The Bookshop of Panama

The Bookshop of Panama is a heartwarming book from Suzanne Hope.

Bookworm Kate Lewis has found herself living in the searingly hot temperatures of Panama. A country sadly bereft of bookshops.

Her live-in boyfriend, Marco, a pushy UN worker, really could not understand her fascination with books.

He was posted by the UN to work in Panama in Central America and so loyal, loving Kate upped sticks to accompany Marco to Panama.

Kate was a charity worker and Marco told her he was sure she would be able to get work with a local charity once they arrived in Panama.

Suddenly, in the midst of the move Marco announces that he must take a two week posting to the Sudan. And he expects Kate to deal with organising the move to Panama by herself.

He meets up with Kate in Panama and then, callously, dumps her. Because, as Kate so rightly assumes, he has met another woman.

At least, Candice, the other woman, a fellow UN worker,  has the residual decency to insist that Marco breaks up with Kate in person and not, as he had originally planned, over the phone.

Kate is now thousands of miles from her family and friends, unwilling owner of a broken heart.

But she swiftly discovers that there is a lively and vibrant ex-pat community in Panama and she has an interesting encounter with a man in New York and learns of a cocktail that is called Electric Lemonade.

Could she go back to her old life in London? Or could she, aided and abetted by her new very interesting friends in Panama, decide to make a new life for herself in Panama City?

There's no bookshop there. But what if there could be? Could Kate open a bookshop in Panama?

As I say, this is a heartwarming book and shows exactly how, after being dumped on, you can not only bounce back but really go places. And find love.

You'll also find the recipe for Electric Lemonade too, in this book.

Looking for something for your holiday romance collection? This is it.

It's published by The Book Guild at £9.99.