What do you think?
Rate this book
The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures #1-4
The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures
Originally published in four parts this is the full story in one package.
When Hope loses her husband, she fears her happiest days are behind her. With her only connection to London broken, she moves home to York to be near her family and to begin to build a new life.
Taking a job at the antique shop she has always admired, she finds herself crossing paths with two very different men. Will, who has recently become the guardian to his niece after the tragic death of her parents. And Ciaran, who she enlists to help solve the mystery of an Egyptian antique. Two men who represent two different happy endings.
But can she trust herself to choose the right man? And will that bring her everything she really needs?
The brand new novel from Holly Hepburn, author of Coming Home to Brightwater Bay .
When Hope loses her husband, she fears her happiest days are behind her. With her only connection to London broken, she moves home to York to be near her family and to begin to build a new life.
Taking a job at the antique shop she has always admired, she finds herself crossing paths with two very different men. Will, who has recently become the guardian to his niece after the tragic death of her parents. And Ciaran, who she enlists to help solve the mystery of an Egyptian antique. Two men who represent two different happy endings.
But can she trust herself to choose the right man? And will that bring her everything she really needs?
The brand new novel from Holly Hepburn, author of Coming Home to Brightwater Bay .
Audible Audio
Published January 6, 2022
40 people are currently reading
595 people want to read
About the author
Holly Hepburn
97 books401 followersI’ve wanted to write books for adults for as long as I can remember but I was too scared to try. One day I decided to be brave and dipped a toe into the bubble bath of romantic comedy with my first novella, Cupidity, and I’ve never looked back. I often try to be funny to be funny, except for when faced with traffic wardens and border control staff. My favourite thing is making people smile.
I’ve tried many jobs over the years, from barmaid to market researcher and I even had a brief flirtation with modelling. These days I am mostly found writing.
I live near London with my grey tabby cat, Portia. We both have an unhealthy obsession with Marmite.
I’ve tried many jobs over the years, from barmaid to market researcher and I even had a brief flirtation with modelling. These days I am mostly found writing.
I live near London with my grey tabby cat, Portia. We both have an unhealthy obsession with Marmite.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
September 26, 2024
In a Nutshell: A book that is just as beautiful as its cover. There are some teeny shortcomings, but the story is heartwarming enough to make you wanna forgive them.
Story:
What I loved about the book:
👌 Let me begin with the obvious. The cover and the title. How could anyone not want to read a book with a picture as gorgeous as that and with that name!!!
👌 The Ever After Emporium and all the details about it. How I wish such a shop existed in my vicinity in real life! I would gladly spend hours there. I also found it beautifully ironic that Hope sought and found her ‘happily ever after” in a shop titled “Ever After”. This shop adds a quaint charm to the story.
👌 This is a feel-good book through and through. The story is heartwarming to a great extent, and most of the characters (barring two) are so well-written and layered. I don’t want to go too much into character details but Hope’s friend Iris, Hope’s sister Charlotte and Will’s niece Brodie top the charts of secondary characters. They are all amazingly sketched. As I am always biased towards children, four year old Brodie was a firm favourite of mine.
👌 There are many additional detailed bits in the story such as the belly dancing classes that Hope joins, or the Egyptian excavation of Tutankhamen’s tomb as described in their search for the owner of the ring. These are not just enjoyable but also add a further layer of interest to what would otherwise have been too straightforward a story. I am glad that I read Gill Paul's “The Collector's Daughter” last year. It helped a lot in recognising who Howard Carter was and what his role was in the Tutankhamen excavations. Knowing this background isn’t mandatory but it certainly helps.
👌 The way the personal struggles of two characters are written is true to life. You will strongly connect with them both in how they are coming to terms with their grief and how they want to move on but sometimes can’t.
👌 I loved how the book emphasizes not just on moving on but also on being kind to yourself. Such an important idea to remember!
👌 When there are two potential suitors as the romantic interest and both are quite appealing, it is but natural for you to swing in favour of one character. And when that character ends up “getting the girl”, nothing like it, eh? The guy I was rooting for ended up with Hope, so that’s a plus point in my book. 😉
👌 I’ve never seen York but looking at the way it is described in the book makes it sound like a wonderful place. I am sure those who know the town will enjoy the descriptions even more. I love it when a book makes excellent use of the location it is set in, and this book does that very well.
👌 Fact learnt from the book: There was an actual job title called “Groom of the Stool.” I was so sure that the author had made this up, but no! Google the term for some fun info. 😂
What I found ‘okayish’ about the book:
⚠ As with almost every book in this genre, it is predictable. This shouldn’t be strictly taken as a negative because this genre thrives on predictability and a HEA ending.
⚠ I mentioned above that two of the characters could have been sketched better. For one of them, I simply couldn’t understand why the person didn’t learn a lesson from the earlier experience. It felt like this character was bent on making mistakes. For the other, the problem was not in the character but in the writing. The sudden turnaround in the nature of this person was too abrupt to be believable.
⚠ You need to keep in mind that this was originally published as a 4-part series. The story hasn’t been rewritten to suit this combined version but the four parts are just brought together. Because of this, there's a little bit of repetition in every new part in terms of introducing certain characters or in recollecting events that happened in the earlier parts. This isn't a substantial problem but it does appear odd if you don't know the original nature of this story.
Overall though, my complaints are just minor areas of improvement. I loved the book for its simplicity and warmth, for the incorporation of the emporium and the town into the narrative, and for many of its believable characters. It was a cosy and heartwarming read and is sure to lighten your spirits. This was my first Holly Hepburn, and I am glad it has been such a wonderful experience.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for the ARC of “The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
Hope Henderson is not in a happy place. She lost her husband a couple of years ago to cancer. And now she has lost her job. To seek a fresh start, she has returned to York, the town where her family resides. While traversing the streets of York, she spots an advert about a part-time position in ‘The Ever After Emporium’, a local shop filled with a medley of antiques and curiosities from all over the world. She gets this job and begins to find her happy place in this new environment.
One day, an antique emerald ring is discovered hidden inside one of the knick-knacks. And thus begins a new adventure of trying to discover whom the ring belongs to. Helping Hope on this journey are Mr Young--the eccentric owner of the emporium, Will—the charming jewellery shop owner who is dealing with his own personal problems, and Ciaran—the equally charming professor of archaeology at the local university.
Will Hope find personal happiness? If yes, with whom? Will they discover the owner of the ring? Read and find out.
What I loved about the book:
👌 Let me begin with the obvious. The cover and the title. How could anyone not want to read a book with a picture as gorgeous as that and with that name!!!
👌 The Ever After Emporium and all the details about it. How I wish such a shop existed in my vicinity in real life! I would gladly spend hours there. I also found it beautifully ironic that Hope sought and found her ‘happily ever after” in a shop titled “Ever After”. This shop adds a quaint charm to the story.
👌 This is a feel-good book through and through. The story is heartwarming to a great extent, and most of the characters (barring two) are so well-written and layered. I don’t want to go too much into character details but Hope’s friend Iris, Hope’s sister Charlotte and Will’s niece Brodie top the charts of secondary characters. They are all amazingly sketched. As I am always biased towards children, four year old Brodie was a firm favourite of mine.
👌 There are many additional detailed bits in the story such as the belly dancing classes that Hope joins, or the Egyptian excavation of Tutankhamen’s tomb as described in their search for the owner of the ring. These are not just enjoyable but also add a further layer of interest to what would otherwise have been too straightforward a story. I am glad that I read Gill Paul's “The Collector's Daughter” last year. It helped a lot in recognising who Howard Carter was and what his role was in the Tutankhamen excavations. Knowing this background isn’t mandatory but it certainly helps.
👌 The way the personal struggles of two characters are written is true to life. You will strongly connect with them both in how they are coming to terms with their grief and how they want to move on but sometimes can’t.
👌 I loved how the book emphasizes not just on moving on but also on being kind to yourself. Such an important idea to remember!
👌 When there are two potential suitors as the romantic interest and both are quite appealing, it is but natural for you to swing in favour of one character. And when that character ends up “getting the girl”, nothing like it, eh? The guy I was rooting for ended up with Hope, so that’s a plus point in my book. 😉
👌 I’ve never seen York but looking at the way it is described in the book makes it sound like a wonderful place. I am sure those who know the town will enjoy the descriptions even more. I love it when a book makes excellent use of the location it is set in, and this book does that very well.
👌 Fact learnt from the book: There was an actual job title called “Groom of the Stool.” I was so sure that the author had made this up, but no! Google the term for some fun info. 😂
What I found ‘okayish’ about the book:
⚠ As with almost every book in this genre, it is predictable. This shouldn’t be strictly taken as a negative because this genre thrives on predictability and a HEA ending.
