Aria's Travelling Book Shop Book Review

I am a sucker for a good romance, even more so when the title of the novel happens to mention the word 'book'. So when I happened to receive Rebecca Raisin's latest story in the post (yay book mail) Aria's Travelling Book Shop, I just had a good feeling about this tale.

Aria Summers knows what she wants.

A life on the road with best friend Rosie and her beloved camper-van-cum-book-shop, and definitely, definitely, no romance.

But when Aria finds herself falling – after one too many glasses of wine, from a karaoke stage – into the arms of Jonathan, a part of her comes back to life for the first time in years.

Since her beloved husband died Aria has sworn off love, unless it’s the kind you can find in the pages of a book. One love of her life is quite enough.

And so Aria tries to forget Jonathan and sets off for a summer to remember in France. But could this trip change Aria’s life forever…?

This novel coincides with one of Rebecca's other stories, Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop. You don't need to read that book in order to understand enjoy this one. However I will be going back to read that one as soon as I can.

We follow Aria, who travels around in her van selling books. She is what's known as a van lifer, a nomad.

This woman is is made of strong stuff, having lost her husband TJ to cancer 3 years ago, she is doing her best to keep going, moving on with her life. A life that won't see any love in it - except for the romance books that she continues to read - is it that she thinks she doesn't deserve to love again, or that TJ wouldn't approve of her moving on?

From the bestselling author of Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop comes another uplifting romance.

Then in steps Jonathon.

Handsome, witty, charming oh and he just happens to be a best selling author.

Should Aria continue on her journey alone or could she open her heart up to the possibility of being able to love more than one person?

Fairly early on in the book Aria’s estranged mother-in-law forwards her a diary written by her husband. It is almost like fate is stepping in. As Aria gets lost reading TJ’s words, she not only feels emotional, but also as though he could be there in the room. It's like these thoughts were meant to be read right now, sending Aria a clear message but is it one that she can bring herself to accept?

Aria's Travelling Book Shop is the perfect light-hearted book because although it explores the ideas of over coming grief, it also reveals the powers of the written word and the healing that time can bring.

It brings hope.

There is a beautiful mix of friendship, family and feelings. The love that blossoms is felt with each and every word read.

Rebecca has written a story that is meaningful without becoming bogged down with unnecessary drama. I kept turning the pages because I believed in Aria's story and was eager to know where she would be led.

Having never read any novels written by Rebecca before, I will definitely be reading more in the future. Aria's Travelling Book Shop is charming and uplifting with characters that are realistic and loveable. 

This is a book that will leave you with a feeling of contentment at the end.

Highly recommended.