The Christmas Bookshop

A Novel

By: Jenny Colgan

Narrated by: Eilidh Beaton

The instant New York Times bestseller!

“Sublime…Colgan infuses her latest book with humor, wit, suspense and a perfectly cast love triangle.”--USA Today

""The Christmas Bookshop is literary hot chocolate with a bourbon shot: hot, sweet but with a surprising emotional kick.""--The Times (UK)

Perfect for the holidays! A brand-new heartwarming Christmas novel from the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Bookshop on the Corner and Christmas at the Island Hotel.

Laid off from her department store job, Carmen has perilously little cash and few options. The prospect of spending Christmas with her perfect sister Sofia, in Sofia’s perfect house with her perfect children and her perfectly ordered yuppie life does not appeal.

Frankly, Sofia doesn’t exactly want her prickly sister Carmen there either. But Sofia has yet another baby on the way, a mother desperate to see her daughters get along, and a client who needs help revitalizing his shabby old bookshop. So Carmen moves in and takes the job.

Thrown rather suddenly into the inner workings of Mr. McCredie’s ancient bookshop on the picturesque streets of historic Edinburgh, Carmen is intrigued despite herself. The store is dusty and disorganized but undeniably charming. Can she breathe some new life into it in time for Christmas shopping? What will happen when a famous and charismatic author takes a sudden interest in the bookshop—and Carmen? And will the Christmas spirit be enough to help heal her fractured family?

• A touching holiday read
• Perfect for fans of uplifting winter romances
• A delightful Christmas gift

Don’t Miss this Exciting Novel!

A truly delightful Christmas-themed audiobook which grabbed my attention and interest within the talented plot development of the first chapter. Jenny Colgan can write exquisite character revelation and humorous scenes between prickly Carmen and her perfectionistic sister Sofia. They are in their thirties now and their devoted mother still aims to stop the competition between them: she hopes the best gift of all will be that her beloved two daughters learn to get along!

When preparations for Christmas begin in November, Carmen has just lost her job in a satellite city and she joins the family in Edinburgh by residing in perfect Sofia’s perfect basement under the footsteps of her boisterous three little ones — Pippa, Jack, and the irrepressible little Phoebe. Other notable and well-defined people in this book include:- gentle yet sad Mr. McCredie (her new boss at an olde book shoppe in historic section of the capital); Mrs. Marsh (the exacting Department Store previous-boss with one wide apparent bosom); Federico (Sofia’s hardworking husband); Blair (a rather spoiled yet charming celebrated bestselling author); Okie or Oaky (?) a noble and appealing Quaker-truth-telling dendrologist (tree specialist) hired to give popular lectures at the university. Also included are helpers for Sofia (pregnant with her fourth), various witches who attend a winter solstice party at an Occult Magic Shop on Victoria Street, etc.

The book is rife with witty dialogue, and happy children, angry adult misunderstandings, fun adventures (the most exciting to me being a visit to the Hall of Mirrors maze at the winter fair). There are some situations to be fixed, mysteries to be solved, and a fascinating love triangle to be settled in this lively story well delivered to us by the excellent performance artist, Eilidh Beaton. My recommendation? One of the very BEST Christmas tales available to hear on Audible. It’s superb.

Just ok

The story was ok. I may have enjoyed it more with a different reader. The reader makes most of the characters sound like whining brats. Maybe that was how the author meant them to sound? I’m not sure.

Sweet story!

I enjoyed the story very much, but I didn't like the 4-letter words that were used. They weren't necessary.

A Charming Christmas Story

I couldn't stop listening to this story as the magic of Christmas set with the backdrop of a snowy and lovely Edinburgh unfolded. It was wonderfully written by Jenny Colgan, and delightfully narrated by Eilidh Beaton. I give this book a thumbs up and highly recommend.

Cute Christmas story

I like to read/listen to at least one Christmas story every season and this was exactly the sort of easy Christmas read I enjoy. Not overly romantic, certainly not sappy but the romantic storyline was nice. Lovely family dynamic plus some enjoyable side stories as well.