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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
hopeful
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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Review of Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop by Tricia O'Malley
Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop kicks off with Rosie, stuck in a dull, loveless relationship with her uninspiring boyfriend and working at his family’s discount store. Her life feels lackluster—until a sudden blow to the head and an unexpected inheritance from a great aunt turn everything upside down. Rosie learns she’s inherited a bookshop in a picturesque Scottish town, and without hesitation, she breaks up with her boyfriend, seizes control of her future, and sets off for Scotland.
““You’re breaking up with me?” This time he looked up, confusion crossed his face. It was the same look he’d given me when we’d run into each other at Trader Joe’s reaching for tiny bags of dark chocolate peanut butter cups. I’d thought it was a fun meet-cute. Turns out that was the most fun we’d ever really had in our relationship.”
Upon arriving in Scotland, Rosie quickly bonds with a quirky group of older women from the local book club, affectionately called “The Book Bitches.” They help her tidy up the shop and navigate her new life. Before long, she crosses paths with Alexander, a charming software engineer and professor who walks into the bookshop at the most awkward possible moment (in my opinion, the real meet-cute).
Bookshop customers keep coming in and ordering the “Highland Hearts Special”, which Rosie then discovers is a little bit of magical matchmaking.
This book is full of laugh-out-loud moments, heartwarming scenes, and everything you could want from a cozy holiday romance—complete with a little magic, puns, rescues of adorable puffins, and the undeniable charm of small-town life. Perfect for fans of heartwarming holiday romances and quirky characters! This book releases on December 2, 2024
Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop kicks off with Rosie, stuck in a dull, loveless relationship with her uninspiring boyfriend and working at his family’s discount store. Her life feels lackluster—until a sudden blow to the head and an unexpected inheritance from a great aunt turn everything upside down. Rosie learns she’s inherited a bookshop in a picturesque Scottish town, and without hesitation, she breaks up with her boyfriend, seizes control of her future, and sets off for Scotland.
““You’re breaking up with me?” This time he looked up, confusion crossed his face. It was the same look he’d given me when we’d run into each other at Trader Joe’s reaching for tiny bags of dark chocolate peanut butter cups. I’d thought it was a fun meet-cute. Turns out that was the most fun we’d ever really had in our relationship.”
Upon arriving in Scotland, Rosie quickly bonds with a quirky group of older women from the local book club, affectionately called “The Book Bitches.” They help her tidy up the shop and navigate her new life. Before long, she crosses paths with Alexander, a charming software engineer and professor who walks into the bookshop at the most awkward possible moment (in my opinion, the real meet-cute).
Bookshop customers keep coming in and ordering the “Highland Hearts Special”, which Rosie then discovers is a little bit of magical matchmaking.
This book is full of laugh-out-loud moments, heartwarming scenes, and everything you could want from a cozy holiday romance—complete with a little magic, puns, rescues of adorable puffins, and the undeniable charm of small-town life. Perfect for fans of heartwarming holiday romances and quirky characters! This book releases on December 2, 2024
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I love all of Tricia's book and this one knocked it out of the park. It was adorable, cute, funny, and a little dramatic. I love both Alexander and Rosie. They took too long to realize they loved each other, but they built a decent relationship. The side characters made the story so much better and cuter. I hope this author either writes more in this series or writes more christmassy books. I need them all.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was gifted a physical copy by the author. I voluntarily read this (partially via an audiobook from my library on Hoopla) and am leaving an honest review.
The audiobook narration was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Everything I look for in a Christmas romcom.
I loved getting to see the meddling book club we feel in love with in the enchanted Highlands series too.
I can always count on Tricia to make us fall in love with an adorable animal friend.... Or two.
The audiobook narration was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Everything I look for in a Christmas romcom.
I loved getting to see the meddling book club we feel in love with in the enchanted Highlands series too.
I can always count on Tricia to make us fall in love with an adorable animal friend.... Or two.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There's always something heartwarming and magical about Tricia O'Malley's novels and Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop was no exception.
This Holiday romance was a cozy tale full of heartfelt moments, charm, hilarious banter, matchmaking shenanigans, Puffin rescue, and even a DJ ghost and I really couldn't get enough. I absolutely loved this story.
The MC's Rosie and Alexander were two lovable, relatable characters, both awkward in their own way but were perfect for each other. He was the perfect blend of grumpy, sweet and nurturing while she was sunshine, kind and gentle and I loved seeing the development of their relationship. They were surrounded by a cast of colorful secondary characters who added so much fun and good natured meddling to the story.
This was a wonderful read that gave all the magical, holiday, small town vibes you could want. It was highly entertaining and I would definitely recommend it to romance lovers.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
✨Early Review/Release Day!✨
Once again, Tricia has written a book I desperately want to live inside. Rosie and Alexander were both so INCREDIBLY relatable. I adore them. Rosie has decided to make some big changes in her life just as she discovers a relative has left her a bookstore in Scotland. DREAMS, am I right?
Alexander is a healing from a divorce and loving his space, but when they meet… 😮💨 The banter, the common nerdiness, the CHEMISTRY. I’m just a little obsessed. The way they care about each other’s comforts and interests… I would die.
The puffin storyline with Tattie and Neeps 🐧 was so precious. The care and thoughtfulness Alexander put into their enclosure would’ve made me fall in love, too. Also, Esther 🥹
This book made me feel like maybe someday I’ll leave the comfort and safety of my books and give love a try again… just maybe.
“I liked people. I swear I liked people. I just liked them in small doses. Small quiet doses. Preferably when talking about books, playing board games, or in online forums that required little face-to-face interaction.”
“I'd never had someone light me up inside before, not from a single kiss…”
“This was just a bad day. It wasn't a bad life.”
Read this if you enjoy:
🎄 Holiday romcoms
🐧 Found family
🎄 Magical elements
🐧 Scottish men
This was an absolutely adorable holiday read! I loved the puffins so much they really stole the show.
Rosie just broke up with her boyfriends when she receives a letter telling her she inherited a bookshop in a small town in Scotland. She needs change so she goes out to Scotland. But the store comes with a little surprise as it also runs a secret underground magical matchmaking service and now Rosie as its new owner is expected to make these matches. With Christmas around the corner she gets help from a sweet but meddling group of bookclub ladies. Alexander lives in this small town and the bookclub ladies have asked him to also help out. He is a bit of a grump but every time he visits Rosie can't help but to like him more.
I loved this story so much! The magical element really elevated this story. I really loved all the little nods. Tatter did steal the show as Puffins are the absolute cutest. Alexander was such a great help to Rosie and it did take him some time to warm up to her. It was cute to see their relationship develop.
Thanks to Tricia O'Malley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.