The Music Shop is such a rich multi-layered story. It centers around Frank, who owns the record shop on Unity Street and has a gift for knowing exactly what kind of music his customers need, even when that music is the exact opposite of what they believe they are looking for. But we also get the privilege of meeting the adorable and exasperating Kit, Frank's assistant, who no matter how he tries just can't quite get things right; Maud, the tattooist from Unity Street, that holds a special place in her heart for Frank; and Father Anthony, who owns a religious gift shop on Unity Street, but has a story all his own. Into this eclectic mix of characters comes Ilse Brauchmann who immediately captures Frank's attention in a unique way, but Frank is just fine on his own, or is he?
I can only imagine the amount of research that the author did to make this novel such a moving tribute to music itself and the emotions it makes all of us feel. It really is a musical journey along with an engaging love story but it is also so much more than that. Each character has their own unique charm and are so vividly developed that they simply leap from the pages. Also, I have to say that the cover is spot-on. I just relished each page and savored every moment. Five star read for me.
I received this book courtesy of Random House Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.