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The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop: An uplifting, festive romance from Jill Steeples for 2026
Not yet published
Expected 31 Aug 26PRE-ORDER the BRAND NEW joyful, festive romance from BESTSELLER Jill Steeples. Perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Sarah Bennett. ❄️🎄 Isla Stewart has a glittering career in publishing, but when she’s unexpectedly made redundant from her dream job in London, she faces an uncertain future.
Licking her wounds, Isla heads to her parents’ home in the Cotswolds for an extended Christmas break. Feeling hurt and embarrassed, she can’t bring herself to tell them her news but finds a warm welcome at Finches, the cosy bookshop where she worked as a teenager, and jumps at the opportunity to help them out in the run-up to Christmas.
There’s nothing she likes more than chatting to people about books, but getting to grips with the quirks of some of the regular customers and coming face-to-face with her first love, Charlie Brace, means there’s never a dull moment. Especially when property consultant Guy Madeley arrives with advice for owners Jon and Miriam, about the future of the bookshop.
Not that it matters to Isla, she’s heading back to London in the new year, but can a whole heap of books and a sprinkling of festive magic offer a future to Isla that she could never even have dreamed of?
Grab a hot chocolate and settle down for the perfect festive read. Essential reading for all fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Sarah Bennett.
Readers and authors LOVE Jill
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I have absolutely loved each and every one of the amazing Jill's books that I have read so far and this one is no exception!!! How she does it time and time again I will never know but I am just over the moon that she does as every time I need a feel good book to turn a frown upside down Jill Steeples is my go to woman!!’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely adore this authors books and was excited to discover this was the first book in what was to be a new series. This was a heartwarming and uplifting read with some fabulous and charming character.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This story is a perfect form of escapism with a warm feel good feeling. This book flows perfectly from beginning to end and if you want a book that covers starting over,friendships and family this book covers it all beautifully.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘ I always enjoy Jill’s books; she writes from the heart and imagines truly believable characters. There’s a lightness of touch as she finds humour no matter how serious the situations prove to be.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Jill has been one of my favourite rom-com authors since I discovered her Dog and Duck series. She continues her excellent output her with a wonderfully warm and charming story.’
‘A gorgeous setting and wonderful characters, just the loveliest place to cosy up and escape to' - Beth Moran
'I love a fresh start story and this was a fabulous one with a stunning setting and a lovely supporting cast of friends and family. Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling' - Jessica Redland
'A warm hearted novel about starting over, friendship and family set in the beautiful Cotswolds. A great start to a new series.' - Della Galton
'Loved the relatable characters, picture postcard setting and the feel-good vibe - what's not to love' - Jo Bartlett<
Licking her wounds, Isla heads to her parents’ home in the Cotswolds for an extended Christmas break. Feeling hurt and embarrassed, she can’t bring herself to tell them her news but finds a warm welcome at Finches, the cosy bookshop where she worked as a teenager, and jumps at the opportunity to help them out in the run-up to Christmas.
There’s nothing she likes more than chatting to people about books, but getting to grips with the quirks of some of the regular customers and coming face-to-face with her first love, Charlie Brace, means there’s never a dull moment. Especially when property consultant Guy Madeley arrives with advice for owners Jon and Miriam, about the future of the bookshop.
Not that it matters to Isla, she’s heading back to London in the new year, but can a whole heap of books and a sprinkling of festive magic offer a future to Isla that she could never even have dreamed of?
Grab a hot chocolate and settle down for the perfect festive read. Essential reading for all fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Sarah Bennett.
