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Book People
Years ago, Christopher Hemlock chose Hollywood over the quiet girl who knew his every chapter by heart. Now he’s a world-famous actor with a surprise new writer and producer of a romantic comedy that’s missing one crucial the ending.
Lindsey Hawthorne had plans of her own once. She was going to be a novelist, not the reluctant owner of her late grandmother’s cozy bookstore. But life dog-eared her dreams, and now she spends her days shelving other people’s happy endings while convincing herself she doesn’t need one of her own.
When Christopher comes back to town asking for help writing his movie’s final act, Lindsey knows she should say no. Some books are better left on the shelf. But between late-night brainstorming sessions, coffee-stained drafts, and a chemistry that never went out of print, it becomes clear their story might deserve a rewrite.
As old feelings resurface and sparks fly, Lindsey and Christopher must is this just a nostalgic reread … or the start of a brand-new volume?
A charming second-chance romantic comedy about love, lost dreams, and discovering that sometimes the best stories are the ones you’re brave enough to finish.
Lindsey Hawthorne had plans of her own once. She was going to be a novelist, not the reluctant owner of her late grandmother’s cozy bookstore. But life dog-eared her dreams, and now she spends her days shelving other people’s happy endings while convincing herself she doesn’t need one of her own.
When Christopher comes back to town asking for help writing his movie’s final act, Lindsey knows she should say no. Some books are better left on the shelf. But between late-night brainstorming sessions, coffee-stained drafts, and a chemistry that never went out of print, it becomes clear their story might deserve a rewrite.
As old feelings resurface and sparks fly, Lindsey and Christopher must is this just a nostalgic reread … or the start of a brand-new volume?
A charming second-chance romantic comedy about love, lost dreams, and discovering that sometimes the best stories are the ones you’re brave enough to finish.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2026
About the author
Ashley Claire
8 books36 followersAshley Claire is a cliché millennial Disney adult and hardcore Swiftie. Residing in hell.. Oops, I mean sunny Arizona, she is the mother of two amazing kids and married to her best friend. She has always been an avid reader with a passion for books. Ashley started her journey teaching high school and eventually moved on to be an editor and content writer for many years before deciding to drop everything and risk it all by writing her own stories and novels.
Ashley enjoys coffee, nerds gummy clusters, and pickles. She loves planning and hosting book clubs, and hopes everyone finds a group of bookish friends to share life with. The more book clubs in the world—- the merrier!
Follow along for updates on what Ashley has planned next!
Instagram: @ashleyclairebooks
Facebook: ashleyclairebooks
Website: www.ashleyclairebooks.com
Ashley enjoys coffee, nerds gummy clusters, and pickles. She loves planning and hosting book clubs, and hopes everyone finds a group of bookish friends to share life with. The more book clubs in the world—- the merrier!
Follow along for updates on what Ashley has planned next!
Instagram: @ashleyclairebooks
Facebook: ashleyclairebooks
Website: www.ashleyclairebooks.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 16, 2026
A second chance RomCom that all of us bookies will adore! I love that as our couple is reconnecting we get to experience flashbacks and feel the emotions with both POV’s. The raw emotions of both characters as they process their past and find the courage to open their hearts. The side characters that we get to reconnect with as well from previous books in this series is so cozy as a reader. We have some awesome spice and adorable banter. Loved it 💜
June 14, 2026
I’m so proud to have been asked to Beta read this sweet end to the Brews, Blooms, and Books series. Book People is the perfect second chance romance set against a celebrity romance that gives reverse Notting Hill vibes. Well paced and passionate, I loved every minute of this!!
July 14, 2026
this is my fave ashley claire book - and that says something because i’ve loved every one i’ve read! it made me feel so many things - and the way christopher was so vulnerable was so refreshing. a man not afraid of his feelings 👏🏼 i loved that he knew what he wanted, and even if it took some time - he went after it! i loved the rom com vibes, the second chance of it all. i could not stop cheering them on to figure it out and find each other again.
July 14, 2026
3.5 rounded up!
So grateful I got to beta read this book for Ashley! I sent multiple highlights and notes and can’t wait to re-read the fully edited copy when I get the chance!
I love this small town universe Ashley has created. The crossover with characters is so fun - you get a CAROL MOMENT! There were a few things I didn’t like, but alas that is reading and although I didn’t like them that isn’t to say they aren’t relevant to the book or necessary in the authors vision. I think my main issue was the initial breakup was so mature, and then Jess turned into a man hater (I get it, backing up your bestie…) but it took a bit for me to be okay with her behavior because she did show understanding later on, it just felt out of character for her - but again, that could be the point.
I will say the ending is what bumped up my rounding because wow, it was so sweet and emotional and I was so excited to see the final choice!
