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peregrina2023 's review for:
The Christmas Bookshop
by Jenny Colgan
The Christmas Bookshop had many of the elements of a charming holiday story: the beautiful backdrop of Edinburgh, romance, family, and Carmen's (FMC's) quest to help the eccentric, but very endearing Mr. McCredie save his failing bookstore. It featured cozy and lovely scenes, and Mr. McCredie's family history made a compelling side plot with a wonderful resolution. I absolutely loved Carmen's relentless efforts to help Mr. McCredie transform his cluttered old shop (that didn't remotely resemble a shop) into a gorgeous, lively community favorite. There were a few moments of comic relief, most notably, Carmen's disastrous children's storytime, where the protagonist of the story she read died under very depressing circumstances.
I enjoyed many of Carmen's interactions with her nieces, Pippa and Phoebe, and nephew, Jack. Carmen had a strained, resentful relationship with her older sister, Sofia.
Unfortunately, a few aspects of The Christmas Bookshop left me cold. It was difficult for me to relate to Carmen and I didn't find her likeable at all. I could have done without Blair, the arrogant self-help author, with whom Carmen developed an infatuation. Every time she pined over him, I just rolled my eyes and mentally chided her for setting her standards way too low. Carmen's other romantic interest, local dendrologist Oke was likeable enough, but I didn't feel much chemistry between them, even though I think I was supposed to? It would have been nice to know more about Oke, beyond trees, Brazil, and being Quaker. Who was he, and what was his story? He felt very one-note, sadly, and could have been so much more. Skylar, the nanny, was profoundly unlikeable.
I got plenty of enjoyment from The Christmas Bookshop, but it was not my favorite Jenny Colgan novel. Nice if you want a dose of holiday cheer, but nothing super special. Rating it right in the middle with 3 stars.
I enjoyed many of Carmen's interactions with her nieces, Pippa and Phoebe, and nephew, Jack. Carmen had a strained, resentful relationship with her older sister, Sofia
Spoiler
but as the novel progressed, they grew to understand each other and embrace each other. Seeing Carmen selflessly help Sofia through labor and delivery of her fourth baby was uplifting. Carmen's reassurance and support of young Phoebe, who was cruelly fat-shamed by her nanny, Skylar, was sweet and moving. The ending was the happy, festive finish that you'd expect from a Jenny Colgan holiday storyUnfortunately, a few aspects of The Christmas Bookshop left me cold. It was difficult for me to relate to Carmen and I didn't find her likeable at all
Spoiler
until we began to see signs of personal growth well into the last half of the novelSpoiler
and I cheered with satisfaction when Sofia dismissed her at the end of the storyI got plenty of enjoyment from The Christmas Bookshop, but it was not my favorite Jenny Colgan novel. Nice if you want a dose of holiday cheer, but nothing super special. Rating it right in the middle with 3 stars.