The Christmas Bookshop: A Novel

I loved every page of The Christmas Bookshop. It had a few of my favorite things: books, Christmas, snow, sisters and love. Having lived under the diamond achievements of her older sister Sofia, Carmen always felt less than. Sofia grudgingly with their mom's encouragement helps find Carmen a job.She was made redundant at her job and had to move back home. So begins the delightful story of what it means for sisters who were at odds with each other and they had been their entire life, find their way through a beautiful journey of forgiveness and reconciliation. And Carmen gains so much more. So much more than she could've ever expected. Sofia has an amazing life. She's a successful solicitor, married to a successful husband and they three cute kids with a fourth on the way and they live in a beautiful home. Carmen has very little and is basically homeless. By the way, the children made me smile often. Pippa and Phoebe. Just cuties and you definitely see little Sofia and Carmen in those two. Jack was just Jack. The nanny, Skylar, was an ole biddy. There was a dofus of an inspirational author who was a fraud and quite miserable. I did not like those two clowns at all. Oke was just intellectually adorable. You will have to swipe to read the parts they played in this warm story. There was a host of lovely characters that made the story more wonderful. The sense of community in the town was so noticeable that I want to go there fo get a visit. I'm sorry but you're really gonna have to get your own copy. But you will not be disappointed in the decision to read The Christmas Bookshop. Perfect holiday read. Thank Ms. Colgan.Merry Christmas!!

I greatly enjoyed the story. It is full of magic, love, family, and friendships. Jenny Colgan did a superb job of describing the world in a beautiful way where I felt like I was right there with the characters.Unfortunately, I found many parts to be too jumpy and chaotic. It didn't flow very well. There were also parts where it felt like it just dragged on. The characters were all very interesting, but sometimes a bit irritating."People buy things in the hope that it willmake them feel better," said Blair. "It gives youa momentary boost, just buying it, but not forlong.""All days are special days. Every day we shouldfeel, I hope, a little grace. And we can use itto bring peace in everything we do, to recon-cile and bear quiet witness to our commonhumanity. Sorry. I don't really have anythingspecial to say..."

Jenny does it again! A wonderful, captivating story about family dynamics and finding your place in it. The storyline is set during the Christmas season beginning in November in Edinburgh Scotland and although much of the story takes place in a bookstore in drastic need of saving, the real story is about relationships, family, friends, loyalty and love. Jenny's fine writing holds your attention, she makes you laugh, cry and relate to situations that have possibly happened in your own life. It makes you want to sit down with a cup of tea or hit cocoa, a plate of biscuits and/or scones and not put the book down until you've read it all, then you want to go back to the beginning and read it all over again. Wonderfully heartfelt, this is a read you don't want to miss at Christmas or any other time of year. I highly recommend this book to the "young at heart!"

The is the first book i’ve read from this author. I liked the general storyline. Carmen (the main character) was annoying at times, but i think that was the point. Oke and Blair…. very opposite men. Lots of random bits and ends added to the story to sell the kind of woman Sophia was (very prim/proper/montessori esque)… The ending was fine.Read and finished in a few days. I had to look quite a few words. From either being a colloquial scottish phrase, or just using pretentious words. That was probably my biggest reason for not giving it another star. Regardless, i enjoyed it.

Really heartwarming yet not saccharine. Loved the Edinburgh setting, and Carmen's journey. Her relationship with Mr. McCredie was lovely. Nice turns to the story.

I have read this book twice and I'm sure I'll read it again again.The characters are so vivid,the setting so descriptive that I want to walk the streets of Edinburgh and experience it for myself. Jenny Colgan is one of my all time favorites and many of her books I've read again and again. You won't be disappointed in this one.

Exactly what I was looking for: an easy, enjoyable, Christmas read. Had relatable family dynamics, humor, love, and so much more. This was the first book I've read from this author, looking forward to reading more from her!

I enjoyed the story. A love story, that much like real life, takes a few wrong turns to eventually arrive in the right place. Life lessons are learned, usually the hard way. Sibling rivalry isn’t always a two way street. Sometimes the way we see/feel isn’t the whole picture. It’s just our view. I tidy ending is always appreciated and this one did not disappoint.

A charming tale filled with holiday cheer and heartwarming moments, 'The Christmas Bookshop' is a delightful read that captures the magic of the season. Jenny Colgan's storytelling shines as she takes readers on a journey of love, friendship, and the power of second chances.

Jenny Colgan writes another wonderful story. Heartwarming and funny. A great love story for Christmas.

I hadn't read any Jenny Colgan before, and when it was chosen for our book club I was fully expecting it to be pulp fiction - twee, saccharine crap - just based on the cover and title.SO WRONG.It's 3am because I just HAD to finish it. Carmen is a brilliant irrepressible, irreverent, fallible human. The dialogue is FUNNY, and charming, and while the story isn't twisty and entirely unpredictable, the relationships are realistic and relatable. Where caricatures are used they are still wonderfully portrayed.I bloody loved it and can't wait to read more of her books!

Jenny Colgan works her magic again. So glad I treated myself to this and finished it in one night. Perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. And books. Lots of lovely books and family stories

It took me a while to get in to this book but it did have its charms - particularly the developing relationship between the heroine and her nieces and nephew. A bit too heavily laden with details about Edinburgh for those who don’t live there and a VERY unlikely denouement stopped me giving it the full 5 stars.