What do you think?
Rate this book
The Christmas Bookshop #2
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop
Christmas comes early—far too early—to McCredie’s little Old Town bookshop in Edinburgh. It’s summer, but an American production company has decided that McCredie’s is the perfect location to film a very cheesy Christmas movie. After all, who can resist the charmingly narrow historic street with its Victorian grey stone buildings and warmly lit shop windows?
Carmen Hogan, the bookshop’s manager, is amused and a bit horrified by the goings-on, but the money the studio is paying is too good to pass up. She uses the little windfall from filming to create new displays and fend off a buyout offer from an obnoxious millionaire who wants to turn McCredie’s into a souvenir shop selling kilts made in China and plastic Nessies. Still reeling slightly from a breakup, Carmen’s not particularly looking forward to the holidays. But just as snow begins to fall and the lights of Christmas blink on, all sorts of lovely new possibilities present themselves…for McCredie’s bookstore, and for Carmen herself.
Runtime: 645 minutes.
Carmen Hogan, the bookshop’s manager, is amused and a bit horrified by the goings-on, but the money the studio is paying is too good to pass up. She uses the little windfall from filming to create new displays and fend off a buyout offer from an obnoxious millionaire who wants to turn McCredie’s into a souvenir shop selling kilts made in China and plastic Nessies. Still reeling slightly from a breakup, Carmen’s not particularly looking forward to the holidays. But just as snow begins to fall and the lights of Christmas blink on, all sorts of lovely new possibilities present themselves…for McCredie’s bookstore, and for Carmen herself.
Runtime: 645 minutes.
11 pages, Audiobook
First published October 10, 2023
4698 people are currently reading
26728 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Colgan
122 books11.7k followersJenny Colgan is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' and 'Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery', which are also published by Sphere.' Meet Me at the Cupcake Café' won the 2012 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance and was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller, as was 'Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams', which won the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2013.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,214 reviews
November 20, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is the second book in this series (follows The Christmas Bookshop). I feel like you need to read this series in order as the characters and situations continue. You'll be lost and disconnected with the relationships if you don't read the first installment.
That said, in this book Carmen continues to work at McCredie's bookshop. Money is tight, very tight, and other businesses on the street are starting to sell out to a man dealing in cheap tourist souvenirs. Carmen will do anything in her power to keep that from happening at the bookshop. She's still living at her sister Sophia's house, but space is tight. And things aren't going all that well with Oke either.
I like the humor that Colgan always sprinkles throughout her books, and she is the master at writing children who are both funny yet age appropriate. They provide levity against the deeper moments. Carmen is a bit frustrating throughout the book, as she's floundering with her life in many different ways. She experiences personal and professional growth which gives the story depth. The storyline with Oke was not my favorite though, it was very contrived and dragged out way too long. I also wanted a bit more Christmas, the last book was so magical and made me want to go to Edinburgh at Christmas time so badly, and this one wasn't as Christmassy. Still a great read though!
I look forward to seeing where Colgan takes us next with this series and hope to return to Edinburgh at Christmas again in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is the second book in this series (follows The Christmas Bookshop). I feel like you need to read this series in order as the characters and situations continue. You'll be lost and disconnected with the relationships if you don't read the first installment.
That said, in this book Carmen continues to work at McCredie's bookshop. Money is tight, very tight, and other businesses on the street are starting to sell out to a man dealing in cheap tourist souvenirs. Carmen will do anything in her power to keep that from happening at the bookshop. She's still living at her sister Sophia's house, but space is tight. And things aren't going all that well with Oke either.
I like the humor that Colgan always sprinkles throughout her books, and she is the master at writing children who are both funny yet age appropriate. They provide levity against the deeper moments. Carmen is a bit frustrating throughout the book, as she's floundering with her life in many different ways. She experiences personal and professional growth which gives the story depth. The storyline with Oke was not my favorite though, it was very contrived and dragged out way too long. I also wanted a bit more Christmas, the last book was so magical and made me want to go to Edinburgh at Christmas time so badly, and this one wasn't as Christmassy. Still a great read though!
I look forward to seeing where Colgan takes us next with this series and hope to return to Edinburgh at Christmas again in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
December 4, 2024
2.5 stars. The half star is for Colgan including "Clippy" in the story which made me laugh and reminded me how obnoxious he was.
I'm disappointed. I just couldn't connect with the characters or story. I totally loved "The Christmas Book Shop" and was really looking forward to spending more time with these delightful characters, especially snarky Carmen and her niece, Phoebe. I was also excited to find out the next chapter in the Oke/Carmen story (even though he did have a man bun!).
There were some very satisfying snarky dialogue of which Ms. Colgan is a master and I did enjoy the first 5% and last 5% of the story a lot. However, I found most of the book kind of depressing and it seemed that Carmen and Oke's story seemed too dragged out like it should have just been a novella or a short story. There were some parts of the book that I skimmed; something I don't think I've ever done with a Jenny Colgan.
So, bottom line, not really my cup of tea. My suggestion would be to read Colgan's other upcoming book, "The Summer Skies" which was marvelous as well as Book 2, "Close Knit". I'd give this one a pass.
I'm disappointed. I just couldn't connect with the characters or story. I totally loved "The Christmas Book Shop" and was really looking forward to spending more time with these delightful characters, especially snarky Carmen and her niece, Phoebe. I was also excited to find out the next chapter in the Oke/Carmen story (even though he did have a man bun!).
There were some very satisfying snarky dialogue of which Ms. Colgan is a master and I did enjoy the first 5% and last 5% of the story a lot. However, I found most of the book kind of depressing and it seemed that Carmen and Oke's story seemed too dragged out like it should have just been a novella or a short story. There were some parts of the book that I skimmed; something I don't think I've ever done with a Jenny Colgan.
