Book Review - Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar

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Title: Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop

Author: Kiley Dunbar

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Hera Books

Publication Date: 1st September 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

'Tis the season for finding love… and the perfect book

With just two weeks until Christmas, everything in Clove Lore should be perfect. But the latest holidaymaker to the Borrow a Bookshop is feeling far from festive…

Icelandic ex-bookseller Magnús Sturluson might be surrounded by love stories in the Bookshop, but he’s nursing a sadness that not even fiction can fix.

When Alexandra Robinson finds herself stranded in Clove Lore, she finds a safe place to hide from heartbreak. After all, all that’s waiting for her at home is a cheater boyfriend and the memories of her parents. As Alex finds herself embraced by the quirky village community, she finds her tough exterior thawing – and as she grows closer to Magnús, she finds an equally soft heart under his gruff shell.

It seems that Clove Lore is working its magic once again – until a great flood on Christmas Eve brings devastation in its wake. It’s up to Magnús and Alex to batten down the hatches and help bring the village back together again, while also introducing the locals to the Icelandic tradition of the jólabókaflóð – Yule book flood – where families and friends gather on Christmas Eve to exchange books and read together.

But can Magnús and Alex truly rescue the ruins of the village, and salvage their Christmas spirit? Or is there another complication lurking even closer than they thought?

A totally uplifting read that will lighten the winter gloom, for fans of Jenny Colgan and Trisha Ashley. Booklovers will adore this seasonal treat!

I absolutely adored the first Borrow a Bookshop book, and when I saw there was a Christmas addition to the series, I knew it would be special. 

And my hunch was correct, this was completely fantastic.  I was right at home back in Clove Lore, with it's up-along and down-along, depending on direction of travel, the local busybody matchmaker Mrs C, the couple from the first book who are now settled in the town, and Minty the person living in the big house! 

But above all there is the book shop, and Magnus isn't really sure he want's this two week holiday of looking after the Borrow A Bookshop after his one shop failed in Iceland.  He is a bit hard to instantly love but the second he meets the heroine of this book and spending time with her, well you couldn't help but fall for the Icelandic Viking! 

For Alex has been likened to a mermaid, she is on the run, but washes up ashore in Clove Lore, and sets in place a chain of events that changes hers and Magnus's lives forever. 

There are moments of real drama and heart in the mouth action in the book, which kept me on the edge of my seat, and although Christmas is present, and some Christmas traditions are present - this is far more about the spirit of Christmas, and community than about making you feel festive. Which means it's easily able to be read out of season, or early in your festive books TBR! 

I believe this is the author's best book to date and most certainly my favourite.  I am loving this funny little village, and all of its residents, and can't wait to see what will happen next in the series. 

Thank you to Hera for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.