Review by Booklist Review
Colgan (The Summer Skies, 2023) once again whisks readers to a magical place with vivid scenes of the picturesque streets of Edinburgh. Carmen is struggling in every aspect of her life. She lives in her older sister's giant house with her brother-in-law and four nieces and nephews. Her living situation was supposed to be temporary, but after a bad breakup with Oke, her sister Sofi can't bring herself to kick Carmen out. Carmen is working in a quaint bookstore in the heart of Edinburgh for an elderly man whose passions are books and research rather than running a business, so they are barely scraping by. Carmen dives into trying to make the store money while attempting to keep her mind off Oke. Initially, it seems Carmen won't ever get him, but as soon as she resigns herself to losing him, they talk through the horrible miscommunication that led to their breakup. The novel wraps up neatly, which makes this cozy book perfect for the holidays. Jill Mansell readers should pick up this Christmas read.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Colgan returns to Edinburgh-based McCredie's bookshop and the messy life of its manager, Carmen Hogan, in this sequel to The Christmas Bookshop. Carmen is worried about her relationship with Oke, who's planning a long trip to Brazil, the bookshop's continuing financial struggles, and its owner's sudden interest in selling the shop to the obnoxiously wealthy Jackson McClockerty in order to fund his own trip to Antarctica. With plenty of problems to solve, Carmen has a long Christmas wish list. Although this title is a sequel, it can be enjoyed on its own or out of order with minimal impact on the festive feelings created. Returning fans will still be rooting for the slightly clueless but relatable Carmen, her powerhouse sister and family, and all the dear friends previously made on Victoria Street, plus a few new characters who introduce satisfying surprises. By balancing the focus between saving the bookstore and working on Carmen's personal relationships, Colgan always presents a reason to read one more chapter. VERDICT Readers looking for a chance to escape their own holiday hubbub will find a perfect respite in spending quality time with Carmen at McCredie's splendidly decorated bookshop.--Stacey Hayman
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