I really liked the overall story of the book; what’s not to like about a romance set in a bookshop? Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. I found it to be a bit too long and there were multiple times I was cringing with how over the top ‘sweetly romantic’ it was; I get it’s a romance book but it felt a little juvenile, a bit like the main characters, especially Lily. It was an easy read and puts you in the Christmas spirit, particularly if you were to then incorporate some of the Icelandic traditions into the build up to Christmas Day.

Jessica Redland’s Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop is a gentle, soul-soothing read that captures the quiet magic of the festive season. Set in the cosy coastal town of Dune Island, the story follows Lily Appleton, who finds comfort among the shelves of her beloved bookshop. But when Lars Jóhannsson—an old acquaintance with a complicated past—returns, Lily must confront more than just holiday chaos.

Redland’s storytelling is warm and inviting, with a touch of seasonal sparkle and emotional depth. The chemistry between Lily and Lars is tender and believable, unfolding slowly as they navigate old wounds and new beginnings. The Icelandic traditions woven into the narrative add a lovely layer of charm and cultural richness.

This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about forgiveness, rediscovery, and the quiet strength found in community and connection. With twinkling lights, heartfelt moments, and just the right amount of festive cheer, Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop is a perfect companion for winter evenings.

With thanks to Jessica Redland, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Sometimes second chances can create something amazing and special. Lily and Lars met for the first time, and it didn't go well, and the pain and hurt went with them for all the years since they had met. Now, Lars has applied for a job in the bookshop that Lily works and her parents own. When he is given a chance, we learn so much about why it happened when they first met, what has happened until they meet again, and will they even be able to work together for the Christmas season? The bookshop and the community are a warm and cozy place, and sometimes I would get lost in the bookshop, it is so welcoming, full of shared memories, and what they each bring to the Christmas season, I kept thinking I have been lost, and this just makes Christmas magical again.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley. If you would like that magical feeling you had when you were young, I highly recommend this book.

How refreshing, reading a story set in England for once.
The language, the people, the streets, the shops and the bookshop of course.
I enjoyed the author’s writing, from two POV’s: his and hers. How she beautifully described both lives as individuals
before even getting to the romance part. They sound like real people, with real life issues and very authentic.
Nothing was forced, all happened naturally and without the unnecessary heated spice.

This is what romance look like to me, this is the kind of love to wish for in our lives.
Not only as a couple, but also as a family.

I’ll definitely want to read more books from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity.

Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop offers exactly what its title promises—a lovely, cozy, and largely non-threatening festive romance set amid the inviting shelves of Bay Books. The charming bookshop atmosphere, combined with gentle nods to Icelandic Christmas traditions, creates a comforting seasonal backdrop that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of feel-good, holiday-themed reads  .

On the plus side, it’s refreshing to see the story extend beyond the typical “meeting-to-romance” arc, exploring the couple’s evolving relationship after they come together. That adds a sense of continuity and emotional warmth, and the book’s tone makes it an easy, relaxing experience for a cozy evening in.

However, the narrative does lean heavily into sweetness—so much so that it borders on saccharine. The stakes feel low, and major plot developments often stem from misunderstandings that come across as contrived or overly dramatized. There’s very little real danger or tension, which may leave those looking for more substantial conflict or emotional depth wanting.

Ultimately, Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop is a perfectly pleasant, lightweight festive escape—heartwarming in parts, but too cloying and slight in others to make it exceptional. It’s enjoyable company for a quiet winter night, but it doesn’t linger in the mind afterward.

This will be the perfect winter warmer.

A cosy, heartfelt story.

Filled with loveable characters, and the fact that the main setting is a bookshop is a real bonus!

It just all came across as wonderfully idyllic.

i mean its Jessica Redland. we all know how this review is likely to go. but blimey she is bringing even more special vibes than even i as a huge fan thought could be possible. as soon as i saw this book i felt happy. i smiled. i felt a relief of the heart knowing i could settle into this book and know id be safe in its hands. and it was just what i needed and more.
i love how we are into a wonderful story that indeed includes the love and meaning of cherishing books. in Whitsborough Bay we have that community and characters we love to read about.
Lily runs Bay Books with her dad. but she needs to find herself extra help when he dad needs time off for an operation.
who sees the ad but none other than Lars. this could be just what he needs right now as hes in a bit of an in between himself. but trouble is he knows Lily from their past. and he also thinks he knows this will be the last coming together she will want to happen. (btw her nickname for him is just a laugh out loud moment)
but can our pair find what they need in their shared love of books. or maybe, just maybe in each other. school was long time ago guys.
but both our pair are holding more on their shoulders than school time hurts.
this book was once again a proof if there ever was one that some authors will forever bring it every.single. time. and just how brilliant some authors truly are. its inspiring and incredible.
Jessica has been top author of mine for a while. and this book brought it all together once again. they never shy from the topics needed to be discussed but never overwhelm. the characters, plot and scene setting is vibrant and off the pages for you to be swirled up in.
i loved this book. and this was a time i needed this book. and like our characters inside the pages, books for me are to be cherished. and are so much more than pages of words. so much more.

Lily works at her families bookshop with her Dad. Her grandparents owned it previously until her Grandma became a beat selling author and her Grandad passed it along so he could travel with her. She has a wonderful and supportive family. In the run up to Christmas she needs to employ another team member as her Dad is having a double knee replacement. This brings Lars to her attention. Lars and Lily went to school together but it wasnt a happy friendship. Have they grown up enough to work through the past. Lovely book with great friendships.
Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange on an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

The Bay Bookshop in Whitsboroufh Bay, a seaside town in North Yorkshire is run by Lily Appleton, 34, her Dad and her best friend Cassie. When her Dad needs a knee operation, they advertise a short-term contract and reluctantly employ Lars Jóhannsson, 34, who was at school with Lily but never wanted to be her friend, even though they had a love for books in common.

We learn that Lily's bio Dad is a loser who abandoned her and only gets in touch when he wants something, but Lars, who is half Icelandic, can top that with a tale about his sister Pia's death at 7 and the subsequent end of his parents' marriage. His father moved back to Iceland, his mother started to be a travelling photographer, and poor abandoned Lars was brought up by his lovely nanna.

Both Lily and Lars get a first person POV. There's a lot about rejection and abandonment, whether by parents or partners but also about Icelandic Christmas traditions and a "Paperback Pixie" who leaves books to be found like a lone Book Fairy. I liked the books stuff (although I could never stand Anne of Green Gables) and the Christmas traditions, but all that childhood trauma was a bit too much for me, plus the ending felt over the top schmaltzy.

This is the second book recently conjuring up Icelandic traditions, here combined with a bookish surrounding in a cosy community. If you like that, you will love this book but for me it isn't one of the author's best.

3.5 stars

This is part of the Whitsborough Bay series of books set in a Yorkshire seaside town - I hadn't read the earlier books, but it was easy to settle into this cosy setting. There's a strong focus on community and a gentle romance. I loved all the Anne of Green Gables quotes which were scattered through the book (in fact, it made me want to read those books again!), and also the Icelandic Christmas traditions that were woven in.

Many thanks to Boldwood and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This book was a beautifully written story that really touched me. Lily, strong and independent, and faced a lot. I felt connected to her pain and strength. Lars was quietly charming and complex, and their slow, real romance with its ups and downs felt very natural. Their history and rebuilding trust made the story emotional and heartfelt. The setting felt cozy and full of gentle magic, with lovely nods to Icelandic Christmas traditions. The characters were so well made, and the feelings of loss, hope, love, and healing stayed with me long after I finished. This was a perfect read for anyone who loves second chances, cozy bookshops, and stories that feel real. I would recommend it to everyone who loves a warm, emotional romance. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

Thank you so much for this ARC!

This book is warm, cozy, and filled with holiday feels. It is an easy and stress-free read without low-stakes romance. I enjoyed the story but the writing style leaned bit more toward telling rather than showing. The traits were there for more profound character development but the execution didn't quite tap into the potential. Lars was a bit more compelling but while Lily was likable, her character felt more like someone in her twenties rather than thirties. The Icelandic cultural aspects of the book was a huge highlight and really added to the magical and festive vibes.

Christmas is the best time of year for readers. Being back in Castle Street is the best place to be. Lily runs Bay Books with her dad and when he needs time off over Christmas to have an operation a position becomes available.
Lars sees the d and decides to apply. Lily and Lars have a complicated on off friendship from school and leads Lily to have to make a decision about what is best for the business.
Filled with romance and magical sparkle Jessica never fails to bring festive cheer back to Castle Street. It’s my favourite place to be.
Loved every frosty, peaceful, joyful page.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of being in my favourite Christmas setting.

I loved Christmas books, and this one did not disappoint, it was great.
I enjoyed the developing relationship between Lars and Lily, especially as it is set during the festive season. This is a great seasonal read.

Loved this book. The Bay bookshop is the perfect setting for a cosy romance but add on the Iceland su theme and Anne (with an e) and it becomes a true delight. I loved watching the relationships grow and develop and living alongside them. A wonderful Christmas cosy read.

Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me.

I was initially drawn in by the charming cover and the promise of a cosy, comforting story set in a bookshop during the festive season—exactly the kind of warm, undemanding read I often turn to in winter. And while the plot itself had all the ingredients of a heart-warming holiday romance, the execution fell short in significant ways.

The writing felt unpolished, almost like an early draft in need of a comprehensive rewrite. From the very first page, I struggled with clunky phrasing, repetitive sentence structures, and dialogue that didn’t feel natural. Instead of being immersed in the atmosphere of Bay Books, I found myself constantly distracted by the prose.

Lily and Lars, the main characters, had the potential to be compelling, but they often felt one-dimensional or overly simplistic. Emotional arcs were stated rather than developed, and the central conflict—centred around a decades-old schoolyard slight—felt implausibly juvenile for two adults supposedly in their 30s. One thing that quickly stood out was the constant mention of Lily’s love for Anne of Green Gables—mentioned twice within the first couple of pages, and repeatedly referenced throughout the novel—which felt overused and, unfortunately, did little to add emotional weight or depth. Ultimately, I wanted more nuance, more depth, and more believable motivation behind the characters' emotional journeys.

That said, if you're in the mood for something light and don't mind writing that leans more on the tell-than-show side, this could work. The small-town setting, bookshop charm, and mentions of Icelandic Christmas traditions might hit the right notes for those craving a festive escape. But for me, the lack of polish and overly saccharine tone made it a struggle to finish.

This is a sweet Christmas romance that is an easy read. It has a Hallmark vibe to it with some sweet characters and a nice storyline.

Lily co-owns The Bay Bookshop with her dad, but when he is scheduled for a knee replacement, they advertise for a temporary worker. Lars, a boy Lily knew and liked when they were very young but who had hurt her, applies for the job, and as he is best suited for the position, she takes him on with some reservations. All is revealed as the story progresses, secrets are uncovered, and things are mended.

I loved the references to Anne of Green Gables, my favourite childhood story, and all the Icelandic festive traditions. There were times at the beginning that I felt there was a little too much introspection, and I just wanted the story to get going. However, I loved the conclusion and the festive vibe throughout the book. If you are looking for a cosy Christmas story to curl up with, this one will fit the bill.

Books about books always appeal to me, and this one was no exception. It’s an easy, breezy beach read; not too taxing, but warm and inviting. While the plot is predictable, it’s also heartwarming, with themes of love, loss, friendship, family dynamics, and a touch of mystery woven throughout. It can be a bit unbelievable in places, but that’s probably the point, as it’s meant to charm rather than challenge. I especially enjoyed the nod to the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð, the Christmas Eve “book flood,” which added a cultural touch. I received a free advanced review copy from NetGalley.

This is a sweet and festive slow burn romance that will have you reaching for your favorite blanket and a cup of tea! I loved the setting and the characters were fantastic!

Bookstore and Christmas, sign me up! Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland. This sweet slow burn romance is set in a bookstore in England during the months leading up to Christmastime. When the owner Lily needs help during the holidays, Lars applies for the job. There is a bit of a sad past between them. Can they get past it and work together? This book gives all the winter feels and is a readers delight. The different book references and mentions are so fun. Fans of Anne of Green Gables will really get a kick out of this book. Definitely a cozy December read!