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The Christmas Bookshop #2
Mezzanotte alla piccola libreria dei segreti
La vita di Carmen è tutto meno che perfetta. La sua amata libreria è diventata il set di un film di Natale, è stata cacciata da casa di sua sorella e l’amore della sua vita è appena volato a migliaia di chilometri di distanza. Decisamente, per la ragazza ci sono stati momenti migliori. Tuttavia, quando il precedente proprietario della libreria le confida un desiderio che rischia di non avverarsi mai, Carmen non si tira indietro e si offre di dargli una mano. All’improvviso, però, il tentativo di accontentare un amico si trasforma nella corsa disperata per salvare il negozio da un uomo d’affari che minaccia di distruggerlo. Ed è così che, nel suo retrobottega, Carmen scopre meraviglie che mai avrebbe potuto immaginare e un labirinto letterario con cui affascinare i suoi clienti. Con l’aiuto di vicini, amici e nipoti e di un babysitter molto carino che la distrae, Carmen riuscirà a compiere un’autentica magia e salvare il suo negozio?
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2023
4523 people are currently reading
26849 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,303 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 29, 2025
ES OFICIAL: estoy enganchada a las novelas de la Colgan🔥!
Es más, después de leer “La pequeña librería de los secretos”, me puse el chándal de competición, las zapatillas más cómodas y me hice una cola de caballo para que el pelo no me estorbara a la hora de correr…
A ver, no me mires así, tú y yo sabemos de sobra que, cuando una está en modo “necesito leer el siguiente libro”, entra en la librería como si fuera una atleta compitiendo por el podio😱
(No es por asustar a nadie, pero si ves a una lectora con un tic en el ojo, huye ahora que todavía estás a tiempo🤭)
Y por si te lo estás preguntando (más que nada porque aún no te he dado ninguna pista🤫), este tomo es el segundo libro de esta hermosa, mágica y muy navideña bilogía.
Es decir: el primer libro es: “La pequeña librería de los secretos” y el siguiente es: “Medianoche en la pequeña librería de los secretos”❤️🔥
Vamos, en poquísimas palabras, si te gustan las historias de navidad llenas de espíritu festivo, donde cada una de sus páginas transmite el amor que siente la autora por Escocia y con un romance muy slow burn… Bienvenida a tu siguiente adicción…🔥
Pero, vigila, porque querrás adoptar a los niños, te enamorarás de más de un personaje y, sí, bichearás todos los libros de Christmas que mencionan…✨🎄
Y, ojito, porque de existir esta librería, nos veo a todas alquilando un autobús para dejarnos caer accidentalmente por allí…😏
Es más, después de leer “La pequeña librería de los secretos”, me puse el chándal de competición, las zapatillas más cómodas y me hice una cola de caballo para que el pelo no me estorbara a la hora de correr…
A ver, no me mires así, tú y yo sabemos de sobra que, cuando una está en modo “necesito leer el siguiente libro”, entra en la librería como si fuera una atleta compitiendo por el podio😱
(No es por asustar a nadie, pero si ves a una lectora con un tic en el ojo, huye ahora que todavía estás a tiempo🤭)
Y por si te lo estás preguntando (más que nada porque aún no te he dado ninguna pista🤫), este tomo es el segundo libro de esta hermosa, mágica y muy navideña bilogía.
Es decir: el primer libro es: “La pequeña librería de los secretos” y el siguiente es: “Medianoche en la pequeña librería de los secretos”❤️🔥
Vamos, en poquísimas palabras, si te gustan las historias de navidad llenas de espíritu festivo, donde cada una de sus páginas transmite el amor que siente la autora por Escocia y con un romance muy slow burn… Bienvenida a tu siguiente adicción…🔥
Pero, vigila, porque querrás adoptar a los niños, te enamorarás de más de un personaje y, sí, bichearás todos los libros de Christmas que mencionan…✨🎄
Y, ojito, porque de existir esta librería, nos veo a todas alquilando un autobús para dejarnos caer accidentalmente por allí…😏
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 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 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 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 πολυκατάστημα, 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.
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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
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Jenny Colgan always makes me smile!
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‘Midnight at the Christmas bookshop’ is the sequel of ‘The Christmas bookshop’ and was, again, a lovely feelgood story with Christmas vibes! 🥰
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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.
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Honestly, I didn’t like the unnecessary drama between them 😂, but it was good to be back in the beautiful bookshop in Edinburgh!
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We meet a lot of new characters in this book and I really loved that! I loved Rudi!🫶🏻🖤
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Although I don’t like books about happy families, I loved the children in this one! The nieces and nephews of Carmen are wonderful!
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If you’re looking for a Christmassy story, set in a lovely bookshop in Edinburgh, this one is for you!
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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!
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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.
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