Book Review: Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop by Sharon Booth

I’m so pleased to be welcoming Sharon Booth back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop.

The beautiful Cotswold village of Rowan Vale is run as a living museum, allowing tourists to see history in action. But there’s more to the place than any visitor would guess…

Fifty-something Shona grew up in the village and now runs its vintage, 1940s-themed teashop. Not everyone knows that the previous manager, her great-aunt Polly, still lives there too… as a ghost!

When newcomer Max arrives, hoping to find out more about the place where his German grandfather was a prisoner of war, both Shona and Polly are unsettled. Shona, because handsome, interesting Max is the first man to catch her eye since her divorce, and Polly, because she must finally confront the terrible truth about her past.

A 1940s-themed weekend planned for the village brings the families’ connections to a head and tragic secrets to light.

Can Shona help her ghostly great-aunt to find love and forgiveness once more, while also creating her own happy ever after?

The second in the comforting, feel-good, romantic series with a dash of fantasy that started with Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall.

*****

Shona has spent her whole life in the special Cotswolds village of Rowan Vale. Along with its living museum, the village has a close guarded secret… ghosts.

When Shona meets Max, a man visiting the village to find out more about his grandfather, she has surprising feelings. However, her Aunt Polly isn’t happy, especially when Shona and Max start looking into her murder.

Yay, another book in the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series. I was very excited to be invited onto the blog tour for Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop.

Don’t worry if you’ve not read the first in the series. This can be read as a standalone. I do totally recommend Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall though.

This book follows Shona, the manageress of Mrs Heron’s Teashop, as the village of Rowan Vale prepares for a 40’s themed weekend. I adore this idea. I also loved her. She’s fun and strong. Aunt Polly was also wonderful. It was also great to see other wonderful characters return. It’s one of the things I love most about these kind of book series. It was like going back to visit friends.

Max felt like a gentle soul and he was a great addition to the book.

The plot unveils itself nicely and I was torn – I wanted to race through it to find out what happened but I also didn’t want to say goodbye to Rowan Vale, its residents and the mystery around Polly’s death. I’d love to be able to live there and see the ghosts.

Some interesting thoughts around the themes arose whilst reading – themes such as prejudice and acceptance. It reminded me how easy it is to turn against people due to bias and how that needs to be kept in check. This was a very topical theme indeed.

The warmth, humour and sense of family from book one was even more present in this follow up and I loved it.

Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is full of relatable characters and a great story full of wonder. If you’re a fan of mysteries, love stories and tales involving ghosts or if you’re simply looking for a fun read, this is the series for you. I can’t wait for book three. There is a book three right?…Right?

(Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the avanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.) 

About Sharon Booth –

Sharon Booth is the author of feel-good stories set in charming, quirky locations, and now writes cosy romances with a magical twist for Boldwood.

She lives with her husband in East Yorkshire, England.

Say hello to Sharon via Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter.

Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is book two in the Ghosts of Rowan Vale and was released by Boldwood Books on 25th June 2025. Click to buy on Amazon, Kobo, Waterstones and Barnes & Noble. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.