This delightful Christmas book brims with friendship and humor, capturing the essence of a small village's charm. It sparks an immediate desire to immerse oneself in the community spirit. Although this is my first encounter with the author's work, it certainly won't be the last. The writing style and character development are particularly engaging. Additionally, the blossoming romance between Sophie and Harry enhances the warm, fuzzy sensation often associated with Christmas love stories. 3.5 stars

A beautifully written story with a festive feel as Sophie joins forces with the grumpy owner of the manor to do the village Christmas festival. I loved the vulnerability of both characters and the antics of Felix the knitted coat wearing goat. Books didn't play as a large part as expected but those mentioned were beautiful and would be treasured if they existed in real life.

A disclaimer here as I know the author.

Not my usual type of book as I'm not a great Christmas fan but as I know Cressida and have read (and enjoyed) other of her books I was keen to read this one as it is set in Norfolk.

Like many of this type of book you can see how the story is likely work out very early on but the joy is enjoying the ride as you get there and this one was great fun with believable and lovable characters.
An added bonus for me was working out which places Cressida had melded together to create her world - I'm from Norfolk and know the coast area well so could spot the places that inspired here.
I can't say that I am any the more ready for Christmas but I did enjoy the book a lot.

Our main character Sophie has had a tough run in life, but is starting to feel like she has found her place in Mistingham. She volunteers to work on the big Christmas festival, after she is gifted a beautiful copy of Jane Eyre, to see if she can find out who was her secret Santa. The book is filled with lots of interesting characters.

This is a really lovely, feel good Christmas book filled with friendship and humour. I love these small village vibe books. It instantly makes me want to be part of the community spirit. This is the first book I have read by the author but it won't be the last. I really enjoyed her writing style and character introductions. the added romance plot between Sophie and Harry just added to that warm fuzzy feeling that Christmas romances can bring.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The main charachter, Sophie, has been hurt in many ways in life, before finding her place in Mistingham.
As the end of the year nears, she volunteers to work on the big christmas festival, as a way to discover who secretly gifted her a beautiful copy of Jane Eyre. In doing so, she finds more than she could have possibly hoped for, which makes her doubt if her plan to move on to the next place by the end of the year actually is what she wants.

This book has everything you'd look for in a christmas romance, it is set in a quaint village, that is filled with quirky characters!
It is super cute, and makes you feel all the feelings you'd want to feel.
Above all, it is filled with the warmth and love you want to feel in the winter period!

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley!

An absolutely heartwarming story that I was totally enchanted by.

I loved the village setting, the mystery behind he beautifully bound book, and just the whole feel of the story. I was absorbed by what Sophie would decide to do, whether she would continue to move from place to place each year, or if she would start to put down some routes.

And Harry was intriguing, a bit prickly at first, but turned into a wonderful man that I was definitely falling for. And the names of his dogs are rather amusing, but it's Felix the Goat that has to be the best character of the book. He has such a cheeky personality and it was always funny to see what scrapes he ended up in next.

I loved the planning for the big Christmas festival and also seeing how Sophie is starting to connect to more people in the village. The descriptions of the notebooks she makes too are enchanting and I almost wish I was a bigger fan of stationary to try to find similar ones as they sounded so lovely.

This is definitely a very enjoyable festive story that i read over the course of a day. And with Amazon implying this is the first book of a new series, I am incredibly eager to read the next book, and catch up with more of these characters as the setting is so fabulous.

Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I adored this book. The setting, the characters and the blossoming love story between Sophie and Harry. I especially enjoyed the Jane Eyre references. Such a heartwarming Christmas read,

I really enjoyed this. It had a lovely festive feel to it. Would really like to read more about other characters.