Readers and authors LOVE Jill
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I have absolutely loved each and every one of the amazing Jill's books that I have read so far and this one is no exception!!! How she does it time and time again I will never know but I am just over the moon that she does as every time I need a feel good book to turn a frown upside down Jill Steeples is my go to woman!!’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely adore this authors books and was excited to discover this was the first book in what was to be a new series. This was a heartwarming and uplifting read with some fabulous and charming character.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This story is a perfect form of escapism with a warm feel good feeling. This book flows perfectly from beginning to end and if you want a book that covers starting over,friendships and family this book covers it all beautifully.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘ I always enjoy Jill’s books; she writes from the heart and imagines truly believable characters. There’s a lightness of touch as she finds humour no matter how serious the situations prove to be.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Jill has been one of my favourite rom-com authors since I discovered her Dog and Duck series. She continues her excellent output her with a wonderfully warm and charming story.’
‘A gorgeous setting and wonderful characters, just the loveliest place to cosy up and escape to' - Beth Moran
'I love a fresh start story and this was a fabulous one with a stunning setting and a lovely supporting cast of friends and family. Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling' - Jessica Redland
'A warm hearted novel about starting over, friendship and family set in the beautiful Cotswolds. A great start to a new series.' - Della Galton
'Loved the relatable characters, picture postcard setting and the feel-good vibe - what's not to love' - Jo Bartlett<
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 31, 2026
About the author
Jill Steeples
43 books247 followersAuthor also writes as J.E. Steeples
Jill Steeples lives in a small market town in Bedfordshire with her husband. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, crocheting, musical theatre, baking cakes, eating them and the occasional tipple.
From an early age she fell in love with the fabulously funny romances of Jilly Cooper, and vowed, one day, she would have a go at writing one of her own.
Jill started her career writing short stories, particularly those with a twist in the tail, and her work has appeared in popular women’s magazines around the world and in a number of charity anthologies.
Now she writes feel-good, uplifting fiction for Boldwood Books and her works include The Dog & Duck series and The Primrose Woods series.
Jill Steeples lives in a small market town in Bedfordshire with her husband. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, crocheting, musical theatre, baking cakes, eating them and the occasional tipple.
From an early age she fell in love with the fabulously funny romances of Jilly Cooper, and vowed, one day, she would have a go at writing one of her own.
Jill started her career writing short stories, particularly those with a twist in the tail, and her work has appeared in popular women’s magazines around the world and in a number of charity anthologies.
Now she writes feel-good, uplifting fiction for Boldwood Books and her works include The Dog & Duck series and The Primrose Woods series.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author, Jill Steeples for this ARC. I can confirm that my review and comments are all my own.
I have to admit, this book totally crept up on me. I was a bit worried that reading a Christmas book on one of the hottest days of the year would ruin the vibe, but it didn’t!
I loved the setting of this story - a small village in The Cotswolds. The author’s descriptions of the village, the sounds, the smells and the whole Christmas atmosphere were spot on.
I liked all of the characters. Isla was a down to earth FMC. Despite having a high powered publishing job, she wasn’t your typical FMC (in a good way). The author made you want to jump into the book and ask Isla the names of all of the books she was recommending to her customers.
The side characters were also likeable, especially Henry, who I adored.
In so many romance books, by virtue of the genre itself, the main storyline revolves around an FMC and a MMC who fall in love. But whilst the author is known for writing books with a HEA storyline, what was novel about this book was that there was an interesting storyline where the romance played a secondary part. It made this book a refreshing read.
Without giving away any spoilers, I would love for the author to write a sequel to this book, so we can read a continuation of Isla’s story.
If you want a book that you can read on a cold, December evening, snuggled under a blanket with a hot chocolate, I can highly recommend this one.
I have to admit, this book totally crept up on me. I was a bit worried that reading a Christmas book on one of the hottest days of the year would ruin the vibe, but it didn’t!
I loved the setting of this story - a small village in The Cotswolds. The author’s descriptions of the village, the sounds, the smells and the whole Christmas atmosphere were spot on.
I liked all of the characters. Isla was a down to earth FMC. Despite having a high powered publishing job, she wasn’t your typical FMC (in a good way). The author made you want to jump into the book and ask Isla the names of all of the books she was recommending to her customers.
