Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for inviting me to read an eARC of this book.

There’s nothing like reading Christmas books in July! Despite the hot weather, the snowy setting of this book was easy to envision and I enjoyed reading about the small town and its residents. Quinn is our main protagonist and he runs the towns only queer friendly space for the local lgbtq+ community. That place, Kings & Queens, is Quinn’s bookshop and his pride and joy. Sadly said bookshop is in danger of being shut down by a developer. Enter Noah, a broody novelist who is reluctantly snowed in. While he’s unable to leave the town, he and Quinn grow close as they attempt to save the shop. Christmas romance’s never get old and I would recommend giving this one a try

Thank you to Harper Collins for giving me early access. I was given an advanced copy in exchange for my review. This is my honest opinion I am giving voluntarily. While I love Christmas books, the whole hallmark vibe is my absolute favorite, and I love queer representation even more I regret to say this is not it. The information dumping needs to be edited a bit more and maybe moved around to a part where the men are having a heartfelt moment. There isn't much mention of facial expression or sweaty palms or how a character is feeling. This alone makes me feel like an outsider reading facts instead of pulling at my heart strings and reeling me in. The main character doesn't have much of his own personality, how interesting his dialogue is depends on a character he's taking to and the only parts that had a lively interaction was when he was with Ivy. I really loved the idea for this, a Christmas book about saving a book shop? Love! Unfortunately it fell flat, I couldn't hear the author's voice or figure out the writing style. I would like to read another book by the author in the future I feel he (I'm sorry I don't know your pronouns) is only going to get better.

I may have read this in the middle of summer, but the way this book transports you to a whole other world makes Christmas in July perfectly acceptable.
Oh, I just adored this book. I only visited Hay-on-Wye for the first time last year, it was such an idyllic destination for a book lover, and Jack has captured the essence of the place perfectly. The friendly atmosphere, the beautiful buildings, the cosy small town vibes. Whilst elements of the story are more fiction than others, there were also some really fun real facts peppered throughout- I particularly loved reading more about Richard Booth and his peculiar ways.
Our main character, Quinn, is SO relatable. Awkward and anxious, but so real. I loved seeing him and Noah's interactions, the will-they-won't-they element keeping us guessing throughout. What I loved more, though, was Quinn's beloved bookshop. Kings and Queens sounds absolutely perfect- a welcoming space that is truly the heart of the community, and a safe haven to not just the LGBTQ+ community, but everyone that needs it. The moments in the book where Quinn gives advice were so genuine, and didn't feel forced at all.
It was really interesting discovering more about Quinn and Noah's respective family histories, and subsequently their relationships with their families now. I guess that brings us to Hermione - what a woman! I adored this mysterious lady and coming to understand why she was so misunderstood.
Every single one of the supporting characters in this novel serve a purpose, and there wasn't a moment when I wasn't genuinely invested in them all. (Speaking of supporting characters, I would absolutely read Ivy and Bloody Blair Beckett's story 👀)

Overall an absolute joy to read, definitely one you want to find under the Christmas tree this year, and absolutely not want to one to be missed- a book lover's perfect Christmas read.