Portobello Book Blog

If you are a regular reader of the blog you will know I am a big fan of Kirsty Ferry’s lovely stories and I’m delighted to share my review of her latest novel, Jessie’s Little Bookshop by the Sea, which is published this very day. It is part of her series of books about the Tempest Sisters but each is a completely standalone read. I have previously read and reviewed Summer at Carrick Park which features Rosa Tempest and Spring at Taigh Fallon which features Angel. Click on the titles if you’d like to read my reviews of those books. This book, as you will have guessed from the title, features Jessie and her bookshop.

I really enjoyed reading this story. Jessie Tempest owns a bookshop in Staithes on the Yorkshire coast. I loved the sound of her bookshop and her love for it shone through clearly. It sounded a warm and friendly place, a great asset to the small town. There was a great sense of place throughout the book from Staithes, to Whitby where Jessie’s sister Angel has a jet workshop, to Robin Hood’s Bay. The beauty and wildness of the Yorkshire Coast were almost like characters in themselves.

Miles is a single father to Elijah and has come to stay for a few days in the holiday flat above Jessie’s bookshop. Miles is a writer and much to her surprise as she’s not usually too fond of children, Jessie finds herself enjoying spending time with Elijah when Miles is doing some writing. There’s a sadness surrounding Miles which is not surprising when the reason he is a single father is revealed.

Kirsty Ferry writes with real warmth and emotion. The characters seem like real people and I really felt that I could understand their decisions and dilemmas. Miles was a lovely character. As well as sounding physically very attractive, he was kind and caring and doing so well looking after Elijah on his own. Jessie was someone I felt that it would be great to have as a friend. Someone whose favourite things are reading books and selling books – what’s not to like? Yet, in a way, books were also her way to hide away from the real world and I enjoyed watching her become more open to others as the book progressed.

I always like to end a book with a smile and without giving too much away, the ending which definitely pleased me. This is another uplifting, heart-warming story from Kirsty Ferry which I thoroughly enjoyed.

My thanks to Liz at ChocLit for sending me a review copy of the book. Jessie’s Little Bookshop by the Sea. It is available from today in ebook and audiobook formats. You will find buying details for various e-reader platforms on the publisher’s website: Jessie’s Little Bookshop by the Sea.

From the back of the book

Take a trip to the little bookshop by the sea …

Jessie Tempest has two main interests: reading books and selling books. Her little bookshop in the seaside town of Staithes is a cosy hideaway from the chilly Yorkshire wind, but it’s also Jessie’s sanctuary from the outside world.

When writer Miles Fareham and his son Elijah arrive to stay in the holiday apartment above the shop, it’s a test for Jessie who has always felt clueless when it comes to kids. But as she learns the story of the single father and the inquisitive eight-year-old, Jessie realises that first impressions aren’t always the right ones – and, of course, you can never judge a book by its cover!

About the author

Kirsty Ferry is from the North East of England and lives there with her husband and son. She won the English Heritage/Belsay Hall National Creative Writing competition and has had articles and short stories published in various magazines. Her work also appears in several anthologies, incorporating such diverse themes as vampires, crime, angels and more.

Kirsty loves writing ghostly mysteries and interweaving fact and fiction. The research is almost as much fun as writing the book itself, and if she can add a wonderful setting and a dollop of history, that’s even better.

Her day job involves sharing a building with an eclectic collection of ghosts, which can often prove rather interesting.