The side characters were also likeable, especially Henry, who I adored.
In so many romance books, by virtue of the genre itself, the main storyline revolves around an FMC and a MMC who fall in love. But whilst the author is known for writing books with a HEA storyline, what was novel about this book was that there was an interesting storyline where the romance played a secondary part. It made this book a refreshing read.
Without giving away any spoilers, I would love for the author to write a sequel to this book, so we can read a continuation of Isla’s story.
If you want a book that you can read on a cold, December evening, snuggled under a blanket with a hot chocolate, I can highly recommend this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop. Once I started, I barely paused for meal breaks until I reached the end, which is generally a very good indication that a book has me firmly in its clutches. This is pure women’s fiction with a warm romance at its heart. It’s kind of story where you know exactly how it’s going to end fairly early on, but you keep reading anyway because getting there is such fun. This was my first book by this author, and I was positively thrilled to discover that she has written plenty of others for me to immediately add to my reading list. Having visited the Cotswolds myself, I could picture every cozy corner of this village, and the book left me yearning for the days when independent bookshops were the heart of a community. Finch’s, with its old shelves, loyal customers, village gossip, and Heathcliff the cat (who clearly considers the humans to be his employees), practically became a character. I did have to make one small linguistic adjustment: the British use of “mooching.” Apparently it means wandering around, rather than what it means in America, where it generally refers to someone freeloading. Once I got that straight, I was perfectly happy to mooch along with the rest of them.
After losing her fancy London publishing job, Isla returns home for Christmas without telling anyone the real reason and gradually finds herself spending more and more time at Finch’s, the bookshop where she worked as a teenager. As she helps the owners, Jon and Miriam, she discovers how much she loves the work—talking books, remembering what people loved as children, and finding exactly the right story for someone who can’t sleep. Then there’s Guy, the handsome property consultant who arrives with ideas about the shop. Isla immediately decides she doesn’t like him, but unfortunately for her, Guy refuses to behave badly enough to make that decision easy. Watching their relationship develop, particularly the anticipation surrounding their first date and Guy’s refreshing directness, was delightful. Charlie, Isla’s first love, also reappears, because apparently one attractive man is not enough to make a woman’s Christmas complicated. Meanwhile, Isla has to choose between an impressive new position heading the romance department at a major publisher and the quieter, considerably less glamorous life she is rediscovering at the bookshop.
What I loved most, though, is Isla herself. She’s hiding her redundancy, trying to save Finch’s, juggling old feelings and new ones, and insisting that she doesn’t have any big decisions to make when, in fact, she has a rather enormous one sitting right in front of her. At its heart, this is a lovely reminder that losing the impressive version of your life doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Sometimes the life that looks smaller from the outside is the one in which you finally feel useful, happy, and completely yourself. Add Christmas, snow, twinkling lights, a charming Cotswold village, a beloved bookshop, two attractive men, and one opinionated cat, and you have pretty much everything I want in a holiday read. I knew where this story was going, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single mile of the journey. Five stars without hesitation.
After losing her fancy London publishing job, Isla returns home for Christmas without telling anyone the real reason and gradually finds herself spending more and more time at Finch’s, the bookshop where she worked as a teenager. As she helps the owners, Jon and Miriam, she discovers how much she loves the work—talking books, remembering what people loved as children, and finding exactly the right story for someone who can’t sleep. Then there’s Guy, the handsome property consultant who arrives with ideas about the shop. Isla immediately decides she doesn’t like him, but unfortunately for her, Guy refuses to behave badly enough to make that decision easy. Watching their relationship develop, particularly the anticipation surrounding their first date and Guy’s refreshing directness, was delightful. Charlie, Isla’s first love, also reappears, because apparently one attractive man is not enough to make a woman’s Christmas complicated. Meanwhile, Isla has to choose between an impressive new position heading the romance department at a major publisher and the quieter, considerably less glamorous life she is rediscovering at the bookshop.