⚠ I mentioned above that two of the characters could have been sketched better. For one of them, I simply couldn’t understand why the person didn’t learn a lesson from the earlier experience. It felt like this character was bent on making mistakes. For the other, the problem was not in the character but in the writing. The sudden turnaround in the nature of this person was too abrupt to be believable.
⚠ You need to keep in mind that this was originally published as a 4-part series. The story hasn’t been rewritten to suit this combined version but the four parts are just brought together. Because of this, there's a little bit of repetition in every new part in terms of introducing certain characters or in recollecting events that happened in the earlier parts. This isn't a substantial problem but it does appear odd if you don't know the original nature of this story.
Overall though, my complaints are just minor areas of improvement. I loved the book for its simplicity and warmth, for the incorporation of the emporium and the town into the narrative, and for many of its believable characters. It was a cosy and heartwarming read and is sure to lighten your spirits. This was my first Holly Hepburn, and I am glad it has been such a wonderful experience.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for the ARC of “The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
January 3, 2022
What a wonderful way to have spent the first bank holiday Monday of the year, in between the pages of this marvellous new novel from Holly Hepburn.
Originally published in four parts, I've read the complete version and given one of the cliff hangers between the parts, I'd definitely recommend reading it all in one go!
There are some big storylines that have an arc over all the parts, one of which is the discovering just what is inside a secret box, and finding out all about the discovery, which both fascinated and also hooked me in completely.
There's also two potential men for Hope, one of which was always my forerunner, and one of them is guardian to his niece, who is rather adorable.
There's light relief with Hope's new hobby of Belly Dance classes, and I loved her new friend of Iris who is incredibly lively.
But it's the emporium that I fell in love with, a treasure trove of antiques which has always called to Hope, and she manages to get a part time job there. Seeing Hope grow in confidence and skill with this job is inspiring to see, just shows with a little luck and some hard work you can really make a go of anything, and Mr Young is a great employer.
The descriptions of the emporium, and what's inside really captured my imagination, and despite not being a huge fan of history, I definitely felt at home in this shop, and in addition to being rather keen to discover more about the secrets to be uncovered.
This is yet another fabulous book from Holly Hepburn that I devoured over a few hours, thoroughly enjoying each and every word. Another must read book from an author I happen to love.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Originally published in four parts, I've read the complete version and given one of the cliff hangers between the parts, I'd definitely recommend reading it all in one go!
There are some big storylines that have an arc over all the parts, one of which is the discovering just what is inside a secret box, and finding out all about the discovery, which both fascinated and also hooked me in completely.
There's also two potential men for Hope, one of which was always my forerunner, and one of them is guardian to his niece, who is rather adorable.
There's light relief with Hope's new hobby of Belly Dance classes, and I loved her new friend of Iris who is incredibly lively.
But it's the emporium that I fell in love with, a treasure trove of antiques which has always called to Hope, and she manages to get a part time job there. Seeing Hope grow in confidence and skill with this job is inspiring to see, just shows with a little luck and some hard work you can really make a go of anything, and Mr Young is a great employer.
The descriptions of the emporium, and what's inside really captured my imagination, and despite not being a huge fan of history, I definitely felt at home in this shop, and in addition to being rather keen to discover more about the secrets to be uncovered.
This is yet another fabulous book from Holly Hepburn that I devoured over a few hours, thoroughly enjoying each and every word. Another must read book from an author I happen to love.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
June 27, 2022
Girl falls for bad guy in disguise as a lecturer. And she is very gullible and stupid giving in to Kieran every single time until the end. She begins to like the nice guy only when someone else is interested in him. Eye roll.
January 31, 2022
A best friend to lover story set in the heart of York what is not to love? Will and Hope make the story from the start throw in Cirain and Alex to throw spanners in a little bit you have a full story. Along in many other fantastic characters such as Iris and Brodie. 4.5 stars
February 18, 2022
A nice gentle read that had an air of whimsical about it with the hidden treasures and an Egyptian mystery to solve. I didnt enjoy it as much as others Holly has written but this was still a pleasant story and I can't wait for another of Holly's books.
December 21, 2021
An easy, cosy read with added mystery. I loved the fact it was set in York, one of my favourite cities in the world.
Recommended if you're looking for un uplifting read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Recommended if you're looking for un uplifting read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
January 5, 2022When a friend read this book in two sittings I knew I needed to read it sharpish so I made it my next read. Safe to say, I’m glad I did as I really enjoyed this! I found myself getting swept away with Elenor’s story and wanting to know more about what happened in Egypt. So much so that I found myself watching a documentary all about Tutankhamen and the discovery of his tomb.
But anyway, not only did Holly get me interested in the past, she also drew me into the present day with Hope and her love interest (or interests…) First off we meet Will and Brodie and there seems an almost instant spark between them on, I could tell immediately that Brodie was going to be a character that stayed close to my heart.
I was all set for a lovely romance to blossom between Will and Hope but after a rare discovery she meets Professor McCormack and it seems her heart has been pulled in a different direction. At first I was swayed by his charm but then started getting a little niggling feeling in my gut that something wasn’t quite right…
As we get to spend more time with Hope we learn a bit more about her and the Ever After Emporium, especially the window displays that sound amazing! I was drawn into the shop and can just imagine walking past it in the street and having to go back for a ‘quick browse’ - I’m not sure I’d buy much but I’d love to spend some time just wandering around all of the hidden treasures and wondering what life they’d had.
York itself is such a magical city and this book has just increased my want to revisit at some point, especially Shambles Street!
But anyway, not only did Holly get me interested in the past, she also drew me into the present day with Hope and her love interest (or interests…) First off we meet Will and Brodie and there seems an almost instant spark between them on, I could tell immediately that Brodie was going to be a character that stayed close to my heart.
I was all set for a lovely romance to blossom between Will and Hope but after a rare discovery she meets Professor McCormack and it seems her heart has been pulled in a different direction. At first I was swayed by his charm but then started getting a little niggling feeling in my gut that something wasn’t quite right…
As we get to spend more time with Hope we learn a bit more about her and the Ever After Emporium, especially the window displays that sound amazing! I was drawn into the shop and can just imagine walking past it in the street and having to go back for a ‘quick browse’ - I’m not sure I’d buy much but I’d love to spend some time just wandering around all of the hidden treasures and wondering what life they’d had.
York itself is such a magical city and this book has just increased my want to revisit at some point, especially Shambles Street!
January 3, 2022
“I suppose they don’t always know what they’re looking for - browsing and discovering a hidden treasure that is half the fun.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hope returns to York to be nearer her family, after the tragic loss of her husband. While walking around the town, she finds herself drawn to the same shop she used to admire when she was a child. Fate had it that they were hiring, and Hope seemed to be exactly what Mr Young was looking for. Hope finds exactly what she needed in her life amongst the aisles of The Ever After Emporium.
Wow. This is the perfect lighthearted, feel-good, happy escapism read! It’s not your typical boy meets girl love story, which I was so happy about! This book was everything that I needed to start the new year with! The characters were incredibly portrayed, especially “Mr Sleezy” (no spoilers from me), but I definitely knew something was up when he had so-called lost his phone!
If you’re looking for a lighthearted, easy read to get yourself lost in, definitely give this a go!
Thank you to @simonschusteruk, @hollyh_author and @netgalley for providing me with a copy!
Pub date: 6th Jan 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hope returns to York to be nearer her family, after the tragic loss of her husband. While walking around the town, she finds herself drawn to the same shop she used to admire when she was a child. Fate had it that they were hiring, and Hope seemed to be exactly what Mr Young was looking for. Hope finds exactly what she needed in her life amongst the aisles of The Ever After Emporium.
Wow. This is the perfect lighthearted, feel-good, happy escapism read! It’s not your typical boy meets girl love story, which I was so happy about! This book was everything that I needed to start the new year with! The characters were incredibly portrayed, especially “Mr Sleezy” (no spoilers from me), but I definitely knew something was up when he had so-called lost his phone!
If you’re looking for a lighthearted, easy read to get yourself lost in, definitely give this a go!
Thank you to @simonschusteruk, @hollyh_author and @netgalley for providing me with a copy!
Pub date: 6th Jan 2022
November 21, 2022
2.5*
This was all 4 i read in the one book. 437pages.
I loved the sound of this when i read about it. The egyptian element was appealing! And the cover is nice.
