This book was such a quick read and just absolutely perfect for a cosy Christmas season read.

I actually liked all of the characters in this book. However, Mirren’s mum was some character, not sure I could cope with a mother like her being so needy and demanding all of the time…

The book hunt was intriguing and I liked how the characters met and how they bonded and their relationship formed over their travels and love of books. I also liked how it felt like an old traditional love story, however, modernised through the use of Snapchat maps (that made me chuckle).

the ending of the story was very emotional, heartwarming and cute. I definitely feel that the book could have been made longer and I would've happily kept on reading!

The audiobook was narrated and performed brilliantly by the narrator and I found listening to the book really enjoyable.

While I love Jenny Colgan, I am not a fan of short stories. I really didn’t get to fall in love with her characters like I do during her full length novels. But that being said, this is a fun and unique Christmas story that will make you feel all the feels this holiday season.

This was really cute. Two people on the hunt for one thing, unexpectedly having to navigate each other in their quest. Mirren's love for her aunt is the main driver for this book and was especially sweet and sentimental.

Lovely little short story for Christmastime.

I will be my own nemesis, coz I don’t read blurbs; but here’s a spoiler…..this is not a love story. This is not your typical cosy holiday romance read, but the love story here is that of families and friends…..and I am all here for it. Mirren’s mission of fulfilling her great aunt’s last wish of finding a very precious copy of A Child’s Garden of Verses (which I’ve already ordered from Amazon), brought her to several bookish places and I loved them so much!! So much I can use this book as my travel guide when I revisit York & Edinburgh, and when I finally get to visit Hay-on-Wye (though I wish Mirren stayed longer there). She did not only discovered these wonderful places, but she also encountered several people that have equally important roles in the story, including Theo, who am not a big fan of. The story warms your heart dearly as the plot goes along especially towards the end, and I love it so much!!
Thank you to Tandemcollective UK & the lovely Jenny Colgan herself for sending some treats and a copy of this audiobook.

Sadly this book was just not for me, I caught myself multiple times not paying attention anymore. I will not recommend this book to my followers but hope other readers enjoy it more than I did.

3 1/2 stars. This was a semi romance, semi cozy mystery set during Christmas and involves lots of bookshops. Sounds perfect, but didn't quite rise above a quick holiday read.

It was short (127 pages) and took a bit to get into. The actual book hunt seemed useless to me. A book that rare wasn't going to be just sitting on a shelf in a bookshop. Any owner worth his weight in first editions was going to know what they had. But, I guess, without that, there would be no story.

It definitely got more interesting in the second half and I love the relationship between the women. It would have been nice to see a bit more romance though. This was my first Jenny Colgan book and I thank Netgalley for the ALC so I can review it honestly.

A 'cute, short story about a book hunt at Christmas. Mirren's aunt Violet is dying of cancer and her last request is for Mirren to find a book that Violet last held 70 years ago. In the process Mirren falls in love and finds Violets best friend from childhood.

💬 My Thoughts
Joining the funny and selfless Mirren on her UK-wide quest to find her great-aunt Violet's cherished childhood book was pure joy. From cosy bookshops to festive pubs and charming lodgings, this short story brims with twists and heartwarming moments and a promise of romance. I could have read a novel-length version and still wanted more—Jenny Colgan works her magic again!

Her characters are wonderfully defined. Sweet Mirren and her nurturing great-aunt stole my heart. Meanwhile, Mirren's self-absorbed mother had me wanting her to hang up the phone on her, and the snobby booksellers were so vivid I hoped they'd never make another sale!

Mirren's banter with Theo, especially their Austenesque exchanges, was priceless.

Eilidh Beaton’s narration brought the characters to life brilliantly, with distinct accents and mannerisms.

Jenny’s ability to weave characters from her other stories into new ones feels like running into old friends—it’s utterly delightful.

I highly recommend this festive treat for book lovers!

HUGE thanks to Tandem Collective, Jenny Colgan and Amazon Publishing for gifting me the audiobook for an honest review.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This was a quick holiday listen/read about a young woman looking for a rare book for her dying aunt. I did not like the book seller or his nephew and could have done w/o that part of the story all together.

Rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: 12/1
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The Christmas Book Hunt follows the story of Mirren on the hunt across the UK to find a very specific book for her great Aunt who is actively dying. 
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This was such a cute short story. Right from the start I felt for Mirren; trying to grant her aunt's last wish to also feeling like a failure when she kept hitting dead ends. I loved the mystery aspect of finding out if the book truly exists and the lengths that Mirren goes to in order to fulfil that wish. I liked the romance aspect of the story too; it was just a nice little touch. This is a short story I read it in just about two hours. I found the pacing to be spot on, I just wanted to know if Mirren would succeed. I loved the ending. I thought that it was absolutely spectacular. 
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I listened to this one via audiobook. Eilidh Beaton was the narrator, and she was fantastic. She kept my interest the entire time and it was so easy to follow. Highly recommend the audio.
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Overall, this was a really cute read about a childhood Christmas book. I thought it was awesome! Be sure to check this one out! It's available on kindle unlimited too!! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Jenny Colgan and Brillance Publishing for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Cute, quick, cozy mystery/romance. This follows a girl who is sent by her ill great aunt to find a book of hers that went missing so long ago. Mirren’s journey to find this book comes with plenty of trials and even a man who joins her along the way. Definitely recommend this short story!