So, bottom line, not really my cup of tea. My suggestion would be to read Colgan's other upcoming book, "The Summer Skies" which was marvelous as well as Book 2, "Close Knit". I'd give this one a pass.
November 3, 2023
Another wonderful book from Jenny. This is the type of book to sink onto the sofa and read all day. A feel good story. I loved this one .
December 11, 2023
This was rescued from one star by having charming descriptions of Edinburgh. 🤣
March 19, 2024
I thought the book dragged terribly after a while.
Full review: Honestly, this just missed the magic and fun of the first book I thought. A strong three stars, but most of the book had me getting sick of Carmen acting like a brat and being really tired of Oke.
"Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop" is the second book in the "Christmas Bookshop" series. The book jumps forward a few months to show how Carmen and Oke are doing and then jumps forward again and again til we get to the following Christmas. Carmen is at a crossroads in not just her relationship, but her living situation, and her job as well.
I have to say though the story is supposed to be about Carmen, Colgan gives us so many points of view I stopped caring. It was driving me up the wall after a while. It hampers the flow and makes the book so much longer. Also as I said above, Carmen pretty much sucked. I think it was sad that her character really didn't experience any kind of growth I could see outside of realizing that living rent free in her sister's home and acting like a jerk about things and bad talking her parenting was probably not a thing she should have been doing each and every time. But it was like the 70 percent mark when that came up.
The book is light on romance and honestly did not feel enough like a "Christmas" book to me. We spent so much time about and around other things I was just wanting for the book to end.
Full review: Honestly, this just missed the magic and fun of the first book I thought. A strong three stars, but most of the book had me getting sick of Carmen acting like a brat and being really tired of Oke.
"Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop" is the second book in the "Christmas Bookshop" series. The book jumps forward a few months to show how Carmen and Oke are doing and then jumps forward again and again til we get to the following Christmas. Carmen is at a crossroads in not just her relationship, but her living situation, and her job as well.
I have to say though the story is supposed to be about Carmen, Colgan gives us so many points of view I stopped caring. It was driving me up the wall after a while. It hampers the flow and makes the book so much longer. Also as I said above, Carmen pretty much sucked. I think it was sad that her character really didn't experience any kind of growth I could see outside of realizing that living rent free in her sister's home and acting like a jerk about things and bad talking her parenting was probably not a thing she should have been doing each and every time. But it was like the 70 percent mark when that came up.
The book is light on romance and honestly did not feel enough like a "Christmas" book to me. We spent so much time about and around other things I was just wanting for the book to end.
September 29, 2023
I was so excited to receive a copy of this Christmas book. I love Colgan and her holiday books are always such a treat.
You don't want to miss this one.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
You don't want to miss this one.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
October 7, 2023
I will preface this review by saying that I adore the authors work and will definitely be reading more in the future, but this was not my favorite of hers. And I also will say that while a lot of second books in a series can be read as a stand-alone, I don’t really feel like that can be said for this one as the story jumps right in where the first book leaves off so if you haven’t read the first book you may feel a little lost going in. Just my opinion.
That being said, I enjoyed revisiting the characters and of course, the setting and the bookshop! Carmen is still dating Oke, her Quaker boyfriend from Brazil, but they have a massive misunderstanding that leads to a breakup right as Oke is offered the opportunity to go on an expedition in the Amazon for six months. While Carmen regrets how they left things, she doesn’t want to force the situation, so she lets him go off as is and we get Oke’s POV while he’s away as well as he ends up with a horrible case of malaria and it causes him to rethink his relationships and his priorities. Carmen’s sister needs her to move out of her house because she needs to move her new nanny in, so Carmen needs to get herself sorted enough to find somewhere to live while also trying to keep the bookshop open and out of the hands of the millionaire trying to buy up all the shops on the street to turn them into tourist spots.
There was a lot going on in this one and a lot of characters to keep up with, which is another reason why I think you don’t want to jump into this one without having read the first. I think Rudi, the new manny, was my favorite character-he brought some levity and charm to an otherwise kind of heavy story.
A bookstore in Edinburgh at Christmas. It’s the dream.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
That being said, I enjoyed revisiting the characters and of course, the setting and the bookshop! Carmen is still dating Oke, her Quaker boyfriend from Brazil, but they have a massive misunderstanding that leads to a breakup right as Oke is offered the opportunity to go on an expedition in the Amazon for six months. While Carmen regrets how they left things, she doesn’t want to force the situation, so she lets him go off as is and we get Oke’s POV while he’s away as well as he ends up with a horrible case of malaria and it causes him to rethink his relationships and his priorities. Carmen’s sister needs her to move out of her house because she needs to move her new nanny in, so Carmen needs to get herself sorted enough to find somewhere to live while also trying to keep the bookshop open and out of the hands of the millionaire trying to buy up all the shops on the street to turn them into tourist spots.
There was a lot going on in this one and a lot of characters to keep up with, which is another reason why I think you don’t want to jump into this one without having read the first. I think Rudi, the new manny, was my favorite character-he brought some levity and charm to an otherwise kind of heavy story.
A bookstore in Edinburgh at Christmas. It’s the dream.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
December 6, 2023
3.5 Stars
Last year I read this author’s ’The Christmas Bookshop’ and really enjoyed it, so I was happy when I saw she had another one coming out this year.
This story continues with Carmen still working at the same bookshop, but things seem to be different. They need to find a way to keep the shop in business, as more and more people were less enchanted with a bookshop with having an eclectic selection of books, and the other businesses around them are being led to sell their shops to a man who desperately wants to buy McCredie’s shop. As this story begins, she is still living at her sister’s house, but that will change all too soon now that her sister has just had another baby, and she will need the room Carmen is in for the live-in nanny.
