This is a perfect, feel-good, cosy up with the fire and Christmas tree lit behind you kind of book. Perfect Christmas read, simple and easy! This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

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The Secret Christmas Bookshop By Cressida McLaughlin, a NetGalley review. Sophie the main character is used to back up and starting again when the going gets tough, an act of survival and self preservation from being moved around as a child from one foster home to another. Sophie has been living in this beautiful Norfolk town for a year, she’s made friends and become part of the wilder community but can one surprise package make her run for the hills again. I love this author @cressmclaughlin and always look forward to her books and this was no exception and I think this brings all the best parts of her previous books into this lovely cozy, winter read and just not for Christmas. The setting is stunning, the characters feel real and jump of the pages, it’s romantic, it incorporates a love of books and again it’s set around Christmas. I love the little hints of some of the things the author likes, for example the Norfolk, references to Cornwall and certain authors and books she loves, this is a great personal touch. It is predictable but that’s part of the joy of reading this authors books and even though I was pretty sure I knew where this story was heading part of me wanted it to go the other way, with no happy ending! I love the character of Sophie but she did annoy me slightly, even though I knew the reasons behind why she was doing what she did. When secrets were revealed around who sent her the mystery book package, I thought her reaction was a bit over the top and again I knew the reason behind it but because of the way the author writes, as a reader the characters feel real and for me enable me as the reader to have these reactions as though I’m reading about someone I knew. There’s so much I loved about this book, the little things and I will try and not give anything away! I loved the quirky jumper wearing goat, the seaside town setting, the community feel, the oakfest, the secret behind the mystery book packages, Sophies notebook making/binding business. I will always recomend this authors books but this is one of my favourites, so it’s an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me 📚📚

This was a lovely wintery read set in the run up to Christmas in Mistingham which will leave you wanting to get wrapped up warm, cuddled in front of a fire with a blanket, a book and a plate of seaside fish and chips!

I was really looking forward to this book and it didn’t disappoint, Sophie is such a lovely character that you can’t help but warm to her and want to see her find happiness - even if I did set my eyes on Dexter first… (here’s hoping for a sequel with Dexter and Lucy as the main characters…) But Harry has just that right level of broody, grumpy and reclusiveness that makes you want to know more about the guy behind the rumours.

I really liked seeing Sophie and Harry getting to know each other as it felt like they discovered more about themselves as well. We unwrapped more layers with every chapter and I just wanted to keep on reading to see if anything would develop…

This was a lovely book that has made me excited for some crisp winter walks, cheese toasties, Christmas lights and all the festive feelings that Christmas brings - it may only be September but I feel like I’m well and truly ready to embrace the season!!!

Wow Cressida really never fails to deliver . Loved this she’s just so clever she can make a book so thought provoking but whilst also keeping things light at the same time! Cannot wait to read the rest of this series !!

This is a great feel good book, with a beautiful rural/coastal setting, taking place during the build up to Christmas. I did find Sophie frustrating with some of her decisions, but her position is clearly explained in a very empathetic way. There is a strong community spirit as the village comes together for the Christmas festival, which is lovely.

I’m a big fan of this author, you know what you’re going to get when you read one of her books - two slightly flawed main characters, a lovely set of characters supporting them in a location you’d love to visit. This book is set in a Norfolk village and with Christmas approaching, Sophie gets drawn in to help out organising the local Christmas Celebrations. She is, initially reluctantly, helped by Harry, who lives in the Manor house and hasn’t been seen around the village since his return about 18 months earlier. Their relationship is interesting and has its moments, helped along by Felix the goats antics. I really liked the references to Jane Eyre, the way the community all come together, looking out for each other, and how the author gets you through to the ending that you want to read. Recommended

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Sophie has never stayed in one place for very long. Shes been in were she is now for nearly a year and is starting to plan her next move even though
her small buisness of handmade notebooks is doing well.

Harry lives in the manor house in the village and has been having it tough since he returned from london to take care of the house and his dad.

Sophie recieves a surprise gift one day at work of an old book that has been beautifly rebound and has a mysterious note attached and starts the search to find out who sent it.
This was a really enjoyable read love all of Cressida's books

*Does a big old contented sigh and cheesy little smile'!

Ah what a joy of a book..the stunning cover with the colours and image, the Jane Eyre references throughout, the mischievous little goat, the whole load of people from Mitsingham who were all just so real and believable, Sophie and of course the dark and brooding Harry Anderly himself 😍

Also..there's something magical about including all the things that book lovers truly adore in the story. It has a way of making us feel included in the story.

This is a perfect Christmas cozy read and I happily lost myself in it in one whole sitting.

Thank you for the ARC...will definitely be recommending 💫💫💫💫💫

Heartwarming, festive with a little mystery. Really enjoyed reading this. Absolutely fantastic.

Thank you Cressida McLaughlin, HarperCollins and Netgalley for this ARC.

Sophie moved to a small sea side village after her relationship ended and the village welcomed her, one day a beautiful bound book turns up where she works anonymously and she is desperate to find out who it is from.
She then meets Harry the owner of a crumbling manor house who had returned from London after his father died, he is withdrawn and angry until the village vote for him and Sophie to organise the Christmas fayre and sparks start to fly before the romance begins.
A nice romance but I found too much information on running a fayre for me I wanted more of the romance. Loved Felix the goat.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

This was a great read. I enjoyed the setting and the characters they are all very likeable and some of them extremely quirky. I think the sentiment of this book can ring true for many people who have been left to manage alone for a long time.

Christmas + books...that makes for a good book already. I'd like there to be a real secret bookshop, it sounds wonderful.

I think this is the first of my books by Cressida but it definitely won't be my last. You can be sure that I will be looking up her other work now.