This was a fantastic listen, Mirren's hunt to find a special book for her great aunt after a cancer diagnosis is really heartwarming. The book is so rare though that it is merely whispered about in the 'book people' circles.

With that in mind, what a good job she has Theo on board with her as he knows his stuff and Mirren is definitely determined to get her aunt the book that gives her such fond childhood memories.

Spanning various locations from across England, Scotland and Wales this is a beautiful read and has a touch of seasonal festivities without going overboard.

The only thing I don’t like about this book is it an Amazon original. Which means it’ll be impossible for libraries to buy for their patrons if they’re not using Libby. In this book, we have a woman who finds out that her aunt is dying and her aunt wants one thing , a book from her childhood. A particular book of verse by Robert Lewis Stevenson illustrated by a particular artist. Our main character decides she’s going to try her best to find a copy of this book. Along the way she makes friends with a handsome young bookseller and the two of them are going to see if they can’t find this unique, rare, and eventually very expensive phantom copy of a book. This book was very sweet and heartfelt. It was a perfect read for Christmas. It does have romance in it, but the romance isn’t the main part of the story. The main part of the story really is the hunt in these old British book shops for a book so rare most people don’t believe it to exist. I loved almost everything about this if only it was put out by a publisher, other than Amazon.

I liked this short and sweet book! It was the definition of cozy and I loved the settings. I do wish for a different ending, but it was still a good book.

The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan
Format: audio
Release Date: 12/1/24
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A cute and festive Christmas novella you can read in one sitting! This was very bite sized, but I appreciated that it didn’t try to do too much in 127 pages. We had a mission, had a little romance, and everything was wrapped up in a Christmas themed bow!

Narration was fantastic and really helped set the holiday mood as well! Would definitely recommend this if you’re looking for something easy and charming.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁: This story is like a love letter to the book lovers out there. It mixes duty to family with adventure and love. I loved the premise of this story and the descriptions of all the bookstores, it was like going on an adventure from home. If you have time this is a quick read that will boost your spirits.

Mirren’s Great Aunt was diagnosed with cancer and her last wish is to hold a book from her childhood to feel connected to her dad again. This book was one her father use to read to her and her best friend. Only problem is this book hasn’t been seen for years and her Aunt is pretty sure her mom sold it during the WW. Plus this version of the book after extensive googling seems to be more like a myth than real.

So Mirren wanting to grant her Aunt’s last wish goes on book hunt across England. Many stores and many miles of books and she has no success then she finds a breadcrumb that changes it all - maybe this book could be real. But Mirren’s Aunt’s health is degrading and she’s in a race against time. To make it worst her search for this book and asking questions has caused others to also search. There’s a lot on the line will Mirren be able to keep her promise to her Aunt.

Check out this audiobook now on Amazon Prime it’s included if you have Prime.

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Rival Book Hunters to Lovers
* Hand Written Notes
* Promise to a Loved One
* Running Out of Time
* Touch of the Holidays
* England & Scotland Setting
* Short Story
* Sweet & Clean
* Single POV

🇬🇧📚🔎🫶 🇬🇧📚🔎🫶 🇬🇧📚🔎🫶 🇬🇧

Narrator was wonderful. This book was the perfect Christmas escape. I would love to see this as a Hallmark-esque book to movie adaptation.

Among so many great Christmas audiobook releases, this one stood out for a couple of reasons. It's a short read/listen; judging by the cover, I was delighted to see it would be set in England and Scotland; and of course, the author is known for her popular book "The Christmas Bookshop". I was in!

In this book, Mirren is trying to fulfill her dying great aunt's wish by searching for a rare book from her aunt's childhood which she wants to hold in her hands just one last time.

My favorite part about this book was how masterfully the author described Mirren's journey through British countryside, towns and numerous quaint antique book shops. I loved the banter between the two main characters and their old-fashioned communication through letters was absolutely charming and adorable. Any book lover reading this book, would appreciate the detailed descriptions of beautiful antique books!

If you're looking for a quick Christmas read or listen, this book has is all: bookstores setting, British charm, and lovely romance.

Jenny Colgan’s The Christmas Book Hunt is a heartwarming holiday gem that perfectly captures the magic of the season. From the moment Carmen steps into the charming, slightly crumbling bookshop in Edinburgh, you’re transported into a cozy world filled with warmth, second chances, and the transformative power of community.

Colgan masterfully weaves humor, romance, and family dynamics into a story that feels both deeply relatable and delightfully whimsical. Carmen’s journey from feeling adrift to finding purpose is beautifully written, and the eclectic cast of characters—including the curmudgeonly shop owner and the eccentric customers—adds layers of charm and personality to the narrative.

The setting is pure magic—Edinburgh in winter, with its twinkling lights, snow-dusted streets, and bustling holiday markets, feels like a character in its own right. Colgan’s love for books and bookstores shines through every page, making this a love letter to bibliophiles everywhere.

If you’re looking for a feel-good, festive read that wraps you in a warm literary hug, The Christmas Bookshop is an absolute must-read. It’s the perfect companion for a cozy night by the fire, with a cup of hot cocoa in hand. Jenny Colgan delivers holiday joy at its finest!

This was so cute!! I absolutely LOVE all of Jenny Colgan’s Christmas stories! They are always filled with such heart and magical Christmas atmosphere, and this sweet short story was no exception. Somehow, in just a couple of hours, Jenny brings us all the joy and magic of Christmas and friendship, as well as the enduring power of books. I also loved getting to see characters from her past books!