Carmen is also struggling with her current boyfriend, Oke, whose religious beliefs keep him from taking their relationship to the ‘next level’ which is frustrating her. Soon he will be leaving for a lengthy trip, and then a woman he meets will create more drama for him.
I had really enjoyed her book that I read last year, and while this one didn’t really live up to that one, it was enjoyable enough.
Published: 10 Oct 2023
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon
December 30, 2024
I absolutely love Jenny Colgan's books ANY time of the year, but especially Christmas. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this enchanting series, specifically the audio. I listened through HOOPLA (my library app) and the narrator was amazing. I loved the accents. I followed along with my physical copy of the book. I loved discovering all of the Scottish words and phrases (read in the audio) that were changed to their "English equivalent". Of course I wrote them all in the margins!
I loved reuniting with characters from the previous books. This installment continues the ups and downs of Carmen and Sofia's sisterly relationship as it evolves. There are bumps (and of course miscommunications and misconceptions) in Oke's and Carmen's budding relationship. I love how Colgan works the title of the book in fading pages of the story.
I love books about books and bookstores. I love Hallmark movies, so filming a movie in a bookstore is right my wheelhouse. I absolutely love the setting of Edinburgh and now feel the need to book a trip! Love the local businesses and their owners. The new "nemesis" is quite entertaining and plays a larger part of the narrative than I expected. I loved that one character explored the rain forest while another prepares to explore the Antarctic. Truly, this one had everything I was hoping for and more.
I loved reuniting with characters from the previous books. This installment continues the ups and downs of Carmen and Sofia's sisterly relationship as it evolves. There are bumps (and of course miscommunications and misconceptions) in Oke's and Carmen's budding relationship. I love how Colgan works the title of the book in fading pages of the story.
I love books about books and bookstores. I love Hallmark movies, so filming a movie in a bookstore is right my wheelhouse. I absolutely love the setting of Edinburgh and now feel the need to book a trip! Love the local businesses and their owners. The new "nemesis" is quite entertaining and plays a larger part of the narrative than I expected. I loved that one character explored the rain forest while another prepares to explore the Antarctic. Truly, this one had everything I was hoping for and more.
December 15, 2023
This book was tedious and frustrating for me. I could not relate to Carmen. She was a whiny, unmotivated 30-year-old who couldn’t understand why she had worn out her welcome after living rent free with her sister’s growing family for a year. She had no desire to become self-sufficient. I found it hard to root for her trying to save the book shop when she needed to get her life together first. The only redeeming value of the book (worth 2 stars) was the vivid descriptions of the city, which made me what to visit it.
December 14, 2023
I... I can't... WHAT EVEN WAS THAT. Scotland still sounds dreamy, and I wanna visit the bookshop. But these characters apparently learned NOTHING from the last book.
And once again, the main love interest spends almost ZERO time with the actual main character.
Also, much more steamy. Skipped three whole chapters and still didn't manage to miss all the suggestive stuff.
Boo with a capital B.
Honest to goodness truth: Oke is gonna ruin his life going after Carmen. There, I said it.
And once again, the main love interest spends almost ZERO time with the actual main character.
Also, much more steamy. Skipped three whole chapters and still didn't manage to miss all the suggestive stuff.
Boo with a capital B.
Honest to goodness truth: Oke is gonna ruin his life going after Carmen. There, I said it.
December 10, 2024
Η Κάρμεν κάνει ότι μπορεί για να σώσει το βιβλιοπωλείο, αλλά μάλλον δεν είναι αρκετό. Ο καιρός περνάει, ο Όκι έχει φύγει σε αποστολή και χωρίσανε λίγο περίεργα και μετακομίζει από το σπίτι της αδερφής της. Τα Χριστούγεννα πλησιάζουν κι η Κάρμεν θέλει να σώσει το βιβλιοπωλείο από το να μετατραπεί σε απρόσωπο ��ολυκατάστημα, αλλά όλα σαν να είναι εναντίον της…που θα οδηγήσει όλο αυτό;
Στο προηγούμενο βιβλίο η συγγραφέας με κέρδισε με τις περιγραφές του Εδιμβουργου. Εδώ, επικεντρώνεται περισσότερο στην Κάρμεν και στην εσωτερική σύγκρουση στην οποία βρίσκεται. Απογοητευμένη από τη ζωή, από την απουσία του Όκι, της φταίνε όλα. Τα ανίψια της είναι πάντα στην καρδιά της αλλά κάτι της λείπει. Και φυσικά φταίει κι ο τρόπος που χωρίσανε με τον Όκι.
Οι γνώριμοι χαρακτήρες, η όμορφη τοποθεσία και φυσικά οι παρεξηγήσεις έκαναν την ανάγνωση να κυλήσει πολύ ευχάριστα! Μου άρεσε που υπήρχαν μικρά κεφάλαια διασκορπισμένα με την άποψη του Όκι, τα εκτίμησα ιδιαίτερα.
Άραγε, θα ξαναδούμε τους ήρωες μας; Υπάρχει μια πιθανότητα θεωρώ!
3,5 αστέρια
Στο προηγούμενο βιβλίο η συγγραφέας με κέρδισε με τις περιγραφές του Εδιμβουργου. Εδώ, επικεντρώνεται περισσότερο στην Κάρμεν και στην εσωτερική σύγκρουση στην οποία βρίσκεται. Απογοητευμένη από τη ζωή, από την απουσία του Όκι, της φταίνε όλα. Τα ανίψια της είναι πάντα στην καρδιά της αλλά κάτι της λείπει. Και φυσικά φταίει κι ο τρόπος που χωρίσανε με τον Όκι.