What I loved most, though, is Isla herself. She’s hiding her redundancy, trying to save Finch’s, juggling old feelings and new ones, and insisting that she doesn’t have any big decisions to make when, in fact, she has a rather enormous one sitting right in front of her. At its heart, this is a lovely reminder that losing the impressive version of your life doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Sometimes the life that looks smaller from the outside is the one in which you finally feel useful, happy, and completely yourself. Add Christmas, snow, twinkling lights, a charming Cotswold village, a beloved bookshop, two attractive men, and one opinionated cat, and you have pretty much everything I want in a holiday read. I knew where this story was going, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single mile of the journey. Five stars without hesitation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I am (unsurprisingly) a bibliophile and am so obsessed with Christmas I might as well be Mrs Claus, so Jill might as well have written this book for me.
It's so warm and scrumptious. It's been a while since I read one of Jill's books but I've fallen straight back into the magical worlds she creates.
The descriptions of the weather, the festive scents, the Christmas decorations - oh everything was just gorgeous and even though I read it in July, it really got me into the Christmas spirit (no-one needs to know that I was also listening to Christmas music).
Every single character is wonderful. Our protagonist of Isla is fabulous and I really felt a kinship with her and was so happy to follow her story. Her parents were funny, the love interest sounds dashing, and the older characters that live in the village just tie it all together. There isn't a bad one amongst them.
This little village she has created is idyllic, a perfect olde wolde English village, and the bookshop - oh it's divine. She's really captured everything I love about books, bookshops, reading, and Chrsitmas.
I just couldn't put it down as it's so beautiful.
Is it a bit predictable? Yeah sure. But that's what makes it so wonderful. You know it's going to be an uplifting, gorgeous story, with some hardships thrown in, with some sort of happily-ever-after ending, and that's what I expected and what I wanted and what I needed. It means I can concentrate on the little aspects of the story and the characters a bit more deeply.
I was so sad when I finished it because I just loved it so much. And it's only July (at time of writing) but I'm desperate to go and live in a little village, with a gorgeous bookshop, a handsome man, and beautiful snowfall. Is that too much to ask? Definitely her best book yet.
I am (unsurprisingly) a bibliophile and am so obsessed with Christmas I might as well be Mrs Claus, so Jill might as well have written this book for me.
It's so warm and scrumptious. It's been a while since I read one of Jill's books but I've fallen straight back into the magical worlds she creates.
The descriptions of the weather, the festive scents, the Christmas decorations - oh everything was just gorgeous and even though I read it in July, it really got me into the Christmas spirit (no-one needs to know that I was also listening to Christmas music).
Every single character is wonderful. Our protagonist of Isla is fabulous and I really felt a kinship with her and was so happy to follow her story. Her parents were funny, the love interest sounds dashing, and the older characters that live in the village just tie it all together. There isn't a bad one amongst them.
This little village she has created is idyllic, a perfect olde wolde English village, and the bookshop - oh it's divine. She's really captured everything I love about books, bookshops, reading, and Chrsitmas.
I just couldn't put it down as it's so beautiful.
Is it a bit predictable? Yeah sure. But that's what makes it so wonderful. You know it's going to be an uplifting, gorgeous story, with some hardships thrown in, with some sort of happily-ever-after ending, and that's what I expected and what I wanted and what I needed. It means I can concentrate on the little aspects of the story and the characters a bit more deeply.
I was so sad when I finished it because I just loved it so much. And it's only July (at time of writing) but I'm desperate to go and live in a little village, with a gorgeous bookshop, a handsome man, and beautiful snowfall. Is that too much to ask? Definitely her best book yet.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A cozy, atmospheric Christmas romance with all the bookish charm! 🎄📚 Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this delightful ARC in exchange for my honest review.
After losing her fancy publishing job, Isla heads home for several weeks over Christmas and unexpectedly finds herself feeling more like herself than she has in a long time. She spends her days between home and the cute local bookshop, where she starts to fall in love with a slower, simpler life. And then there’s Guy, the charming man she meets while she’s home.
I really enjoyed the romance between Isla and Guy, especially the lead-up to their first date. Guy’s directness was so refreshing, and it was fun watching Isla slowly catch on to the fact that he liked her!
Of course, Isla also has a big decision to make about her career. She’s offered the opportunity to head up the romance department at a major publisher—a job she once would have dreamed of having. But now that she’s discovered how much she loves working at the bookshop, she has to figure out whether the life she thought she wanted is actually the life that will make her happiest.
If you enjoy books where the main character has to figure out what comes next and choose between two very different paths, along with a sweet, hopeful romance and a cozy Christmas setting, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. A lovely, feel-good holiday read!
After losing her fancy publishing job, Isla heads home for several weeks over Christmas and unexpectedly finds herself feeling more like herself than she has in a long time. She spends her days between home and the cute local bookshop, where she starts to fall in love with a slower, simpler life. And then there’s Guy, the charming man she meets while she’s home.
I really enjoyed the romance between Isla and Guy, especially the lead-up to their first date. Guy’s directness was so refreshing, and it was fun watching Isla slowly catch on to the fact that he liked her!
Of course, Isla also has a big decision to make about her career. She’s offered the opportunity to head up the romance department at a major publisher—a job she once would have dreamed of having. But now that she’s discovered how much she loves working at the bookshop, she has to figure out whether the life she thought she wanted is actually the life that will make her happiest.
If you enjoy books where the main character has to figure out what comes next and choose between two very different paths, along with a sweet, hopeful romance and a cozy Christmas setting, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. A lovely, feel-good holiday read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC gifted in exchange for review
4.5 stars
This was the coziest most delightful escape from reality. Isla has just been made redundant at her job at a London publishing house, and she has fled the city for her hometown in the Cotswolds. The problem is that she hasn't told anyone and she's afraid of disappointing her family. While she tries to figure out how to move forward, she offers to help out at the town bookstore where she worked for many years before leaving for London. Working at the bookstore turns out to be just what she needed while she figures out her next steps. I mean honestly, working in a bookshop in a cute english country town is my dream job, and the bookshop kitty, Heathcliff was just the icing on the cake for me. I was so absorbed into this little town, and how Isla breathed new life into an old bookshop. I never wanted the book to end honestly. The setting was beautiful, the story was so heartfelt and low angst, something I desperately needed. There was a sprinkling of romance but it wasn't the main point of the story and I really enjoyed that. Watching Isla rediscover her love of books, and helping people find the right stories was so enjoyable for me as a fellow book lover. I can't wait to reread this during the holidays.
4.5 stars
This was the coziest most delightful escape from reality. Isla has just been made redundant at her job at a London publishing house, and she has fled the city for her hometown in the Cotswolds. The problem is that she hasn't told anyone and she's afraid of disappointing her family. While she tries to figure out how to move forward, she offers to help out at the town bookstore where she worked for many years before leaving for London. Working at the bookstore turns out to be just what she needed while she figures out her next steps. I mean honestly, working in a bookshop in a cute english country town is my dream job, and the bookshop kitty, Heathcliff was just the icing on the cake for me. I was so absorbed into this little town, and how Isla breathed new life into an old bookshop. I never wanted the book to end honestly. The setting was beautiful, the story was so heartfelt and low angst, something I desperately needed. There was a sprinkling of romance but it wasn't the main point of the story and I really enjoyed that. Watching Isla rediscover her love of books, and helping people find the right stories was so enjoyable for me as a fellow book lover. I can't wait to reread this during the holidays.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Free courtesy of Netgalley
Loved this book, it was a cozy read and involved all the things I love, Christmas, books and dog walks.
