This being the second in the series I have not read the previous books although they would add additional depth to the story this can be read as a stand alone. Money is tight, very tight, and other businesses on the street are starting to sell out to a man dealing in cheap tourist souvenirs. Carmen will do anything in her power to keep that from happening at the bookshop. She's still living at her sister Sophia's house, but space is tight, things aren't going all that well with Oke either. A bookstore in Edinburgh at Christmas. It’s the dream. The book is light on romance and honestly did not feel enough like a "Christmas" book to me. There was a lot going on in this one and a lot of characters to keep up with so many things that the reader could have learned more about by reading the first in the series. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity. 3.5 rounded down because I did not feel it was a Christmas book.

This is a very enjoyable sequel to The Christmas Bookshop. Carmen, the bookshop manager must find a way to keep the bookshop going without selling out to a tacky souvenir seller. Between misunderstandings and creative solutions, she finds a way to keep the bookshop going and finds love. I recommend Jenny Colgan books to anyone who likes a good story along with a little romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

"Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop" by Jenny Colgan is a delightful read that combines the magic of Christmas with the charm of a cozy bookshop. Carmen, the protagonist, finds herself managing a struggling bookstore in Edinburgh, where she not only rediscovers her love for books but also finds a sense of purpose and community. The story beautifully captures the festive spirit and the power of books to bring people together.

The setting is enchanting, with the bookshop itself becoming a character that adds warmth and depth to the story. Colgan’s writing is light and engaging, making it easy to get lost in Carmen’s journey. While some plot points are predictable, the overall experience is comforting, like a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter night.

I love Jenny Colgan! She is so good at setting a scene and building up the ambiance. I finished this book and immediately began researching trips to Edinburgh! This book was a pretty standard Christmas story but at this time of year comfort is what I want.

I received a copy of this audiobook from netGalley for a honest review.

I really enjoyed going back to the Christmas bookshop. I so want to go to Edinburgh! At any time of year. Carmen and Oakie had a lot of miscommunication but as I hoped they seem to make it in the end. Not without many setbacks. I liked Sophia more in this book, she seemed more human.

Midnight at the Christmas Pudding Shop by Jenny Colgan is a heartwarming and delightful novel that captures the spirit of Christmas and the magic of books. Set in a charming bookshop in a small town, the story revolves around Rosie Hopkins, who runs the bookshop and faces the challenges of keeping it afloat during the festive season. This author always creates the best settings for her books. You feel immersed in the story! I love this author and will continue to read all her books.

This is the sequel for the Christmas Bookshop, which I loved. It's the book that inspired me to visit Edinburgh. However, I had a hard time getting into this book. The same characters are there. I do think it is best if you read The Christmas Bookshop first and I may need to reread before reading this one.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Sweet little story. I appreciated the emotional maturing of the main character and the full circle story arc. The first half was a little bit of a slog, but it finished out quite nicely!

Nice Christmas story. When I started the story I did not know it was all going to come together but little town pulled through and the ending was great.

A cozy holiday read, Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop is just the thing for book lovers to curl up with during the Christmas season. I'd love to spend a December evening at the Christmas Bookshop with it's unique and delightful cast of characters. Add in a thread of mystery and you have a special novel perfect for the holidays.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

THis is the second book in the series. It was just as good as the first. Even though Carmen finds herself down on her luck, she still has the owner of the book store she works at.

It is good to sit down with a great book that lets you escape for a few hours and this is the one.

This made for a good palate cleanser type book. It was one you can just read with a mug of cocoa. The characters were fine but the story seems to drag on. Had it been shorter, and the writing a tad bit more to the point, this would have hit 4 stars.

I love love love Jenny Colgan’s bookshop titles and add in Christmas in Edinburgh and it’s almost too cozy! I love these characters!

Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop returns to quaint and beautiful Edinburgh, Scotland where Carmen, her family and friends turn the holidays upside down and then wonderful again. The story picks up where the first book, The Christmas Bookshop, ends, with Carmen and Oke (pronounced okay) a happy couple. Carmen wants to advance their relationship a little further but it turns into a disaster. Before she knows it Oke leaves for a 6-month expedition and they break up. The story takes a journey of their time apart and how they each struggle to move on.

Jenny Colgan has a way at writing quirky yet lovable characters as they go about their everyday life. Her characters are a good reflection of ourselves and shows us the good and bad of our decisions. Carmen can be a little eccentric and irrational but at the same time a very loving individual who wants to be loved too. Her time apart from Oke shows her trying to move on without him but her heart isn’t getting the message. She has a lot to deal with at the bookshop and having to leave her sister’s home to find a new place to live. There are recurring characters that always bring interesting twists to the story plus a few new ones that make Carmen work a bit harder to keep her job at the bookshop.

The author took us on another journey with Carmen and it was good to revisit the bookshop at Christmas. We see what is happening with both Carmen and Oke and how they find their way back to each other. With the introduction of a rival both in business and at home, Carmen has her hands full and she handles things with a nice outcome. Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop really is a reminder of what is good about Christmas and how the holidays should be celebrated with family and loved ones.

Who does not love a sweet holiday romance that takes place in a bookshop?! I loved reading this book and it is perfect for the holiday season. The love story itself was very sweet and it felt realistic; it was not too fake or unbelievable. I loved the backdrop of the bookshop and anything that Jenny Colgan writes is sure to be a hit.

## A Warm Return to McCredie's: A Review of "Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop"

Jenny Colgan's "Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop" offers a comforting return to the beloved world of McCredie's, the charming Edinburgh bookshop. This sequel to "The Christmas Bookshop" picks up with Carmen Ogilvy, the shop's owner, facing a familiar blend of festive cheer and daunting challenges.

The story is a delightful concoction of heartwarming characters, quirky situations, and the undeniable magic of Christmas. We find Carmen grappling with the aftermath of a breakup, a potential store closure threatened by a greedy developer, and the unexpected arrival of a film crew intent on turning McCredie's into a Christmas movie set.

While the Christmas spirit permeates the narrative, the book delves deeper than mere holiday cheer. It explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of community. Carmen's journey is one of navigating personal and professional struggles, surrounded by a cast of characters who offer support, laughter, and a touch of festive chaos.

While some might find the plot predictable or the romance a tad rushed, the book's true strength lies in its ability to evoke a sense of comfort and belonging. Colgan's signature warmth infuses every page, making you feel like you're curled up with a good book by a crackling fire.

Overall, "Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop" is a delightful read, perfect for those seeking a heartwarming escape filled with charming characters, festive cheer, and a good dose of bookish joy. Just be prepared to be left wanting a steaming mug of cocoa and a visit to your own favorite local bookstore.

This is a cute follow-up to The Christmas Bookshop. Carmen shows some growth, even moving out on her own, but I didn't like that Oke's story was kind of off in the weeds until the end. Love the Edinburgh setting but it wasn't quite Christmasy enough.

Sweet continuation of the Christmas novella from last year! I liked that it included a year’s time in between and there were some great side characters.

I love Jenny Colgan’s characters and the way she shapes them so thoroughly. I did read the first one in this set, but if I hadn’t, I would’ve been lost right away. As it was, I had to dig up the first book and do review to pick back up. Of course, my favorite part of reading it was that I have been to Edinburgh since reading the first one, so I was able to envision the setting so well this time and felt so much more invested in the story!

Unfortunately this book isn’t for me. After reading The Christmas Bookshop (and not loving it) I was really hoping this second book would be more enjoyable for me but sadly it wasn’t. I felt that very little happened within the book until the last 25%. I also couldn’t see maturity or personal growth with the characters until way too close to the end of the story. While the visual descriptions of the bookshop are lovely I can’t honestly say I enjoyed the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.