Listen to a sample
A Bookshop Summer
- Author
- Stephanie Butland
- Narrator
- Imogen Church
- Publisher
- Headline
- Publish Date
- 12 February 2026
- Run Time
- 10 hours 40 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
When the Lost for Words bookshop in York hosts an event for a new reading project, four strangers' lives will change in ways they could never have expected . . .
Trixie is hosting the event. She loves her job at Lost for Words, and she's feeling grounded and calm - until a phone call from her ex throws everything off course.
Cherry only goes to the event because she needs to get out. Caring for her grandmother without any help is exhausting - and lonely. Maybe things will be different if her long-lost sister finally comes home.
Rhiannon and Guy really hit it off at the bookshop; it feels like the start of something special. And Guy is fantastic with Rhiannon's baby. But Rhiannon is keeping quite a big secret . . .
When you spend time with people who love books, you're sure to learn something about yourself - and maybe see a way to start in a different direction. As each of them is about to find out . . .
Readers love Stephanie Butland!
'One of the most thought-provoking books I have read in a long time' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A beautiful story beautifully told. This is so readable, the characters come to life and stay in your heart' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I devoured this book in one day as I just couldn't put it down. Most definitely heart-warming and unforgettable' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A heart-warming and uplifting story that explores family, love, friendship and, most of all, kindness' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A lovely read - deeply moving, life affirming' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Critics Review
-
'Stephanie writes with incredible warmth and compassion . . . There is a generosity and hopefulness here that is much needed right now'
Carys Bray
-
'A warm, thoughtful story that's full of people you can imagine being friends with . . . so absorbing and ultimately affirming'
Sarah Franklin
-
Acclaim for Stephanie's earlier novels: Compelling, eye-opening and heart-stirring, this book is unputdownable
Katie Fforde
-
I've just read with enormous pleasure. It's a story for anyone who loves books (or loves humans). And it's a story for anyone who's needed their own second chance
Shelley Harris
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
A beautiful writer, she always writes with such attentive compassion and warmth . . . I so enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot as the story revealed itself
Carys Bray
-
A really moving read - with great book recommendations included, too!
My Weekly
-
Absolutely gorgeous . . . compelling, compassionate
Sarah Franklin
-
Beautifully captures all the small kindnesses and frustrations of a community under lockdown . . . cathartic and life-affirming
Kate Mascarenhas
-
A really delightful book . . . lots of brilliant recommendations along the way
Adele Geras
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Stephanie Butland
- Narrator
- Imogen Church
- Duration
- 10 hours 40 minutes
- Release Date
- 12 February 2026
- ISBN
- 9781035431847
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Headline
- Genre
- Romance, Contemporary lifestyle fiction, Literary companions, book reviews and guides, Family life fiction / Stories about family
Synopsis
📚 An intriguing, twisting and heart-warming novel set in a bookshop that has an unexpected impact on people's lives. From the author of The Second Chance Book Club and Found in a Bookshop 📚When the Lost for Words bookshop in York hosts an event for a new reading project, four strangers' lives will change in ways they could never have expected . . .Trixie is hosting the event. She loves her job at Lost for Words, and she's feeling grounded and calm - until a phone call from her ex throws everything off course.Cherry only goes to the event because she needs to get out. Caring for her grandmother without any help is exhausting - and lonely. Maybe things will be different if her long-lost sister finally comes home.Rhiannon and Guy really hit it off at the bookshop; it feels like the start of something special. And Guy is fantastic with Rhiannon's baby. But Rhiannon is keeping quite a big secret . . .When you spend time with people who love books, you're sure to learn something about yourself - and maybe see a way to start in a different direction. As each of them is about to find out . . .Readers love Stephanie Butland!'One of the most thought-provoking books I have read in a long time' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A beautiful story beautifully told. This is so readable, the characters come to life and stay in your heart' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I devoured this book in one day as I just couldn't put it down. Most definitely heart-warming and unforgettable' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A heart-warming and uplifting story that explores family, love, friendship and, most of all, kindness' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A lovely read - deeply moving, life affirming' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.