Member Reviews

Spending time with Florrie Appleton and Ed Harte at the Happy Harte Bookshop in Micklewick Bay on the North Yorkshire coast will truly give you a happy heart! Their tight-knit group of friends, their sweet dog, Gerty, and the other cast of characters in the book are all so well written that you feel like you've known them forever and could sit down with them in the local pub and feel right at home. This is the first book of the series that I have read and now I have some catching up to do to get to know the wonderful characters and Micklewick Bay better. I really like that the book contained a small amount of drama which kept the story moving and left you guessing a bit. I highly recommend this feel-good book that caused me to shed a few happy tears. This is definitely a wonderful Christmas holiday read!

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The holiday stories are here. Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea is a winner. It is filled with family and joy.

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I received a free copy of, Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea, by Eliza J. Scott, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is four of the Micklewick Bay series. Florrie is so excited for the holidays, her Happy Hartes bookshop, looks so festive. The only downer is her partner Ed, is he hiding something from her? This is a sweet holiday read. Mickelwick seems like a great town to be in.

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I really enjoy the series based in Micklewick Bay and the characters involved, as we learn more and more about Florrie's circle of girl friends and why they are who they are.

This is the second book based on Ed and Florrie's bookshop, not forgetting the gorgeous Gerty. As they now own the shop, we find out about their ups and downs, next steps for the shop and the adventures of their favourite authors, and now friends, Jenna and Jack.

I adore the idea of the Happy Christmas Memory Project that Florrie sets out on for Ed, and the joy and surprises that comes from it, despite the jeopardy of what is happening with his father and Dodgy Dick, and why Ed is rummaging around in the attic.

The ending and epilogue were beautiful, especially as it is just after Christmas. You want to raise a glass with Florrie and her friends.

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This book is the perfect cozy Christmas read that will transport you straight into the enchanting world of Micklewick Bay! It's brimming with heartwarming holiday cheer and feels like a Hallmark movie in the best possible way. You'll absolutely adore Florrie and Ed as they navigate their way through the charming Christmas Memory Project, making it a festive delight from start to finish. With Christmas magic on every page, this story is sure to become a holiday favorite!

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This book was set in a quaint bookstore. It was a lovely book that was perfect for a rainy day read!!! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this for my honest opinion.

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A warm, cozy Christmas read. It’s giving Hallmark vibes; in all the right ways. Prepare to fall in love with Florrie and Ed as your transported to the dreamy work of Micklewick Bay!

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Heartwarming festive read. Absolutely love the Christmas Memory Project. Definitely Christmas on every page.

Thank you Eliza J Scott, Storm publishing and Netgalley for this ARC

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This book is like a warm hug, the author manages to tell a beautiful tale of village life and the characters that are central to it. The book centres on the book shop and Florine and Ed. They are a couple in this book and living together in what looks like a perfect world from the outside. They are excited about Christmas and decorations go up and glitter gets everywhere. Underneath there is concern, Ed is hiding something and Florrie wonders if this I s cold feet about their future plans. And under it all is dodgy Dick who is threatening their business, breaking in and scaring them and their customers. Nothing really happens, the mystery is safely unravelled but it is the minutiae of the village life that is the story and appeal.

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Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea by Eliza J. Scott is an enchanting holiday narrative set in the picturesque coastal town of Micklewick Bay. The plot centers on Florrie Appleton and Ed Harte, who have inherited the Happy Hartes Bookshop alongside their affectionate black Labrador, Gerty. As the duo endeavors to prepare for a magical Christmas by adorning their shop and coordinating community events, they encounter unforeseen obstacles, including enigmatic acts of sabotage that jeopardize their establishment. Florrie's anxiety intensifies when Ed begins to exhibit peculiar behavior following a phone call from his father, prompting her to reevaluate their relationship during this festive period.

The narrative intricately weaves elements of mystery, romance, and familial dynamics, emphasizing the couple's attempts to fortify their connection amidst holiday turmoil. The story encapsulates the spirit of Christmas through captivating depictions of winter activities and communal camaraderie, ultimately culminating in the unearthing of secrets and the resolution of tensions. As Florrie and Ed confront their trials, they forge enduring memories that embody the warmth and joy characteristic of the holiday season, rendering this novel a heartwarming contribution to any festive reading repertoire.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea by Eliza J. Scott

From the very first page of Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea, I felt enveloped in the warmth and charm of Micklewick Bay. Florrie Appleton and Ed Harte have created a cozy, bookish haven that I wished I could step into. The festive atmosphere is palpable, from Florrie’s delightful decorations to Ed’s enchanting window displays, making it a perfect backdrop for a holiday romance.

