Nora and Simon Walden have owned the Stowford Bookshop in the Cotswolds for many years. However, this Christmas they are facing the fact that sales are down, that the debts for the store cannot be paid and they will have to sell.. Simon recently had a heart scare and their 18 year old daughter is travelling in India which adds to their feeling blue. When an elderly man comes into the store looking for a specific older book for his extremely ill grandson, Nora realizes they have a copy. When Simon comes back from an errand, Nora tells him about the child's cancer and the gratitude of the old gentleman that they had the book. Nora and Simon decide to ask people on the store's website, to nominate people who could use a random act of kindness. They are inundated with responses and choose six people who are in need of a bit of hope. It is through the stories of the six people who receive the books that readers learn of all the different troubles and pain people are quietly going through in the town. Although the book contains serious subject matter, like depression and unemployment, most of the characters are supportive and kind and ultimately make this a cheerful read. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What an absolutely wonderful holiday book! This is a perfect Christmas story about the power of books, friendship, and hope. This is the perfect addition to any Christmas book line-up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

What a lovely book! It is set around Christmas, but I very much enjoyed reading it in July. It is a wonderful story about the power of books, friendship, and never giving up hope. If you are looking for a well-written, feel good read, I highly recommend this one!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

Nora and Simon own a struggling bookstore in the Cotswold region. In order to protect her husband ( who has some health issues), Nora is hiding their financial issues, and their life-long dream is quickly fading. With the Christmas rush still not providing enough income for the future, the New Year looks bleak. The Christmas miracle they need does not seem possible.

They decide to send out several classic books to people who have been nominated by the public, in a random act of literary kindness. How these books change people’s lives, quickly brings some joy to the Christmas season, and lifts Simon and Nora’s spirits.

Reading about Christmas in June seems strange, but this book was worth it, as the miracles and joy of Christmas should be celebrated year round.

Nora and Simon own and run the only bookshop in their small village for many, many years. In fact, Nora was raised in the flat over the shop and inherited the bookshop after her mother died. She and Simon raised their only daughter there as well. They have always made a living -- enough to get by on. But now, things are not looking so good. Their business is drying up, because people are buying their books online and the village is being threatened with a mall. There is no incentive for people to visit the bookshop. They can't pay their bills. They are delinquent on their taxes. They are in fear of losing everything if they can't pay off their debt. Knowing this Christmas might be their last in the little bookshop, they are determined to go out on as high a note as they can. They decide to ask for requests for people who seem to be in special need this year and they anonymously send a book to six different people hoping the books they receive will make a difference in their lives. This is the story of what happened to not only those people, but to Nora and Simon as well.

I wanted to read this book when I saw the cover of the book. It looked so cozy and welcoming! As I got started, I nearly changed my mind. I was feeling super depressed through several of the first chapters and felt nothing was ever going to go right for Nora and Simon. And then, subtly, you began to sense change coming in small ways and I felt my mood lifting and I began to feel hopeful. The story is told mainly from the viewpoint of Nora and Simon, but then the author brings in the people who received the books and lets us know what is happening or has happened in their lives and why the book they received is a catalyst for change for them.

This is a quiet, simple Christmas story and I think it is worth a read. I hope others enjoy it as well. I received this book in advance from NetGalley and I want to say thank you.

The first quarter of the book is slow, but it does pick up. The premise is great, and the message that you get what you give rings true. A great holiday feel-good.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I enjoyed this book, it was a typical down on your luck Christmas miracle story. But, the characters really helped to make the story unique. It was very easy for me to connect to most of them and they were all really memorable. All in all I would recommend this book to others.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Ora and Simon live a charmed life. Running a bookstore together for years, they have a beautiful daughter, love their village, and are happy together. However, the bookstore isn’t doing well, and they fear this will be the last Christmas they spend running it.

So they decide to go out by spreading happiness, sending Christmas books to six people who have been nominated as needing a little cheer in their own lives. But will they get the miracle they need to save the bookstore?

This is a cute, uplifting holiday book, perfect for fans of Melody Carlson or Debbie Macomber.

A small, independent bookstore in England is in financial trouble, so the owners decide to try a unique giveaway at Christmas to help some local citizens. It is a very charming story, filled with likeable people, a beautiful bookshop, and lots of holiday cheer. Highly recommended for a feel-good Christmas read. Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing an ARC.

3.5 stars rounded to four stars

This was an inspiring book about a small town banding together and helping each other through difficult times. About generosity and kindness.

The first couple of chapters started at a slow pace, but it soon picked up. This is not a fast paced, plot driven novel. It is all about the characters and their connections with each other. There are MANY characters in this book, but I didn’t feel it was overwhelming. You were given enough backstory to understand the characters, but not a lot of needles information.


Books and cooking/recipes/food were a focus in this book. This book need an accompanying cookbook! Or at least a few of the recipes for the more mentioned foods added to the back of the book.

This is a good, inspirational Christmas story with a lot of heart. And who doesn’t love a book about books and food!

Thank you Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam/ G.P. Putnam’s Sons for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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