Christmas at the Borrow A Book Shop is the second book in a series yet I read it as a stand-alone. I was a little lost at times but I still was able to follow along and fall in love with this town and its inhabitants. It is more than just a love story between one couple but there is more going on and an intriguing cast of characters, I really loved Magnus and Alex and also was really drawn to the authors writing style.

Yet another brilliant read from this author.
I loved the previous borrow a bookshop story and this one certainly didn’t disappoint.
It’s lovely to meet new characters as well as catch up with ones from the previous book.
You will love the sense of community throughout and the way a small community accepts new people and helps them as though they have known them forever.
Definitely one not to be missed.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Hera Books for approving me for an ARC of this book.

I have to say that the idea that I could have a holiday in a bookshop and get my chance to run it for a week is an amazing idea. As a bookaholic I can’t think of a better way to spend my time and spread the bookish love to others. The Icelandic tradition on Christmas eve was a beautiful feature and one I intend to share with my fellow book lovers this year.

I will admit that I found it very hard to warm to Magnus at the start. His icy exterior and grumpiness was not the Christmas cheer that I was expecting but once he met Alex he certainly started to brighten up. I liked the romance between Alex and Magnus, they seem to have an ease about them that felt effortless. The way they talked to each other and helped to solve the others problems just showed how well suited they were. Obviously they both had their baggage and it was entertaining seeing how they both overcome their different obstacles.

As well as this budding romance we also had the added element of the storm that was brewing throughout the story, threatening to ruin Clove Lore and all that it holds dear. I wasn’t too sure what to make of this part of the story as it meant that we follows a lot of different story lines, so of much were not necessary. It was nice to meet the other characters and get a sense of community but with the story being told in their POV as well I did inf it confusing at times.

That being said, this was a quick, easy and cosy read. It had community spirit and love at it’s core which made it an enjoyable read.

This is a perfect winter book! It’s not so Christmas-y that you have to wait for the holiday season to read it. I imagined myself reading this book at the eponymous bookshop, in front of the fireplace on a comfy chair. It’s the coziest of cozy reads, perfect for book lovers, with lots of heart and even some surprising turns. While there is a main romance in the book, the focus is in the community as a whole.

I think the blurb for this book is slightly misleading but also gives a little too much away, which is why I didn't share it. My version of it is in the comments!

This is book 2 in the series but I don’t think I missed anything by jumping into this one. Though since I quite enjoyed this book I might go back and read the first one later.

👍
+ First and foremost: “borrow a bookshop”?! This is a brilliant idea and I need to stay at one as soon as humanly possible. But the love of books doesn’t end there! There’s also a book loving main character, a book inspired romance, many book gifts, and more!
+ The people of Clove Lore have such a strong sense of community, I loved the way they all came together for one another especially when the town was facing hard times. I was totally invested in all of their problems, romances, friendships... There is so much heart in this story, and each of its characters.
+ Magnus sprinkles Icelandic words, myths, stories, and traditions into his conversations and I so enjoyed learning many new things about Iceland!
+ The romances were lovely as well, very low angst, low drama. I was rooting for them the whole time and I loved their journey to ending up together.

👎
- I didn’t have big issues with this book, maybe at times it was a tad sleepy and the romance very insta-love, but it all went with the general vibes of the book.

Thank you to Hera Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

This is a lovely holiday book full of Christmas spirit, love, and hope. I love how the author describes the setting in this book and the holiday season taking place, it makes you feel like you are there or you really wish that you were there along with the characters. The character development itself was really nice; I feel like you really got to know the main character and go through their story as you read which is fun .

Magnus and Alex are both running away from their past trauma, but when they both end up in Clove Lore just before Christmas they are able to face their pasts and start to look forward to the future. A fantastic Christmas read with lots of plot twists which keep you interested all through the story.

Is there anything better than a book about bookshops? Yes! Add in Christmas and romance, then you definitely have a gem to read.

Kiley Dunbar is an author who always delivers. Each book gets better and better, this is quite possibly my new favourite.

This is sweet and cosy, guaranteed to make you smile. I have loved the characters and feel this is the perfect addition to the series. This is a book which is guaranteed to lift any bad mood.

I have been completely transported and captivated by this gem. This is a book that has been impossible to put down which meant I devoured this in just one sitting.

This has definitely made me feel festive, I’m ready for woolly jumpers, boots and sparkly lights. Kiley Dunbar has created a real gem with this one.

A brilliant story about community spirit in difficult times and how books can bring people together. An unputdownable read that will keep you hooked until the last page.

The coziest seasonal read! Perfect for this holiday season, you can not experience a better book setting or romance this season. Highly recommend grabbing a warm beverage, cozy blanket and enjoying this hygge filled romance.

Also, Christmas romance at a bookstore?! say less.

This was so much better than Kiley Dunbar’s last Christmas book. I’m not sure if I didn’t enjoy her previous festive release because I listened to the audiobook and I didn’t like them much back then. Either way the story of Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop was much more interesting. I love the idea of a holiday spent working in a bookshop, especially as it’s very casual. I feel like every book lover has wanted to work in a bookshop at some point and this book captures that feeling very well.

The characters were a lot more likable than Kiley’s previous works, although the main characters of Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop; Magnus and Alex, were not my favourite they were still pretty decent. The side characters were so endearing and well-developed, which must be because this is the second book set in this location.

This brings me to my next point. I didn’t realise this is technically the second book in the series. But it didn’t seem to matter as for the most part, it reads as a separate book there are just a few spoilers. However, if you aren’t going to read the original Borrow a Bookshop it won’t make a difference. I enjoyed this and its characters so much that I’m considering reading the first book.

The romance in this was ok…I didn’t really find myself rooting for Alex and Magnus. There was clearly chemistry between them but I personally didn’t see a spark.

This isn’t a spoiler because it’s in the synopsis - the flood was very intense. So much so that I didn’t fully comprehend everything that was going on at the time because I wanted to get through it and find all of the characters safe. Happily, I can say that the events following were extremely heartwarming and I love the part where everyone received a book on Christmas Eve. There’s a real sense of community in this book and the small village trope is my absolute favourite in festive stories.

Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop was a pretty good festive read. Although not my favourite of the year so far, I would definitely still recommend it.

Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop by @kileydunbarauthor a NetGalley read. 2 wks before Christmas Magnus arrives at the bookshop, after losing his own bookshop and splitting from his girlfriend. Alex becomes stranded in Clove Lore after running away from her cheating boyfriend and a life she just isn’t happy with. This story is about so much more than it’s 2 main characters, it’s about it’s location Clove Lore and it’s community. By no means is this the best Christmas book you will read however I quite enjoyed it and I felt it got better as it took an unexpected twist. I’ve not read anything by this author before but would read more from this author. The author manages to capture the community/little village feel instantly between the pages of this book, it’s like being picked up and being given a warm hug, a good choice to add to your festive TBR pile. With the twist that happens you see the community pull together and that is why the book is so much more than its characters, in a way what happens to the two main characters in predictable but the twist I didn’t see coming and I will admit the twist is what for me made the book a success, a good read, set it apart from the other festive books. Obviously it goes without saying that I loved the idea of being able to take a working holiday in a bookshop, what a great idea and something not thought of before, again another big draw to pick this book up. I loved the characters, not just the main ones, the ones that played a part in the back ground, they were all strong, strong will and despite what was out in front of them they would pull together and get on with it, but as a community they would help each other. The only negative for me was that in parts it was predictable however if you are someone that enjoys this time of year and these types of books you know what your getting when you pick the book up. And perhaps the draw to these books and the predictability is that they are great books to escape into at the busiest time of year. A great book to cuddle up with, with a hot chocolate in the other hand! Would recommend and will give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️ simply because I do think there are better Christmas books out there❤️

I really enjoyed reading this book. At the time of reading I wasn’t aware it was part of a series and as such read it as a stand alone novel. Although I got the feeling that many of the characters backstories had been explored in previous books this didn’t make it difficult to follow any of their exploits; however, it did make me want to read the first book to get to know them even better.
The main characters in this story are believable & fully-formed, and are involved in a storyline that kept my interest from beginning to end.
Although it is set during the run up to Christmas with various festivities & goings-on, the festivities did not dominate & allowed the developing story between the two main characters to shine through.
An enjoyable read, I’m definitely going to read book one & hope there’s another one in the pipeline as the borrow a bookshop is a great setting.

What is there not to love? Christmas season? Check. Cozy bookstore? Check. Small town feels? check.

Kelly Dunbar made me wish I was reading this by the fireplace during a snowy night in December. Bookstore settings are pretty common in romance, but the rent-a-bookstore gave this a unique side. The characters all felt lovable and making best of the situation the weather and the romance left them in. The plot felt a bit far stretched at times, but that kind of made me like the story more.

Like I mentioned before, there is a lot trope-y scenes and plot lines, so it did feel like other Christmas romance I've read before, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I would definitely encourage this on any book lover's Christmas reading list!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This book was so fun. I really enjoyed it. This book kept me interested and i enjoyed the book and this genre

In the second installment of the borrow a bookshop series we meet Icelandic ex bookseller Magnus who has had a bad time recently and has come to Cove Lore to escape.

Alexandra also finds herself in Cove Lore after her boat wrecks on the shore.

A massive flood on Christmas Eve brings devastation to the Cove and it's up to Magnus and Alex to bring the village back together with the introduction of Icelandic traditions.

A quick, comforting read and I can't wait to read more.

This was a faultless, festive read and I loved it so much! You can’t go wrong setting a story in a bookshop, even more so when it becomes a holiday by the sea too. Although this is the second book in the series, it can easily be read on its own and I found I enjoyed this one far more too.

The key protagonists, Magnus and Alex, are incredibly likeable from the beginning. Magnus has a certain magnetism about him that made me pull towards his character and I could have done with a few more scenes with him, to be honest! From Iceland, Magnus has been almost forced into staying at the bookshop as a joke by his family. When it was originally booked, it was intended for Magnus to stay with his girlfriend. Well, she is out of the picture and so is the job that Magnus had in Iceland. Coming to Devon, he is in a vulnerable state and this is immediately picked up on by the characters that welcome Magnus to the bookshop.

On the other hand, Alex is a whirlwind from the beginning. When readers first meet her, she is on her boat, sailing away from home. Alex is running away: not just from her boyfriend, but her life and everything she knows. Feeling trapped at home, Alex takes to the seas and eventually finds herself in Clove Lore, also drawn to the mesmerising Icelandic visitor.

Although this book is set in December, I don’t think it was too heavy on the Christmas vibes. In fact, reading it a couple of months before Christmas, I didn’t feel like it was too early to be immersed in a book that takes place during this festive time of year. Sure, there are some Christmas trees, tinsel, fairy lights and turkey, but they don’t dominate the narrative. It’s a good warm-up read to Christmas and instead readers are shown the delights of the bookshop, the community of Clove Lore and the perils of living by the sea.

The narrative is driven by the storms and winds that the weather forecast predicts. Alex’s arrival at Clove Lore is thanks to a storm; the climax of the novel is thanks to another winter downpour. It is dramatic and the way that Dunbar writes about it really increased the tension. I felt nervous for the seaside village and could see the dangers lurking with this storm. Furthermore, when Dunbar breaks away from the characters to describe the village (a bit like a drone and seeing its aerial footage), I thought these points were particularly atmospheric and made me enjoy the book even more. It made the story so much stronger and another reason why I liked it more than the first book.

I was excited to learn that this is not the end of the Bookshop series. The closing chapter about Alex and Magnus was really satisfying. I loved their characters so much that I hope they make an appearance again. Perhaps there is scope for a new series, just featuring them instead? Either way, I cannot wait to return to Clove Lore and read more about the adventures of the bookshop of dreams.

With thanks to Hera books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kiley Dunbar has quickly become one of my favorite authors and this book was no exception to the treasures she's provided. A rom-com, book store, Christmas, and handsome Icelandic gentleman all make for such a lovely HEA. I can't wait to re-read this again closer to the holidays.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Icelandic by name and heritage, and somewhat icy by nature, Magnus is an unexpected but completely worthy ‘hero’ of this heartwarming read. I love how, with Alex’s help, he slowly warms to the beautiful and unusual setting of Clove Lore, as well as Christmas.

Alex is also a great ‘heroine’, someone who has been hardened by loss and misfortune but ultimately carries a heart full of warmth and giving. Both these characters are relatable and likeable.

I liked the fact that Kiley chose not to pit the two characters against each other – this is definitely not an enemies to lovers story. It is more about personal growth, resilience and finding somewhere to call home when you what you thought of as home has, to some extent, been ripped from you. The question of whether can overcome and let go in order to truly come together is left open right up until the very end, which alongside the devastation in the village provides a very climactic ending.

The descriptions of the flood itself felt very visual and real, so much so as a reader I began to feel the pressure and panic myself. This is not dissimilar to the feelings I felt when reading of the snowstorm in I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday by the wonderful Milly Johnson, which is testament to Kiley’s skill and talent.

The devastation and destruction of the flood is juxtaposed with the warmth of the central romance story and the overarching community spirit, and provides a satisfact and beautiful ending.

Undoubtedly a five star read, which is perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Jill Mansell and Jessica Redland.

Good read. Great characters, enjoyed the setting, lots of side stories weaved into it and it flowed really well. A good read for a rubbish day. Will make you feel better!

I was worried I hadn’t read the book before this so I tracked it down and read it. I’m glad I did as I loved them both but I decided I didn’t need to as this would have worked beautifully as a stand alone. If you love bookshops, good reads and holiday seasons then this is right up your street