was a delight.

The dialogue flows, and the other characters, including Jax’s two children, Cheryl, Jax’s events coordinator, and Ramon, Jax’s African gray parrot, add humor and an emotional connection. And the diaries? Townspeople wrote those, and the diaries are kept behind a brick wall in the bookstore. Each brick is marked, so that the owners can easily locate their diaries. When a well-meaning worker cleans the wall, thus erasing the markings, Jax faces matching each diary with the owner. Secrets are revealed, with some of those affecting both Jax and Ryleigh.

What kept me from a five-star rating was the repetition of the same dialogue, introspection, and narrative being rehashed repeatedly throughout the book. When a character repeats the same thing over and over again, I just want to skip those parts. Still, I enjoyed spending time in the Painted Lady, and recommend this charming, comfortable read. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the digital ARC.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ALC. All thoughts are my own.

TLDR: This story was fine. Repetitive? Very. But poorly written or bad?… No. I think I’m just 20 years outside of this author’s audience. Had I been in my mid-50s, I think I would’ve really enjoyed this. But I’m not. I’m in my mid- to late 30s, with kids of similar ages to the FMC, and found it wholly unrelatable.

The Bookstore Diaries is a contemporary romance featuring a divorced, bookstore-owning mother, Jax, and her sister, a local elementary school teacher who is confused about love.

The brightest spot in the book was the grey macaw.

This is my second novel by Susan Mallery, and I found that, while she created a lovely world, sometimes she falls into the “Why the heck are you telling me about this?” trap. Quite a few times, descriptions left me scratching my head about why they were included.

The narrator’s voice isn’t one I’ve listened to all that often, and she made our main character sound….older. I thought she was in her fifties until about a quarter of the way through the book.

Jax was a tough sell as a character for me. She is brash, opinionated, and desperately white-knuckling her way through life. I stayed with the story because other reviewers said she improved as the story progressed (she did).

Her sister, in contrast, is quietly strong and doesn’t yet know it. I found I enjoyed her storyline much more than Jax’s storyline. Yes, she did get whiny, and her inability to see what was right in front of her was rather annoying. But I would’ve enjoyed a story about her, nonetheless.

Cheryl is great. Shawna grew on me, and the ex… lol. Yeah. Once I saw it as humorous, his whole storyline didn’t bother me as much as it did at the beginning.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad audiobook, but I don’t think I will pick it up again.

If you’d like chili pepper ratings, I would rate this 1 chili pepper for coarse language and a closed-door scene with very little heat.

[hannah ⊹ ࣪ ˖ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love books set in a bookstore, and The Bookstore Diaries completely delivered that cozy, slightly chaotic charm I was hoping for.

In this, we follow Jax, the hyper-competent (read: control-loving) owner of the Painted Lady Bookstore—a dreamy Victorian mansion turned bookshop that feels like a character all on its own. Inside those walls, Jax is in charge. Outside of them? Not so much. Her ex-husband is newly engaged for reasons that make everyone raise an eyebrow, her sister Ryleigh is considering leaving town to chase a different future, and the contractor Jax strategically brings in to anchor her sister to town seems far more interested in Jax than in the job.

And then the diaries happen.

The town stores personal diaries in lockboxes at the bookstore—already such a fun, intimate concept—but when an accident wipes the names from them, the only way to reunite diary with owner is to read them. Cue the unraveling of secrets, heartbreaks, betrayals, and long-buried hopes. The fallout is messy in the best way, rippling through friendships, marriages, and Jax’s own tightly controlled world.

Jax is the kind of heroine who can be frustrating because she needs to have control over everything—but that’s also what makes her arc so satisfying. Watching her slowly realize that control isn’t the same thing as security (especially in love) felt real and earned. The romance builds gently rather than explosively, which fit the tone perfectly.

And I cannot not mention Ramon, the African Grey parrot, who steals nearly every scene he’s in. His well-timed commentary adds a spark of humor that balances the emotional weight of the diary revelations.

If you love stories about complicated families, second chances, community ties, and bookstores brimming with heart, this one is fantastic!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this eARC!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bookstore Diaries immediately caught my attention with its blend of bookstore charm, sister dynamics, and a wonderfully unique diary premise. While not everything landed perfectly for me, I still found this to be a cozy, engaging read with plenty of heart—especially in the audiobook format, which brings the town and characters to life with warmth.

