The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce

If you love everything 80s, music, tradition, England, and love, you will want to read The Music Shop right away! Frank had an odd childhood; growing up he called his single mother by her first name. The only thing his not-so-nurturing, nontraditional mom ever taught him about was music. Now, a single man outside of London, Frank owns a small music shop on a rundown street. He only sells vinyl records, refusing to keep up with the times and offer CDs or even cassette tapes. He has given up on the possibility for love and seems content in his role in life as a music expert. Frank matches customers and friends to songs he thinks they need to know. He is quirky and old-fashioned, but likable and has a reputation for being a good man and helping lots of people.

One day a beautiful, mysterious woman shows up at his shop and faints outside the door.  Frank helps her up and sparks fly. They both feel a connection but it is fleeting and then she is gone. Frank secretly hopes she returns…and, much to his surprise, she does! She wants him to teach her about music. Frank and this woman both look forward to their weekly sessions where they talk about music and they become closer as she begins to reveal something personal about herself, but their attachments to the past feed into their fears for the future, holding them both back.

SPOILER ALERT: It takes a long time for love to prevail – she takes the bull by the horns, and he finally comes to terms with his past as he recognizes his missed opportunities for better things. Success, love, happiness, and music bring them together and, yes, they live happily ever after.

This is a joyous love story with an silly ending, but if you enjoy music like I do and can get caught up in an unlikely love story, you will laugh, cry and truly appreciate Rachel Joyce’s The Music Shop.  I loved the odd characters, the painstaking journey, and how music brings people together, uplifting us all.  I highly recommend this book!