I loved this! Such a great new book from Cressida McLaughlin. I loved the small village and the amazing descriptions of the Manor House and the atmospheric descriptions of the sea.

Harry and Sophie are fantastic together, their chemistry is off the chart, they each see each other for who they really are and off love and support. Sophie helps bring Harry back into the community and Harry also enables Sophie to feel a true part of the community.

Simply a wonderfully Christmassy read.

A really lovely festive read. Likeable characters, gorgeous setting, a great community and a touch of romance! This book also features some deeper issues such as growing up in foster care and homelessness but they’re well written and woven into the story line. A great read.

I loved this book - a small village setting, likeable characters (both serious and funny, hiya Felix!) And a Christmas time setting, it was right up my street.

A surprise present which makes Sophie look at her life choices. Fostered as a child, does she now need to put down roots? A wonderful read, perfect winter reading .

The Secret Christmas Bookshop is the most gorgeous combination of real and magical and I absolutely loved it.

It has the most wonderful characters. Sophie is kind hearted but comes with her share of trauma and hang ups after growing up in the foster system. So she's always on the edge of uprooting and moving somewhere new with her dog. Harry hides away, renovating his huge house, because the locals have taken against him for not coming back fast enough to look after his aging father. But nobody has asked him why. Both of them are cautious around people. Their expectations are extremely low and they expect rejection at every turn. It's only when they are forced to work together on the local Christmas festival that they start to get to know one another and draw closer.

The magic arrives early when Sophie receives a beautifully bound copy of Jane Eyre, with a note saying it's from the secret bookshop. Curious about who sent it, she starts to investigate whilst getting to know the local people better in order to find out which one of them could be behind the gift.

The book is set in a Norfolk village with lovely people, a huge old oak tree and a gorgeous clifftop. Add in some loveable animals, including a plucky and mischievous little goat called Felix, and you have a wonderful feel-good space to spend your time while Sophie and Harry get to know each other.

The Secret Christmas Bookshop is a beautiful festive story about community, human nature, love and allowing others to help you heal. I always turn to Cressida McLaughlin's books when I need a boost, and this one was everything I hoped for. I definitely recommend it.

À fabulously enjoyable festive Christmas read with plenty of seasonal elements. Set in a large thriving village on the Norfolk coast which has a wonderful community feel. Brilliant character development with a slow burn romance although I did want to shake Sophie, the main female character at times, but so did several other characters throughout the book. Subplot of growing up in the care system and coming to terms with it in adulthood. Just a perfect read to cosy up with over the festive season.

If you're after a cosy, Christmas read then you're in very safe hands with Cressida.
I love the mix of characters in this one - and enjoyed that the main characters were late 30s/early 40s.
A fun, festive, cosy tale, perfect for reading in the run up to Christmas.
With thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

I just loved this book it was such a good Christmassy read with wonderful characters. It was so festive and heartwarming.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you like a good heartwarming Christmas book.

I would like to thank HarperCollins and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book, from the beginning it draws you in.

The story is set in the town of Mistingham. We meet Sophie, who doesn’t stay in one place for too long and Harry who is back in the village after a long time.

There was lots going on throughout the book, which made it a very enjoyable read.

I highly recommend this book.

Thank you firstly to Netgalley and publisher for letting me read this lovely book, I love the cover it’s full of Christmas joy and suits the storyline perfectly. A great book to snuggle down with a hot chocolate and enjoy. Loved it as with all of Cressida McLaughlin’s books. The characters are memorable, a very easy read.

What a festive gem of a book! Yes, it's obviously a Christmas story; yes, you can guess fairly early on what is going to happen in the end (you hope!); yes, it's got a book theme running through it but who doesn't want all of that in a lovely warm hug of a book?! A wonderful village (which I want to move to tomorrow!), fantastic characters with such a sense of community, who all look out for each other, gorgeous sounding shops, eateries etc topped off with a large helping of a love story and new beginnings.

If you're looking for a festive read that will fill you with happy feelings all the way down to your toes, read this! You won't be disappointed!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review, which is what I have given.

The book was set in a lovely Norfolk seaside town and the characters were all well written and the book had a nice Christmassy feel to it. I found the storyline quite slow going and very descriptive, particularly around the notebook making and arranging the Christmas fayre. I am sure if you just want a cosy read you will enjoy this.

McLaughlin whisks us off for Christmas in the Norfolk seaside town of Mistingham, and what a treat that was.

This is a wonderful wintery tale that focuses on coming together, community spirit and finding home. There are some tougher subjects addressed within the story which are dealt with appropriately whilst retaining the overall lightness of the prose.

The whole cast of characters are likeable and more importantly, believable. But of course, Felix stole the show…which is just the way he’d want it!

This one will have you hankering for a seaside Christmas, with chips out the paper and the sea wind blowing in your hair.

I’ve read and enjoyed most of Cressida McLoughlin’s novels and this latest one is an excellent addition. It’s a perfect festive read. Set in a coastal village in the run up to Christmas there’s a strong cast of characters including a goat! The secret book deliveries provide for a background mystery. Some more serious issues are addressed, both main characters have had difficult childhoods and struggles in adult life but there’s also redemption and love. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope there’s more to come from Missingham.

A beautifully written Christmas story filled with lots love love and friendship. Made me feel all Christmasy and full of festive cheer.
A book that definitely deserves a sequel.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I absolutely loved “The Secret Christmas Bookshop” by Cressida McLaughlin!

From the very first page, it wrapped me in a cozy, heartwarming embrace that I never wanted to leave.

I’m always drawn to books with “book” in the title—there’s something irresistible about stories centred around bookshops. Add a sprinkle of Christmas romance, and it’s a combination I simply can’t resist. Having devoured plenty of holiday novels and Hallmark movies, I thought I knew what to expect, but this novel offered so much more than the usual slow-burn romance. It felt fresh, with plenty of surprises that kept me hooked.

Cressida McLaughlin truly knows how to bring characters to life. Each one felt like someone I’d love to be friends with—warm, real, and full of personality. While I thought I had the mystery behind the bookshop figured out, that turned out to be just a small part of the story's charm. The real magic lay in the emotions. I was swept away by the mix of innocent new love, deep friendships, and unexpected tear-jerking moments. I found myself reaching for tissues more than once—something I never expected from a Christmas romance!

Set in a charming seaside village, the atmosphere is perfect for cozy winter reading. Picture yourself lighting a candle, grabbing a cup of tea, and snuggling under a blanket as you immerse yourself in this enchanting world. I could almost feel the sea breeze and smell the festive fish and chips! The chemistry between Sophie and Harry was so natural and sweet, but Felix truly stole my heart!

This was my first Cressida McLaughlin novel, and I’m kicking myself for not discovering her sooner! I’ve already added all of her other books to my wish list and can’t wait to dive in. The pacing was spot on—fast enough to keep me turning the pages, yet with plenty of time to savour the cozy, heartwarming moments. If you're searching for the perfect, feel-good, happy-ever-after Christmas romance, “The Secret Christmas Bookshop” is the one. If I could give it more than five stars, I absolutely would!

This warm and cozy read is just right for the festive season .
The Bookshop 8n the title is slightly misleading as it has been closed for several years, secretary book distributor may be a more accurate description.
Sophie’s Steven’s has trust issues, stemming from her time in foster care, and finds it difficult to commit to one place or person, leaving before she can be let down. But Mistringham is different. It has everything she wants, needs and wishes for, but can she recognise this before running away again?
I loved the characters, funny, loyal, hard working and community minded. Would be lovely to live in a plac3 like Mistingham..

This is a story of Sophie and Harry, who are thrown together in a bid to run the village's Christmas festivities. A heart warming story. How will they fare after not getting off to the best start? Also, there is a secret book gifter. Sophie tries to establish who the mystery benefactor is. A well written story that gives you the good feel vibes. I love this author's writing.

I was lucky enough to receive a free advanced copy and leave this review of my own free will.

have had a hiatus from the Cornish Cream Tea Bus series for a while and it was a pleasure picking up a new book by Cressida McLaughlin.

Somehow, the plot (maybe it was the setting of the goats and cliffs and dogs and small village life) was calming, in spite of the small dramas that happened in the story and I very much enjoyed my meals with the book for the past 3 days and giggling about the antics of Felix the goat. It was very refreshing to read about a pet goat all in all. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

I'm trying to avoid spoilers but I enjoyed the book thoroughly and thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I was absolutely gripped to this story from the moment I started to read it. It is a perfect easy seasonal read and most wonderful Christmas time story with lots of feel good factors. It is set in a great location which you can picture clearly from the writing and I am hopeful this is the start of a new series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.