Reviews

La charmante librairie des jours heureux by Jenny Colgan

smithrachaelynn's review against another edition

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3.0

Verrrrryyy slow writing. The book overall was fairly enjoyable but the pace was slow. Also the romance happens like out of the blue in the last 60 pages. Very unsatisfying. But she’s living the dream with her bookshop van.

bookph1le's review against another edition

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3.0

I adored this book to tiny little pieces whenever it delved into Nina's bookish ways. Since I'm a bookworm myself, I find books irresistible when they feature characters who are loving books and/or helping others to love books. These parts of the book were magical.

I did like the descriptions of the countryside as well, and though I highly, highly doubt country life is me, Colgan almost had me convinced that it was.

Everything else was kind of... rough, I guess? Nina was okay, but she grated on my nerves sometimes, especially when she was being willfully obstinate about her love affairs for plot purposes. I didn't like the romance elements because I never felt the spark. Marek was obviously Nina projecting all kinds of moony, romantic nonsense on her relationship, and Lennox was your cliched strong, silent type. I had a hard time believing that someone as passionate about books as Nina is could be all that attracted to someone who eyes books with disdain, at best.

Because I half liked, half didn't much care about this book, it was a very uneven reading experience for me. I doubt I'll seek out anything else by the author, which is a shame, because she really has the knack when she's writing an homage to books and the people who love them.

jennrocca's review against another edition

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5.0

What a lovely book! Sweet, pretty, fun, inspiring. Exactly what I needed. If possible, definitely read it in audio. The accents help make the story even more charming.

camelia0910's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

jamie17's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

elsie11's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

jitcha's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kaktus84's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

drusmilford's review against another edition

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3.0

Being a librarian .... my dream of having my own bookstore and in Scotland!

vtsarahd's review against another edition

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4.0

A lovely, sweet and fun read. I love the idea of Nina’s little bookshop van and the beauty of Scotland.