Οι γνώριμοι χαρακτήρες, η όμορφη τοποθεσία και φυσικά οι παρεξηγήσεις έκαναν την ανάγνωση να κυλήσει πολύ ευχάριστα! Μου άρεσε που υπήρχαν μικρά κεφάλαια διασκορπισμένα με την άποψη του Όκι, τα εκτίμησα ιδιαίτερα.
Άραγε, θα ξαναδούμε τους ήρωες μας; Υπάρχει μια πιθανότητα θεωρώ!
3,5 αστέρια
September 15, 2023
Four stars. Jenny is one of may all time favorite authors. She never fails. Wonderful characters and plot. Will be recommending and reading anything in the future from this author. Thank you for the title.
December 20, 2023
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop is a warm and cosy Christmas read/listen, which followed on from the first book The Christmas Bookshop.
We meet the same host of characters as in the first book but with some new additions. I love these books on audio - the narrator is just perfect for this series and keeps me engaged and comforted while I listen along.
I flew through this book and had many giggles along the way.
Carmen has drama at work, in her love life, and at her sisters house (where she's outstanding her welcome) but a new home which didn't seem too appealing becomes a hidden gem of a haven for her. I love Mr McCredie - he's such a sweetheart!
I love this series and hope to read more Christmas adventures to come. I mean, what's more cosy than Christmas in a book shop!
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop is a warm and cosy Christmas read/listen, which followed on from the first book The Christmas Bookshop.
We meet the same host of characters as in the first book but with some new additions. I love these books on audio - the narrator is just perfect for this series and keeps me engaged and comforted while I listen along.
I flew through this book and had many giggles along the way.
Carmen has drama at work, in her love life, and at her sisters house (where she's outstanding her welcome) but a new home which didn't seem too appealing becomes a hidden gem of a haven for her. I love Mr McCredie - he's such a sweetheart!
I love this series and hope to read more Christmas adventures to come. I mean, what's more cosy than Christmas in a book shop!
Read
December 30, 2024Αυξήθηκαν οι βλακώδεις διάλογοι, μειώθηκε το χριστουγεννιάτικο κλίμα και το Εδιμβούργο, οπότε το παράτησα. ΣοΣαντ Κολγκαν μου. Όχι άλλο όμορφος, όμορφη, όμορφοι, όμορφα, όχι άλλη χονδροφοβία, όχι άλλο μπερδεμένο φεμινισμό✌🏼🫎
Εντωμεταξύ από το πρώτο στο δεύτερο καμία σχέση η σκιαγράφηση των χαρακτήρων και η αιτιολόγηση πίσω από πράξεις και σκέψεις. Εδώ είναι τόσο απλοϊκά όλα που σε καίνε. Η δε πρωταγωνίστρια, μια τρελαμένη-απεγνωσμένη για σεξ. Και καλά θέλει να γράφει φεμινιστικά αλλά τα έχει όλα μπερδεμένα στο μυαλό της.
Κρατάω μια επιφύλαξη να καλυτέρευε μετά, αλλά πόσο μετά, δεν άντεχα να περιμένω 😂
Εντωμεταξύ από το πρώτο στο δεύτερο καμία σχέση η σκιαγράφηση των χαρακτήρων και η αιτιολόγηση πίσω από πράξεις και σκέψεις. Εδώ είναι τόσο απλοϊκά όλα που σε καίνε. Η δε πρωταγωνίστρια, μια τρελαμένη-απεγνωσμένη για σεξ. Και καλά θέλει να γράφει φεμινιστικά αλλά τα έχει όλα μπερδεμένα στο μυαλό της.
Κρατάω μια επιφύλαξη να καλυτέρευε μετά, αλλά πόσο μετά, δεν άντεχα να περιμένω 😂
October 3, 2023
Hang on to your tinsel cause we're getting wrapped up in a Hallmark movie!
Well, Carmen is and I'm here for all the comedic adventure that surrounds it.
The always fun and entertaining Jenny Colgan is back with another story from the Christmas Bookshop. Grab a cuppa and a warm blanket. It's time to kick off the holiday season with a cozy read.
*Thank you to Avon for sharing this title with me.
Follow me on
✿KTBookReviews✿Instagram✿Twitter✿Facebook✿TikTok
Well, Carmen is and I'm here for all the comedic adventure that surrounds it.
The always fun and entertaining Jenny Colgan is back with another story from the Christmas Bookshop. Grab a cuppa and a warm blanket. It's time to kick off the holiday season with a cozy read.
*Thank you to Avon for sharing this title with me.
Follow me on
✿KTBookReviews✿Instagram✿Twitter✿Facebook✿TikTok
October 24, 2023
I have read and loved many of Jenny Colgan's books but unfortunately this is not one of her best. To understand the story, one would need to have read The Christmas Bookshop. I think that this was written to keep the popular characters from the first book alive but it just did not work very well. Parts of the story were good while others were bogged down trying to make the storyline work.
November 20, 2023
Veit hreinlega ekki afhverju ég hætti ekki bara að lesa þessa.
December 30, 2023
What a great follow-up story to the Christmas Bookshop. I ate up this entire series and loved how this picked up right where the Christmas Bookshop left off. I love it when a book can just transport you away. I found myself picturing Scotland. Jenny Colgan's writing is very descriptive, and I loved it. This was the third book that I've read by her and I thoroughly enjoyed every book.
August 13, 2025
This is my first Jenny Colgan book. The cover and title drew my attention as I was organizing the Little Free Library at the end of my street. My life has been a bit chaotic with medical stuff so I’m trying to lighten up the reading.
