📚 Book Review: The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman (Kindle Edition, Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories #1)
A tender, evocative short story about family, forgiveness, and the quiet magic of returning home—Alice Hoffman opens her Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories series with a heartfelt tale that blends emotional depth with literary charm.
🧠 Overview
Published in November 2022, The Bookstore Sisters is a 36-page novella that follows Isabel Gibson, a New Yorker who has spent years distancing herself from her childhood on Brinkley’s Island, Maine. Her parents are gone, the family bookstore is nearly bankrupt, and her estranged sister Sophie hasn’t spoken to her in a decade. But when Isabel receives a mysterious letter with a single word—“Help”—she’s pulled back into the world she tried to forget.
What she finds on the island is more than just a struggling bookstore. It’s a place filled with memories, unresolved grief, and the possibility of reconciliation. As she reconnects with Sophie and the community she left behind, Isabel begins to rediscover her own strength and the enduring power of love and literature.
💘 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🏡 Family estrangement and healing: The story explores the emotional complexities between sisters
- 📖 Books as memory and refuge: The bookstore serves as both a literal and symbolic anchor
- 🐶 Loyal canine companion: Isabel’s dog Hank adds warmth and emotional grounding
- 🧁 Mother’s recipe book: A subtle thread of nostalgia and comfort runs through the story
- 🌊 Island setting: Brinkley’s Island is painted with vivid, sensory detail—salt air, quiet streets, and lingering ghosts
“You can run from your past, but sometimes it sends you a letter and drags you right back in.” — Bookishelf review
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.99/5 from over 98,000 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise Hoffman’s lyrical prose, emotional resonance, and cozy atmosphere
- 💬 “A perfect cup of tea on a rainy day—warm, comforting, and leaving you wanting just a little bit more.”
- 🧾 Some readers wished for a longer format, but most found the short story satisfying and beautifully crafted
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 36 pages, it’s a one-sitting read—best enjoyed as a reflective literary escape
- 📚 Series starter: Introduces the tone and themes of the Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories series
- 🧠 Subtle storytelling: Focuses on emotional nuance rather than plot-driven drama
🏁 Final Verdict
The Bookstore Sisters is a gentle, emotionally rich novella that celebrates the healing power of books, family, and homecoming. Alice Hoffman’s storytelling is intimate and evocative, making this Kindle edition a lovely pick for fans of literary fiction, short stories, and quiet emotional journeys.