However it sadly fell short for me. Hope was very naive and her character just wasnt very interesting. The whole 2 guy problem was dire to be fair. One of them was so terrible and hopes dealings with him just didnt pull me in. It felt it wasnt a good part of the story and i wasnt interested in it much at all.
The parts i did enjoy was the whole antique shop and its treasures! The egyptian element and story was great and i really liked that part within. Her friends were a good part. A few funny bits too.
An easy read that was a little fun but if it wasnt for the egyptian element i would have gave up on it.
This was all 4 i read in the one book. 437pages.
I loved the sound of this when i read about it. The egyptian element was appealing! And the cover is nice.
However it sadly fell short for me. Hope was very naive and her character just wasnt very interesting. The whole 2 guy problem was dire to be fair. One of them was so terrible and hopes dealings with him just didnt pull me in. It felt it wasnt a good part of the story and i wasnt interested in it much at all.
The parts i did enjoy was the whole antique shop and its treasures! The egyptian element and story was great and i really liked that part within. Her friends were a good part. A few funny bits too.
An easy read that was a little fun but if it wasnt for the egyptian element i would have gave up on it.
December 29, 2021
My full review of The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures can be found on the My Weekly website https://www.myweekly.co.uk/2021/12/28....
However, here I can say that The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures is an utterly charming, romantic read with added mystery and whole lot of uplifting warmth.
Do visit My Weekly to read my full review.
However, here I can say that The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures is an utterly charming, romantic read with added mystery and whole lot of uplifting warmth.
Do visit My Weekly to read my full review.
March 21, 2025
3,5 a 4 sterren. Enorm voorspelbaar maar alsnog een boek die ik moeilijk weg kon leggen vanwege het stukje mysterie en romantiek.
January 8, 2022
After the biggest reading slump I’ve ever known we entered a new year and I was determined to read a book from start to finish. My first read of 2022 was The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures by Simon & Schuster author, Holly Hepburn.
Where can I begin, I read it cover to cover over two days and what a belter - it was exactly what I needed to kick start the year and get me reading again! The story revolves around Hope and The Ever After Emporium, a shop that has intrigued and enchanted Hope since she was a small child.
Hope has moved to York from London to be nearer to her family. She was devastatingly widowed two years previously before being made redundant - she is lost and directionless, and as a reader she comes comes across as hollow and empty, I could feel her pain, and visualise her face and body language as clearly as if she was stood next to me. You could tell she really was just going through the motions, nodding in the right place to appease her family, who clearly mean well but don’t really get where she’s at.
When Hope finds herself outside The Ever After Emporium she’s instantly transported back to her childhood, remembering the times she gazed whilst-fully through the window as a child in at an Aladdin’s Cave of eclectic artefacts and treasures. As I read, I was transported to York - which is my most favourite City to visit by the way, to the Imaginarium a shop that is just exactly the same, an Aladdins Cave of interesting and different objects that you didn’t realise you needed in your life until you saw them in the shop. I can lose hours in that shop!
Hope found herself applying for a part-time job that was advertised on a card in the window, thinking it would be perfect whilst she got her life back on track, although she did talk herself out of it thinking herself not suitable at one point, before suddenly we find she’s in the shop talking with the owner Mr Young and the next thing employed. She hoped her family would see this as a positive step forward in rebuilding her life.
The story centres around a spectacular piece of treasure that has been hidden for 90 years and is discovered by Brodie, the small niece of Will, a local jeweller. Brodie also loves to visit the store and is as mesmerised by the contents as Holly was and she absolutely melted my heart!
Holly is tasked by her new employer with uncovering the history and true ownership of the treasure Brodie found. As a reader, I virtually packed my bags and joined Hope on a romantic journey of discovery as we were transported between Egypt and York. The past and present colliding as we pieced together a jigsaw that did more than pull at my heart strings. A story that was desperate, sad yet hopeful and alive - I just loved it and was totally absorbed. Hope was able to distract herself from her own situation because she was so engrossed in solving the mystery - it came at a time that was exactly right for her and at the same time she started to make some new friends in the other shopkeepers too. It really was just lovely to see her filling out, moving beyond her initial empty shell like state, growing in confidence and stature and finding herself caught up in romance by not one but two very different men.
This story demonstrates how at certain times in our life, when we’re dealt a poor hand we have a choice. sink or swim, usually your gut instinct is the right one and that it’s ok to accept support and friendship whilst you pick yourself up but should then be given the space to make your own decisions. As in this book, time, quiet and space will usually allow for balanced decisions - none of us benefit from being told what to do. I felt an emotional attachment to Hope and rooted for her throughout, her voice wasn’t loud enough to fight for her self at times, drowned out by the white noise around her but she is a strong character and I willed her to take back control which she does with panache.
An absolutely wonderful read, that is uplifting, heart warming and hopeful. The hurt, intrigue and romance is heartfelt, the friendships strong and watching Hope emerge and fly like a butterfly was just lovely.
Where can I begin, I read it cover to cover over two days and what a belter - it was exactly what I needed to kick start the year and get me reading again! The story revolves around Hope and The Ever After Emporium, a shop that has intrigued and enchanted Hope since she was a small child.
Hope has moved to York from London to be nearer to her family. She was devastatingly widowed two years previously before being made redundant - she is lost and directionless, and as a reader she comes comes across as hollow and empty, I could feel her pain, and visualise her face and body language as clearly as if she was stood next to me. You could tell she really was just going through the motions, nodding in the right place to appease her family, who clearly mean well but don’t really get where she’s at.
When Hope finds herself outside The Ever After Emporium she’s instantly transported back to her childhood, remembering the times she gazed whilst-fully through the window as a child in at an Aladdin’s Cave of eclectic artefacts and treasures. As I read, I was transported to York - which is my most favourite City to visit by the way, to the Imaginarium a shop that is just exactly the same, an Aladdins Cave of interesting and different objects that you didn’t realise you needed in your life until you saw them in the shop. I can lose hours in that shop!
Hope found herself applying for a part-time job that was advertised on a card in the window, thinking it would be perfect whilst she got her life back on track, although she did talk herself out of it thinking herself not suitable at one point, before suddenly we find she’s in the shop talking with the owner Mr Young and the next thing employed. She hoped her family would see this as a positive step forward in rebuilding her life.
The story centres around a spectacular piece of treasure that has been hidden for 90 years and is discovered by Brodie, the small niece of Will, a local jeweller. Brodie also loves to visit the store and is as mesmerised by the contents as Holly was and she absolutely melted my heart!
Holly is tasked by her new employer with uncovering the history and true ownership of the treasure Brodie found. As a reader, I virtually packed my bags and joined Hope on a romantic journey of discovery as we were transported between Egypt and York. The past and present colliding as we pieced together a jigsaw that did more than pull at my heart strings. A story that was desperate, sad yet hopeful and alive - I just loved it and was totally absorbed. Hope was able to distract herself from her own situation because she was so engrossed in solving the mystery - it came at a time that was exactly right for her and at the same time she started to make some new friends in the other shopkeepers too. It really was just lovely to see her filling out, moving beyond her initial empty shell like state, growing in confidence and stature and finding herself caught up in romance by not one but two very different men.
This story demonstrates how at certain times in our life, when we’re dealt a poor hand we have a choice. sink or swim, usually your gut instinct is the right one and that it’s ok to accept support and friendship whilst you pick yourself up but should then be given the space to make your own decisions. As in this book, time, quiet and space will usually allow for balanced decisions - none of us benefit from being told what to do. I felt an emotional attachment to Hope and rooted for her throughout, her voice wasn’t loud enough to fight for her self at times, drowned out by the white noise around her but she is a strong character and I willed her to take back control which she does with panache.
An absolutely wonderful read, that is uplifting, heart warming and hopeful. The hurt, intrigue and romance is heartfelt, the friendships strong and watching Hope emerge and fly like a butterfly was just lovely.
January 3, 2022
The book was initially published in four parts and you can see this clearly, as the same information was often repeated and well, it was too much.
I would love to see Elenor's complete story, to be honest - the short updates we got on her life were thrilling and exciting and I like such sassy heroines, so when the author would like to try herself in historical fiction, I'm already here, waiting :)
The characters were utterly brilliant, sometimes annoying, sometimes making me feel desperate for them, sometimes a bit too unrealistic, all with flaws, problems and hopes. The more I got to know Hope, the more I liked her, her one - liners and sense of humour were brilliant and I loved seeing her coming out of her shell. The setting in York with all the lovely descriptions couldn't be more perfect and also the fact that it was set over a year, giving us a chance to glimpse at different seasons was a brilliant idea.
