Late review but I loved this book and have displayed it, shared it, and recommended widely. Would gladly read another adult title from this author.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for my copy of Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan in exchange for an honest review. It published October 12, 2021.
I just loved this Christmas book! In a sea of Christmas Romances and Christmas Cozy Mysteries, this one stood out! I loved the story-line, and honestly, have been very inspired to shop locally because of this book. I loved the relationship between all the different characters, and the many literary references. Definitely add this to your Christmas reading list!

Sometimes you just want a book where all the characters are nice, you want to visit the setting, and everything works out. Especially at Christmas! This is the book for you if you're looking for a Christmas comfort read.

Would you like to go to a charming village in the English Cotswolds and spend time in an adorable book store on the high street? Would you like to enjoy a merry trivia night in the village's pub and feel like you're friends with all the other independent business owners who run flower shops, tea rooms, boutiques? Would you like to spend time with a couple who are still very much in love and who must figure out how to save their book store? Here's your story.

There's a bit of random book gift giving that ends up twining several characters together, all to happy ends, too.

The author knows her books and understands the issues that independent bookstores face. You know that the store will be saved in the end because it's that kind of story. I got a bit impatient waiting for the other shoe to drop, honestly. But I loved virtually attending the bookstore party described, liked knowing that at least here everything and everyone was going to be fine. Lonely people would find each other and the hard-hearted politician will end up having empathy after all. This is not a book that will sing for the ages. But it will make you feel cozy.

The holiday season is a time for happiness and cheer - and for heartwarming stories about good people who make a difference in the lives of those around them. Author Anne Marie Ryan's Christmas by the Book tells the story of a couple of lovable booksellers who reach out to their community - even when they could use some help themselves...

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com - and aired on Shelf Discovery

This was such a great Christmas romance! I love reading Christmas books all year long and it was just what I needed for Christmas in July! Highly recommend!

First, don't let my 3-star rating put you off this book; I picked it up to read as I just finished an intense graphic horror novel and needed a light, fun read. That is precisely what Christmas by the book is meant to be. It's the hallmark movie you want when you feel overwhelmed, down in the mouth or just a grumpy. It is set in a small town quaint book shop and loveable characters. Problems are somewhat easily solved, and everything is most easily solved in around 300 pages. None of that makes the book wrong or good. It just makes it an ok read for the time and spot I needed it to be. I thought the writing was excellent, the characters were sweet, the plot had a great message, and it got me out of my grumpy mood. It also contains the critical news that books can change a life in many ways if you just let them.

Christmas by the Book was the perfect feel-good, cozy holiday read. It was wrapped up in all of the Christmas charm and spirit and struck all the cords of my book-loving heart. Taking place in a charming little bookstore in the Cotswolds, owners Simon and Nora are left trying to keep the store alive during the holiday season. I loved the fresh storyline here of these booksellers using the power of books and the written word to cheer people up and "change" their lives. It made my heart swoon!

Yes, there were times things felt a bit far-fetched here but isn't that just the magic of books and Christmas? I felt the author encapsulated it all so well within these pages. I sure was hooked from start to finish. The setting and atmosphere, each of the unique and somewhat quirky characters, and just a heartfelt nod to the magic of books... this book checked all the boxes of a charming holiday read for me and I'm so thrilled to have spent time with it. It was perfectly refreshing and well-written.

I definitely recommend adding this to your Christmas reads list this year!

Thank you so much to Putnam and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy.

As a lover of both books and Christmas, this story felt made for me. It’s light and uplifting and came at a time when I needed both of those things. I recommend it for anyone needing a pick-me-up, even if it isn’t Christmas.

The author really captured the Christmas spirit in this wonderful story. Follow along these wonderful characters in a charming little Christmas story about Christmas miracles. I highly recommend to all that would love some Christmas cheer.

Christmas by the Book was an enjoyable, feel - good holiday read. Simon and Nora own an independent bookstore in the Cotswolds. They have fallen behind on taxes and have been losing sales to online booksellers, and they are about to lose the store due to debt. Leading up to what will surely be their last holiday season in the store, Nora and Simon put out an offer to give away books to residents who need a lift. Their act of kindness changes the future for many folks, especially Nora and Simon.
In exchange for an honest review, I was given an ARC of Christmas by the Book from Netgalley.
#christmasbythebook#bookstores#christmas#netgalley#annemarieryan

A small British village is the location of a charming bookshop run by a couple for over thirty years.
Times are so tight financially this year they are in danger of the shop closing.
As a last hurrah before the shop goes down they have a contest for people who need cheering up through books. This is the cause and effect of them giving the books out and how it affects the recipients life. Very heartwarming book because even though their shop is floundering they are concentrating on goodwill towards others.
I want to visit a very old fashioned and charming bookshop like this and talk to friendly owners like this.


Pub Date 12 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I love any book set in a bookstore and this one was no exception. I was so excited to get this book from #Netgalley. This book was so cute and was the perfect Christmas story. I loved all the characters, the storyline, and the setting. The cover is gorgeous also. I would definitely recommend this book to people who love Christmas books that are hopeful.

