Saving the Single Dad’s Bookstore + Giveaway

A doubtful owner. A determined employee. Together, can they build a future?

After inheriting his late grandfather’s bookstore, Dominic Tang must make a big decision: keep it or sell. But manager Gianna Marchesi insists she can prove he should keep Tang’s Terrific Tomes open if he’ll stay in town for two months. Falling for the charms of the store—and Gianna—comes easy. But when property damage threatens his already-tight budget, will Dominic risk everything to follow his heart?

My Review:

Eeeeeppp!!! I do so love a good ‘saving the bookstore’ trope and this one is just that! Well, once I got past Dominic’s bad first impression. I mean, that title is misleading — it should be “Saving the Bookstore from the Single Dad” because…gasp…the man wants to gut the store and turn it into offices! My heart sank into the depths of despair when I read that on page 9 and I wasn’t certain Dominic could ever be the hero my romantic heart was clamouring for. But I kept reading because there was a bookstore’s life on the line and I had to see it through to, thankfully, the happily ever after. So, phew, no bookstores were harmed (much) in the making of this book. 🙂

Dominic and Gianna clash from that inauspicious meet-cute. I was all set to purse-whomp Dominic on the spot, but Gianna was more wily than that. She issues him a challenge and sets out to prove the bookstore’s worth which turns into so much more than either of them bargained for.

Love the dynamics between these two. The way both are struggling with insecurities that cancel out when they are united. But, oy, it’s a bumpy ride to the finish line! Lots of family all in their business (with the best of intentions, of course) and some unexpected upsets that turn everything awry.

Really enjoyed the diversity of cast and location. Set in Alberta, Canada — yay — and I loved the bits of Chinese culture woven throughout. Secondary characters, including Dominic’s exuberant son, added extra ‘oomph’ to the story and kept me turning pages.

A fun contemporary romance to chase away the winter ‘blahs’.