The author also touches upon soe more serious issues and I truly admired how she deals with grief in this book, showing us through two different characters how individual it is and how it also affects those close to you. It was emotional, it felt genuine and standing ovation to Miss Hepburn for capturing it like this.
I wouldn't say that the book was amazing, but I still think it deserves those 5 stars - I absolutely enjoyed it, even though you could immediately secon - guess how it's going to end and what's going to happen. But - so what? It was absorbing, interesting, funny and poignant, it ticked all the right boxes and it simply felt so warm and full of heart - I really don't need more! It was truly a charming read with a little mystery at the heart, uplifting and feel - good.
I would love to see Elenor's complete story, to be honest - the short updates we got on her life were thrilling and exciting and I like such sassy heroines, so when the author would like to try herself in historical fiction, I'm already here, waiting :)
The characters were utterly brilliant, sometimes annoying, sometimes making me feel desperate for them, sometimes a bit too unrealistic, all with flaws, problems and hopes. The more I got to know Hope, the more I liked her, her one - liners and sense of humour were brilliant and I loved seeing her coming out of her shell. The setting in York with all the lovely descriptions couldn't be more perfect and also the fact that it was set over a year, giving us a chance to glimpse at different seasons was a brilliant idea.
The author also touches upon soe more serious issues and I truly admired how she deals with grief in this book, showing us through two different characters how individual it is and how it also affects those close to you. It was emotional, it felt genuine and standing ovation to Miss Hepburn for capturing it like this.
I wouldn't say that the book was amazing, but I still think it deserves those 5 stars - I absolutely enjoyed it, even though you could immediately secon - guess how it's going to end and what's going to happen. But - so what? It was absorbing, interesting, funny and poignant, it ticked all the right boxes and it simply felt so warm and full of heart - I really don't need more! It was truly a charming read with a little mystery at the heart, uplifting and feel - good.
September 8, 2023
well this was the perfect cute read to listen as I'm in the midst of organizing a big event.
May 24, 2025
A lovely story, awful writing 🤣
January 4, 2023
A lovely enjoyable read.
March 7, 2022
This magical book swept me away to York. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the Egyptian artefacts discovered too.
April 21, 2022
A nice little story which is very easy to read. It is set in four parts, so the story is outlined in each section. A little bit predictable but overall a relaxing read.
February 4, 2022
I did not know that this book was first written in four parts. I wish it was not so obvious. I loved the book and would have rated it even better if it was not as painfully evident that it is a combination of four books.
I may be iterating it once too many times, but imagine the feeling when you are going into the emotional headspace of a character learning something about herself/growing and suddenly having to hear a summary for more than a few pages of everything that has happened till date, something that you just read through. It would not have taken much editing to remove that section from the narrative. Mine was an ARC, so maybe the final copy will not have that issue (I sincerely hope so).
The volume of my protests is higher only because I was able to feel the people's emotions in the story. They were all well done and had very individual presences with varying involvement in the central plot.
Coming back to the story, Hope is our leading lady. She is a widow adrift without knowing exactly where to focus her energies and how to move on with her life. Hope chances upon an antique shop filled to the brim with unique items that she admired even as a child. After starting to work at the shop, a surprising revelation leads her down new paths, both personal and professional. A lot happens in the pages, bonds formed and broken, events celebrated, and new skills gained. The writing flowed (apart from my previously mentioned grumble, although, to be fair, it was very smoothly presented), and I read it in almost one sitting. I would definitely pick up another book by this author.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
I may be iterating it once too many times, but imagine the feeling when you are going into the emotional headspace of a character learning something about herself/growing and suddenly having to hear a summary for more than a few pages of everything that has happened till date, something that you just read through. It would not have taken much editing to remove that section from the narrative. Mine was an ARC, so maybe the final copy will not have that issue (I sincerely hope so).
The volume of my protests is higher only because I was able to feel the people's emotions in the story. They were all well done and had very individual presences with varying involvement in the central plot.
Coming back to the story, Hope is our leading lady. She is a widow adrift without knowing exactly where to focus her energies and how to move on with her life. Hope chances upon an antique shop filled to the brim with unique items that she admired even as a child. After starting to work at the shop, a surprising revelation leads her down new paths, both personal and professional. A lot happens in the pages, bonds formed and broken, events celebrated, and new skills gained. The writing flowed (apart from my previously mentioned grumble, although, to be fair, it was very smoothly presented), and I read it in almost one sitting. I would definitely pick up another book by this author.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
January 7, 2022
Thank you to #NetGalley and #SimonAndSchusterUk for a digital arc of The Little Shop Of Hidden Treasures by Holly Hepburn.
This book was originally published in four parts, but has now been released as a whole novel.
There is something very familiar about a Holly Hepburn book, it’s like snuggling in with your favourite fluffy blanket.
Following the death of her husband, Hope packs her bags and moves back to York to be near her family.
Once there, she secures a job in the antique shop that she has always loved.
There are two potential love interests for Hope. Will and Ciaran are very different men, who’s lives are on very different paths. They both have their charms, but who, if either will win Hope’s heart?
There is humour in Hope’s new hobby… belly dancing and her new friend Iris is bright and funny.
Add in some mystery in the form of an Egyptian antique and you get yourself an utterly charming read.
A beautiful story that will warm your heart and fill you with the feel good factor.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 22, 2022
A lovely easy read, originally published in 4 parts, I was glad that it was brought together into one story.
This story is about Holly, who returns to her home of York after the death of her husband. Two years have passed, and still out of work, she spots an advert for a part time job in an antique shop, a shop which she loved as a child.
It is whilst she is working at the shop that she makes friends with a local florist, Iris, who encourages Holly to join her at belly dancing classes. She also makes friends with Will, a local jeweller who has had his own share of loss after the death of his brother and his wife., leaving Will to take care of his niece Brodie who hasn’t talked since the fatal accident.
When playing with a puzzle box, Brodie discovers a ring and a letter, Holly is fascinated about the story behind it.
The story deals very gently with the subject of death, and also infidelity, the courage needed in making a fresh start and facing fears.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
This story is about Holly, who returns to her home of York after the death of her husband. Two years have passed, and still out of work, she spots an advert for a part time job in an antique shop, a shop which she loved as a child.
It is whilst she is working at the shop that she makes friends with a local florist, Iris, who encourages Holly to join her at belly dancing classes. She also makes friends with Will, a local jeweller who has had his own share of loss after the death of his brother and his wife., leaving Will to take care of his niece Brodie who hasn’t talked since the fatal accident.
When playing with a puzzle box, Brodie discovers a ring and a letter, Holly is fascinated about the story behind it.
The story deals very gently with the subject of death, and also infidelity, the courage needed in making a fresh start and facing fears.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
December 21, 2021
An easy, cosy read with added mystery. I loved the fact it was set in York, one of my favourite cities in the world.
Recommended if you're looking for un uplifting read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Recommended if you're looking for un uplifting read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2024
nett, wie erwartet kein großes Drama, kein großer Spannungsbogen... einfach nett
January 21, 2022
The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures by Holly Hepburn popped through my letter box one Friday and I had it finished by the Sunday and I can safely say, given my up and down reading mojo over recent months, that this is a very rare occurrence. I can leave books on my TBR pile for months and months and then simply forget about them. But I knew as soon as I saw this book with such a beautiful, warm and inviting cover that I needed to read it instantly and boy was I glad as this was just the most perfect read that I literally inhaled.
I found myself over 200 pages in before I knew it and really I read it way too fast and was gutted when it ended. I should have held back and savoured it a bit more but I couldn’t as I was so deeply invested in this story and it was like the author had woven some magic to keep the book firmly in your hands and rapidly turning the pages. It’s an utterly fabulous book that is captivating, sparkling and certainly a must read. A gorgeous story awaits you at the heart of this book with the trauma of dealing with grief, romance and the added bonus of a mystery/delving back into the past at it’s centre not to mention the wonderfully crafted characters. This book had it all and much more.
Originally published in four parts this is now this story combined into one full length book and to be honest I don’t think I would have had the patience to read one part at a time because I was so eager to discover what happened next. I admire those who had the restraint to read this fantastic story bit by bit. Hope Henderson is back home in York after nearly a decade away. It’s 18 months since she has lost her husband Rob and her family are full of love and concern for her. Hope is still very much in the grieving process and has an aching loss that permeates so many aspects of her life. Selling her house in London and returning to the familiar and comforting streets of York she hopes to find a little bit of herself again in order to take tentative steps forward with her unexpected and unwanted new life. But deep down she really doesn’t want to move on and to leave Rob behind. She still can’t comprehend life without him.
