Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar is a heartwarming seasonal tale, perfect to curl up with in front of a crackling fire while the Christmas lights twinkle in the background. This is apparently the second book in a series, which I did not know when I picked it up, but it also reads perfectly as a stand alone so don't let that put you off reading it.
Set in a Bookshop that doubles as a holiday let where guests not only stay on the property but also run the shop for the duration of their stay, this book tells the story of Icelandic ex bookseller Magnus who was gifted his trip by his brother as a tongue in cheek Christmas present booked before Magnus had to unfortunately close his own shop. Spending Christmas away from his family in a venue that highlights his failure is not doing much to improve his mood . The dramatic arrival of Alexandra Robinson might just be enough to change his perspective. Alexandra has run away from her own troubles, most notably the discovery that her boyfriend has been cheating with her best friend, but her arrival in the tiny town of Clove Lore was definitely unplanned, and she literally washes up on the shore and into Magnus's arms.
As I said this was a sweet and charming book, with plenty of romance and more drama than I was expecting. The romance was cute without being saccharine and it was easy to root for the couple's success. The setting was really brought to life by the array of village characters , they were clearly crafted with love and attention to detail.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop is based in Clove Lore. Clove Lore is more than your typical small town, it is filled with love, tradition, hope, and just about everything you want where you live. I really enjoy reading books that transport me to new places and quaint towns/villages!

I absolutely adored all the characters of Clove Lore and enjoyed learning about all their quirks. The characters were well developed with depth, charisma, connection, and chemistry.

We follow the stories of Magnus and Alex. Magnus is from Iceland and has been gifted a holiday from his brother. He arrives nursing a broken heart and a failed business venture left 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 brings Magnus and Alex crashing into each other’s lives and maybe, just maybe, the chance to heal! I really enjoyed their story and you can’t help but root for them to find happiness, especially given what they have both been through!

I believe this is more than a romance, it is about community and tradition, which I adored. The characters were well developed with depth, charisma, connection, and chemistry. The author’s style of writing was complex, emotional, festive, and kept me engaged from cover to cover. This was a lovely story and I would recommend to anyone who loves Christmas or romance books! This was the second book in this series, but you definitely can read it as a stand-alone.

Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop is such a cozy, romantic read that also really lets the community of characters shine. A fabulous Christmas read, full of romance, friendships, community and family. A Joyful Christmas escapism and I highly recommend!

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book. Idyllic location that set the tone of the book to perfection. Perfect seasonal book to get you in the mood for the festive season.

I just finished this book, and spending time in Clove Lore was really wonderful. The first thing that drew me to this book was a tweet from the author, promising no 'will-they-won't-theys', but just two people who really like each other making the most of spending time together. I loved the love in this, and wanted to be curled up next to the fire in the bookshop!

I didn't read the Borrow a Bookshop Holiday (not a series, but the previous couple do feature) but it didn't hinder anything at all.

Cosy, cute, and ticked all my holiday romance boxes. Kiley Dunbar is firmly on my must-read authors list.

This was a great read! I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish.

My only complaint is that I did not discover it was the second book in a series. I would have loved to have read the first book so that I got the entire backstory of the Clove Lore Community and the characters that inhabit it. However, with all that being said, Kiley Dunbar does a fantastic job of filling in her readers. Thus, it is not necessary to have read the first book.

I would definitely continue reading this series and other works by the author. In addition, I would recommend this book to my fellow book lovers.

Special thanks to NetGalley.com and Hera Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

This was a fantastic and heartwarming book perfect to read while curled up with a hot drink next to a crackling fire (or a YouTube video of a fireplace haha)
The books title is pretty self-explanatory and I absolutely loved the premise. What's more perfect than a festive romance book about a rentable book shop in a sleepy town in Devon? Absolute perfection!
Magnus, a Icelandic bookseller turns up to his festive getaway unexpectedly alone due to a break up and having lost his own bookshop back in Reykjavik, was very disheartened.
Alex, having just caughter her long-term boyfriend and best friend together, gets on her boat and escapes North, with no concrete destination in mind.
After being unprepared Alex washes up to Clove Lore freezing cold, dehydrated and hopeless. The locals, including a dumbstruck Magnùs, nurse Alex back to health and in turn she becomes a critical person in the seaside town.
Immediately Alex and Magnùs have fantastic chemistry and seeing their relationship develop, including the turmoil at the 75% mark in the book, was really lovely ro read. Between the most perfect setting, captivating characters and being wonderfully written, there's not much more to improve on in a Christmas Romance Book.
The only reason it is not 5 stars is because although I recognised the different in points of view between Magnùs and Alex, I found it difficult to determine between their POVs and the other minor characters.
All in all, this is the perfect festive or winter read and I thoroughly enjoyed it

3.5 because I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous book but its still a lovely read.
I enjoyed reading Alex and Magnùs' story and not forgetting Minty and Jowan's story (so sweet) but the best part was the community spirit that they all showed in Clove Lore during the disaster. It was so heartwarming. A really lovely festive read that will leave you warm and fuzzy inside. I'll look forward to the follow up, which I assume will me Joy and Monty's story.

Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

With just two weeks until Christmas, everything in Clove Lore should be perfect. But the latest holidaymaker to the Borrow a Bookshop is feeling far from festive…

Icelandic ex-bookseller Magnús Sturluson might be surrounded by love stories in the Bookshop, but he’s nursing a sadness that not even fiction can fix.

When Alexandra Robinson finds herself stranded in Clove Lore, she finds a safe place to hide from heartbreak. After all, all that’s waiting for her at home is a cheater boyfriend and the memories of her parents. As Alex finds herself embraced by the quirky village community, she finds her tough exterior thawing – and as she grows closer to Magnús, she finds an equally soft heart under his gruff shell.

My Opinion

Kiley Dunbar is a must read for me and a second book set in the bookshop was an added bonus. A lovely festive book, set in Clove Lore where the residents are all welcoming. Whilst I have read the first book in the series, I feel that this could be read as a standalone. A quick and comforting read!

Whilst I was reading this book, I could picture myself borrowing a bookshop for a nice relaxing holiday - does anyone know if this is possible?

Rating: 4/5

Loved the story and was happy with ending.

This is the second book in the Borrow a Bookshop collection. People come and borrow the bookshop for 2 weeks at a time, they organize, serve in the attached coffee shop and enjoy being a bookshop owner without the commitment. The week of Christmas the bookshop is loaned to Magnus, he’s from Iceland and just got the gift from his brother. He doesn’t really want to be there, but will try to make it work. When Alex comes into Clove Lore on her boat that got damaged during a storm, he feels like the holiday will get better.

It’s a lovely uplifting book about relationships, friendships and a small community coming together when they need it most. All the characters are like able and enjoined reading about them.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy for an honest review.

The cute second installment to The Borrow A Bookshop Holiday. Loverly Christmas read - cute and fun. Really enjoyed the story and how this ended.

Alex and Magnús meet when they are both in Devon for Christmas. They meet when they both need a friend but can it be more.
A great festive read and chance to catch up with characters from the previous book. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.

This was such a fun read, and I’m honestly happy that we got a great ending that didn’t involve the main character getting back with her sucky ex. We have a great plot, fantastic writing, good character development and a lovely hallmark like ending. What more could you ask for?

There was so much to enjoy inside this book. I need you to know that as much as it might not be a life changing read, it's a heartwarming read and goes beyond the typical contemporary Christmas book. Characters feel fresh with lots of side stories to add something new to this type of tail. The threat of the storms by the sea add a page turning element to the story making for a quick read.

Comfort is to be found in the pages amongst power cuts with candles, community that care, comforting food, real cosy fires and a lovable dog. Not to mention a love of books, reading and bookshops with blankets.

I hope you find your way to Clove Lore and enjoy some time at the Borrow a Bookshop.

I needed a Christmas/holiday book in my life and this one DELIVERED. I love the atmosphere and how cozy it was!

Having just finished the first book, I couldn't wait to read this one. Not only is it set in what would be one of my dream holidays, but it is also set at Christmas time - how wonderful!

I loved the dynamic between Alex and Magnus, and it was great to see how the stories of well-loved characters from the first book were progressing.

There was humour and romance, but also tender moments of community spirit which really hit home after the past few years.

To say I loved this instalment would be an understatement, and I am pleased to read that there may be more books in this wonderful series - yay!

Being a book lover myself, just the idea of borrowing a bookshop for a few weeks sounds both wonderful and fascinating. To find that a stay at the bookshop comes with a wonderful mix of quirky and lovable townspeople who offer support and friendship makes the concept even better. The borrowers, the people who have come to stay and run the bookshop, have found not only friendship, kindness and salt of the earth of advice, some have found love and a new home in the village of Clove Lore. For Magnus, the most recent borrower, his stay at the bookstore is at first bittersweet then life changing. Bittersweet due to the recent failure of his own bookstore, his dream business, in his native Iceland. The failure of his business and his romantic relationship weighs heavily on him and has cast a cloud of despair over his future. Life changing because he meets Alex, a lost soul like him, who will own his heart. Alex and the people of Clove Lore show him that his business failure does not define him, and that people and shared experiences are more important than material things.

Alex is a runaway when her boat is almost scuttled on the rocks near Clove Lore. Her personal life is in shambles due to a cheating boyfriend and the overwhelming feeling of loss. Her own parents are deceased and now those that treated like family (her ex’s family) are lost to her as well. Now that her boat needs to be repaired, she is stranded in Clove Lore as she has no intention of informing anyone in her hometown of her whereabouts. The people of Clove Lore have given her a place to stay, and offered her support and friendship all without prying and asking questions she is loath to answer. Even Magnus, himself a visitor, treats her with kindness and offers companionship without interrogating her. Neither expected deeper feelings to grow between them, or that a terrible storm would bring both havoc and change to not only their lives, but also to all who call Clove Lore home. This book is fascinating, delightful and rather inspiring. I highly recommend it. I plan to search out and read more books written by this author.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

3.5 stars
The Borrow-A-Bookshop in Clove Lore is such a cute idea. People rent out the little shop and get to run it as their own bookshop. There is a bedroom upstairs with picturesque views. Sounds like a dream for book lovers! This is a cute story about two people who have recently been down on their luck. Magnús is reluctantly staying in the bookshop after receiving the stay as a gift to him and his now ex-girlfriend. Alex is fleeing problems at home and ends up at Clove Lore after wrecking her boat leaving her stranded. There are also little stories surrounding the other characters woven in. It wasn’t really the “happy” Christmas type book I was expecting, but it was still enjoyable. I think it’ll be a nice read around Christmas time especially for those who love the holidays. The setting was absolutely perfect and describes a quaint little village that I’d love to visit.

Thank you Netgalley and Hera Books for this ARC.

I’ll read any book about books and this didn’t disappoint. Pairing the holiday with the books made it perfect. The characters were quirky and interesting, cover is beautiful! Will be a fun book to gift to friends at Christmas!

It’s officially my first holiday read of season 2022!
What a book to kick it off. A bookstore minder, in a rotating basis.
Two protagonists who were meant for each other.
An epic disaster that sets the tone for recovery.
My favorite part is the Icelandic tradition of giving books and then reading them. My ideal holiday scenario!
Borrow enough time to read this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday and was very excited to read the second book in the series - Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop and be back in Clove Lore. I love books about bookshops!

This book centres around Magnús Sturluson and Alexandra Robinson. Magnús used to run a bookstore in Iceland. Magnús has lost his way and does not know which direction his life should go so when his brother booked him a two-week trip to Clove Lore, he reluctantly went. Staying and working at a bookshop was not where he wanted to spend two weeks, when his own business had failed. It would have been the last place he would had chosen.

We also meet Alexandra Robinson. Her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend and she takes off and ends up in Clove Lore after crashing her Father's river cruiser. After her father sadly passed away, she carried on running his boat tour business, but it was not where her heart was and she did not know what she wanted to do with her life.

So, we have two lost souls, who have both arrived at Clove Lore. Are they destined to belong together? Does Magnús find by working at the bookshop he finds the encouragement and inspiration he needs to maybe start again with his bookshop back in Iceland or does he stay in Clove Lore? Alexandra never intended to end up in Clove Lore - what is she going to do and what about the boat?

The book was set in the Winter and therefore the bookshop did not have as many visitors and I therefore missed the activity and action within the shop itself, which we had in the first book. I would have liked to see more focus on the running of the bookshop and the cafe itself but I realise it was set in a quiet time of year for the village, with very few holidaymakers and visitors.

I loved how the relationship developed between Magnús and Alexandra and how finding each other brought them alive and they taught each other so much. Not only did they show each other their love, but they showed them how to move forward in life and even though they did not know which direction they were travelling in, they would get there, however long it took. Magnús and Alexandra had hope in their hearts which neither of them have had in a long time.

It was interesting to have the Icelandic element in the book. At times I found some parts of this confusing. We learnt a great deal about the Icelandic language and their traditions. I loved how Jolabokaflod was fitted into the book. Such a lovely tradition which many us do here - curl up on Christmas Eve in front of the fire with a good book and a hot drink - perfect!

The community of Clove Lore is what really stands out. Due to a devastating flood, so much damage was caused but the villagers all came together and helped one another so much. You could feel the impact on the community and you could sense the destruction that the flood had caused. Absolutely heartbreaking. Homes and businesses affected, people’s lives and their livelihoods. I was gutted for all the homeowners and businesses and was rooting for them all to get through it and come out the other side stronger than ever before. The community came together as one, supported each other and helped them so much and Clove Lore started to thrive again. You cannot keep Clove Lore villagers down for long! They are strong and tenacious and together they are a determined and cohesive force.

A lovely story, with great inspirational characters in a great setting!

Thank you very much for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.