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The Bookseller's Gift
Catherine and her mum Ann have decided to live their dream, by opening a bookshop on Ireland's west coast. But at Christmas, when disaster strikes, it looks like they'll have to close for the year's most important shopping week. They've been working so hard they've barely had time to get to know their neighbours, but builder Fury O'Shea and his dog The Divil, who come to the rescue, open their eyes to the stunning Finfarran peninsula, and what it really means to live a dream. Fury has his own troubles though. The forest his family has maintained for generations is being sold off and, feeling old and tired, he hasn't had the strength to resist. But nothing's going to stop him making his annual gifts of Christmas trees to his neighbours and, seeing devastation in the bookshop, he gives the largest tree to Catherine. Setting aside his own disaster, he undertakes to repair the damage while keeping the bookshop open by constantly moving the tree to hide the chaos. The tree becomes the focus of a celebrity cookbook signing, a visit from Santa, late-night shopping, and charity carol singing. The bookshop is the background for family tensions, revelations, and reconciliations - and for Catherine's tentative relationship with Donal, a volunteer in Lissbeg Library. And, ultimately, Fury's forest becomes the magical setting for a romance which by Christmas Day will transform his life and those of star-crossed couple Adam and Lia who, up to now, have been chasing dreams in all the wrong places.
368 pages, Paperback
Published October 17, 2024
35 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Felicity Hayes-McCoy
34 books546 followersUSA Today bestselling Irish writer Felicity Hayes-McCoy is the author of the 'Finfarran' novels, set in a fictional county on Ireland's West Coast. Marian Keyes calls her writing "a pitch-perfect delight", Cathy Kelly, bestselling author of "Between Sisters" and "Secrets of a Happy Marriage", has described the Finfarran books as "a delicious feast", and "sunshine on the page", while Jenny Colgan, bestselling author of "The Cafe by the Sea", calls them "charming and heartwarming".
Felicity's latest book, a standalone novel, The Keepsake Quilters (Hachette Irl), was published in October 2022 to critical acclaim. Best-selling Irish authors Roisin Meaney and Carmel Harringon called it "the perfect festive read" and "warm and wise ... an absolute joy"; Claudia Carroll and Patricia Scanlan wrote of it as "warm, funny and full of heart" and "a fascinating, beautifully-written generational saga"; and television presenters Barbara Scully and Mary Kennedy have described it as "a gorgeous novel" and "a beautifully-crafted story."
Finfarran #1, The Library at the Edge of The World, was published in June 2016: The Sunday Times called it "engaging, sparkling and joyous" and The Sunday Independent wrote "If you like reading a feelgood novel, take a journey to the edge of the world. An easy, pleasant summer read for fans of Maeve Binchy".
Summer at The Garden Café, the second in the Finfarran series, came out in the UK & Irl May 2017, The Mistletoe Matchmaker, a warm, empowering Christmas story, in October 2017, and The Month of Borrowed Dreams, in June 2018: The Irish Independent's review called it "a heartwarming novel which will leave you longing to read the earlier ones". The best-selling author Marian Keyes said she was "utterly charmed" by Finfarran #5, The Transatlantic Book Club, which was published in 2019.
A US & Canadian edition of The Library at the Edge of The World, published by Harper Perennial in Nov 2017, was chosen as a LibraryReads Pick. The US & Canadian edition of Summer at The Garden Café was published in 2018, The Mistletoe Matchmaker followed in 2019, The Transatlantic Book Club in 2020, The Month of Borrowed Dreams in 2021, and The Heart of Summer in 2022.
Finfarran #7, The Year of Lost and Found, was published by Hachette Irl in May 2021, and praised as "the perfect, page-turning escape" and "the best book of the year so far for me" by best-selling Irish authors Sinéad Moriarty and Claudia Carroll. It was preceded in 2020 by Finfarran #6, The Heart of Summer, of which Ireland's Sunday Business Post reviewer wrote "This works perfectly well as a standalone novel ... her writing sings", and bestselling author Patricia Scanlan commented "Fans of Maeve Binchy will adore it - she just gets better and better!"
The Finfarran novels have been translated into seven languages and can also be purchased in English as ebooks and audiobooks.