The diary element is one of the most intriguing parts of the story. I loved the idea of townspeople storing their private journals in lockboxes at the Painted Lady Bookstore, and the mix‑up that forces Jax to read through them added a fun, creative twist. It opens the door for secrets, surprises, and small emotional revelations. I kept waiting and waiting for it to become a focus in the story since it is the name of the book. I wish this thread had been explored a bit more deeply because the concept itself is so strong and memorable.

The Painted Lady Bookstore is a setting I could happily linger in, and the coastal California backdrop adds a breezy, inviting atmosphere. And I have to say—the African Grey parrot completely won me over. He was easily my favorite character! Funny, expressive, and full of personality, he brings delightful bursts of humor that brighten the story in all the right moments.

While I didn’t always connect fully with the main characters, I appreciated the themes of sisterhood, community, and letting go of control. Readers who enjoy gentle, low‑stakes fiction with a strong sense of place will likely find this a comforting escape, especially on audio.

Overall, The Bookstore Diaries is a cozy, uplifting, and nicely imagined read with a heartfelt premise and plenty of charm. It lands between 3.5 and 4 stars for me—an atmospheric, enjoyable story that fans of small-town fiction and bookstore settings will likely savor, especially in audio.

★★★★

[Arti · Rating 2 out of 5]

A just okay romance!

This wasn't for me honestly. I struggled with this one.

Jax is a divorced woman who owns the Painted Lady bookstore and is managing her life with the odd routine she's gotten into with her ex-husband. Her sister is also dealing with a dead end relationship and desires to move away and this is the story of them and the people in their lives.

I wish I had much to say about this one but it simply wasn't for me. I hated the audiobook narrator SO much. She has talent and a good voice but I think she was a horrible choice for this novel. She has an upward inflection to damn near every freaking line and it's too much. A book that brings up sex so much (but it isn't smutty or particularly titillating) but told in the tone of Green Eggs and Ham just really wasn't working for me and I really think may have heavily detracted from the story for me. Just..... really bad tone.

As for the story... I didn't like any character enough to be very invested in this one. Everyone is kind of middling and absolutely no one was very deep or interesting. The conversations were stilted and I just have a hard time imagining any of these conversations. They're so out of touch for what real people talk and act like...

I feel like I should have liked this more but I don't have strong feelings about this novel either way. I think this would be the perfect story for someone honestly but it just wasn't for me and in such a way that I really have a hard time articulating what was good or bad about it. It was just okay! It was fine.

I would recommend this to a reader who wants something simple and low-conflict, something that puts you into a lulled hypnotic mood as you meander in the lives of these characters. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone looking for a little more grit to the story or who wants something to really sink into.

[Aura C · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lifelong book lover, stories set in bookstores already have my heart, and The Bookstore Diaries made it very easy to settle in and stay awhile. Susan Mallery creates a cozy, slightly chaotic small-town world centered around The Painted Lady Bookstore, and it genuinely feels like the kind of place you’d want to linger in long after turning the last page.

Jax is a relatable, tightly wound heroine — competent, controlling, and carrying far more responsibility than she should have to. Between running the bookstore, navigating family dynamics, and dealing with an ex who still takes up too much emotional space, her life feels constantly on the verge of unraveling. When the town’s private diaries are accidentally mixed up and secrets begin to surface, everything she’s worked so hard to keep in order starts to crack in ways that are messy, uncomfortable, and very human.

I really enjoyed the strong sense of community, the sister relationship, and the way the story explores letting go of control and learning when to step back. The romance is a slow build and fits the tone of the story nicely — more about emotional growth than sweeping drama. And yes, Ramon the African Grey parrot absolutely steals every scene he’s in.

This was a warm, engaging read that balanced family, romance, and small-town secrets well. My only reason for landing at four stars instead of five is that a few emotional resolutions felt a bit rushed, and I would have happily spent more time sitting with the fallout of some of those revelations.

Still, I closed this book feeling content, comforted, and glad I picked it up. If you love bookstores, complicated families, community-driven stories, and romances that unfold at a gentler pace, The Bookstore Diaries is a very satisfying read.

