Once Upon a Charming Bookshop

ByHeatherly Bell

Release Date: 2023-11-28
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 9 Ratings

Description

Time to rewrite their story?

He’d always simply been her best friend. But when Noah Cahill moved back to town, bookstore owner Twyla Thompson knew something was different. Was it holiday memories of the loss they'd both shared or Noah’s surprising decision to reignite a dangerous career? Their solid friendship had been through so much, yet now Twyla grew breathless every time Noah was near. Why wasn’t Noah—handsome, fun, but never one to cross the line—showing any signs of stopping?

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Charming, Texas

Book 1: Winning Mr. Charming
Book 2: The Charming Checklist
Book 3: A Charming Christmas Arrangement
Book 4: A Charming Single Dad
Book 5: A Charming Doorstep Baby
Book 6: Once Upon a Charming Bookshop

Reviews

Friendship to Love
4
By Earthdragonwing
This is a sweet romance when friends turn lovers. It's obvious from the beginning that these two put their lives on hold to keep their friendship and drive every other relationship away. Unfortunately, it takes Noah to actually put his foot forward to get Twyla to see things his way. The whole story is just charming.
Lovely and moving
5
By Wyrdfan
Four and a half stars

ONCE UPON A CHARMING BOOKSHOP is the sixth in Heatherly Bell’s series set in Charming, Texas. This is a sweet and poignant friends-to-lovers story, about bookshop manager Twyla Thompson, who runs her family’s business, and Noah Cahill, who’s returned to Charming to take over a local boating establishment. The two have been close friends for years, their friendship surviving a shared loss that cut deeply.

Heatherly Bell writes Twyla and Noah sympathetically, as they struggle to handle their grief and their changing feelings. Each has reasons for keeping their emotions under wraps, even as their hearts want to express their deepest desires. Their families and friends pull for them, especially as they fumble initially. The small-community dynamics definitely come into play as their families and friends have opinions on their relationships and other aspects of their lives. Once Upon A Charming Bookshop is a lovely and moving read.
Friends to Lovers With a Twist
5
By Mpomper514
Noah has always had feelings for Twyla, but his brother expressed his feelings to Twyla when they were teenagers and they started dating. Noah and his brother involved in accident and his brother was tragically killed. Twyla was always known to be the one to lose the love of her life. Noah went on with living his life always being Twyla’s best friend. He had moved away to try to escape the accident, but decided he needed to move back to Charming. Sweet story about two best friends trying to each acknowledge their feelings but afraid to ruin the friendship- all while sharing the guilt of the loss of Noah’s brother. Loved this HEA.
Once Upon a Charming Bookshop
4
By 777sails
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

While this is a part of a series, you don't have to read the prior ones to fully understand and enjoy this one.

Twyla and Noah have been BFF for years. Twyla was Noah's brother girl friend many years ago. When Noah and his brother Will were out boating years ago, the boat crashed into a sand bar and Will was killed. Noah left for Austin and became a firefighter. After a roof almost collapsed on him, Noah returns home to Charming.

Can the truth about the deadly boating accident free Noah from guilt? Will Twyla and Noah move past the friendship line and into a more meaningful relationship?

This is written in a dual POV format. Getting a glimpse into the main characters' thoughts really help me to connect and understand them so much better.

The sexy times were alluded to but always behind closed doors.
My new favorite
5
By penny42058
WOW, what a fantastic friends to lovers romance. This is now my favorite book by Heatherly Bell. I absolutely loved Twyla and Noah. Twyla and Noah have been friends for years, but they’ve never dated. She did date his deceased brother, Will, in high school, before Will broke up with her. Then, the accident happened, in which Will didn’t make it annd Noah did. Everyone still thinks of Twyla as Will’s girl. Noah thinks he’ll always be second best, but Noah has been keeping some secrets. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I will say I loved the moment that Twyla realized she actually did think of Noah as more than a friend. Grab your copy and see if you don’t love this book as much as I did.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Sweet and brimming with Christmas heart
4
By Geobeemom
This book completely charmed me. It’s sweet and easy and brimming with holiday heart. Adam and Twyla have been best friends since childhood, surviving the loss of Adam’s brother together, and forging their unbreakable bond. But simmering in their relationship is love and this Christmas, the sweet bookshop owner and her adventure seeking best friend finally figure out their friendship has always been so much more. A perfect holiday romance that left me smiling and swooning.