Book Review - Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland

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Title: Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop

Author: Jessica Redland

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 9th September 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

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.

Totally melted my heart, and gave me incredibly warm fuzzy feelings. 

I absolutely adored the connection between Lily and Lars, and how their are parallels in their lives to Lily's favourite book (which is a class and thus one I have never had any desire to read, even after seeing large amount of details from it all over this book). 

It was a real joy to be back on Castle Street, and amongst so many familiar faces, especially Carly, Charlee and Jemma, from some of my favourite books from this author.  But it is definitely a standalone novel, just with familiar faces for fans! 

I loved the descriptions of Bay Books, and seeing the family issues that Lars and Lily have both experienced are tough to read about. They are both such lovely people, it's a shame that they have both been through a lot in their lives. 

Of course they knew each other as kids, and weren't exactly friends at school, so there is a bit of a mild enemies to lovers feel to this story.

I also adored learning more about Icelandic yule and festive traditions. 

There is a lot about this book that made me smile, and the Christmas decorating of the bookshop was a real delight. I would love a bookmas tree of my own, and Lily's range of literary tree decorations! 

An utterly delightful and brilliant book, and I expected nothing less from this always fabulous author. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.