It was the first time for me to read a book by Ally Bunbury. The blurb of the story seemed good unfortunately, I didn't enjoy reading it. I wasn't drawn to any of the characters expect for the main character. I had a hard time getting into the story, it just didn't flow. Maybe I read this book at the wrong time? I don't know but I felt a little bit disappointed after finishing it. I am giving this book 3 stars out of 5.

Immy Brooks and Lando Shillington, childhood friends turned passionate lovers, face an uncomfortable shift in their relationship on the eve of Lando's business trip to Paris. Lando, reluctant heir to his family's Dublin department store, seeks guidance from Charles de Croix, owner of the opulent Le Marché Cher in Paris. Lando's interactions with Immy become strained as he grapples with newfound responsibilities and a potential romance with de Croix's daughter, Celine. When de Croix decides to help revitalize Shillington's, the Dublin store, Lando, Delia (his mother), and Immy navigate a world of wealth, love, and business transformation. The Love Department unfolds with extravagance and ostentation, providing a festive escape into a realm of opulence, while addressing universal themes of love, friendship, grief, and the pursuit of happiness.

I received a free copy of, The Love Department, by Ally Bunbury, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Immy Brooks is great at her job, but no so great in the love department. I really liked Immy, but she was was the only character I liked, i did not like any of the other characters.

I know this will appeal to some but for me it didn’t quite click. It felt less like a story and more like information , add information & add a little more information. There wasn’t a nice flow & i couldn’t manage to finish it unfortunately. The premise was there but the execution fell short.

What an enjoyable story. I love big department stores, and am sorry to see so many of the big chain ones having disappeared from the high street, so I was instantly enchanted by Shillington's, a struggling Irish department store that has lost its way a bit and basically needs a great Christmas season in order to stand a chance of surviving.

I loved everything to do with both Shillington's but also the French store we are first introduced to. And the way de Croix and daughter Celine have come over to help godson Lando be able to take over the store from his mother, is fabulous to see.

Of course it's not just about the magnificently and vividly described building, but also about the employees within.

The story is told focusing on Lando and also Immy, but we get to know a whole bunch of other people and I get really invested in all of the subplots.

I was really invested in the story and was enjoying every last word of it. This was my first introduction to Ally Bunbury's books and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for more in the future,

This combined my love of shops, Christmas, sales, a sexy French accent, romance, an eccentric but surprising and well meaning relative all into one deliciously wrapped parcel of book. With some fabulous comic scenes, and a very good reason as to just why this book is called The Love Department, this is one highly enjoyable and entertaining book.

Thank you to Hachette Books Ireland and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I gave this book a try, reading the first few chapters but unfortunately I couldn't get into it. The 3rd person point of view for the book was something I couldn't get into. I found myself always trying to keep up with who's who.

This book was not for me unfortunately, I found it hard to like the characters and at time found the story just didn't flow.

Just not for me i'm afraid

I had fun as there's a lot of antics and some parts are quite realistic. Entertaining and well plotted
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

thanks to netgalley and hachette books for a review copy of the love department

unfortunately i could not get into the book at all. it was just info dump after info dump, and the writing style was not one i meshed well with; the dialogue felt awkward and stilted, not mirroring real life conversations and tone/speech. it read to me like a historic novel, and while i love historical fiction, this just wasn’t that and it didn’t hit the spot for a romance. i’m a bit annoyed about it tbh as i had really liked the premise.

As someone who worked in fashion before becoming a librarian and book professional I so could relate to all the fun and antics that come along with personal shopping. This book was a pure delight! I enjoyed it so much and I know readers will as well! I loved the Christmas theme and Ally Bunbury is definitely on my list of new favorite authors!