Aria's Travelling Book Shop by Rebecca Raisin

 

I absolutely loved Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop, and when I heard that Rebecca Raisin had written a sequel I was so excited to read it, and it certainly didn't disappoint. It felt like coming home to old friends and catching up on their lives. 

Aria hasn't got over losing her husband, and love of her life TJ to cancer a few years before. Her mother in law, who was more like a mother to her resents her for 'taking away' TJ to the Lake District before he died (at his request). However she does send Aria his diary as per his request - only 3 years late!

Aria's best friend Rosie runs the tea shop van, and is forever making up delicious herbal infusions, and the most delicious cakes, and Aria I'd more than happy to try them for her. However, Rosie is no longer single, as she is dating Max who runs a van selling vegan juices. The three of them get on beautifully and pull together, however just occasionally Aria does feel lonely, and misses TJ terribly. In the time before TJ's death she promises him she won't be with anyone else, but he tells her he wants her to find love. However, the only live she can handle are inside the romance novels in her campervan.

When Aria gets tipsy, and joins in with Karaoke, she end up falling off the stage and into the arms of Jonathan, who stirs up feelings she thought were finished for her. When the opportunity arises for Aria, Rosie and Max to join the 'VanLifers' in a journey across France, they accept with enthusiasm, and Aria thinks that is the end for her and the mysterious Jonathan. Sometimes the universe has a mind of its own.

This book swallowed me whole from the moment I started reading, and sucked me into another world. Obviously as a bookworm from way back, I could relate to Aria, and I already loved Rosie from the previous book. This is not a book for those that like murder, gore, and fast paced action. If you like a beautiful story, great characterisation, and beautiful description then this is for you.