First off- this cover is gorgeous! The setting is a bookstore- what’s not to love? A struggling bookstore, a charming small town, likable cast of characters, and book references galore made this a very enjoyable read. 4 ⭐️

Christmas by the Book is the first adult novel written by accomplished children’s author Anne Marie Ryan. In a small English hamlet Nora and Simon Walton struggle to keep their book shop afloat. Since his heart issues things have fallen behind and they are in danger of losing the business her mother began decades ago.

After the sale of a special book to a grandfather for an ailing grandson, Simon comes up with the idea to offer gifted books to folks based on recommendations by others, sending out six such previously wrapped books randomly to the recipients. The story unravels to reveal the recipients, the impact on their lives, and how folks are brought together as a result.

This is such a wonderful story!! I cannot recommend it enough. If you are seeking a book that embodies the spirit of Christmas, here it is!! Please, enjoy as much as I did!

PROS: I loved (almost) everything about this book. Just look at that cute furry Westie on the cover! Her name is Merry. Isn't that the most darling name? Well, I loooooove a good bookshop read, and honestly, this could have been one of the best ever (if it wasn't for the tiny little factor, voiced below in the Cons section). Seriously, the writing is impeccable. The plot is pieced together so well! (There are so many little stories in the plot, and they all had to be tied up with a bow by the end... and the author managed so well in doing that.) There are so many book-ish details are in this book, so much of it just made my literature-lovin' heart happy -- frequent book references, etc. Loved it! This really felt like a quality read, not just a light, fluffy, holiday story... but there's some real meat on the bones.

CONS: The language. Ugh! Foul language was littered all through this (otherwise charming) read.

"Christmas by the Book" was the perfect festive, mellow Christmas read. Packed full of holiday festivities, kind characters, and a HEA we all love this time of year. As a book lover, I enjoyed the theme including books -- which save the days (as they should!!).

Santa came early this year and delivered a spirit-lifting holiday-themed novel that’s entirely successful in being what it set out to be: a comforting Christmas story.

Christmas by the Book (also previously published as The Six Tales of Christmas) works for many reasons:

- It’s set in an independent book shop in a small British village!

- The primary characters, the married shop owners, are intelligent, realistic, middle-aged adults!

- Clever book references abound!

- The story has a lot of heart and highlights the concept that books have the power to bring people together… amen to that!

- It’s not a holiday romance, nor a holiday mystery, but rather just a holiday story!

- Reminiscent vibes include “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “Love, Actually!”

I binged this adorable story all in one go, and like shoving a plate full of sugar cookies into my pie hole as if I had to start a Keto diet the next day, the end got a little cloyingly sweet. But that’s to be expected though. Author Anne Marie Ryan served up just what I wanted, and it served me right.

4.5 stars (rounded up, because 'tis the season)

This is kinda like Love Actually in a bookshop. Nora and Simon’s bookshop is failing, but that doesn’t stop them from anonymously sending out 6 Christmas books to locals who need cheering up.

We see how their gifted books inspire changes in the lives of the recipients, how much their bookshop means to the community, and how all the of their lives intertwine.

I cried a few times while reading this heartwarming tale, but it deals with some pretty heavy subjects like death of a child and suicidal thoughts/depression. It’s really a wonderful book for the holiday season. Any true book lover will adore this Christmas tale.

This a a truly heartwarming story of Nora and Simon who own a bookstore in a small Cotswold village. As Christmas approaches and financial problems loom, Nora and Simon decide to deliver books to local strangers who could use some uplifting. Their generosity is then returned in this charming tale filled with memorable characters and the true spirit of the holidays.

Nora and Simon Walden own The Stowford Bookshop in England. Nora inherited the shop from her mother who passed on her love of books to her. Unfortunately, the shop is currently in the red plus the taxes are due. It is hard to compete with online retailers. Another problem is that many of the people in the village are struggling so books are a luxury they cannot afford, and weather is keeping the tourists away. When the oldest book in the store sells, it gives the couple an idea. They post on social media asking people if there is someone in their lives who can use a boost this holiday season. They draw out six names and send them a special Christmas book. Nora and Simon get to see how each book makes a difference in the life of the receiver. Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan is a feel-good Christmas tale. The book does get off to a slow start as we are introduced Nora and Simon. The story becomes more engaging the further I got into the book. We get to see how the books affect the receivers. The story also touches on depression. Many people are ashamed of having depression and do not discuss it with others. Winter plus the holiday season tend to make this mental health condition worse. I thought the author handled this subject very well. Christmas by the Book allows us to see how a gift can spread joy and hope. I liked how each book was right for each person’s situation. It was great to see what Nora and Simon’s idea sparked in others. The ending left me smiling. Christmas by the Book will help you get into the holiday spirit. Christmas by the Book is an uplifting holiday tale with a special sale, tax troubles, beneficial books, a dark depression, Christmas chaos, and a merry miracle.