I really felt the author put such great care and attention into portraying how Holly was feeling. We can all relate to what she was going through. It wasn’t glossed over nor was there ever a point where you felt ah come on now Hope give yourself a shake and just get on with things. You sensed she needed time and perhaps the magic of a little shop and some new acquaintances to help start her on the path to recovery and acceptance. This quote describing grief was so beautiful and raw. ’Grief affects us all differently - sometimes we think we are coming through it - only to find another layer underneath. Maybe one day, we finish opening all the layers and find a new version of ourselves waiting-smaller than we were, sadder, but ready to face life again’. I thought it was simply astounding and oh so true. It made me stop in my tracks and think how I myself have dealt with grief.
Hope wants to get away from who she was before and try something new.Walking the streets of York, The Ever After Emporium catches her eye as it has done since she was a young child. The shop owned by James Young is an absolute treasure trove of delights. The descriptions of its layout and the contents within were just pure magical and so visual that you felt that you could reach through the pages and touch the many varied objects with so much history for yourself. Hope applies for the position of part-time assistant and is successful and so sets in motion a new chapter of her life that will bring plenty of surprises and challenges but as we journey with her we see her undergo a transformation and in doing so she helps others too come to a point they have needed to reach.
Hope really has a way with her of bringing people out of their shell, of seeing underneath the exterior to deep down and learning what makes people tick. She can read people well it’s just a pity she can’t see that she is a good person who deserves to not always cling to the past and allow grief to leave her marked forever. Yes, she should never forget Rob but she does deserve to be happy. She needs to actually start living for her self instead of just making it through each day. I think we all do a lot of that whether we have been affected by grief or not especially given the current climate. You feel it an achievement just to make it through another day, mark it off on the calendar and move onto the next but are we really living and enjoying ourselves?
The Emporium becomes a steadying presence for Hope. She starts to feel as if this is where she was meant to be. The place and time are right, she feels happy to be part of a team and connected to something worthwhile and gratifying and I thought she struck a lovely genuine friendship with James who become almost like a father figure, confidante and expert advice giver. Iris, who runs the florist across the road, also became a firm friend and confidante and she was a fabulous character. She was forthright and bold, always on the go and would lay her life down for those in need no questions asked. But it’s only when Will Silverwood who runs a jewellery shop and his niece Brodie are introduced that the wheels are set in motion which launch the mystery aspect of the book and in doing so the romantic element comes into play too. Hope is certainly taken on an emotional rollercoaster delving into the past that’s for sure.
Poor Will was struggling but always doing his best for Brodie who has not spoken since the death of her parents in a car accident. There is an instant sexual chemistry between Will and Hope when they first meet in the emporium but you could sense that Hope would battle against any feelings she felt she didn’t deserve to experience. When Brodie picks out a puzzle box that had come from a house clearance to look at it, she cleverly solves the way of opening the box which no one had been able to do up until this point. The contents within are a scarab ring from Egypt and a letter from the 1920’s detailing how a woman is returning an engagement ring.
I love history and my interest was piqued even more than it had already been by this point and I loved how Hope took it upon herself, almost like a personal mission, to discover who the ring belonged to and what were the actual circumstances surrounding the letter and the return of the ring? I thoroughly enjoyed how the past was expertly woven into this very much modern day story. It was like I was taken on two separate adventures but they joined together as one in the most satisfying of ways. In her quest to uncover more about the ring, Hope meets Ciaran McCormack, professor of Egyptology at York University.
Instantly, Ciaran stood out as being a gorgeous Irish man full of charm, a rock god who also loved academics and he quickly become more than just interested in the ring. He is smart, knowledgeable and attractive and at some points he just became that bit too much to be true. I felt Hope was cast under a spell by him and I wanted to shout at her there perhaps could be someone else in the wings that would serve and appreciate you much better.
Will experiences the same loneliness and grief that Hope does and as she establishes a real connection Brodie I desperately wanted things to sway from the direction they were venturing in. It was almost like Hope became so caught up in the story behind the ring as more and more comes to light. I won’t say anymore regarding the story of the ring. Suffice to say it was fascinating, gripping and heart-breaking but at the same time it taught Hope some important life lessons that when the wool was pulled from around her eyes it helped her see things more clearly and digest what she had been going through since Rob had passed away.
There are countless twists and turns in this brilliant story and I definitely think it’s Holly Hepburn’s best book to date. Not one fault could I find with it and the fact I read it so fast and didn’t leave it on the back burner is a mark of just how good it is. I enjoyed every minute journeying with Holly in her quest to solve the mystery behind the ring but at the same time this is a story of Holly finding true, good and long lasting friends, happiness, fulfilment, love, new talents, a passion for her work and a place she truly belonged. The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures is a wonderfully woven tale and the perfect slice of escapism that I am still sad that it had to end. Please Holly Hepburn and write something new that I can lose myself in as I loved this book from the first word to the very last.
I found myself over 200 pages in before I knew it and really I read it way too fast and was gutted when it ended. I should have held back and savoured it a bit more but I couldn’t as I was so deeply invested in this story and it was like the author had woven some magic to keep the book firmly in your hands and rapidly turning the pages. It’s an utterly fabulous book that is captivating, sparkling and certainly a must read. A gorgeous story awaits you at the heart of this book with the trauma of dealing with grief, romance and the added bonus of a mystery/delving back into the past at it’s centre not to mention the wonderfully crafted characters. This book had it all and much more.
Originally published in four parts this is now this story combined into one full length book and to be honest I don’t think I would have had the patience to read one part at a time because I was so eager to discover what happened next. I admire those who had the restraint to read this fantastic story bit by bit. Hope Henderson is back home in York after nearly a decade away. It’s 18 months since she has lost her husband Rob and her family are full of love and concern for her. Hope is still very much in the grieving process and has an aching loss that permeates so many aspects of her life. Selling her house in London and returning to the familiar and comforting streets of York she hopes to find a little bit of herself again in order to take tentative steps forward with her unexpected and unwanted new life. But deep down she really doesn’t want to move on and to leave Rob behind. She still can’t comprehend life without him.
I really felt the author put such great care and attention into portraying how Holly was feeling. We can all relate to what she was going through. It wasn’t glossed over nor was there ever a point where you felt ah come on now Hope give yourself a shake and just get on with things. You sensed she needed time and perhaps the magic of a little shop and some new acquaintances to help start her on the path to recovery and acceptance. This quote describing grief was so beautiful and raw. ’Grief affects us all differently - sometimes we think we are coming through it - only to find another layer underneath. Maybe one day, we finish opening all the layers and find a new version of ourselves waiting-smaller than we were, sadder, but ready to face life again’. I thought it was simply astounding and oh so true. It made me stop in my tracks and think how I myself have dealt with grief.
Hope wants to get away from who she was before and try something new.Walking the streets of York, The Ever After Emporium catches her eye as it has done since she was a young child. The shop owned by James Young is an absolute treasure trove of delights. The descriptions of its layout and the contents within were just pure magical and so visual that you felt that you could reach through the pages and touch the many varied objects with so much history for yourself. Hope applies for the position of part-time assistant and is successful and so sets in motion a new chapter of her life that will bring plenty of surprises and challenges but as we journey with her we see her undergo a transformation and in doing so she helps others too come to a point they have needed to reach.
Hope really has a way with her of bringing people out of their shell, of seeing underneath the exterior to deep down and learning what makes people tick. She can read people well it’s just a pity she can’t see that she is a good person who deserves to not always cling to the past and allow grief to leave her marked forever. Yes, she should never forget Rob but she does deserve to be happy. She needs to actually start living for her self instead of just making it through each day. I think we all do a lot of that whether we have been affected by grief or not especially given the current climate. You feel it an achievement just to make it through another day, mark it off on the calendar and move onto the next but are we really living and enjoying ourselves?
The Emporium becomes a steadying presence for Hope. She starts to feel as if this is where she was meant to be. The place and time are right, she feels happy to be part of a team and connected to something worthwhile and gratifying and I thought she struck a lovely genuine friendship with James who become almost like a father figure, confidante and expert advice giver. Iris, who runs the florist across the road, also became a firm friend and confidante and she was a fabulous character. She was forthright and bold, always on the go and would lay her life down for those in need no questions asked. But it’s only when Will Silverwood who runs a jewellery shop and his niece Brodie are introduced that the wheels are set in motion which launch the mystery aspect of the book and in doing so the romantic element comes into play too. Hope is certainly taken on an emotional rollercoaster delving into the past that’s for sure.
