A Bookshop Christmas is a delightful story full of everything that I enjoy in a Christmas Romance… yet it goes beyond the holiday magic into the heartbreak of losing a loving husband to illness, the path of recovery and acceptance for a new widow, the heart-catching feeling of maybe falling in love again even if the man starts off as arrogant and rude. A bonus for me was some very hard-hitting situations with those who would put down the Romance book genre as “less than” other “more important” styles of writing. I absolutely loved those clapbacks because no one should ever put down a category of books simply because they have no real clue of what lies between the pages of those titles. So, yeah, a touch of fist pumps along the way for my favorite books.

Megan has retreated to the safety and comfort of her family’s home and bookshop in York after the death of her husband. While she might believe she’s coping with her loss, in reality, she’s hiding from the emotions that are brewing just beneath her surface. It was so easy to identify with Megan, she’s functioning, even making new friends among the customers and staff of the bookshop but she still is in a cocoon of sorts… until Xander arrives on the scene.

Xander made it very hard for me to even pretend to like him at first, but the guy grew on me as more of his past is revealed. Plus who can really dislike a guy who travels with his beloved little dog, right?

A Bookshop Christmas has layers to it, and I enjoyed unveiling each one along the way. We all deal with grief differently, there is no “right” way no matter what others may try to force on someone. Watching Megan, and eventually, Xander open up, let their real selves be shown, and do a bit of healing while dealing with an attraction neither wanted at first was an emotional journey. I enjoyed their story, loved the interactions among the book club members, and fell in love with a tiny dog.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I know it is only the beginning of September and months until Xmas but this is a lovely read, great characters and one I shall read again before the festive period.

A Bookshop Christmas
author: Rachel Burton
Aria & Aries, Aria

With the English setting of the historic Taylor's Bookshop in York during the Christmas season, Burton's new novel has all of the cozy components of a booklover's dream story. Megan runs her family bookshop, where the Die Hards Romantic Book Club meets. Her life takes a turn when she meets the famous, handsome author Xander Stone. Others in the book's pleasing, literacy loving cast include Megan's book club friends, book shop employees, and family, as well as Xander's publisher and special friend Gus.
Megan and Xander both have experienced painful losses, and are now focused on their careers. Burton's story flows beautifully as the characters are involved in all kinds of bookish happenings and interactions as the Christmas season approaches. Since the genre of romance is central to the book, an unexpected layering of snow provides a picturesque backdrop for Winter sparks.
Author Burton has allowed the people in her book to have conversations and discussions about many layers of literacy, including books, authors, genre selections, writing processes and more, which add layers of depth to this romantic winter read. The Book Club meetings are especially enjoyable, even when the members stray off topic!
Thank you to Net Galley and Aria & Aries, Aria for the advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
#ABookshopChristmas #NetGalley

The delight of this book for Romance readers is the references to actual published romance books that the book club members love. The plot otherwise is a bit predictable. Megan doesn't seem to be in control of her own shop when she lets Trixie run over her about the Christmas party. Xander is moody and unpredictable in his moods. He can turn on a dime and yet Megan continues to put up with it. The side characters are well drawn and add life to the story. I do think this is an okay read and it does have Christmas spirit.

Megan and Xander’s story read much more women’s fiction than romance to me, with lots of quite heavy topics interwoven throughout. I loved the bookshop, the book club and the cast of characters but the romance fell a little flat for me. The dialogue was quite stiff and for me the hero and heroine didn’t have enough chemistry. However as a whole I enjoyed the Christmas atmosphere and the book is a nice holiday read.

This book was on my tbr list as I love a good Christmas story. It gave me all the right feelings of joy for my favourite time of year.

The characters were likeable and funny, and the storyline was entertaining.

While the story was a bit clichéd in that it had your typical boy-meets-girl, they fall in love, have a misunderstanding etc, it was pleasing to read.

This was a wonderful book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Oh, and I just love the sound of Gus in his little coats and bow tie 💕

This book was absolutely fabulous
A joy for all book and Christmas lovers
Didn’t want to say goodbye to the characters at the end
An easy 5 stars

Really enjoyed this light easy read girl meets loved the york connection my home city. I really enjoyed the characters a typica romance book that was about a romance book club an easy read

This delightful, light romance was a real pre-Christmas treat. I really enjoyed getting to peek into the life of bookshop owner Megan from York, a young widow who is not sure she is ready to give love a second chance.

The author draws from a variety of romance tropes - all on purpose!!! - as she gives us a romance between Megan and Xander, and as we follow some of the other characters in the book club. The even like to comment on how Megan's life is playing out similar to some of the club members' favorite romance books.

I am not a huge romance fan, but this book was not racy and had enough character development to keep me interested. Solid work by Rachel Burton.

I received an ARC of this book as a reviewer for NetGalley.

Christmas in a Bookstore. Does it get any better? Why yes, throw in a love story between two people who have experienced recent traumas, and watch them heal together.

This was definitely a Hallmark book. Not much steam and very predictable, but still fills you with happiness. I’m of the firm belief that Christmas books are meant to be an easy escape into the magic of that time of year, so I go into every single one not expecting to be floored by it. They will probably never make my top 10 for the year, but they make me smile a lot.

That’s what A Bookshop Christmas did. It made me smile and get the warm fuzzies. Now bring on Christmastime already!

Thank you to @netgalley and @ariafiction for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

This book had all the feels of xmas as well as being set at xmas time, a real cozy read. Perfect read for xmas time to get you in the spirit! It was great to see the character growth in this one between Xander and Meg, they were adorable, not to mention when Gus the sausage dog was brought into play it melted my heart. The minor characters brought a lot to this book too, my favourites being Dot and Trixie. There were also a lot of heavy moments as we get to know Xander and Meg and their road through grief and losing loved ones. But overall it was mainly a sweet fun read, based in a bookshop mostly around romance novels and they also have their own book club, this would be a fantastic read for Jane Austen fans as there are loads of references to the books, as they are planning a regency xmas eve party. It also made me look up the game Snapdragon that was played in that era, and made me look into how to help local small bookshops as along the way this story brings up a lot of awareness into what it's like to run a struggling bookshop. And did I mention the playlist at the back of the book and a list of Xanders and the Die-hard book clubs favourite book picks. I highly recommend anyone that loves romance to read this one this xmas season.

Megan's husband dies so she leaves her job as a book editor in London, sells up and goes back to live and work with her mum in a bookshop in York
3 years later enter Xander who is a best selling author who seems to have an attitude problem when he is going to do a book signing at the book shop
Things aren't always as they seem and as Megan and Xander start to slowly get to know each other she realises Xander's attitude is all a front and he s a nice guy after all and she can move on from losing her husband
A lovely read

A lovely feel-good festive read that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

An easy 5 stars

A nice Christmassy romance, set in a bookshop - what could be better! Megan is a young widow, who has not yet moved on with her life. Falling in love was not in her plan, but a chance meeting might change all that.

This is a cute romance at the bookshop at Christmas time in England story. It has all the feels and makes you want to go there and hang out with these characters. Some are dealing with tough issues of loss and grief and starting over. I liked how Megan and Xander’s story mimicked some of the typical romance plot lines and they were well aware of that.

First thing I have to say is, how gorgeous is the cover?!

This is such a lovely festive story with some great characters and a plot that will keep you hooked throughout. Give me a Christmas book and base it around a bookshop and I feel you have perfection.

This book is not only a lovely fluffy read it does deal with some heavy topics mainly grief and it does this in a very real way.

I loved the lists at the end, Megan and Xander’s playlist. The die hard romantics book clubs favourite books and Xander’s favourite books.
It really added something to the story!

A really lovely read that will leave you with all the feels. I've such a soft spot for books that are set in a bookshop. I took both Meagan and Xander into my heart. Both a bit damaged and struggling with grief and their own personal demons, it was wonderful seeing their relationship develop. I loved the references to Persuasion and I really want to join a book club now. Though the plot is quite predictable it's poinioint and parts are quite thought provoking. I'll look forward to reading more from Rachel Burton.

A great festive read set in York- one of my favorite cities. Hiding from life, Megan has an encounter with an arrogant author. Is it the wake up call she needs that life is not over yet or is everything more trouble than it is worth? Christmas cuteness.

A Bookshop Christmas by Rachel Burton is one of the best Christmas romances that I have ever read. I loved Megan and Xander. I really like Megan’s book club and how everyone likes different types of romances. I have added several of the titles to my tbr shelf! I also love the playlist. It’s always fun to see what songs the author picks out when there’s a playlist added. The ending was perfect. Thank you to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I absolutely loved this book, I love Festive reads, I love books about bookshops, I enjoy reading about book clubs. This book combines all of the above and manages to do so very well.
I've read a few books by Rachel Burton now and enjoyed every one of them.
Megan is a lovely character who you really want to have a happy ending. Xander grew on me throughout the book.
This is such a cozy and feel-good read. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.