Lily loves her job running the family bookstore Bay Books. She loves the moments during her day when she gets to talk about books with customers or when she sees a young child engrossed in a book in the children's area of the store. She loves the team who work with her, including one of her best friends, she loves planning window displays, especially in the run up to Christmas.
Whilst her professional life is satisfying, her personal life is arguably not so successful. She had had two big romances in her life and they both ended with her being left behind. Now, she lives in the annexe at her parents house and she is happy there, but she does know that something is missing.
When her dad, well actually her stepfather but he has been there for her since he came into her life which is more than you can say about her biological father needs a double knee operation and it is going to be happening in the run up to Christmas, which is the busiest time of the year, she knows she is going to need some help. She needs to recruit someone who loves books, has initiative and great customer service.
Enter Lars Jóhannsson. Lars has recently sold his successful business and his grandmother has moved into a seniors community, so he knows that he needs to find something to do with his time. When his friend sees the ad for the role at the bookshop, he applies but he isn't really convinced that he has a shot at getting the role. After all, he has never been someone else's employee. Oh, and there's the small matter of him treating Lily quite badly at school. He knows that he was unfair back then, but he also knows that Lily would have no idea why he didn't want to be her friend, which was actually nothing to do with her. Rather it was all to do with the hurt he felt after his beloved sister passed away and his parents separated, leaving Lars to be raised by his grandmother.
Lily remembers the hurt she felt at being rejected by Lars all those years ago, but if they can get past that could there be more between them.
I really love a book about books and this definitely a celebration of all things books. It was full of references to many books some of which were made up but many of them were real. Anne of Green Gables, which is Lily's favourite book featured throughout the book. I loved the sound of the bookstore with it's various different levels, especially the kids section which sounded magical.
The book is also a celebration of all things Christmas as well, with a special focus on the Christmas traditions of Iceland, due to Lars being half Icelandic and half British. I loved the sound of the 13 Yule Lads of Christmas and, of course, which of us would not love the idea of all sitting around on Christmas Eve reading the books we have just been gifted as part of the Christmas Book Flood.
As soon as I saw this book I knew that I was going to request it, because as far as I could tell it was a standalone novel. I had previously read another book from this author but I was very conscious of not wanting to start midway through any of her series. However, it become very obvious that this wasn't the first book that featured some of the same characters. It turns out that several of the shopkeepers are Lily's friends and that they have found their loves in earlier books. It didn't stop me enjoying this book, although it did distract me a little as I was reading because I was thinking about which book their stories were in. I don't like reading series out of order!
I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and with the Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin Bout Books. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Love Book Toursfor the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour as well!
Rating 4/5
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It's the most wonderful time of the year at Bay Books, and a new love story is being written in the stars ✨ Nestled amongst the comforting shelves of her beloved Bay Books, Lily Appleton finds the peace and quiet she needs. But with Christmas just around the corner, Lily has to find an extra pair of hands to help her share the bookish magic.
After selling his business, Lars Jóhannsson is feeling lost. A job at Bay Books would give him the space he needs to contemplate his next move, but returning would mean confronting a painful past he's been avoiding. He’s also fairly sure he’s the one person Lily would never want to see again.
Lily is torn. Lars could be the perfect fit for Bay Books, but he once rejected her friendship and the hurt still lingers. But working together, Lily discovers a vulnerability that Lars has kept hidden away, along with a few surprising secrets. And as the Christmas season sprinkles its magic, Lily discovers the warmth of renewed friendship and the joy of heartwarming traditions from Lars’s Icelandic roots.
Surrounded by the quiet magic of the season and the soft glow of festive lights, perhaps there’s even the possibility of finding a love as enchanting as the Northern Lights on a winter's night.
About the author
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About the Author –
Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.
Social Media Links –
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Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-redland
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