Poor Will was struggling but always doing his best for Brodie who has not spoken since the death of her parents in a car accident. There is an instant sexual chemistry between Will and Hope when they first meet in the emporium but you could sense that Hope would battle against any feelings she felt she didn’t deserve to experience. When Brodie picks out a puzzle box that had come from a house clearance to look at it, she cleverly solves the way of opening the box which no one had been able to do up until this point. The contents within are a scarab ring from Egypt and a letter from the 1920’s detailing how a woman is returning an engagement ring.
I love history and my interest was piqued even more than it had already been by this point and I loved how Hope took it upon herself, almost like a personal mission, to discover who the ring belonged to and what were the actual circumstances surrounding the letter and the return of the ring? I thoroughly enjoyed how the past was expertly woven into this very much modern day story. It was like I was taken on two separate adventures but they joined together as one in the most satisfying of ways. In her quest to uncover more about the ring, Hope meets Ciaran McCormack, professor of Egyptology at York University.
Instantly, Ciaran stood out as being a gorgeous Irish man full of charm, a rock god who also loved academics and he quickly become more than just interested in the ring. He is smart, knowledgeable and attractive and at some points he just became that bit too much to be true. I felt Hope was cast under a spell by him and I wanted to shout at her there perhaps could be someone else in the wings that would serve and appreciate you much better.
Will experiences the same loneliness and grief that Hope does and as she establishes a real connection Brodie I desperately wanted things to sway from the direction they were venturing in. It was almost like Hope became so caught up in the story behind the ring as more and more comes to light. I won’t say anymore regarding the story of the ring. Suffice to say it was fascinating, gripping and heart-breaking but at the same time it taught Hope some important life lessons that when the wool was pulled from around her eyes it helped her see things more clearly and digest what she had been going through since Rob had passed away.
There are countless twists and turns in this brilliant story and I definitely think it’s Holly Hepburn’s best book to date. Not one fault could I find with it and the fact I read it so fast and didn’t leave it on the back burner is a mark of just how good it is. I enjoyed every minute journeying with Holly in her quest to solve the mystery behind the ring but at the same time this is a story of Holly finding true, good and long lasting friends, happiness, fulfilment, love, new talents, a passion for her work and a place she truly belonged. The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures is a wonderfully woven tale and the perfect slice of escapism that I am still sad that it had to end. Please Holly Hepburn and write something new that I can lose myself in as I loved this book from the first word to the very last.
October 23, 2023
Rezension
Buchname: Große Liebe im kleinen Trödelladen: Roman
Autor: Holly Hepburn
Seiten: 528 (Print)
Fromat: als Print, Hörbuch und Ebook erhältlich
Verlag: Penguin Verlag; Deutsche Erstausgabe Edition (27. September 2023)
Sterne:
Cover:
Das Cover ist richtig schön gestaltet worden. Der Buchtitel steht in hellen bzw gelbfarbenen Buchstaben im oberen Bereich. Man kann eine verschneite Straße mit Geschäften erkennen. Auf dem ersten Blick ist das schon mal sehr ansprechend.
Klappentext: (aus Amazon übernommen)
Ein kleiner Trödelladen voller kunterbunter Schätze, ein lang gehegter Traum und ein Städtchen zum Verlieben ...
Nach einem Schicksalsschlag zieht es Hope zurück in ihr Heimatstädtchen, ins verträumte York mit seinen hübschen kleinen Gassen und den windschiefen Fachwerkhäusern. Am Schaufenster des kleinen Trödelladens hat sie sich schon als Kind die Nase platt gedrückt, um das kunterbunte Sammelsurium an Kostbarkeiten zu bestaunen. Dass sie ausgerechnet dort einen Job ergattert, scheint wie ein Wink des Schicksals. Doch Hopes liebenswerte, aber auch ein bisschen schrullige Familie hat ihre ganz eigenen Vorstellungen davon, was das Beste für sie ist. Vor allem, als Hope zwei ganz unterschiedliche Männer kennen lernt: Den sanftmütigen Will, der sich liebevoll um seine verwaiste kleine Nichte kümmert. Und den gut aussehenden Archäologieprofessor Ciaran, der gemeinsam mit Hope das Geheimnis um ein rätselhaftes Schmuckstück lösen will …
Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist total flüssig, liest sich super und ist sehr leicht verständlich.
Charaktere:
Die Hauptprotagonistin ist Hope
Der Hauptprotagonist ist Will und Ciaran
Ich fande alle Charaktere von Anfang an total sympathisch und liebenswert. Des weiteren gibt es noch ein paar andere Charaktere. . Meiner Meinung nach sind alle Charakter sehr gelungen und haben einen sehr guten Platz im Buch bekommen.
Meinung:
!!!! Achtung !!! Könnte Spoiler erhalten!!!
Mir hat „Große Liebe im kleinen Trödelladen“ von Holly Hepburn recht gut gefallen. In diesem Buch geht es um Hope, die nach einem Schicksalsschlag zurück in ihre Heimat York geht. Dort entdeckt sie den kleinen Trödelladen, an dem sie ihre Nase plattdrückt und vor lauter Staunen nicht mehr klar kommt. So war es schon immer. Es ist wirklich ein Zufall, dass sie jetzt im dem kleinen Trödelladen arbeiten darf, obwohl ihre Familie etwas ganz anderes will. Als sie auch noch zwei Männer kennen lernt, die unterschiedlicher echt nicht mehr sein können. Zu einem gibt es Will, der sich um seine verwaiste Nichte kümmert und Ciaran der ein Archäologieprofessor ist und mit Hope das Geheimnis eines Schmuckstücks lösen möchte. Ich fande es unheimlich spannend zu lesen, was Hope alles erlebt und wie es ausgegangen ist. Aber Achtung, das Cover führt leicht in die Irre, denn das Buch spielt eigentlich im Sommer und nicht im Winter!!!! Für ich persönlich ist es das schwächste Buch der Autorin.. Ihre anderen Bücher konnten mich mehr berühren. Nichtsdestotrotz hatte ich Spaß beim Lesen und beim Mitfiebern, was es mit der Geschichte des Schmuckstück auf sich hat.. Deshalb bekommt „Große Liebe im kleinen Trödelladen“ von mir auch 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Fazit:
Ein Buch über Trauer, Neuanfang, Liebe und Freundschaft
Buchname: Große Liebe im kleinen Trödelladen: Roman
Autor: Holly Hepburn
Seiten: 528 (Print)
Fromat: als Print, Hörbuch und Ebook erhältlich
Verlag: Penguin Verlag; Deutsche Erstausgabe Edition (27. September 2023)
Sterne:
Cover:
Das Cover ist richtig schön gestaltet worden. Der Buchtitel steht in hellen bzw gelbfarbenen Buchstaben im oberen Bereich. Man kann eine verschneite Straße mit Geschäften erkennen. Auf dem ersten Blick ist das schon mal sehr ansprechend.
Klappentext: (aus Amazon übernommen)
Ein kleiner Trödelladen voller kunterbunter Schätze, ein lang gehegter Traum und ein Städtchen zum Verlieben ...
Nach einem Schicksalsschlag zieht es Hope zurück in ihr Heimatstädtchen, ins verträumte York mit seinen hübschen kleinen Gassen und den windschiefen Fachwerkhäusern. Am Schaufenster des kleinen Trödelladens hat sie sich schon als Kind die Nase platt gedrückt, um das kunterbunte Sammelsurium an Kostbarkeiten zu bestaunen. Dass sie ausgerechnet dort einen Job ergattert, scheint wie ein Wink des Schicksals. Doch Hopes liebenswerte, aber auch ein bisschen schrullige Familie hat ihre ganz eigenen Vorstellungen davon, was das Beste für sie ist. Vor allem, als Hope zwei ganz unterschiedliche Männer kennen lernt: Den sanftmütigen Will, der sich liebevoll um seine verwaiste kleine Nichte kümmert. Und den gut aussehenden Archäologieprofessor Ciaran, der gemeinsam mit Hope das Geheimnis um ein rätselhaftes Schmuckstück lösen will …
Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist total flüssig, liest sich super und ist sehr leicht verständlich.
Charaktere:
Die Hauptprotagonistin ist Hope
Der Hauptprotagonist ist Will und Ciaran
Ich fande alle Charaktere von Anfang an total sympathisch und liebenswert. Des weiteren gibt es noch ein paar andere Charaktere. . Meiner Meinung nach sind alle Charakter sehr gelungen und haben einen sehr guten Platz im Buch bekommen.
