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Mr Portobello's Morning Paper

Date Published: 25 May 2020
Book Number: Novella No.7
ISBN 10: e book only - ASIN : B08964QDPN | ISBN 13: e book only - ASIN : B08964QDPN | Kindle UK ASIN: B08964QDPN

The Story:

Sophia has everything she thought she wanted – so she should be happy, right? From bestselling author Amanda Prowse comes a heart-warming short story about new friends and missed connections.

Sophia Perkins gives up her job as a teacher to realise a life-long dream of owning a second-hand bookshop. Free from the wearying monotony of marking until the early hours and swallowing the disappointment of trying to educate disinterested young minds, she embraces her new life.

Still in the throes of grief, having recently lost both of her parents, Sophia is delighted by the daily visits of Mr Portobello, the shop’s former occupant, and their unexpected friendship blooms into something beautiful. In the process of learning about the eccentric eighty-year-old, Sophia learns as much – if not more – about herself. Mr Portobello makes her question her life, her choices and even how she grieves for those she has lost.

This new story with a warm vintage feel brings to mind the age-old saying: Be careful what you wish for…

A Note From Amanda:

I think that I can always learn something from everybody I meet, especially those people who have a lot of life experience. In this short story, Sophia isn't entirely happy but doesn't really know why until she meets the enigmatic Mr Portobello who has a practical outlook on life.

Standalone or Series?

Standalone

Reader Reviews:


Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 June 2020

Verified Purchase
 
When you’re in the mood for a something a little more bite sized in your fiction then you must read Mr Portobellos Morning Paper in which Amanda Prowse delivers her usual trademark style but concentrated into a beautifully insightful novella.

Working in a school and also having a hankering for opening a bookshop, I connected with Sophia immediately. I understood her need to follow her dream as often bereavement leads people to reevaluate their lives and want to throw caution to the wind, searching for some kind of self fulfilment and comfort. So Sophia opens up her little bookshop after leaving her teaching job. But it isn’t as easy as she thought it would be and one of her highlights of her working day is when the previous occupant of the shop pops in to chat. Mr Portobello is a wonderful character and his morning visits come to mean far more to Sophia as his attitude leads her to make some very out of character decisions!

The themes of love and loss, of living life to your full potential and taking chances before it’s too late are all explored as Sophia forms a heartwarming friendship with the eccentric older gentleman. I became completely immersed in their lives but I wasn’t prepared for the direction the storyline took and the emotional response hit me hard. But it was perfect, just perfect! Amanda Prowse gets me every time and there were a few tears shed towards the end of Mr Portobellos Morning Paper. I loved every page of this wonderful shorter story and would highly recommend you pick up a copy!

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