Celia works full time and has just completed her first first book which is about to be published. Life is looking good. Then, when Celia is about to turn 34, Jes suggests that they should consider having a baby. This plan is not on her schedule.
Following Celia's journey, this novel looks at issues such as handling grief, mental health, body image and healthy eating as Celia struggles to recognise what she really values in her life.
The Book Fiend is about to celebrate five years in the area when the lease for the shop is increased by 30 per cent. The suggestion is made that Cait should relocate the shop to a shopping strip in the suburbs but Cait has built up a group of loyal customers who rely on the shop for reading material and has also invested much money into fitting out her shop. As well as working in the shop, Cait runs a mobile service taking books to older readers unable to personally visit the bookshop. One of these readers is June who used to look after Cait when she was a child. Initially she endeavours to keep the shop operating in Hay Street until reality sets in and Cait realises that the store must close.
Cait's customers often tell her how they enjoyed a book. Not surprisingly titles of books, old and new, are mentioned throughout the novel as well as references to events in the life of C S Lewis.
This is also a book about relationships as Cait copes with hard decisions and needs to decide what she really wants in her life. Through the bookshop Cait meets James but is this a relationship she really wants? On the other hand the relationship with June is important to Cait, not just as someone who has always looked out for her but who is a real friend. Then there is Seb who worked with her in the shop when she was able to employ staff but who still called in to ensure that she was OK when times were hard.
As news of the imminent closure of The Book Fiend becomes public the power of social media is invoked by Cait's friends, customers and potential customers to attempt to save the bookshop.
As someone who loves books and bookshops I really enjoyed reading this book.
At the back of the volume the author includes a section where she discusses writing historical fiction and the changes she made to the characters (including inventing some) and events when writing this story. This is a series I have made a note to read when I have more time. It looks like a good series in which to become involved, probably holiday reading, provided that you do not worry too much about the actual history. After reading this series the reader should certainly have a better understanding of this volatile period in British history and may want to investigate the story further.