Meinung:
!!!! Achtung !!! Könnte Spoiler erhalten!!!
Mir hat „Große Liebe im kleinen Trödelladen“ von Holly Hepburn recht gut gefallen. In diesem Buch geht es um Hope, die nach einem Schicksalsschlag zurück in ihre Heimat York geht. Dort entdeckt sie den kleinen Trödelladen, an dem sie ihre Nase plattdrückt und vor lauter Staunen nicht mehr klar kommt. So war es schon immer. Es ist wirklich ein Zufall, dass sie jetzt im dem kleinen Trödelladen arbeiten darf, obwohl ihre Familie etwas ganz anderes will. Als sie auch noch zwei Männer kennen lernt, die unterschiedlicher echt nicht mehr sein können. Zu einem gibt es Will, der sich um seine verwaiste Nichte kümmert und Ciaran der ein Archäologieprofessor ist und mit Hope das Geheimnis eines Schmuckstücks lösen möchte. Ich fande es unheimlich spannend zu lesen, was Hope alles erlebt und wie es ausgegangen ist. Aber Achtung, das Cover führt leicht in die Irre, denn das Buch spielt eigentlich im Sommer und nicht im Winter!!!! Für ich persönlich ist es das schwächste Buch der Autorin.. Ihre anderen Bücher konnten mich mehr berühren. Nichtsdestotrotz hatte ich Spaß beim Lesen und beim Mitfiebern, was es mit der Geschichte des Schmuckstück auf sich hat.. Deshalb bekommt „Große Liebe im kleinen Trödelladen“ von mir auch 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Fazit:
Ein Buch über Trauer, Neuanfang, Liebe und Freundschaft
September 5, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review #thelittleshopofhiddentreasures #netgalley
Hope Henderson has moved back to York and knows she must find a job. One day she walks into the emporium after noticing their advertisement and is practically offered the job their and then. This is when the adventure really starts! After a handsome customer and his niece crack the puzzle box code they find a very expensive emerald ring. Mr Young the shop owner sets Hope up with her first task to find out the story behind the ring! Will she find her own love story In the process or will it all end in dust?
After reading "The star and sixpence." love any Holly Hepburn books so always try and read them if I can.
Although this book is a light hearted read. Their are some emotional subjects included such as road traffic fatalities, anxiety, selective mutism, illness including cancer amongst more. However this does not take away from the romantic feel but gives each character their extra tragedies to overcome and it really helps to illustrate character growth.
The concept of the story is great and it provides many tears, laughs and thoughts particularly about your own life journey. It is a mixture of rom com as well as historical fiction with a bit of mystery mixed in but done in a very suspenseful and enjoyable way. It opens up passageways for the most unlikely friendships to occur through mutual understanding of a historical artifact. As well as showing that sometimes people are lonely but due to circumstances cannot and will not say anything. Therefore taking them under your wing and understanding their reluctance helps to crack the hard exterior.
Furthermore rather than the Hope starting in a relationship which ends and then moving to find new romance. She actually starts dating a new character within the first quarter of the page and I think this was a nifty way of throwing traditional novel ideas into 21st century life.
However I found the book to be repetitive in parts. At many times through the book it would recap something which would have worked really well if this was a sequel or series. However it was recapping and reexplaining what had happened at the beginning of the novel. Something the reader would have definitely read so didn't need to be their.
Furthermore some parts of the story you were waiting for more. Particularly Hope's break up with Professor McCormack. She was told something huge and devastating about their relationship and then the reader doesn't hear any discussions between them or her feelings, which their would have been some considering its her first relationship after her loves death, until near the end.
I found this book very hard to rate. What was given to the reader was solid and the book built a beautiful story. With great and unexpected turns right until the last page. I loved the historical aspect and understanding Eleanor's story. However there remained parts, in the first half particularly, where the reader is left wanting more reaction to situations with a repition coming through at the same time. Therefore I feel this book is a 3.5 Stars out of 5. As opposed to a solid amount stars.
Hope Henderson has moved back to York and knows she must find a job. One day she walks into the emporium after noticing their advertisement and is practically offered the job their and then. This is when the adventure really starts! After a handsome customer and his niece crack the puzzle box code they find a very expensive emerald ring. Mr Young the shop owner sets Hope up with her first task to find out the story behind the ring! Will she find her own love story In the process or will it all end in dust?
After reading "The star and sixpence." love any Holly Hepburn books so always try and read them if I can.
Although this book is a light hearted read. Their are some emotional subjects included such as road traffic fatalities, anxiety, selective mutism, illness including cancer amongst more. However this does not take away from the romantic feel but gives each character their extra tragedies to overcome and it really helps to illustrate character growth.
The concept of the story is great and it provides many tears, laughs and thoughts particularly about your own life journey. It is a mixture of rom com as well as historical fiction with a bit of mystery mixed in but done in a very suspenseful and enjoyable way. It opens up passageways for the most unlikely friendships to occur through mutual understanding of a historical artifact. As well as showing that sometimes people are lonely but due to circumstances cannot and will not say anything. Therefore taking them under your wing and understanding their reluctance helps to crack the hard exterior.
Furthermore rather than the Hope starting in a relationship which ends and then moving to find new romance. She actually starts dating a new character within the first quarter of the page and I think this was a nifty way of throwing traditional novel ideas into 21st century life.
However I found the book to be repetitive in parts. At many times through the book it would recap something which would have worked really well if this was a sequel or series. However it was recapping and reexplaining what had happened at the beginning of the novel. Something the reader would have definitely read so didn't need to be their.
Furthermore some parts of the story you were waiting for more. Particularly Hope's break up with Professor McCormack. She was told something huge and devastating about their relationship and then the reader doesn't hear any discussions between them or her feelings, which their would have been some considering its her first relationship after her loves death, until near the end.
I found this book very hard to rate. What was given to the reader was solid and the book built a beautiful story. With great and unexpected turns right until the last page. I loved the historical aspect and understanding Eleanor's story. However there remained parts, in the first half particularly, where the reader is left wanting more reaction to situations with a repition coming through at the same time. Therefore I feel this book is a 3.5 Stars out of 5. As opposed to a solid amount stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2022
It has layers of history, romance, poignancy and chips away at you to make you curious amongst the cosyness.
Hope Henderson is into antiques and needs a job. What can be more perfect than a vacancy at The Ever After Emporium - Purveyors of Treasure Great and Small in York. Her love of antiques started at Portabello Market in London, but then she moved to York where she finds the antique shop founded in 1902 where the proprieter is James T. Young Esq. What makes it seem all the more perfect is the post is part-time and no experience is required.
Charlotte is Hope's sister, grappling motherhood with her daughter, Amber who is of a young age that she keeps growing out of things, something many parents with toddlers (and older kids), will be able to relate to.
There's an interesting Egyptian puzzle box that belonged to Will's mother in the emporium that piques at the curiousity of Hope and will readers alike. This is where the plot begins to thicken, now it's already captured my attention by its relative cosyness, which I am sure many readers will be able to feel and be reeled in even further between the past and present, linked with a letter written around an exhibition to Egypt in the early 1920's. This note, secretly hidden away, sends Hope on an adventure of investigative research into Tutenkhamun, Lord Canarvon and the exhibitions. So, although this is a fictional story, it does mention real people and real excavations. The author intertwines fact and fiction well and holds interest. This book, what with all the interest in the Canarvon Family due to the location of Downton Abbey, may then find you wanting to investigate these exhibitions yourself too and that's where good writing comes in, to pique interest that much.
On-top of the mysterious letter and the history is also deep poignancy about grief. What is said is incredibly truthful and wise words indeed within this book that has certain interesting nuances within it.
There's also quite the love story to follow through this book too that keeps you guessing what the ending is going to be and what choices are going to be made. There's also some great humour with certain film references and more general humour, between Hope and her sister Charlotte, creating some great sisterly fun. There's also some really heartwarming moments among other characters too.
This is ulitmately a lovely book that is heartwarming and a joy to read.
Hope Henderson is into antiques and needs a job. What can be more perfect than a vacancy at The Ever After Emporium - Purveyors of Treasure Great and Small in York. Her love of antiques started at Portabello Market in London, but then she moved to York where she finds the antique shop founded in 1902 where the proprieter is James T. Young Esq. What makes it seem all the more perfect is the post is part-time and no experience is required.
Charlotte is Hope's sister, grappling motherhood with her daughter, Amber who is of a young age that she keeps growing out of things, something many parents with toddlers (and older kids), will be able to relate to.