Isla has gone home to her parents house early for Christmas, after being made redundant from her high powered publishing job. She is embarrassed about losing her job, especially when her mother keeps bragging about her achievements to anyone who will listen.
She offers to help out in the bookstore she used to work in as a teenager, as the owners have been struggling with their health. She absolutely loves working in the store and can switch off the worry of what she is going to do after Christmas when she has to go back to London.
Throw in a first love and a new mysterious man, a cat and an old man and it opens up new possibilities.
This book is one to have on your TBR list for Christmas, it really does give you the cozy curl up on the settee with a blanket vibe ( it has been a bit strange to read it in this heatwave, praying for it to cool down a bit).
I would recommend this book, the characters are well written and the story weaves and winds along into Christmas 🎄
Loved this book, it was a cozy read and involved all the things I love, Christmas, books and dog walks.
Isla has gone home to her parents house early for Christmas, after being made redundant from her high powered publishing job. She is embarrassed about losing her job, especially when her mother keeps bragging about her achievements to anyone who will listen.
She offers to help out in the bookstore she used to work in as a teenager, as the owners have been struggling with their health. She absolutely loves working in the store and can switch off the worry of what she is going to do after Christmas when she has to go back to London.
Throw in a first love and a new mysterious man, a cat and an old man and it opens up new possibilities.
This book is one to have on your TBR list for Christmas, it really does give you the cozy curl up on the settee with a blanket vibe ( it has been a bit strange to read it in this heatwave, praying for it to cool down a bit).
I would recommend this book, the characters are well written and the story weaves and winds along into Christmas 🎄
August 10, 2026
What an absolutely delightful read and set around the world of books!!
After being suddenly made redundant from her publishing job in London Isla Stewart returns home to the Cotswold’s. However she can’t bring herself to tell anyone as she is convinced that they will be disappointed in her. While she comes to terms with this new situation she seeks refuge in Finch’s bookshop where she used to work. As the owners Jim and Miriam are struggling due to ill health Isla offers to step in as manager. She loves nothing more than chatting and helping customers but also has to deal with reconnecting with old friends, including her first love Charlie. Then along comes Guy Madley who is a rather easy on the eye property consultant. As Christmas approaches Isla needs to make decisions about her future……..
I loved how this flowed and developed, the wonderful interactions between the characters and how ultimately I found this to be like a lovely warm hug. It was so easy to get lost in this heartwarming book
After being suddenly made redundant from her publishing job in London Isla Stewart returns home to the Cotswold’s. However she can’t bring herself to tell anyone as she is convinced that they will be disappointed in her. While she comes to terms with this new situation she seeks refuge in Finch’s bookshop where she used to work. As the owners Jim and Miriam are struggling due to ill health Isla offers to step in as manager. She loves nothing more than chatting and helping customers but also has to deal with reconnecting with old friends, including her first love Charlie. Then along comes Guy Madley who is a rather easy on the eye property consultant. As Christmas approaches Isla needs to make decisions about her future……..
I loved how this flowed and developed, the wonderful interactions between the characters and how ultimately I found this to be like a lovely warm hug. It was so easy to get lost in this heartwarming book
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book completely snuck up on me in the best way. I went in expecting a cute Christmas romance, but I ended up absolutely falling in love with it.
The Cotswolds honestly sound like the dream, and this book had me seriously questioning all of my life choices because now I just want to quit everything, move to a tiny village, and spend my days wandering into the local bookshop.
I loved how relatable the characters felt, and the romance was such a slow, natural build that had me smiling the whole way through. Add in all the cozy, festive vibes, and this was basically the Christmas escape I didn't know I needed.
This was warm, comforting, and exactly the kind of book I want to curl up with on a rainy day with a hot chocolate. I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I adored it, and I'll definitely be recommending it to anyone looking for the perfect festive read
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc x
The Cotswolds honestly sound like the dream, and this book had me seriously questioning all of my life choices because now I just want to quit everything, move to a tiny village, and spend my days wandering into the local bookshop.
