A Q&A WITH EMMA BENNET

What inspired you to write a novel based in a book shop?

I think most readers dream of running a beautiful bookshop, full of the books they love the most, and I’m no different. The Bookshop of Happily Ever Afters is my idea of a perfect bookshop — full of irresistible romance books, with lots of comfy chairs, bookshelves covered in beautiful artwork, and with a grumpy cat in residence.

My heroine, Carrie, needed somewhere to show her what is missing from her life, and I can think of no better place than a gorgeous bookshop at the seaside for this to happen!

What drew you to set the location for the story in a Cornish seaside town?

I have a teeny bit of an obsession with the seaside, and Cornwall is just so beautiful. I would love to live in Castle Cove with its sandy beach, little harbour and castle ruins. I’d wander around those and up the High Street to check out the bookshop and the independent coffee shop next door, The First Sip, run by Lucy, who’s the star of the second book in the Castle Cove series.

What do you hope readers will feel from reading A New Start at the Happily Ever After Bookshop?

My hope is that my book will be complete escapism for anyone who needs it. Carrie and Michael’s love story is a gentle, slow-burn, which will make even the most cynical believe in happily-ever-afters.

What are you currently reading?

I’m quite an eclectic reader, and usually have three books on the go, a non-fiction (which is currently The Mountain is You by Brianna West), an audio book (The Happy Writer by Marissa Meyer) and fiction book for before bed (I’m devouring anything by R.F. Kuang at the moment!).