Described as 'wise, funny' and 'blazingly beautiful' by actress and writer Joanna Lumley, Felicity's first memoir, The House on an Irish Hillside was published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2012. It takes the author to London, where she worked as an actress and met her English, opera-director husband, and back to Ireland, to a remarkable stone house on the Dingle peninsula.
Enough Is Plenty: The Year on the Dingle Peninsula, a sequel to The House on an Irish Hillside, was published by The Collins Press in 2015. Illustrated with photographs by Felicity and her husband, and with a foreword by the best-selling Irish writer Alice Taylor, it charts the cycle of the Celtic year in Felicity's own house and garden.
A second memoir, A Woven Silence: Memory, History & Remembrance, described by The Sunday Times as 'a powerful piece of personal and political history', was published in September 2015, also by The Collins Press. Inspired by the lost story of her grandmother's cousin Marion Stokes, one of three women who raised the tricolour over Enniscorthy town in Wexford dur
Felicity's latest book, a standalone novel, The Keepsake Quilters (Hachette Irl), was published in October 2022 to critical acclaim. Best-selling Irish authors Roisin Meaney and Carmel Harringon called it "the perfect festive read" and "warm and wise ... an absolute joy"; Claudia Carroll and Patricia Scanlan wrote of it as "warm, funny and full of heart" and "a fascinating, beautifully-written generational saga"; and television presenters Barbara Scully and Mary Kennedy have described it as "a gorgeous novel" and "a beautifully-crafted story."
Finfarran #1, The Library at the Edge of The World, was published in June 2016: The Sunday Times called it "engaging, sparkling and joyous" and The Sunday Independent wrote "If you like reading a feelgood novel, take a journey to the edge of the world. An easy, pleasant summer read for fans of Maeve Binchy".
Summer at The Garden Café, the second in the Finfarran series, came out in the UK & Irl May 2017, The Mistletoe Matchmaker, a warm, empowering Christmas story, in October 2017, and The Month of Borrowed Dreams, in June 2018: The Irish Independent's review called it "a heartwarming novel which will leave you longing to read the earlier ones". The best-selling author Marian Keyes said she was "utterly charmed" by Finfarran #5, The Transatlantic Book Club, which was published in 2019.
A US & Canadian edition of The Library at the Edge of The World, published by Harper Perennial in Nov 2017, was chosen as a LibraryReads Pick. The US & Canadian edition of Summer at The Garden Café was published in 2018, The Mistletoe Matchmaker followed in 2019, The Transatlantic Book Club in 2020, The Month of Borrowed Dreams in 2021, and The Heart of Summer in 2022.
Finfarran #7, The Year of Lost and Found, was published by Hachette Irl in May 2021, and praised as "the perfect, page-turning escape" and "the best book of the year so far for me" by best-selling Irish authors Sinéad Moriarty and Claudia Carroll. It was preceded in 2020 by Finfarran #6, The Heart of Summer, of which Ireland's Sunday Business Post reviewer wrote "This works perfectly well as a standalone novel ... her writing sings", and bestselling author Patricia Scanlan commented "Fans of Maeve Binchy will adore it - she just gets better and better!"
The Finfarran novels have been translated into seven languages and can also be purchased in English as ebooks and audiobooks.
Described as 'wise, funny' and 'blazingly beautiful' by actress and writer Joanna Lumley, Felicity's first memoir, The House on an Irish Hillside was published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2012. It takes the author to London, where she worked as an actress and met her English, opera-director husband, and back to Ireland, to a remarkable stone house on the Dingle peninsula.
Enough Is Plenty: The Year on the Dingle Peninsula, a sequel to The House on an Irish Hillside, was published by The Collins Press in 2015. Illustrated with photographs by Felicity and her husband, and with a foreword by the best-selling Irish writer Alice Taylor, it charts the cycle of the Celtic year in Felicity's own house and garden.
A second memoir, A Woven Silence: Memory, History & Remembrance, described by The Sunday Times as 'a powerful piece of personal and political history', was published in September 2015, also by The Collins Press. Inspired by the lost story of her grandmother's cousin Marion Stokes, one of three women who raised the tricolour over Enniscorthy town in Wexford dur
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 24, 2024
The Bookseller’s Gift by Felicity Hayes-McCoy published with Hachette Ireland October 17th. It is Book 8 in the Finfarran series and is described by Cathy Kelly as ‘a festive feast of a novel.’