I loved how relatable the characters felt, and the romance was such a slow, natural build that had me smiling the whole way through. Add in all the cozy, festive vibes, and this was basically the Christmas escape I didn't know I needed.
This was warm, comforting, and exactly the kind of book I want to curl up with on a rainy day with a hot chocolate. I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I adored it, and I'll definitely be recommending it to anyone looking for the perfect festive read
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc x
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The first book I have read from this author. I didn't realise this was book two in a series; I enjoyed it so much I will go back and find the first book. I do think it can though be read as a standalone title. The book was absolutely brilliant and I finished it in 24 hours finding every excuse I could to read it! The characters were likeable and I particularly enjoyed the interactions with Henry and Heathcliff! Christmas did seem to take a long time to come and it was strange reading about the cold and snow on a boiling hot day in the UK! It was well written and had a good balance of facts, happiness and stressful situations. I would highly recommend it to others; I was gutted to see book three isn't due out until June 2027!
Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and author for allowing me to read and review a preview copy.
Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and author for allowing me to read and review a preview copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is such an uplifting and cosy read, filled with the kind of characters you genuinely want to be friends with. Jill Steeples always creates wonderful communities, and this book is no exception.
Guy is an affable, adorable romantic interest from the very beginning. He’s clearly smitten with Isla, even if she’s completely oblivious, and their interactions are so sweet and endearing. I loved watching their connection grow.
Isla has a few personal and professional challenges to work through, but the answer was right in front of her all along. It’s lovely to see her gradually come to that realisation, and I was rooting for her and for the final outcome the whole way through.
A very enjoyable read, full of warmth, charm, and gentle romance. Another delightful story from Jill Steeples.
Guy is an affable, adorable romantic interest from the very beginning. He’s clearly smitten with Isla, even if she’s completely oblivious, and their interactions are so sweet and endearing. I loved watching their connection grow.
Isla has a few personal and professional challenges to work through, but the answer was right in front of her all along. It’s lovely to see her gradually come to that realisation, and I was rooting for her and for the final outcome the whole way through.
A very enjoyable read, full of warmth, charm, and gentle romance. Another delightful story from Jill Steeples.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Isla returns home after being let go from a high-pressure publishing job. She was the youngest ever to reach this position in her field and her parents are constantly proud of her achievements. This constant pressure to succeed makes it difficult for her to admit failure.
Back home, she reunites with her ex-employers Miriam and Jon at her favourite bookshop. Will this pivotal decision to use her sabbatical to help them with their health worries prove to be a turning point?
After all, coming face to face with her first love and developing strong relationships might make London life seem so appealing after all.
This is a super cosy read. It has everything , romance , cosy moments, friendship and life decisions.
Thank you NETGALLEY for this ARC
Back home, she reunites with her ex-employers Miriam and Jon at her favourite bookshop. Will this pivotal decision to use her sabbatical to help them with their health worries prove to be a turning point?
After all, coming face to face with her first love and developing strong relationships might make London life seem so appealing after all.
This is a super cosy read. It has everything , romance , cosy moments, friendship and life decisions.
Thank you NETGALLEY for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This cover is so cute ! I think this is such a fun, easy, upliifiting holiday read. I loved the atmospheric feel of being in the Cotswolds. I would love to see it in person and this book really makes you feel like you are there and is the next best thing. This book literally made me want to quit my job and open a bookstore. That would be the dream ! Also, I want a cat named Heathcliff as well. This is the perfect read to snuggle up with a cup of hot tea/coffee on a cold winter day and it will just warm your soul and make you smile.