Was I successful? Partly…
It’s dead of summer in Edinburgh but at McCredie’s Old Town Bookshop, Christmas is in full bloom. The store is desperate for income so when a film company came looking to rent the place to make a full length feature film, affirmation was given with the hope to stave off the wretched real estate mogul who’s trying to turn the business district into a giant flea market full of Chinese import Nessies, Tartans and bogus baked goods. He’s buying up every struggling business and piping out screeching, fake bagpipe music; PAINFUL!
Carmen is the Bookstore Manager. She’s living with her older sister, struggling with her boyfriend, Oke, (she wants to sleep with him, he wants to honor her until they’re married or engaged or…), and doesn’t have enough money for her own place because working in the bookstore, which is her dream job, just can’t pay enough.
Oke needs to go back to S. America for work. They spend most of the book separated making assumptions. Carmen is trying to raise funds for the store, her boss and his dream trip, keep her independent apartment, smooth her relationship with her sister and figure out what to do about her love life. Communication is not their forte.
Old town Edinburgh is a wonderful location for a series of stories that revolve around a classic bookstore. The characters have just the right balance of quirk and charm, spanning the calendar from toddler to geriatric explorer with everything in between. I didn’t read book one but Colgan provides enough backstory for readers to understand basic relationships. It was comfortable getting to know the town.
MIDNIGHT AT THE CHRISTMAS BOOKSHOP is a warm hearted read that drags on a bit too long. If Carmen had gotten motivated and made decisions more quickly, the story would have flowed better and there would have been more opportunities for developing the relationship between her and Oke. There were some positive moments in the ending but mostly, I found it unsatisfying📚
Was I successful? Partly…
It’s dead of summer in Edinburgh but at McCredie’s Old Town Bookshop, Christmas is in full bloom. The store is desperate for income so when a film company came looking to rent the place to make a full length feature film, affirmation was given with the hope to stave off the wretched real estate mogul who’s trying to turn the business district into a giant flea market full of Chinese import Nessies, Tartans and bogus baked goods. He’s buying up every struggling business and piping out screeching, fake bagpipe music; PAINFUL!
Carmen is the Bookstore Manager. She’s living with her older sister, struggling with her boyfriend, Oke, (she wants to sleep with him, he wants to honor her until they’re married or engaged or…), and doesn’t have enough money for her own place because working in the bookstore, which is her dream job, just can’t pay enough.
Oke needs to go back to S. America for work. They spend most of the book separated making assumptions. Carmen is trying to raise funds for the store, her boss and his dream trip, keep her independent apartment, smooth her relationship with her sister and figure out what to do about her love life. Communication is not their forte.
Old town Edinburgh is a wonderful location for a series of stories that revolve around a classic bookstore. The characters have just the right balance of quirk and charm, spanning the calendar from toddler to geriatric explorer with everything in between. I didn’t read book one but Colgan provides enough backstory for readers to understand basic relationships. It was comfortable getting to know the town.
MIDNIGHT AT THE CHRISTMAS BOOKSHOP is a warm hearted read that drags on a bit too long. If Carmen had gotten motivated and made decisions more quickly, the story would have flowed better and there would have been more opportunities for developing the relationship between her and Oke. There were some positive moments in the ending but mostly, I found it unsatisfying📚
October 13, 2024
2,5 ster
Colgan weet ervoor te zorgen dat je verliefd wordt op Edinburg en dat je de knusse boekwinkel van Mr McCredie het liefst zelf wil gaan bezoeken. Uiteindelijk is het een vermakelijk verhaal, maar geen écht kerstverhaal? De personages maken t.o.v. het vorige boek weinig karakterontwikkeling door en dat maakt het verhaal wat langdradig. Wellicht was een korte novelle als aanvulling op De kerstboekwinkel een betere keuze geweest.
Gehele review binnenkort op mijn blog https://jenniferleest.wordpress.com
Colgan weet ervoor te zorgen dat je verliefd wordt op Edinburg en dat je de knusse boekwinkel van Mr McCredie het liefst zelf wil gaan bezoeken. Uiteindelijk is het een vermakelijk verhaal, maar geen écht kerstverhaal? De personages maken t.o.v. het vorige boek weinig karakterontwikkeling door en dat maakt het verhaal wat langdradig. Wellicht was een korte novelle als aanvulling op De kerstboekwinkel een betere keuze geweest.
Gehele review binnenkort op mijn blog https://jenniferleest.wordpress.com
April 28, 2024
Funny, heart warming, should have read it at Christmas, as planned.
November 1, 2024
Dit verhaal sluit naadloos aan op het vorige deel en om dit goed te kunnen volgen moet je beslist eerst het vorige gelezen hebben .
Iets minder leuk dan het voorgaande verhaal maar fijn om Carmen en Oke en de boekwinkel weer terug te zien .
Iets minder leuk dan het voorgaande verhaal maar fijn om Carmen en Oke en de boekwinkel weer terug te zien .
December 24, 2025
Vermakelijk, al was dit vervolg niet perse nodig.
December 30, 2023
Now I want to go to Edinburgh again.
