This may be a Christmas book, but it worked just as well on a sun lounger by a pool! An easy read, highly predictable plot and the usual range of cheery and grumpy characters, plus a central person who is looking for a new start more than met my expectations, and the book, while not exactly fine literature, was great for the purpose - an undemanding holiday read.

Thanks to @netgalley and publishers for arc of this gorgeous book
What a beautiful book to read especially coming up to Christmas
It follows Ollie a young woman who has had a windfall after having an accident and decides she is going to do something radical when her best friend’s grandad needs someone to type up his memoirs and he lives in Cornwall has a beautiful barn she can rent she decides to go for it
There is also a book shop in the little town and she sends them her cv to see if they have any work for her. Almost as if it’s too good to be true they do and Thea the bookstore owner is looking for someone who can inspire her and Ollie can certainly do that although sometimes she is a little too keen
Becky the other shop assistant is very wary of her to the point of visibly not liking her
The opposite of Max the young man in the coffee shop where Ollie stops everyday he is gorgeous and he and Ollie start going on walks together following the stories of a Cornish writer she has found whose books are set in their little town and are somewhat creepy /ghostly
Fabulous book loved every bit of it

The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop by Cressida McLaughlin

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Random Things Tours and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Ollie Spencer has started a new life in the idyllic Cornish seaside town of Port Karadow. Throwing herself into her job at the town’s bookshop, A New Chapter, is one way to make friends. The shop is glitzing up for first Christmas and Ollie hopes her inspired ideas will give the shop the edge it needs to dazzle the town.

But far from being the Sugar Plum fairy the place needs, Ollie is fast becoming its Christmas pudding. With the bookshop’s success at stake, Ollie turns to twinkly-eyed café owner Max for help. Can he help Ollie to turn the page, and put the sparkle back into her Cornish dream?

My Opinion

Last year I discovered Cressida's writing and I haven't looked back since, so when I got an invite for her latest novel there was no doubt in my mind that I would love it. After many visits, it is always nice to meet the residents of Port Karadow - both old and new. A Christmas book, set in a bookshop written by Cressida, need I say anymore?

Whilst this is part of such a lovely series, I believe that this could work well when read as a standalone. A delightful read that has such a lovely pace you will be nearing the end long before you are ready. I'd highly recommend this heart-warming book, and more importantly I'd highly recommend this lovely series.

Rating 5/5

Although part of a series, you can easily read this as a stand-alone. Characters from other books are reintroduced well and you never feel like you've missed something.

I loved Ollie from the get go. She's had a rough time from an injury and a hard time at work but she's making a huge decision and moving to Cornwall. She really needed a new start and she threw herself into it.

I really loved the different settings used in this book, from the town, to the bookshop to places from legends in stories. There was a real variety and it meant that things kept moving at a nice pace. Of course, this meant characters from previous books popping up which was nice.

I also really enjoyed Max as a love interest. The pair really seemed to compliment each other well and he was just so nice. What's not to like.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

This book is the seventh book in the Cornish Cream Tea book. It can be read as a standalone novel but it's a gorgeous series so I recommend reading them.
It was lovely to catch up with the characters from the previous books,but this book features Ollie, a new character.
I really enjoyed reading this book- cream teas, bookshops, Christmas all some of my favourite things! It is a feel-good festive read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

Ollie moves to Port Karadow a Cornish Seaside village with her dog Henry, she gets a job in the new village bookshop and settles into a more laid back life than she had in London.

I liked the setting, what's not to like, a bookshop and an idyllic seaside village the characters were nice, the storyline was ok but I didn't get pulled into the book like I want to when I read something so it felt a bit lackluster to me.

This book is seventh in a series of Cornish Cream Tea books and although it works well as a stand alone I can't help but think if I had read the previous six I might have engaged better with this one.

However, if you're looking for a gentle Christmas read it could be for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC

Although a continuation of a series, this book works as a standalone read. This read places importance on a positive mindset and friendship. The characters are delightful and you are transported to a happy, less hectic pace of life.

This is a really sweet, lovely Christmas story and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was easy to read and had a really good storyline. I quickly became engaged with the characters and their lives and was keen to see what happened as the story progressed.

Set in Cornwall, this is a real feel-good romance, with all the required elements you want to find in this sort of book. The characters were well-developed and I really liked them all, especially Ollie, Max and of course Henry Tilney, the brown Labrador. All the characters make this story come to life and build it up to a fantastic celebration.

I haven't read any of the other books in this series but it made no difference to my enjoyment of reading this lovely festive tale. If you want a really feel-good story to read this Christmas then I would recommend picking up this one.

Ollie Spencer is starting her new job at A New Chapter bookshop, and with it her new life in the quaint seaside town of Port Karadow in Cornwall.

Filled with ideas and enthusiasm to make the bookshops first Christmas one to remember, Ollie can’t wait to roll up her sleeves and get stuck in. But it soon becomes clear that her dreams might be too big for the little town and the people in it.

Dismayed that she might fail, Ollie turns to café owner Max to help her turn her distress into success. Together can they put the sparkle into Christmas?


It is always a joy to be back in Cressida McLaughlin’s Cornwall. This book is a fab addition to an already excellent series.

As a Cornish local I can tell the author has spent a lot of time in the county, as it shines through in her writing that she has done her research. Filled with wonderful and accurate descriptions of the rigged coastline and the real sense of community in the small towns depicted.

Ollie was a likeable protagonist; her enthusiasm and sunny demeanour was easy to read and very enjoyable. It was also nice to catch up with characters from previous instalments such as Thea and Meredith, as well as get to know Max better.

If you’re looking for a Christmas book to snuggle up with and get you into the spirit, then look no further. Although seventh in as series, this book could easily be read as a standalone. However, I do thoroughly recommend starting at the beginning, you won’t regret it!

The perfect book to read at this time of year, when it's cold and dreary outside, this book provides a warm and cosy, Christmas joy filled hug. The book works well as a stand alone, but if you're familiar with the series then you also get the added joy of catching up with old friends from previous tales. A delight to read, I loved it.
Huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

I wish I found out about cressida McLaughlin earlier.
This book was simply beautifully written. Had me smiling most of the way though.
I felt utterly festive reading about ollies journey on finding her forever home.
How could a book lover simply not love a book about a bookshop!

This Is a lovely, cozy, heart warming Christmas tale and I thoroughly enjoyed it, it’s put me very much in the mood for more Christmas tales and definitely more by Cressida, iv not read any by her before but I will be seeking out the previous books of this series. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this early copy.

I can’t believe that this is already the seventh book in the Cornish Cream Tea series from Cressida McLaughlin. Like many others, I have been enjoying this series and looking forward to each new release, with its mix of familiar and new characters. All of the books can be read as standalone stories, but I love the fact that so many of the people I have ‘met’ previously get to play a part, however small, alongside the newcomers. I’m sure that many readers will be drawn to the idea of a book set in a bookshop, as well as a story set at Christmas, as illustrated by the gorgeous pink cover.



The story centres on Ollie Spencer, who has moved from London to the pretty Cornish seaside town of Port Karadow to work in the town’s new bookshop run by Thea, who featured in the last book in the series. Ollie has previously worked in a large London bookstore, specialising in events organising, but, for many reasons, needs a fresh start. She is lucky to be able to rent a barn conversion in Port Karadow from her friend’s grandfather, and moves in with her adorable chocolate labrador. She quickly gets to know many of the town’s inhabitants, but is instantly drawn to Max, who owns the coffee shop she visits each day on the way to work. With Christmas fast approaching, Ollie is keen to help make this a successful first festive season for the bookshop, but not all of her events go as well as planned. However, with her new friends, in particular Max, giving help and encouragement, she is determined to see her ambitions realised.



Gosh, I loved this story, as evidenced by how quickly I read it. It has so much going for it, from the beautiful location, to a cast of interesting characters, a blossoming independent bookshop, a host of twinkly festive events and a budding romance. Ollie’s drive and determination are amazing, but she has to learn to accept support from those around her, which is in abundance in this town with its warm community spirit. She is lucky to have got to know Max; quite apart from supplying delicious coffees and pastries, he was protective and provided her with reassurance. It would be hard for any reader not to want the two of them to end up as a couple. I highly recommend this heart-warming festive book; I hope that there will be more to come in this enjoyable series.

A cosy easy read for a wintry evening. You really can't go too far wrong with any novel set in Cornwall when you add in a newcomer ready to set up a new life, a bookshop, references to local folklore and a love interest

I hadn't read any previous books in the series so I don't know whether this would have added anything to the storyline, but for me I felt the story was missing a little drama in that with the exception of a couple of well signposted events things move along a little too swimmingly.

Cressida McLaughlin’s Cornish Cream Tea series of books have been hugely enjoyable and this latest an excellent addition. Christmas, a bookshop and a sprinkling of previous characters and locations are skilfully woven together to produce a highly enjoyable festive read. Highly recommended.

Ollie is making a new life in Port Karadow. She had to leave her life in London after an horrific accident. She gets a job in A New Chapter the local bookshop and rents a barn. They had been modernised. She turns to Max in the coffee shop who becomes a love interest but not without its problems. Problems ensue at the bookstore as well though. The cookery demonstration almost causes fires. Then the much vaunted guest backs out but they’ve hit one in their village that nobody knows about. It’s brilliant in bringing all the characters from other books into the fray. Loved it

I enjoyed this latest story located in Cornwall very much, it’s a perfect book to cosy up, heartwarming and comforting.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Reading a book from an author whose previous booked you've loved is always a fab experience and I found reading the Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop felt like getting a warm hug, comforting and cosy. It's such fun when the story references other stories the author has previously written , it always makes me smile, and this story has a main protagonist who is a Christmas freak - just like me - and works in a bookshop ......let's face it , it would have been surprising if I didn't enjoy the book! A perfect start to your festive reading , the Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop will definitely get you in the mood for all things Christmas.

This was a brilliant book to a new series although it does mention places that appear in the other series. This on as the title suggests set in a bookshop in Cornwall and what happens. I love these books and look forward to reading more in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

When Ollie Spencer moves to a new home and new job in Port Karadow all she wants is to make new friends and do a good job. The bookshop, A New Chapter, is newly opened and Ollie is hoping she can bring her skills to help make it a success. Unfortunately, not all of Ollie’s ideas go down well, especially with cynical co-worker Becky and Ollie realises she has her work cut out if she wants to fit in. Luckily not all the locals are so unfriendly. Max the owner of Sea Brew coffee shop, seems more than happy to help Ollie but is the distraction of Max what Ollie needs right now, or is she finally ready to let go of the past and embrace the future.
This well written book, with great characters and a beautiful setting is full of fun and Christmas magic. The perfect way to start the holiday season.