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a great Christmas read! Jill Steeples' latest novel transported me to the Cotswolds at Christmas, capturing everything I love about the season—twinkling lights, crackling fires, charming village streets, and the comforting scent of old books. The romance between Isla and Guy unfolds naturally, with believable chemistry and heartfelt moments that never feel rushed. The bookshop itself is as memorable as the characters who inhabit it, becoming a place of healing, hope, and new beginnings. Rich in festive atmosphere and emotional warmth, it's the perfect escape for anyone who enjoys uplifting love stories with a strong sense of place.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.75 stars rounded up
Reading this in the peak heat of summer where I'm at was exactly the reading vibes I desperately needed - a cozy wintertime story with some romance but also what to do life decision making drama. Bonus that it is set in the Cotswolds (which I hope to visit sooner than later). Jill did a wonderful job with describing settings, especially Finch's Bookshop, that I felt like I was there. I'd have loved an epilogue to the story a year later about life at Finch's as well as Isla's life changes, but that could always be a novella for later on *hint hint*
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC edition of this book.
Reading this in the peak heat of summer where I'm at was exactly the reading vibes I desperately needed - a cozy wintertime story with some romance but also what to do life decision making drama. Bonus that it is set in the Cotswolds (which I hope to visit sooner than later). Jill did a wonderful job with describing settings, especially Finch's Bookshop, that I felt like I was there. I'd have loved an epilogue to the story a year later about life at Finch's as well as Isla's life changes, but that could always be a novella for later on *hint hint*
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC edition of this book.
August 5, 2026
I love this authors books and was looking forward to reading this one as part of my traditional Christmas in July reading due to its title also what’s not to love about books set in a bookshop.
This was a beautiful read with engaging characters and a delightful setting and the perfect story of family, friendships, fresh starts and new beginnings.
All in all a gorgeous festive uplifting read that would be perfect to read curled up in a blanket with a hot chocolate to hand. This story would also make a perfect hallmark Christmas film.
This was a beautiful read with engaging characters and a delightful setting and the perfect story of family, friendships, fresh starts and new beginnings.
All in all a gorgeous festive uplifting read that would be perfect to read curled up in a blanket with a hot chocolate to hand. This story would also make a perfect hallmark Christmas film.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A hallmark movie in a book. The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop takes place in a small English village where a young, successful woman has lost her job in big city London and comes home to figure out what’s next. There is the old boyfriend, a cozy bookstore, a new nemesis/flame. There is even snow and hot chocolate. This is not my typical read but sometimes you want to leave the messy world behind and read a feel good book. This is a good book for Christmas escapism.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this lovely Christmas book, we follow Isla who has came home for Christmas, after being made redundant from her job in publishing, which leaves her feeling a bit lost.
Whilst there she visits her favourite bookshop, where she notices that it needs a bit of TLC.
As a book lover, I will always read a book about a bookshop, it's where the magic lives. This book was such a cozy, lovely read. Highly recommend!
Whilst there she visits her favourite bookshop, where she notices that it needs a bit of TLC.
As a book lover, I will always read a book about a bookshop, it's where the magic lives. This book was such a cozy, lovely read. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A lovely cosy festive read - on the hottest week of they year. It's a testament of how well the author set up the Christmas vibe that I still found myself getting into the spirit.
For anyone whose happy place is in a bookshop this will appeal immensely - I wish there was a Finches that I could visit.
For anyone whose happy place is in a bookshop this will appeal immensely - I wish there was a Finches that I could visit.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A wonderful book that really gets you on the Christmas spirit. I loved the writing style and how quickly you felt that you knew Isla, and what could be better than a book about books and a cosy bookshop! This book is like a warm hug as it does exactly what you want it to do as a romance set at Christmas.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I just gobbled up this book. Quaint little town, superb characters, a special bookshop and romannce and christmas. Yes please. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this book so much. I was so hoping that it turned out the way it did. I now want a job in a bookshop!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this before publication.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this before publication.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a free copy of, The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop, by Jill Steeples, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. After losing her job, Isla goes back home to the Cotswold. This is a sweet Christmas story, Beautiful location, snow falling.
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