Read if you like second chance romances, small town, celebrity MMC, spicy bookstore scenes 😉
*note rating done on beta copy so want to read fully edited version still!*
So grateful I got to beta read this book for Ashley! I sent multiple highlights and notes and can’t wait to re-read the fully edited copy when I get the chance!
I love this small town universe Ashley has created. The crossover with characters is so fun - you get a CAROL MOMENT! There were a few things I didn’t like, but alas that is reading and although I didn’t like them that isn’t to say they aren’t relevant to the book or necessary in the authors vision. I think my main issue was the initial breakup was so mature, and then Jess turned into a man hater (I get it, backing up your bestie…) but it took a bit for me to be okay with her behavior because she did show understanding later on, it just felt out of character for her - but again, that could be the point.
I will say the ending is what bumped up my rounding because wow, it was so sweet and emotional and I was so excited to see the final choice!
Read if you like second chance romances, small town, celebrity MMC, spicy bookstore scenes 😉
*note rating done on beta copy so want to read fully edited version still!*
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I wonder if this is just who I am now, a man orbiting a life he no longer has, learning the geography of absence.”
I declare this is my favorite Ashley Claire book as of today’s date. I am obsessed with Lindsey and Christopher. The yearning!! The repentance! The sweetness! This book felt like watching my favorite rom com snuggled up with blankets and cocoa and a warm fire crackling. I adored the vibes, I adored the characters, and I loved rooting for them to find their way back to each other!
Lindsey is a small town book store owner nursing a broken heart years later. Christopher is a big time movie star coming home to his hometown for his sister’s wedding where he sees his ex after years apart. What she doesn’t know is he has longed to make up for how their relationship ended and that he has never moved on. Christopher needs to lay low to avoid media while he is supposed to be finishing a script and Lindsey offers him a place to stay, these two finally can’t avoid the feelings and conversations they’ve been needing to have.
“You’re … the place I want to come home to. Every time.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
I declare this is my favorite Ashley Claire book as of today’s date. I am obsessed with Lindsey and Christopher. The yearning!! The repentance! The sweetness! This book felt like watching my favorite rom com snuggled up with blankets and cocoa and a warm fire crackling. I adored the vibes, I adored the characters, and I loved rooting for them to find their way back to each other!
Lindsey is a small town book store owner nursing a broken heart years later. Christopher is a big time movie star coming home to his hometown for his sister’s wedding where he sees his ex after years apart. What she doesn’t know is he has longed to make up for how their relationship ended and that he has never moved on. Christopher needs to lay low to avoid media while he is supposed to be finishing a script and Lindsey offers him a place to stay, these two finally can’t avoid the feelings and conversations they’ve been needing to have.
“You’re … the place I want to come home to. Every time.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
July 20, 2026
This was an ARC read.
This was also the first time I truly read a book with one of the MC's that carried the name of one of my sons ... (I had a Ben before but that was a Benoit so it wasn't quite the same LOL).
I admit I blurred out the name Christopher in my brain in some of the steamy scenes because that was just a bit too creepy for me (I don't want to read about my son having steamy ***)
But other than that it was very cute. I loved the fact the FMC had a bookstore (if I ever win Euromillions it's what I'll do) and the 2 POV was again very well written.
You got enough backstory to get the overall feel of what had happened and it didn't feel rushed at all.
This was book 3 of Brews, Blooms & Books - but it was perfect to read as a stand alone. I do feel like I want to read the other ones too at this point, which will lead to a re-read of this one since it's the final one.
It was a quick read, well paced and kept me going to finish it! I recommend!
This was also the first time I truly read a book with one of the MC's that carried the name of one of my sons ... (I had a Ben before but that was a Benoit so it wasn't quite the same LOL).
I admit I blurred out the name Christopher in my brain in some of the steamy scenes because that was just a bit too creepy for me (I don't want to read about my son having steamy ***)
But other than that it was very cute. I loved the fact the FMC had a bookstore (if I ever win Euromillions it's what I'll do) and the 2 POV was again very well written.
You got enough backstory to get the overall feel of what had happened and it didn't feel rushed at all.
This was book 3 of Brews, Blooms & Books - but it was perfect to read as a stand alone. I do feel like I want to read the other ones too at this point, which will lead to a re-read of this one since it's the final one.
It was a quick read, well paced and kept me going to finish it! I recommend!
July 3, 2026
I was so lucky to get an ARC copy of this book! I couldn’t put it down. I read it in two days! This was the perfect way to wrap up this series!
Book People is the third book in the Brews, Blooms and Books series.
Lindsey and Christopher get a second chance to fix what they had years before. She spent years trying to fix what he left behind, and he spent years trying to mask his mistakes in front of the entire world as a well known celebrity. They reunited and his sister’s wedding and very slowly get the to chance to literally rewrite their story.
