The Shop Down the Lane by Leslie Gould

The Shop Down the Lane is the first book I have read written by Leslie Gould, and it was such a joy. The nod to You’ve Got Mail and the bird watching elements was a fun dynamic. I could not put this book down.

The character development was good. I enjoyed getting to know Lois and learn more about her community. It was interesting looking at her struggles of being from a smaller family, having lost both parents, so she is battling figuring out living on her own in the Amish community. Moses was an interesting character. It took a little bit to figure him out, and I’m not sure I really understood him totally. He was Amish and chose to become Mennonite. He is taking care of his mom; she is in an assisted living facility, but he is trying to bring her back home. Which would take a lot out of anybody. Dealing with his past and trying to manage his future is a lot.

The storyline and setting were fantastic. I enjoyed the Lancaster County setting. With the rolling farmland and small Amish community. I enjoyed the You’ve Got Mail feel to the story. I had a personal connection to this story with the bird watching as my family is starting to do a bird watching class. I enjoyed that aspect of the story. It was fun seeing the letter circle. What a fun concept.

The romance element was sweet and clean. Low-spice, slow build, as it was an enemies-to-lovers element. It was perfect.

Leslie Gould did a good job including faith elements throughout the book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.