January 12, 2024
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jenny Colgan always makes me smile!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
‘Midnight at the Christmas bookshop’ is the sequel of ‘The Christmas bookshop’ and was, again, a lovely feelgood story with Christmas vibes! 🥰
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I really loved the first book and I didn’t expect a second, but I loved to read more about Carmen, Oke and the bookshop.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Honestly, I didn’t like the unnecessary drama between them 😂, but it was good to be back in the beautiful bookshop in Edinburgh!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We meet a lot of new characters in this book and I really loved that! I loved Rudi!🫶🏻🖤
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Although I don’t like books about happy families, I loved the children in this one! The nieces and nephews of Carmen are wonderful!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you’re looking for a Christmassy story, set in a lovely bookshop in Edinburgh, this one is for you!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jenny Colgan never disappoints!🥰💚
Jenny Colgan always makes me smile!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
‘Midnight at the Christmas bookshop’ is the sequel of ‘The Christmas bookshop’ and was, again, a lovely feelgood story with Christmas vibes! 🥰
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I really loved the first book and I didn’t expect a second, but I loved to read more about Carmen, Oke and the bookshop.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Honestly, I didn’t like the unnecessary drama between them 😂, but it was good to be back in the beautiful bookshop in Edinburgh!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We meet a lot of new characters in this book and I really loved that! I loved Rudi!🫶🏻🖤
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Although I don’t like books about happy families, I loved the children in this one! The nieces and nephews of Carmen are wonderful!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you’re looking for a Christmassy story, set in a lovely bookshop in Edinburgh, this one is for you!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jenny Colgan never disappoints!🥰💚
October 10, 2023
Carmen is doing her best to fix up Mr. McCredie’s bookshop, but once the excitement of a movie being filmed there is over, so too go the steady stream of onlookers and customers. And with Mr. McCredie’s wish to go on an Antarctic expedition, Carmen is hard-pressed to find the money for that as well as even keeping the little shop open. A dreadful man who wants to buy the shop and turn it into a place of cheap, novelty junk looms daily outside the door. And a misunderstanding leads to Carmen and Oke’s breakup. Add to that her sister wanting a live-in nanny who will be taking over Carmen’s room, and now the poor girl is losing her place to live, boyfriend, and possibly job, right around Christmas. Luckily, surprises, good neighbors and friends abound and new ideas find a way to save the day. This was an eventual feel-good romantic drama, though it lacked the often ridiculously hilarious surprise element from many of Jenny Colgan’s novels. Carmen is, understandably, very complaining and angsty throughout much of the novel, and though Oke’s Quaker religion is included, it does seem that Carmen and maybe the author are suggesting that the best outcome for him is to renounce or compromise on much of his religious beliefs. This book seems a bit condescending of religion of any type (including Catholicism), and might rub some readers the wrong way for that reason. Carmen’s complaining, woe-is-me attitude also seems to stretch on longer than it should have, especially when challenged with what would be many reader’s dream (organizing an entire bookstore!). But all works out for the main characters in the end, as the readers have come to expect, and the location descriptions are lovely. An average, but not her best, bookshop book.
January 29, 2025
*A great Christmas easy read/listen*
This is book 2 of 2 in ‘Christmas bookshop series’. It continues from where we left off from book one. We see Carmen with the man she wants Oke from Brazil but there is a sticking point. He is treating her with respect in one area of their relationship. She throws her toys out of the pram and rashly finishes with him.
When an amazing opportunity comes up for him to visit the rainforest on an expedition in Brazil. She misses her chance to apologise and make up with him.
What I like about this book is how Carmen’s character grows. She is slowly trying to think before she speaks and realise that she has to start standing on her own two feet.
We see her face some challenges and as Christmas is approaching she feels she wants to get back out there and find a man, standing in her way is her feelings for Oke.
I love how she throws herself into making the shop great and it is a marked improvement from when she first set her eyes on it. But, with all her efforts she still needs to do more… Mr McCreadie who owns the shop is considering selling tat to make ends meet. This does not sit well for Carmen, so she needs to come up with a way to make ends meet …..
There are some very funny and embarrassing moments, her nieces and nephews are adorable.
In the rainforest Oke continues to think about her but, another woman is trying to muscle in will she succeed? When Oke becomes ill she sees her chance while he is in a weakened state. Will the draw to his love be enough to bring him back to Edinburgh and will Carmen ever find anyone to make her forget him?
A great straightforward romcom. Although this book can be read in isolation I think it’s best to read book one first.
This is book 2 of 2 in ‘Christmas bookshop series’. It continues from where we left off from book one. We see Carmen with the man she wants Oke from Brazil but there is a sticking point. He is treating her with respect in one area of their relationship. She throws her toys out of the pram and rashly finishes with him.
When an amazing opportunity comes up for him to visit the rainforest on an expedition in Brazil. She misses her chance to apologise and make up with him.
What I like about this book is how Carmen’s character grows. She is slowly trying to think before she speaks and realise that she has to start standing on her own two feet.
We see her face some challenges and as Christmas is approaching she feels she wants to get back out there and find a man, standing in her way is her feelings for Oke.
I love how she throws herself into making the shop great and it is a marked improvement from when she first set her eyes on it. But, with all her efforts she still needs to do more… Mr McCreadie who owns the shop is considering selling tat to make ends meet. This does not sit well for Carmen, so she needs to come up with a way to make ends meet …..
There are some very funny and embarrassing moments, her nieces and nephews are adorable.
In the rainforest Oke continues to think about her but, another woman is trying to muscle in will she succeed? When Oke becomes ill she sees her chance while he is in a weakened state. Will the draw to his love be enough to bring him back to Edinburgh and will Carmen ever find anyone to make her forget him?
A great straightforward romcom. Although this book can be read in isolation I think it’s best to read book one first.
January 3, 2025
The bookshop is surviving, thanks to Carmen's clever marketing tactics but when Christmas is over, will people still buy books? Shoppers come looking for the latest bestseller they see on TV and Mr. McCredie is unwilling to change. Without change, the shop will fail, like so many others on the street. Carmen's relationship with Oke has reached a plateau and she wants to kick it up a notch, but when her plan backfires and Oke runs off to an adventure in the rainforest, Carmen is alone in cold, dreary Scotland. To make matters worse, Sofia is going back to work and needs room for the new nanny (or manny in this case) and kicks Carmen out of the house. While Carmen finds a new space, it's not the same without Oke, without the children. As Christmas approaches and Mr. McCredie's deadline inches closer, Carmen has to focus and pull out on the stops, including inviting a Hollywood film company to come make a direct-to-streaming Christmas movie at the shop. Can she save the shop, help Mr. McCredie and get her love life back on track?