Sophie is our main character. She's had a rough upbringing that has seeped into her adulthood. She's protective but with rough edges, distrusting of herself and others, unwilling to get close. I liked her a lot. And then we have Harry, the mysterious, grumpy new Lord of the manor who seems intent on making enemies of everyone, but he's clearly not all he appears. And he loves book so you know, and instant fie star. They work brilliantly off of each other, like two coins of the same coin.

There are a lot of other characters - friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbour, strangers, pets...and there's a goal who wears Christmas jumpers, so you know, what else do you need?!

The setting of Mistingham in Norfolk sounded idyllic, the perfect village to live in at Christmas and I'd like to move in please.

I read this in the middle of September and whilst for most people, that's still summer, possibly autumn, I am a Christmas nut all year round and so I'd already done some present shopping that week, baked some festive cookies, watched the Muppets Christmas Carol, and was curled up under a thick blanket wishing for winter. And so this book went perfectly.

At risk of sounding a bit weird, I had to mention that she uses the word 'plethora' about 30% in, which is my second favourite word ('panache' is my first), and I'm always childishly excited when I see it in a book.

I mean, it's not a spoiler to say that you pretty much know how it's going to end, the same as all of the, what I call happily-ever-after type stories. And some people may question why I read it then if I know how it'll end, but I like that. Sure I love a good thriller, historical novel, full of twists and surprises, but I also really enjoy a genteel, cosy, uplifting romcom that I know will leave me smiling.

I read it in less than a day, it was so easy reading and lovely that I just lost myself in the village, the characters, and the romance. It ends well and I'm satisfied but there is a part of me hoping that this won't be the end of what we see in Mistingham, that maybe she has more up her sleeves.

It is everything you want from a book, it's warming, cosy, nostalgic, joyful, happy. It is impossible not to feel a glow when reading it.

Sophie receives a mystery package and is delighted to discover it’s a beautifully bound book, sent from the secret bookshop she’s puzzled as to who sent it.
She thinks Harry who is the owner of the former bookshop in the village but he’s a recluse. She then finds herself knowing him better when they are thrown together to organise the village oak festival.
Great read loved this book.

Book Review: The Secret Christmas Bookshop

I’m so grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Secret Christmas Bookshop by Cressida McLaughlin ahead of its release. This delightful romantic tale swept me away to a charming village by the sea, perfectly capturing the essence of the holiday season.

From the start, I was drawn into Sophie’s world when she receives a mysterious package containing a beautifully bound book. Her curiosity and determination to uncover the sender’s identity resonated with me, igniting my own sense of wonder. This quest leads her to Harry, a reclusive figure returning from London, and their interactions are laced with a mix of intrigue and warmth that kept me engaged.

The setting itself is magical, with wintry skies and a sprinkle of snow that creates a cozy backdrop for their unfolding story. I loved how the village came alive through McLaughlin's vivid descriptions, making me feel as though I was part of this enchanting world.

As Sophie and Harry navigate their initial hesitations, their chemistry is palpable. I appreciated how their relationship blossomed against the backdrop of small-town gossip and holiday cheer. The book’s themes of mystery, connection, and the transformative power of stories really resonated with me.

Cressida McLaughlin has a knack for weaving heartfelt moments with a touch of humor, and this novel is no exception. I found myself laughing and sighing in equal measure, fully invested in Sophie and Harry’s journey.

Overall, The Secret Christmas Bookshop is a charming, feel-good read that left me with a warm glow. It’s perfect for anyone seeking a festive escape filled with romance and mystery. I highly recommend curling up with this book during the holiday season—it’s a delightful treat!

An enjoyable read. Perfect for a winter’s evening. Some social messages in the book which explained character traits. A tale of a village whose residents join together in the lead up to Christmas. There’s a wide range of characters and a romance. A good story. and good to get to know the characters.

Cressida never fails to deliver and this is another winner. Get ready to settle into a comfy chair and lose yourself the story. Beautifully written - laughter and tears, Christmas and books -who could want anything more.

I love Cressida's books - light but also makes you think!

Honestly any books about books and/or bookshops are right up my alley, add Christmas to the mix, even better!

Sophie is a newbie to the village of Mistingham. At the start of the story, she is trying to decide where she is going to move next. She doesn't like settling anywhere, and we find out why later on, although know from early on, that she was fostered.

She manages to volunteer herself to run the Christmas festival, and is partnered, reluctantly by Harry, the Lord of the Manor, who has been hiding away after the death of his father and not liked by the locals. She manages to bring him out of his shell, and we learn a lot about his background and that of his family, and his little goat, Felix, not forgetting his dogs.

Sophie and Harry grow closer, and bring together a fantastic event, although we never know quite which direction the festival will end up.... supplemented by the fact that she has been given Jane Eyre, and is using the planning to quiz everyone in the village to find out who gave it to her.

I love the fact that Jane Eyre is quoted and used to parallel what is happening in her life!

This is a lovely book... and loved the ending! No Spoilers... you don't know quite what Sophie will decide....

Oh my . This was a great read and it so made you appreciate your up bringing of feeling safe and secure. I loved the note books and Felix the goat. It is Cressida at her best. Just a perfect read . I loved it. Not telling you the plot read it .

Cressida has done it again, her books never fail to make me relax and warm my heart. The perfect festive read

This was such a warm and sweet story, and quite a special read for me personally. I really saw a lot of myself in the lead character, Sophie, and her coping mechanisms. She really is trying her best to protect herself how she knows best. I loved going through that journey with her. It takes place in a small village, and I really felt a part of it all and caught up in everyone's business.
I truly wanted to savour this book, and I will no doubt be reading it again to try and capture all those feelings once more.
Plus, Felix the goat is the absolute best!

Thank you so much Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this book via NetGalley to share my thoughts on it. I greatly appreciate it!