The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend

Jan 13, 2026 2:21 PM

Author:Katarina Bivald

A Richard & Judy Book Club Pick

New York Times Bestseller

Sara has never left Sweden but at the age of 28 she decides it’s time. She cashes in her savings, packs a suitcase full of books and sets off for Broken Wheel, Iowa, a town where she knows nobody.

Sara quickly realises that Broken Wheel is in desperate need of some adventure, a dose of self-help and perhaps a little romance, too. In short, this is a town in need of a bookshop.

With a little help from the locals, Sara sets up Broken Wheel’s first bookstore. The shop might be a little quirky but then again, so is Sara. And as Broken Wheel’s story begins to take shape, there are some surprises in store for Sara too…

'The perfect summer read' Stylist

Reviews

A charmingly offbeat, genuinely amusing novel... the perfect summer read

—— Stylist

Katarina Bivald has written an absolutely delightful, charming book that celebrates the healing power of friendship and love often found in small towns. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, and I could not recommend it more highly

—— Fannie Flagg, author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

This adorable book is a peach. It’s built on the same lines as Cold Comfort Farm or Chocolat... Wise, thoughtful, funny, warm, moving; all that stuff and more

—— Wendy Holden , Daily Mail

This is a story about community, about being needed and about belonging... A warm, cosy, compassionate read

—— Independent

A manifesto for booksellers, booklovers, and friendship. We should all celebrate these little bookstores, where our souls find home... one of these books you want to live in for a while

—— Nina George, author of The Little Paris Bookshop

I was captivated by this tale of books, friendship and the search for happy endings

—— Woman & Home

A heartwarming tale about literature's power to transform

—— People

A celebration of people who read to help them survive and thrive

—— Sainsbury's Magazine

A heartwarming and utterly charming debut... This gentle, intelligent Midwestern tale will captivate... An ideal book group selection, it reminds us why we are book lovers and why it's nice to read a few happy endings

—— Library Journal, starred review

Bivald encourages us to look for adventure in both literature and life... Charming

—— Lady

An international bestseller, this quirky, offbeat novel about books, with its wry humour and wonderful characters, is a delicious read

—— Choice Magazine

Charmingly original....sweet, quirky

—— Washington Post

This is a charming novel for book lovers from all walks of life… As you journey through the pages, weaving Little Women, Harry Potter, Jodi Picoult, Jane Austen, Steig Larsson and Proust around the storyline, you’ll find yourself rooting for the beautifully drawn characters, smiling at the wry humour and applauding the ending

—— Candis Magazine

Charming and relatable

—— Mel Mitchell , Nudge

You’ll love it

—— Catherine Small , Irish News

A wonderful tale.

—— Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan , Daily Express

A nod to The Color Purple and Great Expectations, this is a thought provoking read perfect for book groups from teenage to adult

—— Drawing on Books

A powerful evocation of a period of prejudice and injustice rarely covered in fiction for young readers

—— Armadillo Magazine, Editor’s Choice

The first thing to say about this book is that it is a very good read. The second is that The Hypnotist tackles some very heavy themes

—— PlanetBooks Australia

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