-- Schine's novel is tightly constructed. Owner of a bookshop has a romantic relationship with a young male employee. (Think Anne Bancroft & Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate.") Bookshop owner rereads letter often, & sentences reappear throughout novel. -- ( )

If you can accept the idea that a bookstore in a small coastal town in the pre-kindle era could generate enough revenue to support five employees and that a thoroughly obnoxious middle-aged woman could be the hottest thing in town and attract a twenty year old lover, then this is a pretty good story. I have issues with things like that. Overlooking those little problems it is a pretty good romance and avoids the punishment doled out by most authors to people who engage in social unacceptable relationships. The surprise twist at the end was particularly good. ( )

I remember reading this years ago. The story or writing wasn't anything too special but I suppose it was just the perfect "summer book" for me at the time. I am still looking for a similar light reading experience. There is something about (adult) people living a few hot summer months in a small community that appeals to me. ( )

Heard about this book from Deanna Raybourn. She wrote about it on her blog.

I mooched this book, and I have no idea why! It's just a romance. It failed the Nancy Pearl test. ( )