I absolutely loved this book and will be looking to read more from this new-to-me author.

It is mostly a lighthearted Christmas romance but does deal with grief -- mostly to do with death but also from failed relationships.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Aria Fiction through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Aria Fiction!

A lovable story about moving on after heartbreak!
I really enjoyed the story of Xander and Megan, the fact that Megan ran an old bookstore in England was the cherry on the top! I loved getting to know the characters and learning where they were coming from and where they were headed. They seemed to meet at just the right time, when they needed to be pushed in order to move forward. It was whimsical and clean, they talk about the dirty books one of the authors right, but there are no graphic sex scenes here! I would read this author again, I really enjoyed her writing style.

I really enjoyed this book, especially the main character Megan, whose husband had died and who was still struggling to move on a couple of years later. I didn’t gel with the other main character, Xander, who seemed unable to manage his moods and tantrums. I loved the book club and the Christmas party theme plus Megan’s two best friends. One to add to your Christmas reading pile

A fun, jolly Christmas story! Full of feel good holiday cheer and a sweet romance. The historical romance portions were over the top and could have been skipped entirely, in my opinion. I eventually just started skimming over those and it didn’t detract from the plot at all. A fun setting, cheerful Christmas magic, and cute characters. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 ⭐

Cute story set in York during the Christmas time. This book had a lot going for it. The writing style was good, the premise exactly what I wanted. It also had some nice character growth moments, as well as many sweet and silly occasions.

However, the main part of the story, the romance – I didn’t really like it. I didn’t like the guy and there was something a bit forced and unnatural about the way they fell for each other.

However, a good chunk of me not liking it was just my personal taste. I’m sure a lot of people would read this story and absolutely adore it.

If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.

Thank you to Aria or Aries and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of A Bookshop Christmas by Rachel Burton in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

A Bookshop Christmas is the first book I have read by Rachel Burton and from what I can tell is a standalone novel. This is the story of a young widow named Megan and famous author Xander. Megan lost her husband at a young age and moved back home to her family's bookshop in York. Xander, award winning author who has his new book event in the bookshop. Their first meeting is fiery and sets a tone for their early (and mid relationship). Getting to know one another becomes complicated by secrets, friends and a hilarious Die-Hard Romantics book club.

Things I liked:
- the bookclub was hilarious and I loved to see the relationships between the women. The regency Christmas celebration was a really great idea and added a lot to the story.
- we got to see a lot of growth from Megan's character from the beginning right through to the end. It was good to see her evolving and acknowledging her flaws.
- the secondary characters were good (Missy and Bella especially)
- the bookshop setting was a really good idea and was entwined with the plot (and subplots) really effectively.
- Playlist of Megan and Xander's music at the end.
- Favourite books addition at the end!
- I enjoyed how much the Xander character was compared to Sebastian St Vincent from The Devil in Winter - although I found Sebastian more of a forgivable character.
- place descriptions were really information and transported you to where they were.

Things I didn't like:
- Xanders character was one I felt had absolutely no growth and he was just a pompous, arrogant ass, In a time of women stepping up to say NO to domestic abuse I feel that Xander walked a fine line (crossing it at times) of being abusive (aggressive tantrums followed by the cold shoulder). I fully acknowledge that I may also feel that there wasn't much growth to Xander as the book is told from Megan's POV. I also felt he was quite a weak/wishy washy hero who really didn't seem to deserve Megan. He desperately needed a therapist.

Overall though the writing was great and despite my dislike for the main character the book has serious other redeeming qualities!! I look forward to reading other books by Rachel Burton.

This is the best book i have read so far this year, Rachel Burton never fails , great story and characters thoroughly enjoyed.

This was such a cute and fun read, exactly what I expected from a Christmas book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Megan moved back home with her mom after losing her husband. She works at her mothers bookstore where she is delighted to have author Xavier Stone for a book signing. This book will put you in the holiday spirit. Very enjoyable read.

A Christmas book in july, ON the hottest Day ever, might not sound as a good idea. But I really enjoyed this book. A book store and a book club, cannot go wrong with that. But the book is quite deep too. It is about losing loved ones, It is about carry ON living. And finding New meanings with life. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Who doesn't love a Christmas book in July on one of the hottest weekends.

What a fab read I blooming loved Meg and Xander excellent story.

Snow Christmas love and books what more could you ask for.

Highly recommend you curl up with a hot chocolate and devour this brilliant read.

A great read.

Xander is an author who has agreed to a book launch in the struggling store run by Megan.
A young widow, Megan hasn't moved on since she lost her husband, but will she take that step when she meets Xander?

Some great characters, especially the rest of Megan's book club!

I received an advance copy of, A Bookshop Christmas, by Rachel Burton. This is a great Christmas book, I love the characters especially Meg and Xander. I love book so a Christmas story set in a bookshop is pure joy.

Feel Good, Festive, Cosy Read…
A family bookshop, a fresh start that wasn’t and a self induced hermit like existence. Life isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be for Megan Taylor. A chance encounter with an arrogant author suddenly changes all that and Megan realises that life is for living. An easy reading storyline with a credible and colourful cast of characters.
A feel good, festive, cosy read.

Carmen is laid off of her job right before Christmas, she is dreading spending christmas with her sister and her sisters family.. she gets a job in a bookstore. it is a good read with a happily ever after.

A lovely story. All book lovers think owing a bookshop would be fun but it is not. Xander and Megan carried a lot of guilt and it was lovely they could talk. The book club sounded fun. Gosh you felt for Megan’s parents. Once a parent always a parent . I love York. Nice to have a book a set there. Joe sounded lovely. Good to have a book with a perfect ending. Loved it

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
I have never read this author before but.this book was quite refreshing.
I like the storyline between Megan and Alexander and how he was pretty stuffy and arrogant when first meeting Megan. I liked how they weren’t pushed into any relationship too fast and really got to know each other before taking that huge step.
They had a bit of a rough patch but I admire how they came around and left us with a HEA ending.