Christmas in October? Why not. Especially when it’s one set in a bookshop in a small town on the west coast of Ireland. Although this is my first dip into these books set on the fictional Finfarran peninsula, I can tell you that it makes absolutely no difference to the reading experience. I don’t doubt that if you know the series well, you will spot familiar characters as you turn the pages but, for any of you who are newbies like me, I can honestly tell you that you will feel right at home reading The Bookseller’s Gift.
Catherine and her mother Ann are relative newcomers to Lissbeg. Previously, Catherine had been frustrated with her corporate life so, with the encouragement and financial support of Ann, they literally set up shop in Lissbeg with the opening of Lissbeg Books. Catherine and Ann had achieved a certain level of success and were looking forward to a Christmas packed with events, including the book launch for a celebrity chef. When they get conned by a tradesman their livelihood is compromised and chaos ensues. Catherine and Ann are in a panic as they realise the extent of the damage. But the assistance they need comes from a very unexpected and unlikely source.
As the repair work is undertaken, both Ann and Catherine begin to acknowledge that, while they have lived and worked in Lissbeg, they never truly immersed themselves in the community. As the build up to the festive season takes off, both Ann and Catherine make a conscious decision to do better and, as they become caught up in a whirlwind of activity, their eyes are opened to the opportunities on their doorstep.
While Lissbeg Books is the central focus of the novel, we are also introduced to a chef with a conscience, a motivated community, a widower slowly trying to adapt to his new world, an industrious local, an Australian on an adventure and so many more. Felicity Hayes-McCoy creates a believable world with vivid descriptions that make the characters and places seem almost tangible. The Finfarran peninsula is a fictional place but it is very easy to imagine, as its features and characters are very much authentic and in keeping with many a small village in Cork or Kerry on the west coast. The Bookseller’s Gift is a feel-good novel, an uplifting and cosy tale with a festive tone that perfectly captures the spirit of the season.
Christmas in October? Why not. Especially when it’s one set in a bookshop in a small town on the west coast of Ireland. Although this is my first dip into these books set on the fictional Finfarran peninsula, I can tell you that it makes absolutely no difference to the reading experience. I don’t doubt that if you know the series well, you will spot familiar characters as you turn the pages but, for any of you who are newbies like me, I can honestly tell you that you will feel right at home reading The Bookseller’s Gift.
Catherine and her mother Ann are relative newcomers to Lissbeg. Previously, Catherine had been frustrated with her corporate life so, with the encouragement and financial support of Ann, they literally set up shop in Lissbeg with the opening of Lissbeg Books. Catherine and Ann had achieved a certain level of success and were looking forward to a Christmas packed with events, including the book launch for a celebrity chef. When they get conned by a tradesman their livelihood is compromised and chaos ensues. Catherine and Ann are in a panic as they realise the extent of the damage. But the assistance they need comes from a very unexpected and unlikely source.
As the repair work is undertaken, both Ann and Catherine begin to acknowledge that, while they have lived and worked in Lissbeg, they never truly immersed themselves in the community. As the build up to the festive season takes off, both Ann and Catherine make a conscious decision to do better and, as they become caught up in a whirlwind of activity, their eyes are opened to the opportunities on their doorstep.
While Lissbeg Books is the central focus of the novel, we are also introduced to a chef with a conscience, a motivated community, a widower slowly trying to adapt to his new world, an industrious local, an Australian on an adventure and so many more. Felicity Hayes-McCoy creates a believable world with vivid descriptions that make the characters and places seem almost tangible. The Finfarran peninsula is a fictional place but it is very easy to imagine, as its features and characters are very much authentic and in keeping with many a small village in Cork or Kerry on the west coast. The Bookseller’s Gift is a feel-good novel, an uplifting and cosy tale with a festive tone that perfectly captures the spirit of the season.
November 28, 2024
Oh this was such a TREAT! A beautiful Christmas book I didn't realise was a Christmas book until I started reading it! Wonderful storytelling as usual by Felicity Hayes McCoy as we meet the old faithfuls from Finfarran. Fantastic character development and story integration here as Christmas approaches and the town has to pull together to deal with various catastrophes. Nothing quite like a small town to pull out all the stops. Love that Fury!