I agree with all the reviewers who said this is too long and boring. The last third would have made a great novella. Only then does it get bookish and Christmasy enough for me. I was mainly interested in Mr. McCredie anyway. Edinburgh at Christmas sounds magical - but cold! I loved the description of the city and especially the bookshop. What Carmen does with the shop is amazing and I want to go there! The book Carmen discovers at the end, Up On the Rooftops sounds fun and my nephews would have liked it when they were younger. Too bad it doesn't exist! I LOLd at the FAQs of shoppers and at first I found the tacky souvenir shop plot annoying but it turned out funny and charming too. I could have done without the sister rivalry, the love triangle, the children/manny subplot and anything that wasn't the bookshop basically. I noted a continuity error. Pippa made her First Communion awhile ago when Carmen was a no show at the last minute and Sofia freaked out. Phoebe is 8 and she's the one who should be making her First Communion now.
Carmen is so annoying. Carmen and Oke need to learn to communicate like adults. He sounds lovely, charming and like a perfect gentleman. Oke is exactly the type of man I would have liked to date when I was her age. Carmen, on the other hand, is none of those things. She's self-centered, obnoxious, whiny, worldly, and doesn't know how to act like an adult. She KNOWS Oke was raised in a strict religious community so she needs to be more clear about asking for what she wants and if it's OK with him. Consent goes both ways! Communication does as well and since Carmen is not in Oke's head, he needs to tell her what's in his head and heart. Are we both on the same page? What are we doing? Where is this relationship going? Use your words people! You're adults. Even Pippa can communicate better with her boyfriend and tell him her needs. (Oh ew! A boyfriend at 11?!) Oke needs to not be so nice to Mary and even to his mother and sisters. He's a grown man and everyone treats him like a child!
Carmen is good with the kids. She spoils them and loves them in ways Sofia won't. Sofia is an obnoxious jerk and she too needs to learn to communicate and also parent her own children. Carmen is not responsible for policing her own behavior in case the children walk in. Their mother should have called ahead and asked first or walked in the room first. What if Carmen was with someone other than who she was with? Would Sofia have freaked out? Also, teach your kids about sex ed and don't wait for the schools to do it. Don't the kids have questions about where baby Eric came from? Phoebe is still my favorite. It's spelled out that she's like Carmen. She even notes it herself. Mommy is for Pippa, Daddy is for Jack and Carmen is for her. I feel so bad for her that her siblings are so mean and other kids probably follow Pippa's lead. Pippa is an obnoxious old woman in a child's body. I don't get why Sofia is so obsessed with a perfect life, perfect symmetry and won't let the kids be kids. Even Christmas is not for the children. They aren't allowed to decorate the tree with their homemade ornaments and get boring presents from Santa. Baby Eric is allowed to crawl around and stuff things in his mouth, the benefit of being the 4th and last child!
Mr. McCredie is very sweet. He's growing and learning to be more bold and adventurous. Unfortunately that means he wants to go to Antarctica exploring and not on a cushy cruise he can't afford. He can't afford either trip but expects Carmen to work miracles or he'll have to sell the shop as originally planned. I like his character development and wanted more of him. I wanted more Branagh too. I think she really is a witch! Bobby is nice and I felt so bad for him. Giving up his hardware store must make him feel depressed and working in the now tacky souvenir shop makes him feel worse. There's nothing good that comes out of this move. How heartbreaking for him and everyone on the street. Crawford, the clothing store owner, seems to already be wealthy and his shop is doing OK. He's eccentric but has a good heart.
Jackson McClockerty is a Boris Johnson/less narcissistic Donald Trump type. He's big, loud, brash and doesn't take no for an answer. He wants to turn all the shops into tacky souvenir shops selling cheap trinkets made in China for cheap. Carmen points out it's not always August and they need a balance of shops for tourists AND locals alike. She's the only one who tells it like it is and talks back to him. Carmen is determined! Jackson turns out to be a surprise and not at all what I expected. Through Jackson's actions, Carmen actually grows up and learns to be more empathetic. The movie sounds like a Hallmark style, low budget cheesy film people will adore. It's akin to the tacky souvenir shops though- full of inaccuracies and stereotypes, but hey, at least people will wonder where it was filmed and come check out the shop.
Rudi the manny is not an appealing character. At first I liked him because he was good with the kids and allowed them to ask questions. Yes Sofia, they SHOULD be allowed to ask about his arm. It normalizes limb differences when you talk about it and explain it. The next time they won't have to ask. I can see Pippa going "Oh that! Our new nanny, a MAN, has got only one arm too!" Phoebe might have questions and Jack will just want to know if someone can kick around a football with him. Then Rudi's judgment made me not like him at all. Sure he says he keeps his personal life separate from the kids but he was hired to be a live-in nanny and take care of the baby. I assume he's needed at night too so Sofia doesn't have to interrupt her perfect 8 hours of sleep to care for the baby now she's done breastfeeding? So yes, your job is to be there at night and not run around with anyone with a pulse. He's gross! He's a foil for Oke, I get it. Mary is a foil for Carmen but she's awful. Jealous, insecure and desperate, she's almost evil. She treats Oke like a child who can't be trusted and gaslights him. Is that really how she wants to start married life? Why are all the women in this series so bloody awful?
I would read more books set in the bookshop if Carmen's love life stays out of it. Maybe a lady for Mr. McCredie? Or a tweedy professor "roommate"? Or just leave love out of it and focus on the books.
I agree with all the reviewers who said this is too long and boring. The last third would have made a great novella. Only then does it get bookish and Christmasy enough for me. I was mainly interested in Mr. McCredie anyway. Edinburgh at Christmas sounds magical - but cold! I loved the description of the city and especially the bookshop. What Carmen does with the shop is amazing and I want to go there! The book Carmen discovers at the end, Up On the Rooftops sounds fun and my nephews would have liked it when they were younger. Too bad it doesn't exist! I LOLd at the FAQs of shoppers and at first I found the tacky souvenir shop plot annoying but it turned out funny and charming too. I could have done without the sister rivalry, the love triangle, the children/manny subplot and anything that wasn't the bookshop basically. I noted a continuity error. Pippa made her First Communion awhile ago when Carmen was a no show at the last minute and Sofia freaked out. Phoebe is 8 and she's the one who should be making her First Communion now.
Carmen is so annoying. Carmen and Oke need to learn to communicate like adults. He sounds lovely, charming and like a perfect gentleman. Oke is exactly the type of man I would have liked to date when I was her age. Carmen, on the other hand, is none of those things. She's self-centered, obnoxious, whiny, worldly, and doesn't know how to act like an adult. She KNOWS Oke was raised in a strict religious community so she needs to be more clear about asking for what she wants and if it's OK with him. Consent goes both ways! Communication does as well and since Carmen is not in Oke's head, he needs to tell her what's in his head and heart. Are we both on the same page? What are we doing? Where is this relationship going? Use your words people! You're adults. Even Pippa can communicate better with her boyfriend and tell him her needs. (Oh ew! A boyfriend at 11?!) Oke needs to not be so nice to Mary and even to his mother and sisters. He's a grown man and everyone treats him like a child!
Carmen is good with the kids. She spoils them and loves them in ways Sofia won't. Sofia is an obnoxious jerk and she too needs to learn to communicate and also parent her own children. Carmen is not responsible for policing her own behavior in case the children walk in. Their mother should have called ahead and asked first or walked in the room first. What if Carmen was with someone other than who she was with? Would Sofia have freaked out? Also, teach your kids about sex ed and don't wait for the schools to do it. Don't the kids have questions about where baby Eric came from? Phoebe is still my favorite. It's spelled out that she's like Carmen. She even notes it herself. Mommy is for Pippa, Daddy is for Jack and Carmen is for her. I feel so bad for her that her siblings are so mean and other kids probably follow Pippa's lead. Pippa is an obnoxious old woman in a child's body. I don't get why Sofia is so obsessed with a perfect life, perfect symmetry and won't let the kids be kids. Even Christmas is not for the children. They aren't allowed to decorate the tree with their homemade ornaments and get boring presents from Santa. Baby Eric is allowed to crawl around and stuff things in his mouth, the benefit of being the 4th and last child!
Mr. McCredie is very sweet. He's growing and learning to be more bold and adventurous. Unfortunately that means he wants to go to Antarctica exploring and not on a cushy cruise he can't afford. He can't afford either trip but expects Carmen to work miracles or he'll have to sell the shop as originally planned. I like his character development and wanted more of him. I wanted more Branagh too. I think she really is a witch! Bobby is nice and I felt so bad for him. Giving up his hardware store must make him feel depressed and working in the now tacky souvenir shop makes him feel worse. There's nothing good that comes out of this move. How heartbreaking for him and everyone on the street. Crawford, the clothing store owner, seems to already be wealthy and his shop is doing OK. He's eccentric but has a good heart.
Jackson McClockerty is a Boris Johnson/less narcissistic Donald Trump type. He's big, loud, brash and doesn't take no for an answer. He wants to turn all the shops into tacky souvenir shops selling cheap trinkets made in China for cheap. Carmen points out it's not always August and they need a balance of shops for tourists AND locals alike. She's the only one who tells it like it is and talks back to him. Carmen is determined! Jackson turns out to be a surprise and not at all what I expected. Through Jackson's actions, Carmen actually grows up and learns to be more empathetic. The movie sounds like a Hallmark style, low budget cheesy film people will adore. It's akin to the tacky souvenir shops though- full of inaccuracies and stereotypes, but hey, at least people will wonder where it was filmed and come check out the shop.
Rudi the manny is not an appealing character. At first I liked him because he was good with the kids and allowed them to ask questions. Yes Sofia, they SHOULD be allowed to ask about his arm. It normalizes limb differences when you talk about it and explain it. The next time they won't have to ask. I can see Pippa going "Oh that! Our new nanny, a MAN, has got only one arm too!" Phoebe might have questions and Jack will just want to know if someone can kick around a football with him. Then Rudi's judgment made me not like him at all. Sure he says he keeps his personal life separate from the kids but he was hired to be a live-in nanny and take care of the baby. I assume he's needed at night too so Sofia doesn't have to interrupt her perfect 8 hours of sleep to care for the baby now she's done breastfeeding? So yes, your job is to be there at night and not run around with anyone with a pulse. He's gross! He's a foil for Oke, I get it. Mary is a foil for Carmen but she's awful. Jealous, insecure and desperate, she's almost evil. She treats Oke like a child who can't be trusted and gaslights him. Is that really how she wants to start married life? Why are all the women in this series so bloody awful?
I would read more books set in the bookshop if Carmen's love life stays out of it. Maybe a lady for Mr. McCredie? Or a tweedy professor "roommate"? Or just leave love out of it and focus on the books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,214 reviews