wowshai's review against another edition
5.0
this was the most refreshing reads in a long while. protagonist was relatable in many ways, and the storytelling was different than anything I’ve read in awhile in a very pleasant way. I also love Christmas and I’m such a Christmas spirit that this really made me feel all ooey gooey inside.
winona_reads3's review against another edition
2.0
2.5? it was just ok for me.. i don't know why but i couldn't lean into it, i didn't love it and i'm kinda sad because i wanted to love it as my first Christmas read. i don't know.. i'm bummed. i liked how it started out but between half way to the ending i just felt blah and just wanted to finish it to move on to something else
katysantandrea's review against another edition
4.0
Jenny Colgan + Christmas is always a good idea. Maybe not one of my favourites but I enjoyed it and it was fun to have some scenes with Ramsey & Zoe as well.
georgie_nicks's review against another edition
2.0
I can't actually remember the last time I rated a book lower than 3 stars...perhaps it was because the premise sounded so interesting and like it would be the perfect Christmas read but ultimately fell very, very flat.
In essence, this book follows the efforts of a young woman named Carmen as she tries to revive a tired old bookshop as well as navigate some new relationships with her sister, her nieces and nephew, and a couple of questionable love interests; all taking place in the vibrant, naturally festive city of Edinburgh. The descriptions of the city were enjoyable, as were the lives of literally every other character except Carmen who (perhaps at the fault of the narrator) came across as an annoying and whiny brat.
Too many characters, plot all over the place, very minimal Christmassy feeling as the book went on.
In essence, this book follows the efforts of a young woman named Carmen as she tries to revive a tired old bookshop as well as navigate some new relationships with her sister, her nieces and nephew, and a couple of questionable love interests; all taking place in the vibrant, naturally festive city of Edinburgh. The descriptions of the city were enjoyable, as were the lives of literally every other character except Carmen who (perhaps at the fault of the narrator) came across as an annoying and whiny brat.
Too many characters, plot all over the place, very minimal Christmassy feeling as the book went on.
monikamoni's review against another edition
2.0
This wasn't very Christmassy.
Found the plot quite boring, not quite bad enough to not finish the book as it was an easy read, but boring enough to be frustrating.
Annoying characters, in particular the main character who just sounded lazy, love story part without any real chemistry between the characters. The Edinburgh setting was good, but the amount of snow at Christmas was wildly unrealistic.
Found the plot quite boring, not quite bad enough to not finish the book as it was an easy read, but boring enough to be frustrating.
Annoying characters, in particular the main character who just sounded lazy, love story part without any real chemistry between the characters. The Edinburgh setting was good, but the amount of snow at Christmas was wildly unrealistic.
dennikel's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.5
I love the Mure series and pre-ordered this audiobook. The story picked up a little at the end but dragged for the majority of the book and wasn’t very interesting. Neither potential love interest had anything I was looking forward to reading about. Actually, I didn’t find any of the characters interesting whatsoever. This book was a real slog the entire way through.
kindle_and_crossstitch's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
A sweet Christmas story.
I loved the characters, especially Carmen and Mr Macredie and the Narnia-esque bookshop. I did get a bit bored as the story didn’t seem to be going anywhere in the middle, but overall a really nice read.
A sweet Christmas story.
I loved the characters, especially Carmen and Mr Macredie and the Narnia-esque bookshop. I did get a bit bored as the story didn’t seem to be going anywhere in the middle, but overall a really nice read.
darbyart's review against another edition
5.0
Just a feel good novel. Loved the main character and all those in her story.