Highly recommend this.
Highly recommend this.
August 29, 2025
I will preface by saying I am not a fan of romance, so I felt this book was ok. Having read the blurb on the back I was surprised to find that the characters described (Catherine and her mother Ann) and their bookshop really felt like bit players. The books seemed more focused on 'The Coolest Chef' (cheesy) Adam, his love interest from Australia (her name has gone from my head, I want to say Lia), Fury the eccentric, and his dog 'The Divil'.
I found it much easier to read from around Chapter 14, perhaps as the characters became a bit more meshed in my brain.
Overall it was a very light read, nothing too taxing, not particularly memorable.
I found it much easier to read from around Chapter 14, perhaps as the characters became a bit more meshed in my brain.
Overall it was a very light read, nothing too taxing, not particularly memorable.
February 2, 2025
A very nice tale. I did find that there were a few too many characters to keep track of but I loved that they all came together to help each other in their small community of Lissbeg. The catastrophe in the bookshop is a catalyst for Ann & Catherine to really get to know their neighbours. Fury & The Divil are the standout characters, the former being a force of nature & the latter his dog, & sounding board.
I haven't read any others in the series but I think I'd like to if they're all as nice as this one. 3.5★ rounded up.
I haven't read any others in the series but I think I'd like to if they're all as nice as this one. 3.5★ rounded up.
January 14, 2025
Well, I can feel how the author tried her best and I genuinely honor her for that. Yet, for me, the novel lacked depth in some parts and was too detailed in others. I would totally skipped one third of the characters.
It was like a book equivalent of a typical Christmas movie and that being said - it is close to what I expected.
It was like a book equivalent of a typical Christmas movie and that being said - it is close to what I expected.
May 22, 2025
Loved the characters and the different stories of them and how in this small town they all come together. Bonus that it was set around Christmas time - didn’t know until I had started to read it. Also I didn’t realise it was part of a series, but will check out the other books especially if they feature the helpful but gruff Fury and his dog The Divil (not a spelling mistake)
October 11, 2025
I absolutely loved this book and I wish I’d saved it to read at Christmas as it is a perfect Christmas read.
I could imagine it as a Hallmark Christmas movie.
I loved all of the characters even the difficult ones in the cooking class.
It’s an easy read and I found it difficult to put it down.
I think I have a new favourite author as I loved Felicity’s other book The keepsake quilters too.
I could imagine it as a Hallmark Christmas movie.
I loved all of the characters even the difficult ones in the cooking class.
It’s an easy read and I found it difficult to put it down.
I think I have a new favourite author as I loved Felicity’s other book The keepsake quilters too.
October 26, 2024
Another fine Finfarran saga
I have read the whole series of Felicity Hayes-McCoy novels and enjoyed this fine Irish saga. Her characterisation is very good and the people come to life throughout the saga. An immensely engaging read from first to last, can highly recommend it!
I have read the whole series of Felicity Hayes-McCoy novels and enjoyed this fine Irish saga. Her characterisation is very good and the people come to life throughout the saga. An immensely engaging read from first to last, can highly recommend it!
November 3, 2024
Truly magical
This has to be my favourite Finfarran book! We meet all the characters we have grown to love and some wonderful new ones. The descriptions of the countryside are so vivid you can almost smell it and it's all wrapped up in Christmas magic. Loved it!
This has to be my favourite Finfarran book! We meet all the characters we have grown to love and some wonderful new ones. The descriptions of the countryside are so vivid you can almost smell it and it's all wrapped up in Christmas magic. Loved it!
November 3, 2024
I absolutely love this series! My love of Finfarrens people is deep. These are people so realistically portrayed, we all know people like them. I especially love Fury with all his gruffness, Mary Casey who knows it all and the whole cast of those who make Lissbeg the sweet town it is.
April 1, 2025
Love this story, new booksellers opening to a gorgeous wee village. Loved that the community embraced them as their own, from attending events, fixing and ensuring that the store looked as it should. Recommended easy read.
December 14, 2024
What can I say. A lovely tale where everything that is wrong gets righted.
February 5, 2025
Well written, good story line. A nice christmas read.
August 28, 2025
I enjoyed this book but I did not know it part of a series. There were a lot of characters to get to know.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews