Christmas at the Restaurant: Large Print

The Nantucket Restaurant #2

by Pamela M. Kelley

Nantucket's famous Christmas Stroll is always the first week of December and this year sisters Mandy and Emma and Paul, the executive chef want to do something extra special for Mimi's Place, the restaurant that they co-own.

It will be Emma and Paul's first Christmas together as a couple and Mandy's first holiday as a newly single and divorced mother of two. Although Mandy does have a promising new relationship, though she wants to take things very slow.

Their sister Jill and her new husband, Billy, are planning to spend the whole month of December on Nantucket too, juggling working remotely for the executive search firm they own together in Manhattan and relaxing and spending time with family and helping out at the restaurant too.

And Gina, their awesome bartender is spending her first winter on Nantucket and it's a bit of an adjustment--winters on Nantucket are so much quieter than the city life she was used to. She's even more confused when someone she had a major crush on back in the city moves to Nantucket. Suddenly her boring winter is starting to look a lot more interesting.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Fiction, Holiday, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Contemporary

250 pages, Large print

First published December 1, 2020

About the author

Pamela M. Kelley is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of women's fiction, family sagas, and suspense. Readers often describe her books as feel-good reads with people you'd want as friends.

She lives in a historic seaside town near Cape Cod and just south of Boston. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction, romance, mysteries, thrillers and cook books. There's also a good chance you might get hungry when you read her books as she is a foodie, and occasionally shares a recipe or two. :)

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of the same as book #1, just in a Christmas time setting. And it’s now one year after the three sisters spent a year working at Mimi’s Place, their deceased Grammy’s restaurant and a part of their inheritance stipulation.

More food, more wine, more small town island atmosphere, more looking out the window at the stormy seas, more relationship issues (good and not so good). Ho hum

Perhaps if I had not read book 1 and book 2 back to back, I may have rated #2 higher? I don’t know. It basically was just a continuation of #1 and actually would have been better to have one book and then be done with this story. Happy endings and all.

It’s basically a daily compilation of what happens in the lives of these three sisters and some restaurant staff. After awhile, it does get to be tiresome of this back and forth reporting of their daily routines and minutiae.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the first book, "The Restaurant." This second book was a heartwarming Christmas story featuring the characters from the first book, along with some new ones. I really enjoyed it. As always, Nantucket sounds beautiful. ;)

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved going back to the Restuarant Mimi's Place. These three sisters are the best. I loved the romances and the food talk and it was just the perfect Christmas getaway. I have become a super fan of Kelley's and I want to devour all of her books.

[Doni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book!
It's a heartwarming & moving story.
I truly loved reading it. It's great
visiting with old & new friends
I enjoyed the small town charm
of Nantucket at Christmastime.
The sisters, Emma, Jill & Mandy,
have made a wonderful life & found
love in Nantucket.
Captivated me from page one!!

[Lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The biggest dilemma the characters faced seemed to be which chardonnay to pair with the risotto but overall it wasn't horrible.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently this book was first published either privately or by a very small press in 2020; so it’s being republished by a larger publisher.

I’m honestly not sure if I’ve read this author before but I did really enjoy this book. Three sisters who inherited a restaurant on Nantucket from their Grandmother run Mimi’s Place. (The first book, The Restaurant discusses the sisters’ first year as owners.) You don’t need to read that one to enjoy this one.

I was looking for a light hearted book to enjoy without having to overthink the plot. This fit that bill perfectly. Being a natural cynic I keep waiting for a twist or two down a dark path but it happily never happened. Just clear fun.

I loved the sisters and their extended family and the restaurant vibes especially at Christmas.


Thanks Edelweiss and the new publisher.

[Danielle Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another series by Pamela M. Kelley that I am enjoying. The characters are again, connected from her different series of books. Another light, sweet read.

[Charlotte Reynders · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeaaahhhh this book was not it for me for majority of it. It was very descriptive and lacked dialogue and any depth tbh. It might be because it’s suppose to be a quick feel good Christmas book but I wanted more. There were 2 time lines through out the book and I could have read an entire book on one of the time lines and I think that’s why I finished the book honestly. But otherwise not impressed but I can see the appeal if you’re looking for a surface level feel good Christmas book.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

perfect after being on Nantucket for winter stroll this year

[Leane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy, cute and Christmas. Loved reuniting with old characters as well. Only 4 stars because some parts went on with the descriptiveness and I just wasn't in the mood for that.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

#4️⃣ /50 📚 in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣

Ετεροχρονισμένη χριστουγεννιάτικη ανάγνωση, το μυθιστόρημα "Χριστούγεννα στο εστιατόριο" αποτελεί τη συνέχεια του προηγούμενου post . Η ιστορία των τριών αδερφών και των συντρόφων τους συνεχίζεται και την εποχή των Χριστουγέννων,με τη διαφορά οτι προστίθεται ακομη ενα love story, αυτό της Τζίνα, η οποία εργάζεται στο μπαρ του εστιατορίου. Εδώ δεν εχουμε δράματα, ούτε χωρισμούς, ούτε απιστίες. Ολα κυλάνε όμορφα, αρμονικά,μεσα σε εορταστικό κλιμα, πολλά νόστιμα φαγητά, μυρωδιές απο κανελα και γλυκάνισο και φυσικά ζεστό κόκκινο κρασί!

Ιδανικά θα ήθελα να το ειχα διαβάσει νωρίτερα. Αν το έχετε σας προτείνω να το αφήσετε για του χρόνου. Αν πάλι ειστε από αυτούς που βλέπουν χριστουγεννιάτικες ταινίες όλο τον χρόνο τότε αυτό είναι ενα βιβλιο για εσας! Διαβάζεται πανευκολα σε μια μέρα όμως βασική προϋπόθεση ειναι να έχετε διαβασει το πρώτο μερος της ιστορίας, "Το εστιατόριο". Μου άφησε την ίδια αίσθηση με το πρώτο βιβλίο, δηλαδή μου έλειψε το συναίσθημα. Το παθαίνω αυτό με τα βιβλία που δεν έχουν κεντρικούς ήρωες αλλά αφηγούνται παράλληλα πολλες επιμέρους ιστορίες. Και αυτό το βιβλίο της Pamela Kelley θα μπορουσε να αποτελέσει ιδανικό σενάριο για ρομαντική ταινία της Hallmark.

⭐⭐⭐/5
"Χριστούγεννα στο εστιατόριο"
Pamela Kelley

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pamela Kelly’s books are such comfort reads for me. They’re always warm and cozy, and reading them just brings me joy!

❄️🎅🏼🎄❤️🕯️🍪

I really enjoyed the Nantucket Restaurant, so it was so nice to be back at Mimi’s place and catch up with the entire crew of sisters and friends/family. I also loved the cameos from all the Beach Plum Cove Inn characters.

And this one is full of all the holiday cheer, I really don’t think there’s anything more magical than Nantucket at Christmas time, and it’s captured perfectly in this book! Although it’s a short read, it is the perfect cozy addition to your Christmas time TBR!!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas at the Restaurant (The Nantucket Restaurant series Book 2) by Pamela M. Kelley continues the stories from Book 1 set in Nantucket during the famous Christmas Stroll the first week of December and this year sisters Mandy and Emma and Paul, the executive chef want to do something extra special for Mimi's Place, the restaurant that they co-own. Several of the newly-formed relationships evolve, some for better and some not so much. If you read and liked the first one, you will find this one interesting for wrapping up some loose ends and bringing the stories to their conclusions. When you become familiar with certain characters, you often just want to learn more about what happens next; 3.5

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet next episode into the lives of the three sisters, left a restaurant by their grandma in Nantucket.
The whole of Christmas feels magical in Nantucket, and it seems to be having a positive, and romantic, effect on everyone connected to the restaurant.
An easy, feel-good read.

[Kanika Jain · Rating 1 out of 5]

Same as #1 in the series - below average.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Carmen Liffengren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and light read for the Christmas season. I think I wanted more Nantucket Stroll with lighthouses than restaurant, but it's right there in the title! I wanted to find myself out there looking at nautical themed Christmas decor, but I was happy for a little Nantucket!

[e_anne_b · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good sequel, can be read as standalone.

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

FW 17. I have been searching for the first book in the series The Restaurant. Still can’t find it. But the library offered me the second book, sure why not? I kept waiting for the storyline to develop which never did. I was also waiting for the food at the restaurant to become part of the story or to be transported to a magical Christmas town. None of these things ever happened. The writing again seemed choppy and she has a tendency to explain the obvious, for example “I put the address in the GPS”. I may give up on trying to find The Restaurant and this author. Quick read.

[Sara A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick and light read with a Hallmark movie feeling. I felt the characters were underdeveloped and it was hard to tell their personalities apart. Few had physical descriptions so I kind of pictured the same typical people. I think they were supposed to be mostly in their thirties (I am too) and some of their language seemed dated for a book written last year. I was also waiting for some drama, but everything seemed to work out perfectly every time. With some fleshing out and added conflict, this could be a solid book.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This takes place in December. The story is told by the sisters and Gina. Gina is the main storyteller. Her story is about finding new love, and the others are about where their relationships are now. There isn't a lot of drama. There's a little bit with Mandy, but it's over quickly. The same for the little bit with Gina. There is a happy ending for every couple.

[Shelly Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Holiday !

Good read! It combines The Stroll, Mimi’s place, the B&B , and Christmas ! What more do you need... and a bit of romance and Christmas magic!!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas at the Nantucket Restaurant is a holiday gift from Pamela Kelley! It’s time for the annual Christmas Stroll on Nantucket and the three sisters who inherited Mimi’s Place are preparing for a special holiday. Jill and her husband Billy, in the middle of decisions about family, have come from Boston for a month. Emma and chef and co-owner Paul are planning their first Christmas as a couple while Mandy, fresh from a divorce, is thinking about her developing relationship with Matt. The owners and staff at Mimi’s are a family, a family joined by regular customers. Bar manager Gina is juggling dates with the restaurant sous chef and a financier and is receiving unwanted advice from all - customers, staff and the owners. Against this backdrop is pure Christmas magic - whirling snow flurries, Santa on a firetruck, carolers and festive decorations. Christmas at the Nantucket Restaurant is a quick, charming read that blends family, romance and hope. You’ll love it as much as I did! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and Pamela Kelley for this ARC.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas at the he Restaurant by Pamela M. Kelley
205-page Kindle Ebook
The Nantucket Restaurant #2

Genre: Holiday > Christmas; Women's Fiction > Chick Lit; Romance, Adult Fiction, Realistic Fiction

Featuring: Nantucket, Massachusetts; Sisters, Restaurateurs, Food, Real Places, Nantucket Stroll, Gossip, Cats, Nantucket Inn People, Pitches and Links for Other Books and Facebook Group

Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations

My rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎄

My thoughts: This was a nice read. I saw some patterns but I didn't mind. I was thinking I came across some spoilers, but it looks like this was published before Nantucket Threads, so it was just Nantucket Wedding info. This also features Whitley, which is the setting of The Hotel. I'm truly loving how all of these books tied together, and I only hope I enjoyed her non Nantucket books just as much.

Recommend to others?: Yes. This was great.

[Jennifer Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Christmas at the Nantucket Restaurant
Author: Pamela Kelley
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another visit to Nantucket and this time at Christmas makes for a magical, wintry treat. We revisit the sisters, Emma, Mandy, and Jill, as they enjoy time together on the picturesque island leading up to Christmas Day. New relationships are highlighted and traditions of the island are celebrated.

Takeaways:
1. Goodreads shows an original publication date of December 2020. So this is another republication of one of Kelley’s Nantucket books.
2. This is a short Hallmark type story that is not only perfect for Christmas, but a welcome wintry break in the heat of summer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on October 7, 2025.

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram @pamelamkelley #christmasatthenantucketrestaurant #sourcebookslandmark

[Debbie Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday in Nantucket

Another visit to Nantucket with Pamela Kelley, and a pleasure as all other trips have been.

This time we have the story centered around Mimi’s, a restaurant left to granddaughters by Mimi, hence the name. This Christmas had Jill and Billy coming to Nantucket, helping at the restaurant while managing to work remotely with their successful recruiting business.

It was fun to see Gina, who works at Mimi’s, suddenly having two people to date, Jared and Alex. Enjoying both men’s company was fun, but there finally came an event when she was easily able to see which man was really preferable and more like a man with whom she would want to spend time.

As with most of Kelley’s books, food was important. I find myself really wanting some good seafood now ( and am happy that next Wednesday is lobster bisque day at a local deli.) Kelley also mentions the wines the characters drink and I do think I need to explore those.

Granted, this is not “great” literature but it gets its five stars for being good for the type of literature it is. Also, the author does a good job of giving the reader background info on characters who are also in some of her other books.

[Denise Schenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas is coming and Jill and Billy are returning to Nantucket for a month. They will work at Mimi's Place. Emma and Paul are now living together, and Mandy is enjoying the single life. Gina Caruso, the awesome bar manager, is spending her first winter on Nantucket after having lived for years in Boston. It seems that this season she has two men trying for her attention. It's a wonderful season for all this year.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there anything better than Christmas in Nantucket with great friends and family?! I love the way Pamela M. Kelley writes a story and develops her strong and loveable characters.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just as boring as The Restaurant. This series desperately needs a better audiobook narrator! Awful dialect and annunciation. Unlikable characters and a plot so predictable it needs better editing. Especially since it is set on beautiful Nantucket - this series could have been so much better.

[Tracie Cohee · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Christmas at the Resturant “ is a wonderful holiday read. You don’t need to read the first book for this book but you will enjoy the first book, as well.

The return of Jill, Emma and Mandy to running their grandmother’s restaurant. Truly these are ladies you want to be friends with and a restaurant you want to visit. Live the month of December on Nantucket with them. Highly recommend this read! Thank you to NetGalley and Piping Plover Publishers for this advance read.