Cressida McLaughlin does it again, with another feel good Christmas novel filled with friendship, humour and mystery. I just loved the different characters and relationships in this book from Sophie and Fiona's friendship to Jazz's storyline to the mischievous goat, Felix. The storyline ultimately revolves around Sophie and Harry and their blossoming relationship. When the mysterious Harry and newbie in town, Sophie are unexpectedly volunteered to organise the village Christmas festival they both learn thing about each other and themselves that make them rethink the path they are on.
This was such a lovely, warm Christmas story which has really got me in the Christmas spirit. I loved the strand following Sophies investigation into who sent the mysterious package of a special edition Jane Eyre and how it correlated to her nomadic tendency.
The characters are very well written and I thoroughly enjoyed following the characters through their journeys. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christmas contemporary romance.

Thank you NetGalley - I loved this book and really has got me into the Christmas spirit

The author sets this festive wintery tale in Mistingham a seaside town in Norfolk. This is about community, Finding home and in the words of Shrek Happy everafter Donkey - it is a real feel good story

Loved this and was published in October 2024.

The Secret Christmas Bookshop is a cosy, heartwarming, festive story whose characters, especially Felix I will now miss. Of course you know from the ofset that Sophie and Harry are meant to be together and of course a lot of the scenarios are rather farfetched but the storyline, the charcters and excerpts from Jane Eyre all make it worth setting time aside for, and you won't regret it.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my copy in return for my honest opinion.

The Secret Christmas Bookshop. I loved this book. The perfect Christmas romance for getting into the festive mood. Great characters and storyline, especially the link to classic books. I loved the Norfolk coast setting and the inclusion of all the furry friends (especially Felix the goat). One of the best Rom Coms I've read in a long time. Perfect.

I loved this book and it was perfect to start the cosy and festive reading season! I enjoyed the characters, the village by the sea (I'd move there in a heartbeat!) and the found family vibes. Lovely and heartwarming story, I look forward to the next book.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Harper Collins publishing and NetGalley for a copy of “ The Secret Christmas Bookshop” for an honest review.

I was drawn to read this because of the lovely setting of Norfolk and the title., obviously because of my job anything involving books gets my attention.!
A decent enough festive read, , and well written characters, but for some reason I didn't love it, so I can only giving it an average mark..

Lovely Christmas read. Sophie never settles down for long anywhere. Her whole life has been brought up in care system so she is not used to trusting people
Then she lands in Mistington a beautiful little village on the sea she settles in and gets a nice flat, lovely place to sell her gorgeous hand made notebooks so much so she is getting repeat customers
She has made friends and they in turn ask her to help with the big Christmas festival alongside the lord of manor Harry
She has only seen him few times he appears always to be cross or grumpy so she is not looking forward to it
Will they work it out ? Can they have it by old oak tree?
Thoroughly enjoyed this book all about who family really is to us

You need look no further for the perfect Christmas romance! This read is the most amazing combination of romance, fun, mystery and goaty goodness to fully sink into and lose yourself. I love the new setting and new characters and I hope there are future instalments to come.

Thank you Netgalley

I loved this book. This was the first book I have read since having a baby a year a go. I wanted something cosy, comforting and Christmassy to get me back into reading; it did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will always love anything Cressida writes.

Sophie is happy for now with her little set-up in a friend's shop selling her notebooks when she receives a present. A beautiful bok but who sent it to her and why. The quest for the truth is distracted when she is volunteered to help organise the christmas festival with the reclusive Harry but maybe this is just what they both need.

Oh what a festive read this was. A must for book lovers especially if like me Jane Eyre holds a place in your heart. This was such a good read. Its easy christmassy and emotional. This book takes us on a journey helping Sophie find what she truly wants. The ending was a perfect finish and I love how it all settled together. The goat is by the far of the star of the show but I did love Jazz too. She was brilliant and told it just like it is. The setting is so well described you can picture it all. As someone who actually lives in Norfolk, I can really picture the scene. A brilliant festive read.

A great festive read that offers up cosy village vibes, a mysterious hunk, troubled backgrounds a plenty and several cute dogs - kudos to the naming of these! A heart-warming ending that proves that family is what you make of it. Would recommend.

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

This was such a cute christmas romance, I really love the cosy village vibes in these sort of books. Characters were great and story was sweet.