As the story unfolds, I found myself invested in Florrie’s determination to create the ultimate Christmas experience, filled with gingerbread hot chocolates and magical sleigh rides. However, Ed’s sudden distance left me feeling a mix of concern and curiosity. The tension surrounding his secret added depth to their relationship, keeping me turning the pages as I tried to unravel the mystery.

When Ed goes missing just days before Christmas, my heart raced. Florrie’s journey to uncover the truth and hold onto her dreams amidst the uncertainty was both emotional and relatable. The themes of love, family, and friendship resonate deeply, reminding me of the importance of connection during the holiday season.

Eliza J. Scott’s writing is beautifully evocative, making me feel the chill of winter while simultaneously warming my heart. This book truly captures the magic of Christmas, and I found myself cheering for Florrie every step of the way.

Overall, Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea is a delightful read that combines romance, mystery, and the festive spirit perfectly. It left me with a smile and a renewed appreciation for the little moments that make the holidays special. I can’t wait to revisit Micklewick Bay again!

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A wholesome and heartwarming story set in the picturesque town of Micklewick Bay. Book four in the series, which I read as a stand-alone. I do wish I had read the previous books just to get myself acquainted with the characters.

A story that is full of all things Christmas, beautiful window displays, fairy lights, mulled wine, ice skating, and snow. As far as the plot goes, nothing much really happens. It's all very pleasant and happy going for the majority of it. I liked it, but it didn't grab me as much as I was hoping. The story encapsulates the Christmas spirit, full of family and friendships, with a good dose of community spirit and some romance in there to.

This story gives you a good serving of what you expect from a cosy, romantic festive story filled with the warmth of Christmas.

Thank you, Storm Publishing, for my ARC and to NetGalley.
My opinions are my own

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Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

This book was great! I loved the writing style and I loved the characters and their chemistry. I loved the Christmas vibes. Great book!!

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I'll start by saying that I have not read the first book, The Little Bookshop by the Sea, and I think that did me a huge disservice. Without reading that, this book felt scattered and suffering from an identity crisis. Is it a romance? A mystery? Honestly, it was barely either. There are beautiful descriptions in the book, but they didn't seem to add much to the story. I wanted more details on the actual story and less on the town and wardrobe of the characters. Because I feel like I can't accurately review this having not read the initial book, I'm hesitant to post my written review on Goodreads. Instead, I'll simply rate it with stars and hope to not tarnish the author's hype.

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This is the 4th book in the series and whilst it can be read as a stand alone it’s so good you’ll want to read the others so my advice is to get the whole series and settle down for a delightful escapist read. You wont be disappointed.

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Lovely return to Micklewick Bay and the Happy Hartes Bookshop. I loved the happy memories project that Flirrie sets up to create positive memories of Christmas for Ed. Their plans for the bookshop was a big part of the story with the sinister threats of Dodgy Dick casting a shadow over their plans. However, I felt Florrie was a little weak in this one - I just wanted her to talk to Ed and this would have solved most of the problems. Would love a story fid Jasmine next.

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Ever had a book leave you chuckling? One scene in Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea by Eliza J. Scott had me laughing out loud and my husband asking what I was laughing at. When I told him, he was rolling with laughter. I could so see that scene happening with our son, even with my husband and his brothers. Granted it was the only scene that had me chortling with laughter, but it was definitely memorable. For a feel good read, pick up this novel.

Releases Oct. 23rd. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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My two favourite things in the title. Christmas and books!! I was hooked from the beginning, I really enjoyed this read. It was cute and gave a nice vibe. Very cozy read. Thank you for an advance copy of this.

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I think you need to read the rest of the series in order to fully enjoy this book. I hadn't and I felt that I was missing lots of info about the characters. It's a slow story, not much happens.

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This can be read as a standalone but probably better to have read the rest of the series as I felt a bit in the dark for huge sections if the book. There were clearly back stories that were skimmed over but for me it took away the enjoyment of this book as I felt I was missing lots of info.
It is also a slow burner and to be honest not much happens in it.

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