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A review by edsicalz
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
I had a lot of fun with this book, and what I appreciate most is how simple the premise and execution were. I’ve never read any Jenny Colgan before, and with a title like The Christmas Bookshop, I thought I was heading into magical realism territory where people fall in love in an old, abandoned bookshop. I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but I loved what the book turned out to be.
Colgan’s characters walk that fine line between being relatable and real, while also giving you just enough suspension of disbelief to remind you that you’re reading fiction. Carmen, Blair, Oke—I found it so easy to love these characters. The little triangle between them had just enough tension that I would've been happy with either outcome.
Carmen gave off strong Emilia Clarke Last Christmas vibes—maybe that’s just because it’s also set at Christmas and involves working in a shop in the UK, but I thought the character was a lot of fun. She was written with such spunk and confidence, and even in moments of self-doubt, she remained true to who she was.
If I’m being honest, this book really only has a whisper of romance in it—just enough to keep you intrigued about how it will all work out in the end. And by the way, what a cliffhanger! The Christmas Bookshop scratched that holiday itch I had, and I can’t wait for next December to come around so I can read its sequel.
Colgan’s characters walk that fine line between being relatable and real, while also giving you just enough suspension of disbelief to remind you that you’re reading fiction. Carmen, Blair, Oke—I found it so easy to love these characters. The little triangle between them had just enough tension that I would've been happy with either outcome.
Carmen gave off strong Emilia Clarke Last Christmas vibes—maybe that’s just because it’s also set at Christmas and involves working in a shop in the UK, but I thought the character was a lot of fun. She was written with such spunk and confidence, and even in moments of self-doubt, she remained true to who she was.
If I’m being honest, this book really only has a whisper of romance in it—just enough to keep you intrigued about how it will all work out in the end. And by the way, what a cliffhanger! The Christmas Bookshop scratched that holiday itch I had, and I can’t wait for next December to come around so I can read its sequel.