I really enjoyed this book.

Love a story about a bookshop, love an romance.

Great characters intertwined throughout and it makes you invested in their story too.

Would read again and recommend. .

What book lover wouldn’t want to borrow a bookshop on holiday? When Magnus, an Icelandic ex-bookshop owner, finds himself in Clove Lore staying at Borrow a Bookshop just before Christmas, he is nursing the pain from losing his own bookshop. Magnus is still pained by his failure when Alex, who is also dealing with pain of her own, turns up stranded in Clove Lote. Together they help each other start to heal and see all the Borrow a Bookshop has to offer.

Christmas at Borrow a Bookshop is the first Borrow a Bookshop book I have read and it can definitely stand by itself. I didn’t know what to expect when I first started this book, but knew that the description was calling to me. This turned out to be a great book that was so much more than I ever expected. I really enjoyed how the story was told in multiple different view points l, giving the reader different insights into the residence of Clove Lore. This book was so much more than your typical Christmas romance and it is definitely worth the read. I’m going to have to go back and read the first Borrow a Bookshop book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

Perfect cosy Christmas read, although it is the second book in this series it can easily be read as a stand-alone book. Romance, drama and quirky village life this book has it all. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop is second in the series after The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday by Kiley Dunbar.

I love how NetGalley introduces me to new authors. After reading Borrow a Bookshop Holiday, I liked Kiley's writing and when I next needed a romance in my reading found Christmas at Frozen Falls and enjoyed that as well.

So ... back to the book at hand Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop. Basically run-away girl is plucked from the ocean by an Icelandic man running away from his own business woes. And then tragedy strikes the seaside hamlet of Clove Lore and rips them apart in a way or two or three.

Although I read the first book in the series, this book could stand on its own. (I enjoyed the characters from the last book and would definitely read the next book in the series. And it will be really interesting to see what direction the next book in the series takes! I really shy away from most series, but I like this one.)

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Kiley Dunbar the author and to Hera the publisher. Publication date is September 1, 2022.

I received an ARC of, Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop, by Kiley Dunbar. This is a really nice Christmas story. I enjoyed Alex and Magnus are a great couple, they go through a lot of ups and downs, in this book, including a flood.

A fabulous Christmas read, full of romance, friendships, community and family mixed in with quite a lot of drama! I loved catching up with the residents of Clove Lore and meeting the current holiday maker who is borrowing a bookshop. Magnus is from Iceland and has been gifted this holiday from his brother - Magnus comes nursing a broken heart and leaves a failed business venture behind in Reykjavik. Alex is escaping grief, betrayal and a broken heart when she takes her boat to set sail around the English coast. A December storm bring Magnus and Alex crashing into each other’s lives and maybe, just maybe, the chance to heal……..
Joyful Christmas escapism. Recommended!

I had not read the other books of this series but I can't say I was too confused by what was going on. This book can hold its own. I have been feeling in the mood for some Christmas in July so this was one of the books I decided to request right away from the beautiful cover. The premise is so interesting, paying to run the bookshop. To be honest, if this were something available in real life I might partake. I've always wanted my own bookshop one day. It is something I would read again!

I was joyfully given an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review on Netgalley. Thank you so much to the author for your beautiful art and the publisher.

This book was absolutely brimming with personality. The quirky characters, the lovely town, the food, the coziness, there was so much to love. I walked into it expecting cute, cozy, and bookish (and I got that) but I also got exciting moments, heart pounding moments, and silly moments. All the happy endings, and so much kindness. I will say that at moments I was confused because of the many character POV’s but that added to the overall quirky happy quality.

This is a book you read to feel cozy! I loved it. It reminds me of the books my grandmother used to read, I love books that just make you feel happy. I haven't read any other books from the series, but now I will. Perfect book for Christmas in July. Quick read and the characters are so amazing.

Thank you Netgalley and Avonbooks UK

A second visit to the Borrow-a-bookshop and this time it starts a week before Christmas. The new borrower is Magnus, ,heartbroken after his dream business failed in Iceland. Also suffering heartbreak is Alex, sailing away from Betrayal. Their worlds collide when a huge storm hits and Alex is rescued. As Alex and Magnus come to terms with their past it is clear that another more powerful storm is about to hit.
I really enjoyed the mix of romance and drama and it seemed like the village and its fears and problems were foregrounded rather than the romance. The aftermath of the storm was incredibly powerful and I loved the secondary romance- and the reminder that sometimes dates brings second chances. An unusual Christmas book but definitely worth a read.

I loved this totally different Christmas book. A book about books with a romance or three thrown in is a winner for me. I also enjoyed the storyline where the lead players like each other straight away with no preamble or angst. Perfect.

First, I would like to thank the publisher for the digital ARC.

Have you ever heard of a bookselling vacation? If you love books, if you love suggesting books to people this is the right vacation for you. The Borrow-A-Bookshop in Clove Lore was the first to do that. Jowan is the owner of this bookshop and now, during this Christmas, he gives the keys of the bookshop to Magnus Sturlsson. He is different from the other people, to Jowan he seems sad rather than happy to be there.
Alexandra escapes Cornwall with the boat of her father after a heartbreak by her boyfriend. She has no one there anymore and while at sea she doesn’t know that her journey will end to Clove Lore.
Put together these two kinds of people and the most lively and Christmassy town in Devon and something very special will happen.

First thing to say, I have loved the idea of a bookselling vacation. Probably it is the best holiday for every bookworm. I have never heard something like that. Besides, the town of Clove Lore is wonderful, with all its citizens, families and friends. Everyone there is a very important part of the town itself.
The style of the author is warm, cosy and full of Christmas atmosphere. I liked a lot her descriptions about the town, decorations, the tree at the pier and the Siren's tail.

I recommend this book to bookworms and people who have lost hope and need a little happiness in their life.
This would be the best book to read during Christmas nights waiting for Santa Claus.

The title, the cover, the description, everything about this book is a perfect cozy read when the weather is cold and you just want to snuggle up with a sweet book! Loved it!

I have recently got in to reading christmas themed books, and Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar is definitely a favourite, a highly enjoyable read

I have read the first book and was hoping for more of the same! Lovely to revisit the place and some characters too. Like this one however loved the first one.

I LOVED this book! The cover and title drew me in (Christmas! Bookstore!) Then the romance, the community coming together, hunkering down in a storm, borrowing an actual bookstore, a cafe, England, Iceland,… I could go on. Each character was distinct and wonderful. The donkey stuff was hilarious. Having said I loved the cover, it’s actually the only issue I had! Although it’s completely cute, it’s clearly not this story. The steep hillside is described throughout and allows the terrible storm to cause specific damage. And, Author’s Note tells us the specific location this story was based on and a quick Google search shows the charming hillside coastal village. I would’ve loved to see that on the cover!

Let me just say that Christmas themed books are one of my not so guilty pleasures. I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this, especially because it felt like my very own Christmas in July!

I love reading books that transport me to a new place and quaint towns/villages happen to be one of my favorites! I loved all the townsfolk of Clove Lore and learning about all their quirks. I especially enjoyed Magnus and Alex and their specific stories alone and together. You can’t help but root for them to find happiness, especially after what they have both been through.

I didn’t realize this was the second book in this series, but you definitely can read it as a stand-alone. Also, borrowing a bookshop sounds like a dream and I wish this was a thing in real life (is it? I need to know!)

This was such a cozy, romantic read that also really lets the community of characters shine.
I can’t wait to see who will be borrowing the bookshop next.

I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kiley Dunbar for this ARC!

Clove Lore is a quaint village on the Devonshire coast. The local bookshop is the latest addition to the staycation holiday trend, people pay to run the bookshop and the attached cafe for two weeks. Just before Christmas Magnus Sturluson turns up for his two week stay. Magnus isn't really looking forward to his holiday as it was a gift to him and his now ex-girlfriend. Rather than waste the holiday Magnus decides that a break from his troubles at home in Iceland might be what he needs. Unexpected events take place when a young woman is rescued just off the coast.

It seems very strange reading a book with Christmas in the title in July, this type of book would normally be set aside for a December read. Thankfully the Christmas aspect of this book isn't too over the top. There's not even any snow (despite the cover illustration) but there is a very different kind of weather. And who can resist a book about books.

Magnus is an engaging character, he has all the qualities you'd want from a romantic hero. Tall, broad (he is from Iceland after all) and brooding. As we get to know more about Magnus we begin to understand his "man of few words" nature. Not only is he healing from a broken heart but he's also devastated by the loss of his business, a bookshop in Reykjavik. The holiday at the bookshop was a joke gift from his brother before he lost his business.

The romantic aspect for Magnus is Alex Robinson, the young woman rescued in her damaged boat. Alex is from a small Cornish village and having discovered her boyfriend and best-friend together she simply ran away from home. Unfortunately conditions at sea damage her boat and she ends up in the Devonshire village. I struggled to empathise with Alex. As a result of circumstance Alex drifted into her job and her relationship. She isn't happy with the direction of her life but continued to drift, allowing others to make decisions for her. The part I really struggled with was the fact that once she was rescued she wasn't willing to share any information with the people around her.

The best part of the story is the setting. The village of Clove Lore and the eccentric inhabitants sound magical. I'd love to stay a few nights at the Siren's Tail pub, salivate over the different flavours of ice cream from Mrs Crocombe's shop or simply spend hours perusing the shelves in the bookshop.

The conclusion is pretty much as you would expect from romantic fiction, Magnus and Alex end up together after fate has tried everything in it's power to keep them apart. The bookshop now awaits it's next guest.

Ahhh I adored this gorgeous feel good Christmas story. It was absolutely feel good, romantic, and adorable. I loved it.

I enjoyed so many things about this book, the community spirit and the description of the flood and rescue plus the Icelandic tradition of the Yule Book Flood to name a few.

Magnus is a complex character with feelings of failure who comes to life when Alex turns up stranded in Clove Lore. A beautifully written book that I would recommend