I loved Jess in this book. She is Lindsey’s voice of reason and reminds her to keep boundaries and to guard her heart. I thought this was so refreshing because in Flower People, Jess beats to the sound of her own drum. We also got to revisit with Sarah and Ethan from Coffee people, too!
Book People is the third book in the Brews, Blooms and Books series.
Lindsey and Christopher get a second chance to fix what they had years before. She spent years trying to fix what he left behind, and he spent years trying to mask his mistakes in front of the entire world as a well known celebrity. They reunited and his sister’s wedding and very slowly get the to chance to literally rewrite their story.
I loved Jess in this book. She is Lindsey’s voice of reason and reminds her to keep boundaries and to guard her heart. I thought this was so refreshing because in Flower People, Jess beats to the sound of her own drum. We also got to revisit with Sarah and Ethan from Coffee people, too!
July 12, 2026
5/5 stars
I absolutely loved Coffee People and Flower People so when I heard that Lindsey was getting a book, I could not wait to read it!! My order of loving these books is in order of the books BUT, I loved all of them and they each have a special place in my heart!
Thank you Ashley Claire for this arc in exchange for my honest review! I am SO happy I picked up the Coffee People on vacation earlier this year as this series has been comfort to me.
I read this book in just a few sittings and did not want to put it down. Lindsey and Christopher (Chris as everyone else knows him as) get a second chance to rewrite their love story and I loved how they each had a past to work through first. Lindsey spent years trying to forget and forgive Christopher and he spent years trying to forgive himself for the past. When he attempts to finish a movie that is based on their love story, he needs Lindsey's help to finish what they started. It was so fun that this book is based in a small town and especially a small-town bookstore. I could picture all the scenes.
I'm sad this series is over, but I will definitely be rereading this series and honestly anything else Ashley Claire writes!
Read this book if you like:
-Celebrity MMC
-Bookstore owner FMC
-Second chance romance
-Bookstore spice
-It's always been you!
I absolutely loved Coffee People and Flower People so when I heard that Lindsey was getting a book, I could not wait to read it!! My order of loving these books is in order of the books BUT, I loved all of them and they each have a special place in my heart!
Thank you Ashley Claire for this arc in exchange for my honest review! I am SO happy I picked up the Coffee People on vacation earlier this year as this series has been comfort to me.
I read this book in just a few sittings and did not want to put it down. Lindsey and Christopher (Chris as everyone else knows him as) get a second chance to rewrite their love story and I loved how they each had a past to work through first. Lindsey spent years trying to forget and forgive Christopher and he spent years trying to forgive himself for the past. When he attempts to finish a movie that is based on their love story, he needs Lindsey's help to finish what they started. It was so fun that this book is based in a small town and especially a small-town bookstore. I could picture all the scenes.
I'm sad this series is over, but I will definitely be rereading this series and honestly anything else Ashley Claire writes!
Read this book if you like:
-Celebrity MMC
-Bookstore owner FMC
-Second chance romance
-Bookstore spice
-It's always been you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc review
About he book-
Lindsey & Christopher- two people that met as kids and grew up together, who became best friends & fell In love, but then life got in the way.
Love… is a complicated thing.
Christopher chose Hollywood, leaving Lindsey behind. She inherits a book store and lives above it (my personal dream) when one day movie star Chris Lock comes through the door, asking for her help.
My thoughts-
This story has love and heartache and doubt and will give you the hope that as we grow up our love matures & that we all deserve a happy ending.
🎬 celebrity mmc
💞 second chance romance
🌶️ bookstore spice
🥹 ‘I never stopped loving you’
About he book-
Lindsey & Christopher- two people that met as kids and grew up together, who became best friends & fell In love, but then life got in the way.
Love… is a complicated thing.
Christopher chose Hollywood, leaving Lindsey behind. She inherits a book store and lives above it (my personal dream) when one day movie star Chris Lock comes through the door, asking for her help.
My thoughts-
This story has love and heartache and doubt and will give you the hope that as we grow up our love matures & that we all deserve a happy ending.
🎬 celebrity mmc
💞 second chance romance
🌶️ bookstore spice
🥹 ‘I never stopped loving you’
July 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍒🍒🍒
Ashley Claire has done it again! Congratulations on your third and final book in this series.
Lindsey and Christopher are EVERYTHING! The absolute YEARNING of this man cannot be beat. I would have folded even sooner than Lindsey if my ex was Christopher and he came back into town. She put up a good fight, but it was clear that there was some incredible character growth from both main characters.
And the writing in this series just keeps getting better and the chemistry of these two was off the charts.
10/10 recommend this book!
Thank you to Ashley Claire for an ARC of Book People! 🫶🏼
🍒🍒🍒
Ashley Claire has done it again! Congratulations on your third and final book in this series.