[Resh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally misleading title and blurb! I went in thinking this is going to be a fun and entertaining story around people in a bookstore and their diaries. Instead, this turned out to be a dumpster fire of selfish characters making bad life choices. There’s a talking parrot in the bookstore who was hilarious and I’m giving this book two ⭐️ just for the parrot. So disappointed!

Jax owns a bookstore and is divorced with two kids. She has a sister Ryleigh who’s a teacher. Basically the story is about them and them trying to find love and happiness.

First off all characters except one man came off as stupid and selfish. I don’t know about preferences but Jax even after her divorce lives and sleeps in the same room as her husband which gave me a full ick. On top of that she’s very selfish when her sister wants to move to another state to make her own life. She doesn’t want to take a chance at love but wants her sister to stay so she won’t be alone 🙄. And let’s not even talk about the ex husband who’s probably one of the worst characters I’ve read. He’s an absolute jerk who misleads, lies, and runs away from responsibilities. Also the bookstore diaries were left in the bookstore by people to keep their secrets. But a woman who works in the bookstore reads them. Gross.

Absolutely adored the parrot though. He’s so funny and was the only reason I finished listening to this. Also loved his bond with the cat he finds himself. He’s so much better than all the characters put together.

I don’t know why this book is marketed as is cause this book has no context on bookstores or diaries except for like 3% of the story.

Do not recommend.

Thank you to HTP Hive and Harper Audio for the ALC. All thoughts are my own.

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨📚 Susan Mallory does it again! 📚✨
@htpbooks - A big thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins. I received this early audiobook release from HarperCollins in exchange for my review, and I couldn’t wait to dive in — especially knowing it was written by Susan Mallory and narrated by my absolute favorite, January LaVoy. And wow… what a treat!
Bookstore Diaries beautifully navigates the lives of two sisters as they each find love in their own unexpected ways. Susan Mallory has such a gift for creating warm, layered characters you instantly care about, and this story was no exception. I loved getting to know the sisters, their struggles, their growth, and the way love slowly unfolded for them.
The bookstore setting completely stole my heart. I could vividly picture this charming little shop near the beach, selling books and whimsical trinkets, sunlight pouring in through the windows. I was honestly envious of Jax, living a life completely surrounded by books — what a dream!
And Ramon? Such a fun, whimsical addition to the story! He added just the right touch of heart and humor.
One of my favorite elements was the diaries — and the magical thought of them living within the bookstore’s walls. It was such a creative concept and so beautifully woven into the storyline. It added depth, nostalgia, and that little spark of wonder that makes a story unforgettable.
January LaVoy’s narration elevated the entire experience. She brought so much emotion and personality to each character that I felt completely immersed from start to finish.
If you love heartfelt sister stories, charming bookstores, a touch of whimsy, and satisfying romance, this one absolutely belongs on your TBR.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @htpbooks

[Ary.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery is a light, charming small-town story filled with family dynamics, second chances, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

Jax is a classic control-loving heroine who suddenly finds herself in situations she absolutely cannot control—between her sister’s plans to leave town, her complicated ex, and the handsome contractor who definitely complicates things further. The Painted Lady Bookstore (a Victorian mansion turned bookshop — yes please) is such a cozy, whimsical backdrop, and the diary lockbox premise adds a fun layer of intrigue as secrets spill into the open.

I really enjoyed the community aspect of this story. The town gossip, the sister relationship, and the slow unraveling of hidden truths created that hallmark small-town warmth Mallery is known for. On audio, the story flowed well and was easy to sink into — perfect for a weekend listen.

And I have to say — I loved Ramon the bird. He completely stole every scene he fluttered into and added such a fun, quirky layer to the story. Honestly, he might have been my favorite character.

For me, the pacing lagged a bit in the middle, and while I appreciated Jax’s growth journey, I wanted just a touch more emotional depth in some of the romantic moments. The “right wrong guy” trope is there, but I didn’t feel all the sparks I was hoping for.

Overall, this is a sweet, low-angst, comfort read about learning to loosen your grip on life and let love (and community) in. If you’re looking for something cozy with family drama, bookstore vibes, small-town secrets — and an unforgettable bird — this one will hit the spot.