There's an interesting Egyptian puzzle box that belonged to Will's mother in the emporium that piques at the curiousity of Hope and will readers alike. This is where the plot begins to thicken, now it's already captured my attention by its relative cosyness, which I am sure many readers will be able to feel and be reeled in even further between the past and present, linked with a letter written around an exhibition to Egypt in the early 1920's. This note, secretly hidden away, sends Hope on an adventure of investigative research into Tutenkhamun, Lord Canarvon and the exhibitions. So, although this is a fictional story, it does mention real people and real excavations. The author intertwines fact and fiction well and holds interest. This book, what with all the interest in the Canarvon Family due to the location of Downton Abbey, may then find you wanting to investigate these exhibitions yourself too and that's where good writing comes in, to pique interest that much.
On-top of the mysterious letter and the history is also deep poignancy about grief. What is said is incredibly truthful and wise words indeed within this book that has certain interesting nuances within it.
There's also quite the love story to follow through this book too that keeps you guessing what the ending is going to be and what choices are going to be made. There's also some great humour with certain film references and more general humour, between Hope and her sister Charlotte, creating some great sisterly fun. There's also some really heartwarming moments among other characters too.
This is ulitmately a lovely book that is heartwarming and a joy to read.
Read
January 15, 2022I do love Holly's writing and this new novel is no disappointment. I think I read the entire book in just one day!
Hope Henderson has just returned to York after the loss of her husband. Walking through the city one day, she passes The Ever After Emporium, a shop that always fascinated her as a child, and she finds herself once again drawn to the Aladdin's cave of treasures inside. A job advert seems like fate and she finds herself starting work at the Emporium - the first step to rebuilding her life.
The story then continues in two main threads - the first being the discovery of an old Egyptian-style ring in a puzzle box. Part of Hope's training is to uncover the story behind the item. This leads to a meeting with the elderly Isobel Lovelace and the charming Professor of Egyptology, Ciaran McCormack, leading them on a journey from the medieval streets of York to the sand-covered pyramids of Egypt.
York really is the perfect setting for an old antique/curiousity shop. I could picture Hope and her friends strolling through the medieval Shambles, amongst the centuries-old buildings.
The second thread is Hope's budding relationship with local jeweller, Will, and his young niece Brodie. Will is so different from the exciting and charming Ciaran, and Hope finds herself caught between the two. Is she ready to jump into a new relationship and, if so, which of the very different men will she choose?
The characters are great - well-drawn, realistic and very relatable. I enjoyed taking a peak at Hope's friendships with her sister Charlotte and the florist, Iris, both of which brought a real splash of humour to the book. I also enjoyed the scenes with the prickly Isobel - now there's someone who needs to let her barriers down a bit.
The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures may contain elements of grief, sadness and hurt, it is ultimately a very charming and uplifting book, full of hope, love and friendship. It really is wonderfully written, Holly has a great writing style that draws the reader straight into the page. It really was an absolute delight to read.
Hope Henderson has just returned to York after the loss of her husband. Walking through the city one day, she passes The Ever After Emporium, a shop that always fascinated her as a child, and she finds herself once again drawn to the Aladdin's cave of treasures inside. A job advert seems like fate and she finds herself starting work at the Emporium - the first step to rebuilding her life.
The story then continues in two main threads - the first being the discovery of an old Egyptian-style ring in a puzzle box. Part of Hope's training is to uncover the story behind the item. This leads to a meeting with the elderly Isobel Lovelace and the charming Professor of Egyptology, Ciaran McCormack, leading them on a journey from the medieval streets of York to the sand-covered pyramids of Egypt.
York really is the perfect setting for an old antique/curiousity shop. I could picture Hope and her friends strolling through the medieval Shambles, amongst the centuries-old buildings.
The second thread is Hope's budding relationship with local jeweller, Will, and his young niece Brodie. Will is so different from the exciting and charming Ciaran, and Hope finds herself caught between the two. Is she ready to jump into a new relationship and, if so, which of the very different men will she choose?
The characters are great - well-drawn, realistic and very relatable. I enjoyed taking a peak at Hope's friendships with her sister Charlotte and the florist, Iris, both of which brought a real splash of humour to the book. I also enjoyed the scenes with the prickly Isobel - now there's someone who needs to let her barriers down a bit.
The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures may contain elements of grief, sadness and hurt, it is ultimately a very charming and uplifting book, full of hope, love and friendship. It really is wonderfully written, Holly has a great writing style that draws the reader straight into the page. It really was an absolute delight to read.
January 11, 2022
This is the first of Holly’s books that I have read and I am so glad that I signed up for this one after seeing and hearing lots of positive things about it.
Hope, the lead character of this book, returns to York after her husband passes away to be nearer her family and to try and rebuild her life. She starts working in the local antique shop where there is soon an Egyptian mystery to uncover. On this discovery she meets two men, Will and Ciaran, both very different from each other and both adding different things to her life.
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. It was one of those that you want to devour it because it’s so good, but at the same time you want to savour every moment of it because you don’t want it to end.
The blend of characters in this book brings not only different personalities but also different ways of dealing with life events, especially loss and grief. Hope is such a wonderful character, she is warm and friendly, yet unsure in herself with how to go about this new life. The contrast between Will and Ciaran also brings a great aspect to Hope’s story. And there’s Brodie, the sweetest sounding little girl who has gone through such heartache.
This book is set in York, and through Holly’s writing I felt like I was walking the streets with the characters. The descriptions of the emporium and the items inside also made me feel like I was there.
This story touches on subjects like loss and grief in such a sensitive and heartfelt way that deserves much credit.
This may be the first of Holly’s books I have read, but it won’t be the last.
Hope, the lead character of this book, returns to York after her husband passes away to be nearer her family and to try and rebuild her life. She starts working in the local antique shop where there is soon an Egyptian mystery to uncover. On this discovery she meets two men, Will and Ciaran, both very different from each other and both adding different things to her life.
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. It was one of those that you want to devour it because it’s so good, but at the same time you want to savour every moment of it because you don’t want it to end.
The blend of characters in this book brings not only different personalities but also different ways of dealing with life events, especially loss and grief. Hope is such a wonderful character, she is warm and friendly, yet unsure in herself with how to go about this new life. The contrast between Will and Ciaran also brings a great aspect to Hope’s story. And there’s Brodie, the sweetest sounding little girl who has gone through such heartache.
This book is set in York, and through Holly’s writing I felt like I was walking the streets with the characters. The descriptions of the emporium and the items inside also made me feel like I was there.
This story touches on subjects like loss and grief in such a sensitive and heartfelt way that deserves much credit.
This may be the first of Holly’s books I have read, but it won’t be the last.
May 17, 2022
I've been a fan of Holly's books for quite a while now, I've read and thoroughly enjoyed them all and this one was no exception.
Hope Henderson has moved back to her home city of York after losing her husband, to begin to build a new life.
She takes a job in The Happy Ever After Emporium, an antique shop she has always admired.
Whilst working there, Hope crosses paths with two different men, Will who has recently become the guardian to his niece, and Ciaran who is an Egyptologist, who Hope enlists to help solve the mystery of an Egyptian antique box.
The two men are completely different characters, but I must admit, I worked out what was going on with Ciaran pretty quickly.
I was enthralled with the antique shop, and could definitely imagine myself spending time rootling around all the different treasures there.
I also loved the idea of Hope going to belly dancing classes with her new friend Iris, - owner of the florists shop opposite the Emporium - it's such a fun sounding thing to get into, not that I would be any good at it, I have about as much coordination as an elephant on stilts !!
This book was originally released in four parts, but I read it as a whole book, as I prefer it that way.
This is yet another fabulous book and I can't wait to read more from this supremely talented author.
Hope Henderson has moved back to her home city of York after losing her husband, to begin to build a new life.
She takes a job in The Happy Ever After Emporium, an antique shop she has always admired.
Whilst working there, Hope crosses paths with two different men, Will who has recently become the guardian to his niece, and Ciaran who is an Egyptologist, who Hope enlists to help solve the mystery of an Egyptian antique box.
The two men are completely different characters, but I must admit, I worked out what was going on with Ciaran pretty quickly.
I was enthralled with the antique shop, and could definitely imagine myself spending time rootling around all the different treasures there.
I also loved the idea of Hope going to belly dancing classes with her new friend Iris, - owner of the florists shop opposite the Emporium - it's such a fun sounding thing to get into, not that I would be any good at it, I have about as much coordination as an elephant on stilts !!
This book was originally released in four parts, but I read it as a whole book, as I prefer it that way.
This is yet another fabulous book and I can't wait to read more from this supremely talented author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews