I think the cover was the first thing to draw me to this book. Next was the idea of touching an object and feel it’s history. Good 1st book in a series of time travel. Xanthe and her mother are moving to a small English village to open an antique shop. With her ability to read objects, Xanthe buys a chatelaine at auction. A ghost is setting the motions for a xanthe to clear her ancestor do a crime. Will definitely look for book 2. I received a copy of this arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for a honest review of this book.

The Little Shop of Found Things has all of the things I like in a book...time travel, ghosts, romance, historical time periods, magic and singing. However, I had a difficult time getting into this book. I liked the characters and the setting, but there was nothing pulling me in. I found it to be slow.

I received an advance copy via netgalley, this review is my honest opinion.

I love time travel books, my favourite author is Barbara Erskine who does dual timeline so beautifully. Brackston's writing wasn't quite there yet but the story was original and well researched and how she connected the two stories together very strong and well thought out.

The main characters 'magic touch' gave her a connection to the past when she touched antique objects. A chatelaine sparks a stronger than normal response and Xanthe finds herself at the mercy of a sinister ghost who's love of her daughter drives Xanthe back in time to correct a wrong done to her.

Brackston grounded the novel well in the present with lots of description of Marlborough and the surrounding areas. The history of the tiny prisons was engaging and provided the perfect place for the time travel to happen. It didn't even feel that far fetched!

Both storylines were full rounded and interesting to read about, lots of vulnerability and lost moments. The love story between Xanthe and Samuel was tender and well brewed and then there was her friendships in the present and her love and commitment for her mum. It kept you guessing on what she would do, stay in the past or the present.

Xanthe is a wonderful, modern heroine and I look forward to reading about her next adventure.

The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston is the first book in the new series by the same name. This one is a time traveling fantasy read with a touch of paranormal and mixed with romance and mystery along the way.

Ever since Xanthe was a little girl she has had the unique ability of objects “talking” to her and telling her their story when she touches them. She and her mother, Flora, are just opening up a new antique shop when the two attend an auction when Xanthe finds a beautiful 17th century silver chatelaine that speaks to her and she knows she must purchase.

However, for the first time ever Xanthe gets more than the objects usual story when she touches and studies the chatelaine. Instead Xanthe finds herself transported to the past and to the girl the object has held onto. Returning to the future Xanthe meets the ghost of the mother of the girl who begs Xanthe to go back and help Alice who has been accused of theft and locked up in which the sentence will mean death.

What a wonderful start to this new series by Paula Brackston with a unique and interesting foundation to magic and time travel. With so many different elements thrown into the story I knew that this one should be one I’d enjoy so I was happy that it easily grabbed my attention right off. The author did a wonderful job giving a unique touch on the different times in the book to make them feel authentic and plenty of content to keep the story moving forward at a decent pace throughout. I’ll definitely be looking forward to seeing where Xanthe will end up in book two when she finds another object.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

The Little Shop of Found Things - first book of a new series - is an excellent novel for teens to seniors who enjoy a little SF with their novels. Paula Brackston seamlessly adds a little time travel to her tale of a young woman and her mother, moving to a new town after the divorce of Mom and Dad, and opening a little shop of antiques and curiosities in a tourist spot by the sea.

I found 'Found Things' an enchanting tale, one I am happy to encourage young great nieces and nephews to read. There are many series now with more than a dash of the supernatural, but most are also very sexual in nature. Brackston writes a story that carries itself without the addition of sex. Yeah!

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Paula Brackston, and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

If books have seasons, this book would certainly be a fall or winter read. It is the perfect book to read by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa. It was charming and old-fashioned, and I enjoyed Xanthe’s story a lot. I did find the first twenty pages somewhat difficult to get into, and the ending to be too abrupt. But the story was creative and drew me in, and I found the author’s historical research to be impressive. It certainly evoked the feeling of being in the seventeenth century. Recommended for fans of Susannah Kearsley, Ciji Ware, and Fiona Davis.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I’m a fan of author Paula Brackston and have read most of her witch books. I’ve spent hours enjoying her characters, settings and plots. A fan of time travel, this book should have hit my sweet spot dead on. But somehow it missed and I’m disappointed. There was a glaring problem and I wonder if other readers will also stumble over this choice. Our protagonist chooses to solve one problem by returning to present time and finding a solution by searching the internet. This is one classic solution that schoolchildren yearn for but seems out of place in an adult novel. It does speed up the action but at considerable cost to the integrity of the tale. It broke my connection to the story. I never really became engaged with it again. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Little Shop of Found Things is the beginning of a new series involving time travel and antiques. Xanthe and her mother, Flora have an antique shop in Marlborough. Xanthe has a special gift of being able to touch an antique object and experience a sense of the past and the story the antique holds. One day she feels a connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine and knows she must purchase it and find out more. While she is examining her new find, she is transported back to the seventeenth century and after is confronted by a ghost who informs her that the chatelaine is a link to that time and that Xanthe must help her right an injustice or else Flora's life will be in danger.

This book started very slowly for me. I struggled with this. I found that I did not feel any connection to the main character. I decided to carry on and was intrigued by Alice's story and wanted to know if Xanthe would be able to complete her task. What I did enjoy about this book, besides the beautiful cover, was the emerging romance between Samuel and Xanthe. I found I enjoyed the scenes with Samuel in the most. For me, the last third of the book was the most enjoyable.

There are many high ratings for this book, so this book obviously works for many readers. This goes to show that not all of us will love the same book. What works for one reader will not work for another. I had a real problem with connecting with this book. The premise was interesting to me and I was surprised when I found myself struggling with this book. One part of the book that I did not struggle with was the beginning romance. The romance part was intriguing and reminded me a little of the "Outlander" book series only in that a woman living in the modern age goes back in time and finds romance.

My advice would be to read all the reviews and decide for yourself. Many are loving this. This book has mystery, romance, some history and magic. Many things that will appeal to many readers. Sadly, this just wasn't for me.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com

This is usually not my type of book but the blurb made me request it. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! I loved the characters and the magic! Looks like there will be more in a series and that makes me happy!

The book begins by introducing the idea of ghosts or spirits who inhabit (for lack of a better word) objects that once belonged to them. The main character, Xanthe Westlake can feel these spirits. Some items “speak” or “sing” to her. She discovered this ability when she was 8 years old and she told her mother that an old teapot was happy.

Now Xanthe and her mother, Flora, are starting over. Flora is going through a divorce and needs to start a life of her own. She bought an old, small antique shop in the quaint town of Malborough, England. They have lots of work to do, but still can’t help being drawn into an antique sale that is going on. There Xanthe finds an old chatelaine that she feels drawn to. Spending more money than she should, she buys the chatelaine, thinking that once she has figured out why it is calling to her, they can resell it.

The book is a heady mixture of time travel, historical fiction, and a love story all wrapped up in an almost cozy mystery feel. I enjoyed reading about the 1600’s, the love story and the current day ins and outs of running an antique shop.

It is obviously set up to be a series, with the ending leaving little doubt that there is more to come.

I enjoyed the storyline and won’t hesitate to pick up the next book in the series.

I received an ARC of the book.

I’m fascinated by old things and this novel appealed to me because of the antiques and the main character’s ability to channel the past history of objects she touches.

Xanthe, a young woman who moves to the historic town of Marlborough in order to help her mother own and operate an antique stop, has a past to overcome. Starting a new life in Marlborough ends up taking her on a path she’d never imagined.

As Xanthe goes on her journey back and forth into the past, she has some help from a few Marlborough villagers that will most likely be returning characters in future novels.

For readers who love time travel, history and a bit of romance, this is a great choice. There were a few nail-biting moments and a not-so-friendly spirit lurking about that created a sense of suspense.

I enjoyed this one and will certainly consider reading the next book in the series when it comes out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review an advance copy, giving my honest review.

The Little Shop of Found things had great characters. The main character Xanthe is tormented by a ghost who urges her to help her daughter. Xanthe must travel back in time to help ghost’s daughter or the ghost will hurt Xanthe mother. The story finds Xanthe a love interest in another time. I enjoyed the story, the characters and the setting! Happy to have the chance to read it on NetGalley. I will recommend to others.

This story had a ton of potential and unfortunately it fell short for me. Xanthe and Sam’s relationship was too rushed for me. He was willing to go great heights for her and even though I understand the difference of time periods, I felt like his willingness and accommodating nature towards Xanthe was not believable. I feel like more of their budding relationship should have been written for his willingness to help her make sense. I also felt like there was too much fluff writing about the maids and quarters that didn’t add to the story. It was slow but the author would throw in a few interesting pages at a time that made me moving through the book. So much more drama, conspiracy, and even more romance which I’m rarely a fan of could have made this more of a hit.

Having read a couple of Paula Brackston ‘witchier’ novels, I was up for trying the first in a new series for her. With an attractive cover and the promise of a dual time narrative, I signed up.

Being the first in a series, what we have here is a slow build - mother and daughter starting over in a small town ready to move on and begin anew after hardships. The main lead, Xanthe, has an ability to connect with objects that ‘sing’ to her the history of their previous owner. Their new abode has a resident ghost from the 1600s who demands Xanthe's help save her daughter in that time - thus the strong pull she feels for the chatelaine (had to look that one up!), that will in turn, assist her to time travel. What I did appreciate is the historic detail, inclusive of settings/buildings, clothing, servants lives, attitudes to religion, and sentencing of convicted criminals. I enjoyed the modern tale also and hope future books in the series will flesh out more with Xanthe’s mother Flora, helpful friend Liam and many in the local community who really needed to be fleshed out a bit more for the reader to engage.

With characters and plot taking their time in being established, I began to struggle. When Xanthe so easily alternates back and forth between past and present, I had trouble letting go of logistics. To fully appreciate this scenario, one must suspend understanding in a number of matters eg. the time travel dynamics with no one surprised when Xanthe appeared or disappeared and in odd types of dress given the relevant time period. Her language was alluded to as being strange in the past, but the way she spoke and her forthright expectations really would not have been accepted in the 1600s; there were just too many unrealistic interactions if she was to assume the role of a servant. Add I did not really fall for the ‘insta romance’ if she was fearful of the retributions from the ghost in present day.

‘Xanthe felt suddenly swamped with guilt. How could she have been so easily and completely distracted from what she had come here to do?’

So, whilst the concept is clever and it may make for a good series, I was not overly convinced with the opening instalment. While there were parts I enjoyed, I couldn't fully get into this book. It is an easy read with time travel, romance, mystery and historical fiction all melded together with a sprinkle of magic thrown into the mix.

‘The present that she knew, the way things were in her time, could only have come about if she had traveled back to the past.’




This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release

It was the cover that drew me to this book. When I saw it, it was a magical experience for me. I found myself for the first time on a long time just staring at the cover mesmerized. One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is to try and find a "cute little town" and go antiquing followed by lunch of course at an equally quaint restaurant or pub.
So I found myself transfixed by this cover wishing that I could be transported to the Antique shop in the quaint town and get to go inside to see what treasures are for sale in the Little Shop of Found Things, One of the few times where I cursory glanced at the description of the book. I was sure that I was going to like this book from it's cover.
Well, I was right! Paula Brackston's, Little Shop of Found Things found me and I, in turn, found the start of a new series to read that are full of history, adventure, romance, mystery and a little magic all thrown in one.
Xanthe and her mother embark on a new chapter in their lives as they decide to open a quaint little antique shop in Marlborough, England.
As we find out quickly, Xanthe is able to tell the past of any item that she touches. What better gift to possess of you want to own an antique shop. As she and her mother trek to find items for the shop, Xanthe immediately feels a strong connection to an antique chatelaine from the 17th century.
Author Paula Brackston takes the reader on Xanthes "race against time" adventure/mystery with lightening speed. Her attention to all the details as Xanthe travels between current day and 17th century England are remarkable.and it is also what makes you have and "on the edge of your seat" feel when you read it.
Whether you fall in love with the cover like I did or read the description, The Little Shop of Found Things, is worth the adventure.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #LittleShopofFoundThings

The Little Shop of Found Things is the latest book by Paula Brackston. I immediately fell in love with the characters and once "into" the story found it difficult to put down. Hated to see it end. Then discovered it's the first of a series and am excited for the next adventure. I was given an early copy to review.

"Every soul that once trod this brutal earth leaves their imprint upon the things that mattered to them. The things that they held, the things that once echoed to the beat of their hearts."

I love that quote from Paula Brackston’s new novel THE LITTLE SHOP OF FOUND THINGS. When I read it somehow I knew I was going to enjoy this book. However, I didn’t enjoy it …I LOVED it! For a few delightful hours Ms. Brackston took me into the life of Xanthe Westlake.

Xanthe and her mother have bought a small antique shop in the quaint little village of Marlborough. The shop is filled with items left by its previous owner who is now deceased. This is perfect for Xanthe, having the gift of a “connection” to objects, picks up images and messages from the objects’ former owners. Now at an antique auction Xanthe is drawn to a silver chatelaine from the 1600s. But she is not the only one interested in the chatelaine. Lingering in the shop is a ghost that recognizes Xanthe as the person who can save her daughter. Against her will, Xanthe finds herself tumbling back through the centuries to 1605 to the home of the chatelaine’s original owner.

This beautiful and magical story is a blend of time travel and romance. Unlike the last book I read in this genre, this one shows true mastery in allowing the reader to suspend reality for the moment. The pacing was perfect with its slow buildup that then took off “like a rocket” and never slowed down after that. Don’t forget that there is romance, but that is all I will say as I do not want to spoil anything. This is one of those books that I truly did not want to end, so I am excited that it is the first in a new series. Please, Paula Brackston, do not keep us waiting!

Wow!I really enjoyed this book! The story and the quality of the writing really blew me away. I wasn't sure what I was going to end up reading but I was intrigued by the premise. Imagine my surprise when I found there was time travel and romance and just a soupcon of supernatural happenings! All of my favorite things! The story built slowly but confidently and I was right there with character of Xanthe all the way. My interest never lagged and the plot managed to keep me off kilter enough that I had no idea how it was going to end! This is a big deal for me. With the amount that I read, I often find myself predicting how books will end and I'm almost always at least half right. So i enjoy going on a roller coaster ride with no clear end in sight. I also was unfamiliar with the author and was surprised to many witchy titles to her name! I am so excited to discover a new author and I can't wait to read her previous books. I will be recommending this book and the author to so many readers in the future!

I received this from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

Xanthe has the ability to see the history of objects by touching them. When she’s transported back to the seventeenth century while holding an antique chatelaine and confronted by a ghost who reveals that this is where the antique has its origins, she is forced by the ghost to prove the innocence of an accused thief.

The story read well enough but overall it was just an okay read for me.

3☆

Absolutely fell in love with this gem of a book. A perfect blend of time travel, mystery and romance. Looking forward to more from this author.