The Secret Christmas Bookshop by Cressida McLaughlin
My review
4/5 stars
Nomadic Sophie is getting ready to pack up and move to a new town after her designated year in her current home, when she receives an anonymous gift - a beautiful book and a heartfelt message that makes her think twice. She delays her departure to solve the mystery and ends up finding a few possible reasons to stay.
I really loved the idea of someone giving special books to villagers without identifying themselves; it really spoke to the book-lover in me and was a big part of the reason I enjoyed this book as much as I did.
Sophie was a sweet character on the whole, but I did find that I struggled to connect with her fully - mostly because of her need to move every year, but also because of her seeming refusal to let herself open her eyes to what was happening in front of her for so much of the book. I was thrilled that she designed notebooks though, it made the stationery geek in me smile.
In comparison, I adored Harry's character. His initial grumpiness was funny rather than annoying, and it was very engaging to watch his crusty outer shell slowly crumble away in the face of more time with the village. He was my favourite part of the book.
Speaking of the villagers, they were all lovely enough characters, but I'm not sure any of them really felt necessary to the story. It helped build a world and gave me a greater desire for Sophie to stay put, but I didn't invest in any of them on a personal level.
On the whole, this was a sweet, cosy, very festive-feeling story, with enough charm to keep me reading at a decent pace.
Book blurb
In a village by the sea, where wintry skies bring a dusting of sparkling snow, somebody is opening an unexpected gift…
When Sophie receives a surprise package, she’s intrigued to find a beautifully bound book inside.
Sophie is desperate to discover the mystery sender, and her hunt draws her to the enigmatic Harry. The subject of much gossip since his return from London, Harry keeps to himself in his crumbling manor house.
But they are both about to learn that the best stories can take on a life of their own.
More...
You can buy the book here now. It was published by HarperCollins.
For more on the author, you can head to her website, follow her on Instagram, or check out her Goodreads page.
