Book Review: The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman

I didn’t plan to read the second book in this series—especially after feeling pretty let down by The Bookstore Sisters. But honestly? I figured I might as well keep going and read the entire series. 😂 And to my surprise, The Bookstore Wedding turned out to be a much stronger and more emotionally resonant follow-up.

This short story continues the journey of sisters Isabel and Sophie, whose bond is at the center of everything. Where the first story felt emotionally rushed and underdeveloped, this one digs deeper—especially with Sophie’s breast cancer diagnosis. It’s handled in a way that’s heartfelt without being overly sentimental, and it added a lot of weight to what could’ve been a breezy read.

Isabel and Johnny’s romance, while still fast-paced (seriously, blink and they’re in love), had more charm and tenderness this time around. Their chemistry felt more earned, and I loved little moments like Isabel joking that her dog had fallen in love with Johnny—when clearly, she was talking about herself. That line stayed with me. Hoffman knows how to land those quiet emotional punches when she wants to.

One thing I appreciated about this story was the focus on resilience. Sophie’s journey through diagnosis and treatment was written with grace and realism, and her eventual romance with Dr. David Bloom felt like a reward for all she had endured. I loved how the story didn’t treat love as a fix-all, but rather something that shows up in the middle of the mess and makes things just a little bit more bearable.

Of course, I still wish the pacing had slowed down a bit to let the emotional beats breathe. There’s so much potential in these characters and their world, but the story sometimes skips over the parts I want to sit with longer. That said, this installment left me more satisfied—and more connected to the sisters—than the first did.

And yes, I’m in now. I’m reading the rest of the series. No turning back. 😂

If you’re looking for something short, sweet, and emotionally honest—with a little chaos, a lot of love, and a dash of destiny—The Bookstore Wedding might just surprise you like it did me.