The Bookshop Sisters is a heart-warming, exciting historical adventure, set in 1950s Ireland, with strong bonds of sisterhood and friendship, that sang to my bookish heart.

Thirteen-year-old Rosy Heron and her older sister, Martha are intending to spend their summer holidays in their quiet home town of Skibbereen. But that all changes when the family get an unexpected call from Aunt Toto, their mum’s sister, who wants the girls to become trainee booksellers in her Dublin bookshop, Baggot Books. Both girls are bookworms but, whilst Rosie is excited for an adventure, Martha is more reluctant to spend the summer away from home.

When they arrive at the bookshop, they are made welcome by their Aunt Toto and her booksellers and they soon find themselves settling in to the lives of junior booksellers and delivery girls. Whilst Martha settles in to pricing, stocking and selling books, Rosy discovers the neglected children’s section – and what she achieves is just wonderful – and inspirational!

It is not long before Nancy Drew enthusiast Rosy discovers that the bookshop is keeping secrets – and there may well be a mystery to solve. What are the strange noises coming from the basement? Why do secretive meetings take place there? And, why do others seem so interested in what the bookshop is selling?

This is exactly the kind of book younger me would have devoured – and older me absolutely relished. I loved that the story has a bookshop and bookselling at its heart with a wonderfully diverse, and incredibly likeable, group of booksellers and patrons, including some much-loved authors and poets. The bookselling team felt like a close family with their strong, shared beliefs, support for each other – and enjoyment of some mouth-watering meals! I also loved that they are firm believers in equal rights – and prepared to take risks to put their beliefs into action.

Many of my favourite books are mentioned in the pages of this adventure which immediately brought me back to my childhood and reignited that warm feeling that memories of favourite books always brings.

Rosy and Martha are incredibly likeable young girls who have a strong bond of sisterhood and a keen sense of justice. Rosy is kind-hearted, impulsive and outgoing, which sometimes leads her into trouble, but she really does have a heart of gold. Older sister Martha is more cautious and considered, but shows real passion when she fights for something she really believes in. I also really enjoyed learning about the two other sisters in this adventure, and loved how their story brought healing and re-connection.

There are some important themes covered in this story that will open readers’ eyes to Ireland’s social history during the 1950s with regard to equal rights for women and the banning of books. The author has included more information at the beginning of the book, and in the historical notes, which are both fascinating and informative, and a brilliant addition to the story not least because they champion the inspirational, courageous and determined woman who make a difference.

An inspiring, heart-warming historical adventure, with friendship and sisterhood at its heart, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to The O’Brien Press for sending me a copy of this book. It was my decision to read and review the book, and my review is my honest opinion.