Lindsey and Christopher are EVERYTHING! The absolute YEARNING of this man cannot be beat. I would have folded even sooner than Lindsey if my ex was Christopher and he came back into town. She put up a good fight, but it was clear that there was some incredible character growth from both main characters.
And the writing in this series just keeps getting better and the chemistry of these two was off the charts.
10/10 recommend this book!
Thank you to Ashley Claire for an ARC of Book People! 🫶🏼
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, Ashley, for trusting me with a beta read of this story. From the very first page, I was hooked and couldn't put it down.
The chemistry between Lindsay and Christopher was everything I hoped for—full of witty banter, undeniable tension, and so much longing. Watching their journey unfold was both emotional and incredibly satisfying. I truly can't imagine a more perfect couple to bring this series to a close. I'm so grateful I had the chance to experience it early.
The chemistry between Lindsay and Christopher was everything I hoped for—full of witty banter, undeniable tension, and so much longing. Watching their journey unfold was both emotional and incredibly satisfying. I truly can't imagine a more perfect couple to bring this series to a close. I'm so grateful I had the chance to experience it early.
Review of advance copy received from Author
One word: yearning. Oh the yearning in this book is so good!! Ashley just keeps this series going with the cutest couple who I was immediately attached to. Lindsey and Christopher's story was adorable, filled with the best banter, and one you root for from the beginning. What a perfect way to conclude the Brews, Blooms, and Books series!!
June 27, 2026
I absolutely loved Christopher and Lindsey’s journey! This book gave me all the feels and I couldn’t put it down. If you’re a fan of second chance romances filled with witty banter, amazing chemistry, and years of shared history you will fall in love with bookstore owner Lindsey and Hollywood actor Chris!
Review of advance copy
I absolutely loved this second-chance romance. I’ve loved the whole series. I loved getting to know Lindsey and Christopher in their story. I can’t wait for more books from Ashley
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks for the ARC! This was a wonderful conclusion to this series! It was one of my most anticipated summer reads and didn’t disappoint!
July 5, 2026
They were always meant to be! Love love love this caboose to the series! You’re AMAZING, Ashley!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
First and foremost, thank you for this ARC! I’ve read this entire series and it’s honestly perfect - I dare you to tell me anything better than a combination of coffee, flowers and a book! Except maybe sharing it with someone…
Ashley knows how to write a great second chance romance! We have Lindsey and Christopher, both strong characters in their own respect, but so much better as a pair. They ultimately are drawn together to finish a movie script, which may or may not play out in the end.
You should read this book if you would like to support an indie author and enjoy a light read. No high stakes and a guaranteed happy ending… maybe in a few different ways. Wink wink. Very Laurie Gilmore vibes! Sweet and some spice!
Ashley knows how to write a great second chance romance! We have Lindsey and Christopher, both strong characters in their own respect, but so much better as a pair. They ultimately are drawn together to finish a movie script, which may or may not play out in the end.
You should read this book if you would like to support an indie author and enjoy a light read. No high stakes and a guaranteed happy ending… maybe in a few different ways. Wink wink. Very Laurie Gilmore vibes! Sweet and some spice!
Review of advance copy received from Author
“If it isn’t Lindsey, it’s no one for me. I take another step to her, and we are close now.”
Yeah no one will ever make me shut up about this book..it’s literally so amazing. I was kicking and giggling the whole time and crying…and for that experience I say thank you Ashley ✨
Yeah no one will ever make me shut up about this book..it’s literally so amazing. I was kicking and giggling the whole time and crying…and for that experience I say thank you Ashley ✨
July 14, 2026
This was such a sweet way to wrap up the Brews, Blooms & Books series! If you love second chance romance, small-town vibes, forced proximity, and lots of yearning, definitely add this one to your TBR.
I can't believe this series has come to an end. Lindsey and Christopher's story is so beautiful. Full of so much love, yearning, laughter and pickles!
Lindsey and Christopher's second chance romance had me hooked. Christopher is a famous actor who's never really gotten over the girl he left behind, and the yearning, regret, and quiet pining between these two had me rooting for them from the start. Watching them finally get the chance to have the conversations they'd avoided for years was so satisfying.
Seeing everyone from the previous books again made coming back to this town feel so cozy. Jess was the best friend Lindsey needed (even when she annoyed the HECK out of me at some points).
I can't believe this series has come to an end. Lindsey and Christopher's story is so beautiful. Full of so much love, yearning, laughter and pickles!
Lindsey and Christopher's second chance romance had me hooked. Christopher is a famous actor who's never really gotten over the girl he left behind, and the yearning, regret, and quiet pining between these two had me rooting for them from the start. Watching them finally get the chance to have the conversations they'd avoided for years was so satisfying.
Seeing everyone from the previous books again made coming back to this town feel so cozy. Jess was the best friend Lindsey needed (even when she annoyed the HECK out of me at some points).
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews