After falling in love with The Christmas Bookshop, I couldn’t wait to dive into its sequel, Midnight at the Christmas BookshoSecond book of the series
After falling in love with The Christmas Bookshop, I couldn’t wait to dive into its sequel, Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop. Once again, Jenny Colgan draws us into the life of Carmen, who is still working at the charming Edinburgh bookshop. However, when things seemed to finally settle into a happy ending for her, life takes a turn for the worse.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. Carmen faces financial struggles, family conflicts, and self-esteem issues, making her journey feel raw and relatable. At times, I suffered alongside her and even found myself frustrated—especially with her inability to stand up to her sister, Sophia. Sophia can be outright mean, and I longed for Carmen to find her voice and stop pitying herself. That said, this portrayal of messy family dynamics felt realistic, and that’s one of the things I appreciate most about Colgan’s writing. Life isn’t always a perfect happily-ever-after, and this book doesn’t shy away from that truth.
Initially, I found it hard to fully connect with the story. Perhaps I was a bit burned out from reading too many Christmas romances, or maybe Carmen’s pity-party phase made it difficult to root for her right away. But once I got into the rhythm, the story unfolded beautifully.
Oke is a standout character for me. He’s such a unique male lead—different from the typical romantic heroes—and his relationship with Carmen feels genuine and full of promise. I couldn’t help but root for them and hope their love lasts.
While I enjoyed the book, I have to admit I’m still not a fan of Sophia and Pippa. They always seem to have something rude or cutting to say. I kept wishing for them to face some consequences for their behavior and show growth, but that resolution didn’t come. Perhaps that’s for another book?
In the end, Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop delivered everything I love about Jenny Colgan’s work: heartwarming relationships, a realistic portrayal of life’s challenges, and the perfect sprinkle of Christmas magic. While it wasn’t an easy read at first, it’s a story that lingers in your mind and long after you close the book.
Rating: 4/5 stars Recommended for: Fans of heartfelt holiday stories that don’t shy away from life’s messiness....more
I picked up Dragon Prince because I like stories about dragon shifters. The story follows Rone, a dragon shifter searching foDragon shifters and magic
I picked up Dragon Prince because I like stories about dragon shifters. The story follows Rone, a dragon shifter searching for people with dragon blood to raise dragon eggs and save his world. He meets Violet, a young woman with mysterious magical powers, who agrees to help him. Together, they face witches, mages, and uncover parts of their pasts.
While the premise is exciting, Rone’s character felt underdeveloped. His stubbornness, while understandable, often made him frustrating and not really attractive. In contrast, Violet felt more relatable with her struggles and backstory. The book hints at romance between them, but it doesn’t go far in this installment.
Though action-packed, the story sometimes felt slow, and the abrupt ending left many questions unanswered, as if it had been split into two parts. Still, it’s an entertaining read, and I’m curious to see how Violet’s heritage unfolds in the next book....more
Posted at Oh My Books! I read The Christmas Bookshop was the first book I read for the 2024 Ho Ho Ho Read A Thon and I'm so glad I discovered this authPosted at Oh My Books! I read The Christmas Bookshop was the first book I read for the 2024 Ho Ho Ho Read A Thon and I'm so glad I discovered this author. It is a delightful holiday read that swept me off my feet with its cozy charm, even though I initially struggled to connect with the protagonist, Carmen. At first, Carmen's negativity and jealousy toward her sister, Sofia, made her a difficult character to sympathize with. Her sharp remarks about her sister’s life and even her nephews painted her as someone deeply unhappy. But as the story progressed, Carmen’s growth was evident, and I’m glad I stuck with it because I ended up loving this book!
What truly captivated me was the magical atmosphere of the bookshop. Colgan brings it to life in a way that makes you wish you could visit—and never leave. For book lovers, the idea of owning or working in a charming, slightly chaotic bookshop like this one feels like a dream come true. Personally, I’ve always dreamed of a bookstore café, and this story brought that fantasy closer to life. Oh, maybe one day!
The evolving relationship between Carmen and Sofia was another highlight of the book. Their dynamic felt authentic, filled with moments of tension and tenderness. Even though Carmen’s jealousy and frustration with Sofia were rooted in her own insecurities, at times, I found her reactions a bit too problematic. However, it’s through these flaws that Carmen’s character truly grows, making her journey all the more satisfying to follow.
Now I want to read the next book of this series, Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop. It still follows Carmen story so I'm getting it as soon as possible. I have other books planned for the read a thon but hopefully, I'll have time to read this one.
In the end, The Christmas Bookshop isn’t just a heartwarming holiday story—it’s also a tale of self-discovery, family, and finding joy in unexpected places. If you’re looking for a festive read that will transport you to a magical bookshop during the holidays, this is the perfect book to pick up! ...more
Posted at Oh My Books! Thank you Caffeinated PR for providing a copy for review.
If you’re in the mood for a quick, heartwarming holiday read, A Noche BPosted at Oh My Books! Thank you Caffeinated PR for providing a copy for review.
If you’re in the mood for a quick, heartwarming holiday read, A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts is perfect. This prequel to the upcoming The Spring in My Heart—the next in A Love for All Seasons series—delivers a rich, romantic story with a cliffhanger that leaves you eagerly awaiting more.
Though I hadn’t read the series before, I connected instantly with Lux and Oliver. They’re both single and clearly drawn to each other, but life has thrown plenty of obstacles their way. Their chemistry is undeniable, creating a “will-they-or-won’t-they” tension that makes every page fly by.
Lux and Ollie’s relationship is both steamy and heartfelt, making this novella a wonderfully sexy yet tender read. Though it ends with unanswered questions, A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts teases just enough to make you excited for what’s next. This is a story filled with charm, warmth, and spice—perfect for the holiday season. I’m thrilled to have discovered this author and can’t wait for The Spring in My Heart to see where Lux and Ollie’s journey leads....more
I'm going to be honest, I'm not super excited for Christmas this year, so I really need that dose of magic that books and moviesPosted at Oh My Books!
I'm going to be honest, I'm not super excited for Christmas this year, so I really need that dose of magic that books and movies usually gives me to feel the season.
A Little Christmas Spirit was the perfect way to start. It does makes you feel as if you are in a cute town, where everyone knows each other, snow all around and overall the "perfect Christmas" with family and friends.
I was a little bit lost at the beginning with so many characters but eventually connected, specially with Fraser, who isn't feeling very excited either about this Christmas. All of their stories are connected because they know each other, it felt a little bit as Love Actually, which I love.
Sometimes there it too much pressure to spend the 'perfect' Christmas, so I loved the idea of a read-in on Christmas Eve at the cafe. Books, coffee, hot chocolate and cakes, I'm in. It's based on a tradition called Jolabokaflod, I'd love to do something similar one day, sounds like a great plan for book lovers.
Overall, I liked A Little Christmas Spirit and feel like it's the perfect read for the season. I was expecting a happy ending, but also got a little cute twist I wasn't expecting.
Thank you Rachels Random Resources for providing a copy for review....more
Jingle This! is a short story about Angie Miller, a writer who has been just dumped by her three years boyfriend just when she wPosted at Oh My Books!
Jingle This! is a short story about Angie Miller, a writer who has been just dumped by her three years boyfriend just when she was expecting an engagement ring. Now she can't write about love, but her boss Kyle Black is sure he can get her into the romance-writing mood.
I read this while waiting at the airports. It was entertaining and easy to read, but I couldn't understand how Angie and Kyle could feel attraction to each other after their complicated past (including him dating her sister!). I don't think I could forget something like that, but anyway, they had chemistry and were destined to have a HEA after three years of sexual tension. Angie was sometimes silly, she said her heart was broken but her ex was an idiot and she immediately fall in love with Kyle. Kyle wasn't very nice with her either at first. and Angie's family were also kind of mean with her, so I didn't liked them either.
But anyway, Jingle This! is a nice and short story to read in a couple of hours before or after Christmas :)
Jingle This! is a short story about Angie Miller, a writer who has been just dumped by her three years boyfriend just when she was expecting an engagement ring. Now she can't write about love, but her boss Kyle Black is sure he can get her into the romance-writing mood.
I read this while waiting at the airports. It was entertaining and easy to read, but I couldn't understand how Angie and Kyle could feel attraction to each other after their complicated past (including him dating her sister!). I don't think I could forget something like that, but anyway, they had chemistry and were destined to have a HEA after three years of sexual tension. Angie was sometimes silly, she said her heart was broken but her ex was an idiot and she immediately fall in love with Kyle. Kyle wasn't very nice with her either at first. and Angie's family were also kind of mean with her, so I didn't liked them either.
But anyway, Jingle This! is a nice and short story to read in a couple of hours before or after Christmas :)...more
The Wicked is another novella from the Elder Races series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend you to read the seriPosted at Oh My Books!
The Wicked is another novella from the Elder Races series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend you to read the series if you like paranormal romance. This time it's the story of Olivia, a human librarian with some magic, and Sebastian, a cursed Wyr.
Both are part of the team responsible for the transportation of Carling Severan's collection of books, which is an important and interesting task for Olivia. Sebastian has to make sure everything goes according to the plan, but of course he wasn't expecting to be intrigued by Olivia so much, and he's dealing with his curse.
As most novellas, it's a quick story. But Thea Harrison knows how to write romance, and even in a short novella as this one, you get to know the characters and even read more about others from previous books! (Grace, Khalil and the children from Oracle's Moon). Olivia and Sebastian make a great couple, I really liked them and enjoyed their romance, without any drama about their mating. They just discovered and accepted each other.
I wasn't too interested in their task, I was more worried about Sebastian's curse. But I really enjoyed The Wicked, not only was a good romance novella, but also got me hooked again in this series!
The Wicked is another novella from the Elder Races series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend you to read the series if you like paranormal romance. This time it's the story of Olivia, a human librarian with some magic, and Sebastian, a cursed Wyr.
Both are part of the team responsible for the transportation of Carling Severan's collection of books, which is an important and interesting task for Olivia. Sebastian has to make sure everything goes according to the plan, but of course he wasn't expecting to be intrigued by Olivia so much, and he's dealing with his curse.
As most novellas, it's a quick story. But Thea Harrison knows how to write romance, and even in a short novella as this one, you get to know the characters and even read more about others from previous books! (Grace, Khalil and the children from Oracle's Moon). Olivia and Sebastian make a great couple, I really liked them and enjoyed their romance, without any drama about their mating. They just discovered and accepted each other.
I wasn't too interested in their task, I was more worried about Sebastian's curse. But I really enjoyed The Wicked, not only was a good romance novella, but also got me hooked again in this series!...more
Loading...
